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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 16, 2017 21:44:13 GMT -5
Quick footsteps sounded down the hallways, followed by the clattering footsteps of knights. She wore a maroon cloak with a hood over her head. The woman glanced back to her assailants briefly as she rounded a corner. Within her hand she held a scroll that was old, the paper was yellowed from age.
“Stop her!!” One of the knights yelled.
She skidded around a corner, her brown leather boots reached up to her knees. She had a holster strapped to her thigh that held throwing daggers. The woman reached down and slipped one of the daggers from her leg. With a smile and precision she flung the dagger at one of the knights. It sliced through the air and stabbed through the only opening to his skin. It stuck into his neck. Instantly the man gripped at his neck and began choking on his own blood. The woman continued to run as the other knights stopped to give aid to their dying comrade. She leaped from a window and pulled a hook from her back. She swung and the hook grabbed into the stone of the castle. Her breaths were quick as she pulled it from the wall and swung into another level. She sprinted through the hallways and leaped from another window, she now ran along a rooftop with the light of the moonlight glistening over her. She had a shoulder piece on her right shoulder that was made from a skull of a young dragon. The fangs curved around her bicep, straps held it to her shoulder. Its horns were curved as it stuck from her shoulder. Across her chest another band held her quiver to her back, arrows stuck from the quiver, ready to be fired. Her bow was strapped over her back as well, it was beautifully carved from wood, hand made, no mistake. She’d carved it herself. She’d placed inscriptions into the wood, beautiful markings that swirled about and glistened in the moonlight.
She leaped down from the rooftop and grunted slightly as she rolled to absorb the landing. She sprinted around a corner and skidded to a stop, the tip of a sword just barely pressed against her neck. She looked with wide eyes to the man whom held the blade, two archers stood behind him a good ten feet, their bows drawn and aimed in on her.
“Cuff her.” The man whom held the sword spoke. His eyes filled with hatred. “You’re going to wish you’d never stepped foot into this kingdom, and you’re most certainly going to wish you’d never killed any of my men.”
A guard came up behind her and grabbed her hand instantly cuffing a shackle around her wrist. She looked to him, her eyes were beautiful, a periwinkle blue with a black ring etched in around the iris. The guard ripped the scroll from her hands and cuffed her other hand. He held the scroll forward to the man that held the blade to her throat. The man lowered the blade quickly, nicking her skin, blood began to leak from the small cut. He smirked then, “So they do bleed.” He chuckled, “Good.” He stepped forward and gripped her chin before he ripped her hood down from her head. He turned her head to the side. “What are you doing here elf?” His voice was hateful. “Besides stealing property of the king and queen?” He looked over her face as she stared up to him, silence. The man chuckled, “You’ll talk, eventually.” He spoke as he turned and began walking her away. “To the dungeons for her.” He snapped his fingers.
**
She was thrown into the dungeon. Strung up, her shoulders nearly dislocated. Beaten. Tortured. Yet, the elf didn’t make a sound. She hung from her wrists, blood dripped from her lips, she had bruises that lined her body, cuts from whips. The man, Captain Stein stepped into the room, the heavy door shut behind him. “Are we going to have any conversation today?” He questioned as he gripped at her chin and looked into her eyes. “Or will you remain silent again?” He smirked.
“You’re wasting your time.” She spoke, she stared to him, blood covered her teeth.
He pulled her closer and grinned, “So you can speak. I was beginning to think I was wasting my time.” He snickered. “Tell me then, elf, what is your purpose?” He furrowed his brows when she did not answer. He balled up his fist and slammed it into the side of her face and his other into her ribs harshly. “You’ll answer me, or today will be your last.”
“If that is how the Sehanine shall have it. Then so be it.”
Captain Stein growled and gripped around her throat. “What was on that scroll that you wanted?” He snarled. “It was completely blank. What could you possibly use it for?” He loosened his grip slightly.
“It wasn’t blank to me.” She smirked, her blue eyes looked him over for a moment, “Maybe, you’re king should give back what he stole from my people.”
The captain delivered a harsh back hand in that moment. “Everything within this kingdom belongs to my king!” He snapped he slammed his fist into her several times then. “What were you planning?” He growled as blood dripped to the floor. He gripped her chin, her eyes were fluttering by this point. The captain spat into her face. “I’ll be back, elf.” He stepped from the room.
**
Later that night she woke to the gentle hands of someone. The elf opened her eyes as she felt the cuffs fall away and her body lowered to the floor. “Please, use this.” A key was placed into her hands. “I’ve killed the guard, get out of here.” The woman spoke, she wore a hood.
The elf watched as the woman scurried from the room. She looked to the key in her hand and pushed herself up. She limped slightly as she stepped from the room. She pulled on her gear and then kicked the dead guard’s body over. She turned and ran from the room. She winced, her body was in a great deal of pain. She slipped through the hallways carefully and slipped into a bedroom. “Ah.” She smiled as she wiped a bit of blood from her nose. “I would have moved it.” She shook her head as she lifted the scroll into her hands again. She slipped out the window then, she used her pick hooks to make her way down the wall. She eventually found herself in the garden. Snow fell from the sky. Her blood dripped into the white snow from her side where the captain had gotten her with a deep gash from the whip. She held her side as she ran through the gardens and to the wall.
“Get her!” A voice.
She turned her head as she scaled up the vines. She let out a cry as an arrow lodged into her thigh. She fell from the top of the wall to the other side where she landed with a heavy thud. She struggled to get to her feet. She ripped the arrow from her flesh and threw it to the ground. “Damnit come on.” She groaned as she ran into the darkness of the forest. Blood trailed into the snow as she ran. She bumped into a few trees, leaving a bloody handprint here and there. She ran until she made it passed tree line up the side of the mountain. The snow became thicker as she continued. She held her head up, shielding her eyes from the snow, her teeth began to chatter, her body began to quake. She wouldn’t last long in the cold with her injuries. She pressed on and stumbled, she fell into the snow several times, coating her body in the icy crystals. The elf slipped into a cave and collapsed onto the cold ground, her breathing began to slow. She pulled the scroll from her quiver and slowly opened it. “I have to get this home…” She whispered softly before she slipped into unconsciousness.
**
“Azariah, this is not a small task that I ask of you.” The king stood before the elf.
She knelt down and bowed her head. “King Ornae you can trust me with this.” She spoke.
He stepped forward and took her hand and lifted her up so she would stand. “Azariah you are the best I have, please, return to us in one piece. The scroll carries more than you know. It holds the burial chambers of our ancestors. It holds the mark to where your father found that dragon upon your shoulder. Once upon a time our kind lived as one with the dragons. We were not shunned out by the humans.” He searched her eyes. “Many of our people have died, I fear King Lazarus will send more of his knights to kill off the rest of us if we do not retreat into hiding further.”
“You will move the rest to the caverns?” Azariah questioned as she searched his eyes. “It is our only chance of survival without our magic. King Lazarus took that from us.” She looked away. “I…can’t feel it anymore.” She made a fist and imagined the power that she used to feel. “The scroll will lead us to the crystal?” She questioned.
King Ornae looked to her for a moment and shook his head, “No, but the scroll holds the placement of our elders, it holds the placement of a compass that will then lead us to the crystal.” He gave a nod. “Without it our kind may not live another year on this world.”
“I understand my king.” Azariah bowed her head, “I will not let you down.”
King Ornae gave a small chuckle, “My sweet Azariah, you have never let me down.” He cupped her cheek for a moment before he stepped back to his throne. “By time you return this whole city will be empty, we will have retreated far to the north into the icy caverns of Belmuith. I look forward to seeing you again, Azariah.”
