View Full Version : Family Matters
The night was full of activity, especially at one port in particular. Yet for most of the people that lived in the city, they were completely unaware of what was going on. Although they were sleeping now, it wasn’t hard to miss their newest visitors when they entered the city earlier that day. Their guests filled the streets, lined in rows and marched freely without worrying of being interrupted. Not a single soul wanted to stop one of the many and question what they were doing. Parent and children only wanted one thing and they understood that if they let these men do what the want then it would come to them much faster. All the families wanted was to get rid of these soldiers and never see them again. They never wanted their eyes to settle on the same black breastplates, swords and weapons and all the other equipment they brought with them. As long it was all gone soon, then everything would be fine.
And it would disappear during then night. Everything from the weapons, armor, equipment and soldiers would vanish. While the city was asleep, the army was packing everything for the trip across the sea. It was clear and obvious that the trip would be long, hence the rush to get everything on the ship and leave by morning. Every mind knew where they were going too, they had been planning this for month. Gathering everything they could and preparing for what was coming. Everyone felt mixed feelings. Excitement, nervousness, worry, doubt and even some regret filled every soul. Except for one man.
Amongst all the work, surround by all the business stood one man. Wearing the same colour of armor as everyone else did made him blend in with the darkness. However his age set him apart, probably making him old enough to be the father of some of the others here. With that age also came experience, so much that every other person was probably looking to him for guidance. So that was what he did, he oversaw all the work, making sure the proper things were going to the right places and making sure everyone was accounted for.
During the rush he whistled loudly, the high note blasting over all the other commotion. He held it as long as he could and as more and more people heard it, more and more people stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him. Eventually he had everyone’s attention, just as he did for weeks. He was their foundation after all, the standard that everyone looked to countless times. Whenever he spoke everyone held on to each word he said and clung onto it. Within his voice they found encouragement and support hand in hand, and this time it was no different.
“We’ve all work so hard and so long for this”, he spoke loudly and clearly. “We’ve spent months out of our lives and some of us have even bled to get to this point. It’s only fair that it all pay of in the end. Tonight we set sail for the target and five days from now we’ll reach it and do what we’ve been preparing for. Then a week after that first day, we’ll reach the goal and finished the race. We’ll keep moving onward and push every single hindrance out of our way, nothing can stop is now. Others can try all they want but they’ll get nowhere. I’m telling you all the truth when I say this, tonight we’re just a group of empty handed soldiers. In two weeks from now, we’ll be an army with a kingdom!”
For the rest of the night, the port was filled with cheers of enthusiasm. As everyone began looking forward to their upcoming victory. For with a leader like theirs, how could they lose?
Four days later…
The morning sunlight that filled the bedroom window was bright. Than again that was just how Jasmine said it would be. “warm and sunny” were the exact words, in fact Zerith could almost hear her voice telling him that yet again as he turned over in bed. It was pointless though, now that he was awake there was no way he’d fall back asleep. Besides, Moriah wasn’t turning out to be that bad either. Especially considering the fact that he was staying here longer than he had originally planned.
As he climbed out of bed Zerith wondered just how Jasmine was wondering liking her visit back home. Was she greeted with smiles from her loved ones? How did that ball she went to a few days earlier go? Perhaps he would ask her some of his questions whenever he saw her next. But that was the thing about being the warder of a princess, you never really know when you’re going to see them again. Especially when both of them had their own business to attend to most of the time. There was no point thinking about it anymore, a mental note of questions to ask would suffice.
It took a while but eventually Zerith was ready to go out. With his halberd in hand along with everything else he had on him, he quickly left his room and soon after, the inn as well. The port city of Hamasha treated him well, probably because he knew Jasmine though. However even the princess couldn’t affect how people treated him. Their warm smiles and kindness to him were genuine, and were things he was most grateful for.
With a friendly smile and warm greeting Zerith went on to walk around the city. He would ask around for any news of Jasmine’s arrival to the city and hopefully from there he would meet up with his friend. Then if possible, they could come up with some sort of plan on what to do with the rest of the day.
Jasmine
04-17-06, 07:10 PM
Jasmine rose early that fine winter’s day and quickly dressed. She was feeling much better after her time at the royal ball and the events that had taken place that night. Clad in her usual dark blue dress with silver trim and black leather boots, the young princess went down to the kitchen to grab a bit of breakfast.
“Good morning!” she called to the breakfast cook. “I’ll be leaving pretty early today, you haven’t gotten something big already started have you?”
“Well, no, my Lady. I was just getting started, did you have something you wanted in particular?”
“Oh good! I only want a bit of bread, some orange juice in a canteen and an apple. I want to eat on the road. I’m going to go get Snowdrop ready. Would you send my breakfast to the stable? Thank you so much!”
Still smiling, she left the bemused cook to tend to her duties. The old woman had known the princess for a long time and had at one time cooked at the palace. When she retired from there, Lady Jasmine had offered her the place of the cook at her country estate. It was a much more relaxed job. Also, with the princess not being there all the time, things were quite mellow, just what the old woman preferred now-a-days.
Jasmine hurried out to the barn to greet her horse and get the pure white mare ready for travel. Fetching the nosebag from a hook, she slipped it on the horse’s muzzle.
“Eat well, Snowdrop, we’re going for a nice long ride today.”
While the horse ate quietly, Jasmine put blanket and saddle on the mare’s back. She’d brought the few other items she was bringing down to the stable the previous night and had only to put them in the saddlebags.
“Lady Jasmine?” came a hesitant, young voice. “Lady Jasmine, I have your breakfast here.”
“Come on back here. I’m just about ready.”
The nosebag went back on the hook and Jas swung up into the saddle with practiced ease. It felt wonderful to be on her friend’s back again. Smiling encouragingly, she reached down to retrieve her breakfast.
“Thank you, Jimmy, and you needn’t be so hesitant when calling to me, I won’t bite your head off, promise.”
She laughed softly as the boy backed out of her way, opening the stable door for her and Snowdrop. The horse walked at a stately pace across the grounds while Jas munched on her bread and apple. The canteen of juice had been slung over the saddlehorn.
The fastest way to get to her destination was cross country, so that is exactly what Jas intended to do. Once bread and apple were gone, Jasmine took a firm grip on the reigns, but allowed Snowdrop full movement of her head. Overhead birds greeted the day with song and swooped across the sky for pure joy at being alive on such a beautiful day.
“Let’s go girl...Hiyup!”
The horse sprang into fluid motion, galloping across the rolling plains. Jasmine crouched low over the horse’s neck, knees pressed against the mare’s smooth, white flanks. She laughed joyously at the feel of the wind in her face, just her and her horse and the wide, open plains of Moriah’s middle lands.
The vessel of the waters swayed from front to back, thanks to the heavy waves given off from the storm the crew and passengers had found themselves stuck in. Yet, even with such bad luck, the ship would see another day, as would every single life that put their trust into the pile of wood arranged in a specific way to keep afloat. This was probably one of those times when the ‘strange man’ from the east, as he was called by the captain and crew, wished for a little more tragedy in this world that remained in peace to the fools’ eye. Everywhere, there was despair. Another war was raging in a far off land. Another argument was being dictated. Still, nothing compiled to the feeling one got when they believed that fate’s weapon was sheathed on their behalf. Nothing was wrong in everyone’s cases.. except for poor old Lisean Lemot.
“’It me!” shouted one of the drunks seated at a table set up in the captain’s quarters. A card was tossed to his palms, where he would conceal it and look it over with his own eyes. Each of the seven glared over at each other, trying to predict a strategy. Lisean was the only one who stood over five feet, and possessed no facial hair. His expression was completely blank, save for the annoyance hinted by the frown on his lips. The dwarves let out a random chuckle as they looked him over and read him like an open book, or so they thought.
“C’mon, matey! Give up yer damn gold!” one of the players yelled, setting down his hand, which revealed his treasured three of a kind that he put too much hope in. Five immediately sighed, and tossed their cards without a care onto the table, knowing they had lost their bargains. Lisean almost went deaf from the very sound of the man who seemed to be the winner. It was so hard to understand him.
“What.. do I have to give up?” he asked, smirking as he set down his hand. “Full house. I think that means I win, according to your teachings.” With that said, the necromancer quickly wrapped his arms around the money on the table, and pulled it towards him. The dwarf who had his dreams crushed groaned, and stood up off his stool, flipping the table over and knocking all the spoils to the ground.
“Eh, ee you dun know ‘ow te pay, eastman!” the dwarf cursed , wrinkling his stout nose to express what cannon he was supposedly going to fire. “Ew can’t jus’ pay ah fool ‘ouse withoot da cap’s order!”
The winner of the game shook his head to himself, and rubbed a hand against his forehead. He should’ve taken the opportunity to hire a translator. “Could you please slow down when you talk? I cannot understand you, sir dwarf.” The patience of the necromancer was high, but doubt of maintaining it passed through his mind. Mind.. something he saw the short bulky men from the north did not possess. The dwarf’s fuse was lit by Lisean’s comment. He took in a deep breath, and spoke word for word.
“Ew! Can! Nut! Pay! Ah! Fool! ‘Ouse! Withoot! Da! Cap’s! Orda!!” he shouted, stepping up to Lisean so that he matched his height. Of course, the necromancer was still in his seat, trying to remain calm. His pink eyes were drifting off and looking away from the man who tried to make a point straight.
“Nope. Still don’t get it,” Lisean answered.
“All ye men up on deck!” A voice shouted from upstairs on deck. The men immediately ran up to the voice, giving the obvious hint that the captain was addressing an order. Since he was a guest (and an unwelcome one, at that), Lisean followed shortly after the dwarves.
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“Land Ho!!!”
Off the horizon, in the distance, every member of the crew cheered at the sight of the port city: their destination. Lisean crossed his arms over his chest, and simply smiled to himself momentarily. It was about time. Maybe now, he’d be able to find the nobleman in town he heard of back in his hometown: Peter Sparrow. He was an old consort of his father, and a former member of the Lemot Clan. With what knowledge he could give him, whether it be willing or forced, will be proved most useful in the search for the first required tool of any necromancer. After all, every spellcaster had a tool from which to focus his spells from. The trademark item that strengthened their power, and gave them an extended network of magic.
Lisean’s eyes were suddenly drawn away from the dwarves, to spot a few silhouettes off to the right side. It almost looked like several large ships, much bigger than the meager vessel he was on. “I beg pardon, fellow crew,” he spoke aloud, then pointed towards the shapes obscured by the fog cloud forming around them. “But.. your knowledge must be able to define the nature of those crafts.” The captain stepped up next to Lisean, looked over for a moment, then simply wavered a hand. “Bah! Codswallop! Them be cheep-cheeps!”
“Cheep-cheeps?”
“Y’know! Cheep-cheeps!” the captain abruptly answered, before his flapped his arms up and down, mimicking the motions of a winged creature. “Cheep! Cheep!” he began to say in a very high-pitched tone, or at least as high as he could hit. He ran around his crew, still waving his arms about.
“Oh? You mean birds?” Lisean asked.
“Bah! They’s cheep-cheeps,” the captain answered, coming to a stop, before pointing at the city. “So never ye mind ‘em! We dock!!” he shouted, before the dwarves cheered along with him together. Lisean looked down, shaking his head to himself, before he looked back up at the black shapes in the fog. He could swear they weren’t any winged creature of sorts. Yet, why should he be worrying so much? If anything, he figured he should be celebrating with the dwarves. After three days he had called the biggest nuisance of his journey so far, he was finally in a place where he wanted to be. New land meant new adventures, new rewards.. and above all, new people. Hopefully beings he could successfully communicate with this time around.
All right, so perhaps there wasn’t much Hamasha offered to visitors. Or maybe the problem rested with Zerith’s lack of interest in everything going around him. It didn’t matter in the end, He still felt like he wasn’t going anywhere. Sure it started off nice, greeting people wit friendly smiles and meeting new people. Though now he just felt like he was wandering aimlessly in order to pass the time away. Where the hell was Jasmine anyways? Didn’t she realize that Zerith wasn’t staying in Moriah forever?
“Actually now come to think of it, I should check to see when the ship is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Just in case I need to pack my things tonight because I set sail early in the morning”, he thought. The docks weren’t that far either, perhaps a ten-minute walk from where he was at the most. Although his legs were started to get sore from all the walking he was doing he was fairly certain he could last another ten minutes. Then he’d take a seat at the docks and enjoy the sea breeze.
Now normally the dock would have been a terribly busy place. With ships arriving and departing right after another, it made him wonder just how many people did it take to organize everything. From sorting cargo to managing the large amount of employees, surely it took a lot of effort and hard work.
Combine that with the constant rush to work faster made that a job Zerith happy he didn’t have.
Yet for some reason things were different today. Ships were still arriving and leaving, but almost everyone at the docks was staring out at the water. Did something happen? Did a ship crash into something or a monster attack one? Zerith had no clue. So he approached the closest person and asked, “Hey, what’s with everyone today?”
Sure enough Zerith asked one of the workers there who was one of the many looking out to sea. His eyes never moved as he answered, “Nothing really. There’s just a bunch of ships out in the distance and grouped together.”
“Yeah okay, So why is everyone staring at a bunch of ships that haven’t reached shore yet?”
“Well it’s not like they haven’t, it’s more like they don’t want to.”
Frowning, Zerith replied. “Well what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means they’ve been out there since morning!” the stranger snapped. “And they just seem to be hovering out there, waiting for something.”
“The hell?” Zerith said out loud as he turned to see these supposed ships. Sure enough they really was a group of them, seven to be exact. The odd thing was that they weren’t far away either. Actually, come to think of it they were fairly close to shore. They didn’t have any visible flags either and nobody could quite tell just how many people were on each individual ship.
“Y’know what the strange thing is?” the worker asked the halberdier. “It’s that supposedly all of the paperwork the guys in charge says nothing of a group of seven ships arrive today. Those ones out there aren’t supposed to be there.”
