"We've had word, from across the sea in Cloazamar. We found the Ferryman."
Marcus continued to turn the words over in his head, distracted even with the warm, naked form pressed against his. She was still panting, and he adjusted his arm as she squirmed into a more comfortable position, resting her head on his chest.
"What are you thinking about?" Her question seemed innocent enough, but Marcus knew her better than that. He was silent for a time, and he felt her breathing slow.
"How did you know?"
She smirked, propping herself on an elbow. "Too dutiful. You get this look in your eyes when you're just 'doing your duty'." Her smile faded; she cast her eyes down. "It isnt going to get easier by waiting. Just say it."
"They found him. Your brother."
He felt her stiffen, wanted to reach out to her, but she pulled away. She sat at the edge of the bed, facing away from him. There was a silence, long and painful. Marcus sat up as well, took a moment to listen to the woods surrounding the camp; it would be morning soon, and he still had a long ride to the city. He dressed as she processed what he told her.
"You're going." It wasn't a question.
Marcus' heart tore. He stayed stone-faced as he pulled on his tunic. "Thats what the Princeps wants. Ill have a team - all handpicked by him, of co-"
"You'll bring him back?"
Marcus turned toward her, looked her in the eyes. Emerald eyes. Hesperid eyes. "Lydia, I'm still not sure I wont split the man in half the moment I see him. If he's even alive and this isnt a fool's hunt or an elaborate ruse to get me killed. Just promise me one thing; don't get yourself killed while I'm gone. You are all I've got now."
******************
Well, I hope that piqued some interest. I poke my head into RPG every blue moon or so to test ideas or get some practice writing, and so here I am.
This would essentially be an alternative take on a book I'm already writing, particularly the sequel to the manuscript I'm about to be whoring out to publishers in the coming months. Low fantasy, focused on politics and military action, though this particular story is a bit more of an adventure, and thus would make a much better RP. In terms of technology, think roughly Imperial Rome, leaning toward the 'fall' of Rome.
I've left things vague, but here's the summary: In recent years, when a costly war between two major rival empires is winding down to a stalemate/ceasefire, an ambitious noble named Asyrdar Hesperos uses his family name, political clout, and various tricks and forceful measures to re-ignite the war. Successful militarily, he begins very clearly nation-building and engaging in other activities worrisome to the Senate and the Princeps ('First Citizen', Emperor in all but name), and they join forces with their former enemy to surround Asyrdar's army. He submits to law, rather than force citizens of his beloved Republic to war with one another - and some time before his execution is freed from imprisonment by loyalists, to escape across the sea to a new life.
However, the man has many loyalists, and mere weeks after his initial arrest, the continent tore itself apart. Loyalist cities spring up all around, and others declare independence - a movement that spreads across the two empires, too fast to control or mitigate. On top of this, legal battles involving Asyrdar's family lead his younger sister, Lydia, to take up arms against the State as well.
The story itself would focus around the PC's journey across a foreign land, dealing with whatever springs up as they search for Asyrdar, the so-called 'Ferryman'.
Marcus continued to turn the words over in his head, distracted even with the warm, naked form pressed against his. She was still panting, and he adjusted his arm as she squirmed into a more comfortable position, resting her head on his chest.
"What are you thinking about?" Her question seemed innocent enough, but Marcus knew her better than that. He was silent for a time, and he felt her breathing slow.
"How did you know?"
She smirked, propping herself on an elbow. "Too dutiful. You get this look in your eyes when you're just 'doing your duty'." Her smile faded; she cast her eyes down. "It isnt going to get easier by waiting. Just say it."
"They found him. Your brother."
He felt her stiffen, wanted to reach out to her, but she pulled away. She sat at the edge of the bed, facing away from him. There was a silence, long and painful. Marcus sat up as well, took a moment to listen to the woods surrounding the camp; it would be morning soon, and he still had a long ride to the city. He dressed as she processed what he told her.
"You're going." It wasn't a question.
Marcus' heart tore. He stayed stone-faced as he pulled on his tunic. "Thats what the Princeps wants. Ill have a team - all handpicked by him, of co-"
"You'll bring him back?"
Marcus turned toward her, looked her in the eyes. Emerald eyes. Hesperid eyes. "Lydia, I'm still not sure I wont split the man in half the moment I see him. If he's even alive and this isnt a fool's hunt or an elaborate ruse to get me killed. Just promise me one thing; don't get yourself killed while I'm gone. You are all I've got now."
******************
Well, I hope that piqued some interest. I poke my head into RPG every blue moon or so to test ideas or get some practice writing, and so here I am.
This would essentially be an alternative take on a book I'm already writing, particularly the sequel to the manuscript I'm about to be whoring out to publishers in the coming months. Low fantasy, focused on politics and military action, though this particular story is a bit more of an adventure, and thus would make a much better RP. In terms of technology, think roughly Imperial Rome, leaning toward the 'fall' of Rome.
I've left things vague, but here's the summary: In recent years, when a costly war between two major rival empires is winding down to a stalemate/ceasefire, an ambitious noble named Asyrdar Hesperos uses his family name, political clout, and various tricks and forceful measures to re-ignite the war. Successful militarily, he begins very clearly nation-building and engaging in other activities worrisome to the Senate and the Princeps ('First Citizen', Emperor in all but name), and they join forces with their former enemy to surround Asyrdar's army. He submits to law, rather than force citizens of his beloved Republic to war with one another - and some time before his execution is freed from imprisonment by loyalists, to escape across the sea to a new life.
However, the man has many loyalists, and mere weeks after his initial arrest, the continent tore itself apart. Loyalist cities spring up all around, and others declare independence - a movement that spreads across the two empires, too fast to control or mitigate. On top of this, legal battles involving Asyrdar's family lead his younger sister, Lydia, to take up arms against the State as well.
The story itself would focus around the PC's journey across a foreign land, dealing with whatever springs up as they search for Asyrdar, the so-called 'Ferryman'.
