NationStates Jolt Archive

The better-late-than-never response from the Resi Corporation:
HA! That's called karma for that war 12 years ago! If that isn't symbolic, we don't know what is!

On the non-gloating side of things, we're sorry that Alexander as a person died. As he is Alexander, we rejoice at his death, but as he is human we mourn his passing as we would with anyone. May his death teach us all a lesson in humility and not being a dark lord of angst.

((OOC: Twelve years into the future, I'd assume this would be an in-character response :P ))

John nodded slightly and responded quietly,

"Thank you. Your words are greatly appreciated."

The two stepped apart again, bowed once more, then went their own way. John made his way back to his clothes that were being held by a servant. The servant handed him a small towel. He thanked the servant, and wiped his torso of the sweat before he put his shirt back on. The jacket he slung over his shoulder as he turned and made his way back to Malissa. On the way he accepted a glass of water from the barkeep, drank it all, and continued to Malissa. He stood in front of her, the coat still slung by his fingers over his shoulder.

"Well, are you happy? You surprised me there with that little clever routine. Now, if I'm not mistaken, you owe me a dance, mi'lady."

John's eyes flirted with Malissa's, his smile enhancing his face. Her own face radiated with her smile.

The Roanians stared at Valient, mouths hanging slightly open. Several of the women looked to be on the verge of fainting. Simon allowed his lips to crinkle slightly with disgust. He turned to the Admiral. "So, tell me... Admiral. What brings you here with the President?"

"A sense of duty... and the foresight forged over the numourous diplomatic events I have attended with the President."

The Admiral went over to the president, who had succeeded in knocking over his glass.

"Here president. Perhaps you had better sit down."

The two men went to the end of the bar, avoiding the gazes from several disapproving people.

"Thank you, Admiral... I appreciate it... Perhaps i had better sit...

"HEY, MARSHALL! GOOD SHOW, MY BOY!!!"

Valient's intoxicated voice rang out across the hall.

Cartwright nodded. "My thanks, President Calis... now, tell me... have you had a chance to speak to the Princess?" The PM asked as he put some papers back on his desk.

Calis shook his head.

"No, I have not even seen the princess yet. I should get around to meeting her. Perhaps you can introduce me?"

Joshua smiled when the woman asked him to join them and says "I would love to." He then walks over to the group. As he does he looks ove at Phoenix who now stood by a window toaly ignoring everything. Echo walked up beside Phoenix and rested her hea don his sholder and says "Try not to forget but to remember the good times you had with her."

Malissa smiled, and nodded. "Yes, of course... after I see to my uncle..." Malissa walked over to Phoenix. "Uncle... are you all right?" She asked him, gently.

<============>

Cartwright nodded. "Well... I'm sure she's circulating out there, somewhere... why don't you go take a look? I couldn't possibly introduce you to her... it just wouldn't be proper.:

<============>

Several Roanian nobles flipped angrily through the Resi Corporation's statement. "Hmm... CEO Jai Resi will have to be taught a lesson in humility..."

<============>

Simon winced. "Perhaps the President would like to retire?"

"Yes. Just fine," Phoenix says as he snaps out of his little trance, "You should go see Joshuua. He was going to go and tell you something before your mother......"

"All right, I'll be about."

John turned and walked amongst the crowd, politely chatting to some of the other guests there. Finally he spied Valient, drunk as suspected at the bar. He approached him, and sat next to him at the bar.

"Let me have your finest." he spoke when the barkeep arrived. A moment later it sat before him.

"Valient, my good friend. What on earth are you thinking, getting yourself all drunk like this? You are not helping me by publicizing my situation..."

John let it trail off at that, slightly agitated by Valient's stupor. Valient all of a sudden burst into a raccuous laughter as he bent his head down and leaned it upon the bar.

John looked nervously about at the surrounding people who were gaping at Valient. Turning back toward Valient he whispered fiercely,

"Shut your mouth you oaf!" he whispered with a glare in his eyes, "You've had enough to drink tonight my friend."

John took the glass out of Valient's hand, waved Valient's Admiral over and pulled him close so he could whisper into the Admiral's ear:

"Take him to his room, he's had enough for tonight. Keep him there and make sure he doesn't go wandering off."

"Shut your mouth you oaf!" he whispered with a glare in his eyes, "You've had enough to drink tonight my friend."

John took the glass out of Valient's hand, waved Valient's Admiral over and pulled him close so he could whisper into the Admiral's ear:

"Take him to his room, he's had enough for tonight. Keep him there and make sure he doesn't go wandering off."

Alexander looked up at Marshall, and then D'rtang. A single tear rolled down his face.

"Don't hate me... don't yell at me... D'rtang *sniff*, Cristina never would have yelled at me..."

D'rtang sighed and shook his head slightly at Marshall.

"Yes, Alexander, I know, but Cristina isn't here right now..."

The admiral turned to Simon and whispered. "I apologize. He only gets like this when he has had a bit too much. I apologize to you and the prince.

"Where is there a free room?"

Valient sat with a hand over his face. His shoulders were slumped.

Merkenoff and X appeared beside Prince Jon. "So, your highness... how are you enjoying Roania?"


"Um... fine, thanks..." the Prince said, confused.

"Ah... I am Interior Minister Merkenoff. And this is the head of the spiritual department at the Roanian Institute of the Academic Sciences". Merkenoff leaned forward. "We've noticed that you've been paying particular attention to our Princess..."

<========>

Malissa bowed, and then turned, looking for Joshua.

OOC: Roania, I need a room :wink:

Spirituality Department at the Roanian Institute of Academic Sciences???

"Um..yes, I have...but take my word for it, I mean her no harm..."

John shifted uncomfortably, the guy had a piercing stare, one he suspected few could maintain eye-lock with. He seriously wondered how much the government did not know of what had occured between himself and Malissa.

And he seriously hoped he wasn't about to be in big trouble...

Damn it Valient! You had to blab your damn mouth! he thought silently to himself.

Merkenoff pounded him on the back. "You're a good lad, Comrade. I am sure that you will not harm her." He turned to the bartender. "Some of our finest wine, for this young man."

The bartender nodded meekly, terrified beyond measure. His hand shook as he put a bottle on. Merkenoff looked at 'X'. "X?"

The other man shook his head. "Thanks, I don't." The bartender dropped the Interior Minister's glass, and it shattered.

Merkenoff smiled. The man fainted. As he was dragged off, the Minister shook his head. "Tsk, tsk... anyway, me and my companion here are sure you realise that if you did hurt the Princess, we would be having a very different conversation."

X nodded. Then, as an afterthought, he reached into his pocket. "These belong to... well... considering what it is... both you and Malissa... do not worry... all AV equipment has been removed from your room..."

<========>

An appalled servant took President Valient to his chambers. "Here, sir. Admiral, will you be remaining, or will you return to the party?"

John took the recordings and quickly pocketed them. He was relieved, knowing that they had not been as bad as he had imagined.

"I would never do anything to harm Malissa. You have my word."

He took a sip of the wine, his attention immediately focusing upon the taste and quality.

"My, this is indeed your finest vintage!" he exclaimed as he took another sip, before continuing,

"Is that all gentlemen? I am owed a dance by the lovely Malissa." He winked at Merkenoff.

Joshuha quickly lookedd around. He saw Phoenix and Malissa talkign and he began to walk over to them. Wonder how she will react at this, he thnks.

Cartwright nodded. "Well... I'm sure she's circulating out there, somewhere... why don't you go take a look? I couldn't possibly introduce you to her... it just wouldn't be proper.

"I see. In that case, I shall go in search for the princess. I assume I shall see you again. Until then, goodbye."

Calis departed the office and began his search for the princess. He thought one of such rank would be obvious to find within the crowd.

Kithail smiled. "That's better, this people is dancing, after all maybe they're just trying to find peace inside their hearts. We should follow their example, after all we elves are happy and playful people", said the ShadowPrince standing and extending her hand to Alysanndra. "Shall we dance?"

An appalled servant took President Valient to his chambers. "Here, sir. Admiral, will you be remaining, or will you return to the party?"

D'rtang shook his head. "Thank you, but I will remain here with the president. When Prince Marshall is free, send him here please."

The servent nodded and left. D'rtang closed the door and turned to face Valient... who was down on the floor in a fetal position napping.

The president murmered in his sleep. "Cristina... I love you..."

D'rtang took a seat across the room. He looked at his leader with sorrowful eyes.

"Alexander... you do miss her, don't you..."

*fade to black

Calis finally spotted a young lady with several people talking to her. At her side stood the recently named prince of Tarlachia. His target found, Calis made his way toward the princess and her companion.

Nodding in greeting, he spoke to the princess.

"Princess. I'm sorry I haven't had the chance to introduce myself yet. I am President Calis of Assington. You have my deepest condolences for the loss of your parents. If there is anything within my ability I can do to help you, simply ask."

Malissa nodded, curtseying in return. "Your apologies, Prince John, President Calis. My uncle wished to speak to me."

The young woman walked towards her uncle. "Uncle, you wished to say something?"

<============>

Allysandra blushed, and took his hand. "ShadowPrince... I would be honored to dance with you." Must I keep calling him ShadowPrince? Next time he says anything, I'm going to call him Kithail. I will!

Marshall nodded and momentarily watched as Malissa walked away. He turned to Calis.

"Well, I don't think I've met you yet. My name's John Marshall, Prince of the Kingdom of Tarlachia."

A hand extended to shake Calis's own. It felt weird to speak of himself as a prince publicly for the first time. However, he would get used to it. He had to.

Just then a servant appeared next to John, slightly startling him.

Damn, these guys are good...

"Prince Marshall?"

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"An Admiral D'rtang wishes to speak to you from his and President Valient's quarters."

"Very well then, show me the way. Excuse me President Calis."

Calis nodded and Marshall followed the servant through the tangle of people. He was led up a grand staircase and down a long hallway. Finally, the two stopped in front of a door, of which the servant immediately knocked, heard the beckoning call, and opened the door for Marshall.

Marshall strode in, noticing Alexander's sleeping form on the floor. The door was closed behind him as the servant left the room.

"D'rtang, give the man some decency, help me pick him up."

Together the two picked up Valient and carried him to the expansive bed, gently laying his body down on top. With a sigh, Marshall turned to the Admiral.

"Now, what did you wish to speak to me about?"

Kithail moved to the center of the dance floor and looked at Alysanndra, taking her hand and placing his own in her waist, just over her hip. At least now we're on something I excel at. I hope we could share a fine moment here. Aliria told me that Alysanndra is a fantastic dancer.

He started to move following the music, using one of the traditional elven paces to guide Alysanndra through the complex dancing steps, his gaze fixed into the beautiful long neck of the roanian elf, then switching to meet her eyes again.

Allysandra sighed. Let's see how he reacts... "Kithail," she said, savoring the name, "what is it like... living in Aelosia?" She asked him, hoping he wouldn't get angry. Her steps were oddly graceless, as if she was absorbed entirely with the handsome man holding her. I can dance better than this...

Calis merely stood there as he was deserted. It seems they had much more business to conduct than he. He looked up at the entrance to see his bodyguard entering. That was expected, he could rarely escape the prying eyes of his guard.

The President made his way back to the table next to Calin.

She called me by my name!, Should I still call her Lady Alysanndra?. Oh, for Oröme, Why I'm not a courtier?. Kithail just smiled, unsure about what to say, and blushing for the first time in ages. Oh, great, an old guy like me, who have killed hundred of people, centuries old, and blushing just because a pretty lady call me by my name.

As he realized that Alysanndra could keep his steps, he accelerated the pace, spinning faster. Then he started to answer her question, looking her in the eyes, with a sweet, soft tone of voice "It's strange. It's like a paradise, a land of elves, isolated from the rest of the world shaped by our hands little by little until it resembled the fabled former kingdom of the Sindarin. Yet sometimes it's lonely up there, living in the stars, all alone. But the at least it's peaceful, very peaceful, and beautiful"

Calis merely stood there as he was deserted. It seems they had much more business to conduct than he. He looked up at the entrance to see his bodyguard entering. That was expected, he could rarely escape the prying eyes of his guard.

The President made his way back to the table next to Calin.

Otto looked up, chastened. "The Prime Minister just spoke to me..." He looked behind Calis. "Ah, and here's our Minister for Human Affairs."

A portly man tapped Calis's shoulder. "Hello... I am Minister James Gray."

<=========>

Allysandra blushed, and smiled up at him, looking into his eyes. "It sounds lovely, Kithail... maybe I will take you up on your offer to visit, or move there... I have nothing here for me, no family... all my friends are... but let's not speak of such unpleasant things," Allysandra cursed herself. "I'm sorry, ShadowPrince... I've been presumptuous."

Calis was about to reply to Otto when he was tapped on the shoulder. Spinning around, Calis nodded in greeting and extended his hand.

"Good day Mr. Gray, how do you do?"

"Well there have been some interesting devloped in the genetic history of your mother and me. I've recovered all of my memory aabout 12 years ago. Well I have good news and bad in a way," Joshua says with a slight sigh

"You're not presumptuous, you're charming, my Lady. And would be delighted to have you as my...friend in my beloved homeland", said the ShadowPrince smiling again, regaining his composture.

IC:

Malissa waited. She reached out for a glass a servant brought her, and took a sip. Her eyes suddenly widened. "W..." they shut, and then she fell to the floor.

<========>

Allysandra smiled at him. "Please... Kithail, call me Allysandra..." She leaned forward, but then saw Malissa fall. "Oh... what's going on?"

<========>

The 'servant' ran into a room. "I did it! HA!"

"Right. Let's get out of here."

This Palace is currently undergoing a lockdown.

"shit."

<========>

This Palace is currently undergoing a lockdown.

John looked up, suddenly alarmed.

"What the hell?"

The announcement blared again:

All persons within the Palace are to remain in place. Any attempt to leave the premises will be met with deadly force.

"Dear God, what has happened?"

A sinking feeling came unto him. He didn't like it...in fact, he hated it.

John Marshall bolted out of the room and headed down the stairs, taking several steps in each bound. He burst out to the courtyard where he noticed that the Roanian military had surrounded the entire group. He noticed a number of people standing and looking in one direction. His eyes frantically searched the faces and heads, searching, searching for any sign.

Malissa was nowhere to be seen.

"Out of my way!" he yelled as he shoved past the congregated masses, toward that focal point of attention. He squeezed past the last of the men, and looked down in horror.

"MALISSA!!"

John went down to his knees as he took the limp hand, his other hand gripping her face.

"Malissa! Wake up! It's me, John!"

John looked up at the surrounding people, his face flushed and extremely worried.

"What in God's name happened here??!!"

No one answered, all with looks of confusion and worry upon their faces.

"Dammit! Somebody get me the prime minister! Now!"

He turned back to Malissa.

"Malissa...hold on..." he whispered, as his eyes grew hot, threatening to spill plenty of tears.

As the alarms went off, Calis quickly looked around the room, expecting some sort of threat. He quickly tapped his asortment of weapons, just to be sure they were all in place. His guard stepped in behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Something has happened to the princess."

"I see. It is probably best we stay here."

"Indeed."

The pair sat down as the room filled with panic.

"This Palace is currently undergoing a lockdown".

"What was that?" said Kithail to Alysanndra. Wonderful, finally I'm comfortable with someone, and what happens?, an alarm sounds. This is beginning to be very, very disturbing


"All persons within the Palace are to remain in place. Any attempt to leave the premises will be met with deadly force".

"Well, that says a lot. You are a Roanian, so tell me, Is it safe to just follow the instructions or we should try to escape someway?", asked the ShadowPrince to Alysanndra, his face quickly returning to the features of the cold and capable tactician, his eyes already watching their surroundings, his hand quickly reaching his belt.

OOC: this post should be before Tarlachia's last one.


D'rtang looked at Marshall with a long face.

"Thank you for coming. I...just wanted to apologize for my president. What he did was not his fault..."

Marshall sighed again.

"What happened to the poor fellow?"

"It.. all started with a simple device called th Omega Pulse. Well, weapon is more like it. I... I was a foolish man when I was younger. More brash. I attempted to sell the weapon off to the highest bidder when the nations of Kanuckistan and Fuggolia stopped me. Alexander had no knowledge whatsoever about my... indescretion, but K and F launced a preemptive strike against the Presidential estate.

