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 Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:47 am
 
The tension in the air was so thick that one could slice through it with a knife. Nobody really said anything. There were a few extra people accompanying them, including the two immortals she saw earlier. When they reached the stables, the blonde disappeared. Jamie heard him say to his partner that she should go with him, but she insisted on traveling with the rest instead. The lady was now riding behind the lot, observing everyone with her hawk-like crimson eyes. Jamie was too scared to look back at her.
No, she thought, not scared. Just intimidated, or perhaps not really concerned.
That was a lie. There was something oddly familiar about that woman that unnerved Jamie.
She redirected her attention to Pierre. It was the first time they went horse-riding together and it kind of seemed romantic even in the given situation. She carefully steered her horse closer to his - close enough so she could poke his cheek and then laugh at his reaction. An amused giggle came up from behind them which seemed to lighten the entire atmosphere. James watched them too and his gaze seemed to soften from his previously wary attitude towards the moody prince. Light conversations started to tingle the air as everyone became more and more at ease.
They didn't stop to eat or drink or rest. Instead, a few people with small, round, friendly faces did turns handing out fresh buns and small flasks of water to the humans and blood vials to the vampires. Out of boredom, Jamie discovered a pattern of these meal times. They seemed to be handing out bits of food every third hour.
"Milady," a gentle voice sounded next to her. Jamie was slightly startled, but turned with a questioning smile instead of a glower. "It's a gift." The red haired boy left a tiny vial in her hand and disappeared to return to his post as a part of the barrier that was formed around the entire group.
She averted her attention from the principle that children or child-like persons (she couldn't exactly say humans as it might be false) could fight and protect, and were used for said purpose instead of being protected; and fixed her gaze on the tiny vial. It was not even half the size of what Pierre fed from, but it was filled with a deep red liquid with a pearly hue.
Drink me, read the label attached on the cork lid. Jamie smiled at this, but couldn't understand why. It reminded her of something in her childhood that has very much faded from her memory. Without hesitation, she downed it in one go and placed the vial in her blouse where no one would think of looking for it. A human consuming blood or anything similar would upset the fragile lighthearted mood everyone was currently in.
Jamie casually glanced around her as if she was checking that everyone was all right and happy, but also (secretly) if someone had seen her drink the ounce of blood and perhaps spot the person who sent it to her. Her grey-blue eyes met those of a light haired man who stared back at her without much expression that could be seen from under his hair.
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Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:44 pm
 The Paladin It was a quiet beautiful night, usually Maugis would allow his aura to light the way but some of the immortals already seemed to be wary of him and he did not want to cause them any more alarm. "For you sir?", a smallish child of the immortals held a piece of bread roll towards him hesitantly, as if not sure whether it's the correct nourishment to offer. "Thank you", Maugis took it smiling reassuringly, it had been a while since he ate - he was taught to reject most physical needs for long periods of times. Whilst picking at his bread roll he stared at the group, I wonder why they all tolerate being treated as intruders, he observed the barricade of natives surrounding them, most of Prince du Bouvier’s group were capable fighters or had someone who would protect them till no ends, the need for such a large body of natives for protection seemed unnecessary. Suppose the natives have their reasons to be suspicious of other vampires…Maugis’ attention was drawn to clear red fluid, the vampires were receiving blood vials to drink, "an abomination!", he remembered the high Priest shouting, but this wasn't the exact truth, nourishment comes in many different forms it might be as simple as a plant growing from the earth, bread rolls from a bakers oven or even blood... Then, interrupting his train of thought while he was staring absentmindedly in the direction of a peculiar blood vial, he noticed the person drinking it wasn't one of the native immortals… or a vampire for that matter. A human! - Jamie hid the vial and was looking straight at him, Maugis kept his expression blank. Vampires have no choice, blood is their source of sustenance but the way they obtain blood determines their nature, a human drinking blood though... he wasn't quite sure how he should handle that, and as quotes from the high Priest conflicted with his own more developed ideas of good and evil, his eyes started glowing bright gold again - as they often do when he is deep in thought or meditating. "Maugis!", the Captain breathed with a hushed tone, but he barely took notice and continued riding his horse. "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 6:43 pm
 Pierre could feel the blood doing its work. He immediately relaxed and allowed his horse to take a more comfortable gait. Jamie easily kept pace along side him, but was attracting curious stares from the captain's guard. He felt a surge of heated jealousy. Pierre pulled the reigns of the horse so that he cut her from the guard's view. He gave the man a hard, challenging look, but he was already turning his attention to the captain. Irritated, Pierre gave an unconscious tug on the reigns. His horse snorted.
