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 Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:19 am
Damien had ensured he kept himself rather close to Alaura, both out of concern and sheer interest in the woman. He was pleased to see that Asgoroth had taken to her, though from what he heard from the earth soldiers that followed her this was to be expected. Were she not ill she evidently had the gift of speech with the beasts, able to call upon their aid whenever she needed. The Falcon that followed her in the skies above seemed proof of that, his watchful avian eye always cast down to her as if in worry. Damien couldn’t help but admire how many people cared about this woman yet she continued to keep things to herself, as if she could take the world on her shoulders and never ask for help.
He laughed inwardly at his thoughts, knowing he was perhaps judging others despite the fact that he hardly knew them, but then again Damien had always been a pretty good judge of character and certainly observant. As they finally halted at the hot springs Damien found himself pulled instantly from his thoughts. He looked about and his deep blue eyes lit up. He wasn’t usually a self-indulgent man but perhaps just this once it would be alright to treat himself. Being a Paladin he was used to always putting others before himself. In this case he was more worried about the woman riding his steed, yet he couldn’t see how the rest would do them any harm and so he simply smiled, stepping up next to her to offer help. She of course refused but at least he had offered.
Watching Alaura announce their stay here for the night, Damien stepped up to Asgoroth, grabbing hold of his reigns and patting the great beast on the side. “Thank you, old friend, for all of your help.” The beast snorted happily and Damien couldn’t help but wonder if the horse knew about this woman’s abilities. Surely she couldn’t use them in her current state, but perhaps there was still a link, a knowledge that this creature held that he could never truly understand. Grinning he reached into one of the saddlebags, pulling out an apple and offering it to the creature. Asgoroth took it greedily but whinnied deeply for Damien. With another pat the man was off, leaving the horse to roam as he pleased. He, on the other hand, moved towards Ryal, the man from the Knorth Kingdom that he had met earlier.
Grinning as he approached he stepped up next to the man, patting him on the back as he came up beside him. “Shall we head to the springs?” He asked in that pleasant baritone voice of his, looking first to Ryal and then to the hot springs. He didn’t truly know this man, not well enough to call him friend, yet in this group he couldn’t help but feel companionship. Certainly there were deeper bonds for the others who had spent more time together, but he felt welcomed here despite the rather rough earthen men that surrounded them. And of course there was the fact that both he and Ryal were from the Knorth Kingdom, wide as it might be, leaving him with a sort of brotherhood feeling like the others of his order. He hardly waited for an answer, of course, grabbing the man about the shoulders and dragging him off like and older brother might to his younger sibling.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:50 am
Ariya continued to watch the woman, knowing Viktor was waiting for her but ignoring his for the moment. “Grace?” She said, testing the name on her lips as if simply by speaking it she would know who this woman was. She said she was a part of the courts but certainly they would not have let her out without an escort. Ariya felt bitter towards this, feeling the eyes of her own retainers bearing down on her. It was a nuisance to have them about, especially given that the woman would make better time on her own, but her father was antsy now, knowing what had happened to his precious son, and refused to let his only living child out alone.
Laughing softly Ariya shook her head. “A lady of the court? Out alone? I would hardly think they would have let you out without a guard. Especially in these times.” As she spoke those last words Ariya couldn’t help the gleam that passed through her eyes. She wasn’t sure how she was able to sneak through in such a manner but no one seemed to know where she was from. Her carriage was unmarked and she had clothes that seemed to be of no particular kingdom, allowing her to pass through any without being too noticeable.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:56 am
Ryal had trudged along, eyes on the ground, felling a bit downtrodden and more than slightly tired out. He nearly ran into a tree when he realized they had come to a hot springs. When he heard Alura announce that they were staying, he was practically ecstatic. If not for his achy bones, burning muscles, and the heavy packs he was carrying, he would have leaped for joy, ignoring the scornful glances he would inevitably attract. He let his load slide off his shoulder and fall to the ground.
Finally, this will be--
His thoughts were interrupted by a slap on the back and a familiar voice.
Damien! Good t--
before he could think about answering Damien's question, he was being pushed from behind toward a spot where they could undress.
Uhh... yeah...!
Oh, well. I guess it was more rhetorical anyway...
Ryal didn't fight the motion, but rather enjoyed the fact that someone had taken some kind of notice of him. It felt as though he finally had that brother he had always wanted. He had seen on many occasions brothers treating each other much like the way Damien was now, and Ryal couldn't help but smile.
