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Post by skati on Aug 14, 2007 1:55:49 GMT
Betrayal...
That's what it came down to in the end.
Skygge doubled over, blood dripping down his arms. In his hand, he still clutched his obsidian Claymore. His silver hair fell to his shoulders and was matted with sweat and blood. His blood red eyes were full of rage as he beheld Skumring, the tyrant king of Kalgar.
"You are weak," Skumring said as he glared at his son. "No son of mine is so weak."
"Shut up..." Skygge growled as he slowly stood up. "Shut up!" he yelled as he ran towards his father.
Skygge held his sword high as he leapt at the king. Thick tendrils of shadow lashed around his body as his rage grew. The king, however, effortlessly dodged the wild attack and countered with a swing of his own claymore. He struck with the flat part of the blade, sending Skygge flying backwards with a scream.
He landed on the ground hard. His father, unwilling to give him a brief moment of recovery, leapt at him. Skygge just barely managed to roll out of the way of the blade meant to impale him.
Skygge continued rolling as his father continued trying to run him through. Eventually, he came to a point where he hit a wall. Skygge sat up against it and eyed his father
"This is the end for you, boy," Skumring said with a smile. He thrust his sword forward, confident in his victory.
At the last second, Skygge moved out of his way. The blade of his father pierced the wall. Seeing his chance, Skygge swung his leg around. As the king fell to the ground, Skygge got to his feet and swung his sword down.
Skumring, ever quick, evaded the blade and got to his feet. In one smooth motion, he withdrew his sword from the wall and spun around. As he turned to face Skygge, he swung his sword down in an arc, leaving a long gash in the side of his son.
Skygge howled with pain and clutched his side. His vision started to darken as the massive loss of blood in this battle started to fully take its toll on the prince. The fight had left him. Survival was the only thing he cared about now. So, close to death, he fled the castle. He could still hear the laughter of Skumring as he ran through the marsh.
Skygge ran for what felt like hours as more and more of his life slipped away. Finally, the prince collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. Even through all of his, he still held his sword. With the last bit of his strength, he ran his hand across the sharp blade. He held that hand up high and looked up at the darkened clouds of the night sky. He spoke loud his claim, "Here me now, oh gods of the earth, oh gods of the heavens, oh gods of the netherverse. My life will not end here, not in this way. I will return, I will be born again and I will fight against the evil I have comitted, the evil that my bloodline has comitted, even if it means my own destruction. By my blood, I swear this!" Blood flowed through Skygge's clenched hand as he finished...and then he passed out.
Hours passed since he spoke his oath, but no repsonse. Then came a faint beam of moonlight from the heavens. It enveloped Skygge in its light. An ethereal woman appeared in the light, seemingly from no where, and knelt by the prince's prone body. "The gods smile upon you, Skygge. Aftr much debate, they have decided to allow you to honor your pledge."
The woman rolled Skygge onto his back. She looked lovingly had his skin, pale as death itself. She knew that such paleness was the prince's natural skin tone. She carressed Skygge's cheek. "Go now, Lord of Shadows. Honor your pledge." The woman then lowered her face to the man's lips and breathed into him the refreshing breath of life.
***
Five years later
A young man travelled north along the snowy road. Crimson eyes looked ahead, ever watchful for potential traps, potential enemies. His skin, what could be seen, was the paleness of death itself. He was dressed in all black: boots, leggings, gauntlets and breast plate. A black hood was over that, the hood itself covering his head, though one could still see silver hair. On his back, he carried an obsidian claymore.
He had been wandering in this direction for many days. He had crossed mountains, hills, and valleys, yet he still seemed no closer to his goal than when he first started. The man, however, refused to give up. He was dead set in finding this country, the dark land...Thalaria.
