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[Selena]

Resden wasn’t exactly the largest city in the Alliance, but compared with the desert and the rest of the nation of Sornaiid, it was almost overwhelming. As capitol city, it was naturally the largest and most well protected area in the land. If the Ikana team was to be captured in Resden, then escape would be a most difficult, if not impossible, task. Moving around as a group would be far too obvious. Selena was certain they’d have to split up and go on their own little missions to avoid detection. Not that she intended to be covert in her carnage. Just for infiltration purposes.



The Ikana team had trekked south from the Woods, avoiding Alliance patrols, until Resden’s lights were visible in the distance. They needed some sort of base of operations. Nothing big, though. Something small and out of the way – inconspicuous. A safe house where they could meet as needed, rather than a command center. And so, Selena spotted a small cabin, secluded and away from civilization, but still close enough to Resden to where it would be efficient to use.



Needless to say, the couple that owned that secluded cabin met a swift death by a certain spear.



With the bodies moved out, Selena sat herself down in the center of the cabin, sitting on her ankles while she calmly gazed at a marked map of the city that she had acquired some time earlier, but had no need to use it until now. Military installations, industrial complexes, embassies and political centers – all were marked down on her little map, each a soon-to-be target in her quest for Sornaiid’s rebellion and rejection of the Alliance. Beside the map was a list of names, all political figureheads either a part of the Alliance or loyal to it, of assassination targets. This mission would be much more entertaining than sneaking around.



“Well,” Selena began, speaking to the Ikana and/or Labyrinth warriors before her, “I’d gone ahead and sent a letter back to Ikana, calling for volunteer reinforcements. We’ll see if any show up in the next few days, but let’s not get our hopes up for that. Instead, we have to focus on our immediate tasks.”



She pointed to the papers before her. “A list of names and structures that need to be taken out in order for Sornaiid’s center of power to break out into rebellion. After they’re done away with, the people within can rise up, and we can gain control for ourselves, at the very least in rural areas. The mainland seems to be void of Woods or Pirate activity. We shouldn’t have any opposition save for the Alliance.”



“We’ll have to split up to take on some of these tasks. I trust you can all handle your missions well enough. I’ll let you pick and choose. You know your abilities better than anyone else.” Selena picked up her map. “First, there’s a political advisor from the Alliance meeting with Resden’s governor this week. His location will have to be pinpointed, and then he’ll have to be taken out.”



She moved to the next name on the list. “The next assassination target is a general within the Alliance army. He’s in charge of the Alliance forces stationed within the nation to keep it under what is more or less martial law.”



“Third mission is taking out an outpost on the edge of the city. I don’t expect too much resistance that far away from the city. It’s just a lookout point, for the most part, but one I’m somewhat worried about. People and convoys have to check in at that post to get into the city with the necessary permits now that it’s under martial law. Take it out, and we can get through easier. Not to mention that loses such an installation will be marked down as a major failure on the Alliance’s part to keep the peace.”



“Choose what you want,” Selena said. “Don’t get caught, and don’t reveal who you’re working for. If they mistake us as being simple, domestic rebels, all the better. They’ll put the pressure on and the rebels will fight back. A win-win situation.”



She stood up at long last, her spear still resting against her shoulder. “I’m off to assassinate the general, and any of his cronies getting in my way. The politician’s assassination won’t pose quite the same threat. Just exposure. Same with destroying the outpost. A few people can handle assassinations. The rest can take off for the outpost.”



She shrugged a bit. “I don’t have much preference as to who goes where. I’d prefer this be done in teams of two however. Even if you’re used to fighting solo, I want backup there for you in case things go sour. This isn’t the kind of place you wanna get stuck.”



----



ooc: Considering each 'mission' thing is probably not going to be that long, it might just be easier to do them all in this thread than jump around in a lot of little threads. Aye? If j00 do not agree, speak up.

[Rhiannon]

Rhia was still in shock by how Selena had killed the innocent couple. She had began to clean up the blood specs on the walls and floor to make their temporary home a safe one.

Since no one had spoken up yet, Rhia did. "Well I go with whoever needs me. I have no preference."

After she spoke, Rhia quietly went back to her cleaning listening as everyone else piped up to claim their jobs.

Edited by Rhiannon, 25 September 2006 - 06:22 PM.

[Khallos]

In the port of Hatena, the sun rose over the horizon on another day of clear sky. On the quayside the merchant ship was almost loaded with finely crafted weapons, and Obidiah Kearsey knew by hugging the coast to avoid those damned pirates, he could be in Danmir in no time at all. All he had to do was sell his weapons and he would return home a rich man.

He also had two passengers this time, who'd needed a quick way of going south; after all some extra money would do him no harm. One was a scholar, and looked pale and worried, you got their type ekeing a living by trying to educate wealthy men's sons. This claimed he knew [img]http://forums.legendsalliance.com/public/ALOT.png[/img] about the history of far of lands and the history of them before the Alliance; intresting surely, but the Alliance brought him wealth and he had no time for idealist scholars.

The other claimed to be the son of a noble or some such. He concerned him however, he strode about with arrogance and insulted his crew. He at least seemed to know his way around a ship, unlike the scholar who was ever getting lost. He seemed somehow...wrong.

"Bosun!" yelled Kearsey, "where the hell is that scholar?!"

"In his cabin, sir, he's seasick"

"I'll go make sure he's settled in then, I'll go give him some of the good stuff to settle his stomach"

Kearsey sighed, he wasn't suprised a man like him couldn't stomach the sea, still he was a paying passenger and it was only courteous to offer him some of his rum as the ship set sail. He knocked "Excuse me, Mr err Calos", Kearsey said. Hearing no reply he opened the scholar's door, and he found the noble's son lying sprawled on the floor.

The scholar stepped out of the shadows by the door, sword pointing at Kearsey's throat. "Alliance agent, he was. That scum was here to investigate certain....items of your cargo. Those statues couldn't be sold here, could they? Oh no, someone might recognise them. Hoped you'd find a collecter some where in Uradiel, uncultured bunch aren't they? But a rich man suddenly becomes a hero saving a priceless piece of art, only to be locked up for theft, and that's if is.....lucky."

"What are you on about? Wh-ho are you?" Kearsey stammered. "I won't be blackmailed"

"We're changing course, I'd rather have you alive than dead, but...if needs must" Khallos sighed, "set sail for Resden, I've heard some old acquaintances of mine are there, and I'm just dieing to meet them...."

Edited by Khallos, 26 September 2006 - 01:26 PM.

[Xeres]

As much as she wished for the greater physical challenge of assassinating the general, Xeres knew her finesse in this field was better suited to the political assassination... There was no chance she'd let herself be seen. As for a partner...

"I believe I am best suited to the assassination of the politician. I can pinpoint and dispose of him quite easily, I assure you."

Looking around the room, she contemplated working with the ninja or Rhiannon... Goose's magic didn't seem well-suited to stealth, and she assumed he'd prefer storming the tower anyways... And the fish, aside from her dislike of him... Also had a rather... Revealing fighting style.

"As for who I should work with... Shiima, or Rhiannon... If she can keep herself silent... And un-clumsy, as it were. It would perhaps be good practice for her."

[Goose]

"Lemme take the outpost!" Goose blurted. He wasn't really a fan of assasination style killings, he'd rather just blow shit up. Or create illusions of his majesty whores.

"Who wants in with me?"

[Selena]

Selena stood up with the Kanagida bardiche in her arms, a smile forming on her face. That was pretty much all she needed to know, and it was also what she was expecting to hear. She'd had the most logical teams picked out in her mind ahead of time, and was pleased to see the others thought the same, apparently. So she assigned the stragglers to a group, given their preferences.

"Toan, I want you to go with Goose. You're... a bit flamboyant for an assassination. Pure destruction will suit you well," the consul ordered. "I'll take Shiima with me. She's aggressive enough to handle the more aggressive of the assassinations."

