Editing Chronicle - Abyss (section)

== Return to Caladhon ==

After saying our farewells, we were taken by Sacarin (our gnome guide) through secret ways that involved a little planar travel to the lowest entrance to Caladhon, deep within the mountains. We emerged into empty dwarven halls with a spiral staircase. In talking during our journey we had learnt that Caladhon was built by the men of Gorgoroth with the help of [[Orodruin]]'s folk, amongst others. Escape routes had never been used, as Caladhon had never fallen, and the entries were likely to be guarded only lightly. There were, apparently, barriers along the routes to prevent those travelling on foot from surprising the defenders, which is why we had travelled through some of the planes. Sacarin informed us that she would wait for up to a week for our return, taking the time from the Prime as all her folk did, and wished us well.

[[Lanzi]] was wearing a new wardrobe again, having worried that the black and white contrast was a little too much like [[Hel]]'s colours. He now wore gold and silver, and was carrying a new staff that he had created with the help of the gnomes. I was not wearing my crown, as I was worried that [[Daudrag]] might show up with the controlling crown in an ambush. Otherwise we were in our normal travelling order. We began the long climb up the stairs to Caladhon above.

We passed through several dusty rooms before emerging at the top of the stairs into a medium sized room. Two Norse guards were on guard beside a large door at one end of the room, although they were relaxed and seemed to have just cooked a meal, their equipment stood nearby. From the look of their makeshift campsite they had been here for some time. Although armed with halberds and on foot, they were still dressed as horsemen. There were more weapons nearby that could be used to arm other defenders if they were needed.

[[Milai]] stepped forward and demanded and audience with [[Perion]]. The guards seemed surprised, but one stepped to the door, opening it without question; they were sloppy guards considering the threat we thought imminent from below. A straight staircase ascended beyond the door, lit by torchlight. The guard led the way, with Milai following closely. Occasionally he would pause to touch various points on the stonework, presumably disabling traps while we passed and reactivating them afterwards, and there seemed to be five areas that were so protected. Eventually we reached the base of [[Perion]]'s tower, entering a map room. The room was large, with a vaulted, pillared ceiling. Archers manned slots in the walls as [[Perion]] studied maps spread on a large table in the centre of the room. He was otherwise alone, and unarmoured, wearing a blue cloak and with an eye of [[Odin]] hanging around his neck.

[[Milai]] hailed him and proffered her hand, the one now bearing the eye of [[Odin]], to be kissed. He started slightly, having been disturbed whilst deep in thought; it was clear that we had caught him unawares. If we had been assassins he would not have stood a chance. He recovered quickly and offered us food and drink. [[Milai]] deferred to [[Lanzi]], who asked to meet with his most trusted council to discuss important matters. [[Perion]] suggested that we meet on the roof and sent a runner to fetch the others. We realised it was morning as we climbed out into the open; having been so long underground we had no idea of the time. [[Perion]] explained that they had managed to gather some 10,000 men at Caladhon, and [[Milai]] expressed concern that the number was so small. He also said that a demon serving [[Orcus]] held Gos for evil.

[[Lanzi]] was acting as if his scarred leg was giving him more trouble than usual, but refused any aid and stayed back as the rest of us surveyed the impressive fortifications that [[Perion]]'s forces occupied. A table was also produced, with food and drink, for which I was thankful. [[Milai]] shared wine with us, her usual mark of respect to important allies. [[Perion]] asked her for news on [[Morgrad]], but she avoided the question as the first of the lieutenants started to arrive. [[Milai]] was introduced to each individual as they gathered in a semi-circle to one side of the table, and there were five lieutenants gathered along with [[Perion]] himself. [[Lanzi]] stepped forward and spoke of an important council to decide our next action against evil. He was still playing on his wound, and [[Milai]] fetched him a stool to rest his leg.

[[Perion]] spoke next, seeking our council on the fight beyond this world. He understood that he was a target, but hoped that by making a stand at Caladhon he would relieve some of the pressure on the other good people fighting for our cause. He was absolute in his belief that he was brought to this place by the Gods, and would otherwise be fighting in Gorgoroth, as some of his lieutenants would council. [[Milai]] raised [[Swords|Agan]] in a salute to [[Odin]], which was joined by all present. This, however, was a distraction to allow [[Lanzi]] (now overlooked on his stool to one side) to use his dweomer to discover who the traitor was, disguised as he was. The man known as Tauson was the one, although at this stage only [[Lanzi]] knew the truth.

[[Milai]] was continuing the distraction, pledging to defend Caladhon with [[Perion]]. She asked if we could return to the war room to discuss strategy, a request quickly agreed by those present. As we began to make our way down, [[Lanzi]] asked Hintzu and me to aid him, and we took our time in following the others. He identified the traitor to us quietly before we reached the war room. [[Milai]] was giving [[Perion]] a hard time about the lightly defended path we had taken, and he admitted being unaware that some of the entrances below the keep might be known to the enemy. [[Lanzi]] started to quiz the lieutenants on their suggested strategy, poking at them with his new staff as he did so. They were all in favour of fighting the battles they knew how to win, out on the plains on horseback, but were also willing to follow the guidance of [[Odin]]. Discussions went on for some time, and we kept up the pretence that we were here to stay and defend the position, but eventually we asked to retire to rooms to rest, and I advised [[Perion]] to consult with his priests for further guidance from [[Odin]].

