The outside of the Temple of The Moonlady was much different now, then than many had seen it before. Outside many of the acolytes gathered tending to a very formerly garbed Lilandra. She was veiled from ankle to face, and it was quite obvious she would need guidance not just for safety to the spire, but just to find the path.
Two Dark Knights, with their thousand pace stare, stood post in front of the acolytes and the preistess. One was female, dressed in a long coat black cloak, snug to her shapely figure. On the coat were insignas of two daggers crossed, and two arms crossed. The neck of the coat went high to her neck and was clasped by a silver cresent moon.
It was Cortei.
Cortei inspected her uniform, in place of a normal belt, was a belt made of sheathes, and inside of those were small throwing knives all around, like some predator had her in nearly in her grasps. Her white hair was made into two buns ontop of her head, and she stood stoicly unmoving for a few flickers, save for the waivering in her long coat which moved with the slight breeze Gulanadur possessed.
She knelt to her haunches and pulled a sharpening stone from a pouch at her side, and without looking sharpened two of the blades at a time. Over her shoulder was another coat, larger than her own, and in a male cut, meant for someone else. Someone that was supposed to meet her and the priestess at any flicker, her pale green eyes searching the rock trails for Mordular.
Mordular's First Task 27th Samsheen, Late Tradetide
Mordular's First Task 27th Samsheen, Late Tradetide
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
Mordular sighed as he walked along the rock trail. Several times his feet had failed him, refusing to allow him to progress toward the anointed meeting place and time. Each time, Mordular cast his eyes upward, as if seeing something hovering above him, and with an act of will resumed his walking.
Finally, he came into the view of Cortei, coming up one of the more circumlocuted rock trails that led to this spot outside the Temple. His relatively muscular form was dressed in his modest clothes, with both his short sword and his main gauche sheathed and on his belt.
The dark Adhiel bobbed his head slightly as he recognized that he came into Cortei's view, and moved forward with greater rapidity.
"Here, as instructed." he said with a bow to the pair of Knights, but to Cortei in particular.
Finally, he came into the view of Cortei, coming up one of the more circumlocuted rock trails that led to this spot outside the Temple. His relatively muscular form was dressed in his modest clothes, with both his short sword and his main gauche sheathed and on his belt.
The dark Adhiel bobbed his head slightly as he recognized that he came into Cortei's view, and moved forward with greater rapidity.
"Here, as instructed." he said with a bow to the pair of Knights, but to Cortei in particular.
"This is yours." Cortei said tossing the long overcoat uniform that was identical, save for it was cut for a male, broader shoulders, chest, etc.
It fit remarkable well considering he had no fitting done on his prior visit, it was a little tight around the neck, and the crescent moon clasp just barely fit, but it did.
"This," said Cortei gesturing the other Dark Knight with a tilt in one of her blades, "is Larik. He has just graduated from the Dark Knight Academy. Larik, this is, Mordular."
"Greetings, cousin." Was all Larik said, and without even looking at Mordular.
"This is how this will work:" Cortei said getting right down to business, "I will be an overwatch, what that means Mordular, is I won't be directly with you and Larik, but scouting forward and upward--a skyward said of eyes. You two, will flank your objective at all times, until we reach the Spire Bridge, which is where we will meet up. Not complicated. This is mostly a formal arrangement, but it doesn't mean we can be lax. Larik knows the designated path. Good luck to you both."
Lilandra approached and stood still, waiting for her escorts.
"Come, sentinel." Larik said to Mordular.
They began their ascent, and everyone was silent. On occasion they could spot Cortei, scaling a wall, or just hovering over them from above. The path started to zig-zag, and this marked they were close to the next tier. Though the path was well used, only two working adhiel shared the path with them, one in front and the other a bit behind, pushing heavy carts, nose to the grindstone.
The archway to the middle tier was guarded by one vanguard, and he stopped the worker with the cart.
Larik stopped too, "Let Lilandra rest, while they clear him through."
The worker behind them seemed to think that was a good idea too, and stopped his cart as well.
After a moment of silence, Larik finally put to words what his demeanor had been saying, "You know, I do not approve of what is happening here."
He was going to speak again, but instead of words coming from his mouth, a loud snapping sound could be heard, and Larik's throat exploded, and he fell to the ground.
It was the sound of a crossbow.
The sound came from behind them, where the worker was pushing his cart, but he was no longer pushing a cart, he was reloading a crossbow.
The now hooded assassin was deft with the crossbow and had almost finished reloading, then a soft click could be heard, the crossbow was loaded again, he raised it Lilandra, and shouldered the weapon.
Just barely Mordular heard another body drop, a quick glance would show it was the guard at the gate body falling to the ground, and now the worker above them, was wielding a crossbow.
Mordular and Lilandra were in a crossfire, and Cortei was no where to be found.
It fit remarkable well considering he had no fitting done on his prior visit, it was a little tight around the neck, and the crescent moon clasp just barely fit, but it did.
"This," said Cortei gesturing the other Dark Knight with a tilt in one of her blades, "is Larik. He has just graduated from the Dark Knight Academy. Larik, this is, Mordular."
"Greetings, cousin." Was all Larik said, and without even looking at Mordular.
"This is how this will work:" Cortei said getting right down to business, "I will be an overwatch, what that means Mordular, is I won't be directly with you and Larik, but scouting forward and upward--a skyward said of eyes. You two, will flank your objective at all times, until we reach the Spire Bridge, which is where we will meet up. Not complicated. This is mostly a formal arrangement, but it doesn't mean we can be lax. Larik knows the designated path. Good luck to you both."