She turned to her apprentice, a tad worried that she'd be upset with Selena's choice to take Shiima instead of her. It was nothing personal. It was a choice based on the mission details. Rhia was a skilled enough warrior, but hated the bloodshed of it all. The political assassination would probably result in one fatality, if all went well. She could learn quite a bit from the stealthy and professional Xeres. More than she could from the reckless Selena. Still. Rhiannon 'technically' outranked Xeres. She hoped their wouldn't be conflict.

"Rhiannon, I want you to go with Xeres on the political assassination mission. As she's a veteran soldier in this field, I want you to obey her orders." She hoped that would be detailed enough for her. "Shiima, you can follow behind me if you'd like, or watch over this safehouse."

With that Selena paced towards the door, opening it for the others, allowing them to exit first. It was the nice thing to do, after all. Selena had her polite moments, between the genocide and the vulgar swearing. Sometimes. It would be a most interesting night.

"Well, then. Let's get started."

-------

ooc: From here, just branch off into your own stories. Woo.

[Goose]

Ahh, the sweet smells of the city. How Goose loved them. You had the musty smell of the alehouses where only certain men enter, and even fewer come out without any wounds. The smell of the family inns where a good meal was to be had by all who could pay high enough and finally, the smell of the higher class resteraunts which served food that nobody would actually eat, they were only there to see who else was.

Yup, the edges of cities were fun places to be. Everybody tried to seem more important than they actaully were and everybody engaged in gossip. It was a game that they played, because they had little else to do. If you were new to the cities, you probably wouldn't even understand it was going on, because it was quite subtle, but if you were listening you could hear "So I heard about Julie the other day, she was seen out with..." and so it begun.

Goose and Toan had departed from their camp a few days ago and had travelled out to the edge of the city, where, surprsingly enough, they fitted in. This place got so many unusual visitors that apart from the usual whisperings, nobody really cared that a skeleton and a fish man had walked in and ordered some ale. Either that, or they were all too drunk to care.

So they were sitting in one of the more rundown alehouses, and this one had the quite apt name of "the shithole" and Goose was pestering the barman about what had been going on in the city, because as all bards knew, if you wanted the truth, and you had the money, the barkeep knew all.

His name was Bill, and he owned this shithole. He was one of the guys who was passionate about not caring. I mean, this man took not giving a damn to another level. But although his conversation wasn't all that informative, his son had a hate of all authority, and while he was mopping up some vomit from the floor, he went on and on about how somebody should really give it to the people in charge. He spoke of one man in particular, Grimes, the captain of the guard, who liked to come in of a night and abuse all the ladies and he was known for taking them home without their consent.

Storing all this up in his head, Goose gave the kid a tip and went back to looking at the weak excuse for what passed as ale he had in his mug. He wondered what Toan was thinking...

[Xeres]

Xeres nodded in response to her orders. She turned to Rhiannon and motioned the girl outside. In silence, she led the captain to a spot outside the city gates. She planned on explaining her plan, it was a rather traditional assassination.

After looking around for a moment, making sure no one was within earshot, she turned to the captain and pulled back her hood.

"We have to locate this politician, or find out where he'll be meeting the governor. So... A traditional stakeout is in order. As far as my knowledge of this region goes, from... The past... The governor's residence is not far from the city gates. We could travel there with minimal difficulty."

She looked at the position of the sun, it was mid-afternoon, and the darkness was scarce.

"...I would prefer to stay out of sight. News travels fast, and I'm sure that descriptions of us and our exploits have reached here. I wouldn't have too much trouble shadowmelding us past the city walls... But beyond that, we will have to stick to the shadows."

Pausing, she realized that the captain may not appreciate her simply taking command of the situation. Wondering why she even bothered considering such tact, she shook her head.

"...I believe your telekenesis will be instrumental in pinpointing the rendezvous location... Assuming you can gleam such information from the governor's mind. I know where to go to find him. Then I trust your abilities to find us the information we desire. Now, step close."

Stepping up to the captain, Xeres wrapped one arm around the girl, and muttered in that long dead language once again, the dark energy manifesting around her hands and stretching her shadow out to envelop the both of them.

In a moment, the shadow moved under the castle wall, manifesting in a dark alleyway not far away. The shadow retreated quickly, leaving the two standing there, Xeres looking visibly weakened. She stepped back, stumbled, and steadied herself against a nearby wall. Checking to ensure that all of her necessary body parts were intact, as well as those of her companion, she continued to let the world spin around her, trying to maintain an air of control.

"...Still... Too bright. Too much force... Not enough... Concentration. Miscalculated."

She rubbed her temples with one hand, suppressing a groan. Headache. Large one. She avoided cursing her oversight, at least out loud. She overlooked the extra power she needed to summon in order to transport another person who was unfamiliar with shadow magic. And she was now paying the price for her stupidity. She regained some focus, and pressed on.

"...Come. To the rooftops. The governor's chambers can be seen from the nearby clocktower. From then, we can wait... Consider it... A stakeout of sorts."

Not allowing for any arguments, Xeres gathered her thoughts and lept up the nearby wall, almost silently. Then, she executed a graceful backflip, vaulting high into the air and landing on the ledge of the clocktower's lowest ledge. She perched there and waited for the captain to catch up, fighting the urge to pass out.

[Rhiannon]

Rhia watched as Selena gave each one their parts. She nodded as Selena picked Shiima over her. It stung her a bit since, her master had been teasing her about replacing her the last couple days, but she shook it off without any expression on her face. On the bright side, she was glad to be working with Xeres. Selena's tactics are a tad bit more flamboyant than the assasins. Secretly Rhia had been watching Xeres movements anyway but now was an opportune momement to learn more.

Casting thoughts of Selena and Shiima aside, Rhia was led out of the small cottage. Xeres brought her just outside the city and told her the plan. Rhia opened her mouth several times to speak, but immediately closed it again.

Xeres brought her close and cast a spell. Rhia could feel the energy being drained out of her. She tried to help her stay steady but Xeres fell to the wall. Rhia wasn't sure how to react. She didn't know how to help and felt completely useless. Again, she fell silent and obeyed all orders.

After Xeres had left, Rhia momentairly though about the task that Xeres had laid upon her. Reading minds was not Rhia's forte. She had tried it a couple times and could hear most things actually she could here everything. Nothing was left out and it was hard to distinguish the different sounds and voices. Rhia was teaching herself to block out the unnecessary sounds but it proved to be terribly difficult and she usually ended up almost passing out from the strain. She hadn't told Selena about this part of her gift, feeling that maybe it was something that she could for once do on her own.

Feeling she had taken long enough, Rhia climbed up the wall after Xeres, albeit a lot slower and a little less gracefully.

[Xeres]

While Rhia reflected, Xeres took the time to recover from her prior exertions. She looked at the tower, and started climbing, not speaking a word.

Upon reaching the top, she crouched and pointed down to the governor's chambers. There was no one in the room as of yet, which was to be expected. They would wait until he showed up... But until then? Ah. Conversation. Ponderng a number of topics, she shrugged.

"...So. How do you enjoy... Being Selena's apprentice?"

She knew she wasn't that good at carrying on a conversation, but, now was a good enough time to start. The fish wasn't around, and Selena wasn't there to be so overly critical or make her feel even more confused... She hated people, didn't she?

...Damn emotions. Makes for a bad assassin.

[Khallos]

The ship docked into port just as the sun was setting. Kearsey was amazed that the ship some how avoided the attention of the pirates as it crossed the sea, maybe they had their own problems he thought.

"Ah, thank you for this most wonderful and safe journey" Khallos said as he came into Kearsey's chambers.

Kearsey, didn't reply, his mouth gagged and his body bound to his bed.

"A fine collection of clothes you have here, too much, too much for one man. A man should be charitable...a man should be kind." Khallos muttered as he rifled through Kearsey's chests. "Ah, this should just do me fine, a nice shade of grey if I say so myself, what good taste you have"

"Well, I must go and see my friends, someone should come down and free you soon enough. Just try not soil yourself, it'd be rather embarrasing. Farewell Obidiah, may you become rich and prosperous, and have a safe journey home."

