The Seven Keys.

[Strolling Gecko]

Tildiir led us deep into the catacombs where the elven kings were laid to rest. There were many tombs, which made me wonder just how long the elves had been around. Cali asked a question about a tomb, a question that Tildiir answered very concisely. That was the king's way.

The engraving on the tomb Tildiir led us to peaked my interested. From my blood yields the wielder of the key. Now what could that mean. We certainly didn't have very many clues to work with. Lan wanted me to rescue Tana. She is important to our mission, but I don't know the full details of why she's important. I read the engraving again. I looked back at Tana. then to Ellie. Could it be possible.......

Movement. I thought I caught something moving in the corner of my eye. I turned my head quickly and put my hand on the hilt of my sword. I stared into the shadows, looking for anything that could have caught my attention. I didn't like this. I felt watched.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I took a good step back from the crypt, hands dropping the locket, my right flying to my whip, the left ready to flick a dagger into place just in case.
"Your Highness, what's got you so spooked?" I asked, violet eyes darkening with warryness. I knew that my expression matched one my Aunt had frequently told me was one my mother was known for when I was a child... the woman who had claimed to be my aunt at least. I pushed away the thought and returned to the present. "I got this locket along with my notification of this whole thing. I've worn it since- that was about a week ago. Don't know who sent it to me. Matches my birth mark though, which surprised me."

 

[LadyRozes]

If a person could get any paler.. Tildiir did. "but that is impossible .. do you have those .. notification papers with you.. I want to know where you got that from?!" Tildiir now was not acting at all like himself.. the normally extremely composed man just spent the last evening.. doing everything he knew he never did. ... and now of all times .. it seemed like his world was crumbling in front of him.. something just didnt seem right about this whole thing. ."What was on that tomb was mine.. I left it there when a part of me died.."

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I heard Cali ask Tildiir what was wrong. I immediately spun from searching the shadows and rushed to his side, my hand never leaving my sword's hilt.

"My leige," I asked as I approached him, "I heard a commotion. Are you all right? Is there any danger?"

 

[LadyRozes]

Tildiir turned to Ramas lost in his own thoughts and automatically replied in a very clipped manner, "No Ramas.. nothing that I cannot handle myself.. please .. I do not wish anyone else to disturb me .. until I am through speaking with this young one. .. its seems she has some information that is of great interest to me.."

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

Okay, now I'm really confused, I thought with a heavy sigh.
"I've got them somewhere."
I plucked them deftly from one of my hip bags that hung from my weapons belt. I'd never pulled them out after getting the missive. I tossed them to the king, staying well out of reach. I didn't know what was going on and I didn't trust this man, especially knowing he could order us all killed and there'd be little we could do.
"See- I couldn't make heads nor tails of the bloody thing other then that its common and I was supposed to meet up with Yris, which I did."
I reevaluated his words- "What do you mean part of you died? Did you loose someone important?"

 

[LadyRozes]

"I lost my heart .. the other part of my life.. " he trailed off as he looked through the papers.. when he saw the letter.. his eyes teared up... " I dont understand... I just dont understand how you got this .... it wasnt even meant for you.. that necklace.. was.. my guard's.. my personal guard.. she was also... the.. "his voice choked.. "she was the only person I ever loved more than my family.. .. but she died.. a long time ago.. I searched for her body endlessly.. but .. I couldnt find it anywhere.. she had the most beauti......" Tildiir stared at the girl's hair.. .. he stopped talking.

"Do you know who Tenora is?"

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

"Tenora?" I said, as if tasting the name. "Oh the royal ghost that was chatting with Yris who said I was growing up well? Yeah, we've meet. She's eerie. Said to give you her best, now that I think about it."
I sighed. "I think she knows more about me then she's letting on." My eyes rolled and hmphed. "I didn't know this entire thing was going to be a running 'lets dangle a carrot of knowledge before Cali to screw with her head' kind of ordeal. She could have at least said if she knew my mother or not... or knew what my father was for that matter."
I looked up at the elvin king. "I'm sorry to digress- I imagine this isn't helping you at all, is it?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir sighed. Stepping forward, he put his hands up, stopping the two of them. "Tildiir. Cali. Not now."

