Who Are the Savages?

[kittygirl]

Princess Ariatia had called for all civilians or mercenaries of any talent to meet in a grove she watched over in front of her home, a palatial tree where she, her mother and father lived. She sat on a small rock and pondered her peoples' situation. The humans were relentless in their attacks and seemed like they were preparing for something worse. She was completely unaware of Raven's involvement.

The woman sighed softly. Loss of life, any life whether elven or orc, was a deep sadness to her. Yet she had to remind herself not to lose faith. Ariatia was taught that faith and belief in oneself could turn the tides. Looking up she tried to see any figures that might be approaching from the forested path?

Raven was in the King's war room. She had called for an assembly of only the best. Novices were not needed. She had a top secret mission for them: They were to meet the elves at the borders to their city and slaughter them all. But they weren't going unprepared: She had some engineers craft special armor and weaponry for them that would surely beat even an experienced mage's pathetic tricks.

Shaking her head and laughing softly to herself she awaited the arrival of any that would dare risk their lives for King and country. Her lieutenant hovered around nervously. A middle aged woman with brown hair done into a professional bun. She wore a cloth skirt and thin top beneath a business like jacket.

"Are you sure this is the right way to end the war? Why not wait for the princess to get here and say what she wants to say?" The woman asked worried like.

Raven scoffed.

"Elves are not to be trusted. They only want to bring us to ruin. Like their filthy beast killed our goddess." Raven said venomously.

 

[munchkinomatic]

The thunderous footfalls and soft clickings of bleached skulls were audible long before the paladin himself entered the war room.

Polished steel caught and reflected the flickering light of torches within the room. Despite being witness of countless bloodsheds, his blade and armor remained shining like a knight of fairy tales, a testament to the purity of his cause and faith.

"Sister, " his voice rang clear as a cathedral's bell as he addressed the woman standing at the spymistress's side "Close your heart to the deceit of devils. These infidel and their Beast are Anathema to all that is justice and holy. Mistress Raven is wise, we must strike them down before they pour poison into our king's ears, into the people's ears."

 

[Vagabond422]

Eroan marched his way through the forest, his hand resting on the blade at his hip. This blade had defended elvenkind for generations. It felt heavier than his other blades, the ones he trained with, and used in his earlier life. Was it the weight of his ancestors' spirits that inhabited the blade, as was legend, or was it just the weight of the legacy the edge carried with it. The silvery blade that hung by the side of his great grandfather, his grandmother, and mother. He was carrying on a name, it wasn't a mantel but, a sword one that was now his.

He was selected, chosen to accompany the Princess on her journey into the human lands, to discuss a peace between their two races. The blade mage didn't know if it would be successful, he didn't even know if he wanted peace. His family made their name slaying humans, spilling their blood upon the ground, defending the homes of elves. What was a warrior family without a war. Though he could not deny the pain he saw, the families torn apart by a human attack, the weeping widows after the elves' retaliation. It was a cycle of violence that never ended, each side taking revenge against the other.

While he may have question this action inside his mind, his heart was resolute, his orders were to protect the princess, no matter what the outcome, that was his duty. He would not fail in that regard.

He entered the grove approaching the Princess. He bowed his head and took a knee before the royal.

"Your highness, I am Eroan Sliverblade, and I am sworn to your service," he looked up his green eyes meeting hers, "My blade and magic are yours."

 

[kittygirl]

Raven smiled at the way the man who spoke addressed her. She sat down at a table on which were laid out numerous maps. The spy mistress adjusted her clothing a bit and then spoke to both Callie and the newcomer.

"Yes. Please do not think me a savage for wishing to kill these people, Lieutenant. Think of me as someone doing what is necessary to end a war." Raven spoke her poisonous words very sweetly.

Callie opened her mouth and took a breath like she was going to say something but then shut up and nodded demurely to her mistress and the paladin-like man instead.

"Sir, may you tell me your name? We need to at least be on a first name basis for this mission." The spy mistress requested while watching him for signs of hostile or dangerous actions.

Ari looked at the forested path for a moment as if entranced. Who would appear to protect her? And then like magic an elven man started approaching. She could have wept with joy and had to stop herself.

