Dark of the Sun [Tris, Nayeli]

[Emma]

Of all the cities in Broddring, Aroughs had to be the most tolerable.

My duties as a ward of the Riders had me travelling more often than not, and nearly everywhere else had something terribly painful to behold. In most of Broddring, it was usually wide-eyed peasants caked with grime and unmentionable things and veterans missing a limb or three. In Carvala it was especially disgusting- the pigs were cleaner than their masters. But that filth was nothing compared to the hazing. Everywhere I went, armed with nothing but the documents to prove that I, an elf, had reason to be in Broddring, I was mowed down with glares and foul curses and a number of other insults. Naturally, it wasn’t what was said that bothered me; it was the fact that I was unable to put them in their place. The Riders preached peace and diplomacy. How very dull.

The foolish humans had little to blame me for in any case. Before, during, and after the Cleansing, I had been in the Spine with my mother, lurking among the trees and totally oblivious to the war except for the few times I came to watch several of the battles for pure sport. I had never slaughtered a human that had not attacked me first, although that was likely exactly what Du Weldenvarden told Broddring. I did not identify myself with them, although I had to admit there was a certain charm in their Grand Game. The tales of salacious affairs and gruesome deaths were better than any ancient history in Ilirea’s exhausting number of libraries. However, I would never engage in such tomfoolery. I had better things to do than chase aged councillors and paranoid queens.

In this respect, Aroughs- nearly as boring as Ilirea with its cheerfully oblivious townsfolk and the painfully cute little cottages dotting the surrounding hills- though certainly untrusting of elves, left me alone. I was prone to stares as usual, but that did not bother me. I was physically different from them and they knew me as an outsider. I spoke with few of them and generally kept to the shadows of the tall stone buildings, avoiding the occasional chamber pot waterfall and cursing them every time I did. And at the very least, Aroughs was very close to my silent underground home in Silverwood Forest. Getting there and back again took less than a day on foot, and hours on horseback.

I was here for what was apparently an extremely important task from the Riders- though clearly not important enough to send one of their underlings to do, their explanation being that Aroughs was the least troublesome human city. An entire household had gone missing; children, elders, and all, and due to the extremely prevalent tinges of dark magic, I’d been ordered in. My mother had given me more than enough experience to deal with unruly spirits, and none of the Riders, as far as I was aware, had my extensive abilities in the arcane school of black magic. My task was simple- find the cause, exterminate it if need be, and locate the family- or whatever was left of them.

I had no physical weapons, and I wore no armour. As always, they were of no use to me. For the occasion, I was wearing what had used to be one of my finest dresses, floor-length and made of black velvet. I’d pilfered it from the caravan of several bandits my mother and I had killed, and had loved it and worn it so much that the skirt had torn quite a bit- it was now a series of long ribbons that revealed my nearly-bare legs as I walked. I’d also removed the sleeves and shoulders of the gown long ago, and only the very tight bosom was keeping it up, as well as the corset I wore beneath it. I did, however, have fingerless black leather gloves that stretched past my elbows, as autumn had arrived along with its chill. I wore simple onyx pumps on my feet, as the skirt covered them, and my ebony hair was straight as an arrow, the bangs covering my right eye.

I did not bother to hide the fact that I was an elf, and I had no intentions of altering my face to appear similar to the very round and fleshy humans. Besides the obvious pointed ears, my makeup displayed my high features, mainly the black oils I’d brushed onto my eyelashes to lengthen and curl them and the blood-red pigments painted on my lips. The only main difference was that I was far shorter than most elves, but I didn’t care to compare myself with others. I pushed several locks of black hair off my shoulder as I walked, turning what would hopefully be the last corner before I finally arrived. The Suran family, I believed they were called, were high-class and lived in the center of Aroughs.

As I had hoped, their manor was the first thing I saw as I rounded the corner. Made of what was probably supposed to be charming red brick covered with a swarm of ivy vines and morning glory, the house was well-avoided by passers-by, and a number of bored soldiers were stationed around it. I removed my parchment documents from a pocket in my dress, smoothing them out as I approached. The nearest guard became very wide awake when he saw me, and I merely smiled and showed him my papers.

“Laioni… Ward of the Riders,” he said slowly.
“My, you are smarter than you look after all. Your nation must be very proud,” I said pleasantly.
He cocked his head and glared. “Yeah, it actually is, knife-ears.”
“Oh, I’m sure. Dare I ask permission to enter?”
“… sure. Everything looks to be in order, elf. Go on inside.”

Words;; 975
Muse;; Pretty good!
Thoughts;; Not terrible, I should think. =D

[Nayeli]

I had ridden early this morning, sent down by my sister to check on the house hold that had seemed to disappear. I had worried more would go missing, but upon my arrival, such things had no happened. I wore little armor, like I had been trained to wear, just a brown cloak and my brown tunic and brown pants, along with my boots. I rode on a large brown war horse and then I looked at the city as it came into view. I had slept on the outskirts of the city with a few men who had come with me.

As I approached the house, I heard a insult towards the elf who I was told would be here and I rolled my eyes. I dismounted the horse as I got close enough and my men followed. I had told them never to insult and it looked like I would have to be sure these two guards learned the same lesson. As I got closer, he realized who I was and I rolled my eyes towards them. I did not feel like bothering with the man, but I knew it had to be done. "Lord Turin!" I heard the surprise and my three comrades stop short from where I stood. I looked at him, waiting for his mouth to say a word since it was trembling in shock. "What brings you here sir?" He looked at me, curious and I shock my head.

"Do you ask these questions to your superior?"

[/color] He looked around, towards the other guard and then shock his head before I nodded and looked at the beautiful, yet empty home. "Then why do you ask me?"[/color] He said nothing and I let out a breath, signaling my men to stay outside. As I started to pass him, I stopped. "And if I hear another insult come from your mouth to the Elf woman, I will have your head... You are lucky she came, for if a Rider came and you dared to insult them, I am sure they would give you to their beast."[/color] He did not show his admiration of the dragon, just the respect of the riders.[/blockquote]
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[Tris]

Arough was a very decent city as Broddring cities go, but every time Valsta came here she reminded herself to never come back, the people here were so…happy… and she couldn’t stand people smiling at her for no reason what so ever, the only way she could console herself as she walked was tell herself that there was some secret that the people here were hiding and it was her job to find it. The reason why she was here was simple curiosity she had heard rumors of a whole house hold that had disappeared in Arough and she thought it could be the great illusionist she had heard about and if it was then she hope she could watch and learn something from him. So now she was on a side street looking at the manor, the guards around the house where lazing about, knowing that no one in the city wonted to go any were near the house. She saw a broken window on the side of the house and a guard standing right beside it, now it’s time for a distraction she thought with a grim smile. She took out one of her smoke bombs she use for her shows, she lit it and rolled it in to the street, the small bomb exploded with a loud puff, the front of the house was in chaos as guards ran ever were trying to find the source of the smoke. Valsta ran to the side of the house opened and the window, she quickly slipped through and closed the window, and found herself face to face with a woman, it took her a second to relies it was picture but it looked so life like, she felt herself entranced by it, it was like an illusion itself. She didn’t know how long she stood there looking at the picture but the trance was broken when a woman’s voice came from behind her “What are you doing here.”

[Emma]

Feeling smug that I’d won the brief bout of wits with the lazy human captain, I folded the parchment back into my pocket and was about to enter when both soldiers suddenly snapped to attention, their eyes fixed on something behind me. Quirking a dark eyebrow, I turned around to see a tall human male approaching us. Dark of eye, skin, and hair, he was obviously the military type, and, from how rigid the guards were, a high-ranking one to boot. As he came closer, however, I noticed how young he was. Ah, so he was one of the lucky bastards that had been born into power. That explained a lot.

