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Post by Broken Warrior on May 25, 2011 11:04:18 GMT -5
The halls of the dead dwarven city sat silent. The denizens had died off or left long ago. The great pillers and quiet forges sat as a silent monument to a people long since gone, and an age long since passed. The forgotten city simply sat empty, hidden away within the depths of the Iron Mountains, seemingly untouched for an age. The only light in the cold dark tomb shown through a break in the roof of the city, an opening straight into the world above, into the cold open air of the mountains.
The light shown onto the damaged dwarven temple. The beams of light fed through a hole in the upper wall of the building, which rested on a crater in the wall above the alter.
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Post by Broken Warrior on May 25, 2011 13:30:44 GMT -5
Water slowly leaked down the wall of the above the alter, the beams of light bouncing off every small bead that made it's way down the wall. A small pool had formed at the base of the wall.
The sudden thud and splash of the water broke the eternal silence. a simingly formless mass moved about slowly, appearing to push itself up. A hand placed in the water, was followed by a sharply bright light, before the mass dragged itself from the point of landing. It made it's way slowly towards a statue of a dwarf, mumbling incoherently. Reaching the statue, the mass gave way to a humanoid figure, agonizingly attempting to stand up while leaning on the statue. A final hand placed on the head of the statue allowed the figure to stand, another flash bouncing off the face of the stone dwarf.
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Post by Broken Warrior on May 25, 2011 17:25:55 GMT -5
The emancipated figure stumbled back and forth as it mades it's way to the exit of the temple. It's body more bones then skin, it's face sunken driving the look of a skull. Long straight black hair fell swung about the form, reaching to grab the ground in it's length. Hardly any clothing covered the form, only the scraps of what once could be called pants covered parts of it's legs. It moves about slowly, looking to fall with each heavy and exhausting step.
As it exited the temple, it looked out to see deathly silent city, given shape and form to it's eye's by the light from the hole in the ceiling. Rubble was strewn about what could pass as streets. Stones, carts, weapons, skeletons, a myraid mix of a thousand things not disturbed since who knew when. The form moved slowly through the abandoned delve, each step a strained effort to not collapse.
Back in the temple, other things moved about, the pool of water seemed to have come to life. It moved about the room, until finding a crack in the endless stone wall. The pool squezzed itself into the crack, disappearing from the room. On the other side, the silence was truly broken, by the grinding sound of stone against stone, as the dwarven statue took it's first steps. The temple reverberated with the sounds of the grinding stone, as the statue moved it's legs, it arms, even it's fingers made a grinding screech load enough to drive a orc to it's knees. It opened it's eye, a blue glow from them lit up the empty temple.
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Post by Broken Warrior on May 26, 2011 17:53:04 GMT -5
A small fire crackled, the coal burning as if it had just been dug up. The emancipated figure laid next to it, attempting to stay warm. A rat had the same notion, moving towards the fire wearily. The sudden lurch froze it just long enough for the figure to grab it.
The figure bit down into the rat, tearing at the fur and flesh as best he could. It barely had the strenght to even catch this meal, let alone wait to cook it. Blood splatered the face of the figure, and the crunching of bone, and tearing sound of the sinew and tendons simply added to the gruesomeness of the scene.
The firgure fell to it's back, blood running from his mouth and down his face. It had not been much, but it was still food. The figure wiped it's mouth, turning it's head to look out to see what it could. The air was heavy, which made it hard to breath. Outside the reach of it's fire, it was pitch black. The figure had found it's way into one of the tunnels leading out of the city. Both the way he came from, and the way he was heading, were shrouded in absolute darkness. The figure sat up gingerly, it's hair falling around his body. It shivered, before moving closer to the fire.
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Post by Broken Warrior on May 2, 2012 11:02:24 GMT -5
The spring rains had been coming down hard for the last few days. Many of the pathways through Mittelmarch where covered with Mud, as people continued to move here and there, attempting to continue their work despite the weather. At a nearby well, three Defenders were talking, lamenting on the peace that had managed to be secured recently. With the Jovians gone, things seemed like they may finally settle for the constantly besiged city. Of the Defenders made his way over to the well, pulling up a a bucket of water to get a drink. The other two continued their discussion giving little to no notice of what their friend was doing. Suddenly, the drinking guard fell to his knees, clutching his throat. Before thetwo could do anythign to help, the guard fell to the ground, his eyes glassy and some of the water that he had just tried to drink pouring from his mouth. The two looked over their friends body in bewilderment, how could this have happened? One of the guards looked at his friends mouth, seeing that water still was coming out. The other one, turned at the sound of a sloshy footstep. He had no chance to say anything, as his lifeless body crumbled against the well, several blade thin shards of ice protruding from his chest, which began to melt immediatly. The final Defender dove away and reached for his weapon, but there was nothing there. He turned to begin to make a run for the guardhouse, only to turn and see what could only be described as a mass of water that had a simblance of a humanoid form. It reached up with a single hand, and before the guard could swing his blade, his chest was opned up by a large shard of ice, that just like it's previous victim, began to melt instantaously. The Defender collapsed to the ground, the three deaths virtually silent, and it would be some time before someone realized they hadn't reported in. The mass of water dropped down into a puddle, and began to make it's way through the village, a task made easy by all the puddles and heavy rains through the village.
Many miles away, a lone figure, wrapped in animal skins of various type, took a soft step into the ruins of what had been once called Kyuden Tatsumura
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Post by Broken Warrior on May 2, 2012 13:02:10 GMT -5
The village had been abandoned some time before, though it was impossible to tell how long it had been. The homes and shops of the main village were in disrepair. Most of anything that would be useful for a scavanger had been taken as well. The lone figure had been gaining strength over the last year to survive a trip out of the Iron Mountains where he awoke, his hair was still long, and hung around the furs and hides that now covered his body. Something had drawn him here, but he didn't know why, nor did he know what this place was, but something simply called to him.
