Logos
Full Member
Posts: 172
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Post by Logos on Oct 27, 2012 5:54:20 GMT -5
Shyahwyn:The young archer looked at Shyahwyn thoughtfully for a moment, then her features suffused with understanding and kindness. "Listen carefully, Shy can I call you Shy? There is a tent with a green silk line interwoven into it's flap forming a symbol of a hawk, it is full of food, water, blankets and what not. Go there quickly, you'll have to sneak in but I have a suspicion that that's your specialty." She turned and crouched and drew a V in the ground. "If you trust me, follow the path of these symbols, it is my own path. No one else knows it about it.The symbols are all messy to fool people into thinking it's animals. But it will always form a V." She quickly erased the dirt symbol. Shyahwyn listened, mouth open with shock, too surprised to answer Bethany's question, much less do so with a snappy answer like, 'If I can call you "Beth."' Why would she let me go without permission? Won't she get in trouble?"Be safe." Bethany threw the keys to Shyahwyn. "I'll pray that you make it safely." Pray? For me? Does she really think Elhanan would want to be bothered? Shyahwyn thought. The young woman said it with a strange mixture of deep conviction and matter-of-fact tone, as if the idea that Elhanan would condescend to take notice of her entreaties and perhaps even respond favorably was obvious. Shyahwyn had seen too many peasant children with bellies bloated with malnutrition, too many people raped, tortured or killed, or with skin spotted with the Pox to believe that Elhanan heard prayers from individual, ordinary people. Kings and priests, maybe. At least, Shyahwyn had heard priests preaching that Malphas was the 'anointed' of Elhanan, chosen by Him to rule the land, so that rebellion against the King was rebellion against He who fashioned the earth and stars. On the other hand, her first attempt at thievery had been against an old wandering priest, only days after the massacre of her village. He'd caught her trying to nick some of his bread--then gave her the bread, along with some dried meat, a small roll of cheese, and even a few farthings that constituted at least half of his 'fortune.' Shyahwyn could still remember his gentle, wrinkled face, and vaguely, teachings quoted from a book he carried, about humankind's duty to bring justice to the poor and oppressed, befriend the friendless, and 'show kindness to the stranger among you, for you were strangers in the land when Elhanan revealed His kindness toward you.' The old prophet had taken Shyahwyn to a group of forest rangers at his decrepit pace, and made sure that she would be cared for before continuing on his way. He was so unlike the splendid priests in glittering jewel-encrusted silken robes who taught in the cathedrals that Shyahwyn had a hard time understanding how Elhanan could sanction both. The doings of Elhanan aren't meant to make sense to someone like me, she thought, pushing those thoughts aside. He's got a Universe to run, so maybe He doesn't take notice of people much. Or maybe He expects us to grow up and take care of ourselves and each other instead of tugging at His robes and begging Him to do it for us. As long as my life is beneath His concern and His doings are above mine, I guess it's not something I gotta worry ab--Bethany got back up but before she could leave she heard someone approaching. She looked to Shyahwyn "Shy, hide them!" she whispered quickly before Eve showed up. Shyahwyn quickly hid the keys. No time to figure out what sort of facial expression she ought to be wearing. The confused one she had on would just have to do. Fortunately, Eve had more pressing concerns, and quickly drew Bethany away. Shyahwyn nonchalantly paced in her cell, surreptitiously looking for an opportunity to open the door without being seen by any of the soldiers rushing to and fro as the camp prepared for battle. She caught a glimpse of Alaric passing by with a man in battle armor that was finely made, but thoroughly practical and without ostentation, who carried himself with an unmistakeable command presence. As soon as they were past, Shyahwyn snaked an arm out through the bars and opened the lock, then pocketed the keys. No way to know if anyone might recognize them as Bethany's set, so best not to let them be found. Careful not to make too much noise, she opened the door enough to squeeze through, then closed it and locked it. The latter gesture might make whoever discovered the cell think she'd been taken by someone in no hurry, someone with permission.The best way to not be noticed is to look like I belong, she thought, starting out with confident, purposeful strides before a painful thought stopped her: The Crow! I can't just leave him... Reluctantly, she changed course and headed in the direction of his cell. Her heart pounded with each step. Alaric had been headed in that direction, and if he spotted her, no amount of 'don't notice me, I'm just one more person in a hurry' would help her. As she started to pass the cell, she caught a glimpse of the leader's surcoat, stopped in her tracks and backed out of the cell's line of sight. “I want men who, after seeing the truth don’t allow their preconceived notions to rule them,” an unfamiliar voice, surely the leader's own, said. Yes! He's trying to recruit him! Well Mr. Crow, I hope you've got the good sense to join them, even if it's just to get yourself a chance to esc--"You there! What corps are you in?" a gravely voice snapped. Shyahwyn whirled to face a burly man with a leathery face sprinkled with salt-and-pepper beard stubble. "Uh...I'm an archer, sir." "Well don't just stand there gawpin', get to the armory! Don't think you can kill Crows with nothin' but that stupid look on your face, do ya?!" "No sir! Right away sir!" Shyahwyn said, then hurried off in the direction Bethany and Eve had taken as they left her cell. The armory was a beehive of activity, with soldiers, archers, and cavalrymen who'd been off duty massing to gather their weapons. Eve is in there! But I'll look a lot less suspicious leaving here armed, than unarmed, she thought. Through the press of bodies, she caught a glimpse of the two women, both too busy with their own conversation and loading up on arrows to turn around and spot her. Pretending that she belonged as hard as she could, hoping that no one would hear the hammering of her heart, Shyahwyn slipped in, grabbed a scout's mottled green hooded cloak and donned it. Now her color scheme and outline were different, so as long as Eve didn't see her face... My things! Her bows, quiver, and pack were right over there, not too far from the door. They'd apparently been placed there in a hurry, and with the crisis underway, no one had a chance to examine them or search the pack. Better to steal my own stuff, than any of theirs, right? If she took one of their bows, that might leave one of their archers forced to resort to a spare, or even deprived of armament. They could be given one of her bows instead, but Shyahwyn was sure they would not want to go into battle with an unfamiliar weapon any more than she would. And these people, especially the woman in charge of their archers, had all treated her with far more kindness than she had any right to expect. But Eve is right there ! she thought, hesitating. She was just about to change her mind about going for her things when another thought came to mind. I owe it to her... Well, this'll be the first time I've ever done it in reverse... With her face shadowed by the hood, she put on a serious, determined (and, she hoped, soldierly) expression, and started worming her way through the Brownian motion of the crowd. I can do this... she thought, really, really hoping it was so. Pausing until Eve's face was turned away, Shyahwyn squeezed past, barely jostling Bethany--and slipping the prison keys into her pocket--before changing direction to put bodies between her and the women. There! Now she's got the perfect alibi! Since Eve had seen Shyahwyn in her cell when she'd left with Bethany, and been with the Hawk archer throughout Shyahwyn's escape, all Bethany would have to do to clear herself was produce the keys. Now there was just the matter of getting her things. Eve had either been the one to place them there, or been with Alaric when he did. She'd notice if they disappeared before she left the armory. So tantalizingly close, yet so far... OOC: TJ, it's OK if you want to have Bethany notice Shy's reverse pickpocketing.
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Post by atlantis on Oct 29, 2012 22:59:29 GMT -5
OT: Been working on the rest of this JP for what seems like forever. But it's done now!
Locke
He flashed a glance back at Ben, saddened by his decision, and followed Melzikiah out of the cells. Outside, it was clear the Hawks were preparing for war, as men and women dashed about, gathering weapons and discussing plans. He thought he glimpsed Bethany’s golden locks among a group of nearby archers, but Melzikiah was walking on and he had to hurry to catch up. They came to a tent and ducked inside, revealing an interior stacked with weapons. It didn’t take him long to pinpoint his old sword and he migrated toward it.
