432 replies to this topic

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

The stay in jail was quick, something which Lotus was thankful for. Being stuck in that single, small place did not suit him. It was still difficult to meditate, thanks to the metal binds upon his hands. Some other people had been plopped in the jail as well since the return from his trial. They were either people going to trial, or had finished their trial and were proceeding with their own small punishment. The few who tried talking to him were the depraved sorts of people, obvious of their guilt.

When the time finally came to fulfill the laboring portion of his sentence, Lotus was pulled from the cell and brought to the shop of the Tennington's. His arms were no longer chained together, but a single band of iron had been affixed about his left wrist to ensure he would not try anything funny.

Two guards stood near the shop and maintained a watch as Lotus labored away at repairing the building. The young Mogili was used to such work, but he did as he was told, knowing that he was serving a just punishment for his actions. He would need only to perform the one task, and he could put the experience behind himself.

Mr. Enris Tennington on the other hand, held no great satisfaction in the repairs that had to be done. This dissatisfaction was not because of the maintenance of the shop itself, but of having this disturbingly familiar person being so close. He sat in the far corner of the ruined shop, barking an order at Lotus once in awhile. His wife Laran emerged with a meal, setting it by him. He did not touch it.

?Enris...?

?Look at him.?

Lotus continued at his work, unaware of the conversation.

?It's like... like having some sort of demon in my house. Just sitting there, taunting me,? Enris muttered with disgust.

?I swear, you're growing too paranoid Enris. It could be just a coincidence, him looking like her.?

?I don't know Laran. There's something wrong about this all that rubs me the wrong way. Damn. I swear, as soon as she... he is finished fixing the harder parts of this mess, I'm going to get someone from the Temple down here to take a look at him."

----------

Lotus stopped for a moment when he swore he felt a beat come from his pendant. He held his hand to the clothes that covered his chest and pendant. Nothing. Was he imagining things after being disconnected from the rhythm for so long? He continued back to his work, the question hanging in his mind for awhile before disapearing.

Edited by Ken the Wandering Soul, 29 March 2009 - 10:39 AM.

[JRPomazon]

Gate stumbled on the ground, slowly getting on his feet after falling from such a height. However, his fall was not so silent and woke the hermit from his peaceful slumber. The fire was out, visibility was limited. Gate took a small step, it felt cold. Of course, his boot was still in the rope hanging above him, he'd have to reclaim it later.

"Heh, I don't know how you got out of that trap but I have to say I'm impressed."

Speaking was a foolish thing to do. Gate shook his arm, letting loose two of his daggers and threw them at the sound of the man's voice. They made contact with a solid object, soft thuds echoed throughout the small patch of dry earth. Suddenly, a bright light illuminated the area. The fire had started by itself? The man sat by some blankets under the poorly constructed shelter in a cold sweat. The daggers were only an inch from his face. It was obvious that he was paralyzed with fear. Gate stared the man down, the dancing flames illuminated his gray eyes.

"You want food, right?" the man asked. Gate nodded.

"Alright, there's no need to kill anyone here. Let me get something for you."

Gate kept his gaze on the man, he was a threat.

[Selena]

Lara's business in the Imperial City had blissfully finished. With Wil's help and intimidation, she had been able to muscle through her clients and suppliers with more ease than normal. A shame he was likely to be one of those sickeningly sweet hero types who wouldn't ever dream of willingly entering the business. Either way, she was glad to be done. She hated going inland to manage trade. The smell of coastal air was nowhere to be found. She had less control over her situation. She understood the people but didn't care for their ways. It would be glorious to return to the Himmel Isles and see her family again. She could lounge about her estate for a few days, bathing in the sun and drinking good wine. It was a chaotic paradise.

"This is it 'for now?'" Lara replied to Wil as he gathered his things. "I somehow doubt you intend to rejoin my organization of your own free will, despite the good pay, so I can only guess that you mean you'll be seeing me from the other side of the sword next time. How cruel to do that to your humble employer. I hope you mean otherwise."

She rose from the simple wooden chair she sat in. "If you're off to become a strapping young Dragon Knight, then take a bit of advice - don't play the storybook hero. You can't save everyone and most people have cruel hearts. Sometimes walking the moral gray line is actually the best for people in the long run. As you should have now learned from getting captured and nearly sold into slavery, if not for my good graces."

Lara gave him a wink. "Of course, if the Knight business falls apart for you, you might have a safe career as a male courtesan. Good money if you aren't a slave!"

[Steel Samurai]

Wil chuckled politely at Selena's quip. "Ah, I hope we shall not be foes when next we meet . . . it would be of great sadness to me. However, I fear I have not the . . . experience generally required for a position of that sort. Goodbye, Miss Lara. I thank you for the kindness which you have bestowed upon me. You were not obliged to release me after paying so much for my services." He looked down into her eyes for a moment, studying their depths, then, as if finding what he had been searching for, smiled. "I do not think your heart is as truly cold and calculating as you would have others think."

