Take Back the Crown

Oceana was facing away from Ayda, looking at Yaro expectantly when she replied,


"I slept well enough." Looking at the human girl out of the corner of her eye she asked, "And you?"


@QueenSaiko


@Lo Alyssa
 
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"I slept pretty well, I feel much more refreshed today..." Ayda replied, before looking at the shining borderline orange glass in her hands.


"Thank you for this... I'll take good care of it..."


@Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77
 

Phaedra widened her eyes slightly. Valeiah was so casual about this ability, speaking of healing such a wound as if it took no effort - and maybe it was no effect. It was interesting to her, now realizing that Valeiah was a healer, how quick she would resort to violence when she had met (or rather, ambushed) the party during their travel. Perhaps Phaedra was under the incorrect assumption that healers would refrain from violence because of their profession.

"So you have healing magic then. How fortunate for us. But you must have a life beyond that. Do you have any hobbies?"

Ah yes, and this is where it begins. As Phaedra warmed up to her - slowly becoming more secure that she wouldn't be targeted by Valeiah's temper - she became more curious. While her questions were seemingly useless, they were of significant intrigue to Phaedra. The answers told her who she was and what made her who she was and how she thinks. People and the inner lives they lead within their minds fascinated Phaedra more than anything.

As she became more engaged in conversation, she started to forget the loaf of bread in her hands and her growing hunger.

@Danika
​
 
Oceana huffed in amusement.


"It serves another purpose than just looking pretty. It's not completely ornamental or useless. If thrown strong and true..."


She gave Ayda a look as she trailed off, before turning to the dead coals of the firepit.


"Only if you truly need it though."


The elf maiden tucked her ebony hair behind one ear gracefully.


"You can have it simply be a shiny bauble if you wish."


@QueenSaiko
 
"Hobbies? Erm..." Valeiah had a mouth full of bread. "My sister was the one who taught me to climb trees. Is that a hobby? Climbing trees?" She seemed a little distracted by herself. She snapped out of it eventually. "I'm a teacher in my tribe. Or, was." She was still having problems with the is and was thing.


@TeeKay
 
Bo's smile grew wider as Nameen fumbled with her words, and he nodded at her question. "Yes, you're right. It's nice to meet you, Nameen!" He said as he took a seat across from her (not blocking the view of the camp though... he was tall enough to do that). "So... what caused you to come on this journey? That is, if you don't mind sharing."


Hopefully she wouldn't mind answering questions between taling bites of food? He honestly had no problem with people eating and talking at the same time, as long as food didn't get spat on him or something.


@Rydellius
 
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"I hope I'll never have to use it that way..." Ayda sighed, before looking at Oceana and smiling a very small, but genuine smile.


"It's a wonderful gift. I'll be sure to repay you one day... That being said... What things do you like?"


@OlKaJa77
 

Hjalmar helped himself to three loaves of bread, having not eaten for two days. His boss usually took most of the money he made in his heists, assuming Hjalmar could just steal some food if he was hungry. It wasn't that simple though, and he usually went for a couple days without a meal before finally finding some. At least with this group he'd be well fed. He shoved the bread into his mouth, intent on listening to Yaroslav's story despite knowing the man hated his guts.


Yaroslav's mouth widened into a grin, for the first time in a long time, actually showing teeth, "Very witty." He said, appreciating the pun she had added to her last sentence. He finished off the last of his bread before starting. He cleared his throat, "Several winters ago, my grandmother and I traveled through this small village called Turk. We did our usual routine, selling our merchandise and offering other services the people were in need of. After supping with them, they told us about a problem that had risen in the past year. Apparently hunters had been mangled, people who went out to forage and get water would never come back. They sent a group of trackers into the wood to see if they could pinpoint the cause, but out of the five that went, only one came back. The man who was informing me of this, introduced himself as the only survivor, and of course he did not come back unscathed. His arm had been mangled down to the bone. He told us that it was three large and utterly savage bears. They got a break as winter set in and the bears left to hibernate, but they would wake up eventually and just cause problems again..." Yaroslav leaned in a little closer, "And of course, my grandmother volunteered me to go and fix the problem." He could hear Svetlana chuckle to herself, "So I traveled into the forest. The air was cold, and the trees still bare, but all the animals were coming out of hibernation. Which ultimately meant that these bears were going to be hungry, and especially grumpy. After a couple hours of tracking, I finally located their den, nocked an arrow, took aim, and let one loose. It hit the smallest bear. However, it bounced right off its back. All I had managed to do was wake it up earlier than it wanted to be, it was angry. I realized that these were not your ordinary bears. They were boulder backs. Bears with hides of steel, no arrow nor sword could leave even a scratch on them.


