NationStates Jolt Archive

This RP is closed. Please refrain from posting here. All Ooc's should be in the OOC thread.


The Gate War.

The greatest war that ever took place in Lustria, in which hundreds of thousands met in a single battlefield for a battle that would determine the fate of the world.

The terrible Cult of Valtrox, zealous followers of their exiled god, a god determined to escape into the Mortal world, had finally had the moment they were waiting anxiously for. Their leader, a terrible and feared ruler, by the name of Inzikai, the most demented of them all, had found where a book resided, a book that would let them achieve their terrible goal, and set out to find it along with two highly gifted Secret Police cultists named Maverion and Teralynn, and a powerful demi-god named Rothargot.

But a brave group of heroes, led by Sarik the Valiant were assigned on preventing this, by any means necessary. They traveled the whole of Lustria, from the peaceful pastures and forests of Illuminata, where the Order of the White Serpant resides, to the Imperium, where they battled ferociously in the famed Arena against some of the most exotic creatures ever seen.

After many a deadly battle, they escaped atop one of the 'Ageless Ones', a magnificent dragon created directly from the gods during the creation of the world. With his speed, they finally reached the famed Library of Rimoru, known to hold records of every Lustrian text and more.

But they were too late. The Cult had already found their book, and escaped, with the help of one they eventually persuaded to give up his soul. A certain Cadeyrn, who had nearly killed one of his friends in the process.

But the heroes would not end then. They pursued after, with the help of rebels, but were stopped by a beast that was unparalled in the waters. Orogen, a creature of legends toyed with the boats, but as it grew bored, it finally crushed the heroes ship, taking Kalzog, a god-killing ogre, and Karasu, a passionate protector dragon of her lands.

And so the Gate War began. The Lands of Lustria united against their darkest fears. Demons of different shapes and sizes had arrived at this battle, hours away from the coming of the god himself.

And so they clashed, losses mounting by the second. The ruler of the Order, the much loved Patriarch, battled the terrible Inzikai in a devastating show of force, besting him in combat by slicing off his sword hand, before dealing the final blow.

But he did not deal the final blow. One like Inzikai has learned a few tricks or two. Seconds before his doom, the man killed the Patriarch with a dagger throw into his neck.

Things looked bleak. However, Sarik the Valiant, with the rumored help of a dieing Patriarch, finally pulled the plug, ending in a devastating blow to the Cult and the earth itself.

15 years after that deadly war, so much has changed.

The Order had recieved a deadly amount of casualties, resulting in a deeply weekened defense. With this weekened defense, uncivilized creatures such as goblins, ogres, minotaurs, and the ilk had begun to take ground against those that had once kept them in order.

To the north of them, the Imperium has also felt the urge to move in. Although suffering casualties from the war, they did not lose their beloved leader. They moved into the demoralized area, conquering a good portion of the Order's lands, completely blocking them from the mountainous terrain of the Morgrathiens, a barbarous group of nomads.

Meanwhile, the Cult itself had suffered from strife and civil war as several key figures vyed for control of Inzikai's throne of bones. But only one was selected by Valtrox. Only one will succeed, and her name is Teralynn, one who had ventured with the previous leader himself. One who had recieved a blessing by the god himself.

But she is also joined by another figure, a creature cloaked in mystery and rarely seen at all.

With all this going on, however, one land remains neutral. Iskan, a land filled with mystery and adventure, a land of magic and technology, has remained quite the same.

Their ruler, the Empress of Iskan, Rimoru, a woman who's powers are considered godlike by all who witness their awesome powers, had been pregnant by an unknown suitor as the war went on. She finally gave birth sometime after the war, to a lovely little girl.

This little girl was adorable in all ways. She had silky blond hair and pointy elven ears, high cheekbones, and cute little dimples when she smiled. Her voice was music to any man's voice, and as she grew up, her body grew in the right places, always having the perfect form. And she took after her mother in more ways than one with that body.

Both were flirtatious, both practically tortured young boys with their luscious bodies, and both were highly skilled in many subjects.

But one thing always strikes others that see Eva. She has dark red irises, unimaginable for an elf and very rare by any other creature.

And Eva wasn't the only addition to Rimoru's palace. Soon after Eva's birth, Rimoru was wedded in a magnificent wedding to an elf who seemed to have appeared out of no where.

The elf was known as Prince, now King, Alegain, an abnormally large elf, with large muscles and very handsome by anyone's terms. But what shocked people was that this redhaired elf had the same red eyes that were made famous by Eva only months before.

Rimoru had fallen in popularity with the public over the decades, and now with the knowledge that the Empress had defied laws set forth by the faithful by losing virginity before marriage made her even less popular with the masses.

This is the beginning of her fall. And the fall of the world.

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

"Wait...let me catch my breath..." gasped a red haired elf who sat awkwardly on a plush singleseat couch. Atop his legs sat a beautiful scantily clad woman, who giggled and squirmed in the man's arms as she pressed her lips to his.

"I can't stop. You are perfect, Alegain," laughed Rimoru as she kissed him on the neck.

"I know I am," he replied with a cocky smile, before pressing his lips on Rimoru's before a throat cleared behind them.

"Mother. Get a room."

The Empress turned around and fell to the floor with a quiet thump. "Eva!" she gasped as she slowly got herself back up. "What's the matter?"

Eva smiled sweetly as her eyes met her fathers, before turning back to Rimoru who began combing her hair back with her fingers.

"I want a horse," she asked sweetly.

"But Eva, you already have fourteen. Why do you want another?" Alegain asked quietly with a raised eyebrow.

"None of them are white. I want a white one."

"What happened to Lightning?" Alegain asked as he stood up slowly and brushed off his robes, buttoning several buttons that had become undone in their passionate kisses. Sneaky girl, Rimoru, he thought with a smile as he looked at his wife who sat with her legs extended.

"She died. Remember?"

"Because you worked her too hard. Please, Eva, you don't need any more."

"But I want one! I want one now!" the girl ranted, her face scrunching up.

"Eva, if you can't take care of-"

"Alegain. I'll get her one," Rimoru said, cutting her husband off, before a white horse formed out of mid air next to Eva.

Eva smiled as she walked to the horse and patted it's muzzle. She glanced back at Alegain and stuck her tongue out at him, which was returned in much the same manner. She giggled as she led the horse out of the room, before being followed by two guards who constantly bickered with one another.

Alegain looked at Rimoru who remained sitting on the floor. She gave her husband one of her blue eyed gazes, before laughing as Alegain dove at her and picked her up, before placing her in the chair he had previously sat in.

"Rimmy, why do I get the feeling Eva does not like me?" he asked quietly as he lay his head on her soft legs.

"She does, my love," Rimoru returned softly as she stroked his face.

"I don't know...I don't think we should spoil her. That is rather...I don't know...bad?"

"Hush, Alegain. She's the perfect little girl and you know it," Rimoru said softly as she gently raised Alegain's face until their lips gently pressed against each other.

The red-haired elf remained quiet before he chuckled quietly. "I noticed you seemed to have undone some of my buttons..."

Rimoru only smirked seductively as the buttons once again became undone magically.

"Let's have a child, my love," Alegain whispered.

"Another? Why?" Rimoru asked quietly as she began to undo the rest of Alegain's robe. She could still remember how she detested the fact of her body growing large and cumbersome with Eva and the pangs of hurt the little child's legs were capable of. Not to mention the birth itself. It had resulted in the death of several nurses and doctors before Eva was born. Luckily, she had Fala with her.

"Well, I always enjoyed the idea of having a large family. Maybe three more kids?" he asked as he kissed Rimoru's chest.

Rimoru gently pulled his head away from her and looked him squarely in the eyes. "You're actually being serious?"

Alegain nodded slowly, a confused expression on his face.

Rimoru's straight face turned into one of deviousness and trickery. "Alright. You will bear them."

Alegain raised his eyebrows and smiled weakly. "That's impossible...we both know that men cannot bear children."

"Oh? I would check for pregnancy soon. I have been feeling somewhat...mischevious the past few days."

Alegain's face turned completely pale as he slowly pulled away and sat on his haunches.

"Come on Alegain! Let's have thirty children!" Rimoru laughed as she walked over to him. "No! Fifty!"

Alegain was about to run, but Rimoru dove into him, knocking him flat to the floor, where thoughts of him leaving left his mind. More important things such as showing her his love took over.

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

Eva proudly walked out of the palace, to a nearby meadow that her mother had created specifically for Eva and her friends.

"Look what I just got, Jorian!" she laughed as she pulled the white horse along.

A short, skinny, green goblin with a loose fitting tunic that looked more like a pillowcase than anything, and several odd metallic objects at his waist, under his belt, walked by a few merchant stands, recieving many an angry stare.

Goblins were not really loved by any race, and in most cases, tended to be hunted whenever possible. Not to mention that they bred like rabbits.

But this goblin was special. He was with an elf.

The elf was tall with bright blue eyes and silky blond hair that went down to his shoulders.

Currently, however, the elf had a brown hat on with a leather long coat that reached all the way down to his ankles. His feet were covered by an elegant pair of shoes that were comfortable for the feet and highly menuverable, should the time call for it.

"Me thinks no one like Glurp," the little goblin said in a soft voice as he kept up with the long strides of the much taller elf.

"You think right," the elf chuckled as he turned into a shop full of groceries.

"Welcome to the finesta grocer in all of South Iskan!" shouted the shopkeeper in a very heavy accent as he walked over to greet the elf, until his eyes fell upon the goblin, in which he stopped and cupped his hands over each other. "What maya you be lookinga for today?"

The elf smiled as he took off his hat, letting his hair fall past his shoulders. "Actually, I would like to know how much food you have to offer. I have a lot of friends who need food. We are willing to pay for every ounce of it."

The merchant's eyes lit up immediately and he warmed up to the elf and goblin, walking over, kicking the goblin to the side so he could take the elf's side. "Why, I always gotsa da goods!"

As the elf was pushed passed Glurp, he winked at the goblin and recieved a friendly wave back. Then, Glurp spun around in place, tripping over himself again and looking down the aisle. There was his target. Lots of guns. These new weapons of Rimoru's first saw action in the Gate War and worked quite well at range. Glurp's elven friend carried several of the small guns with him at all times, and usually a rifle, however he hasn't used any of them that Glurp had seen.

"Silly elf," he whispered as he plodded down the aisle, his custom made shoes making a strange clock as they hit the stone floor. He had seen the elf move with no noise, but whenever Grelch tried, he'd just fall down. "That's alright...Grelch better thief than him," he mumbled as he walked over to the guns and began to lift a long rifle, before falling due to balance issues. "Dung gun! Me no like...no goblin use useless stuff."

Meanwhile, the elf was filling out a long boring order form for several caravans of food as the merchant babbled on about how he's been in business for forty years while the Mebilio's across the street have only been in business for thirty nine.

The door rang as another large group of custumors filed in, whom the shopkeeper nodded and welcomed them with a bright smile, showing large white teeth under his heavy handlebar mustache.

The elf was slightly annoyed as it sounded as though one of the customers had a peg leg that annoyingly clacked on the ground every other step.

"Well well...If it ain't me ol' mate, Ixair Riftdreamer," came a brusque voice complete with a heavy hand falling on the elf's shoulder.

The elf winced as he slowly turned his head to face the man. "G'day Cap'n," he said with a rogueish smile.

"G'day Ixair," he laughed with the other 'customers'. The shopkeeper was completely oblivious to what was happening and continued to mosey along, setting up equipment and restocking shelves. "Long time, no sea...get it?"

Again the crew laughed as Ixair gave a small chuckle. "Always a jolly one, Capt'n. Glad that hasn't changed. Now if you'll excuse me I-"

Suddenly, a cutlass was drawn the tip gently pressing against his chin. "I been waitin' too long fer ya ta just leave like before, Ixair. I ain't gonna wait again, not as long as me name be Capt'n Conroy, the feared pirate o'"

"Aye, Capt'n. Feared pirate o' the Lustrian Sea," Ixair recited, rolling his eyes. "But honestly...I was hard pressed-"

"It was between yer crew an' that-"

"Please, Cap'n...let's not return to it. This can clearly be settled in a gentlemen's fashion," he said as he walked to the side slightly, before feeling the tip rub harder against his chin. "Ok...I guess that's out."

"Aye...only thing left fer ya is death, me ol' matey. 'Tis a shame too. We really made use of yer talents. Not many people like ya."

Ixair smiled widely, revealing his perfectly straight, white teeth. "Why thank you, sir. But if you'll excuse me, I must really get going."

Ixair rolled out of the way, barely avoiding a deadly thrust and kicked the feet out of another nearby pirate and taking a good look of Captain Conroy's metallic leg.

Captain Conroy's thrust had dug right into the cash box, sending a blizzard of gold, silver, and copper to the floor. Immediately the surrounding pirates leapt after it, with the exception of Conroy.

Ixair laughed as he leapt onto an aisle and continued to leap until he found Glurp, his loose tunic full to the seams with ammo.

"You look quite full," Ixair laughed as he leapt down beside the goblin.

"Grelch uncomfortable...can't balance," the goblin grumbled as he waddled down the aisle.

"Getta away from my shop! Thieves alla of them!" shouted the shopkeeper as he began to push away the pirates. Conroy shouted orders at them and kicked a few over and pointed to Ixair.

"Get him you idiots!" the captain screamed as loud as he could.

Ixair laughed and picked Glurp up with both hands and tossed the wailing goblin out the window, landing with a loud thump on the other side, along with a long stream of curses. The elf leapt behind and picked Glurp up again. "Sorry Glurp. There was no way out considering the pirates were all at the main entrance."

"Dumb elf tossin' Glurp at window wit out warnin'. Grelch otta beat Ixair good, but Grelch is too nice."

Ixair shook his head and pulled the long rifle from Grelch's arm, and ran as fast as he could.

"Ixair finally use gun?"

"Aye," the elf replied as he eyed a certain building nearby. As he reached it, he hooked the gun's shoulder strap on a long hanging piece of wood, right above the sign of the tavern and climbed it speedily as pirates began to run after him.

"How about that?" Ixair asked as he climbed up and balanced himself on the beam, walking across carefully until he reached the ceiling of the building before continuing upwards. Suddenly, a hiss followed by a small popping noise sounded below and a piece of wood chipped off the area next to the elf.

"Kill 'em, Ixair!" Grelch screamed as he closed his eyes and tried to hide in his tunic.

"It would help if you could actually move," Ixair said as he finally leapt over the other side of the ceiling and ran to the edge, leaping with all his might to the other side, and making it with a confident landing.

The shouts of Conroy were interrupted with a very loud boom that shook the ground, buildings included. Ixair raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. He had to keep moving to keep ahead of Conroy's bunch. Especially Conroy. He had been quite the sharpshooter back in the days when Ixair served aboard their pirate crew, trying to get money, wenches, and fame. It eventually proved his downfall with the crew...

Ixair sprinted across the rooftops, eventually hearing the sound of galloping horses, and several quiet hisses, followed by the all too familiar pops. Dust, stone, and wood splintered and popped around him as he made another large leap, taking hold of a large flag of Iskan and swinging to the balcony of another building.

"Give me this," Captain Conroy growled as he pulled a rifle from a nearby crewmate. He drew a bead on the fleeing elf and waited patiently for the right moment.

Pop

Ixair could hair that one escape the barrel of Conroy's custom rifle, a deadly accurate gun with a long range. He needed to think of something quick. It didn't help that Grelch was screaming in his ear the whole time, as he had managed to grab hold of Ixair's neck.

With another leap, he took hold of the flag pole this time, the bullet whistling loudly as hit hit the space where Ixair had stood previously. With another laugh, and the heavy panting of Grelch, Ixair swung to on the flag pole to another balcony higher up, only to be met by the 'I have you now' laugh. Five pirates stood, blades at the ready. Ixair smiled as the nearest pirate lunged at him, and lept nimbly on his head, bouncing off of it, across the room to the other side, before opening the door and shutting it as the sound of knives and daggers, and even a few bullets pelted the door.

Ixair let out a huge breath and turned around to see several girls in their undergarments, changing into dresses.

"Guards! Murderer! Intruder!" one of the ladies shouted, immediately trying to cover herself up with her hands.

Ixair laughed a bit as he ran to the window, taking a few peeks at the ladies, when the door burst open and the five pirates walked in. Immediately their eyes widened and they laughed again as they began to rush to one of the girls.

Ixair laughed again as he lept down below, on another flag pole and continued to let himself fall from pole to pole until he finally set foot on the ground.

The stables! Straight ahead! And smoke to cover me! he thought as he sprinted as fast as he could towards them. The smoke getting denser the farther in he went. He could hear the gallop of horses approaching and smiled as he finally reached the stables.

And he stopped to stare in awe at what he saw.

Three massive dragons were laying waste to the town, smashing through guards, shredders, and buildings.

"Why would the dragons attack?" he wondered aloud. The galloping horses stopped as Captain Conroy smiled. "Looks like we gotcha, Ix-"

He too stopped to examine the spectacle. Guards were trying to kill the beast with their guns, however they were barely having an effect on the massive beasts.

Suddenly, a shadow engulfed the whole half of the town, even the dragons, who threw their heads back and roared to the sky.

And they recieved their answer. The roar was terrible, shaking buildings and ground alike, before four massive claws set foot on the ground, the cobblestone path cracking underneath. The dragon was massive, the largest one Ixair had ever witnessed. Smoke billowed from it's mouth which, when opened, revealed a massive array of deadly looking teeth. Around it's neck was a necklace of two intertwined Dragons, a heart in the middle. Along it's spine were long deadly spikes, accompanied by shorter ones around them. Each wing had to be the size of atleast the Arena in the Imperium. Each claw could easily smash through Rimoru's towers. It's mouth could swallow a full grown dragon whole. It's greenish scales glistened in the sun as it's eyes glowed a bright white, before the buildings around it suddenly exploded, as if by an invisible force.

"Let all mortals tremble in fear as they have incited the wrath of Dominatistradz and the dragons!" the massive one roared. Ixair needed to cover his sensitive ears in order keep from getting a terrible headache or loss of the sense of hearing.

"Well...'twas fun, mateys," Ixair said as he leapt on a horse. "But I shall leave you with ol' Dominatistradz."

With that, he rode away, the pirates looking dumbfounded, before staring at Conroy.

"Don' look at me! Let's get outta 'ere!" he shouted as he rode after Ixair, not to capture him, but to keep out of sight from the massive dragon.

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

Several hours later, Ixair had finally lost his pursuers and rented a room in the tavern to hold their loot and rest for the coming day.

Grelch was fast asleep, snoring loudly on the floor. Not that he didn't have a bed. He actually fell off with a loud thump, but never awoke. Strange Goblin... Ixair thought with a chuckle.

Ixair had been riding home at the beginning of the Gate War, somewhat ashamed of his decision, but had come to the conclusion that it was for the best. But he couldn't keep his mind away from a certain elf he had met along the way. A beautiful girl, around the same age as him, named Ar'mai. He remembered her soft touch as they danced merrily on the boat, a day before the terrible attack of the demons...

Ixair sighed quietly as he took off his shirt, revealing light muscles and a few scars, along with one tattoo on his shoulder. The tattoo was one of skull and crossbones, but Rimoru's crest on the forehead of the skull. He rubbed it absent mindedly as he rummaged through one of his packs for a new shirt.

Dominatistradz... he thought to himself. The name is so familiar...

"Look around you my brothers, my sisters, my sons and daughters! Tell me what you see! You see what remains of the dragons! What you don't see are the millions of faces that had died due to mortals! Mortals and their foolish gods!" shouted a voice that demanded respect. It was very masculine, very low, and very threatening.

"Our kind has been hunted for food, to be slaughtered, for fun and games, for boasting and bragging, for treatment as animals and trained as a horse or common creature like that! We are not livestock! We are intelligent!"

"For thousands of years we have helped mortals in their journey of survival! We have protected them from things their gods have thrown at them, from things they have created, and things they have unleashed..." A hint of sadness in his voice.

"We have all lost something from them, all because of their fault. So now it is time, my creatures, my brethren, it is time that we strike back. We show them that we no longer will wait for mortals to kill us, to make us extinct, to humiliate their guardians. Now we show them who are the hunters and who are the hunted. Now it is us who will revel in their flesh, burn their homes, steal their children, ruin their towns, taunt them, and ultimately, destroy them. Now is the time!"

The massive fields erupted in millions of roars from the ground all the way to the sky. All watching one enormous figure atop a short mountain. Dominatistradz. The wisest, the strongest, and most powerful of the dragons. He was the first dragon to be created, and the only creature that had ever stood up to Valtrox directly. Not to mention the only creature that won against Valtrox. But not without terrible losses.

The massive dragon's beautiful green scales were charred and burned along his front left claw. One of his horns on his head is broken and his wings have several large holes near the bottom. Several spikes on his back were burned off or simple hacked off.

But none of these compare to what else was lost.

His family. His wife and only child, a son, suffered a horribly gruesome and painful death during that battle. What ultimately threw the Dominatistradz down a spiraling pit of insanity. He was still wise beyond any other creature, however he seldom escaped his own cave. He seldom spoke with anything or anyone. Until now...

The dragon leader had shown the world that he now meant business. That he would defend his brethren to the last. And he would, even if it meant exterminating the gods and the mortals that worshipped them.

The massive dragon let his gaze wander around the terrible place. Where Dominatistradz called home was where nothing else wanted to be. The Magma Fields, the place where Valtrox had first escaped. The place where Dominatistradz lost his family. The ruined gateway was heavily guarded by Dominatistradz himself, being where he sleeps within the massive mountain he crafted himself.

Everywhere he looked, he saw dragons, large ones, drakes, even dragons as small long and thin as a common twig from a tree. Soaring above were the ice dragons, amongst others, due to the immense heat from the magma below.

Rivers of lava were common in the magma fields, as were geysers of steam blasts and volcanos that constantly churned lava out of their gaping mouths. It truly was a place of nightmare.

The leader of the dragons slowly turned around as the dragons roared and cheered. "It is done," he said quietly to the other dragons around him.

They nodded slowly.

"It pains me to see us go in this direction, but your judgement is wise," The Ageless of Earth said quietly..

"Can we not spare some of the creatures? The elves?" came another voice, a bright green dragon, much smaller than the others. This was the Ageless of Nature.

"And of the sea creatures? They shall remain unharmed?" the Ageless of Water asked.

"They will all be dealt with accordinly," Dominatistradz said quietly as he walked past the few. His eyes stopped at one spot at the end. A spot once occupied by the only other he considered a son. Relthor.

His lurps curled up in a snarl as he walked off.

"Father...please, why don't we just ask them to stop?" came a small voice from nearby. Bercleor, Dominatistradz' only son, whom was bred by his late wife whom he disjoined with soon after.

Bercleor was not nearly as large as his father, but he was still quite large. He was heavily muscled and had dull green scales and dark brown eyes.

Bercleor admired mortals for the good things they've done in life. For what they try to do and for what they could do. Bercleor was a pacifist, having been taught by Relthor whenever the two were together.

"We've given them enough chances. Their time is up," was all the massive dragon said as he walked back to his mountain.

Two travellers entered into the tavern. They said little as they went and sat down. One of them, a woman, got up and got some drinks. She had messy blonde hair, and striking blue eyes. Although she dressed plainly, she was very beautiful, and she noticed a few men glancing at her. She merely ignored them and returned to her friend. He wore a cloak, and had a hood cover his face. He tried to keep a low profile, but noticed people looking at him. He nodded to acknowledge them, which seemed enough for them. No one noticed that his left eye was closed, forcibly sewn shut long ago. They also didn't see the chains that were fused to his body through magic under his cloak. He took a sip of his drink, and spoke to his partner.

"So, what do you think we should do now?"

