Classic-Castle Roleplay - Gaming Thread

[smcginnis]

Location: Base of the Fire Mountain, Taurus Mtns.

___The captain of Galf's detachment surveyed the mountain with an air of disappointment. It seemed much too high for his two hundred men to climb, and yet they had to reach the top to get to Quolde. He signaled his corporals and sergeants to join him.
___"Now men, we'll need to get to the top of this volcano. Any of you have mountain climbing experience?" Most of the officers, men born and bred in the plains and gentle hills of Falconia, shook their heads or said "No, sir."
___Galf however, spoke up. "Sir? I do. I've been climbing the cliffs and mountains of the eastern Taurus range since my first hunting trip there with my father and uncles; back when I was about twelve. I'll go up."
___The captain thought for a moment, and then agreed. "All right. You can command the scouting party. Find three men who can climb, and are good with bows. Spears are too heavy to carry up with you."
___"Yes, sir," Galf said, saluting, and walked off towards the soldiers to pick his group.

___Half an hour later, he and three others stood before the captain. Standing next to the latter was the detachment's healer; an apprentice of the wizard who'd been at the main camp.
___The captain spoke. "Zoz here has some balm for your hands. It'll keep them from blistering as you climb; but be careful not to spill water from your canteens on your hands. The balm washes off instantly in fresh water. Good luck, men." The soldiers saluted him, and he returned the gesture. They then set off to climb the mountain.

___After five hours of toiling, they finally reached the ridge of the crater of the Fire Mountain. It was now nearly dark, and so Galf ordered them to halt for the night and make camp. They chose a large ledge a little way down the outside of the mountain. Inside the crater was just too hot, and the spot they found had a little bit of an overhang that would shelter them in case of rain.
___Galf walked over to the edge of the flat spot and held up a small, highly polished piece of stone. He flashed a signal down to the camp, so that they knew where the small troop was, and winced as the return signal glared brightly in his eyes. One of the soldiers was cooking their dinner, and Galf sat back against the rocks to watch the sunset.

[Maedhros]

___As Accalia walked to her ship, escorted by an armed contingent of guards, she glanced at one of the busy other quays; and happened, for a moment, to see a face she thought she knew. The crowds shifted, though, and she thought nothing more of it. She boarded her ship, and set off for home—what was left of it.

A cool night breeze caressed the face of Ectorius Rigidus as he stood in the bow of Regina Callista and gazed forward, into the black night. The voyage had been going smoothly thus far, too smoothly, it had been far too calm. Except for their escort ships they hadn’t seen another ship for the whole week in these well-trafficked waters. The other guards had become more and more sly and ignorant but Ectorius would never relax in his duties. Even though he was only an initiate his pride as a member of the Order, the only member of this expedition, was great, and he would show the others that the Order was the true soul of the Black Knight people.

But not even an ambitious young man can keep his enthusiasm forever and in the end he decided to go below deck and get some sleep. He wrapped his cloak tighter around him and yawned.

“Constant vigilance”, he scoffed to himself, “not tonight.” He glanced around the ship one last time and then started walking away but after two steps he stopped dead in his tracks. That was not the usual creaking of a ship.

He span around and gazed into the night. He was about to curse the darkness but tried to remember the teachings of the Order instead. Darkness and light, they are both just different aspects of the Mother, he thought to himself. And as he stood there he could slowly distinguish one of the escorts. He heard the sound again. A muffled shout?

He strained his eyes a little more and suddenly caught sight of some kind of motion.

“Is everything well?” he shouted, but he wasn’t sure his voice even carried to the next ship. But it seems it did, for suddenly whatever it was stopped dead in its tracks. Ectorius leaned forward and shouted once again.

Silence.

Everything was all too silent.

And then suddenly he saw something coming fast against him. He threw himself backwards and drew his sword. He could distinguish a huge shape before him and lashed out with his blade. He hit something hard that broke under his force but the moment later his shield was shattered by a heavy strike. With a ferocious roar he threw himself at his adversary with all of his force and with an agonized shriek it fell overboard.

He panted heavily and caressed his wounded arm. Not now, Ectorius, be strong, he told himself but panic was rising inside him. He had seen his enemy as it fell shrieking overboard; a skeleton, atop a winged steed.