"The smallest one spotted me and did not hesitate to charge. I knew my arrows, even my axes, would be totally useless. All I had was my magic. So I managed to put some solidity between me and the bear, but it hit me with such brute force, I was knocked back. I realized then that even my magic would be useless against it, it only delayed the inevitable. I could have run away, but I set out to finish a job, and I am a rather stubborn man if you had not noticed. Once I am in the heat of battle, I have a hard time retreating. So I got to my feet, and decided the only way to defeat them was by using my surroundings. While the smaller bear was still recovering from butting heads with me, I used my magic to uproot a tree right next to it, there was no way it could withstand the weight of a full grown sequoia." He clapped his hands together for emphasis, "I managed to kill the smaller bear, but the crash of the tree woke up the other two..." He went on to describe his battle with the other two, even bigger bears, getting a few scars that he still has on his back. How he led them up to a ravine and managed to run them off the edge, drowning them in the raging river below. It was the first time he had to rely solely on his magic instead of his weapons, and how he became a stronger mage because of it.
​



 
Thora had stopped to listen to Yaroslav's tale. She appreciated his use of magic and his surroundings, for that is also what she preferred. Of course, she wasn't a very powerful nymph and couldn't even use her own magic unless she was close enough to a Mountain Ash tree. This is why she had her bow (in which she was well-trained but not quite comfortable with).
 
"It is a very interesting tale. But why did you decide to go after three bears all by yourself? It's usually a bad idea even for skilled huntsmen." Garrett commented with a smile.


@Lo Alyssa
 
"Mainly because no one was willing to go with me." He said, rubbing the back of his neck, "They were too afraid after having tried so many times on their own. Perhaps they thought I could handle it because of my magic... They were not entirely wrong."

​



 

"Climbing trees could be a hobby, sure." Phaedra shrugged. A hobby was simply whatever you did in your spare time, right? "What did you teach, Valeiah? Tree climbing?"

Now, most people would interpret that last bit as sarcasm. No, she was completely serious.

@Danika
​
 
Oceana was delighted and impressed by Yaroslav's story. No doubt he would make a skilled hunting partner. He seemed to be a man of action and the elf couldn't wait to see his abilities firsthand.


Her attention was pulled away by Ayda, who had inquired about something.


"Th-things I like???" Oceana stammered, perplexed.


She thought a long moment.


"Well," she said, pausing to think for another moment.


Things I like...


She nodded to herself and looked at Ayda.


"Elven things" she deadpanned.


@QueenSaiko
 
Valeiah didn't pick up the not there sarcasm. "Well, I mastered healing very young. Only twelve. Most would master it in their twenties, maybe older. I taught the kids how to heal." She smiled. "Taught. Most of them are gone now."


@TeeKay
 
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"To be honest, I'd originally had no plans of joining this quest until yesterday in the tavern." Nameen explained to Bo. "I'd heard the word of it, but I'm not one to pay a lot of attention to rumours. Being in Brink at the exact time of the meeting was coincidence."


She ripped off a small chunk of the bread loaf. "I don't have any love for the demon lord, I don't think anyone does. But more of the reason I decided to come along is-" She hesitated, trying to find the right words.


"I'm trying to regain something I've lost. I figured that this journey might be my best chance to do that."


@soundofmind
 
Bo listened, nodding slightly as she explained. "It very well might be, but I guess it depends what it is you've lost... it's still a good reason to come though. I'm glad you decided to join us." Making history. Nation-changing, world-altering history. You know, no pressure. "And I do hope you get back what you've lost... at some point, in this journey." He grinned timidly, as he started to pull at the grass. He wanted to add 'before we die,' to the end of that, but he knew that was incredibly discouraging and grim. Maybe even a little morbid. He did feel death on this journey was inevitable though... at least... for him. Probably. He didn't think it was because he wished it, but he'd come to terms with it. If you expect to die, your chances for living are actually better, right? Well, so I was told.




 
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"Thanks, I do too." She answered, though a small voice in the back of her head whispered, do you really? Would it benefit your newfound group, or be a curse upon them all?





Nameen shoved the thoughts back from where they came from, the untouched back of her mind. With that settled she focused back on Bo, and frowned. His demeanor had taken quite a quiet turn, which she found surprising, since he seemed to be quite outgoing from what she'd seen.


"Now that I'm here, I want to help the princess as much as anyone else too," she added in an attempt to lighten the mood. "This experience is quite... different for me, but I've been managing. How about you?" Nameen was surprising herself. This was the most she'd conversed with anyone for a long time. "Why did you decide to come?"


