Into the Icy Darkness: The Great Demon War
- Thread starter Emperor Valerian
- Start date
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
K_S_Snyder
First Post
Ah well, now that I've reared my head I'll have to resist my natural instincts to lurk...
Heh. So, EV, how far are the posts removed from the gaming sessions?
Heh. So, EV, how far are the posts removed from the gaming sessions?
Emperor Valerian
First Post
About a month. Presently I'm working on the session from... March 12th, I believe. We usually play weekly, depending on people's schedules. In terms of sessions, we're about four sessions behind (there were two mini-sessions in there).
Emperor Valerian
First Post
Siabrey’s Goodbyes and Farewells
“Mmmm,” Siabrey pulled hard at the pillow her fingers had clawed around, but it wouldn’t budge, and the rays of morning glory continued to spill into her eyes. She tugs harder, hoping whatever is holding it down will be weaker, and as she gives a mighty heave, the pillow flies out, and she nearly rolls off the bed. Grunting, she pulled it over her head tightly, her sleepy mind willing away the brightness.
The light continued to burn through, by nooks and crannies between her feathery protection and her bed. Her mind slowly awakened, and finally realized what the daylight meant, and pulled the pillow off with sad reluctance. She slid a hand towards the other side of the bed, hoping to feel a warm body, which she hoped to cuddle with for just a few more minutes...
“Mmm Luke?” her mind asked questioningly, her fingers finding a warm mattress where a body once was. She heard a grunt, and she sat up, her tired eyes seeing Luke sitting on the edge of the bed, slowly donning his trousers.
She rubbed her eyes, and quickly pulled off the strange couplet of covers twisted over her, and slid beside him, hugging him tight.
“Luke,” she whispered in his ear, “Please... I don’t want you to go.” Her eyes were dry... from the last few days, she wasn’t sure if she had many tears left.
“I don’t want to go either... but I have to,” she said back softly. “I’d much rather stay with the new Countess, and try to produce an heir,” he laughed softly, trying to humor her.
“Oh... so I’m a baby mill? You put in one part noble, and after my waterwheel grinds away, babies appear in sacks, neatly stacked by the door?” she raised an eyebrow, causing him to laugh. He’s trying to humor me... he’s as scared as I am The two kissed deeply, sharply, with enough passion that Siabrey lost her breath momentarily.
“No,” he said finally, grinning. “There’s also the part where this baby mill is the most beautiful of its kind. It doesn’t need to produce babies to make me happy,” he hugged her again, and two whispered sweet nothings and quiet jokes into each other’s ear, until Siabrey’s nascent and growing concern finally rose to the fore.
“Luke,” she pulled away from him, her eyes now serious, “can you make me a promise?” He nodded her head, and she looked him deeply in the eyes. “Luke? Promise me you’ll stay off the front lines... promise me you won’t be reckless.” I know you... you are like me. You will jump to the front with no regard for yourself... that’s MY job... don’t do it...
“I... I can’t promise that, Siabrey... I’m the commander, I might have to... even if I don’t want to,” he said softly. She looked in his eyes and could see the fear playing deep inside them. Pulling him close, she buried her head in his shoulder.
“Luke... please?” she spoke into his shoulder and chest, “Please don’t? I don’t want to lose you....”
“Siabrey, I can’t promise that,” he said again, and he felt a slight shudder go through her body. Sensing correctly she would soon start crying, he pulled away from her slightly. “Listen.... sshh... listen hon,” he whispered softly, “I have forty thousand blades backing me... don’t worry. Indeed, it should be I that should be worrying about you.”
“No you shouldn’t,” Siabrey countered with a whisper, “my blades are experienced, many of yours are not.”
“I have more.”
“Mine are more experienced.”
“My point is,” Luke said, resisting the strange urge to chuckle a little at the disagreement over who should worry about whom, “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Besides... I have a huge silver dragon watching me. You don’t,” he smiled.
“Luke... I love you too much to see something happen to you.... promise me you’ll be careful,” Siabrey asked, and he nodded.
“I will. And besides, we have the books Xanny found for us, so we can still keep in contact for the next few weeks or however long we’re separated...”
Not long, love, Siabrey thought, her mind actively considering again the plan to find the idols, ditch them in Irulas and make a beeline towards Luke’s army... or destroy them herself, and then ignore Irulas altogether...
“Promise me you’ll write,” she said, another reservoir of tears rising to the surface. He saw this, and as he nodded, he pulled her close and hugged her as tight as he could, trying to smother her fears. Thank you, Luke Siabrey thought as a twin tears coursed down her cheeks, before she pulled his head towards her and began to kiss him.
It was deep enough and emotional enough that under other, happier circumstances, it would have resulted in a nice, long delay for Siabrey... but not now. Gently he pushed her away, brushing his hand through her hair. “You need to get dressed... its time,” he said remorsefully, and she nodded. He helped her don her undergarments and armor, before their lips touched for one last time... a kiss that lingered as she started to pull away, but was drawn back. Finally, he gently pushed her away, his eyes giving her the message, Please, Siabrey... you must go.
As she opened the door to the small bedroom, she heard his voice behind her, starting to crack as his own strength and reserve waned.
“Wing safe, my love.”
Immediately after leaving her husband, Siabrey decided she had to do something, regardless whether it might make her late or delay the teleportation of the group... and she stormed over towards the Imperial Library, rushing through the place as a female wolf hunting her prey... until she spotted Xanadu, his form bent over a book clearly about demons from its cover. She marched up to him, and unceremoniously slammed her hand down in the middle of the page he was reading, the loud crack echoing in the halls.
“Xanadu,” her voice rumbled, icy command dripping from it, “You will watch Lucius. And if anything happens to Lucius while you are guarding him...” You are to take my place! My blade cannot watch him, so your teeth shall! And if you fail, I will hold you for it! If you fail... I.... I fail...
“Hello to you too,” the half elf replied slowly, his face gradually turning to hers. Siabrey’s racing mind was nearing its breaking point, and swiftly fell into an alternate tack.
“Xanny,” she sank to her knees beside him, “Please... for the love of all that his holy, keep Lucius from the front lines! Don’t let him be reckless!” Don’t let him be like I would be!
“I can’t stop him,” Xanadu said, “he’s the army commander... technically he outranks me! And sometimes,” his voice grew darker, “desperate times... the army may need someone to lead from the front...”
“Besides,” the dragon added, “you’re reckless. He just takes after you, and he’ll end up as fine as you.”
But I don’t want him to be reckless! If he fell...
”Xanny? Please?” tears were once again coursing down Siabrey’s cheeks. She had fought to stay strong when Luke was around... no such prerogative existed here.
The dragon looked deeply into her eyes, and sighed, carefully taking her head into his hands. “I’ll try my best, Red Eyes,” he said quietly, “but I can’t promise everything.”
“Fight as a dragon, will you?” Siabrey asked. Then he’ll be safe... just as safe as if I was by his side...
“I don’...” Xanadu began, before he saw her tearing up even faster, and his heart grew heavy. “Fine. I’ll fight as a dragon. But you must remain safe in return... you’re in far more danger than he is.”
“No I’m not!” Siabrey shuddered, her voice quivering. Protect him, Xanny!
It was then Xanadu finally realized how much of a nervous wreck Siabrey was becoming... and he carefully told her, “Do not worry. I won’t let anything happen to him... by my life. Now,” he said, pulling her to her feet, “I believe you have a teleportation chamber to visit.”
“Mmmm,” Siabrey pulled hard at the pillow her fingers had clawed around, but it wouldn’t budge, and the rays of morning glory continued to spill into her eyes. She tugs harder, hoping whatever is holding it down will be weaker, and as she gives a mighty heave, the pillow flies out, and she nearly rolls off the bed. Grunting, she pulled it over her head tightly, her sleepy mind willing away the brightness.
The light continued to burn through, by nooks and crannies between her feathery protection and her bed. Her mind slowly awakened, and finally realized what the daylight meant, and pulled the pillow off with sad reluctance. She slid a hand towards the other side of the bed, hoping to feel a warm body, which she hoped to cuddle with for just a few more minutes...
“Mmm Luke?” her mind asked questioningly, her fingers finding a warm mattress where a body once was. She heard a grunt, and she sat up, her tired eyes seeing Luke sitting on the edge of the bed, slowly donning his trousers.
She rubbed her eyes, and quickly pulled off the strange couplet of covers twisted over her, and slid beside him, hugging him tight.
“Luke,” she whispered in his ear, “Please... I don’t want you to go.” Her eyes were dry... from the last few days, she wasn’t sure if she had many tears left.
“I don’t want to go either... but I have to,” she said back softly. “I’d much rather stay with the new Countess, and try to produce an heir,” he laughed softly, trying to humor her.
“Oh... so I’m a baby mill? You put in one part noble, and after my waterwheel grinds away, babies appear in sacks, neatly stacked by the door?” she raised an eyebrow, causing him to laugh. He’s trying to humor me... he’s as scared as I am The two kissed deeply, sharply, with enough passion that Siabrey lost her breath momentarily.
“No,” he said finally, grinning. “There’s also the part where this baby mill is the most beautiful of its kind. It doesn’t need to produce babies to make me happy,” he hugged her again, and two whispered sweet nothings and quiet jokes into each other’s ear, until Siabrey’s nascent and growing concern finally rose to the fore.
“Luke,” she pulled away from him, her eyes now serious, “can you make me a promise?” He nodded her head, and she looked him deeply in the eyes. “Luke? Promise me you’ll stay off the front lines... promise me you won’t be reckless.” I know you... you are like me. You will jump to the front with no regard for yourself... that’s MY job... don’t do it...
“I... I can’t promise that, Siabrey... I’m the commander, I might have to... even if I don’t want to,” he said softly. She looked in his eyes and could see the fear playing deep inside them. Pulling him close, she buried her head in his shoulder.
“Luke... please?” she spoke into his shoulder and chest, “Please don’t? I don’t want to lose you....”
“Siabrey, I can’t promise that,” he said again, and he felt a slight shudder go through her body. Sensing correctly she would soon start crying, he pulled away from her slightly. “Listen.... sshh... listen hon,” he whispered softly, “I have forty thousand blades backing me... don’t worry. Indeed, it should be I that should be worrying about you.”
“No you shouldn’t,” Siabrey countered with a whisper, “my blades are experienced, many of yours are not.”
“I have more.”
“Mine are more experienced.”
“My point is,” Luke said, resisting the strange urge to chuckle a little at the disagreement over who should worry about whom, “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Besides... I have a huge silver dragon watching me. You don’t,” he smiled.
“Luke... I love you too much to see something happen to you.... promise me you’ll be careful,” Siabrey asked, and he nodded.
“I will. And besides, we have the books Xanny found for us, so we can still keep in contact for the next few weeks or however long we’re separated...”
Not long, love, Siabrey thought, her mind actively considering again the plan to find the idols, ditch them in Irulas and make a beeline towards Luke’s army... or destroy them herself, and then ignore Irulas altogether...
“Promise me you’ll write,” she said, another reservoir of tears rising to the surface. He saw this, and as he nodded, he pulled her close and hugged her as tight as he could, trying to smother her fears. Thank you, Luke Siabrey thought as a twin tears coursed down her cheeks, before she pulled his head towards her and began to kiss him.
It was deep enough and emotional enough that under other, happier circumstances, it would have resulted in a nice, long delay for Siabrey... but not now. Gently he pushed her away, brushing his hand through her hair. “You need to get dressed... its time,” he said remorsefully, and she nodded. He helped her don her undergarments and armor, before their lips touched for one last time... a kiss that lingered as she started to pull away, but was drawn back. Finally, he gently pushed her away, his eyes giving her the message, Please, Siabrey... you must go.
As she opened the door to the small bedroom, she heard his voice behind her, starting to crack as his own strength and reserve waned.
“Wing safe, my love.”
Immediately after leaving her husband, Siabrey decided she had to do something, regardless whether it might make her late or delay the teleportation of the group... and she stormed over towards the Imperial Library, rushing through the place as a female wolf hunting her prey... until she spotted Xanadu, his form bent over a book clearly about demons from its cover. She marched up to him, and unceremoniously slammed her hand down in the middle of the page he was reading, the loud crack echoing in the halls.
“Xanadu,” her voice rumbled, icy command dripping from it, “You will watch Lucius. And if anything happens to Lucius while you are guarding him...” You are to take my place! My blade cannot watch him, so your teeth shall! And if you fail, I will hold you for it! If you fail... I.... I fail...
“Hello to you too,” the half elf replied slowly, his face gradually turning to hers. Siabrey’s racing mind was nearing its breaking point, and swiftly fell into an alternate tack.
“Xanny,” she sank to her knees beside him, “Please... for the love of all that his holy, keep Lucius from the front lines! Don’t let him be reckless!” Don’t let him be like I would be!
“I can’t stop him,” Xanadu said, “he’s the army commander... technically he outranks me! And sometimes,” his voice grew darker, “desperate times... the army may need someone to lead from the front...”
“Besides,” the dragon added, “you’re reckless. He just takes after you, and he’ll end up as fine as you.”
But I don’t want him to be reckless! If he fell...
”Xanny? Please?” tears were once again coursing down Siabrey’s cheeks. She had fought to stay strong when Luke was around... no such prerogative existed here.
The dragon looked deeply into her eyes, and sighed, carefully taking her head into his hands. “I’ll try my best, Red Eyes,” he said quietly, “but I can’t promise everything.”
“Fight as a dragon, will you?” Siabrey asked. Then he’ll be safe... just as safe as if I was by his side...
“I don’...” Xanadu began, before he saw her tearing up even faster, and his heart grew heavy. “Fine. I’ll fight as a dragon. But you must remain safe in return... you’re in far more danger than he is.”
“No I’m not!” Siabrey shuddered, her voice quivering. Protect him, Xanny!
It was then Xanadu finally realized how much of a nervous wreck Siabrey was becoming... and he carefully told her, “Do not worry. I won’t let anything happen to him... by my life. Now,” he said, pulling her to her feet, “I believe you have a teleportation chamber to visit.”
Emperor Valerian
First Post
An Annoying Wizard.. And Annoying Teleportation Chambers
“This place smells sterile,” Shaun said quietly as he arrived, last of the party back in the palace. Their rooms had been quickly and expertly cleaned, their items carefully and neatly packed by the Crown Prince’s staff.
“Well,” Tess said, sitting down on her backpack, “now comes the waiting game. Our court wizard Alex promised is late... and yes, he says we can call him that...” she replied to Shaun’s unasked question. Shaun instinctively raised an eyebrow (covering his own loneliness with humor) and Tess gave him a deep, evil scowl. “No Shaun!”
“Well,” he started, before looking over towards Siabrey, and his humor died on his lips. “Oh.”
The third part of the trio sat, facing away from them, staring into the cold and dead fireplace. Her blade was out, and while her hands were hidden by view from her cloak, the scratches of a blade being sharpened grated the air.
“Siabrey, dear?” Tess asked softly, also now noticing her companion. “How are you doing?” Tess walked up behind her friend. I know you’re not feeling good... I can’t replace Luke, but I want you to be.... ok? At the least...
“Fine,” came her reply, sharp and biting enough that Tess backed off. “I’m just peachy,” she turned towards Tess, and the party saw her red eyes were blazing with something not normal...
“Um... are you sure, Siabrey?” Shaun asked edgily. I want to know, so I don’t get clocked over the head for trying to be funny...
”No, what the hell do you think!” she snapped, before turning back to her blade, the grating noises now coming again, even faster. Her own mind was aflood with thoughts... fears for Lucius, anger at Zoe, determination to finish their mission as soon as possible, so she could make sure her love was safe... No fooling around... no questions. We go in... we get this mess... we get out, and we go to the army!
Shaun was taken aback by her fierce reply, and was about to say his own snappish one when the door to the room they were camped in was flung open, and a thin, spectacled man clad in garish orange and purple robes strode into the room. His head was held high, high enough that he literally looked down the bridge of his nose at all of them.
Tess immediately recoiled from the riot of color, commenting quietly, “His dress hurts my eyes.” The hawk-nose and the eyes that were behind it swiveled towards her.
“And your intellect hurts my brain,” his voice, an annoyingly high and wheezy tenor, said with disdain. The exchange provoked Siabrey’s ire... and as she turned to the newcomer, she growled at him... literally.
For most, the prospect of a fearsome warrior armed with a katana growling at them would have provoked some... respect... or at least, cowed them into backing down. Not this wizard... he was an Imperial Court Wizard...
“Lady, you do not need to act the part of the dog... your face does the job well enough,” he said coolly. Siabrey’s face glowered, and there was a moment of tension when her hand gripped her katana tightly, before looking at Tess, and relaxing. She gave a huff, and began sharpening her sword again. The wizard gave her a look of airy disdain, before looking at the other two.
“My name is Aeron... a Court Wizard to Her Majesty, the Empress. And as such capacity, I must wonder why I have been assigned to such a backwoods operation with such cretins as companions,” he moaned, causing everyone else’s hackles to rise up.
Dammit, Siabrey’s mind snarled, as the man continued to talk in high and airy terms of his position in court. We get this pharonic fool in place of Lucius and Elenya... Dammit! Her movements to sharpen Kelir became quicker and quicker.
“And you must be Lady Tesseron, the common barroom bard,” he smiled towards Tess, who smiled back, her eyes and teeth flashing ice. He’s a member of hte Court... must maintain politeness... Tess’ mind strained.
“And this must be the thief, Shaun,” he placed a condescending hand on the rogue’s head, and Shaun visibly squirmed from under it. His eyes then turned to the fighter whose back was turned, and a deadly smile crossed his lips. “That must be Siabrey... the desert debutante the Court is in twitters about. I hope you do not intend on trying to wily bring me down,” he said, lifting his eyes haughtily, “as I shan’t fall as easily as Lord Lucius did... poor boy.”
“You need not worry,” Siabrey’s voice echoed back, a mere deadly whisper, “I shan’t cast a glance to your way... unless you anger me...” She turned around, eyes blazing fury and anger. Tess hurriedly waved a hand at her, and Siabrey once again loosened her grip on the sword. Tess breathed a sigh of relief, We can’t have Court mages being killed off for being pompous jackasses... at least not yet.
“Anyways,” he ignorantly refuses to acknowledge Siabrey’s thinly veiled anger, “if you would follow me.”
As he led the party through a myriad of corridors, he explained the teleportation chambers, where to stand, and what to not do.
“And I’ll tell you... I have an assistant at the manor who will help us. I warn you though... she is from Ak Konylu.”
“She... what?” Tess was confused. “She’s a mongrel?” Great, a possible spy in our midst...
“The proper term is Ak Konylite... or as she is from the city of Ascabion, Ascabionite,” Aeron said, his voice dripping with an air of superiority at her obvious lack of political knowledge. “It is most ignorant and insulting to refer to them as mongrels... not all of them march against us.
Ak Konylu is a divided country. Five of the ‘kingdoms’ in her realms marched across the border... four stayed neutral, and one has openly condemned hte move. Treadly wisely, ignorant ones,” he chided, causing Tess and Shaun’s anger to rise even more. Siabrey, already livid, decided if Tess wouldn’t let her teach him manners, she would ignore him... save that during his lecture, the party stopped moving.
“Let’s just get going!” she grumbled, her voice low and dangerous. “The sooner we get there, the sooner we get back.” And the sooner that I can go back to protect Lucius... Aeron nodded in agreement, though his air did not display anything besides the face a father would use to congratulate a small child on saying its first words.
Damn you, Siabrey snarled.
The party, after another five minutes, entered a large hall, fully 80 feet in diameter. Globes of orange light floated on the ceiling, basting the white walls and floor in a pleasant, warm glow. The floors of hte chamber, as well as the walls, were covered in deep, etched runes, culminating in a small glass circle at the center. Aeron motioned for them to head to the center, as a bevy of similarly clad mages stood around the outsides.