Lilandra approached and stood still, waiting for her escorts.
"Come, sentinel." Larik said to Mordular.
They began their ascent, and everyone was silent. On occasion they could spot Cortei, scaling a wall, or just hovering over them from above. The path started to zig-zag, and this marked they were close to the next tier. Though the path was well used, only two working adhiel shared the path with them, one in front and the other a bit behind, pushing heavy carts, nose to the grindstone.
The archway to the middle tier was guarded by one vanguard, and he stopped the worker with the cart.
Larik stopped too, "Let Lilandra rest, while they clear him through."
The worker behind them seemed to think that was a good idea too, and stopped his cart as well.
After a moment of silence, Larik finally put to words what his demeanor had been saying, "You know, I do not approve of what is happening here."
He was going to speak again, but instead of words coming from his mouth, a loud snapping sound could be heard, and Larik's throat exploded, and he fell to the ground.
It was the sound of a crossbow.
The sound came from behind them, where the worker was pushing his cart, but he was no longer pushing a cart, he was reloading a crossbow.
The now hooded assassin was deft with the crossbow and had almost finished reloading, then a soft click could be heard, the crossbow was loaded again, he raised it Lilandra, and shouldered the weapon.
Just barely Mordular heard another body drop, a quick glance would show it was the guard at the gate body falling to the ground, and now the worker above them, was wielding a crossbow.
Mordular and Lilandra were in a crossfire, and Cortei was no where to be found.
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
Mordular had been quiet and done what was instructed without comment or much verbal response. Through receiving the coat, meeting Larik, and the beginning of the trek to the Spire's Bridge.
Even when Larik had spoken his disapproval of the delay, Mordular only nodded and looked vigilant and waiting.
The bolt in Larik's throat changed everything.
Mordular whirled his head around first, in the direction of the shot, and then again in the fraction of the moment it took to recognize the second deadly attacker.
The next few moments seemed like eternities to Mordular.
"Get DOWN, lady." he said in a tone of cold clear command to Lilandra, and withdrew his knife with speed. This he threw in the direction of the worker ahead and above them, a quick throw since Mordular had little time for a perfect strike. A moment later, his hand was on his sword hilt, and he was moving even as he was drawing his blade, low and fast, toward the assassin behind them.
Even when Larik had spoken his disapproval of the delay, Mordular only nodded and looked vigilant and waiting.
The bolt in Larik's throat changed everything.
Mordular whirled his head around first, in the direction of the shot, and then again in the fraction of the moment it took to recognize the second deadly attacker.
The next few moments seemed like eternities to Mordular.
"Get DOWN, lady." he said in a tone of cold clear command to Lilandra, and withdrew his knife with speed. This he threw in the direction of the worker ahead and above them, a quick throw since Mordular had little time for a perfect strike. A moment later, his hand was on his sword hilt, and he was moving even as he was drawing his blade, low and fast, toward the assassin behind them.
Though Mordular could not see it, his thrown blade would do some good. The dark adhiel was in the action of squeezing the trigger, and his instincts made him react causing his aim to be not completely true. Instead of the heart he was aiming at, his bolt ended up in Lilandra's bicep, causing her to stagger around.
The attacker that Mordular charged almost did not acknowledge his presence. He stood steadfast, his crossbow ready to fire, and aiming at what looked to be at Mordular's forehead. As Mordular came within in two paces he fired.
The noise of the contraption so close to Mordular was probably something he would never forget. The bolt left the crossbow too fast for Mordular to see, but he could feel the distrubance it caused in the air as it crossed over his head, and let out its screaming whistling sound.
Only then did the attacker look Mordular in the eyes, and as he did he dropped his weapon, and reached down towards a sheath which housed a dagger, only wrapping his fingers around it's hilt.
A thud, the sound of someone jumping of the tier's ledge could be heard behind Mordular.
"Drop your weapon!" Cortei's voice exclaimed. "Drop your--" She did not finish the sentence this time, and grunt could be heard from her direction.
Footsteps could be heard behind Mordular now, running at a pace much quicker than his.
"Mord, I'm behind you." Cortei said excitedly.
However, in front of Mordular, the attacker still stood, hand on hilt, and still as stone.
The attacker that Mordular charged almost did not acknowledge his presence. He stood steadfast, his crossbow ready to fire, and aiming at what looked to be at Mordular's forehead. As Mordular came within in two paces he fired.
The noise of the contraption so close to Mordular was probably something he would never forget. The bolt left the crossbow too fast for Mordular to see, but he could feel the distrubance it caused in the air as it crossed over his head, and let out its screaming whistling sound.
Only then did the attacker look Mordular in the eyes, and as he did he dropped his weapon, and reached down towards a sheath which housed a dagger, only wrapping his fingers around it's hilt.
A thud, the sound of someone jumping of the tier's ledge could be heard behind Mordular.
"Drop your weapon!" Cortei's voice exclaimed. "Drop your--" She did not finish the sentence this time, and grunt could be heard from her direction.
Footsteps could be heard behind Mordular now, running at a pace much quicker than his.
"Mord, I'm behind you." Cortei said excitedly.
However, in front of Mordular, the attacker still stood, hand on hilt, and still as stone.
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
When the bolt whizzed over Mordular's head, the adrenalin in his veins, combined with the anger and protectiveness running through his soul only speeded his footsteps. He barely acknowledged the exclaiming voice of Cortei behind him, but he did not slow his progress as he continued to charge the man standing still as stone. Rather than skewering him with the blade, however, as Mordular reached the assassin, he brought up his left shoulder, intent on using his speed, relative size, and momentum to knock his foe down to the ground.
