King and Country

[Roland Gilliad]

Roland:the fools...orcs fo not listen to fancy words..they shoot first and ask questions later..i raise a burst arrow and fired it into the sky and nodded to the orcish chieftan who had seen the crest on the black sword.i drew it forth..the double bladed, two handed, Obsidien Sword that could never be broken. it glittered a bright blue in the pale light of the day. i readyed a small fireball behind my back incase they fired at glorianna..i will protect her..she must be protected..i knew what to do.i let fly the fire ball into the woods and guided it with my mind...i was gonna make em look like they attacked. i was going to see if i could save this trial

 

[Lady_Aline]

Glorianna, quite calmly, walked over to Roland and hit him straight across the face. Pierce actually had to pull her away. Rothrar and the others dealt with the raging orcs, wrathful that one of them had been killed.
"You stupid, stupid idiot! What the HELL whee you playing at? We could of been civil. We could have been diplomatic about this- they didn't even get the chance to say what they wanted to say- I didn't get a chance to say what I wanted to say. Of all the stupidiest-"
"Glorianna, please calm down." Pierce dragged his seething cousin and her pointing finger away from a bemused looking Roland.
"I thought they were going to attack. They WERE going to attack, your majesty," he said plainly to Pierce. Roland caught Vixen's eye, but she looked away, her jaw taunt with anger. Roland looked at his fellow travellers for support, hoping to see someone who agreed with him. Suddenly Roland thought that perhaps he was wrong after all...
"You did not think, Roland. That is your trouble. You act on impulse; don't you think sometimes that this impulse of your has let you down?" Said Rothrar. He looked at Vixen to say something. She glared for awhile, then tilted her head back to the sun, staring at no one in perticular.
"This is a peace mission. I think we have all forgotten that. So I say this, as your co-leader; we do not attack unless provoked. Do you agree?" She said, looking sharply at Rothrar. His eyes shot up; he did not expect a reaction like this from Vixen.
"I agree. And I suggest we get rid of the bodies..." But Mansard was already looking at them, waving across his point at the bridge.
"Look what I found!" He shouted. It was a scroll, with the seal of Daleland on it. But it was covered in orc blood.
Vixen opened it, and it read:

I send these orcs to you as protection for the royal kin; do not be alarmed. They are good, and part of my guard as protector of this land. By reading this letter I have assumed they are with you and doing their job.

It was signed The Patrician of Daleland, in big swirling handwriting. She gave the letter to Rothrar, who read it out loud.
It was silent then. Uh oh, thinks Marietta. We've made a boo-boo.
"Well, I never knew you could tame orcs," said Garret. Pierce glared at him at his lack of tact of the situation, and he cleared his throat and said no more.
"Let's move out," said Vixen. No one disagreed.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard being true to his word to Glorianna, did not draw a weapon against the orcs. The battle was brief, the orcs seemed ill prepared, not willing to fight. Dismounting he walks amoung the dead and spots a familiar seal.

He pulls a scroll from a dead orc. The seal is authentic.
Quickly reading the scroll he calls to the others.
The scroll causes the group to grieve at the mistake, but the small man isn't quite sure. He approaches Glorianna and bows.

"My Lady, the Patrician of Daleland turned traitor to the Grey One over a year ago. These orcs could have been here as escort..... or as an ambush. Did any one petition for an escort? How would the Patrician know of this mission? My Lady, in Daleland orcs are tolerated, but I've never heard of them used in this fashion. I believe the Patrician intends to stop this mission, and I wonder if one of us..... is working for him." Mansard bows and resumes his inspection of the dead. Passing Vixen he whispers. "This does not bode well!"

