Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Mingnon on 07-10-2013, 21:43:06</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>07-10-2013, 21:43:06</strong>
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				<div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">The Continent of Atheros</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div align="center">(http://i42.tinypic.com/nbdyv.jpg)</div></div></div><br>Valera could recall when the Morobian emissaries, they called themselves, came for the last time in peace: To try prying every bit of what resembled a protection fee from the town's chief. The reason for this was so that the Morobian and Kaltherian traders could peacefully pass by the town that laid near their trading route. But it was a poorly kept secret that the reason for the fee was because the town was in the way. And failure to pay the fee meant that the emissaries wouldn't be held responsible in the event that the Kaltherians would burn the town into ashes.<br><br>And burn it they did.<br><br>Valera could recall how the attack unfolded; first with a typical evening of relaxation, just moments before an orange glow could be seen in the horizon. Then screams, and people running for their lives. Some were shot down by arrows and flames for daring to resist their own 'punishment'.<br><br>Yet Valera managed to escape her potential death, and ran. As far as she could, into the embrace of the Serpent's Vice. Between the two sets of these mountains laid the Halo Valley, where she and some other refugees went to seek solace. And it was there that the owner of a farmstead revealed a way across the Forbidden Woods. The one place told in legends where sinister creatures roamed, seeking to claim prey.<br><br>And yet everyone in the group that entered came through unharmed somehow, and into Darvoia.<br><br>Valera had since then had an uneasy rest. She was given food and even a bit of comfort, yet she couldn't sleep. She felt as if she was intruding past an enemy's line. It was made no better by how she secretly wished for Kaltheria to fall into ruin, but couldn't do anything about it. After all, how could a few untrained folk, peasants under Kaltherian eyes, stand a chance under diligently trained armies?<br><br>Then there was Darvoria's benefactor, and by extension her group's, and then her benefactor, Lord of Darcova Castle. He ensured the protection and prosperity of Darvoria for a long time, though doubtfully the centuries that were claimed. Yet she couldn't help but feel a chill up her spine; she couldn't seem to trust him. He had hidden himself from civilian eyes, and those he has personally worked with have been strangely mum as to his true plans.<br><br>And this was the reality that Valera has had to deal with for several days, approaching a fortnight now.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Black Howling</strong> on <strong>07-10-2013, 22:21:18</strong>
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				Noon's transition welcomed the ring of the bell towers in the city, marking the appearance of mid day. Even in the castle, so far away from the towers ring, The Lord could hear it. His fingers were outstretched, claw tipped nails tracing a map laid out across the table. It was a dated map of the continent, but his red eyes were tracing the area Kaltheria now continually attempted to expand upon. Their aggressive military action had quickly pushed refugees to run wherever they could to escape the war path.<br><br>It was with some degree of trepidation that The Lord had begun letting them flock to his realm. Parting the horrors of his forest to grant them safe passage. However, his lands were not big enough to support an ongoing measure of this. Something had to be done, but with the current lack of information; he found himself hard pressed to work up a measurable plan to stem the tide. His eyes rose at that point, resting on the lovely assistant that stood at attention near the door. She among his only trusted advisers, and perhaps one of ten who'd laid eyes on him directly. <br><br><strong>"What of the refugees? Has one proved of interest?"</strong> He asked her calmly, fingers still circling the area of interest on the map. It took a few seconds for his adviser to answer, but when she did speak it seemed her voice was uncertain. <strong>"One, perhaps. She seems to have a calmer mind on the situation. It's said she is the one who led the recent bunch here. Yet, when I looked at her; there was something else beneath the visage. Something; powerful."</strong> The words settled on Demonic Master quite heavily. <br><br>Lord Darcova took a few moments then, analyzing the strange feelings he'd had of late. The pestering weight like an old friend had returned; that feeling of magic emanating in the back of his mind. <strong>"Bring her to me. Send a summons, along with a retainer to be her escort. Give her what she desires for her cooperation. We need a better understanding of the situation outside our borders."</strong> He explained to the adviser, giving her a hard stare as her eyes widened with surprise that he wanted to speak to the woman directly. <br><br>She seemed ready to speak in regards to the wisdom of the order, but the Lord wasn't ready to take no for an answer. <strong>"Go."</strong> He said coldly, before eyes eyes came back to the map before him. He heard her footsteps leaving, the door closing behind her. Only then did those red eyes shut, and he tried to sense more of what that feeling was. He wondered if this woman had something to do with it. Was the time of rebirth finally at hand.