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 Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:05 pm
~*~*~Preface~*~*~
These are posts basied on the happenings of a game called FE: AoD (See above.) I don't know if anyone will ever be interested in play but nonetheless I will post a link at the end of this preface. This is written in a kind of journal format, however as I did not start writing until about half way though the era, it is a bit lacking in some parts. The era is set to end in about 3 days as well, therefore I do not know if this will be a continued thing past July or not. Should you ever want to experience FE: AoD your yourself: Clicky!!! (That better work! Phoenix made me change it. xd )
Please enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it! biggrin
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:25 pm
Year: ???-338 AoD
Empress Selena was in her barns, brushing her mount Siraj. She was pleased with her Empire, it had once been a small empire, fighting to gain a place in this world, and now, it was large and powerful. However, Selena had no reason to fight, her empire was just the way she liked it, as long as no one attacked her allies, why should she get into pointless fights? As long as you keep your feisty temper in check I think you’ll be alright. She sighed, there had been so much to do and so many mistakes, she secretly wondered if she was a fit ruler. Not only did her clan go wrong several times but her leadership was lacking. She patted Siraj’s neck and said. “So Guiding Light, what news shall come today?” She pulled the saddle off the tree and tacked him up leading him outside, thinking of her past mistakes and triumphs.
Once mounted and out in the woods looking about her people, she thought about the hardship they endured in her stead. She flicked the reins in her hand and said, “Hup Siraj.” As he broke into a canter across the fields, Selena thought back…
A much younger Selena was stilling in the throne room as a young man spoke, “Empress Selena we have just received word that a clan called Evolve have called a war with us.” “Really Kai? Have you sent word to our clan member? Did Evolve give a reason?” Selena said with a worried expression. She’d only been a ruler a few days and didn’t really want to get killed right off that bat. While Kai was explaining, she was idly thinking back to another time and the lessons won and lost. “Empress Selena? What are your orders?” Kai looked nervous, and Selena wondered how much attention she’d not paid. She rose and looked at him, “Gather our clan this means war.” With a swish of her cape she was off to write a letter or two of her own.
For the next few hours she and her clan member fought back, clan Evolve not really fighting back, making Selena wonder if the reports were true. Eventually, after several hours of hard fighting on her troops, Karim killed #129 A Little Piece of Heaven. That day as Selena’s troops marched home, wounded and bloody but elated by success, Selena had ridden a different mount and she was as elated as her army. She’d done it, she was the second in the game to make a kill. She was proud of herself then, knowing that soon more people would make kills and the game would become ,‘who had more army and resources.’ Selena was a leader of a clan and the lessons that been drilled into her would soon have to be put to use, after all she had an allies and clan members to protect.
“If you were to ask me now Siraj if I was proud of that kill I wouldn’t be sure of what to tell you, see back then I was still really a rookie about all this, I don’t know if my teachings were wrong or if maybe I didn’t learn my lessons right. I do what I can to keep myself, my clan and my allies safe, if you can believe it.” Siraj just flicked an ear back, not having much to say on the topic apparently. “Faster Siraj, goodness knows the next time I’ll get to enjoy myself like this!” If a horse could sigh, Siraj would have, Selena had her moments. Selena continued to think on, coming to the bit of history in her clan…
Selena was in the spending a lot of time in meetings and things, she needed another mount just to keep up, that’s when fate sent her Siraj, he was an excellent mount and now she spent even more time in the barn then before. People thought their ruler was beginning to crack a bit. They’d been having such problems: Attacks, crops failing or just so many other bad things that seemed to happen under Selena’s reign. They’d get better hope that something good would happen, people and military were leaving and Selena was working to her best, but the loss of her only clan mate bothered her, she began to become more withdrawn and aggressive.
Then one day Selena discovered true power and an offer she could not refuse. With this new found power Selena could do what she’d dreamed of, protect her friends and allies with little effort on her part, she just had to learn a new way of thinking and listen. Selena was never much of a leader is this deal was way too good to pass up. She agreed and began to train, becoming: Selena, the Mage Knight. A healer and a fighter. She was soon content to watch her allies and other empires bicker and fight, secretly training. However, soon something was to happen that was to go down in the history books as ‘Wings of Destiny’."This is the fun part Siraj, this where I think I did my best work, I admit, I did fail a lot but I attempted to make up for it…”
Selena was sitting in council again, with several empires, just talking, then suddenly the mood was shattered by the appearance of an empire leader looking like he’d been though all hell. He proceeded to explain the issue at hand: A clan called Annoy was planning on killing him; it was a story of trust and betrayal, loyalty and loss. However, Selena had hardened her heart to such things, worried about her own citizens and her own empire she had little time for she called ‘whining’, going so far as to tell off Alberio. The other empire leaders each took a hand a convincing Selena to come around, but her heart was hard and she refused their pleas. She watched the valiant efforts of several empires attempting to kill My Tree! (#92) and Court-Records.net Lives on! (#94). They nearly had them, but these two were tenacious souls and didn’t back down from the fight. Taking it off of Alberio again basically crippling his empire and crushing the Leaders will to rule, for his clan’s safety Alberio disbanded HellFire-Elite, putting several empires out.
Court and Tree also had another member that was fighting others as well: Muffinmen (#169) Selena meanwhile had watched all this, slightly wanting to fight, yet fearful for her empire and its people. However, someone was about to cross Selena’s path that would help spur her into action. She was discussing things with several other empires when another Empire leader staggered in, looking war torn and in need of funds badly, a friend of Alberio’s and willing to die to take a chance to beat back Court. Oddly Selena took pity on this leader of Enzid (#136) as he was willing to die to bring honour to HellFire-Elite and Alberio. Selena did what she could and saw him off. Again another empire would fall to Court’s might but he left Selena a message she would not soon forget: ‘I proved Court was not as untouchable as he thought.’ Selena’s Heart was moved by his sacrifice and began to plan…
Fate played it’s hand again and Court came back, regaining is former glory in minutes using one of her friends, The Soldier Shipment(#59). Attacking to the point of ruin, therefore the leader, Saleh decided to take his own life, and his empire fell soon after. Alberio who had fought back and regained some of his lost land, was also beat back. He again returned seeking help. Selena was deeply saddened by this loss, having lost contact with Saleh, a friend of hers. Now angered, she talked to other empires about coming up with a plan, it failed. That night Selena lay in bed thinking though things…
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:28 pm
Selena pulled up Siraj by a stream and patted him, she’d spent so much time thinking about the past she’d forgotten about the present. She dismounted and unsaddled him, leading him to the stream, and looping the reins about his neck so he couldn’t step on them, she settled under a tree. She laughed momentarily about the irony of the tree and what was about to happen next as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the break.
Year: 339 AoD
Selena awoke with a plan in her mind and a will of diamond, determined to make clan Annoy pay for her losses. First, Selena needed to show Court that if she played with fire, you got burned. She gutted him all the way to 127, 000 land. Now, all she needed to do was wait until Alberio came on and say, ‘Never tell me I don’t do anything.’ and walk away. Again, fate would deal its unpleasant hand and Court would come on first, and reclaim enough had to get back in the millions. However, an angered Selena was not something to be taking land from, and she restarted her assault on his empire, taking a good cut of it back. Much to her disappointment, her troops were tired of fighting and dying and began to flee, so she had to stop attacking. Instead she called a basic truce and waited, watching the rest of the events unfold… Thanks to everyone’s efforts and the brave soul of an empire called Nox Arcana(#157) Both Tree and Court fell, the same way that Saleh, Enzid and Alberio had. The pureness of their downfall satisfied Selena and she was at peace with the world.
Selena was impressed by Nox, however both Tree and Court came back as My Forest (#172) and Courtroom (#175). Selena had no quarrel with them as long as they didn’t harm her friends or allies. Tree and Court grew powerful, again forming a clan called Peace, which Selena wondered what they were getting at. It seemed however, that there was one and this one was not about to allow Tree and Court to regain their former glory, he readied himself for battle. Meanwhile, Selena was plagued by her own issues: someone wanted her land and that someone was Psychedelia (#6), Selena vainly fought to work out a way to keep her land, she failed and Psychedelia got his way. Selena and her empire lost about 850,000 acres of land, now the people of her land were growing weary of constant attacking and fighting and were starting to leave. What the citizens didn’t know was that everything was going according to plan.
Years: 340 to 341 AoD
Selena idly watched as Nox proceeded to beat on My Forest and eventually claim the 4th kill of the game. Selena was rather grateful at the bravery of this empire as they had taken so many hard hits over the past few days. Selena debated on talking with the leader but again put it aside, as more was about to happen. The next day Selena looked she discovered that Nox had his second kill and 5th one of the game: Courtroom. With them now dead, what way would the game shift? Who would live and who would die? Selena was proud of her standing and her empire, she’d discovered that perhaps, just perhaps, she was capable of becoming what her Empire name meant: Generous one.
Selena had fallen asleep again, lying in the warm grass was nice, she might have dozed off, and Selena didn’t remember or care. Siraj had come over and was grazing near her, keeping himself busy. She got up and made a mental note to send Kai here to fetch her saddle, she had stuff to do. “Come Siraj. We have a long road ahead of us, shall we met the world with the empire’s motto: ‘Never back down, never surrender, never quit.’” She petted him and swung up, asking him for a gallop, she had places to be. Selena the Mage Knight, Empress of Karim, whispered to the wind as she settled into Siraj’s stride. “Come what may.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:31 pm
Year: 342 AoD
Selena yawned, someone was talking again. Honestly, if this messenger did not stop talking about nothing soon Selena would have him kicked out and sent back to... were did he come from again? She hadn't really been listening all that much anyway. She was a busy woman and had stuff to do, but no she was stuck here, pretending to care. "Alright, KAI! Please take the letters, I will read them at my pleasure, I have things to be doing." Selena rose, heading for her favourite place... the barn! Upon her arrival she let herself into the stall of Siraj and began to brush him."So after the exciting history of Karim we basically sit on our butts. That doesn't make for a very exciting tale of nobility does it?" Siraj only snorted, Selena was probably the most stubborn person you'd ever meet.