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:15 pm
Shane had never left Alaura's side throughout the duration of the journey. He hadn't exchanged a single word with anyone on the way. Thoughts ran wild in his mind. He watched the paladin offer his help to Alaura on more than one occasion. A small bit of jealousy could be seen on Shane's face had anyone been looking. It was true that Damien had more to offer, being a paladin. He was a very distinguished man. Shane could not help but wonder if the man's intentions were much like his own. The paladin made his way over to one of the newcomers to the group and was making conversation. Perhaps I'm getting myself all worked up over nothing. A little bit of life shone in his weary eyes at the mention of a warm meal. He watched as Alaura made her way into the hotsprings and then out of site. It pained him a little to not have his watchful eyes upon her, but he was not able to follow for obvious reasons.
He made his way through the small crowds to first find a place to wash up. He avoided the springs themselves as he prefered cold water and was not one for idle chatter at the moment. After speaking with one of the people that worked at the hotsprings, he slipped away from the crowds and into a room were he could wash. It felt as if a large weight was lifted from his body as the layers of dirt came off him, washing away the sins and the blood that was stained upon him from days before. A man came into the room to deliver Shane's clothes back to him, as he had them washed as well. "Thank you for your kindness." The man nodded in response and went on his way to attend to other matters. Shane looked upon himself in a nearby mirror. The reflection showed a man that he did not recognize, a man that had seen battle. The lives he took were unavoidable. He turned from the reflection and put on his clean clothing as an enticing aroma fluttered through the air.
Very soon, he found himself in front of a banquet. With the exception of a few earthen men, the room seemed more or less empty. Everyone was enjoying themselves in the springs outside. After grabbing some food onto a plate and a cup of some kind of fruit juice, he sat at an empty table. The table looked to be made of a fine wood, the legs almost resembling small tree trunks themselves, their roots seemingly deep into the floor. An interesting design, no doubt the work of a skilled craftsman. He ate and drank as he listened to the chatter and laughter coming from outside in the springs behind him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:59 am
She could see him in the distance, so strong, so proud. He was beckoning for her to join him, and she wanted nothing more than to run to him. But there between them sat a vast expanse filled end to end with people. The masses between them were innumerable. They were all so different, yet all the same. Men, women, children. Old and young. But all here for the same purpose. To keep her from reaching him. They were all so determined. She could only guess their faces. There were clouds overhead, swirling angrily, black as ink, casting dark shadows over all their faces. He called her name, and her eyes welled with tears. The sound of his voice, so warm, so comforting, so sweet. But candy is always the same. Always so sweet while it’s there, but then, when it’s gone, it leaves you… lacking, feeling as though something wonderful has been taken from you. As the last echoes of his voice faded from her consciousness, she began to feel a longing to hear it once more.
Her next act was instinctual. It needed no thought. She leaped from her spot and began running. Before her left foot reached the ground the second time, the masses were upon her.
NO!!
Her eyes closed, concentration showing on her face as she tried to push through the bodies. She stopped to take a breath, and looked up at the faces of those pushing her back. She froze at the sight in front of her. Up close she could truly see the man that was currently keeping her back. She looked in terror, not at a man, but upon a faceless creature. As they surrounded her, she began to look around franticly, and realized, every face, every single one… was as blank and featureless as smoothly polished marble. She let out a shriek, eyes wild with fear, and looked once more into the distance.
He was still there, still waving for her to join him. But as she watched, he began to grow smaller and smaller, shrinking into the distance.
No, no! Don't--
She tried to speak, but words were not forthcoming. With every coming second he grew further into the distance, still waving for, waiting to give his streangth. Finally, she found her voice.
NO! DON'T leave me! Don't leave me! Not again!! Please!!
FATHER!!
Ariella woke with a start to find herself in a clod sweat, and yet, burning with fever. She could hear voices, as if from a great distance away.
Her fever's not improving...
No... if anything it's getting worse. If something isn't done soon...
Yes, I fear the same. The cuts on her back may become infected... how can we treat something like that...?
The voices bagan to fade, slipping in and out of Ariella's hearing much like water, sliding along it's lazy way. So graceful and fluid.
Fluid...
The word made the haze that had replaced her mind begin to buzz. She could remember...
The memory came from far away, from a life set aside and long ago missplaced. He had said those words to her.
An archer must be fast, but not hasty. His arm must move like the swift river as it sweeps down it's path, stopping for nothing. He must be graceful... fluid.
Ryal... my love... where are you...? OH!
She could see him, in the distance, waiting for her, waving his beautiful bow in hope of her noticing him. But there was an expance between them, and people, so many people. Angry black clouds loomed above, shrouding all the faces of those who would keep her from him. She looked over the masses at the one she loved, and then... he called to her...
