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Into the Icy Darkness II: The Next Generation
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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1696451" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p>“How are you?” Manse’s ears picked up a gruff voice. The knight blinked, and groaned as he felt the world rock slightly and something bumped his sore shoulder. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and saw the tired looking face of Lord Bearsans looking down at him.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve...been better,” Manse hissed, pain shooting from his shoulder down his arm and back.</p><p></p><p>“Well, we found what caused you so much pain,” Bearsans turned, groping for something. When he turned back around, he held a strange dagger-type object in his hand. It had three prongs, one long, thin one in the middle, and a shorter, curved one on either side. “It took us an hour after getting back to Lord Erelion’s camp to discover what it is... and where it came from.”</p><p></p><p>“Eh?” Manse raised himself up using his good arm. His other one felt heavy as well as hurt, and he realized that the bandages on its length were heavy with his own blood. His mind was focused enough that he noticed canvas hanging above him, and realized the rocking motion he felt was that he was in a wagon, trundling along... </p><p></p><p>“Its a <em>sai</em>, I guess,” Bearsans tossed the thing up, and caught it by its handle, “very light. The areas between the prongs are good for catching other people’s blades and wrenching them from their hands, and its light enough it can be thrown.... which appears to be what happened to you.”</p><p></p><p>“And have you figured out who, or what, is tossing those things about so carelessly?” Manse replied with a wince. </p><p></p><p>“Well, its got some kind of writing in gilt relief on its side, but no one could read it. One of your lord’s other bannermen, Sir Yusel, I believe you know him? He knew what it was... and that it does not originate from Iskeldrun, or any other part of our realm. It comes from Ak Konylu, across the mountains.”</p><p></p><p>Manse’s face grew puzzled. <em>How would a weapon from a realm a thousand miles away come here? The Empress has a tendency to carry exotic weapons... but she is with the main army... no where near Haldris’ columns...</em> “How... did it get here?”</p><p></p><p>“We thought about it for an hour or so, and Lord Erelion has come up with one solution. Are you familiar with the realm of Han, in Ak Konylu?” When Manse shook his head no, Bearsans merely plowed on, “Its a part of the nation of Ak Konylu... imagine a Duchy, save larger and ruled by a Prince. The heir to that house is in Iskeldrun... a Prince Royukgan. We hadn’t watched him often, but likely it was members of the Han Royal Guard that did this.”</p><p></p><p>“Han Royal Guard?” Manse immediately had problems adjusting to that theory. “But why would they interfere in a civil war in <em>our realm</em>. If anything, they’d be backing us...”</p><p></p><p>“Do I look like an expert on imperial diplomacy?” Bearsans asked. “I didn’t know where this ‘Han’ was until a few hours before! All I know is that the riders that hit us were a mix of the Imperial Houseguards, and members of the Han Royal Guard. Which means major trouble for us! Han’s armies are likely coming into the Empire as well!”</p><p></p><p>“Wait... did any of you find a ‘Han Royal Guardsman’ dead on the field? Or capture one?” Manse asked, his mind focusing on this puzzle more than the pain. <em>If so... we DO have a major problem. If they haven’t, it might be a ruse...</em></p><p></p><p>“No, we didn’t. But no Imperial troops carry a weapon like this,” Bearsans shrugged away Manse’s concern. “And because of this, Lord Erelion has changed his plan. We’ve changed course, and now march for Iskeldrun. We must take the capital before the Han armies arrive... then Lord Erelion thinks we can come to terms from a position of strength, holding the Princess hostage and all.”</p><p></p><p>“What?” Manse cried, before wincing in pain. It hurt to breathe too deeply. “So now the entire army is marching on Iskeldrun?”</p><p></p><p>“No... just Haldris’ wing, and the northern column. The other two are still going to Thuyciden... distract the Emperor while we take his capital from behind. If we tried to concentrate, it might take too long, and the Han armies would have a chance to interfere!”</p><p></p><p>“Beardstone,” Manse rasped, his pain clouded mind trying to understand, “if Han is across the mountains, it would take <em>months</em> for them to march here! We have time to destroy the Emperor’s army, and seize the capital! Why are... augh!” he fell back, it was hurting too much to prop himself up. <em>As long as the Emperor and Empress have an army to command, they will pursue... and try to destroy us!</em></p><p></p><p>“The plans have already been changed... the troops are moving now, even though dawn hasn’t come over the horizon yet. Lord Erelion has vowed we’ll march all through the day and two hours into the night to steal this march!” Beardstone said eagerly. “Haldris’ command has been shattered, so we’re leaving them behind as a rearguard with Haldarman. The rest of the two columns will move out... some thirty thousand spears, ten thousand horse.”