 

[Sith]

Sith

"We'll never know about that now. The last I knew, The Grey One has been missing for a long time, so maybe this Patrician just did the typical politician thing: try to do things his way. I'm not whom to consider him a traitor or not. I would say next time we try to talk. If it is just a bunch of lousy flee ridden orcs we shouldn't have much trouble." he said looking at all of them.
"But we must remember we where attacked by orcs before, the dwaerven ones..." finished Sith with an enigmatic smile.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard angers at Sith's statement. He faces Sith staring up at him.
"The Grey One is NOT missing, Snakeman. He will return when the time is right! I'll adhere to the leadership of this group, but I will NOT...deal with the Patrician, or any of his underlings."

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen was surprised at Glorianna's comment, however tactful. She was intimidating? Really? It took her a while to shake off this idea.

Vixen took in Mansard's words. He was not one to jump to conclusions. She took his warning seriously. She watched his defensive reaction to Sith's words and finally spoke up.

"Enough, both of you, we're not here to argue politics or religion, we're here to try and get too really pissed off kingdoms to talk to each other so that a major war doesn't end up destroying both them and us in the process."

She took a deep breath. "Glorianna is right, we've managed to spill a lot of blood already, especially considering we're here to talk." She glared at Roland, "we've all proven ourselves to be more than capable of defending ourselves, in future, NO ONE draws a weapon unless either Rothrar, myself ... or Glorianna specifically orders it. We can't afford to cause a war ourselves accidentally, and none of us want to be shot in the back because of someone elses exuberance..."

"We've got to keep moving, we're running out of light as it is. We won't be able to make it to the first village, but we should at least get through this pass before we set up camp again. If anyone has any complaints about these rules or thinks they'd rather be in charge, now is the time to speak or leave. I personally don't want anyone under my care that doesn't choose to be so."

She looked over the group waiting for a response. Roland's eyes glinted, his mouth curved gently into a smirk. He said nothing, and Vixen found this most vexing. What was he thinking? Planning? She hated that now he had taken on a snakes ability to hide his thoughts and emotions. She couldn't read this new face of his.

No one else spoke, she turned her horse and urged it into a canter. She'd let them decide whether they would follow or not.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

OOC: I NEVER ATTACKED! i threw a fireball to the side. i shot the arrow into the air.i never attacked them but you suddenly came up with a battle that never happened! yeesh...
IC:
Rolandohase one compleated. Phase two will move one my commands....
I quickly made an angry face
"My apologies dear princess. but diplomatics wont work in the real world." i snapped my fingers and said
"im riding ahead. i have arranged it so there wont be much trouble but Thieves can rule this road..i also have to pick something up in a nearby villiage. continue on until you come to the village. i will be there. YAH!" i said the word to shaddowfax as we sped off with lightning speed towards the village i stopped when i was safely out of range and i took out the scrying glass.
"Your eminence, how were my actions?"
a voice said
"Very good young snakeman, you have compleated the first trial. but in order to pass the second one im afraid you must stand aside."
i said
"Yes your eminence. i every thing in readyness?"
"Yes Sir!"
"then proceed to second phase of trials. this scroll should read the following, ' BOUNTY! 200,000 gold peices for the capture of the following people,
Vixen, Sith, Mansard, Rothrar, Glorianna. They are considered to be armed and extreamly dangerous. take all precautions. They all must be brought to me ALIVE!
signed,
Mikba II'
got it?"
"yes sir!"
"very good. proceed immediatly"
i put it away and rode towards the villiage.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

Her emotions were in shambles! The sight of those orcs and their blood being spilled was just too much. She felt a little guilty now for having hit Roland and she would have appologized, but he rode off. She urged Jafar to follow Vixen until catching up with her and then slowed him to a quick walk. Her mind drifted to a far away place. She was a young girl again, and there was blood everywhere, even on her hands. She was holding her mother's hand, but she wouldn't wake up. A tear trickled down her cheek and she dashed it away before the people of the castle saw it. She had to be strong for her people.