She was finally powerful enough to help her friends and Allies and that wasn't noble enough for her? Suddenly Kai came rushing in, rather out of breath. "What brings you into my barn, you KNOW I dislike people but me and my selected grooms." "Empress Selena, this scroll came from Falcorn. I think you should read this." Selena sighed, there went her riding time...again. She leaned on the stall door with Siraj's warm breath on her neck and began to read. "So Falcorn wants some aid I see. Kai, did you bring me some paper, ink and quill?" Selena was already thinking a few things. Kai of course, had brought what Selena asked for and handed it to her. Selena headed into the feed room to write a letter or two. "Kai!" She barked while reappearing several minutes later, "This one goes to my mages, this one goes to Falcorn." She tacked and rode off while Kai scurried off to do Selena bidding.
Several hours later Selena and Saraj returned to find Kai asleep on the tack box with two letters in his lap. "Oh Kai, the world can wait a bit you know." She untacked Siraj, riding kept her sane and allowed her to think. She took the letters and opened them both, nodding at what her mages had to say and then reading Falcorn's reply. She smiled as she read it. Stopping long enough to write two more letters, she then began to tickle the sleeping Kai with the quill. "Wakey, wakey, I need you." She said, showing the much younger side of herself. "UH... wa?" Kai sneezed while Selena was attempting to not laugh at him. "Kai, get your butt off my tack box and deliver the freshly penned letters in you lap!" She barked, as poor Kai was left to run off again.
Selena started laughing as soon as he was out of ear shot. "Wow I'm evil sometimes." She put the tack away and feed Siraj a mint before walking back to the castle. She studied the sky, which was purple, orange and pink. "Hm... that is never a good sign, battles on the horizon I see. I wonder for who..." She trailed off walking back to the castle. She decided with her day done, bedtime was in order.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:35 pm
Year: 343 AoD
Selena awoke, late as always. She stretched and yawned, mentally wanting another few hours but life didn't work that way. She dressed into her robes quickly and stopped at the barn, taking care of business with Siraj, as a good horsewoman should. She headed into the castle to fetch some breakfast and read the new mail. Kai was standing in the great hall with not only Selena's breakfast, but the letters that had come in the night. "Falcorn and the mages." Was all Kai had to say. "Really? Interesting." She wolfed down what was now more of lunch then really breakfast. After having eaten she began to read. "Right. Excellent. No..." Selena muttered to herself, quickly writing three more letters and having Kai send them off. It was back to the barn with Selena as she groomed and tacked Siraj and rode off. "Come what may Siraj, we'll get by, always do." Saraj only nodded picking up a fast gallop. As Selena, for a few days, forgot about being a ruler and becoming just a General again, checking on her people.
Later That Year: 343 AoD
“Empress Selena! Awaken!” “Hm? Wha? Kai.” Selena had accidentally fallen asleep while Kai was talking. “Empress Selena, are you well? Your so tired I-” “No matter, continue please Kai.” She began to nod off only to hear a pounding at the door. “Enter.” A man she did not know entered. “Empress Selena of Karim, the Noble Empire of Falcorn has fallen to the attacks of Fate/Stay Night. However, its ruler was murdered by someone called Court-Records. Selena hid her shock, Noctuary was an ally of hers and a passive clan, not attacking anyone and now their record was marred by a kill? With a flick of her hand she dismissed the messenger. “That makes me leery. Kai, saddle Siraj, I have someone to meet.” Selena disappeared into the night soon after.
Year: 344 AoD
Selena returned a week later and handed off a lathered Siraj to a groom, you could tell she was tired. Saying nothing to anyone but Kai and that was, “I don’t care I’m going to bed.” She passed out in her chambers; with her work and plans done she didn’t care. She needed the rest and soon, to put her newly laid plans to work… The end of her reign was nigh, she could feel it in her bones. However there was another one to take her place, she just had to pick her.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:38 pm
Year: 345 AoD
Selena was busy doing the math, it was all so simple really, why had she not seen the answer? Suddenly her silence was shattered by screams and the familiar sounds of battle. She ran to the window looking out attempting to see that was going on, not understand what was happening. She'd not needed to attack anyone after 'Wings of Destiny.' Admittedly she was a peaceful soul and now again she found the banner of Muffinmen attacking her farms and mages? Karim was not a military empire by any means- "EMPRESS SELENA! PLEASE open..." She bolted over to the door and opened it, only to find a wounded Kai had collapsed. "Kai! What... How much damage?" She carried him to her bed and laid him on it, already removing her cloak and pulling out a small dagger, cutting it. "Em-press, we lost... about 800,000 land...so many troops were slaughtered." Selena nodded beginning to bind his wounds.
"T-they destroyed so many temples, the mages did escape but most of them have had it. Their tired of having there temples ripped apart and tomes burned. Those who do remain... are willing you follow your orders to the end." Kai said softly. "Hang on Kai, I don't have any staves on me. Please! What would I do with out you?" Selena's anger was not going to stand, she and her valiant Mages would be taking the offensive now. This would be the last time Muffinmen would attack her and harm her mages or citizens; the time of nice Selena was over.
Selena stormed out grabbing several cowering servants and telling them to call the mages to arms and have them meet at the castle. As the poor servants scrambled off, or risked being used as Selena’s next target doing her magic practice, Selena was looking for a healer… There she was! “ERIN!” “Um… Empress Selena? What is-” “Kai was out defending the castle he’s hurt and-” “Right away!” Erin took off, her boots pounding and the ringing sound of them echo down the hall, telling Selena Erin knew where she was going. Selena thought about who would next in the line for the crown. Selena had no children and someone would have to be selected. As a commoner turned general turned ruler, Selena knew you didn’t have to be of royal bloodline to rule.
Selena headed right to the barn and mounted Siraj, taking a moment to tell him her choice of the next ruler. Siraj only nodded, so Selena guessed that though Erin was rarely in the barn, he’d be okay with it. She gave him a nudge and rode out to meet her Mages who had gathered and were hanging round waiting for orders. A servant ran after her, with a scroll and folded cloak. Selena looked mildly confused and so did her mages until she unrolled the letter. Reading it over quickly, she muttered to herself. "Kai will make a full recovery and you needed this, without it you don’t look right on a horse and it makes you look better." She smiled, “Alright now my Mages, were going to be doing some attacking, let’s move out!” Selena mentally prepared herself while riding and going over what one of her Mage Generals had said about their opponent.
The mage battles progressed in their favour but she could hear some muttering about the living mages that they were losing more then gaining and that soon they would refuse to fight if this kept up. One of her Generals came to her. “Empress Selena the mages are talking of rebelling, I don’t think their all too fond of this suddenly. Please tell me you have another back up plan or we might have a riot soon.” The General looked nervous, as he addressed Selena. “Tell the mages we will be switching tactics, have our mages fall back and regroup, we will just burn their military to death, like they slaughtered ours. Also have one of them take this to Erin back in the castle. She’ll know what to do.” The General ran off, grateful that Selena didn’t kill him and that she had a plan the mages might agree with.
Selena barked out her new orders. “Listen up! We’re going to be burning them to death with our Elfire spells!” The mages all agreed and soon the troops of Muffinmen were all being burned to death, and Selena reclaimed enough land that day to make her once again peaceful. “If you play with fire you will be burned.” She said to no one in particular. Just then, Erin rode up on a mount of her own and said. “It has been done as you requested, the newly sent military will be arriving within the next few minutes. Though, most of it was left to guard the Kingdom.” Erin stated, looking out over the battlefield at the destruction caused by the mages.
“It is sad, is it not Erin? So many lives wasted in the epic struggle of power. There are things that make and break a ruler, sometimes you will have to forgo attachments to get to where to want to be. But remember this young one: 'Never forget who got you to where you are today.'” She patted Siraj softly as she said this, but her mind was replaying all the wars, battles and skirmishes. “Come. Let’s return back to the castle. Unless Muffinmen wants more of a fight, we’re done here.” Selena nudged Siraj and barked, “MAGES! FALL BACK!” Selena returned back to the castle not much of a hero, but it didn’t matter that she’d barely damaged him land wise, she wasn’t all that interested in land at this point. She was content with what she had.
“KAI!?” Selena found Kai waiting in the barn. “I see you have returned, I am glad, you really-” “Hush Kai, the life I have is my own; I shall live it as I always have. Thank you for worrying about me though. However, I believe you should be keeping an eye on the future ruler of the land, Erin. Should I fall, she will by my successor and you shall be her servant as you were mine. She will also receive Siraj the day she rules the land. Now I have stuff to do and you need to rest, you’re still wounded after all.” Selena smiled, with a mint to Siraj and a swish of her cloak she was off again, the end of her reign was nigh and her will must be written and papers put in order.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:16 pm
Year: 346 AoD
"Empress Selena! Empress Selena!" Erin's boots thunked over the barn row as Erin looked for Selena to deliver her report. As Kai was still recovering, Erin had basically taken over as Selena's Personal Assistant, AKA servant. "Here Erin." Called Selena in a tired voice, she wasn't tired, just... she wasn't sure just what was wrong with her. "Empress Selena, the- Are you alright?" Erin face showed the same, yet different, kind of concern that Kai's had a year ago. "Well enough Erin, what is it that you have to say?" Selena felt another headache coming on. "Er... The mages report that Muffinmen has regained and army just a formidable as the last. Also, two letters came for you, one from Tree and one from Phoenix." Erin haded the letters over along with with the customary quill, parchment and ink. "Kai has you trained well I see, I really should carry my own." She smiled and opened the letter from Tree, then writing a reply of her own. Next was the one from Phoenix.