</p><p></p><p>“And... what of the Imperial columns that hit us earlier tonight? If they are bold enough to attack Haldris at night, that tells me there was a major power behind that force,” Manse tried to reason, as if persuading Bearsans the current plan was a bad one would change things. <em>That was a third Imperial army… one not under the command of the Emperor or Empress. How many are there? What if IT hits us?</em></p><p></p><p>“Haldris and Haldarman will act as a screen. After Haldris’ issues, Haldarman acted less than willing to move in council... so he has been banished to be the backbone of the rearguard,” Bearsans said matter-of-factly. “He has eight thousand foot, and a thousand horse, not counting what’s left of Haldris’ men.”</p><p></p><p>“A soiled squire and a few panicked kerns?” Manse sourly groaned. <em>They won’t be able to hold against a nanny armed with a broomstick, let alone whoever unleashed those columns and decimated Haldris.</em> “And Lord Haldris? Did he escape that woman?”</p><p></p><p>“No. No one has seen him. And I think you were delirious when you saw that ‘girl’ you claimed was holding a sword to his throat. The only one that would fit that description and <em>command</em> Household Guards would be the Crown Princess herself! And <em>she’s</em> not about to be out here leading troops!” Bearsans laughed. “Never seen a mage in my life pick up a blade!”</p><p></p><p><em>The Emperor does,</em> Manse thought dimly.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>At this early hour, the teleportation chamber in the Mage’s Guild of Kulloden was usually quiet... few legitimate souls traveled at six bells before noon. There was at least one mage present, however, just in case someone <em>did</em> need their services... but the young apprentices that manned the device at this hour often referred to it as ‘sleeping duty.’ No one had teleported in during this time since many of these apprentices were small.</p><p></p><p>Thus it came as an immense surprise to the two young men on duty to feel a massive surge of magical power in the chamber... the sure sign there was an incoming transit, and a large one at that. With a few shouts of surprise, the two cleared the room, and began readying spells, just in case.</p><p></p><p>A fine whisker of fog rose in the midst of the room, climbing higher and higher until it touched the ceiling. Then it flashed outward in an instant, bathing the entire room in its distant foggy glow. The room, in theory was large enough for a transit of fifty people, and enough shadows gradually built in the teleportation cloud it seemed very well possible that many were appearing. The clouds started to slow their spin, until finally they abruptly and magically lifted, revealing to the shocked mages a sight they would not likely see again. </p><p></p><p>Before them was a small menagerie. Darkly cloaked men and women, one with fiery hair and a greatsword, stood in front. Behind them were a bevy of men clad in armor and hauberks made of chainmail, their tunics displaying a gold eagle on a blue background. In the midst of this was a tall, striking blonde, her braids of hair tied ‘round her head like a crown.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><em>Meanwhile...</em></p><p></p><p>Hemmel gave a growl, as he dumped a bag of platinum coins onto the small table in front of the halfling.</p><p></p><p>“Is that enough for you?” he sneered. It had been a long series of days, and the halfling was annoying him with an endless stream of questions. Asking where he was going, who he was. <em>I thought this was a PRIVATE teleporter, where I would not have to answer such babble!</em></p><p></p><p>“I... um...” the small creature stammered, looking at the pile of wealth beyond his wildest dreams laying in front of him.</p><p></p><p>“Half of that is yours, if you just let us go about our business. As I said <em>earlier</em>, our master wants us to conduct this inspection of his mines <em>quickly</em>, before his rivals can try to sabotage their appraisal. He is most willing to pay this much extra for expediency on your part, and the part of your master, Bladonicus.” Hemmel had not lied completely... if Lord Erelion had known what was happening, he certainly would have handed over extra cash to hurry things up.</p><p></p><p>“Um... by all means,” the halfling scribbled something down in his books, and hungrily pocketed half the coins in the bag, perhaps a hundred or so... likely four or five times what he made in a single year.</p><p></p><p>Hemmel paid no attention, as he and his band exited the “public teleporter” into the darkness of the early morning of Kulloden. Distantly, he heard the bells of the main temples toll six times, their notes ringing loud and true through the darkness.</p><p></p><p>“Where is the young dragon?” a whispery, feminine voice asked from next to him in the darkness.</p><p></p><p><em>Where would he be?