LadyRunic

Darke Magyk - Concluded

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Richard Laine

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Location: The Palace

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Richard reined in his temper at Thalia's directive. He knew the woman could easily take care of herself, but she was the mother of his child and so it fell to him to protect her. Even if she didn't need it. Though the Adder gave a slight chuckle as Thalia commented about the boy who had been the first to greet them. "Shall I teach him a few before we leave, My Lady Dragoness." A deft hand sliding the knife back into the sheath, as he pecked Thalia on one of her hands. Nothing more than a flirtatious agreement. For now at least, or so would be the thought read in the Shifter's eyes. Looking back at Myrus, he nodded slowly with a slight smirk. His uptake being slower due to his nerves about the egg hatching. Understandable for a first time father. "A interesting turn of events, but we do have more pressing matters."

And pressing matters they did have! The room was in flames, and those that had joined them looked on in statement at the baby dragon/human in the center who was looking very amused at the state of things. "She's definitely ours." The humor was thick in Richard's voice but a part of his mind was focused on Asha and Puck. The former being a curiosity who he was wary of, but not overly concerned about her casting harm about the offspring. Puck however... He was a threat, so Richard politely ignored his comment though he did not let his guard down. Though he would give the tiny man credit for the fact their daughter did have a particular glee for fire setting.

Striding into the room, the Adder shrugged out of his suit jacket. Wrapping about the baby as he picked the girl-child up. It had been too long since he had been around youngsters. A softness entering the killer's eyes as he stared down at the girl. "Now aren't you a charmer. Almost enough that I'd let you burn down the entire castle if you wished. Almost." The assassin crooned, his fingers gently exploring the tiny face and hands. His snake-esque eyes peering at the girl and memorizing every detail as he carried her back to Thalia. Ignoring the flames that licked at the room. Thalia would find an arm wrapping about her shoulders, as she was pulled tight against Richard's side. The man reluctant to relinquish the child, even to the mother. "Though that almost won't last for long." He'd fold under this girl-child quickly. Richard already sensed his doom in the wings. A doom that his sister had not prepared him for.

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Rhys Asher

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Location: The Palace

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Rhys felt himself slid free of the perch he had been hanging from like a reckless youth. Which he most certainly was not! Twisting about in the air in an attempt to ease his fall, he found himself with nothing more than bruises. Something the charming man could live with, just as he could live with the beautiful woman beneath him. He had seen her above in the Port Witches' and she had seemed deadly. Her words to the lad who darted to aid his leader only confirming it. A wicked gleam entered the green eyes as the boy tried to lift him only to fall.

That opening was all Rhys needed to act. As much as he desired to snatch the Witches' prize. This girl interest him. She proved herself a leader, and thus it stood to reason she had some skill. Recalling a similar youth being called to the platform in the chaos of the coronation- not that he was paying overly much attention- Rhys decided to take her as a project. "Tucked beneath time for sleep. In frozen state shall not awake." Looking pleased as the boy fell into a slumber. Easier it would be to kill him, and then snatch the girl who now was bound away. It seemed numbers more than just he would be needed for his ambitious goal and the Port Witches were a bit scant on that now a days. Sans the children of course, but what help could they really be?

Blood's Jewels (Closed)

Blood's Jewels

“Terreille in Trouble”

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@nohbdies Liran swallowed heavily, his bow clattering to the floor along with the arrow he had been prepared to stick into Vaclav and Artemis as he made a beeline for the outside. Managing to get off the stoop before the sounds of retching could be heard. The other lad of roughly the same age and not yet at the majority of the blood's twenty odd years, cast a worried look after his friend. With good reason as well seeing as the young Warlord had left unarmed. Snatching off his cap, the lad wrung it in his hands. "We didn't mean any harm, Miss." The yellow jeweled Warlord protested, before back tracking his words in correction of himself. His eyes turning from the dead Hyallian. "Well, we did mean harm I suppose, but to him! Them bastard from Hyall got Grayhaven up in a ruckus and their just killing anyone whose loyal to the Queen." The capital of Dene Nehele, Grayhaven, was the center of the Territory and home to Queen Karlianne. If there was an attack there it was a sure thing that times were changing and in these dark times it was most likely not for the better.

