As Lady "The Warden" attempted to see if it truly was this Alexis, she could only see the features before her and had to assume that it was, indeed, her.
Trying to sense and feel out the Tiefling, "The Warden" could tell that she was being honest in her intentions, though about what she wasn't sure.
::She is going to tell you what you need to know- this interrogation is for others, not for you.::
Alexis continued with a smile Last night I interrogated one of your cronies! A man of the Ruby Shadows- you should know them, they are apparently headquartered outside of your very favorite vacation place, Warden- Logan's Flood.
We have evidence that Matthias was conspiring with you based on notes and letters found in your cute little safe hidden in your wall as well-
How will you plead to these charges of conspiracy against your King, King Gogrin?!? She yelled, clearly loud enough for those waiting outside the Vault's door to believe she was interrogating the real Warden.
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Telula leaned into the door, attempting to hear what they were saying, but just couldn't make it out no matter how hard she tried. Myrddin anxiously rapped it's beak against the bedroom door before nuzzling against her, most likely hungry.
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As Vasu, Sealith, and Suzume continued about their conversations amongst the feasting, time seemed to quickly pass them by, and the afternoon soon made its way towards midnight.
Sealith got an update on the progress of the acreage- they had nearly finished talking to the major farmers of the land, all of whom were open helping to expand their farms into more agriculturally based designs deeper into the acreage.
There was talk of buying tents to make a more permanent camp so that Rita and the Hammers, along with multiple others, could keep watch over the development against the now rabid saber cats and gorillas, as well as the smaller but still ferocious animals that prowled through like the wolves. The deer inside the walls made good for hunting as well.
At this notion, Rita and the Hammers requested that Vasu, Sealith, and Suzume help watch over the development with the rest of the team, so that they could continue training them throughout the day as they did their jobs. Rita and many others believed that with that "new Dwarf" on the scene, the wall would only need to be managed via letter instead of hands-on anyways.
"Alright, alright, I'll get us some breakfast." Telula said to the hawk. Although, I do seem a little hungrier than usual. Maybe I'm just picking up on Myrddin's hunger. I do remember reading something about the bond that master and familiar share. After making sure she was presentable, the Majar opened the door. "Good morning Guardsmen, I trust you slept well?"
::Umderstood, tell her lets do this, I have a way we can get this working so others will believe it::
As "The Warden" he stood back a look of shock then anger growing in his face to the point of rage.
"NO! I DON'T DENY IT!! what's the point now, I was just seeking to do what that fool Gogrin has done, take power for himself. You think he's loved, he's not, he dos not cares about you or the common man he dos not, no king dos, only the POWER matters. You think I'm a fool, he would have had me killed at some point, just to get me out the way, so what if I chose not to wait around for him to do so, so what if I aliened myself with the Empire years ago, I'm not the only one, there are others all seeking power with the Empire. And now there you stand and dare judge ME! you stinking hypocrites!!."
He spat on the ground walking about the cell like a caged animal.
"There only one rule with power, The Strong rule the weak, and you, ALL of you!! your the very definition of weak!!. I have seen scum like you crawling throw crap in my maze, just for a bite to eat. All their fine words gone, nothing left but blind fear. Your no different, When the Empire comes you will be running around begging for mercy, DO YOU HEAR BEGGING!!!"
He went to the bars and placed his hands on them, there was an evil grin on his face, now gloating he says.
"And much sooner then you think!!, O yes I have been working with that fool Matthias, all bent out of shape about his dear sister, having no idea the Empire was pulling his strings all along. Just as you have no idea what I have put in place in the city, One word from me and this whole place go's up in ^£&£& flames!!. All ready for the Empire to come walking in and take it all. So if you think I am going to beg for forgiveness and grovel at your feet, forget it. You think I am powerless here!!, I have men all over this city, men I saved from my maze of death with orders to burn this while ^&££& place to the ground the moment they find out I'm in here. Do you understand, That's how the Empire works, you don't give us what we want we burn your %££& life down."
He stood back a moment as if to get control of his anger.
"No you hear me, The best thing you can do is beg the empire to forgive you and set me free to talk to them on your behalf, do that and I may let some of you live."
He grinned now.
