Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Rune Aeterna 12
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Rune Aeterna (http://www.runeaeterna.com/index.php)
- Chapters of History (http://www.runeaeterna.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=9)
-- Chapter 12 Archive (Incomplete) (http://www.runeaeterna.com/showthread.php?threadid=21)
Posted by Avatar Scriptkeeper on 02-23-2002 03:01 PM:
Asheri Chapter 12, continued
Just pick up where we left off!
AW Edit: Chapter 12 is incomplete at current, and shall remain so lest anyone had saved the original few posts to Chapter 12 before the move. They were unfortunately lost. If anyone has any info, or a saved copy, please PM me.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Avatar Scriptkeeper on 02-23-2002 03:01 PM:
Gran Adageros Chapter 12, continued
Just pick up where we left off!
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Victor Dominic on 02-23-2002 03:13 PM:
Steadfast was General Victor Dominic as he made his venture towards the fallen city of New Dargent. He and his small company of men were traveling with an important message for the emperor as well as some very dangerous cargo. A nervous sweat had begun to form at the back of his weathered neck, yet, it dissipated nearly as soon as it started, for he had faced things far more evil and foreboding than a resurrected empire in the past weeks. The more that he pondered his past experiences, the less he feared the Nylian Emperor. The infamous Aramus VanVehementi was but a small man in Victor's eyes. No matter how small perceived, however, his following was what Dominic was hoping to attain. Emperor or not, the Empire itself was indisputably the Asherian military superpower. The only nation which kept its ground amidst a landscape plagued with fear was the great technological nation of Balanum.
He arrived at the city gates only to be hailed by a cadre of Nylian Guardsmen. They looked him over and passed odd glances at each other as they joked in their native tongue. Victor paid them no attention. He had not made his journey this far to turn away now at a disrespectful reception at the hands of undisciplined Nylian soldiers. Yet, before he could even make a sound a harsh voice scolded the loitering troops into crisp attention. It was Bjorn. The general stormed through the men towards their squad leader. Words poured from Bjorn with a ferocious sting. Victor could almost feel the strain coming from the petty officer as he struggled to remain still against the verbal barrage. Dominic had picked up a great deal of the Nylian language throughout his travels and during his charges as a high rank in the Lunari Elite Guard, yet the heavy accent and strict adherence to imperial standard speech made comprehension very difficult. He was only able to gather this commotion was instigated by the squad leader's disrespect. Just as Victor reached this conclusion, Bjorn had dismissed the company (most likely to KP) and took matters into his own hands. His lips parted once more to speak, however, this time his tone was welcoming and formed in the vocabulary of the International Trade Language, a recognized and universally taught tongue.
"My apologies General Dominic. The Emperor and I had hoped you would have received a better impression of our empire than that. Those particular soldiers will find the coming week a most unpleasant experience for their lack of manners. Please forgive me for I have not yet introduced myself. I am General Bjorn, Regent Commander of Nylian/Lunari borders. You may or may not know Lt. Col. Sarrofey," With a nod Bjorn motioned for a nearby individual to come forward, "He has been most helpful to our Empire. He has ensured the safety of our people for some months now. We have made him Regional Governor of the New Dargent province."
Victor's eyebrows raised in familiarity of the man that stood before him. During his time with the Elite Guard, Dominic had come to know Sarrofey very well. Whenever there had been a trite border skirmish, Dominic's unit was summoned to end it. The two exchanged glances and nodded. Sarrofey appeared a broken man. His uniform was of Nylian style, rigidly cut and very official looking. Unfortunately for Governor Sarrofey, it was also very not-Lunari. He despised it greatly, yet wore it day after day to ensure his people would not be hurt. The Empire had kept its word so far. The streets were very safe to walk at night and Sarrofey's contingent kept the walls secure without Nylian overseers.
"I know him very well. Very well indeed." Victor gave one last nod to the Governor before being led into the Imperial Manor.
Once inside, Victor was overwhelmed by the excessive tastes of the Emperor. Tapestries hung all around, canvassing and enveloping hosts of paintings completed by Nylian artists. Many of them were dated works yet a distinct number were recent. It seemed as though the rekindling of the Empire had inspired a Renaissance within Nyliam. However, such was not in the interest of General Dominic.
"Please wait here, the Emperor will grant you the audience you have requested shortly. It has been a most pleasurable experience meeting you. It was my men that you defeated in retaking Fayre. You have proven to be the most worthy of my adversaries!" Bjorn casually extended a hand. Victor glanced down briefly then shook it acceptingly. I might as well enjoy what praise I might hear.
Bjorn moved quickly but in a paced manor as he made his exit from the large auditorium. All that stood near were a few imperial guards. Victor's small entourage remained silent in the hallway with their cargo. Moments passed as the Lunari man finally granted himself permission to view his enemy's art collection. Though the vile invasions of the Empire were done by a most distasteful accord, their aesthetic senses were quite the opposite. Dominic had found one piece in particular to be quite striking. It was an oil painting on canvas; a profile of the Emperor's late wife. Her radiance seemed to permeate from within the work. On closer inspection, he noticed the hidden efforts of an artist to mend the painting after what appeared to have been an offensive encounter with a blade, for the canvas had been torn asunder. Only several additional layers of paint allowed the sutures to remain obfuscated. Victor's eyes were torn away from the work as he became distracted by a great noise out in the hall. The emperor was making his entrance. Dominic wasted no time in making his presence known. He promptly made his way to greet his host.
"Emperor VanVehementi. These are strange times, I appreciate you coming here to speak with me." Victor spoke quickly but concisely.
"Well, my singular adversary... I must mention that my curiosity would have been the end of me otherwise." Aramus was in his higher spirits as he spoke with a welcoming smile.
"Were the consequences of battle not so dire as the deaths of men, I would very much enjoy to have you as a worthy foe. Your army is well commanded. Though it pains me, I admit that."
"Enough groveling.. I started this conversation respecting you. Your forces have been the one aspect of this campaign which has stayed me from my course." Aramus was snapping now, a habit of his when he frequently lost patience. "We are both men of pride so let us dispatch with the pleasantries and hear what is troubling you so!"
"I did not come here to complement your leadership. I will get to the point. I cannot fight a war on two fronts. We have been attacked by the Shadowspawn. Are you aware?" Victor's tongue lashed in competition with that of Aramus'. The Lunis General would be heard with no exceptions. His goal must be achieved less the lands be overrun.
Aramus' very ego would be left to answer Dominic's query. "I am aware of these unprecedented pillagings. As ludicrous and absurd as they may be, they are of no concern to the Nylian Empire."
"If the spawn are allowed to run free, all of Lunis will be a shambles. You will have added nothing desirable to your empire by conquering an infested land."
Aramus nearly caught himself divulging the truth about his dark alliance with master Linerin Gheral. After a moments pause to carefully word his reply he broke silence once more. "While I must sincerely thank you for keeping MY Empire's needs in mind, I assure you that these 'shadowspawn' are of no threat to my interests. See how they avoid my cities! They fear the Empire. We are the rulers of this world regardless of their hellspawned rank in another!"
Victor stepped back unable to comprehend the boastful foolishness he was hearing. He struggled to keep his composure in the face of blatant arrogance but failed as his strained words mounted to a scream. "So think you! You have not seen the feral look in their eyes as they end the lives of innocent men! They have less than animal intelligence! I assure you, that if we fail, and every last Lunari is consumed, if they care nothing for nomad flesh, the empire is next! These vile beasts outnumber you soldiers. I have seen their power first hand. Archers will pale in the sight of winged spawn shooting balls of flame, and the scum that walk the land have claws that put Nylian-made steel swords to shame!"
"Please, calm yourself," Aramus was reduced to a cynical laughter as he watched Victor's face return to its normal hue. The emperor was quite confident that his ally would not allow such creatures to trample his lands, "Someone who has defied the mighty Empire should be in greater restraint of his emotions when speaking of mere animals. While I again thank you for your concern, the Empire is quite secure. I do not fear any army, be it human or other."
Victor had finally had enough pompousness. He quickly snapped his fingers cueing his waiting men within the hallway. They responded with trained proficiency as they toted the heavy crate, Victors dangerous cargo, into the lofty auditorium. "Bring forth the Emperor's gift... Do not draw the sheet, let him do it. Aramus, I assure you. You will understand the nature of these beasts better for this. Can you look into the eyes of hate and keep your emotions stilled?"
Aramus didn't quite know what to think of this situation. Was this to be a foolhardy attempt on his life. 'No… there have been too many wasted words for that' thought he. After a short period of time, Aramus dropped his hand from his chin and came forth to the sheeted cargo. After grasping the cloth apprehensively for a moment, he gained his confidence and pulled sharply, uncovering the iron cage entirely. Within was a wounded shadowspawn. Its form scurried to the side of the cage opposite of Aramus and sat peering through him. Not a noise did it make, yet the viper always grows still before a strike.
As Aramus closed in upon the iron cube his glare was met with a likely stare of pure hatred and evil. Aramus knew this look well. It was this very gaze which his father had directed at him all throughout his young life. He would not let some blackened creature intimidate him to his passed father's delight. Aramus crouched sneering at the beast. 'You are nothing I fear little one' Aramus mused. As though the creature read his thoughts and was greatly displeased with them, it exploded forth in a visceral blur of saliva and razor edged teeth. Its skull collided noisily with the iron bars sending it reeling backwards. However, the ruckus of the impact and the spray of lathered spittle sent the emperor likewise hurling backwards in retreat.
Aramus regained his footing swiftly as he bared witness to the now misshapen cage. A sharp protrusion of freshly bent steel now arced jaggedly outwards where the demon had struck just seconds prior. The beast was one of a most wicked strength and vile sentience. 'Has Linerin not instructed his unders that I am to be protected?' Aramus stood in shock, lost in disbelief over the past moments happenings. Meanwhile, Victor Dominic stood smiling for his point had been well made. He nearly laughed to think all it took was a single act of a caged animal to give the land's ruler a moment of pause.
After some time, Aramus' voice was to be heard once more, this time, however, his tone was unsure and startled. "It would seem…" another pause ensued from the mere shock of the moment, "… t'would seem that I have been mistaken." Aramus could not take his eyes off of the beast as he spoke. Victor remained still looking onward awaiting what he had traveled to hear. "These foul beasts shall not touch any of MY lands. I will personally see to their complete and thorough demise."
Victor nodded in acceptance. He knew that this agreement would spell the end of the Lunari independence, but with Nylian Imperial troops marching into his cities, the shadowspawn would find their ravagings a greater challenge. Dominic had seen too many of his countrymen die. The banner that flew over his country was negligible, so long as his friends and fellow Lunari were safe (or safer).
Few words were exchanged after the beast was covered over yet again and removed from the chamber. Aramus made a polite dismissal and even found himself human enough for a moment to shake his guest's hand. General Victor Dominic had surrendered the lands of Lunis for the greater good of his people. He knew deep down that the emperor simply wanted taxable subjects and conquest. The move was in favor of all parties. But much work was ahead. The shadowspawn had to be purged from imperial lands. And Victor had a country to inform of governmental changes. The next weeks would be stressful but Dominic found comfort in an overheard comment shortly before he departed New Dargent.
"Bjorn, ready your men! They are to march IMMEDIATELY. Send for all available units in Militus that have been slated for invasion. They have new orders. Fortify and assist all major cities in Lunis. They will not be hostile so your men are to be of similar accord. I want no bloodshed except that of the shadowspawn. Also, I grow weary of this Linerin fellow. He never told me of such horrid creatures. I want no more surprises. If any agent of shadow shows itself, kill it swiftly unless it professes allegience to US! And one more thing. Send word to Antridyus, I will be arriving in Militus in two days time. We have much to discuss!"
Later that evening, several hours after General Dominic made haste from New Dargent, the fully equipped and battle ready Imperial Army marched from Militus towards the Lunari border. The Empire had just taken a leap in its progress, for now, all of Lunis territories were sovereign soil of the Nylian Empire. Yet, on the lighter side of things, though the Lunari now served Emperor VanVehementi, they would be soon receiving much needed supplies and military support.
__________________
Does it matter who's banner is raised during the battle? We fight for those we know, and so do the Nylians. We're in this together.
Posted by Victor Dominic on 02-23-2002 03:14 PM:
Two more enter the fray...
Aescher and Cainas stood atop the walls of Fayre and scowled. Aescher shifted his bundle of spears to his other shoulder and leaned against an intact guards tower. The shadowspawn milled about, killing one another, but their numbers never seemed to decrease.
Cainas grimaced. Aescher hadn't spoken two words since they left the rest of the army behind. Not that Aescher was a talkative young man, quite the contrary. He dismissed the thought and stared down at the city, or what remained of it.
"Look." Aescher pointed, his arm raising through the folds of his cloak. Cainas followed his gaze, staring down into the city.
"It's a big one. Strong, too. I'd say... about a three years old. Easier to tell with the shelled ones, but this one... Well... It's a guess." He watched his near silent companion's expression.
Aescher was the smaller of the duo, though he held his own in a fight. He stood balanced on the crumbled edge of the city walls, never once thinking about falling. One loose stone, and he'd fall into the vile pit of vermin swarming the city ruins. He wore his hood close, and a thick navy scarf over the lower half of his face. He had small, dark eyes that always seemed to be staring beyond you, and you'd swear he was ignoring you. His hair was a tangled mess. His cloak covered his entire body from shoulders to shins, but it was lightweight and durable. His actual clothing was tight fitting, and a black hide cuirass covered his chest. Of course, no enemy had been fast enough for Aescher to need to remove his cloak for agilities sake in years. Except Cainas.
Cainas had been sparring with Aescher since they had become Silverblades. Cainas was not by any stretch a talkative man, but next to the practically mute Aescher, he seemed a rambler. He stood taller than the other cloaked man, but there the differences ended, save for that his feet preferred the solid stonework of the path. Twins bound in life and death, Aescher was raised by his mother, and Cainas by his father. They had been separated at a young age, but met again at the dedication temple at their parent's insistences.
From that point on, their lives were almost as one. When Cainas had left the Lunari camp to see the remains of Fayre, Aescher had followed immediately, skirting the shadows at the edge of his brother's vision. However, he could not hide for long, and soon joined his brother's side. The journey had been long without horses, but in the absence of General Dominic, someone had to assume the task of scouting the ruined capital.
"Word among the troops is that Dominic is allying with the Empire to fight these vile sacks of flesh. I don't care what banner flies over our heads, I'll hunt these creatures until I die," Cainas said, jamming the butt of a spear into the pavement.
"Temper." Aescher rarely spoke a word, much less a discouraging word. But when dealing with the spawn, he knew there was every need for caution. Aescher had never spoken much. He wasn't dumb, and there were a great many times when words would have gotten him out of trouble, but he simply didn't feel the need for speech all that often. It just wasn't necessary to convey his thoughts and feelings.
"You're right. Let's do this." Cainas pulled up his dark crimson scarf to match his brother's navy. Tossing aside his cloak, he grabbed the trio of spears. His bared forearms bore a strange band of marks, but any Farai would have recognized them.
Cainas and Aescher Rin'Vanere were Laimh Dearag.
__________________
Does it matter who's banner is raised during the battle? We fight for those we know, and so do the Nylians. We're in this together.
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-23-2002 04:55 PM:
The Accident
The master shifted a lever in his complex chamber as it descended the last of the sheer mountain walls, laughing hideously all the way. "Revenge is a sweet treat, don't you think, sir Blanford?" shouted he to the tank at his left.
"Naturally, Master Saotome! And you shall have yours soon enough." came the shout of the Master's Associate.
And the master closed his eyes, mechanically shifting the levers as he had been doing for the past hour. He thought as he did this about revenge, his own genius, and the night of his mother's death.
_____________
We had been away with my father for a full year then, off traveling with him. I remember we were on our way to the landmass of Akaros for a festival. I had a brother then. One night, we were in Noit- yes, I remember it well- I heard mother and father arguing.
When Mother went out that night, Father stayed home, raging. Mother took my brother with him. She was crying when she came back to discover Father out for the night. She was alone for the rest of that night, and she died then..
Father came back, and forced his way into the locked room. He had been at one of the decadent parties there, I could see makeup of several women on his collar and face, but I didn't add it up then.
He was the one that found her body. She had been burnt to death. There was a letter in her hand.. It hadn't even been sealed. My father added it all up at once, he knew what happened. He knew it right away, and emerged from the room shouting, "Mages! Terra Mages! Lunari mages killed my wife!"
I thought he knew it too soon...
_____________
"Ahh! Master Saotome! Agh! Help!"
That idiot mechanic, the Master thought angrily, <>Wihat has he done now?! Looking to his right, he saw that the mole had run itself immobile. Master Saotome grumbled and manipulated the Golem's blade to dislodge it. He descended from the beast and went to the mole, checking it out.
"Great! Your idiocy ruined the track!"
"M-Master Saotome.. we can fix it. We can just borrow a plate of the armor on your Golem, crack it, and use it as scrap to mend the wheel track. I'm sorry. But it should only delay your plans a day.."
"Fine, But next time, I'm cannibalizing the mole to improve our cehicles, and I'm going to abandon you. Blanford! It appears we're breaking camp.."
____________
OOC: Yes, the Master hates the Lunari, not the Balan, but if you'll remember, his motivation for attacking the city is not hate, but the need to improve his warmachines.
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Caliph Wyrdwyrm on 02-23-2002 07:26 PM:
Elana had found him, finally, during their withdrawl from the Emporer's palace. She chased after him, ducking and weaving through his troops who looked at her with a puzzled eye.
"General! General Dominic!"
He gave the girl a short glance. "I don't really have the time for this right now."
She now slowed to a walk next to him, her breaths short and heavy. "But, sir... it's a... message from... Balanum. From Master Wyrdwyrm."
She proffered an envelope to him, and he took it from her with a curious glint in his eyes. The Wyrdwyrm that had been a companion to Indigo?
On the back there was a seal in red wax, of the Wyrdwyrm itself -- a long, scaled beast, no more real than a nightmare. A seal... this did not sound like the ragged, pale marksman Indigo had described.
Still, he opened the seal, and found a note from Caliph inside. Offering to plead his case in Balanum, no less.
He gave a throaty, hollow laugh, and...
CUE: Victor.
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-23-2002 07:29 PM:
Tygan and Carla walked side by side toward the lights of a nearby coastal town. The sun was setting and a cool yet sultry breeze blew across the sand. Tygan busied himself with thoughts of what they would do, while Carla allowed her mind to troll over something that had been bugging her ever since she saw Tygan aboard the ship.
Did he really mean what he said? Does he really l-
“ACK!!!” During her musings she had tread over a clam bed and was now struggling to pull her leg out of the sand which was now up past her knee. Tygan fought off a blush as her dress rode higher and higher up her free leg. As it was, her dress was tattered and was only barely able to cover all necessary body parts. Ever the helping hand, Tygan knelt to free Carla’s leg from the sand, but unfortunately as he tried to dig it out, his other hand slipped upward sliding the entire length of her leg.
“Tygan!!” Carla jumped back, forgetting that her leg was still trapped in the clam bed and fell flat on her rear. The wind caught what was left of her dress and blew it over her head. She cried out in mortification and fought to bring her skirt back to where it belonged. Tygan couldn’t help but gape at the view for a moment before helping her with the wayward skirt and digging her leg out of the sand.
“Er..uh…Nice legs!- Dah!! No!” Tygan fumbled for an apology while Carla blushed uncontrollably.
Crap…she must think I’m some sort of lech!, he thought despairingly as he helped her to her feet. He couldn’t help but notice that she wouldn’t make eye contact with him. However, he didn’t know that contrary to what he thought, Carla wasn’t blushing because of what he had seen, but because of how it made her feel. Indeed such was her embarrassment that if the ground had opened up she would have slipped through without the slightest sound, except for maybe the faintest murmurs of gratitude. But also, she had felt exhilarated by the moment in a way which was completely foreign to her.
They continued to walk with an awkward silence between that was broken only by the crashing waves and the last piercing cries of the seagulls. Quite unexpectedly, Carla’s thoughts turned over to the days before she had met Tygan……
OOC: Grr....To be continued.
Posted by Victor Dominic on 02-23-2002 07:51 PM:
Victor re-read the letter in his hand. It had come too late. Or had it? It occurred to him that the Balans knew nothing of his alliance with Nyliam. How could that be? Surely Aramus had made no secret of it.
He pondered longer, thinking of the complication he had created. Should Balanum join Lunis against Nyliam, whom Lunis was allied, they would be a part of the union fighting against another part. Starting a civil war with all sides fighting the others was not what he had planned. If Nyliam and Lunis allied against the Shadowspawn, surely Balanum's assistance would be appreciated. With all hope, not necessary, but definitely appreciated.
His thoughts wandered to the continent itself. Three of four nations allied. What if Farai could be persuaded to join? Nonsense, he thought, dismissing it. Farai was composed of too many differing believes to unify with each other, let alone the rest of Asheri. Except in times of great need... he thought. And while thinking about the Farai, his mind again changed course, and he began to ponder the two scouts that departed to Fayre before his return to Nevyel. They were both Laimh Dearag, and brothers. They sought to find the root of the problem, regardless of who's army was involved. They would make good allies, should things deteriorate further.
Perhaps I should let Aramus know of this... No, that won't do. If he knows that Balanum may consider joining us against him, even if it be after the shadowspawn are dealt with... No. He'd have no love for even a potential enemy, Victor thought. It would be best to inform Aramus of Balanum's desire to perhaps aid their cause, though.
He poked his head into the common room of the barracks. He spied a soldier walking by the entrance. He stepped out of his room.
"You there! What duty are you on?"
"Patrol duty, General Dominic, sir."
"Tell the next officer you see that all communication to Balanum and Nyliam goes through me alone. I don't want a pigeon sent without my knowledge."
The soldier nodded, and continued on his route. Victor returned to his room and scratched his stubble. He didn't like deception, but in order to protect all nations involved, he had to play a game.
Just think... The future of Balanum, Nyliam and Lunis' relationships rest on me, and they all have secrets... the General thought. He'd have to be careful what he said from now on. He sat down at the desk and pulled out a quill.
Emperor Aramus VanVehementi,
It has been brought to my attention that Balanum has expressed interest in helping Lunis-
He scratched it out and started with a fresh paper.
Emperor Aramus VanVehementi,
It has been brought to my attention that Balanum wished to aid our union against the Shadowspawn
Yes, that would do. He put pen to paper and finished the letter, then began his reply to Caliph.
__________________
Does it matter who's banner is raised during the battle? We fight for those we know, and so do the Nylians. We're in this together.
Posted by Bara Chinder on 02-23-2002 11:41 PM:
Bara and Conchuir rode hard away from parvini. Bara could afford to hang around a town as settled as parvini. There was a lot of people there who were too happy living in happy harmony so when words of him got around he would be in trouble. So for the first few miles of sparse land was a forced march.
After a while they made camp. It was important that did not settle down untill they were in safety. That meant they would try to find a capallan camp in the nearby horse lands. Their conversation to now was nothing but a simple introduction and a little about each other but as they slowed down and stopped off they struck up a real conversation. One question had been burning a hole in Bara.
"Why did you pick me for your aide? Why should you pick a laimh dearag with a crois bui who had just beaten your company around a bar?"
The question had caught Conchuir off guard. "Oh....em..I had been to a fortune teller. She was an old fuairbionn. So I held the reading In respect. She told me that I would find a crois bui from the north and I would have to go and start the unification of the tribes, as there was a dark time upon us." He said. Bara had a feeling that this was a lie, but he made out to buy it.
"And what are we really travelling for?" He asked.
Conchuir replied " There is a dark time upon us. We mustalert the tribes. A shadow has taken endaroth, and word comes from Lunis that the lands to the south have come under the attack aswell. Two scouts from your tribe have been heard to be heading that way. Holy men, dedicated, Silverblades!"
Bara shrugged. The man seemed serious. It was possible but it seemed farfetched that endaroth and the great nation of lunis were falling. "So we are going to save all the tribes? Why are we really doing this?"
"Because Bara,"The Capallan was peaved at the synical remark from Bara, "If we dont then the people of our race and the tribes will be unaware of the dangers ahead. Our nation could be under threat And if we dont tell the people we couldend up in a great danger. Devided."
The capallans impromptu muster speech would have raised a lazy dog to arms if he had had his way, Bara was noticing a boyish eagerness about him. However he did make sense, For warned is for armed.
They had a light luch and set off towards a large horse land known to Conchuir. It would be an intresting journey.
__________________
Were gonna break ya, its gone on for too long.
Gonna punish you for the things that youve done- Capdown
Posted by Victor Dominic on 02-24-2002 12:24 AM:
Aescher was a tornado of spears and blades. He punctured the chest of one spawn, impaling it to the shaft. The beast's mouth was inches from him, showering him with foul blood and worse breath. Wrenching the spear free, he spun around, bringing a short curved blade to his fore, removing some appendage.
He assessed the situation briefly. Hundreds of spawn separated him from his brother, and hundreds more to sanctuary. He had already killed several dozen spawn, including one particularly large and nasty one with spines. It wasn't quite enough to do the damage he wanted, but it was good enough to start working his way out.
Cainas leapt into the air, and was faced with a decision. Rebound off of the spawn's shoulder and attack the flyer instead, or drive his heel into it's eye? He decided the flyer was more of a threat, so he crouched ever so slightly on the hulking spawn's shoulder and pushed off. He seized the flyer by its tail and pulled it to the ground with him, pounding its head to the earth in the process. The spawn to his right lurched for him, and he turned, devastating the beast's ribcage and sternum in a hail of fists and feet. Seizing the neck of another, he crunched it in his hand and hurled the carcass into the fray.
He saw Aescher out of the corner of his eye, heading back for the city walls, taking spawn after spawn down in a similar fashion. He gripped the arm of a nearby monster and bent it backwards, then drove his foot into its skull. It fell to the ground with a sickening crack.
Aescher brought his blade down overhead, splitting the head of a spawn, making a noise like squashed melon. Suddenly, a massive shadowspawn rose up from the ranks, tossing its smaller brethren aside like rags. Aescher pulled a spear from a corpse and waited. It ambled towards him, tearing earth and spawn asunder in the process.
Seeing his brother's plight, Cainas bounded through the antagonistic mass and stood by his side, fists half clenched, head down slightly.
"Last one for today, it should be enough," Cainas said. It was, of course, in reference to their plan to kill enough spawn to create a depletion of their numbers, and then find out how they seemed to regenerate.
The monster approached, and the other spawns fell back in uncertainty...
__________________
Does it matter who's banner is raised during the battle? We fight for those we know, and so do the Nylians. We're in this together.
Posted by Cornelius Harken on 02-24-2002 05:43 AM:
As the last chords of the song faded. He looked up, his Father gazed at him with hooded eyes. " There is still too much vibrato in your voice, and you muddled the words in the last stanza."
Cornelius looked down in embarrasment, it was his last chance to recite the saga. His father chuckled in the darkness. "But my lad it was as good as any journeyman i've heard in a long time." Cornelius looked up startled, then a thin smile parted his lips and he began to laugh. his father raised a hand in caution " A bard should be seemly and controlled he must....."
"Yes I know. be the master of his emotions at all times." Cornelius was begining to calm down. He bowed to his father and looked at him patiently. After a few seconds his father spoke again.
"I know the question you are going to ask and the answer is yes. You may go on the long road and build your own songs. so say goodbye to your mother and pack your things while I prepare something."
He bowed again and left the upper room walked quietly down the stairs and then ran like crazy for the house. he crashed through the door and stopped dead. His mother already had his pack standing by the fire! "So you finished the last saga and got control of your nerves then?"
Then she smiled and began to laugh "About damn time aswell."
She hugged him and pointed to a chair by the table. "Sit down then you great lummocks."
she busied her self producing some bread and good cheese.
"well what did the old fool say then?"
"He called me a journeyman, then told me to pack my stuff. And that I was leaving. Why so soon mother and what is it he is preparing?"
"To many questions just sit and eat your supper. Your father will be along shortly and he'll explain the tradition" he tried to interject but she just held up her hand and silenced him, kissed him on the cheek and left the room.
Outside he could hear his father walking across the yard from the barn. Seconds later the old man was sitting across from him with a dark bundle before him on the table.
His father looked up and pushed the bundle across the table "Unwrap that boy." he commanded.
The cloth was fine and soft, inside was a worn leather case inside that a mandolin. It was the most attractive instrument he had ever seen.
"That used to be mine while I still wandered before I met your mother and built this farm"
"It's marvellous father but why are you giving it to me"
"It always brought me good luck boy. It needs new strings but there are spare ones in the case also you may need this"
The old mans hand moved to the cloth that had covered the case he stood and shook it out it was a long cloak black with a dark blue collar and a silver clasp "Stand up then."
He stood and his father walked up behind him placed the cloak over his shoulders it felt heavy at first and then he became aware of the belt that had lain under it.
It was black leather and had the same insignia as the clasp of the cloak.
Then his father leaned close and whispered to him "Go in the name of your forefathers and sing unto the wise and the foolish. Give aid to the needy who ask and learn from all men. Be wise of the Eternal road."
He walked away and sat next to the fire and drank from the small flask of wine that was alwys on the mantle. "I'll be going to bed shortly after I have, leave this place. In the case you will find a scrap of parchment on it you will find the address of a friend of mine in town go there and show him the belt he'll Know what to do next. Good night my son I hope you return a Bard and remeber I'm proud of you."
With that he finished his wine stood and left the room. Cornelius stood and listened as his father climbed the stairs.
He buckled the belt around his waist and took up his pack. Then he looked at the room one last time.
The door creaked in the old familiar way as he left and the yard was soon behind him. He had been raised on the stories of his father and now he would walk the long road, which for the moment led to Rysend.
Posted by Kane Tallon on 02-24-2002 10:24 AM:
Day one, trip to Noit -sailing-
Kane pushed himself back up and walked to the edge of the ship. The breeze gently swayed his hair and clothing back. Kane looked out at the ocean, and grinned. The grin vanished as he thought of the girl back in Gania, "AHHH, I need to get my mind off that!" He shouted and jumped back from the edge, "Fang..." He whispered and snipped his fingers. Fang came running up behind a corner, then abruptly stopped and lowered his body ready to pounce. Kane grinned and braced, "GO!" He shouted and Fang dashed at him. Kane spun and dodged the pounce of his companion. Fang landed and hopped on once, then turned around and dashed at Kane again, now Fang pounced at middle height. Kane flanked himself down backwards and lay flat on the floor with his back. Fang reached the ideal position. Kane kicked his leg up and leveled it to Fang's stomach he stopped right before hitting it. "Try again...some other time. Fang landed behind him and walked to the nearest wall, sat down, and watched Kane.