She watched him and gave a nod before she turned and stepped from the throne room. She ran her fingertips along the marble walls. She’d always known this place as home. Now, it would be abandoned because of the humans. Because of their need to conquer everything. King Lazarus had killed her mother and her father, they were on a hellacious path to kill all the elves. They’d already found a way to suck the magic from their kind. A crystal. That the king hid away after he’d sucked all of their magic away. Now the king was trying to figure out how to harvest the magic and use it.
**
Azariah gasped and groaned, her body ached. She grit her teeth as she slowly sat up, her muscles were all stiff. “You can’t stop now, Az.” She whispered to herself as she stood, she stumbled and fell against the cave wall. She collapsed to the ground again. “Or..maybe…I need to…” She looked to her thigh that blood still leaked from, the arrow had pierced through and through and she had ripped it from her leg. She leaned her head against the wall and shut her eyes briefly.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 16, 2017 22:45:00 GMT -5
“Officer, the commander wishes to see you” A man clad in full silver and red armor approached. With the comment – thudding footsteps pounded against the wooden floor – chainmail and armor clinked quietly with each movement. The door opened and before the figure was a desk – with a man in full red and black armor sat, looking over a scroll. “Officer Lee, sit” he waved to the delicate chair before the desk.
The Officer sat down and looked forward – “Sir, may I ask what this is about?”
“Of course Officer. It is regarding your permanent leave to the Crusaders” The Commander glanced up and placed a hand on his helmet that sat on the desk. He let out a long sigh and stepped over to the Officer, looking down to the knight. “Officer, please stand for me… I would like you to take off your breast plate please.”
“Commander… I do not think that is necessary…” The officer spoke, slowly standing as told.
“You see, that is where you are wrong… Officer Lee…” he reached forward and grabbed her by the chest plate – yanking her forward. Lee stumbled slightly and reached for the Commander. He grit his teeth and unhooked the leather straps. The chest plate fell loose and revealed chain mail. The commander shoved the chainmail out of the way and then a lose tunic. Another shove and then the commander chuckled. “They were right – bound breasts. Officer Lee, you are a disgrace to the Crusaders.” He shoved the breast plate into her hand.
“I have every right to kill you where you stand. For lying and dishonoring the code, dishonoring the men that have lost their life before a woman” he shook his head and then sat down. “But I am a kind soul, you have done too much good for us… Woman or no. However, the whole crusade knows of your truth. There for you are now banished from the Crusaders, shunned and dishonored. I cannot ensure your protection from here on out… Please leave before I force you to.”
“Commander… I…” Lee shook her head and slowly clipped the breast plate back on.
“Lee… what is your real name?” he spoke and leaned back in the seat.
“Lynn… sir…”
“Well Madam Lynn – I would suggest you put the sword down and birth a few children, settle down… you are a good person, with a good heart. You shouldn’t waste it on trivial war and bloodshed, it is just not for women…” he spoke and then waved her out.
Lynn turned and stepped out of the room. She swiftly threw her helmet on as she walked through the halls – everyone was watching, snickering and others hid their face. She then began to run – soon out of the building. She walked over to the stable and untied her horse.
“I am sorry ma’am, this horse is for Crusader militia…” the stable hand stepped over and placed his hand on the horse’s mane.
Lynn turned and grit her teeth. “You get your fucking hand off my horse, or I will render you a woman” she began to reach her sword that was sheathed on her back. The Stable hand stepped back slightly and then nodded.
“Yes – yes, okay, go” he sighed and stepped away.
Lynn climbed onto her horse. It had silver and red armor that matched hers… with a slap of the reigns she bound away.
The entire city was reside was head quarters for the Crusaders, she would have to travel away. A long ways away, where no one knew her name, knew her dishonor… “Bonnie, we will be going for a long ride” she spoke to her horse. The horse tuned its huge head back and glanced to her as they walked over a wooden bridge. The clopping of the hooves where relaxing… which she needed in this moment.
She had cried the entire length of their travel thus far… She thought over and over of taking each piece of armor and tossing it off into the snow… but this was all she had. She had given up her life, her family, every inch of personal effects to the Crusaders… All she could ride on was the honor of the uniform…
“I could be a sell sword..” she spoke as they clop along…”I am not going to be a fucking breeder, house wife… no…” she shook her head and climbed from the horse as they came upon a forest. She stepped to the side and dug through the saddle bag. She pulled out an apple and stepped towards the horse. “Come on..” she held it.
The horse looked to it and then chomped at it – eating half of it easily in one bite. Lynn smiled and then pulled her helmet from her face… She stepped to the stream that trickled through the path of snow…She leaned down and filled her leather canteen. Her eyes glanced to the reflection…
She was in a full silver garb, where there wasn’t plates of metal – there was chainmail or red cloth… Crusaders were a legendary military unit which belonged to many. When going got tough – kingdoms looked to the Crusaders for help… Who ever had the crusaders on their side was the victor – every time. She looked to the golden eagle on her chest, the same pattern her helmet took on – to appear like an eagle of sorts. The image of victory, freedom, and power…
Bonnie stepped over and drank a bit from the stream, huffing slightly at her. “I know… just a little further… there’s a town not far…” she turned and climbed onto Bonnie and situated in the seat.
They clopped along, the pathway was lost now to the snow that covered the ground. She knew the general direction she needed to go… that was better than nothing. As they climbed through the forest – she noticed something bright in the white snow. By now her armor was lined with ice and snow… thankfully under the armor she wore a special thin layer of clothes, which were designed specifically to handle extreme heat and extreme cold…
She jumped down from the horse and knelted toward the snow… “Blood.. Bonnie” she whispered and picked up the snow, her armored fingers pushed against the red stained snow, breaking it up until it melted slightly. She stood and waved to her horse, who followed. They followed the drips of blood – there was a series of foot steps along with it.
“Obviously hurt… a dragging foot here..” she pointed to the tracks. “Very recent.. the snow is coming down too hard for it to be more than 30 minutes old..” she followed the tracks. They climbed up a slight hill, moving more into the thick trees and moving through the bushes. The terrain became more and more rocky- until the red finally seized. “A cavern…”
“Bonnie… stay” she pointed to the ground and approached the cave. She pulled her long sword from her back and held it in her hands, the tip pointed forward.
“Hello?” she called out and continued forward. She glanced down – the red was pooling now. She stepped over to the wall of the cavern and then sheathed her sword. A body was slumped against it. She knelt down and moved the body slightly.. “Hardly breathing… lots of blood loss here..” she glanced to the wound.
She stood and came back with the saddle bag, she dug in it and pulled out a linen cloth. “Whoever you are… just don’t try and kill me when you wake up. I don’t think you’re going to win…” she spoke and ripped the cloth into two. She used a bit of snow to try and clean the wound, then she tied the cloth around it tightly. “I don’t have a needle and thread, or else I’d take care of this now…” she sighed softly and then glanced around..
“You’re not going to make it through the night…” she spoke and lifted the woman up. She walked over to Bonnie and laid the woman over her, stomach first. “Bonnie – walk gently..” she climbed on Bonnie and adjusted the woman. “Lets go, it’s only a few miles until Brinesville, a small trading city not far from the castle city.
“I wonder why an elf is this far out.. in human turf, no only – the king out for Elven blood…” she gave a sigh. “No wonder she is shot up Bon.. probably got caught or something..”
Soon they came to the small town. She tied her horse up and walked into the inn…
“Crusader” The inn keeper spoke and saluted, a fist to his chest.
“Yes.. I need a room for two.”
“Absolutely, on the house for your service..” he spoke and handed them a key.
“Do you have a med kit, by chance? My friend is hurt..” Lynn spoke. Her voice was slightly low for a woman.
