The Kindom in Chaos....

[LadyRozes]

Once everyone had assembled into the room that Lily had been resting in, Tenora began her tale..


" I am sure you have all heard the tale of the Gods...No.. then perhaps I will give a a little glimpse of what has been going on.. You wonder why .. The Wise One chose to help you... perhaps.. this will help in the understanding of it all....

a Long time ago when the Gods lived in an existance and the mortal realm had not yet been created... the gods had little to amuse themselves... then to amuse themselves they created the mortal realm...

At first everything was at peace the gods enjoyed and amused themselves by watching over them... a few of the gods refused to be amused they wished to torture the realm and make them slaves to worship them... thus there was a war ..

Finally the gods that neither wished nor cared what happened to the realm reached an agreement... every millenia there would be a great "Race" seven "Keys" were scattered on the earth and the good gods and evil gods were allowed to choose seven mortals that would enter this race...

Each had to find all the components and find the portal to the sacred temple then complete the ritual that their respective gods wished.... whether it be a portal to open their realms into the mortal one or keeping The harmony for another millenia...

The winners of this race were granted immortalily and then they would ascend after a millenia for their duty was not done after the race... it was their duty to find the next seven and train them for the race... the seven chosen or ancients scattered over the world .... each went a seperate path... few became kings or priestesses ... or recluses it didnt matter....

The losers werent gifted with immortality... they were given the knowledge and they kept this knowledge to pass it down from generation to generation. It was up to the Gods to find the next seven for their side of the race.... "

Tenora stood up and started to pace.. "What does this all mean.. and what does this have to do with anything... well.. the young woman laying in the next room.. was attacked .. by Someone .. the Wise One had thought long dead... some how... this person .. managed to find a way to live.. or rather.. appear to live... ...

The King's heir is extremely important.. and must be put back onto the throne.. if he doesnt get put... then the Kingdom will plunge into Chaos.. and this is exactly what the Evil Gods want. They wish to take over the realm without .. winning the Great Race... and... they will succeed if Tildiir doesnt ascend to the throne.. this is way The Wise one came to help..."

She stared at everyone ... waiting to see what ..they would say.. or do... really... it was a matter.. of pride for Tenora .. to make sure these people understood the seriousness of this all..

 

[The GrandMage]

Relissa and Yrismir

Yrismir began doing calculations in the back of his head. No, was she saying? He prayed, deep within himself that she was one of the Gods, and not one of the Ancients. He watched Tenora carefully, and stood closer to her, planning on dragging her to a side after the speeches were over, as he had a lot to talk with her about.

"I am a servant of the Wise One. If this is the way she wants to world to work, I will ensure that it works that way. If she wants this heir returned, I will slaughter those who stand against her will. Thus are my vows."

Relissa grunted at the half-breeds oversimplification of the matter. This was very important. The entire world depended on them getting the Prince back safely. And Relissa was firmly resolved to make sure the entire royal family turned out safe and sound. This only further backed her resolve to do what was needed.

She nodded to herself. She would face these evil Gods themselves to make sure the royal family, the Kingdom, the entire world itself, stayed in the powers of the good Gods.

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Ivellias
Ivellias listened quietly,wrapping a particularily nasty cut on hsi arm.
He stepped forward a bit and smiled widely,simply at tenora."i know im not much,but if i can help im in,ive already seen whats happening from all the unrest.If it means finding these "keys",then ill do and give everything i have to get them,and ill swear an oath to that." He looked around,seemingly a bit embarresed at talking in front of all the assembled important persons."well?i do!"He said defiantly and shifted foot to foot a bit,a hand runnign along the smooth wood of his shepherd's crook out of nervous habit.

 

[LadyRozes]

Smiling at Ivellies Tenora said, " Thank you we are going to need all the help we can get...For now .. I need toknow that you all understand that this is not only for the elvin kingdom... "

 

[Third Magus]

Delbaeth shrugged, his face grim.

"Gods, magic, quests. They don't matter to me. What matters to me is keeping my vows and avenging..."

