NationStates Jolt Archive

The Imperium Courtroom was filled to the brim with citizens waiting to see the oddity. It was the first time this had ever occured, and most figured it to be the only time as well. The room was full of commotion as the tribunal had yet to ascend the bench, but there was one amongst the crowd who stayed dead silent. He was covered from from head to toe, his face shrouded in a hood. He watched the procedding as the judges rose to the bench and called order with disgust and sadness. They were getting caught, and he didn't know why. He was there to retrieve this failure to save the order in the event that he wanted to share the secrets he had promised to safeguard. The idea of doing damage control was unknown to the Jiltakin, but it seemed as though it was becoming a more and more frequent occurence.

Harlin looked up from the floor where his eyes had been cast, and stared at the judges as they went through the ceremonial commencement of proceedings. He saw the resolute face of the man sitting in the defendants booth, and yet noticed the trace of abandonment in his eyes. Shaking his head, he looked around, decided now was as good a time as any.

Jumping onto his seat he threw off his cloak, revealing leather armor with gleaming iron studs. Leaping through the air, he landed in the center aisle.

The Judges noticed his acrobatics, and one said, "Guards, seize that man!"

As the skizzarish guards approached, Harlin smiled. Lowering himslef, he sprinted at the one directly in front of his and leapt pushing off the guards shoulders and flipping as he vaulted through the air. Landing on the railing of the defendant's booth, he grabbed the other Jiltakin by the wrist, and entered the Shadowfold.

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

Sitting in the underground fortress of the Jiltakin Guild, Harlin consulted with his friend, and the master of the guild, Minos Praetal. "They're getting caught Minos, and they can't tell me why. That's four in the last six months that I've had to go and personally retrieve. The most recent one finally gave me something to go on. He said that after he'd terminated his target, he hadn't been able to enter the Shadowfold. He said that he'd done everything exactly as we'd taught him, and he just couldn't do it anymore."

Minos nodded, staring into space as he was lost in thought. In a somber tone, he said, "It's finally happening."

Harlin was confused, he didn't know what Minos meant. "What is?"

Minos looked up and over at Harlin, his face bearing a look of foreboding. "The End of our Kind."

Standing, Minos began to pace, and started to tell his story to Harlin. "Before Centurus had even dreamed of being guild master, we had been young initiates together. During our training, the master came to us, and assigned us with a special mission. We were to retrieve the fabled Jiltakin Scrolls from across the oceans. That is the main reason why I was trained in the elemental arts, and not the art of subtrefuge."

"But we were always told that they were a myth."

Minos nodded, "That is what Centurus and I believed as well, but eventually, the very idea of their existence consumed us and became our drive. Unfortunately, the mission was delayed longer and longer as we were demed not ready for such an undertaking. So long they delayed, that the master died, and Centurus succeeded him. The rest as they say, is history."

Harlin nodded, "Why do they need to be found though, what good are they?"

"They are the true word of the First. Arcturus himself wrote the original scrolls thousands of years ago. All we have now are copies of copies of copies, and so forth. A hundred generations of copies have left us with a corrupted version of the text. That is why they are being caught. Arcturus' teachings are no longer ours."

Harlin nodded, his mind rushing through the events that had occured in the last several years. It was true, it all made sense.

Minos looked him in the eyes, "You know what you must do?"

Harlin nodded, "I will leave at once."

There it was a good sized caravan, full to the brink with treasures and prizes fit for a king. Jewels, slaves, playmates, animals, nearly anything one would wish to find. All at a "Low cost, satisfaction guarenteed cost!"

Of course, they were always low cost, satisfaction guarenteed when they encountered an ogre. Especially if his name is Kalzog.

Kalzog had been following this one for atleast a day now, judging if it was worth going forth to 'haggle for products'. But, he had finally decided. A good meal at a good price was what he needed. And perhaps he can get some information about his own little reason for being out in the land of Fandar.

The ogre had lost something of great importance, about five years ago. A certain powerful artifact, capable of trapping some of the most powerful beings inside. The one he had owned, of course, had a powerful being inside. A demi-god of immense power. In fact, the beastie had burned the skin on Kalzog's left arm, not an easy task at all. Kalzog had recieved a series of painful tattoos near his adult years. But the tattoos were well worth it. The Ogre, who's skin was a tough as stone, was now resistant to a good many spells, if not most of them that one could throw at him.

But the ogre was also a shaman of Ogruk, the ogre god of chaos. Being so, he had recieved powers that could appropriately be called, Chaotic. And Kalzog certainly enjoyed chaos.

"And what a fine day for chaos it is!" Kalzog laughed as he hefted a large rock on his shoulders and tossed it at the slow moving wagons. Direct hit. Atleast enough to disrupt them and slow them down even further. Not that he needed to. With a great smile, he leapt onto his mound of earth floating nearby and soared closer to the Caravan, arming himself with a large club that resembled the trunk of a tree.

His blunt weapon cracked many a guards skull with a swift swipe from the ogre and pulverized a good few underneath in a gooey paste.

As another group of guards came, the ogre smiled and pointed a them as his eyes glowed a very bright red. Immediately, the guards sank into the ground, which liquified underneath their boots and began to churn violently, sucking them lower and eventually into their doom.

The ogre's gaze went to that of a train of slaves slowly plodding along, staring at the ogre with a fearful gaze.

"Allow me to...unshackle you from your burdens," Kalzog chuckled as he began to walk towards them, his bloody club in one hand.

The slaughter of several of their companions made many of the other guards run away. A small voice could be heard shouting. "Oi, get back here, you won't get paid and if you cost me my cargo, you will have a lot worse than a pissed of ogre coming after you..." A few of the more desperate guards turned back and warily approached the ogre. One, trying to be intelligent grabbed a splintered piece of wood and lit it on fire. Leaping in front of the ogre he shouted some vaugely threatening noises that were supposed to intimidate the beast. While his friends snuck up behind, one of the more courageos ones attempted to leap onto the ogres back.

"Oh come on now, this doesn't help!" Kalzog grumbled as he pointed at the flame, which immediately exploded, sending fire and splinters everywhere.

Then to the man on his back. "I hate it when creatures do this...it is...so...annoying!" Kalzog growled as he let himself fall to the ground on his back.


brb soon lol dinnnner

Ezekial watched the retreating line of guards and then turned to the Ogre decimating what was left of the loyal ones, not much, a thin paste on the floor in one case and various body parts from some others. He was working out the money he did have to pay them in comparison to what the ogre had already destroyed. Still a profit.. The fire had cought on one of the caravans and he absent-mindedly put it out with his own magic. He glanced around the caravan and checked that his most prized possesions were all together in a hidden bag. If you want some done right you have to do it yourself, just can't get the help these days. He shook his head.

Jumping from the caravan he picked up a small rock and threw it at the Ogre. "Hey, you, leave those slaves alone. They wouldn't taste nice, trust me, i feed them things even dung beetles would reject."

Kalzog stood still as the rock bounced off his thick skull, which in no way, meant he was a dim witted creature. He turned around slowly, his eyes focusing on a little winged creature. An imp.

Kalzog let out a deep laugh. "You joke right? An imp?" Kalzog laughed. "I haven't seen one of your kind for a long time. And yet, here is a little imp challenging me."

"Let me give you a hint in fighting an ogre, especially me. Buzz off, flea," Kalzog growled as he spun around and advanced towards the slaves.

Ezekial was surprised, most people didnt recognise imps, just thought of them as a stunted demon and for an ogre of all creatures to recognise one was unusual to say the least, but still, it was only a ogre, albeit it a tatooed and somewhat intelligent one.

He stuttered for a moment then said. "Those are my slaves and you Will pay for any you want, just like everything else, and you better pay some more for the damage you've done." He picked up another stone and threw it at the ogre.

The slaves on their part were huddling in fear at the far end of the cage like transport and trying to find some way out.

"You...annoying pest," Kalzog growled as he turned away and started walking towards the imp. "I'll give you a payment alright. I haven't tasted imp in so long. Maybe I'll start by ripping off your scrawny wings."

"And for Ogruk's sake...don't throw stones!"

"You will have to catch me first" Ezekial replied jumping backwards and grabbing several more stones before taking to the sky and from a safe vantage some 10 feet out of the ogres reach he threw another stone at it. if he could just lure the ogre away he might be able to trick him somehow.

Kalzog raised his hand to protect his face from the stone. "I know what you're doing," Kalzog growled as he turned around and walked closer to the slaves. "But I'll make you a deal, you little imp. Get down here and stand right in front of me. Stay there for a thirty counts. And you will keep your slaves."

The ogre smiled as he finally reached the cage as his left hand began to glow.

Ok... intelligent ogre, wondow how much it would be worth to a freak show. Ezekial flew closer and threw the rest of his stones in frustration, then replied.

