Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

It was only about ten minutes before he managed to get a car to take him to the airport, and was in the air. The flight didn't take long, Vladamir spent the entire time polishing his sword. He didn't look up, he didn't say a word to anyone.

He simply polished his sword, and tested the weight of the powerful sword in his hands. The sword of St. George himself, one of the last of the great wizards, like Mongrel. He chuckled to himself at Mongrel's new monicker.

It fit him so well.

And then they were on the ground. New York. He glanced around the big city. He had an address in mind. He rented himself a car, and put his weapons in the trunk before shoving off. He didn't have to deal with customs, thanks to a few carefully pulled strings.

After a few minutes, he arrived at an apartment. He locked the door, dumping his weapons on the couch, and sighed to himself. He went to the phone, and carefully dialed a number. After a few minutes, he dailed a new number for a cell in New Orleans.

"Yes?"
"Is the Great One there?"
"No, he wished to stay with memories."
"In the morning, have him call his New York residence. I have,....important news."

He hung up, and turned to look out a great window at the city.

"Oh, yes, this should be easy. Don't I know someone who has connections in this city?"

 

[Shotokan07]

Wrong place...sorry

Forgive me Grand...

 

[Shotokan07]

Wrong place...sorry

 

[Shotokan07]

Wrong place...sorry

 

[VandalHeart]

OOC: Looks like I missed some stuff

(OOC: OK, to my recollection, Gumo was supposed to get kidnapped too, so I'm going to attempt to make up for that now.)

"And why exactly should I just 'come on down,' as you say, Willow?" Gumo asked as he beganwalking slowly out of his room, searching for where Willow was. The thought crossed Gumo's mind, I should have killed him when I had the chance.

After a while moving around, Gumo realized that he wasn't going to be able to identify Willow's position until he they were right on top of each other. Fine, he thought, he has the upper hand. Perhaps if he thinks this too much I can get rid of him once and for all.

"Are you there, Willow?"

 

[poohlive]

"Of course, rest. Get some rest, I think it would be for the best. The bed there is as comfortable as any you'll ever sleep on. I'll leave the door unlocked, in case you need anything. Just knock, or come on out here. We've got a chef on board, and a weapons tactical specialist that can make just about anything with an empty water bottle and some duct tape."
He gave her a wink, retreating to the door.
"Good night."
He closed it, moving to one of the fore cabins.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: SweetP didn't want to wait... and I wanted Lance to get some sugar, hee hee.


Willow gave a bit of a laugh, "I'm over to the side... no, your other side. Nevermind, you couldn't see me unless you know what you were looking for. Listen, you can do whatever you want. I'm not forcing you to do anything, but the thing here is, I've got back-up this time. I'm sure you can take down a few unsuspecting guards just fine, but these guys already have you in their sights. Across the street, walking down below, checking in. You see the ice box at the far end? Someone's hiding behind it.
"The real question is, Gumo, how quietly do you want to go? You can choose how easy or how hard you want to make this for yourself. I offer you a nice and easy ride, of your own will, back to the airport, or you can fight your way kicking and screaming... tooth and nail, like a little 5 year old brat all the way. My job will get done either whichever you pick. Don't make this too hard on yourself. You are already a shit sandwich with that little stunt you pulled back at the airport. Give yourself some dignity in the end, dear friend."
As that was said a limo pulled into the minute parking lot, the engine still running, and a man getting out, leaving the door open.
"Maybe you want to check it over with Aria first?" He laughed at that, braying harder than he had hoped. His own little joke, which would be shared soon enough.

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: Might as well, I am on a roll.



