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 Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 3:29 pm
[ PRINCE ÆRIK & FINN ]
Finn lowered his head at the praise, unsure of where to place his gaze until it settled on his shoes, and wished for the feeling that he was underwater would go away. The clink of armor as Ser Stalwart complied with her Majesty's wishes and carried the girl off to bed told him that now he and his brother were alone in the Saayi chamber, a fact that did little to settle his nerves.
Prince Ærik, however, was pleased to see the women go. It meant that the time for a decision was now, and he rose to await it. As the voices echoed one another in agreement to wake the dragons, to rally the Saayi strength, he felt a fire blossom in his chest beneath Shiva's gift to him. Glancing at his brother - who had now raised his own eyes as well in the anticipation of a momentous moment - they shared one look before Ærik looked back to the King.
"We will be forever in your debt, your grace. Anything that the Valhiri may offer to you in gratitude will be yours." He was without words, unlike his brother (apparently), and could think only of returning to Shiva and his men that awaited word from the brothers. Home felt like a single breath away, and the pull to return was stronger now that ever before. Now that he believed that the purple-men could be driven out of the mountains, Prince Ærik's eyes were aflame with hope once again.
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Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:34 pm
[ ARCHMAGE FEIRO ]
"Ah, Calaeiil."
Feiro turned from the fire where he'd been standing, staring into its flames and watching the letter for Prince Oteryn burn up until there was nothing left but ashes. It was spring, and not nearly cold enough for a fire, though thankfully the one in the study's hearth burned cold. "We have a project," the First Learner told his second-in-command, though he sounded non too pleased about it.
Calaeiil would have found that odd -- Feiro was generally in high spirits when he stumbled upon something he couldn't crack by himself.
"You were Dhalvian once, were you not?" he asked as he moved to seat himself in his chair. He gestured to the one beside it, and at the sweetwater pitcher and glasses placed on the table between the two.
The Learners shed their loyalty to their kingdoms and their families when they swore themselves to the Seeker, and deserters of the Seeker were executed. It was the only way for the Learners to keep themselves pure - they held great power, and taught it. They had to ensure only the clearest, most logical of minds would wield it; Feiro was no more a royal Sullaeris of Kerth than Calaeill was a Dhalvian, now -- they were both disciples of the Seeker, and no more.
"Tell me, what know you of their blood magic?" Feiro's lips twisted in distaste. Blood magic was a forbidden art in the Citadel, and as cursed as necromancy in the Seeker's eyes.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:34 pm
[ THE FOOL ]
The red-skinned Fool jingled down the hall in her motley, bells braided into her white hair with red ribbons. White eyes flickered back and forth, and though they saw much, they observed little; the Fool was not like the King's Fool, who made snide, clever comments. The Fool was a true fool, plain-faced with a small nose and small mouth, and simple-minded as anything.
But she was a fool who remembered everything. Every sound, at least. They didn't mean much to her, but they meant everything to other people. The Fool didn't really care; she was forbidden to repeat what she'd heard to any but her master, and was allowed only to say her own thoughts. Which were simple, and laughable, and made her fit only to be a fool dressed in eye-blinding yellows and golds and silvers with patches and bells and overlarge slippers.
"Mistress!" the Fool greeted when she found her Mistress, sliding to a stop and making an clumsy bow. The Mistress had been gone for a little and the Fool had had little to do, but now she was back and the Fool was not to leave her side, unless explicitly told to and even then the Fool always knew how long she was to be gone and when she was supposed to be back at the Mistress's side. "I'm here," the Fool announced unnecessarily, grinning broadly. Bells jingled when the Fool straightened from her bow.
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:40 pm
[ ARCHMAGE CALAEIIL ]
Calaeiil smiled at the First Learner's strange reaction to the prospect of a project, unperturbed by his odd reaction to a proposed project. She moved to join him gracefully, though her calm was disturbed by his mention of Blood Magic. Like all mages of the Citadel she abhorred Blood Magic, but unlike most mages at the Citadel she was very, very familiar with its practice. Her sweet smile faded only slightly as she closed her eyes to settle her thoughts.
Only a moment later she opened them and her benevolent smile returned. "Please, Feiro. I have told you to call me Cali." She was not avoiding the question, merely bracing for it. After smoothing back hair from her face, she continued. "I know many things of their blood magic. Domination of the mind, enslavement, deals with demons.. all of it unnatural. Why is the First Learner concerned with such an evil thing?"
