NationStates Jolt Archive

The bells in the temples scattered across Toke had begun to toll at dawn. Hundreds, if not thousands of chiming bells lent their music to the crisp morning air, proclaiming the end of an era, the beginning of a new day, and the death of a legendary lord.

By the time the sun had cleared the great range of mountains that lines Panteras eastern coastline, word of the Lord Reaver's death had spread like a firestorm. Though many had expected it, it still rocked Pantera to its very foundations. War and rebellion had torn the nation for months, and now one of their finest heroes and leaders was gone, betrayed by those whom he had sought to defend.

By mid-morning, the airwaved had gone silent, waitinf for the Evenstar to make his address, and name his bothers successor. Along with these important announcements, he was also expected to proclaim the condemnation of the Seastone Council.

When the broadcast began, however, it was not the Evenstar that near three billion Panterans and countless other nations saw, but a legion of Reavers.

Dressed in full ceremonial dress, they were a magnificent sight. Standing in rigid ranks, there must have been at least ten thousand. Their silver chased armor glimmered in the early morning sunlight and their burgundy cloaks billowed out behind them. Every man had a broadsword before him, its point resting on the stony ground, his hands folded across the crossguard. Across their backs rifles were slung. These were no ceremonial guard, but a legion of battle worn, vengeance hungry Reavers.

As the television camera pans back, it reveals the Evenstar, dressed in a simple black shirt and pants, his only adornment a slim bronze crown resting above his brow. A podium stands before him, upon it sits a severed head, still leaking gore down the sides of the wooden podium.

His voice is harsh as he intones,"The Lord Reaver has fallen. While I waged a war for his kingdom, his own Lords had him tortured. They murdered their rightful Lord, and for what? A few days worth of power? The chance to call themselves 'Lords of Pantera'? This is only the first of many heads that I will take, that I vow. The Seastone Council are from this moment the walking dead. Should any choose to harbor them, their lives will be forfeit as well, and their deaths will be lingering.'

"Bastien was a fine Lord to his people. Kind if at all possible, and ruthlessly cruel when necessary. I am a different sort of beast. The Lords of Pantera have squandered their opportunity for a placid, accepting Lord Reaver, and have instead chosen to bring rebellion and fire to Pantera. Their time is now at its end. A new day has begun in these Free Lands. I am now the Lord Reaver, and you are now my subjects."

With a snarling breath, the Evenstar gestures to the rigid Reavers standing before him,"I now begin the Cleansing. These ten-thousand will be the purifying fires of Justice, for Pantera. These are my Rigante, the Death Legions. They hold no fear, and hunger for truth. They will soon come among you to root out those who would further hinder the Peace that my rule will become. They will be the hounds of the lord Reaver, eager to flush out the craven Seastone Council, who even now hides amonst the populace..."

Taking a calming breath, Dayne lowers his head and his voice,"There will be those who claim that I am a dictator, concerned only with holding power. Well, I intend to hold my power, and to wield it with deadly efficiency, however, there is nothing I hate more than the mantle of the power that I am forced to wield. Forced, I have been, for if I left these Lords to themselves they would surely destroy Pantera outright. There is no chance that I would allow the legacy of my ancestors to be pissed away. Pantera is mine...'

"To those of you who held Bastien dear, know that he is now sitting in the Halls of Valhalla, boasting with all of those who passed before him. He is regaling them with tales of his life, women he had known, enemies bested, and nations conquered. Do not mourn for him, for he is among friends....

"Instead, mourn for those who did him harm to him and his beloved Pantera, for their suffering begins now."

[CODED COMMUNICATION HAIL]
To:Seastone Hall; Pantera(APTO)
Attn: Lord Reaver Dayne Evenstar
From: New Dublin, Liberty Isles(APTO)

---

The news of the death of the great Lord Reaver brings sorrow to every single man, woman, and child of the CLF. Long has the commonwealth held Pantera as a most trusted ally, and brother against the forces of evil in our relms. Bastien began the Catalyst against those hordes. News of his fall brews fire in the eyes and hearts of the Commonwealth. Full support, public and covert, is offered to the lands of Pantera, to root out, capture, and bring to firey justice, the scourges who have so wronged Reavers everywhere.

