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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 11, 2018 20:21:42 GMT -5
Adrian looked to the princess as she emerged with her dress on. “Wow, that is definitely…spicy as you called it.” She chuckled as they walked outside. She looked down to the skirt of her dress and moved slightly getting a feel for it. It felt so heavy compared to her usual clothing. As they walked into the inn she glanced to Sylvia as she spoke her name to the innkeeper. A smile on her lips. She followed the princess up the stairs and she walked over to the balcony window. “I’ve never been to a ball, or any royal affairs.” She spoke. “I wasn’t raised in a life like that. My days were filled with training and a lot of reading.” She chuckled. “I suppose that is why I’ve always been such a bookworm. The boys at the tavern used to make fun of me, a barkeep that loves to read.” She shook her head. Adrian looked to Sylvia when she offered to teach her to dance. “Okay…” She spoke and stepped forward. She allowed Sylvia to guide her hands into the proper placement. She listened to the directions, her eyes stared down between them for a few minutes, making sure she didn’t stomp on Sylvia’s feet. She looked up to the princess as she spoke.
“This isn’t so bad.” She spoke and chuckled. It was then that Sylvia sent her for the twirl. She spun and her back pressed against Sylvia’s chest. She chuckled to the comment. “Noted.” She blushed slightly. Adrian pulled away. “We should head to the ball hm? It’s about that time.”
Adrian walked down the stairs and out into the streets. All the nobles seemed to be converging toward the castle where the ball was to be held. She looked to Sylvia, “You should call yourself something else, while we are here…to help keep the peace…you know?” She spoke, her voice soft. They were approaching the gate. “I’m nervous.” She let out a chuckle. “I’ve never been nervous like this before.” She looked to Sylvia, “I can’t mess this up, you know? Your life depends on it, the kingdom depends on it.”
“Tickets.” The knight spoke and held his hand out.
Adrian looked to him, she gave a smile. “We were invited by the king himself.” She spoke and looked into his eyes, her own glowed and swirled with silver.
“Oh yes….of course, my apologies.” The knight moved his arm from her path. “I must have forgotten, have a lovely evening ladies.”
Adrian chuckled as they stepped inside, she glanced to Sylvia. “The amount of trouble I have gotten myself into with my abilities. The Grand Master used to have stern conversations with me when I was younger, because of how I can get my way.” She grinned to the princess. She looked around the beautiful ball room, looking to all of the men and women who were dressed up.
The music ceased as the king stepped onto a stage. “Lords and Ladies.” He spoke as he raised his glass. “Tonight is more than just a celebration, tonight we will honor the passing of my son. Let us not remember him in sorrow, but with joy. His life was cut short without meaning.” He bowed his head. The princess stood next to him, her hands clasped in front of her, she bowed her head as well. On the other side of the king was a man that was dressed nicely. “A word from my advisor.”
The man stepped forward and raised his glass. “Good evening lords and ladies. Tonight we have a special guest the Prince of Wayland. Please if you see him in the crowd give him a warm welcome. Without further adue. Enjoy yourself, eat drink and be merry.” He raised up a glass and stepped back.
Adrian glanced to Sylvia. “Let’s hope I learned enough from the master dancer over here.” She winked. “So do I just…”
“May I have this dance?” A man approached her.
Adrian looked to Sylvia with wide eyes as she was pulled into the crowd of nobles that began dancing away. She looked to the man as he held his hands on her waist. Her arms slowly moved up and rest upon his shoulders. She focused, remembering the motions that Sylvia showed her. She glanced around a bit, “Oh!” She gasped, she’d accidently stepped on his toe. “My apologies.” She looked up to him with worried eyes. She didn’t know how terrible it was to misstep.
The man chuckled, “You’re nervous, don’t worry.” He moved her about.
Adrian smiled to him. “That obvious?” She took in a breath and relaxed slightly. Soon enough she said her goodbyes to him and was grabbed by another partner. She was passed around several times before she found herself looking up into the eyes of the king’s advisor.
He grinned down to her as he moved fluidly. “I’ve been watching you all night.” He spoke.
Adrian looked up to him, she blushed slightly. “Oh?” She asked, “I’m that distracting? I know I’m not very good at dancing I….”
“No no, you are doing just fine at dancing, that’s not what caught my eyes.” The advisor chuckled. “What is your name m’lady?” He asked, his eyes never left hers.
Adrian stared up to him, her pulse increased slightly. “Adrian.” She replied. “Yours?”
The advisor grinned, “Adrian….that’s a unique name, isn’t it?” He moved her about in the dance, keeping good pace with the music. “Leon is my name.” He replied, “I’m the king’s advisor, as you may know.”
Adrian smiled to him, her eyes glowed slightly. “I know, I’ve been wanting to speak to you about something.” She spoke, though as she tried to get into his mind she could feel the wards blocking her. Adrian looked away before he could see the glow in her eyes.
“Oh?” The advisor asked. “Do go on.”
Adrian’s mind raced. She took in a breath and looked back up to him. “I’ve been hoping to get a dance with you, is all.” She spoke and let out a nervous laugh.
Leon rose a brow as he looked to her. “That’s all?” He chuckled. He then grinned to her. “I can sense something more.” He moved her then, pushing her out to twirl her. Adrian took in a quick breath as she spun and landed her back against him, her pulse raced as his hands moved to her hips. She wasn’t too sure what to do from her but he moved her body until he spun her out again and pulled her in close staring into her eyes. Leon chuckled as he held onto her, “You’re quite the dancer, my compliments to whomever taught you.”
Adrian looked up to him, her cheeks pink. “Oh I’ll be sure to let them know.” She grinned to him.
“You know, if I wasn’t mistaken, I’d say there is something about you.” He spoke. “Something I can’t place.” He leaned close. “You’re rather beautiful, you know?” He nearly whispered this.
Adrian stared into his eyes, she always ran away when this sort of situation happened. She took in a quick breath. “There is something.” Adrian spoke softly.
Leon grinned, he cupped her cheek then, “I know.” He smiled and pulled her closer.
