Battlefield

[dr_mabeuse]

King Ardiss Salanor

OOC: King Ardiss Salanor is also known as the Corsair or Pirate. He is not really a king, but rather a warlord of the Paranor, the thousand islands that lie off the coast and are home to a breed of pirate-warriors who usually answer to no one but themselves and are generally considered outlaws toi the rest of the "civilized" world.

He is somewhere in his forties, with a black beard and black hair sprinkled with grey, He is powerfully built, loud and boisterous and out-spoken. He has joined with the Queen to defeat her enemies in return for what plunder she can grant him and in order to open up the coast to further depradations by his men, but he is not used to alliances.

The Pirate's navy has successfully defeated the Four King's navy and kept their army from being resupplied.



IC: Ardiss Salanor strides through the army camp, followed by a dozen men from his flagship, stepping over bodies impatiently, looking for the Queen's tent. From his rolling, sailor's gait and the bright red cloak he wears it is obvious he is not a soldier. Only a sailor would wear such a getup.

Finding the Queen's tent he walks up to it and is stopped by the guards. His eyes flash at them "You don't know who I am, you dickless sons of bitches? I'm King Salanor, and I want to see the Queen."

The guards stop him with crossed spears and the Pirate King's retinue reach for their small cutlasses and boarding axes at once, but he raises his hand to silence them. He grasps the guards spears and pushed them out of the way and walaks into the Queen's tent just in time to see Queen Sonya wrap herself calmly in her black silk robe. A naked girl is reclining in the bath, though he cannot see her body due to the head of suds in the water.

Even so his face breaks into a broad grin. "Queen Sonya!" he says, walking in. "I give you joy of your victory! The navy of the Four Kings is obliterated, gone like the leaves before the wind. We sank many and took the rest, a good four hundred ships. One third of them are yours as per our agreement."

He sat himself down on a stool and looked with obvious enhoyment at the two queens. "Now who is this one here?" he askes Queen Sonya, gesturing towards Pesha. "I've never seen her before!"

 

[Sky Jade]

OOC: The boards screwed up earlier, so I have to re-edit the post to fit.


Sonya watched Pesha be bathed for a few moments before Though she heard the commontion outside. She smirked softly and looked out to See King Adiss.
"You are a guest in this camp M'lord Adriss, and I would appricate it if you show some respect to my warriors. As far as the lady in the bath, She is Queen Pesha. Now if you will excuse me, I have a council to attend to."

The meeting lasted for a few minutes. Sonya's army had suffered a loss of a tenth of her warriors wounded, the same amount dead. Her army was well-trained in the art of war, taught to fight as if each battle would be their last. Their strength was focused in battle tatics, their high mobility allowing them to out-manuver and out-fight their opponents. Though the losses were insignifict, Sonya did not like them. She also sent out spies to follow King Tearsmith's army, but she was not planning on pursuing him yet. No, she was more considered with letting him lick his wounds.
The sun was below the horizon when Sonya returned to her tent.

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[vbabe2001]

' A man? '

- Pesha looked up from her bath as the outspoken man wandered into the tent. Her followers were all women, it was rare she saw a man up this close. Modestly she sank deeper into the bath as she looked at Sonya and whispered something to the maid.

In a moment a robe was being used to cover her as she stepped out of the bath and back into her solemn white dress.

Calmly she walked over to the two and bowed in respect to the man -

"My name is Pesha, I'm the queen of Icitycle, a kingdom of magick users not too far from here."

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardiss Salanor

He stood up angrily as Queen Sonya walked out on him. He didn't appreicate being treated like this. His men had fought hard, far from their homes, on nothing more than his promise of reward, and his promise had been based on the word of the Queen. The very Queen who had turned her back on him and left him sitting like some scrub in her tent while she attended to something she apparently considered more important than the goodwill of his powerful navy.

Certyinly he had been brash to walk in past her gueards, but that was nothing new with him. He had always been considered raw and uncouth. He couldn't stand all the court protocols and "by-your-leaves" and "if-you-pleases" and bowing and scraping, and everyone knew that about him.

