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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 1, 2017 21:09:04 GMT -5
“The lost woods – does anyone here know why it is called that?” Rosina stepped from one tree to another, her hand brushing against the bark. 10 young wizards stood before her, watching her closely. “My Lady” one rose their hand. Rosina glanced to them and nodded. “They call it that because no human emerges himself… So they say”
“Correct… no human emerges himself, lost… of some kind. These woods are laced with magic, every inch of it vibrates with it… Humans come in and come in contact with it – it is like a gentle poison to their fragile body” she smiled “but for us.. it is the life we breath, this energy is what drives us… but why? Where does this energy come from?” she tilted her head and looked to the crew.
“The tree of life, my lady”
“Ahh, the mystical tree of life. It is actually a very typical tree, though thousands of years old…. Resting in it’s core is the Crystal of Barali… and he is?” she raised an eyebrow, her fingers touching her beautiful blue cape…
“The first mage”
“Yes… this Crystal was found by him, and from the first touch – magic jumped from the crystal to him. And we began.. only those of Barali’s blood can manipulate this energy… Though that was thousands of years ago – all of us.. some form of relation…” she waved to the group and they walked through the thick forest.
“The forest is home to many magical creatures who also thrive on the energy… pixies, treants, sprites, pyreflies, gryphons… all of those creatures - they started here as well. All of us having something common…” they continued until they finally came to the Tree of Life. It was the biggest tree she had ever seen – the huge branches reached out to the sky… all around were beautiful colorful glowing flowers, small lights floating in the air, the magic was strong here. Creatures moved about slowly, all basking in this energy like a reptile to the sun.
They walked up to the tree and stared to the huge glowing rock in the center, bits of bark covered the edges but the crystal resonated peacefully… it had so many edges and colors, seeming to reflect every color outward… two men stood at the tree, and they bowed to the class.
“My Lady Rosina…” the guard spoke, he had on battlemage armor, black and aggressive. Rosina bowed back and held her hand out towards the class.
“These are our future, Sir Gallard. All children of Barali… their schooling is soon over. They shall be sorted and assigned, to become apprentices…” she smiled. Sir Gallard looked over and smiled “Is that so? Perhaps we have ourselves a battlemage here? I could only wonder…” he chuckled and then held his staff before him, leaning on it slightly. “Many come to salvage the Tree of Life. Most never make it beyond the forest that protects it, but we are it’s last hope…” he smiled then “Best of luck to you… Barali watch over you” he bowed his head.
“Form a line, my children. You shall touch the crystal… you shall find yourself now…” she spoke and held her hand out before the giant tree. There was a long series of steps that led to the center of the tree, right to the crystal…
One by one each mage stepped up the long stairs and stood before the bright glowing rock. From the bottom they seemed but a silhouette in the bright glow. Each came down the steps – eyes glowing a bright white, blue, red, any other colors at it fit their type of magic… Rosina then led the crew back to the city – with 10 mages Emerged. As they entered the huge city – people cheered, a celebration for the Emerging of the newest mages…
The entire city was covered by a mystical canopy which had a gentle blue and purple hue to it… the entire place was ethereal and peaceful. She left the 10 Emerged and traveled up the giant bridge, over the glowing moat, towards the main building. She stepped inside and two mages stood… “My Queen” Rosina bowed deeply.
“Rosina…. Follow me…” the woman waved to her. This woman appeared young, graceful… beautiful beyond any she had seen. She wore a beautiful dark robe that trailed behind her. They stepped to the center of the room, where a milky white pool rest. “It is time…” she spoke and held her hand out to the pool. “It is time for you to fill your mothers shoes...” she spoke and stepped behind her. The Queen placed her hands on Rosina’s shoulders and then released a gentle breath… The pool began to swirl slightly…. Waiting for Rosina to enter.
Slowly Rosina stepped forward.. her robes sprawled out onto of the water, resisting to dive under until forced by the next step. Soon Rosina stood in the center of the swirling pool, the water up to her waist now. She leaned back and slipped into the pool – the water surrounded her and she sunk to the bottom.
Her eyes glanced to the surface – which shimmered before her. “It is time…” a voice spoke. A woman appeared in the shimmering – her mother… “It is time you fill the shoes of the family lineage… Rise from the Fountain of Verona, rise from the life of your past and begin a new…”
Rosina’s body began to float upward – and then it emerged from the water. She still lay horizontal in the air, her robes sagging downward, just barely touching the water. No liquid rest on her, she was perfectly dry… She felt an intense power flow within her – and then a burst of energy shot from her chest. Her arms and fingers stretched outward – it consumed her. Then a flash fill the room –
“High Mage Rosina Larenvarde…. You rejoin us reborn, now one of the council, one of the blood of Barali, we welcome you amongst your family…” The Queen bowed deeply. A few other mages followed suit… Rosina’s body floated over and she landed softly on the floor of the temple.
“My Queen” she spoke softly, bowing her head.
“I am not your Queen now, I am now your sister…” The Queen held her hand out to Rosina.. Rosina looked up and took it, smiling to her. The greatest of honors was to become High Mage, to be considered nearly equal to the queen.. there was only a few higher honors…
When she stepped from the temple – the entire city was bowing before her… they covered over the bridges, the pathways, infront of buildings and homes, all the way down the steps and into the lower city… Rosina stared out – this day she thought she would never obtain.. a day she thought she never fully deserved.
Rosina stood before everyone – and bowed deeply. She held her stance for a long moment… all was quiet. When she rose – everyone stood and cheered… then the festivities began. The day of Emerge was completed, all those to move ahead had done so…
The evening was long with celebration, Rosina had stood about – laughing, talking, joining in on dance even. But soon she grew tired of the noise and ventured out into the woods for a moment of peace. She often found herself traveling to a certain tree… it was covered in crystals, created by Pyreflies… a glowing bit of magic, some form of life, that lingered around and picked out their homes… she held her hand out to one and it circled about her fingers, slipping around them. She smiled then and held the Pyrefly in her hand, bringing the glowing bit to her face. “Hello” she whispered. The Pyrefly jumped slightly and twisted about with energy, she chuckled then and leaned on her staff that was in her other hand.
She glanced to the glowing orb that sat on the top of her staff – a dragon resting in the center. The dragon moved slowly within the orb, it’s tail shifting from one side to another. He arched his head and looked to Rosina directly… “I know” she whispered. The dragon moved then and glanced away – looking toward the Pyrefly, which now several began to gather – dancing around in the forest…
The crew of Pyreflies began to shift down the path, winding around trees and skating about. Slowly Rosina followed, her staff touching the ground with each step… behind her was a trail of blue glowing dots – left by her staff. Which each step the furthest glowing blob would disappear – another brighter would follow from under the staff….
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 2, 2017 11:00:27 GMT -5
The whisper of an arrow sliced through the air as it barreled toward its target. In the next instant the fabric gave away to the metal tip of the arrow, the red of the painted target had several holes punched in it, a few arrowed accompanied the arrow.
“Very well done, princess.” The knight stood, a smile on his lips. “All these years, you’ve surpassed me by far, easily.” He chuckled. He had grey whiskers growing into the black short beard upon his jaw. His hair was kept short and neat. His armor was shined and beautiful, the edges were golden, and to top it off her had a red sash around his waist that matched the thick cloth over his right shoulder. He was the captain of the royal guard.
“Captain Trisris, I appreciate the complement, but I would not like to believe that I have surpassed my teacher, I still have much to learn.” The princess looked to him, she held a beautiful bow in her hands. Carved from the finest of wood and strung carefully. The wood was carved to mimic the shape of the wings of a bird. The feathers moved outward from the hand grip in the center of the bow. The wood was dark, almost black in appearance though it had a beautiful sheen.
“Princess….you know very well that you may call me Ruven.” Captain Trisris spoke as he stepped into the range and retrieved the arrows.
“Yes, Captain, though, you could also call me Az, and you will not.” She let out a soft laugh as she placed her arrows back into the quiver. She lifted the quiver and placed it back over her shoulder. She wore a beautiful red and black dress with golden stitching.
“Princess Azariah, you know very well that the king would speak it as disrespect.” He looked to the side.
“Princess Azariah you have been requested by the king.” A servant spoke before she left back toward the castle.