Her thoughts were interupted by the uneasy feeling she was being watched. She turned and saw Valdor staring at her. Damn the man, did he have to make such a nusance of himself. Glori decided the best way to make him stop was to finally have a private word with him. As soon as they made camp tonight, she would tell Valdor exactly what she thought of his attention!

 

[poohlive]

Why couldn't he remember? It only happened last night.
Garret rode pass the massacre, he had shed no blood, but he hadn't done anything to stop it either, he was just as guilty.
"Damn Roland," he said to himself. Garret made a vow to watch that man from now on. This was the second time he had enforced (not started, but enforced mind you)a needless battle, and they had only been out for two days.
Garret watched as Roland rode off. That was better, he couldn't put anyone else in danger, for now...
Garret looked over at Glorianna, her plans had failed twice, he could tell she was deeply disturbed by this, he wanted to go talk to her, but decided against it, some things people had to deal with themselves. Garret looked up, it was after noon. Garret felt his stomach rumble, but there was no time to stop, they were in a hurry to get near the first village.
Garret took out a piece of jerky meat, slowly chewing on it to suppress his apetite.
Wyld walked on, following the path herself. This gave time for him to think. Garret felt like he had betrayed the group, like he really didn't belong here.
The only thing he had done right so far was supply weapons, and now he wasn't even sure if they were all together good. Vixen seemed determined to prove they were bad, and he was starting to wonder if she was right.
Garret took out the trident, holding it in his hand. It was just a weapon, everyone else had some. He flung it in the air, watching it sparkle, he easily caught it. He couldn't get over how light it was. Garret tucked it back in his satchel.
Garret remembered that Lokken had wanted to talk to him earlier. He rode up, matching his horse to Lokken's.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Garret asked.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Dwarven Commander: yes sir i understand that this is for the good of the mission. we will move at once.i hope you know what you are doing...The commander cut off contact with roland
"ok men listen up! they will come by here soon and we ust prepare an ambush. 50 of alpha squad go to the left 50 of beta to the right. the rest of you will come from in front and behind. some one go inform the archers to be ready. Barlimen! is the magic sheild up?
'Yes sir no magic will be cast here!' very good Barlimen...now we will wait i will set up a mock camp here on the road. i will stand here with a few of my men until they come. when i shove my hat into the fire the jump out. Remember the Contract says ALIVE so we have to be careful. It was good knowing all you men and now for the good of Rolandos Mission we must Die in Honour! ah here comes the scouts. what have you to report.
'Sir! they are approching here and should arrive within the hour!' Very good. ok men remember, no matter what the young princess says we must attack when i give the signal! i expect no less than 300%!!!! ok men IN POSITION!

 

[Lady_Aline]

The Patrician was sitting in his office, gazing calmly over his steepled fingers at his commander of the guard, who was sweating nervously.
"What do you mean, disapeared?" The Patrician said in a calm, dispassionate voice, his gaze never wavering.
"Er... they... um, well they disapeared. I can only assume that they're dead." The commander wiped the sweat of his forehead, trying to stop his hands from shaking.
"Excellent deduction, Thersos. It's a good thing I did not employ you for your brains, isn't it?" With a sly, sacastic slope of his brow the Patrician got up and stared out the window.
"Those orcs were meant to deliver the royal kin on Elbonia and their entourage safely to me. The sooner I can deal with them, the sooner they leave. Do you understand? Ku'athra is not a happy man that they are even here," he said, without looking away from the view of the window.
"Sir, I'm sor-" started Thersos, but was quickly interrupted.
"Apologies are useless to me. Send my personal clerk and my secretary with an armed soldiers humans, not any of your ilk. But know this," and at this point the Patrician looked over his bony shoulder to glare at the captain, "if you and your orcs ruin my carefully planned agenda again you job as commander will be...terminated, in more ways then one. Do you understand?" Thersos swallowed nervously, trying his hardest not to look into such ruthless black eyes.
"Y-yes sir."
"Good. Do you job," and with that the Patrician sat down back in his chair, uninterested in the commander. Picking up a quill, he began to write. "Don't let me keep you, Thersos."
Taking his que, Thersos left to do the Patrician's bidding.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

OOC: i hope you read the Dwarven Commander talkign or are these humans the next test?

