The Seven Keys.

[LadyRozes]

For the duties that you have done for this kingdom.. you have won the heart of the liege of this kingdom. I know how much of what I give to you now is that of somethig that you have long dreamed of.. but today before all these witnesses.. I grant you... knighthood. In this kingdom you shall be known as Sir Ramas Vae, heir of Lan ... Do you accept this and will you vow to uphold the responsibilities unto you?"

Tildiir looked up and for a brief moment his eyes slid over Nexus's form.. still he struggled.. trying to find way and how he saw her.. Looking across from her he saw his daughter Calixte.. there was still more yet to do this night.. but .. he would wait until after the knighting.. it was always best to first shock the court with something odd and unsuall ... then secret out at the end.. he looked forward to watching what his enemies will do... Again his eyes slid over nexus's form.. he couldnt figure out why his body was reacting to hers so much.. it was only a few more moments...


****

Tana froze at the sound of the voice behind her.. she knew who's voice it was. One thing was for sure she never expected to hear it ever again...The offer that the scary man made her never would appeal to her.. and yet she didnt understand why he was so kind to her... wasnt it a few days ago when he was ready to hurt her and buy her... and wasnt she afraid of the man???

she didnt want to react outwardly so she simply turned towards him and shook her head slightly then slowly slipped into a seat next to Trianna. Her eyes went to growls and wished that he was with her now.. so she could curl up into his warmth and feel secure... for after only a few days of peace .. Tana was ffrightened once more.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

When Tana took the chair that Ramas had so recently vacated, Trianna took her eyes from the ceremony and looked down at the small girl. She was surprised to see a frightened look on her face and looked around the room seeing only what appeared to be an elvin noble close to the table.

She was puzzled but, looking up at Growls who was standing in the doorway, his teeth bared silently growling, she suddenly felt uneasy. Though she had been suseptable to the magic, Growls could sense something wrong.

Signalling the wolf by moving her hand in the air from a high point to a low one, she then gave a 'come' gesture and the wolf immediately got down on it's belly and began to crawl through the crowd who were murmuring amongst themselves about the strange knighting of a human and under the tables until he reached the one at which Trianna and Tana sat.

Placing himself at Tana's feet, he kept up the low growl warning any who might approach the table to stay away while Trianna wrapped an arm around the girl and pulled her closer in a tight hug.

Trianna's gaze swept back up to where Ramas knelt before the king and she noticed that the king's eyes kept straying from the knight. Following his gaze, her puzzlement about the night grew. What would make her liege so inattentive to his duties? She doubted it was boredom.

The hand that was not around Tana strayed to her hunting knife hidden in her dress. She hoped she was not going to have to use it...not at a royal ball!

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

"Wow- he's being knighted? That's such an honor," I said with a happy smile. It was good that he be recognised for being a good... well man of the elfin realm.
"Is it custom to throw a party for the newly knighted? I mean, when I made my rank in the guild, it was one heck of a party."

 

[poohlive]

Maybe fear was an inherent part of evil. A part that seemed to stick with it, like a shadow, playing on the heels. He had no reason to frighten the child, and yet she was frightened anyway, despite it all... why? Cause he was evil.
That's all he ever could be.
By default, everyone was scared around him. Hugging, holding, caressing, growling. Stems of fear that came from the presence of evil. There would be no other way, no other solution.
He wondered what it would be like to have a duaghter, a girl he could hold, and gather, and learn from, and teach. A presnece of something more than himself inside this.
But, there was nothing. Nothing that could hold him, nothing that could sustain him. Goven became, in essence, hollow, whatever cup he held had leaked, and now the contents spread like willing water.
He made his leave of the ball. It didn't suit him anymore. It didn't hold the same fascination, the same curiousity as it did before. Rather, he didn't feel anything ever could again.
He went back down to the deep underground lairs, where the sword still lay.
"Nexus will be up soon. She has a guest."

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies


Nexus extremely happy that her spell held, coulldnt help but become frustrated.. why was he resisting .. He should have come to her now.. perhaps it was the blood within that inheirently struggled against being led where he didnt want to go..