Just then a crash came from one of the windows. Men dressed in black robes stormed into the room. The advisor pushed Adrian forward, protecting her from the falling shards of glass. “Get the advisor! Get the princess!” The leader called out. “Kill them!”
Adrian pulled from his arms. “You’re in danger.” She spoke quickly. She moved swiftly as a man came toward Leon. She blocked an attack and kicked his gun from his hands. Adrian blocked punches and moved around fluidly. She had a bit of trouble in heels, but her fighting was still strong. She knocked him out with a harsh blow to the side of his head. Another rushed toward her, shots fired into the air. Adrian looked to him. She moved quickly and gripped onto him. “You have to stop the others, you can’t attack here.” Her eyes glowed as she took over his mind. The man turned and began firing on his comrades. One by one he shot them down with precise headshots.
Adrian turned just as another pinned Leon to the wall. “Hey!” She called. The man looked to her just as she slammed her fist into the side of his head. “Why don’t you leave him alone huh?” She stared into his eyes.
“Of course…I….” The assassin seemed confused.
“Stop the others.” She spoke quickly.
Leon stared to her as the assassin ran off. “You’re a mage…” He spoke his jaw loose. Mages didn’t reside in the Kingdom of Brevard. The king banished them. “You…saved me…”
“Yes. Sorry, I didn’t quite get to cover that in our dance, did I?” Adrian looked to him and gave a grin. “Could I borrow this?” She asked as she pulled his pistol from his belt. “I’ll bring it back. Then we can talk, hm?” She turned and fired at the other assassins beginning to pick them off one by one. She glanced around, looking for Sylvia. She couldn’t find her in the sea of cowering nobles. “Damnit….” She spoke under her breath as she pushed into the crowd taking out the assassins.
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Post by Raven on Apr 12, 2018 0:51:06 GMT -5
Sylvia smiled as they danced, chuckling when Adrian span inwards. “You’re not so bad, you know” she grinned. Though soon enough they were headed to the ball. The sun was headed downward, to set on the horizon. A breeze kicked up, which wafted the sweet scent of the feast within the castle.
Getting inside was easy, thankfully with Adrian’s gift. “I am so thankful you have that...I hate having to improvise” she chuckled. Their steps clicked against the polished marble floors, and soon they came to the ballroom. A quartet played in the corner - and the place was crowded with nobles. As much as she hated it - balls were one of the few places she could relax. Someone wasn’t watching her the entire while. It was the only lick of freedom she ever had within the castle walls...
“That’s our guy” she whispered, though her eyes fell to the king, the princess. In that moment she could remember standing in that same spot...
“A dance?” The prince stood before her.
“Shouldn’t you be dancing with the princess?” She spoke
“We’ll it seems there is more than one of them in this room... Sylvia..” he spoke and then took her hands
“Don’t say it too loud now.. it’s Morgan, for tonight” she winked.
“What brings you here, you are wanted” he spoke as he moved with her.
“my father sought to use me and turn me into a weapon, I escaped with the help of the circle. We are here now in hopes to gain audience with the King, we want to form an alliance against my father...” she spoke in a hushed tone.
The prince looked to her with serious eyes and then glanced to the king. “You know he’d kill you if he knew you were here..”
“I have to try... perhaps you can help me?” She questioned
The prince thought for a moment. “I do owe you... I will see what I can do...”
It was then that there was a commotion. “the princess” they both rushed over to her, the prince shielded the princess just as a rebel cane forward with a dagger. Sylvia reached up and grasped his wrist - stopping him from stabbing the prince. She grit her teeth and focused. She sent a zap through his body. He jolted and fell to the ground, like being razed. Sylvia swiftly reached for the blade and held it up.
Seconds later guards rushed in. They apprehended the rebels... and went for Sylvia. The prince shot up - “not her - she saved my life, and the princess” he called out.
The King stepped down and looked to Sylvia - then also to Adrian. “Who are you two?” He questioned. “Come” he waved. Sylvia looked to Adrian -
She thought hard - hoping Adrian would hear. you try to convince them first, if it fails - I will try using my status. But I don’t think the King is going to care, he wishes my family dead...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2018 18:37:00 GMT -5
Adrian caught quick movement out of the corner of her eye. That was when she spotted Sylvia protecting the princess and the prince. She spun around and shot another assassin as the masked figure rushed toward a noble with a dagger out. “Look out!” She called and sprinted back toward Leon. The sound of a gun firing echoed through the air. She turned and fired off two rounds toward the gunners taking them out as bullets cut through the air. Adrian collided with Leon tackling him to the ground. She landed harshly on his chest, she could feel the burning sensation of a bullet in her thigh. “Sorry about that.” She spoke as she looked down to him, his eyes were wide.
The guards rushed forward at this point and pulled her from him, one of the guards held a dagger to her throat. “Stop!” Leon stood. He lifted his pistol from the floor and holstered it.
The knight looked to him. “Sir Leon?” He questioned. Adrian didn’t struggle as she was held against the knight.
“She’s not one of the intruders, unhand her, she saved many lives just now.” Leon spoke as the king approached.
Adrian was released she winced slightly as she took a step forward. She glanced to Sylvia and gave a nod. They followed the king through the castle, the queen walked at his side, they spoke with each other quietly, discussing what happened. The princess glanced back to the two heroines.
Adrian looked around the huge throne room as they walked in, she’d never really been in a castle. Her eyes looked to the beautiful stained glass. The art upon the walls, the statues, the perfectly placed pieces.
The king cleared his throat as he sat in his throne, the queen at his side. The princess on his other side. “Tell me who you are.” He spoke staring to the two.
Adrian bowed her head and took a step forward, the knights flinched their hands going to their swords. She looked to them a moment before her eyes settled in on the king. “My name is Adrian Riggs, I am a mage of the Circle of Magi, from the tower.” She paused.
“A mage?” A knight interrupted. “My King, she is breaking the laws set forth by you.” He took a step forward.
“Stand down and let’s have a listen to this mage.” The king held his hand up. “She clearly means no harm to us. Am I correct?” He asked and turned his eyes to Adrian.
