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 Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:40 am
Lenore Slytherin-Natenhar X: Baqir took a sawing 'lunge' at the Simu, who blocked the attack with her spear shaft, pushing it away before snapping her body around and giving the cog a sharp kick to his center gem. She was flush, body looking abused as the two 'sparred', Zanna glad for the escape from reality. They had been at it for hours, maybe more, but it still didn't seem enough for her and with an angry growl, a throwing knife was pulled and sharply sent directly at the flashing gem as Baqir agressively charged again. Lenore: Nyoka walks on long legs to the gate. The guard at her post looks her queen up and down. Judging by the sweat glistening all over Nyoka's now-sun-bronzed skin, her usually wild hair plastered to her head and face, the flush on her cheeks, and the darkening bruises and clotting cuts, the guard can tell that she has just come from a particularly brutal training session with Iphigenia. Nyoka only pauses a moment to murmer a question to the woman. Nodding, she waits for her to open the gate. As quietly as possible, given her armor's troubling, metalic clinking, she strides toward her training area. She hears the familiar singing of metal on metal. Speeding up, she heads toward the music. Once there, Nyoka leans against a stationary post, smiling a little as she watches her guest train. X: The armor's noise, no matter how hard Nyoka had attempted to be quiet, was noticed by the Simu. Her wrist flicked to knock Baqir to the side before she muttered a stop command to the now glowing cog, the youth absently reaching over to pluck and return her throwing knife to its sheath before turning to Nyoka. Smiling at the other Amazon, Zanna greeted her with a nod, obviously in a much better mood. "Your armor suits you." A free hand was pushed through her hair from her forehead, brushing sweat out of the way as her breathing slowed down a bit more. "Though... It looks like you took quite a beating... I hope you returned the favor in the least..." Smirking, Zanna absently stretched in a bit of a cool down. Lenore: Nyoka shrugs. "The first time I managed to get Iphigenia off her feet," she explains. "Though, that was more because I was angry than anything else," she chuckles before inclining her head a little. "Thank you. Demeter loves her jokes," she says, gesturing to her boots. "I am the Snake Queen," she is grinning over the little nick name she has only recently realized was being used for her. She tilts her head a little to the side, studying Zanna. "Do you not have any armor?" X: "Iphigenia." Zanna murmered, putting the name into memory before letting her eyes drift to the boots. "They make good weapons themselves." Raising an eyebrow at the Fa'e, she shook her head in response to the question, moving her spear across her shoulders behind her neck. "Never had the need." In jest, the dark eyed Simu prodded at Baqir while he lavished himself in what Zanna could only guess was a Fandangle's version of an orgasm, the cog seemingly purring with the motion. He was beginning to weird her out even more. Lenore: Nyoka pushes herself off of the post in a lazy movement. "I'll get you some," she offers. "I was thinking that, since you were so interested in some of the other cities, I would take you with me on this stupid trip," she eplains. "I wanted to invite you to the next meeting, we're hasing out the final details. If you agree, I can have your armor ready in three or four days. Iphigenia will insist you have proper armor, anyway, before feeling completely comfortable with you coming." X: "Sounds good. Where would I need to go?" Blowing her hair lazily out of her face, Zanna watched Nyoka as she spoke, not really having much else to really do. "But I would love a shower or bath eventually... I feel salty." Lenore: "The meeting is over dinner tonight," Nyoka explains, motioning with her hand to follow her. "There are robes in your room, and a welcome gift from myself on your dresser," she explains as she starts to lead them out of the training area. "When you are done with your bath, there will be time for Demeter to take your measurements. I will arrange for her to come to the castle. Don't be alarmed, she'll be waiting in your room when you are done with your bath."
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:41 am
[reserved for between then and coming home.]
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:43 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:45 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:46 am
"How could he? How DARE he?!"
The Amazon took a rock she found at her feet and chucked it angrily into the forest, scattering what animals were still around.
She hated to admit when she was wrong, and as far as Zanna could tell, she had severely misjudged the little snot. And what had angered her most of all was that he made her MISS! Every time she swung, the Simu made damn sure to make contact, whether it is blocked or a direct hit, but Nao had completely dodged a good handful of her attacks. Granted, she wasn't trying to kill him, simply scare him. Zanna had yet to kill anyone, yet.
Finding her feet moving on her own, she quickly wound her way through the inside of the house and up to the Fa'e's room. Without bothering to knock, she opened the door and glared at the hummingbird.
Zanna had NEVER seen anyone move as fast as he had, and maybe this was the only reason she was about to concede.
The Fa'e stopped his movements and simply stared at the room intruder with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"If you work hard, I will train you." She said through gritted teeth, giving him a very pointed look before turning her heel and storming out. The door was slammed on the way out, and Nao flinched, otherwise awestruck.
What the hell had just happened?
As it all set in, a broad grin spread over Nao's face, and he clapped his hands together in celebration.
He was going to be a warrior!
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:47 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:49 am
Luckily for Naolin, his workouts with Zanna were getting exponentially better. He was gaining endurance, actually landing a few hits here and there, but most importantly, his dodging skills had improved ten fold. Zanna even had a hard time landing hits on him, and was proud of Nao despite her personal frustration.
