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[Charon]

The room was dark. Any lighting that had once been here had been long since removed, causing the shadows to be absolute. In this darkened solace King Elwin seemed long removed from the world of those he called his subjects.
Alone he stared at the shifting tapestry that hung on the wall, as the threads seemed to come apart an recombine before his eyes.
"...shall come" whispered the wind around him, blowing in through the window as he observed the shades "The ruin shall come... all shall die" the voice hissed lower "Unless you stop it, he destroys it all" the wind picked up, roaring in through the open window until Elwin was at last forced to slam it shut. Grimly he walked away from the tapestry, away from the window. As he opened the door and stepped through dim light flickered across his features.

King Elwin was a proud man, tall of stature and broad of shoulder. He could no longer pass for a 'young' man, but his confidence and proudness made him a fearfully imposing figure none the less. A young boy looked up and was momentarily taken aback, staring numbly at the grimly glaring King before he realised his fault, dashed to fetch the royal purple cloak and draped it over the shoulders of his Liege.
"Forgive me sir" he apologised frantically "I did not intend to keep you waiting"
"Just leave" the King said impatiently and the boy scuttled away a little too quickly to be showing the proper respect... Elwin sighed. He had no time to bother with the idling of his followers, nor their fear of him. All he needed to know was that they would get the job done

Grimly the King looked down at the artifact, at his blade, treasuring the touch of the item which had bought its power to him, which had granted its power to his reign, granting him his victories. No matter what prophesies he received, he was not going to let some mere rebel remove that power from him
"Even if" he murmured grimly "It be you Steven... Even then, you shall not take this back. You lost any claim to it that moment when you placed it in my hands. Indeed nothing shall remove it from my person" he slipped the dagger into its sheath and tucked it amongst the folds of his clothing before he began to walk slowly through the corridors of his palace

He walked slowly, deliberately taking his time as he traversed its great halls, stopping at a large window and staring out with a satisfied smirk. On the horizon he could still see the smoke rising from the ruins of Gromburg. His forces had worked his will well. That sorry ruin would long serve as an apt display of the power he could turn on those who displeased him.

His reflection flickered in the window as he turned abruptly from the sight, bushy, angular eyebrows creasing and arching downwards casting fearful shadows across his chiselled features as a grim glint appeared in his eyes...
Again he could hear the whisperings of the wind

As Elwin passed along the hall on his way to the throne room where his presence was awaited, his reflection seemed to fade, twisting and darkening turbulently in the slightly silver sheen of the grand hall mirrors. His blue hair trailed behind him, along with that royal cloak, as he stepped through the double doors and approached his throne, throwing a passing glance to his Aides as he took his seat

"Tell me" he said in his cool voice "Has anyone heard from Galeb?"

--
ooc: I don't know if its likely to be asked... but I guess I should say it anyhow before anyone protests and I start to feel bad ^^ I do have permission to play Elwin

Edited by Charon, 01 April 2004 - 11:57 PM.

[Bract]

Bract stops abruptly while tethering his horse, a tinge of anxiousness in his voice as he turns to face the camp site.

"Unless you are both as restless as I, in which case we can leave now - as I was intending previously. I don't anticipate getting any rest this night either way."

[Deval]

OOC: I will post as soon as possible. Got real busy at work atm, training new employees/reporting, I'll post asap. Bean, feel free to carry the ball till then.

[Squee]

Galeb walked into the palace, laughing and chuckling in between bites of an apple, no doubt, a stolen one. He loved coming back to King Elwin's castle; it was...re-energizing. Despite his failure, a giant grin was plastered all across his face.

Slowly, he scaled the stairwell and eventually into King Elwin's. However, as soon as he laid eyes upon his ruler, his expression turned from joy to respect...no, fear.

"...My...My Leige..." he quietly said as he fell on to a knee, resting his eyes upon the floor.

