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Into the Icy Darkness: The Great Demon War
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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1352717" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p>Oh... the plot gets better... even thicker... hehe</p><p></p><p>And on that note... I'd probably just call it a thicker plot? I'm not an English major, so I don't know the proper term...</p><p></p><p></p><p>Part 8 of the adventure of 1-30-04</p><p></p><p><strong>Of Two Plots, of Two Fronts, of Two Enemies</strong></p><p></p><p>When the party burst into the Temple of Pelor, several acolytes were already waiting... Lucius had taken the prerogative of sending riders ahead. One of them took Tess in his arms and laid her gently on the Temple floor, as another pried open her eyes, seeing they were now staring off into the distance, as the words, “pretty” continued to come faintly from her lips.</p><p></p><p><em>Tess! You were supposed to be the </em>smart<em> one of us! How did you let this happen?</em> Shaun’s mind asked. He too, was worried as a higher ranking priest in the Church arrived, and began making arcane passes over Tess’ lolling head, calling forth in a language that neither Shaun nor Siabrey understood. Some five minutes into the impromptu ceremony, Tess herself seemed to glow briefly, and she sputtered.</p><p></p><p>“What? Huh? Wha... where’s the gala? What happened?” she was gasping, desperately trying to fill her lungs with air.</p><p></p><p>“Its ok, its ok,” Pellaron said, supporting Tess as she began to recognize her surroundings. </p><p></p><p>“Why are we back at the temple?” Tess’ mind, confused and slightly scared asked. “What happened to Shivalas?”</p><p></p><p>”Tess!” Siabrey was immediately delivering a bear hug onto Tess’ tired frame, and the younger woman had to gasp for a split second for air. “I was so worried!”</p><p></p><p>“What do you remember, Tess?” Shaun asked. <em>We need to get to the bottom of what happened here...</em></p><p></p><p>As soon as Siabrey had released her death-hug, Tess managed to spurt out that she had met a man named Shivalas, who said he worked on the Princess’ staff as a dwarven translator. He’d had a wonderful singing voice... and the last thing she could remember was sipping wine with...</p><p></p><p>Tess let loose on a tirade of profanity that even impressed the likes of Siabrey. After her long, full rant about his ancestry, his physical size, his mental capacities, and anything else her fury could imagine, she looked up at the priests. The acolytes had rather shocked looks on their faces, but the elder priest merely smiled, and gave her a reassuring pat on the head.</p><p></p><p>”I understand my child... you needed to vent your anger at what this man did. There is no harm in that.”</p><p></p><p>Tess nodded, grateful that Pelor’s fury wouldn’t strike her overnight now as well. Heaven knows enough had already happened. Siabrey gave her another hug, and Tess found several tears welling into her face.</p><p></p><p><em>How could I have been so stupid!? I am from a family of bodyguards.... how could I have been so stupid as to betray to someone all of my friends?</em> Fresh, wet tears began to trail down her face, and it was Siabrey who first felt them.</p><p></p><p>“Tess,” she said, pulling back, “don’t worry about it. You did not give away the information willingly... it could have happened to any of us.” She then hugged her again, “The important thing is that you are alright.” Tess nodded, but still the tears flowed as Siabrey tightened her hug and Pellaron gently rocked her, trying to calm her emotions.</p><p></p><p></p><p>In the meantime, it was Shaun and Lucius that began to grapple with the full implications of what had happened.</p><p></p><p>”Luke, we should send out some people to gather information on this Shivalas character,” Shaun said thoughtfully. He never realized the irony that he was being responsible. “And maybe some more to find information about this governor.... I have a distinct feeling he had something to do with all of this.” Lucius nodded in agreement, a softly growl at his lips.</p><p></p><p>”I’ll get on it, Shaun. You make sure that those two,” pointing at Siabrey and Tess, “are alright.” </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>It was early the next morning when an incessant knock woke up a tired and still rather embarrassed Tess. </p><p></p><p><em>Who is it? If its black haired boy, I swear...</em></p><p></p><p>She undid her bolt locks, and as the door swung open, Lucius’ head pushed its way through the crack.</p><p></p><p>“Tess! Good, you’re awake! The clerics I asked to go out and gather some information have come back... you’ll be interested to know that they talked to some of the laundry women that works <em>in</em> the Governor’s Palace...”</p><p></p><p>“What’d they say?” Tess pulled Lucius into the room, and hurriedly shut the door. <em>Mustn’t have anyone hear!</em></p><p></p><p>“Well... one of them said that on a weekly basis, the governor meets with a strange looking man in his private garden. She said he’s got a tiger-like face.” Lucius shrugged at Tess’ unasked question.</p><p></p><p><em>What in blazes has a tiger-like head and a human body...</em> Her mind rankled through the various myths and legends she’d heard sung over the years, as Lucius continued.</p><p></p><p>“Well, either way, the next meeting is in two days... ironically it will be the same night where I am supposed to meet the princess.” Tess looked up immediately, worry on her face.</p><p></p><p>“I wouldn’t go, Lucius... it seems too nicely arranged, for my instincts.” <em>Then again, since last night, I’ve been seeing plots around every corner...</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>What has a tiger head on a human body?</em> her mind continued its mental hunt.</p><p></p><p>“I know,” he started pacing, “but it was an Imperial command... and if I want to get the Imperial Guard mobilized to help in the fight... I have to go...” Tess nodded, and lowered her head.</p><p></p><p>“You need to go investigate this governor’s mess, Tess,” Lucius said. “I’ll be busy, but if there’s an opportunity to unmask him, this would be it. As far as I know, the Governor has never before been regularly meeting with tiger headed men, so if you can catch them, it could solve that front...”