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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1476530" data-attributes="member: 15043">Alexander V, Imperator et RexAbout that same time, Tess, now clad in a finely made sky blue dress (from her glammered armor), and her hair done up to perfection, strode through the army camp.. ignoring all of the soldiers staring at her agape.  Her eyes did notice one familiar male, walking along a similar path as hers.“Shaun!” she called, noticing he was headed the same direction as her.  “You headed to see Alex?”  She winced when she used that name for the Emperor, as she immediately saw the rogue’s grin form... and she prepared herself for the assault of humor about to come her way.“Why yes,” Shaun said politely as he came alongside, his grin still dangerous.  “Though some of us aren’t as close to him as you, and refer to him as Alexander.... then again,” his voice dropped to a conspiratory whisper, “I suppose it is easier to cry out, ‘Oh Alex! Alex!’”He failed to dodge her elbow, which found his side just above his last rib.  “OW!” he howled, “That hurt!”“That’s what you get!” Tess snarled, thoroughly annoyed.  “Alexander is a nice guy, but he’s into Imperial politicking... something I’d like to avoid if at all possible!  Besides, he’s happily married you bum!”Shaun weighed his options, and saw the tent was still a ways off.  He tensed his muscles, and opened his mouth.“The fact a noble is married hasn’t stopped many a lass in the past,” he laughed, this time avoiding the swift kick Tess laughed at him.  He fairly cackled with laughter as Tess’ face went red with embarrassment for him.  Finally the drew up outside the massive white tent that was their goal, and to their surprise someone barked out their names.  The four guards outside the tent drew swords, and brought them up in a salute.That’s odd, Tess thought, We aren’t nobility...why do they salute us as if we are?  Her eyes also noticed that one of the guards was much taller than average... well over six feet.  The questions in her mind were too numerous for this to be paid much attention to, as she walked between the lines of guards.Once of the guardsmen then held the tent flap open for them, and they strode into a large partition of the tent, with a large, but simple, wooden throne on the far end.  Alexander’s form sat, bent as he examined some papers an aide held for him.  As they walked in, he looked up, smiling at their approach.“Tess, Shaun, please!  Come in!” he waved to them, before dismissing the aides and officers.  Tess wanted to growl again as she saw a half smirk form on Shaun’s face.  She watched as Alexander saw it, and her alarm bells rang when she saw his smile disappear.“Hmm... now that we are in private,” he said, his voice deep and not as friendly, “I have much to discuss with you both... starting with Mr. Dice’s background.”The smirk immediately left Shaun’s face, as Alexander stood from the throne, and began to walk forward.“Jack of all trades, they say,” Alexander said darkly.  “A man of many talents, a man of numerous skills,” Alexander drew up right beside Shaun.  “And a thief with many times of breaking the law...” Alexander’s voice was gravelly and trailed off.  Shaun’s forehead now bore a great deal of sweat, and Tess herself began to get nervous.   “My lord,” she started, before a massive grin broke on Alexander’s face, and a snicker sputtered its way out.“Don’t worry, Shaun,” Alexander put a hand on his shoulder as he shook from laughter, “Its been forgiven.  Sorry, I just had to tease you for a bit...” he laughed.Shaun seemed to deflate, as he exhaled in relief, and Tess started laughing herself... also partially out of relief.  If he’d been actually angry at Shaun...“Alexander, you scared me for a minute,” Shaun said finally, and the Emperor nodded.  “I can’t play pranks like that on the councillors... they get snobbish and have hurt feelings.  Anyways,” he slapped an arm around both of them, walking them towards the the wooden throne, “the purpose of me calling you here.  Well... there’s actually two.  One, I need to ask you all a few questions about Lucius, and two, I have... a surprise,” he grinned.Oh god... he’s like a kid, now that he’s found people he can mess with, Shaun wanted to groan.“First... about Luke.  How is he... personality wise... these days?  I’ve heard of his exploits in battle, you can stay away from those.”  Alexander took a seat on the throne once again, and steepled his hands.“Well,” Tess started, “He can be somewhat reckless... but he is very kind... and very thoughtful.  He knows his politics... and he tends to think things out in that area.”“Yeah,” Shaun volunteered, “he was arranging meetings with nobles and other uppities... no offense Highness, in Irulas before you came.  He talked several into sending troops to the army even... well... him and Siabrey did.”“Hmmm...” Alexander said thoughtfully.  He seemed to stare off into space for a bit, and after a few more questions were asked, his eyes flashed, as if he’d made a decision.“Hm.  Very well.  Now, onto the next issue.”  Alexander then reached behind the throne and pulled out two pieces of paper, and acted as if he was reading them carefully.“You’ve seen those before, haven’t you, Majesty?” Tess said, seeing through his ruse.  He’s got a good sense of drama... somewhat, she thought.  ’Cept he’s too obvious with things...