One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa & Will & Wisti]
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Wistful Dream on 17-05-2010, 06:46:41</h2>
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				Title: <strong>One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>17-05-2010, 06:46:41</strong>
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				<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="bbc_size"><em>The Emerald Citadel <br>The Kingdom of Fereshard<br>3992 Age of War</em></span></div><br>Back, forward, side, back, side, forward, a dance of movement across the stones of the courtyard she knew all too well and she watched it, a silent observer stories up in the citadel. She remembered learning those basic blocks and engagements by rote with her father. Remembered the sweat and the relentless sun beating down upon her back, remembered the ache of her muscles and the bright joy in her heart as she tackled her lessons. Remember the way his hand had felt, clasping her shoulder in approval after a good bout, ruffling her hair with a teasing pride in his eyes, the talks that would follow. <br><br>He had taught her a lot in that courtyard, how to use her sword, how to throw a dagger, how to string her first bow, how to tend her gear, mend tack, make a fire. How to be a warrior worthy of their kingdom. And how to follow in his footsteps. <br><br>She couldn’t help but think that it had come a lot faster then anyone had expected, her filling his rather large shoes. He had left too soon. She felt it more then usual, that sense that her father was the one who should be here and not her. <br><br>To be the Champion they all needed. <br><br>But she was the divinely anointed Champion of Fereshard now, and he, bless his immortal soul, was passed on to the Gatekeeper’s heaven’s. Youngster’s trained in the courtyard now, some no older then fourteen but still, knowing the basic sword blocks and how to string and use a bow like a warrior and follow commands could be useful in the coming days.&nbsp; Alexio and Davina were the ones handling the training of this age group and the two seemed to work well, while being young enough that the trainee’s didn’t seem bored or disinterested. <br><br>It would be impossible to be bored with Davina she guessed, for the young men at least, who made up the majority, not with those glowing golden eyes that sparked with a fierce pride and the agile body that was currently trouncing three of them.&nbsp; Alexio had his own followers to an extent, young and handsome, in a brooding way, very withdrawn, the perfect romantic figure to make the young ladies in the class sigh. And perhaps a few of the lads as well. <br><br>What would her father think of her Rider’s? What would her father think of the Empire’s ultimatum? Would he have advised the King any different?<br><br>A hand descended onto her shoulder then, startling her out of her thoughts and causing her head to turn and tilt to gaze up at Seumas, her Second. He smiled down at her, shaking his head and she knew he had known where her thoughts had gone. <br><br>“Ten years gone by now you have been the Champion, you cannae think too much on what your Pa would have done.” The words were blessedly softly spoken, giving some sort of privacy to it. He knew her too well, but then they had grown up together to an extent, as warriors not friends, that had come later when he wooed and wed Khalida’s best friend Leaya. <br>Instead of scolding him for speaking thus to her she just shrugged, a smile quirking on the twenty four year old’s lips. “True enough, yet I think anyone would wonder what a previous commander would do in this situation.”<br><br>“Good point lass, good point.” He rumbled back at her, a smile on his lips, for he knew that she had restrained herself in that remark and the gleam of friendship in his eyes warmed something inside her she hadn’t known had gone cold. Friendship, love, loyalty, those were the things that Fereshard had. Freedom, it was a kingdom that prided itself on welcoming all, on standing firm and giving thanks to the gods that had crafted the world, that valued truth and justice. <br><br>Those were all things the Empire would see ended. <br><br>Auley Mcfadywn moved toward the window and the two of them as well then, a soft courtly smile on his lips, though she could read the warmth in his eyes.&nbsp; At first he didn’t speak, merely broke up any lingering tension by leaning against the window and gazing out the window, down into the courtyard where his twin was now laughing at something a young lad had said to her. His smile turned real then, not just courtly, and he turned his head to look at his Captain and Second. <br><br>“My sister handles them well no? Come Khalida, Seumas, we have much yet to go over, and at least we get the gift of good company in which to do it.”<br><br>Khalida found a smile twitching her own lips as she ducked her head, her long braid shifting over her shoulders with the action. “Very well.”<br><br>And with that she turned her back to the courtyard, to the memories that had no place in her current reality and stepped back into what and who she was. Khalida Ma’Ledon, Champion of Fereshard and the person responsible for saving it from a looming attack by the Lerin Empire; heaven save her. <br><br>Her footsteps carried her back to the large solid wood table that lay in the center of the room that had been her father’s war chamber and was now her own, the table was one of her own additions, full of maps on the outer portions, the center filled with sand to draw if need be. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth a few feet away, chasing away the lingering chill of early spring, for winter had not yet fully left their rugged land. As she stepped up to the table Finlay moved to her side and offered her another map to consider, this one well worn with age, likely drawn by him in his youth when he had first served her father. <br><br>“Here ye go lass, take a look on this one, it details the sea coast along the south west, wicked landings there if they chose to take them.” She spared a smile for him, a man that had been like an uncle to her for most of her life and had stood by her even when others had disagreed with what she felt needed to be done. <br><br>She was an unusual Champion. <br><br>The girl laid the map out on the gleaming wood and glanced down at the neat lines that indicated the crags and rock formations of the southern coast, often called the Bitter Crags. She studied the map for a moment, shaking her head with a smile even as she glanced at Fin. “You really are very talented at this, though how in the world did you get such details of such a dangerous location?”<br><br>“Aeria helped me Captain.” Khalida blinked in surprise at the thought of Air Nymphs helping the old man, though he had been one once and his smile held that dash of old youth. <br><br>“You rake you.” She teased at him, her violet eyes glinting with mirth even as the older Rider chuckled and she moved to sink into her chair, the map still before her. <br><br>“I don’t think they’ll choose to come from the south, not if they are at all aware of the differences in areas of our coastline. Its too easy to defend.”<br><br>“True enough.” that came from Seumas as he settled down in his chair across from her, a slight furrow to his brow as the large man tried to get comfortable in his seat. <br><br>The female by the fire finally moved, coming toward the table with the rest of them with a glint in her deep blue eyes that wasn’t completely friendly. “And they wouldn’t like what they would find either, that is an area I could all too easily make hell for them.” Merith was the fully trained ‘mage’ of the Rider’s, though she was truly a Witch, trained in the Covens. Another choice that had made others uneasy but Kal couldn’t help but feel that the woman had a right to the position. <br><br>She sighed then, shaking her hair with loose strands of her hair teasing against her cheek. “It is too bad we could not trick them to attempt to land there, rather then to the north.”<br><br>Vael, sitting near Seumas tilted his head, looking at a map that, from memory, the Champion believed held Fereshard as a whole, including her three coast lines. “Well, perhaps we could, if we make the north hell for them, and they wouldn’t dare sail to the full south just yet, that would set off Dalias and likely Aal and Caelit as well. And with Dalias’s strong navy and Aal’s penchant for pirate lords I donnea think they would take that route lightly.”<br><br>A smile touched the woman’s lips then as she gazed at her Rider’s, thankful with each second for their presence. “You were right Vael.”<br><br>The man glanced at her, curious and the color of his sea green eyes caught her again. “Oh my Lady?”<br><br>She laughed, smiling. “The Rider’s do need to know how the waves work.” That had been his reason for joining them, for staying on land when he had given up sailing, his ship, everything, or at least the only reason he had given. <br><br>Her comment earned a smile and a laugh from him and the others as well, a sound she savored and knew the other five did as well; laughter was not as easy as it once had been. There was a knock on the door but without waiting it opened, admitting Mical, the once huntsmen, and Qudira, the girl from the mystics, back from a scouting trip through the land for the general feel of the people. <br><br>The others quieted, eyes on the returning Rider’s as Mical shut the door softly behind them and they both bowed with a hand over their heart to Kal and she inclined her head in response to them. “Lady Khalida.”<br><br>“Welcome back Mical, Qudira, what do you have to share with us?”<br><br>“Jerian and Adair are not back yet?” Qudira asked and Merith shook her head no in answer even as Kal did. <br><br>“No, though Jerian sent her falcon back with a message, they went farther out then they expected, why?”<br><br>“I think all the Rider’s should be called back, save for the two spiders.” Mical spoke now, the spider’s alluding to two of their more controversial Rider’s, a courtesan and a rake. Khalida blinked, a start to a frown marking her brow before Qudira lifted her hands to still her. <br><br>“Nay, nay Kal it is not what you think, it is good news, the people, they come, in great numbers to be trained.”<br><br>“Oh….”