Kane jumped back up and glanced over to his weapons, well guarded now. Then Kane looked up at the sky, its clouds passing by, he readied a martial arts stance and kicked into the air. He left his foot in the air and spun to hit it down. His foot bumped loudly onto the wooden floor, he then thrust his fist out, a double right/left combo. He stopped then jumped back, landed, then rolled off backwards. He pushed his hands to the floor and shot them out with full force, he went shooting up, his right leg out straight as if to uppercut kick someone. He landed and spun around, thrusting his arm out straight. He didn't pause, but jumped forward with his left knee out. As he landed he rolled off, this time to the right, he jumped up and kicked his right leg out, to the "place" in the air that he just kicked at before. A sharp sounds whistled whilst he was combo kicking into the air. He stopped then jumped, spun 360°, shot his foot out, landed, and pulled his right foot back. He dashed it out and smacked it to the left, then he brought his leg back up and snacked it the way, as if someone was caught in it. He hopped then crashed down on his knee, the leg that snacked back before. He grinned and stood back up, "...Yes..." He said and cracked his knuckles, a man appeared behind him.
"Impressing, Kane, you've come far." The man said, Kane turned and replied.
"I will exceed them..." He returned, then walked off.
"Yes...you will boy..." The man muttered to himself.
"Yes..." Kane replied unexpectedly, walking over to his weapons and picking them up. He entered past the kitchen and snatched a glass of water, then walked to his room. He opened the door and Fang dashed past him and sat near the box which was on the other side of the room. Kane thumped his fist claws to the floor, and leaned his swords against the wall. He smiled after setting off his weapons. "Let's go back on deck." Fang stood up and followed Kane.
Kane sat at the top of the ship, staring at the sky. His eyes, deep, soulless, merciless depths of horror, pain, and death. He stared and stared, without expression. A crow flew above the ship, then down towards Kane. "A crow...at sea..." he said as the crow landed on his shoulder. "Go...I shall return some...day." The crow lifted again, and flew away. Kane frowned and stared out at the sea now.
Cue: Merelania Hitoshinen
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 02-24-2002 11:01 AM:
She stepped outside with the morning sun on her face. She breathed and exhaled deeply the salty ocean air. She walked to the rail and watched a seagull pass her by. She began to try to put the peaces together of last night.
Something must have gone wrong that night. grrr! i cant even think of it.
She stomped away backwards still watching the seagull. She was trying very hard to get rid of the thought that she slept with someone. It just didn’t seem like her.
She turned around and walked down the deck, not being aware of what she was stepping on.
“Ahh!” she said as she tripped over something, “What the……. Whats my stuff doing here??”
She picked up her things and tossed it on her back
This mess must be getting to me. I cant work like this……
She began to walk back to her room. She stared at the ground with confusion. She stopped and put her cape on. She searched around for her dagger and grabbed it. She threw it at the wall making big marks that started to look like a triangle.
“You know you shouldn’t be destroying public property like that.” said Lyght as he came up
“Just shut up. I’m not in the mood.”
“You know you really should watch your mouth towards me.”
“I don’t have to……” she yelled “Looked I’m sorry. I’m just very confused now.’
“Well do what you do best, find the solution.”
“Don’t you think …….Look may I just have a moment of peace.”
“Looks like you’ve already had enough time to me.” Palin said with a grin
Grrr! If he doesn’t get out of my face!
She held her dagger tight in her hand.
“Look I’m just not in the mood, you guys.”
“Alright we’ll leave you alone.” Lyght replied
“Wait! Have any of you guys heard comments about you sleeping with someone?”
“I have, from the dumbass bartender. What the hell does he know.”
Everything.
Her eyes began to widen as she stared at Palin.
CUE: Palin
__________________
Posted by Volsung on 02-24-2002 11:16 AM:
I see Nylaim
“Land, I see Land,” Called the Watchman inside the Crow nest. Veritas and the others quickly came up from below necks.
“All hands, Prepare to lower sails and drop anchor,” yelled Veritas to the Crew.
“You may want to hold that order sir. I see two Nylaim ships coming this way,” cried the Watchman.
Veritas sat and thought for a few minuets, “Damn it, ALL HANDS STOP AND WAIT TO FURTHER ORDERS. Damn it, I was really hoping that we could do this with out running into any other ships. I’m sure we can out run them if I put a little extra air in the sails, but then these water would never be safe for us again. Damn it what are we going to do now?”
Everyone around was silent until Nascent spoke up, “Why don’t we just keep going to Pontifar. I mean this way if we go into port and just said that we are stopping over on our way to Kenoblious you should be able to safely sail across Nylaim waters the rest of the way.”
Veritas thought for minute and then spoke up, “Ok men we are going into port make the ship ready to dock.” With that, the crew started rushing around getting everything ready.
Then Veritas turned to Nascent, “This had better work because I don’t think we can fight our way out of this bay.”
“Don’t worry about it. I have sailed in and out of this port many times and it perfectly safe.” Veritas looked at Nascent with a bit of question, but she didn’t say anything. She simple walked over the to help some of the crew make the ship ready for docking.
While all of this was going on Nylaim ships had sailed past, the Secunda Falia barely taking any notice of her, but the Course had been set and Veritas was not one to back down after she had started something. In the mean time, John and Volsung were sating in the bow watching shore as it came nearer. “Its been a long time since I’ve been to Asheri, I barely remember it yet Somehow is seems like right place to be.”
“We will see about that.” Said Nascent coming up from behind, “There are a great many things to watch out for, and once we get inside Nylaim you shouldn’t use your magic.”
“Why is that?” Asked Volsung surprised at Nascent words
“There are very few Magic users I Nylaim, it has always been that way. So, any one using magic is calling unnecessary attention to them self.”
“Ok thanks for telling me.” About that time Secunda Falia, reach the Ports of Pontifar. “Well it looks like the moment of true is here so lets see if we can do this thing.”
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Merelania Hitoshinen on 02-24-2002 12:10 PM:
On The Ship
Merelania awoke the next morning on the uncomfortable bed and sat up, her head spinning slightly. Her long pale blue hair swayed along with the rocking of the ship against the waves as she sighed softly. She wanted so badly to get to Noit, become dedicated, and to travel around the continent practicing her newly found powers, maybe to show them off a little. She also wanted to look for her father and with some magic, she could probably get by much easier and maybe help her find something related to his disappearance.
She braided her hair into two long braids then tucked them up under her cap. She pulled a white blouse, a mangled pair of trunks, and pair of working boots from her pack. She was glad she had packed most of her belongings with her. She changed into the new ensemble and shoved the rest of the clothes into a chest in the corner of her room. Then she began to think of where Kane would go after they'd arrived in Noit. He had only come along to be a companion until she had made it to the temple, or at least that is what she thought. But what if he wanted to stay with her and continue to travel with her? What if he wanted to leave and go out on his own? These thoughts made her very perplexed and confused as to what to say to him. But she sighed and tried to keep a cheerful smile upon her face so that he wouldn't think anything of her thoughts. She was sure they didn't really matter to him anyways, all it seemed he was interested in were his fighting abilities, battles, and weapons, like any man of his age.
She searched through her pack for an apple and began to eat at it. She threw her pack in the chest and walked out, closing the door behind her, and heading into the galley. The cook was stirring up some stewed breakfast for the crew. It didn't look healthy, and it didn't smell too good but she knew they only used what they had. She couldn't believe she had slept so long, especially on a ship, for now it was the morning of the next day! She remembered she had to repay the captain by doing some things around the ship for him.
She stepped up to the cook's counter and looked over at him. "Excuse me sir, but would you happen to know where the captain is? Or where I can be of any help?" she questioned anxiously, leaning over the counter, and tossing her apple core into the trash barrel. She really was bored after all and needed something to do, whether it be to dirty her hands or not. She wasn't fiesty about being clean like most girls her age, unless she need be presentable, which wasn't the case.
The cook turned to her and nodded his head. "Where'd ya get dat apple?" he asked simply. She pointed back to her room. "I bought some fruits when we were in Gania, would you like to use them for something?"she inquired curiously. He nodded and continued, "Go get 'em fer me lass, I need a bit a help behind 'ere, or da 'ole crew ain't gunna be fed dis mornin'. Dey sure gunna get a treat dis mornin'!" He grinned, motioning her to come back, and help with the breakfast after she had retrieved the various fruits.
"By da way, me name is Gus, if ye wanted ta know." She nodded and smiled, and while introducing herself, grabbing a knife, and pulling the fruits from her pack, chopping them up. She mixed the different ripened fruits concocting a rather delectable dish for the lean, hard-working sailors.
***************
About a half hour later, some of the boys started rolling in, standing in a line at the counter for their morning meal. Merelania scooped out the food, slopped it into dishes, and handed each man a dish. The men gratefully took the food and sat down at the tables, nodding at the differently delicious taste of the fruit.
"What you use this time, Gus? Tastes awful good...!" one sailor proclaimed. Merelania laughed softly at the remark. Gus turned to the out-spoken sailor and shook his head, the dark brown hair on his head shaking briskly along with him, complimenting the girl. "Naw I didn' make da fruit salad, da lass did. Ain't she a wonder? New treat fer ya lads she be makin' ya fer yer work." They all tossed their hats into the air, catching them, and continued to eat, grateful for the new taste added to their dull tongues. After Merelania had been complimented by most of the crew eating, she strolled out onto the deck.
She looked around for Kane, even though she hadn't wished to talk with him, therefore causing one of those 'awkward silences' between them both, and found him, practicing with Fang at the far end of the deck. She did not wish to bother them, so decided to roam around the deck. She looked up at the Crow's Nest in deep interest. She thought to herself, "I bet I can get a great view of the ocean from up there...and I'm sure I won't be bothered too much. Maybe I will be able to think about what I am going to do after I reach the temple." So she climbed up the tangled rope ladder and into the Crow's Nest.
***************
She sat there until mid evening, gazing into the deep blue ocean and sky, the salty sea breeze blowing through her hair, her eyes slightly stinging due to the saltiness of the brisk air. She looked down below her, to see the crew working out on the deck, mopping, opening the sails to increase speed to travel faster to Noit, and talking with Kane. She decided it was time to get down from there. She was getting hungry and she was fatigued from the murky air and winds. Maybe she wasn't meant to be a sailor! So she climbed down slowly from the nest and walked back into the galley, grabbing a bite to eat from the cook, and bidding goodnight to all whom she crossed..
Cue: Kane Tallon (Btw, I would like to get to Noit soon! >^-^<)
__________________
~When we do things out of great love, rather than great expectation, more comes back to us than we could have ever imagined.~
~The desire to know is not necessarily wrong but remember that if you're not careful one mistake and you'll create monsters worse than imaginable.~
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-24-2002 01:56 PM:
Several weeks ago her mother had paid an unexpected visit to Carla’s room, taking the girl by surprise. She never said a word to Carla unless it was absolutely necessary, and usually it was in the form of criticism. Carla watched as she crossed the room and sat daintily on the edge of her bed and looked down at her daughter, who was reading on the floor, with an expression that clearly stated, ‘Must you? Honestly, Carla…’ She said nothing however and cleared her throat.
“What is it mother? Have I done something wrong?”
“No Carla. Your father and I have been talking, and we think it’s vital that we send you away.” This came as no surprise to Carla. Her mother now stood and paced slowly.
“It won’t be forever, but you desperately need instruction on etiquette and…..” Carla waited patiently for her to finish. “And well….it just might be best if you went away for a few years.”
At last the truth was out. Her family was finally growing tired of merely keeping her out of the way by caging her in her room, and now sought to rid themselves of her completely. Tears needled her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of her mother. She wouldn’t show her any weakness. Instead, she replied in a choked whisper.
“Yes, mother. As you see it best.” Relief spread across her face as she turned and glided toward the door. She turned to her daughter one last time and flashed perhaps the first sincere smile that Carla had ever received. She found herself smiling back as her mother turned the knob and slipped out of the room.
Don’t get too smarmy. She was only smiling because they’re finally getting rid of you, she thought bitterly as the smile faded from her lips. As she did so often when she felt alone and helpless, she hugged her knees to her chest and rocked back and forth. Her book lay forgotten on the floor as she wondered with some amount of dread where she would be sent.
As it turned out, she wouldn’t have long to wonder. The next morning her mother bustled into her room and shook her daughter awake.
“Come on Carla. You go to your new school today.”
“Wha-“
“I’ve already packed your things and sent them to your dormitory. Get dressed.” She left as quickly as she appeared, leaving a groggy and bewildered Carla sitting up in her bed. She rubbed her eyes and saw her mother had been true to her word. All of her things, mostly books, had been cleared from her shelves sometime during the night along with her clothing and other trinkets she had collected over the years. A single outfit had been laid out at the end of her bed.
Her heart sunk heavily in her chest as she rose and swung her feet over the side of the bed. Unfortunately, her feet were still entangled in her sheets, so when she attempted to rise, she lost her balance and fell to the carpeted floor with a dull thud that echoed throughout the mansion. From the living room below, her mother and father exchanged glances which said ‘She’s up.’
After toppling to the floor several more times and once running into the wall when she attempted to keep her balance when putting on her shoe, Carla was dressed and ventured out into the corridor where she promptly ran into one of her elder sisters. She saw them so rarely it was difficult at best to remember who was who. She looked down at Carla with an expression of sheer annoyance and spoke in a voice that matched her face.
“Oh. So you’re up already. Mother and Father are waiting for you downstairs.” Her eyes beckoned Carla to follow her as she made a right and started down the massive staircase. She saw her father standing by the banister smiling as the elder sister made her way down the stairs. Then he saw Carla, and his smile fell. His mood didn’t improve when Carla stumbled down the last few steps, barely missing a suit of armor. He grimaced and shook his head.
“Come along Cordelia.”
“My name is Carla.” He nodded quickly and escorted Carla into the parlor where her mother sipped on a cup of tea.
“Your mother will take you to your new school-“ The sister who had been with Carla on the stairs cried out a voice which reminded Carla of a horse.
“But Mother was supposed to help me with my wedding dress today!” Tears stood in her eyes and her breast heaved with the weight of them. Her mother immediately crossed over to her and reassured her she’d be back in time to help her.
“Want some cheese with your whine?” Carla muttered. Her sister shot a glare at her and replied reproachfully.
“Shut up you little insect! I don’t even want you at my wedding!” Carla took this in stride. She had no idea about the wedding in the first place. Fortunately her father intervened before she could say something else.
“Now Sonya, you don’t mean that. Carol’s your sister.”
“My name’s Carla.”
“Quiet. It’s rude to interrupt.” Carla quelched her desire to point out that Sonya had interrupted only a minute before but fell in obedient silence under her fathers stern stare. He sighed heavily as if he was about to make a great sacrifice and turned back to his wife and daughter.
“If Sonya needs you then I’ll take Colette to the institute.”
“It’s Carla,” she whispered. Noone heard. Sonya sighed in relief and grinned smugly at Carla as if to dare her to protest. She was a little disappointed when she didn’t. Nothing more was said as Carla was led from her home and into the carriage. As it pulled away from the towering walls of the mansion she felt a sneaking sense of relief and nothing more.
She never looked back.
CUE: Tygan. Go ahead and post something if you want to. Carla's just going to be deep in thought for a while.
Posted by Volsung on 02-24-2002 08:04 PM:
The inspector and Good-bye
The dock master directed the Secunda Falia to a dock in the middle of about four other Nylaim ships. “Well this don’t look good.” Said Veritas to Volsung who had moved to his sisters side while the ship had been moving into to dock.”
“I wouldn’t think to much of it this is a major port after all and this I a Royal Ganian ship I sure they are just doing this out of respect. Hell I bet they even think that they are protecting us.” Said Volsung doing his best to try to make his sister feel I little more at ease.
The plank was quickly lowered down, and in the mean time Veritas had order all the crew stay at there port until they had gotten the all clear for the ship inspector.
The inspector moved quickly up the plank and on to the ship, “Who is the captain of this ship?” He asked to the crewman he seen.
“She is,” said the man Pointing to Veritas.
“Hmm,” he said and then he walked over to Veritas, “My name is Lesbos Iousis, I am here because all ships entering Nylaim must be inspected in order prevent attack on the Empire, and so I ask who are you and May I inspect your ship?”
“I am Veritas Vesper of the Royal guard of Gania, to your second question I you may insect my ship I have nothing to hind.”
“That’s good because we will be searching everywhere.” Then he gave out a whistle and six men came running up the plank then eh spoke to them, “Start at the bottom and work your way up and do not over look anything, If something Is locked ask someone to open it if they do not open it, break it down.” The men nodded and when to work, then turning back to Veritas, “So what business brings you from Gania to Nylaim?”
“We are on our way to Kenoblious to pick up gems for the King of Gania.”
“Wouldn’t it be much faster to sail the other way around Asheri?” Ask the Investigator
“I don’t know I have never sailed for Noit to Kenoblious before, I was simply looking at the map and I noticed that this is one of the few port in the northern Asheri, and I thought that I would be a good place to rest. Because the water between Asheri and Gran Adageros are know to test a great many ships.”
About that, the men came up from below. “Sir the ship looks clean.”
“Good work Men, now go on the next ship I will be right with you.” Then the Men rush off. “Well Miss since you are clean you are cleared to sail across all Nylaim water.” Then he handed her are pack of paper. “These paper say that your ship has been cleared to sail in Nylaim waters much remember any ship without these paper will be sunk on site.” Them the Man to walk down the plank; “I hope you get to Kenoblious without any problems.” And with that, Lesbos Iousis was gone.
“I told you there was nothing to worry about.” Said Nascent in smug voice
“Shut up,” said Veritas and then she decked Nascent laying him out on the floor.
In the mean time, Volsung had gone down to his room to change into his Green robes. Then he rewrapped Vesta. “I’m sorry to leave you again so soon my friend but I swear that I will have you reforged as soon as I can.” After packing the rest of this things in his backpack Volsung when over to Sayomara’s Room, “Hey Sayomara are you ready to go.”
“I am always ready,” and then he swung open the door. “Time is wasting we have a lot of things to do before the day is done.” Volsung not know what to say at the sight of old Sayomara running up the stairs to the main deck just followed and prayed that he wouldn’t hunt himself. Then they got to the deck they found john helping Nascent up, and Veritas was telling the that they had one week of shore leave, but they had to come back to the ship every night. Most of this didn’t matter all that Much to Volsung, Sayomara, and Least of all Nascent who was recovering from Veritas Hit.
“Boy that hurt I can’t believe she hit me.” Said Nascent
“Well she is on a ship full of horny men I don’t think she takes that from anyone. In any case I think it’s about time to going I mean we have a lot to do before the day is done.” Both Sayomara and Nascent Nodded and so the each said good-bye to John. Then Each said good bye to Veritas last of all Volsung, “Well Sister it looks like were parting again, take care of your self and I look forward to seeing you In Kenoblious.”
“As do I brother now don’t do anything stupid and watch your back.” Then they hugged and with tears in their eyes Volsung, Sayomara, and Nascent caught up with the rest of the crew and blended in as not to be seen.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Cornelius Harken on 02-24-2002 08:37 PM:
The tavern door swung open and he walked in. The noise level was quite high and did not change as he gazed across the tap room. That was good these people had nothing to hide from him, at least nothing that would threaten his life.
That was when he saw the barkeep staring at him. The man looked like he had seen a ghost.
At his side someone spoke. "You must be Jacobs boy Cornelius come over by the bar." He looked down by his right shoulder to see the old woman, she looked up " Don't mind Ezra he's just surprised by how much you look like your father."
That was a surprise he didn't see him self as anything like his father but after a seconds thought there seemed a rightness to it.
"I'm Syra Harken I'm your aunt." said the old woman
"But I thought I did'nt have any relations in town."
"Well you do and there is some unfinished family business."
"Business?"
"You are not yet fully trained."
Cornelius was suddenly angry. "But I passed the test of the sagas. and now i'm here and your telling me that the last fifteen years was a waste of time.?"
"No merely that you arn't ready to have the inheritance yet"
"Inheritance?"
"We'll not all of it at least" the old woman looked at him kindly and smiled he frowned back.
And then a small thought intruded in the back of his mind
"a bard must be seemly and controlled...."
A second later he was smiling back. His training comming to the fore, putting all his black thoughts aside he spoke the words that were the source of every bit of wealth that any bard could hope to own.
"How may I serve this establishment?"
That brought a chuckle from the old womans wrinkled face.
"Sing for your supper journeyman." As he stood she took a good look at the silver belt clasp and nodded to herself.
He pulled a chair from the corner and sat down. Then he removed the mandolin and began to replace one of the strings that was broken. When he was finished he thought on what to sing. The bar had mainly farmers from the surrounding countryside, sitting around and bragging of thier profits. Nobody paid him any mind, until he struck the first chord it was a ballad from times past in the old form of language but people got the clue and began to listen..
"When that I was a little tiny boy.
With a hay ho the wind and the rain.
The foolish thing was but a toy.
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came to mans estate.
With a hay ho the wind and the rain.
To knaves and thieves men shut their gate.
For the rain it raineth every day.
But alas when I came unto wife.
With a hay ho the wind and the rain.
By swagering I could never thrive.
For the rain it raineth every day.
But at last when I came into my bed.
With a hay ho the wind and the rain.
The tosspots led to shrunken heads.
For the rain it raineth every day.
That was when the first mug of ale arrived. Cornelius had never had more than one pint to himself before and as the beer began to flow so did more songs. It was going to be a profitable evening.
Posted by Cedric Renfield on 02-24-2002 09:00 PM:
The Grove
It had been 2 days since the trio had left Miltus. Ewen had explained to them how he and his crew had been caught by a squadron of Nylian soldiers. The Lunari militia that Ewen lead made up a story that they were traveling to Miltus to join the Nylian Empire. Though his men were from Lunis and loyal to the province, they were not of Lunari blood, which made their story more believable.
Ewen had only spent roughly a month in their service, but his size and seeming eagerness to serve accelerated his climb in the ranks till he was a well respected leutennant. He had much information on the Nylian military that would prove useful for the Lunari opposition. However, when they reached Filiam, they were informed that Nyliam and Lunis had allied themselves against the new threat of the Shadowspawn.
This development somehow did not surprise Sekirah or Ewen. Cedric took it in stride; he had seen the Shadowspawn when they attacked Balanum and thought they were the most evil creatures he had ever dreamped of; like beings out of a nightmare. He hoped that the alliance would bring an end to their terror.
By now, the travelers werestanding on a plain, a few miles off the road, looking at the coniferous forest before them that was the sacred grove. It seemed to shine with it's own light and the three began to make their way towards the forest.
"I wonder if I'll find what I'm looking for here," Sekirah said when he reached the edge of the grove and dismounted his horse.
"If you're looking for forgiveness, you could find it anywhere," said Cedric, tying his donkey off to the trunk of a tree.
Ewen said nothing; he wasn't really interested in all this "religious talk" as he called it. He had never been a very faithful person. He of course believed in the Creator, but She had never been an important part of his life. His life was his own and he did what he wanted; that's the way it had always been. Needless to say, he didn't get along with the priest nearly as well as he did with Sekirah.
The branches on the trees seemed to grow out at the perfect height for a man to walk under them and little rays of sunlight along with snowlike flecks of holy light weaved their way through the branches. The holy light created a glistening dew upon all of the plants that sprung out of the ground. Here and there birds swooped and dove through the air, causing the flecks of light hanging there to twirl around it'self. The whole grove was truly breathtaking.
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-24-2002 11:43 PM:
The carriage pulled into the courtyard of another mansion much later that afternoon. It was by far much larger than her own but it’s appearance greatly stripped away from its splendor. The masonry was gray and uninviting, with great tendrils of ivy crawling along its surface like the limbs of some dying creature. Carla didn’t have to touch the walls to know they would be ice cold. Elegant pine trees enclosed the massive estate while various oaks, elms and birches dotted the grounds. The driver of the carriage held the door open for her and managed to catch her before she fell to the ground. Her father remained seated and spoke in a hurried manner.
“You’ll be able to come home during holidays. Be good and mind your instructors. And take this.” He held out a good sized pouch filled with gold Grans. “Just in case you need anything.” From over Carla’s shoulder he saw a portly woman appear at the top of the stairwell leading to the mansion and nodded to acknowledge her presence. He then motioned to the driver that he was ready to leave and waved a final farewell to Carla. She watched solemnly as the carriage grew more distant.
“Miss Blanche! It’s rude to keep your elders, or anyone for that matter, waiting!” Carla jumped in surprise and turned to see the woman glaring down at her from the top of the stairs.
“Oh! I’m-“
“You do not have permission to speak!” The woman bellowed. Carla’s heart hammered in her chest. The woman before her was shaped in the likeness of a pear, but Carla had to confess it was he meanest pear she had ever seen. Her hair was a depressing shade of red and beginning to gray at the temples and was pulled in a tight bun that lifted the skin of her forehead. Her face was cracked with several deep wrinkles and her mouth sagged in a permanent frown. Carla doubted she could smile even if she wanted to. She inhaled deeply, almost as if it were some test to Carla’s character, then exhaled noiselessly.
“Come then Miss Blanche. You will be introduced to the Head Mistress then you will go straight to your room. Is that understood?”
“Yes ma’am,” she replied meekly.
“DID I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO SPEAK!?” Her voice shook the foundations of the building. Carla shook her head fiercely.
Glaring at Carla like she was something too distasteful to be mentioned, the woman turned to go back inside the building while Carla fought the urge to turn and run and eventually followed her inside, taking special care not to trip.
The inside of the mansion was a startling contrast to its exterior and she gasped in amazement. This brought about another round of bellowing from the pear woman, whose name Carla would later find out, was Miss Hackett. Her hips jostled back and forth like two wild animals seeking dominance under her skirt as she led Carla down the lavishly decorated hallway. She tripped twice receiving a cold, mocking stare from Miss Hackett both times.
It was unnaturally silent and at once Carla began to fear she was the only pupil in attendance to this hell. Miss Hackett stopped suddenly causing Carla to teeter off balance and fall flat on her rear. She wheeled on her angrily, her nostrils flared and her eyes widened, but she remained silent. Carla peered around her meaty legs and saw why. She stood in front of a mahogany door with a large brass plate that read: Head Mistress’s Office. She felt an odd sense of fear wash over her as she rose shakily to her feet.
When she saw that the girl was presentable, Miss Hackett rapped the door in a manner that was comically prissy. From the other side of the door a pleasant sounding voice beckoned them in and Carla felt some of her fear lighten.
Inside, she saw a young woman sitting behind an expansive and expensive looking oak desk. Papers were arranged in neat piles and the wood was polished to a blinding shine. Her hair was a rich golden blonde and fell gracefully to her shoulders and framed her delicate face in smooth waves. She rose as if being pulled gently by a hidden string and seemed to float to where Carla stood in wonder. Her voice was like a harp being played.
“Hello Miss Blanche. Welcome to Gania’s School of Etiquette.” She nodded to Miss Hackett who then left the room, which seemed to brighten in her absence. For fear of being scolded again, Carla remained silent as she began to list her classes, the rules and what was expected of her during her stay.
Finally, after forty five minutes, (How can there be so many rules?, Carla thought.) she turned to Carla and asked,
“Do you understand all that Miss Blanche?” She opened her mouth to speak, but caught herself in time and nodded instead.
“Very well then. I’ll show you to your dormitory.” Her voice was crisp as new parchment and there was no question in obeying it.
Carla’s room was located on the second floor and in the eastern wing of the estate. By now it was early evening and the room was quite dark despite the towering windows. The room itself was smaller than hers at home, but it was cozy with its warm textures and colors. And she noticed that all of her possessions had been placed neatly in the shelves ahead of time. The Head Mistress (Carla was never able to catch her name) spoke from the doorway as she made herself at home.
“Breakfast is at 7:30 and your first classes begin at 8. Do not be tardy.” She waited for Carla to nod then left her behind to finally settle in to her new life.
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 02-25-2002 01:47 AM:
Eric sat at a barstool in the Seahorse Inn; he had a cup of ale in front of him and took a swig of it every now and then. His mind had turned over his situation several times already, but he had yet to come to any solution. As much as he had drank, he could barely feel the buzz. It gently played with his senses, but never really overcame them like it had when he was younger.
"You got somethin' on your mind, lad?" the barkeep asked.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Eric answered, lifting the glass of ale to his lips. "Work's been slow with this damned war. There's barely any sea traffic anymore."
"Ah, you a sailor then?" he inquired further. Eric just nodded; he'd let the man think that. The last thing he needed was someone calling the law on him. "You're better off joinin' the war then. You heard that Lunis and Nyliam are allies now, right?"
"No, how can that be, they're the only two fighting, unless Balanum has turned itself against them, but they wouldn't be so much a threat that the two would need to be allies," Eric said, thankful for a new topic of discussion.
"Local forces just got a pigeon today, they're allied against some new force. They're calling it the Shadowspawn."
"Never heard of it before now, what is this Shadowspawn?"
"Rumor has it, a force of grotesque creatures that roam about Asheri attcking travelers and villages."
Eric finished off his ale and slammed the drink on the countertop. "They don't sound like much of a threat to an army to me, let alone to Nyliam."
"They leveled Fayre, from what I heard. They took some big chunks out of the Chora Tree, too."
"Most of the Lunari army was in Fayre last I heard, how'd the Shadowspawn get through them?"
"The Lunari couldn't hold the spawn back, they took the city and everyone had to evacuate," the barkeep explained. "They sound to me like a formidable foe to any army."
"To think, animals besting an organized army..." Eric said thoughtfully. If trying his hand against these spawn would bring sea traffic back to normal, he would do it, but he had a problem. "The only thing about joining the army is, I have a contract with my Captain; I can't do anything on my own till it's up."
"They aren't just animals boy, and your captain won't have much work till they're disposed of either."
"True enough, I'll talk it over with him..."
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-25-2002 04:43 PM:
The Breakfast
"Rise and shine, boys!" came a sweet voice at the door.
"Aww, ma, just another ten minutes? Pleeease?" this voice way a young boy's, and more familiar than the first.
"You've already slept in long enough for me to fix breakfast." this was the first voice.
"Breakfast? Come on, Leo!" the figure with the boyish voice land on an inert face-down body, "Breakfast!"
"Mu... sei...?" was the body named Leo's protest. He rolled onto his back, at which Raven dove to the floor, and Leo sat up, "Mm. Thank you for all of your assistance, Mrs. Goverson. I'll be sure to back you back as soon when I have the money. It's been a long road, and I'm finally here." He looked down at his feet, thinking about the trip over. I have killed..., he thought guiltily.
"I'll leave you boys to get rea-"
"Mrs. Goverson? Could you tell me where the nearest church is?"
"Well.. there's the one down Cherry street. It's open on Sundays and Wednesdays and Mondays, and If there's an emergency.."
"Thank you." Leo reached over and pulled his long multi-colored shirt over his head, "We'll be down in a minute."
