Fantasy A Horrid Yet Wonderful World

[WolfsbaneRain]

When Kaylen saw the girl come out from behind the tree she was shocked, not so much about the girl,but the giant wings attached to her back. She instinctively took a step back, her mouth wide open for a couple seconds before regaining her composure. "Oh, I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't know..." Kaylen was more distracted by the wings to really pay attention to the words she was saying. "Um.. I'm Kaylen. Nice to meet you." She slowly stuck out her hand, offering it to shake.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

The guards eyed the odd woman who accompanied the royal mage, looking over her cloaked form. Clearly suspicious, they both set there expecting eyes upon Curse. "Care to explain, royal mage?" one spoke, his grip tightening around his spear. Curse nodded his head and motioned towards N. "She's an acquaintance of mine. At the moment, we're working together. I'm going to go check on the seals, so may I pass?" Curse requested, givingthe guards that same look of expectation. Instead, the pair guarding the door allowed a moment of silence to roll by, before giving their answering, "Your brother is already taking care of things. I don't see reason to let you two in," the guard spoke.


Curse quickly thought up a reply, choosing to lie just a bit to assure his entry. "Believe it or not, Ilios is even more terrible with void magic than me! I think he'll need a bit of help with those seals, unless you'd want him to overwork himself and end up in the infirmary? My mother certainly wouldn't be happy about that." Both of the guards seemed to tense up just a bit at the mentioning of Curse's mother... That woman could easily become quite vile whenever someone would dare harm one of her children. The guards stiffened, before stepping away from the door. "Our apologies sir... We weren't aware of his inability. Please, proceed."


@Bea Delaine

 

[Zelda18]

Daire gave the girl a reassuring smile, shaking her hand for a fraction of a second. "Nice to meet you too," she said. The girl's reaction- while not exactly flattering- was better than most people's who first saw her. She was called "sub-human" and "monster" more often than her actual name. She didn't really understand what made her so freakish- aside from her wings, she looked exactly like any other human. But then again, she was biased.


"Not to pry, but who were you talking to?" She asked carefully. "Pardon me if I'm, uh, being impolite."

 

[WolfsbaneRain]

Kayen was a little surprised when asked about her meditation practices. "Oh, you heard me? I'm sorry about that." She cut herself short, not knowing if this girl is worth her trust so soon. "I'll try to be more quiet next time." She started to look around, trying to find something to change the subject. "i was just....." She hesitated again, trying to come up with a little white lie. "saying a little prayer." She said this with a convincing smile, hoping the girl would drop the subject.

 

[Zelda18]

Daire raised a dark eyebrow but didn't push the subject any further. Based on how she carried herself and her clothing, Daire guessed that this girl was either a magician or a merchant. Either way, she was several classes higher than her and it wouldn't due to offend her- especially when most people feared or hated changlings and looked for any excuse to persecute them.


"It is rather peaceful here," she commented, glancing around at the flowers and trees. "No need to apologize, you weren't being loud. I'm just sensitive to sound," she added, pointing to her slightly pointed ears. "Perks of being a changling."

 

[Bea Delaine]

N was nervous at first. She didn't expect this to work and she could practically feel the distrust radiate after the guards got one good look at her. She hated politics, and definitely not for this reason alone. Switching her posture from foot to foot, she tuned into Curses conversation, her suspicions coming to conclusion as she realized who him and his brother were. She also realized she might have picked the wrong person to venture with.. But that shouldn't come up any time soon.


"So.. I suppose you brother would like some support now?" She said, her voice calm and innocent, but her facial expression more than a little suggestive.


"Lying is easier when the lie is weighted in ones favor, no?"


She said when they were far out of earshot.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Luckily, Curse managed to get her through without opening up any conversation with the king, or those higher than himself and the guards. Such a process would have been tedious and tiring. However, once they were deep enough into the dark, stone corridors of the dungeon, the girl spoke of his lie. She was turning out to be a bit more perceptive than he originally thought... Not many people saw through his lies, or his facades. "I guess it is," he replied, taking a turn towards a few steps. They lead into a near complete darkness, with the exception of a dim blue light.