He took her hand, surprisingly gently considering the size of his own and pressed it to his lips. "The stars light your way. The forest open a path before you. Your blade be sharper and stronger than your enemies." A Lorena farewell. So much warmer than the cold southern niceties he had been taught, at least in Wil's mind. And with that, he turned, and walked to the door. He paused for a moment, turned, and looked back towards the door leading to the wing of the inn where they had stayed. He had not seen Sephrenia . . . but the door remained shut, presenting a solid, unyielding oaken front to any wishing to pass beyond. He turned back, and walked out into the street. Tomorrow, he would become a Dragon Knight.

[Nightshade]

(OOC: sorry for my temporary absence, but I'm back now.)

Gwen zoomed along behind the rest of the group. Being the smallest she was used to being the scout at the back. She watched the named Leo as they walked towards the forest. I wonder what his story is... she thought. He said he was from Zok... But that's not much to go on. I wonder why he was so eager to join our group... She was still deep in thought when she flew over something. She twitched, and dropped to the ground next to it. it was part of Leo's beard.

How very odd. She thought. But then she was seized by an impulse. She snatched the lock of hair off the ground, and tucked it into her bag. Leaving a trail hmm? Lets see what you do next. Gwen unbuckled the two leather straps that held her daggers in place. She continued after the group humming to herself.

[Renegade]

The group had walked on and Alabast was getting a bit parched so he slipped off to go get a drink and possibly try to find some food for himself and his companions. He wasn't sure if anyone had noticed his leaving but he planned to be back.

He continued to walk on and then he heard someone shouting so he turned to see what the commotion was.

"HEY YOU THERE, HALT!!"

He then saw two Dragon Knights running in his direction. Looking around and realizing that he was the only other person around he wondered what they could want with him outside the city.

"May I help you?"

"HA! May I help you he says! What a laugh!" said one of the Knights to his partner.

"He sure does match the description we got from the only witness."

"What are you guys talking about?"

"What are we talking about he says."

"Your coming with us, were taking you in under suspicion of murder."

He then grabbed Alabast by the arms and put shackles on them, the other proceeded to draw his katana to carry it.

"Oh, my. What have we here? Looks to be a weapon able to amplify nature magic."

"He probably killed someone for that too."

Alabast remained silent as they escorted him back to the city.

[Chukchi Husky]

(I'm sorry I haven't posted anything since my character was approved. I was mostly waiting to see how things moved on, and then figuring out how to join in.)

It was the first time on the Isle of Cha for Sophia, and the first time crossing a large body of water. Her reason for coming here was to visit the city of Kinaancha, as she felt she should see the Imperial city at least once in her life, and that, knowing her father, he probably lived there years ago. During her travels she stayed mostly in wooded areas and countryside, and only visiting a couple of towns. Assuming the city to still be a large gathering point of many different cultures and races, it would be a new experience for her.

She was coming up to one of the smaller, least busy entrances to the city. At this entrance was a guard. The past hours of the day for him was spent guarding this entrance for the rare event that someone may go through. It was an easy job, but boring. Sophia gently trotted towards the guard, stopping just in front of him and then rearing on her hind legs, which quickly gained his attention. The guard at first stared at her, surprised to see anyone, before realising it was a centaur.

The guard began to talk to her. "A centaur? Of all the people that may come to the city I never expected to see a centaur."
Sophia smiled, gently swaying her tail and then replied to the guard. speaking in a naive, honest voice, the kind of voice you couldn't get mad at, "I suppose you won't find many of us this far south."
"You'd be surprised," said the guard, "In the Imperial city you'll find many different races living here, even centaurs. But before you can enter the city I'll have to check you. I promise it won't take that long."
"Well, at least I'm in no hurry."
"It's something we have to do. A couple of days ago some sort of incident happened in the city, nothing really to worry about. In a few days the checks will probably stop."
"Has this happened before?"
"Something like that always happens. Like I said it's nothing to worry about."
Checks weren't a new thing for Sophia. A few towns and countries had these sort of checks, and going through them on her travels led to no problems.

The guard than began to look over Sophia. The bows she was carrying were the only thing that was of concern. He began talking again, "I'm sorry to say this, but your bows may be a problem."
"My bows?" Sophia replied, "I rarely use them. I only brought them if I ever get in trouble on my journeys. What do you want me to do with them?"
"I guess merely carrying the weapons isn't enough to get you into trouble in the city." The guard felt that Sophia isn't the kind that would cause trouble. "What brings you to the city?"
"I never been to the city before. I thought I should visit it at least once on my journeys."
The guard then looked at Sophia. He could tell that she spends most of her time outside, and probably never been to a city before, certainly not one as big as Kinaancha, He then went to unlock and open the door located within this gate into the city. It was big enough for a centaur to pass through. "It's a good thing you can to this entrance, it's rarely busy, I don't think you'll cause any problems. You can go into the city."

