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[Selena]

Selena looked down at her boots, now decorated with fine droplets of human vomit. It seemed that Synile had rice for lunch. Selena looked back up at her would-be attacker with an unamused expression. "Thanks."

She shook one leg at a time until the mess was flung off of her armored footwear, like a dog shaking off water after tip-toeing through a river. Synile's behavior made an abrupt turn as he regained lucidity. Alert and ready for combat, but stunned at his own actions. She might as well have been dealing with a hormonal pregnant lady, given the violent mood swings and hurling.

"Synile," she said, "you are no longer allowed to drink that much whiskey before a fight. It was the boatride down, wasn't it? Too bumpy. All the alcohol went to your head. Drinking shall now be for the after-party. Not when a protege of Steel's might be here to stab Rhiannon through the face."

[JRPomazon]

He was asking understandable questions! The best thing about Ken was how fast a learner he was, which came much to Jordan's delight! However, the nature of the questions were rather baffling. He had to think back, who was 'her'? Gwen? Good question, but it was doubtful that was what he meant by 'her'. He was at a loss, he couldn't think of anyone. Was it Fortress business perhaps? More than likely, the moment Steel found him in Sornaiid, it was nothing but . . . Steel had a companion back then. She was royalty, Van'Duras. It must have been her, good ol' whatshername.

"Do you mean that princess? Geez Ken, I couldn't say."

After saying those words, he felt his heart sink a little. It didn't feel right to leave it as a "sorry, better try again." Damn it, there is only one person he can think who might even know.

"Ken, listen up. Find Steel. ST-EEL He might know where she is. He's been looking for you anyway so that takes care of two things. With the war coming, we'll be sure to see him real soon."

He looked at the lupine warrior. There was nothing to worry about, he survived this long as it was.

"You remember him right? Dark, arrogant, makes you want to wring his neck all the time. Think of the ocean."

Jordan turned to where the battle was fought recently.

"Stay alive, and you'll find her."

In a second, a gust of wind fell over the forest and Jordan went without a trace. In the air above the tree tops the green clad warrior leaped into the sky overlooking the snow covered landscape. Lots of bodies, lots of blood on the ground. It was only the beginning, as regretful as it was to say.

"Synile," she said, "you are no longer allowed to drink that much whiskey before a fight. It was the boatride down, wasn't it? Too bumpy. All the alcohol went to your head. Drinking shall now be for the after-party. Not when a protege of Steel's might be here to stab Rhiannon through the face."

The trio were met by a gust of wind that blew at their backs, the sound of metal clashing against the icy ground

"Don't mistake me for a Labyrinth reject, you damn fossil."

Edited by JRPomazon, 20 March 2010 - 10:11 PM.

[Selena]

Selena held out her arm, silently ordering Synile and Leo to hold their weapons and let the visitor speak. She gave him a proper look-over from head to toe. So, this was Jordan of the Whirlwind Spear. Well, even Selena had to admit that he wasn't bad looking as far as the menfolk went. His taste in weapons was certainly commendable, and the ability to appear as if from nowhere was an impressive talent (as showcased by the world's greatest heroes and villains). If he had wanted to attack Rhiannon, he would have done it already. No, maybe he was sent by Chik to assassinate Selena. Couldn't be right. Chikara had decided to let her heal up before attacking, and Jordan apparently had no love for the Labyrinth. He still could have been working for Steel directly, only feigning loyalty to the other Labyrinth fossil leading the new world.

"Fossil? I'll have you know that my skin is as lovely as any sixteen year old's. Staying out of the sun has its advantages," she said, caressing her own cheek.

Selena planted the non-bladed end of her spear on the ground and leaned her weight against it, still analyzing Jordan's body language and energy. This was an eventful day. Wake up after recovering from horrible wounds, find out that Rhiannon had been overwhelmed by a large enemy force, deal with Chikara coming to visit, ski down Snowpeak with a wounded abdomen to bail Calatian troops out, find a metal man with a bison, find a wolf with floating swords, and now encounter one of the old world's great heroes. There would be much sleeping later.