"... Alexander lost his wife and his only son, Alexander II."

Marshall looked across at the Admiral.

"I'm sorry... I did not know."

"It's alright. I beleieve that you can't change the past. I was summarily punished for my crimes, but the incident has brought myself and Alexander closer, strangely enough...

"But there are times when... he drinks away his pain... Alcohol never used to be his thing, but lately..."

"It is nearing the two year anniversary. He must feel the pain."

"This Palace is currently undergoing a lockdown."

John looked up, suddenly alarmed.

"What the hell?"

The announcement blared again:

"All persons within the Palace are to remain in place. Any attempt to leave the premises will be met with deadly force."

"Dear God, what has happened?"

A sinking feeling came unto him. He didn't like it...in fact, he hated it.

John Marshall bolted out of the room. D'rtang closely followed.

((This has to be the most interesting diplomatic RP I've seen yet. Good job, keep it up.))

OOC: Damn... I need to do a couple of Story Threads to tie some of this stuff up... :wink:

IC:

"Dammit! Somebody get me the prime minister! Now!"

"Malissa...hold on..."

D'rtang whipped around and looked at the shell-shocked mass of people.

"Dammit people, can't you see the lady needs help?"

D'rtang pushed his way to the crowd and hurried to where he knew the prime minister would be. He grabbed his arm and pulled him to where Jon and Malissa were.

Shadow Angels rushed into the room, and pointed their guns into the crowd. Interior Minister Merkenoff stepped out of the cordon. "It appears that someone has poisoned our Princess," the Russian said, fury behind his words. "Needless to say, if we can not find those responsible, all of you will suffer the penalty." The man took a deep breath, and then exhaled. "Death."

Minister Derza entered through another door. "My soldiers have just sealed off the entirety of this palace. As I stated in the announcement, deadly force will be used against any who try to escape." He snapped his fingers. Soldiers stepped forward. "Please give any and all weapons to these men, my lords."

The Prime Minister appeared above the crowd, being held up by several soldiers holding the chair he was sitting on. The man seemed unaware of how ridiculous he looked. "Any of you who desire to help our people in seeking these assassins, step forward now."

Medical personnel picked the Princess up and took her into a side room. A man wearing a business suit over a red cravat followed, his hand going into his pocket and withdrawing what looked to be an ebony baton.

<=========>

Allysandra looked alarmed, and clung to Kithail. "It... might be best if you do as they say, Kithail... I'm sure they won't really shoot anyone... but" she started to blink back tears. "I don't know what's going on..."

<=========>

The assassins ran for a window. Try as hard as they could, it wouldn't open. "Oh dear..." they ran for the door. "There has to be an exit somewhere around here."

"I heard what there were secret passages into the undercity in the west wing," Bill volunteered.

The medical personnel shoved John out of the way, intent on doing their job.

"Malissa..." he whispered as he fought back the tears.

He heard the Prime Minister's speech, and immediately spoke up,

"I will help hunt these sons of bitches down! God have mercy on their soul when I get my hands on them..."

John felt a surge of anger within himself as he spoke those words with clarity and determination. It surprised him a little, to hear such brutality in his tone.

John noticed the quiet man who had followed the medical personnel. His mind locked on the man. This man was important, John knew, but he didn't know how or why. He followed him toward the side room, but suddenly was blocked by several of the Shadow Angels standing guard at the doorway.

"Move! I'm here to see to Malissa and him!" he demanded while pointing to the man in question. The Shadow Angels simply did not move, and kept their guns trained on him.

The man payed John no attention, instead walking into the room. "Let me see..." he waved the rod around, aimlessly. A glowing light suffused the princess, and her chest stopped in mid-breath. "That should do it... now... let's take this in..."

John forced his way inside. "Who are you? What are you doing with Malissa?"

"Ah... the Princess's consort..." The man didn't look up. "I am the Archchancellor of the Roanian Order of the Ruby. And you are interfering with my duty, sir."

"What is your duty?"

"My duty is to keep the Princess alive, and find a cure." The man coughed. "And the best way you could help would be by finding those assassins, not hovering around here like a worried mother hen."

The mage pushed John outside and closed the door.

Upon hearing the message, Calis stood, his guard not far behind.

"The least I could do is help capture the culprit. Our men are still in the barracks?"

"Yes, they're no use at the moment."

"Alright, let's go."

Calis and his guard made their way toward the PM with the intent of helping in the investigation.

"I will also help in solving this mystery. It is the least I can do."

John didn't like it, but he knew the mage was right. He turned back and headed back to the Prime Minister.

"Prime Minister, I would like to request to lead a group of my own. I can't imagine the culprits have gotten far with such a quick response by security..."

John stood squarely to the prime minister, a determined look in his face.

The Prime Minister nodded, and then turned to the soldiers. "Gentlemen, kindly escort the President to the barracks. Prince Marshall, I'm afraid I can't order any soldiers to accompany you... perhaps..."

The portly man stepped up. "I would be glad to help His Highness."

"Ah... James... of course. Prince Marshall, may I introduce you to his excellency, the Home Secretary, Viscount James Gray."

The Prime Minister nodded, and then turned to the soldiers. "Gentlemen, kindly escort the President to the barracks. Prince Marshall, I'm afraid I can't order any soldiers to accompany you... perhaps..."

The portly man stepped up. "I would be glad to help His Highness."

"Ah... James... of course. Prince Marshall, may I introduce you to his excellency, the Home Secretary, Viscount James Gray."

Marshall shook the hand of James Gray.

"Pleased to meet you...now, let's go, we've got business to tend to."

John looked about quickly noticing that there were people already searching different areas of the palace...all except the corridor leading to the West Wing.

"We're going that way." he stated, as he broke into a run. Soon, the two found themselves at the end of the corridor, looking and listening for any clues that might help them.

A clattering noise came from the stairway.

The two men turned and stared at the stairway, then at each other as they heard voices angrily exchanging somewhat hushed words to each other.

"Malissa? Oh god Malissa," Joshua says as she sudenly falls over. As everything aorund him goes on. Something dark inside him suddenly starts to awaken. He slowly draws a newer model berretta and cocks the pistol. "This just got very messy and very personel," he says as his eyes meet with Phoenix's and Echo's. She mouthed to him not to but he ignored her. Phoenix just nodded and held Echo close to protect her. Joshua suddenly to run towards the exit of the room holding the pistol in a double handed hold.

A heavily armored pair of soldiers stopped Joshua. Much, much stronger than even the Phalanixian, they tore the pistol from his hands. "The Minister said no-one was to make any hostile movements. Kindly return to your seat, Lord Maxwell." Regardless of how much he protested, they forcefully moved him back inside. "Lady Echo, kindly ensure that your brothers do not take hostile action."

Several more soldiers appeared behind the original pair, assault rifles standing ready. "The most you can do to help us is by describing the man who poisoned the Princess."

<========>

Bill cursed. "Tod, you imbecile! That's a closet!"

Tod spat out a sock. "I noticed. Believe me, I noticed. But where is that exit?"

The two men wrenched open another door. Steps lead down into the unfathomable depths. "Come on, we have to rendezvous with the others."

<========>

Several more assassins waited patiently inside the offices of the other wings, knowing that no mere human could find them.

Joshua smirks. "I'm not a damn Maxwell. And if you think I would attack anyone I just have something to take care of. Something very personel. Besides don't tempt me." Echo shakes her head and says "Phoenix won;t he knows he wouldn't make it. Joshua well he is a entirly diffrent story," Echo says as she shakes her head.

The Roanian soldiers stepped aside as another one of the cravat wearing men appeared. "What is this? Ah, hello. I am Archchanchellor Dez'ian of the Order of the Sapphire. Mr. Joshua, we would appreciate you telling us everything that you saw happen to the Princess." The man's face hardened. "Failure to comply... means I will, sadly, have to take those memories from your head."

"I was just about to tell her something about her mother and everythign goes to hell. Thats it. I never saw her take that drink or anything. Now let me track down those poor bastards for leaving me as the only member of my family," Joshua says as a anger that could never be tamed began to show

John ran as fast as he could, with James close behind. The two bounded up the steps, three at a time. They slowed as they cautiously approached an open doorway, the door swung outwardly.

John peered in, and was taken aback by the sight. Before them lay a room with the walls and floor almost seeming to radiate a red color. John sniffed and instantly regretted it.

A powerful stench of blood burned his nostrils, causing him to almost gag. Beside him James whispered in shock,

"Oh...oh no..."

John looked up, puzzled.

"What?" he demanded as he simultaneously tried to keep from vomiting.

"There..." James pointed to the open doorway below the blood splattered picture of the Virgin Mary.

The doorway looked like a gaping mouth, beckoning with an erie silent taunt, daring them to cross the horrible bloody room and pass through its jaws.

They slowly made their way to the door, stopping momentarily at the entrance. All they could see was a set of stairs spiraling downward and out of sight, disappearing into the darkness below.

John looked about the training room, and spied a variety of weapons upon the walls. He spied a well crafted longsword, of Roanian metal forging. He smiled, these swords were well crafted, he knew.

"Let's go." he said to James, who had himself drawn his own weapon, a rapier.

John was the first to step into the darkness, his footsteps softly stepping downward...

"This won't do at all..." The archchanchellor withdrew a rod, and pointed it at Joshua. Energy flashed from it, and the air around Joshua became incredibly thick, precluding any movement. "Tsk. Lady Echo, Lord Phoenix, come with me, please. I'm afraid we'd be doing her highness a terrible dis-service if we allowed Lord Joshua to take any action."

<========>

The pair stepped into a tunnel complex. Footsteps lead down one of the tunnels. James and John walked along, following the trail.

Behind them, something seemed to shuffle, and then a strange, red sword started to float through the air. When it entered the tunnel, very strange markings appeared in the ground, as if someone was carrying the weapon.

Bill and Tod could sense they were being followed. The two of them drew their pistols, and ducked behind a wall.

"Hey you! Don't move!" John called out to the assassins that he and James had caught up to.

John eyed the two men, studying them. He glanced at their clothing and scowled to himself. James noticed this as well, and demanded to the men,

"You men wear the clothes of servants in the Palace, identify yourself!"

The two assassins turned about, facing the two men challenging them.

"Oh yes, we serve our nation well!" one of the assassins mocked. Suddenly, the two went on the offensive and pulled out dual guns and began firing.

The gun reports echoed horribly loud in the confines of the catacombs. John and James both recieved multiple bullets across their torsos and limbs. However, none hit their vitals.

The guns silenced.

"Dammit, I knew we should have brought more!" cried one of the assassins.

"Never mind about that, get your knives and finish them off!" commanded the other, as he himself began to chant magical words. Beside them a circular reddish pattern began to rotate and expand on the wall.

Calis followed several soldiers to the barracks where his men awaited his orders. They had geared up upon the lock down alarms and were prepared for a fight.

"Men, follow me. We have targets to capture. Prince Marshall has already taken the lead, we must provide support."

Calis drew a machine pistol and lead the men toward the west wing of the palace, intent on capturing the assassins.

"FREEZE!"

The assasins turned around, though the one chanting away continued to do so.

D'rtang and a mix of Valient and Tarlachian guards burst into the catacombs, various handguns and semi-automatics drawn and leveled at the two men advancing on John and James.

"Admiral... nice of you to..."

"Don't move, sir, we'll get you out of there..."

One of the guards looked at the advancing wave of energy moved towards them. some of them backed off.

"Hold your ground men... don't let them get away..."

There was a sudden rush of energy, and blackness spiralled out from Bill. The assassin laughed, and then a portal openned in the air. Unpleasant 'things' began to creep through.

James swore, and began to fumble for the crucifix he always wore around his neck. The Valientian guard who had been staring at the energy gave a loud cry, as he fell to the ground and started to writhe uncontrollably. His skin started to harden and green scales burst out. His head melted into horns and an animal face.

The creature stood up, and charged at his former companions. Behind them, the sword started to slash at them, cutting through the Valientians like .

All of a sudden, an immense hand reached around, and grabbed for the two assassins. They were pulled in, but a leaf floated down. John grabbed the leaf, somehow knowing it was important. Then he, James, Drtang, and the surviving guards took off for the upstairs.

<========>

A burst of machine gun fire came from in front of Calis and the guards as a pair of assassins ran out. More assassins charged into the main room, opening random fire.

However, within 10 seconds, most of them were either dead, or no longer human...

Phoenix shook his head and speks "Trust me. You might want to let Joshua lose. Most likley he will hunt you down or something. Posibly show you what hell is likebecuase he has been there and back and he isn't just vampiric any more. So your gone kinda regret it." Echo sighs and walks over to the window where Joshua's cat is still sleeping and picks it up in one arm and scratches it's back.

Calis swore as he witnessed the appearances of the creatures. They wore the cloths of humans, but they were definitely not human. Drawing his other machine pistol, Calis began to unleashe devestation upon the strange creatures whilst his and the Roanian men flooded into the room to support him.

"RUN!!! GET OUT OF HERE!"

D'rtang and the remnants of the Tarlachian and Valient security attache fled up the stairs, and back down the halls.

"Sir, they got Stevens..."

"FORGET HIM!. He's... one of them now..."

They ran. Somewhere behind them, the sword kept after them. Somehow, they managaed to elude its mystical powers.

They finally broke back into the main hall when they saw... them.

Grotesque monsters of indescribable ugliness, swarming the guests and the Roanian guards.

"Admiral, what should we do?"

"WHAT THE *Post deleted by NationStates Moderators" DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO? SHOOT!"

Gunfire... hevenly, horrible gunfire...

"Well, then we will stand here, I suppose, although I see that you're very afraid of what could happens, that gives me a bad feeling", said the ShadowPrince visibly worried, yet his voice and gestures being very calmed and quiet. Kithail placed his arm around Alysanndra to give her a feeling of safety, as he looked with his other hand for the hidden compartment inside the thigh plate of his armor, searching for the hilt of the lightsaber that he carried there in case of an emergency.

Then he rose his voice above for whoever could be listening him. "I'm Kithail Hyral, ShadowPrince of Aelosia and guest of this country, and I demand to know why I'm being confined in this palace".

There was a minute of serene, terrible, peace. Then an explosion, as powers beyond the understanding of most men were called into action by the magi. The hideous creatures burst into flames, and started to run at random around. One of them leapt at Allysandra, and the elf screamed and held a hand out, muttering something under her breath. The reptilian monstrosity froze in the air, and then vanished.

More of the monsters tore inside the room, and dozens ran up from the open passageway to the undercity. Soon, the Roanians and their guests were forced back against the wall. Deciding it would be folly to not try anything, the Sapphire Archchancellor relinquished the spell upon Joshua, commending his soul to the gods.

Rapier held against demonic claws, bolts of fire co-mingled with the acid blood leaked by the once-men.

One of the soldiers looked to Kithail with an undescribable expression upon his face. "You wish to leave? Find a way to the door!" The man laughed and laughed as he turned his gun upon the creature which had stabbed him through. Both man and once-man died.

Calis cursed as his machine pistols ran dry. Withdrawing two fairly long daggers, he began hacking his way through what remained of the beasts until the only ones left were on fire.

By the end of the battle he sat covered in blood and sweat, the foul creatures lying dead at his feet.

Once Joshua was released he smirked and lunged at the first monster he could. He then removed the small knife from one of his pockets and hurled it towards the monster he chargedd at. The knife flew at high speeds even hard for Phoenix to see. Phoenix on the other hand pulled out a pair of famirly small MXD Plasma shell pistols and began to fire o nanyhting that would harm Echo. As he did he moved himself and Echo towards a window then fired one 12.7mm plasma filled round at a window.

More of the creatures charged at Calis, blood boiling within them. Karolyn screamed as one of them charged past Calin, running for her.

<=========>

The bullet bounced off the window, and into a crowd of the creatures.

((OOC:The round was designeed like a hallow point to dispures the plasma inside the round. Wouldn't it end up splatering on the window?))

Calis cursed, he could do nothing as the beast charged towards Karolyn. He was already occupied with many beasts as it was. Depending on his brother to act, Calis returned his attention to the monsters and began slashing wildly with his blades, severing limbs and heads in his battle rage.

Calin watched as the beast launched itself through the air, toward his wife.

"NO!!!"