</em> Hemmel’s mind clicked. He still was not completely sure the Crown Prince was here at all. He’d only seen the Dice girl that was supposed to be in Iskeldrun waiting in front of the Hieroneous Temple...</p><p></p><p><em>But she was waiting... for someone,</em> he reminded himself. On his brief return to the capital to get reinforcements, he’d listened to rumors... and confirmed that the Crown Princess was still there. That left only one person the Dice girl could have been waiting for...</p><p></p><p><em>The Temple of Hieroneous would be the safest place for him,</em> Hemmel thought, <em>but it would also be painfully obvious... and Valaron is clever...</em> The manservant in him still remembered the tricks the boy would pull, or how he adapted quickly in a sparring match. </p><p></p><p>“I have my suspicions... but for now, we lay low. I do not want us to launch ourselves needlessly about, attracting attention,” he replied. He felt, more than saw, the imperceptive nod of the lady next to him.</p><p></p><p>As his mind thought, his hand travelled to the inner pocket of his coat, and wrapped carefully around the gift the same woman had given him. He felt the petals, still soft and moist, despite not having seen water in three days. He ran a finger gently over the thorns lower on the dark flower, and reflected on how odd it was that someone could be killed by a rose.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“We cannot hold here!” Aeron’s shout rang in Vintressa’s ear once again. The wizard’s face was flushed with fury and disappointment. “Thirty riders lost! That’s a quarter of our forces!”</p><p></p><p>“We crushed Haldris’ column!” Vintressa shot back, her own fury reflected in the glow of candlelight inside her tent, “And have plugged up another nine Houses! They had one road... one road that is strewn with wreckage, and they think a large Imperial force is nearby! They will not advance quickly! If we stand here and demonstrate, we can-“</p><p></p><p>“There is not the strength,” one of the higher ranking guardsmen replied. “My scouts have reported that there are movements to our north... the northern column has left its road, and is moving southwest, not south...”</p><p></p><p>“Towards us!” Aeron jumped in again. He glared at Vintressa for a few moments, but once she returned his sharp gaze, he gave a sigh. “Princess, I must be frank. I know you hoped they would be stalled... and they are! But for the sake of your men, the ones injured... <em>please</em>, we must retire back to the walls of Iskeldrun!”</p><p></p><p>“...for Royukgan,” she heard Aegrifyr’s voice say, and instantly she went from disagreement to combative. Her mind roiled at the thought of how she last saw him. Flat on his stomach, a guardsmen attempting to pull the arrow from his thigh as one of the few healers that could be spared tended to the large wound in his back.</p><p></p><p>“<em>He needs rest! He may not survive a hard ride!</em>” she shouted. Her mind instant regretted the outburst. <em>A princess needs to look to the whole... not the parts,</em> she heard her father’s voice say from the distant past. <em>If one needs to be sacrificed for the many... the one needs to be let go...</em></p><p></p><p>“The other injured need rest as well!” she changed her statement to satisfy her father’s memory, her voice still raised but now lacking its former deadly edge. “We smacked them across the face, and they’re stunned! If we continue to peck at them, we could stall them completely! We just need Lord Aeron’s offensive spells, and Aegrifyr and the other mages to continue their illusionary work! By the time we’re done, they’ll think there are hundreds of thousands here!”</p><p></p><p>“We rode out with one hundred and fourteen... thirty have fallen, and thirty-two more are wounded. We have only fifty-two people healthy to ride...and of those, only forty are people trained in standard combat,” the guardsmen said, leaving the mages’ powers unsaid. </p><p></p><p>“Your Highness,” Aegrifyr, who had so far remained silent, spoke up, “we have done what you set out to do. Your parents no longer face a force that will outnumber them... indeed, they will outnumber the columns striking in their direction.” He walked over quietly, and put a hand on her shoulder, “we must retire behind the walls of Iskeldrun. The city watch has ten thousand to guard the city walls, and in the city the injured can receive proper care!”</p><p></p><p>Vintressa fell silent, her skin seeming to boil as all eyes bored in on her. <em>I am the leader... it is my decision. My mind says to ride back... my heart warns me that Royukgan might not make it!</em> The memory of her father’s lessons on government, little quips and statements, and the memories of the words of wisdom Tess left for her echoed in her mind.</p><p></p><p><em>What would you do, father? What would you do, Aunt Tess?</em></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Wake up!” Raven gently touched Val’s shoulder. She’d been up since before the sun had risen, and now its golden rays coming through the windows of her home seemed to frame Val’s face perfectly. He stirred slightly, before a hand rather limply went up and slowly swatted at the sky.