@soundofmind
 
"Oh! Uh, well, I guess you could say I'm trying to get away from stuff. Start anew. Maybe do something good in my life for a change." He figured she wouldn't mind him keeping his answer as vague as hers was. He wiggles his fingers in a rainbow-shaped motion. "You know, 'chaaaange the wooorld' and all that stuff. If we end up succeeding anyway. Or die trying." He smiled to himself, laughing inside. Well, he thought he was funny.


@Rydellius
 
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...A dense haze enveloped the Plains of Syrk, darkening the red horizon. Dead bones of unlucky adventures lay scattered across the scorching sand. Nothing grew out of it except for only a few weeds with dagger like thorns which stuck out of the ground. If any creature with normal lungs happened to unwittingly travel through the evil land, they would have instantly felt light headed and out of breath. However, for Pip and Organ ,the air was refreshing. The two imps had just left Lord Kavacht's council meeting and were gazing at the setting sun.


"Isn't the sunset wonderful Pip?" Organ asked the stone imp who was in deep thought.


With a dull frown, the sculpture murmured, "Mmhmm..."


Organ awkwardly stared at Pip, waiting for another reply.


When it seemed to the imp, that the statue had no actual words to add, she said, "Gore was telling me about a traveler who she killed for trespassing on the master's land. He was almost the size of a giant but she was able to dispatch of him quite quickly. She's certainly is a skilled fighter."


"Hmm..." grunted Pip.


"Rumor has it that the master plans to promote her to captain of the imp army. Maybe that's why Kavacht wanted to speak with her after the meeting. You think that's the reason Pip?"


"Perhaps," said the stone imp still thinking to himself.


"You know, you do not talk very much Pip but I know that there's something interesting going inside of that stone head of yours."


Organ playfully tapped Pip's coarse brow with her claws. The sculpture's eyes changed into flesh and dolefully looked at Organ.


"Huh! Are you observing me now?" asked Organ with a smile. "Aren't you off duty?"


Pip's gloomy frown morphed into a slight grin.


"Oi Pip!" Gore joyfully squealed as she ran towards the two imps.


Sitting down in between her sister and Pip, Gore with a haughty look said, "Guess who's now the new imp captain?"


Pip paid no heed to the uninvited imp.


Gore's sister excitedly said, "You were selected sis?! That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!"


"Yep!" said the vein imp. "Kavacht says I start today! Well Pip, what do you think? Ain't I gonna be the best captain the imp army even had?"


The statue remained mute as he increased the density of his stone body.


Enraged at Pip's silence, Gore used her telepathic power to attack the sculpture's mind, causing him to shed off his rocky exterior. Now covered in flesh, Pip groaned from the agonizing spasms he was undergoing.


"Gore stop that!!" Organ cried out, fearing for the stone imps well-being.


Listening to her sister's plea, the newly appointed imp captain ceased her assault on Pip's mind and body. Pip shivered his fleshy body on the rough dirt. His teeth wildly chattered as saliva dripped from hit lips. Gore watched in guilt, now realizing how much suffering she caused the stone imp.


"I-I'm s- sorry!" Gore said in sincerity.


The imp captain scampered away as she cursed herself for her cruel actions.


Helping Pip up, Organ tenderly said to the stone imp, "Please don't hate Gore. She can be horrible at times but she's quite nice, once you get to know her that is. You two could get along well. Give her a chance Pip!"


Glaring at Organ, Pip said with a snarl, "Is that why you were confabulating with me?! To steer me into having a relationship with that idiotic abomination?!"


"*sigh* Pip... Yes... My sister wanted me to talk to you. She likes you! I'm sorry I led you on like this. I just want my sister to be happy."


"Fine!" Pip scoffed. "Let her torment me if she receives so much bliss from it!"


"I'm sorry..." Organ said while lowering her head down in shame.


"I should leave now. My surveillance over the lands is crucial in keeping history from being lost after the End of Days."


"Where will you go?"


"East! As far as the terrain will allow me to go. Leagues away from here, hopefully."


"You don't like it here in Syrk, do you?"


"...This place... depresses me."


Organ chuckled and said, "But you always seem depressed to me!"


Pip smiled at the other imp and whispered to her, "Good bye Organ..."


...Pip worried for the groups safety as he huddled motionless in the peach bag. They needed to know about Gore. They needed to know that they were in trouble.


I must not get involved! Pip said to himself in desperation. But... They need to be warned! What can I do!