He made his way through the village, as if he were walking in a dream, as if he had walked these pathways before. But no matter where he walked or where he looked, there was nothing, and no answer to why he came here. He made his way up the hill to the mighty pagoda that once housed the powerful Lords of Kyuden Tatusmura and their warriors. Inside, there was nothing of value, save 5 chairs that sat in the middle of the main hall. Everything had been taken, but yet, there were no signs of theft, or struggle. It was as if the people simply picked up and left.
The figure made his way to the chairs, sitting down in the middle one, and simply looked around the empty room, and attempted to rest for a moment.
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Post by Broken Warrior on Mar 20, 2013 18:43:48 GMT -5
The figure had made the kyuden his home for the winter, coming and going unnoticed by the rest of the world. The snows were melting, and the signs of spring finally beginning to come forth, bringing the renewed life of the Land to be seen after it's long sleep. When the figure wasn't hunting for food, he sulked about the halls of the abandoned pagoda attempting to find something, anything.
He had been drawn to this place, but he had no understanding why. For nearly a year, he sifted through what remained of the former stronghold. His body had grown stronger, no longer the skeletal figure that had came out of the dwarven mine a year prior. Today, he went to what appeared to have been the stables. He looked about the broken place, a few of the supports had given away. He kicked a bail of unused hay that remained, it fell apart at the slight force. The figure began to walk away when a glint caught his eye.
He reached down, picking up a fine pouch that had been hidden by the hay. Inside, he found a silver mirror. It seemed untarnished, a beautifully accented piece of work apparently of elvish make. He looked it over, and stared at his own reflection for a moment. His pale skin, nearly as white as the snow that was melting around him. His long unkempt black hair that hung around his body, and his facial hair, which was just as wild. He stared at his reflection for a moment, a single question flowing through his head, "Who am I."
As he locked his violet eyes with his reflection, his mind raced to an image. He stood in the middle of a swirlling blizzard, a torrent of purple energy resting in his hand, staring at a demon-elf. And then, the blizzard collapsed on the two.
He snapped to, dropping the mirror that simply thuded on the ground. What was that he had just seen? He gathered the things up, and headed inside the pagoda to attempt to go to sleep. In a far away land, sitting in a silent hall of memories, a scepter of ice sitting on it's resting place, began to glow brightly.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Mar 28, 2013 15:25:02 GMT -5
The elf woke suddenly out of sleep,startled out of dreams. Heart thudding, she scanned the room warily, trying to discern what had wakened her. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed,heralding the spring storm that was sweeping in. The soft moonlight lighting the room,filtered through the curtains, flickered and shifted as the stormclouds gathered and built outside. All was as it should be and yet a nagging unease pricked at her. Rising, she robed and dressed silently and left the room; pulled by the nagging unease that something was not in order. Before she had gone two steps down the stairs there was a shimmer of silver and a magnificent stallion appeared at her side. Silently, he accompanied her as she gained the ground floor and moved unerringly for the Hall of Memory.
As the pair entered the Hall the strange pull on the elf increased threefold. Still silent, she drifted past the alcoves and pedestals holding artifacts and weapons of past ages and heroes, set between masterfully painted murals depicting events from the realm's history and mythology. Sparing not a glance at any of these, she moved unerringly for a far corner alcove where light was shining that was not from the nearest elven lantern. As they drew up before it it was shown to emanate from a sceptor that seemed wrought of pure ice.
A storm of emotions assailed the elf as soon as she saw the source of the light and her fair features creased into a frown. Memories swirled around her, deepening the frown. This sceptor had belonged to a lord she had known, a lord of men. It had been meant for her, but she had never understood why. She had kept the sceptor though,in memory. Her eyes clouded as she recalled how the sceptor had come to her hand.
Three years ago,as mortals reckoned things, had been her last visit to the land known as Mittelmarch,and her last adventure there. She winced visibly. Three years since the battle with the sorcerer Telamon,and the fall of Tatsumura. The samurai lord had fallen in battle with Telamon shortly before she had won free of her captivity and battled the demon-tainted sorcerer herself,despite weakness and many wounds. She had triumphed in that battle,but it had been a near thing and she did not like reflecting on it. No trace had ever been found of Tatsumura, so he had been assumed dead. Nothing, but for a broken hilt wrapped with a single silver horse-hair. No sign but that and now, perhaps,this glowing sceptor,which had never glowed before. She eyed it uncertainly,but could not deny the pull that still tugged at her and reached out.
The moment her slender fingers closed around the sceptor,something akin to a shock jolted up the full length of the elf's arm. For a brief moment,all her surroundings fell away. She saw a tall,lordly man battling a demonic-looking elf amid a raging blizzard of snow,ice and magic, then the image changed to a face. Gaunt,but proud and noble it was surrounded by immense amounts of straggly black hair. The face was familiar, especially the intense violet eyes,and astonishment coursed through the elven queen as she recognized it. It cannot be...
Elestirne? Olore nosed her cheek lightly. What is it?
The queen's hand clenched convulsively on the ice sceptor and she held that position a long moment,frozen in shock. When the silver stallion nosed her again,her free hand came to his muzzle and she stroked it briefly.
"If what I saw is true..." Her voice was musing,troubled. "One thought lost may have just tried to reach out. What the message may be though,is beyond me to say at this time. I sense I may once again be needed,to aid a friend." Clear silver eyes the color of moonbeams darkened. "But there is no way to be sure. Authnor is not going to like this."
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Post by Broken Warrior on Apr 10, 2013 19:46:49 GMT -5
On the outskirts of Mittelmarch, in the shadow of the woods, a pair of patrolling guards had found themselves in a trap. A simple pit with some water in it, probably a relic from the recent wars, or a hunters trap for dangerous prey. The two guards attempted to climb out, but their armor cut through the dirt and mud, stopping them from effectivally climbing.