Khallos strode up onto the deck with twilight falling around him, and gathered his possesions. Many of which he hadn't brought aboard with him. He'd got something for Selena, it was a silly little ruby brooch. Best to get in her favour, and after suddenly disappearing he wasn't sure she'd be too happy with him. After all whatever she was, she was a woman, and he knew both men and women liked shiny, precious things. If she didn't want it, well damn her and her ways, at least she could sell it.

As Khallos ambled along through the streets, an idea struck him. He'd planned long and hard for this but forgotten how he was going to find his comrades. The next second he felt a strange sensation, he didn't know what it was, but it brushed his mind. Curious, he dumped his bags beneath a pile of fishing nets and strode to where he thought it originated, seemingly in the direction of the castle.

[Goose]

Chaos.

Flames were everywhere.

People were running out of houses for their lives. There were some trying to grab their belongings, and because of it they were getting trapped.

Waves of fire were moving throughout the city, twisting into different forms in order to destroy whatever got in their way.

Chaos.

Manny Grimes was asleep in his bed. He didn't hear the screaming from outside. That was until a skeleton with eyes of green fire and teeth made from the depths from hell broke down his bedroom door and called him by name.

"Grimes. I have a present for you."

Chaos.

---------------------

Goose had left the city, and found a high nice place to look over the trail of destruction he had left behind him. Nobody could have traced him. Nobody was left to trace him. Cept Toan, who was bathing in a pool of water down the road. He hadn't spoken or done much for the past few days. Not that it mattered now.

Goose loved watching all the pain and destruction that he had caused. Sure, it wasn't a very human thing to have done, but Goose wasn't human anymore.

With that thought, he lay down and fell asleep. It was going to take quite a while to recover from using that amount of magic.

[Rhiannon]

Rhia finally got up the tower. She practiced moving rocks out of the wall to make proper footing for herself then putting them back. Since doing this type of work was second-nautre to her she tried straining for conversations like Xeres had suggested she do. In the distance she could hear a group of people talking, two men and one woman. Rhia was surprised she had picked it up so easily. Encouraged by the unexpected outcome she strained to hear what the woman was saying. Murmurs. Whispers. Cries? Rhia couldn't make out very much. She moved all the bricks in the wall to create an easy path up the tower so she could fully concentrate on the voices. Closing her eyes she listened.

"Stop that supper's ready I'll take that excuse me I hate please leave me alone."

A jumble of everything hit her full force. Rhia's head spun. Thankfully she was at the top of the wall and clumsily toppled over the side on to the roof. She walked over to Xeres. Sat down and remained perfectly quiet and still.

To Rhia's surprise Xeres broke the silence "...So. How do you enjoy... Being Selena's apprentice?"

Rhia spun around at the sound of her voice. Unfortunately a little too fast. Her head ached even more.

"Erm, it's quite fine thank you. Lena's been a bit, lots, distracted lately though so that's kind of a bust but for the most part it's quite good thanks!"

Rhia replied quickly. She didn't know how to talk with Xeres since they've barely talked since the trip started, or even before the trip for that matter. Yet for some reason, she was oodly comfortable.

[Selena]

"On second thought," Selena declared to Shiima, "perhaps it would be better if someone stayed behind to make sure Alliance personnel don't get too inquisitive about this building. It might be best for you to stay here and keep watch. Kill anyone who gets too curious for their own good."

Her orders augmented a bit, Selena set off after the others had gone on their merry way. She'd trailed Xeres and Rhia for just a bit, to monitor their progress and to see whether or not Rhia would trip over her own feet. But, as they went about their mission, Selena had to diverge and go down her own path. She had drawn her cloak and hood up, leaving only the bottom of her face visible, walking in the back alleys at a calm pace, not drawing any attention to herself. Granted, her weapon looked a bit menacing, but she used it primarily as a nothing more than a walking stick for the moment. Just a typical girl, out for a stroll.

Selena's walk through the civilian section of Resden was nothing spectacular. It was when she reached the military complex that housed her objective that things would be forced to get interesting. One simply did not... walk into one of Resden's military sectors. There was the typical 'knock out a guard and steal his uniform' tactic, but that wouldn't exactly work for her. Selena's face was fairly well known, especially after her near genocidal attack in Alsvard after acquiring the Kanagida which most certainly was tempting her to start an unyielding and indescriminate attack against civilian and soldier alike. But she wasn't entirely without logic.

Her target was General Gage, who'd recently been promoted and transferred to deal with keeping pressure on Resden's growing dissention. He was green compared to most of the other officers within Khuffie's grand army. He was mainly a figurehead, capable of putting up a fight but wouldn't logically stand any chance at all if he were cornered away from his men. She just needed to pinpoint his location and take him out. And the easiest way to do that?

There were two guards on patrol around the outer wall dividing the military complex from the rest of the city. So late at night, with everyone at home thanks to the curfew, it'd be no problem taking care of them. She walked behind them, footsteps silent like a cat, and without warning, ran her bardiche through the closest of the pair, once they'd all gotten out of sight. His companion stared in shock as he stood there convulsing on her weapon, before she ripped it out of him and kicked him down to the ground. In a similarly quick move, she got the survivor in a death grip, the blade of her weapon pressed to his throat, no matter how awkward it felt thanks to the weight.

"Where is General Gage?" She hissed. It was always fun acting 'tough.' Inwardly she felt kind of bored and apathetic.

He stammered before finding his words. "H-he's in the command center, working late. Going over strategy with his lieutenants."

"Body guards?"

"A couple, I guess, I don't know!"

"Thank you."

She released him, but only to give him a false sense of hope. After he stumbled forward, however, she once again used her weapon to take another life. He fell down dead in the street, blood spilling onto the ground. Bodies probably wouldn't be discovered until the military noticed the patrol didn't return. Which wouldn't be for a while, she reckoned.

So she knew the location of her target. Now Selena just needed to find her way into the complex quietly and without drawing too much attention to herself. Perhaps there were some cardboard boxes lying around. Those were supposedly god's gift to espionage.

[Selena]

ooc: Joint post between a certain someone and I.
------------------------------


"For someone on a stealth mission, you sure are leaving [img]http://forums.legendsalliance.com/public/ALOT.png[/img] of evidence behind."

Selena whipped her head around in the direction of the voice, eyes wide, quickly scanning along the wall.

A dramatic sigh was let out slightly above her. "Up here." Looking upwards, Selena took a half-step back and peered cautiously at a dark silouette perched atop the outer wall of the complex. She gripped the Kanagida and readied herself for an attack.

An obnoxious snort came from the dark figure. "Put your stick away. If I was going to attack you I could have done so before you even touched either of those poor guards."

Selena didn't move an inch. "State your name and business, lest I make you prove those supposed combat abilities."

The silouette dropped down off the wall, landing steadily on both feet, not making the slightest of sounds. Even his clothes should have rustled a bit, she thought to herself.

The figure stepped forward slightly so that Selena may have a better look of him. He was tall, over six feet, but that was all she could make out. He was covered from head to toe in a dark cloak, the deep hood pulled over his head so that Selena was looking at naught more than a gaping black hole harbouring a face somewhere within. The make of the cloak also seemed to be designed in a way so that the build and size of the wearer would also be disguised. Whether this was a large man, or a small man, Selena could not tell. Had he not spoken, she could have been facing a tall woman for all she knew.

"State your name!" She repeated, her tone growing more and more stern by the minute. If there was one thing her mommy had warned her about, it was to never trust mysterious, cloaked figures ready to spout off advice and warnings for no apparent motive. Unless, of course, they were proven to be Labyrinth members and thus on her side.

"Unimportant."

Selena raised the spear a little higher. "Then there's no harm in telling me, now is there?"