Calin raised his hand and concentrated upon the attacking creature. He was intent on not allowing it to cause any damage to his wife. In a massive burst of mental will, the beast was sent spiralling to the side where it slammed head first into the wall, the cracking sound of a broken neck echoing around the room.

Kithail used his fast reflexes to move away from the onslaught of the oncoming beasts, trying to place himself between them and Alysanndra, although she looked capable enough of fend them off.

Finding a good spot to stand his ground, Kithail turned on his light scimitar, the beam of light, more curved than a standard lightsaber to amplify the cutting edge, extending his length of celestial blue towards the strange creatures.

"In the name of the Valar, Where these abominations came from?", said the ShadowPrince as he swung his sword in an ascending arc to the nearest creature, trying to cut him from the left hip to the right shoulder.

Allysandra screamed as a creature clawed at her. The woman shook her head, and lashed out with a dagger she pulled from her boot. The creature fell aside.

Three more reptiles fell to Kithail's furious assault, and Allysandra soon had another one down. "I don't know! They... they remind me of... of toads, and other slimy things... they're like those creatures Merrech used to summon!"

<==========>

John turned, and saw several of the monsters rush for the door to where Malissa lay, convalescent. He roared with fury, and sliced the sword he had taken from the training room down.

A bolt of lightning struck the three monsters, and they died instantly. John looked at his sword in surprise. "Well..."

Then he remembered the leaf. "I wonder..." the man ran for the door. "Drtang, come here!"

The Admiral looked up from the creature he had knocked out with a punch. "In a sec, Marshall!"
<==========>

Merkenoff scowled as he stared at the creatures coming towards him. "X, on my signal!"

"Right, Ivan."

"A-one, a-two, a-one two three!" Both ministers drew their automatic pistols at once, and let loose a hail of bullets into their opponents. Behind them, Michael von Derza beat two creatures to the ground with his bare fists.

"I'll show you not to mess with a Field Marshal in the Roanian Army!" The man shouted.

Ivan and X stared at one another. As one they said, "Soldiers." They then heard a loud scream. Cartwright ran across the room, a monster chasing him.

"Anyone who saves me gets a budget increase! BE HELPING ME!"

<==========>

Karolyn sighed, "Thank you, Calin... I'm sorry to be in the way like this..." she blinked back tears. If I wasn't stuck in this wheel-chair...

<==========>

Simon Darquis coughed. "Jean? You done yet?"

"Just a little bit longer... god..." the young woman walked out of their bedroom, straightening her skirt. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful." All of a sudden, several reptiloids charged around the corridor. "Oh, what? Damn it! Can I go one week? Just one God-damn week?"

<==========>

OOC: Phalanix, if Joshua had tried to punch that window, he would have broken his arm as it bent 180 degrees.

<==========>

President Valient was woken up by a knocking on his door. Outside, two reptiloids waited, patiently. One of them said in a growling voice, "Pardon me... we're two angry lizard-men. We'd like to gnaw your limbs off, and devour your brain. Is this a convenient time?"

OOC:Ah ok just checkin
IC:
Phoenix cursed under his breath and tossed a small pistol to Echo. "It is a laser mark 3. Careful those baby's heat up fast so shoot to disable to kill," Phoenix says as he looks for a posible safe exit. Joshua on the other hand was busy tearing through what ever stood in his way in a bloody rage.

Calin sighed as he grabbed Karolyn's chair.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here."

Calin made his way to the exit whilst blasting a few more creatures in the wall, clearing the path for the wheel chair.
_____________

Calis was backed against a wall, cornered by several beasts. The moved in upon the President, ready for the kill. They had underestimated their enemy. Calis' sword may have been useless in the situation but he had other skills he could employ.

The creatures bacame puzzled as Calis closed his eyes, taking his attention away from them. The moment they prepared to attack, they were overwhelmed by this urge to kill eachother. They couldn't quite determine the reason but the urge continued to grow until it was uncontrollable.

In a fit of fury, they began to slash at eachother with their razor sharp claws and beat the hell out of eachother. Calis smiled. Slowly backing off, he continued to keep a firm control upon the monsters until they all lay dead.

"And I suppose they're attacking us out of hunger, unless they have a reason for hatred. I suppose there's no way to talk with them. For now, better to find a nice place to refuge ourselves. Run, I'll cover you", said the ShadowPrince picking up the fallen gun of one of the Roanian soldiers and some ammo from his backpack.

If they have come this far, that means that the palace is already stormed, probably overwhelmed. The safest course of action is to find a way of leaving this place as fast a spossible. I'm an awesome warrior, but I can't bring down an army just by myself, as he was thinking, another giant toad tried to pass by to attack Allysanndra. A pair of shots fired by the newfound weapon of the ShadowPrince kneecapped the creature, slowing it down for a moment, then Kithail switched his weapon and beheaded the big reptile with one stroke of the saber.

"Wait, maybe we should look for your Princess Malissa, I suppose she's in trouble. Do you have any idea of where is she?", he said to Alysanndra as he dodged the caustic slime coming out from the dead creatures.

Joshua looked back at Phoenix and Echo. He called down to them "I'll cover you. Just get the hell out of here!" Phoenix nodded and grabed Echo and pulled her into a fireman's carry and began to run towards Joshua shooting along the way at anything that got to close.

D'rtang went up to Marshall.

"Yes? Do you have a plan?"

************

Valient peered through the peephole and saw indeed, two reptoids leering back at him.

He shoved the room's couch up against the door, climbed on it and fell back asleep.

The Roanian ministers had succeeded in rallying the surviving guards against the reptiloids in the antechamber. Prime Minister Harold Cartwright had been given a stiff drink. "You know, I could have killed the entire lot of 'em!"

"Yes, Prime Minister. Your campaign speeches would certainly do the trick." Merkenoff kneecapped a creature as it attempted to break in. "Anyone seen Darquis?"

<=======>

Simon sighed, and looked up at the ceiling. "Dear, do you think he'll agree to come down if we ask him nicely?"

Jean followed his gaze. One of her hands was still outlined by green fire. "He seems as if he's happy."

The object of their discussion, a reptiloid, had quickly run to the one position where it was safe from the ferocious onslaught. A small green figure was out-lined on the distant ceiling of the west tower. Jean shouted up, "Come down! We won't hurt you!"

The creature didn't move. Sighing, the Darquises sat down, and waited.

<=======>

John nodded. "I need you to cover me while I get this to her. Follow me!" The two men rushed for the chamber where Malissa's prostate body lay, and where the Ruby Archchancellor waited for him. On their way across the huge grand hall, several of the creatures attacked. They were easily beaten aside.

<=======>

In proper horror movie tradition, the reptiloids punched through the door, and their slime dropped onto Valient's arm. A hideous rasping sound could be heard.

"Man, get that looked at!"

"Look, I'm asthmatic!"

"Like hell!"

The sound of a scuffle erupted outside as Valient dozed.

<=========>

"Lords Joshua and Phoenix, Lady Echo! Over here!" A man gestured them over to another room, in which several Roanian soldiers occasionally pushed their weapons out and opened fire.

<=========>

Allysandra looked around. "She's all the way on the other side of the hall, Kithail... there's an escape hatch... um... in the east wing, through here!" She leapt at the surprised elf, grabbing him and pulling him towards a door. "We can escape, and inform the capital garrison!"

<=========>

A clear path to the room where Roanian security forces were re-grouping was opened by Calis's action. Calin, Calis, Karolyn and Otto took advantage of that to run inside. One of the soldiers looked up. "Lord Calin, we need someone to point out where these things are coming from!"

OOC: I think you mean Lord Calis :P

IC: Calis nodded as he ushered his brother and sister-in-law into the security room. Coated in sweat, Calis reloaded his machine pistols and sheathed his blades. Brushing the hair out of his face he addressed the guard.

"I think they're coming from under the palace, from what I can judge."

Phoenix ran towards where the man called. As he ran he tossed a pistol to Joshua who began shooting at the attackers going for killshots. "Just get in there I'll cover you!" Joshua shouted out as he began shouting outat the attackers. Echo shook her head slightly. At that point Phoenix tossed her to the wall which she used to land on her feet. She then ran into the door closley fallowed by Phoenix. "Get your vampiric anglic ass in here now!" Phoenix called out to Joshua "You are not getting all the kills!" "Just protect Echo I'll be fine," Joshua responded as he used a reverse spinkick to send one attacker into a group of other attackers.

Kithail followed Allysandra, letting her to grab him and pull him away. He was glad to see that Allysandra wasn't a weak maiden, but a decided and brave elven woman. More like my type of girl, he said to himself, taking the time to time as he followed the Roanian elf to the escape hatch, still aware of possible enemies.

Allysandra laughed as they fled from the chaos. "Welcome to Roania, ShadowPrince Kithail," she said as the sounds of combat grew quieter, "and this is one of the better days." The young woman was becoming more and more conscious of this handsome man next to her. She closed her eyes, and thought to herself, Since the odds are I won't live to see another day...

She tapped his shoulder, causing him to turn. The second he faced her, she stepped forward, and kissed him.

<=======>

The Roanians watched, amused, as Joshua struggled to hold back the entire army of slathering creatures moving towards him.

<======>

"Right. Wilcox, Offenheim, Kazinsky, you go with Lord Calis, and find some way to seal that off. The rest of you, get Lord Calin and Lady Karolyn to a safe place."

Weapons locked and loaded, Calis followed the named men whilst Calin and Karolyn were led the other way. Looking over at the guards, Calis posed a question.

"Any idea what these things are?"

Kithail opened his eyes wide for a moment as his rational side told him that this was going too fast. Yet that was just for a second, when he felt the softness of her lips and the sweet flavor of her kiss he closed his ees and entered an elven rapport for a moment, his mind in trance enjoying the beautiful moment, unaware of anybody else, placing his hands in her back, drawing her closer....

Yet that was right now a luxury that must be left for another day, as their lives were still in danger. He broke the kiss for a moment and smiled happily, still looking around, searching for possible enemies. He looked at Allysandra in the eyes. "Look, when we go out of here, I'll take you to Aelosia, and I promise you that I'll do my best effort to court you and to convince you of marrying me. I'd die for kissing you again, but first we must find your Princess and make sure that...", he suddenly stopped, his stare lost in Allysandra's eyes, then grabbed her shoulders and kissed her again...

"We aren't sure, Suh!" The man who had been called Offenheim said loudly. "They seem to be some sort of lizard, amphibian... thing..." The group suddenly heard a strange noise.

One second later, the demonic sword was floating in the air, and hurtling straight for Calis!

<========>

Allysandra blushed, and melted into his arms. As he withdrew, she murmured into his ear, "I'm sure nothing can harm us... together, we're more than a match for these creatures." She kissed him one more time, a thrill of pleasure suffusing her spine. The woman shuddered with suppressed pleasure, and embraced him.

She slowly let go, smiling at him as she regretfully pulled away. "You're right, though, Kithail... we need to find a way out. Come on..." The two of them walked slowly through the halls of the Palace, lost in their own thoughts.

There was a growling up ahead...

Calis looked up to see a glowing blade flying directly toward him. He knew that couldn't be good and so he dived to the left, narroly missing the blade. Dropping his guns, Calis withdrew his blades and got back to his feet.

"So.... we fight this thing how?"

Kithail moved between Allysandra and the growling, turning on his light scimitar, filling the dark hall with the light of the energy blade. "Who's there?. Go away if you don't want to be hurt, we haven't did nothing to you, and we're not easy prey for you. You will die if you try it", said the Prince using all his leadership and charisma to imprint his voice with a scary tone. In the past, even hardened orcs and mighty dragons found enough authority in that voice to make them cower in front of the Prince.

"Allysandra, tell me everything you know about these beasts, Where did they come from and why are they attacking this palace?", he whispered a second later to the woman behind him.

At that point a mass energy could be felt throughout the room and the room that the others were hiding in. "Oh shit... Get down," Phoenix says as he goes into a prone postion on the ground and Echo did aswell. Suddenly a massive telekentic burst of energy cenetered around Joshua shot out sending anything in it's wake flying at bone cracking speeds. After the burst Joshua fell to one knee breathing rapidly. Beads of sweet dotted his body as the strength requiered to preform that advanced telekentic skill took its toll on him

A Roanian soldier carefully turned, and lined his RA-87's sight up with Joshua's torso. He carefully squeezed the trigger, preparing to let loose a hot stream of lead.

<=========>

Allysandra whispered to Kithail, "I told you everything I know about them. They seem to have been summoned from another dimension..." Allysandra's eyes shot open. "Of course! Wait here..." she pulled a small rod from a pocket, and began to carefully walk for the corner.

She dissapeared around, and then, 5 seconds later, screamed. There was a distinctly human voice. "Look what we've got here, my lovelies."

<========>

"Um... maybe you could use your psychic powers to find the thing holding it, Lord Calis?" The soldiers said, as their bullets passed harmlessly under the sword.

Joshua seansed this and in a split second sent a second smaller more concentrateed telekentic blast at the man taking aim at him. The blast litteraly bent the rifle's barrel in a diffrent direction. After the second burst he fell to the floor sweat rolling down him. He passed out from the amount of energy useed

Calis nodded.

"Good idea. Swords don't usually float without something holding it."

Calis kept moving, avoiding the lunges of the blade as he extended his mind into the immediate area. He quickly picked up the presence of the other soldiers and some nearby. Focusing specifically on the sword, he found it. It wasn't quite human but it was a mental signature.

Clasping his telekinetic power around the presence, Calis lunged forward with his blades and stabbed the air where he was sure an invisible creature was being held.

There was a distinctly acrid smell, and then Calis's weapon started to hiss as acidic blood spilt onto it. The thing rived aimlessly, and then the sword toppled to the ground.

An incredibly... unpleasant *thing* appeared next to it, undescribable in its grotesqueness.

<========>

Valient lay down a range of covering fire as John broke into the room. The ArchChanchellor looked up. "Ah, Prince John... what do you have for me?"

John wordlessly passed the man the leaf.

<=======>

The Roanian fell to the ground silently. All of a sudden, a reptiloid grabbed a spear and threw it at Joshua's exposed back.

<=========>

Calis swore as his blade began to melt. Dropping the blade and quickly moving backward, he watched as a vile creature appeared next to the fallen sword.

"Ok.... Perhaps we should make sure it is dead."

Calis stepped even further back until he was well out of the way, drawing his two pistols, he indicated to the Roanians to move back. Once the guards were back, Calis unleashed five rounds from each pistol into the beast, watching as it squirmed and bled all over the ground.

"So, any idea what the hell that thing was?"

At that point Phoenix had litteraly kicked the door off of there hidding place and shot the spear off course. It landed only inches from Joshua's side. "JOSHUA!" Echo screamed out as she ran over to his body. She quickly knelt down beside him and checked if he was still breathing. "He needs a stim now!" she says sharply to Phoenix. "Um I'm busy!" he says as a hilt of a plasma sword comes out of his sleve and he ignights it.

D'rtang looked over at Marshall and grabbed his shoulder.

"DOn't you need that? Why are you giving that to him?"

*************

Valient turned over and tried to drown out the scuffling noises of the lizard men with the pillow.

After another couple of moments, the noises stopped. Valient peered out from under his pillow and saw both lizards prostrate on the floor, their heads torn off.

Valient did not utter a peep. Instead, he slowly crept over them and made his way out of his room.

John looked up. "I... trust him." John said, simply, as he handed the magi the leaf.

The Archchancellor nodded as he held the leaf, whispered a few words, and then sprinkled something on Malissa. A thunderclap shook the room, and then the leaf burst into flame on the mage's hand.

On the bed, Malissa started to stir. "Uhh..." she looked up. "Hurts..."

<==========>

"No, sir!" The soldiers shouted, as they continued down the path, leaving the dying creature behind. Soon they reached the stairs that lead to the old training room.

<==========>

Behind Valient, a reptiloid came upon the dead creatures. It paused, cautious about following after something that could kill two of it's brothers.

<==========>

"Medic! We need a medic here!" The soldiers shouted as they tugged Joshua into the safe room.

Calis looked down the stairs suspisciously. He wasn't quite sure what could be waiting down there after encountering the invisible beast and the other creatures.

"You guys have the military training, lead the way."