Azariah let out a slow breath and pulled an arrow from the quiver. She looked down the length of the bow as she pulled it back, slowly she let her breath out as she stood motionless. After a moment of holding her breath she released the arrow. It cut through the air and raced forward, over the target.
“You missed.” The captain spoke, his brows high, he was surprised.
Azariah smirked and looked to him, “Not everything is as it seems, Captian. You have told me this a thousand times.” She chuckled then as she stepped forward toward the edge of the castle grounds where a lonely apple tree stood. She reached down and lifted her arrow that cut clean through the center of an apple. Azariah walked to Captain Trisris and held the arrow out to him. “Tomorrow?” She asked with a smile. She trained with him nearly every day, so long as she was allowed the chance.
“Of course.” He chuckled as he looked to the apple and then took it. “That was a skilled shot, princess.” He shook his head, “Don’t underestimate yourself, no one should.” He nodded to her as she started off toward the castle.
Azariah dropped her bow and quiver full of arrows off at the armory before she headed into the castle. It was a gorgeous kingdom, thousands of years old. The castle stood tall on the side of the mountain. The white of the stone against the green of the forest really made the kingdom shine. This was one of the last kingdoms of Elves. Few remained from the olden days. However, Azariah’s bloodline was over five thousand years old. It dated back to the times where magic roamed free, where dragons flew about….it was a time that simply one didn’t even seem to imagine in this day and age. Azariah walked down the beautiful hallways, lined in paintings of her family lineage, statues, old guard uniforms. She turned and entered the throne room to find the king and queen.
She walked down the long hall of the throne room toward her mother and father. “Az.” Her father smiled. He had an all white beard, though his eye brows grew in a salted black. His crown gleamed in the sunlight as he sat upon the throne. “Your mother and I have much to discuss with you.”
Azariah stepped forward and looked to her mother and then to her father before she nodded. “What is it father?” She questioned.
“We have been given an offer at your hand, a splendid Prince with much to offer our kingdom.” He smiled.
“An Elf?” Azariah questioned, her eyes searching his. She had a beautiful silver color to her eyes, with a touch of light blue mixed in. Her eyes were unique and very rare among Elves, only her mother had the same tone of eyes.
“An Elf, yes. His kingdom is far away, 8 days’ travel time. He is to be here tomorrow to make his full offer.” The king spoke.
Azariah bit her lip slightly and then nodded. “Of course.” She spoke and looked away. “May I return to training now?”
“Not today, Az. Your father and I need to help you prepare.” The queen spoke. “Mathias.” She looked to the king and nodded.
Mathias looked back to his daughter. “The Prince has offered us assistance against the dark magi of the north. They have heard whisperings of an attack that has been formulated and could happen any day. He has an army. If the magi attack, it is our only hope.”
“I know this is short notice, Az.” The queen spoke, “The kingdom of Nythhemel relies on us, on you. We must keep it safe.”
Azariah took in a slow breath as she looked into her mother’s eyes. “I understand, I cannot let our people down.” She pursed her lips slightly.
The queen stood and looked to Mathias, he returned a smile and stood. He planted a gentle kiss on her lips and then smiled to his daughter for a moment before he looked back to the queen. “Tara, need I remind you--…”
“No, I know.” She smiled, the queen was a beautiful woman. Her hair was tasseled as it hung down to her mid back, a beautiful blonde color. Azariah took after her father it seemed, in his younger years his hair was darker, not the white and grey that it had become with his age. The queen led Azariah from the throne room and through the castle to her quarters. She walked out onto the balcony and over looked the valley, the snowcapped mountains, the forest that loomed at them in the distance. It was a magical forest, that no one dared enter. “Az, you understand that your father and I are protecting our kingdom. We did not intend on following the old age ritual of pairing you with a stranger.” Tara turned and looked to her daughter. “This threat that we received, we can’t take it lightly. The attack could be any day now from the Magi.”
The threat was only a hear-say, but the king and queen couldn’t take it lightly. The threat was introduced by the mystery prince that offered his army to assist in return for the princess’s hand in marriage. The rest of the afternoon was spent with her mother, going over the escape plans, in a chance of an attack. Reciting lines that her mother wished her to speak to this prince. They didn’t want to risk anything. Azariah understood. Though as she stood on her balcony in the moonlight as the cold swept over her skin she felt a pit in her stomach. A single tear rolled down her cheek and splashed on the cool stone of the balcony.
**
The next day she woke and was dressed by her royal assistant Lilliana. She stood in silence as her mother once again went over everything from the beginning. Tara had always been one to over plan, to keep from any mistakes. Azariah stood in front of the mirror. She touched the band that rest in her hair, it moved her hair just enough to expose her tipped ears, the jewels within the band reflected the sunlight that cut into her room. She touched her tiara that rest on her forehead and the black jewels that Liliana placed just below her eyes. She looked to her beautiful dress. It was a wedding dress, no doubt about it. The white fabric was flowing and beautiful with golden accents. The sleeves hung down toward the ground and the fabric faded into a beautiful blue toward the bottom of the gown.
“You look beautiful, Az.” Tara spoke with a smile, “Are you ready?”
Azariah only returned a nod to her mother as they turned and walked down the hallways, it was completely silent between the two as they entered the throne room. The throne room was decorated with beautiful white lilies. Captain Trisris gave a nod and smiled to Azariah as she came to her chair that sat next to the king and the queen. Mathias stepped forward and grinned, “My beautiful daughter.” He kissed her forehead before he returned to his throne.
Ruven stood next to Azariah’s throne. “You look stunning, Princess.” He spoke, his voice soft.
Azariah went to answer him but in the next moment the huge entry doors to the throne room opened. In walked knights clad in black armor. Several knights marched into the room with a man following behind them. He wore a black tunic with armor pieces along his shoulders and bracers on his forearms. Mathias watched as they filed into the throne room. His own knights had their bows drawn, or their hand on the hilt of their sword. He watched as the man stopped in the middle of the throne room and looked around to the tense guards. “King Nythhemel, this is no way to treat a guest.” He smiled, his eyes were a strange tone of red, a color that Azariah didn’t know existed in Elves. She looked over him, his ears were covered by his crown, concealing the tips of his ears.
Mathias stood, “Prince Drake.” He stepped down from the throne. “Your knights do not serve any purpose in the throne room.”
Drake gave a crooked smile, his eyes flicked over to Azariah for a moment before he looked back to Mathias. “Oh, but my knights serve quite the purpose of protection.” He chuckled. He stepped forward and stood before the king. “Have you considered my offer?”
Mathias looked to the guards for a moment, “I have considered your offer prince. You may have the hand of my daughter, in return for the protection that you offer.”
Drake grinned as he watched the king. “Oh, but there is more to the deal, my king.” Drake stepped forward, “This entire kingdom is mine, correct?”
Mathias furrowed his brows and looked to the knights that Drake brought in. He couldn’t see their faces passed the darkness that was created by their helmets. He took in a slow deep breath. “Yes, Tara and I will pass the kingdom to Azariah and you, Drake. Now would you please get these knights out of the throne room so we can discuss what you have to offer?”
“I will not be removing my knights.” Drake stared to the king with his devilish eyes.
“Then get out of my presence. I will not grant you my daughter’s hand.” Mathias spoke, his voice rough.
Drake chuckled, “I don’t need your permission.” He reached forward swiftly. The king reached for his saber and pulled it from its sheath. Mathias let out a yell as Drake slammed his hand into his chest. The royal guard rushed forward toward the knights that prince Drake brought. From the center of Mathias’ chest he turned to stone and froze into place.
Tara stood from her throne, “Mathias!” She called and rushed forward, she pulled her own sword, “Az run! Captain Trisris take her!” She ordered as she was gripped by her shoulder by Drake. She let out a cry as her body too turned to stone.
Drake looked to the throne where the princess sat for a moment, it was empty. He looked around to the murdered guards on the floor. “Clean this up. I’ll get the princess. You three, with me.” He ordered as he ran off.
**
Azariah rushed through the hallways behind the captain, Drake’s knights were everywhere it seemed. He slashed through several until one cut his leg clean open. Ruven let out a cry as he thrusted his blade through the chest of the knight, his blood splattered onto the floor. “Go, Az.” He spoke as he gripped his thigh that leaked blood onto the marble flooring.