 

[Sith]

Sith

"I have no problem being *under* you, Vixen" said Sith to the assassin.
"She is right, this is a peace mission after all. Next time, wait till one of you at least has an arrow flying towards him, or somebody charging, and wait for Rorhtrar's or Vixen's order or Glorianna's." he paused for a second before going on "And the order is not accidental. Glorianna here is the peace expert, Vixen may be the expert in small groups warfare, and Rorthrar in general warfare. So according to situation, if they give contradictory orders, follow them applying common sense. Well, we should cross that path as soon as possible. Shall we go?"

 

[Sith]

Rorthrar

The paladin and the assasin lead the way. There was no love to spare between them, but both where professionals and could behave without bickering all the time. Rorthar was uncommonly silent, deep in thought.

Some miles away they saw a dwaerven post. Mansard smiled and accelerated a bit his horse.

Rorthrar, suddenly, made his horse go slower and said in clear but low voice "There may be trouble brewing up here. My detect evil is not really screaming, but it is insistently telling me that there is something fishy here. Those dwarves may not be evil, but they have some ill intention towards us. Thus said he made a small prayer and all the group was blessed. In case of trouble they would hit more easily and harder, and they would have increased defenses.

"But we should talk, as we said before. Maybe is nothing. But be careful, people." He turned around to look at Mansard, whose faster riding had taken him near them.

"Sir, I have heard that your people are very loyal and disciplined warriors, fearless in combat; but I've also heard that when their leader falls their prowess as an unit gets broken to smitherins and they just become individuals fighting. Is that so?"

Mansard doubted before replying, but the intensity in the paladin's look decided him to answer "Yes, but dwaerven warriors, alone or in unit, are an extraordinary fighting force..."

"Vixen," he said in an absolutely flat tone, "I don't approve of your ways, but for once they could be useful. You know what to do in case there is trouble."

"Well, one last thing " he said turning to tell the whole group "in case there is trouble I may feel it the moment it is going to start. The God of Order gives all his followers the ability to detect when chaos is going to start, and battles allways fall into that cathegory. I'll signal you. But remember, WE are going to talk first. Only if THEY attack we'll react, is that clear?" thus said he kept going on, he and Vixen and Glorianna distancing themselves a bit from the group.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Dwarven Commander:
"ey! you there on the road! what be your names?"

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

She leaded the trio towards the dwarven elves, and dismounted before their leader. She dropped into a curtsey more appropriate to a throne room than out here, but she wanted to show these dwarves the utmost respect.

"Good even good sir. I am Princess Glorianna of Elbonia, this is Rothrar and Vixen, my escourts. We only seek passage through this path. We are on a peace mission to the land of Ku'athra." She smiled warmly at the leader. She didn't realize how enchanting she was with her lady like ways and her eyes sparkling violet as the smile reached her eyes.

"Oh..." he seemed to have to clear his throat as smile lit upon her, but it did not stop him from dropping the hat into the fire.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Dwarven commander: "We've been expecting you...." Then all the dwarves jumped out to the left right and front of the heros. "you know you guys arent too popular these days. take a look see at this.." i tossed her and vixen the bounty scroll and the blood drained from theif faces

 

[Jonas]

Mansard paced along with the group eventually coming abreast with Marietta and Pierce.
"Your Majesties, how do you fare on this fine day?"
"We fare well Mansard. You travel in comfort I see." Marietta held back a giggle at the site of the small man laying back in his custom saddle.
'A long day's ride can be chaffing Princess. And may I say a fairer flower hath never graced these woods than thee."
Marietta laughed, the Prince was not amused.