[Charon]

Elwin's eyes narrowed as he observed the rapid transformation in Galeb's character

"It is good to see that you have returned. However" he murmered grimly" I shall assume that your demenor means you failed?"

Once again his hand strayed to the sheath... Silently and superiorly he raised his head, looking down on one already kneeling, one who was humbled in his prescence.

"You are lucky" he said softly, dangerously "That I am pleased with the situation in Gromberg. You you are lucky that you are one of the few I would trust"
He may have said the words... that did not mean he meant them. The word trust came out warped... tainted with distaste

"So, Galeb. Perhaps if you tell me what you have learned, and I presume that there is something you have learned, that trust shall remain intact"

[Squee]

"Although, my Leige, that it is true that I have failed you...that shall soon be changed..." he said in a cool, calm manner, masking his hidden fear.

"It seems that Steven has friends...powerful ones... I had to retreat. I came back to ask for more men. Though his friends are powerful, they will stand no chance against an overwhelming, surprise attack. I even know where Steven is staying...and, if I'm right, his friends will be staying their, too. If you will grant me these men, m'Lord, I promise you, Steven will not live to see the light of day ever again..."

He said, silently sniffing at himself. Though only human, Galeb could recognize the scent that the brutish Silverdragon had placed on him. Twas cheap ale and wine...the kind only served by Alexander, owner of the Dancing Wolf.

[Charon]

The King sighed. In truth it was what he had been expecting all along. He cast his eyes lazily around the room until he found an Aide who did not flinch at his gaze. He nodded slightly and the Aide slid away, silent, unnoticed

"You may have your men, Galeb, as you know you would" Elwin nodded matter-of-factly, then swept the blue hair from his face and looked down at Galeb with a query

"This group he surrounds himself with. Are they many in number? Is there truly not... some way somewhat more discrete to target them" Elwin's cool voice made each word clear as a cruel smile tugged at the edges of his mouth "I am loathe to make marytrs of rebels... if you should catch my drift"

[Silverwizard]

((OOC: Umm that would be hard to do, I did not go near an alcohol while at the Dancing Wolf, so I do not understand how I left the scent of it.))

Trekkie looks to Bremen, "I really would like to say that you had better tell me what ya need me for, I am itching for a purse or two off these pesants (sp?) and Silver, Anturox and that wishy-washy elf keep yelling at me every time i take a copper," as he says this he begins to roll coppers through his fingers, he starts with 2, then in seconds is rolling 5 about his knuckles.

[Squee]

((Simply walking into the Dancing Wolf will make you smell like it. I think we've all assumed that one of the main reasons why the Dancing Wolf is so popular is because of it's vast array of drinks. One could then assume that the whole place smells of wine, ale and meed (possibly some kind of tabacco smoke). The point being, Galeb is in tune enough to smell things so subtle and is so familiar with Karfendale that he can recognize the faintest scent of the Dancing Wolf.))

Galeb slowly stood up to his feet, running a hand through his loose, blonde hair.

"There seems to be some kind of...man-beast with Steven. Some kind of...shapeshifter. I fought him briefly. He has taken the form of a oricsh man and...some kind of druid...

I would assume that there is much tormoil in this one...I doubt many druids would alloy such a brutish form reside in them...

There is also a warrior man. He seemed to have fled the scene quickly, however. I know not much of him other than he seemed to be a skilled swordsman. A knight of some kind, I would assume..."

Galeb took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He went back to the church with his mind's eye, remembering all that had transpired.

"There...was some kind of thief...mage...elementalist... I'm not sure. I do know, however, that he was able to errect some kind of barrier of fog... I'm not too sure of his skill, though.

...A-And...there was...someone else...

I know not if it is a man or a woman...but someone was lurking in the shadows as I confronted Steven..." he said, trailing off into a whisper, shutting his eyes tightly.

"He...or she... killed both of the men you gave me almost effortlessly. I checked their bodies, they were shot with some kind of arrow...but the arrows were missing from their bodies; pulled out.