"Erin... It's time I told you something. Firstly, this empire is only where it is because of Siraj." She laughed at Erin's confused look. "Siraj is a Anbhás, meaning 'Living dead.' Once a human, now a horse, his wisdom remained with him and is the reason Karim has gotten to where it has." She laid her head against his neck, "As I will die and he will not, he must be passed on to the next ruler of this land... You. As long as you listen, this land will always remain it was, should you not listen... things will then go bad fast." "Hold on, a talking horse is the reason the land is as prosperous as it is!? Your kidding me? That and you want me to rule? Are you sure your okay?" Erin was seriously lost and stunned.
"Ha ha, I'm not insane, when I die and you ride him the first time you will understand. He will explain all, and yes you will rule in my stead, you are the best and brightest in my castle and as I have no heir I have named you my successor. Kai will of course be your Assistant and he knows of my will. However, you will say nothing about what Siraj is to a soul, understood?" Erin could only nod. "Secondly, Karim is part of a Clan called Noctuary, you shall do what you can to assist in the clan understood?" Selena was now busy writing back to Phoenix. "Alright now take these back and have them delivered, fate is a fickle friend Erin, remember that. Dismissed." With a wave of her hand she sent Erin on her way.
"I think you'll like her Siraj, I wonder if it's nice to not die? Well, alright you have, but to come back and never die again, that must be nice." She fed him a mint, then led him out into the paddock that adjoined his stall. Selena jumped on him bareback, and gave him a nudge, lacing the mane within her hands. She smiled though the sun was setting on another day it was a warm and starlit night, perfect for a ride. She pointed him to a fence settled into his powerful stride, feeling the pause and spring, the moment of flying freedom and the smooth transition from landing to gallop. She crouched low as the wind whipped mane into her face and wondered: What the day would bring...
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:56 pm
Year: 347 AoD
Selena sighed; she was sitting in her private chambers looking back upon another year. “So far, everything is going according to plan.” Selena rose, and walked over to the window, looking out and the setting sun and down into the field below her. It was Selena’s private jumping course, for her two mounts, though in recent days Erin had been riding Siraj more. Selena knew they were mentally talking, if she closed her eyes and listened she would hear their conversations. Not that there was much to really listen to, Siraj was telling Erin everything he’d once told her many years ago. Selena returned to her desk and picking up her quill, proceeded to pen more history of Karim.
Selena sighed; having woken up late as usual, was wolfing down the brunch, when Kai entered with the letters that had come during the morning she smiled, “More mail?” She pushed the plate away getting ready to start her day. She read the first one, quickly taking the quill, ink and paper offered to her by Kai and proceeded to write her reply. The next one called her to a meeting with all the Noctuary nation leaders. Selena sighed and folded that letter, tucking it away. “Nothing else Kai?” “No Empress Selena.” Said Kai softly, studying her face, noticing only recently now much she’d aged. “Right, well. I’ll be out today, Erin will rule in my stead I’ll take Kadar, as Siraj could use the break. Tonight I want Siraj tacked, Erin will ride him on my jump course, I want to see them together.” Kai only nodded before leaving Selena alone.
Selena rode hard in order to arrive at the meeting, where all the nation leaders discussed their ways on how they were going to secure their spot in the ending of this age. So far it seemed that everything was going according to plan. However, Selena had some concerns that were addressed but somehow not eased. She rode back uneasy but hopeful, wanting to leave Erin something useful that she’d passed on. Upon her arrival back in the palace, she went to discuss some things with Siraj. Then she took a nap only to be disturbed by Kai several hours later. “Empress Selena, awaken, we just received word of Muffinmen attacking one of our allied empires.” “Alright, tack up Siraj and call my mages to order, he doesn’t learn it seems…” Selena quickly started getting changed into her battle garb.
Erin was in the barn tacking up Siraj when Selena entered, “Oh good you remembered your cloak this time!” Erin then looked sheepishly at the ground, “It kind of hurts Kai to lift the saddle so I offered to do it, I…” Selena smiled softly, “It’s alright, Kai is not fully healed, but he didn’t tell me it hurt him.” “He didn’t want to worry you and plus someone has to keep an eye on them mages and make sure they didn’t do anything stupid.” Erin laughed and led Siraj outside, while Selena walked ahead barking orders to her mage army. Once they were off Selena went to mount but discovered the Erin was going to help her swing up. “It’s… I watched you mount a few days ago and maybe it was just me, but it looked like it caused you pain, I can do it, just let me help.” “Kai put you up to it didn’t he?” “Don’t be mad at him, he only really cares about you.” Erin said as she helped Selena mount and watched her ride off.
Selena’s mind was in two places as she rode to the nation of Muffinmen, riding ahead of her mages, as was her standard. She stopped several miles off and barked her orders then, rode on watching as her mages casted elfire on his army. She shook her head ignoring the screams and cries that would stay with her always, so much senseless death. Nearly 155 million troops were to die in this battle and not one them would be under Selena’s banner. As her elated and happy army rode back feeling victorious, Selena knew Tree would be finishing the job later that evening. Perhaps, just perhaps, that would teach Muffinmen to never come near Noctuary again. Yes Selena was willing to fight, but only in defense, she had no need to take land, she had what she needed why send her troops to die? Once she arrived she took care of Siraj and then went to talk to Erin. There was a letter to be written…
Selena was jolted from her train of thought and ran to the window, peering out into the blackness of night she saw that Erin was alright, that cry had been a happy one. Siraj had jumped the fence, something that was rarely and not supposed to happen and was galloping off down the path, taking Erin on the same path Selena herself had ridden upon a good many times. Selena noticed how easy Erin fell into his stride; yes she would be a fine ruler. Again Selena smiled to herself feeling a light touch upon her shoulder. “Empress Selena, forgive my rudeness, but it is late shouldn’t you be?” “Oh Kai, don’t worry about a lass like me, we have the young ruler in front of us, the night is young still, tell me, you know how to ride?” She walked over to her desk and closed the book, then walked out of the room with Kai on her heels.
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:39 pm
Year: 348 AoD
Selena smiled softly from her deathbed, they had done it. Her whole life spent planning, preparing, executing, and waiting. Siraj’s plan had been perfect, unseen and unknown. For several months Selena would rule the most powerful empire in the game, but Selena was in a slow decline. Yes, she was only in her mid 30’s but remember, life expectancy in that day was rather short and Selena had been sick for several years. The Pale Horse had come for her, she would ride it. “Erin… Remember this, ‘We must look to the future, not find fault in the past.’ Take my teachings and learn from them, you will do better then me.” She coughed; this time… it was blood. “I’ve enjoyed my time, Kai, you will serve her as faithfully as you’ve served me.”
Siraj who knew the secrets of death… duh, was saddened by the passing of Selena. Though yes, he was also in the room, he could nothing to save her. Erin was busy sobbing into his neck and Kai was holding Selena’s hand. “Yes Empress Selena, do not worry, I will. Please concern yourself no longer, your will be done.” He was kneeling by her bed wishing there was something more he could do for her. He didn’t know he was crying until he felt Selena herself wiping his tears away. “Em-Empress…” Selena breathed heavily, it was just too hard now. “Kai… Selena…Is fine.” She smiled at him then to Erin. She closed her eyes, and exhaled, but her chest would never rise again. “SELENA! Selena! No…” Erin’s tear stained eyes turned to Kai, who was calling her name. “We must move on.”
Kai, now in his early thirties and Erin the young age of only seventeen, were the best hope of the new kingdom. “Right.” Erin wiped her own eyes, knowing she had much work ahead of her. She patted Siraj and walked out to tell the People of Karim that Selena had passed on and she was to rule them. She didn’t know what their reactions were to be, but she was sure she could sway them. With Siraj’s help and Selena’s teaching, they would get by, somehow. “Erin?” “Empress… It’s Empress, Shale.” “Erin looked at him hard. He was Kai’s apprentice and Erin liked him, he would be a fine replacement in a few years when Kai also passed on. Erin had a feeling that there had been some kind of feelings for each other between Kai and Selena. However, their stations would never permit them to marry even if they wanted to.
She sighed and made her way to the balcony where the people were waiting. Most if not all of the Empire had gathered to offer their prayers and support their Empress. Now someone had to be the barer of bad news and tell them Selena did not survive and that Erin would be ruling. Why me? What did Selena see in me? Erin thought to herself as she walked.In time Erin, you will come to understand. Siraj thought to Erin. Erin only nodded, the talking telepathic horse thing was still kind of creepy, no matter how many times it got explained to her. She opened the door and thousands held their breath as Erin thought of something fitting to say…
“We all know that Empress Selena was a rider, there is one horse that once mounted… you will never dismount. Selena has mounted the Pale Horse, in death may she find the peace and joy that she rightfully deserves.” Erin paused wanting them to absorb that before continuing. “However. In her will she named her successor, which is me…” Erin knew now she was supposed to make some kind of really impressive speech but couldn't, she was lacking words. “We must look to the future, not find fault in the past. That was the last thing Selena told me, may I serve you as well as Selena did.”
