Role

Chapter 3

The terror settling in the Nightborne Queen's shrine was palpable.
Silent screams of terro and surreptious whispers of lust and
from the center of the fountain. The heady scent of spices and
the rich aroma of fresh blood enshrouded the shrine, causing
a dreamy high state of mind.

It had taken many years to finally convince the Leader to show
him the shrine of Eshval. Why he had finally caved in, Kharnial
could not imagine. However, the stories and lectures he heard
barely foreshadowed the intensity surrounding Eshval's shrine.
As he relished the sensation and the foreboding ecstacy within
Eshval's shrine, a sweet and caring voice, filled with intansity
and the promise of suffering whispered in his ear.

"You will come, Kharnial."

A shadow passed over his eyes, and he could barely see the outline
of the Leader taking him somewhere dark. The first sensation he
experienced was the icy chill of eddies running across his skin.
However, what most caught his attention was the bespectacled
presence of that which he most coveted, and that terrified his
dreams and life - the Dark Marquessa of the Children of the Dark
Air, Eshval Ulraith. When she spoke, it was as if she knew what
he would say, as if she directed his every movement. Her presence
smothered him, but through his sheer will, he stayed upright.

"Why have you come to me, Kharnial? Why should you be one to seek
me?"

The seductive undercurrent of her voice nearly swept Kharnial's
mind. The terror of the unknown, of the unexpected, had always
plagued him. Even as a child, although he knew that he would be
punished, he never fathomed of the unique ways that Udgaard Loke
uncovered. Indeed, Udgaard was a man well traveled. Kharnial was
mute for a moment as he attempted to gather his thoughts.

"I have witnessed the sensation that is you, Dark Marquessa.
With every drink, more is revealed to me of your existance, and
it is intoxicating. The Children of the Dark Air that encompasses
your Court, shadows that are to emerge as the Gates to your domain
open..."

Sweat trickling down his face from pure terror at this unknown
yet intimate being, Kharnial began to ramble, placing all he
understood of the Dark Marquessa's existance in line. As nervous
and frantic as he was, he sensed that Eshval was amused at his
antics. Suddenly, as if tired of his rambling, Eshval spoke.

"You are not ready, Kharnial Loke. You will be made my servant for
all of Thera to see. But be prepared. I will seek from you Terror
and its application."

The ominous presence drew closer to Kharnial. Lightly caressing
his neck and his ears, she whispered tenderly in his ears.

'Understand Terror and your own Terrors. Know how to invoke it
and inspire it.'

Shuddering in delight at the intamacy shown before him, Kharnial
nearly lost consciousness. As he felt Eshval's presence wallow
away, he was finally able to breathe. A lingering ring was left
in his ear, continuously whispering 'Terror, terror, terror...'