Gone's the wisdom Of a thousand years A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon's eyebrow lifted. Compared to all that shone, prestige was never quite as tangible. On the one hand, stories themselves could be easily fabricated, and this of itself was another form of deceit, but for them to be believed, they needed to be founded in some form of reality.
"Prestige, hm?" The dragon began to ponder. He tapped the folded paper against his fingers and then lowered it to the table without quite releasing his hold on it. "Then... if you are to enter just to gain prestige, would it satisfy you to have tales of infallibility on the field? If you manage to win each fight your banner is seen at, then the fearsome prestige of victory would follow your house."
If this suited the count, he would have a better idea of how to proceed. Part of winning a war was knowing how you wanted your battles to go, which ones to win, and which ones to 'lose' or to retreat from. Battle theory was not for everyone, perhaps.
Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I better keep it safe
Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:35 am
✺
Forgotten Son
EC: 100
"This is true..." At this the count finally leveled his full attention on the crystalline dragon. "Sounds as though you have something specific in mind..." His eyes seemed to narrow in a way that didn't seem possible for the man having a breakdown just a bit ago. If it was someone else, the count's stare might have burnt a hole right through the dragon. He leaned back, motioning with his hand for Xerseis to continue.
Gone's the wisdom Of a thousand years A world in fire and chains and fear
"There are a few different options." The dragon casually began to move the torn page pieces off of the map. He would make use of these after he had gathered them together into a loose pile. He felt the heat from the glare, but he was seasoned enough with interactions to be decently acquainted with how to respond despite disapproval. He could stare down his king, if he so desired, but why test that theory now?
"You could send your men to specific battles. Easy ones that catch your enemy off guard. Sweep them underfoot and leave your flag, thus stating yourself as victors." The dragon moved the page he was using aside and picked up a few of the paper pieces. He drug the quill across one side and set it aside. The process was repeated. "On the other hand, a more covert method would be merely to let the battle be fought and leave a banner in place. Yet another method simply involves letter being exchanged by captains to each other, making note of the excellent fighters of Titania."
The marked paper pieces began to move across the map, deliberately placing them along thinner trade routes and small forts.
Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I better keep it safe
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 9:23 pm
✺ Forgotten Son
EC: 100
Excellent fighters, mm? Right...
"Then would you say it would be a worthy investment?" The count seemed to give himself away at the prospect of profit; the glint in his eyes was the same fire that coated his wings when he landed on the duke's obscured territory just over a year ago. The sound his rolling pen made--back and forth, back and forth--was like the churning of his businessman mind.
"My friend, you have the best mind for this type of thing," said the count somewhat suddenly and almost too surely to be believed--"war, that is, and I wouldn't have it any other way." He tapped his cup with that old pen again. "Let there be no misunderstandings... What does the duke of dragons need from this son of Ethe?"
Gone's the wisdom Of a thousand years A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon braced his elbows on the table and over the map that was between them. He heard the empty glass shift somewhat. Its gentle ring betrayed its empty status. How long had it been empty? Well... he hadn't bothered to get a new glass or to refill it, it seemed. In any case, they had business, and though he already had a few drinks, he wanted his mind clear when he worked and talked plans and business.
Of the two of them, it was fair to say that Xerseis was more suited to battle strategy. He felt that it was a side-effect of having been a citizen of Phoebos. Though, Xerseis couldn't deny that there were skills and talents that Dixon had that were envious. The capacity and ability to rally the crowds of common men under his banner? To champion improvement, art, and technology? The science despite the recent disasters? Most impressive.
But yes, they were here now to talk business. Like the sensible folk they were. The dragon smiled slightly. "Your alliance is something impressive, and will undoubtedly be worth keeping in the long run. However the fight the emperor wages ends, I hope to find a stronger people left behind. For the short term, any slice of the loose coin will suffice. A knowledge of how you intend to move your soldiers will, of course, limit the chance of friendly fire."
Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I better keep it safe
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:40 pm
✺
Forgotten Son
EC: 100
Did they have a firm base? Yes, as sound as it could be. Did it matter at the time? Not that the count could see. Soft nods began Dixon's agreement to the deal. "Likewise, I'm sure. Your forces have served me well in the past." The mysterious dragon always did know how to appeal to Dixon's taste for sharp business. He spread his fingers over the map.