If nothing else, at least he could look like he was capable of warfare. But the weight of it felt like a lie-- and he flashed back to the clearing where he had gotten himself tangled in brambles. “Sir, I have to confess. I’ve been with Ballack for three years but I’m hardly a swordsman,” he said, looking on his weapon almost with a sense of nostalgia, even though he hadn’t been parted from it long. “I’m willing to learn, though.”
That was true enough. He’d never really believed in what Ackbar fought for and never been impassioned with the fire of battle. But... for some reason he couldn’t quite capture, he was entranced with this cause. He was still afraid, yes, but that was only an obstacle that could be overcome.
Melzikiah
"Well Locke, you've already mastered the first requirement of getting stronger; admitting you are weak." Melzikiah smiled. "So here's the question you must answer; Why will you fight?"
Locke
The question stirred his memory, bringing back the day of the parade back in Alluska. Madoc had a reason to fight. As good a reason as any. Better me than other innocent people, his brother had said. And it was true. Locke wasn’t a fan of war-- who was?-- but he could think of no way to stop it from happening than to fight the champions of war themselves.
He remembered the times the people of Alluska had been plagued by rebels, the very reason Ackbar began his unit. And what Melzikiah had said about Bethany’s father. And his own parents, murdered and handicapped by some nameless beast in the marshlands.
“This violence... has to stop,” he said quietly. He remembered the nightmare he had the night before his brothers joined Ackbar’s unit, how he stood and watched while Madoc and Warren were killed in open war. He couldn’t stand aside anymore. Not if he wanted things to change.
“I want all this suffering and death to stop. I’ll learn to protect the ones I love and show mercy to the ones that try to kill me. I’ll fight for peace.” Even he was surprised that he had no quiver in his voice as he spoke the words. But for once he felt settled and devoted.
Melzikiah
Melzikiah leaned against a table holding an assortment knives, daggers, and swords. "So you wish to end violence?" He casually picked up a dagger. "What is violence?"
Locke
“I’d expect you know the answer to that better than I can attest to, since violence is the very thing that tears brothers apart,” he noted quickly. “But I suppose you’re not asking because you need to know the answer and rather you want to hear mine. Violence is what causes the sorrow in the world. It’s the result of an endless lack of forgiveness coupled with a broken, confusing world.”
Melzikiah
"Good answer but you need to realize that violence at its very core is selfishness taking itself out on others." He kept toying with the dagger. "Malphas's selfish desires took itself out on many people, my family, the royal family, even," he nodded to Locke, "your friend Bethany's." He walked over to Locke. "Here. Meet me with your sword and that dagger, at the training field. It’s just a hundred yards from the camp." He walked out of the tent.
Locke
He accepted the dagger with the sudden realization of just how tall the King’s brother was. Training field. A hundred yards. Alright. He watched as Melzikiah ducked out of the tent, leaving him in silence for a moment. “...Hey, wait!” he called out, dashing out of the tent after the man. “A hundred yards in... which direction?” he asked, trailing off as he realized Melzikiah was already nowhere to be found.
“Right. Okay, so...,” he began as he turned around in a full circle. A hundred yards. Three hundred feet. That’s not so far. I could probably spot it if I climbed a tree somewhere. If it weren’t for the damned terrain... not to mention the secret-rebel-camp factor. He frowned deeply as a panic started to well up inside his chest and his mind went overtime on imagining all the possible endings to which this situation could lead him.
STOP. Calm down. Think. He closed his eyes, covered his ears with both hands, and let his thoughts guide him. The terrain... There can’t be many good areas for a training ground around here, with all the mountains and valleys. What would be the most logical place for something like that? How would they conceal it? Certainly not in the east; they wouldn’t want inexperienced fighters closer to the capital. North and the mountains are too thick.
He opened his eyes suddenly. He’d at least increased his chances by fifty percent. Glancing down the hillside, he saw the river flowing northeast to Midin and the sea, surrounded by stunning foliage denser than some of the swamps around Alluska. He could calculate the reasons the river flowed more freely here, a product of melting ice from the mountain caps in winter and the wildly wet seasons of autumn and spring. But to cite the data only took away the beauty of the region with--
I can hardly see the ground from here. The only real signs of the river were the glints of running water flowing through. He smiled a little. You could hide an army of elephants down there and no one would know. He looped the dagger in his belt and slid down the hillside, nearly falling into the river when he reached the bottom. As from above, the canopy kept him completely hidden.
The river seemed too obvious a guide. If Crows were to think of looking here, the first thing they’d do is follow the river. But at the same time, crossing it seemed too hazardous a task to even make an attempt. He began to walk upstream when he spotted a stone in the water. And a little further out another. And another... all the way across. With a deep breath to steel himself for a fall and death-by-drowning scenario, he hopped onto the first stone, his feet sliding so badly he cried out a bit in shock. Regaining his balance he stepped more cautiously to the next stone and the next until he’d found land again.
He was met on the other side by wild, untamed brush. Or at least it appeared untamed. Deep into the forest, he saw a spot where the trees parted and the brush cleared-- a path? He climbed into the bushes, exercising his patience in an effort not to expose what he thought might be the Hawk’s cover, until he arrived at the path. He brushed a few twigs from his hair before continuing on. The path was narrow and at some points, hardly a path at all-- to such an extent he wondered if he was still headed the right way. But in the end, he lifted a branch to reveal a large clearing with a couple of tents pitched around the edges (presumably holding supplies) and several dummies staged throughout. But no Melzikiah.... Had he already come and left? Maybe he meant later?
Melzikiah
He watched Locke from one of the tents, waiting for about ten minutes. "So you found it; that was the true test." Melzikiah said walking out of the tent. "The question I asked you, if you wanted to redeem yourself, you answered yes." Melzikiah smiled. "But the answer was just verbal."
"Getting here proves to me one of two things: either you are really a dedicated spy or you really wish to redeem yourself. I believe you are the latter." He says drawing his own sword.
"I want you to defend with that dagger." And with that he lunged.
Locke
He was thrown off guard the moment Melzikiah appeared from the tent; he’d entered the training grounds with the idea that no one else was around, but he was wrong. As the Hawk leader headed for him, he scrambled for the dagger he’d put through his belt and drew it out in time to deflect the attack. His eyes shut out of instinct-- some primal farce that if you couldn’t see the danger, it wasn’t really there-- and he forced himself to open them again, looking for the next attack.
Melzikiah
He smiled when Locke blocked but frowned when he closed his eyes. "LOCKE! You have lived with your eyes closed for too long. Leaving our eyes closed, ignoring our surroundings, not seeing the danger, all of these cumulate in violence winning. I ignored them and one of the most important people to me died. Is there anyone you would die to protect?"
Locke
The question jarred him a bit-- assaulted by the idea of his own death and the death of someone he cared about all at the same time. “My heart says there is, sir; because there are those I couldn’t bare living without. But... though I’d see Asezerah, I still fear death. I would trade my life for Madoc or Warren in an instant, but when it comes to it, I can’t bring myself to act.”
Melzikiah
"Is there no one that the thought of their death would drive you to kill or be killed to protect them?" He brought his sword up. "I'd kill to protect my adopted son Benaiah. You've met him, he brought you in with Bethany." He rushed at Locke again, "Find someone to protect and protect them with your very life!"