"This is great, how did we get into this mess?" "No idea. At least the routes are known, someone will come looking when we haven't reported in," the guards spoke with such confidence. The confidence was broken as one guard watched as the water below their feet retreated to a single point, and formed into a vaguly humanoid form. In the reflection of the guards helmet, the clear translusant form of the figure was only broken by the two points of red that sat where a man's eyes would be.
The guard moved to pull his sword, but found himself smashed against the wall. The other guard turned at the thud, only to find himself thrown from the pit. He stood up as quickly as his shakey body would let him, drawing his sword as the watery figure climbed out of the pit like a snake, and charged at the Mittelmarcher. The man thrust his blade, hitting his mark, stopping the charge of the being. He looked up at the two points of red, and for a moment swore he saw it smile.
The guard yanked his blade out the side of the being, and looked on in horror as the thing seemed uneffected. He swund his blade at the creature, cutting right through it, but the strike seemed to do nothing. The figure held up his "hand", a shard of ice flying from it into the guards sword hand. The screams that should have followed were gargled as the being snatched the guard by the throat, lifting him from the ground with ease. He carried his prey back to the pit, to see the other guard coming around. It released his grip a bit to allow his prey to breath, and the figure spoke.
"Katana ha doko desu!?! Imasugu oshie kudasai! (Where is the Katana, tell me know!)"
The guard in the pit looked up from the pit in bewilderment, he didn't understand the being. "IMASUGU, (now)" the figure yelled before tightning his grip again choking the defeated guard. "I don't know what you are saying! Are you speaking some form of elvish?"
The figure placed his hand next to the head of the guard in hand, it lossened it's grip for a moment to let the guard take a deep breath, then the sudden shock on his face. The guard in the pit watched as a shard of ice flew out of his friends head, an instantly lifeless lump that was dropped into the pit. The figure looked up into the sky as if talking to someone far away.
"Watashi ha anata gamiteiru kanojixyoha-elf nanimo watashi wo teishi suru okonau koto ga deki masu shitte iru I know you are watching she-elf, and there is nothing you can do to stop me)"
The guard had only a moment to yell as the creature lept into the pit.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 11, 2013 18:54:18 GMT -5
Elestirne sat on her throne, with Olore on the dais at her side and Authnor close by. It had been perhaps half a week since the first storm of spring and by now the news about her vision had reached Authnor and the council. Predictably there had been an outcry. Since that night, she had taken to carrying the sceptor around with her in the hope that it might reveal something more. It lay in her lap now, glowing slightly. She was no nearer an answer though, for all that she had taken to meditating nightly with just that hope in mind.
Authnor and the council had taken to believing that what the sceptor had 'shown' her had not been vision, merely a recording of its owner's last moments. For all of their belief in that theory, no one could explain why the sceptor persisted in glowing. Elestirne's own suspicion was that Tatsumura was somehow, impossibly, alive. She had no proof, but could not explain the strong feeling that nagged at her- a feeling, she now realized,had been at the edge of her consciousness since Tatsumura's 'fall'. Instinct told her that she was needed, that the vision from the sceptor had been a cry for help. And yet... a large part of her balked at the idea of returning to Mittelmarch.
Her physical injuries from that last adventure were long healed of course, but the mental and emotional wounds she still carried. Namely, her guilt over Tatsumura's fall and Telemon's death at her hands, as well as the deeper part of herself that she had had to tap into to win the fight with Telemon. Lightly, she tapped the sceptor with her nails, listening to Authnor and the others with half an ear. Her clear eyes were dark and her expression thoughtful.
Between one moment and the next , all changed. The sceptor flared with light, eliciting a sharp,startled cry from her. The others turned towards her in alarm, but she did not hear their queries. There were flickers of images that slowly solidified into a scene-what looked like two guards,a pit, and an odd,watery figure. She watched as the figure killed one guard and spoke. The language was known to her,though she did not speak it. It was spoken by the samurai of Tatsumura's Kyuden. Words drifted up to her dimly but the only one she heard with surety was 'katana'.
A sort of shock jolted through her, and an image crystallized in her mind: a swordhilt,wrapped with a silver horse-hair. A katana swordhilt. Her mind made a leap of understanding. The creature sought a katana, and something in her connected it to Tatsumura. Something bred familiarity..the command of ice..some tint to the voice.. Her mind made another leap, reasoning that if this creature was connected to Tatsumura, then the samurai lord was not only alive, but in danger. But if this creature also sought a katana.. Her blood ran cold. Storm...
This was the sign she had awaited. Here was the proof that she was indeed needed. Not only was a friend thought lost in need,possibly hunted, but her oathbrother was-if she was right-also in danger. Despite what she may feel,despite her misgivings, she knew now that she had no choice but to return. And there was the nagging feeling that the creature knew of her...
She came to to find herself slumped in the throne, her head leaning listlessly on her shoulder. She still held the sceptor,clenched tightly in white-knuckled hands. Trickles of blood seeped up between her knuckles and down past her wrists. It was a long moment before she registered Authnor, sword drawn, kneeling at her side and the rest of the councillers hovering nearby, worry-and fear-plain in their faces. Olore, as ever, stood at her side. He had stretched out his neck so that his head was in line with her shoulder. His pure aura soothed and shielded after the menace sensed from the water-shape. Elestirne?
"I have to go back..." She was barely aware of her own voice. "I am needed..called. Danger threatens friends.." Then, so soft, even she barely heard herself. "He is alive... I have a debt to repay..."
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 12, 2013 18:53:17 GMT -5
Authnor was quick to react. He ordered the councillers out and called for bandages and tea. After getting her to let go of the sceptor, he tended to her cuts quickly and efficiently, overriding her protests that it wasn't necessary. Once her hands had been seen to the knight let her be,watching her keenly. Curiousity proved stronger than patience though and he spoke. "What happened?"
She eyed him steadily. "Tatsumura is alive."
The knight shook his head, his tone gentle. "He fell fighting that fiend Telemon. Three years ago."