Sophia was starting a slow but graceful trot when going past the guard he suddenly spoke to her. "Do you have any idea where to go?"
She looked at the guard by turning her head and upper torso, looking over her rear and swaying tail. "I don't know, maybe someone will help show me around?"
"Well, I won't be able to help you now, I'm currently on duty," the guard told her, "But I can tell you a good place to start. There's an inn you may like, it's been specially built for centaurs, it shouldn't be too hard to find from this entrance. I'm sure you'll find someone there to help you around."
Sophia smiled at the guard again, and then replied, "Thank you."
"It's all part of the job," said the guard, who then went back to his job. Sophia resumed her trot, and went through the door into the city.

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

[ooc: I may add some more later if no posts are made soon]

It would be another day before Lotus could finish the damage to the shop, and was brought back to the jail for one more night to make sure he would not try to leave without serving his sentence. Lotus slept, though not without some irritation. To be forced from the rhythm this long upset him, making his sleep restless.

The warden had been rechecking Lotus's effects making sure everything was there. A staff, a small bone knife, and a few other odd, foreign looking trinkets showed their owner's Mogili origin. The blanket that was included with the other item was a bit out of place, possessing a pattern that looked like it came from one of the northern countries, possibly Bandoras. The warden ended up figuring there was some sense to it--the Mogili did live in the farthest norths of the continent, this particular Mogili boy likely picked it up on his way down here. Actually, of the non-Mogili things that Lotus possessed, the one thing that confused the warden the most was the pendant which Lotus refused to remove or hand over. Mogili were known for being devout followers of Natorino, a religion which held little value in artifacts or other man-made objects. Why this particular Mogili would covet this piece of jewelry confused the Warden, but he had left the subject alone and did not harass Lotus any more to hand it over.

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

The next day, Lotus had began the last bits of repair to the shop. Enris Tennington, finally filled with enough paranoia, went down to the Temple to get someone who might settle his suspicions.

Lotus worked away at fixing the shop.

Edited by Ken the Wandering Soul, 05 April 2009 - 12:18 AM.

[JRPomazon]

Gate ate the food he was "offered" with haste. Tough Jerky. The man who trapped him looked on in fear for his own life, his traps wouldn't be of any help to him now.

"What are you?" He asked Gate. He stopped eating.

"Nobody." He replied.

He quickly returned to eating. He finished the food he was given and walked over to the shelter to reclaim the daggers he threw earlier. The man, sitting down was able to look at Gate from an angle and noticed something about him that left him with wide eyes.

"You're not human, are you?" He asked.

Gate didn't reply, he had no reason to.

Edited by JRPomazon, 05 April 2009 - 03:42 PM.

[Steel Samurai]

Wil stood outside the gate which lead to the Dragon Knight compound. The wall, carved from the grey rock of the Isle itself, loomed over him, reaching almost twenty feet higher than the city wall. The compound was a fortress unto itself, a citadel on the northeast side of the city. It was, in fact, the oldest part of the city. It was here that, according to legend, Kin oj Him himself had undertaken a massive construction effort, taking a mountain and carving it into the fortress which now served as the headquarters of the Dragon Knights. The rest of the city had grown up around it. The royal Palace had once been located inside the Fortress, known as the Kij Naar Aan, (roughly translated as the Rock of Aan) but during the expansion under Emperor Kilanad, a new, much more spacious palace was built several miles from the city which eventually, of course, expanded to include palace within its limits. When the Order of the Dragon was established, the Kij Naar Aan was made its headquarters, and the old palace in the center of the fortress demolished. In its place was built from white marble the Temple of the Dragon, the place from which the Order was administered, with multitudes of offices, meeting chambers, and, that which Wil was most interested in at the moment, the Hall of the Dragon, the place where initiates underwent the ritual to become a fully fledged Dragon Knight.

Wil lifted his hand to the heavy cast iron doorknocker, fashioned (unsurprisingly) like a dragon's head. He hesitated for just a moment, and then took hold of the dragon's head, lifted it, and brought it back down upon the sounding plate. The was a loud clank as iron met iron. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the small door in the corner of the massive gate opened, and a small, wizened man, wearing full armor, stepped out, a cane in his hand and a sword on his back.

"What business have ye here?"

The ritual began now, though to any passing by it would not seem it.

"I come to claim my armor." Wil replied

"What makes ye worthy of said armor?"

"My desire to give justice."

"Who sent ye here?"

Wil knelt on one knee and, taking a scroll from his doublet, extended his hand towards the old knight. The old man took the proffered scroll, opened it slowly, and read it.

"So be it. Your right to claim your armor has been acknowledged."

The title of Gatekeeper of the Kij Naar Aan always passed to the oldest Dragon Knight not on the ruling council. An old Dragon Knight, however, could be just as dangerous as a young one, as many a bandit had learned the hard way. They were not as strong or fast, true, but they had decades of experience and the little tricks that make all the difference in a battle on their side.