He was eerily quiet at breakfast. Leo said his goodbyes and thank-yous, and slipped out the door with a bow and a flourish. Raven followed him down the street a ways.
"What's wrong, Leo? You talk to someone bad or somethin'?" the boy hopped alongside Leo, who remained quiet, "Because momma sez I should run home or to a man of the or to dad's building or to a church if I see someone bad." He made afew punches at the air, "Not that I couldn't beat ;em up or nothin', Seeing as you don't have a home, and you don't have a dad, and the gaurdsmen don't come around here so early in the morning, you must be going to the church. Where's the bad man, Leo? I'll beat him up for ya." Raven punched and kicked at an invisible assailant. Leo stopped in his tracks.
"Raven, I've done something bad." Leo kneeled down, facing the little boy, "And I want to make up for it. I'm going to the chruch so the preacher there will tell me what to do." He gave Raven a hug, "So run home and tell your parents thank you for me. I'll try and see you as soon as I can."
"Uh huh. You better come back soon, or I'll come and find you and beat you up, too."
"See ya, kiddo." Leo smiled and started up the road again.
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 02-26-2002 04:58 PM:
Boys, you've got shore leave till sea traffic picks up again and we can start some real pillaging...
That's what Eric's captain had said that evening when he gathered the crew together on board the 'Enchantor'. Most of his crewmates were dissappointed, but Eric took it as a chance to get out and enjoy himself, even if he didn't have an income. He reasoned that being a sea-thief couldn't be much different than a land-bound thief. He could always make his money stealing from those who had too much in the first place.
He could have been a noble, if he had wanted to. His family was noble and quite wealthy. He could be living the life of a rich man, but he saw very little enjoyment in that. He only stole what he needed, or what would bring him a bit of enjoyment for the few days to a week that it lasted.
The captain had told his crew to go find some other form of work, and make sure they had their asses back to the Enchantor by the time Gania opened their docks to Asherian ships once more. But Eric had no intention of finding any 'work"; not after long months of risking his life working on the ship and scrubbing the deck. He was going to find some entertainment, even if it meant disecting a few Shadowspawn.
At last he saw the perfect target. He was walking the streeds of the Visitors ward of the city when he spied a young woman walking alone and looking determined to get where she was going. She was blonde and slender. She had full, round breasts that bounced slightly as she walked. Eric smiled to himself. 'Time to flex my old charm,' he thought.
Eric quickened his pace and cut the girl off just under one of the lanterns that lined the streets at night. Now that he could see her better, she truly was breathtaking.
"A lady like you shouldn't be walking the streets alone; not at this time of night," Eric said, putting on his best smile.
"You're right, a lady shouldn't be," she said, moving to step around him. She gave him a sarcastic smile.
'Might be harder than I thought...' Eric contemplated his next move.
"Surely you could use some company on this lonely night?" He asked, speaking now to the back of her head as she walked away.
"You wouldn't want my company if you plan on having children in this lifetime," she said, not even breaking stride. Clearly his 'gentleman' approach wasn't working well at all.
He decided on a new tactic. Nearly jogging to catch up with her, he brought his hand back and... SMACK!! His palm hit her left butt-cheek squarely and he braced himself for the reprocussion.
Sure enough, she spun around, bringing her arm up to smack him. Eric caught it deftly with his own hand and smiled at her shocked expression.
"Gonna have to be faster than that if you plan to defend yourself on these streets at night," said Erick with a laugh.
"Am I?" she asked playfully. Suddenly Eric felt her other hand reach between his legs and begin to squeeze forcefully; he nearly cried out from the pain. "I think I'm quick enough." She gave one final squeeze to emphasize her point then released him to walk away. Before she had taken two steps she turned back around and kissed him passionately, pulling him into her.
He woke the next morning lying next to her, naked, in a room at the Seahorse inn, and he smiled broadly to himself. 'You've still got it,' he thought, not willing to admit that she was the one that got him.
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Eloise Rane on 02-26-2002 07:47 PM:
OOC: Cedric, I wasn't aware that Balanum had been attacked by Shadowspawn.......? 
IC: It was late morning at the Rane manor. Eloise was freshly dressed in her athletic gear, which had been recently washed, but wouldn't stay so for long.
She creeped into her father's study, grounds-off limit since childhood. She had no reason to sneak; her father was busy at the Capital building as was usual during the day, her mother running errands in the city. But even in his absense, she could feel his strong presence embodied in the cluttered assemblage of piled work on his desk and the small fortune which hung proudly along the walls. She knew she was unwelcome in his sanctum, and so she entered with the utmost delicacy.
She had never taken an interest in weapons, and his correspondence was alien to her, so she was never compelled to disobey his wishes. But now she stood staring at the priceless collection of Balanian arms that surmounted the four walls. Swords and daggers accounted for the majority of the set, rifles and handguns noticeably more sparse. She approached an assemblage of antique swords along the left wall. She had never even beheld them up close before, and they were covered in dust, most likely not having been in the grip of a human hand since mounted ten or so years ago. The most regal of the group had a solid gold handle and large gold crescent hilt, a thick blade of tempered steel, with a surmounted majestic ruby pommel. It no doubt costed him a fine sum; it seemed overly extravagant, and fittingly more of a showcase item than a weapon of bloodshed.
Eloise gazed admiringly for a long while, then reached upward to release it from its rooted place. It was unbelievable heavy, and strong as she was, she needed to employ both hands to do it. The mount rattled angrily at its parting with the blade.
For a moment she just held it, in awe at the unfamiliar feeling of power it instilled in her. Swinging it was no easy task; being as heavy as it was, and the study leaving little empty space. But she did so discreetly and leveled at her waist, and experienced a gratifying rush of adrenaline at the soft whoosh it made as it glided gently through the air.
After returning the stately sword to its rightful place she realized the foolishness of her actions. Her fingerprints were evident in the accumulated dust on the handle. She blew off the remainder of it, and prayed to the Creator her father would never look at it up close, lest he realize it had suspiciously no dust compared to the rest.
Impulsiveness was too often Eloise's Achilles' heel. She quicky left the study and headed for the park to practice, feeling the guilt and shame of a child with their hand caught in the cookie jar.
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 02-27-2002 12:05 AM:
It was in fact two days after Scarlet had received the pigeon from her father that the caravan arrived. It was very modest looking, but adorned with the royal crest; a blade bound by the intertwining stems of a red and white rose. Several armed guards accompanied the coach.
Rosenblade....I wonder why I never made the connection before...
She blushed as people gawked at the symbol and exchanged hurried whispers amongst themselves. A few curious onlookers attempted to peer into the coach and were shooed away by the guards. It seemed that she, Indigo and Adamas would not be able to leave unnoticed.
She turned to him, watching him dress slowly. It pained her to see him weakened, but she was grateful that he was alright.
“Indy….it’s here. I’ll go find Adamas.” Indigo smiled and nodded as he stretched his arms to don his shirt. Scarlet noticed him wince slightly and found herself compelled to wait another day to return. She shook her head. She had waited long enough and she couldn’t delay any longer. Instead, she walked to where Indigo sat on the bed and pulled the shirt over his shoulder and buttoned it slowly. He ran a hand through her hair and pulled her into a gentle embrace when she had finished.
“I love you, Scarlet.” His blue eyes locked with her silvery lavender ones and held them there for a moment before Scarlet broke it by sitting in his lap. She leaned her head against his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the light fabric of his shirt and distantly listening to the sound of his heart. It sounded so strong and sure… Scarlet realized that she had been close to dozing off when Indigo gently shook her arm. She suddenly felt very tired, like a child who has played all day and now wants nothing more than to go home.
Home…..
Indigo kissed her cheek and rose slowly, pulling Scarlet with him. She wrapped her arms around his middle and buried her face in the folds of his shirt, relishing its scent and the scent of its wearer. It was then that she realized that this had been the same inn in which they had both surrendered themselves to each other.
“Let’s go home Indy.”
Adamas was waiting for them at the foot of the stairs and escorted the pair outside. The trio were followed by stares and an occasional mocking whistle, but nothing serious. A footman descended from atop the coach and held the door open for Scarlet and eyed the two men suspiciously.
“They’re with me,” she stated, catching his glance.
“Yes your Highness!” Scarlet felt a blush spread across her face and darted inside before anyone could see. Whispers began spreading through the crowd, and she was able to hear some of them.
“Is that the missing princess?”
“I thought the princess had black hair…”
“That’s her sister idiot!,” another voice answered.
Scarlet closed her eyes and wondered how she would be able to get used to living in the public eye. She felt Indigo sit next to her and wrap an arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him gratefully and amazingly fell asleep.
She wouldn’t wake until they reached the Evisis Woods around midday.
CUE: Indigo
__________________
"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
Posted by Indigo Grei on 02-27-2002 12:50 AM:
The caravan rolled past Forestre without stopping, and halted near the edge of the Evisis Woods. The driver hopped down from the stage and began to go about the vehicle securing things. Scarlet was still asleep, so Indigo decided to see what was going on.
The harsh sunlight hurt his eyes, and the evergreens were sparse, providing little shade. Dust from the road yet hung in the air, the golden sunlight making it appear as glitter. It was a dry, arid day, and hot to boot. Indigo looked around for the driver and found him near the back of the caravan. He was a brawny, yet soft skinned man. Not likely noble blood, but perhaps raised in one's home. He wore a plain white shirt, much like Indigo's, with a tan hide vest over it, and his receding hair was tied back with a strip of thin cloth.
"Excuse me, why did we stop here?" he asked, trying not to sound demanding. It wasn't too soon to try to get on people's good sides, especially if they might know the king.
"Evisis is a couple spans away. The Fiero don't usually hunt during the day, but if things deteriorate and we're forced to flight, I want everything secure. I've been through the forest at night, and it is not a fun ordeal." Indigo was taken aback. Apparently, the driver was both experienced and informed. He felt bad for thinking less of him. "The roads are just dirt. No one bothers to pave them. If we're going at full speed and hit a loose stone, we could lose a wheel." He looked up at Indigo. "My lord," he added hastily.
"Lord? What gives you that idea?" Indigo was dumbfounded. With bandages on his exposed forearms and a wrinkled travelling shirt, he was certain he didn't appear a lord.
The driver stared, and hesitated. Finally, he spoke. "I was ordered to retrieve Princess Scarlet Rosenblade and Lord Xarou Vannemyre... You are not?"
Indigo's head swam. Scarlet's father--The king, he corrected himself, was expecting her to return with her protector. He tried to think of how to explain what had happened. He put it together in his mind, and didn't like the explanation he came up with. Your highness, I slept with your daughter, killed her bodyguard, and took her to a war torn land with me. I then further endangered her by involving her with my fight against evil creatures, and on top of that, I'm having wierd dreams and I'm not sure who I really am. Sometimes I play with fire. He almost laughed. When he realized the caravan driver was still staring in askance, he folded his arms over his chest.
"Not exactly. I don't think the king is expecting me or the news I bring, but it is important nonetheless." Here, he hesitated. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about this." He pressed a gold coin into the man's hand.
The balding man mumbled something about duty and crazy kids , but smiled anyway. "Not a word, young man."
"Indigo."
"Well, then, Indigo. I'm Dorman. If you're ready, I have everything secured." He looked over Indigo's shoulder and gaped. Indigo spun around and almost stumbled.
Five Fiero were running towards them from the treeline. Black hair glistened in the hot sun. They were running on two legs, for they only turned full wolf at night, but that made them no less ferocious, or dangerous.
Indigo grabbed for Salamander. With a ranged weapon, he could probably take a few out. As it was, there wasn't enough time to turn the caravan around and head back. Scarlet stuck her head out of the caravan's door as Indigo realized Salamander was inside.
"Indy, what's going on? Why are we stopped?" She turned and saw the Fiero, and gasped. "Indy!"
Indigo grimaced, and darted for the door. He pushed her inside as gently as he could manage, and closed the door, locking it from the outside. "Hand me my gun!" he yelled through the window.
She practically threw it at him. "Don't do this, Indigo! Don't lock me in here! Don't you dare say it's too dangerous! I won't let you endanger yourself for me! You're still wounded!"
He gritted his teeth. He knew she would be angry about not letting her be a part of the fight, for taking on the Fiero alone. ...If he survived.
They were within a few spans already. "We have nothing!" Dorman shouted. "We do not wish to anger the Fiero! Please, leave us be!"
They slowed to a walk, and talked among themselves.
"Peace, we share your prey, your hunt is ours!" One yelled back, a large wolf with scars across his body. "Indigo, it has been a long time!"
Scarlet stared, Dorman stared, and Adamas stared. All at Indigo. Indigo grinned, and unlatched the door to a furious Scarlet's stage. "What is going on?" she demanded.
"Scarlet, Adamas, Dorman, we are in no danger. I know this one..."
__________________
Is this a curse, or destiny? This fire could consume us all...
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 02-27-2002 05:55 AM:
The girl, Reana, dressed lazily as Eric watched from the bed, feining sleep. She obviously wanted to leave without his knowing, for she had been tiptoeing around for nearly fifteen minutes now, taking care not to wake him. She had no idea that Eric had been awake for nearly a half hour with the same ideas in mind. Now he was frustrated.
'How could SHE walk out on ME!?' he thought to himself, watching her carefully through nearly closed eyelids. 'I'm the one who's supposed to walk out on her, this is no fun!'
Reana quietly gathered up her remaning belongings and searched the room with her well trained eyes to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. She turned to leave the supposedly sleeping Eric and headed for the door. Opening it without making any sound was a chore in itself. The old door would start creaking at the slightest budge. When she finally had it open and was satisfied that she hadn't made too much noise, she moved to leave Eric forever.
"Aren't you forgeting something?" Eric said mockingly from the bed where he lay completely exposed. He nearly laughed as Reana whirled around in surprise, realizing that he had been awake all along.
"What?" she asked, her tone hinting at her frustration since she had not been able to escape unnoticed. "You got what you wanted, didn't you? Now enjoy the memory, if you were sober enough to remember anything at all."
Eric did drink quite a bit the night before, but he was more sober than most men would have been. He could remember every detail of the night before... almost.
"You still havent given me a goodbye kiss," he joked. "Surely you wouldn't leave without granting me that honor."
"Oh, wouldn't I?" she asked sarcasticly. She gave him one last smile, turned, and slammed the door behind her. Eric's jaw dropped dispite himself.
He paused only a few moments before hurredly getting up and dressing himself. He fumbled around for a second looking for his small sack of Mels before he made the realization... 'The bitch stole my money!'
Still strapping his cutlas to his waist, he flew down the stairs of the Seahorse inn and out the door. He looked in both directions for the shock of pale blonde hair. At last he saw her in the distance on her way out of Pontifar and he ran as fast as he could to catch up.
He finally caught up with her as she mounted a fine Nylian horse. The look on the face of the man holding the reigns told Eric that the steed was not her own. 'Figures,' he thought and made a running leap, a daring attempt to mount the horse as well before she had a chance to set off a gallop. Much to Reana's surprise, and his own, he landed neatly behind her, pinching her ass for good measure.
"You have something that belongs to me," he said into her ear with a grin that made her want to punch him squarely in the jaw, but she ignored him.
"Shut up and hold on!" she yelled, and in one quick move she had kicked the man holding the horse's reigns in the nose and the horse in the side, causing it to lurch forward, accelerating to a gallop. Eric held tightly to her as the horse took them out of Pontifar and onto the Nylian fields.
"This horse is an easier mount than you are!" Eric remarked and they both laughed, the horse taking them farther from the port city.
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Bara Chinder on 02-27-2002 03:58 PM:
As the two nomads travelled over the grasslands they started to notice the strong large horses of the cappalan grazing the hillocks and plains. Occasionally they would see one of the great stallions.
These mighty creatures had a look of a giant to them. Mighty horses with huge flanks and long flowing manes. They were an impressive sight. Occasionally they saw cappallan heards men too.
Towards evening the two were approaching a small settlement.
Tents, caravans and shacks, all gathered around a small river.
"This looks like the place, a good place to start." piped Conchuir.
"Indeed, whats the plan anyway? Just ride in and start raving?"
Baras synicism returned to the fore. "Im sure they'll listen to that."
"They will listen to me. Im sure of it." The Cappallan replied.
"Are you that convincing? I hadnt noticed." Chinder replied.
"I have status."
"Good? Bad?"
"Im the son of a chieftan."
"Ok that'll do then." Bara replied with shock.
"Dont ask why I was selling horses in parvini." replied Conchuir
"You asked me similar questions. Why not?" snapped Bara.
"Well Ill just say Im not telling you."
With that Conchuir spurred his horse towards the camp. He took off at some pace. Bara had to run the hell out of his horse to not look like he was lost.
__________________
Were gonna break ya, its gone on for too long.
Gonna punish you for the things that youve done- Capdown
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 02-27-2002 04:25 PM:
The Daggerwood
Within an hour the horse carrying Reana and Eric was standing at the edge of the Daggerwood. Reana hesitated a moment, deciding which way she needed to go. She knew the Daggerwood well, she had spent the last 7 years of her life there and she was looking for a large trail that used to lead travelers through the forest, allowing them to cut a journey to balanum by 3 days. However, thieves had seen the advantage of the forest's cover and built extensive traps for the many nobles and various caravans that would take the faster way to Balanum. Eventually they made the forest their base of operations for the thieves guilds in Nyliam. Even after most nobles wisened up about the path through the Daggerwood, the thieves continued to operate from the large forest, free from most forms of law enforcement and able to easily hide should any threat come upon them.
Reana was searching for this path, slowly circling the edge of the wood on the horse with Eric seated behind her. She didn't have anything to fear from entering the Daggerwood, the thieves there welcomed her as their own.
"What exactly are we doing here?" Eric asked. He had no idea what people said about the Daggerwood; he spent too much time on a ship.
"We're looking for a trail," she said plainly, his ignorance was really starting to annoy her. She wondered why she hadn't ditched him somewhere outside of Pontifar. It was no matter now though, the guild would decide what to do with him.
At last she saw the large opening in the forest's edge. Most of the forest's trees grew fairly close together, but here was a wide opening large enough for a good sized carriage to fit through and wheel ruts told of it's earlier usage. Now only thieves and briggands dared to bring their spoils in and out of the Daggerwood. The two of them rode into the forest; Reana was calm, but Eric was a bit nervous; he had no idea where this young woman was taking him and he was utterly lost at how he had allowed her to gain control.
A few yards into the forest, Reana brought the horse to an abrupt halt. So peered through the trees for a moment before she let out a loud cat call that could likely be heard for quite some distance.
Upon hearing her outburst a group of 10 men, armed with bows, emerged from the shadows.
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 02-27-2002 06:19 PM:
Memories of quests long forgotten......
It had been almost a half-day since he had last talked to Cybele. Something was nagging at his mind and he couldn't remember what. So Palin decided to go get a drink. They always helped a little to jump-start his memory. He went downstairs and across the street to the still-being-repaired tavern.
The bartender looked up and frowned as he walked in. Palin took a seat at the front of the bar and ordered politely.
Got to remember to give the bartender a larger tip this time. Hope I can makeup for that last fight here.......
Palin cupped the tankard and sipped lightly, letting the effects of the alcohol dissipate. His training as a drunken unarmed master let him drink freely, without fear of more than just a little intoxication, but he realized the effects on his bladder from too much drinking............
Like that time in Southdale, where I downed that entire keg of ale...........What was I thinking?
Palin chuckled lightly and remembered how much Ash had joked around about that night. It had been a while since he had thought about Ash or Dierdre or..........
Gania............. I nearly forgot about that! I never did find out what they were worried about. Perhaps I should go back........
But first things first, Palin corrected himself. He still hadn't found out what exactly happened last night with Cybele or what had happened to those Brownies...........
Palin stood up quickly and turned, leaving a small pile of silver behind. His satchel was getting rather light, Palin mused. He'd have to find another job or party to join up with soon.............
He stepped back into the downstairs den of the inn and nodded a greeting towards the innkeep. The fire down here was hot and a few travelers were seated among the large chairs, reveling in whatever adventure they had just experience.
Palin ran his hand through his hair idly and paused when he saw the back of his hand.
Sparkling dust......what the hell?
Palin ran upstairs and searched his room thoroughly and stopped when he noticed more of the same dust coated the floor near the door. His eyes darted back and forth amongst the objects in the room and he grunted when he realized that they weren't here.
Palin ran downstairs quickly, ignoring Lyght's comments as he passed.
"Say, Palin......I've been thinking about Tygan and Carla......"
Lyght frowned as Palin passed by wordlessly, and the large farmer walked back into his room, muttering short curses about the rogue.............
Palin walked briskly and stopped as his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of movement near the fire.
Probably just the adventurers......... No! Wait a moment..................
Palin squinted and stepped foward slowly, his eyes trained on a small urn seated near the flames. His hand darted quickly behind the urn and his fingers caught two small human-like creatures, who both squealed in protest when he brought them to eye level.
"Ah-ha! I've found you! What did you do to me last night?"
The brownies screamed more, especially the larger one, Gamri.
"Put us down! How dare you grasp me? I'll poke out your eyes, pig! I'll bite off your thumb! I'll......"
Palin grabbed the brownie's legs and pulled, holding their limbs tight. They cried out in pain and the smaller one, Rool, screamed out as loud as his little brownie body could manage.
" WethrewDustofBrokenHeartsinyoureyesandyoufellinlov
ewiththatothergirlandyouwenttobedtogether.........."
Palin stopped pulling. "You WHAT? We went to bed together? What the hell is going on?"
Gamri spoke. "Unfortunately for you, stupid daikini, she didn't get to put out. You knocked yourself unconscious before she could even get her shirt off!" Palin sighed with relief, then realized that a small lump on the back of his head began to ache.
"Thank the gods! But as for you........." Palin took the brownies out to the road and let them go........right into a pile of horse dung.
"Enjoy, Fairy-rejects!" Palin grinned and walked away gladly, his mind relieved thaat he had not slept with Cybele. The rogue walked back up the stairs in the inn and stood in front of Lyght's door, pleading with the farmer to let him in.
Lyght opened the door, his expression grim.
"Now you're good enough to talk to me? Damn kid......" Lyght turned away, but left the door open. Palin stepped inside.
"I've made a decision, Lyght. I'm leaving. I don't want Cybele to know, but I'm heading back to Gania. There are some things I left open-ended and I forgot about them until now."
Lyght look back quickly, his eyes full of understanding.
"I knew you'd leave soon, m'boy. Our little party seems to be breaking apart," A tear touched his eye, but he fought it back and stood tall. "But you do what you have to do. And apologize to Betty before you leave! You kids have given her enough hell....."
Palin looked up. "And tell Cybele that nothing happened. She'll know what I mean......I hope."
Lyght smiled. He apparently thought something was happening as well, but he frowned when he realized what Palin probably meant. "Wait! You didn't...........?!"
Palin winced slightly, more out of expectation than surprise.
"Don't worry about it, friend. I have to leave now. The closest dock leave is in a few hours. Goodbye friend."
They looked at each other idly, then decided that no one was looking. The two friends hugged each other tightly and said their goodbyes. Palin packed his things and left quietly when he was sure that Cybele would not see him. He looked back one last time at Ioty, then boarded the ship he came in on, his destination set back for the city of Gania.
Cue: Lyght or Cybele, depending whoever wants to say something. And if anybody else is reading this, you're free to post a meeting between us on the boat.
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-27-2002 09:37 PM:
The Confession
Leo found the church with no difficulty, and after only a short wait he was kneeling inside the Confessional.
"Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been-" Leo paused to think. His first and latest confession.. he must have been about three. Someone older-but not by much- had directed him in the format, "Thirteen years since my last confession."
"What sin have you committed, my son?" was the question of the man across the wall. He sounded younger than what Leo had expected.
"Murder. I have ended the life of my fellow man." Leo was nearly in tears, "I've no excuse, save for my own defense. Ego, I suppose."
"This is a greivous crime. But as you say, it was in your own defense.. Mourn for the life you have ended. Confess to the Creator, and releive your guilty conscience. But most importantly, live your life, for his death is not the end of your life."
Leo heard a small thud against the door into the confessional, followed by some soft cursing in a feminine voice, then shuffling of feet. Outside, a woman had been listening in from the word "Murder." She ran to the nearest city guard.
"Sir! I want to report a crime!" was the well-meaning woman's screech.
Meanwhile, Leo had left the confessional and was descending the steps from the church. He stood in the middle of the street, looking in either direction. His arms were seized and he was bound. He was lead away up the street without much struggle.
"This way, please..."
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Zander Kohen on 02-27-2002 09:48 PM:
Back in the saddle
OOC: Sorry, it's been a while since I posted. Let's get this ball rolling!
IC: Zander paced back and forth across Alex's living room, his frustration apparent on his face. Alex and Orocia were seated in the couch and Caliph was lounging in a large coushoned chair, lost in his own thoughts. Tiffarah was leaning against the wall with a look of concern on her own face for her troubled lover.
"How did this happen?" He asked to no one in particular. "The weaves Alex used to bind her were secure before any of us retired last night."
"I don't know," Alex answered him honestly. "She shouldn't have been able to escape from her bonds."
"Don't put anything past the Raven," Caliph said calmly. "No matter, we have more important things to attend to, and it would be hopeless to try and find her now; she's long gone."
"That's just great..." Zander said sarcasticly. "We were supposed to turn her in to the authorities thismorning so justice could finally be done."
"None of us deserve any better than what she would have recieved, yet we walk free," Caliph said. Zander had to admit that he was right.
"What are the more important things, Caliph?" Tiffarah asked, eager to change the subject.
"I've recieved a pigeon from General Dominic," Caliph explained to the others. "He's allied himself with the Nyliam Empire in order to fend of the Shadowspawn."
"What?" Alex nearly choked. "That doesn't sound like him to me. Unless it was dire circumstances..."
"It was; if he hadn't allied himself with the Empire, the Shadowspawn would have devastated his troops. Not even he could fight such opposition from two sides."
"So, what about our audience before the council?" Zander asked. "Certainly we can't plead for Balanum to oppose the Nylian Empire now that Lunis has allied itself with them."
"That's what the second part of General Dominic's message was about," Caliph said. "I will ask the council to support the new alliance against the shadowspawn and offer any assistance they deem appropriate.
"That's the easy part. What I need you guys to do is personally deliver the message to Emperor VanVehementi that Balanum will support his campain against the spawn."
"Why can't you just send a pigeon?" Tiffarah asked logically.
"By sending two Holy Knights personally, it gives the Empire the impression that they can trust Balanum not to turn against them once the problem of the shadowspawn is dealt with."
"When do we leave?" Alex inquired.
"As soon as you possibly can," answered Caliph. "I'll take care of the council; they won't be difficult to convince considering that they've seen what the shadowspawn can do."
The group dispersed to their respective rooms to pack. By early afternoon, Alex, Zander, Orocia and Tiffarah were packed and ready to go. Zander left Arkiri with Keigo, telling her to take care of him and Alex locked his house behind them. Caliph took Arkiri and Keigo to his own manor where the would stay as long as they were in Balanum.
OOC: Hope ya don't mind Caliph, Alex and I were getting bored. You likely won't have to work around Keigo and Arkiri very long. They won't waist time hanging around your manor with nothing to do.
__________________
A true leader will realize that he is nothing without the loyalty of those that follow him.
Posted by Indigo Grei on 02-27-2002 11:48 PM:
"What happened to you?"
Gahr sighed as he walked alongside the coach. "After you left, some of my ...less tolerant family decided that I should be killed. I was forced to fight them all, but there was something I didn't tell you that day all those months ago. I was a Black Wolf."
Indigo looked at him. His fur wasn't really black.
"It's a position within the clan. The Black wolves are the fastest, and the strongest. I fought my brothers, and barely survived. Hence..." he pointed to the scars all over his body where the coarse hair refused to grow.
Scarlet slid down from the door of the stage. Gahr had promised safe passage, and true to his word, they had not seen any hostile Fiero since they entered.
"So, Gahr, how did you meet Indigo?"
He smiled, baring his considerable teeth. "The fool boy was tromping through Evisis at night. Would have been killed if I hadn't escorted him out. He promised to return, and tell me of his dedication." He turned to Indigo. "I'm not averse to a tale of your adventure, if you don't mind."
Indigo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He realized he hadn't shaven in weeks. Looking around, he gave a start.
"Where are your companions?"
The Fiero didn't even look around. "They're around. Beyond your sights, or at least out of them. Just keeping things safe. Don't worry about them."
Indigo nodded. "Hmm. Well, I suppose..." he looked at the back of his hand. "I'd better start at the beginning. I was headed south from Forestre, in Madain pass when..."
Gahr enjoyed the story thorougly, as if it were a bard's tale. It was near sundown when Indigo completed his story, ending with their arrival at the borders of Evisis. As the shadows began to grow, Gahr stopped.
"Well, my friend, you've had quite an adventure. I must be going now, these are the borders of our lands. You will be safely on the road to Gania now. But there is one bit of news that I have not given you." He hesitated, then spoke. "There is someone in Evisis who wishes to meet you. I almost mentioned it when you were telling me of the dreams, but I didn't want to interrupt. She is connected with your dreams, Indigo. Had you not been in such a hurry to return to Gania, I surely would have escorted you to her. She is... the White Lady of the Elwain."
Indigo and Scarlet gasped.
"But do not delay, the woods are more dangerous at night. Promise me only that you'll return to meet with the Lady someday soon."
Scarlet nodded, and putting his arm around her, Indigo did as well. "We will."
Gahr grinned again, then turned around and loped into the woods, dropping to all fours just before vanishing out of sight.
"It seems we're going to get a lot of answers in the next few days," Indigo said.
Scarlet looked deep into his eyes, and rested her head on his chest. "I think so, too," she said, smiling.
__________________
Is this a curse, or destiny? This fire could consume us all...
Posted by Volsung on 02-27-2002 11:49 PM:
first night in Nyliam
In a group on 20 or so men Volsung, Sayomara, and Nascent found it easy to blend in to crowd. After a while, they ended up in a small inn called The Salty Meat and aside from the name, the Inn was very nice place, with a small bar and comfortable as well. “So what are all going to do I mean are we each going to have our own room or are we going to all sleep in one room?” Asked Nascent
“Well we are all grown men with ungodly powers. So I think that it would best if well all have our space so I don’t have to freeze you boys into large chucks of ice just to get some sleep,” said Sayomara ending in load thundering tone.
Then Volsung pulled out this moneybag “I don’t know if we have enough money to go very long with each of us in our own room, I mean we don’t even know if there will to take Grans here.”
Then Nascent gabbed the bag. “I’m with Sayomara on this one, Volsung don’t worry so much I have traveled thought this town a great many times. Relax there is no reason we can’t make this work.” Nascent words did little to put Volsung mind at ease but nonetheless he decided to let him and Sayomara have their way.