The woman spoke. "I don't know Cantrell. We should look for information as always, but I suggest we keep this low profile. People might get susspicious. Also, it might be better if I do the talking."

"Insinuating anything Cobiesel?" Cantrell was a man of few words.

"Yes. You know people might not think talking to a man with an eye sewed shut and chains around him is good. They'll think you are a criminal."

"I see. Well, let's wait. We'll see what we can find latter."

"Agreed." Cobiesel smiled at Cantrell. For someone who suffered as much as he did, he was always good to her. He might not be trusting of anyone else, but he was loyal to his friends, if only a little dependant.

Jorian, a boy slightly younger than Eva, was in the meadow, brushing down a horse to keep it well groomed - a job he did not exactly volunteer for. His ears were ever so slightly tapered off at the top, and if one looked very closely, a hint of green can be seen underneath his skin. His sandy-brown hair was somewhere between short and medium, and the color of his eyes matched it.

Looking over when she called out to him, he saw a marvelously beautiful creature - that is, the horse. The mare was spotless, and was slim and looked like a fast runner. But then he had a feeling that he would have to take care of that horse as well, lest it ended up like Lightning. He had enough chores to do already, and more work was not what he wanted.

“Another one?” he moaned.

***

Teralynn watched as the Skizzarish writhed in pain, the heart attack seconds away from ending his life for good. No one would know she was ever there, of course. The man, and the guards outside that were protecting the man, saw only what they thought to be the elven slave girl that the man sent for every other night. Nothing unusual.

This night, however, Tera made sure that the slave girl was incapacitated and hidden away from anyone, and Tera assumed her form, right down to looks, voice, touch, even smell. That got her through the guards easily enough, and the magic detectors the Skizzarish used to protect himself against the likes of her were fairly easily disabled by her.

It was not long after she entered his room, and he anticipated a fun night, that she completely altered his plans for him. He had been impeding her ascension to power and full dominance over the Cult as empress for far too long. But she could not have eliminated him earlier, as a large number of her opponents dying all at once would be rather suspicious. So she spaced it out, over the last fifteen years, and even killed some of her strongest allies, just so no one would suspect her of foul play. She had an image to keep up, after all. Too bad for the slave girl, though. When she woke up in the morning, released from the hiding spot, she would immediately be caught and probably be tortured and killed in the most painful way possible for her murder of the man, even though it was not really her doing. Oh well.

The man’s movements slowed, and he eventually fell limp.

Tera took one of the lizard’s own daggers and dug it into his heart. Then, still keeping her illusion of the elven girl, she opened the door and swiftly knocked out the guards standing outside.

Casually walking down the poorly lit hallway, she did not even pause in her steps as she said softly into one of the shadows, where she had no doubt that Habdebza was hiding in as he waited for her, “Now I am ready.”

"You sound unhappy," Eva mentioned as she walked to Jorian and let the horse graze on the lovely meadow. "My daddy didn't want me to get one. But he's wierd."

The princess scrunched up her face as she spread herself out on the soft grass. "I want a drake," she sighed as she stared up in the clouds. "Wouldn't that be cool? Then we can fly around as much as we want. And we can bring clouds to show our parents."

"I don't think daddy likes me," Eva began suddenly he refuses to get me what I want. My mommy always has to do it. But then again, mommy told me that he is having his own troubles. I wonder why. And I wonder why he never speaks of his kingdom. He was a prince afterall. Wouldn't he have concubines?"

She scrunched her face again and pulled out some grass and tossed it in the wind. "They are always together and inseperable. When I walked in, they were kissing each other a lot. My mom just can't keep her hands to herself..."

Eva rolled onto her back and smiled as she looked at Jorian, who was grooming the horse. "Forget the horse, Jorian! It can take care of itself. Come sit with me! I feel like I was talking to the horses!" She said as she got up and began to tug on Jorian's arm, with a little giggle.

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

After several hours alone in the small room, Rimoru smiled at Alegain mischieviously as he put his clothes back on.

"Rimmy...I can't help but feel somewhat distraught-" The wizard said, before being cut off by the Empress.

"It'll all be fine Alegain! We want a family, so we'll have one. Fifty kids is a good number!" She giggled as she put on her ever so revealing clothing. "I never thought I'd agree with you on it."

Alegain coughed nervously and raised an eyebrow. He felt awkward in her presence, as if he didn't belong. When she treated him like so, he felt...powerless. But someone in his place was bound to feel powerless. She was a god after all. "Fifty?"

Rimoru nodded slowly, her devilish grin still on her face, before she walked up to Alegain and put her hand on the elf's muscular stomach. "I can't wait to see our progress! You'd be much slower, and waddle all over the place, but I'll be here to help you! And Fala!"

Alegain smiled nervously as Rimoru giggled and brought her lips slowly to her husband's and kissed gently, before backing away and walking to a smaller version of her throne.

"Please excuse me, my love," Alegain said as he backed away and walked out the door. As soon as the door closed, he ran as fast as he could down the aisle, nearly crashing into several servants and the occasional guard.

He slid on the banister of the grand staircase and finally reached the Lobby, where he saw two family friends, Maverion and Fala. They were, in a way, his teachers, since he could not remember anything when he arrived at the palace. In many instances, both Eva and himself were being taught in the same classroom, however Alegain usually ended up being distracted by his wife who would occasionally come in to end class early for him for 'important business', usually some playtime in the bedroom. But he learned fast. He felt that most of the information they taught, he already knew. Which he believed he did, considering he was no child. But now he had a problem on his mind that was alien to him.

"Mave! Fala! Help me!" he asked hurridly as he stood up straight, buttoning up the top of his robe. "Do I look any larger? As in, larger stomach?" He patted his robe down, and sighed as he unbuttoned the top of his robe, revealing his muscular chest.

His eyes fell to Fala. "Fala! What are the symptoms of pregnancy?" he asked worriedly. He couldn't believe this. Rimoru was making him pregnant? Men are not made for such things!

"I don't want to be pregnant!" he almost shouted, throwing his arms up in the air.

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

Two eyes opened up, red as blood and slowly leapt down, the sound of nails clacking on the cobblestone road.

"Woof," said the dog as it walked into the street, and sat next to Teralynn, looking up at her eyes with it's own red colored eyes. Suddenly, the dog smiled wickedly, revealing unnaturally sharp teeth. "Strike one down. You know, this ensures your supremecy over the cult. Mortal side, of course," it said in a low voice.

The dog walked into a nearby light, that a small lamp gave off, revealing completely black fur and a long tail that curled up.

A couple of passerbys laughed at the dog, who sat down and barked playfully at them.

"Well, come on then, Tera," the dog growled as he made sure the passerbys were gone. "I have an assignment that you may be interested in."

As soon as Teralynn walked up to him, he got up and began walking towards the decayed palace that rose up in the distance. The palace was once home to the terrible Inzikai, but had long since remained unoccupied. Well, not really.

The first few who attempted to occupy the palace were brutally killed by "Inzikai's Ghost". Of course, Inzikai was dead, never to rise up again. However, 'Inzikai's Ghost' was a very clever design of Habdebza. He let Teralynn kill the inhabitants, and when the deaths began to pile on, Habdebza secretly let out that "Inzikai will only choose the one that is right to rule the cult". Of course, the superstitious group believed this rumor and it ripped through the public faster than a forest fire on a windy day.

Of course, when Teralynn goes in and makes herself comfortable, she won't be killed. She will immediately be worshipped in much the same way Inzikai was.

"I don't want you to be comfortable with your new position. Not yet. I have something that will solidify your throne. No one will challenge your authority. The public loves a hero."

As soon as they reached the Palace gate, the dog disappeared, as if dissolving, giving way to a large figure that seemed to take the shadows themselves and form them into a large, cloaked figure. Nothing of it's body was visible, not even it's once red eyes. Its large black cloak covered most of the creatures body, leaving only hooves at the bottom and the hint of a tail.

"I am ordered to go to Iskan. They are in much the same turmoil the Cult was. Sure they've prospered the most out of all of Lustria, however, their queen, Rimoru, is not well liked by the people. A rebel group led by an elf named Ixair Riftdreamer is poised to take the throne."

"We cannot let that happen. Iskan is ripe for the taking and will gladly join up with someone as beautiful and loving as our little Tera," Habdebza said as he squeezed Teralynn's cheek with his sharp, hard, guantlets. "So, I think you may want to join me on this little expedition, no? Just realize that if you don't come with me, you'll be on your own...defending against assassins, mercenaries, rivals..."

Horatio had been walking for some time aand as a consequence was tired and hungry. His not entirely trustworthy mapreading skills suggested that he was somewhere in Iskan, closer to the south. Though that currently hadn't helped him find a town or village.

He would gladly have slept in the wilds and accepted natures bounty, but currently he was in need of information, and nature was not willing to provide that. Stopping to catch his breath he looked again at his map and picked a new direction to try. After some 15 more minutes he crested a hill and below him lay a tavern, among other things.

He made his way down the hillside, then stopped. Dusting off the cloak he was wearing and putting the hood up he made his way to the entrance of the tavern. Stepping inside, he quickly found a free table and took a seat, leaning back in a relaxed pose. He lowered his hood, revealing a somewhat rugged, but young and quite handsome face with long straight black hair. He waved a serving maid over and ordered a drink and a meal.

While waiting for these to appear he glanced around the inn and examined the patrons, currently it seemed to be a relatively standard bunch, though two caught his eyes, a beautiful girl who was with a suspicious looking man who kept his face hidden. He would keep an eye on them for now.

The air in the tavern was oppressively hot, and Harlin was momentarily tempted to lower his hood. He surveyed the patrons of the small establishment, most of whom appeared to be regulars, and wondered who here was important enough, and unfortunate enough for the Imiri Family to take a contract out on his life.

He was about to stand and order some food, when the door opened, and in walked a young man. He fit the description that the Imiri's had given, and Harlin smiled. It was finally time. The man walked over and sat at table, and Harlin quickly stood, and crossed the intermening distance in the blink of an eye. Grabbing the man, he swung down with the dagger he had drawn and looked in the man's eyes. Suddenly, he stopped, this man had the wrong color eyes.

Looking around, the whole tavern had their eyes on him, pulling the knife away from the man's throat, he put it away and said, "Sorry everyone, a simple case of mistaken identity." Looking at the man, he smiled awkwardly, "Sorry about that," he looked around and then said, "Could I do something to make it up to you? Buy you a drink?"

Not really wanting to keep grooming the horse, Jorian allowed himself to be pulled away from it without putting up a fight. Landing on the perpetually green grass, he lay down and looked up into the sky much as Eva did earlier, folding his hands behind his head as a prop.

Pressing his lips together in thought, a trait he picked up from his father, he said, “Maybe...they love each other? Your mom and dad, I mean. My dad always taught me to be faithful to whoever I’m gonna marry and love her no matter what. I guess your mom and dad just love each other a lot too?”

He shrugged, hearing the soft brushing of the grass underneath his shoulders as he did so. “And my dad never gives me anything either. Something about teaching me responsibility with what I’ve got already and building character or something. I don’t know. But at least your mom gives stuff to you.”

Jor shot up, looking over at Eva with a bit of a sparkle in his eyes. “Hey Ev, do you think your mom would give you a drake???”

Even if it meant he would have to take care of the drake as well, it would be worth it to be able to flying around. He had seen his father riding around on the carpet, but he was usually not allowed to ride on it himself. He did get a few chances to do it, but if Eva got a drake, he would be able to fly a whole lot more often.

***

Maverion was carrying some items for Fala, who was holding hands with their young daughter Daejan, through the lobby when Alegain came crashing in. At first, they shared looks of concern, but when the elf started talking about being pregnant, they looked at each other for a moment before both started to chuckle.

“Oh, don’t you worry,” Fala said, “being pregnant isn’t so bad. I’m sure you’ll get used to the idea soon enough. And imagine, waking up each day with a little miracle in your stomach! I mean, once you get over the morning sickness, that is.”

Mave shook his head, a grin still on his face.

“But now that you mention it,” continued Fala, “I do notice a slight flush in your cheeks.” She pinched him lightly there. “But that’s only one sign. Not enough to be certain. Hmm...” She began tapping an index finger against her lips, as if she were in deep thought. “If Rimoru’s pregnancy was any indication, you’ll start feeling the pain pretty soon. We’d better start on your Lamaze training. I’m sure Rimoru would want the child to be born naturally, without any magic to dull the pain and potentially affect the child.”

Shaking his head again, Maverion placed a hand on Alegain’s shoulder, squeezing slightly for some reassurance. “You’re not pregnant. Fala and Rimoru are just playing with you. Men don’t have the right...um...parts for childbearing and birthing.”

Fala wagged a finger at Mave. “Now now, dear, don’t get his hopes up. I wouldn’t put it past Rimoru to help him develop these ‘parts’ for that purpose.”

Daejan peered upwards at all the tall adults standing over her. To Alegain, she asked, “Are you gonna have a baabyyyy?”

***

Teralynn winced slightly at the squeeze. Had any mortal done that, she would barely have felt it because of her hardened skin. But Habdebza was no mortal, obviously.

She looked up at the decaying palace before her. When she finally assumed full reign over the Cult and called the palace her own, she would have to give the place a full makeover. Decaying was nice and all, if you were into that sort of thing. But a widely loved empress? That needed something that would pronounce her glory and grandeur to the world. She had been thinking about what to do with the palace for many years now.

“Certainly,” Tera replied to the demon in a monotone. Opening the heavy doors with ease, thanks to the greatly increased strength of her altered form, she stepped inside the darkened palace. The air was stale and the walls were full of cobwebs. A layer of dust showed that it had been a while since anyone dared step foot in there for fear of the ghost. She formed a ball of fire in the middle of the entrance hall, floating in midair to light the place. It had been far too long since the place had seen the splendor she imagined in her mind. Since Inzikai first came to be the leader so many lifetimes ago, in fact.

Tera adjusted the purple, regal cloak she wore around her shoulders. Without looking back at Habdebza as she spoke, she asked him, “Anything in particular you had in mind to go about it?”

Horatio hadn't taken much notice of the man until he had been grabbed from behind and the knife appeared at his neck. In that split second his mind had raced over what he could do, but before anything more than vague plans had formed the knife was gone and the man was apologising.

Horatio blinked a few times as the man addressed him, understandably stunned by the curious turn of events.
"I don't usually accept drinks from people who have tried to kill me, though i admit it hasn't happened much before." He smiled and examined the stranger, then added. "Heh, why not." He shrugged, "Make yourself comfortable." He indicated a chair at the table, if the man had wanted to do him harm, he had had ample opportunity when the knife was at his neck. He was still apprehensive, but was curious also.

Eva yawned a bit as she watched a rather dark cloud slowly float by. "But your parents aren't all over each other all the time. Mine are..."

The princess wondered a bit before nodding. "I think she would. I don't see why not. I am, the perfect little girl, of course," she giggled as she rolled to her side and bit her lower lip.

"I think I'm going to dump David," she said with a small smirk.

David, was her latest boyfriend, along the long line of them that have even been able to speak with the Princess. David was a nobleman's son, broad shouldered, dusty brown hair, brown eyes. He was handsome...for a time.

"I don't feel like he pays enough attention to me," she said quietly. In fact, she rarely paid attention to him. She ignores letters he writes, any sort of gift is played with, before being stashed away. "Plus he wants to be a soldier. I don't think I want a soldier as my husband. He'd probably be gone the whole time. Or try to order me around like I'm a slave."

Her red eyes glanced up at Jorian and she smiled sweetly. "Have you ever had a date, Jor?"

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

"Miracle in my stomach? Morning sickness?" Alegain coughed. He was visibly sweating and his face had gone completely pale. He began to pat his stomach again.

When Fala spoke of a flush in his cheeks, his hands immediately went to his cheeks. "Lamaze treatment? Pain? Oh please no, Fala! I don't want to have a baby!"

When Maverion told him some uplifting news, his face colored slightly, until Fala told him what Rimoru had told him before.

He looked down at the little child, and smiled weakly. "I...err...nope," was all he could say, before shooting glances back at Fala and Maverion.

"I don't want to have a baby," he whispered, as his hands nervously brushed his hair about.

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

"Well, my dear Tera, that's the fun part," the shadows said as Habdebza silently walked into the palace.

"We merely storm the palace," his voice echoed inside the palace. "Leave Rimoru to me. You only have to stick around. Or, you can try to kill Rimoru."

Suddenly, Habdebza walked out of the shadows, right in front of Teralynn. "But I don't think your feeble powers can handle her," he goaded. As a chair scraped along the floor, a loud screeching echoing among the castle, before it finally came to a halt behind the demon.

"And, I think now is the perfect time to strike," he rasped. "When they least expect it..."

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

Ixair slowly crept down the stairs, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He had heard the sound of struggle, and a quietness afterwards. Something had happened and he didn't want to be caught off guard.

He walked down the rest of the stairs, knowing that whatever had happened, seemed to be over now. But he would be on guard.

He went to the barkeep and ordered an elvish wine and some of his 'famous stew'.

It didn't seem like anything special. He swished it around with his spoon and scrunched up his nose. Didn't smell like anything special either. He slowly brought a spoonful to his mouth, as he scanned the crowd. He thought he had heard a vaguely familiar voice. He could be wrong, however, since the ghosts of his past always seemed to haunt him.

Ixair chewed down once, and spat out a large chunk of undercooked meat. However, he wasn't able to spit everything out. Some of the foul-tasting liquid went down his throat and he began choking violently. Many patrons stared in confusion at the elf who seemed to be dieing of a poisoned broth.

He really wasn't dieing of poison,however, and he most certainly wasn't dieing. He began to feel the broth slide down his throat, leaving a sickly feeling and after taste.

"Al..right...I'm...alright," Ixair panted as he pushed away his bowl. No more of that trash...

He, being an elf, disliked the notion of eating meat, however uncooked meat was just terrible. He couldn't even look at the bowl. Instead, he let his eyes wander around the room, examining every patron as thoroughly as possible.

There was a beautiful woman talking to stranger in a hood. There was a man talking with another who seemed a bit distraught. Perhaps he choked on this foul tasting stuff too...

Ixair sniffed once and lay back in his chair. Each time someone walked in, he wished it would be Ar'mai. Even talking to her again would be fine. Ixair couldn't deny that he had felt infatuated with her, loved her, but he respected his boundaries and would rather have her as a friend than lose her forever.

Harlin smiled at Horatio, and layed some coins down on the table, before taking a seat, "It's really the least I can do."

Sounds of discomfort were coming from the bar, and Harlin ordinarily would have ignored them, but it sounded like the person was choking. Turning, he saw a farmiliar face.

The long hair, the pointy ears, the swagger, it must be, "Ixair!"

Ixair jumped out of his seat as the man shouted his name. Now he knew he met the man from somewhere.

And then it hit him. "Harlin?" he asked as he got to his feet, left the bowl of 'poison soup', but remembering to bring the wine, and walked over. "My oh my...I haven't seen you since...before the Gate Wars!"

He laughed as he gave the man a hug and looked around. Before the Gate Wars, he wouldn't have liked his name to be shouted so loud. However, now that Rimoru's name was in the slumps, people seemed to either not care, or smile and praise the rebel. He felt uncomfortable with the amount of attention, mainly because he grew up trying to avoid it. Except from the ladies of course.

"How have you been, old friend? How is Minos and Shara? Do you keep in contact with them?" he asked excitedly. He hadn't seen Harlin, Minos, or even the beautiful Shara since the same time as he had seen Harlin. As a matter of fact, he hadn't seen anyone of the old group he traveled with to the Gateway.

His eyes fell to the man at the table with several coins in front of him. "Who's your new friend?" he asked with a smile.

"No Lúthien it doesn't work like that." He commented as he re-entered what his adopted daughter had termed 'lecture mode'. "You can't just go around changing things because you want to. It's a matter of checks and balances, power is not enought to escape the rules."
"But you do it all the time." She replied with a slight grin as she figured she'd skewered him with her truthful words.
He smiled back a bit ruefully, "Yes I do, but I know what I'm doing. I know it's cliche but it's true. You are a quick study and very talented, but it's still a matter of knowing what you're doing." Lorathin knew that she had the potential to be more powerful than even himself, considering she would be able to do things he couldn't even touch. The only problem was she didn't like the fundementals and wanted to get into the powerful stuff and the only thing more dangerous, to themselves and others, than an amateur was an amateur with power and thus he had to get her to master the basics first.

He then switched tacts to one that could actually get her to do what he wished, "Please just trust me on this."
"Yes daddy." She replied with an artful innocence, as she knew he was most vunerable to it.
"Shall we get something to eat then?" He asked as he found teaching Lúthien more stressful and exhausting than any magics.
"Only if you tell me a story, a good truthful one this time."
"Alright."

With that the two got up and he asked, "Now how do you want to get to the nearest inn?"
"Can we go on Phan?"
"Of course." Lorathin replied as he whistled to call up Phan, a quasi-real, with a black head and body, gray mane and tail, and smoke-colored, insubstantial hooves that make no sound, horse.

After mounting, the two rode to a nearby inn to get some food and drink.

As Ixair finished talking, he heard the door swing open again. By habit, the elf turned to see who entered.

A man who had an unforgettable face. A man that didn't trust Ixair, and whom Ixair didn't care much for. He scrunched up his nose again and looked lower, noticing a small elf clinging to him.

"Traveling with Azrael?" Ixair asked Harlin quietly.

Nevertheless, Ixair smiled, turned, and walked to greet Azrael and his little girl companion.

"My my my, it's like a whole reunion...And it feels like yesturday I met you in the Arena, behind bars," Ixair laughed as he got near Lorathin. "How have you been, Azrael? "

He turned to the small girl and crouched so he was eye level with her. "Greetings, little one. It's nice to see more elves around here. Ixair Riftdreamer, at your service." He stood up and bowed regally in front of the little elf.

"I see you've found yourself an elven wife?" he asked, not referring to the child. He imagined he may have found an elven wife who either had the child already, or gave birth to the child when they married.

As Harlin and Ixiar renewed their aquaintance, Horatio took the coins on the table and nodded thanks to the waitress as his food was brought to him. He had noticed the elf, now identified as Ixiar choke on his and decided that eating it may not be the best idea.

When Ixiar adressed him he replied, "My name is Horatio." Then, indicating the food he added "and you might just have saved me considerable discomfort."

Attention was removed from him when another two people entered the bar, Horatio turned to look at them, an unusual pairing, this whole situation was a little suspicious and he couldn't help but wonder if he was the butt of some over elaborate joke.

Cantrell noticed the elf glance at him. He merely nodded. However, his thoughts were on the elf. He then saw everyone meeting with each other. Cantrell heard them mention a war. He smiled a small grin. "Cobiesel, perhaps you should talk to them."

Cobiesel was surprised. "Are you sure?"

They are veteran's of war, and maybe travellers. Perhaps they have come across the two. And as you said, you should do the talking."

"Alright. I will."

Cobiesel got up and walked over to the group. She smiled and said "Excuse me. This may seem a bit odd, but would you mind if I asked you all a few questions?"

"Hello again." Lorathin commented as he looked at Ixair, even now not entirely found of the man for his desires concering Rimoru. "I've been fine, you?"

Lúthien looked at him wondering how he knew 'daddy', and the story behind his comments about an arena, prison bars and why he was using one of Lorathin's numerous alias. "Hello there, you may call me Lúthien." She replied to his grandiose introduction.

"No, I have yet to wed." Lorathin commented, "And while she is my daughter, my darling daughter," Lúthien scowled at him in a slightly annoyed but happy manner at the comment but didn't say anything, "She is not of my blood."

He turned to look at the unknown person wondering what questions he was looking to ask.

"Well, it's good to know you've become somewhat of a family man," Ixair smirked, giving a wink to Luthien. "Pleasure to meet you, Luthien."