</p><p></p><p><em>Not to mention possibly put the Princess on our good side?</em> Tess’ mind volunteered... and then she realized what creature likely had such tiger features...</p><p></p><p>“Did the maid say its hands were jointed wrong?” Tess asked hurriedly. <em>If this is what I think it is... we may not have the firepower to handle it even if you DO come with, Lucius...</em> “Like they were jointed backwards?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes...” Lucius said after a second, “Yes, she did say that. It confused the priests... they said no creature like that has existed for over a half a millennia. They last ones were killed in the great Hextor uprising some 500 years ago...”</p><p></p><p><em>Hextor? Now he’s brought into the equation? </em> Tess’ now worried mind began to add up the odds... and they weren’t good.</p><p></p><p>“The creature was a Rakhasa... a shape shifter that in natural form looks like a human with a tiger’s head and backward jointed hands. They are very powerful spell casters. Did your washerwoman remember what clothes he wore?”</p><p></p><p>“Umm...” Lucius lowered his head, wracking his memory for a second, “they say she said he wore a dark, long hooded cloak, with a red fist of some kind barely on the inside on one of the...”</p><p></p><p>“Was the fist holding a bracket of arrows?” Tess pressed, now clearly alarmed. <em>Pelor help us if...</em></p><p></p><p>“Yeah, it did... why?”</p><p></p><p>“Lucius... we are dealing with a Rakhasa affiliated with the Church of Hextor... the doppelganger is likely meeting him to receive orders! <em>That</em> explains the Governor’s almost exclusive harassment of the Church of Hieroneous!”</p><p></p><p>Lucius blinked, confused. “Church of Hextor? Rakhasas? Tess, I fear you are speaking with words I don’t understand...” Tess gave an exasperated sigh.</p><p></p><p>“Ok... Lucius... the opposite Temple of the Church of Hieroneous in the old days was the Church of Hextor... the God of Tyranny. His worship was banned in the Empire after the Hextor Rebellions some 500 years ago... two hundred years before Ananias came along. I know this because some of the oldest songs in my repertoire are written about deeds of valor done in those days.” Lucius nodded, slowly catching up.</p><p></p><p>“Hextor was the twin of Hieroneous, and as the two gods hate each other, so do their followers hate each other. If we are dealing with a Rakhasa, an ancient beast that somehow survived the Hextor Rebellion when all of his mates were killed, he is likely a follower of Hextor... especially considering a red hand with a clutch of arrows is Hextor’s symbol. And if he’s meeting with the doppelganger regularly, and the doppelganger is persecuting the Church of Hieroneous...”</p><p></p><p>“Ah,” Lucius put things together, “so the Rakhasa is telling his follower, the doppelganger, how to persecute Hieroneous on behalf of the Hextor followers of the Rakhasa?”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe... at least that’s what I’ve put together,” Tess said, looking off into space. <em>Maybe the Rakhasa in his age has lost much of his power... maybe that’s why he has a doppelganger masquerading as governor instead of himself. But this means the Church of Hextor is rising again... is it related to the Countess?</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>No... it can’t be. The Governor changed six months ago... long before the Countess knew of the staff...</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>So, we are facing two potential fronts now... the Countess from the south, and the Church of Hextor from within... </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Thankfully so far they haven’t cooperated...</em></p><p></p><p>“Did your ‘spies’ (Tess used the word in jest) find anything else out?”</p><p></p><p>“Well, they found out one thing you might be interested in,” Lucius sighed. “Your friend, that claimed he worked for the Princess? There’s no one of that name on her staff. They did pick up a dwarven translator only a few days ago, but he’s a young kid... blonde, very handsome... sings well. </p><p></p><p>His first name sounds like Shivalas... I couldn’t tell over her accent.”</p><p></p><p>“What was his last name,” Tess pined, craning forward for the critical piece of information. Lucius sighed again.</p><p></p><p>“Mithras.”</p><p></p><p><em>Rogar’s last name!</em> Tess’ mind screamed. <em>Could this be the blond that helped Ilia attack Hidalas? Does Rogar have... a son?</em></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The party spent the next two days loosely gathering information, while remaining very cautious. Tess’ lone sojourns into the city ended, but she and Shaun jointly found a route into the private gardens of the Governor using a servant’s entrance to the palace. Tess’ armor could be glammered into a servant girl’s outfit, a few rags were procured for Elenya (who once again, insisted on going since Shaun was going), and even the noble Pellaron acquiesced and put ragged women’s clothes over his paladin’s armor. (Thankfully Pellaron was normally clean-shaven, as a beard might have posed a problem). Xanadu could shape shift himself, while Shaun for the first time utilized a hat he had been keeping in reserve for a while, which with some properly applied makeup and feather stuffing, made him look into a convincing, if ugly, woman. Of course, Elenya had much fun poking fun at “Shaunathia” as she set about calling him.</p><p></p><p>Finally, the appointed night arrived, and the party split... Lucius and Siabrey to meet the Princess, Elenya, Shaun, Pellaron, Xanadu, and Tess to find the Rakhasa and the doppelganger, and bring an end to their reign of treachery. As the moon peeked out from behind the clouds, both groups set off to their respective destinies...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Siabrey’s face was as stone as she clanked alongside Lucius in the darkened streets. It was three hours after dusk, and they were drawing near to the Hangjou Gardens... where Siabrey knew destiny awaited her love...</p><p></p><p><em>What if Zoe convinces him, Siabrey?</em> part of her mind questioned, <em>What then? What will you be left with? You can’t resist someone of her power...