"Well, since you find assassination so repulsive and didn't attack me straight away, I assume you're here to talk to me about something," Selena said. "Steel sending a message?"

[Sir Deimos]

"Synile, you are no longer allowed to drink that much whiskey before a fight. It was the boatride down, wasn't it? Too bumpy. All the alcohol went to your head. Drinking shall now be for the after-party. Not when a protege of Steel's might be here to stab Rhiannon through the face."

She was a little more than annoyed, but he was in no condition to argue. Synile, kept close to the ground, still very much feeling the effects of nausea. It felt like he had just ran a marathon and hit the wall, hard. His body seemed to simply ignore the commands that he tried to issue it.

"Don't mistake me for a Labyrinth reject, you damn fossil." Jordan now stands before the group. That's either very brave or very stupid. Synile's nodachi calls out to him, begging to be picked up and held again, caressed, like a familiar yet volatile lover. Instead he decides to make due with the katana at his waste. The caustic relationship with the nodachi seemed to be taking it's tole upon him, but the sickly sweet embrace made life seem more vibrant. There was something about the sword that seemed to play off of Synile's already growing mental instability.

"Fossil? I'll have you know that my skin is as lovely as any sixteen year old's. Staying out of the sun has its advantages." Selena was having fun with it. "Well, since you find assassination so repulsive and didn't attack me straight away, I assume you're here to talk to me about something," Selena said. "Steel sending a message?"

"Who cares why he's here. Last I checked, he's between us and our objective. His life is forfeit. I'm in a mood. I'll make it slow." Synile cackles out loud. He forces himself to his feet, and removes the katana from his hip, using the scabbard as a makeshift walking stick. The ache wasn't going away. If anything it seemed to be spreading throughout his whole body. "If you want to keep that jaw, boy, I'd start using it before my sword hands anger." Synile stares Jordan in the eyes, and smiles a big toothy grin. "Personally, I hope you resist. You look... fun."

[JRPomazon]

"Couldn't tell you, haven't spoke much to the bastard since he sold out for a seat of power and this idea that Lazu is going to bring world piece. But to be frank, I don't see how you and your horde here are any better. You damn Labyrinth sows are better off dead rather than trying to shape the world. It's a shame you don't have that rat nest to crawl back to anymore, I guess Chikara did something right after all."

As true to his Hall of Heroes heritage as he was two years ago. But the time for idealism had long since past. The other warrior beside Leo started spouting on about some nonsense. Seems like he was picking a fight. He was the crazy one he noticed earlier, the one that killed his own allies.

"Heh. Funny guy, this one right here. Hey Fossil, since you seem to have a hard time keeping your own men from attacking you why don't I offer a gesture of good will?"

Jordan raised his hand, his spear that was resting on the strap over his back was called by the air around it.

"After this I'll be taking custody of that Alliance soldier you have, I've got questions for him."

Jordan turned his attention back to Synile.

"Whenever you're ready buttercup." He said, smirking with the thoughts of beating him within an inch of his life. Just like to good ol' days of vagabond life, picking fights and getting a reputation.

[Selena]

ooc: Here's hoping Synile and I aren't posting at the same time. XD


"You spend enough time in the Labyrinth, you get used to people trying to stab you at random. Keeps your senses well-tuned."

Selena walked in between the two men and took a better hold of her spear. Synile had just been vomiting all over her boots - he was hardly in good enough health to have an entertaining fight. Otherwise she might have allowed it. They were simply too busy to add one more fight to the mix. They had to get back to Calatia with the goods, tend to their wounded, and prepare for the coming war. Jordan's criticisms of Steel were promising. If he really was a neutral third party, then he could be a valuable asset. Sure, her Labyrinth background wasn't the most appealing for the hero-types, but, well... worth a shot! Who else could bring down Koridai but Selena?

"I think I like the nickname Cuddlecakes better than I do Fossil, and that's saying a lot," she began. "As you said, the Labyrinth is gone. Try to see beyond that when dealing with me. My loyalties are to my people and my brothers-in-arms, not a dead domain. I may be a warlord, but I value personal freedom and honesty. Led by her watchful eyes, Koridai is only able to maintain its glamorous appearance by committing acts of torture and assassinating dissenters. I would never do that to people under my protection."