This particular gatekeeper opened the small door for Wil, who had to stoop and turn sideways to get in. When he emerged on the other side of the wall, he looked up in amazement at the difference from the outside. The inside of the compound was built entirely of marble, from the sleeping quarters, workshops, and stables built next to the wall itself to the towering Temple of the Dragon before him. The last rays of the sun glittered off of the gilt dragon curled around the pillar protruding hundreds of feet from the top of the temple. Wil had finally arrived.

[Arato]

Arato was leading the group and had failed to notice Alabast slip away for a drink. It was not until the party had come to a hault that Arato finally noticed.

"Alright everyone, listen up. I don't have a map of these parts nor am I very familiar with them. Alabast and I can ... wait, where did Alabast go?" Arato sighed. "I'll go find Alabast, everyone else stay here, alright? Nameless I'm leaving you and Adrasteia in charge, don't let the new people out of your sight."

Arato left the group and began reversing the path they had taken that day. About and hour and a half later Arato found what appeared to be tracks leading away from the main path. They headed straight to a stream. As Arato inspected the ground around the stream he saw several other footprints. Following the footprints, Arato saw the set he followed to the stream join the others and head back for the city.

Arato was angry. He began running to the city to wear off his anger. Arato knew all too well that anger only inhibits one's ability to think and act properly.

[nameless]

((sorry school has kept me busy.....darn school))

The party stopped ans Arato spoke up.

"Alright everyone, listen up. I don't have a map of these parts nor am I very familiar with them. Alabast and I can ... wait, where did Alabast go?" Arato sighed. "I'll go find Alabast, everyone else stay here, alright? Nameless I'm leaving you and Adrasteia in charge, don't let the new people out of your sight."

"Me.....in charge? Hey why me?" Nameless shouted but Arato was to far away.

"Ok fine..." He turned to the party.

"Who's hungry? while we are waiting we might as well get a bite to eat." He waited for replies.

[Nightshade]

All Gwen heard was 'bite to eat.' But that was enough.
She raised her tiny little hand into the air. "I am! do you have food Mr. Nameless?" She zoomed through the rest of the party to the head of the line.
"My packs far to small for carrying food in. So, do you have some?" She smiled at him, giving off her best 'innocent-little-fairy' impression.

[nameless]

"whoa there little fairy, yes I do have some food. let me get it unpacked and I'll start it cookin." Nameless went fixin up a small fire and then pulled a small pot with a lid covering it out of his bag. "Yay for left over stew." He then set it to heat over the fire.

"So whats your story little fairy?" Nameless said as he sat down to watch the stew cook.

[Nightshade]

Yeah....FOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!

"So what's your story little fairy?"
Gwen smiled as she sniffed the stewish mixture in the pot. "It's not all that interesting... But I guess I could tell you Mr. Nameless... For starters; my name is Gwenned, but you can call me Gwen."
Gwen told Mr. Nameless her story in (almost) full. She excluded some of her more... notorious missions, but she told him most everything else. Including her attempts to run away from the authorities, and potential jobs.

"It really isn't fair! Just because I steal things does not mean I'm willing to steal a life!" She crossed her legs and arms in midair as she hovered in place. "Humph!" She glared into space for a few minutes and then looked back at Mr. Nameless.
"Is the food ready Mr. Nameless?"

[Steel Samurai]

Wil took a step down the white flagstone path in front of him, keeping his eyes glued to the entrance of the Dragon Temple before him. Despite the beauty of the buildings around him and above him, a Dragon Knight should be able to keep his focus in all circumstances. Step. Step. Step. Step. Wil's long strides brought him to the entrance quickly. The other Dragon Knights around him ignored him, hurrying about on their business. He stopped before the bottom step of the entrance to the Dragon Temple and slowly pulled his shirt over his head, revealing the rippling mass of muscle beneath it, and a long, ugly scratch, only partially healed. The same one given to Wil on his departure from Dvorek. A couple of the Dragon Knights around stopped and looked on in admiration. A man of Wil's size and strength was by no means a common thing even among the Dragon Knights, and the next part of the ritual was always of interest. The two guards at the entrance to the Temple, both clad in white armor, and both wielding long pikes, straightened as Wil spoke.

"I come to claim my armor."

"The Armor of the Dragon Knights can only be claimed by one who has the skill to obtain them. SHOW YOUR SKILL NOW." They rushed at him with blinding speed, thrusting the blunt end of their spears toward his stomach. Closer. Closer. THUTHUD. The butt of each spear was now firmly grasped by one of Wil's hands. He ripped the spears from the guard's grasp and quickly spun them around, pointing one end at each man's throat. Things would, of course, have been different had the other ends of the spears been used, but that was not the purpose of the ritual. The Dragon Knights gathered around broke out into soft, but appreciative applause. Wil knelt and proffered the spears. Each guard gravely took his spear and returned to his position at the entrance.

"Have I shown my skill sufficiently?"

"Your skill has been shown and recognized. You may enter."

Wil rose and entered the Temple.

