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Post by purplemunster94 on Sept 24, 2012 0:28:42 GMT -5
Samara
Samara woke with a start. She was moving, and she was moving fast. Her first thought was to panic, the Inn Keeper had found her, she had pushed herself too hard, and passed out, and the Inn Keeper found her motionless. Then she remembered the voices that she had heard, there were only two people, one being a woman, if she remembered correctly the Inn Keepers group did not have any women in his group. She hoped that it wasn't a soldier, she didn't have the strength to fight whomever it was off. She managed to open her eyes and look around, she couldn't tell who was behind her, but she knew that whoever it was, was definitely bigger than her. Her throat was dry, but she managed a few words, "Please...please tell me..you're not a crow."
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Post by atlantis on Sept 24, 2012 0:35:48 GMT -5
Avan
"Please... please tell me... you're not a Crow."
He was startled to hear the girl's voice; he figured she'd be passed out the whole way, but it turned out she had more strength left in her than he'd imagined. "It's an insult to even think it, milady," he answered her. "You can call me Avan; we were imprisoned together. I'm just looking for a place where we can both rest and with any luck, heal our injuries."
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Post by Sovereign on Sept 24, 2012 0:41:16 GMT -5
LONG POST AHEAD, (shoots himself in the toe) It’s your own fault, having so many characters. Malphas
Waiting for these maggots is almost intolerable He thinks to himself. He had changed from his regular royal clothes to his armor. It had felt marvelous to tighten his boot straps once again, strapping his throwing knifes to his arms and chest, and belting on his sword made out of a rare black metal. If felt so good the he had even went to the practice ring in the military wing of the castle and fought a round against some young captain. Malphas won.
He had then arrived in his war council room to find no one there, asking the guard outside if anyone had came in as of yet, thinking maybe they were searching for him. But no, no one had come in. This sent Malphas into such a rage that when the first of his captains walked into the room, he stood up and planted a knife in the man’s eye. He thought about leaving him there but decided not to.
Malphas restrained himself as they begin to arrive one by one, he rightly should have killed them on sight for making him wait, their king. Shadow Blade arrived first; the man was still an enigma to even Malphas. No one knew if they could trust him or not, but he was good at what he did.
Next had been Branson Majestrad, if there was anyone Malphas respected and hated as much as Branson, he didn’t know. Branson was like a young Malphas, ambitious. But Malphas knew what he did to get the throne, he must watch Branson at all times.
Lucien Wylder came in next, taking his seat. Malphas quietly wondered if his former low station had the desire effect. Respect me, get power. Not that Wylder had ever disrespected him, but any man who would betray his king for money should not be trusted as a lead tactician, at least not without being taught his proper place.
Then Lucien’s arch-nemesis, a child less than half his age, Lucas Kriess walked through the door, they exchanged words trying to figure which had the biggest sword in the room. Neither of these fools knows what it takes to truly gain power, you must not be known. But all the want is their names in the stars.
And finally Daray Eyal, the one person Malphas liked completely walked in. She was different, and her parents had stood by him from the beginning. They were dead, and Malphas now saw her as somewhat a daughter. And she almost only listened to him anyways, so she was a perfect candidate to take the place of the now dead Captain Rivag. Had he known he was going to kill the man? No, but he usually did a lot of killing before wars.
“Thank you for arriving so terribly late everyone, wars are so easy to start.” Malphas says in a very harsh sarcastic tone. “Our first order of business is to name a new captain.” He looked around them all wondering if they should fear demotion. “Some of you may know Captian Rivag. Bring him in.” A servant drags the dead body in. “He was the first to arrive to this meeting, but he was still late. So I killed him.” His crow was feasting on the man already. “You should NEVER MAKE ME WAIT!” He slams his fist down on the table, before composing himself again.
“But to name a new captain, Daray Eyal, you will take over Rivag’s duties. From hence forth you are now Captain Daray, let no man disrespect you.” Malphas looks at the servant, tells them to come closer to him. When they do, he slits the throat of the man who had carried Rivag’s body in. “Rivag and this man were killed by the Hawks you hear me?” He looked around at his captains.
“Benjamin Allet was most likely captured and killed by the Hawks. If we do find him alive, we will kill him ourselves. He’s better to our cause right now dead.”