This time, she shook her head. "It was assumed. Never proven. No body was found. He is alive. The sceptor...is connected to him somehow... He is in danger. So is Storm,possibly. I have no choice. I have to go." As he started to protest, she was already raising a bandaged hand to head it off. "I have to go Authnor. You don't have to like it. Just deal with it."
His jaw worked, eyes flashing and hands clenching-preparing to argue-but eventually his shoulders sagged in defeat. He sighed and bowed his head resignedly. "I should know better by now. But over my dead corpse are you going alone my queen. I will not hear of it. It's too dangerous."
She managed a grim smile. "Stubborn... All life is dangerous old friend. Have it your way though. If you insist, you had better get ready. No guards or escort though-I don't want to attract attention." Catching his dark look and the unspoken protest she relented. "Very well.. A few. Only. And a skilled mage. Make arrangements and be swift. Mind that I want to travel secretely, incognito. I cannot know what we will find in Mittelmarch when we arrive. Go. See to it."
Authnor snapped a salute and deep bow, and left. She could hear him issueing curt orders all down the corridor. She leaned back against the throne, bandaged hands coming to her temples, and felt Olore's silken muzzle whisper against her cheek. Hold fast lady. Let us walk the path one step at a time. We shall seek out Storm as soon as we arrive. Elestirne managed a wan smile, and lowered one hand to pat the stallion's cheek. He responded with a small nuzzle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The small group of riders milled about uneasily at the edge of a forest. Some miles away they could see the great gates of a city wall. Seven in number, their mounts chafed and stamped in the last shreds of swirling mist, bridles jingling faintly. Cloaked and hooded to a one in silver-grey, it was impossible to tell their race and gender. Save for one.
Mounted on by far the best mount, a magnificent silver-white stallion with eyes of starry night, this rider's hood had slipped a bit, revealing hair dark as midnight shadows touched by an eldritch flicker of starry silver. Eyes of pale,clear silver the color of moonbeams surveyed the surroundings critically. After a moment, the night-dark head nodded and a slender hand drew the hood off; revealing pointed ears and a crown of woven silver ornamented by diamonds and a single flawless moonstone.
"We are here. Let us rest a moment,then we can make for the city." The voice was that of a woman's, but far more lilting and musical than any human's. The moon-pale silver eyes darkened as she gazed towards the city. The silver stallion under her tossed his mane with a stamp as her elven fellows also drew back their hoods.
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Post by Broken Warrior on Apr 16, 2013 8:20:32 GMT -5
The elven camp sat in darkenss and silence. The skys were cloudy, and a cool breeze had settled on the wind. the area grew cooler, forcing the travelers to bundle up more, though the silver-white stallion seemed to stand there unaffected by it. The temperture suddenly dropped from cool to freezing, and snow began to fall, and quickly accumulate.
A few yards from the camp, a figure appeared, a stunningly beautiful woman of Rokugani origin, wow hovered a few feet above the ground. Her long hair fell down the entire length of her back, stopping just above her ankles, except for a small bundle on the top of her head, held in place by a exquiste hairpin with the image of a crane on it Her hair was raven black, except for a few strands and the lower half, which was bleached white. Her flowing white kimono fluttered in the wind lazily around her. Her skin, as pale white as the accumulating snow and the kimono she wore, stood in stark contrast to her hair and piercing ice blue eyes. The nearby ice scepter glowed brightly, illuminating like a small star.
The figure landed on the fresh snow, her bare feet uneffected by the cold. As she took a step toward the camp, a single arrow was loosed at her. The arrow moved toward it's target only to disintigrate into a thousand small snow flakes as it hit it's target.
The words that followed came out with a soft voice, but unexplainablly carried the weight and fury of a blizzard, "Where is Tenkazu!?!"
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 16, 2013 19:07:09 GMT -5
The elves had settled into a uneasy rest,dismounting guardedly and setting a watch of the four guards,with six of the seven mounts adding another,loose ring of watch. The mage, the regal woman and the final guard were within the watchring. The guard stood at wary attention,the mage seemed fully in spell-trance. The woman was, if not in trance, obviously deep in thought and the silver-white stallion stood sentinel outside both watchrings. His head was up and he stared unblinking and unmoving,nostrils flared.
When the skies clouded and snow began falling,turning spring to winter in a instant, the silver stallion snorted. An instant later,the snorts of the other horses and one guard's cry echoed the alarm. In the watch-ring the lady tensed and rose fluidly to her feet;slender hands dropping guardedly to the swords on her hips. All eyes,elven and equine fixed unerringly on the exotic woman that had appeared a few yards away. The guards reacted immediently, drawing swords. One loosed an arrow,which fell to sparkling snowflakes. The horses snorted aggressively,pawing the ground,but waited on their masters's orders for now.
"Hold!." The command came sharp and authoritave. The lead guard and the lady had pushed past the ring for a better look. It was the guard that had spoken. Though his sword was drawn, he held it tip towards the ground. The lady carried a glowing sceptor of ice in one hand and she herself,seemed to shimmer faintly,subtly. As the silver stallion stepped to her side,he also seemed touched with an otherwrdly shimmer. The lady put her free hand on his neck, took in the glowing sceptor, then directed her moon-pale eyes to the strange woman. As one, she and the stallion moved forward a single,deliberate step, both holdinf the woman's eyes. Authnor started to protest but Elestirne's body laguage caused him to bite it off mid-syllablle.
Elestirne and Olore took a wise moment to carefully and critically assess the intruder. The control of snow and wind, the otherwordly beauty and paleness, the fact that she had hovered above ground before touching earth,the indifference to the sudden cold and the transmutation of the arrow..the glowing sceptor, and both Elestirne's and Olore's own inner reactions.. Both reached the same conclusion. Spirit... Olore noted. powerful, and stricken. She looks like the wind-walker,and his kind. Something must have drawn her here.
Reflectively, both dropped their gazes to the glowing sceptor. The elven queen took that in, recalled the word the spirit had spoken-undoubtedly a name,laced with strong grief,loss and confusion-and on the familiarity and similiarity of the woman's face. Not racially,though there was that too, but of family perhaps? Noting how the spirit's eyes also seemed to focus on the sceptor, Elestirne made a conclusion. She is connected to Tatsumura... She could help..or I might help her.