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				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Will</strong> on <strong>21-05-2010, 22:15:29</strong>
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				The time had come.<br><br>It was a time no guardian ever wanted to face, a circumstance so close to failure as to be nearly synonymous.&nbsp; Gamundereil's charge was in danger.<br><br>The woman was in mortal danger, and the fate of so many others was joined to hers.&nbsp; If she died, so would they.&nbsp; And others were joined to them, in an impossibly massive web of lives all woven together, centered on her.&nbsp; Khalida <em>had</em> to stay alive.<br><br>However, Gamundereil had reached the end of his resources as he was, and yet too much remained to chance.&nbsp; The invisible hands of the guardian angel could only do so much; such were the limits of the divine in the mortal world, ensuring that he and his kind remained a long-forgotten legend in the minds of the races.&nbsp; Most races, at least.&nbsp; Surely the Irealians still believed.<br><br>The humans, on the other hand, were oblivious to him.&nbsp; The angels' magic allowed them to bend the light, diffuse it, reflect it, cast it away into shadows, and so remain out of sight by anyone.&nbsp; The ease with which they handled both the light and the shadow could only be matched by one other race; even the Irealians lacked that proficiency.&nbsp; This was how Gamundereil had functioned for many years... He was a non-presence, watching and nudging events in the right directions to guide Khalida to her destiny, to protect her from harm.&nbsp; It was his life.&nbsp; But, being a shadow often hampered his efforts.<br><br>And now it made them all but impossible.&nbsp; Desperate measures had to be taken.&nbsp; Gamundereil was no longer a shadow; he walked with all the grace of his kind, the tall man towering over most others as he passed them on the approach to the citadel.&nbsp; Standing just over seven feet tall was oddity enough, but his pale golden hair shone in the light, and his fair skin stood out as well.&nbsp; He had long since lost the slender build of his homeland, as most of his kind did once they left, though he was still not a wide man.&nbsp; He would have been gangly really, were it not for the strength and surety of his step and manner.&nbsp; As it was, he seemed a giant.<br><br>No one would recognize him here.&nbsp; If the Gatekeeper willed it so, no one would doubt his story, either.&nbsp; There was nothing for it, regardless.&nbsp; Too many lives depended on what happened here, in the kingdom of Fereshard.&nbsp; Nodding politely to the wide-eyed guards, Gamundereil paused at the steps of the citadel.&nbsp; "May Deril favor you with her smiles this day.&nbsp; My name is Gamun, and I have come from Irelki.&nbsp; I request an audience with the King."&nbsp; They stood stock-still for a long moment, before glancing at each other, shouldering their pikes.&nbsp; So they were not suspicious then, only confused, Gamundereil thought to himself, and smiled.&nbsp; He knew he looked the part, in the finest garments he could find on the continent, soft velvety material in a blue so dark as to be black, white lace peeking out of the cuffs, and a wide, flat, white collar.&nbsp; His pants ended just below his knees, with white leggings running the rest of the way down to his finely polished black shoes.&nbsp; It was hardly the kind of attire he was accustomed to, but it suited his ruse, and the King would surely expect full formal wear when granting an audience.&nbsp; He could change soon enough.<br><br>"Right away, Sir!" one of the guardsmen exclaimed in a clipped tone, rushing inside to no doubt give the message to another man, who would give it to another man, and so on until the King was told.&nbsp; Given that expectation, Gamun was surprised at how soon the guardsman returned to usher him inside, and even more surprised to see the King himself waiting to greet him.&nbsp; <em>Perhaps I underestimated how effective posing as an Irealian would be,</em> he mused to himself.<br><br>Stepping forward, Gamundereil stooped into the bow of the angels, a simple thing with little flourish.&nbsp; He merely bent forward and rose.&nbsp; For a moment he questioned whether he should have given a more appropriate bow, but that concern was brushed aside.&nbsp; Surely the man had never seen an Irealian bow, and if so, not more than once.<br><br>"Greetings, your Majesty.&nbsp; You honor me by coming to greet me in person, and I thank you.&nbsp; My name is Gamun.&nbsp; It has been a long journey."&nbsp; Gamun did his best to seem pleasant, but he loomed over the royal, who adjusted his robes and cleared his throat.&nbsp; He seemed... sad, was the only word for it, though it was buried.&nbsp; The angel doubted most men could have spotted it.<br><br>"It would be foolish of me not to greet an emissary of the Divine ones myself, would it not?&nbsp; Whether good or ill, any reason for your presence requires my attention, and I would rather you have it sooner than later," the King said.&nbsp; The man clearly wasted little time.&nbsp; "You are welcome in Fereshard, Gamun, though I fear you bring ill tidings.&nbsp; I trust you are aware of Lerin and her ambitions?&nbsp; If you would follow me, I believe we can find seats while we speak."&nbsp; He turned then as he spoke, and Gamun did follow.<br><br>"Oh yes, Lerin's ambitions are well known indeed.&nbsp; We feel that it is necessary to stop them where they now stand, rather than wait until they reach our home with any greater momentum."&nbsp; And so his cover had been set.&nbsp; Would the people believe that the Irealians were actively interested in human conflicts?&nbsp; It was a stretch.&nbsp; Best to tie it back to their own well-being, which he had done.<br><br>"Hmph.&nbsp; A wise idea," the King answered, nodding thoughtfully as they walked.&nbsp; "So what do you intend to do, then?&nbsp; Will we have an army of Irealians marching with us?&nbsp; I can't imagine that so."<br><br>"Oh... no, your Majesty.&nbsp; As you might imagine, it is a difficult thing to amass a handful of those who want to leave Irelki at all, much less who want to go and fight.&nbsp; An army is out of the question.&nbsp; And we are even less eager to be overtly given to human causes... We can only support, I'm afraid, and for the moment, it is only me."&nbsp; Gamun ducked his head as they entered what seemed to be a small sitting room.&nbsp; Servants followed in behind with a tray and a pitcher, offering wine.&nbsp; The King beckoned for a cup, and the angel took one as well, though he only held it.<br><br>The man took a long draught of the cool drink, brushing his moustache as he moved to sit on a wide chair.&nbsp; "Well then, what support do you offer?&nbsp; I see no weapon at your side.&nbsp; Your magic can do many things, I am sure, but it would be helpful to me and mine if we knew what we could expect from you."<br><br>Nodding, Gamun sat down carefully on a long chaise and thumbed the rim of his flared-mouth cup.&nbsp; "I offer my magic, as well you suspect.&nbsp; But I offer it to train.&nbsp; Your daughter, the Princess, has extreme potential.&nbsp; I will be at your service, to do as you require, given that it does not interfere with my obligations to Irelki, and I will instruct your daughter."&nbsp; Gamun paused briefly, watching the King to see how he reacted.&nbsp; There was nothing to judge.&nbsp; "You will not defeat Lerin without magic, your Majesty.&nbsp; They shun it, so it is their weakness, and your advantage.&nbsp; Surely a man of such wits in battle can understand that."<br><br>The royal took another long drink of his wine, and nodded.&nbsp; "You speak truly.&nbsp; But we are not helpless in that regard.&nbsp; Our Champion's Riders are well-equipped in the magical arts," he stated with a scoff.&nbsp; Gamun worked hard to maintain a serious expression.&nbsp; Only a pair of those Riders could handle magic in any way that approached passable, though the pair was competent enough.&nbsp; If they could have protected Khalida effectively, then there would have been no need for Gamundereil to be here, now.&nbsp; The King gave him no mind anyway, or seemed not to.&nbsp; "We could likely handle things on our own.&nbsp; What will we owe you if we accept your aid, Gamun?&nbsp; I will not pull my kingdom from the flames only to put it in chains."<br><br>Gamun smiled.&nbsp; "You owe us nothing.&nbsp; I give you my word on it.&nbsp; And Irelki will not even acknowledge me, much less make any demands on you.&nbsp; We only wish to avoid fighting Lerin any closer than here.&nbsp; I am your man, your Majesty."&nbsp; Standing to his full height, Gamundereil offered the King his hand, and after a long moment and a longer sigh, the King reached out and took his forearm in a tight grip.<br><br>"So you are, then.&nbsp; Welcome to Fereshard, Gamun."
