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Post by blossom on Apr 27, 2007 3:58:47 GMT -5
"Courier," Saehenine smiled, "May I introduce to you Magess Anjala, Mage Jircef, Mage Tris, Magess Reia, Mage Alecin, Mage Zillar and Mage Emil. As for myself, I am Magess Saehenine."
"An honour to meet you," the Council rumbled in unison, giving a graceful bow.
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 27, 2007 10:53:38 GMT -5
Demanvar bowed back, giving the Council the precise degree of respect they had given him, then glanced at Magess Reia. Black hair. Name starts with an R. Has an 'e' in it. Are her eyes lavender? He couldn't tell for sure, but she was the one who fit the description the closest. He nodded to Sahenine.
"An honor for me as well," he said quietly. "Courier," his mouth twitched in a wry smile, "DeLaquis." He turned toward the rest of the Council. "My message is for Magess Reia."
**** Breeze left Anaz crumpled in one of the side rooms as she hastened to her writing table. He had found out far too much of the plot. He knew of the message being sent to Reia, of the Courier's connection to Serin, and why she was sent after Anjala. She grimaced as she slashed out a quick note to Commander Sudarn. She would need to send a messenger hawk.
She stopped and thought about that. Two hawks, really. Wildair and the others would need to know. She would have to kill Lucar, even if it was doubtful any in the Council would believe him. She let a sharp smile cross her face. Being a rogue former mage would have a tendency to make the Council view him as less than worthless. She frowned. Perhaps not the Magess Anjala. She had met with him as her informant had said. She might believe him if proof was found. She snorted. Then proof must not be found. And Lucar should die.
Breeze turned back toward the room she had left him in, drawing a dagger. It would be best to do it now. She strode back into the room...and stopped abruptly as another thought occured to her. Anjala knew he was searching for proof. The magess might assume, if Lucar went missing, that he had found some and been eliminated. She thrust the dagger back into its sheath and suppressed a snarl. He was an annoying man, and not even her years of indifference had been proof against him. And now she would have to keep him with her. She did snarl then.
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Post by blossom on Apr 27, 2007 12:35:30 GMT -5
Reia blinked, her way of showing complete shock, and bowed again. "Very well. If you would come with me Courier DeLaquis ...?"
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 27, 2007 22:46:03 GMT -5
Demanvar nodded and stepped forward, glancing at the other Council members, one hand twitching.
****
Anaz stared up at the assassin from the floor, all he could really do, as she stalked back into the room with a drawn dagger. She was going to kill him now, of course. She had taken from him all she needed to know.
She stopped abruptly, then, after a moment, sheathed the dagger. She glared back at him and snarled under her breath. He closed his eyes. He didn't even have the strength for his normal fury anymore. It was strangely...liberating.
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Post by blossom on Apr 28, 2007 9:04:46 GMT -5
Reia led Courier DeLaquis from the Library, and indicated that he should begin to ascend the spiral staircase at the end of corridor. She shut the door behind them, as she did so catching a glimpse of Zillar making a suggestive motion at her with his hand. Reia scowled, and with a flick of her wrist set the hem of Zillar's robe on fire.
She then went with DeLaquis, leading him to the Observatory at the top of the staircase. It had been specially constructed by the Council, and was made entirely out of glass through with the entire expanse of the heavens could be seen. A thin sickle moon sparkled in the west, surrounded by a glittering field of stars.
Reia moved into the centre of the room, then turned and faced DeLaquis with a passive expression. "So, what is this message?"
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 28, 2007 9:46:37 GMT -5
Demanvar followed the Magess into the observatory, but stopped just two steps inside the door to take a quick look around. After a moment, he took a breath, then began to recite the message. "Commander Sardorn sends his regards and asks that you would confirm the plan to --"
He broke off, eyes widening, as a dark figure flashed across the moon. "Magess! Look out!"
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Post by blossom on Apr 28, 2007 16:53:36 GMT -5
Reia slammed her shields into place with the well-honed reactions of one who has been the recipient of numerous attacks. She half turned on the spot to see a black-clad figure knocked backwards by her shields across the floor. Reia raised her hands, lighting dancing between her fingertips.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice amplified with power, "Who sent you here?"