“Seriously? Then why the hell do you suppose those ships are her-“
BOOM!
The thunderous blast was heard easily by everyone, followed by the sound of something flying through the air. Then suddenly section of the docks in the distance exploded, sending men flying through the air along with broken pieces of the dock. Screams of the frightened and the dying quickly took the place of the commotion just moments earlier.
Before people could figure out just what had happened, three more blasts were heard and were followed by more explosions and destruction. It didn’t take long for people to get the hint, those seven ships were attacking Hamasha and the docks were just the beginning. It was only a matter of time until the docks were history and those cannons directed their fire on the city itself. The sudden attack was threw everyone off, nobody suspected something like this would happen here.
So with the seven ships firing constantly and destorying everything at an alarming pace, everyone who was fortunate not to be one of the first few victims ran for their lives. “Run!” shouted a voice over the screaming of everyone else. “Hamasha is under attack! Run for it!”
“God,” Zerith muttered to himself as he ran from the docks as well. “Please let Jasmine be safe.”
Jasmine
06-03-06, 09:30 PM
A mile or so outside Hamasha, Jas reigned Snowdrop in and listened carefully to the odd noises she heard echoing over the rolling hills. The sounds puzzled her for several minutes as she listened, soothing the quiet nickering of her horse with on hand on the creature’s neck. All of a sudden it came to her what the regular booms and crashes must be.
“Cannons! Come on, Snowdrop!”
Thudding her heels into the white mare’s flanks, rider and horse charged across the remaining stretch of land between them and the port city. Hamasha was Moriah’s first defense against attackers, if it fell all hell would break loose. Snowdrop’s hooves seemed to fly over the mile to Hamasha, but Jasmine scarcely noticed. Her mind was racing with questions, none of which would be answered until she arrived in Hamasha.
Who would want to attack us? We’re no threat to anyone. Who’s in charge of the army there? Did they have enough time? Where is Zerith in all this? I hope he’s okay!
Quite suddenly the walls of the city rose up in front of her and she raced through the open gate and through almost half the city before the crowds started to slow her down. Adults and children alike screamed as they ran for the rear gate and the freedom of the countryside outside it. Jasmine pressed on through the crowd even as both she and Snowdrop heaved with exhaustion. They had to get to the front and find out what was going on.
Her blue eyes peered in every direction, trying to find her friend in the chaos that reigned at the docks. Another blast came from nearby and Snowdrop reared suddenly in fear, nearly throwing Jasmine to the ground.
“Steady girl, steady! You’re okay...where the heck is Zerith? ZERITH!? ZERITH ARE YOU OUT HERE!?
Another blast and Jasmine had not yet found her friend. She looked out into the bay and found the source of the cannon fire. The ships were huge. She could see the shapes of more soldiers than she could easily count lining the rails and covering the decks. Wheeling Snowdrop around, she renewed her search for Zerith. Once she found him, they could make their way to the local garrison to help the commanders plan their counterattack.
Upon the vessel reaching the docks, the captain of the ship jumped for joy with his crew, shouting “Land Ho! Behold da grrrate Hamasha!”
Lisean crossed his arms over his chest, and looked off to the side upon arriving. The city was a little too overpopulated for his liking. Hanging around a bunch of dwarves was one thing, but to find himself travelling down the streets filled with strangers was a whole other story. You could say he was.. claustrophobic, in a sense when it came to being surrounded by people. The next turn of events were sure to break him down. Guaranteed.
Just as Lisean was being pushed down the off-ramp, a large blast coming from the skies bellowed out in warning to the people of the Port City, who immediately began to run at the sight of a large black cannonball as it plummeted into the west end of the docks. Lisean tumbled down the ramp, executing a somersault or two before finally managing to gather what control of himself he had and land on his feet. For a second, he felt like an acrobat. The dwarves waddled after him, abandoning their ship and join the riot just in town. The captain turned to see his ship get blasted down directly.
“No!! ‘ow could we not see ‘is comin’?!” the captain shouted, traumatized over his personal loss. Lisean ran to his side, and tried to pull him away from the lingering threat as the ships continued to approach.
“Oh, we SAW it coming!” Lisean responded, staggering to drag the stout dwarf to town, whilst the very area he was trying to save him from was under fire. “But NOOO! ‘oh, let’s no listen to the Englishman!’ you said. ‘oh, they’re just lil’ wee cheep-cheeps!’” Lisean found himself unaware of the fact he was mocking their very accent in the tone of voice they took. He knew nothing of linguistics, but no matter. The dwarf did not care. His attention was still focused on his ship sinking.
“I don’t think cavalry’s coming, dwarf! Nobody is going to walk you step-by-step! If you value your life, surely you can throw a pile of wood aside to save yourself!” Lisean exclaimed, letting go of the captain to start jogging into town. The captain ran after the necromancer, shaking his fist in abrupt anger.
“Hey, ye haven’t paid me yet, stranger!”
“Consider my advice your profit. RUN!!”
Lisean said nothing more to him, and was without realizing it swallowed by the swarms of man, woman, and child running out to the closest exits. Not knowing the town well was the bad end of the stick he wished he hadn’t grabbed. Standing still, the necromancer turned back and forth, knowing that his personal task was not to be completed right now. Peter Sparrow must’ve been long gone, if he were as much a noble figure and renowned spellcaster like Lisean assumed. Suddenly, a cannonball flew so close, he could’ve sworn over the cries for safe passage that he could hear it whizzing past his ear. A merchant stand imploded, and fell to the ground, spooking a white horse and causing it to rear up on its hind legs.
As the beast flayed its front hooves out before landing, one of them struck Lisean right across the cheek, forcing him a step back to turn and cup his face in pain. Once the horse had finally stood on all fours, Lisean turned to meet the eyes of the rider who turned and sped down the street. He felt like a deprived slave, having been punished by a high figure of authority. A frown took over his lips, and his eyes stared down to the road. He couldn’t really hear anything, whilst he focused on the pain momentarily, trying to rub it off with his hand.
“Ow…” Lisean uttered, a tear fighting its way to fall out of his eye.
When all had become frantic once again, men were shouting at the docks. The morale of the enemy was rising as they unloaded their cargo and soldiers. Lisean knew he had no time to absorb more defeat. It was only coincidence that punished him. A situation he probably could have avoided, if he paid any attention. He sighed, and ran down the path amongst the others. Of course, his clothing and traits stood out amongst the townspeople, proclaiming the fact there was an outsider in their midst.
Maybe the white rider knew where she was going. At least, that’s what the necromancer predicted. She was the only one that could be mistaken for some figure of high ranking. People like that never used their own two feet given to them at birth, and had the nerve to put all their faith in an animal just so that they can reach their destination. Still, if she was indeed knowing her directions, at least she’d be repaying him for the cheap shot. She just wouldn’t necessarily have to know. Just as how she probably didn’t bother to care who she had hit without notice. Lisean quickly tucked his book away underneath his cloak, fastening it on the inside with a few meager straps and buckles he had somehow managed to sew into his clothing. Now that both hands were free, he could finally take the staff off his back, and grip it in both hands, immediately embracing his defensive composure in mid jog.
He had to be armed, just in case he was wrong about the woman in blue.
“Jasmine!” Zerith called out as he was lost in the crowd. People were pushing and shoving, doing whatever they could to make it out with their lives. Anyone they didn’t know, didn’t matter. In fact if it wasn’t for the fact that Zerith was being pushed in every direction, he would have already been pushed to the ground and trampled over my everyone that followed
“JASMINE!” he yelled as loud as he could, “HAS ANYONE SEEN PRINCESS JASMINE!?”
“I think I saw her on her horse not too long ago,” a voice replied, “she was on her horse and heading to the docks.”
“To the docks!?” Zerith told himself, “What the hell is she thinking? She could be killed!” Suddenly it seemed like he could leave as soon as he hoped at first. Before he could even think of leaving he had to head back to the docks to find his friend. So as crazy as it may have looked to those around him, the halberdier turned around and began the trip back to the docks. Well, it was more like whatever was left of the docks.
It was much more difficult to go backwards, it was a lot like going against the current of a river. Except for the simple truth that people were a lot more harder to cut through than water was. Zerith even had to use his halberd, push person after person with the wooden shaft of the pole-arm. These people were definitely desperate to escape with their lives if they were willing to try and push an armed man out of the way.
It was tough at first, the wall of people didn’t seem to end in the beginning. But eventually the crowd grew thinner and thinner. The joining the crowd were decreasing as well. Did that mean that most of the population had already escaped? The mercenary didn’t want to think of the other possible reason. Luckily, before he ask himself the question, a voice was crying out. “Mommy!? Daddy!? Where are you!?”
Sapphire eyes searched for the origin, but it was a bit difficult considering the amount of people still around him. It took a minute or two for Zerith to find the source of the crying. A little girl, probably around five or six years old, was standing off to the side. She wore a dark green dress and her brown hair hung down her back. Her green eyes looked around desperately for any sign of her parents, though it was probably growing more and more difficult with all the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. She was probably terrified, her little peaceful world was just shattered in an instant and now she couldn’t see any sign of her protectors. For the meantime and until she found them, Zerith would have to do.
“Hello there,” Zerith called out as he approached, naturally the girl backed away and crossed her small arms in front of her. He smiled warmly, “I’m sorry,” he apologized as he crouched down so that he was at her level, “Is that better? Do you have a name? Mine is Zerith.”
The child backed up more until she hit the wall. “Eva,” she replied as she sobbed quietly.
“Eva,” he repeated, “That’s a really pretty name. Do you know where you’re parents are Eva?”
“I lost them!” she cried. “We were trying to escape the booms and the explosions and I was holding mommy’s hand. But then everyone started pushing and my hand slipped. I tried to grab it but people kept pushing me away and then I they disappeared. I want my mommy and daddy!”
“I know, I know,” Zerith answered as he tried to calm the girl down. “I’m looking for a friend of mine as well. If you’d like, you can come with me and I can help you find your parents.”
“I can’t,” the girl cried louder. “They say I’m not supposed to go with people I don’t know.”
“Damn. Now how am I going to do this?” Zerith thought. He couldn’t let this child stay here and he needed to look for Jasmine. After a moment of thinking what he could do, he came up with something. “I see. Well do you know someone named Princess Jasmine?”
For some reason the name made the girl smile, “Well of course I know Lady Jasmine, you silly man. She’s really pretty and mommy says she’s really nice. Daddy also says I’m a princess too.”
“You’re a princess too? Well I have to say you’re definitely prettier than she is,” Zerith replied. “You see, the friend I’m looking for is actually Lady Jasmine. So if you’d like, I can take you to see her. And I bet that since she’s a really nice person, she can help us find your parents. Would you like to go see Jasmine?”
A cute pair of red checks and tear-filled eyes stared up at the halberdier, “Really? I’d like that a lot. Can we go now though Mr. Zerith?”
“Oh you bet, Princess Eva. We can go now and I’ll make sure we don’t get lost,” he answered as he picked the girl up and held her with one arm. “It’s my job to protect princesses afterall.”
Together the two headed back to the docks, both sets of eyes looking all over the place for any sign of who they were looking for. Eva kept things interesting, asking Zerith questions like how he knew Jasmine and if his job really was to protect princess from the “bad guys”. Then she began asking what the castle looked like and if Jasmine knew any princes. One thing was certain, Eva would have the time of her life when she got to ask Jasmine all these questions as well.
It was to Eva’s delight that she spotted the princess first. “Mr. Zerith!” she shouted as she pointed in the right direction, “There she is on a horse, it’s Lady Jasmine!”
Smiling, Zerith was relieved to see that the child was right. There, in the distance rode Jasmine. Her eyes seemed to be desperately looking all over the place. “Is she looking for me?” he asked himself. It didn’t matter really, he was overjoyed to see the lovely princess. Quickly, he raised the arm that held the halberd and waved.
“JASMINE!” he yelled. “OVER HERE JASMINE! IT’S ME, ZERITH!”
Jasmine
06-14-06, 02:03 AM
When Snowdrop reared at the explosion, Jasmine had been nearly thrown from the mare’s back. Unaware that her horse had hit someone, Jas turned and kept up her search. the docks were becoming less and less populated and with that came the realization that Zerith might not be at the docks after all. Pushing panic down, she kept searching, but every face she saw was that of her fellow Morians, faces full of fear as they fled toward the inner city.
Then she heard it, a male voice shouting her name and the name of her friend. Wheeling the frightened horse about, Jasmine raced toward the voice, relief at finding her friend clear on her face. Pulling Snowdrop up just short of the man and his small charge, she smiled softly at the child, then looked to Zerith anxiously.
“Quick, hand her up here. We gotta get to safer ground. Explain everything once we get to the garrison.”
Reaching toward the child, Jasmine pulled her into the saddle with her and spoke softly so as not to frighten the young girl.
“My name is Jasmine. We’re going to take you some place safe right now, okay? Zerith, follow me. We need to get to the local garrison and see if they have any information.”
Thudding her heels into Snowdrop’s flanks, horse and rider began working their way through the crowd. Though she would have liked to move quite a bit faster, she could only move as fast as the crowd would allow her. Despite how slow it felt they were moving, the garrison soon came into view. The guards, recognizing her immediately, opened the gates to allow her and Zerith through without pause.
She stopped only long enough to hand off Snowdrop’s reigns to a stablehand and to lift the little girl down from the saddle. She walked briskly, but not so fast that the child couldn’t keep up. When they came across a maid, Jasmine stopped the older woman.
“I need you to take care of this little girl for a little while. We can find her parents later, but right now I need to make sure someone is taking care of her.” Kneeling down beside the girl, she looked into her eyes, “I need you to stay with this nice lady for a little while, okay? When I’m done talking with the other grown-ups, I’ll come check on you.”
The child nodded and Jasmine moved on, beckoning to Zerith to follow her. Now that the little girl was not present, she let her feeling of anger and irritation come out. “Okay, now you can start telling me what’s happened here. What on Althanas is happening? I could hear the explosions a mile out of town and raced here as fast as I could.”