They were supposed to be allies, equals, but it appears she considers him an inferior, one of her vassals, fit to turn her imperious back on. Perhaps it was time he called in his ambassador to Vaxaan for new instructions. Perhaps it was time to see what kind of deal Tearsmith would offer him. In any case, this slight would not be forgotten. Not by him.

Although a blunt man himself, he was accustomed to dealing with others who weren't, so he was able to hide his displeasure at the Queen's display of flagrant disrespect. Had she done this in front of his men, he would have had to call her out right then and there for honor's sake. But as it was, no one had witnessed her behavior but the Princess Pesha.

He turned to the Princess now and looked at her lithe, elfin form appreciatively. "Icitycle?" he asked. "But that is but a legend, is it not? I never thought there was such a place really, not since I was a boy. A realm of sorcerers and magicians they say."

"But forgive me." he broke off. "Where are my manners?" He bowed and extended his great paw, took her slender hand in his and pressed his lips to her smooth, soft skin. "King Ardiss Salanor, Princess Pesha, your most humble servant. This is a great honor indeed."

He could believe she was a princess of a fairyland. There was something otherworldly about her beauty, and despite her lithe and graceful figure, she had an aura of great hidden strength about her.

He was conscious too that there could scarce be a human in all the world so very opposite of him in looks and demeanor. The contrast fascinated him.

"I do hope you will forgive my impertinence on entering so brusquely. In the heat of battle, one's blood does get up, and I certainly meant no offence by it, Princess."

"Now tell me, if you please," he said "How did you come to ally yourself with Queen Sonya?"

 

[vbabe2001]

- Pesha sensed his anger in him but she remained solemn and reserved, it was not her nature to get angry. She smiled warmly as he addressed her and kissed her hand, he seemed to still hold a sense of reserved respect despite his outward persona -

" Its a pleasure to meet you Ardiss, you fought hard and well in your battle "

- She returned her hands in a folded position infront of her, her gentle emerald green eyes looked outwards to the tent entrance -

" I chose to help her because I see kindness in her heart. I am not a warrior but I know that warriors have a certain.. oath.. they must uphold. They must show pride and strength to their enemies or else they will sureth fall"

- Her eyes returned to him -

" And you dear king, are surely forgiven "

 

[Sky Jade]

Sonya smirked as she stood in the doorway of the tent, not yet annocing her presence. The maid which had stayed in the tent moved to stand near the King's side with her head bowed, waiting to see if he wished anything.

Sonya's veiw was that of honor through battle. She was only going to look at his as an equal once he was worthy in her eye. She stood with her arms crossed over her stomach as she watched.

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[dr_mabeuse]

Ardiss Salanor

He knew immediately that Sonya had come back and stood behind him. He could tell not only the sense of eyes in the back of his head, but by the way her servants suddenly sprung to nervous attentiveness.

"Yes," he said clearly to Pesha, "Warriors have an oath. Warriors have many oaths, more observed in the breach than in the practice I might add. But a King--or a Queen--" he added succinctly, "must be much more than a warrior. Skill at arms helps you little when you must hold a kingdom together or bind your allies to you, otherwise every man in my fleet would be fit to be king."

"And if this Queen thinks she can intimidate King Ardiss Salanor, or treat him with disrespect, then she will learn the difference between the sword and the sceptre, by the Gods, I can promise you that."

 

[Sky Jade]

Sonya giggled softly for a moment.
"What you say may be true for some, but I do know the difference between the sword and spectre. What happened earlier was but a misunderstanding between us. Perhaps if you had spent time among my people as I had offered before, then you would more understand the way of my warriors. It is customary for the leader to attend to her people before attending to her guests. I was also checking to make sure that your portion of the teasure was set aside for you to pick up."

She walked in and moved to sit on the small stool brought out for her. She signaled to one of the maids who brought in a tray with a bottle of wine and three goblets.

"A toast to celebrate our victories this day is an order I would believe, M'lady Pesha and M'lord Adiss."

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[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salanor

He listened to the Queen's words with his back to her, and when she finished he turned slowly in his seat and regarded her. No doubt she was an exceptional woman, one in a million perhaps. She combined the body of a woman with the heart of a warrior, and he knew her character and bravery was above reproach.