He shrugged slowly and offered a silent prayer to the Celestial Dragon, then he mustered all of his energy and let out a strong shout:

“Skeletons! We are under attack!”

That should have awakened even those sly guards that we have with us, he thought as he tried to stand steadily. Now he would have the chance to prove that he was an incarnation of the great hero of old.

[smcginnis]

___Galf walked over to the edge of the flat spot and held up a small, highly polished piece of stone. He flashed a signal down to the camp, so that they knew where the small troop was, and winced as the return signal glared brightly in his eyes. One of the soldiers was cooking their dinner, and Galf sat back against the rocks to watch the sunset.

Location: Fire Mountain, Taurus Mtns.

___As soon as the sun rose, the troop cooked breakfast, packed up their camp and set off around the perimeter of the volcano. A fog had come in from the far-off sea during the night; and while it was cooler now, the steam from the fog meeting the hot air was hard to stand.
___Within an hour of their setting out, they came to a place where there was a sheer drop on the outside of the mountain, and what looked like a cave in the wall of the crater. Sweating and feeling rather apprehensive, the four men climbed down the inner slope of the volcano until they reached the cave, which they entered.
___Inside, there was a long, rather wide ledge with three walls, and a railing on the side opposite the tunnel. On their right, there was a short flight of steps leading up to a smaller, circular room, which had its own balcony. Both the balcony and the railing looked out over a pool of lava, which was roofed in by the mountain. The heat was stifling, and within ten minutes they had to go back outside.
___"I'd say that was definitely where Quolde lived; but he seems to have left. What say you, sir?" asked one of the soldiers.
___Galf thought for a moment. "I'd agree with you," he said. "But let's keep going around the mountain until we come to where we camped last night. If we don't find him, then we'll go down." The soldiers agreed, and they climbed back up to the ridge.
___Three quarters of an hour later, they reached their camping ledge. They decided to lunch there and then begin the climb down.

___Finally, around seven hours after they'd departed, they reached the bottom, and stumbled exhaustedly into the main camp. One of the soldiers had fallen into a crevice on the side of the mountain and broken his arm; Galf had needed to lower one of the other soldiers in to help bind the arm before the injured man could be lifted. They had had to go slowly after that, trying to find the easiest path down; to make matters worse, Zoz's balm had been diluted because of the freshwater steam, and their hands suffered. As a result, it took them two hours longer to climb down than up.
___Galf made his way to the command tent with his troop in tow. He was about to make his report when the captain held up a hand and called for Zoz. The healer's apprentice mended their blisters quickly, and then took the soldier with the broken arm away for better treatment. The captain then signaled Galf to begin.
___"We made camp almost as soon as we reached the top last night, sir. Then today, we set out half an hour after first light. About an hour later, we came upon a cave. It showed signs of recent habitation, but there was no one in sight. We therefore continued, and found no more caves, or indeed any place that a wizard could have lived. We believe he must have left within a week ago, sir," Galf said.
___"Hmm...." The captain considered this for a few minutes, and then he spoke. "Very well. We'll go on to the Alliance fortress a ten miles south of here and await further orders. And, before you speak, Corporal Broadspear, I have a signed statement proving your innocence, in case of any trouble. We leave as soon as you three and the other have been fed. Dismissed!"

___Twenty minutes later, the camp was on the move southward. It had been almost completely dismantled by the time Galf had reached it; and so now, after his scouting party had eaten, they had left the site. Galf thought as he marched. It felt strange to be among all these Falcon uniforms; he almost felt out of place, but then he remembered he was wearing the blue and black as well. Sighing, wishing he was back at home, he plodded onward.

[Dragoman]

Rasco was so fixed on Sir Kentis’ words that he hadn’t notices the massive wall they approached. It was still in the distance but in minutes they would be before its gates.

The wall was lofty, spanning from one cliff face to the other and making it so those coming from west to east or east to west would need to pass through it’s gates. These gates were so large that it could make a man feel dwarfed in comparison. It was before those gates that all the knights had begun to dismount; giving their horses whatever rest they could have after the long days ride.

“Well gentlemen, it was a good ride but take as much rest as you can, for you will need it before long.” And with that Sir Kentis was off, out to learn what news he could about the situation at hand. The other Knights of Faeroken did as he suggested and took what ever rest they could before the conflict was to ensue.

