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 Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 1:58 pm
The stallion stood in the King's Chambers, one hoof cocked in a relaxed position. Of course, it was all an act.
One could not afford to be lax around their King; everyone in the Night Angels knew that.
Startling blue eyes scanned the room and it's occupants, looking for a sign of potential danger, of weakness, for anything out of the ordinary.
As a Senior Night Angel, it was his duty to inspect the new Recruits into the King's Guard, and before him stood twelve promising Azrein.
He eyed the King, who had been pacing back and forth for several minutes now, delivering his speech to the new guards.
He allowed his gaze to travel around the room; painted a deep bronze, with red curtains adorning the two six-paneled windows, dimming the sunlight streaming in from between the panes.
Golden and red tapestries hung on the walls, showing the King's sigil of Horse and Laurel off for all to see.
The room was quite impressive, really. Expansive, able to hold ten times more than the current number of occupants, actually.
Realizing his mind had been wandering, Valdien shook his head, pressing his multicolored wings tightly to his dappled flanks. Returning his gaze to the recruits once more, Valdien's eyes rested on a white and green female, his brows arched in silent recognition of her ambitions.
She had potential, it seemed.
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 7:08 pm
 Nuka Deimos stood silently as she had been told. She was near breaking. Training and choosing had been going on all day. They gave her and the others time enough to get a good grooming before being taken before the King. Her eye's wandered carelessly around the room. From beautifully curtained windows to the other horses. Each of them either new recruits or soldiers of the Night Angels. Her eye's fell upon a certain one, his pelt was a light fading gray and wings of a multi-hue, rather an interesting mix of colors, so she thought.
It was moments later that she caught his eye's indirectly on her. Or were they? She couldn't tell but, they held a steady tone and this displeased her. Not being able to know what they were thinking. A loud clearing of the throat caught her attention and the King continues, droning on in his steady, clear voice. She sighs and shuffles a bit finding a more comfy position to stand.
Soon she was blinking to keep herself from falling asleep and prayed her body wouldn't give out.She was powerful at heart and mind and even body but, a whole day doing nothing but training, non-stop would give it to her hard, She was much better in action, where adrenaline played a powerful role.
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 8:33 pm
Valdien arched an eyebrow at the half-dozing mare.
Did she think this was unimportant? A wave of anger coursed through his veins, and he stomped a shod hoof loudly, the action making a loud "crack" against the marble floor beneath them.
The golden leg guards he sported glistened in the candlelight, as it was now dark, humans had lit the candles in the King's Chamber.
An icy blue eye regarded the mare sternly as Valdien cut off his King.
"Pardon me, My Liege, but it seems as if we have someone who is not quite interested in what our King has to say." With a shake of his mane, displacing long purple locks, the stallion trotted forwards, his hooves clicking rhythmically against the stone flooring.
He stopped in front of the mare, and mantled his wings, attempting to be more imposing.
"You, there. Mare. You're sleeping, aren't you." It wasn't a question. Oh, no. Valdien would have none of that in his Guards. Not bothering to wait for acknowledgment from the white mare, Valdien snorted, exhaling the scent of freshly-cropped grass.
"What's your name, Mare?"
The Warlord stamped a hoof impatiently.
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 8:41 pm
This was what she needed, a good yelling to. In moments the adrenaline was pulsing through her veins and she glared thoroughly at this stallion, even if she knew full well he was a high ranked warrior. "I was not sleeping." She staes plainly. "And my name is Nuka Deimos." Her voice wasn't harsh but, was strong and deep. "But, you Sir can call me Nuka." She doesn't smile, doesn't make any other gesture. Instead she stands there and stares at him, her eye's still glaring, slightly enraged. Not a shred of fear pulsed through her veins.
"If you are done. I think the King may like to finish." She turns her head away and looks to her King. She had her energy back thanks to the guard but, she wanted to speak to him no more then she already had. But, she definitely didn't expect to get off so easy with an attitude like hers. She knew full well she'd either get tugged out of the room now and get a stern talking to and maybe even lashing or after. Either way she'd be talked to.