As he began down the stairwell, he spoke once more. "Really, my brother is a far superior void mage compared to me," he informed her. "I'm normally the one who ends up over doing it with the seals... but I want to get better at it, so I don't really mind the trips to the infirmary."

 

[Bea Delaine]

"I figured that was a lie as well. As far as I can tell, it seems the guards are quite sensitive to your brothers needs. Should he have such difficulty I doubt it would have went unnoticed."


She stated slightly quieter, the entertained him in her voice maintained. She watched the blue light, lifting her hood just enough for the sky blue of her eyes to make an appearance, as it was a bit dark and safer there.


"I work with emotion and life sources.. I doubt that is so helpful but I can do whatever use you find for me."

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

He glanced back at her, managing to catch a peek at her eyes... This was the first time he had seen them. Curse was growing a bit curious over why she wore such concealing clothing, but for now he refused to question it. So long as she didn't do anything wrong, he had no reason to question her. Perhaps she just felt more secure under that heavy cloak? "The guards change pretty often here, so its hard for them to keep tabs on us. I'm not normally in the castle anyways... I only come here one a month, to help with the seals," he said, finally reaching the bottom of the stair well. It was then that something new was revealed.


A pedestal stood in the room's center, and perched atop that structure was the very egg used to contain the once terrible tyrant who ruled the land. The beast was now sealed away, behind layers of blue orbs. The orbs were overall a pale blue, but scribbles of dark blue were drawn upon that background, creating the many complex and powerful magic circles which protected the egg. Already, it seemed someone else was in the room. Standing quietly across the room was a male who looked to be a few years older than Curse, his brown hair longer and eyes a dark green.

 

[Bea Delaine]

N nodded as he spoke, understanding a bit more now that she could gather some background on Curse. She felt bad that examining and figuring this man out was something that she felt the need to do. Still she had to be careful. Her smile became again the only thing to see after she was able to get a good look at the room, seeing the blue orb seals, the scripture, and the other person in the room.


Turning to the other in the room, she raised her hand and gave a small wave.


"I suppose you are supposed to be in here too?"


Her eyes lingered long and curiously at the orbs, memories flooding back into her head. Easily containing the thoughts they brought, she could not fully mask her loathing for the object beneath the seals.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

The man across the room peeked up when the woman spoke, looking over to the royal mage and his companion. He seemed just a bit confused upon seeing a stranger in such an important room, but he didn't appear to be suspicious unlike the guards. Instead, he merely approached the pair and kindly greeted, "Hello Curse... I see you brought a friend with you today? That's rare."


Curse averted his eyes as the man spoke, but nodded his head. "Ilios, this is N... I'm working with her at the moment. N, this is my brother, Ilios."


Ilios offered N a small wave of his hand as greeting, a small smile upon his face. Already, he seemed to be much friendlier than his brother normally was.

 

[Barbas]

Within the sewer tunnels deep beneath the city, Edgar wanders through the dark tunnel as waits for the right time to come out of hiding and search or his next victim in order to satisfy his ever growing hunger.

 

[WolfsbaneRain]

Kaylen smiled at the girl, thankful she didn't push the for more details about her obvious lie. "That is very interesting. What do you change into?" Already Kaylen was more open and friendly towards this girl, seeing no reason not to be. She took a step closer and looked at the wings jutting out of the girls back with awe. "It must be amazing, being able to fly." @Zelda18

 

[Bea Delaine]

N took in the temperament of Ilios and was slightly bored. He seemed good natured, kind, open, and not in the least suspicious. Not that that was a problem. He just seemed like some well behaved brat of royalty, surely working because it was the 'right thing to do'. It took only a moment to create a loose fitting judgement. Her smile changed into a polite one mirroring Ilios.


"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Has there been recent irregular activity occurring in this chamber of late? Besides Curse here bringing a friend home?" The last part was a mild joke.