He glared at her for a moment, then he exploded in a loud laugh. "By the Gods! I suppose that's as close to an apology as I'll hear from those lips!"

"Very well, Sonya. Let it be forgotten. All of us had our blood up from the battle, and I give you joy of your victory--our vidtory. Great joy indeed. And now that the battle's over, it is time to put the blood behind us, eh?"

"If you've no feast in the offing, I would be most honored if you and your chiefs and the Princess Pesha would join me at my flagship at Sandy Harbor where we will celebrate toight. We have already slaughtered a fine eating bull and a dozen pigs and the feast is cooking even as we speak. We Paranors are famous for our feasts, and this will be one of the greates ever!"

"And if you will pour, Queen Sonya, I'll gladly drink to the victory!"

He wondered as he always did if anyone had sever succeeded in bedding her. It didn't seem likely that she was still a virgin, yet he couldn't imagine any man having the temerity to make love to her. Maybe the rumors were true, that she shared her bed with her female warriors only. Maybe she had been preparing to seduce the Prince Pesha. Maybe that's why she had shown him such disrespect. The very thought was enough to increase his thirst, and he tried to put it out of his head.

 

[vbabe2001]

"Many thanks at your offer of a toast Ms.Sonya, but it is custom in my race not to drink alcohol"

- Pesha sat down patiently as the two would toast to eachother. She nodded in response to his suggestion of a celebration -

"I think a celebration however is in order and I would be more than happy to make your acquaintance"

 

[Sky Jade]

Sonya smiled and nodded at the suggestion of the feasted. She filled two of the goblets and took one for herself while the maid held the tray towards the king.
"Yes, that does sounds like a fine suggestion. And you can lavish us with the tales of your battle on the sea."

She held her glass up for the toast, smiling over to Pesha.
"To Victory here after."

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[dr_mabeuse]

Ardiss Salonar

With that little disagreement set to rest, Ardiss raised his ghoblet and drank deep. Just as he was quick to anger, so was he quick to forgive, and he was soon his usually jovial self as he and the Queen comapred stories of the valor of their troops and the deeds they had accomplished.

It was excellent wine, but then he'd expect Queen Sonya to have only the best. He told one of his guards to run back to Sandy Harbor and make sure all was in readiness for the Queen, the Princess, and their retainers, and to break out their finest gold plate. Spare nothing. The honor of Panador depended on it

In truth the Pirate much admired the Queen, although he worried somewhat about her advisers and some of those who had insinuated themselves close to her. Sonya herself could be headstrong and prone to action even when prudence was required, and he hoped she had the patience and wisdom to hold together the empire she was creating., since maintaining an empire was usually much more difficult than conquering one. Not all problems yielded to the sword.

Meanwhile he found that he was quite charmed by the Princess Pesha. Because they were so opposite in every way, he had an instant affection for her. She was quite unlike anyone he'd ever seen, and she delighted him.

By the time they were ready to leave, it had grown quite dark outside. On the battlefield, men walked among the dead with torches, seeking out anyone who might still draw breath, or any enemy body worth looting, and carts were beginning to take the dead away. The sky was low and overcast and the wind was up. Blowing inland, Ardiss noticed with displeasure, and his weather sense told him that it still might come to blow before the sun rose again.

With no moon to light the field it was very dark. The Queen's servants saddled three horses for them. Ardiss was no horseman, being the sailor he was, but he hauled himself aboard and made the best of the situation.

"Shall you take a party with you, Sonya?" he asked as his horse skittered shyly beneath him. "There may still be bands of enemy lurking about, trying to move under cover of darkness."

But the Queen seemed unconcerned, so confidant was she in her arms and her soldiers' complete victory.

They left the fierld of carnage and had just entered the thick woods that shielded the battlefield from Sandy Harbor. Here the shadows were darker than the darkness itself. They had just smelled the first scent of the sea no more than five miles distant when the enemy struck.

