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 Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:59 pm
Vivian followed behind Seth closely, wondering how many had overheard the words exchanged between them and how many still had understood them. She had just earned trust to be with Alarura's company... she couldn't let the tiny detail of who her father was ruin a chance at something else for her. "Where is our next stop?" she asked of Alaura is they grew near, managing to keep her voice at a curious level.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:25 am
Damien began laughing almost as soon as the words had left Keyla’s lips. It wasn’t a mocking laughter but rather a genuine and bright laughter. “I am sorry, I mean no offence, it is simply that you have spoken the words that were already floating through my mind. I would never allow a lady to walk on such a journey in such a condition, though I think we should keep such talk to ourselves. I have a feeling she does not wish others to know.” At that Damien pressed his index finger to his lips in a silencing matter and winked to Keyla.
Bowing to both Keyla and Ryal, Damien took his leave with Asgoroth, making the short trek over to the woman with her stunning white hair and equally vibrant gaze. She was weary, it seemed obvious to him, and yet still an inner strength seemed to shine through her. If anything she was stubborn and determined, good qualities for a woman in her position. Bowing before her in his rather knightly manner, Damien offered her a warm smile as he gripped the reigns of his steed, pulling him forward gently. “My lady, I see that you are on foot and we have far to go. Please, accept the assistance of my steed, I am sure it would be his honor to carry you.” An approving snort sounded from the normally testy beast, a sure sign that he would gladly take this woman as his rider.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:27 am
Alaura looked about, a slight feeling of nausea passing over her as she spotted all eyes on her. It had never bothered her before but suddenly she felt altogether small and weak, her normal strength acting as something of a shield in the past. Now, however, it was almost as if she were bare for all to see, naked before their piercing eyes. Taking a deep breath, she slowly steadied herself. Her eyes moved to Shane, who seemed an anchor for her in her weakness. Had they been alone she might have offered him a warm smile, a rare sight from this woman. But, in the midst of such company, only the smallest twitch at the corners of her lips indicating what might be going on in her mind.
Turning her gaze once more, she noted that the paladin from earlier was now next to her. He was offering up his great steed, and while she greatly wished to decline something about the animal drew her in. Moving like a ghost over the soft earth, Alaura stepped forward and reached out a tender hand, brushing light fingers over the beast’s long nose. His eyes said to her all she needed to know. Bowing her head ever so slightly, she thanked Damien for his offer and found she could not turn it down. At the very least it would give her a chance to recover. Pulling herself, and refusing the offer of help from several around her, Alaura sat atop the beast like a princess, her long hair flowing behind her in a gentle breeze.
She lifted her head, surveying the crowd of people now waiting for her order. How was it that she had come leading these earth soldiers but had taken on so much more. She had never intended to become such a leader, but now all eyes rested on her, waiting for her word to move out. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Clearing her throat, Alaura addressed Vivian’s question, though she spoke as if it had been one from the crowd in general. “We have a long journey ahead of us, a trek that will take us far over the lands. We make for the water kingdom with as few stops as we can manage. There is little time, I think, for us to spend on this task. We must raise an army to fight those of the Dark and Fire Kingdoms. I will not pretend this will be an easy road before us, and none of you are forced to follow through, but know that this war effects us all and to withhold action is to doom those you love to slavery or death. We head now for the Water Kingdom and its Queen, to ask their aid in this war.”
Her voice, despite her weakness, seemed to carry easily over the crowd. It was as if she were born for this role, to stand at the head of an army, no matter the size, and command them forth. She did well to hide her doubts and her weakness, finishing her speech and turning her gaze to those around her, those she could sincerely have called friends. “Come, let us make for the water kingdom. We will march until nightfall and set up camp. It is several days to the Glascene from here, but perhaps if we take a slightly quicker pace we might cut that time.” There was a slight hope in her voice, but she shook her head as her thoughts flowed through her mind in a torrent of images and ideas. “Come.” Was all she said before she spurred Asgoroth forward, starting the long march to the Water Kingdom.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:28 am
Nicki sat at the bar, her eyes shifting from the damage done from her brawl to the men tending to their wounds. A few glanced in her direction but as soon as they caught her gaze they looked away in terror. Clearly they would not be thinking so lightly of such an unassuming woman again, though surely the entire city should have known of her by now. A thought occurred to her and Nicki turned about, slumping against the counter lightly and huffing.