 

[Eye Of Magnus]

Ithilrandir was not locked in the pillory for more than a few minutes before the first rotten tomato smacked him in the face. It exploded on impact, coating the Elf's face and soliciting a cheer from the assembled crowd. His only response was to flinch and groan, being unable to wipe his face clean. To his left, one guardsman stood silently, keeping careful watch over the crowd. The magistrate on the right was unrolling a fine parchment and preparing to read off Ithilrandir's various crimes. Or the ones he was accused of- but Ithilrandir already knew he was guilty.


The magistrate had to yell to be heard over the disgruntled crowd. Rumors had already circulated. They knew what Ithilrandir was in for. This was just a formality. "Hear ye, hear ye. The elf before you today, Ithilrandir, stands accused of the following crimes against civilization."


Well, that was unreasonable. Civilization hardly entered into it as far as Ithilrandir was concerned, but he said nothing. The magistrate began to rattle off his crimes.


"Banditry. Extortion. Robbery. Desecration. Blasphemy. Assault. And Necromancy."


There was the kicker- Necromancy, and the crowd grew all the more discontent because of it. Bandits and heretics and cultists were in the pillory all the time. There hadn't been a Necromancer suffering for his unholy acts for at least a generation. It didn't really help that Ithilrandir had some sort of infamy about him. Not by name, surely, but by the rumors of a foul, hedge wizard consorting with bandits and bolstering their ranks with undead. This lot was going to eat him alive, certainly.


"He is to stay in the pillory for two weeks before his trial." The magistrate concluded this, rolled the parchment he had read from back up, and gestured for the guardsman to escort him out of this neck of the town. Neither of them wanted to be present when the crowd finally lost control of itself. Two weeks. Ithilrandir wagered he would be lucky to last two minutes before he was torn apart by the peasantry.

 

[SecondBreaking]

A wizard wandered through the streets, heading towards the local mineral shop. This was a rare opportunity that was given to Merek, and Merek never wasted opportunities. The man was nearing the shop when Merek struck. He drew his dagger and sword, and leapt down from his vantage point on the roof of a one-story building. He landed softly on the ground, near the wizard, and began to quietly make is way towards him, when the wizard suddenly turned about. "I knew a pickpocket would not be able to resist an opportunity such as this!" The wizard hissed, eyes gleaming with cruel pleasure. "Time to die, cretin!" He cried out, casting a firebolt in Merek's direction.


Merek was caught off-guard by the wizard's sudden attack, but quickly recovered, spinning around the fireball, and lashing out with his sword at the wizard. It scored a hit on the man's shoulder, and the wizard cried out in shock and fury. "No man has the audacity to touch me!" He screeched. "Especially not a filthy peasant!" That last remark made Merek a bit angry, and the wizard could tell, casting a lightning bolt at Merek.


The bolt hit Merek, and he exploded into black mist, reforming a pace in front of the wizard, who gaped at him in shock. Merek stabbed him in the gut, with his knife, and left the wizard to rot on the sewer grate. Maybe a pickpocket would come along and finish the job. Merek thought with a dark grin.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Ilios shook his head, peeking over towards the egg atop the pedestal. "No, things are actually pretty calm in here. The seals are all perfectly fine... It doesn't seem like they'll be making any moves today," he informed her as he turned away, taking a few steps towards the structure. "I just came in here to strengthen the seals... They do wear out pretty quickly, so its important to maintain a constant maintenance."


Curse watched his brother with crossed arms, making a quit examination of the egg himself. It seemed that Ilios was right... As far as Curse could see, everything was normal for the time being.


@Bea Delaine

 

[Bea Delaine]

N shifted down to look into the magic Orbiting the seals, listening to Ilios. As far as she could tell, it was true. However she has need witnessed the sealing magic in person before. It was quite a marvel. She was tempting to touch it, just to feel if it stunned or burned an intruder, but she retracted her hand, positive such an action could be deemed suspicious. Getting back up, she nodded.


"Family is the holder of this magic, no?at least the original to use it for such purpose. I know now.." She said with her smile and slight deviance in voice.