They had even moved on to his other side, and once he got his right side as good as his left side, Zanna moved him to two weapons. Both of them were absolutely amazed at the dexterity and agility he was able to wield them with.
Granted, he still had very little strength to his blows, but he could tire Zanna down more effectively by evading and waiting for an opportunity than he could hitting her and missing. Not that he ever beat her in a spar or anything, but that wasn't the point. She was far much stronger than him, and knew his moves too well by now.
After a hard and efficient training session, Zanna took him back to her cubby, telling him to wait outside. Going inside, the Simu rummaged around before returning.
"Here, thought it was time you had something other than that stupid flower stick." The Amazon grinned, handing the sweaty Fa'e a sword.
Nao took it carefully from her, unsheathing it and giving it a practice swing, surprised at the lightness of it.
"Had it made special, lighter, since you're so wimpy." A smirk took over Zanna's lips, and for once, Nao smiled.
"It's beautiful. Thank you very much."
"You're welcome. Don't break it kid."
Sheathing it again, Naolin turned to return to the house, carefully carrying his new sword as he went. He couldn't wait to train with it.
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Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:56 am
Cerena Lethe knew as much about phones as she did about doctors -- that is to say, she needed one, but had no idea where to find them. She knew that her aunt Skye, in all of her infinite mother-like wisdom, would probably know the best way of going about either getting a doctor for Cerena or figuring out some way of un-hitting her, but didn't know how to reach her. For as far as she remembered (which was, well, everything) she'd never been to her house. Everytime she'd seen Skye or her cousin Keith, it'd been at her house, or at this place. Lethe sighed and shifted uncomfortably in her position on the couch, ignoring the psychadelic walls (she was getting good at this) and staring blankly at the yellow book on her lap. Turning its pages listlessly, she squinted at the numbers printed on them and then at the jumble of symbols next to them, unable to make any sort of sense from them. It stood to reason, of course, that the best thing to do would be to call her... Except Pandora had banned her from using the phone in the house (something about 'long distance charges') and she had no idea what sequence of numbers to use anyway. This yellow book (whatever it was) was supposed to tell her, except... It didn't. Lethe, in a remarkable display of strength she would rarely be ever able to duplicate, picked it up and threw it halfway across the room before settling back against the couch in a pout, arms crossed over her chest and staring crossly at a nearby vase of flowers as if half-hoping they'd spontaneously combust. XBear "I really don't care what you say, how much you complain, or how hard you attempt to hit, kick, punch, or bite me. Promise me, it doesn't hurt." A deeply feminine voice was heard as the pair approached, the other, looking rather teeny in comparison to the Amazon who had kidnapped him, simply glared. Zanna, who was tired of Naolin coming to her and whining about how cold it was and how no one ever really visited him except creepy little kids who tried to take off his clothes, had literally stuffed the Fa'e into some warm clothing and was now carrying him under her arm like one would carry a fat cat. From his position tucked under the Simu's arm, Nao continued to alternate sulking with cursing and complaining, mostly in Nahuatl. Zanna simply rolled her eyes. She herself was dressed warmly in furs and clothing she had aquired while she had been in Greece. Nao was simply wrapped in warmer clothing and fabric to the best of Zanna's ability. She didn't want to break any feathers or anything. When they finally came to Headquarters, the Amazon stopped and blinked at it, the Fa'e in her arms reacting in much of the same way, falling silent at the sight. Soon enough though, Zanna saw the door, a sliver of light shining out from under it. Good. That meant someone else was here and Nao could socialize and stop his bitching. Pushing the door open just in time to see a phonebook soar across the room, the Simu finally dumped Nao on his feet and literally shoved him towards Lethe. "Stupid kids." She muttered before going over to pick up the phonebook and set it on a nearby table. The Fa'e huffed at this treatment. How dare she?! He was GOD! Who did she think she was throwing him around like that? Why he aughta... Oh! Lethe! Attention caught by the grown older Fa'e, Nao grinned and made his way over to her, "You grew up pretty~." Well she had! Zanna forgotten, Nao moved to sit next to her on the couch. He had always liked the color blue. Cerena Lethe noticeably perked up in disposition when the door opened, finally leaving the poor flowers alone and ignoring the loud clunk of an innocent phonebook having an unexpected appointment with the floor. " Niltzie!" She greeted happily, and then unabashedly, " Thank you." She made sure that her hand just happened to run itself through her hair, drawing attention to the blue feather she'd stuck there. (It had, previously, an annoying habit of falling out, but she'd remedied this with a little bit of that elmer's magic glue stuff.) " Nao looks pretty as ever," She continued, and then smiled a little when she noted the fact that she was now bigger than he was. Granted, he still had blue and wings and facial markings (and apparently his own personal carrier? Lethe glanced briefly at Zanna in a mixture of wariness and awe) so he was still far more 'prince' than she was 'princess', but this little victory was nevertheless comforting to her. XBear Seeing the feather he had given her in her hair, the hummingbird beamed, disguising this as a reaction to her comment, his feathers fluffing up in order to be more prominant as he unwrapped some of the 'clothing' in which Zanna had wrapped him with. Depositing a majority of them on the other side of the couch, Nao peered over to Zanna when he noticed Lethe looking at her. "She's my sister." Zanna gave a wave before moving over to a chair next to the fire, stripping her jacket off before she sat down, draping it over the back of her chair. Something seemed oddly familiar about this girl... "Nice to meet you." Nao waved her away as discretely as possible, and Zanna simply