When he gave his introductions she nodded politely. Pausing to wonder which pats of him should be given more merit. Sure, he was a fine warrior, but sometimes things call for finesse and not killing.

"Greetings. How do you fare today? How far along are you in your magic training?" Princess Ariatia asked while folding her hands in her lap.

 

[Vagabond422]

Ari looked at the forested path for a moment as if entranced. Who would appear to protect her? And then like magic an elven man started approaching. She could have wept with joy and had to stop herself.

When he gave his introductions she nodded politely. Pausing to wonder which pats of him should be given more merit. Sure, he was a fine warrior, but sometimes things call for finesse and not killing.

"Greeting. How do you fare today? How far along are you in your magic training?" Princess Ariatia asked while folding her hands in her lap.

Click to shrink...

Eroan rose to his feet standing at attention before the princess.

"I've been in training since I was a child," he replied, "My grandfather taught me Far Step, transporting across the material plane through the arcane ley lines that surround us." It was the focus of most of his study, for obvious reasons. Being able to jump from one place to another keeping his enemies guessing as to where he was and where he would be. "I also have training in Wind Whisper, sending quiet messages across distances. He also made sure I learned All-Tongue, Magic Detection, and of course Mage Shield." he looked away grimacing slightly, "He still thinks I'm not well rounded enough and think too much with my sword but, there is still time for me to learn more."

 

[kittygirl]

"Of course Mister Silverblade. We all must learn more in these trying times. I am here waiting for any that may have received my message by carrier birds about accompanying me to Crowstalon Hold. The humans' seat of power for their King Oathbearer." Ari explained. She looked away momentarily as she thought of the mission and how dangerous it might be.

"I can feel the ley lines even now. Speaking to me that this is the right thing to do." Ariatia said with a tone of reverence. Some elves believed the ley lines were sentient and chose the magics they would grant to the recipient not the other way around.

"I know how to fight a little with my staff. I'm better at... well, let me show you." Ari gathered a deep breath and then exhaled some harmless flames colored scarlet. The flames touched the flowers in the grove and those that were closed suddenly bloomed.

"I'm what is known as a Purifier. Someone who uses the rejuvenating heat of the flames to comfort and heal. I hope to protect you just as you protect me." Ariatia laughed girlishly.

 

[Vagabond422]

"Then I shall wait with you." He took a place next to her looking out into the forest, focusing looking for bends and shifts in the ley lines that give away the touch of magic. Eroan kept the reaction off his face as she granted sentience to the source of magic. In his training he was taught that the lines were tools, vectors to draw power from and use. He could recall his grandfather scoffing that the idea that they had any will of their own. His mother was much the same, the lines were like his sword a weapon and tool to be used, not a presence to be respected or listened to. Raised like this it was no question that he felt the same but, in his service he'd run into all kinds. Some soldiers granted their survival the to the will of magic, others were fervent in their prayers facing a particular direction because of the ley lines. Privately Eroan thought it ridiculous. However if that got them through, if it brought them hope who was he to begrudge them, and tell them they were wrong.

He watched with some fascination as the princess breathed fire from her. The blademage moved a little away but, noticed that the ground they touched did not set a light. Quite the opposite, the buds bloomed, the grass taking on a more vibrant color. Again his grandfather would be displeased at this display. Magic was not a toy or a parlor trick. A spell caster was not some performer busking for coins on the corner, they were scholars and soldiers, luminaries and defenders of elven society, not its jesters and fools. Though the elf had to admit it was quite the display and fine demonstration of her power.

"It suits you your highness." He said bowing his head, "You seek to heal, to bind the wounds of this world. A noble goal, I hope that my aid may see it to fruition." He looked out ahead continuing to watch the wood, waiting for others to appear, if any did.

 

[munchkinomatic]

"Sir, may you tell me your name? We need to at least be on a first name basis for this mission." The spy mistress requested while watching him for signs of hostile or dangerous actions.

Click to shrink...

The paladin turned to her and dipped his head.