His voice trailed off. He didn't complete the sentence. Instead, he stepped behind Liliana, and addressed her.

"I swore to follow you to the end of the world. So shall it be"

 

[Strolling Gecko]

Lan and Jasmine

"You know I'm a part of this until the end, Tenora." Lan's voice floated into the cabin. The group turned to face him. "I apologize for our lateness. We were.....detained."

Jasmine stepped out from behind Lan. "If Lan is in this for the long haul, then so am I. I owe him my life." She looked to Lan, who was looking back with a slight smile. Lan turned to face the group again. He and his new apprentice were more than willing to fight the good fight.

 

[LadyRozes]

Liliana bowed back and went into the other room to check on Anya, only to find that she was awake and sitting up in her bed. After Three whole days of slumber her best frined Anya woke up.

Lily rushed towards her then sat next to her bed curling her arms around her gently, "Oh I'm so glad you okay... "

Anya Let LIly hug her, and was silent for a few more minutes until she said, " They know we are looking you know....They wanted me tell them wish one of us was you... and since I told them I was... they.... well no matter.. .they dont know anything else.. just what they knew before..."She looked around mechanically .. as if nothing else bothered her..

SHe stood and picked up her clothing and slipped them on strapping everything in place and slipping daggers everywhere. slowly the pile of weaponry dwindled to nothing, Turning she looked at Lily and asked the stunned princess, " Where is everyone lse, " Numbly she pointed to the other room, Anya then headed that way and then stopped.

She turned and looked towards Lily, "Are you comming?..." when Lily didnt say anything... Anya's tony features softened a littel and said, "Come on ... I'm Okay I promise.. really ... There are more imporatnt things to do than worry about me... especially after what I over heard..."

Smiling Lily hugged Anya then nodded and said, "Dont leave me again like that okay?" Anya Noded and said "i'll try not to .."

"we need a plan ... we are about to dock soon so .. lets see what we should do first..."
Together they sauntered into the room with the others..

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Ivellias headed into the room,where a few of the others were assembled.He took a seat in teh abckground,sitting in a small lil nook,staff resting across one shoulder lazily.

 

[LadyRozes]

Tenora, Anya, and Liliana


As the ship docked the isle two things happened that the guards of the Port had not expected. One the "slaves" that were to be sold walked off the ship as free people and two the slaves that were to be sold... were sailors that were dropped off at the doors of the auction building.

Tenora led the way to the tavernt aht she knew from the last assignment she had been given to come to this dreaded place. Every where you looked there were slaves being sold. Ogres and Orks walked around holding chains that were connected to coloars of human's and elves.

Tenora had warned everyone that if they were going to walk around that they should do so cloaked no matter how hot it was.. No one would question hidden people ... The isle was made for people that wanted to disappear from society..

the group headed towards the decrepid looking tavern and banged on teh door. An eye level slot opened and Teora handed a letter in, minutes later the door opened after what sounded likea few dozen locks being opened.

Once the door opened the group headed in... This was what the group had been least suspecting.. Everywhere they looked the place was covered in royal fabrics the floor was carpeted with lush carpet.. everything was very well crafted. THe Tables were sparkling .. and .. the place.. was empty..

A fat dwarf walked out of the back end and greeted people, "Welcome welcome it is good see you come come .. there is much that we can offer... what can we do for you..??"

Tenora took the hood of her cloak off, "Brockin it is good to see you .. its been a long while..."

The dwarf's face went from extremely excited to quite pale...

"Relax I am only here to get room and board.. I promise.. " She held her hands up... to show that she wasnt holding any weapons..

"B-but How did you find me.. "

"Do you honestly think I would just let you go and not keep tabs on you... well my companions and I need rooms.. "

"O-of course.. p-please.. coem this way.. how many rooms do you need?"

"I would assume we will need about five rooms."

"Come this way ... " He led the group to a hallway where there were rooms along the left side. The whole place was glittering with wealth. Everything looked as though it belonged in some sort of palace.