“No I won’t leave you.” Azariah pulled his arm over her shoulder. She pushed forward through the hallways and into the weaponry where she grabbed her bow and her quiver.
“Azariah, you need to leave me, flee the kingdom.” Ruven spoke, his voice weak, “I’m going to bleed out.” His skin was already pale, his voice shook.
“No…” She shook her head. “No you can’t…” She tried to lift him but didn’t have enough strength. “Captain…” She searched his eyes.
“Take…my…blade…” He unbuckled the sword from his waist weakly. “Take…it…” His eyes fluttered.
Azariah took the belt and fastened it around her waist just as a few knights rushed into the room. She turned and pulled the blade. She rushed forward and engaged in combat with the three knights. The swords clattered and clashed together. She let out a cry as a sword grazed her side. She thrust the sword upward into the skull of one and slammed her elbow into the chest of another before she shoved the sword into his body. The sword stuck clean through and into the wall. She pulled on the hilt as hard as she could as the last knight approached her. Azariah leg go and turned. She dodged a slice from the knight and kicked into the back of his leg. The knight stumbled and slashed out, catching her forearm. Azariah grit her teeth as she rushed him. She slipped his dagger from his belt and shoved it into his eye harshly as she toppled to the ground with him. Azariah let out heavy breaths. “Ruven…” She ran to his side.
“You…did good…kid…” He spoke weakly. “Better than…I could…ever…be…” With that his last breath came over his lips and his body fell limp.
“Ruven?” She shook him. “No…no no no no no….come on.” She pulled at him. “Ruven don’t do this…” Tears ran down her cheeks. She shook her head and ran to the sword that stuck through the knight on the wall. She placed her foot against the wall and pulled hard, she strained and eventually the sword came free. She stumbled back and regained her balance before she slipped the sword into the sheath. Azariah held her side. Blood stained her dress. She took in a slow breath before she took off in a sprint. Drake’s knights littered the castle grounds. He’d planned this. He was the attack her mother was speaking of, only the queen didn’t suspect the attack from an elf. But was he an elf? He couldn’t have been. She shook her head as she ran.
Azariah sprinted to the edge of the city, she rushed across the bridge and into the old burned woods. Her mother told her stories of these woods, she’d been curious as a child, but she was never allowed to venture outside the castle walls, much less the city. She leaped over dead bodies and weapons of fallen soldiers that tried to enter this forest. The charred trees and bodies lasted for nearly a mile before she made it into a lush green of the forest. As she ran the vegetation became thicker and the sun was blotted out by the leaves above her, the top canopy of the forest was thick. Azariah ran nearly another mile she began to feel dizzy. She stumbled into a tree and shook her head. She held her side and looked to the blood that trailed from the cut along her ribs. It was fairly deep. “Come on…” She whispered to herself. She made it another quarter of a mile or so before she fell, her head felt fuzzy. She took in quick breaths as she leaned against the trunk of a tree. She blinked a few times as she saw a few lights floating about around her. “What…?” She questioned. The energy from the forest, it wasn’t poisoning her, though it was giving her a high, the power that it injected into her. She let out a soft giggle, “What is…” She reached her hand out toward one of the lights, her hand went right through it.
The princess’ eyes fluttered slightly as several more balls of light came to rest around her, lighting up the forest around her. She held her side as blood leaked out through her fingers. She felt so light, the world around her seemed to spin and move as she looked to the balls of light. She reached out and touched another with a soft smile on her lips. “My mother…spoke of you…huh?” She looked to the little balls, “What was it she called you…?” She giggled again, the high feeling becoming more pronounced now. “How do I remember it now?” She chuckled as she relaxed against the tree. Her hand fell from the wound on her side, allowing the blood to leak more freely. She looked as though she’d been through a war. Azariah’s dress was covered in mud from a few falls she’d taken in the forest on the run here. The blood was mixed in with the blood. She had a few droplet of blood splattered on her face from fighting the knights back in the weaponry. “This is…it….huh?” She spoke softly and let out another giggle. “This is it…” Her voice was softer this time, a sadness crept in as she thought of her parents turned to stone…. The longer she sat there her eyes began to fill with an amber color, the color within her eyes seemed to shift and flow about. The blue grey would return for a moment and then the beautiful light of the amber would return once again.
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Post by Raven on Jul 2, 2017 12:14:44 GMT -5
Rosina chuckled slightly as the pyreflies danced away… she followed down the path and glanced around. A slight breeze picked up – flowers near by let their glowing petals float into the air. She smiled as a collection of them wafted through the air and twisted about… she reached up and plucked one from the air. She brought the bright pink petal to her lips and nibbled on the edge. It was sweet and almost juicy…
The Pyreflies continued – the collection grew larger and larger, a gentle swarm collected and amongst the trees. They all moved the same direction… they were acting different… she continued onward.. As she moved she could sense other creatures… A Phase Serpant slithered through the air, it was a gentle blue slender like dragon, that is usually harmless… A few colored birds followed along, she even noticed a Black Prowler stalking from the distance…
The Pyreflies began to move faster, until finally they stopped… The huge collection circled about the trees and canopy – in a generalized area. Rosina slowly stepped forward, moving over the huge roots and wading through the plant life. “We are at the eastern edge…” her eyes glanced to the burnt trees in the distance. Something… Someone was here. The forest was telling her…
She stepped over a large root and made it to the other side of the tree – she heard mumbling of some kind. Rosina pulled her cloak over her head – the magical essence of the cloak shielded her face, making it appear completely dark… Rosina’s staff touched down right in front of the woman… “That is not death calling your name…” Rosina spoke and the bottom of her staff touched the woman slightly.
Rosina turned and held her hand out – a portal formed in the air. Rosina easily lifted the woman with one arm, assisted by a bit of magic… she stepped into the portal, pulling the bleeding woman through. She appeared in the center of the temple, just before the pool of water. Two guards came rushing over – “She needs medical assistance..” Rosina spoke. The guards picked her up and rushed away.
The Queen slowly stepped over, her eyes intrigued. “A day to celebrate you.. and you are off saving lives, hm? Who is that?” she questioned as her eyes glanced to the men who took her away.
“I am not sure… I was out to get a bit of quiet and the forest was reacting. They did not attack her… they guided me to her…” Rosina spoke, she pulled her hood down – the glow of the room reflected onto her soft cheeks.
The Queen nodded “The forest would attack if she was a threat… she is wounded?”
“Yes.. but by a blade, not by the forest… she is also suffering from the magic.. but not in ways that I have seen…” Rosina squeezed her brows together.
The Queen chuckled and nodded “Not illness… Her body is accepting the magic..” she smiled and nodded. “Some Magi Lineage lingers in her blood, perhaps this is fate for her – Go meet her, see how she reacts. She has two options – study with us, or leave. The longer she is in the forest – the more her magic will wake. If we cannot guide her, then we must stop the rise” The Queen then stepped away.
Rosina head from the temple and over the bridge. She made her way across a few other smaller bridges until she came upon a taller building, with crystal like roofs. She came to the White Magi Temple and stepped inside. “High Mage Rosina” a mage in a beautiful white robe approached.
“Priestess Kyrie” Rosina bowed her head.
“The woman that was brought here is Elven… it seems she is – “
“Of the Barali” Rosina finished her sentence.
“Correct, but she also wears a very elaborate Tiara… Royalty perhaps? There is an Elven Kingdom not too far from the East…” Kyrie spoke and led her towards the room where they had the mystery woman.
“She is not woken… The council has decided to offered her refuge, or she will be forced to leave… if she is Royal blood… that does not matter here. I want you to keep this quiet.. if we truly have Royal blood we may have potential problems… their people may come searching for her.. I will investigate and the council shall make the final decision…” Rosina stood infront of the door, and then entered.
The door shut behind her and Rosina looked to the woman that rest on the bed. She had been magically healed by the priestess, the deep cut on her side was now a thick scar. Rosina pulled the Tiara off the woman’s head and slipped it away… “Curious how you found yourself in our forest… and even more so that you were unharmed by it…” she whispered to herself and then stepped from the room.