The sounds of Liran loosing the contents of his stomach outside came to a stop as a soft snuffling noise could be heard, for the lad was weeping. "Even those who aren't joint at the hip with the the First Court." The lad amended his face pale and drained of color as he stumbled back to lean against the wall. "Their just killing anyone who resists them in Grayhaven and the Hyallians are sporting about the country side. Liran and I were out hunting and on our way back when Father warned us." Beneth, for that was the name of the yellow jeweled man, trailed off looking lost as the anger fled his system. Grief and horror at what had been done and seen catching up with him. "There's just blood everywhere." The boy whispered, staring blankly in front of him.

@eclecticwitch Hyall had once been a very giving land, but the land was a reflection of the Queens that ruled it. For centuries the land of Hyall had been put to the yoke of the Queens just as the people were for the pleasure of the Queens that claimed dominion. The toil farmers had to put into the land to receive so little back was something that was unheard of in those territories that still gave. Especially in the Shadow Realm of Kaeleer. It was like an itch that needed scratching to the attentive Queen, and to those who were not? It was nothing more than a mild irritant which they used to barb and prick the Court to their whims. The village of Eldan was a simple place. It's funds coming from the farms and the wool of the fat and lazy sheep that plodded about the steep hills. Those bits of land that had been given over for woodland were thick with nuts, berries, and dyes. The combination of wool and dye giving rise to a well sustained if not prosperous village's Weaver's Guild. Traders would come with supplies the village could not supply themselves and leave heaped with cloth and yarn.

Durik, the Steward for Queen Fatima, was looking over the supposed income they would be squeezing from a dry land. The sheep had a bad year due to flooding and mold in the grain. It wasn't anything they couldn't make up the next year with dropping a few new mine shafts into the nearby hillsides. However, the problem with that was the drop in the water and earth that would endure crops and sheep. Already the weavers had complained long and hard about how goats had inferior wool. Yet what more could the expect when they lost land that the herds of sheep could graze on! Running a hand through his patchy and balding hairline, the Rose jeweled Hyallian Prince groaned aloud.

"We could go and push our luck against on of the neighboring Courts for more land." The new Master of the Guard, Beneth, noted with a slight smirk. As far as anyone knew the lad was far too eager for a fight. Reasonable seeing as he was a Warlord Prince wearing the Opal. A powerful jewel in this region. Yet he had kept it hidden, resorting to his Birthright Jewel when company called. A good measure as well, if one of their number moved on it risked all their skins. The previous Master of the Guard had made that error and had 'went to visit relatives in Pruul'. Arranged per several members of Fatima's First Court. They could not risk word of their powerful Queen slipping out lest it bring the ire of the other Queens upon their heads and the heads of their families.

Hynter was already shaking his head, a mere Warlord of the Summer-sky, but he was a solid man. "And risk the District Queen or the Provincial Queen taking a look at us?" His tone was one of annoyance and contempt for Beneth, the two of them had never gotten on well at the best of time, so Durik hoped it would be headed off early before blood was shed. While he would do it himself, he didn't want to risk his neck when the rest of him was quite literally drowning in paperwork. His seat and part of the large table where a majority of the Court was gathered to argue covered in reports.

~Nyte Bloods~

Alice sank back into her former seat on the bed as Liza began to make something. Her green eyes curious as she gave a small prim huff of disapproval. "A soiled dress that I made to establish my style and skills. It's a walking advertisement." There was a sly look to the tailor as she studied Liza. The older vampire had the body and the look to model for her, and it was a topic Alice had pointed out several times over in the last week. Thought there appeared to be a whole host of creatures that stalked the night, something that worried Alice. But as she dwelled upon Liza's comment about her shop may taking more than a decade to gain back, the woman fell quiet.