OOC: I had been planning on doing a RP based on Rhapsody's song, Black Dragon, for a while now, but never got around to doing it. Tonight though, Luna inadverdantly got me to do it (ok, she didn't know at first that this was what I was going to do). Anyway, this is based loosely on that song. This is your typical high fantasy, Sword and Sorcery style rp. The ethereal woman is a moon goddess, if that wasn't immediately obvious, and a very powerful goddess at that. Also, if it isn't immediately obvious, the young man in the second part is Skygge.
EDIT: I probably should've mentioned this when I first posted, but the revival at the end of the first part is a one time deal...and only served to finish off the prologue and, hopefully, give some insight into what helped to motivate him to turn against his heritage like this. Just because they smiled on him one time, that doesn't mean that the gods are still smiling on him now. If he ends up getting himself that wrecked again, the gods will feel insult. Pretty much, next time, it's permanent.
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Post by Taya on Aug 26, 2007 18:31:17 GMT
It was almost dusk as Kayleh Brigid left the warmth and the loud ruckus of the Inn to feed the horses stabled there. Considering all the snow on the ground, Kayleh had worn practical clothes even if the customers didn't like it. Bundled up in her heavy mantle one couldn't tell that she wore boys breeches, a tunic and fur lined vest, instead of her normal layered skirts and dress. Her boots made impressions in the soft snow, marking clearly her path and the path of tiny paw prints that followed.
The tabby slunk along following the his mistress in brown, like he always did. His job, when it was warm enough, was to catch the mice that might be after the food stores in the kitchen. But on evenings like this he preferred to stay close to his mistress, especially when she stayed inside. In fact he was very agitated to be out in the snow right now, but he refused to leave the girl's side. He was very protective and hardly ever let her out of his sight. The patrons of the Songbird Inn learned quickly that when they saw Kayleh's tabby, it was not the time to be trying for a feel.
Kayleh had been working at the inn since her mother had been killed 8 years ago. She had started out as a scullery maid at the tender age of twelve, but quickly worked her way up to entertainer and server. She could also play cards with the best of them. And even though her figure enticed the regulars, they accepted her as one of the guys and were always willing to share a pint.
But first she had to make sure the horses were fed and not freezing to death. It was on her way back towards the Inn that she saw a figure all in black coming up the road. The cat at her heels sniffed the air and not liking the smell, its fur stood on end. Immediately it ran to the middle of the road right in front of the traveler and began hissing at him.
"Pan, No! Stop!" Kayleh cried out as she ran after him. As she ran, the brown hood of her mantle fell back revealing her stubborn sapphire eyes and pale yellow hair, which fell loosely about her shoulders. With a quick movement, Pan was in her arms and she turned to apologize. The figure was imposing and other maids probably would have quailed at the sight of figure all in black with a large Claymore on his back. Instead, she looked straight at him as she spoke with confidence.
"Beg pardon of the cat, Sir. Are you traveling? For its getting dark. We have a warm beds, a cheery fire, good food and plenty of ale if you need a place to stay for the night." Kayleh felt that no one should be out and about once that sun finished setting. She had seen first hand what the creatures of the night could do and it didn't matter what kind of weapon you carried. It just wasn't safe.
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Post by skati on Aug 26, 2007 23:58:22 GMT
Skygge remained quiet as he thought of what the girl said. He had been traveling for several days with no sleep. Perhaps the rest will do him good. "I would like that very much," Skygge replied. "Please, lead the way, lass."