The silence bothered Erin, she was unsure if the people would accept her as the new ruler, or if she’d found favour in their eyes. Siraj on the other hand had the answer. He trotted over to where Erin stood and nickered at her asking to be petted. “Siraj was Selena’s mount, in Selena’s will he was given to me, but if he will not accept me as his rider then I will not rule. Selena said that horses could be smarter then humans, I believe the same thing, so we will let him chose. She took mane in her hand, this would be the first time she'd rode him without tack, and she was nervous. She swung up and waited for doom to befall her…
Siraj only swished his tail, arching his neck and eyed all the people. Daring them to refuse this sign, the people looked stunned. Siraj had been labeled ‘unrideable’ except by Selena, this meant either he’d accepted her or been drugged. The people looked at each other unsure of what to say… Meanwhile, Kai was still with Selena’s body, indeed there was a four year difference in their ages. Yes, their stations had not permitted loving each other, but nonetheless there had be a fondness for each other. He sighed and kissed her, even in death he loved her and now he must, as Selena would have, do his job. “May you find the peace you worked so hard to find for your people.” He headed out only to find Shale in the hall.
“Their not accepting Erin Master Kai…” “Empress Erin Shale, I know as odd as that sounds… We have to accept it.” He ran to the balcony only to find that indeed Erin was having trouble. “Citizens of Karim, Empress Erin speaks true. Selena’s will was clearly written. If Siraj, Selena’s own personal mount can accept Empress Erin, why can you not?” He looked over the people. “Selena herself was a commoner turned General, turned Empress. Erin follows the same path: Commoner turned General turned Empress. If you want to honour Selena’s memory… Please, accept her last wishes.” Kai didn’t mean to tear up, it just happened. Some in the crowd finally yelled it, “ALL HAIL EMPRESS ERIN!” Siraj, unknown to Erin, whinnied and reared, pawing the air. Poor Erin just held on for dear life!Thus ended the history of Karim, what new adventures await Erin and her new found land? Selena once said it best: ‘Come what may.’
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:38 pm
AoD Chronicles Book Two: Kadar Year: 349 AoD
Erin sighed, she was now 18 and supposed to be ruling this nation… no. She laid her head in her hands, how did Selena do this? She looked over at the book at her desk. Selena had been dead for a month at best and things had fallen apart. A disease and soon come across the old land of Karim forcing the people who survived to flee and rebuild in a new land. The new nation of Kadar was being constructed and now Erin, Kai, Shale and yes Siraj had come too, were leading the people in this slow process. But something else had happened that not even Selena herself could have seen…
“Empress Erin, this came for you today.” Kai said having recovered enough to take over his old duties and Shale was hot on his heels. “Yeah, I think you better read them there important!” Shale stated, he might be 19 but he had his moments, and most of them where around Erin. Erin laughed softly, “Thanks Shale I never would have guessed!” She smiled and turned to Kai, “Thank you Kai, do you-” The 32 year old Kai only smiled tiredly and handed Erin the necessary: Quill, ink, and parchment. “Shall we leave you in peace?” “Uh… Where is Siraj?” Erin’s eye had flicked to the window and he was no longer within sight in the paddock. That was different, unusual as well, he missed Selena but he was still his old self. Shale laughed, knowing Erin was still getting used the leadership role. “Probably doing horse things?”
Kai promptly cuffed him upside the head, with an apologetic look on his face. “We shall find him, would you like him tacked or… He comes now.” Siraj had been given roaming rights of the palace, but Siraj did spend most of his time outside, he came in when summoned. No one but Selena and Erin knew what he was and with Selena dead that made life easy. “Kai, Shale, leave me. Thanks for your help you two, but Kai, I think you should rest, make Shale do something as punishment. I don’t know but you need to rest your not as young as you once were…” Erin trailed off as Shale snickered and Kai again cuffed him one. Siraj was now standing beside her and swishing his tail, and Erin knew it was time to get this mail read. “Empress Erin, you have more pressing concerns then the health of your Assistants. Come Shale.” Kai bowed his head and so did Shale and they departed, granting Erin her requested peace.
“Their not my servants, I have ever right to worry… Ah well, let’s open this thing and get it over with.” Siraj snorted and pawed, also wanting Erin to hurry up and open dang thing. Erin opened it, it was long and wordy but she got the gist of it. Then she set it down on the table and you could have sworn Siraj was reading it as well. “So, several nations want to band together and want me to lead them? Madness! I am not Selena, I don’t mind the concept of joining and maybe helping to lead but lead?” She got up and opened the small bag at her hip; it contained mints, and a hackamore. Slipping the hackamore on Siraj, and then feeding him a mint, she led him outside where she swung up. Riding off into the sunrise she went and checked on her people, but was really thinking about what to say.
She returned long hours later and as was her custom, and ate dinner in silence, then made her way to her chamber. She sat at her desk and leaned back in her chair pondering over her reply as she dipped up some ink into her quill and stared into the flame of the candle on her desk…
“And so much has happened since then; I’m leading a clan with 4 people under me. The people of Kadar work as hard as ever and soon something else will happen that will shape this nation’s history. Though I digress, that I am not Leader material, Selena once told me something. ‘Never give up. Never surrender. Never quit.’ She once led an empire under those terms and she came out alright for it, perhaps so shall I.” She sat down at her desk and pulled out a book, very much like Selena’s only… different title. The History of Kadar was printed across the cover and the authors name was not Selena but Erin. It would now be up to Erin to carry on the writing of her nation’s history.
She cracked open the book, the smell of fresh untouched parchment greeted her, much like an old friend… “Erin what are ya doing?” Shale said, having not knocked shattered Erin’s train of thought and upsetting her inkwell in the process. “Er…Just getting ready to pen the history of our nation, but thanks to someone! I’m lacking the ink to do so.” Displeasure rang in her voice and Shale flinched and turned a light red. “Sorry Empress Erin I-” “Shale, next time, knock and would you please fetch me some more ink after you clean this mess up.” Shale looked aghast, Erin was making him work? “That’s a surprise, your starting to learn the ways of ruling; I knew you’d get there!” He laughed and began to clean the ink up. Erin said nothing but sat on the window ledge slipping back into thought. Kai walked by only to stumble across the scene. He smiled softly to himself as he kept walking; knowing more then the two of them would ever care to admit.
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Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:29 pm
~*~*~Author's Notice!~*~*~
James I needed a name was and out of idea's so I stole yours. Shale is partly based on your many Shales and yet non of them at once. Just so you know. xp
Year:350AoD
Erin was riding Siraj over the jump course; she’d settled into his stride and was sitting lightly in the saddle. She rode him under saddle only when jumping him, something different then Selena and she also didn’t like to ever ride him with a bit, hence he was always under a hackamore and most of the time Erin didn’t need that. “HUP!” and Siraj gathered, sprang and landed, smoothly transitioning to a canter as Erin pointed him to the next fence. However, her mind was only half on the course and half on the event of the past year…
“Empress Erin, Empress ER-” Thump. “Owww…” “Shale!?” Erin rose from her bed and ran to her chamber door, throwing open the latch only to find Shale picking himself off the floor. “Shale are you alright?” Erin said looking at him worriedly. “Yeah Erin I’m fine, totally fine uh… just tripped over a rough patch.” “Well. Why did you come yelling your head off at this time of night?” Erin blinked, studying Shale, who was rather pale. “Come out side! It’s horrible! Kai did something!” Erin was looking stunned until she saw Siraj walking calmly in explaining what he done as Erin swung up. Erin and Shale rode at a quick trot out the middle of the city.
Erin couldn’t believe the deviation everything, everything was basically torn down, burning or crushed. Though Siraj was explain he’d, not Kai, done, Erin was still having a hard time believing that by a simple summoning spell all this destruction and death was possible. This was supposed to be a good thing? Erin was having a hard time believing it. She arrived in the center of the town and there were three ghostly figures, all of who Erin knew from the lore of the land. One of them beckoned to her and she dismounted, approaching bravely but honestly scared witless, she looked at it. The figures all bowed and offered her a tome each. She accepted the tomes with a curious look on her face as the figures disappeared. “So… Someone going to tell me what that was all about?”
Kai found his voice soon after, and began “Empress Erin those were something called Jeigans, the tomes in your hand, contain massive knowledge. Selena in her day also received nearly the same tomes. They will help our empire grow stronger once we recover from the damage summoning them caused-.” Kai had to stop a duck and rock thrown at him by the peasants; apparently they were not happy and were now rebelling. They drew whatever weapons they had and attacked. Erin was fast enough to mount Siraj as the untrained commoners attacked. Siraj was a force of his own, kicking out while Erin casted using her Anima magic. Shale and Kai were kicking butt with their dark but they were taking the hits, Erin was safe thanks to Siraj, so Erin switched over to healing.
“STOP THIS NOW!” Erin barked at them knowing full well this would only end with death. Kai being the stronger one was soon knocked out by a flying rock and Shale squeaked when this occurred, only because someone nailed him in the back with a shovel. Erin wasn’t a fighter, but she pulled her Elwind tome and casted like mad with Siraj standing over the unconscious Kai and backing Shale. She managed to push back all her rebels and yell some more. “Listen to me, I have a plan, with this new knowledge we will be stronger then before. Take heart my citizen, your grandparents or parents endure this under Selena’s reign and look how that turned out! Please I understand your anger, but Kai was only doing what I told him to, if you want to punish anyone let it be me.” Erin hung her head and Shale looked aghast, Erin was taking the rap?! Why? This was totally Kai’s mess here was Erin risking her life for him? The citizens only muttered and glared. “So please, let’s rebuild, together.” She smiled softly and looked at every one of them.
