---

---

"On this glorious night, we celebrate! Another year free from the oppression that we sorcerers endured for centuries! Free from under the thumb of those without magic! Another year of freedom!" Cheers echoed throughout the banquet hall of the palace as the Empress stepped down from her podium and retook her place at her table, red gown trailing behind her.

As she took her seat the compliments flooded in. Her guests came up to her and spoke of how beautiful her speech was, how lovely her gown was, how nicely her hair was done. She just smiled and waved them away. One couldn't fault them for trying to keep their lives. It was once these compliments had ceased, when everyone was eating their dinner, that a man, facial features hidden by a hood, approached and whispered in her ear.

Her smile fell to a scowl and she excused herself from the table. Lucille followed the man, the head of the palace guard, out of the banquet hall and to one of the many rooms in the palace. She sighed as her eyes fell upon a man, dirty looking and angry, kneeling on the floor. His eyes were gazing at the floor and his face was twisted into a scowl. When she stepped in front of him, he looked up and spit. The saliva was deflected, but the insult still hung in the air. "So, were you sent here to kill me as well? Because if so, spit won't do the trick." She grinned as she circled the man on the floor, like a shark. "Leave us," she commanded of the guards who'd been left with her and the prisoner, waving her hand towards the door.

The minute they were gone, their magic stopped holding the rebel to the ground, and he leapt forward at her, snarling but he was caught in midair. Lucille grinned. "I do love it when they fight back." With a wave of her hand the man, now terrified, was sent careening across the room and into a wall. He groaned, as she walked up to him and kicked him in the chest with the toe of her stilettos. His teeth clenched, but he refused to grant her the satisfaction of hearing him scream. "So, Jackson, why are you here? From what I can tell via your oh so tiny mind, you've been in contact with the Griffin's for a year or so, but never met them. What do you owe them?" she asked, head cocked to the side. He shook is head in rebellion and the Empress shrugged. "Suit yourself, she said, walking out of the room, but not before waving her hand and casting a spell. "You're probably going to hear some screaming, ignore it. In about ten minutes, it should st-" Lucille's instructions to the guards were cut off by the screams of the man inside the room, guttural and animal like. "Oh there they are. Once they've stopped, you can go in there and clean up. Until then, kindly make sure no one comes down here. Now I have a party to get back to. With that, Lucille sauntered off. You'll have to do much better than that Jessica.

---

---

---

---

"He was your spy Alison! How did you not know that this was his plan!" Jessica Lancaster screamed across the council table, her face twisted into a scowl. On the other side of the table, Alison Stoneworth sat quietly, eyes closed and hands folded on her lap. "Are you done Jessica? the woman asked. When her friend gave no reply, Alison continued. "Yes, Jackson was my spy, but what he did was of his own volition. He gave no indication of his plans to try and assassinate Lucille." Jessica glared at her friend, stalking back and forth across the room. "What did he know Alison? What was in his fucking head?

Alison looked down at the table. She shook her head before replying. "He knew the other spies in Decorum, as well as most of their locations. I've already told them to get out of the city, but I haven't heard back." Jessica clenched her fists at the news, before sighing and taking a seat at the table. "We need to rearrange our plans. We can't rely on getting our intel directly from Decorum any more."What are you suggesting Jessica? Alison asked, drumming her fingers on the table. "One of Lucille's advisers will be in New Seattle this week, speaking at some sort of conference. I propose that we send a team in to get him. He'll know Lucille's plans, at least some of them. Alison sighed, and pinched the bridge of her nose. "We'll need to get a message to Alexander and Lucas, but I'm sure they'll agree with it. You already have a team in mind I'm sure? Jessica grinned. "Of course I do."