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Aug 27, 2007 0:31:44 GMT
Nowe drank from the tankard in front of him, wearily glancing round all the people that had entered the Inn. His spiky chocolate colored hair covered sky blue eyes that were regarding everyone in the inn. People who weren't just friendly locals tasting the ale, got his attention the most. He couldn't afford to be spotted by anyone he didn't want to at this time. His long dark brown cloak covered his armour, his sword and his shield, so he was hidden enough; but he still wanted to be careful. He'd left his horse outside with a stablehand, all of his previous armour and adornments stripped. It's gray coat matched his armour. He finished the last of his ale, and pushed the tankard into the center of the table. A maid soon spotted and walked to him to take the tankard away. "Hey," she said to him, "you want another one hunny?" Nowe just looked up at her with no emotion showing in his facial features. "Yeah, put it on my tap." "Sweety. You've been here for 3 days now are you going to pay your tap? Or can i expect you to walk out and not pay." "I'll pay." Nowe said looking away. "Oh yeah by the way I've been hearing some rumors of late. Some men are looking for a young Knight. He fits your description really well." Nowe's eyes widened, "Who said this?" he asked with some urgency. The maid blinked, "Well it's those men over there." Nowe followed in the direction of the maid's pointing hand. Three reasonably built mend stood at the bar wearing similar clocks to the one he was in. Nowe looked closer at them. They wore sheilds on their backs. White steal with a blue 'X'. Underneath their clocks he knew exactly what they wore.... the shields gave it away and Nowe cursed himself for not seeing it, the men wore half plate silver steal armour with a white tabard, also sporting the same blue cross that was on their shields. The swords stuck out slightly at the bottom of their clocks. They were attached to a ring on their belt and the steel of the blade glowed a dim blue. He knew this because he wore exactly the same, and had the same sword and shield. "Shit," Nowe cursed grabbing his hood and pulling it over his head. His eyes were now fixed on the knights. Watching their every movement. They drifted around the inn speaking to people, Nowe knew what they were asking. He just hoped that nobody had paid enough attention to him to give him away.
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Post by Taya on Aug 27, 2007 4:27:03 GMT
"This way, sir." Knowing that weary travelers often tipped well when treated kindly, Kayleh gave the stranger a pretty smile and started to lead him to the inn. She petted the tabby in her arms and whispered in its ear,
"Be nice, Pan." In response, Pan made an odd sound as if he was annoyed with his mistress. Above the door that she now pushed open, hung a sign with a lark pictured on it. Setting Pan on the floor of the noisy inn, Kayleh held the door for the stranger. Inside a fire roared in the fire place to warm the customers as much as the drink that the rounded bartender was serving. As she removed her own cloak, she spoke,
"I'll talk to Sven and get you a room. Find a table, I'll get you a meal and a drink in a minute." At this point, Kayleh was tying an apron around her waist. She gave him that sweet smile again and then she was off towards the bar. She was speaking to the man behind the bar as she picked up a tray.
In the meantime Pan had taken to patrolling the room. Currently his yellow eyes were fixed on the three men with white shields. It seemed to annoy the feline that these people were bothering the patrons.
"Kay," One of the patrons at one table called. Kayleh shook her head. Tray in hand, she walked over to the man that called her. He was with his usual group and she could tell that the ale had been flowing at the table. "Kay, where ya been? I missed ya." he asked when she got close.
"Taking care of that mare of yours, Cedric. And watch the hands tonight, Pan's in a particularly foul mood. It wouldn't be wise to cross him." Kayleh said with a laugh, because Cedric's hands had just been about to find her butt. He quickly moved them away. "Now you boys be good I have a guest to take care of." The group gave a a little moan of disappointment as she walked away to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of stew for the new arrival.
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Post by skati on Aug 27, 2007 18:00:37 GMT
Skygge nodded and sat down. She seemed friendly enough, unlike that cat. Shoving such thoughts, Skygge scanned the inn. Nice or not, there could always be hidden dangers.
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Post by Taya on Aug 27, 2007 18:24:46 GMT
Kayleh may put on the friendly and sweet and fun demeanor for the Inn's guests but thats because she was saving up to break away and travel. It didn't take long before she spotted the newbie in the crowd, she made her way over to him and placed the stew and a tankard down. Once again she gave him a smile, hiding her rebellious nature.
"Here you go. I can take your cloak if you'd like. When your ready I can show you up to your room." Kayleh said trying to slyly get a look at the man's face if only because she was curious. "Also if you need me just give me a shout, my name's Kayleh and don't let any of those other girls near you. I'll take care of you specially."
