-╪ Tuatha De Dannan ╪- [ Medieval Fantasy / Steampunk ]

[Cheshiyre]

Even in these tremulous times, the view from the Archangel’s tower was breath taking. The majestic Cathedral of the Paladin’s Rod was an island unto itself. Comprised of tall ivory spires rising towards the heavens, its graceful form silhouetted against the fading horizon beyond the sea. From arches adorning the walls, small glistening waterfalls cascade down to join with the rippling waters of the island’s shores. A single long strip of land joins the isle with the world beyond, greeted by the luscious emerald waves of the dense forest canopy encircling them.

The Archangel’s tower, the crowning jewel of the Cathedral, was built with a view that would impress even the gods themselves. And yet standing there on the balcony, Gabriel’s eyes could not register the beauty surrounding him. Although the peaks of the western mountains sought to disrupt his view, the Archangel knew the answers he so longed for were somewhere far beyond that rocky pass.

How long are we to play this game? The saddened words whispering in his thoughts were tempered against a bitterness Gabriel could feel struggling to emerge.

How long am I to wait.. Johannes?

But no answers came. No offers of distraction. Not even the rustling of the forest below could be heard from the highest spire in the Cathedral. Nothing but simple, unyielding silence.  

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Quiet footfalls and the sound of rustling cloth marked the metered steps carrying the Angel of Redemption up the glittering steps to the Archangel's personal quarters. Dark-coloured eyes barely noticed the subtle finery of the adornments, the understated beauty of the hand-carved stonework, or the magnificent scenery laying just outside the arched windows. After all, Uriel had made this same journey many, many times before. A faint smile of sincere appreciation did cross his chisled features as the tapestries flitted past his field of vision, however, a certain pride swelling within his breast as the images so carefully embroidered told the tale of his Order's past. He had been born and raised on the stories of those images, and the power of their messages and the dignity of their sacirfice still sang to him as strongly this day, as they had when he was first recognised as one of the Order's rare Angels.

Pausing at the great oaken door, his hands absently drifted over his midnight-coloured cassock, smoothing away wrinkles and imagined lint; the Archangel was worth such small details. With a faintly deep breath drawn in, then purposely exhaled to calm his thoughts, he gave an authorative nod to the two sentries standing aside those heavily-engraved doors. One of them marched towards him with deliberate purpose, and gazed intently into his features: they knew him well, but he highly approved that they attended to their duties so thoroughly, ceremonial or not. After the careful scrutiny, the guard stepped back, and nodded to his fellow, permitting the dark-garbed shadow to drift between them as his fellow pulled the heavy handle, allowing him through the portal.

Dark eyes swept unconsciously across the stately room, paying little heed to the simple yet tasteful adornments stowed about the place, instead focusing momentarily on the suit of armour still on it's stand in the corner near the armoire, the shield and sword that would be accompanying said armour settled neatly on their wall-mounts nearby. "Good," he thought to himself, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. "He is still resisting the urge to chase Johannes and his.... heretics... down himself."

It only took a moment more for that intense gaze to settle on the figure standing outside on the balcony, before quietly metered steps took him towards the Archangel. Pausing a few short steps behind Gabriel, he offered a slight bow to him, one clearly intended to indicate respect to the first amongst a group of equals. After a long moment, he murmured his greeting softly in his well-trained, brandy-smooth baritone voice.

"Lord Gabriel, as you have requested, I have returned to the Cathedral from the field. How may my Order serve the Paladin's Rod?"

 

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

"Lord Gabriel, as you have requested, I have returned to the Cathedral from the field. How may my Order serve the Paladin's Rod?"

Retreating from his thoughts, Gabriel diverts his attention to the Angel addressing him. Uriel was one of only a handful that were permitted into Gabriel's chambers to report to the Archangel personally. The man's devotion to him was unquestionable, and right now Gabriel was counting on it.

"I am pleased to find you well, Brother" The Archangel told him, gripping Uriel's shoulder firmly in greeting, "I know the field can be a trying experience. What news have you brought me?"  

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

On the plains, there is often a consistant wind, swelling and fading at it's own whim. That very wind swirled smoke across the battlefield that had begun the day as a farmer's market, dancing it around people like some malignant sprite, bringing rough coughs from some, making eyes well with tears almost universally. Drifting through the wreckage and smoke, armoured men and women were doing their best to render aid to the traders that had been caught in the crossfire, and offering whatever succor they could to the combattants found still bearing life, be they of the Fist, or of the Rod.

A particularly vigorous gust swirled the smoke fitfully about a slender figure at the farthest edge of the field, swirling her midnight-coloured hair about her like an even darker-shaded cloud of smoke. Unfortunately, the tears cascading from slanted violet eyes were not from merely the smoke, for the pale blue features they traced across were as bitterly sad as her body-language, from the droop of her shoulders, to the almost absent-minded way she cleaned the long, engraved blades that hissed home into their sheathes at her side. From first glance, it was difficult to tell which side of the battle she'd been on, for her lightly-armoured robes were clearly of origin from within the Paladin's Rod, and all but the colouring of them indicated that of a Cardinal. Closer inspection showed, however, that the symbols marking her Order had been meticulously stripped away... and the body at her feet still bore those emblems on his slashed and burned uniform.