“Lucien, Lucas. I want you two to start formulating us a plan. I said both of you, if you fight and we lose because you couldn’t agree…I will kill you myself.” He says looking at the two strategists. “This is not a competition."
“Shadow Blade, I want you to get ready a scouting party, when we do find these guys I want us to know everything about them. No surprises.”
“Branson and Daray, get your squads ready. Prepare them to march. We will march in three days time.” Malphas stands up and looks at his council. “Do not fail me.” He looks down at Rivag before walking out.
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Post by purplemunster94 on Sept 24, 2012 1:30:33 GMT -5
Samara
Samara felt a flood of relief sweep over her. She recognized his voice, and even if he was a crow, at least she would die, thinking she was safe. When he said they were imprisoned together, she knew that this was who she had been looking for.
"I have to tell..you something...it's why I made it this far...." She felt dizzy again and wanted to close her eyes, and just go to sleep, "Damagra....is...a...trap." She gasped out the last word, and shut her eyes, a place to heal, that sounded nice. She smiled slightly, as she tried to stay awake, "I...I...was a healer once...I can...help...."She felt herself slipping away, she wanted to keep talking, and stay awake, but the pain, mixed with the loss of blood was simply too much.
Daray
Daray smiled slightly when Malphas walked in, the power he carried just in his step, was enough to make any man tremble. When he brought in the dead captain, it was less of a surprise then it should have been. Malphas killed people all the time, it wasn't something she would have to worry about as long as she followed him whole heartedly. She watched the king as he talked about a new captain, and was actually surprised when he said her name. It was a good surprise, but still caught her off guard. It would be so nice, to actually be the one giving the orders, rather than having to take them, even if she didn't usually follow them. When Malphas addressed her, she nodded, "Yes, sir." Then he gave his orders to the group. As the king walked from the room, Daray couldn't help but feel the pride well up in her chest. She was now a captain, and rightfully so.
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Logos
Full Member
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Post by Logos on Sept 24, 2012 9:17:10 GMT -5
Shyahwyn:
"If only you could have more confidence in us. Look Miss, I wish I could help you, but I cannot," Alaric said. 'I wish you'd trust us but we can't do anything for you?' How's that supposed to work? Shyahwyn thought. Then she heard sounds of battle in the distance.
"Sir? Sounds like the Crows have already found you. Now, unless you get every single one of them, then word's gonna get back to the main Crow force about where you are. So it wouldn't hurt to give me my things and let me go, right? You've treated me honorably, so I've got no cause to seek revenge. And right now, I don't even know who you people are, except that you're not Crows, and maybe not Hawks either, from the way your cousin acted toward those prisoners--if they were Hawks, anyway. I haven't been here long enough to overhear anything that'd hurt if I told, if I was inclined to, which I'm not. Or guess how many men-at-arms and horses and whatnot...you've...got...here."
Shyahwyn's spiel sputtered out as she remembered the Crow. No way to even try to talk them into letting him loose. "Um...what are you going to do with that Crow? Will you try to recruit him like I said? And no torture?"