Happily, they found Grumki already waiting there, his warhammer leaning onto the floor of the chamber, as hushed mages fluttered about him, hissing at him to go away till Tess waved the ok.
“I told you... the strength of Kord requires being early,” the half orc rumbled, before walking up next to the group. Aeron’s nose wrinkled at Grumki’s approach, but the wizard managed to control his response enough that he one again took speaking reins.
“Now,” he said as they drew up, “I shall warn you, teleportations can be nauseous, as I have no doubt that many of you might be weak of stomach.” Tess growled, and Siabrey merely tuned him out, replacing in her mind his voice with the sounds of Lucius’ jokes and laughter... thoughts that only spurred her to push for quicker action.
“Just go already!” she scowled, her low voice carrying an order backed by iron. Even as Aeron chuckled and waved away her command, the other mages hurriedly moved to comply.
A few minutes later, and the room began to stink, as of chlorine and ozone mixed into one... the smell of a massive field of magic. Slowly, the world around them began to spin... faster and faster, until the walls, lights, and mages merged into an ever spinning blur.
The sights, sounds and movement were too much for Shaun, and his breakfast ended up on his boots. Tess felt extremely dizzy, and narrowly avoided losing her own stomach. She glanced up towards Aeron, and to her disgust found him sneering down at her, his arms crossed in supreme confidence. Siabrey too was not affected by the spinning, and merely bared her teeth back at the mage that had annoyed her already frayed nerves the wrong way.
Slowly, the spinning began to slow down, and the party noticed much green. There was a sudden, powerful burst of light, and the party was blinded momentarily. As their eyes adjusted, their vision came back...
...and there was no manor, no castle in sight. All they saw, for miles around, were forests...forests... and more forests...
“This place smells sterile,” Shaun said quietly as he arrived, last of the party back in the palace. Their rooms had been quickly and expertly cleaned, their items carefully and neatly packed by the Crown Prince’s staff.
“Well,” Tess said, sitting down on her backpack, “now comes the waiting game. Our court wizard Alex promised is late... and yes, he says we can call him that...” she replied to Shaun’s unasked question. Shaun instinctively raised an eyebrow (covering his own loneliness with humor) and Tess gave him a deep, evil scowl. “No Shaun!”
“Well,” he started, before looking over towards Siabrey, and his humor died on his lips. “Oh.”
The third part of the trio sat, facing away from them, staring into the cold and dead fireplace. Her blade was out, and while her hands were hidden by view from her cloak, the scratches of a blade being sharpened grated the air.
“Siabrey, dear?” Tess asked softly, also now noticing her companion. “How are you doing?” Tess walked up behind her friend. I know you’re not feeling good... I can’t replace Luke, but I want you to be.... ok? At the least...
“Fine,” came her reply, sharp and biting enough that Tess backed off. “I’m just peachy,” she turned towards Tess, and the party saw her red eyes were blazing with something not normal...
“Um... are you sure, Siabrey?” Shaun asked edgily. I want to know, so I don’t get clocked over the head for trying to be funny...
”No, what the hell do you think!” she snapped, before turning back to her blade, the grating noises now coming again, even faster. Her own mind was aflood with thoughts... fears for Lucius, anger at Zoe, determination to finish their mission as soon as possible, so she could make sure her love was safe... No fooling around... no questions. We go in... we get this mess... we get out, and we go to the army!
Shaun was taken aback by her fierce reply, and was about to say his own snappish one when the door to the room they were camped in was flung open, and a thin, spectacled man clad in garish orange and purple robes strode into the room. His head was held high, high enough that he literally looked down the bridge of his nose at all of them.
Tess immediately recoiled from the riot of color, commenting quietly, “His dress hurts my eyes.” The hawk-nose and the eyes that were behind it swiveled towards her.
“And your intellect hurts my brain,” his voice, an annoyingly high and wheezy tenor, said with disdain. The exchange provoked Siabrey’s ire... and as she turned to the newcomer, she growled at him... literally.
For most, the prospect of a fearsome warrior armed with a katana growling at them would have provoked some... respect... or at least, cowed them into backing down. Not this wizard... he was an Imperial Court Wizard...
“Lady, you do not need to act the part of the dog... your face does the job well enough,” he said coolly. Siabrey’s face glowered, and there was a moment of tension when her hand gripped her katana tightly, before looking at Tess, and relaxing. She gave a huff, and began sharpening her sword again. The wizard gave her a look of airy disdain, before looking at the other two.
“My name is Aeron... a Court Wizard to Her Majesty, the Empress. And as such capacity, I must wonder why I have been assigned to such a backwoods operation with such cretins as companions,” he moaned, causing everyone else’s hackles to rise up.
Dammit, Siabrey’s mind snarled, as the man continued to talk in high and airy terms of his position in court. We get this pharonic fool in place of Lucius and Elenya... Dammit! Her movements to sharpen Kelir became quicker and quicker.
“And you must be Lady Tesseron, the common barroom bard,” he smiled towards Tess, who smiled back, her eyes and teeth flashing ice. He’s a member of hte Court... must maintain politeness... Tess’ mind strained.
“And this must be the thief, Shaun,” he placed a condescending hand on the rogue’s head, and Shaun visibly squirmed from under it. His eyes then turned to the fighter whose back was turned, and a deadly smile crossed his lips. “That must be Siabrey... the desert debutante the Court is in twitters about. I hope you do not intend on trying to wily bring me down,” he said, lifting his eyes haughtily, “as I shan’t fall as easily as Lord Lucius did... poor boy.”
“You need not worry,” Siabrey’s voice echoed back, a mere deadly whisper, “I shan’t cast a glance to your way... unless you anger me...” She turned around, eyes blazing fury and anger. Tess hurriedly waved a hand at her, and Siabrey once again loosened her grip on the sword. Tess breathed a sigh of relief, We can’t have Court mages being killed off for being pompous jackasses... at least not yet.
“Anyways,” he ignorantly refuses to acknowledge Siabrey’s thinly veiled anger, “if you would follow me.”
As he led the party through a myriad of corridors, he explained the teleportation chambers, where to stand, and what to not do.
“And I’ll tell you... I have an assistant at the manor who will help us. I warn you though... she is from Ak Konylu.”
“She... what?” Tess was confused. “She’s a mongrel?” Great, a possible spy in our midst...
“The proper term is Ak Konylite... or as she is from the city of Ascabion, Ascabionite,” Aeron said, his voice dripping with an air of superiority at her obvious lack of political knowledge. “It is most ignorant and insulting to refer to them as mongrels... not all of them march against us.
Ak Konylu is a divided country. Five of the ‘kingdoms’ in her realms marched across the border... four stayed neutral, and one has openly condemned hte move. Treadly wisely, ignorant ones,” he chided, causing Tess and Shaun’s anger to rise even more. Siabrey, already livid, decided if Tess wouldn’t let her teach him manners, she would ignore him... save that during his lecture, the party stopped moving.
“Let’s just get going!” she grumbled, her voice low and dangerous. “The sooner we get there, the sooner we get back.” And the sooner that I can go back to protect Lucius... Aeron nodded in agreement, though his air did not display anything besides the face a father would use to congratulate a small child on saying its first words.
Damn you, Siabrey snarled.
The party, after another five minutes, entered a large hall, fully 80 feet in diameter. Globes of orange light floated on the ceiling, basting the white walls and floor in a pleasant, warm glow. The floors of hte chamber, as well as the walls, were covered in deep, etched runes, culminating in a small glass circle at the center. Aeron motioned for them to head to the center, as a bevy of similarly clad mages stood around the outsides.
Happily, they found Grumki already waiting there, his warhammer leaning onto the floor of the chamber, as hushed mages fluttered about him, hissing at him to go away till Tess waved the ok.
“I told you... the strength of Kord requires being early,” the half orc rumbled, before walking up next to the group. Aeron’s nose wrinkled at Grumki’s approach, but the wizard managed to control his response enough that he one again took speaking reins.
“Now,” he said as they drew up, “I shall warn you, teleportations can be nauseous, as I have no doubt that many of you might be weak of stomach.” Tess growled, and Siabrey merely tuned him out, replacing in her mind his voice with the sounds of Lucius’ jokes and laughter... thoughts that only spurred her to push for quicker action.
“Just go already!” she scowled, her low voice carrying an order backed by iron. Even as Aeron chuckled and waved away her command, the other mages hurriedly moved to comply.
A few minutes later, and the room began to stink, as of chlorine and ozone mixed into one... the smell of a massive field of magic. Slowly, the world around them began to spin... faster and faster, until the walls, lights, and mages merged into an ever spinning blur.
The sights, sounds and movement were too much for Shaun, and his breakfast ended up on his boots. Tess felt extremely dizzy, and narrowly avoided losing her own stomach. She glanced up towards Aeron, and to her disgust found him sneering down at her, his arms crossed in supreme confidence. Siabrey too was not affected by the spinning, and merely bared her teeth back at the mage that had annoyed her already frayed nerves the wrong way.
Slowly, the spinning began to slow down, and the party noticed much green. There was a sudden, powerful burst of light, and the party was blinded momentarily. As their eyes adjusted, their vision came back...
...and there was no manor, no castle in sight. All they saw, for miles around, were forests...forests... and more forests...
Emperor Valerian
First Post
In the words of the wise sages called Monty Python, "And Now for Something Completely Different!"
At the request of some of the party, I’ve also written a narrative of Lucius, Elenya, Quin, and Xanadu as to what they were doing whilst the PCs were further north. So... consider this an exta story.
I'll put the titles of these sections in red, and the text in yellow, to differentiate them from the main story..
A Boy Takes Command
Meanwhile...
Lucius was strong... he managed to hold himself together until Siabrey left the room, before he let his tears fall... tears or loneliness, and most importantly, tears of fear.
Siabrey... I’m already scared, he thought as he finished donning his armor. I’ve never done anything like this before! I played soldier with my friends as a boy... but never any real battles! Silently, he sank onto the still unmade bed, and buried his face in his hands.
“It’s too much,” he mumbled aloud, “too much!” The Empress hates me, they tried to kill my love, and my own mother wants to destroy all I love... it’s all too much! His sobbing was loud enough he did not hear a soft knocking at the door a few hours later, or notice the door opening and a tall half elf walk beside him. A kind hand touched his shoulder, as Xanadu’s sigh filled the room.
“It’s... it’s ok,” the dragon said quietly, sitting down next to Luke. “You shall see her again... and you shall do fine tomorrow and in the coming days.” He is alone in his mind. Xanadu pulled the young man close and gave him a fatherly hug, “I trust you... Siabrey trusts you, we all do. If I didn’t,” he pulled back, pushing Lucius’ tear streaked face up so he could look into his green eyes, “I would have insisted on commanding myself.” He gave a grin, and his heart jumped a little when Lucius’ worn face gave a slight grin in matching.
“Good,” Xanadu looked at him, before pulling a kerchief out of his pocket. “Here... dry off your face. You have to meet your soldiers soon.” Lucius stiffened, noticeably, and began quickly cleaning the tears from his face.
“Can’t let them see me like this,” he said nervously. “I don’t want them to think they’re lead by a bawling fool.” Xanadu gave a short laugh, and stood up, pulling Lucius up with him.
“You’re not a bawling fool, boy,” he smiled, taking the same kerchief to wipe off dust and grit from Luke’s armor. “You’re a Count... a noble within the Holy Santoric Empire, and commander of two score thousand men. Whenever you get scared, remember that,” Xanadu pointed.
“What if that is what scares me?” Lucius asked as the two began leaving the room. “What if I mess up? What if I fail?” His voice began to get wobbly again, and Xanadu spun around, and grabbed both his shoulders. The wizard pulled Lucius down an inch or two until their eyes were completely level, and his brassy orbs bored directly through Lucius’ green eyes until they found his very soul.
“You must never think about that!” Xanadu said quietly, forcefully, as he shook Lucius slightly. “Your soldiers gain their confidence, their will to victory... from you! Not some abstract concept of ‘duty’ or ‘Empire,’ but you! If you show fear in front of them, they will think they should be afraid!” he hissed. Xanadu relaxed his grip on Lucius’ shoulders.
“It is okay for you to personally be afraid... I would fear for the sanity of any man who wasn’t afraid in times like these,” Xanadu’s voice, still quiet, said much more calmly. “But you must never show it... not in front of them! The courage of an invincible army is a weak facade, and like glass, with the slightest disturbance it can be easily broken.”
Lucius swallowed hard, and cleared his throat. I must act confident... I must act as if I know what I am doing...
It was about an hour later when Lucius was finally set up in his command tent. The army camps were barely thirty minutes away, it just took another thirty minutes to bring the relevant supplies and apportionments in as well. Rather than a heavy and ornate desk as several Imperial officers had suggested, Luke had asked for a very basic, light one that could be easily broken down and carried. In one corner sat a small bed...little more than a cot, once again at Lucius’ insistence. A chest of personal belongings lay beside the bed, including a few changes of clothes, a backup set of books, a spyglass (courtesy of a commander in the army from Iskeldrun... he thought it was a novelty, Lucius immediately seized on its possibilities), and most dear to him, the small and large magical books that Xanadu had given him and his beloved. These lay in front of him as he sat behind his desk, pondering.
Xanny said I can’t write in them yet... he needs to confirm if they’re working. How long will that take?! Lucius groaned. I want to hear from my love! She’s going north, with barely 5 people! He gave a sigh of annoyance, and pulled out again the papers he was supposed to be looking at: the force strengths of the troops under his command. Deciding perusing this would be a better way for him to work out that nervous energy, he began to read, noting a long and ever growing list of noble’s and retainers whom he did not recognize... till the third page...
Lord Thanteus Holgren... never heard of him... Sir San... Sir Santac? his mind jumped, remembering the kindly, older knight they helped defend Mephys with. Hmm... 559 spearmen, 15 mounted (various), 45 archers, 4 spellcasters (apprentice) he read, scrawled in a dutiful secretarial pen next to the noble’s name. He’s a veteran... if I have questions, I can always ask him as well...
A throat being cleared interrupted his thoughts, and Lucius looked up to see the tall form of Degedar, one of his attendants assigned by teh Empress, standing in the tent entrance, another form behind him.
“My Lord,” Degedar’s low tenor began with some annoyance, “there is a man here that says he knows you, and he will not leave till he has a chance to speak with you. He says he wants to be a body...”
“LUKE!” a familiar voice came from over the dour attendant’s shoulder, and Lucius chuckled as Quin Keldare shoved the man aside, holding out his arms expectantly.
“Quin, good man!” Luke was up, and dashed forward, giving the man a hug. He had liked Quin, and hadn’t seen him since the incident in the tavern in Obash. “Nice to see the Hieroneous people patched you up! What brings you here?”
“Oh... nothing,” Quin grinned, looking down. He brought his face back up, a full smile on it. “Just wanted to see if by chance you wanted to have a bodyguard on you. Your woman is kinda overprotective, y’know, so I thought she might appreciate it.” As he finished, Quin gave a rather confident pose, which caused Lucius to chuckle.
“Well, Tess has said you are an expert bodyguard, despite your lack of common sense, as she would say,” Luke grinned, “but an extra sword doesn’t hurt.” He leaned close to Quin, “but don’t go being reckless on me... If you die no one will be left to guard me against your vengeful sister!” Quin laughed.
“True... true,” Quin agreed. “But don’t worry about that... I don’t fall for pretty lasses swinging swords at me!”
Lucius thought of a quick, sharp rejoinder, but blocked himself from saying it. Too close to him still, I bet, he thought before the remark exited his lips. “Well, I also need a staff person also... someone to keep people orderly outside my tent... make sure only as many come in at a time as I want. You’ll do that too, m’kay?”
“Ah... crowd control. Something I bet every army commander wants.”
Several hours later, Xanadu finally came back to the tent, looking a mixture of relieved and annoyed.
“Hmmm?” Lucius asked, looking away from Quin and interrupting their rather ribald conversation about women.
“Well,” Xanadu sat down, “I’ve talked to some of the Imperial commanders... they agree tomorrow would be a good time for me to show myself to the troops...”
“As a dragon?” Quin asked, and Xanadu nodded. “Sweet Sune, I bet some of them are going to crap their pants!” he laughed.
“Well,” Lucius said after chuckling himself, “I’d rather they soil themselves here than when Xanadu does it on the battlefield. Xanny, are you going to wait to do this until after I have a chance to meet with the Imperial commanders?” The dragon nodded his half elven head.
“Very much so. Did you make some rounds like I asked you?” Xanadu said in a very fatherly tone. “It’d be better if the soldiers saw their commander before tomorrow arrives with a dragon in tow...”
“Yes,” Lucius groaned like a teen being grilled as to which tavern he’d visited, “I visited the northern and western parts of the camp... I’m guessing I managed to travel through half of the warbands. Maybe a little more. They’ve seen me at least, in full armor with a bodyguard in tow...” Lucius nodded to Quin.
“Ah... so you’re healthy and have a purpose?” Xanadu raised an eyebrow at Quin. “Well then. I’m going to test your message books and see how well they work.” Xanadu pulled another set of hte books from his cloak, and set them next to the ones that Lucius had been nervously eyeing most of the day. Unlike the one’s he used to communicate with Siabrey, these books were not black, they were green, with the mark and seal of hte Imperial Army on the front cover. Xanadu flipped open the army ones, and began scrawling... while Luke’s heart jumped into his chest with anticipation... and impatience. He walked up nervously beside the half elf as he poured out a message asking if the message was received.
“Um... Xanny... could you... um... hurry up and check the other one?” Lucius asked quietly, and Quin burst out laughing as he came over.
“Lucius, excuse me... m’lord,” he gave a graceful mock bow, “forgive me for saying this, but you’re whipped!”
Much later that night, Lucius stared at the simple black book still on his desk, and looked at the small message that his love would be receiving... “This is Xanadu. I want to make sure this works properly. Send a reply when you can.” It’d been two hours since the dragon had scrawled that in pen, and left Lucius with the strong instructions of, “Do not write in it until I have checked the reply!”
But why? What harm could a simple message I send of, ‘I love you hon,’ be? I mean really? he fumed. He glanced over at the quill still rising out of the wet inkwell. I should just write a message... just a short one. If she gets that, but no word from me, Siabrey will panic! But Xanny said I shouldn’t.... but if she’s panicking, he wouldn’t want that, would he? Lucius reasoned, grabbing the inkpen and scrawling his own message in ink underneath.
It was much longer than Xanadu’s but much shorter than he wanted to write. Other than a simple greetings, it had an update that as far as he knew, Alexander and the Empress were having words over what had happened the day before; It was a rumor, he couldn’t substantiate it, but he knew it would set Siabrey, Shaun, and Tess at ease. He also mentioned the Imperial commanders meeting for the first time, and finished the note with his signature.
There! A nice short note so they know I’m doing fine! he thought proudly, giving a yawn. He glanced over towards the bed, hearing it calling for him... and the bed reminded him of something else.
I miss Siabrey... her mind murmured sadly. I miss her smell... her smile... her touch... Within a few minutes, he had delved into a new squalor of despair, and nearly started crying for his love when he looked down at his hands... and the memory of a conversation they’d had rose in his mind...
”Hon... I know how to write magic... and you can detect it.” he had murmured into her ear while they laid side by side the previous night. ”I’ll write my love notes in magic... so only your lovely eyes can read them,” he’d purred, and his mind gleefully brought back the memory of the feeling of her cheek on his lips, and the smile and laugh she gave after his statement. It was not hard for her sultry response to come up from within his memory, ”And as I have the book... I write all the replies. None of them shall see them... so be as... descriptive... as you want.” A flood of rather intense and happy memories flowed through his mind of the events immediately following the conversation, and he quickly pulled a few mundane items from his spell-pouch, which was stacked with his armor.
