|
Post by Nobody on Nov 22, 2014 6:27:39 GMT
It was the warmest night of the year, and the air was thick with the smells of summer and the sounds of joy. It was the 29th Peace Festival in Arviragus, and Alaric Tepes had been chosen to represent Libertatem. He stood to the side of a palanquin and it's procession, black armor bearing the hawk, standard of his house, glimmering dully. Presumably it held the princess Aoife, judging by her royal guard Adminius O'Cain standing on alert outside it. Alaric took a deep breath. If all went well with the night, he wouldn't have to unveil the secret Libertatem had entrusted him with.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 22, 2014 6:40:39 GMT
via mobile
Post by LuciasFalkner on Nov 22, 2014 6:40:39 GMT
Adminius O'Cain did his best to look stern, being the personal bodyguard to the Princess and all, but he failed to come across as even a little intimidating. He couldn't even begin to hide the excitement that covered his pale face. His shaggy, moderately long brown hair had been neatly combed and styled for the occasion, on the insistence of the king and queen. Princess Aoife, on the other hand, was having a total blast. The procession stopped multiple times so that she could try an event at a booth or just support the vendor. Her smile was familiar to all as a sign that there was nothing to fear. Even still, Aoife was tired of the procession that surrounded her, and, without warning, she yanked her childhood friend into a nearby crowd.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 22, 2014 16:50:42 GMT
via mobile
Post by canas on Nov 22, 2014 16:50:42 GMT
Cultus stepped through the crowd, absentmindedly scanning the faces of people throughout the place. He'd been hired on as a temporary city guard for the festival, and hed jumped at the opporotunity that might lead him to a hot meal. One he was currently eating, having happened to find a food vendor before he found anyone that needed to be apprehended. Eating on watch wasnt strictly supposed to happen, but... he was interrupted by the sounds of fighting and shouts of a crowd. Two men were brawling in front of a booth. Cultus watched them for a few moments, and then remembered he was supposed to stop them. He eyed the two men, and stepped forward. They stopped when they saw him, just over seven feet tall, and looked at him sheepishly. He looked from them to his half finished breadbowl of stew. Maybe dinner and a show wasnt too bad... he turned to the man next to him. ''Five says the rat looking one wins.''
The two men hearing this, looked at each other, unsure if it was a joke or not, or if they were being let off the hook. Then, the rat looking one cultus had mentioned earlier, unsure, and almost hesitantly, punched the other in the face, laying him out on the ground. ''Good job.'' Cultus congratulated the manas he snapped on the restraints on the man. Despite being chained, the ratty man still looked pleased with himself.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 22, 2014 17:11:51 GMT
Post by Nobody on Nov 22, 2014 17:11:51 GMT
Alaric couldn't help but laugh at the spectacle. The ever tall Ghee guard had managed to mostly diffuse the fight, and even the man in chains looked pleased tonight. It can't be helped, Alaric thought, on a night like this. He shrugged off the two unevenly sized wooden boxes on his back. Both were covered in intricate carvings, though neither featured the same images.
The larger of the two was easily five an a half feet long, and thick to match. It was carved of smooth sandalwood and depicted flames of all kinds pointing towards the heavens; hearthfires, wildfires, campfires, candle flames, and even one that appeared to be a volcano.
The smaller was about four feet long, and thinner than the other, carved from ebony. This one, although carved in a style similar to that of the sandalwood, featured no real symbolism, apart from one identifiable symbol, that of the rune of endings.
It was the larger of these two that Alaric had borne from Libertatem to Arviragus. It held the artifact of Justitia's chosen, the grand blade Caladbolg. Even through the special casing, he could feel the blade's power humming like an electric current through a high voltage wire.