“Evidently I have not worked hard enough to spread my name through this vile place. It would seem that while I thought my name and face to be a common cause of fright, it has not yet grown so.” There was a genuine tone of frustration to her words, as if it were truly upsetting. It was like a child looking for praise but finding that though they have done a task worthy of it they have yet to receive it. So it was with Nicki and her desire to spread fear simply by her presence. The look on her face, though still as cruel as ever, seemed almost to shift into her version of a pout.
Turning to Nicolai, Nicki locked her gaze on him as her icy hues flashed dangerously. “What are your plans?” She asked, her gaze seeming to pierce into his very soul. It was surely a loaded question, for what question wasn’t with her? Still, there seemed to be a sincere curiosity behind it. There was no doubt that this boy had skills, and certainly he had a heart akin to her own, given his carefree attitude to her violence, but truthfully she needed to know. Her own goals could not be put aside, she still had every intention of dethroning Adel, or perhaps letting that group in the forest do it for her. In any case, she would have power, but was there a chance that Nicolai might desire the same thing? She needed to know where his loyalties lie and whether it would be better to keep him or rid herself of him.
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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:48 pm
Evan had finished packing and was certain they would be leaving very soon. But Ryal was nowhere to be found. That boy! He can't just disappear like this! I won't be responsible for losing him too! Just as Evan spotted him, he heard Alaura announce that they were ready to leave. Evan couldn't help but smile. It's easy to see why the others trust and respect her so much. She fits the leadership position quite well. He glanced back over to Ryal, smirking slightly. Perhaps I am treating him more like a child than a soldier. I suppose I'll leave him be. Evan turned once again toward Alaura, seated atop a brilliantly white steed, and awaited the order to move on.
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:23 am
A shiver of delight ran down her spine as she felt his arms hold her closely. The way he called her name sent a pleasant drug-like euphoria through her brain and she closed her eyes, taking a breath to both savour the feeling and steady her heart and mind. Dia listened to Adel's words carefully, processing every word. Eleven years ago... Dia was naught but a child of seventeen. It was some years after that she had found herself dark castle and somehow alleiged to the Dark King. She had sworn fealty to Adel, a figure dripping to a mix of charisma and a fear which made her adrenaline rush madly simply in his presence. Subjected to torrents of trials to ensure her loyalty, Dia provided an unusual entertainment which had delighted the king in an unexplainable way. After that, she had frequented his throne room more and more until she had become an unofficial personal entertainer of sorts.
Her dark manipulations spawned a unique form of offense which tore apart a person's mind from the inside and not only was she valuable to Adel as an entertainer but also a dispatchable fighting unit. Though, the more time she spent with the King, the less she saw him as an object of fear but rather a figure of admiration and enigmatic presence. She became less of an entertainer and more of a personal compassion whom Adel could talk to if he wished and indulge in a more personal relationship than a King and his pawns. When Dia's undying loyalty and devotion had changed into more of a feeling she could not place, perhaps it had been long before during when she was convinced she would serve the man without fail due to a force from her being that made it seem just so right.
Dia turned her head slightly and listened to the curious sound behind the walls. Certainly, she had sensed there was more to this room than meets the eye when she had first entered, and that enticing feeling had drawn her to the room. Perhaps, it had been this secret which she had been able to feel. Although, it was not so old the walls had forgotten it, the existence of this mysterious secret was certainly something they hid well, the joins in the wall so seamless they almost failed to tell the story. Turning around at Adel's prompt, Dia blinked and looked at the enclave which had appeared in the wall. Approaching it cautiously, she watched as Adel revealed the small ring which had been concealed inside the dark compartment and repressed a gasp.