"Of course they will have to be changes, animals should know their rightful place, as food and thing of burden. Your fool king will have to go, the Empire believes I would be much better as your Governor of 42 for them. Then the trade road will be built, there are plenty if workers in 42 if pressed into slavery to have it done in now time, And of course taxes in line with an Empire out post. Simple things that would evurt the complete and utter Destruction of this c**p hole of a city."
He went and sat in his cells bed.
"Its very simple, you have only two chooses, bow to the empire and make me your Governor absolute, or be destroyed by the Empire, take your pick"
Crossed his arms looking at her with a cold hard look of defiance.
::There that should do it, a power mad nut case working for the Empire::
Sealith, Suzume, and Vasu all turned in for the night around midnight after exhausting conversations with the South East Acreage Crew, waking up to the sound of digging, hammers, and construction from inside their own personal tents, free go go about their day as they were last night.
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Telula walked out to see Aram just finishing a small portion of eggs and toast, laughing with a few of the guards at the table. They all quickly stood up and at attention with a nod to her as Aram gave her a smile Ah, good morning Telula. These fine gentlemen and women just got on to their shift- I hope you do not mind me spoiling them with breakfast. I figured you would have slept in, ha ha.
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Alexis let her lips curl up in a smile, her slightly pointed teeth peeling at her lower lip You're going to rot in your own prison, Warden. The Empire will never set foot in 42, no matter what their plans are. Not as long as I'm Commander of the Royal Guard.
Alexis banged three times on the Vault's door I'm done in here! Be sure he's fed before the public proceedings! You can consider it your last meal, Warden Franklin.
::Going to report to Aram for next command::
Alexis gave Warden Franklin a quick wink before leaving the Vault and heading back out to most likely report to Aram and Telula.
as Alexis walks out he jokes,
"Then you chose to be crushed under the boots of the Empire, when my men strike you will be back, O yes, back begging me to save you"
::Good, I think that went well, the ears out side would have got all that::
Telula looked at Aram with a bit of a curious look, What is he? She wondered. ”I do not mind at all Aram, as a matter of fact, I probably would have offered the same myself.” The Majar said as she took her seat at the table. After Maxwell brought out her portion of the breakfast, and eating some of it, she then asked, ”So, what is on agenda for today Aram?”
Aram gave a slight but courteous look at the guards, signaling for them to leave.
After doing so and Aram ensuring Maxwell was nowhere near by, he sat back down at the table sighing as he chewed into a strip of bacon Well, I am conflicted, my dear Telula. On one hand we could conduct a private trial of the Warden Franklin and then announce it to the public- that the Warden was a confessed traitor and we immediately incarcerated him, and are currently pursuing his guards.
On the other end of things, we could hold a public forum so that he can confess to the people himself, but.... If anyone sees through the ruse... and it is revealed that Warden Franklin was assassinated without any sort of private or public trial, things would bode ill for King Gogrin's rule....
However, unlike the assassination attempt, I did want to consult someone in regards to what we should do.
Aram finished his piece of bacon before continuing Elyse has been sent to the South East Quadrant for the rest of your group to meet with them by about noon and bring them here as well. It is time that we put all of your abilities to fruition once this madness with the Warden is done- there are larger issues than Matthias alone rising up that we should discuss as well, since Gogrin is absent and experiencing the worker's life down south.
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As Suzume gathered information, quite a few interesting things indeed did crop up
"Oh my- an attack at the center? So close to the Angel-Oak, too.
"Someone was transported in the night to the Vault! Who could it be? Just what is going on in our city???"
"Damn it, what is happening to the plants on my house?!?"
"What do you think about Gogrin?"
"The King?"
"Of course the f$%#ing King."
"Not sure yet- seems alright. Things seem to be getting crazy, though. Just glad we have someone in charge that doesn't just sit in a tree all day."
"Do be careful- there are beasts out there from what I've heard."
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::Hold tight- guards should pick you up within a few hours after a decision has been made::
”Well, that is certainly a conundrum isn’t it? While a private trial would do well in maintaining the ruse, I believe it might appear a little suspicious to some. What I mean is, it might come across that we are just getting rid of him without due process. Yet you have an excellent point about being able to maintain the illusion that he is alive, but I still think the public trial would be better in gaining the peoples support. So how could we mitigate the risk?”