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:23 pm
Grace nodded, feeling heat in her cheeks, "I am not one of the Nobles. I am an Empath and a Muse... I calm the hearts and minds of the dignitaries to keep peace in the council chambers." she explained softly, her eyes flicking to each of the onlookers. To anyone she looked a girl of twelve while she was at least a few years elder than that.
She didn't blame the woman opposite her for her mirth. It was awkward for anyone of the Court to be out on their own. The Light kingdom was peaceful... by far one of the most peaceful in these troubled times. "It seems Adel sets his eyes on the Blue Kindom... their Queen was taken by his Executioner... i feel that our kindgom is safe from his wrath for now."
><><><><><><
Raphael jerked awake as the carriage came to a stop, the Queen silent opposite him making no efforts to escape. Outside several low voices conversed in quick tones and he leaned to the curtained window curiously. As if sensing his presence the door opened and the driver appeared, "We're in luck, Sir."
An amused expression came to Raphael's face, "Is that so?"
A sharp nod of the driver's head showed truth in his words, "It seems the Princess Hlorian was spotted only a few short miles from here... at a hot spring in Vaughn. I believe his Highness would be most pleased at the recovery of his daughter with the capture of the Queen."
The former water knight nodded, agreement in his eyes. "Quite right you are, I assume she is with the man she presumes to love?"
Another nod.
"Excellent, take me there."
"Of course, sir."
Raphael snapped the door shut and moments later the carriage began to move, altering course for the southwest. The Queen glared deeply at him, "How many people will Adel go through before he's had enough?" she demanded.
Raphael's bitter eyes met hers and he shook his head "Far too many for you to stomach." he hissed, rising to cross the short distance of the carriage, a cloth soaked in chemicals in his hand. She screamed then, the first struggle she'd made since her capture and then the world faded to black.
><><><><><><><
Vivian sighed and wrapped a towel around her body before wandering into the open air bath and slipping quietly into the hot depths of the spring. She hadn't bathed since her exodus from Undrago and the hot water soothed her skin. Alaura seemed to be the only other person present and she sighed, "Alaura.... before the others arrive I think there is something I should tell you. Something I trust that you wont pass on to anyone."
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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:47 pm
The solitary assassin hid amongst the shadows, watching the traveling group set up camp around the hot springs. It was not the most impressive army he had ever seen, but it's soldiers seemed motivated enough to make up for it. He could pick out people from all nations, all walks of life. He would be hard pressed to gain their trust, but not so hard as he had previously assumed. He had seen people from the Kingdom of Darkness, and they seemed liked well enough.
The large tiger behind him gave him a nudge in the bacck as it made a peculiar nervous sound. The large animal did not like being so close to such a large group of armed men.
He placed a hand gently on the beast's forehead, made a shushing noise, and turned back towards the group. He could not spot the leader, and that was who he needed to speak to. Very well, he would just have to make due with the first soldier he ran into. He made a motion for his tiger to stay, and the beast sat down, and yawned.
He dropped his cloak of shadows, and began to walk, cooly and confidently, towards the camp. His black hair and cape flowing slightly in the wind, his purple eyes all that was visible of his face due to the mask he wore. First impressions meant alot in this kind of situation, and he hoped he'd be received well. He didn't want to be forced to kill anyone here. It would make his mission much harder.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:01 am
Nicolai stood as Nicki motioned towards the door, but as he arose from his seat, another man entered the bar. He seemed rather ruthless as he slew every man that was left alive without even batting an eyelash. He could feel the man's power like an ominous cloud looming in the room. It had been many years since last he had seen another air user like himself. But this was not the time nor place for reminiscing on the past, though their was not much good to reminisce about. Curious as he was about this air user's intentions, Nicolai simply nodded to the man and followed Nicki out the door.
The cold night air hit him like tiny needles prodding his skin. The sky was clear, revealing thousands of stars above them. Nicolai looked up with interest. "Too long has it been that I have gone without gazing at the stars." He looked to Nicki, and quickly fell into a short daze. Her beauty was emanating from her eyes; gleaming from the midnight stars' reflections. His cheeks turned a slight red. "I know of a wide open area outside the city walls. A grassy hill to the west, shielded from the wind by the mountains. No one would bother us, and we could gaze at the stars together, if you care to join me."
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:18 am
Ariya couldn’t help but to laugh at the girl before her. Surely she wasn’t foolish enough to believe herself safe. Then again, it was likely she had no idea who this woman was before her. She likely was unaware that standing before her was the powerful daughter of her enemy. Her grin turned slightly more vicious yet her eyes seemed to dance playfully.