"Would you like to know it more than you want to get into this complex?" The man waved an arm towards the wall. "Your choice."

Selena remained silent. Urge to stab something was rising.

"Your choice." The figure repeated the words.

"Fine. What do you know?"

Despite not being able to see his face, Selena had the feeling the man was smirking as he talked.

"I know that when all around is dark, shapes, objects.....even people....are not what they appear to be." The dark man put his hand up against the wall and walked silently along the wall, running his fingertips along the stone. The girl's eyes followed him, still cautious, but more curious than anything. She could feel the desire and temptation emanating from the spear in her hand, urging her to strike this man down - spill his blood across the ground - however she pushed the bloodlust out of her mind, focusing more on what this man was doing. Also...why he was doing it. Certainly not for her own good.

The man stopped and turned his head slightly. "Are you coming? I am doing this for you, you know. It would be a shame, and a waste of my time, if you missed it." He resumed walking along the wall and Selena grimaced as she followed him, muttering under her breath. Why were hooded figures always so stubborn?

They walked right along the complex wall until they neared a corner, and the figure stopped in front of her with a slight "Hahh". Selena watched as he ran his hand over the wall, obviously searching. How original, she thought to herself, a secret passage. She was about to roll her eyes when she was grabbed roughly by the arm and shoved into the wall. Expecting to hit the hard stone, the girl instead found herself standing in utter darkness. She would have looked around had it felt like she could actually see anything, even if it were just her own hands. Selena gripped the Kanageda tightly and reached out in front of her, taking a step forward, followed by another. She took no more than a few extra steps before suddenly stumbling into a brightly lit room. Turning and taking in her surroundings, all around her rose rack upon rack of weapons, armour, and other assorted military equipment. Obviously they were in the armoury, however behind her was a sturdy, and heavily filled weapons rack like any other. There was no sign of any kind of passageway, or even a doorway of any sort for that matter. She turned to the man. "A secret passage?"

"Of sorts." At the dark figure's feet lay a dead soldier, his neck bent at a disturbing angle.

"So much for the stealth master." The sarcasm was obvious in her voice.

"I leave no bloodstains, at least." Again Selena could swear there was a grin under that hood.

Despite the bright light, the man in front of her still seemed enveloped in darkness. It was almost as if he consumed the light around him.

She watched as he put his foot on the dead soldier's body and pushed down. Doing her best to hold her composure, Selena just stood silently as she watched the corpse literally sink into the floor. "That's a fancy trick. I don't suppose you're a distant relative of one of my teammates?"

The stranger stepped over to one of the racks and selected a simply looking sword. "I could pull a coin out of your ear. That's fancy."

Selena was becoming irritated, and fast. She slammed the butt of her spear onto the floor to catch his attention. "Who are you? I've had quite enough of this nonsense."

"You made your choice at the wall, remember?"

His comments did not help her mood. "Then why are you doing this?"

"You looked like you could do with some help."

Through now gritted teeth, Selena almost snarled. "Don't give that crap. Nobody does anything like this without ulterior motives. Now, what do you want?"

The stranger did not even look at her as he spoke. "That's also unimportant. What is important is that you need something done, and it is in my interests to help you do it. If you are pining that badly to put a name to a face you haven't even glimpsed, then you can call me..." Selena refused to believe this man was pursing his lips in thought. "Call me One."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "One? Like the number?"

"Like the number."

"Okay... One, where are we headed?"

"Where would you like to go?"

Selena closed her eyes for a moment and sighed at the complete ambiguity of this man and his frustrating games. "I am on my way to pay a 'diplomatic' visit to a General Gage, in charge of the military forces of this facility."

"Right to the point aren't we? Okay then. Well, the guards are...distracted for now." One lifted his sword and rested it casually on his shoulder. He pointed to the only set of doors in the room, "I guess we go this way, then."

Selena shook her head a little and followed him out the doors. Bad vibes, bad vibes.

Whatever One had meant by 'distracted' had worked, for there were no guards to be seen in any of the halls. They twisted their way through a maze of corridors, taking what appeared to be random turns here and there. Selena was about to raise this issue with One when she spotted two guards standing outside a large pair of ornately-carved oaken doors. They looked thick and heavy; not exactly the type a person could just burst through. Selena stopped to assess the situation, but One just kept on walking. What is he doing?! She almost groaned aloud as she watched him walk casually towards the two guards; sticking close
to the wall with his blade lowered down by his leg.

As silent as silent could possibly be, Selena watched, somewhat impressed as One grabbed the shoulder of the first guard and turned his victim towards him, thrusting the blade right through the guard's sternum. Without halting, One did the same to the second guard, making a kebab of the two men upon his blade. He swiftly turned the sword towards the ground and thrust it straight through the stone, causing no sound, nor spark.

Continuing to push, One pushed the bodies straight through the floor, sword and all. Standing up straight, he turned to Selena. "There are no guards inside that room," One pointed to the massive doors, "only the General you seek. These walls, and these doors are designed so that sound from within cannot be heard from outside. Use this to your advantage. Or not."

He bowed and raised both his hands towards the door as if presenting it to her as a gift. "You may go first."

Selena strolled up to the large doors, and, without hesitation, pushed heavily on them. They groaned as the shifted slowly, and when there was enough room for her to enter, she did so quickly, One slipping in nimbly behind her. He closed the doors for her and both turned to see General Gage himself staring at them. His mouth was opening and closing as he struggled to find words and his entire face was a mixture of incredulity and rage. One stood off to the side of the doors, neither moving nor saying a word.

The Ikana consul took that time to at least finish her mission, all interruptions and tagalongs aside. If One was going to narc on her to the authorities or sell her out, then she'd deal wtih him as well. But, first things first. She moved a few paces forward, spear again used as a walking stick for the moment.

"My most humble apologies for dropping in unannounced, General," Selena began to say. "I neglect to order my assistant to inform you of my arrival."

"The rumors from Alsvard were true, then. Ikana is moving in on Sornaiid's territory!" The general barked. "The Alliance will close in on your forces and exterminate you like the insects you are."

The general leapt forward and removed a dagger from his sleeve in one swift motion. Child's play. A man like that had been out of the field for too long. He'd lost his combat edge. Selena took one step back, the blade missing her neck by a few inches, and then countered the attack by slamming him in the stomach with the bottom of her spear, sending him back a few feet.

"Perhaps this is not the right time for your boasting. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that Khuffie's army is simply not welcome anymore. You're fired, my friend," Selena said.

With one movement, her bardiche lashed out, blade first this time, and tore his chest open with one great diagonal slash, the full weight of the weapon sinking into his flesh. His uniform stained with blood and he fell forward onto the ground, convulsing and gasping for air as he shuffled off the mortal coil. Death came reasonably quick.

One lifted off the wall and walked swiftly over to Selena. He grabbed her elbow and kept walking towards the back wall of the General's quarters. Again Selena found herself in complete darkness. Learning from last time, she took a few steps and found herself now outside next to the outer wall. The two corpses of the patrol she had preyed upon lay at her feet. She was back where she started. The young warleader turned to One, but before she could say anything, he spoke.
"Lead the way." He raised an arm in her general opposite direction.

"You think you're following me?" She asked.

"For now, yes."

The girl gave a little snort in annoyance. "Do I have a choice?"

"Of course you do. You could kill me now and not have me bother you again. If you want to risk it, that is."

Selena rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time this night. "Well, as lovely as that sounds, I'm well aware that only interesting people have stalkers. As such, I am partially flattered."

One fell in behind her silently as she led the way back through the town. Two cloaked figures, slipping their way fluidly and indistinctly through the streets of Resden. She had no intention of leading him back to Ikana's safehouse, but perhaps she could find some discreet place to corner him, and properly interrogate the hooded bastard once and for all.

So she walked to Resden's outskirts, out into the forest surrounding the port city. However, she had taken care to go in a direction more or less opposite of where the Ikana safehouse was. Once alone, and away from prying eyes of any Alliance soldiers, she leaned up against the Kanagida, attempting to ignore its influences of 'smash!' and decided to get things moving.