“I guess this will be ok for now but I’m not going to let his stand very long. In any case tomorrow we start working for real,” and with that Volsung went off to this room.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 02-28-2002 12:36 PM:
The Ghosts of the Daggerwood
"For the Creator's sake, put that bow down Talmus," Reana said to one of the 10 archers before them. "You know better than to point that thing at me."
"Sorry Re', we weren't expecting you to return with someone else," one of the archers said with a wink. He was gangley and tall, but his right arm appeared to be very muscular from pulling back his bowstring.
Talmus and the other nine archers lowered their bows and waited for Talmus to give them further orders. Though these ragtag men were not military archers, they were well trained. Eric noted this and decided it best to let Reana handle them and he would just keep his mouth shut.
"His destiny is to be decided by the guild," Reana explained. "He insisted on hitching a ride."
"Well, if he is to come with you back to the Dagger's Sheath, he'll likely have to make a decision," Talmus said and Eric cocked his head, wondering what his decision must be.
He and Reana would have to endure two hours of being led through the forest by one of Talmus' archers, (the others had stayed behind to keep watch on the entrance to the Daggerwood), before Eric would learn what his decision would be. Even then, he had no real idea of what he was getting himself into.
With the horse standing, roped to a tree, several yards away, Eric stood in the center of a large clearing. There were several rough looking men standing in a circle around him, along with a few, if possible, rougher looking women. Reana stood on the outside of the circle, leaning lazily on a tree while she listened to the guild debating over what to do with Eric.
"We can't let him leave here alive," Eric heard a gruf voice say. "He's seen too much," He heard another. "He doesn't look like our type," this time it was one of the women. Things didn't seem to be going in his favor.
At last an older and very scarred man with a shock of silver white hair quieted them. Therewas silence for a moment as they all waited for the man to speak.
"I think I've come to a conclusion that most of us can agree on," He said, lookinf straight into Eric's eyes. Eric knew that he was the one that likely would not agree. "Since he has seen so much already and could report us to the authorities, we cannot let him leave this forest alive. However, if he chooses to join us, even if he is not yet our type of man, he can be taught or he can work as a servant to us."
There were nods from the others in the circle, no one seemed to protest. Whether it be out of fear for the older man, or honest agreement with what he had decided, Eric did not know, but he knew that he was going to be forced into a life or death decision himself.
"So, what is your answer?" The old man asked Eric. "Will you join us, serve us, or die?"
'Oh, that's a hard one...' Eric thought sarcastically. In fact, this was almost exactly what he had hoped for since his Captain had released him to find alternative "work".
"I'll join you," said Eric confidently. A small band of thieves would be quite like the crew on the Enchantor, and they seemed to have better manners too.
The old man laughed loudly at this. "Wize choice, boy. We shall see if you live up to it. Reana!" The girl who had been waiting outside the circle stepped inside. She kept a distance from Eric but he didn't notice. "This lad will be returning with us, and you will be the one to train him."
Reana's jaw opened to protest, but she shut it quickly, knowing there was no point arguing it. She nodded and reluctantly stepped over to Eric's side.
"Welcome to the Ghosts of the Daggerwood," the old man said with a glint in his eye.
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Alexandros Fatali on 02-28-2002 04:52 PM:
Camp by the Cliffs of Balanum
Alexandros and his companions had been traveling for three days now. They had passed through the west gates of Balanum and left the great city of machines behind them. Just last eve, they had passed through the Citadel of Iron. The great gates of the fortress now lay behind them, and the four members of their small band made camp near one of the sheer cliffs of the jagged mountains that protected Balanum from so many invasions in the past.
Alexandros tended to the fire as Zander and Tiffarah were preparing a meal. Orocia tinkered with the firearms, Shiva and Ifrit, that Alexandros had given to her before they had left his home. Shiva was a small, two shot, two trigger gun, that chambered .33 Sil rounds. Ifrit chambered four .45 Sil rounds, but was not a double action revolver. Alex had been training Orocia in their use, but as often as not, the training excercizes would turn into long talks or cuddling sessions.
Zander had also been given one of Alex's old firearms. Onto the young Holy Knight, he had bequeathed Indra, as Alex, since his training in Selivenron, had been a bit more reliant on is magical abilities for ranged attacks. Ramuh still sat in his belt, but he was simply holding onto it until such a time when he could give it to its intended new owner.
Alex had become a teacher of sorts for each of the members of the party. To Zander he taught the ways of their magics. To Orocia, he taught the ways of Classic Lunari philosophy, as she seemed very interested in it, as well as training both her and Zander with their firearms. Tiffarah, in a way was quite interested in Balanum in general, and Alex spent time telling her of the history of the country and teaching her basic mechanical principals.
Zander handed a plate of meat and potatoes to Alexandros, who took them and ate hungrily. He and Orocia sat back to back, leaning on each other and quietly talking throught the meal. Tiffarah and Zander sat close to the fire, as the winds sweeping down the sides of the cliffs was growing stronger, and there was a stiff chill in the wind.
Alex turned to Zander and contemplated, "Should we make our way cross country to Nyliam, or should we take the roads?"
"I'd like to make it through the Sacred Grove, but t'would be better to do that as we return to Balanum," Zander replied, looking up from his tin plate.
Alexandros nodded and Orocia turned about to press herself into his back. Alex reached around to squeeze her softly before replying again, "I agree with that, Zander. I would also like to see the silver boughs of the holy trees,"
Zander pulled up a blanket about Tiffarah and himself. Tif looked towards Alex as Orocia put her chin upon his hsoulder and tossed a blanket over Alex, wrapping it about herself as well. Alex cocked his head for a moment and spoke again, "Yes. But we must make haste to Nyliam. This letter is of the utmost import,"
The four of them soon went into a long conversation discussing most anything that came to mind. The evening opened up above them and displayed the stars and the moon for all of them. The winds soon became quite overwhelming, however, and the all of them retired into their bedrolls for the evening, using each other for warmth. Soon the two couples had fallen into a deep slumber. The coming day would be another day of walking and teaching and learning. But the four companions were fast becoming good friends.
Cue: Zander, or Orocia...
__________________
The light of the Creator guide you and keep you...
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 02-28-2002 06:22 PM:
Evil Flame Relight
She got up out of bed with a big yawn and look out the window. She slept way too late today and the sun was already starting to set. The reds and oranges started to shine in her eyes and mixed with the green. It looked very beautiful as if she had half a rainbow in them. She heard a knock on the door but ignored it and stared at the sky. Lyght had opened the door and stared at her. She never looked at him just concentrated on the sun. She could almost feel burning in her eyes from the light.
“Cybele…”
“Sh…. Be quite I’m thinking..”
“Cybele, Palin’s gone.”
“And? Just give me a little time and I’ll care later.”
“Cybele!”
“What?! You think I don’t care at all? We’ll guess what your right. I am so glad that little…”
He stared at her for a while. She just keep looking at the sky not caring.
“But that’s just it….he said that nothing happened Cybele.”
She quickly turned to him as if amazed at what she heard.
“Nothing? Nothing! Oh my gosh…. He is a pervert!” she yelled as she stood up.
“Calm down! He’s telling the truth!” he said as he held her down
“Telling the truth?? You know way better than that. Any guy would love to take any girl…..grr!”
“Except you. Am I right?”
“Whatever!” She screamed as she cried.
She got up, kicked the door down, and raced out the room.
“Cybele!” Lyght called.
She ran out to the bar and tripped over a bottle.
“God damnit!” she said as she picked it up and threw it out the wall.
“Hey! What’s your problem over there!?” the bartender yelled
She ignored him and ran out the inn door.
She stepped out onto the street not being aware of where she was going. She kept her hands over her eyes to hide her tears from everyone. She stopped and leaned at the wall, in the corner of an alley.
I know he’s really not like this, but what the hell am I supposed to think?? I know he’s kind and gentle and sweet and nice….but I just hate to think like some love sick girl. It just disgusts me! I feel as if I’ve stooped so low….
Soon there was a man behind her staring at her with eyes of anticipation. She didn’t notice him there though and kept with her thoughts.
Love is a blind evil menace here to take us all to misery in the end!
“Right!” she yelled at herself
“Wrong.” whispered the man from behind
“What? How did you know what I was thinking?”
“I didn’t”
The man suddenly appeared from the darkness of the alley. His face looked quite familiar but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Hello Cybele…”
“O great. Now I know who you are. What are you doing following me around Geb?”
“The question is, what are you doing creating murders in the city of Xellos?” he said with a evil grin.
“What…?”
“Get her men!”
Ten men surrounded her from all sides. They all looked as if they were waiting for her to put a fight. Two men grabbed her while Geb grabbed her sword from her hand.
“Who……..wait.. What are you!?”
“I am a policeman from Xellos of course. I just found all this out but it seems as if. Following you was one of my best ideas yet.”
“You…….You!”
“Anything else you would like to say?”
“No…”
“Then take her away.”
The men dragged her as she kicked wildly. The held her tight as they threw her into a cart with great force. Cybele spotted a bird and spoke to it for help.
“Hey! Follow me and come back to find the man I was with ok?? Tell him I’m in great danger…….no make him follow you all the way to where I’ll be hidden at!”
The bird made a great tweet very loud for everyone to hear.
“Sh..not so loud. But hurry.”
“Alright lets go.” said Geb as he sat beside her in the cart.
“Yah!” said the driver as he started on his way.
I hope she reaches Lyght in time.
__________________
Posted by Lyght Smith on 03-01-2002 01:26 AM:
First High-speed chase in Aeterna
OCC: ok First to my knownage anyways. I hope you all enjoy
Lyght had been following Cybele for while after she had run off first to the bar and then to the ally. “Damn it can’t this girl stay out of trouble,” said Lyght as he looked over the group men quickly. “I can’t take them all by myself and even if Cybele can gets free we are still out numbered 5 to one. I need some quick back up. With that, Lyght took off to where Betty was.
Lyght ran as fast as this forty year-old legs would carry him. “She counting on me and there is no time to spare.” Luck was with Lyght because the stable where Betty was staying was only few blocks away.
When Lyght got there he was short of breath, but Lyght still had the energy to open Betty gate and hop on. “Ok girl, WE NEED TO GET TO CYBELE NOW.” With that, the Ox was off. She ran perfectly down the street as she followed Lyght’s instructions to where he had last seen Cybele.
When they came to where Lyght had last seem Cybele. They found the men putting Cybele into cart. Lyght hopped off and then yelled, “Stop that cart girl.” Betty rushed in goring all in her path Lyght follow behind halberd in hand. In matter, seconds Seven of the men were on the ground. But in the mean time, the four others had started riding off with the cart. “Come on Betty we need to caught up with them.” Then Lyght hopped on Betty’s back, and they were off little rocket. Betty quickly caught up ground with the heavily laded cart.
“YOU two stop then,” Yelled the Leader. The men jumped off but did little to stop Lyght and Betty. Since Lyght had started using Halberd like a lance. “AHH,” yelled one man when Lyght Halberd when through his shoulder. The other man was cut down when Betty horns hit his Legs. After both were on the ground Lyght and Betty changed on after the cart, “Damn it what do I have to do, to stop this crazy cow.”
About that time, Betty caught the cart, then Lyght Yelled, “Time to pull over.” Then Betty took off the right wheel.
“Never, I caught her fair and square, and I’m the one who going to get the bounty on her,” Yelled the leader.
“Sorry sonny, but that’s not how its going to be.” Then Lyght jumped on the cart and Betty ran up and forced the horse to a stop.
When the cart finally stopped Lyght stood against two men with Betty at his back and Cybele at this feet. “Do you boy really think you take on me and my ox here?” Then the Men looked at each other and ran off to the docks. “Good riddance,” Then Lyght turned this attention to Cybele who had been put into a bag. Lyght cut open the bag, “Hello Cybele are you ok?”
“Did the bird tell you where I was?” asked Cybele
“Noooo? I have been following you since you ran off. I mean the only animal that understands me is Betty.”
Cybele laughed, but then she coughed up some blood, “It hurts to laugh. I think they may have broken few of my ribs when they were dragging my off.”
“Don’t worry about it, I will take care of you, but we need to get out of here.” Then Lyght picked up Cybele and put her on Betty back then he led Betty off to the other side of town.
Cue: Cybele
OCC: Sorry I have not posted in while, I hope my high-speed chase makes up for it.
__________________
I was a farmer until the Wolves killed my family, but now I don't know what I am.
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 03-01-2002 03:30 PM:
"You came at a good time," said the old man known as Silver Fang to the theives of the Daggerwood. It was just the three of them now; Silver Fang, Reana and Eric. The others had spread in other directions to go to their own camps. "All the chiefs of each band have been gatered together, but they'll be returning to their own parts of the forest tomorrow."
"You mean that there are more thieves in this forest?" Eric said, astonished. "I thought that those people were the whole band."
Silver Fang laughed at that. 'How naive this boy is of the Ghosts,' he thought to himself. To Eric he said, "You've only seen the beginning, those were only the chiefs. If you had come a day or two later I would have had to kill you on sight, or lock you up until the next time they came together here."
Eric continued to converse with Silver Fang while Reana walked behind them, leading the horse and looking annoyed as ever with Eric. She resented the fact that she had to train the tenderfoot, but still, he was good in bed. Either way, she could always have at him in a duel if he became too much of a hindrance for her. She smiled at that thought along with the ideas she had running through her mind of messing with his head a bit.
After less than an hour of walking through the dense trees and undergrowth, Silver Fang signaled for them to halt. He let out a loud whistle and immediately the forest came alive. Rope ladders fell from the trees and patches of earth swung open as if on some kind of hinge, revealing the entrances to dwellings and stables built under the ground.
Thieves emerged from the earthen dwellings as well as climbing down the ladders to meet their chief. Eric looked up to see what the ladders were hanging from and was amazed by the sight. There were many dwellings built high in the trees as well. They were connected by bridges made out of rope, or wood and some only had a rope to swing on to traverse between the structures. It all reminded Eric very much of the rigging on a ship.
"What is this place?" Eric asked Silver Fang, who had a wide grin that showed his pride for the place.
"This is the Den," Silver Fang explained. "Along with being a part of the Ghosts of the Daggerwood, you are also a Den Wolf. These men and women are your brotheren, your pack."
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 03-01-2002 03:56 PM:
The stars shone brightly in the sky as they walked away from town. She stared at the sky as she laid on Betty’s back. Tons of pain was pouring in to her sides. She could not move an inch with out feeling it, So she decided to stay still no matter how uncomfortable she was. She stared at one particular star and started to dream of yesterday…
It was cold out. She hadn’t eaten for days. She was nine now and had ran away from her ruined home to escape going to and orphanage. She ended up in a town far away from home asking people for food. She stopped by a near alley and slept in the trash. She cried due to loneliness but tried not to make a sound. Footsteps came from behind.
“Ahh!” she screamed as she rose on Betty “Oww it still hurts!”
“Well then don’t move. You know better than that.”
I really would not like to be here……..with you….
“Just get some sleep, And I’ll wake you in the morning.”
“If there’s one thing I’m not going to do is go back to sleep. I’m 19 and I still cant get over nightmares…. I just feel they all have something to do with the future or the present.”
“Ah..that whole physic mess. Never touched it.”
Who cares if you did?
“Hm….that’s stuff should be left to the crazy ones if you know what I mean.” he said with a wink
She laughed at this and came almost immediately to the thought of her father. He ever believed in superstitions or anything he couldn’t see for that matter. He always trusted his eyes for the clues and just put them together to solve the crime.
I don’t want to think of my father……I thought I had left him long ago. I need to get passed this. Maybe if I left……
Betty soon came to a halt and Lyght picked her up and laid her on a patch of grass.
“Please get some sleep, you worry me.”
“Ok I’ll try……”
Yea, I will once I leave you and this place.
CUE: Lyght
__________________
Posted by Leo Saotome on 03-01-2002 05:41 PM:
The Gaurdhouse
Leo went willingly with the man who had bound him, though not without his questions.
"Why am I being arrested?"
"Don't you know, kid? You're a criminal."
"But.. what did I do? I have commited no crimes.."
"You don't call murdering a troupe of twenty travelers a crime? You must be insane.." the man was in disbeleif.
"Twen- what?! I'm perfectly sane. No one will beleive that.. Me, killing twenty people. That's crazy."
"Then you don't deny it? Good.." By know they had ascended the steps into a gaurd house. A man smaller than his captor sat at a desk, looking something over, "Hey, Biggs! Escourt our prisoner to cell three B. You know, the one across from the cannibal."
"You got it, Wedge." the man called Biggs rose from his chair and took hold of Leo. "He's a big 'en. Come with me, kid." Leo was led through a door, where he was disarmed. "My, my.. the sword of yours." the small man attempted to brandish it, but failed immediately. "Sure is heavy." Instead of securing the weapon, he propped it up in a corner. "Wedge'll get that." Biggs went to Leo again, taking his dagger, "Fine piece o' metal you got there. Whudda ya do with it? Spoon out the eyes o' yer victims an' eat 'em? Thats what Joan does. And he's gonna get it-" the gaurd demonstrated by scraping the dagger across Leo's neck, "Real good." Leo, disgusted, said nothing. "Whassamatter, boy? Joan got yer tongue? A hyuck, yuck." Leo glared at his jailer as he was led down the hall of cells.
"I didn't do it. I'm innocent." Despite Leo's desire to escape, he went into the empty cell, followed by the gaurd.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah... just wait fer your trial." and with that, the door was banged closed, rattling the poorly kept bars.
"I'm innocent!" Leo called after the man, "Innocent! Don't leave me here!" He cried out in desperation, "INNO-CENT!!"
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Sen Kisai on 03-01-2002 06:58 PM:
OOC: Sorry for the short post, but just letting you all know I'm still here lol.
IC: Sen went down to the docks to say his farewells to the Sea Shiner crew.
“You sure you don’t want to leave now? We could use your help.” Asked Jim, the captain of the ship.
“Sorry, I want to stay around here for a little, practice with my powers and perhaps meet other dedicated.”
“I understand.”
They looked at eachother, even though they had only been friends for a few days, it was still a hard parting.
“Well, take care Jim, perhaps I will see you again.”
“Aye Sen, if you ever need me, I’ll be around these areas.” They shook hands and went their ways; Jim onto his ship, and Sen back onto the island.
Sen watched as the ship sailed off. Well, now I’ll have to find another ship when I decide to leave.
He turned and walked into the city, he had only seen a handful of dedicated since his arrival, and most ended out being silverblades, he was really hoping to find one who knew a little more about magic.
He returned to the inn and spent the rest of the day practicing with his magics, trying to achieve a spell with no flames, as Master T’kall had told him. Though he continued to be unsuccessful.
__________________
I may look weak, but you'd be amazed by how fast I can run!
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 03-01-2002 07:01 PM:
Of ships, sailors, and shadows.....Oh my.......
Palin boarded the large boat, oddly named the Floating Fire , reluctantly. Any sea-worthy vessel should beware a name that implied disaster and destruction, but he intended to leave as soon as possible, so the boat would have to do.
Palin ran up the plank onto the boat's starboard side, his feet merrily skipping up the wood as he went. The ship's deck was rather large, and it looked as though he would be traveling with a good deal of battle-worn adventurers and quite a few minstrels.
Nonetheless, he would not be traveling in the company of those two annoying brownies anymore. Free from their evil tricks, Palin rested comfortably on the ship, awaiting it's departure from port.
His thoughts drifted back to Lyght and Cybele, who where still back at the inn in Ioty. Lyght had spent a good deal of time locked up in his room, while Cybele........well, perhaps he should leave that alone.............
Then Tygan and Carla re-appeared, their fall from the ship days ago still crystal clear in hiis memory. What if they were still alive? After all, he didn't see their bodies..........
No...... Tygan wouldn't want me grieving about what happened, regardless of whether or not the subject was his death. I need to just move on and forget about it...........
Palin shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Perhaps some more sleep would do him good.
**************************************************
Palin awoke around nightfall. The boat was rocking slightly and the lamp in his room was sliding about on it's stand. Palin mused on whether or not the sliding lamps were responsible for the name of the ship. The burn marks in the far corner of his small room confirmed his suspicions. Music from above suggested that another mid-sea party was taking place.
Palin exited his room quietly, smiling at the prospect of having a dance or two to attend. The young rogue stepped onto the deck and laughed heartily as he saw that the Captain too had joined in the merriment.
Palin felt content to stand by and watch, but a beautiful young adventurer grabbed hold of him and pulled him onto the dance floor.
"Come on, handsome........." She said, pulling him around and into a dancing position. They twirled in place as the music swelled. She was a very spirited dancer, and Palin tried to keep up as best as he could. Unfortunately, he had never learned to dance correctly, except maybe to drinking songs.
But he danced anyway, and he was able to determine what he had to do from the woman's movements. The music slowly came to a stop and the woman spun him about once more, for good measure. She smiled brightly, clearing her light brown hair from her face.
"That was fun! Come on! Smile, handsome! Enjoy yourself! And save me a dance for later........ You're really light on your feet..... I like that..........." The woman smiled, her darker eyes looking up at him from her slightly smaller height. Palin nodded wordlessly.
Palin walked away akwardly, unsure of how to act at the moment. As much as he was a hopeless romantic and as much as he was attracted to women, it made him nervous when one of the opposite sex would flirt with him.
He'd have to find whatever was making him like this and exorcise it.
**************************************************
Time passed quickly, the two moons were high in the night sky, their contrasting golden and silver glows lighting the waters of the sea. Palin looked out over the shimmering waves, his mind a peace.
It's amazing how beautiful this is. I never take the time to stop and notice that there are so many incredible things present in this world of ours……
A dark shape shot across the waves, far out at sea. Palin's keen vision could barely discern what it was, but there was a definite outline of something.
Maybe it's just sea creature or something......Damn! It moves so fast!
A soft hand grasped his own and tugged slightly. Palin turned and jumped. The woman from earlier pressed up against him, the warmth of her body an unexpected comfort.
"You still owe me a dance…… Why don't we make good on that promise?" She said, her bright grin flashing.
Palin stared at her for a little bit, then caught himself and spoke staggeringly. "I….. I never caught your name……."
"Reina. Reina Alatea. Fighter, swordswoman, and duelist. And you are?"
"Palin Freeborn, the legendary rogue…….though you made not have heard of me yet………"
They laughed together and his little joke did wonders in calming him down. Perhaps he could find a way to survive this night without embarrassing himself after all.
Palin looked out one last time to sea, and succumbed to the woman, all thoughts of the dark shape forgotten. He was finding he liked this woman more and more, an emotion he amplified when they continued onto the dance floor.
They danced most of the night together until the minstrels decided to pack up. The bards played one last lilting tune, a slow and romantic ballad. The two danced together, their bodies interlocking. The melody ended and everyone left the deck, except for one lone adventurer and a young woman.
They continued dancing soundlessly and she tucked her head in the nape of his neck, closing her eyes. Palin sighed and closed his eyes as well. The night swallowed them as they continued to dance, the moonlight dimming as the sun prepared to rise.
**************************************************
A dark, somewhat scarred face peer out from the shadows on the boat's main deck. He grimaced and spat silently, his disgust with this….boy….growing. The rogue was dancing with his woman and nothing would save him from what was coming to him.
Brand Mashelda smiled at the prospect of injuring the young man.
"Perhaps this time I won't have to go adventuring to find a good fight……" Three other men and two women came up behind him, their features dark and menacing behind the veil of darkness.
"Tomorrow, I say we 'talk' to him. He's not going to take my Reina. He won't be able to do anything when I'm done with him………………"
"You've got it, boss." Brand smile faded into a grimace yet again.
"Take him out."
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Posted by Lyght Smith on 03-01-2002 08:16 PM:
The Dream
The spot where they had stopped was just south of the Eka woods. Lyght had helped Cybele so that she could lie against Betty. “Ok I think this should work for to night. And if those people come after us tonight head into the woods. Ok Cybele.”
“Yes, Yes I know how to take care of myself after all,” said Cybele in a rather rude tone.
“Sorry if I did anything wrong, why don’t we try to get some sleep I’m sure you will feel better in the morning,” Cybele nodded and then Lyght laid back on the green Grass and Fell asleep.
In that Sleep Lyght came into a strange dream where I beautiful light came to Lyght, “Lyght Smith I call you to come north. I am waiting for you,” said the voice of the Light.
“Who are you and why do you want me to go north?” Asked Lyght
“If you follow me I will help you will find your path,” said the Voice.
“I don’t understand, this doesn’t make sense,” said Lyght.
“Don’t worry it will in time. For now just head north.” Then light left and Lyght woke up.
“What was that?” The thought to himself, “Well I don’t have to Time to worry about it now I need to get Cybele to a Doctor. Then Lyght turn to look where Cybele was to find only a note sitting up against Betty.
Cue: Well you can fill in the holes Cybele, and it has been pleasure to working with you.
__________________
I was a farmer until the Wolves killed my family, but now I don't know what I am.
Posted by Leo Saotome on 03-02-2002 10:46 AM:
The Gift
Leo had given up speaking for a week, starting after his trial. He sat now in silence, across from the man called "Joan." Leo's formerly glorious dirty blonde hair had grown wiry in grease-covered disgrace. The trial hadn't been a trial at all. The judge looked at the large young man and passed his judgement immediately, "Guilty. Execution."
He turned the words over in his mind, and sighed. Everything had gone over so well. He had found a home. He found his "brother" of sorts. What would Raven think? Had he heard of the trial? Did he beleive it? Was his mother thinking that he was a con-man? What did the father think?
Oh, Creator.. I even pretended to steal his wallet. Leo sighed again.
Leo looked over at his pack. Almost everything had been removed. All he had left were three sticks of charcoal. Leo examined the tattoo on his hand. "I'm a Silverblade," he said aloud the first thing in a week. "I'm a Silverblade, and I haven't even chosen a skill to learn."
Leo stood and went to his pack. He drew the charcoal from it, "Art, I had told Arna. And art it will be. I will study all forms of art, right here from this cell. I will see the world from these three walls and make it in my image. Yes." Leo took the lightest of the charcoal sticks, scaping it along the wall. He was given a series of images straight from that one image.
He worked fervently into the night, and by morning his cell walls had been covered in images, all the images Leo had seen. The one he had spent the most time on was the wall facing the bars. It was a picture of the orphanage with all the children Leo had known. Sarah. Willy. Kara. Little Joey.. Benny, Raven, and all of the others, they all stood out in his mind, and they stood in their youth right there, in a game of handball.
At the end, Leo was standing on his bed, with the stubs of the three sticks of charcoal. He sketched fervently on the ceiling of his cell. "What are you drawing there, my son?" Was question of a foreign-sounding voice. It was the man called "Joan", "I have seen your other walls, but what is on your ceiling? You put your art where others may not scrutinize it."
"That is because this image is for myself. She is the fairest maiden of all. An elvenmaiden from a faraway land. I dreamt of her once, during my stay in Bargra." Leo came down from his bed, now finished. "My name is Leo. And yourself?"
"Jonas Sommer. I am as innocent as you are. I'm sure these bumbling gaurdsmen pick up whoever for what ever romanticised crime. Our only difference is that my execution is in a week, where you are waiting a month for it." the man smiled, "And I will be free of this place. But I mean no cruelty."
"Hey! No talkin' wit' deh doomed!" The gaurd called Biggs went to Jonas' cell, stick in hand. He dragged it across the bars, creating a terrible clangor. Jonas, enfuriated, grabbed the club and pulled Biggs' arm through the bars, pinning him.
"I've had enough of your torture. You do this again and I will not be so kind." Jonas smacked Biggs' head against the bar then punched him away. Biggs only growled and walked away into a back room. Jonas looked to Leo, "The man had your dagger, correct?"
Leo nodded, "My only treasure." This merited a smile from Jonas.
"Then here, friend, is your treasure. I took it from him." and the man tossed the dagger, handle first, to the cell across from him, through the bars, "I trust you will use it well when the time comes."
"A gift of friends.. I should like to thank you, but now, I need sleep..." Leo hid the dagger under the bed and went to the first sleep he'd had in a while.
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 03-02-2002 12:19 PM:
The pain was too much to bear and the thought of her father had consumed her mind. She sat straight up as stared at Lyght as she slept.
There’s no time I must get out of here.
She made a small whisle and right from behind her her little horse came to greet her.
“Good girl.” she said as she pet the horse. “You followed me this whole time didn’t you.”
The horse nodded.
“I need a favor from you, and you my best friend so I’ll repay you I promase.”
The horse grunted.
“Ok…..will you get me out of here. I cant move so I need your help.”
The horse nodded.
“Thank you.”
Cybele pushed herself up with her arms very hard and struggled to get on the horse. She only managed to lay on it with her body totally across on it. She could of fell off at any time.
She pulled out a note from her cape and read it one last time.
Dear Lyght,
I wish to trouble you no longer. I feel as if you remind me of someone that I once knew. That person still haunts me today. So in order to ease my heart I shall leave you and all the memories with you behind.
Cybele
God it hurts so much.
She tossed the note by his side. She began to cry some tears but she quickly wiped them from her eyes.
“Ok lets go.”
OCC: Likewise
__________________
Posted by Azure Falcon on 03-02-2002 12:57 PM:
2 weeks before Azure's journey.......
The sinister eyes glared from the shadows that hid them. One guard stood at the door, one guard stood in the way of the goal, and one guard was meditating on duty. The fool, probably one of the newer trainees.
Without a sound the darkness was beside the guard, a few seconds later the guard was dead on the ground, his neck snapped. This is too easy! He laughed madly in his mind, the swords would soon be his, and he would have his revenge.
The door opened slowly, not even the slightest creak of resistance came from it. This had been planned for months, nothing would get in the way, nothing!
Inside the room relics from various generations lined the walls and stood on the floor: racks of staves, swords, axes, and other weapons. Ancient suits of armor stood like sentries over the artifacts of history. Though, even in the glory of some of these items, none of them mattered, except two. Two blades, finely crafted, were in the middle of the room. The moon made them appear to almost be glowing, and when in the hands of this dark soul, they seemed to wither, such beauty tainted by such horror.
They are mine, all mine! Revenge is a sweet thing! He grinned and silently left the room, he even put the guard in a standing position against the wall, so as to appear to be sleeping.
When this villain left Sai Ton that night, it was almost as if a burden was lifted, the darkness gone from a place so full of light, though none knew it until the next day.
**************************************************
**
The old man sighed, “Solen is dead, the swords are taken, and Crane is gone.”
“Do you think Crane is responsible for this?” Asked another elderly man, both of them were old friends, raised and trained together inside these walls of Sai Ton.
“Who else would have?” Anione Ton looked out the window, the sun shone brightly this day, the light filled the halls, banishing the shadows, that only the night before were used as hiding places for the wicked, “How could we have chosen so poorly…..”
“Ah, you can’t blame yourself for this, he was a fine student until he went out into the world, something out there changed him and only he knows what.”