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Sealith smiled. "I love hunting challenges and dangerous creatures. But those that I can find use with meat, hide and bone. I would love to hunt with you. I did promise you a hunt today. Shall we go hunt together."
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An attack on the center? Hope everything is alright. He considered the rest of the words he had heard. He decided he would focus on the Vault, but he also knew that the most unlikely of leads could mean something. He walked up to one of the familiar face. "Excuse me, but I hear that you are having troubles with your plants."
Aram hummed for a moment as he ran everything Telula was saying over in his head It would make some suspicious... Unless....
Aram stood, pacing back and forth for a moment, gently palming his chin as he did so Yes. What if we held the private trial, but to further trust for Gogrin, entered into some sort of honesty campaign? 42 has never had an election before, not like how the guilds elect their own leaders...
We could depose Warden Franklin, liberate the prison from his gang currently residing there, and then allow the people of 42 to elect the next Warden, and the Warden only, specifically because as a law enforcer he should be of the people, by the people.
Do you think that, perhaps, would cover it? More importantly- do you think Gogrin would accept such a thing?
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Ugh, look at it! It was a chubbier red haired woman, fretting over the varieties of vegetation growing around her home I used to have watermelons, tomatoes, apples, grapes! Look at them! They're shriveling right up! My family has owned this humble mud home here for generations and we've never had this problem!
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Telula thought for a moment, "That might actually work, but I'm afraid I am unsure how Gogrin will accept it. Although, my instinct tells me we could persuade him into that plan.”
After taking another bite of her breakfast, and looking to make sure they were still alone, ”Aram, can I ask you something?”
As Suzume took a closer look he could not see much more detail aside from that the grapes were, indeed, raisins, however he knows in cooking that sometimes a bad water source.
The woman sighed heavily at Suzume Market??? The guilds already have that taken care of! This feeds my family!
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Hmmm.... We will see then. I will have to make contact with him immediately. And please, go ahead- it is my job to answer questions, Telula. Aram gave a wide smile as he continued to nibble at his remains.
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The cell, after an hour, felt like a day- but Lady Lynyna knew it was for a worthy cause. So soon this entire plot would be buried deep in the histories of 42, and she would be free and ready to move on to her next ambition, and meet the others who served with her beloved Perpireen.
Her loneliness was killed for a moment, though, when Nex, finally, spoke to her again ::He says that all things are a go. You have to make something that will represent being a "remains" of the Warden- proof of a fight or him being escorted to the prison::
Telula wasn't sure how to ask the question she wanted to ask, so she decided to lead off with what prompted her curiosity. "Last night, when the Lady turned into herself, I noticed something about you. There was a strong magical aura about you, one of the strongest I've seen since arriving here in 42. So I was wondering, would you care to explain it?"
::Dropped into his own Death trap of a maze, everyone knows its a death trap and for him even more so, every thing in there will be out for him. Once in ill get myself out, unless daddy has teleport boots or poly spell spell so I can fly out, I know the way and his remains are there so any divination will point to that spot. It will be the most convincing way::
Aram set down his food as he cracked his hands, his grin quickly turning serious I see. You know- being in a city with something as powerful as the Angel-Oak allowed me to hide care free for years. It spanned everywhere, and allowed me to meet in the Angel-Oak under the guise that it was the Angel Oak, and not me, that had such power flowing about.
Gogrin never caught on in our personal meetings, and, well, Elyse was always either asleep in the care of Alexis or in the Angel-Oak itself.
But I didn't have to hide anymore- no, not after I heard your group stand up to the Speaker of the Empire. Do you know the gods, Telula? Do you know anything about the beginning times?
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:: He says that is perfect, you will be released and escorted to the Prison- but there is a problem. Word caught out about Warden's arrest to his real men, not the plants.
We will have to fight our way in. Aram has a plan- but wants you to disguise someone else as the Warden... his hopeful replacement::
Telula became apprehensive at Aram’s matter-of-fact tone. Mentally, she prepared herself for a possible confrontation, while scouring her mind for information on the subjects he mentioned.