I assume that they're some kind of assassin..."

"However, I assume that there are no more friends of his. Ever since the fall of Gromberg, rebel forces have dwindled. I tell you now that once Steven falls, there will be no more. You have my word, m'Lord..." Galeb said as he bowed down once more.

[Katianna]

Thud… Thud…, the sound of a fist hitting the door resonated loudly in her ears.

“Elwin, please, you’re not yourself, the artifact, it’s poisoned your soul...” she exclaims in a panic.

He’s not like a person, I’m not going to be able to reason my way out of this; or lie for that matter.

The sounds came again, Thud… Thud…, and the door finally gives, bursting wide open; the latch pieces scattering across the floor. A terrible beast lunges through the doorway, like a werewolf, with red, glowing eyes and blue fur covering its body. Tucked into a belt around its waist, the dagger...

“Ahhh...!” she exclaims as she awakens; someone pounding on the door to her room.

“Are you alright?” calls the voice from beyond the door.

“Yes, one moment” says Katianna between heavy breaths. “One moment” she repeats as she orients herself, raising from bed and washing up.

“What is it?” she asks while dressing.

An agitated sigh comes from beyond the door, “Your friend; he went to the chapel as you suspected he might, but, not long after arriving he was attacked by a soldier of the king. I thought you would want to know right away.”

“What!?!” The door fly’s open, revealing Katianna, not yet fully equipped...
“Tell me ‘everything’!”

[Bean]

((Hehe, thanks deval. I can only assume you mean making small choices FOR Ulantees So I will make minor movements to ensure he acctually comes WITH us if we do leave. Nothing more, no conversation or the likes so you can fill that in later.))

“Yes, that seems the wise decision. I can’t offer a reasonable objection; provided the ‘druid’ can refrain from attempting to change me into a wolf.” He says casting a sharp eye at Aladar.

Aladar grinned at Bract's Comment, and responded with a quick "No need to worry about that" he paused a second as if contemplating telling them something then continued "It would have been harder than I previously mentioned anyhow, It expends a rather large amount of my energy to even transform myself, Not that it would be impossible to transform you or Ulantees... Or even both, It just may deplete my energy, or even leave me with very little, essentially helpless."

As Aladar spoke, he circled the little camp, waving his hands a slight amount in some spots. As he did so he realized It may be important to tell the others what he was doing.

"Im putting up small wards, mostly to get rid of the smell, and to protect us from any long range spells, and to a certain extent some arrows. I will also be informed if a human sized lifeform comes near our little camp here. Although, a half-witted mage could fool these wards, I feel it is enough for now." With that Aladar finished his round of hand waving, and sat beside the fire slipping once more into his super-sensitive trancelike state.

"Oh, In response to your question I have ignored, I think it would be best to sleep here the night, best be fresh for the new day. No telling what we may meet on the way, I have a rather ominous feeling about this...." With that he trailed off, and his eyes closed.

Ulantees Promptly did the same, rolling over and tucking his sword close enough to be up in a moments notice ready to swing.

[Bract]

Bract proceeds to tether Dusk (his horse) as Aladar is casting his wards on the camp; the wards answering his question before it’s specifically answered. Dusk is bound lightly, so that she knows not to stray, but can break free if need-be (she’s a well trained, light war horse that has been with Bract for over a year and is well behaved).

”No telling what we may meet on the way...” I’m anxious to find out; leave it to a spellcaster to stall, hoping to be well rested – Heh! he thinks to himself as he removes Dusk’s saddle and gear.

Uninterested in ‘rest’, he removes his own gear and leaves it resting under Dusk, whom he brushes thoroughly, and then wanders away from camp to gather enough wood to keep the fire until morning. Around 2am he finally sleeps, under the tree Dusk is tethered to, knowing he’ll wake within four hours; as always.

[Primal_Whisperer]

"I will explain soon," Bremen said as he entered the Inn through the door Steven pointed out, "But there is one other who should be present. May we use your room to meet, Steven?"