gave him a sweet grin and stayed firmly put. "How'd you grow? Is it different for all Fa'e?" He highly doubted she turned into a hummingbird like he had, but who knows right? Either way, he was curious to see if she knew her past too. They could share stories! XBear Greece? This grabbed both Naolin's and Zanna's interest, for obviously different reasons. For now, the Simu stayed quiet. "You can turn to water?!" Nao chirpped, grinning wide, "That's so cool! I can only turn into a hummingbird." But Greece still sounded familiar to the Fa'e, and he screwed his face up in concentration. Soon enough, he came up with... absolutely nothing. Ah well. "I got attacked by the moon and turned into a bird. Then met another one who spoke my language and turned back all bigger." Naolin shrugged, the fact that he couldn't figure out Greece still bothering him. When she was sure he was done rambling, Zanna turned her attention to Lethe, contimplating a moment before finally speaking, in Ancient Greek, "Did you enjoy Greece...?" She trailed off, not sure she had caught the child's name. Cerena " Only a little." Lethe replied modestly, holding her fingers apart an inch to signify how much. " Can't move, though... so hummingbird is better." There went her bigger-than advantage -- even Styx, she bet, would be impressed by a hummingbird. ...Rather than a 'puddle'. " Attacked by the moon...?" She tried to imagine this, and when she couldn't, mentally had to sulkily concede the quest victory to Nao. On top of everything else, he had more interesting ways of growing too. She had a lot to learn, apparently. But then something familiar caught her ears and she almost immediately twisted to the side on the couch to face Zanna, observing her with a blank expression. She was not Fa'e, that much she knew, and she looked too young to have been living at her time. Was she a Goddess then? ...Perhaps, but then... Well, either way, it would be beneficial to answer. " Yes," Lethe started to answer, hesitating just a little, " ...I did. I'm sorry, I don't know you beyond your being Nao's sister...?" It seemed weird that Nao would have a Goddess (if this was true) as a sister too, but then again, it was Nao... XBear "Fa'e aren't the only ones with ancient pasts." She mused, earning a glare from Nao. How dare she steal his show?! Zanna simply ignored him, "I'm an Amazon, like Nyoka is, but from a different time than her."Shrugging, she grinned at the both of them, "It was just a hunch I had, carry on." Everything else forgotten, Nao simply sulked. THIS was why he stopped going out. At least, something like this was why. Hmph. Cerena Nyoka? Oh, yes, the gorgon-girl. " I didn't realize that," Lethe said simply, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She'd never heard of the 'Amazons' -- but whatever they were, they obviously weren't the least bit god-or-goddess-like. " I'm Lethe. My origins should be fairly obvious then." She couldn't help the bit of egoistical pride that crept into her tone then, nor the grin that tugged at her lips. As tempting as it was to go on talking in her native tongue (far more comfortable than English would ever be, she suspected), Lethe finally turned her attention back to Nao. ...Who was sulking. Because of a lack of attention? Her attention? The dark-haired girl offered him a genuine smile. " Does Nao know past-self yet, then?" She asked curiously, despite all mental urgings to keep the spotlight on herself. XBear "Mhm. Quite obvious." She smiled and then turned back to the fire, pulling out her sword from its sheath and absently sharpening it with a stone from one of her pockets. When he got her attention back, Nao eyed Zanna warily before grinning and nodding, "Yep. I'm the Aztec god of the sun." The Fa'e beamed proudly, puffing his feathers again and stretching out his tail feathers. "But that is all I know. I bet there's more..." "There always is," Zanna interjected without even turning around. Nao simply pretended she didn't exist. She was the one who told him to go out and visit, and now she was interrupting his VISITING. How rude. Cerena Lethe turned back curiously at the noise, regarding the sword with narrowed eyes and a grim frown. It was one thing to simply not be impressed by her heritage -- but to pull out a weapon...? ...Well if it came down to it, she was sure Nao could easily beat her anyway. And she was even more sure that this person, whatever her name was, was not stupid enough to try attacking them. Forcing herself to relax, Lethe faced Nao and refused to think about the other girl any more. 'Aztec'... She didn't know. 'God' and 'sun' though... " The sun?" Lethe repeated incredulously. Well, then the 'moon' thing made sense, but -- The sun? " C-can Nao.. control it then?" It was becoming increasingly obvious that she would simply have to stay on his good side. XBear "I don't know..." It was honest, he had no clue if he could control the sun or not. Maybe when he were older? Nao blinked, looking confused for a minute before frowning, "Maybe when I grow?" Then maybe he could fling the sun directly into Callix, the little pervert boy. Zanna was the only one paying attention to the time, and cleared her throat. Sheathing her sword since she did not need it to occupy herself anymore. "We need to go... The weather channel said there would be blizzards tonight." She turned to Lethe and nodded, "You should go home too." Without even allowing Nao to protest, she put on her jacket and scooped him up in one arm and gathering the clothing in the other, somehow dressing him on their way to the door. If Nao did protest, it could not be heard over the howling wind outside. Cerena ...Blizzards, hmm? Lethe waved to Nao as he left, leaning back into the couch and considering a variety of things when the door closed behind him and she was alone again. First -- she didn't want to go back home. Pandora was bad enough last time, there was no telling if she would ever be allowed out of the house again were she be caught again (and at this point, it was a given that the insane bat-witch knew she was absent.) Second -- she never did find that phone number. Third -- well, who was to say that the blizzard wouldn't.. well... Strike on her way home? Surely even Pandora would have to agree that staying at the HQ was the best idea, and the fact that it would most likely piss her off was also a plus. Lethe grinned to herself and slid off the couch, starting a search for blankets and other things she'd need for a comfortable overnight stay.