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Post by Sovereign on Sept 24, 2012 21:43:11 GMT -5
Melzikiah and Benaiah The news his son had just delivered was troubling, though in all honesty Melzikiah should have been upset at him for disobeying his orders, he couldn’t be. If Benaiah hadn’t been tracking those Crows, they could have made it to camp and/or killed Bethany. “I’m sorry father for going against your orders.” Benaiah ended his report. “Niah, don’t worry about it. In disobeying me, you have done more good than obeying me. But this new of four Crows, five if you count the one we have already captured, coming this close to the camp is indeed troubling.” He stood from his chair and turned and faced the map the adorned the wall of his tent. “I wish you two had captured all of them, but we do have two Crows in custody.” He says turning back to face his son. Why did Elhanan spare you just to let you grow up in this war?“But that means Malphas will now have a location of where we are and he will be coming.” The flap of his tent opened and walked in Eve and Alric “You know, I was ready to tell you how foolish it was to take charge out there earlier this morning, but now is not the time. War is coming and I need all three of you ready.” “Eve, I want you to round up all available archers then come back here. Find Bethany, she’ll be leading them.” “You two, start preparing the rest of the army for war, find the captains and debrief them. If Malphas is stupid enough to come onto our turf and try to fight, we will give him what he wants, a fight.” Bethany She had left Locke and went to grab her short bow, strung it and went to the practice area. If they are coming for us, I wonder if Uncle Lucien will be there. She holds her breath and shoots an arrow into the dummy’s knee, followed quickly by the other knee. She then sprinted forward with all of her speed, ducking into a roll about five feet from the dummy, coming up with her sword at its throat. “I could have killed Locke today, all he had to do was keep fighting but he didn’t.....why?” She shakes her head and heads back to the cells, looking around. She comes to a cell with a young girl in it. “You do not look like a black bird.” Bethany whispers smiling. “Who are you?” OT: Logos
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Post by atlantis on Sept 24, 2012 22:34:09 GMT -5
Novorus
The girl somehow managed to dash around him, though she was caught by the man with the dagger for a split second. He followed her down the staircase, continuing to reset his crossbow. Once they were outside, she began heading toward the forest and he fired a few arrows after her. He stopped the man with the dagger from chasing after her. “No, let’s gather some supplies first. She can’t get far, and anyway, she’ll be more fun to hunt,” he said with a thirst for blood in his voice.
He and his fellow assassins regrouped in the first floor of the inn, packing some bags of food, extra medical supplies, and several weapons. They headed out into the dense forest, looking for signs of the young girl, before Novorus finally spotted something wet and glistening on the bark of a tree. He walked over, wiped some off with his thumb and licked it off. “She went this way,” he said, leading the others along the trail of bloody trees.
Saudra After walking for awhile, Saudra heard voices and saw forms in the distance. She rushed for them by darting from tree to tree, trying to be as silent as she could. When she thought she was close enough, Saudra recognized the group as assassins. She climbed the nearest tree.
With a smirk, she pulled a dagger out of her belt and took her aim. Her dagger found her mark as one of the men standing next to the leader crumpled with a wail as blood rushed from the base of his neck. Saudra cackled cruelly and said in a cold tone, “Try to find me little Crows.”
Novorus
As they moved through the forest, silent as death itself, one of his men received a deadly dagger to the throat. He growled at the display of weakness the underling had shown. “Get down, the rest of you,” he whispered as he did the same, sneaking into the brush surrounding a nearby tree. It was good cover if you could keep from making a sound. Dreadful if you wanted to move quickly. He ducked down into a secure hiding place, trying to see if he could catch a glint in the enemy’s eye or the shine of his blade.
Saudra “Fools,” called out Saudra trying to goad them into making a mistake. “You won’t find me by hiding like that!” She sent another dagger whistling down at a poorly hidden man, but she only got him in the arm.
Novorus
That’s when he heard the voice-- a female voice.... But that girl that escaped... she couldn’t possibly be capable of this sort of work. And even if she was, she was too badly injured to have done it. He tried to follow the sound, focused on his prey even as another of his men were struck down. Her daggers are coming from above. He climbed up the backside of the tree, hoping the girth of it would hide him from her vision; he stretched himself out flat on one of the branches as slowly and lightly as he could manage. Where are you...?
Saudra After hitting that last man, Saudra realized that she wouldn’t have enough daggers to take out all of them. This really was a dumb plan. What was I thinking? she asked herself a little annoyed. Obviously she was not quite at the top of her game.
Then she realized she had climbed an acorn tree. Saudra decided to stop her assault with daggers and began to gather acorns. Once she felt as though she had gathered sizable stock, she began to thrown those down at the men who were not quite as well hidden.
Novorus
A volley of acorns pummelled his remaining men from a tree not too far into the dense wood. Then, as the wind blew above them and let in some moonlight, he just barely caught the shape of her figure. With a grin, he pulled his crossbow up so he could get good aim. The moonlight disappeared as the wind subsided, but he knew everything he needed to know now. He drew and fired at the woodland mischief-maker, climbing back down the tree with the confidence that he had hit his target-- hopefully nowhere lethal. His superiors would be furious if they couldn’t question her because of his poor aim.
Saudra It was rather dark and Saudra was so busy concentrating on the men below her, she didn’t notice the arrow zipping through the air at her. Soon, she felt a sudden influx of pain on her leg and she could no longer keep her balance. She wobbled for a few heart stopping minutes and finally, she found herself tumbling out of the tree onto the hard ground below.
