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L'Aurel's Journal (A Kingdom of Ashes) -updated 3/23
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<blockquote data-quote="Laurel" data-source="post: 2115089" data-attributes="member: 17067"><p><strong>Chapter Nine: “What Price Survival”</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Day Forty-nine -Hywrl</em></p><p></p><p>The air is crisp and cold, as we look at each others breath that afternoon. We have made it to the last leg of our journey. I remember that morning when Dorn and I had said our good-byes. There were no tears and no emotional outbursts just a deep understanding. “I would not ask someone to go in my place. I shall only regret these days of not being able to talk to you, father.” </p><p> </p><p>“I know. Go safely, daughter.” He and Preston followed us to the gates of Oceanus, but Dorn with his hand on Preston’s shoulder made him stop there. Justice continued to look over her shoulder at the fading image of her grandfather till they were out of sight, but I knew better then to look back. Our elite forces would be needed in the field, so that left us with Dorn and Preston to be constant protectors to Jaine.</p><p> </p><p>Since morning we had been able to stick to the dense cover of the forest. When that was left behind we stuck to the snow drifts and abandoned houses left in the open plains between the Alder’s forest and the walls of Oceanus. This last quarter mile though will be the true test. As Justice’s aerial scouting had told us, it had been completely cleared. It lay now with a solid sheet of pristine snow that reached about mid-calf. Archonus and I nod to each other and speak the words that will hide our tracks. Then quietly we each take out our little vials. Originally one of Thanesports bartender, Caweys had made them for us, hopefully they would do what they should. Inside our heads we hear Justice’s voice, “Now.” Tipping the vile on end, I feel the cool liquid sweep through my veins. </p><p> </p><p> We can only talk through the power imbued in our phoenix rings, as we now can not even see each other. As I reach the foot of the wall, I see a grappling hook appear to my left. As it hits the stone wall above I know it to be Kareth’s. As mine flies true and digs into place, I see the other 4 hooks go up as planned. Knowing only by the slight sounds beside me, the others pace up the wall.</p><p> </p><p>At the top I crouch, shouts go up in draconic alerting others to our ropes and someone’s armor scratching the stone. I see one guard going to Karthes hook on the end. Slowly I move the few feet to his side. Through the strange power of our oath, I feel a sharp pain and glancing to my left seeing a shadowy Archonus. </p><p> </p><p>Guards come running from both towers, but some stay were they are hoping to use the higher ground to their advantage. Being invisible is our only surprise now. They can see Archonus, but not the rest of us. I feel a brush beside me and hear Kareth pulling himself up on the wall. I need to get to higher ground. </p><p> </p><p>Through the rings I tell the others, “I’m going for the tower.” I race across the narrow stone wall, as more guards rush by on the landing. A guard comes within a hairs breath of me, as Kareth shouts, “Out of way.” Leaping and flinging my arm up I can reach the top of the tower and pull myself over the stone battlement. I see only two guards both balancing spears over their shoulder and looking for the best shot. Without sound I roll behind them, and with only a sharp thwack of my string place a series of arrows in the first ones back. The other briefly charges gaining arrows as he comes. He manages to slice a shallow wound in my bow hand as he struggles into death. </p><p> </p><p>I turn knowing Kareth is beside the turret and now very visible. The pile of guards at the door seems to be crawling with angry draconid guards. It also makes my need for aim almost pointless. Though I easily hide in the shadows one of the guards takes note of the arrows flight. I see the slim scaly hand reach the top of the tower. Unfortunately for him, he is a little slow in the climbing process, so I shoot him before he has a chance to gain his footing completely. I see Kareth has the rest pinned, and is dealing with each as they step into the doorway. I look to find other targets. </p><p> </p><p>Justice quickly kills the one Archonus had been toying with. Leaving Archonus to finally kill the only other enemy flanking him. There are two more guards in the tower across from me, ready to pounce down on my two friends. I quickly draw my bow taught again, but hear a snap as the shredded string breaks. I quickly re-string it, chastising myself for stupidly not seeing it before. </p><p> </p><p>Xath appears next to one of the guards a dagger flashing in her hand. Within seconds Justice climbs to her side. Both make quick work of that one, while Kareth and Archonus dice up the other. Scanning the wall around us, I take my kukri and cut small strips out of the ball in my pouch. Loosely I tie one over each dead guard’s eyes. Then I slash their throats; making sure they will not come back in perfect form. I can hear Justice in my head giving Archonus a hard time for not killing the first guard sooner. She also adds some biting comment about him getting his short sword stuck in the wall. Trying to ignore the reprimand I continue through the other two bodies. Once finished, I hop down to the main wall area, and follow the others, “There are more guards coming. We have to hurry if we are to surprise them.” Xath comments, wiping her blade on the red sash she carries.