Myrddin just sat atop her chair preening his feathers, without a single worry in the slightest. That calm translated over the newly forged link that the Majar and hawk now shared, giving her some measure of comfort.
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Suzume stroked his beak. "Your family has a raisin intolerance? Good source of fiber." He asked, picking a few off the vine for further inspection later. "If you are in need of food for your family, King Gogrin will oblige. Just tell him 'Uncle Suzume' sent you. He'll give you a fine dinner."
Leaving, he decided to set off for more information pertaining to the infiltration of the Vault.
The woman sighed as Suzume left and moved on with his investigations about the town, now moving more into the road than along the houses and open acreage of the South East Quarter.
As Suzume made his way across the street, just a tad further north, he heard more and more about Mr. Aram moving with the Royal Guard to imprison the Warden at the 42nd Vault. Some said it happened this morning, others two days ago, but the most conistently said thing among the more reliable and less eccentric sources was that it happened in the late of night, after being brought to Gogrin's home for, what they all assumed was, questioning.
Most people seemed to assume the Warden's guilt, speaking of how his guards had now taken over the Prison of 42 and threatening violence until the Warden was returned to them.
It seemed nearly no one knew what kind of crime had been committed- only that the Warden was in chains and restricted the entire time. One of the reliable sources happened to be just in front of Suzume, talking with his mouthful of meat. As he saw Suzume, he recognized him Oh! You! You're Master Suzume! Where you heading? Off to execute the Warden???
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Telula knew something about the history of magic, at least. She named her newest pet "Myrddin" after all- the man said to be the second greatest wizard in all of Mundus to date, although it appeared Her Majesty the Empress may be attempting to take that title away from him.
She also knew something about Myrddin's teacher, though not very much, only that he was called the "First Person" or "First Wizard" or something along those lines.
She then noticed something odd- Myrddin was nuzzling against and attempting to eat off of Aram's plate as she had pondered about the histories she had learned not so long ago, when she still had to read about magic covertly.
::"We can do that with a Jail Carriage, have them under over and locked in the back. It will be what his men will go after, knowing that we can set a trap. Have it stop outside and wait, if they take the bait they will come out, We can have an ambush ready. If not we head in and fight them. How about we get the outsiders in on this, they seem like fighters, alright tell him to send in the new warden in lets get this started."::
Telula was taken aback by Myrddin’s behavior towards Aram. Through her link, there was a feeling of……..recognition? As if the hawk had known this man for a long time. The Majar made a clicking noise to beckon the bird back to her. Myrddin looked at Telula, then at Aram, then obeyed and perched on the back of her seat once more.
”I’m afraid my studies didn’t include much history in that regard. Why?” She responded to Aram.
::She will be there shortly::
After a small amount of time, the Vault opened for the second time today to reveal a dark skinned woman with white hair, yet a young face, walking through the door in nothing but basic clothing and attire with a large ax across her back coupled with a wicked smile.
She quickly closed the Vault door back shut and whispered We serve the same Father, you and I. I'm Sara Killinton- Guild Master of the recently developed Protector's Guild. You met a few of my men last night.
I will be playing the role of the imprisoned Warden, so that you and the others can fight freely. Here- I brought you a quick outfit and full face helmet my higher ranking guards wear. No need to worry- only people who know what is going on are involved now, and that's only a few.
Everyone else has been dismissed, and normal operations will be run soon enough through the Vault. I will need you to do me the favor of disguising me up as the Warden, though- he told me you were quite good at that.
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The person gave a small and bewildered look to Suzume, to display that they were only slightly joking with the "Master Crow", before revealing that they were clearly of the "fast talker" type-
Not sure, all I know is I went to the Prison early this morning to see my brother, who is kept away in there, I always see him at the start of the week, you see- and they wouldn't let me in! Then I went to deposit my income from my farms collective and deposit my guild's earnings, and I wasn't allowed in THERE either!!! If you ask me, King Gogrin might be letting this whole place go to hell!
OH, you are talking about the Warden? Yes- well, I'm pretty sure he was placed under arrest at some point today, or yesterday. One of those two- the prison was taken over by his guards in protest, threatening to let the prisoners out and gangs run rampant, and I believe with the prison gone they holed up the Warden in the Vault! Quite the day if you ask me!