“Here you are..” he handed a bag over to her.
“Bonnie, I’ll get you something nice in the morning… chill out in the hay and stay warm..” she spoke and kissed Bonnie on her long nose. She then picked up the mystery woman and carried her into the inn. She opened the door and carried her to the bed.
She pulled her helmet off and set it on the wardrove table. She had an almost pixie cut hair style, one that could easily pass as a man… though in the end it wouldn’t be too hard to tell.. She stepped over and undressed her slightly.. “You got beaten pretty bad…” she spoke and began to clean the wounds. She sewed the large slice on her side. She then patched it up with a bandage. She cleaned the smaller cuts as she found them, which seemed to never end.
“Who did you piss off?” she spoke aloud as she cleaned the wounds. She wrapped the arrow wound up as best as she could, having ran out of thread..
“Complimentary fruit here..” she picked up the apple and bit into it. This apple wouldn’t hold her off long… she sat in the rocking chair that was before the window, her eyes glancing the sleeping woman—and off into the small town. Her thoughts kept racing to before… the fear and nerves of that moment. Finally getting caught… she knew eventually it would happen. But who? Everyone who knew… they promised. They spoke that she was far too great of a warrior to lose to something so trivial.. The first woman in the Crusades.. A lie though. That’s all she ever was, and would be. Remembered as the first woman to lie, betray and dishonor the Crusader’s name…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 16, 2017 23:15:12 GMT -5
She felt the touch of the knight on her wounds and the pressure of the horse’s back against her stomach as they moved through the forest toward the trade town. Azariah was in and out of consciousness. She’d completely given in by the time that Lynn patched her up, the amount of blood loss, it was a wonder that she was still alive.
“Az, your father would be proud.” A woman spoke, she had likenesses of Azariah, this was her mother.
“He’s gone because of them.” She spoke softly. She was younger. A good 10 years younger. She snapped her fingers and the fire within the fireplace blazed to life. “Why can’t we just kill them? They are picking us off one by one, mother.”
“Azariah, we are not violent people….” Her mother warned. “You have to understand that. We have not brought this war upon ourselves, the selfish nature of the humans has caused this.”
“They are a disgrace.” Azariah spoke as she stared into the flames, “I saw them, mother.” She spoke softly, “I saw the man shove his blade into father’s chest. He couldn’t fight back. What with their horses and shields, the swords and archers. There were 20 to 1…at least…” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I’ll never forget his armor….” She whispered softly.
Azariah’s eyes opened slowly, the sun was peeking over the tops of the trees now, she stared up to the ceiling of the inn for a moment. Her eyes widened and she sat up abruptly with a gasp. She nearly flew from the bed. She stumbled and fell against the wall. She drew her dagger as she stared at Lynn. “Why didn’t you just kill me?” She questioned, pain in her voice. “You could have killed me.” She looked to the bloody supplies of the medkit that sat on the table near the bed she’d been laying in. Azariah sunk into a chair and gripped her leg, blood leaked through the cloth. “You’re…” She grit her teeth, she shook as she held the dagger in her fingertips. “You’re one of them…” Her eyes were full of anger. Flashes of her father’s death flew through her vision. “Hired sword, crusaders. Murderers.” She trembled, she was in a great deal of pain from the beatings that the captain had dealt upon her. “You murdered my people….you soulless bastard.” She let out a long slow breath. “Yet, you patched me up?” She then smirked and let out a laugh, “How ironic.” She lowered her hood. “Did you miss my ears? Hm?” She stood and staggered slightly, “Because last I checked your kind wanted my kind dead.” She lifted her quiver and bow and slipped the items onto her back. She stumbled again and gripped her leg, more blood came from the wound. She winced and looked back to Lynn. She searched her pockets. “Where is it?” She questioned, her voice slightly frantic. “Where is the scroll?” She stared to Lynn, her brows tucked together. “Did the king send you? Hm? He sent you to gather me up? To get the scroll back?” She let out another laugh, she could taste blood in her mouth. “Does it make you feel good? Hm? Knowing that they will beat me until I am unconscious? That they will inflict more damage than they already have….until every last drop of blood has fallen from my corpse. Then they will string me up in the streets of their city like a trophy…” She slid down the wall, her vision blurry. “Yeah...that’s….that’s what they’ll do…” Her words slurred slightly, her dagger clattered to the floor. “As if they haven’t already done…enough…damage…” She gripped her thigh now, slowing the bleeding. The wound needed to be sewn shut…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 16, 2017 23:33:24 GMT -5
Lynn snapped awake as there was a thudding in the room. She wiped away a bit of spit on her mouth and reached for her sword, though she didn’t draw it. “Uh” she raised an eyebrow and glanced to the woman who panicked before her… “Well you said it yourself. Hired sword. I didn’t kill you because no one is paying me too” she spoke and stood up.
“The last time we were even hired to kill Elves was way before my time with the Crusaders. That aside, despite the uniform – They do not represent me anymore, nor I represent them…. For now this is all I have” she brushed her hand against her chest piece. She sighed and stood up, walking over to the woman.
“Your scroll – this blank one?” she spoke and held it up. “Yeah, I thought about sending out a letter with it, but thought not. Here, you can have it” she handed it to her and then sighed. “You’re still real hurt… Listen, just… stay here for a bit… I’ll go get more thread…” she spoke and walked down stairs into the main lobby.
“Crusader” The inn keeper greeted her.
“Have you a cloth?” Lynn spoke and smiled to the man.
“Yes, of course. Here..” he reached over from a stack of linens and handed one over. “We will be sending you a complimentary breakfast, my treat…” he stepped over and smiled. “Did you.. get to – you know… I didn’t hear anything last night” he winked. “I know how you guys are real strained in personal time.”
“Ah… well… you know how women can be. My head hurts, the day ends in Y. You know” Lynn joked..
“Ha! Right, yes, Women..” The inn keeper awkwardly handed over another cloth and nodded.
“Thank you sir” Lynn then walked back to her room. She pulled apart the thread and cut it with her knife. With the string she laced up the needle.
“Listen, whenever you wanna go – go ahead. I’m not going to stop you. But right now you’re in no shape…” she sat down next to the woman and pulled back the cloth on her leg. She poured some water on the wound and patted it down… she then pulled the needle up and squeezed one eye shut – carefully sewing the wound.
“And… just so you know… I’ve never been a big fan of that King arse-face. He doesn’t seem to treat anyone right but his royal behind” she spoke as she finished the last bit. She bit off the end of the string after tying it off.
There was a knock on the door and Lynn stood up. She opened the door and the Inn keeper smiled to her. “Office Lynn” he greeted her.
Lynn instantly had a pit in her stomach. The Inn keeper lunged forward with a knife. “Really?” she shouted and grabbed his arm, throwing him down onto the ground. “You’ll have to be a little better than that!” she shouted and then tossed his knife across the room.
“You lied to me!” he shouted and tried to get up. Lynn kicked him back down. “Yeah you, people have been saying that a lot today… but it doesn’t change the fact that I still served” Lynn shouted back.
“Yeah well you don’t anymore!”
Lynn reached down and lifted him up by the collar. “Say it to my face, ass wipe” she grit her teeth and glared to him. The inn keeper looked to her and then spat in her face.
“Alright, we will leave. And I’ll let you live” She set the inn keeper down and then punched him in the face easily. She turned and put her helmet on.