Under Executive order, from Vice-Chancellor Matthew Alexzander, Special RLD Batallion 1 has been put on Alert status, and readied to transport to Pantera, prepared to assist in the stabilization and 'cleansing' of Pantera. Colonel Cary Kraft leads these troops, and has never once failed in complete achievment of every objective given. They will, if granted, prove a valuable and efficient asset to your new objectives. Drag the waters of war.

[SIGNED]
Matthey Alexzander
Vice-Marshall
The Commonwealth of Liberty Fighters

The Evenstar's reply to LF was curt:

Pantera thanks you for your words, and for the offer of help. However, things in Pantera are only now coming under control, and a foreign legion on our soil would only foster more rebellion. Instead, we ask only that you ensure none of the coward Council are allowed to enter into your nation, and should you hear of another nation allowing them haven that you report them to us at once.

Vengeance will be satisfied. Trust in that.

Dayne the Evenstar
Lord Reaver of Pantera
Drag the Waters of War

Boewulf has relayed the news of Bastien's death to me, and I am deeply saddened. People as treacherous as the Seastone Council should be wiped from the Earth, and so should their seed. I pray your skills will find them, Dayne. I pray your vengeance will send them to a funeral pyre, if they deserve funeral rights at all.

Bastien shall make a powerful addition to the Einjerhar serving Odin, and he will surely destroy all in his path during Ragnarok.

May the light of truth guide you, Dayne.

--Alexander Traiden

The Destroyer sat casually at his desk atop his throne, going about his normal daily routine. The One Who Shall Remain Unnamed walked uninvited into the room and carefully set a sealed envelope on Damien's desk. I think you need to have a look at this immediately. Damien picked up the envelope and opened it quickly, and as he pulled the paper out he felt the hand of The One on his shoulder. He scanned it's contents quickly, and as he read The One could feel the Warlord's body temperature rising. Damien.....I'm so s..... Dreadfire rose quickly from his throne, and raised a hand to his forehead. M'Lord, I... Damien's head spun around and with a great fury he shouted in the face of The One. NO! It's not true! It's not true dammit!!!!! It's not fucking true! Damien slammed his hand on his desk and put a great crack in it's hard oak surface. The One knew that his presence was not helping matters, and he quickly dematerialized.

Damien paced in circles around the throne room, reading the letter several dozen times in disbelief. He shook his head furiously and clenched the note even harder. No...it's not true.....Gods.....FUCK! Damien's control shattered like a piece of glass, and he threw himself to the floor and let loose a painful howl. He ran his hands over his head and rocked back and forth, the tears falling from his eyes like a great rainstorm. He got up and ran for the door, throwing it open and making his way towards his private gardens. The servants looked on in confusion, for what could make a man born of flame with ice water in his veins cry? Damien ran into his gardens and towards the pair of statues at it's center. The statue to the left was of him, milled from solid steel. The stature on the right was that of Bastien, forged from pure Bronze. Damien dropped to his knees and threw his hands out wide beside him, and tilting his head towards the heavens cried out so loud his vocal cords nearly ruptured.

BASTIEN!!!! Why!!!!!!! Why......God Dammit..... He crawled towards the statue of Bastien and placed his hands at it's feet. He kissed them and looked up towards his face with trembling eyes and a quivering lip. This can't be true.....you can't be dead! Don't leave me here Bastien....alone and in the darkness...don't leave me by myself..... He wrapped his arms around the legs of the statue and laid his head on the feet. He sat practically without moving for some 4 hours, his tears dried to his face. More and more continued to fall from his sad eyes, and they landed with a drip on the bronze statue. Please let this be some horrible nightmare.....please let this be some trick conjured upon me. My blood brother cannot be gone...he can't... Damien kept trying to reassure himself that his friend was alright and still among the living, but a glance at the now wrinkled and torn paper reminded him of the grim realization. He read again how he was struck down and left to rot in the sun. He thought back in time to when the two feasted as kings and burned their foes like vengeful Gods. How could such a special and strong human being be taken away? Gods, why did you call him home? Was his quest in life truly finished, or were you on another wrathful power trip? Was that it, huh? Are you doing this to punish me? Damien rose to his feet, cursing the Gods and gnashing his teeth. Well fuck you and your so called "master plan". You stole from me the one person left in my life that meant anything to me. You robbed me of my best friend!

