Adam's teeth began to chatter. His head spun. Teela needed to grab his arm just to keep him aloft. "So that means..."
"Yes, Adam," Man-At-Arms nodded, "Skeletor is your uncle."
"But..."
"He was burned trying to kill your father. Whatever dark magics he used to preserve his life are better left unknown."
Adam stepped back and sat on one of the stools by the defense consoles. Duncan knew what a blow it must've been, but the rest of the Masters had to know the history of Miro.
"Keldor's birth was by caesarian, as..." Duncan's eyes darted to Randor, "...the Queen died before giving birth. Miro blamed the death of the queen on Keldor and fell into such a madness that Keldor was removed from Eternos and placed in the care of the Royal Family of Sciternes."
"And his name was stricken from the family register at my father's behest." Randor didn't seem especially happy volunteering that information.
"Yes. Soon after this, Miro grew closer to the Enchantress, we speculate that she was using several low-level enchantments in conjunction so as not to drastically alter his personality. Whatever the case, after almost twenty years, the Enchantress made her move."
Duncan activated the main viewscreen. "This is footage from the incident."
The scene was a comfortable room with a simple bed, televiewer, bookshelf, fireplace, and carpet. Near the edge of the screen stood an elaborate folding screen behind which, presumable, was a latrine. A beautiful, busty, red-haired woman sat regally in a chair in front of a wood desk reading a book. Her hair was easily floor length. The only hint that she was imprisoned were thick metal anklets around her dainty feet.
The door opened and a tall man with a greying beard and long hair strode in, armor shining in the firelight.
"You asked to see me on a matter of great importance?"
"I did." She shut her book and stood, crossing the room in an instant. "I want to speak to you about children, Miro."
"Children?" Miro sounded much like Randor. "Is this some kind of threat?"
"Of course not. How could I do anything from in here anyhow?"
"Then what is the meaning of this?"
"How would you feel about giving me children Miro?" She traced the edge of his beard with an impeccably manicured nail. "I guarantee it to be a favorable experience."
Miro grabbed her wrist and jerked her towards him. "Don't mock me, Ungol, for I am not of a mood to take this!"
"Such a pity about your wife, Miro, truly I feel your pain." Her hand slid down to his cod piece.
Growling, Miro flung her against the bed. "Witch! I'll not have you mock my wife!" A young guardsman entered and restrained the captain. "Let me free, Randor!"
"Father you must not!" The young Randor pulled his father out of the cell. Abruptly the image cut to the next day. The Enchantress lay dozing on the bed, a thin chemise covering her breasts. The door swung open and Miro entered dressed in normal clothing.
HE sat at the foot of her bed but did nothing to disturb her slumber.
"Your words cut me, Kirak, I cannot forgive them." His hand brushed through his hair. "My wife is dead, my son - deformed and cursed. What have I done to deserve this? By the Elders, I - I wish for nothing more than peace."
"Then come with me," the Enchantress rose and took his head in her hands. Her eyes glowed deep orange. "Miro, my love, let me help you."
"What are you doing?" He grabbed her wrists and twisted her arms down to her sides. "Stop this madness!"
"I cannot. Fifteen years worth of power lies in this spell, I cannot go back." Her anklets shattered as her whole being flared blinding white.
"Wait-!" Miro's final scream ended in an echoing fade as the light disappeared with an abruptness that matched its slow beginning. The pair had disappeared.
Man-At-Arms closed the image. Randor had grown silent, Marlena was shocked, Adam seemed to be in shock, Teela was pale, and the rest of the Masters nodded grimly. That was the price to be paid for not taking the proper precautions when dealing with a prisoner.
Adam was the first ot ask the obvious question.
"So what happened to them, where'd they go?"
"A very good question, Adam." Duncan gestured to a holotable, where a series of stone tablets appeared. "These tablets describe a phenomena called a 'portcullis'. This spell creates a doorway through our dimension over a set period of time but also ensures that only the caster and those of their lineage can open the 'door'. We believe this to be a security measure taken to protect against an intrusion by The Horde."
The entire group suppressed a shudder at the very name of Evil.
"So what does any of this have to do with our mystery guest?" Randor demanded.
"Think about it, sire. The portcullis can only be opened by someone with the same blood. This is a completely different phenomena from the spatial distortion that brought Queen Marlena here - think on where Adam's bedroom is in relation to the old penal colony."
Realization dawned on the ruler.
"Add to this the stranger's appearance and use of magic to alter his/her appearance-"
"A descendant?" Randor's eyes narrowed. "Wait a moment Duncan! You cannot seriously believe that my father-"
"Is it that ridiculous a notion, sire? Frankly speaking, others that rode with your father have stated that he had a very close relationship with the Enchantress - perhaps not love but certainly a deep connection."
Marlena lay a hand on her husband's shoulder to settle his ire. "Maybe we should have this discussion later, hmm?"
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(Posted Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:40)
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