Joshua seemed lighter than to be expected as he was dragedd into the safe room. Phoenix felt a strange disturbance coming from him and stoped for a split secondbut then went back to attacking the thing that tried to kill Joshua

Allysandra whispered to Kithail, "I told you everything I know about them. They seem to have been summoned from another dimension..." Allysandra's eyes shot open. "Of course! Wait here..." she pulled a small rod from a pocket, and began to carefully walk for the corner.

She dissapeared around, and then, 5 seconds later, screamed. There was a distinctly human voice. "Look what we've got here, my lovelies."

Kithail remained in his place, covering his figure with his magical cloak, blending with the surroundings, turning almost invisible. Whispering a little, he looked around the corner...

ooc: back from spring break...thanks for being patient...and Roania..thanks for rping John as necessary...

IC:
John looked lovingly down at Malissa. A smile crept across his worried face. His hand readjusted its grip upon the sword. In the back of his mind, he was still trying to figure out what had happened with it earlier...

Nevertheless, he was more concerned about Malissa.

John knelt next to Malissa, his hand gripping hers.

"Thank God you are all right..."

Beyond the room, the rest of the palace was still engaged in its own drama.

What a night...

D'rtang placed a hand on Marshall's shoulder.

"We must go. Gather her and lets find a stronger hold."

***********

Valient walked quicker. He could feel something stalking him in the halls.

"D'rtang, and Marshall. They will know what to do..."

Malissa's eyes fluttered open, and she pressed a hand to her abdomen. "John...?" She tried to rise, but fell back down. "I... feel like I'm burning inside..."

The Archchancellor drew John aside. "I... feel it is only fair to warn you that there is a 75% chance that..." he didn't seem able to finish.

"A 75% chance that Princess Malissa will be sterile from the effects of the poisoning."

"What? We have to tell her!" John said, moving over. The Archchancellor stopped him.

"Must we?"

<=========>

Two black-clothed men held a knife to Allysandra's throat. "Well, well, well... if it isn't one of them Government ministers..."

"And an elf, too," the swarthier one said.

"Forget that. It's a woman! I say we have some fun with her." Allysandra screamed and tried to tear loose, but they slapped her and forced her against the wall, one of them producing a knife and starting to cut her dress.

Allysandra shouted again, "Help! Please!"

<=========>

A hail of bullets met the lizard as it lunged for Phoenix, Merkenoff and Derza stepping back into the room just in time. "Well, well, well, young Maxwell... get in there and protect your brother. We'll take care of things out here."

<========>

As the soldiers began to move downwards, a powerful smell of blood met their nose. They were soon in the training room. The more superstitious crossed themselves when they saw the blood-spattered altar.

A strange noise seemed to come from an external doorway, that seemed to lead into catacombs.

<========>

Valient stumbled, literally, upon Simon and Jean. The two of them were sitting in the door, in eachother's arms, staring up at a distant green speck. Simon rose and bowed. "President Valient, I don't suppose you'd have a... um... handgun, would you?"

"We have to, she has the right to know what could happen. After all, it is her body, not yours." he replied with a sincere look.

John looked over at D'rtang.

"Wait a moment..." he spoke carefully.

Without waiting for a response from either men, he knelt by Malissa again, taking her hands gingerly, and caressing them. His eyes found hers, which still seemed a little hazed from the effects of the poisoning.

"Malissa...dear Malissa, listen to me. You were poisoned by some assassins....I...I had to find them...track them down...get an antidote for the doc here...the Archchancellor...tears slipped slowly down his cheek as she listened carefully to his words...And now...he's saying that......God this is hard to say...."

He drifted off in his speech as he couldn't bring himself to say it.

He had to say it...

"Malissa...he said that there is a 75% chance that you will.....be infertile...because...of...the poison..."

His hands clenched hers lovingly as he sought her face for any response. Tears of woe streaked down his face, collecting at the tip of his chin, and occasionally falling as a larger droplet of salty water toward the ground.

Malissa blinked, just holding John's hand. Slowly, the finality of his words sunk in. She whispered, "no...". The young woman tried to stand up, but she was still weak. Tears started to rush from her eyes, and she buried her face into his shoulder.

John wrapped her arms around her, hugging her closely. Malissa couldn't speak, couldn't move, could barely breathe. Her entire body shook from suppressed misery.

"Why...?" she choked out between sobs. "Why me? I... I was so happy..." She slowly moved, and faced the Archchancellor. "There... is there... can you... is there anyway to cure it?"

The man paused, and shook his head. "We... won't know until you reach a point where you should be pregnant, or... or until your next cycle, maybe."

Malissa's tears fell even more rapidly now, and she pushed herself away from John. Now what use am I? She thought, miserably, remembering that for the majority of Roanians she existed only to give birth to a man.

John cried his own tears, tears of empathy for Malissa. She was suffering greatly from the news, and had begun to doubt his own sensibility of telling her the truth.

"I...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have..." he whispered, all the while stroking her head of beautiful hair which had returned to being buried in his shoulder.

She seemed to mold into his embrace, her hands clenching his arm and the other wrapped around his torso.

His mouth moved near her ear, and lowered his tone to only that she could hear him. His lips were hidden from the other's view by her hair.

"Malissa, sweetheart, do not be afraid, I will always love you...no matter what. The sun will rise and set, the stars will move, but you will always be a light in my life. The world will change, we will change, but my love will never change for you. I love you Malissa, never forget that..."

He buried his face into her own shoulder, falling silent as she wept in his own...

D'rtang walked over to the Archchancellor and whispered something out of earshot of the weeping couple.

"Dammit. Is there nothing that we can do for her? Valient has some wonderful medical facilities..."

***********

Valient looked at Simon and Jean and shook his head.

"No, unfortunately I do not have any... URRP... guns... but I do have this."

Valient reached into his jacket and lifted out a small bottle of alcohol.

"Tell me gentlemen: have you ever made a Molotov Cocktail?"

D'rtang walked over to the Archchancellor and whispered something out of earshot of the weeping couple.

"Dammit. Is there nothing that we can do for her? Valient has some wonderful medical facilities..."

***********

Valient looked at Simon and Jean and shook his head.

"No, unfortunately I do not have any... URRP... guns... but I do have this."

Valient reached into his jacket and lifted out a small bottle of alcohol.

"Tell me gentlemen: have you ever made a Molotov Cocktail?"

Kithail took a deep breath. Rapists, humans trying to get an advantage of this situation. Despicable things, not worth of the breath that Eru placed inside them, even worst than the beasts, he said to himself, clenching his fist.

The ShadowPrince was a ruthless ruler in Aelosia, fair, yet merciless in the punishment. He treated convicted criminals with all the force of the justice, sometimes even with the weight of his own hand. Dark gossips were told in the hallways of the Aelosian court, speaking about the dissapearance of several important and famous criminals from the high security jails after a brief visit of the Prince to the facilities, to never come back. And of all criminals he despised rapists above anyone else. He felt as the rage grew inside his chest as a flame of retribution, as his fist clenched.

He thought of drawing his weapon and quickly disposing of the humans, saving Allysandra in few and quick movements, yet when he approached them, he knew that they didn't deserved a quiet, fast and merciful death. The rage inside him was taking over his own senses, and the feral soul of the elven Awen was already in control of his actions.

He threw his cloak aside, approaching the man who was holding Allysandra with the knife on his hand, his body moving with an unearthy speed through the distance between him and the both abusers. His appearance was different from the shy and educated aelosian noble, or the emotionless military tactician that he was. His face was reddened, and his eyes were now more purple than blue, his veins protuding from his skin, looking more like a Dark Elf as he grabbed the first man's wrist with one hand.

Crack...

The wrist broke easily, just with a little twist. The armoured fist opening its way through the man's guts was another matter, anyway. The Prince pushed with all his strength, helped by the power implants of his armor, until the fist came out of the man's back. A well placed kick with the same intensity shattered the man's kneecap to little shards of bone, dropping him to the ground, with the hand of Kithail still embedded deep inside his torso. That was in less than a second.

Kithail turned to the other man with the first one still hanging from his arm like a broken doll, the face of the otherwise beautiful noble now covered in blood, showing his teeth in a grin of hatred, rage and raw violence. When the man reacted, too slow for an elf, more to a highly trained one like Kithail, and tried to raise his weapon, the Prince was already in front of him.

Kithail used his free hand to grab the man's head, still covered by a helmet, and pushed his thumb through the man's eye, fairly sure to incapacitate the soldier with the sharp and unbearable pain. As the soldier fell to his knees, one of the Kithail's kness also rose to meet his chin. Elven forged metal and human bone met, yet the second one was no rival for the first, and broke with ease. Pulling out his thumb, the armoured fist discharged another punch against the man's face, throwing him to a corner several feet away from Allysandra.

When the Prince pulled out his arm from inside the first rapist's body, he was already calming, although the flame inside his pupils was still burning. He was quite sure that the first man was dead, the gap opened in his chest big enough. Yet the second one was just suffering a shock. He approached the second soldier, like a wolf ready to finish a wounded prey...

Double post...

Phoenix replieed before he enter the room to look after Joshua "I'm not young. I'm 85 so don't confuse things like that." As soon as he got into the room he broke out a small pouch and opend it up. Inside were some feild medical equipment. He pulled dout a small injector and jamed it into Joshua's arm. He then fill the injector's open end with a amber colored liquid. It instantly emptied into Joshua and he shot up practicaly wiered.

Calis looked toward the passage where the strange noise seemed to be coming from. He'd rather not look at the blood splattered alter, so he decided to focus on the noise.

"So what's down there?"

"The Undercity, suh!" A soldier replied. The men began to draw closer to the sound, Calis in front. Bursts of psychic energy shot around the room, and another lizard suddenly ran around the corner.

<=========>

Merkenoff nodded at Phoenix, plainly considering the man a dangerous lunatic. "What are you doing with that syringe?"

<=========>

The wounded man spat at Kithail, and pulled a cord on his suit. The assassin exploded, blood spattering the wall and guts flying around the place.

Allysandra leaned back against the wall, breathing heavily, frightened beyond herself. She turned and looked at Kithail, and started to scream as she took in the inelven visage, a face that, for all its newness, was still remarkably familiar.

It was a face she had seen previously on the face of Alexander Black, after a trip to his training room The young woman backed away, terror on her face. "Kithail...?"

<=========>

Simon and Jean looked at one another. Simon spoke first. "A molotov cocktail? That wouldn't be a revolutionary weapon, would it?"

<=========>

The Archchancellor audibly sniffed. "I know my profession, thank you, Mr. President."

<============>
Malissa just held her beloved John, letting the tears flow, and just repeating the word "Why?"

Several soldiers walked in. "Your Highness, First Marshal Derzna wishes for us..." they took in the tableaux, and reverse-marched out of the room. Malissa didn't look up.

"I'm... I'm useless now..."

"I'm... I'm useless now..."

John lifted his head back, and looked Malissa squarely in the eyes. His hand moved to her chin, gently but firmly holding her attention upon himself.

"Listen to me, do not think that ever. You are the Princess of Roania, you are more than any woman can ever dream of being! For God's sake, Malissa, it is not a death warrant for you. I understand that it is a grevious bit of news, but there is still hope! Do not lose sight of that hope..."

John leaned in, kissing away the tears that streamed down her face. His hands were now on her cheeks, holding them gently, as he whispered quietly to her, "You are never useless, especially to me..."

Malissa stared sadly. "John... it's because I'm capable of having a child that I am Princess of Roania... if my nobles find out..." she choked back tears, and just collapsed against the wall, crying a lifetime of suppressed tears.

She turned away, not wanting to look at him, not wanting to know she's alive.

John watched her carefully. She was beginning to talk of more personal matters. Matters that would require more privacy than was given here.

He stood and faced D'rtang.

"I'll catch up with you later, go see to your President, make sure he's all right."

He turned back to Malissa and held his hands out to her. She grudgingly accepted them and was pulled to her feet. With one arm around her, he beckoned for a small security detail to follow them until they arrived at her room. The clamor within the Palace had begun to quiet down as the Roanian military did its job containing, controlling the situation.

Once inside, he thanked and dismissed the detail and closed the door, locking it for security reasons. He turned back to Malissa, who stood there, with her arms wrapped about her stomach, tears still flowing down her cheeks. He stepped closer to her, embracing her once again.

"There now...speak freely what is on your mind..." he whispered as he caressed her, trying to offer comfort.

"I'll... the... I'll never be able to have a child..." she cried, falling to the ground, her mind collapsing. "I'll never know what that's like... and the only reason my nobles let me take over from my father is because they want me to have a son..." She looked up at him. "And I... what good am I to you now?"

John knelt down next to her, taking her hand in his, which she momentarily tried to remove. He did not release her hand, and eventually she stopped struggling. He caressed her cheek with the back of his other hand, as he looked lovingly into her eyes.

"Malissa, you are forgetting that there is still a 25% chance that the poison will not render you sterile. You still have a chance, my dear. As for myself, it does not matter to me whether you are sterile or not, your love is all I ask. If the nobles remove you from power---"

John breathed deeply as he slowly said the following words:

"---I will ask you... to be my wife and hold position by my side in Tarlachia. Either here in Roania, or home in Tarlachia, you will still be of the royal court.

As I said before, your love is all I ask, and I hope you will come to realize that there is more to life than just our jobs. Even if we were both cast from the royal courts, it would still be possible for us to live a life together in happiness and peace for the rest of our days."

John moved closer to Malissa, to which she turned about, resting her back into him. His arms wrapped about her, with her hands lightly holding onto him. He rubbed his face gently along hers. She leaned her head back to him, and they kissed softly. It was a seal of John's love to her, and she would know it...

Malissa leaned forward, and held him, the tears all gone. Her body yearned for his touch, but... but... she knew it would be purposeless. She heard his words, and stiffened. "Marriage? Even... even if..." She kissed him, and smiled again, seeming to find that more important than anything else.

"I'd love to marry you..."

John kissed her again, a smile upon his face. Tears of joy streaked down his face at Malissa's words.

His hands moved to her arms, softly running over her smooth skin, feeling her tense up with excitement. John tried to stop, but he couldn't stop kissing her, and eventually laid her down upon the floor, his body pressed warmly into hers.

How he loved her...

In the back of his mind, he sincerely hoped that the 1 in 3 chance of her remaining fertile came through. Things had been accomplished in the past with worse ratios, much worse ratios, surely this could as well??

He restrained himself to only kissing her and caressing her skin as her arms wrapped about him, holding him close.

"It is a stim to wake him up. We need all the help we can get right now," Phoenix replies. "Ok what the hell did you inject into my system this time?" Joshua asks now with a slight pissed off tone in his voice. "Just a mix of vodka and cryo-sleep wake up stim. It works within seconds and no hang over," he replies with a smirk as he helps Joshua up."

"Why are you screaming?. Do you want to summon more enemies?", asked the ShadowPrince in his natural and emotionless tone of voice as he tried to clean the blood off his face, just staining his skin even more.

"You're safe now, no need for screaming. Please take my cloak to cover you and lead us out of this hell", he finally said as his features trasformed into the calmed expression of the Aelosian Prince again. The presence of the woman helped him to regain his control and dispel the Awen, after all even in the elven rage an elven warrior wasn't capable of harming one of his own kin.

"Why are you screaming?. Do you want to summon more enemies?", asked the ShadowPrince in his natural and emotionless tone of voice as he tried to clean the blood off his face, just staining his skin even more.

"You're safe now, no need for screaming. Please take my cloak to cover you and lead us out of this hell", he finally said as his features trasformed into the calmed expression of the Aelosian Prince again. The presence of the woman helped him to regain his control and dispel the Awen, after all even in the elven rage an elven warrior wasn't capable of harming one of his own kin.

Valient backed up slowly.

"Umm, yes. the Molotov Cocktail IS a weapon of revolution... I guess... Why do you ask?"

******

D'rtang turned once more to the ArchChancellor.

"I hate to interupt them, but is the palace not still in lockdown? Should we not find better shelter?"

Allysandra pulled the coat over her shoulders, tying it over the ripped open portion of her dress. She couldn't look him in the eyes, couldn't explain the visceral terror she had felt at seeing a demon once more stalk these halls, even for a moment.

He'll end up destroying himself... just like Alexander... A tear fell from her eye, "Thank you... Kithail." She closed her eyes, and touched her hands to his head. A cleansing mist ran out from them, removing the bloodstains.