“Can you walk?” she spoke and looked to the mysterious Elf… "I'll carry you if I have to... We gotta go, and also I'm really hungry. And I bet you could use some food too.." she spoke and slid her sword onto her back and approached the woman.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 17, 2017 0:02:42 GMT -5
Azariah raised her brows as she listened to Lynn speak, she hadn’t expected such a response. She stared to the Crusader before her and took the scroll carefully, she stared to the scroll and opened it, the map appeared before her eyes, she looked it over for a moment and rolled it back up. This Crusader couldn’t be with Lazarus’ knights. “Alright…thank you…” She spoke as she watched the knight walk from the room. She shakily stood and sat back down on the bed. She winced slightly and looked to the wound. “Of all injuries…” She muttered. Azariah made sure to put the scroll into the pouch on her quiver before Lynn came back into the room. She watched the Crusader carefully, her brows pulled together slightly. She winced as water was poured over her wound. She grit her teeth as the needle and thread pulled her flesh back together. “Very well.” She spoke.
She looked to Lynn for a moment when she mentioned King Lazarus. “He is a disgrace.” She spoke softly. “He has sent his knights to kill my people…the wars have been going on for nearly 50 years now…” She shook her head. “It all started with the King’s father, he discovered the Elves…” She fell silent then when there was a knock at the door.
Azariah was on her feet, her bow drawn with an arrow pulled back, aimed at the man’s head. She loosened her grip slowly and placed the bow away, she teetered slightly. “I can.” She gave a nod. “I’m not sure how far…” Azariah winced slightly as she took a step, she nearly fell. “Food…right…yes…” She nodded. She made her way from the room, her hand on the wall, she smeared blood on the wall from her hand and leaned heavily against the railing as she stepped down the stairs. She pulled her hood up to hide her ears just before she stepped out of the inn. She limped forward and looked down the street. “The…market…” She reached into her pocket, a few coins jingled. She stepped down the street slowly and stepped into a bakery.
Azariah stepped up to the counter, “Two muffins please.” She spoke, her voice was weak. “As well as two teas.”
“Coming right up.” The man behind the counter smiled. He looked up and straightened slightly. “Crusader.” He bowed his head and hurried along. “Here you are, no charge.”
Azariah set the coins down on the counter. “We will pay.” She spoke as she grabbed the items. She limped to Lynn and led her outside to the patio seating. She sat down and let out a low breath. “Thank you.” She spoke and looked to the Crusader. “Officer Lynn, was it?” She asked and gave a slight smile. “I am surprised and happy to see a woman in a position such as yours.” Azariah took a bite of her blueberry muffin and leaned against the table. Her vision blurred slightly. “I feel I owe you an apology Lynn.” She took another bite then. “My name is Azariah Ruielon.” She sipped her tea.
“Crusader.” A voice spoke. “It is good to see you have captured this elf.” A knight walked up from the roadway.
Azariah stood quickly, her eyes widened. The knight reached forward just as she pulled her dagger. She winced and sliced the dagger forward, it pierced through his chin. Blood splashed to the ground. She leaned against the building. “We…need to go…” Her vision blurred in and out. She glanced to the end of the roadway, more knights were coming for her. She took a few steps and stumbled, using a fence post to hold herself up.
“Stop that elf Crusader!” A knight ordered as he ran forward. “She deserves to die for her acts against our king!”
Azariah looked to Lynn, her eyes held fear. “I will pay you, please…get me out of here…” She pulled her bow and shot off an arrow, though with her vision blurring she missed and the arrow stuck into the ground. She never missed…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 17, 2017 20:35:55 GMT -5
Lynn followed the elf down the street, and up to the stand. “Thank you” Lynn spoke as she glanced to Azariah. As they sat down Lynn took a bite of her muffin and leaned back. “Ah… well… sort of. Women are not aloud in any Military force, especially not crusades. I just recently was banished after I was found out… Crazy to think I made it all the way to Officer before they did, hm?” she winked and then drank her tea.
Just as she did the sudden outburst occurred. She glanced over and then sighed. “Idiots..” she stuffed the muffin into her mouth, all at once. She pulled her helmet back on and then reached over to Azariah. She grabbed the woman and turned her back towards the knights – their arrows tinged against her armor and fell to the ground. “I was instructed to bring her alive! You idiots!” She shouted and drew her sword. “Crusader ordinance!” She spat.
The men glanced to her and then rushed forward. “Guess not” she tugged Azariah along. She then let out a loud whistle. In just a matter of seconds her horse rushed to her side – having jumped over the fence that retained her in the stable yard. Lynn jumped on Bonnie and pulled Azariah up. “Go go!” she turned her head and glanced back – the men had stopped chasing after them.
The sprinted out of the town and bounded down the road. They slowed down slightly and Lynn sat back slightly, she pulled up her cup and then grinned. “Check it out – still got my tea” she finished it off and then slipped the cup into the saddle bag.
“So – why were you in that cave? Whats that empty scroll you’re so passionate about?” she called over the breeze of the wind…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 17, 2017 21:01:39 GMT -5
Azariah stumbled and nearly fell against Lynn as she shielded her from the arrows that flew in her direction. Azariah let out a cry as she was pulled forward, she grit her teeth her thigh burned and pinched as they climbed onto the huge horse. Azariah looked down to the horn of the saddle and to Lynn’s hands that held the reins of the horse. She squinted slightly, trying to regain her vision, it was tunneling. She took in a slow breath. “I was in the cave because it was the only place I could find to hide…” She spoke as she thought back to the torture. She’d been beaten before, but the Captain took things to a whole new level. She would have died there, had the mystery woman not saved her from the castle.
“The scroll is everything to my people…and, it isn’t blank, your human eyes just can’t make out the writing upon it. It is a map.” She spoke and glanced to Lynn for a moment. “King Lazarus about 5 years ago now, he came in and he killed the majority of our warriors, what we have left…well…” She took in a breath and shook her head. “Our council, our king, we have a few warriors trained in the skill of sword, and then of course we have the rest of our population. Many innocents died…but what he did…” She paused, her voice angry. “He found a crystal that is capable of absorbing magic, we heard of it happening to the Singhali Elves of the east. King Ornae did everything he could to protect us. My mother even went with a peace treaty group…a group of 10 that Lazarus and his men slaughtered…the knights stormed our city and they activated the crystal, it sucked the magical essence out of us…” She balled her hand into a fist, trying to imagine her powers again. “He plans to use it against us, against the entire world I imagine.”
“King Ornae he sent me to gather this scroll, it was in a case of artifacts that the knights of Lazarus stole when they stormed our city. They lit several buildings on fire…” She paused, she could remember that night as if it were yesterday. She’d watched the knights slit her mother’s throat as well as the other peace keeper elves. It was a nightmare. The bodies. The damage. She’d been a part of the warriors to hold off the knights since then. Though, it never seemed to help. Only now had King Ornae managed to figure a way into the ice caverns without his magic to save the remaining members of their city. Of their kind…
“We are Peace Keeper Elves, Lynn. My people haven’t ever started a war, yet Lazarus and his men seek us out. Our magic was strong, and I imagine that is all that he saw. It is an invaluable trait that humans seem to want to suck from my people. I’ve even heard of him attempting to take down the cities of mages across the lands. His army is strong, and of course, he hires the Crusaders to put down an iron fist…”
Azariah let out a shaken breath, “We must travel north to Yedo. I know a cleric there, he can heal my wounds so long as the king has not killed him for his magic too.” She shifted slightly and leaned heavily back, the tunneling of her vision was becoming worse. She needed the assistance of a healer, certainly. “I need to get to the ice caverns, far, far to the north, near the edge of the land far within the mountains. It is a treacherous journey….I promise, Lynn, you help me get home to my people, myself and my king will pay you well. Well enough to survive the rest of your life without the need of the Crusaders. My people are in a time of great need, you are the first human to show me mercy.”