Locke
He didn’t have time to remember Benaiah’s face as Melzikiah came at him again. His instincts told him to dodge but he stayed in place, raising the dagger to meet the man halfway and put his weight against it to hold him off. Find someone to protect....Well, I can’t very well protect the enemy, yet my family is all I have left. Then I’ll have to protect them from themselves.
“...And if I’m to protect them with my life, then I’d best be sure my life will last long enough to do it. Our lives will be bound together more than ever because of it,” he said, mostly to himself. He pushed the dagger up even further, pushing Melzikiah back a step, before striking out on his own attack.
Melzikiah
Locke pushed him back bringing a smile to Melzikiah’s face. “Good, good.” Then he followed up with an attack. “Yes!” Melzikiah shouted as he defended. “Ugh. Locke, can you show me more?” He shoved his blade forward and to the right disarming Locke. “Why did you hesitate when Bethany came after you?”
Locke
He backed off when he lost the dagger, wondering what would come next. “M’lord, I was afraid. For both my life and that of my brothers. Bethany is exceedingly kind and merciful, but her skill isn’t something to be laughed off.” He searched the ground with stolen glances, looking to see where his weapon had fallen. Finding it among the dirt, he made a quick dash for it, giving Melzikiah a wide berth in hopes of escaping any attack he might make.
“More than anything, sir, my mind was frozen,” he added as he picked up the dagger, keeping an eye on his opponent the entire time. “I couldn’t think, couldn’t imagine what to do. I wish I could blame it on some nobler flaw than cowardice, but I’m afraid that’s been my defining quality since I was a small boy.”
He knew Melzikiah wouldn’t hesitate to strike again, so it was in his own interest to attack first. He made a charge toward the Hawk leader and swung the dagger sideways in an attempt to glance the man’s side.
Melzikiah
He blocked the attack of Locke, pushing himself out of harm’s way. “Where is your cowardice now!” He bellowed as he brought his sword over his head to bring it down onto Locke, missing on purpose. “Tell me, what is different.”
Locke
He flinched away from Melzikiah’s attack and marvelled at how it had missed. “Sir, nothing is different.” He held out his left hand for the elder man to see. “My hands are still trembling. Just... I’m angry. Angry at my captain for leaving me. At the King for his injustice. At myself for allowing it all.”
He paused as he thought it over for a moment. “My brother Madoc insists that if you can do something to stop evil from happening, then you should do everything in your power. He was hurt in the forest earlier and... I’m tired of standing by and letting things happen.”
Melzikiah
He held his hand up for Locke to stop and Melzikiah stabbed his own sword into the ground and motioned for Locke to follow him. He walked to a waterfall that was just outside the training grounds. “Anger. Once we let it into our hearts, we have officially planted the seeds for hate. And the more we let anger consume us...it becomes a fertilizer for the hate to grow.” He sat down on a rock.
“Hate can not overcome anything, it will kill you before you can ever do anything of any lasting good.” He smiled. “I know many of us have had horrible lives-- I lost the love of my life.” He stared up at the cascading waterfall. “I was able to control my hate through most of these years but I never let it go, and I’ve paid dearly for it in many ways. I let it cloud my vision and we almost were destroyed years ago; when we first began, Malphas almost found us.”
“It wasn’t until I met Bethany that I learned to let go of my hate. She had every reason to be angry at the world, hate the Crows. But she refused to kill unless it was absolutely necessary, she gave grace and mercy to anyone. Her father was indeed a great man, and his daughter shares many of his attributes.”
“So hate and anger are not what I want from you.”
Locke
He followed Melzikiah to the waterfall, choosing a rock close beside his as he listened to the man’s story. He sat in silence for a minute once the leader had finished talking, taking in the words without criticism and without analysis, trying to soak in their meaning. It was counter-intuitive in a world where those who hated and did violence held all the power, but then... thinking of Bethany he realized she seemed far stronger than all of the Crows combined. “Then from where does your strength come?” He wondered aloud, hardly noticing he had actually spoken the words for a few seconds. “I don’t mean to doubt you, sir; it’s just I’ve never seen power from any but Malphas and his legions.”
Melzikiah
He smiled. “Malphas and his legions are the only ones with power?” He nodded toward the waterfall. “Consider the water, gentle and life-giving. But when pushed over the edge a raging waterfall. And when it hits the base, it slowly becomes gentle and life-giving yet again.”
“Our strength, our power, it comes from the same place as the waterfall’s power.” He smiled. “And I hope you don’t think the cliff gives the water its power. You seem to be smarter than that.”
Locke
He watched the water as it fell, listened to the thunder of its collision with the earth. “The King of Asezerah,” he replied quietly. The Lord Elhanan, have mercy on me for my past allegiances.... he prayed with a sigh. “Sir, I still don’t know what I’m capable of, but I will serve you with as pure of intentions as can be found in me. If hatred is the source of your brother’s strength or that of any Crow, then it’s true that it only creates monsters. I didn’t shuck them off without reason; I’ve only ever seen them build nightmares. But at the same time, though I might aspire to Bethany’s grace and mercy, I feel as though I could just as well fail.”
Melzikiah
“She’s a rare breed, that’s for sure.” He laughed. “Not knowing what you are capable of is both an awesome and scary mind set; you don’t know how great or how bad you are. It gives you much room to grow. It all depends on your intentions and how you live your life.” He splashed the water a little bit.
“You are a good man, Locke, that I can tell.”
Locke
He scanned the water, spotting a fish or two swimming through the calmer parts of the stream further down. “Thank you, sir,” he answered shyly. He felt odd; as though, despite being twenty-one years of age, his life had only just begun. And, in a way, he guessed it had, since this was the first decision he’d ever made for himself rather than following along in someone else’s shadow. It felt terrifyingly good....
Melzikiah
“Well I must attend to other matters. We have a battle coming our way. Stay here if you want for a little bit.” And with that Melzikiah walked back to camp.
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Post by Bhunivelze on Oct 31, 2012 8:33:20 GMT -5
Lucas/[orange] Krieg[/orange]
Work together? With that old buffoon? I would rather stay in prison! Lucas was infuriated at the Kings demands. Yet he kept his calm and waited for the meeting to end. He found himself staring at the corpse while Daray Eyal was named captain. He pictured his own corpse being fed on by the crow. I guess working with Wylder would be better than being a feast. When the meeting concluded he got up and left the room after exchanging nervous-like glances with Lucien. The young man needed a second to himself as he walked to the closest terrace overlooking the kingdom. Of course the ‘old idiot’ interrupts it with a snide remark and then invites Lucas to his office, which he enunciated quite clearly. “As much as I would love to walk with you right at this second, I have some business to be attended to. I’ll see you in the Strategist Quarters in an hour’s time. He left the men and walked towards his room for a few seconds of relief.
“Ben…”
He tried his hardest not to think about it during the briefing. Ben was his closest friend and overall the best friend a man could ever have. The fact that Ben was captured was troubling enough, but he was captured at the same time that Lucas had to team with Lucien-- Which meant no peace or joy at for who knows how long-- It was all a troubling matter that Lucas did not want to think about for the time being. He was ready to exit his room and heading for the door when he heard knocking. He opened the door and there stood Krieg Westwind.
“What do you want, Westwind?” Lucas didn’t intend on sounding rude. But he didn’t care. It was a long day so far and did not want to deal with the likes of a witty assassin.
[orange]”Nothing. I just wanted to knock for no apparent reason other than to annoy you.” The man said with a smirk. [/orange]
With ever the keen brain, it wasn’t hard for Lucas to realize that Krieg was now a shadow. He knew that the king would have ordered the spy to stalk anyone that didn’t show promise that they used to have. Anyone that didn’t fulfill their mission. The young genius was angered at himself when he thought about the night that he was arrested. “Very well then, if you don’t mind I’ll be on my way. If you wish to follow me…” He said with a hint of fake naivety in his voice.
