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 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:46 am
{ - Shadow - }Sougun Akuma A figure filled with malice stood atop the cliff and looked into the valley below. Below him was a settlement that had recently appeared. The lights flasked and you could here the laughing voices of the children as the played. His eyes flashed with a hatered that burned into the dark recesses of his soul. He turned around as the wind caught up and his cloak billowed out behind him. He splayed his hands out in front if him his pale long fingers catching the setting sun. The shadows around him began to lengthen and form new beings. By the time that the sun had set he had several dozen beings around him. They were nightares created with the power of darkness designed to kill and destroy. The man walked back to the edge of the cliff and spoke in a silkey voice that could enchant anyone, "Go down to that village and kill them all." The beast around him surged down the moutain to the village. The man stood atop the cliff and laughed a laugh full of plesure at what was about to happen. He turned around and began to walk away, the shadows seeming to embrace him as he fades away, knowing that the beasts would disappear with the rising sun.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:47 am
Urban Thorne Minai chan I have longed to penatrate those sacred walls and everything hidden within for far too long to miss such an opportunity..  Oh, no, my dear. Their glorious "Archangel" seldom stirs from that Cathedral of theirs... he believes his duties are more to the Order than to the outside, or some such. No, if I had to call the one being dispatched anything, I would probably say it is their version of a dark angel. And it's no real surprise that you've not heard of the Sin-Eaters... it wouldn't be much of a secret sect of assassins within the Order if you had, hmm?
But as much as you're masculine statement about "penetrating sacred walls" and such indicates a particular... vexation?... with the Order, I doubt you will get that opportunity to defile their holy places with your sinister presence anytime soon... after all, it was only a small group of people that defected.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:48 am
Urban Thorne ((There's a couple people who are either unavailable to post, or haven't, so... Imma go ahead and advance part of the interaction here, in hopes that we can do some sort of re-edit or such... ))  The clear, sonorous tolling of the day's Final Bell found Uriel tying the saddle-bags of the animals he had requisitioned from the Cathedral, a meticulous check of their supplies and contents having been gone over... and gone over a second time. Assured that the provisions he'd requested were present, as well as the water and other such sundries, he hoisted the packs into place, and affixed them to the saddles of their horses. Absently making sure the animals were not going anywhere, he absently smoothed his cassock and robes before making his way into the archway of the gatehouse.
Once in it's shadowy embrace, he settled himself on one of the benches waiting there for visitors or guards. Taking a few slow, deep breaths, Uriel commanded his heartrate to still, his muscles to relax; he knew that Eva would not be late... it was simply the urgency to be about the task at hand... and the assurance that his defected brother would not fall. Gabriel may have faith that a new Angel would simply be annointed... but Uriel was quite certain otherwise.
And he was not willing to take the chance of it...
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:50 am
{ - Zack - }keeper of the dungeon Urban Thorne "Zen fed he shall be... I am cerrtain I could find something to satiate a young man such as you... Pete?" She offered the comment in a gently reassuring tone as she slowly extended one of her hands to the boy, those violet orbs drifting back to Zack as she murmured, "You've everryt'ing arrranged forr yourr hunterrs, yes?" Zack nodded slightly. "Just about, I sent Dameon to inform the men I'm going to be taking. Just have to make sure that we have enough bows and arrows to go around. I also think I'm going to comandeer some netting or something from one of the shops that was destroyed in the fighting. I think there's a stream that runs through the forest so maybe I could catch some fish as well." Zack said with a smile on his face. For his part, Shadow was sniffining along the ground nearby, most likley smelling the blood that was still soaked into it from the battle. "With your leave mam, I would like to go finish my prepeartions and be off." the boy said with a slight bow and waited for an answer.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:52 am
Urban Thorne keeper of the dungeon "With your leave mam, I would like to go finish my prepeartions and be off."   "My leave you have, Arrethos. Ze quarrterrmasterr surrely has ze arrrows and such, so zerre should be nau prroblem equipping yourr hunterrs. And as forr ze netting... definitely a good idea, as most of you arre naut as carrnivorrous as I am...," her silken soprano conveying a hint of impishness to Zack as she murmurs this, "...so any fish would be a boon. Expedience is an issue, but... if you can find ze ownerr of ze netting, trry to dirrect them to Lorrd Johannes orr myself. Definitely betterr to pay forr whaut we need, rratherr than give zem any morre rreason to hate us...," the last being said as those violet orbs drifted back to the ruined marketplace.
