“What’s wrong with them? And how did they age so quickly?” A concerned Kailu asked when gazing upon the now elderly Alosrin and Kimiko as Aerilaya shook her head while biting the tip of her thumb in an attempt to avoid going into a panic. “I wish I knew. Do you have anything in your spellbook that could tell us what this is and how it can be reversed?” The Snow Elf questioned while hiding her personal fears, as Kailu started going through his red with gold trim book. “They’re cursed. By what spell I have no clue, but from what I’m hearing it is a similar curse that was used on Zenirons and Zeniron Halflings in that…'' Nura said as she trailed off as pain came across her face. “In the what? And what happened to these people?” Kailu questioned as he was smacked in the back of the head. “Ow. What was that for, Aeri?” He muttered while rubbing the back of his head as he turned to be met with a death stare, which caused him to shut it quickly.
“There’s no reason to get upset with him, Anya. I’m the one that brought it up and I should explain what I’m talking about.” Nura whispered as Aerilaya looked at the child with concern as she walked over to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Are you sure you want to talk about it? I know you said talking somewhat helps with easing the nightmares, but---.” Aerilaya said, but was interrupted by the 10 year old. “It’s fine.” Nura replied before letting out a sigh as she gathered her thoughts before speaking again. “Some of my details might be hazy, but I’ll tell you what I can, especially when it comes to this curse.” She warned while doing what she could to calm her nerves.
“There was a facility not too far from here in Taedmorden, it was an underground lab, where Zenirons and Zeniron Halflings were experimented on. And before you ask, this place was magically sealed to where even Dinir himself couldn’t sense what was happening.” Nura said as she paused for a moment. “Whoever pulled that off must have been a powerful Dark Mage.” Kailu interjected as Nura nodded sadly. “There were several forbidden Dark Magic Mages in this place. Where they came from is a mystery, but the only thing that I do know is they along with the Mad Doctors were involved in torturing people like us.” She replied as Kailu attempted to clear his throat as he felt a lump starting to form. “W-what for? What reason would they have to do such a deplorable thing to another?” Kailu managed to say as Aerilaya folded her arms while looking away with pain on her face.
“They thought we had the blood of Dinir running through our veins. Especially us Halflings. What they were trying to accomplish is beyond me.” Nura said while trying to hold back her emotions. “From what I saw weeks before I lost my eyesight and heard they were using Zenirons and Zeniron Halflings to see if they were immune like a God would.” A hush fell across the room. “Hey, that’s enough for now.” Aerilaya whispered while consoling Nura as she buried her face into her side and started crying. “I’m sorry for asking, but was there a special color to this spell or---?” Kailu questioned, but stopped when Aerilaya glared at him. “Red, on the verge of black.” Nura managed to say as Kailu started to look through his spellbook. “Thank you.” He replied.
After several moments of silence, Kailu spoke up again. “It’s a curse called Ancient Bane, but there’s an issue - there’s no cure to remove it. Well, there’s nothing in my book that can help.” He said as Aerilaya let out a sigh while gathering her knapsack, her daggers, and sword. “Where are you going?” Kailu remarked as Aerilaya headed towards a door. “I’m going to look for someone who may be able to help. We don’t have time to screw around.” Aerilaya said while hinting at she knew more than she originally led on. As her hand rested on the handle while taking a glance at the living room/kitchen area to see concerned stares. “Hey! Wait there are…” He tried to protest, but she was already out the door. “...Slavers out there. Cursed or not, are you trying to get me killed by Alosrin and Kimiko?” Kailu’s shoulders slumped in defeat before gathering his belongings.
The heat from the desert and the twin suns beat down onto the earth below. Aerilaya walked a few steps away from the refurbished Orc house and let out a high pitched whistle signalling Urirn, her Frost Dragon, who landed at the edge of town. “I need to get to Tudosor and fast.” The Snow Elf said as the dragon looked at her companion with confusion. “What reason do you have in that cursed city?” Urirn said while trying to hide her concern as Aerilaya got on her back. “I need to speak with Nhukho the Lich King about removing a curse.” The Snow Elf replied with urgency in her voice as the two flew west north west. “Tudosor? Nhukho the Lich King? How much of this spell does she know of?” Kailu questioned when overhearing the conversation between the two as Onyx was flying by. “Hey! Onyx! Can you fly me to Tudosor?” Kailu shouted as the Winged Wolf looked at him with confusion as the elf explained the situation.
