A Victim so Close

[Alcorad]

Alcorad passed silently over the borders of Rhun and into the great city of Riavod. His eyes stared coldly down upon the crown of the city, the palace of Rhun where dwelt the warrior-king, Khaldun. The beast glided silently down below the stars who's eery light illuminated the beast's dirty hide. The creature's eyes turned and fixed upon the citadel. The creature then swooped downward on the large marble platform before the entrance. Alcorad dismounted the beast and walked past the Easterling guards. They knew who he was. They had heard of him, faint whispers among the guards ever since the appearance of the crow. As Alcorad passed beyond the large doors of the city, he spied the Lord Khaldun sitting upon his throne in the light of candles. As Alcorad approached a faint smile dawned his face and he nodded to Khaldun who nodded in return. It was custom in Rhun that those who came to visit could not come within thirty paces of the High Lord. Archers lined the alcoves silently watching. Alcorad humored this rule and stepped thirty paces away.
"You may come within ten paces of me." Khaldun said in a stern voice, eying the archers at either of his sides.
Alcorad silently approached ten paces before Khaldun and paused. "Khaldun." he said in greeting his head slightly nodding but his eyes firmly fixed not upon the lord's eyes but his neck.
"Why have you come here Alcorad?" Khaldun asked in a commanding tone. He had never cared much for the Lord of Mordor. Alcorad was arrogant. Slowly Khaldun lowered his head and rested it upon his hand. Alcorad was known to Khaldun for his antics and he was tired. He had no time for his little shows that night.


Alcorad smirked as the silence took hold, his eyes turning up slowly to meet Khaldun's own. He knew what he was thinking. He knew what he had been thinking all along. The Easterling's actions were all too apparent and if anyone among those of the dark alliance, Alcorad questioned Khaldun most. "Farewell Khaldun." Alcorad said in a sinister tone and his shadow lurched forward, lunging upon the throne.
"Wha-..." Khaldun began but to no avail. Blood seeped down his neck and his eyes were wide and pale. Of all the things he had expected from Alcorad, the betrayal, the arrogance, for just a moment he had not expected this. Alcorad smirked in triumph and cleaned the ridges from the cut, finishing the slice. He then stood tall, looking down upon the king awaiting his last words.

[khaldun]

He laughed and coughed up blood. "Just as I thought" he said with a grating voice "You had to use your magic to finish me, you were too scared to cross blades with me...typical" he laughed again, dark mist began seeping into his mind. "Men!" he cried out to his archers. "Hassafah!" the soldiers beat their chests. "Aye King!" all but one of the archers drew a knife and plunged it into their chests. The other archer was running to the barracks to relay the order for the soldiers to commit suicide. "My men may fight for you..." Khaldun said to Alcorad "but they will never...call you their true king. May you rot in the void." He slowly got up. "Long live Rhun!" the last of his life ebbed away from his body and the King of Rhun fell to the ground dead.

[Alcorad]

Alcorad smirked and licked his blade clean of Khaldun's blood. "My dead king, I am afraid that you are wrong. I did no use magics against you but I did use the skills that only one of the Annatar could know. Reducing myself to the level of a mortal, second born of Illuvitar such as yourself would be a waste of time." Alcorad moved the corpse from the throne and threw it to the floor. You there!" Alcorad called to one of the guards. "Muster the armies and rally them here in Riavod. It is about time we established real leadership here."

The guard looked from the dead Khaldun to Alcorad and stuttered for a moment, not sure of what to do. He considered the words of the Easterling Council of Elders. It was true that this was the only way to lead their society of mercenaries and so he nodded and quickly ran to intercept the other guard dispatched by Khaldun. Alcorad smirked in triumph as the Easterling passed from the citadel and his rule over yet another region began.
"Are you not familiar with your own traditions?" Alcorad said in an angry tone, flaunting his blade at the man. "If your king is assassinated you must pledge your allegiance to the perpetrator. I am referring to myself."
The guard paused for a moment but after contemplating the situation, realized the law of the Easterling elders. The only way to truly rule their land of mercenaries was to be led by one. Although Alcorad was not a mercenary, he had killed the king and thus by result of Easterling edict, he was to become Lord of Rhun. The guard quickly resolved within himself the answer to these riddles and quickly departed to intercept the captain and kill him.


As the soldier left Alcorad knelt down next to Khaldun's corpse and cooed, running a finger along the pale flesh and smiling as his eyes scanned over the deep gash that reduced the once broad neck, to a thin layer of flesh that clung weekly to the head. Alcorad knelt down low and plunged his long canines into the flesh and savored the flavor and allowed the warm blood to fall from his lips and trickle down his neck onto the collar of his riding cloak. As the sweet taste enveloped his tongue he found the correct place and moment to act. He sunk his teeth deep into Khaldun's body, gaining a tight hold on it and inhaled deeply, taking blood and flesh into his throat but best of all, the true prize. Light and darkness danced about the room and the crimson tint of Alcorad's eyes became opaque and pale as he took in Khaldun's soul. In its manifest form it was white and translucent, something fair and elegant even for a war lord. It was perfect.