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 Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:47 pm
『Journal Entries/Self-RP Stories』
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Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 4:54 am
『Entry One』 INDENTThe busy city was a welcome change from the quiet din of the woods. Cairne moved through the crowds with an air of ease; the main gates, as large and grand as they were, slowly shrunk as he moved to the Higher Circle. Guards barely gave him a glance as he passed through the sections towards the grand library. Why was Cairne here at the library? He had to meet a contact, plus he needed to return a few books he read to the point of memorization. The books on plants were enjoyable and he spent most of the summer copying them to oiled parchment, but now that winter had come and passed, it was time to find a new summer project. That book on trees seemed like a good bet. Plus, information would be useful when he needed to use steel alternatives. Going ‘Green’ was so hard sometimes.
INDENTCairne approached the doors to the library only to get stopped with the side of a pole axe pressed against his chest. He was thoroughly confused and glared at the guard that stood there. “ Sorry, “ the young voice behind the metal helm said, “ but there’s been an incident in the Cloister. We can’t let anyone in until further notice. “Cairne was furious, and perplexed. But in a show of will, he raised his hands, holding that tome of plants in his left, and backed away without a word said. He managed to look quite scornful in a regal fashion. It seemed to unnerve the sentinel. “I see. “ Cairne said imputing as much bitterness as he could as though blaming the guard for this inconvenience that truly was not the boy’s fault. Or could it be? For all the boy knew, Cairne was here on orders that weren’t to be spoken about to anyone. Or so the stories went.
INDENTHe took three steps back, spun on a heel and began walking away fitting the book back underneath his arm, when there came a strained creak as the massive doors opened to the cloistered library. He took a small glance behind and saw his contact come out, dressed in full scholar robes, beginning to scold the guard that turned him away. “Lord Cairth! I’m incredibly sorry about this. Do come in! Please. The issue with the Cloister has nothing to do with such a regular visitor. “ It was amusing to see such an easily bought man fawn and bow. It took a minute amount of will to prevent a cold and mocking sneer to appear on the Shadow’ King’s face, but Cairne allowed himself a smirk and an indignant snort. He eyed the cowering guard as he passed, paused once inside and awaited the doors to close behind him via the Scholarly contact.
INDENTThe doors slammed and locked shut in a series of clicks followed by a boom as the restraining bar of metal crashed down, and darkness engulfed the shelves save for the brilliant cast glass that cast colors along the floor. Essentially it barred the library from any sort of mob in case the churches revolted and demanded all the pagan and sacrilegious knowledge be burned. It was one of his cousins’ most ingenious ideas and one Cairne fully supported. This was why he never snuck into the library. This was why he always walked in and out through the front door. This was where he would seek asylum should anything happen. This was also where his cousin would seek asylum. Apparently the Althos family loved books as much as they loved their flocks. Genetics; who’d have thunk?
INDENTCairne’s icy eyes seemed to glow in the darkness. The genetic fluke seemed to be a savior in this sea of scrolls and musty old ink. In the cold light, Carine moved forward with the scholar at his side a few paces ahead. It was an understandable arrangement. The scholars ruled this land; it wasn’t polite nor welcome to pull status in their ranks. Cairne found himself smiling at this thought. Oh, he mused to himself, how would they react if they knew the cold truth that he was going to destroy them all one day? Probably not too well, but then scholars were politically neutral for the most part. One would only hope that they truly were a neutral party come the day that his friend made a move. Ah, but he was mentally monologuing and paying nearly naught enough attention to the world around him. He was loping instead of walking properly and it showed with the odd stares as the two made their way to the Cloister below where the most interesting books lay, slumbering until someone brought light to their world.
INDENT“Your Grace seems unusually distracted today,” the contact said. Cairne took note of the caution in his voice, and again the Shadow King smiled.
INDENT“ Indeed,” Cairne began, but then paused as he thought of the right way to explain the urgency of the news required, “ I am. There are many things that weigh on my mind, none of which are so important as to why I was called from my estate. “ A dismissing gesture with his free hand was made as though stating that this beautiful and hushed place was something of an insult. The scholar winced in the dark, bristled and continued on in a quieter tone.
INDENT“ It wasn’t my intention to—“
INDENT“ Offend? Nonsense,” again Cairne spoke with an air of importance and again he waved a dismissal, though it seemed this time the contact finally understood that Cairne was indeed acting his part. Or was it an act? Was this really the Shadow King he was addressing? “ I enjoy thousands of years of history smushed from pillar to arch with books that date no more than five-hundred years younger than those that finished such a marvel of engineering. It is truly a wonder mankind—no, any being—has survived on this floating rock for so long. “ The scholar was stunned, but no need. He needed to open the door to the Cloister.
INDENTThe door was large, ornate, and depicted most of the noble families’ crests. There was the Elk, the current ruler, as well as a dragon, a grypon, a winged lion, and a few wolves as well as that lone owl holding an eye. Cairne reached out and brushed his hand over the last one. The stone was cool to his touch, but the door… The door seethed and writhed with the magic cast upon it eons ago. More seals were there, but the Owl… That shouldn’t be there. “They carved it wrong…” he muttered to himself, forgetting where he was or whom he was with.