Dashing back over to the desk, he put a glob of the mess combined with his spittle on his index finger, and the end of his finger tingled with magical energy as the glob disappeared. He made incantations to detect magic, and was rewarded with seeing his fingertip glow marginally. Using it as a quill, he began to write another, far more personal message. He tossed in all of the feelings of love he had stacked in his heart... He glanced around his tent, and noticing it was bare of any portraits, he closed his eyes and imagined a portrait of his wife by the chest and smiled. That fell into the private letter as well. After he was finished (it was far longer than the official letter from him, and the writing stretched up into the margins and along the sides of the pager), he signed it, “Your love, A Truly Lucky Man.”
Now satisfied, he made sure the ink was dry, and then closed the book for the evening. Sleep came with difficulty, as he was eagerly expecting the reply he thought would be inside in the morning...
At the request of some of the party, I’ve also written a narrative of Lucius, Elenya, Quin, and Xanadu as to what they were doing whilst the PCs were further north. So... consider this an exta story.
I'll put the titles of these sections in red, and the text in yellow, to differentiate them from the main story..A Boy Takes Command
Meanwhile...
Lucius was strong... he managed to hold himself together until Siabrey left the room, before he let his tears fall... tears or loneliness, and most importantly, tears of fear.
Siabrey... I’m already scared, he thought as he finished donning his armor. I’ve never done anything like this before! I played soldier with my friends as a boy... but never any real battles! Silently, he sank onto the still unmade bed, and buried his face in his hands.
“It’s too much,” he mumbled aloud, “too much!” The Empress hates me, they tried to kill my love, and my own mother wants to destroy all I love... it’s all too much! His sobbing was loud enough he did not hear a soft knocking at the door a few hours later, or notice the door opening and a tall half elf walk beside him. A kind hand touched his shoulder, as Xanadu’s sigh filled the room.
“It’s... it’s ok,” the dragon said quietly, sitting down next to Luke. “You shall see her again... and you shall do fine tomorrow and in the coming days.” He is alone in his mind. Xanadu pulled the young man close and gave him a fatherly hug, “I trust you... Siabrey trusts you, we all do. If I didn’t,” he pulled back, pushing Lucius’ tear streaked face up so he could look into his green eyes, “I would have insisted on commanding myself.” He gave a grin, and his heart jumped a little when Lucius’ worn face gave a slight grin in matching.
“Good,” Xanadu looked at him, before pulling a kerchief out of his pocket. “Here... dry off your face. You have to meet your soldiers soon.” Lucius stiffened, noticeably, and began quickly cleaning the tears from his face.
“Can’t let them see me like this,” he said nervously. “I don’t want them to think they’re lead by a bawling fool.” Xanadu gave a short laugh, and stood up, pulling Lucius up with him.
“You’re not a bawling fool, boy,” he smiled, taking the same kerchief to wipe off dust and grit from Luke’s armor. “You’re a Count... a noble within the Holy Santoric Empire, and commander of two score thousand men. Whenever you get scared, remember that,” Xanadu pointed.
“What if that is what scares me?” Lucius asked as the two began leaving the room. “What if I mess up? What if I fail?” His voice began to get wobbly again, and Xanadu spun around, and grabbed both his shoulders. The wizard pulled Lucius down an inch or two until their eyes were completely level, and his brassy orbs bored directly through Lucius’ green eyes until they found his very soul.
“You must never think about that!” Xanadu said quietly, forcefully, as he shook Lucius slightly. “Your soldiers gain their confidence, their will to victory... from you! Not some abstract concept of ‘duty’ or ‘Empire,’ but you! If you show fear in front of them, they will think they should be afraid!” he hissed. Xanadu relaxed his grip on Lucius’ shoulders.
“It is okay for you to personally be afraid... I would fear for the sanity of any man who wasn’t afraid in times like these,” Xanadu’s voice, still quiet, said much more calmly. “But you must never show it... not in front of them! The courage of an invincible army is a weak facade, and like glass, with the slightest disturbance it can be easily broken.”
Lucius swallowed hard, and cleared his throat. I must act confident... I must act as if I know what I am doing...
It was about an hour later when Lucius was finally set up in his command tent. The army camps were barely thirty minutes away, it just took another thirty minutes to bring the relevant supplies and apportionments in as well. Rather than a heavy and ornate desk as several Imperial officers had suggested, Luke had asked for a very basic, light one that could be easily broken down and carried. In one corner sat a small bed...little more than a cot, once again at Lucius’ insistence. A chest of personal belongings lay beside the bed, including a few changes of clothes, a backup set of books, a spyglass (courtesy of a commander in the army from Iskeldrun... he thought it was a novelty, Lucius immediately seized on its possibilities), and most dear to him, the small and large magical books that Xanadu had given him and his beloved. These lay in front of him as he sat behind his desk, pondering.
Xanny said I can’t write in them yet... he needs to confirm if they’re working. How long will that take?! Lucius groaned. I want to hear from my love! She’s going north, with barely 5 people! He gave a sigh of annoyance, and pulled out again the papers he was supposed to be looking at: the force strengths of the troops under his command. Deciding perusing this would be a better way for him to work out that nervous energy, he began to read, noting a long and ever growing list of noble’s and retainers whom he did not recognize... till the third page...
Lord Thanteus Holgren... never heard of him... Sir San... Sir Santac? his mind jumped, remembering the kindly, older knight they helped defend Mephys with. Hmm... 559 spearmen, 15 mounted (various), 45 archers, 4 spellcasters (apprentice) he read, scrawled in a dutiful secretarial pen next to the noble’s name. He’s a veteran... if I have questions, I can always ask him as well...
A throat being cleared interrupted his thoughts, and Lucius looked up to see the tall form of Degedar, one of his attendants assigned by teh Empress, standing in the tent entrance, another form behind him.
“My Lord,” Degedar’s low tenor began with some annoyance, “there is a man here that says he knows you, and he will not leave till he has a chance to speak with you. He says he wants to be a body...”
“LUKE!” a familiar voice came from over the dour attendant’s shoulder, and Lucius chuckled as Quin Keldare shoved the man aside, holding out his arms expectantly.
“Quin, good man!” Luke was up, and dashed forward, giving the man a hug. He had liked Quin, and hadn’t seen him since the incident in the tavern in Obash. “Nice to see the Hieroneous people patched you up! What brings you here?”
“Oh... nothing,” Quin grinned, looking down. He brought his face back up, a full smile on it. “Just wanted to see if by chance you wanted to have a bodyguard on you. Your woman is kinda overprotective, y’know, so I thought she might appreciate it.” As he finished, Quin gave a rather confident pose, which caused Lucius to chuckle.
“Well, Tess has said you are an expert bodyguard, despite your lack of common sense, as she would say,” Luke grinned, “but an extra sword doesn’t hurt.” He leaned close to Quin, “but don’t go being reckless on me... If you die no one will be left to guard me against your vengeful sister!” Quin laughed.
“True... true,” Quin agreed. “But don’t worry about that... I don’t fall for pretty lasses swinging swords at me!”
Lucius thought of a quick, sharp rejoinder, but blocked himself from saying it. Too close to him still, I bet, he thought before the remark exited his lips. “Well, I also need a staff person also... someone to keep people orderly outside my tent... make sure only as many come in at a time as I want. You’ll do that too, m’kay?”
“Ah... crowd control. Something I bet every army commander wants.”
Several hours later, Xanadu finally came back to the tent, looking a mixture of relieved and annoyed.
“Hmmm?” Lucius asked, looking away from Quin and interrupting their rather ribald conversation about women.
“Well,” Xanadu sat down, “I’ve talked to some of the Imperial commanders... they agree tomorrow would be a good time for me to show myself to the troops...”
“As a dragon?” Quin asked, and Xanadu nodded. “Sweet Sune, I bet some of them are going to crap their pants!” he laughed.
“Well,” Lucius said after chuckling himself, “I’d rather they soil themselves here than when Xanadu does it on the battlefield. Xanny, are you going to wait to do this until after I have a chance to meet with the Imperial commanders?” The dragon nodded his half elven head.
“Very much so. Did you make some rounds like I asked you?” Xanadu said in a very fatherly tone. “It’d be better if the soldiers saw their commander before tomorrow arrives with a dragon in tow...”
“Yes,” Lucius groaned like a teen being grilled as to which tavern he’d visited, “I visited the northern and western parts of the camp... I’m guessing I managed to travel through half of the warbands. Maybe a little more. They’ve seen me at least, in full armor with a bodyguard in tow...” Lucius nodded to Quin.
“Ah... so you’re healthy and have a purpose?” Xanadu raised an eyebrow at Quin. “Well then. I’m going to test your message books and see how well they work.” Xanadu pulled another set of hte books from his cloak, and set them next to the ones that Lucius had been nervously eyeing most of the day. Unlike the one’s he used to communicate with Siabrey, these books were not black, they were green, with the mark and seal of hte Imperial Army on the front cover. Xanadu flipped open the army ones, and began scrawling... while Luke’s heart jumped into his chest with anticipation... and impatience. He walked up nervously beside the half elf as he poured out a message asking if the message was received.
“Um... Xanny... could you... um... hurry up and check the other one?” Lucius asked quietly, and Quin burst out laughing as he came over.
“Lucius, excuse me... m’lord,” he gave a graceful mock bow, “forgive me for saying this, but you’re whipped!”
Much later that night, Lucius stared at the simple black book still on his desk, and looked at the small message that his love would be receiving... “This is Xanadu. I want to make sure this works properly. Send a reply when you can.” It’d been two hours since the dragon had scrawled that in pen, and left Lucius with the strong instructions of, “Do not write in it until I have checked the reply!”
But why? What harm could a simple message I send of, ‘I love you hon,’ be? I mean really? he fumed. He glanced over at the quill still rising out of the wet inkwell. I should just write a message... just a short one. If she gets that, but no word from me, Siabrey will panic! But Xanny said I shouldn’t.... but if she’s panicking, he wouldn’t want that, would he? Lucius reasoned, grabbing the inkpen and scrawling his own message in ink underneath.
It was much longer than Xanadu’s but much shorter than he wanted to write. Other than a simple greetings, it had an update that as far as he knew, Alexander and the Empress were having words over what had happened the day before; It was a rumor, he couldn’t substantiate it, but he knew it would set Siabrey, Shaun, and Tess at ease. He also mentioned the Imperial commanders meeting for the first time, and finished the note with his signature.
There! A nice short note so they know I’m doing fine! he thought proudly, giving a yawn. He glanced over towards the bed, hearing it calling for him... and the bed reminded him of something else.
I miss Siabrey... her mind murmured sadly. I miss her smell... her smile... her touch... Within a few minutes, he had delved into a new squalor of despair, and nearly started crying for his love when he looked down at his hands... and the memory of a conversation they’d had rose in his mind...
”Hon... I know how to write magic... and you can detect it.” he had murmured into her ear while they laid side by side the previous night. ”I’ll write my love notes in magic... so only your lovely eyes can read them,” he’d purred, and his mind gleefully brought back the memory of the feeling of her cheek on his lips, and the smile and laugh she gave after his statement. It was not hard for her sultry response to come up from within his memory, ”And as I have the book... I write all the replies. None of them shall see them... so be as... descriptive... as you want.” A flood of rather intense and happy memories flowed through his mind of the events immediately following the conversation, and he quickly pulled a few mundane items from his spell-pouch, which was stacked with his armor.
Dashing back over to the desk, he put a glob of the mess combined with his spittle on his index finger, and the end of his finger tingled with magical energy as the glob disappeared. He made incantations to detect magic, and was rewarded with seeing his fingertip glow marginally. Using it as a quill, he began to write another, far more personal message. He tossed in all of the feelings of love he had stacked in his heart... He glanced around his tent, and noticing it was bare of any portraits, he closed his eyes and imagined a portrait of his wife by the chest and smiled. That fell into the private letter as well. After he was finished (it was far longer than the official letter from him, and the writing stretched up into the margins and along the sides of the pager), he signed it, “Your love, A Truly Lucky Man.”
Now satisfied, he made sure the ink was dry, and then closed the book for the evening. Sleep came with difficulty, as he was eagerly expecting the reply he thought would be inside in the morning...
Emperor Valerian
First Post
An Error of Teleportation, An Error of Party Membership
The first words from someone in the party actually came from the seemingly unflappable Aeron, who let loose with a bristling barrage of curses, going so far as to even kick several logs laying nearby on the forest floor.
“Hmm...” Grumki said, nodding at the wizard, “Aeron might be a pansy, but the strength of Kord sometimes requires swearing.” The wizard was too caught up in his fury to hear Grumki’s comment.
“Dammit!” he finished up two minutes later, “I told those daft fools to fix it, but noooo...”
Tess and Shaun had been previously watching in semi-amazed silence at his rant, until the most recent phrase left his lips. Immediately Siabrey and Tess had gripped his shoulder.
“Fixed what?” Siabrey’s flat voice asked dangerously. “Whose a daft fool? For his part, Aeron rather foolishly continued to sputter and rant, finally letting slip that the idiots were in Irulas and at the manor.
“Who dammit! Who!” Siabrey grabbed his shoulders rather uncivilly and shook them. “And where THE HELL ARE WE!?” Enough of this stupid ranting crap! Names, Places, People!
NOW!
The wizard shake himself free from her grip, and with a huff adjusted his robes till they were in the proper location. His eyes reflected a dangerous demand to never have his clothes touched again; Siabrey merely growled at him.
“Considering the manor teleporter was the small one, we shouldn’t be far off. Perhaps five miles at most?” he paused thinking for a second. “If this had been between two larger teleporters, we could have easily...”
“5 MILES?!” the fighter’s voiced roiled dangerously, her mind entering a cursing tirade of its own on the uselessness of court mages. There is entirely too much at stake here for stupid crap like this bull****! She took a pointed sigh, to try and calm herself down, but to Tess and Shaun, the sigh itself even sounded dangerously close to frothing rage. Dark thoughts as to what may have caused this ran through her mind. I’ve seen assassins, warriors, and spies after us... now... saboteurs...
“Siabrey,” Tess said softly, till she realized the fighter was somehow keeping herself in control, despite the murderous anger in her eyes. The bard gave a sigh of her own. “I’m going to levitate up, and see if I can see the manor. The family manor is a castle, isn’t it?” she asked, and Aeron nodded absently, still focused on his detractor on the ground.
“Who could have caused this?” Siabrey’s asked, her voice seemingly quiet and even.
Aeron turned his head to the side, before waving his hand dismissively with a chuckle. “No, my misunderstanding bladeling. Not who... ‘what?’ is the proper question we should answer. Would you like the full explanation, or the layman’s one for you... magically disinclined mind,” he leaned towards her, a smile of utter superiority on his face.
“Full,” she leaned back to him, the single word covered in venom. He leaned back, let out a laugh, and started, just before a cry came from above.
“I see it!” Tess’ figure floating some fifty feet up was gesticulating towards the north. “Its thataway! There’s a road that goes up that way, about three hundred feet behind Aeron! We should take it!” The bard was already floating back down towards the ground.
“Thank you, Tess!” Shaun yelled, as Grumki groaned, “The strength of Kord requires accuracy at times like these.”
“You, fair... beast,” Aeron finally decided on a title for Grumki, “should listen well too. Laymen have a hard time understanding, I shall explain as we go, if that is no problem.”
“First time you said something reasonable all damn day,” Siabrey hissed, as Grumki starting looming on hearing Aeron’s title. The wizard ignored the half orc, and Shaun began wondering how long it would be before Aeron would be beaten into a bowl by the fighter and cleric...
“...and the power-flux capacitors, if they are improperly aligned, cause a magical resonance. This resonance then can overwhelm the smaller chamber, causing a discharge of Novistro-Magistrum particles, creating up to a 4.8% error in teleportation efficiency,” Aeron finished some fifteen dull minutes later. Grumki had taken the point to simply ride further behind, while Shaun long ago had ridden to the opposite side of Aeron from Siabrey and made mocking faces behind his back.
“Now that you’ve been sufficiently confused, I shall tell you the version you should have asked for... the lay version,” Aeron said, his face once again high enough that he looked straight down his nose at Siabrey.
“Simply... the teleporters have to be magically in sync. This is especially true when one is using a larger, more powerful teleporter in coordination with a smaller, less powerful one. In this case, some dafty in Irulas did not properly sync the more powerful one there, and the smaller one at the manor found itself overwhelmed with magical force... causing our mis-landing and likely breaking the smaller one. I may be forced to stay at the manor to repair the smaller one so you can use it on your return trip... and unfortunately, my assistant won’t be able to completely provide the competent leadership this expedition needs...”
“JUST ONE MINUTE!” Siabrey roared. “First,” she leaned dangerously close to Aeron, “you have continually insulted our mental capacity! Then, you insulted our combat capacity! Are YOU the daft one!? Who the hell is going to keep some errant archer from doing the world a damn favor and sending your putrid corpse...”
“Siabrey,” Tess held up and trotted back towards where the fighter’s rant, all of her pent up fury at Aeron’s dandyisms, continued to explode. “Siabrey,” Tess said a little more forcefully, as she grabbed the reins to Siabrey’s horse and pulled her further. “No killing court mages!” Tess said aloud, though under her breath, just so Siabrey could hear, “at least not until he’s fixed the teleportation chamber.”
In the meantime, Grumki had ridden forward, and was now beside Aeron... with the ‘Intimidation of Kord’ now in full swing. His loud talking, mostly on how Kord wanted people to treat each other, continued on for several minutes. Contrary to cowing the wayward wizard, Grumki’s voice and admonishments seemed to merely irritate him.
“...because of this, the strength of Kord does not require those with sharp minds to mock others. It is blasphemous for one whose strength is so small to...”
Grumki’s lips continued to move for a few moments, before he realized no sound was coming out. As Aeron lowered his hands, magic ebbing from them, Grumki began gesticulating wildly, furiously, for Aeron to cancel the silence spell he’d placed on the half orc.
“Dear Beast,” Aeron said airily, “do not presume to lecture me on a rubbish religion I do not believe, and please... talk in a quieter tone? I am enjoying the silence now, you’ll get your voice back in due time,” Aeron smiled to himself.
Siabrey and Tess both heard the sudden end of Grumki’s voice in mid sentence, and turned. Upon seeing his wild gestures, Siabrey guessed what had happened, and her mount was immediately beside Aeron’s.
“Fix what your did to Grumki!” the fighter ordered, her voice cold. The only reason she did not draw her katana was Tess’ admonition a few minutes prior to be civil. “If you don’t, I will treat you as a threat to everyone else here!” she warned, her nostrils flaring. These are my friends. They will help me protect Lucius. If you are threatening them, you are threatening Lucius... and you will not threaten my Lucius!
Great, Shaun thought sarcastically. Siabrey’s ticked... if he knows what’s good for him...
“Why should I fix it? He’s stopped his prattle. And who are you, fire one, to threaten me?” Aeron daintily gestured to Siabrey and then himself respectively, even as his eyes belied a challenge to her.
Grumki, in the meantime, grew annoyed enough to draw his warhammer, and raise it over his head. As he waved it around menacingly, Aeron’s hand flashed out again, and the hammer became extremely hot... too hot for even Grumki, and with a yelp that did not sound, he dropped the weapon.
Just as Siabrey’s katana sliced through the air, its arc ending only a half inch from Aeron’s throat.
“You WILL stop casting spells on party members,” her voice said in a frightening deadpan, “or I’ll slice your throat before you get the chance to really hurt anyone!” Her eyes did not bely anger or conflict... merely the red calm of the desert sands, and the wind’s mighty resolve to destroy what was in its way. I WILL kill you, bastard!
“Siabrey!” Shaun yelled, as both he and Tess saw her blade flash through the air and imagined the worst. Once it stopped barely beyond the wizard’s throat, they galloped alongside. Dammit! You were supposed to just threaten him... not go this close to actually HURTING him!
“Siabrey, if you hurt him, you’re acting just like him!” Tess called worriedly. She’s been intense like this all trip! She’s nearing the same precipice I did so many times... In response to their pleas, they see Siabrey’s face merely drain of color, the red in her eyes far more prominent as her blade remained inches from his now sweaty throat.