Galdrutt, Rasco and Alcander however, did not seek rest but instead took counsel with one another.

“Who are the Rogue Knights and this tyco Dracus, Sir Kentis mentioned?” Galdrutt wondered, looking back towards Rasco.

“Well, from what I know” Rasco answered “They were once loyal knights to the kingdom but they became dishonored and sent into exile. I’m not sure how it happened though, few wish to speak about it and I have never really taken much interest to find out until now. “

typical Galdrutt thought with a sigh “Well maybe we should find Sir Kentis and see if he can’t tell us a little more about these tyco Rogue Knights. After all, if we are going to have to loose our lives to these megeblocks, I think we deserve a little more explanation, don’t you?"

“Agreed.” came Alcander with a nod. “So anyone know where he went?”

“Not sure.” said Rasco.

The three looked around for a moment trying to see if he was anywhere in sight.

“over there!” Rasco then shouted, pointing at the left tower which was some ways away.

The other two turned and after a moment of squinting in the direction the Banterasian had pointed, saw that it was indeed Sir Kentis on the tower, staring into the distance as he so often did.

“Well then” Alcander said. “what are we waiting for?” and with that both he and Galdrutt started towards the tower.

“Good job, boy.” grunted Galdrutt as he walked past the Banterasian. He spoke it in his far too common of tone which made it difficult for Rasco to discern whether or not the Royal Knight was being genuine in his compliment or merely sarcastic. But by the time Rasco chose to let it go and not let it bother him, he saw that Alcander and Galdrutt were already a good ways ahead of him; forcing young Rasco to hurry on behind.

When they reached the top of the tower, they ran into Sir Kentis who had looked as if he was about to start his way back down.

Hello again friends.” Greeted the Stallion Knight with some surprise. “Anything I can do for you three?”

“Hello, Sir Kentis.” Alcander, greeting back in the same fashion. “and yes actually, we were wondering if you could tell us a bit more about these Rogue Knights and the one who leads them, the one who you called Dracus. We figured we deserve to know, now that we’re in this as much as you.”

“Fair enough” said Sir Kentis to some lament. “ I will tell you, but you must understand that we don’t talk much about them, especially to outsiders; for they are a reminder of a darker time in our past. You see many long years ago, before the reign of our King Jayko, or even that of King Mathias, there reigned a king named Mallekee. King Mallekee was a valiant man, courageous in the face of adversity and a great military leader, certainly not a evil man but surely one full of arrogance. When he became king, most thought he would do well, but alas, as should be learned, there is much more required of a ruler than battle prowess. Soon after being crowned king, Mallekee forgot about his people and focused solely on his own ambitions; eventually plunging the kingdom into unrest. Many tried to counsel the king but thanks to his pride, Mallekee would not hear it. The knights in that time saw how Mallekee had failed as a ruler and many chose to break our most noble code of honor by attempting to dethrone Mallekee through means of betrayal. Other knights stood by King Mallekee-not necessarily because they thought he was a suited ruler but because the code demanded that they must. And so it was a time full of shame and sorrow, when knight would fight against knight, and bother against brother and none throughout the kingdom survived the war without having first dealt to them the bitterness of loss. The war finally ended though when Mallekee, at last seeing the damage that the war had caused and recognizing his as a ruler, failed, advocated the throne and left the kingdom forever. When a new king ascended the throne, he judged all the knights on both sides. Those he found who had not honored the code were sent into exile along with all their family; never again to set foot in our beloved kingdom. These dishonored knights became embittered from being cast out for what they believed to be right. It was these knights who latter formed the Rogue Knights; a group who over time have become little more than mercenaries. It was not surprising then, when I learned that Vladeck hired them, knowing that they share a resentment towards us. And so now you know the truth of our enemy.” Sir Kentis, added with a sigh.

“wow!” said Rasco, in amazement. "It's nice to finally know what exactly happened between the Rogue Knights and us. “

“Well, I can’t surely say that it’s exactly as it happened but it is as I have been told it; and that will have to do.”

“That will do then.” Alcander said. “It's better to know your enemy than to not, so it was good of you to tell us these things and we thank you fo-”

“Wait a minute,” Galdrutt interrupted with a grumble. “you haven yet to tell us of who this Dracus fellow is.”