She landed with a soft thud, and felt like she was in pain everywhere. Saudra knew she was done for now. Those men were going to come kill her quietly. Then they would move on, tracking Avan and the other girl.
Novorus
With satisfaction, he heard her fall on the ground, watched as his men gathered around her, ready to pounce. “Wait!” he said as they began to get a little too... cozy. “We’re taking her to the capital. Tie her up. And if you so much as touch her on the way, I will cut off your head and feed it to my dogs.” There was a brief moment when no one said a word and all that was heard was a few gulps from his subordinates.
Saudra Letting out a curse in her pain, Saudra called out to the leader said, “What are you too scared to finish me off or something? There’s no reason to bring me back to the capital. The Crow King will just kill you for bringing me back.”
Novorus
As his men began to tie her-- though she fought the entire way-- he came close, leering over at her with a certain smugness he couldn’t hide. “Really? Because I think you’re one of the ones he’s looking for. And I think there’s probably more of you scum out there. So it’d be best to beat you til you scream, til you beg for us to stop, til your only desire is to tell us where your idiot friends are. And I can think of no man better fit for the job than the King himself.” He laughed a little, a joyless, hollow sort of laugh. “Actually, I think Lord Malphas would rather enjoy that,” he added and spat in her face.
Saudra It’s just like being home again thought Saudra to herself. Honestly, this was nothing compared to the things she had been through growing up. But it’s different this time. This time, Hozai promised me a better life. He promised me.... Oh what am I thinking? He never promised me anything. Both he and I knew I was going to die. He was going on some sort of crazy last ditch effort to save my soul or whatever and I was at peace with the world because I didn’t have to deal with anything. How could I ever think things could change or be different? I was raised this way, and I’ll always be this way.
For a second, while Saudra was processing things, it looked like she was on the verge of tears, but right when they seemed to be about to flow, Saudra’s face hardened. Her voice became much more sinister as she said, “If you do anything to even touch me again, I swear I will castrate you and make you eat the removed organ.”
Novorus
He frowned, his eyes turning to slits in his rage. He stormed toward her, his foot slamming down onto her injury, arrow and all. He knocked one of his own men down in his fury. His fist flew at her face, crashing into her jaw with a loud crack. “Shut up. Or we’ll have your tongue for morning rations.”
He righted himself, rounding on his men. “Gag her. Let’s get out of here.”
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Post by atlantis on Sept 24, 2012 23:25:10 GMT -5
Lucien/Ackbar/Maka/Waka
He watched and listened intently, squirming at the sight of the crow eating the dead flesh of Captain Rivag, flinching a bit when the king shouted about their tardiness. Eyal was awarded with the captain's now vacant position, a fact which made him seethe with jealousy. When he had betrayed Minkah, he'd been promised so much more than what he'd been given. Sure, with his recent change in luck, he had managed to regain his former title as lead strategist, but the promise had been for an even greater title, and a mansion, and a mountain of gold... he almost got lost in the dream as he thought of it.
He was brought back to reality by the one phrase he had never wanted to hear in his entire life: the thought of working together with that... child Kriess. He met Lucas's eyes across the table, trying to hold in the furious agony burning within him.
When the meeting was finished, everyone rose to their seats and dismissed themselves. He had three days to form a plan to take down the Hawks. And he had to come up with it by cooperating with... He couldn't even think the words to himself. But he bit his tongue, swallowed his pride, and tried to remain calm.
Before he could say anything to Kriess, Captain Ballack and two of the other men Lucien had sent after Allett came to deliver news. Ballack gave a delicate bow as the two remaining Fendras brothers knelt behind him. "Sir, we were attacked in the forest. Six Hawks overwhelmed us just outside what I assume was a decoy camp. The real one couldn't be far away."
Waka, behind him, held up his fingers, counting under his breath, "one... two..." He frowned, not coming up with six attackers, and Ackbar shoved his foot into him as subtly as possible.
"What about Allett?" Lucien asked. "And... didn't you have three idiots with you when you went in?"
Ackbar bowed his head. "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm certain Allett has been captured or killed by the enemy. And our own Locke Fendras was slain in battle, too petrified to even fight back."