</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Lucius would never pick her</em>, her loving mind countered, <em>Never... under any circumstances! He loves me.... and I him. That is greater than any imperial decree...</em></p><p></p><p>Her face evidently reflected her internal confusion, as Lucius wrapped a protective arm around her.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry, my love... there is nothing she can say that will make me forget my commitment to you.” He delivered a smile that looked blinding in the moonlight, but Siabrey could see something in it that was... different. It did not bely any confidence, nor did it indicate combativeness... it was more a smile that he gave when he was covering up worry.</p><p></p><p>“What if she demands your hand in return for military support?” Siabrey asked quietly, and she saw the smile on Lucius’ face collapse. “You’d be a fool to refuse that, my love. She has nearly 80,000 troops you could have to put down the rebellion... it would be folly to put...”</p><p></p><p>He put his hand on her lips, with a quiet ssh. “I...”</p><p></p><p><em>What my love? Say what it is?</em> her heart jumped, hoping for one answer but dreading another.</p><p></p><p>“...I’ll get to that bridge when we arrive at that river,” he said quietly.</p><p></p><p>“Lucius... you know she hates me... and she’ll likely do anything to try and break us apart! I have no doubt that she’ll use a threat like that!” Siabrey said, cutting in front of him to stop him. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to divine an answer through them. Instead, where she normally could see deep into his soul, she saw a haze of confusion and doubt. She felt her eyes start to water up, but pushed back the tears that would have flowed, instead grabbing him into a close hug.</p><p></p><p>“Regardless of what happens, Lucius,” she said, her voice muffled by his bosom, “I will still love you.”</p><p></p><p><em>Will you love me though, love? Even if she whisks you away? Or will you forget the small warrior with wings and red eyes in favor of a princess with kingdoms and riches?</em> Siabrey felt the tension in Lucius’ body relax noticeably.</p><p></p><p>“That relieves me greatly, Siabrey,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead. “I... the lines between me and my rank are weakening... and while I want to pick you...”</p><p></p><p>“...you don’t know if you can do the right thing that way,” she said quietly, a silent tear breaking through her defenses and falling. </p><p></p><p>“I will put you first,” he said quietly, wiping away her tear, his own eyes having that funny look one gets before tears begin to well. She shook her head no.</p><p></p><p>“Put your people first. I will understand. Lucius... please... put yourself above me in this. Yourself and your people.”</p><p></p><p><em>I can’t believe I just told him that!</em> part of Siabrey’s mind shouted at her. <em>You stupid fool! Now the riches and armies she can offer will drag him away for sure!</em></p><p></p><p><em>Siabrey... this goes much beyond you and him... it goes to his realm, his people, and defending them from demons... that is surely much greater than yourself! You vowed to protect him and love him... protecting him might mean letting him go!</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Never!</em></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Tess and Elenya were the first to arrive at the servants entrance to the Governor’s palace, and gingerly stepped inside, bundles of blankets thrown over their arms in an effort to make it seem they were busy. Within the bundles were potions, while both had their daggers stored carefully.</p><p></p><p>Tess looked about, and seeing no one paying particular attention, she opened the door and hissed, “Its ok! Come in!” </p><p></p><p>The first through the door was an old crone, bent over in years, her skin’s wrinkles deeper than the mountains were high. The only thing that betrayed it was Xanadu was how her eyes, every now and then when he didn’t focus, would turn brassy in color.</p><p></p><p>Next came a mop headed, flat chested elven woman. She carried a bag full of washing detergent and other cleaning items that slung over her left waist... covering a glandil blade. Tess had to admit, that while he looked ridiculous at first, Pellaron did look like a semi-attractive woman.</p><p></p><p><em>If we survive this, I’m going to have to rib him on that,</em> she thought.</p><p></p><p>Finally, there came a rather buxom looking young girl, with short dark hair and a mottled looking hat thrown over her head. Tess had to suppress a giggle once again as she saw Shaun’s outfit... it was entirely too perfect... perfect enough that Elenya, only an hour before when he was donning it, she commented that she was getting ideas.</p><p></p><p>“Ok,” Tess said quietly as the group went forward, “follow my lead, and stay quiet. Above everything, don’t draw attention... ok?” Nods went around, and the group pressed onward.</p><p></p><p>It wasn’t ten minutes later when they’re first test arrived. A man, dressed as a Captain of the Guard, saw the five ladies shuffling through the corridor, and shouted a command at them.</p><p></p><p>“Halt! Wait!”</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Siabrey felt distinctively cold, despite the warm outside temperature and the warmth her armor and the jerkins underneath normally provided. Lucius stood next to her, and she slid a little closer to him, to steal some of his body heat. </p><p></p><p><em>My love, please don’t leave me,</em> her worried mind kept repeating. Despite Lucius’ continued promises to stay with her, she kept reminding him, and herself, that he was a Count... and his responsibilities hung far higher than their relationship.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry, Siabrey,” Lucius said quietly as he encircled her with his arms protectively, “she won’t hurt you, and she won’t pull me from you.” Siabrey nodded hopefully, but then stopped suddenly.</p><p></p><p>“Lucius! Whats that!?” she pointed towards a building top where a fleeting shape stood in the distance. Lucius squinted, and then smiled.