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 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:03 am
Urban Thorne [Apple.Tequilla] "Mi'lord Uriel, a nice day to be out walking isn't it?"  "Indeed it is... especially on the rare occasions when one has time to," Uriel murmured as he came to stand before her, returning her bow with a faint nod of greeting. Gone were the plotting expression, and angry body-language; instead, his outward appearance was the one the Order was far more accustomed to... a calm, relaxed exteriour that encouraged others to trust... to confess.
Tilting his head faintly, one hand raised to tap a fingertip to his lips, unconscously keeping the palms of his hands concealed. "Recently returned from the field, I am guessing... might I inquire as to what business the Order had you attending to? Answer at your ease; your commanders won't mind you disclosing the details of your assignment to me... and I may have a new task for you, if the previous duties have been attended to."
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:05 am
[Apple.Tequilla] There was always a sense of longing...  Beathing a quiet sigh of relief, she listened attentively even as she sent up a silent prayer of thanks. It was not every day that she could manage even a mask of respectability; surely God had a hand in it. Eva knew she was little better than a true heretic but God had a place for every creature in his plans so even she had a use. Soothing her fraying nerves with this thought, she smiled and nodded as Lord Uriel spoke as if she were any other loyal subject. As if she wasn't somehow tainted.
"Just returned this morning Mi'lord. I was acting as a forward scout for a small group of guards who had been charged to locate and...disband a group of vandals who had been terrorizing neighboring towns and villages for some time. The first we saw of them was during the third night out. They attacked the camp just before moon rise. Two guards were killed, three more wounded though not grievously. All eight of the vandals were killed. The next night, they came again this time twelve of them. The guards, at my request, allowed one to escape and it was this one that led me to the main camp.
Their numbers were greater than expected but they did not expect us to know their location. I returned to the camp and delivered my news after which the commander of the guards released me from my duties and I returned here. I believe they planned to rally the villagers but I am not sure."
//OoC: Just ironing out a few things with her character in that first paragraph. More later on that 'tainted' thing. ...that I never thought I'd miss.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:06 am
{ - Zack - }keeper of the dungeon Still growling, Shadow began to slowly advance towards the bushes his pale yellow-green eyes staring at them intently. Frowning, Zack advanced at the wolfs side. He glanced over at Johannes and Asmyrra before turning his gaze back in front of him and drawing his blade from his side. The sword sparkled in the sunlight. It was just a normal sword, nothing really special about it, but it had seen Zack through many battles and there was no question that he knew how to weild it. The boy and the wolf continued to advance. Shadow's low growls grew into a snarl. There was no question at all about it now, there was definetly someone or soemthing in that bush. Zack cleared his throat lightly. "If someone is in there, come out now." He said fairly loudly and clearly.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:07 am
{ - Marcus - }Chris Teke keeper of the dungeon Still growling, Shadow began to slowly advance towards the bushes his pale yellow-green eyes staring at them intently. Frowning, Zack advanced at the wolfs side. He glanced over at Johannes and Asmyrra before turning his gaze back in front of him and drawing his blade from his side. The sword sparkled in the sunlight. It was just a normal sword, nothing really special about it, but it had seen Zack through many battles and there was no question that he knew how to weild it. The boy and the wolf continued to advance. Shadow's low growls grew into a snarl. There was no question at all about it now, there was definetly someone or soemthing in that bush. Zack cleared his throat lightly. "If someone is in there, come out now." He said fairly loudly and clearly.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:09 am
Urban Thorne [Apple.Tequilla] "I believe they planned to rally the villagers but I am not sure." 
"Vandals, they may have been, but the audacity of their actions speaks of a larger problem, I believe. There have been a number of these small... uprisings... of late... the number increasing as the heretic group of the Iron Fist becomes more prominent," he stated quietly. Shaking his head, Uriel's voice took on more of the sonorous, vibrant quality of a proclamation. "The Iron Fist is the enemy of our Order, first and foremost because they seek to usurp our authority among the populace. People begin believing that The Beast is some mythical creature that can be slain by a heroic group, rather than acknowledging their duty to morality, to order, to faith... and thus does our Order's work become compounded."