Damien took a breath and looked at the motionless statue of Bastien, his proud face forever chiseled into the 15 feet of bronze. My friend, I have sinned against you, and for that I deserve to be ripped from this world. Wherever you are, please...take me with you..... Dreadfire's emotions exploded once again, and he began crying even heavier this time. My blade has failed you, and my flesh has shown it's frailty. I lied to you Bastien, I lied when I said I would protect you. I lied when I swore in blood to forever protect you and fight alongside you. I failed, and now you are gone. Please, old friend....forgive me.......in life and in death, I will be with you always. Please don't curse my name for my injustices, I did not see this travesty coming.....

Damien then ordered his private jet to be ready for takeoff, and he sent a transmission ahead to Dayne the Evenstar. I am coming to Pantera to see Bastien. Please, allow me to see him as he is before he is laid to rest. Please, I need to pay my last respects and apologize to my best friend. I will be there within the hour.


***

Damien's plane landed outside the location where Bastien lay, and he raced to the site where his old friend lay slain....the tears still filling his eyes. As he walked the long stone steps he could think of nothing but Bastien and seeing him one last time, no matter what his condition was. Finally making it to the top, Damien laid eyes on Dayne, sitting on a rock near his brother. Several burly Reavers stood in a circle around the Lord Reaver, and Damien paused in his tracks. Upon seeing Lord Dreadfire, the Reavers broke formation and allowed him to come forth. Damien moved slowly towards the corpse of Bastien, his hands clasped around his mouth. He looked carefully at the wounds that his best friend had suffered, and upon seeing his withered entrails around his neck, Damien broke down. He fell to his mighty knees at the dried feet of the Bronze, and the dams behind his eyes burst yet again. ...Bastien.....my brother....I am so sorry. Please forgive me...... Damien lifted his head and looked into the once loving and proud face of the Lord Reaver, and with a very weak heart apologized to his friend. I have failed you my brother...I pledged my life to you, and yet in your most dire hour, in your greatest time of need I was not there for you. Your death is my failure as a friend, and that is something that will haunt my every steps until my own demise. Damn my eyes, I should have done something from the start, I should not have left you to the wolves. Why did you not cry out to me? Why did you not ask for aid? Damien wiped away the river of tears that ran down his face, and he sniffled several times to clear his nasal passages.

Forgive me my friend, my negligence cost you your life....it is all my fault. Damien began pounding the cold hard ground with his fists until they bled, and then he carefully shuffled over to Bastien's head and gently touched his forehead. How can I go on without you Bastien? How can I live knowing that it was my lack of action that led to your death. We were meant to die together in a fury of combat, but instead you died slowly and now I am cursed to live with it. I wish it would have been me Bastien.....I wish I would have died instead of you.....you did not deserve this fate. Damien looked at the right arm of the Bronze which was nothing more than a stump. He extended a shaking hand outwards as if to touch his friend on the arm, but he recoiled his hand. I know you are in Paradise watching over me now, and I beg of you....forgive me. Damien stood slowly and drew a large combat knife. He looked over at Dayne, and his eyes were still awash with tears. I am so sorry Dayne, I should have done something...anything. I pledged to Bastien the lifeblood that flows through my veins, and it is my blood that failed him. Damien placed his left palm against the blade of the knife and bore down upon his flesh, sending a stream of blood towards the ground. The blood that failed your brother will not fail again. He is gone, but the Blood Pact remains. I swear to you, Evenstar, that I will love and serve you as a brother just as I did Bastien, and I swear that I will defend and protect you even at the cost of my own life. Damien squeezed his hand harder and his face grimaced, and in a shaky voice he looked Dayne deep in his eyes. I swear by my own blood, by my very soul that I will not fail your family twice. Bastien was the closest thing I will ever have to a brother, and with his passing....that makes you my kin now. Brother I swear to you on this day that Bastien's legacy will live on, and your days in the house of Pantera will be long and fruitful.....or may my soul rot in the foulest chasm of the underworld for all eternity.

