The Taming of the Steed

Ah, yes. It's been a long time in coming, but the fabled Xorothian dreadsteed is finally mine!

It was no easy task, mind you. There were many threats, deceptions, and ... discreet ... transactions made in the process. And patience. They say good things come to those who wait...

After a few ... minor setbacks, the demon Immol'thar lay defeated, and the area within the western corridors of Dire Maul was clear to cast the summoning circle. I freed J'eevee from his jar for a few moments to place the Wheel, the Bell, and the Candle. The circle flared with fel energies. The power was overwhelmingly intoxicating. I smiled wickedly as the runes began to glow and pulse.

Just when it seemed as though the ritual itself would be a simple feat, we were overwhelmed by a horde of demons! Thooroon and the mage, Maligor, did their best to hold them off while I fed power to the relics, but it was of no use. Thooroon fell. Before I could summon it back from death, the demon horde finished off the mage and turned their attention to me...

I feared that I had lost, that I would never capture the soul of the dreadsteed. But when I returned from the plane of death to that of life ... the ritual had completed itself! Perhaps a darker power stepped in on my behalf. I may never know for certain.

With the Xorothian Glyphs in hand, I opened the fiery portal, and through it stepped the magnificent beast. It snorted a gout of flame and reared defiantly. I knew, then, that this was the true test. I ordered Thooroon to attack its fellow demon.

After a few moments of fierce fighting, Lord Hel'nurath of Xoroth appeared through the portal. I had expected as much. From what the warlock who sold me the Xorothian stardust had told me, Lord Hel'nurath seemed the type to jealously guard his herd of demon steeds... He stretched his wings wide and began an attack of his own.

It was close, but the dreadsteed and the demon lord were both defeated. I whispered a few soothing words of comfort and stroked its horns. The soul of the beast was mine at last!


~Nyssarae