"Mansard, you can be a nuisance." Pierce cast an inspecting eye toward him. Mansard nodded to the Prince.
"Majesty, I sense a bit of the Spartan in you. In my country we had a group of warriors, called them the Poofd..." Mansard seeing the dwarves ahead urges Lightening on, "My pardon Majesties I must see to this."

When Rorthan and Vixen take the lead with Glorianna, he drops back and watches. When the trap is sprung he draws his curved swords. Jumping down from his horse, he hollers, "I'll cover the right!" He rushes to meet the enemy screaming his battle cry!

"Mansard hold!" Rorthan's command froze Mansard. He stopped short of the dwarves, swords in hands, at the ready.

[Edited by Jonas on 08-01-2000 at 06:45 PM]

 

[Roland Gilliad]

BOUNTY SCROLL!

BOUNTY! 200,000 gold peices for the capture of the following people,
Vixen, Sith, Mansard, Rothrar, Glorianna. They are considered to be armed and extreamly dangerous. take all precautions. They all must be brought to me ALIVE! any other companions are to be eliminated!
signed,
Mikba II'
got it?" [/B]

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

She read the scroll and couldn't believe it! Her eyes returned to the leader, glittering with the purple fire of her anger. "Who has put this out? Why?" her words tumbled out in a little whisper.

"Ah well, he wishes to introduce himself personally."

Her mind whirled. It said they were be taken alive, but not all of them. The names not listed on the scroll were to be terminated. She wouldn't, couldn't allow that to happen. She had already lost to many people in her life. She wouldn't allow Marietta or Pierce to be hurt, which meant she would have to do something that went against everything she had ever believed in, everything this mission stood for. She looked at Vixen, praying the other woman knew what she was asking of her.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Dwarven Commander: well well time for the last part of this plan.

a loud energy burst exploded in the air
"and here he is now.. Presenting The Powerful, The Undefeatable, The Son of the Great Mikba !
Mikba II!!!!!"
a dark figure decended from the sky with a menecing Look on his face.
"I am Mikba the Second."

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Dwarven Commander: well well time for the last part of this plan.

a loud energy burst exploded in the air
"and here he is now.. Presenting The Powerful, The Undefeatable, The Son of the Great Mikba !
Mikba II!!!!!"
a dark figure decended from the sky with a menecing Look on his face.
"I am Mikba the Second."
OOC: this guy is supposed to look like Sephiroth!

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen saw the plea in Glorianna's eyes, but quite frankly she didn't know what the hell she thought she could do. They were clearly surrounded. She saw the names on the list however and knew what would happen to the others.

"If I may Your Majesty?" She deferred to Glorianna, never giving even a hint that she was any more than a willing servant to the crown. Glorianna, Goddess bless her, immediately put on her haughtiest look... she inclined her head regally in acknowlegement.

Vixen slid off her horse and approached the pompus elfen dwarf leader and addressed him. "Her Imperial Highness, direct blood of King Morbius, ruler of the green lands, divine hero of the Forest Fernwood, Direct decendant of the three bards... " Vixen paused trying to remember the exact tone the King's secretary had used... she looked down her nose at the leader... "has deemed it unfitting to speak to such a lesser... she... nay... the Kingdom itself insists that only the highest ranking officer speak to her Royal Majesty."

She bowed to the stunned looking leader... who turned to his second in charge with a perplexed look. He looked at the scroll again and was suddenly unsure of himself. Rothrar took Vixen's lead and with a most commanding tone... "Her Majesty Princess Glorianna of the five lakes has spoken!" He intoned gravely.

The leader of the dwarves stepped forward hesitantly. Vixen instantly brandished her twin knives. One in each hand, they glinted evily. She was quick. Very quick. One moment she was standing politely two steps before the leader. The next she had her arms around him. Her knives pressed insistantly, one against his neck, the other pointed at the soft spot between his ribs. He gulped and whimpered. His second in charge looked stunned.