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:28 am
Reclaiming I Nyoka is pacing outside of Zanna's home. She doesn't want to interrupt her holiday, but she promised that she would take Zanna with her on this trip.
Iphigenia watches, listening quietly as Nyoka's armor, the one that they all insisted they wear for this trip, makes soft, clinking noises. "You are making me nervous," she says, finally.
Nyoka stops, and smiles a little. "That would be two of us," she says. "I just want to get this trip over with. . . ."Zanna herself had just showered after her ritual morning workout, and was heading from her 'cubby' to the main house when she saw both Nyoka in armor and Iphigenia. Surprised, she made her way over to them, pulling her furs a bit closer to herself. "A surprise seeing you two here, a pleasure... But a surprise..."
She trailed off to offer them room to explain why exactly the pair were there."I'm sorry to disturb you," Nyoka says, smiling, once Zanna trails off. "But . . . we are leaving. If you still want to go, you best get your armor collected." She pauses a moment, her eyes taking in her suroundings again. "The weather has cleared, the trails are clear. And, our last invitation was recieved last night. They request we arrive within the week."Zanna nodded, understanding immediately and turning to head back towards her cubby, "I will be only a moment."
When she returned, she was clad in her armor as well, hair pulled back and out of her face. Her weapons were also with her, though she left her bow at home, being much more efficient with her throwing knives. The latter were smaller and less bulky as well. She also had her sword and her spear was a given.
She gave the pair a silent nod to say that she was ready to go.Taking a deep breath, Nyoka puts a hand on Zanna's shoulder, and the other on Iphigenia's forearm. Soon, they are blinked back to the palce.
Amazons are bustling around, most in armor and carrying swords, spears, or bows. Anemone, her breast plate shining brilliantly, walks over with Nyoka's weapons.
As she starts to tie her sword sheathe around her waist, Nyoka looks over at Zanna. "We have to travel either on foot, or horses. I can't transport everyone the way that I did the three of us just now. Which would you prefer?" she asks, strapping her dagger around her upper thigh. She then loops the strap of her full quiver over her head and across her chest.She watches the ongoings silently until addressed directly, answering almost immdiately, "Horse would be best."
Granted, she hadn't ridden a horse since she was last here, but it had come so naturally to her that she thought nothing of it. Absently, Zanna adjusted the straps of her weapons, making sure that they were laying comfortably and strong."Alright," Nyoka nods, then swats away at the hands of one of the servants who is trying to adjust one of her weapons straps. "Wise choice," she says, straightening now. "Do you have any objections to riding in front with Iphigenia and I?Zanna shook her head, "Not a problem, I would be honored." She watched the servant and the swat with slight amusement. Reaching up, the Simu tightened her hair, making sure that it would not fall out during the ride.Nyoka runs her fingers through her hair, considering putting the now-long hair back herself. Screw it, she looks more fierce with her knotted hair flying everywhere!
"We are ready, highness." Anemone says. "The horses are packed, and the women are ready."
Nyoka frowns. It seems odd that they have to take so many of the soldiers with them. But, she trust Iphigenia. And, she also believes her creed of "Better safe than sorry. . . ."
She turns her attention back to Zanna. "When you are are ready," she smiles, gesturing toward the door, as though saying 'After you.'Zanna watched the conversation, feeling slightly out of place there, but nods at Nyoka's comment, immediately making her way over to the horses. She followed whoever may be leading, "Do you think she will attack?"
Motioning towards all the soldiers, she raised an eyebrow.Nyoka pauses, frowning a little, as she settles into her saddle. So, Iphigenia speaks. "It is better that we are prepared for anything. Especially when the queen is going out of the city," she immediately falls silent, and nudges her horse with her sandaled feet.