He turned his gaze on the Prince. "Yes. There, happy? Now, please, let us get through with this. We don't have all year for the two of you to go sidestepping through a conversation."

He turned to Cali, and poked her. "And as for you, young lady, all your questions will be answered, but not until after we have the damn key. So you and Ellie go about searching the tombs. See if anything seems to call to you. I mean, well, just go do it, okay?"

He sighed, and shifted uncomfortably, looking around and leaning close to her. He whispered softly, trying to make sure only she could hear. "And could you do me a favor and not mention the other night around the King? You'll understand later."

He sighed, and went over, leaning against a wall and watching. If the King of Cali put two and two together, huzzah for them. IF not, well, they'd have to wait until they had the damn item. Then Tildiir would know. He glanced back up at the writing, and then over at Ramas.

"...Yeah, really exciting, huh? We get to sit here and fiddle our thumbs. La-de-da. I just wonder how long it will take the two of them to go, 'Oh, hey, I wonder if that means...' "

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I glared at Yris angrily. "And you're being ever so helpful yourself at the moment? Why do I have to look for it? I'm not a mage, I'm not a magician or sorceress or even a magical juglar. Heck, I'm not even lawful some days. And don't you have to be the blood of that guy... wait... that's why you want me... oh dear...."
I trailed off, shaking my head. That can't be the answer.
I latched onto one of Yris' phrases. "Well this locket calls to me- want that?"
Ignoring his look of heaven only knew what, I did as I was told. I'd said I'd follow Yris and I meant it. Even if he was annoying sometimes. Was good elsewhere though, I mused with a smile.
So, off to buisness.
"How will something pull at me? I've not done this before."

 

[poohlive]

The last and final ingrediant. It would be one of the most powerful weapons Goven had ever had the simplicity to create. It was simply wonderful, divine, screaming with power only he could touch and feel.
Just the blood... a few drops of innocent blood. When those touched the wood, welded into the fabric of the black lightning running through it, there would be no more problems, no more worries.
He held it with him, wrapping it up in thick velvet, as he walked to the tavern. He ordered something, light and tasty, to occupy him while everyone else met. Would it be important? Well, it had to be. If they were to all meet like this, in no particular order from each other. Discretion had become a commodity, something they couldn't afford at a time like this. Things were drawing near.
They had already arrived, speaking with the king, word travelled fast in the court, with all of the back stabbing going on. He could hear it.
It sickened his stomach. They knew royalty, which meant they had their foot in the door. He had twinges of hate for that stupid Bitch Nexus, making him wait, forcing him to stay under the covers with her. He could have taken care of this last night... yesterday, hell, even before that.
But, he loved her too much. He already wanted to bed her again, the clothes itched on his back, pleaded with him to get back with her, love her, take from her that which was his. He needed it, it was already a part of him.
He drank, shivering, and waiting for the rest. They needed a plan now, cause things were beginning to unravel.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir shrugged, and looked around motioning her on. "I have no clue. Go, touch everything, handle all the goods. If anything just,...'feels right', take it, I guess. I don't know. Just go handle everything. It might not hit you unless you look at everything. You know, kind of stick in your mind later on. It might not hit you until we get tired and want to leave."

He shrugged. He moved to Peloor’s tomb. He glanced at the previous King of the Elves. Watching him. "I thought the poison did terrible things to his body before he died? His body looks perfectly fine. Or is that some effect of the elvish burial rites? Or was what I heard exaggeration. I must admit, because of running into your sister the night before, I never got my audience with your father, and by the time we got back,..."

He stopped, and looked over towards the King a moment, before turning his attention back to the body. "I'm sorry, Tildiir. You've had to suffer through alot of loss, lately. But every night is followed by the dawning of a new day."