“Like always, you speak wisely.”
“Perhaps, but what of the situation at hand? Do we just let him go?” They walked slowly down the halls, earlier that morning they had sent Solen to the creator, and both were still saddened by the event, one so young, dying because of the evil intentions of others, woe to the harsh reality of the world.
“No…..even though the swords means little, he killed one of us. He must be stopped before he brings chaos to the world, and shame to us.”
“Who is it that speaks wisely now?”
“Not wisely, just truthfully.”
“Ah, but is it not wise to speak the truth.” They were both silent for a moment, “Who will you send?”
“I think you know who.”
“Is he ready? He knows little of the world.”
Anione never replied, he just looked out the window. He will have to learn.
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 03-02-2002 03:05 PM:
The Lady and the Lion
Til'Sylvanna Evenstar, Moon maiden and White Lady of the Elwain soared upon the winds of the Dreaming. She was the Mistress of this place between the worlds, and she reveled in the glory of it. The thoughts of a thousand dreamers fluttered about her, soft and warm like kisses. Here, she looked for the red star... but it was not the star that she found.
She found herself drawn, instead, to another place... another dreamer.
She gasped, for this was an image she before had seen!! It was the lovely artist, the human man of her original Vision!
He was sad... of the she had no doubt. And his gentle soul was troubled. His light was dimmed. She sought for the dreaming part of his sleeping mind and drew him to her... that she might speak with him in the peace of the garden that she had made into being there in the Realm of Dreams.
Softly she called, "Man... child of mortal kin... I, White Lady of the Elwain, call thee here to me. Seek ye out my voice and find peace here with me."
She reached out a slender hand, waiting for his dreaming mind to respond.
The man, or boy, responded with immediate enchantment, a state just below enumeration. "You again?" His thoughts recoiled, and he questioned with uncertainty, "Are you my muse?"
She raised a delicate silver eyebrow. "Thy muse?" She smiled and began to walk the paths of her garden, taking his arm that he would follow. "How is it that I could be, for never have we met? Neither in the waking realm, nor here which is my kingdom. Though, I have oft seen thee in my Dreams..." she was quiet for a moment, letting him settle into this new realm so that she did no harm to his sleeping mind.
"What is thy name, child of man?"
He followed her along the path, his gaze not leaving her eyes, "My inspiration. I have seen you yet before, and it was when I was struck with a plan. My name? I have many, but I am called, mostly, Leo."
"Leo," his name danced off of her tongue like starlight. "Tell me, Leo of my Dreaming, why art thee so sorrowed? I have felt thy pain in thy dreams, and thus have I called thee here. Methinks, perhaps, that thou art in need of my aid." Her quicksilver eyes held him, and he knew that a man could be lost forever in them.
Leo's eyes went to the path were following, "I will die soon. I have been forced to leave newly found family, and my life will be ended by the next cycle of the moons."
She was ancient and wise, sad and yet full of light. She was beautiful beyond words, and holder of an ancient power. She frowned when he pronounced his death, and he could feel a wave of cool fire shimmer in the starlit dream world about him.
"Who would bring thee harm?" She asked coldly.
A wind began to blow... and clouds formed in the formerly cloudless dreaming sky.
This was his turn to frown, "I have sinned. A man, a thief, died at my hands. But the men that aim to kill me are supposed to be men of honor. The sin I will die for is not my own."
She sighed. "The sin is in your world, Leo. I have seen it first hand." He felt a wave of powerful anguish from her, quickly repressed as she continued to speak.
"Many are those of honor who will be unwitting tools of the darkness, for the sin of the world lies heavily upon the souls of men. But, still there are those of Light who shall bring thy land into peace, though the way will be long and hard. Thy fate is such, Lion of the Light, for so I have Foreseen." She captured him in her powerful gaze, not letting him go.
The boy felt her anguish, if only for a moment, and thought he would like to ease her troubled heart. Still, his curiosity compelled him, "Why do you contact me? What can I do from this prison, and what is my fate?"
She looked up to the stars of the world that she had given shape. Long she looked before she answered him. Finally she spoke, and all the weight of her 752 years was in her words, as well as the ancient power of the Salurion manifest in her.
"Many long years have I seen thee, Lion of the children of Men. Longer, perhaps, even than thou hast walked in the living world. You have some key part, I think, to play in the great event now moving in the world. War threatens to destroy our world, for the Shadow has grown great indeed, and stretches out it's dark arm to cover the world in death. The powers of the Light must gather now to face it, or all shall parish from this world. All that is beautiful, peaceful, and wonderful shall be obliterated utterly, less something is done."
Leo was yet in silence, turning her words over in his mind. This was most obviously much to hear for this orphan child of only sixteen years. Quite simply, he was in awe.
"I come for the Elwain, for even we can no longer keep away from the lives of men. I have come to gather those who must make the stand against the Shadow... I gather to me the Stars of the Light so that I may serve them, and to find the Dolensirion of Destiny as my mother foretold many ages of men ago."
"Thou also hast some part to play, though I have not yet gleaned from the Creator what purpose she may yet have for thee. I can assure thee that it is not thy fate to die this day for crimes unfounded."
She stopped, sensing his confusion. "Tell me, what is the shadow which burdens thy heart?" There was only kindness and compassion in her depthless silver eyes.
"My parents," said he. "I know that I had parents. You say you have seen me for a long time. Have you too seen them?" This seemed a very meaningful question for this boy, and the tone of his voice showed his hope.
The hope in his honest eyes nearly broke her. Then she had a thought. "Perhaps we could find them... though it may be very draining to us both. Is it your wish to find them, then? If we do, then I must do something first. I should hate for us to find them only to have you slain in the morning." She took hold of his hands in hers, and closed her eyes, instructing him to do the same.
She took him back to where he lay asleep in the cell. She was taken aback by the myriad of drawings upon the walls. Looking up she saw that which took her breath away… Tears filed her eyes. She stared into her own eyes, as seen through the eyes of her new artist friend. Her sadness, joy, age, youth, power, and weakness… he had captured all of them. It was as if he had looked into her soul and put all of what made her, her into art form. She smiled… and turned to where he was looking down at his own sleeping form.
“I know that thou must find this all very strange, but thou must trust me.” She walked over to the lock upon his door. She summoned her silver dream fire and melted the lock… leaving him free to leave when he awakened. Next she walked throughout the small prison and whispered Words of Dreaming unto all the guards. This would leave Leo free to leave without their notice. Having done so, though, she was seized by a wave of exhaustion. She had been too long in the Dreaming and had used far too much energy. She had to leave now, or be lost forever.
Leo was still looking at himself, an odd fascination on his face.
“I must leave thee now, an return to the waking world, for I have used overly much of my power. I shall seek thee out once more when I have rested, and then we shall find thy parents, Lion of the Light. This I vow. We shall meet again soon.”
With that, she guided him back into his sleeping form, and she used the last of her strength to return to her body. Dawn was in the sky as she returned, and the great city of Gania lay visible in the distance. Today, or perhaps tomorrow, she would finally meet the stars of red and blue.
__________________
Darkness- a heart that knows not love.
Despair- a soul that knows love, and still dwells in Darkness.
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 03-02-2002 03:56 PM:
High-seas action and adventure!
Palin awoke the next morning refreshed and with no memory of how he had gotten to his room.
I remember dancing for most of the night with that woman, Reina, but after that I can't remember a thing. That's what exhaustion will do to you, I guess........
However, he felt quite rested, so maybe it wasn't quite as bad as he thought. Palin stood, fully dressed (he never allowed himself the opportunity to be caught of guard, unless he was washing them) and proceeded to go above decks, where, to his surprise, breakfast was being held.
Wow. I woke up early! I distinctly remember that we were still dancing until sunrise. It's amazing that I could have such little rest and feel so good..........that's odd...........
He found his place in line and recieved various breads and fruits from a disgruntled looking sailor. The man grumbled and practically threw the assemblage of item onto his plate and waved impatiently at him to move. Palin grinned akwardly and stepped away, choosing a quiet corner of the deck to eat.
He sat down and looked among the waves, chewing an apple non-chalantly. A young couple were seated nearby and the male seemed to be irritated by the ship's rocking motion, as he had his head bent over the boat's side.
Palin chuckled quietly, but stopped when he heard a young, scruffy looking man yelling from below decks.
"Fire! Fire!" The young man leapt out of the porthole from below decks, accompanied by a small group of friends, one of which was Reina. The Captain turned, looking more annoyed than afraid. He called all the sailors on deck and they ran below, buckets of water in hand.
The young man waited for the last of the deckhands to disappear, then turned towards Palin.
"You! You and I need to have a little 'talk'....boys?" The group unsheathed their swords. Reina looked around at them, an expression of disbelief on her face.
"What's going on? Brand, what are you doing!?"
"Teaching this boy to stay away from my woman......" Reina protested, but Brand turned her aside. The group charge, cocky grins on their faces. Palin spat out what he was chewing and threw the plate at the nearest attacker, landing a hit on his face.
The man cursed and dropped his weapon so he could hold his broken nose. Brand stopped and waited as his group took to swinging at the young rogue. Palin drew his sword quickly and parried aside a blow that would have impaled him.
"What the hell are you doing?" Palin dodged a swipe at his head.
The group continued to attack. Palin fought expertly, his sword fending off blows left and right. However, the blows were coming fast and furious and a woman at the back of the group looked like she was casting a spell. Palin leapt backwards, landing on the deck's edge. He swung his foot about and kicked up a long pole, swinging it around his foot and onto a warrior's head. The people on the deck watched helplessly as they attacked him.
Palin ducked under a sword slash and jumped, catching onto the mast ropes. A fireball singed the bottoms of his boots and flew out to sea. The spellcaster cursed and made to regain her concentration, while the rest of Brand's gang started to climb after him.
Palin pulled himself up quickly and leapt a broad gap onto the main mast. The spellcaster cursed again and dropped her hands. Apparently, she didn't want to get thrown overboard. The rest of the adventurers climbed after him, but few wanted to jump from their height onto the mast. Brand cursed impatiently.
"Dammit! I'll just have to do things myself, like always…." Brand climbed the other rope ladder quickly and leapt, landing heavily on the mast. The other warriors caught onto the spirit and prepared to jump over as well, but Reina cut the rope ladder from beneath them.
The rope went slack and they swung hard into the mast pole, falling down twenty feet as their hands were crushed against hard wood. Palin looked down and smiled, then ducked instinctively as Brand's sword swung past his head and into the mast's wood.
"You're going to die, boy!" Brand grinned and ripped the sword free with one hand.
Palin looked down at his own sword and threw it. The blade spun and landed in the Crow's nest. Palin leapt and swung from a loose rope. Brand missed him by inches with his sword as Palin swung high and flipped, landing in the Crow's nest himself. The rogue kicked his sword up of the floor and caught it, swinging it expertly about himself.
"Come, then! If you want a challenge, I'll give you one!"
Brand smiled as he grabbed hold of a rope.
"We'll see………….."
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Posted by Gaireth Synphell on 03-02-2002 07:50 PM:
A strong wind blew across the grayish brown barren slopes of the Hollow Crags. Dust and rocks were tossed about with every gust. A loud howl of varying pitch accompanied the wind as it swept between the mountains and in cracks in the rock face. What little foliage grew on the mountains was huddled near the ground as if to dig further into the earth to escape the wind. In stark contrast to the small shrubs there stood a figure on an outcropping as if it were made of the stone itself. About the figure danced a cloak that was a mirror image to the rock face of the mountain stone. With staccato snaps the cloak was whipped back a forth with the wind.
The figure’s short white hair, which was the color of freshly fallen snow, was also tossed about in the gusts. Its leathery skin, marked by small scars, was a perfect armor to defend against the dust and rocks picked up in the wind. And clear gray eyes gazed off across the peaks and to the south. A long sword lay nestled in its sheath by its left side and was reflected by a long hunting knife on the right. A hand made composite longbow sat unstrung near its feet and a full quiver of equally hand made arrows were slung over its shoulder.
It drew a deep breath. That unique smell of the mountains entered its nose. It was the smell of snow, dust, and the pungent odor of the deep earth. It had grown to love that smell and the wind the brought it. A quiet shifting of rock floated to its ears. To most it would have been covered by the howl of the wind, but had also learned very fast to always keep its ears open. It didn’t move, but just waited and listened. The shifting of rocks came again and was a little louder this time, yet still it did not move. The wind lessened for but a moment and with a crash of stones and rocks a shadowy blur jumped out onto the outcropping. It was the color of bitch and had black gleaming teeth and claws, and its red eyes stared with hatred. A sharp movement of its hand and the long sword gleamed in the midday’s light. A blink of an eye went by and the animal lay at its feet…dead. It heard another scuffle going down the mountainside and quick flip of its foot brought the bow up to its hands. In seconds the bow, which would give most a hard time, was strung and an arrow fitted. It slowly took aim and let fly. With incredible speed the missile cut through the air unhindered by the wind. An unearthly screech floated up to its ears, and it looked to see the dead shape that mirrored the one at its feet.
“Damn Shadowspawn,” the deep male voice grumbled. He wiped his sword on the thing and with little trouble he pushed the dead form at his feet off the edge and down the steep mountainside. He unstrung his bow and stowed it in its place under his quiver, and with his sword back in place he turned around and headed for his hidden cave.
As the sun was slipping below the horizon he replaced the final trap on his hidden cave. The cave was the same color as all the rock and smelled clear and pure. A small natural spring took up one corner of the cave, and there was also a deep shaft that he used as a latrine. The cave was sparsely furnished with a bedroll, fire pit, and various other pieces of equipment used for travel. He took off his sword belt and threw it onto his bedroll. He moved to the fire pit and using flint and steel started a small fire. The smoke rose up into the ceiling of the cave and exited through a complex path of cracks and crevices. The smoke actually came out about a mile away, much higher on the mountain.
A cool breeze brushed against his cheek. “Yes, yes. Give me a moment would you. I just got back.” He answered angrily.
The air behind him began boil and writhe and soon a very definite human shape took form. In moments there stood a tall man draped in deep blue robes. A long white mane covered his head and a beard hung past his waist and bushy eyebrows almost covered his eyes. His eyes seemed to storms. Clouds of swirling blues, blacks, and the occasional flash of white raged in the clear orbs. His hands were bony, but strong and in one he held a tall staff topped with a blue crystal.
“Now Gaireth, is that any way to greet a member of the family, your only remaining uncle for that matter?” he old man questioned in a strong voice. “All I said was ‘you better get that mutton cooking, I’m hungry.’ And you just snapped like a twig in a soft breeze.”
The man known as Gaireth stood up from the fire pit and heaved a heavy sigh, “I’m sorry Gaxx. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“Apology accepted. Now how have you been boy?”
“I killed two more of those bloody Shadowspawn. That’s twenty in the passed fortnight. I’ve tried and tried to find where they come from, but have had no luck.”
“Shadowspawn eh? Well I know that Lunis is being attack en masse by hordes of these Shadowspawn. To tell you the truth I don’t know where the come from either. Certainly not from the air.” He laughed a bit at this last statement.
Gaireth idly stirred the mutton and stared at the stone wall. “I’ve traveled these mountain up and down three times now and I have only found the occasional mountain goat or eagle’s nests. I don’t even know how long I’ve been out here. I have lost all track of time. What am I supposed to be searching for?”
The old man gazed at Gaireth from under a furrowed brow. “You know well that I can’t tell you. That would take the fun out of it. Look. I’m the Avatar of Air, not the Avatar of Knowing Everything.”
“Ha ha.” He laughed sarcastically. “I know.”
The two sat in silence as the mutton cooked and also ate in silence. When they were finished Gaxx sat back lazily against the wall and Gaireth sat down on his bedroll.
“That, my boy, is some good mutton!”
“I learned from the best,” he said. He sat thinking for a moment. “I know you are the Avatar of Air and everything, but in all this time I’ve been out here you have never told me how you came to be that. If you can’t tell me what I’m searching for at least tell me about your past.”
The old man squinted his eyes and the storms inside seemed to rage even more. “Guess you’ve earned it,” he said with a grunt. “Well it all started back when I first heard the call of my one true love….The Air…”
OOC: Well here is my first post after my long drought. I don’t think anybody has posted with Gaxx for a while, but for anyone’s information, Gaxx does not listen to the wind anymore to hear his love. Since he took over the position as Avatar of Air, they kind of became one with each other.
Posted by Avatar Scriptkeeper on 03-02-2002 08:21 PM:
"What was that?" the young guard asked.
"Where?"
"Out there, in the sky. Looked like a dragon. Maybe more than one."
"Pshaw. Ain't no dragons. Keep making up tales, and the captain will bust you back down to peon."
The young guard rubbed his eyes. "I saw something..." He stared out over the guardrail of the ship. "There! In the water! Sir, come here?"
The senior coast officer came to the prow. "What are you talking about?" The water was as calm as ever.
"Sir, you have to believe me. There's a school of some big animal or something out there. I saw them."
"They're called fish, Wac. Tell me if you see anything important. We're the coast guard, not fishermen."
Something exploded from the water and landed on the deck. With one swipe of it's claw, it slashed the two men, cutting them deeply and flinging them overboard, where the water instantly became a frenzy of blood and motion. The spawn began to clamber all over the ship, tearing it apart. It began to sink, the creatures returning to the water, and heading for the shore...
They swam up from the shore, tearing apart anything that wasn't solid enough to stand before them. Beach houses and their inhabitants alike were torn asunder before the might of the shadowspawn.
They took scores of lives before reaching the city itself. But when the reached the city walls, they were met with an pitiful, albeit armed, guard. Unfortunately for the guards, the ranks of spawn were not alone...
Winged terrors decended from the sky, sending blazing fireballs into home and street alike.
Sungan was under attack.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Azure Falcon on 03-02-2002 10:13 PM:
The quest
Azure bent his body backwards, the kick flew over his torso and face, just barely missing him. Quickly shooting back up he sent a fury of punches at his foe, most were deflected, but a handful of them struck the opponents chest and face.
Both men moved back, slowly circling each other, waiting for the other to make the attack. Azure decided to make the first move, he charged forward and jumped into the air, he kicked his left foot forward, slightly tapping the other fighter, it was simply a decoy, his right foot came at full force taking the man in the stomach.
“I should have seen that coming,” said Daen, the man Azure was fighting.
“But you did not,” Azure smiled.
Once again they went into a quick battle of flying fists and kicks, each attack blocked and counter attacked by the other.
“Azure!” called an elderly voice.
Azure turned his face to see who was calling him, but received a strong blow to the chin for his incompetence.
“Ughh,” Daen grabbed Azure’s arm and pulled him up to his feet.
“You should have seen that coming,” he laughed, but quickly became silent when both saw the serious expression of their master.
“Azure, I must talk with you.”
“Yes, Master.” Azure stood straight, ignoring the pain in his jaw.
“Not here though, follow me.” They both left the room, and walked down the halls of the monastery. Anione stopped in front of a window, and looked out, the same window he had looked out only two weeks before, when he decided that Azure would be the one to make this journey.
“What is it you wish to speak of with me master?” Azure bowed his head in humility, as was custom when asking a question of an elder and superior.
“Ah, no need to be formal. Azure, I’m sure you have by now heard of the event that took place two weeks ago.”
Azure stiffened, Solen had been a good friend of his, “You mean the theft of the ancient blades of Sai Ton and the ‘Murder’ of Solen.”
“Yes, that is what I mean. Let me tell you a story.” He looked out the window once again, the view of nature, of life at it’s fullest, always helped bring peace to his soul, “Many years ago, a child was chosen. He was as good a student as any master could hope for. Amazing peace, amazing fighting, and a great friend. One day, the student went on his journey, the journey to explore the world, to find out if the monastery is truly for you. I cannot tell you what exactly happened on this journey, but the student saw many wonderful and many dark things. Though, it was the dark things that stuck with him. When he returned, his soul and mind were clouded with hatred, fear, greed, and power.”
“What does this have to do with what happened?”
“It has everything to do with it, the student in this story was Lyon Crane.”
“Lyon? He did this?”
“Yes, he was the one that did this.”
“But why?”
“The answer to that is in the story, something in the world changed him, turned him to the ways of darkness and violence.”
“Why are you telling me this, why not tell everyone?”
“They will be told in time.”
“But why me?” This made little sense to Azure, what would cause Anione to tell him and not the others.
“Because it is you that we are sending after Lyon.”
“Me? But my training is incomplete….”
“You are one of the finest here, as far as fighting and finding your soul goes, there is nothing more we can teach you. Though you do need to work on your concentration, that was a fierce blow you took to the jaw,” he smiled, something that was hard to do in times like these, especially with the knowledge that he was sending this boy after a dangerous killer.
“But still, any of you masters would be better fit for this than I.”
“I am not finished yet, there is another reason you are being chosen……we feel that it is time for you to venture into the world, and to decide if the monastery is the life for you.”
“What do you mean? The monastery is my life, why would I not wish to stay here?”
“The world is full of beauty and mystery, to some the monastery is life, to others, the world has what they are looking for. You must see it, before you can push it away.”
“Yes master,” again he bowed his head, “I will prepare for my mission.”
“Not a mission, a quest for the truth, the truth that is you.” With that, Azure left to prepare. Another man walked out of the shadows, one of the elders.
“What do you think?” asked Anione.
“I think he has much to learn, but he will be successful.”
“I agree.”
“Then why do you look so sad?”
“Perhaps it is that I will miss him.”
“You think he will not live the encounter with Lyon?”
“No, I think he will live, but I don’t think he will return.”
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 03-02-2002 11:03 PM:
She held on to her horses neck while they galloped down the trail. She coughed up many times coughing up blood. Each time she became even weaker than before.
O….I feel like I’m dying…….
“Please someone help me..” she whispered.
She took deeps breaths to regain her strength. Her eyes began to close and she fell into a deep sleep.
"Mama! Papa!" she screamed as she ran to her burning home. A piece of burning wood scraped her in the face as it was falling down. She stopped and ran backwards. She tripped over a stone.
“Ahh!” she screamed as she coughed up blood.
She was losing her grip to the horse. She started to fall off. Someone from behind grabbed her and held her tight.
“Ahh! Let me go!”
The man tossed her too the ground.
“Alright men grab the horse. This woman isn’t going to do anything.”
Three men came around the horse and grabbed her by all sides. One man went came over to Cybele and went through all of her things taking all of her valuables.
“Ok…..what should we do with her?” as one of them by the horse.
Cybele tried very hard to stand but she was so weak she could no longer see. She fell and crawled slowly next to a tree.
“I think you know…” said the leader
Cybele went straight for her dagger and swished it all around her. She managed to cut someone in the face she just didn’t know who. She felt one man grab her by the legs and she was pulled so that she laid on the ground.
“Noo! Let me go! Take everything but let me go!”
She kicked violently and managed to get him off of her. She tried to crawl away as fast as she could and found a bush to hide in. Behind her she could hear violent fighting and immense kicking from her horse.
__________________
Posted by Kane Tallon on 03-03-2002 09:42 AM:
Last day on the ship...
OOC: I'm not going to post the two days or so since Merelania wants to reach Noit in very short time.
IC:
Kane awoke the next day and found himself out in the crows nest. He quickly stood himself up and searched the area with his weary eyes. He saw blue, the sea, the ship, but then he turned his head and realized that they were near the end of their trip. He rubbed his eyes to get a clearer vision and to make sure he wasn't still dreaming. "Oh...good, we're almost there...Fang? Fang?" He peered down at the deck and saw Fang being patted on the head by Merelania. Surely, he was in no mood to talk, but he thought better of it and climbed down. Kane strode to Merelania's side and touched her shoulder. "Look, we are almost at Noit, 'you happy?" He asked.
"Yes, indeed. Where were you tonight when the rest of the crew ate dinner?" She wondered.
"Me...well..." Kane turned around and pointed at the crows nest. Merelania chuckled slightly and continued.
"So you slept in there?" She laughed.
"I've been in worse..." He frowned, but started chuckling too. He turned around and walked towards the kitchen, in order to get another loaf of bread and something to quench his thirst. Right before entering though, he turned, "Did you feed Fang already?" He called over to Merelania.
"Yes, he had a nice breakfast today." She answered.
"Good..." Kane turned to the door again and walked inside. He greeted the cook and some of the crew members with a friendly smile. Once again, he walked up next to the cook, grabbed a loaf of bread and a glass of water. He took a knife and cut a slice off, then stuffed it into his pocket. Kane walked out of the kitchen and bumped into the captain, "How long 'till we reach Noit, sir?" He spoke quickly.
"Oh...well...about three more hours I'd say." The captain said joyfully and made way for Kane.
Kane walked out and leaned against the wall, then started eating his piece of bread.
********************
"Hey boy," One of the crew members called to Kane, "get your stuff ready, we're going to dock in a little while."
Kane didn't hesitate and ran to his room. He busted through the door and found his fist claws cleaned and his sword polished. "Weird...I didn't clean that...oh well." He grinned and strapped on his belongings. He turned to exit the room after he was done. He found Merelania packing her belongings too, so he knocked on the door.
"Yes?" She said gently.
"Need any help?" Kane answered and awaited her reply.
"No, I'm fine, thank you."
"Ok...if you say so..." He finished and walked out on deck, Fang waiting for him next to the door.
Cue: Merelania Hitoshinen.
(Decide whether or not you still want Kane to accompany Merelania)
Posted by Azure Falcon on 03-03-2002 11:12 AM:
The next day Azure was leaving the monastery. It was a small farewell, in fact the only person who said farewell was Anione, for his quest for Lyon was to be kept a secret from the others. I will miss this place.
As he walked along the tree line, heading south, he wondered if all the world would be as beautiful as his home. To the east there was the bay, to the west the forest, and it all came together in a quiet harmony. He had learned of other types of climates in his training, places that were miles and miles of sand, and tropical areas with strange but beautiful plant life.
“I just can’t imagine it…..a beach that spans around you as far as eye can see. Who would live in such a place?” Of course, he remembered hearing that this kind of region was hard to live in and often deserted.
He continued walking south, even though he missed the monastery, he couldn’t deny how much he loved the peace of nature, it made him feel more with himself. Thoughts of the monastery came to him as expected, for it was the only place he had lived for his entire life. How long will I be gone? I don’t know where Lyon is, and the world is vast in size.
For a while he walked in meditation, trying to find peace with his mind so that perhaps he could connect with Lyon’s. The attempt failed though, for a scream pierced his concentration.
“Noo! Let me go! Take everything but let me go!” he looked to see a road and a group of men attacking a young lady.
I may know nothing of the world, but I know this is wrong! He ran towards the group at full speed. The girl had crawled off into some bushes to hide, and her horse began fighting the men, as did he.
One of the men thrust his dagger at Azure’s chest, but the attack was deflect by a half circle swing of his arm across his chest. At the same time, Azure punched the man in the nose, breaking it and rendering the man unconscious. Every action has a counter action. However, the man was not unconscious for long, a sword came down at Azure and he was forced to use the body as a shield.
“Carl!” the man with the sword cried out, apparently the thought of death hadn’t occurred to them. This man had little time to mourn though, for Azure went low and spun in a circle, tripping the man with his leg. This attack was followed by an elbow into the man’s throat.
Only one thief was left standing, but since he had nowhere to run, he gave himself a false hope of winning and attacked Azure. The forth of the thieves had been stomped and crushed by the horse.
This man swung like mad, though with little skill, Azure just dodged and blocked all the attacks. He was about to go on the offensive until he heard loud hooves approaching, and rolled to the side just in time, for the horse plowed into the last standing thief and continued to stomp on him until he no longer moved. Then the horse turned to Azure and began to swing its feet at him, as if it were berserk.
“Calm yourself horse!” Azure walked back slowly, trying to keep out of the range of the horse’s feet. He kept repeating the words and slowly the horse relaxed, “Good horse.” Slowly, so as to not unsettle the creature, he walked up to it and began to scratch behind its ears, “Good horse.”
Both the man and the horse looked at the bush, which the lady had hid behind, and both walked up to it. Azure kneeled down and looked at the woman, “Are you ok?”
Posted by Carla Blanche on 03-03-2002 11:50 AM:
Carla’s week had a dreadful start and by the end of it she was ready to throw in the towel.
It had started innocently enough. She had taken special steps to ensure she would be to breakfast on time by waking up early and walking with extra care so that she wouldn’t trip or stumble. She was greatly relieved to find several other girls making their way to the dining room and turned to follow them. Unfortunately, the carpet was not wall to wall so when she turned, the carpet bunched up around her feet causing her to crash headlong into Miss Hackett. Both of them went tumbling to the hardwood floor which sagged and splintered under Miss Hackett’s massive bulk. Her chest began to heave as she drew in a deep breath and Carla could only cower and brace herself for the inevitable.
Miss Hackett’s bellows echoed for two miles.
15 minutes later Carla slunk, red faced, to the dining room and took an empty seat at the far end hoping she wouldn’t be noticed. Giggles and stares followed her progress, including the steely stare of the Head Mistress. Her voice rang out in gentle mocking tones.
“Good morning Miss Blanche. It’s so nice of you to join us this morning. I hope we didn’t keep you waiting.” More giggles could be heard from the other girls, making her flush a deeper shade of red.
“I’m sorry, I-“ The Head Mistress’s eyes narrowed icily and Carla shut her mouth with a sharp click as her teeth came together.
Much to Carla’s dismay, the punishment for being tardy to a meal was the denial of her own and being forced to watch as the others ate around her. She sat glumly and tried not to flicker her eyes toward the overflowing plates or the steaming trays of food that crowded the table. After an eternity of this torture, the Head Mistress announced that it was time for the morning classes to begin. Carla stood with the rest but was dismayed when they started splitting off into two different groups. The younger girls turned left down the hallway while the group of elder girls went to the right. Believing that she was to be with her own age group, Carla turned right with them, only to have Miss Hackett bellow at her once more to join with the beginners. She was followed once more by laughter as she tripped and stumbled down the opposite end of the hallway after the younger group.
The rest of the day passed without incident.
However, the rest of the week did. By the end of it, Miss Hackett had bellowed herself hoarse, several students were nursing minor injuries, and the mansion lay in various stages of ruin. (I won’t go into detail of what happened to save Carla from any further embarrassment, but I will say that most of the damage had started with a very hot tea kettle.) She was at the receiving end of mockery from her peers, as well as the Head Mistress who had very bluntly told Carla she was hopeless and she wasn’t fit to be a servant. She then locked her in her room to await the arrival of her parents who would have to pay for the damages inflicted by their daughter.
Carla curled up in the small patch of moonlight that streamed across her bed and cried softly. Her mother and father would be furious with her. They wouldn’t listen to her pleas that she had tried her best. She sat up and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands.