Damien turned back towards the body of Bastien, and cleared his throat. Be at peace now Bastien the Bronze, while the final chapter in your life has been written, your book is far from closed. I will fight on, I will never stop. I will do so because if it were me laying here instead of you, I would want you to carry on.

He cleared his throat again, and sang out in the most stable voice he could muster.


Fixation on the darkness that engulfs this world
Drain the life force of our people......

Change

Return to the womb {long life)
Lay your head to rest {mercy}
To give you a peace of mind.....Lay your head to rest

Come together inside, This body is only a shell

Change

The only way we will survive
Light.....transfiguration of the soul....Of the soul...Of the mind

Fixation on the darkness that engulfs this world
Drain the life force of our people......

Return to the womb {long life}
Lay your head to rest {mercy}
To give you a peace of mind.....Lay your head to rest

Tell them they will not hold us down, it's time for change...It's time for change!

Damien wrapped a cloth around his bleeding hand and applied pressure for several minutes. He then pulled a piece of parchment out from his cloak and held it near his heart. Someday, brother of mine, we will meet again in green pastures. We will walk among the tall grass and swim in blue seas. The warm sun will shine it's calming rays upon us and there will be no more pain. I know that at this moment you dwell in the house of your forefathers, and for that you are most blessed. The Gods called your number, now all we have left of you is an empty shell and an undying legacy. You will live on in the hearts and minds of us all, and your image will never leave my side. Bless me with strength.....the strength that I did not have when your lands bled. Bless me with wisdom and courage in the face of the dragon, and let not his fire burn me. Save me from the traps my foes set for me, although I could not save you from the traps that were laid for you. Though you are gone.....do not forget me.....I will never forget you.....brother....

The warm breeze of Blood Bay picked up, engulfing The Destroyer in a gusty blanket. A smile crossed Damien's face as he looked once more on the remains of Bastien. The tears in his eyes were quickly burned away as his red eyes flared and seethed. A slight cloud of steam bellowed from the corners of his eyes as he nodded and ran his tongue across his teeth. Let me guess.....fuck that shit, all of it. The time for grieving has passed, the time for retribution is at hand! Yes Bastien, though your body lay cold and broken your raging spirit endures......yes, I can feel it. Now is not the time for tears and good bye's, but a time for swords. The time approaches, and those that persecuted you and those that followed them will meet a fate that eclipses yours. They will fall in a manner that has never before been seen, and after The Dread Fires and The Evenstar get through with them, they will have to face you in the afterlife. Oh yes, they have indeed screwed themselves for all eternity. They will taste the blade, and after they have feasted on it's magnificence, their children will be next. Their wives will watch as the bodies are piled high, and then they themselves will be next. The tongues of fire are whispering to me Bastien, and soon I will send those that committed this murder most horrific to face you. You will have your revenge and I will not deprive you of it.

Prepare my friend, for with the coming of the new dawn comes the reckoning of the heathens. Make ready your sword, for your time for vengeance is near. Both Dayne and I will make damn sure of it.

Damien took the piece of parchment and placed it in the cold, stiff left hand of the Bronze. It was wrapped in the seal of the Dread Fires, and it's contents would be for Bastien and for Bastien only. Damien instructed Dayne and the nearby Reavers that this message was to stay with Bastien for all eternity.

The sky weeps tonight....our bodies washed away
I....am waiting for you {deliverance}
The sun falls through the clouds.....{hear my cries}

I.....am waiting for you.......