</p><p></p><p> </p><p>On the next tower, guards are pouring through, with one large ugly leader in front. His uniform seems to have more trim. “Oh, finally an officer,” Justice intones with ill-suppressed glee. We quickly position ourselves on the small turret. Archonus and Kareth stand at the back both in a clear path to the approaching guards. Justice stands slightly behind Xath and I. Raising our bows we pierce a few as they come closer. When they finally breach the small wall, Archonus leaps from the shadows and rushes the leader. Pushing him backward, the draconid looses his footing taking himself and Arhconus over the edge.</p><p> </p><p>I quickly shoot into the other guards as the rest rush in. “Archon? How are you doing?” Comes a strained missive from Xath. “Fine,” comes the faint mental grunt from Archonus below. Kareth charges another as Arhconus did, and as before follows his enemy to the ground below. I quickly shoot the other two as Justice pushes past their falling bodies pulling her cross bow out. Xath seeing an open line over the wall simply leaps to the ground below.</p><p> </p><p>I look over the tower wall to see Archonus’s dark head limply dangling to his chest a large scimitar handle protruding from it. A dry hissing laugh hits us as the scrimitar is pulled free. At the same moment I can feel some part of me silenced. A piercing “NO!” reverberates inside my head. </p><p> </p><p>Another is silenced, but I can see the rest all standing and alive. Kareth has moved inches from the large snapping jaws and swinging blade, but even from here I can see the blood his fists are causes. “It’s an anti-magic sphere. We must kill him and get Archon out of there.” Xath feverishly tell shouts through the rings. All of us quickly fire whatever we have at the guard. With a final upswing from Kareth’s fists the guards heads snaps backward and he slumps beside Arhconus still unmoving form. As Kareth moves to finish the guard off for good, Xath rushes at Archonus a healing wand in hand. Pulling him inches and out of the strange sphere. We can feel him again, but so very weak. Xath mutters, “stupid” over and over again, using a wand to heal him back up. As soon as this is done she scrambles to her feet and stands hands on hips glaring at Archonus. Justice jumps down from the wall by my side darkly threatening, “Archon, you may not have violated the oath according to the Light, but if you ever do that again I will consider it a breaking of your oath.” Kareth just walks over and helps Archonus move to his feet. Crawling backward, I only add through the rings, “I will see to those up here.” After a few seconds I wipe my face struggling to regain composure and go from enemy to enemy as before. </p><p> </p><p> Finally we are grouped again on the ground below. Justice turns to the expanse of empty city before us, “Part two is to find a suitable headquarters for us.” We all knew what we were looking for at this point. With silent nods we stalk into the dead city.</p><p></p><p> </p><p>The hours wore on, and our spirits darkened. Where ever we went feight screams could be heard on the wind. Shadows moved along side us, and occasionally we saw the new citizens of Oceanus, decaying wastes of flesh and bones or scaly snake like creatures. We come to another large warehouse. Again it’s entrances are closed, and the walls look sturdy. We had entered over fifteen buildings and passed hundreds more looking for the right requirements. Hopefully this one would prove better.</p><p> </p><p>Archonus nods to us, as Justice takes a wide stance in front of the doorway with her blade held tightly in front. As he swings the door wide, Justice takes a step inside. I shift my knocked arrow tip around making sure to not target any of my friends as we slowly enter the single doorway. “I don’t see.. wait… there is something in the corner,” comes Justice’s questioning tone. Quietly the others move to flank her. I stay back against the wall watching their progress. “It’s a foot,” comes the curious voice of Justice through the rings. As I travel around the room, a body slowly decomposing slowly comes into view. There are some rat corpses next to the body, and the human body shows marks that prove it to be the best meal for several families of mice.