Now, Uriel's eyes fixed upon Eva with a deep intensity, his voice becoming quieter, as though the words emerging were of dire importance. "I have been tasked with a duty, child... a duty I think you may be of great assistance in. A duty that may help bring this conflict to a close... and allow the Order to focus on the matters of true importance; the shepherding of our people, and the defeat of The Beast. My question for you is this: Can I count upon your aim, your faith, and your aid?"((Oooooh, kewl... if ya could send the info in a PM, would be greatly appreciated. Not full disclosure, just a hint for if something gets Uriel's attention to go aura gazing. ^.^ ))
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:10 am
{ - Zack - }keeper of the dungeon Zack glanced the young boy over before letting out a low whistle. "Shadow come." he said firmly. The wolf had been inching closer to the boy letting out the occasional low growl, his hackles raised. At Zack's command though he turned and moved swiftly back to the boys side. He sat afer a moment his pale eyes returning to the boy that had come out of the bushes. His sword still held in one hand Zack turned to glanced back at Johannes. "What shall I do with him sir?" he questinoned.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:12 am
[Apple.Tequilla] There was always a sense of longing...As Eva listened to Lord Uriel speak, she felt her mind slipping back to her days as a child of the church. Sitting at the feet of priests while they droned on about duty and, above all, faith. These words held the same ring to them but unlike the almost emotionlessly intoned words of the priests', the Lord lent passion to his words making them more than meaningless words. For all that she knew her faith was imperfect, Eva still chafed under leaders who seemed to just mouth the words with little or no real faith. It was heartening to see no such dishonorable thing in one of the leading voices of the Cathedral. Even if this did suddenly feel more like being preached to than an actual conversation.
This conclusion was helped by the fact that when he spoke, he inferred that she would be a primary player in this new game with the Iron Fist. Games were all they were after all. The outcome had been clear to her from the start and once the outcome was known...well after that it was only a matter of time. If she could help bring an end to these games...
"Mi'lord, I am not worthy, but should it be asked of me I would do all I can to help end this war. If I could help, even in a small way, I would do so gladly even if...even if it meant my life. I only pray that in doing so I could further our cause. I am yours to do with as you see fit."
She bowed then, in part because it felt right but also in part because Eva had the strong suspicion she was blushing crimson from her sudden outburst. There had been a reason once why she treated most anything as a joke and rarely if ever spoke seriously. She had forgotten over the years the exact reason and it simply became habit. It was now she remembered clearly the initial reason. She had no control over how she spoke when her emotions grew overwhelming and had found it better to blurt out meaningless, thoughtless things than embarrassing sentiments that were more often than not recieved rather poorly. God help me, I've done it again. Please Lord, allow me to serve you. I am sure with your help that even I, as flawed as I am, can become strong in my faith. Please...
//OoC: I'll send it along once I get home. I really should have left already. ^^;; ...that I never thought I'd miss.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:14 am
Urban Thorne [Apple.Tequilla] "I am yours to do with as you see fit."
'Your sincerity is greatly appreciated, though I think for the time, we should consider your life far more important than simply tossing away," was his soft murmur, a very faint hint of humour colouring the tones. "Instead, perhaps it would be most prudent to offer some of the details of this matter... and find how your skills would be best applied. This shall be a difficult assignment, dangerous to be certain... and possibly requiring great atonement from all of us upon our return."
Folding his hands behind him, Uriel's slow steps continued to meander along the path, instinctually straying away from the junctures and buildings, keeping their conversation as private as possible. After a long moment, thin lips parted once more, a query emerging from the thoughts rushing through his mind. "As you have been in the field often, I am certain you know of the strengths of the Iron Fist as well as any other. Fighting men and women, chosing the easy route instead of the one of faith... rogues and scoundrels, hiding behind a name to mask their crimes. And the Iron Fist's heretic witches... those that call upon powers that originate from a place other than the divine... the most dangerous, per individual, of all of them."