As the knighting ceremony went on Nexus saw goven leave and a small tiny part in her went with him. It was always something she enjoyed doing was toying with other's emotions, but she didnt want to leave things the way they were between them, besides.. there still was the scroll they needed to uncover from the caves... and she would need goven's knowledge of magic for that ...

She scanned the room and watched as the king's gaze flighted towards another woman.. feeling as though she was losing hold of the king's attention she made a few movements and once more the attention was on her... she only had another half an hour before she spell would wear off, she needed to make sure that she had physically touched the king in a more intimate way .. before it wore off ...

 

[RoneLith]

Garin effortlessly shifted back into his wolf form as she walked by him. Slowly he padded along his now sharp eyes scanned for a suitible camp site.

I hope you do not mind my shifting back, I prefer it if I keep my secret known only to a few.

Mainly he liked being as a wolf around her, her scent was just intoxicating. Once they found a place to rest he would hunt some food for her, he had spotted many a rabit hole as he had followed her. Surly a few of them had to have at least one inside.

Well, Madam Moonbrook, from which village were you found?

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir shrugged, watching, and hoped the King wouldn;t goa round throwing extra titles at everyone. If there was one thing he'd had enough of, it was titles. Useless titles weighing him down, drawing him into these formal trappings. He just wanted to get this done and...

Yrismir stopped. What did he want to do? He certainly didn't want to crawl back in the bottle again. He forwned. This was going to take a lot of thought. "Yes, big honor and whatnot. No, I don't think one throws a party. If you really want to celebrate, you can have him fitted for some new armor before we leave. It should be ready by the time we;re done with the Race. If we live, that is."

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela smiled at him as he changed back into his wolf form, she understood perfectly how it felt and why he wished to keep it a secret. Nay i do not mind your changing form, as to the village where i was raised well... there isnt much to tell i stayed clear of it as much as i could. The elders didnt much care for me you might say.. i rather anoyed them.. She said with a grin.

There up ahead looks to be a fairly decent place to camp for the night. Tela sented the air, and listined to the sounds around them, but mayhap he senced something she didnt, he was far more skilled in such matters than she was.

Turning to Garin she asked. Do you wish to stop here or would you rather, try and find another place, i do not smell anyother wolves or preditors around.. Quietly she watched the shadows as she waited for his reply. After they made camp this night she planed on getting to know as much about her companion as she could. He attracked her as no other ever had, but then the only other persion she had met that could change shape had been her mother's druid friend.
She hoped they were going in the right direction as well what was it her mother had said... the nutral zone capital was where the wise one was supposed to be.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I was speechless as to what I had heard. Tildiir was giving me the one thing I wanted, the one thing I had been training for since I was born. He was giving me what I had long considered my birthright. I was becoming a knight at long last.

"Of course I accept this honor, my king," I spoke with my head lowered. I drew my sword and held it in front of me, the point of the blade on the floor. I gripped the hilt tightly with two hands. "I swear to always protect the crown, the family, and the land. I swear this on my sword and on my life."

I kept my head down, waiting for Tildiir to make it official.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

A sudden insight flared through me. "You don't think he's doing this so he'll have someone to 'watch over me' on this adventure do you?"
I caught his look with a nod. "Seriously- if I wanted to watch someone in our group, I'd knight Ramas- he'll take that kind of 'protect the family' oath more seriously then his own death. I hope that's not the case though. Things could get... ugly that way."
I finished with a slightly feral smile. I was not the kind of woman to be coddled and kept from danger and woe to the man or men that tried.

 

[RoneLith]

Garin scanned thw area with all of his senses, he could detect no apparent danger at the moment.

This shall do nicely, he sent his thought to her. I do beg your pardon but would you be so kind as to set camp while I gather one of those rabbits I smelled earlier?

He also sent an image of his famous smile that he had done ealier, as a gesture that showed he enjoyment over her comment ealier. He was indeed intrieged by her, full of mystery and knidness, she seemed as if nearly uncapable of hating anyone. Still he had been wrong about a persons character before, old memories flooded back to him about how he ended up with his cursed gift.

I shall return in a moment, with that final thought he quickly dissappeared into the night and even with this white coat it was still very hard to keep track of where he had gone.

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela nodded her agreement rabbit sounded really good at the moment, and begain setting up camp as Garin left to hunt. He was very quick and stelthy, she liked that about him. There was alot she could learn from him.

