The Balance of Power

At Darkstorm’s castle Reekon presents his case to Darkstorm that those without staffs are just as important as those with. Unsurprisingly Virulina backs his argument up, both making fun of Mordredd in the process. Darkstorm points out that without staffs their skills may be useless to him, he needs a secret weapon to tip the currently even balance of power between he and Leoric. Obviously tiring of them, Darkstorm sends Reekon and Mordredd to take his armour to Harkon, the town blacksmith. Seething with anger at the task, Reekon comments that any skills from the old age are useless now; strength is all that should be respected. He is surprised to find Harkon is a towering mountain of muscle, the blacksmith pointing out that pounding metal all day would make anyone strong. As he examines Darkstorm’s armour the two Darkling Lords come across an old project mothballed in his workshop, something he was working on in the old age called the Sky Claw. Upon touching it the Sky Claw activates as if still powered, Mordredd follows suit and the wing panels absorb his chest emblem. They take the Sky Claw up; the machine responding to Mordredd’s every command. As the land Reekon asks Harkon if he can make more but the blacksmith says no although he does have another half finished vehicle not too far away he could finish for a price.

Darkstorm is speechless when they return to the castle but the situation is quickly explained. As they dine that night the Darkling Lords talk amongst themselves about Darkstorm’s lack of will to act against Leoric now. Mordredd snaps at Reekon and strikes him down much to Virulina’s amusement. Cindarr seize Mordredd and angrily slams him into the table for ruining his supper. Angry at Mordredd’s actions, Darkstorm throws him out of the hall despite his protests that Reekon started it. Seeking to prove himself he takes the Sky Claw with the intention of spying on New Valarak but then quickly convinces himself what a good idea it would be to attack instead.

Caught unawares the Spectral Knights rush to their defences and are amazed at the working machine, although they quickly deduce it must be powered by magic. Arzon uses his staff and instantly gains knowledge of how to defeat the Sky Claw. Telling Feryl to throw his mace at the centre of the undercarriage the machine is quickly damaged. Before they can pursue the fleeing Mordredd the Darkling Lords attack, Darkstorm having deduced that his lackey would try something stupid with the stolen Sky Claw.

As the battle commences Mordredd finds the Sky Claw is self-repairing and tries to sneak attach Leoric. Only the timely intervention of Arzon saves him as the Knight lands on the machine in bird form and transforms. Knocking the craft off course it strikes Darkstorm’s chariot and is all but destroyed. Reekon calls for the retreat, ordering Mordredd to help the injured Darkstorm. Having lost the encounter the Darkling Lords flee back to their castle.

Later a bed ridden Darkstorm berates Mordredd for his actions and the loss of the Sky Claw and orders him thrown into the dungeon until he decides what to do with him. Locked up in the basement of the castle Mordredd hears the mocking laughter of Harkon ringing down the halls.