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 Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 8:26 pm
The sun was high in the sky when Kira finally found a road - one that had seen many travellers as well. She crouched at the edge of it, taking in the bumps and prints that outlined the feet of people and horses. She was by no means an expert tracker, but no one survived in the wilderness for very long without picking up some skill.
Would be useful to know how old these are... Kira rose to her feet and began to trot down the road in the direction of the vast majority of the markings. She could only hope that the settlement was within half a day's journey at the most, or she'd be forced to make camp of her own. No point in wasting her energy through the night when she had no idea how far away her destination was.
Her senses were on high alert at this point, her mouth set in a grim line. Kira hated being so exposed on the road, but struggling through the forest wouldn't get her anywhere. She'd have to hope the presence of the camp nearby had frightened away any would-be bandits.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 8:39 pm
"We are each our own devil,"Laelitha laughed at the eagles comment about arriving after the men. "You forget Olron that you are traveling with the Goddess of time. Though my powers are diminished, I still have the skill to slow down the time of the world around us." With that she closed her eyes and the gem on top of her staff glowed a light blue. A bird that was flying over head slowed down so much that it looked frozen. "I can't hold this for long, so we must ride hard." She dug her heels into her horses flanks and he took off at a canter, she didn't want to kill the beast riding it too hard.
After what to Laelitha and Mornath was 2 hours, was 20 minutes to the rest of the world the two former Gods entered the camp, and Laelitha ended her enchantment. To people in the camp, the two riders appeared out of a dust trail that went back into the forest. It all appeared at the same time. The soldiers nearest to them stumbled backwards, astonished by the sudden appearance, but once they recognized Laelitha they calmed down a bit, they had gotten used to the idea that she could do some weird things, but they hadn't gotten used to observing such things.
Laelitha dismounted and let the Stallion wander back into the forest to cool off, before turning to Mornath. "I suppose we should find Tiberius." "And we make this world our hell."
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 7:55 am
Tiberius was making his way back along the fringes of the camp towards his tent located in the east when he senses something familiar. An impression of god-like power from somewhere close. Turning to face the forest a long cloud of dust suddenly puffs up into existence. Only by the virtue of his immortal eyes is he able to see those responsible for the dust a split second before they come to a stop. Their sudden appearance cause the soldiers around them to start and retreat slightly before they recognize the gods. As the people show their respect each in their unique fashion depending on their respective faiths Tiberius makes his way over slowly. Smiling as exuberantly as he could muster he stops a few steps away from them. "Laelitha, glad you've returned, and with a new ally I see. Mornath it gladdens me to see you again." Holding out his hand he grasps the god's forearm in an old fashioned warrior's hand shake. "How have you been fairing since the Traitor's coup?" Releasing the gods arm he motions for them to follow. "I'm sure you must be tired from traveling, especially after using your abilities Laelitha. Please let us retire to my tent."
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:09 am
Sarkai was about a mile outside the camp of Tiberius when she felt the peculiar powerful ripple-twist in time that told her Laelitha was near, and using her abilities. The Trickster frowned; she had looked forward to being the only arrival that day, and now it seemed that she would be only one of many. Well, that called for a change of plans. With a shrug, she cast a full illusion, changing her appearance again. Bright pink hair became shining, moon-pale blond; green eyes changed to grey-blue. The baton dangling from her belt became a short eating knife, and her worn packs took on an edge of newness. The road-savvy, wandering goddess became a soft, unmuscled city mage, rather more innocent.
She reached the outskirts of the camp not too much later, and was stopped by a grey-haired old soldier, who looked to be wiry tough despite his years.
"And who might you be, miss?"
Sarkai tilted her head and blinked at him. "This is the camp of the gods, right? I'm Aishi Naylas. Master-class mage. I'm here to help out."
The soldier looked unconvinced. "Master-class, eh? Well, let's see a demonst-" He stopped, as Sarkai caught his eyes with hers and held them, unblinking.
Aishi Naylas proved herself to your satisfaction. She didn't impress you, but you believe her. You will tell your watch commander no more than that, and then you will forget about her. She is not important.
The soldier stood, dazed, and Sarkai walked her gelding past him and into the camp. She would scope out how things were, and observe if not directly speak with her siblings. Although...she'd been planning to perform a split-manifestation spell, appearing in image at her shrines to call folk to her cause. For that, she needed several hours of peace and quiet, along with a place to sleep off the bone-deep weariness that would follow. And maybe 100-proof alcohol, if available. None of those things would be possible in her current guise; she would need to appear in her natural form to call on Tiberius's resources. But that was a problem she would face later.
