Prelude to the End

p: Toussaint had emerged from the path laid out by the forest floor, although it had now been covered in a thick 2ft blanket of snow. He staggered between each thick hole dug out by his feet. He was wounded, but not enough to cause him further distress. Having lost his horse due to the chill, he walked most of the way from where the battle had been moving. He hoped to return to the lodge before it had neared. In the slumber of the mountains, he could here the clang of weapons and the hulls of armies moving over every territory. Once he cleared from the forest, it was a couple yards later that he found himself standing before the large lodge door, welcoming it, despite the possibility of it vanishing under the foot of war. He pushed it open slowly, and with that, gust of wind hurling in.



B: Arth pushed passed the door of the kitchen out into the main area of the of the lodge. His face was a mask of emotion as he cared several large pieces of crafted steel to the counter placing them heavily upon its surface. It was several moments before the commotion at the front door roused him from his grim thoughts. "Toussiant.." His voice gruff, but filled with a level of concern. He moved quickly towards the entrance and the large man. "Are you injured?" His calloused hand reaching out in a helping gesture, yet his eyes remained hard and calculating.



p: "They're moving much faster than I had judged before." Referring to the armies, just outside of Gulleh, probably in pursuit of Kelin'Tar. "Wounded, somewhat... but I can manage." He found that no others had occupied the lodge, he assumed they must've fled. "You continue to take care of this place, regardless of the impending doom that awaits it?" He could chuckle, if the circumstance didn't look so grim. Perhaps it was some sentimental, metaphor for the happenings.



B: Arth's eyes lighten for but a moment at Tousiants words. "Yes i still linger here, though i fear that after this war the lodge shall not remain, but as it would seem it is good for you that i do." A small chuckled resounding from deep within his chest. Taking another glance at Toussiant to insure that he was indeed not injured to badly. "Come have a drink." All talk of war seemingly forgotten by the sound of his voice, but had Toussiant been able to view his face, he would have seen it in a mass of nameless emotions.




p: He supposed it was for the best, that the last drink, be drank at the once comfort of the lodge. He cheered that thought, seeing as how the battle left him an emotional wreck, humans fighting demons, and at some turns, fighting their own. It was a spectacle that begged the answer to the questions "Why?" and "What are we fighting for anymore?" He took his usual spot at the bar counter. "Do you think we will die?" He grinned slightly past his worry, hoping for some jovial sarcastic answer that would ease the tension.



B: Arth took his time listening to Toussiant as he spoke, it was unaccustomed for the emotionally distant man, who sometimes bordered on being sinister, to be so expressive with his fears. Despite His own fears he could not contain his amusement with the whole situation. " My friend, tonight we shall see many things come to pass. Yet i believe even at the darkest moment, when a hope and faith are gone, we shall make it through." taking two glasses from the shelf, he took a dusty bottle from beneath the counter. "I've been saving this for a special occasion, but what the hell. soon there will be nothing left to save." The last was spoken with a ill humored chuckle. Passing the filled glass to Toussiant, as he raised his own glass. "To the end, shall we both go kicking and screaming into its embrace."



p: Toussaint bellowed in a laugh joining in with the pride and possibility of being killed or enslaved, all the which didn't seem all that bad at the moment. "First we will be stampeded...and dug from under the foot of these beasts, then we will see our judgment." He grabbed the glass, holding it eye length, and taking a harty swig. The taste was strong, yet soothed his throat as it made its way down to his gullet. The sounds carried by the wind, projecting from the mountain, were not that far along. Though they seemed bare and defenseless, they sat in their fortress, seemingly unbreakable. It was a comforting thing. He grunted with the liquor pungent in his breath. "This is a fine drink." He stated.



B: Arth had to laugh as well. "yes it is a fine drink, brewed by masters a long time ago. The likes that none have seen or will see again." downing the last of the glasses contents and pouring himself another. With a harsh whistle his three ferrets came scurrying from their chosen hiding places. "Servec'tinus." The word crackled with natural power. The three small animals twisted with the word, their bodies cracking and reforming as the full power of the spell washed over them. AS the magic slowly disappated, where once three small ferrets had sat, now sat three twisted dog like creatures, looking no less then a hundred and fifty pounds. Arth chuckled again as his hands moved to some of the scattered pieces of armor strewn across the counter. "Drink up friend. The damned approach." Eyes now turning hard, as he strapped a heavy metal bracer over his forearm.



p: He had downed the last of the reputible brew. He stood from the seat, checking each piece of armor and leather baring. Most of which were tattered and dented. But he sought no means to patch up, as it wasn't worth it. But it still left another question in his mind, thinking back on the days he had first came to the lodge. Whose side was he fighting on? His Master was well within the horde of Demon armies... so he had no choice but to fight for them. He wondered if he should even tell Arth, though he couldn't leave him to surprise on the battle field. "I suppose... for now we're enemies."



Bl: Arth finished placing the second bracer upon his arm, and tightened it. His expression barely changing at Toussiants comment. "Aye, so it would seem." his voice displaying none of the before humor. Reaching down he retrieved a large decorated chest plate that seemed to match the rest of his attire. Strapping it to his chest, he made short work of the rest before speaking. "Here is to hoping we live long enough to be friends once again." He's gauntleted hand engulfing the glass, as he raised it to his chapped lips.



p: Toussaint had nodded. He had wished for these times to be over, because he never once considered any patron of the lodge an enemy. He saw that he was ready himself, almost an expression of brace. He started for the door, "My army must've crushed Gulleh by now.." He said without trying to be pompas about it, but it probably was true. "Fair well gent." Toussaint grinned, before pushing against the winds, it had seemed the war brought with it a snow storm, maybe nature was involved as well. He disappeared into the haze of white.



B Arth finished checking over his equipment, before heading around the counter and up into his room, only reemerging several minutes later carrying a large six foot war hammer over his shoulder, In his hand he hauled three long spiked chains and collars. Slowly he collared the beasts at his feet, preparing them for battle. "Come!" He demanded his voice a unwavering commanding tone. Silently all four walked to the door of the lodge. Taking one last look at around, Arth managed to smile. "Good bye." His words sad and longing, before he stepped through the wooden door into the Snow, the Lodge dissipating into nothing behind him.