This was for two reasons. One was the curiosity of what her benefactor was doing with the bird meat and the blood. The other bit was the simple fact that Alice was plotting. Her slim fingers tapping softly as she mussed, her green eyes watching but her mind elsewhere. Plucking thread and fabric and piercing an idea. "Are there many Nightcreatures?" The woman asked suddenly, standing in a single smooth motion as she strode over to the table.

Plucking a pen from the desk and a clean sheet of paper. The pen swirling across the page in a formal address as Alice's practiced hand slowly wrote out a invoice for the damaged dress. Declaring the thing beyond salvageable but of no great loss as it had been a minor piece. Thus she marked it's price to be just enough to cover the materials- and not the time- it had taken to make it. The price was low and quite reasonable. However there was no sway in the fact the tailor expected the damages to paid for for. As though it was the most grievous of crimes. Folding the paper so that it could not be read without breaking the tape Alice placed over it. Her signature carefully written out as the seal. The front was addressed to merely 'Aleera of the Silver Dress'. Withing the invoice was a note as well, apologizing for the lack of a proper seal and complimenting the woman on her 'darling' outfit this note far more private and friendly than the tailor's invoice. But it was as Alice had stated, this was business. More however it was her life's work.

"If you could deliver that to Dalton and see to it he delivers it lest I decide to take him to task for manhandling me?" The woman stated with a firm note in her voice the only entered when clothes were involved. Her eyes slowly moved back to Liza as the pen was carefully put away. "And I believe, it is time for me to learn the basics of defense at least. It seems- and would I be correct in presuming?- that fighting will be a common thing among this new world?" Her green eyes showed fear at what she was asking, but there was a idea at work. She had lost her ability to return to her old life for a time. So she would start her business a new and so it would begin in understanding the needs of other immortals for their choice of clothing. Human fashion was a quick and fleeting thing, something Alice could keep up with easily. "If I can't return to the Timeless, than I shall remake it again. It would not be the first time I have had to do such." No, it would be the second. The first time her money had been taken from her by her mother and father in her youth. Nothing special to it, just a teenager's bad luck to have parents who thought merely of the future they desired.

~Nyte Bloods~

@Mister Thirteen Post as often as you like. I've gotten Alice on the brain.

Blood's Jewels

We are still running and have room for more people!

Blood's Jewels (Closed)

@Deos Morran Thank you for letting me know and my apologies for getting back to you so late. I enjoyed role playing with you and hope you have lovely role plays in the future.

@NanoFreakV2 3 days left to post!

~Nyte Bloods~

Alice shook her head, her eyes a confused mix of fury and sorrow. The former was for the bad hand life had dealt her in the last weeks. The latter, for her own weakness and ineptitude. Oh, if this was a political situation Alice would skirt about the borders with ease and little issue. The events of the ball had shown her it was not merely words, but knives and blood. Both things she had never had to dealt with. "A small town or something." Alice admitted, fully aware of the folly. "Some place where I would hear about strangers and be able to leave before they found me?" Her plan was absolute garbage. For Alice's knowledge came from books, her real world experience was limited to her career, shop and the human life she had lived.

Using the heel of her hand to knock tears to the side, the woman sighed heavily. Liza was correct, the woman could very well take care of herself. It was Alice who was the weak link and thus a liability. "He was able to take on two vampires, and escape. Albeit I did aid him unintentionally." Her words were not meant to doubt the woman's abilities, but rather to warn of exactly what Liam was capable of. "And I would never ask you to leave your life for me. You've already offered me so much already!" Her eyes sparked with indignation at the very mention of such a thing.