“No, quite the opposite.” Adrian spoke and looked to him. “My city when I was a child was destroyed by the King of Wilhelm.”
The king narrowed his eyes at the mentioning of the other king. “He killed my son.” He spoke, his voice full of anger.
Adrian paused a moment, searching his eyes. “So we have common ground, my king.” She took in a slow breath. “Both of my parents were slaughtered by his raiders. He attacked my city out of spite, he thought they were to rise against him. Anything or anyone that stands in that king’s path will become destroyed if we let him continue.” Adrian paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. “I have come to ask for your allegiance, the circle aims to gather allies so that we may over turn the king and place the princess into the throne, she has no wish for any of this violence and will restore peace to the land.”
The king grit his teeth, “Who are you to come into my castle and assume that I will help you in an uprising against the very king that murdered my son? Clearly he just tried to murder my daughter as well!” His face was red with anger.
The knights stiffened to his reaction, ready to attack. Adrian took in a breath. “I did not assume my king, I am merely asking, as we have common ground.”
The wound of his son’s death was still fresh. The king tightened his hand into a fist. “I’ll not side with mages! Mages are the reason for all of this mess to begin with!” He slammed his fist down.
The queen cleared her throat then and looked to the king. She stood and stepped down to Adrian. “What city was it that you are from?” She asked. The knights had their hands on their swords, ready to attack Adrian if she made a wrong move.
“Talium.” Adrian spoke, her eyes moved about for a moment, gaging everything around her, planning an escape. This didn’t seem to be going well.
The queen searched her eyes for a long moment. “Your mother?” She asked, “Who was she?”
Adrian took in a shaken breath, “Lillian Riggs, my father was Frederic Riggs….”
The queen tilted her head slightly, a soft smile curved up her lips. “I knew your features were strikingly familiar.” She took a step back and walked up to the throne. “Her mother is the mage that healed me of my illness, my king.” She spoke softly. “She is a pure mage, she will not harm us, she can be trusted. Do your remember Lillian?”
The king relaxed slightly, his expression softened and he gave a slow nod. “Lillian was a fine mage.” He spoke as he stared at Adrian. “I see it now.” He looked her over. His eyes then moved to Sylvia. “And who are you?” He asked searching her eyes. “You also seem familiar.”
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Post by Raven on Apr 12, 2018 19:02:51 GMT -5
Sylvia tenses up as she watched – her eyes looking to the King and Queen. She took in a deep breath when the Queen came to her. When she went to speak – a voice came forward. The Prince of Wayland stepped forward.
“It is Princess Sylvia herself…” He spoke, his eyes looking to the Queen. “She has come with the Mage…” he stepped forward, standing before the King and Queen.
“It is me…” Sylvia bowed her head. “I… I want to end my fathers reign of terror. He is mad, lost in himself. He is no longer the man he once was, or perhaps a man at all… he is a coward, and a psychopath, determined that all are against him…” she shook her head. “I am daughter of Sylvanas, magic runs in my blood. My father knew this, and tried to use me as a subject for one of his grand designs, but it was Adrian who rescued me, and showed me true freedom… I have traveled across the lands now, and I see even more of the horrors my father has committed. And I… by no means represent him, or his ideas. I have just been another suffering puppet that he has abused my entire life. I seek revenge, and justice – and peace for everyone…” she then released a long breath.
The Queen stepped over to Sylvia, she smiled weakly. “I remember when you were a young girl… when your father was level headed. You and Jessica….” The Queen looked to her daughter. The Princess looked to Sylvia, she nodded her head.
“We used to play in the upper tower, when we had balls… I remember. Those little wooden dolls and that huge doll house…” Sylvia grinned. “It was the only time of joy I had as a child…” she bowed her head. “I am sorry… for what he has done to you…”
The Queen held her hand up to her cheek. “Sylvanas was a wonderful woman… and equally you are too. I know…” she looked to her King then, with soft eyes.
“Now is the only time. My father has great plans and schemes, he is not stopping for anything. We were able to devise a trap, that may only give us a week or so to gather forces and plan. If we sit idle, out of true fear – we will crumble to his madness. He has gone as far as trying to summon the undead, surely demons and even worse entities are next in his stream of plots…” Sylvia looked to the King now.
“Let him rest in peace knowing you did everything you could to redeem his honor” She spoke confidently now. “And allow this world to have that comfort of peace before sleep, this is all I ask for. Please, help us.”
The King stood up then, his cheeks red. The Queen turned and looked to him, with a certain pair of eyes. The King said nothing, he turned and looked to his daughter. “What should I do, Jessica?” he questioned. “What would your brother want?”
Jessica turned to her father, and then looked to Sylvia with soft eyes. “My brother would want this madness to end. If others are rising… we should too. Strength comes with numbers. If we can put all differences aside, even for a bit, to end the greater evil, we should…” the Princess nodded then.
The King softened and then sat down. “I must set aside my hatred… I had… great plans, he was to become a grand King… but I cannot take that back now…” he spoke aloud. “Fine. Where do we meet?”
“The Tower…” Sylvia glanced to Adrian then.
The King took in a stifled breath and then let it go slowly. “I will send my General.”
“Thank you… your highness.” She bowed her head. “When I gain the throne… I will do everything I can… you are a great man, and an even greater King…”
The King nodded. “Give them my seal, then you should be going. I think I’ve had enough of these affairs…” he then stood and walked out of the room.
Jessica came down the steps and wrapped her arms around Sylvia, hugging her tightly. “It is nice to see you, my friend” she spoke and then glanced to her. “thank you…”
“My father has hurt more than just you, he has had his hand in everyone’s life…” Sylvia then pecked Jessica’s cheek and backed up.
“Adrian… let’s go…” she nodded. The Prince stopped them before they could.
“I will deliver this news to my father, perhaps I can get him on board too… would you mind?” He questioned.
“We could use all the forces we can… I would be in debt to you…” She bowed her head.