You do know where the Vault is, and King Gogrin, though, right? If not, I could find someone to show you the way.
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Aram gave a wide and excited face to Telula as he jumped from his seat Oh I have not been able to talk about this freely in, well years! Oh hundreds and hundreds of years! Hmmm, where to begin... Certainly before 42... Certainly before.... Well, fine, the beginning.
You see, there are several gods, one for each of us, every one. There is Aureum the Golden One, a giant and fearsome dragon- this one is who I serve directly these days.
Then you have Aureum's advisor, Illusio Maleficarus- he will return to this story in a bit.
Then you have Aureum's right hand wing, so to speak- the Fire Goddess and Phoenix!
Then there is Cordras Steelskin, the Minotaur and creator of all creatures you see, both mythic and otherwise.
Finally there is Moon-Eye, a ferocious owlbear, and first of its kind, that prowls the Forest of the Moon to the far East, sowing chaos wherever Aureum allows.
Aram theatrically displays each one of the gods, telling Telula which one stands for which before, after losing himself slightly in the moment, sitting back down and reaching across the table to Telula Ooooh and you! You and your friends. Ah yes- I've been waiting so long for you all to come! SO long for my replacements! For our replacements. Have, eh hem, sorry- have I lost you dear?
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Telula just looked at Aram, "Umm." Was all she could say.
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"I would appreciate a guide. If there's a revolution to stunt the already weathered growth of your land, it best be kicked in the daddy-sack right away." He said. "Don't get me wrong, I love myself a good revolution, though. It just has to be for all the right reasons."
He hummed to himself.
"Hopefully I can pull him from his hidey hole without having to draw my inferiorly crafted Katana on them. Best fights are won with words, after all."
He tapped his beak.
"If the guards are helping him, I'm going to need help. Any of my companions that aren't busy might be of aid. In addition to getting me a guide, would you be able to send word to Sealith, Vasu, or Telula that I'm about to do something possibly violent, and I would appreciate their help if they could lend it."
Vasu cocked her head. "Dangerous game, hmm...?" The bird trailed off in her speech, mentally recounting the signs of life she'd observed. There had to be some sign of a magical beast in the surrounding lands that she'd noticed, or some strange happenings that she'd heard of.
A sudden hunch crossed her mind, and a wicked gleam shot through her eyes.
"I know just the place to hunt."
Sealith grinned as seeing the wicked gleam, her teeth showing.
"Lead the way Vasu. I look forward to the quarry we will hunt together." Quickly she would climb the wall to get the distance she needed as she took to the air and made the ascent so she could start gliding.
With each downbeat of the wings you could feel the massive amount of air moving but she didn't gain much at first. After all, her bones were thick and strong, designed for fighting over flight.
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As Sealith awoke from her hunt the night before, she found a messenger standing a more than safe distance away from her, nervously stuttering out a few words at a time, most likely intimidated by the sounds she made upon waking up Er, eh hem... You are... You are Sealith?
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Aram let everything he had just said sit and stir through Telula's head before giving a curt smile Ah, yes. I suppose giving you over four hundred years of history compiled into a few sentences would be.... Hasty. Instead, let me say this-
Aram gently put his own hands on Telula's I am the First Man, Servant of the Lord of All Gods, Aureum the Golden One. I have served him for as long as Humans have existed in this world, and walked with the First Elf, First Fey, First Dwarf, and First Orc.
Your group... Aureum has told me you all will replace us. That you must replace us. But, that is a group discussion, don't you think?
One of the guards quickly popped in, unannounced after Telula's response Mister Aram! We have the Warden, and one of the group members here, per your request. Is there anything else the Protection Guild can do for you?
Aram nodded Yes- you can stay put outside, and signal to have any Royal Guard in the area brought here. And find someone to bring Gogrin as well- despite what he is doing now, we need him here.
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Per Suzume's request, the man nodded and sent what appeared to be a few of his friends to retrieve as many of Suzume's well known comrades as they could find. After this, the man sighed You seem to have a well reasoned demeanor about you, then, hm? Don't normally get that from outsiders, then again, we don't have many outsiders to start with! Well, do you want to go up to the Vault and investigate, then, or wait for everyone else to return?