It was only then that he stopped to turn around to face Cortei and the results of the first assassin's results.
It was only then that he stopped to turn around to face Cortei and the results of the first assassin's results.
The first assassin could be seen twitching on the ground, with one of Cortei's throwing blades wedged to the hilt inside his temple. A crossbow bolt was fired in the ground in front of him. Cortei obviously was defending herself in that moment.
As Mordular now took this moment to see the result of the overall attack, he would now notice why the adhiel he charged took no interest in him. The crossbow bolt fired just over his head was not meant for Mordular, he was just in the way, until he finally was so close the adhiel attacker could shoot over him, at the already injured Lilandra.
When Lilandra was hit, she must have panicked and forgotten Mordular's instructions to get to the ground, thus she was straggling about like a wounded animal. As Mordular charged the assassin and got closer he only cleared the path for the uphill shot. The shot that seemed to thankfully missed Mordular was never meant for him, it was meant for Lilandra's chest...and there it stuck out from. Her cermonial garb darkening from the blood pooling around the wound, and her veil also darkening as she spat up blood.
The adhiel Mordular lowered his shoulder into slid across the rocks and he sprawled his way against the wall, trying to catch is breath as the wind was purely knocked of him, but still he went on with his task, just as he did when Mordular was charging him. Chest still heaving gasping for air, he drew his dagger and raised it to his heart, preparing to end his own life.
Cortei out of breath from running yelled, "No! He's going to kill himself!"
The blade started to enter his chest.
As Mordular now took this moment to see the result of the overall attack, he would now notice why the adhiel he charged took no interest in him. The crossbow bolt fired just over his head was not meant for Mordular, he was just in the way, until he finally was so close the adhiel attacker could shoot over him, at the already injured Lilandra.
When Lilandra was hit, she must have panicked and forgotten Mordular's instructions to get to the ground, thus she was straggling about like a wounded animal. As Mordular charged the assassin and got closer he only cleared the path for the uphill shot. The shot that seemed to thankfully missed Mordular was never meant for him, it was meant for Lilandra's chest...and there it stuck out from. Her cermonial garb darkening from the blood pooling around the wound, and her veil also darkening as she spat up blood.
The adhiel Mordular lowered his shoulder into slid across the rocks and he sprawled his way against the wall, trying to catch is breath as the wind was purely knocked of him, but still he went on with his task, just as he did when Mordular was charging him. Chest still heaving gasping for air, he drew his dagger and raised it to his heart, preparing to end his own life.
Cortei out of breath from running yelled, "No! He's going to kill himself!"
The blade started to enter his chest.
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
Mordular didn't have time to freeze at the sight and realization that his failure had possibly cost Lilandra's life. Instead, as the blade seemed ready to enter the assassin's chest and remove any hope of discovering who had sent him, Mordular sprinted over to where he was sprawled.
Without regard for the sharpness of the blade, the dark Adhiel thrust his hands beneath the pommel, to keep the assassin from driving it further into his body.
Without regard for the sharpness of the blade, the dark Adhiel thrust his hands beneath the pommel, to keep the assassin from driving it further into his body.
Mordular flew to the side of the assassin with a speed he did not know he was capable of achieving. His hands thrust upward against the adhiel's wrist and the blade followed with a tip red with blood. The assassin ignored the sting of the shallow wound in the chest and the welling blood to focus on Mordular and his grip on his wrist.
The assassin twisted his wrist like a snake trying to bite the one that held it by neck. Even held as he was the iron fang threatened to slash Mordular's arm or worse if he did not twist to match him. Keeping him focused on that, the assassin hoped that Mordular would not notice his free hand slipping down towards the sheathed knife in his boot.
The assassin twisted his wrist like a snake trying to bite the one that held it by neck. Even held as he was the iron fang threatened to slash Mordular's arm or worse if he did not twist to match him. Keeping him focused on that, the assassin hoped that Mordular would not notice his free hand slipping down towards the sheathed knife in his boot.
[size=100]
Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known, I've had to make myself.
Shel Silverstein[/size]
Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known, I've had to make myself.
Shel Silverstein[/size]
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Guest
Mordular continued to struggle with his hands on the blade, struggling to have two hands match the would-be suicidal move of one. His eye only caught the movement of the free hand of the assassin after a moment's delay in the life and death struggle.
Coiling his leg like a spring, he waited until the hand was fully engaged and on the pommel of the blade before his foot struck, to crush the hand against the hard surface of the boot blade. In so doing, Mordular hoped to gain a little leverage to continue the main struggle with the larger blade and the assassin's arm.
Coiling his leg like a spring, he waited until the hand was fully engaged and on the pommel of the blade before his foot struck, to crush the hand against the hard surface of the boot blade. In so doing, Mordular hoped to gain a little leverage to continue the main struggle with the larger blade and the assassin's arm.
Mordular meant well with his kick onto the assassin. However, the worst followed. After Mordular's kick found it's home, the assassin, in a knee jerk reaction, bolted up instictively. Thrusting his chest into the blade, even though with that motion, that wasn't the assassin's attention.
The assassin's face froze for a moment, his mouth twisted disgustingly, and only a few flickers later, it would remain that way forever, as his body went limp.
Cortei slid to a stop to see the finally result, she stood silently for a moment, then shoke her head, "He wasn't going to tell us anything anyways. If he had that much resolve... Come, Mordular, we have more important matters."
The Dark Knight walked towards Lilandra's body, and flipped up the veil.
"It wasn't Lilandra, Mordular. It was a decoy. I did not want to chance telling you less you seemed to lax." Cortei nodded at the body, "A disgraced acoylte."
