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 Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:43 pm
The defensive walls were was coming along very well, and Bandi had left specific instructions enough to delegate authority.
Word had spread of his new instatement as a member of the council, and he was treated with more respect than he would care for.
In the meantime he was in a private tent that was allotted to him and carefully going through various documents such as detailed lists of provisions within the newly acquired base camp in case they would be in need to hold out their position, geological maps of the area, and blueprints of the city buildings.
He eventually came upon a blueprint of the temple.
"Nothing too special about this..." He sipped a bit of red wine when a loud crack startled him.
He dashed outside alarmed, only to find out that a group of children were playing sword fights with tree branches.
He smiled at his silly paranoia and re-entered the tent. Upon returning to his desk, he was devastated to find that he had spilled some of his wine and the red was seeping into the parchment.
"no no no no....." He sighed and quickly wiped the dregs with a nearby cloth.
He couldn't believe his eyes at What happened next.
The empty blank in the prints revealed a hidden chamber in the temple with the red of the wine. As the liquid evaporated, so did the chamber.
Bandi poured the wine in a bowl and wet the cloth with the wine, then ran it across the blank. As the secret chamber revealed itself again, he quickly copied the image upon a blank roll of parchment.
"This is surely worth an investigation..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:14 pm
The capital
Blake was surprised at the man’s action. She didn’t show it though as her face barely changed even when she was taken out of character. She said nothing to Daton, just a little nod, not that it would have mattered anyway as she was being pulled away. She did not want to dance with Dark but what choice did she had, most knew that she would fallow any and every direct order the man gave her. It was when orders were delivered to her that she had a hard time obeying. She had no way of knowing if the orders were true when they were delivered, so she often dd as she pleased. Pulling her mind to the present she found herself, her body against his and then the whole dancing thing.
She took his words into consideration, shrugged and did so. She didn’t mind leading, despite the fact that it was the man’s job when it came to dancing. However she couldn't help but think that he was up to something. Dark or even Daton were always capable of planning far ahead of her. She let out a small sigh but danced with Dark, however being this close would allow her to speak to him in a semi private situation. “you don’t like me” The statement was blunt and said devoid of anything but bluntness at that. However it was fallowed by a question “why?” she couldn't remember ever doing anything to the man before her, though she might have killed some of his men and just not remembered just an action.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:17 pm
Evan smiled at Ray's offer.
"I appreciate it. I'll make sure to take you up on that offer some day in the future. But for now, rest. We're stuck within rebel territory. I imagine we'll have to cooperate with their demands if they make any."
He watched as she exited his chamber and went back to change into a different set of robes. He was in a more official robe due to questioning the red headed rebel leader, but if he had no other official business, he was permitted to dress in something more casual.
He was now walking through the grounds, inspecting the damage.
Well, the lack of damage anyway. It seem the blond girl's barrier held out very well. But then again, so did every other civilian building...
She couldn't have shielded EVERY building... She had to concentrate to shield the temple alone... It would seem the rebels have more talent than he had given them credit.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:17 pm
The Capital
Dark spun with Blake, as Daton watched tilting his head like that of a child. He knew Blake wasn’t fond of this dance, but even Dark wasn’t sure how much Daton knew and planned in order to find out the truth behind things. Dipping Blake, he had begun to take the lead from her not on purpose but due to the fact he had become used to being in charge. Other lords and their wives had entered the floor and began to dance, their gowns flowing out from the ladies making rather a beautiful pattern of colors mixing around the two of them.
He glanced at Daton and in a moment understood a bit more of what Daton had planned for them to dance. Seeing his two Generals to dance together he showed that they were in a united front and were not scared of the rebel threat. “He is my Lord, I do as he desires.” Dark spoke spinning away from another couple, bringing Blake closer. He wasn’t sure why thought he didn’t like her, he was not fond of her method to subdue enemies, but for Dark he had seen enough to understand the difference in winning and a massacre. It wasn’t just that, Dark couldn’t afford to get close to people unless they were like him.