They poured from the darkness with muffled shouts and the clang of arms. "Ambush!" Sonya cried and Ardiss heart the Queen's sword rasp as she drew it from the scabbard. One of the enemy gave a strangled cry and went down gurgling It was impossible to say how many there were in the darkness, but hands grabbed for their bridles as the horses wheeled in panic and Ardiss pulled his cutlass from his scabbard. This was a short, heavy sword, suitable for the close combat of a crowded deck, and it did fearful damage to the men trying to grab his horse. Metal hit bone and bone yielded. Hot blood splattered onto his hand.

They were gone as soon as they had come, leaving only a few of their comrades moaning on the trail. In the darkness he saw Sonya's teeth flash in a smile. "Well done, Pirate." she said.

 

[vbabe2001]

ooc- Ok, that completly confused me and I have no idea what i should be posting but I assume we are on the pirate ship now so... o.o;;

- Pesha watched the action with calm eyes, realizing her help was not yet needed she stood stationary against the night sky -

" Your enemies did not stand a chance, as always I am impressed by your bravery "

 

[Zirconn]

Eirikr the Red

Sigh!…

“My Lord…”

“Leave me be, Alfarinn… just for a little while…”

“Yes, my Lord…” The old voice faded into the background, leaving the red-haired young king, barely in his thirties, sitting alone in the dark, as the fire scones could not penetrate the gloom of the Throne Hall. His pensiveness was quite unlike the brash exuberance of his youth when his father, King Sigarr was still on the throne. Now the weight of the State bore solely on his young shoulder’s.

He close his eyes, but it did not help. The images of the war kept intruding. The screams and agonies kept coming to the forefront, drowning all other coherent thoughts. He could still see the last vestiges of life draining from the eyes of his men. What a funny concept. His men. It seemed like moments ago when “his” men were his father’s, and the people of the harsh North, his brethren, were his brothers, not “his” men to command into battle and death. It was funny how fate intervenes at the most inappropriate time, the time when he was ready to enjoy the fruits of manhood. But he cannot fail those who have already gone to seat in the Hall of Heroes, lest he himself would fail to get a seat. No, he cannot fail now.



Before…

The Demoness of Macedonia must be taught a lesson, he silently vowed to himself, as he got up and adjusted his heavy shield on his arm. He retied the bandage on his chest, at least the bleeding had stopped, which was a good sign. The womenfolk back home would love this new scar on his chest, even as he stood beside the cold and dead body of King Sigarr.

“Alfarinn…”

“My Lord…” the old man quickly appeared, far quicker that his long white beard, wrinkled face and stooped body suggested.

“My friend. Gather what remains of our Dragon boats and warriors. We leave for home to prepare. Set sail at full furl, man the oars until we can row no more. We will be better prepared the next time. Have the Riders secure their Svartr mounts. There would be no more flights except for scouting purposes.”

“My old friend, we will build better boats, stronger and faster. Our warriors lack purpose before, but not any more…”

And so the Northmen, defeated in battle against the combined armies of King Ardriss and Queen Sonya, slunk back to the desolate north, where the fjords afforded deep harbors, and the evergreen forests gave stout timbers for the sleek and fearsome Dragons boats. Back to the North, where the heat from the snow-covered volcanoes incubated the eggs from which the flying fire-wyrms, Svartr, were hatched. Back to the cold and unforgiving North, where the bottomless mines gave the metals for axes, swords, shields and armors.



Later…

From the North, out of the fog and waves came a bigger and stronger army. One by sea and of the air, to wage death and destruction on Macedonia and Paranor. One with the purpose of booking a place in the Hall of Heroes to drink mead forever.

Eirikr stood on the prow, watching the smoke from the battlefield rising like death flags from the ground, as the Dragon boats got under way. His eyes did not shed a tear for his fallen comrades as he knew that they were already in the Hall drinking mead with the Gods. He shed a tear for himself for failing the first time. That was so long ago it seemed that he had almost forgotten what it was like. But the black oily smoke instantly reminded him of such memories. And the screams of death as well. It seemed that King Ardriss and Queen Sonya had waged war again, and this time, judging by the battle flags on the ground, it was against the army of Vaxaan. King Derryk’s armies.

“Alfarinn, send out the Svartr Riders to scout and search for King Tearsmith of Vaxaan. The Demoness Queen Sonya must not have complete and total victory…”

 

[vbabe2001]

- The one thing that put Pesha's race at the advantage was her intuition and her ability to see into the future...