[orange] Right, head strategist at only 14. This kid’s a super genius. Of course he already caught on. “Well, if you insist…” He said mimicking the younger man’s tone. They walked down to the strategist quarters and entered. It was amazing. The architecture of the room, the magnificent purple curtains, the fully equipped strategists map. It was like something you read about in books. Then Lucas stepped in and started leaning over the table he called of the archers that were set in the banisters above the room. Krieg looked up and, sure enough, two archers were perched right above the entrance. They quickly withdrew to secret passages and disappeared from sight. He tried to find where exactly the passages were but couldn’t get a good view. So he just leaned up against the wall and awaited for Lucien to make his first move in what was quite obviously going to be comical argument between the two strategists.[/orange]
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Post by atlantis on Nov 2, 2012 21:06:06 GMT -5
Lucien
He entered the strategist's quarters only a few minutes later, thankful for his own sake to see Lucas had already arrived. He was put off by the presence of a secondary man. "Who's your pet?" he asked with a frown.
Then with a shake of his head he proceeded. "Never mind that; we have business to conduct. I understand we've... had our differences over the years, but if we don't make this work, we'll both be crow food next. So. You have my... respect. I guess. Until this is over."
He clasped his hands in a way that concluded the topic before continuing. "I've already dispatched Ballack with a fresh group of men. I disclosed the location of a certain peak that will allow them a better view of the mountain region and I made a few suggestions of prime locations for a rebel camp based on the information he provided."
He walked further into the room to look at the map. Grabbing a black quill from the table and dipping it in ink, he circled a region of forestry just east of the northern mountains. "Ballack and the Fendrases were attacked here, at a decoy camp, which I'd imagine is also a previous camp they've only kept looking fresh for that purpose. While it would have been easier for them to move their headquarters north with the help of the river, this would have put them closer to Midin where there are fewer hiding places because of the tundra. I wager they've gone south. Somewhere around King's Gate Canyon would be a great hiding place, with the denser forests and higher ground. There are lots of caves in that region as well."
Madoc
"I thought I'd find the pair of fools here. Do you ever tire of drinking yourselves into oblivion?" Madoc's ears pricked up at the sound of his captain's voice and he turned to see Ballack headed toward them, ranting about their drunkenness. "Another thing, Madoc," Ackbar proceeded, slapping the eldest Fendras with the back of his hand, "you'll be keeping silent around head officers from now on."
Whether it was the alcohol clouding his judgment or the pain medication he'd been given in the infirmary-- perhaps the combination of the two-- Madoc found himself incapable of reservation any longer. He stood up a little more quickly than he'd intended, swaying a bit as his eyes adjusted to the motion. "No, sir, I'll not keep silent when it comes to my brothers. It's your fault he was lost," he grumbled, reaching for his sword. "And then you had the nerve to lie about it?"
He was about to attack when Ackbar landed a punch on his jaw that left him sprawled across the stone floor of the pub. Madoc tried to climb back up to his feet but the captain stomped on his shoulder and pinned him to the ground, bringing agonizing pain to his wound from the forest.
"Maka..." Warren whimpered from his stool.
Ackbar nodded to one of the men who had followed him in. "Take him to the keep for the night. Maybe he'll learn some obedience." Turning to Warren, he added, "You'll come with me. We've got some business in the forest."
Ballack's guard lifted Madoc to a standing position. He winced at the pain as they led him out of the pub and to the prison.
OT: will post the rest soon-- Ballack's trip into the forest (and DUN DUN DUN to the same cave where Avan/Moire/Samara are!) One of the other men may or may not be Novorus. I'd like him to be, but TJ, would it be within Lucien's authority to send SB's man out?
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Post by atlantis on Nov 11, 2012 0:50:12 GMT -5
OT: This is, of course, sort of a regression at first, since Lucien has already sent Ackbar/Novorus out and has since gone to meet with Lucas.
Novorus
Not long after Shadow Blade had dismissed him, he was summoned by the strategist Lucien Wylder. The man had received a stunning promotion; why was the King so willing to trust a man who was known for his betrayal? He assumed Malphas must be trusting rather in his fearsome dominance over his subjects than anything else. After all, it would take a wild spasm of courage (or stupidity) to stand up to the Crow King.
Whatever the case, it wasn’t as though Novorus had any say in the matter. He answered the call in haste and without complaint. Inside Wylder’s office, he found not only the strategist, but Captain Ballack of Alluska as well. Fumbling twit... he grumbled to himself. What mess of yours will I be asked to clean up?
“I’m glad you could make it,” Wylder opened with a grand gesture, evidently welcoming Novorus’s eyes to the space in the castle he could now proudly call his own. He was sipping a glass of wine, always putting on airs. “Come in, come in. Are you acquainted with Captain Ballack?” Novorus only nodded, careful not to insult Ackbar.
“Good, that saves me the trouble of introducing the two of you. Now. Ballack has told me the location of a Hawk decoy camp. My thinking is that the real one isn’t far away.” Wylder pointed to a location on a map behind him, then swept his hand over the surrounding area. “Ackbar is leading a group of men into the forest to find their real location. Men with skills worthy of note. After your capture of the prisoner Saudra Turk-- yes, I already know about that-- I was hoping you would join him.”
Novorus shook his head, trying to cloud his expression again, having apparently allowed his shock to show through. “Sir,” he began with a bow, “though you flatter me with your commission, I’m afraid I’m not under your command. It is with humble sympathy that I must rej--”
“Let me take care of Shadow Blade, Ashlock,” Wylder interrupted and Ballack gave a sort of gloating twitch at his side. “I want you on this team. You possess all the necessary qualities I demand-- stealth, intellect, and deadly skill with your weaponry. Not to mention your unsurpassed allegiance to the cause.”
Novorus stiffened at the response; so, this was an order, not a request. He stepped forward, summoning every ounce of intimidation he possessed, wanting to make it very clear who was in control. “Let me remind you, sir, that I am loyal to the King, not you. I am not some plaything--some weapon you can choose to deploy against your enemies. I do not belong to you.” He paused, let that register in Wylder’s mind long enough to see a small glint of fear shine in his eyes. “If you truly desire my services, I will be the leader of this team. Not some idiotic yokel from swamp country.”
Ballack made a noise at this last statement but Wylder silenced him with a wave of his hand. “So you accept?” he asked.
Avan
OT: Not quite sure how to start this off considering how we left it last, but here goes nothing. If you guys don’t like it, it can be changed!
Samara’s injury had been treated and wrapped, as well as the several cuts and sprained knee he had received during their escape, and they had settled into a sort of quiet contentedness-- a strange feeling after all the chaos that had happened over the last few days. A gentle fire cast a warm glow around them and kept the darkness at bay.
The faintest of noises outside the cave alerted him to a new presence. He slid his hand toward the handle of his axe, hoping whether the intruder was man or beast, the people within the sanctuary of the cave would go unthreatened.
This, however, was not the case.
Several men appeared there in the opening, all armed. One carried a crossbow, which he aimed at each of them one at a time, his eyes finally landing on Avan. The man laughed at the sight of him. “I’d recognize that face anywhere. You’re Wylder’s boy. And you’re all in a lot of trouble.”
Avan clambered to his feet, undeterred by the threat of the Crow’s arrow. “You’re mistaken. Lucien Wylder has no son. He has only himself and his miserable choices.” He hefted his axe, comparing himself to each of the men standing at the mouth of the cave, wondering if there were any way to escape.