Of course, Calaeiil would be the top-most expert in the field of Blood Magic should the Citadel require one. Having once been a thrall of it, and having lost her own child to it, she knew a thing or two concerning the practices of the Dhalvian wizards.
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Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:56 pm
[ AURORA ELA'DALEM ]
Bells announced the presence of the Fool before she did herself, and that time gave Aurora what was necessary to prepare for it. Of all the members of the Storm King's court, the Fool was both the most unfortunate and the most valuable to Aurora. Being never cruel to the girl, nor holding her in contempt as she did many other members of the court (especially the other wives), she could not show this small kindness either, lest her reputation be marred and have it considered a show of weakness.
They were not friends.
Aurora relied on the Fool, a dependency far stronger than friendship. The priestess could never forget this bond, but neither could she reveal to the rest of the court the level of this relationship's importance to her. It was fortunate, then, that the Fool was as she was - a fool.
She greeted the Fool without a smile and said, "Follow me." Aurora did not need to look back to be sure that the Fool complied, knowing that the white-haired girl would have done so without being told. When they approached the Pantheon of Heaven - the divination chambers restricted to only the Storm King, Aurora, and, of course, the Fool.
"Leave me." She said to Hasif, dismissing him with a glare, and stepped forward to the tall chamber doors. They were at least a story high, solid gold, and featured full length carvings of angelic, too-thin women - the Dhalvian ideal - reaching upward to thousands of stars, each a glittering gem stone. Twisting trees surrounded the women and sometimes, when Aurora looked at the images for a long time, it appeared to her that the women were imprisoned in that small forest of golden birches, rather than protected.
Hinged to open easily, and enchanted to respond to her touch, Aurora opened the doors by pressing her palm against them and pushing with only minimal effort. The Pantheon of Heaven was massive, towering over all other buildings in the city. Its domed, mirrored ceiling reached up to impossible heights supported only by the marvel of architectural genius - no magic. The interior of the chamber was pristine white, and glowed with an inner luminosity from neither candle nor torch. A single, strategically placed window drew in the light of sun, moon and stars, and the light reflected downwards to surround its inhabitants in an unearthly glow.
A closer inspection of the carved and polished walls revealed more figures, the same as on the golden door and more. Twisting serpents, dancing nymphs and satyrs, fantastical mythological creatures in flight, and a splendidly accurate representation of not only the night sky, but of the galaxy beyond sight. Interpretations of visions painted, weaved, and spoken by all past seers in this very chamber. Pantheon of Heaven, indeed.
It would be from here that she would consult with her husband, on a level that he, the Storm King and Master of the Realm, would hear her. "Attend me, Fool." She said, moving to the center of the chamber and closing her eyes, holding out her arms and waiting for her companion to remove the priestess' earthly vestments.
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:52 pm
[ FEIRO ]
"Aye, but 'tis not Cali I need now," Feiro said ruefully. "It is the Second Learner."
It was with regret that Feiro called on Calaeiil's help in this matter -- the blood magic used by the Storm King was truly foul magic, and abhorred by every man, woman, or child who called sought to call themselves a Seeker. Feiro himself was unsettled by the thing, and it was probably the last thing in the world Cali wanted to think about.
"Do you know if there is a way to break it?" Feiro asked gravely. Truth be told, it was more Cali than Second Learner Feiro really needed, though he hoped posing it as the opposite would help ease Cali's nerves.
Cali herself was proof that the thrall could be broken without negative effect... There had to be a way, hadn't there?
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:58 pm
[ THE FOOL ]
When she stepped forward, the Fool did not jingle. She knew better than to jingle in these chambers; a fool she may be, but she was a cautious one. As cautious as one could be.
The Fool had learned to walk without sound, despite her bells, by necessity. There were some places where the chime of bells was forbidden and the Fool punished for making undue noise, so she had learned to be silent as a shadow. That was what she'd been taught: silent as a shadow, and quick as a snake, and smooth as water. The Fool could do all of those things, but there were places where she must do those things and places where she was never to do those things.
It was all very confusing, but the Fool took pride in the fact that she'd learned. (Because it was her life, and it would be very upsetting not to be able to live one's life.)