[Silverwizard]

Trekkie looks at Bremen, "I would like to know what is going on, if Sh'Hodmet speaks the truth as I have come to know he usually does, then we should stop Elwin, that king is possessed and soon Galeb will be too, and then we have no hope," Trekkie preforms a seemingly impossible jump into the rafters of the Dancing Wolf, he looks at Bremen from there almost arrogantly, "and if you do not keep a better hold on your purse, then we will never have any funds to stay here, even if we have rooms on the house," as he says this he throws Bremen's purse back to him (again).

[green_mantis]

((OCC: i just realized that I have not adequately described my character))

Mantis appears to be a young Paladin around 17 years of age. He is wearing a mithral breastplate with a golden cross emblazoned across the chest. He has a large mithral shield (also with an emblazoned gold cross) slung across his back and his longsword, Oathen, is strapped to his belt. He has Jet black hair, and his left eye is silver and his right eye is blue. Mantis is capable of minor healing feats but also has a strange feeling of darkness about him.

[Silverwizard]

((OOC: Whoa darkness around ya eh? That changes stuff, whoa ouch. umm, I'm screwed now. Oh well, I guess I will do it now.))

Trekkie suddenly looks at Mantis realising his presence and stops his flashy display and peers at him intently. He starts mumbling, parts of him start to roll into others, the only easy identification are when his arms become those of the Silverdragon. He begins to stare at Mantis, the only thing that anyone can catch is the words "master" and "blackguard".

[Squee]

Steven nodded with a half-smile. He watched (almost amused) as Trekkie hopped about.

"S-Sure...we can use my room..." he said as he walked along slowly, giving a quick wave and smile to Alex as he ran around frantically, serving all his patrons.

"My room should be...right...here," Steven mumbled as he fished around his pocket, pulling out a brass, skeleton key. A turn and click later, Steven opened the door and smiled.

It had such a rustic feel to it. Alex knew Steven hated to be treated better than others and, as such, his room seemed quite...bland. There was a single, straw bed with a water basin close by. A single, virgin candle stood solemnly on the nightstand, its brothers and sisters laying beside it.

The walls had no decorations and the floor was bare wood. There was a single sheet and blanket draw over the bed; cloth and wool, respectively.

At the far end of the petite room lay a large, glassless window. Two wooden shutters kept the cool, night air out as well as curious eyes.

Steven turned back to Bremen and smiled.

"What is it you want to talk about?"

[Silverwizard]

((OOC: I think we were posting at the same time, did not catch this post will catch up))

When the others go up to Steven's room Trekkie looks to Charon and shrugs, "You may wanna go up with them, maybe something important," he shrugs again and nimbly darts up the stairs, running quickly but making no noise.

"So Bremen what ya got for me, I am itching for a little theft, break in, though the assassination is not as fun," Trekkie says casually while leaning against the bed.

[Primal_Whisperer]

Bremen catches his purse and follows Steven to his room. "What I have in mind is more than just a little theft. I plan to sneak into the castle tonight and steal this weapon you speak of."

[Squee]

Steven began to cough a bit as if he was choking on his own spit.

"...Y-You're kidding right? D-Do you even know who King Elwin is? Do you know how vast his castle is? Do you know how heavily guarded it is? Even if you do get past all the thousands of guards, how do you plan to take the dagger from him?

No...w-we'll think of another way. We can't just run head-strong into this one...not if we want to come out alive..."

[Charon]

Charon entered the room in time to hear the word "assassination" and paled visibly as she stared at the thief

"Who..." she asked quietly "What did I miss? What happened at the Church? Who do you plan to..." She trailed off as she looked from face to face, hoping to find her answers, but the fear flickered into her eyes at Steven's outburst

"No" she protested weakly, shaking her head. For just a moment her eyes seemed to grow cloudy... the hood of her cape begin to lip down as she did so causing her hair to shimmer with the movement "Steven is right. I have seen what Lord Elwin's troops can do... I don't wish to stretch that interpretation to include what Lord Elwin himself may be capable of..."