The assassin's face froze for a moment, his mouth twisted disgustingly, and only a few flickers later, it would remain that way forever, as his body went limp.
Cortei slid to a stop to see the finally result, she stood silently for a moment, then shoke her head, "He wasn't going to tell us anything anyways. If he had that much resolve... Come, Mordular, we have more important matters."
The Dark Knight walked towards Lilandra's body, and flipped up the veil.
"It wasn't Lilandra, Mordular. It was a decoy. I did not want to chance telling you less you seemed to lax." Cortei nodded at the body, "A disgraced acoylte."
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
Mordular, already shaken by his failure to stop the assassin, looked up in disbelief and followed Cortei to the body underneath the veil. He stopped short, and blinked as the deception was revealed.
"You expected an attack, and expected it to be planned well enough to possibly be fatal." Mordular said flatly. "Lilandra herself is safely at the destination already?"
"You expected an attack, and expected it to be planned well enough to possibly be fatal." Mordular said flatly. "Lilandra herself is safely at the destination already?"
Cortei who was down on her haunches as she flipped up the now dead acoyltes veil, stood up quickly, and cocked her head.
"No, Mordular, I did not anticipate this." She stated, her body seeming to tense up defensively at the suggestion. "I would not have placed my brethren, you, nor even the disgraced acoylte in the path of something as brutal as this."
Cortei knelt beside the acoylte, and covered her face again. She then spoke softly, "Certainly, I knew there...knew there could be some outside possibilty that there could be some aggresion--but that is why I sent Larik along."
She cast a look back at her fallen comrade, and gathered some of the composure, "But yes, Lilandra should be at the spire by now. Would you like to meet with Her...?" Cortei said trailing off and it was clear she wasn't talking about Lilandra, but her Highness. "This is all the ammunition you would need to tout the Sentinel cause...Larik was of good blood though...speak of him highly? If I take you there..."
She was almost pleading when it came to Larik, her fallen brethren.
"No, Mordular, I did not anticipate this." She stated, her body seeming to tense up defensively at the suggestion. "I would not have placed my brethren, you, nor even the disgraced acoylte in the path of something as brutal as this."
Cortei knelt beside the acoylte, and covered her face again. She then spoke softly, "Certainly, I knew there...knew there could be some outside possibilty that there could be some aggresion--but that is why I sent Larik along."
She cast a look back at her fallen comrade, and gathered some of the composure, "But yes, Lilandra should be at the spire by now. Would you like to meet with Her...?" Cortei said trailing off and it was clear she wasn't talking about Lilandra, but her Highness. "This is all the ammunition you would need to tout the Sentinel cause...Larik was of good blood though...speak of him highly? If I take you there..."
She was almost pleading when it came to Larik, her fallen brethren.
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
Mordular hesitated a few moments, looking at the body of the disgraced acolyte. And, then, for a moment or two more, he looked over to the body of the fallen Larik.
"I will speak of the death of Larik in the terms and gravity that he should be afforded." Mordular agreed. "There should be someone to speak of his end, and of what has happened here this day. For I am the only one living to witness all events, it should be I."
He looked to Cortei solemnly. "I will accompany you to the Spire."
"I will speak of the death of Larik in the terms and gravity that he should be afforded." Mordular agreed. "There should be someone to speak of his end, and of what has happened here this day. For I am the only one living to witness all events, it should be I."
He looked to Cortei solemnly. "I will accompany you to the Spire."
The scene already started to draw onlookers, curious dark adhiel peering down to look on in morbid curiosity at the three slain adhiel. Guards were now quickly streaming past Mordular and Cortei.
Cortei shook her head, "I think I should take care of a few things here with the guards. You should find Lilandra, let her know what happened before the meeting with the Queen. You can find her at the Spire Bridge Inn, she's been there for some time, waiting for one of us--moved her their last night in the wee hours. I should be there in a few burns."
The Spire Bridge Inn would be rather easy to find, it was well known to most who inhabited Gulanadur as it was frequented by both nobles and subjects alike. Mordular would have no problem making his way there, now that he was so close to the Spire Bridge itself.
The owner of this inn certainly had the right idea, for no one going to the Spire doesn't have a little coin to spend, for a bite to eat, and a room, at a much more pleasing price than the inn that can be found on The Spire.
In the plush and posh common room, there was several Dark Knights, and the only soul that wasn't was Lilandra herself--in good health. She waited patiently for the arrival of both Cortei and Mordular.
Cortei shook her head, "I think I should take care of a few things here with the guards. You should find Lilandra, let her know what happened before the meeting with the Queen. You can find her at the Spire Bridge Inn, she's been there for some time, waiting for one of us--moved her their last night in the wee hours. I should be there in a few burns."
The Spire Bridge Inn would be rather easy to find, it was well known to most who inhabited Gulanadur as it was frequented by both nobles and subjects alike. Mordular would have no problem making his way there, now that he was so close to the Spire Bridge itself.
The owner of this inn certainly had the right idea, for no one going to the Spire doesn't have a little coin to spend, for a bite to eat, and a room, at a much more pleasing price than the inn that can be found on The Spire.
In the plush and posh common room, there was several Dark Knights, and the only soul that wasn't was Lilandra herself--in good health. She waited patiently for the arrival of both Cortei and Mordular.
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
When Mordular himself entered the common room of the Inn, he, too, was the other exception besides Lilandra to the clientele being entirely Dark Knights.