Whatever it was, Dia could not explain but an intense power hummed quietly from the ring.
She looked up at Adel, her eyes containing an expression akin to shock and awe. Speechless as Adel slid the ring onto her finger, the power that overwhelmed her was enough to make her legs falter. She gave a sigh of relief as Adel caught her quickly before she could collapse and stood up warily, brushing her figure and regaining her composure. "Adel... I'm... I'm speechless." Dia felt stupid, saying those words and fingered the metallic object, admiring it's finnese. Whether or not Dia was ready to accept all the power which came with it, she was not sure. However, she would wear it proudly and lovingly. She kissed Adel lightly on the lips and laughed a little, clearly embarrassed. "It seems, so much is happening, I can barely follow. I don't suppose I'm the only one feeling a bit foolish right now am I? Well, not that it's entirely a bad thing, I'm.. I'm very happy right now actually! And, now I'm going on embarrassing myself more by rambling, do excuse me!" And with that, she covered her face with her hands, feeling the steam came off it.
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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:03 am
It hadn't taken her long after leaving Ilich Forest to arrive at the Knorth City of Gredien. Nevermind there was a massive wall of mud around the village, after taking a quick summation of her assets, Celia resolved that it would be vital for her to stock up and stock up she would. While they were further from the captial, Gredin was nonetheless a small but busy village full of everything she needed to keep her well stocked during her route towards Glascene. Well, of course, that was before the barracade of mud had been erected around it. Still, the village got by, it seemed and when she had asked how such a obscure village managed to be so prosperous, she had discovered several times over that many travellers tended to pass through Gredin and thus they ideally kept well stocked for travelling parties as little as a single person to minature armies. With the mud wall obstructing them, naturally, large groups of people or very many people for that matter would be able to get in. Consequently, after Celia had managed to make her way in they had enough and were willing to offer her a good sale or two.
Making her way down the stalls set up with their respective trades, by the time she had finished re-stocking her food, healing potions and the like, Celia had spent a good portion of gold with plenty to spare. As Celia made her way to the opposite end of the village, she was stopped by a local. "Hey you there, pretty lady. Travellin on foot are ya? I see that's a pretty sum of gold you got there. Reckon, there's a Hot Springs Village nearby, you should get there just before the sun start's gettin low yea? A real great place to stop for th'night yea? 'nstead of staying out in the open. Real dangerous at night lemme tell ya. If ya keep travellin South West West of 'ere, you should run across the Vaughn Hot Springs, it takes another day's walk to get from there to the next village. Great, four stars, reccomended! Speacially a good soak for weary bones, kekeke. It's really more of an inn with a few shops around it. Not ta much of a village say. But it's still considered one, kekeke. Great Place. Great Place." When he started to go off on a tangent, Celia thanked the man with an awkward laugh and slipped away as quickly as she could.