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 28, 2007 23:18:07 GMT -5
They heard a half-muffled curse, then something came flying across the room at them. A moment later, there was a muffled crash as the intruder slammed into the glass. At the same time, the small object the intruder had flung exploded in their faces.
Demanvar cried out, shielding his eyes with one arm, and was knocked back against the door by the bloom of fire.
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Post by blossom on Apr 29, 2007 8:41:08 GMT -5
Reia's shields protected her from the worst of the blast, and she extended them around DeLaquis as the fire sprung up. Cautiously she lowered her arms. The fire was gaining strength, raging around them. Reia held up her hands, palms facing each other and about six inches apart. A small blue ball formed between them, then swelled and could be identified as water.
It rippled, tugging and ebbing like waves of the sea. Reia constantly muttered under her breath, feeding power to it. Then with a word it burst outwards, flooding over the flames and extinguishing them.
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 30, 2007 10:52:46 GMT -5
Demanvar shook his head, lowering his lightly burned arm and then dropping to one knee to examine the substance that had been burning. After a moment, he rose, his face grim. "Naptha. New fangled stuff. Sticks to anything and burns."
His eyes drifted to the hole in the glass where the--assassin?--had gone through, then he moved quickly toward the hole. "Commander Sardorn asks that you confirm the plan to prepare by sending him a reply under mage seal."
He paused at the break in the glass, carefully inspecting the jagged edges for blood or torn clothing. He picked a bloody thread off one edge, examining it.
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Post by blossom on Apr 30, 2007 13:26:39 GMT -5
Reia nodded as he recited the message, her throughts in a tumble. She moved closer when she saw him stop and bend down near the break in the glass. "Find something?"
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 30, 2007 13:59:49 GMT -5
Demanvar looked up at the Magess, his golden eyes clear and calm. "Yes. The intruder left behind a trace of blood." He looked down at the thread. "And a bit of clothing. Soft and well-spun. Cotton and silk. Expensive. Not very old, as it isn't worn."
He rose and peered out through the window, looking down into the dark. He caught sight of a deeper shadow along the wall and spoke again. "This was a planned escape route. There's a rope against the wall here. Heavy. From a river craft perhaps."
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Post by blossom on Apr 30, 2007 14:06:15 GMT -5
"Then it was planned by someone who knows the Observatory well," Reia breathed softly, "And only a select few are allowed in here."
She paused, leaning past DeLaquis to look at the rope. She gave a small, half smile. "Well. At least it narrows the list down somewhat."
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Post by twilightblade on Apr 30, 2007 14:14:07 GMT -5
Demanvar nodded noncommitally. "As you say, Magess." He turned toward the door.
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Post by blossom on May 1, 2007 8:16:37 GMT -5
Reia followed DeLaquis out the door and down the stairs, frowning all the while. Only the Mages, their personal Companions and two or three specially selected servants were allowed in the Observatory. So who ...?
Her thoughts where distracted by the sight of Saehenine striding out of the library towards to the stairs. Gone was welcoming woman who had greeted the Courier and in her place was a Magess that radiated ice-cold fury. Saehenine's face relaxed slightly as she saw Reia and DeLaquis unharmed, but she still asked sharply,
"What happened?"
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Post by twilightblade on May 1, 2007 10:40:49 GMT -5
Demanvar glanced from one to the other, hesitating. He wanted to retrieve his horses and find an Inn for the night. The message was delivered, cryptic as it was, and he needed to rest.
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Post by blossom on May 1, 2007 10:47:46 GMT -5
"Assassin," Reia replied. She paused for a moment, considering the rest of the Mage Council who were also emerging from the Library. "Badly planned." she lied, glancing briefly at Saehenine, who nodded.
"Courier," Reia turned to DeLaquis, "I will show you to a room for the night."
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Post by twilightblade on May 1, 2007 10:58:50 GMT -5
Demanvar shook his head. "I must decline Magess. I need to report in at the barracks, but thank you."
He stepped past Magess Reia, then paused, trying to get his bearings.
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Post by blossom on May 1, 2007 11:02:48 GMT -5
"To the left, down the corridor and turn right to get the main staircase," Reia supplied, folding her hands behind her.
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Post by twilightblade on May 1, 2007 11:09:42 GMT -5
Demanvar glanced back at her, then a smile flashed across his face. "Thank you Magess." He turned and walked down the corridor.