"That... that's a lie," Madoc whispered from his spot close to the ground, his head still bowed in humility.
"Excuse me?" Lucien asked.
"What was that?" Ackbar hissed at the same time.
Madoc slowly raised his head. "We didn't see my brother die, sir," he answered truthfully.
"Is that true?" Lucien asked.
"I suppose we didn't actually see him die, sir," Ackbar said, glaring back at Madoc with an intensity that said 'this isn't over yet'.... "But we know what those savages do to people like us," he added, turning his attention back to his superior. "They'll have torn him apart, piece by piece. Skinned him alive and likely eaten the very flesh off his bones." He knew he was embellishing the truth a little, but the images he was putting in Madoc's head were a perfect punishment for the time being-- and in fact he caught the young man quaking in grief out of the corner of his eye.
"I see...," Lucien said, stroking his beard (OT: forgot he had a beard. Beards should always be stroked when thinking....) "Kriess? Ballack says he has an estimate on the Hawks' location. If we're to--" He paused for a second, nearly choking on the words. "--work together... as King Malphas suggests, that would be a good lead." Then, turning to Ackbar, he asked, "I have a map in my office if you can take the time to point out your approximate location when you were ambushed." He emphasized the words my office, speaking them loudly to be sure Lucas heard.
Avan
He smiled at her gentle nature, and hurried the horse forward as she slipped away again. The terrain was rougher than he'd have liked, jostling their wounds, making his knee ache all the more. But it was the terrain that would save them in the end. At least that was his hope.
---caught up to Eve's time, at last! but still not in the same locale---
He had led them to a cave. One he'd explored on a trip to the country side with his father when he was a child. Though it brought back painful memories, and though he knew his father could find this place easily, he found it as good a place as any to lay down and rest. He slid off the horse and helped her down as well (OT: assuming she woke up, if not, munster, I edit...).
"Well, it's not exactly my father's manor, but...," he said, looking at the view outside the mouth of the cave. It was set close to the edge of the mountain, overlooking the vibrant green forest below, and straight toward the oranges and reds of the setting sun.
He thought back to what he'd said to Saudra at the clearing, running his hand through his hair with a frown. Maybe I was a little hard on her. It's been a rough few days. He thought about what the Crows would do to her when they found her and a guilty feeling began to grow in the bottom of his stomach. If she turns up dead... who's to blame for that?
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Post by atlantis on Sept 25, 2012 0:28:26 GMT -5
Novorus
He had sent his men to deliver the spiteful woman to their King’s chamber, perhaps partially out of fear that she had been right-- that Malphas would have preferred her dead. Whatever the case, he had more important business to attend to. Immediately after arriving in the capital, he searched for his mentor, Shadow Blade. He was informed by one of the castle servants that Malphas’s right-hand man was in a war council and would be due out shortly. So... he waited. Just outside the door, faithfully, in hopes of receiving new orders. Maybe ones that didn’t involve living as an innkeeper for years at a time. Then again, the last few years hadn’t been all bad. At least he had been able to spend ample time gambling with Lord Tollisken and his cronies. And the farmer’s daughters in Damagra weren’t bad on the eyes, either.
The door to the war council opened then, rousing him out of his thoughts, and Shadow Blade emerged from within. “Sir, it’s been a while. I hear the King is calling for an all-out war?”
Samson
He had been horrified by what the king had done to poor Rivag, Samson knew of him, he was an honorable man, rare among the Crows. But he didn’t dare say anything. He just let the King finish and left in a haste, going through names of people he could get together for the scouting party.
When he left the council one of his subordinates was waiting for him. He couldn’t remember the man’s name, but he could remember it started with an N. “Ah, it’s Norman is it?” Samson says to the young man.
“Yes, the King is calling for an all out-war, and we are to lead a scouting party.”
Novorus
“Uh, Novorus, sir,” he replied quietly with mild embarrassment. It’s been a while, but has it been that long? He shrugged it off, listening as SB went on. “A scouting party... to where?”
Samson
“Sorry, Novorus, it’s just been a long night.” Samson begins walking. “We will know as soon as we get an idea as to where the Hawks camp is. Hopefully soon, we should take a few of the others with us and head out ahead of the main army.”