"Thank You Brockin.. "

"will you be needing... " Tenora turned around and looked at him with a look htat killed the thought from being uttered even. THe dwarf sputtered a bit then finished,"...of course what was I thinking.."

"T-these five room a-all have d-door that ajoin to a center room .. Which is a lounge usually ment for p-p-private p-p-p-partiiiies"

"That will be all brockin .. we will see to ourselves thank you.."

Tenroa motioned everyone to head into one room then enter into the central room. Motioning with her fingers that no one was to say anything she wandered into each room ... a few minutes later she came back and let out a deep breathe ..

"Okay we are safe from any harm here.. and we can speak..."

Anya looked around and jsut spoke "How did you find this place? It looks like a gold mine in here"

Tenora smiled.."I have my secrets and you have yours.... NOW WE NEED A PLAN OF ACTION.."

"Right " Lily took out a piece of paper and unfolded it .. she motioned everyone to gather around it. The paper unfoled so it covered the entire table and she said ... "This is a map of the isle... we are here... " motioned to a building that was not far from the docks..

"I dont know exactly how we are going to find the place but we are supposed to look for a tower... now as you can see on the map there are at least a dozen towers all over it... the question is .. how do we start looking..."

"where in the World did you get that map Lily?" Anya demanded.

"The Wise one Gave it to me.. she said we would need it.. "

"So What's your plan..Lily?"

"...Well I hadnt exactly got this far yet ... was hoping everyone else would have an idea."

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir and Relissa

Yrismir grunted, looking over the map. He turned his gaze up to Tenora and scowled. "As much as I hate to say this, it's too much to cover as a group. We shoudl probably split up, and check each of the towers."

He frowned, and moved to the other side of the room. "Of course, this is a dangerous place. I suggest the Princess remain here, guarded by Tenora while the rest of us search..."

 

[LadyRozes]

Lily and Tenora just glared at Yrismir.. and if looks could kill .. Yrismir would be in bad shape...

"I dont believe that it would be nesscary for all of us to stay here.. I mean .. we can all go out in groups and then see to it that we can cover more grounds.. we dont have to stuck in here just because of some danger... I mean its not like I would get killed or anything.."Lily trailed off after Anya adn Delbeath gave her a version o ftheir own death glares...

"I dont believe its safe for you to leave either Lily... I mean ... " Anya shifted uncomfortably, " It seems that no matter where we are people are hunting you... if we keep you safe then .. at least we wont have to worry about you.... as it is .. I am beginning to think that we should have left you at the wise one's where at least we wouldnt have to worry about what happened to you.. adn we would know that you are safe..."

"Just hold on one minute .. you are NOT going to go out and find MY MOTHER and BROTHER without ME!!!" Lily declared giving Anya a well known look that Anya knew meant that she wasnt going to budge from her position no matter what anyone said...

Anya looked away and turned towards the window at the end of the room.... her arms wrapped around herself and it looked as though she were staring off into nothingness...

"I understand that its important for you to find them after all they are your family... I cant say I know how it feels to lose a family since I never had one except the one I adopted on the streets ... so I guess what Im trying to say is that I dont wnat you to have to go through... go through....... well I just dont want you to get hurt.. " Anya explained quietly.. Her hand hastilly wiped a tear that slipped down her cheek before anyone else noticed it. She had been very serious and not very liek her old playful self here.. IT was as if a light was missing in Anya .. someone had snuffed the candle out inside of her ...


Tenora explained her plan of action to soothe the two from creating any uncomfortable moments.. by changing the subjects.." I say we go in groups of three. and three of us enquire about the towers.. and then the next day the next three.. this way ... there will be too many groups inquiring about the same thing that no one will notice a few asking serious questions.. .. of course we will have to make disguises... and ... be subtle .. but .. you know.. we all .. .."

As that moment they heard a knock on the lounge door...

"Who is it??" Tenora demanded..

 

[Saucy_Chris]

Daeron had followed the group to their current position. Deciding that if he remained undetected by them, he could gather what information they knew and combine it with the information he'd already gathered on the bandits. He had waited outside the window, listening to the argument about which way to keep the princess safe as well as successfully covering a large amount of ground at the same time. He chuckled softly, admiring the princess's ability to imitate her mother, the Queen, when she wanted something.