Now all she had to do was wait and see where this was to go.
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 8:53 pm
Valdien snorted, his eyes narrowing in this simple mare's insolence.
The King looked back and forth between the two, and arched a carefully manicured eyebrow at Valdien, waving his ringed hand at his prized stallion.
The corners of the stallion's lips turned up into a sardonic smile; a rather unequine gesture, but one he picked up from his King. "It seems the King has called a Recession, Nuka." His words were shot through with ice.
Staring into her eyes, Valdien's gaze showed nothing; no rage; no anger; no emotion whatsoever.
Shaking his head so that his Sash of Office settled more firmly around his shoulders, reminding this mare just who and what he was, he turned on his hindquarters, the lacquer on his feathers causing his wings to shimmer.
Not quite by accident, Valdien's long tail snapped her on her muzzle, sending a small sting up through her nostrils to her forehead.
"You need to follow me, Nuka." His tone brooked no argument. "Now."
Valdien strode through a shadowed archway adjacent to the King's chamber, shouldering aside the human guard who blocked the entrance.
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:04 pm
She stood, quite still after the tail lashing. Not quite about ready to give into this horse's demand of following. "Why Sir, I do believe you hit me." She says knowingly pointing out the obvious. Everyone in the room could see what happened, she wasn't stupid. Her eye's gave away her anger though, she wasn't to fond of being made a fool. "And I don't follow strangers through hallways." She states plainly. She'd heard of him sure, he was taht Valdien guy, some top notch horse. the tone in her voice showed she cared but, not enough to move for the a*****e that'd struck her.
Her eye's glued to the back of him. His rear moving slightly as he walked along down the hallway where she was expected to follow and where she wouldn't go. When he was gone maybe just a few feet more she turns and walks towards a gate that headed outdoors. If she had her way she'd already be out there, battling away in whatever war was going on. She was a war horse. Needing teh war itself to drive her, not speeches. She wasn't made to be in some stinking old castle listening to an old man speak. even if she thought kindly of her King.
She knew she wouldn't get far. How she managed to get far at all she didn't know how. But, a thought made her laugh to herself. Her Mother woudl have called them two peas in a pod. That's hwo similar this aggression seemed. And Nuka was not about to be made a joke.
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:36 pm
With a fierce squeal, the stallion exploded into motion.
Rearing, he about-faced on his hindquarters, and, the muscles that made up his haunches and rear tensing visibly, he pushed off of the marble beneath him.
With his leap, he covered four strides, his mane flowing outwards in his wake, wings pressed tightly to his flanks.
From his leap, he landed, allowing his knees to take most of the shock, and shot straight forward. His shod hooves slammed loudly on the marble, warning Nuka of his fast, aggressive approach.
Bypassing Nuka, he came to a sliding stop, pivoting so he was between her and the door that led to the Courtyard, his shoes sending sparks of yellow and orange dancing across the marble.
Extending his neck, so his nose was inches from her forehead, he whinnied loudly, aggressively, baring his teeth.
"You. Will. FOLLOW." He cocked a back leg, forewarning her of a kick that was sure to come should she not heed his words.
His sides heaved from his outburst, and his ears were laid completely flat against his occipital bone.
For once, his eyes showed his emotions: unfettered rage.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:51 pm
Nuka was startled to say the least, but, not surprised.
She had only expected him to lash out sooner, seeing the anger in his eye's was all she needed, just to know that she got to him enough so that he, the Great Valdien, showed his rage. She chuckles to herself as he begins storming off and turns around mumbling. "Fine." She follows now, gazing about the open room she was prior to the outburst, standing perfectly still, nearly collapsing over in exhaustion. "Where are you taking me." It appeared as a question but, was clearly a demand.
Soon they were headed down the hallway that had been their original destination. She could see the humans ahead that Valdien had made step aside before, they were shuddering in their boots now at both horses. Both were huge, both were powerfully, both could crush the men easily and doubly as fast with both of them there. So did the humans stop to pause the horses entry, not at all. In fact the guards backed off and let the two through.