"Forgive me, my fair lady. I let my heart ruled me. I am Victus Macellarius, Paladin of Her Divinity. May I be blessed with kmowing your?"

 

[kittygirl]

Ariatia smiled at Mister Silverblade. She had no idea that he privately thought things about her beliefs he had such a good poker face. The elven princess then looked at the flowers and got off the rock she was sitting on to stretch a bit. Even touching her toes.

When she was done stretching she returned to the task at hand. Sitting a little closer to him if he allowed it. She enjoyed being in close proximity to others for both practical and emotional reasons.

"Thank you. And we shall always have need of competent soldiers if we are going to venture into hostile territories. The humans aren't going to suffer our presence lightly. As I am sure you are aware after our goddess devoured theirs they have been taught to kill us on sight." The woman shivered with fear and toyed with her clothes as anxious thoughts about being killed on sight swirled femininely in her mind.

Raven looked over the maps trying to predict the paths the elves would take. Their forest was not that far from Crowstalon Hold and that worried her and made her paranoid. Where would they strike she wondered? And then she was brought back to reality by the paladin introducing himself.

"Nice to meet you, Victus Macellarius. I am Raven Queensquill. Acting spy mistress for the sisters that serve King Oathbearer in ferreting out traitors and gathering intelligence. From the intelligence we have so far their Princess is gathering civilians and mercenaries, as well as soldiers, in an effort to come here to end the war with her words." Raven scoffed.

 

[munchkinomatic]

Nice to meet you, Victus Macellarius. I am Raven Queensquill. Acting spy mistress for the sisters that serve King Oathbearer in ferreting out traitors and gathering intelligence. From the intelligence we have so far their Princess is gathering civilians and mercenaries, as well as soldiers, in an effort to come here to end the war with her words." Raven scoffed.

Click to shrink...

"Trickeries and lies." The knight declared with perfect certainty. "The devil come to test us in our sanctuary."

 

[shadow shinobi]

Heavy footsteps and the sound of metal brushing against metal are the only sounds that can be heard from inside the room as a behemoth of a man enters the room through the door.

"Hello spymaster raven I have arrived as your summons asked" he says in a deep but clear voice almost all skin not visible through his armour, the only weapon on his person was a large halberd strapped onto his back via a leather strap.

 

[Vagabond422]

Eroan remained seated keeping careful watch as she stood and stretched. He had been walking of a bit and could use a bit of a rest. His gaze was always on the horizon, though he kept the princess in the corner of his vision.

When she came to sit beside him he remained where he was. It was a little close, closer than was usually acceptable. As he moved to sit further away he noticed just a slight shifting, as if she was fine with his presence in her personal space. He decided to remain where he was, near to her.

"Yes," the soldier replied, "I have seen their barbarism first hand." In his heart feelings of anger and rage burned in him. "They feel nothing at bringing horrors upon us." He'd seen the worst of humankind, flaying elves alive, cutting their ears off and wearing them as trophies. None of which he would speak in front of the princess. "They call us animals, while they lower themselves and lash out without thought." He noticed a bit of nervous, fearful energy in her as she fidgeted with her hem. "Do not worry your highness, I will do my all to protect you." He thought for a moment. "Have you selected a route by which we will travel? We might wish to keep away from any human settlements on our way to the capitol. The less people that see us the less word will be spread by gossiping mouths."

 

[kittygirl]

"Indeed. The elves will try anything to trick us. Their goddess's transgressions against our own must never be forgotten. I have also secured a contact of minor note: The Princess's own sister, born out of wedlock, with half-human heritage. She wishes to assist us in our campaign." Raven explained while glancing from the maps to Victus. Callie looked on worried like as she mentioned Leyrah.

Leyrah's viciousness and hatred honestly creepy feels Callie to a huge degree yet she kept her feelings silent. Callie nodded in greeting to Joe Mason as he entered and spoke friendly like to him:

"Greetings sir. I hope the day finds you well." Callie curtsied slightly to the huge man.

"Try not to hate them too much. They are simply misguided. I hope their leader will listen and forgive us for actions that were not our own but those of a hungry predator. Though who knows? Perhaps the humans' goddess provoked her into a fit of rage." Ari mused while touching her hair and tiara slightly.