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 4:11 pm
Mornath happily gripped his comrade's arm and returned the greeting.
"I suppose I have been faring fine, although the ability to fly would have made things a touch easier on my feet. I hear you have five thousand souls gathered," he noted as they walked into the tent, "I wish I could lend more manpower to your host, although I'm sure lending the Fear of Death to your arsenal will almost make up for it." They were just getting into the tent when a guard of the camp approached with a number of men in tow.
"Those are the men I saw earlier," Olron whispered into Mornath's ear.
"Begging your pardon, my lord." the soldier bowed to Tiberius, "The captain of these men here wishes to speak with you. He claims to be from the land of Nelgoth and bears the symbol of the Earthmother."
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 5:28 pm
It wasn't long before the road widened, and Kira could detect the distant sounds of people. The murmur of voices, the clink of armor, the clang of a hammer in a forge. Kira's quick pace slowed cautiously.
These weren't village sounds - they were the sounds of warriors. Her nose twitched slightly. She could smell the delicious combination of meat being cooked and smoke, and her stomach growled quietly. The voices didn't sound drunken or loud enough for this to be a bandit camp. Could it be she'd finally found a force that was gathering to take down Alethor?
The trees were thinning out as she drew nearer to the campsite. There would be no chance to make a run for it if she was wrong.
Kira's decision was made for her, as a sentry noticed her and drew his sword.
"Oy! Who goes there?"
Hesitating for a fraction of a second, the young woman widened her stride and walked toward the guard.
"A traveller." She answered shortly. "What manner of settlement is this?"
"It's under the rule of the god Tiberius. Under whose colours do you follow?"
"The house of my late father, Gregor Slambert." Kira replied coldly. "I follow no god."
The sentry's grip on his sword tightened. "That's blasphemy!"
She said nothing for a moment, but her feet shifted ever so slightly, preparing herself for possible combat.
"No god has ever given me reason in my life to pay them homage. I am still allied against Alethor. Are you going to let me in, or not?"
The sentry kept control of himself, though his hand did not stray from his sword. "You'll come with me, and I'll let one of the gods in charge here make judgement on you."
Kira held his gaze for another moment, then relaxed her stance. "Fine. Lead the way."
The guard did not touch her, but he kept in step beside her, weaving between tents and people. He seemed to be heading for the centre of the campsite, and Kira could only grit her teeth and follow obediently.
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 5:31 pm
"We are each our own devil,"Laelitha can see right through Tiberius' attempt to look anything but worn down. I have to find something to let him sleep. So far none of the natural remedies the locals used have worked...I can't have a war leader being exhausted all the time.
As they neared the tent the weariness from using her powers caught up to her and Laelitha wavered slightly. Tiberius opened the flap to his tent and Laelitha entered, even after the men stopped to talk to some more soldiers. Let them figure out the man power. I'm tired.
Laelitha had just closed her eyes when she heard a woman muttering under her breath about pompous soldiers, and high testosterone levels. Ah, there are so few females here. Laelitha rose from the cot and moved to the entrance.
Upon opening it she saw the two male gods talking about what to do with the men from Nelgoth, and a sentry standing off to the side, waiting for his turn. Beside him stood a young woman who was obviously frustrated with waiting. Laelitha exited the tent and moved to the sentry. "Shouldn't you be watching the perimeter?" She asked him sternly.
"I w-was ma'am." He said saluting her. "But this vagrant demanded entrance." He then leaned in close as if he had something other than a disgusting odor to share. "She follows no God, I don't trust her." Laelitha looked at the strong young woman and shooed the sentry away.
"Come on in and sit down, you look like you've been on your feet for days." the Goddess says to the traveler, and holds open the tent flap for her. "And we make this world our hell."
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 5:47 pm
Kira eyed the goddess warily, but she was tired, and the lady had shooed away the bothersome sentry. She gave a tiny nod and walked into the tent, her eyes darting about the interior. It was a simple enough dwelling, surprisingly so for a tent of a god. She turned to face the goddess, bracing herself for the worst. Though their abilities had been diminished, they still possessed mighty power in comparison with a mere human.
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 5:54 pm
"We are each our own devil,"The Goddess sat on the only chair and motioned for the girl to sit on the cot. "I'm sure Tiberius won't be too happy when he finds out I'm using his tent like my own." Laelitha smiled, "But he daren't make me mad, for he can age now." She winked at the human, trying to calm her nerves. "Now, why are you here if you don't follow any Gods? Most humans try to stay out of things they have nothing to do with." Except nature.. "And we make this world our hell."