Raising her clear moon-pale silver eyes back to the spirit's ice blue ones, she raised the hand holding the sceptor slowly and calmly called out to her people in a low voice. "Stay back for now, do nothing. Olore stepped forward one single more step and the faint silver luminescence about him grew more definitive, though the guards could not see because of the blowing snow. His depthless,starry blue eyes shone and his very bearing radiated calm,power,light,serenity and goodness. Elestirne,at the stallion's shoulder, raised her hands to the side and palm out in a gesture of peace.
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Post by Broken Warrior on Apr 16, 2013 19:59:56 GMT -5
As the two approached, the winds and snow blew harder, and the voice became more menacing, "I said where!?!" As Elestrine made the peaceful gesture and exposed the ice scepter, the winds died down slightly, and the softer voice rang out again. At this range, her "common" words seemed echoed, and did not match the motions of her lips. In fact, faintly heard is a language unfamiler to them, even more exotic sounding then Rokugani, but every word carrys weight with it, and power. "You carry a tsangusuri...no, it has grown beyond a simple fetish, it is a Nemuranai now."
The figure looked between the elf and her horse, clearly studying both of them. The figure points at Elestrine, "I don't know who or what you are, but you carry something that has brought me here. And why do you walk with a kami?" The figure turns her gaze to Olore, seemingly looking past the form of the shimmering horse, and deeper within, into what it really is.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 17, 2013 14:50:54 GMT -5
Elestirne's hair and Olore's long mane and tail were whipped this way and that by the wind but neither seemed bothered, and it did not diminish the soft radiance, one silver-white,the other silver-blue, they exuded.
Guessing from the words used that the spirit meant the scepter, Elestirne answered softly. "It was a gift... From a friend. I think that, possibly, he has reached out through it to call for help. If I can find him...I mean to answer that call.” Noting the spirit’s scrutiny of them, followed by the questions, Elestirne tensed faintly. After a moment, she decided on the simplest answer. “What my people and I are called are elves. We are creatures of light and goodness from a realm far from here. I have known some who look and speak similar to you. You must be what they have called a kami. My companion..." Here she hesitated. Spirit or otherwise,she balked at saying anything of Olore to anyone. Fortunately Olore himself slid in.
Standing at collected attention with tail flagged,neck arched and head high, mane and tail blowing in the wind and snow, he was a magnificent sight.
I have been called kami before,wind-born, by one whom I called wind-walker but it is not what I am. It is he my lady means to help and find and it is he who gave her the sceptor she carries. You too, seek him it seems.
What I am... the stallion's voice changed,becoming deeper;rich with power,authority and majesty. The light limning him grew brighter,too bright for mortal eyes to stand. Briefly-very briefly,for a second,no more, his appearence and Elestirne's changed in the perception of the spirit. The horse-shape wavered,became a ghostly silver outline filled with thousands of stars,mane and tail trailing glittering trails of stardust,his eyes infinite,depthless wells of starry night. Great feathered wings had sprouted from his shoulders and he held them half-furled. I am as you are,windborn, only of the heavens and light. I serve the powers my lady and her people worship and by their order I am bound to the lady elven-queen to be a protecter and companion for all her days. More than this,you need not know. This form...the stallion shrugged his wings, would be considered most unsettling to mortals and they could not handle the truth of it. Especially not her people. Thus I walk in a accepted form, one that is not thought twice of.
Elestirne too, had changed for that second of true sight. Outer trappings had faded away to show a female in flowing silver-white gown. The elusive,eldritch flicker of starry silver in her raven hair was stronger,as had the soothing silver-blue light limning her. Her moon-pale silver eyes had grown both clearer and brighter if that were possible and in her fair face there was a shining light. A starshaped mark in the center of her forehead,previously hidden by her crown,glowed with a soft silvery light and seemed to glitter as though dusted by stardust. And, most telling of all, elegant feathered wings had appeared, held half-furled and dusted with glittering stardust.
The queen trembled,seemed to fight for control for an instant. A glittering tear traced its way down her cheek. Olore stamped a silver hoof and the true-sight vanished. My lady fears her true self and the fate it means for her. She has not told her people or any of it and it is for the best that they see her only as an elf,and queen. It remains secret, until its right time to be unveiled. He bent his head just slightly to nose the queen's cheek lightly,keeping his eyes unwaveringly on the spirit.
Time presses us. We had other errands here than seeking the wind-walker,for my lady believes another friend in danger. We were making for the city when you came, windborn. If you wish us to exchange what we know of the one we both seek,let us do so. The lady's guards must be growing quite anxious about her safety. Things like a winter blizzard in spring always makes mortals most edgy,especially when their queen walked into it alone. And even elves feel the cold. It is most discouteous to cause them discomfort when they have offered no insult or harm beyond an arrow loosed in shock and fear for the sudden appearence Olore's voice was dry, and he tossed his mane with a stamp of hooves and swish of tail.
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Post by Broken Warrior on Apr 18, 2013 12:05:02 GMT -5
The figure took a step forward, her voice raised with an indignant tone to the pair before her. The winds and snow suddenly shifted from randomly blowing around to radiating from the spirit. The temperature suddenly dropped to well below freezing, and shards of ice began to form on the trees, and “grow” from the ground. “Just as nature cares nothing for the issues of men, neither do I care for their comfort or the urgency of mortal issues; I care only to find Tenkazu.”
The spirit stood there, the visible power she possessed for all to see. She stood there as the calm center of a storm, despite the furious winds, her kimono simply hung lazily around her. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. She felt through the winds, the kami of the Land spoke to her, telling her of the elves, and of the ones before her, they spoke the truth. As she opened her eyes, they gave off a visible white flash. Just as suddenly as the storm had moved into the area, it ended. The winds ceased almost immediately, the remaining snow in the air fell lazily down to the ground. The air around most of the area began to noticeable warm, except for the 10 feet around the spirit.