“When she wakes… give her clothing and have her escorted to the Main Temple… I will wait there..” she spoke to Kyrie, who nodded… Rosina then made her way back to the temple… She stood in what was now essentially her room… There was book shelves that lined the wall, a few tables with artifacts and books – scrolls… a Desk in the center of the room which had parchment and writing supplies…
Rosina sat down at her desk and unrolled a map… the Kingdom Kyrie spoke of.. she placed her finger on it and traced a path from the Kingdom to the forest…. She then pulled the tiara out and set it on the table – her eyes looking over the glistening gems…
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Post by Raven on Jul 2, 2017 12:59:40 GMT -5
Everything was a jumbled mess in Azariah’s mind. When the mage appeared out of the forest, her words didn’t quite make sense to Azariah. She couldn’t make it out, it was as if the woman spoke through a fog. She tried to move, but her body felt heavy, yet light at the same time. She tried to speak but ultimately she fell unconscious.
When she woke she was in a warm bed a white blanket pulled up to her chest. Clothing was folded on the nightstand next to the bed. She sat up quickly and looked to her side, the bloodied material of her dress peeled away to reveal the scar. She reached up to her head, her missing Tiara. “Where…” She slipped her feet to the cool floor.
“You’re safe.” Kyrie spoke as she came into the room. “No need for panic.” She gave a gentle smile.
Azariah looked to her with wide eyes, “I was…” She looked to her side again, shock in her expression. “I…” She looked around, she could see the city through the panes of the window. “Where am I? Who are you?” She looked to the woman, she was not an elf.
Kyrie stepped forward and lifted up the clothing, “Where you are will be explained by High Mage Rosina, you are safe.” She nodded, “I am Priestess Kyrie. You were very injured when Rosina found you, I healed your injuries, you should feel refreshed….here, Rosina would very much like to meet with you, these should make you feel more comfortable.” Kyrie looked over Azariah as she took the folded clothing and looked to it. “What is your name?”
The princess stared to the city outside, mesmerized by it, or so it seemed. “My name….” She took in a slow breath, “My name is Azariah Nythhemel.”
Kyrie rose her brows and then nodded, “Get dressed, okay?” She gave a gentle smile. “I’ll be just outside the room, when you are ready.”
Azariah watched as Kyrie left the room. She set down the clothing on the bed and carefully peeled off her dress. She looked over the splatters of blood within the fabric. “I’m sorry Ruven.” She spoke softly, she felt horrible for allowing him to die. She slipped into the plain grey heavy cloak that Kyrie supplied her with and slipped on a pair of flat shoes. She looked around the room for her sword and bow, but the weapons were no where to be found. Azariah stepped from the room and then looked to Kyrie.
“Good. Come with me.” Kyrie stepped out of the medical building.
Azariah looked around to the city, her face full of awe. A few of the locals stared to her, curious of the new arrival. Kyrie turned and pulled up the hood of the cloak. Azariah flinched slightly and then stared to the priestess as she turned and walked off. The princess looked around to the beautiful city as they crossed bridges and came to the steps of the temple. She followed Kyrie inside where she stopped at a door and turned, she reached up and lowered the hood. “High Mage Rosina will see you now.” She spoke as she pushed the door open.
Azariah stepped into the room slowly, she looked around to the book cases, the artifacts. Her eyes then fell on Rosina and to her tiara that rest on the desk. “I’m certain that you would like answers.” She spoke softly as she walked forward to the desk and sat across from Rosina. “I would like to thank you for saving me, I’m not sure if I would have made it.” She looked down to the map that lay on the desk, her tiara sat over the Kingdom of Nythhemel. She looked back to Rosina, “I’m sure you’ve drawn your conclusions.” She took in a slow breath, “My kingdom was attacked, by a Prince who claimed he was to save us from a threat…” Azariah looked up to Rosina finally, the color of her eyes seemed as though it was a liquid as the grey moved around and the amber surfaced. The magic within her body fighting to come out. She lowered her eyes, “The man turned the king and queen into stone, he aimed to capture me, but for what purpose I am not aware. I escaped with the help of my captain, who lost his life to help me to freedom. My name is Princess Azariah Nythhemel.” She stared at Rosina, her eyes full of sadness.
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Post by Raven on Jul 2, 2017 13:27:58 GMT -5
Rosina glanced up from her desk as she noticed Kyrie had brought the woman. As the woman stepped inside – Rosina held her hand up and the door closed behind the woman. Rosina stood up and approached the woman, she had her staff in hand as she did so. She was surprised that the woman spoke so soon, she was expecting to have trouble…
Rosina lifted her head and looked to her “Princess Azariah…” she lifted an eyebrow and then nodded. “I see…” she stepped over to the map and glanced down to it… her eyes looking over the tiara. “Do you know the forest?” she spoke and glanced up. “The Lost Forest so it has been branded. Only those with magic in their blood can survive here…. Typically side effects occur instantly… a defensive measure performed naturally by the forest. The other side effect is a sort of high.. for those with hidden lineage…” she spoke and glanced up.
Rosina lifted the tiara and turned it in her hand. “Your royalty means nothing here… I am sure you know this…” she handed the tiara to Azariah. “This Prince… was after the kingdom, hm? Whatever the matter, surely this Prince will be after the Princess he thought dead… Clearly he has magic as well, meaning the forest wouldn’t be able to stop him either…” she took in a deep breath.
“You experienced this high, yes? Judging by the shifting of your hues, you are showing signs of the Verona effect. It has been quite some time since I have seen this… someone with a forgotten lineage, who has strains of magic within them… yet to be unlocked. The natural essence of magic in this forest reacts with that strain, and your body yearns to unlock it…”
“Azariah, you have a number of choices. Firstly… keep the knowledge that you are a princess to yourself, the last I need is my people panicking pre-maturely. Second… you will unlock your powers and face your fate along side of the Magi, or… we escort you from the forest for you to never return…” she spoke and then stepped over…
Rosina placed her hand on Azariah’s cheek – a rush of energy flowed from Rosina to Azariah… Rosina smiled then and nodded.. “The forest did not kill you, despite all measures. The forest knows… and we respect her… so… what is your choice?” she questioned, leaning on her staff then.
The door opened and the Queen stepped inside. “So a princess, is it?” The Queen gracefully walked towards the two. She looked to Azariah for a long moment and then nodded. “Rosina…. You know her presence is a danger to our people…. We must act fast whatever the case is. Should she emerge, you will uncover her lineage, we must understand how the blood of Barali lingers in an Elven Princess… this uncovered knowledge may greatly change things….” The Queen spoke. “Forgive my manners, I am Queen Zenfaries of the Sisterhood of the Magi… Welcome to the Circle” she spoke and then walked away…
“If you choose to emerge or not… we need to understand your lineage as my Queen said… just knowing you exist can change much for our people… in either good or bad days.. Regardless, it is even more so important for you…come with me…” she waved to her and lead her outside of the temple.
They stepped to the side of the temple… a portal glimmered before them like a mirror. “Come…” she stepped through the mirror, it shimmered like water as her body walked through it. She emerged simply, like walking through a door way, infront of the Tree of Life…
“I am sure you have read of the Tree of Life before….” She spoke as her eyes stared forward to the Crystal…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 2, 2017 14:41:12 GMT -5
“My mother spoke of this forest.” Azariah spoke softly as she listened to Rosina speak, she watched as she turned her tiara in her hands, “I understand. My royalty really means nothing more than the blood that I come from.” Azariah looked away slightly when Rosina spoke of the Prince, his magic, how he could just waltz into the forest if he wanted to. She’d put them all in danger. When she was only trying to escape, she’d put the lives of several innocents at risk. The high that Rosina spoke of next, that was what she’d felt upon entering the forest. Still her head was in a fuzzy daze, she felt as though she’d had several glasses of wine at a masquerade.
Azariah went to speak just as Rosina touched her cheek, she took in a sharp breath as the power rushed into her body. She stumbled back and regained her balance, her eyes red like embers of a fire for a moment before the glow dissipated and her eyes returned to the beautiful greyish blue. She nodded as the queen spoke, her eyes looked over the woman. In the next moment she was welcoming her to the circle. Azariah then looked to Rosina, everything was happening so quickly. “My lineage…” Azariah furrowed her brows and shook her head. “I…I’m not…” She followed Rosina. “My mother and father are both Elves…I’m not quite understanding…” She looked to the portal her eyes widened. She took in a breath and shut her eyes as she stepped through.