Dark-coloured eyes glanced to the side, studying Eva as he quietly asked his next question, watching her response... "Have you any special experience... or specific expertise in countering... these things I have mentioned?"((Fantastic, I'll be watching for it. ^.^))
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:15 am
keeper of the dungeon At Zack's command though he turned and moved swiftly back to the boys side. He sat afer a moment his pale eyes returning to the boy that had come out of the bushes. His sword still held in one hand Zack turned to glanced back at Johannes. "What shall I do with him sir?" he questinoned.   With Asmyrra's departure, Johannes stood for a brief moment to reorganize his thoughts before approaching the prisoners. If he did utilize the Oath of the Order to ensure their cooperation, Gabriel would certainly see it as a demonstration of his continued faith. The consequences of such a notion were difficult to predict. The Archangel would certainly claim the deployment of the Oath as solid evidence that Johannes’s return to the Order was imminent. Inwardly shaking his head, Johannes reminded himself that his former shieldmate was unlikely to release these expectations any time soon, with or without any help from he.
It was the only way. His eyes raise to the prisoners, huddled and waiting near a smoldering shack. There were ways around the Oath, but at least it would make the likely hood of Johannes seeing that particular group of individuals again very slim. And that would just have to do.
A low growl from the wolf companion not long removed brings Johannes's troubled musings back to the present. However, before the Angel could steal a glance his sharp eyes fall upon a folded note lying at his feet. Knowing he had nothing to drop, and that the parchment was not there before, Johannes kneels to collect the ominous message. His eyes flicker over the few words contained within, and he quickly stands, his gaze now locating the source of the wolf's discontent. Just as his lips part to utter a command to halt, he hears the familiar voice of the creature's master call out.
Instead of speaking up in warning, Johannes finds himself smiling fondly. Zack had come far these last few years. The young man seemed to take personal pride in his vigilance, and it had not gone unnoticed. Modest as the lad might be, even Asmyrra agreed that Zack's skills had warranted the promotion. Johannes waits until his young commander addresses him, and then moves to examine the frightened child.
Coming up beside Zack, a hand briefly squeezes the young man's shoulder before Johannes passes infront of him to address their cowering visitor. "Have no fear lad, no harm will come to you at our hands." He tells the boy, the smooth and accentuated tones of his voice producing a soothing effect. "What is your name?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:17 am
{ -Macus - }Chris Teke Minai chan Coming up beside Zack, a hand briefly squeezes the young man's shoulder before Johannes passes in front of him to address their cowering visitor. "Have no fear lad, no harm will come to you at our hands." He tells the boy, the smooth and accentuated tones of his voice producing a soothing effect. "What is your name?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:18 am
{ - Zack - }keeper of the dungeon Zack relaxed slighlty when he felt his commanders arm on his shoulder. He trusted the man implicitly and would follow his orders to the end. Nonetheless, he only lowered his sword did not sheath it. He may have trusted Johannes, but he didn't trust this kid especially since he'd been watching them. He placed a hand on Shadow's head and and scratched the wolf's ears reasuringly as he watched his commander talk with the boy.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:19 am
[Apple.Tequilla] There was always a sense of longing...Eva fliched slightly when he touched her shoulder; some small part of her expecting a strike. Still, she rose silently and followed just as quietly. An odd, sing-song verse of some song ran through her mind then acting as a distraction from her darker thoughts. One step for a comrade, five for a king. Them in front with you behind careful as anything. Something about manners perhaps.
There had been a great many lessons taught by rout memorization and putting the words to song was a good way to keep them in your head. Shaking her head slightly, she matched her pace to his but kept just slightly behind. She had the feeling he was one to converse as he walked and, manners be damned, Eva was sure she would be unable to ask Lord Uriel to repeat himself should she miss anything. If he did plan to bring her on this mission, she would be walking on eggshells the entire time. Not an entirely pleasant thought but anything was better than--
She left those thoughts behind quickly and allowed her mind to return to more pressing matters.
Difficult, dangerous. These were elements that many of the missions she was sent on had in abundance. They were practically old friends. However, the word atonement made her give pause. For what would such a thing be necessary? She wondered briefly what his plans were but decided to leave such matters to those fit to judge. Lord Uriel was not one of those blubbering idiots Eva often had to serve under. This distinction meant that she felt no right to question and furthermore was glad of it. It was good, too, that he was apt to pause now and then to think for it gave her time to gather her thoughts as well.
"Yes, Mi'lord, I have. A few years ago, when studying different types of metal, an old scholar found what is now known as iridium to be resistant to magic. When I heard of it, I was sure it could be adapted to act as a weapon. I was able to obtain a bit of the metal and, through some trial and error, created these."