<=========>

Simon and Jean looked at one another. "No reason. Just do whatever it is you need to do."

<==========>

The Archchanchellor rolled his eyes, and snapped his fingers. The door became a crystal red mirror. "Happy now, paranoid one?"

<==========>

Malissa laughed at the kiss of her beloved, and soon was resting against his chest, John's strong hands running over her body. Even if I can't have children... I'm still a woman, and still a princess. I'm going to enjoy what I can... She giggled as his hands cupped her breasts, and he moved and kissed her neck softly.

"I love you..." John said, softly.

"I know." Malissa said, turning her head towards his own, and meeting his lips with her own.

In a surprising move, John swept her up off the floor and stood simultaneously, holding her in his arms, arms holding her backside, and under her legs. Malissa let out a light gasp, then wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her to the bed.

John laid her on the bed, constantly planting gracious kisses upon her face and neck. The dress on her body was slipped aside as his hands ran along her bare firm stomach. She giggled in response, as she pulled his shirt off. Her nails lightly scratched his skin, but did not cut them.

Outside the room, faint sounds of the movements of the Shadow Angels could be heard, yet they did not worry. Things were under control.

All that mattered was each other...

Calis raised his barriers as psychic energy coursed through the room. He wasn't quite sure what it was doing, but he didn't want to take a chance. Without warning, a lizard strange figure charged towards him out of nowhere.

Quick to react, Calis dived to the side as he unleashed bullets from his twin pistols at the strange creature.

Valient fished around in his pocket and pulled out a lighter and his kerchief.

Without a word, he opened up the bottle of booze and drank half of it down.

The president then threw the lighter and the kercheif down the hall. It clanked harmlessly against the wall.

Valient turned back towards Simon.

"Yeah... I don't know how to make one either... Now what?"

********

D'rtang glanced at the ArchChancellor and grimaced.

"I need to go and find my president. How do I get past this.... barrier?"

*A short time later*

Malissa lay awake. By her side, John slept peacefully. He mumbled a bit in his sleep, but she didn't notice. Her hands traced delicate paths over her naked body, and she started to cry softly again.

I... I don't know what I would do without him... She clasped her hands together, and looked at her lover sleeping peacefully by her side. She could feel the heat rising, and she remembered the burning she had felt inside her. I...

Beside her, John shifted. She felt warm hands embrace her, and pull her back down. He smiled softly at her, tired. "If a few weeks ago anyone had told me that I'd be sleeping with the Princess of Roania, while angry lizards tried to find us and kill us, I'd have laughed."

Malissa faced him for a moment, and started to cry. She moved forward, burying her face into his chest, and weeped. "I don't deserve you... you're... wonderful, and what am I? A stupid girl who most likely can't have children anymore."

<============>

Merkenoff stared at Phoenix curiously. "Pardon, but did you say vodka?"

<===========>

The creature died. The soldiers and Calis creeped around the corner. And found an open portal to a distant nether-hell. The men took position around, and aimed. "Okay... we'll cover you. Do something magic."

<===========>

The Archchanchellor picked D'rtang up, and pushed him through the barrier. "Like that."

<===========>

Simon fell backwards. Jean yelled, "Duck!" Valient fell to the floor as she shot a bolt of green fire down the hallway. In the distance, a reptiloid exploded.

John sighed slightly before responding,

"You are not a stupid girl Malissa. You are more than I could ever ask for, a true gift to me from God. You think so little of yourself, you need to realize that you are very special, and have plenty of things to prove it. After all, don't you think God would not have brought me to you if he thought you did not deserve it?"

She looked up at him, her eyes watching him, pleading for comfort. He brush her hair softly with his fingers and continued,

"You deserve me, I deserve you. That is all that is truly important."

Together they sat up, Malissa wrapping the bed sheets about her.

"I'll be right back" she said softly and headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later the sound of a toilet flushing was heard, and she reappeared. John stood near the bathroom doorway, buttoning his pants, still shirtless.

"I think we ought to get back to the others, make sure that---"

The entry doors exploded inwardly, both doors slamming heavily into the walls. There, stood a reptilian figure who growled strangely as he recognized the Princess beside John. A reptilian hand rose to its mouth, holding a blow dart gun.

He aimed at Malissa and blew hard.

"No!!" shouted John, as he jumped in the way of the dart, his back to the reptilian. A painful piercing feeling was felt as the dart embedded itself into John's backside. He gasped in shock, more because it hurt, rather than anything else.

With a growl, he turned and charged the reptilian. But it was gone, for it had disappeared.

"Coward!" he yelled, before turning back and looking at Malissa, alarmingly unsteady on his feet.

"I...don't feel..so--" he stuttered, before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Malissa stared in shock, letting the sheet fall down around her feet. She stood naked, her attractive frame merely a counterpoint to the misery in her eyes. She bent down, and shook John, whispering, "No... John, wait here."

She brushed away a tear. If he dies, God help that lizard. She walked calmly over to her wardrobe, and pulled out an athletic-suit. She put it on, and grasped the hilt of the sword. When she first touched it, something flicked inside of her. She walked out of the room, determined.

No one was around to see her eyes shift from emerald to a deep, bloody, red.

<=========>

Minister Derzna walked calmly and reflectively through the hallways. He listened for the distant shouts of battle, and shook his head. He paused then, and heard an all too familiar sound. A reptiloid's scream.

But this one was one of terror, and then, it dopplered into one of unending pain before fading away. Michael ran forward, confused. He could hear laughter, and then another scream.

He skidded around the corner, and stopped. Malissa stood there, over several still-breathing, yet horrendously mutilated, reptiloids. Blood rushed all-around her feet, and her body was stained red. She stabbed down again, slicing off another limb. "Stupid things..."

Michael stepped forward, firmly. He drew a pistol from his pocket, and, his mouth crinkled in disgust and fear, shot the creatures dead. Malissa wheeled about on him, about to stab him through. "How... dare you!"

Michael stepped back. "Malissa, think! Stop this foolishness!" He brought his hand down, and snapped the rapier from her hand, before grabbing her shoulders and shaking. "This isn't you!"

Malissa fought his grip, but slowly, her eyes returned to their green. She stared at him. "Wha...? They hurt... they hurt..." she let a green leaf fall to the ground, and collapsed into his arms. "I'm sorry..."

Michael held her, letting her cry on him. "You must never do that again." He said, curtly. "Never, your Highness."

She nodded. "They hurt John... I only wanted to help him..." Derzna picked up the leaf, and helped her to stand. "Then we had better go and help him, shouldn't we." He picked the rapier up, and looked at it. "Your father had many such... toys, he called them." The old man snapped the blade. Malissa winced. "I saw young Prince Marshall using this one. I'll get him to tell me where he found it, and then have them all destroyed. If he wants a rapier, I'll give him one of mine. The blades of Alexander Duellist shall not be held by any other mortal, so long as breath stirs within me."

Calis stared blankly at the soldiers. Do something magic?. He wasn't quite sure what they were talking about, but he decided to give it a go.

The portal was quite obviously not good, with the occassional lizard-man jumping out to meet with the fire of the soldiers. Calis stood against the back wall and began to focus. His consciousness extended from his physical limits, closely examining the intricate layers of energy composed to form the rip between worlds.

Although Calis had never seen anything like this before, he did have an idea. His old instructor had taught him about energies and how they could be used to physically and mentally close things off. He wasn't sure if it would work, but it was worth a shot.

A circular line of energy was the structure of the portal. Calis prodded the stream, testing it's durability. The portal grew slightly larger. Ok, don't touch that again..... Breaking the structure beam would cause the portal to expand, engulfing an unknown amount of space.

Calis decided to focus on the smaller beams of power, the ones that flowed from the middle portal into the structure. Giving one a jab with his mental will, the beam faded away, causing the portal to become slightly dimmer. That's it. The bloody small beams.

Over the next 15 minutes, Calis carefully plucked each beam until none were left save for the structural one. The portal was now invisible to the naked eye. The soldiers may have thought it was gone as they began to cheer, yet Calis held up his hand.

"Wait, it's not done yet."

Giving his full attention back to the portal, Calis began to surround the portal with his will, distributing his mental power evenly around the remaining beam of energy. He knew that if he left this beam, the portal could easily be re-established and more lizard-men would come through.

Slowly easing force against the portal, it began to shrink. The structure attempted to offer resistance, yet without the other energy beams it had a small supply of power. Calis continued to urge forward, causing the circular beam to shrink at a faster rate. Within the next 10 minutes the beam had shrunk to the point where it closed in on itself, leaving the room completely bare.

Calis fell back against the wall and slumped to the ground, sweat pouring down his face. Mentally exhausted, it took him several minutes to recover before he could speak.

"It.... is done...."

John lay on his side, his eyes closed. His mind swirled images of purple and black spirals behind his eyelids. On the outside, they could be seen to flutter as his body struggled against the deadly poison.

Time was running out...

A short while later, John felt two pairs of hands lifting him upwards from the ground. His body rested against one. His eyes opened slowly, looking up at this one. A female's head leaned over him, a worried look upon her face. Blood could be smelled on her.

John blinked slowly, refocusing on the face.

"Malissa...I...I'll kill him...help me up..." he muttered, still heavily under the drugging effect of the poison dart.

She refused, holding him down until he ceased his futile struggling. A tear splashed upon his face.

"Hold still John," came the soft voice through the haze of reality, "We've got the antidote..."

The minister rolled him over, enough to make the wound visible. He pulled out the leaf that Malissa had obtained earlier and began to rub the leaf into the wound, pushing it farther and farther in. A strange yet dim green glow emanated from the wound as the leaf's properties began to counter the poison.

"There...it has begun, he will be fine in time..." the minister said to Malissa.

"Yes vodka. It works to help speed the passing burred eye sight," Phoenix replies as he begens repacking the kit. "Damn it why do oyu inject that mix into me," mutters Joshua as he sits up holding his arm.

"Thanks, Allysandra. Sorry for making you to see such a thing, but it was necessary, you were in danger", said the ShadowPrince, noting the sudden change in Allysandra's attitude. "I...just lost my temper. I'm hearing noises and gunfire over there, the faster we can leave this place, the more able we will be to help your Princess"

Double post!

Allysandra stared at Kithail, sadly. "Kithail... before you leave Roania, there is something I wish to show you in the cellars of this palace..." She brushed aside another tear, and then walked to an ordinary-looking wall.

The young elf pressed her fingers to it, and whispered something. A hole opened up, revealing the palace gardens.

<==========>

An anguished roar filtered up from the catacombs, and the soldiers backed away, grabbing Calis and running into the palace, sealing the door behind them. "I think we'll be able to deal with the survivors."

<=========>

The Roanian soldiers soon had the situation under control. Merkenoff was found sitting down, knocking his head against the wall. "What a waste of Vodka..."

<=========>

Malissa sat back, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Blood spattered her face, and she didn't look her usual self. What... happened to me?

"Eeeuuh!" John moaned aloud.

His muscles tensed tightly and his hands gripped into tight fists. His back involuntarily arched slightly. His face bore pain and stress, causing his teeth to be clenched visibly.

When he opened his eyes again, he nearly gagged from the nausea that rose within his stomach. His eyes appeared glazed over and dilated. Sweat broke out rapidly across his body.To those that knew, he was experiencing a side effect of the poison, one that induced a drugged state of mind, similar to large consumptions of alcohol.

John muttered some incomprehensible words to some invisible person that appeared in the distance. Traces of foam slipped out of his mouth as he once again curled up in agony over the poison's difficult receeding.

Finally, an exausting ten minutes later he lay still, breathing heavily. The worst of it was over.

A restless sleep fell over him...

Valient picked himself up and dusted himself off.

"Nice shot, madame. Now I need to..."

"President Valient!"

Valient looked down another adjacent corridor and saw D'rtang, dishevelled but none-the-worse-for-wear.

"Thank goodness I found you, sir. And you two as well." said D'rtang, looking at Jean and Simon. "Come. The prince and princess would be delighted to see you all."

Together the group went back to where D'rtang found himself outside of the energy shield. With his right hand, he gave it a push. It did not move.

"Now all I need to do is figure out how to get back inside...

Simon and Jean caught their breath. Simon brushed off some blood, and held his wife. "I'm getting to old for this..."

Jean laughed, and squeezed his hand. "You're only as old as you feel."

<===========>

Malissa and Michael carefully moved John to the bed. The Minister coughed. "M'lady, perhaps you should go and shower..."

Malissa nodded, mournfully. "Yes, First Marshall." He bowed and withdrew. Malissa went and closed the doors, locking and barring them. She stripped from her clothes, and, with a longing glance at John, entered the bathroom.

John's eyes fluttered open. Pain still coursed throughout his body, but the drug-like effects of the poison was wearing off. With a groan he pushed himself upwards.

That's when he realized he was in Malissa's bed. Then he saw the pile of clothes on the end of the bed.

Malissa's clothes. Covered in blood.

John looked alarmingly about. He hoped to God it wasn't Malissa's blood on the clothing.

Then he remembered the amphibian assassin. His eyes clouded over with anger before suddenly being snapped out of it by another wave of pain that ran though his body. His back ached where the wound was. Moments later, it was over. He called out:

"Malissa?"

Most of his strength regained, Calis stood and holstered his weapons. He could see no current enemies within the area as the soldiers had things under control. Leaning back against a wall, he questioned the soldiers.

"So, what's next?"

Malissa stood in the shower, her eyes closed. She ran the soap carefully across her body, cleansing the blood off. Her eyes closed, and she sighed.


The sound of the shower could be heard in the bedroom.
<=========>

The soldiers all shrugged. "Awaiting orders, Mr. President."

The sounds of water running in the shower confirmed where Malissa was. The steam was also seen to filter out slightly from the cracks of the door. John got up slowly from the bed, one hand on his stomach. He walked to the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind him.

He turned and watched the slightly distorted form of Malissa through the glass doors of the shower. Quietly he slipped off the pants he was wearing and stepped into the shower. Malissa did not notice his presence.

Reaching around her he gently placed his hands on hers, and took the bar soap from her hand. The warm water flowed over them, making their bodies reflect the light. John continued her washing, gently lathering her skin.

He whispered to her ear,

"Where is the blood on your clothes from?"

Malissa moaned softly as John's strong hands rubbed the soap over her. She didn't answer him, though, not wanting to admit or talk about what she had done.

John's strong hands pulled her in, and held her to him. He kissed her cheek. "What's wrong?"

Malissa started to cry again, and told him everything...

John turned her gently so that she faced him. His hands held her lower backside, holding her close.

"Dear God...you must feel horrible." he replied softly and kissed her. Her lips quivered slightly but soon grew more passionate in their kiss. The kiss worked to try and wash away her guilt and sorrow in the flowing waters about them.

John's hands moved to hold her face with a soft touch, brushing her soaked hair out of her eyes. They looked at each other. Nothing was needed to be said, both understood each other well.

Malissa pushed him into the side of the shower, her body, and most noticeably her breasts pressing into him. John grunted slightly as the wall connected with his wound. Her fingers slipped up behind his back and gently pulled the leaf out and dropped it to the floor of the shower. It was caught by the flowing water and swirled about as it floated to the drain, causing the blood on it to create swirling patterns of his blood. Her kisses grew more frequent, as if she wanted to kiss the day's events away.

Kithail looked at the gardens, smiling a little seeing him outside of the madness inside the palace. Yet he wasn't so confident, he knew that this was far from ending.

"No problem, Allysandra. Once we finish this affair, you can show me anything you want. What we do right now?. Search for the Princess or look for a safety place", as he spoke, he turned on his wrist comlink again. Maybe it was good to call reinforcements now that they were in the open. If those beasts were appearing all over Roania, calling a squad of Swooping Hawks Guards to take them and all the VIPs to a safe place wasn't a bad idea after all. Several skilled and elite Aelosian Guardians could make the difference. After all, I'm not an army, I'm just one elf, and this place looks like it's going to be falling apart, he said to himself

"Well if you would rather me not being able to help you save your sorry ass. Besides I've got somethign to do," Joshua says as he starts to walk towards the door. As he did he noticed his shirrt was bloody. He quickly started ripping away at it.

D'rtang knocked as loud as he could on the energy barrier.