He turned and faced him. “Give me a full report.”
Novorus
It didn’t take him long to realize this was not the same confident man he had once known. Something was... different. But he couldn’t quite place it. He shook his head, doing as he was told. “Well, we received four prisoners at the inn, just as we had expected. We killed three of them, but one of them managed to get away. However, she was gravely injured. She couldn’t have gotten too far without exhausting herself from blood loss.” Of this, he was sure. Her body was likely lying somewhere on the forest floor, decomposing as they spoke.
“While we looked for her, we managed to find another out in the forest. Though she managed to take us by surprise, killing one man and injuring another, I shot her out of the tree myself. She waits at Malphas’s door. Of the other three, sir, I’m sorry to say I have no report.”
Samson
He listened, and in the end nodded and said “You are dismissed, report to me tomorrow morning. I need to get some sleep.” Though that was the furthest thing from his mind.
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Logos
Full Member
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Post by Logos on Sept 25, 2012 9:45:55 GMT -5
Shyahwyn:
Alaric and Eve had stepped out of Shyahwyn's view, so she didn't know if they'd heard her or not. The next person to approach her cell was a young woman who could almost have been an older version of herself, except for the fine, stylish clothes and leg-wrappings. She carried a short bow of quality make.
“You do not look like a black bird,” she whispered, smiling. “Who are you?”
"No ma'am, I'm not a bird of either sort," Shyahwyn replied. "If I was to choose an animal, it'd be the golden fox," she said, referring to a clever forest creature with large ears and sharp eyes. A denizen of earth rather than lofty sky. "My name's Shyahwyn. I went an' got myself messed up in the escape of some prisoners, might have been Hawks, I think. Your Eve was among 'em, but she didn't seem keen on them. Anyway, when I saw them making I break from the old Garrison at the Capital, I gave 'em some cover fire, kept the Crow archers on the walls from pickin' 'em off. I didn't know who they were. Still not sure exactly, but one of 'em gave the code name 'Shadow Hawk,' so maybe that tells the color of their feathers. Anyway, I guess I just figured that anybody breakin' outta King Malphas' dungeon was more likely to deserve a hand than not.
"To make a long story short, I needed a place to lie low 'till things blew over. Last time I was in this valley there wasn't an army camped here, so I thought it would be a good place to hide out. Guess your Lord or General or whoever had the same idea. Your people captured me, and I guess they're trying to figure out what to do with me. So far I've been treated honorably, an' I do appreciate that. I'm hoping I'll get to be on my way soon an' not cause you folk any more trouble."
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Post by Sovereign on Sept 25, 2012 15:10:26 GMT -5
Bethany
"No ma'am, I'm not a bird of either sort, If I was to choose an animal, it'd be the golden fox." Interesting choice of words. Bethany thought smiling.
"My name's Shyahwyn. I went an' got myself messed up in the escape of some prisoners, might have been Hawks, I think. Your Eve was among 'em, but she didn't seem keen on them. Anyway, when I saw them making I break from the old Garrison at the Capital, I gave 'em some cover fire, kept the Crow archers on the walls from pickin' 'em off. I didn't know who they were. Still not sure exactly, but one of 'em gave the code name 'Shadow Hawk,' so maybe that tells the color of their feathers. Anyway, I guess I just figured that anybody breakin' outta King Malphas' dungeon was more likely to deserve a hand than not." Bethany was about to say something but the girl continued on, Bethany sliding down the bars and setting there listening to her.
"To make a long story short, I needed a place to lie low 'till things blew over. Last time I was in this valley there wasn't an army camped here, so I thought it would be a good place to hide out. Guess your Lord or General or whoever had the same idea. Your people captured me, and I guess they're trying to figure out what to do with me. So far I've been treated honorably, an' I do appreciate that. I'm hoping I'll get to be on my way soon an' not cause you folk any more trouble."
"Well Shyhawyn, my name is Bethany. I'm sure you did the right thing, though only people to make it back to this camp are Eve, that Crow who saved you, a man dressed in black, and another Crow I captured just recently." She laughed. "As to if you will be let go soon or not, I can not say. It's not my place." She looked into the girls eyes. "But it is my place to tell you that our leader is no Lord, though he was born a noble, Melzikiah is nothing like his brother. He won't force you to join us or kill you to keep himself safe." Bethany paused. "But a war is coming, and I don't know if he would feel right, letting you leave before we know which way the Crows are coming from."
