|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:05 pm
"Well best I can see is that if he's using it in conjucntion with something else then that would worry her quite a bit. Piper was...always a rather defensive child. Especially with this bridge business that was brought about her. Pity though...that's she hasn't let you in on that level." Though Kieran had to smile at Malik's proclomation over his daughter. It wasn't taken badly as in ownership but more of a protective streak. "And drow business is no different in my own plane, Malik. They often kill without question and don't have a regard for anyone else, abrely thier own. To be honest, you're the first I've met face to face." Then a gesture at the door. "Shall we then? No need to get her upset."
Piper was patting at both Serino and Nerian who were quite tenative to her at this point. "Why do they have to do that...now he'll want to know everything. I don't know if I can tell him it all..." Again Piper was feeling that rare emotion of fear in her over something so little in the complete picture of things. Oh well, things were in motion now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:12 pm
Ashlyn growled. She couldn't catch a whiff, a sight, or even a sense of this girl. she trotted quickly down a trash strewn alley, looking for the little girl. Where was she?
Bode's body crashed into chillie water, soaking her up to her chest, getting most of her hair and arms wet. She hadn't even realized that she had gotten outside of the city. She turned around, gasping, hre feet slipping in the dark mud beneath her feet. She cast a frantic glance to each side, where would she go now? She wasn't about to head back...so she set off down the muddy banks of the city.
Moonstone nodded. "I think soon, we might need a place to stay. I doubt the king will want to see us anytime soon." He turned with Piper and followed her out of the inn. He half exxpected to see Onyx already there with bode. He didn't expect a large, green dragon with a very irate looking Oracle.
The crowd had cleared rather quickly for them. Most having thought dragons were merely myth. She squinted here eyes as if she could see them all as clear as day. "You have brought another to the scale, Piper." She looked angry for sure, but as to why she had come this far to adress the issue was more than odd. "I don't like it when the scales tip."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:16 pm
The young noble sat at the table in his sitting room, sipping tea listening to the jabbering of his gathered friends at this party. He had wanted to go to the Colusium this day, but could not escape this little soap box social. How he hated these parties, as they often involved his hopeful friends whispering about how he could one day rule this kingdom, if only those few heads before him in line for the throne suddenly stop breathing.
What a day that would be, to be third or forth in line for the throne, but no, here Lord Jiscal sat at number five. Fith in line to rule the land, fith in line to have everything that everyone ever wanted.
His ambition was know through out his close circle, but it was only a subdued effort to keep the hierarchy believing that he was able to rule should the need for him to stand come. He had been a captain in the guard, and held several other prominate military positions, but he seemed lax in his ambition as of late, the futility of this realm set strongly against his aims, and he was becoming lathargic with time. He was now 23 years old, and the oldest son of five. He cared little for his spoiled siblings, and nothing for his deceased father, and absoluted hated his step father. His mother was getting old, now forty, and she was begining to lose what influence she once held within the courts of the kingdom, but since the death of her true tie to the crown, the other nobles seemed less interested in her, as she was only the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and not a noble by birth.
Money, wealth, gold, silver, and light... The things that seemed to make the world of the noble so much better than that of all the other people... The truth though, Jiscal's father married for a dowery to keep his manor to himself, and he would have devorced her if she was not the only heir to her families wealth, which was emense do to rather profitable investments.
Jiscal was brought out of his contemplation by a rather unclean noble, who was well know for spending much of his families wealth in the most un noble of places... How this fellow fell in love with the brothels is beyond most of the younger generation of nobles, but to the one above Jiscal, the brothel is a godsend to this desolate place. " Lord Jiscal," the drunkard spewed some of his drink as he spoke, causing Jiscal to feel somewhat taken back by this boy's presence. "You would never guess what I heard at the Tavern Du Lax." The drunkard usually started most of his stories and tall tales like this, often at this promising borthel, promising to most men anyway. "Other than those rage tag demi-humans making a mockery of kingdom, another group of disadents has arrived. Miss Dagger-"
"Did you say Miss Dagger?" Lord Jiscal looked at the other princeling with a little shock, as this boy never remembered the names of his whores. This meant something was definately up, or young Lord Daimond was trying to manipulate Jiscal into another of those silly brothels.