Once the last curved blade had been settled, she slowly settled to her knees beside that fallen form, placing a long-fingered hand over his heart. "Rrest easy, Chrristof... zere iz surely a place forr those who died with such honour as you amongst ze starrs..." Her heavily accented words rippled with a sad sincerity as she gently settled the soldier's hands across his chest. Slanted eyes closed for a long moment as she offered her prayer to the gods, then a soft sigh escaped as she slowly rose to her feet. Peering across the battlefield, those violet orbs sought intently for a particular man as dancer's footsteps carried her through the wreckage of the farmer's market.

 

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Minai chan

"I am pleased to find you well, Brother" The Archangel told him, gripping Uriel's shoulder firmly in greeting, "I know the field can be a trying experience. What news have you brought me?"

The smile Uriel offered in return to the Archangel's greeting held equal parts grim success and endured weariness as he shook his head faintly.

"I wish the news were all good, Lord Gabriel, but... well, I shall start with the good. Our scryers have successfully located the item we placed on our departed Brother, and after activating it, they have assured me that the odds of him noticing it are almost non-existant. We can find him at any time.

"However... the scryers have also told me that there was a battle... recently... where the tracer is located. Apparently Johannes and his heritic harlot encountered one of our patrols outside a village, and things went... poorly." As he said the last, Uriel's features twisted in what could only be a hint of fanatic hatred...

 

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

"I wish the news were all good, Lord Gabriel, but... well, I shall start with the good..

At the mention of their departed Brother, Gabriel turns towards the west again. Resting a hand upon the ivory ledge, a rather pleased expression softly touches his features as he listens. As the last few sentences are delivered, Gabriel glances back to Uriel in faint surprise.

"Heretic harlot?" A patient smile forms upon Gabriel's lips. "Be wary of your thoughts my friend. Handing out such titles is hardly befitting of an Angel."

His attention remains with you even as he shifts to look out onto the land once more. Placing his hands behind his back, he laces his fingers together. "Do not allow your dislike of the woman to lower your standards. Do not forget the Lady Asmyrra was once one of our own. It could be that, like our brother, she is simply allowing her compassion towards the mortals to rule her actions. Misguided as it may be, it will be of little importance soon enough. Once Johannes has returned to us, her loyalty will prevent her from disobeying him."

Reversing his stance to face you, Gabriel speaks with a proud conviction. "Furthermore, when they return they will have vital information regarding our enemies. I am certain their repentance will mark the fall of the Iron Fist, allowing us revert our focus to the true threat at hand."  

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Minai chan

"Heretic harlot?" A patient smile forms upon Gabriel's lips. "Be wary of your thoughts my friend. Handing out such titles is hardly befitting of an Angel."

Muscles in Uriel's jaw shifted faintly beneath the skin as he listened to Gabriel's words, the only outward display of the sudden hot flair of anger. After a moment, he offered a faint shake of his head before replying.

"...you know I would never disagree with your words anywhere but here, Lord Gabriel... but you also know what my opinions are of that... woman." His soft voice twisted that final word into something dark, twisted... and personal. "Her heathen rituals and unshakable belief in that foolish idea of Karma above even the Gods themselves marked her as a heretic. But even you must agree that our brother was far more reasonable before that... woman... began her whisperings in his ear. Adept as a field commander she may have been, but is that worthy of the appointment to the rank of Cardinal? Her loyalties could be so unshakable to Johannes for reasons that are less than... appropriate..."

The last of those words weren't murmured with the typical insidiousness that a casual gossip-monger may have employed. Instead, they were murmured with a much more sincere conviction... and concern.

 

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Peering across the battlefield, those violet orbs sought intently for a particular man as dancer's footsteps carried her through the wreckage of the farmer's market.

Amidst the wreckage lies a pile of charred remains of what once may have been a merchant stall, reduced now to kindling, the breeze still coaxing the embers to glow softly. Johannes kneels close by, eyes closed, his hand pressed against the forehead of the limp body of a man. Several ebony locks have fallen against his cheek, his face bowed as he murmurs a prayer for the departed farmer.

Bringing the prayer to a close, Johannes gazes down upon the poor man. The hand touching his forehead shifts to the man's eyes, he closes them for the last time. "Be at peace, my friend."

Slowly Johannes rises to his feet and scans his surroundings. Remorseful lines weight heavily upon his smooth features. He pauses as his scrutiny reaches the eastern glade, wondering once again how such needless loss of life could possibly be justified. These people were not part of our quarrel, his thoughts projecting to the man he knows to lie beyond that eastern horizon. What do you hope to gain from this?  