She cocked her head toward Synile.

"Take him, for example. I should have him killed for trying to attack me. But I won't. Because I know he didn't mean it and couldn't help it. It would be unfair to have him executed. Now, you're here trying to pick a fight. You see, that's what people don't understand about the former people of the Labyrinth. We were fierce. We were violent. We also had bonds of friendship that ran stronger than most others. I won't kill him, because that'd be like killing my brother. I only ever turned on one person in my life, and that was only in the interest of those under my protection. Steel, on the other hand, surrendered to the goddess because he wanted to survive and use those powers for his own gain. And Chikara? She used to be a great leader - protective, caring, even loving. Then she began to indulge more and more. All she cares about now is what can make her feel good. Not the lives of her people. Not really."

She maintained a pleasant enough look on her face. Selena knew it wasn't likely to work, but...

"I invite you to come to Calatia with us," Selena said. "As the Alliance is our mutual enemy, we can interrogate the officer together. We'll provide you with food, shelter, and introduce you to our mead hall if you like. We do have to get home. There are wounded people that need treatment - some of the warriors here and a few civilians back home, thanks to a visit from the goddess. I hope I don't have to delay the healing process by getting into a fight with you over one officer that we can deal with together."

She smiled. Yes, that sounded noble. At some point in her history, she'd paid enough attention to the death monologues of gallant knights to manage at least some level of imitation.

[JRPomazon]

Jordan swiftly lowered his spear and released it. With a combination of finger motion and the flick of his wrist, the wind carried his weapon around his back and to it's proper spot. Having Steel offer a place in Koridai and now Selena asking him to join Calatia, he wondered as if his name was called in some sort of draft.

"That's cute, you sound like a recruitment officer for the Alliance. If I was going to join your happy ranks or the Empire, I would have years ago. I opted to reside in the cursed lands instead and let me tell you, it's quite a hell hole. Which is why I feel sorry for those Alliance men who are marching here, because I'd bet everything they think that by getting rid of you and Chikky that they can get their land back."

He'd seen the degradation first hand, he'd lived on those lands as weaker men bathed in the light of a false divinity while others allowed anger to fuel them into supporting a rebellion that was just another war machine. The ignorant and the wrathful fought for impotent land. And those who were left behind became monsters who wandered the land for the sake of consumption and slaughter. And things far worse than anything the imagination could dare to conjure. In a way, things were too similar for it to really make a difference.

With a smile, he decided to lay on some fake politeness of his own.

"But who am I to refuse such wonderful hospitality? I would adore to see your icy palace while I watch your people brutally torture a hapless soldier! Lead the way Cuddlecakes!"

Was Selena as bad as he thought, of course not. Didn't mean she was any closer to a saint, people tend to demonize those they don't like. It's understandable behavior. She had a sense of honor, I suppose that had to count for something. But it was good he joined with them, if he was going to be in this war he'd need a side. Selena must be shrewd enough to know that but who really cares about the what. It's always been the why that draws the attention. Jordan tapped Synile on the shoulder.

"You were lucky friend." he said quietly to the drunk warrior.

Edited by JRPomazon, 21 March 2010 - 04:40 AM.

[Rhiannon]

It was nice to converse with a man who had such manners. Rhiannon was glad he accepted her invitation. She had a feeling they could learn much from the man, and he certainly was an asset.

She noticed him looking at her arm and shrunk away as much as possible. "You really should let me have a look at your arm, the worst thing you need right now is some sort of infection. All of the serious injuries have already been taken care of anyways." He extended her arm towards her and Rhia smiled. She clasped his hand in a handshake, surprised by how warm it felt. She would have thought it would be cold as ice.

“Thank you, perhaps when we get back to the kingdom. You have done wonderfully here and I appreciate your concern. However I'm sure I can wait until we get back.”

Rhia glanced over at Selena and the others. They were having some sort of confrontation and Rhia’s interest was definitely piqued. Rhia bowed as much as she could to the man. “Thank you ever so much.”