This only made her cockiness burn deeper. She smiled confidently and went along behind the big bad 'horsie' in front of her.
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:03 pm
Once the two were relatively far from prying eyes and ears, the stallion turned to face the mare, the medal on his cloak of office glimmering in the faraway light.
This hallway was fairly unused - no sconces were burning, and he chose it so that he and the mare wouldn't be overheard.
"We're stopping here, Deimos." Flitting his tail, he arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow. "It would be interesting to know your intentions based upon your actions."
She could feel his warmth close to her - his shoulder was less than an inch away from her crest, as he stood beside her.
He was several hands taller than her, and he always used his height as an advantage in every situation he could.
It seemed that the walk had dulled his anger - though contempt still all but radiated from his words.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:15 pm
She stares ahead, not about to give in to any look he'd give her. She wasn't much for talking either, so whatever little speech he was about to give he could assume there'd be a distaste in her voice and maybe even a slab of sarcasm. Okay, maybe more sarcasm then anything.
Nuka Deimos stared at him. His question of her intentions echoed a moment and she smirked. "Now Sir, what do you think my intentions are?" She finally looks to his eye's, she knew of their height difference. Knew she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She'd be slaughtered here but, she had her pride. And being who she was.. she just couldn't help provoking someone.
"My intentions certainly weren't to be sitting here, talking to you in some abandoned hallway because I was exhausted from being over worked with nothing to provoke the adrenaline in my body. I was not made for standing around listening to speeches.. Sir." Her eye's looked away as she finished her sentence. She knew she was trekking on very thin ice but, she couldn't help herself.
Her tail flicks back and forth, tauntingly. Tempting the big horsie to lose his temper. "What are you gonna do. Whip me into shape?" She asked harshly. Her tone dragging into an insane note, almost as if she'd enjoy the beating she may 'deserve.'
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:26 pm
With a smirk, the stallion turned his head to stare at her with a single cold blue eye. He laid his ears flat against his skull once more, and slid his right hoof forward, lowering his fore in an exaggerated, mocking bow.
"As you wish, my Lady."
From Whoa to Go, Valdien exploded into action. Shifting his weight to his right to brace himself, he kicked out, slamming his left hind hoof into Nuka's ribs three times in rapid succession, feeling the impact travel down to his hocks.
Twisting his head, he sank his teeth into the muscle of her neck, and held on, allowing her blood to flow onto his tongue. Keeping a hold of her neck, with an expert tug, his muscles tensed as he swung his head, ripping out a decent size chunk of her pelt.
Pivoting once more, turning to his left, he brought his right wing cascading down in a graceful arch to collide with the small of Nuka's back, sending a sharp, lancing pain from her tailbone to her ears.
Then, all was still.
And she hadn't even had time to squeal.
Standing motionless once more, in the same mocking bow he had been in moments before, Valdien cocked his head to the side and eyed her stunned expression. It was clear that his title of "War Lord" was not just for politics' sake.
"Satisfied?"
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:37 pm
The stunned expression didn't stay on her face long, soon it twisted into a look of pure pain and a rush of something strange, could it be enjoyment? Indeed it was. The first kicks broke a couple ribs, she could feel that much, the blood had already stained her pelt and the wound stung violently as a breeze swam though that she hadn't noticed before and the strike to her back made her knee's nearly buckle. But, there she stood, her eye's glossing over slightly, as if crying had been an option. "Are you finished?" She winced slightly as she spoke, her clenched teeth the only thing keeping her up. So as she unclenched them she crumpled to the ground.
Her head lowered, determined still, to get up and keep on going in her own attitude. She felt strong and no where near breaking. She'd have to find a way to fight back and the only way she could think of was to keep standing. Keep strong and so she did just that. Through the pure agony rushing up her spine and down her foreleg from where he'd bitten she stood. Being stupidly brave was her goal in life. And whether it got her killed here or on the battle field she didn't care. "I asked if you were finished." She says, her voice slightly raspy but, still strong and slightly aggressive. Basically she wanted to prove she could do this. Stand up to Mr. Big over here.