"Now. Kindly explain why such a gentlemen would go out of his way to help a supposedly armed and dangerous woman like myself. Clearly it cannot be to help a lady in distress. What do you want from me in return that doesn't involve me taking off my pants?" She questioned.

[Khallos]

Khallos trudged through the streets, completely lost. Walking past some large stone walls, he realised he must be near a keep or some sort of miitary base. He heard strange voices from the top of the wall, a swishing sound and the click of metal.

He looked up as suddenly as many pounds of guard and armour appeared from the darkness, falling rapidly.

"Oh, b-"

The world went black, as the body hit his head and then started to leak all over him in a corpse like way. Finding wanted criminals had never been so hard...

[Xeres]

Xeres nodded, amused by the captains hurried reply. It was probably a little unnerving to hear anything but the usual brisk mannerisms she was more apt at displaying. It really was of no consequence, as the governor would be within range soon.

Listening closely, Xeres heard the door to the governor's chamber open, and a short, portly man fitting the governor's description enter the room, talking loudly about some dinner he must have attended earlier on. Ignoring that, Xeres gave the captain a simple nudge, pointing to the man.

"If you could, try to gleam the location from his mind. He seems rather... Simple... So it may not be that difficult."

She looked around inside the room, noting how many papers and other forms of correspondence littered the tables.

"Failing that, we can try a more... Direct approach."

She spoke with distaste, not wanting to compromise a simple mission with unnecessary noise and complications. While it was easy enough for Xeres to dispose of a body, blood, and even traces of her presence, she supposed the slaughter of Resden's governor would not go unnoticed, and she at least enjoyed pretending that she maintained a low profile... Oh, if her comrades of the dark society could see her now... She'd never hear the end of it.

Shaking away that momentary shame, she concentrated, trying to scrye by her own, less precise means. It was getting late, and efficiency was something that Xeres prided herself on. She already had means of transport and extraction, all she needed was a location. Where was the governor going to meet this official? What back alley, or quiet park... She paused, waiting to see what the captain could uncover on her own.

[ninja kitten]

Hiding outside where she had been left by Selena, Shiima was twidling her thumbs bored with the assignment she'd been left with. "This sucks!" Shiima spat out, kicking at the dirt with the toe of her sandal. "I wanted to go with her this time. Always left behind, that's me." She continued grumbling for quite some time, giving a small jump in fright when something moved suddenly in the shadows. All she could see was just a tree, but Shiima could sense something more.

With her weapons drawn she crept along the wall, ready to attack. What she found, however, was nothing more than a black kitten giving off a strong magical sense. "Eekies! A kitty!!" Shiima exclaimed, picking up the lil animal and wandering back to her post petting and loving the adorable animal. "I've got a terrible secret and I think I'll share it with you."

Casting a familiar spell from her youth on the small creature, Shiima made it her life-bound and also gave it part of her consciousness, a spell she'd practiced countless times in her own hometown. One of the few spells she'd actually mastered before the destruction came. Her mentor had always said she had amazing abilities with life and fire magics, but a terrible weakness when it came to other elemental magics, though she'd worked hard since to make herself near invincible studying Goose and the amazing skills he had.

With her new friend, Shiima was able to spill all her thoughts and have a discussion, one no one could intrude upon. All the while, Shiima hadn't taken her eyes off the grounds in front of her. Seeing nothing too strange, she decided to go after her master, certain she could do more there than just waiting at the gates. Her daggers cried for blood and it had been awhile since she'd seen any action. Tucking the kitten into the hood of her dark cloak, she stood and silently headed in the direction of her master.

[Selena]

One leaned up against the closest tree and let out a heavy sigh, rather melodramatically. "You are relentless, I'll give you that. Obviously came from your mother, 'cause it certainly wasn't your father." He slid down the tree and sat on the ground, fiddling with things around him. "Very well, then. At this point in time, your goal to bring down the Alliance is also my goal. One of my goals. By all logic, the enemy of my enemy is my ally."

Selena sighed. Anyone who spouted the 'enemy of my enemy' line was just pushing themself further into the potential enemy category. "I've had just about enough of this. The help thusfar is most appreciated, but young ladies like myself shouldn't be entertaining the company of strangers. Your alias is fine for now. But I want to know what your ulterior motive is."

That enigmatic feeling of a smile tickled the back of Selena's mind again as One looked straight up at her. "For now, I want this land to be in absolute chaos. Bringing down the Alliance will be of great help to me."

"Who's assigned you to track me? Khuffie? One of the other dorms?" She doubted he was truly working alone. He was probably a mole sent by another dorm to gain her trust.

A dry chuckle drifted out of that faceless hood. "As I said, I want the Alliance to be in disarray, if not disbanded. Not to mention, neither the Alliance, nor Khuffie himself have the power to bend me to their will." The tone grew more serious and, much to the chagrin of the young girl, [img]http://forums.legendsalliance.com/public/ALOT.png[/img] more ambiguous. "No, I am under the orders of someone far, FAR more powerful. The choice to track you specifically, however, was mine alone."

"How did you hear about my presence here?" She hadn't exactly covered her tracks well, but had hoped that at least her identity was somewhat ambiguous.

"Both eyes and ears abound everywhere, and quite a fair amount of them belong to me."

Ever disturbing, but at least she could use that to her own advantage. Her contact with the outside was limited only to her other contact, and she was often tied up with her other duties. "Is the Alliance under the impression that it's revolutionaries doing all this recent dirty work? Or have they pinned this on Ikana?"

One stood and absently brushed his hands before clasping them behind his back. He began to pace a little. "I do not know, nor do I care. The Alliance can blame this on whomever they see fit. All I need is for them to attack. Keeping the focus on the rebel forces is your job."

Force the Alliance to attack, eh? Not often you found someone trying to deliberately get the army after them. "Regardless, you're certainly not trustworthy. Randomly appearing robed figures never are. What do you have to offer me aside from being able to walk through walls? I already have someone who can do tricks like that."

One stopped pacing and raised his hands innocently. "Tell me of someone who actually IS trustworthy. It doesn't mean I won't help you. However, I can tell you that walking through walls is but a minor little trick, and beneath this dark cloak lies an endless well of knowledge, a special kind of......power....and many more lovely delights." He pointed a finger at her. "And if you allow me to assist you, I can bring you much, much more when the time comes. For now, all you have to do is heed my advice, and let me help. When chaos erupts, I will be there to....help you...take the reins."

Liar. But she still wanted more knowledge from him, and prayed that he would not be ambiguous this time around. "Are you aware of the other dorms' status? Tell me of the outside world."

One turned away from Selena and looked up to the moonless night, his hands resting on his hips. He sighed a little before he spoke. "There is not much movement to tell of, I'm afraid, young lady. The sullen Admiral of the Forsaken Fortress still sits his throne, that stoney, morbid expression never leaving his face as he mulls over what he should and should not do, and when he will or will not do it. A few of the Woodland dwellers have managed to breach his walls; they were seemingly invited straight in through the front gate. That raised to attention of the pirate's new little spy hunter. She's quite a handful, I hear, and would not be one whom you should look forward to engaging in a tiff. Speaking of the forest people, there has been little word of any of them doing much of anything, except for a select few."

One turned and began pacing again, somewhat deep in thought. "Now, this is where we come to a most interesting little tale. It would seem that a group of these little tree-huggers have taken a journey with a couple of DarkJuno's pirates, along with a renegade assassin here or there. They are, or so I have heard, currently in the process of training themselves through some kind of mystical source, all in order to take down a dark, underground society. The Society of Laz as I have heard it called. A mysterious organisation whom, it seems, nobody knows anything about. I don't doubt you have heard of them, so there would be no need for me to delve too much into the rumours of their existence."

Society of Laz. She'd heard of it, but had mostly kept herself out of that circle. No want to associate with the rival secret society.