"As tempting as your offer is, those slaves arn't worth my life, though you arn't going to get them for free." Ezekial made a hand gesture and the cage cought on fire at the ogres end. The smoke generated swirled into a cloud around between the ogre and the caravan. Then on the opposite side of the cage a small part opened and the slaves collapsed out in a heap.

Ezekial landed on top of the cage and said "Aye, go on, get out of here you stupid slaves, i'll round you back up soon enough, you're no use to me dead." This wasn't technically true, but necromancers wern't exactly common and corpses tended to smell after a while.

Kalzog growled as the smoke swirled in front of him. "Infernal Imp! I'll tear you apart!" he shouted as out of his hand several small whirlwinds sprouted out, spreading away the smoke. "Get over here!"

"Someone always has to interrupt a perfectly good meal!"

"This trip had been quite peaceful till you showed up, don't blame me for your own... shortcomings." replied the imp, the whirlwinds had almost knocked him off his perch on the cage but he managed to keep his grip.

Ezekial launched a bolt of fire at where he assumed the ogres face was through the quickly fading remnants of the smoke. He did not enjoy fighting, but he could see this wasn't going to end peacefully. "Why couldn't you just have bought one of them, you had to complicate everything."

Kalzog ducked under the ball of fire. "Why do you have to complicate things? Just a simple meal. You should be thanking me for relieving you of your slaves. No you don't need to pay for their care!"

Kalzog ran to the caravan and smiled. If the Imp wanted to shoot another fireball, he'd have to destroy the caravan. And...now Kalzog could reach inside the wagon and pull out little treasures that the imp would have sold.

"Ooo, look at this chest! It must be filled with goods to sell!" Kalzog laughed as he pulled out a medium sized chest.

"If you wanted a simple meal, you could just have paid for it and we would both be better off, and caring for the slaves isn't my problem, thats the problem of who i sell them to." Ezekial said shrugging.


"It's a shame you can't eat it, i'm sure even you would choke." Ezekial responded sarcastically as the ogre grabbed a chest. He could see that most of his caravan was lost, the animals he had been planning to sell or that were dragging the caravans had dragged several parts away in fear, the slaves were gone, as were the guardsm he could only carry so much himself.

"Ho ho! I don't plan on eating this! You take me as a stereotypical ogre, don't you!" Kalzog laughed as he picked up another chest and shook it violently, the sound of glass shattering picking through. "Useless!"

After he tossed the chest behind him, he picked up another chest and smiled. "I plan on getting me a profit," he laughed devilishly as he set that one next to his first chest.

He couldn't help but wince at the sound of glass shattering. But to the ogre's comment he replied.

"It's settled then, we are both after a profit, but currently both of us would struggle. You've more or less destroyed my caravan and its obvious that i would struggle to carry this lot to the nearest town. You can carry a lot more, but would not be welcome at any town, especially if those guards or slaves make it there first."

Kalzog smiled wickedly as he looked at the imp. "You're right...I guess I'll just have to destroy all of this stuff and destroy the nearest town..." he laughed.

"Wow...that is a good idea! I eat the women and children, kill all the men, take all the profits, and satisfy my hunger for battle!"

Kalzog snapped his finger and a spark fell on the caravan, but not starting a fire. Not yet. He grinned at the imp as he did it again.

"That's a shame, i almost thought you were intelligent for a moment there. What a mistake that would have been." Ezekial's eyes were scanning the the remaining cravans for anything particularly valuable apart from his hidden stash which had been dragged off by one of the animals, he would have to track it down. It was safe though, only he knew where to find it.

"Out of curiosity, what would you want money for? all you seem to do is kill things, do you just like shiny things?"

He sighed as the ogre started to make sparks, he waved his hand dismissivly and the sparks fizzled out. "Don't play with fire, you might get burned... though from your arm it looks like you already were." He smirked.

"You annoying runt!" Kalzog growled as he picked up one of the relatively heavy chests and tossed it at the imp. "I don't want money and I don't want shiny objects."

"And this," he pointed to the burns on his arm. "Is none of your concern."

But the mentioning of his arm got him to wonder if perhaps the little imp knew of the orb, possibly selling it unknowingly to someone.

"I'll make a deal with you then. I will bring all these goods to the nearest town for you, if you can tell me, or give me, a certain item. It resembles a large pinkish pearl."

Ezekial leapt sideways out of the way of the chest but missed his landing, his foot slipped through one of the holes in the cage and he fells somewhat awkwardly. Gunting he pulled himself out. He glanced at the chest as it smashed on the floor where it hit and several now bruised and battered items rolled out. "Was that really necessary?"

At the mention of an orb he thought for a moment. "I have seen many things that match that description. From the gypsy fortune tellers magic crystal to the expenisive rose quartz paperwieght some nobles seem to like. Though i assume it has some special significance. Magical i take it? Let me think."

The light breeze coming from the veranda was tainted by the acrid smell of coal, but after so long, they were used to it. The swaying of the palace from the same breeze was comforting in a way that can only be explained by an airman, and Daedelus had long been one of them. Stepping out to the veranda, he looked down at the shadow the enormous ballon cast on the ground, the tiny dots of steambuggies moving in perfect file along the raised roads was beauty to him, the order hiding the horriblr chaos lying in the lower slums of the city.

Tecnotia could only be described as a layer cake of a city, each level being built on the one immediately below it. The upper levels were controlled by the rich and the powerful, while the lower levels were the haven of the poor. While justice was swift in the upper levels, crime was rampant in the lower ones. All the while, the poor were forced to watch the wealthy living the better life almost literally on their backs as the rich moved about with their lives above them. The supended trains trundled from level to level, and out into the surrounding factory-scape where the Tecnotian economy found its roots.

Daedalus watched this, and smiled.

The clicking of metal on marble growing nearer to him made him turn around. Seeing his general, he said, "Good evening James, how are you?"

The light whirring of his mechanical parts was the backdrop as a mechanical voice said, "Same as always, sire."

Daedelus nodded, and then asked, "What brings you to my humble abode this evening?"

James turned his torso around 180 degrees, and retrieved something from the storage compartment on his mechanical lower half. Turning back, he was holding a medium sized chest. It appeared impossibly old, and yet it still held together. Setting it down, he said, "Several troops unearthed this while digging a well in the west. We have been unable to open it, but several of the scholars at the university believe it to be over four thousand years old."

Daedelus eyed the case, running his fingers along the top. Looking up at James, and said, "Get the engineers on it immediately."

James nodded, "Of course sir." As he retreated, his small steam boiler put out tiny puffs of smoke, as his large spider like lower half carried him out of the room.

Daedalus returned to his desk, and lowered sat it the chair behind it. Resting his feet on top of it, he opened one of a series of tubes to his right, talking into it, he said, "Give us more altitude." Suddenly, the massive Tecnotian Palace floated upwards as the massive steam turbines powering its fan blades went into over drive.

Balling his hands together, he rested his chin on the cool brass of his mechanical left hand. What an interesting turn of events indeed.

"Aye, it was necessary," Kalzog growled. "Nay, it was no gypsie orb, nor was it a paperweight. It did have a good amount of magic properties though."

"How about you show me them and I shall tell you if that's the one or not."

Kinaro had travelled around a bit, his travels mostly consist of traveling between towns fixing waterwheels, clocks and all manner of gadgets, gizmos and things that clanked. Well, fixing may be the wrong word as the devices usually weren't broken to begin with. He did leave them in working order, but frequently with more parts than they'd had to begin with.

On his way from one point to another, he came upon a beehiveish city with a flying palace above it. His techie sense began twinging, but it was nothing compared to his girl sense. Whenever a girl was nearby, his hair ocassionally formed a cowlick*, the more pronounced the more attractive the girl, it would also served as a directional indicator, and if experiance was any indication there were many very attractive females within the palace.

"Since I don't think they'll just let me in, I'll just have to come up with a way to do it myself." He muttered as he looked up at the palace. "Now how to go about doing it." He added as he swung his pack, overstuffed with all sorts of widgets, tools, gears, screws, bits of miscellaneous stuff and a few essentials.

He began pulling all sorts of strange things, including what would appear to be a skeletal arm with wires where the tendons would have been. With a hummed melody he set to work, pausing occasionally when he needed to find, build or cannibalised other items.

Some number of hours later, a sweaty, greased and dishevelled Kinaro sat back to look at his device. From appearence it appeared to be a strange hybrid between a gyrocopter, a hanglider and a backscratcher. Manhandling the device to the top of a nearby hill, he began pulling on a number of wires that released and created tension in a set of gears. As the rotor began spinning, picking up more and more speed as the tensions began increasing, he starting running forward.