“Undo the magic... or I will kill you,” Siabrey repeated, ignoring her friends. Aeron’s hands made a few silent movements, and his mouth opened and closed nearly silently, prompting Siabrey’s blade to close the half inch gap slowly. Now the wizard felt the cold pressure of a newly sharpened katana on his windpipe. As he looked up at Siabrey, her eyes flared.
“Siabrey!” Tess yelled at her, afraid to reach for the katana. She’s in a state like madness... she might just slit his throat if I try to take the blade away!
“Siabrey... cool... calm,” Shaun edged by her, saying softly and soothingly. He alone noticed her blade lower imperceptibly, and reached out and gently lowered it more...
...and then Aeron vanished.
“What the hell!?” Grumki shouted, a fact only noticed a few seconds later, the party was so focused on the noises coming from above.
“You cretins! You... HOW DARE YOU TREAT ME, A COURT WIZARD OF EMPRESS ZOE, IN SUCH A...” Aeron’s invisible form sputtered for words, “...IGNOMINIOUS FASHION! BARBARIC BEASTS! YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT HER MAJESTY WILL RECIEVE A FULL REPORT OF YOUR DASTARDLY BEHAVIORS! IT IS ONLY UNDER THE COMMAND OF HER BROTHER THAT I WILL FIX THE DAMN TELEPORTATION CHAMBER FOR YOU, YOU SONS OF BASTARD BROTHELWOMEN!”
Siabrey, with her unique vision, was the one who noticed the magical residue of a man, levitating above the ground, was rushing off to the north, towards the castle. Once properly pointed, Shaun promptly gave the outgoing wizard a one finger salute with gusto.
The soft shing of metal sliding against wood caught Tess’ attention, and she looked to see Siabrey sheathing her blade. Tess’ eyes were filled with worry. That kind of anger is a path you need to stay away from... I can tell you that, she wanted to say to her friend.
“Siabrey? Would you have really killed him?” she asked quietly, as Grumki and Shaun continued to shout insults at the invisible wizard.
Siabrey's serious face flashed a brilliant smile. "If I wanted to kill him, instead of grabbing my blade you would have had to grab a flying head."
As the party reached the castle, the woods parted sufficiently for them to take in the sight. The castle was small... a converted border fort, no doubt, with a small curtain wall of four towers, and a keep/great hall in the middle. Outside of its walls, however, was where they found their guide.
A doe headed woman, clad in hides and bark, leaned by a tree near the entrance. As the party approached she cautiously stepped out, calling out Shaun’s name.
“Yes? I am Shaun Dice,” he replied, and she gave a smile of relief.
“Good,” her voice, a nice mezzo-soprano, smiled, “Yours was the only name I could remember out of the group, no offense to you others,” she nodded.
“None taken, m’lady,” Tess said, and then promptly introduced everyone.
“My name is Ashikaga Iranami... you may call me Iranami, if you like,” she gave a bow. “My people did not join the other peoples of Ak Konlyu in declaring war on the Empire... and I am pleased to see you did not greet me with blades upraised, as too many travellers have done in the past few weeks.”
“Our... acquaintance, Aeron, told us of you,” Tess finally settled on a proper term for the irascible wizard.
“Ah,” she gave a distant smile, “I hope he treated you more civilly than he treats other people.”
“No,” Siabrey said sharply, and Iranami shook her head.
“He is that way. He is full of himself, and thinks only of his own advancement... it is too bad, he is truly gifted with magic. He flew by here several hours ago and said you all were ‘cretins,’ which made me guess you were right normal!” she laughed. Not caring if Aeron heard, the rest of the party joined in... and to Tess and Shaun’s relief, that included Siabrey.
Good... she needs to be slightly less intense over the next few days... they both thought, as Iranami continued.
“I shall lead you north. There are several hours of sunlight left... perhaps we might get a few miles in. The summer manor the Lord and Lady were staying at is a two day ride from here.. not too far.”
As the group trotted along the forest paths, (Iranami riding on back of Siabrey’s horse) the party questioned her about her past, as they told her their own. They discovered she was from one of the closest of the Ak Konylu kingdoms, and that she found her calling towards nature at age 10. She had wandered over the mountains, and settled in these forests to get away from politics and focus on tending her love. Politics, it seemed, had instead followed her, and the Empire had held her on retainer for some time, offering to leave sections of the woods uncut in return for her doing intelligence work in the mountains, and now tracking other ‘mongrels’ (she used the term in distaste) that had crossed over since the war had begun.
That night and the next day held little in the way of activity, other than riding. At one point, Tess spotted far off a fox headed man, who galloped away before the party could get anywhere close to him. Unnerved, extra watches were set that night.
On her watch, Siabrey pulled open the book’s given to her by Xanadu... the second timet she’d checked them. The previous time, shortly after Aeron’s... disruption... of the party, she had been utterly disappointed there had been no reply. As she stopped tending the group’s fire and gently opened the pages, she gave a small shriek.
Scrawled at the top of the page, in decidedly draconic Common, was the small phrase, ”Dear Friends,
This is Xanadu. I want to make sure that these books work properly. Send a reply when you can.”
This however did not cause her to jump... instead, it was the writing below. The first part, written in pen, read:
“Dear Friends,
Xanadu has told me to wait before writing in here, but I couldn’t resist. It has only been a day, and they tell me you should be only two days from your destination! I sincerely hope you are all doing well. Alexander and the Empress are having words as we speak over her behavior; supposedly she is going to let him go with her instead of banishing him to a minor army command... perhaps that will save us from disaster.
I cannot write long tonight. Tomorrow early I have to meet with the Imperial commanders for the first time to plan our march, and find out any new information about the Countess and her allies. Should anything relevant come up, I shall let you all know.
Be safe!
Lucius”
And underneath that, scrawled in magical ink that now only Siabrey could read, was a far more personal message:
”My Love – It is hard for me to believe that right now I am married... to the bravest and most beautiful woman in the world... and that I can still talk to you despite the miles that separate us. My one major regret is that we did not have more time before we separated... I would have had a painting commissioned of you, so I could carry it with my tent, and always be able to gaze upon a distant reflection of your beauty, and at least that way feel your warmth.. I don’t know how I would have paid for the painting... but financial matters are to be set aside in times like these.
As is, your face preoccupies my mind and memories... and that is what keeps me going it seems. Even when the Imperial commanders look down upon me, or the Empress starts making eyes in my direction, you keep me strong. I know what I fight for... not only for my title and people... but for you. And should the Empress try anything against you, the Imperial crown will quickly find a new head to rest upon... but my anger grows too much. I miss you, my darling. My hopes and life revolve around you, love... so wing safe, and come safely back to me.
Your love,
A Truly Lucky Man”
When Shaun awoke to take next watch, he found Siabrey tracing along an empty page in her large book, a smile on her face, and a tear coursing down her cheek.
The first words from someone in the party actually came from the seemingly unflappable Aeron, who let loose with a bristling barrage of curses, going so far as to even kick several logs laying nearby on the forest floor.
“Hmm...” Grumki said, nodding at the wizard, “Aeron might be a pansy, but the strength of Kord sometimes requires swearing.” The wizard was too caught up in his fury to hear Grumki’s comment.
“Dammit!” he finished up two minutes later, “I told those daft fools to fix it, but noooo...”
Tess and Shaun had been previously watching in semi-amazed silence at his rant, until the most recent phrase left his lips. Immediately Siabrey and Tess had gripped his shoulder.
“Fixed what?” Siabrey’s flat voice asked dangerously. “Whose a daft fool? For his part, Aeron rather foolishly continued to sputter and rant, finally letting slip that the idiots were in Irulas and at the manor.
“Who dammit! Who!” Siabrey grabbed his shoulders rather uncivilly and shook them. “And where THE HELL ARE WE!?” Enough of this stupid ranting crap! Names, Places, People!
NOW!
The wizard shake himself free from her grip, and with a huff adjusted his robes till they were in the proper location. His eyes reflected a dangerous demand to never have his clothes touched again; Siabrey merely growled at him.
“Considering the manor teleporter was the small one, we shouldn’t be far off. Perhaps five miles at most?” he paused thinking for a second. “If this had been between two larger teleporters, we could have easily...”
“5 MILES?!” the fighter’s voiced roiled dangerously, her mind entering a cursing tirade of its own on the uselessness of court mages. There is entirely too much at stake here for stupid crap like this bull****! She took a pointed sigh, to try and calm herself down, but to Tess and Shaun, the sigh itself even sounded dangerously close to frothing rage. Dark thoughts as to what may have caused this ran through her mind. I’ve seen assassins, warriors, and spies after us... now... saboteurs...
“Siabrey,” Tess said softly, till she realized the fighter was somehow keeping herself in control, despite the murderous anger in her eyes. The bard gave a sigh of her own. “I’m going to levitate up, and see if I can see the manor. The family manor is a castle, isn’t it?” she asked, and Aeron nodded absently, still focused on his detractor on the ground.
“Who could have caused this?” Siabrey’s asked, her voice seemingly quiet and even.
Aeron turned his head to the side, before waving his hand dismissively with a chuckle. “No, my misunderstanding bladeling. Not who... ‘what?’ is the proper question we should answer. Would you like the full explanation, or the layman’s one for you... magically disinclined mind,” he leaned towards her, a smile of utter superiority on his face.
“Full,” she leaned back to him, the single word covered in venom. He leaned back, let out a laugh, and started, just before a cry came from above.
“I see it!” Tess’ figure floating some fifty feet up was gesticulating towards the north. “Its thataway! There’s a road that goes up that way, about three hundred feet behind Aeron! We should take it!” The bard was already floating back down towards the ground.
“Thank you, Tess!” Shaun yelled, as Grumki groaned, “The strength of Kord requires accuracy at times like these.”
“You, fair... beast,” Aeron finally decided on a title for Grumki, “should listen well too. Laymen have a hard time understanding, I shall explain as we go, if that is no problem.”
“First time you said something reasonable all damn day,” Siabrey hissed, as Grumki starting looming on hearing Aeron’s title. The wizard ignored the half orc, and Shaun began wondering how long it would be before Aeron would be beaten into a bowl by the fighter and cleric...
“...and the power-flux capacitors, if they are improperly aligned, cause a magical resonance. This resonance then can overwhelm the smaller chamber, causing a discharge of Novistro-Magistrum particles, creating up to a 4.8% error in teleportation efficiency,” Aeron finished some fifteen dull minutes later. Grumki had taken the point to simply ride further behind, while Shaun long ago had ridden to the opposite side of Aeron from Siabrey and made mocking faces behind his back.
“Now that you’ve been sufficiently confused, I shall tell you the version you should have asked for... the lay version,” Aeron said, his face once again high enough that he looked straight down his nose at Siabrey.
“Simply... the teleporters have to be magically in sync. This is especially true when one is using a larger, more powerful teleporter in coordination with a smaller, less powerful one. In this case, some dafty in Irulas did not properly sync the more powerful one there, and the smaller one at the manor found itself overwhelmed with magical force... causing our mis-landing and likely breaking the smaller one. I may be forced to stay at the manor to repair the smaller one so you can use it on your return trip... and unfortunately, my assistant won’t be able to completely provide the competent leadership this expedition needs...”
“JUST ONE MINUTE!” Siabrey roared. “First,” she leaned dangerously close to Aeron, “you have continually insulted our mental capacity! Then, you insulted our combat capacity! Are YOU the daft one!? Who the hell is going to keep some errant archer from doing the world a damn favor and sending your putrid corpse...”
“Siabrey,” Tess held up and trotted back towards where the fighter’s rant, all of her pent up fury at Aeron’s dandyisms, continued to explode. “Siabrey,” Tess said a little more forcefully, as she grabbed the reins to Siabrey’s horse and pulled her further. “No killing court mages!” Tess said aloud, though under her breath, just so Siabrey could hear, “at least not until he’s fixed the teleportation chamber.”
In the meantime, Grumki had ridden forward, and was now beside Aeron... with the ‘Intimidation of Kord’ now in full swing. His loud talking, mostly on how Kord wanted people to treat each other, continued on for several minutes. Contrary to cowing the wayward wizard, Grumki’s voice and admonishments seemed to merely irritate him.
“...because of this, the strength of Kord does not require those with sharp minds to mock others. It is blasphemous for one whose strength is so small to...”
Grumki’s lips continued to move for a few moments, before he realized no sound was coming out. As Aeron lowered his hands, magic ebbing from them, Grumki began gesticulating wildly, furiously, for Aeron to cancel the silence spell he’d placed on the half orc.
“Dear Beast,” Aeron said airily, “do not presume to lecture me on a rubbish religion I do not believe, and please... talk in a quieter tone? I am enjoying the silence now, you’ll get your voice back in due time,” Aeron smiled to himself.
Siabrey and Tess both heard the sudden end of Grumki’s voice in mid sentence, and turned. Upon seeing his wild gestures, Siabrey guessed what had happened, and her mount was immediately beside Aeron’s.
“Fix what your did to Grumki!” the fighter ordered, her voice cold. The only reason she did not draw her katana was Tess’ admonition a few minutes prior to be civil. “If you don’t, I will treat you as a threat to everyone else here!” she warned, her nostrils flaring. These are my friends. They will help me protect Lucius. If you are threatening them, you are threatening Lucius... and you will not threaten my Lucius!
Great, Shaun thought sarcastically. Siabrey’s ticked... if he knows what’s good for him...
“Why should I fix it? He’s stopped his prattle. And who are you, fire one, to threaten me?” Aeron daintily gestured to Siabrey and then himself respectively, even as his eyes belied a challenge to her.
Grumki, in the meantime, grew annoyed enough to draw his warhammer, and raise it over his head. As he waved it around menacingly, Aeron’s hand flashed out again, and the hammer became extremely hot... too hot for even Grumki, and with a yelp that did not sound, he dropped the weapon.
Just as Siabrey’s katana sliced through the air, its arc ending only a half inch from Aeron’s throat.
“You WILL stop casting spells on party members,” her voice said in a frightening deadpan, “or I’ll slice your throat before you get the chance to really hurt anyone!” Her eyes did not bely anger or conflict... merely the red calm of the desert sands, and the wind’s mighty resolve to destroy what was in its way. I WILL kill you, bastard!
“Siabrey!” Shaun yelled, as both he and Tess saw her blade flash through the air and imagined the worst. Once it stopped barely beyond the wizard’s throat, they galloped alongside. Dammit! You were supposed to just threaten him... not go this close to actually HURTING him!
“Siabrey, if you hurt him, you’re acting just like him!” Tess called worriedly. She’s been intense like this all trip! She’s nearing the same precipice I did so many times... In response to their pleas, they see Siabrey’s face merely drain of color, the red in her eyes far more prominent as her blade remained inches from his now sweaty throat.
“Undo the magic... or I will kill you,” Siabrey repeated, ignoring her friends. Aeron’s hands made a few silent movements, and his mouth opened and closed nearly silently, prompting Siabrey’s blade to close the half inch gap slowly. Now the wizard felt the cold pressure of a newly sharpened katana on his windpipe. As he looked up at Siabrey, her eyes flared.
“Siabrey!” Tess yelled at her, afraid to reach for the katana. She’s in a state like madness... she might just slit his throat if I try to take the blade away!
“Siabrey... cool... calm,” Shaun edged by her, saying softly and soothingly. He alone noticed her blade lower imperceptibly, and reached out and gently lowered it more...
...and then Aeron vanished.
“What the hell!?” Grumki shouted, a fact only noticed a few seconds later, the party was so focused on the noises coming from above.
“You cretins! You... HOW DARE YOU TREAT ME, A COURT WIZARD OF EMPRESS ZOE, IN SUCH A...” Aeron’s invisible form sputtered for words, “...IGNOMINIOUS FASHION! BARBARIC BEASTS! YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT HER MAJESTY WILL RECIEVE A FULL REPORT OF YOUR DASTARDLY BEHAVIORS! IT IS ONLY UNDER THE COMMAND OF HER BROTHER THAT I WILL FIX THE DAMN TELEPORTATION CHAMBER FOR YOU, YOU SONS OF BASTARD BROTHELWOMEN!”
Siabrey, with her unique vision, was the one who noticed the magical residue of a man, levitating above the ground, was rushing off to the north, towards the castle. Once properly pointed, Shaun promptly gave the outgoing wizard a one finger salute with gusto.
The soft shing of metal sliding against wood caught Tess’ attention, and she looked to see Siabrey sheathing her blade. Tess’ eyes were filled with worry. That kind of anger is a path you need to stay away from... I can tell you that, she wanted to say to her friend.
“Siabrey? Would you have really killed him?” she asked quietly, as Grumki and Shaun continued to shout insults at the invisible wizard.
Siabrey's serious face flashed a brilliant smile. "If I wanted to kill him, instead of grabbing my blade you would have had to grab a flying head."
As the party reached the castle, the woods parted sufficiently for them to take in the sight. The castle was small... a converted border fort, no doubt, with a small curtain wall of four towers, and a keep/great hall in the middle. Outside of its walls, however, was where they found their guide.
A doe headed woman, clad in hides and bark, leaned by a tree near the entrance. As the party approached she cautiously stepped out, calling out Shaun’s name.
“Yes? I am Shaun Dice,” he replied, and she gave a smile of relief.
“Good,” her voice, a nice mezzo-soprano, smiled, “Yours was the only name I could remember out of the group, no offense to you others,” she nodded.
“None taken, m’lady,” Tess said, and then promptly introduced everyone.
“My name is Ashikaga Iranami... you may call me Iranami, if you like,” she gave a bow. “My people did not join the other peoples of Ak Konlyu in declaring war on the Empire... and I am pleased to see you did not greet me with blades upraised, as too many travellers have done in the past few weeks.”
“Our... acquaintance, Aeron, told us of you,” Tess finally settled on a proper term for the irascible wizard.
“Ah,” she gave a distant smile, “I hope he treated you more civilly than he treats other people.”
“No,” Siabrey said sharply, and Iranami shook her head.
“He is that way. He is full of himself, and thinks only of his own advancement... it is too bad, he is truly gifted with magic. He flew by here several hours ago and said you all were ‘cretins,’ which made me guess you were right normal!” she laughed. Not caring if Aeron heard, the rest of the party joined in... and to Tess and Shaun’s relief, that included Siabrey.
Good... she needs to be slightly less intense over the next few days... they both thought, as Iranami continued.
“I shall lead you north. There are several hours of sunlight left... perhaps we might get a few miles in. The summer manor the Lord and Lady were staying at is a two day ride from here.. not too far.”
As the group trotted along the forest paths, (Iranami riding on back of Siabrey’s horse) the party questioned her about her past, as they told her their own. They discovered she was from one of the closest of the Ak Konylu kingdoms, and that she found her calling towards nature at age 10. She had wandered over the mountains, and settled in these forests to get away from politics and focus on tending her love. Politics, it seemed, had instead followed her, and the Empire had held her on retainer for some time, offering to leave sections of the woods uncut in return for her doing intelligence work in the mountains, and now tracking other ‘mongrels’ (she used the term in distaste) that had crossed over since the war had begun.
That night and the next day held little in the way of activity, other than riding. At one point, Tess spotted far off a fox headed man, who galloped away before the party could get anywhere close to him. Unnerved, extra watches were set that night.
On her watch, Siabrey pulled open the book’s given to her by Xanadu... the second timet she’d checked them. The previous time, shortly after Aeron’s... disruption... of the party, she had been utterly disappointed there had been no reply. As she stopped tending the group’s fire and gently opened the pages, she gave a small shriek.
Scrawled at the top of the page, in decidedly draconic Common, was the small phrase, ”Dear Friends,
This is Xanadu. I want to make sure that these books work properly. Send a reply when you can.”
This however did not cause her to jump... instead, it was the writing below. The first part, written in pen, read:
“Dear Friends,
Xanadu has told me to wait before writing in here, but I couldn’t resist. It has only been a day, and they tell me you should be only two days from your destination! I sincerely hope you are all doing well. Alexander and the Empress are having words as we speak over her behavior; supposedly she is going to let him go with her instead of banishing him to a minor army command... perhaps that will save us from disaster.