Mindful of all of the eyes upon him, and feeling very alone in that scrutiny, he walked slowly toward Lilandra, the grave look on his face preceding him. Every step was a like a roaring heartbeat in his ears as he approached Lilandra and then stopped a respectful distance away, and then bowed to her.
"MiLady." he said softly. "I bear grave news. May I sit?"
Mindful of all of the eyes upon him, and feeling very alone in that scrutiny, he walked slowly toward Lilandra, the grave look on his face preceding him. Every step was a like a roaring heartbeat in his ears as he approached Lilandra and then stopped a respectful distance away, and then bowed to her.
"MiLady." he said softly. "I bear grave news. May I sit?"
Lilandra was sitting quietly, however, there just the slightest amount of worry, not across her entire face, but just slightly in her eyes--the rest of her face, besides her nose, was hidden behind a veil.
The Priestess removed the veil from her mouth and chin, to reveal lips pursed in thought, "I have heard that the plan was for you and Cortei to arrive her together, with our repenting acolyte. The fact that you are the only soul to arrive already has me in a state of worry--is Cortei alright, Mordular?"
Lilandra put a worried hand to her lips, "Oh yes, Mordular, excuse me. If you have grave news you must be tired, so yes, please sit. I pray to our Great Lady that all are well." Adjusting her shall she collected herself, "Privacy please," she said to those who loomed around her, "please Mordular, relay your news."
The Priestess removed the veil from her mouth and chin, to reveal lips pursed in thought, "I have heard that the plan was for you and Cortei to arrive her together, with our repenting acolyte. The fact that you are the only soul to arrive already has me in a state of worry--is Cortei alright, Mordular?"
Lilandra put a worried hand to her lips, "Oh yes, Mordular, excuse me. If you have grave news you must be tired, so yes, please sit. I pray to our Great Lady that all are well." Adjusting her shall she collected herself, "Privacy please," she said to those who loomed around her, "please Mordular, relay your news."
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
Mordular patiently listened to the priestess, and only sank down onto the seat when he was directed to do so.
"Milady, there was an attack on the procession." Mordular began in a simple, spare voice that emotion simmered underneath like a pot with an inch of heated water. "I...failed in my duty. The acolyte posing as you was fouled killed by crossbow bolt." Mordular paused, his eyes closed as he continued. "One of Cortei's comrades, a Dark Knight named Larik, died, and died bravely to keep the acolyte safe. If it were not for his bravery, I would surely be dead."
"The assassins themselves are also dead." Mordular kept his eyes closed as he continued to speak. "I failed to prevent one of them taking his own life to avoid giving up the secret of his contract upon you."
"Milady, there was an attack on the procession." Mordular began in a simple, spare voice that emotion simmered underneath like a pot with an inch of heated water. "I...failed in my duty. The acolyte posing as you was fouled killed by crossbow bolt." Mordular paused, his eyes closed as he continued. "One of Cortei's comrades, a Dark Knight named Larik, died, and died bravely to keep the acolyte safe. If it were not for his bravery, I would surely be dead."
"The assassins themselves are also dead." Mordular kept his eyes closed as he continued to speak. "I failed to prevent one of them taking his own life to avoid giving up the secret of his contract upon you."
Lilandra reached a hand across the table and placed it on Mordular's to comfort him. At the same time, he eyes grew distant, as she seem to comfort herself. Indeed, she was a preistess, and comforting others or doing her job, often comforted her in return.
"Mordular..." Lilandra said softly, "you're training has not even begun yet, and you were part of a team--do not see this as a failure, but as a tradegy--one that a dedicated adhiel such as yourself, and two Dark Knights could not stop. This is a tragedy that could not have been forseen."
She removed her hand from Mordular, "In the path you have choosen, you will often find you have little time for mourning before you next duty is upon you. Unless, there is more there would like to tell me, I would like you to escort me the rest of the way to the Spire."
"Mordular..." Lilandra said softly, "you're training has not even begun yet, and you were part of a team--do not see this as a failure, but as a tradegy--one that a dedicated adhiel such as yourself, and two Dark Knights could not stop. This is a tragedy that could not have been forseen."
She removed her hand from Mordular, "In the path you have choosen, you will often find you have little time for mourning before you next duty is upon you. Unless, there is more there would like to tell me, I would like you to escort me the rest of the way to the Spire."
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
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Guest
"Its difficult, since this is the first such loss that has occurred, under my watch. Even if it was a shared one." Mordular gave a nod. "Even so."
He rose from his position and straightened himself within moments, and his demeanor chilled from the sorrowful fire into a cold, implacable face of duty.
"I have nothing else to report, Milady." he said, all trace of his mournfulness subducted under a layer of professionalism. "I am ready to escort you the remaining distance to the Spire."
He rose from his position and straightened himself within moments, and his demeanor chilled from the sorrowful fire into a cold, implacable face of duty.
"I have nothing else to report, Milady." he said, all trace of his mournfulness subducted under a layer of professionalism. "I am ready to escort you the remaining distance to the Spire."
Though the Dark Knights in the common room of the inn were completely silent, a certain mood was cast over them as the words Mordular spoke reached them. Most adhiel treasure all forms of life, so when one so close to them passes before their time, it's a grim time.
Lilandra looped an arm through Mordular's as they left the inn, and continued on to the Spire. The walk across the Spire Bridge may have felt more like a death march. Mordular and Lilandra led the way, and the Dark Knights followed two-by-two. The march took Mordular by houses which he had probably never seen the likes before, for they were noble houses, and shops that could empty his purse on one trinket. But on the Spire on object loomed over all: the palace
The Archway inside the grounds was lightly guarded--to the untrained eye--just two Dark Knights on each side, who only gave a polite nod. As they passed through the Archway several servants opened the main gate, and finally they were inside of the palace standing in a large foyer.