Yrismir reached into one of his beltpouches, rummaging through its contents and clenching one item in his hand for a moment before letting it go and looking over the other members of the party. He wondered how many of them would live through this Race.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I looked at Yris, annoyance clear on my face. "Okay- something I feel. Clear as mud that be."
Shrugging, I started rumaging through the tombs, which should have bothered me more then it did. But they were just bones and shrouds, nothing sticky or gooey so it wasn't too bad.
I left the locket alone for now- I didn't want to insult our host by handling it, at least not just yet.
Had a feeling something was here, but then I often got that around vast amounts of treasure, I mused, holding up an ornate scepter for a moment. Nah, not this, I thought, setting it down and continuing my search.

 

[LadyRozes]

Tildiir's eyes followed Cali everywhere, .. after what Yris said... it was .. to shocking to even react.. .so he let it by... af of right now... he was concerned with helping them find the item. "I do not know if this will help it helped me... with figuring out .. where it might be.. but lan wrote this message to me ..

"The Key to one's greatest defense is only as strong as his weapon.."

He looked around the tomb and then realized what Yrismir was talking about .. "My father was buried as an old man what I see before me .. is someone I have never seen before except in memories with my mother...but how can this be..."

Just then you hear a really loud crash and scream from the back tomb where cali and Tana were rummaging through the pretties...

Ellie came running over, she was next to the other tombs and realized that the tomb that was supposed to have been for the King that had participated in the race.. had fallen open .. it was empty... simply empty.

Tana so embarressed at what she had done, had developed tears in her eyes and just whispered, "I just touched the outlines.. I didnt do anything..I was .. l-looking at it .. a-and then.. i-i-it just fell over.. I didnt d-d-do anything I p-promise."

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

Snider waited for everyone to assemble into his room at the tavern. He nodded over to everyone and then started to pace back and forth. "Up until now I could have cared less as to who was on the otherside trying to get what we were.. but .. now we have complications.. I happened to go through one of my contacts only to find out that my filthy disgrace for a brother is alive.. but right now that is not the issue.. the issue is that I believe the other side.. is looking for the item right now.. they havent found it ... and we were looking for it in the wrong place anyway.. it is in the crypt of the Kings. I believe that if they cannot find it.. then we should go down there as a group when everyone is occupied with other things more.. in the flowery nature..."

Nexus sat listening as seethed inside... She hated the fact that this fellow was leading us, but she had to admit that he had a point. "Then let us meet in the catacombs.. after the leave them.. this eve.. and see what we can find, you never know we may find what they wont."

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Micaelae,Ambrasia,Lucia,and Cecilia

The four had trooped into the tavern and taken up opositions in different parts of it,listening quietly to everyones discussion.


Mostly none of them had any problems with teh plan,though the two sisters were still abit ruffled from their last meeting with Snider,though they were disguised at the time.


Micaelae steepled his fingers togethor and leaned forward,watching the others curiosly,especially Goven and Snider.

Goven was obviously addicted to the newest of their team,whoever She truly was.And it burned Snider,Micaelae could see it in the man's every pose and shift of voice when he addressed Goven or the woman.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I looked at Tana and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, its okay."
I looked down, wondering if elvin craftmanship was all like this.
"Its an empty crypt hon, not like you distured the dead."
I looked at the dust settling and the astonished looks on everyone's faces. "Okay, at least not much. Oy, Your Highness, isn't there supposed to be something in this though? A great king who ran this race before us?"

 

[LadyRozes]

This just did not seem to be Tildiir's day .. first he gets roaring drunk .. then his relatives come and drop the biggest crisis since his father's death .. and then .. he .. he wasnt going to think about that now it wasnt hitting him just yet .... but then here was the kicker now .. there's no body in the tomb?!?!?! WHAT?! "b-but how can that be?! ... wait.. maybe it's hidden .. or I dunno I really wish my father were here now to give us advice.. or at least someone to help me out.. I have no idea how to help you.."

He sighed and turned towards his father... "Why couldnt you just stay and be king.. you had bee for over five hundred years the longest anyone had ever reigned..why did you leave me!?!?..WHY?!"