Those he loved died, he watched them get old and die, so he didn’t see a reason to keep company unless they were like him. Though the only people that he knew was like that, was Daton and Hokyo. “I do not hate you; I just have compassion for my enemy.” He said dipping her again, though was sure was beginning to hate being talked to like a child.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:37 pm
The Capital
Blake smiled, or well turned her lips into what she thought was a smile. She had easily given up lead, her learned manors were what she was using right now to function. Without her constant cloud of chill she was beginning to get a little heat to her skin, especially from dancing and from the other body that was beginning to mold to her own. “ I will tell you a secret” She looked to Daton, she too understood why they were dancing together, as well as she understood what she was to do here. “ I can not have compassion. The moment I begin to feel, I open myself up to love. I’m not like humans. I can not die from things like age or famine. Sure cut of my head I might die, never tried it, but no natural human cause will kill me.” She closed her eyes her feet moving without the need to loo
When she opened them a sad expression took over her face. “To kill a void, you fill it. If I ever know compassion, if I ever know love, I will die and that is not something I want to do.” They were comrades right? Surly Daton wanted them to bond in some way and know that they were such. So she would tell this man the way to kill her because he was her companion, because he was one of the five generals and because Daton liked him, or so it seemed. Blake was well into her sixties, maybe even seventies by now but she had stopped aging, it was because she was not human. As long as she stuck to her ways she could not die.
There were many things that she could not feel, such as pain or love but she was beginning to understand the concept of things like sorrow or joy. It was just hard because she was sure she didn’t these things either.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:59 pm
The Capital
Dark smirked a bit as he flung Blake out holding onto her hand, with his finger tips, and pulling her back. Her body falling into his hands, he had forgotten what it was like to dance. He had used to do it all the time. To be honest Dark remembered many times before twenty years ago, he was at least nearly a hundred years old by now, but only so much memory could stay in ones mind and since nothing interesting had happened until recently he knew that was why he only considered himself twenty. Well that along with his looks supplied that the Five Pillars were immortal demons.
He was a bit interested to find this out about Blake. Daton had begun to clap along watching those two; Dark could tell anyone else dancing didn’t interest Daton. When he first became a General, Dark would keep Daton’s attention by his number of dances with random women. Spinning Blake he pulled her back into him, which was odd for a dance stance, but his hands traveled her body as a woman. Spinning again he let go of her and caught her in a dip, his movement was like that of a snake. “Blake compassion for the human life doesn’t mean allowing your enemy to live; it simply means to remember when they are gone.” Dark spoke close to her ear, softly.
Daton sat on his throne; he was still the young man that had entered the room. Though he thought about transforming into a young man and taking to the dance floor as well, but he wanted to wait a bit longer. A sly smile spread across his face, one that seemed to confirm something that he had been questioning for a long time. Sitting back in his throne he reached waved for a servant and they poured him a glass of dark white wine. Spinning the glass he held it up and viewed the two dancing on the floor. His most trusted General. He wondered if he knew he had a child, after that woman had lied to them all.
Dark glanced at Daton again, and found the smile that was across the boys face was more of the older man that Daton knew. He was planning something; turning with Blake he took a deep breath. “Blake I don’t ask you to love anyone, not even I can do that anymore, but I do ask you remember those that you face. I have lived long enough to know that if I forgot those I slain I would lose whatever soul I may have.” He spoke carefully; he wasn’t sure what Daton had planned now. Though a sudden though appeared to him, and he couldn’t help but laugh a bit. “You’re seventy and I know of a hundred years that I can remember vaguely, so that means I’m older then you.” He spoke rather with a chuckle, he couldn’t help but feel it was a bad habit from Hokyo to laugh at small things.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:14 pm
The Capital
Blake stopped moving at the end of that sentence. She didn’t know why but a strange feeling had erupted within her. Anger? No it was to soft for anger but to sharp for any of the more gentle emotions. She pulled herself away, skin growing cold, though she did not release her powers. Her eyes closed slightly and her face looked almost as if she were in pain. Something he had said had hit her, cut her, sliced into the very fabric of her being, and it was not about age. “Dark, I’m not sure I have a soul.” But like that this party was over for her. He was like Hokyo, wither or not the man noticed it they were two of a kind.
Her hands moved to her chest and she took a few steps back. But not wanting to cause a scene she curtsied, her white, lacy and quite frilled dress bouncing as she did so. “thank you for the dance.” She bit her lip, a stinging sensation sprouted through her chest but she figured she could stop it now from spreading. The villagers, they had always said she had no soul, she had no heart, she would kill them all, she was evil. Perhaps that was why she had killed them in the end. When she straightened she felt the skulls of her parents chatter with the movement. She shivered as if they were judging her too.