</p><p> </p><p>Xath takes out her bed roll to throw over the bodies, and all I can think is at least they had each other. For there are two bodies. One that by looking at what remains of her hair and clothes was an elderly wealthy merchant. The small form next to her however, wore cloth that told of his humble life on the street. </p><p> </p><p>I go up the stairs to take watch out the second floor windows as the rest carefully scout the warehouse floor. “Solid roof, four solid walls, only two entrances, windows only on the second floor,” comes the strong voice of Arhconus through the rings. “This will work.” Looking into the unlit corners and ceiling I can tell it may even be high enough for some of the future plans we have. Yes, it fits the list.</p><p> </p><p>Kareth goes to stand by the now closed single door, as Justice makes a stone wall appear behind where the warehouse’s huge front doors are. Xath stands in the middle of the room, and takes out the scroll from Caweys. Looking over at Archonus she asks, “Is this where we want it?” He shrugs and looks at the rest of us watching as each of us either shrugs or nods in return. The words flow from her mouth.</p><p> </p><p>Thrown roughly against the brick and then away I grab the railing as the ground shudders around us. The rocky soil heaves violently upward, breaking and rearranging itself. Soon it spreads outward and forms two arms and a head with vacant eyes and mouth. I’m about 30 feet in the air, yet I look directly into the pile of rock’s assumed eye. It moves to look down at Xath. For the next few minutes he rumbles and she shouts back and forth, as we ask for his help and settle on a price for the work. He finally agrees to dig our tunnel in exchange for being able to call us at anytime to fight for him. He can only call once and he can only keep us for 24 hours. </p><p> </p><p>With all finally agreed, he shifts the soil to appear that he has turned around, then slowly moves downward shifting soil and mud and silt outward in a 10 foot tunnel. Xath tells him the exact spot the tunnel should come up near Hywrl, and how deep it should go under Oceanus. Then with a satisfied smile of a job well done she looks at Justice, “Now what?”</p><p> </p><p>Justice claps her hands surely grateful all the goals have been met thus far. “Now we go to step three, mapping the sewers.” Kareth moves behind her and taps Justice on the shoulder, “Sleep?” Her dark rimmed eyes glance startled up at Kareth. She then turns to look at the rest of us. I don’t know what I look like but even Justice looks about to collapse. We all have wounds and pains that need healing, and there is only so much magic can due. “We do need sleep,” Echoes Xath looking pointedly at Archonus. “It will be a few hours at the least with the pace he is going anyways,” she points looking down the shaft of now open tunnel in the center of the room. With that we are agreed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Laurel, post: 2115089, member: 17067"] [b]Chapter Nine: “What Price Survival”[/b] [i]Day Forty-nine -Hywrl[/i] The air is crisp and cold, as we look at each others breath that afternoon. We have made it to the last leg of our journey. I remember that morning when Dorn and I had said our good-byes. There were no tears and no emotional outbursts just a deep understanding. “I would not ask someone to go in my place. I shall only regret these days of not being able to talk to you, father.” “I know. Go safely, daughter.” He and Preston followed us to the gates of Oceanus, but Dorn with his hand on Preston’s shoulder made him stop there. Justice continued to look over her shoulder at the fading image of her grandfather till they were out of sight, but I knew better then to look back. Our elite forces would be needed in the field, so that left us with Dorn and Preston to be constant protectors to Jaine. Since morning we had been able to stick to the dense cover of the forest. When that was left behind we stuck to the snow drifts and abandoned houses left in the open plains between the Alder’s forest and the walls of Oceanus. This last quarter mile though will be the true test. As Justice’s aerial scouting had told us, it had been completely cleared. It lay now with a solid sheet of pristine snow that reached about mid-calf. Archonus and I nod to each other and speak the words that will hide our tracks. Then quietly we each take out our little vials. Originally one of Thanesports bartender, Caweys had made them for us, hopefully they would do what they should. Inside our heads we hear Justice’s voice, “Now.” Tipping the vile on end, I feel the cool liquid sweep through my veins. We can only talk through the power imbued in our phoenix rings, as we now can not even see each other. As I reach the foot of the wall, I see a grappling hook appear to my left. As it hits the stone wall above I know it to be Kareth’s. As mine flies true and digs into place, I see the other 4 hooks go up as planned. Knowing only by the slight sounds beside me, the others pace up the wall. At the top I crouch, shouts go up in draconic alerting others to our ropes and someone’s armor scratching the stone. I see one guard