“Right you are!” Sir Kentis said, remembering that he indeed hadn’t.

But before anymore words could be exchanged among them, a Man at Arms rushed up the steps, carrying a piece parchment and there upon stood at the top of the tower with the other four.

“Sire!” Said the man to Sir Kentis, who was somewhat winded from climbing the many steps of the tower. “Scouts who were sent before you arrived, have returned with news of the enemy.

“Oh?” spoke Sir Kentis curiously “And what news did they bring?”

“They’re dead, Sire.”

“Who’s dead? The scouts?”

"No Sire, the enemy... The Rogue Knight army... It’s been destroyed." The messenger at which point handed the parchment to Sir Kentis, and after a quick bow, went back down the tower’s steps.

When Sir Kentis opened the parchment he found that it was the full report of what the scouts had found. All four were standing silent after hearing the the news and once Sir Kentis finished reading through the parchment, he looked up with a plank stare, and thought: How could of this have happened?

[Sir Kohran]

When Sir Kentis opened the parchment he found that it was the full report of what the scouts had found. All four were standing silent after hearing the the news and once Sir Kentis finished reading through the parchment, he looked up with a plank stare, and thought: How could of this have happened?

Suddenly Rasco piped up: "What do you call a dead rogue knight? A morgue knight!"

A few of Kentis's knights gave a weak chuckle, but Galdrutt and Alcander gave him two looks that would have split the stone they were standing on. The monkey knight wisely hopped away quickly for a few minutes.

To their surprise, Kentis gave a warm grin. "Brilliant, isn't he?"

Jellybeans. Galdrutt thought. They're like a different race.

"Anyway," Kentis went on, "we need to get out there and see what's happening. Whatever's strong enough to wipe out a whole force of a thousand rogue knights is probably capable of doing the same to us."

"Sound advice, I suppose." Alcander replied.

The three men prepared their weapons and mounted up on horses. They took a few chosen men with them, in the event of an attack. The majority of Kentis's soldiers would wait at the fortress for them. Galdrutt felt just a little tense - he had often gone into danger, but he had always known what he was up against - but now it was different. As they passed through the gates, Galdrutt was just beginning to feel some small relief at losing Rasco, when a horse appeared in front of them and the green knight pulled a ridiculous stunt with his yellow sword, catapulting himself into the saddle. The horse gave an irritated kick.

"Don't worry, friends. Sir Rasco will be with you!" he said whirling his blade (if you could call it that).

"Sadly." Alcander whispered.

Galdrutt would have smiled, but he was staring ahead out to what lay beyond.

[Maedhros]

Galdrutt would have smiled, but he was staring ahead out to what lay beyond.

It was a long time since Galdrutt had last been afraid, but this evening he felt a constantly growing feeling that he hadn’t had for years. He just cursed quietly to himself though and tried to focus on the darkening sky before him. But Galdrutt wasn’t the only one; tension lay thick in the air with Kentis gazing silently into the distance and Alcander contemplating the heaven above. He had even neglected to greet the sunset, something that had unsettled Galdrutt more than anything. You know something, young friend, don’t you?

Rasco was the only one who didn’t seem to care at all about their situation but after two hours of silence from his companions even he had stopped whistling and joking.

“Are you really sure this is a good idea?” Rasco suddenly asked. He had stopped his horse and glanced backwards, “with the darkness and all that.”

“No one forced you to come with us”, Galdrutt muttered.

“But he is right about the dark”, Kentis said, “we should light a torch or two.”

“Do you have any idea of how easy we would be to spot then, good sir?” Alcander replied dryly. “We’d be seen for miles. Let’s just hope that these strangers, be they adversaries or friends, are as thoughtless as you.”

Kentis swallowed his retort and bit his lip. No reason to argue, he said to himself. And with that they continued in silence.

It was nearly half an hour later that a tongue of flame suddenly shot up into the sky in the distance. It was there for just a moment and then everything turned black once again.

“What in the”, Galdrutt began but Kentis silenced him with a hand on his shoulder. They could barely distinguish each other in the dark but vaguely they saw Alcander gazing at the point where the fire had been visible a moment earlier.

“Some kind of wicked sorcery?” Kentis hissed in a low whisper.

“I’m afraid so”, Alcander sighed.

“You do know something then?” Galdrutt spat out.