</p><p></p><p>“Ah... its one of the Casalad Rangers... the Imperial Guard. They are likely the bodyguards that the Princess talked about. I wouldn’t worry about them, hon,” he tried to reassure her. “The Princess won’t do anything untoward towards a high ranking noble... or his consort.” He grinned and nuzzled the side of her face, and by instinct, she smiled warmly back.</p><p></p><p><em>Savor these, Siabrey... they may be the last intimate moments with him,</em> the gloom and doom side of her brain argued, only to be shouted down by the rest that said it wasn’t so.</p><p></p><p>As they cuddled, Siabrey then spotted, coming up the garden path ahead of them, two figures, both clad in drab, brown cloaks.</p><p></p><p><em>Here she comes, Siabrey... be prepared.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Don’t say anything untoward.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Keep your mouth shut unless Lucius needs or asks for help... you want to help your love, not hinder him...</em> The two figures drew near, and took off their hoods.</p><p></p><p>One was the old man she remembered walking beside the Princess at the gala several days before. The other, indeed, was the Princess herself, her dark skin melding in with her brown cloak, and her large, deep eyes regarding first Lucius, then Siabrey, delivering a small sneer upon the latter.</p><p></p><p>“So, my lord,” her voice, a twistedly pleasant soprano, began, “I see you brought the tramp that stole your heart with you.”</p><p></p><p><em>You! You... stupid wench!</em> Siabrey’s mind fumed, and she immediately broke her mental promise to stay quiet. “I come here, Your Majesty,” the way she said the title cutting through the air as a knife, “not as his ‘tramp,’ but as his consort!”</p><p></p><p>“Your Majesty would do well not to insult those that I choose as my confidants,” Lucius added, his voice low and also full of fury.</p><p></p><p>“Confidant or Consort, to my royal eyes she is still nothing more than a tramp, a harlot, far below your station!” The princess then stepped forward, leaning towards Siabrey. “And now, common whore, if you would excuse the adults present, as they must discuss business of state. Take your sashaying tricks elsewhere.”</p><p></p><p>Siabrey’s copper skin went white with fury, and she trembled.</p><p></p><p><em>If only I could reach for my sword,</em> her mind shouted. She completely forgot about the needs of state she spoke of before, of putting others above herself.. her only thought was how to foil the wench of a princess that now stood before her. She managed to keep her hands from even approaching the blade, but nonetheless, the Princess smiled at seeing her fury. Siabrey noticed Lucius’ face starting to twist with anger at her remarks as well.</p><p></p><p>“And now, Lord Lucius, you know the purposes of this meeting... giving you access to Imperial troops, and restarting negotiations for the betrothal,” she smiled again at the livid Siabrey. “As for the former, despite my distaste for the bedmates you might have chosen,” she once again nodded to Siabrey’s form, “I shall give you access and command to the Imperial troops in the district. I am not foolish enough to put my pride above what will soon by <em>my</em> Empire. Keep in mind, my lord, that one day I <em>will</em> be Empress... and that I have a long memory for insults, such as being spurned for a cupcake such as...”</p><p></p><p>“You would do well, Your Majesty,” Lucius’ own voice, rising with anger interrupted, “to cease insulting my closest advisor, my bodyguard, and my lover! She is far more of a woman that you can ever imagine!” Siabrey thought she saw Lucius’ hand draw dangerously close to his own sword, before they flitted away, covering the move as a change of gesture. </p><p><em>Lucius.. don’t get yourself shot..</em> part of Siabrey’s mind called.</p><p></p><p><em>Thank you, my love!</em> all of her mind called, <em>Thank you... he really loves me! He’s defending me despite her attempts to discredit, to promise, to threaten!</em></p><p></p><p> The Princess, instead of backing off, sneered.</p><p></p><p>“Are you fully aware of this tramp’s ancestry, Lord Lucius,” she said, her face surprisingly changing into a smile. Lucius’ fury melted into a look of sheer confusion, as did Siabrey’s. Hers was the first to change, and it was back to anger.</p><p></p><p>“There is nothing indecent about my ancestry! I was born to a woman of noble blood, raised in a noble household! There is no shame in such!” she snarled.</p><p></p><p><em>Don’t bring my family into this, your utter and complete...</em></p><p></p><p>“Who was your father?” the Princess gave an unnerving grin. Siabrey clamped her mouth shut. “You see, young lady of the night,” the princess began viciously, “I have numerous ways of gaining information... asking around, finding answers to my questions. After I found out about your dalliances with Lord Lucius, I wanted to know <em>who</em> you were, my dear. I know who your father is!”</p><p></p><p>Siabrey turned white again, though this time from something far different than anger.</p><p></p><p><em>My father? How? My mother refused to tell anyone who my father was? How could she know? How...</em></p><p></p><p>“Lord Lucius,” Zoe said quickly, turning back to her quarry, “are you aware of the monster called the siabrie?” Lucius shook his head no, but his face still glowered darkly at the Princess.</p><p></p><p>“They are demons of the deep desert, my lord. They wantonly attack caravans, slaughtering the merchants and scattering the gold across the sands! They attack and random, destroying towns and villages!” the princess cried. “Look at her wings, My Lord! Look at her skin color... her eyes. Her father was one of these demons of the desert!” Siabrey grew dizzy as the Princess continued, “Her father was named Kelir, and he bedded a noblewoman named Stodiana Sipner, and your tramp was the result of the unholy union!”</p><p></p><p>“My father was...” Siabrey began rather weakly, only to have the Princess’ furious voice cut her off. Lucius’ look of shock was starting to turn into sorrow, as he seemed to stare off into space.</p><p></p><p>“You never knew your father! Yet his demonic blood is still in your veins, harlot of the sands! Lord Lucius!” she snapped her attention back to him, “your mother has already consorted with demons, leading to this revolt! Would you, too, consort with demons! Would you join your mother’s side by joining in bed with this... half breed! This mongrel!”