The more she thought, the colder her skin grew, but she maintained control over her power for she would not lose control in front of Daton,she could not afford to do such a thing. She turned and bowed to the man before walking backwards towards the door. Her hands were shaking but held their position and she continued to grind on her lip till she drew blood, black blood. Her back hit the door and she bowed once more before turning to open it and make her escape.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:17 pm
Sci shook his head. He looked at the girl being half demon and injured from his current misfortune he had no right to be mad at her. Calming himself he spoke more kindly to her." My name is Sci Shimata.... and it it is nice to.... meet you Yunari. I am sorry.... I..... snapped at you.... Just because..... I am in pain.... doesnt give me the right....... to be angry. I may be a.......... half breed...... but my mother....... raised me better than that....... She probably.......... would have clobbered........... me if she heard....... me snap at a woman..... trying to help m.." She touched the wound between his ribs and he stopped talking but growled in pain like an injured wild animal. Sci stared at the ground a moment and breathed heavily as the pain lessened."Thank you."
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Ghostly_apparition Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:29 pm
Yune could only smile. That was a good start, he was a lot more friendly then she had anticipated, but when she watched him, he gave away where he was hurt the most by his expressions and such. ”I never knew my mother.” She announced as she moved her hands right along, the warm glow only increasing in size. ”But my sister practically raised me. She told me that those who grow angry and lash out, those are the ones that need help the most.” She felt the wounds begin to decrease in the amount and relaxed a bit. He was out of the danger zone, now it was just about the finishing touches. “so no worries at all and your welcome.”
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:42 pm
The Capital
Dark sighed in disbelief. She was a terrible scared child. Looking at Daton he noticed that Daton had changed to be a younger teenage. The man sipping on his wine, and the music slowed and ended for the first song. Clearing his throat so he could return to Daton’s side without causing a scene, but he stopped when Daton placed his hand up to grab everyone’s attention.
The room fell silent and a slim smile spread across Daton’s young face, his purple eyes playing with every person as though they were his puppet. “If I can have your attention, Lords and Ladies.” He spoke as a King would, show no concern for anyone but his own. Standing to his full height, he looked over the people in the room. “Tonight’s celebration is that for my dear General to choice in another sub-general into his ranks tonight, a rare case for him to pick his own.” Daton spoke and began to clap, followed by that of the room, but it soon fell silent again.
Dark starred at Daton, what was he planning. He could only recall a few times that he actually spoke in these things, but yet he knew he wasn’t done. Something was coming had happened when he had danced with Blake. He cursed inside of his mind, he didn’t like giving anyone an edge and yet he knew at current Daton held it.
Daton looked down at Dark, his eyes glittering with that like a child finding out a secret. “If you recall a few years ago, we faced the terrible lost of the Dara family within our ranks, however I have had news for a few months now about the chance of the young grandson of General Dara still lives.” Daton spoke with a cheerful manner, his eye still focused on Dark. Small conversation broke out among the people on the dance floor. “Though more importantly as many of you are aware we had no knowledge of the boy’s father, but with much research and digging I have found the man that will bring a new General to replace that of our late General Hokyo.” Raising his glass of wine he stretched it towards the ceiling and down across the room of people.
Though the glass stopped over Dark, at first some small laughter broke from Dark’s lips. He thought that his lord was kidding, he would not deny that he had relations with the woman, but so had Hokyo and a few other men. “The man that is Soma Dara father is our dear General Dark, as I’m sure this is a surprise to him as much as the rest of you lets toast our new found father, and in celebration I have sent out a few men to seek for his son.” Daton spoke with a large smile spreading across his lips, but the room was silent. Taking all of his wine from his glass he fell back into his throne.
Dark stood there for a moment, all the Lords and ladies starred at him. Then one of Blake’s soldiers began to clap and toast him. He had always figured that Hokyo had been the father, but now it made a more sense of those times when Hokyo would speak with her, he was guarding Dark, or was he guarding his son from Daton. Though why? If he had known he could’ve saved her and Soma would’ve been trained to be a General now. What did Hokyo see in Daton that he didn’t? He felt a glass of wine placed into his hand, by one of the ladies of the night and glanced at it. His own reflection starring back at him, the room was full of cheers and laughter and the celebration continued. He was a father.
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Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:59 pm
For what would be the second time tonight the woman froze. A son? But, no that couldn’t be right, Dark was suppose to be like her, alone, unable to love, unwanted by the rest of society, but he had a son? It was only then she realized the foolishness of even believing such a lie. It wasn’t that he had a son, no she could believe that, but that she could have someone like her. She was a void, as far as she knew there were no others out there like her and even Dark had someone else to look to. Blake took a breath and turned around. She mirrored the happy faces around her and even gave a bit of a bow “congratulations Dark, you will have your chance yet.” She was refurring to their conversation about loving someone. But she wasn’t going to out and say that, people would look at her funny.