Summoning Feng, Celia sailed over the wall and travelled a short distance with her air dragon before dismissing him and finishing the last strech of land on foot. Exactly as the man had said, around sunet, Celia happened across the Vaughn Hotsprings. Looking around, she judged that that Earthian Crew she had met the day before would be nearby. If they would also come across Vaughn, Celia guessed they would probably arrive a little after nightfall on account of their size and time they would take to travel. "Doesn't really matter anyuways, not like it makes any difference to you" Shaking her head as she tried not to become too curious about whether or not that lot would come by Celia looked for the entrance into the Hot Springs Inn and found herself quietly shocked at how big it actually was. "Must be another popular stop for groups from small to large!" Celia chuckled to herself quietly before she went in and paid for a night's stay.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:14 pm
"My plans?" Nicolai thought about the question before him. It was indeed unexpected, but he could understand why Nicki might ask such a question. "Well, up until the last few years, I haven't had any plans to speak of. I sort of just followed King Adel's orders and tried to become as strong as I could be. It wasn't that I wanted to serve him, simply that I wanted to be stronger, and he was able to give me that power that I desired. I came to him with the urge to better myself, and he gave me the knowledge and resources that he had. But now, I am strong. And yet, it leaves me still wanting more. Recently though, I have had something else on my mind. My training seems less important to me, and frankly I couldn't care less if the Dark Kingdom lost the war." He took another sip of his ginger ale and continued. "In all honesty, I don't really know what side I want to be standing on when it's all said and done. I just now I want to be standing somewhere near you. You are strong, of course, that would be an understatement. I would follow you to my death. Wherever you wish to go, I will follow. I still desire to become strong, and I always will. You are the strength I wish to learn from. You are my inspiration." He looked to her, hoping to see that rare smile that she showed to few people on the rarest occasion. "I guess you could say that my main plan as of late, has been to make you smile."
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Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:39 am
Nicki looked to Nicolai with a sort of focused attention, listening to his words with increasing interest. So, like her he desired power. And, like her, he had used Adel to find such power. It seemed that the more she learned of him the more she understood how like her he was. This was both a good thing and bad. Silently she wondered if ever he thought of betraying her like she would to Adel. Still, his words seemed to suggest otherwise. While Nicki used Adel to gain the power and station she require for her plan to work, Nicolai seemed to be doing it all to get closer to her. What his reason for such things were didn’t seem clear, even after he had finished.
At first, Nicki simply sat there with an odd look on her face. She had won the kind of loyalty she had been hoping for, someone who was willing to risk their life for her. This was good, as it meant that should the unlikely occasion occur, Nicki would have a means to stay alive. Still, she felt something akin to guilt at the thought, a feeling she had never experience before. It was strange and left her feeling all wrong inside, causing her to turn away for a moment and stare at the shelves behind the bar.
Finally she turned back, her mind made up about Nicolai. She would keep him with her to determine whether she could trust him or not and, once she had decided, she would be able to bring him into her scheme. It would certainly be better to have someone else on her side, slowly helping her to create the hell on earth she desired. Staring deep into Nicolai’s eyes, Nicki felt her lips curling up in that rare smile. “Well, Nicolai, it seems you’ve done what so few can.” She said, her tone softening significantly. She was playing as she often did, calming her violent nature to allow Nicolai to ease around her so she could truly see his intentions. However, deep within, she felt something stirring that she had never felt before, something she didn’t have words for. It was odd and left her feeling rather strange, but she shook it off and nodded towards the door. “Shall we be on our way?”
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Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:36 am
Seilynn was looking around as the carriage started to move. She was smiling however it faded a little as she looked over at Crystal, seeing how she clung to the side of the carriage and seemed frightened. Leaning forward, Seilynn gently put her hand over the tiny one that belonged to the girl. "Don't be afraid." She smiled. Even though she didn't know why the girl seemed afraid, she tried to comfort her. "Come, sit closer to me if you wish." She added as she scooted a little to the side so Crystal would get some space to sit on.
Slowly letting her hand slip from Crystals after a few moment, Seilynn picked up the light bread they had bought and broke a piece from it before putting it down again. "Just tell me if somethings on your mind, or if you're hungry." She added in a warm and caring voice.