"Yes, Indeed I did say Miss Dagger. She says she is the wife of a Pirate from a distant city, deep within the darkest heart of the subterranean wonderland-"
"You jest with me, Lord Daimond. You never use such language in our talks." The Lord spoke with a sutle hint of danger, and his eyes seemed to bare into the younger lord's with a righteous fury.
The younger lord looked around at the crowd, making sure that no one in perticular was too close to the table when he spoke agian. "To tell you the truth, I am not completely Lord Daimond. I am Miss Dagger. Well, at least what Miss Dagger did to Lord Daimond. We have use of one in your position, Lord Jiscal. We do indeed. To prove it, watch this celebration tonight, and wait. Around the pinicale of the day, you shall recieve news that you have long feared, yet long awaited." Lord Daimond's eyes flashed red for a brief moment, and suddenly he slumbed onto the table. Most of the crowd who noticed this event just ignored it, remembering this ruffian from prievious encounters as both not knowing when to cease his drinking, and for the fact he seemed to faint after only a few glasses. Then again, the elvish wine which was present at this party was perticularly potient. On top of that, it restored some youth (in feeling) to the embiber.
Around midnight, the party suddenly stopped as a messenger. Lord Jiscal was now third in line for the throne.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:17 pm
Piper jumped slightly adn turned, seeing the Oracle there and she didn't look happy. Oh no, this wasn't good at all, adn suddenly she was feeling quite threatened. "I....um..." Well that did you say to that. Kill her please.
Terran shook his head as he stood there, watching her. This was getting more and More interesting. Slipping back into the alleyways he moved to the docks to mount his own winged steed, setting off to report. Besides, he didn't want to stay in Deep Water any longer, his pride was hurt and the place was going to chaos. He'd rather wash his hands of it all.
Of course swift travel found him in the surrounding forest of Lostagrace...hated this damn thing, but no his partner preferred trees. Taur'quessir....Shaking his head he made his way through the misty trees, coming to what seemed to be a makeshift camp sight. "Good news for you...you've finally pinned her down in a plane."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:26 pm
Steady green eyes watched his approach and a hand came up to move through shoulder length dark brown hair. He stood and stretched his lithe limbs and nodded, "Hello my friend. I am glad to hear it. You know the search for her has been long and now for the first time I feel like I am truly close to receiving that which I want most." He watched Terran for a few moments and then nodded for him to sit beside him. He was using a very sharp knife to chisel the end of a stick into a very sharp point. A few times he tested it by pushing on the end with the pad of his finger. But each time he returned to his task, still not satisfied. "Tell me everything Terran. How does she look? Where is she? I want to know all."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:33 pm
Terran didn't sit. He didn't like to sit when business was the issue. Your mind had to be sharp and your body ready for action...even around friends. But with a sigh he told what was asked of him. "Oh she's about yea high, her hair cut short with those red streaks that you've told me of. I'd imagine she's just the way you rememberer her." A shrug. "Though she's in Deep Water now, she won't be there long and tracking her has become...difficult...once more. She's in more company that just the Zephyr now."
Then his look got hard. "But for your own good...I say forget her. The woman has lost her mind. You'd be far better off with just washing your hands of this all. Or better yet killing the little traitorous elf. Bringing her back with you will only rub your face in more mud."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:39 pm
Aella was sure she heard the news, but it wouldn't really sink in very much. They were shouting of assasins and cereal killers. The concubines were in an uproar. They were suddenlt terrified. Would thier wonderful and great king be next? They all actually thought they had a good life here. Slaves. Stupid, useless slaves. She sat on her silkie cushion, having nothing to do but wait for the king or one that he allowed in here. She hated the visitors almost as much as the king. The goggled at her, petted at her, did things to her...and she would scowl at them. She's even growled, outright yelled at them, and they don't even notice.