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Post by blossom on May 1, 2007 11:16:20 GMT -5
Reia smiled back, then turned to Saehenine. "Well this has been an interesting evening." she said.
Saehenine raised an eyebrow, and very nearly smiled. "I'll bet."
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Post by twilightblade on May 1, 2007 11:23:17 GMT -5
Demanvar found his way outside and gathered up his horses. As he mounted the chestnut again, he heard harsh breathing off to the side of the courtyard, hidden in the shadows. He turned the horse toward the sound.
****
Anaz woke to find himself carefully tucked into bed and feeling much better. Unfortunately for him, that also included having a chain around his ankle and the assassin waiting in the corner of the room, seated on a chair and doing, of all things, embroidery.
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Post by blossom on May 1, 2007 11:35:02 GMT -5
(New character!!)
The guards on duty at the Gates of Arin stood up quickly as the hooded figure approached. The held their spears out, crossed, to block its way. "Halt. Who goes there?" one called out. His voice had a metallic ring to it thanks to his helmet.
"How cliched," the figured murmured, pulling down its hood. Pale blonde hair caught the moonlight, tumbling down in curls to the girl's shoulders. Fierce eyes stared at them out of a fair face, and the guards found themselves swallowing nervously.
"My name is Laurel Elmoreth," the girl said flatly, "I'm here on official business." She held out a ring. The guards leaned forward and saw with surprise that it was engraved with Saehenine's own seal.
"S-sorry, my lady," the guards gasped, waving their gauntleted hands for the gates to be opened, "But you can't be too careful you know, and -"
A withering look from Laurel shut him up. She swept past the guards, burying the ring back into her pocket, and pulling her hood back up. The guards stared after her as she entered Arin, but before long she had vanished into the shadows.
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Post by twilightblade on May 2, 2007 10:48:42 GMT -5
Demanvar drew closer to the sound, peering ahead into the darkness, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. As he stepped closer, he heard the person draw in a sharp breath, then the sounds of breathing stopped. He shook his head. They were trying to hide from him. He stepped into the shadows and found himself staring down a strangely familiar crumpled figure in a hooded robe. "Wildair?"
***** Anaz watched the woman for a moment, then spoke as she looked up at him. "Why didn't you kill me? What use am I to you now?"
***** Breeze looked up after taking a particularly difficult stitch as Lucar's cool, indifferent voice caught her attention, then replied to his question.
"If you die or disappear, then the Council might take your warning to Anjala seriously." She studied him, seeing the shimmering rage in his blue eyes, but it wasn't directed at her. She nodded to herself. He was quite a handsome man once he stopped scowling. "We'll be going into Arin as soon as you've recovered." Her lips twitched as puzzlement flashed in his eyes for an instant, then was replaced by that same cool indifference. "Not that I'll let you speak of this."
**** Thalassa watched from the wide porch of her Inn as the Singer caravan rolled into town, cheered on by the soldiers on the walls and a few walking in the streets. Much of the soldier's free coins would find their way into the Singer's coffers if she was any judge. A smile wreathed her face as she heard the glorious singing.
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Post by blossom on May 2, 2007 11:05:33 GMT -5
Laurel walked the cobbled streets of Arin in silence. Ahead of her the Mage Tower loomed up, and she could see the flickering light of candles in the windows. So they were awake. The question was, did she go there and save her worry? Or did she defy her and frustrate her by staying in the shadows? Laurel slipped a hand into her pocket and rubbed the ring she had shown the guards thoughtfully. What to do?
*****
Rois and the other Singer girls were stood up on the caravans, singing loudly and flirtatiously to the soldiers on the walls. The men and boys played the instruments and sang a deep, reverbating bass. The overall sound was one of joy, cheer and beauty, a song like a perfect summer's day.
Hester, despite being unable to take part, smiled and drove the caravan as if completely content with her lot. Inside she giggled and laughed at Rois and the girls wiggled their hips seductively and blew kisses at the guards, causing the boys to scowl or glower. Outwardly she swung her legs in time with the tune and grinned brightly.
No one at all could suspect that really she felt lonely, small and insignificant. No one at all could guess that she held on to the soldier's promise in her heart like a frail candle flame that could be snuffed out. Hope, rather than acceptance, was what drove her onwards now. Hope that she would find her place, and finally be truly happy.
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