The young woman was appointed Queen for many reasons, her innocence was probabulary her greatest asset but she felt her loyalty to Sonya.

The wind picked up as Pesha walked to the edge of the ship and placed her slender digits against the railing, her emerald green eyes looked out into the wilderness as the breeze carried her ash blond hair in whisps around her face..

Pesha turned slowly, soon to address the warrior Queen -

"Sonya, you must prepare for another battle.. the wind carries the whispers of ambush and betrayel.. "

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

OOC: Well, I hadn't meant us to be at the ship yet. We'd just been ambushed in the woods on the way to the beach. But what the heck. Let's say we're on the deck of the flagship, The Pearl
Zirconn: I don't mind magic, but let's avoid any "my dragon is bigger than your dragon" type competition or the magic can get out of hand. I'll give you your fire-wyrms if you give me a magical beast of my choice when the time comes, okay?

IC: He could smell the roasting meat and pork from a quarter mile out where the Pearl was anchored with fore-and-aft hawsers on a rising sea, and even hear the songs of the men and tyhe laughter of the women as the feats got underway. But he himself was now stuck out here with Queen Sonya and Pesha aand some of their advisers. Bram, his comander of the inshore fleet stood hearby, his arms folded over his chest.

Ardriss was upset. What had happend in the woods was surely only an ambush by a band of defeated warriors, nothing more. No reason to miss the feast. Why was Sonya so upset? Why was Pesha insisting it was more?

"Sonya, you must prepare for another battle.. the wind carries the whispers of ambush and betrayel.. "

The Queen looked at her seriously, then turned away to consider. Ardriss approached her.

"Does she know whereof she speaks?" he asked Sonya in a low voice. "Were there another army about, would not your scouts have seen it? If they were asea, we surely would have seen them. No one can approach this shore without threading the islands of Paranor unless they come down straight from the North through the Damned Channel. Not likely this time of year I would say."

The Queen looked at him thoughtfully.

"In any case, Sonya, do not be stubborn at this time, with victory so close to you. Send envoys to Vaxaan. Bring Tearsmith to your side and he will be a buffer against any invasion from the North. Letting him rule is a small price to pay for the use of his army for your protection. Act before it is too late."

 

[Zirconn]

OOC: Dr. Mabeuse, that's cool with me. I envision the fire-wyrms to be only about the size of a small car, not like the Dragons, who are about the size of a bus. They're called fire-wyrms because of their red color, and the fact that they are born in the volcanoes. They can breath fire, but only to light stoves and small camp fires, that's about it. Mainly they are used to carry riders, scouts mostly, since they are not many. My use of them as an airborne force is limited to reconnaisance and perhaps flanking attacks, small and minor annoyance type of thing since these fire-wyrms can carry only the weight of a thin man, which is why the Riders of Svartr are small men, not the big bearded ones manning the boats. The main warriors are the ones on the boats itself.

 

[Sky Jade]

OOC: Just make things clear, Pesha is a Queen not a Princess.

IC: Sonya was quiet as she cleaned the blood from her sword, listening to the King and Pesha. She didn't responed yet but gave a low, yet high-pitched whistle. The sounds of flapping wings were soon heard and Sonya held her right forearm up, a large hawk of magnific beauty perched upon her forearm.

"I know of m'lady Pesha's people and their great intuition. As far as how Tearsmith is doing, he suffered far greater losses than my warriors. I have already sent spies after him. If you believe such an allience is nessacary, even temporary, then I shall consider it."

She pulled off a scrap of material of a budle around the hawk's left talon. She held it one hand as she unsheathed her knife and cut along her palm with the tip and used it to write a message. After a few moments of lettign the blood dry and rolled it up, placing it in a small cylindar on the hawk's back. She lifted her arm adn the hawk flew off into the distance, towards Tearsmith.

"I would suggest that we only celebrate for a short time and then prepare for battle once more. I shall take a envoy and Pesha to collect her force at Dawn. In the meantime, let's enjoy ourselves while we can."