"HELLO. ARCHCHANCELLOR? CAN YOU HERE ME?"

The soldiers all shrugged. "Awaiting orders, Mr. President."

"I see. In that case I'm going to find out what the hell is happening around here."

Calis silently walked off, looking for someone in charge to get some information from. The President was a wreck, tattered and blood stained clothes, drenched in sweat and heaving chest. It had been some time since he had been in a battle.

OOC: Grrr... it ate my original post. I hate NS!

Because it's too long, and would be too depressing to just retype, I'm going to summarise in point form what happened.

IC:

Assington:

* Soldiers follow Calis upstairs.

*One of them takes a rapier from the training room.

*He falls down, and his skin is melted from his bones.

*Alexander's voice speaks from beyond the grave, telling them that if they try to touch his weapons one more time, they'll 'face their fears'.

These are all very nice weapons, and horrific curse not withstanding, would make fine additions to any armory or collection.

Valient:

*The Archchanchellor continued to read his newspaper.

Phalanix:

There are no lizardmen left for Joshua to kill.

Tarlachia: Malissa and John step out of the shower and get dressed, Malissa hugs John and asks him to pull a fireplace poker from the holder.

This will open up a weapon armory.

Aelosia:

Allysandra and Kithail leave through the front gate, Allysandra asks Kithail what he thinks they should do.

"John, go to the fireplace. Pull the firepoker out of the holder." Malissa said to him with a slightly seductive smile upon her face.

John smiled back, but was visibly confused. Nevertheless, he obeyed her and moved to the fireplace. His hand reached out and pulled the poker indicated. Instead of it coming completely out, it gave resistance and was soon followed by the sound of stones grinding as the fireplace spun in place, revealing a rather decently sized weapons armory.

"...Malissa...what's going on?" he asked somewhat confused as to why he was looking at this armory.

OOC:I know but Joshua dosn't. Just let him run around like a idiot for some time. It can be quite funny

Malissa picked up a pistol from a shelf, and passed it to John. She then moved, and picked up a small revolver. "Protection. I'm not going to let my people fight for me, while I'm hiding here." She kissed him, and then smiled. "Come on!"

John stared after her as she left the room, holding the revolver inexpertly. "I better go after her..."

<=========>

Everywhere Joshua looked, dead and dying lizardmen met his gaze. All of a sudden, one of the corpses shot up. Then another. Soon, the dead creatures were marching forward.

One of the soldiers stared. "What the..."

OOC: Fire will kill them, all.

John took off after Malissa, keeping close behind her. His eyes fell downwards and watched her rear as she ran.

"Very nice..." he commented, but not too loud. She looked back at him, and recieved a smile in response, "Yes, you my dear."

She laughed, "Come on!"

The two made their way down the halls, her leading to an unknown destination.

"Well, we should try to find the Princess Malissa. That if you still want to help her, of course", said Kithail to Allysandra, looking around for options. "Of course, if you don't want to, you just need to tell me and we can get out of here. That if you still want to visit the Craftworld and forget all about this little hell".

((Now I wonder why the love interest always grabs the revolver...another mystery of life.))

Joshua smirked and entered a fighting stance again. Everytime a lizzard-man got close to him it was met with bone shattering blow to the chest or face.

OOC: Is it too far in for me to post again? After all, what's 18 pages, right? :P

* Soldiers follow Calis upstairs.

*One of them takes a rapier from the training room.

*He falls down, and his skin is melted from his bones.

*Alexander's voice speaks from beyond the grave, telling them that if they try to touch his weapons one more time, they'll 'face their fears'.

These are all very nice weapons, and horrific curse not withstanding, would make fine additions to any armory or collection.

Calis swore as he watched one of the soldiers die in a most horrific spectacle.

"I see. Any idea what that was about?"

The President continued his search, not touching anything on the walls.

Malissa led John back into the main antechamber, and stared at the conflict. Mangled and bruised creatures were standing up and launching at the soldiers.

<==========>

The Archchancellor sighed, and opened the door. "What in the name of all that is holy is going on here?" He asked the air. Sighing, he picked up his staff and waded into the melee, scorching things.

<==========>

In front of Joshua, Merkenoff sighed, and pressed his ring. Red fire coruscated down upon the creatures, and they burnt. Merkenoff smirked. "And that, young master Joshua, is how you kill the dead."

<=========>

The soldiers looked at eachother, and took off up the stairs. "This is a cursed place..." They shouted back at him, crossing themselves. "Come on, Mr. President!"

<========>

Allysandra sighed, and took his hand. "Kithail... Roania isn't always like this..." she looked up at the star-sprinkled sky, and the distant sun-rise. "And now I feel like I'm running away..."

John stepped past Malissa, and knelt down to some of the bodies, checking their pulses. All were dead.

"I think we missed out on quite a bit here..."

John stood and faces Malissa.

"What are we going to do now?"

D'rtang turned to the President, Jean and simon and pointed down the hall.

"If that damned chancellor won't let us into the room, we'll just go around through the antechamber"

They ran down the halls into the room, only to come upon a grisly battle scene... and John and Malissa.

Valient walked over to John and clasped his shoulder.

"John... and Malissa. You're alive!"

"Then just tell me what you want to do. I know you love this country, and that you want to do something to help. Tell me how I can help you and I will", said Kithail to Allysandra, staring deeply into her intense eyes.

"You don't see me carying around a fricking flamethrower do you?" Joshua says to Merkenoff, "Besides you can kill the dead by ripping them apart aswell."

John looked up, somewhat startled at the sudden arrival of his friend.

"Valient...it is good to see you again...thankfully, you seem to have sobered up enough..."

John watched as Malissa walked to the center of the room, a strangeness in her walk, in her gaze. She looked about the room, at the numerous bodies that lay now finally dead. She held her head down, then up again as she looked directly at John. John shifted his position, his hand slightly moving, as if he wanted to reach out to her. He caught himself in time, and withdrew the hand back to his side.

Reaching down, he picked up the body of one of the dead and dragged it over to a large sled on wheels that had been pulled into the room by someone. Although there were servants that would do the job, John felt the urge to make this scene disappear as quickly as possible. Malissa's eyes had looked strange, and he could not figure out why. He attributed it to the destruction. Death was not something that presenced itself lightly, and perhaps this was what was appearing to bother her.

Calis shrugged and quickly made his way up the stairs, not far behind the obviously disturbed officers.

The door slid shut with a slam as Calis entered, as a chill wind blew from nowhere. The officers had taken off, and returned to the battle.

Enemies you can see are better by far than enemies you can't.

<=========>

Merkenoff snorted derisively as one of the disembodied hands leapt up and tried to strangle Joshua. "Whatever you say, young master Maxwell..."

<========>

The soldiers charged at the creatures, firing plazma pistols. Within a matter of moments, the enemy had finally been vanquished. Screams of rage and frustration could be heard, but they were becoming less and less frequent..

<========>

Allysandra shook her head, and fell to the ground, softly. She lay on the sand and stared into the sky. "I... don't know. I'm sick of running away... all my life, I've been running. I hid when my parents were killed... I spent the Civil War hiding in this city, and let the Prince fight my battle for me... and..." she looked up at Kithail, and smiled. "I... need to be told I'm not a coward..."

She stood up, and stared back at the palace. Little sound could be heard. She shook her head. "Let's go and find some soldiers." She pulled Kithail out, towards the city street.

<=======>

Malissa looked around. "Such a waste," she said, harshly. "We could have kept a few of them alive... to be punished..."

Simon looked at her, and moved to quickly help John. "Have... you noticed anything strange about her?" He asked, whispering.

John paused momentarily. That's when he released the dead body he had been holding. He looked up at Simon and shook his head negatively.

He whispered back,

"Only her statement she just said... and from what she told me, the dead at the end of some hall somewhere nearby."

John stole a glance over at Malissa, slightly worrying about her now.

Kithail smiled. Each step they took, he was more convinced that she was a "real" woman, and not the typical faint elven maiden. As he followed her, he said "Allysandra, I can find some reinforcements, but I suppose it's difficult to have a couple of Aelosian military dropships landing in Roanian territory. Do you have any ideas?"

"Christ I'm not a Maxwell. My last name is Knightly," Joshua says now very annoyed.

Merkenoff smiled, and smirked. "Yes... you know, I always wondered what it was that Prince Alexander saw in you Phalanixians. You really do have no idea how hard he worked on your nation's behalf. If it wasn't for him, your entire country would be a Roanian protectorate." The Interior Minister shook his head. "Yet you called him a monster, and chased him away, and hurt his pride. You, Joshua. No one else. Just you."

The man looked at Joshua calmly. "How does it feel, Mr. Maxwell? Or Knightly, if you so prefer? We all think you're over-arrogant, crass, and uncultured barbarians. You, especially. And your actions towards our Prince have born that assesment out."

<========>

Allysandra laughed, sending a sound like tinkling bells. "Kithail, this is Roania. If there aren't 15 Shadow Angels on the street around us, then I'd be very surprised." The young elf looked around, and moved towards a small wooden board. "How do you feel about dwarves?"

Let me see... what's the password? I mean, I could go and look for some soldiers or polizei, but why bother when we have help right here?... Though I find this idea depressing...

<========>

Simon nodded, grimly. "Hmm... oh... right." He coughed. "Well, let's get these bodies out of here." He wouldn't be drawn any further on the subject.

<

"The only reason I was hostile towards Alexander was because of what I saw within him. I heard from Echo that several years ago when she and Phoenix visited here when his daughter was born he nearly killed a servant just because of a drop glass. You think my people are over-arrogant, crass, and uncultured barbarians. Most Phalanixians feel that your people are relgions psycos with not emotions other than the love of pain and gore. Each of our cultures are diffrent and we may seem unclutured to you and vise versa. Yet I still held a respect for Alexander. He had a burden to carry just as I do. Hate if you want. I'll just move on," Joshua replies without even turning around, "Everything has a time to be done. When the time comes for feelings to take action I'll be ready."

"Simon, tell me what is on your mind. I'm getting worried about her. I mean, just look at her! She's not acting normally, and you seem to know why. Please...tell me..."

Simon shook his head and did not speak as he hoisted another body up and staggered to the sled.

John heaved yet another body onto the sled with some difficulty. The body had been a large guy, and was quite heavy.

He felt the urge to relieve himself and so, he politely excused himself and began to make his way down the hallway to the guest restroom.

Merkenoff laughed. "Us? Uncultured? Look around you! This glory could never have been created by your people." He looked out the window at the city, the careful grid of streets.

<=========>

Jean stopped him. "Prince John, wait a moment..." she looked around. "You wanted to... know why my husband was worried?"

John nodded. Jean sighed. "How much do you know about Prince Alexander?"

John carefully looked at Jean with his full attention.

"Yes, I am very interested in knowing what your husband is so worried about. As for Prince Alexander, I'm afraid I don't know that much about him, except that he was a strong leader of Roania and that he is Malissa's father. Why is he so important in regards to Malissa?"

Jean sighed. "My husband and Prince Alexander were friends. I couldn't stand the man, really... but I always respected him. He had to deal with more than... more than most people realise." She closed her eyes, and continued to speak. "The Blacks have... well, I'm sure you've heard of the Romanoff family curse?"

John shook his head.

"The Romanoffs were the Tsars of Russia. They're called the Romanovs frequently. Anyway, they had a genetic disposition towards hemophilia, a condition which prevents blood-clotting." She opened her light green eyes, and stared into John with a frightening intensity. "The Blacks have a hereditary mental condition. There's no real word for it, but most of the males of the family, including cousins and branches, and especially the main line, have a frightening tendency towards acts of sadistic temperament that most other people have to work for and that armies try to instill in their troops." She sighed, and almost forced the word out.

"Alexander was hit with that. Hard. He couldn't control it. He managed to act normal, but every psychic that met him got a feeling of... some... inner malice. He only maintained his sanity and humanity through... rigorous 'training' sessions. Somewhere deep beneath this palace is a room that's been painted in blood from those sessions. At times, he decided that he, personally, would administer the executions of criminals." She closed her eyes, and brushed away tears that fell from them. "He... people said that he was psychic... can you imagine what his life was like? He always seemed so sad..." she regained control over herself. She waited for John to signal understanding.

John stood there gaping in surprise. The Blacks...sadistically inclined when it came to rage???

"Are you saying that Malissa could also be hit hard with...with this sadistic temperment?"

John had completely forgotten about the bathroom break he had initally set out on. His attention was fully upon Jean's every word.

Malissa...why didn't you tell me?

Jean sighed. "I'm saying it's something you must always bear in mind. Occasionally, she'll slip. She won't even know why, or really what she's doing." Jean patted his hand sorrowfully. "Just... love her, and be there when she needs it."

Jean shuddered. It's when Malissa has a son that I'd worry.

John nodded solemnly.

"I will...I promise...it's all I can do anyway. I could never stop loving her..."

John looked into Jean's eyes, noting a hidden worry in her eyes. He decided to press her and see if she would tell.

"What else troubles you?"

Simon walked in then. He looked at John curiously, and then at Jean. With an expression of purest rage, he moved over and whispered into his wife's ears. She nodded. "But he needs to know!"

"No one needs to know! Not him, not the other nobles, no one! Alexander confided this in me because he trusted me. I would like to be able to share that trust with my wife!"

John became alarmed when Simon came in with the look of anger upon his face. At once Simon began whispering furiously in Jean's ear. John knew what he was scolding her about, he could tell...

"Simon, listen to me."

John waited until Simon turned on him with an angry stare.

"Simon, would you want to live your life with Jean, never knowing if she had some dark aspect of her family history until it was too late, now would you?

I do not want to live my life with Malissa like that. I want to know of any and all things that would endanger her, or others lives, especially if the threat could come from her!

Please...don't do this to me..."

Valient and D'rtang finished their task at hand and went over to the two, seething statesmen. They glanced at each other, and stood nearly in between the two.

"Ok, calm down gentlemen. We are not brutes. Let us discuss this in a timely, orderly fashion." said Valient.

"No then, Simon. If there is anything John should know, by all means, tell him please."

John turned his glare upon Valient and D'rtang, incredulous at the interruption. To Valient he spoke in a dangerously low tone.

"President Valient...I am holding my patience, but it runs thin right now. I'm going to have to ask you to please leave, what is being discussed between us three is not of your concern."

John turned his eyes back to Simon, waiting for Valient to leave so Simon could answer the question.

Valient turned to Marshall and cocked his head, as if trying to see past the prince's anger.

"Alright, John. If you need us, if either of you need us, we will be waiting outside."

The president and his Admiral left the room and closed the door behind them.

D'rtang shook his head, and Valient nodded slowly.

"Love... these are the times that try men's souls..."

"At what cost? The cost of freedom? The cost of not fearing for your family or friends when the police come around? We each have our own version of this. In Phalanix freedoms are placed first. People don't have to live in fear anymore. In Paladin "the city of arts" you make a living as a artist and not military anymore. In Phoenix they rebuilt that once den of evil into the place where you can learn anything that you wish now. You can't go 10 paces without seeing students stuing to become what they have dreamed of," Joshua replies as he walks over to the window aswell lookign out at the streets.

Merkenoff laughed. "What they've dreamed of? Please... I was in Paladin. It's a Ghost City. Phalanix has been destroyed so many times, that it is pointless to count."

The man shook his head. "Young master Knightly, when you have travelled this world as much as I have, you will soon realise that the only nation people truly love is their homeland."

<=========>

Simon glared daggers at John. Then, he pushed forward, slamming the younger man into a wall. "Look, John. I like you. You're a nice guy, and you love the Princess. Thus, let me give you a word of warning... if you breathe a word of what you've learned here to Malissa, without being in dire need to do so, I will be harsh."

The former Inquisitor had not handled a sword for years, and hadn't been in active combat for decades. Nevertheless, he was still stronger than almost anyone John had ever met.

John did not physically react to the sudden restrictive move that Simon had pulled on him. Simon surprised him with his hidden strength. Still, his words had made sense to the man.

Who could argue against such truth? John thought to himself.

John looked Simon dead in the eyes, speaking with a steady tone.

"You have my word. Not a whisper to her except under dire circumstances. Understood. My word is good, rest assured."

John waited, having regained his calmness and some of his patience. Valient and D'rtang's untimely arrival had helped him snap out of his rising anger.