Lisean had barely taken five steps forward, before he was suddenly thrown off guard again in the form of further physical harm. A piece of wood flew up and smacked him across the face, directly over the same cheek he had been struck by a hoof by not moments before hand. The combined amounts of pain made him fall to his knees this time, dropping his staff in the process so that he may set his palms on the ground and hold himself up on all fours. Snapping his eyes shut, he shook his head from side to side, and sighed. “Why me?” he asked himself silently, before he looked up. Now that the masses of townsfolk were long gone, he could clearly see the one man that had smacked him. Intentionally or not, Lisean didn’t know. But he knew it was his fault he had lost sight of the rider.
He wasn’t planning on confronting the stranger anytime soon. The blade that accompanied the pole that struck him looking very intimidating. Still, it gave him no reason to stay a few feet behind and lurk about. Stalking was the only way he could find out what information he needed. The man was the only other one besides Lisean that was heading in the same direction. Upon seeing him run down to the docks with a little girl, the necromancer rose to his feet, picking up his weapon along the way. His hands made promises of revenge as they clutched his staff in anger.
At long last, the necromancer had finally seen the docks he once found land on after a grueling journey. The sight of what was left of the dwarven ship would’ve brought a smile to his lips, if the conditions of the rest of the harbor were any better than what they were. Ships were nothing but piles of scrap wood floating in the water, whilst crates and supplies were on the docks in a mess. After taking into account of the mess that needed cleaning, Lisean spotted the woman whom he had encountered earlier. The one on the horse. The man screamed a name that got her attention, followed by his own. Zerith.. Jasmine.. he repeated in his mind a few times over, etching them into his memory. Just as he tried to race forward and ask of what was going on in the city, the three had raced passed him. They probably only saw him as that odd stranger, crazy enough to attempt approaching in the middle of a town catastrophe.
“I’m getting very tired of this..” he mumbled, strapping his staff onto his back before he leaned forward and caught his breath. Now that the streets were near empty, he could at least be able to get a clear sight of them from following far away. That, and he knew the woman wouldn’t go far, so long as her hero was on his feet and maintaining a decent pace. Chuckling to himself at the thought, he quickly withdrew from the docks, just as the ships that were firing had begun to dock with force, breaking down what was left of the harbor with their reinforced crafts.
Rounding a corner onto the main road, Lisean stopped momentarily to look straight ahead at what appeared to be a large gate, easily defining itself as an exit with the last of villagers lining up to leave. The sounds of men yelling and raising their morale drove him into a sprint down the empty cobblestone road, leaping over obstacles that had fallen into the middle of the street. He was about halfway there when his hope had faded. The doors were being sealed off by the guards, shortly after the man and woman had fled. Growling, Lisean looked about frantically, unaware of what to do. He should’ve known better than to travel without experience.
“Yaargh!” came a cry from behind the necromancer, earning his undivided attention. Lisean was lucky enough to be considered alive after managing to duck under a single man who jumped over him and swung a sword at what was intended to be his throat. Standing back up tall, and ripping his dagger out of it’s sheathe on his thigh, Lisean’s eyes met that of a man in black. He wore a simple breastplate over leather padding, and leather leggings which held true to his agility. The longsword in his hand was swung skillfully in his fingers as he tried to close in on the necromancer, but was forced a step back from a thrust. Lisean didn’t give much of a damn for any relative facial features. All he knew was that this man was hostile, and wanted to take his life from him. Or, at least what was left of it.
The man was in quite a rush, and in no mood to think on his strategy. A second charge was attempted, but failed greatly. As the man aimed for Lisean’s gut, the spellcaster jumped to the right, and grasping his dagger in both hands to reinforce his strength forced the blade into the left side of the enemy’s neck. Blood gushed out in such a stream that it stained the necromancer’s face, who apparently wasn’t bothered in the least. Looking down at his dagger, Lisean’s breathing registered back to normal. Adrenaline levels subsided. His first kill. Biting into his lip and running out of options quickly, he shook his head of the glory he could save till later, and jolted down the street towards the garrison.
The gate that had just closed, and leaving no man behind but the stray traveler, didn’t alter Lisean’s mind about making a ruckus. He banged at the doors urgently, and looked back every once in a while, in case more men tried to get the jump on him. “Help! Help!” he cried, bouncing up and down as he did so. Sure, he felt like such a child for trying to confide in his hope for survival, but so would any that were outnumbered and undefended. The doors opened a crack, revealing the face of a guard that immediately sensed the true nature of the necromancer, and opened the door just enough for him to slip through. Once closed, and sealed shut, Lisean fell forward, and onto his knees, gasping for air after running out, thanks to the run. He couldn’t even extend his thanks to the men.
“State your business!” A guard shouted, retaining the right to keep his hard-earned job by sticking to his guidelines. The necromancer very cautiously turned to look up at the guard, and rose to his feet. “I am Lisean Lemot, a stranger from the East. I set foot on your land not even moments before the enemy atta-“
“We don’t care who you are!” the other guard stated, setting a hand over the sword that was still resting in its sheathe. “Why are you here, traveler?”
“I’m..” Lisean began, but paused. He had forgotten what he was there for, but within a few seconds to think, he finally swallowed hard on what saliva that had gathered in his mouth, and exhaled. “I’m looking for a fellow necromancer. A man by the name of Peter Sparrow. Is he of noble standing here? Do you know the man?” he asked.
The guards went wide-eyed, and looked amongst themselves. They listened to no more of what Lisean had to say, and took him from under the arms, dragging him off down the middle of the path. “You’re under arrest, unholy stranger,” one of them muttered under Lisean’s dispute taking form in the gracious art of mindless shouting and tossing of his own limbs to try and break free. “For conversing with a criminal, and practicing the dark arts in our city, Lady Jasmine will condemn you, based on the evidence given. Be lucky the queen or king is not in our stead, for they are less gracious than our fair princess.”
The men had dragged the spellcaster pretty far for such a short amount of time, and before Lisean could finally gather words to argue with, he was thrown to the ground face first before the princess in the flesh, standing and what seemed to be conversing with another man. The guards nodded, and bowed respectively towards Zerith and Jasmine. “We beg your pardon, your highness, for we have an illegal immigrant amongst us,” one confessed, wavering a hand in the direction of Lisean, who was on all fours in an attempt to get up on his feet.
“Immigrant?!” Lisean was appalled by what the men had classified him as. Before he could speak any further, however, he fell silent once his eyes had caught those of two familiar beings. They both had something in common, in his eyes. Not in that sort of loving, romantic manner that would draw a man and woman together. Oh, no. They both had expressed their hatred towards him, in exactly the same manner; a smack across the cheek. The cut from the hoof, and what looked like a small bruise underneath from the polearm were still clear as day. “You…” was all the necromancer could say softly. “Both of you…”
“Settle down!” one guard announced, raising his hand in a threatening manner that caused Lisean to huddle back down and confide in himself like a wounded animal. The guards turned their attention back to Jasmine. “Your Highness, with you permission, we ask to take this man to the dungeons, until you are free to discuss what is to become of him."
Of all the things he knew about Jasmine, a few stood out to him. As they finally meet up with each other after battling doubts and fear, one was clearly visible. Her kind heart shined brightly as she rode through the streets, doing everything she could to make sure all of her people reached safety. Even before they had a chance to talk and express how happy and relieved they were to see each other she still put others first. Immediately she asked for Eva and placed the small girl in the saddle with her. If Jasmine’s attention weren’t focused on the chaos surrounding her, she would’ve noticed the wide smile on the child’s face. For Eva, riding in the saddle with Jasmine was like a dream. The only thing that would’ve made her dream better would be if her prince charming suddenly appeared.
After they departed, things happened sudden. After traveling through the crowds again, they reached the garrison that Jasmine suggested they go to. The large gates opened the moment the guards saw the rider of the white horse and since Zerith was travelling with her, they let him in without question. The three of them stopped momentarily for the princess to hand the reigns of her horse over to a stablehand, placing her complete trust in the individual who was given her horse to take care of it for now. After her horse was taken care of and Eva was on solid ground again, the three began walking down through the garrison as quickly as they could while ensuring that the child could keep up.
The garrison itself was large and full of life. The large rooms were filled with commotion as soldiers ran around as they tried to figure out what was happening. The stone walls supported various shelves, which held all sorts of equipment such as weapons, boxes and supplies. Over each doorway was a symbol, which Zerith assumed represented Moriah. If it weren’t for the dozens of people in the garrison as well one would have be able to hear their footsteps echo in the large halls. Jasmine continued to lead and finally stopped when they came across a maid.
The maid was given the job of taking care of Eva for the time being. Yet before Eva left, Jasmine promised they she would check up on her after she took care of some business first. As she moved on Eva spoke softly, “Mr. Zerith? Can I ask you something?”
The halberdier knelt down and smiled, “Of course you can. What does princess Eva want to ask a simple man like me?”
“Well I was just wondering something,” she replied. “I know Jasmine is a princess. So does that make you her knight?”
“Well, what makes you think that?”
“I don’t know really,” she answered. “I guess it is just supposed to be like that. In the stories I hear, every princess has a knight that protects her. So since it seems like you protect Jasmine, doesn’t that make you her knight?”
Zerith blushed, “I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m her knight. If you ask me, I’m just her friend. On occasion friends help each other and even protect them.”
“Okay,” the girl replied. She smiled and giggled a bit, “I guess I’ll just have to ask her what she thinks when she gets back.”
With Eva taken care of, Jasmine beckoned the halberdier to follow. As they walked she expressed her anger and confusion at what was happened to her beloved country. She probably went though the trouble of holding back her feelings in the child’s presence. Although now that Eva was not here at the moment, the princess could finally express her feeling on what was happening and ask the questions that she had been trying to figure out during the entire time.
“I’m afraid I can tell you only what I know Jasmine,” Zerith replied. “I was at the docks today and for some odd reason seven ships were out on the water. The thing that made it usual was that supposedly they had been there since morning. Everyone was asking all kinds of questions until suddenly hell broke lose and those seven ships began to fire their cannons upon the city. They started attacking the docks and then eventually they turned their fire onto the city itself. Naturally, I rushed off to see if anyone knew if you were in the city to make sure you were all right. Along the way I found Eva, who was crying because she got separated from her parents. So I took her with me and promised we’d find her parents.”
Just as he finished, two guards approached with another man. The stranger was thrown to the ground and tried to climb to his feet while the two loyal soldiers bowed before the princess and the halberdier. The stranger tried to say something, yet the guards immediately told him to shut up and advised the princess to place him in the dungeon. As he looked at the poor soul, one question came to mind and Zerith had no problem with asking it.
“So what exactly has he done?” he asked. It was simple, straight to the point and fulfilled its purpose perfectly. Thing got even more interesting when he received an answer.
“If you must know, Sir,” one replied. “He will be charged with conversing with a criminal and for practicing the dark arts. The evidence proves it.”
“Oh really? Would you mind showing us what the evidence is?”
The one guard looked to the other whom answered, “Well, umm. He claimed he was a necromancer and that he was looking for Peter Sparrow.”
Zerith nodded, “Ah, I see. So you mean to tell us that you placed this man under arrest because he made a few claims?” He turned to face Jasmine, “I don’t think that’s good enough. Now if this man really did practice the dark arts on the street and was caught, then I’d have no problem with placing him under arrest. Also how could he converse with a criminal if he’s looking for the person?”
While the guards stood above Lisean and waited to hear a decision. Zerith gently placed a hand on Jasmine’s shoulder and whispered, “If you really want to punish him. Why not have him do some community service? We really could use all the help we can get.”
Jasmine
06-18-06, 12:35 AM
Jasmine listened carefully as Zerith began explaining what he had seen. Explosions could still be heard hitting the city, making her wish to hurry to the General’s office even more. She turned at the sound of a soldier addressing her and barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes in exasperation. She stood quietly, getting a good look at the accused man before her, while Zerith questioned the soldier’s motives.
“I have time right now. Since when are you the judge of who is and is not an immigrant and an illegal one at that? Has he tried to set up a business or buy a house without filling out the proper paperwork? Or perhaps you just thought he must be since he’s obviously not a native? Such assumptions can be very dangerous, soldier.”
Her tone was cool as she formulated her words carefully. She had never seen this person before, but if his claims were true, about being a necromancer anyway, it might be safer to have him held somewhere until the stranger’s motives could be discovered. While not exactly illegal, necromancy was highly looked down upon and feared by most people in a position of power in Moriah.
“As you have no evidence of anything, only the man’s own testimony, he should not be taken to any dungeon. I can spare a few moments more to make a final decision.”
She turned her blue eyes from their regard of the soldier that had addressed her, to the man they held captive. The long dark violet hair intrigued her, but other than that nothing else truly stood out to her. By all appearances she did not think him a threat.
“Sir, you may rise. Please, tell me your side of the story, but be quick about it. I have other things that I must attend to quickly.”
Finding Peter had better be worth all this trouble.
As the man with the halberd conversed with the soldiers, they tended to take his opinions and aimed questions lightly. They weren’t addressing him, and didn’t give a damn what he thought. The law was the law, simply put. Lisean didn’t expect such defense. The man was speaking up for a stranger, garbed in black and rather suspicious. Being accused of practicing the dark arts should have brought him more-so to agree with the guards, rather than bicker on about the freedom the spellcaster wanted. When he had mentioned the fact that he would be imprisoned if necromancy was done out on the streets, Lisean nodded his head to himself, and wrote himself a warning in his head.
Nevertheless, the dispute was one-sided in Lisean’s favor. The men possessed no evidence of the ‘crimes’ that he had committed. They were both rendered speechless to hear almost a simplified version of Zerith’s words come out of Jasmine’s mouth. Each of her questions made them have second thoughts of bringing the necromancer to see the princess. They took the hint, and realized that they had rushed themselves. They were not to blame, however. When a town is invaded, one can only panic for the sake of losing their homes, even families. Too bad Lisean had neither to worry for.