The citizens left to do just that, as Erin dismounted and Siraj carefully moved off Kai. “Kai next time BEFORE you something stupidly helpful tell me okay?” She laughed and knelt, beginning to heal his wounds as the rain started to fall. It was a warm gentle rain and Erin enjoyed it, Shale crouched beside Erin taking off his and covered Erin with it. “I can’t have you getting wet, you might get sick.” “You should talk Shale, your soaked in sweat, blood, and now rain, if anyone is going to get sick it’s you or Kai.” Erin looked saddened by thing thought to losing either of them, but kept her mind on her work. Shale put his hand on her shoulder, “I’ll be fine, but we need to worry about Kai, he’s old and already been badly wounded once remember.” “I do remember…” Erin shook her head not wanting to remember the past; it was something Selena had one told her, never find fault with the past but look to the future. She and Shale got him on Siraj and rode back to the castle…
“Empress Erin! Empress Erin!” An out of breath Shale ran to the fence, panting. Erin pulled up and rode over to where Shale was, letting him breathe before asking. “What news?” “Some… Guy…On a… Wyvern…Wants to…See you…” Erin took pity on Shale and waited before asking. “Where?” “Outside the castle walls.” “Mount up then, well ride there and don’t look at me like that, I don’t care about stations. In fact… I ORDER you to mount up.” Erin laughed watching his expression as Shale gingerly mounted, valiantly attempting to not touch Erin, you didn’t do that. Shale been trained very well station wise, Kai was protective like that. Erin looked back at him and knew he was going to fall off the horse as soon as he picked up a canter.
“Seriously I got to talk to Kai about stations, you going to die if you sit so far back!” She reached back and grabbed his hands putting them around her waist. “See, the world doesn’t end! Now hang on!” Siraj reared and leapt into a gallop, forcing poor Shale to hang on for dear life. Sooner then later they arrived at the castle gate and Shale dismounted under Kai’s scathing glare. Erin now 18 looked down at… This guy and said, “And who in all this land are you?!” Shale burst out laughing and Kai headpalmed, but Erin was totally serious…
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Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:59 pm
Year: 351AoD
Erin sighed, once she’d finally got the Zhar/Czar to leave her Empire, and she was glad he left, he slipped in something that had gotten under her skin, it had gotten just to warm to ride. Though she didn’t ride Siraj under saddle, he was still sweating badly. She decided that a swim was in order. Before you ask, no she didn’t have her own private pool, but she did have own private lake. She was riding to it when she came across Shale in the palace courtyard, “Say Shale, what are you? Uh, Shale… Seriously, stop staring. I find it… er…” Erin rubbed the back of her neck and Siraj only rolled his eyes and snorted, it was so obvious to everyone but them two. “I’m sorry Empress Erin I didn’t mean to offend-” “SHALE!!!” Kai came up and stopped dead. “Empress Erin… What are you wearing?” “Hello Kai! It is too warm a day to partake in my usual activities, so I’m going for a swim.” Erin smiled warmly as Siraj stomped, clearing stating it was too hot to be standing around chatting.
“Empress, you do realize you have appearance as a strong military leader to keep up right?” “Yeah, and your saying?” Erin was mildly annoyed at this stalling of her swim time. Kai sighed, she wasn’t getting it. “You’re an Empress, not a commoner. The people will look down on you if you act too childishly and…” “Kai hurry up please.” Erin was now annoyed. “Well you’re wearing a white robe and…” Kai wasn’t sure how to put it tactfully, so Shale kind blurted out the answer for him. “Erin it’s revealing!” Erin starting laughing so hard that she nearly fell off Siraj. “It…It’s true though…” “Well Shale, want to join me? See how ‘revealing’ it really is?” Erin did fall off the horse; Siraj was thankfully not a tall horse, so Erin was fine.
“ERIN!” “Empress Erin! Are you alright?” Shale and Kai both looked worried. “Of course, now if you don’t mind I’m seriously going for a swim, then checking on my people.” With that Erin remounted and took off at a gallop, now wanting to make up for wasted time. “There she goes… I better… Hope she’s not like that in battle, she’ll get herself killed.” Kai shook his head before walking away to deal with the castle stuff, that Erin should have been doing. Shale on the other hand followed Erin…
Erin was riding, right into the lake! Apparently, Erin was fine with Siraj joining her. What Erin forgot was the force of the water on a galloping horse and well, he jumped in, basically unseating Erin. She slipped under him as they landed in the water due to a current Erin had not foreseen, the water being about sixteen feet deep was not great because Siraj had to swim, thereby kicking Erin. She was pinned under him and unconscious thanks to a stray hoof connecting with her skull. If things could get anymore worse, the reins and wrapped around her left wrist, which was the reason Erin was still pinned, the current pushed to the right. Siraj knew something was wrong; having to swim back to shore risked injuring the trapped Erin more.
Shale had finally caught up and was now taking off his boots and shirt when he heard Siraj whinny. Shale looked for Erin, wondering why the reins were pulling his head nearly under the water, and what was she doing anyway? Everyone knew she was a crappy swimmer. She usually stayed close to the shore, were it was only eight feet deep, and few lengths to shore. Something had to be wrong, the usually crystal water was turning… “ERIN!!!” Shale dove in, swimming for dear life, after having picked up the pieces, by looking at the sand which Siraj had jumped from. Knowing full well Erin was doomed if not already dead.
He reached Siraj, who was struggling to just stay above water for fear of hitting Erin again. Shale came up on the right side and dove under getting a hold of Erin and coming up on the other side; he didn’t know if she was dead or alive. He quickly pulled out the dagger he carried, having forgotten to take it off in his rush, and cut Erin free of Siraj. He wondered what Erin had been thinking, she’d probably not been watching where Siraj had jumped from and the recent rain made for a stronger current then usual. None of that mattered now as Shale grabbed the cut reins in one hand and Siraj struck out for shore.
Siraj himself struck shore and Shale waded up to where his stuff was. The back of her head was bleeding but other then her lungs being half full of water, she was fine. In fact as he was wrapping her in his cape and mounting Siraj, she was coming back around and coughing hard. “Erin, do you know how stupid and lucky you are?” She shivered with cold, pain, and lack of air. Shale pulled her close and held her tight as Siraj launched in a smooth canter. “I…I…” Erin was finding it hard to get the words in the right order. “Shush, your okay. I’m not angry; it was a freak accident okay? Siraj accidently kicked you in the skull, that’s why you’re hurting… Erin, don’t cry.” Shale looked worried, something was wrong.
“I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.” Erin was angry at herself for being such a moron. Shale looked down at her, “You scared a few years off my life but I forgive you. I’ll get you heal right up once we get back, and soon you’ll be doing reckless things like your old self again.” Erin nodded, she was slipping out again, but this time there really wasn’t the fear of dying like last time. Shale rode Siraj hard, he would never tell anyone he was scared witless of horses, but handled Siraj like a pro. Only because Siraj knew what to do, but that was something Shale never needed to know. Shale carried Erin in and sadly, right past Kai. “WHAT?!” Kai was angry as Shale explained really fast. How stupid was Erin to get herself nearly killed, doing something so simple? Accident or not. Kai fetched a healer while Shale headed to Erin’s own chamber, barking an order at a servant that passed too close. The servant now carrying several blankets, arrived at Erin’s chamber and Shale wrapped Erin in them while the healer came…
Erin awoke to the sounds of a very heated discussion going on outside her door. Besides just a small headache and a very sore chest she was fine. She opened the door only to find Kai in mid sentence. “Could have gotten killed! Then what would we have done? Why do you think I didn’t want her going? I knew about the lake being like that but she just takes off, what was Selena thinking? She’s too green to be a ruler!” “When why didn’t- Empress Erin, ah.” “He’s right Shale, I am reckless, I don’t know what Selena saw in me. I wonder sometimes why she didn’t name Kai as ruler. Kai, I am sorry though, I’ll behave and listen better.” Erin looked at the ground sheepishly, waiting for Kai to chew her out. “You better listen next time.” Kai just walked away, disgusted with her.
“It’s okay Empress Erin. He was really upset and worried about you, it’s his weird way of being thankful that you’re alive and awake. He was really mad that you left and thought of following you, but I said I’d go.” He hugged her; worried she was going to cry again. “Shale, thanks for saving my life and coming and doing what you did, I was angry at myself too. I don’t remember much after the current caught me and tightened the reins around my wrist. Then Siraj accidently got me… You saved me and rode… You ride well.” She relaxed into his arms, enjoying the closeness. “Would it be bad to say I was scared shitless?” He laughed softly and rested his chin on her head, knowing they were both grateful she was alive.
~*~A.N~*~ : NOT BASED ON ANY JAMES RELATED CHARACTER! Thank You.
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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:13 am
Year 352 AoD
Erin looked back on the past year with a mixture of distain and pleasure, Shale had been sent off to do some foreign work with their other allied nations and clan mates and Kai had just gotten older. Erin was up late as was the custom and was now eating basically dinner and thinking about what in all she would be doing today when Kai rushed in with a letter. “Empress Erin… you need to read this.” Erin looked the letter with a worried expression; she opened it of find that it was from her scouts reporting that Falcorn the II had attacked but done no damage to speak of. “Well it is alright news I guess. But Kai, please stop rushing about, you’re getting up there at 35 and grey you know.” She cracked a small smile and got one in return.