"Why don't you tell me about yourself. I could use the company and you look like you could too."
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Logos
Full Member
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Post by Logos on Sept 25, 2012 16:37:47 GMT -5
Shyahwyn:'Melzikiah?' Shyahwyn thought, turning the exotic-sounding name over in her mind. There was an odd familiarity about it, even though Shyawhyn had never even met a foreigner, except for the recent encounter with the escaped prisoners. Wait--that's a Tzadikkim name, isn't it? The Tzadikkim, the Holy People, once ruled an empire long, long ago, when swords were made of bronze rather than steel. Priests said that it was through the Tzadikkim that the faith of Elhanan came, back in those ancient times, before even their empire, when their distant ancestors were pastoral nomads. Because of this, the law held that only Tzadikkim could be kings and priests. *'His brother?' Is she talking about King Malphas? Well no wonder she doesn't call her leader a Lord--she probably thinks he's the rightful King ! Last place I wanna be is in the middle of a war over thrones and crowns! I gotta get out of here!"Well ma'am, I thank your, uh, Melzikiah for his concern," Shyahwyn said, hoping that, since Bethany didn't use an honorific for him, that she wouldn't be expected to either. "But I don't figure my safety's a problem he's got to solve. The Crow army's probably in whatever direction that lot your people just tussled with a bit ago came from. It's not likely that the Crows would be sending commands from an army on the other side of your camp from where their scouts are, or their messengers or pigeons would have to pass through here on the way back and forth. "So if you let me head out from here in the opposite direction of where their scouts came from, that'd be my best chance to be out from underfoot and safe before you soldiers get to fighting. And if you're not sure where they're comin' from, if I was your Melzikiah, I'd sure be sendin' my scouts an' trackers to find out. "Please ma'am. A jail cell's not a good place for me to be in the middle of a war. You lot might have to retreat, and I'd be left here. The Crows'd have me on a Rack demanding I tell 'em where you went an' how many of you there are an' whatever else. I'd be so much safer in the forest, where I can move or hide. Believe me, I'll do everything in my power to make sure no Crow inquisitor gets a chance to start asking me about you!" Guess I'll find out how concerned this Melzikiah fellow is about my safety.*OOC: Kinda throwing in a retcon here to explain why your (good) royal and priestly characters tend to have Hebrew-sounding names while everybody else doesn't. If you don't like it TJ, say so and I'll edit that out.
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Ambassador
Full Member
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidance of things not seen.
Posts: 130
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Post by Ambassador on Sept 25, 2012 23:59:15 GMT -5
Branson
Branson nodded affirmative to the King's command. Malphas word was sacred. "Aye, sir!" he stood up as Daray did, and the two of them prepared to carry out the orders. "So captain," he exaggerated the word slightly, not in a sarcastic manner, but more like an acknowledgment with a slight tease. He might as well get a word in now because for the next few weeks her head was probably going to be swollen with pride. She was going to be a pain in the neck, but he had to admit she wore the captain thing well. Not that a title could make her look any more attractive, but it suited her. But he would have to keep two eyes on her now: no doubt this whole chain of command would have them butting heads more often than before, and now he had to take special care how he responded to her orders.
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Alaric
"Yes sir." Alaric said too Melzikiah as Eve nodded in affirmative to her orders and left the tent. "But sir, what of the young girl captured with the crow? It may not be my place, but I believe her innocent and would not see her become a casualty." he stated his concern, then waited for Melzikiah's orders concerning the girl.
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Eve
Eve nodded in answer to the command, and left the tent to find Bethany. Eve found her fellow archer by the holding caves, talking to the girl prisoner.
"Bethany," Eve spoke, glancing at the girl behind bars briefly, then back to Bethany. "We are to round up the archers. You are to lead them." she looked back at the girl. "Alaric is asking Melzikiah on your behalf. Whatever happens, we will see you safe." Eve's eye glinted as she expressed concern for the girl's welfare for the first time.
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Post by Just what it says on the tin. on Oct 1, 2012 22:15:47 GMT -5
OOC: Backpost/improbable-survival-fest from post 22#ish. I'll post a follow-up and current time post tomorrow.