“You have heard legends of the Sorcerer, haven’t you?” Alcander asked, “he who spawned the Shadow Knights and set Vladek upon us. We think he is active again.”

“Who are ´you`?” Kentis hissed.

“The Order of Twilight. Undead raiders have appeared all over the Black Knight lands recently. And we think he is the cause of this scourge.”

“That’s what you were doing in the Wolfpack lands”, Galdrutt said, “investigating this?”

“Indeed. He has had ties to them in ages long past. But apparently we were wrong.”

“But why would he wipe out the Rogue Knights?” Rasco suddenly piped.

“Vladek failed…” Kentis whispered, as much to himself as to the others.

Alcander was just about to answer as the whole sky suddenly seemed to explode in flames. Countless tongues of fire shot out and illuminated the whole sky for a moment. Then everything went dark again but now they could hear incantations and shouts in the distance. Soon the light of countless torches was seen by the horizon.

Rasco’s horse had panicked and thrown him off but Kentis helped him quickly up on his own.

“Tisirock is doomed”, Alcander hissed.

“What shall we…?”

“Hide.”

Alcander had already gotten off his horse and whispered a few words in her ear. Then he sent her off and looked at the others.

“But we can’t let them die”, Kentis spat.

“As I said, sir, Tisirock is doomed. If you want to die together with your men I won’t stop you. But I will NOT die a pointless death for the sake of honour.”

Galdrutt nodded slowly and dismounted his horse. In the meantime Kentis looked back and forth from the torches to the keep in the distance.

[Maedhros]

”Hail to thee, Sôke Takagiyoshin, servant of the Empress, the Mistress of the Stars and Daughter of the Moon.”

Grandmaster Lucius Angelus Alcander of the Order of Twilight smiled inwardly to himself. It seemed he was still worthy of the title of being the only foreigner who had ever understood the Ninja etiquette. His body was not as accommodating as before though and soon his knees and feet started to shout out in protest at his kneeling stance. Just a few moments more, he continually told himself.

“Hail to thee, Angelus Lucius, Master of the Twilight, servant of Queen Accalia, Avatar of the Celestial Dragon.”

And with those words Lucius was allowed to stand and he sprang up like a tense bowstring. With a muffled grunt he tried to regain some of his grace and made a standing bow to the man before him. A few more moments passed while the two men looked upon each other and then the Ninja’s face broke out in a warm smile.

“It has been far too long, Lucius my friend. What has brought you to Takagimura?”

“I wish I could have come here just to meet you, Toratsugu.”

“Ah, indeed, my friend, you really should.”

The two men embraced each other and then Toratsugu glanced around the room. His two silent servants tried to hide their disapproving looks but he just smiled and sent them away with a wave of his hand.

“Get our guest some tea”, he added.

They were in quite a small room in the middle of Toratsugu’s palace. Those thin walls had always unsettled Lucius with their constant moving back and forth to reveal new doors, but he had grown used to it. He would never grow used to the wooden floor though. It was the kind of floor that sang like a bird when you walked upon it, and Lucius was always afraid to break it (never walk here when armoured, he constantly reminded himself). There was a low table by one of the corners and Toratsugu sat down there.

And what’s wrong with chairs anyway? Lucius asked himself as he sat down opposite Toratsugu. He tried to hide his grimace but Toratsugu chuckled merrily.

“Oh tyco it! Aren’t you older than me?” Lucius grumbled.

“They have spoiled you with chairs in your homeland”, Toratsugu smiled.

“I should have spent as long time sitting on the floor as I have studying your language I guess.”

“Indeed you should, friend, your Ninjan is excellent.”

At that moment one of the servants came back with a rustling of silk, carrying a tray with a wonderfully smelling teapot and two cups. Lucius smiled contently as he inhaled the fumes.

“It must have been nearly twenty years since I got some true tea”, he said dreamily.

“Tuh tuh”, Toratsugu shrugged, “you should come here more often.”

“I have my duties”, Lucius sighed.

“And a son whose prowess is talked about even here. Have you ever thought about retirement?”

“I don’t know…”

“My home will always be open to you.”

“I know. Thanks.”

With another quiet rustling the servant was out of the room again. Toratsugu stayed silent for a few moments and then a shadow came over his face.