“Empress Erin, it is quite alright, it’s my job after all you know.” “When is Shale set to return?” “I know not, but sometime this month I believe.” It was rather clear that Erin missed having him about terribly, but the reason why was unclear: To some to say the least. He turned and bowed quickly, walking away to the outside yard. While on the ramparts he overlook the lake where Erin had nearly been drowned the previous year. Since then, Erin has avoided swimming unless Shale was around, which until about 3 months ago was never. Kai arrived at ‘his’ spot, it was a marble headstone commemorating Empress Selena. They had not exhumed her body when they left the lands of Karim, so Kai had a stone placed here in remembrance. Every day he’d tend the stone and the grounds, though no body reminded there he felt at ease knowing she was remembered somewhere.
“Empress Selena, month by month Erin gets better at what she does, Shale as well, I can rest in peace knowing the lands of Kadar will be know safe in their hands. Siraj is well, but he always is, he does an excellent job of watching over them. I sense a romantic relationship between the two, which I fear is both bad and good. They both don’t wish to admit to the truth, but then again, neither did we. I hope they don’t make the same mistake we did.” His hand rested upon her name, carved into the marble. “I miss you Selena.” She closed his says and remind in thought until a messenger arrived handing him more letters.
He nodded his thanks and made his way inside finding Erin reading Selena’s Memo. “Empress Erin, I’m sorry to disturb, but these have just arrived for you.” Erin looked up and nodded taking and opening them as Siraj appeared. “So it seems that Mercla has been attacking our allies. What are we to do but punish him? I’ve let this stand for two years now; Selena and Muffinmen were the same way. So I have my foe it seems.” She sighed and rose. War saddened her, she disliked the violence and yet, here she stood, taking action as Selena had. “Never back down. Never surrender. Never quit.” Erin said to no one as she mounted Siraj, patting him and rode right out of the building.
Kai knew exactly what to do, he gathered the mages. Then he wrote several letters, sending them to certain people unto who needed to read them. He prayed they found favour, if they didn’t… He didn’t want to think. Erin was in her room, changing into the typical mage knight battle garb, it was similar to Selena’s and she hoped it would do just as well for her. Then she rode to meet the gathered mages, talking to them, explaining her plan and off they went. Erin stopped to hand him a small letter, he noted she didn’t seem all too happy as she rode off Kai noted, probably nervous as it was her first battle. Only then did he notice what the letter was entitled: Will & Last Testament, to be presented to Shale. Now Kai looked worried as he headed off…
Erin and her mage army arrived at the Empire of Mercla. She fell back and watched as her mages let lose with their Elfires, Elwinds, and occasion vision. However he had a spell shield so her mages had to work all the harder. Erin was feeling rather bad about this, and worse of all, she couldn’t get past his mage battle. Might have been his shield, plus the mages he had and the fact her mages were tired, Erin didn’t know. She wondered what she was going to do when she heard a roar from overhead. The sky was darkened by millions of Wyvern wings. The mages cheered and Siraj reared, nearly unseating Erin. The Wyvern Riders took nearly 1600,000 acres of land that day, but Erin had them spare Mercla, somehow killing him didn’t feel right. This made her whole empire look weirdly at her as she called a retreat.
Kai was rather grateful when Erin returned alive to say the least, however Erin didn’t say much. In fact she retreated to her chambers to write a letter to the clan leader explaining her actions. Once it was finished she had it sent off, and spoke to Kai, “Kai, I’m the leader of the Pyro Clan. Therefore, the leader of the Noble Clan will probably come knocking on our gate and your army will not be stopped by him. If they do get in… they’ll want me dead. Please make sure my will gets to Shale, he’s my succour and I want to make sure this land has a ruler if I have to pay the price.” Erin looked hard at him, noting Kai’s own stunned look. “But… no we can-”
“Hush Kai, Selena wouldn’t have done that to you, nor will I, She cared for you like I care for Shale and it is too late for the both of you and might be too late for the both of us. Praying is all we can do now.” She nodded with a small smile and headed for her own private chambers again, planning on sleeping a bit then as Selena had once said in her Memo, ‘Come what may.’
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:22 pm
Year: 353AoD
Empress Erin was woken at 10 am by Kai; he looked worried and as Erin opened her eyes. “Hm? Kai? Shale back?” “Empress… its mail, you need to read it.” Kai held the letter out, and only then did Erin notice just how pale he looked. Erin broke the seal and read it. “Why do people never learn? Call the clan Kai, this means to the death. I didn’t want this… I must dress and prepare. My mages and army at the ready, as soon as possible, warn the citizens to take what cover they can. Hopefully this ends today.” Erin rose and opened the wardrobe door, gathering her battle garb as Kai did as she bided.
She studied him as he left and walked down the hall, he was 36 and years of constant war had taken their toll. Erin felt that the loss of Selena was what as making him age faster, she wondered if they ever shared a moment like she and Shale had. Honestly she doubted it, Kai was just like that and Selena had been more concerned with her empire then feelings. Perhaps, Erin should be more like Selena, she wondered if she was doing this right. She walked to the paddock were Siraj was grazing and petted him, wondering if this was going to be the last time she felt the morning sun on her body. She didn’t want to think, she had a war to win.
Soon she was cantering down the path when Siraj stopped in front of Selena grave. Erin dismounted and studied it, how nice and well kept it was, if Kai ever had a free moment to himself he must be caring for it. She touched the cool stone, as if hoping to draw on some mystical power the stone would possess. She prayed for the safety of the Empire and their allies, that friendships created in Selena’s lifetime would hold and that new ones would be a success. “Please Selena grant your wisdom and protection to your kingdom.” She remounted Siraj and rode to where her army was waiting. “Today my Countrymen we fight the war of wars: The War of the Black Flames. May this victory bring the peace we long for, safety for our clan and freedom for us all!” On an unseen cue Siraj whinnied and reared, then took off leading the pack to Mercla (#31)
Erin rode wondering if she could make a difference; she was well prepared to die, after all the Clan Leader was always the first to die in a full scale war. It was some kind of rule she noted. Plans kept her mind occupied until she noticed a black horse pull along side her. “Kai? You can ride! That sword… what are you thinking?” “With Shale gone you need protecting, before I became Selena’s assistant I was a Cavalier in the army. Magic only came about when I was working with Selena.” Kai’s face was stone hard, and Erin knew she wouldn’t be talking him out of it. “Stay close Kai, thank you.” She smiled and rode on the lands of Mercla were looming in the distance…
They appeared on the ridge above the Empire Mercla, Erin looked at the few million troops she had and said, “We have a job to do, FOR KADAR! WYVERNS ATTACK!” Erin cried as her battle-hardened Wyverns took off with a roar and ripped into the empire. Erin cheered inwardly, they were wining! They were doing something and making a difference! Then Kai caused his horse to rear and grunted with pain, there was a guard tower nearby and a dang good archer and that meant… “Their striking back Empress Erin, orders?” He looked at her, the blood from his arrow wound running down his arm. Erin looked over and ordered her army forward, the Wyverns were beaten back and Mercla was kicking some serious a**. “Kai let me-” Erin was cut off by them being attacked, in fact Erin’s army was losing… badly. Erin fought hard, casting and healing when she could, Siraj was assisting by rearing and kicking out, but they were being forced back and she couldn’t find Kai.
They needed to fall back, regroup. “FALL BACK!!!” Erin cried out, hoping to be able to discover a plan. As her scattered army retreated she looked for Kai, not seeing him and they were still getting beaten back… Wait were they? “He stopped? Right. Mages, Vision then Elfire… well she got to the vision part when the cavalry arrived. Erin laughed as a bunch of Wyvern screeches shattered the sky, then the fireballs rained down and more Wyverns came, there were from an ally of hers. She was grateful to see the help and noticed the Mages robes were a coal colour that meant. She pivoted to see a black stallion and the fiery roan stallion she knew so well. “I thank you both for coming to my aid.” The one mounted on the black horse only nodded before calling his mages back and disappearing into the woods.
Roars shattered the sky as Erin looked up to see over a million Wyverns darken the sky, and join her ranks. Erin smiled at the leader of Siraj, and then a plan appeared in her mind. “Wyverns ATTACK!” With the extra help, Erin’s side started driving back Mercla. Once his Wyverns were nearly gone she ordered her main army forward, and she herself entered combat again while the leader of Siraj watched. She had so many people cheering her on, knowing one false move and she was dead. She kept on, and the dead grow around her army, they would breach the city gate in minutes. Then it was as if time froze around Erin. She dismounted, walking as if in a daze, a nightmare you can’t escape. Forgetting everything: The battle, allies, promises… She dropped to her knees, “Kai?” She looked at him not really seeing, not wanting to see but it was true, she was wrong. She was tearing up, not a good time for crying but she didn’t care, needing the numbness to consume her.
Kai was dead, not possible, the lance impaling him and pinning his body to the ground was not real. This was only a nightmare, not happening… She felt a pressure on her shoulder and looked up; it was Siraj, telling her there was still a battle to win. Erin was seized by some kind of rage, a sudden hate she’d never felt before. She yelled at several mages to take Kai’s body back and now that the gate had fallen there was only the palace guards standing in her way. “ONWARDS!” She mounted Siraj and for the first time brought the reins down on him; he snorted and reared, actually giving Erin the effect she wanted. With a mad leap he bolted forwards, Erin inwardly cheered and raced to meet was nearly certain death if this didn’t end now.