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Aug 27, 2007 21:55:47 GMT
Nowe turned and saw the stablehand and a man walk into the inn. He saw the stable hand come towards him with some stew and a tankard, but shook his head when she asked to take his cloak. "No thanks." he said to her. He dove into his pocket and pulled coins from his pocket laying them before her. "Here this should pay my tab. I'll be gone tonight. I can't stay here anymore." The knights had gone round most of the bar and he knew it wouldn't be long till they came to him. Unfortunately it wasn't long till they did. "Greetings stranger, may we take a moment of your time?" one of the men asked, Nowe nodded lowing his head even more. "We are in search of a knight like us. He's only in his late teens, but looks around 15. He'll hopefully still be wearing the same armor as we are and will share the same sword and shield. He has brown hair and blue eyes. Have you seen anyone like that?" Nowe shook his head, hearing a huff from another one of the men. "Heh just like that little brat to hide. When I get my hand on him." Nowe's eyes widened, he knew that voice. Looking up slightly he saw Urick. A knight who was older then him, he had silver hair and blood red eyes. Urick used to be one of his friends. 'Great. Urick's one of them searching for me.' Nowe thought, "just great," he said quietly. Not quiet enough, Urick's attention was immediately drawn on him. "I know that voice," he muttered, reaching quickly to Nowe and pulling his hood down in haste. "Nowe!" "Shit!" Nowe pushed the girl out of the way and grabbed the table, flipping it over to land on the three. He grabbed his shield that was by his leg and made a break for the door. The man who had first spoken to him easily threw of the table and ran to grab Nowe's cloak before he ran out of the door. Nowe felt the tug on his cloak and spun round, taking his sword from his belt to swing at the knight with. The knight saw these actions and pulling his shield blocking his blow. Nowe went to swing again but he felt someone grab him from behind and hold him still. "Nowe. Stop fighting us." Urick said from behind him. Nowe tried to pull free, but Urick's grip was too strong. "I'd rather live then die, Urick." Nowe hissed, shocking Urick slightly. Nowe expected as much, he doubted Urick would have agreed to help if he knew Nowe was to be killed on sight. The knight who had grabbed him smirked, "good job Urick." he said, moving his attention to Nowe. "You've been quiet a handfull tracking down. Ehligar wants you dead. I'm glad i'm the one to kill you. I knew having Urick helping would have worked to my advantage." Nowe heard an angered growl behind him. "Urick. Don't do something stupid." he said quietly to him, "You have your duty. Stick to it." Urick growled again. The knight readied his sword and swung it to Nowe.
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Post by skati on Aug 27, 2007 23:08:21 GMT
Skygge stood up as he took notice of the scuffle at the door. He looked down at the shadows around the group and held his hand out, palm facing upward. He then swiftly lifted his hand and clenched it into a fist. Out of the pool of shadows, black hand rose quickly and grabbed the attacker's blade. "Leave the boy alone," Skygge said as he dropped his hand. The shadow hand remained.
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Aug 27, 2007 23:30:24 GMT
Urick's eyes widened and his grip on Nowe dropped. "Nowe. Get out of here." Urick said quietly. "No way." Nowe put his close to his stomach. "Without a commanding officer you wont have to come after me." Urick went to reply but fell quiet. The last of the knights ran towards Skygge realizing he was the one who was responsible for the shadow hand. Nowe swung his sword and cut into one of the cloth area's of the armor that was hidden by the tabard. He knew it was there, though it was hidden. The knight coughed, and fell to the floor. Nowe brought his sword to the neck of the knight who had tried to kill him. "Tell Ehligar that I'm not going to be killed by his orders." he turned to Urick, "Not everything the Knights of Tleya tell you is true Urick," He turned to the man who had spoken, and who obviously was responsible for the shadow hand "Let him go."