“Do you ask these questions to your superior?” The guard I’d spoken to rapidly shook his head. “Then why do you ask me?” The soldier said nothing. With a sigh, the man motioned to three men behind him, likely his bodyguards, and approached the guard slowly. “And if I hear another insult come from your mouth to the Elf woman, I will have your head... You are lucky she came, for if a Rider came and you dared to insult them, I am sure they would give you to their beast.”
“Should I even try to imagine why you uphold the Riders when they turned their backs on you not once, but twice?” I asked primly, pouting my blood-red lips. “’Tis indeed lucky you came along, else I may have turned the little rat into a toad.”
“Oi, knife-ears!” the guard spat. “You won’t talk to Lord Richards like that!”
“Tsk, tsk. Watch your temper, soldier, or you’ll give yourself wrinkles.” He opened his mouth to protest, but I stopped him with a wave of my hand. “I will not waste my time on a mere mortal. Now begone. I have a demon to exorcise.”

I strode down the stone walkway leading into the manor, passing the iron archway. I paused at the door, giving it a touch. It was open. I gave it a hesitant push, peering inside. The vibrations within made me shiver. Dark magic was certainly afoot; I could feel it in the very core of my body. I entered the manor, inhaling deeply and peering around the darkness. The black magic was like a deep, unsettling pulse in my head, one that I had gotten used to many years ago. It was known to drive some mad. Luckily, having a Shade for a mother, I had no need to concern myself over something so petty.

Now that my eyes had gotten used to the tragically dim lighting, I could see that this house was indeed owned by a very rich family. Ivory statues and silk carpets dominated the entrance hall, and I could only suppose at what furnished the next set of rooms. However, I did notice several voids in the dust. Clearly, several vagrants had been lucky enough to lift some of the property before the regular patrols had arrived at the manor. As I glanced about, I saw the high-ranking youth, Richards, enter the building. He peered about with the same degree of interest I had. Without looking at him, I spoke.

“Ah, stagnant indoors air. Refreshing, as ‘twas difficult to breathe in all the self-righteousness clouding the air outside. I suppose your fool of a king sent you to-”

A noise like crackling glass made me prick my ears. Narrowing my eyes, I moved towards the hallway. Outside, I heard muffled shouts, and the clank of armour. I reached for the pool of black magic within the back of my mind and stepped into the darkness, my mind running over the many gruelling tests my mother had put me through. It could be anything from a poltergeist to a ghoul to a banshee, or several. Or it might be a more physical being, the countable species of which were endless. I doubted, however, that this was the work of some trickster. There was far too much darkness about.

The hallway was lined with windows, most of which were broken. Unsurprisingly, everything except the carpet had been stolen from this part of the manor, except for one thing- a portrait of a woman turned away. But as I drew closer, I saw that it was actually a woman looking at the portrait, which was of a beautiful woman’s face and chest. I prepared myself for the kill, but stopped when I realized something. When I came close, I felt the pull of magic, but not dark like my own and this house’s. It was grey magic, and the woman was not a monster in disguise, but a mere human woman.

“Well, well, what have we here?” I asked. My voice, and its refined accent, cut through the air like a knife. The woman jumped and faced me, momentary terror on her face. “Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones have been long since cleaned?” I leaned closer, my steel-grey eyes peering into her blue-green ones. “Or merely an intruder, come into this demon-filled abode of mine in search of easy prey?”

Words;; 855
Muse;; Not bad.
Thoughts;; Eh, it's so-so. XD

[Nayeli]

I had been born into mighty power, into a position just under my sister, the lovely Lady Nayeli, but I was not one who was put there just because I was royal, I worked and from the moment I could train, I was training harder and harder and now I was here. I looked at the woman, the elf and I knew how to be kind. I knew she was strong and she had knowledge I never would have and I respected her more then anything. As the men were here, I asked them one other question one quickly. ”Not only, why do you ask her? Are elves lower then us… I don’t believe so… They know more then you shall ever know and you should be honored to be in her presence.”

[/color] I said to them, before I looked at her and the signaled my men to go on and protect. “Should I even try to imagine why you uphold the Riders when they turned their backs on you not once, but twice?” I looked to her for a moment and let out a breath and made sure I was going to pick my words correctly. “’Tis indeed lucky you came along, else I may have turned the little rat into a toad.” I chuckled slightly, I would not have minded, I was finding this man not even worthy of his job.

”Oi, knife-ears! You won’t talk to Lord Richards like that!” I pulled a dagger from my wrist and held it to his neck. ”And you sell not speak to her like that you bloody idiot… Get back to work you scum before I take those swords from you and place you in the lowest of ranks cleaning my stable stalls and my basement.”[/color] He gulped before I heard her speak once again. ”Tsk, tsk. Watch your temper, soldier, or you’ll give yourself wrinkles.” I chuckled at her words. I knew it would be a tough day, but it seemed we were slightly on the same page. ”And I’m sure the Riders and their mighty Beast had their reason to withdraw from our sides… I hold nothing against them… Wish I knew why, but I can not know everything.”[/color] I said to her before the men went back to work, though I did not expect them to go about lazy like, but my men went to the other side, doing their work accordingly. “I will not waste my time on a mere mortal. Now begone. I have a demon to exorcise.” I did not blame her for being so annoyed at the men or me for that matter. I was just a young high ranking noble who orders those around. Nothing of surprise for the Kingdom.

After a moment, I followed her into the home, taking a look at everything, even along the path that lead to the beautiful door. I looked around the front of the house for a mere moment and then walked into the front door, stopping to allow my own eyes to adjust to the light and then looking towards the elf woman. She was doing her work, looking around and taking in everything. I did not know what else to look for, other then a struggle that most homes held, but this did not hold any, besides the broken glass from those who had broken in and stolen things. It was a mess and it caused me great anger. The people of this town needed more respect and the guards and patrol needed to be better trained. It would mean a meeting with the lovely head of operations here and then I would leave him to fix things.

I moved further in, checking on a room which had not been touched. It was the library and I would have to be sure this house was protected more. I knew the Library possible held books so old that I would not be able to withhold the knowledge that they gave to me. As I waited a few more moments and then looked back towards the woman, noticing that the floor held patterns in the dust, like where people had been. But I knew it had to be from criminals and I wanted to go crazy. The guards were to watch the house and they had not been watching at all.

“Ah, stagnant indoors air. Refreshing, as ‘twas difficult to breathe in all the self-righteousness clouding the air outside. I suppose your fool of a king sent you to-” I looked at her and smiled, but then I was on complete guard. I heard something in another room and the sound of people running outside, the clanking of Armor. I turned and moved outside quickly and then saw the men gathered. Mine were not there, which meant they were guarding their side like they were suppose to. ”What do you think you are doing? Why is the front of the house no guarded! And the Side?”[/color] I looked at the man in charge and he bumbled for words before answering. ”A blast was heard milord.” I looked towards the cloud of smoke and then looked back at him. ”And does that require everyone? When another disruption is heard, you send one to look, but Always keep someone at their stations!”[/color] He nodded and everyone returned, while I rushed inside. I heard the elf woman speaking…

”Well, well, what have we here?’ I heard her voice and followed it, seeing the hallway was cleaned out of everything except for a picture and finally I was not far from the elf woman. ”Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones have been long since cleaned?” I walked to the side of her, my hand on the hilt of my sword and I looked to the woman who had come into the home. I narrowed my eyes and looked to the elf. ”Or merely an intruder, come into this demon-filled abode of mine in search of easy prey?” I stood at my full stance and looked at the woman intruder.