She offered one of the 'mage killers' to him, taking care to keep the arrow head pointing away from him and her gaze lowered.
"These are able to pierce any magical barrier or illusion. At least...I am sure they are able to. By my own hand I have released three of these arrows and all flew true. Because of their...effectiveness, I have attempted to obtain more of the metal but so far my efforts have been fruitless. The scholar and his work seemed to have disappeared altogether. In any case, there was some trouble when during the tests it was discovered that they could pierce even a barrier made by divine magic. It seems the metal is impervious to any magic and not just magic from certain, undesirable sources. This has raised some resistance as you may imagine but due to my success, most of the concerns have been either addressed or ignored."
//OoC: That's an actual metal by the way. ...that I never thought I'd miss.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:20 am
Urban Thorne [Apple.Tequilla] She offered one of the 'mage killers' to him, taking care to keep the arrow head pointing away from him and her gaze lowered.
"A mysterious metal, designed to pierce wardings placed by those who call on otherworldly powers... in the wrong hands, such a weapon could have terrible reprecussions. But I remember many of the things I hear... Evalin... and I know your devotion has never been in question. And given my orders... serendipity comes in many fashions; as such, I think I shall look on this as something sent by the gods themselves."
Pausing on the path, Uriel turned back towards the young woman, his face bearing the expression of a man trying to find his way through a difficult decision... but after a long moment, he seemed to nod to himself, his silken voice emerging quietly once more. "The duty I have been assigned, Evalin... it is nothing less than removing the leadership of the Iron Fist. As a life is something only the gods can readily claim without consequence, it would be preferred to capture them... but you know as well as I, that the leaders of such a collection of heretics will not be taken willingly."
"Have you been back amongst your brothers and sisters of the Order long enough to hear of the latest... fracturing... we have suffered? The news of a small, but capable, portion of the Order defecting to the aid of the Iron Fist?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:21 am
[Apple.Tequilla] There was always a sense of longing...The blush returned, definately worse than before. Being complimented was a rare thing to begin with but not only had Lord Uriel, Angel of the Cathedral, known her name but he had also said that her devotion had never been in question. Perhaps gaining her peers respect was out of the question but to know that her superiors' respect was given did much to lift her spirits. As he went on, her gaze fell until it had settled on the ground immediately in front of her feet. Eva was so absorbed in her quiet mix of joy and embarrassment that she almost missed Uriel stopping. She was startled enough to glance up without thinking.
The blush faded a little as she waited for him to speak once more but the pause gave her time to be nervous. Trying hard not to fidget under his gaze, Eva realized that she had not replaced the arrow after he had handed it back. Her fingers curled around the shaft of the arrow as she attempted to relax. Something to hold onto...so simple and yet it held great comfort. Something to do with her hands, really. Her forefinger tapped lightly on the side of the arrowhead as she waited. It was often said that patience is rewarded. This would be a test of both her skills and her faith. She could only pray the gods had chosen wisely.
"I had heard some of the rumors going around during my return Mi'lord but most hoped it was only a rumor. So it's true..."
She paused for a moment, her scattered thoughts giving her more trouble than usual.
"There were no specific names attached really but another rumor mentioned one..."
She froze then, unable to continue. If this was true, the defection had been a betrayal of the highest order. ...that I never thought I'd miss.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:22 am
Chris Teke The boy was shaking with fear. "M-My name's P-Pete, s-sir. P-Please don't kill me." keeper of the dungeon Zack relaxed slightly when he felt his commanders arm on his shoulder. He trusted the man implicitly and would follow his orders to the end. Nonetheless, he only lowered his sword did not sheath it. He may have trusted Johannes, but he didn't trust this kid especially since he'd been watching them. He placed a hand on Shadow's head and and scratched the wolf's ears reassuringly as he watched his commander talk with the boy.
Pushing aside those thoughts, Johannes turns to Zack. “Arethos, take the boy with you when you go to gather the hunting party. Hand him over to Asmyrra and ask her to get him something to eat. I will join them as soon as I have released the prisoners.” Turning his attention back to the now much calmer child, Johannes offers him a faint smile. “Stay close to them, for they will keep you safe. I will come back for you soon, and we will see about finding some supplies for you to take back to Marcus and your brothers.”
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