The Warlord mustered as much courage as he could, and he stood tall over Bastien. He then bowed long and respectfully, and turned towards Dayne. You have paid the price for your control of Pantera, and I more than anyone understand your pain. You now are my only living reminder of his power and grace, and I wish you long life and good fortune. Let not the foes of Pantera claim your life as they did your brother's. Let not the shadow consume you, and be a shining pillar of hope to your people. My forces stand ready to assist in reinstating order, do not be afraid to call down the Dread Fires upon them. I want retribution for this just as much as you, for the whole of Pantera is not yet under your banner. Both Reaver and Sentinel will meet yet again to trample the heathens, and if we are not involved in this to some end I will take the initiative and hunt these sons of bitches down. You're stuck with me either way, and the people of Pantera would not object to their blood allies in Automagfreek on their soil, now would they? Automagfreek would welcome the legions of Reavers to our soil if it was me that lay dead, and I know the Reavers of Pantera understand that. The friendship of Bastien and myself was storybook.....legendary. I ask that you honor that friendship and allow me to personally assist.

Your destination is a choice within yourself. Will you rise.....or become a slave?

With a heavy heart and a bit of reluctance, I bid you farewell.......Lord Reaver.

Damien bowed to the Evenstar, and then began the long walk back down the stairs. He wiped his eyes yet again and looked over his shoulder one final time at the mighty Bastien the Bronze, and with that he silently walked away. The winds began to pick up and the sky began to stir ever so slightly. A storm was brewing in the distance......

****

All across Automagfreek flags were dropped to half mast, and large groups of people gathered in the streets to mourn the loss of the Lord Reaver. Hundreds of large memorial sites sprung up, and millions of flowers and letters were left at those sites. At every military installation and checkpoint, a 21 gun salute was preformed every hour for 24 hours. In the seas, the massive battleships Mouth for War, Cemetery Gate, War Nerve, and others sounded their massive 16" guns as well. At high noon, a missing man formation was flown over Damien's Great Hall in ULE City. AMF was a wounded country.

But AMF was also a brooding country, preparing to take action alongside it's ally Pantera in unifying the country. Both sides had seen enough of this conflict, and both sides have been wounded greatly. With Damien preparing to return and tend to his forces, several battle groups of Sentinels loaded themselves and supplies on board dozens of transports. Zander's fleets were the nearest to Pantera, and they would be the first to reach their shores. Sitting in dock for several weeks, Damien's Mouth for War came to life. It's massive turbines roared and growled as it took to the sea yet again. An ominous gray cloud surrounded the craft per usual, a sign of the craft's mysterious nature.

Through filth and fury, the cleansing fires of a thousand torches prepared to yet again scorch the heathens from the righteous soil of Pantera. Both sides had been dealt wounds that would never heal with time, but with the brutal passing of Bastien the Bronze, both Automagfreek and Pantera would have to grit their teeth and fight through the pain. They had no other choice.

The SSRH does not mourn the deaths of dictators, however, if the Council attempts to enter our nation, they will be captured and handed over for their punishment, as we have no quarrel with the nation they betrayed, and we consider traitors to be as low as dirt.

Vladimir Haton Levenkov
Minister of Diplomacy
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Hattia

The SSRH does not mourn the deaths of dictators, however, if the Council attempts to enter our nation, they will be captured and handed over for their punishment, as we have no quarrel with the nation they betrayed, and we consider traitors to be as low as dirt.

Vladimir Haton Levenkov
Minister of Diplomacy
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Hattia

You mindless prat! Bastien the Bronze was not a dictator. If anything he was royalty, for his family has ruled in the house of Pantera for ages.

http://67.18.37.14/40/9/upload/p984672.jpg
---Damien the Destroyer---
-Supreme Warlord of AMF-

Was he elected?

Since you said he was royalty, I don't believe so. We consider kings, queens, lords, etc to be dictators.

Vladimir Haton Levenkov
Minister of Diplomacy
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Hattia

Was he elected?

Since you said he was royalty, I don't believe so. We consider kings, queens, lords, etc to be dictators.