But it made sense, Alice thought. That Dalton was a werewolf. Running a hand through her hair Alice forced herself to focus on the facts before her. As if they were some obscure design. "I'm terribly sorry I'm such a mess right now." The tailor shot Liza a apologetic and slightly calculating look. A look she had worn when designing a piece of clothing when something was just not fitting right. It bordered on frustration, but there was a patient calmness to it. "There's just too many questions. Too little answers. Why does my blood attract Liam so? What does Strumgeist want with that bastard? When can I possible return to my shop or even move about freely again! Not to mention what else is out there aside from werewolves and vampires and their hunters?! How did Liam escape from a balcony so high up?"

Standing the woman paced her heels clacking on the floor with sharp and decisive steps. Not loud enough to bother a neighbor but they underlined the woman's mood. Solid and sharp. Not the light pattering that would often be heard about the Timeless Tailor. The riled irritation of that matter brought Alice's slight edge to the fore. "And where do I send the bill to that Aleera for the ruination of my gown! Though it was not one of my better works, there were better ways to gain my attention or participation than spilling wine!" Typical of the tailor her riled temper was not for herself but rather the clothes she worked so hard to make. Green eyes locked onto Liza as she gave a very potent snarl. "You tell Dalton is he does not want to become a muff, he ought to tell Aleera I expect payment for that grievous crime, if you would please. Wine! Red wine at that!" The dark haired woman shook her head in disgust. "If they had been reasonable when they approached me and had not stopped me form leaving, they could have had the bastard and good for them! They only have themselves to blame!" The younger vampire pointed out, her hand flickering up to wipe away tears that still seeped from the stress, sorrow and rage. She needed to stop crying, for when did tears fix anything? "Oh, I despise that woman!" Alice did not swear as a general rule, but Aleera seemed to test the tailor as the word woman could be easily replaced for the actual way Alice's tone describe the sinful wench! For there was no greater crime than the destruction of clothes- especially those of her make!

Ancient Piracy

Ryssa did not wait for the captain to give the order or to heed it. She acted before the words could finish leaving Amen's lips. As he gave the opening, Ryssa was on to the burly giant. Her last knife stabbing deep into the unprotected armpit and piercing the heart. Yanking the blade out to plunge it back in several times to make sure of death, Rys gave a snarled as the man became a burdensome dead weight. Shoving him to the deck, Ryssa reached to retrieve the knife that had been in the giant's leg. The blade was slightly bent, and the handle was cracked, but it would still serve for this fight.

Moving across the deck towards the brothers who were struggling against the archers, Ryssa skirted pools of blood, water, and bodies alike. Weapons too littered the ground in treacherous traps. Coils of rope from the average day's sailing. Tripping across one of such hazards, Ryssa slammed 'his' shoulder into one archer who was about to lunged for the brother. The wooden planks were hard beneath her as she rolled from the archer. Her knives driven into his leg as her hand seized upon his sword and drew it. Glancing to the side she noted the edge was far too close, and the bastard was still alive. Struggling to her feet to deliver a death blow to the bastard, the Egyptian-Roman swore a delectable list of curses in both languages.

~Nyte Bloods~

Alice flinched at the word 'weak', her eyes dropping as she did not deny that fact. She had always run away from her problems. Her family for one example. Liam for another. "I'm not like you. Not like the other vampires." The tailor said in a quiet voice, her dark tresses falling about her too pale face. "I can't fight, and killing... It is abhorrent to me. I understand why it was necessary to kill the man in the ally." Her reference to when Liza had first taken the newly made vampiress under her wing. "But I don't have to like it observe it." Her voice never rose nor wavered. "When Aleera moved to kill Liam- yes, they could have- I declared I would have nothing to do with it."

Her shoulders hunched inwards on herself, as she regretted those words. Would they put Liza in danger now? "I said things that struck Dalton to the quick and distracted Aleera and Thomas- though that was not my intention. I merely wanted to be away. Something all three were against and Dalton was enforcing." There, the truth of it was out. Her green eyes grew damp as a old rage burned behind the angry tears. "Aleera spilled wine on my dress to try and get me to take my mask off. She offered vengence."