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:01 pm
Kira's feet shifted for a split second - sitting would make her more vulnerable - but gave in and lowered herself onto the cot, cross-legged.
"I have a quarrel with Alethor, though he knows me not." Her eyes were cold as she spoke, concealing the rage beneath her gaze. "By overthrowing Galebiel, he allowed madness to descend on my world. My family and friends are all dead now because of him - and with the God of the Dead withheld from his rightful position, they are locked in purgatory now." Her eyes hardened. "I must free them and avenge their deaths. That is why I am here."
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:10 pm
"We are each our own devil,"Laelitha couldn't help but bounce in her chair from excitement. "You are perfect." She said, just as the chair folded up on it's self and she fell on the floor. "Great job...." She mutters to herself as she gets back up. "Sorry about that..." Adjusting the chair and sitting back down she continues to speak. "I've been looking for someone to be the sort of messenger between us Gods and you mortals. Obviously some people are hearing about us and coming to our aid, but it's not enough. We need many more swords and bows. So I was wondering if you would like to be such person. You would get the rank of Major, and some other special gifts from me, and maybe some of the other Gods." She shifted closer. "What do you say?" "And we make this world our hell."
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:26 pm
It took a moment for Kira to absorb everything, and to conceal the tiny smile that threatened to breach the corner of her mouth at the goddess' clumsiness. She had not smiled in a long time, she saw no reason to start now.
"It's an interesting offer." She replied bluntly. "I don't need a rank to perform this duty, if it will help to stop Alethor. If you think it is needful, I shall accept it, and your gifts - but I am used to relying on my own feet and my sword."
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 2:27 pm
Tiberius nods to the death god as they walk. "Indeed not all power is measured by the amount of sword arms one has." His fatigue almost causes him to pass over the guard and rangers heading there way. As the time goddess enters his tent Tiberius turns to the new arrivals, nodding to the guard as the man introduces the rangers. "Well done, you may return to your post soldier." He waits for the man to leave before turning his dark eyes on the ranger captain. His keen eyes seem to be the only facial feature about Tiberius' that still remains sharp. After a few long moments the god takes the initiative. "You are the rangers of Nelgoth are you not?... Yes, yes you are known to me. You and your kin are skilled in using the protection night provides in combat." Folding his arms loosely across his chest he gives the captain an inquiring look. "What brings you to our camp?"
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 3:39 pm
Darion could not deny feeling some pride at being known to the God of Night. When Tiberius inquired about their presence at the camp Darion related the story of how the traitor Kardred had usurped the throne of Nelgoth and sold his cousin Yaeros into slavery. He then told of the exodus of the still displaced Loyalists and of his company's wanderings throughout the wilderness trying to find their master.
"This is now our only chance to save our prince and help restore order to our realm and the world." he explained, "The Earthmother is our patron, but we will gladly follow both you my lord, and the Rest-Bringer to help overthrow the usurper Alethor."
Mornath examined the Rangers as their leader spoke. When Darion had finished, the God of Death leaned towards Tiberius.
"Their leader has one of the purest souls I have seen in ages," he said, "There is no doubt that courage beats indomitably within his heard and those of his men. They will make good warriors."
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 6:38 am
Tiberuis listens to the rangers tale intently, his mind already alive with ideas by the time Mornath leans in to whisper to him. Tiberius nods to his fellow god in agreement. "This much is clear to me, though i do not believe that their usefulness will end there..." His eyes flick back to the ranger captain and a look of energy, almost excitement replaces Tiberius's mask of fatigue. Taking a step towards the rangers he addresses them. "Your story has swayed the heart of this god. We will help you find your lord and return him to his true place as ruler of your homeland. You have the word of Tiberius, master of the night and moon. Follow me and we will decide on the best plan of action to accomplish this." With that the silver haired god turns back to his tent.
Once inside he spots Laeltha sitting on one of the tent's folding chairs, and a strange woman sitting on the edge of his bed. The look of the girl quickly told him that she was of the warrior sort and no ordinary shield maiden. Looking to the goddess he could tell she was excited as well, and had some news to share. As the others were ushered into the tent by his priests Tiberius makes his way over to Laelitha, crouching down to be closer to eye level with her on the chair. The two of them quickly exchange information about their respective meetings. Once everyone is settled Tiberius stands to face them all. "After much thought, this is my council. We shall split up into two parties each with their own task. One will quest to track down the lost prince of Nelgoth, the other will move to the country itself to dislodge the coup d'eta forces from the capital. By this time the prince must have been returned to allow for the transition back to order. What say you?"
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