INDENT“Pardon?” came the scholar, confused, sputtering and absolutely astonished that someone picked up that small detail from all those old crests. “ Who did? “
INDENT“ The masons. That one shouldn’t be an owl. Or it should be a Raven or a Crow instead of an Owl. “
Silence took over as the Scholar studied the man that still had his hand on the door. “No one but the Crowned Alchemist has pointed that error out to myself and the others . . . truly, most curious. Are you sure you aren’t one of the Arts? “
INDENTCairne, startled, whirled around with a harsh snarl upon his face only to be met with a smug, amused, and laughing old man. Who did this man think he was? How dare compare himself to that old fool! He calmed down, but the old man seemed to realize that he had gotten a rise out of the lord—the first one ever, if his old mind recalled. “ Ah, it isn’t my place. Forgive my indiscretion. I hadn’t meant to offend,” the scholar added with a polite, if not mocking bow.
INDENT“N-no… No you didn’t. “ Even so, that sincere apology did not fall on a cold heart. Cairne considered again why he kept the man alive, and it was just that very reason. The man was honest where others flourished foolish words and gestures meant to please. Bluntness did have its downfalls, but in this case, Cairne welcomed the old scholar’s point of view. “I read it in a book somewhere, that’s all. “
<< TBC...>>
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 3:52 am
『Entry Two』 Indent"Sir, you're bleeding!" a voice said, concern and fact laced amongst the strong winds and bitter cold rain. Barely did Cairne register that someone was speaking to him. So focused he was on drawing that bow and destroying those that lay ahead charging. 'The cursed riders would fall ' he whispered to himself as another arrow, laced with poison, was let fly.
IndentHis left hand reached up to the quiver while he searched for another soul to slay, yet none was there. How many had he gone through? Twenty? No. He carried at least one-hundred thin shaft arrows on him... had he gone through them all? Cairne frowned and then realized that there was a burning sensation along his side. The hand found that he had been cut, or rather sliced. Not to his organs, but just enough to cause heavy bleeding. Fingers traced the wound, running over themselves as he tested how long ago he had been injured. Probably at least twenty minutes, he thought before remembering that someone had said he had been bleeding.
IndentIcy eyes glanced over beneath his heavy wet hooded cloak at the person, a King's Ranger, who had spoken up. He grunted and grinned, and got a pat on the shoulder with an equally twisted grin. " We took them out. Should give us some time to collect and dispose of the dead. Though with this weather, we might want to fall back to the woods and take the loss, eh Voss? " Voss..., Cairne ran that name over his mind... That's right. That was the name he enlisted under, the name the old Shadow King named him when he said he named him heir... He nodded again and decided that maybe he should put pressure on his side. It was starting to really hurt, but nothing a bit of drink and a few day's rest wouldnt hurt. Rest? What was that? The only time he could truely rest was when he was napping in a tree and hiding from Serpents and Rangers.
Indent"We should just pull out entirely for now, " Cairne replied, his eyes pulling back to the feild littered with blood and arrows. "If they figure out there is only two of us, we're in a heap of trouble, Matthew." He got another laugh out, winced in pain, and spent a half second unstringing his longbow, hiding the string in a dry pocket in his cloak. A quarterstaff was picked up and used as a walking crutch for the time being. They needed to head back to the castle and report. The numbers were growing. This wasn't a good sign...that meant that they were grow--
Indent" Why should we?" Matthew asked, eagerness to fight was easily guessed. It made Cairne roll his eyes and pause in his tracks waiting for the rest that surely would follow. " We're the only ones this far into the woods. It isn't like the King actually cares about --" He didnt'finish the sentence. He couldn't. A quarterstaff had been slammed into the other's stomach causing his breath to shorten, and the blow had been followed up with a leg sweep. Cairne was holding the butt of the staff against Matthew's neck, pressing a little harder than he should to get the point across that the boy should shut up now.
Indent " We are not the infantry. We are not Knights. We are Rangers and scouts. We cand hold our own, yes, but a full attack like the one we just saw drained our resources. We are going back. We are reporting. And We are going to shut up and learn our place. " Why Cairne didn't kill the man right out for the stupidity was beyond him. He had to act like he cared about human life. He didn't. The boy would be killed if ever Cairne revealed his true colors first and in the worst way. Dumb quips, stupid puns, and the guy could sleep through a full on castle raid. ( No really, Cairne tested this. The boy didn't know how to sleep lightly. )
IndentThe staff's end was brought to the dirt where it dug in with the pressure. Matthew rolled away from Cairne, gave him a look of surprise and coughed a few times. "Wh--" he didn't finish as Cairne cut him off, " We need to move. Now. So get your pack, shoulder your bow, and lets move. Its two day's away...we can make it in one if we move quickly. "
IndentCairne muttered under his breath as the wind howled and the icy rain began to come down in harder sheets, ' Fall behind... and gods save me from your stupid drinking songs'.
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