"I would like to hear how you were became her father," Ixair said as he scratched his chin.

He then heard a voice behind him, and spun around, noticing a beautiful woman close by.

"Why, good day, to you ma'am," Ixair smiled and bowed. "I would be honored to answer your questions, if you may answer one of mine."

"May I be so bold as to ask the name of this beautiful woman in front of me," he asked.

"How charming." Cobiesel said rather sarcastically. "My name is Cobiesel. My friend and I heard you talking, and we were wondering if any of you were travellers or adventurers of some sort?"

"Pleasure to meet you, Cobiesal," Ixair replied with a smile, ignoring the sarcasm. "I am Ixair."

He felt he shouldn't disclose his last name to everyone he met, especially one who never gave him their last name, no matter how beautiful.

"And I happen to be, somewhat of an adventurer," he answered.

"It is nice to meet you Ixair. As an adventurer I assume you've met many people, yes? Do you remember a lot of the people you have met?"

"I cannot say for sure, Ma'am. I tend to forget faces, but remember names. Except of course, several woman in my life who've helped me along," the elf replied as he began to walk back to Harlin and the man named Horatio, gesturing for the others to follow.

Lorathin and Lúthien followed Ixiar.

"Be careful Lúthien, I don't entirely trust him afterall."
"Do you totally trust anyone daddy?"
"A few people yes, and he is not one of them. Last time we met he was planning to plot an Empress."
"Rimoru, the one you write letters to?"
"That's the one. He's perhaps not a bad guy, just one that has an agenda I disagree with."

"Then perhaps you remember these names. Thayil and Ament. Do they ring a bell? Thayil is a man who has long curly black hair and beard, and Ament is a lovely young woman around my age with hair similar to mine, but with brown hair and eyes." Cobiesel was hoping that describing Ament's features would remind the man of something, since all he cared about seemed to be women.


Cantrell had been watching from across the bar. He didn't like it when other men hit on Cobiesel. Not that he felt things for her, but he didn't trust them. Eventually, he would have to make himself known.

Ixair scratched his chin again, a habit he had grown accustomed to, and shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, Ms. Cobiesel, but I have not met them at all. When and where was the last time you saw them?"

"It was many years ago. The place is unfamiliar. I won't go in to details, but we were attacked by some group and scattered. My friend and I are searching for them. Perhaps one of the other members of you group have seen them." Cobiesel said the last part hoping others would hear. She looked at them. One had a child, one wore a hood, and the other looked normal. Maybe one would know.

Harlin smiled as Ixair walked back over. "Shara and Minos are in Karahd, I am on assignment, likely my last." Looking slightly forlorn he continued, "I'm getting rather old to be out killing and stealing, you know."

Nodding to Azrael and his daughter, he said, "Nice to see you again, Azrael."

Turning around, he extended his hand to the fellow he'd just tried to kill. "Hi Horatio, my name's Harlin, if you didn't pick that up. It's nice to meet you."

Cobiesel turned to the hooded man who attacked another man. "You sir, do you know anything about these people?" Cobiesel told him all the information she had told Ixair, hoping for results.

Cobiesel turned to the hooded man who attacked another man. "You sir, do you know anything about these people?" Cobiesel told him all the information she had told Ixair, hoping for results.

Harlin looked at the woman, and thought about it for a moment, "Nope, I don't believe I do."

"Oh. Okay then. Thank you anyway. So you all know each other? Where from? Care to tell me your stories?" Cobiesel sat down and relaxed. Hopefully they would tell her something that would be worthwhile. She made a quick motion to Cantrell. He sighed and got up. He sat down next to her, not saying anything, merely waiting to see what they said.

"Oh. Okay then. Thank you anyway. So you all know each other? Where from? Care to tell me your stories?" Cobiesel sat down and relaxed. Hopefully they would tell her something that would be worthwhile. She made a quick motion to Cantrell. He sighed and got up. He sat down next to her, not saying anything, merely waiting to see what they said.

Harlin smiled, wondering whether or not to begin divulging his past to a stranger, but it couldn't really hurt, could it? Looking at the two, he said, "Well, it was about 15 years ago... [insert CotG here] (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=466241), and that's how we know each other."

"It is generally polite to introduce yourself, your companions and your story before requesting it from others. Also if you wish information on your friends, more than a name and a basic description are needed. Oh, and hello Harlin." Lorathin commented as he and Lúthien took a seat before placing an order from one of the bar staff.

Cobiesel and Cantrell listened to the whole story. By the time it was over, Cobiesel was stunned. Cantrell was also phazed. "Damn. So you were in the Gate War, eh?" Cobiesel thought through the story and tried to see if there was anything she could use to find her friends. "Can you tell me more about this Cult?" She had a knack about them that might help them find their friends.

"It is generally polite to introduce yourself, your companions and your story before requesting it from others. Also if you wish information on your friends, more than a name and a basic description are needed. Oh, and hello Harlin." Lorathin commented as he and Lúthien took a seat before placing an order from one of the bar staff.

Cantrell rolled his eyes at the man's comment. He cared not for manners. Cobiesel however, decided to tell them. "As I said, my name is Cobiesel. This is my firend, Cantrell. Years ago, we had two great friends named Thayil and Ament. We all had special powers and abilities, so we went around adventuring and helping others. However, one day, we were attacked by a group that we really have no idea of it's identity. They captured Cantrell and..." her voice started growing weaker. Cantrell interupted. "They captured and tortured me." He took off his hood to reveal his eye. "Continue Cobiesel." "Okay. So, I trained for a long time to find Cantrell, and I attacked the base of the group that kidnapped him. I freed him, but barely. In the first attack, we were seperated from our friends, and now we are searching for them.I believe this group might be the Cult he spoke of. So, do you have any information?"

Harlin didn't recall much about the cult, just a general sinister nature, and zealotry, so he told them what he could, which was relatively little. "I haven't spent much time in Lustria since the war, but during the final confrontation, the majority of the Cultist army was annihilated. I'm not sure how much rebuilding and regrouping they've managed to do since then, but without their leader, it can't be too much. The factionalism should have slowed it down considerably.

"When you get down to it though, The Cult is a group of religious zealots who worship Valtrox, and like to kill anyone who won't convert to their religion."

"From immediate memory, no." Lorathin commented, "Able to find out, possibly. The more information I have to work with, the better."

Once the food Lorathin had ordered, Lúthien held a hand over all of thier order and muttered a few words, causing a pale, glowing flecks to sprinkle over the food and drink. "All good now." She commented with self-satisfaction.

A Mage Awakens...

As usual, the young mage had once again found himself in an unknown land with no recollection of how he got there or knowledge of what he was supposed to do there. Loki (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/Loki.jpg) had always assumed that he some how teleported to these foreign lands like the one with the Dragonlords or the place with the beloved White Tower or most recently to an alternate reality altogether. However, it seemed that in the end he always managed to fight his way threw and eventually find a path to his home... his comfortable home atop Three Peaks Mountain; uninhabited, snow filled, and peaceful like no other place. There was no replacing the cave dwelling in his heart.

It had been only a couple weeks since he battled for the very foundation of existence itself, though he pondered many questions about the adventure in his time since then. If reality was merely perception, could he have ended the whole ordeal by disbelieving what his senses reported to him? In the end, Loki merely brushed the thoughts aside as questions that would never be answered. After all, he was just happy that he was safe at home in his own bed. As they say, there is no place like home.

But only three weeks after returning to his leisurely and quiet life, Loki woke up from a troublesome sleep in an entirely different place. The cool air of the mountain lands had been replaced with a warming sun, the snow had melted and grass had sprung up in its place, and instead of lying in his bed atop a mountain, the young mage was laying face up in a field of endless grass. Having experienced this many times by now, Loki took less time getting oriented and understanding what had transpired during the night. Some how and for some reason, Loki had appeared in some new realm. Now was time to figure out where he was... the why would come later.

After dusting off his clothes and straightening his hat so that he could see in his normal manner, Loki stood up and looked as far into the distance as his wide yellow eyes could see. In all directions there was a seemingly unending field of perfect grass. With no rhyme or reason, the young mage set off in the direction before him...


Many hours later, Loki happened upon the first signs of life in miles. There was a grand palace, the likes of which he had rarely seen, though the White Tower was quite impressive and there certainly wasn't anything like the ship known as Warhaven. Nonetheless, it was quite impressive and the black mage could definitely feel a power about it. As he closed in, he noticed a pair of young folk sitting on a hill together. "Hello?" he inquired as he approached the two.

Immediately 2 guards sprinted from a patch of tall grass nearby, their guns pointed at the small mage.

"State your shoot or we business," said one.

"You imbecile, it's state your business or we shoot! How could you get that mixed up? I mean, honestly!" the other said, lowering his weapon to turn around and smack the other.

"John! Now look, he could kill us for that!"

"Well, quit distractin' me and leave me to my job, Bjorn!"

"Your job? This is my job too, ya know!"

"Oh? I was the one that got us out safely in the Gate-"

"You hid behind a rock the whole time!"

"You tried to cover yourself in dirt to hide!"

"Well, atleast no one got me!"

"Atleast I killed something!"

"Shut up!" Eva shouted, immediately silencing Bjorn and John. "I should ask my mom why she assigned me two nitwits!"

She slowly sat up and looked at the small, strange looking creature. "Who are you? What do you want?"

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

"I forget you are not an elf," Ixair laughed in response to Harlin getting old. "It must be sad to leave your work, especially if it's something you enjoy doing."

Ixair drank the elven wine as he listened closely, and again, scrunched up his nose when he saw Cantrell's mutilated face. I'll keep with watching the girl, he thought as his eyes returned to the speaker.

"Well, being a Lustrian, and at one point, living within the Cult borders, I can say that the Cult is a group of vicious beasts that live for stamping out everything that won't join into their cause. And freeing their god, Valtrox, so he can aid in the process, and eventually take out the gods that oppose him."

"Whatever you do, don't get mixed into them. However, it may be a bit too late for the two of you."

Ixair gulped a bit more wine and looked upwards, and pursing his lips in thought. "Although, Harlin is right. They did lose a lot at the Gate. Rumors tell me that demons have fled Zlatlan after Rothargot was killed, so they can be anywhere in packs, but they are not truly associated with the cult methinks."

"As for the cultists themselves, last I heard was that they were having trouble finding a leader. The last one that tried to take the throne several years ago died brutally by a certain overlord's ghost."

As the food came, Ixair was about to say something, when the little elven girl sprinkled something on the stew. He smiled and nodded to the girl. "Clever. Handy skill, I must say," he said as he eyed the food. He'd rather not try it.

His previous experience, had made him lose his appetite. Plus, he was still in the habit of not accepting food that's been tampered with. Especially by those that don't trust him, or associated with those that don't trust him.

"So, what brings all of you over here?" he asked as he pulled up a chair and sat with the chair's back facing forward, so he could rest his arms on the chair's back, and his head on his arms.

"Skill?" She asked puzzled, "Oh, you mean that spell? It just makes the food and drink good for eating if it's not already."

Lorathin grinned slightly. He'd made sure to teach Lúthien the spell earlier than it might otherwise be learnt since she was much more vunerable to ill affects from alcohol and spoiled or improperly prepared foods than he was and thus was important until she matured somewhat more.

"I forget you are not an elf," Ixair laughed in response to Harlin getting old. "It must be sad to leave your work, especially if it's something you enjoy doing."

Harlin smiled a little, looking into his ale, "So does Shara sometimes." Looking slightly upset and nostalgic, he took a swig of the drink.

"What brings me here? Well, it's a secret..."

"I hope you haven't just been being boring and teaching her boring things, Azrael," Ixair said with a smile, giving Luthien a wink. "Tomorrow, you should see the sunset, preferrably around the palace. It's marvelous."

"Ah, I should of remembered. Jiltaken should never reveal their assignments," Ixair chuckled. "So, how is Shara and Minos then?" he asked Harlin.

"Daddy hasn't been teaching me boring stuff." Lúthien said in Lorathin's defence, "Insisting I study and study yes, but not being boring."

"Well, that's good news," Ixair replied with a smile. "But has he done anything exciting out of lessons? Brought you to the wilderness, taken you to fabulous celebrations? Something along those lines?"

"Yes, we've gone to all sorts of neat and interesting places." She commented with a happy smile as she remembered the happy memories.

"Very good then," Ixair smiled. "I find that exploring the world outside a classroom teaches what you really need to know. The rest is all just backup."

"Good job, Azrael. You've surprised me," he laughed as gave the man a pat on the arm.

"Have you heard that Rimoru had married?" Ixair asked Azrael as he gulped down the last of his wine.

"Oh we've visited more than just the world." Lorathin commented
"Ya, daddy's taken me to different planes that were fun and some that were a bit scary." Lúthien added with a bit of a giggle.
"Yes, I've kept in touch with her. If she keeps up our usual schedule, I should be getting a letter sometime this month or nearly next month." He commented as he and Lúthien began eating.

"Oh?" Ixair asked with a raised eyebrow. "That must be fun. Although, I think I'd prefer to keep myself in one area," he chuckled. "But it must be fun."

Again, he turned to Lorathin and smiled. "Really? Mind me asking what you two talk about?"

The elf's eyes narrowed and his smile grew slightly wider. "Are you two having an affair?" he asked in a whisper.

"Yep." Lúthien replied

"I don't ask you what you talk about with friends, and I would expect the same courtesy extended to me." Lorathin replied, "As to an affair, the answer is no. We are friends, good friends but not that kind of friend."

"Born into a doomed existance, saved by a doomed man, raised by demons, and taken by Valtrox...what else could I become? Everything I loved was taken from me, now is the time to take it back."

A dark robed figure walked down the hall with a slender seductive valkyrie by her side carefully staying behind her master to maintain her unspoken devotion. The leader had flowing black hair wrapped together in a black circlet marked with runes and skulls that eminated an aura of darkness. At a fast stride the woman was busy reading at an unbelievable pace finishing an ancient scroll in mere seconds. Small glasses tempted to fall from her nose before being pushed back into their settled position.

"Are you certain this is the text Mahura?" The woman in front asked sternly.

"Yes master." The subordinate immediately replied.

"Very well, take it to the library downstairs, I'll be in my chamber for the rest of the eve." The sour faced, black clad, commander ordered before creeking open a solid wooden door entering a splendid stone walled chamber. A circular red four post bed sat in the center with a mound of books piles on top of a sturdy oak desk in the back of the room. Three windows at each side overlooked a view forty stories high revealing the mountainous defenses of her stronghold, the necropolis.

The fortress had one entrance through the steep valley over a miles' length. At the mouth the valley was three walls each over ceventy feet high and what can only be described as impeneterable. The three doors operated in sequence so when one closed another opened and the one behind it closed. The front gate itself was enormous made of solid stone and iron. Operated by a series of complex locks and gears it was guarded by hundreds of the most elite undead and alive guards in the ranks, the Einherjar. Through the valley were several checkpoints and hundreds of patrol groups consisting of Helhounds and Necrosi. The road was consently busy with incoming supplies and other materials to support the growing army.

The woman walked over to the desk and picked up a metal hand that looked as if it had been glued back together. Gently running the artificial limb against the side of her face she fell weak and leaned against the window almost in tears.

"Has it really been that long?" She asked herself before turning to see a heavily bone clad warrior enter her room.

He peered through his bone helm at his master before being shot into the wall violently.

"How many times have I told you skull, not to enter without knocking!" She screamed after lowering her arms and walking over to the recovering knight who stood and nodded to his master before pointing down the hall to Mahura.

"I'm sorry lord Hel, but there's a problem..." The slim dressed woman said bowing.

"In Delta again I imagine, damn those incompotent sorcerers!" She yelled running into the hall and jumping into a makeshift elevator of rusted metal. The Lord Hel motioned her hands and the car descended at frightening speeds down the massive castle. Suddenly it stopped and then moved 90 degrees as it reached the sub tunnels. Finally stopping she lept from the platform witnessing what the 'problem' was. Bodies were strewn about appearing as if they had all been strangled.

"Incompotent sorcerers, I warned them about this." Hel said proceeding down the dimly lit corpse filled corridor with the Skull Knight and Mahura close behind. Opening the door they saw an oily creature ripping apart a guard's body with ease before it shot its eyes to the new prey.

"Skull, restrain him please and put him back with the others." The master said and immediately the heavily armored warrior tackled the beast and slammed him into the wall where it dissolved and lunged for Hel. Without even turning the monster stopped in midair inches behind the master. It drifted into a broken tank where the thick glass repieced itself after the strange liquid refilled the containter. The abomination fought for a few seconds before entering hibernation again.

Hel walked down the line of chambers each filled with men around the age of 28. A strange black growth slowly conquered the captives in their eternal sleep that would eventually take over their bodies and minds.

"They may not be dragoons, but the disease has taken to them nonetheless, it's trying to survive and it's adapting to its new hosts. Given the orginal specimen, it should almost create a replica..." The woman claimed softly running her fingers down the glass of the monster she just imprisoned. "This will never bring him back though, only vaguely immitate his most destroyed form. In the least we'll have a handy weapon against those disgusting lizards."

"Lord Hel..." Mahura began wanting to leave as a wave of guards and sorcerers refilled the room almost immediately picking up the research they had just abandoned.

"Sorry general, I was overwhelmed by nostalgia for a moment. Let us proceed with things as planned." Hel apologized exiting room. "Gather the generals and lieutenants for a conference in the banquet hall, the time is nearing."

"Oh, excuse me," Ixair said sarcastically, raising his hands up.

"I don't see why you defend her so. Perhaps if you actually lived in Iskan, you'd realize why she is disliked."

"As I said, she'd my friend. If you can not understand loyalty to a friend, even when they make bad decisions, then it might be best if we don't meet for another fifteen years." Lorathin commented mildly before his voice turned somewhat cold, "And if you are still planning what you were back then it might be best to forget about it."

"I don't understand how you can be a friend of someone who enjoys torture, seduces men, practices adultery, lets her cities rot while using the Iskani treasury to fund her own pleasures," Ixair growled. "And I agree, we shouldn't even be talking. I don't even know why you're here."

"And believe me, Rimoru will fall, whether by my hands or not. She has angered too many."

“Nah, you know I haven’t,” Jorian said to Eva, trying to figure out what the cloud he was looking at resembled. There was one that looked like broccoli, and another that looked like...well, a big tuft of clouds.

“There was Farelle, one of the cooks’ daughters, who had a crush on me. But it wouldn’t have worked out, especially now that that family’s left the palace. And there was Nenthal, but that wouldn’t have worked out either, so we stayed just friends.”

Before he could say more, he saw an oddly dressed man walking towards them several hilltops away. He quieted down, wondering why anyone would dress like that, especially in a desert, or how the man managed to get into Eva’s private meadow. There was more curiosity in him than fear of the stranger, however, since growing up in the palace has given him few reasons to know fear.

***

Fala started laughing lightly, clearly enjoying this. But then she suddenly felt very cold, and she immediately stopped with the mirthfulness. The smile on her face faded, and she began to look very pale.

Noticing the sudden change, Maverion’s grin disappeared as well as he looked upon her with concern. “What’s the matter, Fala?”

She shook her head slightly, as if uncertain of it herself. “I...I don’t know. I just got this...really bad feeling. Like something awful’s about to happen...”

She looked Mave full in face. “Like when you were first summoned to Inzikai’s palace...”

***

Teralynn’s expressions turned cold, a sneer almost forming on her lips. Habdebza was taunting her, but she knew he was right. She did not stand a chance against Rimoru. At least, not yet.

Turning sharply on her heels, not responding to Habdebza’s scare tactic of appearing right in front of her, she slowly started toward the door again. “Well, then, what are we waiting for? I can have my personal army assembled in no time. But if you need a larger one, that may take a little while longer.”

Habdebza let out a deep, vicious laugh. "Don't be so Naive, Teralynn. I don't need an army," he growled as he disappeared again, without a trace.

"An army can be cumbersome, easy to spot, and easy to kill."

Suddenly, Habdebza appeared right behind Teralynn. "But one person, or two, my sweet Tera, can remain undetected for as long as the clumsiest will let them."

At the word 'clumsiest', he gently gave Teralynn a pat on the head. "I hope you still have agility in left in you. Your survival will depend on it," he said cheerfully.

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

Alegain frowned and looked around, and out the windows. The day was still relatively clear. "This must mean I'm pregnant," he said worriedly. He frowned and let himself fall to the couch.

"I don't want to be pregnant. I don't want to give birth. And I especially don't want to acquire these 'parts'," he said sadly.

Alegain watched Maverion's and Fala's little girl for a little while, giving her a smile if she looked at him. He turned away, thinking of what Fala had told Maverion. From what he heard, Maverion once worked for the man known as Inzikai, a ruler of the Cult of Valtrox. And yet, Alegain felt that he knew that already. In fact, somehow, when he awoke one day, he thought he could recognize Maverion from somewhere.

He shook his head and frowned. "Wait, what happened at your meeting with Inzikai in his palace?" he asked curiously as he crossed his arms, subtly searching for any sort of sign of growing 'parts' or a possible pregnant belly.

"I don't see what you claim in her." He replied, "As for why we're here, it is part of out journey."

Picking up the now empty tray, Lorathin took it back up to the bar. "If I find you have harmed her, I shall provide you with a new venue for you social consious." He added as he returned before taking a seat at a different table with Lúthien.

"That man was wierd. I don't think I like him that much."
"He is somewhat unpleasent."
"Now I know why you distrust him."
"Yes, thought we may go visit her, depending on how things work out."

"You don't see because you've never seen it firsthand!" shouted Ixair, not even caring about attracting too much attention. In fact, the whole bar had become silent and watched the two argue, most of the populace being on Ixair's side.

"And I don't care about threats, Azrael. I've gotten used to them. I do what I need to do for my country and my people. No threat will get in my way for achieving it!"

Some of the patrons cheered and clapped, but the elf seemed to be ignoring them, as he frowned and picked up his wine glass and walked over to the bar to return it.

"Have you ever seen her do these things in person?" Lúthien asked, "And what gives you a right to comment on her personal life? Also daddy doesn't threaten."

Lorathin had occasionally read her stories from Rimoru and what Ixair claimed didn't mesh with her knowladge about Rimoru.

"Don't bother Lúthien. It won't change any minds and will just get those who complain and threaten riled up. If you argue with everyone who's a fool, you'll find yourself arguing with the world and even the gods themselves.

"I have, Luthien. I have seen cities decay, I have seen her palace grow as the treasury dwindled. I have watched her take some of the last remaining members of my clan, never to be seen from again. Look around you. This tavern, this city, had been near the brink of ruin within the last decade. From what I have known, and somewhat seen, the citizens have created this themselves. They have given the city it's rebirth."

"I want to love Rimoru. I want her to be the kind goddess she could be. But alas, she cannot," he said keeping his eyes on the two.

Hel was left alone in the elvator waiting to arrive in Alpha, the labs devoted to mechanized advances, most of which already stemming from her plans. Coming to a violent stop she entered a room with two men in white robes and various scrolls marked with hundreds of equations and formulas. To her left a man knelt at a crude device awaiting further orders.

The shroud covered mercenary turned to Hel waiting for acceptance. After delivering a short nod towards the warrior he began churning a crank which soon after resulted in a series of defening burps. Black smoke poured from the device as he continued pouring iron bullets into the target with hellish destruction. Hel's lips cracked a smile as the target was obliterated by the sheer force of the Multifiring crank gun. After a 30 seconds the weapon squeeled as the operater fell away shaking his hands from the sheer heat radiating from the devistating gun.

"That's all we'll need to successfully defend against flying targets." The dark woman answered glistening with pride of the killing machine.

"It's not accurate, and it won't penetrate the stronger opponents." An advisor sneered from the shadows.