“What will I do?,” she despaired. If she went home she would surely never see the outside of her room ever again. Or worse, they would send her to an orphanage to get rid of her once and for all. She looked out the window at the tall pine tree growing along the side of her room and was suddenly struck with an idea. Just beyond the tree was the eastern wall of the estate and just beyond that was the road leading away from it. Wasting no time now, she dressed herself in her favorite outfit with the matching gloves and shoes, and grabbed the money her father had given her.
Her heart was beating wildly in her chest as she opened the window and looked down at the ground far below. Forcing herself to focus on the nearest branch, she perched carefully on the windowsill, praying to the Creator to keep her from having a clumsy moment and reached for the out-stretching limb. As it was, she never would have been able to reach it but fortunately Miss Hackett chose that exact time to check on her. Carla squeaked in fright and hunkered back down on the windowsill as the enormous woman blundered into the room. Panicking now, she reached for something to hold on to. Her hand brushed something leaning against the wall and grabbed on to it tightly. She brought it into view as Miss Hackett’s large sweaty hand closed around her wrist. She screamed and inadvertently swung the object in a small arc into the large woman’s face. Her grip released immediately causing Carla to pinwheel out of the window and onto the branch. The object she had picked up was her parasol.
She looked back to see Miss Hackett’s face contort as she tried to yell, but all she could do was wheeze loudly. Even in the poor light Carla could see the red welt rising across her jaw and smiled. Giving her the one gun salute, she scrambled to another branch that hung over the wall and jumped before reason could set in. She came away with two skinned knees which would heal over night and a sense of giddiness that followed her into the night. The very next day she had run into Tygan and-
“Carla?” Tygan’s voice brought her back to the present time with a snap.
“Huh? What?” He pointed to a distant speckle of lights.
“There’s Akaros.” Carla smiled and squeezed his hand.
“Let’s go!”
CUE: Tygan. Sorry about the wait. But it's done, so rock on!
Posted by Raven Shar on 03-03-2002 11:55 AM:
Shadows of the Past
Raven Shar sat in her unlit living room and brooded. She had been sitting thus for several hours, not moving a muscle, not even blinking. Except for the slight movement of her breathing, one could very easily believe her to be dead.
She was far from dead.
Deep she was in thought, for she had a great deal to think about. Especially about Caliph and his holier-than-all friends.
She had sat upon the couch of Alexandros Fatali and waited for him to come pronounce her doom. She had not really been all that upset about the prospect of death after she had given it some thought. Raven had managed to subvert most of the Angel thoughts, which had become troublingly persistent for a while. So she had sat and thought, and struggled in vain against the bonds of air that the Holy Knight had wrought. Caliph was drugged beyond her ability to wake him, and so she could hope for no aid from him. She knew he would have helped her… she knew he would have. He still saw too much of Sarahlee in her, and too much of Angel. She knew that the fool would die himself before he saw her dead, and it brought a morbid smile to her lips. Both were dead, and so too would she be soon enough.
Raven had thought about the day when he had first learned the truth about what had happened to her. She had been a student of a master of the dark arts, though not a magic user herself. He had sent her to kill an old bureaucrat who had welshed on a bet. She had been young and foolish, heading over to a tavern frequented by cut thoughts to brag about her newest kill. Why he had been there, she still did not know, but he had been. He listened from the shadows of a corner long enough to confirm that it was her… and had put a gun to her back convincing her to take a walk with him. Out in the ally, he had confronted the woman he had thought a year in the grave.
“What are you doing here, Angel?” He had said. There was an odd look of disgust mixed with sadness upon his pale face.
“Angel is dead, Caliph Wyrdwyrm. I am Raven Shar.” She had laughed at the exasperated look on his face.
“Stop being foolish, come with me. We’ll go home and you can explain everything to your father. You and I both know that he will understand. Leave this darkness behind. There are still those of us who care about you. We miss you, and no matter what you’ve done, we will forgive you.”
She had almost gone back with him then… almost. He, of all the people that she had ever known, had been most like her. He had a way about him, and she knew why her sister loved him. But, she was still too filled with bitterness and anger about the man she had loved, the man who had betrayed her utterly.
She told him what she had done, and what she had become. She had laughed at him for his kindness, for his mercy. He had tried to talk to her, but she would not listen. She had drawn her sword on him, vowing that if he did not leave and forget that he had seen her, that she would kill him where he stood. And she would have too.
He had left her then, knowing that Angel was really dead. She hadn’t cared that he would probably tell Sarahlee. One week later, she had received the news that her sister had killed herself.
Lost in thoughts of the past, she had not noticed Sarna and Larna enter the Fatali home. They quietly snuck up and found her there, dispatched by Jax to find her and return her, no matter what condition she was in, to her home. Sarna had picked her up, Larna looking over at Caliph asleep and helpless.
“Can I?” She asked with glee at the thought of spilling blood. Raven had trained the lass well.
“No, not ever. He is not to be touched. Wyrdwyrm belongs to me and me alone. Nor are his goody-goody friends. I will deal with them when I see fit.” The fire in Raven’s eyes told Larna that this was not a subject that could be argued.
And so they had brought her home, safe from the justice to which she would have been delivered. But, not safe from her own thoughts.
__________________
"And her eyes have all the seeming of a demon that is dreaming, and the lamp light o're her streaming throws her shadow on the floor;
Quoth the Raven, "Never more."
Posted by Tygan deParte on 03-03-2002 01:24 PM:
Tygan and Carla walked up to the gate, hand in hand.
“City over the lake, who ever would have guessed we would come this far,” Carla smiled.
Tygan returned the smile, “I was actually born near here.”
“Really?”
“Yes, closer to Bargra though.”
“I guess I don’t know much about you when I really think of it.”
“You’ll learn, we have all the time in the world.”
They entered into the city, Tygan held Carla close, one because he enjoyed being close to her, and two because he didn’t want her to trip and fall into the lake.
“So, where would you like to go?” asked Tygan.
She shrugged, “Ummm, how about that way?”
“I guess it doesn’t matter which way we go does it?” They laughed and just continued walking around the town.
**************************************************
*
A large group of men were walking towards them, it looked casual enough, for people were all over the place, so they didn’t think anything of it until they started walking past them.
The men grabbed hold of the two, “You’re coming with us!”
Tygan would have fought them, but his arms were held behind him, and he was afraid of getting Carla hurt, so he gave in and the two of them went with the men.
“What is going on Tygan?” Carla asked.
“Shut up!” shouted one of the men.
“Hey! Don’t talk to her like that!” This only caused Tygan to receive a punch to the stomach.
**************************************************
*
They came to a mansion and were taken inside, Carla was taken to a very rich and well decorated room, and Tygan was taken to the dungeon, though neither knew how the other was being treated.
**************************************************
**
Tygan sat in the dungeon, sulking in his failure. What was Carla being treated like, how could she handle in a dungeon like this?
Other questions filled Tygan’s mind, like why did this happen and who was doing this. That came quickly enough, it had to be his father. The answer to this wouldn’t come till the next day though, this day was spent in long beatings from the jail master and hunger from being under fed.
OOC: I have more to add to this, but feel free to write your meeting with my chara's father Carla. He will be kind and so forth, but he won't tell you I am in the dungeon.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you've won, if you happen to die.
---------------------------------
Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus.
Let us rejoice then, while we are young.
---------------------------------
To die is to sleep, only you forgot to turn on your alarm.
Posted by Lance Kraine on 03-03-2002 01:55 PM:
A long road...
Lance looked back at Ioty, I didn't like that place, he thought to himself and continued faster down the road. He unsheathed his sword and swung it around, his coat flattering a bit. The sun reflected off it and shone brightly as the reflecting light hit the floor, the trees, and the other surrounding. Lance soon lost interest at this and threw his sword up, it flipped wildly through the air. He slightly nudged to the side as it came down. It quietly slid into its sheath, "Yes..." Lance murmured and grinned. This road is long, he thought, I hope I reach Akaros soon. Lance searched the surrounding with his eyes. Far in the distance he saw two figures run from one side of the road to the other and into the bushes. "What?" He though out loud. He broke into a run and dashed down the road. He reached a large tree and hid behind it. Silently he ducked around it. The two figures he had seen...were gone now. "What...is...wrong...with...ME!?" He shouted and punched into the tree. An apple fell down and knocked onto his head. He grabbed it from the ground, stood up, walked back and stopped on the road. The Lance spun around and threw the apple at the tree at high speed. The apple burst and the juice from the fruit as the fruit itself flew everywhere. Lance took a deep breath and continued down the road.
A slight melancholic setting manifested itself in Lance's head. He looked up at the sky. A slight wind gust blew down the road. Dust swirled up and trees rustled quietly. A bird flew down onto the road, and lifted off again as Lance came closer. He watched the bird perch in a tree, an apple tree. Lance laughed, but stopped abruptly as he saw two figures cross the road again. He quickly rubbed his eyes to make sure it wasn't an eye problem. The figures once again...gone....as he reached the spot and looked deeper into the forest. Lance took a deep breath once again and continued down the road. This time only one figure jumped out onto the road, Lance was not able to tell who it was for the figure was too far away. A thought shot through Lance's mind, and everything he did seemed to be in slow motion. He spun around and thrust his fist out sideways. A figure was standing behind him, bringing down a reverse uppercut. Lance was luckily quick enough and hit the man's stomach before the man's fist hit his head. Lance's fist dug deep into the man's stomach, the man winced in pain and fell to the floor ("dug deep into" doesn't mean I punched a hole into the man's stomach) and cringed. Lance then spun around by reflex, but the second figure wasn't there anymore. "Oh please!" He shouted and walking again, but unsheathed his sword. It glinted as the sunlight hit it. Lance kept on turning his head every three seconds in hope to spy out the second man. How pathetic, he thought to himself.
Finally, the other man had made a mistake. He jumped out of the bushes right towards Lance. Thoughts shot through Lance's head; Kill, let live, let die... Lance pulled his sword back and jumped then dashed his leg up in an instant. The kick hit the man square in the face and thrust him back behind the bushes. Lance spun around and saw the second man stagger up and run away. Lance walked over to the bushes and pulled the other man out. Lance shook him hard and after a while the man awoke from his coma. He tried to shake himself loose, but it was no use, he was older than Lance, but not taller or stronger. "What a mate...I could kill you, but I'm not like you!" He screamed at the man, then let him fall to the ground. The man's eyes widened, and soon enough he was out of sight. Lance sighed and continued down the road searching the side for clearings where he could spend the night.
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 03-03-2002 03:53 PM:
The man was knelt before her as she sat in the bush, “Are you ok?”
"Of course I am not ok"
Azure smiled, "I apologize, of course you are not. Here let me help you up," he took hold of her arm.
"No let me go! It all hurts!" Cybele said as she placed her hand on her side.
He looked at her questioningly, "Hurts? Where are you injured?"
"My ribs. They hurt very bad......"
"Are they broken?"
"I don’t know…"
"Would you mind if I checked?"
"Alright...."
Azure lifted Cybele’s shirt slightly on the side that was broken and frowned, "I've broken enough bones in my time to know that this is definitely broken. Was it done by these men?" He motioned to the 4 dead men in the road.
"No, this happened some time ago."
"Some time ago? And you haven't had it mended?"
"Ok. I was careless! I'm sorry!"
He nodded, "Well I can mend it, but we should get you off the road. You'll need to remove your shirt for me to bandage it, and unless you want to do that on the open road......" He left it at that.
"Get naked are you insane??"
"Not naked, just your shirt. You can trust me, plus it would be more insane to let your ribs heal out of place.”
"Grr....It still feels wrong......."
He sighed, "Are all people this hard to deal with? Your coughing blood and your ribs are broken, you need healing."
"What do you mean are people this hard to deal with?"
"Well.....I've lived my entire life in a monastery, I've never been out into the world," he paused for a moment, "...That is unimportant though, what is important now is helping you, will you trust me?"
"Fine."
Then let us get off the road," he put his arms under her and lifted her up, "I apologize, but you are in no condition to walk."
He lifted her up and placed her on her horse carefully. She lay on her back just as she did with Betty and the stranger led them both to a lake. She fell a few times but he always caught her and placed her back on.
When they arrived at the lake he helped her off of the horse and got her a comfortable spot close to the lake, "I am Azure Falcon."
"I am Cybele Ariadne and I thank you for all your help."
He nodded, "It is the least I can do." He took his pack off and emptied the contents, setting aside 3 items; bandages, a bottle of some liquid, and a piece of cloth. He handed her the bottle of liquid, "Drink, it will help to make the pain less."
She took the drink in her hand and looked at it for a while not sure if it was safe or not. She decided to trust and took a drink. It tasted very sour and almost made her spit it out, “What’s in this crap!?” she said as she spat it out.
He smiled, "I don't know, but drink, it really does help." He got up and took the cloth to the lake, soaking it in water, and then returned. He held the cloth out to her, "You need to cleanse your skin before I can mend it, seeing as you are uncomfortable, perhaps you would prefer to do this?"
She snatched the cloth from her hand. "Do you mind???" she said with a stare.
"Hmm?....oh!" He turned around and walked a little ways away.
She carefully placed the cloth on her with out causing any more pain. She soon finished and called him back. "Ok. I'm done."
He turned around and came back to her, picking up the bandages on his way, "Ok, you'll need to remove your shirt now."
Her eyes widened. She was still surprised at this request but decided to do it anyway. "Ok.....Anything else you want me to do like take all of my clothes off and run around naked??"
"No, that won't be necessary," he was a little uncomfortable, he had never seen a naked female, or hardly any females, the monastery being an all male building, "Ok, this will hurt a bit," He put one hand on her stomach over the broken ribs, and one hand behind her, slightly pushing until the ribs were as strait as they would get.
She suddenly felt a sharp pain but tried not to act on it. She squinted as she held the pain in.
"Relax," he stopped pushing, "There, that is as good as I can get them." He began to unwind the bandages and slowly but tightly, wrapped them around her upper body. She felt a sudden case of relief because she knew she would get better soon.
He finished with the bandages and smiled at her, "There, now they should heal properly, it is a good thing I ran into you." He went back to his stuff and brought 2 covers over, he folded one and put it beneath her head, to use as a pillow. He put the other over her, "Now rest, I will keep guard."
“Ok but don’t go too far. Just please stay next to me.”
CUE: Azure
__________________
Posted by Jack Gildern on 03-03-2002 07:28 PM:
Working Man...............
Jack pulled the 'cigar' (as he often called them. A combination of the words cinder and grass) from his mouth and blew out the smoke that had built up in his lungs. A small rush of pleasure washed over him as he admired his work.
In front of him, under the protection of his work shed, sat his new "Aircraft". The clockwork engine still had to be pieced together and inserted, but he had finished lining the body with lightweight metals and a bit of wood. The machine was near complete.
Jack grinned and replaced the small cigar between his front teeth. He inhaled slowly, again savoring the rush the smoke gave him. He left the cigar between his front teeth as he rubbed his hands together and clapped.
"Soon........I'll be back in the skies. And this time, I'm not going to let it crash!" Jack pulled the cigar from his lips and flicked it off to the side as he entered his home.
The fire from the morning had dwindled down to embers, but Jack's home was still incredibly hot. The custom forge sat near the back of his home and the metals he had left to heat on the fires were red hot. Jack grabbed a pair of tongs and lifted up the small, flat object. The blond-haired man hammered the ends of the metal and chiseled out small teeth.
After twenty minutes of work, Jack cooled the heated metal in a barrel of water and held it up for inspection.
"Very nice........This will work just fine.........Sometimes I surprise even myself........." Jack laid the disk carefully in a pile of it's peers, where the gears would wait to be fitted into the Aircraft's engine.
A crash issued from outside. Jack cursed violently and grabbed his lance as he ran out of the house. A wandering Fiero had come too far out from the Evisis and was now rummaging through the work shed.
"Dammit! He's gonna break the damned machine!" He stepped up to the larger shed doorway and pulled hard. The door opened quickly and soundlessly. Jack stepped back and trained his lance on the wolf-kin.
"Get the hell out of my shed, you little bastard!" The Fiero turned and growled, it's eyes burning red with a hungry rage. It charged.
Jack leapt to the side and swung, slashing the wolf-kin's flanks. He followed through with his momentum and spun again, this time stabbing the Fiero in the side. The beast turned and roared in pain, trying to free the lance from his belly with it's back paw. Jack pulled back and leapt high in the air, cleaving through the Fiero's neck as he landed. The beast roared one last time and fell limp to the ground.
"Dammit..........Well, at least I can get some money for the pelt........." He grabbed the creature and tugged, pulling it back to his work shed so he could skin it. He laid down the lance and pulled free a nearby knife from it's sheath.
"Damn this thing stinks........." He said as he began to cut free the animals skin.
**************************************************
It was late in the day when he finished. He used a meat hook to pull the body back outside, where he laid it far from his home, near the woods. He noticed that the Fiero would often search their dead so they could find the killer, so he often used it to his advantage.
He pulled from his pocket a small device. It was an explosive, something he had invented after the first accident he had with the first Aircraft he'd made. It was full of Firepowder, which would explode when exposed to fire.
*Technological Schematic: Flashpowder Bomb
A small device that, when someone would step into, onto, or just simply pulled the thin wire, it would release a piece of flint. The flint would snap on the steel plate and light a small thread of cloth. The cloth would then light the Firepowder after a few seconds and the device would issue forth a tremendous explosion, destroying almost anything in it's radius.*
Jack walked away, grinning to himself. He lit another 'cigar' and hung the pelt on a metal pole to dry. The sun disappeared beyond the horizon and Jack chuckled lightly as he entered his house.
Far off in the distance, multiple creatures howled. Jack sat and listened as he heard a satisfying explosion.
"That'll take care of the Fieros for a week, at least.........Heh heh heh........."
Jack returned to his forge as darkness fell.
__________________
"If it's mechanical, it's my field of expertise. And if it flies, you're looking at the best damn pilot you'll ever see."
Posted by Gaireth Synphell on 03-03-2002 08:25 PM:
Something...
The wind howled through the mountains with a ferocious anger scarcely seen. Dust and dirt alike were thrown about with abandon. The sound it made was deafening, except to one. Gaireth made his way with solid steps over the rough terrain. He held his cloak close to his body in order to keep all the heat he could, and to shelter him from the driving dust. He had learned early on that survival is the only thing that matters in the Hollow Crags.
He thought as he walked though he always kept his guard up. His years in Kenoblious had taught Gaireth to always be on your guard. There he was known as Phantom, because he was a mystery that only came out at night. He killed without a thought and instilled fear into all that walked his streets. Here in the unforgiving Hollow Crags he learned what really readiness was. On the first day he entered the mountains he was attacked by a large mountain cat. It had snuck up from behind and down wind of him. By pure luck Gaireth was able to catch the movement by the corner of his eye and stabbed the cat in the chest with his knife as it struck him. Though he did not get away unscathed. He now bore three parallel scars down his right chest.
From that day forward he had learned to become more aware than he had ever known he could. He could catch the slightest sound even among the constant howl of the wind. He was able to pick up movement with pinpoint accuracy. He had also learned the smells of the mountains. He could identify every living animal just by scent. And he could move with move silence than he ever could, even with his shadow magic. In effect he had turned into an animal himself. Always on guard. Always vigilant. Always surviving.
So here he was, wandering through the Hollow Crags in search of…something. He glanced up to see the sun was at its zenith. He decided he would stop soon to eat something. He walked on for another hour and found a sheltered spot where the wind wasn’t too bad. He sat with his back against the mountain and loosened his sword. He was always ready. He ate a few pieces of dried mountain goat meat and drank some of his water. As he capped his water skin he heard a shifting of stones around an outcropping of rock. He silently slid his sword from its leather sheath. He sniffed the air. A faint smell of deep earth caught his attention. He heard the sound again and ever so slowly he crept forward.
He peeked around the wall of rock and saw an ashen mountain cat. He had never seen such an animal. It was just sitting there cleaning itself without a care in the world. It lifted its head and stared directly at Gaireth. Gaireth froze and held his breath. The cat’s clear gray eyes held an intelligence that Gaireth had never seen before. With a slight nod of its head the cat bound down the slope and stopped. It looked back at Gaireth and waited.
Again those clear eyes held Gaireth with their depth and intelligence. Against all reason Gaireth stepped out and began to walk towards the cat. When He was within twenty feet of the beast it started off again. They went on like this for a long time. Gaireth lost track of time.
The cat stopped in front of a large archway built into the side of the rock face. Around the archway strange runes were carved into the stone. Gaireth had never seen anything like it. They were smooth and flowing, yet harsh and angular.
“This is it,” Gaireth muttered to himself.
At hearing Gaireth speak the cat turned and walked into the archway. Gaireth found himself following. He approached the archway and was assaulted by the overpowering smell of rich underground earth. He entered into a long dark tunnel that bored at an angle deep into the mountain. The walls were smooth and most definitely made by some intelligent being. Gaireth kept his pace slow and steady and kept his senses on high alert. The only sound came form the soft shuffle of the cats paws on the smooth stone ahead of Gaireth.
Far down the tunnel Gaireth could see a faint light. He quickened his pace and the light grew brighter as he went. He slowed as he saw another archway with the same kind of runes as the first archway. He entered the archway and walked into a large chamber. It was completely round and devoid of doorways save the one Gaireth entered from. Along the walls were braziers set at equal intervals all the way around the room. This was the source of light. They also gave of a faint scent of fired steel. The walls rose up to a domed ceiling. The room itself was roughly twenty paces across and in the center was a large stone dais.
Suddenly Gaireth’s mind screamed at him that there was something wrong. He pulled his sword form his belt and turned around quickly. But here was nothing there. ‘That’s it,’ he thought. ‘The cat is not here.’
Gaireth turned and took a step towards the archway but found that there was no archway. All the walls were completely smooth. He rushed to the walls and felt around with his hands and began to beat on the wall with the hilt of his sword. The sound of hilt on stone seemed to be absorbed by the rock and there was no sign that he had hit the wall.
Gaireth took a deep breath and stepped back form the wall. He calmed himself and turned to the dais in the center of the room. He slowly approached it. As he reached it he noticed that it was covered in the same runes that were both smooth and angular. Gaireth lightly ran his fingers over the runes. They somehow seemed warm to the touch.
He sheathed his sword and ran both hands firmly over the runes. Yes, they were warm. Suddenly the braziers started to extinguish one by one with a hiss. Gaireth turned around and around, but could sense nothing in the room with him. As the last brazier went out the room was plunged into darkness. Gaireth held perfectly still and listened. Not a sound.
Then the runes on the dais began to glow ever so slightly. The light grew in intensity. It was the color of silver freshly wrought. Gaireth was enraptured b the light. The light got brighter and brighter and soon Gaireth had to squint to keep looking at the runes. It was soon so bright Gaireth had to close his eyes to keep from being blinded. Then there was darkness…
Posted by Lance Kraine on 03-04-2002 03:51 PM:
Lance felt his mouth was completely dry, figuring this he grabbed his water bottle. As he put it to his mouth, he realized that there was no water coming out. "Damn!" He shouted and strapped it back onto his belt. He looked to the left of the road and heard the trickling of water. He grinned and ran towards the noise. Silently he jumped over several obstacles, rocks, fallen trees, and bushes. As he reached the stream he slipped on some moss. Time seemed to slow as he fell, at actually great speed. He hit a rock with his head, and rolled off it rather gently. He quickly put a hand to his forehead, which received a great gash. He felt the blood pulse through his head and out of the wound. He moaned and staggered back up. With no destination he walked on, this time bumping into the fallen trees and rocks on the sides of natures pathways.
After walking for a little while he found himself at a lake. He somewhat seemed to smile and then fell to his knees. He dunked his head into the water and some of the blood washed from his face. As he pulled his head out of the water the spiky hairdo he has, actually stayed spiky, but Lance did not care much of that then. He pulled his water bottle and dashed it into the water. Blood dripping from his forehead landed on his black gloves, he frowned and slightly moved his head to the side. "It'll heal." He said to himself and pulled the water bottle back out from the clear water. He corked the bottle closed and strapped it to his belt again. This time he got up rather easily, and searched the are with his white, soulless eyes. He thought back and remembered the two boys who thought he was blind, then he remembered that they tried to steal his money...it was their mistake he always told himself. Soon he was rattled out of is flashback, as he saw a woman laying injured by a rock. He wiped some of the blood from his forehead and started running towards the woman. Blood lashed into his eyes and quickly he could barely see anything.
Posted by Leo Saotome on 03-04-2002 05:04 PM:
The Day
In a small forest, a half a mile from Balanum and about a half a mile off the beaten path, three men sat on three well-camoflauged metallic beasts. It was a wonder the grey pigeon found them, but find them it did. The tallest of the three men waved the bird down, and it circled down to him. He took a note from the bird and commenced to read it.
"Well, Blanford, how stands things?" the most regal-looking of them questioned of his counterpart. The taller man looked to his associate.
"The mechanics are in position. They have no questions to their orders. It appears although you gave them no caste they have formed their own factions and leaders. Their 'general' sends his regards. And it appears they think we are going to assist them in battle, so they are confident." The last part was said with a joking intonation.
"Typical. They are like wolves." The master made his remark with disdain, and glared down to the stockiest of the three men, "And you are only marginally better." He sat pensive, and looked to associate, "Have the men," he gestured to the tower in the distance, "Figured out how their comrades have been picked off?"
"They are all dead. They did not expect poisonous drinking water. But I'm sure a search party will be sent if they do not report soon." the Associate nodded, and slipped the note into his long black jacket.
"Good, then. We will have the pre-emptive strike. Load into your machines, men. Doubtless the mechanics are making their strike now."
And so they did. They rode for two hours, still in the draped forest camoflauge, even if it hindered movement. Even a little more element of surprize could help. As they approached the city of Balanum, they made no conversation, except for when Master Saotome had orders.
"Halt." was the final order. They stood just at the horizon looking upon the City of Technology. In a moment, the mole had dissappeared underground. The tank followed the mole into the tunnel it made, and the master commanded his golem to march for the city. The master had everything, even their marching plans, carefully planned from this point forward. The city would be theirs. The golem extended its long range weapon, the flame cannon, in the direction of a gaurd house, and pulled its trigger.
"First, the Nation of Balanum, then the Lunari murderers! I shall rule over all this land with my iron fist of fury! I will not back down this day..."
Cue: The city of Balanum and all within.
Note: I do not expect to post the entire attack. It will be up to all involved to decide the margin of success this plan has. Contact me for particulars, and keep in mind that the Master Saotome is no idiot, and is not above taking out innocent bystanders to attain his means.
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Azure Falcon on 03-04-2002 05:21 PM:
Azure spent the night sitting beside Cybele. She was the first person he had met, besides the 4 thieves, since he had left the monastery. Spending the night without sleep had little effect on him, in fact part of the training at the monastery was endurance, staying awake for days on end.
His main worry, and really the only thing he had to think about that night, was how he would find Lyon. He could ask around, but with all the people in the world, finding one that saw Lyon would not be easy.
**************************************************
When first light shone on the land, Azure quickly bathed in the lake, for fear of Cybele waking. It mattered little to him, but apparently the people of the world were embarrassed by their natural state of appearance, to him clothes were just a defense against weather, and there were also the robes that were customary to wear in the monastery.
He got dressed once again and walked back to where Cybele was, she was still a sleep. I wonder if it is common for all people to sleep this long, but I guess her injury may have something to do with it as well. Therefore, he figured he might as well make breakfast. He took out some of the food he brought along: cheese, bread, and a few fruits.
“mmmm,” Cybele began to awaken.
“Good morning,” Azure smiled.
Cybele blinked a few times, remembering where she was, “Morning,” her ribs didn’t hurt as much, but it would still be awhile before they healed.
“Here, some food,” he handed her a bowl filled with the different foods.
“Thanks…..this isn’t going to taste like that liquid is it?”
He laughed, “No, this is much worse,” he grinned, then got some for himself.
They ate in silence for a time, then Cybele spoke, “You said you spent your life in a monastery, then why are you not there now?”
“I am on a quest for myself, to explore the world and see if the monastery is truly where I wish to spend my life,” he wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell her about Lyon, but what if she had seen him, “I…I am also seeking a killer and thief, who ran away from the monastery after killing a friend of mine and stealing the ancient swords of Sai Ton.”
“A killer?” This caught her interest for she had been looking for a new case.
“Yes, his name is Lyon Crane, he is a dark looking man, wears all black, have you seen him?”
“No, but I might be able to figure out where he went.”
“How?”
A nearby bird flew down next to Cybele, she looked into its eyes, “Did you hear that?”
Hear that? I didn’t hear anything. Then he noticed she was talking to the bird and not him.
“You saw him? Which way was he going?” The bird made a small sound. Cybele looked back to Azure and pointed back towards the road, “It said he went that way.”
Azure turned his head to see where Cybele was pointing, “South. What is to the south?”
“Well a lot, we’re on the north side of the Isle of Akaros, but the first thing we would run into is Akaros City, the capital.”
He nodded. So, you have gone to Akaros. I will find you Lyon. He looked back to Cybele, “Finish eating and get some more rest, I’ll be around.”
“Didn’t you sleep at all?”
“No.”
“Well don’t you need rest?”
“I can do without it, don’t worry about me.” He began to walk off to check the surrounding area when he heard footsteps. A man was running towards Cybele, he wore red and black and his face was smeared with blood. Some kind of savage? Azure readied for battle and waited for the man to get closer.
Posted by Jack Gildern on 03-04-2002 07:05 PM:
Eureka!
Jack woke from his quiet sleep, still pondering whether or not the Aircraft would work. Last time he had used clockwork gears to create it, but the gears over-heated, jammed, and burst into flames. He didn't even have enough speed to get the craft into he air last time. He had to drive it over a cliff to get enough velocity to pull free of the ground.
"Man.......that fall scared the crap outta me........." Jack said to himself, scratching his chin. He almost had slammed into the rocky crags in the sea below before the damned machine had pulled up.
"Oh well........perhaps I'm wrong. I should probably get those gears made. This time I know what I'm doing, so it should work........" He opened the door to his home forge and entered, sweat coating his brow immediately because of the heat. He stripped off his jacket, which he had fallen asleep in, and placed it on a small pipe over-head.
He heated the forge a bit more and used the tongs to pick up a piece of metal that he had put on the fire the previous night. The large disk was glowing red and incredibly hot. Jack began work immediately, swinging the forge hammer hard upon the molten metal. It flattened submissively and leveled out after a few precise strokes. Jack chisled teeth (exactly 23) and used the tongs to pick it up again.
He placed it in the barrel of water, cooling it. Volumes of steam rose, and Jack dropped the gear, letting it drift to the bottom of the barrel. The inventor looked up and laughed in disbelief.
"Ha! Son of a bitch! Ha ha! I've got it!" He stared at his jacket, which was rising as the steam below it pushed the fabric upwards.
