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Into the Icy Darkness II: The Next Generation
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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1619662" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p>Eyrna was used to waking to the smells of perfume and sweet aromas in the air, and thus the sharp smell of unwashed bodies assaulted her nose with a fury that caused her to jerk upwards.</p><p></p><p>Straight into several cords and ropes binding her to the blanket she laid upon.</p><p></p><p>“Ah ah,” she heard a voice say. Desperately the young noblewoman tried to open her eyes, only to be greeted with more blackness. </p><p></p><p><em>Am I blind!?</em> her mind panicked. She let out a scream, a cry, only to hear it muffled, as the feeling of something over and in her mouth washed through her jaw. She felt air swirling ever so slightly over her body, as if someone near her was moving. Rather quickly, the warm wafts of someone breathing fell over her face. A split second later, she felt something being moved from the sides and back of her head... before bright light suddenly blinded her eyes.</p><p></p><p>“I think we’re far enough away that you can be allowed to see,” the same voice said. Now that she had a second to catalogue it, she realized it was a woman’s voice, though slightly craggy and rough. As her eyes adjusted, she realized the dark shape floating over her was the face of a woman, her head surrounded by a braid of red curls, the slightly pointed ears of a half-elf rising from the sides of her head. The woman then reached down, and Eyrna gasped as her mouth was free from its binds as well.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry about trying to escape... there’s no reason to,” the woman said. “You’re well guarded... as well as bound to the ground, for the time being.”</p><p></p><p>“Who are you?” Eyrna mouthed raspily. Her memory of faces was failing her. <em>I have never seen this woman before...</em></p><p></p><p>The woman’s other features slowly became more visible... like the fact she was clad in a dark brown robe that seemed to positively engulf her. More alarming, through her hood, glimpses of shining, glinting metal were visible... armor.</p><p></p><p>“If you really must know, Eyrna Erelion,” the woman said, her face changing into a look of disdain, “My name is Evermyn Yusal... and I right wrongs.” The woman’s face looked up, and then gave a nod to someone Eyrna couldn’t see, before turning back. “Now, you were traveling with several people I’m <em>very</em> interested in talking with... and yet we found you alone, running through the forest at night. Quite dangerous,” she observed dryly.</p><p></p><p><em>What does this woman want?</em> Eyrna asked instinctively. <em>She knows? Or is she bluffing? Is she even from the Emperor?</em></p><p></p><p>“Why do you bind me so?” Eyrna asked, ignoring Evermyn’s unsaid question. </p><p></p><p>“Well, as soon as I discover why you stopped traveling with Elsidor, I might be able to unbind you...” the woman offered.</p><p></p><p>Eyrna was speechless, her mouth agape. <em>She knows his name! She knows of the plot, she knows it all!</em> the young woman assumed.</p><p></p><p>“To set you at ease, I know why you were traveling with him originally. Master Chamoval talked quite eagerly when provided the proper motivation,” the half-elf gave a distant and scary smile.</p><p></p><p><em>They... oh gods...</em> Eyrna began to do something that normally happened very rarely... </p><p></p><p>...she started to panic.</p><p></p><p>“I...he...” she stammered, eyes wide as she felt something very cold and hard slide next to her throat.</p><p></p><p>“I have every reason to kill you for helping that dark elf!” the woman’s face suddenly contorted into a look of absolute rage. “Have you ever seen your parents boil alive?!” Evermyn’s eyes were wide, her face having blanched in fury. “<em>That</em> is what he did! And you’ve helped him set lose, and run amok!” she snarled.</p><p></p><p>A stinging pain ran through Eyrna’s neck, and she felt a slight, growing wetness there. As the long dagger came within view, the noble could see the thin line of blood along its edge, framed by the half elf’s furious face. </p><p></p><p>“I think it best that you answer all the questions I ask you,” she snarled, “or the next time this knife enters you, it will not be as a quick and shallow as a paper-cut!”