---

---

---

---

Christian was up early, as always and had already done all of his morning ritual of bathing with what the griffons offered him, brushing his teeth in the shower to save time, putting on his dress shirt and pants, shining his shoes and doing his hair. He was looking perfect, as always. He had gone ahead and made himself a schedule for the day, mostly consisting of chunks he labeled as "Whatever the griffons tell me to do." where formerly he had written his daily duties when with Master Thaume and the other butlers and maids. But even though the Griffons didn't need him up early and ready in impressive times and looking so nice, he stuck to his routine. He walked the camp, mumbling a song he had heard around the camp the last week. Music to him had always been piano and orchestra pieces to him, the new genres opened up to him after leaving the mansion had kept him occupied. Today's song seemed to be of a folkier type, at least that's what the man he heard playing it said it was. He didn't know the words, so he didn't sing too loud.

He took a walk around camp, still one of the only ones away and just checked that everyone had what they needed and made a mental list of who's living spaces lacked materials, food or anything of note about them. Any comments on the clutter of their spaces would be kept to himself but was certainly noted down. Improper dress was almost added onto every member's mental note but again, not addressed. It wasn't his job to rat anyone out anymore, and even so the people he would rat them out to also fell under the improper dress category. He would report this list later, but for now he had to get ready for breakfast.

---

”Now, this may very well hurt a bit.” Callum said regretfully, pairing his statement with a face that he hoped said, Gee, I’m terribly sorry that I have to ram your arm back into its socket.

”Yeah, I kinda figured.” Said the young soldier, who’s name escaped Callum. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he held his uninjured arm to a superficial wound on his side. His left arm, which was horrifically dislocated at the shoulder, lay limply at his side. The young soldier laid on one of the many unpainted, sterile, steel tables in the general infirmary. He smiled weakly and said ”So, uh, Doc. What are you planning on do-”. His words devolved into screams of agony as Callum twisted his arm back into place.

”Sorry, sorry.” Callum winced at the younger man’s screams. Finally the arm slid back into the correct position and he stopped.

”Wow, you weren’t lying. That sucked, a lot.”

”You can say many things about me,” Callum said as he walked away to another patient. ”but never let it be said that I’m a liar.” Callum chuckled, until he heard the screams of the other patients. He ran across the room to a man, about his age, with a piece of shrapnel in his face.

---

Callum let loose a breath he hadn’t known he was holding as he sank into a hard chair outside of the infirmary. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He took his head from his hand and looked at the owner of the apendage.

”Callum, you should get some rest.” Said the old doctor as he withdrew his hand. He calmly stroked his white beard as he said ”You look like you could use a rest”

”Really, Dr. Karst, I’m fi-”

”How long have you been awake?”

”Twenty-three hours” Callum had to stifle a yawn as he spoke.

”Go. Get some sleep. I’ll have one of my assistants get you if we need you.” Callum nodded weakly and walked away. He was going to walk back to his room, but he was honestly so tired, he didn’t think he could make it. He walked for a bit before finding a comfortable looking bench. He laid down on the rigid surface and fell asleep almost immediately.

The rich aroma of Freshly brewing coffee lingered heavily in the air of Taxian’s kitchen as it brewed over a modest cooking fire. The large blacksmith sat at his writing desk within the parlor of his home pouring over his ledgers thoughtfully as he waited; his mother's old leather bound diary tucked carefully away out of harm's reach. The book and a few shattered memories where the only possessions he had left of his mother.

He paused from his readings and moved to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee, catching a glimpse of dying embers of his forge outside. It would soon be dinner time. He had picked a great location for his home and shop actually. It was on elevated plot of land near the edge of the town, far away enough from other homes so he did not disturb them and vice versa. Often the smoke of his forge could be seen rising from quite a distance away so people were able to locate the shop easily enough. It was a bit of a walk to get to the center of the town where all the bustles of the day took place, but he didn't mind it all that much.

Inhaling deeply as the coffee aroma reached his nostrils his lips drew into a slight smile. In all his years, he had never come across a better tasting coffee then how is Mother used to make and he was thankful she had passed the secrets off to him when he was younger.