A door stood in front of them, not seeming too special seemed like the next obvious place to go, yet they waited. In a few flickers, a rash of Dark Knights flooded the foyer, twice as many as was with Mordular and Lilandra, observing them carefully.
One of the new Dark Knights stepped forward, battlescars lining his face and stood before Mordular, "Since, you are not a Dark Knight, nor any kind of guard, I shall have to ask you to disarm. Of course it's not personal, nor could you get with in twenty paces of her Magesty unless she wanted you too. Tradition, you see."
Lilandra turned to Mordular, "Perhaps that will change." She said with a rueful smile, then went on to change the subject to the Queen. "She may be young, fifteen yahren to be exact, but be on your guard, Mordular, if she calls on you to speak...she has the wisdom of someone ten time her yahren."
Lilandra looped an arm through Mordular's as they left the inn, and continued on to the Spire. The walk across the Spire Bridge may have felt more like a death march. Mordular and Lilandra led the way, and the Dark Knights followed two-by-two. The march took Mordular by houses which he had probably never seen the likes before, for they were noble houses, and shops that could empty his purse on one trinket. But on the Spire on object loomed over all: the palace
The Archway inside the grounds was lightly guarded--to the untrained eye--just two Dark Knights on each side, who only gave a polite nod. As they passed through the Archway several servants opened the main gate, and finally they were inside of the palace standing in a large foyer.
A door stood in front of them, not seeming too special seemed like the next obvious place to go, yet they waited. In a few flickers, a rash of Dark Knights flooded the foyer, twice as many as was with Mordular and Lilandra, observing them carefully.
One of the new Dark Knights stepped forward, battlescars lining his face and stood before Mordular, "Since, you are not a Dark Knight, nor any kind of guard, I shall have to ask you to disarm. Of course it's not personal, nor could you get with in twenty paces of her Magesty unless she wanted you too. Tradition, you see."
Lilandra turned to Mordular, "Perhaps that will change." She said with a rueful smile, then went on to change the subject to the Queen. "She may be young, fifteen yahren to be exact, but be on your guard, Mordular, if she calls on you to speak...she has the wisdom of someone ten time her yahren."
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
-
Guest
"It is right and proper that I disarm., for Tradition as much as any other reason." Mordular agreed, as the Dark Knights asked for his weapons and the priestess warned him to be on his guard for the Queen as well. Mordular handed over his dagger, and his sword to the waiting dark knights.
"This has been a time of betrayals, false semblances and surprises." Mordular found himself saying to Lilandra. "I no longer do not know, today, what to trust, or to believe. Everything that I have been shown thus far has proven to be a lie or deception of some sort. And under those deceptions, lives have been lost."
"It is more than disconcerting, I have nothing to stand firm upon." he added, speaking almost in monologue. "But I do not expect the audience with her Majesty to be any easier. I am ready, however, to proceed, milady."
He gestured so that he could escort Lilandra deeper within the Palace.
"This has been a time of betrayals, false semblances and surprises." Mordular found himself saying to Lilandra. "I no longer do not know, today, what to trust, or to believe. Everything that I have been shown thus far has proven to be a lie or deception of some sort. And under those deceptions, lives have been lost."
"It is more than disconcerting, I have nothing to stand firm upon." he added, speaking almost in monologue. "But I do not expect the audience with her Majesty to be any easier. I am ready, however, to proceed, milady."
He gestured so that he could escort Lilandra deeper within the Palace.
OOC: Sorry for the late response.
The doors opened before Mordular and there was only one sight to behold: Queen Ser'raquine Devir. Though of course she was not the only person in the room, situated serenely on the throne placed in the middle of a dias, she reguarded Mordular's party lightly before nodding at them, permitting entry.
"This is the envoy from the Temple...concerning the matter of the creation of miltia group under the name, Moonlady Sentinals." She said as she gazed out among them, as if to remind them more than herself as to the reason of their prescense.
The young, teenage Queen, then looked upon Lilandra, "It is good to see you again, Preistess Lilandra." With that small acknowlegement out of the way, she then became quite direct. "And again, we have one of the same discussions. I shall assume you will push to light the fact that the majority of our Dark Knights, have now gone to the surface."
Lilandra nodded, "Yes, your Majesty. It is a concern."
"Does that make you feel unsafe?"
"We at the Temple think--"
Queen Ser'raquine interrupted, as softly as one with this much power could, her head tilting, and the silver locks which were not tied into a bun, fell over her shoulders, "I did not ask what your collective group thinks, I asked how you felt. Do you come to me, fearing for your safety?"
Impulsively several members of the group made tell-tale gestures, and Lilandra herself put a hand to her mouth.
"My Kingdom is not vast, but I consider this a great advantage. The depth of which I can know my Kingdom cannot be matched. It is my strength, and therefore, if there is happenings which are not making me privy, I will implore you to know, that no detail is too small. What is it that makes you hang your heads?"
Lilandra stepped forward, "Through the cunning of the Dark Knights allotted to the Temple, I helped avoid a tragedy this morning, however, the tactics employed did not go without losses." The priestess gestured towards Mordular. "This adhiel, as only a humble servant of the Moonlady, risked his being in these tactics of which the losses occured. Perhaps the relaying of his experience, can be the best evidence of our need."
"Mordular," The Queen said his name and it rung through out the chamber. She nodded at him in recognition, "I am a humble servant of the Moonlady. In that respect, will you give me the prilededge of your knowledge? Do you find it evidence to the need of the Temple's own guard?"