The Princess nodded when he said he would give his all. It was reassuring and the exact words she needed to hear.

"I have heard of a privateer with his own ship. I hope my petition for help reached him, as he is rather difficult to get a hold of. My hope is to take sea routes to Crowstalon and stage our debate outside of the city where the ley lines are stronger in case... of hostilities." Ari mentioned as casually as she could. She had never been a diplomat on such an important mission before and was rather inexperienced with such things.

 

[shadow shinobi]

Leyrah's viciousness and hatred honestly creepy feels Callie to a huge degree yet she kept her feelings silent. Callie nodded in greeting to Joe Mason as he entered and spoke friendly like to him:

"Greetings sir. I hope the day finds you well." Callie curtsied slightly to the huge man.

Click to shrink...

"I hope the same for you as well" I say politely as I take of my helmet "but I must ask what is it you want with me.

 

[Vagabond422]

"Try not to hate them too much. They are simply misguided. I hope their leader will listen and forgive us for actions that were not our own but those of a hungry predator. Though who knows? Perhaps the humans' goddess provoked her into a fit of rage." Ari mused while touching her hair and tiara slightly.

The Princess nodded when he said he would give his all. It was reassuring and the exact words she needed to hear.

"I have heard of a privateer with his own ship. I hope my petition for help reached him, as he is rather difficult to get a hold of. My hope is to take sea routes to Crowstalon and stage our debate outside of the city where the ley lines are stronger in case... of hostilities." Ari mentioned as casually as she could. She had never been a diplomat on such an important mission before and was rather inexperienced with such things.

Click to shrink...

Eroan let out a breath, trying to let go of the anger he felt. It was hard, elves were given to powerful emotions, it had taken generations for them to learn to control them. It still caught him by surprise, his heart could turn on him rising in anger, or joy or sadness. Each set off by the smallest of things, or deep seated feelings. He closed his eyes visualizing the ley lines watching rhythmic, untampered beat. Soon his heart synchronized, his breathing joining it.

"It still does not excuse their actions, there should be some reparations, for the horrors committed..." he looked away feeling shame boiling up in him, "on both sides." He did not blame the wolf goddess, she was just herself, the wild untamed force of nature that she always was. She was the soul of an elf, the thing that they must tame, the beast they must control within themselves. However there were times that the primal rage was needed. That the strength of the wolf was necessary to survive.

He shook himself out of his musing hearing that a privateer might be joining them.

"You will excuse me your highness if I do not trust a person whose loyalty can be purchased. Though I would feel much safer on the sea, far away from the humans'...cities. We will have the advantage or at the very least mitigate whatever edge the Humans have."

 

[kittygirl]

Callie cleared her throat softly. Honestly such a tall man intimidated her but she tried not to let that show since she was a ranking officer in the King's army. She felt she should be tougher than that.

"Well, we're going to be trying to stop the elves from brokering their version of peace... which I assume means the elves get free reign to come to our cities and we get nothing in return. Including retribution for what their bestial goddess did to ours." Callie sounded uncertain at the end there. She honestly didn't want to judge the elves too harshly for the actions of a wolf.

"So Raven and I are undertaking this project without direct approval from King Oathbearer. Hopefully that doesn't get us all fired or hung or burnt at the stake." She laughed uneasily.

Ariatia could sympathize with the man calming himself down. She had strong feelings of her own about the issues now facing them. Primarily about mothers losing their children.

"Of course reparations will be discussed for both sides. I hope to come to a deal agreeable to both humans and elves but I do not know if they...." She trailed off and looked at her lap.

"Don't worry about the privateer. I hear he's the fatherly type and takes in strays. He'll be sympathetic to our cause." Ari spoke with conviction on that subject.