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				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kye</strong> on <strong>24-05-2010, 00:00:19</strong>
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				Catáryn pulled hard on the reins, her geldings hooves skidding on the loosely packed gravel that led up to the stables.&nbsp; A fine sheen of white dust floated up about the roan steed as she laughed slightly, exhilarated and fully relaxed for the first time in what felt like years.&nbsp; For a few moments she had recaptured the carefree childhood that her brother’s disappearance had stripped from her, but like every moment of pure enjoyment it was fleeting, dying quickly as she dismounted, the disapproval written in the royal guard’s eyes sending a flash of anger through her that was hard to contain.&nbsp; She could feel magic rising with her emotions and quickly banished it, proud that her training had progressed far enough that she had some semblance of control over it.<br><br>He stood beside the entrance to the stable, his intimidating frame leaning against the weathered brown wood of the wall as he regarded her with a reproachful expression that threatened to send her back out into the fields alone.&nbsp; Perhaps she shouldn’t have taken Corlan out by herself.&nbsp; She knew about her father’s orders that she be accompanied off of the citadel grounds by at least one of the royal guards, but it galled her to no end.&nbsp; They were all loyal men, each one of them willing to place himself before her, facing any danger that might come her way, but she could only stand so much of it.&nbsp; She had grown up the pampered middle child with a freedom that the heir had never known, she had known that she would never inherit a crown, but all of that had changed, and her brother’s disappearance had left her father understandably paranoid when it came to her safety. <br><br>She just wished he would understand that she could take care of herself, Khalida had seen to that.<br><br>She started to open her mouth, a heated response to his silent disapproval on the tip of her tongue when she heard the sound of hooves beating against the gravel, the sound stopping her in mid thought.&nbsp; She glanced behind her, a smile blossoming on her face as she came face to face with Adair, one of Khalida’s riders, barely able to see Jerian behind the mountain of a man.&nbsp; He towered over her, his face battered and scarred by years spent as a slave and gladiator.&nbsp; The half feral diminutive woman behind him didn’t even come up to his chest, though only a fool would think her the lesser of the two.&nbsp; <br><br>“Welcome back, Khal will be happy to see you two,” she said with a smile, her anger from a moment before completely forgotten as she greeted the two Riders.&nbsp; <br><br>She had only been allowed to truly associate with any of them beyond Khal in the last few months, mostly because of her need to train with Merith, but she liked what she knew of them, and felt honored by the slight smile that Adair bestowed upon her in return.&nbsp; <br><br>“Thank you Highness,” he said, his deep voice only adding to the intimidating power of his physique.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Cat wrinkled her nose, her storm grey eyes laughing as she shook her head.&nbsp; “Enough of that Highness business, come on, I’ll accompany you inside, perhaps Khal will even let me stay and hear what you two have to say.”<br><br>She led the way into the citadel through the servant’s entrance, ignoring the guard who followed at a discreet distance.&nbsp; He would follow her long enough to feel that he had properly reminded her of her obligation to inform him when she was planning to leave the citadel grounds, it was quickly becoming a silent routine for her, one that she fervently hoped she would be able to end with her father’s blessing, though she would not be willing to bet on that ever happening. <br><br>With a sigh she brushed strands of her deep auburn hair out of her face as she took the stairs quickly, heading up towards the rooms that the Champion had been given with the two Rider’s following closely behind.&nbsp; By the time she reached the upper levels of the citadel she was so intent on her destination that she practically ran into her father as he stepped out of one of the small sitting rooms nestled between the suites on the upper floors.&nbsp; She skidded to a halt, a girlish squeak of surprise spilling from her lips as she managed to stop mere inches from him, a bright blush staining her cheeks as he arched an eyebrow at her.&nbsp; <br><br>“Daughter… need I ask what you have been doing this day?” he asked, not unkindly as he nodded towards her companions.&nbsp; <br><br>“N-no Father, that won’t be necessary… I was simply accompanying the Rider’s to Khal’s… I mean Lady Khalida’s study…” she trailed off, her cheeks burning even more brightly as she looked away from him, not willing to meet his eyes.&nbsp; <br><br>“Well then… perhaps you would be so kind as to ask her to join me, I have someone I would like her to meet.”<br><br>“Of course,” she said quickly, bowing slightly as she quickly hurried down the hall, happy to be out of range for a few moments at least, though curiosity prickled along her nerves as she wondered who could be important enough to warrant a private meeting with her Father.&nbsp; <br><br>Finally reaching the door she was looking for she knocked lightly, waiting just long enough to hear someone inside tell her to enter before she opened the door and slipped into the room with Adair and Jerian in tow.&nbsp; She hesitated but a moment, her youth showing in that moment as she glanced around the room, still slightly uncomfortable with the Rider’s.&nbsp; It was a failing she would have to overcome as she got to know them better, having never expected to be thrown into the height of power and politics as she had been in the last few years.&nbsp; “Khal, Father would like your company, there is someone he wants you to meet…”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>24-05-2010, 00:47:00</strong>
