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 Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:10 pm
Princess Anilahindari frowned at the envoys. She shook her head. "I am sorry, but I don't think that I will be able to comply with your offer. It is not land or power that my mother and I wish for. It is for peace and prosperity for the people of my lands."
Gerric shifted uneasily at Prince Dulin's remark about the necklace. "My Lady," he commented. "Maybe it's not the best idea to make peace with the Thief Kingdom. I fear that in our time of need, they will back out of the treaty."
Ani looked at him and weighed his opinnion. "You're absolutely correct. But, we need their help..." A sad expression crossed her face. "I doubt that we have a choice at all, Sir Conrad."
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Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 3:06 pm
Diran 'ko and Manjek bowed to the queen at her agreement. When she looked down to coo at her children, Diran 'ko shot an annoyed glance over at Manjek and whispered, "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"
Before Manjek had time to respond, however, an old man appeared in a cloud of smoke and adressed Mma Rafstwari. "Ah, Uzoma, what timing! I was just discussing this topic with Diran 'ko and Manjek. On their request, I have agreed to send them on a journey to try and make peace with our enemies. I see you too are interested in helping this "haven" as you called it. But I am afraid that soon this kingdom will no longer be a haven, as long as this war is permitted to continue. What did you have in mind? If you are in a state to travel, I would send you with them, but if not..." she drifted off, signaling with her hand for Uzoma to finish.
"You were just informing me about the many different effects of toadstools and fungi," Anastasia said. Though she loved her lessons with her father, something deep inside of her longed to break free from the binding walls of the fortress and experience true evil first hand. She envied Ichabod, who got to lop off people's heads everyday, and didn't have to sit alone in the castle, waiting for some loathsome man to marry her and rob her of her power and do all sorts of unpleasant man things to her against her will.
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:12 am
(Dulintari's a princess... whee )
"Peace?" Dulin looked at her brother.
"Prosperity?" Dae looked at his sister.
"Riiiiiight!" they said together.
"Well, if that's all you want, then that's what you'll get," said Dulintari, her feet still on the table.
"If we as allies win," Daeheru continued, "once you have half the land and we have half the land, we'll never fight again. See? Peace."
"And prosperity," his sister added. "Now why would we wanna back out of a treaty like this?" She smiled at the guard.
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Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:09 pm
Ichabod fell silent for a moment, looking into his daughters eyes with his own. The flames seemed to dim, becoming more mellow. He continued to stare for a moment, then cleared his throat. "I know you long to fight, my dear," Ichabosd said slowly. "Not just learn about it, but actually be evil. Which is why I consulted my army general, and, if you continue to do well in your studies of poison and the art of death, he has agreed to take you on." hen, suddenly, he looked around, seemingly annoyed. "Where is my body?" he grumbled , but just then, it open the doors and stalked in, scooping up Ichabod's head and resting on his his shoulders. "If you would come to he courtyard, we can discuss this further," The king said , gesturing to the open doors.
*Because your thieves, that's why,* thought Dantrell as he looked down onto the scene below. *It's a good thing these holy-people haven't an ounce of sense, or they would have killed them on the spot.* Then he considered Gerric. *Of course thier is that Conrad fellow,* Dantrell thought. *He could cause some trouble.*
Uzoma nodded at the queen. "Well," he began. "I was thinking of casting a protection spell over the kingdom, but I could also travel with them. However, the jurney would have to be tomorrow, as the ceremony will take the whole night."
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Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:07 pm
(Heh-heh. sweatdrop Sorry Neri!)
Princess Anilahindari continued to look sadly at the thieves. After a few moments, she shook her head. "I am afraid that I cannot do as you want. I fear that all you care about is money and gold and power. But, right now, all we need is someone to back us up to settle our recent dispute with the Monster Kingdom."
Gerric got up and a little harshly pushed the two ambassadors out the door. "I figure that Her Highness doesn't wish to speak with you any further." He gently shut the door in their faces.
Meanwhile...
The queen of the Holy Kingdom sat and thought to herself. *I wish I could get my daughter to make peace with some other nations. But she's so picky about treaty making that usually, she ends up turning the other nations down.* A sigh escaped her lips. *I don't mind about her concerns, but my people need help!*
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Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:31 pm
On the inside, Anastasia was like a deadly viper writhing in sheer pleasure and excitement, but she mantained perfect tranquility on the outside as she rose uncannily from the lounge. She floated over to her father, placing a porceline hand lightly on top of his, waiting to be escorted. "That is a prospect I would most like to discuss," she said, her hungry grin giving away her wicked anticipation.