And then she was gone, leaving the room and even the building itself. Once out side she allowed the suppressed energy to flow and the ground beneath her froze. Plants died, and even the trees became completely iced over. It was almost as if a storm had erupted inside her body. “Foolish child.” She spoke to herself in a darker voice, relaxing and allowing the plants to return by pulling her ice back. “traps will be set all around you. Learn to decode them or be swept up by the tide.” She felt the blood drip from her lip. She lifted a hand fast enough to catch the little black droplet.
Her voice softened and so did her fury. “Child, all you must do is learn to tame it, and that monster inside you will be no more.” Any who knew her, knew this was the worse time to come near her. The two voices represented those of her dead parents and that meant she was out of it at the moment, dangerous, much like a cornered and wounded animal.
Silence, how wonderful the sound and when she had it, her power was under control. Perhaps she was just a child. She turned and walked to the training grounds she had designated for her men. The only one she found there was Shin. She offered him a small smile and rubbed her temples “When the festivities end, I’m leaving. I’m going to request the hardest Lord Daton can give. Shin I will leave you in charge, should any one question you, kill them.” The man nodded and she left him alone. She needed to think.
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:04 am
Bandi arrived in front of the temple with a copy of the blueprints, complete with the secret chamber from the maps.
The biggest concern he had from this rebel attack was his worry of civilians. If ever there should be a retaliation from Daton's army, he would need to find a safe haven for the women and children to take refuge. Judging from the depth of the chamber and the thickness of the walls, this was just what he was looking for.
However, he wasn't sure what may lie in these chambers. For all he knew, there may lie traps within. He compromised this potential danger with his staff. But even with the plans of the temple, he wasn't sure if he would make it through the halls of the temple.
It was luck he thought that a priest happened to have been walking the grounds of the temple.
"Excuse me, Father. I was hoping to get a tour of the..."
Before he could realize what he was looking at, a flash of an image of a white haired man with bangs hiding his left eye overlapped upon the priest. It was accompanied by an odd feeling of familiarity, as if he was...a brother.
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:42 am
Evan heard the voice and turned around.
There stood a foreigner with a huge staff.
Much bigger than the one he used to carry he thought.
Wait, what? That can't be right... I only just met this man for the first time.
It seemed he wasn't the only one troubled by this encounter, for the other had a vacant expression as well, looking at him.
"Forgive my distraction, sir. What is it that you needed?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:08 am
Rena looked over at Soma as he was quiet and seemed to be thinking about whether he wanted to go shopping or to the inn first. She was busing keeping an eye out for strangers and how far they were till they got to the town. She thought about how things might go in the town with Soma and if there would be any trouble if the people notice who she is. But she didn't want to worry about it, if it happens it happens she would just make sure nothing would come to link with her to Soma. She didn't wish to cause him any trouble.
When he spoke about the inn she came out of thought and looked over to him with a smile "Then the Inn we shall go to first for a while so that you may clean up before we get some clothes for you" she said gently and smiled as her hair flew into her face so she gently brushed it out her face.
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:03 am
The Capital
Dark engaged himself in small talk about the festival. Though even he grew tired of this banter about his son, asking such silly questions he soon returned to the side of Daton. The young man had again turned into a small child, swinging his legs at the music. For the time Dark said nothing, in his mind Daton had to have his personal reasons to do it during the party instead of private. “Do you doubt me Dark?” Asked Daton glancing up at Dark his eyes full of question.
Dark sighed deeply, he still believed in the path he had chosen. “No, My Lord.” Answered Dark clearly and confident. He had decided to be by Daton’s side for as long as his body drew breath. The small boy smiled and began to hum, the wine glass in his hand freshly poured and even Dark found himself enjoying the taste of the clear liquid. “Be happy Dark, I have wondered this for many nights and it came to me that only you could be Soma’s father, he reminds me of you.” Daton spoke calmly taking a sip of the wine, leaving a bit in the glass.
Dark nodded in agreement. “When he is found I will give you a General that surpasses any you have seen.” Dark spoke taking a sip from his wine, looking out at the party. They were enjoying himself, celebration was a sign of a healthy Kingdom and kept people at ease.
