Aevum

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn was relieved to finally be free of his barbarian guards, and breathed a sigh of relief. The woman, whose name was Miracle, walked past him slowly, he assumed in an effort to size him up. He winked at her as she passed, "Lady Miracle, thank you for coming to my defense in the jungle. Without your words I am sure I would have been a dead man."


He saluted her with a fist to his forehead a slight bow.

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *releases a laugh mixed with flattery and skepticism, still walking away* "I was just being rational. They're not paid to think, as if they could, but if you truly are who you say then the morning will do you well. Good night to you....Ob...er..ryn?" *struggles with his name*


~I also place my right fist on my forehead and add a customary ladies' bow with it. Latvitz watches on with a skeptic face at Oberyn.~


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Latvitz: "Come now my fair lass, let's house you inside from the dark of night."


Me: *undoes bow and turns toward castle building*


Latvitz: "Who is that man?"


Me: ".....honestly, don't know. He seems noble...but..." *sighs*


Latvitz: *looks back at Oberyn with a sharp glare of caution*

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn gave his customary salute to Latvitz as well, countering his glare with a gentle smile. And with that he was alone again, stuck until morning somewhere in the city. It was unfamiliar and large to him, unlike anything he had ever seen before. But, when faced with a free night and a nearby tavern, Oberyn did what any sensible man would do; drink.


He found the tavern not far from where he had left Miracle, and for a place called The Gilded Tree it wasn't half bad looking. Oberyn approached the tavern wench, who was cleaning off the counter top, and put a bag of coins he had taken from the elves on the counter.


"I'd like a room please, and some mead if you have it." His husky voice carried well in the wooden tavern, and the red headed barmaid turned to greet him with a smile. She was quite a looker, curved in all the right places, a little upturned nose, green eyes, and she radiated warmth like the sun.


"Aye, we have- oh my, from Medium I see! We don't get many travelers from there around these parts. How many nights ser...?"


"I am Oberyn, and I am no ser, my lady. I am no highborn." He laughed as she handed him a mug. "And I will be here one night as far as I know."


"Well I am Tessa, and no noble lady either, Oberyn. Will ye be needin' company for the night?" She asked, giving him a sultry stare.


"Company? What do you me- oh." He raised an eyebrow at her and put on a sly grin. "Well that depends, lass- are you going to be my company?"


She leaned on the counter opposite him, her bust threatening to spill from her dress. "Well I do like you foreign boys, yea? But I'll have to pass tonight, handsome. Got no one else here smart enough to work the counter but meself."


"Then I think I'll just stick to the mead." he raised his glass and winked at her.


Suddenly a large fist came down on the counter next to him, making Tessa jump. Oberyn followed the arm up to the rather large man it belonged to, a barbarian from earlier.


"She don't want none of your filthy foreign skin tonight, Mediumian. We should have killed you in the jungle."


Oberyn calmly spun to face the man and continued to drink his mead. "Don't you have a mansion to enjoy?" he asked.


"Well the mansion doesn't have women like this one, yea?"


Oberyn shook his head slowly, "I think she's off limits tonight, my over fed friend." Tessa nodded in agreement but was suddenly jerked halfway over the counter by his massive hand.


"Who said I was askin?"


People began to leave the tavern, running to get away from the barbarian. Eventually it was just Oberyn, Tessa, a few tavern girls on the balcony railing, and two barbarians who stood in front of the exit.


Oberyn's eyes narrowed and he stood up, Tessa's face following him in a look of terror. "You will let her go, brute, and go back to your mansion, or I will make sure you can never enjoy a woman's touch again."


The barbarian laughed, throwing Tessa back over the counter, where she landed out of sight with a yelp. The large man swung his fist at Oberyn's face, but Oberyn ducked, coming up and grabbing it with his unarmored arm before running it all the way through with one of the spikes on his fully armored right arm. Blood sprayed up and over both men, and over the counter, as the barbarian howled and shoved Oberyn away.


The Winterman slid across the bar from the powerful shove and landed with a roll on the floor, coming up with his fists at the ready. His staff was behind the counter, a standard place for weapons in taverns so people couldn't cause trouble with them.


The barbarian charged him, and Oberyn stepped backwards on to a chair, vaulting himself up and over the barbarian, landing behind him and delivering a quick heel kick to the man's kidney. He again cried out in pain and this time fell to his knees, the two by the door coming to help him.


"NO!" He motioned them away, "This bastard is mine."


Oberyn's eyes went wide as the barbarian moved much faster than he could have anticipated, a blow landing right in his chest and sending him tumbling back towards the counter. Then the brute was on him, grabbing his face and slamming the back of Oberyn's head into the bar top again and again.


and then suddenly it stopped, and there was a gurgle from above him, and something hot and wet on his face. Oberyn managed to fight the darkness crowding his vision and wiped what appeared to be blood from his eyes.


The barbarian was above him, his face a look of agony as he collapsed onto the floor. Sticking out of his right eye socket was Oberyn's staff, and Oberyn turned to see Tessa shrug.


"I couldn't let him kill you, I told you I liked foreign boys."


The two barbarians near the door began to charge when two knights strolled in, "STOP!" one shouted. "All three of you are coming with me, Sir Daine, find out what the Wench saw.


Oberyn mouthed tell them I killed him to Tessa as she handed him back his coins.


"Oh I will, honey. Here is your money back, next time don't ruin my tavern, please." She winked as the guard turned Oberyn around and slapped some irons on him. The other two barbarians were in chains as well.


"Miss, his staff please." The knight asked. Tessa handed it to him and Oberyn was drug off by the knight, the two barbarians and Sir Daine staying behind at the tavern.