She paused for a moment, “I was captured by the Captain of King Lazarus’ army….on the night that I got the scroll. I slipped up. I let a guard see me. I was too rash…it isn’t like me…” She slurred her words slightly. “The captain and his men…tortured me…they beat me…these injuries…all of it…from them, I barely escaped with my life….” Her eyes fluttered slightly. “Please, take me to Yedo, Lynn…” Her voice was trailing off. “As for Cleric Leo…he…he will know what to do…” Her body trembled slightly. “Then…we may continue…on…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 18:02:30 GMT -5
Lynn listened to the elf speak to her. Lynn glanced over her shoulder as they trot on the walk way. The sun was covered by a bit of cloud – snow was drifting down over the trees and land. “I hate to imagine what it is like on the other end of my spectrum. The one who’s home is terrorized and destroyed…” she let out sigh and listened on.
“The king thinks he can take this magic for himself, and if he can’t – he has decided that no one should have it. Too great of a power, so he says. But he is a narcissistic ass. Good luck finding a human that actually likes him… he throws lives away and starts wars of vocal bickering matches. Yet the man doesn’t know a sword, and hardly even knows a quill. He was the remaining of a very glorious blood line, a coward who killed his brothers for the throne. What choice do we have?” she wrapped an arm around Azariah as she became tired.
“The humans are so torn with honor and code. So much that they would banish me for being a woman. I have given my life to the Crusades… what I have done I can never undo, and now that was for nothing? All forgotten because I am a woman” she shook her head. They entered a forest – the snow lingered in patches, mostly blocked by the canopy of leafless branches.
“I did not join the Crusaders by my own will, however. When I was young a storm of Crusaders came through my small town. My father owed a debt that he could never pay… I was only 10 at the time… I ran into the bathroom and cut my hair with my father’s knife, and came running to them. I offered to join and serve, if they would spare my family…” her voice grew low and then she chuckled. “They did spare my family... at least”
They stopped a fork in the road – “Yedo” she turned the horse and continued on.. “I will have to get new armor. The only use it is now is to pretend you are my prisoner – but most would kill you on sight regardless. Two elf ears are worth quite a penny…” the continued further. “However I do not have a single coin… I may have to find a quick job or two… chop some limber or something. Get something until perhaps your people can help me obtain a battleworthy set…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 18:36:43 GMT -5
Azariah listened as Lynn spoke, she looked to the snow as it swirled around with the slight breeze in the air. “Her is a pitiful soul.” She whispered and let out a long breath. “My people, my king, the council. We will supply you with an armor that no human has had the graces to have.” She smirked slightly, her body leaned fully against Lynn by then, she was truly exhausted. The wounds that were inflicted upon her body were taking quite the toll. “I owe you my life, I never thought that I would find myself speaking such words to a human. It is…” She paused and thought for a moment. “Refreshing. A soul that knows no bounds, a soul that only wishes to do good to others. I have yet to find that in a human other than the Cleric. The people of Yedo are different.” She spoke her voice growing soft. “The first time I stumbled upon Yedo was a mistake, a wonderful mistake.”
Yedo was a town that was known only by a few. Only by word of mouth. It was deep within the forest. It was off of the beaten trail, hidden away miles deep into the depths of the beautiful green, and even then it was shrouded by the mist of the huge waterfalls that surrounded it. Azariah reached forward slightly, her hand shook. “Yedo, is this way.” She spoke as she pulled at the reins and pulled Bonnie off of the pathway into the darkness of the forest. Snow was coming down yet again, covering up their trail into the forest. By the time they’d pull off of the trail the sun was beginning to set, it was hidden behind dark storm clouds. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Azariah gave a slight smile. “When I stumbled upon Yedo I was taken as an enemy, uninvited. At first. As an intruder they captured me, binding me with magic. It had been a few years since I’d even found a soul with magic, after the king stole the magic from my people I was sent on missions to other near by elven villages. The people of Zensay were completely wiped off of the map, killed, slaughtered. Every last one. Though, the people of Zensay were warriors at heart, they were not like my people, they did not try to please the king, they stood for a fight and they did what they could, only to meet their demise…” She sighed slightly.
Azariah shook her head, “I digress.” She took in a breath, her leg ached. Her side felt as though it was on fire, and everything else was a constant reminder of the captain’s efforts to break her. “A mage bound me with magic, I was placed before the council and questioned. It was all a very peaceful experience. Once the people of Yedo realized that I was not a threat I was released and allowed to wander the beautiful city.” She pulled the reins slightly and directed Bonnie a bit more toward the north west. Azariah shivered, the temperature was beginning to plummet with the darkness.
“We need to seek shelter for the night, when we wake in the morning, it will be easier to travel to Yedo, traveling by night can be rather dangerous, especially this time of year. The wrong step on thin ice….” She glanced around in the dim light that remained. “Just a bit further, there should be a shelter in these woods….somewhere near here…” She pulled at the reins gently again and leaned forward slightly, gripping the saddle horn with her other hand, her breaths shook. “There.” She gave a nod. In the distance a mound could be seen. As they came closer it was evident that a huge oak tree grew in the forest, the roots were lifted and plunged into the earth, creating a shelter beneath the tree that kept out the snow. It was evident that this was a halfway point of sorts, a fire ring was set up at the edge of the huge tree.
Azariah pulled Bonnie to a stop. “Tomorrow we can make it to Yedo…” She whispered softly and slipped from the back of the horse. Azariah let out a small cry as she landed, blood leaked from the stitches in her leg. She fell against the huge root of the tree and gripped onto it tightly. She shut her eyes for a moment before she limped beneath the tree. Cut up logs and tinder were placed back in the dug out shelter. Azariah moved about beneath the tree. She whispered a few lines in elvish and held her hand up. A spark came from her fingertip. Her powers were locked away, yet, she still held a bit of power. She took in a slow deep breath and wrapped her fingers around the log. It began to pop and crackle, after a few moments flames came from the log. Azariah lay back, her breathing quickened slightly, her eyes fluttered. She was in no condition to even attempt the use of magic. She lay down near the fire and instantly her eyes slipped shut and she fell unconscious all of her muscles loosened as she lay in a heap near the fire.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 19:03:50 GMT -5
Lynn listened as she spoke of being captured by the people of Yedo… it was interesting. “I’ve never heard of such a city. I’ve never seen much magic at all, only stories… there is a different division in the Crusaders dedicated to hunting those with magic, I was not of it” she spoke as Azariah turned the horse for her. Bonnie grunted slightly but then followed through, she knew she wasn’t being lead by her master.
As they came to the camp site – Lynn was breath taken. The beautiful white snow layered over the roots of the tree, but yet the center of the camp was untouched. Lynn climbed from Bonnie after Azariah and glanced around. She pulled an apple from her pack and handed it to Bonnie. She stepped forward and placed her hand on the giant jaw of her horse and scratched slightly. “That’s a good girl” she whispered. Lynn pulled her helmet off and hung it on a hook that was on Bonnie’s saddle. She then leaned forward and placed a kiss on Bonnie’s head. “Hang in there, we will get you a nice big meal when we get to town…”
Lynn stepped toward the tree, her eyes glanced to the pile of wood. There was an old axe sitting on the ground… she lifted it and hacked at a few logs that sat there, she quartered them easily – replacing the logs they had used. She set the axe back down and made her way to the other side of the tree. She glanced back just in time to see Azariah lighting a flame. She watched a spark jump from her finger – the fire catching easily. It was amazing, even the smallest thing it seemed. She held her hands out – each finger was covered by her gauntlet, gloved.