The moon broke through the thick canopy of trees, throwing the travelers into sharp relief. A sudden gasp and flurry of movements drew the attention of the group. For some strange reason, James had covered his head and spurred his horse into a gallop so that he was once again under the cover of the trees. A small snarl escaped James's lips, and a young boy from the guard backed off into another space as quickly as he could; it was clear James had frightened him.
Pierre frowned at this, but James continued onward as if nothing had happened. He shrugged it off and continued to observe Jamie in his peripheral vision.
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 10:29 am
 xxxxxxx"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."
Not a dull little group at all, Anabellee mused with half a smirk on her lips. A small girl drinking blood without hesitation, a noble knight whose eyes lit up in the dark, a troubled young lad with a growl lodged in his throat, and a paranoid prince with a heart as small as his white-haired maiden. All of them are treading soil to fulfill their own selfish desires. Except the prince, yet his urgency is quite something. There's a thin veil of peace that rests over this little crowd, shielding them from the green fog of their inner conflicts. She glanced up towards the moon, allowing her brilliant hair to absorb and reflect its radiance. I wonder...
Her now grey eyes rested on Jamie's back. Affectionately, as if the human maiden was a childhood doll of hers. Then, an idea sparked into existence and formulated itself in her mind, and she eased her black steed into an elegant trot.
"Would it soothe your curiosity to know her secret, Paladin?" she asked the blonde man while her horse casually strode alongside him. "I'm sure it would soothe your eyes as well," she stroked a thin, icy finger over his eye, forcing him to blink. "I can spill some light on the subject, if you wish." Upon her face she wore a charming smile - a smile that was hard to say no for, because it stretched into her eyes that seemed human more than ever.
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:36 am
The Paladin Maugis was pulled out of his thoughts quite suddenly, "What?...", he voiced confused while squinching his eyes repeatedly to get rid of the lingering irritation. An immortal was staring at him questioningly with large eyes, as if to expect and answer, though there was something different about this particular creature, for one she looked frighteningly similar to Jamie and then there was something else, an aura about her that could only be distinguished by his paladin training - it was the aura of those who drew power from their victims. "Oh, excuse me m'lady", Maugis corrected himself and quickly scanned his memory for reasons as to why exactly she would expect and answer, his eyes already faded to normality. "...her secret... light on the subject..." hmm... the immortal must have seen what I have... "Your generosity with knowledge is commendable, but I wonder... Why is it that you would spill secrets which do not belong to you, moreover, to a mere captain's guard?", Maugis questioned suspiciously, creatures of the night was cunning and years of hunting them made him wary, paranoid even, of those he did not know - these immortals took no exception. He looked at her expectantly, the immortal had an inviting smile and he was interested in what she had to say regardless of his suspicions. "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:01 pm
xxxxxxx"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."
"Well, it's a simple reasoning behind it, really. You wish to now more and so do I. Therefore, we should consider ourselves allies on the common ground that consists of our quest for knowledge and collaborate to acquire the knowledge that our curious hearts so intensely seek. You wish to know more about this human, and so do I." It was a completely valid reason even though he might not have wanted to retrieve the information as she intended to, nor to the depth that she wished to investigate. He is a bit out of it, Anabellee noted to herself. He is not a part of them, yet he lingers here - among his enemies and far away from any of his predecessors and their principles. I do not know everything, perhaps, but I do know from what books had taught me. And many a book I read. She then continued in a sweet voice.
"Perhaps you act out of pure curiosity, noble knight, but mine is that of necessity. You see, this human, this little flowery girl before us, will soon be queen of Rhodesa and perhaps Ravenheart as well. Do you not consider it odd that we look exactly alike? Are you not curious to why this happens to be so? Moreover, whether she is a threat to this feeble fleece of peace that seems to dangle over our heads, and to the order of the Immortals? Would you not investigate any chance to disprove the fanatic philosophies of your priests?"