“And now on to more important matters I guess?”

“I am afraid so.”

“Are you here to seek the aid of the Ninja?”

“Unfortunately yes.”

“You have problems with enemies that refuse to stay dead, haven’t you?”

[Dragoman]

Galdrutt nodded slowly and dismounted his horse. In the meantime Kentis looked back and forth from the torches to the keep in the distance.

The Knight wanted to go back; in his heart he knew had to . How could he not? Not because of some code of honor but for the mere fact that those were his men back there; men who had trusted and followed him with the utmost loyalty. If he chose to stay then Alcander would be right and all his men would die; but if he went back, perhaps he could at the very least warn the troops posted there and give them time enough to escape. All these thoughts flashed through Kentis’ mind like lighting, and he had made up his mind just as fast.

“No” he argued while still in contemplation “. I will not let my men suffer pain and death while I hide in the dark.” Kentis gaze then turned to the various people who were around them, starting with Alcander, then Galdrutt and Rasco and finally the other solder knights who had come along. “I do not ask any of you to follow me but I must go, for time is now short and I must at the very least give my men warning.”

“We will follow you to the end, Sire.” said one knight , where then all the other knights of that province seemed to gesture in agreement. Sir Kentis wasn’t entirely pleased to see that anyone would wish to go along with him but he respected their words and did not try to prevent them from following.

“I can’t help but think you are all fools” Alcander hissed, looking towards the Knights of Faeroken. “but I will not try to stop you, Sir Kentis, and I truly hope that you succeed in what ever it is you hope to do, however slim chanced it may be.”

“Eye” Kentis replied “I pray we meet again, in this life or at the very least, the next.” and with that the knights galloped off back towards the pass. They had only made it a short ways however when Kentis heard an odd sound over head. Like wind gushing with intervals of brief silence. And as if this was not bad enough, Kentis could quickly tell that the noise was getting louder and began to feel wind against his back. He tried to looked behind toward the air, but as he did, he saw large talons grab hold of a few knights riding with him and crashing through the rest. The Stallion Knight had only heard the creams of his men for less than a second when he himself felt a massive force brought to his head. Everything slipped out of mind at which point and blackness became all Kentis could see; and he fell, passed out.

[Maedhros]

“You have problems with enemies that refuse to stay dead, haven’t you?”

Lucius put down his cup so violently that his tea spurted out all over the table.

“How did you know?”

“They are here as well.”

“Oh… how much damage have they done?”

“Not too bad yet. The only serious encounter we’ve had was on the northern shores of Regushu.”

“And?”

“Sôke Kukishinden annihilated them.”

“How many were they?”

“Some 2000. They came over the sea. The Kukishindens destroyed their fleet and crushed the remnants with the help of the Shindenfudo Clan.”

“No prisoners?”

“Not a single mortal man among them.”

Lucius sighed deeply and leaned backwards before he remembered that he had no backrest and nearly fell over. Toratsugu smiled slightly as he watched him regain his balance.

“So, what do you think of it, Lucius my friend?”

“The Sorcerer.”

“The Sorcerer…? Our White Widow?”

Lucius chuckled slightly and nodded. “The same, though I don’t understand why you would think It is feminine.”

“Why do you think It is a man then?” Toratsugu smiled.

“That’s how we’ve seen… It.”

“And we’ve seen a White Widow, probably It’s neither, or both. Anyway, philosophical discussions aside, what have you done about It thus far?”

“The Senate refuses to acknowledge the problem at all”, Lucius sighed, “but we in the Order are quite sure that we are dealing with the very same force that ruined our Empire so long ago, and spawned that Vladek who have plagued many of the lands further north.”

“And…?”

“I’ve sent my son to investigate the matter in the Wolfpack Lands. It was in those deep forests that He emerged the first time after all.”

“Actually I believe you are wrong, but more about that later. What about your son? How much does he know? Is he as powerful as the rumours say?”

Lucius wrinkled his forehead and shrugged slowly to himself. “Gnaeus is indeed strong, skilled and pious beyond his years.”

“Gunaiyusu?” Toratsugu chuckled. “Do you have any idea of how long it took me to learn to pronounce your name? And then you name your son G-N-A-E-U-S…”

“Oh yes, I remember… Rukyusu, wasn’t it?”