Vladimir Haton Levenkov
Minister of Diplomacy
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Hattia

No, he was born into the House of Pantera. His rule was his birthright, and now in his death it is passed onto Dayne.

I don't give a fuck who you consider to be a dictator. Who are you to judge a man's worth by the title he goes by?

http://67.18.37.14/40/9/upload/p984672.jpg
---Damien the Destroyer---
-Supreme Warlord of AMF-

OOC: Wow, I don't know why that's so big, but I can't edit my post for some reason.....

EDIT: But I can edit this post. WTF......

I judge a man through his actions, not his title, and I was not judging him, we have had no contact with him whatsoever, so I have nothing to judge it by. We've had our share of bloodthirsty dictators and generally, the bias will be against them. We have no reason to mourn his death, but no reason to celebrate it also. And in my humble opinion, I believe no man can rule a nation through birthright

Vladimir Haton Levenkov
Minister of Diplomacy
The Soviet Socialist Republic of Hattia

OOC: Wow, I don't know why that's so big, but I can't edit my post for some reason.....

EDIT: But I can edit this post. WTF......

[OOC: Clearly there are still problems with the set up. I guess NS is much bigger than even the Jolt people expected.

I haven't even been able to post until today...]

OOC: At least I got my above uber post on the boards.

I'm done hijacking now.

The Shogunate of Euroslavia mourns the loss of a great leader, and has built a small memorial of the former leader of Pantera, in Za-Breg, the capital. We send our regrets to the nation of Pantera, and to Damien of Automagfreek.

Sarzonia::
The Evenstar is not pleased by this 'Sarzonia' making light of Bastien's death and naming him dictator. A thinly veiled insult, as Pantera sees it, and utterly unacceptable. Rest assured that once traitors at home and abroad are brought to justice,. we will call you to answer for your actions and your words.

Bastien was born to rule, and offered the mantle of Lord Reaver by all of Pantera. Rest assured that had the Free Lands chosen to rise against him, they would have. While citizens of your own craven nation may be content to be opressed by 'dictators', Panterans are not. We live free, and only tolerate the rule of those mighty enough to wield the sword that is Pantera.

For a thousand years and more the Lord Reavers have brought prosperity and justice to Pantera. While we brought Blood and Fire to many nations who offered insult, we also brought peace and happiness in our wake. From the first Lord Reaver, the Iron Lion, to Bastien's and my own father, Valanus Vayne, the Lord Reavers have ruled with the consent of all of Pantera.

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

Pantera thanks those who offer their condolences on the loss of our great Lord Reaver. Had he been here Bastien would smile to know he had so many friends in so many lands who would celebrate his ascension to Valhalla.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMF::
The Dreadfires rage on the horizon. It is good to see that AMF will remain loyal to Pantera, for those who do not shall pay the dearest of prices. Damien, Bastien loved you as a brother, more than myself, possibly. I, however, never held you in such regard as he. While I respect the strength of your nation and your Sentinals, I never praised them as did Bastien.

This will not change. Bastien's death heralds a new Dawn in Pantera. Old alliances are dissolved, while new friendships already are made. The actions of the Seastone Council have broken all bonds, and cast the fortunes of millions into the wind. As such, we much change and evolve, lest we be destroyed and forgotten.

That said, I intend to honor the Blood Pact. Bastien once said of it "What was once seperate, has now been forged anew into a mighty weapon..." I feel that this is fitting, and as your friendship has been offered, so I accept.

I intend for us to be in further communications, Dreadfire. However, until that time, I wish for your Sentinals to remain in international waters. ANY foreign legion will simply foster more rebellion within Pantera.

We shall hear the War Drums again, Dreadfire.

Dayne the Evenstar
Lord Reaver of Pantera
Drag the Waters of War

Sarzonia::
The Evenstar is not pleased by this 'Sarzonia' making light of Bastien's death and naming him dictator. A thinly veiled insult, as Pantera sees it, and utterly unacceptable. Rest assured that once traitors at home and abroad are brought to justice,. we will call you to answer for your actions and your words.