I cannot write long tonight. Tomorrow early I have to meet with the Imperial commanders for the first time to plan our march, and find out any new information about the Countess and her allies. Should anything relevant come up, I shall let you all know.
Be safe!
Lucius”
And underneath that, scrawled in magical ink that now only Siabrey could read, was a far more personal message:
”My Love – It is hard for me to believe that right now I am married... to the bravest and most beautiful woman in the world... and that I can still talk to you despite the miles that separate us. My one major regret is that we did not have more time before we separated... I would have had a painting commissioned of you, so I could carry it with my tent, and always be able to gaze upon a distant reflection of your beauty, and at least that way feel your warmth.. I don’t know how I would have paid for the painting... but financial matters are to be set aside in times like these.
As is, your face preoccupies my mind and memories... and that is what keeps me going it seems. Even when the Imperial commanders look down upon me, or the Empress starts making eyes in my direction, you keep me strong. I know what I fight for... not only for my title and people... but for you. And should the Empress try anything against you, the Imperial crown will quickly find a new head to rest upon... but my anger grows too much. I miss you, my darling. My hopes and life revolve around you, love... so wing safe, and come safely back to me.
Your love,
A Truly Lucky Man”
When Shaun awoke to take next watch, he found Siabrey tracing along an empty page in her large book, a smile on her face, and a tear coursing down her cheek.
Emperor Valerian
First Post
Difficult Generals, and a Rapidly Approaching Foe
”My dearest Lucius,
Aeron, the wizard your godfather assigned to us is an arrogant ass! I cannot believe what he pulled today! He cast silence on Grumki! And burned Grumki’s hand! The party says I was out of line to put my katana to his throat, but I’ll be damned if he is going to sit here and shoot spells at us!
I’m afraid you were right, our escorting wizard was nothing like you. Of course, he wasn’t as handsome, charming, and downright... delicious... mm... can’t wait for you to come back hon... for when you do...”
Luke leaned back and smiled to himself as he finished the letter, likely written during the night while he slept. After a long discourse about her plans for him, Siabrey had went on to describe their day. Annoying... chiefly because of the court wizard Aeron.
“Letter from the missus?” Quin’s voice asked slyly from behind Lucius, and the young man jumped from his seat, before quickly slamming the book shut.
“Uh, yes... a letter you can’t read,” he said, turning to look at Quin over his shoulder. Inwardly, Lucius breathed a sigh of relief at seeing that his bodyguard was standing in the tent’s doorway...far away enough that there was no way he could’ve read any of the more ‘personal’ things that Siabrey wrote to him.
“And... why not?” Quin edged forward, hands behind his back but his eyes looking expectant. “Secret plans... plots? Secret... methods?” he grinned, before backing away a split second before Lucius took a swing.
“Nosy man!” Lucius laughed, putting the books back into his desk. It’s good to have Quin around... keep the humor going to relieve my nerves some...
“Well, that is my job as a bodyguard,” Quin smiled. “Speaking of which, there’s a small line of people outside the tent wanting to see you.” Lucius waved for Quin to bring the first in, as he set his chair in the desk properly and stood. He was technically the commanding officer, but he preferred being polite.
“Come right in, miss,” Quin said with a grin... a grin that made Luke a little apprehensive.
What is he grinning abou... Lucius wondered, until he saw the top of a familiar head of raven black hair peek through the tent, and as the young woman’s face rose, a set of green eyes smiled at him mischeviously.
“Elenya! What are you doing here? How’s the baby?” Lucius as he went up and shook her hand.
“Baby’s fine,” Elenya said, her smiling face changing suddenly to business... with a little apprehension. “I’m here to ask a favor,” she began slowly, running a hand nervously through her hair.
“Of course... state what it is.” Lucius smiled, going over to his chest to pull out a map to examine later. I bet someone in Irulas is getting saucy with her over living arrangements. I guess I’ll have to talk to Alexander about that...
”I want to join the hospital outfit with this army,” Elenya said finally. “They won’t let me join... they say its too dangerous for a pregnant woman, as if I don’t know how to take care of my own body!” she grumbled. “I have healing powers! I want to...”
”Elenya,” Lucius interrupted her, dropping the map to give her the sternest, most fatherly look he could muster (despite the fact he was two years her junior), “they have those regulations for a reason. It is dangerous... and you have two...”
“I know! But Lucius,” she darted up to him and grabbed his shoulder, “I want to do something to help! Shauny is off to find that totem or whatever! I want to help in some way... not sit on my ass in Irulas twiddling my thumbs and knitting!”
“In all honesty, Shaun would like it more if you did that...” Lucius began, before Elenya’s darkening countenance caused him to backtrack.
“Lucius!” her own matronly tone came loud and clear, “if they won’t allow me officially to go, I will just follow the army, and help out anyway! Don’t tempt me to be difficult... I will!” Her hands darted to her hips, and Lucius sighed.
“Fine. Fine... but you’ll have to deal with a worried Shaun. I’ll let you in on one condition though..”
“What’s that?” she crossed her arms, looking at him with one eye narrowed.
“You cannot go to the front lines, run around with a sword, or in general act reckless. That’s my job. Stay with the healer’s in the rear... and if an order comes for you to retreat, do so. Those are the conditions.”
“Siabrey would so kill you if she heard you saying your job was to be reckless, you know that?” she gave a grin.
“She’s not here to know that,” Lucius gave a small one of his own, even as Elenya nodded she’d accept those terms and gave Luke a grateful hug. He was about to speak again when he heard the raised voices of a tussle occuring outside, and Xanadu shoved into the tent, past a Quin that kept shouting he needed to wait his turn.
Something major is happening... its not like Xanadu to breach protocol or cause a major public scene...
“Lucius! The mongrel army is in Cherabis... barely a week’s march from Irulas, coming hard!” Xanadu fumbled in the pockets of his coat, before pulling out a dispatch, sealed with the wax marking of the dragon... from the Imperial family. “Empress’ orders... we march out tonight!”
Lucius grabbed the paper from him, opened it and scanned.... before folding it back up and handing it to Xanadu. “57,000 mongrels marching this way, with some backup of some kind... they don’t know. When do I meet the other Imperial commanders?”
“Now,” Xanadu grabbed him by the arm and began pulling him out of the tent. “Quin... tell these other interlopers that they’ll have to wait! Luke,” he turned back to the young man, now commander, “immediately after the meeting, we go to the marshalling fields. There, you’ll announce to the troops that we’re marching out, and I’ll reveal my true form. We’ll need to be fast,” Xanadu continued as her pulled Luke past innumerable tents and stabled horses, “as we need to march out quickly. We could see battle in as little as five days.”
The camps were already chaos as Xanadu and Lucius approached a massive white and orange striped tent which had the banner of the Empire flying above it; a golden dragon on a white background. Orderlies were running in and out of the tent hurriedly, while aides held nervous horses whose fine plumage and feathers indicated they were the mounts of Imperial generals.
“Lord Lucius Caladron!” some unseen orderly barked as Lucius opened the tent flap, and there was a scrunching noise as eleven people collectively scooted their wooden chairs across the wooden planks thrown down above the soggy ground. Lucius stopped, and took in the sight.
Directly facing him were eleven men... the chief officers of the army... his army he kept reminding himself. Of them, he only recognized one... a man with a long mane of a beard that was edging more towards grey and white than salt and pepper. The man was a giant, though he now had an eyepatch over his left eye that Lucius did not remember him having. A smile crossed his face at seeing Luke, and Luke gave Sir Santac a warm smile in return. Too bad I can’t give him a hug... he’s going to be trusted friend in this sea of... pompousness?
Sir Santac sat on the closest end of a long, ornately carved wooden table laid in the middle of the tent; the position for the most junior officer. The five people sitting to the left of where Lucius came in were decked out in various fine armors that had family crests on them... a riot of reds, blues, silvers, whites, all commanding various parts of his forces... usually their family levies in addition to smaller holdings.
On the opposite side of the table were five men whose uniforms were exactly the same... white armor with a golden dragon emblazoned on its shoulder pieces.... generals of the Imperial Army. They were in charge not of feudal levies, masses of peasants given spears coupled with private armies that fought for money, but of professional, lifelong soldiers... the core of Lucius’ fighting troops. And the closest influence Zoe or any of her minions would have on Lucius from now on. While four of the men clad in Imperial colors regarded Lucius with curiosity, one noticeably scowled... Luke made note of his face, to match it with a name later on.
“Please, gentlemen, be seated,” he said, walking to the opposite end of the table and taking his seat. I... said that? To Imperial generals? I ordered them? part of his mind questioned, still not believing fully that not only he had given orders to professionals, but that he gave the orders calmly, without any fear or anxiety. The rest of his mind paused for a few moments while he gathered his thoughts, and then he cleared his throat.
“Ahem... well. It appears you all are... aware of what intelligence has arrived...” Lucius spoke calmly, and then his mind went blank.
What next?! Ask for their opinions? Issue orders? What orders? March now? Echelon... what? his mind began to panic, and silence dripped from the room as small beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
“Gentlemen,” Xanadu’s voice rose from the corner, where the dragon still stood. “We march out tonight, and as Lord Lucius’ chief of staff, I am curious as to the dispositions of your troops.”
Thank you Xanadu, Lucius thought, and not for the first time.
“Hmm, well...” began a gruffy noble, who Lucius finally recognized as Lord Holgren, “my levies are ready for a brawl. Especially since that bard came around yesterday with her fighting songs about you,” the noble pointed at Lucius, who smiled uneasily.
Tess? his mind asked.
“Yessir. All five thousand of my men are ready and prepared, horse and foot. And let me say, by the words that were spoken of your skills yesterday, I am pleased and honored to serve under a man so capable in combat!” Holgren had a smile on his face that didn’t look entirely genuine, and Lucius smiled back nervously.
He’s kissing my ass for something... likely down the road... Lucius’ mind thought before a gruff, “Hmph,” came from the scowly Imperial general.
“I myself still have reservations, no offense m’lord, if I may speak candidly,” the man, a greying beard around his aging face and yet another scowl on his face, said roughly. “I have served and fought for some 30 years,” he started up, his voice aquiring more and more vigor and distaste, “and never have I served under a commander with such lack of experience! I do not question Lord Lucius’ desire, but he does not have a background in command!”
If my hide didn’t rest on this, I would agree with you, Lucius thought as the general continued to disagree, slightly less than respectfully but still fully within decorum. As is though, I need to rein you in.
Before Xanadu could open his mouth, Lucius cleared his throat. “As much as General?” he asked politely, having not gotten the man’s name.
“Diogenes, m’lord. General Pieatris Diogenes.”
“As much as General Diogenes has the right to his opinion, I am currently in command. Likely I will come to you all for advice, and I look forward to your good counsel. Nonetheless...”
“It is truly a sad day when a veteran of Her Imperial Majesty’s service is ordered around by a beardless boy,” the one known as Diogenes muttered under his breath. Lucius’ nostrils flared, and the general was greatly surprised when the ‘beardless boy’ brought a fist down hard on the table, causing it to shake.
“General!” Lucius snapped, fury mounting within him. “Such talk borders on insubordination!” Lucius warned through teeth gritted. He almost had what he’d refer to as a ‘Siabrey moment,’ where a string of profanities was on the tip of his tongue, ready to launch at the object of his fury, but he managed to keep himself in check. I need to ACT commander-like... to earn their respect!
Diogenes nodded abruptly, though his eyes betrayed that he had far more to say. Even as Xanadu began staring the man down, a growl curling on the dragon’s lips, Lucius scanned the rest of the commanders; All were looking at him, waiting, as opposed to Diogenes... a good sign.
I need to REALLY thank Tess if... no.. when! When Luke... be an optimist!
After a brief status report from the other commanders, they finally settled down to the business of devising marching orders... which was mostly handled by Xanadu, in his self proclaimed capacity as “Chief of Staff.” Lucius wasn’t sure what that position formally encompassed, though he was willing to let Xanadu guide as much as the dragon felt he could handle.
“They are marching in force! 60,000 mongrels at least!” one of the Imperials, a fellow named Autokratis snapped. “Now, for some reason, we don’t know what else is with them.... beasts, demons, or whatnot! For all we know, this dragon that the Crown Prince speaks of could be in their midst!”
“If they split their larger army up,” Holgren groaned, “we would be forced to split ours to cover their attack routes... we could be cut to piecemeal...” he gestured towards the map, pointing to the fields on the banks of the Inerman, just two day’s march and across the river from where they army now sat. “If they get here... they could split... int three or four... and dart every which way, keeping each one large enough to maul us until the others arrive to finish us off.”
”Now lets not get paranoid over ‘ifs,’ ‘buts,’ and unknowns,” Santac grumbled, a pipe already in his mouth. “True, the Empress has given us scarcely more information that where the enemy is... I do not know why...”
I know perfectly well why, Lucius thought, she still wants me to be defeated... so she can claim all the glory... perfect sense... of course, I can never publically say that... dammit!
“We march by this road... through Chandriol, onto their location,” Lucius said, tired of the debate about information he already knew they would never recieve. It was the quickest route to the threatened areas of the realm, just across the Inerman river... and the route that would bring them into battle fastest.
“With all due respect, m’lord,” Diogenes opened his mouth again, his courtesy belying distrust, and now, anger, “marching by that route takes us through the woods near Chandriol, a place where the mongrel scouts could bushwack us. It would be...”
”...more advisable to march north of the woods near Chandriol?” Lucius asked, finishing Diogenes’ sentence. “Normally I would agree, but time is of the essence. If we take the time to march north, they can find and deploy on ground of their own choosing. If march quickly, we can choose where the fight will happen.” I might not be a seasoned veteran of war, but I do know that speed wins!
“M’lord... unless we march with undue haste through that wood, we invite disaster!”Diogenes said, more animated now. “And then what?! We march across the Inerman, and fight them with the river at our backs?”
“If we don’t move quickly, they will realize they can split their forces, as General Holgren said,” Lucius nodded to the commander, “We have to strike before they get that idea, and get into a place where they can implement it. The large plains just on the other side of the Inerman are the ideal place for them to split their army into... three? Four units even. We’d have to cover who knows...” Lucius looked around, and saw the other commanders nodding with his logic.
“Am I deaf, or are you actively proposing to fight with the river at your back!?” Diogenes stood, and leaned over the table, his eyes wide. “Madness! And you all listen to this whelp?” Diogenes close to snarled. Lucius rose from the table himself, a growl rising in his own throat.
“Diogenes, if you would...” Lucius said, doing well to keep his voice under control.
“Utter stupidity!” Diogenes continued.
“... please return to your... DAMMIT SIT DOWN!” Lucius finally roared, and Diogenes plopped back into his seat. None in the room save Xanadu had seem him lose his temper, and the commander’s all shrank away as Lucius continued, his voice once again eerily quiet and normal in tone.
”Now,” an icy pleasantness rose in the air, “We march through Chandriol. We make ourselves look vulnerable by having the river at our back... lure them into engaging where we have a trap set up. Now, I’m planning on riding ahead to scout out the terrain...”
No further outbursts came from Diogenes or the other Imperial generals as Lucius explained his plan...
”My dearest Lucius,
Aeron, the wizard your godfather assigned to us is an arrogant ass! I cannot believe what he pulled today! He cast silence on Grumki! And burned Grumki’s hand! The party says I was out of line to put my katana to his throat, but I’ll be damned if he is going to sit here and shoot spells at us!
I’m afraid you were right, our escorting wizard was nothing like you. Of course, he wasn’t as handsome, charming, and downright... delicious... mm... can’t wait for you to come back hon... for when you do...”
Luke leaned back and smiled to himself as he finished the letter, likely written during the night while he slept. After a long discourse about her plans for him, Siabrey had went on to describe their day. Annoying... chiefly because of the court wizard Aeron.
“Letter from the missus?” Quin’s voice asked slyly from behind Lucius, and the young man jumped from his seat, before quickly slamming the book shut.
“Uh, yes... a letter you can’t read,” he said, turning to look at Quin over his shoulder. Inwardly, Lucius breathed a sigh of relief at seeing that his bodyguard was standing in the tent’s doorway...far away enough that there was no way he could’ve read any of the more ‘personal’ things that Siabrey wrote to him.
“And... why not?” Quin edged forward, hands behind his back but his eyes looking expectant. “Secret plans... plots? Secret... methods?” he grinned, before backing away a split second before Lucius took a swing.
“Nosy man!” Lucius laughed, putting the books back into his desk. It’s good to have Quin around... keep the humor going to relieve my nerves some...
“Well, that is my job as a bodyguard,” Quin smiled. “Speaking of which, there’s a small line of people outside the tent wanting to see you.” Lucius waved for Quin to bring the first in, as he set his chair in the desk properly and stood. He was technically the commanding officer, but he preferred being polite.
“Come right in, miss,” Quin said with a grin... a grin that made Luke a little apprehensive.
What is he grinning abou... Lucius wondered, until he saw the top of a familiar head of raven black hair peek through the tent, and as the young woman’s face rose, a set of green eyes smiled at him mischeviously.
“Elenya! What are you doing here? How’s the baby?” Lucius as he went up and shook her hand.
“Baby’s fine,” Elenya said, her smiling face changing suddenly to business... with a little apprehension. “I’m here to ask a favor,” she began slowly, running a hand nervously through her hair.
“Of course... state what it is.” Lucius smiled, going over to his chest to pull out a map to examine later. I bet someone in Irulas is getting saucy with her over living arrangements. I guess I’ll have to talk to Alexander about that...
”I want to join the hospital outfit with this army,” Elenya said finally. “They won’t let me join... they say its too dangerous for a pregnant woman, as if I don’t know how to take care of my own body!” she grumbled. “I have healing powers! I want to...”
”Elenya,” Lucius interrupted her, dropping the map to give her the sternest, most fatherly look he could muster (despite the fact he was two years her junior), “they have those regulations for a reason. It is dangerous... and you have two...”
“I know! But Lucius,” she darted up to him and grabbed his shoulder, “I want to do something to help! Shauny is off to find that totem or whatever! I want to help in some way... not sit on my ass in Irulas twiddling my thumbs and knitting!”
“In all honesty, Shaun would like it more if you did that...” Lucius began, before Elenya’s darkening countenance caused him to backtrack.
“Lucius!” her own matronly tone came loud and clear, “if they won’t allow me officially to go, I will just follow the army, and help out anyway! Don’t tempt me to be difficult... I will!” Her hands darted to her hips, and Lucius sighed.
“Fine. Fine... but you’ll have to deal with a worried Shaun. I’ll let you in on one condition though..”
“What’s that?” she crossed her arms, looking at him with one eye narrowed.
“You cannot go to the front lines, run around with a sword, or in general act reckless. That’s my job. Stay with the healer’s in the rear... and if an order comes for you to retreat, do so. Those are the conditions.”
“Siabrey would so kill you if she heard you saying your job was to be reckless, you know that?” she gave a grin.
“She’s not here to know that,” Lucius gave a small one of his own, even as Elenya nodded she’d accept those terms and gave Luke a grateful hug. He was about to speak again when he heard the raised voices of a tussle occuring outside, and Xanadu shoved into the tent, past a Quin that kept shouting he needed to wait his turn.
Something major is happening... its not like Xanadu to breach protocol or cause a major public scene...
“Lucius! The mongrel army is in Cherabis... barely a week’s march from Irulas, coming hard!” Xanadu fumbled in the pockets of his coat, before pulling out a dispatch, sealed with the wax marking of the dragon... from the Imperial family. “Empress’ orders... we march out tonight!”
Lucius grabbed the paper from him, opened it and scanned.... before folding it back up and handing it to Xanadu. “57,000 mongrels marching this way, with some backup of some kind... they don’t know. When do I meet the other Imperial commanders?”