When the lady had addressed him, Lisean saw no reason to rebel against her offer to rise. He stood up, brushing his pants off at first before standing up straight. He first looked over at the man next to Jasmine, before his eyes fell upon the princess. He brushed stray strands of hair out of the path of his eyes, revealing the wound on the side of his face without knowing.
“Well..” he began, swallowing back hard. This marked the first time he had ever stood before a royal figure. In fables, he had always recognized them of surprisingly powerful, and demanding people. They always seemed to have wanted something, even though they had no clue of just how good they got it, compared to the minimum wage pedestrians. “I arrived on the docks of Hamasha moments before the seven ships unleashed their firepower and engaged the town. I ran with the masses of civilians..”
Lisean paused, and rubbed his cheek as the flashback of being stuck both by Jasmine and the knight came to mind. He didn’t want to rub in the fact these high beings had brought difficulty to his escape. “..and ran into a bit of trouble along the way,” he continued, pointing at the wound as a reference to back up his explanation.
“I managed to escape with my life.. but once I entered the garrison, I was interrogated by these guards. They accused me of performing my dark arts, and of wishing to converse with a man whom until now never thought of being a criminal.” He took much pride in admitting to practicing necromancy in his statement, when he replaced ‘the’ with ‘my’, and seemed in the least bit intimidated by the guards that were glaring at him from his rear.
“They dragged me here.. and here I stand; before yourself, and the man that you were seeking out back in the city.” Lisean lowered his head, and pulled out his sleeves with one hand, so that they covered up half of his hands. Sometimes, he straightened out his coat when he could think of nothing else to say, until it came to mind.
“Oh.. and if it helps your issue at all..” he noted, looking back up, this time towards the male that stood next to Jasmine. “The men that are on those ships.. I have reason to believe they have docked, and begun their attack on foot.” The necromancer cast his eyes off to the left, and frowned. “I made it out alive, and handled myself well when a man garbed in black attacked me. He carried the look of a soldier, only he wore minor pieces of plate.”
The necromancer said nothing more, and kept his eyes away from those of the man and the woman. He swallowed once again on nothing, and slowly tucked his hands into his coat pockets. He had given his side of the story, as asked. There was no point in adding on anything, like begs for mercy just for admitting to what he was. He frankly didn’t care what was to become of him. Anywhere was better than under the eyes of the guards at either of his shoulders. Had it not been for the fact he was in the presence of royalty, he would've found a way for the guards' organs to suit his needs.
Jasmine
06-19-06, 12:18 AM
Listening attentively, the young woman weighed in her mind the words of the stranger against those of the guardsmen. While he seemed innocent enough, she could not entirely blame the guardsman for his assumptions. Given the current situation, the guards had done as they were trained and she could not fault them for that.
“All right, here is my verdict. I believe this young man to be telling the truth. Simply looking for a man does not make someone a criminal. Know however, sir, that we will be watching. The practice of necromancy and other dark arts is not strictly prohibited here, but it is greatly feared. It would possibly start a riot that you might not be able to extricate yourself from. In the meantime, we will tend to your wounds. If you so desire, you may accompany me on my business.”
Not waiting for an answer, she turned on her heel and started up the stairs once again. The decor was practically non-existent. Plain gray stones made the wall and steps, speaking of impenetrability. At the top of the staircase was a small office. From here, one had an unobstructed view of the city and the bay. A large table dominated the room, on it a variety of maps and other scraps of paper. Around the table stood a handful of important looking men.
“General, what is going on here?”
An older gentlemen, graying at the temples, looked up from his map of the surrounding area. He wore a thin mustache that was nearly white under a broad nose that had been broken at some point in the past. His eyes were dark, but troubled.
“Your Highness! We were not expecting you to be here. You should leave immediately for the capital where you’ll be safe.”
“I’m doing no such thing, General. What is going on? Why are those ships attacking Hamasha? Who are they? What do they want?”
“Slow down, Princess! We don’t know the answer to any of those questions. They appeared in the bay unannounced. Their cannons must have an incredible reach or they have mages on their side. The long cannons set at the tops of the Cliff Gates are no more. You can still see the cliff tops smoking from here. They gave no warning and they’ve made no demands as of yet.”
Another blast shook the building. The explosions had diminished a great deal, but every now and then another could be heard or felt.
“This city can’t take much more of that, General. We have to get them to stop. Run up a flag of truce. Maybe they will stop if they think we are surrendering and will finally tell us what they want here.”
The other officials stood still, looking from woman to General. None of them had ever even seen the Princess, let alone been in the same room to hear her give orders.
“Move! You heard the Lady, get that flag up! I hope you know you’re doing, Your Highness.”
Jasmine had moved to the window that overlooked the bay, watching to see how the seven ships would respond to the white flag of truce. “Trust me, General.”
A smile formed on Zerith’s lips as he heard Jasmine’s final decision. He was thankful she didn’t rush to conclusions, instead waiting to get the complete story before making a decision. Yet he did wonder if this man was grateful at all for what the princess and her warder did for him. Would he offer to help as a way to repay the kindess? Or would he simply leave and forget all about the two strangers that saved him from the dungeon.
But before the halberdier could ask the man how he felt, Jasmine turned a left. “You’re more than welcome to join us,” was all Zerith could say before he spun around and left after the princess. He felt like he had to constantly be by her side, especially now. With Hamasha in chaos and under fire, the warder felt like Jasmine was at risk and needed him. Not in the way a woman would normally need a man, rather in the way that they would always be at least one man to fight for her if necessary and to support her as her home was being viciously attacked.
Poor Jasmine, forced to make a decision that would affect everyone that lived here. Knowing that they all looked up to and admired her probably made it more difficult for her. Yet how did she feel know considered the possibility that dozens have probably lost their lives already? Was she angry with herself for not acting fast enough? Or was determined to end this conflict as soon as possible? Zerith didn’t know, but he did know that Jasmine would probably deny such feelings. Seeing as how she probably believed she needed keep her composure, otherwise others would lose hope.
Gently he placed his hands on her shoulders and whispered into her ear. “I want you to know that whatever you decide to do, I’ll follow. I’ll be right beside you throughout this entire ordeal and when it comes down to it, I’ll fight in your stead gladly.”
His eyes moved from the princess to the general, “You heard her. We’re just going to have to trust her. If I know her, she has a plan.”
Lisean was more than convenient with the verdict the princess had given. A small smile arose upon his lips when she had first spoken with such merciful words, but as she gradually twisted it around and into a warning, that rare smile decipated into the complete opposite. Ordering him to stop something in had been studying to a large portion of his life, even temporarily, was a bad thing. He didn’t feel at all welcome ashore. Running a hand through his hair, and casting his salmon coloured eyes adrift as Jasmine left elsewhere made him reconsider even coming to Hamasha. Her invitation to freely join in on her business was almost ignored, and if the halberdier hadn’t mentioned anything in the first place, Lisean may have considered walking out. Dungeons did sound interesting. Maybe there were bones of long forgotten peasants to toy around with.
Glancing over at Zerith once he said words with a sort of kindness Jasmine once displayed left Lisean to truly think on what has been given. Manners were something to be treasured for his own sake, but would he turn out to be as much of a pain as the princess? Taking into account that a town she was devoted to protect had just been overrun, maybe she did have her reasons to seem ignorant and foolish. Maybe it was just something about the female gender Lisean would never come to understand. They’re so easy to break.. yet so fun to tempt their temper. Perhaps on a brighter day, the necromancer could see a much more proper, eloquent side to the lady. He’d stay.. for now.
Shaking his head after he put too much of his concentration on his brain, Lisean jogged after the man, still not managing to catch up with him since he was so far away until after he had stopped in what seemed like a meeting room. Stopping at the top of the steps, Lisean looked left and right to the strangers that had given him glares since the moment he set foot in the room. He didn’t bother to give one back, but rather hid his own facial features underneath his hair, so as to make it difficult for a wanted posted to be drawn of him. Very slowly, he stepped forward, and around to the left side of Jasmine and Zerith, looking over the table of maps and other nifty little things. Without even proper knowledge of the land, Lisean was able to discover with his naked eye that the plans were out for cases of strategy, and the battleground it seemed, was Hamasha.
Hearing Zerith’s words made him close his eyes and smirk to himself. Mister brave knight who serves on behalf of the princess. The perfect, predictable fairytale. His instincts told him that there was more than just the devotion of a guardian in Zerith, unless proven otherwise. Turning around to now face the window, no longer casting his eyes at the tabletop from a distance, Lisean looked out to the city walls he had passed through earlier just barely. The fact that they were relinquishing their attempts to fight back by manner of a white flag made him frown in almost disgust. Giving up? Was that her intake of initiative?
“You’re letting them take it..” he said very softly, his voice in a whisper that could compete with Zerith’s. The necromancer turned his head to look over at Jasmine and Zerith, eyeing the both of them with curiousity. “..but why? Why not at least try.. see what you are about to face and get some knowledge before drawing back and devising a strategy?”
Jasmine
07-28-06, 06:43 PM
Jasmine smiled softly and nodded at Zerith’s words. It was a relief to know that her friend would be standing at her side till the end. With even greater relief she realized that the cannons had ceased to fire on the port city. The largest of the ships was pulling into the harbor. Turning on her heel, she smiled secretively. She turned her blue eyes on the necromancer. She understood why he thought she was giving up, but he also did not know how ill prepared the garrison here was or how long it would take reinforcements to arrive.
“I am not giving up, Sir. If I had the whole might of Moriah’s military within this city, we would still be able to do nothing until the people on those ships land. Our cannons cannot reach their ships. They could stay out there and fire until they ran out of ammunition, or the city walls fell. I am not giving anything to them other than a chance to explain what they wish of us.” Hoping her answer was satisfactory she turned to the halberdier, “It is only polite that we meet our 'guests' properly. Zerith, I need you and two other soldiers from here to accompany me. Sir Necromancer, you may accompany me too if you wish or you can stay here. It is up to you. General, I need you to stay here,” she lifted a hand to silence him as he opened his mouth to protest, “I need you to be where you can overlook everything. I know what I’m doing. Come, gentlemen. We have a few minutes before they get to the dock and I have one more stop to make.”
She went quickly down the stairs then, and out the front gates of the garrison, assuming that Zerith and the other men would follow. Her townhouse was reasonably close by. She walked quickly toward it, knowing that they had at best five minutes or so before their “guests” would be at the dock. Opening the front gate, she jogged up to the front door, her doorman, Jacques, was surprised to see her, though he said nothing.
“Jacques, you should be hiding. These men are to be allowed to stay here in the foyer while I change clothes.”
Jacques nodded and held the door open for the men to enter while Jasmine dashed up the stairs to her room. As soon as she entered, she began pulling off her dress. She already knew which dress she would wear, which would save her a great deal of time. Pulling open her wardrobe door, she pulled out a royal blue dress that would cover her feet. It was trimmed in silver with silver embroidery covering the bodice, hem, and the edge of her sleeves. It was cut a little low in front, revealing a tiny bit of cleavage. She kicked her boots off and slipped on a pair of shoes the same color as her dress. Grabbing a hairbrush, she pulled it through her hair a few times, leaving her ebony hair to fall in soft waves to her thighs, then looked at the small ivory box on her vanity table. Within it was the crown she had worn for 16 years. She bit her lip, trying to decide if she should wear it or not.
Carefully, the young woman opened her box. Inside was a delicate crown of silver, studded with small sapphires and diamonds. The silver was worked to look like the finest lace and the gems placed to resemble flowers. She had not worn it for nearly five years. Composing her face, she lifted it out of the box and set it on her head. It still fit as perfectly as the day it had been made. On her 16th birthday, it would have been traded for the crown of the royal heir, but that had never happened. Well, I can only hope this’ll work.
Leaving her former clothes scattered in her room, she hurried back down the stairs, holding the front of her dress up so as not to trip on it. “Are we ready, gentlemen? Then let’s be going. Jacques, I don’t know how everything will turn out. I want everyone in this house ready to evacuate should it become necessary.”
Not waiting for the man to answer her, she sped out the door. The whole change had taken all of perhaps three minutes, which left them with two, maybe three, to get to the dock. As they neared the last corner, Jasmine slowed down to a stately walk, still assuming that the men were following her.
“Gentlemen, I have not yet told you what I’m doing and for that I apologize. We are going to go down and talk to these people. Perhaps this old crown will become useful yet. You gentlemen are my guards, so please be silent and let me talk."
She walked on at her stately pace, her long dress giving the impression of gliding rather than walking. She schooled her features to be calm and regal as she glided up to the edge of the dock and waited for the men that were just arriving to stand before her.
“So I guess we’re going back to the dock,” Zerith replied when Jasmine told him they were going to greet their so called ‘guests’. His eyes turned to the necromancer as the princess left, “I would appreciate your company. Guards can only do so much and in this case I’d like to have more variety in Jasmine’s escorts. Besides, I think you can be quite helpful when given the chance.”
With that said Zerith departed, allowing the necromancer to follow if he wanted to. He would’ve preferred to hear what the man’s decision was but Jasmine wasn’t giving him the time to. She was hurrying around as if she was planning a wedding in a week. Not giving anyone a chance to speak their mind or even catch up to her. She had her own agenda, one that nobody else knew. Even as the halberdier left the garrision and stepped out onto the busy street, he had no idea what she was planning. He was lucky enough to keep track of her then. Her small, blue dress barely pointed her out amongst the civilians that were still evacuating. The real thing that helped him point her out was the fact that she was going in the opposite direction everyone else was. So once again Zerith rushed down the street looking for Jasmine, pushing people out of the way and fighting against the current for a second time.