"Two per flying fort, and with the number of boats we have...The weight of the bullets alone will bury the dragons." Hel swiftly replied before moving over to another table and picking up a long rifle. "These are special, in that they are not produced in mass and along the spiraling tube are runes and marks of quickness which will give the bullet added punch over longer distances. Only a few of our more specialized troops can use these effectively."

"Master, our flying boats won't last long against the very breath of dragons, it would be foolish to use them against the flying beasts." The advisor again criticized.

"The dragons will fear the flying fortresses and learn to keep their distance, only the foolish would charge a wave of destruction that a pair of those guns can summon. Even the strongest dragon can only take so much of a beating." She replied coursely before moving over to a cloth covered weapon that was quite large.

Unvieling the turret like weapon she smiled even wider at its glory.

"It's a short barrelled cannon for close range and short range artillary. Even the toughest of hides can't take a shell of this magnitude." She commented excluding the more exceptional foes, in which she had special ways of dealing with them. "We need at least 4 intelligent operators per unit to use them with any kind of effectiveness."

The advisor again went to open his mouth when Hel immediately jammed a silver revolver into it and cocking back the hammer. His eyes lit up with terror before a crimson spray splattered over the man behind him who only squinted and delicately wiped the chunks of skull off his face. The hole in the sharp tongued advisor's head was the size of a fist leaving nothing to the imagination. Through this gaping portal the second advisor saw the slick weapon still in it's position pouring black smoke from the barrell.

"I love the smell of gun powder and burnt flesh, don't you advisor?" Hel asked slipping the weapon away gracefully.

"Yes ma'am, of course." He replied stuttering.

"Good, now scrape that twit from the floor before someone slips on what little brain he had." The dark master commanded before disapearing into the shadows of the adjacent cooridor.

"Have you seen her do it?" Lúthien persisted as 'her' Rimoru wasn't anything like 'his' Rimoru. "Maybe it is other people doing bad stuff in her name without her permission or knowladge."

"Why don't you try talking with her about it?"

Horatio nodded to Harlin in response to his comment much earlier and listened with interest when he told the story of Valtrox's most recent attempt to enter the world.

"I would not be so sure that all is as peaceful as it sounds, the druid conclave, of which i am part, has sensed much upheavel in nature and me and my master were sent to investigate." He looked distant for a moment, then said. "I have not heard from him, we parted ways, he headed towards this Zlatlan that you mentioned, i fear the worst has happened."



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A long string of vehicles was winding it's way slowly towards a large valley, it was made up of several caravans bearing goods and several others bearing slaves.

Ezekial stood on the first caravan, whip in hand and occasionally lashing the man guiding the horses and urging him to hurry. He has heard that there was a fortress in this seemingly god-forsaken place and he could smell the delicious scent of profit, a fortress this isolated should be begging for supplies.

He had heard unusual stories, but he was unusual himself, and if there really were zombies and other undead creatures stalking the land, well, as much as it would be a shame to waste them, the slaves could make a good distraction.

As he turned the corner it was much his surprise that he saw several caravans entering the valley and more leaving a daunting castle some distance away. Somebodies beat us to the punch!

Still, it seemed like they needed a very large number of supplies and he was sure that some of his more exotic goods would be welcome, special crystals and orbs of great power, ancient texts from lost civilizations. Or so the museam he had robbed them from had claimed. Beggers can't be choosers.

If he wanted any chance of being heard by the ruler of this place he would have to make a very grand entrance.

As they approached the first checkpoint he announced "I, am Ezekial! master of this caravan. I come bearing objects of great value, take me to your leader, the things i have are not for ones of your status." As he said this he stretched he leapt into the sky, stretching his wings out, showing his impressive, though somewhat diminutive personage and used his fire magic to create small firework type explosions in the air around and behind him. All in all, it should have been an impressive display.

"Have you seen her do it?" Lúthien persisted as 'her' Rimoru wasn't anything like 'his' Rimoru. "Maybe it is other people doing bad stuff in her name without her permission or knowladge."

"Why don't you try talking with her about it?"


"Fine then. Next time I find myself caught by her guards, I'll be sure to ask her again. And maybe, just maybe, we'll come up with an agreement before I am executed or made into some sex slave," Ixair replied as he began to storm up the stairs.

"Horatio, nice meeting you. Harlin, pleasure to see you again. Lorathin and Luthien, I wish you the best," he said angrily before he finally reached his room.

Ixair muttered something in elvish as he opened the door and took a step in. "That's funny...I didn't leave the windows-" Then it hit him...too late.

Someone kicked Ixair's legs out from under him and the door behind him.

"Greetin's, Ixair. Thought ye can lose me so easily?" Captain Conroy laughed as he got up from Ixair's bed. Glurp was tightly wrapped in rope and gagged as he squirmed in the arms of another pirate.

"Ye know, Rimmy's got a good price on yer head. One that can easily get me crew and I outta trouble with the wench," Conroy continued as his heavy metal leg clanked with each step.

"An', I gotta thank ye fer yer large supply o' ammunitions fer me crew. Yer such a darlin' Ixair, an' I always knew ye were a special one. But, I'm afraid I'm gonna 'ave ta kill you now an' get the reward from the lovely wench."

"Shut up!" Eva shouted, immediately silencing Bjorn and John. "I should ask my mom why she assigned me two nitwits!"

She slowly sat up and looked at the small, strange looking creature. "Who are you? What do you want?"

Loki waited patiently as the two guards with funny looking things in their hands bickered and insulted each other. Eventually, however, they were silenced by a young girl who bounded closer and quickly requisitioned the young mage for his details.

It's best to introduce oneself first anyway, he thought as he looked towards the Elvin girl. "I-I'm Loki," he stammered nervously as his eyes looked towards the ground and away from the others. As to what he was doing there, the young mage didn't exactly know himself, but fortunately an answer was provided for him as his stomach grumbled. With his hands behind his back and his foot rubbing at the grass nervously, Loki added a short addendum, "I'm kinda hungry."

Among the many undead warriors who were absolutely enchanted by the spectacle a single shroud covered human motioned his hands as the gate creaked and parted.

"You may proceed forward to the castle where you can bargain with our recieving manager. Guards should point you along the way, your caravan however has to be inspected thoroughly." He said in a gravelled voice as a decayed beast approached his side. The undead wolf's mechanical jaw clicked and clattered constantly as he examined the new traveller.

"Alright go forward." The guard added before walking away with the Helhound by his side.

The many slaves in the caravans let out shrieks of dismay as the undead and machines examined the caravans. Ezekial merely landed, took a moderately sized bag, for him at least, and wandered ahead. Following the direction of the various guards and grumbling slightly about being sent to only a lacky. He was tempted to wander off in search of 'interesting' items, but the ample supply of guards didnt allow him to stray far from the path.

As the two sat there, going over what little data they had. They heard a noise. It sounded like a thump, but it was very hard to hear. Cantrell imeaditly rose. Cobiesel followed. They asked around to find out which room Ixair was in, and they went up. Cobiesel knocked on the door. "Ixair? It's Cobiesel. Is everything alright? Do you mind if we come in?"

Captain Conroy smiled deviously at Ixair.

Ixair was stunned and gulped. He didn't know if he should shout for help, or hope they would make it in.

However, he knew that if he shouted for help, Conroy would run him through his cutlass. Waiting it through was probably his best idea.

He motioned silently with his hand to move the elf next to the door.

Ixair was picked up by the pirates and brought next to the door, where Ixair finally realized what was going on. If Cobiesal smashed through the door, she'd hit Ixair, and send him into the waiting sword of a nearby pirate.

"I'm fine, Cobiesal," Conroy said in imitation of Ixair's voice. Not a really good one, but could be mistaken for Ixair's voice had he gone horse.

Ixair looked to the side, noticing several pirates lined up against the wall, their guns out and ready to fire.

The elven prince's mind was racing. He had no idea what to do. It seemed that Conroy had finally gotten the upper hand.

"Are you sure? You sound terrible!" Cobiesel motioned for Cantrell to move. He shook his head. And walked away. He walked outside. Finding a tree, he threw his chains at a branch and caught it. He lept up, laning on the branch, and looked in the rooms. Finally, he saw a group of men, one of them holding Ixair. He would wait for the signal to continue.

Cobiesel had waited a bit, and finally continued to talk. "You know Ixair, I was hoping to get to know you a little better. Do you mind if I come in and make myself comfortable?" Cobiesel said this in the most alluring manner she could. She also prepared to cast a spell which would send a signal through the roof, which would tell Cantrell to attack. Hopefully Ixair would be alright.

"I-I'm Loki," he stammered nervously as his eyes looked towards the ground and away from the others. As to what he was doing there, the young mage didn't exactly know himself, but fortunately an answer was provided for him as his stomach grumbled. With his hands behind his back and his foot rubbing at the grass nervously, Loki added a short addendum, "I'm kinda hungry."

"You came here for food?" Eva asked quietly, her eyebrows furrowed. "What does this look like, a tavern?"

She looked behind the small figure and frowned. Where did he come from? How did he get here?

The birds sang beautifully in the distance as she debated on what to do with this strange-looking trespasser.

"Leave us. Don't come here again," Eva finally said angrily, before laying back down. Her red eyes fell to Jorian to see if he had anything to add.

When the... body from the sound of it, had hit the floor upstairs, Harlin had entered the Shadowfold. Over the past 15 years, he'd learned how to bend the definition of emergency and could now teleport at will, even though it cost him a great deal of energy. Closing his eyes, there was a feeling of a ripple traveling over him, then he opened his eyes, standing in a room only ten feet above his last position.

Looking around, he saw the grim situation. Drawing his swords, he left the Shadowfold, breathing hard from the exertion of the teleport. Composing himself, he said, "My my my, pirates." He smiled, "My favorites."

"Are you sure? You sound terrible!" Cobiesel motioned for Cantrell to move. He shook his head. And walked away. He walked outside. Finding a tree, he threw his chains at a branch and caught it. He lept up, laning on the branch, and looked in the rooms. Finally, he saw a group of men, one of them holding Ixair. He would wait for the signal to continue.

Cobiesel had waited a bit, and finally continued to talk. "You know Ixair, I was hoping to get to know you a little better. Do you mind if I come in and make myself comfortable?" Cobiesel said this in the most alluring manner she could. She also prepared to cast a spell which would send a signal through the roof, which would tell Cantrell to attack. Hopefully Ixair would be alright.

Ixair, of course would have said "Alright", without question. However, considering he was in quite a predicament, he couldn't really say anything.

Several of the nearby pirates, shifted a bit on their feet, their teeth glistening in the moonlight. Her alluring voice didn't only work on Ixair, apparantly.

Ixair didn't even want to know what they would do with the poor woman.

"Fine, come in. But open the door quickly. Sometimes a good kick will do, considerin' it seems ta catch on the floor," Conrad said again, with a large smile. Ixair struggled slightly. If she did come in, she'd hit him, no matter how hard of a push it was. And the pirates were definately ready to shoot both Ixair and the poor girl.

Ixair kicked the door gently, hoping to signal to her that something was up, and he was, definately, close to the door.

Conrad frowned and signaled a pirate to backhand the elf.

Suddenly, Harlin had appeared from downstairs, swords drawn.

Conroy again frowned. "What's this?" he growled, his pistol drawn as he backed away. "Shoot 'em!' he barked to a group of pirates facing Harlin, as he backed away.

Cobiesel shot a bolt of energy through an open window. Cantrell saw it. He spun around on the brach and lept into the room. He spun his chains around, knocking a few pirates of guard. Cobiesel heard this. Cantrell grabbed the man holding Ixair by the neck with his chain and pulled him back. Cobiesel entered the room, and unseathed Nirvana, her sword. She walked over to Ixair. "Don't get any funny ideas. We heard something and went to investigate." Cantrell had been knocking pirates down, and finally sunk his chain into one's head, easily piercing his skull.

OOC- Just to remind, Cantrell can controll the chains almost telekineticlly, so they move around almost like they have a will of their own.

Conroy again frowned. "What's this?" he growled, his pistol drawn as he backed away. "Shoot 'em!' he barked to a group of pirates facing Harlin, as he backed away.

Harlin crounched into a stance to allow him to dodge as much as possible in the small space of the room. "Sir, this is a well armed, well trained assassin who's been itching for the kill. You sir match the desription of his mark."

Suddnely, Harlin unleashed his legs propelling him forward like a spring where he collided with the two holding Ixair. Grabbing the elf, he entered the Shadowfold.

Ixair was in a state of shock as loud noises were dulled and the color faded into greyness.

"I felt loved a moment ago, however this doesn't look so lovely," he said with a small smirk. "I have to thank you for this, Harlin. I was actually worried I had finally been caught."

Conroy snarled as he saw his chances were low. He shot a bullet directly at the strange looking man with the chains, before calling the remainder of his pirate crew out the window, using a small grapple that they had used earlier, where they speedily slipped out of the room, onto their horses.

Cantrell was hit in the arm with a bullet. He cursed loudly. He saw the men jump out the window. He mumbled a few words to himself. Cobiesel walked over to him to treat the wound. He smiled as his spell took it's course.

Before the horses could get away, there was a rumbling noise. Suddenly, massive spiked bones eupted out of the Earth rapidly and returned continually. The ground almost erupted with them. Cantrell walked downstairs with Cobiesel to see if they could find Ixair, as the pirates were skewered with bone palisides.

"You came here for food?" Eva asked quietly, her eyebrows furrowed. "What does this look like, a tavern?"

She looked behind the small figure and frowned. Where did he come from? How did he get here?

The birds sang beautifully in the distance as she debated on what to do with this strange-looking trespasser.

"Leave us. Don't come here again," Eva finally said angrily, before laying back down. Her red eyes fell to Jorian to see if he had anything to add.

"No, I-I didn't come for food exactly," Loki replied, somewhat ashamed of his intrusion and embarrassed by the way she was talking to him. Did she really have to be this mean?

Then she bid him leave and the young mage respected her wishes. He took a few steps to the left, so that he was facing whatever direction was to the left of his first direction, but stopped only feet away from the four. "I-I'm sowry for introoding," he said over his shoulder before continuing on down the fields of never ending grass...

Bjorn and John looked somewhat shocked at Eva's anger, and stared at her for a few minutes, before she glared at them.

"What? He's not supposed to be here. I otta send you guys to the dungeons," she growled.

"B-b-but your highness, the little guy j-j-just wanted f-f-food," Bjorn said under the girls red-eyed gaze.

"So you think we should feed every beggar that walks by here asking for food? I suppose we should clothe them as well? We should give them shelter?" she began to shout. The grass around her began to shrivel up and die as her voice rose.

"I-i-i'm sorry, your highness," Bjorn stuttered as he walked away, back in a patch of tall grass, John following.

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

Conroy snarled as he had made it through, the bone palisade having only scraped his metal leg. Several pirates were lucky enough to time their horse's leaps right.

"Ixair, believe me, you won't be so lucky all the time..." he growled, before riding away.

Cantrell and Cobiesel walked down to the bar. They looked around to find Ixair, but could not find him. Cobiesel turned to Cantrell. "We should travel with him." Cantrell raised an eyebrow.

"Having fellings for him?"

Cobiesel rolled her eyes. "No. Not even close. He seems to be a traveller, and he is wanted by pirates. He must go places. If we travel with him, we might find Thayil and Ament."

Cantrell, whose arm was sore, but not nearly enough to distract him, merely sighed. "Alright."

"Thanks. Ixair, were are you? We need to talk to you!" Cobiesel said this loudly, so everyone in the tavern could hear. Hopefully he would hear her.

After brooding over her thoughts a bit, Eva let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine then! Just remember what I said if he tries to kill one of us!"

The princess stood up and searched the meadow for the little figure that had come earlier. The grass swayed playfully, as if it wished it were the ocean.

"Hey! Hey dwarf! Come back!" she called out, her dress blowing in the breeze.

"Hey! Hey dwarf! Come back!"

Carried by the light and playful wind that darted through the grassy lands, the voice of the female who had dispatched him earlier carried to the young mage and into his unapparent ears.

What does she want now? Loki wondered as he slowed to a stop amidst the green and turned to face where the sound was coming from. I hope she isn't mean to me again...

The black mage stood in the tall grass, about one and a half feet high, which covered his lower half completely, as it swirled and danced about. As his mysterious head tilted upwards, the point of his oversized hat flopped backwards. His large yellow eyes peered up the slope he had just descended and notice the same girl from before standing at the top as her dress blew vividly.

Ixair was in a state of shock as loud noises were dulled and the color faded into greyness.

"I felt loved a moment ago, however this doesn't look so lovely," he said with a small smirk. "I have to thank you for this, Harlin. I was actually worried I had finally been caught."

Conroy snarled as he saw his chances were low. He shot a bullet directly at the strange looking man with the chains, before calling the remainder of his pirate crew out the window, using a small grapple that they had used earlier, where they speedily slipped out of the room, onto their horses.

Harlin smiled, "You know that can never happen..." Holding onto Ixair's wrist once more, he left the Shadowfold, and immediately collapsed exhausted on the floor.

"Yeah you! Well? What are you waiting for! Get over here!" Eva shouted angrily, stomping her foot on the soft ground. "We'll feed you!"

She held her dress down, so the strange thing wouldn't get any free shows, not that she would have really cared. She'd gone less clothed many a time. In fact, she was tempted to just settle down in her undergarments out in the meadow.

What is he? Is it even a he? How did it get here and what does it really want? she thought to herself. Mother may know. She may also know what to do with it...

"Yeah you! Well? What are you waiting for! Get over here!"

Loki's eyes lit up as her words reached him. She was suddenly being nice to him after just dispatching him from her lands, though even when she was nice she seemed to be a little demanding. I hope not everyone in these lands is like her... Loki thought as he began walking up the hill. But at least she is nice enough to feed me. I wonder what changed her mind...

The young mage began waddling up the hill in his normal stride, though it was not helped by the incline and wind blowing around which constantly disrupted his balance in mid-step. A few times in the short distance up the hill he had to stop and readjust his hat as it had slipped over his eyes. But eventually he reached the top and stood facing the girl, though his eyes were averted nervously to the ground.

Harlin smiled, "You know that can never happen..." Holding onto Ixair's wrist once more, he left the Shadowfold, and immediately collapsed exhausted on the floor.

Ixair chuckled until he too collapsed to the floor with Harlin. "You alright?" he asked as he helped up the assassin, before noticing the beautiful lady from before calling his name.

"Ms.Cobiesal, Harlin, and Mr. Cantrell, I must give you my sincerest thanks for saving me. I wouldn't have done it without you."

He gave a wink to Cobiesal as he bowed low again.

Eva pursed her lips and bent down slightly too look at the strange creature's face.

"Well, come on then! Can't you atleast tell me your name?" Eva asked the little man angrily.

Ixair chuckled until he too collapsed to the floor with Harlin. "You alright?" he asked as he helped up the assassin, before noticing the beautiful lady from before calling his name.

"Ms.Cobiesal, Harlin, and Mr. Cantrell, I must give you my sincerest thanks for saving me. I wouldn't have done it without you."

He gave a wink to Cobiesal as he bowed low again.

"You're very welcome Ixair," Harlin replied as he walked slowly to a chair, and fell heavily into it. That little fight had taxed his strength more than he had expected. The unfortunate side effect of aging... he thought as he ordered a small meal to help boost his stamina.

"Well, come on then! Can't you atleast tell me your name?"

There was that impatience again, Loki noted. As well as the fact that he had already told her his name and she clearly didn't care enough to remember it... nor had she introduced herself yet, though he hoped she would after he once again did.

"I'm Loki," he said quietly, looking up momentarily as his large yellow eyes peered out of the darkness under the brim of his oversized hat. "I-I'm vewry sowry to intrude upon you."

Eva pursed her lips and furrowed her brows. "Whatever," she grumbled. "Come on, then. Quit standing around."

"Come on Jorian, let's get something to eat," she said to her friend.

As they began to leave, Bjorn and John got out of two different patches of tall grass, chattering and arguing amongst each other as they did so, following close behind the newcomer.

As they walked to the palace gate, about a half-mile away, they passed by several beautiful patches of flowers, of every different shape, size, and color, and different forms of shrubbery.

As they passed by the lobby, Eva waved happily to Maverion and Fala. "Hello Auntie Fala, Hello Uncle Mavey!" she said happily, as her eyes went to the sweaty Alegain on the couch.

"Hello Father," she said, not as happily as she had Fala or Maverion.

Alegain smiled at her. "Good evening, my little flower," he said happily.

"Daddy! Not in front of the others," she hissed back.

"I'm sorry, Eva. Who's your new friend?" Alegain asked as his eyes fell to Loki.

"He's not a friend. But his name is Lucy," Eva replied as she walked out of the room.

"Not a friend?" he asked quietly with a frown. "She knows she's not supposed to bring strangers in here..." His mind rushed to Fala's earlier feeling.

"G-g-guards! Keep close to him! Kill it if it dares harm my f-family!" he said with a shiver.

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

Rimoru yawned, letting out a small moan as she did so. She had just awoken from a nightmare. One of the worst she's had in ages.

She had sat down to eat, Alegain watching gleefully as several pastries appeared in front of her. With a smile that spoke of hunger, she greedily ate each one, yet each one she finished, only another would appear in it's place.

In the dream, Rimoru believed a day had passed when she had realized the changes. She was much larger after about three thousand cakes or pastries. Her clothing was torn and a mammoth stomach took up much of the counter. On top of that, she found out she was pregnant.

And yet, the Empress somehow kept eating, until even her seat buckled under her, her enormous rump crashing to the ground with an even larger boom.

All in all, she ended up as a round ball, in which Alegain laughed cruelly, as she could only flap her palms, helpless...

"Strange..." she said in response to it, knitting her eyebrows together as Rimoru stood up and examined her form. She looked down her front, being greeted by her ample chest. She looked behind her, and was greeted by her ample bottom. She smiled as she stood in front of a mirror.

The Empress stood sideways to it and ran her hands down her sides, just to make sure her dream hadn't magically come true. She has had a problem in which some things in her dreams had come true. But that is stuff she tends to keep under wraps.

Perfect form. Rimoru always had perfect form, the envy of every woman, the wish of every man. She was, the embodiment of beauty and she loved every second of it.

She turned to her skimpy clothing on the floor. Rimoru had shed those off during her dream, but she doubts it was because of her dream. She just liked to be 'free'. She chuckled to herself as she formed a gold robe to form around her that was form fitting, revealing every little curve on her beautiful body and showing a large amount of cleavage at the top.

With another yawn, she walked over to the kitchen as she was feeling quite hungry...

Seeing through the eyes of her minions, Hel witnessed the little spectacle and drew a slight smirk.

"Unusual to say the least, have him come directly to me whilst his caravan is undergoing inspection." She said through the very vessel of one of the rifle totting zombies whom immediately died and evaporated afterwords. With clockwork precision another zombie grabbed his fallen companion's gear and carried it away.

The mercenary averted his eyes to the traveller and spoke very coarsely: "You heard the master Hel, and address her as such with the utmost respect if you value your life. Continue to the castle where I'm sure she'll find you."

The lone master continued strolling down the cooridor past labs, arenas, and classrooms where the occupants turned their eyes with awe at their queen. Focusing her thoughts she broadcast a single message.

"All lieutenants, generals, and fluffy wuffy luvkins gather in the banquet hall immediately."

Flexing her scarred hand, in which Inzikai drove his dagger through so many a year ago, Hel sighed feeling the intense anger boil over her painful recollections.

Viral was sitting in a chair in an empty classroom, propping it back with his legs, resting them on a desk.

Class had been out for a bit in this individual class, giving him the time, and space, to light up his pipe and relax for a bit.