Nyoka does the same, and turns to Zanna. "They don't like us very much, I am told," she starts. "This is supposed to be a peace treaty between the two of us. But, if we look at history, wars have started durring peace talks. It is better that all of us think of going into battle, rather than become lazy and be attacked off our guard."Zanna pulls herself onto the horse provided, shifting a bit before heeling her horse to go as well, gathering the reins in her left hand. "Better safe than sorry..." she murmured, nodding in approval.
Silently she wondered if she should tell Nyoka what she had found out from their records. "Have you read of Penthesilea?"Nyoka smiles a little at Zanna. "I cannot say I have had much occassion to read as of late," she starts, toying with the name in her head. "The name sounds familiar, though. Why do you ask?"
The familiarity, she notes, is from past memories, not from something she has read. She knows the difference. . . .
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:33 am
Reclaiming II "She was the Amazon queen during the Trojan war. Achilles..." She trailed off, not really wanting to go there right then.
Pausing, Zanna glanced over to Nyoka before moving her eyes back towards the front again, "I found my past, and I do not know if I will be recognized."Nyoka blinks. "You think that, perhaps this other city was the one that you ruled?" she asks. "Is that why you are worrying over being recognized?""It is possible," she chews on her lip in thought before continuing, "I was queen of a city that ruled with two queens."Nyoka frowns. "Anything is possible," she says, looking ahead now. "If this is your city, and you are recognized, we will deal with that when the time comes. And, if you ever find your old city, and you want your throne back, I will help. Even if force is necessary to reclaim what is rightfully yours.""I do not know the state of the city, or the current queen either," she replied, glancing over to Nyoka and smiling thankfully. "Thank you, we will wait and see what transpires first."Nyoka nods her agreement, and falls into a thoughtful silence.
~*~*~***~*~*~
It took them a few days, but they are finally outside the city. As an extra precaution, Nyoka agreed to send out a scout. When she returns, it is reported that all seems well, if a little dead. Nyoka frowns at this.
She leans over to speak with Iphigenia. "Tell them to be on their guard," she says. "I don't want anything to happen." Iphigeina nods, and turns to do as she is told.
Once that is taken care of, Nyoka takes another deep breath. "Let's get this over with," and nudges her horse again.Zanna slept well, and was in quite a good mood despite the situation, though she was a little edgy. When Nyoka nudges her horse, she does as well, following her lead.
The moment they got close to the city, Zanna moved her hand to rest on her right thigh, where her straps of throwing knives were. "Something is not right," she murmured to Nyoka, voice near whisper.Nyoka nods. With lightening speed, that she has practiced since she was a child, she pulls a bow from her quiver and notches it in her bow.
Her keen ears are open for any hint of movement as her eyes scan the area.
There, she thinks. Turning, she shoots her arrow off as a woman comes running out, sword in hand.
Her aim is true, and it isn't long before she has another arrow notched. More women come running out from behind buildings, and out of the beat up palace. "Defensive positions!" she yells to the women behind her as she shoots off her arrows. . . . Zanna pulls her sword from its sheath, not wanting to waste her knives in case she needs them for close battle with the queen, which was looking more and more plausible.
She had never been in a battle before, but even she could tell that the number of women attacking was far too few with a city this size. "There should be more," she grunted to Nyoka."More will come. We'll have to conserve some of our energy," Nyoka replies, stashing her bow away and sliding off of her horse now. She quickly pulls her sword from it's sheath, and swipes it at the nearest woman, missing by a hair.
The woman clips her on her left arm, and moves in. Smiling ferally, Nyoka runs her blade over the blood dripping out of her wound. She knicks the woman, and jumps back. The woman's eyes widen before they roll back in her head. She falls, dead, on the ground, Nyoka's blood having poisoned her.
"Stick close to me," Nyoka tells Zanna as she swings her sword again. "We'll watch each other's back. . . ."
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:34 am
Reclaiming III Zanna follows Nyoka's lead, resheathing her sword in favor of her spear after dismounting. The Simu was much more effective with her spear than a sword, and immediately blocked a woman's sword slash. Her knee slammed into the attacker's stomach before lifting the arm closest to the spear's blade sharply. It sliced into the woman's neck, and Zanna pushed her to the ground following Nyoka.
"We should head for the palace," she replied, but nodded to the suggestion.Nyoka moves closer to Zanna, keeping her eyes on the attackers around them.
All of this could be taken care of by me just pulling my crown off. . . . she thinks. But, she doesn't want to risk pretrifying any of her people.
"I agree," she says to Zanna before kicking a stupid woman, who impaled herself on her sword, off of her blade.The Simu saw another woman approaching, and deftly flicked her hand to her thigh, wrist snapping a throwing knife into the woman's neck.
"Then let us go," she said, moving through the hole she had created, meeting another soldier with her blade of her spear, shoving it into the woman's stomach. She quickly pulled her sword out, decapitating her attacker before she had a chance to retaliate.
Her sword was soon sheathed again, "They aren't well trained..." She mused.Nyoka nods her head in agreement. "Let us not get cocky," she says, as she motions for Iphigenia and some of the others to follow them toward the palace. "Their best are probably stationed around their queen," it is what Iphigenia would do, at any rate. . . .