“Now,” Xanadu grabbed him by the arm and began pulling him out of the tent. “Quin... tell these other interlopers that they’ll have to wait! Luke,” he turned back to the young man, now commander, “immediately after the meeting, we go to the marshalling fields. There, you’ll announce to the troops that we’re marching out, and I’ll reveal my true form. We’ll need to be fast,” Xanadu continued as her pulled Luke past innumerable tents and stabled horses, “as we need to march out quickly. We could see battle in as little as five days.”
The camps were already chaos as Xanadu and Lucius approached a massive white and orange striped tent which had the banner of the Empire flying above it; a golden dragon on a white background. Orderlies were running in and out of the tent hurriedly, while aides held nervous horses whose fine plumage and feathers indicated they were the mounts of Imperial generals.
“Lord Lucius Caladron!” some unseen orderly barked as Lucius opened the tent flap, and there was a scrunching noise as eleven people collectively scooted their wooden chairs across the wooden planks thrown down above the soggy ground. Lucius stopped, and took in the sight.
Directly facing him were eleven men... the chief officers of the army... his army he kept reminding himself. Of them, he only recognized one... a man with a long mane of a beard that was edging more towards grey and white than salt and pepper. The man was a giant, though he now had an eyepatch over his left eye that Lucius did not remember him having. A smile crossed his face at seeing Luke, and Luke gave Sir Santac a warm smile in return. Too bad I can’t give him a hug... he’s going to be trusted friend in this sea of... pompousness?
Sir Santac sat on the closest end of a long, ornately carved wooden table laid in the middle of the tent; the position for the most junior officer. The five people sitting to the left of where Lucius came in were decked out in various fine armors that had family crests on them... a riot of reds, blues, silvers, whites, all commanding various parts of his forces... usually their family levies in addition to smaller holdings.
On the opposite side of the table were five men whose uniforms were exactly the same... white armor with a golden dragon emblazoned on its shoulder pieces.... generals of the Imperial Army. They were in charge not of feudal levies, masses of peasants given spears coupled with private armies that fought for money, but of professional, lifelong soldiers... the core of Lucius’ fighting troops. And the closest influence Zoe or any of her minions would have on Lucius from now on. While four of the men clad in Imperial colors regarded Lucius with curiosity, one noticeably scowled... Luke made note of his face, to match it with a name later on.
“Please, gentlemen, be seated,” he said, walking to the opposite end of the table and taking his seat. I... said that? To Imperial generals? I ordered them? part of his mind questioned, still not believing fully that not only he had given orders to professionals, but that he gave the orders calmly, without any fear or anxiety. The rest of his mind paused for a few moments while he gathered his thoughts, and then he cleared his throat.
“Ahem... well. It appears you all are... aware of what intelligence has arrived...” Lucius spoke calmly, and then his mind went blank.
What next?! Ask for their opinions? Issue orders? What orders? March now? Echelon... what? his mind began to panic, and silence dripped from the room as small beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
“Gentlemen,” Xanadu’s voice rose from the corner, where the dragon still stood. “We march out tonight, and as Lord Lucius’ chief of staff, I am curious as to the dispositions of your troops.”
Thank you Xanadu, Lucius thought, and not for the first time.
“Hmm, well...” began a gruffy noble, who Lucius finally recognized as Lord Holgren, “my levies are ready for a brawl. Especially since that bard came around yesterday with her fighting songs about you,” the noble pointed at Lucius, who smiled uneasily.
Tess? his mind asked.
“Yessir. All five thousand of my men are ready and prepared, horse and foot. And let me say, by the words that were spoken of your skills yesterday, I am pleased and honored to serve under a man so capable in combat!” Holgren had a smile on his face that didn’t look entirely genuine, and Lucius smiled back nervously.
He’s kissing my ass for something... likely down the road... Lucius’ mind thought before a gruff, “Hmph,” came from the scowly Imperial general.
“I myself still have reservations, no offense m’lord, if I may speak candidly,” the man, a greying beard around his aging face and yet another scowl on his face, said roughly. “I have served and fought for some 30 years,” he started up, his voice aquiring more and more vigor and distaste, “and never have I served under a commander with such lack of experience! I do not question Lord Lucius’ desire, but he does not have a background in command!”
If my hide didn’t rest on this, I would agree with you, Lucius thought as the general continued to disagree, slightly less than respectfully but still fully within decorum. As is though, I need to rein you in.
Before Xanadu could open his mouth, Lucius cleared his throat. “As much as General?” he asked politely, having not gotten the man’s name.
“Diogenes, m’lord. General Pieatris Diogenes.”
“As much as General Diogenes has the right to his opinion, I am currently in command. Likely I will come to you all for advice, and I look forward to your good counsel. Nonetheless...”
“It is truly a sad day when a veteran of Her Imperial Majesty’s service is ordered around by a beardless boy,” the one known as Diogenes muttered under his breath. Lucius’ nostrils flared, and the general was greatly surprised when the ‘beardless boy’ brought a fist down hard on the table, causing it to shake.
“General!” Lucius snapped, fury mounting within him. “Such talk borders on insubordination!” Lucius warned through teeth gritted. He almost had what he’d refer to as a ‘Siabrey moment,’ where a string of profanities was on the tip of his tongue, ready to launch at the object of his fury, but he managed to keep himself in check. I need to ACT commander-like... to earn their respect!
Diogenes nodded abruptly, though his eyes betrayed that he had far more to say. Even as Xanadu began staring the man down, a growl curling on the dragon’s lips, Lucius scanned the rest of the commanders; All were looking at him, waiting, as opposed to Diogenes... a good sign.
I need to REALLY thank Tess if... no.. when! When Luke... be an optimist!
After a brief status report from the other commanders, they finally settled down to the business of devising marching orders... which was mostly handled by Xanadu, in his self proclaimed capacity as “Chief of Staff.” Lucius wasn’t sure what that position formally encompassed, though he was willing to let Xanadu guide as much as the dragon felt he could handle.
“They are marching in force! 60,000 mongrels at least!” one of the Imperials, a fellow named Autokratis snapped. “Now, for some reason, we don’t know what else is with them.... beasts, demons, or whatnot! For all we know, this dragon that the Crown Prince speaks of could be in their midst!”
“If they split their larger army up,” Holgren groaned, “we would be forced to split ours to cover their attack routes... we could be cut to piecemeal...” he gestured towards the map, pointing to the fields on the banks of the Inerman, just two day’s march and across the river from where they army now sat. “If they get here... they could split... int three or four... and dart every which way, keeping each one large enough to maul us until the others arrive to finish us off.”
”Now lets not get paranoid over ‘ifs,’ ‘buts,’ and unknowns,” Santac grumbled, a pipe already in his mouth. “True, the Empress has given us scarcely more information that where the enemy is... I do not know why...”
I know perfectly well why, Lucius thought, she still wants me to be defeated... so she can claim all the glory... perfect sense... of course, I can never publically say that... dammit!
“We march by this road... through Chandriol, onto their location,” Lucius said, tired of the debate about information he already knew they would never recieve. It was the quickest route to the threatened areas of the realm, just across the Inerman river... and the route that would bring them into battle fastest.
“With all due respect, m’lord,” Diogenes opened his mouth again, his courtesy belying distrust, and now, anger, “marching by that route takes us through the woods near Chandriol, a place where the mongrel scouts could bushwack us. It would be...”
”...more advisable to march north of the woods near Chandriol?” Lucius asked, finishing Diogenes’ sentence. “Normally I would agree, but time is of the essence. If we take the time to march north, they can find and deploy on ground of their own choosing. If march quickly, we can choose where the fight will happen.” I might not be a seasoned veteran of war, but I do know that speed wins!
“M’lord... unless we march with undue haste through that wood, we invite disaster!”Diogenes said, more animated now. “And then what?! We march across the Inerman, and fight them with the river at our backs?”
“If we don’t move quickly, they will realize they can split their forces, as General Holgren said,” Lucius nodded to the commander, “We have to strike before they get that idea, and get into a place where they can implement it. The large plains just on the other side of the Inerman are the ideal place for them to split their army into... three? Four units even. We’d have to cover who knows...” Lucius looked around, and saw the other commanders nodding with his logic.
“Am I deaf, or are you actively proposing to fight with the river at your back!?” Diogenes stood, and leaned over the table, his eyes wide. “Madness! And you all listen to this whelp?” Diogenes close to snarled. Lucius rose from the table himself, a growl rising in his own throat.
“Diogenes, if you would...” Lucius said, doing well to keep his voice under control.
“Utter stupidity!” Diogenes continued.
“... please return to your... DAMMIT SIT DOWN!” Lucius finally roared, and Diogenes plopped back into his seat. None in the room save Xanadu had seem him lose his temper, and the commander’s all shrank away as Lucius continued, his voice once again eerily quiet and normal in tone.
”Now,” an icy pleasantness rose in the air, “We march through Chandriol. We make ourselves look vulnerable by having the river at our back... lure them into engaging where we have a trap set up. Now, I’m planning on riding ahead to scout out the terrain...”
No further outbursts came from Diogenes or the other Imperial generals as Lucius explained his plan...
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Emperor Valerian
First Post
The Manor, The Mongrel, and the Bribes
Meanwhile... The Same Day, Further North...
“Siabrey, why can’t I see the book?” Shaun grumbled. He was curious ever since she’d shoved him aside the night before when he tried to peek over her shoulder to see what she was writing.
“Look,” she growled, “I told you what he wrote! The Prince is going with Zoe to try and save their butts, and the like! And what was on the bottom was none of your damn business!” Her tone was loud and visibly annoyed... which ironically meant her mood was better. When her voice became quiet and deadpan... THAT was when one needed to fear for one’s throat.
Shaun gave a sigh, and trotted up alongside Tess. Before he could open his mouth, she gave him a harsh, “No Shaun. I won’t make her let you see the book. Stop being nosy.”
It was already nearing dusk, and the party had been riding all day. As much as Siabrey found Shaun’s persistence annoying... it WAS a diversion. A slight one, for sure, but a diversion nonetheless.
As the blazing red sun began to disappear over the horizon, the party noticed a hill up ahead that had odd shapes.. regular shapes, coming out of its smooth sides. As the rod further up, they realized what hte regular shapes were...
...the stone columns and walls of a large manor, built into the hillside. Its front held many columns adorned with statues and friezes, as large glass windows towered over the countryside.
And not one light inside the structure was on.
“Um... this isn’t good,” Shaun said aloud. “No one’s home...”
“That, or no one wants anyone to know there’s someone there,” Tess observed. She covered her eyes, and tried to peer into the windows. She thought she saw a momentary shape slip by one, but she wasn’t sure.
“I know,” Siabrey growled, her forcefulness in full gear, “let’s just knock!” Her sword was out in a flash, and she was striding up towards the door before Tess could grab her.
Yet again... no subtlety, no tact... the bard rolled her eyes, as the fighter’s fists pounded on the large wooden double doors.
“Lady Keshalya? Open up! We’re from Marith! You are in danger!” Siabrey bellowed, pounding on the door. There was no response, and Tess looked on in alarm as Siabrey started backing up.
“Siabrey! What are you doing?” she cried, as the fighter starting kicking up with her legs, as if she was stretching them.
“There’s no answer... so I’m going to knock the doors down,” she stretched her arms. Get in here. Get those idols. Go back to Luke.
Tess frowned, and pointed towards Grumki, and the half orc gave a grunt.
“Oh,” Siabrey stopped in mid stretch. “Yeah,” she looked her small frame up and down, “Grumki might do a better job.” The half orc let out a large laugh.
“The strength of Kord, even if it is not in your body, is in your heart, dear Siabrey!” he guffawed, before pacing up towards the door himself. As he lowered his shoulder, however, the door flipped open slightly with a creak, and an eye peered out of the darkness inside at the party.
“Who are you?” a voice, hurried and frightened, hissed in a high whisper.
“We are friends!” Grumki roared, before Tess could slip in front of him and wave her hands around disarmingly.
“He speaks the truth... rather loudly,” she apologized quickly, before the man could dash away. “We are friends of Lady Marith, sister of Lady Keshalya. We need to tell your mistress she is in great danger!” Despite this being the truth, Tess added as best she could to her voice and mannerisms as the best theater presenter would. It wouldn’t hurt, and could only help to persuade him of their good intentions.
The door wavered a bit, and finally flew open... snatching away only part of the gloom inside.
“Hurry! Quickly!” the voice hissed, and a hand, graceful yet old, motioned for them hurriedly to come inside.
Once they had entered the gloom, they saw the man who had beckoned them was old and balding, close to Shaun’s height. He wore part of a nicely made uniform, in coats of arms of some noble family... Tess guessed Keshalya’s. However, the coat was torn and ripped.
The inside of the ornate palace was also bare. A few chairs were laying around on the main floor, but for the most part, the ornately painted and and frescoed rooms were devoid of furniture.
“What the...” Tess said quietly, as the setting sun’s angle now finally showed waning glory into the halls. “Where is everyone?” she asked the man slowly.
“My name,” he sighed, “is Theophilus Manizert... I... am,” he said the last word after some indecision, “the chief steward of Lord Charles and Lady Keshalya. They, obviously, are not here.”
“Where did they go?” Siabrey asked. We’ll just go there then... by night if needbe!
”They went to the family safe keep... north of here. They left me to guard the manor with the other servants, as well as keep watch over the valuables they couldn’t take with them,” he motioned to the empty rooms.
Damn... they cleaned themselves out! Shaun looked in admiration. Now, if only those movers could be converted too... Shaun... that’s not your life anymore! Stop it! he chided himself.
“Well, let’s go then!” Siabrey blurted out and started for the door. Tess’ hands were quicker this time, and managed to grab her friend and pull her back.
“Siabrey, we’d better find out what we’re facing,” she said, looking at the Steward. “Why did they run? When did they run?” Contrary to the speed you want, Siabrey, we’re going to take this slow. I’m not galumphing around the countryside half-assed... might make problems worse.
“Them,” he pointed in alarm as Iranami walked in the front door. A dagger appeared in his hand, and he started to charge her, before Shaun grabbed him tight.
“She’s a friend! She’s a friend!” Tess said softly to him. It was all too obvious what they were afraid of. “She’s helping us track the other mongrels,” Tess paused suddenly, before correcting herself, “I mean, Ak Konyluites, before they cause too much harm. Your lady possesses an item they are searching for. Lady Marith wanted us to take the item back to Irulas, where the mongrels cannot fetch it. It might make them go away,” Tess lied, hoping to re-persuade the Steward to keep them in his good graces.
He sighed, and looked at Iranami uneasily. “Fine,” he said finally, his voice sounding unwilling. “As long as one of you is with her at all times,” he admonished, and the party agreed... though Iranami understandably looked insulted. Shaun went to talk her down, while Tess continued asking what was going on.
“So... the mongrels come. Where to the north is your family keep? We wish to deliver our warnings and fetch this totem as quickly as possible!” Tess asked, the Steward’s face fell into fear.
“You wish to go there? To t...the swamp?” he started, before Siabrey interrupted.
“Yes! Now! You’ll lead us!” she started to grab him, before he recoiled away.
“N...no! I won’t go! Not in the dark!” fear saturated his face and eyes. He leaned closer to the party, his eyes wide, “You aren’t familiar with what is in the swamps?”
The party looked to Iranami, who shrugged. “The swamps north of here aren’t well charted... I haven’t checked them out personally. They’re large... supposedly they cover some ruins...”
“The Great Swamp,” the Steward used the local name for it, “covers the remains of the city of Harlsbad, former home of the White Emperor. After bebiliths destroyed his line, his remaining family angered a wizard, who sank the city in a mire of mud! Ghosts, ghouls and spirits haunt the place! Along with... m...m...monsters!”
“What kinds of monsters?” Siabrey rolled her eyes. For Tarantor’s sake! We’ve fought demons, old man! I can handle a frickin’ ghost!
“Giant frogs, larger than a castle keep! Fearsome horses they drink blood! Mosquitos the size of birds! And the entire swamp is ruled by a black dragon!” his eyes were huge, his voice a mere whisper.
“I’m not sure if I believe you,” Shaun said. “With all those dangers, why they hell would someone build a keep there? Not to mention it would be hard as hell to build a stone structure in mud!”
“Why the hell wouldn’t someone build a keep there?” Tess asked. “No one would dare to come in... mass armies would be decimated by the natural swamp... and it is on their family lands... they could easily have charts of the safest areas, and arrangements with the local dragon for safety...”
“Perfect place, if you ask me?” Siabrey said quietly. “Can we go now?” she started leaning insistently towards the door.
“NO! I will not as long as its dark! Tomorrow, first light, I can lead you!” the Steward said firmly. After Tess tried to use her wiles to charm him to no avail, she shrugged.
“Tomorrow it is, then,” she sighed. Siabrey walked over to one of the frescoes, and kicked the wall to vent her frustration. Tess sighed again, and looked at the Steward. “Are there accommodations here for us? We don’t need anythi...”
“You, stop!” the Steward shouted at Iranami, who merely was wandering into the next room, examining the frescoes in the last waning of light. “Stop or I’ll put you downstairs with the other one!”
“Other one?” Tess raised an eyebrow. “You captured one of... them?” she momentarily forgot the proper term, and decided on the less offensive ‘them.’ The Steward nodded vigorously.
“Hmm... perhaps he has some information that might be of use,” Siabrey thought aloud, causing Tess to nod her head.
Finally... that girl is using her head instead of her pangs for Luke...
“Lets go down and talk to this fellow... then worry about arrangements.”
The Steward took some lit candles, and led the party through the manor, down a series of staircases, past the wine cellar, past the ale cellar, to finally the storage cellar, far below ground. Here, the party found cots arranged about amongst the stored food... the vast majority of the serving staff had taken refuge here. Those that hadn’t were upstairs, in guest rooms.
The Steward led them further on, toward the small manor jail. It was there that the party saw their first hostile Ak Konyluite up close.
He was roughly 5’5” they guessed... they couldn’t tell for sure because he was bound hand and foot. From his shoulder’s sprang the elegant head of a red fox. His eyes looked up at the party, and lightened with something distant... fleeting... perhaps hope?
“Ah,” his voice said, cut heavily by an accent, but nonetheless surprisingly smooth for his head, “more gawkers. How quaint.”
“We do not come to gawk,” Tess said sternly, “we come for information.”
“Oh... that. Surprising my currently hosts haven’t quizzed me yet. Tell you what,” he said, looking up at Tess, “I’ll tell you some things... if you let my legs be unbound. Its dreadful being held like this.”
Tess raised an eyebrow in question, the actual words not leaving her lips Should we trust him? Shaun shook his head no, Siabrey nodded yes. Seeing an impasse, she turned to the fox man again.
“Can we trust you on your word?”
“Dear madam, I might be just a mercenary,” he said with a touch of a furry smile, “but I do have honor.”
“I’ll let his bond loose,” Siabrey said, motioning towards the Steward for the key. The man shook his head no.
“Are you sure you want to release him?” he asked quietly.
“Yes... now give me the frickin’ key!” Siabrey growled, and the cowed man quietly scoured his pockets for the item. As soon as she had it, her katana was out. The gate to the cell creaked open, adding an ominous background to her simple threat, “As I do this, if you look at me crosseyed, my blade will slit your manhood in twain.”
The foxhead laughed. “I have no need to trifle with someone so well armed.” Siabrey slipped in, and while keeping an eye on him, slit the ropes binding the creature’s legs. With a sigh of relief, the fox man stretched his legs out.
“Now... how many are with you?” Tess asked, Siabrey still was in the cell with her sword ready.
“Not many... maybe a hundred... all split up, searching for the item,” he said matter of factly.
“Where were your people headed?” Siabrey then asked, and the fox gave her a smile.
“For more information, I need my hands to be unbound. I swear on Tian-Lin I will not harm you or conduct myself dishonorably.” Siabrey looked at Tess, who shrugged, and then unbound his hands. As he stretched his arms with glee, she started rebinding his legs... and the fox gave a jerk.