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				It had stunned her a bit, the knowledge that the common folk were marching toward the citadel to be trained by herself and her Rider's, or even by the normal generals. These were people leaving their homes who might well not return with the Empire a looming threat before them. But then didn't everyone in Fereshard stand the risk of death with this invasion? They came because there was no other choice, better to train, to help and know how to defend oneself then to do nothing and trust to a few to keep them safe. All the same it presented a new sort of challenge. <br><br>"That many untrained...." <br><br>"I know Seumas...I know." Khalida glanced at her second, a twitch of her lips showing a hint of wry humor. It would be a nightmare, to try and train them all. And likely take time they did not have. <br><br>"We will just have to hold apart one day to test them and see what they can do, assign them where they will do the most good. Each of the Rider's has different talents, so do the people of our country." Her voice was firm as it echoed into the room and she saw that the others seemed to take comfort from the authority she assumed now almost like a second nature. There were nods and sounds of assent just before a knock on the door sounded. <br><br>"Enter." Her Second grunted and she didn't bother to add her own affirmative, rather glancing back down at the maps laid before her and contemplating a half mad plan as she toyed with her braid idly. If they could lure them to the south and trap them in the rocks...<br><br>When Catáryn entered though her thoughts stopped, dark violet eyes lifting to meet the Princess's own steel gray eyes. A soft smile touched her lips in welcome, she could see how unsure the poor lass felt in this environment and that made her worry. Catáryn had to learn, to become comfortable assuming a role of leadership. Oh that Prince Caedmon had never vanished and his sister could still be merely the second child instead of the Heir. Khalida had ever thought of the princess as a younger sister, she who had no family still living, and it worried her to think of Catáryn attempting to carry the Sword. Part of her wanted to wall the girl up in a tower so she could be safe, or to send her to visit another country and keep her away from this war. But neither of those things were very wise, Cat had to be a visible figure to her people and sending her away at war time wasn't exactly going to encourage others. <br><br><em>What you want never matters really...its what duty demands that does.</em> <br><br>She knew that well enough and feared Catáryn was starting to have that same knowledge as well. Khalida would spare her if she could.&nbsp; <br><br>The Champion's eyes lingered on Adair and Jerian, wanting to question them but if the King wanted her to meet someone there was not time to tarry, she could be back soon enough she supposed, back to the mind numbing ache of trying to solve the question of this war with as little blood shed as possible. So she pushed herself out of her chair and to her feet, taking her sword belt from where it was slung across the back of her seat and strapping it around her waist. "Very well, I'm going to the King it appears. Adair, Jerian, debrief to Seumas, I'll listen when I get back. Figure out who to put in charge of keeping records of the intake of the civilians coming here to train and try finding the Master Quartermaster to see them properly situated."<br><br>Nods met her words as she moved toward the door, her soft soled boots making little to no sound and her eyes fixed on the Princess. Reaching her she took the younger woman's arm in her own and pulled her from the chamber, shutting the door behind them and flashing the girl a smile. "So what hellion stunt did you pull today Cat?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kye</strong> on <strong>24-05-2010, 03:37:49</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Khal’s smile put her at ease, her complete trust in the other woman giving her the security to relax slightly, tension easing out of her body.&nbsp; She listened as Khal gave orders to her Riders, envious of the older woman’s ease with them, the sense of competence and command she exuded without even trying.&nbsp; It made Cat feel even less prepared for the future that had been thrust upon her, less sure of her abilities to lead her people.&nbsp; She wasn’t the natural born leader that her brother had been, and it showed.&nbsp; All she could do was take her example from the friend and elder sister who twined her arm through Cat’s as they headed out into the hall.<br><br>She blushed slightly at Khal’s question, looking down at her shoes for a moment before an impish grin spread across her face.&nbsp; “Why does everyone assume that I am going to get into some kind of mischief?” she asked, mock sorrow and injured pride lacing her voice.&nbsp; “It’s not like I went out riding… without telling my guard where I was going,” she motioned to the guard who stood out in the hallway, evidently feeling that she had not been harassed enough for her transgression. <br><br>“It would be a nice change it you would simply mention the fact that you were leaving the Citadel Highness…” the guard said with laudable composure as he fell in behind them, bringing a sigh to Cat’s lips.<br><br>“I appreciate your position Captain, but I’m not used to having to run my every move by anyone, not even my father… next you’re going to want to place a guard in my very bedchamber to insure my chastity… as if I could ever find the time for a liason, let alone a man willing to risk my father’s wrath…” she grimaced slightly and shook her head, berating herself for her tone of voice.&nbsp; “I’m sorry Captain, you deserve better than that from me…”<br><br>“I live to serve…” he said with an admirably grave tone, bowing slightly as he fell back, allowing them the small amount privacy he could in the hallway.&nbsp; <br><br>Cat leaned against Khal for a moment as they walked down the hall.&nbsp; “Has everyone come in now?” she asked quietly, speaking of the Riders. “I know you sent a number of them out in the last month…”<br><br>In truth she knew that the majority of them were in or near the Citadel, but there were three in particular that she had not been allowed to meet on her father’s orders.&nbsp; That would have to change, whether he wanted it to or not in the near future.&nbsp; If what she had heard held true they would all be needed in the months to come, and her father would no longer be able to afford to protect her if he expected her to rule in her own right one day.&nbsp; Her curiosity practically bubbled beneath the surface of her words, the rumors of the three that circulated through the court leaving her with a desire to see them for herself, to speak to the people who could so disconcert the people she had known since birth.&nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>24-05-2010, 04:44:55</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				When the princess played at sorrow Khalida found herself hard pressed to hold back the laughter that wanted to come to her lips, thinning them instead to keep control over herself though the way her dark eyes dance gave her away well enough. Her hand clasped on Cat's shoulder even as the Champion shook her head when the Princess and her Captain of the Guard retorted at once another. She had the feeling the poor Captain would be happy enough when the duty of protecting and training the princess was fully handed over to the Rider's and herself, then perhaps Catáryn would not slip away so much. <br><br>"Perhaps if you got in less mischief we would expect less." she said with a grave tone in her voice before that laugh left her lips, a chuckle before it was stifled and the Champion was firmly in control, the young woman who would have laughed and teased readily enough having to give way to the commander that everyone needed so badly. <br><br>The question that her younger friend posed her caught her off guard and she glanced at the princess as their even strides carried them down the hall and to the set of stairs that would lead them down to the audience chambers and where the King awaited them. "You really do get into things you shouldn't Cat..." she said, shaking her head and her long braid swinging with the action even as she took the first step and sighed, thinking of the three that were still outside the citadel. <br><br>Mihriban Bata, Sevastyan Konstanti and Tavish Kade were all figures that were little known by the Court and for good reason, for they served in ways that would have lifted no few brows and even the whispers of what and who they were roused heated arguments against them. It was her luck that Caolán, the King, trusted her enough to keep such 'questionable' figures in her Riders. But the Rider's were more then just warriors, her father had taught her that and if she took it further then he ever had, well she was female and she followed her gut more then some, her 'gut', feelings that things were meant to be always seemed stronger then what most people felt and she went with it, so far it had only ever paid off. <br><br>"Just about everyone has returned, the last will come in tonight or tomorrow." She stopped, turning on the stairs to look at the auburn haired girl, concern in her expression. "Catáryn I know you are curious but I have kept you from a few of my Rider's for good reason, as your father desires. You will need to carry the Sword so I can not do that much longer but...please promise me you will treat them with respect and think carefully before speaking."