Well that didn't take long.

 

[Ch0sen1]

~I open the beautiful ivory door to my room and I pause in awe. I'd never been INSIDE the castle before, and goodness I was in way over my head. Ivory and gold laced the walls and ceiling of the guest quarters of the castle on the second floor.~


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Latvitz: "Here you are, lass"


Me: "Oh....my..." *stares at the masterpiece of a room* "This is....gorgeous I must admit."


Latvitz: "You have sweet rolls, honey nut treats, and our special venison stew there heated up and ready for your consumption. The finest selections of mead, wine, and cider for whatever you're in the mood for."


Me: "Thank you." *gives the Mundus salute of placing an open palm on my shoulder*


Latvitz: "...now is there anything else you need?"


Me: "No, that's all good sir." *drops my bag and walks to a velvet chair"


Latvitz: "Well....I'm here if you need anything. Anything at all..." *stands briskly in the doorway, both hands around his pelvic armor*


Me: "Thank you, but I'm fine. Night to you."


Latvitz: *returns a simple nod with a hint of uneasiness and shuts the door*


~This was extravagant. Too much. I instantly grab a sweet roll and begin to indulge in the sweet savory taste as I open the doors to the balcony where the entire city can be viewed.~


Me: "Oh this is rather quaint." *looking out to the well-lit city*


~In the gorgeous city, all three districts can be seen with empty golden orange streets. It is pretty late, no wonder no one's out. Suddenly I hear ruckus around The Gilded Tree in the Ground District and begin to see the Nature Guard escorting a small figure and clearly what are barbarians towards the castle. As they approach, that dark, worn metal and armored arm begins to ring in my head....The Winterman.~


Me: "Oh by Mars you have got to be kidding me..." *Looking down at the group in the distance.*


Me: "Well, he's dead now..."


~I walk over to my katana, the one I had found that dreadful day...Icewood...Medium....Winterman...no matter what of the Abandonment I'd still not turned my back on the gods. My faith may have wavered, but nonetheless was still powerful in my spirit. Was this a sign? Please, they'd left right?~


Me: *picks up katana and looks upon the Icewood* "Hmm..."


~I walk back out to the ivory balcony and look down once more. The group is much closer now, but a decent way below me and the enormous castle. I look at the dark hair of Oberyn and contemplate his fate and his motives all in one thought.~


Me: "He may be from Medium, but he'd do well to adhere to Mundus." *shakes my head as the wind begins to blow in, pushing my brunette hair in ways of my eyes.* "The barbarians will be released because of their 'deal' with the Conqueror, and that winter fellow.....well...." *sighs*

​

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[BarkWolfBacon]

"You had to go making trouble didn't you? Even after Ser Latvitz gave you the benefit of the doubt?" the knight leading Oberyn said. He was holding Oberyn's staff, and the Winterman didn't like that one bit.


"I was defending the barkeep, Ser Knight, the barbarian intended to rape her." He stopped and turned, the chain attached to Oberyn's irons dragging the ground from the slack when he did so.


"Listen, Winterman, I don't doubt thats true- those men are beasts...but they also have a deal with the conqueror. Not to mention you're a foreigner. The woman's story agreed with yours, but did you really have to kill 'em?"


Oberyn gestured with the cuffs to the back of his head, "Was I supposed to let him beat my head against the counter until I went blind? Next time I'll make sure to remember that."


The knight let out a grunt of frustration, turning again to lead him inside the castle gates. "You know damn well thats not what I meant."


They went through the gates and Oberyn could hardly believe the quantity of gold and finery that lined the walls. It was so lavish it actually made part of him angry, but he knew that was from growing up with nothing. The knight led him inside the main hall and shouted up to the commander on the balcony.


"What do you want me to do with him, Commander?"


Oberyn's face wasn't too busted up, just a few scrapes (though he was bleeding from the back of his head, which hurt rather badly), so he smiled his best smile up at the Commander.

 

[Ch0sen1]

~Latvitz reveals his face down to Oberyn as he steps out.~


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Commander Latvitz: "ahh yeas....the outsider. Should have known you were trouble." *looks at the barbarians* "And you two...back to the mansion....I'd better not see you anymore this week. Do not test me."


~The guard release the two barbarians as they give Oberyn a look of rage.~


Barbarian: "See you later....'outsider'....." *leaves*


Latvitz: "What are the allegations?"


Arch-Guard: "Well sir, the story matches up with Tessa Stonefell of the Gilded Tree...apparently a barbarian tried to force himself upon her, the outsider defended her, but also killed the barbarian."


Latvitz: "So let me get this straight, you kill four of our tribal citizens of Mundus AND a barbarian serving Mundus in the army? Didn't your father raise you on diplomacy and tact? Or was he a piss poor cattle minded pawn such as yourself? In any event, Knight, take him to the dungeons. His 'request' of the Conqueror has now becoma a criminal hearing." *slight smirk*


Arch-Guard: "Right away Commander." *begins to haul Oberyn off* "Sorry about this lad, perhaps the luck of the nature will be on your side..."


~I approach the second floor main lobby area in curiosity and a bit of nosiness to see what became of Oberyn. Latvitz turns to me and begins to watch as I approach the main balcony as well.~


Me: "Hi....I was just going to take a walk about the town..." *looking at Oberyn*


Latvitz: "I'm afraid not fair lass, too much incursion has transpired between this man here and others. Stay in for your safety. Tis past hours anyway, you should rest up for your briefing."


Me: "What did he do now?"


Latvitz: "He's killed another citizen of Mundus."


Me: *surprised* "What?? Who..?"


Latvitz: "Do not fret it, beauty. He will have his criminal hearing in the morning. Please, get some rest."