going to Karthes hook on the end. Slowly I move the few feet to his side. Through the strange power of our oath, I feel a sharp pain and glancing to my left seeing a shadowy Archonus. Guards come running from both towers, but some stay were they are hoping to use the higher ground to their advantage. Being invisible is our only surprise now. They can see Archonus, but not the rest of us. I feel a brush beside me and hear Kareth pulling himself up on the wall. I need to get to higher ground. Through the rings I tell the others, “I’m going for the tower.” I race across the narrow stone wall, as more guards rush by on the landing. A guard comes within a hairs breath of me, as Kareth shouts, “Out of way.” Leaping and flinging my arm up I can reach the top of the tower and pull myself over the stone battlement. I see only two guards both balancing spears over their shoulder and looking for the best shot. Without sound I roll behind them, and with only a sharp thwack of my string place a series of arrows in the first ones back. The other briefly charges gaining arrows as he comes. He manages to slice a shallow wound in my bow hand as he struggles into death. I turn knowing Kareth is beside the turret and now very visible. The pile of guards at the door seems to be crawling with angry draconid guards. It also makes my need for aim almost pointless. Though I easily hide in the shadows one of the guards takes note of the arrows flight. I see the slim scaly hand reach the top of the tower. Unfortunately for him, he is a little slow in the climbing process, so I shoot him before he has a chance to gain his footing completely. I see Kareth has the rest pinned, and is dealing with each as they step into the doorway. I look to find other targets. Justice quickly kills the one Archonus had been toying with. Leaving Archonus to finally kill the only other enemy flanking him. There are two more guards in the tower across from me, ready to pounce down on my two friends. I quickly draw my bow taught again, but hear a snap as the shredded string breaks. I quickly re-string it, chastising myself for stupidly not seeing it before. Xath appears next to one of the guards a dagger flashing in her hand. Within seconds Justice climbs to her side. Both make quick work of that one, while Kareth and Archonus dice up the other. Scanning the wall around us, I take my kukri and cut small strips out of the ball in my pouch. Loosely I tie one over each dead guard’s eyes. Then I slash their throats; making sure they will not come back in perfect form. I can hear Justice in my head giving Archonus a hard time for not killing the first guard sooner. She also adds some biting comment about him getting his short sword stuck in the wall. Trying to ignore the reprimand I continue through the other two bodies. Once finished, I hop down to the main wall area, and follow the others, “There are more guards coming. We have to hurry if we are to surprise them.” Xath comments, wiping her blade on the red sash she carries. On the next tower, guards are pouring through, with one large ugly leader in front. His uniform seems to have more trim. “Oh, finally an officer,” Justice intones with ill-suppressed glee. We quickly position ourselves on the small turret. Archonus and Kareth stand at the back both in a clear path to the approaching guards. Justice stands slightly behind Xath and I. Raising our bows we pierce a few as they come closer. When they finally breach the small wall, Archonus leaps from the shadows and rushes the leader. Pushing him backward, the draconid looses his footing taking himself and Arhconus over the edge. I quickly shoot into the other guards as the rest rush in. “Archon? How are you doing?” Comes a strained missive from Xath. “Fine,” comes the faint mental grunt from Archonus below. Kareth charges another as Arhconus did, and as before follows his enemy to the ground below. I quickly shoot the other two as Justice pushes past their falling bodies pulling her cross bow out. Xath seeing an open line over the wall simply leaps to the ground below. I look over the tower wall to see Archonus’s dark head limply dangling to his chest a large scimitar handle protruding from it. A dry hissing laugh hits us as the scrimitar is pulled free. At the same moment I can feel some part of me silenced. A piercing “NO!” reverberates inside my head. Another is silenced, but I can see the rest all standing and alive. Kareth has moved inches from the large snapping jaws and swinging blade, but even from here I can see the blood his fists are causes. “It’s an anti-magic sphere. We must kill him and get Archon out of there.” Xath feverishly tell shouts through the rings. All of us quickly fire whatever we have at the guard. With a final upswing from Kareth’s fists the guards heads snaps backward and he slumps beside Arhconus still unmoving form. As Kareth moves to finish the guard off for good, Xath rushes at Archonus a healing wand in hand. Pulling him inches and out of the strange sphere. We can feel him