He looked up at the Ghee guard again, who was finishing a bread bowl of stew and shook his head, smiling.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 22, 2014 17:20:00 GMT
via mobile
Post by LuciasFalkner on Nov 22, 2014 17:20:00 GMT
Once Aoife had successfully dragged herself and Adminius away from the procession, she led him down one of the aisles of stalls. Adminius protested time after time, but Aoife's only response was to stick her tongue out at him. She finally stopped when they came to a large crowd that seemed to have gathered around something. She quickly yanked Adminius' cloak from his shoulders and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling the hood over her face. With that, she pushed her way into the crowd to get a view of the situation. Apparently, two men had been fighting, but the Ghee guard that her parents had hired had diffused the situation. Somehow, one of them was smiling, earning a smile from her as well. It truly was an occasion for happiness.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 22, 2014 19:50:46 GMT
Post by Nobody on Nov 22, 2014 19:50:46 GMT
It was then that the base of Alaric's neck began to tingle, just below the hairline. He snapped to full alert, as the princess's palanquin burst into flame. The guard holding the litter dropped it to the ground and began to frantically pour water over it. When it collapsed and was revealed empty, they let out a collective sigh of relief, that quickly became a groan of anxiety as they realized the princess was missing. One of them turned to the captain of the guard to raise the alarum.
"Sir, the princess is mi--"
His words ended in a gurgle as a red-shafted arrow pierced his throat. In unison, three of the stall vendors had drawn bows and were firing with practiced precision, methodically silencing each guard as he noticed the other men falling.
Alaric's hand started to raise almost of it's own volition, but he stilled it with an effort of will. I don't know how Adminius knew of this attack before I, but the princess is certainly with him. I must find them!
He silently stepped back behind one of the many tented stalls, keeping the panels of wood between himself and the assailants.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 22, 2014 23:42:52 GMT
via mobile
Post by LuciasFalkner on Nov 22, 2014 23:42:52 GMT
Screams ran through the vast crowds, and Aoife turned towards them, wondering what could possibly be causing them. "What's going on?" Adminius pushed her behind himself and drew his sword from the scabbard on his back. "Stay close to me, Aoife, and whatever you do, don't let anyone see your face." He started to lead them through the panicking crowds in an attempt to find Alaric.
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 23, 2014 7:15:03 GMT
Post by canas on Nov 23, 2014 7:15:03 GMT
Cultus looked up sharply when the screams ran through the crowd, glancing around. he saw the assailants running among the crowd, towards the palanquin. he reflexively grabbed for hi bow, but it wasn't there. not for a guard duty job. he glanced down at the man still chained next to him. ''Your lucky day today.'' He unchained the man and swung the restraints over his head, throwing it at one assailant. it wrapped around his legs, tangling them like a bolo. He quickly ran over, cutting the mans throat, and grabbing the bow. Cultus Didn't bother to struggle taking the quiver off the dead man and putting it on his own belt, rather he simply seized all the arrows in his left hand and held them with the bow, firing at two of the assailants that were standing together. he got one, but the other ducked behind a stall, the arrow deflecting off a bar and digging into the wood. he glimpsed Adminius then, dashing through the crowd with sword drawn. If that was Adminius, then... that was one of the royal family, right behind, hidden in his cloak. He jumped, grabbing onto the ceiling of a stall, and then clambered up onto the rooftop next to it, watching them. he saw one assailant catch sight of Adminius and line up a shot with a crossbow. an arrow slammed into his chest, and then Cultus moved onward, following Adminius and his charge across the rooftops.
|
|
|
Post by Nobody on Nov 23, 2014 17:52:08 GMT
Alaric stepped in front of Adminius, arms raised to avoid startling him. He looked towards Aoife and nodded. "We should return to the castle. The king will want to see that his daughter is safe." His tone was crisp, businesslike.
Alaric took point, heading them towards the castle. A man rushed them from a fried bread stand, a knife three hands long flashing towards Alaric's face. Alaric ducked back, wrapping his arm around the man's wrist. He twisted viciously, snapping the man's forearm in two places. The man collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain. Alaric pulled the assassin's other arm up and placed one armored foot over his throat..
He turned to Adminius. "Do we aim to capture, or kill?"