Azariah stared up to the tree of life as Rosina asked her if she’d read of it. “In a book that my mother gave me….yes….I….” She stared up to the tree. “The book has been handed down in my family for generations, long ago….” She touched the bark of the tree. Pyreflies began to float around her, dancing around her happily. She looked to the small creatures and giggled, the high coming back again. She looked to Rosina with a smile on her lips. “How am I a part of this?” She questioned as she looked to the crystal, the amber color glowed within her eyes then, it flashed bright for a moment and then faded away. “I…read in the book, that those who touch the crystal gain…” Her voice trailed off and she stepped forward she stared at the beautiful crystal, her breathing slowed slightly. The Pyriflies continued to dance around her, a few danced around her arm and lifted her arm up toward the crystal. She looked to the creatures, her eyes widened slightly as her hand was pressed forward onto the crystal. The crystal lit up speeding through all of the colors of the rainbow. Azariah squeezed her eyes shut and took in a quick breath, her fingers curled against the crystal as a surge of power flashed out from it, causing the ground to tremble. Azariah was thrown back from the blast, her body slammed against a tree and she slumped down to the ground unconscious. Her hand that touched the crystal was clenched into a fist, from her hand her veins turned black and quickly crawled up her arm and rushed over her body beneath her clothing. Azariah took in quick breaths, her brows pulled together in her unconscious state as the blackness crawled up her neck and moved along her jaw and face.
“You will follow in my footsteps.” A voice spoke from the darkness.
Azariah floated in the darkness, she moved around, trying to look to where the voice came from. “Who? Who are you? Where am I?” She questioned as she floated, weightless in this world.
Suddenly the darkness rushed away, Azariah’s eyes shot open and she gasped for air. Her eyes held all the colors of the rainbow for a moment before her eyes settled with the ember color of a fire. She swallowed hard, she could feel the power coursing through her body. She looked around to find that she was laying in a bed once again. “Rosina?” She questioned. She looked around the room. She turned and slipped from the bed, Azariah stumbled and fell against the wall, she took in a quick breath. She wasn’t used to this feeling. “Kyrie?” She spoke, her voice trembled. She remembered the Pyreflies lifting her hand to the crystal. She remembered the man’s voice in the darkness. What did that all mean?
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 2, 2017 18:08:06 GMT -5
Rosina held her hand to the two guards – who stared to Azariah who approached the stairs. Rosina’s eyes grew big as the Pyreflies surrounded Azariah. She had never seen something like this before… she had seen the come to watch the most powerful but never this. They lifted her arm – showing her, forcing her, assisting her? What where they doing? The two guards shifted – they turned and watched closely.
“Are they?” One of the guards spoke.
“Yes…” Rosina muttered and watched as her hand touched the crystal. Rosina shielded her face as there was a huge blast of energy – there was a sudden gust of wind that pushed against her. The leaves and trees ruffled. Suddenly the Queen appeared and stepped forward, and then the King. Both held their staffs into the air – the staffs each had a blue lightening shocking towards the crystal. With their magic – there was another blast of energy. From the crystal a blue image emerged – a silhouette – “Barali” Rosina whispered.
The figure pointed to Azariah and then spoke. “A lost line Emerged from the least expected is the one to bring the Magi from the forest, an acceptance for the Circle..” he spoke and then there was a huge blast of power. “Trust in the foretelling” he spoke once more.
By now the guard had Azariah in his arms… The King and Queen stepped over to the limp body. Their eyes glanced to the black lines that weaved throughout her veins…. “For too long has the Magi resided in these woods – hiding. Barali speaks of a prophecy, this woman is that….” The King spoke and crossed his arms.
“She is a Princess, my King…” Rosina spoke and looked to him. The Queen nodded and then turned back to the tree.
“Rosina… you found her, she is yours to train. Do not fail the Circle” the King spoke and then nodded. “I will gather the Guard and prepare for potential war… if she is a Princess – then surely her Kingdom searches for her… this fate is ours to handle” he then stepped through the portal and disappeard.
“Rosina, take her to the artifact room. I want her to peer into the Looking Glass. I suggest you find Rietor, he may be able to help translate what she sees…” she spoke and then turned from the tree. Rosina glanced up – the tree still energized, as if someone was still touching it. Who was this woman? Her power….
Rosina made her way to Kyrie, who stood before the room that Azariah rest in. “She is stable, but her body is having trouble balancing the amount of power she has…” Kyrie spoke and stared to the door. “She is of a powerful lineage, I can’t even imagine how this blood line has slipped from our spotters…” Kyrie spoke and then sighed. Spotters keep track of all powerful lines, and ensure that they aren’t out causing… havic..
Rosina stepped into the room and reached forward to the stumbling princess. She steadied her and then smiled “You’re going to be alright… listen.. come with me. We shall get you to our training room… you need to use some of this power or you will become overwhelmed..” she threw a portal up and they teleported…
The room was a giant grey room – Rosina stepped forward and held her hand up. A collection of targets appeared, stacks of boxes, a few trees.. magically appeared. “You can’t hurt anything here… but you have to release that energy.. just relax. Let it flow and allow what ever is fighting you release… If I can find out your focus, perhaps we can find the proper person to train you…” she spoke. She stepped forward and held her hand towards one of the dummy targets. She let out a deep breath and a purple blast came from her hand – shooting towards the dummy. “Whatever it is… just let it go…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 2, 2017 19:54:39 GMT -5
“Rosina….” Azariah breathed and leaned against her, “The world is spinning.” She furrowed her brows. She stepped with Rosina through the portal and looked around the grey room as the targets came into view from Rosina’s magic. Azariah watched as Rosina lifted her hand and the purple ball of energy shot to the target, her jaw was loose. Just let it go. Rosina’s words echoed in her mind. She focused and stared forward she took a step forward and held up her hand. Azariah took in a slow deep breath and shut her eyes, focusing. The energy within her body buzzed about, her eyes flashed and held the several colors then, just as before. A flash came from her hand, when she was able to see again she stared at a bow. It wasn’t just any bow, it was flaming hot as her hand gripped around it. She stared at the bow for a long moment before she brought her other hand to the string, as soon as she touched it an arrow appeared within her fingertips. Azariah grinned as she stared to the flaming bolt. She pulled it back, just like she’d practiced with Captain Trisris a thousand times. The princess honed in on a target and released the string. As soon as she did another arrow appeared in her hand, she pulled the string back once again and shot another target. Before long all of the targets had an arrow directly in the center of the bullseye. Her skill in combat arms was impressive. Once all of the targets were eliminated the bow disappeared into a wispy smoke.
Azariah looked to Rosina, she chuckled with excitement. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming this.” She looked to her hands. She trembled slightly, her eyes had returned once again to the ember color, much like the fire she wielded.
It was my choice to leave, my choice to be there. Yet, my son never even knew my existence.
The voice again. Azariah shook her head and stumbled back slightly. “This is, a dream right?” She tapped her cheek. “Come on then…wake up…” She paced and bit her lip. “I’m sleeping in my bed in the castle, aren’t I?” She looked down to the robes she was wearing and sighed. “Teach me, Rosina.” She looked to her, “Teach me so that I can save my Kingdom from Prince Drake.”
**
A silver serving tray went flying across the room. “Where is she you idiots?!” Prince Drake snarled. “How am I to get my hands on the power that she possesses?” He grabbed a hold of one of the knights, his helmet fell to the ground. “I need her power.” He gripped his throat tightly, his eyes were a bloody read. The knight writhed in his grip. Slowly his skin began to pale and wither, his hair began to turn white and fall out. Eventually the prince dropped the man to the ground nothing but a mummified shell. “Take him away.” He kicked the empty tin can of a suit of armor and stepped back up to the throne. “Did someone injure her? Hmm?” He asked looking at one of the other knights. “I told all of you idiots not to lay a finger on her.”
“Prince, with all due respect, no one told us that the princess was capable of combat. She killed three of my best men. They had blood on their blades so I am certain that she was injured. We’ve searched the kingdom, we’ve expanded outside of the kingdom walls, we can’t find a trace of her.”