“Consider us even” he smiled then.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 12, 2018 19:40:22 GMT -5
Adrian watched as everything played out. She was silent, she allowed the royals to speak .She followed Sylvia from the castle and glanced around the city. “Some ball huh?” She let out a soft laugh. “That was a bit more exciting than I was prepared for, you never told me to expect assassins. Is that a normal affair?” She chuckled then after her joke. “At least we were able to convince the king, I’ve heard rumors of him having mages hung just for entering this kingdom. He isn’t fond of magic…I suppose the curse that was set upon his wife is reason enough to despise magic. Isn’t it?” She questioned. “I never realized that it was my mother that broke the curse.” She took in a breath and glanced around. Adrian caught a glimpse of something in the rooftops. The moonlight glistened slightly. She drew her brows together as she focused, staring up to the shadowy rooftop.
“Sylvia!” Adrian gasped. She spun quickly and pushed Sylvia just as an arrow came down from the rooftop. The arrow sliced through Adrian’s back piercing through her body. She’d landed on top of Sylvia. She gasped slightly. “We….missed one…” She spoke her voice filled with pain.
She rolled from Sylvia and looked down to the arrow that pushed through her body. It entered through her shoulder and exited just above her floating ribs. She took in a shaken breath as she gripped the arrow and in one swift motion she ripped it from her body. Adrian’s eyes flashed with static, she stumbled slightly. She turned her eyes as she heard something land near them. The assassin had jumped down from the rooftop. He held a pistol. “What a prize.” He spoke. “The princess and the mage puppet.” He aimed the pistol at Adrian’s head. “We were sent to murder that princess, but, what better than to bring you back instead? The king has a pretty penny on both of you.” He chuckled.
Adrian blinked a few times. She stepped forward, the steel of the pistol pressed against her forehead. Her eyes were angry as the static rushed about. “Go ahead.” She spoke, her voice serious. “Shooting me isn’t going to get you very far.”
“No, no only half the price.” The man spoke, “But half the price is still worth it.” His finger twitched on the trigger.
Adrian moved swiftly before he could fire. Her hand drove into his elbow, pushing the gun up as he pulled the trigger. She gripped onto his wrist with one hand and the other clutched him around his neck. She slammed him against the wall harshly. “What are the kings plans?” She questioned. “Why are you really here?”
The man chuckled. “Oh you’re good.” He smirked. “I can see why he wanted you.”
Adrian stared to him, her eyes began to glow. “What is the king’s next move?” She questioned.
The assassin stopped chuckling. “Next…he plans to retrieve the ancient scrolls from Talium….the broken city that his raiders leveled years ago. The scrolls hold spells that can rise an army stronger than that of Nekros’ army.” He chuckled at the end. “The circle won’t be able to stop him.”
Adrian stared to him a long moment, “Talium…” She spoke, her voice soft. She’d never returned to her home, not since the attack. In fact the city was never rebuilt. “When will he send troops?” She asked.
“He’s already sent them.” The assassin spoke.
Adrian took in a breath and gripped his throat more tightly, her eyes swirled with fire. Suddenly he burst into ashes. She took a step back. “Sounds like we need to make it to Talium before his soldiers.” Adrian spoke and glanced to Sylvia. She took in a shaken breath and glanced down to her bloody side. “This ability is helpful.” She spoke as she parted the cloth of the dress to reveal her wound was beginning to heal already. “I guess being a demon has its perks, huh?” Adrian spoke as she walked toward the inn. She climbed the stairs and collapsed onto her bed. “You know, Sylvia, the ball was actually really nice, I felt carefree for once.” She let out a soft laugh. “I’ve been raised to always be on my toes, to relax is something that I haven’t ever had the luxury of doing…”
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Post by Raven on Apr 14, 2018 15:55:47 GMT -5
Sylvia glanced to Adrian as she questioned the ball – “Normal? Not quite… I mean sometimes there are brawls, but most often it is a peaceful night” she thought for a second. “The King would be a fool to harm us, knowing that the Circle is backing you up. He doesn’t hate mages, only the ones who are uncontrollable, because at the end of the day… mages have more power than him…” she shrugged then. “He fears the unknown” she then gasped when Sylvia was pushed downward, Adrian.
Sylvia gripped Adrian’s shoulders and glanced down – her eyes staring to the arrow that pierced through Adrian’s body. She winced as Adrian ripped it out and turned to the attacker. She stood up – her hands squeezed into fists as she watched Adrian approach the man. “Adrian –“ it was then that Adrian that subdued him – pulling information out of him with ease.
Sylvia sighed deeply – laughing to herself slightly as Adrian returned to the topic of the ball, as if nothing happened. “I enjoyed it as well. When I was growing up – the balls were the only times I got to breath a little, so… it brings back the only few fond memories I have” she smiled then and then nodded. “We should head to Talium then…”
They left the city walls, just far enough out to summon the dragon. They mounted and headed off into the skies. It was the dead of night – the skies were clear… As they went high, the moon seemed to grow brighter and brighter. Almost a full moon… so the world below them was lit up by the milky light. Her arms wrapped around Adrian and squeezed slightly, her hands clasping her own arms about Adrian’s stomach. Then Sylvia pressed her cheek against Adrian’s back, and rest her eyes. She could feel the wind whipping around them, and the feeling of flying…
It was a few hours later that they were over Talium… the rubble of a city. Soldiers could be seen every where, tents were put up – bonfires lit, they were searching… with no avail, clearly. “This is your home, hm?” she muttered and thought for a long second. “There’s too many…surely… we need to infiltrate. Perhaps… if we could disguise ourselves as one of the soldiers, locate the scrolls, and steal them first?” she spoke out lout. “Let’s land… and figure it out” they landed about a mile from the city.