”The man who had originally been here were distracted by a smoke bomb… My men are still on the other side of the horse guarding… The other left their post to investigate.”[/color] I said to the woman and looked at the other woman, the intruder. ”What is your reason for being here?”[/color]
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[Tris]

Vastla faced the voice, she turned and starred into a pair of steel gray eyes, terror ran through her then tried she to calm herself, it isn’t the end of the world she thought. She had seen two doors in the hall one was the one the elf had come through and the other one was at her back, her train of thought was interrupted as the elf spoke again. “Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones have been long since cleaned?” she leaned closer and said in a most terrifying voice “Or merely an intruder, come into this demon-filled abode of mine in search of easy prey?” before Vastla could say anything another person came into the hall, a man a military by his stance,”The man who had originally been here were distracted by a smoke bomb… My men are still on the other side of the horse guarding… The others left their post to investigate.” The man said to the lady elf then turned his attention to Valsta,”What is your reason for being here?” she thought about lying but the woman was obviously a mage of some sort and the man had probably seen plenty of liars in his life, so the only way out was to tell the truth… oh boy. “ I’m not a thief as you suppose,” she said icily,” and sir that smoke bomb is something I use for my work it is quite harmless, but I’m glad to hear that those men were not yours or I would be very disappointed in you.” she smile at him then turned her attention to the lady,” I think I’m here for the some reason you are here, you see it is my business uncover secrets and in my opinion this whole house is one. Take this picture for instants.” She said pointing at the picture.

[Emma]

Though I didn’t spare him a glance, I heard Richards come crashing in with all of his male pride in tow as he took up a stance beside me, probably fixing the woman with a look a few degrees colder than mine. Men were so very one-sided. Even if I’d been born yesterday, I would have known all there was to them by now. Proud and vain and full of egomania, driven by nothing but their own desires, I was as much disgusted by them as I was fascinated. It was truly entertaining to watch them scurry like rats and think of themselves as gods. It was even more entertaining to squash such puny vermin.

“The men who had originally been here were distracted by a smoke bomb. My men are still on the other side of the horse guarding… The others left their post to investigate. What is your reason for being here?” he snapped, voice raised.
“The man has decided to force something from you,” I said cattily. “Will you allow him to order you about like a common washwoman, child? What say you?”
“I’m not a thief as you suppose,” the woman rebuked immediately. Her voice was cold and businesslike. She fixated her glare on Richards. “And sir, that smoke bomb is something I use for my work. It is quite harmless, but I’m glad to hear that those men were not yours, or I would be very disappointed in you.” Her smile did not reach her eyes. She turned back to me, obviously having reigned in her fear. “I think I’m here for the same reason you are here. You see, it is my business to uncover secrets and in my opinion, this whole house is one. Take this picture, for instance.”

I followed her pointing finger and took a closer look at the portrait. It was untouched- by dust, by age, by anything that might tarnish it. It looked as if it had just been painted, but the date at the very bottom stated that it was at least ten years old. The woman within the painting was very beautiful for a human, her face not quite as rounded as most were. With high, elegant cheekbones, jade-green eyes and full black hair not unlike my own, I supposed the men of this city would find her to be a trophy certainly worth pursuing. I was strangely drawn to it, however, my gaze trapped in those verdant emerald eyes…

I tore myself away from the tempting pull, instinctively putting up barriers around my mind. Nothing tried to force its way through them, however. The picture simply remained on the wall, eyes still beckoning. At closer glance, I realized that it was a fairth, a frozen image painted by the mind. It had been made by a mage, then. I shuddered at the thought of anyone trapping my image in stone or parchment. It was too reminiscent of a cage with invisible walls. After a few more moments of gazing, I turned back to the woman, whose eyes were full of understanding. It had beckoned to her, as well.

“So, truly, you are no mere thief,” I said curiously. “Very well.” My gaze flickered to Richards, and then back to the woman. “Something has obviously claimed the desiccated corpse of this hovel as its own, and both of you wish to disturb the ashes no one else dares touch. Seeing as I am the only one experienced in such dark arts, you will doubtlessly require my aid. Tell me your names, and I shall tell you mine.”

Words;; 600
Muse;; Pretty good!
Thoughts;; Short, but at least the quality doesn't blow. XD

[Nayeli]

I really didn’t hold any pride about me, sure, I liked my job, but it could find it’s way to the annoying side. I just did the best I could, though I knew many thought I was a normal royal, when honestly, I had my own reasons for always on the move. I wanted to met the riders and their mighty beast. I had always wanted to touch them, to be apart of them, but knew it would never happen, at least, probably not in my time. I looked to the woman, whom acted almost like a thief by coming in through a window when she could have asked for permission to come in. My men were in charge now, they would have called me out and I would have okayed her.

I had asked for her reason and the elf woman had spoken after me. ”The man has decided to force something from you,” I wanted answers and why she had pulled men from their post. ”Will you allow him to order you about like a common washwoman, child? What say you?” Washwoman? I hated ordering women around, they were strong people, they put up with men and my sisters were a good point to them being strong. I looked to the woman, waiting for her reply and hoping she was here for a reason and would not have to be taken out in shackles.

”I’m not a thief as you suppose,” I looked at the woman for a moment and then waited for her to continued. I kept her eye contact, hearing the business like in her voice and giving a quick nod of the head. ”And sir, that smoke bomb is something I use for my work. It is quite harmless, but I’m glad to hear that those men were not yours, or I would be very disappointed in you.” She was a funny woman and I shrugged. I was still disappointed with the guards and patrol of this city. I had a plan to bring others down here in order to gain more control and much safer streets. These men were lazy and I did not want a city of the Kingdom to hold such weakness. ”I think I’m here for the same reason you are here. You see, it is my business to uncover secrets and in my opinion, this whole house is one. Take this picture, for instance.” There was no doubt this house had it’s own secret, but when she pointed to the picture I looked at it. It was beautiful, but those eyes, they were… Something. It was like a string pulling at my very soul and had to force myself to look away and turned my eyes to the outside. I did not need to be pulled into some form of magic.

I wondered what the elf thought and wanted to ask her about it, but I kept my mouth shut, knowing that she was smarter in this then I was. I wanted to know what I could do, I wanted to learn and I knew she was smart. ”So, truly, you are no mere thief,” I did agree and nodded towards her. ”Very well.” I looked at her as she turned her own gaze to my own and then turned back towards the woman before us. ”Something has obviously claimed the desiccated corpse of this hovel as its own, and both of you wish to disturb the ashes no one else dares touch. Seeing as I am the only one experienced in such dark arts, you will doubtlessly require my aid. Tell me your names, and I shall tell you mine.” I took in a breath and then looked between the two.

”I am Turin Richards, brother to Lady Nayeli of Caravala… She told me something was wrong down here and ask me to make a trip to help in any form I could.”

[/color] I told them, before looking to the other woman waiting for her to state her own name. I was sure she would tell of her name. I wanted to talk more of the riders, but there was a place and time for everything.
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[Tris]

The elf took a closer look at the picture and was immediately entranced by it, she shood there for a few seconds and then turned away shaking her head slightly, Valsta gave a understanding nod and waited for her to say something, “So, truly, you are no mere thief,” Valsta let go a breath she hadn’t know she’d been holding, “Very well. Something has obviously claimed the desiccated corpse of this hovel as its own, and both of you wish to disturb the ashes no one else dares touch. Seeing as I am the only one experienced in such dark arts, you will doubtlessly require my aid. Tell me your names, and I shall tell you mine.” The man took a breath and said “I am Turin Richards, brother to Lady Nayeli of Caravala… She told me something was wrong down here and ask me to make a trip to help in any form I could.” The man stopped talking and waited, “My name is Valsta”. She said and waited for the elf to speak, but the two people just looked at her waiting for her to continue, “And I think that’s all you need to know at the moment,” she said in a low voice slightly taken aback that they wanted more information.

[Emma]

“I am Turin Richards, brother to Lady Nayeli of Carvala… She told me something was wrong down here and asked me to make a trip to help in any form I could.” A bit more information than I’d asked for, and I was surprised that this Turin Richards so easily told us of his relation to a countess. So he could intimidate us, perhaps?
“My name is Valsta.” There was a pause, and I found both Richards and myself looking at her. “And I think that’s all you need to know at the moment.”
“Smart girl.” I gazed at both humans momentarily. “I am Laioni.”