[OOC: WHAT THE HELL?! I posted an OOC post about the Jolt forums that was in response to AMF's post about his problems with editing. It had absolutely nothing IC to do with Bastien's death.

Read more carefully next time.]

OOC: What he probably meant was Hattia, not you. Probably a simple mistake.

Message from The President Julius Randal, Supreme Authority of the Humanist Republic of Grunge-France, Elected Delegate of the AoE2 Region and Supreme Commander of the AoE2 Regional Army:


The death of Lord Reaver has stroke us very deeply: If we, the Grunge-French, take something for granted, is the everlasting friendship and brotherhood with the Panterans, who have been by our side in the times of glory, and in the times of trouble.
That is why we are utterly shocked by this announcement: We are very sorry to hear of the departure of Lord Reaver, a great leader, a great warrior, a great ally, a great friend: A great man, in few words.
The Humanist Republic of Grunge-France has decided to condecorate, post-mortem, the great Lord Reaver with the "Gustav Momio Ensignia", a condecoration to the great leadership.

As sorry as we are to hear about the death of Lord Reaver, we have just passed through a very similiar situation with the recent death of General Alphonsé Gallé, our former president, and we certainly know that the best way to honor the memory of those who died serving our nations, is by keeping our nations getting stronger, richer and civilised.

We, the Grunge-French people and we, The AoE2 people, salute the new leader of Pantera: We stand together, and we will be there, shall you need us, for we, the Grunge-French, will always defend with our lives if necessary, the neverending rule of the Panteran Government.

{{OOC: Apologies to Sarzonia. I didn't see any OOC's this morning, and just stuck your name onto Hattia's post. I would edit it but I can't edit any posts atm. Just substitute HATTIA for Sarzonia in my above post, please.}}

IC:

Pantera remembers its allies, and Grunge-France is at the top of the list. Without a doubt our oldest ally, Grunge-France has stood with the Reavers on many occasion. We appreciate your kind words and the honor you bestow upon our fallen Lord. Your faith will not be forgotten.

You may be pleased to know that moments ago another member of the treacherous Seastone Council was apprehended near the city of Gade by a fist of Rigante. This brings justice for Bastien that much closer, but we have reason to believe many of the Council have escaped to other nations, possibly Hattia, Tilsitsin, or one of Pantera's other cowering enemies.

To the members of the Council still in hiding: We come.

Dayne the Evenstar
Lord Reaver of Pantera
Drag the Waters of War

Somehow I seriously doubt any of the Coucil is in Hattia. The Hattian government has already said that if any of the traitors entered their country that they would be remanded to your justice. Do not take them for liars and decievers just because they do not like your government and do not take it as an insult that they have made such a statement. Hattians are a proud peope not given to dancing around issues, if anything that lack of cowardess should earn your respect, certainly it has certainly earned mine and the Emperor's.

However, I digress. You have my personal oath that should any of this "Seastone Council" attempt to enter Haven I will personally see to it that they are given unto your custody and justice for the cold-blooded murder of a good man.

Asiya Saleh,
Duchess Alexandria,
Director of Foreign Services,
Imperium of Scandavian States

While we thank the Scandinavian people for their pledge to aid in the capture of the Seastone Council, we hesitate to trust any who would name the Lord Reaver a dictator.

Dayne gave a curt nod as he dispatched the reply to the Scandanavian States and rose from his chair. It had been a long day, and he was in no mood to bicker with anyone about his right to rule. That kind of idiocy is what had cost him Bastien in the first place.

Giving a shake of his head, he made his way from Bastien's - No, his study, and through the Seastone Palace. The legion of servants rushing through the halls swarmed like flies, bowing in his wake and begging to be given orders. It irritated him that things had changed so much. Many of the girls who bowed and called him 'M'lord' were girls he had tumbled into his bed a time or three. Suddenly he carried authority, he guessed, somehow.

Damn.... He thought as he heard the wild scream coming from the room that was his destination. He had hoped she was asleep, or at least calm. Instead, she was shrieking and flinging herself at the door, by the thumping.