[Crimson Lego]

As the one named Nameless (kind of odd) began cooking up some food and talked to the fairy, Leo felt his stomach begin to rumble. Boy, am I hungry. Sitting down on one of the logs, the dwarf lifted the lid off the pot and looked inside.

"How long does it need to be cooked for?" he asked.

[Chukchi Husky]

The city was a different place than what Sophia expected from all the books she read. It seemed to stretch on endlessly in all directions, but with so many buildings and people that made it cramped and crowded, especially for someone from a rural environment. She followed the main roads, as it was probably the best route to the inn the guard told her about. Along these roads were many people, mostly humans, who looked at her as she travelled past It was a rare sight for these people to see a beautiful kentauride not from the city. Sophia wasn't used to being stared at by several people and it made her feel more uncomfortable, but was relieved that she didn't stop the daily life along the road.

With the help of signs, Sophia came to a much quieter part of the city off of the main road, hopefully with the inn not far off. This part of the city was different from what she had seen before. Apart from being quieter and more relaxed, the buildings appeared to look like a cross between the city houses and centaur stables, although not quite as elegant as her home, and were built further apart, which made it seem more open and less cramped, and there were more trees left to grow, including a park that resembled a bit of woodland. Sophia was in the centaur neighbourhood, a tiny part of the city that was larger than the settlements of her homeland. Being here made Sophia feel more comfortable and less foreign.

Next to the park was a large building that resembled a more rural centaur stable, with it's front left open and facing the park, and the ground left as soil. It was the inn. Sophia went towards the inn and on the way there she went past a couple of centaurs, who gave her a friendly, welcoming look, much different than the looks of the people on the busy road. She gave them a smile.

Inside the inn it was roomy, even with all the centaurs, and had a friendly atmosphere. Sophia guessed it was the social gathering point of the neighbourhood. There were many centaurs, all with different coloured coats, mostly of more common colours but there were a few unusual ones. A few of the patrons were of different races, mainly humans but a few others.

It wasn't long before she gained someone's attention. Almost as soon as she entered the inn a centaur approached her, who then began to speak, "I haven't seen you here before."
"It's my first time in the city. I never expected to find centaurs living here."
"Well, you're in the right part of the city for centaurs. Many of us live here in this neighbourhood. You're the first one I met who isn't from here."
This was a strange statement to hear for Sophia. Growing up in the country, she never thought of centaurs spending their entire lives within an urban environment. "You never travelled north?"
"No, and I doubt you'll find many centaurs here who have." The centaur than began to look over Sophia, "You're not what I expected from a northerner."
"What do you mean?"
"You look too... graceful."
Sophia smiled, and gently swayed her tail. "Maybe I'll tell you about myself later."
"How long will you be staying in the city?"
"Probably for a while, maybe a few days. I never really planned my journey."
"Since you're new here, let me show you around the neighbourhood. You can tell me about yourself while we travel."
"Yes, I would like that, but we should at least know each other's names first. My name's Sophia."
"I'm Argyros."

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

Lotus heaved a sigh as he put in the last stone brick. The work was now done, his sentence fulfilled. The two guards who were in charge of keeping an eye on him made their own inspection of the work.

?Looks good enough to me,? said the superior of the two. The other walked over to Lotus, unlocking the single iron shackle.

?You are free to go, but do not try to stir up any more trouble, you got that??

?This humble one understands.?

The guard finally handed over a small bag filled with Lotus's belongings. With that, Lotus started out.

?Wait!? Loren objected, knowing that her husband had already gone down to the temple.

Lotus stopped, afraid he had made some social incursion. The guards merely held a painful look on their face, not wishing to be stuck in the place any longer.

?Don't mind her, your sentence is served, you are free to go.?

Lotus then continued on his way, eager to do something he wished he could have done sooner.

?You can't just let him go like that!? Loren insisted.

?Missy,? the senior guard spoke with a tired tone, ?He has served his sentence as ordered by Magistrate Coen, and that was with all facts and complaints presented by your husband. Unless he committed some other crime, then there is no other reason for this to go on.?

?Well... well he... Well he looks damned suspicious!?

?He looks like an odd, eccentric foreigner, but he is hardly suspicious.?

?Well you see, my husband just went to the temple to get a priest who might discern the nature of his belongings. You would be stopping the work of the Cult of the Temple!?

?My way,? the guard said with a leer, ?Is that of the Imperial Forefathers. So quite frankly, I could care less. If you want to get a hold of him so bad, it's up to you, not the city guard.?

Loren grumbled and then shot out the door, looking around. Lotus was nowhere. As the guards left and went down the street, Loren glared at them. Then she realized that she saw here husband coming down the street with a holy man. She groaned and went back into the house. She would not enjoy explaining this.

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

Lotus ran down the street, recognizing the spots he had been at not too long ago, until he came to that one spot in the middle of the city, the place where the fight with the Jinta occurred.. It had become less crowded since the last time. The group had relocated somewhere else, but Lotus would have known nothing about it.