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Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 5:05 am
The Paladin Maugis listened intently to what the immortal was saying, then -for a very brief moment of time- surprise flashed across his face. She knows?... "Please, do not speak of my order again, I do not wish to harm any creature that might take offence towards me because of what I am", he paused, making sure the weight of his words sunk in, then scanned those around him. When he was satisfied that no one heard he continued, "You certainly do look alike, but this is not what makes me curious, I wish to know whether she is not a negative force in the world that needs to be... removed. The same could be said of my curiosity about you..." This immortal knows enough about my order that she could successfully recognize a Paladin, she is smart... and also seems to be related to the future queen, this is not to be approached without caution, Maugis mulled things over for a few seconds, "Very well, your reasoning is sufficient, also I've been stuck with the Captain for too long, I wouldn't mind new company, so yes", he smiled at her, "You may call me Maugis, to whom do I owe the pleasure of this company?", bowing his head slightly. "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:09 pm
It was at this moment that James unleashed a cry of fury and drew his sword, throwing himself at Pierre. Both men crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs. They jumped to their feet. "What the hell is wrong with you, James," Pierre snarled furiously.
"You should've let me die back there! You should never have brought me to this place! It's damned," James screamed back. Harsh understanding dawned on Pierre's face. He remembered all too well those exact words... He marched forward, knocked the sword out of the way impatiently, and seized James by his lapels, dragging him into the thick of the trees to the right of the road. Once they were far enough away, Pierre stopped and threw James from him. Both man and sword were sent flying a few feet, into the nearest tree. James seized the sword and took a fighting stance once more, breathing heavily.
"I see you're getting your memories back," Pierre stated in troubled tones. James gave him a blazing look. "Bits and pieces, bits and pieces," he said impatiently, "It seems the closer we get to the capital, the more I remember. Sometimes I forget where I am. I don't see this place anymore. I'm back in Rhodessa with that... thing!" Pierre could plainly hear his voice cracking with emotion - rage, fear, stress. James's hands were shaking and he looked crazed.
"But you're not," Pierre said calmly, advancing with his hands raised, "You're here. With us. Look, why don't we try walking? We'll lead the horses and just walk for a while," he said in soothing tones, as if talking to an emotional child. "We'll just walk a ways and calm down."
"And if I can't control myself? If I forget where I am? What then?"
"Then I will control you," Pierre said darkly. "It's not just about me anymore. It's about Jamie, too. I will protect her at any cost. Even if it means killing you."
James's face smoothed over as calm spread through him. "Or... you could do it now." He knelt before Pierre with the blade in his hands, the sword hilt out to Pierre and the tip of the blade resting on his shirt, just over his heart. Pierre gripped the handle and James closed his eyes. Slowly and carefully, the prince slid the sword from James's hands. He opened his eyes and looked at Pierre in confusion.
"I think I'll just hang on to this for a while," he said softly, studying James with a mixture of interest and fear. He pulled James to his feet and kept a grip on his arm as they headed for the road. Quietly, so that Pierre almost didn't hear what he was saying, James said to himself, "What the hell is waiting for us at the capital?" I'm beginning to wonder about that, too...
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Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:11 pm
 
The door of the Lunar Sanctuary was kicked in; James jumped and whipped his head around as a fleet of vampires poured into the room. Pierre was ripped from his shaking hands and taken to an altar; he was bitten and vampiric blood was forced down his throat. Then James was dragged - screaming and crying for Pierre to save him - backward through the doors, away into blackness...
James forced himself to see what was really there - the trees, the march of the horses' hooves... The moon breaking through the trees.
"We'll be safe here, James. The Lunar Sanctuary will protect us. Our god will not abandon us." The two men reached the top of the stairs and were more than three miles above ground. The tall doors reached toward the heavens and felt ominous, as if they were breathing and daring the two to enter. Pierre pushed the doors open and led him into a vast, domed chamber without a ceiling. Instead, it opened to the heavens, revealing the full moon in the perfect center. James turned and barred the doors.