By the time he'd gotten to the edge, the tension had reached the breaking point, sending the rotor spinning at a phenomenal speed. The craft rocket upward before the rotor snapped off, flying harmlessly away. The glider portion then began rising even quicker as the momentum sent it up and up. Sooning he'd caught the thermal currents and was on his way toward the floating castle, and the pretty girls.

ooc: * Alfalfa style (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Alfalfa.jpeg)

"As tempting as walking over there and looking for one of the several items i have, you seem to be more than happy to do it yourself." Ezekial replied, still considering the orb, he didn't think he had one, but something was nagging at his memory, when he had been travelling. "A pink orb, powerful magic... powerful magic, pink orb..."

Eventually it clicked. "Aye, i don't think i have something like that, as i said, feel free to rummage. But i do remember hearing about one when i passed through somewhere, a place of technology. I can't remember the name though..."

Kalzog frowned as he gave the imp a dark look. He then pulled out another chest. "Another land of technology? I've only been to one and that place was ..." He thought for a moment. "Somewhere in Lustria."

"Lustria ring a bell?" he asked as he rummaged through the stuff, tossing the fragile stuff behind him, most ending up cracking or breaking.

Kinaro's glider began dropping rather more quickly than anticipated as he got it over the palace. The building was interrupting the thermals and airflow he was using. Deciding it would be better to land than crash, he looked for a likely spot, and spotted a large balcony with an open window leading to what appeared to be a decent sized room.

Circuling around one more to get the right angle, he headed toward the balcony, crossing his fingers that no one would choose that moment to exit the room. Unless something drastic happened he'd be crashing through the window and likely giving anyone inside a heart attack.

"Lustria... Lustria... think i passed through a bit of it, could be, but i didn't stay long, i've visited a lot of places." He thought for a moment, then added; "There can't be that many technologically advanced places, probably less soon, especially if they have something you're looking for."

There was a groan from underneath a pile of things in one of the other caravans and a pile of silks shuffled as a guard who had obviously drunk too much the night before rolled out from under the pile and landed unceremoniously on the floor. Ezekial shrugged, "Feel free to kill him, i hate slackers."

Kalzog pulled the man to his feet, judging his size and weight. "Slackers are indeed problematic," he growled as he lifted the man and bit off his head before continuing onto his work of rummaging through Ezikeil's stuff.

"Probably less soon? You think I'm gonna go on a rampage through technological cities?" Kalzog laughed as he ripped off the arm of the decapitated man and chewed on it. He spat out a piece of armor, before continuing to chew.

"So, where were you headed anyways?"

Ezekial nodded with aproval at kalzog biting the mans head off, then sighed as some of the blood splattered on the silks he had been under. Another thing ruined.

"That was exactly what i was thinking. Though, if you do, try to leave some people alive, i might need to sell things to them, or better yet, kill them all and tell me where so i can take any valuable looking items." Ezekial said shrugging.

"I was heading to one of the ports, Jobesum. i was going to sell some of this then put the rest on a boat to wherever i felt like. Looks like that plan backfired though."

"Likes like it," Kalzog muttered as he pulled away from the imp's goods, or atleast what was left of it. "Now now, I don't always destroy everything in my way. Just occasionally. I tend to remain to myself."

"Jobesum...hmm, a port city? Maybe I'll join you," he smiled flashing his bloody teeth.

"Just don't expect me to trust you." Ezekial replied. "Before i go anywhere, i have to track down a certain horse which dragged off something i want back. You are welcome to wait here or follow, whichever suits you." With that he turned and leapt up in the sky, gaining height so that he could see further.

Some distance off he could see a group of the animals from the caravan milling around and chewing grass, he headed in that direction.

Harlin stood in his chamber gathering the supplies that he needed for his journey. When he was prepared, he went to close his napsack only to find someone's hand on top of his. Turning, he looked into the two most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen.

Leaning, he kissed his wife and then said, "Shara, I'm glad that you've come home. I have been dispatched on a special mission for the Guild. I was about to go find you to say goodbye."

Shara raised an eyebrow, "Why good bye? I'm coming with you, you know." She motioned to an already filled bag on by the entryway.

Harlin looked back at her, "No way, this is a dangerous mission, I won't have it."

Shara walked back to her bag, hoisting it on to her back. The light clanking of her armor could be heard from inside. "Harlin, I was in the Gate War with you. Stop treating me as though I can't take care of myself. I'm over 100 years old remember? I must be doing something right."

Harlin looked uneasy, "I know, it's just... I don't want you to be hurt."

Shara smiled, walking over and lifting Harlin's chin with her finger before tracing it down his chest. "You shouldn't worry so much, I'm a healer, so if anything goes wrong I can take care of it." As her finger reached his waist, she began to undo his belt. She looked into his eyes mischeviously and said, "When do we leave?"

Harlin smiled, "As soon as you're ready."

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

Daedalus was working at his desk, when he heard a crash on his balcony, followed by a screeching before a small glider complete with occupant slammed through the glass window and into the book case against the far wall.

Retrieving his gun from his desk drawer, he stood up and carefully walked over to the wreckage.

Looking at the dazed occupant, he sighed, This is why I ordered them to build rapid cannons on the roof... Standing up straight with his gun at his side, he said, "Pardon me sir, but why have you flown your glider into my study?"

"Trust?" Kalzog snorted, spitting out a few arm bones. "Who ever said anything about trust? Besides, I wouldn't trust an imp for anything."

The ogre smiled as the attention was turned from him to the animals. He snapped his fingers again, this time, igniting a fire on the caravan, before walking under the imp.

Animals...good...atleast something will be able to fill me up...

"Because there are beautiful girls somewhere in here, but then you were asking why I'm in your study." He muttered somewhat distractedly, "That's easy, this place messed with the winds and thermals I was using to try and find the girls and this was the closest place to land." Kinaro replied as he brushed himself off.

"Because there are beautiful girls somewhere in here, but then you were asking why I'm in your study." He muttered somewhat distractedly, "That's easy, this place messed with the winds and thermals I was using to try and find the girls and this was the closest place to land." Kinaro replied as he brushed himself off.

Daedalus nodded, slightly amused by the simple reason for the man's actions. "There are indeed women here, sadly they are part of my own personal harem, which I really don't share.

"On the other hand though, there are some female engineers on board, but I'm not so sure you'll find them quite as appealing. They'd probably like you though, seeing the flying contraption you rode in here on. Did you make it yourself?"

"Of course, wasn't that hard." He replied with a shrug. It would have been easier, and he would have likely not crashed, if he hadn't had to improvise parts.

Daedelus nodded again, "Impressive. The improvisation alone suggests an engineers mind... Son, how would you like a job?"

"Son?" Kinaro asked with a raised eyebrow, "Mind telling me what you're offering, want, goals and such, as well as the number and appearences of the women on and about this place?"

Daedelus went to his desk, and cleared away some papers before he found a log book. Opening it, and flipping thorugh the pages he found what he wanted and said, "I'm more than twice your age, I think I've earned the right to call young folk such as yourself son... There are currently 239 women in my employ aboard the Leviathan. How they look though is a matter of opinion, but you'll meet them in your work and can thus decide for yourself.

"Before I give you a job though, I have to ask you, what do you know about locks?"

"It depends, do you want the lock opened, or what the lock is locking opened?" He asked, "I have some stuff for getting into locked things."

"No no no, I don't want this infernal trickery on my products!" A tall, finely dressed man growled at another in a lab coat.

"But Sir Antarnes, with the protective magic-"

"Doctor, if you don't believe me when I say magic is obsolete, then I wonder as to why you came here in the first place. Anything magic can do, technology can do better. Technology is the future! Wh-ho-Why in all blazing steamworks did you even get to Technotia you infernal fool?"

"Sir I have never u-"

A hiss, before the man fell to the ground. The gentlemen known as Sir Antarnes stared at the dead man on the floor.

"Prepare the cannon!" Antarnes shouted to a group of engineers awaiting his orders. As soon as he shouted it, they scrambled around the large structure and began to fiddle with several control panels.

Antarnes himself walked to his own set of control panels and looked through a telescope pointed to an steam buggy that Antarnes had broken several years ago due to a rather...unfortunate incident involving a rebellious youth that was under his tutilage.

Several lights flickered along his control panel, revealing the stations that were ready for fire.

He pulled a microphone near his mouth as he put on large black goggles. "Prepare for test. Goggles ready."

Along the large cannon, the engineers put on their goggles.

"Prepare to fire on 10."


As the countdown approached zero, the large cannon began to hum loudly. Several panels opened up on top, revealing a large collection of mirrors. Several hums joined the original one. The countdown continued as the sounds of machanical movements were heard from inside the weapon.

1. "Fire!"

A bright beam of energy blasted from the barral of the weapon, hitting the buggy straight on and melting through it's metal casing, turning it into a steaming blob of melted metal.

Antarnes smiled wickedly as he watched the buggy. "Told you I needed no magic," he said.

"It depends, do you want the lock opened, or what the lock is locking opened?" He asked, "I have some stuff for getting into locked things."

Daedalus replied, "I need a certain box opened, my engineers are working on it now, but have made little headway. Perhaps you could be the catalyst to move them to a solution. If you accomplish this, I might keep you on as a regular member of my staff."