Lotus sat down and began a prayer for those who would have killed him.

Lotus had some experience with combat, with fighting and defending himself, and so much of himself objected fighting because of those experiences. As he came to the end of the prayer, he sat in the street, just staring at the ground. He remembered his horror of seeing the Jinta shot by Nameless, of how callously a life's worth had been appraised.

?... This humble one... is not a violent name...? he mumbled to himself.

[nameless]

"How long does it need to be cooked for?" Leo asked.

Nameless up in surprise. "Oh well it should be about ready I think. Oh and I never caught your name, I'm nameless." He smiled and proffered a hand to Leo.

*snap*

"Shhh! what was that?" Nameless stood up before Leo had the chance to shake his hand.

"Be more quiet you fool, we are trying to be stealthy.... " Agruff voice said off in the darkness to their right.

"Quick everyone hide." Nameless whispered as he doused the fire.

The patrol of guards moved into the camp the travelers had been in so previously.

"No one is here....." One guard said.

"I could have sworn there was some one here...." The guard that looked like the leader said.

"Hey sir...there is a fire here that's just been doused...They must have heard us coming and run off." Another guard said.

"Hmm that can't have gotten far with out having to run, so they must be hiding near by spread out and try to find them." The leader said.

The guards went in different directions.

Nameless sighed slightly even though he knew they weren't out of danger yet. He began looking around for any of the other travelers from his hiding place in the tree they had been sitting under. "Where are they.....And what the hell is a patrol doing way out here....maybe they have been after us since we left..." Nameless thought.

[Crimson Lego]

When Nameless had told them all to dive for cover, Leo had buried himself in a large bush. Lying down and keeping his head in the midst of the vegetables, the dwarf held his breath as one of the guards' foots came within 2 inches of his hand. When they passed, he stood up again. Brushing leaves off his body, Leo saw Nameless hiding under the tree.

"Well, they're gone now," he said. Walking towards the fire, Leo looked inside the pot of stew. "I think it's good to eat now."

[Sephrenia Katrov]

It had been days since she'd left her room. Sitting beside her heavy cloak was her bow and her small pile of perfectly fletched and dipped arrows. Her own dress had been properly cleaned, and she sat on her bed delicately, staring out the window. Finally, she could make out clearly the figures on the streets, and the detailing of the buildings, even in the dark. She cast a glance at her cloak. She supposed that it was past time to be leaving. She hadn't put any thought into where she would go. She never did. Luck always guided her somehow. Ignoring the persistent rumbling of her stomach, Sephrenia stood and threw her cloak on. The arrows, she shoved into a bundle and slung it around her shoulder. The bow went on next. And then she slipped out of the room and melted into the crowds in the street, waiting for a new current to catch her.

[Steel Samurai]

A trickle of red liquid coursed down the thin stone channel, pooling in a small bowl at the end of the stone block. At the other end of the channel, a massive shadow stood quietly, waiting for the bowl to fill. The shadow was massive, appearing to be nearly twenty feet tall, but the darkened chamber in which he lay was larger, large enough for two or three just like him. Quiet, sandaled footsteps sounded on the granite floor just outside the chamber, and the shadow moved with a dry, soft rattle. The door on the other side of the room opened, the hinges scraping and protesting, and a tall, lean man entered. He seemed to be in his mid-40s, with long, light brown hair, a scraggly beard, and pale, watery blue eyes that seemed . . . tired, somehow. A brown earthen pitcher was grasped loosely in his hands. He looked towards the shadow.

"Is it full?"

Two giant, luminescent cat's eyes slowly opened in front of him. No words were spoken, but the man, clad in a white robe, responded nonetheless.

"Alright, alright. Keep your claws to yourself. Let me get some light in here." He walked over to a wooden wheel, its axle embedded in the stone, grasped one of the handles, and heaved. A creaking, groaning sound filled the chamber, and a shaft of light streamed down from the domed roof, banishing a small part of the shadow surrounding the beast, revealing a massive, red, scaled leg, claws fully extended. The man walked over to the bowl and, taking the pitcher, pulled a cork from the bottom of the basin. The red liquid drained slowly into the earthen pitcher. The man set the pitcher on his shoulder and turned to go. The cat eyes behind him flared. He responded without turning around.

"I'll be done here by sundown. They don't call me Geren the quick for nothing."

The great, shining red eyes narrowed and watched the man's back as he left, then slowly closed.



* * * *



High above the grassy courtyard in front of the Dragon Temple, two men stood on a balcony. One was short and balding, but in incredible shape for his age, which appeared to be close to sixty. He was clad in the black armor typical of a typical Dragon Knight, but the tiny golden spikes, one one each shoulder, signified, to one who knew, something much more important.

The Dragon Knights proper had only two ranks. The Dragon Knights themselves compose most of the ranks, not counting the various blacksmiths, armor bearers, cooks, and other aides necessary to keep operation running smoothly. The Dragon Knights are to be given missions according to their experience and talents, given equal stipends, and each man heard equally should a dispute arise between two Knights.