"Why the hell didn't I think of it sooner? Ha! I'm gonna fly! Hell yeah!" Jack ran into the next room, grabbing a scroll from a stack as he stopped in front of his table. He grabbed his quill and inked the tip, quickly jotting down plans on the paper. After a few minutes of hasty scribbling, he stepped back and admired his work.
"Holy shit.........I'm gonna fly............." He jumped back and screamed in delight.
He had designed the perfect engine.
He had found the secret to flight.
Steam...............
__________________
"If it's mechanical, it's my field of expertise. And if it flies, you're looking at the best damn pilot you'll ever see."
Posted by Leo Saotome on 03-04-2002 09:12 PM:
The Escape
Leo awoke at midnight to see none other than the face of the lovely elvenmaiden of his dreams before him. He fancied that she had told him to visit him in the City of Kings and Queens before the realization hit that her face was only his charcoaling. He remembered that he was in a cell, and that he had been dreaming. Leo sat up on his cot. He moved to his door and leaned on it, only half-expecting the door to swing open.
And swing open it did. The steel prison door opened, releasing the caged lion. The awkward young man fell flat on his face, rousing the sleeping Jonas Sommer. "Leo? What are you doing?" Jonas looked across the way to his friends cell to find Leo rising up, and out of his cell. "How did you get out?"
"Shh. I'll get you out. Stay here."
"As if I'm going anywhe-"
"Shh!" Leo went to the night gaurd, who was sleeping on the job. He tentatively took the man's keys, holding them so as to keep them from making noise. He went to Jonas' cell and match the key to the cell number. The lock made a telling noise as it opened, and Leo winced at the sound. "Feck." The gaurd stirred.
He opened the doors slowly , keeping an eye on the gaurd. Leo ran to the room he had been disarmed in. The gaurd began to wake. Jonas, noting that, went to look over him. The gaurd looked up at the tall man, "He-" POW! The gaurd was out cold. He followed Leo to the room and took his weapons of choice- a set of gloves armed with claws, and a polearm. The rest of their escape went without event, except that Biggs and Wedge awoke mostly unclothed, locked in Jonas' cell. A juvenile prank, but worth it.
The two men ran from the building and looked long in either direction. To the north, a house erupted quite suddenly into flames. To the south, the flame-illuminated street revealed droves of formless beasts on their daunting approach. "Come with me!" was Leo's direction. They ran west, seeing many similar sights, until they came to Cherry street.
There, archers, knights, mages and many other warriors had made a barricade and refuge for the common folk. They would not allow their part of the city, much less the chruch, the beacon of hope for this neighborhood, fall.
"I thought I had given up on humanity." came from Jonas, beside Leo, "I didn't think that people could actually be this.. humane."
"Adversity breeds heroes." was a knight of the city's response. Leo smiled and looked about. He saw a familiarly black-haired boy sitting near a fire. Had he been anywhere else, Leo would have missed him altogether.
"Will you gentlemen excuse me?" Leo left to speak with the boy, his brother of sorts, leaving Jonas to speak with the nearby warriors. "Hey kid. What's up?"
"Leo!" Raven's elation was short lived, "My mom.. D-daddy.. where are they?"
Leo looked down to the boy, and motioned Jonas over, "We'll find them, kid. Don't worry."
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Quiet, soft-spoken, agreeable
My own suspicion is that the universe is not only stranger than we suppose,
but stranger than we can suppose. -- John Haldane
Posted by Lance Kraine on 03-05-2002 03:18 PM:
Lance saw a man ready a stance with bare hands. "What? Who are..." Lance was cut off by a swing of the mans fist. Lance quickly evaded the punch and swung to the side. Surprisingly the mans left leg already flew to Lance's stomach, and Lance could barely block the kick. He managed to cross his arms and duck on to the kick, and slightly redeem its power. No use, the man's elbow squared lance in the back and made him smack loudly onto the ground. Lance moaned and rolled forward, then quickly leg swept the man. The grass behind the line of rush made by Lance kick tore slightly, and the man fell, but rolled off gently. Lance jumped up and took two quick steps back. The man had also readied himself again. Lance frowned and wiped the blood from his face. "Man! Let the lady go!" Lance shouted.
"Let the lady go? I did not kidnap her, I helped her. She was being beaten by four lowly thieves, those of your kind!"
"My Kind!? I am no thief!" Lance shouted and jumped at the man. Quickly lance flipped and thrust out a foot. It buried in to the man's stomach grove and made the man roll backwards. "Calling me a thief!? PAH!" Lance shouted.
"Savage..." The man silently said and got up.
"...savage now..." Lance shouted and ran at the man. Blood from Lance's forehead dripped into his eyes blinding and stinging him. "Ahhh!" He screamed and received a hard punch in the stomach. He rolled backwards and hit a rock. Slowly Lance staggered up. "Wait! What exactly happened!? To be honest...you don't look like a lawless, so I will listen closely to your words." Lance gestured and awaited.
"Sudden change of mind...were you one of them, for you are full of blood." The man said disgustedly.
"I...I fell and hit a rock...I didn't know I was bleeding that much." Lance rubbed his back, and came across the place where the man had elbowed him. Lance gritted his teeth and looked at the man. "You fight well..."
"I am trained in battle, although I prefer the peaceful way."
"Oh...sorry about running at the woman...for I though you had kidnapped her." Lance apologized.
"You should wash the blood from you face, boy." The man said calmly and pointed to the lake.
"I know...but it will not help...this wound is bleeding for half an hour now, but it will heal eventually." Lance said and wiped more blood from his face. His left coat sleeve was drenched in blood now. "Oh no...I got this cleaned just yesterday!" Lance though aloud angrily. The man chuckled and finally eased completely.
"You're lucky I didn't have to kill you." He said quietly.
"It would not have come to that end." Lance answered unexpectedly and loud.
"Is that so, well, I don't want to argue about that. My name is Azure, Azure Falcon." Azure exclaimed
"Sounds...different...and not bad." Lance commented and smiled. The blood making him look like a half dead person.
"May I be granted of your name?" Azure asked.
" 'Course, Lance, Lance Kraine..." Lance answered as a gently breeze swayed through the area, blowing his coat around gently in the wind. "And who is that lady there?" Lance wondered.
Posted by Nasvil Braithwaite on 03-05-2002 03:19 PM:
OOC: anyone who remembers the previous posts will have to leave it go. There were a few problems with the storyline. All the interaction with Bara still counts. But nasvil has ceased bothering about it.
IC: Nasvil rode south.
The horse was good and fast. It might need to be quick for his journey through Lunis. He would travel to Teyr first. And once his work was done. On to nyliam. A spy of his skill would be needed there. Busy times were coming. He would have to keep away from any shadowspawn so he would have to keep well away from fayre.
Busy times.
With this thought he spurred his horse away.
Posted by Eric VanDrison on 03-06-2002 02:55 PM:
It had been three days since Eric had come to the Den and already he was earning the respect of many theives there. He had quite a reputation for his skill with a sword and his ability to move freely through the tree tops. It was easy for him since he had spent so much time learning swordsmanship and manuvering through the rigging on the Enchantor.
However, no matter what he did, he could not gain Reana's respect. She constantly critisized him on his skills of pick-pocketing and other forms of theivery common to land-bound thieves. She always tols him not to try and squeeze her but-cheeks when trying to reach into her pockets, during training. Also, she told him he needed to work on using the element of surprise to his advantage. The only surprising he'd done before involved a cannon-ball through the hull of an unsuspecting vessel.
On this day, however, Eric was sparring with a young man that he had met the first evening at dinner. Eric took note of the different style that most of the thieves used. His own stance was much wider and more secure, though it didn't allow for as much speed. IT was very useful on a ship because ships were constantly rocking and moving, but if not for his quick adaptations, he would have been at a dissadvantage when he actually did get in a fight on the firm ground.
Though his stance was no longer as wide, he still had much better balance than most of the other thieves and he was amazed at how much more speed he was allowed with his legs closer together. He did, however keep his left hand, holding his dagger, in front of his face like a proffessional boxer would and his right arm stretched out behind him. With this stance, none of the other thieves knew what to expect from him.
For the 5th time in the twenty minutes that they had been sparring, Eric had his cutlas pointed squarely at Gavin's chest. The young man smiled back at Eric, sweat drenching both of their faces.
"I'd hate to really piss you off," Gavin said with a laugh. "You'd be liable to carve me up till I looked more like a spawn than a man."
"You'd look better as a spawn anyway, ya ugly brute," kidded Eric. Ever since the two young men had met they had poked fun at each other; neither seemed to care. "Speaking of them damned shadowspawn, aren't you worried they'll try to run us out of the Daggerwood?"
"Ah, I've heard that they're mean buggers, but everyone's afraid of the Daggerwood," Gavin explained. "Besides, if they tried it, we'd take 'em out quick enough. Not even the Empire could make an effective attack on this place, the way we can hide."
"I wasn't afraid to come into the Daggerwood," Eric said. It was partially true; he had been nervous about it, but not afraid.
"But you were with Reana, no one's afraid of anything when they're with her," Gavin said giving Eric a wink.
"Why do you say that?" Eric asked. "She doesn't seem to have anything special, except a bitchy attitude."
At this Gavin broke out in hyserical laughter. When he finally caught his breath he spoke.
"She's only bitchy cuz she likes ya and aint sure how to show it," Gavin said. "Anyway, nobody's afraid of anything when they're with her 'cause she could kick any of our asses, easy. I dare say that she'd even be a match for you. They're usually to busy staring at her breasts to be afraid of anything, in any case. Not to mention that damned hand-cannon that she's got with her all the time."
"Talking about me again, Gavin?" Reana asked from only a few feet away. "Better be careful, someone might think you're as bad as some little schoolboy with a crush."
Both Eric and Gavin's faces went pale then changed to varrying shades of red. They wondered how long she had been listening. There were enough trees around them that she could have stood on the other side and listened to them for hours without their knowing. Obviously she had heard enough.
"Oh, don't get your dicks in a knot over it," she laughed. "I came to tell you guys that we just recieved an important message from the Hollow."
"The Hollow?" Eric was puzzled. He had never heard anyone refer to the Hollow before.
"It's one of the other major groups of thieves in the Daggerwood," Reana explained. "They're all linked through the guild, or the Ghosts of the Daggerwood."
"What's the message about?" Gavin asked.
__________________
Life is what you make it
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 03-07-2002 12:09 PM:
SWORDFIGHT!
Palin waited, sword ready, as Brand Mashelda climbed over the edge of the crow's nest. The angry man was breathing heavily, his features blood red.
"I'm gonna gut you like a fish, boy............." The man swung. Palin parried, driving the sword through the wooden platform. Brand ripped the sword free, tearing out the plank.
"Damn! Don't you ever quit?" They fought. Palin swung and parried as Brand continued his incredible assault, the blade of the angry man's sword missing him by mere inches. Palin lunged and feinted, swinging low and slicing open skin on Brand's thighs.
The larger man roared in pain and swung in fury. Palin leapt as far over as he could. The broad blade came down and split the side of the crow's nest open. Brand flicked his wrist quickly as the blade passed by, slicing a short gash on Palin's left thigh.
Palin screamed in agony. The pain was extraordinary, burning like fire. Palin spun and leapt, grabbing onto a rope. He swung wide and came down on the deck. Brand roared in fury and jumped, bringing his sword down through the main sail. The cloth parted as he rode down to the deck. The large man dropped and landed, cursing at the pain from a twisted ankle.
He charged, and Palin deftly dodged, parrying away Brand's thrust. The man turned quickly.....almost too quickly.....and swung wide, cutting a shallow wound in Palin's abdomen. The rogue screamed a battle cry and pull free his boot knife, taunting Brand to attack. The adventurer grinned and attacked, now wielding his sword with both hands.
Palin parried and riposted, cutting a wide arc of a wound on Brand's chest. The adventurer tackled him. Palin lay pinned under the larger man's weight, his own knife aimed at his throat. Brand was much stronger, and slowly, but surely, the blade would fall. Palin roared, not from pain, but out of pure courage.
"DAMN YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!"
Palin kicked out and pushed, an almost super-human strength consuming his body. Brand flew backwards and stood quickly, his sword in hand. He charged at the unarmed rogue and Palin closed his eyes in pained expectation.
A dull thump sounded out. Brand's eyes shut reflexively and he fell limply, unconscious. Reina stood behind him, her sword drawn. Blood dripped from the bottom of the hilt. Palin opened one eye at first, then the other, and he exhaled when he saw what had happened.
He ran foward and grabbed Reina, kissing her tightly. She gave in, but began to struggle and break free. Palin looked in shock.
"I'm sorry...........but now is not the time or situation. I'm sorry I involved you in this whole mess................" Palin stared at her blankly as Brand's party carried him below decks for medical treatment.
His eyes teared up and he stood erect, not moving as she disappeared from sight. Even when the Captain came back above decks and saw the damage, he did not try to explain. Even when the sailors grabbed him and hauled him into the brig, Palin did not protest.
White light engulfed his vision as he was thrown in the dark underbelly of the ship and knocked unconscious.
That's when the nightmares returned.................
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Posted by Keigo Mallard on 03-07-2002 01:41 PM:
OOC: This post commences before Leo's attack, and I wish not to post how my two characters, Keigo and Arkiri, leave Balanum and its gates because it would be rather boring.
IC: Keigo and Arkiri were now half the way down the road to Miltus. "Well...I suppose we stay there first, then decide where to go, so let's get on some more speed." Keigo demanded.
"Sure." Arkiri replied silently and frowned.
"Hey, don't worry, when the time is right, we'll see Zander and the others again. So...heads up will ya?" Keigo spoke calmly, trying to cheer Arkiri up a little.
"I can try...ok?" She said and smiled, Keigo smiled back.
A gently breeze swept up Keigo's back, chilling his spine. He quickly put his hands together and cracked his knuckles. "So when you going to take up the bow and arrow training again?" Keigo said trying to start a conversation.
"Why do you always criticize my skills!?" Arkiri shouted and stopped walking.
Keigo jumped back and looked at her surprised. "H...Hey, I, I'm not criticizing you, I just asked a question. Calm down already." He stuttered.
"Ahhh...you're so rude!" She shouted again. Abruptly she turned and kept on walking down the road.
"H, Hey! C'mon, easy, 'twas just a simple question..." Keigo called soothingly. Arkiri stubbornly kept on walking. "Augh...she so stubborn..." Keigo murmured.
"I heard that!" Arkiri shouted back angrily.
A chill shot up through Keigo's body. She hears everything does she? He thought to himself. After a few seconds he caught up with her again. Gently he put a hand on her shoulder, and spoke, "Hey, I'm sorry, didn't mean it that way...". Arkiri didn't reply, she just kept on walking.
The sky orange from the setting sun. The walked and were soon silhouette against the low placed sun. Dried leaves swept across the road occasionally. Some tiny critters ran around in the bushes beside the path. They neared Miltus, and the end of the day that they had traveled out of Balanum together.
"So who are you Keigo?" Arkiri asked, her anger seemed gone. It was most likely soothed by the warmth of the evening sun.
"That's not my real name..." Keigo answered.
"What!?" Arkiri screamed and shot a glance at Keigo. "W, Well what is it then?"
"I...don't wish to remember." He said.
"Why not."
"It brings sad thoughts of my little sister to me" Teek Marrik
"Oh...well, you know. I haven't seen my big brother in years...I hope to meet him someday." Arkiri said with a silent whimpering.
"I hope you do..." Keigo said.
__________________
Das Böse kann mich nicht besiegen...denn...es ist schon in mir...
Posted by Azure Falcon on 03-07-2002 02:42 PM:
“Her name is….” Azure began, but was quickly cut off.
“My name is Cybele! Who are you?!” she said in a demanding tone.
“The names Lance Kraine, you can just call me Lance. Though there is no reason to be rude, it was a misunderstanding.”
“Well it was a fairly big misunderstanding!” she exclaimed.
“Please Cybele, it was just a mistake,” Azure said calmly, he turned to Lance, “I apologize, she is injured and I am sure that is just causing her to be a little angry.”
“It’s ok, no insult taken. You said you were trained in battle, might I ask by who?”
“Well it is more where, I was trained at the monastery of Sai Ton by multiple masters.”
“Ah, never heard of it.”
“Most haven’t,” Azure smiled.
“Well what are you doing out here!?” Cybele asked Lance..
“I could ask the same of you.”
“I’m injured!” she shouted, as if insulted, for it was obvious she was hurt.
“Well so am I,” he pointed to his cut forehead, “But actually I came this way to get some water, my flask was empty, as well, I am heading to Akaros.”
“Akaros? I am also heading that way, I am on a,” from the look Cybele gave him he decided that perhaps he should not tell everyone what he was doing, “I am on a quest.”
“A quest? Sounds fun, I am going for adventure, and where better to find that than the capital! And you Cybele?”
“It’s none of your business, but I’m with him!” she pointed to Azure.
“You are?” Azure raised an eyebrow, he had stopped to help her, but the thought of her joining him really hadn’t occurred to him.
“Yes I am!”
He shrugged, “Well, since we are all heading the same way, would you like to travel together?” he asked Lance.
“Don’t see why not, plus two good fighters are better than one.”
“Two!? Don’t you mean three!?”
“Cybele, you are not going to be fighting, your injuries are too great,” said Azure.
If Lance had known she was like this he probably wouldn’t have bothered to try and save her, he chuckled silently to himself, “Well, it is a good time to travel, why don’t we head out now?”
“I don’t see why not, do you think you will be able to travel Cybele?”
“I’m not some kind of cripple!”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
They packed their things, Lance got his water, and with Azure’s help Cybele got onto her horse. They were back on the road and traveling towards Akaros within the hour
Posted by Victor Dominic on 03-08-2002 12:36 AM:
"Man your posts! The spawn approach!"
It had been two days since Aescher and Cainas returned to Nevyel, bloody and bruised. They returned with tales of shadowspawn that birthed others, and some that seemed smarter than the rest. It was grievous news, and Victor was not pleased.
The citizens of Nevyel had been relocated to Callendar, and Nevyel converted to a fortress city. Towering walls of spikes were built against the city walls, fastened only by latches at the top, and massive steel hinges at the bottom. It was a device of the empire, an effective one at that.
It was impossible for them to fight outside the city walls with the trap in place, but that was not a viable option anyway. The city walls were their only defense.
"Archers, take your places! Mages, to the towers!" The 'mages' really were not fit to be called such, most of them had no formal training at all. But they would have to serve for the time being. Better times would have allowed Victor to find a teacher. Better times would not necessitate a battlemage... he corrected himself.
"Loose your arrows at four hundred paces!" The fletchers in the city had been working overtime creating broadhead arrows. High grade steel wasn't bothered with, no one planned on retrieving these arrows. Broadheads possibly the only arrows that could kill a spawn at this distance, let alone wound the armored ones. Victor would have paid dearly for a even a handful of fireheads, but the mages were conserving their power for the immediate danger.
"Mages, at your best!" It was an unformal command, but he couldn't order mages to attack at a certain distance, or risk them overextending their powers, and rendering them useless. A ragtag bunch, really, but willing to give their all for Lunis. Victor wanted to tell them that giving their best was all he wanted, but he did need more of them. He needed victory.
"Victory..." he put a hand on the hilt of the sword absently. He felt a chill against his leg where the scabbard rested, and realized that he was channeling mana already. It wouldn't do to waste energy before the battle, so he pulled his hand away hesitantly. It was always difficult letting go of mana.
He turned his attention elsewhere. From astride his horse, he commanded battallions to their posts. The Nylian soldiers under his command had initially been unruly, but he treated them the same as the Lunari soldiers. He quickly earned their respect, partially out of necessity. A war was no time to garner dissent.
Presently, one of them marched up to his side. "General Dominic. The Nylian Division are positioned at the gate. What are your orders?"
"Your current orders are to remain at the gates. If the spawn break past our traps, which they undoubtedly will, we need a strong ground force to defend the city. You will be assisted by Lunari soldiers from unit two twelve. That makes your ranks..."
"Two thousand strong. It will be enough. For the glory of the Empire!" he saluted, and hurried off.
The salute left a foul impression on him. The soldiers surely meant no harm by it, they had been trained to give it to every officer. But to pledge allegiance to the Empire... he had negotiated a truce, not a surrender. Hadn't he? Shaking his head, he looked about. This was no time for doubt. When this battle was done, he would make his report to Emperor Aramus. Aramus was not an evil man... simply ambitious. That was no crime... but...
"Lancers! Brace for the second wave! Swordsmen, to the gates!"
Aescher and Cainas appeared to either side. As usual, Cainas spoke for both of them.
"We belong to no division, sir. Where would you have us?"
Victor rubbed his chin. "Where ever you can do the most damage."
__________________
Does it matter who's banner is raised during the battle? We fight for those we know, and so do the Nylians. We're in this together.
Posted by Alexandros Fatali on 03-08-2002 02:15 PM:
Alexandros and his companions were making decent enough time, and were nearly three quarters of the way to Militus. Orocia and Zander's skills with their firearms had improved in the past week, and Tiffarah had begun tinkering with small ideas on paper, using the ideas and theories that had been taught to her by Alex to make schematics of devices. Zander's magic was becoming more powerful as well, and Alex thought that within a few more months he would know all that he could teach. Finally, He and Orocia had grown closer over the past week as well, often taking long walks at night when they were camping, and laying on the green plains of the Nylian countryside to gaze at the moons and the stars.
However, Alexandros had noticed something about all of their long talks. He had told almost every story about his past, from his rememberances of being a street urchin for a short time, to his adoption by Micheal, and up to the development of his dark powers. But Orocia, though she was younger than him by many years, seemed to have a period of her life that she would not share with him. By prodding just a bit at times, he was able to discern that there was a period of about five to eight years that she was not telling him about. That bothered him somewhat, becasue he had shared his greatest failures, his weaknesses to his heritage, and his darkest hours to her, and she seemed to be avoiding her own, perhaps.
Alexandros stood up from his meditation. Perhaps he was just being too hard on her, and on himself, but he decided that he would just ask her about it directly. He walked over to Orocia, who sat near to the fire and was oiling down Shiva, as she cleaned both of her firearms. He knelt behind her and gently rubbed her shoulders, before kissing her once on each cheek and then moving to sit beside her. She smiled her ever so slightly mysterious smile, and Alex couldn't help but smile back. He knew that even if she didn't tell him about what had happened in the past, it wouldn't matter, becasue the past was just that.. The past...
"Tiger?" Alexandros extended a hand, which Orocia took gently
"Ya Alex?" Orocia grinned. Only recently had Alexandros begun to take kindly to being called Alex by anyone, and orocia was still the only one that could get away with it.
"I love these long talks that we've been having recently, but I was wondering something," Alex blushed slightly and his head tipped slightly to look at the ground.
"Shoot," Orocia pointed her hand at him as if it were one of her guns.
"What is it that you've done in your past that you feel that you can't share with me? There seems to be a good portion of your life that you're leaving out, and I just wanted to know why. If you don't feel comfortable telling me about it, that's fine. But if it's something that haunts you, perhaps we can face it together. I..I love you Orocia, and I know that together, our love can defeat anything that your past hides,"
Orocia blinked and sat still for a moment. Her cheeks flushed, but at the same time her body grew very pale, "I think I love you too, Alex, but..."
Cue: Orocia
__________________
The light of the Creator guide you and keep you...
Posted by Lance Kraine on 03-08-2002 03:05 PM:
Cybele, Azure, and Lance were now traveling the road to Akaros again. The little "misunderstanding" was cleared up and forgotten. Cybele was riding on her horse beside Lance who was walking. Then on Cybele's left was Azure, also walking. Lance looked up at Cybele and she quickly turned her head. "I'm not blind...I just don't have, what you would call, normal eyes..." He said calmly.
"I never said you were!" She snapped back arrogantly.
"I know the look...to many people stare like that...and besides, I wouldn't be walking with a sense of direction if I were blind." Lance confirmed mockingly. Cybele didn't care to look down, for it was her pride that kept her head out straight. Lance walked around the front of the horse quickly and continued beside Azure. "So, if I may ask, what is it like living in a monastery?" Lance asked interestedly.
"Well, it's probably different than leading a life outside of the monastery." Azure answered, as he looked down at the shorter one of them both, Lance.
"What makes it different...tell me if I ask too many questions...but I haven't seen much of the world yet." Lance looked up.
"Well, to be honest...I haven't either." Azure chuckled.
"Then we have one thing in common do we?" Lance laughed back.
"But what might make it different...is that life is led peacefully and calm. You respect nature a lot." Azure continued.
"Sounds interesting to me," Lance said, "Probably very different from the family that adopted me...but it was surely not wasted or bad time I spent there."
"Adopted? So you are an orphan...do you know anything of your parents?" Cybele said before Azure could stop her from these words.
"My father is said to be a famous engineer...and he has the same eyes as me, some people say...but I don't know where he is...or if he is...still..." Lance turned his head and glared far inwards to the dark woods. A melancholic feeling slowly spread around the three of them. "...But never mind! Are you two...uhhhh....well...a"
"NO! Never!" Cybele snapped amazingly quick, and cut off Lance.
"Whaaa, sorry for the stupid question." Lance called while jumping back sarcastically.
"She is a bit fond of cutting people off I think." Azure whispered, but was sadly answered by...
"I heard that. I AM NOT DEAF." Cybele shouted then frowned.
"Relax Cybele, anger will only tighten your muscles and cause your ribs pain." Azure responded calmly.
"He's right, you should keep your muscles loose, besides, we're...uhhh, Azure is here to protect you." Lance added and smiled.
"What made you change from we're!" she asked angrily.
"Well...I'll protect you if it comes to that point,...but...the change...was just a little speech format" Lance smiled.
"What he means Cybele, is that he doesn't want you to feel over protected as if being treated like a child." Azure enforced, and hit Lance on the shoulder roughly but friendly.
"Well I am!" she screamed.
"No you are being treated like an injured gir...fighter." Lance issued and quickly shut up.
"Oh, so you think I'm a helpless little girl when it comes to fighting eh? I'll show you!" Cybele shouted, but then winced in pain as she slightly bent over.
“Watch it, you can try and...well...I’ll let you beat me up for the comments when the wounds have healed, alright?“ Lance insisted and gave Cybele a helping hand to straighten up.
“Hey...don’t you start touching me too!“ She exclaimed.
Lance shot his hands back and Cybele started to fall back unable to grasp hold in time. Lighting fast Lance shot his hands behind Cybele’s back and assisted her until she had grabbed hold on the saddle. She was sitting upright again and Lance walked back to Azure’s side, and continued talking.
"Cybele you should rest now." Azure said soothingly and looked at her
"How the hell am I supposed to rest?" She mockingly answered
"Just rest." He calmly replied again.
"Does this look like an inn to....”
He put his hand on her neck, and with slight pressure she was put into a deep sleep.
"You must show me how to do that." Lance whispered to Azure
"She needed to relax before she hurt herself." Azure chuckled silently.
“How long will she be out?” The thought of not being yelled at for even a short time was more than relaxing.
“A few hours, when she awakens she will be refreshed and relaxed. Though there is a slight side effect, but that should be no problem.”
“What kind of side effect?”
Azures eyebrows tightened in thought, “Well I believe she will awaken and go through a short period of unstable sexual feelings. We may need to keep an eye on her, incase she tries anything irrational.”
Lance’s eyes widened, “What!? Wh...Whoa!”
Posted by Emperor Aramus VanVehementi on 03-08-2002 04:20 PM:
After a day of restless travel, the emperor had finally arrived within Militus for his waylaid meeting with General Antridyus. A small fanfare awaited the tall figure of Aramus as he peared into his first glimpse of daylight. He always traveled with the blinds drawn. Perhaps his tastes were an analogy to his life… always alone and in darkness. Such things were trivial now for long hidden plans of the old empire were now to be set in motion.
"Aramus, it has been too long old friend. All goes well with our occupation. Our army should have just crossed the Nylian/Lunari border this morning. I'm sure Bjorn had a marvelous sight. Thousands of our finest men and women marching in full regalia into our new soil, banners waiving proudly in the air. It is a good day for the Empire!"
"Indeed," VanVehementi and Antridyus strode confidently with bold, long paced steps into the Nylian Military Office. "a good day it has been. Odd to think that the first steps in the empire's growth took place right here." Aramus motioned to the general's desk.
"And now for the new plans." Antridyus opened a locked drawer in his filing cabinet. As he pulled the heavy oak drawer outwards, a massive bundle of engineering plans marked confidential were revealed. "These are the schematics of the Balanese airship that our forefathers captured during the Great War. We studied every piece of that ship, right down to the very splinters. If Balanum knew we had these, our northern borders would be over run with those weapon toting tinkerers."
"That is something we can ill afford. When we briefly discussed this option before we never picked a site. I suggest we begin construction here." Aramus pointed to an indiscrete area on a map of Nyliam.
"Excellent choice sir. It's not near any major city and the natural resources are abundant. I do like this. I will have patrols sweep the area before our construction crews arrive."
"It is done, the Aeronaval Yard is approved. With the byproducts of these efforts, we will ensure that our 'Allies' remain compliant once we have dealt with the spawn. Commence at once and I will personally send new instructions to the Universities and Academies."
"Understood sir. We will begin this evening. I'll send the 59th to the site."
"Very good Antridyus, very good."
__________________
Unlike my fool of a father, I don't just talk of ambition... I realize it.
Posted by Bara Chinder on 03-08-2002 10:43 PM:
Courting the capallan
Bara rode slightly behind Conchuir, partly because he did not trust the situation much. Heads turned in the camp as the two rode towards a stone building in the centre.
The stone building was a kind of anchor for camps in the heavily capallan territories. The most seinior member in the camp would reside in the house, untill a day came as the grazing grew thin.
Presently Conchuir was dismounting. "Conchuir Solas, " a voice cried, "What in the name of goodness brings you to our camp." there was a happy but confused tone to his voice.
"Strange days luagh, we have frightening news." replied Baras companion.
"Indeed, a few fuairbionn who I know tell tales of horror in the south. But we hear much less from the fuair as the weeks go on. Tell us what you know."
"Endaroth is a fallen city and now we have no friends or trade there...." A sigh ran round a slowly assembling group.
"Bad tellings" replied luagh,a brave of his clan. "We had no contact from a group who went south to trade. What has Endaroth fallen to?"
"My friend and I," Conchuir proclaimed glancing to the hooded apparent wild man on a horse that was Bara, "as well as the people in parvini travelling the roads Believe a power of an evil greater than the bad spirits of the hills, By far, known simply as the shadow."
It occured to Bara that he had a strange feeling of intolerance to the pagan ways of the capallan. The religion of the creator was still digging into him.
"Worrying times, what would we do? What do they want?" Asked luagh.
"Nothing but distruction!" rasped Bara. "That Im sure. Rumours of horrible creatures attacking synarin are rife, and If they have endaroth then They must be in lunis."
A long silence ensued after Baras Interruption.