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Minai chan

Bringing the prayer to a close, Johannes gazes down upon the poor man. The hand touching his forehead shifts to the man's eyes, closing them for the last time. "Be at peace, my friend."

After a long moment of searching the wreckage, those slanted eyes finally found the individual she was seeking. Careful steps, still bearing a willowy grace despite her weariness, traced through the smouldering debris and the fallen victims as quietly came to stand beside Johannes. Glancing in the direction Johannes's gaze was aimed, she offered a soft sigh before dark lips parted, trying to gently gain his attention.

"...I was naut expecting to be killing those zat I trrained with, naut long ago... especially overr food. We may need to trry ourr handz at hunting forr a time, rrather zan rrisk anozer encounterr with a patrrol..."

 

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Her loyalties could be so unshakable to Johannes for reasons that are less than... appropriate..."

The last of those words weren't murmured with the typical insidiousness that a casual gossip-monger may have employed. Instead, they were murmured with a much more sincere conviction... and concern.

Gabriel's silvery eyes narrow with indignation, a slight chill entering his tone as he replies. "Whatever Asmyrra's motivations towards Johannes may be, I am certain our Brother's heart remains true to our cause." Though masked well from his features, the agitation in Gabriel's step is clear as he moves passed Uriel and into the depths of the sitting room.

Inside, the Archangel manuevers to a small table and fills a glass from the wine bottle resting there."It would behoove you in the future to avoid making such implications in my pressence."  

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

"...I was naut expecting to be killing those zat I trrained with, naut long ago... especially overr food. We may need to trry ourr handz at hunting forr a time, rrather zan rrisk anozer encounterr with a patrrol..."

Diverting his attention to the familiar voice, Johannes nods softly to her. "Time consuming as it is, I think you're right.." his somber tone matching his expression as his gaze lowers once more to the body lying on the ground before him. "This never should have happened."

Glancing around them, he briefly takes a head count. "Find out if there are any high ranking Paladin's Rod amongst the bodies. I doubt there will be any notable commanders, but if by off chance there are the Order will come for them. That means we'll have less time to do what is necessary."

Stepping around the body, he maneuvers through what is left of the battlezone. "The group we hit were only resuppliers. That means there is a larger herd of them somewhere near by. We'll need to move out quickly. I would really prefer to avoid another clash with the Order today."

Catching sight of a small group gathering the wounded, he watches them for a moment before continuing. "There seems to be more of them still standing then usual," he muses to you quietly, a thoughtful and perhaps suspicious tint to his words, "When did surrender suddenly become such an attractive option?"  

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Minai chan

"It would behoove you in the future to avoid making such implications in my pressence."

Dark eyes widened faintly at the implication of Gabriel's words, a faint look of consternation replacing the anger so easily stirred to flame by the thought of the betrayal. As Gabriel swept past him, Uriel turned quickly, his tone of voice quickly shifting to apologetic, but still resolute. "Gabriel, you know I make no aspirations against the honour of our brother... instead, I voice this out of concern... and perhaps fear. I know the two of you were... close... but I ask you, please... hear me out."

Not waiting for an answer, he quickly followed Gabriel inside, and stood across the small table from him, his eyes gazing intently into Gabriel's as he continued to speak.

"We are living proof that the gods exist, my Brother, the symbol to the whole world that we have divine providence on our side. But you have personally said that the Beast is also divine, and I agree fully. But I ask you this: What is the Beast? A punishment for humanity's immorality, yes? And a divine being, as well? Ask yourself this, my brother and Lord: If the gods placed us here to defeat the Beast, what is to stop the powers that created the Beast from sending a similar counterpoint? One that believes in some ideal of people... how did she say... "Getting what they have coming to them...?"... over the powers of the Paladin's Rod's patron pantheon?" The quietly fierce tirade drifted to an end, leaving a palpable tension in the air as intense as the gaze Uriel fixed onto Gabriel's eyes...

 

[Cheshiyre]

Urban Thorne

Minai chan

"When did surrender suddenly become such an attractive option?"

Maneuvering with an absent care to avoid stepping on those fallen, Asmyrra drifted through the field behind Johannes, slanted eyes gazing sadly over the carnage. "Prrobably when zey rrealized who zey werre fighting... I trrained with some of those fallen on ze field, and zey know we do naut kill wit'out need..."

"I would say zis waus a norrmal peace-keeping patrrol, but... zerre have been too many of zem, of late. Nau officerrs beyond what belonged in such a squad, but also light on ze rration side... zey werre going to rresupply somewherre near. I think ze Orr--.. ze Paladin's Rrod has mobilized morre of ze arrmy, Lord Johannes..." Slanted eyes drifted over the field once more as they slowly began to make their way towards the prisoners, she offered a faint shake of her head, the heavy accent taking on a more brisk note.

"I will get everryone rready to move at ze soonest, of courrse... do we wish to bo'der with trrying to forrage... and what do you wish done wit' ze prrisoners?"