As took a small puff, watching the greenish cloud float upwards and disappear. He wasn't smoking any normal weed. He was smoking a plant that has been known to poison people and kill them in a matter of weeks.

Viral, however, had grown somewhat of an immunity to it. At times he could feel himself go numb, but that was rare.

And he had Inzikai to thank for this gift.

The once feared leader of the Cult, undisputed in his reign of terror, had done this to him. Viral, as a little boy, grew up in a field of several poisonous flowers and plants. Apparantly, Inzikai was trying to test out a theory of one of his scientists or someone close to him. And Viral ended up being one of the test subjects. His companions in this cursed 'test' was his mother, his father, and two older sisters.

All of them died, except for Viral, of course. He had grown immune to many of the poisons and tended to live among them.

He let out another puff of poisonous smoke, before blowing out his pipe and tipping the ashes inside into a small pouch at his waist. The leaves were still a weapon, possibly much more so than if the weed wasn't burned.

"Mi'lady calls," he said to no one in particular as he slowly got up, his boots clacking on the floor.

Marlene...apparantly she had somehow been connected to the Gate Wars. Yet, she was only but a child when those happened. Viral thought. It was the mystery he had always wondered. Well, one of many.

Not to mention he had developed an infatuation with her. But tried not to let it out.

He had joined Marlene's once-struggling faction when the High Priest Wars began. When his people fell into civil war amongst each other. He had served his respected leader loyally and undaunted. In fact, his leader had sat in the throne of Inzikai's haunted palace. However, a night after, the great man was brutally killed mysteriously. He wouldn't have believed it to be 'Inzikai's Ghost' had the throne and the palace belonged to anyone but Inzikai. However, the madman was quite dangerous and at sometimes, spontanious.

As he approached the banquet hall, he put away his pipe and straightened up, dusting off his Green military suit, and smiling as he did so. He loved meeting with the Queen of this whole faction. Her long black hair, her sweet face.

Not now, Viral...she could have me killed he said to himself as he slowly slumped down and got a dreamy look on his face. He straightened up again, and walked in.

He brushed some of his ear-length black hair out of his bright green eyes and smiled.

"My lady, you look lovely today," he announced regally, adding a formal bow.

"You're fluffy wuffy luvkin is here," he added with a snicker.

"Honey! Lots of honey! And a bunch of cakes and pastries! Hurry up!" Eva shouted to the chefs as she sat at the counter in the middle of the large kitchen. Chefs bustled around, barely crashing into each other. Her red eyes noticed a chef running to a chef to hand him the honey, and immediately snapped at him. "No, give me the honey! And Sugar cane!"

The sweaty chef rushed over to her and put the honey and several canes of sugar in front of the little brat.

"What are you waiting for? Go get the other food ready!" she pouted as she opened up the honey jar an stuck a sugar cane completely in the honey, before taking it back out and sucking on the end. "I love this stuff, even though daddy won't let me have any," she chuckled to Jorian and 'Lucy'.

The first pastry found itself in front of Eva and she smiled, the sugar cane still in her mouth. She hastily wrapped her delicate hands on the honey and poured it all on top of the pastry.

"Thith ith gooh tooh," she giggled as she set the now empty jar of honey down and stared at the honey glazed pastry that was bound to give the calmest person an enormous sugar high...And eventually the worst headache a food can give.

Rimoru slowly and silently walked in the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, as she watched the backs of all three figures. The guards slowly made way for the Empress and bowed quickly, before once again keeping their eyes on the tiny figure.

"Eva, who said you can eat all of this?" she asked quietly as she slowly made her way into the room. The chefs slowed down to a halt, uncertain of who's orders to follow, if they were in trouble, or just to take a peak of the beautiful woman walking in.

"Wathn't my fult," Eva said, pointing to both the small hatted figure and Jorian. "They wanted it," she finished with a loud gulp.

Rimoru smiled as she went to the other side of the counter and smiled brightly. She turned to Jorian and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Jor wouldn't do that to my baby, would you?" she asked cheerfully.

Eva nodded as she snapped at a chef. "He would, mommy. He said 'let's go eat all the pastries and invite strangers in the house,'" she replied as she frowned at the chef cowering slightly in the corner. "Get me some milk!"

Glee was apparent in Ezekials face, he had just been told to wander the castle until he was found, he felt like a child in a candy store and began to hurry down passages looking for interesting objects. Whenever he saw a guard he slowed and walked by more sedately, glancing at their equipment. He wasn't a stranger to technology, but these looked unusual, of designs he hadn't seen before.

Shrugging, he continued, people tended to notice large objects missing, he prefered small things, so much easier to hide. It was with this in mind that he found his way to a library, people underestimated the value of books and other items which one often found in a library, and most people didn't tend to miss one or two. With this in mind he flexed his wings and leapt up to examine the top level.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Horatio had been more or less abondoned in the tavern due to some scuffle in the floor above. Thinking over what he had heard, he began to eat the food he had put aside earlier, after a few bits he realised that it unfortunately gone cold, further worsening its taste.

He pushed it aside and booked a room for the night, then stepped out of the tavern and found a tree, which with some magical coercion produced some fruits to tide him over.

On his return to the inn he noticed several dead horses and pirates and a large bone pallisade. Surprisingly he wasn't surprised by this, it had been a strange day and he almost expected something strange to be going on inside the tavern when he entered. It was a shame about the horses though. He returned to the tavern with the intention of getting some sleep, but decided to have a drink in the tavern first, he still hadn't found out exactly where he was and ended up having to buy a round of drinks before he got an answer to that most simple of questions.

"Come, look, Relthor," a deep voice spoke softly.

"Dominatistradz, you surprise me with-"

"Hush Relthor. He's asleep."

A golden dragon with turqoise eyes, dwarfed by the green giant next to him, watched a small crib, a small creature bundled within several warm blankets.

"Master, you were-" Relthor spoke up.

"Aye, Relthor. He is healthy as a dragon," Dominatistradz said in return.

"And an elf?"

"Somewhat," Dominatistradz said quietly with a frown as he raised his massive clawed hand and dangled it in front of the child, who playfully reached out and tried to grab it.

Relthor watched quietly, a smile on his face. "Is he yours?"

Dominatistradz nodded slowly, a smile on his face, but kept his eyes on the baby in front of him.

Relthor was shocked as Dominatistradz gently brought the medallion to the child's waiting hands, and let it sit on the the covers, where it playfully chewed on the gold object.

"That was your-"

"He is my son, as much as my first. I have named him Vohinihth, in honor of my son."

Relthor smiled. The child did indeed have some resemblence of it's father. It's large body, tough scales, eye ridges, and the same yellowish eyes.

It's yellowish eyes...

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

"Row faster!" he barked, picking up a dragoon and breaking his neck with a swift movement with his hand.

"Faster!" he barked again, kicking over another dragoon who was lagging behind the rest.

The massive commanding figure let his yellow eyes scan the cave. It was enormous. And it was his playground. Around him, his team of dragoons rushed to get from one side of a massive lake to the other side, in less than two minutes.

Lohrinihth had done it himself many an occasion. He shouted another order, this time in Draconian, and was met by a vicious shout from the others like him. The Drakonan, a race created by Dominatistradz as the perfect servant of the dragons. A race of creatures closely related with the dieing race. They were the perfect warriors. Fast, incredibly strong, high reaction speed, smart. Invincible. Just like his master.

Thousands, hundreds of thousands trained around the lake, preparing for the coming war. The Ascension, the Revenge. Only a few of the possible names for it.

And he believed they were ready...except for a few stragglers.

He noticed the lake ripple slightly and spun around. "Ageless On deck!" he shouted. Immediately, every warrior in the cave, all hundreds of thousands of them halted and faced one side of the cave, where their enormous green leader walked through and paused slightly. His eyes caught Lohrinihth's, before he continued his path.

The Drakonan nodded slightly, before spinning around and shouting once again to his crew. "Back to work, infidels!" he snarled as his hand absent-mindedly fell to a medallion he wore around his neck...


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

The child continued to chew on the medallion with glee as Relthor and Dominatistradz watched merrily.

"So they will be the peacekeepers? The ones to aid mortals if we perish?"

Dominatistradz nodded slowly. "He is the beginning of the uniters."

"We couldn't let you get killed or hurt. This empress sounds like a lunatic. And don't get any ideas. Where do you plan on going next Ixair?" Cantrell was somewhat surprised to hear this, but he then thought it mught be a good idea. He walked over to the man who melted into the shadows. "You alright?"

"Any ideas? Why would you think I'd have ideas, Ms. Cobiesal?" Ixair chuckled quietly as he examined his outfit for any cuts, rips, blood, or any other sort of wound.

"But, I will be heading for an undisclosed location tomorrow, if I can get any sleep. Why would you like to know?"

"Because my friend and I need to find our friends, and we have no idea where to go. Travelling with you makes more sense than going alone. And I think you may have ideas because you are that kind off person. What do you say?"

Ixair rubbed his chin again and thought about it. "No," he said finally with a mischievious smile, keeping his eyes on Cobiesal.

Just then, a little greenish thing tumbled down the stairs and into the wall, struggling and mumbling.

"Glurp!" Ixair laughed as he ran to the goblin's side, and took out the gag.

Immediately a long string of almost unregocnizable words came out from the angry goblin. Ixair immediately stuck the gag back in and worked on getting the rope off. "Might as well work without his comments."

"Any reasons why? You know, we are capable of handling ourselves, we just thing that travelling qith someone is better than travelling alone. Plus, we saved your life back there. You owes us. Not the mention the fact that Cantrell killed a few pirates, so we may be forced to leave this place. Who's your friend?"

"What happened to you?" Lorathin asked the battered Ixair. He still disliked the man, but didn't particularly want him beaten up. "Want some meds or are you fine?"

Meanwhile Lúthien had gone to the bathroom as the food and drink was making it's way down her digestive tract.

"Old friends," Ixair replied to Lorathin, as he cracked his neck.

"Corbiesal, I am going somewhere no one else is allowed. That's why. However, I suppose I can drop you off at a nearby town, if you would settle for that?" he asked Corbiesal quietly.

"I suppose that's fine. When do you plan on leaving? Also, we have no rooms here, so if you wish to stay for the night we will either have to stay with yu, or you will buy us a room. After all, you owe us."

"With friends like that, it seems you don't really need enemies." He commented with a chuckle.

"Aye," Ixair replied to Lorathin with a small smirk. "Gotta love friends..."

"Corbiesal, I'd naturally say of course you can room with me...but isn't that a bit hasty? I mean, of course, if you want. But we have barely gotten to know each other!" he laughed.

Cobiesel gave him a harsh look. Then, Ixair suffered a painful, heartattack like state. It wouldn't kill him, but it would hurt. Cantrell laughed out loud. "On second thought," Cobiesel said, "we'll buy our own room. On to my next question. When do you plan to leave?" She let the "heartattack ease up a bit so he could talk, but it was still there just in case he said something stupid again.

"Well...aren't we...a friendly bunch," Ixair managed to chuckle as he gripped his left arm, and slowly fell to his knees. "Is this how you...always treat...your co-workers?"

"However...if you...kill...me... you won't be...able to leave," he gasped, with a smile. "But...I would leave tomorrow..."

Glurp was mumbling something as he rolled around, the ropes only halfway untied.

"No, I only treat the stupid ones." Cobiesel released the attack and walked over to buy a room. Cantrell moved over to Ixair. "You should watch what you say ti her. Not only will she kill you, I might to." Cobiesel came back. "Cantrell, I got a room. Ixair, wake us up when you are ready to leave." She gave Ixair their room number and they went to the room.

"You make friends everywhere, don't you Ixair." Lorathin commented as Lúthien returned from the bathroom.

Hel cracked a smile as Viral entered before standing and bowing in return.

"Thank you. It's good to see you again lieutenant, please have a seat while we await for the others." She said in a very calm and steady voice.

The commander chuckled for a moment before blowing a golden whistle that made no sound whatsoever.

"Oh lukins!" She shouted joyously before the enterance doors creaked open and slammed violently against the wall.

A white werewolf walked in on it's hind legs towering over everyone else in the dining hall. Hel crak her dark embellished lips forming a sneering grin at the former Varvul King. Her purple fingertips ran along the arm of the throne before she patted the padded rest summoning the proud villian by her side. His razor teeth masked a sour frown as he obediently paced down beside her and lay like a dog.

"Good boy Buey Woey." Hel squeeled running her hand through his ivory fur feeling a slight rumble from his disatisfation. "Oh, what is this now my loyal dog?"

The leather collar around his neck tightened as it glowed a faint blue. The massive wolf clawed at it in vain while he struggled a faint breath. Lowering her hand the collar losened as he returned to his place hiding the urge to snap her in half.

On the silver plate of the collar ran the words "Snukkums".

Her glance turned past the Skull Knight, whos red eyes glare forward with no hint of existance at all, towards Viral.

"Lieutenant, how have you been lately?" She asked trying to draw a small conversation.

A hulking bone warrior stormed over to the winged figure who was examing books in the library.

"What are you doing here!?" It snarled unseathing two gigantic scimitars nearly two feet wide. The creature was a zombified dragon standing nearly nine feet tall and at least four feet wide. One of Hel's most elite guards.

Suddenly it's eyes grew wide as Hel possessed the titan.

"Hello humble guest, I see you are being quite liberal in finding your way around the castle. Please follow this brute to the banquet hall where we are all waiting."

Still possessed it rumbled away very mechanically.

Ixair nodded quietly, his grin still on his face. "Many thanks, Cobiesal," Ixair gasped as he got up and straightened his clothes again.

"Gotta love friends, right, Azrael?" he chuckled.


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

"Pleasant, Your highness," Viral smiled as he took a seat nearby Marlene, and watched the pitiful wolf shuffle in. "I have, however, been better. I actually found out that I am not quite as resistant as I thought to a certain poison that can make one rather sick."

"Snukkums looks like he gained a bit of weight," the leauitenant added with a smile. "But, I suppose being a wolf makes you hungry all the time."

He turned his attention away from the fearful wolf, not wanting to taunt it to the point of ripping him to shreds. "But, we aren't here for me, my queen. How are you on this rather pleasant day?"

"It might be better to make a few enemies, at least considering what your friends are like." He commented with a grin.

Lúthien gave Lorathin a strange look as she'd been taught that friends were good and enemies bad and didn't understand what they were talking about.

"Now a few enemies..." Ixair thought for a moment. "I don't know what to expect from enemies..."

He was going to bring up the subject of Rimoru, but decided against it, considering their earlier argument of the Empress.

"Precisely, unlike the friends you know what to expect from them." He replied with a telling glance at the bruises and generally dishevelled look Ixair had.

Lúthien noticed his condition for the first time and asked, "Would you like something to make you feel better?"

ooc: You broke the frame with the ******* line

"Quite foolish for you to be playing around with poison." Mahura said shaking a vial of venom at the lieutenant.

"Now now general." Hel reassured. "Is it wise for me to be crafting weapons that could blow up in my face?"

The dark elf general blushed and shook her head.

Beau revealed his vicious interlocking teeth to Viral still behind his master's view.

"Yes, master treats me well." He said very ungeniunely.

Hel swung her arm around smacking the wolf directly in the snout.

"Rather well, my plans are coming to fruition just as planned." The queen said before slamming her fist into the marble table. "The dragons won't know what hit them."

"Ah, but venom is a way of life. It is a euphoria to just be able to to sit back, and relax as a terrible poison slowly eats up your opponent. Tell me that is not relaxing? Their terrible screams, their begs for mercy..." Viral laughed as he lightly tapped his fingers on the nearby table.

"Give me that vial, general, and I will show you how I can laugh in the face of poison," he challenged, with a cocky grin.

"The dragons, my lady? Do you think we'd be able to kill them all?"

"Precisely, unlike the friends you know what to expect from them." He replied with a telling glance at the bruises and generally dishevelled look Ixair had.

Lúthien noticed his condition for the first time and asked, "Would you like something to make you feel better?"

ooc: You broke the frame with the ******* line

ooc: Well, if it ain't Baroque, don't fix it! LOL

Ixair shook his head and smiled at the little elf. "No thank you, lovely. I'll be better by tomorrow morning. And then, I will leave," he said quietly with a smile.

"Maybe I just should stick in the background and make no friends or enemies," Ixair grinned as he finished dusting himself off.

"Alright." She replied with a slight nod and thought, "He's sort of like daddy."

"But then you can't do anything, unless what you wish to accomplish likewise lies in the background." He commented

"Aye. I'll be a background dealer," Ixair smiled. "Well, then, I will be off to bed."

"You guys do have a room, right?" he asked, glancing at Luthien.

In a nearby Ally...

"Please..." she whispered as tears flowed down her cheeks. She (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/Blastit52/Clash%20of%20the%20Gods/DarkElf_Mykal.jpg)brushed several strands of white hair out of her eyes, and wiped a few tears away from her light purple face.

"Don' worry, lil' girl. It ain't gonna 'urt one bit," came a gruff voice that reeked of alcohol. Behind him, several men let out a laugh.

The girl curled herself into a ball, cornered by four burly men, one in the process of taking off his belt.

"I-I-I'm sorry," she said again as she stared up at the grinning man who got closer to her. Her lips quivered as she tried to get herself as far away as possible.

The large man paused and cocked his head to the side, before shrugging and continuing to walk closer to her. He smiled again, revealing holes where his front teeth should be. He licked his lips as he knelt down next to her and slowly began to unbuckle the straps on her long slender legs, to take off her leather stockings she wore under her boots.

She gently pushed his hand away with hers and gave him a pleading look. "Please...don't," she sobbed.

"Shuttup," he growled as he pushed her arm away and went to the next buckle.

"'Urry up, 'Arry. We want some o' that night elf cuisine as well!" came a shout from behind, along with some grumbles of agreement.

"Well, ya gotta wait fer me ta undress 'er!" he growled back as he slowly began to pull down her laced skirt...

"In a sense, but don't worry about it." Lorathin replied

"Right then. I bid you two farewell. May your gods watch over you and may your 'journey' be satisfying," Ixair replied, with a nod, before picked up the still struggling goblin and carrying up to his somewhat ruined room.

He'd have to pay for that in the morning...

Mahura pulled back the vial and smiled.

"Do you know how a jellyfish captures its prey Lieutenant?" The beautful dark efl said drawing a cocky grin as a dark stuck into the wall behind him, a faint glimmer between the dart and the general shone in the light from the stained glass windows. "That wire contains millions of needle like projectiles that fire into anyone who touches them with tremendous force. All the victim feels is a serious of sharp prods but nothing more. What they don't feel is death winding through their system. That is of course the wire itself doesn't cut them in half."

"Give him the damn vial general!" Hel barked snatching the potion from the elf and tossing it to Viral. "I am more than confident in his abilities, as he would not be here otherwise."

Hel leaned back and folded her hands neatly.

"The dragons are already preparing an attack from unknown forces. As far as they know we're just a small little cult and dismissed us as a substancial threat. By the time we strike they won't know what hit them." The queen said smiling.

-------------

A single dragoon recruit, number 118, slept blissfully in her bunk whilst her companions where outside doing drills. Suddenly she was yanked from bed by her scarlet armored officer and pushed violently into the wall.

How could the others just let me sleep through dri-

She died before she could even complete her thoughts as her skull cracked open against the bunk post. At least she could sleep again were her last muttered thoughts.

Xenocrates tossed the child among the dragoon recruits, whom where mostly young children barely yet hardened by the system.

"To defeat an unforgiving monster, we ourselves must become unforgiving monsters." X said invigorating the young recruits who immediately stood in line.

Viral caught the vial in midair and dangled it before his eyes, before returning Mahura's cocky grin.

He bowed his head to Hel and smiled. "For you, my' lady," he said before popping the cap and pouring the liquid down his throat.

He scrunched his face at the sour taste, and licked his lips just to let the general know he was not playing any tricks.

"Tastes like lemon," he said playfully as he put his arms behind his back and let himself relax. "Not bad."

"However, as a child, the rumor of a certain dragon, the illusive 'Guardian of Lustria', who supposedly has godlike powers, who supposedly fought Valtrox. What if he's...you know...real?"

Teralynn kept walking even when Habdebza appeared right behind her. It was not something she liked, and had it been anyone else, she would have done something about it. But she had long realized that there would be nothing she could do should Habdebza decide to strike her down - at least, again, nothing yet. Still, that did not mean that she had let her guard down. She always paid attention to where the demon was and what he was doing, to the best of her abilities. But she was not going to let Habdebza continue to pester her by doing such things. And, she secretly hoped, by ignoring his antics, she might be able to do what little she could to irritate him in a way that would not lead to him killing her. Not that he would, as long as she had Valtrox’s favor.

“Ah, then I do believe that the word you were looking for was infiltrate, rather than storm, my dear Habdebza,” she said, rather coolly. “So, you capture Rimoru while I make an appearance and let people know that I am behind the deposing of Iskan’s little empress. Is that all? If so, then I am ready to go when you are.”

***

“Blood’ee ‘ell!” a squat, diminutive Skizzarish grumbled with a dwarvish brogue as he made his way into Ttomak’s office without knocking.

The Rhinaran glanced over at Ravaal from behind the desk. “Hmm?”

“Why’s tha rrrum gone!?” the lizard asked.

Ttomak put his pen down and steepled his fingers together, leaning back in his seat. “Ah, that. Yes, I had them all poured out.”

“WOT!?” Ravaal’s eyes grew large in disbelief. “Wot in ‘ell did ye do thot fer!?”

The general gave a slight shrug of his shoulders, even though he knew exactly why. “It kills your accuracy. You’re one of our best sharpshooters. I can’t allow your skills to deteriorate from all that alcohol.”

“I don’t drrink thot much! ...anymore...” the little lizard protested. “Only a wee bit ev’ry now and then! Ya don’t ‘ave ta git rid o’ them all!”

Ttomak made a face as if there was nothing he could do. “I’m sorry, but those are the new rules. No more alcohol.”

There were two soft knocks on the open door, and a woman stuck her head into the office. “I’m not interrupting you boys, am I?” she asked.

“Can ye believe it?” Ravaal asked, turning to her and pointing a finger at Ttomak. “’e poured out all meh drrinks!”

“Oh, that?” Ael said as she stepped into the room. “Yeah, I heard. It was my idea.”

“WOT!?” Ravaal said again. “Yer both against meh! How could ye betrray me like thot, Ale? Wot am I goin’ ta do now? I’ll be goin’ crrazy, I tell yeh! You’ll both be tha end o’ me! Agh!! Wot? Wot are ya smilin’ about!?”

Ttomak and Ael started cracking up.

“Wot’s so funn...” Ravaal grew silent as he caught on to what happened. “Why, yeh lit’le bastid!” he said to Ttomak, though the edges of his lips were starting to curl up as he was beginning to join the laughter as well. “I hate ya!”

The Rhinaran took several deep breaths to calm himself down. “You have to admit, though, we got you good,” he said to Ravaal before looking over at the big grin on Ael’s face and smiling at her.

Ravaal just grumbled, scratching the back of his head. “So...where’re tha drrinks at, really?”

“I’ll go show you,” Ttomak said. “I could use a sip of some wine myself.” He got up from his seat and adjusted his deep blue cape, then paused, as did the other two. “Nevermind,” he said after hearing Hel’s announcement. “Let’s go.”

“Bet’a be some drrinks therre,” the midget Skizzarish grumbled.

The three made their way to the hall, where Ttomak walked to a seat near the front, nodding and saluting several others on his way to it. Ravaal and Ael were not officers, but they were still of high enough rank in their respective fields that they were permitted to join such discussions, though they would have to sit in the more crowded tables near the back.