"...Then I will show you exactly what my aim is." The curtain met the ground with a muted thud as Dixon drummed his index against the lands known to belong to the... "Guzul tribe. Our sentries have sighted them around our borders; it's only right to assume they've been responsible for some of the raids on the fringe villages in Titania..." His eyes narrowed again as his aura seemed to coil up around the small desk.
"I want to eradicate them. We do not have room in this world for barbarians." He seemed to trust that Xerseis would agree. "No doubt you will want the land--yours is the lion's share--but just grant me the satisfaction of leading one campaign through it. After I'm done, the honor will be mine to see the rest of the war out with my comrades. Through it all, the easy battles will keep our moral high." He lifted his attention to the duke again. "I'm sure the king will be pleased to hear Titania was strong enough to help decimate this thorn in your side."
Gone's the wisdom Of a thousand years A world in fire and chains and fear
The dragon paid lose attention to this information that was being shared with him. Tough, the target was far from their more civilized neighbors and instead had been turned to the barbarian tribes. Xerseis was mildly surprised by this, yet as he considered and thought about it, it only made perfect sense. They were the current threat to Titania, and it was the count's duty to protect the people on the land he oversaw.
As for the king, the dragon was less certain of his opinion of the tribe, and he heard rumors now and again, but unless he verified them, he wouldn't be able to say if this move would help or hinder his work. On the other hand, eliminating those who were raiding the fringe villages... yes, this could be done. It need not be genocide, of course, but enough force would dissuade the sensible from retrying the strategy.
The phrasing the count chose earned a humored smile from the dragon. "I don't think I've ever heard you use such harsh language before... unless, of course, it referred to our respected emperor."
The dragon's stance in the chair relaxed and he leaned back as he looked across the table once again. "I believe my king will be most pleased to see any form of practical strength being used. There have been too many weaklings and fools in power as of late. Warriors grow tired of such idiots."
Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I better keep it safe
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:56 pm
✺
Forgotten Son
EC: 100
"Maybe so," said the count, "but I mean everything when I say our state will flourish no matter the opposition." The way he said it was as whimsical as a shooting star wish, and it was perhaps this convention that betrayed the level of his conviction. What the dragon said next pleased the count a great deal. So there was sense in them after all... --if he'd relied on the Solidon description of the duke's nation he should go on thinking they were barbarous brutes! Thankfully this was not the case.
"Brilliant," clapped the count, barely above a whisper in controlled ecstasy. "Then I believe we can attain our goals fairly easily. Certainly won't be as difficult as the revival effort, mm?" Dixon's face was laughing without cracking that trademark smirk. He rose, showing his palm to one of the servants in such a way as to signal an escort for the dragon. "It's been a wonderful talk, old boy, but I'm afraid I've grown restless; what better time to start the chase than right this minute?" On his way out, the phoenix turned one last request over to Xerseis: "Do write, hm?"
With that bit of business squared away, the count saw that he was running behind on another appointment he had that day...
Immediately he gathered up a light kit and left for the City of Ashes. The place they called the Cold Mountain.
Sure as the night was broken each morning by day, the count would come to hear a summary of the events of the peace talk. The idea of it put an itch on the man's neck to begin with, but the details of the points there covered were what really ate at him.
Pacing, drawing up a curtain of dust, the man known to some as Dixon Titanus and, why not, to others as the rabid wolf of Etelan, was churning the situation over and over in his mind, trying to set things right. What changes were going to be made to adjust for this gross oversight? The answer had the visual form of a house full of staff that seemed to have more speed that balance.
Every which way there were maids and butlers, trainers and farmhands, falling about like heavy slats of wood at Dixon's sword practice. Yelling seemed to be in better supply than thinking all that night, but the count seemed determined to place himself above this problem. Truthfully, he hadn't felt so energised since his battle with the goddess; whatever was good for Ethe, he would decided when a moment of peace was his, that was the home of his strength.
By the morning the two most ready allies to his lands were contacted--those being Roland Bellris, former Prince--current Prince in Titanus' eye--and the Duke of Phobos by the name Abava Ali Xerseis--to touch base and confirm what had happened. He'd heard nothing of their attendance, and this did worry him a little. Perhaps they found themselves similarly busy as he? That would make for a more convenient explanation, but it would no more solve the issue of informing his sympathizers--dare I say, his partners?--when he himself had nothing by secondhand information. The wringing of hands could almost be felt in the carefully chosen words laid out there for their discerning eyes. Oh, how he wanted his friends in progress to stay close!