Mongrel stepped into the small room, where Keith sat, bandaged up. Strange goo all over his body. Almost a red texture, bloody, but thicker. It reminded him of strawberry jell-o. The smell though, like rotting flesh, made him sick to his stomach. He had puked three times in the last hour alone.
At the end it was just raw bile and spit. Dry heaving, the worst feeling in the world, if there was a feeling worse than lurching one's insides out to the world.
Perhaps there was, dying for one.
"So, how are you feeling." It wasn't a question.
Watery eyes couldn't see the man as clear as he would liked, but he could still feel the power in his voice, and the menacing tone that underlined everything from his speech to the way he stood opposing the doorframe.
"Worse. I don't think they gave me medicine."
"They didn't. Not any kind of medicine you know of. It'll help heal you though. I'm just not sure what to do with you once you're all better."
That hung heavy in the air, a dense cloud that was sucking the life right out of the room. Keith tried to swallow, but the action brought more of that rotten eggs smell to his nostrils, and he had to force his stomach from giving it up a fourth time.
"I didn't... I didn't..."
"You didn't what? Kill my men? Come in with all guns blazing like some sort of cowboy? You don't even know what you did, did you? Just followed orders from some crazy vampire you happened to hook up with, is that it?"
"He said that I should be brave."
"Did he? Well, that may be true. You are brave. Taking down two vampires? Even for another vampire that's good. I'm sure most men would have peed their pants and ran for cover. You have got more guts than I imagined. Maybe I should make you work for me? Maybe I should make you replace some of the men that I lost today?"
Mongrel let his hand come up. Wicked magic running loose between his fingers. Keith didn't know what it was, but he could feel it was bad. Like knowing a stove was hot, or a t.v. was turned on, even though there was no picture. He knew he didn't want that man to touch him, not with whatever flowed through his fingers.
"No... NO!"
Mongrel gritted his teeth, "Not so brave after all. You'd make good food, I would say that much. Leave you to the guards, they haven't had a feast in a long time..."
Keith sat there, holding his will up, trying like hell not to shake, and not to puke once more in front of this man.
"No, they wouldn't want you. Tainted meat, as they say. Virginity isn't just with the sex, you know? It's also of the mind. There is a foul sort of taste when a human learns about vampires. A darkness in the blood itself, like that of knowledge. You have tasted the forbidden fruit my friend, and I, much like God himself, banish you out of Eden. Leave. Within the hour. If any of my guards see you here again, they will not hesitate to kill you. You go back home, and you pretend this never happened. Deal?"
Keith nodded before the man had finished. A way out of here alive, that was all he asked for at the moment.
"You're good at pretending, Keith, I know you are."
Again Keith nodded, as Mongrel left. He had a crazy thought entering his mind as the man left. He had never told him his name was Keith. And yet, with all the shit he had gone through in the last twenty four hours, that seemed the most sane thing to him. He laughed at that, as the doctor came in to get him ready to leave.
A new pair of clothes, and that fucking goo washed off his body, and Keith ran from the premises, back into town, and back into civilization.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

As soon as he shut the door, I sagged in relief. "Thank god.." I mumbled quietly. Glancing over my shoulder a little more, I could see the glass box in the corner. Dammit!

"Lance?" I moved off the bed and down beside him. Taking the tylenol and water in hand, I offered it to him. He needed it worse than I did at this moment.

"Will these help at all?" I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Nothing could help against the silver. I knew that. Sitting back, I set the glass and pills down, my hands shaking as I ran them up and down my face. Knees drawn close to my chest, I tried to think of what to do?

Weapons? Food? Good hell was this guy for real? Looking down at Lance, unmoving and very evidently in pain, I swung my legs and laid down beside him. My eyes searched his face, noting the paleness and blood on his lips. His face was twisted slightly in pain, his breathing appeared shallow as well, "Tell me what to do.." I whispered.

Feeding him wouldn't help, I couldn't free him from the silver..

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

Smiling warmly at the couple joining us I squeeze a bit closer to Ray and make room for the man at my left. I turn a small smile on my lips, "My name is Nyara,and my friend here is Ray." The man introduces himself and his friend and we all begin a flirtacious conversation. I am just warming up to the handsome man when I sense someone watching me. My back straightens slightly and I begin a slow look around scanning the crowd. Something wasn't right......I begin to tense up slightly and send a mental tap to Ray along with a sense of danger. Feeling him jerk slightly I can tell he is now scanning the crowd himself although we are both seemingly enraptured in the conversation.

Just feed and go, I thought, and there'll be no issue"

I could sense the words and the ring on my hand was suddenly hot, looking down at it I realized it was glowing. When I looked up at the gentleman he looked a bit alarmed. I pointed up to the ceiling, "They react to blacklight" I smiled a bit fully on guard now. (What do you think RAy???) I mind sent giving the man a warm smile and leaning closer to him to keep him interested.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo glanced over his shoulder at the icebox, and saw the glint of gunmetal. He turned again in time to see the customer at the front desk stop looking his way. They wore the confidence of armed men, but not so much that they would overestimate the situation. He was in a crossfire, and there was little to no way out. When the limo pulled up in front of him, he had already hung up and told his assistants that they should find a different hotel. He didn't tell them why. With a smile on his face, he put his phone in his pocket and climbed in the limosine.
"So, if I may be so bold, where are we headed, Willow?"