She gave a smile and then waited for Ardiss to lead the way to the feast.


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[vbabe2001]

"I shall be the one to represent my warriors in battle"

- Pesha looked serious for a brief moment -

"My kingdom does not fight with their swords or their weapons, they fight with their minds and their magick"

- It was one of the few times Pesha actually took a serious instead of a soft tone. Her kingdom had remained nuetral and peaceful because they did not make confrontations. She however was willing to follow Queen Sonya for the time being, in hopes that peace would soon follow throughout the land -

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

In the meantime, let's enjoy ourselves while we can."

"A most sensible idea, my Queen" Ardriss said, his eyes lighting up. "Bram, have my boat readied. We're going ashore." Turning to the two Queens, he said. "My ladies, excuse me just a moment." and he disappeared below decks.

When he reappeared a moment later, he had washed and changed from his rough sea gear into a silk shirt and trousers, his ship boots rolled down. He was a big man, but he was not fat, and he was deeply tanned from life aboard ship. In his silks he looked more than presentable, and with the thrill of the victory and the companionship of the two beautiful and regal women, he positively glowed.

"Cast off." he said as he seated himself in back of the launch. "And row dry there, not a splash."

The launch moved over the choppy sea. The overcast was breaking up, and the face of the moon was cut by dramatic clouds, lighting them with silver light which was reflected on the water. Sonya still wore her armor, as dark as the sea, and the moon glinted off her armor just as it glinted off the sea. The moonlight was especially kind to Pesha as well, shining on her hair and fine features.

By the time they reached the shore, the feast was at its wildest. Bonfires blazed, and the whole steer had been cooked and butchered and divided up. The Pirate's men caroused all over the beach. The wine and beer flowed freely, and a general wildness prevailed.

Ardriss would have rather the Queens had attended the feast before it became this wild, but Sonya seemed not to mind at all, and Pesha in another world. A blue and Gold tent had been set up apart from the general melee for Ardriss and his guests, with one side open to the sea, and there they sat and ate and drank in the quiet, waited upon by Pandoran youngsters and maidens.

The three of them preferred the calm and quiet after the terrible pressures and exertions of the battle, and the sound of the surf and the silver light of the moon was soothing to their spirits. They were accustomed to one another's presence now, and enjoyed the quiet.

 

[vbabe2001]

- Pesha had her eyes on the moon for a long time, a soft smile on her face as she relaxed amongst the King and Queen. She strangely didn't feel out of place at all, it must of been the atmoshere which was now set forth -

" Where shall we sleep Lord? It is getting late and well rested warriors fight battles much stronger "

- The truth was, she found herself staring at him more than even she noticed. Earlier when he had first come out her heart was racing, he looked so handsome silhoutted against the moonlight. And Sonya, a beautiful warrior Queen with courage and strength unparrelled by any man.. she was truly fortunate to be in their company -

 

[Sky Jade]

Sonya had torn a strip of leather of her tunic and used it to wrap her hand to stop the bleeding. The wound wouldn't affect her ability to fight since it was part of the training of her people to fight even when wounded. She watched the moon as they were ferried to the ship, smiling to herself.
"A lovely night."

She followed by the King's side, enjoying the revel. Once they sat down at the table, she enjoyed the food to the fullest, though she was careful with the wine. She wiped her mouth off for a moment and nodded softly.

"Did you have plans for us to stay on your side M'lord?"

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[Zirconn]

Eirikr

He looked with eyes bloodshot from the lack of sleep. Only the silent sound of oars and sails breaking through the soupy fog that hid his Dragon Boats from spying eyes. The fog also hid the stars and moon, making progress slow. The men, “His” men, were under strict orders of silence, and they have carried out this order magnificently. Even the horses and Svartrs stowed beneath the decks were silent. Sometimes the monotony was broken by the sound of splashes. The splashes of sounding weights. The rocks of that lay hidden beneath the shallow sea were of a more danger to the boats than the ramming prows and ship-borne ballistae of King Ardriss’ ships.

There was a time when Eirikr lived for such excitement, the heart-pounding, blood-racing feeling before a battle. This was not such a time. The agony of the slow progress through the shallow seas of the coast ate into his excitement.