Prince Drake narrowed his brows and took in a slow breath. “Search for her, whatever the cost. We need her and that bow back.” He slammed his fist down.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 2, 2017 21:04:46 GMT -5
Rosina looked to her as she summoned her power… her eyes watched as Azariah fired to each dummy, perfect precision. It had been years since they had seen someone so accurate.. When Azeriah stepped back – Rosina observed the dummies. The arrows disappeared, but the burnt hole still remained… She walked back to Az and watched her for a moment.
“You’ve had archery training… you came with a bow too…” she thought for a long moment and then sighed. “You’re not dreaming…” she walked towards the door and waved her. “In order to train you we must understand your ancestor pool…” she spoke. They walked out of the large building out in to the city… they stood on a bridge looking over a stream of the river.
“The main river… it divides the city into two. This side is the Sisterhood, and the other is the brotherhood, of the Magi…” the river split off into several small streams that cut through the city. Each area was like an island, connected to the next by a bridge… “We thrive here as protectors of the Tree of Life… the tree you approached. Thousands of years ago the first Mage was born from that Crystal. He was a human who came upon it. Anyone with any sort of magic is of his bloodline, us all in some form relative. Of course by now the blood line was twisted about and changed, what bit of our founder is long gone.” She lead her down the bridge and to another area…
“Barali was his name… he actually divided his power up amongst his chosen, his council.. and from there 12 Powerful bloodlines were born... Though the blood is thin – if any trace of the Chosen lingers – often the most powerful originate here…” she walked towards another large beautiful building. “The Library” she read the manuscript above the building… it was a very tall building with 3 crystal towers..
“To understand how to train you, what we are dealing with – we must understand who you decend from. Judging by your Emerging experience we know that you are at least one of the Chosen Blood lines… We thought we had traced all those of Chosen decent, but apparently not. Rietor is our man to see. He is one of the elders here, he knows much of the blood lines, he is the one who keeps track of these people…”
They stepped into the building – the first few rooms were book shelves.. they continued down the hallway. From books it transitioned to scrolls. Then the last few rooms on the left and right of the main corridor were off limits. As they came to the end of the hallway there was one large room… The Relic room…
Rietor sat in a chair, his eyes were white and hazy.. “High Mage Rosina…” he spoke – he did not look up. “And a stranger, it seems” he slowly stood. He was extremely old – his hair was long and white. His body was catching up… fragile and hunched. He leaned on his staff and slowly made his way forward. “Is this what the Queen spoke of?”
“Yes Grand Master” she spoke and reached forward – she touched his cheek and leaned forward – placing a kiss on his cheek. Rietor smiled – blushing even.
“You are always so kind” he chuckled and then waved the two forward.. “So, a lost lineage, you say?” he chuckled and nodded. “What color were her eyes, dear?”
“Amber… it seems fire is her calling. But the crystal responded of the chosen… the rainbow color” Rosina spoke, glancing over to Az.
“Hmm… that narrows it down to at least 3 possibilities… Wren, Kyvor and Vaelor… of course we can’t be sure until she stands before the Looking Glass…” a door opened and they stepped into a smaller room. In the far end of the room was a tall mirror – the looking glass. About the edge of the glass was ancient markings…
“Step up Azariah… peer into the glass and allow it to speak to you. No need to fear… this will help us understand where you come from…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 2, 2017 21:56:58 GMT -5
Azariah looked to Rosina for a moment when she spoke of her archery training. “Nearly everyday, at least once per day for as long as I can remember.” She spoke. “My bow…” She nodded, “My mother gave it to me, it was her father’s, it has been in my family for years…” She followed Rosina and listened as she spoke about the ancestors and lineage. She was silent as they walked into the library, she gazed to the books and to the scrolls. When they entered the room with Reitor she rose her brows when he spoke of her. His eyes looked as though he was blind. Yet he didn’t seem to be so. She felt her heart leap when he told her to peer into the looking glass. “What if…I don’t see anything?” She asked, she as afraid of what she would see. Would she see the man, the voice she kept hearing?
“You will see, not to worry child.” Reitor spoke.
Azariah bit her lip as she stepped up to the looking glass. She stared to her reflection for a long moment. Her amber eyes that had a slight glow to the iris. The surface of the mirror began to ripple like water for a moment. A woman appeared a soft smile on her lips, she had long tipped elven ears and beautiful grey eyes. Azariah watched in awe. She watched as the woman walked to the edge of the forest. She was dressed in a battle armor, It was silver with a flowing headpiece that took the shape of feathers on her head. She had beautiful blonde hair. She turned as if she’d heard something and gave a sweet smile as a man came into view in the glass. This man had ember eyes just as Azariah had, though he also had glowing lines along his skin, dark chocolate brown hair. He wore his own set of battle mage armor, a hood rest upon his shoulders as he leaned forward and planted a kiss on the elf’s lips. “My love.” He whispered softly. Upon his back a familiar quiver hung, a bow also was attached to his back, Azariah’s bow. Her eyes widened as she watched the image. The man looked to her and smiled. “Azariah, you are stunning.” He spoke and smiled. “I know you have many questions.” He then looked to Reitor, “You too old friend.” He chuckled then before he looked back to Azariah, “My name is Elistar, and her name is Nouvis. She was the princess as the time that I met her. She’d ventured into the forest, curiosity always claims the lives of many each year. I found her and carried her to the edge of the forest. We fell in love. A forbidden love, as I was with the council of the Magi, and she a princess.” He paused and looked to Nouvis for a moment.
Elistar looked back to Azariah and then sighed, “Nouvis became ill, by then she was to be married to a prince within the next few weeks. We discovered that she was carrying my son. Orion. I left the council for her, only to join the knights that protected her, I watched my son grow and eventually I died in a battle against the humans….Orion never even knew I existed.” He spoke softly.
“We couldn’t tell the prince I was to be wed to. My mother and father would have been devastated….the prince would have been furious…” Nouvis spoke softly.
“The ability to carry magic has skipped generations, it has been dormant for years, until you, Azariah.” Elistar spoke with a smile. “You will carry on my legacy.”
Azariah watched as the glass began to become fuzzy, the ripples returned and then she found herself staring at herself. “Wait….” She spoke and touched the glass. “Wait…” She looked to Rosina and then to Reitor. She let out a long sigh and walked to a chair where she sat down. “This…” She shook her head. “I can’t believe this…” She took in a long deep breath. “What does he mean carry on for him? What is it he didn’t do? What is it that he did?” She looked to Reitor.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 4, 2017 10:03:52 GMT -5
Rosina stepped behind Azariah as she stepped infront of the glass. Reitor stood off to the side, leaning on his wooden staff. As the elven woman appeared over the mirror – her head tilted to the side as she watched. When the man began to speak - Rosina was surprised. She hadn’t seen this before – the spirit in the mirror knew they were watching.. and who was watching.
Rietor began to chuckle as the mirror faded. “Elistar… of course” he stepped over to Azariah and stood before her for a long moment. “Yes, he was of the Chosen. When he left the council and ran away – the history of the Magi did not write his memory very… nicely. Barali saw it as someone he trusted who ran from their fate. Barali had begged him to stay… there are a lot of opinions about the two. I would say Elistar put love before the Magi – he took care of his love, his child – As a human – I respect that choice. As a Magi, who was gifted with power – he did wrong by Barali…” he let out a soft sigh.
“Never the less, we know now your lineage. Considering the fact that you are also a Princess – you probably have the most powerful blood because it is so… clean” he spoke and then lead them out of the room.
Rosina glanced to the mirror – an image appeared – her mother stood, staring back to her… Then Rosina turned and followed behind Reitor. “Tell us about Elistar, about his powers”
“The Chosen had their calling – each of the elements were represented. Elistar was the first and most powerful Firemage. But not in the Firemage we think today, he was extremely powerful. His powers were limitless… truly. Of the most interesting – was the response of dragons to him. Because of their common nature to fire – they…. Got along” he glanced over to Azariah. “I am curious to know if that falls in the blood line as well…”
They walked to one of the locked rooms – with wave of Rietor’s hand – the door door opened. He stepped inside and walked to a shelf. He held his hand out and a collection of scrolls floated from the top of the shelf – and to his hand. “These are all that remains of his memory…” he handed the scrolls to Azariah.