</p><p></p><p>Alone, frightened and scared, Eyrna talked. For seemingly hours, she told everything she knew... of the plot, of the deal with Elsidor, of the dark elf’s betrayal. To her horror, the woman leaning over her grew more and more infuriated, her eyes growing more and more deadly with each word spoken...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Valaron took in a deep breath, looking out towards the massive plaza and gardens that stood next to the Imperial palace. </p><p></p><p>The young prince knew that war was a serious business, nothing to be proud of or excited about; that fact had been drilled into his head numerous times. Nonetheless, the noise from below... the barking of orders, the whump-snap of attention, banners flapping in the breeze, made his mind drift back to the stories he’d been raised with.</p><p></p><p>Down below, on one of the rare Iskeldrun breed of horses, was the woman he’d said goodbye to earlier that day. The Empress’ gilt and steel armor, polished after over a decade without use, stood out brilliantly against the faintly sky-blue flanks of the horse she rode. The two figures were slowly going up and down the lines of the Kubalia Horse Guards regiment of the Imperial Guard, their own blood red shields finishing the awesome display.</p><p></p><p>“I thought we were done fighting,” he heard a voice say softly next to him. Valaron turned to see his father looking down, seemingly ages older. He too would be marching out in another few days with a second army... as soon as several allies answered his call.</p><p></p><p>The Emperor had wanted to wait until Xanadu could call upon several of his dragon-kin to assist before marching out with one massive army. The Empress, however, was true to her aggressive nature, and reasoned that marching out as quickly as possible with a large force of Imperial Guards could disrupt Erelion from gathering their forces. She also reasoned that if it looked like she would be outnumbered, the Imperial Guard troops could outmarch their opponents and avoid a fight until the Emperor could arrive. </p><p></p><p>The strategy offered a chance at ending the rebellion with minimal fighting; likely Erelion’s troops would arrive at the mustering ground piecemeal... so if the Empress got there first...</p><p></p><p>“What do you mean father?” Val asked, confusion on his face. <em>They said dad was a frightening warrior in his youth. Why would be not look forward to a fight, especially when its a chance to put House Erelion away forever?</em></p><p></p><p>Lucius turned and simply rubbed his son on his head... ever growing closer to the Emperor’s own height. “When you’re older and have seen more of the world, you’ll understand fully what we mean when we tell you not to look forward to a fight.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes father.”</p><p></p><p>“You’d better get going yourself,” Lucius sighed. “With the teleporter, you should get to the Valley in time to do some intensive research. Remember the names I gave you as to who to talk to for more information?”</p><p></p><p>“Brothers Harrapias and Hidalas, yes,” Valaron repeated the names verbatim. “Both can be found in Kulloden. And also to send a disguised escort to Uncle Shaun’s tavern to tell him to keep things quiet when we come in?” The last advice on the tavern hadn’t stayed in the boy’s head well, something easy to forgive considering the flurries of advice that had been showered on him in the past day.</p><p></p><p>“No. Don’t stay there at all... too obvious,” the Emperor corrected.</p><p></p><p>“Ah... a smaller tavern then?” Valaron offered.</p><p></p><p>“Yes... smaller, out of the way. But still send a guardsman to Raven’s father to tell him she’s in town, and keep quiet about it. The last thing you need one of your ‘Uncle’s’ employees running around saying Lady Raven has returned,” the Emperor sighed. He trusted Shaun, he didn’t trust the help hired by his friend. </p><p></p><p>Lucius could see his son trying to put this inside a mind already filled with short term information ranging from orders (stop them from ransacking the tomb, find the Fire Stone, make sure Ari is safe), to combat advice from his mother, to demands from Vintressa that he lighten up on Raven.</p><p></p><p>“And lastly, don’t worry. Tess is coming with you, okay? Trust her advice,” the Emperor added with a slight smile. </p><p></p><p><em>I wouldn’t trust my son with just anyone...</em></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Far within the walls of the palace complex, inside the Princess’ normal chambers Vintressa watched Raven don the last of her traveling clothes... a dull green cloak that would blend in rather nicely with any woodland.