She hoped that they would at least be friends, she could tell that he wanted to be, but was wery of trusting anyone. She didnt blame him tho .....
She new ppl, and animals could be crule to those who were diffrent. Not all of them were that way, but the ones that were left deep scars behind.

Having set up camp she sat to awaite his return keeping an eye on the surrounding area while she waited, being at least half elf she had some decent night vision, as well as hearing, breifly she wondered which of her two forms were better, the both had their advantages.

 

[LadyRozes]

Tilder nodded as Ramas vowed his allegence to his family and the throne .. it worked out perfectly for him. The woman kept popping into his view .. that urge jsut kept getting stronge rand stronger.. he jsut had to finish one more thing before he could have her.. just one more thing..

Looking at Ramas he said, "Rise Sir Ramas and be welcome to all in court and let in be known in this realm that you owe allegence to ALL the royal family ...

Smiling Tildiir thought Now was the time..."I have one more business to attend to this eve.. as this ball was intended that I may find one that I would be able to have by my side.. and I have recently found that I have no need for anyone by my side .. as the love of my life perished years ago..." Tildiir's eyes filled with pain and the urge to couple with the one known woman seemed lesser now..

"Tonight is a special night for me as well. For this day I have found something which was lost to me for so long. I would like to introduce my daughter to the elven court and ask that she may join me here , so that the realm may know of my heir.."

The hushed shocked murmer rolled about the grand ballroom as though someone had simply shot the king witha poison dart.. no one had expected such an announcement.. They all looked around and waited for the lucky one to reveal herself to teh court ..

 

[Vixandra]

Calixte

"Heir?" I felt myself turn pale, which struck me as odd since my heart started racing. I looked at Yris. "Um... how did my being acknowledged by Tildiir as his daughter turn into heir? I don't know these people...."
And of course, sharp eared folk that they are, the elves in the room started to turn to stare at me. My training was what kept me from running away, spurred me into action.
I looked from the crowd back to Yris and back again. He shrugged, as if to say, do whatever you like.
So I did.
"Father, thank you," I said, my voice carrying over the crowd, confident and almost kind in a way. I walked to the dias as if I expected people to give way before me, which they did with astonished looks on thier faces. After stepping up onto the Dias I leaned into hug my father and whisper in his ear, "You know, I think you broke every protocol rule I've ever known about elves- I like it."
He looked at me and laughed out loud, a joyous sound that made me smile. He turned the both of us to the assembled ball attendees.
"My daughter, named for her mother, Calixte!"
A small voice in the back of my head thought, they wouldn't let him marry her.... wonder if her heir will be tolerable or not.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

As Ramas came back to the table, beaming, Trianna stood and clasped his hands.

"Congratualtions, Sir Ramas," She said with a smile, boldy going on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "It is a great honor that is bestowed upon you."

And then the king announced his heir and the silence and murmurs that filled the room was almost deafening.

Looking around, Trianna could see that these nobles were not about to welcome her easily and so, taking the iniative, she moved from the table and approached the king and his daughter.

Kneeling before them, she said in a loud, clear voice,"Princess Calixte. I pledge my allegience to the heir of the throne and give my loyalty to the daughter of King Tildiir."

Standing, she turned to face the assembly to announce loudly,"I shall take word of this lost heir to the wood elves and I feel certain that they will join those here in welcoming you to their hearts and minds."

Trianna's sharp gaze traveled over the assembly as if daring them to deny that Cali had a right to her title before turning to bow her head once more and walk back to the table, her back straight, her head held high.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I smiled wide as Trianna gave me a congratulatory kiss. I was really overwhelmed with the entire prospect of being a knight of Ankoria. Probably the first and likely the last human to ever do so. I felt wonderful that Trianna had been supporting me since our talk that night on board the Whisper. I hoped to be a rock for her as well.

Then, Tildiir dropped another bomb on the court. And I could barely believe my ears.

Cali was his daughter. His heir. The new princess of Ankoria. This was an interesting development.

I was going to comment to Trianna, but before I could she made her way over to Cali and announced her allegiance. Though the bold move caught me off guard, it wasn't out of character for Trianna to be bold. Hell, it was part of her charm.