“What do you see with your bones, Joreior?”

“My liege, I see a woman’s face, strong and hard, aided by another face, another woman’s face, soft and strong as well…”

“Ah… the Demoness Sonya. But what of the other face that you see? A new threat unbeknownst? Tell me what do you see, Joreior”

The bones rolled out to the wooden deck in a rough tumble from the bag. Eirikr could see the pattern but he could not read from it. Joreior was his father’s Seer, and now his. Sigarr had trusted her, as did Eirikr now.

“I see a woman from an ancient race, a race from legend, now revealed to the eyes of men. The accursed magick users of Icitycle… My Liege… I can see no more…”

Icitycle.

Eirikr had heard stories when he was a little boy, sitting on his father’s lap, when the dancing fires of the hearth was low, casting long shadows. Stories of a long-lived race whose closeness to the earth gave them natural powers, powers of magick. But they were only stories. Only stories.

But Sonya was not a bedtime story. Sonya was his mortal enemy, and she was as real as he was. He kept repeating this to himself as the Dragon boats silently skimmed the waves. He was ready, and his men were ready as well. The night and the fog should hide the landing of his forces. The strategic coastal town and castle of Ribena was the target. It was close enough to Vaxaan if they need reinforcements, and had a deep-water port for his ships’ supplies and defense. The castle should provide a fine place which to launch small and effective assaults on small towns and villages to draw and spread out the armies of Queen Sonya. This time will be different. This time there would be victory for the Northmen.

 

[vbabe2001]

- Pesha felt strangely uneasy at the moment, her gloved slender digits gripped her lower arm as her emerald green eyes glanced out at the sea.

It was that feeling that you were being watched, your mind was being invaded, or someone was trying to find out more about you than you desired...

Her eyes were soft still however as she rolled her lip between her teeth, glancing at Sonya and then at Ardriss...

She shifted uncomfortably, remaining quiet and reserved as she bent down and drew an "X" at her feet, a soft spell left her pale lips.. -

"Light of Dawn, Light Of Day, Fall Upon Silence And Cast Away... "

- The magick would prevent herself from being seen for sure, and the fellow queen. As her race was female her magick worked best when aiding women -

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

Sleeping Arrangements? Yes. There were sleeping arrangements, but they were not the sleeping arrangements he would have liked. One big bed with a Queen on either side: those were the sleeping arrangements he would have preferred. The fiery Sonya on the one hand, the tender and gentle Pesha on the other. Now that would be a night worth missing sleep over.

But a dim and wary mood had set over their little gathering. Both women were concerned about something, and their concern had affected him as well, making him uneasy and childishly resentful that their concerns should dampen the joy of their victory.

And now he felt it too, a sense that things weren't right, that the battle had perhaps not been as decisive as they'd thought. And he knew, as all of them knew, that there was only one place that trouble could come from, and that was from the north. There was simply no one else who could mount a crdible force at this time.

The night wind had switched around and was blowing off the land now, a reefed topsail breeze, smooth and steady, and several times Ardriss had left the tent to scan the sea, looking for the lights of his picket ships to make sure they were on station, but of course they were beyond his horizon. There was nothing he could do about any of it now, and there was no sense worrying about the unknown.

"Sleeping arrangements." he said as he re-entered the tent. He thought for a moment of mentioning his own ideas for that, but diplomatically decided against it. "Yes I've had pavillions set up beyond the tide line. Inexcusably shabby for guests such as you, my Queens, but the best my poor hospitality can afford at present. If you are ready to retire, I will show you to them myself."

Did he catch a brief look of disappointment on the fair Pesha's face? What a spell she had cast on him, this slight, elfin Queen. Could it be that she too felt a need to be with another after the trials and tribulations of this long day. Was that a look of longing on her face? How could he tell.

In many ways it was so much easier dealing with Sonya. If Sonya had wanted company, she would have come out and demanded it. And that was what he was used to dealing with. But Pesha was so much more subtle, so damned feminine. He was at a loss of how to deal with her, and he felt an opportunity slippping like sand through his fingers.

"This way, my Queens. I'll show you to your beds."