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Post by Sovereign on Nov 16, 2012 22:29:22 GMT -5
Toma He barely could remember anything of his flight from the castle after his fight with Shadow Blade, just an extreme pain and fear of death. He could just remember the horse riding into the clearing and telling him that he needed the antidote. He thought he remembered putting bandages on his wounds but that could have been a dream. Now all he had was darkness, which was normally his most powerful weapon, but this time he couldn’t move or feel anything. He couldn’t even remember his name. All he could feel was a hate that grew every second, every minute, every hour he that passed. But as his hate increased so did the darkness. His eyes soon began to adjust to the darkness and a form began to come into view, the form that all of his hatred had been channeled into. He may have forgotten his own name, but he could never forget this man’s. “Malphas…I’LL KILL YOU!” He screamed as he tried to run toward the figure but his eyes just lost focus again and his pain began all anew. It felt like a hundred knives where going into his heart as once, as he lay there. “Toma…twin.” A voice that filled his whole being said. Then came the light and he was able to move again, sitting up in a sweat. He began to look around as his eyes readjusted. He seemed to be on a wooden table, his wound was dressed and his cloak and daggers on a smaller table just a few feet away. He tried to stand but stumbled, catching himself with the table. When he finally regained his balance he walked over, grabbed his cloak and daggers and walked out of the tent into a bright world of busy soldiers. Then it all stopped and the voice came back. “They prepare for battle. You’ll find your destiny there twin.” Then the business began anew. He looked around and headed for two men who looked like they knew what was going on. “You two, where am I?”
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Post by Bhunivelze on Nov 19, 2012 20:55:10 GMT -5
Lucas / [RED]Krieg[/RED]
Lucas just ignored Lucien’s comment about his ‘pet’ however he saw Krieg tense in the corner of his eye. He could have easily responded to Lucien’s pestering but Lucas decided to play the role of the mature one.
Lucien explained his theory of where the Hawk’s currently were as Lucas stared at the map. I can’t believe Lucien is actually making sense! This makes sense, but it’s always a good call to be safe.
While it was hard to think, let alone say, Lucas agreed with Lucien about the placement of the camp. “It would be smart to send troops down there, but a couple of assassins or some mercenaries to the other camp would be smart too.” Lucas looked back to Krieg who was climbing up the walls trying to find the panels in which the archers used to escape. At this time is when Lucas hatched an idea. “I’ll take Krieg and myself to the nearest camp. A small strike duo could slip in, see if any information is still there and get back before any would realize they had been there.
[RED] “WHAT?! I’m an assassin! Not a soldier!” Krieg said as he fell from one of the banisters atop the room. He landed in a kneeling position and stood up. “There is NO CHANCE that I’m going to the enemy camp! [/RED]
Lucas just got annoyed. “We would leave if things got to be out of hand. Idiot.” Lucas said with a harsh tone. “Lucien, we are to work together. Does this idea seem reasonable to you?”
Pyra Greyheart
The young woman sat under a tree looking up towards the clouds in the distance. It was so serene and peaceful. Too bad it’s always wrecked with war. she thought as she sighed. She looked on for a little while longer when she decided it was time to head to the camp. She walked down the small path to the entrance of the camp and entered at the perfect time to see Melzikiah leave the prison. Oh! We must have some new Crows in captivity. I should look for any future converts! She quickly walked to the prison, practicing her strategy to get Elhanan into the conversation.
It came as a shock to see the new prisoner. Ben Allett. Her heart sunk as the horrid memories of Lucas came flooding back to her. She had seen Ben with Lucas and how they talked and even laughed together. She couldn’t help but stare at the man until she finally raised her voice, just above a squeak. “Allett?”
OT: Yes this is a fairly poor opening post for a character, but I really wanted to just start the action right off.
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Post by Zabby on Nov 20, 2012 16:29:23 GMT -5
Ben
Sitting back in his cell, Ben sighed and thought about his lot. Why am I so loyal towards Lucas anyway? I could have turned my back and joined the Hawks. It would have been the right thing to do for the Kingdom.
Ben just shook his head and stared at the ceiling. Can't take anything back, huh? he thought. Then he heard a voice outside his cell. "Allett?," it called in an almost inscrutable tone.
Following the sound of the voice, Ben looked through the bars in the front of his cage. He recognized the girl immediately. It was Pyra, a girl who Lucas had courted and then broken up with rather quickly, leaving rumors all over the castle. She disappeared after that, and he had been told that Pyra was killed by Hawks.
"Pyra," he said standing up rather quickly. "What are you doing here? I thought you were dead!"
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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 Nov 21, 2012 17:11:42 GMT -5
Alaric
“You two, where am I?”
The voice and figure that emerged from the healers tent caused Alaric to gape in surprise.
"Sir!" he said in alarm, quickining his pace toward the stranger, Niah close behind him. The recently poisoned stranger stumbled slightly, and Alaric put out an arm to steady him. Strangely, the man looked in his right mind, if not a little shaken. The fever from the poison should have rendered him unconscious for hours, days even. "You should be resting--you were almost dead from the poison."
Eve
There was bustle and hustle in the armory as the archers gathered up bows and sharpened arrow heads, looking like porcupines with the numerous shafts sticking out of their quivers. Eve choose from the best stock: she had smoothed these shafts herself. It felt good to hold the hard, straight arrows in her fingers again. She also sharpened her long knives, and strapped her sword on her belt. It was a heavy load to bear, but she had no Idea what they would be up against.
Eve felt something press against her, and she turned abruptly and almost got a face-full of feathers from the backsides of the arrows sticking out of Bethany's quiver. That's when Eve saw familiar a head of mousy brown hair flash by in her peripheral vision. Eve looked at Bethany, then back at her target. Eve groaned.
"Bethany, what did you do...?" Of course Bethany had to let the girl from the woods out, and make Eve's life all the more difficult. Melzikiah would probably blame her for it again. However, logically, Eve had too admit that letting the girl out was their best option for her safety: If the Hawks were over run by the Crows, the girl was likely to murdered if she was found stuck up in a cell like a criminal. Besides, one more bow in their mists couldn't hurt their odds.
"Alright, fine, she can help," Eve addressed Bethany about the girl from the woods, "but I am not taking the hit for this when Melzikiah finds out. My head's on the chopping block already." Eve snatched up a stray arrow and locked eyes with the girl from the woods, staring her down. With he stink eye, Eve told the girl that she had better behave, or Eve would personally see her back to her cell, battle or no battle.
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Post by atlantis on Nov 23, 2012 22:17:40 GMT -5
Lucien
He mulled Lucas's plan over for a moment before nodding. "Not bad. We could use some more intel on their plans. And," he added with a snicker at Krieg's inflammatory reaction, "though it's unlikely you'll run into any trouble that can't be swiftly dealt with, I would advise caution. Ballack warned of enemy archers guarding the place."
Before the two young men had a chance to sweep away, he lifted a hand to stop them, though he hesitated even to do this. After all, despite being forced to work with Lucas, he still couldn't consider the boy a friend-- and he trusted his pet even less. But he had to say something.... "One last thing," he said. "If you learn anything about my son, will you let me know?"
He grimaced at the way the words came out. They were devoid of all his usual grandiloquence, cold and bare in such a way that reminded him of his own mortality. They made him sound weak and in the same minute he found himself concerned for Avan's safety, he also found himself hating his son for making him sound like a fragile old man.
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Post by Sovereign on Dec 21, 2012 22:01:59 GMT -5
Beryl walked rather swiftly to the King’s study. She heard Saudra limping behind her. The girl could barely keep up, but Beryl didn’t have time to worry about it. She had a nervous feeling in her stomach, as if she had already taken too long and the King would be anxious to get on with his plan. When she arrived at the door, she used an easily identifiable knock so that the King knew she was there and waited for him to allow her in.