Me: *I think about the Icewood connection for some reason. I'm never one to delve into military affairs, but I just couldn't help thinking about Oberyn. How much he mystified me. I wanted to say something so bad....but my temperance stops me*


".............."

​

 

Latvitz: "To your quarters now dear, and may you be granted serene rest"


Me: *stares at Oberyn as I begin to walk back towards my room"

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn wondered what a woman who seemed as sensible as Miracle was doing with the ignorant leaders in this city. He had no doubt that a criminal hearing would be the course of action, so it would be almost anywhere in Orbis. Apparently defending a lady's honor from a man who liked like a bear in a man costume wasn't condoned in Nature City. It was really no problem, the dungeons suited Oberyn fine, they were free, and they wouldn't hold him anyway.


Well, not if they liked living, he supposed.


The guardsman led him to the dungeon cell, which was barely as big as a pantry. The size made more sense when Oberyn realized that the dungeon was absolutely massive, as though the masons had tried to see how many cells they could put in the smallest area. Oberyn whistled as the knight unlocked a cell door.


"You house half the city down here? Or you guys just really enthusiastic about your knightly duties?"


The knight let out a small chuckle and shoved Oberyn into the cell, placing the Winterman's staff by a guard's table nearby.


"Its a shame you're going to make me cut your tongue out, Mediumian; I actually kind of like you." Oberyn sat on the awful smelling straw met in the corner of the cell and smirked at the knight.


"You'd be surprised how fast I can move that tongue, you'd have to catch it first."


The knight scoffed again and disappeared, reappearing with some bread and water. "Here." he said, handing Oberyn the food and water through the slats, "Eat this and rest up, you'll have quite the day tomorrow. For what its worth, I can't blame you for what you did, and I wish you the best."


Oberyn was devouring the bread, but politely nodded at the knight before the man turned away.


Free meal, free bed...it could be worse. He thought, chewing on the stale bread he had been given. I've definitely stayed in worse places.

 

[Ch0sen1]

~The gleam of the gold shines down on my face with refinement as I lay upon the silk and velvet bed. It was soft, but I wasn't comfortable. I kept thinking, who in the heck did the Winterman kill? He seemed so nice... it couldn't have been for a bad reason, especially when he wished to council with Albert. It didn't add up, didn't make any bit of sense.~


Me: *stares at the ceiling and sighs, then I turn my head over to my Mediumian blade leaning against the dining table.*


~The thought then hit me. To go see him, the Winterman. Even though it'd be considered snooping, and I had no business getting involved with these affairs...I was still curious. Very curious, and I didn't know why. He just...seems so peculiar to me.~


Me: "Should I go see him...?" *thinks*


~I creep up to the door in my undergown on my bare tip toes with extreme silence, the soft velvet carpet sliding under my feet. I slowly open a crack in the door and peek out to an Arch-Guard patrolling the halls.~


Me: "Ugh, this'll never work..." *almost closes the door, then suddenly opens and walks out*


Patrol Guard: "Hmm? Lass, what are you up and about these late hours for?"


Me: "Sorry I um....have to visit the lavatory."


Patrol Guard: "I see. Shall I escort you?"


Me: "Not required good sir, simple directions will suffice."


Patrol Guard: "The 2nd floor lavatory is down the hall and to the left milady."


Me: "Thank you" *bows, walks away*


~The guard watches as I stroll away casually towards the end of the hall, once I make the left, I can see the balcony in which I stood earlier looking at Oberyn. The balcony runs the entire length of the castle lobby, with a beautiful crystal chandelier overhead. I also see the corridor to the lavatory and servants' rooms, and in front of me are large steps down to the first floor.~


Me: *peeks over balcony to see four arch guards, two guarding the main castle door, and two in the middle between the large staircases.* "No way they're going to let me pass..."


~I tread gracefully down the stairs towards the door in the middle of the staircases that leads to the dungeons. The two guards look up at me with those mythril, green tinted helmets and gaze upon me.~


Arch-Guard1: "Aye lass, what seems to be the problem?"


Me: "Well, I've always wanted to see what a dungeon looked like, perhaps a small tour from the guard inside? I know that I will be busy later on and I REALLY would like to see it to attune to my sightful side. Would you grant me that please?" *sensually gazes at guard*


Arch-Guard1: "I....erm....um..you have the loveliest eyes....beautiful....why are they violet?"


Me: "My mother said it was a gift from Venus herself..."


Arch-Guard2: *jealously* "Um, madam tis rather late....maybe I could ensure you a tour in the eve?"


Me: "Sorry, after my meeting I'll be headed to work right away...please...just a few minutes..." *touches the shoulder of the guard*


Arch-Guard2: "I...I suppose I can arrange a small meeting for a bit...." *stammering with a shaky breath* "Right this way." *unlocks dungeon doors and walks in* "After you..."


Me: "Why think you kind sir." *walks inward*


Arch-Guard1: *to guard 2* "You foul interruptor...."


Arch-Guard2: "Do not fret because she enjoys my thought more than yours" *smirks, follows me in*


~We enter into the massive dungeon with hundreds of cells on many floors below. The smell of fecal matter and must invades the entire area with a raunchy tone. The door guard immediately stands up in attention of our arrival and begins to speak.~


Dungeon Guard: "What's the meaning of this?"


Arch-Guard: "We have a lass here from Leafslot, as a special guest she requested that she'd like a tour of the dungeons for her indulgence."


Dungeon Guard: "Now is not the time."


Arch-Guard: "She'll be busy all day, with work from the Conqueror, and surely we don't want complaints to him of our non cooperation correct?"


Dungeon Guard: "Hmm....I don't know about this..."