A faint shake of her head cleared both her vision of a few strands of midnight hair, and the multiple wandering thoughts that echoed through her mind as she slowly straightened, gently taking Pete's hand as she continued to address Zack, her tone and words becoming more brisk again, despite the slight thickening of her accent as her words accellerated. "Make surre yourr hunterrs know ze clearring we've chosen to stay in for ze evening, and zat they trravel in pairrs. Once Lorrd Johannes and I have finished herre, we shall be trraveling into ze woods, and heading forr ze rrondeveous point. It is imperrative zat if yourr hunterrs rrun afoul of ano'zerr patrrol, zat they rrun, rratherr zan fight."
Asmyrra's left hand rose, the thin fingers closed into a loose fist that she pressed over her heart, a faint bow marking a returning salute to Zack as those violet eyes focused on his with a fierce determination... and confidence in his abilities. "Good hunting to you and yourrs, Commanderr... we shall be waiting forr you."
With a faint nod to Zack, Asmyrra tilted her head back to the young man beside her, murmuring a soft, "Now, let's see about getting you fed, hmm?", as she turned, making her way back into the "marketplace", and some of the supplies stored there...
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:53 am
{ - Zack - }keeper of the dungeon "Yes mam." Zack said giving Asmyrra another low bow. "I shall ensure that they recive your orders and that they are followed. I shall see you again come nightfall." he said before turning and heading back towards his squad. He gave a low whistle as well and Shadow fell into step beside him with one last look at Asmyrra and Pete. Zack reached his squad only a few moments later and found Dameon had already assembled and briefed the men he'd ordered to be assembled. The brown haired man had also aquired a few peices of netting and had told the owner of the stall he'd gotten it from to speak to Johannes if he wannted to be recompensated. After filling in his hunters on Asmyrra's new orders, the group of them, totalling fourteen in all set off for the woods.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:54 am
[Apple.Tequilla]  Never mistake tears for sadness...The strange dreams were suddenly interrupted by the loud, low tolling of the tower's bells. This noise, once recognized, caused her to sit bolt upright then scramble madly to her feet and proceede to pull on clothing. The thought 'do not be late' briefly flashed through her mind as she yanked on her boots. She was halfway out the door and she struggled with her cloak's clasps with her right hand as her left tightly clutched her bow and quiver. Walking swiftly along the path, at the verge of a run, she finger combed her somewhat unkempt hair as she cursed beneath her breath. It was then she chanced a look at the sky and realized what time it actually was. An hour. She had an hour.
Laughing quietly at her own silliness, she slowed her pace considerably and at the next turn made a detour to the 'long way'. On the way she was able to secure both a quick bath at the common bathhouses and dinner which came in the form of a meat pie. As she finished the last bit of her dinner, she took a quick swig of water then made a last check for crumbs. Feeling her appearance was more than acceptable, she strode forward in a manner she thought of as 'soldierly'. As she approached the gate, she paused to run a nervous hand along her bow. It was comforting in a strange way to know the weapon with which she was most skilled was nearby. Coming to stand before Uriel, she bowed slightly then smiled.
"I have finished my preparations, such as they were. I was able to secure a few more armor piercers which may or may not come in handy since our main target is no foot soldier. Still, I thought it a good idea. I will no doubt use them eventually."