</p><p></p><p>Siabrey’s tears began to flow again, but t his time, there was no circling arm from Lucius. His eyes, heavy with tears being held back, stared off into space... trying to find the truth to the new, dangerous question posed to him.</p><p></p><p>“Would you rather debase your family, your people, your nation, by staying with a demon, putting all of your people, and all you know and love in danger!? Or would you marry within your station, to nothing less than imperial blood, and rule by my side in the coming days as Emperor of the Holy Santoric Empire!?” She began circling him, as a wolf circles cornered prey, “Choosing the former will make me, the future Empress your mortal enemy, and once world of her ancestry leaks out, you and your line will be finished! Choosing the latter is the best choice, boy! You lose all with the second choice, you win all with the first!” Her circle ended with her frame, several inches taller than Siabrey’s directly in front of him, only inches away. Her fury spent, the Princess deftly stepped backwards.</p><p></p><p>“You must choose now, young lord. Choose wisely.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1352717, member: 15043"] Oh... the plot gets better... even thicker... hehe And on that note... I'd probably just call it a thicker plot? I'm not an English major, so I don't know the proper term... Part 8 of the adventure of 1-30-04 [b]Of Two Plots, of Two Fronts, of Two Enemies[/b] When the party burst into the Temple of Pelor, several acolytes were already waiting... Lucius had taken the prerogative of sending riders ahead. One of them took Tess in his arms and laid her gently on the Temple floor, as another pried open her eyes, seeing they were now staring off into the distance, as the words, “pretty” continued to come faintly from her lips. [i]Tess! You were supposed to be the [/i]smart[i] one of us! How did you let this happen?[/i] Shaun’s mind asked. He too, was worried as a higher ranking priest in the Church arrived, and began making arcane passes over Tess’ lolling head, calling forth in a language that neither Shaun nor Siabrey understood. Some five minutes into the impromptu ceremony, Tess herself seemed to glow briefly, and she sputtered. “What? Huh? Wha... where’s the gala? What happened?” she was gasping, desperately trying to fill her lungs with air. “Its ok, its ok,” Pellaron said, supporting Tess as she began to recognize her surroundings. “Why are we back at the temple?” Tess’ mind, confused and slightly scared asked. “What happened to Shivalas?” ”Tess!” Siabrey was immediately delivering a bear hug onto Tess’ tired frame, and the younger woman had to gasp for a split second for air. “I was so worried!” “What do you remember, Tess?” Shaun asked. [i]We need to get to the bottom of what happened here...[/i] As soon as Siabrey had released her death-hug, Tess managed to spurt out that she had met a man named Shivalas, who said he worked on the Princess’ staff as a dwarven translator. He’d had a wonderful singing voice... and the last thing she could remember was sipping wine with... Tess let loose on a tirade of profanity that even impressed the likes of Siabrey. After her long, full rant about his ancestry, his physical size, his mental capacities, and anything else her fury could imagine, she looked up at the priests. The acolytes had rather shocked looks on their faces, but the elder priest merely smiled, and gave her a reassuring pat on the head. ”I understand my child... you needed to vent your anger at what this man did. There is no harm in that.” Tess nodded, grateful that Pelor’s fury wouldn’t strike her overnight now as well. Heaven knows enough had already happened. Siabrey gave her another hug, and Tess found several tears welling into her face. [i]How could I have been so stupid!? I am from a family of bodyguards.... how could I have been so stupid as to betray to someone all of my friends?[/i] Fresh, wet tears began to trail down her face, and it was Siabrey who first felt them. “Tess,” she said, pulling back, “don’t worry about it. You did not give away the information willingly... it could have happened to any of us.” She then hugged her again, “The important thing is that you are alright.” Tess nodded, but still the tears flowed as Siabrey tightened her hug and Pellaron gently rocked her, trying to calm her emotions. In the meantime, it was Shaun and Lucius that began to grapple with the full implications of what had happened. ”Luke, we should send out some people to gather information on this Shivalas character,” Shaun said thoughtfully. He never realized the irony that he was being responsible. “And maybe some more to find information about this governor.... I have a distinct feeling he had something to do with all of this.” Lucius nodded in agreement, a softly growl at his lips. ”I’ll get on it, Shaun. You make sure that those two,” pointing at Siabrey and Tess, “are alright.” It was early the next morning when an incessant knock woke up a tired and still rather embarrassed Tess. [i]Who is it? If its black haired boy, I swear...[/i] She undid her bolt locks, and as the door swung open, Lucius’ head pushed its way through the crack. “Tess! Good, you’re awake! The clerics I asked to go out and gather some information have come back... you’ll be interested to know that they talked to some of the laundry women that works [i]in[/i] the Governor’s Palace...” “What’d they say?” Tess pulled Lucius into the room, and hurriedly shut the door. [i]Mustn’t have anyone hear![/i] “Well... one of them said that on a weekly basis, the governor meets with a strange looking man in his private garden. She said he’s got a tiger-like face.” Lucius shrugged at Tess’ unasked question. [i]What in blazes has a tiger-like head and a human body...[/i] Her mind rankled through the various myths and legends she’d heard sung over the years, as Lucius continued. “Well, either way, the next meeting is in two days... ironically it will be the same night where I am supposed to meet the princess.” Tess looked up immediately, worry on her face. “I wouldn’t go, Lucius... it seems too nicely arranged, for my instincts.” [i]Then again, since last night, I’ve been seeing plots around every corner... What has a tiger head on a human body?