Me: "It will be brief my good sir, maybe 10 minutes. I've just always wanted to see this....and my it's big." *spontaneously begins walking the isles acting amazed* "This is....incredible...you must be some kind of man to guard all these cells. Must take a lot of skill..."


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Dungeon Guard: "Well...." *smitten by my words*


Me: "How do you do it?" *walking, looking in cells*


Dungeon Guard: "It's no big fret really, I just stay focused and crack down on anything that needs to be done."


Arch-Guard: "Here lass, I shall escort with you, in case some of these men try anything funny..." *walks to me, a huge smug smile underneath that helmet*


Me: "Thank you" *smiles at arch guard*


~Just as I was about to tread downwards towards more of the massive dungeons, I catch a very familiar face sitting in the last cell on a hay cot. The Winterman. I found him...I didn't even know why I came here, or what I was expecting but now he was in front of me. A murderer. A....mysterious man. He didn't look to upset to be in that cot, then again he didn't look too thrilled either. I sync my purple eyes into his.~


Me: *looks at Oberyn* "Well, we meet again. Tell me, are you fond of starting trouble? Or just being a magnet for it?"

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn finished chewing a piece of stale bread and took a swig of water.


"Depends, I suppose. If I keep starting trouble will you continue to come around?" He smiled and then it faded, Miracles violet eyes making him feel all too silly here in the dungeon. "In truth, it appears defending a ladies honor isn't as...honorable?...as back home. One of your barbarian friends tried to manhandle a rather gorgeous creature at the tavern. I uh...disagreed with him."


He scanned her up and down in her nightgown, it clinging to her body in rather satisfying ways. Its no wonder she convinced the guards to let her down here. He thought.


"Tell me, Lady Miracle, do you normally go around visiting strange criminals in a dungeon wearing your nightgown- or am I special?"

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *I look down at my clothes and immediately blush, forgetting that I just up and left without thinking* "I uhh....this is completely....*shakes head* "Anyway, you defended a 'gorgeous creature' huh? Defending is very honorable IF that's what actually happened....but killing someone is never taken lightly, and for you now that's 5. Don't see things ending well for you Winterman."


Arch Guard: "Never mind this cur, lass. He'll get what's coming sure enough. Murder is a very serious crime."


Me: "Annnnd you know, the more chivalrous and righteous someone's story is, the more prone it is to be false, so what makes your story any different from the rest of the criminals in here?"


~I noticed Oberyn still analyzing my anatomy, one I was very proud of. It made me very uneasy, very nervous. I was indirectly flattered, but however I wasn't some 'gorgeous creature' , and to him I bet I was just another pawn to use away.~


Me: *snaps fingers at Oberyn* "Hey....my eyes are up here" *moves my hands towards my eyes.*


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​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn smiled at her and stopped his intentional gawking. She certianly wasn't ashamed of her body, and that was the point of his little test. So far he knew she was not without combat prowess, was confident, and apparently able to charm men out their minds. Quite a handy skillset that was. What else can you do, little bird? He wondered admiringly. She reminded him of the women up north- strong and cunning. Some of the other women on Orbis couldn't say the same.


"My story is different because I have a whole tavern full of wench's to back it up." He feigned having an epiphany, and then made an exaggerated I have it! gesture, "Well there's the problem! What is the word of a dozen whores against two barbarians...I see your point."


He stood and moved over to her, if only to get closer to the enigma that she was.


"The winter can bury my story, but what of you, Lady Miracle? What are you doing here? And if I may add, where did you obtain such a fine blade as of Icewood make?"

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *I instinctively back up as Oberyn steps forward*


Arch-Guard: *pulls sword* "Stay back prisoner, lest you be chopped down like the lumber of your home province..." *stands in front of me*


Me: "The barbarians don't run this place like you think. They ARE officially military for the Mundus army though, so yeah it does carry weight I'm afraid. It's silly for me to say this but, it makes bad business for the politics here....yes, there's still politics."


Arch-Guard: *remains in front of me*


Me: "And I'm here touring the dungeon before my busy day....as far as the blade... *pauses, and thinks about that day, The Abandonment.* "...I found it. That's not really...." *stops* "Tell me what you know about Leafslot."


Arch-Guard: "Madam we should continue on...there's more to see, and he's a wild card."


Me: "Just a moment....tell me" *to Oberyn*

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn's gaze turned sour as he thought of The Abandonment.


"The Abandonment hit Orbis differently across its face. I'm not sure why, but it seemed that destruction was focused on certain areas. Why is that, do you think? I have been searching for quite some time, but all travelers I have spoken to agreed on one thing..."


Oberyn gave Miracle a look of sympathy and wished they could have this conversation in a better place.


"...That Leafslot was hit hardest. Balls of fire from the sky, the world turned red...Something had to have been left behind from all that. I need to know what, I need to find out why it happened the way it did, otherwise it just doesn't make sense."

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *I give Oberyn a look of absolute interest and a side of shock* "WE were hit the hardest!? What sort of facts do you have in this theory of yours? Last I checked we ALL suffered greatly, even Regnum fell from it's throne at the hands of the gods."


Arch-Guard: "He's just trying to talk you up, a wild man with wild sayings only to appeal to your sense of nature. I've met men like you boy" *walks up to the cell* "And you're nothing but a wretch, a false man with delusions of conquest."


Me: "Tell me how Leafslot was hit the hardest, and the fact that 'everyone' agrees on this is fishy...how would everyone know of our small place? And why would the gods choose there? We have nothing but plants and old trees. Have you ever stopped to think that MAYBE our city was just rampaged in a way that would strike stories across Orbis? Perhaps that we lost just as much as everyone but in a way that the gods devised just for the plant life??"