She said this last with a slight grimace, her mind wandering as images flooded her minds eye. There were certainly enough to supply the flood. ...that will only bring you grief.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:55 am
Urban Thorne [Apple.Tequilla] "I have finished my preparations, such as they were."
All of this passed through his mind as he smoothly rose to his feet, returning Eva's bow with a faint inclination of his hooded head. Glancing at the quiver balanced over her shoulder, Uriel nodded in decisive approval. "I am sure such foresight will prove of great use, Evalin... despite the opposing sides we now stand on, the fallen Cardinal was fond of her enunciation of the "7 P's", as she called them; Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance. As I am certain my brother has kept her close to his side, it is best that we be able to combat her wily heretic ways."
"I have gathered a number of supplies I foresee us needing in our journey, but we have time to attain any additional things I may have overlooked. You'll find your supplies on that horse there," he stated, one gloved hand gesturing to a piebald mare, average in appearance, but clearly chosen for fleetness of hoof and staying power in the gallop, "but a check from you will have us ready to depart, if you've everything you shall need."
Uriel then turned, settling his boot into one of the stirrups at the flank of the soot-coloured stallion he tended to ride in the field, boosting himself up into the tall cavalry-styled saddle with a smooth, well-practiced motion.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:56 am
Urban Thorne Once Pete was settled with a hearty meal concocted mostly of her own supplies, Asmyrra murmured softly to one of the soldiers nearby to keep a kind eye on the boy, before she made her way quietly through the quickly dispersing stragglers of the marketplace. Drifting as quietly as a midnight-coloured ghost, she quietly made her way back to Johannes, her tapered ears listening intently to see if she were intruding on any sort of ritual or instruction of Johannes' to the captured knights. Once she was certain she was not interrupting, a thin hand curled into a loose fist and hovered before her dark-stained lips, covering a polite cough intended to capture his attention before her stilted soprano emerged.
"Lorrd Johannes, ze prreparrations arre completed, and ze hunterrs arre away. If zerre is nauthing you wish me to attend to, perrhaps it is time to deparrt to ze clearring, in prreparration to rrejoin ze main company heading to ze norrth?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:57 am
[Apple.Tequilla] Never mistake tears for sadness...Eva nodded sharply then turned hesitant to the waiting mare. She knew how to ride to an extent but Eva had little experience with the beasts and they still made her a little nervous. Approaching with no little measure of caution, she held her hand out to the mare and talked softly much as she would to a hound she was making the aquaintence of.
"Hey there beauty, you sure are a pretty one. I bet all the stallions are chasing you about the pen. There's a good girl. Nice and easy."
The mare lipped her fingers then stepped forward to headbutt her. Taken aback somewhat, Eva grinned then went to mount. This gave her a little trouble as she momentarily forgot which foot went where but she made it up none the worse for wear. Patting the mare on the neck, she secured her quiver to the saddle then turned to face Uriel.
"A much better mount than last time though I have a suspicion they stable hands like to play jokes on us poor soldiers at times. Shall we then?"