He moved then, deciding this would be the best time to reveal himself. He moved around to the front and knocked on the large lounge doors, pulling the hood over his head to hide his features in dark shadows. He pushed the doors open and slowly entered, the light in the room glinting off of the pendant that he wore around his neck. He stood there, casting his head down to remain hidden in the shadows.


"Maybe we should forego asking silly questions to the townsfolk? The talk going around town is that you've already asked enough questions to be annoying and cause unneed suspicion to be cast upon you all."

He reached up, his nimble fingers plucking at the hood and casting it back, revealing his elven features to the group, his eyes moving across each of their faces slowly.

"Maybe we should just sit and find a better plan of action.. aimed at tracking the bandits by stealth instead of by questions.." He smiled, closing the doors shut behind him.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir and Relissa

The man hadn't even fully shut the door when the wood split, Yrismir brought the Bastard sword around, leaving its edge under the man's chin.

"You have two seconds to explain yourself, before I seperate your head from your shoulders in a very unpleasant manner."

He grinned, a wicked grin that came from his orkish blood. A grin that showed he had no problems spilling blood. The man had made a sincere mistake if he thought he could simply walk into the room.

For a moment, he had been driven by pure need to protect the Wise One, though few would know who she is, now. Even he had to remind himself.

Suddenly, a noise brought him to a half-turn. Relissa, who had recognized the man immediately, brought a fist around to Yrismir. He kicked out, but she caught his leg. He wrestle with her for control while still trying to hold his sword on this newcomer.

Things were becoming complicated.

 

[LadyRozes]

"Wait!!!" Lily screamed... " I recognize that .. pendant... You know my father dont you?..."

Tenora was about to say the samething To tell Yrismir to not kill him .. but then she remembered where she was and just who was doing the leading in this operation.

Anya turned her head from the stranger to Lily and then back to the window.. it was apparent that at this moment .. she would have demanded to know exactly everything that Lily was hiding from her, but she couldnt... may it was safer for her .. the lesser she knew the better it was going to be for everyone.

Her eyes glazed over Delbeaths form.. she had felt so awkward... she wanted to tell him that is wasnt his fault.. if she hadnt been so prideful nothing would have happened to her.. but she didnt knwo how to approach him.. he always had that .. stiff demeaner.. It was like Anya had hidden her normal rambuncktious self underneath a hard shell of seriousness.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Shadow of Evil

The sound of creaking wood filled the darkened room. Dirt, wet and filled with nutrients was piled thick on the floor. Orbs of magic lit the room with a dim light as they hovered in the air.

The creature that stood before the large mirror was frightening indeed. Freed from his prison, he had little time, and much to do if he was to succeed with his plans. A great hand came up, passing in front of the mirror, dark magics forging a link between it and a mirror belonging to the Betrayer of the Elvish King.

The mirror's surface glowed, and then took form, showing his servant in the Palace. He listened to the minion, and growled, his face contorting to hideousness so terrible it killed the weak of heart. His voice roared out in anger. "YOU LET HER GET AWAY!? You fool! The Princess, with a band of adventurers!? Could you be any more stupid, or would that require too much effort from you, you pitiful fleshbag!?"

A great hand thrust out, pointing at the mirror. The face moved close, filling up the receiving mirror with his visage. "I'll tell you what I know: You have failed me. And failure is not rewarded."

The floor within the room his servant was in cracked, and broke, vine snaking up the object in the room, wrapping around the betrayer to the King, growing thick and strong. Thorns grew forth, digging into flesh, and the face in the mirror grinned at the pain on the receiving end. In a flash the vines turned to fire, burning the wounds they caused shut, and lighting the room aflame.

"You have failed me once, fool. If it ever happens again, you will not live to realize the true horrors you have brought upon your own head." Flames jumped up in the room as the mirror went dark, and then turned to simple reflection.