There was a quiet hush across the seemingly abandoned rock town called Tudosor. A chill ran down Urirn’s spine as they walked the streets. This wasn’t the first time they had been here, but the place still gave the Frost Dragon a fright as the citizens as well as their leader were unpredictable. With each step they took, whispers echoed throughout as shadows darted around every corner. “It’s me, Princess Aerilaya, King Nhukho and the citizens of Tudosor. I am in need of your assistance once more.” Aerilaya announced once in the center of town, which caused the whispering to stop as the sounds of thundering feet approached. “Ah. Lady Aerilaya. What an unexpected surprise. What brings you here to the land of the undead this time?” A 8 feet tall man of bones and decaying flesh in armor of old rasped as he stood before the Snow Elf.
Aerilaya took in a deep breath while doing her best to ignore the smell of death that surrounded her. “My partners, Alosrin and Kimiko, have been cursed with Ancient Bane. I need your assistance, your highness once more on banishing it.” She said with anger and determination to prevent another unnecessary death. “Again? I swear if I wasn’t totally bound to this place, I’d give that old bastard Droinyon a ‘piece of my mind’ for the nonsense he pulls.” Lich King Nhukho hissed before he turned away and started heading back towards his palace tomb to gather supplies for a potion as Aerilaya followed after. “So, how are your parents, Queen Merialeth and King Biryor? I pray they haven’t fallen victim to that blasted curse again.” He asked breaking the silence that had fallen between them as they walked further into the cold, damp home. “Naneth was turned to stone and I have no clue as to what has happened to Adar.” She whispered as bowls and other tools to create potions and anti-curses clattered to the floor as a raspy gasp and a mortified gaze came across the King’s face.
“What has that bastard Fayaris and his Great Grandfather, Droinyon, have planned this time?” Nhukho hissed as anger flashed across his glowing eyes. “I do not know what they’re planning exactly, except for bringing back those Goddesses, but what I do know is they need to be stopped.” Aerilaya replied as she paused for a moment while thinking of Alosrin and Kimiko. “But one thing at a time. Do you need any help, your highness?” She continued as he flashed her a smile. “No, but I appreciate the offer, young one. You’re just like your father - always thoughtful, kind, always wanting to help, and looking out for others.” He said while quickly gathering what had fallen and started crafting a potion for her. After several minutes of clattering and clanging, he’d turn to her with a glass vial filled with a dark blue liquid. “Get back to your loved ones, post haste. Despite me being stuck here, I shall do what I can to assist you further on preventing things like this.” He rasped as she gave him a nod. “Thank you. And undead or not, please don’t put too much stress on yourself.” She said before the two said their goodbyes.
As Aerilaya flew back she bumped into an upset Kailu. “What in the 9 Punishment Realms was that all about? And how much of this spell do you know?” He demanded as she let out a sigh. “Can I explain after getting this back to them?” She said waving the potion while glancing over at the setting twin suns. “We don’t have much time.” Aerilaya continued as Kailu gave her a nod as they headed back to Kimiko’s home. “I do have to ask.” Kailu started as Aerilaya gave Alosrin and Kimiko the potion. “Why haven’t they said a word this entire time?” He questioned.
“A mute spell was used on them as well.” Aerilaya explained. “How often has this happened for you to know exactly what is going on and what to do to fix the situation?” Kailu exclaimed while throwing up his hands in frustration. “Droinyon used the Ancient Bane curse and his wife, Ilythyrra used a mute spell on King Biryor and Queen Merialeth when they attempted to do away with them for the throne. And this is how they ended up getting banished from the Snow Elves' Kingdom.” Alosrin explained once he and Kimiko returned to normal. “So, how’s King Nhukho?” He asked. “He’s doing well. Still wants to kill Droinyon after all this time, of course.” Aerilaya replied with a relieved smile.
Tudosor town map created through Inkarnate
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