Next in a series by June Jenssen.
Legion.
Drawing by Patricia Leonardo Cavalieri (http://sicilianvalkyrie.deviantart.com/)
Lastly, there’s Legion, the bastard son of Rille. Like all nightshades, or nilganash in the illuminar tongue, he is tall and ominous, dressed in black armor with a black flowing cloak. He was raised and trained by the nilganash, and has only recently deserted their ranks to reunite with his mother. He struggles to find a way to carry himself in a godly way as he was brought up in the cruelty and utter hatred of his opposites, the illuminar. Nightshades are violet skinned, a red-purple, with glowing reddish purple eyes. Their skin glows with an eerie luminescence. Black, demonic runes cover their bodies, scars that were carved during their violent upbringing. Here’s a vivid description of the nilganash, or nightshade:
The violent storm ended with one final bolt lashing earthward to scorch the wet plain. It struck far from the castle of Taradin Han, beyond even the view of the illuminar. When the brilliant flash faded a tall figure was revealed standing in the center of the blasted scar. He was dressed in robes of black, his face and hands a deep violet color that glimmered with an eerie luminescence. One hand held an ominous scepter that was tipped with a mummified head from a long dead illuminar soldier.A second dark shape flapped down to the figure, folding bat-like wings behind as he strode up to the robed one, sinister purple eyes blazing. “The illuminar commander named Brinn has taken your bait. He marches upon us even now.”“Excellent news, Hood,” the taller one answered. Now go and see that the others continue as planned. I will make sure this rabble of immortals does not stop our Lord’s plan to trap and annihilate the larger host at Aqualondë.”Finally, as if having drawn strength from some hidden power, the figure slowly raised his head and surveyed with glowing violet eyes those gathered about him. Pay attention, you witless fools,” he hissed in the demon tongue at the gathering mass. His tone was sinister, envenomed and deadly. “You are in the world of the living now, where I am your master.” He glowered at the gathered minions and they shied away from his angry gaze. “Shaitan has granted me dominion over you whilst you walk this material plane. Heed my words if you wish to live long in this place, and free from the tormenting fires from whence you came.”The violet-skinned nil’ganash was none other than Legion, commander of Shaitan’s armies. He strode purposefully into the throng, towering over them, his dark robes opening as he walked to reveal plated black armor underneath. He had a long pointed chin and a great hawk nose beneath glowing eyes, all framed with a tangled head of long ebony hair. Black demonic runes scarred his violet face and hands, one hand toying absently with the strands of blonde hair dangling from the shriveled scalp of the illuminar-headed scepter.
A painting of Rille Ea Forentialle
Rille Ea Forentialle is of the illuminar race, and is much the same as her husband Brinn, though in a sense has a more far-seeing look in her blue eyes, for she was the last to possess the Kallah, which was the inner voice. Now, though, she has a harried, slightly dirty, slightly angry, slightly demented look about her, because she has lost her soul, and the voices of demons run through her head. She is fighting a constant battle to hold them at bay, and the weariness of that war within her head shows on her face. Her armor is scrolled with silver, denoting she is of the silver guard. Several pieces of armor are missing, as she has not kept up with her maintenance, being distracted by the demons within. Rille is 6′ and about 135 lbs.
This painting is also by Patricia Leonardo Cavalieri.