"Also, as we mention rumours, whispers on the wind have been putting across that there is movement amongst the deep, dark halls of the Labyrinth. Something is amiss within those rancid stone walls, and the darkness stirs once more, I hear. The same is said for the Taj Nar Mountains. The Guild - I know you know who they are, being a little Labyrinth princess and all - are reforming. Not only that, they are also co-ordinating; preparing to make a move against someone or something."

"As for Ikana, well..." One spread his hands in Selena's general direction, "you're all here doing what you do best, aren't you? Things are coming to a head the world over, and all we need do is give things a little nudge and the tides shall turn in our favour. So, to answer your question, yes, I am aware of the other dorms' status. Like I said, I have eyes and ears everywhere, and if you will not accept my help, then I'm afraid you will be trampled under the progress of chaos."

One dropped his arms to his side, and stood silently. That gaping hole in his hood was faced directly at Selena, and she felt a shiver run down her spine as she pondered the mind stirring within. Damned robed figures jumping into the middle of the story to go forward with their little plots. At the very least, he was an informant. But who was to say whether or not any of that information was accurate.

And so Selena was faced with a dilemma. Clearly this Mr. One was simply trying to make her a pawn in whatever game he was playing. She was at least sharp enough to realize that. But if he had power, and if his information was the truth and his skills at uncovering such intel were that apt, then perhaps there was something to be gained, assuming of course she could manipulate him instead of the other way round. Oh, but her creativity sometimes ran dry and she did not have the fancy robe associated with such manipulative figures. Perhaps a journey to the clothing shop was in order.

So, was she going to risk working with this man? If nothing else, it would make things interesting. But then Xeres would probably never speak to her again for bringing in this outsider. They'd just have to take extra care in being paranoid and observant. She tapped her fingers against the Kanagida in irritation. Why couldn't life just be normal for a change? Sipping on aged whiskey while lying in front of a fireplace while a snowstorm raged outside and she curled up with.... nevermind.

"Well," Selena began, "you've certainly proved your information gathering skills by knowing so much about my heritage, apparently. Most of that is so off limits that only members of a certain extinct, subterranean society would know about it. It makes me wonder if you aren't affiliated with that society in some way. You may be valuable to me as an informant, but I don't know if I'm willing to trust you in the field of combat just yet."

She smirked, slightly. Well, she had worked with people less trustworthy than this, she supposed. "How about this? In exchange for information on my enemies and the rest of the world - including all those secretive societies that like to meddle with the world - I will help you out in your affairs. To an extent, of course. I'm not going to go out of my way and put Ikana in danger so readily. Just as I'm sure you won't readily tell me which powerful overlord you're working for. I seldom have time to spy any more, and my other contacts have become quite preoccupied, I'm afraid."

"We'll see how it goes," Selena said, then shook her finger. "But that does not mean we are allies. We are friendly, but not yet allies. I assume you'll be tracking my team since you've most likely done so thusfar? Not that I expect robed figures to be ones for socialization. ...So the Pirates and tree huggers are training to defeat Laz? How... odd. Ah, well, better Laz than any of my affiliations. So long as they are distracted."

She picked up her weapon and slung it across her shoulders, resting her arms up on it, feeling restless. "So what services of mine do you seek, mysterious One? Or are you just here to give me a nod of encouragement as I go about my rampage?"

One crossed his arms and, with a shrug, said "I seek no service of you, princess. Only to let you give me mine so that our respective paths may be tread."

He jerked his head over to his left a little, indicating something. "Looks like the introductions are about to begin even sooner than we thought."


ooc: Another joint post.

[Xeres]

[ooc: I'm going to just move along with the story, 'cause Rhia's died or somesuch. ]

Xeres looked at the body of the governor and nodded, a simple job. Glancing around at his entourage of five heavily armed soldiers, she had to smile. It was more fun than she had expected. She was about to use her magic to bring herself and the captain back to the Ikana camp when she felt an odd sensation run through her body. She sensed something, some kind of eerie presence, one that she had been distant from for some time. A small smile crept across her face as she turned to face her companion.

"...Our work here is done. Feel free to head back to the camp and wait for the others, I have some business to attend to."

With that simple response, she drew her hood close around her face and prepared to vanish, but not before praising the telepath's performance.

"You did well... Excluding that brief moment when you fell off the roof and swore loudly."

She nodded and vanished into the shadows, heading towards the general direction she felt the presence eminating from. It was a distinctive pattern, made recognizable only by a similarity of talents. She knew this person, and they knew she was here. While in transit, she pondered the reasons for this visit, and only a few brief undisclosed ideas crossed her mind.

Xeres materialized in a section of dense forest, orienting herself immediately upon hearing voices. It was Selena, that she was sure of... She was speaking with him? Things were becoming more interesting by the second. Knowing that any attempt at a stealthy approach would be wasted on him, she strode rather carelessly into their range of vision, the sight of the hooded figure reaffirming what she'd suspected. He was here.

Glancing at Selena, she made no attempt at formalities and simply stated in her usual death-whisper,

"Mission accomplished. Your apprentice did well... If rather clumsily, for a stealth mission."

She glanced at the figure and smiled beneath her hood.

"...And it seems you've made a friend on your mission. But of course he's already informed you that I would be coming, I'm sure."

Keeping her eyes locked on him, she waited for some kind of explanation, or perhaps a summary. There would be time to converse with him alone, of course... They had quite a bit of catching up to do.

[Rhiannon]

(I'm sorry)

Rhia nodded. She had done what she could. Still, what she could, wasn't good enough for her. She sat for a bit after Xeres had left. She tried following in her mind. Rhia didn't expect much to happen since Xeres was very experienced in her magic. Good thing she didn't expect much, because nothing did. Usually Rhia could follow movements well. She knew where every single person in the building across the street were. She knew who was pacing and where, but she could not locate Xeres.

Sighing she sat up and crawled down the side of the building, moving the rocks as she had done before, jumping off before reaching the group letting her cloak act as a parachute.

"Weee!" She whispered, quickly turning around to make sure Selena wasn't near by to make fun of her. She searched for Lena in her mind, it was fairly easy since Rhia had spent so much time learning from her. Rhia saw that she was talking with somone, she tried focusing on the sound voice only to find it was Xeres and someone else? A male? That's all she could tell. Still fuzzy on the words Rhia couldn't make out what they were talking about, only the tones.

Curiosity willed Rhia to find out where they were, but she decided against it. Lena had been quiet around her lately, Rhia didn't want to make it complete silence.

Where was the fish, she thought.

And so, instead of following curioisty, she followed her nose to find Toan.

[ninja kitten]

Wandering along, following any clue she could pick up as to where her leader had gone, Shiima continued talking to the little black kitten. By now she had exhausted the stories of her childhood and had moved on to her experiences in Ikana. The kitten just lounged in the hood of the cloak curled up next to Shiima's neck, purring for all she was worth as she listened to the stories through the mind meld. It was actually quite a pleasant time. Shiima wasn't able to get much alone time anymore, though maybe once the war was over she'd try to get more. Perhaps she'd even work on her swimming in the small lake, but no, no matter how much she tried, she just couldn't enjoy being wet.

Much to her suprise, she realized (perhaps a bit too late) that she had, in fact, stumbled across her master... and two others. Dropping quickly to the ground in a deep bow, she was embarassed at having left her post and finding her master. Well, actually it was masters. Shiima didn't know the second cloaked figure, but instantly recognized Xeres. Shaking her head slightly she tried to remember anything about the other figure.

"I have come against your will Lena. I apologize." Lifting her head she stared at the cloaked figure. Definately male. Shiima had spent so much time with women anymore she could recognize the curves of the female body. "You! What are you doing here?!?" Suddenly Shiima could remember. She could remember everything, and it brought back the pain and sadness she had shoved deep in her heart. The pain of her childhood.