"I'll look at your box, do you know if it might be trapped or what might be in it?" He asked as he looked at Daedalus.

Ezekial grunted in response at Kalzogs answer, then looked back at the caravan and sighed again, Such a waste. As they approached the animals he glanced at the ogre, The animals might run away if that approached them, they might recognise me at least.

Stopping and turning to the Ogre he asked; "Would you mind staying here until i have had a chance to retrieve a few things? no offence, but you might scare them away."

"Don't worry, I'll catch them," Kalzog replied simply with a wicked smirk as he stretched his arms, walking ever closer to the animals.

Ezekial shrugged and followed the ogre. You just can't get the help these days. "Whats your name ogre?"

"You tell me yours first, imp," Kalzog replied. He usually didn't trust people with names, especially an imp. Who knows what could be accomplished just by the ogre's name. "Why do you want these animals anyways?"

He shrugged at the ogre. "Ezekial is the name, and as to why i want them... one of them has some things which belong to me, i want them back, the rest you can do with as you please."

"I am Kalzog," the ogre replied. "Now, if I were to take your stuff, what would you do?"

He was curious as to what these 'things' would be...perhaps a shiny little orb the imp was hiding?

"I wouldn't let you take my things, it's that simple." Ezekial replied, watching as several of the animals had lifted their heads and were watching the approaching pair with interest.

"I'll look at your box, do you know if it might be trapped or what might be in it?" He asked as he looked at Daedalus.

Looking up at the man, Daedalus replied simply, "No."

Stepping back to his desk, he opened another of the many tubes coming from the wall. "Hans, come and escort this man to the research deck." A few moments later, the door opened, and a young man stepped in.

Looking at the wreckage, he said, "I'll send someone to clean that up for you." Motioning to Kinaro, he walked out of the room.

"So you just want it open for the sake of it being open. Makes sense." Kinaro thought as the escort arrived. "Lead on." He rpelied as he follewed Hans.

"I wouldn't let you take my things, it's that simple." Ezekial replied, watching as several of the animals had lifted their heads and were watching the approaching pair with interest.

"That sounds like a challenge," the ogre grinned as he began to pick up his pace, his eyes scanning the horses to see which one seemed to be carrying the most or seemed to be the more important of the others.

Hans walked down the hall, outfitted entirely in marble, giving a small tour as he went. "This is the Emperor's level, and access from this point on will be by invitation of the Emperor himself only. If you are found up here without access, you will be shot and fed into the boilers."

Stopping in front of a set of ornate golden dors, he said, "I hope that we can expect none of that from you." Pulling a level, he stood back as a light hum could be heard coming from behind the doors. Several moments later, the doors opened of their own volition revealing a small chamber on the opposite side.

Hans looked at Kinaro and motioned, "After you."

Kinaro was only paying minimal attention to the guide as he was more interested in any pretty girls that might cross his path. "None of what?" He asked as walked into the chamber.

"That sounds like a challenge," the ogre grinned as he began to pick up his pace, his eyes scanning the horses to see which one seemed to be carrying the most or seemed to be the more important of the others.

There were a fair few horses scattered around, several wearing saddlebags, others dragging broken off parts of the caravans. Two wagons had been dragged over, on one the horses had broken free, on the other a horse was still attached.

"It wouldn't be a challenge, you won't get my things." Ezekial replied shrugging.

"How do you know?" Kalzog asked as he approached a brown horse with saddlebags attached to it.

"You don't want to know." Ezekial replied smiling as several of the horses perked up and began to back away, the one Kalzog was approaching turned and ran.

Kinaro was only paying minimal attention to the guide as he was more interested in any pretty girls that might cross his path. "None of what?" He asked as walked into the chamber.

Walking in after him, Hans shook his head and said, "Nothing..."

Pulling another lever inside the chamber, the door closed and the small room began to descend. Floor after floor passed by with the sounds clanging metal, and hissing steam coming from many of them.

They had been falling for quite some time when the area around the elevator opened up, giving a birds eye view of the main boiler room. Humongeous boilers lined the floor as enormous turbines spun from the vast quantities of steam created. The elevator car was occaisonally cast into to shadow by the gargantuan cams which transferred the main output into the rest of the airship. The air was filled with a spiderweb of gangways and suspended walks some of which seemed to have been thrown together quite hastily, and others that seemed as old and worn as the men toiling at the boilers far below.

Engineers scuttled about making sure that everything was just so. It took incredible precision to keep the largest free moving machine in the known world functioning.

As the elevator came to a rest at the ground level, Hans stepped out, and headed down the main boiler way, affectionately reffered to by the boilermen as "Hell itself". The sweltering heat coming from the massive fires was enough to make many light headed, but Hans had worked at these boilers in his youth, and was accustomed to it. Turning down a side passage, Hans led Kinaro through what appeared to be part of the enormous machine itself, many small pipes and gears carrying steam and relaying mechanical energy surrounded them on all sides. Still, Hans delved deeper into the heart of the machine.

Finally, Hans came to a large valve, and began to turn the wheel that controlled its flow. After a few turns, there was a hissing sound and a hole opened in the bulkhead. Stepping through, Hans said, "This is where the Emperor keeps his special projects, and will be your home for the next few days."

As they headed into the bowels of the ship, someone watching would be able to see Kinaro's fingers begin twitching as he was itching to take the thing apart to see how it worked.

"Shouldn't you have some air conditioning in this place?" He asked as they entered the boiler room and sweat began running off his brow.

Arriving at the destination and hearing the few days comment, he scoffed, "A few days, eh, doubt it'll take more than a few hours, maybe a day at best."

As the young mage tended to a roaring fire in his mountaintop dwelling, a strange vision appeared in the corner of his eye. At the entrance of his cave was what appeared to be a rippling blanket of water or jelly. It spanned the entire opening, but the truly odd thing about it was when Loki looked through, the quiet snow and scenic view was replaced by a bustling city with large buildings and people moving to and fro. Apparently though, the people going about their daily business were oblivious to him as they even walked directly towards the black mage and then continued through out of sight.

Wondering if it was a viewing window or a portal to another realm, Loki stood his gloved hand through and noticed it appear in the city before him. The portal was certainly mysterious in its occurrence, but the mage was now well versed in the strange and mysterious. Never one to back down from seeing new sights and gaining more knowledge, he was set on venturing in. Pulling up his oversized pants and straightening out his hat, he stepped slowly through the portal and into a new world...


He appeared on the very street he had just been gazing at in an unknown city and realm. None of the others walking the streets noticed his odd appearance out of nowhere... but then they did note his odd appearance with a variety of reactions and stares.

Loki looked around for a moment, getting his bearings despite his terrible sense of direction and location. With the portal behind him gone, he began walking down the street of the metropolis.

"You don't want to know." Ezekial replied smiling as several of the horses perked up and began to back away, the one Kalzog was approaching turned and ran.

"If I didn't want to know, I wouldn't have asked," Kalzog growled as he picked up a nearby rock and tossed it at the horse that ran from him.

"Let's just say... it's a surprise." Ezekial replied as he watched the horse get distracted by the stone and buckle on some uneven ground as it stumbled, it didnt fall but it seemed to have hurt its leg and though it continued hobbling away, it was at a slow speed. The rest of the horses were spreading out. Ezekial picked one to follow after. Maybe one of them will distract the ogre long enough for me to get my things.

As they headed into the bowels of the ship, someone watching would be able to see Kinaro's fingers begin twitching as he was itching to take the thing apart to see how it worked.

"Shouldn't you have some air conditioning in this place?" He asked as they entered the boiler room and sweat began running off his brow.

Arriving at the destination and hearing the few days comment, he scoffed, "A few days, eh, doubt it'll take more than a few hours, maybe a day at best."

As Hans was about to walk in through the doorway, a loud boom sounded from inside, and a man shot out the door, colliding with the far bulkhead. Standing, and brushing himself off, he was revealed to be tall and lanky, with disheveled red hair. Cursing lightly under his breath, he said, "That's the third time in the last few hours... no such thing as magic my arse," as he walked back into the room.

Hans followed him in, and took in the sight of the disorderly workshop. THe entire place seemed to be overflowing with peculiar odds and ends, but in the center was an open space where the chest lay smoking slightly.

In a loud voice he said, "Men, this is Kinaro, he'll be working with you."

The several engineers who were not buried in work, or digging themselves out of piles of rubbish where they'd been thrown by the chest's booby traps looked up and muttered greetings.

Hans looked at Kinaro and said, "Alright, good luck. If you need me, I'll be on the far end of the machine room in my office over looking Boiler Lane."

"So what have you tried to open that thing?" Kinaro asked as he looked around for the cute engineers that the condecending guy earlier had mentioned.