“Well, my dear, I wouldn’t say you are entirely safe. Just because Adel does not see interest in you now would not mean that your kingdom is free from the war. The whole world is at war, and indeed even here in the precious kingdom of light there is trouble.” She was rather vague in her words, though indeed she was talking both of herself and of the criminals that thrived in any community. Even in the Kingdom of Light, which would boast of their purity, there were those of a black heart. Indeed Ariya had already paid off one such man for spying on her behalf. Then again, it was indeed a skill of the black of heart to find others of such traits.
Eyeing the girl a little more closely, her scrutinizing gaze unwavering in its intensity, Ariya frowned slightly. “An empath, you say? I must admit I don’t think I’ve ever come across someone such as yourself.” She wished to pry the girl further but at last Viktor seemed unable to wait any longer, clearing his throat slightly to grab his lady’s attention. Grab he did for she whirled about to press her fiery gaze on him, watching him shake beneath it.
“What is it?” She asked in a tone that seemed oddly icy given her hot temper. Viktor cowered before her, as did all of her retainers, but stammered out an apology in any case.
“I-I’m sorry, my lady. B-but we m-must be g-g-going if we are to m-make it.” His stuttering only further annoyed Ariya, but with a sigh she turned back to the woman. In a strange twist of emotions she looked back with an almost kind gaze, as if her fiery wrath had been expended on the man and she had nothing but joy left within her. This wasn’t true, of course, merely how things appeared.
“It would seem that I am being called away, yet again.” There was a tension in her tone, as if this were a common annoyance she was forced to endure. Smiling in an almost sweet manner to the girl, she glanced back towards the palace before looking back to the blonde woman. "You should head back. Danger lurks where you least expect it.” The people behind her, hovering all about the carriage, seemed completely shocked by their lady’s warning, especially given that she was such a danger. Why she had been kind to the girl, and indeed why Haru was drawn to her, she wasn’t sure she’d ever know.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:31 am
Guiding Ryal over to the place where the men could undress, Damien at last let go and moved off a few feet, finally untying and removing his white cloak. Beneath it was some rather intricately designed yet tough armour. A breastplate, gauntlets, grieves and all manner of armour covered most of his body, though indeed it was not the heavy suites reminiscent of a knight. It was the simple traveling armour of a paladin, or at least what Damien might call simple. The handcrafted pieces had been made with great care, each one designed for function and beauty both.
Placing them to the side he then removed his tunic and pants, leaving him in nothing but his undergarments. His tone, muscular build was not what one might have expected upon first glance. It was clear that while Damien seemed a jovial and kind fellow he was, by no means, a weak being. His chiseled body spoke of his endless days and nights of training, working tirelessly until he had perfected his body to become the weapon he required. Grinning childishly at Ryal, however, he wasted no time in heading off to the spring, sliding into the hot water to relax his aching body.
“This is certainly a rare yet wonderful break.” He said, speaking to his newest friend as his body slipped beneath the surface. Only his head was visible. Though Damien wasn’t, by most standards, old he certainly felt it. His body was beginning to take longer to recover; though still he seemed healthy on most occasions. It was simply the price he paid for getting older, he guessed, though he couldn’t bear the thought of one-day being so helpless. Sighing gently he closed his eyes, resting his head against the side as he felt the tension of past days seeping from his muscles and leaving his body.
Without opening his eyes or lifting his head, and knowing that Ryal would be next to him soon enough, Damien raised his voice to the boy. “So, what brings you and your companion to this group?” He wasn't sure he had yet inquired this, and indeed he knew it might be rude to pry, but Damien was a very curious man. Certainly he had posed the question in a kind enough manner, making it obvious that he wasn't about to judge them for their reasoning. Still, he certainly enjoyed hearing about another's life.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:46 am
The moment of reprieve that Alaura had been feeling slid from her grasp as Vivian came up beside her, whispering soft words for her ears alone. She couldn’t, in her illness, hide the slight annoyance she felt. She was tired and worn, her body ached and she needed rest, but as the appointed apparent leader of this group she knew her job would never be still. There was no rest for one such as her, a fact she felt herself cursing as of late. Still, she did not harbour any ill feelings towards Vivian and, with obvious effort, she shifted her body into more of a sitting position and focused her emerald gaze on the woman.
“What’s wrong?” She asked, concern filtering into her gaze as she looked to the troubled woman. She couldn’t imagine what might be running through her head, though indeed she was more than intrigued. This woman, whom Alaura knew next to nothing about, seemed the constant companion of Seth. The only reason Alaura could think that she had at first trusted the woman was because of Seth’s own actions in protecting the group. They may have been from the Dark Kingdom but there was good in them both.