“ One of them is a letter to his friend – Kiever..” he glanced to Rosina. “Kiever is Rosina’s blood line. Elistar wanted badly to show the world the Magi, to bring them forth to his Kingdom, to allow our kind options other than the forest… his attempt did not go well. The humans were not welcome to this threatening change, for thousands of years Magi were killed on sight, out of plain fear. Now enough of us mingle amongst the humans that it is not too uncommon, but there is still that fear… Magic is unstoppable, and limitless… even here we live in fear of a rogue Mage…and it sounds like that is the very case happening to your Kingdom, princess” he then handed one of the scrolls to Rosina.
Rosina opened it and unrolled it. “It is on your Kingdom – your family… it states that the family was aware of the magic that was in their blood. The great Kings and Queens eventually came to it – but hid it… hmm” she read over more detailed information and then glanced to the bottom. “Each family member has been buried amongst the land, a monument to their name. Resting in their hands is a portion of their own power, their memory, their legacy – for the rightful heir to gather and use in dire need…” Rosina rolled it back up and handed it to Azariah.
“Scrying orb?” she questioned. Reitor then nodded and created an orb in the air – out of his magic. “Azariah…” she reached over and touched her shoulder. “Picture your kingdom, this orb will show us the current state of it…”
“I can already tell you the Magi are not going to go charging into your Kingdom, whatever you do – it is you two who shall bring that Kingdom to balance…” Rietor spoke as he fixed a few books on the desk…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 4, 2017 11:03:55 GMT -5
Azariah looked up to Rietor as he spoke of her ancestor. She felt a pit in her stomach as he spoke of Elistar, how him leaving the Magi was not backed too kindly by the others of the council. She understood it though. She understood why, it was the same if she were to try to run from her royalty. It just doesn’t happen. The fact that she was sitting here, with the magic that she possessed, she should have never been the one sitting here…it should have been someone else…
Azariah stood and glanced to the looking glass as Rosina stood before it. She saw the beautiful woman that stared back to her, a woman with many likenesses of Rosina, yet she was older. Azariah furrowed her brows slightly before she turned and walked from the room behind Rietor. When he spoke of dragons her brows rose slightly. “Dragons…?” She looked to Rosina. She all but thought that dragons were extinct. At least, that is what the king told her as she flipped through old books and read of the battles with the beasts. As they stood before the locked door Azariah watched as the locks slid out of place to the wave of his hands and the door pushed out of the way. She stepped into the room behind him and glanced up at all of the scrolls that were kept within the room. Azariah looked to Rietor as he handed her a few scrolls and letters. “He really was banished in a sense…because of what he did…” She looked to the scrolls with sad eyes for a moment.
Azariah took in a deep breath, “He didn’t not act like a mage.” She shook her head, “Not like you and Rosina…he wanted something…” Azariah took the scroll into her hands with the others and looked to the orb that Rietor created. She did as Rosina asked and pictured the Kingdom of Nythhemel.
The image of the orb slowly began to come into focus. Azariah took in a shaken breath as she found herself staring into the eyes of the prince. He sat on the throne, her father’s sword on his hip, the crown upon his head. Her breathing quickened. The image panned out, the king and queen remained frozen in stone, her father’s body was nearly falling from how he was hit by Prince Drake. Her mother’s expression was of fear, she was screaming for Azariah to run. They knew. They had to know. “If they knew…” She whispered, “Why didn’t they tell me any of this? Why didn’t they tell me about the power that resides within me?” Tears welled in her eyes.
Azariah watched as the image moved about, she furrowed her brows as the image moved around the castle, stone soldiers. “What….” Her voice trembled slightly. The soldiers were everywhere, their eyes glowed a deep red. Prince Drake was controlling them. They were not human. “He is not a mage.” She whispered and shook her head.” The orb panned back to Prince Drake as he stood and walked from the throne room. It followed him as he walked down the halls lined with his stone soldiers. The other soldiers in black armor also littered the castle. Tears rolled down her cheeks now as he stepped into a room. The image panned to a familiar face. “No!” She cried, the scrolls fell from her arms to the floor. “Ruven…”
The captain was tied to a chair. His leg bandaged. He looked ill. Prince Drake walked up to him and gripped his chin. “I’m going to ask you again, Captain Trisris.” He paused for a moment. “Where is the princess? Where is the detail that took her? I know you have her hiding somewhere. We have torn apart this city looking for her!” He growled.
“I’ve told you, I don’t know where she is.” Ruven spoke, his voice was weak.
“Well, you’d better start thinking Captain.” Prince Drake stepped back and slid a pair of brass knuckles on. “I need her alive, where is she?” He asked, his face level with the captain.
Ruven looked to him his eyes tired. They’d gotten to him and patched him up, just enough to keep him alive. “Why do you need her so badly, prince? You already have the kingdom.”
Prince Drake chuckled then as he adjusted the brass knuckles on his hands. “She has something that I want.” He slammed his fist into the captain harshly a few times. “Now where is she?!”
Azariah stepped back from the orb, her body shaking. “Make it stop.” She whimpered as she fled the room. She paced back and forth in the hallway, tears rolling down her cheeks freely. “This is all my fault…I left him…I left him…” She balled her fists as her pulse raced. “I shouldn’t have left him…” She cried. Flames engulfed her fists from her mixture of emotions that were overwhelming her. “Why does the prince want me?” She slid to the floor, her eyes lit up with the rainbow array as the flames continued to burn around her fists. The same lines that lined Elistar’s face, the amber lines that looked like molten lava crept up her neck and over her face in a beautiful design.
You need to calm down. Elistar’s voice within her head spoke. You cannot save your people in this condition, let Rosina and Rietor guide you.
With that she felt an overwhelming surge of power, Azariah took in quick breaths as the world began to spin, she felt as though no matter how quickly she sucked in air she couldn’t get enough. It was as if all of the oxygen had been sucked from the room. She let out a soft cry as everything faded to darkness…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 4, 2017 13:51:20 GMT -5
Rosina glanced to Azariah as she spoke – of how he was banished… “At some point we must ask what we want, not what everyone else wants. Your ancestor was successful in his own way. Sometimes it not always about the story of the man who gave himself to the circle, but the man who gave everything to his lover…” Rosina then glanced to the orb and syphoned her power into it – allowing the scene to play.
“That voice…” Rietor spoke and raised his eyebrow. “Does that man have a scar over his eye?” he questioned as she leaned on his staff.
“Yeah…he turned the family to stone.. has a stone army…”Rosina spoke and squeezed her eyebrows together.
Rietor grunted and then closed the orb as Azariah dashed away. “Blake, is his name… he is an old Mage who I presumed to be dead. Seems he has escaped us… banished from the Magi some hundred of years ago…” he grunted and then pointed towards the door. “She fainted…”
Rosina rushed to the door and knelt down to Azariah. “Hey…” she whispered and then stepped back. She held her hand out and Azariah – her body lifted into the air and float down the hallway. She turned and entered the main library where she found a couch and lowered her onto the couch.
Rietor came hobbling in and then he gave a long sigh. “Blake – he seeks vengeance on the Circle. He went through a good bit of torture before he was sentenced to death, we never could get information out of him… In that stack we were missing a scroll – the lineage tree… Blake must have it.. he is probably after her..”
“What can he do, Rietor?” Rosina questioned..
“He is a leech… he steals magic and leaves the host to die.” He grunted and then sighed softly. “Her family is rather powerful… with her power he could attempt to take down the Magi. Many of our Chosen blood lines have disappeared. All that is really left is you, King and Queen, and Bartholius. The others have died off or gone into hiding… with great powerful can come great fear…” he spoke and then sat down across from Azariah.
“You will need the map to her ancestors burial chambers. This will be a great trial for her to develop her powers, like the pilgrimage of the old days” he chuckled and nodded. “This artifact I would assume would be back in the castle – amongst their own artifact room of some sort… waiting for her… that would be a dangerous journey on its own… but you cannot fight Drake without her ascension…” he then pointed to a small kettle. “Tea..” he spoke and it began to brew.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 4, 2017 16:31:35 GMT -5
Hey… Rosina’s voice cut through the fog. Azariah’s eyes fluttered slightly as she was lifted into the air, she drifted in and out of consciousness as she was set upon the couch.