[[Perion]] agreed to meet me with his trusted priests, and I revealed to him in their presence that we knew who the traitor was. Although he refused to believe it at first, when I told him that we suspected that Tauson was dead and that another had taken his place in disguise he began to doubt. Reluctantly he agreed to allow an interrogation, and my agreement to have his senior priest present to look for any misconduct eased his mind somewhat. Still, he was angry and wrong-footed, and insisted that if Tauson proved to be innocent then we would all have to leave and never return. Again, I agreed, knowing that [[Lanzi]] would not lightly identify someone as a traitor.

However, as he walked back through the courtyard he let out an anguished cry; he had been stabbed! As I ran towards him, [[Melai]] appeared at the other end of the courtyard, her movements obviously hasted with dweomer, and she quickly set about attacking the unseen assailant, connecting with at least one swing. Leaving [[Melai]] to it, I concentrated on aiding [[Perion]], only to find that he disappeared as I got there! [[Melai]] had hoped to protect him by making him invisible, but it did not seem to be working. [[Hintzu]] appeared, swinging with furious speed, and between him and [[Melai]] they were landing more blows successfully. Where was everyone coming from?! [[Lanzi]], I later found out, was above us on the keep, but could not see the threat and decided to dispel the magic that shielded him. This worked, revealing both the assassin and [[Perion]], although a few valuable potions were destroyed in the process. Unfortunately it revealed the assassin sinking blades into [[Perion]]'s neck.

The assassin still seemed blurred in shadow and I called on [[Odin]] to give me true sight so that I might target the foe. [[Hintzu]] and [[Melai]] continued to engage him, scoring some hits but without dealing a mortal blow. I tried to assess [[Perion]]'s wounds, but the slits in his neck were slender and the amount of blood did not seem enough to disable him completely; I was at a loss. [[Lanzi]] started using dweomer against the assassin, but without obvious effect. I was hit badly by the assassin as I shielded [[Perion]]'s body, as was [[Melai]], but [[Hintzu]] was able to get behind him and delivered a killing blow. There was a flash of black and the thing was gone. [[Perion]] was still not moving.

[[Melai]] immediately attempted to heal [[Perion]] but, although his wounds were knitted, his soul did not seem to return. This confused us somewhat, and we started debating what we might be able to do to help him, mindful that a growing crowd of his soldiers were gathering and all looking at us expectantly. I attempted to raise him from the dead, but again his body was whole but his soul was absent. Worried now that the assassin's weapons might have sapped his life essence in the same way that some powerful undead could, I agreed to try to restore his soul. This was no simple task, and the channelling of [[Odin]]'s power through his body and into [[Hel]]'s domain affected my body, and [[Perion]]'s as if we had both aged several years. The attempt, thankfully, was successful and [[Perion]] breathed again! He was very weak and vulnerable, though, and would be for some time.

[[Melai]] drew Tyrus, one of the most vocal advocates for fighting on the plains of Gorgoroth from the assembled Lieutenants, to one side and started to offer him guidance. It was her intention to name him as [[Perion]]'s successor, for him to lead the army from this place and re-engage the enemy in their natural element. [[Perion]] was understandably despondant, but agreed that there was no way he could lead the army into battle in his condition; instead he and the highest of his priests, Horsfen, would act as advisors to Tyrus in undertaking his sacred duty. When all were prepared, [[Melai]] publically recognised Tyrus as Lord of Gorgoroth, presenting him with a valuable necklace as a badge of office, and used her crown to influence the acceptance of those gathered.

Returning to the map room, we spoke of the actions that Tyrus must take, asking him to ride south towards Gos, skirting Morgul but not engaging, and to prepare for an assault when we returned. [[Lanzi]], for his part, presented him with fine furs and a circlet to further enoble him in his people's eyes. We then asked to be taken to Tauson's room so that we could search for any ill influence or artefacts left there. Sure enough, we found amongst the normal warrior attire a small, innocuous silver mirror. When tested, this proved to have dweomer and an evil presence about it.

With some time on our side, I was able to make preparations to divine how it was last used without touching it. I had a bowl of clear water brought and [[Odin]] blessed us by showing in it [[Eolire]]'s communication with an unseen and unheard other party. He spoke into the mirror, saying "My Lady, all of them are here - I need to strike now. Where is your champion?" There was a pause and then he spoke again, "So you are not ready; what do you wish me to do?" Again he waited before replying "It will be done." Clearly this was the order for [[Perion]]'s execution, probably given by [[Inwe]] herself.

Rashly, [[Melai]] smashed the mirror to avoid it being used again. As she did so, she saw [[Inwe and Guerin conversation|echoes of its use in her mind]], which she described to us.