As they start toward the palace, the soldiers start to dwindle. Nyoka jeeps her muscles tense, ready for another assualt.Zanna nodded, agreeing with her as they moved towards the palace, her eyes open and paying attention to her surroundings.
Picks out the palace immediately, as it is the same from her dreams, "It is as in my dreams..." she breathed, gazing at the white marble appreciatively.Nyoka glances over at Zanna, noting the statement. "Do you want to try and get inside?" she asks, in a low voice.Zanna simply nods, "There is a back passage, an old one..."
She furrowed her brow, thinking back through her memories before nodding again in reassurance. "Yes... Some should attack the front as a distraction. We will go through the ancient passage."Nyoka nods. She motions for Iphigenia to come closer to her. She mumbles something to her, and she doesn't seem too pleased with her instructions.
Nyoka nods to Zanna. "They might be watching," she says, in the same quiet voice. "I say, we double back, slip between the buildings, and go through the entrance you speak of. It will take longer, but we don't want them toknow what we are up to. . . .""I think that is a good idea," Zanna said, voice low as well as she unsheathed her sword to wipe the blood from it before sheathing it once more.
Leading since this was her city, Zanna doubled back, weaving out of sight through the trees around the city, in the opposite direction of the palace. She stops a few yards back at the edge of the forest, motioning silently to two guards at the residential entrance.Nyoka points at Zanna, then holds up a finger, counting one, and then herself, also counting one. She notches an arrow in her bow. She looks toward where Zanna's throwing knives are, meaningfully.
She waits, to see if Zanna understands her. Should she throw a knife, Nyoka will let lose her arrow at the same moment, hopefully taking out the guards. . . .
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:35 am
Reclaiming IV The Simu nodded, moving a little to the right so that she'd have a cleaner shot. After making sure that her movements were not noticed, Zanna removed a knife and flicked her wrist towards the guard closest to her. Her aim was true and it caught the guard in the jugular.
Meanwhile, in the palace, the queen was stubbornly perched on her throne, clad in her full armor.
Another woman, clad in more simple armor than the queen, came in past the inner guards, walking briskly and looking slightly fearful. She bowed, dropping to one knee in front of the woman, keeping her eyes low in both respect and fear. "Highness... We have lost sight of Medusa and the other."
The queen sneered, standing and moving to tower over the scout, "Then. Find them." She unsheathed her sword and pressed it against the other woman's cheek, sliding it till it drew blood. "Or it'll be your head."
She didn't need to be told twice, and after taking a few bowed steps, she turned and left the palace.
Desdemona followed the retreating scout with narrowed eyes, which soon turned over towards her personal guards, "Make sure no one gets in the palace alive."
The bowed before nodding and leaving, shutting the elaborately carved door behind them, and standing guard on the otherside.Nyoka watches as both guards fall. "We best make our entrance quick," she says, crouched low in the folliage. She sprints forward, and sneaks a peek inside of the doorway.
Deserted. Shoddy fortification all around, she thinks, slipping inside and keeping close to the wall, in the shadows. I would have had more women guarding every entrance.
She looks to Zanna, ready to follow her to their destination.Zanna agreed silently, falling behind Nyoka when she checks behind the entrance, and after receiving a look from Nyoka that signalled everything was clear, the Simu moved in front of the Fa'e. Instead of going straight, she immediately darted into an alley.
She took the first right, heading parallel to the main road that lead towards the palace.Nyoka follows, silently. Her boots make little noise on the floor as she creeps behind Zanna. Her eyes sweep her surroundings, making sure that the shoddy work from the queen and her generals stays shoddy. . . .The Simu was watching as well, and stopped after a good while at the edge of the building. She flattened herself against it as she peered around the corner.
Another two guards, both facing away from them.Nyoka looks at Zanna, questioningly.
There must be more guards, for her to have stopped again. . . . "Same as before?" she asks, barely above a whisper, as she quickly loads her bow."They are facing away," she speaks with the same low tone, pulling out a throwing knife and motioning across her neck with it. Hopefully Nyoka would understand the signal.
Zanna didn't want to waste a knife over guards they could easily take out from behind.Nyoka nods, and stows her arrow and bow away. She pulls out her dagger, and nods, waiting for Zanna to make her move.
As of the moment that Nyoka heard her says he recognized the palace, Nyoka pushed back her leader status. She is here to help, but this is Zanna's battle now. . . .
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:37 am
Reclaiming V When Nyoka brought out her knife, Zanna turned her attention back to the guards. Keeping low, she snuck silently towards the first one, standing and immediately clasping her hand over the guard's mouth.
With a swift, clean movement, she sliced the blade across the front of her neck. Following the body to the ground as to not make noise, Zanna set down the body quietly.
Nyoka mimics Zanna's movements, then wipes her blade on the fabric under her chain skirt. She nods, and sheathes her weapon again.
Zanna wiped the blood as well, but kept the knife out between her fingers as she continued to navigate the streets.