But, how long could she last? He was much larger, a male. She was a female and although she was larger then most females around she coudln't defeat him, only mock his pride in being the best.
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:49 pm
The little c**t was determined. He had to give her that.
Arching an eyebrow as she fell onto the cold, unyielding marble, he grinned. That would leave another bruise.
"I do believe you caught my point."
So was oddly attractive, actually. Such a fiery temper in such a sweet-looking thing. Valdien whisked those thoughts away promptly. No room in his mind for that right now.
As always, his first duty was to his King.
However, in commendation to her bravery, he nipped her softly behind the ear.
"I sincerely hope that any outbursts forthwith shall be contained, and will be for our ears only?" He let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding in. Valdien hoped she would at least be attentive to her King, now.
His eyes seemed to test her, to judge her, to size her up.
Mixing discretion and compliments with punishment, he spoke quietly. "You'll make a fine Captain someday, Deimos."
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:58 pm
Deimos was huffing now. Her chest heaving in pain, the rib was definitely broke, minimum one and with a complimentary? n** to her ear and a closing statement he was done. Instead of thanking him she snorts and turns as best she can in the not so wide hallway and heads to the large throne room where eventually the meeting would continue. Her mind was rushing with anger causing her to ignore the fact that she was a total mess and that the floor was now being dappled in the blood from her shoulder.
She deserved it though, that beating. She enjoyed it actually but, the fact that he still came out on top, found some way to be the hero when there needn't be one, that damn well pissed her off. "You'll be a good Captain someday Deimos." She mutters in a mocking tone but, deep down she took pride in what he'd said and even let her heart beat a couple beats quicker with the compliment. But, that was all the recognition she'd give and if anyone had noticed it just looked as if she was on the verge of passing out.
She finally got near the entrance where the humans stood guard and this time they took one look and just walked away as fast they could in case the other horse was still around that had tore this one up pretty good. But, there she stood. Pain taking over a bit. She decided it'd be best to take a moment and gather up what all was broke n before going before the King and explaining what happened an why, if it was even significant enough for him to ask. Which it probably wasn't. "p***k." She mumbles to Valdien. She didn't know how far behind her he was and she didn't care.
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Herds of Azreth Mule Captain
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Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:25 pm
Valdien arches an eyebrow at Nuka's mumbled obscenity, and clips her rear right hoof with his own, causing her to stumble into the stone room in front of all of her peers.
The other stallions and mares in the were shocked at seeing one of their strongest bloodied and torn. But Valdien knew she wasn't broken.
Passing the mare, Valdien strode to the King. "I apologize for the distraction, my Liege. It seems that a recommendation for Nuka is in order." His eyes shone merrily. He had just kicked the Nine Hells out of her, and now he was putting a good word of her in to the King himself! Pitching his voice so that every pair of straining ears could hear him well, Valdien arched his neck, and spoke. "Though she has quite a temper, and an obvious authority issue, she is quite stubborn, and never backs down." Here he paused for effect. "Even with broken ribs and damaged nerve endings."
The gasps were clearly heard in the room, and Valdien knew Deimos was standing tall.
"My Liege, I ask that she bypass all other training, and I myself will vouch for her strength." He arched an eyebrow sardonically. "Though I believe she should probably see a Mage as soon as she can."
At his words, even without the King's agreement, two Azrein with a curious device hung between them stepped up on either side and behind of Nuka.
They themselves were strapped to a harness, with an empty one between them. As two men stepped up to either side of Nuka and raised the empty straps, the twin dappled Azrein stepped up onto either side of her.
It was clear that the odd device was made so that two horses could carry a third between them, in case of injury.
Not surprisingly, it was Valdien's idea several years ago after dragging one of his injured comrades off of the field by his mane.
As Nuka half-walked, and was half-dragged from the Chamber, Valdien bowed to the King, and, about facing, followed the trio to the Healer's.
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