~I unknowingly raised my voice, at this point the Arch-Guard looks at me in that helmet of his. I can feel his skepticism, his uneasiness. I can feel my own animosity inside. A spiritual burning that I didn't even know I had. My heart was racing, and I can feel my face burn hot with something I never felt before. Not even during Abandonment. I thought of my dad and mother to calm myself, and realized that I had got worked up over the loss of my city. My people.~


Me: *slightly trembles*

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn shook his head and looked at the poor girl. "I don't have the answers, that's what I am trying to find. But no where in Medium did Ares himself throw fireballs down on our heads. We were invaded by monsters...organized in a way that we had never seen. You hear stories of The Abandonment in other places, and ask yourself if the damage was truly so focused. Food for thought, Lady Miracle. Now I better let you go before this guard here decides to cut out my tongue."


Oberyn rested on the straw mat, leaning wit his back against the wall.


"Goodnight, Lady Mirace- thank you for the visit."

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *I stare at Oberyn with indifference and a slight look of distaste* "Ares? Who?"


Arch-Guard: "Come now lass..."


Me: "........I'm suddenly not in the mood for a tour anymore." *abruptly walks out of the dungeon*


Arch-Guard: "Well Mediumian, seems you can't fair with anyone. No wonder you're alone....jail will be wonderful for you yet." *strolls away*


~I hastily make my way back to my quarters as I head up the stairs once more. Upon reaching the 2nd floor, I see the patrol guard that let me out roaming the corridors, and when he spots me begins to walk towards me.~


Patrol Guard: "Aye! Lass! What's your meaning of roaming?"


Me: "I got distracted by the beauty and history of the castle. Aplogies." *still walking towards my quarters*


Patrol Guard: "Why do you seem so antsy?"


Me: "I'm fine, thank you." *speed walks towards my door and enters, locking the door behind me. I stay with my back against the door pondering Obeyn's words and why I'm feeling like this.* "Ugh...keep your wits Miracle..." *rubs my temples*


~I mosey over to the rich bed and lay down sultry and lightly. I bury myself in the silk and velvet sheets and let the warmth embrace me as a substitute for this void of spirit I'm feeling right now. I began to go in deep thought about The Abandonment, what it had truly meant. I often did but now I was peaked. And Oberyn....had people really said Leafslot got it the worst? It was all weighing my mind heavily.~


Me: *contemplates heavy as I drift off to a deep, peaceful slumber*

​

 

----------------------------------THE ABANDONMENT, ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO-----------------


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~The enormous ball of fire thrusts through the air at extreme ferocity and velocity. It shoots right at us at the top of the pass leading out into the rainforests. I stand there looking into the eyes of the gods' fury as I contemplate a solution to the coming threat.~


Dart: "Miracle!!! RUN!" *gestures me towards the rainforest* "Shana, take the stuff, get Miracle out of here."


Shana: "Dart what are you--"


Dart: *interrupts* "Just go! NOW."


Me: "....Dad?"


Dart: "I love you Miracle" *walking back towards the smoke and chaos*


Me: "Dad NO! What are you doing!? NO!" *runs to him but I'm stopped by my mother*


Shana: *restrains me* "Hey, hey it's okay..."


Dart: *stands tall gazing at the ball of fire* "Hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaahhhhhh!!!" *he begins to roar as he tenses his body strictly and begins to strain* "INFERNUS!!!" *the ground begins to spontaneously catch fire around him and revolve around his body*


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Me: *shocked* "Dad....? What is he--"


Shana: "Baby, take our stuff to the top of the pass. Grab Julius and the others and you run as fast as you can do you hear me?" *shakes me* "Hey! Look at me sweetheart."


Me: *snaps my eyes into my mothers*


Shana: "Go. We'll catch up to you afterwards. I love you." *hugs me tightly*


Me: "Mother..."


Shana: *pushes our belongings on me and shoves me away* "Go now!"


Julius: "Miracle come now, come now!" *takes a sack and uses his other arm to wrap me and carry me back towards the top of the pass*


Me: "Mother what are you guys doing!? Mother!?" *gazing at my mother run to my father*


Dart: *eyes closed, meditating. A flurry of flames sprawl from around him and get extremely large and swirl with intensity, the heat searing the dirt and ash around the vicinity.*


Shana: "Dart!" *yelling over noise and flames*


Dart: *opens his eyes and turns to Shana with a look of strain and rage*


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Shana: ".....I'm not leaving you. Magister Testsa!" *her body glows with a red energy as she begins to walk through the flames to Dart*


Me: *mouth drops, struggling against Julius' momentum* "Mother....?"


Shana: *locks her arm with Dart's* "They're not taking our baby. They're not taking anymore of our people."


Dart: *too concentrated and strained to speak, but returns a look of understanding and love towards Shana*


Shana: "I love you, Dart" *closing her eyes and lifting her right arm into the air, going into a meditative state* ".......Summo.......Murum..."


~The inferno from Dart's spell begins to spread across for meters and grows rapidly. Shana chants an incantation that shows a beautiful, sparkling white light form in the ground in front of me and the other few dozen citizens that stay at the top of the pass. The light begins to rise from the dirt in a wall like structure, the sound of cystals eminating from it.~


Me: *watches the beautiful white light wall rise up before us*


~We all watch on as my parents try to thwart this incoming damnation from the gods. I'd never seen or heard of any spells like these. None of us have. I have literally never seen my parents use a spell before now. I didn't even know that they knew any spells. The wall rises and rises with an aura of grace and radiance. It exceeds great heights, and just keeps getting taller, and more solidified. The ball of fire closes in on our party, its size that of a large field.~


Dart: *strains and grunts one final time, before roaring loud as he can and blasting the inferno towards the ball of fire.* "GNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" *throws arms to incoming ball as the flames of the inferno shoot towards the flaming ball coming down*


Shana: *meditates as her arms stretch towards the infuriated gods*


Sittany: "Oh my goodness..."