Now, however, Alaura felt a pull on her heart. Had she been wrong all this time? Had Vivian come to harm her while she was unguarded and incapable of protecting herself? The thoughts were discarded almost as soon as they had passed through her mind. Of course Vivian wasn’t like that. Even in her illness Alaura could tell the woman had a kind heart. But something serious was troubling her and Alaura waited, somewhat impatiently, for Vivian to tell her what it was.
For a brief moment, though Alaura wasn't sure why, her mind touched on Shane. Just the image of him seemed to calm her, though she blushed even at the thought of this. She had noticed how close he kept to her throughout the trip, almost fighting for a place at her side with the paladin Damien. She had mused at this at some point, laughing within herself at the little competition. Surely Shane could understand that Alaura was not interested in the other man? Damien was a fine man indeed, but she hadn't the connection with him that she had with Shane. She couldn't help her gaze from sliding to the entrance, as if she expected to see him watching her. Shaking her head softly, tossing dampened strands of white hair over her face, she turned her full attention back to Vivian. Well, perhaps not her full attention, but certainly the vast majority of it.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:57 am
Nicki hadn’t quite made it out the door before the other man had entered, making quick work of the crew she had sparingly left alive. She had rarely found someone with such a violent manner, for indeed few in this world seemed to hold killing to a standard as high as her own. Grinning in that malicious way of hers she almost wished to stay and talk with the man. A roar from above let her know that Fear certainly agreed; yet strangely she felt herself walking away all the same. Her eyes boar back at the man from the air kingdom, like Nicolai. Thinking on the latter, she turned to him with a rather odd look taking hold of her.
What on earth was he saying? Something about how the stars were beautiful. It seemed rather strange to her, his words and actions, yet slowly her mind began to grasp it. Perhaps this is what humans felt, such desires for another being that they spewed words that, in a logical sense, might have been utterly useless. Her eyes stared at him blankly for a moment, their icy hues a little more distant than usual. She bore her gaze upwards, staring at the bright points above then turned them back to the door she had exited. Certainly the other man would be interesting enough to talk to, but with Nicolai so obviously infatuated with her it would be foolish not to utilize her advantage. The other man, with his desire for killing, would certainly make for great entertainment but he would be harder to manipulate and control. Nicolai, on the other hand, would likely risk his life for Nicki, making him more useful for the heartless woman.
Turning to him and offering a strange, twisted smile, the woman shrugged her slender shoulders and motioned for him to lead the way. “You won’t mind if Fear joins us, will you?” She asked in a sickeningly sweet tone. The roar from above made it clear that the only possible answer was yes, for Fear had no intentions of leaving his mistress alone with the man. Fear trusted no one with Nicki, and indeed he was her protector. Perhaps he felt threatened that Nicolai might take his place.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:25 pm
Vivian tucked a dampening strand of hair behind her ear fitfully, "Seth wouldn't want me to tell you this, but I think you need to know that I may have drawn unnecessary attention to you group, and for that I am sorry." she offered firstly, feeling as if the subject needed easing into.
Uneasily she cast a stare over her shoulder, "I left the Dark Kingdom... because I didn't like what was going on and I didn't believe in the ideals that were expected of me. But I fear that that alone may have drawn Adel's eyes to you."
Diplomacy had taken over, she knew what she had to say was not something anyone could take lightly. "King Adelheid... is my Father, and I left because I thought that if I didn't believe in this war that I shouldn't have to succeed a throne that was based on such conquest." she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, "My intention was only to find Seth... because this war tore him from me and I refuse to live without him, Princess or no. Surely Adel will send his Executioner for me and when that happens... to protect your people, I will let him take my head for the betrayal I've given my Father.."
She sunk into the water, lowering her head, "The reason I didn't tell you at first, is because I didn't want everyone to know when only you really needed to. That is all, i did not intend to deceive anyone."
That said she waded away slowly and sat down merely ten feet opposite Alaura, bracing herself for the worst.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 10:32 pm
Grace nodded, understanding the words the she were told. "True enough... but I meant that for now, we are safe from invasion, but I expect it to come soon." she replied, her eyes going to the woman's vassal of sorts and she let her eyes flutter a bit, releasing a wave of calm at the clearly terrified man.
"Come now, be calm." she said gently, her eyes glowing only faintly in the darkness, the wave of soothing emotion falling upon all in the area like fog settling upon the mountainside. Her pulse slowed as she felt each man and woman clear their minds from the fear they'd felt and become wondrously calm.
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