Soon they were behind the palace, with no guards in sight. Her eyes gazed around the gardens, picking out something that looked very familiar, "This way." She whispered, keeping low as she made her way to the statue. Once there, Zanna stepped away from the palace, stopping suddenly and kneeling down.
Her knife put away, Zanna began brushing away the foliage to reveal a trap door. It looked like it had been untouched for decades. Opening it to reveal stone stairs, she smiled to Nyoka. "It was built as an escape route for the queen should ambush occur... Only a select few knew of it, and all but one died in Troy."
Nyoka returns the smile. "It is good that your memory is so sharp," she says, looking down the trap door. "So, we should proceed with little difficulty?" still, she cannot help but think that the queen would be smart enough to have some women posted along the way.
Zanna nodded, glancing down into the hole, which was completely dark, the torches not lit. "Only since we got here, I'm going by instinct mostly."
Pausing, she looked up with a frown, her eyes falling onto the statue. "Do you happen to have a light?" Her eyes motioned towards the torch the statue held. "The tunnel is dark, showing no signs of life."
"Sure," Nyoka says. She lifts her hand, and takes the torch. She uses the one thing with magic she is good with. Snapping her fingers over the tip, it catches fire. She hands the torch to Zanna and pulls out her sword again. Just in case.
"Perfect," she took the torch from her and entered the tunnel, positioning the torch in front of her, she burned away any spiderwebs as she walked.
There was no one in the tunnel, but she shifted the torch to her left hand just in case, pulling out her sword just in case as well.
Nyoka keeps following, silently criticizing the new queen all along the way.
Zanna takes it slow, making sure to get the spider webs out of the way before advancing. She also lit torches along the way as well, lighting up the tunnel for them.
"Do you know where this leads?" she asks, quietly.
"To the throne room," she murmured quietly as they got closer to the end of the tunnel.
"That's convenient," Nyoka says, quietly, smiling a little. Her grip on the hilt of her sword tightens.
"Very," she replied, slowing down as they neared the door, wondering if the others had attacked the front yet.
Nyoka listens intently for a few, long moments.
Finally, she smiles, hearing the unmistakable sound of metal clashing with metal, and the growl of Iphigenia.
"They made it through," she says, softly, more to herself than anyone else. . . .
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:40 am
Reclaiming VI Zanna smiled, carefully setting the torch into its original slot at the beginning of the tunnel, sheathing her sword and reaching up to slowly open the trap, inwardly. They were met with a small, hollow part of the stone wall. It was completely dark, but Zanna climbed out, rubbing the front wall to find the 'handle'.
When she did, she pushed it open a crack, peering out of it.
The queen was more distracted by the noises coming from the door, which was now barred heavily from the inside. Apparently someone was trying to get in.
Nyoka raises an eyebrow, and waits to see what Zanna is going to do.
Iphigenia, on the other hand, is helping to try to get the door open. They have been at it a while, and her shoulder is starting to ache. "Once more, women! Put your back into it!"
With a collective growl, the women push. No use.
Nyoka sighs, and leans back against the wall. "Do you think you will need us?" she asks. "If you do, I can get to that door and let the soldiers in. . . ."
Zanna watched the door, frowning, but nodded to Nyoka. They would not make it through.
"This is my fight," she shook her head, a determined look crossing her face. "She will hear when I open the door all the way, and probably see us..."
She takes out her spear, gripping the familiar wood with her right hand, her left hand on the stone wall. "I will need your help with it." Nodding towards the door, she glances over towards the queen once more.
Desdemona backed away from the door, looking slightly panicked, but otherwise calm and ready for battle. Almost cocky even. The rest of the troops should be to the other city by now.
Nyoka holds up a finger. She has long since realized just the kind of fear her other form can cause.
Slipping a vial from her small pouch, she pulls the cork out. She then tips back her head, downing the contents. She has very little time, so she slips off her boots, and the armor covering them in a hurry.
She grabs her head as the snakes push out of her skull. Squeezing her eyes shut, her legs snap together, and start to merge. Her wings sprout out of her back.
Breathing raggedly, she turns angry eyes over to Zanna. With another nod, she starts to help with pulling the door open.
The Simu turned her head away during the transformation, not exactly wanting to watch bones and what not reform. Or whatever the potion caused her to do.
When she finished, Zanna looked over and nodded, signalling to her to help her push in three.
Nyoka heaves on three, putting all of her muscle into getting that door open. . . .
Zanna did as well, the door opening easily with the strength of two people.
This caught the attention of Desdemona immediately, and her expression of shock immediately turned to one of anger. She looked back and forth between the two women, sneering when she finally stopped her gaze on Zanna. "You... Should not have come here."
Looking over to Nyoka, she narrowed her eyes at the woman's form, "And you, exile..."
"Step down and you will live," Zanna interjected, eyes narrowing at the woman.
She laughed, still alert and ready to fight, "You are funny. Stupid, but funny." With that she moved in to attack, immediately slicing at Zanna's stomach with her sword.
Zanna barely blocked in time with her spear, the force of the blow knocking her back, but she quickly regained her balance. She wasted no time in returning the attack, which was countered, Desdemona's blade slicing across the armor on her upper arm.