</p><p></p><p>“Go away,” the mumbled, half-awake. He yanked the covers up over his face, so only his fire red curls showed.</p><p></p><p>“The sun has risen... and we have much that needs to be done! I need another pair of eyes in the Temple of Pelor if we’re going to find the Fire Stone’s location!” she said, purposefully injecting as much cheerfulness in her voice as possible. “Come on... Rose fixed breakfast downstairs... and,” she added to the temptation, “it is roasted ham, raspberries with cream, and eggs speckled with peppers and spices...” It was Val’s favorite breakfast, she knew. <em>Maybe that will rouse him.</em></p><p></p><p>“Rose can be your extra eyes,” she heard him grumble, “and ham can last till later.” He groaned again, covering his head up.</p><p></p><p>Raven’s eyes narrowed. <em>So, you won’t move!</em> she thought, <em>I know how to fix that!</em> She reached over the blankets, and yanked Val’s cover from his eyes. He squirmed in the sunlight, flailing in the air to cover his eyes. Raven’s blood was up, and with a giggle, she used the same tactic her mother used with her when she was a child; she pinned his arms, keeping his closed eyes bathed in the morning light. Val’s gave a groan of protest, his eyes squeezed shut.</p><p></p><p>It was then she paused, her breath stopped. Her eyes took in Val’s bare chest, and something bloomed in her heart. Her heart, its feelings pent up for the past few weeks with the feelings that flashed over her after she saw him at the ball where everything began, suddenly leapt into action before her mind could respond. Before she understood what was happening, she felt her lips touching his as her eyes closed.</p><p></p><p>It couldn’t have lasted more than an instant before her head wrested control back from her heart, shouting, <em>What were you doing?!</em> in her head. <em>He is the son of the Emperor! He could have all of those pretty noble daughters! He wouldn’t want you! After you cut his face open, he doesn’t trust you!</em> Terrified, she pulled back, hoping Val would not be incensed by her actions.</p><p></p><p>“Um...” she stammered, looking down at him. Val’s eyes were wide open, but instead of anger, he had an eyebrow raised in confusion. His mouth was a little open still, and she watched it close quickly as he swallowed hard.</p><p></p><p>“Um...” he echoed, his own eyes darting about, his skin flushed a deeper shade of crimson than normal. She locked on his eyes, her own full of pleading. <em>Don’t be angry,</em> her heart and mind pleaded. As she watched his own, her mind became confused.</p><p></p><p><em>His eyes are darting around like he’s frightened,</em> her mind thought. <em>Like he’s confused too?</em></p><p></p><p>“I...um...” she continued to stammer, “I...I...woke you up, didn’t I?” She nervously giggled. It was a major effort to disguise her fear... one that failed miserably. <em>Is he upset? He doesn’t look like it...</em></p><p></p><p>“Um... well... um... yeah, you did,” he stammered himself, before a nervous, shy grin formed on his lips. He sat up, his eyes still looking at her... questioning, probing. She found herself locked into the gaze, falling into the deep blue sea...</p><p></p><p>“Um... well. Myself, Rose, and the servants spent quite a while getting that breakfast ready!” Raven said nervously, a little too loudly for the situation. The smile she gave was a false cover, as she stood. “If you’d like to just head down when you’re ready, um... we’ll...um... have it waiting, ok?” <em>So awkward...</em></p><p></p><p>He stared at her eyes for a few moments after her statement, before suddenly blinking, hard. “Um,” he stammered, “Sure...um... let me put on a shirt, and... I’ll be right down.” He rather slowly climbed out of bed, and walked over towards the dresser, his eyes not watching where he was going, and instead looking at Raven’s. </p><p></p><p>She could tell there was curiosity, still some surprise, and... something else. Caring? No... something more. It took her only a moment to figure out what it was... she’d seen in before between Vintressa and Royukgan. Something deeper than simple caring. Then she realized his smile the night before had contained the same thing. Outwardly, her awkward smile grew a little more, but inwardly, she was leaping in the air, shrieking her happiness.</p><p></p><p> His gaze suddenly, shyly broke from hers, and he seemed to be putting entirely too much interest in opening a simple dresser drawer. <em>He feels the same way... its too awkward right now for him!</em> Raven realized, and she wanted to whoop again. Seeings the shyness of the normally brash prince, she realized that babbling in happiness might scare him. An internal debate exploded within her, on whether to leave, or tell him everything.</p><p></p><p>Eventually, her feet started speaking for her, as she was already backing towards the door, and narrowly avoided backing into the wall instead of the door as she watched him. For a second, the same part of her that had taken over when she was waking him up tried to take over again, but she forced it back... keep it under control, until she was out of his presence.