The echoing “common” rang out, the tone was even, but still guarded “You claim that a friend gave that to you? I find that hard to believe. Kakita Tenkazu had no friends. Yet, it is clear he made that. Strange, you clutch it as if it were a fading memory. As if you release it, you’ll be in pain. I wonder; do you even know what it is you hold? What it is my son gave you?”
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 18, 2013 17:15:38 GMT -5
Elestirne reeled after Olore released the true-sight. Though what he had done had been only for an instant, it was still enough to profoundly unsettle and unnerve her. Inwardly, she shook. Her true-self and the ultimate fate that lay in store for her.. She started as Olore touched her cheek, and steadied with an effort,refusing to wipe away the crystalline tear,wich verily did shine like crystal,thanks to the true-sight. She placed her free hand on Olore's neck to ground herself. As always,contact with the stallion soothed her.
She tensed as the indignity of the spirit manifested itself in violent winds, below freezing temperatures and shards of ice. Despite the discomfort-and the memories of another blizzard-Elestirne held fast and refused to draw her cloak closer for warmth. She did though,cast a brief,reproachful glance to Olore.
As fast as it flared up, it ended. The winds ceased, the snow began to melt and the temperature to warm back to spring, except in the area immediently around the kami. Her elves could see her now,and Authnor and another called out with alarmed voices. She did not answer or look back,except to briefly lift her free hand in a warding signal to keep them back.
Hearing the spirit's admisson that Tatsumura was her son did not shock Elestirne as much as it might have another. She had suspected from first meeting the man and seeing his abilities that he wasn't truly mortal. For her own part, though her melodic voice was calm, the tone was as guarded as the spirit's.
"You may find it hard to believe windborn, but that does not make it untrue. I do not speak false. Your son, whom I and others know as Tatsumura, was-is my friend. He has helped me and I in my turn, have helped and aided him. The last time I was in this land three years ago, he came to my aid again,with the best of his ability and was thought lost in the battle that ensued. I slew the demon he had fought, but I still owe a debt. The sceptor has shown me images that cause me to believe your son,my friend,is alive and in need of help. Likely in danger as well. I mean to find him and repay my debt as best as I might. My guilt,and loyalty to friends demands no less. And I will not abandon friends in need. I believe the sceptor will help me find him.
"I seek another friend too,who also might be in danger. He called your son lord and did service to him,after a fashion. If he knew Tatsumura yet lived,he would wish to atone,and to help. I believe him to dwell in the city and the sooner I can find and speak to him,the sooner I can search for Tatsumura. It is also possible that he may have information that will help in my search."
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Post by Broken Warrior on Apr 26, 2013 11:04:17 GMT -5
The Spirit pondered about the the elf and her yojimbo kami before her. She said nothing as she hovered justly slightly above the ground. Without the rage for the winds around her, her seeming unnatural beauty could be seen, her features soft and elegant. She raised her hand slowly, and the scepter began to glow brightly, then the light faded to it's calm glow that it had before the spirits arrival.
"I see the truth in your heart, and will do what I can to help. When I am needed, I will appear to you. Know this, another step forward, and there is no turning back. You may learn things, things that you may wish better left alone, not only about Tenkazu, but about yourself."
The spirit looked to Olore with a look as if she knew something, and gave him slight bow. The winds rushed instantly inwards toward the spirit, and then stopped; the spirit was gone. The only thing left was a echo of a voice, in the strange lanugauge the spirit had been speaking.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 26, 2013 14:54:19 GMT -5
Elestirne watched and listened calmly to the spirit's response. In testament to the fury of the blizzard, ice crystals had formed in the elf's hair and eyelashes, sparkling like tiny stars as they slowly melted. Her cheeks had acquired an icy bluish tint as a result of the extreme cold, but were beginning to warm back into their normal tone. A few minor cuts and nicks from the flying ice bled minimally but were already healing. If the elf felt discomfort from either those or the extreme cold she had been exposed to, she gave no sign of it. Her gaze was still as clear, piercing and level as it had been at the beginning of the encounter.
The two females held each other's eyes for a long moment and for the elves that anxiously watched it seemed to them that there was a fleeting resemblance between their queen and the strange spirit. Elestirne’s gaze did not falter even as the scepter flared brightly before resuming the soft, steady glow it had held since they had arrived. The winds kicked up again, whipping hair and mane about, then fell away to show empty space where the spirit had stood.
The guards and Authnor started towards her, but Elestirne held motionless yet, gazing at where the spirit had been. A few crystal tears had caught and frozen on her cheeks but her expression was resolute.
Spirits near always speak true, Olore noted wryly. But they seldom speak directly or clearly. It seems this is true for all spirit-kind, regardless of their origin. As ever, I am with you. Follow your own heart on whether or no you are still resolved on your course. It is your own choice to make. I will not tell you yea or nay for I am not your conscience. There is peril in everything, and not least for trying to aid a friend thought lost and believed in danger.
Elestirne's response was simple and unwavering. "I will not turn back. Honor and loyalty compel me. I would not be accounted faithless and forsworn, and there is my debt to pay. Let us get to the city." She turned to answer the queries of Authnor and the guards and relayed orders in a few words. In a few moments, the company of seven was remounted and riding swiftly for the city.
In only a few moments they had gained the gates and slipped in and Elestirne as they came into the center square, was struck immediately by the absence of the Silvermoon tavern and other differences. Hooded, cloaked and veiled in a bubble of silence and concealment by the slightly stunned mage, the group conferred. At length, Elestirne sent two guards out under concealment spells to listen to talk in the other big tavern and report back with information. The other two, she sent in opposite directions under the same orders and for the same purpose.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 26, 2013 16:32:16 GMT -5
Within two hours all four had made their way back and the tales they brought of what had gone on since she had left, as well as current news, alternately stunned, sickened and saddened her. She found herself profoundly grateful that she had gotten herself and all of her people out when she had, and that her friends and the city had survived. The news about Storm's new rank and position was by far the most surprising.