I, too, felt no obligation whatsoever to reveal any more of myself. From my deep accent and revealing clothing, it was likely very obvious to the both of them that I was not from these lands. Letting them know my never-used last name, Venali, would immediately alert at least Richards to the fact that I was related to Veela and Rusalka Venali, countesses of Ceunon. I remembered very little of my mother's only two sisters- and despite not wanting to make my presence known to them, I wanted to see them, at least from a distance. I would have to remember to visit Ceunon's castle sometime in the near future.

I returned to the present, blinking, and then mentally berated myself. I prided myself on not being overrun by the childish emotions that most humans and elves toted around like baggage. Wanting one’s mommy was one of the worst, and I would not cave in to that. I was independent. I had slaved at proving it to my grandmother, and I would not forget about that now. Now that we were all formally introduced, I turned back to the portrait, careful not to look it in the eye. I reached out to touch it, and immediately my mind was filled with an image of a face, the mouth and eyes of which were fireballs.

The vision was frightening and briefly made me pause. But then, setting my mouth into a firm line, I grabbed the portrait, pulling it out of its frame. Very faintly, although I wasn’t sure if it was real or another trick being played on my mind, I heard a woman’s scream of anguish. I ignored it, removing the portrait and rolling it up. Setting it firmly under my gloved arm and careful not to let it touch any skin, I glanced up at the humans. Valsta claimed to be an illusionist, and the presence of magic around her was very prominent. I wasn’t sure what Richards would be able to do, as I sensed none about him.

“This is a powerful creature, and one not to be taken lightly. It is unlikely to show itself in the open, where it is vulnerable, without our persuasion. Turin Richards, brother of Lady Nayeli of Carvala…” I raised my eyebrows and gave him a thin little smile, “take this portrait and burn it. This creature’s first instinct is to survive, and it may fight you. Valsta, you and I shall foray into the manor for objects such as this portrait. It may be just one of many safehouses for the creature. Now, if I was clear enough for such small human minds, let us be off, lest the dust settle on us as well.”

Words;; 560
Muse;; Nice, especially at the beginning.
Thoughts;; Short, but... XD

[Nayeli]

I did not fear telling my relations to my sister and I had no means to intimidate the two before me, we were equal and the elf was far more superior and knew much more then myself in this thing they called magic and dark arts. But, I was going to help and I was here to help. My men were taking position outside and were much more aware now, if I had to send my scout to get other men who were stationed only a mile from the main gate of the city, I would, but right now, things were fine to have those I had brought. “My name is Valsta… And I think that’s all you need to know at the moment” I could think of more she could tell us, but I decided not to say another word, turning slightly, my chain mail rustling. I hated this stuff, but I had had no time to take it off and replace it with just a layer of strong leather that I knew could with stand the blade.

I looked to the picture once more, before another voice caught my attention. “Smart girl.” I looked at her for a moment, confused as to why she had said that, but I did not concern myself with it. “I am Laioni.” I nodded in greeting and then looked around the empty, dark area we were in. I could tell by her accent and the way she was dressed, she was not from this land, but I did not ask further question. Right now, I was going to be learning from her and that was how it would be. She did hold a appearance I knew, but I could not place it and shrugged it off, knowing it could be my own mind playing tricks on me in the dimly lit home. We needed light, it was dark and there was no way we could work, at least, I could not without having some light to illuminate things, but until the elf told me to gain something for fire, I would not move to do so. I knew one thing about magic, taught to me by a human that fire sometimes enhanced certain things, so I would keep that away from this area.

I turned to her once again, watching as she seemed to come back out of her own thoughts, but it was not long that she was back into reality that she was reaching for the picture. I watched, but I did not look into the eyes, for fear I would go into a trance. I did not want to have the feeling I had had when I had first walked into this room and saw this picture. It was weird and I had only glanced at it before. I looked outside the windows, seeing that my men were keeping a close eye on everything, but seeing how the original were not doing there job at all. I did not like that one bit and it was causing anger to boil in my stomach, but I put that away as I turned my eyes back to the elf.

Something had caused her to pause slightly and then she grabbed the portrait and pulled it from it’s own frame. I noticed that something about it was different and I thought I heard something, but it was silent and even the men outside did not seem to notice it. Maybe it was my own thoughts playing more tricks on me. The night never did do good with me. She then turned back to me and the other woman and I waited for orders to come forth from her mouth. “This is a powerful creature, and one not to be taken lightly.” I had gained that knowledge the moment I had heard the story and even stepped foot into this building. Something was not right. ”It is unlikely to show itself in the open, where it is vulnerable, without our persuasion. Turin Richards, brother of Lady Nayeli of Carvala…” I raised my brows and looked at her for a moment, seeing a small smile and offering my own. ”take this portrait and burn it. This creature’s first instinct is to survive, and it may fight you. Valsta, you and I shall foray into the manor for objects such as this portrait. It may be just one of many safehouses for the creature. Now, if I was clear enough for such small human minds, let us be off, lest the dust settle on us as well.” I did not like the idea of it fighting me, but I took the portrait in my gloved hand and walked out of their way. I turned quickly, making it out of the house and snapping my fingers. ”Go and grab some wood Derek, bring it here… Quickly.”

[/color] My fellow soldier ran to the side and brought back a handful of dried sticks and branches from the scrubs.

I took them and began to start the fire, the portrait was under my arm pit and then when the flames were there, I stuck the end of the picture into the fire, hearing a scream come into my ears. I winced in pain, dropping the picture, the end falling from the flames. ”Sir?” I put my hand up and then looked at him. ”Make sure I keep a hold of this picture until it is completely aflame, if I drop it, make sure it goes into the flame.”[/color] The boy reluctantly nodded and I picked the picture up again and started to put it back into the flames. A scream came back into my ears and then pain into my arm. The boy did as was told held my hand over the fire until it fell into the flame. I was sweating like a pig and I wiped my brow… Dark Magic… It was my very first experience with it.
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[Tris]

“I am Laioni.” The elf said looking deep in thought, there past a few moments of silence and though Valsta like to think she knew what she was doing here, she really didn’t and relied on Laioni to tell her what to do next. Then Laioni ripped the picture of the wall, Valsta heard a heart rentching scream from the picture, she quickly looked away and noticed Richards had looked away as well, so I’m not the only one, Valsta thought
“This is a powerful creature, and one not to be taken lightly. It is unlikely to show itself in the open, where it is vulnerable, without our persuasion. Turin Richards, brother of Lady Nayeli of Carvala… take this portrait and burn it. This creature’s first instinct is to survive, and it may fight you. Valsta, you and I shall foray into the manor for objects such as this portrait. It may be just one of many safehouses for the creature. Now, if I was clear enough for such small human minds, let us be off, lest the dust settle on us as well.” Valstas stomach turned with anger, she had hoped this elf would be different. She found herself wishing that Laioni would treat her as a equal and not as a stupid little human, but as soon as she thought it she hated herself, all elves are the same and you ARE stupid to think otherwise. so know with a new mind set she followed the elf out to search the house.

[Emma]

The crackle of flames far behind me pleasantly alerted me to the entity’s partial destruction. A thin scream underlay the spitting inferno, barely detectable but enough to severely irritate my hearing. Obviously, we’d done the creature some injury, and few things were as dangerous as a wounded animal. I reached into the pool of black magic at the back of my mind and grasped it; ready to engage in combat should the spirit become desperate. I stalked through the hallway and headed into the sitting room. It was best to check places where the family had spent most of their time first.

The furniture, I saw, had either been tossed about, broken, or were missing entirely. I could see voids in the dust where chairs and tables had once stood, likely lifted by robbers. However, I doubted that simple thieves would go to the trouble of destroying anything they couldn’t carry- marble busts were missing limbs, and pieces of gold and silver, both deceptively soft metals, littered the floor. I pocketed a few out of simple greed. Spirits and demons had no interest in precious gems and metals. The entire place looked more like the aftermath of a battle, but there was no blood or corpses.