“Rukyusu Angerusu Arukanderu yes.”

The two friends burst out laughing and for a few moments they let all troubles drown in memories of the past. After a while silence lay heavy on them though and Toratsugu continued:

“What of Gunaiyusu? Has he discovered anything yet?”

“I do no know. He should be back in a week or so, about the same time as I.”

“Won’t you stay here longer?”

“I can’t. You know that.”

“I guess that means I’ll have to go with you.”

[Ianan]

Location: Somewhere southwest of falconia, by the beach


Ianan was awakened by the freezing waters. He was clutching a piece of a door like it was a treasure chest,and entangled in a few feet of seaweed. After a few hours of drifting, he felt dry ground beneath the water. Summoning the last of his strength, he dragged himself onto the beach, and soon fell into an exhausted sleep...

"The ship is lost!" "No we can still-" "Are you mad? Theres no hope of-AAAUURRGG!!"

The screams of his shipmates haunted him through the night.
When he finally awoke, it was afternoon,and the strange southern sun was giving him a nasty sunburn. He laboriously pulled himself to his feet, picked up the sharp piece of door, checked his course by the sun, and set off north.

[Lawkeeper]

The line of Crusaders charged at the Falcons. However, they were met by a hedge of razor-sharp spears. Most of the Crusaders were killed by this alone, the rest perished at the hand of Cliff and the other Men-at-arms.

Before long, not a single Crusader in the village was still alive. The soldiers cried out: "Yeah! Victory!"
But their party was over soon, because a large fireball rose up from the woods. With dazzling speed it flew into one of the houses. In fact, it was the house next to that of the man who tripped.
The fireball hit the corner of the house, shattering it, and continued towards the back wall. This, too, crumbed easily when the stone flew right through it.
One of the captains was the first to regain his wits. He yelled to Cliff:
"Hey you! Take nine men with you and find out where that blasted thing came from!"
Cliff took nine men with him, including Tom, and entered the woods.

To be Continued

[Maedhros]

“I guess that means I’ll have to go with you.”

“So, did you get the blessing of the Empress?”

Toratsugu tilted his head to the side and contemplated Lucius for a moment.

“In a way… yes.”

“You will not get any more support then?”

“Yes, I will not.”

Lucius opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again. He shrugged slightly and a smirk passed his features.

“But I am allowed to go with you, and to take as many of my Clan as I wish, willingly of course.”

Lucius nodded dreamily and then cast a look at the huge palace they were standing before; the golden roof blazed like fire in the midday sun while numerous high pinnacles and pagodas reached for the sky.

“If you Ninjas spent as much resources on warfare as architecture you could rule the world”, he chuckled.

“Aye, but we do not wish to.”

Lucius met the gaze of Toratsugu for a long time but in the end Toratsugu winked and burst out laughing.

“Anyway, dear Lucius, we should get going. We have many steps to tread!”

“999 to be precise”, Lucius answered with a glance down the stairs towards the grand city below.

“You counted them?”

“I did.”

“Your focus of mind is promising indeed…”

With another hearty chuckle the two started descending the stairs. Why did it have to be war to bring us together again? Lucius asked himself as his old friend started navigating the winding streets of Rekyogo.

[Matt BeDar]

Location: Port town of Baldor

Commander Jack Fiddlestump had arrived in Baldor three weeks after the three Dragon Masters. He had no clue who they were or what rank they held, but if they were here it could mean the Dragon Masters knew were he was.

After much searching and paying off drunk caravan guards at local pubs, Jack found the inn and room where the Dragon Masters were staying.

During the dead of night, Jack crept into the inn. Immediately, he knew that something was wrong. There was evidence of a struggle, and blood smeared across the floor. Jack decided to look into that a little later, right now he had to find the Dragon Masters.

As he climbed the steps, Jack noticed more evidence of a struggle. Once again, blood was smeared across the walls and floor, as if someone had been killed, slide down the wall,and then dragged off to be hidden.

Jack found the Dragon Masters door, slightly ajar. Pressing his eye to the crack, Jack could see three men, all wearing the Dragon Masters emblem on their armor, and their swords drawn.

Jack couldn't see what the three soldiers were pointing their swords at but he could hear the Dragon Masters discussing what to do next.

"...can't just kill the man," the youngest sounding Dragon Master whispered.