No sooner had he done this than the moon illuminated the altar in the center, bathing the whole chamber in a pale glow. Pierre's footsteps echoed off the checkered floor as he approached it. The knot in his stomach grew; he felt as if unseen people were in between the many columns around the room, watching and waiting for the right moment... "No! Sire, get away from there!" He dashed forward and blocked Pierre's path. But now he was standing on the altar in the moonlight. And he was right.
Hundreds of pale people with silvery blonde hair like Pierre's were standing around them on the outskirts. This was impossible, he realized, because beyond the columns was open sky...
Suddenly, they realized he could see them. They started forward, smiling wide and revealing sharp teeth, their long white robes swishing at their feet. "You should've let me die back there! You should never have brought me to this place! It's damned," he cried out. The figures jerked to a halt a few yards away and lifted their arms to the moon in unison. A great rushing sound of gigantic, leathery wings filled the room and echoed loudly. "Now we have to worry about that creature on top of the vamps!?" He glared at the prince.
Pierre and James crouched and covered their ears in pain as the screech cut through the air and rang in their ears... It was coming...
He once more forced himself back to his surroundings. He could feel Pierre's eyes boring into the side of his head. He willed himself not to look and continued onward.
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Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:46 am
xxxxxxx"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." The white-haired human started to steer her horse of into their direction, with urgency painted in her eyes, but Anabellee's black beauty made it in time for her to catch a firm hold on the reign, preventing Jamie from going anywhere. She cast a scornful glare towards the immortal, but this only smiled at her.
"Let the men be men, your duty lies in more than your Prince's affairs. He's a big boy, let him fight it out himself.
Jamie was jittery with panic, but listened to her doppleganger nevertheless. A thousand thoughts dashed through her mind, and all at once. What was James thinking? Why was he acting like this? Pierre is his best friend! This isn't good, no, not good at all.
"You know, Jamie," said Anabellee soothingly. "It's no use fretting yourself over them. You'll end up doing more harm if you interfere." She was right and, judging by her's expression, she could see Jamie calm down as she retreated into thought.
Your duty is more than that to the Prince, Jamie repeated in her head. She was, undoubtedly, confused at how this person could control her so effortlessly and not a bit less worried about her two favourite persons in the Otherworld. If they were to fight among themselves, her world would surely come crashing down. How frail are you, Jamie? She accused. Frowning, Jamie clutched the reigns and continued forward.
Anabellee's sweet, soprano voice started in pleasant song. The children and food-providers joined in, and their voices rose beyond everyone's uneasiness, breaking it as if it was a thin layer of ice. It was the anthem of their kingdom and they proudly sang their hearts out as the walls of the capitol dotted the horizon.
((I hope this doesn't interfere with anyone's plans, and sorry for taking so long to post.))
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Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:17 am
The Paladin Song filled the cold night sky, Lady Anabellee -as she had introduced herself- was leading the song, her voice clearer than all, calming the thick timid atmosphere that reigned over group since the Prince and James had returned from the forest. Maugis created a few birds formed fully of light and allowed them to dance through the group playfully, drawing the attention away as he steered his horse onward - closer to the origin of the groups trouble. "Prince du Bouvier, I did not have time to introduce myself properly after you recovered", he approached the Prince, "This might not be my place but it seems a darkness has befallen your comrade...", he stared at James carefully. Wherever evil was growing it was his duty remove it before it could do harm, and a man with sudden fits of rage, snarling at the moon was certainly not free of evil... he thought. During the time he served under the order as Paladin he had met many evils and that which seems to have taken root in James was beginning to look very familiar... "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 4:03 am
Pierre almost immediately knew who the man really was... He remembered the day they came to Rhodessa during the war. They came to kill off the vampires. Then, he hadn't minded; their hatred made them allies. But now...
He pulled back and allowed James to continue walking further ahead. "I don't know why you're here, or exactly what you are - but I know enough. I know what your kind does; I remember. But mark me... he will remember, too. I can control him, but if he thinks he's being threatened, I can't promise that he won't attempt you harm." He paused, taking in the man's reaction.
They continued on in silence for a while, each considering the other. Pierre wondered how much of a threat this Maugis posed and whether or not it would be prudent to have him left behind. After a while, he banished the thought. He didn't seem to be threatening, and the fact that he didn't try to kill Pierre... Maybe he wasn't like the others.