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:41 pm
Soren walked into the Tavern. The fight, or rather the screams of agony, could be heard from over a quarter mile away. Many large men littered the floor, most were alive, some had fatal stab wounds. As he looked around he saw two people sitting at the bar. He didn't know which one had done the killing, nor did he care. You shouldn't leave scum like this alive, lest it tries to breed." Soren held his hand up to the face of the nearest man and created a highly pressurized air field around his head. A few seconds later the man's head shrank a considerable amount, blood seethed from his eye sockets, ears, and mouth. The other men tried to run, but a host of injuries prevented an escape quick enough. He grabbed a chakram from his back and leaving it in it's collapsed, semi-circle position, he sliced open the back of each man as they ran past him to the door. After finishing off the cowards, he turned back to the bar. "I'll just have water." He said as he walked up and took a seat two seats away from the couple that were already there.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:09 pm
Crystal gulped audibly, an attempt to remove the lump that formed in her throat. It seemed to work slightly and, as the woman offered, the girl scurried over the carriage to sit beside her new friend. Her eyes seemed to dart about wildly and her heart was pounding in her ears, yet simply being beside Seilynn and hearing that familiar, calming tone seemed to ease the young girl’s troubles. Her heart slowed and the lump cleared until not but a small bit of fear remained. It seemed more a discomfort or inconvenience than fear, really, and Crystal couldn’t help but lean closer to the woman slightly. She hadn’t realized it but she had become slightly dependent on the woman, or more accurately the woman’s presence. Everything about her seemed to put at ease the doubts that surrounded young Crystal’s entire life.
Looking to the older woman Crystal smiled and nodded. “Thank you, and actually I wouldn’t mind something to eat.” She wanted to say she wasn’t all that hungry but her stomach rumbled loudly and she gripped it with a tiny hand, giggling softly as a pink tone brushed across her cheeks. “Apparently my stomach agrees.” She said, laughing once more. Her face lit up in the moment and truly she felt nothing but joy, her unease at being in the carriage all but forgotten.
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:43 pm
Ariya, having spent quite enough time in the less than impressive inn, made her swift descent down the stairs and towards the door. Her advisor, Viktor, had already settled things with the innkeeper, gaining the stores they would need for their journey back to the Knorth Kingdom. It would be a few days journey, surely, before she could reach the great forest in which her brother had been slain. Such thoughts only invoked the fire princess’ cruel wrath, a beast most would wish to avoid. As she set foot on the main floor, the thin, dark haired man following not far behind, she couldn’t help but let her amber gaze wander over the crowd. A few of the more intoxicated fellows dared to stare at her, though one look in her terrifying eyes and they seemed to sober up, dropping their eyes to their tankards. The rest seemed smart enough to keep their eyes averted, especially given the frightful beasts this woman kept as pets. In an instant she was gone, her gaze now directed to her waiting carriage.
As Ariya made her way up the steps, Viktor offering his hand to steady her way, she heard the panting of her wolf and stopped in her tracks. Haru and Freiya, despite their wild natures, were rather tame when around their mistress. They would make little or no sounds save when they thought it necessary. As such, when the beasts made any sound at all Ariya had learned to pay great attention. As she turned her eyes on the hound she noted his gaze, turned down the street to lock on a figure she could not see from this angle. He seemed intent on whomever it was, whether this was good or bad, and before she could grab hold of the beast he had taken off, howling into the streets.
Cursing Ariya grabbed the feline before she could follow her canine companion, beckoning Freiya within the carriage as she followed suit. Viktor climbed in after his mistress and gave the order for them to leave. Whips cracked and the horses neighed in complaint but, nonetheless, pulled forward as they made after the rapidly escaping Haru. The wolf, wind whistling past his ears and into his gaping maw, bore down the street at great speeds, his long legs pumping as he chased after his quarry. It wasn’t long before he found the one who had gained his attention, a young woman traveling on the lonely streets without escort. He stopped dead before her, his yellow eyes staring up into hers. For a brief moment he stood there, tongue hanging out and panting away the effort of his run. However, the moment shrank away as his ears went back slightly and a low growl escaped his lips.