The second rank is different entirely.

The balding man spoke to his companion, a tall, broad man, clad in the same white robes as Geren, save for a thick golden chain about his neck, with an amulet made of black steel hanging near his sternum. He had long, flowing red hair, flecked with grey around the temples, and a well trimmed goatee.

"An excellent fight." The balding man motioned to the ground below him. "This one may be of use."

It is comprised of a council of former Dragon Knights, whose number is never to exceed fifty, who are ostensibly responsible for the overall administration of the organization. They meet in the Dragon Temple, holding official council in the Chamber of the Elders, which takes up an entire floor of the Dragon Temple, nearly one hundred feet above the courtyard.

His companion turned to him, cold blue eyes set in a heavily scarred face staring at him. "Perhaps. But we have matters of more import to discuss."

A Dragon Knight is only to be promoted to this second rank when he has proven that his leadership talents are extraordinary, and only when a current member of the council passes on, retires, or is deemed unfit for service. It is not to be seen as an honor or privilege, but, rather, a duty. Members of this second class do not receive a stipend; their accommodation and living expenses are provided, and they are to commit themselves solely to the Dragon Knights.

"Has that young upstart prince from Quin arrived yet?"

"A day's journey away, if my spies are right."

"The situation needs to be resolved now. Drojok's contributions cannot be allowed to cease."

"I know."

They are the generals, the leaders, exceptional men among exceptional men . . .

"The town council is beginning to ask questions."

"We will deal with them."

"I do not know what will become of Himmel if you do not."

"We will arrange things. Fear not. Fereng is with us."

They are . . .

The two paused, and looked out over the city. After a few minutes, the balding one spoke again.

"The initiate will be ready by now."

"Best to get it over with then."

The Dragon Lords

- From Order of the Dragon Charter

Edited by Steel Samurai, 08 June 2009 - 07:28 AM.

[Steel Samurai]

The sun was falling towards the lake swiftly, like a giant orange meteor setting the sky ablaze with the color of a painting fit for the gods. One last dying ray streamed across the courtyard and glinted bright crimson off of something in front of Wil. He stepped forward, into the shadow of the overhanging entryway. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he stifled a small gasp. Two dragons, one of red gold with amethysts for eyes, the other of white gold with an emerald for an eye, were locked in deadly combat. This glorious example of goldsmithing was set into the doors, themselves ornately carved from the strongest wood readily available to carpenters in the region: Ironwood. Wil looked closely at the Red Dragon's head, and then noticed a curious thing. Crudely etched into the wood above the dragon's back was a stick figure with flowing hair, seemingly riding the mighty beast. Whoever had debased the beautiful piece of art had also cut a rough saddle into the wood itself. He turned his eyes to the other dragon. Sure enough, another figure was carved into and around the other dragon, again, crudely drawn just as the other, and similar, save that this figure had a helmet atop his head. Wil wondered that such defacement was simply . . . let be. He put it from his mind. He had an initiation ceremony to attend. Stretching forth his hands, he placed them against the doors, nearly half as large as the gate to the Dragon Knight compound itself, and pushed. The doors groaned, scraping over the stone floor, moving slowly but surely under the influence of Wil's massive strength. He stepped into the darkened antechamber, a giant silhouetted against the twilight. Twelve men, clad in white hoods and robes, stepped forward to meet him.

[JRPomazon]

Gate left the old man in the woods to his own devices after taking his entire supply of food. The thought of killing him for the inconvenience of being trapped like a hapless deer had floated around in his head for some time. He almost ate everything the man had and kept a small amount with him for later. It would silence the cries of his stomach. Gate left the thick forest and had found himself on the main road, or at least a place that appeared to be tread upon frequently enough. He took a look at himself and noticed that his clothes were in worse condition ever since escaping Kinaancha from the sewers. Tattered clothing would become a nuisance if left unchecked. It was settled, acquiring a new wardrobe was going to be his next immediate goal.

[Chukchi Husky]

Coming to this part of the city ended up better than expected. Any fears that Sophia had about the city were eased by coming to the centaur neighbourhood. Not only is it off the main roads, away from the general city crowds, but a local centaur decided to help her around the neighbourhood.

The inn was the main centre of the neighbourhood, which originated centuries ago as the first centaur stable in the city. Since then as more centaurs lived in the city, more stables were built until a small area of the city was dedicated to them. As centaurs are larger than other folk, the stables were generally larger than the average town house.

While travelling through this part of the city, Sophia did talk a bit about her home to Argyros. He did listen, but seems uninterested with the world outside the city. Sophia found this surprising, as she never thought that a centaur would prefer the urban life over the rural countryside. However, it seemed to her that Argyros had other intentions when he asked to show her around.