{I hope I wrote the correct environment type for the Wasteland's of Syrk @Lo Alyssa }
 
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After packing his things and putting his tent on the wagon, Ferrix walked toward where everyone else were and took 1 loaf of bread. He should maybe try to talk to someone but he didn't want to interrupt anything. The fire mage continued eating his bread quietly.
 

Although everyone was talking, Svetlana thought it was about time they moved on. If they went now, they would make it to Valer by the afternoon, and she knew that Lucasta was anxious to finish this quest. "Alright everyone!" She exclaimed, picking up the basket of bread, assuming everyone had eaten some. If they hadn't they could always grab it later, "Let's get going!"


The group assisted in packing up the wagons, taking down the tents, and gathering the supplies that they had used through out the night. The sun was peeking brightly through the clouds by the time they finished, the wind was fairly strong, kicking up some of the fallen leaves that were scattered on the ground. Svetlana helped Lucasta get a sleeping Lucas into the back of her wagon before taking a seat at the front, she hoped that Tetra would join her again for the journey, not having seen her since the imp attack the day before. Yaroslav mounted Clair (the Clydesdale) and made sure to stick close to Lucasta, feeling slightly responsible for her safety. That, and he wanted to keep Hjalmar, who had just mounted the extra Thoroughbred, far away from the princess.


~


The group traveled along the dusty road for a few hours, their surrounding slowly changing from a thick forest to a large green valley, a clear blue river running through it. The group came to a halt as they neared the edge of the forest, on elevated ground, they could see the castle of Valer still standing in the shadow of the mighty mountain of Forsjón. The keep in ruins, cracked and pieces of rubble scattered across the grassy hills. The mortar cottages, which once belonged to the people of Valer, were burned black and empty.


Upon seeing her home again after having left almost ten years ago, Lucasta was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't hold back her bittersweet tears, seeing the place she had grown up in battered and broken, only a fragment of it's former glory. As they edged closer, the damage the kingdom had sustained became more apparent. There were some areas of the ground where the earth was still scorched and barren, both human and daemon war contraptions were strewn through out the ground, the skeletal remains of people who tried to flee dotted the valley, some were clinging onto others, lying next to the valuables they tried to escape with. Some were adorned in rusty armor, their weapons still in hand, having tried to fight against the incursions and falling in battle. The cool breeze swayed the long grass, quietly and sorrowfully moaning as it whistled through the leveled buildings. They were only on the outskirts of Valer, where the farms and lodges had been built. There was no telling how much worse it would be inside the walled fortress.


They came to the heavy stone walls that wrapped around the city, certain parts of the wall had collapsed, rubble had poured out like blood from a wound. The brass colored steel gates had been bashed in, one was hanging on it's hinges, another had fallen, partially crushing a house inside. Svetlana put her hand up for everyone to stop. She got off the wagon and approached Lucasta, "You expressed your concerns to me this morning about how you were afraid an ambush might be waiting for you." She said, putting her hand on the princess' leg, "Perhaps we should put that thief to good use, have him scout ahead and check the area before we proceed."
​
 
Valeiahwas examining the wall and how destroyed it was. It was interesting to her. When Svetlana started talking about sending off Hjalmar to scout, she stopped and looked at him instead.
 

Lucasta nodded in agreement. "I think that'd be best." She muttered. She turned her head towards Hjalmar, and stood. She walked over to him and tapped his shoulder. "We'll need your assistance, now." She crossed her arms. Her eyes were still puffed up slightly, from her tears. "I need you to sneak inside, and examine the area. We have no idea what we'll find inside, and I want to be prepared."


@Lo Alyssa
​
 
"How.... How terrible... I'm sorry, Princess..." Ayda said, staring at the dead land they were in. She never knew that a single place could hold so much death.


"Those poor people..." Ayda bit her lip as she glanced at Lucasta.


'That poor girl... The pain I felt when big sister died must be nothing nothing to this.'
 
The burned down buildings and crumbling facades triggered something deep within Oceana.


The screaming.


The flames licking the trees setting them alight.


And one girl's maniacal laughter as the elves fell to the blaze... and to her sword.





The elf shook her head, trying desperately to clear it.


She overheard the plan for the scouting mission and leapt out of the wagon, striding to the princess's side.


"Princess, if I may." She said with a bow.


"There's no need to send this..." She looked Hjalmar up and down scornfully, "Brigand."


She looked up at her, "I have hearing and eyesight better than any human. Let me scout for you"


The raven-haired woman then turned to look at said theif, who simply watched impassively.


I dinnae trust you. She said to him in her mind. Not one bit.


@Queen of Fantasy @Lo Alyssa
 
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