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Lady Lynyna disguised Sara Killinton as the Warden in her most usual and expected spot on fashion- her human form almost the same size as Sara's, it was almost as perfectly easy as taking her own disguise and transmuting it to the new ally of the group.
Lady Lynyna was then handed chains to put around Sara's hands, ankles, and more, and then opened the vault door to find that, just as Sara had said, there was no one inside, though quite a few guards standing post.
Seems Mister Aram liked your plan. We're going to meet him next, supposedly because that is where the most Royal Guards are located as a strengthened escort.
Lady Lynyna now looking like Sara armed herself with her hidden weapons.
Then handed Sasa a small whistle.
"This is a whistle that I can hear and few others. If you get in trouble use it."
Hands over a small god whistle
Then in Sara's voice she said
"Come along Warden, lets not be late, we have a data with destiny."
Telula shook herself out of her stupor and after the guard left asked, "Replace you? What do you mean replace you? You just basically told me you're an immortal, that doesn't make sense. And.....and why would we need to do so?"
Sealith stood and stretched with a loud yawn showing off her teeth before staring down at the man looking at her nervously. "I am Sealith. What do you want? You seem nervous, it is bad to show a Samuraian fear. You can have it, just don't show it."
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Yes, I will do some scouting beforehand. I will use my natural ability as a Tengu in a human population to blend in. He said. Hrm, hope they arrive before they realize I have a beak. He chuckled, whistling for Beru to follow. Good luck, my good, simple villager. You shall be remembered as a messanger in times of peace. With that, he charged forth, excited to get back into the fray.
Vasu awoke, as she normally had in the vast City of 42, in peaceful solitude, awaiting orders as she always had done.
As she awoke, still scavenging meat and flesh from her most recent and successful hunt, she found in the folds of flesh a note
Vasu,
You are to continue as planned- The Speaker has been most impressed with your performance. Watch the rest of the group, should they show any signs of betraying Her Majesty the Empress, or her Empire, you are to kill them without question in a manner of your choosing.
An envoy has been sent to make contact- you should expect them within the month.
Destroy this message after it has been read and burned into your memory- do not miss the envoy.
More messages will come.
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The messenger attempted to stop fidgeting, but, really, only ended up stopping his quivering voice Oh, of course. Well, eh, Master Suzume has requested you meet him... at King Gogrin's Main Palace and Hall. He told me to specifically say that "I am about to do something extremely violent, and I would appreciate their help if they could lend it."
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As Lady Lynyna made her way through the seemingly too quiet streets of 42, she came upon Gogrin's home much sooner than expected. Each small roll over the black soil roads created an audible jingling of Sara's theatrical bonds from inside the carriage. Now and again a guard would make a comment that they wish they "were the Guild of Execution instead of Protection", but "Sara's" presence amongst them kept them from doing any real damage to their real Guild Master.
As Lady Lynyna made her way to Gogrin's home, she saw a familiar face, Suzume, across the way-
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Suzume rode Beru fast and hard, his black crow heart beating as fast as all four of Beru's hooves as he made his way through the thick and thin of the crowd until he came upon the familiar beauty that was King Gogrin's home.
Across the way from King Gogrin's home, however, was a band of guards with an unrecognizable yet stunning woman marching in step with them, each of them riding their own horses. Suzume was unsure if they were friend or foe-
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Aram laughed Immortal? Well, I suppose that has a nice ring to it. I may have thought about that, once or twice. Maybe even tried to alter it, or imprison it, with the arcane. But, again, NOT the point!
Replace is such an unusual word for this circumstance- I think the better word is to become us. You see, future-Queen Telula.... I am one of the Five Guardians of Aureum. I doubt you've heard of us- I've done a very good job of keeping it that way.
You may think of us as powerful prophets, or controlled Zealots, maybe even impulsive servants of the gods, but, regardless of all of this- only one of us remains. Me. Aram gave an unusual smile as he said this, glossing conveniently over where the other four were And Aureum the Golden One has told this Prophet, this sleeping zealot of his, that a new group of future guardians would come about. He said one would be quite capable of one of the elements, that one would have the skin of a dragon, that two would have feathers, a crow, and one owl, and that another would have no true physical form but with the same mind.