The doors opened before Mordular and there was only one sight to behold: Queen Ser'raquine Devir. Though of course she was not the only person in the room, situated serenely on the throne placed in the middle of a dias, she reguarded Mordular's party lightly before nodding at them, permitting entry.
"This is the envoy from the Temple...concerning the matter of the creation of miltia group under the name, Moonlady Sentinals." She said as she gazed out among them, as if to remind them more than herself as to the reason of their prescense.
The young, teenage Queen, then looked upon Lilandra, "It is good to see you again, Preistess Lilandra." With that small acknowlegement out of the way, she then became quite direct. "And again, we have one of the same discussions. I shall assume you will push to light the fact that the majority of our Dark Knights, have now gone to the surface."
Lilandra nodded, "Yes, your Majesty. It is a concern."
"Does that make you feel unsafe?"
"We at the Temple think--"
Queen Ser'raquine interrupted, as softly as one with this much power could, her head tilting, and the silver locks which were not tied into a bun, fell over her shoulders, "I did not ask what your collective group thinks, I asked how you felt. Do you come to me, fearing for your safety?"
Impulsively several members of the group made tell-tale gestures, and Lilandra herself put a hand to her mouth.
"My Kingdom is not vast, but I consider this a great advantage. The depth of which I can know my Kingdom cannot be matched. It is my strength, and therefore, if there is happenings which are not making me privy, I will implore you to know, that no detail is too small. What is it that makes you hang your heads?"
Lilandra stepped forward, "Through the cunning of the Dark Knights allotted to the Temple, I helped avoid a tragedy this morning, however, the tactics employed did not go without losses." The priestess gestured towards Mordular. "This adhiel, as only a humble servant of the Moonlady, risked his being in these tactics of which the losses occured. Perhaps the relaying of his experience, can be the best evidence of our need."
"Mordular," The Queen said his name and it rung through out the chamber. She nodded at him in recognition, "I am a humble servant of the Moonlady. In that respect, will you give me the prilededge of your knowledge? Do you find it evidence to the need of the Temple's own guard?"
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel
-
Guest
Mordular tried to school his reactions as the Priestess and her Majesty the Queen began to converse. The en famille way which the two of them spoke shocked Mordular, it was far removed from the still center of power that he had expected in the throne room. He stood ramrod straight, focusing his attention on the two principals throughout their discussion.
He swallowed as his name echoed throughout the chamber and the attention of the young Queen came fully upon him. Mordular was only dimly aware of the fact that, as a result, the rest of the chamber was likely regarding him as well.
"Your Majesty" Mordular began after a moment's pause to clear his throat and compose himself. His palms felt sweaty and despite all of his training and his years, his heart beat rapidly.
"The attack in which I caught up was a foul and loathsome blow against not only the Temple, but the peace of the realm that you yourself embody." he began, speaking slowly and clearly, just barely avoiding overpronunciation of each syllable. It was as if Mordular was trying to avoid sounding like a bumpkin in front of Queen and Court.
"Larik, a Dark Knight to whom I was only introduced at the beginning of the false procession, had his life sacrificed like a game piece in the attack. And the efforts of another Dark Knight, and the untrained skills of myself were not enough to save the life of the acolyte who posed as the Priestess." Mordular continued.
"With the departure of the Knights to the surface, and with one of those that have remained here lost in this attack, the resources to protect the Temple have stretched fatally thin, your Majesty." Mordular straightened his back even further. "Not many are worthy of becoming Dark Knights, and that is a long and challenging road for any who would walk it. Even I, who dream of walking that road some day, have not dared to set foot upon it. "
"But today, your Majesty, the Temple, and Gulanadur in general are vulnerable. While the creation of Sentinels is an act which has not been seen its like in many yahren, these are times very different than any in many yahren. The Temple and the City need defenders such as the Sentinels, and if her Majesty in her wisdom sees fit to allow their re-creation, I would like to be among the first of their number."
He swallowed as his name echoed throughout the chamber and the attention of the young Queen came fully upon him. Mordular was only dimly aware of the fact that, as a result, the rest of the chamber was likely regarding him as well.
"Your Majesty" Mordular began after a moment's pause to clear his throat and compose himself. His palms felt sweaty and despite all of his training and his years, his heart beat rapidly.
"The attack in which I caught up was a foul and loathsome blow against not only the Temple, but the peace of the realm that you yourself embody." he began, speaking slowly and clearly, just barely avoiding overpronunciation of each syllable. It was as if Mordular was trying to avoid sounding like a bumpkin in front of Queen and Court.
"Larik, a Dark Knight to whom I was only introduced at the beginning of the false procession, had his life sacrificed like a game piece in the attack. And the efforts of another Dark Knight, and the untrained skills of myself were not enough to save the life of the acolyte who posed as the Priestess." Mordular continued.
"With the departure of the Knights to the surface, and with one of those that have remained here lost in this attack, the resources to protect the Temple have stretched fatally thin, your Majesty." Mordular straightened his back even further. "Not many are worthy of becoming Dark Knights, and that is a long and challenging road for any who would walk it. Even I, who dream of walking that road some day, have not dared to set foot upon it. "
"But today, your Majesty, the Temple, and Gulanadur in general are vulnerable. While the creation of Sentinels is an act which has not been seen its like in many yahren, these are times very different than any in many yahren. The Temple and the City need defenders such as the Sentinels, and if her Majesty in her wisdom sees fit to allow their re-creation, I would like to be among the first of their number."
OOC: Great Post, Mord. You really laid things out.