<br><hr><br>And later on, in the area of the city that had been designated for the refugees; the Retainer marched. <br><br>Leon, the Lord's most trusted soldier and guard walked among the refugees in search of his mark. The peoples here were being more well taken care of then they'd find elsewhere. Clean food and water were being given to them, and roofs were placed over their head. Those with skills needed were even being granted citizenship in return for their support of the land. However, there was still a large number that were being supported by The Lords charity alone. Some for lack of being here long enough, others simply because their skills were too common in the land. <br><br>The Dark haired swordsman paid the scene as little attention as he could, however. Instead looking for the girl. Her features were not well described, but from what he'd understood she was one of the few here not beaten and battered mentally from the ordeal. He stopped in front of a boarding house when he noticed a couple of refugees speaking, and decided to ask for directions toward the woman. <strong>"Excuse me. Would you to happen to know where woman named Valera is? I have need to speak with her."</strong> <br><br>Lean wasn't sure how his question would be received, but it needed to be asked. Otherwise he'd be here for a long time with little more then a name to guide him. That wouldn't do, he knew that while the lord was a patience man; he wasn't one that was tolerant of failure. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>08-10-2013, 00:39:06</strong>
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				Valera had been spending nearly all of her stay at the lodging house, having to share her room with a few other refugees so as to conserve sleeping space. She only had to clean some days; purely due to the necessity of having to pull her own weight, as well as the guilt of having to be sheltered without much cost towards herself. Another reason being that she had little else to do besides wait, bathe, or read one of the few books the others didn't pick up.<br><br>It was this particular day that she was in the middle of doing the latter. She was also overhearing two women right outside the lodging house gossiping about various, tedious things. It seemed that they, too, had to wait until they were given a task.<br><br>Then, she raised her head as someone else directly approached the women. "Excuse me, would you to happen to know where a woman named Valera is? I have need to speak with her."<br><br>"Oh, yes. I'll be just a moment," One of them replied, and entered the house while Valera herself didn't waste time to close her book and stand to attention. Before the woman could bring up the man, she was already heading outside.<br><br>The afternoon sun shone on her long, dark crimson hair and light skin, with her copper eyes looking over towards the man. It was apparent that she stood out from many even with her features alone. "You wanted to have a word with me?" She asked.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Black Howling</strong> on <strong>09-10-2013, 07:01:32</strong>
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				Leon had just nodded to the woman as she began to walk off, and no sooner then the lass took a few steps another woman come into view. She obviously stood apart from the rest, and those striking features certainly didn't go unnoticed by the swordsman. His eyes seemed to linger for a few moments as she made her way, then they came back to focus as her question was spoken. The man grinned lightly, inclining his head in respect before he started to reply. <strong>"Keen ears."</strong> He began with a compliment, obviously surprised she'd overheard.<br><br><strong>"Actually I bring word of a summons."</strong> Leon answered vaguely at first. <strong>"Lord Darcova would like to speak with you regarding your journey here. It seems he believes you may have information for him."</strong> The swordsman finished, quirking a brow at the woman as he did so. It was quite obvious by how he worded the request that he was unsure of what her response would be. The Lord did not oft invite people to his castle. Even fewer received an invite to speak with him personally, so this was certainly a new sort of task for the man. <br><br><strong>"I'll escort you there if you accept."</strong> Leon offered, then chuckled beneath his breath. <strong>"Unless you would prefer to go on your own. I'm sure you can find the way there."</strong> He jested further, stance still relaxed; back straight as one hand rested comfortably on the hilt of his sword. The offer had already brought the gazes of several passer by's, all of which seemed curious why it was being extended. Especially to a refugee, but then again the fact that she was a refugee was the exact reason she received it. At-least that's what the swordsman thought. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>09-10-2013, 07:31:49</strong>
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				"Given how most of us can't work at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if someone can have them. But you're not here for small talk are you?" she asked, her tone a little cold. This reflected her own response to the trauma of losing her home, by disconnecting much of her emotion from it.<br><br>But then she was told of the summons. That small chill returned to run up her back, though the only visible response was her widened eyes. But then she took a slow moment to calm down by letting out a drawn breath. "I'll go by myself, thank you. If he only wishes to speak with me, I'd rather not waste anyone else's time." The onlookers' eyes then followed Valera as she started to take a walk to the nearest exit out of the city, and on towards the castle.