She was sick of this. "That's it, I am going to the market place."
"But, but Whirlwind," they used her pet name like the King, making Aella grind her teeth. "You are still in your indoor clothes. You must put on your pettiecoats if you are going to...'
"I won't bother," and with that, she walked out of the harme, dressed in nothing but transparent cloth and a face veil. She walked out of the slave quarters, out the back servants doors, and right into the noble sector of town. Her clothes were too expensive to be from a local brothel. She wanted to cause mroe uproar, more chaos. It would be pretty obvious, she was sure, of where she was from.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:39 pm
Kaden was not really listening. He was picturing her as she had been all those years ago. All those years before when he had known her. He blocked out the memories that particular time in his life stirred up and pulled his mind to the present. "Deep Water...hmm. No matter we'll get her." He watched Terran for a few moments and then his gaze grew pensive. "What do you mean traitorous? Explain yourself Terran!" he demanded sharply, his knife moving even faster on the stick now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:45 pm
"Pay attention and do so carefulyl Ravenwing. She can speak Tel'gothrim, is traveling with one, and also claims to love one. Oh but that's not the best part, here's the best part...they're getting married and apparently she is marrying him willingly." And Terran leaned his weight back on one heel, ready to jump out of harms way. Kaden had a horrible temper.
"Thus is why I say forget her. Nothing good can come of this my friend. Let's just go home and forget this. Besides...things are worse...another from Andal joins are ranks in favoring attention to her. Kieran is here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:52 pm
Green eyes narrowed and snapped angrily. "She what?! How dare she?" He was so furious that his grip tightened on the knife and he made one long vicious stroke. "That b***h! She's a traitor to her own kind. Loves him? She doesn't know what love is!" He stood and began pacing his grip on his knife turning his knuckles white. Kieran didn't concern him very much, in fact that little bit of news had no effect on the anger he felt pulsing through his veins.It didn't surprise him and he said savagely, "She always was daddy's little girl. But even he can't help her now." Without explaining his cryptic statement, he took a deep breath and got his anger under control. Slowly he moved back to the place he had been sitting before Terran gave him the news. "Well, we'll just have to convince her she doesn't love him, now won't we? And I know just how to do it." He leaned forward and looked at Terran. "This is what you are going to do..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:56 pm
The bodies of the second in line, and the third were found some time later in an ally. Their throats had been cut and all of their possessions were taken. A third body, a man noted from Lostagrace, was found beside them, wearing wounds that would match the bodyguards weapons. The bodyguards were missing though, which made this situation lood very suspicious.
In several nearby pubs, the rumour of this brutal double murder had esculaed into the bodyguards kidnapping this fellow from his home, beating him to death, and then using him to place the blame for the murders, while running off with what was assumed to be a large sum of money, as the two bodies were found after they both have set out to go to an auction house to bide on mysterious items. The guards to each heir had formed an alliance against the heirs, and attacked the unsuspecting men in a fit of brutal passion.
A second story emerged, which seemed the more likely. These two men were rather common visiters to a perticular Inn known as the "Du Lax", where they were both corting the same whore. The b***h brought the guards into her plan to kill and steal all the riches off these two men at the same time, using the hatred between them as a weapon. The body guards would then allow the two lords to kill eachother while the whore brought the body of a poor begger to use as a escape goat. After the lords were killed in a most brutal way, a knife fight perhaps between the two, the lady ran off with the guards with the sums of money.
Any investigation into the crime would have revealled that the bodies were dropped their from a height, perhaps from the back of a coach or buggy. The third body had been dead only a short time after the first two, and would have appeared to have just walked into the area before being brutally murdered, a colateral damage to the crime. The area shows no sign of struggle, so it can be concluded that a very strong force killed the third man with little effort. The tracks in the area reveal nothing more than a large boar or a ox was in the area, and a horse carrying a rider, a little to close to the head of the horse.