"What kind of protection spell did you have in mind, Uzoma?" the queen asked. "One of the Ancient Tongue, I presume? Indeed, a spell powerful evough to cover the entire kingdom would certainly require a great deal of time, wisdom, and energy. But I have no doubt that you are capable. Very well." She summoned a messenger to her throne. "Let everyone know that tonight shall be a joyous night! We will have a momentus celebration in honor of the protection and sanctity of our kingdom. Let there be music and feasting! No spirit within this kingdom shall forget the happiness they felt tonight, whatever tomorrow may bring. Manjek, Diran 'ko, you and Uzoma will set out with the rising sun. Go now, there is much to do."
The general and guard bowed once more, and left the tent.
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Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:37 pm
Dulintari crossed her arms once outside. "Well excuuuuse me!"
"Dulin, they just don't understand us, do they?" Daeheru sighed dramatically. "Really, who needs power when you have money and gold?"
His twin laughed. "Yeah, well, at least we're out of that stuffy room."
"So where should we go now? I'm not sure if we'll be able to steal anything if guards are hiding in every room. We need a back-up plan," he said as they walked through the halls, looking for another door. "How about the Tribal Kingdom?"
"What would we get? Wooden carvings? Voodoo dolls? Grass skirts?" Dulintari rolled her eyes. "Way too hard to find something valuable. Monster Kingdom?"
"Too creepy," Dae shuddered and Dulin nodded. "They probably only have gems of blood and crystals of gore or stuff like that. But it still might be valuable..."
"Monster Kingdom it is, then..." Dulintari said reluctantly and Daeheru sighed.
They entered an open door to a room that was, luckily, empty. It looked like a lord or lady might be staying there as a guest. They quickly went and took a few rings, a sapphire necklace, and a jewel-encrusted rosary. "Oooooh, I hope God forgives us," Daeheru snickered.
"Yeah, I hope he doesn't smite us!" Dulintari giggled. They hurried outside to their hidden horses, and galloped away.
They stopped at the point in the road where it split, one fork pointing to the Tribal Kingdom, the other to the Monster Kingdom. They could see the rough outline of a few huts in the distance to their right, and to their left was the looming shadow of Castello Monstruro.
"Let's rest for a little while before we go further," suggested Daeheru after a moment. Dulintari nodded and they dismounted, getting a little food out of their saddlebags to snack on. They still weren't completely sure where they should go next.
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 4:41 pm
Uzoma dissppeared in apuff of purple smoke. He turned up in another puff in the palace courtyard, and immidiatly began commanding some of the servants and subjects of Mma Rafatswari to bring him firwood; there was going to be a ceremony.
Ichabod looked at Anastasia and smilled. "As do I," He said in a rich voice. "Now," he went on to explain. "You will not be involved in all-out battlefield warfare. You and a small sqaudron that you will select from my finest troops will go on small missions to the neighboring kingdoms. Except one, the second in command of your sqaudron, whom I chose myself, so you won't have to worry about being incompetent. Does all that sound well?"
Dantrell suddenly gallopped up behing the two thives on a red stallion. He dismounted and walked over to the prince and princess. "Princess Dulintari and Prince Daeheru," he said, kneeling. "You were lucky they didn't except. Now don't go making any false agreements this time." He warned.
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Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:49 pm
Princess Anilahindari sighed and propped her elbows on the window sill. "You know, Sir Conrad, I don't understand people from the other kingdoms. They just seem to care nothing about their people! And that's just cruelty!"
Gerric leaned on the door. "Oh, don't worry your royal head over how the other kingdoms are run. It is not our business to decided what's best for everyone." He tried to lightent the mood.
But, Ani still was concerned about the people of the Theif, Tribal, and Monster Kingdoms. "You know what, I say we go and get help!" Princess Ani stood up and smiled. "Let us go! Now! Just the two of us! No one will care for I'm with you and with a small group, we will travel quickly!"
Gerric looked at her sidelong. "And I'm guessing that I have to choice in this matter anyways. Am I correct?" When Ani gave him the same excited look, he sighed.
"Okay, fine. We'll go the Tribal Kingdom. We have the best chances there. And it you hurry, we might make it there before the next morning." Gerric headed out the door. "Now make haste before I change my mind and force you to stay here."
Ani ran and gave him a brief hug. "Thank you very much, Sir Conrad. I'm sure you won't regret it!"