 

[poohlive]

Willow nodded his head, as the limo came around to pick him up, along with few other men sitting inside the nearly cramped limo space.
"Good lord, so much technicalities. One would hardly think it necessary..."
Willow nodded his head, as a man took out some manacles.
"Don't worry, they aren't laced with silver. Just protection on our accounts. Mongrel doesn't want any more of his men needlessly killed."
He took out a small glass of champagne, offering him one.
"We're heading to see Mongrel himself. You have a meeting already scheduled. I'm just the man to make sure you get there all right. Mongrel wants to settle the bill about your little frolick on the airport the other day. A private jet is waiting, and we'll be there in no time. You just sit back and relax, everything will be taken care of."

 

[poohlive]

Lance pulled his head up to her lap, to rest in comfort other than the floor. It was a hard tile, and cold as well. Something that made him think of a butcher floor. Easy to clean up if a lot of blood is spilled.
He could have easily thought of a doctor's room, or a kitchen, but for some reason the horrid massacre of a butcher's block roe in his mind.
Sadomasochism at it's worse, where only pain and suffering dwelled in the hearts of those who used the instruments.
"I'm fine, really. I've been in this shit long enough to know how it works. Don't worry, you just save your strength. When the time comes, you'll need it. Every little bit you've got. I'll help you too, I'll help you. Together we'll get through this, you just need to be strong for me..."
He could feel a dark blanket hovering over him. His eyes refused to work, and his body no longer took directions from him. He called out to her, but wasn't sure if she heard him.
A short dance, but one with spectacular rhythm.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Adjusting a little, I let his head fall into my lap and bent my body a little around him, hoping to offer some comfort. I couldn't feel his pain but only imagine it as he fell silent and lay still as death.

Glancing down at the silver manacles, I wished for something to get those off of him. No such luck, it was never with me it seemed. Mind flashing images now and then, some of it made sense but when it came to the first quest, little was recalled clearly.

Reaching down, I picked up the pills and popped them, downed the water and tossed it out of the way. Reaching up as best I could, I tugged on the blanket and pulled it over Lance's prone body. He had to be cold, the tiles were killing me and I wasn't weakened. It felt like I was sitting on a damned ice cube.

The ring began to softly glow on my hand, wasn't sure if it was for comfort, warning or show? Not caring at the moment, I laid both my hands on his head, stroking gently as I would have soothed my son had he been hurt.

I blocked the fresh image dancing before my eyes and focused on something else. I guessed within the next hour or so we'd be landing. Lance hadn't shared with me a single detail of his plan, only wished me to remain strong and not break down. Easier said than done, I wasn't really into it this time around... Didn't want to be. Damned memories weren't worth this shit.. but be that as it may, if I didn't recall, I'd more than likely he here anyway.

The tall stranger in the next room said Mongrel wanted me delivered unharmed... that didn't mean he wasn't going to harm me himself.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo watched as Willow's assistant began to place the manacles on his wrists and shifted his body a bit. All of a sudden Gumo looked dead...cold, pale and nearly motionless, his eyes glazed over as a strange rigormortis set in. The assistant looked back at Willow with a confused look on his face, and was startled when Gumo spoke.
"Don't worry, it's just a precaution."
The man continued to lock the manacles into place and then set back once he was finished. When offered, Gumo graciously accepted the champagne, imiately sipping it without bothering to check for poisons or sedatives. Willow could guess he didn't need to: those things don't work on the truly dead.
"So I have incurred a bill have I? Well, I'm sure that if it were merely monetary in basis, I could recompense it here and now, but I take it the good sir had something else in mind?"
Gumo fixed dead eyes on Willow and it was arguable if Gumo was attempting to creep the other man out, or if that was just how he looked in this state.

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

The phone rang just as she was crawling into bed. Sighing, she grabbed it quickly and answered.

"Hello?"

"Good, you're there. I have a job for you.. Someone needs information."

"Jordan?"

"Who else would it be?" He laughed as if he made a joke. Saying nothing, She sat upright against the wall and sighed heavily. The night was still young, no real reason to go to bed. So may as well?

"Alright what's the job?"

"Word came in through the grape vine a natural born wants information and is pullin' all his strings to get it and get answers."