(ooc: nooo! Inuyasha ate Piro(ko) *cries*)

Edited by Charon, 04 April 2004 - 01:01 AM.

[Charon]

"That" the King he knotted his fingers together absently as he considered Galeb's answer. The degree of accuracy this man could offer was always impressive, but this time even he seemed fuzzy on some of the details "That is quite an array isn't it?"

He leaned fowards in his throne causing the shadows which frequented his face to shift yet again

"I'm interested. This... turmoiled one" he began, a curious tone tinting his otherwise even voice "How much..." he paused and his eyes gleamed "How much control would you say they had? Perhaps... you could show me" the smile was chilling as he rose approached his subject, his entire persona oozing danger. But then as he raised a hand to Galeb his expression shifted and the smile slowly drained away.
Similar to the way in which Galeb had picked up on Sh'Hodmet's original location... Something about the residual aura he felt around Galeb... it was repulusive to him. Disgust tainted his voice, tainted the sneer which had settled on his face. Elwin could still sense that Sh'Hodmet had- "You allowed this... being... to come into contact with you?" he almost spat before he turned his back

For a moment there was an uneasy silence, but then Elwin shifted position

"Take your soldiers. Do as you feel you must" the King said simply, glancing back over his shoulder, dark eyes shielded by the bushy shadows of his brow "The rebel forces have dwindled. I place my trust in you... that soon they shall be gone"

Edited by Charon, 03 April 2004 - 10:20 PM.

[Silverwizard]

Trekkie looked at Bremen in wonder, "You, sir, are crazy," he states simply. "You see, Elwin commands an army, which is possessed by demons, all of which are as insane as you are, only dangerous. If I had a full frontal assault on the gate, during a storm, when Elwin was attacking someone else then yes, I could do it, if it was night time," Trekkie then outlines where the weak points in a castle are, such as human-sized arrow slits, windows, areas without doors for a long time, etc.

[Charon]

"I'm sure Lord Elwin's army... they aren't all demons" Charon whispered softly as she glanced at Steven "In fact I doubt... that many of them are. Some... are people. Which quite possibly makes their actions that much worse" she admitted with a slightly sad smile. She shifted uncomfortably and went to light the lone candle on the nightstand, in search of some comforting light, however small

"And even if they were 'possessed by demons'" she ventured hesitantly, raising her head slightly to try and meet Trekkie's line of sight, eyes smiling now "Surely you of all people... wouldn't be trying to suggest that it were this which made them bad, given your situation... after all... is that not a situation you share, sah?" she tacked his accent onto the end, to make it clear she had meant it as a joke, to make it clear she meant no offense

[Squee]

"Sire," Galeb said in a monotone as he saluted, turned then left the room. He was uneasy and his cool, calm nature had so long ago left him. Something about King Elwin made him cringe. However, he had orders and he was going to carry them out.

On his way to his sleeping quarter's, Galeb waved down a servant and told him to run to the Barracks. He told the serf to tell whomever was in charge to round up 4 dozen heads, equip them with heavy armour and the finest of weapons from the Royal Armoury. It was much too late, Galeb didn't have the patience nor desire to do this all himself; his time would be better spent getting some rest.

At day break, he would organize his troops then prepare for a strike. He would attack them in broad day-light. Galeb knew that they would never expect something like that, he would let them squirm in their own juices for the night. Their own fear would tenderize them, leaving them ready to be stuck through like a swine.

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

Steven shifted uncomfortably, eventually making his way to sit on his bed. He gave Charon a queer look at the insult of their race...but he sighed, shaking it off. What was worse? That Charon had just insulted his people...or that she was right?

((Inuyasha isn't that bad...is he? o_o; ))

Edited by Squee, 04 April 2004 - 01:18 AM.