The thump of heavy boots alerted me to the fact that Richards was coming to join us. I glanced over my shoulder at Valsta, and noticed for the first time that her hair, which I’d taken to be pale blonde, was in fact grey like an old woman’s. It caught the light creeping out of the wooden planks on the windows. This sparked my curiosity. Her face was young and smooth, so I wondered what could have caused her hair to lose its colour. Was it something from birth? The reaction to a terrible trauma? Or had it been affected by her magic? My thoughts were interrupted as my fingers brushed against something soft.

I peered down. A single teddy bear, likely belonging to one of the children, sat in a pile of ashes. It was untouched by whatever flames had claimed the table it had stood on. Gingerly, I reached down to touch it, but the fiery-eyed vision shook me again. I stopped, instead taking a handkerchief from my pocket and covering the bear. This residence was different from the portrait. It neither called out to me nor seemed at all dangerous. Unwilling to lose it, however, I wrapped up the tiny toy and tucked it into my dress. I listened to the pulse of black magic, noting that it seemed to be coming from upstairs.

“The darkness is far more potent on the upper levels, it seems,” I remarked to the humans. “We should prepare ourselves for combat.”

I warily made my way up the steps, hearing the shuffles of the two humans behind me. Ignoring them for the moment, I carefully peeked over the landing of the second floor. It was in the same state as the rooms below; furniture either destroyed or missing. However, the pull of black magic was much stronger here. Immediately, my eye was drawn to the bottom shelf of a bookcase, the texts of which had long since been stolen. On the shelf was a single skeletal hand, approximately the size of a man’s. I breathed in deeply. This had to be what I was looking for. Gingerly, I reached out to touch it.

I touched the hand only with the gloved part of my own, but at the very moment of contact, there was an enormous crash from far below that seemed to reverberate throughout the building. The dark magic shuddered, and suddenly moved, dissipating from this floor. Coldly cursing under my breath, I gently placed the skeletal hand in my pocket and rushed down the stairs, taking them three at a time. The crash seemed to have come from the basement. However, just as I reached the bottom, I heard the oily creak of the front door as it was forced open. Soldiers poured inside, pikes raised.

However, these were unlike the casual patrols I’d seen out on the streets, easily cowed by anything their weapons couldn’t pierce. They were tougher, and it showed in their appearances and bearing- they did not march, they strutted, and arrogance was practically painted across their faces. Their weapons were of finer make, and their armour had been polished to a sublime glow. The leader, I realized, was the one who had referred to me as knife-ears when I’d first attempted to enter the manor. He looked me up and down, and when his entourage had stopped, he kept walking toward me.

“You, elven whore,” he said cheerily, “and Richards, and that little magician girl. This building is s’posed to be evacuated!”
“Ah, the diligent soldiers of the ruined Broddring Empire…” I rolled my shoulders and tilted my head at him. “Yes, let me bow my head and do thy bidding like a beaten housewife.”
“’Scuse me, sunshine?” He cupped his ear like he’d had a very difficult time hearing me, and stopped mere inches from my face. “I think you’ll find we’re the ones in charge here.”

Words;; 860
Muse;; Kinda forced at the beginning, but nice by the end!
Thoughts;; This thread shall be most fun, methinks. ^^

[Nayeli]

The picture had merely scared the bloody shirt out of me, but I would have to put such a thing behind me, there was no point in boiling over it as I re-entered the home, this house of destruction, it caused me pure anger as I thought about how things had been stolen. It was stupid and I was getting very irritated with the people who had been guarding it. I could possible find them as the thieves, but I had no prove of what had once been in this house and go to theirs would only prove to me that they had nice stuff, no prove that they stole it.

As I moved into the home, I finally found the elf and the magically lady that had shown herself late into our look around. I notice the furniture in the room was moved and it caused another burst of pain before I returned my eyes to what I could find. Things were missing, things were destroyed, but I watched the elf more now. She was picking things up carefully, possible for investigation later on once this house was in deed locked down and figured out. Everything was in a mess, but I waited for instructions from the elf, knowing she knew more about this stuff and I had not been angry when she called us small minded humans. We were compared to them and there was no point and growing angry with her. I had caused her to glance over her shoulder at Valsta when I entered and I looked at her, taking note that the beautiful young lady actually held gray hair in the pale blond hair. It was odd in itself, but I tried not to worry about it. Anything could have caused that, since she used magic.

She took a teddy bear and carefully placed it in her dress. I wondered what she saw in the small bear, but as I grew closer, I noticed that it laid in a pile of ash and held not a bit of burnt area on it. I was surprised by this myself and I looked at her again. “The darkness is far more potent on the upper levels, it seems,” I looked to the ceiling and then back down to her. “We should prepare ourselves for combat.” I nodded and pulled my sword out. I was not sure if dark magic could be harmed by it, but it was the only thing I held. I went up after Valsta, keeping a few steps behind in case something were to happen and I could get back down stairs in order to fight on better ground, but we were getting closer. Once we got to the top, Valsta took her place on the second floor, but I stayed on the stairs, just in case and not to crowd them.

They knew more then I did.

She moved to a bookcase which had long been abandoned of it’s books, but as she reached down to retrieve something, a loud crashing sound came from below and I turned, nearly being knocked over by the elf herself and then following down, hearing Valsta behind me. As I landed on the bottom floor, I saw many of the Soldiers and the one who had insulted the elf. I held my sword pointed downward and I looked at him. My men were not among them, possible held back by the crowd and I looked at them, my head held high and my hair braided down my back was swaying slightly before settling. “You, elven whore,” I felt pure anger come from deep within my chest. ”and Richards, and that little magician girl. This building is s’posed to be evacuated!” I looked at him and was about to speak when she did. “Ah, the diligent soldiers of the ruined Broddring Empire…” I was slightly taken back by her words, but I knew better then to even think about talking about to her, she could kill me quickly. “Yes, let me bow my head and do thy bidding like a beaten housewife.” I agreed with her, I was not leaving this house until I found what was going on, or until we found what was going on.

“’Scuse me, sunshine?” I smiled and looked at the man before looking to the elf. ”I think you’ll find we’re the ones in charge here.” I raised a brow, pushing myself before the men, looking at the man. ”I am sure that can be taken away with a simple word from my mouth… I told you to watch your Damn Insults you pathetic worm.”

[/color] I looked to the men and then back at him. ”We have work to be done and you had just as well get out of this house, before I place you into the prisons as nothing more then a mere foot Soldier and last I checked I had that right.”[/color] I was much higher in power then he was and we had work that had to be done.
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[Tris]

Valsta ran her fingers across the fire place which had only few pieces of a broken vase and a chard piece of paper on it, but the odd thing was that her fingers tingled slightly and sent shivers down her back, it unnerved her so much she quickly stuffed her hand into the pocket of her pants and sent a quick glance over to the elf, but Laioni wasn’t paying any attention to her, she was putting a teddy bear in her pocket and then Richards joined them. “The darkness is far more potent on the upper levels, it seems, we should prepare ourselves for combat.” Valsta didn’t have any weapons but she had two little surprises up her sleeves but she didn’t think it would do anything ageist a mage or whatever they would be fighting, so she felt a little helpless and for the first time she felt grateful that she had a mage and a military man with her, but know she followed Laioni up the stairs and Richards after her, when at the top she stood a little to the side and watched the elf retch for something on a book shelf. But all three of them were interrupted by a crash that came from down stairs, the elf ran past Valsta and sprinted down the stairs, she followed behind Richards but before she got to the bottom she heard the door open and in came soldiers but not the careless one she had easily snuck past no these looked ready and willing for a fight. “You, elven whore and Richards, and that little magician girl. This building is s’posed to be evacuated!”. Said the leader as he looked at Laioni, Valsta leaned her head on the wall, she knew that it would be wise just to keep her mouth shut for this one. “Ah, the diligent soldiers of the ruined Broddring Empire, Yes, let me bow my head and do thy bidding like a beaten housewife.” At this Valsta looked up and watch the leader. “’Scuse me, sunshine?” He said this as if he couldn’t hear her, “I think you’ll find we’re the ones in charge here.” At this remark the fuming Richards said
”I am sure that can be taken away with a simple word from my mouth… I told you to watch your Damn Insults you pathetic worm.We have work to be done and you had just as well get out of this house, before I place you into the prisons as nothing more than a mere foot Soldier and last I checked I had that right.”