Soon she stopped at a townhouse, although it definitely didn’t look like one to Zerith. The usual townhouses he saw were small, thin building connected to others on each side. With small steps that lead to a normal sized doorway along with numerous small windows. Instead, Jasmine’s townhouse was bigger, with double doors that served as the main entrance. It was much bigger than it’s neighbors as well, the two on either side seemed normal and much smaller than the one that belonged to the princess. It had large, bay windows that displayed most of the beautifully decorated rooms. Was this a townhouse? Zerith didn’t think do. Townhouses didn’t have front gates, beautiful gardens and especially doormen.
As the princess disappeared into the house and up the stairs, Jacques bowed his head and held the door open. “Lady Jasmine’s guests I presume?”
“I wouldn’t call us guests,” Zerith replied as he looked behind him. The necromancer was just arriving, followed by the two guards that were requested. “But yes, we’re with Jasmine.”
“Well then she’s told me to let you in the foyer while she changes close.”
“Thank you for the offer,” the halberdier answered. “However I don’t see a point in it. We’ll just be making ourselves comfortable by the time Jasmine is finished.”
“Good point,” Jacques replied. “What’s your name? I don’t believe I have ever seen you before.”
“No, you haven’t. It’s Zerith.”
“Ah, Zerith. So you’re fellow Jasmine brought to Moriah.”
“Umm, I guess. I didn’t know word was getting around about me”. Before Zerith could ask where the doorman heard of him or who else knew about him, the princess descended the stairs and told them it was time to go to the docks. As usual, she waited for no questions and instead sped right by them, expecting them to follow and keep up the pace.
As they neared the docks, the halberdier saw the first of seven ships in the distance. When they got closer, more were visable and it seemed that all of them were at the docks of Hamasha. As the five of them drew near the last corner, Jasmine finally slowed down to a walk. The princess then finally explained what she was planning, however by then Zerith had already figured it out. The white flag, the formal dress and crown, they made it clear than the princess had come to discuss terms with the leader of this mysterious army. Yet all the talking would be done by the princess and through it she would hopefully negotiate a way to stop the attack. But would it require the surrender of Hamasha?
As they turned the final corner, the halberdier finally saw the size of the army. It was massive, countless black armored soldiers stood at the edge of the docks in a straight line. Each faced stared forward, not even attempting to follow the movements of the princess and her escorts. Their sheer numbers were surprising, making Zerith realize that the army of this size would’ve had no problem taking the city. They looked so professional, the discipline of military training and the reality that they came here for a purpose was clearly evident.
As he walked alongside the necromancer and directly behind the princess, Zerith did his best to look the part. He did wonderfully as well, standing straight with his head held high while walking and a steady pace without dragging his feet. He fit the role of an escort perfectly, his crimson halberd which he carried was intimidating and made it clear that he took his job seriously.
Soon the five of them came to stop before the ramp that lead up to the largest ship of the seven. On either side on the ramp stood a soldier that saluted the princess and her escorts. As if on cue, all the remaining soldiers saluted as well and their leader descended the ramp. Five pairs of eyes settled upon the general as he came to a stop in front of the princess.
Smiling, the tall, brown haired, brown eyed man, black armored man bowed, “Princess Jasmine Matrino I presume. I am General Sevelakath Dracosius.”
“Impossible…”
Lisean’s mouth opened, hoping to make a stand for what he believed was right. He knew he had no place or right to come out with his own ideas that could possibly have his allies reap the benefits from, thanks to having no actual position. He wasn’t even considered a peasant. He was lower than that. A tourist. Before he could project his voice, Jasmine turned away from him, and left the briefing room with yet another invitation. He felt like a dog. Being told where to go, and having no say in preparing for the trip. All the following was already starting to get to him, which made others certain that he was not ready for the likes of militia, let alone being in the company of such ‘high’ people.
“So long as somebody appreciates it..” was his only answer to Zerith, the one man who actually made him feel like he wasn’t so much of a stranger. At least he got around to expressing his views with more detail than others. The necromancer flashed a smile, and bowed to the halberdier took his leave with dire haste after the princess. He was about to follow right behind him, when the two guards that were called for stepped in his way. Crossing their arms over their chests, they looked down at the rather short spellcaster, chuckling amongst themselves.
“Looks like we’ve got a troublemaker in our midst,” one of them muttered to the other, purposefully speaking aloud to test the temper of Lisean. Frankly, he didn’t care all that much. He left his salmon eyes drift off to the right, back out the window to the walls as they tried to prove that they were much mightier than him. “Aye to that. Guess we’re going to half to watch him carefully. One false move, and he’d be in the dungeons begging for a second chance. You think he could get the noose for his dark arts?”
“Shut it,” Lisean finally broke out in a serious tone, yet somehow maintaining his rather calm stature on the subject. “Or I will make my death one to remember. The more tears shed for the both of you on your funeral the same morning as my hanging.. the bigger the smile on my rotting carcass.” Standing up on his tiptoes to make him appear only another couple inches taller, now meeting one of the men at the neckline, he glared up at him, and cracked a sadistic grin. “They say the cremation is too hard to bare, even for those on death row behind the crowds. Don’t worry.. I’ll do my best to enjoy your family’s agony, should you publicize your detesting of me again.”
The men felt weak at the knees after hearing the little man’s words of discretion, and after strapping his staff to his back, Lisean tucked his hands into his coat pockets, and casually left the briefing room, followed shortly after by two kids with shiny armor. They tried their best to hide their fear of Lisean in their eyes, but failed miserably. Up until they had reached the elaborate townhouse, their eyes never left the necromancer. He, on the other hand, was looking about the area with interest. Seeing people panicking made him smirk. Weakness.. The very fuel that powered the morale of the enemy army. Jasmine did point one thing when she mentioned she was unable to cohere to a counterattack. There really was no hope for the people of Hamasha, with the state they were in right now.
After entering the humble abode of Jasmine, or to Lisean’s knowledge one of them, the first thing he saw straight ahead of him was Zerith conversing with one of the men that probably tended to the home. Sighing in relief to had finally stopped walking, Lisean walked over to a wall off in the far corner of the room, to avoid the eyes of the guards that were ever watchful. Grabbing the Book of Lemot out of his coat, Lisean opened it to a page he had kept note of. It was the one he was studying before, back on the ship with the dwarves that were more than willing to take him to Hamasha, for a fee. Some of the words, he had managed to decrypt, but others were well out of his expanded knowledge of the written language of elves.
Nothing made him more upset than when Jasmine had descended down the stairs, and hurried everyone out of the building. Looking over to see her in her new garbs, he shook his head to himself, and tucked his book under his arm as he followed, managing to keep up this time with the halberdier. Nodding his head when the time came for Jasmine to speak and have no interest in collecting a proper answer, Lisean did as instructed. He didn’t mind not having to talk. At least for the time being. Taking his staff from his back to hold in one hand, while the book remained in the other, the necromancer followed her royal highness to the docks.
Upon stopping to stand before a number of men giving a formal salute to the five who were now in the presence of the general of what looked to quite a substantial army, Lisean’s eyes had finally met those that depicted the current leader of the force. He was frowning, as usual, but the spellcaster did his best to stand tall, and keep his posture appropriate. To do so, he just had to follow suit with Zerith, which wasn’t all too difficult.
The man’s name, as he introduced himself, was etched into memory once spoken.
Sevelakath Dracosius.
Jasmine
07-30-06, 12:03 AM
Jasmine had been greatly relieved to find that the mage had opted to join them. She had been somewhat afraid that he would shun her offer. She was not sure what the General might have done with Lisean if he had stayed behind, but she doubted the old man would’ve allowed for the stranger to stay in the briefing room. Now at least she was certain she had a variety of ways to ensure her safety. The General had been correct in trying to ship her off to safety, she was not permitted to use her sword or daggers in Moriah, so if she was to portray the Royal Princess, she needed to obey the laws properly. Her sword and boot knives were safely back in her room at her townhouse, but she wished dearly that she could have them with her.
Keeping her face as regal as she could, she inclined her head politely. A princess did not bow to a general, not even if he was threatening her home. “You would be correct in that presumption, General. What brings you to fair Moriah? What wrong has she done that you do not even announce yourselves properly? What wrong has she done that you greet her with cannons?”
Inwardly, she was seething, and she struggled to make the questions sound truly imploring instead of accusatory. She wanted to pull the man into giving her more of an answer before she regretted her decision to visit. She was fully aware that with the might he had brought ashore with were highly trained. Silently, she hoped the soldiers standing beside her were giving as good an impression of Moriah’s forces as those were opposing them. She was also fully aware, that she was placing herself in great danger meeting the enemy like this, but she did not have a choice.
Please, let him answer with words and not further action against Moriah.
Surreptitiously, she allowed her gaze to travel over the forces arrayed before her. Surely, this was not all of General Dracosius’ forces. If there were this many on each ship, then the fate of Moriah might truly rest on how well she had learned diplomacy years ago. She fervently hoped she had learned her lessons well and waited for the General to answer. Keeping her eyes forward, she spoke very softly, her lips barely moving.
“Sir Necromancer, I know I told you that your art was frowned upon, but please be ready to use it in defense here should it become necessary. And thank you for coming.”
“…It can't be.”
The halberdier’s eyes widened as he struggled to accept what was in front of him. Sevelakath? His Sevelakath? But how? The Sevelakath he remembered wasn’t a general, and he didn’t have an army following him around either. Zerith’s eyes were playing tricks on him, it was the only possible explanation. He couldn’t have been dreaming, he would’ve probably woken up already if it was. He didn’t understand how this could happen, it just couldn’t, and it was unacceptable.
In the end he couldn’t deny it, just a nobody else could either. The man that stood before the five of them was real, just as the resemblance between the halberdier and the general was real as well. Perhaps it was a good thing it seemed that both Jasmine and Lisean didn’t see it either. Though to be safe, Zerith couldn’t mention is last name now that Sevelakath did.
“Well to be honest Princess Jasmine,” the general replied. His voice sounded just as the halberdier remembered, “Moriah hasn’t done anything wrong. These cannons that greet Hamasha are more like trumpets, announcing the arrival of its newest owner. Although I admit it was rude to arrive sudden and unannounced. It was the only way we got be sure we could take the city quickly and without assistance. Our arrival was like a thief in the night’s.”
The general really did look much like his son. He had the same coloured hair, though Sevelakath’s was much shorter. They also shared they same shape of eyes, although the general’s was a rich brown, unlike Zerith’s sapphire blue. They shared the same facial structure, sharp and defined. They even had similar builds, yet one could tell due to all the armor Sevelakath wore.
The armor of the general was black, like his troops. Yet it was richly decorated with engravings that made it look like a deadly piece of art. On his left side, hung a longsword contained in a black sheath with the hilt being the same color. On his back, he wore a deep blue cape that bore an ensignia, a black dragon wielding a vicous, serrated black sword. For Zerith, it was uncomfortable to see his father like this. Part of him wanted to lash out at the old man for leaving so sudden and turning into this. What angered the halberd even more was what the general said next.
“Now then Princess, I would like to start discussing the terms I believe you’ve come to offer me. I would like my men and I to settle into our newest place of residence as soon as possible. Just as I’m sure you’d like to put a stop to any unnecessary casualties.”
Gripping onto his halberd tightly and grinding his teeth, Zerith barely managed to restrain himself. He had never felt so betrayed until this moment, discarded like a broken toy that had run out of use years ago. He was seriously considering attempting to bury the tip of his halberd into this general’s chest. But his concern for Jasmine’s safety convinced him to wait and be forced to listen to his father.
It was more like a man that only resembled his father. This wasn’t the Sevelakath Dracosius his remembered, that man was probably dead and replaced by this general. For the first time in his life, Zerith was actually beginning to hate the one man he looked up to.
Jasmine
08-01-06, 12:33 AM
From the first boastful, confident words of the man before her, Jasmine’s eyes slowly changed from their normal sapphire blue, to a deep, dark amethyst. Newest owner? Newest owner!? How dare he!? Despite the rage boiling within her, the only outward sign was that of her eyes changing color. She had learned long ago how to keep her features calm no matter what, but she had never been able to control her eyes changing color with her temper.
“I am not here to offer terms of the sort you seek, General, only a warning. Leave now, or you won’t have enough of an army left to call an army. Leave now, and you will be permitted to leave unmolested.”
Her gaze flickered over the man’s features and she resisted the urge to look at Zerith. General Dracosius and Zerith looked very much alike. Enough so that she doubted it was coincidence. Surely it could not be. Wouldn’t his father recognize him and stop? Perhaps it is not his father, but it must be some relative. Oh dear gods, don’t let anyone else figure it out! Through all this, Jasmine kept her gaze cool and level with the General. She was determined that no one else find out about Zerith being related to the enemy, fear and suspicion would likely lead to a citizen declaring that Zerith must be a spy. Once that happened, it would be very difficult keeping Zerith from being lynched.
The general spread his arms out, gesturing to his soldiers, “Clearly, you fail to recognize that I currently hold all the cards. I have the larger numbers and hold more firepower at this current moment.”
“That is not the point, General,” she answered him, her voice strong and unwavering, “While you may be able to take Hamasha, you will not find Nadai so easily taken. By now, you have lost the element of surprise. What you fail to understand is that we, the Mori, have a far more pressing incentive to fight than your soldiers do. Nevertheless, you were correct in your assumption that I wish to assuage the number of the deaths of my people. However, I cannot, in good faith, simply hand Hamasha over to you.”
“The truth, Princess, is that you don’t really have a choice. You have lost Hamasha. We both know that. I’m just as willing as you are to put an end to needless killing in a city that is already in my hands. I”ll allow you and your people to flee to Nadai, providing you evacuate now.”
Jasmine’s eyes became as hard as stone and cold as ice. She did not like to be reminded that Hamasha was lost. For more than a thousand years, the city had never fallen. It was painful to be reminded of its present failure. “That will not work. Allow the people that live here to remain peacefully. The people will listen to me, if I tell them not to harass your soldiers, they will obey. Reluctantly of course, but they will obey.”