<br><br>It was odd perhaps, the Champion of a country seeking to protect a courtesan, a womanizer and a turn coat of the Lerin Empire. But the three of her Rider's that were the most infamous often gathered her the most precious information. Sevastyan had returned to Solana to scope out the situation of the land that had once been the Kingdom of Aurian, posing as a Imperial Captain, what he had actually once been. He could have died for what she had asked of him and yet he had done it. <br><br>Tavish was to the north, scoping out Lin and trying to woo a few of the Council that ruled the Republic. <br><br>Mihriban had gone to Dalias to tempt the court of the country to their east with their desires and gather knowledge of their own war plans. All of them had taken risks, going further and farther from the citadel then any others. And yet no one but she herself or the other Rider's would thank them. It was wrong but she could not change the prejudices of the court. She would however not allow anyone to insult them while they were around her. Khalida twitched a smile to Cat before turning and clambering down the stairs quickly, wanting to leave the conversation there before the girl's curiosity got more from her. It was in that haste that she found herself before the door of the smaller audience chamber and she knocked on the door, calling out "Your Majesty?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Will</strong> on <strong>26-05-2010, 23:36:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gamun had to work to push down the rising anticipation in his nerves.&nbsp; The girl he had watched over for so long, who had never laid eyes on him before, was about to be face to face with him.&nbsp; It was against everything that had been done as long as the guardians had been in existence.&nbsp; It was only the rarest of occasions that called for direct intervention, and it was always considered failure.&nbsp; Had he failed?&nbsp; Every thread of his soul told him yes, he had, but he knew better.&nbsp; He would not have failed until Lerin overran the kingdom, and that <em>would not happen.</em><br><br>Outwardly, however, Gamun was still, even as his thoughts ran in circles.&nbsp; In truth, the King himself seemed more ill at ease than Gamun did, but there was no nervousness there.&nbsp; Only restlessness.&nbsp; Gamun couldn't blame Caolán; he had an entire country depending on him for protection, and every day, they drew nearer to possible doom.&nbsp; It was enough to make even the most stalwart of men jump in their seats.&nbsp; It didn't help that he was mortal, of course; they were always in a hurry.<br><br>"Enter," the King called out in a clipped tone, and the door creaked faintly as it swung open.&nbsp; Gamun needed no introductions for either the russet haired princess&nbsp; nor her lithe Champion Khalida.&nbsp; He moderated his reaction anyway, albeit with some effort.&nbsp; The princess' eyes, steely-gray, seemed to take in much more than her expression let on, and Gamun wondered.&nbsp; Had he taken a bad direction with his ruse?&nbsp; Her age had marked her the perfect choice, but perhaps he had chosen poorly after all.&nbsp; No matter.&nbsp; It was done.<br><br>Caolán stood from the wide seat at the head of the chamber, taking on a regal bearing immediately.&nbsp; It was truly second nature to the man.&nbsp; Adjusting his robes, he smiled at the women.&nbsp; "That was surprisingly timely, daughter.&nbsp; I had heard you were... well, no matter.&nbsp; You are here now.&nbsp; Gamun, this is my daughter, the Princess of Fereshard and heir to the Emerald Crown, Catáryn Tiarnán.&nbsp; Her companion is our Champion, the Lady of the Riders of Fereshard, Khalida Aindriú.&nbsp; Princess, Lady, this is... Gamun.&nbsp; Of Irelki."&nbsp; The lack of titles or surnames was conspicuous, even in the King's tone.<br><br>Gamun bowed deeply, though with no more flourish than he had for the King, and smiled.&nbsp; "Thank you, majesty.&nbsp; It is a pleasure to meet you both.&nbsp; I must apologize if my lack of formality offends you... I'm afraid my situation makes it necessary."&nbsp; It took a monumental force of will to keep his eyes from fixing themselves on Khalida, but he managed, if only just.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kye</strong> on <strong>05-06-2010, 23:27:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat’s eyes flickered across her father, noting the tension that always seemed to ride his shoulders with an absent sorrow at the necessity that had seemed to age him far more than the mere passing of the years could account for.&nbsp; Even as the sorrow settled upon her own shoulders she turned her gaze to the man who stood beside her father, taking in everything she could about him, using the knowledge that Khal had practically beaten into her over the past year to assess him quickly and far more thoroughly than most people would have thought possible. <br><br>The man’s features marked him as a son of Irelki, which was confirmed with her father’s words a moment later.&nbsp; She couldn’t quite hide her curiosity as her head tilted to the side, her study of the man deepening noticeably before she bowed slightly in return, forgoing the more formal curtsy that her station would have required under normal circumstances, of course normal circumstances had disappeared with her brother.&nbsp; <br><br>“What situation would that be Sir Gamun?” she asked quietly, her cheer from but a moment before stifled as she took her cue from her father.&nbsp; “What has brought you so far from home?&nbsp; I assume that your business with us is less than official, or the proper titles would have been included in your introduction.”<br><br>Caution warred with curiosity as she stood next to Khal, mindful of her position as heir even as she showed Khal more courtesy than other nobility likely would have by standing by her side as an equal instead of stepping forward to take a place at her father’s side.&nbsp; It was a calculated move on her part, one that told the man before them that she trusted her Champion and valued her council and friendship more than her position as heir.&nbsp; It was a statement that she had been making time and time again as the court grumbled about Khal’s choice in Riders.&nbsp; A show of solidarity that was quickly becoming second nature. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>05-06-2010, 23:54:42</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				It was a nice receiving hall, she thought at least, for it just contained the King and his guest. That was a small mercy in her mind, for at the moment she had no wish to deal with any of the nobles nor their feeling of a need to impart 'wisdom' to her. Part of her felt bad for Caolán, for he could not brush other's off as she could with muttered words of training and duties to attend, no, the poor man had to listen to every ass in his court bray out their opinion as if it were the one that would save them all. And now, apparently, another had come to join the collection of handsome lordlings who did nothing. <br><br>Still Khalida inclined her head respectfully when the King named her, one hand wrapped around the hilt of her sword and the other resting on a hip, the pose of a warrior called before their liege but ready for action regardless. The information that the man was from Irelki was surprising and heartening, Irelki had ancient magics that could out do even what Fereshard could post, after all the Fereshard royal line was tied to the crown thanks to a Irealian blood lineage a few centuries back. Was the Irealian lady who had given birth to King Goraidh Tiarnán, the Golden King who had wed together the feuding clans of the wild mountains and shaped Fereshard into a nation mighty even in its smaller size, still alive? Likely, Irealian's were suppose to live forever after all. <br><br>"Formality is nothing I have much need of outside of orders being followed, think little of it stranger." Her words were spoken in a voice that was somehow bored but polite, authoritative. Khalida glanced from the stranger to the King and then back, frowning slightly as she noticed how Gamun made such a point not to look at her. <br><br>Was she ugly then? No, she knew she wasn't but Cat was certainly more to look at, a young wind swept princess with her pale glowing beauty. Khalida was perhaps too dark, too warrior like. It never bothered her too much. <br><br>And Catáryn, Meria keep her, of course simply settled into regal bearing and went at questioning the Irealian in the way only a royal would get away with. Perhaps she had trained the girl too well, but she simply stayed quiet, amused and glanced at the princess when the girl took a position and a body language that clearly sided with anything Khalida herself chose to say. It amused her a little, that the Champion of Fereshard should have the most unlikely of champions for her choices and orders. And she loved the girl all the more for it, she was a good princess, a good woman, and she would lead Fereshard into glory just as her ancestor Goriadh had, of that Khal was sure. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Will</strong> on <strong>16-06-2010, 05:11:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The angel noticed Khalida's irritation as he kept his attention on the princess.&nbsp; She likely thought she hid it well enough, but he knew her far too well for that.&nbsp; Turning to look her in the eyes, he smiled and inclined his head briefly.&nbsp; "You are very kind, Lady Champion.&nbsp; Many thanks."<br><br>Taking his eyes off of her proved to be more difficult, however.&nbsp; To be speaking to her now, face to face, was enough to freeze him to the spot.&nbsp; "Hm, well..."&nbsp; Gamun spoke, doing his utmost to retain his composure and turn back to Catáryn.&nbsp; "My situation... is simply me.&nbsp; I have been sent to assist Fereshard in her defense against the Empire of Lerin, in effect, to make certain that the war stops here.&nbsp; Irelki would prefer if the fighting came no closer, you see, which is why I am acting in this 'unofficial' capacity."<br><br>Gamun cleared his throat, glancing sidelong at a serving man who stepped closer with a tray.&nbsp; "Mm.&nbsp; Long travel does leave one parched, yes?"&nbsp; Gamun offered them all a smile as the man poured wine from the pewter pitcher into a goblet on the tray.&nbsp; Gamun hated lying, and he hated long, convoluted lies most of all.&nbsp; Too many chances to get tripped up.&nbsp; Taking a sip from the cup, he smiled again, hoping that it was sincere enough to put the two women at ease.&nbsp; "To get to the heart of things, I am here to train you in the magical arts, Princess Catáryn, and to act in a support role with my own abilities.&nbsp; Which are considerable," he added over the rim of his goblet.&nbsp; "I will happily defer to the Champion Khalida, and allow her to direct my efforts."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kye</strong> on <strong>16-06-2010, 05:26:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cat’s eyes narrowed slightly as she contemplated the Irelian, taking his measure as best she could under the circumstances.&nbsp; She had no reason not to trust him, no reason to question the explanations which seemed perfectly sound to her, and yet she found herself doing exactly that.&nbsp; Perhaps paranoia was taking its toll on her finally, the stress of her position as heir forcing her to jump at shadows.&nbsp; <br><br>She glanced sideways at Khal, trying to read her friends reaction to Gamun in the line of her body and tilt upon her lips.&nbsp; Finally, with a mental sigh, she turned her attention once again to the stranger.&nbsp; Something he had said finally registering consciously in her mind.&nbsp; He had offered to help, to train her, and that could only mean one thing.&nbsp; He knew the spirit magic that plagued her dreams, the magic that woke her in the night and refused to be channeled into anything that she could use or truly understand.&nbsp; For that alone she would have been willing to ignore her instincts, but add to that the fact that he was willing to put his own powers at their disposal, to follow Khal’s lead in the war to come and he became a resource that they could not afford to ignore.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>“Train me… you could train me to control that which plagues my dreams?” she asked, unable to keep a hopeful note from her voice.&nbsp; She tucked a strand of her fiery hair behind her ear then, her insecurities showing even through the training that allowed her to stand tall in front of a man whose power would make hers look as if nothing by comparison if any of the stories she had heard about his people were even remotely true.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>16-06-2010, 06:38:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kind. What an odd word to be addressed to her by a utter stranger, especially when he was clearly here for the Princess and not herself. Still it make a slight glimmer of a smile touch her lips, most did not think her kind, most thought her half insane or too stubborn for her own good with her odd thoughts about the Rider's and what it meant to be a Champion. They could thank her father for that though, he had trained her all her life and it had surprised only the most conservative of people when she had been selected by the Oracle as his successor. Of course those people had the issue with the fact that she was female as well. <br><br>The Champion glanced between Gamun and Cat, thinking about the idea of her princess having more training in the magic that plagued her, she knew all too well how often the girl woke up at night with dreams no one, not even the Oracle could fully unravel. She stayed, silent, listening and unresponsive for a moment, aware of the King's eyes on her no doubt wondering what she was thinking. The promise from the Irealian to defer to her was reassuring and she felt the quirk of a smile deepen ever so slightly on her somber face, though it did not quiet reach her violet eyes. "If you can indeed train the Princess in her magic and will bide by my orders then you are most welcome Lord Gamun, though I think for your own well being and sanity you should house among the Rider's rather then the court. If you don't mind I'll have my mage confer with you most, she'll know how to handle you and likely act as chaperon to your lessons with Catáryn." <br><br>A smile was on the King's lips then and she inclined her head respectfully, wondering just how happy he was that she had accepted this outsider so readily. She was what he judged safety by most often, the loadstone the kingdom followed in these matters and as aware of that as she was she refused to let it bother her. Her ears caught the footsteps outside the chamber and she turned slightly, toward the door before the rap on it came and it was opened, Davina's familiar face appearing. <br><br>"Champion, the Lady Mihriban has returned with urgent word from Dalias. Will you be rejoining the Rider's?"<br><br>Khalida nodded, sketching a bow to the King, princess and Irealian before turning and heading for the door. "I hope you do not mind the lack of my company. When your talk is over Cat will know where to find me, you both will be welcome." And then she was out the door, gone like a wind so swift on her feet, heading back toward her study and the people she had drawn together to save her beloved country. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Will</strong> on <strong>27-06-2010, 22:23:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gamun's chest tightened as Khalida bid a quick goodbye, his every sense shouting at him to follow.&nbsp; He couldn't, of course, and he drew a breath as he steadied the goblet still in his hand.&nbsp; His gaze turned back to the King, and then glanced toward the Princess as he spoke in a conversational tone.&nbsp; "The Lady Champion, she seems... restless.&nbsp; I suppose that's to be expected.&nbsp; Still, she should have let me clarify.&nbsp; As I said, there are limits on my capacity to help.&nbsp; Within those limits, I will serve the kingdom of Fereshard as one of her own."<br><br>The angel drained his cup and set it aside, clasping his hands together and settling his attention further on the Princess.&nbsp; The dreams, he had known of.&nbsp; It was very common for humans with latent magic to experience strong, vivid dreams as their power tried to assert itself, but to be tortured by them?&nbsp; Her potential was great indeed.&nbsp; Inclining his head deeply to her, he nodded once.&nbsp; "I can teach you control.&nbsp; I cannot teach you mastery, I am afraid, as my areas of expertise are not quite in line with yours.&nbsp; Or what I <em>suspect</em> to be yours.&nbsp; Still, the basics are the same, and I have confidence that you will find your way very well once I give you the tools."<br><br>It was true, after all.&nbsp; Gamun had little more than a passing familiarity with magic outside of Light and Shadow.&nbsp; That would limit his commitment to the young royal, leaving him able to pursue Khalida and her Riders.&nbsp; The warrior girl was practical; he would make himself useful to her, more useful than any of her followers.&nbsp; Then she would have him at her side always.&nbsp; With luck.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kye</strong> on <strong>03-07-2010, 05:44:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She ached to follow Khalida from the room.&nbsp; To sit in on the meeting that was taking place just down the hall and meet the infamous Lady Mihriban whom she had yet to see for more than a moment, let alone actually speak to.&nbsp; That would have to change in the near future.&nbsp; She was the heir to the throne and she would be in the forefront of any decisions being made during the coming war.&nbsp; At least her curiosity would be satisfied eventually, but for now there were duties to attend to.<br><br>Cat pulled her attention back to Gamun, pushing her curiosity aside with concerted effort so that she could concentrate on what he said.&nbsp; Hope was an ember within her.&nbsp; She had come to believe that her dreams were a curse that she would have to live with for the rest of her life.&nbsp; She would be known as the mad queen when they finally drove her to insanity, but now there was that one, tiny, precious glimmer of hope. <br><br>“Anything would be of great help Lord Gamun,” she murmured, her words heartfelt.&nbsp; “I must confess that I had given up hope of ever gaining any semblance of control over that aspect of my power.&nbsp; Your timely arrival seems truly Godsent.”<br><br>The King nodded slightly in respect and approval towards Cat before turning back to Gamun.&nbsp; “You must have traveled a great distance.&nbsp; Allow Catáryn to arrange a room for you in the guest wing for now.&nbsp; If my Champion desires your presence elsewhere other arrangements can of course be made.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>31-08-2010, 01:10:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The flames in the fire place still burned, brighter now it seemed but perhaps that was just because night had fallen. The day had slipped away from her fingertips as if it had never been and she had been up since before the dawn, twilight now only a faint memory of lingering pale purple blush on the skyline. She had meant to go outside at twilight, to go visit the garden's that had been always one of her favorite places in the mountain citadel of the Emerald Tower; the gardens had been designed by the previous queen, a woman she only faintly remembered. <br><br>But here she was, chained to her duty and studying missives. <br><br>Mihriban's words had brought her some small measure of hope to be sure, but that had kept her far more busy then she had expected and as seemed to be the normal since the Empire's demand, stolen away all her free moments. Khalida inhaled deeply, relaxing as much as she could back into the high backed chair of the Champion at the round table where she and the Rider's all convened. Her gaze flickered around the room then, taking in the details of it and realizing it wasn't much changed from her father's day. It was large, larger then the receiving room where the Irealian and the King had been waiting for her earlier, with a high vaulted ceiling and two hearths, one at each end of the chamber. The door was down near the other one, the wall that stretched from the door toward the table filled with bookshelves stacked full of all manner of things. Three large windows took up a good section of the outside wall, letting in the night's softness. There was of course the shield design's of previous Champions decorating the walls, a few sacred weapons of Fereshard, at least to their Rider's kept carefully in stands. Above both mantles of the twin fire places now was her own signal. <br><br>For a long moment she stared at it, at the coat of arms her Rider's wore so proudly when they were in combat gear. A silver griffin rampant upon a field of deep royal purple, the color the same as it had always been for the Champion of Fereshard chosen by the Oracle of the Goddess of Fate and then of course the crest of 'Chosen' in the Mori runes with the motto written in the first tongue known to Fereshard, something referred to as Ferian, it was a precursor to their current tongue, dubbed Feresian by the scholars. Her eyes focused on those words, murmuring them to herself, the motto she had chosen for her time as Champion, the words of Ferian heavy and full on her tongue; Loyalty Binds Us. Indeed it did. <br><br>Loyalty to the country, the people and the wilderness alike, loyalty to the king and the common man. Loyalty to her Rider's. <br><br>Khal's eyes refocused then on the people that filled the room with her, watching Merith lit up her glow baubles, floating them up on the air to give them all better lighting; the two women's eyes met and they understood that it would be a long night. Davina lounged in a chair with a sprawling ease that Khalida nearly envied but then the woman had always been fluidly limber and her golden eyes were fixed on Vael as they argued over some point. Jerian and Adair both sat quietly, looking over a map of the forests to the north, the area most likely to be landed on and no doubt were thinking about the Shifter's there. She would have to send them either along or have all the Rider's go to make a alliance with the Shifters soon. Qudira held herself apart, reading quietly though Khal knew the book she was reading all too well, it was written by one of the brave Dalasian men who had gone to Lerin's heart itself and studied their strange weapons and ways of warfare. It was all they had to ready themselves. <br><br>Mical seemed at ease as well, working on carving runes into a bow's curve, no doubt for protection but he was always more at ease with his hands working. Seumas, Finlay and Aulay were all looking over the lists of the people enlisted today, so many coming to pledge their part in the coming war. It should have been a relief but it was more of a burden, more people to protect, more people she would fail. <br><br>Her courtesan seemed happy enough to be home, in her own chair with her eyes warm as she looked at the others, the Champion's mind slipped back to their conversation earlier, to the tales the woman had carried home. Of a prince of a now gone country on Solana, a William who planned to reclaim his kingdom somehow; of a ambassador to Lerin returning with a corishan in his