"I have an Idea." Conchuir said at length.
"Speak."
"We must spread the word to all....all of the tribes. A time of threat has come and we must be ready. The Capallan can stand , but I woundnt reckon'n on our own. We must alert all. That is our journeys aim. I believe a Time is coming for the muster!"
The reply was quick. "Well Conchuir That is a tall order, but I have lost friends and contacts, and I do worry. I will help to spread the message. My Father and yours will agree I am sure That this is business for all the tribes. I will send word to my fuairbionn friends in hope. I will do all I can. "
With that Luagh bid rest to all. Bara and Conchuir would leave early the next day as they had two camps to reach the next day.
The Muster would be started.
__________________
Were gonna break ya, its gone on for too long.
Gonna punish you for the things that youve done- Capdown
Posted by Orocia Agua on 03-09-2002 10:25 PM:
The Last Supper
"RAAAAAVENNNNNN!!! TIME FOR DINNER!!!"
Margarite leaned against the door frame impatiently. Usually, Raven took no more than 5 minutes to return upon hearing her call out for dinner, but ever since Leo left about a week or so prior, Raven was keeping his mother waiting longer each dinner.
"oouugh!! What is keeping that child?! RAVEN!! YOUR DINNER IS GETTING COOOLD!!" Margarite added an angry (and worried) huff, and returned to her stiff lean against the door frame, tapping her foot in an effort to release the tension in her nerves.
Davin casually walked up behind Margarite, sliding his caring arms around the waist of his wife. He felt her body give in slightly, yet it remained tense. He rested his chin on her free shoulder,"If he's not back in another five minutes, I'll go out looking for him." He kissed her neck to soothe her more. The rocks of stressed muscles on her neck melted back into the silk he came to love, so much so that he devoted his life to the woman it belonged to. He hated to see her worry.
His lips moved up to her flushed cheek, and he held her tight. She sighed as she let her worry melt away for the moment, and leaned back into his arms.
"RAAAAAWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRR!!!!!"
"EEEKK!!" Margarite's arms flew up wildly in fright and her husband suffered a backhand in the nose, sending both him and his wife backwards as he still held her in his arms, "AAUGH!! RaaaVEenn~~!" Thud!
"HAAA HAAA HAAA!!! HA HA HA HA HAAAA!!"
Margarite sat up, atop her husband, hair in disarray, to see where the wild laughter she came to recognize was coming from,"RAVEN!! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
She was answered with a flying tackle, sending her falling back again on her husband beneath her, who got the wind knocked out of him again with an "OOMPH!"
"HAA HAAAA HAAA!! HA HA HAHAHAAA!!" The wild laughter wouldn't stop, and the young couple found themselves laughing just as hard, when just as suddenly they each received a loving hug and kiss from a son they loved enough to call their own.
"Where's dinner?"
"Ooouggh!! You silly boy, it's sitting on the table, and it's COLD! All your own fault!" Margarite sat up and dusted herself off, giving her husband a hand as he got up, grinning at his boy. "Margarite, you can go on ahead to the table..," she knew by her husband's look and tone that he would have a word with his son.
As he closed the door behind him, the evening Sungan sky a fire ablaze worthy for any artist to capture, he brought his towering frame down on bended knee to meet eyes with his son.
Raven's bright two-toned eyes looked to his father. "What's wrong?"
"Well, son, I'm a bit upset. See, you've been worrying your mother this past week. And when she gets worried, I get worried."
Raven responded with silence. He wasn't sure what he did wrong.. he had an idea, but he would wait and see what his father said first.
"Why have you been coming back late for dinner, boy?"
A hurt look appeared on the little boy's face, his eyes watered slightly as his lips trembled,"..I'm sorry."
The father took his boy's small hands in his own, his grasp big yet caring,"Well, son, you should be. And you should apologize to your mother. But you haven't answered my question."
Raven looked down to avoid his father's glare. He didn't want to make him or Mom mad, he wanted to do what they wanted so that they were happy with him and that they would love him. He didn't want to lose them and go back.. He was happy here.
"I... "
The father waited patiently.
"...I miss Leo. I'm staying out late so that maybe I can see him again..."
Davin brought his boy to himself in a hug and up along with him as he returned to his full height. "Son, I'm sure you'll see him again. He's a young man now, he needs to find a place of his own--"
"Why can't he stay with us?!"
"Didn't you hear me? I said he was a MAN now."
"So am I!!!"
"Oh no, you've got a ways to go before you get there, Raven.." Although I remember my own father telling me how fast the years went by.., Davin mused, as he brought Raven to the table. The dinner was piping hot.
"Hey, it isn't cold!" Raven flashed a smile and leapt out of his father's arms to run to and hug his mother,"I'm sorry, Mom!!" His response was a loving kiss on the forehead, followed by an equally loving reprimand, "You're lucky it wasn't cold, not like the last few days... I hate serving your dinner cold, you little jester! But it was all your own fault!" Margarite wiped her hands on a towel and joined her family at the table. By now the sky dimmed to a beautiful violet, diamonds upon lush velvet.
"Creator, Mother of All Life, bless this meal---"
A loud crash and subsequent screaming, followed by a bloodcurdling demonic growl ripped through the family's ears as the house next to theirs was subdued by shadowspawn.
Margarite looked out the window over her son's head at the horror: she could see the Robesons next door, they were eating dinner just as they were, and she saw the daemons upon them, the mother in one's maw, letting out a heartbreaking scream as she herself looked upon the blasphemed sanctity of a shared meal, the blood on the tablecloth, a baby headless, and little John, Raven's playmate, devoured like a dumpling, blood squirting out like juice from a fruit, indeed the daemon was eating the fruit of the womb, the father crying as he saw his pregnant daughter broken in two at the waist, her blood gushing at his distrought face, taunting him as if to say he could do nothing to protect them all, while an unborn child fell with its mother's bowels upon the now splintered table, and soon enough the father was slaughtered, his tears lost as his head was ripped from his body, an end to a game of tug-of-war two equally bloodlusty spawn were playing with his body. It happened in less than three seconds.
She spoke breathlessly, "...oh save us, Mother--" Her horror was broken by the sound of her husband's voice, "MARGARITE! FOLLOW ME!" She ripped herself from her seat and the sight at hand, looking for Raven, relieved that Davin had scooped him up in his arms as they headed out to the entrance away from that broken home.
"NO!! LET ME GO!!" It was Raven, and he successfully pried himself away at his father's shock from his protest.
"RAVEN! What are you DOING?! COME BACK HERE!! NOW!!"
"Raven!! Noo!!" Margarite followed her son back to his room.
"Margarite!!" Davin stood at the doorway, his nerves full of the duty of protecting his family. But he knew better than to override his wife's maternal instinct. His chest hurt from the clubbing his heart was giving it, it felt like it wanted to escape as much as he did, he heard his heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears, but it wasn't loud enough to cover the screams and crashes and cracking of bones and roar of fire... the demise of his city.
Raven quickly grabbed at a necklace that hung on his bedpost, which held a metal locket, in the shape and size of a tarot card, only to find himself just as quickly grabbed at and scooped up by his mother, who was screaming at him to never leave her like that again.
Soon, he found himself out of his home, facing the streets.... a sight he would never forget.
Margarite let out a hopeless scream at the same sight. Shadowspawn were everywhere.
Posted by Orocia Agua on 03-10-2002 02:34 AM:
Broken Home
Her scream brought the attention of a few Shadowspawn their way, and they were joined to the family's right by the group who had their meal of the Robesons, now frolicking and crashing out through the windows and walls of the deceased family's house, blood dripping out of their mouths. The shadowspawn grinned at their second helping.
"Margarite, RUN!!" Davin pushed his wife forward, unintentionally towards another group of shadowspawn eager to compete for the meal.
She screamed as one of the beasts blocked her path, another went up to her left and taunted her by showing her its open abyss of a mouth, lined with rows of deadly daggers, and finally a larger one to her right fell its mighty jaw upon her. Margarite screamed while her maternal instinct shook her nerves, squeezing Raven in her arms with a death grip, making her look, hope, and pray for any way of escape. She saw the mighty jaw bear down upon her as she scurried for a small opening between two spawn.
A horrible shriek ripped the fabric of the hot air.
"MARGARITE!!!!!"
Margarite was nearly howling with tears of fright, Raven holding her and his priceless necklace with the same death grip that she held him, as she ran behind the group of shadowspawn now tearing at each other, the larger shadowspawn with the head of another locked in its jaw. Davin ran to his wife, grabbed her in a tight embrace, swearing he would protect her till he died, all the while looking at the burning streets and praying for a way out of this hell. He pushed his family onward down the road, not knowing if he was leading them to death or salvation.
Davin noticed the necklace his son held tightly in his tiny hand. The letter...
He rushed his family up the street, and saw many people of the neighborhood rushing towards a building; he pushed his family onward to what he hoped would be sanctuary, keeping an eye out on Raven's necklace. If we die Raven, at least you'll have that letter to guide you...
They were on Cherry Street, and both Davin and Margarite saw that their sanctuary was within the church, but it was still ten blocks down the street. Davin saw the gleam of fire flicker on Raven's locket and could take it no longer: he saw an alley, deemed it safe for a few moments, and rushed his family there.
"Davin, what are you doing?! The church-!!"
"Shh!" He took Raven from Margarite and put him down. The poor boy could barely stand on his own feet from all his trembling. Davin looked at his wife, and then at the boy he not too long ago decided, with his wife, to call his son.
"Raven.." Davin's voice was unnaturally calm and soothing as he opened up the grip of Raven's hand and took the necklace. Margarite gasped at the sight of the necklace, and realized too that it might be the only thing left for her son. Davin hung the necklace around Raven's neck and tucked it safely in his shirt, ...still a little big for him, Davin mused. This might be the last time he ever saw Raven, or his wife. He smiled as tears began to fall down his face, and he took both of them in a fierce hug, "I love you!! I love you!! Oh, sweet Mother, I love you!!" They all cried as each wondered if any of them would survive, if they would see each other..
The moment was intruded upon by a growl of delight. A shadowspawn smiled down at his unlucky prey.
Davin looked up at the creature with rage, shielding his family. There was nothing to do but run.. Again, he pushed his family onward, off to the beast's side, but was pinned by a grotesque claw against the edge of the wall.
"Davin, NOOOO!!!" Margarite stopped in her tracks and looked at her husband.
Davin was holding the beast away from him, pushing against him with his feet, and saw Margarite amidst the flames. Raven wasn't far behind, watching.
"MARGARITE!! GO!!" Out of nowhere a sword speared through the skull of the spawn before him; it belong to a guardsman, part of the troop of Royal Guards sent to Sungan for added security. Its foul blood sprayed all over him.
"SIR!! You're free to go! Run towards the church, it's the only safe place in this part of town!!" Davin followed the guard's orders, searching for his wife through the fire. He saw a few more guardsmen attacking at the shadowspawn, and felt that maybe he really had a chance to survive.
"Margarite!!" Where was his wife? "Margarite!!" He was responded by a swipe of another claw, and all was gone.
"DAAAAVIIIINN!!!" She rushed to the sound of her her husband's voice, searching through the smoke and fire that seemed to reach up to the very ends of the sky. Some of the beasts were spouting the fire, enclosing their pray in a ring of death. Unfortunately, she left her son behind in her search, and now the two were separated by the fire.
"Mom?!? DAD?!!!" Raven tried to look through the fire but saw nothing but shadows. He was scooped up by a guardsman,"Son, my name's Ben, and I'm taking you somewhere safe!!"
"BUT MOOOMM!!!! And my DAD! WHERE ARE THEY?!?" Raven managed to scream above his sobs.
"Son, just pray for them." That was all the guardsman knew to say and do: he prayed that this child in his arms would be reunited with his family, whether it be in this life or the life everafter.
Margarite was now searching frantically for her child, "RAAAVENNN!!!" Her tears broke through the soot on her cheeks and she choked out her baby's name through her sobs, but was stopped by a guardswoman, "Ma'am, you have to go to the church if you want any chance to sur-"
The women screamed in agony as they were tackled by another spawn that swooped down from the sky and began to rip at their flesh, both women pinned under its claws. Margarite managed a prayer:
"Holy Goddess, Mother of All, take pity on us, thy children, now and at the hour of our death."
The beast pierced its jaw into her chest and pulled out her heart.
Raven saw none of the terror that flew past him as he was carried by the guardsman towards the church. His eyes were blank and dull. He cried all the tears he had. What else was there left to do? It didn't matter anymore...
He felt himself placed down by the guardsman. They were inside the church. But Raven did not feel like being there. He walked back out, unnoticed, away from the church, staring at the fiery feast ten blocks down that the shadowspawn were delighting in. He walked aimlessly back there, hoping that maybe he'd run into his mother or father along the way... but soon enough, the exhaustion he felt from the heat around him, from crying till he was spent, from the broken, empty feeling where his heart was, took him.
He sat down on a street corner, flames in all sizes around him: the building behind him was on fire, the bush next to him was burning, even some spilt blood nearby had flames dancing upon it, but he didn't care. He sat, holding his knees, looking at nothing.
"Hey kid. What's up?"
Raven's heart leapt up in recognition of that voice, and he felt so much relieved to look up and find "Leo!" Of all the people in the world, he didn't expect Leo. He thanked the Goddess he wasn't alone anymore. But immediately he asked,"My mom.. D-daddy.. where are they?"
Leo looked down to the boy, and motioned Jonas over, "We'll find them, kid. Don't worry."
But as Leo bent down to pick the boy up, Raven saw two faint figures over Leo's shoulder, standing behind him: they were the ghosts of Davin and Margarite, holding each other, looking for their son. And now they found him. Their last worry taken care of, they departed the world in a faint whisper, "We love you.."
Jonas, Leo, and Raven all felt the gentle, cool breeze that was comforting, but obviously out of place.
Cue: Leo
Alrighty Leo, guess who happens to have a small gift of terra spirit magic?? Well, as long as the Keirus approve. If not, it'll just be a chance encounter, that only Raven saw.
Start off with having Raven say something about his parents being gone. And if you want Leo to read the letter (it's encased in the metal card on Raven's necklace..if you want, come up with an appropriate tarot card to be emblazoned on the locket) some time now or later, whenever, just tell me and I'll write it up.
Posted by Orocia Agua on 03-10-2002 03:27 AM:
A funny thought popped in her mind. He only knows me as a bartender and sailor.. ..what does he think of me? Does he think I'm innocent? Fragile? Defenseless?
An odd smile appeared slowly on her lips, but her eyes looked sad.
"Alex, tell me, why did you give me these guns in the first place?"
Cue: Alexandros
Surprise me. If you want Orocia to say something, then I'll write something up.
*snickers* I think I set a record for myself: "Shortest Post Ever."
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 03-10-2002 12:02 PM:
Sexual Mood Swings
The trio made there way into Akaros. Cybele on her horse and Lance and Azure at her sides. They kept watch of her carefully and soon she woke to the sound of busy streets. She sat and looked around her with great amazement of a capital city. She tried to keep calm in front of the other two so that they couldn’t tell she hadn’t been here before. She soon felt a big yawn come on and began to stretch herself.
She felt a pain on her right side though and winced and the greatness of it. She began to slip off her horse but was soon caught by Azure.
"Careful, falling off your horse would not be pleasant in the condition you are in," he smiled at her.
"Well I’m sorry I didn't feel like staying on it anymore."
He laughed, "I take it that is why you have been falling off all this time?"
"Maybe..."
"Oh.....well I guess I could carry you, or if you think your fit to walk I'd see no harm in that now."
"Hold on let me try."
She stood on her feet trying to concentrate on balance. She felt like she would fall any minute but stood still. She knew it wasn't the right time to try but she lied to make it look like she could heal easily.
"Yes, fine."
He nodded, his forehead wrinkled in concern, the kind you would expect from a doctor, unsure if he was letting her do the right thing. Though there was little choice he had, if she wanted to walk it was up to her not him.
Lance walked over to him and whispered, "I thought you said there would be a side effect."
"Well I've never actually done that to anyone before, I don't know when it sets in."
Lance shrugged and went back to his old position, now that she wasn't riding the horse it was his task to guide it.
"I'll take her thank you." she said while pushing lance out the way
He moved back, "Hey no need to be pushy, all you had to do was ask."
"Ok, well from now on nobody touches her but me. Ok?"
"Ok, no argument there," he went to the far side of Azure, placing him between the two.
I wonder what Lance is thinking.
She suddenly felt a slight tingle within her. She thought it was the ribs but this came from below that region. A swell of heat surrounded her and posed every word that she said. "So.....Azure ever done it before?" she smacked her mouth at the thought of this question.
This more than shocked Azure, his eyes widened, but he quickly went back to a calm composure, "Umm...done what?"
"You know .......It?"
It must have taken effect he thought to himself, "No, I haven't."
Lance figured the same thing Azure had, "Cybele, that is kind of an intrusive thing to ask, don't you think?"
"No, I think everyone has the right to know if a certain person is........experienced or not."
Azure felt somewhat odd at the turn this conversation was taking, "Umm why would everyone have the right to know such things, and why would it matter?"
"Well I wouldn't want to have sex with one that wasn't......Speaking of which I could teach you." she said with devilish eyes
"umm," he hadn't expected this, he wasn't actually sure what he had expected as a side effect, "Perhaps we should find you a place to rest, then me and Lance can look around town." He hoped this would get them off the former topic.
"well ok......Maybe some other time then.... Lance this offer goes for you two."
"Cybele, what your feeling right now are not your real feelings, they are just a side effect," said Azure. Lance would have said something but he was expecting this as much as Azure had been, and was still shocked by her behavior.
"What do you mean? I'll always be me...."
Lance whispered to Azure, "How long will this last?"
"I don't know!" and he really didn't.
"Well couldn't you just put her to sleep again?"
"And do what? Keep her a sleep forever? I think not, it will wear off."
"What are you two talking about?? Put me to sleep? Exactly what happened yesterday?"
They both quickly turned their heads to her, as if they hadn't expected her to interrupt their small conversation, "Um, nothing happened, you fell a sleep that' all," said Lance.
Azure on the other hand was not permitted to lie, with a sigh he said, "You were getting angry and causing your muscles to much tension, I was forced to put you to sleep before you caused yourself injury."
"Oh......well you could of asked....."
"..............really?" This notion hadn't occurred to him either, he had figured she would be unreasonable.
"Yea I guess........" The heat began to wear off and she suddenly felt energy drain from her fast. She began to faint and fell to the ground.
Azure instantly went to help her, he put one hand under her shoulders and put her in more of a sitting position, "Cybele! Are you ok?" The monks were all accustomed to environments and he wasn't aware that she had just fainted, he feared for the worst.
"What?...... What happened?"
"You...You fell over."
"You fainted," said Lance.
"Ok....Well aren’t you going to let me go now?"
"Let you go?"
"Your still touching me....."
"Oh," Azure helped her to her feet then moved away, "I apologize, I am unused to your customs.”
"Yea......I can tell."
"Come on, cut him some slack," said Lance.
"No, it is ok, was my mistake," Azure looked around, "We have arrived at Akaros, so we can likely all go our own ways now," he felt somewhat odd, unknowing of the customs of the world, his one real hope was to find Crane and get back to the monastery.
"Yea it was......wait your leaving me now??"
"You are mended, and there are healers in the city, my services are of little use to you now, plus I have a quest to complete."
"Oh noo you don’t! Trying to get away from me I see. I could be a lot of help to you. I'm a professional investigator."
"Well I would be grateful for your help, but you must enlighten me on your customs so that I no longer offend you."
"Ok fine. Its a deal."
__________________
Posted by Azure Falcon on 03-10-2002 01:47 PM:
The three found a nice inn to stay at and got themselves two rooms. Azure carried Cybele’s things up to her room, trying to make her do as little as possible so that she would heal faster.
“You sure you don’t want to join me?” she was resting in her bed.
“Cybele, that is just the effect making you talk, it will be fully gone soon,” her earlier faint had apparently been most of the effect leaving her, but it was still somewhat there.
“Well this could be your last chance then,” she winked.
“I’m sorry, but no. And Cybele, please stay in your room, for your sake.”
She sighed, “Fine, you can go now.”
He shook his head and walked out, closing the door behind him. Entering his room he saw Lance, “I’m going to have a look around town, make sure she doesn’t do anything, I think you know what I mean.”
He laughed, “Will do.”
**************************************************
It was a warm day, and even warmer due to how nervous Azure felt. The city was full of people of all colors and genders. He stopped in at the market, visited a few weapon shops, most of the items he saw were of poor quality.
“Ooo can I get that?” said a lady. Her husband rolled his eyes.
“You have enough jewelry.”
“But none like that, pleeease?”
“Fine,” he bought the item and gave it to her, she was ecstatic.
Perhaps I should get a piece of jewelry for Cybele, it appears that it makes these females happy. Maybe she would feel better then. He walked over to the stand, “Hello sir, I would like to buy a piece of jewelry."
“Which one?”
“Ummm, I don’t know, a nice one I guess.”
“How about this one?” It was a silver colored one with a green gem.
“No, how about that one?” Azure pointed to a golden one with a red gem.
“Ah good choice sir, for some lucky lady?”
“Umm, I guess, I’m getting it in hopes to make a friend feel better.”
“Well with a necklace like this I’m sure she will feel better,” he laughed and handed the necklace to Azure, in return Azure handed him the money needed to buy it.
“Thank you.”
“And than….” Azure stopped, a little ways away he saw a man in full black traveling through the crowd, “Crane!” He shouted, “Stop!”
He began pushing his way through the crowd looking for the man. Where did he go? He looked left and right, but couldn’t seem to see the man. There! He began running again, “Stop!” With a final few sprints he reached the man, grabbing his should and spinning him face to face.
“Ahh! Who are you?” cried the man, by the looks of it he was some frightful little noble.
“I…I am sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
“Well, don’t make that mistake again!” He made a stuck up sound and walked off.
With that, Azure walked back to the inn.
**************************************************
A little ways off in the market, a shadow had watched the whole encounter. So, they sent a little one after me. How much fun it will be to kill him! He laughed wickedly in his mind, already planning the death of this young monk.
**************************************************
On returning to the inn he went up to Cybele’s room, he knocked on the door, “Cybele?”
“What? Come in.”
He entered the room. He was glad to see that she wasn’t with anyone, he had somewhat feared her emotions would take the best of her.
“What do you want Azure?” she asked impatiently.
“I got something for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” he walked over to her and pulled the necklace out of his pocket, “Here.”
Her eyes widened, “It’s beautiful, but why are you giving it me?”
“I saw a man give a piece of jewelry to a lady in the market and it made her feel better, I was hoping the same would work with you.” Apparently he had said something wrong, for she quickly frowned.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“Well yes.”
“Don’t you like the necklace?”
“Sure I do, but you lost the point of it. The man gave the lady the necklace as a show of caring and love, not to just make her feel better.”
“Oh,” these people had such strange behaviors, it would take awhile to get used to this.
“Could you leave me be please?”
“Yes, I’m sorry,” he left the room and went back to his own, finally making up for the days he had gone without sleep.
Posted by Gaireth Synphell on 03-11-2002 01:01 AM:
Gaireth’s head was resting comfortably on a soft warm pillow made of fur. Though his head seemed to be pounding in a way he had never felt before. It was as if he could feel his heart beat through his head. He tried to open his eyes, but he found that he could not under his own power. He smelled the air, but could only identify the smell of the earth. He also listened carefully, but only heard his heart beat. He did not panic, but tried to remember what had happened.
He had followed a strange white cat into an archway in the side of the mountain. He remembered walking down a long tunnel and entering a domed room lit by braziers with a stone dais in the center. The entrance he had used seemed to have disappeared and had walked to the dais, which was covered in runes like those he had seen on the archway. He had touched the runes and the room’s braziers extinguished and the runes began to glow. That was the last thing he remembered.
He mentally assessed his body for any injury. Nothing seemed hurt or in pain save the beating he felt in his head. He tried to open his eyes again. Ever so slowly they began to part. A soft light penetrated his eyes. It was not harsh, but warm and soothing. It took a moment to focus, but he soon could make out a domed ceiling high above his head. Though it was different to the room he had entered. In the center of the dome was carved the shape of a sword. He also saw that runes were carved into the rock in a circle around the dome. The looked much like the runes he had seen on the dais and on the archway, both angular and smooth.
“We are the Warriors. We are the Workers. We are the Devoted. We are the Silverblades,” Gaireth slowly read. A low growl answered his voice. Gaireth’s mind screamed at him. He had read the runes. He had also felt the growl in his head.
Like a spring he jumped to his feet, grabbed for his sword, which was not there, and whirled around. He was face to face with the same white cat with clear intelligent eyes. He had been using the animal as a pillow. Those gray eyes just looked languidly at him. Gaireth took a quick look about the room.
It was much larger than the room he had been in earlier, and it was square instead of round. Yet it still had a domed ceiling. This created a strange visual effect. Braziers set at each corner of the room lighted the room. Upon the far wall was a large bookcase filled with leather-bound tomes. It rose from the ground to the beginning of the dome, and ran from wall to wall. On his right was a large wooden desk and chair that was completely void of anything. It was plain, but sturdy. On his left the wall was covered in a single tapestry that covered the entire wall. It depicted men and women of every walk of life standing on the slopes of a mountain. They were woven in such detail that each figure’s profession could be seem without mistake. He could see carpenters, farmers, metalworkers, soldiers, musicians, spinsters, housewives, mothers, teachers, and many more. A man dressed in a suit of shining armor stood atop the summit holding up a large sword that shone like silver.
And behind Gaireth stood a massive wooden door set on shining silver hinges. And in the center of the room the large cat lay on an ornate rug. The cat was just looking at Gaireth. Those clear gray eyes seemed to hide a mind that was more intelligent than any other animal, and even most people.
“So, why have I come here?” Gaireth asked softly as he approached the cat. He reached the cat and tentatively reached out a hand to touch the cat. The cat did nothing. He softly touched the cat’s head and began to pet it. The cat seemed to enjoy this and with a low purring even nuzzled his hand.
“So you are a friend of sorts?”
“A friend? Why he is to be your best companion,” and shrill voice yelled from behind Gaireth.
In an instant Gaireth was turned about and ready for an attack. The door stood wide open and in the center of the doorway stood a grizzled old man dressed in brown robes fringed in silver. He stood about chest high to Gaireth and was nearly bald save a few unruly wisps of white hair. His skin seemed older than stone and his large blue eyes stared at Gaireth with a childlike glee. In his hands he carried a covered platter.
Gaireth stood there in shock. “H-how did you get in here? I didn’t even hear the door open. What is this place? Who are you? What am I doing here?”
The old man squinted and eye and looked Gaireth up and down. “So you are the one. Ha. I’ve seen better.”
“WHAT!?! What is going on? I’m the one? One what?”
“Not too bright either. Well he’ll have to do. Now just calm yourself down sonny. In due time, in due time. Now first things first, my name is Corvin Delmino, The Sage. And you are?”
“G-Gaireth,” he stuttered.
“G-Gaireth huh? Mighty strange name if you ask me.”
“No. Its Gaireth, not G-Gaireth.”
“But you said it was… oh never mind. Now I’m sure you are hungry so I have brought you some mutton. I hope it meets your standards.”
For the first time since he woke up Gaireth realized he was very hungry. Corvin walked over the desk and placed the platter there. Gaireth just stood there. “It’s not going to eat itself.”
Slowly Gaireth walked over the desk and took a seat. He uncovered the platter and there was a large bowl of mutton and a loaf of bread. He hesitantly took a small bite and found it to be very good indeed. He began to wolf down the food.
As he cleaned out the bowl with the last piece of bread Gaireth sat back and sighed with content. “That was the worst table manners I have ever seen,” the old man exclaimed.
Gaireth had forgot all about him in his rush to eat. “Sorry. I meant no offence.”
“Ah, I understand. As hard as it is to believe I was once a hungry young man also. Well now to get down to business. I am Corvin as I said earlier and I am the keeper of this place. You are the One who has been sent to unite them?
“Them who? And what is this place?”
“Well to answer the first question, you are here to unite the Devoted or as you know them the Cast…the Silverblades And as for the second this is the Stronghold of the Devoted, the headquarters of the Silverblades.”
“Why me?”
“Because you were chosen. Just look at your arm. You are one of the Cast. A Devoted.”
Gaireth didn’t know what to make of this. Slowly he pulled up his sleeve. Upon the inside of his forearm was a tattoo of a sword with the same runes he had seen on the archway, the dais, and the ceiling.
“We are the Warriors. We are the Workers. We are the Devoted. We are the Silverblades,” Gaireth read softly. He was overcome. His knees gave way and he fell to the floor. The cat unmoving since Gaireth started eating lifted its self up from the floor and walked to Gaireth’s side and began to nuzzle him.
“And he is the one? Why, he can’t even keep on his feet,” the old man said to himself. “Well if you are quite finished acting like a rag doll I have much to tell you.”
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 03-11-2002 07:05 PM:
The caravan trundled onward through the darkened streets of Gania. Scarlet was grateful for the absence of any crowds. She needed this time to think of how she could possibly explain everything to her parents about Xarou and what happened in Asheri and the impending threat of the Shadowspawn in Gran Adageros. She recalled the encounter with the monstrosity in the hull of the Seamus and shuddered. Indigo squeezed her arm reassuringly as the coach sped on toward castle Rosenblade.
Adamas and Indigo engaged in light conversation while Scarlet watched the scenery flicker past like ghosts of memories. She recognized the landscape, but it also seemed foreign to her. It was the feeling of returning home and finding that everything had changed. She wondered how Caitlin and Bres were. A smile crept across her face. She could still see them, Caitlin ordering around her elder brother who was at least twice her size. She recalled Bres’s attempt to talk her into not leaving for Noit and his confession of love for her. A look of worry briefly crossed her features. Did he still feel the same? Would he be upset when he learned about Indigo? Maybe he would’ve found someone else-
The carriage was suddenly plunged into darkness making Scarlet jump. It took only a second for her to realize that they had finally come to the castle and were under a large stone archway. The coach slowed and finally stopped at the threshold of a mighty marble staircase. Scarlet could see two figures standing at the top and immediately recognized them. Without waiting for a footman to open the door, she sprung out of the carriage and raced up the steps to her parents who were descending the stairs just as eagerly. They met in the middle, a mass of tears, hugs and joy. The reunion was surprisingly silent. Indigo and Adamas stood at the bottom of the stairs, not wanting to intrude on the moment. Finally King Eremon stood back to fully assess his daughter’s presence and nodded to the two men. Tears streamed from his eyes and a smile adorned his face.
“Come. We have much to discuss.”
CUE: Indigo. If you want to add something here, go ahead. Let Scarlet do the talking though. She tell her parents everything about the incident with Xarou. However, she's still in denial about Reika so you may have to fill them in on that.
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"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
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