Many of nature's splendid creatures gathered around the drinking spring adging their gentle ways toward the refreshing waters. Among the kindest of spirits lay the most sinister of predators as well.

A soft dove landed at the water's edge keeping an ever watchful eye for a hungry beast ready to steal her life away. Lowering her beak to the water a rustle in the brush caught her attention, but no predator was that small, save one that very few animals had the misfortune of crossing.

Like a trap a tiny wolf lunged from the grass puncing onto his vitim with the utmost precision. The bird swiftly flew away letting the wolf fall face first into the spring.

"Dumb creature, a thousand curses on your nest!" Lupo yelled shaking his wet fur. The other animals cocked their heads puzzeled at the bizarre hunter.

"What are you all looking at!?" He screamed scaring away all the innocent critters, but his uproar caught the attention of the other predators. A water snake had managed to miss out on a dove the little wolf scared away, but the tiny foe would suffice.

Just as Lupo turned he was swollowed whole by the reptile.

"Damned snake, most trechorous of all creatures!" A muffled voice hollared from inside the slithering predator. However, the snake bit off more than it could chew as Lupo kick his feet through its hide and blindly walked towards what he remembered as a town.

"So what have you tried to open that thing?" Kinaro asked as he looked around for the cute engineers that the condecending guy earlier had mentioned.

The red haired engineer from before said, "Just about everything we could think up. Thing is, as soon as you get the first pin in the lock moved, something knocks all of us back like a hard kick in the chest. We even tried removing the hinges, but that had worse results," he indicated a blood splatter along the far wall.

Looking at Kinaro, he added extending his hand, "By the way, My names Oliver, Oliver O'Toole."

Looking around to try to figure out what Kinaro was looking for, he said, "I'm glad that the Tecnocrat," he said the word with some derision, "thinks enough of us and this project to bring in some outside help... So, any bright ideas?"

"Have you tried cutting or blasting a hole in it away the hinges, lock or lid?" Kinaro asked, because it was the first thing he'd have tried once it got stubborn.

Afterall one of the first rule of competent technoism, at least as defined by Kinaro, was when in doubt you can usually count on a bigger hammer.

"Have you tried cutting or blasting a hole in it away the hinges, lock or lid?" Kinaro asked, because it was the first thing he'd have tried once it got stubborn.

Afterall one of the first rule of competent technoism, at least as defined by Kinaro, was when in doubt you can usually count on a bigger hammer.

Oliver shook his head, "Apparently, the contents are well over 4000 years old, and probably wouldn't fare to well under a hammer's blows. So, no explosives..."

"Either way," he said as he picked up a hammer from a nearby table and walked to wards the chest. Lifting it up, he brought it down on the back hinge only to be blown back by an invisible force. It was not even evident that the hammer had hit the chest. Shaking himself to come out of his daze, he stood up and dusted himself off, "That happens if you try to damage it."

"That's why you use don't try to break open the hinge, you try and break open the wall that actually holds whatever is in it." Kinaro explained as he didn't mind if it was old, he'd have applied explosives anyways. He had a few other options if couldn't bash the side in.

Coming out of the reverie of lying in bed with Shara, Harlin stood, and put on his clothes. Shaking Shara awake, he said, "We must go."

In several minutes, both were ready, and they departed carrying their bags for the far stables. Saddling, and mounting their horses, they rode out through one of the many concealed entrances to the Fortress.

Leaving the city center, they headed for the outskirts, and eventually the road to the sea.

Oliver shook his head, "You think we haven't tried that? It's as though the thing has an impenetrable force field around it. Nothing we've done has even scratched the surface of the box."

Looking around htough, no one else had any ideas, so he said, "Alright, try it if you want, just make sure not to blow up any of the steam lines that essentially surround us."

"Is it required to work in here or is there somewhere less crowded?" Kinaro asked as he began creating a mental list of things to get them to supply him with.

"Let's just say... it's a surprise." Ezekial replied as he watched the horse get distracted by the stone and buckle on some uneven ground as it stumbled, it didnt fall but it seemed to have hurt its leg and though it continued hobbling away, it was at a slow speed. The rest of the horses were spreading out. Ezekial picked one to follow after. Maybe one of them will distract the ogre long enough for me to get my things.

Kalzog nodded. "I like surprises," he laughed as he jogged towards the wounded horse and brought his hands around it's neck, cracking it violently. He searched the pockets, unsure of what exactly the imp was looking for.

Another horse galloped nearby, Kalzog picking up the horses corpse and flinging it at the other.

"Ever played Horse toss?" Kalzog laughed as he watched the body sail in the air towards the living horse. Kalzog certainly gained pleasure from the most chaotic, sickening, and twisted of activities.

"Is it required to work in here or is there somewhere less crowded?" Kinaro asked as he began creating a mental list of things to get them to supply him with.

Oliver thought about it for a moment as he looked around wondering what was wrong with the open space in the middle, and replied, "No, Boiler Alley is larger, but much more crowded, and everywhere else is restricted access for the Emperor and his staff. we could move to the ground, but..."

There was a shuffling sound from above, and a filthy old man fell from between two pipes in the ceiling.

Oliver looked at him in disgust, and said, "Eugh, Get your stink out of here old man."

The man had a crazy look in his eye as he replied, "Old man? That's some way to treat your own father."

Oliver replied, "Father, that's a laugh. I was the one who had to take care of myself and your other six illegitimate children."

The man walked over, and said, "Never mind that, I'm still your father. The reason I dropped in though, is that I know what the solution is."

Oliver raised an eyebrow, "And what is that?"

The man replied, "You need a key."

Oliver looked at the man for a second in shock, and then said, "Get out of here you old fool, come back when you're not so drunk you give answers like that."

One of the other engineers looked up from a book, and said, "He's right Oliver, I see no other way. We have to find the key."

The old man pointed at the engineer and said, "See, someone has some common sense around here other than me."

Oliver put his hand to his forehead and rubbed at it a little bit, "The stupidity of this is astounding... Kinaro, Go see General Altrie, hans will tell you where he is. The General will be able to secure you passage to the town where the chest was discovered. See if you can find the key."

"Alright." He commented before asking for direction to Hans' office. Once getting it, he headed out to find Hans and muttered to himself, "That might be the more efficiant method, but not the more enjoyable one. Afterall, it's fun to blow things up."

Ezekial shrugged as he ignored Kalzog's extreme violence. "To each his own."
He made his way to the abandoned wagon and kicked a few things off, looking for anything of particular interest. Not finding anything he stretched his wings and flew after the other wagon, that was rapidly moving away from the ogre, since a horse was still attached and dragging it. Maybe its there, hopefully the ogre will be too busy enjoying his games, or too far behind.

Lupo, still trapped within the snake's belly, sprinted down what was now a paved street apparently. Rather than a kind rescue the denizens saw only a talking snake and began stomping at it frantically. The tail of the snake pinned by a bot, the wolf's scurry tore the reptile in half freeing him.

"Thanks you fettered pig!" He shaking the snake's fluids from his brown fur.

Again the citizens, frightened by a tiny talking werewolf of all things, began attempting to crush the fleeing creature.

Hans was walking down Boiler Lane with a clipboard checking productivity when he noticed Kinaro. Walking up to him, he cocked his head, "Something wrong?"

***********************
(For Loki/DMG)

It had been a long day, and all John wanted to do was do was go home to his family, but he was stuck here on patrol for another hour. As a result, he took his resulting anger and frustration out on the first thing he saw.

The badges on his police uniform shined in the light as he walked acroos the packed street to the short strange man in an antiquated cloak. Standing in front of the strange man, he was slightly disconcerted by the fact that he couldn't see the others face, but went on anyway. Reaching out his hand, he said, "Papers, please."

"Beside a lack of willingness to take risks and play with machines of those engineers, they've sent me to go try and find the key for that chest of yours." Kinaro replied

Kalzog glanced at the imp as he took flight. Kalzog's eyes tried to pinpoint where the creature was going, and decided it could be the wagon.

With a laugh he picked up the horse's carcass and tossed it again, this time aiming for the little imp. "And that's for earlier," he chuckled as he made snapped his fingers, his rock platform hovering closer to him.

Hans smiled, "They have good reason not to risk the contents of that case. Had they damaged them, the Tecnocrat would have had more than their jobs."

Looking at the clipboard, he tapped his fountain pen against it. "The matter of finding the key though is an interesting and yet highly unlikely proposition. Oliver has complete discretion on this task though... Well, see General Altrie, he'll be able to secure you passage to the west were the chest was found. He should be just preparing to depart on the airship for the ground." Hans indicated that there was a docking bay several hundred feet above them.

"What's special about an old and appearently warded treasure chest? Probably has a wizard's laundry in it." Kinaro commented, "And any chance I can get access to a machine shop?"

Hans remained enigmatic, "The Tecnocrat has his reasons."

Hans gave Kinaro a peculiar look. "How long have you lived in Tecnotia? There are machine shops almost literally everywhere."