 

[Awetduck]

"Groan, groan, so dour Eroan" chirps a heavily becoated man, hanging by his legs from a nearby tree branch. A tricorn hat adhered to his pointy eared head by shear sticktoitness. He drops lightly to to the forest floor with the jingle of a dozen belt buckles and fittings. Scooping up one of the princesses recently magicked flowers, senting at it lightly before presenting it to her in a flourish.
"Grown, grown, such wonders you've shown. Surely with such edged blooms Your Majesties cause to present, more bloodied blade edges we shall surely prevent"
His eyes dance merrily between the elven three while his feet retreat warily, their reactions to see.
"Have no alarm and do not fear, for it is but I Alathius, your transport is here, and take heart for my price has already bound our fates in torsion, so join me please two days hence we meet our Outrageous Fourtune."

 

[kittygirl]

Ariatia giggled at the man's flourish and style. She could get used to someone like him. Taking the flower she smelled it herself and then tucked it behind her left pointed ear. Giving the man a once over she did not stare but rather lightly traced his features with her gaze.

Ariatia stood up and clapped for his rhyming words. She smiled brightly as she found Alathius highly amusing. Giving him a curtsy with a flourish of her own.

"Nice to meet you Sir Alathius. I must admit I wasn't expecting you to speak in rhyme. How amusing. And yes, the goal here is to minimize casualties, though if it comes to that then so be it. Something in the ley lines tells me there may be forces working against us." Ari mused absentmindedly as she stared off into space, as if trying to see the ley lines she claimed spoke to her.

 

[Vagabond422]

When the soldier first heard the voice his hand moved to the sword at his side. His green eyed gaze swept the horizon until he spotted the inverted form of the pirate. The whimsical rhymes did little to change Eroan's demeanor, which soured seeing the pistols at the sailor's hips. It was hard to hide the sneer looking upon the weapons that took no skill to use, no finesse, just point and shoot. He despised the weapons of the humans, they took the easy path wanting to turn out warriors by the dozen pack them into lines and fire blindly into the enemy. There was no thought, no strategy, no honor just brute force. Though expecting honor from a pirate was a losing battle.

This Alathius had charm, that was undeniable, very similar to others he had seen. A silver tongues had a habit of turning to lead at the worst moments, and leaving wreckage in their wake.

Another scoff,

"If the humans which to tear apart our olive branch, we will turn it into a spear. Though I hope it doesn't come to that." Part of him was saying it for the Princess's benefit, he'd seen her kind heart, she wished none to perish. However, deep down he wondered if he could live in a world of peace when all he's ever known was war. He shook his head, he had a mission, seeing her safely to the human capital. The negotiations were none of his concern, though they were still part of his mission.

"Welcome Captain Alathius." Eroan nodded his head towards the privateer, "I'm curious as to why you didn't reveal yourself earlier? Eavesdropping is rather rude."

 

[kittygirl]

Princess Ariatia steeled her resolve at Eroan's words. She too was prepared to violate her own wishes if the humans took their attempt at peace as an attempt at trickery. Her green eyes narrowed at the thought and then she shook her head. Giving a slight smile at the warrior's caution in mentioning eavesdropping she stepped more to the front and tried to diffuse any possible hostilities that may form between them.

"Perhaps he just arrived? In any case we need to be ready for our mission. We have two days before boarding your ship? Then we must go to my mother and father and request provisions. They surely have something that can help us." Princess Ari said in her best attempt at being helpful.

The Princess didn't like asking her mommy and daddy for help. They didn't like her life choices very much. But at least they respected her style of trying to end battles without huge amounts of death. The thirty-year-old elf woman started to try to urge the warrior and privateer if they wished back towards the palatial tree by beckoning them with her hands. If not she would go alone.

 

[DrLucky1]

An elderly man, dressed in the traditional robes of the human priest, walks up to the door of Spymistress Raven's room. He politely knocks once, and waits for a response.

 

[kittygirl]

The elderly man is not alone. A half-human, half-elf woman walks up to the sealed door and waits with him. She is dressed very scandalously compared to him in an outfit consisting of a miniskirt and a top that shows her shoulders, back and belly. She wears heavy mascara, lipstick and eye shadow. Her dark red hair is cut unevenly though she wears some of it in a braid while the rest is left hanging long. She looks at the priest and then smiles mischievously.

"Raven! It's me and some old guy! Open up!" She yells through the door to get the spy mistress's attention.