She arrived in the palace in minutes, killing the foolish guards that dared attack her. Though she’d taken a few hits the pain only fuelled her rage, how dare they hurt her after killing Kai?” Siraj whinnied, as if he to was lusting for the death of Mercla’s leader, Yoman. “Show yourself and face me with the Noble honour Yoman!” She called out, feeling the power ringing in her voice. He was in his thrown room, sitting on his thrown as Erin rode into the room. His two generals attacked her first; they were dispatched quickly, with Erin only taking a small wound or two. “Come and face your death by my hand. Yoman drew a sword and they went at it. It was a struggle, two powerful never say die leaders going at it. Erin watched triumphantly, as Yoman finally fell to her anima magic. He was dead, Yoman was dead, and yet, the feeling of massive loss was still there. Why? He was dead, her clan was safe, and they had done it!
She was as good as Selena, she had a kill, yet she was unsatisfied. Perhaps killing was never the answer, was that not what Selena had said? ‘You’ll have a massive power rush for maybe a day but in the end you’ll always feel worse for it.’ Erin pondered but that did not bring her an answer. So on a whim, she picked up one of the general’s lances and Yoman’s sword. “You are hereby dead, you were a valiant opponent, and perhaps your death shall bring the peace our clan longs for.” She swiftly beheaded Yoman and mounted his head on the lance. Riding out she barked to her gathered army. “THE LEADER OF MERCLA, YOMAN, IS DEAD!!!” Her army cheered, as did her many supporting allies. “Let that the teach them to attack my allies and kill my countrymen…” She shifted in the saddle, uncomfortable to stay in this place any longer. “Let us return to Kadar.” She said to no one really as she led her elated but sombre army back hone.
She has not the only saddened one and it became apparent when they reached Kadar, men, women, children, ran out to see if their love one or ones had survived the battle. After about an hour families were reunited or left to mourn losses of those who died. Erin realized how lucky she was that Kai’s body had been brought back, so many, so very many were not. Erin rode to the spot beside Selena’s grave, it was fitting, her body might not have laid there but Kai had tended that grave as well as if it had been there. She sniffed: Anger, rage, pain, sorrow, confusion and loss had filled her soul. She disappeared into the barn and reappeared with a shovel, she NEEDED to do something, anything. She dug, roughing it out, having never dug a grave before. She tried to be neat and careful when saving the grass, but it didn’t really work… “I can’t…” Erin was sobbing and she didn’t know why…
“Yes, you can. I’ll help you. I’m here for you, just you and me. We’ll get by, always do.” Erin was pulled into a warm hug by none other Shale himself. “I’m so sorry Erin, I should have been here. I was working with our allies and friends.” Shale looked saddened, but knew Kai had been right; he needed to strengthen the bonds with their allies. He rested his chin on the tops of Erin’s head again as she cried into his shoulder, he wished he could take the pain away from her, she didn’t need more then she had. With the Emperor of Siraj threatening her friend and a passive player, she had enough on her plate. Shale missed Kai as well, but this trip had changed him and he hoped he could fill Kai’s role for Erin. “Erin, you shouldn’t be sad, he lived about as long as Selena and now that can find peace and happiness together, he wasn’t happy living without Selena we both know that.”
“You’ve aged a bit since I’ve been gone, but your still the same you on the inside. Your strong and you have many allies, we’ll keep the Emperor of Siraj off Verinium. Don’t worry, he wont hurt him, Verinium took a lot of hits for us. The only reason you’re still alive is because of him, he wouldn’t let Mercla kill you. So to repay him we have to keep him off, it’s the least we can do. All our allies and the whole clan would probably be dead if not for him, I’m sure we can make that Emperor see it our way.” Shale noticed Erin had stopped crying, but as to how much she really understood that speech he had no clue. “Come, fetch another shovel and we’ll get this done, you’re too tired to finish this alone.” Shale smiled and watched as Erin nodded and walked off.
“But how much was I right?” Shale wondered aloud as he dug, he was good as he’d dug several during his life as it was. Erin return and together they finished it, there was no elaborate ceremony, flowers, or massive gatherings of well wishers like Selena’s had been. Just two people and a horse, and perhaps in the end, that’s the best funeral. Not a lot of people and stuff, short and to the point. It was Shale that carried his body and laid it to rest, wrapped in some kind, or much to disgusted, mage’s robe. It was a red one so it was one of Erin’s mages. As they both put the dirt back and covered the dirt with bits of sod, each was lost in their own memories.
“Well…” Erin started, but again felt like sobbing again. “No Erin, not tonight.” Shale said softly taking her by the hand and leading her inside. They met a messenger inside the castle, from Coral. “Erin, please, get changed, wash up, and take your time about it. In an hour or two meet me in the dining hall, we can deal with this then alright?” Erin only nodded and walked off. “She’s taking it harder then I thought she would.” Shale sighed and opened the letter… ‘We will agree to peace if your clan pays us 75 billion gold by the end of the week, to aid in Mercla’s rebuilding.’ “Successor jumped on that land already? Coral how stupid do you think Pyro is? Pay to aid the person we killed? That’s like the most moronic thing I’ve heard, there’s a reason he’s dead.”
Shale picked up poor Coral’s messenger by the neck and slammed him into the wall. “Add this to that memo too. ‘Your next.’ He then threw the messenger to the ground and stormed off to his own chambers to wash up himself and dress. He then waited in the dining hall for Erin to reappear, which she eventually did. Looking a lot more like her old self but the air sadness still lingered. As she sat and the servants bought out a stew, she played idly with her spoon. Shale who as starving ate like wolf and Erin wished to have his appetite. She looked out the window at the nearly set sun, and the year was only half over?
“Erin, you have to eat.” Shale said watching her, having finished and having seconds served. “Hm? Sorry. What did Coral want?” She was sounding really glum and edgy, worried and tense, yet like she had resigned to fate. “75 billion by the end of the week.” “Oh. What you think?” “For the next ruler of Mercla’s reconstruction.” “NO!” Erin rose, the rage and angry having found an outlet. “No after that they did, we fight until we die! Not after Kai and my people’s death! Never!” Shale rose and pulled her close, trying to clam her. “Shhh… I told them no. I’m getting our clan mates together. But first you’re going to eat something before I leave tonight. Just relax; it’s going to be okay.” Shale smiled, feeling Erin stop trembling.
Erin smiled up at him: They had each other, she had Siraj and some pretty powerful allies and good friends. They’d get by, always did after all. Erin laughed softly, Selena was not as painful now, time would heal Kai’s death she was sure. Erin ate the second bowl as the first had gone cold, Shale as glad to watch Erin eat, it was small but important first step in healing. He remembered watching his family be murdered by troops during a skirmish, so he knew what Erin was enduring. Once they’d both finish Erin suggested him taking Siraj but Shale refused picking another mount Kari. Standing outside his sword on his belt and is tomes in the saddle bags he smiled at Erin then kissed her. It was short but lingering, “We have to survive to finish that.” He mounted, and took off heading right for the Kingdom of Siraj. “Live is a gamble, you’ll never know what will happen Shale.” Erin turned and headed inside, needing to rest and prepare.
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Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:28 am
Year 354 AoD
Shale returned his face set hard Knowing Erin would be glad yet unhappy to hear the news he bore. The clan had met and decided after careful study of Coral’s habits, when to best kill him. A time was decided and set upon, and Shale set about the return ride home with mixed feelings. He agreed that most of the clan should indeed die, yet know that Erin only cared what happened to Mercla, who was dead and burned. Yet it was decided that Coral had made him self a threat by demanding money. Shale also knew that next target in this kill fest would be either Verinium or Fulix as Chris wasn’t worth their time as for now. Falcorn well… not really.
If the Empire of Siraj was not happy with the death of Coral then could Erin keep a rein on him? Both Fulix and Verinium had much land, and land was what everyone wanted, even Erin herself. Shale knew Erin would never turn on the remaining Noble members unless they harmed the clan with a reason. Shale soon arrived back in Kadar and handed off a lathered Kari to some grooms and went to find Erin. He hunted all over the castle knocked on her chamber door and by chance looked out the window over looking one of the courtyards. There she was, talking to the tome stones… Shale sighed, he couldn’t hear what she was saying but he could guess at what it was. He headed off, finding out how to best explain what was going on.
Erin while Shale had been gone for those few days had tried to recover herself and run her nation as best she could. The Empire was as ready, as it could be, if Coral wanted to attack them she’d fight them all if need be, but she didn’t want to. “Selena, Kai, I’m trying not destroy the bonds you work so hard to create. But somehow I’ve had a reverse effect, friends are angry at friends and the good are being punished. Battles that are not needed are being fought are happening and I can not longer assure the safely of my friends… from myself.” Erin hung her head and try not to snap at the world.
“Empress Erin?” Shale knelt beside her in the grass, looking worried. “Oh your back, good, I trust you found success?” Erin attempted to sound like a proper ruler. “Yes and no, Siraj wants to kill Coral because we consider the gold demand to be a threat, as we don’t know what he will do if we don’t pay up. For the safely of your empire and your life I agreed, we will be going to war shortly. You will remain here with a guard, Kai’s orders from his last letter to me.” Shale looked at her hard, daring her to resist, he had no plans to budge if she did. “I don’t want to lose you…” Erin looked at him.