John: "He's going toe to toe with Mars himself....."


Julius: *shocked*


Me: *mouth gaped at the impossible sight before me. The glow from the wall shines through onto the bodies of all of us that remain alive, as I look through the transparent wall at my parents. Parents who everyday had this routine job in Leafslot and seemed so mundane and casual, they're now acting as great warriors chosen by Jupiter, exceptional and courageous with these grand powers that's never been spoken of.*


Girl from Leafslot: "It's coming!!" *gasps*


~We look upon the blood red sky as it rains fire on Leafslot and the surrounding jungle and terrain. Red lightning continues to strike down causing sparks of great fires. The screams are getting faint now, the screams are becoming less and less. I run to the radiating wall as I slam into it, taken aback by the actual solidness and structure of it. I place my hands on the wall and longingly look through as if it's glass. The great ball of fire comes down in plain view of its gigantic size and temperature, as it combined with my dad's inferno has the surrounding area feeling like hell itself.~


Me: "Oh no oh no ugghh!!!" *braces for impact* "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"


~Through the wall I see it. The ball of fire crashes down and infuses with Dart's inferno, drowning out most of the impact and blast, but still with a massive force and impact to expel a thunderous boom that even through the wall pops our eardrums. Fire spreads everywhere like a flash of white hot light. The shockwave of 2000 degrees blows towards the wall and heads towards us in microseconds. Just as it does, the wall repels it in perfect timing as the wall suddenly disperses and vanishes and I fall forward from the momentum of leaning against it.~


[AHHHHHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!]


~screams of the survivors with me fill the air, as their fear and shock immediately manifest.~


Me: *Immediately bounces back up and stumbles forward, looking at the meters upon meters of smoke and heat in front of me*


~Time stops for me. The raining fire no longer exists, the red lightning doesn't exist. The screams are silent to me, nothing is there anymore...except for that smoke. The feeling of heat on my face, and the smell of burnt flesh and herbs. The smell of death. I wait for the smoke to clear, which seemed like an eon. Julius calls out to me, but I don't hear him. I can't. There's only them. My mother and father...my mind knew the truth, but my spirit...~


Me: *slowly walks towards the smoke, zoned out*


Julius: "No! Miracle no.." *runs to me and grabs my waist and pulls me back*


Me: *struggling to walk forward, not consciously attentive to anything that's going on*


~Sittany and John join as the three carry me back towards the other side of the hill.~


Me: *begins to gain awareness and fights to get free* "No, noo....get off of me, GET OFF OF ME!!! MOTHER!!! DAD!! NO!!!"


Sittany: *tears up* "Baby please stop....it's ok baby it's ok.."


John: "Calm down sweetheart!"


Julius: *refuses to let go* "No Miracle STOP!! Hey, hey come here.." *tries to hug me*


Me: *violently shoves Julius* "NO!! LET ME GOO!! MOTHER! DAD!?"


~The citizens break down and begin to uncontrollably sob and wail at the compilation of chaotic events that have just happened. It finally hit us all. This is the end. The gods have left us, we are no more, nothing to them. The survivors look upon me with eyes of great pity and sympathy, and go weak as their body collapses and they expend every last bit of remaining energy to cry their heart out.~


Me: "UGGGHHHHH!!!" *I give in to the extreme pain and sadness, and I break down to my knees and scream full volume into Juilius' chest* "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"


Sittany: *wails*


John: *tears stream from his eyes*


Julius: "I'm so sorry.....Miracle oh gods I'm so sorry......" *holds me tight as he begins to cry as well, battered by the extreme loss that we've all suffered.*


Me: *tries to cry, feeling the intense grief before me, but no tears come out, only my constant screaming and groaning of sadness.*

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

Oberyn was just about to fall asleep when someone knocked on his cell bars.


"Winterman, you up?"


Oberyn grunted and sat up, squinting in the light to see one of the guards from earlier. "I am now, have I managed to cause more trouble, even while locked up?"


The guard chuckled and drug a chair over, sitting down not far from him. "I had some questions for you, about what you said earlier regarding The Abandonment." A very serious look was on the guard's face now. "First off, you mentioned Ares, who is Ares?"


"Your people would call him Mars, friend. Sometimes I forget I am in a foreign land, we have slightly different names for a handful of the Gods...traditions from our old language before we all switched to the common speech."


"Ahh, and what have you heard, about other places I mean?"


Oberyn's eyes glazed over as he began to recall the stories he had heard, "In Obscura, Regnum, and Umbra, coastal cities were devoured by the ocean itself, horrors of the deep crawling ashore before the ocean overtook it. In the mountains, we were invaded by an army of monsters the likes of which we had never seen. In Mundus, especially Leafslot; it rained fire and death from the sky...other lands suffered disease, droughts, horrors, spirits...it was a varying calamity across all the provinces. But the true question is, why? Why didn't it happen the same all over?"


The guard leaned his head against the bars and sighed, a look of frustration evident on his face. "For what its worth, I hope Conqueror Albert understands why you did what you did. Political backlash be damned, at least someone is looking into it. I just feel like so many people accept the Abandonment...no one is fighting it or trying to find out why. All of them gave up, hopeless; but you haven't. Keep fighting, Winterman...I will see what kind words I can land in the Conqueror's ear before your trial."