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Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:15 pm
Throughout the Tribal Kingdom, hundreds of people were chanting, dancing, feasting, and drinking. With the help of several servants, the kingdom's stores were accessed, bon fires lit, and spits for game set up. Musicians played on huge drums and blew through long horns made of elephant tusks and carved from large branches. Children ran throughout the street, laughing and shaking gourd-maracas, their faces sticky with the sweet juices of papayas and mangoes. And of course Mma Raftswari joined in the festivities by singing and joining the children in a wide circle and dancing. They paid tribute to the Ancient Spirits with their joy and laughter, and asked in return for protection.
"Exactly what do these missions involve?" Anastasia inquired. "And who is this oaf you have ordered to babysit me?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:47 pm
"Ah, Dantrell. Been following us, have you?" Dulintari raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Don't worry, it was all in good fun. You should understand, you are our age, even if you never act like it," Daeheru said.
"And now we're going to the Monster Kingdom to see what we can see. Er, steal what we can steal, actually," Dulin added.
"Yeah. Wanna come? It sure to be creepy and profitable!" Dae and Dulin laughed.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:50 am
Uzoma gathered the wooden fagots given to him by the servants and removed one of his bead necklaces. Holding it up, he chanted, "By the strength of the mighty sun, bring forth from the body of the great Mother Earth light to warm our souls!" Then, a previously dark rune suddenly glowed bright red and the wood pile erupted in a jet of flame. The shaman smiled at the merrily crackling fire and turned to join the festivities.
"Now now, dear, this is no oaf," Ichabod said. "He is one of the best fighters in the entire kingdom. And second of all, he was not hired to baby-sit you, he was more or less hired to make sure you don't have to do anything that you don't find pleasant, help manage your small group of troops, and help you in he fighting." Ichabod entered the courtyard and looked around worriedly. "He was supposed to be here," Ichabod muttered.
Just then, a high-pithched, drawling voice sounded from the shadows. "Of course I was supposed to be here, your kingliness. And I am here." A very odd looking teenage boy stepped out from the shadows. He was slightly devilish in appearance, with horns and a pointed tail, and was entirely a deep blue-black, except for his eyes and fangs, witch were enitrely white. He wore a purple vest, and black shorts. The boy strolled over to Anastasia and bowed low, completely still, except for his tail, which was flicking playfully. "Honored to meet you in person, milady. Spectre at your service," Spectre proclaimed with a fanged grin.
"Very well. I guess I haven't really done any real thievery lately, and I don't want to get rusty." Dantrell said with a nod of his head.
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Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:48 pm
In a few minutes, everything was ready and in order. Gerric and Ani mounted their horses and headed out of the back gates, towards the Tribal Kingdom.
"Hey, Sir Conrad," asked Ani, "when are we going to arrive at the neighboring kingdom? I kind of hope it's rather soon..."
Gerric smiled and her and chuckled. "Let me guess, you're tired already." After a quick glare, he stopped laughing. "Well... I think we will make it in about five candlemarks. Give or take a few."
Ani nodded. "That's not too bad... I think..." She pondered off on about their travels.
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Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:33 pm
"Charmed, I'm sure," Anastasia greeted Spectre, showing little effort to conceal her distaste for the little monster. She extended her hand for him to kiss, but turned her head disdainfully.
Meanwhile, Manjek was sitting by a clear pool with Diran 'ko. He drank a fruity alcohol from a coconut shell. Diran 'ko was still grumbling from Manjek's sudden display of loyalty in the throne room and chastizing him about their quest, but Manjek was too busy observing the beautiful women who danced before him to listen. A sudden jolt on the shoulder from Diran 'ko snapped his mind from his fantasies.
"Manjek!" Diran 'ko's gruff voice scolded him. "Are you even listening to me? I swear, sometimes I wonder if you live in a different world, the way you daydream like that!" He gestured over to the ring of women. "You have to learn to take charge, boy. This is no way for a warrior to act. You want them? Go and get them!" He slapped him on the shoulder playfully and chuckled. Manjek only shook his head no. "Go and talk to them!" he demanded. He shoved the unwilling Manjek in their direction, then left the boy to do his work.
As he walked away, he spotted Uzoma. "Uzoma!" he called out to the passing shaman. "How is the protection spell going?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:44 pm
"Okay then, let's do it! Ready, Dulin?" Daeheru asked as they mounted their horses.
"Um, yeah, ready!" Dulintari replied, a little half-heartedly.
"No you're not, you wanna go to the other kingdom, don't you." Dae stared hard at his sister until she gave in and sighed.
"Okay, okay! I can't help it, I'm scared!" She stuck her tongue out at him. "How do you always know?"
"The same way you always know, we have a special bond." He grinned and she rolled her eyes.
"You don't mind, do you, Dantrell?" Dulin asked as the twins turned their horses to the right.
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