Nyoka watches, leaning lazily against the wall. The only sign that she is really watching, or ready to step in should she be asked, is her grip on the hilt of her sword, and the alertness in her eyes as she watches Zanna and Desdemona fighting.
She sighs when she hears another bang against the door. She slithers, sticking close to the wall, toward the door. "Iphigenia," she says, loud enough for the Amazon to hear. "Stop. The situation is under control. Go and scout the palace. Kill anyone that gets in your way of your securing this place."
When she gets an acknowledgement of her commands, Nyoka watches the battle again, her snakes hissing furiously as they wind through her hair.
The fight continued on, and it seemed to be tiring Zanna more than the older woman. They were both bleeding from various superficial wounds, and a sheen of sweat was covering both of them.
Desdemona struck, meeting the wood of Zanna's staff and pushing violently into it, "You will never win," she sneered just in time for the Simu's knee to forcefully connect with her stomach. It knocked the wind out of her and Zanna took the oppertunity to try and get a strike in.
The older woman, from years more experience, expected this, and with her non-sword bearing, Desdemona pulled out a knife and stabbed it into Zanna's side.
Her eyes shot open as white searing pain shot through her side, and when it was jerked out again, Zanna saw stars.
Stumbling back, she fell, losing grip of her spear and letting it roll away from her. Blood had soaked her capris on that side, and Desdemona simply smirked, revelling in her success.
Shifting her sword downward at Zanna's stomach, she smirked, "You shall see the Styx again soon..."
The Simu suddenly got a flashback, and the other queen was no longer herself, but Achilles. Desdemona even reached down to pull Zanna up by the Amazon's hair.
No.
This time it would not happen.
The sharp pain bringing her senses back to reality almost immediately, Zanna narrowed her eyes as adrenaline allowed her to ignore the pain of her wound. Her leg shot up, heel coming in solid contact with the other woman's chin.
The force of the blow in addition to the initial shock caused Desdemona to lose her balance and let her guard down. In that short amount of time, Zanna had reached down to her thigh and unloaded three or four knives into the other woman's chest.
Nyoka watches as the fight progresses. She winces when Zanna was stabbed, and her hand reaches to grab her own scar in her right side.
She is about to slither forward, when Zanna gives her death blows.
Looking over at Zanna, she turns and unbars the door. "Iphigenia!" she yells down the hall before turning to face Zanna again.
She slithers toward her. "Zanna," she says, watching the blood pour from her wounds. "Reclaim your crown, before you pass out. Take it from her head, then slice her head off," she knows it sounds bad, but it is law, if it is not voluntarily given to the successor. "I will help you outside, but you need to put it on the spike at the front door. . . . Do you think you can manage that? Before I get you back to Galena to heal you?"
Iphigenia runs into the room. She blinks at the scene before her. "You are the guard," Nyoka says, not looking back. She keeps her eyes on Zanna.
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Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:42 am
Reclaiming VII The Amazon's eyes widened in surprise just as Zanna's had minutes ago, stumbling backwards and crumpling to her knees moments later.
Zanna turned towards Nyoka's voice, nodding as the Fa'e told her what she had to do. Pushing herself up to her feet with the help of her spear
Desdemona, though fatally wounded, wasn't about to let this woman claim her kingdom, and with one last snarl, she lifted the sword in her hand to jab it into Zanna.
The Simu was too quick, and less fatally wounded than the other Amazon. She grabbed her wrist, tightening her grip until Desdemona dropped the sword.
Reaching out with her free hand, Zanna took the crown from the former queen's head, sliding it onto her own. Desdemona spit blood into the Simu's face bitterly, snarling and wrapping her free hand around the Simu's neck. A last minute attempt at killing the other woman.
"Say hello to Hades for me," Zanna hissed through her grip as she grabbed a handful of Desdemona's hair and jerked her head up.
She was feeling light headed.
She ignored it.
Dropping Desdemona's hand, Zanna unsheathed her sword, and in one quick movement, she beheaded her.
The hand fell limp from her neck, and she coughed, swaying slightly from the lack of blood and oxygen.
Nyoka winces again when she sees the Simu sway. She hurries to Zanna. "Stay with me a little longer," she says, softly, to her, putting an arm around her. "Iphigenia," she says, and the other woman comes to her. "I'll get us outside the entrance, and help you put the head up. Just, stay with me a little longer. . . .
Zanna nodded, leaning heavily on Nyoka. Her head spinning even more when Nyoka teleported her to the entrance.
Clutching the hair on the head in a death grip, she looked around, trying to remember where the stake was.
Nyoka covers her hand with her own, and lifts it to the stake. Pushing gently, she helps her jab the severed area into the stake.
She turns to the wounded soldiers from Desdemona's army. "Behold, your new queen, Zanna," she calls, her eyes fiery with anger. "Bow to her!"
Reluctantly, they do, many winces around them.
Nodding, satisfied, she turns to Iphigenia. "Keep order until I can return with Zanna. I need to get her to Galena." When Iphigenia nods, Nyoka takes her leave.
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