"Oh yes we can," the oldest soldier gravely whispered. "Remember he and his 'friends' just tried to kill us!"

"Oh, come on Gerodal. It wasn't that hard of a fight," the third soldier said.

'Wait a minute. Gerodal?!? What's he doing here? Doesn't he know there's a price on his head?' Jack thought to himself.

So intent on his thoughts was Jack, he didn't notice the door inching open until a black gloved hand shot out and dragged him into the room.

[smcginnis]

I know parts of this post are sort of sickeningly romantic, but I couldn't write them any other way.... And it's too short, I know.

He inhaled deeply and then let out the strongest shout he could:

“Skeletons! We are under attack!”

That should have awakened even those sly guards that we have with us, he thought as he ran up again with sword in hand. Now he would have the chance to prove that he was an incarnation of the great hero of old.

Location: Florentia, capital of the Black Knights' lands.

___The remnants of the Royal Fleet limped into Florentia harbor. The attack by the skeletons' ships had been repelled; but many ships, and many lives, had been lost. The Regina Callista was partly disabled, and therefore Queen Accalia arrived onboard the Atrum Fortuna. Ectorius Rigidus, wounded in the battle, had woken only the day before; yet had insisted that he be allowed on deck for the return home, and so stood, swaying slightly, in the prow of the former vessel.
___Once the great ships had been docked, Queen Accalia descended to her awaiting carriage. The Queen Mother, Diana Althea Archos-Gloria, was waiting inside. Accalia kept her composure for the first part of the ride to the palace, but soon collapsed onto her mother's shoulder and sobbed quietly. Diana comforted her, and when they reached the palace, Accalia had recovered.

___Upon her entry to her favorite sitting-room, she was swept up by the Duke Aetius Honorius Florianus, who embraced her; and then, perceiving Diana, quickly composed himself and set Accalia down. "Forgive me, your majesties. I did not mean to—I was just—"
___"It matters not, Duke," Diana said. "Why don't you two take a walk in the gardens?" The embarrassed duke bowed, and escorted the ruling queen outside. Accalia's cat, which Aetius had been petting, leapt lightly onto Diana's lap. She stroked its head, and it began to purr warmly. Diana sighed and leaned back. I wish I could help her more, she thought. She seems so worried all the time....

___Meanwhile, out in one of the gardens, the queen and the duke walked slowly among the roses. It was sunny, but chilly; and the duke gave her his cloak. "I'm not sure this is the time, but... I have been talking with the nobles while you were gone, and they have said that they will all be able to attend the wedding on the day we set," Aetius said. "If, of course, it is still agreeable to you."
___Accalia turned and smiled at him; her first real smile in weeks. "Yes, yes, yes!" she cried happily; and, both of them blissful, they walked back to the palace arm in arm.

[Lamanda2]

Dang, it's been months since I have posted last in here. Now that things have slowed down a bit for me, I'm going to try and get back into this..

"Adenwood..?" Interrupted Seth. "Wasn't that town recently attacked by Vikings?"
James stopped, and his face grew pale.
"Attacked..! I didn't hear of that.. When did this happen??"
"Not long ago, I heard a knight talking of it at the pub sometime last week."
Replied Seth.
"We must hurry! I have to see if my brother is alright!"

After all the days of walking, with the occassoinal ride in a travellar's wagon, the three figures were now just coming out of the Brimwood Forest, and Into the Village of Adenwood.

The once beautiful Village was now in charred remains, restless men worked their best, trying to fix things best they can.
James' eyes filled with tears as he gazed apon the place his Family's home once lay..

"It.. it's gone.." James said as he fell to his knees, "..and my Brother.."

Seth and Geoff remained silent. Seth thought of his Family, and how he would feel if those who he loved suffered such a fate.

"James, Is that you son?" Said an elderly man of the village.
James didn't really recognize who this man was, though he did reply, "Yes, I am James."
"Terrible what has become of our village.. Your Brother was crushed at the site of his home.."

James then leaped up off his knees and shouted to the old man, "My Brother!" He then continued in a lower tone of voice after receiving some odd looks from some of the other Forestmen, "..Joseph.. Is he still allive?"
The old man gave him a confused sort of look and replied, "Why, of course he is. Gone to the village of Limbrese, he has..."