Hazel
Kel were adept at recognizing filth. The inkeeper practically reeked of danger. His polished mannerisms were not those of warm and welcoming. Movements etched with refinement, he bore a vaguely predatory air. However, her companions had expended much more of themselves than she had; her role had been to listen, to withdraw, to record. Theirs had been to fight. No small wonder they were willing to listen to what they perceived was a friendly voice.
However, her voice would be tucked inside her; she had passed the days among them with bland, uncomprehending smiles, and fragments of simple words the other girl, Samara, had endeavored to teach her in her spare time. Admitting her deception now would shatter the trust she needed to gain.
She was alone. Samara, though in the same room, had gone off somewhere, still curled up in that cot. Sitting on the bed, Hazel closed her eyes and lifted one cupped hand upward, mumbling fragments of a prayer she had learned in childhood, a supplication for cosmic grace. Lost in the rhythmic feel of the words, Hazel's awareness suddenly snapped back as the door swung open. Cold horror touched her for the briefest second, augmented by the gastly grin on the innkeeper's face, snatching the breath from her lungs. But not the movement from her hands. Instinctively, she snapped her hand to her shoulder, fingers looped around the hilt of a throwing knife she had hidden there. A crossbow dart sliced through her forearm. She started to scream, then cut herself off. The force had knocked her back, but she was still on her feet. Through bursts of panic and agony drowning out all else, she held onto her reason.
If you stand, they will shoot again. It told her, a calming voice that begged her knees to buckle, her eyelids to twitch shut. So fall before you are felled.
She did, sprawed faceup onto the floor. The arrow pinned her arm to her chest, the tip buried inches away from her still beating heart. It had not so much as nicked the bone, but had slid deftly between the ribs. Precicion work. Foggily, she heard Samara's voice, distorted, hysterical in her ears. Running footsteps, yells, the sound of conflict, and the sudden silence as the assassins fled the room in pursuit of their quarry. Confident that she was alone, Hazel gasped in a shaky breath. She was still alive, if bleeding heavily. The worst was over. Setting her lips tightly together, she closed her eyes. Kel became Seive through suffering. Moire would come eventually. When she did, alive or dead, Hazel would be Seive.
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Post by Just what it says on the tin. on Oct 5, 2012 23:56:03 GMT -5
Moire
She had withdrawn to the front of the procession, following on foot the tracks leading from the inn, marking a path forward for her Seive after leaving them with the cart. In other circumstances, she would have preferred to remain herself, sending someone more skilled than herself to track and trailblaze. However, to remain, to be at Hazel's side every minute would aggravate the scene had frozen in her vision; Hazel sprawled on the floor of that inn, aparently dead. Another casualty of Moire's ambition. Her first words in that state had been those of devotion to the one responsible.
I'm sorry, mother.
Moire had wanted to cry, to fall on her face and beg for forgiveness from the girl, to praise whatever grace had spared her. Instead, she had mumbled a cold acceptance of the apology and withdrawn immediately, leaving Hazel in the care of the other Seive. Only one followable set of tracks branched from the inn. Clearly, they had ties to power; someone wanted them dead. She would follow that breadcrumb trail back to its source, and there, among the affluent and powerful, her world would right itself. Revenge was not in her nature; resilience was.
The trail meandered up the mountain's edge, a narrow, treacherous road that had to be sought and followed relentlessly. One didn't wander this path aimlessly; whoever had flown from the inn had known exactly where to go. The niche in the mountain's face was visible from where the forest ended and the ascent began. Moire set her sights on it. Now, she was close enough to hear the low murmur of one voice, clear and crisp.
"Well, it's not exactly my father's manor, but...,"
He trailed off there. It was enough information for Moire. She was used to dealing with the wealthy; in hardship, they could be easily bought with any luxury that hearkened to better days.
"It's no manor." Moire finished for the young man, entering into view at the mouth of the cave, "It is a sanctuary, and evidence of a traveler's good fortune." Through the light pouring in behind her, she could see the two; both were injured, the woman seeming worse off than the man.
"Although, it looks like you and luck are not on good terms." She said, smiling wryly, "Fortunately for you, I've luck to spare. Only say what you need, and it is yours."
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