A great hand passed over the mirror in the darkened room again. A similar face appeared. In a quite different room. In the background, screams could be heard. "How goes things there?"

He got a report of the heir's questioning. Nothing still, though he had faced a great deal of pain. His mother and his bodyguard had been beaten before him. He could hear his mothers scream, and was forced to watch his bodyguard, who felt so much love for him, as she was raped. Horrors mounted upon horrors. The mirror was brought to the Prince.

The creature grinned at his obvious pain. "Surrender. Tell me what I want to know, and this will all go away. I promise."

Once he was satisfied that again nothing would be gleamed from the royal elf, he passed a hand before the mirror again. A pitiful man showed up. He was the Captain of a slaving ship. He listened as the man grovelled, bemoaning the takeover of his ship, loss of his crew, the way the adventurers had slipped through his grips.

With a growl, the dark magic was strengthened. A great wooden arm reached out, a few branches and leaved as well, grasping the pig's head in its grasp. "Failure is never rewarded."

With a sickening squish, the man's head was crushed. He pulled his arm back, and licked the warm blood from his hand. Waving a bloody hand before the mirror once again, he began searching. Eventually he came to the place where the Princess and the others were. He connected to one of the windows, and saw the little prize the Captain had given him.

His hated enemy had snatched her away, but not for long. He connected with the mirror's reflected surface, before her face, and put his own grinning face in the mirror to make sure she would see before severing the link. It would due no good if the Wise One should happen to catch him there.

He rubbed his chin with his clean hand, shifting position and listening to his branches and leaves move. He grunted, and passed a hand before the mirror again. It connected to a small room. He saw his minions gathered there.

"The Princess has come to the Isle. She has several others with her. Kill the others, bring the Princess to me. If possible. If you have to kill her, do. Don't push things off to take her alive if it's too much of a hassle. There is one with them. She has great power. Be careful."

He brought the connection to and end, and turned to where a few of his minions stood, awaiting command. "Get the tools! I need a good pruning. And then! Then, we prepare to sow death. Death and destruction. For the Evil Gods!"

 

[LadyRozes]

The Betrayer

"I'll tell you what I know: You have failed me. And failure is not rewarded."

"Yes master she slipped away.." Shaking the Betrayers.. squelled as the vine wrapped around his body and scorched almost him to death.."

"I promise master please... please.. I will try harder.." The Betrayer gasped out.. as his body slumped over the he crawled over to his shelf and grabed the flask ful of dark green liquid. popping the cork he downed the contents. His face distorted as the potion took effect and the skin once more showed no sign of any scorchings.. grumbling to himself he muttered" I swear .. I would kill that overgrown shrub if I could.. by god I wish that piece of wasnt so gifted by the great God Gilgagresk.."

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Ivellias leaned over to look at the map also,hat tipped back,blinkign and looking over the amp wiht mild interest,not oen for cities."is there anywhere where the towers are circled in 6's or 7's?maybe one of them has one in teh center,or some other form of shape?i dunno jsut a suggestion"He shrugged,looking around the room,eyes taking in teh obviously rich establishment

 

[RoneLith]

The shadow of Evil

Rei looked in disgust at the creature before her. Truly her need for money made for some interesting encounters. She was no minion of his haveing neither been created by him or signed any contract stating she was in his complete service. The money was all that mattered to her. She had come here first since Evil useally has more money to spend on Mercanaries like herself than the typical good people of the world who looked down apon people like her. Still one has to earn a liveing doesn't one. This evil shrubbery held not true power over her but the promise of a large pay off was more than enough to gain her support, just how much was a question.

"I want fifty thousand peices of gold for my service," she spoke quitely and calmly not even bothering to bow or get any kind of tool for the shrubbery. Her voice almost had a glow to it, if sound could actually glow. It was soft and light with a hint of seductress, definately the voice of nobility. She was worth every gold peice she asked for, those that had hired her in the past always benefited.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Shadow of Evil

There was a sound of creaking wood as he moved, towering over the mercenary. Leaves rustled as he bent down to look at her. His face, never beautiful to begin with, had been made even more horible by its conversion to wood.