“Fair enough, I’ll allow that, as long as you also tell your people to house my men during our stay. But, if any civilian tries to pull a stunt, their blood is on your hands.”
“There are more than enough inns for your men to stay in. I will not force my people to house their enemies. I will even tell the innkeepers not to charge you for anything. Your men must also keep their hands to themselves. Should I hear any claims of harassment or rape, I will take care of it myself.”
“You will try. However, I assure you that I’ve already made it clear to my men that I personally don’t tolerate such behavior. We are soldiers after all, not barbarians. I’ll agree to stay at the inns, just be sure to keep your side of the deal.”
“Of course, General. I always keep my word. Now, is there anything else we need to discuss?”
“Just don’t get any ideas,” Sevelakath replied as he circled around the group. “I’d enjoy not having to waste more ammunition because someone got a foolish ide-“ the general stopped mid-sentence suddenly as his eyes fell on Zerith and the longsword hanging at the halberdier’s side, his longsword. His brown eyes looked up at the pair of sapphires as if was going to say something, but before he could, he remembered where he was. “I’m not foolish, Princess, I’ve done my research about Moriah’s military strength and prepared accordingly. Just in case you decide to deviate from our agreement.”
She hid a small, smug smile. By now, the remaining soldiers at Nadai would be fortifying the walls and getting the people to safety. The dragonriders would already by in the sky, far out of reach of anyone on the ground. “Not to worry, General, give me two hours to speak to the people and make the necessary arrangements, then the gates will be opened.”
The general nodded, “Fine, two hours. Then I’ll let you be for the time being. Although I do think I will see some of you,” he said, looking at his son, “in the near future.”
The young princess inclined her head toward him and then backed away, “Two hours then.” Turning at last, she glided away. Refusing to let him see the tears brimming in her eyes as they returned to their normal sapphire blue.
He smiled. All of their preparations would pay off. That night spent loading the ship with the equipment paid off when he saw the look on the Princess’ face when she saw his plans. Although she didn’t realize it, in less than two days, Nadai and the throne would be owned by the black army. “Two hours...”
Jasmine hurried on down the street back to the garrison, her shoulders slumped as she walked. She hated what she had just agreed to, but there had not been any other way. She fervently hoped that she had stalled for enough time for a messenger to get to Nadai. It was vitally important that the messenger get through. Unfortunately, she would not be able to know until there was nothing else she could do.
Trudging up the stairs, she brushed away two tears, one from each eye, before going back into the briefing room. “Well, they will not attack the city anymore, but we cannot drive them away. I have agreed to allow them into Hamasha. They will not bother anyone, but neither may anyone bother them.”
“But your Highness! How could y-“
“I KNOW!” she cut him off with a glare as she pounded a clenched fist on the table. “Do you think I wanted to let them into the city? To let them pass through and go on to Nadai without trying to stop them? We don’t have enough manpower to do that. You saw how many he brought with him just to meet us, right? Each ship out there has at least that many on it. If we did not surrender, we would all die. All they would have to do is keep firing until only rubble remained and then flood over the city. We wouldn’t stand a chance. Now, they still have to cross to Nadai. Hopefully she’ll be better prepared.”
((Conversation between General and Jasmine was worked out via IM between myself and Zerith))
The anxiety of standing in one place never bothered Lisean in the past. Perhaps it was just the pressure of standing around total strangers on business that wasn’t rightfully his that was really getting to him. He’d never come to understand how figures of nobility and royalty could attain such a high patience over something as simple as standing still. He had to eventually lower his eyes to the ground, inclining his head shortly afterwards, just to make himself feel a little more comfortable. The observant side of Lisean told him to try and define the purpose of negotiating with the enemy. The army didn’t seem like much, especially if he was able to take one man out himself in one strike. Sure, numbers were an advantage.. but were they really as proficient in combat as they appeared?
The suggestion Jasmine gave him feel like some of the pressure had been lifted. Those words were exactly what he had to hear to make himself feel at least somewhat welcome in her company. Her mentioning to only use magic upon being necessary under the circumstances made him smirk to himself. Sure.. like it couldn’t be any more necessary than now. He would, but he knew he couldn’t. He had prepared any spells yet. He’d had to stand still and read from his book, but of course, that’d be negative influence on the general’s beliefs on his dedication to hear his terms.
And so.. the negotiations went on.. and on.. and on..
As much as Jasmine refused to let Sevelakath catch a glimpse at the tears in her eyes, it didn’t stop Lisean from having his gaze fall upon her as she suddenly took her leave. Assuming Zerith, and the guards would follow, Lisean followed suit. Of course the guards would follow, if the acclaimed prisoner was in the company of the princess and her knight. As he tried to keep up with her on the way to the garrison, something in his gut told him to stay back, and resist the temptation to ask if his assistance was appreciated. It was something he always refused. He never knew how they’d react, but he always got the idea it was negative. Was this dispute far more than what the princess could take?
Entering the briefing room shortly after Jasmine and Zerith had, he stood at the top of the stairs, while the guards remained behind him. From their lower point advantage, one of the guards had a glint in his eyes as he rose his spear-point up against the necromancer’s back. Lisean was forced to look down upon himself. He felt enslaved again, upon feeling that metal arrowhead sink into his coat, and pricking up against his flesh. His hand grasped his staff rather tightly. The breaking point was almost breached. He had to take away their joy. Like so many others, they were just puppets, begging for any sort of humour that satisfied their.. needs. He wasn’t going to have them absorb what little dignity he still had.
Hearing Jasmine’s words caused him to step forward. As always, Lisean was one to voice his opinion, regardless of his rather low ranking amongst the others in the room. Otherwise, if his words were neglected, it at least ruined the guards’ fun behind their superior’s back. He approached Jasmine, and took a stand to her left, looking over the maps and other plans that were ignored the last time they had entered the room. Setting his staff against the table to stand it up, he leaned forward, and looked over the map of the continent carefully, as if calculating distance. His palms set down on the tabletop, so as to help keep him on his feet, and from falling into the sturdy piece of furniture.
“The only way Nadai will be better prepared.. is if they had the proper nourishment to their spirits,” he stated under his breath, for the ones who surrounded the table to hear. “They’ll need support.. and perhaps and set of encouraging words..” He paused, and very slowly turned his eyes over to look into Jasmine’s, or try to. Her long hair made it impossible for him to determine whether or not she was still crying. “..from their royal family.”
He might’ve been a little suggestive with his words, but when he wasn’t used to being told his voice didn’t matter, he had to try to come at the perspective of a council member with a mind. Should none of Jasmine’s supporters take in Lisean’s idea, he put it in simple terms.
“You need to leave for Nadai, with haste.”
Like any normal human being, Zerith wasn’t having an easy time accepting what his eyes saw as real. Right infront of him, within reach of his halberd stood the one man he had spent years looking for. The excitement he felt was tremendous, knowing for certain that his father was indeed alive made the halberdier want to cry and embrace the general. He probably would have done it too, if it weren’t for the other surprise his father gave him. To see him leading an army, attacking Moriah and ultimately responsible for the deaths of many innocent lives during the assault on Hamasha made Zerith even more speechless. From what he remembered, Sevelakath wouldn’t do something like that.
The father he remembered would have been where Zerith was standing, opposing the army and standing on the side of the innocent. But apparently all those memories were nothing, tossed aside along with the family he left so that he could obtain power and a nation. The bastard, did he care what he left behind? Did he even remember? Probably not. If Zerith were to take a guess, all that mattered to the general now was getting what he was aiming for. In the process it made him no different that Marcus, a cold-hearted individual that held no importance on the thing that really mattered in life. All that mattered was getting what they wanted, regardless of how many lives it would cost.
Jasmine held her own as she negotiated with the general, perhaps it was a good thing too. The bitterness that Zerith felt for his father was only growing, making him more and more angrier in the process. Thankfully he did have enough common sense to see that he shouldn’t even try to speak. The last thing Jasmine needed was to have her own warder snap out at the general and ruin the negotiations. Instead, Zerith did his part and played the role of the protector. He watched his father with a close eye, just as he looked around to see what kind of power Sevelakath brought with him. Unfortunately, all he could see was that he brought enough men to at least equal the size of the brigade back in Scara Brae.
As the princess and the general were getting closer to an agreement, Sevelakath’s eyes settled upon Trithdursil. The black-armored man froze for a moment, shocked to see his old longsword. Then his eyes moved upwards, stopping as they fixed on the face of the man that carried the sword, his sword. His mouth opened and his eyes widened as he realized who he was looking at, recalling the blue eyes the young boy he left behind had. His lips moved and began to sound out the name of his son, but then he suddenly went back to discussing the current topic with Jasmine a came to an agreement shortly thereafter.
Without a need to linger around and waste time, Jasmine immediately turned and headed back to the garrison. As a result, this left Zerith, Lisean and the guards behind to follow. Before he left, Zerith took one last look at his father who was smiling widely while he talked to one of his soldier’s, probably about what they were going to do next.
The halberdier didn’t even dare to look back as he left the dock, instead he stormed off in anger and clearly upset about something. He didn’t even talk once as the five off walked back to the garrison, instead his mind wandered aimlessly. With the sudden appearance of Sevelakath, Zerith was now confused and didn’t know what was going on. There was only one thing he was certain that was still real. He was still Jasmine’s warder.
The mood didn’t pick up in the garrison either. The ultimate decision to allow Sevelakath and his army into Hamasha clearly upset everyone, especially the princess. She slammed her fist onto the table and explained the reason for her decision with enough anger to quickly put the general in his place. But before Zerith step in and make a suggestion, Lisean beat him to it and stepped forward. As the halberdier spun around to watch the necromancer approach the princess, something caught his attention. One of the guards tried to move back into proper position and change his grin to a straight face. It would’ve gone unnoticed if Lisean hadn’t moved so suddenly. But now that Zerith caught it, he wondering what the guard was doing for him to try and hide it.
Zerith excused himself quietly and retreated back to the stairs where the two guards stood. “You there,” he whispered to the one that moved. “Come with me,” he ordered and went down the stairs to the next room.
Obediently the guard did as he was ordered. He knew that the halberdier held some authority over him, being the princess’ escort and all. Yet that didn’t change the small amount of resentment the soldier held for the foreigner. “What’s the matter?”
Zerith didn’t say a word in response. Instead he spun around to face the guard and seized hold of his spear. He examined it carefully, thinking that there had to be something out of the ordinary with it for the guard to not have in it proper position as he stood still. Eventually blue eyes settled upon the tip of the spear, noticed the small amount of blood on the weapon. Placing his halberd on the ground, Zerith brought his free hand to touch the gently touch the time of the spear. Sure enough the blood wasn’t dried, just as Zerith thought. As for question of whose blood it was, the halberdier was quite sure that if he would find a recent wound on the necromancer.
“Is this funny to you!” Zerith yelled as he punched the guard in the face, breaking his nose in the process. As the soldier screamed and staggered backwards the halberdier immediately took the spear, struck the man in the stomach and then the back, forcing the poor soul bend over and fall on his stomach. “You think you can just go around and hurt anyone who you don’t like? Just because you’re a guard?” Zerith asked as he kicked the guard repeatedly. “Let’s see how much you like it when you’re the one on the other end!” the halberdier shouted as he continued to deal out his own form of discipline.
When Zerith finally finished, the guard’s sides were bruised and his nose was broken and bloody. As the soldier groaned in pain on the floor, Zerith picked up his halberd and took the spear back upstairs with him to rejoin Jasmine, Lisean and the general. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said as he approached the general. He held out the spear to display his finding, “But I believe one of your men has harmed our guest here. He’s currently lying downstairs, recovering from the beating I gave him as punishment. However I do think it’s only fair that you discipline him as well. I’m really not in the mood to put up with such behavior. If another guard hurts or threatens the necromancer or myself, I will personally see to it that they learn to never do it again.”
“With that said, I’d like to get back on topic,” Zerith continued. “I think it would be a good idea for us to go to Nadai. If I were to take a guess at Sevelakath’s plans, he would move against Nadai while he has the upperhand. So I suggest that all of us, including our new friend here go to the capital, warn them and possible begin to plan how we’re going to defend ourselves.”
Jasmine
08-07-06, 03:41 AM
The black-haired princess stood straight, trying to calm her temper as the necromancer stepped forward and gave his advice. She saw Zerith leave and take a guard with him, but ignored it for the time being.
“General, you have already sent a messenger to Nadia, correct?” At the man’s nod, she went on, “Good, that will have given them at least a little warning. I have two hours to prepare Hamasha for invasion. Leave twenty-five soldiers here, send the rest to Nadai now. If they do not all have horses, start buying them. Tell the owners that you are buying them for the crown. If they do not get their horse back, I will personally pay them twice the original purchasing price to make up for their loss. Send them out through a back gate. I do not want any of those men out there knowing that I’ve sent more troops ahead of them.”
She waited for a moment while the older man dispatched a messenger to get the troops moving. “I must speak with-“ she stopped as Zerith came back in with a soldier’s spear. Her lips pursed as he explained what had happened and glanced over at the necromancer, “Is this true?” She did not need to hear an answer to see the truth of the matter. Anger blossomed up within her once again, “Two of you, go and get that soldier and put him in the brig for now. I will deal with his disrespect myself after this fiasco has been settled. For the rest of you, Zerith is my good friend and while he remains here, he is an honored guest. You will show him due respect, or you will regret it. The same goes for the necromancer, leave them alone. I will not tolerate any further disrespect toward either of these men, is that clear?”
There was murmur of agreement as some of the soldiers looked a little guilty. Jasmine took a tight hold of her temper with some effort. It was already bad enough having to deal with an invasion. She did not need her soldiers acting the fool toward the two men that might just save their lives. Taking a deep breath, she schooled her features to cool serenity. “I am going to go out to prepare the people now. General, I want you on your way to Nadai as well. A Captain or Sergeant can command twenty-five easily enough and I believe we will need your strategic mind in Nadai. Get moving. I will join you in Nadai as soon as I am able. I promised I would open the gates myself, so I will have to sneak away once they have been admitted. Zerith, join me please. Sir Necromancer, I understand that this is not your fight. I will not hold it against you should you choose to leave. I am sorry for the trouble you seem to have gotten wrapped up in and for wounds you recieved today. Doubtless you got them in the chaos that filled the streets when the cannons started. If you wish to remain and help me, then please join me as well.”