“Az. Wake up Az.” A familiar voice spoke. “Azariah, it’s time to get up.” Azariah slowly opened her eyes. She was laying on the soft plushy surface of her bed, her blankets were pulled up to her chin. The sun was warm against her cheeks as it poked through the huge glass windows of the castle. “Azariah.” The voice sounded far away. Azariah slowly slipped from the blankets, she looked around her room, it was completely silent, not even the sound of the birds chirping or the rustle of leaves. She pushed her door open and stepped out into the hallway. “Azariah!” The voice called, it bounced and echoed off of the walls.
Azariah stepped forward she slipped around corners and moved through the castle, not a soul stirred. The place was completely empty, as if it had been abandoned. The voice kept calling for her, she was getting closer and closer until she pushed through the doorway to the throne room. Her breath caught in her chest as she stared to the throne. She stepped forward slowly, “Mother?” She spoke softly.
Tara gave a week smile as she stood from the throne. She stepped forward to her daughter and placed an icy cold hand on her cheek. “Az. I’m sorry for this.” She searched her eyes. “I’m sorry that I didn’t warn you. We’ve been receiving threats for years, but, we never thought that it would come in such a concealed package. We did not expect the threats to be from this man, Prince Drake.”
“Where are we mother?” Azariah looked around, the light was dim, ashes fell from the ceiling.
“He has banished us to another realm. Our hearts are frozen within the stone that he has sculpted around our bodies.” Mathias spoke. “That bastard had this planned all along.” He walked from the shadows, he looked older somehow.
“Father…” Azariah stepped forward to him and wrapped her arms around him. “You’re ill?” She asked and touched his face.
Mathias stared to his daughter, he placed his hand over hers and gave a small smile, “I’m fine, Azariah.” He looked to the queen then. “Tara.”
The queen gave a nod. “Come.” She took Azariah’s hand and pulled her forward. She released after a few steps. “My lineage, your lineage is that of a powerful mage named Elistar.” She looked over her shoulder as she walked through the dark empty castle. Ashes continued to fall from the sky. “It has been nearly 150 years since the last descendent showed signs of the magic, I didn’t tell you this because I was under the impression that it had skipped yet another generation.” She shook her head as she pushed into a stairwell that descended into the basement of the castle. “I was to tell you of all of this when you took over the kingdom…” She pulled a torch on the wall and a piece of the wall slid away, a hidden room. A room that Azariah hadn’t ever been told about.
When she stepped inside the room Azariah looked around to the bookcases around her. Scrolls upon scrolls. Books, maps. Her jaw fell loose as she looked around the room. Her eyes fell on the set of armor that once belonged to Nouvis, and next to that the set of armor the belonged to Elistar. She stepped forward and ran her fingertips along the art of Nouvis’ armor, it was absolutely beautiful. Elven armor was truly an art form.
“You’re going to need the help of our elders to stop what has happened and to save your father and I.” Tara spoke as she stood near and old fireplace. “The map has been handed down for generations since the passing of Elistar.” She knelt down before the fireplace and reached into the back of it, feeling around, she pulled out a brick and reached into the hole. She pulled out and turned. She stood and opened it up. “You will need to retrieve this map, Az. It is our only hope.” She stepped forward to her daughter and hugged her gently.
Azariah hugged her mother back, tears welled in her eyes. “I will mother.” She whispered softly. Then suddenly a surge of power shook the castle. “Wh…what’s going on?” She asked.
“You need to go!” Tara grabbed onto Azariah’s shoulders and shoved her backward. She let out a yelp just as she would have ran into the wall.
Azariah sat up quickly with a gasp, her eyes were wide. She looked around the old library, her breaths were quick. She could smell the scent of tea steeping. Her eyes were full of fire as she looked around the room, the ember color was stronger now. Her eyes fell upon Rosina, she looked to her for a long moment before she looked to Rietor. “The map….it’s in a hidden room…Prince Drake won’t ever find it, and if he finds the room he will not find the map. My mother has it hidden well.” She looked to Rosina and then sighed softly. “I would be honored if you would help me learn my abilities Rosina. I know this is a heavy burden, but I promise to make things right for the Magi. I will do as Elistar wanted, I will make it safe to live in the Kingdom of Nythhemel for all of the Circle of Magi.” She stood, her eyes looked to the staff that Rosina held.
Within the orb the dragon swirled about, it’s eyes stared to her. Azariah took a step forward. “Is that…alive?” She walked up to Rosina, standing inches from her, the dragon stopped moving and focused on her, seeming to be entranced by Azariah’s presence. “It’s a dragon…isn’t it?” She then took a step back, she hadn’t realized how close she’d gotten to Rosina, she bit her lip slightly she took another step back and knocked into a table. Azariah spun quickly and reached forward, she grabbed an artifact that she’d knocked off of the table and landed on the floor in a thud with the object held tightly to her chest. “S-sorry.” She breathed. The ball within her hands had inscriptions upon it that began to light up with her touch. “Um…” She stood slowly and set the ball down. “I…didn’t mean to…” She took a step away from the artifact. “I just shouldn’t touch anything…I’ll…” She stepped over to the middle of the room. “I’ll just stand here.” She nodded. “What is the next step? What do we do?” She asked as she looked around the room to the shelves and the books.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 4, 2017 17:26:50 GMT -5
Rosina accepted a cup of tea from the old man and sipped on it. Rosina shifted back suddenly when Azariah shot upward.. “How do you know?” she questioned, puzzled by the statement. Rosina leaned forward, her staff fell into the crevasse of her elbow. She raised an eyebrow as Azariah noticed the dragon within the orb of her staff.
“Yes… he is alive” she spoke and then stood up, chuckling slightly. “This staff has been passed down in my generation for a long time. I do not know much, other than the Dragon has been sealed into the orb, I do not know how to release him…” she sighed slightly and then pressed her thumb to the orb. The dragon rubbed against the glass, close to her finger – the warmth lingered on the orb. “His own magic flows through this staff, you will see – soon enough” she spoke and then stood up.
“What is next…” she spoke, she reached over and took the orb that Azariah had stumbled with and then set it down on the table. “Is to get you in more suitable attire. I must report our findings to the queen. When nightfall comes – we shall penetrate the castle, and sneak our way into the room you speak of…” she then looked to Rietor. “Thank you…”
“Just doing my part” he spoke and then smiled while sipping his tea.
“Let’s go, Azariah” Rosina spoke and lead her out of the building. As they came to the armory – she held her hand out. “Talk to the person at the desk…” she handed Azariah a bag of gold coins. “Buy whatever calls out to you – I will return shortly.” She spoke and then disappeared.
“What have you found?” The Queen questioned just as Rosina appeared behind her.
“Azariah is decendant of Chosen Elistar…” she spoke and crossed her arms.
“Ahh, the elf lover. Not surprised, I see. Is she willing to follow in line?” the Queen questioned.
“Well, her kingdom is in peril… I have decided to help her – as her powers are emerging. She needs a guide.. she wishes to make peace and create a balance between her people and the Magi… if that is truly successful or not… she is one of us and needs help..” Rosina spoke, holding her staff close.
The Queen turned and raised an eyebrow. “Who is the threat?”
“Drake…” Rosina seemed to mutter.
“Drake – I thought he was dead?” The Queen gasped and then let out a sigh. “Well, we have to keep him from gaining whatever it is he is after – you know very well that Drake is doing all of this in vengeance to the Circle. You have my support” she spoke and then nodded. “Guide her, we will fortify the forest and prepare for the worst. Hopefully it does not come to that… we had not been involved in warfare in quite some time.. we have managed to slip away and stay hidden in the forest for a while… Go on then” The Queen spoke and then stepped to the pool. She held her hand over the pool and it began to swirl – her eyes looked to the milky substance as it moved… her thoughts were wandering.
Rosina teleported back to the armory and approached Azariah. “You look great – that suits you. The Queen has given me her blessing to guide you… so… the castle… let us head there. We will take a look at how well they are protected and then make a plan on how to approach it.” She spoke and then lead her towards the exit of the giant city – two huge gates that lead outward to the thick forest.
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