"The one they have with them, with power, I want her dead. If you kill her,...I will give you two hundred thousand pieces of gold."

He stood back up, and yawned, moving across the room. He pushed open the dark doors that led to the horde of treasure at his disposal. Light glittered of of gold, and jewels. A great wooden arm reached in, its brother following it. He hefted a heavy chest from its place among his treasures. He brought the doors closed with a slam, and went back to the mercenary. He dropped the chest in front of the mercenary, it's side splitting, raining gold and gems across the dirt of the floor.

"Kill them all. Take this for the trouble, you can get the two hundred thousand when you bring me her head. Be careful, she's more powerful than you could fathom, and the half-orc with her will fight to the death before he lets her get harmed. I trust in your skills."

He leaned down, putting a hand on the chest and holding it to the ground. "But if you fail,...or should betray me,...I will send you to the deepest pits of Hell for all eternity."

He stood tall, turning back to the mirror. "Now go. Kill."

 

[RoneLith]

She looked at the horde of gold in front of her and smiled in side her mask. Quickly she casted her spell of sending, about seventy-five percent of the gold and jewles dissappeared from the floor, the rest she scooped into her bag of holding. The smile faded as he heard his threat.

"Unprofessional swine!" she said. "We have made a deal of money not life. I have sworn no oath to faithfully serve you, I serve gold, and while you are free to give the gold to whomever you choose, I am free to cancel the deal when I choose. Should I choose to do so your gold will be returned to you. Threaten me again and it shall be your last. Next time we meet I hope for your sake you have better manners than to treat me with such utter disrespect." She stood and paused before casting her spell on her self. "You have no idea just how strong I am, I fear no wizard or mage or any creature of magic, for I am magic." She disseapeared from sight glad to be away from such an ugly creature. First thing first, it is time to learn about our targets, she thought as she appeared in a small clearing just outside of a small forest town.

 

[The GrandMage]

Shadow of Evil

He threw back his head, laughing at her stupidity. "Oh-ho! Stupid little bitch. She doesn't realize how powerful we are are, does she? Well, she'll find out. Either she do as she's told, and learn learn that my enemy is more powerful than she can imagine, or she'll cross me."

He glowered, looking at his mirror. "And then she'll learn that I can cast spells she couldn't reproduce if she bent her entire life to the task."

He snorted, and one of his servants rushed up, preparing for his master's grooming. "Do you think she can kill the Wise One, Master?"

He laughed again. "No. But she might be able to kill her guard. He's the only one who seems to know who she is, except maybe the Princess. And as my other minions focus on the Princess, the others will group to protect her. Maybe, with mys support and the others trying to protect the Princess, I might be able to kill her. In her own country, it was impossible. But like I knew she would, she went out to help in this cause. With her and the King dead, and the Heir in my grasp, I can begin the task for which my God released me from my damnation. And I will have my revenge, as well, on the bitch who sent me there!"

He roared, and threw his head back in laughter. His minions entered, ready to perform the task of grooming their master. He stopped laughing when he saw them, seething.

"It's her fault. I was sent to Hell, and now look at me! Encased in a tree. Oh, she will pay for this. And pay well."

 

[LadyRozes]

Anya looked back at her reflection in the mirror and then suddenly screams and scrambles back as far as she can.. the image of her attacker.. still permamently eched in her mind... Her eyes glaze over and she knocks into Daeron she turns and ..attempts to get a grip on reality. "S..s-sorry I-Im not myself.."

"I will come for any mission you got LIly just .. I gotta ..g-go right now."

She scrambles out of the room and heads into the one she shares with Lily.

Lily looks at Anya her eyes filled with so much sorrow. Her poor friend has become a shadow of what she once was. Shaking her head she wonders what exactly she needed to do to make her become the old mischieveious Anya.

Tenora watches Anya and clenches her teeth .. if she can she will make that horrible what ever pay for what he has done to the poor innocent child. THinking later .. she would have her vengence later... First .. finding the Heir was most important.

Looking at Daeron she says, "Any better ideas ????"