Turning, she descended the stairs, rehearsing in her mind what she would say to the people. She still did not like what she’d had to do, but it was better that Hamasha fall with as little bloodshed as possible, rather than it be reduced to rubble. She moved from square to square with a short speech instructing the people not to put themselves in danger by messing with the soldiers that would be entering. She knew that there would inevitably be a few hothead in each crowd that would not listen, but she instructed anyway. Any man that violated her warning, would only have himself to blame. His blood would be on his own head.
Sooner than she would have liked, two hours flew by. Taking a deep breath, she went to the city gates. Standing directly in the middle, she smoothed her dress and made sure her crown rested straight atop her head. She nodded curtly to the gate guards. “Open the gates.” While the men pulled the heavy gates open, she wondered, briefly, if the General and the seventy-five other soldiers were nearing Nadai yet. On a fast horse, the trip could be made in two hours, but only if the riders rode the horses as hard as they could without killing the beasts.
The general, and his comrades were stunned by the sudden initiative that the necromancer decided to take with motives on supporting the princess. Guess their ideas of him were different. Well.. of his kind, anyway. Beings who favoured solitude over co-operation with anybody. Lisean, the one who was misjudged, lifted his salmon eyes to take in the expression found on every last new face, grinning mischievously. It was almost he took a great amount of delight of revealing just how unpredictable he was. He turned his head in the direction of the princess standing beside him, upon hearing her issue her orders to the men. Seems as if she somewhat considered his tactics, at first.
The sight of a blood-tipped spear made Lisean’s lips quirk a very small smile. Was he finally satisfied that the guard had been proven guilty? Or was it the pain that was finally starting to arouse him? Nobody could really tell. Taking in a deep breath, he knew for a fact he need not answer. He gave Jasmine a look that read his intuition. Does it look like I’m healthy?
He never really did look one hundred percent. The pale skin indicated some amounts of blood he had lost beforehand, but now that he was getting a feel at the wound on his back made the princess well aware of what had happened behind her eyes, which some folklore depicted as ‘seeing all.’ With the man’s last careless breath, before he was rushed down the stairs, he managed to catch that gut wrenching pain invested by the glint of sadism in Lisean’s eyes. He felt like his lungs were being ripped right out for the necromancer’s best interests. A held back shout was all that he could managed to half project, before he disappeared down the stairs with the two fellow guards that deprived him of his duties.
Mention of Moriah’s capital, Nadai, made Lisean stand back up at attention. He felt like his instincts made him slither into the role of a low ranking officer. Technically, he was. He considered himself a servant to the halberdier and princess. They earned his services, for sparing him the luxury of spending a few nights in the dungeons before being put on trail, and most likely went on to suffer a quick, painless execution. The thought of prison made him come to an almost long forgotten subject; Peter Sparrow. They mentioned upon first arriving to the encampment that he was a captured criminal. Perhaps with such status of a necromancer, he was one of the more.. dangerous culprits, whose debt was only meant to be served in Nadai.
“Doubtless?” he asked in sarcasm towards Jasmine, forcing a small “Hmph,” out of his sealed lips before continuing. “Yes.. It was doubtless that the pain invested upon me by the very two that harmed me at first.. has been lifted. I realized it must’ve been just sheer coincidence, if there was such a thing that could be proven of its existence. Don’t worry about it. It’s not like anyone has ever gotten away with not hurting me. As far as my plans are, I hope to head for Nadai, perhaps under company of the general, if he is comfortable with it. I have matters to attend to there, to better understand the concepts to which I study. Rest assured, that once I better myself with my knowledge, I will aim to return to your company, and serve whatever purpose you give to me. Now that I’ve been dragged into this battle, it is about time I got off my ass for a change, and did something to hasten its ending.”
Lisean bowed before Zerith and Jasmine respectively after instilling his decision. Hopefully, they would accept future hands from his little prowess. “Lady Jasmine.. Sir Zerith.. I’d like to extend my gratitude for sparing my innocent life, although it may not be so innocent upon my return, and after the score is settled between Sevelakath and yourselves. Surely, lives must matter to you.. but theirs don’t to me. I will gladly take whatever punishment I’d receive for dismembering and using your enemies vital organs for use of my rituals. Although I offer fair warning.. my support will be nothing without the ingredients required for preparing my ‘forbidden’ magic.”
Before he got too caught up in his own words, Lisean chuckled, and shook his head, telling himself to shut up. “I bid thee farewell, until we meet again.. soon.” He had the impression Jasmine would not disapprove of his request to travel with the general to Nadai, and acted as if she had already said a yes. Just for good measure though, he very slowly made his way towards the stairs, and began his descent, all the while keeping attentive to their call.
Two men stood on board the Gagriene, both wore the black armor than marked them as people who were part of the force that was invading Moriah. Everyone around the two were busy working, either unloading cargo or preparing to settle into Moriah. Some talked amongst themselves, discussing what they thought of the general’s plan and what they would do once they were permitted to enter Hamasha. Yet the conversation that took two that weren’t working didn’t revolve around how well thing were turning out.
“So you’re saying we may have a slight problem, is that right?” the one, blond haired, green eyed soldier asked the other.
“That’s right. All our planning revolved around the fact that the princess would only have her brother to help her. The sudden appearance of the halberdier and the other can pose a problem. We don’t have any information about the purple-haired one, so we’re completely in the dark when it comes to how to deal with him. I don’t know much about the halberder, put I can guarantee that can be a problem.”
“Well of course he can. Like father, like son, isn’t that how the saying goes?” the blonde haired man responded. He turned to look at Sevelakath, who lowered his head and fell silent. “You’re sure it’s your son? What did you say his name was again?”
Sevelakath sighed, “I’m positive it’s him, and his name is Zerith.”
“Right, well I’m trusting you to deal with him. If he gets in our way then you’ll be the one to make sure he stops by any means,” the other man said coldly. He small smiled formed on his face, “But tell me about the real star of the show. What was the princess like?”
Sevelakath shrugged, “She’s just as we thought. She loves the people, and they love her. Although she seems to have a strong will and a mind of her own, I think she can be broken. When we managed to break her spirit, she’ll be an ideal puppet queen for us. She’ll sit on the throne and make everyone think she is in charge but the truth is that you’ll be the one that has control over her strings. It’ll be perfect, just as I planned.”
“Good,” the other answered as he turned and left. Just before he disappeared below deck, he called out, “It would be a shame for our plan to be ruined because of that halberdier. Yet I guess you should thank me for giving you the chance to see him again. Just think, he’ll look incredible surprised when he sees you again. His eyes will widen even more when he watches your blade pierce his heart. I expect to have control of Nadai within by one, maybe two days at the most.”
Grinding his teeth as he gripped onto the railing tightly, Sevelakath cursed his luck. “Damn you Aric!”
***
Although it was good to see that Jasmine was quick to support both foreigners, Zerith though that Lisean’s response was somewhat…unsettling. He had given his thanks, but it didn’t feel like they were genuine. The halberdier felt like the necromancer didn’t give a damn about him, the princess, or anyone else in Moriah. Instead, the only thing that held any real importance was whatever business the fragile necromancer had to attend to. If he didn’t keep to his word, it was probably only because he felt like he owed the mage and warder his life. Since it was such a great debt, the only way to pay it back was to help fight in the battle that would probably come in the future. Go figure.
“As long as you come back to us after you finish your business,” Zerith responded. He didn’t bother to stop the necromancer, instead he hoped that Lisean would warn Nadai when he got there instead. If he did or not didn’t matter, one way or another that would receive at least one warning. Yet Lisean’s response didn’t seem to stop Jasmine, who already put her body into motion again in order to fulfill her promise to the general. Being the loyal companion he was, Zerith followed Jasmine, all the while pleased to here that his presence was requested.
The two hours passed by quickly. Perhaps it was due to the constant rushing around the princess and the halberdier did. Travelling from square to square to hear Jasmine speak about the same set of directions repeatedly. Although it become boring rather quickly, Zerith understood that her orders were meant to ensure the well-being of each civilian. However to keep himself occupied, he tried to figure out what his father plans were and what is next step would be.
When Jasmine finally opened the doors to allow Sevelakath and his army into Hamasha, Zerith stood right by her side. By that time the general and Lisean should have arrived at Nadai. So hopefully when Jasmine and Zerith arrived, there would be some sort of plan on how they were going to deal with the black army.
Jasmine
08-18-06, 02:42 AM
Jasmine stood erect as she watched the army marching across the docks. Once again, she reminded herself that this was the way it had to be. The army marching steadily toward her and the open gates was far larger than Hamasha could have held against. As the leaders drew near, she inclined her head regally, spreading her skirts wide.
“Welcome, to Hamasha, my Lords.”
She kept her anger well hidden as rank after rank filed into the port city. She still did not understand why these people had chosen to conquer Moriah. The small island nation was not important to anything happening in the nations on the mainland. Many never had anything to do with Moriah directly. With only one entrance and being so far south of everything else, Moriah was not even in a good location for a naval base. The question of “Why?” plagued her more than she could say.
****
A young messenger clad in blue and silver ran as fast as his legs would carry him to the private chambers of His Majesty, King Eric Matrino of Moriah, adopted brother of Jasmine. The king sat on a large couch with his wife, Queen Melody, talking quietly of their plans for the future. He was tall for a Morian, standing 5'6" tall and weighing 150lbs. He had medium-toned brown hair and laughing brown eyes that twinkled when he was amused. At the moment, he was wearing a deep green tunic–the laces at his neck were undone in the privacy of his own apartments–and a pair of light brown breeches with black, leather boots.
Queen Melody had golden hair, blue eyes and a soft smile. She wore a gown of pale lavender, her stomach softly rounded. She was just starting her 6th month of pregnancy. The Queen’s feet were bare and curled up underneath herself on the couch beside her husband. Each rested a hand on her belly talking softly of how they would decorate the nursery and teasing each other on their gender preference. In truth, neither cared if it was a boy or a girl, but it was fun to tease each other anyway.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK
The young king looked up at the frantic knocking and excused himself from his wife’s side. He opened the door to admit the young messenger whose face was fearful as he panted for breath.
“Your Majesty, I have urgent news! Hamasha has fallen to a mystery fleet. Lady Jasmine sends news that Nadai will have to stand. There were not enough men in Hamasha. My King, the fleet was able to get by the Cliff Gates undetected and attack the city walls from well out into the bay.”
“Who are these people?” the beautiful queen asked as she joined her husband. Her eyes held a note of worry, but her voice was steady.
“We don’t know. They have given no message except to attack the city. Most of the soldiers that were in Hamasha are on their way here. They should be arriving sometime tomorrow.”
Frustration passed across the young king’s mind as he exchanged a look with his wife. “Go! Tell the Captain Commander and all his highest officers that I will meet them in my meeting hall. As soon as the General arrives send him to me. This is a council of war!”
He closed the door behind the messenger and looked at his wife. “War. We haven’t had that in a very long time. Not even when Montego tried to seize the throne for himself. This is new to me, my wife, what do I do?”
The queen smiled and laid a hand fondly against his cheek. “Exactly as you are doing, my love. You will be fine. I think I shall stay here though. You get to you meeting hall quickly.”
“You are right as always, Melody.” He took her hand in his and laid a gentle kiss on its back. “I will let you know of our plans after the meeting.” Turning, he left the sitting room and strode toward the meeting hall.
***
Jasmine tried to keep from grinding her teeth as she led the leaders of the grand army toward the garrison. If she had not been certain that would end in the demolishment of Hamasha, she would have made arrangements for a trap for the leaders. However, the army was large enough to be able to laugh off any attempts to ransom the leaders for their departure and simply attack the city in full force to rescue their leaders.
“If you please, gentlemen, you and your officers can be bunked at the garrison. You have had a long journey, would you not like to rest before the long march on to Nadai? It is a goodly way from here and with so many men it will take probably at least a full day to get there.”
She led the way toward the garrison, trying to appear meek. She was bartering for more time to allow the soldiers time to cross the 800-odd miles to Nadai. If they rode hard and fast, they would make it my mid-day tomorrow. She had to stall these enemies for at least that long if she could. A pigeon had already been sent to Nadai, so she was confident that Eric was already preparing for the battle. By now, she hoped that he was solidly ready and waiting only for the soldiers to arrive. Please, be ready, Eric. You’re our only hope...
Without so much as a fair good-bye from either the halberdier or even the princess, Lisean found himself treading the long journey on foot. This time, he was quite uncomfortable, seeing as how he never had so many other able bodies completely surrounding him, walking the same path. Just when things were hoping to get better.. such atrocity diminished all traces of hope left in the necromancer’s mind. By the time the garrison was well out of sight, the cavalry sprang into a full gallop, leaving the footmen, and Lisean, behind. Just what were they thinking? Was he and the men representing the meager army of Hamasha supposed to reach Nadai almost a day after everyone else? Was he even going to get his opportunity to discover what was rightfully his own business?
With his head lowered, Lisean continued to walk the simple dirt path into the open plains. He could hear the thundering of hooves as cavalry ranks passed the footmen. If he was expected to walk such a distance without food or water, he was sure to quit sooner or later. From behind him, the necromancer could hear snickering and gossip being tossed about by the orderly soldiers. Lies transpired around him. He was about to clench his fists and stop dead in his tracks, when he heard hooves stop along their path, followed by a harsh neigh of rejection against the man that pulled on the animal’s reins.