Sylvia slipped from the dragon and looked to the city in the distance. “If they’re smart… they have a few scouts that walk the perimeter. Perhaps we could steal their clothes?” she questioned, her eyes glancing out… “What do you think?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 14, 2018 16:40:39 GMT -5
Adrian leaned into the wind as they flew. She stared down to Talium, she felt a pit in her stomach. Her memories flashed before her eyes, her mother’s eyes. She could feel the touch of her mother’s hand on her cheek just before she was pushed into the safe room. Sylvia’s voice drew her out of her memories. “Y-yeah…this is my home.” She spoke as they descended. “There are too many, you’re right…I think you are on to something Sylvia. If we can find two soldiers, we should be able to slip in unnoticed and hopefully we can find the scrolls…” She thought for a long moment. “I…” She slipped from Ullr’s back and gave him a pet as he pushed his snout against her palm. He then burst into snow flakes that swirled around her before they floated up into the skies. “I may know where the scrolls were kept, this may be why your father wanted me. My family…” She paused a moment. “My mother, she was a powerful mage, she was of the circle before she and my father had me…she separated from the circle to raise me in Talium…she would still run errands for the grand master, as would my father…” She shook her head. “Most of the circle didn’t even know she was here. Sylvanas knew, at least that is what Julius has told me. He never met my mother though.” She sighed softly. It was painful to be here. Even in her years growing up she’d never even asked to return.
Adrian walked forward her eyes looking to the familiar trail of her childhood that led toward the city. She’d gather herbs with her mother in these fields. She stared absentmindedly into the fields, her eyes showed the sadness that she’d kept bottled up all of the years. She turned her eyes ahead as she heard someone speaking ahead. “I can distract them.” She glanced to Sylvia. “I need you to zap them, alright? I’ll get their attention, and as soon as you can take them out.” She pushed forward to the top of the hill.
Adrian looked down to two guards, one was leaned against a tree, arms crossed. The other poked at an ant hill with his sword. She took in a deep breath and stepped forward toward them. One of the soldiers looked up. “Hey, halt right there.” He spoke and stood from the tree. “I said halt!”
Adrian stopped and looked to him. “I need help.” She spoke softly, she held her hand to her side. “I was attacked on the roadside…I saw the smoke and I thought someone might help me.” She stumbled forward. The soldier caught her as she fell into him. His arms wrapped around her and he held her up. Adrian looked up to him, her eyes glowed. “You should relax.” She spoke and touched his cheek. The soldier stared to her before he nodded. Adrian then looked to the other soldier who held his sword toward her. “Please…” She spoke. “I mean no harm.” She bowed her head.
The soldier stood, his sword aimed to her throat. “You’re a mage.” He spoke, “I saw that.” He placed the blade against her neck. “What did you do to him?” He asked.
Suddenly the other soldier balled up his fist and brought it into the side of the head of the other soldier. Adrian chuckled. “Now.” She spoke to Sylvia and took a step back.
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Post by Raven on Apr 14, 2018 17:31:21 GMT -5
Sylvia looked to Adrian and then nodded.. “Okay, Zap – got it” she smiled and crouched down low, her eyes watching as Adrian ran forwards to a set of scouts. She crept up behind them, hiding in the tall grass as well as she could. The night skies shielded her, all she had to do was focus on being quiet.
She held her hands forward and concentrated. A bolt of electricity flashed from her fingertips and shocked both scouts. She then stood and rushed over – “Well… that was easy enough… but they’re still alive. We don’t want to leave them alive…” she looked to Adrian. “They could compromise our cover.” She then leaned down and held her finger to his temple – shocking the brain easily. And he was gone…
“She is more my size…” she was considerably shorter than Adrian… Sylvia moved over and shocked the woman. “Rest in peace…” she whispered and began to pull the armor off the woman. She clasped the leggings over her pants, the metal chest piece, and shoulder armor… and moved the helmet on, she took in a deep sigh. “This is heavy… not efficient at all…” she spoke and then put the belt on, the sword and gun holstered at her hips…
“Okay… I’m not going to talk much, you will probably have to do the bulk of the work…” Sylvia looked to her, and then they began forward to the city.
“So… you think you might have an idea then, of where it will be?” she questioned softly. They came to the entrance of the city, two guards stood there.
“Your route is not over, why are you returning?” One questioned. Sylvia glanced to Adrian then – but their time was running out.
“We saw something…and figured we needed to report it” Sylvia spoke, her nerves began to boil up within her….
“And… what did you see?” The guard questioned, crossing his arms as he studied them. “Why did you not fire a flare? I did not see one… you know that is the mandate.” He began to push.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 14, 2018 19:04:32 GMT -5
Adrian stripped the armor from the soldier and let out a chuckle when Sylvia mentioned the weight of the gear. “I can’t imagine being stuck in this tin can on a hot day with the sun beating down relentlessly.” They began walking into the city then. Adrian glanced to the old burnt homes. Flashes of her childhood came about again, she remembered the bakery. She looked to the old dilapidated sign just as they were approached. She could hear the words of the soldier as they questioned them, but her mind was stuck on the bakery, her eyes played over the dirty windows, some were shattered, others were clouded over from the heat of the flames. She heard Sylvia respond then and her eyes snapped forward.
“This old thing?” Adrian pulled the flare gun from her holster. “I pulled the trigger twice and it didn’t fire. How are we supposed to call for reinforcements when our gear that we are given is faulty?” She asked as she shoved the flare gun against his chest. “We saw a figure walking toward town, so we thought you might want to know about it.” Her eyes looked into his, red sparks rushed about her pupils.
The soldier staggered slightly from her shoving the gun against his chest so harshly. “Oh I see.” He looked down to the gun, it did look old and beaten up. “I suppose it wasn’t tested well enough then?” He turned it over in his hands. “I’ll have a look at this figure you’re speaking of, you should go and get a new flare gun from the arms master.”
Adrian grinned from beneath the helmet. “Of course, right away sir. The figure looked to be a mile or so out. It wasn’t moving quickly. But, someone needs to find out what it is.” She touched his shoulder then. “We can’t let our guard down.”
“Right. I will have a look, and I will call for reinforcements if need be. How far out did you say?”
“We were almost a mile out when we noticed it.” Adrian replied, her eyes glowed again.
“Alright, get your equipment checked over soldier. That’s an order.” The soldier spoke and began walking toward the edge of town.
Adrian glanced to Sylvia. “Ullr should keep him plenty busy.” She spoke before she continued down the street. “If they haven’t turned up the scrolls yet, there is one place that I know didn’t burn in this city.” She spoke, “Because that is where I hid until the soldiers were all gone…” She glanced around to the other soldiers that sat around fires, some slept on pallets on the ground. They were all winding down for the evening. Adrian paused a moment as she looked to the partially burnt ruins of a building. The fireplace stones still stood tall, some of the framework of the home remained, the rear wall stood strong. She walked up onto the stone deck.