"I don't live in Technotia, I was travelling through when I spotted this place and came to investigate." Kinaro replied, not satisfied with Hans' answer.

Kalzog glanced at the imp as he took flight. Kalzog's eyes tried to pinpoint where the creature was going, and decided it could be the wagon.

With a laugh he picked up the horse's carcass and tossed it again, this time aiming for the little imp. "And that's for earlier," he chuckled as he made snapped his fingers, his rock platform hovering closer to him.

Hearing to Ogre laugh he glanced back over his shoulder to see a horse flying towards him. He responded accordingly and rose higher to dodge the carcass. What does it take to lose this ogre?

Seeing his time would be short he put in extra effort and flew faster towards the caravan. As he cought up he focused on the caravan and sent a bolt of fire to burn through the ropes connecting the horse to it. A smoke shield appeared to cover the caravan as Ezekial dived towards it, frantically searching for the secret opening. I'm not going to lose anything more to this ogre.

It had been a long day, and all John wanted to do was do was go home to his family, but he was stuck here on patrol for another hour. As a result, he took his resulting anger and frustration out on the first thing he saw.

The badges on his police uniform shined in the light as he walked acroos the packed street to the short strange man in an antiquated cloak. Standing in front of the strange man, he was slightly disconcerted by the fact that he couldn't see the others face, but went on anyway. Reaching out his hand, he said, "Papers, please."

Loki had been walking down the street and taking in all of the new sights from this distant city. The streets were full of people milling about or traveling to their jobs, and often they would bump into Loki without ever noticing him. Hardly ever did they apologize or even check to see if he was okay, but the young mage was used to it by now.

However, one person did pay attention to him. He seemed to be a figure of authority as he stuck out his hand and demanded some papers. "I don't have any paper..." Loki replied quietly, not knowing what the man was talking about.

Loki had been walking down the street and taking in all of the new sights from this distant city. The streets were full of people milling about or traveling to their jobs, and often they would bump into Loki without ever noticing him. Hardly ever did they apologize or even check to see if he was okay, but the young mage was used to it by now.

However, one person did pay attention to him. He seemed to be a figure of authority as he stuck out his hand and demanded some papers. "I don't have any paper..." Loki replied quietly, not knowing what the man was talking about.

No papers? An odd case indeed... It was required by the Tecnocrat that everyone inside the borders of Tecnotia carry identification papers at all times. It was an effort to control both crime, and the populace in general.

John weighed his options. He could either take this man, child, thing, whatever it was back to the station and risk being repremanded for bringing forth such a lowly concern, or he could take the initiative and immediately demote this stranger. Putting a firm hand on the small person's back, he pushed forward and forced Loki to march in front of him to a large, circular metal door in a nondescript and filthy alleyway.

He began to recite the rights of a citizen as was required by law, "You have been found in an upper level area with out proper identification, you are not a citizen of Tecnotia, so you are not entitled to a trial. As such, you have been found guilty of Class Subversion, and will be immediately demoted to level Gamma."

As he opened the door, and gently pushed Loki into the black abyss on the other side, he added, "Have a nice day."

The tube traveled straight down several hundred feet, and deposited Loki, rather unceremoniously into a pile of refuse. The few vagrants around, pointed and laughed at Loki's misfortune. Meanwhile however, one boy was ascending the pile to Loki's level.

His flaming shock of red hair and splash of freckles distinguished him as an immigrant from the south, and because of his own background, he felt sympathy for Loki.

Looking at the laughing folk, he said, "Ahh get out of here, and take your filth with you, you dirty vagabonds."

Looking down at Loki and extending a hand, he asked, "You okay there? That's one heck of a fall."

One moment he was minding his own business and admiring the streets of the new city, and then the next moment he was being pushed down what seemed to be a trash dump.

After landing in an a dirty pile of rubbish, the young mage's clothes were all out of sort; his pants had turned slightly and despite the belt where higher than they should have been, his coat had gotten very dirty as he slid on it, and his hat had fallen over his eyes. Then he heard a voice...

"You okay there? That's one heck of a fall."

With the oversized hat covering his vision, Loki could only hear the voice. It took him a couple of moments, but he unloosed his hat so that his large yellow eyes peered out from the darkness. After dusting himself off and readjusting his clothes, the young mage greeted the stranger. "Umm... I guess so..." he responded weakly.

Hearing to Ogre laugh he glanced back over his shoulder to see a horse flying towards him. He responded accordingly and rose higher to dodge the carcass. What does it take to lose this ogre?

Seeing his time would be short he put in extra effort and flew faster towards the caravan. As he cought up he focused on the caravan and sent a bolt of fire to burn through the ropes connecting the horse to it. A smoke shield appeared to cover the caravan as Ezekial dived towards it, frantically searching for the secret opening. I'm not going to lose anything more to this ogre.

"Ho ho, Methinks my new little friend doesn't want me to see something. Little greedy demon, what are you hiding?" Kalzog asked as he reveled in the chaos of the fire, smoke, and carnage. His hands glowed as he prepared another cyclone spell to deal with the cloud of smoke, but decided to wait for the Imp's response first.

Henry retracted his hand as the small man got up on his own. "That's good. I guess I should welcome you to Level 1a of Tecnotia City." As he said this, he gestured around to the run down apartment buildings, and assorted steam tubes traveling to the upper levels. All of the light for this level was provided by thousands upon thousands of flickering gas lamps in the ceiling.

As he slowly walked away from the new acquaintance, he thought about his own arrival in this level of the city. The loneliness had been unbearable until he had found a group of boys just like him. Orphans from the upper levels who had been cast down. Deciding that he had some responsibility to be a friend to the newcomer he grabbed the stranger by the hand and led him down the heap. Looking back at his landing site, he asked, "How'd that happen anyway?"

"I don't live in Technotia, I was travelling through when I spotted this place and came to investigate." Kinaro replied, not satisfied with Hans' answer.

Hans nodded, a certain disgust flashing in his eyes. "Ah, a foreigner... If it were were my choice, I would have you thrown off this ship simply for your insubordinate tone. Alas, the Tecnocrat has interest in you. Get to the docking bay before the ship departs."

"Foreigner I may be, but I'll wager I could invent axled wheels by the time it took most of your inventors to figure out that a square wheel won't work." Kinaro commented as before heading down to the docking bay.

"Ho ho, Methinks my new little friend doesn't want me to see something. Little greedy demon, what are you hiding?" Kalzog asked as he reveled in the chaos of the fire, smoke, and carnage. His hands glowed as he prepared another cyclone spell to deal with the cloud of smoke, but decided to wait for the Imp's response first.

Ezekial found the opening part and disabled the wards he had on it. He grabbed the pack and darted through the smoke to the front of the wagon, ducking there so if the ogre did dispell the smoke he should still be hidden. "I'm not hiding anything, i am merely taking some objects of significane which belong to me out of this caravan before you destroy it. And who are you to call me greedy?"

"I am Kalzog to call you greedy. I know you imps, always trying to get the better end of the bargain," Kalzog laughed as he sent the gusts of wind to take care of the smoke.

"And what may these valuables be? A sort of large pearl, about the size of a human head?"

Ezekial shook his head, Why does he have to be so stubborn?

"Nothing of the sort, i told you, thats in techno place if your still thinking of that. These are just... rare and useful and obviously valuable objects. You've destroyed my caravan, i will need to sell at least one of these to pay for a new one." There were also a few sentimental objects that had come with him when he was brought to this plane.

Kalzog chuckled as he decided not to give the little imp any more trouble. He had, after all, gotten rid of a lot the imp had to offer.

He laughed again and nodded. "So be it, imp. I'll respect your little trinkets. However, I seek payment for doing so."

He let out a mental laugh as the imp would probably hate him even more for it. "I would like you to tell me where the nearest city is."

Ezekial turned and jumped onto the caravan, he kicked a few things aside and his clawed foot stopped over a rolled piece of parchment, he picked it up, glanced at it, then kicked it at the ogre. "Theres a map, find it yourself."

He rooted around and picked up a few of the items which were on the caravan and didnt look damaged, he shoved a stack of expensive cloths into a bag and threw a large box of jewels on top of it. Then jumped off the caravan and started to walk in the rough direction of the port town he had mentioned earlier.

"Why thank you," Kalzog replied with mock cheer. He opened the map and smiled as he looked over the top at the walking imp. "You know, I never asked for these jewels and jewelery. Judging by the design, I suppose they'd be several thousands of years old. I can earn a lot of money for that..."

He raised an eyebrow to see if the imp would take his bait.

Ezekial hesitated midstep, then continued, albeit at a slightly slowed pace as he mulled it over. Without stopping he turned to face the ogre while walking backwards and said "What do you know of jewels?"

"Oh, quite a lot. I know how to determine their age with a few simple spells. I don't have unique eyes for nothing you know," Kalzog replied as he pointed to his glowing red eyes.