“I can’t have fun around you,” the Emperor mock sighed, before looking at Shaun.  “Kneel Shaun.”“What?”“Kneel,” Alexander reached to the other side of the throne and drew the same golden sword he had showed them in the Imperial palace.  Shaun looked on in confusion, as Tess grabbed his shoulder and forced him down.  Alexander gave a smile, and lightly tapped both of Shaun’s shoulders.“By the power vested in me, Emperor Alexander V, I hereby dub thee... Lord Shaun Dice of.... lands to be determined,” Alexander added the last with a grin, before handing Shaun one of the pieces of paper. “I signed these this morning.... you’ll get a position as Captain in the Imperial Guard, and totalled with your pension as a noble... a total income of 750 gold pieces per year for the rest of your life.”  Shaun clutched the paper, staring into it in shock, as Alexander motioned for Tess to kneel as well.After tapping her shoulders twice, he said, “Arise, Baroness Tesseron Keldare, also of lands yet to be named.  Here’s your official copy of the Imperial decree... pension of 750 gold per year, as well as a formal position in the Imperial Arts Academy, should you choose to accept.”“B...but why this, Alex?” Shaun asked shakily.  I’m a noble now?  Wha... his mind, still in shock, managed to sputter.“For your service to the Empire in fighting the threat the Countess poses,” Alexander rolled his eyes as a father does when a child asks a silly question.  “Thank you, Majesty!” Tess fairly leaped with joy.  The Imperial Arts Academy!?  Oh my... I can perform in ISKELDRUN itself!  Crowds of thousands! Free use of the Empress’ Theater!  Oh...  Shaun slowly rose to his feet, the possibilities the new title gave him now rising to his mind.“Thankyou thankyou,” he sputtered out quickly, as Alexander smiled.“You want to tell everyone else now, I bet?” he asked, and the two nodded eagerly.  With a laugh, he waved them on.  “Go, let the others know!  I’ve called Luke and Siabrey here later on, you might have a bit before you can tell them, but go on!”Tess immediately hoped on her horse, and as her heart leapt with giddiness, she felt like singing.  With a whoop, she set about the camps, her voice rising high in song... attracting the attention of numerous soldiers about her.  As ragged cheers rose in the air for the pretty lady with the wonderful voice, many began crowding around her horse, pushing shoving, and after a bit... the drunker ones started reaching.Tess... more than well aware of what drink and a pretty woman could do to men, began to get afraid, until an extremely tall and lanky man, dressed in the armor and symbols of a sergeant, bellowed at the soldiers, causing them all to stop, and back away.  He walked up beside Tess, so tall he could barely had to look up at her when she was mounted.“Sorry about that, Lady Tesseron,” he said quietly, offering to kiss her hand.How does this man know my name? Tess questioned, her face going slightly into shock.  His eyes twinkled with a smile, as he evidently guessed her unspoken question.“I know you because the word of your singing ability spread through the camps back at Irulas... and I know that a lark like you could only be her,” he smiled.  “Come, I’ll lead you out of this mob... if you can do one thing for me.”  He raised an arm, and rested it on the top of her horses’ head.Oh boy, Tess wanted to groan, but she forced herself to be civil.  If he wasn’t, she could always issue a shriek and vitrify someone who tried to grope her.  “Could you take me to meet Lucius Caladron?” the man asked.  “I have something I need to give him... on the behalf of people where I come from.”Tess blinked at the unusual request.  “Um... sure... I suppose.  Follow me, I’ll take you to his tent.”  The man nodded, and walked a respectful distance behind her as she went through the camp...Shaun, for his part, was now revelling in his new title... “Lord Shaun Dice.”  He dashed around camp, and happily began shouting orders at soldiers he saw were standing with nothing to do.“You there!  Kiss my boots!” Shaun barked, and the soldier in question looked at him funny.“Why th’ ‘ell should I do that?” the man, shorter but broader than Shaun, began walking towards him menacingly.  Shaun laughed, and pulled out the Imperial decree.“Because I’m Lord Shaun Dice, bitch!” he cackled, and the soldier’s face fell.  (DM’s Note: The player said this in the same manner as Rick James from the Chappelle show episode... if you don’t know what I’m referring to.. I feel sorry for you.  It’s hiliarious to the ‘nth degree <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> )About this time, Siabrey, clad in her battle armor, arrived outside the Emperor’s tent, nervously glancing about as Luke, clad in a noble’s outfit, came up behind.  Reluctantly, she stopped short of going in, as Luke walked forward, into a tunnel of guards at attention with swords upraised.  Siabrey too noticed one of the guards was much taller than the others, though like Tess, she was too preoccupied to notice it.  Most of the guards fanned out away from the tent after Luke entered, with only the tall one still nearby.Seconds turned into minutes, as Siabrey sat on a log just outside the entrance.  At first, she tried whittling, but that quickly became dull... and all the while she could hear Alexander and Luke talking in subdued tones.  I wonder what they’re talking about? her mind idly asked, as a shadow loomed over her.