Trianna made her way back over to me, I slipped an arm around her waist and leaned down to whisper to her. "Very impressive. I'm proud of you."

I then stepped forward and drew my blade. I held it in a salute towards Cali. "I, Ramas Vae, knight of Ankoria and servant of Peloor's line, also supports Princess Calixte. Unquestioningly."

I resheathed my sword and stepped back to Trianna, taking her hand in mine. I scanned the room for reactions. I knew several of the elven nobles, most of them were good, open minded types. Several would cluck away behind closed doors, but they would never challenge anything that came directly from the king. The elven guard all had vows to serve and protect the family, so they were easily in. But one noble stood out. A beautiful elf that Tildiir couldn't stop from looking at. I had never seen her before. Surely Lan would have pointed her out to me if she were important. And the way Growls was looking in her direction with teeth bared. Something was definately off with her.

I turned a bit to Trianna. "What do you make of the elven lady Growls seems to dislike?" I asked her. "There is definately something unnatural about her."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna shivered as Ramas put his arm around her and whispered to her after she took a stand. It had taken alot to do what she just did but it felt right. And Trianna was not going to back down from something that felt right. And it was strangely comforting to know that Ramas applauded her effort.

She smiled as Ramas, too, made his vows and she gave his hand a squeeze to show that she was just as proud of him as he was of her.

When he made his comment about the elvin lady, though, she cast a puzzled glance over to her and shook her head. Kneeling down at the table, she whispered to Growls who began to inch his way through the stunned crowd closer to where the woman stood.

After a min, he came back and Trianna again bent down to 'converse' with him.

When she stood up, she looked even more puzzled than she had before. Looking up at Ramas, she said,"He says she doesn't 'smell' right. He says she doesn't smell like an elf!"

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

Snider practically fell out of his spot where he was hiding ... an Heir?!? an HEIR??? This was a complication that he wasnt expecting ....


Nexus practially balked but still managed to keep a forced smile upon her lips.. She mentally spoke with her masters.. and they surprised by this new development.. decided it wasnt important ..

a minute or so later Nexus slipped out of the room and walked into the hallway where she met Snider.. "why didnt goven get the girl? Didnt we need her?!... Nevermind that you need to talk to Goven . .he will listen to you. For now.. I have business I need to attend to "

Snider slipped out by the edge of the hallway hoping his enemy would cath him and follow.. he would make a great distraction ..


Nexus slipped into Goven's room and slipped him a hug from behind.. "PLans have changed my dear... the King it seems has an heir..a blood heir.. the masters say we should go search for the scroll and leave this place.. but we should see whether the girl will be able to touch it .. if that is the case .. then .. we know we will meet them again... " She rubbed her head into him and then looked into his eyes.. " you know we could jsut take the innocent .. she is needed ... you could have taken her fromt eh ball.. why didnt you?"

 

[RoneLith]

Surely it should not be this easy to catch a rabbit, Garin thought. He scented the air and sure enough he caught the scent in a nearby hole. Perhaps it was because this area was uncharacterically free of predators. Good, they should be nice and fat. Quickly he coaxed the rabbit from the hole and even faster he grabbed his catch by the neck, ending the rabbits life. He was right, they were fatter than those in his useal hunting ground. It was quite aways from his home but sometime it may be worth it if he ever returns. He examined the rabbit, perfect size for two, he was pleased with this kill, though he had done it many times before; now he not only killed for himself. He had not sharred a meal with a woman in a long time and hardly ever with as one as lovely as Tela.

A moment later

Slowly he padded back to the camp approaching cautiously so she could catch his scent and know it was him. As she let her gaurd down he entered into view, the rabbit in his mouth. He sat it down next to her and sent her the image of his smile. He bowed his head and in his most charming voice, Dinner is served Miss Moonbrook. He paused, would you like it raw or shall I gather wood for a fire?

 

[Strolling Gecko]

My brow furrowed. "She doesn't smell like an elf....." I ran this new information through my head. The woman stood up and left the room while Trianna and I were watching her. I turned to Tana.

"Let's follow her and investigate," I said to Trianna as I began to follow after the mystery woman, inadvertantly pulling Trianna with me. Tana began to follow, but I held my hand up. "No Tana, stay here in the ball room with Growls. In fact, go over to where Yrismir and Cali are sitting. This could prove dangerous. Or a trap. We don't want any harm to come to you. You far too important."