</p><p></p><p>“Almost ready?” Vintressa glanced at her friend.</p><p></p><p>“Yup,” Raven rearranged her dull green cloak, until it was set just right. She turned to face Vin, and then the cloak flew open, her hand resting on her nagaika. Satisfied with the results of her test, she slid the woolen shround back over her form, covering her traveling clothes, spellbook, and weapons.</p><p></p><p>“I would dread to stand against you,” Vintressa smiled, giving her friend a hug. “Be careful, now.”</p><p></p><p>“You too.” Raven replied simply. “After all, you’re the one that’s going to be in charge if or when your father leaves.”</p><p></p><p>“It won’t be that bad,” Vintressa smiled bravely. “The Council is still here. And if mom and dad have their way, the excitement and chaos will stay a long way from here,” she smiled. </p><p></p><p>Part of her dreaded this moment. True, Vintressa was sixteen, in two years she would be of age, officially an heir and legal regent when her parents and brother were gone. True, she had a mind for politics. Nonetheless, if her father needed to march out with a second army, she would be <em>solely</em> in charge. </p><p></p><p>Xanadu, the Chamberlain and trusted family friend, would be at the front. Diogenes would be gone. The rest of the Council knew her... but she did not know them well. It was a far leap from where she had been less than two weeks before... sitting in a classroom learning why newts were keys to magical spells, or why salamanders could be used to enhance the potency of magic.</p><p></p><p>She would have to coordinate what was left of the investigation as to who was involved... something that should be simple enough, now that it seemed the conspirators were in a panicky flight to Thuyciden to marshal their armies. Controlling the egos on the Council would be harder than that... and hardest of all would be the task her mentor left behind for her...</p><p></p><p><em>”Something is going on with Evermyn... and her fellow paladins.”</em> Vintressa remembered her mentor and role-model saying. <em>”I know half-elves have a reputation for being flighty at times, but this is beyond ordinary... for a paladin of Hieroneous to suddenly stop sending back information? </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>She isn’t dead... at least she wasn’t a few days ago. Other agents saw her on the far end of the city, in a poorer section... they said she broke into an antique dealers’. I want to know why... what’s going on. Did she find something that she didn’t get a chance to tell us? Is she still out there, NOT telling us something for a reason?”</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1619662, member: 15043"] Eyrna was used to waking to the smells of perfume and sweet aromas in the air, and thus the sharp smell of unwashed bodies assaulted her nose with a fury that caused her to jerk upwards. Straight into several cords and ropes binding her to the blanket she laid upon. “Ah ah,” she heard a voice say. Desperately the young noblewoman tried to open her eyes, only to be greeted with more blackness. [i]Am I blind!?[/i] her mind panicked. She let out a scream, a cry, only to hear it muffled, as the feeling of something over and in her mouth washed through her jaw. She felt air swirling ever so slightly over her body, as if someone near her was moving. Rather quickly, the warm wafts of someone breathing fell over her face. A split second later, she felt something being moved from the sides and back of her head... before bright light suddenly blinded her eyes. “I think we’re far enough away that you can be allowed to see,” the same voice said. Now that she had a second to catalogue it, she realized it was a woman’s voice, though slightly craggy and rough. As her eyes adjusted, she realized the dark shape floating over her was the face of a woman, her head surrounded by a braid of red curls, the slightly pointed ears of a half-elf rising from the sides of her head. The woman then reached down, and Eyrna gasped as her mouth was free from its binds as well. “Don’t worry about trying to escape... there’s no reason to,” the woman said. “You’re well guarded... as well as bound to the ground, for the time being.” “Who are you?” Eyrna mouthed raspily. Her memory of faces was failing her. [i]I have never seen this woman before...