tow with tales about the truth of the One Faith that bolstered what Sevastyan had shared with her upon joining the Riders; and faint rumors of a goddess come back to the world who meant to travel to the heart of the Empire and end the false faith and the darkness that had birthed it. Her temples throbbed, oh what times she lived in. Still she thought her father would have been a better Champion then her, but she was all they had, the best they had. She prayed then, to Meria and Solious and the Gatekeeper alike that she would not fail, and to Deril that she would be strengthened by the love she had for them all her most unlikely family. <br><br>Khalida pushed herself up and to her feet, her violet eyes warm as she looked around the chamber, at all of them, even the prodigy in their midst who hung back. Cat should be here as well but she knew the girl would come soon enough, perhaps even with Gamun in tow. "Well Mihriban has returned to us safely and I expected the last of our number to join us soon enough, a servant told me he has returned as well. The Princess may well join us tonight with an Irealian that has come to aid us as well...its time to talk about allies and start to play in earnest my loves, Finlay's Aeria have told him that the ships are but four days from our coast."<br><br>Four days...it couldn't be enough but it was what they had. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kye</strong> on <strong>17-09-2010, 05:09:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Catáryn shifted impatiently from foot to foot as her father assigned her a duty she would rather have left to anyone else.&nbsp; She should have been allowed to attend the meeting with Khalida, but that evidently was not meant to be.&nbsp; She stifled a sigh as she nodded towards her father.&nbsp; “With your leave…” she murmured, turning to exit the room, waiting for the Irealian to join her in the hallway before she turned towards room Khalida and the riders would be in.&nbsp; <br><br>She glanced at him curiously out of the corner of her eye, studying his profile as she led the way down the hall at what she hoped was a decorous pace, though she feared it was rather hurried.&nbsp; As much as she wished to learn from him, to control the powers that plagued her she wished to be a part of the planning more.&nbsp; She realized that what was discussed in that room with Khalida would ultimately decide the fate of her Kingdom, and she could not help feeling that it was her duty to be a part of that, to know what would happen and what was decided so that she could make the best decisions possible should she find herself in a situation where she was forced to lead.&nbsp; <br><br>“Would you mind if I took you to one of the guest rooms later?&nbsp; I would really prefer to be in the meeting with Khal, and you might wish to sit in as well…” she asked finally, glancing towards him more fully as she worried at her bottom lip with her teeth, hoping he would agree… and that her father would not find out that she had altered his orders somewhat.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br><br><div align="center">~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~</div><br><br>Mihriban scanned the room casually, taking in not only those present but the emotions that ran under the surface.&nbsp; That was her gift.&nbsp; She was not an empathy, but she could find the chinks in anyone’s armor, the desires that would allow her to get close enough for her to learn their deepest, darkest secrets, and she could be exactly who and what they needed.&nbsp; <br><br>That talent made more than one of her companions slightly uncomfortable, and left most of the nobles she rubbed elbows with on occasion uneasy.&nbsp; She could even understand why, after all if she could become anyone she needed to be then how were they to know who the real her was.&nbsp; The truth was she did not always know herself, but she did know where her loyalties lay, and that was with the people in this room, and no matter who she was in any moment, that was the one truth of her existence.&nbsp; Once she gave her loyalty it was for life.<br><br>She nodded slightly at the mention of her name, her storm grey eyes thoughtful, not hiding the surprise she felt at the mention of an Irealian.&nbsp; If he was truly here to offer aide he could be a great boon to them.&nbsp; Any other thoughts she might have had about him were shattered when she heard the number.&nbsp; Four days.&nbsp; It wasn’t nearly long enough, they weren’t ready.&nbsp; They should have had weeks yet if not months… <br><br>“Where will they make landfall?” she heard herself ask through her shock. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: One Last Sacrifice [Kyrsa &amp; Will &amp; Wisti]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wistful Dream</strong> on <strong>17-10-2010, 18:58:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The question didn't surprise her, Khalida had known it was coming as she settled back down into her seat, a map of Fereshard and the waters surrounding it before her. "We are hoping to the south, if we can direct them or get the Aeria to direct them rather, then they will have to deal with the Bitter Crags, regardless of where they land though they'll have to make it through mountains and unfamiliar forest." <br><br>She glanced at Merith, weighing what she was about to ask and bring forward, they had talked about it before, how could they not have, but it had never been a formal thing. "Merith, others of your Coven are here in Fereshard correct?" The blond woman nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. The Water Coven was the closest of all the Witch's Covens and often Fereshard born Witch's returned to their homeland; it could be a boon. <br><br>"Then please send messages to all that you know of in the country to gather here as soon as possible, the Empire might be four days off the coast right now but if we have Witch aid, especially water and air caste then we can stretch that to at least six to eight days if not more." She smiled then, a keen edge to it. "After all I doubt the landlocked Empire will be use to the tempest such as Fereshard's coast can give." That earned a few laughs and a little relaxation of tension, it was true, the sea could be an ally, a strong one. It was part of why she planned to seek out the Undaeri, eventually. That was like to be the last place she sought for allies in the coming days, a matter of working up to it. There were the common people to train now, the Riders to use to train and ready the country, the Princess to guard and she meant to seek out the Shifter's and any Magir in the lands as well. There were many magically born or bound beings in Fereshard that would die beneath the Empire's sword if they didn't hold them back. <br><br>"Jerian, I will need you to serve as an introduction to the Shifter clans, all of them that you know. If we are to be doing forest fighting then they might well give us an advantage." The others murmured, happy with the plans, looking back and forth amongst themselves. Davina glanced at Khalida, her golden eyes intense for a moment and Khal recalled the woman had the blood of the first Draconics in her. <br><br>"What about the dragons Champion?"<br><br>"No." she shook her head, not wanting to even think about them. She had had to slay a dragon that had gone mad with bloodlust and she doubted it endeared her much to the race as a whole, though they had respected it. "They fall too easily to bloodlust." <br><br>"That is only the warm hue ones, and young foolish ones at that! My kin would help." Davina retorted, Khalida's expression darkened a touch, her violet eyes flashing with warning. <br><br>"No, I will not have an ally that we can not trust, not unless it is the only recourse left to us. I mean to seek out the Undaeri, they may do more to help with keeping the ships off our coast. Now let us listen to Mirhiban as she shares the news from Dalais."
			</dd>
		</dl>
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