"Go back then. Go look and see for yourself it has changed drasticly. I to have been around this world several times yet each time I'd rather leave it. We all grow fond of our homelands and grow to hate others. It is in our nature. Sadly it is imposible to beat what we all are seemingly programed to do," Joshua replies," And I know that war has ravaged my home but that has changed as well. You try finding a rebel there now. Everything that was of the past is seemingly gone. Except one place, just to keep the memory of the dead alive."

"The stinky miners?, we Sindarin doesn't like them, as they sacked our ancient Kingdom of Doriath once, but well, any help with be welcomed, anyway. Those guys can hold their own in a fight", said Kithail, shaking his head a little, not quite pleased with the idea of working alongside dwarves...

Allysandra smiled wanly. "The Noldor are... slightly more fond of them. However, the Roanians have some hidden liking for them, and thus..." she opened the door, and called inside in a harsh language. She stumbled back, and an orange bearded dwarf looked out.

"Ach, ye accent es abominable, elf. Tell us what ye be wantin' in the language of the sea-haters, ken ye nae?"

Allysandra looked down at the short figure. She composed herself, and pointed up to the palace. "Princess Malissa Black is in danger. As a Minister to the Imperial Diadem, I order you to..." she was interrupted.

"Ach, a fight? At the palace? Wha didn't ye say so, lass?" The dwarf turned, and shouted something into the tavern. A great cry rang out.

Allysandra spun herself and Kithail to the side, quickly. A massive host of dwarves suddenly rushed from the tavern and ran up the road to the palace, shouting, "A fight! A fight!"

A few armed humans drifted into the line, curious to see what was going on. Allysandra sighed. "Unpleasant people, the dwarves. Still, they're useful as weapons..." she looked up to the stars. "It's a nice night for walking, isn't it? Why don't we go and find some of our kin, and something to get the smell out of our nose?" She laughed at his expression, and patted his hand.

"I'm sorry, but I find it difficult to go back to that palace. I don't think either of us want to watch this... and it's even more difficult to be doing nothing!"

<==========>

Several Lizardmen were standing behind the door, menacing a few servants, when the heavy wooden doors suddenly slammed open. "A scrapping! First dwarf to kill a lizard get's beer from everyone!"

Harold Cartwright stared at the dwarves. "James... am I still unconscious? Or are there very short little men with big axes chasing after undead lizards and slicing them into tiny pieces?"

James Gray looked thoughtful. "I'd... say that those would be dwarves, Prime Minister."

Cartwright nodded. Then he fainted. James double taked. "Prime Minister?"

<==========>

Merkenoff moved away from Joshua, muttering the words 'uncouth decadent.' He turned, and fired several shots into a charging reptiloid.

<==========>

Simon relaxed his hold, his hand flying unconsciously to where he used to keep his plazma pistol. "Good." He let John sink to the floor. "Now, go and get yourself cleaned up. It wouldn't do for you to become our Lord Consort wearing..."

Jean elbowed him. Simon grunted. "Oh, wait. That was someone else. Anyway, um..." Jean grabbed him by the ear, and pulled him away. Simon went meekly, all his anger gone now that his wife had once more been correct and the balance of the universe restored.

Allysandra smiled wanly. "The Noldor are... slightly more fond of them. However, the Roanians have some hidden liking for them, and thus..." she opened the door, and called inside in a harsh language. She stumbled back, and an orange bearded dwarf looked out.

"Ach, ye accent es abominable, elf. Tell us what ye be wantin' in the language of the sea-haters, ken ye nae?"

Allysandra looked down at the short figure. She composed herself, and pointed up to the palace. "Princess Malissa Black is in danger. As a Minister to the Imperial Diadem, I order you to..." she was interrupted.

"Ach, a fight? At the palace? Wha didn't ye say so, lass?" The dwarf turned, and shouted something into the tavern. A great cry rang out.

Allysandra spun herself and Kithail to the side, quickly. A massive host of dwarves suddenly rushed from the tavern and ran up the road to the palace, shouting, "A fight! A fight!"

A few armed humans drifted into the line, curious to see what was going on. Allysandra sighed. "Unpleasant people, the dwarves. Still, they're useful as weapons..." she looked up to the stars. "It's a nice night for walking, isn't it? Why don't we go and find some of our kin, and something to get the smell out of our nose?" She laughed at his expression, and patted his hand.

"I'm sorry, but I find it difficult to go back to that palace. I don't think either of us want to watch this... and it's even more difficult to be doing nothing!"

<==========>

Several Lizardmen were standing behind the door, menacing a few servants, when the heavy wooden doors suddenly slammed open. "A scrapping! First dwarf to kill a lizard get's beer from everyone!"

Harold Cartwright stared at the dwarves. "James... am I still unconscious? Or are there very short little men with big axes chasing after undead lizards and slicing them into tiny pieces?"

James Gray looked thoughtful. "I'd... say that those would be dwarves, Prime Minister."

Cartwright nodded. Then he fainted. James double taked. "Prime Minister?"

<==========>

Merkenoff moved away from Joshua, muttering the words 'uncouth decadent.' He turned, and fired several shots into a charging reptiloid.

<==========>

Simon relaxed his hold, his hand flying unconsciously to where he used to keep his plazma pistol. "Good." He let John sink to the floor. "Now, go and get yourself cleaned up. It wouldn't do for you to become our Lord Consort wearing..."

Jean elbowed him. Simon grunted. "Oh, wait. That was someone else. Anyway, um..." Jean grabbed him by the ear, and pulled him away. Simon went meekly, all his anger gone now that his wife had once more been correct and the balance of the universe restored.

John remained on the floor for a few minutes. Simon and Jean had left, but suddenly John felt weak for some reason. He couldn't figure out why. For a few minutes he just sat there along the wall in the hallway, his head resting on the wall. He struggled to fully comprehend all he had just learned in the past ten minutes.

Finally, after several minutes of silence and deep thought, he got up and continued his way to the restroom. Before taking care of the need to relieve himself, he washed off some of the blood that had gotten onto him from when he had been cleaning up the palace. Three minutes later he was done with his business and was at the sink again, this time completing proper hygiene.

John left the restroom and turned to return to where Malissa and the others would be. Suddenly a low growl was heard from behind and John whipped about, drawing his Desert Eagle as he did so. One of the Lizardmen was behind him charging at him with anger and malice in its eyes. John squared off and held the gun out and took careful aim.

The report from the gun echoed loudly in the hallway as he fired once into the creature's chest, directly for its heart. It suddenly slowed dramatically in its forward movement and finally crashed to his feet and lay completely still.

"How can I be a 'uncouth decadent' if I am just speaking my mind?" Joshua replies to the coment as he leans against the window looking out

The eyes of Kithail were open wide, indeed, as he saw the dwarves coming out carrying the heavy axes that were the traditional weapon of his race and screaming out their battlecries.

"Well, if everything is solved, then that would be perfect, although I would like to have a bath and a decent room to change, this blood is beginning to leave a permanent stench. And I would be ashamed if a Quendi sees me in this aspect", said Kithail, even blushing a little as he looked at his ragged and bloodstained clothes. "But it will be a pleasure to walk alonside you in a beautiful night like this one"

Allysandra nodded, smiling. "Aww... you don't smell that bad..." she reached up, and tousled his hair. "Well... if you want, I could find you a hotel room, or something."

She walked on, sighing. "I don't think I've really shown you the best parts of Roania..."

<=============>

"It is by speaking your mind you reveal yourself as decadent." Merkenoff said as he left the room.

<=============>

The lizardman leapt back up, but was promptly eviscerated by several dwarven axes. "Ach, that is nae how ye kill a lizard, lad!"

Valient and D'rtang rushed around the corner and came upon the sight of a dead lizard with numerous axes stuck out of it.

Valient glanced up at Marshall.

"Is this what you would have done to me and D'rtang if we haven't left the room..."

"Well, if the smell doesn't disturb you, then it's no problem. I would like to see the beauties of this country too, and meet the important people. And I would love to do those things at your side, Allysandra of Roania, most beautiful of the foreign elven maidens", said the ShadowPrince recovering his good mood and bowing a little to Allysandra, as to show her some gallantry.

John looked over at Valient and laughed surprisingly.

"No no, these axes are not mine. This is." John held up the pistol, then flipped the body of the lizardman over enough so that the bullet hole could be seen in the creature's chest.

"Those axes, they belong to these guys who have so kindly finished this creature."

John turned and pointed to the dwarves with an open hand.

Calis continued to wander the deserted passage ways of the Roanian palace. He wasn't quite sure where he was going but the echo of voices was drawing him closer.

After he drew close enough to discover who the voice belonged to, Calis sighed. Finally he had found someone he didn't have to cut apart.

Limping into the room, Calis nodded to all those present. He knew he would look a mess, but he was sure John and Valient would understand, considering the circumstances.

The dwarves waved. "Hi, big uns!" They then marched out of the room. "Ken we nae get some beer?"

Malissa ran in through the bathroom. She saw the lizard, and shrieked. "Oh my god! John, are you okay?" She ran for him, and kissed him, ignoring the looks of Calis, Drtang, and Valient.

<=============>

"Then... that's what we'll do. First, we'll go to my manor, and get you cleaned up... then we'll go and see if we can get into the palace safely." Allysandra took his hand, and walked with him under the stars.

<=============>

It had all happened in a blur of activity and words. One moment, John was standing there, not too far from a dead lizardman, and talking to Valient...the next moment, Malissa's screech of worry and rush to him. She reached up and kissed John fully on the lips, to which John became alarmed. He held her from him at arms length as his face searched hers for confirmation.

"Malissa?...Are you sure you're ready to be so...open about this?"

John ignored the gaping looks given by the others, even if they knew of the growing relationship between the two of them.

Calis collapsed against the wall, startling the occupants of the room.

"Don't mind me, I just need to sleep it off......"

Before another word escaped his lips, Calis plunged into the abyss of the unconscious mind.

Malissa smiled at John. "Move your hands, or I slap you." He let go of her, and she leapt back into his arms, kissing him soundly. She relaxed into his grip. "Don't you ever do something so stupid again! Now are you glad I made you take the gun?"

Simon rushed in, and observed the tableaux. He mouthed to John, 'not one word. Remember.' Then he observed Calis lying on the ground. "Mr President? Oh, dear..."

He touched his hand to Calis's forehead. "In the name of the all-mighty God, and his servants the archangels, I call upon the powers of healing..." A glow spread down Calis, closing all the wounds. Simon fell back. "God... I'm getting too old for this. Help me up, you." He said to Valient, glaring at the younger man.

X stepped around the corner, briskly. "I can't believe I forgot my coat..." he muttered, as he returned to the coat-room. A lizardman leapt out at him.

"Puny human! Feel painful wrath of A-sa-se-sssss-sa!"

"Nice name. They sell consonants other than 's' where you come from?"

Kithail looked at the stars for a moment, then he looked again at the gleam in Allysandra's eyes. He felt a warm wave of happpiness building inside his heart as they walked alone under the clear sky of Roania, and for a moment he forgot about the stench of death that he was carrying, he forgot about his duties as a ruler, he forgot even about his deepest desires. He was just admiring the perfect features of the Roanian elf, and lost in the infinity of the moment...

He just smiled...

Kithail looked at the stars for a moment, then he looked again at the gleam in Allysandra's eyes. He felt a warm wave of happpiness building inside his heart as they walked alone under the clear sky of Roania, and for a moment he forgot about the stench of death that he was carrying, he forgot about his duties as a ruler, he forgot even about his deepest desires. He was just admiring the perfect features of the Roanian elf, and lost in the infinity of the moment...

He just smiled...

Allysandra looked at Kithail. He was so handsome, strong... he was caring... everything she had ever wanted from anyone. I think I am in love... She whispered to the air, "I love you, Kithail..." just beyond the edge of hearing. They walked under the stars, and soon came to a nice, small house away from the busy sections of the city. "Well... here we are..."

Joshua let him go and continued looking out the window. He looked back into the hall at the carnage and shook his head slightly.

John smiled slightly as he held Malissa again. Simon had reminded him once again, but that hadn't been necessary. He knew fully well what was expected.

"The gun was helpful yes, but I think I could have taken care of the situation much better with a sword. One swipe and the problem's solved..."

John looked down at President Calis, who was being attended to by Simon.

"What are we going to do now?" he asked to Malissa, keeping his eyes upon Calis.

Valient and D'rtang glanced at each other and then both spoke to the gathered mass.

"I know what we all should do: get out of here before anything else spooky happens...

I know this beautiful place in Alexandria. Much better than this place."

Malissa relaxed into his arms. "It sounds like the battle is ending, beloved..." She reached up, and kissed him.

Simon glared at Valient, dissaprovingly.

John looked over at Simon, who was busy glaring at Valient for his absurd suggestion to relocate away from the Stronghold of Roan. John sighed slightly.

"Yes, it is..." he whispered as he thought to himself.

Should I do it?

...

Yes...it is time...

John turned Malissa's face to him, his hand under her chin. He pulled away, looking briefly at President Valient before looking at Malissa once again. He knelt down to one knee, holding her hand as he did so. Malissa looked down at him with a somewhat perplexed look, before she finally realized what he was doing. Her hand went to her mouth, covering it.

"Malissa...only days ago I met you, but since then, I have increasingly felt that you and I were meant for each other. I cannot describe the incredible emotions, feelings, and love that I have experienced in the last few days. I know it is love, and not mind games. It is love at its finest, and I am priviledged to do so with you. I kneel before you, and before those here present, to ask you for your hand in marriage... Princess Malissa Black...will you marry me?"

Malissa looked at him in shock. Simon dropped his hand, staring at John. Malissa blushed a deep red. She reached for his hand, taking it. "I... I'd be honored to marry you...," she pulled him up beside her, pulling him into her warm embrace.

"God, I love you..." her body thrilled with delight at his touch, and she smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"What was that answer again?" John asked, pretending not to hear. Malissa kissed him repeatedly.

"Yes!" Another kiss. "YES! YES! I will marry you!"

John laughed, delighted at her acceptance of his proposal. He picked her up around the waist, holding his head to hers as she held his face with both hands, kissing him passionately. The two spun about several times. Gently he brought her down to her feet again.

A single thought ran across John's mind. He turned slightly sour.

"I'm afraid that...due to recent events, and the speed of this whole thing, I have not been able to get the ring I'm supposed to be handing to you......"

Malissa laughed and pat him softly on the arm.

"John, that does not matter, your love is all I ask."

"Malissa, you will get your ring, I promise you. It'll be a ring you'll be proud to wear."

Malissa put a finger to his mouth, silencing him.

"John...shut up and kiss me." she said as she laughed again.

Valient pulled out a hanky and dabbed his eyes.

"You know D'rtang, I never was too good at these sort of things..."

Joshua sighed and looked back to the window. "I know you are there," he says without even looking behind himself. At that point his little cat/hybrid starts walking towards him and over the dead bodys.

The ShadowPrince looked at the beautiful manor with awe, recognizing the delicate hand of Allysandra in the decoration of the place.

"Looks lovely, as its owner", he said, waiting for Allysandra to lead him inside. "And one more thing, whispering is a dangerous affair when you're among our kin", he said smiling.

I think I'm in love too, indeed, for the first time in my life, he whispered too, in the same tone Allysandra whispered some time ago.

OOC: Is President Valient the only head of state in this thread not to find love :cry: :cry: :oops:

((Yes! :lol: Valient's a loser. :P ))

Calis opened his eyes to see John on his knees in front of Malissa. He knew they were together, but this was rushing it a little. The next thing to grab his attention was the lack of wounds all over his body. Then again, it was Roania. He decided to stop questioning whatever happens here as he is unlikely to get a straight answer.

"Hey John, if you're looking for some quality jewls for a ring, I can help you out there."

The President slowly began to rise to his feet, but the searing pain in his head made him do otherwise.

"I think I'll just rest down here."

Malissa smiled at John. "I think you'll find that rings won't be a problem, John." She kissed him again, thoroughly. "And here I was, thinking that love at first sight was an impossibility."