Lynn stepped over as she saw something moving – and then a loud crack snapped the air. A trap… Lynn stepped over to the bear trap – which had clamped down on a fat rabbit. “Dang” she spoke and leaned down. “Sorry little one…” she opened the trap and reset it… she held the limp rabbit in her hand… She walked away a bit and gut the rabbit. With one swift motion she pulled back the skin and then tossed it. Just as a she did an owl swooped down and caught it… another not far swooped in and picked at the innards..
Lynn walked back and glanced around the campsite. There was an old simple short sword sticking out of the ground…she stepped over and lifted it up. After some dusting off – she stabbed the rabbit with the blade and held it into the fire, now sitting next to Azariah – who had passed out. She turned the sword slowly in her hand, cooking the rabbit…
Soon it was done… the moon was out now and the forest grew dark. She pulled the rabbit off of the sword and pulled one of the legs – eating it contently. She pulled out a cloth and set the rest of it down, to save for Azariah and the morning. She pulled her sword out and held it in her lap, her fingers traced the hilt… her fingers moving over the treated leather that wrapped the grip… treated and worn from years.
Eventually Lynn fell asleep, she laid on the ground on her side, her body facing the fire which had died down slightly. Bonnie had moved under the tree, laying down right on the edge of it. Her head was pointed towards Lynn… her huge breaths would send a wave of warm air over Lynn’s forehead, but she was used to it..
When morning came she was woken by Bonnie who grunted huffed. Lynn opened her eyes slowly and sighed. She sat up and fixed her hair – which was laying all sorts of directions. She held her canteen up in the air and poured the water – instantly it was lapped up by Bonnie. After which Lynn had a few gulps and then she capped it.
“Do you think this city will take kindly to me in this uniform?” she questioned… “Perhaps I will be bound too and questioned” she chuckled and then handed a rabbit leg over to Azariah. “I am ready when you are…” she spoke and then walked over to Bonnie. Her fingers ran through Bonnie’s mane, caressing her as she waiting for Azariah to get ready.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 19:58:36 GMT -5
Azariah slept through the night, she woke the next morning to the sound of Bonnie lapping up the water from the canteen. Her eyes opened slowly and she looked to Lynn for a moment as she took the rabbit’s leg. “Thank you.” She spoke and then gave a nod. “Master Levin will take my word that you are not a threat.” She spoke. “All be it you are in the armor of those who cause harm to many.” She shook her head slightly, “Though, who am I to blame?” She questioned. “Unfortunately the Crusaders are there to follow the orders of the kings and queens whom command them. As the story goes, those with the Crusaders on their side will always be victorious. That, from what I have observed is a well proven fact.” She sighed. “Though, when taking such an order….when killing…did you ever stop to wonder why?” She limped up to Lynn’s side and looked to Bonnie for a moment before she allowed Lynn to help her up onto the horse.
She tugged slightly at the reins and pointed them in the direction of Yedo. Azariah was quiet as they journeyed thinking of the times she’d narrowly escaped the swords of a Crusader over the years. She as much older than she looked. It was her elven heritage. Elves lived to be rather old in comparison to humans. Legend had it that elves were immortal, though, that was not the case. An elf if allowed to life through full lifespan would live around 300 years, though with the war of the humans a lot of elves had been wiped off of the map. Elders gone. Azariah’s people were nearly the only elves left. Azariah pulled the reins as a cracking sound came from beneath them. “Easy…” She spoke, her pulse quickened. The cracking continued with each step, they were over a stream. She nearly held her breath until they made it back to solid ground again.
After a few hours of traveling through the forest at a good pace they came to a valley that was filled with a mist that hung thick as fog. “Almost there.” Azariah spoke as she adjusted the reins once again. She shifted forward and held onto the saddle horn again, a smile curved up her lips as they pushed through the fog. The sun began to shine as they pushed through the mist. The sound of waterfalls could be heard. It had been a few years since she’d set foot in Yedo.
In the distance as the mist seemed to let up the city could be seen, the tips of the buildings reaching up toward the beautiful blue skies. The city was surrounded in water, the falls fell behind the city as well as round it. With the mist the city appeared to float in a way. “Just as beautiful as ever.” She spoke as they made their way to the edge of the water that rushed along from the waterfalls. They followed the edge of the water and climbed up the mountain toward the city. A huge stone bridge was hidden in the mist. Azariah glanced around as they stepped onto the bridge, the clopping of Bonnie’s hooves rang out loudly against the stone.
“Halt.” A guard spoke. He stood at a gateway that came into view, another guard had a bow aimed at them.
Azariah pulled gently at the reins. She looked to the knight and gave a nod. “Azariah!” A voice called from the top of the wall. “It’s been long enough!” Laughter could be heard. “Let them in!” He ordered. The gates parted and they were allowed into the city. As they pushed forward a knight came running down the stairs, a grin on his lips. He had pointed ears, black armor clinked as he made his way to the horse. Azariah slipped from the horse in just enough time for him to catch her stumble. He grimaced slightly at the whimper that came over her lips. The knight lifted her into his arms nearly instantly. “Azariah…you are not well at all…” He spoke and looked to her injuries. He looked up to Lynn and searched her eyes for a moment. “Come.”
He lifted her and ran forward into the city. The structures were beautiful, all made of brick and stone with stunning architecture. The people of this city were mixed. Dwarfs. Elves. Mages. Clerics. Humans. It was incredible to see all of the species living as one. The residents glanced to the commotion with curiosity. He wound through the city and pushed into a building. “This way, stranger.” He spoke and looked to Lynn. He stepped inside and down a flight of stairs. They entered a room that was filled with lit candles. “Cleric.” He spoke. “Cleric are you here?”
“Are you interrupting my medita--…oh my…” He stepped from behind a cloth that hung over a doorway. He glanced to Lynn and then to Azariah.
“I’m okay…really…” Azariah spoke, though it was evident in the pale of her complexion that she was not.
Cleric Leo wore a tan leather chest piece with a cloak that hung from his back. He had dark hair and a well groomed goatee. He rushed Azariah into a room with a bed and had the knight set her there. He looked over her injuries. “What trouble have you gotten yourself into now, Az?” He asked as he searched through his books. “And, what on earth are you doing traveling with a Crusader?” He then looked to Lynn, “A woman Crusader, how noble.” He nodded his head, “Though, I was certain that they were lacking the open mind of allowing a woman among their ranks. Is my information incorrect?” He asked and then shook his head as he flipped through pages. “These injuries are rather severe Az.”
“King Lazarus’ Captain did this.” She spoke softly.
“Ah the word is true.” He smiled, “An elf did steal the scrolls.” He let out a chuckle. “Good job, you may have saved more than just your city.”
The knight shifted slightly, his brows pulled together. “How did the captain inflict so much damage?” He questioned.
“I was captured, Orion.” Azariah whispered softly.
The knight grit his teeth he glanced to Lynn again before he looked back to the Cleric. “You can help, right Leo?”
“Yes, yes, give me a moment.” He spoke as he found the page. “Here we are.” He held the book and placed his free hand on Azariah’s forehead. He then began to speak in an ancient tongue. One that Lynn would not have known. It was a language that died years ago when Lazarus’ family first began killing off those with magic. His hand began to glow blue and inscriptions ran up his arm, his eyes glowed slightly as he continued to speak. The blue glow began to crawl over Azariah’s body until she was submerged in a gentle glow. He continued speaking for several minutes until he shut the book and took a step back.
As the glow faded from Azariah it was evident that all of her injuries were gone. Vanished. The bruises on her face were no where to be found. She sat up slowly and pulled the cloth from her leg, the arrow wound was completely gone, the thread from the stiches fell from her leg to the floor. “Thank you Cleric.” She gave a gentle smile.
“Of course, Azariah.” He chuckled, “Now then.” He turned and looked to Lynn, “How is it that our elf here ended up with you?” He searched her eyes.