As Mordular spoke it was not him who was the audience of the Queen, but the Queen was his audience. The gaze was unwaviering, even as she nodded at the points that Mordular brought up. As Mordular finished she folded her hands and set them in her lap and was silent for a flicker.
"I am very sorry for the losses to the Temple, Lilandra, and I am sorry you had to witness a most ruthless attack you had to witness, and make no mistake, you are also a victim of this crime as well. I find that survivors of such traumas seem to blame themselves, as if their survival was wrong. Our people have survival imprinted into their very being, as our anicents we're pushed from the surface, yet have made a new society which has thrived, in what many surface adhiel consider a most...unadhiel, if you will, envoirment. As long as you, Mordular, did all that you could, gave your full effort, showed not cowardice, you should consider your survival a success, and a merit to your character. Be comforted in this knowledge your Queen gives you, in this dark time."
"As for the assilants, your cooperation with the palace Dark Knights with description of them and whatever details you can give would be greatly appreicated."
The Queens gaze then shifted the group and chamber as a whole, "The decision to go to war is always difficult, and with our small kingdow resources will always be stressed in a time of war. Those who fight on the surface, the Moonlady bless them, are protecting our way of life from outside forces who would have us irradicated. If the undesirables of Gulanadur are going to use this perilous time for unscrouplous gain, then I am agreed with Preistess Lilandra's, and Goodman Mordular's assement."
"Now, concerning the business of the formation of The Sentinals, I have conditions that must be agreed to before my permission and blessing will be given. The first concerns resources: as we have all pointed out, the Dark Knights resource is a stretched, therefore every militia unit trained by a temple must also be at the same time, in training to become a Dark Knight. Thus, as an ammendment to the first condition, the head of these temple milita units, will be headed by one who was first trained as a Dark Knight, and one who first choose the route of being a militia unit of that temple. This first condition is set forth only so that, we do not excerbate the strecthing of Dark Knights by having able bodied men and women take a path they think will be easier, and remind them of their duty to Gulandur."
"The second condition will be evidence of the box that you would like to open. You must understand, that I am not just allowing the formation of Moonlady Sentinals, but in doing so, I am allowing all of the three established Gulandurian religious orders to form their own militia. We have enjoyed a great religous harmony for yahren, and a great part of that, is that the monarch, whoever it was that sat on this throne, no matter who their choosen god, never showed political favour towards one god or the other. My hand is forced in this matter due to tradition and the keeping of balance to give this allowance, and give no aide to even the Temple of my worship."
"Lilandra proposer of The Moonlady Sentials, and Mordular the first pledge to its ranks, do you agree to these conditions, and understand the ramifications? Your own milita, and Molten, and the arming of those who worship death, Anasati. How do you answer? Mordular, do this change your zeal for becoming the first Moonlady Sentinal?"
As Mordular spoke it was not him who was the audience of the Queen, but the Queen was his audience. The gaze was unwaviering, even as she nodded at the points that Mordular brought up. As Mordular finished she folded her hands and set them in her lap and was silent for a flicker.
"I am very sorry for the losses to the Temple, Lilandra, and I am sorry you had to witness a most ruthless attack you had to witness, and make no mistake, you are also a victim of this crime as well. I find that survivors of such traumas seem to blame themselves, as if their survival was wrong. Our people have survival imprinted into their very being, as our anicents we're pushed from the surface, yet have made a new society which has thrived, in what many surface adhiel consider a most...unadhiel, if you will, envoirment. As long as you, Mordular, did all that you could, gave your full effort, showed not cowardice, you should consider your survival a success, and a merit to your character. Be comforted in this knowledge your Queen gives you, in this dark time."
"As for the assilants, your cooperation with the palace Dark Knights with description of them and whatever details you can give would be greatly appreicated."
The Queens gaze then shifted the group and chamber as a whole, "The decision to go to war is always difficult, and with our small kingdow resources will always be stressed in a time of war. Those who fight on the surface, the Moonlady bless them, are protecting our way of life from outside forces who would have us irradicated. If the undesirables of Gulanadur are going to use this perilous time for unscrouplous gain, then I am agreed with Preistess Lilandra's, and Goodman Mordular's assement."
"Now, concerning the business of the formation of The Sentinals, I have conditions that must be agreed to before my permission and blessing will be given. The first concerns resources: as we have all pointed out, the Dark Knights resource is a stretched, therefore every militia unit trained by a temple must also be at the same time, in training to become a Dark Knight. Thus, as an ammendment to the first condition, the head of these temple milita units, will be headed by one who was first trained as a Dark Knight, and one who first choose the route of being a militia unit of that temple. This first condition is set forth only so that, we do not excerbate the strecthing of Dark Knights by having able bodied men and women take a path they think will be easier, and remind them of their duty to Gulandur."
"The second condition will be evidence of the box that you would like to open. You must understand, that I am not just allowing the formation of Moonlady Sentinals, but in doing so, I am allowing all of the three established Gulandurian religious orders to form their own militia. We have enjoyed a great religous harmony for yahren, and a great part of that, is that the monarch, whoever it was that sat on this throne, no matter who their choosen god, never showed political favour towards one god or the other. My hand is forced in this matter due to tradition and the keeping of balance to give this allowance, and give no aide to even the Temple of my worship."
"Lilandra proposer of The Moonlady Sentials, and Mordular the first pledge to its ranks, do you agree to these conditions, and understand the ramifications? Your own milita, and Molten, and the arming of those who worship death, Anasati. How do you answer? Mordular, do this change your zeal for becoming the first Moonlady Sentinal?"
"...war is the last flower on the evil tree."-- Betrand Russel