“Relaxing, perhaps,” Ttomak said as he sat down. “But not as enjoyable as when you squeeze that last ounce of life out of your enemy yourself rather than through a tertiary means. It’s like...watching someone playing a sport you enjoy instead of playing that sport yourself. It just isn’t the same.” He grinned at Viral and watched as the man downed the liquid. “And not the most tasty of meals either.”

He then looked over at Hel, noticing that she was now revealing the plan to strike down the dragons to the rest of her officers.

Mahura winced as he guzzled the incredibly lethal poison without so much as a moment of hesitation.

Hel turned her eyes toward the general whom immediately shyed away. The Skull Knight looked towards Viral before patting him on the back very hard with his armored hand. His big red eyes seemed rather amiable.

"I want the bottle back." Mahura grunted quietly.

"I won't go too far into details until everyone gets here, but I don't believe in myths and superstitions. If it does exist well then I guess we die." She replied in the coldest way possible. "I've also been getting tid bits of information on the Jiltakin who have remained incredibly elusive."

Beau chuckled slightly before the collar glowed adn began bouncing off the ceiling incredibly violently.

"Hey Beau, where's your army? Oh right a human and a dragon crushed it alone." Hel remarked without even turning around. "You should be thankful I brought you back."

"I was happier buried in that tomb." The wolf snarled as he came to a rest.

"I know, that's why I brought you back." She remarked as she twisted his intestines. "Have fun relieving yourself for the next month."

Hel then turned her eyes towards the new comers, stood, and bowed very politely.

"General, Major, Colonel." She addressed while sitting back down.

Lorathin and Lúthien exited the inn as they headed to thier 'room'. It was, in essance, a doorway that lead to what was in essence an extra-planer mansion. It was a relatively newly learnt spell for Lorathin, one he'd picked up on thier travels.

He thought he heard something and turned to Lúthien. "I'm going to go for a bit of walk before I turn in. Be sure to brush your teeth and wash up, alright?"
"Yes daddy." She replied as she entered throught the door that while real to her and Lorathin was non-real to anyone else, at least anyone that Lorathin decided not to let see it.

Lorathin then decided to take a walk to investigate the sound, and headed over to an alley. Spotting a number of large slovenly men clustered around something, he raised his voice slightly and asked, "May I help you gentlemen?"

The demon yanked hard on Teralynn's hair, until her face was looking directly into his shadowed one.

"Let's call it both. All I need to do is get in. All you need to do is stay silent," he growled. Without another word, he let her go, only for a second, before he opened up his cloak, before, as though it had a mind of it's own, engulfed Teralynn within it's blackness, before it too disappeared.

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

Suddenly, the demon and the empress appeared within a pitch black room, or rather, a closet.

The closet belonged to an inn, an inn that was practically at the gates of the palace.

"Now you remain quiet and do as I say," the demon growled as he the sound of steel sliding against steel quietly reverberated around the closet. A slight opening in the doorway...the demon smiled as he impossibly slid out of the tiny crack, silently creeping along the floor, to a closed door.

He slowly dissolved into the floor...

Only to reappear inside the room. A relatively young couple were in the middle of a passionate session of love making.

"Love...how...foreign," he said calmly as he rose behind the couple.

The man gasped, about to scream as he felt cold steel enter his backside and through his front, and into the girl under him.

But as he was about to scream, another blade entered his neck, through his mouth, and into the woman's mouth, eventually ending out her neck.

"Till death do you part," the demon said as he opened the window, letting in the breeze. The sun was beginning to set. It would be time to go soon...

Teralynn, come into the room. We wait here for sundown.

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

Viral smiled and bowed his head again and winked at General Mahura.

But as the Skull knight smacked him hard on the back, he coughed rather violently.

He then began to weeze, as his hands wrapped around his neck. He fell to his knees, off his chair and slowly crawled to Mahura. The veins on his neck were on the verge of popping, and his eyes were wide in fear.

He found his ways to the knees of Mahura before he looked up.

"Here's your bottle," he said rather calmly, again smirking as he handed her the bottle. "I will honor your sacred relic of poison keeping."

As the newcomers arrived, Viral slowly stood up and bowed to them. "Greetings," he said calmly.

"May I help you gentlemen?"


"Bug off, runt," one of them growled, over the sounds of crying and whispers.

"That doesn't really sound like a good idea to me." Lorathin commented, "And judging by the sounds, you're not really in any position to lecture me on my manners. Now I'm giving you two, no three choices. I'm feeling slightly generous today. You can leave and never return, be broken and leave, or die and remain." As he spoke, his voice got steadily colder until by the time it finished it was like ice.

Through the hustle and bustle of the caves and fields, several messengers were dispatched, each one to a certain division leader of the dragoons.

'Dominatistradz Best', as they were referred to amongst the jealous. Handpicked by the mighty dragon himself to lead the dragoons to victory over their weak foes.

Lohinihth barked orders at the dragoons near him as arrows battered his wall of sheilds.

"Forward!" he roared, as they made a box formation, those with sheilds covering those without and themselves with it.

The box made slow progress, however, they managed to go up the winding trail, to a large stone door.

A drakonan mage stepped closer to the door, the sheilds protecting as many as they could, as the mage drew symbols in the air, before lightly tapping the stony door.

The door exploded away from the invaders, deadly shrapnel flying everywhere. Several defenders were killed or fatally wounded by the devastating blow, while the remaining ones fought valiantly to guard what they treasured most.

Their flag...

Vohinihth snarled as he kicked a man down and sliced another with his sword, which was, a rather strange sword. It was connected to a chain that seemed to extend and retract at the drakonan's will. However, it involved a process of pushing a rather small button at the right times for the proper use. A weapon dangerous to it's wielder as it is to it's opponent.

He picked up the flag and waved it, with a roar that was joined by those of his teammates.

"Excellent job, my sons and daughters," a large dragon said cooly as the blood, the dead, the swords, the shrapnel, all disappeared from view. One massive illusionary training exercise.

"However, Vohinihth, Dominatistradz wishes to see you."

The Drakonan leader nodded silently as he walked out of the massive cavern and towards his master's chambers.

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

A messanger ran up to Xenocrates went down on one knee. "My lord, Dominatistradz wishes to speak with you," he said quietly, his head bowed.

"That doesn't really sound like a good idea to me." Lorathin commented, "And judging by the sounds, you're not really in any position to lecture me on my manners. Now I'm giving you two, no three choices. I'm feeling slightly generous today. You can leave and never return, be broken and leave, or die and remain." As he spoke, his voice got steadily colder until by the time it finished it was like ice.

"'Ey, 'Arry! We got a troublemaker!" one of them shouted.

"Give me a 'lil more time. This girl keep's puttin' her clothes back on!" came the response from the man hidden in the corner.

"Like we said...bug off, runt. Git yer own wench."

Mahura snatched the bottle from his hand without saying a word.

Hel averted her eyes towards Colonel Ael who was very much like a younger sister to the queen. They thought alike, looked alike, and even sounded alike to a degree. The dwarved lizard she recognized as her best marksman and a treasured asset against the dargons. General Ttomak who has been with her since the beginning.

"We're still waiting for a few more." Hel announced before frowning. "Anyway our scouts have failed to hunt down Kalzog or even find information on him."

-------------

As soon as Xenocrates left another high ranking Dragoon took his place training the children. The heavily armored knew that a meeting with the master was only for severely important matters. Considering that the wolrd was considerably quiet since the Gate Wars he could only wonder what it was.

The Dragoon Knight saw his long timed rival not far ahead and quickly made pace to catch up with him.

"Vohinihth, it's a pleasure to see you again, tell me, is the master that desperate to summon your kind to his presence?" X grumbled.

"I'm not interested in her, but unless she tells me she wishes to remain with you, you have less than ten seconds to tell me which option you choose." Lorathin replied as he began counting down.

"Jus' 'old yer horses, ya inbecile!" the one known as Harry shouted angrily.

"Lez kill this run," the other three growled, as they began to walk closer to Lorathin, one even pulling out a wicked looking mace.

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

"Kalzog's the big ogre, right?" Viral asked as he put himself in his seat again, letting out a muffled burp, and quietly saying "excuse me".

"Why do we need to kill him? One ogre can't take on all our forces."

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

As Vohinihth marched up the steep slope, his eyes falling to a movement nearby.

Xenocrates. Just the name made the drakonan's lips curl over his fangs.

"I still don't see what master see's in you. To me, you are only but a weak mortal who's bones are just waiting to be broken," Vohinihth growled as he got closer to the General.

"You'd be surprised." Beau commented recalling his scuffle with the brute. "The only being I know who has been close to killing me..."

Hel shot a sharp glance to the wolf who grumbled and muttered Cadeyrn's name.

"Kalzog had or still has something I need very much." She said as her eyes drifted towards the table.

-----------

"Which one of us was involved in preventing Valtrox's rebirth during the gate war?" Xenocrates boasted while stratching his arms backwards. "Save your threats Drakonan, because the master would be quite upset if he found out you've been holding a grudge against his favorite soldier."

"Is that your decision, if so..." Lorathin replied as he gestured and the closest felt as if he'd been hit by a powerful backhand. He then added a couple arcane words as something shimmering and vaguely sword shaped appeared in front of him.

"Well, my lady, look no further. I'll bring the ogre's smelly head on a silver platter. Or, his body if you so wish," Viral replied with a bright smile. "Sometimes you can't let a dog do a man's work."

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

Vohinihth let out a snarl as his fists balled. "You know as well as anyone, had I been there, I would have fought with everything I had!"

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

The one man stepped backwards several paces while the other two charged at Lorathin.

The one with the mace swung at the sword shaped summon with a curse.

The mace stopped dead when it hit the swordish summon. "That's not going to work. Unless you surrender, you won't like the consequences" Lorathin commented lightly as the spell was immune to all but magical means. He was being quite generous really but even if they did fully surrender and all that they wouldn't get off lightly.

ooc: Gone for sleep now.

"Viral, I'm afraid this ogre is too much for even you. I would probably send Beau, Skull, and Ttomak to bring him in." Hel said quietly. "Even still..."

The wolf stood on his haunches over shadowing everyone in the room.

"Little man I could break you like a..." The former king was interrupted by a rumbling sound in his belly before he sprinted out the room screaming for a bathroom.

Hel sipped her tea while smiling gently.

------------

"I'm sure you would have, but the fact remains, the glory is mine." Xenocrates claimed. "Anyway how are your trainees coming along?"

"'Arry! 'Tis a caster!" The one with the mace shouted.

"Lez go then!" Harry growled as he got up and began running out of the alley, pulling up his pants as he did so, his minions following close behind.

What was left behind was a purple-skinned girl, exposed and crying softly as she curled herself back into a ball, slowly pulling her skirt back up.

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

Viral nodded slowly. "As you wish, my lady. I look forward to seeing this creature myself, should I have the chance."

His green eyes fell on Hel and he smiled softly as images of them together swam in his head, before he shook himself out of it.

"My Lady, now what about the Cult? Inzikai is no longer there and it seems...ripe for the taking. Last I heard, several civil wars erupted and there are still scuffles going about the city."

"If we do that then the dragons will be well aware of us. I want to side swipe those beasts before they even know what hit them and then conquer the cultists without any trouble." She replied gazing back at Viral.

"Fairly well. They will break your current record by next week," Vohinihth bragged. "Mortals will be replaced by the strong."

"I did, however, have a few mortals who seemed to have a bit more of the mortal genes within them. They were not giving it their all. But my job is to weed them out."

As the slope evened out, the massive cavern revealed massive stone statues of Drakonan like creatures. Their eyes glowed red from strange stones set within their eyes. Each statue held the same symbol over their breast plate. Two dragons wrapped around each other, around the hilt of a sword. The same medallion that Vohinihth recieved so many years ago.

He fingered it absent-mindedly as they slowly approached a brightly lit opening.

"You always knew how to run your mouth, but it's a shame you never actually learned how to fight." Xenocrates snapped back while continuing forward without delay. "My recruits won't need to fight while I'm around."

The Dragoon had recieved many medals and awards, but all of them were in hsi home back in the mountains. A place he hadn't been to in years.

"If we do that then the dragons will be well aware of us. I want to side swipe those beasts before they even know what hit them and then conquer the cultists without any trouble." She replied gazing back at Viral.

"Forgive my insolence, master," Viral said quietly with a bow. "You are truly the wisest amongst us."

His eyes slowly rose up until they reached hers and he quickly lowered them again. He had only heard little of her 'previous lover', mostly by rumors or the such. A certain warrior that went by the name of Caddy-Ren or something like that. He envied that warrior. He wanted to be next to Hel, to be able to stroke her smooth face, to press his lips against hers, to-

Stop it, Viral. Stop it! You're going to get yourself into trouble... he mentally scolded himself.

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

"We'll see in the upcoming wars, mortal. I'll show you the superiority of the Drakonan," Lohrinihth growled angrily back to Xenocrates.

That's when they entered the brightly lit room, the massive dragon curled up as his eyes remained on a single small medallion, part of it slightly melted, at one point.

"My warriors..." he mumbled deeply, before turning towards them. "How are my favorites?"

"No need to apologize Viral, you were simply putting your advice in." She said before remembering the scientist she had just blown a hole in for the same thing.

Like a painful flash she could feel the tattoo on her arm begin to burn furiously as all her memories collided in her head.

Kalzog, Xenocrates, Inzikai, Valtrox.

Her temper gave way as she unloaded six rounds of her pistol into the reentering werewolf. Beau stumbled back unharmed, but befor he could recover he was flung down the hallway and out the window where he fell a good four hundred feet.

Recomposing herself, Hel gently realligned her glasses and folded her hands neatly again.

-------------

The dragoon ignored his rival's comment and contiued forward.

"Excellent my lord." He said gently before kneeling embracing the dragons booming voice.

Viral raised both eyebrows in surprise and nearly jumped as the gunshots cracked in the hall.

"M-m-my Lady...is everything...a-alright?" the poisonous man asked cautiously, nervously fingering the pipe in his pocket. And that is why we don't seduce the master.

"Yes lieutenant, that furbag just iritates me sometimes." She replied reloading her weapon casually. The smoke and smell of the gunpowder hung through the room like a haze.

Mahura had been around the queen long enough to recognize that violent shift. It's best just to dive out the way and wait till she comes down.

Dominatistradz smiled warmly as he lowered his head closer to them.

"I am well, master," Lohrinihth replied, as he too bowed to the dragon.

"Rise. Both of you. As you should very well know by now, the time has come in which we begin reclaiming what is rightfully ours," Dominatistradz began his eyes unblinking as he stared at the two generals.

"My scouts have reported a lot of activity in Lustria. The Cult has had a few civil wars, have lost their demonic army, but are still the strongest amongst the others. Except, Iskan. However, Iskan itself is in potential ruins. Scouts report larger movements of rebel forces. Rimoru..." Dominatistradz paused slightly, his fangs bared. "Rimoru will be ousted soon. I know it."

"The Order is being destroyed by uncivilized creatures. Status would be potential allies and eventually, convertees. They shall recieve minimal damage."

"The Imperium is also quite strong. They use no drakes, but fly on griffons instead. These griffons are much more menueverable than a drake or a dragon."

"But not a drakonan," the dragon added with a glance to Lohrinihth.

"My airborne are ready for action whenever you wish, master," the drakonan general said.

"The Morgrathien's shouldn't be a bother to us."

"Now, what I believe we need to do, is take over whatever cities are closest to these lands, the Western side of Iskan, and force all of them to join the dragoons as a slave corp, incapable of anything other than fighting or dieing.

"Tell me, what do both of you think?"

"Yes lieutenant, that furbag just iritates me sometimes." She replied reloading her weapon casually. The smoke and smell of the gunpowder hung through the room like a haze.

Mahura had been around the queen long enough to recognize that violent shift. It's best just to dive out the way and wait till she comes down.


"You know, my queen, what I find highly stress relieving is a good plant that they used to grow in Zlatlan. A mildly poisonous one, but not a lethal one, unless you take a lot of it. It relaxes the mind and body when taken in small doses and was used for assassinations or complete body shut downs."

"However, in small doses, you feel relaxed, almost euphoric. It also tends to help with the thinking process," Viral said as he searched around in his pockets.

"My infantry will follow whatever orders you give them my lord." Xenocrates began. "I concur with you to conquer the western lands first and enslave what we can before proceeding towards the Imperium. Once we make our move I feel they will not hesitate to strike."

--------------

"No thank you Viral, nothing is more stress relieving that a fur covered punching bag." She chuckled turning her eys to the doors bursting open.

Beau was covered in shrubery and broken branches as he still panted heavily in anger. His eyes burned with so much hatred that a crimson aura developed around him and cracked electricty. His razor claws tried to peel away at the collar but failed miserably.

"Come fluffy." Hel said. "Sit beside your loving master."

The collar glowed bright blue before he flew over and slammed on the ground ebside her.

ooc: bed time I suppose, cya tomorrow.

The dragon finally blinked and slowly moved closer to Xenocrates.

"Do you remember your reward for killing Cadeyrn? That rebellious youth had so much potential..." he rumbled quietly.

"However, just in the boundaries of my ordered scouts, they came upon a recently well treaded road. Do you know where that road led to?"

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

Viral smiled and nodded. "Of course, my Lady," he chuckled at the wolf man.

He could barely resist the temptation to make a joke related with bathrooms and bushes, but he didn't want to test either Beau's nor Hel's patience.

ooc: As much as I dislike to say it, but I suppose that's a good idea lol

Ezekiel had been about to take a book from the shelf when a large creature started threatening him with two quite large swords. He turned to face it, but suddenly its expression and voice changed, he was 'asked' to follow the creature and mainly through curiosity he obeyed.

As they aproached the banquet hall, he saw through the opening at the end of the passageway a large werewolf being blasted through a window. Alarm bells rang through his mind and he stopped momentarily in the passage. The large brutish creature turned to him and indicated to keep moving.

As they reached the hall, the same Werewolf smashed its way back into the room and hurtled across it and crashed onto the floor next to the throne, upon which sat a beautiful, if somewhat violent woman. Who, he assumed was the Queen of this place. He was beggining to wonder what he had got himself into.

They stepped into the room and the large creature which was escorting him announced his presence.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Horatio made his way to the room he had purchased, perhaps in the morning he could talk more with these people and maybe travel with them. A familiar sound appeared, his pet had returned from its journey. He had dispatched it to search for his master.

The raven landed on the windowsill and tapped lightly upon the glass. Horatio opened the window and took a small bit of bread he had kept from his meal and fed it to the bird while stroking it. On its part the raven cawed its report and Horatio understood it, It also mentioned that it had seen a fight in the alleyway below, a mage fending off some thugs who were attacking a girl.

Horatio remembered seeing a man in the inn earlier who had been a spellcaster, or so the young elf had implied. The healing powers of mages were of little note, so he decided to go and offer his services incase the woman in the alley had been hurt.

Following his pets directions he saw the thugs running away from the alley. He entered the alley and approached the mage and girl and asked; "Are you ok? Do you need any help?"

Lorathin dismissed the swordish item and as he wasn't letting the four off. Casting a spell, he made it so that each would suffer the equivilant pain to being kicked in the family jewels everytime the had an impure thought or did an impure deed, at least for the next six months. Maybe that would correct thier behavior.

He then turned to the girl and asked, "Are you alright, have a place to stay and if not would you like a place to stay the night and an all you can eat meal?"

ooc: You broke the frame again on the last page.

ooc: Baaah...blasted edit screens

"Please...I didn't...I didn't mean to," the girl sobbed as she tried to scoot away from the two who had just appeared. She didn't want another one to take advantage of her. She didn't even know what she did to get the other angry at her. She sniffled lightly and tried to curl herself into a tighter ball.

"I promise I won't hurt you." Lorathin replied gently as he crouched down so he wasn't looming over her, he help take care of some of her fear. If it continued he was starting to think about putting her to sleep so she could rest and maybe not be scared.

The girl's purple eyes lifted to Lorathin's just barely, before they fell back down to the ground as she began to shiver. "Please...I-I'm sorry..." she whispered back as her eyes closed, tears dripping off her face to the muddy ground below her.

Horatio approached the other two, the girl seemed ok, if a little scared. The mage was trying to calm her down. As he watched her fall to the ground shivering he took off his cloak and offered it to Azreal as he had been called in the inn to give her. he didnt want to make her more scared by crowding her.

"Don't be, you did nothing wrong." He replied as he took the offered cloak. "Are you cold or hungry?" He asked as he held the cloak out, draped over the backs of his wrists to help try and be as non-threatening as possible.

The girl let out a short scream as the cloak was offered to her, and she immediately tried to crawl away. "Please...I didn't mean to..." she stammered as she went from on corner of the alley to the other, trying to keep as far away from the two men, and the cloak, as possible. "I...didn't mean to..."

She began sobbing a little louder as she brushed her white hair away again.

Lorathin was getting slightly annoyed, but not a touch of it appeared on his face. He smiled as he muttered a couple words under his breath as he cast a spell to surpress her fear. It was only a short term solution but it should help.

The girls sobs grew quieter, almost to a few sniffles, but she still kept her eyes lowered to the ground, only occasionally looking up to see if they had made any advances towards her.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked softly as he took a seat in the muddy ground, "Do you have somewhere to stay and anything to eat?"

She shook her head slowly and pushed away slowly, settling herself in the corner.

"Would you mind I remained here?" He asked her, while making a bit of a 'shooing' gesture to Horatio.

Horatio basked away a little and leant against the somewhat shadowed wall to give Lorathin and the girl some room, there were other reasons too and he shifted awkwardly to make sure that if anyone looked they would see only his front. Azreal still had his cloak afterall.

The girl looked towards the walls as the man slipped into the shadows. Immediately she began to shiver uncontrollably, almost violently.

"Please...don't hurt me," she almost screamed as tears once again began pouring down her face.

"I will not harm you, I wish only to help. I will protect you from those who hurt you." He replied

The girl slowed down her shivering, her stomach making a quiet grumble. She was indeed very hungry. She had been traveling a long distance, and yet it seemed wherever she went, trouble followed her.

The girl looked up at Lorathin and then to the man in the shadows. "W-w-who are...you?" she asked with uncertainty.

Cobiesel and Cantrell entered their room. Immeaditly Cantrell heard someone talking. He looked out the window and saw a group of people. He ignored them. Cobiesel flopped on the bed. "I'm exhausted. Hopefully that elf sleeps late. If he says one more thing to me, I might kill him." Cantrell smiled. "As will I. Relax. We'll be able to rest now. And if we're lucky, we might find something." Cobiesel sighed. "I hope you're right. I miss them so much. I'm worried though. That cult in that war he mentioned sounds very similar to the cult that did this to you. They seem very powerful. Hopefully we aren't important to them." Cantrell walked over to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "We'll be fine." Cobiesel laughed. "Thanks, Cantrell." She went and laid down in bed and quickly fell asleep. Cantrell went to the other bed and slept as well.

Lorathin mentally smiled as he heard her stomach growl and her ask a question. It meant he was getting throught. "My name is Lorathin, and I'm not sure his name." He replied, "Would you like some food?"

Horatio had seen her panic when she had looked towards him and began to back up further, staying in the shadows, almost becoming as scared of her as she was of him, he couldn't think of how she where she might have met him.

After a moment though, she calmed down again and asked a question to which, in barely audible terms, he rasped "Horatio". He realised his throat had gone dry after a moment of trying to moisten it said in a much clearer voice, "Horatio."

He raised an eyebrow at the mage calling himself Lorathin, in the inn he had been called Azreal. Curious.

The dark elf blinked and slowly relaxed as she spoke their names softly to herself.

"Hora..tio...Lor...a...thin," she mumbled quietly. As if something in her mind clicked, she let her hands loosen themselves off her arms, where she made a wide movement with her right arm, avoiding a long sword hilt at her waist.

Again, she looked at Horatio and whispered. "Please..out of shadows...please?" she asked in a soft voice as tears still, albeit much slower, rolled down her cheeks.