“She saved me.” Azariah pipped up.
Orion grinned and uncrossed his arms. “A human, saved an elf? Outside of Yedo?” He chuckled then before he looked to Lynn. He took her hand and bowed deeply. “My lady, the people of Yedo thank you for your kind heart.” He grinned then. “So, tell us about yourself.”
This was their way of gaining trust in her. Orion and Leo would question her. Azariah gave a nod to Lynn. “Tell them.” She gave a gentle smile as she stood and stretched, she felt amazing. On top of the world. The blue of her eyes of even more beautiful than before, her exhaustion had taken a toll on her. Without all of the injuries her complexion had also returned to normal, which complemented her eyes rather well.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 20:27:04 GMT -5
Lynn helped Azariah climb onto Bonnie, and with that they left the site. “I would ask every time, but the words never left my mouth. As a Crusader you do not wish to question or defy the order, your life will instantly become hell that way. Honestly, I wanted to raise in the ranks – to prove myself, and to women that it could be done. To do that… I shamefully carried out every order. Even the ones I dare never to speak of…” her voice grew soft and low.
After that moment of truth she appreciated the silence as they continued onward. Her eyes looked about – though it might appear she was admiring the view, she looked for any threats. Constantly. Though soon, after trekking at angle for a while – the rounded a slender corner and came across the valley. The mist rolled in – hovering in the space in the between. She glanced up – something hidden in this fog.
Bonnie climbed upward and soon she could see it – a huge city floating in the air. Water falls crashed from multiple sides into the river below… “Whoa…” she whispered as her eyes traced the outline of the city. She expected it maybe in a drawing, or scroll, but this was real life. A gust of wind whipped down – mist sprayed across her face. This was real…
As they came to the entrance – Lynn climbed from Bonnie and watched the interactions. She was sure to remain calm, and not to make any sudden movements. She didn’t want these people to get the wrong idea. She followed behind them, her armored legs clanking slightly as she followed behind. Her eyes looked over the people who stared – there were people she had never seen before. Short people, some with glowing eyes, some of odd colors… what was this place?
“We shall house your horse” An Elf approached and bowed his head.
“Oh, thank you..” Lynn spoke and glanced up to Bonnie. Bonnie snorted slightly and rubbed her nose against Lynn.
“You two have a lovely bond, how long have you been traveling together?” the man approached Bonnie and took her reigns.
“A long time…. I can’t say I remember exactly when. A few years for certain… Bonnie is my friend – more than just a tool” she smiled and then nodded. After Bonnie clopped away – she dashed forward and caught up with the running Elf, who carried Azariah away.
They entered a beautiful building – as she stepped inside her eyes peered around. Books stacked about, items that glowed…vibrated..hummed, however – were everywhere. She had never seen something like this… she glanced up then just as the Cleric stood.. book in hand. Her eyes stared to the blue lines that carved through his arm. Her jaw dropped as a blast of light poured into Azariah – the deep cuts seem to shrink until they were gone… the bruising and blemishes faded to normal… It was suddenly – fixed. Like it never happened.
Lynn felt an odd tingling sensation during it all, the hairs on her arms rose under her metal armor. She shivered slightly at the sight. Then suddenly she realized they were talking to her. “I.. uh…” she was startled from her thoughts… She replayed it over and over in her head. “I’ve never seen magic before” she muttered and let out a deep breath. So many people died… so many injured… so many – and yet here stood a man that could stop it completely.
“The Crusaders did not take it lightly – finding the truth of who I am… Women are not accepted in military forces. I gave my life to that – and now I have to find a new. So, there is not much to say about myself… who I was before doesn’t matter for who I am to become” she pulled her sword and held it out, and then set it down. She then unhooked her shoulder pads. She set them on a table.. bit by bit she pulled her armor off and laid them on the empty table. She then pulled the chain mail off and folded it slightly. She only stood now in a white tunic and black leather pants.
Her body was toned, very fit – her arms strong and larger than the typical. Wearing an extra 50-75 pounds would bulk one up… but she was curvy and her skin was a very gentle pale white, untouched by the sun.. covered by her armor. She reached under her shirt and pulled at a piece of fabric – the binding on her chest unraveled. She rolled the fabric up around her hand and then squeezed it in her palm.
“I am hoping to find the beginning to my story here…”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 21:16:37 GMT -5
Azariah sat down on the edge of the bed that Leo healed her on. She listened as Lynn spoke and smile curved up her lips. “Her name is Lynn.” She nodded. “We can start with that, hm?” She stood and hugged Leo for a moment, “Thank you, Leo.” She took in a deep breath, he smelled of incense and herbs. “May we see Master Levin?” She asked.
“Ah, Master is to return tomorrow, he and a few members of the order as well of a few of our best knights are out in the forest, they traveled to Greyzem for a few items.” The cleric spoke. He looked to Lynn and gave a nod. “You may have had to hide your true identity to the Crusaders, but to us, here, I believe that seeing you as yourself is the best beginning.” He gave a nod as he looked to the cloth in her hand. “I imagine you are quite skilled in the use of your sword.” He gave a smile. “The Crusaders are rather skilled warriors, though, I wouldn’t wish to meet one of the men that you called your comrades in the past, my head would roll.” He shook his head slightly. “Humans, do not understand magic.”
“It’s fear.” Orion spoke. He stepped forward and inspected the armor, lifting it and turning it over a few times before he set it back down. “Humans fear what is different. They aim to control it. King Lazarus, he is definitely one of fear. He slaughtered his family to take control….not many would perform such a horrible act.” He looked to Azariah then and smiled. “You look much better healed.” He nodded. “Why don’t you two make yourself at home? You know where you may stay, Azariah. I need to return to the gates, to help keep watch.” He gave Azariah a caring embrace for a moment before he took a step back. “it is good to see you again.” With that he left.
Azariah hugged him back and left out a soft chuckle. “It is good to see you too, Orion.” She spoke and then looked to Lynn. “I will show you around the city then.” She gave a nod and stepped from the building. “I know a blacksmith here, she is quite amazing actually. Sam does owe me a few favors.” She chuckled as she stepped through the city. “It must feel freeing to remove the armor? And…the bind?” Azariah then walked off down an alley, the city was busy with the inhabitants. People walked this way and that. She led Lynn through the city until they came to a door, a small wooden open sign hung in it. “You will enjoy this.” She spoke as she pushed into the building.
“Peace Keeper.” An old voice spoke. An elf stepped out from behind the counter, she was old, her hair was grey. “I was worried, I’ve heard horrible things of the world outside of here.”
“The horrible things that you hear are true, I am sad to say, Ileana.” Azariah spoke and bowed her head.
“I feared as much.” The woman spoke, “Come.” She led them into the building. Tables were set up. It was a restaurant, a café of sorts. She set them down. “I’ll bring you your favorite.” She then looked to Lynn, “As for you dear, it will be your new favorite.” She smiled, the wrinkles on her face were more pronounced now.
Azariah chuckled as the old elf walked away. “It will feel good to have something in my stomach finally, I’ve been nibbling on food before I was captured, getting what I could, and then, well…you know what I’ve had since then….” She sighed slightly. A young pixie came, she was short and had a wonderful smile as she set mugs on the table and a hot pot of tea she then stepped away. “Yedo is a fascinating place, isn’t it?” She asked and smiled. “I lived here for a short period of time at one point, finding a place like this, where the all creatures live harmoniously, it is incredible.” She then poured the tea into the two mugs and took a sip, it was just the right temperature.