"Yes, Mistress," the Fool said, removing her mistress's garments and folding them carefully, setting them to the side of the chamber. She did it all without a jingle, and then stood dutifully by her mistress when she was done.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:27 am
[ ARCHMAGE CALEIIL ]
Cali felt a cold presence settle on her spine, an all too familiar one that she had long tried to leave behind -- guilt. She looked to the First Learner and all warmth faded from her violet skin. It was a weighted question, and he had to know it. There was little council she could give to the First Learner on this subject, on any subject, without understanding why he should ask. If she could not understand the why, then her how would be every bit as misleading as no council at all. Advice given from the shadow of ignorance could only lead to further ignorance.
So, before she answered, she studied him thoughtfully. This was a man born to sacrifice -- he had left his own place in his family to pursue greater knowledge, rather than rule. Capable of sacrificing his own life, but would he be willing to sacrifice the lives of others?
"The only known case of a Blood Thrall being freed from the Blood Magic is my own, as you know." She said finally, sternly. Very few reasons were great enough for her to speak of this subject.Sighing, she stood up restlessly and held herself as if for comfort or warmth. No amount of diplomacy or tact in the world would ever ease her tension on the subject at hand.
"You still have not answered my question -- why must we discuss this evil Magic?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 11:37 am
[ AURORA ELA'DALEM ]
She took a little comfort in the adept, effective response of the Fool but voiced none of it - the Fool did not serve for acknowledgement or reward, she simply served.
Nude, Aurora knelt without a single qualm of discomfort or shame. This chamber had been built for her, and those like her throughout the centuries of the Storm King's magnificent Empire, and it was fitted to her as well as any masterfully tailored suit. No sooner did she close her eyes and tilt her head to the heavens, arms outstretched with palms facing the ceiling in offering, did the Pantheon of Heaven transport her from her earthly body to where she needed to be -- her husband's side.
Dark shapes of fire and shadow surrounded her, but her husband stood as a beacon. Atop a great cliff that looked over what Aurora could only assume was the Dahlvian's new province, the Storm King turn towards her. Only he could see her, in his magnificent omnipotence, and he beckoned for her to speak.
"Our allies require a demonstration." She spoke without title, the tone of her reverence was enough and bothersome formalities were a nuisance in communication. Aurora told her husband the Poison Prince's words and, without a word, the Storm King nodded. He would send the dragons.
He turned away from her and she withdrew, returning to the chamber. She did not stand, however, for there was still more to be done. In order to serve her master, her husband and lord, she must provide use to him. Meditation in the Chamber would lead to further visions, and with that knowledge in his hands the Storm King could not fail.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:22 pm
[ ARCHMAGE FEIRO ]
Feiro put the edge of the letter to the candleflame on his desk, watching as the fire blackened the edge of the paper and made it curl before moving on to the rest of the paper, devouring it. The flame guttered out in his open palm when there was nothing left for it to burn, and Feiro tossed the ashes to the side, hand remaining unburned.
"That was a most unpleasant letter," he told Cali, voice laden with weariness. It was with great reluctance that he continued to explain. "From Prince Oteryn, of Eramiere. The Storm King has moved against the northern clansmen, and enslaved their dragon. We must find a way to break the blood magic..."
Standing, Feiro moved to face the hearth, his back to Cali. He did not want to see her face when he relayed this news - he was a Seeker, a learner. He was afraid to learn Cali's pain, as it would no doubt be writ too clearly across her features. "Luckily for us, His Highness has sent a couple of blood slaves for us to... begin working with."
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 9:11 pm
[ ARCHMAGE CALEIIL ]
Sometimes Cali had wondered if there would come a day when her people, and her former husband, might threaten Terrini. She'd hoped that they wouldn't, at least not in her lifetime, but it seemed that the Storm King had grown more hungry for power than she remembered.
"Oh, Feiro.." Cali said, lowering her head and closing her eyes. "I never broke the magic." The weight of her confession fell like frozen iron around her heart. The Archmage's voice nearly broke as she continued, "I ...gave it to another."
Years before, when she had carried a female child - the infant who would inherit both her mothers and her fathers power - Cali had doomed the baby to save herself. Still within the womb, helpless to the betrayal, Aurora Ela'dalem's birth had been her mother's salvation, but her own condemnation.
"My daughter," Cali explained, using few words because she knew that Feiro would not need the rest, "The infant I carried was the vessel that carried the Blood Magic from my mind and took it into her own."