“Um... if you do that, no information! I never said it was ok to rebind my legs!” he chided grumpily.
“Sir, I don’t think you are in a position to dictate terms to me,” Siabrey said coldly, wrapping the rope around a second time. The fox gave a simple hiss.
“Then I won’t tell you where they’re headed... with their clockwork machines...” he said, his voice dripping with an offer for an exchange.
Meanwhile... The Same Day, Further North...
“Siabrey, why can’t I see the book?” Shaun grumbled. He was curious ever since she’d shoved him aside the night before when he tried to peek over her shoulder to see what she was writing.
“Look,” she growled, “I told you what he wrote! The Prince is going with Zoe to try and save their butts, and the like! And what was on the bottom was none of your damn business!” Her tone was loud and visibly annoyed... which ironically meant her mood was better. When her voice became quiet and deadpan... THAT was when one needed to fear for one’s throat.
Shaun gave a sigh, and trotted up alongside Tess. Before he could open his mouth, she gave him a harsh, “No Shaun. I won’t make her let you see the book. Stop being nosy.”
It was already nearing dusk, and the party had been riding all day. As much as Siabrey found Shaun’s persistence annoying... it WAS a diversion. A slight one, for sure, but a diversion nonetheless.
As the blazing red sun began to disappear over the horizon, the party noticed a hill up ahead that had odd shapes.. regular shapes, coming out of its smooth sides. As the rod further up, they realized what hte regular shapes were...
...the stone columns and walls of a large manor, built into the hillside. Its front held many columns adorned with statues and friezes, as large glass windows towered over the countryside.
And not one light inside the structure was on.
“Um... this isn’t good,” Shaun said aloud. “No one’s home...”
“That, or no one wants anyone to know there’s someone there,” Tess observed. She covered her eyes, and tried to peer into the windows. She thought she saw a momentary shape slip by one, but she wasn’t sure.
“I know,” Siabrey growled, her forcefulness in full gear, “let’s just knock!” Her sword was out in a flash, and she was striding up towards the door before Tess could grab her.
Yet again... no subtlety, no tact... the bard rolled her eyes, as the fighter’s fists pounded on the large wooden double doors.
“Lady Keshalya? Open up! We’re from Marith! You are in danger!” Siabrey bellowed, pounding on the door. There was no response, and Tess looked on in alarm as Siabrey started backing up.
“Siabrey! What are you doing?” she cried, as the fighter starting kicking up with her legs, as if she was stretching them.
“There’s no answer... so I’m going to knock the doors down,” she stretched her arms. Get in here. Get those idols. Go back to Luke.
Tess frowned, and pointed towards Grumki, and the half orc gave a grunt.
“Oh,” Siabrey stopped in mid stretch. “Yeah,” she looked her small frame up and down, “Grumki might do a better job.” The half orc let out a large laugh.
“The strength of Kord, even if it is not in your body, is in your heart, dear Siabrey!” he guffawed, before pacing up towards the door himself. As he lowered his shoulder, however, the door flipped open slightly with a creak, and an eye peered out of the darkness inside at the party.
“Who are you?” a voice, hurried and frightened, hissed in a high whisper.
“We are friends!” Grumki roared, before Tess could slip in front of him and wave her hands around disarmingly.
“He speaks the truth... rather loudly,” she apologized quickly, before the man could dash away. “We are friends of Lady Marith, sister of Lady Keshalya. We need to tell your mistress she is in great danger!” Despite this being the truth, Tess added as best she could to her voice and mannerisms as the best theater presenter would. It wouldn’t hurt, and could only help to persuade him of their good intentions.
The door wavered a bit, and finally flew open... snatching away only part of the gloom inside.
“Hurry! Quickly!” the voice hissed, and a hand, graceful yet old, motioned for them hurriedly to come inside.
Once they had entered the gloom, they saw the man who had beckoned them was old and balding, close to Shaun’s height. He wore part of a nicely made uniform, in coats of arms of some noble family... Tess guessed Keshalya’s. However, the coat was torn and ripped.
The inside of the ornate palace was also bare. A few chairs were laying around on the main floor, but for the most part, the ornately painted and and frescoed rooms were devoid of furniture.
“What the...” Tess said quietly, as the setting sun’s angle now finally showed waning glory into the halls. “Where is everyone?” she asked the man slowly.
“My name,” he sighed, “is Theophilus Manizert... I... am,” he said the last word after some indecision, “the chief steward of Lord Charles and Lady Keshalya. They, obviously, are not here.”
“Where did they go?” Siabrey asked. We’ll just go there then... by night if needbe!
”They went to the family safe keep... north of here. They left me to guard the manor with the other servants, as well as keep watch over the valuables they couldn’t take with them,” he motioned to the empty rooms.
Damn... they cleaned themselves out! Shaun looked in admiration. Now, if only those movers could be converted too... Shaun... that’s not your life anymore! Stop it! he chided himself.
“Well, let’s go then!” Siabrey blurted out and started for the door. Tess’ hands were quicker this time, and managed to grab her friend and pull her back.
“Siabrey, we’d better find out what we’re facing,” she said, looking at the Steward. “Why did they run? When did they run?” Contrary to the speed you want, Siabrey, we’re going to take this slow. I’m not galumphing around the countryside half-assed... might make problems worse.
“Them,” he pointed in alarm as Iranami walked in the front door. A dagger appeared in his hand, and he started to charge her, before Shaun grabbed him tight.
“She’s a friend! She’s a friend!” Tess said softly to him. It was all too obvious what they were afraid of. “She’s helping us track the other mongrels,” Tess paused suddenly, before correcting herself, “I mean, Ak Konyluites, before they cause too much harm. Your lady possesses an item they are searching for. Lady Marith wanted us to take the item back to Irulas, where the mongrels cannot fetch it. It might make them go away,” Tess lied, hoping to re-persuade the Steward to keep them in his good graces.
He sighed, and looked at Iranami uneasily. “Fine,” he said finally, his voice sounding unwilling. “As long as one of you is with her at all times,” he admonished, and the party agreed... though Iranami understandably looked insulted. Shaun went to talk her down, while Tess continued asking what was going on.
“So... the mongrels come. Where to the north is your family keep? We wish to deliver our warnings and fetch this totem as quickly as possible!” Tess asked, the Steward’s face fell into fear.
“You wish to go there? To t...the swamp?” he started, before Siabrey interrupted.
“Yes! Now! You’ll lead us!” she started to grab him, before he recoiled away.
“N...no! I won’t go! Not in the dark!” fear saturated his face and eyes. He leaned closer to the party, his eyes wide, “You aren’t familiar with what is in the swamps?”
The party looked to Iranami, who shrugged. “The swamps north of here aren’t well charted... I haven’t checked them out personally. They’re large... supposedly they cover some ruins...”
“The Great Swamp,” the Steward used the local name for it, “covers the remains of the city of Harlsbad, former home of the White Emperor. After bebiliths destroyed his line, his remaining family angered a wizard, who sank the city in a mire of mud! Ghosts, ghouls and spirits haunt the place! Along with... m...m...monsters!”
“What kinds of monsters?” Siabrey rolled her eyes. For Tarantor’s sake! We’ve fought demons, old man! I can handle a frickin’ ghost!
“Giant frogs, larger than a castle keep! Fearsome horses they drink blood! Mosquitos the size of birds! And the entire swamp is ruled by a black dragon!” his eyes were huge, his voice a mere whisper.
“I’m not sure if I believe you,” Shaun said. “With all those dangers, why they hell would someone build a keep there? Not to mention it would be hard as hell to build a stone structure in mud!”
“Why the hell wouldn’t someone build a keep there?” Tess asked. “No one would dare to come in... mass armies would be decimated by the natural swamp... and it is on their family lands... they could easily have charts of the safest areas, and arrangements with the local dragon for safety...”
“Perfect place, if you ask me?” Siabrey said quietly. “Can we go now?” she started leaning insistently towards the door.
“NO! I will not as long as its dark! Tomorrow, first light, I can lead you!” the Steward said firmly. After Tess tried to use her wiles to charm him to no avail, she shrugged.
“Tomorrow it is, then,” she sighed. Siabrey walked over to one of the frescoes, and kicked the wall to vent her frustration. Tess sighed again, and looked at the Steward. “Are there accommodations here for us? We don’t need anythi...”
“You, stop!” the Steward shouted at Iranami, who merely was wandering into the next room, examining the frescoes in the last waning of light. “Stop or I’ll put you downstairs with the other one!”
“Other one?” Tess raised an eyebrow. “You captured one of... them?” she momentarily forgot the proper term, and decided on the less offensive ‘them.’ The Steward nodded vigorously.
“Hmm... perhaps he has some information that might be of use,” Siabrey thought aloud, causing Tess to nod her head.
Finally... that girl is using her head instead of her pangs for Luke...
“Lets go down and talk to this fellow... then worry about arrangements.”
The Steward took some lit candles, and led the party through the manor, down a series of staircases, past the wine cellar, past the ale cellar, to finally the storage cellar, far below ground. Here, the party found cots arranged about amongst the stored food... the vast majority of the serving staff had taken refuge here. Those that hadn’t were upstairs, in guest rooms.
The Steward led them further on, toward the small manor jail. It was there that the party saw their first hostile Ak Konyluite up close.
He was roughly 5’5” they guessed... they couldn’t tell for sure because he was bound hand and foot. From his shoulder’s sprang the elegant head of a red fox. His eyes looked up at the party, and lightened with something distant... fleeting... perhaps hope?
“Ah,” his voice said, cut heavily by an accent, but nonetheless surprisingly smooth for his head, “more gawkers. How quaint.”
“We do not come to gawk,” Tess said sternly, “we come for information.”
“Oh... that. Surprising my currently hosts haven’t quizzed me yet. Tell you what,” he said, looking up at Tess, “I’ll tell you some things... if you let my legs be unbound. Its dreadful being held like this.”
Tess raised an eyebrow in question, the actual words not leaving her lips Should we trust him? Shaun shook his head no, Siabrey nodded yes. Seeing an impasse, she turned to the fox man again.
“Can we trust you on your word?”
“Dear madam, I might be just a mercenary,” he said with a touch of a furry smile, “but I do have honor.”
“I’ll let his bond loose,” Siabrey said, motioning towards the Steward for the key. The man shook his head no.
“Are you sure you want to release him?” he asked quietly.
“Yes... now give me the frickin’ key!” Siabrey growled, and the cowed man quietly scoured his pockets for the item. As soon as she had it, her katana was out. The gate to the cell creaked open, adding an ominous background to her simple threat, “As I do this, if you look at me crosseyed, my blade will slit your manhood in twain.”
The foxhead laughed. “I have no need to trifle with someone so well armed.” Siabrey slipped in, and while keeping an eye on him, slit the ropes binding the creature’s legs. With a sigh of relief, the fox man stretched his legs out.
“Now... how many are with you?” Tess asked, Siabrey still was in the cell with her sword ready.
“Not many... maybe a hundred... all split up, searching for the item,” he said matter of factly.
“Where were your people headed?” Siabrey then asked, and the fox gave her a smile.
“For more information, I need my hands to be unbound. I swear on Tian-Lin I will not harm you or conduct myself dishonorably.” Siabrey looked at Tess, who shrugged, and then unbound his hands. As he stretched his arms with glee, she started rebinding his legs... and the fox gave a jerk.
“Um... if you do that, no information! I never said it was ok to rebind my legs!” he chided grumpily.
“Sir, I don’t think you are in a position to dictate terms to me,” Siabrey said coldly, wrapping the rope around a second time. The fox gave a simple hiss.
“Then I won’t tell you where they’re headed... with their clockwork machines...” he said, his voice dripping with an offer for an exchange.
Emperor Valerian
First Post
b]Bribes, Battle, and the Swamp[/b]
“Clockwork what?” Siabrey looked confused. She was familiar that gnomes had tinkered with items and machines that required no magic... referred to as ‘clockworks,’ but she was unaware that the supposedly backward ‘mongrels’ had them as well.
“Nothing... as long as my legs remain bound,” the fox man smiled sweetly. “Neither will you find where they are going.”
“I think he might speak of the monsters that assaulted the manor yesterday... mongrels came with these things that looked like great scorpions... save they had a massive hole instead of a head, and fired balls of seething fire at the stone walls...”
“Why didn’t you tell us earlier that they assaulted here?” Siabrey looked at the Steward crossly. “That would have been good to know.” Dammit, we need to get moving! She turned back to the fox man, who had watched the exchange with interest.
“Dammit, tell me where they’re going... NOW!” Siabrey snapped at him. No time! No time!
“Not until my legs are unfreed... AND,” he raised a finger, covered in fur, “I am allowed to walk around freely inside my cell... as a penalty for your trying to rebind my legs.” His face still held its unflappable smile, and Siabrey gave a hiss of disgust.
“Fine. Whatever,” she roughly undid and yanked off the bonds she had been putting on him, and growled her displeasure. “Now, tell me.”
“Many head north... to the swamp. Rumor has it the lord and lady are held out there. But they don’t know the way... yet,” he leaned towards her. “For letting me go-“
Siabrey cut him off by walking out of the cell and closing the door behind her.
That Same Night, Further South...
Elenya slipped quietly behind her quarry, tiptoeing ever so silently. His back was turned... this would be far far easier than she planned, and the torchlight of the camp at night reflected a gleam in her eye and a smile on her face.
Dumb bastard won’t know what hit him! she giggled, as she raised her weapon high.
Her finger jabbed into Quin’s back.
”WHAA!” the young man jumped a full two feet into the air as he gave a loud yelp of surprise. Elenya broke into laughter.
“You are a horrible bodyguard!” she laughed as she slipped by him into Luke’s tent. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his face was red, and just before she could open the flap, he finally spoke.
“Um, you probably should wait a bit... I think he’s writing to Siabrey,” Quin said quietly.
Hmmm... I wonder what he’s writing... and maybe I can sneak a message in for Shauny? her mind wandered before ignoring Quin’s advice and flipping open the tent flap.
She saw Lucius hunched over his camp desk, and the a strange scritching noise filled the room... not the noise of a quill on paper, but something else. He’s using magic, I’m guessing... must be a very PERSONAL message... her curiosity began to grow. She knew that since the army had left just before midday, Luke had probably been under stress... a great amount of stress. He needs someone to cheer him up a bit, at least until he hears from Siabrey...
”Ahem!” she cleared her throat, and chuckled as he jumped in his chair and the book he was writing in immediately slammed shut. “Whatcha writing?” she asked, putting on her most innocent voice. Like I don’t already know...
”Um... note to Siabrey...” Lucius said quietly, his voice fading in embarassment. Elenya giggled again at his discomfort.
“Ah...” she sauntered over towards him, and grinned. “Maybe... you could put in a word to Shauny for me?” She tilted her head to the side and batted her eyes. “Please?” I wouldn’t be much... I can dictate to you if you like... but some of it might make you want to see Siabrey again even more...
”Sure, I’ll do that,” Lucius said, his embarassment going away and slowly being replaced by annoyance. “Now, its been a long day. I need to finish this note. Shoo shoo shoo,” he flitted his hands towards her, his command in the tone of an annoyed brother, not the chief of an army.
“Ok ok!” Elenya laughed, heading towards the tent flap. “And Luke...” she turned towards him just before leaving, all impishness falling from her face. “Thank you. I know Shauny is likely going to be worried, but he should know you’re here keeping me from being reckless.”
“Its nothing, Elenya,” Lucius smiled back at her, before nodding his head towards hte door.
“I’m going, I’m going,” she cried in mock anger, all the while nearly giggling. As she left the tent, she saw Quin was eyeing her.
“Um... so? I’m guessing you saw some of what was written?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, but I can take a good guess from how quickly he shooed me out of there...”
There, Lucius said a few minutes later, Done. He found writing the letters at the end of the day to be incredibly relaxing... a chance to reflect. The only bad thing was last night he only slept three hours... laying awake waiting for Siabrey’s response.
The day had been long. After the argument with General Diogenes, Lucius and Xanadu had gone to the central marshalling field, and watched for and hour as the troops were mustered and formed into battle ranks. Lucius then announced them they were leaving Irulas (the solders were none to pleased to be leaving their source for wine and women behind), and introduced Xanadu.
It had been hard not to laugh when Xanadu transformed into his natural form... the entire army seemed to recoil, even as Xanadu bowed to them graciously and calmly explained to them his dragon status. There had been several minutes of silence after he’d finished... and then one of the rowdier units... Santac’s, began cheering that such a beast was on their side. Within a minute, most of the army had joined in... with the noticeable exception of Diogenes’ troops.
I’ll deal with Diogenes when the time comes, Lucius thought to himself. As of right now, I’m just as sore as the soldiers, he slowly rose from his seat, and his back cracked. He’d spent all afternoon and part of the evening riding hunched over, talking to troops as they marched the first 15 miles of their advance. Now, his back was getting its vengeance.
“Ach!” he groaned as he finally laid down on his bed. He brought the larger book with... perhaps laying down while waiting for the reply would help, instead of sitting in the chair.
If Siabrey saw me like this... oh, she would give me a backrub, Lucius thought back to pleasant memories... and as his mind fell closer to sleep, the memories seemed all the more real.
Back Further North..
“You’ll keep him in the cell, but he can walk around,” Siabrey told the Steward firmly, and he grumbled yet again as they climbed the stairs towards the guest apartments. “We made a deal... he seems honorable, if willing to sell information freely.”
“Fine,” the Steward grumbled, as the party reached the top of the stairs. He gave a sigh, a motioned for the party to follow.
“Here,” he pointed into a large and exquisitely decorated bedroom, “is the master bedroom. I’ll allow you up here because no valuables remain. I don’t know why your friend here insists on searching,” he gave a pointed look at Shaun.
“Because, it is entirely possible they could have left the item we seek to bring to Irulas here in haste.” And also because they could have left a few gems behind as well... dammit, can’t think like that, he groaned inwardly, Promise to Elenya...
“Fine,” the Steward said in exasperation. “You may stay here as well,” he motioned to the room itself. “We shall leave in the morning,” and without another word, he left, allowing the party time to take in their surroundings.
The walls, and ceiling were still covered in expertly painted frescoes, while the floor still had its elaborate woodwork, with literally six different types of wood used in its patterns and decorations. The rest of the room, however, was a disaster.
Drawers were strewn about. Clothing lay askew, and mirrors had slid down from their previously haughty posts. The bed was unmade... the entire mess looked as if it had been abandoned in a hurry... which only fueled Shaun as he rifled through most of the room... finding nothing.
“Find anything?” Siabrey asked hopefully as Shaun finished looking under the mattress of the bed. His growl told her no, and she gave her own sigh. Well... there goes an early end to our trip...
”Well,” Iranami said, looking about the mess, “I’m going to throw down my bedroll here. If we’re to leave tomorrow, I would hope it would be bright and early. I’ve heard stories of that swamp, and I don’t want to try to find a campsite within its midst.”
“Same monster stories as the Steward?” Tess asked, and Iranami nodded. “Great,” the bard rolled her eyes. “Everyone, lets get some shuteye... sounds like tomorrow is going to be a long, interesting day.”
“I don’t like it when you say something is going to be interesting, Tess,” Shaun grumbled as he threw down his own bedroll, before looking up at Siabrey. “Hey, Siabrey! Check your book... see if there’s any news!”
“Oh!” she jumped out of her morose mood immediately, and rifled through her pack until the large book was exposed. Quickly, she flipped open the pages, and to her delight, found a response. As she scanned the writing, Shaun saw her look up... directly at him.
“Elenya’s gone with,” Siabrey said cautiously.
“She... what?” he dashed over and looked over Siabrey’s shoulder, and then gave a growl. “Figures,” the growl changed to a sigh, “that’s my Elenya...thankfully she’s not going to be on the front lines...”