"Food..." The girl then looked at Lorathin and nodded slowly. "I'm sorry..."

He nodded as he held out his hand and spoke a triplet of words. A loaf of bread that was highly filling and nutritious, thought somewhat bland in taste appeared in his hand. "Here you go." He offered it to her.

The girl looked curiously at the bread, then looked at Lorathin. She slowly reached out and carefully took the bread, before hastily bringing it back to her and cradling it as if it were a precious item.

She pinched off a small piece and chewed slowly, before gulping it down and handing it back. She wasn't filled up, but she was used to such horrid rations. And if she thought about it, she would only get a headache.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again as she held out the bread, her purple eyes wide and full of fear.

"You may eat it all if you wish. If you wish for more, and tastier food, if you come with me I can give you all you desire." He replied as looked at her gently. It was appearent that something bad had happened to her, what he was not quite sure.

Horatio hesitated, looking at Lorathin and at the girl. he took a step towards them, then stopped, still mostly in the shadows. "Can i have my cloak back Lorathin?" He held out a hand.

If you come with me, I can give you all you desire...

The girl immediately screamed, before putting her hands to her mouth. She scrambled back to the corner, curling into a fetal position.

"Please...don't hurt...me..." she sobbed.

Lorathin sighed, they were back to square one. "Sure." He replied as he passed Horatio back his cloak.

"I promise I won't hurt you." He said to the girl, almost reaching the point of putting her to sleep.

"Promises..." she whispered as she continued to cry. She looked at the cloak and let out a screech. "Please...no cloak..." she sobbed.

"I'm so...sorry," she mumbled as she tried to hide behind a pile of dirt she built up by sliding so much.

"I do not break my word." He replied, "Why do you apologise when you do nothing wrong?"

The girl shuddered and began to shiver. She looked up at Lorathin with fear and uncertainty, then at Horatio. "I...I don't know..." she whispered again. "I'm...sorry..."

Horatio started to put his cloak back on, but when the girl insisted he didn't he let it fall again. "I mean you no harm" he said as he stepped forward. Poking out from behind him, cleary visable were the edge of leathery wings and tucked between his legs was a small pointed tail.

"I will keep you safe, now you should rest." He replied softly, in a fatherly manner.

As the girl looked at Horatio, her eyes flew open and she screamed loudly. "I'm sorry!" she sobbed as she attemped to pour the dirt over her and hide. "I'm so sorry...I...didn't mean to..."

Several lights turned on nearby, and the sound of guards walking down the street bounced around the buildings.

"You, go back to your room." He said to Horatio, "You, sleep." He said to the elf, a potent sleep spell included in his words.

ooc: will be back sooon lol. Gonna eat lunch and possibly go to fencing.

The dark elf immediately tried squirming, and tried to get to her feet, but instead, only got to her knees.

"Please..." she sobbed, reaching towards the way out. "Don't...hurt..."she muttered before slumping to the muddy floor, her clothing still quite disheavaled from earlier.

"I heard it from over here!" a guard shouted nearby.

Horatio nodded to Lorathin, threw his cloak back on and headed towards the opening of the alley, he stopped, turned and said "Good luck". Hopefully he would get there before the guards would be able to see him coming out of the alley. They sounded quite close, he cast another glance back at Lorathin and the elf. Lorathin better have something good in mind. Horatio reluctantly turned away and shot across the road into some more shadows, prepared to distract the guards if the two seemed to be taking too long.

The dragon finally blinked and slowly moved closer to Xenocrates.

"Do you remember your reward for killing Cadeyrn? That rebellious youth had so much potential..." he rumbled quietly.

"However, just in the boundaries of my ordered scouts, they came upon a recently well treaded road. Do you know where that road led to?"

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

Viral smiled and nodded. "Of course, my Lady," he chuckled at the wolf man.

He could barely resist the temptation to make a joke related with bathrooms and bushes, but he didn't want to test either Beau's nor Hel's patience.

Xenocrates winced as thoughts began to run through his head.

If master found out, I'll die. If even suspects...

Suddenly he mentally slapped himself while reagining his composure.

"Aye master, I put an end to that troublesome traitor with great pleasure. What did the scouts find my lord?" He asked after slightly hesitating.

------------

Hel stood and bowed to the new guest.

"Ah, our guest of the hour, please good traveller introduce yourself and take a seat." The queen inducted the newcomer. "Unless I'm mistaken, but I think that's everyone."

Many more nameless lieutenants and colonels piled into the room who were nothing more than faces and bagdes. Various disgruntled people, mostly necromancers.

Lorathin just smiled kindly as she fell asleep. Gently picking her up, cradeling her in his arms, he headed back to his extra-planer residence so she could sleep in a comfortable bed and eat her fill of delicious food stuffs.

Ezekial bowed deeply and said "Hello my Queen, I am Ezekial, thank you for inviting me." He approached the table and jumped up into one of the chairs, he was still slightly too small for the table. He reached into his bag and pulled out a decent sized pillow which he dropped on the chair and that brought him to about the right height.

Eva's home was beautiful, Loki noted as they crossed the meadow towards the palace. There were all kinds of vibrant flowers the likes of which the young mage had never seen... they certainly wouldn't grow near his frigid home.

As they entered the palace, Eva greeted a variety of people... none of whom she really introduced Loki to. In fact, she called the mage a different name altogether, but it didn't really bother him - that would be a petty thing to get upset about, even if it showed she didn't care that much.

They entered the kitchen and took a seat, before which Eva was already ordering the different servants about, demanding food and chastising them for not being quick enough. But the only thing on Loki's mind at the moment was food. All that walking earlier across the endless grasslands had made him tired and hungry. His already luminant eyes lit up as the chef's entered. It seemed he could eat to his heart's delight as he was surrounded by all sorts of sweets and tasties that continued to be brought to the table from a never ending supply.

His gloved hand reached towards one of the plates of food, but just as he did he felt a nudge on his hat. It tapped backwards and a small, white, fuzzy face appeared along with a pair of tiny paws. It was a cute little polar bear that Loki had named Fuzzy ( http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/Fuzzy.jpg) after finding him in the base of Three Peaks a few months earlier. And now, like the mage, it seemed hungry. Loki reached up with both hands and transported the cute little bear onto the table next to him. And then the pair of friends dug in...


While Loki was chowing-down on the delicious goods, a woman entered the room that Eva identified as her mother... however, she then proceeded to blame Loki and her friend - Jorian she had called him - for something, though what it was the young mage did not know as he was busy stuffing his mouth. Luckily, her mother didn't seem to believe it and the young girl proceeded to blame someone else.

Thinking it best to introduce himself to the proprietor of this home and deliverer of baked good, Loki greeted the woman, "Choi..." The sound came out gargled thanks to his full mouth, something he had neglected to realize before attempting to say hello.


[ooc: Ugh... poor post.]

A Knight in Shining Armor?

Unmatched in his native land in terms of skill and prowess, the man known as Lord Sebastian the Lionhearted (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/Sebastian1.jpg) had long since set off in search of new meaning and to fight for justice across the world. Quite a résumé did belong to the noble man; he had bested every knight in his land, served his fellow man with equality, done justice across the land, and ascended to the rank of Grand Champion in his secret Order. However, none of that truly mattered to the humble Sebastian. He was not a man of pride, possession, or popular speculation, but rather a true nobleman in every [true] sense of the word.

It had been many years since he left his lands to seek more knowledge and to right more wrongs, and in that time he had learned, seen, and experienced much. No longer was he ignorant to the powers of the world, whether they be political or arcane. No longer was he as naive or uniformed. No longer did he believe that faeries and sprites roamed the everlooming planes and danced to their hearts content. No... the world was much darker than that.

As he travelled from town to town, village to village, kingdom to kingdom, Sebastian learned of a land far from his own in both distance and likeness. It was a kingdom without a king, united only by disorder... and his next destination... Lustria.

Though growing up he had heard nothing of the far off Gate Wars, he had learned of the treachery and death caused by such miserable factions that fought for the domination and defense over the dominion. Demons, humans, elves... they died by the thousands during that war... and has the old saying goes, "In war... everybody loses." The factions that had contended for victory were now sodden and still fifteen years later licking their wounds. However, that would not stay for long... rumors of remilitarization had spread across the land... new militarization with technological advances and machines of war.

However, in it all, there seemed to be one faction purer than the others. Sebastian knew it only as the Order. And so, he had set off nearly five months ago into the unknown lands of the east. He rode atop Grael, a mighty lionoid creature that was impressive in appearance and regal in attitude. And eventually with its powerful strides, they reached the Orderlands...

Rimoru raised an eyebrow and let out a quiet chuckle. "It's usually good manners to speak when your mouth is not stuffed with food," she said quietly, with a warm smile on her face. "But it's alright."

"Now who is this and his pet?" she asked as she made a move to scratch it, but decided against it, just in case it attempted to bite her.

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

Boiswa? squeeked a girlish voice.

Bodista, silly girl

A childish giggle. You're funny

Oh? Now you make me a fool? Get over here, I'm gonna get you...

Again, a childish giggle, before it broke out in a loud mirthful laugh.

...

Bodista, I'm in trouble... came a much older voice, most likely in her teens.

What kind of trouble?

I feel like...like...well, the gods have abandoned me...

Now why would they do such a thing?

Bad news seems to follow me wherever I go...

Silence.

There are times when the going can get rough. Forget those times. Keep your chin up and your eyes forward. Show the gods that you mean business. Show me. Come on, show me!

Some silence, before a girlish giggle.

Ah? Ah? That's the spirit. That's my Beatrice...My dear Beatrice...


Suddenly, the girl awoke. She slowly raised her head and looked about the room. It was rather lavish...however it wasn't what she remembered being in last.

Where was I? Where did I come from? I was in a manor...no...I am in one now. A house? No...Dungeon? The girl continued to looked around with wide eyes, unsure of where she was. She gently pushed the covers off her and vaguely remembered what had happened.

Actually, she felt it, below her waist. Along her muscular stomach were several bruises, along with her arms and hands. She began to tear up again as she sniffled. Why was she a target? Why was she always being chased or imprisoned? She got to her feet and made sure she had not been raped again. Apparantly, she wasn't. All her clothing remained on, including her boots. Her small jacket remained on her shoulders, her hair was slightly disheavaled, but otherwise remained at it's usual position.

She got up and pondered the idea of asking for someone. But then she would get someone. She wanted to escape, not continue to be imprisoned. She sniffled again as she took one step towards a nearby door, her boot clacking against the floor.

The dark elf looked around and stepped again, wincing at the clack. She crouched low to the ground and leapt as far as she could go, landing six feet in front of her previous position, however, she lost her balance on fell on her haunches.

The girl stood up quietly and rubbed herself back there a little, before looking around and this time sprinting for the doorway. She opened it quickly and walked into the next room...

Beatrice would find a man in livery, well a man-shaped entity at least. "Greetings M'lady. Would you care for anything, a bath, breakfast, a place to sit and meditate?"

ooc: Will likely be intermitten in posting.

Rimoru raised an eyebrow and let out a quiet chuckle. "It's usually good manners to speak when your mouth is not stuffed with food," she said quietly, with a warm smile on her face. "But it's alright."

"Now who is this and his pet?" she asked as she made a move to scratch it, but decided against it, just in case it attempted to bite her.

Embarrassed by his faux pas, Loki began vigorously chewing his mouthful of food in order to clear his mouth so as to properly speak. However, the inevitable happened when it took an irregular amount of time to finish it off due to his haste. A long, awkward silence set in until he had gulped down the last chunk of tasty sweets and was able to formally introduce myself.

"Sorry. My name is Loki and this is Fuzzy," the young mage greeted. At hearing his name, the baby polar bear looked up warmingly from his food before turning his cute little face back into the sweets and licking away. "Thank you for granting us this food," he added gratefully.

ooc: Arr...lol Actually, I may be the same way between looking for me ID card and going out to eat in a bit.

The girl slowly backed up. "I'm...sorry..." she said as she began to go walk backwards through the door she had just come from. Questions kept swarming all over her mind in that she could not think completely straight. She began to feel slightly dizzy as he knees buckled, but she leaned on the wall for support.

"Sorry. My name is Loki and this is Fuzzy," the young mage greeted. At hearing his name, the baby polar bear looked up warmingly from his food before turning his cute little face back into the sweets and licking away. "Thank you for granting us this food," he added gratefully.

"Nice to meet you, Loki," Rimoru smiled, giving him a small curtsey. "And you too, Fuzzy."

"Oh, it's a pleasure. We wouldn't be able to eat all that food anyways. Unless Eva wants to gain more weight," she smirked at her daughter who nibbled on a rather large piece of a cake.

"I don't gain weight," the princess scoffed as she set down her cake.

"Chefs. Make something...not sweet, please?" Rimoru said sweetly. Immediately the chefs nodded and began their work on vegetables and fruit dishes and several meats.

"Aww mother," Eva whined. "I want more sweets!"

Rimoru put a finger on her daughters lips and hushed her. "You've had a lot already."

"No! Lucy and Jor had all of the sweets! This is all I got!" Eva whined, her brows furrowing. "I want more sweets!"

"Eva-"

"I want more sweets!" she was almost screaming now, her face slightly red with anger.

Rimoru sighed as one more large cake appeared in front of Eva.

"Thank you, mommy," Eva said sweetly as she began to munch on that cake as well.

Horatio had watched the mage and the woman step into thin air and vanish. Shrugging, Horatio flipped up the hood of his coat and moved in the general direction of the inn, avoiding guards where possible.

When he got back he climbed up to his room and threw the cloak on the floor. An ache had formed in his back after he had put the cloak back on earlier, he took this opportunity the flew the undersized wings on his back, they were not powerful enough to support flight and didn't serve much of a purpose except to scare people when they saw him. A curse, the legacy of his familys past relationships with demons. And now a mage and strange dark elven girl know, though she seemed to know something was up anyway. Odd.

It was with these thoughts and other things on his mind that he tried to sleep, it was no wonder therefore, that his sleep was troubled. He awoke frequently, bathed in sweat, but with no memory of what he had dreamt, only a vague recollection of unpleasentness and a pain in his head.

The servant simply bowed and returned to it's post. It didn't have much in the way of brain power to deal with things outside it's instructions.

"So, Loki, where do you come from?" Rimoru asked as a bowl of salad appeared in her hands.

Several chefs had finished their first vegetable dishes and spread them out in front of the children.

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

The dark elf watched him leave and immediately ran towards the next door. Her stomach grumbled again and she burped loudly, slightly surprised at it's echo. She immediately put her hands over her mouth. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

She smiled slightly as the echo left the room. "Hello?" she called out, immediately hearing the echo. She gigled this time. "Hello!" she laughed.

"How are you?" she shouted, again laughing as the walls asked her the same question.

"I am fine!" She smiled as she walked a bit further, looking around her as she did so.

"Bodista!" she shouted, hearing the satisfying echo. "Beatrice!"

She paused momentarily as she wondered why she remembered those names. She for one, didn't remember hers. Everyone should have a name...

"What's my name?" she shouted aloud, suddenly, the echo mixing in with her previous "Beatrice".

"I am Beatrice..." she whispered to herself. And giggled to herself, before feeling up her arms. The bruise...

Beatrice shivered slightly. "I'm sorry," she muttered as she looked to the ground.

Beatrice's echo game had woken Lúthien up. The little elven girl got up and after asking one of the nigh-omnipresent servents where the echo came from, headed to the room.

"Hello, my name is Lúthien, what's yours?" She asked

Loki was delighted that more food came. Though he almost never had sweets, vegetable dishes were quite rare too due to his location in the mountains. In order to get fresh fruit or vegetables he would have to go down into the towns where he was kind of nervous or to the Castle, but that was a very long trip, especially if he didn't have a ride.

He quickly began digging in, his stomach still not full despite the unending line of sweets that had come.

"So, Loki, where do you come from?"

Remembering this time to finish the food in his mouth, Loki carefully chewed and swallowed it before attempting to answer. He quickly dabbed at his imperceptible mouth with a napkin before turning to the woman - her name unknown - and answering, "I'm not quite sure originally, but I have a home on the crest of a mountain that is part of what the locals call Three Peaks or Triangle of Peaks or something. However, I have been away from there as much as I have been there recently." The young mage recalled the numerous number of trips that he had been on recently that had taken him far from his home.

The dark elf blinked twice as she noticed the little girl. She giggled quietly as she noticed her long pointed ears. What funny ears she has!

Unlike adults, she never really knew a child before. Or atleast she didn't remember if she did. "Luth-ien..." she repeated slowly.

"I...I am...Beatrice?" she asked in the form of a question. This strange room told her so. She nodded slowly. "I am Beatrice."

She smiled and walked slightly closer to Luthien, but still keeping her distance. "I'm sorry...I...I do not know...where I am..."

She didn't know more than that, but she figured it'd be best not to ask a long string of questions. She still remembered how the last woman who listened to all of her questions reacted.

Again, her stomach grumbled and she looked at Luthien with a somewhat fearful or nervous look. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

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

"I have never heard of it," Rimoru replied as she walked on the other side of the counter. "Is it nice there?"

The Empress shooed several of the guards, who had received quite a surprise when the Polar Bear suddenly appeared away from Loki as she walked behind him and took a seat at the nearby table.

"By the way, I am Rimoru. I am the mother of Eva and a friend of Jorian," she added quickly.

Xenocrates winced as thoughts began to run through his head.

If master found out, I'll die. If even suspects...

Suddenly he mentally slapped himself while reagining his composure.

"Aye master, I put an end to that troublesome traitor with great pleasure. What did the scouts find my lord?" He asked after slightly hesitating.

------------

Hel stood and bowed to the new guest.

"Ah, our guest of the hour, please good traveller introduce yourself and take a seat." The queen inducted the newcomer. "Unless I'm mistaken, but I think that's everyone."

Many more nameless lieutenants and colonels piled into the room who were nothing more than faces and bagdes. Various disgruntled people, mostly necromancers.

"A long line of caravans. A very long one. Something big is happening there..." Dominatistradz growled as he shifted his wings. "Swarming with undead and strange technology. Rumors of a small sect of the Cult of Valtrox."

"Xenocrates, Vohrinihth, you both have to make a choice. I want that Caravan line disrupted. I want their goods stolen and brought here. The Cult is only one of the many who have wronged me. And now they shall pay greatly. If you go here, I want you to cause as much distruction as possible, take as many goods as possible, and leave."

"Or, you will continue with the planned compaign of the Western Takeover...But I do not want the Cult to grow too strong. I do not want...it to happen again..." the massive dragon growled with a look of sadness in his eyes.

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

Viral rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing right. An Imp?

"My queen...Although I pale in comparison to your wise knowledge...but from what I've read, Imps are not to be trusted. Dirty scoundrels the lot," Viral said aloud as his green eyes fell to the Imp.

"I have never heard of it," Rimoru replied as she walked on the other side of the counter. "Is it nice there?"

The Empress shooed several of the guards, who had received quite a surprise when the Polar Bear suddenly appeared away from Loki as she walked behind him and took a seat at the nearby table.

"By the way, I am Rimoru. I am the mother of Eva and a friend of Jorian," she added quickly.

Loki quickly decided that the lady Rimoru, Eva's mother, was quite a bite nicer than her daughter had been thus far. She provided him with food without question and talked to him, seeming to actually care about his answer rather than how Eva ignored one of the only things he had said... his name. But the young mage wasn't mad - he didn't get mad. Nor did he hold a grudge or disdain for Eva. After all, she did bring him into her home and gave him food without knowing him; that alone was quite a bit kinder than many people were.

"I have never heard of it. Is it nice there?"

As Rimoru informed him that she had never heard of it, Loki confirmed his assumption that he was far from his home if even in the same realm anymore - most likely not. A new land, a new adventure...

Unfortunately, she had responded so quickly that Loki felt obligated to answer before continuing to eat. "Yeah, I like it. It's cozy and private. Only a few other people have been to the area where I live and they mostly said it was too cold or hard to get to. But I don't mind. Until recently I hadn't much to compare it to... but after seeing some other lands, I liked a lot of those too..." After finishing his comment a little loose ended, Loki went back to filling his stomach with delicious vegetables.

"It's nice to meet you Beatrice. You're at daddy and mine's home. You were sleepy and not feeling well so daddy brought you here to make you well." She replied as she looked at the dark elf.

Then she smiled as her belly rumbled in time with Bea's. "Let's go for breakfast, I'm famished and you sound like you are as well." She said with a giggle as she held out her hand for Beatrice to take so they could go get some food together.

Rimoru smiled a bit as she took a small bite of a leafy vegetable. "Sounds grand. I do enjoy the snow," she smiled as she pushed her bowl away and crossed her smooth legs.

"How long have you been in this land?"

Eva, meanwhile picked up a large piece of brocolli and scrunched up her face. "Yuck," she moaned. She picked it up and tossed it at one of the chefs. "I want sweet stuff," she pouted, glaring at the chefs.

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

Beatrice shied away at first, her hands wrapping around her bare stomach. She gulped once, before nodding. "Alright," she said quietly, her hand slowly reaching out for Luthien's.

She smiled again as she saw Luthien's ears again, and made a movement to gently feel it, but decided against it.

"Sounds grand. I do enjoy the snow."

"Yeah, me too," Loki managed between bites of the vegetables, which he noticed Eva did not care for. He then swallowed again so he was able to speak, "Except when you get snow drifts or blankets... those can be dangerous," he remarked as he thought about getting caught under a few feet of snow, though theoretically he could burn his way out or dispel the snow. "Sometimes I lose sight of Fuzzy in it," the young mage added as he turned to the baby polar bear that once again lifted his head from the food at the sound of his name. Loki gave him a little scratch on the back of the neck before they both continued back to their food. "But he's always fine. He grew up there."

"How long have you been in this land?"

Once again eating while she asked the question, Loki decided to act rather than speak and make fool out of himself. So he shrugged his shoulders while pushing down the food and acted as if he was in thought. "Less than a day..." he said almost before the vegetables had slid down. The mage had no real concept of time, though he did realize that it he had arrived while the sun was rising and it was not dark out yet, thus he had been there less than a day by any standard.

Finally full, Loki slid the plate back and added his thanks.

Lúthien took the elder elf's hand in her own smaller one. With a smile she began leading Bea to the dining room, and as they neared it they could smell the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread, bacon and sausage, eggs and all the rest of the usual breakfast foods.

Opening the door revealed a table suitable for six, and a buffet serving style, but rather than the foods being reheated, each food item had it's own cook in much the same style as the liveried being earlier. All in all it was a wholesome, homey and happy feeling that the room gave off.

Lorathin was at the table, spreading butter and honey over a peice of bread. He looked up and asked, "How are you this morning?"
"Fine daddy."
"And you?" He added to Beatrice.

Beatrice retracted her hands and wrapped it around her torso, something known as her nervous habit.

"I'm sorry," she whispered quietly. She was deeply confused. She had no idea where she was, who they were, why she was here, or what had happened. She remembered dreadful men surrounding her...and...

"Lor-ath-en," she said slowly as she remembered his name. She remembered him offering her food. She also remembered the cloaked figure. Wings, tail...

She shivered again and slowly began to curl up. She had no idea how long she had been asleep, had she been alone while she slept? Did this man take advantage of her? He did seem to have a child...but where was his wife?

The food smelled delicious, however, her fear took over as she fell to her knees and slowly curled herself up. "I...I...I...d-don't know," she finally sniffled.

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

"You're quite welcome, Loki. And your bear, Fuzzy. Is he satisfied?" Rimoru asked with a smile. She gently smoothed out her tight-fitting robe, oblivious to the fact of several chefs taking an unofficial break to watch her.