[Khallos]

Khallos woke up on a pile of filthy straw, on the positive side he no longer had an armoured corpse on top of him. Pulling himself up, he realised his sword and knife were gone, still it paid to be prepared and checked if he still had second knife concealed in his heel. Maybe some luck at last he thought, best keep it hidden though no point just getting it confiscated. Looking around his cell, he saw a thick door at one end of the cell, a filthy looking bucket and an unbarred window set many metres up the wall, convenient if you could fly of course.

"Ah, so he awakes!" a voice from behind the door said.

The door swung open, and two guards with spears came out and aimed them at his chest, followed by another nervous looking one in a new uniform.

"I'm Captain Mannering, the new captain of the guard here in Resden." said the nervous one.

"Look a bit wet behind the ears to be Captain", Khallos muttered.

"F-funny you should ask", said Mannering trying to maintain his composure, "the last Captain died just recently, so I was promoted from Lietenant. In fact," he said with a flourish," you are charged with the murder of the former Captain of the Guard Grimes, General Gage, over a dozen guards, arson and treason."

"You will be tried tomorrow, and although it is unlikely you could of completed all those crimes in such a short time, the evidence for the murder of General Gage and his body guard is undeniable. Not forgetting the charge for treason, if you confess and give the names of your accomplices you may escape the hang man's noose."

Khallos, could guess at least one of the murderer's names, she had never been subtle. However, betraying her would surely bring a death far worse than a simple hanging.

"I'm sorry Captain, I deny all such charges, nor do I know of anyone who has done such acts"

"Very well. Mr. er...."

"Khallos"

"Mr. Khallos, your trial shall probably be quick tomorrow, and the manner of your death quicker, however I give you a night to think on it."

As he turned around and walked out, one of the guards smashed the butt of his spear into Khallos's stomach and the other kicked him and spat on his face. Grimacing in pain, he realised he must be a very unpopular man. Well, there was certainly no way of bribing the guards then. Mr Cock-up had definatly come and set up camp all over his 'grand plan'...

Edited by Khallos, 17 November 2006 - 02:15 PM.

[Nevermind]

One gave a graceful - albeit overdone - bow in acknowledgement of the young lady to have just strolled out of the surrounding trees."Why hello there."

Xeres almost laughed at the grand gesture, but she merely nodded in return, asking in a way that implied a comfortable level of contact with the stranger. "...What're you calling yourself now? You know, so I don't go giving anything away... I know how you hate that."

The dark figure stood and shrugged. "You only ever called me what you felt like anyway." There was a hint of humour in his voice. Turning back to Selena, he asked, "Well, are you not going to introduce us to each other, princess?"

Selena’s eyes darted between the two of them as they spoke. They were certainly friendly. Her nerves suddenly felt even more on edge. Had he gotten to her soldiers before and she had just been unaware of his interference? Perhaps she was overly cautious and protective. Of her soldiers, not them as individuals. She had enough problems with manpower as it was. She couldn’t be losing anyone to the Robed Figure Empire. Regardless of his taunting nickname that she so desperately despised, she introduced them, if for nothing else than to humor him.
"Xeres, this is a well informed individual wishing to ally with Ikana's cause against the Alliance. He goes by One. Like the number. Don't ask. He dropped in to say hi during my mission." She looked back to him. "One, this is Xeres. An agent of mine. But I'm sure you… know that."

"A pleasure to meet you, as always." This time there was no doubt that One was definitely smiling behind that hood.

Xeres glanced at Selena, a look of mild surprise going undetected beneath her hood. She'd expected a much more aggressive stance from someone who'd just been called 'princess' in such a way. This was becoming more interesting by the second. Seeing no need for charades, she drew back her hood and walked up to the not-so-mysterious man.
"Yes, it's always your pleasure to see me, I'm sure." Allowing her aloof mannerisms to drop for a moment, she bowed her head in a sign of respect, when she looked up to meet One's eyes again, there was a definite smile playing across her features. "...And the reason that you're here is certainly... Not the usual one..."
She glanced at Selena for a moment, pondering something. Her smile turned slightly devious as the cogs turned in her mind. "Then again... That would be interesting. But no, it's business... As always."

One gave Xeres a quick wink and then looked across the top of her head to Selena. Silence, followed by a simple but to the point, "What the hell?" came from the Consul.

Xeres couldn't bring herself to be surprised at the response, and waited for One's gaze to focus back on her. Looking into his hood, her voice dropped back to it's quiet intensity as she gazed deep into his shadowed face. "So... Why are you here, then?"
It was unlike 'One' to reveal himself so easily. Something was not normal... This kind of open association reeked of greater importance than One was granting it... And not knowing his reasons unnerved Xeres, she was usually kept well informed on his location and missions, as he was told of hers.

With a grim expression, One spoke. "The gates are readying themselves to open." His voice had not a spec of any of its usual sardonic tones. One was completely serious. Although......still ambiguous. "Chaos is at the edge of holding its mighty hand across these lands."

Xeres sighed, audibly. Not out of exasperation, for she was quite used to deciphering One's codes by now. This news... What it seemed to describe... Was unwelcome, to be sure. It explained One's presence and his actions, far from his usual standards.
"That... Is rather dire."
She looked again at Selena, pondering the situation briefly. His sudden alliance made sense. This was a situation which required much more thought and a much different sort of action. "... I believe I'm beginning to see the picture... A shame your visit could not be a simple assassination... This... Is more than I usually handle. Than any of us do."

One shrugged his shoulders just a little. "That doesn't mean you can't handle it at all. There is still one path left you must take, and then you will be more than able." He turned to Selena, also.
"Isn't it time to regroup now, seeing as your whole team is done with its assignments?"

The tenuous alliance One and Selena had formed shattered the moment the two cloaked acquaintances, apparently, started to talk about gates opening and chaos spreading over the land. The consul no longer had any desire to place trust in anyone spewing out that kind of language. That was something not even she would have said in public like that, which meant a great deal, she reasoned. Her own kingdom and society felt threatened, and she had every intention of just cutting her losses and getting out of there. The Kanagida cried for blood, and she was tempted to give in yet again, but…

She saw movement off to her side. Another guest? Oh, did One invite even more friends over to continue with his chit chat? No, at least not hopefully. It was just Shiima.
"I have come against your will Lena. I apologize." The ninja lifted her head, and Selena watched her expression change as she glanced at One. "You! What are you doing here?!?"

All right, that did it. Teamwork was overrated.

One and Xeres both turned towards Shiima at the girl's sudden exclaimation. One let out a subtle sigh and raised his hands, almost in a supplicative gesture. "What can I say? It's time to get my hands dirty. I'm hoping my disciples don't really mind me joining them in a little adventure?"

[Selena]

Selena's grip on the Kanagida was so tight that her knuckles turned pure white. Disciples. Two of her most prized warriors were disciples of this untrustworthy figure. They were supposed to have no other leader before her. As such, she was treating this as a personal betrayal and treason against Ikana Canyon. One's behavior and words made it seem like he was going to use her kingdom as a puppet in whatever he was planning, and she would have none of that. If he was planning to cover the world in chaos, then that was her job. There was no sharing in the world domination business. If he was planning to stop it, then that might have been worse. Regardless, any alliance she had thought about making was no more.

"What a blessed reunion this appears to be," Selena hissed. "There's much about my two soldiers I am not aware of, apparently."

She sighed heavily. She had a decision to make as consul of Ikana. The mild benefits a union with this man would seemingly reap was overshadowed by his apparent hold on her underlings. This was too much a parallel to the Labyrinth's influence on the members of her inner circle. Who was working for who now? The risks of a corruption in the chain of command warranted her intervention. She did not take orders from anyone. She gave them. And she did not expect any kind of contradiction that may have resulting from her soldiers being loyal to someone else. Treason, indeed.

Selena tilted her head to the side and gave them all a look she tended to reserve for enemies. "Xeres, Shiima... you're out. Do not return to the safe house. Do not return to Ikana unless you wished to be executed for treason. One, negotiations are over. You do not have Ikana's support."