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 23, 2014 22:43:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by LuciasFalkner on Nov 23, 2014 22:43:12 GMT
Adminius just stared at the man that Alaric had pinned. He couldn't believe that anyone had the gall to not only attack Arviragus, but to do it during the Peace Festival. Such might as well have been taboo for anyone. He took a deep breath. There was no reason to kill this man. Not without getting info out of him. "We capture him, get info out of him, then kill him. But first, we need to get out of the city. Aoif-The Princess's safety takes priority."
|
|
|
Post by Nobody on Nov 23, 2014 22:55:02 GMT
Alaric dragged the moaning man to a tree with a thick trunk. He placed a hand against the tree and closed his eyes. The tree shuddered and began growing around the man, covering all of him except for his mouth and nose. "As you say, sire."
Alaric removed his hand and gave his handiwork a once over. Satisfied, he turned to the princess. "We must make haste. I am sure your lady awaits her handmaiden and the captain of her guard most anxiously."
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 24, 2014 1:18:39 GMT
via mobile
Post by canas on Nov 24, 2014 1:18:39 GMT
Cultus watched them stop on the rooftop, waiting for them to start moving again. ''Come on...'' he muttered. They didnt have time to stop for a chat with tea and cakes. They needed to stay moving. He glanced down the streets, watchibg some black robed figures headed down towards them. He fired his arrows, running along the rooftop towards them, and jumped off. ''No time for chitchat. We need to keep going. Theyve started combing the streets. If we dont get out of the city or behind armed walls, we'll be dead.''
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 24, 2014 1:31:19 GMT
via mobile
Post by LuciasFalkner on Nov 24, 2014 1:31:19 GMT
"I couldn't agree more," Adminius acknowledged the Ghee. "Getting out of town is our best option. But..." He looked at Aoife. She shook her head. "We need to get out of town. Mother and Father would much rather me be safe than to do anything else." Adminius turned back to Alaric. "There you have it. First, though, what was it that you have for me? You made it sound quite important when we talked•
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 24, 2014 3:38:36 GMT
Post by Nobody on Nov 24, 2014 3:38:36 GMT
Alaric nodded and pulled the sandalwood case off of his back. He thought back to the first time he had met Adminius, earlier that day.
"Your Majesty, I present to you the emissary of Libertatem, Sir Alaric Tepes."
The court crier stepped aside and Alaric bowed before the king and queen of Arviragus. "It is an honor, Your Majesty."
The king, a tall but wide man with a graying beard, nodded his acknowledgment to the young knight. "We are pleased to welcome you to our court. It is always an honor when your council deems our festival of peace worthy of visitation."
Alaric shook his head. "No, Sire. I apologize, but I do not come for the festival." He pulled out the large wooden case. "I come bearing grand tidings for your people."
The king raised an eyebrow. "This... well I daresay I don't know what this is. What is it, knight?"
Alaric smiled. "It is a sign of my Lady Justitia's will, Sire. She has chosen one of your own men as her hand in our mortal world."
The king, who had always been a pious man, ever dutiful in his homage to Morrigan, goddess of his land, smiled broadly at this. "Wonderful! Present it to-- Hmmm. Who is the man she has chosen?"
"His name is Adminius, by the telling of our seeress."
The king nodded his head with the effect only one born to royalty can; simultaneously pleased and solemn. "Adminius O'Cain is a good friend to my daughter, and a loyal servant to the throne. Our Lady has chosen wisely." He gestured to the captain of the royal guard. "Bring him to us!"
Adminius, who almost never strayed from the Princess's side and even then not far, was just outside the door, in the hall. Judging by the look on Adminius's face, Alaric assumed it was an embarrassing place to be found listening in on a meeting.
Alaric brought the case to bear once more. "This is a great honor for you, Adminius O'Cain." He knelt and held the case up, latches pointing toward Adminius. "Please, take it."
|
|
|
The RP
Nov 24, 2014 4:03:28 GMT
via mobile
Post by LuciasFalkner on Nov 24, 2014 4:03:28 GMT
Adminius reluctantly popped open the case, not sure what he expected to see. When he was greeted by a long, slender sword with a white/black blade. At the base of said blade was the unmistakable rune of Justitia. That caught him completely off-guard. "... This...!"
|
|