"Thanks, sir knight, that is awful kind of you." Oberyn said, watching the man get up and put the chair back.


"Get some rest, you'll need it tomorrow for the trial."


With that Oberyn shut his eyes again, sleep coming quickly, his dreams filled with Lady Miracle's violet eyes watching him.

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *I rapidly open my eyes from the nightmare of a flashback as I hear a pounding on the door. I reluctantly get up to a blinding orange-yellow light shining in my face through the balcony windows.* "No....." *rubs my eyes as my all to short of a sleep was interrupted, I open the door*


Latvitz: "Hello, lady Miracle. The Conqueror is awake and preparing for your council. Please, get ready as needed, oh! And these are from the conqueror himself, a forest green silk wealth dress woven with sabre leather underneath for durability."


Me: *wearily looks at the marvel of a dress, and takes it.* "Thank you...."


Latvitz: "May I say....even in morning time fresh from your cot you maintain your striking beauty, had Venus not left us I'd say she done well by you."


Me: "That's sweet, thank you Commander." *begins to shut the door to get ready*


Latvitz: "Oh!" *hold door open* "One more thing....it seems one of my arch-guard has sent you these...." *hands me a bouqet of sunflowers* "Why? I haven't the slightest..."


Me: *chuckles* "Yeah um, he seen me yesterday whomever his name is, offered me a tour of the castle. Your guard are very noble sir."


Latvitz: "....why thank you." *says reluctantly*


Me: "See you later" *closes the door, gazing at the dress* "Wow. Just....marvelous. I know what the conqueror's trying to do, but it won't work."


~I walk over to the small dining table and I grab a green apple, a sweet roll, and some cooked venison and begin to eat before I start this hectic day. The morning had started off pretty well, but it didn't shake my mind of my nightmare. A nightmare that was a reality. Oberyn's words, I thought it was complete blasphemy, but yet why is it that it's affecting me? In my mind, he was going away for some time anyways, and I hadn't planned on staying here....so maybe I'd do best to ask him one last time before we part ways.~


Me: *devours the cooked venison followed by the apple* "Umm....this is good....yes, this is delightful...."


~I save the sweet roll for on the go as I rise and remove my undergown, revealing my loincloth bra and underwear. I spot a mirror in the corner of the room beside the balcony windows. I stare into it, looking past my toned abs and biceps, past my decadant curves and bust, but yet I stare into my violet eyes. The ones that Orbis sees as a beautiful gift from Venus...but I see as a mark, a mark of damnation. A curse. I stare for what seems an eternity on end.~


???: *whispers* "Huuuuaaa...."


Me: *I snap my head around the room in anxiety* "What the!?" *I rush to the Icewood katana and unsheath it, maintaining form with two hands while bare bodied*


~Moments pass as not another sound erupts. Silence. Peace. That was the scary part...~


Me: *sighs* "I need to calm myself..." *I place the blade on the bed and begin to put on the wealthy rare green dress.*

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

"Winterman!" the guard from the night before lightly wrapped the bars. Oberyn awoke slowly, his back sore from sleeping on the pitiful excuse for a cot. "Winterman, Albert has requested your trial be finished before Lady Miracle's meeting with him. It is time."


Oberyn groaned and stood up, drinking the water the guard had put in the cell. There was also a piece of bread and a small amount of salted pork, which Oberyn happily consumed.


"I managed to spread some kind words about you, and I know for a fact that they spoke to the women at the tavern...so at minimum, know that not everyone in this city thinks you a dangerous foreigner."


"You know, after all the kindness you've shown me, you haven't told me your name, sir knight." Oberyn asked.


"Alistair Calin."


"Well, sir Calin, I appreciate all that you have done."


Calin hands Oberyn his Icewood staff as he unlocks the cell door and leads him down the hallway. "You'll be surrounded by guards, there is no sense in you not carrying this, less for me to carry anyhow."


And with that, they were walking up the stairs from the dungeon, towards Oberyn's trial.

 

[Ch0sen1]

~I look in the mirror at the dress as it wraps my fit body, but I've never been used to earing things such as this. I looked damn good, but inside I felt like I was just an empty shell walking around. I grab my sweet roll off of the bed along with the Icewood Blade and I eat my dessert as a knock on the door comes.~


Me: *opens door*


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Latvitz: "Hello Miracle. Your briefing will be undergone after the Winterman's trial, he's actually requested you to stand as a witness to events along with the barbarians. Trust me, it'll be quick."


Me: "Wait, a witness? I have to attest in trial..?"


Latvitz: "Only for a brief moment lass. I promise you'd have no more hassle than putting on a shoe, just answer the Conqueror's questions honestly and accurately."


Me: "And when is this trial?"


Latvitz: "They're prepping now lass" *stops and looks at me* "My gods....you are astounding.."


Me: "Thanks...."


~Two of the Nature Guard approach behind Latvitz ready to escort me with their mythril spears.~


Latvitz: "Shall we be off?" *extends arm*


Me: "I have to get my things.."


Latvitz: "Leave them, this room is yours for your stay. I'll have my finest guards securing this door, I promise."


Me: "Very well, let's go then." *grabs Latvitz's arm and heads towards the throne room*


Latvitz: "Been up all morning gathering reports on this Winterman. His Gilded Tree endeavor seems clear, but the fact the he's murdered 5 total Mundus citizens will have him in a fair pit."


Me: "What happened at the Gilded Tree?"


Latvitz: "A barbarian apparently got a little too close to a wench, she didn't like it, Winterman stepped in...and killed him."


Me: "Yeah that's a bit extreme I must say, could have just incapaciteted him."


Latvitz: "Exactly.He's careless, reckless, and dangerous. Albert will hold him little favor."