<===========>

Simon wiped a tear away. "Oh, it's so romantic..." he laughed, sadly. "Our princess is all grown up..." he reached around, and patted Valient on the back. "Well, Mr. President, the battle is over, and looks like this little soiree is too. But the day is young, and I think we have a few hours before they can even begin to find the people we'd need for the coronation. I have a strong urge to get incredibly drunk. Come on, I know a place." He looked at Calis. "What about you, Lord Calis?"

<==========>

James Gray walked into the room Joshua was standing in. "Mr. Knightly, the Prime Minister wishes to see you... or, I think he does. He's hiding in his closet, and saying something about sending a Phalanixian to him."

<==========>

Karolyn looked around for her brother. "Have you seen Otto?" She asked Calin.

<==========>

Allysandra blushed at the compliment, and led him inside. "Well... Lord Kithail...?" She looked around, and her eyes flickered to a darkened room. His eyes followed hers, but she shook her head. "That's my little memorial to Alaitoc... not some place pleasant or soothing. The bathroom is upstairs, and I think I might be able to clean the blood out of your clothes." She turned away, blushing, as she removed his jacket and passed it over to him. Covering herself, she walked up stairs. "Make yourself at home... I need to find a new dress."

<===========>

Simon wiped a tear away. "Oh, it's so romantic..." he laughed, sadly. "Our princess is all grown up..." he reached around, and patted Valient on the back. "Well, Mr. President, the battle is over, and looks like this little soiree is too. But the day is young, and I think we have a few hours before they can even begin to find the people we'd need for the coronation. I have a strong urge to get incredibly drunk. Come on, I know a place." He looked at Calis. "What about you, Lord Calis?"



Valient slowly nodded.

"I'll join you, Simon... but I think I've had enough alcohol for awhile...

I wonder what they have in a water?"

John smiled at Malissa, his eyes gazing into her own. It wasn't as if he was worried about the rings. He knew that he could have them within a few hours if he wanted, either here in Roania, or by Royal rush delivery from Tarlachia.

"All right then. I think I need to get these clothes cleaned...and to think I had just put them on! Alas, the life of a royal, never a dull moment..."

"Ok John, I've got a few things I need to do right now anyway." Malissa replied, then kissed him once more before leaving and walking down the hallway.

John looked over to where Simon was talking to President Valient. He walked over, and rested his hand upon Simon's shoulder, waiting until he got his attention.

"Excuse me gentlemen, but I was wondering Simon if you know a good jewelery store where I can go pick out the ring for Malissa?" John asked with a wink and a broad smile.

Simon laughed. "A ring?" He held up his hand. Rings glittered from every finger. "I think you'll find that rings in Roania are a dime a dozen." He paused. "Maybe necklaces would be more up your alley. But it would have to be nice... and I must say, that this is the first time I've ever heard of someone proposing outside of a bathroom..." he pulled out some paper, and wrote an address on it. "Here you go." Passing it to John, he turned, and helped Valient to his feet.

"All right," Joshua says as he starts to walk, "Can you show me where the prime minister is hiding?"

John glanced at the address on the piece of paper given to him by Simon. He had no idea where the place was, but John figured he could just give the address to a chaffeur and he'd be taken straight there.

Twenty minutes later, John was in the back of the limousine, heading out of the palace walls to the jewelers shop. With him came his security force that had arrived in Roania at the beginning of their trip. Also, several Roanian security agents traveled with them, more to show to the citizens that John was important, and any foolish actions would be harshly met with force.

John waited until one of the Roanian agents knocked on his window, indicating all was secure outside the limousine. Only then did John open the door and step out into the sweating hot sunlight. He moved quickly into the jewelers shop, followed by some of the agents. The rest kept places in strategic areas, keeping the area around the shop and the limousine secure.

"Good evening sir, I am honored to have you here in my humble store."

"Good evening. I'm here to see your finest necklaces."

The shopkeeper moved to the back room, indicating for them to follow.

"Come back here then, I have a number of necklaces here that I do not keep up front, for obvious reasons." he explained, giving a slightly nervous chuckle. It wasn't everyday that his store was visited by VIPs. Little did he know John's true purpose for his presence there.

John chuckled to himself as he remembered an old saying his father used to tell him:

If you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it.

The man led John to the back room, to an secure electronically locked fire-proof vault-room. The man leaned his head forward, waiting momentarily as the eye-scan scanned his eyes. Then, he followed up with his hand being scanned, his fingerprints glowing strangely on the monitor before disappearing. A final lock remained secure, but was soon unlocked as well as the man spoke a password, watching as the indicator recorded his verbal wavelengths and matching them to the correct recorded voice. The door swung open and they walked into the vault. Upon a sturdy table in the middle of the room, sat several briefcase looking cases, of which the man immediately proceeded to open and set out for display.

"Here you are, sir. I hope you find these to your liking." he spoke as he stood to the side, allowing John to move slowly about as he studied each piece. John held his hand out to some of them, but stopped before touching them, as he looked up to the shopkeeper questioningly.

"May I?"

"Of course, sir." the man replied, holding his hand out to wave over the table.

John proceeded with his inspection, studying the intricate and elegant designs of the necklaces. Finally he laid the last one down and looked over at the shopkeeper.

"I don't mean to pry, but is this all you have? They are not quite what I am looking for."

The man nodded in understanding, "I have a few just over here that you might be interested in seeing, sir." he said as he moved to the far end of the room, unlocking yet another secure door. Moments later he returned, carrying an elegantly designed box and placed it down upon the table in front of John. Opening the box he revealed its contents. The necklaces were situated on their own 'shelves' and extended upwards and out to create a portable display of all the necklaces.

John's eyes widened as he saw the one in the center.

"That's it! That's the one, no doubt about it. I'll take it."

The shopkeeper widened his own eyes slightly.

"Then it shall be done. You have very good taste, sir."

John nodded his appreciation for the comment, before turning to follow the shopkeeper out of the secure vault-room. The shopkeeper carefully carried the necklace indicated by John and proceeded to his desk, after locking the vault once again.

"Here, take this card. Contact this department. They will make sure you are taken care of and paid. And for your assistance, I shall throw in a 20% tip for yourself. I shall inform them of this."

John handed the shopkeeper a card from the depths of his suit. The man glanced at the card, reading the department name and the nation. The man then looked back at John as he handed the card back. John looked at him quizzically. The shopkeeper proceeded to explain.

"Sir, consider this a gift. Please sir...don't question me. Just take it and enjoy seeing it upon the neck of the one you are courting. I've held that necklace for over five years now, and no one has ever seen it since I first got it. They have all been satisfied with the initial selection I showed to you."

John could tell that the shopkeeper did not know who the special woman was, but he did not give any indication to the fact.

"Thank you very much then."

John smiled and shook the man's hand before turning to leave the back room and soon was back in the limousine, carrying the necklace in its secure box. He leaned back, smiling.

Malissa was going to get the shock of her life...

As soon as John had safely secured the necklace into a vault offered to him by one of the Roanian agents, and sent off an invitation to his family back home in Tarlachia, he began making his way to the Prime Minister's office.
_________________________
In Tarlachia...

King Mark Marshall stood to his feet with a greatly surprised look upon his face.

"He's doing WHAT??"

James led Joshua to the Prime Minister's office. A circle of ministers was standing around the closet door. "Mr. Prime Minister?"

Malissa ran into the room. "What's going on?"

"The PM is in his closet."

Cartwright's voice came from the closet. "Help! The door is jammed!"

The ministers all rolled their eyes. "We know... we know... Mr. Knightly, can you sort this out? The door is stuck." They looked embarrased.

<=============>

Ivan Merkenoff was waiting by the door as John burst into the hall. "Ah, Mr. Marshall... why are you in a rush?" He stopped the younger man. "I wonder if you have time to clear something up for me...? Is it true that you asked her imperial highness to marry you?"

."Simon wiped a tear away. "Oh, it's so romantic..." he laughed, sadly. "Our princess is all grown up..." he reached around, and patted Valient on the back. "Well, Mr. President, the battle is over, and looks like this little soiree is too. But the day is young, and I think we have a few hours before they can even begin to find the people we'd need for the coronation. I have a strong urge to get incredibly drunk. Come on, I know a place." He looked at Calis. "What about you, Lord Calis?"

Calis finally got to his feet.

"A drink? That sounds like a very good idea.

Standing tall, but still a littled dazed the President stumbled towards Simon.

"Lead the way good man."
_____________

Calin shook his head.

"I don't know, we were seperated about 15 minutes ago. Let's go look for him, it sounds like the battle is over."

Calin took hold of Karolyn's wheelchair and pushed out the door, in search of her brother.

Simon nodded and led Jean, Calis, Valient, D'rtang and the rest to a small tavern down in the south wing.

"There's a bar here? In the stronghold?"

"It's big, what can I say..."

Once inside, all save Valient were served with Roania's finest Red Wine. All raised their glass and followed Valient's lead.

"To Malissa and John. May there love last forevermore, or until the night turns cold and the star's fall from the sky.

Whichever comes first."

John looked at Merkenoff with a careful look.

"Yes...I have. She means so much to me. And I know she loves me too. If you don't believe me, go ask her...wherever she is..."

"You have got to be kidding me..." Joshua just staired blankly. He then walked over to the door and looked at the jamed parts and closed his eyes. In seconds the jamedd peices began to move again. "There it should work."

Simon nodded and led Jean, Calis, Valient, D'rtang and the rest to a small tavern down in the south wing.

"There's a bar here? In the stronghold?"

"It's big, what can I say..."

Once inside, all save Valient were served with Roania's finest Red Wine. All raised their glass and followed Valient's lead.

"To Malissa and John. May there love last forevermore, or until the night turns cold and the star's fall from the sky.

Whichever comes first."

"I'll drink to that."

Calis raised his glass in toast to the newly engaged couple.

"So, any idea what the hell those lizard things were?"

Simon shook his head. "Absolutely none. But I've been seeing them around more and more often. Probably some type of jungle people. And you don't give toasts very often, do you?"

<========================>

Cartwright suddenly tumbled out of the closet, a pile of stuff on top of him.

X coughed. "Mr. Knightly, the main goal was to open it without knocking the Prime Minister unconscious."

Malissa laughed. "Uncle Joshua, feel free to try to hit my ministers if they're rude to you."

<========================>

Merkenoff laughed, and rose to his full height. He clapped an enormous hand to John's shoulder. "You mis-understand... congratulations, and I am sure you will treat her well."

He walked past John, and turned back for a second. "For your sake..."

"No, not too many. That and I'm still feeling funny about this whole situation. There isn't much supernatural to deal with in Assington, save for a few psychics and vampires."

The President poured himself another glass of wine.

John slightly flinched as the massive hand slapped his shoulder.

Note to self...don't tick off Merkenoff...

"Thank you sir. I will treat her well." he replied as he watched Merkenoff depart.

Definitely don't tick him off...

John turned and continued to the Prime Minister's room, just in time to see Cartwright tumble out of the closet.

O--Kay...now why would he have been in there in the first place??

John spied Malissa talking to Joshua. He walked over and reached out from behind her and took hold of her hand.

"Hello there, I'm back."

Malissa smiled as she felt his hand in hers. "Thank you..." she leaned forward, and kissed his cheek. The ministers goggled at this.

"M'lady?"

"May I introduce to you all, my fiance, John Marshall..." she stepped into his arms, and sighed happily as they wrapped around her.

They all nodded their congratulations. They then tried to get the PM off the ground.

<==========>

Simon laughed at Calis's remark, but didn't say anything else.

John looked down at the Prime Minister, still seated upon the ground.

"Are you ok Mr. Cartwright?"
________________________________

"Dear, John's getting married."

"WHAT!??" shrieked Queen Marshall, her voice echoing throughout the building.

King Mark flinched, before continuing.

"Yes, he's apparently fallen in love with Grand Duchess Malissa Black of Roania. Seems like they've had one of those 'falling in love at first sight' situations...anyway, they've invited us to attend the wedding."

"Oh my..." stuttered the Queen as she plopped herself down into a chair, her hand upon her chest. "Our son...getting married!"

The king smiled at his wife's growing excitement.

"Have you responded yet?"

"No dear, not yet, I wanted to talk to you first."

"Mark Marshall! You should know me better than that! You're damn right we're going to that wedding! I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"Of course dear..." the king replied before pulling out a piece of stationary and wrote their acceptance on it. He turned and held it to the servant waiting beside him.

"Take this to Central Comm. Send it priority one to Prince John Marshall and Grand Duchess Malissa Black immediately."

"Yes, your highness."

The servant took the letter and departed. Twenty minutes later the telegram arrived into Royal Communications in Roania.

Calis sighed as he began to feel the effects of too much wine.

"Tell me Simon. After all your time here, have you managed to aquire yourself a fine lady friend from the nice selection I've observed around here?"

Valient took another sip of his glass of water.

"Well, President Calis, if madame Jean here is any indication, Roanian women are very beautiful..."

"President Calis, have you not met my wife?" Simon asked. "No?" He opened his wallet, and passed Calis a picture of Jean, sitting in a nice dress. "Are you married, President Valient? Lord Calis?"

<============>

Cartwright muttered something. X shook his head. "This happens alot."

"No, I don't believe I have met her. She appears to be a fine lady. No, I'm not married. I guess I don't have much time to be meeting women when I've got to deal with running a nation."

President Valient lowered his eyes for a moment, and then raised them again.

"No. I lost my wife in an attack by Kanuckistan and Fuggolia. They killed her and my son Alexander II, when they were gunning for me..."

Valient took another sip of water. His throat had gone a tad dry...

"I won't hit them I'll just show them my memories of hell for a few minutes. Then I might telekenticly throw them aorund for a while," Joshua says with a laugh, "Nah I wouldn't. That would just enforce the sterotype of all people from Phalanix hit things first and don't think things through."
He then upon hearing the fiance part turned his head alittle surprized. At that point his eyes widened. Though it seemed out of surprize it was realy a sharp stab of pain of skin breaking agian.

Kithail smiled, and took off his armor, throwing the parts on a corner, trying to clean his skin of the bloody mess that was covering it.

"Alairoc, that name awakes my curiosity, I should ask her when she returns", said the ShadowPrince to himself as he finished to clean himself.

Allysandra pulled the blue dress down over herself, and then looked into the mirror. A blush was covering her face. "Snap out of it, Alys... what would Kithail think if I went down the stairs with my face all red?" She straightened the dress out, and soon walked for the stairs.

<============>

Malissa watched as Joshua started to fall to the ground. "Uncle?"

<============>

Cartwright pulled himself up with the help of James. "Are there any more monsters here?"

"No, my lord." James brushed some lint from the older man's shoulder. "Are you feeling all right, my lord?" Cartwright waved him off.

"Ah, fiance? Wonderful, wonderful! Congratulations!" Cartwright enthusiastically shook John's hand.

<===========>

Simon nodded at that. "Well, you always have the memories. There is a saying in High Roanian to the effect that the past should be forgotten if it interferes with the future. Though it loses much in the translation." He coughed, apologetically.

Calis nodded as he patted Valient's shoulder.

"We all eventually pay the price of being a leader."

Calis cursed as he almost fell of his chair as he downed the last drop of wine.

"Well, it seems the wine has run dry. What else does this fine bar have to serve?"

The grandfather clock chimed its deep tone as it struck upon the hour. John looked at it and whistled slightly.

"Well, I think its time for us to get some sleep now. We've all got a long day tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken?"

The Prime Minister looked up at the clock as well before responding, "That we do John, that we do..."

John held his arm out to Malissa who took it willingly as the two headed out of the PM's room.

"Good night gentlemen!" John called out, just before leaving the room. Scattered responses replied. Within minutes the two had strolled to Malissa's room once again, and walked in. John led Malissa to the bedside, where he turned her gently and kissed her upon the lips, rubbing his hands along her body, admiring the graceful curves she had, from her hips, to her breasts.

"And here's my goodnight kiss to you love." he said as he tilted Malissa backwards onto the bed, causing her to giggle gleefully as she returned his kiss...

Kithail, after the proper cleaning, just waited for Allysandra to come back, and not only to ask her the questions that were circling his mind, but also to be lost again in the infinity of her incredible eyes...

Joshua grunted and stood up. He quickly removed a small vial from a holder on his leg and splashedd the slug like contents on his fore arm. IT istantly took the shape of a uperbody kevilar under armor. "I'm...fine," he says, "Just alittle draw back to having my mother's DNA in me."