</p><p></p><p>Once she was in the hall, her beet red face flashed an enormous smile. She knew she was still within earshot, and so her whoops of joy were hushed, but for a second, the rest of the world didn’t seem to matter. The fact Ananias and Elsidor, and who knows who else was after them were matters that did not bother her any more.</p><p></p><p><em>Today is a good day!</em> her heart sang.</p><p></p><p>Up ahead, Rose had just reached the top of the stairs and was marching down the hall in a fury. “What is taking you and him so long!” she shouted, before suddenly sliding to a halt. Rose looked at her sister with a confused stare.</p><p></p><p>“And why are we in such a good mood suddenly?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1696451, member: 15043"] “How are you?” Manse’s ears picked up a gruff voice. The knight blinked, and groaned as he felt the world rock slightly and something bumped his sore shoulder. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and saw the tired looking face of Lord Bearsans looking down at him. “I’ve...been better,” Manse hissed, pain shooting from his shoulder down his arm and back. “Well, we found what caused you so much pain,” Bearsans turned, groping for something. When he turned back around, he held a strange dagger-type object in his hand. It had three prongs, one long, thin one in the middle, and a shorter, curved one on either side. “It took us an hour after getting back to Lord Erelion’s camp to discover what it is... and where it came from.” “Eh?” Manse raised himself up using his good arm. His other one felt heavy as well as hurt, and he realized that the bandages on its length were heavy with his own blood. His mind was focused enough that he noticed canvas hanging above him, and realized the rocking motion he felt was that he was in a wagon, trundling along... “Its a [i]sai[/i], I guess,” Bearsans tossed the thing up, and caught it by its handle, “very light. The areas between the prongs are good for catching other people’s blades and wrenching them from their hands, and its light enough it can be thrown.... which appears to be what happened to you.” “And have you figured out who, or what, is tossing those things about so carelessly?” Manse replied with a wince. “Well, its got some kind of writing in gilt relief on its side, but no one could read it. One of your lord’s other bannermen, Sir Yusel, I believe you know him? He knew what it was... and that it does not originate from Iskeldrun, or any other part of our realm. It comes from Ak Konylu, across the mountains.” Manse’s face grew puzzled. [i]How would a weapon from a realm a thousand miles away come here? The Empress has a tendency to carry exotic weapons... but she is with the main army... no where near Haldris’ columns...[/i] “How... did it get here?” “We thought about it for an hour or so, and Lord Erelion has come up with one solution. Are you familiar with the realm of Han, in Ak Konylu?” When Manse shook his head no, Bearsans merely plowed on, “Its a part of the nation of Ak Konylu... imagine a Duchy, save larger and ruled by a Prince. The heir to that house is in Iskeldrun... a Prince Royukgan. We hadn’t watched him often, but likely it was members of the Han Royal Guard that did this.” “Han Royal Guard?” Manse immediately had problems adjusting to that theory. “But why would they interfere in a civil war in [i]our realm[/i]. If anything, they’d be backing us...” “Do I look like an expert on imperial diplomacy?” Bearsans asked. “I didn’t know where this ‘Han’ was until a few hours before! All I know is that the riders that hit us were a mix of the Imperial Houseguards, and members of the Han Royal Guard. Which means major trouble for us! Han’s armies are likely coming into the Empire as well!” “Wait... did any of you find a ‘Han Royal Guardsman’ dead on the field? Or capture one?” Manse asked, his mind focusing on this puzzle more than the pain. [i]If so... we DO have a major problem. If they haven’t, it might be a ruse...[/i] “No, we didn’t. But no Imperial troops carry a weapon like this,” Bearsans shrugged away Manse’s concern. “And because of this, Lord Erelion has changed his plan. We’ve changed course, and now march for Iskeldrun. We must take the capital before the Han armies arrive... then Lord Erelion thinks we can come to terms from a position of strength, holding the Princess hostage and all.” “What?” Manse cried, before wincing in pain. It hurt to breathe too deeply. “So now the entire army is marching on Iskeldrun?” “No... just Haldris’ wing, and the northern column. The other two are still going to Thuyciden... distract the Emperor while we take his capital from behind. If we tried to concentrate, it might take too long, and the Han armies would have a chance to interfere!” “Beardstone,” Manse rasped, his pain clouded mind trying to understand, “if Han is across the mountains, it would take [i]months[/i] for them to march here! We have time to destroy the Emperor’s army, and seize the capital! Why are... augh!” he fell back, it was hurting too much to prop himself up. [i]As long as the Emperor and Empress have an army to command, they will pursue... and try to destroy us![/i] “The plans have already been changed... the