[Emma]

“I am sure that can be taken away with a simple word from my mouth.” This Turin Richards was never slow to assert himself, it seemed. I quirked an eyebrow and glanced at Valsta, who was leaning against a wall and keeping very quiet. “I told you to watch your damned insults, you pathetic worm. We have work to be done and you had just as well get out of this house, before I place you into the prisons as nothing more than a mere foot soldier, and last I checked I had that right.”
“Then I do apologize, sir,” the man said, entirely unperturbed by Richards’ threats. He snapped his fingers, and a soldier immediately approached with a scroll in hand. The man took it, unravelled it, and presented it to Richards. Long, intricate text decorated the parchment, with a flowery signature at the bottom. “But last I checked, your word was not above King Azuan’s.” He snapped the scroll shut, and leaned forward. “And if he found out that you’re an elf sympathizer, then, well… I can assume he wouldn’t be all too pleased to hear about that. Now, Lord Richards, madam…” he nodded at both humans, before cocking his head at me suspiciously. “Knife-ears. If you’ll excuse us, we’ve got work to do.”

I slid sideways to allow the man and his four troopers to pass. My grandmother had once told me that there was no fool like a pretentious fool, and now I could see it was true. At the same time, however, I was intrigued- what could Angrenost possibly hope to gain from a possessed hovel? His family had no interest in magic- in fact, they despised it. And with no threat of war looming above Broddring, perhaps he was simply hunting for a power source of some sort. To look for one in a decrepit house that an entire family had disappeared from was nothing short of foolish, but Azuan Angrenost easily could have inherited his father Palancar’s madness. I glanced curiously at Richards.

My idle ponderings on the lord’s possible psychopathy were interrupted by the matter of the crash from downstairs. It had definitely been a physical sort, and maybe even coincidental- an armour set, perhaps, gone unpolished for so long that it was no longer able to support its own weight. However, the skeletal hand I now possessed had indeed caused a shift in the river of black magic. It now emanated from the basement below. The soldiers appeared to be splitting up to search the rooms individually. Though I was more than eager to finally find the entity responsible for the chaos, I wanted to know what the soldiers were doing. I managed to find a pretty compromise.

“What is your name, soldier?” I asked the leader as he peered about the room.
“It’s Phoebus, knife-ears. Lieutenant Phoebus. Why?”
“My acquaintances and I wish to inspect the cellar of this abode. We could certainly use an extra pair of arms should we encounter… problems.”
“Really? Well, my interests do not lie in this hellhole’s basement. What’d be in it for me?”
“Well, what is it that you seek?”
“Hmm…” he stepped closer, surveying both humans, and then looking me up and down, seeming to realize something. “Well, knife-ears, surely a basement is too dull for a dark temptress such as yourself.” His smirk turned into a grin. “I do get lonely sometimes…”
“Excellent choice. I have been hoping for new prey.”
He blinked. “Prey?”
“’Twill take but a minute.” I glanced backward at Valsta and Richards. “You two may prepare yourselves while we are busy. I fear dear Lieutenant Phoebus will no longer have use of his limbs… or his eyes, once I am done with him.”
“Um…” he suddenly looked panicked. “Maybe I should…”
“Wonderful! I can sense his terror! Oh, that will make the loving all the sweeter-”
“So you said you wanted an escort to the basement? Maybe we should go now. Right now. NOW.”

I smiled graciously at Phoebus as he turned away and marched smartly off, bellowing at his soldiers. My steely gaze swept the room as I hunted for the cellar before it finally fell on a trap door. Interestingly, it appeared to have been once concealed by an elegant rug that was now ripped almost entirely in half. I made my way towards it, and found the very first sign of the family- the handle was stained with blood. I gingerly used a part of the rug to lift and pull the door open, revealing a long set of stairs leading into the basement. Behind me, I heard Phoebus’s men assembling. Unwilling to put myself in unnecessary danger, I motioned to the soldiers to go first.

I waited until they’d descended before turning to Richards and Valsta. I kept my voice low. “I doubt they have come for mere trinkets- though I would not put it past a king, and a human one at that. ‘Those who are born into every privilege inevitably want more,’ and all that. Considering the Angrenosts’ disinterest in magic, ‘tis most intriguing that Azuan is more than willing to encroach on Rider territory for whatever object he seeks. Perhaps the Cathedral is involved. Shall we find out for ourselves?”

Words;; 880
Muse;; Hard at first, but then AWESOME!!
Thoughts;; I like it very much!

[Nayeli]

I looked at the man, waiting for a answer from the pathetic being that was before me. “Then I do apologize, sir,” I looked at him, seeing that he held no fear of the idea, but I knew who had sent me and as a man came forward and unrolled a piece of mere paper, seeing the King’s signature I smiled, removing my own from my pocket, but not indicating what was on the piece of paper in itself. I knew of the paper, knew he had made this house to be empty, however, I had swayed him other wise. I was the Nephew who was like his son and who he had given nearly full command of his army. ”But last I checked, your word was not above King Azuan’s.” I did not even flinch as the paper snapped closed and I held a small smile. ”And if he found out that you’re an elf sympathizer, then, well… I can assume he wouldn’t be all too pleased to hear about that. Now, Lord Richards, madam… Knife-ears. If you’ll excuse us, we’ve got work to do.” I approached him as the four men went forwards and opened my own folded paper, but was unable to present before they were gone further into the house.

I was not leaving, I had my own orders and they came from my sister and my uncle themselves. I could not help but chuckle slightly, shaking my head from side to side before they went to work. I did not know how to show this so others could see, so I stuck it back in my pockets until we were told to leave once more. ”Not total sympathizer, more that my sister, the Lovely Lady Leilani, wants to form a Alliance with the elves to help us against outsiders more and my uncle agrees with her ideas.”

[/color] Which was to try and get humans into the dragon riders pact and also gain a alliance of a much stronger and much more powerful race. I knew the strength of the elves, I had seen it, heard that they could kill with a single word and as the last breath left the body, took the energy for their own and use it against another. It was weird, but far beyond wondrous.

I looked between them for a moment, watching as the soldiers went through the home and started looking for things. What was it that they had been ordered to find before the King and my sister sent me down here. Unless my uncle was hoping I would stumble on it instead of finding it. Maybe that was why he only said go and investigate. I wondered for a moment and then looked around at the elf and other lady, Laioni and Valsta seemed to be staying slightly out of the way, but I saw something, as if Laioni knew something about this place, or had a feeling. I did not know how I was coming to this conclusion, but she approached the leader and I watched with interest.

”What is your name, soldier?” Her voice was calm, but strong. I did not know where she got such a strong personality, but I really wanted to butt my nose in and ask. My sister always said I had a knack for getting in the way of things. “It’s Phoebus, knife-ears. Lieutenant Phoebus. Why?” I looked at him, honestly, I felt like be heading him. How would he like it if I insulted him and I could sure make his life a living hell as nothing more then my stable bow, always having his face shoved in the muck by my comrades. It would be a rather funny sight, all in it self. “My acquaintances and I wish to inspect the cellar of this abode. We could certainly use an extra pair of arms should we encounter… problems.” I could tell that she knew we would encounter problems and after that crash and the picture, I did not doubt it. She knew so much and I wanted to learn. I was like a child who was excited to go to school. “Really? Well, my interests do not lie in this hellhole’s basement. What’d be in it for me?” I looked at him for a moment, which grabbed my own curiosity. I wanted to know what it was they were seeking? Money, gold, Jewelry? If they were doing nothing more then being pure bandit, then they would all be headless before dawn came.