“Madam Sipner-Caladron?” the tall guardsman asked, and Siabrey stood and nodded.  I’m guessing I was sitting too close to the entrance or something.“I was wondering, if I may have the honor of sparring with you?” the guardsman asked, his face a smirk.  I can best you easily is screamed, and Siabrey’s face turned into a smirk of her own.  “A challenge!  Well then!” she started walking away from the tent, “Let’s begin over here, away from the tent... I have some more room when I teach you a few things!”  The grin on her face was good-natured, as was the barb, and she saw he laughed at it.“I have a feeling I shall be teaching you a thing or two also!” the man laughed, drawing a large bastard sword.  Siabrey, mentally, laughed... as the man held his sword awkwardly over his head... just as Luke had done months ago.  This should be easy, her mind thought.She was surprised when her blade slashed towards him, that he blocked it with lightning quickness, and as minutes ticked by and she found her opponent always in her way, she realized his initial stance had been a ruse... he was quite good... and she barely bested him.For the first time, also, she found herself out of breath.  The pace of the fight had been lightning, screeching about pell mell, blades whirling left and right, fast enough that other guardsmen had gathered to watch.  As Siabrey watched, her opponent casually picked up his sword, and that he not only hadn’t broken into a sweat, but that he was scarcely breathing any faster than before.“Lets go again,” he said with a grin.  “I forgot Hawroash’s move... you surprised me there,” he said, his voice genuine in congratulations.  Siabrey, for all her tiredness, was not about to let the challenge stand.“Again,” she hefted Kelir up.  Her tiredness showed, and within a minute, her katana went sailing out of her hand, and the guardsman laughed.  “Countess Sipner-Caladron,” he put an arm around her tired frame.  “You are truly a gifted swordwoman.  Count Lucius must be proud to have someone such as yourself by his side.”“Yes...” she rasped out, “he is.”  Dammit... he wore me out!  Thats never happened before!  No one has worn me out in sparring!  These guardsmen must be ungodly in battle...As her eyes look up at the guardsman, she notices a familiar form coming out of the tent... Luke, minus his hat, which is now in his hand.  His red hair as well was not flat like it had been when he went in.  Indeed, its upper parts shot out at odd angles, positions that gravity should have counteracted.“Luke!” Siabrey walked slowly over towards him, and he looked up at her.  His eyes were clearly filled with a mass of emotions... worry, surprise, and to some extent, confusion.“Luke, what happened?” she came up beside him, and he merely shook his head.  “C’mon!  What happened!  At least tell me what happened to your hair!” she ran her hand through the hair, and it felt sticky.  She brought her hand down and smelled it... oil.“I have a lot to think about, hon,” Luke said quietly.  “For right now, I want to wash my hair off.”“Um... ok.  But Luke, whatever it is... please tell me!  Otherwise, I’ll worry,” Siabrey told him, and Luke nodded.“As soon as I have digested the news myself, I’ll let you know.”  Siabrey started to open her mouth, when another messenger appeared in front of them, tugging on Siabrey’s arm.“Luke, c’mon... let me... What!?” she snapped.“M’lord, M’lady...  A Quin Keldare sent me to find you.  He says he wants to speak to you about something urgent... and that a Shaun Dice is acting up.”“Oh god,” Siabrey rolled her eyes, “Let’s go.”  As Siabrey turned, Luke breathed out a small sigh of relief, as his wife was distracted.A few minutes later and the two found themselves by Tess’ tent, with a wildly gesticulating Quin in front of it.  As they came up to it, he kept shouting the same phrase.“Have you heard the news!?  Is it true?!”“Is what true?” Siabrey asked, dismounting.  “We haven’t heard anything.  What’s going on?”“The rumor is going around camp that Tess is now a Baroness!” Quin said excitedly, “ Do you know if that’s true?”“Yes,” Luke nodded, and Siabrey’s face went livid.“You... Luke!” Siabrey shouted, kicking Luke in the leg... one a little harder than a love tap.  “Why didn’t you tell me!?  You knew and you didn’t tell me!?”  Luke for his part rather weakly grabbed his leg.“And Shaun is a knight,” he said weakly.“Shaun is a knight!? Siabrey screeched, “why didn’t you tell me!?  Augh!” she gave him another kick.  This time, she kicked harder than she intended, and Luke grabbed his leg in genuine pain.  When she saw the look on his face, she immediately apologized.“Why do you keep kicking the heir to the Empire?” Luke hissed, as he held the leg.  Siabrey was too busy checking it out to hear what he said.“What was that, hon?” she asked calmly, as Quin began to sputter.  Luke reached down, and took Siabrey’s face into his hands, pulling her up so he could look her in the eyes.“I asked... why do you keep kicking the Heir to the Empire?” Luke asked again, his face completely serious.Heir to the what?  Siabrey looked at his hair, remembering there was oil in it.  What is oil used for?  Religious annunciations... consecrations... and crownings...Crownings?  CROWNINGS?  Luke is... that makes me... I... he... ugh...Siabrey teetered, before collapsing on the ground in a faint.</blockquote>

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