[/i] her mind continued its mental hunt. “I know,” he started pacing, “but it was an Imperial command... and if I want to get the Imperial Guard mobilized to help in the fight... I have to go...” Tess nodded, and lowered her head. “You need to go investigate this governor’s mess, Tess,” Lucius said. “I’ll be busy, but if there’s an opportunity to unmask him, this would be it. As far as I know, the Governor has never before been regularly meeting with tiger headed men, so if you can catch them, it could solve that front...” [i]Not to mention possibly put the Princess on our good side?[/i] Tess’ mind volunteered... and then she realized what creature likely had such tiger features... “Did the maid say its hands were jointed wrong?” Tess asked hurriedly. [i]If this is what I think it is... we may not have the firepower to handle it even if you DO come with, Lucius...[/i] “Like they were jointed backwards?” “Yes...” Lucius said after a second, “Yes, she did say that. It confused the priests... they said no creature like that has existed for over a half a millennia. They last ones were killed in the great Hextor uprising some 500 years ago...” [i]Hextor? Now he’s brought into the equation? [/i] Tess’ now worried mind began to add up the odds... and they weren’t good. “The creature was a Rakhasa... a shape shifter that in natural form looks like a human with a tiger’s head and backward jointed hands. They are very powerful spell casters. Did your washerwoman remember what clothes he wore?” “Umm...” Lucius lowered his head, wracking his memory for a second, “they say she said he wore a dark, long hooded cloak, with a red fist of some kind barely on the inside on one of the...” “Was the fist holding a bracket of arrows?” Tess pressed, now clearly alarmed. [i]Pelor help us if...[/i] “Yeah, it did... why?” “Lucius... we are dealing with a Rakhasa affiliated with the Church of Hextor... the doppelganger is likely meeting him to receive orders! [i]That[/i] explains the Governor’s almost exclusive harassment of the Church of Hieroneous!” Lucius blinked, confused. “Church of Hextor? Rakhasas? Tess, I fear you are speaking with words I don’t understand...” Tess gave an exasperated sigh. “Ok... Lucius... the opposite Temple of the Church of Hieroneous in the old days was the Church of Hextor... the God of Tyranny. His worship was banned in the Empire after the Hextor Rebellions some 500 years ago... two hundred years before Ananias came along. I know this because some of the oldest songs in my repertoire are written about deeds of valor done in those days.” Lucius nodded, slowly catching up. “Hextor was the twin of Hieroneous, and as the two gods hate each other, so do their followers hate each other. If we are dealing with a Rakhasa, an ancient beast that somehow survived the Hextor Rebellion when all of his mates were killed, he is likely a follower of Hextor... especially considering a red hand with a clutch of arrows is Hextor’s symbol. And if he’s meeting with the doppelganger regularly, and the doppelganger is persecuting the Church of Hieroneous...” “Ah,” Lucius put things together, “so the Rakhasa is telling his follower, the doppelganger, how to persecute Hieroneous on behalf of the Hextor followers of the Rakhasa?” “Maybe... at least that’s what I’ve put together,” Tess said, looking off into space. [i]Maybe the Rakhasa in his age has lost much of his power... maybe that’s why he has a doppelganger masquerading as governor instead of himself. But this means the Church of Hextor is rising again... is it related to the Countess? No... it can’t be. The Governor changed six months ago... long before the Countess knew of the staff... So, we are facing two potential fronts now... the Countess from the south, and the Church of Hextor from within... Thankfully so far they haven’t cooperated...[/i] “Did your ‘spies’ (Tess used the word in jest) find anything else out?” “Well, they found out one thing you might be interested in,” Lucius sighed. “Your friend, that claimed he worked for the Princess? There’s no one of that name on her staff. They did pick up a dwarven translator only a few days ago, but he’s a young kid... blonde, very handsome... sings well. His first name sounds like Shivalas... I couldn’t tell over her accent.” “What was his last name,” Tess pined, craning forward for the critical piece of information. Lucius sighed again. “Mithras.” [i]Rogar’s last name![/i] Tess’ mind screamed. [i]Could this be the blond that helped Ilia attack Hidalas? Does Rogar have... a son?[/i] The party spent the next two days loosely gathering information, while remaining very cautious. Tess’ lone sojourns into the city ended, but she and Shaun jointly found a route into the private gardens of the Governor using a servant’s entrance to the palace. Tess’ armor could be glammered into a servant girl’s outfit, a few rags were procured for Elenya (who once again, insisted on going since Shaun was going), and even the noble Pellaron acquiesced and put ragged women’s clothes over his paladin’s armor. (Thankfully Pellaron was normally clean-shaven, as a beard might have posed a problem). Xanadu could shape shift himself, while Shaun for the first time utilized a hat he had been keeping in reserve for a while, which with some properly applied makeup and feather stuffing, made him look into a convincing, if ugly, woman. Of course, Elenya had much fun poking fun at “Shaunathia” as she set about calling him. Finally, the appointed night arrived, and the party split... Lucius and Siabrey to meet the Princess, Elenya, Shaun, Pellaron, Xanadu, and Tess to find the Rakhasa and the doppelganger, and bring an end to their reign of treachery. As the moon peeked out from behind the clouds, both groups set off to their respective destinies... Siabrey’s face was as stone as she clanked alongside Lucius in the darkened streets. It was three hours after dusk, and they were drawing near to the Hangjou Gardens... where Siabrey knew destiny awaited her love... [i]What if Zoe convinces him, Siabrey?[/i] part of her mind questioned, [i]What then? What will you be left with? You can’t resist someone of her power... Lucius would never pick her[/i], her loving mind countered, [i]Never... under any circumstances! He loves me.... and I him. That is greater than any imperial decree...