I looked at him again as she began to speak. “Well, what is it that you seek?” She held a seductive form of speaking and I did not care for it all to much. She was tricking the man and if it got us into the cellar, she could do it all day. “Hmm…” And of course, the no good soldier was falling for it, wanting to have company in the bed was fine and all, but I would rather have a wife who loved me no matter what. ”Well, knife-ears, surely a basement is too dull for a dark temptress such as yourself… I do get lonely sometimes…” I glanced at her for a moment, a smiling coming to her face with ease. What was this woman planning. “Excellent choice. I have been hoping for new prey.” I saw him blink back fear and then I had to smile as he spoke the word, ”Prey?” I saw her glance back at the two of us. “’Twill take but a minute… You two may prepare yourselves while we are busy. I fear dear Lieutenant Phoebus will no longer have use of his limbs… or his eyes, once I am done with him.” I gave a nod, but I could not help but smile at the idea.

We had to continue to play along, as if we knew what was coming, so I chuckled and gave a nod. ”Go ahead, we don’t mind the wait.”[/color] I looked the soldier dead in the eyes and then back at Valsta. “Um…” I could see the panic forming over his features and I pulled out my sword, though I had a feeling it would be nothing to what we would find in the cellar. ”Maybe I should…” I looked up, he was surely getting scared and I did not mind what so ever. “Wonderful! I can sense his terror! Oh, that will make the loving all the sweeter-” I was not sure if Elves made love this way, or if this was a fake take onto things, but it was rather funny and I was enjoying myself the more. “So you said you wanted an escort to the basement? Maybe we should go now. Right now. NOW.” I smiled at the man and then watched as she found the cellar door and I walked over with her.

”Blood… I was hoping not to find that…”[/color] I had been told of the families disappearance long ago and their had been many ideas that they were dead, but I surely hoped not. I gulped slightly and watched as she opened, making sure the door did not slam on the floor, I used my gloved hands to lay the door down back on the floor. I looked down the long stairs and as she stood, she allowed the Soldiers to go down first, which I did not mind. She looked to me and Valsta. ”I doubt they have come for mere trinkets- though I would not put it past a king, and a human one at that. I did not blame her words, she was possible right and I would talk to my uncle when I returned. ”‘Those who are born into every privilege inevitably want more,’ and all that. Considering the Angrenosts’ disinterest in magic, ‘tis most intriguing that Azuan is more than willing to encroach on Rider territory for whatever object he seeks. Perhaps the Cathedral is involved. Shall we find out for ourselves?” I nodded.

”I hate to say it myself, but I agree with you… My mother raised me to be respectful, my Uncle is not nearly so much, though they are brother and sister… He is greedy, though can be smart.”[/color] My uncle was very smart when it came to things he wanted. I never put it pasted him, not one simple moment. He was a man, whom liked his own father wanted more. My mother was much different from them, but then again, my uncle was not nearly as crazy, he just wanted things. I walked with the two women and careful took lead to the side of Laioni. I knew I could easily be killed, but she was with the riders and though I never told anyone, I respected them. They were powerful creatures.
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[Tris]

Valsta ignored most of what was said between the soldiers, Laioni and Richards, her head was pounding and her hands were shaking for no reason, her mind kept playing back the terror she had felt when Laioni first came into the hall and the scream of the creator as it was ripped off the wall. But she was taken back to reality as one of the soldiers pushed past her and went up stairs, now that she was paying attention she listened to Laioni conversing with a soldier. “’Twill take but a minute.” She said glancing at us. “You two may prepare yourselves while we are busy. I fear dear Lieutenant Phoebus will no longer have use of his limbs… or his eyes, once I am done with him.”
“Um…” he suddenly looked panicked. “Maybe I should…”
“Wonderful! I can sense his terror! Oh, that will make the loving all the sweeter-”
“So you said you wanted an escort to the basement? Maybe we should go now. Right now. NOW.”
Valsta guessed she had missed the key part of the conversation but she didn’t mind, she had gathered all the information she needed and that was all that mattered. The man walked away to find his soldiers, and Laioni made her way to a trap door that was in the middle of the room, surprisingly Valsta hadn’t noticed it before but now that she looked closely at it she could see blood all over the handle, Laioni opened it with a part of the rug and let the soldiers go down then said quietly “I doubt they have come for mere trinkets- though I would not put it past a king, and a human one at that. ‘Those who are born into every privilege inevitably want more,’ and all that. Considering the Angrenosts’ disinterest in magic, ‘tis most intriguing that Azuan is more than willing to encroach on Rider territory for whatever object he seeks. Perhaps the Cathedral is involved. Shall we find out for ourselves?” Valsta chose not to be offended, she knew human nature was to be greedy and Laioni had said nothing about elves not doing the same, but in answer to her question both Valsta and Richards gave a nod and Richards added; ”I hate to say it myself, but I agree with you… My mother raised me to be respectful, my Uncle is not nearly so much, though they are brother and sister… He is greedy, though can be smart.”

[Emma]

“I hate to say it myself, but I agree with you.” I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head at the human. “My mother raised me to be respectful; my Uncle is not nearly so much, though they are brother and sister… He is greedy, though can be smart.”

I looked at Valsta for her opinion, but again, her only response was a small nod of dissent. I was somewhat surprised at the agreeableness of both of my acquaintances. Valsta had displayed very obvious anger when I’d mentioned the dissatisfying size of a human’s brain, and yet she had remained quiet. And Richards, despite his obviously impressive position in society, was more than content to let a witch, and an elven witch at that, tell him exactly what to do. With the Cleansing of the Maleficent- or the Blue Divide, as the Riders called it to keep up their neutral appearance- so fresh on everyone’s minds, I was surprised at his deference.

Not that I didn’t enjoy it. I had spent half of my life in a small shack in the middle of a cold wilderness with an infuriating Shade, and now I was the Riders’ little lackey, sent to do jobs they were too lazy to do themselves. My life as a princess back when I was a very small child in Saxony was nearly forgotten. I only had images- not that it mattered. Princesses could do absolutely nothing. I had never been in a position of power, which was my one true goal. In the game of life, where only the strongest survived, being in power was what I wanted. Leading a small, irritating extraction team through a haunted house appeared to be a step in the right direction.

And so, with a pleasant smile at my companions, I led the way downstairs.

As I’d imagined, it was far from one little cellar- a house this large had a maze of rooms making up the basement’s entirety. Phoebus’s soldiers had lit torches, illuminating the entrance chamber, although most of the passageways remained hidden in shadow. However, I was immediately arrested by the sudden increase of dark magic- it was as if I had been plunged into freezing water. Howling evil fogged my mind, and I inhaled sharply, leaning against a wall for support. I pressed my hand against my forehead and forced the throbbing energy to leave me alone. It sensed my power, and beckoned, but I had made a habit of turning the temptation away. I did not need to become a Shade.

“All right, then, knife-ears?” came Phoebus’s sneering voice.

Passing a hand over my face, I sucked in a breath before standing up straight again. Ignoring Phoebus, I kept my mind on the heavy black magic. I had dabbled in it for so long that I normally had no trouble spiriting it away, but this was a very powerful presence. I walked carefully towards one of the passages, and with each step I took, my head felt clearer. Eventually, the whispering voices and occasional cackle, offset by the vision of the man with the flaming eyes and mouth, began to fade. Excellent. They could go and pick a weaker target to toy with. Coming to a stop near the entrance of one of the hallways, I summoned my reserve of magic for a spell. But first, I needed to be alone.

“Lieutenant Phoebus, perhaps you could make yourself useful by delving with Valsta and Richards?” I said. “I’m certain they will be of aid to you.”
“A clown girl and a pompous fop? Ooh! How lucky of me!”
“Taka eka du ven abr du dróttning abr du nótt,” I whispered.