The large blacksmith returned to his desk, coffee in hand and highlighted several outstanding items in his ledger that need the most attention muttering to himself. Taxian didn’t really enjoy chasing after his customers for bills, but that came with the territory of running a successful business.
Sliding the ledger to the side he turned his attention to is work orders for the next day, absently arranging them in a specific order of progression before his eyes shifted to his mother's diary, and a few moments later he took it into his large hands as one would handle a newborn child then gently leafed through it skimming over a few entries before returning it to its rightful place as that definitive feeling of guilt threatened to enshroud him.
“What a life we could’ve lived ma! Had I only been stronger back then. Perhaps we would be sharing coffee together right now” he spoke aloud as a heavy sighed passed through him.

As if often was, the only way of easing his troubled thoughts was working the forge and shaping metal. It was hard to explain, but there was something about glowing metal and wild flames that offered a perfect refuge for the veteran fighter. So with one final swig, he finished his coffee then made his way back to the forge. There was still some daylight left so he tended the coals once more and brought a blaze to life so he could finish off a few simple projects. If he never got around to cooking that evening, once he was cleaned up, he would just head over to Katherine’s local watering hole for some of her food.

Lux was on her way back to her room with a to-go box in her hands. As she hurried along the path people waved and some even said "Hello" to her. Most of them just got a quick wave back as she turned the corner and got to the home stretch. Before she could get any closer to home Lux stopped and looked to her right. Right on a bench she spotted Callum just sleeping out in the open. Sighing to herself she decided it would be a bad idea to not wake him. "Hey. Hey, Callum." Lux said as she gently prodded his arm. "If you get sick I'm not covering your shifts and all of those people will be without help." She didn't actually mean what she said but after working with him for so long she knew how to get him moving.

---

---

The light was slowly starting to fade from outside and it seemed like the Griffin's camp was starting to wind down for the day as everyone was getting ready for dinner. This was Angel's favorite time of the day as she would normally be able to enjoy the sunset, but this was not one of those days as she was stuck in her tattoo parlor on the edge of the village finishing up a tattoo on one of the soldiers. It was a new project and she had only just started today meaning that the only pieces of the skeletal knight that were finished was the base outline as well as an unenchanted rune. "And that will do it for today." She said with a smile as she straightened up and turned off her machine. "Next session, I will activate the rune as well as give some coloring to the piece."

"Thanks a lot for this."

"No problem. Just take care of it and remember apply lotion and no scratching." Angel called out after him as he left the building. She enjoyed this peaceful time after a session when she was cleaning up and could unwind and just relax while taking apart her machines. That was when she felt her stomach ache and remembered that she had skipped lunch to finish a session drawings. It was about that time for her to get over to the dining building to grab some dinner before it was gone.

It wasn't long before she stepped into a busy cafeteria with few empty seats, but that didn't stop her from getting her food and find an empty spot to settle into. Angel fished in the bag she had with her for her sketchbook and a pencil before starting her food. This was one of those moments where she was engrossed in her art and just wanted to finish the piece that she had been working on even if it meant skipping her food which wasn't much of an option either.

---

---

Panic washed over Domino as she jerked awake taking shallow breaths as she clung to the cotton sheets that covered her bare skin. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself as she ran her fingers through her tousled blueish black hair.

It was the same nightmare every time she closed her eyes.

Always the same pair of strong hands wrapped around her neck

Always the same feeling of every last breath being choked out of her lungs.

As her anxiety subdued it gave way for the effect of last nights alcohol binge Domino blinked as her eyes adjusted to the bright orange mid morning light that filtered in through the large window to her right. The room was unfamiliar, littered with a few pieces of furniture and a full set drum kit positioned at the end of the bed. This was not her apartment.

She looked down next to her and slowly began putting the pieces of earlier in the night together.