“Lisean?” asked the general. Even the necromancer’s trust level for him was pretty low, but it topped the rest in the army right now. He had no choice but to acknowledge him. The first thing that caught him off-guard was the second equine that the general had a hold of with one hand by the reins. A young, black mare was slightly spooked by the numbers walking next to her. That, or she was just very energetic, tossing her hooves about under her like some sort of bewildered dance. The general smirked as he looked down upon Lisean. Did he have something planned? “Come with me. Your journey lies in another direction.”
The necromancer could not help but to quirk an eyebrow as he removed himself from the footmen, stopping before the general on the side of the road. His eyes expressed his confusion, as the words took a little longer to comprehend with all the marching disturbing his ears. His anger was expressed through just how he acted around the general, snatching the reins of the mare right from his hands with relative ease. It was just as passive to him as it was jumping up with such grace, and swinging his body up onto the animal to mount even in the midst of its unease. The general’s eyes didn’t leave the slender form of Lisean. Though seemingly weak, something told him that there was prowess, and aptitude hidden well within.
“Cold much?” he asked, referring to the necromancer’s behaviour. Wasn’t his fault that the men tossing words about him was pissing him off immensely. Lisean smirked, closing his eyes momentarily to embrace the.. compliment he had received. His hands took a firm grip of the reins, as his form was being tossed from side to side idly by the mare’s spunky disposition.
“Always,” Lisean replied, turning his head over to look at the general, as if awaiting the time of which to finally take their leave. The general nodded his head in approval of his comment, chuckling under his breath, before he snapped the reins forward, and sent his heels into his steed’s flanks, pushing the stallion forward. Lisean watched him ride off, and didn’t even have to do anything before the mare slightly reared back, and sped off after the general. The necromancer found it amusing that he did not even have to kick to command his mount for the time being. It seemed to almost read his mind when it came to his intentions. He caught up with the general in no time flat.
“If we hurry, we can make it to where you need to go by sundown!” the general shouted back towards Lisean, who remained somewhat behind him. Even yelling his words resulted in the necromancer just barely hearing it amongst the footmen marching and talking amongst themselves. “My men know where they are to go! I will catch up with them after I drop you off! Follow me!”
The general kicked once again, turning his stallion off to the left, and driving him forward at a full sprint. Lisean spun his horse towards the same direction. Again, he didn’t seem to have to send the message to the mare. She already understood, and instantaneously carried him off at the full speed after the general. The hooves beating across the earth was the closest thing to silence Lisean could muster. But even that was such a beautiful thing, with the wind rushing through his hair and sending it behind him.
As Jasmine lead Sevelakath and his invaders towards the garrison, Zerith stood just beside the entrance to the garrison. He still didn’t quite understand what was going on before him, his thoughts and emotions were puzzling him. Even as he looked from the defeated princess to the victorious general who practically walked beside her, he felt two different kinds of emotions. When his eyes saw Jasmine, he felt like he was defeated as well by being unable to stop the invaders from seizing Hamasha. The feeling of losing lead to depression, which in turn evolved into thoughts that the halberdier was nothing but a failure. Then when the sapphire eyes feel upon Sevelakath, the young warder felt confused and betrayed. His mind still wonder how his father could do something like this, it just wasn’t something the man he remembered would do. Yet the reality of the situation made the halberdier feel betrayed and like the past few years and all of his effort were just as waste of time.
Perhaps it was, all the time spent in looking for the man named Sevelakath lead him to a man he didn’t recognize. Instead of a respected human being, he found a conqueror that won battles by attacking the innocent swiftly and suddenly. Instead of the warm smile that he remembered, Zerith saw a wide grin of satisfaction as the general approached both his son and his prize. The halberdier felt embarrassed, but he wasn’t too sure if it was because of being defeated or because of simply being the son to the general. Either way, his feelings couldn’t stop the general who walked ahead of the group lead by Jasmine and approached his son. Crossing his arms over this chest, the general took a good look at the halberdier. “You sure have gotten bigger since the last time I saw you,” He said.
“Yeah, well that’s what happens,” Zerith replied as he pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against. “Kids grow up, whether you’re there to watch them or not.”
“Is that what this is all about? Are you here because you’re made about something that happened years ago and that neither of us can change?”
“No, but it has part of it. There’s also the part of you attacking Hamasha and seizing control of it. I mean why the hell would you do something like this?”
“There is more to this that you could understand boy! Besides, you have no reason of being here, this doesn’t involve you,” Sevelakath shouted.
“It involves Jasmine, so therefore it does involve me!” Zerith shot back.
“Then you don’t know what your getting yourself into!” the general yelled. Stopping for a moment to take a deep breath and retain his composers, Sevelakath continued. “Listen, you’re my son and as your father I want to look out for you. That’s why I’m going to make you an offer. Come with me and we can make sure no harm comes to you.”
“No, I’m not going to allow anything to happen to Jasmine-“
“Is that it? Are you doing this all for her? Because if it is she can come with us and I swear she’ll be well taken care of.”
Surprised that his father said such a thing aloud. Zerith stood silent for a moment before shaking his head. “You just don’t get it, do you? I’m not just standing on this side of the fence to protect Jasmine. I’m standing here to protect what she’s protecting. I know where my place is father, it’s between you and both Jasmine and Moriah.”
Sadness covered the generals face as his son’s words sank in. “So you made up your mind and you’re certain. Well you’ll just meet the same end they all will.”
“I don’t think you’re reading between the lines general. What I was really saying what that I was intending on gathering another army and not going down without a fight.”
Shaking his head, Sevelakath smiled before turning around and heading back to lead his men into the garrison. “I understand you better than you think Zerith,” he whispered softly.
***
A father and son sit on the floor in front of the fireplace. Between the two a game board his spread out and both the parent and child having different colour pieces spread throughout surface of the board in marked areas. Blue figurines cover the entire game board, except for one space that is occupied with a large group of red figurines. Adjacent to the space are two areas filled with equally large group of blue figurines. Both players hold dice in their hands and excitement is clearly expressed on the boy’s face even though his father knows that his son is losing the game. “So what happens now Zerith?” the father asks.
“I’ll tell you what happens dad,” the son replies with a grin. “This is where all that time spent on building my defense pays off!”
Laughing, Sevelakath replies, “Alright then, we’ll see. Let’s get this battle started.”
***
While his father lead his army into garrison and began to celebrate his victory. Zerith approached Jasmine pulled her away from the invaders. “It’s about time we start heading to Nadai. Your brother is probably waiting for us and we’ll need all the time we can possibly get in order to get build the city’s defences. I’ve let you spend all the time you could here, but I feel like we can’t waste anymore time here. We need to get back to Nadai, it is going to need you more than ever now.”
Jasmine
12-05-06, 02:17 AM
Jasmine kept her face as cool and serene as she could as she lead the enemy into the garrison. As they entered, she drew herself to one side, allowing the officers to wander about on their own. She could see Zerith speaking to one, but could not make out what they were saying. Whatever it was, it was not making Zerith happy. She raised her eyebrow questioningly as he drew near, but did not ask her questions. If Zerith wanted her to know what he’d discussed with the officer, then he would tell her when he wanted to.
“You are right, it’s just that,” she paused for a moment then continued, “I just don’t want to leave my people here either.”
She spoke softly as she began walking again, this time toward the stables. A few words had her horse, Snowdrop, and a fine black stallion saddled and ready. Jasmine frowned distastefully, remembering that she had to sit side-saddle in this dress. The groomsman boosted her up to her seat and she took the reigns after arranging her skirts. She waited only a few more minutes for Zerith to mount up, then she began guiding Snowdrop to the exit.
“I need to go back to my townhouse before we leave. I am not going to ride as hard as we must ride to reach Nadai in time, in this dress and sitting side-saddle.”
As she guided the horse through the streets to her townhouse, she could not help a feeling of having let her people down. Moriah had not been attacked in well over two, perhaps three hundred years and even then, Hamasha had not fallen in nearly a thousand. Now, in the space of a few hours, her port city was occupied by enemy forces because the princess had let them walk right in. The fact that the enemy could have knocked the walls down first if she had not let them in, did nothing to soothe her irritation at herself and her circumstances.
Once at her townhouse, she left Snowdrop out front with Zerith while she hurried inside to change clothes. She soon returned, dressed once again in her customary knee-length blue dress, black boots, and her sword on her hip. She quickly re-mounted Snowdrop and wheeled the mare around. She would have to make up for the hard ride she was about to put the beauty through, but she was confident that Snowdrop would have no problems with it.
“Let’s ride, Zerith. The sooner we get out those gates the better.”
She led the way quickly through the streets, not truly in a mood for chatter and hoped that her friend would realize and understand that. She was not trying to be rude or cold, she was trying very hard not to let anyone see how much she was hurting to be doing leaving the people here. Soon, they were out of the gate and Jasmine heeled Snowdrop to a gallop, straight down the only road to Nadai.
One thing Zerith was beginning to notice was the kind of attention people he was receiving when he was with Jasmine. Here, the people seemed to go out of their way to help the princess. Since the halberdier was clearly seen as a close friend of the popular woman in the blue dress. Some people even seemed to go out of their way to help him as well. Part of him felt bad because they were doing what they could to help him and he couldn’t think of any way he could at least repay them. Perhaps by helping Moriah make it through this tough time would be a fitting gesture. Of course that was if he lived to see the end of it.
When Jasmine led her warder into the stables. He was surprised to see that they already had a black stallion saddled and ready for him. One of the men that worked there smiled at the halberdier as he patted the stallion’s neck, “He’s a soldier’s horse. One of our best here in fact. We figured you and the princess would need to get to Nadai as soon as possible. So we figured this one strong enough to endure the hard ride to the capital.”
“You are too kind,” Zerith replied as he approached the horse. He gently ran his hand along the stallion’s side, “He’s magnificent. It’s an honour to be treated like this. I’ll do everything I can to see to prevent Moriah from being taken advantage of any further.”
The man chuckled, “Well it’s nice to see this place is just as important to a foreigner as it is to us. Now get going, You don’t have any time to waste.”
The halberdier didn’t need to be told a second time and immediately climbed on the back of the stallion. The moment he was ready to go, Jasmine was already leaving. But before they left the port city, the princess made them make one more stop at her townhouse. She quickly disappeared inside, leaving her mare under the care of her warder. Thankfully it didn’t take long before she reappeared wearing her familiar blue dress and boots, complete with her sword on her hip. She re-mounted Snowdrop in a hurry and in a matter of seconds, the two were travelling again. Though this time, they would only stop once they reached the capital.
As the two began the long trip down the only road to Nadai, Jasmine didn’t even make an attempt to talk to her warder. Perhaps he was a good thing she didn’t as well. As she would have only been answered by a man who wasn’t really all there at the moment. Zerith had withdrawn himself, the shock of realizing he was against his father was sinking in more and more. His mind wandered, trying to understand what Sevelakath’s last comment meant. More importantly though was the fact that Zerith was finally beginning to realize that by the end of this. He would probably have to do something he never thought he could do…
…he’d have to cross swords with the man who taught him how to wield a blade in the first place.
Jasmine
06-06-07, 01:59 AM
It was well after dark when Jasmine and Zerith finally reached the gates of Nadai. A brief conversation at the gate let them in quietly and she led the way to the palace. The first stop was, of course, the stables. Dismounting, she petted Snowdrop’s neck as a handler took the reigns.
“Make sure she gets an extra good rub down and extra oats and carrots. She’s worked much harder today than she normally would. I want her well rewarded for her hard ride, today.”
“Yes, of course, Highness.”
Another handler took the reigns of Zerith’s horse and Jasmine beckoned to Zerith for him to follow her. “We need to hurry, Zerith. Eric is probably upstairs somewhere. Do you need anything before we go talk to him?”
“Hmm? No, I’m fine. Let’s keep moving.”
She raised an eyebrow at his distracted tone and hurried along. Once they got to the main halls she could ask a servant where the king was, in the meantime, something was bothering her warder. Normally, she would not have pressed him, but she wanted to be sure that whatever was bothering him now, would not bother him when battle came. However, she could talk to him later, right now they needed to talk to Eric just as soon as possible.
In a short time, she found a servant and was directed to the room Eric was in with his commanding officers. As they entered the room, all present stood and bowed slightly. Jasmine waved it off and went around to Eric.
“Eric, this is Zerith, my warder. I told you about him before the ball the other night, remember?”
“Yes, I remember, Sister. Good to meet you, Zerith. Thank you.”
“So, what have you got so far Eric?” Jasmine asked as she looked at the large map covering the table. The map was of Moriah, of course, and showed in great detail the terrain surrounding Nadai and the road to Hamasha. There wasn’t much there. Between Nadai and Hamasha, the land was mostly flat, with very slightly rolling hills, barely high enough to earn the title of ‘hill.’ The nearest towns along the main road were at least five miles down dirt roads that had wagon ruts in them. The only other thing Jasmine could see was that there was absolutely nothing between Hamasha and Nadai that would be slow the enemy forces.
“Nothing much, Jasmine. I have all my forces gathered here with the exception of the small force you left in Hamasha. The dragonriders are already in the air doing patrols. They haven’t reported anything other than the settling in of our enemies. Your turn to answer a question or two, what exactly are we up against here? Between us, you’re the only one that’s actually seen this mystery army.”
“I’ve only seen a part,” she answered absentmindedly as she studied the map on the table. “However, what I did see was massive. I spoke with one of the officers about the grounds for Hamasha’s surrender. The number of men he brought with him just for that was equal to what we had at that garrison. They have seven large ships armed with cannons with enough power to reach the city from a safe distance in the bay. Nothing that we have could have reached those ships to return fire. Zerith? Do you have any suggestions for what we can do here?” she asked as she glanced up at her warder. “I don’t think we want a pitched battle if we can avoid it, but I don’t know what kind of artillery they’ll be bringing ashore with them.”
All eye and ears looked the stranger in their midst as they waited respectfully to hear what the princess’ friend had to say. None were sure exactly who he was, but if their princess trusted his judgement, then they would hold their tongues until they had heard and seen what he would say and do for themselves.
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