"The jewelery looks to be from the Jewel master, Brologon the Crafter, possibly made after the third Gate War. Magnificent indeed," the ogre continued. He had no idea what he was saying, mostly making the stuff up, but who knows, maybe there was a Brologon the Crafter. And his eyes were certainly more valuable than jewel observers.

He had seen many creatures with glowing red eyes in his plane, they had generally not seemed anything special and he hadn't heard of them being useful for jewels... He may have to procure a pair of red eyes from a creature sooner or later, turn them into a lens or something. He hadn't heard of this Brologon the Crafter, but he didn't claim to be the best in the business.

"i'm inclined to distrust you Kalzog, but you've sparked my interest. Show me these jewels and i might believe you." He was still walking backwards, but had slowed down a lot more.

Kalzog looked down and made the motion of stuffing several items in a pocket. "I'm sorry, but I have heard that from many an imp, each one trying to take what I had. I will, however, show them to you, perhaps even give you a few if you take me with you to where ever you are off to."

Kalzog smiled as he rolled the map up and stretched his arms out as he stood on the floating rock.

"Awww, does the might ogre need to be taken places? You're welcome to follow if you want, but i won't be responsible for your actions." This was the second or third time this ogre had referenced his people and Ezekial was beggining to get curious. "So, when did you have the... pleasure, of meeting so many of my people?"

The ogre gave the imp a hint of a wicked smile as he sped towards Ezekiel. "I figured that I wouldn't want my new imp friend to be torn apart by the beasties that can inhabit the area, since he doesn't have his guards anymore..."

"Oh, here and there. Secretive business. I am not all that I may seem," Kalzog said gruffly, as if he didn't want to speak of it.

"The guards were not for me, they were for the caravans, i can take care of myself well enough." He watched the ogres approach and reached into his pack, taking out a miniature of a flaming horse, a nightmare, he had 'aquired' in his travels, he placed it on the ground and a full size nightmare appeared, not truely a nightmare, but a very good fake. Ezekial leapt on top of it and lay down relatively comfortable, the flames didn't seem to affect him, though they did give off heat.

In a joking tone he said "If you are not all you may seem, then i have grossly overestimated you ogre."

"Oh? How so? Perhaps you underestimated me instead?" Kalzog replied with a grin, but otherwise kept his eyes ahead.

"I try not to do that, overestimating makes so much more sense, that way, if you're wrong its a pleasent surprise rather than a nasty one. And, if you overestimate the value of something and the other person doesn't argue..." A smile spread across the imps face.

Deciding that he had some responsibility to be a friend to the newcomer he grabbed the stranger by the hand and led him down the heap. Looking back at his landing site, he asked, "How'd that happen anyway?"

After dismounting the trash heap with all of the grace belonging to a chair, Loki once again brushed off his clothes to remove the dirt and grime that had gathered.

Loki shrugged in response to the boy's question. "I dunno... I was kind of walking down the street and then this man stopped me and asked for my papers," the young mage explained as he looked towards the ground. "When I told him I didn't have any paper, he lead me do a door and then the next thing I know... here I am."

The place in which he was now standing was nothing like where he had been a moment ago. This place was dark, dirty and rundown... it didn't seem like the kind of place Loki would like.

"I try not to do that, overestimating makes so much more sense, that way, if you're wrong its a pleasent surprise rather than a nasty one. And, if you overestimate the value of something and the other person doesn't argue..." A smile spread across the imps face.

"I have come to realize that nobody I know has overestimated me," Kalzog replied. "I suppose I am as changing as the wind...but that belies my chaotic beliefs now doesn't it?"

"Change is not necessarily a bad thing." His mind was elsewhere, wondering how long it would take them to get to the port town.

Kalzog yawned and followed behind, plotting and scheming as he usually did...

"So, how did you get here anyways?" Kalzog asked as he hovered behind the imp.

"A wizard thought i would make a useful pet and summoned me from my realm to this one, i rapidly disuaded him of this idea and unburdened him of many of his possesions." Ezekial replied, a somewhat sad look appeared on his face for a moment before he smiled again. "That was some time ago."

"Oh? From your expression, I'd almost think you missed your master," Kalzog replied as he caught a glimpse of Ezekiel's sad face. "But clearly, a business imp like yourself cannot be too sad if it benefitted you by taking his possesions."

"No, i was thinking more of home, and maybe a small trap the wizard left on some of those items, it wasn't the most pleasent on experiences. They sold well though, so i can't complain." Ezekial shrugged.

"And what if those traps were deadly to whomever they were sprung against? What if a poor father bought one of your stolen goods to give to his poor son, who died upon springing the trap? Don't you feel the slightest bit sorrowful?" Kalzog asked with a raised eyebrow. He was very curious as to the imps intentions and was more or less, testing his personality.

"I try to test what i sell, it helps with the sales pitch, being able to tell them what it does and all. I springed those traps myself, being somewhat more inexperienced back then, lets just say this wizard had a more sadistic side. Potions not so much, might be a poisen that just looks and smells like one thats supposed to heal you." He pondered the second part of the question for a moment. "Generally i don't mind what happens to them, whatever they do with what i sell to them is their business, as long as i am far enough away to not be involved."

"What about you? Do you ever regret, oh say, destroying peoples caravans maybe?" Was Ezekials counter question.

"Ah...that's what I thought. That's how most Imps I know are...only caring about their profits," Kalzog chuckled as he closed his eyes and sat down on his floating piece of earth.

"No, I feel no remorse when destroying people's caravan or eating live things. They provide me entertainment and food, as well as possible profits and silly little imps."

After dismounting the trash heap with all of the grace belonging to a chair, Loki once again brushed off his clothes to remove the dirt and grime that had gathered.

Loki shrugged in response to the boy's question. "I dunno... I was kind of walking down the street and then this man stopped me and asked for my papers," the young mage explained as he looked towards the ground. "When I told him I didn't have any paper, he lead me do a door and then the next thing I know... here I am."

The place in which he was now standing was nothing like where he had been a moment ago. This place was dark, dirty and rundown... it didn't seem like the kind of place Loki would like.

Henry nodded his head in understanding. "Identification papers are required for access to the upper levels. They like to keep us riff-raff out of their utopia."

"Ah...that's what I thought. That's how most Imps I know are...only caring about their profits," Kalzog chuckled as he closed his eyes and sat down on his floating piece of earth.

"No, I feel no remorse when destroying people's caravan or eating live things. They provide me entertainment and food, as well as possible profits and silly little imps."

"They say that great minds think alike." Ezekial said, then thought for a moment about the wisdom of camparing his mind to that of an ogre. He shrugged. "Though i have been known to give gifts on a few, rare occasions."

Kalzog let out a chuckle. "Somehow, I think that rare means once before and occasion means getting out of trouble. I don't see you giving something out for free unless it means saving your hide."

"You'd think so, and you would be wrong." Ezekial shrugged, then added. "I'll also have you know that i would have paid those guards quite well and pay 30% before we leave town so they can give it to their families. Got to make sure the young ens survive, there the buyers of the future."

"Greedy little imp...always tieing it to your business one way or another. I don't see why you can do it," Kalzog growled, letting his dark red eyes stare at Ezekiel. "I'd just ransack the town and steal it's profits. But I guess a creature of your stature and brittle bones can't do it so well."

"If i felt so inclined i could probably do the same, but it would not serve my purposes, I prefer to buy and sell the finer things, and most of those don't sell so well covered in blood." Ezekial sighed. "Well that and most people in a town don't have many fine things."

Henry nodded his head in understanding. "Identification papers are required for access to the upper levels. They like to keep us riff-raff out of their utopia."

"But I'm not riff-raff," the young mage protested. "I was quietly minding my own business. He," Loki said, identifying the guard, "was the one that called the ruckus. Not me."

Henry shrugged, "It could just be that he had a boring detail, and wanted to exert his authority. I imagined you drew his attention with those weird clothes you're wearing, I mean what century do you think this is?"

Striding away, Henry stopped and turned, "Sorry bout that, I didn't mean to insult you, it's just... this place gets to me."

Turning back around and continuing on he said, "I'll take you to my place and we can grab some food and figure out some more permanent arrangements for you."

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

Harlin and Shara were riding down the hot, sandy road when Harlin saw off in the distance an altercation between what looke like an oversized bug and a moving rock. It looked as though things weren't going well for the bug and the nearby caravan. Squeezing his horse slightly, he urged it in that direction.

As they came nearer to the fight, Harlin noticed a resemblance that the boulder had to an old friend, but it was Shara who said it first. "Kalzog!" She shouted as she rode in his direction. Riding up next to him, she hit him on the arm. "Leave that poor bug alone. He's not hurting anything."

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

Looking over the controls, the Airship pilot went through the final checklist. Reaching the bottom he nodded to the co pilot who stepped back into the passenger hold and went to the door. Looking out he shouted, "All aboard!"