OoC: Kind of sparse, I know. Couldn't think of much else to write. ...that will only bring you grief.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:58 am
Sougun Akuma By the time that the sun had set he had several dozen beings around him. They were nightares created with the power of darkness designed to kill and destroy. The man walked back to the edge of the cliff and spoke in a silkey voice that could enchant anyone, "Go down to that village and kill them all." The beast around him surged down the moutain to the village. The man stood atop the cliff and laughed a laugh full of plesure at what was about to happen. He turned around and began to walk away, the shadows seeming to embrace him as he fades away, knowing that the beasts would disappear with the rising sun.   Not far from the canopied bed where the Archangel rests, a small but beautiful chess table stands. Carved from wood and plated with gold, the stand is crafted to appear as a strong gust of wind sweeping it's way to the marble tiles of the floor. The chessboard itself is adorned with squares of gold and opal, stunningly framed by the flowing red drapes along the wall behind it. Patiently the alliances both sides wait for orders from their King and Queen; the bishops and rooks standing tall, the knights holding their ground in anticipation. But the game could not continue. Indeed, it had been almost a year since the last move was made.. It was here upon a velvet red cushion that the Archangel sat. Staring down at the little chess pieces, he sadly admired the fine detail and care obviously put into each one. Soon, the game will continue my friend, Gabriel thought to himself, A good thing too. The pawns look as if they have fallen asleep at their posts..Milky white fingers gently pick up one of said pawns. Bringing the little fellow close to his lips, Gabriel softly blows the dust away before returning it to the board. But as he shifts to pick up another, a flash of pain tremors through his head. His eye wince closed and a hand raises to clutch his temples, the sensation passing just as quickly as it came. No.. not again.. Rising quickly to his feet, the Archangel surged through the room to the center where a single round stand lay covered with a cloth. Roughly pulling the fabric aside, he draws his energies to activate the scrying bowl beneath. His eyes desperately search for answers as the water clouds and turns. Then as the mist begins to clear, he sees a village silhouetted in the dying light of the setting sun. Then suddenly an inky darkness, like oil, seeps in through the sides of the image and coats everything in a deadly black. As the darkness engulfs the town, the faint sound of an unholy laughter echoes in his ears. Closing his eyes tightly, Gabriel grips the sides of the table in anger and dismay. Hurry Uriel.. he thought to himself, his knuckles white with the strength of his grip, you must hurry or there will be nothing left to save..
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:01 am
Urban Thorne
"As it is, however, our targets were last seen in a village to the west of the Cathedral." As he said this, a firm direction was conveyed through the reigns to his horse, turning it towards the gate. "Let us make haste, for the sooner we find their trail, the sooner we---"
Uriel's words came to a strangled halt, as his entire body siezed up in reaction to a horribly familiar sensation washed over him. The feeling of the village to the north-west being annihilated by the Beast's minions was as impossible to ignore as one's body being dropped into a pool of lava would be...((So very intensely sorry for the delay, IRL issues, writer's block, and pure procrastination are entirely to blame... hopefully this marks me being active in the threads again. ^.^; ))
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:02 am
Urban Thorne "Lorrd Johannes, ze prreparrations arre completed, and ze hunterrs arre away. If zerre is nauthing you wish me to attend to, perrhaps it is time to deparrt to ze clearring, in prreparration to rrejoin ze main company heading to ze norrth?"   Johannes shifts, as though to turning and address Asmyrra's question. However, mid-motion he studdenly staggers, one hand reaches out for balance as the other quickly rises to grip his forehead. A wave ripples gently through his body bringing images of a city in flames. Closing his eyes tight, he tries to steady himself as broken flashes of the Beast's most recent victims fill his senses. Like the ocean tide brushes the coastline, the sensation recedes back into the darkness, leaving the disturbing images burned into his mind.
Taking a slow, deep breath, Johannes straightens in an attempt to gain his composure. With a grim certainty, he turns his attention to Asmyrra. "Gather our troops here for immediate departure.." He murmurs to her, his tone somber and low, "And send a messanger to the company to the North. Instruct them to head east.. and to bring their medics."
His eyes trace the eastern skyline. "The Beast has struck again.."
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:03 am
[Apple.Tequilla] Never mistake tears for sadness...Eva had a strong suspicion that her cheeks currently a brink pink and was considering ducking her head for safety's sake when something went very wrong. Urging her mount forward, she came alongside Uriel, bow already in hand. Nocking one of the armor piercer's she glanced about the area without really expecting any sort of attack. They were in friendly territory; little more than a stones throw from the Cathedral itself. Still, it paid to be cautious. All the same, this felt like the kind of attack in which her expertise would be useless. Completely helpless and we haven't even started yet. Another glance and she lowered her bow though she kept the arrow knocked--just in case.
[Hmm, not sure how long the pain would last. Hope this still works.] ...that will only bring you grief.
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