[Charon]

Charon felt her throat begin to close up as she saw Steven's gaze... her conscience panged painfully as she realised what she had just said.

"I didn't mean..." She tried to speak but her words were barely audible... she tried to apologise... and realised she couldn't. She couldn't apologise- she wasn't sure she meant it

For a moment she heard conversations of the past, clung to one phrase she had heard

I was part of his army...and have been since I was 13...

She tried to tell herself that when she spoke, she had been trying to protect him from Trekkie's comments, but some part of her knew that wasn't entirely true, especially when her own words had come out sounding so much harsher.. particularly when her words... had been calculated so carefully

Swallowing hard she closed her eyes, turned away from them all and clasped her bandaged hand tightly, trying to draw her attention away from Steven's look... What she found even worse... was that he had simply accepted it. Hadn't tried to say anything... had just accepted...

She wondered if the others, too, would notice what she'd said... would notice that insult... She hoped that they wouldn't

((Nah, Inuyasha's cool - I just tended to prefer Sesshomaru - I have a fondness for characters you dont see as often ^^))

Edited by Charon, 04 April 2004 - 02:17 AM.

[Silverwizard]

Trekkie looks at Charon and then at Steven for a time, smiles, and then back at Charon, "then say, I think Silver should answer this."

The figure leaning casually against Steven's bed suddenly distorts and the bones snap to make way for the gnomish features of Silverwizard, when done he again looks to Charon, "I understand that, yes, not all of those possessed by demons are totally evil, personally, I am in a unique situation, firstly, I am not truely even of this world. I am not even sure what world I am from, I was created on this one, though the other incarnations of me weren't, umm, the world I was originally made on, or the world I made, one of the two is my own true home. Anyway, after stating I have made a world, I cannot be fully possessed by Sh'Hodmet, also the Silverdragon opposses him slightly. Next, Sh'Hodmet does not agree with his former master who happens to be the one commanding Elwin's demons, he may even be possessing Elwin," after saying this he turned to Steven. "I do not blame anyone who is against us, they are following orders, they do not know what all of the troubles they are causing, knowing the cunning of my master, he has devised a reason for his attacks, the kingdom is corrupt, they are attacking, Elwin needs more land, and anything on his own land, well they are all rebel scum incited by the evil Steven," as he says the last line he snaps a salute to Steven.

[Squee]

Steven forced a smile at Silverwizard (of course, aftering turning away as his transformation started).

"Th-There's really no need for that..." he said sheepishly.

'Incited' by me?, he thought silently. Where were these people now? Dead? Slaves? ...Worse? No, Steven couldn't be proud of what he was doing. By standing against King Elwin, he had already made numerous people...his friends, pay the ultimate price.

Maybe this was a mistake. If Steven simply turned himself in, sure, King Elwin would reign...but there would be minimal bloodshed.. His tyranny would continue to plague the lands but... there would be others like Steven. Others that were stronger, faster...better. They could take up the torch that Steven had lighted.

Besides...who was Steven in this fight? A warrior? Ha! In all honesty, Steven was a farm-boy, barely able to support himself. A plough would be better off in his hands...not a sword.

[Charon]

Charon turned and looked at Silverwizard sharply... someone was even less tactful than she.
"Steven" she looked up and smiled gently "I can imagine what you're feeling... The look in your eyes has tainted mine more than once, my friend"

"We all doubt ourselves sometimes" Charon murmered softly "But be under no illusions... this is not all on your head. I do not believe any of us are here simply to follow you, my friend. Some may have sought you out... but they made the decision to do that, you did not make it for them. You cannot make it for them... you cannot make it for us. You force none of us to be here... and yet we stand here beside you"

Edited by Charon, 04 April 2004 - 03:39 AM.

[Squee]

Steven half-smiled at Charon. Her little speel actually made him feel a tiny bit better; as if something had been lifted off his shoulders.

"...I-I...y-you...I...th-think...err...I-I guess you're right..." he whispered under his breath.