He turned to the astonished faces of the others.. "All I ask of you all is to stay be welcome in my home.. and I invite you all to the ball tomorrow eve. I believe it is said to be very exciting.. "At this Ellie snorted then covered it up by coughing. "..I promise we should be able to figure it out by then. For now.. LEt me have the servants give you all rooms in the palace.. I am sure you will be needing to rest after your long journey here." His eyes went over to Cali then continued, " I would love tolearn more about you all when I properly attired and in better form .. I apologize for my lack of .. ehh.. formality.. Im not good with that .. " With that he asked everyone to file out and then called for servants to get rooms for them all.

Tana tugged on Tildiirs sleeve still unshed tears in her eyes, "May I share a room with Trianna .. I am scared of staying alone." When Tildiir heard that his eyes softened.. Humans were so young and fragile.. he nodded not saying anything.

A few hours later

A servant knocks on Cali's door with a small letter in her hand, "His Excellency wanted me to give you this.."

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I looked up and shrugged at being told we'd been invited to the ball. Joy- formal dresses. Gag.
Oh well, I thought with a shrug.
I was shown to an opulent room, oddly away from Yris'. Perhaps my host was trying to say something, I thought as I cleaned up. Grave dust- not a flattering accessory on me. Who would it be flattering on?
I was pulled away from that odd question by a knock at the door.
I sighed and put my belt back on, securiting it before opening the door.
A servant stood there, scroll in hand.
I broke the seal and read the short not, uneasyness building inside me. Something was brewing here... I knew not what but something. Perhaps it had something to do with the lockets, my mother, and Tildir... though what I was afraid to think.
I pushed a lock of hair behind my ear, making my earring flash for a moment. Something was going to happen, didn't know what.
Might as well go meet it head on, I decide with a decisive nod.
I looked to the servant, "If you would be so kind as to guide me to his Highness, I would appreciate it greatly."
She nodded and lead the way, silent in a formal way. Why were elves so stuffy? Must be the ears, I mused, following her. No one else had such sharply pointed ears.
We came to the king's chambers, the servant knocking, opening the doors and shooing me inside before leaving.
The room was just as beautiful as the rest of the palace. There were more homey touches though, a carved wooden ship here, a double ax that seemed familiar there. Nicer then the reception room I'd seen earlier by any means.
I bowed to Tildir. "What's up, King?"

 

[poohlive]

"Can you believe it?" Goven was talking to his ogre now, who crouched in the catacombs, the ceiling being very high for anything except an ogre. Poor thing didn't have much of a comfortable position.
In the ancient cumblings of the place, the ogre seemed as out of place as Goven did.
"He said 'where we've been looking' What a laugh. Where we've been looking? Who's been looking anywhere besides me? Who's been doing anything besides me? He's playing politics while we're out there fucking fighting and taking down shit, and all of a sudden we're looking in the wrong place."
He sat down here, grumbling, waiting for others to arrive. It had a uneasy quiet feel here, like the dead whispering to them from all sides. Tork gave a huffed breath, nothing more. The closest an ogre could get to being afraid was to just rather be annoyed at the situation. Better than nothing.
If Goven knew where to go, he would probably leave the rest behind. He had spent far too much time waiting for them, their rules, their quirks. HE should go alone, make his own way, barrel down through all of this, and leave them left behind.
Except...
Except Nexus. He would take her with him. She deserved to leave this horrid place, and he would make her his, forever. He would follow her to the end of the earth, with nothing more than a whisper of promise. She had him wrapped around his little finger.
He no longer even tried to fight it... it was useless. His will had been decayed down, rotting and filtering until all that remained was a scary simple child, who could only say yes and huddle in the corner.
"I am damned, Tork."
Tork gave another huff of annoyance.
"Yes, you're right," Goven sat down next to his friend, "You're right."

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Lucia and Cecilia


THe two sisters melted out of the shadows then next to Goven,the small lantern Lucia held suddenly brightening the area around them.

"Hello there Sir,Lord Micaelae sends his luck,and of course us on finding the artifact,Lord Micaelae and Lady Ambrasia will stay at the castle and in case word of our doigns down here should be found out,there will be no reinforcments from the castle."

The two looked aorund a bit and shivered,pulling their black cloaks closer over their forms.