Raven scurries to the door and opens it. She sees the two and regards the priest with mild suspicion.

"What may I do for you, Master Priest? Please do come in. I see Leyrah is with you. That is good. We will have need for all of our allies." Raven says with a welcoming tone. Callie her Lieutenant looks on at the group from behind Raven with a keen interest in the elderly man.

 

[DrLucky1]

The priest enters the room, and looks around, noting the people inside. The spymistress. The crusader. The soldier. The crazy one.

Then, he speaks. "Greetings, honorable Spymistress Raven. I am Father Lexell Koros, a humble priest of our most holy church. I have taken great interest in this operations of yours, and I offer my services for your cause."

 

[kittygirl]

Raven sat down at the table with the maps and tapped it lightly with her manicured fingernails as she heard out the priest. She then spoke with measured and polite tones.

"It makes sense that someone from the priesthood would wish to join us. After all the elves were directly responsible for the death of the one they worship. Very well you may join us. For now it's just a waiting game. The elves are approaching us from a route we cannot predict so we must simply be ready for them." Raven adjusted her glasses and then went back to looking at the maps trying to figure out where they might be coming from.

"A priest how fortunate. Hopefully you can offer some advice as to how to end the conflict without shedding so much blood. Leyrah, you would do especially well to listen to any such advice." Callie turned to the scantily dressed woman and tried her best to offer motherly advice to her.

"Why should we not kill them all? It would be the most efficient way to end the conflict. Leaving them alive is so... messy politically and socially." Leyrah scoffed.

 

[Floom]

Ariatia smiled at Mister Silverblade. She had no idea that he privately thought things about her beliefs he had such a good poker face. The elven princess then looked at the flowers and got off the rock she was sitting on to stretch a bit. Even touching her toes.

When she was done stretching she returned to the task at hand. Sitting a little closer to him if he allowed it. She enjoyed being in close proximity to others for both practical and emotional reasons.

"Thank you. And we shall always have need of competent soldiers if we are going to venture into hostile territories. The humans aren't going to suffer our presence lightly. As I am sure you are aware after our goddess devoured theirs they have been taught to kill us on sight." The woman shivered with fear and toyed with her clothes as anxious thoughts about being killed on sight swirled femininely in her mind.

Click to shrink...

Having been relieved of it's burden, Oldstones continued to watch over the Princess.

It's role was clear. There was little else to do.

Though it's instruction to remain hidden unless it was to protect the Princess was strange.

Thus it's disguise. The Young Princess had several habits. This glade was one of them. Thus, it would be that when she had come across this spot one day, a stone was lying there. She had made a habit of sitting on Oldstones's disguised form, and it made Oldstones's task easier.

But Oldstones cared little for such things.

It merely watched the Princess. One single eye staring at her from every speck of dirt she walked on, every pebble she passed by.

Should she leave, Oldstones would follow. For that was it's job.

Others approached the Princess. They were known to Oldstones. They would do her no harm.

Should they ever, Oldstones would crush them. Grind their bones to dust.

For that was it's job.

Princess Ariatia steeled her resolve at Eroan's words. She too was prepared to violate her own wishes if the humans took their attempt at peace as an attempt at trickery. Her green eyes narrowed at the thought and then she shook her head. Giving a slight smile at the warrior's caution in mentioning eavesdropping she stepped more to the front and tried to diffuse any possible hostilities that may form between them.

"Perhaps he just arrived? In any case we need to be ready for our mission. We have two days before boarding your ship? Then we must go to my mother and father and request provisions. They surely have something that can help us." Princess Ari said in her best attempt at being helpful.

The Princess didn't like asking her mommy and daddy for help. They didn't like her life choices very much. But at least they respected her style of trying to end battles without huge amounts of death. The thirty-year-old elf woman started to try to urge the warrior and privateer if they wished back towards the palatial tree by beckoning them with her hands. If not she would go alone.

Click to shrink...

And thus Oldstones prepared to leave, readying itself for motion once all observers left. A pity.

Oldstones preferred it when it wasn't moving. But such was it's job.