With that, Rhia walked as fast as she could, more like a shuffle, towards the small group. My goodness who was this man. He certainly carried himself well, she thought with a small smile.

[Crimson Lego]

Though Selena had ordered him to stand down and not attack the stranger, Leo had already done it as soon as he glanced at the maker of the wind. It is Jordan, he thought. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to make the tension between him and Selena any better, as the 2 of them suddenly began trading critical comments, including Calatia, Koridai, the Labyrinth of Doom, Chikara, and even Steel. Perhaps the fact that Jordan’s ancestor used to be a Hall of Heroes member and Selena a co-ruler of the Labyrinth was making the arguments worse between them. Maybe he won’t be so willing to be on our side, grimaced the dwarf, remembering the order he had given out to one of his men earlier. For one thing, Jordan stated that he would be taking the Alliance officer; Selena responded with her loyalties being to freedom. That I can believe; who wouldn’t want freedom? Her statement was then backed with a reference to Synile, who had just tried to kill Leo. Remarks on Steel and Chikara then followed up.

That was when Selena made the offer for Jordan to become a soldier of the Kingdom.

Gripping his axe tightly but lowering it, the dwarf looked directly at his old friend, wondering if he would make the right decision. Calatia could use him. Leo had seen Jordan’s amazing skills in combat during the journey to the Eagle’s Talons. Tiresias definitely knew it, recalled the general, thinking about how the old seer always called him ‘Dragoon’. Maybe that was just name confusion. Either way, any skilled warrior would be needed if Calatia was to win the war.

Sighing in relief as Jordan agreed to go with Selena to interrogate the Alliance officer, Leo shouldered his axe. Finally: a sense of peace. However, he would need to get going soon, as the Snakeheads still needed to seek out and capture the enemy camp. Walking up to him, the dwarf tapped the man on the shoulder. “Hey, Jordan,” he said quietly. “Remember me?”

Edited by Leo Crimson, 22 March 2010 - 09:18 AM.

[Sir Turtlelot]

“Thank you ever so much.” Rhia said, before taking off again. Turtlelot looked in the direction she had quickly walked off in, and he saw a group of people standing. The dwarf who had first let him in the camp, the woman yelling orders from earlier, a man in green armor, and what appeared to be a sick or drunk soldier. An interesting lot, to say the least.

Turtlelot looked back at the wounded, all of the serious ones had been taken care of, and the other two doctors were handling the minor ones quite well.

Turtlelot walked back to his bison and patted it on the head. "Come now, let's find a peaceful spot to rest." He said as he picked up it's reigns and pulled it along. He walked to open area that had not been affected by the battle. They were not out of sight, but just far enough away for it to peaceful.

Turtlelot opened up a bag on the bison and pulled out some food and fed the bison. After feeding his pet, Turtlelot sat atop a stump with his legs crossed. I'll just wait here until they're ready to leave. And with that, he closed his eyes and went into a state of meditation.

[Sir Deimos]

"You were lucky friend."

"If I could see straight, you'd be in pieces." Synile grinned. He turned his head to Selena, and mouths, "I like this one." Slowly, the dull ache that seemed to consume his body had seemed to be intensifying. It was upgraded from dull ache to mild burning. Synile surveyed the scene, and watched as the dwarf spoke to the spear wielding warrior. He was too far to make out any words, but Synile though little of it. Straining his muscles, he replaces the katana in it's usual spot at his hip, and struggles to stand on his own power. Whatever this feeling was, it was completely unique to him. Movement always came easily, even after hours worth of slaughter. Perhaps that psychotic episode wore out his body, as well as the mind. Either way, Synile would have to worry about it later. Everyone seemed content to let the remainder of the enemy retreat, as Selena seemed to think the officer knew something more worthwhile than the potential gold that could be pilfered. And then there was Jordan's angle. If he truly is neutral, then what real benefit would there be to the information this peon might know...? Synile stumbles toward the discarded nodachi, which is still very much embedded in the ground. Seizing the handle, Synile struggles to remove it from the earth, but once the blade is out, the pain that wracks his whole body, as well as the stomach ache, seemed to decrease in intensity. Rather than ponder the whats, or whys, Synile simply returns the blade to the scabbard on his back.