I stepped out into the hall. The mystery woman had vanished. I stood there, turning my back to a shadowy corner. Where had she disappeared to?

 

[poohlive]

"Too many guards," He said, his back still to her, his hands hidden in the folds of his cloak. He sighed once, almost dredding her presence, and yet unable to get her out of his mind.
Corruptable.
"She had the hero's all over. I saw them, sitting by her, near. Even a wolf watching her every move. There was nothing I could do."
Not a lie, exactly, but it was the half truth. And, the half truth would do for now. He didn't want Nexus to know. For some reason, that information seemed his, and his alone. He liked that, cherished it.
"Scroll? If that is our next task, then we should hurry. I don't believe the sword will be a problem anymore."
Goven turned around, letting his cloak open up to the weapon underneath. The sword, gleaming, held in his hand.
"We were wasting too much time. Whatever curse in on this thing, I can handle it. My magic is strong, knowledgable. I can manage."
He didn't want to tell her the truth. The penance he felt, the pain that seemed to be the only real distinction between good and evil. This, seemed right. If he were going to run the path of destruction, he should be destroyed himself.
"Come, we can leave tonight... right now, if we have to."

 

[Vixandra]

Princess Calixte

I felt like crying in happiness when Trianna made her stand before me. Instead, I nodded regally and said, "Lady Trianna, I thank you for your pledge and return my own to do the best I can for you people wherever I can."
Ramas announced his loyalty as well. I said a prayer of thanks for my training in bearing as a rouge.
"Thank you, Sir Ramas, your loyalty means much to me and too my father, I'm sure," I said, nodding respectfully to Tildiir.
Turning to him I whispered, "So, what now? Are we going back down tonight or staying here to get gawked at?"

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Looking over her shoulder in worry at Tana, Trianna let herself be led out of the room by Ramas after whispering to Growls,"Protect her!"

Looking up and down the halls, she slipped her hand to where her hunting knife was crudely sewn into her skirt and wished again that she could have brought her bow and arrows.

"She must have went into one of the rooms," She said to Ramas as they stepped back to let one of the servants carrying a large covered tray pass. "And that leaves us with but two choices. We can either open the rooms and possibly embarrass some nobility with all the consequences of that action. Or we can stand here ane hope she comes back along this passageway.:

Trianna frowned,"If Growls were not protecting Tana he could trail the woman to whatever door she disappeared through. He knows her scent."

 

[LadyFairy]

The rabbit Garin brought back was big enough for the two of them, and Tela was poud of his skills. It had not taken him long to hunt his pray as it would have her.

Smiling at Garin Tela said. i've already gather'd some wood, i will get a fire started, and begin skinning the rabbit if you would like to gather more wood. Do you want your's raw or cooked?? ether way is fine but it looks to be a cold night, and we'll probly need more wood.

Reaching out she almost touched him but thought better of it, he didnt know her all that well, and may not welcome her touch. Thank you for getting the rabbit... i appreceate it greatly and i am glad of your company on this journy. She said. Turning she pulled out a small dagger, and begain skinning the rabbit.

 

[RoneLith]

He smelled the air and she was right, he could taste winters touch floating down from the mountains. It would get cold tonight, he would have to stay in his wolf form not having any warm clothes or bed roll to speak of. Truly it was better to be a wolf. A nice thick coat to keep one warm and keen senses to detect danger, plus increadible speed, still his true form held its advantages.

He watched her hand reach out to him and then stop, he would have been alright with it but he was kind of relieved she didn't touch him. He still did not know who she was, she didn't smell evil but that could be masked perhaps by morning he would know her better and trust her more. In truth he did want to feel her touch, both in his wolf form and as human. He shook the thoughts from his mind. The scent of raw meat hit his nose and he visiably shook with delight, it was a strang mix of emotions. His human side had only just gotten used to the fact he could eat raw food witout getting sick but still when he was in his true form he craved cooked meals it was indeed strange.

You're Welcome, I shall return with some more wood. I would not want you to catch cold Quickly and this time not hiding his pressance ran into the surrounding area. He never liked the taste of wood in his mouth but would endure it.