troops are moving now, even though dawn hasn’t come over the horizon yet. Lord Erelion has vowed we’ll march all through the day and two hours into the night to steal this march!” Beardstone said eagerly. “Haldris’ command has been shattered, so we’re leaving them behind as a rearguard with Haldarman. The rest of the two columns will move out... some thirty thousand spears, ten thousand horse.” “And... what of the Imperial columns that hit us earlier tonight? If they are bold enough to attack Haldris at night, that tells me there was a major power behind that force,” Manse tried to reason, as if persuading Bearsans the current plan was a bad one would change things. [i]That was a third Imperial army… one not under the command of the Emperor or Empress. How many are there? What if IT hits us?[/i] “Haldris and Haldarman will act as a screen. After Haldris’ issues, Haldarman acted less than willing to move in council... so he has been banished to be the backbone of the rearguard,” Bearsans said matter-of-factly. “He has eight thousand foot, and a thousand horse, not counting what’s left of Haldris’ men.” “A soiled squire and a few panicked kerns?” Manse sourly groaned. [i]They won’t be able to hold against a nanny armed with a broomstick, let alone whoever unleashed those columns and decimated Haldris.[/i] “And Lord Haldris? Did he escape that woman?” “No. No one has seen him. And I think you were delirious when you saw that ‘girl’ you claimed was holding a sword to his throat. The only one that would fit that description and [i]command[/i] Household Guards would be the Crown Princess herself! And [i]she’s[/i] not about to be out here leading troops!” Bearsans laughed. “Never seen a mage in my life pick up a blade!” [i]The Emperor does,[/i] Manse thought dimly. At this early hour, the teleportation chamber in the Mage’s Guild of Kulloden was usually quiet... few legitimate souls traveled at six bells before noon. There was at least one mage present, however, just in case someone [i]did[/i] need their services... but the young apprentices that manned the device at this hour often referred to it as ‘sleeping duty.’ No one had teleported in during this time since many of these apprentices were small. Thus it came as an immense surprise to the two young men on duty to feel a massive surge of magical power in the chamber... the sure sign there was an incoming transit, and a large one at that. With a few shouts of surprise, the two cleared the room, and began readying spells, just in case. A fine whisker of fog rose in the midst of the room, climbing higher and higher until it touched the ceiling. Then it flashed outward in an instant, bathing the entire room in its distant foggy glow. The room, in theory was large enough for a transit of fifty people, and enough shadows gradually built in the teleportation cloud it seemed very well possible that many were appearing. The clouds started to slow their spin, until finally they abruptly and magically lifted, revealing to the shocked mages a sight they would not likely see again. Before them was a small menagerie. Darkly cloaked men and women, one with fiery hair and a greatsword, stood in front. Behind them were a bevy of men clad in armor and hauberks made of chainmail, their tunics displaying a gold eagle on a blue background. In the midst of this was a tall, striking blonde, her braids of hair tied ‘round her head like a crown. [i]Meanwhile...[/i] Hemmel gave a growl, as he dumped a bag of platinum coins onto the small table in front of the halfling. “Is that enough for you?” he sneered. It had been a long series of days, and the halfling was annoying him with an endless stream of questions. Asking where he was going, who he was. [i]I thought this was a PRIVATE teleporter, where I would not have to answer such babble![/i] “I... um...” the small creature stammered, looking at the pile of wealth beyond his wildest dreams laying in front of him. “Half of that is yours, if you just let us go about our business. As I said [i]earlier[/i], our master wants us to conduct this inspection of his mines [i]quickly[/i], before his rivals can try to sabotage their appraisal. He is most willing to pay this much extra for expediency on your part, and the part of your master, Bladonicus.” Hemmel had not lied completely... if Lord Erelion had known what was happening, he certainly would have handed over extra cash to hurry things up. “Um... by all means,” the halfling scribbled something down in his books, and hungrily pocketed half the coins in the bag, perhaps a hundred or so... likely four or five times what he made in a single year. Hemmel paid no attention, as he and his band exited the “public teleporter” into the darkness of the early morning of Kulloden. Distantly, he heard the bells of the main temples toll six times, their notes ringing loud and true through the darkness. “Where is the young dragon?” a whispery, feminine voice asked from next to him in the darkness. [i]Where would he be?