“You wont, we have a good army and strong allies, I wont go on the front lines either, I’ll use my magic. He was taking off his cape and ignoring Erin’ confused look as he put it around her. “I don’t think you noticed that you’ve been shivering though our whole conversation have you? It’s nearly winter and the empire cannot afford to have you fall ill. Come, you need to rest, it is late and tomorrow our troops will be moving out for The Coral Nation (#13). We shall return victorious. Shale led Erin to her chamber, and kissed her goodnight, short but satisfying. Erin turned a shade of crimson, but before she could say anything Shale was gone. “Ah Shale… Goodnight.” She smiled and closed the door.
Three days later Kadar’s army arrived to find… rubble? Coral’s empire was wiped off the face of the continent. “Wasn’t there supposed to be like, a country here?” Shale looked confused as well as his army, which was slightly pissed off at him. Then he noticed a scattered army who was not appearing but retreating. Shale was more confused then before, he was soon hailed by a Wyvern, baring Siraj’s colours. "Not exactly, you'll need to update your map." Stated the Wyvern knight who started to smirk at the others soldiers that had gathered, a pirate also baring Siraj’s colours set forward, " 'eres a map 'fore you" said the pirate handing out an updated region to Shale.
Shale took it, looking annoyed and overlaid the two maps topographically and geologically. Discovering they were the same except: Where ‘The Coral Empire’ was, was a big red X “Yea, we killed him before you guys showed up.” Stated a female Cavalier that made Shale think of Erin. “Might as well go home, nothing left for you.” She snickered. Shale thanked them for their time and turned his army back…
Three days later Erin heard the calls of people looking for people and ran to the watch tower to see that army had returned… complete fine? She then ran down to find Shale just riding up and handing off Kari. “What happened?” “Siraj raided and torched the whole empire.” He strode off, his anger fighting the rein he had on it. “SHALE! WAIT!” Erin ran after him, talking his hand she led him to her own private chambers, closing the door she looked at him. “Something’s amiss, want to talk about it?” She sat on the bed beside him and waited.
“Not really, just what Siraj did reminded me of my past. When Muffinmen attacked Karim I was young, they destroyed my village but somehow I escaped and ran into Kai, who took me in. It just made me think of that day is all.” Shale didn’t look at her. “Its okay, my father was killed during Selena’s reign and my mom died of sickness, I was taken into a convent and became a healer in Selena’s service. Now I’m a mage Knight and a ruler apparently.” She laughed a little and rose, moving to unbar the window
“It is snowing Shale, I am glad you returned alright.” Shale came to stand beside her at the open window, “I was annoyed but it’s fine our …your-” “Our Shale, our, is fine.” “Our empire is safe then, as long as our clan holds strong.” Shale said watching the snowflakes fall, gently settling on the sill. “I’m sure they will Shale, I trust Verinium’s leader strongly. Come I wish for some coca.” She turn and suddenly something cold and wet slid down her back. “SHALE!” She yipped, having not seen that coming. He smiled and headed off leaving a cold but amused Erin to follow.
“Empress Erin, Erin!” Shale was running down the hall about a week later carrying a letter from Siraj’s Empire. Erin rose and studied him, he looked scared, but not all at once, like he was hiding something. “If you please.” She took the letter and opened it as her mount entered the room, his back covered in snow. “Goodness, its Muffinmen! He’s beaten on Siraj’s Empire!” Erin exclaimed noticing Shale shaking, in what she guessed was pent up sadness and rage. She walked over and like he’d done for her pulled him close.
“Shale its okay, I’m not going to let this stand. He was Selena’s rival and I know you want revenge on him. Take the army, go and win back the land, just be careful alright?” She smiled up at him, “Teach them to fear.” Shale looked down at her, knowing she knew what he was craving. “I will.” He said softly before walking out once again fetching the troops for battle. Nor were they happy about it, but they went nonetheless. Erin watched them go with sadness, it was a week until Christmas and Erin really didn’t want to be fighting… she closed her eyes and remembered her few Christmas’ with her parents.
Shale and his army traveled for about five days, most of the empire was in the festive mood and not really well guarded. Shale ordered the attack and they rode into battle. It was an easy victory or so it looked, except he was lost in the woods. Hence he soon found himself in a spot of trouble with some of Muffinmen’s troops. “Eh crap…” Shale reined Kari in and casted, as he wasn’t all that great with a sword.
Erin was standing on a hill over looking the battlefield, she was mounted on Siraj and casting when she could. She wasn’t supposed to be there, but she hated sending Shale to fight alone, so here she was. “Where is he where is he!” Siraj stomped but Erin was focused to hard on her task at hand. "I got you now." A voice from behind said. Siraj whinnied and pivoted, Erin nearly fell off, dropping her tome in the process, having not seen that coming. She braced herself for the pirate’s axe to connect with her. Shale looked up seeing Erin and swore, she wasn’t supposed to be here and she’d gotten tagged on, he could see at least half a dozen more approaching her…
“Silence." A voice rang out as a hand grabbed the pirate and shoved a knife in his neck, he threw the bandit to the side, he was dead. The man was a little younger then Erin's age, he wore all black robes and a cloth mask. He wore the insignia of the black horizon on the front of his robe. Siraj snorted, looking at the lad. Erin having recovered her wits looked at him. "Thank you, I didn't know the Black Horizon Clan was coming to help, but I'm grateful you-" Siraj had picked up the tome and handed it to her and she was now burning the approaching pirates. "I am grateful you have appeared when you have. May I ask who you are? "She glanced back to see Shale was still in trouble. He looked at some of the surrounding enemies, and threw a few knives and took out half of them. He looked back at Erin. "I'm their leader, empress." the man said. "The name's Don, what brings you here?"
Erin bowed as she could on a horse. "Pleasure to have finally met you. I am as you probably know Erin, my business is simple. Shale guards me too much whether you believe it or not I can fight. I'm sick of not being about to help. So I came to help if I could. What brings you? I don't see your army; did Shale send you to keep me from getting killed?" She smiled and was casting into the valley, now stopping the troops that had discovered her here before they got near enough. It looked like they were going after her and Shale, as they were both away from the main army, which was busy entering the town. Don looked at the enemies nearby. "I was just passing through believe it or not, but it appears you need help now. Something tells me you weren't supposed to be here." He took out a whistle and blew into it. "Have you ever seen my forces work?"
Erin thought about it, "Slightly, you assisted in the 'War of the Black Flames,' your mages anyway." Erin hung her head, "Not really, no, but I'm tried of my friends taking the rap for me." She looked back up at him rather embarrassed. "Just watch." Don said and pointed. Several shadowy figures in the distance seemed to appear from the ground and one by one the men approaching fell. "I don't want to hear you died. Stay sharp alright." Don nodded. “I don’t die easy, just get hurt.” She laughed then turned to look at Shale, she looked down and the path was clear. She turned to thank Don, but he wasn’t there… or anywhere for that matter. “Well nonetheless thank you Don. HI YUP!” She rode to Shale’s rescue.
Shale who had several bad wounds, had not been able to look and see where Erin was, he only hoped she’d escaped and fled, he had to keep fighting there was only eight left. One of the cavaliers rushed him aiming to run him though, however Shale managed to shift in the saddle, taking it in the shoulder. The force knocked him off Kari, and he lost his tome. He knew he was dead, as he attempted to reach for his blade. “HEY! GET AWAY FROM HIM!” Siraj reared and pawed the air as Erin casted her Elfires. The troops swore and tired to flee but they all lived a total of about twenty seconds. Erin threw herself off Siraj and knelt by Shale pulling out her staff, none of them looked fatal. “I-I w-wont lose anyone else.” Erin stuttered and she began to heal him.
Shale was running mixed emotions: Erin had nearly gotten killed; she wasn’t supposed to be here, it wasn’t safe. Yet, she’d just saved him, how could he be angry? “You nearly got killed, I saw that.” He said feeling better with each passing second. “Shh, I know I was foolish and stupid, but I just care for you too much to see you harmed in my place.” She said softly focused on her work. Shale let her heal, knowing it was more skill then he had, she looked worried yet happy, Shale worried she was liking battle. “All better?” She asked tiredly, having not had to do this for a while. “Are you well?” Shale asked, sitting up and looking at her. “Yes, yes I just thought I was going to lose you because I was too weak to save you.” She looked at him, then rose.
“Come, we have a Muffin to munch.” She mounted Siraj as Shale grabbed his tome and laughed at Erin’s attempt to break the stress and together they rode into the town only to find one of the Mage General’s waiting for them. “Empress Erin? Ah well, Master Shale-” “Sir Shale,” said Erin to the General. “Sir Shale, Empress Erin, the King of Muffinmen committed suicide rather then die by our hands…” “We leave now, it is cold and being to snow and our troops have family missing them.” Erin smiled to Shale and the tired army started off home. Just in time for the new years the following day.
Upon entering the castle Erin and Sir Shale received a long scroll from Siraj, he’d attacked Iensvale (#15) from clan Strikers! He’d also demanded payment from Fulix and Verinium under threat of death. Apparently Fulix had paid up but Verinium refused, saying they had gone a bit too far in killing Coral and if they did not stop then he would be forced to take action. Also that Siraj had taken over Noble by force. Erin sighed, her troops were tired, she was sick of fighting and Shale was worried about her. “Shale keep the troops sober, I think we might have to fight a friend.” Erin threw the letter in the fire and glared at the curling paper. “I’ll do what I can, right now, you need to eat, have a warm bath then bed for you.”
He smiled and hugged her. “Now. I promise I’ll eat later.” He let her go and turned to leave. “Shale, I’m not fine.” She said blankly as he quick turned. “I don’t want you leaving me ‘safe’ here anymore okay? You nearly died and…” “You care too much, I know, I’m sorry. Forgive me.” He then walked out leaving Erin to wonder what had upset him…
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