A letter was also penned to Herod Letho the king, whose honor Dixon would actively train to attain for his own character, the princess... emeritus Esther Drosselmyer, whose passion and fiery disposition lent itself to defense as much as her devotion to self-autonomy and the freedom that required, whose love was no less mentionable than it was proper to speak of, and the new queen of Zalto Mrs. Elentiya Llewellyn, whose temperament was the gentleness and patience he'd also like to see more of in his own rule... someday.
These were all invited to a lovely, relaxed, but no less important luncheon with the count at his estate in Titania. In the center of the state, it was well guarded, and the Skyway would make the trip scenic and quick. Any of them would find they were greeted with nigh fanfair as they crossed the border by Dixon's troops. He could not control Chusi's soldiers, but would apologise if any of them had harassed them nonetheless.
And so, table set in the shade in his garden, tea ready, the count and staff waited to welcome they prestigious guests to his home.
Gone's the wisdom Of a thousand years A world in fire and chains and fear
The draconic lord flew with a great amount of ease on this day. His large wings cast light in all directions and went before him as he began to land. Upon touching down, the scales reflected the golden sun and made the beast seem almost amber.
He walked closer to the main doors and shed his scales, allowing himself to step forward. For all appearances, he was well-kept, and the smile on his face suggested that he was in a very good mood.
It was always a pleasure to grace the lively lands of Count Titanus.
Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I better keep it safe
The table had been set--round, small enough to be cozy without everyone's knees clanging into each other--under the gazebo with modest but well-placed adornments: a lovely white and filigree lacey cloth draped over it but allowing its rich, dark wood to show, flowering vines in the white, red, and violet of the Titanic flag, cut fruit strewn about in the yard at a distance so that the aroma would reach the group but not the gnats--the little things. The count had been writing there in accordance with the image he'd made for himself recently of that prince of scholars: head down, eyes serene in their occupation, hands communicating at odds with each other from across the breadth of his chest. It was a small delight to see the first of his guests to arrive was the duke of Phobos.
"So good of you to come!" They hailed him with their uniforms and smiles donned for the day. "Always such a pleasure to have you at the estate." A short, round man snapped his fingers and summoned those who would see to Xerseis needs, whatever they were. Once he was ready, they bid him follow to the garden where the count, thanks to Bernard, was waiting with two cups of breakfast tea on the table. He would not turn around to meet his gaze, but he was sitting very straight.
"The master has been anticipating your return, good duke," confirmed Bernard, standing proudly at the opposite end of the table, ready to pull out a chair for the resplendent dragon. "Do let us know if anything can make your time here more enjoyable." A quick but reverent bow, and the old butler was off. The rest seemed to scatter with him.
And it was just the two of them. "Terribly sorry, old boy," smiled the count with some apology, "for the short notice, but I am sure you know just how urgent the state of things is..." Hands to bridge flat on the table before him, the count looked as though he might start commanding an army; instead he sighed. "I do hope all is well on your end so far."
The Queen of Zalto had found it difficult to loose her physician this time around like she had when she had gone to attend the meeting. So the strange creature that she was flew though the sky with a scaled body and feathery wings until she landed just outside the residence of Count Titanus, her physician, a stout young woman with salted black hair and a very pronounced skislope nose landed beside her, changing into her human form from a tiny orange dragon.
Elentiya would smile softly at a guard and would give her name. She had left her long blonde hair loose today, the sun would be good for the lightening wash that she used every morning, it would help to keep her hair at its pristine color "Please tell Count Titanus that Queen Llewellyn has arrived and do inform him that I apologize for not sending notice of my acceptance of his invitation prior." she said, and then she would wait.
It was a very short wait from the time her request was made to the time the staff at Titania had sprung into action. With the reflexes to satisfy royalty, a deeply reverent bow was Elentiya's as the sky was made into a quilt by the coming of patchwork clouds. Hand to chest, the staff member charged with answering the door was nearly ninety degrees before coming to meet the queen's gaze with a smile.
"Your excellency," he said in a soft but resonant voice, "the master will see you in the garden. If you wouldn't mind following me, I shall escort you."
And so the queen would come to meet the count. He looked as though he had already been partway into an interesting exchange with the duke of Phobos Abava Ali, called Xerseis by those with ears for reputation/rumor. Dixon had positioned his chair to face away from the entrance to the garden, perhaps to take in the splendor of spring in his sanctuary; however, it did carry the side-effect of each new member of the assembly's arrival coming to him as a pleasant surprise.