Vixen's voice was deadly calm. "Would you be so kind as to call off your men please?" She asked in a sweet voice. The man in her arms was clearly too frightened to move. Vixen pressed her knives a bit harder. He felt that. With a rather high pitched tone he squeaked... "make the command!"
"BUT SIR!?" the second in command protested.
Vixen looked up... staring him in the eye. Her hands never wavered. "I'm well trained boy..." she hissed... "and I only need one knife for your friend here... as I count it... I have two... maybe you'd like the other... as a gift from her Majesty?"
His eyes widened at this implied threat... he wasn't stupid though. He made the command and two runners immediately went to take the word to the teams surrounding them.

Rothrar spoke quietly to Glorianna... "your highness... I don't know how long Vixen can keep them... it's quite possible that they'll attack anyway... while we have them on guard... we must somehow warn the others... if we are captured... at least we won't be killed immediately..."

Glorianna nodded... her hands shook... Rothrar took this as an agreement. He turned to Mansard who still looked primed for a fight. He signalled him, the man read the signal but didn't move. He glared at Rothrar as if he were a coward... or insane... Rothrar made the signal again... "GO BACK... WARN THE OTHERS... GO WEST... AROUND THE MOUNTAINS..."
Vixen shifted slightly. She was not happy. These weren't an assassin's favorite odds by a long shot. Her gaze didn't flinch... however... she really really hoped someone else had a better plan than hers.

Finally Mansard seemed to acknowlege Rothrar's command. He wheeled his horse and galloped back to the others. Rothrar sighed... but he had no time to relax. He looked at Vixen... still holding the leader. The men surrounding them had not moved. Rothrar saw the bead of sweat on her brow as she concentrated... every sinew in her alert for the slightest movement.

It came... two guards sprung in union at her. She cursed... with a quick spin... she elbowed the leader, a loud crack and he crumpled to the ground. She let her daggers fly killing both guards instantly. Blades quivering in their skulls as they too crumpled to the ground. She ran for her horse. Rothrar grabbed Glorianna's reigns and turned their horses... but they were already surrounded. Vixen heard the humming zip of an arrow. She was already half on her horse when she felt the burning sharp pain. She stiffled her groan as she felt the arrow deep in her left arm. Her eyes glazed over with the pain. She managed to get on her horse before she flexed her hand. Thank the goddess it hadn't done any damage to her muscles she thought. Her hands didn't feel numb. The pain was horrible thought. She felt the blood trickle down... it dripped off her wrist. She couldn't worry about that now. She had to make sure Glorianna stayed safe.

She took up a protective position on Glorianna's other side. The three of them faced the dwarves. The second in charge smiled happily at having captured them. He was sure to be promoted for this.

 

[Roland Gilliad]

Mikba the Second: i am not happy about being ignored like this.
"get them you Fools! Attack full force!" I flew towards the group of travelers who were currently in front of 3 of my best men
"hello MISS vixen. We finally meet. It would be wise to Surrender now, because..." i motioned behind me as a regiment of 500 dwarves came marching up the hill with the rest of the travelers bound
"I have your friends. you see miss vixen that i have not been happy ever scince you killed my father Mikba the Omnipotent. now that i have you my revenge will be sweet. young soldiers. you are now Liutennents Please oversee their ropes." they walked towards the small group and vixen became tense.....she didnt know what to do.....

 

[Sith]

Sith cast a shadow spell to protect his friends, but it fizzled. "They've got an anti magic shield here!"

Rorthrar laughed.

Rorthrar's blessing could be just the edge they needed to survive. Anti magic shield? So what, his powers came from the God, they weren't magic!

With his holy avenger out in his hand, his spiked shield in his arm, he said "We up the ante. 300.000 coins and you leave, alive! Fools, if you dare attack the royal family of Elbonia the God of Order himself will strike you down" he roared. He was waiting for the dwarf to accept the offer or Vixen to kill him.