Soon food was brought out onto the table, biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, and a fresh bowl of fruit. Azariah smiled, “Just what we needed, hm?” She scooped some of the food onto her plate and began to eat. The food was perfectly seasoned. It melted in her mouth. She smiled contently and soon they stood from the table. She hugged the old elf and stepped from the restaurant. “We will see Sam, then.” She nodded. Azariah walked through the streets. “What do you want to make of yourself, Lynn? What is it you want to become?” She asked and glanced to her as they entered an open area in the center of the town a market. Azariah walked to the edge of the market where a building was cut into. A hot lathe burned with bright orange coals. Helmets, chest pieces, and other sorts of armor hung as well as axes, swords, shields. Everything one could imagine.
Azariah stepped inside of the open shop as the clanking of metal sounded. A woman with long brown hair stood over the red hot sword that she was creating, a mallet in her hand. She wore intricate armor. She looked up for a moment before she made her last few blows and set the sword in the water to cool. Her armor was buckled with leather clasps in the front with beautiful designs worked into the metal layers of the vest. Her gauntlets were large, to protect her from the heat of her work. “Az, I feared the worst for you.” She spoke and gave a nod. “It is good to see that you are still among the living.” She glanced to Lynn and smiled. “And with a new friend, I see.”
Azariah smiled, “Sam, it is good to see you.” She grinned and then looked to Lynn. “This is Lynn, she is in need of a few things.”
“I see.” Sam stepped forward from behind her counter. She snapped her fingers and a measuring tape came flying from her desk across the room into her hands. “What is it that I can do for you, Lynn?” She asked with a smile.
Azariah nodded to Lynn. “Sam is an excellent blacksmith, what makes her work special is she is a mage, her armor and weapons are enchanted.” She then looked to Sam. “Sam, that favor….”
Sam looked to Azariah and sighed slightly. “I knew you wouldn’t forget.” She rolled her eyes slightly, though she was playing it seemed. “Of course, a favor for your new friend here.” She turned her attention back to Lynn. “Now, what can I do for you Lynn?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 18, 2017 21:54:16 GMT -5
“I agree” Lynn intercepted “Even the humans who follow him say the same. He is greedy and cowardly, he hides behind the sword and shield of his military. Unfortunately the Kingdom has too many historic pacts with other militaries as well. The Crusaders fight for him, the Templars, the Wolf Guards..” she shook her head. “His pockets are deep enough to allow it” she crossed her arms and watched the crew interact.
“Thank you, sir Orion” Lynn spoke and nodded to him. Orion stopped before her and then chuckled, walking away after. Lynn raised an eyebrow and then let it go. She followed Azariah out of the building and onto the streets. “This place is amazing – I had heard rumor of stories that detailed places like this… with all these people, different people… but those scrolls, books – they are no where to be found. I had forgotten those stories, written off in my memories of imagination…” she followed her into the café.
She sat down and smiled to the old lady, chuckling when she spoke that this would be her new favorite. And she was right – it was perfect… the texture was right on, the gravy was full of flavor, spice and all. It was too soon that the food was gone, downed by the best cup of tea she had ever had. “That was simply amazing” she grinned. “We always took pride in our food but that was beyond anything I’ve had” she leaned back and glanced about.
“People here really know who you are… curious to know the story behind that…” she then stood and followed Azariah to the blacksmith. She could hear the pounding of metal on an anvil from across the city. She could tell it was perfect – the sound of the metal and hammer to anvil rang with perfection… the Rhythm was perfect…
Lynn was startled by the tape measure that jumped upward into the air. It moved about her body, squeezing on her chest, waist, thighs, arms – every inch of her it measured. “Uhh” she finally glanced up to the woman standing before her. “Um, Hi.” She finally gathered herself. “I need a set of armor… prior to this I was a um..” she glanced to Azariah and then continued. “I was a Crusader… I wore a full suit of armor, with chain mail underneath. I am looking for something that is close to that but perhaps less coverage, more flexibility, and lighter if possible” she spoke and nodded.
Sam glanced to Azariah and then to Lynn. “I see, yes… hm. I think I have something in mind – it will be a touch of Elven and a touch of humanistic characteristics in the design… come back by the end of the day. I will have your set of armor” she spoke and then grinned. “Oh, sword and board or?”
“Yes… I would like to wield a shield” she nodded and glanced to Azariah.
“Perfect… come back later before supper – we can have dinner and try the armor on hm?” she smiled and then rushed over to her supplies…
“Okay.. well… thanks Azariah – for spending that favor on me… I appreciate it” she smiled and then looked out to the city. “So tell me why everyone knows you – what did you do?” she questioned as their footsteps lead them out to the street.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 19, 2017 20:12:00 GMT -5
Azariah gave a smile as she watched Lynn and Sam speaking with each other. She gave a nod as they stepped out of the blacksmith shop. “Well, it was shortly after I’d found Yedo, actually.” She began. She walked with Lynn through the streets, making a turn here and there, seemingly headed somewhere. “Master Levin sent a letter by pigeon for my aid. It was dire. His hand writing was shaky, rushed. I can still remember opening the letter, the wax seal was fresh, so fresh I wouldn’t have been surprised for it to still be warm.” She let out a soft chuckle as they turned and began walking up a staircase that climbed up through the mist that surrounded the city. “Master Levin needed me to find his son, he’d been on a mission to retrieve ancient artifacts from a tomb about three clicks south of here. He sent his son with a few of his best, to include the Cleric Leo, Orion, as well as Sam…so, not everyone knows me.” She smirked then, “It is just the select few, the right few that know me…”
Azariah stopped as they made it to the top of the staircase, she looked to a statue that was build, it was an angel that overlooked the city. She leaned against the cobblestone wall that was put up and looked down on Yedo. “I had to find them.” She looked to Lynn for a moment. “I took off from my city and came straight here upon my own horse. I rode through the night to make it to Yedo….when I arrived Master Levin was frantic. I took what information he had and I was off yet again.”
Azariah stared over the city for a long moment. “I tracked his son down and found that he and the others had been captured by humans. Very confused humans. You see, Master Levin is half Pixie, half elf, and then he had a Cleric, an elven knight, and a blacksmith. It wasn’t a group that would pass an normal anywhere.” She paused for a moment. “Master Levin’s son was beaten badly, his arm broken, other bones broken as well. They hung him by his wrist from a tree. The others were bound to the trunk. It was a nightmarish scene to ride up to….I didn’t question it, I didn’t second guess nor did I stop.” She closed her eyes, remembering. “I rode into the middle of the camp of humans and demanded that they release their prisoners.” She let out a soft chuckle, “Of course the humans were not apt to listen. I jumped down from my horse and tapped his rear, sending him to lift the Master’s son from hanging. I pulled my sword and I fought. The whole fight is a blur to me. Though, by the end I remember falling to my knees, blood running down my sword. I’d fought for something, more than my own people had fought in hundreds of years.” She gripped the cobblestone, “I freed the Master’s son as well as the others before I finally succumbed to the wounds that the humans inflicted upon me. It was a sight to see, Cleric Leo has told me several times that I was lucky he was there. I had a dagger in my chest, an arrow in my back, another in my leg…gashes from swords. Yet, I saved them.” She opened her eyes. “Master Levin is indebt to me, as I am indebt to you, Lynn.” She looked to Lynn for a long moment. “I will forever owe you my favors, just as Sam, Leo, Orion and Master Levin will have favors to give to me.” She smiled, “I’m sure that there was some form of code in the Crusaders, but, nothing of Yedo or Elven law. I will forever owe you, Lynn.”
Azriah stepped to the statue and looked up to it for a moment. “You truly did save my life, something I never thought I would gain from a human.” She smiled and looked to Lynn. “You are full of surprises, it is intriguing.” She then stepped to the cobblestone wall again and fell silent as she looked up to the beautiful blue sky.
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