[/i] Her face evidently reflected her internal confusion, as Lucius wrapped a protective arm around her. “Don’t worry, my love... there is nothing she can say that will make me forget my commitment to you.” He delivered a smile that looked blinding in the moonlight, but Siabrey could see something in it that was... different. It did not bely any confidence, nor did it indicate combativeness... it was more a smile that he gave when he was covering up worry. “What if she demands your hand in return for military support?” Siabrey asked quietly, and she saw the smile on Lucius’ face collapse. “You’d be a fool to refuse that, my love. She has nearly 80,000 troops you could have to put down the rebellion... it would be folly to put...” He put his hand on her lips, with a quiet ssh. “I...” [i]What my love? Say what it is?[/i] her heart jumped, hoping for one answer but dreading another. “...I’ll get to that bridge when we arrive at that river,” he said quietly. “Lucius... you know she hates me... and she’ll likely do anything to try and break us apart! I have no doubt that she’ll use a threat like that!” Siabrey said, cutting in front of him to stop him. She looked deep into his eyes, trying to divine an answer through them. Instead, where she normally could see deep into his soul, she saw a haze of confusion and doubt. She felt her eyes start to water up, but pushed back the tears that would have flowed, instead grabbing him into a close hug. “Regardless of what happens, Lucius,” she said, her voice muffled by his bosom, “I will still love you.” [i]Will you love me though, love? Even if she whisks you away? Or will you forget the small warrior with wings and red eyes in favor of a princess with kingdoms and riches?[/i] Siabrey felt the tension in Lucius’ body relax noticeably. “That relieves me greatly, Siabrey,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead. “I... the lines between me and my rank are weakening... and while I want to pick you...” “...you don’t know if you can do the right thing that way,” she said quietly, a silent tear breaking through her defenses and falling. “I will put you first,” he said quietly, wiping away her tear, his own eyes having that funny look one gets before tears begin to well. She shook her head no. “Put your people first. I will understand. Lucius... please... put yourself above me in this. Yourself and your people.” [i]I can’t believe I just told him that![/i] part of Siabrey’s mind shouted at her. [i]You stupid fool! Now the riches and armies she can offer will drag him away for sure![/i] [i]Siabrey... this goes much beyond you and him... it goes to his realm, his people, and defending them from demons... that is surely much greater than yourself! You vowed to protect him and love him... protecting him might mean letting him go! Never![/i] Tess and Elenya were the first to arrive at the servants entrance to the Governor’s palace, and gingerly stepped inside, bundles of blankets thrown over their arms in an effort to make it seem they were busy. Within the bundles were potions, while both had their daggers stored carefully. Tess looked about, and seeing no one paying particular attention, she opened the door and hissed, “Its ok! Come in!” The first through the door was an old crone, bent over in years, her skin’s wrinkles deeper than the mountains were high. The only thing that betrayed it was Xanadu was how her eyes, every now and then when he didn’t focus, would turn brassy in color. Next came a mop headed, flat chested elven woman. She carried a bag full of washing detergent and other cleaning items that slung over her left waist... covering a glandil blade. Tess had to admit, that while he looked ridiculous at first, Pellaron did look like a semi-attractive woman. [i]If we survive this, I’m going to have to rib him on that,[/i] she thought. Finally, there came a rather buxom looking young girl, with short dark hair and a mottled looking hat thrown over her head. Tess had to suppress a giggle once again as she saw Shaun’s outfit... it was entirely too perfect... perfect enough that Elenya, only an hour before when he was donning it, she commented that she was getting ideas. “Ok,” Tess said quietly as the group went forward, “follow my lead, and stay quiet. Above everything, don’t draw attention... ok?” Nods went around, and the group pressed onward. It wasn’t ten minutes later when they’re first test arrived. A man, dressed as a Captain of the Guard, saw the five ladies shuffling through the corridor, and shouted a command at them. “Halt! Wait!” Siabrey felt distinctively cold, despite the warm outside temperature and the warmth her armor and the jerkins underneath normally provided. Lucius stood next to her, and she slid a little closer to him, to steal some of his body heat. [i]My love, please don’t leave me,[/i] her worried mind kept repeating. Despite Lucius’ continued promises to stay with her, she kept reminding him, and herself, that he was a Count... and his responsibilities hung far higher than their relationship. “Don’t worry, Siabrey,” Lucius said quietly as he encircled her with his arms protectively, “she won’t hurt you, and she won’t pull me from you.” Siabrey nodded hopefully, but then stopped suddenly. “Lucius! Whats that!?” she pointed towards a building top where a fleeting shape stood in the distance. Lucius squinted, and then smiled. “Ah... its one of the Casalad Rangers... the Imperial Guard. They are likely the bodyguards that the Princess talked about. I wouldn’t worry about them, hon,” he tried to reassure her. “The Princess won’t do anything untoward towards a high ranking noble... or his consort.” He grinned and nuzzled the side of her face, and by instinct, she smiled warmly back. [i]Savor these, Siabrey... they may be the last intimate moments with him,[/i] the gloom and doom side of her brain argued, only to be shouted down by the rest that said it wasn’t so. As they cuddled, Siabrey then spotted, coming up the garden path ahead of them, two figures, both clad in drab, brown cloaks. [i]Here she comes, Siabrey... be prepared. Don’t say anything untoward. Keep your mouth shut unless Lucius needs or asks for help... you want to help your love, not hinder him...