"I accepted. Merely asking for aid the return of my old life. To making people beautiful in my own way once more." Alice's voice sounded bitter to her own ears. "So I lured him to a balcony with the scent of my blood." Her sharp laughter was hard and very brief. "As if he could refuse. My blood is to him a lodestone. His desire for me drove him against two inquisitors, and now against two vampires and Dalton-? Is he a vampire or some other sort of 'Nightborn'?" Her gaze flickered sadly. "Yes, that is what the cruel bitch Aleera called us. Nightborn. I despise her. She ruined my dress instead of merely asking or taking a bargain. She shares my feelings for myself I believe." The woman admitted, her hands still wringing nervously. "The rest of my story is as I told you. Liam escaped... Much to my displeasure. Dalton was a friend whom I stung with barbed words I thought I had left with my family. And Now some Strumgeist loyal vampires are seeking Liam and I am all but caught in the middle!"

Alice dropped her face into her hands, unable to bear the strain any longer. "I am no fighter, nor killer. I was born to a political and industrial family. Who sought prestige in business. So when my fashion choices became so odd... They gave the ultimatum of conformity or disownment. If I could not make it on my own in this world I would have to bend to their wills. But I did it. I made it. Only to have some mad vampire seeking me for bed and blood!" Alice gave a soft sob. "I run, I do not fight. For that is not my way! If I do not leave this city? What if Liam should come to you? Or you get pulled into the middle of this feud?!" Her dark hair flew as the tailor shook her head in the negative. "I could not bring such a fate upon you, when you have done naught but aid me. I would bear this guilt until the stars ceased or my life- or death- ended."

Darke Magyk - Concluded

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Richard Laine

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Location: The Palace

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Giving the supposed 'Queen' a hard look that could only be called aggravated, the newly christened Lord Laine let out a breathe of hot air in a irritated hiss. These trivial matters were holding them up, and he was not about to let them continue. Restraining his quickly rising temper, Richard longed for a stiff glass of bourbon. "While I am sure it is a honor. Might I note that it is also an honor to remain alive." The words were not said overly loud, but there was a edge to his voice.

It was Arya's suggestion that the knighting of their guide be put off, so they might be reunited with their child that held the man back from more words. It was a different lad with blood dripping from his nose whose scream had the deadly killer shoving Thalia behind his larger form while stepping in front of the woman and a long bladed knife in his hand. The blade drawn from a sheath that was lashed tight to his back, for Richard lived by the rule of always maintain a blade- or preferably several- upon your person at all times. "By all means, lead on." While his snake eyes focused on Myrus, his head and voice were meant for Lyra.

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Rhys Asher

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Location: Port Witch Covern

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Rhys cursed the ghost of his mentor along side the currenty ExtraOrdinary Wizards and those future and past! Muttering the reverse to free himself of the blasted charm that insane little woman had caught him in, Rhys had debating going for her. A interesting fight it would be, but the escape off the Cradle-Snatched convinced him otherwise. The Princess was more important here. A larger piece in the game against the Castle and the Wizards. With the sounds of the battle, he could only assume the Port Witches were in trouble. If securing the girl got him out of it? All the better.

So he had launched himself after her. Believing himself infallible as he sailed through the window. After all, how many times had he done this exact thing previously? Only then he had been leaving assassinated targets, burglarized homes, and lovers whose husbands had returned home. The latter and this situation had something in common at times, but the Rogue Wizard was not in the mood to be amused by the fact he was now stuck and hanging from the window. Really! One would thing Fleur would keep the place up! Spells to bounce had failed and climbing had failed. So he was stuck unless he wanted to crack his head on the pavement.

Oh, he was going to need to make someone scream for this. The man's current mood was possibly sour and enraged enough that he was a hanging beacon of misery and ill wishing to any who walked by.