“What do you two think you’re doing?” A voice spoke.
Adrian glanced over her shoulder. “Captain told us to have a look around, he spotted something at the edge of town, he wants to make sure the homes are not riddled with traps.”
“These homes were burned years ago. I was here that very day.” The soldier chuckled. “It was a glorious sight to see all of these traitors burn.”
Adrian grit her teeth, her pulse increased as she stared to the old man with his smug smile upon his lips. “Oh, I don’t doubt that it was.” Her voice held strong, though beneath the helmet she had tears welled in her eyes. This man could have been the soldier that murdered her parents.
The old man chuckled, “So go on then, have a look see, there’s nothing to be found in the ashes, except maybe a bone or two.” He turned and walked off back toward a tent.
Adrian took in a sharp breath as she turned and stepped over to a staircase. “This is very brittle.” She spoke as she took a step down. About five steps down the stairs the wood beneath her gave away and she toppled to the bottom of the staircase. Adrian groaned as she landed in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. A few bottles of wine fell from the bottle shelf and crashed to the floor, the red liquid crawled across the concrete. Adrian staggered to her feet, she took in a deep breath. “Alright…hopefully they haven’t found this room.” She glanced to the stairs a moment as she walked to the back of the cellar. She reached forward and wiggled her armored arm around a wine bottle. She pulled a lever and pushed carefully. Adrian bit her lip as she remembered her mother opening this door and shoving her inside, protecting her. Her mother knew that if she too entered the safe room that the soldiers would have ripped the place apart looking for her. Though, they hadn’t seen Adrian, they didn’t even know she existed.
Adrian glanced to Sylvia and stepped inside. She reached up and a lantern flickered to life as she sealed the door behind them. It was just as she’d left it years ago. Her breathing increased. She pulled the helmet from her head and stepped forward as she stared to a framed picture of their family. She ran her fingertips along the beautiful wooden frame. Her eyes welled with tears then. She stood between her parents in a dark blue dress, her smile was wide. Her mother stood in a beautiful black dress, her smile was loving as she looked to the camera. Her father grinned from ear to ear. Another picture that hung on the wall showed Frederick holding Adrian up in the air. The sunlight was in the background making the shot breathtaking. Adrian had a huge smile on her face, she was giggling in the picture as he held her up high. Adrian stifled her breathing as she took a step back. “The scroll should be s-somewhere in here.” She spoke, her voice was a whisper. She turned to the bookcases that lined the far wall. She stepped around the bed. She glanced to it, she remembered sitting on that bed, waiting, hoping her mother would return, yet deep down she knew she’d never see either of them alive again. Adrian brushed against Sylvia as she stepped to the bookcase. Adrian took in a quick breath, her eyes swirled with silver. Her hand gripped onto Sylvia’s shoulder. Her emotions caused her magic to become unstable. Sylvia was flooded with Adrian’s memory then.
**
Adrian stood outside, she held a bouquet of wildflowers she’d plucked carefully. “Do you think mommy will like these?” She asked, she looked up to Frederick.
He chuckled as he paid the shop keep. He knelt before her and grinned, his eyes were the same as hers a beautiful evergreen. “Adrian.” He looked to the flowers. “Any gift that you give your mother, she will cherish.” He spoke and then stood. “Come on.” He offered her his hand. “Let’s go give her that beautiful arrangement hm?”
Adrian giggled and took his hand. “What did you buy daddy?” She asked looking to the brown paper bag in his other hand.
“Dinner.” He winked to her as they continued forward. It was then that the alarms sounded. He looked over his shoulder. He could see the line of soldiers on the crest of the hill.
Adrian gasped as her father reached down, he dropped the bag of food and wrapped his arm around her. He took off in a sprint. He had to run across town to make it home with her. “What’s happening?” Adrian cried as she held onto her father, she looked over his shoulder. Everyone in the city was scrambling. “Daddy!” She screamed over the commotion.
As Frederick ran with her the soldiers began to storm the city. “It’s okay, Adrian.” He hugged her into his chest as he sprinted. “Lillian!” He called over the screams. The soldiers were already killing people, flaming arrows stormed the city.
Lillian ran from the shop and sprinted with Frederick. As they neared their home the soldiers began to close in. Frederick shot fire from his hand, burning some of the soldiers to a crisp. Lillian formed ice shanks from the water in the air and stabbed the soldiers. It was then that Frederick pushed Adrian forward, they were almost home. “Go, take her. Run!” He spoke breathless. His eyes begged Lillian to escape with Adrian. He knew what would happen if the soldiers found out how powerful Adrian would become.
Lillian hesitated before she took Adrian and rushed into the home.
**
The rest of the memory played out, with her mother pushing her into the safe room. Adrian stepped back from Sylvia, tears streamed down her cheeks. “Oh god…I’m sorry…I’m s-sorry…I didn’t mean to do that…” She could barely get the words out.
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Post by Raven on Apr 15, 2018 18:55:09 GMT -5
Sylvia followed Adrian as they came to the small home. She was fortunate when Adrian smooth talked their way out of trouble, despite the harassment…As they stepped in – Sylvia paused, her eyes looking to Adrian as she fell. “You okay?” She lowered herself to her bottom and slipped downward, landing on her feet. She helped Adrian up and look glanced around.
“So this…” She grew quiet, she stepped over to the wall – a small picture hung. Adrian… her parents, out in a field of flowers, smiling and laughing. Everything she knew was ripped away… She lifted the frame down and plucked it from behind the glass, she then slipped it into her pocket…
“I know… my father is not truly my father, but I am sorry… You…” she grew silent as she watched Adrian look over a picture. Sylvia glanced away and then suddenly the memory flashed before her eyes.