[/i] Hemmel’s mind clicked. He still was not completely sure the Crown Prince was here at all. He’d only seen the Dice girl that was supposed to be in Iskeldrun waiting in front of the Hieroneous Temple... [i]But she was waiting... for someone,[/i] he reminded himself. On his brief return to the capital to get reinforcements, he’d listened to rumors... and confirmed that the Crown Princess was still there. That left only one person the Dice girl could have been waiting for... [i]The Temple of Hieroneous would be the safest place for him,[/i] Hemmel thought, [i]but it would also be painfully obvious... and Valaron is clever...[/i] The manservant in him still remembered the tricks the boy would pull, or how he adapted quickly in a sparring match. “I have my suspicions... but for now, we lay low. I do not want us to launch ourselves needlessly about, attracting attention,” he replied. He felt, more than saw, the imperceptive nod of the lady next to him. As his mind thought, his hand travelled to the inner pocket of his coat, and wrapped carefully around the gift the same woman had given him. He felt the petals, still soft and moist, despite not having seen water in three days. He ran a finger gently over the thorns lower on the dark flower, and reflected on how odd it was that someone could be killed by a rose. “We cannot hold here!” Aeron’s shout rang in Vintressa’s ear once again. The wizard’s face was flushed with fury and disappointment. “Thirty riders lost! That’s a quarter of our forces!” “We crushed Haldris’ column!” Vintressa shot back, her own fury reflected in the glow of candlelight inside her tent, “And have plugged up another nine Houses! They had one road... one road that is strewn with wreckage, and they think a large Imperial force is nearby! They will not advance quickly! If we stand here and demonstrate, we can-“ “There is not the strength,” one of the higher ranking guardsmen replied. “My scouts have reported that there are movements to our north... the northern column has left its road, and is moving southwest, not south...” “Towards us!” Aeron jumped in again. He glared at Vintressa for a few moments, but once she returned his sharp gaze, he gave a sigh. “Princess, I must be frank. I know you hoped they would be stalled... and they are! But for the sake of your men, the ones injured... [i]please[/i], we must retire back to the walls of Iskeldrun!” “...for Royukgan,” she heard Aegrifyr’s voice say, and instantly she went from disagreement to combative. Her mind roiled at the thought of how she last saw him. Flat on his stomach, a guardsmen attempting to pull the arrow from his thigh as one of the few healers that could be spared tended to the large wound in his back. “[i]He needs rest! He may not survive a hard ride![/i]” she shouted. Her mind instant regretted the outburst. [i]A princess needs to look to the whole... not the parts,[/i] she heard her father’s voice say from the distant past. [i]If one needs to be sacrificed for the many... the one needs to be let go...[/i] “The other injured need rest as well!” she changed her statement to satisfy her father’s memory, her voice still raised but now lacking its former deadly edge. “We smacked them across the face, and they’re stunned! If we continue to peck at them, we could stall them completely! We just need Lord Aeron’s offensive spells, and Aegrifyr and the other mages to continue their illusionary work! By the time we’re done, they’ll think there are hundreds of thousands here!” “We rode out with one hundred and fourteen... thirty have fallen, and thirty-two more are wounded. We have only fifty-two people healthy to ride...and of those, only forty are people trained in standard combat,” the guardsmen said, leaving the mages’ powers unsaid. “Your Highness,” Aegrifyr, who had so far remained silent, spoke up, “we have done what you set out to do. Your parents no longer face a force that will outnumber them... indeed, they will outnumber the columns striking in their direction.” He walked over quietly, and put a hand on her shoulder, “we must retire behind the walls of Iskeldrun. The city watch has ten thousand to guard the city walls, and in the city the injured can receive proper care!” Vintressa fell silent, her skin seeming to boil as all eyes bored in on her. [i]I am the leader... it is my decision. My mind says to ride back... my heart warns me that Royukgan might not make it![/i] The memory of her father’s lessons on government, little quips and statements, and the memories of the words of wisdom Tess left for her echoed in her mind. [i]What would you do, father? What would you do, Aunt Tess?[/i] “Wake up!” Raven gently touched Val’s shoulder. She’d been up since before the sun had risen, and now its golden rays coming through the windows of her home seemed to frame Val’s face perfectly. He stirred slightly, before a hand rather limply went up and slowly swatted at the sky. “Go away,” the mumbled, half-awake. He yanked the covers up over his face, so only his fire red curls showed. “The sun has risen... and we have much that needs to be done! I need another pair of eyes in the Temple of Pelor if we’re going to find the Fire Stone’s location!” she said, purposefully injecting as much cheerfulness in her voice as possible. “Come on... Rose fixed breakfast downstairs... and,” she added to the temptation, “it is roasted ham, raspberries with cream, and eggs speckled with peppers and spices...” It was Val’s favorite breakfast, she knew. [i]Maybe that will rouse him.