That said, she turned, hoping to seek out her apprentice and her brother. She had to keep an eye on the others to make sure there were no other double agents in her midst. If there were... then perhaps she would just have to purge. Rhiannon. Why had she separated herself from Xeres after the mission and where was she now? Slight paranoia plagued Selena yet again. But hopefully this was a well justified and healthy kind of paranoia.

[Nevermind]

One stepped around Xeres and advanced on Selena. "Funny. I never really pictured you as the melodramatic type." He stopped when he was several feet away from her. He was confident he could handle her, but that did not mean he was stupid enough to give her a chance.
"Are you that caught up in your own ambition that you are too blind to see the parallel paths that lie before us? I do not wish to trample upon any grandiose plans you have of dominating this world. My future holds a much different path in the end." He tilted his head to the side a little.
"These troops have followed your orders without question, and after a minor revelation, you suddenly disown them. "

One sounded somewhat disappointed as he shook his head and said, "I really thought you would have seen the advantages, not to mention the bigger picture. So tell me, have I given you more credit than you deserve?"

[Selena]

Selena pivoted back around, her weapon resting against her shoulders. "Melodramatic? I find out two of my elite soldiers are working for someone else and I'm being melodramatic? More importantly, they're working for someone who refuses to give me straight answers, which is generally not a good sign. Put yourself in my shoes as a leader of one of the dorms. Should you trust the well being of your soldiers such a person? At least the ones who actually work for you."

She marched back towards them, glaring at both One and specifically at Xeres. She was most upset at the assassin for failing to mention this little detail during the course of their cooperation. Why was it that everyone who consistently wore a cloak and hood acted like this. When she got home, she'd ban such clothing from Ikana.

"You cannot expect me to work with you if you continue to be so ambiguous that I have no idea what you're talking about. I am a busy woman. I have no time to waste my time deciphering whatever code you talk in. I am straight forward person, and as such, you can't just say 'our motives are the same, so it's cool, in accordance to the prophecy.'"

"The Gates are opening, chaos is spreading through the land," Selena began to mock, "bunnies and frogs are falling from the sky and the rivers run red with the blood of squirrels. Honestly, now. I am a military commander. Vague references to the end of the world is not my forte."

She shook her head. "So how it works is, we're all friends and buddies until the Alliance is overthrown. Then it's a deathmatch between us after the fall and our goals begin to differ and I realize what tricks you're up to?"

Selena walked forward yet again, passed One. She gripped Xeres' chin with her fingers and smirked. "My... loyal soldiers might serve me for now, but if they're any disciples of yours, that'll change the moment my back is turned and you need them for your own plans. I'm not keeping that risk in my army, or at my side."

"Do what you want," she said to the rival pimpmaster, "but keep your agents away from me, unless you want them returned missing limbs."

[Xeres]

Xeres' blood nearly boiled at the accusations. She had never betrayed anyone she had pledged her loyalty to. He gaze narrowed, seething and full of indignation. She allowed Selena to keep hold of her face, slowly bringing her hands up and drawing back her hood. Her voice remained calm, that death whisper still commanding her voice, but the hurt ringing through despite her best efforts.

"...My words apparently meant nothing to you. It is not enough to merely say and act in your favour... I must reveal all of my secrets to you to gain your trust... Or maybe not even that."

Her jaw clenched momentarily, and she continued,

"I will not be your servant. I will not submit all of me to be scrutinized by you... If you want obedience, you will have to trust and respect me. It is obvious you cannot do that... Which is... Disappointing."

One of Xeres' hands moved up and took hold of the one holding her face. Her expression became almost mournful as she spoke.

"...I would reveal everything to you, if I had your trust. I will not reveal everything to gain it. It does not work that way... I wish it could. I wish..."

Despite her best efforts, Xeres felt the hurt and pain rise in her chest. She cursed herself silently as she felt the slightest of tears creep into her vision. She wasn't supposed to feel... This wasn't supposed to matter... But it did.

"...I wish I had your respect. But it seems that the only one who has misplaced their trust here... Is me."

A sneer crossed her lips, and her grip on Selena's hand became vicious.

"I do not fear you. I respect you. Do not threaten me, and do not play the immovable dictator. Your choice here could very well doom your precious, loyal, soldiers. I have always acted in your best interests, and it is now worth nothing. Aside from my respect... You have gained my pity."

She kept her gaze level with Selena's, her grip just as hard as her gaze. She would not walk away from this, and she would not let One speak for her. This was her pain to deal with, in one way or another.

"...Do not walk away from me. After all the questionable alliances you have made, you shun me? I would spit at you if I didn't know you to be wiser."

[Nevermind]

One could do naught but watch silently as the two women exchanged the harsh - deep, meaningful, but harsh - words. He closed his eyes and collected himself for a moment, taking a slow, deep breath. He opened them and spoke again.
"I'd certainly not like to interrupt this tense little moment, but do let me say one thing before you carry on. Selena, you really are acting naive. All we need to do is cause a war. This is not the end of the world. If anything it is a new beginning. We start the war, you head off to the Labyrinth - you needn't act surprised that I know where your destination is - and then you should ask some questions of your ever-so-lovely mother. The truth is, I have to be vague, because whilst I am watching you, there are others watching me also. You are alone, in a secluded forest clearing, outside the city. There is no one else here but me and two of my newly-revealed agents. Why would we wait for your back to be turned when we can finish the job right now, and be gone before your soldiers even began to think that something may be amiss?" He tilted his to the side again, as if chiding a young child.
"You silly girl. You forgot to tell anyone you were here, and now you're all on your own. What are you going to do?" His head straightened and his voice took on a matter-of-factly tone.
"You're going to trust that we will not stab you in the back, is what you are going to do. You know you can simply because of the fact that you are here with us and still alive. All I ask is that you stop being childish and let us help you out. When we get to the Labyrinth, you'll be privy to [img]http://forums.legendsalliance.com/public/ALOT.png[/img] more information. So for now, trust us, and when all is said and done, you will realise that you are better off for doing so."
With a wave of dismissal: "As you were."

His bravado out of the way, One strolled over to a tree near Shiima and slid to the ground. "Shiima, these other two have some awkward business they need to sort out. Come sit with me."

[Selena]

Selena's eyes widened ever so slightly. What was that about her mother? Surely, Chikara wasn't in le-- ohgodherhand. She refused to flinch at the iron grip of the assassin, and instead found herself feeling even angrier at such an action, at least for a moment. She tightened the muscles in her arm and ripped herself free from Xeres' grip, her arm flying back due to the force it took, her lips having formed into a snarl as she did so.

She did, however, manage to calm herself down to a proper level before continuing. "Clearly, I overreacted to my soldiers failing to mention being involved in a different plot for overthrowing the Alliance. My fault."

With a long sigh, she felt like she was admitting defeat. If answers would be had in the Labyrinth, then perhaps that would be enough. Though she certainly still felt anxious about the entire ordeal. So long as things only involved anti-Alliance operations and not anything that involved... gates opening, then she supposed it would be fine. She still couldn't help but feel like she was compromising Ikana's security.

"Fine," Selena said, "I'll be anxious to talk with Chikara, then. I'll tell you what, since you're all so persistant. I'll agree to go along - for now. I won't be happy about it, but I'll go along. I give up. You win. Hopefully these soldiers of mine are indeed trustworthy."

She didn't really want to go any further with the dramatics between herself and Xeres. The guilt trip wasn't going to work on Lena. She was simply too stubborn for that tactic. She wanted the night to be over, and had no real desire to keep talking.

"So what did you want? To regroup with the rest of my team?" She asked. "I'm done here. You want to tag along, then fine. If not, then vanish into the shadows and wait for my next operation. I'm sure you'll be able to drop in at the right time and still manage to know exactly what's going on."

And she would be assigning both Rhiannon and Toan to monitor both One, if he remained, and his disciples for the duration of the night.