[/i] The two figures drew near, and took off their hoods. One was the old man she remembered walking beside the Princess at the gala several days before. The other, indeed, was the Princess herself, her dark skin melding in with her brown cloak, and her large, deep eyes regarding first Lucius, then Siabrey, delivering a small sneer upon the latter. “So, my lord,” her voice, a twistedly pleasant soprano, began, “I see you brought the tramp that stole your heart with you.” [i]You! You... stupid wench![/i] Siabrey’s mind fumed, and she immediately broke her mental promise to stay quiet. “I come here, Your Majesty,” the way she said the title cutting through the air as a knife, “not as his ‘tramp,’ but as his consort!” “Your Majesty would do well not to insult those that I choose as my confidants,” Lucius added, his voice low and also full of fury. “Confidant or Consort, to my royal eyes she is still nothing more than a tramp, a harlot, far below your station!” The princess then stepped forward, leaning towards Siabrey. “And now, common whore, if you would excuse the adults present, as they must discuss business of state. Take your sashaying tricks elsewhere.” Siabrey’s copper skin went white with fury, and she trembled. [i]If only I could reach for my sword,[/i] her mind shouted. She completely forgot about the needs of state she spoke of before, of putting others above herself.. her only thought was how to foil the wench of a princess that now stood before her. She managed to keep her hands from even approaching the blade, but nonetheless, the Princess smiled at seeing her fury. Siabrey noticed Lucius’ face starting to twist with anger at her remarks as well. “And now, Lord Lucius, you know the purposes of this meeting... giving you access to Imperial troops, and restarting negotiations for the betrothal,” she smiled again at the livid Siabrey. “As for the former, despite my distaste for the bedmates you might have chosen,” she once again nodded to Siabrey’s form, “I shall give you access and command to the Imperial troops in the district. I am not foolish enough to put my pride above what will soon by [i]my[/i] Empire. Keep in mind, my lord, that one day I [i]will[/i] be Empress... and that I have a long memory for insults, such as being spurned for a cupcake such as...” “You would do well, Your Majesty,” Lucius’ own voice, rising with anger interrupted, “to cease insulting my closest advisor, my bodyguard, and my lover! She is far more of a woman that you can ever imagine!” Siabrey thought she saw Lucius’ hand draw dangerously close to his own sword, before they flitted away, covering the move as a change of gesture. [i]Lucius.. don’t get yourself shot..[/i] part of Siabrey’s mind called. [i]Thank you, my love![/i] all of her mind called, [i]Thank you... he really loves me! He’s defending me despite her attempts to discredit, to promise, to threaten![/i] The Princess, instead of backing off, sneered. “Are you fully aware of this tramp’s ancestry, Lord Lucius,” she said, her face surprisingly changing into a smile. Lucius’ fury melted into a look of sheer confusion, as did Siabrey’s. Hers was the first to change, and it was back to anger. “There is nothing indecent about my ancestry! I was born to a woman of noble blood, raised in a noble household! There is no shame in such!” she snarled. [i]Don’t bring my family into this, your utter and complete...[/i] “Who was your father?” the Princess gave an unnerving grin. Siabrey clamped her mouth shut. “You see, young lady of the night,” the princess began viciously, “I have numerous ways of gaining information... asking around, finding answers to my questions. After I found out about your dalliances with Lord Lucius, I wanted to know [i]who[/i] you were, my dear. I know who your father is!” Siabrey turned white again, though this time from something far different than anger. [i]My father? How? My mother refused to tell anyone who my father was? How could she know? How...[/i] “Lord Lucius,” Zoe said quickly, turning back to her quarry, “are you aware of the monster called the siabrie?” Lucius shook his head no, but his face still glowered darkly at the Princess. “They are demons of the deep desert, my lord. They wantonly attack caravans, slaughtering the merchants and scattering the gold across the sands! They attack and random, destroying towns and villages!” the princess cried. “Look at her wings, My Lord! Look at her skin color... her eyes. Her father was one of these demons of the desert!” Siabrey grew dizzy as the Princess continued, “Her father was named Kelir, and he bedded a noblewoman named Stodiana Sipner, and your tramp was the result of the unholy union!” “My father was...” Siabrey began rather weakly, only to have the Princess’ furious voice cut her off. Lucius’ look of shock was starting to turn into sorrow, as he seemed to stare off into space. “You never knew your father! Yet his demonic blood is still in your veins, harlot of the sands! Lord Lucius!” she snapped her attention back to him, “your mother has already consorted with demons, leading to this revolt! Would you, too, consort with demons! Would you join your mother’s side by joining in bed with this... half breed! This mongrel!” Siabrey’s tears began to flow again, but t his time, there was no circling arm from Lucius. His eyes, heavy with tears being held back, stared off into space... trying to find the truth to the new, dangerous question posed to him. “Would you rather debase your family, your people, your nation, by staying with a demon, putting all of your people, and all you know and love in danger!? Or would you marry within your station, to nothing less than imperial blood, and rule by my side in the coming days as Emperor of the Holy Santoric Empire!?” She began circling him, as a wolf circles cornered prey, “Choosing the former will make me, the future Empress your mortal enemy, and once world of her ancestry leaks out, you and your line will be finished! Choosing the latter is the best choice, boy! You lose all with the second choice, you win all with the first!” Her circle ended with her frame, several inches taller than Siabrey’s directly in front of him, only inches away. Her fury spent, the Princess deftly stepped backwards. “You must choose now, young lord. Choose wisely.” [/QUOTE]
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