Now, unless you believe another group of foreigners has traveled and come into 42, that I have missed over these hundreds of years- that would mean you all, don't you think?
"The warden is to be unharmed, I want him fit and well for this. The rope will do what needs to be done. Now look sharp, he has said he will bring down this city with blood and fire for the empire, his lackys may, if they have the BALLS! try and face his sorry neck. If they try I want them dead before they get with in 10' of him do you hear! So eyes out and reaching. The warden is mind to look after. She yaks the chines and pulls him along."
Getting to the house she spots Suzume.
Seeing Suzume she Salutes.
"My name is Sara Killinton, I'm... In-charge of arranging the now ex-warden into his own prison on charges of high treason. I have orders to keep alive and unhurt if I can. So he can face justice. There for I ask you sir who my you be and what is your business here?"
She has her hand on her sword, and looks at the Samurai with a determined eye.
Sealith stretched and settled her wingclaws onto her shoulders.
"I will head that way after I find Vasu." She stated and would look around before finding a clear area to climb up and take to the air.
Sealith wondered what commotion was about to happen that got Suzume up and running. Should be interesting either way.
A thought occurred to Telula, "Wait, if you're the last one, what happened to the others?"
It had been far too long.
Communication from the council had been cut off ever since Vasu had so loyally defended Master Speaker in the town square; it had been weeks since she'd seen the caster and she'd begun to fear his demise. A thought occurred to Vasu- she had nearly forgotten about the master during his extended stay away. Was she not as loyal as she thought herself to be?
No. Vasu shook her head emphatically. That had to be wrong. She pushed the thought out of her mind and continued to tear bits of flesh from the carcass of her most recently slaughtered prey. Raccoon, despite its bad reputation as a thief of an animal, was surprisingly tasty. It unfortunately was not a large enough animal to allow each member of her party to each have a portion. With that single thought freeing her from all guilt, Vasu picked what was left of the animal up in her talons and swallowed the thing whole. It would certainly make a most spectacular pellet later.
Now. Her belly was full and her gizzard was calm. Vasu unfolded the blood-stained parchment and proceeded to read through its contents for what was probably the twentieth time. This single piece of paper meant so much. Vasu was wanted. Vasu was needed. Vasu's master had specifically contacted her, of all creatures on the earth, to send a message to. Soon, she would even get to meet with her Master's Master, (an archmaster...? she wondered) face to face.
It was then that a shadow appeared on the ground before Vasu, and a familiar voice called out in her direction. Though she couldn't make out the words, the voice was unmistakable. Sealith was soaring towards her at an unprecedented rate.
Her feathers standing on end in panic, Vasu stared at the note in her talons. She had to get rid of this. Seeing no other way out, Vasu stuffed the parchment into her mouth and began to grind it up in her beak.
As "Sara Killinton" and Suzume talk, "Sara" sees that quite a number of men are now trailing behind her, and from what she can see, they can only mean harm- though she doesn't recognize them as the Warden's men, they could be a completely different shift, or radicals looking to kill the traitor Warden themselves.
Suzume sees "Sara" turn her head every slightly to look behind her, but nothing nearby to arouse his suspicions beyond this casual glance a guard so often makes.
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Aram's face now turned somewhat sad That, I think, is for another time. If I speak anymore now, well, I'll forget we have guests outside! Come along, Telula, if you don't mind. It is time to put the plan we so quickly devised together into effect, don't you think?
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She turns and shouts out an order.
"You two Man"
She points at two.
"Get the warden into King Gogrin's home NOW!, The rest of you outside with me, and form Line"
She pulls out her sword and looks at Suzume
"Sir if you with us then pull your sword, if not then I suggest you leave. We seem to have a mob on our hands."
She walks toward the mob of men.
"YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS HERE, DISPERSE AT ONCE, GO HOME OR FACE THE LAW"
::"Get help we seem to have a situation, lets hope Aram has a trap ready to bring because this may get messy, also tell the real Sara she may have to drop the warden look if this gos bad, she's to do it in the house out of sight. This mob must not get to her in that form or the whole plan fails."::
Sealith would land next to Vasu. "Vasu, I hope your morning hunt went well."