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

Snider camed slinking from the shadows Just as Nexus slipped through the crypt. My goodness its so nice for us to come where my talents will be needed" Nexus replied. "Now.. where is the weapon we are supposed to get?"

Snider walked around the crypts and then felt a sudden prickleing along his spine.. He knew they were close. He could almost taste it.

Nexus wandered towards the older crypt, and saw the inscription on the crypt.

From my blood yields the wielder of the key.

"What do you suppose that means?" Nexus looked closer and saw that the tomb had been handled. "This tomb was opened recently. SHe pushed the tomb cover over like it wieghed nothing but a feather. "Its empty.. do you think our adversaries have already found what we are searching for..??"

"ITs not possible..?? I watched them until they had left and they were as baffled as you are.. Although I didnt know the crypt was empty.." Snider replied

 

[LadyRozes]

Tildiir had changed to look more presentable then had sat down to wait for the servants answer. Just as he heard his door open he saw Cali entering he sighed. He had no idea what to say , but he knew he had to find our sooner or later.

"I apolagize for my behavior earlier.. everything has been quite shocking. ... What I want to know is where you come from ... what have you been doing?... I know you part of the Rogue guild.. but .. I simply wanted to know ... "

Trailing off Tildiir couldnt seem to get out what he really wanted to know.. but he knew there was a way for him to find out for sure.. but he thgouth that would be .. awkward .. and very untrusting.. perhaps they would find out sooner rather than later.

Barely a whisper Tildiir finally bluntly simply asked, "Do you.. know who I am... to you?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir would have liked to talk to Cali, but he was busily pushed off into a room some distance from her own. And he had a fairly good clue as to why. In the crypt, when she and the King had been talking,... It had all suddenly fit together so perfectly.

But he hadn't had a chance to talk to her. And, thinking about it, it really wasn't any of his business. Well,... Perhaps a bit his business. After all, if it came out,...

He grunted, taking a sip of the tea he'd asked prepared for him. He was staying in the room he'd been shown to. He wasn't one of balls, and he certainly didn't want to go poking his head out in public if he didn't have to.

He might go, just to keep an eye on the others, but still...
His mind drifted back to the crypt. It wasn't unusually for bodies to be buried apart from their crypts. If they fell in battle, or died on a ship that sank, or just to keep their bodies from being desecrated in later years.

He wondered about the crypt. Normally he'd go back to poke around. But with his disguise it would be difficult to go alone, besides the trouble of being admitted and leaving the royal crypts without the King's permission. He looked at the small pot of tea on the tray the servant had brought, tasting the thick flavor of the brew on his tongue.

It was difficult to make correctly, and obscure, but whatever cooks were in the Royal Kitchens had made it perfectly. He nodded to himself, and glanced to the door once before turning his attention fully to the tea.

 

[poohlive]

Weilder of the key? Hmmm, interesting. Did the heir have something to do with this? As far as Goven knew, Tildiir was the only heir to these kings, he had no son or daughter.
Could Tildiir be the only man able to weild the key?
No, that made no sense. Why pick champions who couldn't even touch the objects they were looking for. But that meant... someone inside the champion side has blood related to the old adventurers.
Interesting... yes.
"Well, we know we're looking for a weapons. That's what we've been told. To me, that says sword. Unless of course, it's a magical weapon... which is should be, in which case it could be something like a ring or a necklace, but I wouldn't imagine anyone calling a necklace a weapon, no matter how powerful it made the person who wore it."
Goven moved through several of the tombs, picking up weapons at random. Swords, maces, lances, even a few of the shields, just to be sure they weren't part of the bloody curse as well. Nothing seemed to grow of any interest on him, however.
He had nearly gotten them all, and thought his design worthless, when he stopped at the tomb encased in glass. He held a sword between his hands. A very old, very distinguished old king. Goven licked his lips.
He cast a simple soundless spell around him, and asked Tork to shatter the glass. Tork did so, and would have made a horrendous racket with the thing, if it hadn't been for the spell. Glass scattered all over the floor.
He reached inside, grabbing for the sword.
"Now... this is nice," He said, holding it in both hands.