[/i] “Rose can be your extra eyes,” she heard him grumble, “and ham can last till later.” He groaned again, covering his head up. Raven’s eyes narrowed. [i]So, you won’t move![/i] she thought, [i]I know how to fix that![/i] She reached over the blankets, and yanked Val’s cover from his eyes. He squirmed in the sunlight, flailing in the air to cover his eyes. Raven’s blood was up, and with a giggle, she used the same tactic her mother used with her when she was a child; she pinned his arms, keeping his closed eyes bathed in the morning light. Val’s gave a groan of protest, his eyes squeezed shut. It was then she paused, her breath stopped. Her eyes took in Val’s bare chest, and something bloomed in her heart. Her heart, its feelings pent up for the past few weeks with the feelings that flashed over her after she saw him at the ball where everything began, suddenly leapt into action before her mind could respond. Before she understood what was happening, she felt her lips touching his as her eyes closed. It couldn’t have lasted more than an instant before her head wrested control back from her heart, shouting, [i]What were you doing?![/i] in her head. [i]He is the son of the Emperor! He could have all of those pretty noble daughters! He wouldn’t want you! After you cut his face open, he doesn’t trust you![/i] Terrified, she pulled back, hoping Val would not be incensed by her actions. “Um...” she stammered, looking down at him. Val’s eyes were wide open, but instead of anger, he had an eyebrow raised in confusion. His mouth was a little open still, and she watched it close quickly as he swallowed hard. “Um...” he echoed, his own eyes darting about, his skin flushed a deeper shade of crimson than normal. She locked on his eyes, her own full of pleading. [i]Don’t be angry,[/i] her heart and mind pleaded. As she watched his own, her mind became confused. [i]His eyes are darting around like he’s frightened,[/i] her mind thought. [i]Like he’s confused too?[/i] “I...um...” she continued to stammer, “I...I...woke you up, didn’t I?” She nervously giggled. It was a major effort to disguise her fear... one that failed miserably. [i]Is he upset? He doesn’t look like it...[/i] “Um... well... um... yeah, you did,” he stammered himself, before a nervous, shy grin formed on his lips. He sat up, his eyes still looking at her... questioning, probing. She found herself locked into the gaze, falling into the deep blue sea... “Um... well. Myself, Rose, and the servants spent quite a while getting that breakfast ready!” Raven said nervously, a little too loudly for the situation. The smile she gave was a false cover, as she stood. “If you’d like to just head down when you’re ready, um... we’ll...um... have it waiting, ok?” [i]So awkward...[/i] He stared at her eyes for a few moments after her statement, before suddenly blinking, hard. “Um,” he stammered, “Sure...um... let me put on a shirt, and... I’ll be right down.” He rather slowly climbed out of bed, and walked over towards the dresser, his eyes not watching where he was going, and instead looking at Raven’s. She could tell there was curiosity, still some surprise, and... something else. Caring? No... something more. It took her only a moment to figure out what it was... she’d seen in before between Vintressa and Royukgan. Something deeper than simple caring. Then she realized his smile the night before had contained the same thing. Outwardly, her awkward smile grew a little more, but inwardly, she was leaping in the air, shrieking her happiness. His gaze suddenly, shyly broke from hers, and he seemed to be putting entirely too much interest in opening a simple dresser drawer. [i]He feels the same way... its too awkward right now for him![/i] Raven realized, and she wanted to whoop again. Seeings the shyness of the normally brash prince, she realized that babbling in happiness might scare him. An internal debate exploded within her, on whether to leave, or tell him everything. Eventually, her feet started speaking for her, as she was already backing towards the door, and narrowly avoided backing into the wall instead of the door as she watched him. For a second, the same part of her that had taken over when she was waking him up tried to take over again, but she forced it back... keep it under control, until she was out of his presence. Once she was in the hall, her beet red face flashed an enormous smile. She knew she was still within earshot, and so her whoops of joy were hushed, but for a second, the rest of the world didn’t seem to matter. The fact Ananias and Elsidor, and who knows who else was after them were matters that did not bother her any more. [i]Today is a good day![/i] her heart sang. Up ahead, Rose had just reached the top of the stairs and was marching down the hall in a fury. “What is taking you and him so long!” she shouted, before suddenly sliding to a halt. Rose looked at her sister with a confused stare. “And why are we in such a good mood suddenly?” [/QUOTE]
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