again, but so very weak. Xath mutters, “stupid” over and over again, using a wand to heal him back up. As soon as this is done she scrambles to her feet and stands hands on hips glaring at Archonus. Justice jumps down from the wall by my side darkly threatening, “Archon, you may not have violated the oath according to the Light, but if you ever do that again I will consider it a breaking of your oath.” Kareth just walks over and helps Archonus move to his feet. Crawling backward, I only add through the rings, “I will see to those up here.” After a few seconds I wipe my face struggling to regain composure and go from enemy to enemy as before. Finally we are grouped again on the ground below. Justice turns to the expanse of empty city before us, “Part two is to find a suitable headquarters for us.” We all knew what we were looking for at this point. With silent nods we stalk into the dead city. The hours wore on, and our spirits darkened. Where ever we went feight screams could be heard on the wind. Shadows moved along side us, and occasionally we saw the new citizens of Oceanus, decaying wastes of flesh and bones or scaly snake like creatures. We come to another large warehouse. Again it’s entrances are closed, and the walls look sturdy. We had entered over fifteen buildings and passed hundreds more looking for the right requirements. Hopefully this one would prove better. Archonus nods to us, as Justice takes a wide stance in front of the doorway with her blade held tightly in front. As he swings the door wide, Justice takes a step inside. I shift my knocked arrow tip around making sure to not target any of my friends as we slowly enter the single doorway. “I don’t see.. wait… there is something in the corner,” comes Justice’s questioning tone. Quietly the others move to flank her. I stay back against the wall watching their progress. “It’s a foot,” comes the curious voice of Justice through the rings. As I travel around the room, a body slowly decomposing slowly comes into view. There are some rat corpses next to the body, and the human body shows marks that prove it to be the best meal for several families of mice. Xath takes out her bed roll to throw over the bodies, and all I can think is at least they had each other. For there are two bodies. One that by looking at what remains of her hair and clothes was an elderly wealthy merchant. The small form next to her however, wore cloth that told of his humble life on the street. I go up the stairs to take watch out the second floor windows as the rest carefully scout the warehouse floor. “Solid roof, four solid walls, only two entrances, windows only on the second floor,” comes the strong voice of Arhconus through the rings. “This will work.” Looking into the unlit corners and ceiling I can tell it may even be high enough for some of the future plans we have. Yes, it fits the list. Kareth goes to stand by the now closed single door, as Justice makes a stone wall appear behind where the warehouse’s huge front doors are. Xath stands in the middle of the room, and takes out the scroll from Caweys. Looking over at Archonus she asks, “Is this where we want it?” He shrugs and looks at the rest of us watching as each of us either shrugs or nods in return. The words flow from her mouth. Thrown roughly against the brick and then away I grab the railing as the ground shudders around us. The rocky soil heaves violently upward, breaking and rearranging itself. Soon it spreads outward and forms two arms and a head with vacant eyes and mouth. I’m about 30 feet in the air, yet I look directly into the pile of rock’s assumed eye. It moves to look down at Xath. For the next few minutes he rumbles and she shouts back and forth, as we ask for his help and settle on a price for the work. He finally agrees to dig our tunnel in exchange for being able to call us at anytime to fight for him. He can only call once and he can only keep us for 24 hours. With all finally agreed, he shifts the soil to appear that he has turned around, then slowly moves downward shifting soil and mud and silt outward in a 10 foot tunnel. Xath tells him the exact spot the tunnel should come up near Hywrl, and how deep it should go under Oceanus. Then with a satisfied smile of a job well done she looks at Justice, “Now what?” Justice claps her hands surely grateful all the goals have been met thus far. “Now we go to step three, mapping the sewers.” Kareth moves behind her and taps Justice on the shoulder, “Sleep?” Her dark rimmed eyes glance startled up at Kareth. She then turns to look at the rest of us. I don’t know what I look like but even Justice looks about to collapse. We all have wounds and pains that need healing, and there is only so much magic can due. “We do need sleep,” Echoes Xath looking pointedly at Archonus. “It will be a few hours at the least with the pace he is going anyways,” she points looking down the shaft of now open tunnel in the center of the room. With that we are agreed. [/QUOTE]
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