Saudra limped frantically behind Beryl. It was all she could do to keep up with the woman. She was out of breath by the time she got to the door and tried to quickly recover it lest the King welcome them in and see this as a sign of weakness.
Malphas' night had been one of flying emotions. But it ultimately had turned out very well. He had been given his favorite plaything about. "Oh Saundra how I've missed toying with you." He says as he hears the knock telling him that his two most prized possessions, one stolen from his brother and the other from her very mother’s breast. "Come in" He says smiling.
Beryl entered the room and made a sweeping curtsy. “My Lord,” she said with her typical playful smile. “We have come just as you bid. We are here to hear what your plan is.”
Saudra had luckily regained her composure right before Beryl opened the door. She shuffled in after the older woman, closing the door behind her. She tried to mimic Beryl’s curtsy, but just ended up falling to the ground. With a blush she picked herself up, averting her eyes from Malphas.
Beryl looked back and glared at the girl when she heard the thump of the fall. Foolish girl! she thought to herself. Why Mal cares for her so is beyond me.
Malphas smiled at Saundra. "Don't avert your eye's my dearest." He walked over to her. "I understand how trying the past years have been." He gently removed a strand of hair.
"Beryl give me a report?"
The wounded girl looked into Malphas’ eyes. They looked oddly welcoming for how cruel a man she knew him to be. Her blush only deepened when he moved the hair away from his face. Maybe he’s starting to think of me more as a daughter than a toy she thought hopefully and with this thought she became even more willing to please the King.
A little fire of jealousy rose in in Beryl as she saw how nice Malphas was being towards Saudra. She fought it away from her face as he asked her for a report. She walked over to him and softly placed a hand on his shoulder, moving it slowly from one side of his back to the other. She hoped this gentle touch would remind him that she was enough for him and he didn’t need to be going after little girls.
“Nothing much to report,” she replied. “The servants have been carrying on their business as usual. None of the inner workings of the castle seem to have been too disrupted by the soldier's incompetence. Although.... one thing does concern me.” She paused as if thinking about how to phrase it. “Shadow Blade has been acting rather odd recently.”
Malphas eyebrow rose as this trash touched him. It excited him knowing only in that he knew that she rightfully belonged to his brother but here she was trying to entice him, she was used up trash.
"Shadow Blade has always acted strangely but he is the best at what he does."He left her standing there and walked over to his new favorite. "I told Beryl to give you a new name, what is it?"
“Zai,” responded Saudra, still embarrassed that the King was giving him so much attention, but she did enjoy it. She honestly wasn’t sure how to interact with this man. She simply clutched her crutch tightly.
Beryl felt a hard lump in her chest form as Malphas spurned her advances. She wasn’t use to this at all. Usually, the man was always all over her. Oh no! she thought to herself a little desperately. He’s not actually going to take the new girl as his mistress, is he? The plan was to just keep her around as protection. There’s no way I’m.. I’m being replaced?!
This thought filled her with dread and fear. Beryl had nothing without the Crow King. She had given up her whole life to him and no one else would take her in if the King rejected her. “Not even Melz would look at me,” she whispered to herself without thinking.
Malphas flew into a rage at the sound of his younger brother. He turned around and faced Beryl. "Of he wouldn't look at you, especially now, after being used up by me!" He wrapped his hands around her throat. "I thought you had forgotten him, but even now YOU STILL WOULD CHOOSE HIM OVER ME!"
Beryl felt the hands wrap around her throat before she realized what happened. She tried to protest, to claim she wouldn’t pick Melz. To explain that she only brought it up because of Shadow Blade, but all of attempts came out as gargled sounds. I’m going to die like this She thought to herself disbelievingly.
Saudra was alarmed by Malphas’s sudden change in mood, but there was nothing she could do. She shouldn’t have been surprised at all, having experienced the man, but his eyes, just a second ago, were so kind. Saudra felt a small bit of compassion towards the woman being choked, but there was nothing she could do for her, so she just stood their with her lips closed.
"If you ever, and I mean ever mutter that name again, I will let my Crows have you." He threw her across the room.
He smiled at her form crumpled on the floor as he walked slowly towards her. "And I don't mean my pets either. The men would really enjoy having some time with you."He squatted low to the ground and grabbed a handful of her hair. "I might just go ahead and put you with the men on the march. Zai will ride with me."
When Beryl flew across the room, she landed against the side of his desk. She felt an intense pain go through her back as the wind was knocked out of her. Then Malphas walked up to her and pulled her hair up. She looked up at him with tear filled eyes and said, “I’m sorry, my Lord! I didn’t mean it! Please! You know I’m loyal to you. I’ll do anything for you. I’ll do everything for you. Please, my Lord! I hate that disgusting excuse for a human as much as you do. I’d never, ever even consider looking at him again!”
He let go of her hair, her head falling back down. "I don't care, only reason I ever took an interest in you and was because you loved him." He smirked. "And how it'll hurt him if he finds out that you are just a whore for my men now."
"Zai, where do you think I should let this trash stay while we prepare?"
“My... my Lord,” cried Beryl desperately, as tears streamed from her eyes. She remembered all the passionate nights they had together. The first time she’d given herself to him, and now, after all these years where she was his only comfort on long nights, he was going to throw her out as trash. “Please!” She crawled over to him and grabbed his clothing. “I’ll please you in every way imaginable. Please, don’t cast me away from you!”
Saudra looked down at the woman begging for her life, and all the compassion she felt earlier was gone. It was disgusting. She could no longer hold her tongue in all this. “You disgusting whore!” she said in an outraged tone. “You know nothing of loyalty to the Crown. If the Lord says he’s done with you and he has use of you somewhere else, you go! All this begging and pleading means you don’t care for him at all. All you care about is yourself.”
She then turned her enraged eyes towards Malphas and said, “I say send her to the men now and have as many as possible pass her around or kill her. She has no use otherwise.”
"Good idea Zai but I think she should please the one she mentioned earlier. Shadow Blade has always been a good servant of mine, it's time he gets his reward."to Malphas walked to the the door and called in his guard. "Take this worthless whore to Shadow Blade . Tell him he can do anything he wants with her."
“Whatever you wish,” replied Saudra humbly. She knew better than to question the decisions of the King.
Beryl’s heart sank as Malphas sent her away. She knew no more pleading would help her and now she was going straight to the man that was the cause of her troubles. She would never have mentioned Melzikiah if he hadn’t brought the name up earlier, and with all the flirting they had done over the years, there was no way he would ever let her go and she could be with Malphas again. Her fate was sealed. Beryle let out a depressed sigh.
She walked, dragging her feet next to the guards who escorted her. This was perhaps the longest, most shameful walk of her life. Soon the gossip would get out, her reputation would be ruined and she would be no better than those girls that the soldiers brought back from the raids on towns.
All these thoughts raced through Beryl’s mind as she arrived at Shadow Blade’s chambers. With only a quick knock as warning, the guards opened the door and announced with a broad smile as they pushed Beryl into the room, “A gift from the King. He says you can do whatever you want with her. He is finished with her.” Then the guard slammed the door and left..
Beryl felt herself propelled into the room, but she lowered her eyes and didn’t look around. She knew the shame was showing on her face, but she refused to make eye contact with Shadow Blade. She didn’t want to have anything to do with him right now. After the guard left she said in a detached tone, “Whatever you’re going to do, just get it over with.”
Samson had been staring out his window when Beryl was pushed into his room. She looked like she had just went through the worst night possible. What the guards said shocked him.