The Gypsy Jokers were in residence this week at one of the more lowbrow music venues close to the borders of the 'Norm' slums and Domino had needed to get out. She hated being confined to the camp- it was too quiet, too much nature, she loved the city and its never ending buzz. She had caught a ride in with one of the other Griffin members early in the evening and proceeded to obtain that wonderful numbness that rum and Coke could provide.

The dark skinned body next to her stirred but didn't wake, his long dreadlocks sprawled across his pillow like a thick black octopus much like they did while he played on stage with the band.
Time to go.... Domino thought to herself, while she never regretted nights like last nights she did find it easier to slip out quietly as it always avoided the awkward "I'll call you" speech. Domino carefully slid out the mess of sheets and dressed quietly, a sly smile on her lips as she looked over the handsome drummer as she disappeared out the door.

A few hours later Domino reluctantly arrived back the Griffins Keep.

If asked, Dakota probably couldn’t determine exactly when her day had started. She could tell you it was dark when a group of annoyed sorcerers woke her to tell her that the generator powering their sector had broken down. Upon sleepy inspection, the problem turned out to be those very sorcerers, who apparently weren’t aware that diesel fuel will fuck a gas engine like a back-alley whore. Due to this oversight, Dakota had a mouthful of diesel fuel for breakfast as she siphoned out the tank and, thankfully, replacing the diesel with gas was enough to send the generator roaring back to life.

That, unbeknownst to her now, had been thirty-six hours ago.

With the brave sacrifice made by an army of energy drinks and a steady workflow to keep her company, Dakota had spent those last thirty-six hours up and moving. Maintenance orders had been piling up in her workshop, nobody in camp seemed to know how to flip a breaker and the list of contraband acquisitions from various Griffins was growing long. So, it was understandable that even after so long, Dakota reacted badly when one of her patrons saw her nest of empty AMP cans and told her to take a break.

“Shh,” she’d responded, holding up a welding-gloved finger, “You’re missing my symphony.”

With that, she pulled her goggles down, restarted the grinder she’d been using and effectively drowned out her patron in a flurry of mechanical shrieking and sparks.

***

Hours later, Dakota happened to look up from her tack-welding (she’d been charged with repairing an oil drum for some goddamn reason) and saw, through light-spotted eyes, that the sky was darkening. She wasn’t sure if it was the first time in this stint that it had happened, but she realized that she could no longer last on Pepsi and crackers and decided to, finally, take a break for a real meal.

Standing up and stretching, an alarming number of bones had to crack and pop back into alignment before she could stand up straight again. A pain in her neck took first precedence, and she made a mental note to talk to Callum about it. She glanced at her jacket on her way out the door, but remembered that she now lived in fucking California and decided she’d probably survive without it.

Her workshop was near the centre of camp, and thus near the infirmary and the meal hall. It was a blessedly short walk to food, and on her way, she spotted none other than Callum, asleep on a bench with some girl leaning over him.

Laughing, Dakota cupped her hands around her mouth and called “Lightweight!” Hoping Callum would hear her. With that she continued on, whipping her hat from her hair (now pressed down from sweat and time spent under a hat) and fanned herself. She’d never get used to the California heat.

Inside the meal hall, she took the biggest ration she could muster from the cooks (“Come on, you couldn’t even cook this stuff if I hadn’t fixed your hotplate!”), took a seat at the nearest table, occupied by someone she didn’t know, and dug in.

---

Callum woke up to two things. The first was Lux bending over him and gently prodding him awake. This, he did not mind. What he did mind, though, was Dakota calling him a lightweight from a distance. He smiled and shouted after her, random gaelic swear words that he had picked up living in an Irish neighborhood. She left before he could really get into the shouting, so he turned back to Lux.

Callum considered Lux a friend, a partner. Had he ever had time to really think about it, he might’ve fancied her. But, Callum did not lead an idle life and rarely had time to think. He stood on wobbly knees and put a hand on her shoulder.

”Right then, where to now, friend o’ mine?” He smiled warmly and raised an eyebrow in question.