"I can promise you nothing and no-one will harm you here." Lorathin said as he saw she was going into scared mode again.
"Yes, daddy only lets nice people in here, and no bad people can come in." Lúthien added encouragingly. She wasn't sure what was wrong with Beatrice but hoped after a good meal she might be more open, "Feel free to have whatever you wish and as much as you want." She continued

The Dark Elf slowly stopped shivering and nodded slowly as her stomach seemed to be quite angry at her for not feeding it earlier.

She walked hurridly behind Luthien, staying close by, but keeping an eye on Lorathin all the way.

She looked down at all the food, before looking back at Lorathin. "T-t-thank you?" she whispered quietly, unsure of what to say. She did not remember the last time she recieved a free meal...much less a full, complete, meal at all.

She sniffed the air and watched Luthien, copying her every move.

"Do not worry about it, just eat your fill." Lorathin said with a half-smile. He was turning into a problem person councilor. First Rimoru, then Lúthien and now this one.

Lúthien picked up a plate from a pile and moved down the line, picking up a couple fresh pieces of warm bread, a small bowl of rice, a couple eggs and a few sausages before heading to the table where she took a seat and began eating.

Beatrice took everything Luthien did, piling her plate in much the same manner of the small elf girl.

And yet she had no idea what she was picking up. Before the dark elf proceeded to follow the little girl, she sniffed again the smells and motioned to pick up a handful of bacon, but slowly retracted her hand and looked curiously at Lorathin and Luthien, before she shrugged and walked to the table, and sitting in the seat next to Luthien.

She then continued to watch the little elf girl to see how one would go about eating these foods.

She picked up a piece of sausage with her her thumb and pointer finger and dangled it in front of her eyes. She nibbled a bit on it and giggled quietly, before silencing herself. "I'm sorry," she whispered, as she put the sausage back on the plate.

Beatrice turned to the eggs next and gently prodded it with her fingers. It's strange texture intriqued her and she was about to grab a handful, until she noticed several strange objects Luthien was using to eat her food.

The Dark elf looked sadly at her food, then at the utensils. Her hand probed along the utensils, stopping at the knife, and making a wide arc around it, to the spoon. She picked it up and prodded the bread with her spoon, trying to scoop it up. Once she succeeded, she brought the slice to her mouth, before it dropped back to her plate.

Beatrice shifted in her seat a bit and prodded the bread with her spoon.

"If you'd like some bacon feel free to have some." Lorathin said as he saw her start to reach for some then stopped.

Lúthien giggled somewhat as she watched Bea try to use utensiles she quite obviously had no clue how to use. "Do not worry about the utensiles if you'd feel more comfortable without them." Lorathin commented as he watched her try to scoop up bread with a spoon.

"But if you wish to use them, these two are for the sausage and eggs." He said holding up his own knife and fork in one hand while the other pointed out the indicated foods, "This one is for the rice." The spoon was matched with the rice, "And you eat the bread with your bare hands like this." He said as he picked up the bread off his own plate and took a bite.
"You're silly daddy." Lúthien commented with a smile.

Beatrice put the spoon down and put her hands underneath the table as a faint dark purple entered her cheeks. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

She followed along with Lorathin as he told her how to use the untensils, excecpt she paused when he got to the knife. Her hand hovered over it as she stared quietly at it, before looking up at Lorathin with a mix of sadness and fear.

"I...feel...I feel unclean," she whispered as tears began to form in her eyes. "I'm sorry..."

"Do not worry about it. It takes a great deal to offend me, and nothing you have done has even bothered me." He said simply.

"If you do not wish to use the knife it is not necessary." He said as he gestured and the knife disappeared. "I can offer but a sympathetic ear and an open mind if you wish to speak about it, but I understand if you do not."

Lorathin wanted to help her, but she both wanted to be helped and be able to face the problem. He could not force her to heal from whatever trauma had effected her, and while he was pretty sure he could suppress the memories, that was only a patch and would eventually fail bringing her even greater grief.

Beatrice looked up slowly. "I..." she brushed her arms a bit, as she began to talk. "I don't know if...if I am clean...I don't know...what happened last night. The man...men..."

She shivered and sniffled as she eyed her food nervously and then back at Lorathin.

"Those were not men, no more than I am twelve feet tall and orange." Lorathin replied, "No true man would ever act that way. The behavior of scum can not make unclean a person, not unless they become scum themselves."
"And you're nice, not like bad men." Lúthien added, "And he doesn't bite, tickles but doesn't bite."

The Dark elf studied Lorathin as he spoke. He certainly wasn't twelve feet tall, nor did he look orange. Her lips curled ever so slightly at the thought and she glanced upwards at Lorathin. He seemed nice. But they all did. Each one that had spoken to her, started nicely. Then, it turned dark. It always did.

Beatrice looked at Luthien with curiosity. "Tickle?"

"Daddy." Lúthien said expectedly.
"Alright." He replied as he came over and began tickling Lúthien, causing her to let out peals of giggles, which intensifies as he pulled a feather from the air to add to it.

Beatrice watched Lorathin unsteadily, ready to hide should he get violent.

But he did no such thing. Instead, he proceeded to 'tickle' Luthien.

The dark elf couldn't help but smile. She giggled quietly, but bit her lower lip to hold it down.

Boiswa? squeeked a girlish voice.

Bodista, silly girl

A childish giggle. You're funny

Oh? Now you make me a fool? Get over here, I'm gonna get you...

Again, a childish giggle, before it broke out in a loud mirthful laugh.

Beatrice slowly prodded herself, trying to feel the 'tickle' but failed to do so. Perhaps only Lorathin and Bodista were able to? She frowned slightly, not being able to feel what this 'tickle' was, but it seemed enjoyable enough.

"Lorathin...or Luthien...do you know of a...Bodista?" Beatrice asked quietly, her eyes once again downcast.

Lorathin stopped when Lúthien waved him aside. Noticing the dark elf's smile and that she was trying to tickle herself, he commented, "Most people can not tickle themselves for some reason."

"I'm afraid I do not. Was she someone precious to you?" He asked in a caring tone, ever so slightly underpinned with grief.

ooc: Night now sleep.

Beatrice looked hopefully at Lorathin, before slowly crossing her arms over her chest. It involved touching...she did not wish to be touched. Not there, anyways.

"I...I don't know," Beatrice said quietly. "I had a dream...about a Bodista...and a Beatrice. And Beatrice is my name...Bodista tickled me...when I was small..."

"I wish to meet him again," again, she looked up hopefully, before picking up a fork and picking up a rather large piece of egg and putting it awkwardly in her mouth, a small piece breaking off and falling on her lap.

"I'm sorry," she said with her mouth full as she poked at the renegade piece with her fork.

"Atleast...I think he's a he."

Ael and Ravaal greeted Hel in kind, but Ttomak went further and gave her a curtsy, using the edges of his cape like a dress. It was a running joke between the two of them, and most of the people in the hall were used to it. This was one of the things that Ael really liked about him, how he had little to no stigmas, as his lack of memory before fifteen years ago meant he did not grow up with ingrained ideas and set ways about things. He was able to laugh at himself and make fun of himself at times, which was more than Ael could say about many others of his rank.

Of course, Ttomak only took it so far. When it came to business, he would tolerate no foolishness, especially while on the field of battle. But otherwise, he was fairly laid back for a general.

The Rhinaran remained fairly quiet for the rest of the more or less social chatter. He had nothing of great import to include, and if the new kids on the block like Viral wanted to put their foot in their mouth, it was fine with him.

Ael watched the people in the room intently. She was a detail-oriented person, which was what made her enjoy her job so much. As Viral spoke to Hel, she noticed certain things about him that most people would not catch. The way he looked at their commander in chief...it sort of reminded Ael of how Ttomak looked at her before they admitted their feelings for each other. A smile drew on her lips as she realized that the lieutenant must have had a crush.

Ttomak barely moved when Hel unloaded several rounds at her pet doggy. He had been around her for the past fifteen years, after all, and was used to these antics. Ael and Ravaal, however, were still shocked by it, and ducked down to avoid any stray bullets, as they were rather close to the door where the wolf stood when it was being shot at.

Are you alright? Ael heard Ttomak’s voice in her mind. She looked over him and locked eyes with him. With a warm smile, she nodded.

When the imp appeared, Ttomak regarded it with curiosity, as he had no exposure to them before. So, unlike Viral, he had no prejudices against imps. Nonetheless, he had made it a habit to read the minds of anyone new he came across to get a better understanding of them. He would not do this to people he had come to know and call friends, such as Hel, Ravaal, Ael, and just about any of the others in Hel’s army, as he respected their privacy. But just as he had no previous biases against new people, he also had no such respect for their privacy. And so, while putting up the mental defenses to his own mind in case imps were able to make this ability backfire on him, Ttomak delved into Ezekial’s mind.

***

Teralynn gritted her teeth and sneered in pain when Habdebza grabbed her by her hair. Again, though she would barely have felt it coming from most anyone else, Habdebza nonetheless had a way of inflicting physical pain. Still, if it were any consolation, it told her that she was able to get to him with her words. Granted, annoying Habdebza was not exactly a hard thing to accomplish.

She did as she was told, and when Habdebza finished having his fun, Tera came out of the closet and into the blood-stained room.

“How...quaint,” she said. “Could we not have done this later, thereby avoiding wasting time having to wait around?”

***

Seeing the two kids distracted Fala from her odd feeling for a moment, though the strange man in the strange costume did little to ease her worries. After the three left, Fala turned to Maverion and said, “Maybe more palace guards should be put on duty? I really think something awful’s about to happen.”

Mave looked back at his wife with concern, and nodded. Turning to Alegain, he said, “Don’t worry, you’re not going to get pregnant. Now, do you know where Rimoru is?”

***

Jorian remained quiet for the most part, just eating and being a good kid. He did not eat as much sweets, though, as eating too much of that on an empty stomach usually gave him a stomachache. The salad, on the other hand, did little to fill him up. Picking his way around the disgusting-tasting cauliflower, he found that he was getting hungry again before even finishing up with his mostly green meal. He would probably have to make himself a sandwich with a liberal amount of meats afterwards.

Habdebza let out a quiet, throaty laugh. "Then I wouldn't have my fun here, now would I?" he said, indicating the bloody couple in the bed.

He put one hoof on the on the window sill and rested his elbows on it as he examined the castle and became as still as a statue. "Besides, I would not be able to examine the patrol destinations

"You may rest on the bed if you wish, Tera. I'm sure they won't mind sharing it with you," he chuckled wickedly, without even looking behind him.


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

Alegain smiled slowly. "Are you sure I'm not going to be pregnant? What about the flushed cheeks? And the other signs?" He began, before stopping suddenly.

"Rimmy...right," the mage tapped his temple with his pointer finger as he paced about. "She and I were...working...in one of her many studys, however, she did not eat her evening salad before...well, you know."

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

"You alright, Jor," Rimoru asked with concern as she noticed his silent behavior. "You never even greeted your favorite auntie."

Teralynn was not one to get faint from a few dead bodies and some blood. But she was neither fond of the mess nor of the smell of it all once the bodies started to decay, especially when in close proximity to her. And so, with a heat so sudden, so intense, and so localized that it instantly turned the bodies to ashes without so much as charring the floor round them, Tera discarded of the dead husks.

“Why bother?” she asked of the patrol destination comment. “All of the guards either end up back at the palace or at one of the city barracks, I would assume. Neither of which ought to be that difficult for someone of your talents to find.”

***

“The dining room, then?” Mave suggested.

***

Jorian looked up at Rimoru and gave her a weak smile, trying his best to give her a cheerful face. “Hi, Aunt Rimmy,” he said.

But soon the smile faded when a foreboding sense flowed through his body, as he started to sense what his mother sensed. “I think mom and dad are looking for you,” he said in a quiet voice, though not quite sure of how he knew.

"No..." Habdebza replied before finally turning around to face Teralynn. "But I enjoy feeding on their thoughts. It gives me a certain pleasure when I can use their fears against them. Not that I am not fearful enough. Right Teralynn?"

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

Alegain nodded and began to walk towards the dining room. "You know, she's told me she's been having aweful dreams, of gaining several pounds of weight. I told her not to worry about it..." he began to babble.

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

Rimoru pursed her lips and nodded. "You remind me of your father so much, Jor," she replied, giving him a light kiss on the top of his head before walking out to meet Alegain, Maverion, and Fala.

"Good Evening, everyone," she said cheerfully, brushing up against Alegain, who's eyes boggled at her tight robe.

"Rimmy, Am I-"

Rimoru pushed her lips against Alegain's immediately shutting him up as they kissed passionately.

"I love you," Alegain whispered as they pulled away slowly.

Rimoru smiled and nodded. "I love you too, my Alegain."

She turned to Maverion and Fala as Alegain's hands slid to her slender waist, where she put her hands over them.

"Jorian told me you guys were looking for me," she said with a smile.

Xenocrates lifted his slightly smiling through his dragon shaped helm. Two single fangs revealed themselves through is devious smirk.

"My infantry will be more than capable of destroying that caravan and investigating this foolish cult. Strange, however, that region has been unpopulated for years, what has suddenly drawn travellers and undead there?" He boasted shifting to his other knee.

"Have my fellow general's more mobile units act as shock troops for the invasion in the west." The large mostly human figure said grinning at his rival.

----------------------

"Come now Viral, surely we can look beyond our prejudices." Hel said smiling. "Besides, no one in their right mind would come here to start trouble lest they have a death wish."

The queen giggled at the general's light hearted gesture. Ttomak was very much like an older brother to Marlene.

"Ael, tell me, how is your research coming along?" She asked looking at the woman while pushing her frail glasses against her face.

Her faded tattoo began burning slightly as she immediately excused herself from the dining hall to a nearby cooridor where she collapsed against the wall sobbing quietly. Her pride and anger only barely masked an ocean of unrelenting sadness, which carried with her over the last 15 years. In a dream she heard that everytime her mark began to hurt, Cadeyrn was in Valtrox's grip slipping fruther into the abyss.

"I'm so sorry Cadey." She whimpered carefully seeing if anyone had followed her.

"It is alright." He replied kindly as she speared her renegade eggs. "This Bodista sounds like a nice fellow and I hope you get your chance to meet him again."

"Do you have any questions you'd like to ask of me or Lúthien?" He asked hoping that if he shared information she might relax further.

Ezekial eyed Viral when he spoke. He was not insulted, it was a fair estimation of his people. But it was annoying none the less, facts like theses tended to make bargaining more difficult. Ignoring Hels vague threat Ezekial responded to the comments.
"My Queen is gracious." Ezekial said bowing his head in her direction, "However, i must agree with your adviser, he is not far off in his estimation, my people have a legacy of trickery to uphold." He inclined his head towards the adviser in a gesture of agreement.

"I personally prefer to trick those that are weak-minded, it is much easier. You can surely imagine that an intelligent person would be on guard against trickery if he saw one such as I trying to sell him, or her, something. My appearence is not one of my assets." He had explained enough, Now he would have to start sweetening the deal, a bit of flattery and self depracation to make himself look harmless.

"I am sure your highness will look beyond such trivial things as appearence, though if you will allow me to say, your highness is the most beautiful woman this humble imp has ever seen, much more so than even the fabled succubi. You are clearly more than capable of defending yourself against trickery or betrayal..." He let the thought hang as he looked around the room. "And therefore have nothing to fear from me, I am merely a lowly trader wishing to sell my goods and perhaps my services."

After another few moments, the Queen ran from the room, Ezekial hoped it wasn't something he said.

Beatrice smiled weakly at Luthien and Lorathin and nodded slowly.

"May I have a bath?" she asked weakly as she scratched some mud off her arm from the previous night.

He nodded, "Of course, I should have thought about that earlier." He said with a slight shake of his head at forgetting, considering he had known she was muddy.

"Lúthien, would you show our guest to the bath?" He asked, adding mentally, "I think she'd pass out if I did it."
"Yes daddy." She replied as she got out of her chair and held her hand out for Bea.

"That's what I want to know," Dominatistradz. "Why would travelers and caravans begin making their way to an unpopulated area. The cult has done this many times. To free Valtrox."

Vohinrihth curled his lips slightly and glanced at Xenocrates, but otherwise said nothing. "Master, have me check it out. My drakonan can defeat any mortal human, elf, dwarf, ogre, anything in our way. Undead will make no difference."

Dominatistradz shot the drakonan general a harsh look. "Vohinrihth, is there something wrong with my plans for invading the west? Have I made a tactical error of any kind? Please correct me if I have. Or are my precious Drakonan not ready for this kind of thing?"

Vohinrith bowed his head lower. "I'm sorry to have doubted your wisdom, my master. May my punishment be swift and merciless."

The dragon lord turned towards Xenocrates again. "Yes, Xenocrates. You have my blessings to do so."

"One thing. Undead, since the formation of necromancers or their kind, have been weak to holy objects. We have no god anymore. Have faith in me and the dragons. We will be your sword and your sheild. You should be fine."

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

"Forgive me, my queen," Viral said with a bow of the head. "I should have thought about it before I spoke."

He smiled slightly as Ttomak made a cutsey. As long as Hel was happy...However he wanted himself to be the one that made her laugh. He sighed quietly.

As the demon spoke of him being right, he flashed a smirk and lay back in his chair, crossing his arms.

Then, Marlene made a speedy escape from her room. Viral was somewhat surprised, at it. she didn't seem like she needed to use the bathroom. Nor did the imp seem to disgust her. Or else she would have shot it.

He looked around with wide eyes, before excusing himself and walking after her.

"Your highness?" he asked as he noticed her against the wall. He heard something quiet, but he couldn't believe it. Is...is she crying?

"Your highness, are you...are you alright?" he asked as he inched closer carefully.

He nodded, "Of course, I should have thought about that earlier." He said with a slight shake of his head at forgetting, considering he had known she was muddy.

"Lúthien, would you show our guest to the bath?" He asked, adding mentally, "I think she'd pass out if I did it."
"Yes daddy." She replied as she got out of her chair and held her hand out for Bea.

"Th-thank you," she said with a weak smile again. She took the elf's gentle hand and stood up, looked at the plate of food, and brought a piece of toast with her. "I'm Sorry," she mumbled as she took a small bite out of the toast.

"For what?" Lúthien asked as they walked to the bathing room. A short walk later, they arrived at a large bathroom with a tub filled with perfectly warm water. "Feel free use any of the bathing stuffs." She commented pointing to the bubblebath mix, the bathing salts, the soaps and shampoos and all the other bathing luxuries.

Beatrice looked at all the bathing stuff and nodded in thanks, not noticing the water in the tub. She looked back at Luthien with curiosity.

"Why are your ears...so pointy and tall?" Beatrice asked, not even realizing that hers were very much the same way.

"Because I'm an elf, like you." She replied

Beatrice cocked her head slightly and felt along her head until she felt her ears. They were indeed long and pointy. She giggled quietly as she played with her left ear before walking to the water, jumping back immediately as something or someone looked at her when she did so.

"There's someone in there," she said quietly, not realizing she had only seen her reflection.

Lúthien blinked as she knew there wasn't. Walking forward, she looked into the tub. "There's no one there now." She commented even thought there couldn't have been anyone in the first place.

Beatrice raised herself onto her toes and noticed the figure in the water. It looked strangely like Luthien.

"There it is! It's your twin!" she said excitedly as she pointed to the water.

"That's my reflection." Lúthien replied with a giggle. "The water causes my image to reflect, but isn't actually anything but a light trick."

Beatrice cautiously stepped forward and looked into the tub. There was a dark colored elf, next to the fairer skinned one.

This dark elf had long white hair that was somewhat dirty, and revealing clothing. She picked up her hand and felt along her face. So that's how Beatrice looks. She looked sadly at the face, the reflection imitating her perfectly.

"I am an elf too?" she asked quietly.

She poked the water cautiously, startled that the image did the same, however waves disrupted it. She giggled as she did it again. And again.

Beatrice looked towards the bathing products and frowned. "Luthien, what are those?" She asked as she pointed to them.

"You're quite welcome, Loki. And your bear, Fuzzy. Is he satisfied?" Rimoru asked with a smile. She gently smoothed out her tight-fitting robe, oblivious to the fact of several chefs taking an unofficial break to watch her.

Loki looked from Rimoru to where Fuzzy was bending over a bowl of vegetables. Every moment or so he would poke his little head up and look around for a second before continuing his feast. "Yeah, he's fine," the young mage commented as he noticed the bear's behavior. "If he is still hungry he would keep his head tucked in there."

"Yes, you are, but water doesn't make as good a mirror as an actual mirror." Lúthien replied as she watched Beatrice playing. "Those are stuff for bathing and getting clean." She replied as she began explaining what each was and for.

Maverion could not have followed after Marlene even if he wanted to, as the situation dictated that he assumed the role as the main representative to the guest. He would not be as easy for the imp to flatter.

“I am General Ttomak,” he introduced himself to the imp in a commanding voice. “What are these goods and services you speak of?”

Ael, on the other hand, excused herself to follow after Marlene, on the heels of Viral.

***

“Right,” Tera said dryly. She took advantage of her enemy’s fears as well, but tended not to read such thoughts until she encountered them. Otherwise, she would be wasting time and energy on people she might not even run into. And so, she sat down on the bed and waited.

***

“Fala sensed something bad would be happening,” Maverion explained.

“Something...someone’s coming,” she said. “I don’t know what, but I think we should increase the guard patrol at least.”

Ezekial muffled a sigh when the other person took over, things were going so well.
"Very well" He began, "As far as goods go, my caravan can supply you with a wide variety of goods. You're trooops don't seem to need more equipement, but there are a variety of weapons and armors, various ores, silks, resources, you get the idea. On top of those there are roughly 50 slaves in good condition, no questions asked as to what you will use them for." He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I have with me some rarer and more specialised goods, but those are for the Queen and her most trusteds eyes only." He glanced around the table, "Merely a precaution, i was once chased from a town as the quartermaster i had been selling to took one of the items and attempted to userp the current ruler, it was blamed on me naturally."

"My services... well now, i can serve in many functions; ranging from spying or thieving to diplomacy or combat. I am not without skill in battle, i survived many demon wars before being 'summoned' to this world and i have some prowess with magic." He opened both hands, in one was an orb of fire, in the other was a swirling cloud of shadows. He moved them both to one hand and absentmindedly juggled them in it. "I'm also not a bad entertainer." He added. "Oh, as a footnote, if you hire me, then the 30 odd guards and workers i have, treat them as slaves, do what you want with them."

Beatrice smiled and nodded as she took hold of the bubble bath mixed and poured some into the bath. She giggled as bubbles began to form along the surface, blocking her view of her reflection. She giggled as she poked some of the bubbles with her finger.

"A mirror?" she chirped quietly a she played.

"Luthien, one last question," Beatrice began, before suddenly retracting her hand and wrapping them around her stomach. "I'm sorry," she whispered with her head down.

"Do I undress myself or do I just...get in?" she asked nervously.

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

"Oh my dear Tera. I get the feeling you would rather be home, on the throne, rather than with me, your favorite companion," Habdebza said as he looked up to the sky, before backing into the room, towards a shadow.

"Tell me about yourself Teralynn. What do you wish to accomplish as Empress?"

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

Rimoru frowned slightly. "Why would people try to attack me now?" she asked quietly.

Alegain pulled her closer to comfort her. "They won't my love. They wouldn't take their protector off the throne."

Rimoru was visibly shaken from the prospect as she slowly rested her head on Alegain's chest, her arms wrapping around her husband's.

"I will have it done," she said quietly.

"Captain!" she shouted. A large, gruff looking man walked out of a nearby door and bowed low to the royal family.

"What is your wish, your highness."

"Increase the guards. I want all that are able to be on duty. Put a lot more around the children."

The captain nodded and immediately stood up and jogged out of the room.