Oh, she’ll find a way, Siabrey thought, but didn’t say. As much fun as it would be to see Shaun have an aneurism, she didn’t want to lose her friend that quickly... she then turned, and started scanning the blank bottom of the page... and a smile crossed her lips at Lucius’ note.
”Hopefully the gods of war will smile on me as much as the Goddess of Love has.” he had scrawled on the side, and she gave a contented sigh. Luke... you are definitely getting a backrub when we meet again... and I don’t care if there is a fight coming, we’re going to spend a solid day together... alone!
“Um... Siabrey? You know you’re sighing over a blank piece of paper?” Shaun’s question jolted her out of her daydream. She looked at him still staring over her shoulder, and bared her teeth.
“Rit ti ti,” she made a strange sound as she waved him away, “Go! Stop being so nosy!”
The party had nervously decided to have an informal watch, despite being inside, through the course of the night. It was Siabrey, deep into second watch, that heard the first distant clamping noises... and it was everyone who felt the underground structure shake, as a long, low thunder echoed down the halls. The entire party was on their feet, and dashed through the corridors, towards the exposed front of the manor.
As Siabrey and Shaun came into the large, empty ballroom whose windows looked over the grounds in front of the building, another bright flash burned into their eyes, and shouts and calls came from both downstairs and outside. The two immediately dashed towards the large glass windows, and looked outside.
In the gloom of the deep night, the party could make out five figures on horseback, and five forms, low and log along the ground, in front of them. From one of the low forms came a light, glowing brighter and brighter, until a ball of energy slashed into the stone building, and the tinkling of shattered glass joined the massive concussion as hte plasma ball exploded.
In the light of the pyre below, the party could momentarily make out what they faced... five mounted figures with fox heads, clad in strange armor. Each carried two swords, and Siabrey easily recognized the larger... it was exactly like her own katana. The smaller swords looked like shorter, stubbier versions of the same. The riders for the moment merely held their reins, and watched their clockworks at work.
The creatures in front were clearly not natural, pistons and gears pumped as they moved forward, and some kind of steam or smoke issued forth from them when they let loose a bolt. In all other ways they looked vaguely like large, 10 foot long scorpions, with a massive hole facing out instead of a proper head. It was from these holes that their fire issued.
Wasting no time to act, Siabrey looked at the riders, towards the one in the center, and notched an arrow. It flew straight and true, striking the foxman in the upper chest. He reeled in the saddle, but managed to remain mounted before starting to gallop away.
His friends reached into their belts as Shaun’s flaming arrow hit one of the clockworks, and they all produced round metal disks that seemed to have a hole in the center (chakras). With a heave, four of them flew towards Siabrey, one striking the bellyplate of her armor, the other one of her neckguards. The blows were harsh and severe, but didn’t pierce her armor, only leaving her with marks that would likely become bruises in the morning (DM’s Note: For all its coolness... a chakra does 1d4 + strength damage...).
Tess finally reached a window, and hurriedly raised her voice to the heavens, and three sonic darts lashed out at two of the clockworks. One exploded into a pile of cheap metallic debris, while pistons and gears snapped off of the other one from her damaging harmonics... yet it continued to hobble towards the mansion.
Iranami and Grumki were the last to get to a window, and jointly, they began to call upon forces divine for help. While Grumki called upon the archons of strength, Iranami called upon nature itself... both for the boon of a fire from heaven to rain down on their foes. The other four riders, hearing chants rising from the mansion, reined up, and after launching another volley of chakras at the windows (striking Shaun lighty, but otherwise only knocking out windows), they turned to retreat.
Grumki’s prayer was the first to be answered, and an enormous column of flame thundered from the sky above, lighting up everything around, before crashing down with a thundering roar on the remaining clockworks. The crackle of flames mixed with the breaking and crunching sounds of steam punching through boilers and pistons breaking, as the remaining clockworks were burnt to ruin (Yes, boys and girls, Grumki has flamestrike ).
Iranami’s call came only a few seconds later, with similar results. Her column of fire appeared over the retreating riders, and thundered down from on high, incinerating horse and rider alike. The lone survivor was the rider Siabrey initially shot, whose frightened steed bucked him off. He now laid on the ground next to the pyre of his comrades, crawling away.
The party dashed out from the manor towards the injured man... and as they drew nigh, they saw the horror that had once been an elegant half-human.
His face was burnt, and the smell of charred fur and flesh hung in the air as blood spilled freely from his chest. It was clearly apparent he was living on borrowed time.
“Who are you? Who leads you?” Siabrey grabbed him and hefted him up. “Tell us, and we shall ease your passing!”
“S..Sh...Shi Huandi...” his voice said raspily. Siabrey motioned to Grumki, who administered a light healing spell to keep the fox man from slipping. As his wounds closed a bit, Siabrey then asked him again.
“Where is Ilia!?”
“Who?” he looked at her with a vacant stare... the healing had not been enough, and his eyes were already starting to roll into the back of his head.
“Ilia!” Siabrey repeated... then pointed to her own hair, “Blonde! Eyepatch!”
“Oh... she... south...” he said quietly, his voice rasping even more.
“Where!?” Siabrey demanded, her voice now frought with worry. Lucius is to the south...
“I... ack...awck...augh...” he descended into groans and creaks, as the netherworlds claimed yet another soul.
As he went limp in her arms, Siabrey unceremoniously dropped his frame, letting it land on the ground with a thunk. Her mind was preoccupied by his words, her being was shaken to the core.
Luke is to the south... Ilia is headed south... No! No... we must hurry! We must get to Luke before Ilia does!
“I can question the dead,” Grumki offered quietly, and Siabrey shook her head no.
“Takes too long,” she said sharply. “Not enough time.. We ride to the swamp! Now!” she barked at the rest of the party, who stood in shock. Seeing their non-reaction, she reached over and shoved Shaun towards the manor. “Get the Steward, and drag him out here if you have to! If we get to the swamp by daybreak, we have all day to look for this ‘safe place!’” Her eyes then turned to Tess and Iranami.
“You two, get the horses and supplies ready! We ride NOW!”
“Clockwork what?” Siabrey looked confused. She was familiar that gnomes had tinkered with items and machines that required no magic... referred to as ‘clockworks,’ but she was unaware that the supposedly backward ‘mongrels’ had them as well.
“Nothing... as long as my legs remain bound,” the fox man smiled sweetly. “Neither will you find where they are going.”
“I think he might speak of the monsters that assaulted the manor yesterday... mongrels came with these things that looked like great scorpions... save they had a massive hole instead of a head, and fired balls of seething fire at the stone walls...”
“Why didn’t you tell us earlier that they assaulted here?” Siabrey looked at the Steward crossly. “That would have been good to know.” Dammit, we need to get moving! She turned back to the fox man, who had watched the exchange with interest.
“Dammit, tell me where they’re going... NOW!” Siabrey snapped at him. No time! No time!
“Not until my legs are unfreed... AND,” he raised a finger, covered in fur, “I am allowed to walk around freely inside my cell... as a penalty for your trying to rebind my legs.” His face still held its unflappable smile, and Siabrey gave a hiss of disgust.
“Fine. Whatever,” she roughly undid and yanked off the bonds she had been putting on him, and growled her displeasure. “Now, tell me.”
“Many head north... to the swamp. Rumor has it the lord and lady are held out there. But they don’t know the way... yet,” he leaned towards her. “For letting me go-“
Siabrey cut him off by walking out of the cell and closing the door behind her.
That Same Night, Further South...
Elenya slipped quietly behind her quarry, tiptoeing ever so silently. His back was turned... this would be far far easier than she planned, and the torchlight of the camp at night reflected a gleam in her eye and a smile on her face.
Dumb bastard won’t know what hit him! she giggled, as she raised her weapon high.
Her finger jabbed into Quin’s back.
”WHAA!” the young man jumped a full two feet into the air as he gave a loud yelp of surprise. Elenya broke into laughter.
“You are a horrible bodyguard!” she laughed as she slipped by him into Luke’s tent. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his face was red, and just before she could open the flap, he finally spoke.
“Um, you probably should wait a bit... I think he’s writing to Siabrey,” Quin said quietly.
Hmmm... I wonder what he’s writing... and maybe I can sneak a message in for Shauny? her mind wandered before ignoring Quin’s advice and flipping open the tent flap.
She saw Lucius hunched over his camp desk, and the a strange scritching noise filled the room... not the noise of a quill on paper, but something else. He’s using magic, I’m guessing... must be a very PERSONAL message... her curiosity began to grow. She knew that since the army had left just before midday, Luke had probably been under stress... a great amount of stress. He needs someone to cheer him up a bit, at least until he hears from Siabrey...
”Ahem!” she cleared her throat, and chuckled as he jumped in his chair and the book he was writing in immediately slammed shut. “Whatcha writing?” she asked, putting on her most innocent voice. Like I don’t already know...
”Um... note to Siabrey...” Lucius said quietly, his voice fading in embarassment. Elenya giggled again at his discomfort.
“Ah...” she sauntered over towards him, and grinned. “Maybe... you could put in a word to Shauny for me?” She tilted her head to the side and batted her eyes. “Please?” I wouldn’t be much... I can dictate to you if you like... but some of it might make you want to see Siabrey again even more...
”Sure, I’ll do that,” Lucius said, his embarassment going away and slowly being replaced by annoyance. “Now, its been a long day. I need to finish this note. Shoo shoo shoo,” he flitted his hands towards her, his command in the tone of an annoyed brother, not the chief of an army.
“Ok ok!” Elenya laughed, heading towards the tent flap. “And Luke...” she turned towards him just before leaving, all impishness falling from her face. “Thank you. I know Shauny is likely going to be worried, but he should know you’re here keeping me from being reckless.”
“Its nothing, Elenya,” Lucius smiled back at her, before nodding his head towards hte door.
“I’m going, I’m going,” she cried in mock anger, all the while nearly giggling. As she left the tent, she saw Quin was eyeing her.
“Um... so? I’m guessing you saw some of what was written?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, but I can take a good guess from how quickly he shooed me out of there...”
There, Lucius said a few minutes later, Done. He found writing the letters at the end of the day to be incredibly relaxing... a chance to reflect. The only bad thing was last night he only slept three hours... laying awake waiting for Siabrey’s response.
The day had been long. After the argument with General Diogenes, Lucius and Xanadu had gone to the central marshalling field, and watched for and hour as the troops were mustered and formed into battle ranks. Lucius then announced them they were leaving Irulas (the solders were none to pleased to be leaving their source for wine and women behind), and introduced Xanadu.
It had been hard not to laugh when Xanadu transformed into his natural form... the entire army seemed to recoil, even as Xanadu bowed to them graciously and calmly explained to them his dragon status. There had been several minutes of silence after he’d finished... and then one of the rowdier units... Santac’s, began cheering that such a beast was on their side. Within a minute, most of the army had joined in... with the noticeable exception of Diogenes’ troops.
I’ll deal with Diogenes when the time comes, Lucius thought to himself. As of right now, I’m just as sore as the soldiers, he slowly rose from his seat, and his back cracked. He’d spent all afternoon and part of the evening riding hunched over, talking to troops as they marched the first 15 miles of their advance. Now, his back was getting its vengeance.
“Ach!” he groaned as he finally laid down on his bed. He brought the larger book with... perhaps laying down while waiting for the reply would help, instead of sitting in the chair.
If Siabrey saw me like this... oh, she would give me a backrub, Lucius thought back to pleasant memories... and as his mind fell closer to sleep, the memories seemed all the more real.
Back Further North..
“You’ll keep him in the cell, but he can walk around,” Siabrey told the Steward firmly, and he grumbled yet again as they climbed the stairs towards the guest apartments. “We made a deal... he seems honorable, if willing to sell information freely.”
“Fine,” the Steward grumbled, as the party reached the top of the stairs. He gave a sigh, a motioned for the party to follow.
“Here,” he pointed into a large and exquisitely decorated bedroom, “is the master bedroom. I’ll allow you up here because no valuables remain. I don’t know why your friend here insists on searching,” he gave a pointed look at Shaun.
“Because, it is entirely possible they could have left the item we seek to bring to Irulas here in haste.” And also because they could have left a few gems behind as well... dammit, can’t think like that, he groaned inwardly, Promise to Elenya...
“Fine,” the Steward said in exasperation. “You may stay here as well,” he motioned to the room itself. “We shall leave in the morning,” and without another word, he left, allowing the party time to take in their surroundings.
The walls, and ceiling were still covered in expertly painted frescoes, while the floor still had its elaborate woodwork, with literally six different types of wood used in its patterns and decorations. The rest of the room, however, was a disaster.
Drawers were strewn about. Clothing lay askew, and mirrors had slid down from their previously haughty posts. The bed was unmade... the entire mess looked as if it had been abandoned in a hurry... which only fueled Shaun as he rifled through most of the room... finding nothing.
“Find anything?” Siabrey asked hopefully as Shaun finished looking under the mattress of the bed. His growl told her no, and she gave her own sigh. Well... there goes an early end to our trip...
”Well,” Iranami said, looking about the mess, “I’m going to throw down my bedroll here. If we’re to leave tomorrow, I would hope it would be bright and early. I’ve heard stories of that swamp, and I don’t want to try to find a campsite within its midst.”
“Same monster stories as the Steward?” Tess asked, and Iranami nodded. “Great,” the bard rolled her eyes. “Everyone, lets get some shuteye... sounds like tomorrow is going to be a long, interesting day.”
“I don’t like it when you say something is going to be interesting, Tess,” Shaun grumbled as he threw down his own bedroll, before looking up at Siabrey. “Hey, Siabrey! Check your book... see if there’s any news!”
“Oh!” she jumped out of her morose mood immediately, and rifled through her pack until the large book was exposed. Quickly, she flipped open the pages, and to her delight, found a response. As she scanned the writing, Shaun saw her look up... directly at him.
“Elenya’s gone with,” Siabrey said cautiously.
“She... what?” he dashed over and looked over Siabrey’s shoulder, and then gave a growl. “Figures,” the growl changed to a sigh, “that’s my Elenya...thankfully she’s not going to be on the front lines...”
Oh, she’ll find a way, Siabrey thought, but didn’t say. As much fun as it would be to see Shaun have an aneurism, she didn’t want to lose her friend that quickly... she then turned, and started scanning the blank bottom of the page... and a smile crossed her lips at Lucius’ note.
”Hopefully the gods of war will smile on me as much as the Goddess of Love has.” he had scrawled on the side, and she gave a contented sigh. Luke... you are definitely getting a backrub when we meet again... and I don’t care if there is a fight coming, we’re going to spend a solid day together... alone!
“Um... Siabrey? You know you’re sighing over a blank piece of paper?” Shaun’s question jolted her out of her daydream. She looked at him still staring over her shoulder, and bared her teeth.
“Rit ti ti,” she made a strange sound as she waved him away, “Go! Stop being so nosy!”
The party had nervously decided to have an informal watch, despite being inside, through the course of the night. It was Siabrey, deep into second watch, that heard the first distant clamping noises... and it was everyone who felt the underground structure shake, as a long, low thunder echoed down the halls. The entire party was on their feet, and dashed through the corridors, towards the exposed front of the manor.
As Siabrey and Shaun came into the large, empty ballroom whose windows looked over the grounds in front of the building, another bright flash burned into their eyes, and shouts and calls came from both downstairs and outside. The two immediately dashed towards the large glass windows, and looked outside.
In the gloom of the deep night, the party could make out five figures on horseback, and five forms, low and log along the ground, in front of them. From one of the low forms came a light, glowing brighter and brighter, until a ball of energy slashed into the stone building, and the tinkling of shattered glass joined the massive concussion as hte plasma ball exploded.
In the light of the pyre below, the party could momentarily make out what they faced... five mounted figures with fox heads, clad in strange armor. Each carried two swords, and Siabrey easily recognized the larger... it was exactly like her own katana. The smaller swords looked like shorter, stubbier versions of the same. The riders for the moment merely held their reins, and watched their clockworks at work.
The creatures in front were clearly not natural, pistons and gears pumped as they moved forward, and some kind of steam or smoke issued forth from them when they let loose a bolt. In all other ways they looked vaguely like large, 10 foot long scorpions, with a massive hole facing out instead of a proper head. It was from these holes that their fire issued.
Wasting no time to act, Siabrey looked at the riders, towards the one in the center, and notched an arrow. It flew straight and true, striking the foxman in the upper chest. He reeled in the saddle, but managed to remain mounted before starting to gallop away.
His friends reached into their belts as Shaun’s flaming arrow hit one of the clockworks, and they all produced round metal disks that seemed to have a hole in the center (chakras). With a heave, four of them flew towards Siabrey, one striking the bellyplate of her armor, the other one of her neckguards. The blows were harsh and severe, but didn’t pierce her armor, only leaving her with marks that would likely become bruises in the morning (DM’s Note: For all its coolness... a chakra does 1d4 + strength damage...).
Tess finally reached a window, and hurriedly raised her voice to the heavens, and three sonic darts lashed out at two of the clockworks. One exploded into a pile of cheap metallic debris, while pistons and gears snapped off of the other one from her damaging harmonics... yet it continued to hobble towards the mansion.
Iranami and Grumki were the last to get to a window, and jointly, they began to call upon forces divine for help. While Grumki called upon the archons of strength, Iranami called upon nature itself... both for the boon of a fire from heaven to rain down on their foes. The other four riders, hearing chants rising from the mansion, reined up, and after launching another volley of chakras at the windows (striking Shaun lighty, but otherwise only knocking out windows), they turned to retreat.
Grumki’s prayer was the first to be answered, and an enormous column of flame thundered from the sky above, lighting up everything around, before crashing down with a thundering roar on the remaining clockworks. The crackle of flames mixed with the breaking and crunching sounds of steam punching through boilers and pistons breaking, as the remaining clockworks were burnt to ruin (Yes, boys and girls, Grumki has flamestrike
).Iranami’s call came only a few seconds later, with similar results. Her column of fire appeared over the retreating riders, and thundered down from on high, incinerating horse and rider alike. The lone survivor was the rider Siabrey initially shot, whose frightened steed bucked him off. He now laid on the ground next to the pyre of his comrades, crawling away.
The party dashed out from the manor towards the injured man... and as they drew nigh, they saw the horror that had once been an elegant half-human.
His face was burnt, and the smell of charred fur and flesh hung in the air as blood spilled freely from his chest. It was clearly apparent he was living on borrowed time.
“Who are you? Who leads you?” Siabrey grabbed him and hefted him up. “Tell us, and we shall ease your passing!”
“S..Sh...Shi Huandi...” his voice said raspily. Siabrey motioned to Grumki, who administered a light healing spell to keep the fox man from slipping. As his wounds closed a bit, Siabrey then asked him again.
“Where is Ilia!?”
“Who?” he looked at her with a vacant stare... the healing had not been enough, and his eyes were already starting to roll into the back of his head.
“Ilia!” Siabrey repeated... then pointed to her own hair, “Blonde! Eyepatch!”
“Oh... she... south...” he said quietly, his voice rasping even more.
“Where!?” Siabrey demanded, her voice now frought with worry. Lucius is to the south...
“I... ack...awck...augh...” he descended into groans and creaks, as the netherworlds claimed yet another soul.
As he went limp in her arms, Siabrey unceremoniously dropped his frame, letting it land on the ground with a thunk. Her mind was preoccupied by his words, her being was shaken to the core.
Luke is to the south... Ilia is headed south... No! No... we must hurry! We must get to Luke before Ilia does!
“I can question the dead,” Grumki offered quietly, and Siabrey shook her head no.
“Takes too long,” she said sharply. “Not enough time.. We ride to the swamp! Now!” she barked at the rest of the party, who stood in shock. Seeing their non-reaction, she reached over and shoved Shaun towards the manor. “Get the Steward, and drag him out here if you have to! If we get to the swamp by daybreak, we have all day to look for this ‘safe place!’” Her eyes then turned to Tess and Iranami.
“You two, get the horses and supplies ready! We ride NOW!”