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Post by skati on Aug 28, 2007 0:14:25 GMT
"If that's what you want," Skygge replied. He held up his hand again and made a slicing motion with it. The shadow hand shattered the sword, then sunk back into the shadows.
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Post by Taya on Aug 28, 2007 7:51:15 GMT
Kayleh had been knocked to the ground during the fight and Pan was with her in a second. By the time she got up, Cedric, suddenly sober, was by her side. Pan was snarling and hissing, and only a command from his mistress kept him at bay, though his claws were extended and ready to dig into any of the men's flesh.
The bartender, who happened to also be the innkeeper, was checking on the fallen man now that the fighting seemed to have stopped. Sven looked up at the various participants of the fight.
"There's a medic down the road if you want to take your friend there. But you need to get out of my place. I don't stand for violence in here." He said as he got to his feet. He went over to the man in black. "You only tried to stop the fight, sir. You're welcomed to stay. But the rest of you better leave before I throw you out."
"You alright, Kay?" Cedric whispered putting his hand on her arm. But before she could answer, Cedric screamed out in pain. Kayleh winked at the tabby as she reclaimed her arm for her own and the cat removed his claws from Cedric's ankle. Then she looked at the man holding the sword. He wasn't a man, he still seemed a boy. Watching him carefully, Kayleh went over to Sven and whispered in his ear.
"He can't even be more than 16, Sven. And those knights have been bothering everyone tonight. Don't throw him out in the snow. the knights they can get lodging anywhere and the boy he can leave in the morning." Sven's eyes traveled to the boy with the sword as Kayleh, one of the girls he thought of as a daughter if he had one, spoke. His mouth grew thin as he nodded his consent. But he stopped her as she went to approach him.
"You get him to put the sword away and promise this is the last of the fighting. One more stunt and he's out." This was a hushed order and Kayleh gave the large man a kiss on the cheek to show that she understood. Then she turned to the boy with the sword and the brown cloak.
"Sven has agreed not to throw you out, if you put the sword away and let the man go." Kayleh told him.
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Post by Luna Tsukino on Aug 28, 2007 14:47:11 GMT
"I'm leaving anyway." he said, putting his sword back on his belt and shield on his back. "I apologise for the trouble i've caused." "Nowe. The knights wont stop chasing you, but at least tell me what you did." Urick called picking up the fallen knight. Nowe stayed quiet to his question, and instead turned to the girl. "I'm sorry if i hurt you but don't mind I would like my horse now."
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Post by Taya on Aug 28, 2007 15:25:14 GMT
Only if someone had really been watching Kayleh's face would they have noticed the anger that flashed quickly in her eyes. But then it was gone as she nodded and removed her apron. Beneath the surface her temper lay boiling. She had stuck her neck out for the boy, now he was being rude refusing her hospitality and her efforts on behath of him. Pan caught up to her as she donned her mantle once more, only stopping briefly to glare and hiss at the boy.
"It'll be faster if you just come with me." Kayleh said not even turning around before heading out the door. The whispers started right away, the locals telling tales to the travelers. Things like:
"I wonder what she'll do to him." "Why ?" "Because she's an offend witch. She offered him something and threw it back in her face. Witches don't take kindly to that." "A witch? How do you know she's a witch." "Well, one way you can tell is that damn cat that follows her every move." "a cat? My mother had a cat and she's not a witch." "Not a cat like this. That cats like a part of her. He's her familiar. I've seen that cat do might terrible things." "She's not going to do anything just because he wants to move on , is she?" "Who knows. But an offend witch ain't a friendly witch, thats for sure."
Conversations of a similar nature were happening through out the room as Kayleh headed for the the stables. That was another thing Kayleh didn't normally do the stables, but the boy who usually did hadn't shown up the past two nights and none of the other girls were very good with animals.
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Post by skati on Aug 28, 2007 15:42:30 GMT
Skygge heard one of the people say something about the cat. "What things?" he asked coldly as he neared the one that spoke.
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