@Obscene Symphony@Trevor1001

@Nevix@Obscene Symphony



Lux ignored Dakota as she helped Callum to his feet. She shifted her food into her right hand to use her dominate hand to hold him up. "Where do you think we are going? I'm taking you home so you can go to sleep. I'm about to feed Ziggs a rat so unless you want to watch a snake devour a living animal you should get some sleep." She started to make her way to his place making sure he didn't just fall on his face.

---

---

The night air bit into Charlie's skin, despite the hoodie that he had on. He cursed the article of clothing as he walked through the camp. He'd decided that he'd go for a walk sometime that afternoon and had been gone for the rest of the day, only now getting back. He had been going on a lot of walks lately. They took his mind off of everything. His stomach growled at him, and he turned towards the dining hall, smiling at the sounds of all the people talking and laughing.

He went through the line grabbing his food, smiling at the woman who was serving the food, and made his way over to an empty table. He dug in, satiating his angry stomach, and looked up once a familiar face sat down at his table. It was Dakota, one of the better engineers around the camp. He smiled, happy to be around someone who wouldn't look at him like he was a total and utter failure.

"So the famed mechanic graces us with her presence," he said with a chuckle. Before he had a chance to go on however, a voice interrupted. Uhhh, I apologize for interrupting, but the council has requested the both of you in the council hall at once," a skittish looking young boy said, wringing his hands nervously. What could my mother possibly want. He stood up and looked at Dakota, shrugging. "I guess we've been summoned," he said, and waited for her to stand up and join him on the way up to the council chambers within the castle. He knew that this could only mean one thing. There was a mission, and he figured anyone else who was to be joining him and Dakota, would be getting summoned as well.

Taxian was in his cups at Dominos place. Once the last bit of light had faded, he left the forge for the night. Well that and the fact that his stomach had rumbled in disapproval several times as he was finishing off the last of his orders for the day. Being skilled with the forge, some projects were quite mundane while others were of much enjoyment to the smithy and unfortunately, the orders eh had just finished up were mundane. A few garden tools for a local farmer. But money was money, if he waited around for those more enjoyably projects, he would never make any profit after all.

He looked up at Domino "Hey Katherine, send another round my way would you, and pour one for yourself while your at it. You look like you need it.

A voice called from beside him "Excuse me Mr Furthlowe...But I've been sent to deliver a message to you" the voice spoke nervously
"Oh? at a time like this? You're interrupting my drinking time messenger"
The young man shifted side to side nervously "Yes well, Sorry about that but this message is important"
"Says you" the smithy grumbled "Have a drink with me first then I'll hear your message"
"But..."
"But what?" he replied, sliding a shot glass full of whiskey towards the younger man then continuing "Whats the matter boy? Afraid of getting in trouble?
"It's not that, its just the message sir"
"Oh very well!" Taxian stated bluntly then tossed a drink down his throat "What is it?
"The council has requested both you and lady Domino in the council hall at once!" the messenger spoke quickly then turned to leave but Taxian took hold of the man's collar and dragged him towards the bar
"Now now, I heard your message, now hold up your end of the agreement" he said poinitng towards the shot glass
"I never agreed to that"
"I said drink messenger" he stated bluntly, slamming the reluctant messenger into a bar stool beside him.
"Sheesh, I guess it cant be helped" the messenger uttered with a sigh, before tossing back the drink.
"Good!" the hulking blacksmith said, pounding the boy on his back "Wasn't that tasty?"
"Not particularly no, I prefer scotch myself"
"Oh really? well why didn't you say something fool"
"I just didn't see much choice in the matter Mr Furthlowe. My my look at the time, I must be going."
The messenger quickly retreated
"Hey, where you going? don't you want another drink messenger?" Taxian chuckled then looked over his shoulder towards Katherine,
"Well, thanks for the drinks, I guess I'll see you there!" he finished, as he rose to his feet and sundered towards the council hall.
'what do they want now' the thought to himself as he gazed towards the looming keep in the distance