[/i] The woman’s other features slowly became more visible... like the fact she was clad in a dark brown robe that seemed to positively engulf her. More alarming, through her hood, glimpses of shining, glinting metal were visible... armor. “If you really must know, Eyrna Erelion,” the woman said, her face changing into a look of disdain, “My name is Evermyn Yusal... and I right wrongs.” The woman’s face looked up, and then gave a nod to someone Eyrna couldn’t see, before turning back. “Now, you were traveling with several people I’m [i]very[/i] interested in talking with... and yet we found you alone, running through the forest at night. Quite dangerous,” she observed dryly. [i]What does this woman want?[/i] Eyrna asked instinctively. [i]She knows? Or is she bluffing? Is she even from the Emperor?[/i] “Why do you bind me so?” Eyrna asked, ignoring Evermyn’s unsaid question. “Well, as soon as I discover why you stopped traveling with Elsidor, I might be able to unbind you...” the woman offered. Eyrna was speechless, her mouth agape. [i]She knows his name! She knows of the plot, she knows it all![/i] the young woman assumed. “To set you at ease, I know why you were traveling with him originally. Master Chamoval talked quite eagerly when provided the proper motivation,” the half-elf gave a distant and scary smile. [i]They... oh gods...[/i] Eyrna began to do something that normally happened very rarely... ...she started to panic. “I...he...” she stammered, eyes wide as she felt something very cold and hard slide next to her throat. “I have every reason to kill you for helping that dark elf!” the woman’s face suddenly contorted into a look of absolute rage. “Have you ever seen your parents boil alive?!” Evermyn’s eyes were wide, her face having blanched in fury. “[i]That[/i] is what he did! And you’ve helped him set lose, and run amok!” she snarled. A stinging pain ran through Eyrna’s neck, and she felt a slight, growing wetness there. As the long dagger came within view, the noble could see the thin line of blood along its edge, framed by the half elf’s furious face. “I think it best that you answer all the questions I ask you,” she snarled, “or the next time this knife enters you, it will not be as a quick and shallow as a paper-cut!” Alone, frightened and scared, Eyrna talked. For seemingly hours, she told everything she knew... of the plot, of the deal with Elsidor, of the dark elf’s betrayal. To her horror, the woman leaning over her grew more and more infuriated, her eyes growing more and more deadly with each word spoken... Valaron took in a deep breath, looking out towards the massive plaza and gardens that stood next to the Imperial palace. The young prince knew that war was a serious business, nothing to be proud of or excited about; that fact had been drilled into his head numerous times. Nonetheless, the noise from below... the barking of orders, the whump-snap of attention, banners flapping in the breeze, made his mind drift back to the stories he’d been raised with. Down below, on one of the rare Iskeldrun breed of horses, was the woman he’d said goodbye to earlier that day. The Empress’ gilt and steel armor, polished after over a decade without use, stood out brilliantly against the faintly sky-blue flanks of the horse she rode. The two figures were slowly going up and down the lines of the Kubalia Horse Guards regiment of the Imperial Guard, their own blood red shields finishing the awesome display. “I thought we were done fighting,” he heard a voice say softly next to him. Valaron turned to see his father looking down, seemingly ages older. He too would be marching out in another few days with a second army... as soon as several allies answered his call. The Emperor had wanted to wait until Xanadu could call upon several of his dragon-kin to assist before marching out with one massive army. The Empress, however, was true to her aggressive nature, and reasoned that marching out as quickly as possible with a large force of Imperial Guards could disrupt Erelion from gathering their forces. She also reasoned that if it looked like she would be outnumbered, the Imperial Guard troops could outmarch their opponents and avoid a fight until the Emperor could arrive. The strategy offered a chance at ending the rebellion with minimal fighting; likely Erelion’s troops would arrive at the mustering ground piecemeal... so if the Empress got there first... “What do you mean father?” Val asked, confusion on his face. [i]They said dad was a frightening warrior in his youth. Why would be not look forward to a fight, especially when its a chance to put House Erelion away forever?