"This is important how Jordan?" She tried to hide the annoyance from him but it was hard, he always went on and on and...

"He wants information on.. hang on let me find the paper.." Listening to a bunch of noise as he shuffled through papers, She wondered what was so important? And why this guy would be important? Natural born or not, he's just a stinkin' vampire.

But he may be an old vampire.. The thought gave her chills. She spent alot of time avoiding the past for a reason, she'd be sure to stay hidden..

"Ah here it is.. Ring Bearers.."

"Come again?"

"Ring bearer's."

"And?.. Come on Jordan give me more than that!"

"I would if you would be silent a moment.. what's gotten into you anyway? You never talk this much?"

"I'm tired." she lied.

"They are specific rings, he thinks there is a few of them in our neighborhood. Silver in color but white gold. Gaelic writing. He wouldn't tell me much, just said look for odd glowing."

"And who did you hear this from?"

"Mike down on oaks."

"Mike is never reliable.. You know that Jordan."

"This guy is paying big bucks for the info."

"Who said? Wait.. Let me guess. Mike?"

"Yeah." She pulled from the phone from her ear and glared at it.

Idiots.

"I can't take the job, I have another already."

"Who? How?" He sounded stunned by that.

"None of your concern but thanks for the tip.. If I see anything I will be sure to let your man know." She hung up before he could respond. The ring, she knew it. She had seen one tonight.

Christian.

Now what? Tapping the phone antenna against her lip, she mulled over her options. Does she go and meet this natural born? Does she hunt down Mike for answers? Jordan was useless, he was a go between.. Did she warn Christian? Why would she warn Christian? This guy could be another ring bearer.. What ever the hell that was!

It did spark something however. Something in her mind. Jumping from the bed, she moved towards her little scrap book and turned on the lamp over head. Pulling out a six inch book from the shelf, she began fishing through the articles and such, looking for something.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He sighed, relaxing back onto the couch. He played a few strings, and he'd see where they went. If he got something back, it was good. If not, he knew where he should start searching, in the gaps. People liked money, a little too much.

And Vlad had a lot to give. He licked his tongue across his fangs, and sighed. He was relaxing on the luxurious couch in a crisp pair of trousers. He hadn't cared enough to put anything else on after his shower.

He was waiting. He glanced over at the telephone. Barely an arm's length away. It could be out of the cradle and to his ear in an instant.

But it wasn't information he was waiting for. It was something bigger. Bigger than him, bigger than Mongrel, bigger than any plan for world domination or destruction ever conceived by anyone. And so he relaxed, knowing it would come when it should.

He didn't know it, but he looked very natural, laid out on the couch. He yawned. "Well, it's time to sit back and wait. The spider is smart, and worries more of his web than the flies."

 

[poohlive]

Willow rose his glass, in toast to the man.
"You are smarter than you look. Everyone knows it's not about the money, it's always about the principle. Money is a lowly supplimentation, but honor, and pride are priceless. Unless of course you are with the wrong people."
Willow laughed at that, as they rode onto the airport with a private jet waiting.
"And, my dear sir, you are with the wrong people. Let's go. I want to be off the ground in ten minutes."
He left for the cabin, leaving the others to watch the man as he made his way safely to the plane.

 

[poohlive]

Lance woke up, pulled through dense fogs of consciousness until at last reality grinded him to a halt. Twinkling hazel eyes opened to himself stretched along a wall, half fallen over, half leaning against cold granite. Chains made him look like he was sitting, when he couldn't feel any of his muscles doing a bit of work.
Bars enclosed the small room, filled with nothing more than corners of hard rock. Hay stringed about along the floor, and what looked more like a hole in the ground than a toilet was in the far corner.
Someone had etched home sweet home in small letters above his head. He smiled at that. A nice touch.
Outside of the caged cell, Sebulba sat, reading something. He seemed to be lost in thought, and didn't take notice of Lance's awakening. The door, although capable of being locked harder than any vampire could ever hope to get out, hung open like a rotten tooth pushed to one side, screaming to be pulled.
It looked so out of place.
He looked so out of place.
Bloody, bruised, his hair wet from what he hoped was his own sweat, but probably something which he didn't want to know. His chains, not entirely silver, didn't give him much pain. They were just laced, he could feel it. Tempered steel littered with small pieces of silver, just enough to keep a vampire from breaking them.
Mongrel had been waiting for this a long time... the sheer carefulness of everything showed that. He had been planning for every such situation. A full assault in any country within a given time, torture, capture, death, and even ressurection.
"Good, you're awake," Lance focused back on Sebulba, who looked at him with a pleasent toothy smile, which made Lance want to scream at him. If he had more strength he would probably do something more, but at this time it took all he could muster to keep his head from falling to his chest.
"He'll be wanting to see you, both of you."
Lance looked for Aria. He could see her next to him.
"There you are, I thought I had lost you."
He reached out for her, but it was a lousy attempt, and instead he just swung back and forth in his original position.
"Just a minute, I'll go get him."
Lance winced at this. He had been running from this man for over a thousand years, and in all that time he had relived this one meeting over and over again. Never in his mind did it end up with him winning. Mongrel was too strong, too smart for him. He was destined to kill the fucker, and even he thought it was impossible.
Everyone had their faults, but this man? Lance couldn't see a thing that would help him.
"Aria, how are you? Are you ok?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Sitting in the corner, I watched both men as I sat there in the silence. I didn't like this place when I was on the other side of the bars... It was worse now.