"If I have your word that you won't kill James," he said softly, breaking the silence, "You may help me do whatever is necessary to control him - if the problem arises. But, if he must be killed..." He looked up at Maugis on his horse and stopped in his tracks. "I will be the one to do it. And not a word of any of this conversation to the others. Agreed?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 6:28 am
The Paladin It was to be an agreement then, in all likelihood the first ever between paladin and vampire. Maugis considered this uncharted territory of relations ...if things worked out, many of the order will come to realize the truth, but if things go wrong, and with the vampire prince none the less, I could do tremendous harm to the order... He rode next to the prince thinking over the situation, "I do realize my fellow brethren do not share my views, and I believe that is why I am here, to show them that it is possible to reason with nocturnal beings, that a truce can be formed, I give you my word that I will not kill James, only lend a hand when necessarily, nor will I speak of this conversation again." With that Maugis steered his horse to his previous position near the back of the group, where he could keep an eye on those around him. The birds of light flew into the air and exploded into wondrous sparkles of light glittering out of existence. He stared over to Lady Anabellee, Her plans seems to have progressed... "Vile creatures of the night, shall all perish in the light" - High Priest
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Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 11:52 am
James was aware that Pierre and the strange guard were discussing him. He felt a deep resentment burn deeply within him and he couldn't help but imagine striking them. He might have convinced himself to do so, had he a weapon. James chanced a sidelong glance at Pierre; the sword still hung at his side. The prince was riding now, the better to keep a watchful eye on him.
As if I needed guarding. As if I want their help... Dark thoughts rose from dark emotions, and soon another flood of dark memories followed.
"I didn't want this! I never asked for your sacrifice!" The sorceress gave him a sad smile. "I understand, young River, but it was necessary. You must protect our prince. If he should be taken, everyone and everything in our land with perish. The vampires are ruthless; they will not keep their word. They will spare no one once they have the prince, and they will expand their domain to our kingdom."
He knew she was right, but he felt guilty anyway. "But what will become of your son? What will happen to him now that he has no body?"
"I would not answer that, but it will ease your pain. I will tell you. My son has been showing himself to be powerful - a little too powerful. I can no longer make excuses for some of his deeds. He is neither ignorant of his power, nor fearful. He will become his father if I'm not careful. I will confine him to my land. When you drive the vampires from our kingdom, I may well return him to his body and build you another. For now, these actions are necessary..."
He wondered if she was right, or if she was just jealous of the power her son wielded. For a brief moment, he wondered what became of her son. He shook the thought from his head.
Fire. He could smell the burning flesh of those trapped in the lower temple of the village. There would be no saving them. James fell to his knees, wondering why the vamps had committed such a senseless crime. He became aware of soldiers at his back and, in one fluid motion, drew his sword, swinging into those nearest to him. They fell easily. He beheaded them for good measure and launched himself at the next wave.
James lay flat on his back in the muddy road; Pierre was pinning his arms down and another was splashing his face with water. He snarled.
"We're here, James; wake up! Daylight is coming. We need to take shelter in MacKenzie's estate." He sat up, wiping the dripping water from his eyes angrily. He jumped to his feet and seized his horse's reigns. In a dark mood, he trudged toward the enormous white marble manor, the others following behind with whispers.
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Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 5:15 am
Pierre. Prince Jean-Pierre du Bouvier, prince of Ravenheart and soon to be king of the new Rhodessa. Rhodessa?
It is what the Badlands used to be - a human kingdom that flourished. And Pierre will bring that wonder back to the human race, came the reply.
Ah. I wonder how you will feel about that. There are some things the Knights cannot run away from. Her thoughts were accompanied by a painful gratitude that threatened her collected poise.
Then, as if her body had a will of it's own, she flicked the horse with her heels and it started into a trot until she was walking on foot with James towards the estate.
"I don't know what's troubling you, but you'll always be our friend. No matter what haunts you," she smiled foolishly up at the man as if he was her brother. Anna did not understand this, but she did not resist. This way, Jamie's essence would not disappear as quickly and because of that she could relax a bit more. Her actions could be somewhat justified from the perspective of a mother. However, the time was ticking by.
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