Free Lancer
As Soma looked towards the small village ahead of them, he could see a rather large camp outside of the village. Though when he saw that the camp flew the flag of Daton, he pulled himself to walk slower; he didn’t make his opinion known though. As soon as they came up to the encampment, a soldier came running up to Rena. The man looked worn and not well kept, his breath was heavy and it took him a moment to catch his breath. “Lady Rena, we have been looking for you, we ….” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Soma, starring at the boy for a long time. “You found him?” Questioned the soldier, more of surprise then anything, as though he thought he might have been imagining it.
Soma didn’t say anything, what could they possible know of him. Though when the soldier took a knee in front of him, he jerked away in a bit surprise, the man extended his hand and touched Soma carefully. “Lady Rena, we were told to find this boy by Lord Daton, he also asked you forget all duty you had planned to help in the search.” The soldier spoke, amazed that he had really found the boy, he was rather calmer now. “Lord Daton has found his father and wants to see that the boy is returned to that man.” The soldier continued with his reasoning.
Soma almost fell forward, but caught himself. “My father? Who is he?” he asked his voice barely above a whisper. The soldier looked away from the child, in a disappointed manner. “Lord Daton refused to inform me of that detail, he said that when you returned to the Capital your father would be aware of your connection with him, we must return at once.” The soldier said with sudden quickness standing again. Waving at his men to pack up their gear, looking at Lord Rena he nodded. “My Lady, Lord Daton is demanding we all return, please do not upset him.” The man ran off, towards the tents to help and inform the other soldiers. Soma stood there, his hair covering his face entirely now, though you could hear a soft breath escaping him, as he attempted to hold back tears.
Red Rebels
Hokyo awoke, Ameena had finally released him. Sighing he stood and carefully placed the blanket back over the sleeping girl. Walking over to his desk he found that the papers were already written out waiting for him to sign. He smirked, of course the large man that done them while he slept. Going over to a large bowl, he dipped in his hands and splashed his face, slowly removing his black shirt and tossing it on the chair of the desk. Taking a towel he cleaned some of the blood that he still had under his clothes from his beating in the prison, he had left it to hide it from Ameena.
He began to hum, when he noticed that a soldier had entered his tent. The man was studying Hokyo, and Hokyo understood why. Before Daton had cursed him with that healing power, he had gained many scars across his body, even ones that he never could figure out where he had gotten them. Though the most impressive of these, was a large scar that stretched across his heart and the exit wound was on his back. He didn’t remember ever getting it, but it was simply something he came to live with. The soldier caught himself finally and glanced at the small girl. “We have just received a letter from the Capital, it is addressed to you.” The soldier said rather quietly. Holding the letter like it would catch on fire in a single moment.
Hokyo walked over and grabbed the letter, it was simply addressed to him. Though he knew in the back of his mind who might’ve written him, opening it he pulled out a single sheet of paper with neatly written words across it. The symbol of Daton in the lower left corner.
'Dear Hokyo;
How are you my dear General? I feel ashamed to admit that it would come to this. I have known where you were this entire time, with a man of your talent you could not simply sit on the side-lines. How long was it? Twenty years? I bet you still haven’t aged, in these two years. I fear this letter will be short, do you remember those days we used to play chess? I want you to think of it as that when you do me battle each time, I knew it was only a matter of time before you left my side, but if I am to acknowledge you as a equal to my power, then I want the man that played me chess. How Dark has missed you, not himself truly.
You will be glad to know that I have found Soma’s father? Though you already knew who it was, you kept it from me. What a sad fate this will become. When we next meet in person, answer me is it truly me you want to conquer? Remember I only acknowledge the strong, so make an army that can challenge me. Who will win you? The Red Blitz or My Grim Reapers? Let us find out.
Love Your Lord
Daton’
Hokyo growled in frustration, crushing the paper into his hand. Before he knew it caught onto a blue flame that engulfed his hand. It didn’t burn, it just simply smothered there for a moment and then a blue ring appeared around his forearm. A curse. He would have Bandi look at it later. The soldier seemed a bit shocked. “Are you alright, Sir?” He asked reaching out to touch the blue ring, and Hokyo stepped back. “I am fine soldier, when you get the chance please find Black Tortoise, until then you will tell no one of this letter, understand?” Hokyo spoke sharply, but kept his tone down in order to allow Ameena to sleep in peace.
The soldier nodded, and left the tent. Hokyo took a seat at his desk, and pulled some cloth from below it. Ripping a length of it, he placed it around the blue ring, to hide it from Ameena and anyone else that might question it. Sighing he kicked his boots softly, knocking them over.
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