She stumbled back, as it happened in all of a second – but the memory played, like time had stopped for that fraction. She fell onto the bed and heaved – her eyes were brimming with tears, that fell down her cheeks. Sylvia laid her head back and sobbed softly, as she fought herself on it. Within a few seconds she was heaving – but her tears stopped. Then her breaths slowly evened out…
Sylvia looked to Adrian, who stood crying – she reached forward and tugged on her hand, pulling her onto the bed with her. Sylvia removed her helmet and tossed it to the side, and placed her forehead on Adrian’s shoulder, laying on her side. “He’ll pay for what he did…” she whispered and laid there for a moment…
Sylvia slowly rose from the bed… She walked over to a decorated lamp, she tried to pick it up – but it seemed glued in place. “In your memory… you tried to move this but…” she reached her hand around the back of the lamp base and then there was a small click, Sylvia’s finger pushed a smooth button.
A book case then unlatched and moved slightly outward.. Sylvia stepped forward and gripped the case, pulling it out as it was on hinges. “I doubt your family would put such powerful scrolls directly in their basement…” she glanced to Adrian. “Come on, we have to stop this fucker” she waited for Adrian to join her.
The bookcase closed behind them – Sylvia held her hand out then. A round ball of blue appeared above her hand, electricity seemed to bounce around inside of it, but it provided a perfect light. They came to the end of the hallway and there was a door. Sylvia reached for the handle but it didn’t budge. “Locked…” she then glanced to Adrian. “Got some kind of bomb spell or something?” she chuckled slightly…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 15, 2018 19:51:49 GMT -5
Adrian sobbed as Sylvia pulled her down her breaths shook, her body quaked. Though after a few moments she began to calm. She watched as Sylvia stood and fumbled with the lamp, her eyes looked over the bookcase as it pushed outward. “Leave it to my parents to create a secret passage within a secret passage.” She let out a soft laugh as she followed the princess. Adrian brushed tears from her cheeks as they moved down the old hallway. She felt that they walked for a mile before they finally came to a door. Adrian took in a breath as she looked to it. “Not necessarily a bomb spell.” She gave Sylvia a smile. “Though, something you too could do.”
Adrian reached her hand forward and clasped the handle. Her eyes glowed as she drew in the moisture from the environment, her breathing was even as she focused. Her hand frosted over then and after a moment she gave a tap on the handle. The door creaked open. “There’s no such thing as a locked door to a mage.” She winked to Sylvia and then paused for a moment before she pushed the door the rest of the way open.
The room on the other side was domed. A light remained lit at the top of the room, cascading a dim lighting down into the room. It was powered by magic it seemed. There wasn’t a flicker of a flame. Adrian looked around, books upon books. Nearly as many as the tower had. “I’ve never seen this room.” She spoke softly. “I was so young, maybe I don’t remember.” She stepped up to a desk and brushed dust from a book that lay on the desk. It was a book on the elves. She took in a breath as she glanced around. “The scroll has to be somewhere in here.” She spoke. Adrian began looking around she found herself standing before a cabinet, the glass was fogged over from years of being closed. She tugged on the door and inside the cabinet lay a round tube. She grasped it and stepped over to the desk as she popped the cap off of the tube. “This has to be it.” She spoke as she unrolled it and looked over the words. The dialect was ancient. Adrian didn’t recognize some of the words. “This is it.” She spoke as her finger slid over the cursive writing. She then took in a breath and rolled the scroll back up. She glanced around and found another scroll that was on a similar set of parchment.
Adrian grinned then, it was a spell for rain, something the mages used when a dry spell hit the kingdom years ago. “This should put a bit of a damper on his plans, especially if he has an inexperienced mage read this spell.” She rolled it up and placed it into the tube. “We will deliver this.” She looked to Sylvia. “They will think this is the spell and they will take this straight to the king.” Adrian thought for a moment as she looked the small tube over. “This could easily fit into a wine bottle.” She nodded. Adrian then looked around the room, all of the knowledge. It was incredible that this place survived. That the soldiers didn’t find it. She walked back down the hallway, she lifted the helmet and handed it to Sylvia. “Just a bit longer and then we can get out of these tin cans huh?” She spoke. Her eyes lingered on an image of her and her parents for a long moment before she left the room. She uncorked a bottle of wine that was nearly empty and then slipped the tube into it. “Like a glove.” She chuckled as she put her helmet back on.
Adrian climbed over the broken stair and held her hand out to help Sylvia up the stairs. She tugged and then chuckled slightly. “That extra weight makes a difference.” She spoke as she turned and made it to the top of the stairs.
“Halt!” A voice called to them. Adrian winced slightly as she looked to the voice. A commander approached them. “Drinking on the job hm?” The man looked the two over. “You’re supposed to be patrolling.”
“No sir, we found something peculiar sir.” Adrian spoke and held the bottle forward. “It has something in it.”
The commander had a look over the wine bottle for a moment before he unscrewed the cap of the tube. He slid the scroll out and a huge grin crept over his face. “You found it!” He exclaimed and chuckled. “You idiots finally found the scroll!”
Adrian shifted slightly. “That’s it?” She asked.
“This is it! Just as described! Look at this ancient writing, who knows what these words even mean.” The commander pat Adrian on the shoulder. “Go on, have a drink, celebrate.” He spoke as he stepped off. “We will ship out in the morning and get this back to the king. He will be most pleased.”
Adrian nodded, “Of course.” She spoke as she stepped off. She let out a long breath as they headed toward the edge of the town. “Easy, huh?” She glanced to Sylvia. She let out a soft chuckle. They made it about a mile out before Adrian tossed her helmet to the side. She unclipped the armor piece by piece. “Oh I feel like a feather.” She smiled a moment as she looked around. “We should rest.” She glanced to Sylvia. “We crashed a ball and gave the king a fake scroll, all in one day. I believe we have earned a drink or two.” Ullr appeared before them from a flurry of snow. “Hello my friend.” She placed her hand on the side of his head. She then climbed up and helped Sylvia.
Soon enough they shot into the sky and flew quickly. Adrian’s mind wandered, she couldn’t stop thinking of her parents. Of the raid. She took in a long breath, fighting back a few tears. Ullr dipped down and let out a roar. He could sense her pain. She pat his shoulder as they descended toward the ground. “I’m alright.” She slipped from his back. He pressed his snout into her chest and whined. “I’m okay, really.” She gave a gentle smile. “Thank you.”