They were coming up to the park next to the inn. So far the park was her favourite part of the city. Here was one of the few places where nature was almost left alone, but not entirely. The park itself was larger than the neighbourhood, and part of it were left wooded. It reminded Sophia of the woods near her home, but never quite compared to them. In her mind she preferred the woods over this park

"We could go through the park on our way back to the inn," Argyros suggested. Sophia liked this idea, and she smiled.
"I'm in no hurry to return," she said, and they continued into the park. "It's quiet here."
"This isn't the centre of Kinaancha. Most people don't come to the centaur neighbourhood, but sometimes it can be active. I'm guessing you're used to the quiet country life."
"Yes. Growing up there was only my father, and he kept himself busy most of the time."
"How do you like the park?"
"It's a lovely place," Sophia thought best not to mention how she felt it compared to the woods of her home.
"I thought you'll like it. Personally I don't come here much. Parks don't interest me."
"Why not? It's the only place here where nature is allowed to thrive."
"What;s that suppose to mean?"
"You don't know? You never felt it? The calling of all forests and grasslands, the want to gallop with the winds of the wilderness, the life of the centaur?"
"You really are wild, aren't you? No, I never felt the need to go around any of that. Maybe things are different up north, but centaurs are civilised beings, not wild beasts. Life in the city will help cure you of that."
It was an attitude he shared with her father, but seemingly stronger. At least her father lived in the grasslands, and he claimed himself to be civilised. Clearly Argyros didn't share the same love of nature that Sophia had. If all centaurs in the city thought like that. maybe she'd want to be a 'wild beast'.
"I don't want to live here," she simply replied, without any of her usual cheerfulness.
"Well, I'm going back to the inn. You can continue following me but I'm guessing you'll want to stay here."

And then he left. Not wanting to return to the inn, Sophia stayed in the park, at least for a while. She never thought it possible, but a fellow centaur made her feel upset. If other centaurs in the city were like him then she wouldn't stay here that long. Of course he could just be an exception. If the centaurs of the city were all like him, the would be no need for such a large park.

Edited by Chukchi Husky, 15 June 2009 - 04:14 PM.

[Arato]

Arato stopped running. He was tracing the path of Alabast and the two people that were with him so he needed to be more precise.
Why am I even doing this? I'm risking my life for that of someone I barely even know. Why right now... we've already made the Imperial City angry at us once...

His thoughts wandered to his home.
I wonder what everyone at home is doing right now *chuckle* they probably wouldn't even recognize me now. I've changed so much. Hey what's that...

He noticed something as he approached a clearing. On the other side he saw Alabast held captive by two Dragon Knights.
Well this is a bit of a mess isn't it...
He decided to follow them and see what happened. The element of surprise was his greatest advantage, no need to waste it yet.
He sped up a little but remained wary of the dried leaves and twigs that would instantly give him away to any observant listener. He made sure he stayed far enough behind to not be seen. But he was getting hungry.

[Steel Samurai]

Nine pillars stood in a circle, marking nine points of a star engraved upon the stone floor. An unearthly red flame lit the space between the pillars, and nothing else. Nine men stepped between the pillars, each holding aloft a longsword, pointed towards the naked giant standing in the midst of the star. Three stories below the main floor of the Dragon Temple, this was the oldest part of the structure, supposedly part of a cave system that existed in the mountain itself before the fortress itself had even been thought of. And it was here that initiation into the Dragon Knights, a process so secret only a few outside of the Knights themselves knew of it.

It was time. A new Dragon Knight would be brought into the Order tonight.

[Ken the Wandering Soul]

After mulling through the deep and dark thoughts, Lotus pulled himself together. With no aim in mind, he simply walked through the streets and considered his situation.

Lotus had no currency or anything to trade, or at least nothing he wanted to trade. He knew he would need some money to experience much of what the city had to offer. He knew he could get a job to get some money, but did not know how he could get one anywhere. Eventually came to a stop near one of the walls that divided the city into quarters, he heaved a sigh. His mind started to turn back to the violence and damage that had occurred around him when he remembered what someone said to him.

"Ah, has Lotus heard of the Order of the Dragon??

The Order of the Dragon. Could they be the key to helping him understand the city?

Lotus brought himself out of his deep thought, believing that he had found his next course of action, all he had to do was found out where the Order was located in the city. However, as focused on what was around him, he was suddenly pushed back. Lotus looked up with fearful eyes to see a couple of quite strong-looking men holding him up against the wall.

?Hello Mogili.?

[JRPomazon]

The road was a welcome change to the woods. The ground was firm and the path was cleared. No trees to move around. It was simple. Simple was good. Simple was all there needed to be. Gate was unsure of where he was heading, something that never stopped him before but for some reason he questioned just where he was heading. It happened from time to time, rather than just lifelessly wandering in and out of locations. This felt strange. Wait, this felt strange?

A feeling, something so simple and yet to Gate it carried worlds of complexities. He stopped moving, the dust on the road around him slowly descending to the ground as he stood in his tracks. He looked over to the side of the road and noticed a particularly large stone. Perhaps he just needed some rest, he may have been pushing himself too hard. It has been known to happen.