"Should we gather others or perhaps immediately find said clan?"

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Ilios came to understand swiftly after he question, just what Curse had teamed up with this woman to do. "Curse, do you really intent to go up against them?" Ilios asked a little suddenly, eyeing his younger brother. Curse nodded his head in response, already aware of why his brother would ask. Ilios seemed unconvinced, but carried on regardless and granted N with a true answer. "I feel as if the two of you alone won't be able to handle the entire group," he stated. "It would be best to take time to prepare... However, I will be unable to join you. As will Iris, our mother. The king had already requested that we remain within the castle to guard the seals."

 

[Bea Delaine]

N eyed Ilios and smirked under her cloak when it became apparent he shared the same opinion about teaming up as she. When Ilios began to explain the matter to N herself, she nodded agreeably and gave an animated shrug.


"The way I see it, Curse was planning on this being a suicide mission had I not been so persistent. Hm?"


She looked to curse as though wanting validation for this statement but not expecting any.


"And it is best that the strongest defense remain maintaining the seal. My idea was to find others like me and Curse. I'm sure curse just wishes to leave now and avoid my interference."


She chuckled lightly at the conundrum hoping to persuade the younger looking Mage.

 

[Zelda18]

Daire exhaled in a huff, surprised by the... admiration, almost, that was was getting from this girl. No one had ever showed much interest in what she was.


"I'm a crow," she said slowly. "A, uh, large one. When I shift, I grow into my wings. That's why they look so large." She shrugged, a smile lighting up her face suddenly. "Flying is like you wouldn't believe. Makes it worth not being human." She extended her wings a little, stroking the bruised area on her left wing. "Do you know why that crowd gathered earlier? I had to leave..." @WolfsbaneRain

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Ilios knew his brother quite well, and already he felt that he knew exactly why Curse avoided group work. "Curse, at times is quite the rash fool," Ilios teased, receiving a small glare from his younger brother. "Keep an eye on him for me, and don't let his coldness get the best of you... He's just a little shy," Ilios continued.


"I'm not shy! And, I can take care of myself. I really don't see the need for all of this, but... I suppose I'll allow it. As long as it doesn't prove to be tedious, I'll tolerate a group," Curse agreed to their plans, a little hesitantly. Still, he did wish to be alone for at least some parts of the future ahead. His father was a very personal problem for the mage. As a result, it wasn't likely that he was going to speak of his plans about Vasilias, or allow anyone to help him come the time to confront the sinister group's leader. It was a challenge he wanted to face alone, with no help from those who would be accompanying him.

 

[Bea Delaine]

N laughed at this a bit. Two thin black gloved fingers holding down the middle of her cloak as she did so. She eyes Curse in a teasing way and nodded. She meant no actual harm. Just to make him try to prove them wrong by allowing there to be a group.


"I will take care of him, don't worry! Oh, call me N. And if you ever need anything and I am back in town, I will find you."


She said slightly ominously.


"Well than, curse, should we recruit so this is not a suicide mission?"

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

"I suppose," Curse reluctantly replied, "I'll see you later, Ilios." While he didn't show it, Curse was indeed worried about leaving his mother and brother behind. If they were at the castle, he wouldn't be able to help them if they needed him to... The last thing Curse wanted was to lose more family. Ilios on the other hand, appeared to be perfectly fine. While he did tease, he was confident that his brother would return home safely. He always did.


Ilios smiled, granting the two a small wave. "Same to you, Curse. I hope to see you in the future as well, N."

 

[WolfsbaneRain]

Kaylen looked at the girl with excitment as she described flying. However, her happy expression quickly turned sour with the mention of the days earlier events. The anger on her face was obvious and her eyes even changed to a bright red. When Kaylen felt her anger seem to take control she quickly closed here eyes and turned away, taking a deep breath and making sure she was calm before turning back the the girl. "Sorry about that. Um... I just know about that monsterous man trying to awaken Atanka. I left after that. I couldn't stand being there anymore." Kaylen looked up at the girl with a sheepish grin, "Sorry. I do not know much about what happened."