Much has changed. He has grown beyond the young, eager knight of our first meeting, beyond even the uncertain samurai during the time of the Jovians. Perhaps he is finally growing into himself and finding his right role and place in this world. And he is now full-grown in the reckoning of his kind, I must not forget that. Mortals grow so swiftly that if you blink you could miss their whole life. What might have changed between us I wonder? Tatsumura's 'fall' was very hard on him and it is possible he has held me to blame. Her eyes darkened, gaze turning inwards. If it is so I will face it. He remains my oathbrother regardless and I must at the least warn him of the danger he may be in.
Thoughtfully, one slender hand curled around and fingered a pendant she had wrapped around her wrist. Almost, she invoked its power, but restrained herself. We must get in to see him. But not all of us. Myself, Authnor and Olore I think. She mused a few moments longer, then tersely relayed the plan. The mage and guards stayed with the horses under spells of silence and concealment and she, Authnor and Olore-under similar protection and Olore's own magic, painstakingly gained entry into the Lord's House.
Human guards they passed without incident, as they made their way based on Elestirne's memories, but the elven guards were harder to elude and the elf-queen started to suspect that there were also spells of detection and revealing to thwart intruders. The closer they tried to come to where Elestirne thought Storm might be, the more guards they had to try to elude. And though they could not be seen or heard, except maybe as a vague spell-shimmer, the elven guards nonetheless sensed their presence and they were soon pinpointed and surrounded.
Resigned to and having had half-expected this, Elestirne had Olore remove the veil that had kept them unseen and unheard. They were near a tall window and Elestirne instinctively moved to put her back to it. The sky was just beginning to lighten from the inky dark of night to the pearly grey of earliest dawn. Both she and Authnor remained cloaked and the knight kept protectively in front of her. Though he laid no hand on his sheathed sword, his bearing was tense and alert,gaze watchful. Elestirne stood more or less at ease,with her hood back far enough to show the glitter of her crown and some star-touched midnight tresses. Olore stood unconcerned and inviolate, allowing just enough of a shimmer of silver light to his form and coat that it was clear he was something beyond a normal,mortal horse.
At the expected, terse challenge and brandished weapons, Elestirne answered calmly. "We offer no threats. My companions and I seek he you call lord. We have information he will want to hear and a warning of possible danger. You have nothing to fear from us, on my honor, but it is imperative that we speak to your lord and I am pressed for time. He and I know each other of old and my companions are known to him as well. I and the stallion you should at least be able to guess the identity of. Our names are known in this realm."
Slowly,and deliberatly she eased the silvery hood full back and the pale fingers of new dawn touched her face with soft light,as Authnor carefully followed her lead. Equally deliberately, she unbound the pendant from her wrist and held it out on its chain. "If that is not enough, take this as a token to your lord with the words that the one he knows as 'oselle' and Starbrow is come and wishes to talk to him in confidence regarding one he has thought lost. He will know what is referenced, and the pendant will prove my identity. We will remain here,under your watch,for I well understand the virtue of caution. We shall not move,I assure you."
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on May 2, 2013 18:25:53 GMT -5
The guards on duty were extra vigilant this night as the alarm was being raised. The news of the attack on the Warlord was told throughout the guards so the patrols were doubled and the patrols were mixed with different races so as to allow a better detection chances. The defenses around the keep were tripled to allow no one in or out without the Warlord knowing. Nobody slept that night; the patrols woke the people of the city, the people protected their young in fear of what the guards were looking for. As one of the patrols came through the base of the tower that was used as the “entrance” for the assassins’, one of the elven guards in the unit looked across the courtyard before the tower he saw a shimmer of moonlight. He looked up at the moon to see that it was straight above them.
He lowered his spear and yelled, “Halt! Stop right there!”
The shimmer stopped in its tracks, to then be revealed as an elf riding a silver stallion in the company of two other elves. One elf instinctively came to stand in front of her, which then the guard lowered his spear towards. The rest of the patrol surrounded the trespassers, ready to pounce if but the slightest threat or hand gesture made.
“What are you doing here and why are you disguised in such a manner?” The guard demanded to know at once while pointed his spear at the knight.
The knight scowled but said nothing at this offense but kept in front of the elf woman on the silver stallion.
“We come in search of your lord,” The lady said
“The Warlord is busy right now, there was just an incident and you being under an invisibility spell is not helping your case woman. You’re in trouble, now bring them inside!” not even bothering to listen to the rest of what she was saying.
Storm raised his head from his kneeled position; he knew not how long he had been in this position. Not that it really mattered to him, his honor was shattered, and his friend he knew whether or not was dead. Not because of him coming to his defense, but because of how dishonorable the blow struck to him was. Cathan stood in the corner silently letting Storm process the suddenness of everything going on.
Storm stood up and walked towards the door. Looking over to Cathan, “I need to go check on Oliver. Would you care to join me?”
Cathan shook his head, "If I am to be of any use to you, I need to leave to find the others," he walked over to Storm and patted him on the back, "you did what you could my friend." and turned to walk out the door without a sound.
Storm walked down the down the stairs and heard a commotion coming from the main hall. Quickening his pace he turned the corner to see a patrol around to see the guards bringing in three elves in the door and what looked to be like leading them towards the dungeon.
As soon as Storm was upon them he asked in an angry tone,
“What is the meaning of this? I thought I said to bring all suspects to me for questioning!”
The patrol stopped right in their tracks and turned to see the Warlord, “Forgive us my lord, there was an incident next to the tower the assassins used and we thought they were back for a second round. We found these elves under an invisibility spell and brought them straight in, we were going to tell you after they were secured in the dungeon. We also didn’t want to disturb you after what happened in your room.”
“Don’t ever disobey an order from me again, now who are these elves?”
The guards part and reveal the party from Artanor.