He stood ignoring her words as he went and got a bowl of water and a towel. Coming back he kneeled and began washing her face.
“Wh-what are you doing?” asked Beryl confused.
"I'm washing your wounds, what does it look like Beryl."He dabbed the towel on a cut she had on her forehead .."What happened?"
Beryl looked at this man as if he was an alien. What was he doing caring for her and taking care of her? She studied his face for half a minute. It was the first time she had ever seen him without his mask. There was nothing malicious that she could see. He seemed genuine, open, as if he actually did care, and in that moment, Beryl had nothing to lose by trusting him.
“I mentioned Melz,” she said sadly as the tears began to fall again. “Because you had put him on my mind. I mentioned him right in front of the King. He banished me from his sight after that. He doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore. He-” she choked up a little at this part. “He said he would let the soldiers do what they wanted with me, but he gave me to you first.” Her tears came quickly now and Beryl was shaking in fear. There was nothing Beryl could do anymore.
He wrapped his arms around her. “Shhhh.” How could he have been so blind to the evil in the kings heart. “I’m sorry to have brought up Melz, but it wasn’t my words that made you mention Melz. And I’m sad to say, that the soldiers are going to be missing out.” He smiled.
Beryl was still shaking. The hug that Shadow Blade gave her was unlike anything she had felt in a while. It reminded her of when she was a child and the hugs her parents used to give her. Then she heard what Shadow Blade said at the end and asked, “What do you mean Shaddy? Are you going to get the King to take me back?”
“No.” He stood, slinging her arm over his back and helping her to his seat. “I’m saying that I’ve been denied pleasure for so long, I’ll have a lot of use from you.” He walked into another room.
“Oh,” she said a little sadly, but still a little hopeful as he walked away from her. She wasn’t sure what to do with herself. She looked down at the floor and twiddled her fingers. Shadow Blade was a mysterious man. She wasn’t sure if she could handle being his like she was Malphas’s. It would be very odd, but better than just being passed around by the soldiers. “I’ll try my best to be of use to you,” she said softly and unsurely.
As he re-entered the room with a cup of water in his hand he looked at her. “At least that will be the official story for now. You’ll be safe as long as I am ‘using you’.” He smiles as he hands her the cup.
“Beryl, I’ve done many things I’m not proud of, I will not add the rape of a woman to the list.”
Taking the cup gratefully, Beryl sipped the water. She listened to what he said and responded confused. “If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s not rape if it’s my job and I owe something to you. If you’re going to protect me from those men, it’s only my duty to service you.”
He looked at her, holding back tears. “Do me one service, find the woman you were before Malphas corrupted you and broke you.” He stood. “Beryl. Emerald. Constant Love and Beauty.”
“The woman I was before?” echoed Beryl with a blank stare at Shadow Blade. “That was,” She shook her head. “That was years ago, and I was childish and naive. I don’t think I could go back to that. I’ve done too much, seen too much. There’s not much of that girl still in me.”
“So you’ve tried to kill your only living relative?” He gently grabbed her chin. “Beryl, I see you as a younger sister. Look into my eyes and tell me if I’m the same man you knew a week ago.”
Beryl was confused by his statements, but looked into his eyes. “You’re right,” she said as she pulled her face from his. “I’d never seen your full face before, but your eyes look more... human than they ever did before.” She looked down at the floor now. “I noticed you were acting strange earlier, but... I don’t know if the same kind of change will be possible for me. Not if I have to pretend in front of everyone else.”
“What happened between you and Melzikiah?” He said bluntly. “What?” asked Beryl her eyes widened as she asked. She was taken off guard by the abruptness of his question. It didn’t seem to connect to anything they had been talking about. “You don’t already know? I thought... but the way you talked yesterday. It sounded like you knew.”
“I know the basics, tell me the full story. Please? It’ll be part of your service.”
Beryl shook her head and started her story. “I guess it starts when we were children. Melz and I, we grew up together being second children of lesser noble houses, no one really paid too much attention to either of us. Most of the time, we were pushed off to the side, but Melz always made it fun. We had great times together.” A small smile floated over Beryls face as she remembered, but then it faded.
“I was 15 when I realized that I had fallen in love with my best friend, but I didn’t didn’t know what to do about it. I tried all the games girls play to get guys to notice them. None of them seemed to work. I figured Melz was just oblivious or not mature enough to return my feelings, so I was going to wait until we were older.” She sighed. “My plan was crushed when he went away to the army later the next year. I had to explain to him. To tell him how I was feeling. To make him know that I would always wait for him, so on the night he was supposed to leave, I finally worked up the courage to tell him everything I had been thinking and feeling. He rejected me, brutally. He told me that night he could never think of me as anything other than a good friend.”
She shook her head. “That’s really all in the past though. There is no blood lost between Melz and his brother. If he knew about everything I’ve done,been through, experienced over the years, there’s no way he’d even want to be friends anymore.”
“You vastly underestimate that kind of bond. Anyway I have failed to introduce myself properly. I am Samson Blake.” He bowed.
“Samson Blake,” Beryl repeated to herself. “Is there any reason why you took your initials to make your pseudonym?”
“It was the late king’s idea, I am the first Shadow Blade to ever be in existence. He planned for it to be an esteemed position. But now he’s dead, my nephew would have taken my place without even knowing I was his uncle.” He looked at his hands.
“I will be the first and last Shadow Blade now, no one else will take this name if I have anything to do with it. It’s been stained.”
“I see,” said Beryl looking down at her feet now. She wasn’t sure what to do or where to go anymore. It just was too much for her. “Can I... rest?” she asked weakly, her face showing how tired she was.
"Sure you can use the bed." He says as he lifted her up and carried her to the bed.
“Thanks,” replied Beryl as she snuggled into Samson’s chest a little. She didn’t know what it was, but she could feel herself slowly getting attached to this man. He had been with her for years, flirting with her, but it was only now that she realized that she had some feelings developing for him.
He lay her onto his bed and pulled the covers over her. "Rest well for tomorrow we ride."
-Back in Malphas Chamber-
"Zai, I know you’re hurt but will you be able to ride with me tomorrow? " Malphas asked looking over at his most prized possession.
Saudra replied, “If you will for me to ride, my Lord. I will be able to. My health is fine.” But it was obvious that she was lying. Saudra didn’t look like she was fit to move farther than a few rooms, much less ride a horse.
“That’s exactly what I had planned.” He pointed toward a side chamber, “there is a bed there awaiting for you. You will sleep here tonight.” And with that he left her standing there.
Feeling the exhaustion overwhelming her, Sadura limped over to the room he was talking about. She soon passed out on the bed.
Malphas stood on his balcony looking over HIS kingdom, no one, no one would take it away from him. Every person in the kingdom would die before he let that happen.
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Logos
Full Member
Posts: 172
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Post by Logos on Dec 23, 2012 17:51:22 GMT -5
Cerys:
Cerys' delicate fingers danced back and forth across the harp strings, playing a soft, empyrean melody. The middle finger of her right hand touched the wrong string. Her lips pursed--the note didn't sound quite right.
"No dear, that's supposed to be an F sharp, Mairead said, pointing to a string next to the one Cerys had played. "Now try again, from the fourth measure." Cerys started playing again. "There, that's be--" the music teacher said, interrupted by the opening of the conservatory door. Jiada, Cerys' senior nanny entered, wearing a look of fear and confusion. She waved Mairead over, and they spoke in whispers. Hearing Jiada's words, she cast a worried glance toward Cerys. Cerys' fingers froze in place. They looked at her, then at each other, as if each was hoping to find an answer in the other's eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Cerys asked. Jiada opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out.