Sealith wouldn't notice her grinding her beak as she landed but she could tell by her fluffed feathers and wide eyed look something was up.
"Vasu, is everything alright? What happened?" Sealith's voice had a note of concern as her wings fluttered slightly as she settled them on her shoulders. Sealith's eyes were intense studying Vasu.
Still trying to process what was just revealed to her, the Majar sat for a moment. "I suppose we should," she said as she rose to her feet.
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I stab things. Was Suzume's reply, glancing at the woman as she moved her hand to her blade. I don't doubt your skill, missy, but that blade won't be of much use against me. He said.
Now... I hear there is a rebellion that needs to be stepped on, and who better but my feet to do it. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?
At the start of the commotion, Suzume whips his head back to the men, drawing his blade in the process. Goody, it has been far too long since I've had some exersise.
Who are the one's the sharp end goes into? He called to Sarah.
Sealith landed next to Vasu just as she gagged the note down her throat. The texture of the paper sliding past her gullet was almost bad enough to make her retch then and there. Instead of retching, however, Vasu simply quailed and fell with a disgraceful thunk onto her rump. The destruction of the note was far too close a call for her comfort.
It was then that she realized that Sealith was studying her intently, obviously waiting for an answer. Vasu let her words tumble out of her mouth without a second thought.
"Vasu just swallow whole raccoon. Not good fo-f-for..." She gagged, feeling the paper pass further into her body. "Not good for Syrinx digestion."
Sealith would reach out and offers her a clawed hand to help her up. Sealith only knew of a few things that hit her mind on what Vasu may want to hide. After all, she had been vocal about supporting the speaker and how she had called him master. Either way, Vasu she would still consider a friend and as such, she would speak frankly to her.
"Well, I know that is not the truth. I know you are hiding something Vasu. If I were to say anything, you just swallowed something that you didn't want me to see. Possibly from the speaker or some lackey."
She still held her hand out to her to offer her with no tremble. No anger was in her voice either. Almost as if it was an inevitable fact that such a thing would happen and she was still going to hold out her hand to help her up.
'What are you doing?! If you know she is up to something kill her.' An angry elder spat next to her ear. Trying in vain to move her hand.
'She is trying to show her another way.'
'That creature has no honor. Why treat it with such honor! It is a disgrace!! No TRUE Samurian would accept such a thing.'
'A TRUE Samurian teaches honor.'
As the spirit's quibbled around her Sealith's eyes looked into Vasu's.
"What ever it is, I guess that is to be expected. Telling the truth Vasu, That CHOICE has always been yours. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. You are a valuable member of the group and it would be a shame for us to not be friends. As your friend, I chose to confront you about this. But what your decision is, I will respect it. I just ask to know first."
As Suzume and "Sara" stepped forward with an additional guard on each of them, nearly ten men were charging forward against them.
One of them could be heard calling out The law? Just who the hell do they think the enforcers are??? Oi! The gold tooth man yelled out to them Who the f$&* are you??? We're the Warden's men, we're the enforcers here! Come on, enough of this, let's get 'em!
As the remaining guard escorted the "Warden" out of the carriage, Telula and Aram emerged from inside. Telula could see Suzume and an unrecognizable woman standing near her, with a large crowd of armored men coming against them.
Aram nodded to her with a whisper
Aram then moved to follow the others back inside
Get the traitor inside King Gogrin's! Sara! Show us all what the Guild of Protection can do! For King Gogrin!
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Intent on solving the mystery shrouding Vasu and dealing with her spirits, Sealith was unaware of just how far, exactly, they really were in the wilderness of the South East Quadrant of 42, and a tad farther than just outside the camp after she had landed.
Vasu, however, mid-sentence and thought of Sealith's encouragement of learning the truth, heard a twig snap. And then another, and then three more. And four more. Then she heard marching, a wild, undisciplined sort of marching with the clanking of steel and the slight whip and roar of a torches' flame.
But what could possibly be moving in such a strong formation in their direction? And for what purpose?
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Stepping outside and viewing the scene before her, Telula couldn't help but exclaim, "What in the Hells?"