Visitors to the lords' manor's revealled further death and mayhem, as the entire families of these two men were also dead, and the deeds were missing from the locations. Claims were immediatly laid upon the homes from obvious alias, Gnoll Largebottom and Gibberling Shinnytooth. These claims were legitamized by the wills of the newly deceased lords. The houses were taking as soon as the families deaths became know, and within hours, the blood was litterally removed from the manors, and the new tenets set up shop.
It is rumoured that the alias were the names of associates trying to hide their claim on the house, or that some other noble lords who have been seaking these properties had bought them from the lords, but wanted to keep that a secret from the other nobility. The turth though, is too dark even for the most exotic and outlandish rumours to even begin to uncover, but a hint of uncertainity started to ripple through the noble distract after such a brutal act.
Two noble lines vanished in the blink of an eye. And no one seems to be able to solve this mistery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:05 pm
"I'm sure, Keiran, that she hasn't told you everything about me, either. but I want to know her past. knowing her past can perhaps, shien light on her present, with this Terran. But for now, we do indeed need to get out of here."
He wlaked out and toward the docks. those in his way were removed, until he got to the enterance, and saw some blind woman standing there with a nervous or upset piper. first reaction, shove her back.
"Away from her, blind human. Before you lose more than just your eyesight. You're making the Jabbress upset"
Onyx could track by scent. after all, his mother had been one of Bode's kind, so he knew the strange scents that weren't really scents that marked a Conduit. Along the way..hey she's cute. and in transparent garb. Oh he coudln't help it, and gave a whistle at the traveling girl.
"You seen a little girl, human, running around here? maybe with some black sludge on her?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:06 pm
Terran really half listened to what was wanted of him. This was getting entirely stupid. Half of him jumped with glee at Kaden's reaction...hoping that this would all quit and they could leave. Why did he agree to this in the first place? Oh yeah...Kaden was going to pay him. Coin which he had yet to see. Wouldn't surprise him if Kaden was crooked on hsi deal.
When Kaden was more or less done...rambling...he sighed, running a hand through his blond hair and giving KAden a hard look. "Look Kaden...she is beginning to be trouble for me. Frankly I don't like trouble. You better be making this worth it or so help me Kaden, I'll deliver you to that damn drow."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:11 pm
Kaden glared back at Terran, "I told you I would make it worth your while, didn't I? And I will. But I need you to do this." He was getting tired of Terran's impatience and he moved over to him and leveled the knife at his chest. "Do you still doubt me? Because if you even think about turning me into that drow," he said his voice hard and unmerciful, "I would be very upset." He suddenly turned and drew his bow, taking the sharpened stick and shot it so that it embeddd itself into the tree closest to Terran. It was a demonstration and the unspoken message was clear. If Terran even considered betraying him, he'd find his demise at the end of a sharp point. "Do we have an understanding?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:16 pm
Aella stopped. This wasn't really the sort of reaction she was expecting. Of course, she never thought she'd see a winged cat riding a lizard either. She blinked and made sure that she was indeed awake and not dreaming. There were lots of little kids around, but she rembered one woith grey hair that she had taken note of, since kids don't usually have hair like that. Poeple stopped and stared at her even more now, and well she might not have said anything aobut it, but she owed him somthing for brinign the attention to her, as she wanted.
She pointed to a gate. "She ran out that way, and into the lower class regions. I am not sure where she went after that."
The Oracle sighed, put a hand to he temple. "Did I not stress the importance of plane crossing? Did I not make it perfectly clear, the trouble you make when you wrench souls from their places in time?" Tanundra growled. "You elves do whatever you want, without regrad to the rest of the world. How long before time unravles, piper?"
Bode wasn't watching where she was going. She couldn't here eyes were filled with tears, her limbs were shaling with adrenalin. She fell again face first inot the mud and grime, getting much all over her, in her void, twiges and seaweed in her heair. Still, she got back up and forced her little legs to carry her just a bit further...somewhere safe..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