Kalzog was slightly surprised to feel something slap up at his arm. The ogre looked down only to see a familiar little elf face staring up at him. Kalzog hadn't heard Shara's shouts, or atleast not paid any attention to it, due to his talking with Ezekiel or the possibility of a child shouting random words.

"Shora...Shiara...Shara!" Kalzog said, trying to remember what her name was. "I am not doing a thing to the...bug"

The ogre let out a deep laugh and smiled at the half-elf. "My my, Shara. You can accurately describe what the creature is...however he is an imp, rather than a bug. I'm deeply surprised to see you. What brings you around here?"

Henry shrugged, "It could just be that he had a boring detail, and wanted to exert his authority. I imagined you drew his attention with those weird clothes you're wearing, I mean what century do you think this is?"

Striding away, Henry stopped and turned, "Sorry bout that, I didn't mean to insult you, it's just... this place gets to me."

Turning back around and continuing on he said, "I'll take you to my place and we can grab some food and figure out some more permanent arrangements for you."

Weird clothes? Loki looked down at his attire, wondering what the boy meant by weird clothes. To Loki, they were as normal as anything and they were the only thing he had really ever known.

"Thanks," the young mage replied as the boy offered to grab him some food and a place to stay for the moment. He hadn't realized how hungry he was, but all of the walking he did around town had tired him.

After hurrying forward, albeit clumsily, to catch up with Henry, Loki inquired as to what it was like here, "Why do you live down here and not up there where I was before?"

"I'm no bug, and for your information i am qite capable of taking care of myself. Me and Kalog here were working out an agreement." Ezekial said with a hint of annoyance, he was used to people not quite knowing what he was, but a bug! thats just insulting.

"As your ogre friend says, i am an imp, Ezekial is the name, now ex-caravan master. Pleased to make your aquaintance." He glanced at the two, a half elf and a human by the looks of things, but since they were friends of the ogre he was inclined to distrust them.


OOC: They left the caravan behind a while ago, after taking a few things.

Kinaro boarded the airship, taking a seat and strapping himself in as he waited for anyone else who was riding it. He was thinking that he was being given scut work because the entrenched disliked outsiders and wanted to get rid of him.

Shara crossed her arms and looked hard at Kalzog, frowning she said, "I can't believe you didn't remember my name."

Looking at the imp Shara said, "Hello Ezekial, nice to meet you. An Imp, I see, my mistake."

Harlin meanwhile was talking to Kalzog, "What brings you out into the Schorched Waste my friend?"

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

Henry looked at Loki as the rounded the corner of a nearby building and emerged on a rather busy street. Turning and walking through the gutter with the other pedestrians, Henry said, "I used to live up there, until my father was conscripted by the Tecnocrat. All the best engineers get plucked out of the city and are taken to the palace. After my father was taken, I had no one left. I couldn't pay the bills, and was sent down here."

The walked past a set of windows where several men could be seen putting loaves into ovens, and bringing out fresh bread. Turning to Loki, Henry said, "Wait here."

Quietly, Henry strode into the crowded bakery.

Moments later, he emerged again, this time very quickly. He had two loaves of bread in his hand, and a baker on his tail. As he approached Loki he shouted, "Run!"

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

The Airship jolted slightly as it was released from its moorings, then drifted softly out of it's docking bay. Slowly, it turned and headed off into the East.

"I don't like to remember names. It makes me seem friendly. The only names I remember are those I'm going to kill, or those that have tutored me in some way," Kalzog grinned menacingly. The ogre turned around to face Harlin and frowned slightly. "I have lost something of extreme value and it is imperitive that I find it. I explored most of the Order and the Imperium, along with a few Barbarian tribes, however, none of them know the whereabouts of my little prize."

"So I turn to some of the best thieves in the world, the Jiltaken. After all, they were at the Gate War. You wouldn't happen to know where my little orb is?" He asked, his eyes giving off a threatening glint.

Kinaro just looked out the window as the airship headed out. He was busy wondering if there were any pretty girls on the vessel or where it was headed.

"So I turn to some of the best thieves in the world, the Jiltaken. After all, they were at the Gate War. You wouldn't happen to know where my little orb is?" He asked, his eyes giving off a threatening glint.

Harlin raised an eyebrow, "Some of the best? I'm sure you mean the best. No, I don't know offhand. I would assign someone to it, but the Jiltakin are not taking any new assignments for awhile, which consequently is why I'm in the Scorched Waste. I'm heading to Jobesum to hire a ship to cross the Western Sea. Perhaps your orb made it to the land that lies on the other side?"

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

As the Ship got underway, a beautiful young girl began walking down the aisle's asking for drink orders. Her skimpy outfit and flirtatious manner was sure to excite Kinaro.

"Why yes, I would like a drink. Served perhaps throught the vessel of your mouth?" He requested with a faint, but sincere, smile.

"Now, don't be too prideful. It only worsens the blow when one beats you," Kalzog replied. "And I'm not asking you guys to find it for me. I'm making sure you guys don't have it."

The girl smiled back seductively, "I'll see what I can do."

Turning, she returned to the back of the airship cabin where she turned and looked back at Kinaro, beckoning him with a finger.

Kinaro stood, a slightly lecherous grin on his face, and followed the girl's beckoning finger after her.

In the back of the cabin was a door to the cargo hold. The stewardess opened the door and motioned for Kinaro to go in.

"After you." He said as he chivaloursly(sp) held the door open for her.

Looking into his eyes, she bit her lip and slowly unbuttoned her shirt, "No, after you, I insist."

"But a man should always ensure a woman is first." He replied with a trace of innuendo in his speech.

Looking disappointed she said, "Fine, I guess you don't want me." She began buttoning her shirt back up.

"If you would really prefere I go first..." He commented as he leaned over to give her a kiss.

Harlin raised an eyebrow, "Some of the best? I'm sure you mean the best. No, I don't know offhand. I would assign someone to it, but the Jiltakin are not taking any new assignments for awhile, which consequently is why I'm in the Scorched Waste. I'm heading to Jobesum to hire a ship to cross the Western Sea. Perhaps your orb made it to the land that lies on the other side?"



A sly smile crossed Ezekials face, A theif... bt thieves are not hard to come by, a skilled one apparently, seemingly overconfident. He nodded absently in response to Shara's apology and mumbled "The pleasure is all mine."

He kept his eye on Harlin. "We were heading to Jobesum as it is, or at least i was. What can you tell us about this other land?" He glanced at Kalzog and back in the distance at some smoke still coming off the caravan. "A change of scenery might be appropriate."

Harlin looked at Ezekiel, and replied, "Very little. My people haven't traveled there for some time. Ships avoid the area, they say that those who sail towards the far continent seldom return. So, I have quite a task ahead of me in finding a captain crazy enough to attempt a crossing."

"I know of a few crazy captains," Kalzog chuckled. "However most of them you guys may not enjoy being in the presence of...especially you, Shara."

Shara looked at Kalzog defiantly, "I can handle it. I'm more than just a beautiful elf, you know."

Harlin smiled, "Why don't you come with us then, we can find my treasure, and you can find your orb."

Quietly, Henry strode into the crowded bakery.

Moments later, he emerged again, this time very quickly. He had two loaves of bread in his hand, and a baker on his tail. As he approached Loki he shouted, "Run!"

As Loki walked along and heard of Henry's story, he began to get an ill feeling about the city above and the way it was run. "Doesn't the Critteteck pay your father?" Loki asked curiously.

However, Henry was preoccupied with something else and slipped into a little building from which heat poured out of the door. In a flash, the boy returned with some fresh looking bread that Loki wished to have in his stomach, but something seemed amiss.

"Huh? Why...?" Loki asked startled by the urgency in Henry's voice. A particularly angry looking man was running after the boy and so Loki had no choice but to follow, albeit clumsily as he often tripped over his own feet.

Henry daashed down the street dodging people and carts. Turning sharply, he dodged down an alley, waving to Loki and shouting, "This way!" A litttle ways down the alley, he slid into a broken window on a basement room of a deserted tenement. As Loki was about to run past, he reached out, and pulled him in as well. Several moments later, the baker ran by and down the far end of the alley.

Walking around, Henry grabbed a box of matches off a nearby mantle, and lit an oil lamp which hung from the ceiling. As the light cast shaodws around the room, it revealed a small bedroom with assorted knick-nacks everywhere. The whole place looked like a magpie's nest, and Henry quietly said, "Welcome to my home."

"The Tecnocrat could pay my father, but why would he want to. He forced my father to work for him for no money."

As Loki was pulled off his feet, he fell to the ground and was yanked inside of a dirty looking building.

The fall had disoriented his clothes and dirtied them up, so the young mage went about readjusting them and brushing the dirt off before he looked around at the drab rooming.

"He doesn't seem like a very nice person..." Loki commented about the technocrat.