Surveying the horizon, Synile can see a bison laying in a very relaxed position next to an oddly displayed suit of armor, but before he can focus more on the scene, Rhiannon comes into view, practically sprinting. Is this gonna be news..? Bad news?

[JRPomazon]

OoC: Leo, the Hall of Heroes is an old dorm from centuries ago, we are taking great,great,great,great,great,great,great,great grandpappy. Possibly leaving a few greats out there.

Jordan turned to Leo, looking down to make eye contact.

"Yeah, I remember you Leo. Looks like you've been doing well for yourself out here."

He felt Synile's eyes on his back, seemed he was quite taken with the idea of cutting him up into tiny pieces. Got to love that wholesome viking honesty, such a refreshing difference compared to the other domain. He brushed it off for now, at least until he was a little more sobered up. Then there might be something to actually consider a threat. For now, he might as well be friendly and enjoy their company for a little bit. Better off in the protection of an icy fortress until the war starts.

He turned around and saw who but the princess herself walk up to Selena and the others. The first time they met was with his little fight with Goose at Ikana. The second time was during the dorm war, when she managed to get an amazing hit on him and puncture his lungs. The third meeting was anyone's guess.

[Selena]

ooc: I'm just going to skip the exploration of the enemy camp and just say the Snakeheads did it off-screen, since this thread has been going on for a while and we've got an even better/more important quest coming up following some 'de-briefing' time in the Halls of Snowpeak thread. Just gotta finish up here.

ooc2: I have no idea how to get that damn ship back up the mountain, so we'll just cut straight back to the other thread and not ask many question about it, okay?


--

Leo and Jordan were friendly, and Synile seemed to approve of the aggressive attitude. That was promising, though still nothing to place bets on. There had been so many newcomers and new information revealed in the chaos of battle that everything needed to be calmed down and sorted out. The best place to do that was back at Snowpeak. She could send out the Snakeheads to recover any loot in the enemy camp. They had enough training to manage it, even with their lower numbers after the battle. The others could get a head start on the trip home. Just how did Khallos intend to get that longship back up the mountain, anyway?

That was when Rhia started to strut back over, still not properly taken care off despite her time with all the medical supplies. She watched Jordan out of the corner of her eye, still worried that he might be here to kill her off in the name of Koridai. She had to deal with enough of Steel's spies over the last few months. Another one wasn't out of the question, even if he pretended to be angry at the other man.

"Rhiannon," Selena said. "I'm ready to pack up and go home. We can treat the wounded better at Snowpeak. We'll be entertaining some new guests, it seems."

Selena walked over to the 'man' with the bison, having only seen him from afar during the battle itself. The bison let out a low groan of a noise in warning as she approached, and, not wanting to risk a charge, Selena kept her distance. Another stranger, but he'd proven his use. Perhaps some kind of metallic mercenary from lands unknown seeking out a new leader to pledge his loyalty to? Any help was valued against Koridai.

"We haven't been introduced, Bison-Guy, but I noticed that you came as if from nowhere to help my people. I'm in your debt for that. I'm Selena, the leader of Calatia. You're welcome to visit my capital and get some food... assuming you can eat. If not, then I'm sure we can repay our debt in some other way. We welcome any assistance against the tyrants of Koridai. We'll lead the way, if you're interested. No strings attached if you don't want to stay."

Right, well, that should do i... oh. The wolf with the floating swords. Did the wolf even count as an ally? She hadn't even seen him. Well, Selena liked dogs. She'd give him lots of belly rubs if he decided to come along. She'd tamed a wild wolf before. Gunnar turned out to be quite cuddly, even. To her. Why not see if she could bring him along too? Selena put her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp whistle, hoping to draw the wolf's attention. If it wanted to follow, it could.

"We'll get started on the trip back to Snowpeak," Selena said to the group. "The Snakeheads can recover any loot. They're better suited to that task than we are. Long way back up, so we'd better get moving."

"Khallos, you get to carry the longship."



(skips over to other thread; I'll post in a little bit)



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