The count's face seemed to burst with new light as the queen's presence was made known to him. He nearly stood, hovering from his chair by several inches as a crane's beak arm swung out in gesture that was both bowing and showing Elentiya her seat. "Your grace, it is so good to have you! Please." No sooner than Dixon had finished his welcome was Bernard ready with the queen's seat, pulling it out and holding it with a smile. It seemed to be more cushioned than the other chairs.
Gone's the wisdom Of a thousand years A world in fire and chains and fear
"No trouble at all." The dragon lord gave a nod to acknowledge the servants that had brought him to the courtyard. He moved to a chair and lowered himself comfortably, ready to enjoy the tea that had been prepared. "According to the news, all is well in Phoebos, and as long as that is public knowledge, I have no reason to complain."
He chuckled to himself and was about to make himself comfortable. However, at the arrival of the queen, he stood again and afforded are respectful bow. "Your majesty."
He noticed that Bernard was ready with the seat, and so he returned himself to a his seat once the queen was seated. "It is an interesting situation, yes... with the political environment, the change in the season, the way trade routes are only beginning to open up through Bellris and Lionis again, slowly working to convince those working for me that the end of the world is not nigh... Things of that nature steal hours from my sleep."
He lifted a teacup and moved a single sugar cube into the brew. "Now, whenever you are ready, good count, we can see about how we will handle the state of things."
Leads me to a place so far Deep down it lies my secret vision I better keep it safe
Location:: Gardens Company:: Dixon, Baby Sister! (And some other guy) Clothing:: princess outfit (battle torn) Feeling:: Happy and tired Condition:: Damaged and Fatigue Currency:: $0 EC Items:: Her Arcana cards and Twin Hidden Daggers Active Cards::
(For more info click her photo) 0 The Fool:✔✔✔ I The Magician:✔✔✔ II The High Priestess:✔✔✔ III The Empress:✔✔✔ IV The Emperor:✔✔✔ V The Hierophant:✔✔✔ VI The Lovers:✔✔✔ VII The Chariot:✔✔✔ VIII Justice:✔✔✔ IX The Hermit:✔✔✔ X Wheel of Fortune:✔✔✔ XI Strength:✔✔✔ XII The Hanged Man:✔✔✔ XIII Death:✔✔✔ XIV Temperance:✔✔✔ XV The Devil:✔✔✔ XVI The Tower:✔✔✔ XVII The Star:✔✔✔ XVIII The Moon:✔✔✔ XIX The Sun:✔✔✔ XX Judgement:✔✔✔ XXI The World:✔✔✔
OOC::
Princess Esther Drosselmyer of Lionis
She did not arrive in golden carriage or horse adorned with finery. She came out of the woods like a lost peasant, her beautiful clothes torn from thorns and slashes of a bandit attack, and some ways down a dirt road Esther kept drudging her way to Dixon's place. She was lightly bleeding from the few slashes that hit and as she weakly walked she sees with a smile the place of her desire. She had lied the day before her father's death and said that she was running away to Zalto to seek refuge, but in fact she had head everything that happened at the peace meeting at the Temple of Amalia as an acolyte...and that was why she chose to come to Dixon instead of her sister's home in Zalto.
However, a surprise came to Esther's ears when a guard told her that Dixon had been expecting her and asked for her presence in the garden. Because her hasty escape from Lionis she hadn't received word of his letter but the thought of him having asked for her before she fled for his safty made her heart thump a little louder; A split moment of giddiness she allowed herself with a smile that must quickly dissipate. Esther wouldn't allow a guard to stop her as she ignored concern for her injuries and threatened a physician with a good thrashing if they even touched her while walking by. She figured a good illusion spell would do for now as she goes to see her dear friend, a man who has helped her emotionally a few times, but what she didn't know (because she hadn't listened to the guard who was worrying for her) was that Dixon had guest; One of which was her own flesh and blood.
"I was under the impression that you wanted only to see me, Dixon." Esther purred playfully, though the stress of her journey did weight down her usual finesse. "I guess I don't mind sharing your attentions, so long as your guest don't mind either." With the illusionary magic surrounding her it made it look as though her clothing was fine and not a drip of blood was on her, but for one with keen eyes or a sharp soul there would be a sign that would give away her lie; The princess' fine lips patiently waiting with a soft smile to be introduced and added to the growing party.