Me: "What do you need me for?"


Latvitz: "To explain things that happened in Leaf's Pass. The barbarians are waiting also."


Me: "He seemed pretty compliant and peace driven...otherwise he'd be dead."


Latvitz: "Those are the ones you watch most."


~We turn onto this huge staircase on the 2nd floor leading up into the throne room. Upon arriving, the entire group of now 39 barbarians all crowd together to my right, Lork and Dahna looking at me with eyes of ferocity and rage. I know who they await. To my left are the Nature Guard and I suppose the wench who was involved. Cute lass, rather worn looking however. And finally, in front of me lies the Conqueror who I'd only seen once before, and now I remain at his mercy again. Albert, the human-elf hybrid. Noble eminating all around him, but justice and absolution cloaking him like a curtain.~


Lork: "Hello again, birdie."


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Albert: "Well now, Miracle Draconis....truly a pleasure to see you once more my dear. How are you?"


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Me: "I am well, thank you, yourself sir?"


Albert: "Marvelous. Please, cut the semantics you can talk to me as I were your foolish brother who annoyed you." *smirks* "I see there's been a lot to happen on your arrival."


Me: "I would say so, indeed."

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

"I have a tendency to complicate matters, in her defense, sir." Oberyn said from his platform in the middle of the throne room that had been wheeled in, his wrists chained to it. He smiled at Miracle and winked.


"I'm sure you've heard it from every man you've seen this morning, but you look like a lone flower in winter, Lady Miracle."


He shifted his gaze to the conqueror, a calm look coming over his person.


"Your Highness, I had wanted to speak to you anyway- so at least this gets two birds with one stone."

 

[Ch0sen1]

Me: *I snap my head around to a caged Oberyn, smiling and shaking my head at his wink. Upon hearing his flower compliment, I smittenly return a smile and slightly look down.*


~!? What the hell?? Did I just blush!? this is NOT my temperament whatsoever, and this man is a potential criminal, AND he also claimed to know of my struggle in Leafslot but he has no idea...why is it that I forgot all of that as soon as I seen him? Then it hit me...~


Me: *snaps back to a serious demeanor*


Lork: *walking to Oberyn* "You don't have any authority to speak commands you fucking mut!!!"


Latvitz: *halts Lork* "Heel, Lork."


Lork: "He killed Brynos! That fucker will pay..."


Latvitz: "LORK!"


Albert: "Silence." *says dismissively* "Lork, how about you calm thyself on affairs you know minimal detail about huh?"


Lork: *stays silent*


Albert: "You were a Winterman hmm? ....I thought Tykus' men were overrun by the Goblins...in any event, your 'two birds with one stone' implies that Miracle is a troublemaker and that you sir were summoned here in service to Mundus....which both clearly is not the case."

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

"I came to speak with you, sir. That was the original purpose of my arrival in Mundus. Of course, then I was greeted by elven bandits, forced to accompany the horde of barbarians you employ, and had to defend a woman who was about to get assaulted by a bear pretending to be a man. He looked a lot like that guy." Oberyn pointed at Lork, "Although, if I am being completely honest, they all kind of look like bear-man leader over there."


He sighed and rustled his chains. "Its not my fault that the man died, but he wouldn't relent from the fight and it was clear he would kill me. Try as I might, I haven't quite accepted that my time is up yet, sire. I have work to do regarding the Abandonment."

 

[Ch0sen1]

Albert: "You'd do well not to insult my ground army, boy. They may be a bit undisciplined but they have done more for the service of Mundus than you probably have since The Abandonment....obviously were that not the case you would not be here seeking my council. It seems, you have gotten yourself into your mess. This is the jungle boy, you must adhere to it's follies."


~The barbarians grunt and curse at Oberyn for his remarks.~


Dahna: "HAH! Says the one in chains!"


Me: *tenses a bit from Oberyn's offensive words*


Albert: "And in case you haven't noticed, the Abandonment is over boy. Lapsed a year and a half ago..." *chuckles* "Please don't tell me you're another adventurer pursuing the answers of the divine like a silly child, surely a capable man such as yourself isn't so foolish..."


Rargus: *mumbles* "Seems that way..."


Albert: "Unless you have a god with you, I'd say there's nothing of service or council your presence does me any favor." *places fist under his chin in a relaxing, solid pose*

​

 

[BarkWolfBacon]

"Then with all do respect, Sire- you have Abandoned reason as the Gods Abandoned Orbis." Oberyn said, his demeanor losing its friendly and puckish edge, replaced by a dread seriousness and sharp gaze.


"You truly believe that what happened is over? It will never be over. Indeed, right now it is still happening. Until the Gods return there is no end to the Abandonment. This is not something that ends."





Oberyn looks around the chamber, his now harsh gaze piercing with his pale blue eyes.


"Were you so foolish to abandon hope as well? If that be the case, then we should all fall on our swords here and now- for the universe has no protectors. We are more vulnerable than ever. My father understood that, and yes he was felled by a horde of goblins. A horde so vast it could have overtaken all of Medium. But he knew that what happened had to be reversed, lest we all slide into the grip of the void and become devoured by the shadows of our lands.


"A storm is brewing, Your Highness, one I felt deep within the mines in Medium, and is rippling out through all of the land. I am not just another adventurer pursuing the answers of the divine, I don't even seek to understand the divine."


He slammed his fists on the podium, clearly agitated at Albert's apparent apathy regarding the Abandonment.


"But I do seek to take action, to do something other than sit in the mountains, killing goblins and going to sleep at night realizing that the universe is devoid of the most powerful beings in existence...we have to find a solution. Lest the maw of darkness swallow us whole."