Storm is surprised but blandly says, “Shows what happens when you don’t come through the front door like normal people oselle.”
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Post by Lady Elestirne on May 2, 2013 20:21:07 GMT -5
ooc: a few things. was not riding Olore, only Authnor is with me(the others stayed behind) and I thought we said early dawn otorno? Also, we would have been making for the front door-I wouldn't attempt climbing a tower
IC: Elestirne had blown a quiet, but resigned sigh as the guards, not listening, marched her and Authnor inside. Olore had faded out but she knew he was nearby. She focused on making sure Authnor did nothing rash,for the guards were watching him very closely owing to his earlier defensive movement.
Along their way,the guards were challenged angrily by a voice Elestirne knew well. The screen of guards parted to allow her a view of Storm. Ignoring Authnor's bristled indignance, she answered Storm's blandness with one of chilling,but simple, solemnity. "Doing so would have drawn unneeded and potentially unwise-attention and possible danger to you. And I could not wait on the luxury of morning. I have news you need to hear, and immediently and it should be alone to avoid unwelcome ears. It would seem you also have a tale to tell me. I commend your guards on their alertness. It is good to know you keep them so crisp. Might we talk otorno nin, somewhere we can be unbothered and unheard?" She waited patiently, moon-pale eyes clear,bright and piercing.
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Post by Broken Warrior on May 2, 2013 20:35:00 GMT -5
The maids moved about in the outer quarters, getting ready for the day's work. A young girl walked in with two buckets of water for the cleaning that was to soon begin. The young girl set the buckets down, and moved to grab a mop from across the room.
"Hey, I said to get two bucket fulls," the shrill command from the head maid. The little girl walked over to look down and see that only one bucket had water in it. "Bu....but...I know I." Before the girl finished, she was cut off by the maid, pointing outside for her to fill the bucket. The girl made her way out to refill the bucket. As she walked out, the last drips of water on the floor suddenly disappeared into a mouse hole into the interior of the great halls of Mittelmarch.
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on May 3, 2013 0:52:28 GMT -5
"It is alright gentlemen, I will take it from here," storm said and started to turn, "if you will follow me your majesty. I must go check on my steward and would appreciate more company."
Elestirne nodded and authnor followed right behind. They crossed the main halls down to the corridor that led to the infirmary. As soon as Elestirne had caught up with storm, he stopped and turned to face her. He let the mask he was wearing slide away and show tired and wary he actually was. He smiled as best as he could and said "I'm sorry for the incident back there. I wish you would be more normal sometimes though and use the front door to not cause a ruckus like that, especially with what just happened. You just missed an assassination attempt on my life, which is why I have everything on lockdown. But it also seems my honor is once again in question internally," Storm lid down the wall to sit, "the Brightblade has been shattered oselle, the blade with which I am named and has been the legacy of my family for 2000 years has been destroyed." the last part his emotions started to rise. He had more of the look of the boy he was 6 years ago when they first met, it was startling to the eye for the warlord to be this low.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on May 3, 2013 15:58:50 GMT -5
Elestirne nodded courteously, if a little stiffly, and readily fell into step behind Storm. Authnor fell into step immediently on her heels, unable to avoid tossing an angry look back at the guards. A faint, silver shimmer at her shoulder revealed Olore's invisible presence. As soon as they had gone a little way, beyond sight and hearing of any that might come upon them, Storm turned to face her. She saw the mask of stern anger disipate and weariness show nakedly and palpably. She also caught a flicker of pain behind the smile. Her own smile felt a little strained and hesitant.
"'Much has changed in the years I have been gone, it seems. So I have learned from talk in the city. Your title and rank one of them. You are forgiven Storm. I well understand the virtue of caution for one in a position of leadership, especially given the situation and circumstances that let you rise to your position. Of the assassination attempt, I had not heard of it. But as I said, I did not have the luxury to try to seek you out in a more 'normal' manner, and it might well have brought unwise attention on me and danger to you to do so."
She watched him slide wearily to the floor. Olore rematerialized in a silver shimmer between them, and bent his long neck just enough to brush Storm's shoulder before nuzzling her. Authnor took up a watchful, guarded position, the knight instinctively looking for danger and protecting their privacy. He did spare a friendly nod to Storm before doing so. Elestirne listened as her friend told of the loss of his ancestral sword and it seemed to her that time drew the years back to reveal the uncertain, eager-to-please youthful knight of their first meeting six-no, closer to seven really,years ago.
Instinctively reacting to the pain and sense of loss from the one who had truthfully been her first real mortal friend, she let her own mask, decorum, and reticience slide. Falling softly to her knees besides him, she hesitated a moment before warily-almost uncertainly-the elven-queen enveloped the man she called oathbrother in a brief, cautious hug, projecting calm and steadiness.
Withdrawing almost self-consciously she spoke. "If there is any way of restoring your blade otorno I will help if I can and if you accept my company. We have..bigger problems though than your honor my friend. You could be in danger from something worse than assassions. I did not mean to return but I was...called to. You might not believe my words but take them in good faith. I would not speak false, least of all to you."
The queen hesitated, pain and reluctance shadowing her fair features, then relayed the story as swiftly as possible; her visions, the scepter glowing, the realization that Tatsumura was indeed alive and that they had been decieved all these years, that he needed help,had reached out to her...and that a formless malice that manipulated water sought him, and the katana. And knew of her at the least and could now be seeking Storm because of his possessing the hilt.
"I might well have brought danger to you by this otorno, but I had to warn you," the queen concluded almost heavily. "I owe you that, for friendship, and I will not let friends walk into danger blindly, regardless of what you may think of me. I do not expect you to aid me regarding Tatsumura but you deserved to be told. Myself, my path is set. I owe a debt that must be repaid and so, I cannot turn back from seeking out the windwalker and at least trying to aid him. Honor, loyalty, and friendship demand no less than that, though I put myself in peril."
Her eyes had turned haunted and dark and she rose slowly, seeming wary and uncertain, perhaps even hesitant.
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