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 7:04 am
[ ARCHMAGE FEIRO ]
Feiro stared into the flames of the hearth, listening to Cali's confession with the heaviest of hearts. Then she had not found some secret - it was known, in the old texts, that blood-enslaving magic could be passed on to someone with a close bond to the enslaved. But it would not do; the spell must needs be eliminated completely, Prince Oteryn had implied. And Feiro would never consent to sacrifices.
"What you did, you did out of desperation," Feiro said calmly, turning finally from the fire to face his Second Learner. "It is of the past. We must now look to the future, and begin from scratch. There are old tomes in the First Library that may help us. Come, we have work to do, Caleiil."
He stepped around his desk and waited for Cali to follow before heading towards the First Library. Restricted to only the First Learner and those who personally accompanied him into it, the library was full of the texts the founder Citadel, Tristyne Sœun, and the order of Seekers had considered far too dangerous to be public knowledge. Too dangerous, even, to be shared with any other than the First Learner and those whom he or she considered trustworthy.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:49 pm
[ SER PERRY ]
When the dragons descended raining fire on Amory lands, the lady of Amory, Lord Tristan's wife from across the seas had bid Ser Perry to ride and ride hard.
The horse had shied from the dragonfire but alone, clad in tunic, breeches and boots with no weapon but a sword and no armor but boiled leather -- he'd had to dress quickly, and leave with even more haste -- Ser Perry had made it away from Amory with the tale of dragons from the North on his lips, ash covering his fair skin and settled thickly into his brown hair, and fear in his grey eyes.
He arrived at the royal castle in three days' ride, having gone through four mounts to get there in so little time. Exhausted and nearly unable to speak, Ser Perry relayed his tale to Prince Oteryn.
"We will have vengeance," the Prince swore, fists clenching. "This is the work of my brother - he met with the Eramierans just the other day, and the dragonclans are supposedly subdued. Speak of this to no one."
Ser Perry had retreated to inform Lord Tristan of the total destruction of the ancient seat of his House, and the death of his lady wife.
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Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:21 am
[ PRINCE OTERYN ]
When the next petitioner came to kneel before the throne and present his quarrel to the king - well, crown prince, as the king was indisposed at the moment - Prince Oteryn was not surprised to see that it was his brother Olyver who played the supplicant today.
"My lord, we must respond to this attack on the Dartis of Amory. Surely you have heard of the dragonfire that has been rained upon their land?" Prince Olyver said as he stood; he wasted no time with pleasantries, the hot-headed fool.
Olyver thought Oteryn was weak; Olyver fought viciously, and bravely, and some idiots would even say with honor... but Olyver would die. It was Oteryn who had been born to rule, and Oteryn who would -- he may not hold a sword quite as well as his younger brother, but Oteryn's weapon was sharper.
"Of course - we must have revenge on behalf of Amory against the northern clans," Prince Oteryn said, and as he spoke he saw the surprise on Olyver's face. His brother had expected him to prevaricate, and evade, and do anything but agree with Olyver that war must be waged. Oteryn's willingness to fight came out of nowhere, for Olyver... but the fool boy would take it as Oteryn defending those loyal to him.
Olyver would not see the larger picture.
"We must needs send an envoy to the Saayeri. They have dragons to fight dragons," Oteryn declared firmly. "All are dismissed; the small council will meet immediately to discuss war plans."
The hall erupted in shouts of "To war!" and "Death to the dragons!". Oteryn was secure in the knowledge that his message to the Citadel had been received months ago, and knew full well that the Saayeri had by now already allied themselves with the northern dragonriders. Olyver probably knew that as well, but Oteryn had planned for this eventuality.
Eramiere would prepare for war, as Olyver wished... but it was not the North they would ride against.
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haphazardly parked Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:06 pm
[ ARCHMAGE CALEIIL ]
"No, Fiero." Cali said, turning to face him with nothing but contempt for herself in her voice. "There is no excuse for what I did, and there never will be."
She lowered her arms and followed the First Learner, retrieving her robe and wrapping it over her shoulders. "But, perhaps finally some good may come of it." There could be no comforting words for the sin that she had committed, and the one that she had lived with for this long, but she was strong enough to not allow it to stop her. Though she doubted in her heart that they would discover a mystical cure or magical solution to the Storm King's magic, not when he had lived so long and subdued so many greater nations in the past, but her heart belonged to the Mage's Citadel and to the First Learner, in the hope that knowledge and understanding could lead to new solutions, and she would follow.
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