The sounds of the carriage broke the tension around the beast slightly, though he did not shift from his position. In but a moment the carriage door swung open, voices calling out to the volcanic woman as she leapt from the still rolling carriage and landed gracefully on the street. It took but a few strides before she was upon the wolf, her fiery eyes blazing with fury as she grabbed his scruff and pulled. “Haru you beast! You know better.” Her voice seemed a more menacing sound than anything the wolf had yet offered and at once his ears flattened back, his eyes tilting up to his mistress in terror and apology. He whimpered to her, realizing his mistake, but glanced once towards the woman he had come upon. Something about her had attracting the creature and at once those amber eyes had flicked to her, taking in her slight frame, golden hair and full, blue eyes. She was from the Light Kingdom, no doubt, but Ariya felt a sting of curiosity as she stared at the woman.
“Who are you?” She asked, not even bothering to apologize to the woman for Haru’s actions. She let go of the wolf, though not entirely consciously, and he ran into the carriage to hide in guilt. There was a growl from within and it was clear that he was being reprimanded by the feline as well, poor Viktor being left within to deal with the two. Ariya, however, took a step forward to further survey the woman before her. She didn’t look like anything special, yet around her there was a certain air of dignity, as if she were used to a higher way of life. A dark haired man peeked out of the carriage for a moment, wanting to interrupt the princess and be on their way but also quite valuing his life. He was forced simply to watch the scene unfold, hoping the young woman’s interest would break in a moment.
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:27 am
Grace stumbled a few steps back in shock, but otherwise escaped the wolf without a scratch on her, she watched carefully as the animal was disciplined. "I'm sorry... my name is Grace." she offered, smiling softly at the fearsome looking woman. "I am a part of the court of the Light." she continued, knowing that skeptical look in the woman's eyes for curious doubt.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:51 am
It had taken about a day and a half of steady walking at Alaura’s relentless pace but at last the group had come to a stop. They had taken nothing but petty breaks the entire way, the young earth woman refusing to stop for long lest others be coming for them. Yet now her own body could take it no more. Though Damien had been gracious enough to lend her Asgoroth, his beautiful white stallion, even riding had taken its toll. The young woman was sick and she could no longer hide the fact. Her weapon had been strapped to the horse at some point during the journey and she had been hunched over since the morning. Her brow was covered in sweat and the fever that now took hold seemed reluctant to leave her. Before long she knew she would be out cold, a burden to the rest, and so she halted their long procession at some hot springs. Perhaps the healing waters would do them all well, and certainly a long night’s rest would give them strength for the rest of their journey.
It took a great deal of effort but at last Alaura was able to dismount, sliding from the great steed with significantly less grace than she usually held. She tried to hide it but the worried faces of the earth soldiers seemed to be watching, the truth of their leader’s plight now evident to all. Still, she put on a brave face and looked to the crowd. “We’ll rest here for the night. The hot waters and a good meal will do us all well.” She said, her voice quavering slightly as she raised it for all to hear. The rustling of her men only just touched the woman’s ears as she turned to the group of much closer friends about her. “So, shall we?” She asked, motioning towards the steam that arose from said hot springs.
The entire area was comfortingly warm; a soothing feeling washing over aching limbs as the woman forced herself onwards, hardly waiting for anyone else to follow. As she made her way towards the hot springs she noticed that they were separated. Whether by the aid of her earthen brethren or by some natural feat, the men’s side was separated from the women’s by a large rock wall. A rather sly smile slid across her lips and Alaura turned to face the men behind her. “Looks like you boys won’t be able to peek.” She said playfully, though one might think it almost sad given the gaunt look behind her once bright eyes. Still, the smile on her face was a hope that burned within her, a hope that with this rest would come health and strength.
Alaura moved towards the women’s pool, making sure no men were around before she swiftly stripped of her clothing and slid inside the hot waters. There was a rather loud, relaxed sigh that seeped from her as she leaned against the side of the spring, resting her head against the edge and closing her eyes. Already she felt as if the steaming waters were pulling away her tension and bringing forth the serenity she so needed. It was as if all of the doubts were cleared from her mind in that moment and she was able to truly relax for perhaps the first time in her life.
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