[/i] Lucius turned and simply rubbed his son on his head... ever growing closer to the Emperor’s own height. “When you’re older and have seen more of the world, you’ll understand fully what we mean when we tell you not to look forward to a fight.” “Yes father.” “You’d better get going yourself,” Lucius sighed. “With the teleporter, you should get to the Valley in time to do some intensive research. Remember the names I gave you as to who to talk to for more information?” “Brothers Harrapias and Hidalas, yes,” Valaron repeated the names verbatim. “Both can be found in Kulloden. And also to send a disguised escort to Uncle Shaun’s tavern to tell him to keep things quiet when we come in?” The last advice on the tavern hadn’t stayed in the boy’s head well, something easy to forgive considering the flurries of advice that had been showered on him in the past day. “No. Don’t stay there at all... too obvious,” the Emperor corrected. “Ah... a smaller tavern then?” Valaron offered. “Yes... smaller, out of the way. But still send a guardsman to Raven’s father to tell him she’s in town, and keep quiet about it. The last thing you need one of your ‘Uncle’s’ employees running around saying Lady Raven has returned,” the Emperor sighed. He trusted Shaun, he didn’t trust the help hired by his friend. Lucius could see his son trying to put this inside a mind already filled with short term information ranging from orders (stop them from ransacking the tomb, find the Fire Stone, make sure Ari is safe), to combat advice from his mother, to demands from Vintressa that he lighten up on Raven. “And lastly, don’t worry. Tess is coming with you, okay? Trust her advice,” the Emperor added with a slight smile. [i]I wouldn’t trust my son with just anyone...[/i] Far within the walls of the palace complex, inside the Princess’ normal chambers Vintressa watched Raven don the last of her traveling clothes... a dull green cloak that would blend in rather nicely with any woodland. “Almost ready?” Vintressa glanced at her friend. “Yup,” Raven rearranged her dull green cloak, until it was set just right. She turned to face Vin, and then the cloak flew open, her hand resting on her nagaika. Satisfied with the results of her test, she slid the woolen shround back over her form, covering her traveling clothes, spellbook, and weapons. “I would dread to stand against you,” Vintressa smiled, giving her friend a hug. “Be careful, now.” “You too.” Raven replied simply. “After all, you’re the one that’s going to be in charge if or when your father leaves.” “It won’t be that bad,” Vintressa smiled bravely. “The Council is still here. And if mom and dad have their way, the excitement and chaos will stay a long way from here,” she smiled. Part of her dreaded this moment. True, Vintressa was sixteen, in two years she would be of age, officially an heir and legal regent when her parents and brother were gone. True, she had a mind for politics. Nonetheless, if her father needed to march out with a second army, she would be [i]solely[/i] in charge. Xanadu, the Chamberlain and trusted family friend, would be at the front. Diogenes would be gone. The rest of the Council knew her... but she did not know them well. It was a far leap from where she had been less than two weeks before... sitting in a classroom learning why newts were keys to magical spells, or why salamanders could be used to enhance the potency of magic. She would have to coordinate what was left of the investigation as to who was involved... something that should be simple enough, now that it seemed the conspirators were in a panicky flight to Thuyciden to marshal their armies. Controlling the egos on the Council would be harder than that... and hardest of all would be the task her mentor left behind for her... [i]”Something is going on with Evermyn... and her fellow paladins.”[/i] Vintressa remembered her mentor and role-model saying. [i]”I know half-elves have a reputation for being flighty at times, but this is beyond ordinary... for a paladin of Hieroneous to suddenly stop sending back information? She isn’t dead... at least she wasn’t a few days ago. Other agents saw her on the far end of the city, in a poorer section... they said she broke into an antique dealers’. I want to know why... what’s going on. Did she find something that she didn’t get a chance to tell us? Is she still out there, NOT telling us something for a reason?”[/i] [/QUOTE]
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