<br><br>The onlookers' confusion regarding exactly what kind of information the Lord Darcova wanted could be overheard in whispers. Yet there was also some mentions of relief as 'that cold attention-monger' was finally removing herself from their space, at least for the time being.<br><br><hr><br>It took half an hour at a brisk pace, as well as a climb up a step-laden hill before Valera was a few yards off from Castle Darcova's front gate. Being as close as this to the Lord himself made her uneasy. But she was certain he just wanted to speak with her about whatever it is and let her on her way. With that, she came up to the front gates where the guards stood post.<br><br>"I am Valera. The Lord himself has sent for me," She said to address them.<br><br>With little hesitation, the gates creaked open, and she began to pass through them. But as she just passed the gates, she couldn't help but feel an air awash with a foreboding aura collide against her. She paused, but she continued on in only seconds as she began to walk through the castle's courtyard. She was focused on what she came here for to even look over her surroundings.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Black Howling</strong> on <strong>11-10-2013, 14:13:02</strong>
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				It was well after the meeting with his assistant, and Lord Darcova was currently in his study awaiting the lady he'd heard about. He'd sent his best to perform it, though as the time ticked by, he began to wonder if perhaps that had been a mistake. Would a simple errand boy have done better? There was no way tell, so for now he pushed that out of his mind. Instead focusing on the logistics at hand, writing up a small doctrine for how the food was to be rationed out in the refugee camp. While he'd prefer not to ration at all, that simply wasn't an option. <br><br>Elsewhere, in the lobby, the tall assistant waited. When she seen Valera approaching, she greeted her with a warm smile. "A pleasure to see you could make it. The Lord awaits you in his study. I'll direct you there." She said, though despite her pleasant tone, the smile on her face did not seem completely genuine. He never asked for one on one meetings, so this was strange indeed. Never the less, she turned on her heel as she beckoned the girl to follow. Step by step she lead her out of the lobby, up a single flight of stairs, and then to a large set of double doors that rested at the hall's end. <br><br>The assistant stopped as she reached the end, and without word she gave three solid knocks upon the door. Inside the study, Lord Darcova paused. His fingers tightened on the quill, even as a strange feeling rested in the pit of his stomach. The same sort he'd gotten earlier. Still, he placed the quill back into the inkwell, and called out to the door. "Send her in. Alone. Then return to your duties." His voice was raised so they could hear him through the oaken portal, and his eyes went back to the doctrine on his desk. Oh such a thing would be fun for her to see. <br><br>Outside the room, the assistant looked toward Valera and smiled. "He'll see you now." She said, opening the door to let the lass on in. One the other Side, Lord Darcova was in clear view. His long black hair, glowing red eyes. The almost tatoo like design of scales around his temples, curving like crescent blades just under his eyes. Those orbs didn't so much as turn to her though, he just motion for her to come closer. Already knowing his assistant would shut the door behind her, and their conversation could finally begin.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Initiation from Castle Darcova [Black Howling + Mingnon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Mingnon</strong> on <strong>12-10-2013, 05:42:40</strong>
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				She was let into the castle's foyer by the two guards. At least she wasn't making a fool of herself so far in going unattended. Once inside, Valera was greeted by a pleasant-looking woman, and was offered to be guided the rest of the way to where the lord himself was. She had to accept, as was proper courtesy, and also since this was a sure way to save both time and face.<br><br>She followed the woman upstairs to a large hallway, and finally she decided to let herself take in some of her surroundings. What greeted her was not just the expected hallmarks of wealth for the Lord's status, but these came off... ominous. One painting in particular depicted a scene of a scene from a play called 'The Fall of Vellusere': It was a fictionalized take on what caused the fallen kingdom to turn into the lake it was at this point in time. The scene being portrayed here was that of Lady-in-Waiting Heldia being offered a large, venomous lizard by a sinister demon, before she drank the reptile's blood.<br><br>The two of them soon reached the two doors at the end of the hall, where Valera assumed the Lord was. She waited as a brief exchange between the woman and the one behind the doors took place, before she was offered through the doors. Taking a deep breath, Valera braced herself and then entered the study.<br><br>The doors closed behind her shortly after, sending her into a new, unnerving silence. Swallowing her spit, she carefully strode up to the desk, and then took a chair that was in front of it to take a seat. She was silent as she looked at him, he wasn't looking at her, but she knew he was wholly aware of her. She also took in his features, especially the ones that stood out. Yet she wasn't surprised to see him like this; she was dealing with a demon, now. Because of that, she wasn't quite sure whether she could speak up without provoking him.
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