The poor woman had been like that since they had found her, deep in the old dungeons, unused in at least a hundred years. The rats had been at her in the darkness, a swarm of the disgustingly huge vermin. Her fingers and toes had been gnawed, and her once luxuriant red hair had torn, doubtlessly by herself, from her scalp in large patches.

The Queen Reaver, Aquila Windwail, was a jabbering wreck of a woman. She shrieked at nothing at all for most of the day, occasionally falling into a sobbing mass and pounding her fists against the walls. Her ravings were mostly nonsense or wordless shrieks, but from what they had pieced together, she had been raped countless times before being thrown into the pitch black horrors of the dungeon. She had many teeth marks upon her neck and breasts, these not made by rats. When any man came near her, she began an long, wailing scream that shook the soul to hear. It pained him to see a woman he loves so much in such a shape.

She had been all but a vegetable when they had found her, but when told of the death of Bastien, and their infant son Valanus, she had finally gone mad, flying at Dayne with an anguished wail and clawing her hands. He had finally had to drug her and strap her down, lest she hurt herself severely. He hated to do it, knowing well the feeling of helplessness it instilled.

Dayne well remembered the day Bastien had married her. It was quite a spectacle. His father had spent several fortunes on the feast, and most of Pantera had joined in. Across the nation people sang, drank, and fought. It was a glorious day. Aquila had been radiant in a dress of burgundy samite, and Bastien just as fine in his ceremonial armor, bronze plate chased with glimmering silver. He had laughed as he spun his young bride across the dancefloor, and Aquilla had stared lovingly at Bastien, her green eyes filled with tears. Dayne himself had only been fifteen or so, but the sight of them had filled him with a desire to find something.

With that thought, he grunted softly and shook his head, breaking his reverie and preparing to once again try to end the anguished cries of a sobbing madwoman.

Pantera needed a Queen Reaver, so that Dayne could secure his line. To do that, he needed Aquilla sane enough to abdicate, while securely enough under his control as to have no chance to raise a rebellion of her own. He doubted she would try, even sane, but it had happened a few times before.

Dayne would marry again, but first to entomb his brother, and to console his widow, as hopeless as it seemed.

{{OOC: Apologies to Sarzonia. I didn't see any OOC's this morning, and just stuck your name onto Hattia's post. I would edit it but I can't edit any posts atm. Just substitute HATTIA for Sarzonia in my above post, please.}}[/i]

[OOC: As I said in my telegram, you've got it. AFAIC, it never happened IC.

I'm not a morning person, so I can definitely understand the early thing. Especially when I haven't had any coffee yet. :lol:]

Sarzonia wishes to express its condolences on the tragic loss of your leader.

Dayne looked over the small house critically. It was a nice place, roomy enough for Aquila and he madness, surely. Outside a small stream ran, cold and clear water that cascaded down the mountainside that backed the clearing.

Nestled in the foothills of the Dawn Range, it was a fine place for the Queen Reaver to live out the rest of her miserable existance. She had stopped eating, and was slowly wasting away. A woman who had worked in the Seastone Palace for near sixty years had offered the house, and her sevices. She would stay with the Queen Reaver until the end, tending to her needs and caring for the house.

Sadly, Dayne nodded his head and moved off to his waiting car. He would now begin the search for a suitable bride. He refused to advertise for a proper woman, as some idiots around the world were wont to do. He would choose his own bride, with his own eyes. Panteran or foreign, highborn or low, it would be his decision.

The mad Queen was disposed of, and now the Evenstar was ready to begin his reign. It bothered him that his first major act as Lord Reaver was to play matchmaker, for himself, nonetheless. But, he guessed it was better than allowing jackass nations to offer up their poxy slut princesses, as if Pantera would protect them for that alone.

I need a wench. The Evenstar thought to himself. A wench indeed, not a wife.. Only for awhile...

IC: Although our two nations have never had formal diplomatic relations, we send our condolences for the loss of the mighty Lord Reaver. May he rest in a manner befitting his glorious life.