"...You've practiced enough for today. Why don't you go and play now? Take the next couple of days...for free time."
"Yes ma'am..." Cerys replied, rising from her stool. As she approached them, she saw shock and sadness in their eyes. Almost as if she had suddenly been transformed into a stranger and the Cerys they'd known was gone. "Please...tell me what is wrong. Maybe I can help." The two women exchanged another fearful look. Looking at Cerys again, Jiada's face softened.
"I suppose...you should know. I am very sorry dear. The King...the King has cast your mother aside. He's given her to Shadow Blade...to do with as he pleases...and taken a new Mistress." Cerys' face went white.
"But...why? Weren't they...happy together?"
"They were...in their own way... But not any more. The King...affairs of state have been weighing upon him and..."
"Has he rejected me too?"
"Please don't worry dear. Just...go and play for now...it will all work out." The woman's expression and the tremor in her voice belied her words.
"Yes ma'am," Cerys said, giving the women a curtsey before turning to leave. They looked at each other with mournful expressions.
"What do we do?" Mairead said. If they continued treating her as Malphas' daughter, and he reckoned her the daughter of a cast-off whore...or if they stopped serving her and he still wanted her as a princess...they would be severely punished, perhaps even executed. Or, they might have to watch as Malphas punished loved ones in their stead. Who Cerys was now depended entirely on Malphas' whim. It could even change at any moment. And who dared to go and ask him?
What do I do? Cerys thought. She'd walked down the hall and stopped at the first branching corridor, not knowing where to go. She could try to speak to her father...but he had always been far too busy for her, cool and distant even when he did summon her to appear with him on some occasion of state or other. Now? What would she even say? She'd always been told it was because he had to work so hard; that he loved her but didn't have time to show it. But more and more, she heard the hushed whispers...about mood swings and fearsome rages...of a king who was prone to go off at any moment like Alchemist's Firepowder.
There were other whispers too, worrisome speculations. Why didn't Malphas have a Queen? Why did he not seek to father and train up a son to reign after him? Was it that he didn't want anyone else to reign in his stead, ever? Did he think that, if he had a credible heir, his nobles might rise against him and install the heir in his place? Currently, his heir was...Cerys herself. But, she was a little girl, and the daughter of a mistress rather than a queen. Not a threat. Yet. She would not always be a little girl, and if the nobles wanted him gone badly enough... Is that why he's doing this? To get rid of me? She knew almost nothing about the intrigues of royal courts, but even in the histories she had access to there were stories about assassinations and coups, and she could feel tensions rising in the castle of late. Putting all of this together, trying to gain an audience with her father was a fearful prospect.
Her other option was to go to Shadow Blade's suite and try to plead for her mother's life. Shadow Blade. One of the Scary People she was supposed to stay away from, period. Her mother. A confusing nest of emotions. 'Lady' Beryl, she'd been told, needed to comfort the King and help him bear his heavy burdens, and keep the Castle running smoothly. So she too could not spend time with her daughter, though she dearly wished to do so. Cerys had never really gotten that impression from her mother though. Sometimes, Cerys admired the statuesque woman, dreaming of the day she'd finally be free to come and make up for a lifetime of missed love. Sometimes, she cried, sure Beryl had never wanted her and never would. Sometimes, she was angry; what had she ever done to make her parents hate her?
Cerys chose, and took off down the corridor on the right. A Princess should not run in the halls! Such had been drilled into her as long as she could remember. But now a life was at stake. She slowed to her fastest dignified pace when she reached the East Tower. It would not do to be gasping for breath when her mother's fate could depend on how well she presented herself. As she climbed the spiraling steps to Shadow Blade's tower suite, her heart hammered in her chest. What would she be interrupting when she reached her destination? The assassin could be carving Beryl's flesh already, or stropping his knife in preparation for the deed. Or doing...other things that grownups did that were only for grownups to know about. The guard raised his eyebrows in surprise at the sight of her. He opened his mouth, but like Jiada and Mairead, he didn't know how to address her.
"Please sir, may I request permission to speak with Lord Shadow Blade?" The soldier hesitated. Shadow Blade hadn't said that he was not to be interrupted on pain of some slow and gruesome death. But wasn't that the usual practice, when a man of power had a woman given to him? If anyone in the Kingdom could mete out a slow and gruesome death, it was the man on the other side of that door. On the other hand, the girl with the big sapphire eyes at least potentially out-ranked him, and Shadow Blade hadn't said...
Finally, he gave a couple of tentative knocks on the door. "Milord? Beryl's daughter is here. She...wishes to speak with you, milord."
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Post by Sovereign on Jan 2, 2013 0:01:22 GMT -5
Shadow Blade
He had just put the candle out in his bedroom and shut the door allowing for the physically and spiritually drained woman to rest. Lord, how am I to protect her and Toma both. I'm an old man. An old man who is feared almost as much as Malphas.
He smiled, HE was right. The Mask of Shadow Blade was feared everywhere, but he didn't know how much longer he could keep wearing the mask. He didn't want to but he had too.
*knock knock*
"Milord? Beryl's daughter is here. She...wishes to speak with you, milord." The guard outside informed him through the door.
Cerys? What was she doing here. "Let her in."
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Post by Sovereign on Jan 2, 2013 0:10:20 GMT -5
Toma
"The poison that was used on me is very deadly, unless the antidote is given. After the antidote is administered the poisons affect leaves almost immediately." He looked around at all of the men and women getting equipping themselves for war. "Considering the fact that you didn't let me die, you are not Crows. Plus the heraldry is wrong. You are Hawks. And the only reason you would mobilize with this most haste is... Malphas has found your nest and he's marching this way."
"You need me."
Benaiah
"Well we could use all the help we could get. Are you fit to fight?" With a nod from the stranger, Benaiah bowed. "I am Benaiah, please to meet you."
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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 Jan 2, 2013 2:09:47 GMT -5
Alaric
"The poison that was used on me is very deadly, unless the antidote is given. After the antidote is administered the poisons affect leaves almost immediately." He looked around at all of the men and women getting equipping themselves for war. "Considering the fact that you didn't let me die, you are not Crows. Plus the heraldry is wrong. You are Hawks. And the only reason you would mobilize with this most haste is... Malphas has found your nest and he's marching this way."
"You need me."
"Well..." Said Alaric, raising his eyebrows at the forwardness of the stranger. "Yes. We were hoping for every sword we can use." Alaric paused awkwardly, if a handsome, graceful, tall and blond warrior can be awkward. "That is, unless you use a bow, in which case you'll be shooting with Eve." Alaric surrendered bantering words and looked to Benaiah for affirmation.
"Well we could use all the help we could get. Are you fit to fight?" With a nod from the stranger, Benaiah bowed. "I am Benaiah, please to meet you."
Alaric followed suit, a little less formally, and inclined his head to the stranger. "And I am Alaric. You are...?"
Branson
Branson had seen the entire thing from his hiding place: the young archer girl being captured, Ben's abduction, and even two of his friends from the palace prison--the dark haired woman who had lost her necklace, and her charading boyfriend. Branson didn't know which one of them was more annoying. He supposed the woman was since she had caused the first offense, and she was still on her feet--the man had fallen off his horse in some ailment.
At the moment, Branson stood at the head of a Crow regiment, waiting for the signal to attack. True, Ben being captured was not part of the plan, but no matter. Soon he would be back in their mists, and the hawks properly disposed of. Not all of them though. Branson wanted to personally ensure that the escapees were put back where they belonged. It didn't seem hard. Though he couldn't see them, Branson could hear the bustle of the hawks as the scrambled to prepare for the looming battle, unprepared. The stench of fear was in the air.
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