"Yeah, I am alright.. You passed out and I couldn't wake you.." An explanation to how we got here. Uncoiling myself from the corner, I moved over to Lance and sat back down.

I glanced at the open door, knowing it was pointless to try and walk out of here. So instead of making an ass of myself, I sat with him and waited for Mongrel.

This did not look well, Lance was weak, I was no match for Mongrel myself and the big guy said little to nothing since they landed and arrived here. Merely escorting her to the cell, placing her and lance inside and sitting himself down.

"We don't have much time if any... " my hand took his, wishing I could give him some of my strength. "What are we going to do?" I watched the hallway, watching for the big guy and Mongrel to return.

We were basicly at the end of our journey now, some how sorry didn't seem adequate enough to say for this mess. I didn't know my fate but I could guess Lance's was painful and possible death.

"Don't tell him Lance, whatever happens.. Even if they use me to get to you.. Don't tell them anything.." I urged quickly before our guests arrived.

 

[The GrandMage]

Shadows in the Mist

He awoke to the knocking on his door. He pulled himself from bed, and unlocked the door to his room. Opening it, the knocking continued. He made his way to the stairs, holding tight to the rail as he stumbled downstairs. As he got to the front door, he tore it open.

He was greeted by a sharp gasp. He was pushed inside, and the door was closed and locked. "Great one, you should dress!"

He moved towards a chair, and managed to sit down. "My things are upstairs."

The man rushed upstairs, and after a few minutes returned. He stood, and the young druid helped to dress him, telling about Vlad's latest call-in. He held out his hand.

"Dail for me." He listened to the sounds of dialing before putting the cell against his head. He listened to Vlad, and said little. After a few minutes, he handed the phone back to the druid.

"We go to New York."


Lord Vladamir Trepes

He laid himself back on the couch, and sighed. That was done with. He had moved the forces so that they would meet. Now what would happen would happen. He needed only to wait and see, and then he would know what he was to do.

The phone rang again. He reached over lazilly, and lifted it to his ear.

"Yes?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

"Yes?" The voice on the other end gave no hint to anything other than being a male.

"Hello. I was told you were seeking information or help to locate some ring bearers?" I paused, waiting for him to answer me with a definate yes or no. Then I could decide what to do from there.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

The voice on the other end was female. He looked up at the ceiling, and let a leg fall from the couch onto the floor.

"Well, yes, that would be true. Although I only really need one. But being able to talk to several of them would probably be very helpful."

He paused for a moment.

"So, do you want to tell me now? Or perhaps you'd like to meet me somewhere? Or maybe you want to talk of money, first?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

"Money is always first, but in this case we'll discuss it after you tell me why you want someone hunted down for a ring? I want to know details, enough to know if it is a dangerous Job and foolish. Or if it a simple little deal I can quickly get done.. And before you think about calling someone else.. There isn't many who will sell information in this city to a stranger.." I sat back fully against the wall, still hunting through the scrap book of articles. Somewhere in here, something 'supernatural' had happened and was in the tabloids.. I needed to find it.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

"I need to talk to a ring bearer, get one of them to come with me. It's vital to have one in order for me to get where I need to go. And it shouldn't be dangerous. At best, I just need to talk to them. At worst, well, you don't have to be there."

He glanced over at his pack. "SO, why don't you tell me who you are? I can tell you who I am. Then we won't be strangers, eh?"