I felt an odd tingling in my eyes as I manipulated them, turning the pupil into a vertical slit like a cat’s while the iris turned pale violet. I shut my lids as the change occurred, making sure I had done the spell correctly before opening them again. My vision had turned pale violet like my irises, which were hidden as my pupils dilated until my eyes were almost entirely black. I’d seen myself with these eyes in the mirror on many occasions. With the removed colour, I could see a collection of fine wines and polished trophies, as well as junk filling crates and barrels. Nothing hostile was immediately apparent- no people or creatures were about- but even a cat’s eye was easily deceived.

I left my companions behind as I ventured into the darkness, with only my magic as adequate defence. I did not fear death, or the shadows surrounding me. They were my servants, not my enemies. I used them to whatever end I required. Many who lived off of the dark, people and monsters alike, were cowards. It was no small matter to strike fear into them and bend them to my will. I crept along the passages, searching for anything out of place, but it was silent as a grave. No depraved demons leapt out at me, and I encountered no strange objects such as the skeletal hand, the portrait, and the toy bear. I was just starting to grow irritated when I heard one of the guards shriek.

I took my time in getting back, ambling back towards the main entrance to see the gore. I was sorely disappointed, however, when all I saw was Phoebus and his men surrounding one soldier, who was now furiously sucking at his hand. Obviously, he’d had a fright and somehow hurt it. Phoebus threw up his hands, obviously about to shout, when there was suddenly an ear-splitting squealing noise, like an animal getting its throat slit. I glanced in the direction for whence it came, and noticed that there was a soft light emanating from behind one of the boxes. However, in front of that was a monster.

It was vaguely human in appearance- tall and lean, two arms, two legs, a mouth and two eyes. However, in place of hands, there were jagged, rusted knives, and its mouth was full of fangs. Its face was comparable to a snarling dog’s, and its skin looked very rough and was peeling. There was another terrible scream, but from behind me this time. I turned around and saw two more monsters, circling us like wolves. The soldiers panicked, while Phoebus took out his sword and roared at his fellows to organize themselves. I turned back to the first creature I’d seen, and watched it bound towards me, shrieking some sort of battle cry. I raised my hands, smiling at the thing.

“Amuse me, creature.”

Words;; 1100
Muse;; Not bad!
Thoughts;; Yey! Action! =D

[Nayeli]

I glanced over at her when she raised that brow and I smiled, not many actually knew that I though my uncle was a bit greedy. They figured I would protect them man, But I was not stupid, he could be a bit of idiot and anyone should know that. My sister knew it, but she protected him more then I did. I looked over at Valsta and saw the nod before I turned my eyes ahead slightly. Sure, I knew about the hate many held towards the riders and elves, but my sister had surprised me at her own defense of them. She knew they were important and had convinced me in the end to respect them… and the Dragons… They were beautiful and I could not help but look to them with great awe and wish I could make myself among their own ranks, but I knew it would never come.

I wondered how this elf had gotten with the elves… If she was a rider, she would have shown up with her dragon, so I had a feeling she was no rider and it was something that I wondered about the most. I looked around for a moment and thought deeper. Maybe she was someone who helped them by taking the small jobs? It made sense… Many people in the kingdom did that for me and my uncle, but I was always the one who went to the small jobs, for they normally proved to be the most interesting ones of all. At least, I thought so anyway. I got more fun out of those small jobs then I did with the big ones because normally I met someone like this dork who was trying to take command. Finally my men were coming through the door and I made my way over to them for a moment. ”Go back outside… I don’t want anyone else in this house, do you understand me?”

[/color] The men nodded and left quickly. I knew they would take up the slack that the idiots in the house had left. They were trained by the best.

I followed the elf with ease down the stairs, not far from her and close enough to help if I could I knew we were about to come to some very dark things and I thought the picture was bad. I was getting a slight head ache and I did not like it all too much. As we went deeper I realized this was more then a small cellar, this place was huge, would be considered a network of vaults that allowed for storage. ”Vaults.” I said quietly, knowing the elf would possible hear. ”There are a lot of these in the Kingdom’s larger cities… It allows the merchants to store things, along with the castle.”[/color] He said. He knew the ones at Teirm however housed more homeless and criminals then those of his home.

The torches that had been lit were lighting the vaults that we had come into, but shadows were everywhere and I drew my sword, though I doubted it would do anything if something were to happen, but I was not going to allow these things to kill me without a fight. Something was wrong with the elf and she was leaning against the wall slightly and then saw her pressing her head against her head. He was beginning to get worried and approached slowly, going down the stairs. Laioni was then approached by Phoebus and I looked at him. ”All right, then, knife-ears?” It was a sneer and I gave him a evil stair, though mostly hidden from the shadows on my face.

She seemed fine now, taking in a deep breath and I exhaled my own, looking ahead into the dimly lit vaults. She moved off towards another entrance, one leading possible into another room and I stood there, looking around the room. I could what looked to be kegs and large crates, possible with now rotted food or something. I did smell a rather bad smell and I tried to force myself to push it away. I turned about the time I heard a voice. ”Lieutenant Phoebus, perhaps you could make yourself useful by delving with Valsta and Richards? I’m certain they will be of aid to you.” She lied, I would ask for his help even if I needed it. He was stupid and did not know his place within ranks. I turned away from him about the time his voice rang out. “A clown girl and a pompous fop? Ooh! How lucky of me!” I turned my head towards him and glared at him, approaching him. Getting right next to his ear and whispering what I was going to tell earlier, but figured I could just wait. ”Pompous fob, huh?”[/color] I chuckled slightly, throwing him I am sure for a loop. ”Well, I am sure the King and Lady Nayeli would love to hear your reasoning’s for such insults, though weak… They were the two who sent me here.”[/color] I noticed, even in the dim light, the color leave his face. The word had not gotten to him and he had not asked, so he was stumped. I pushed him back to his men and stood with Valsta.

I waited for what to come next, hearing a unknown whisper coming from Laioni, but I could not make out the words and I was not sure if I wanted to. I wondered what she was looking at in the other vault, but I did not move. I knew she knew what she was doing, weather I had been taught other wise, I was not stupid, these people were smarter then myself and I just watched with interest. She went on her on into the darkness and I looked around for a moment. ”Keep your guard up… If you see anything, tell us.”[/color] I had a feeling something bad was going to happen and I tried to ignore the thought, trying to listen for anything that could be happening. I heard rustling, turning to hear one of the guards yelling.

I could hear the sound of someone walking towards us. I finally got through the crowd about the time Laioni came back into the main Vault. The boy was holding his hand and I rolled my eyes. ”How old are you boy?”[/color] Phoebus looked at me for a moment, confused as to why I was asking. ”Seventeen, Sir Richards.” I rolled my eyes and grabbed the boy, picking him up, looking at Phoebus. ”Get out of these vaults and help my men. And you Phoebus… You should know that boys are to be in training until they are eighteen to make sure they know when to be worried and when a sound is heard.”[/color] The boy ran up the stairs and Phoebus looked at me furious. I had just embarrassed him by finding a boy too young in his group of men and knowing his secret about the boy had been turned around on him. Phoebus went to yell, throwing up his hands to cause commotion when I heard the ear splitting noise… I tumbled over, holding my hands to my ears, my sword hit the ground, the pain to my head was doubled and when it was over I grabbed the sword. I looked over towards where they sound had come and I saw the thing.

I looked like a human, a nasty looking thing. I could barely make out everything about the thing, but as the torch light reached it, I was horrified and I felt myself grow sick. I heard another scream and turned to see two other things circling us like wolves. I heard the Soldier’s begin to panic, but I stayed as calm as I could. Phoebus tried to organize them, but they did not listen to him. He had been embarrassed by me, they held little respect for him now. ”You men quit your whining and draw your swords… Stay together and don’t you dare get away from this group.”[/color] I looked to Valsta, wondering what she would do. I thought about giving her my dagger, but I was not sure what I would do.
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