Adrian turned and walked toward the small town that was just over the crest of the hill then. “This is Halyard.” She spoke, “A small farm town, it supplies most of the crops to the kingdom.” She looked around at the fields of crops. “Though my father always came here for the best of ales.” She spoke and then let out a long breath. “I’m sorry again, for sharing that…” She bit her lip slightly. “I never returned to Talium…until now. My emotions overwhelmed me.” She glanced to Sylvia a moment. “I know you’ll end this.” She nodded.
Adrian then pushed into the inn. It was an inn and tavern. She looked around to the patrons who drank happily and played table games. She stepped up to the bar. “A room for the night and two of your best ales.” She spoke and set down enough money on the counter.
The barkeep nodded and poured the two glasses before he set a key before her. “Up the stairs, fifth door on the right, doll.”
Adrian lifted her mug and took a drink of it. She sighed happily and then chuckled. She sat down on the stool and looked to the room full of people. The sounds of chatter and laughter filled the air. She finished her drink and turned to the barkeep. “Could you make a strong one for me?” She asked as she looked to him.
The barkeep smirked. “Can you handle it?” He asked as he flipped over a glass.
“Depends.” Adrian replied, “On what you think to be strong.”
The man chuckled as he poured a few things together and stirred it. “Have a taste.” He spoke as he slid the glass across the counter to her.
Adrian grinned as she took a sip. The alcohol in the drink bit at the back of her throat, it was bitter going down though sweet at the same time. She nodded, “That’s a good one.” She winked and then she looked to the princess. “Are you going to finish that?” She asked looking to the ale. Soon enough Adrian downed her drink and stood. “Let’s go, hm?” She spoke as she went to the stairs. She chuckled slightly, her body was beginning to feel light, warm, relaxed. She gripped onto the railing as she climbed up the stairs. “2….” She said as she walked past a door in the hall. “Ah here 5.” She slipped the key in and pushed the door open. Two beds were in the room. She walked over and fell down onto one, she let out a giggle. “So….next is the dwarves…hm?” She chuckled. “That, ought to be fun. They don’t really take kindly to outsiders…if you thought the elves were bad.” She giggled then. “They are not friendly…oh, and when they realize who you are.” She paused, her cheeks were rosy red. “I’m not sure how well they will take to you…”
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Post by Raven on Apr 16, 2018 9:47:21 GMT -5
Silvia watched as Adrian opened the door with ease “So much to learn...” she whispered. As they entered she peered upon the collection of scrolls. “These are... all so ancient...” she spoke as she stepped up to a pile of old books. She lifted one off the top and flipped through the pages. The ancient dust filled her nose and she let out squeel of a sneeze. She set the book down and glanced around... “So much is here... perhaps when the troops move out we should have the Circle come and pick all this up... knowledge just collecting dust... It should be some where safe, and cherished..”
Her footsteps clicked in the room as she walked over to Adrian, her eyes peering down to the scroll in her hand. “Hm...I can’t fathom why spells like this exist. In my opinion.. they should be destroyed. It should be in no one hands... but... I can see why some much argue differently..” she followed then, watching as Adrian devised a plan.
Soon they were off in the fields, having already turned in the scroll – it was mischievous and clever. After a quick ride with Ullr they sat in a tavern. Sylvia looked to the bar tender and thought for a second. “I think... Oh... I don’t know. Something I can drink easily...”
“No worries little lady... I’ll give ya something smooth” he began mixing a drink together, he added a strawberry on the lip of the glass and handed it to her. “Enjoy” he winked and then wiped the bar, turning then to another customer.
Sylvia sipped on her drink and then let out a long sigh. “I guess today was pretty crazy, hm? That scroll is going to piss him off, it is like poking a sleeping bear. It is a matter of time before he loses it...” she sipped again... then again... it was delicious. She was half way through her drink before she had finished her sentence.
“So the Dwarves will be harder you say? They will be the biggest Ally though. The dwarves often not side with any, they are their own entity. So many try to butter them up – for their technology and all the gold and ore they have... but they’re not evil people. Humans have tried to steal from them so many times.. I don’t blame them for their barriers. So... we will head to Ironforge, the city within the mountain Stormheim? Their King Bren Stormbeard – he is the youngest out of the 4 Dwarven Kings...I think would be the easiest to sway. But.. in the end, we’ll have to convince all 4 of them.. who knows what that will entail...” she spoke and finished her drink.
Their steps lead to their room, and Sylvia fell to her bed. She lay there with her arms spread out, her eyes looking to the ceiling. In that moment she could feel emotions that did not belong to her. That memory flashed before her eyes...
Young hands reaching for the lever – slowly emerging from the secret room. Soot...ash... Emerging from the home to see the entire town still smoldering. People... dead all on the ground. Pools of blood being washed away by the rain that fell from the sky, snuffing the fires... The young girl fell to her knees and began to cry, fingers digging into the muddy soot, gripping it with anger...
Sylvia shot up – she had fallen asleep... she could remember then the memory that Julius shared with her. Where Sylvanas met the young girl.. on a raining day. The young girl’s hands were dirty, her eyes swollen with tears...
Sylvia stood from her bed, the sun was to be up soon... she walked over to the small balcony and stepped outside. Her eyes glanced to the distance and she took in a deep breath.
“It is like you are trailing behind her wake...” Murdoc appeared next to her, in his hazy blue form. “It is difficult...Seemingly everything you’ve witnessed she has touched... that is how Sylvanas worked. Some how... everywhere” he chuckled and placed his hands on the rails.
“So much suffering... all because of that bastard King... I could have had a regular life, with you and her...” Sylvia whispered.
“Yeah... something like that... but if the world was perfect” he chuckled again. “The Dwarves... they’re not going to welcome you very well. They work in fear that all humans seek their fortune... Go back to the tower and fetch something called The Black Soulstone, the Grand Master should have it, it was once part of my collections. It is an extremely valuable stone with magical properties... it might be a peace offering to the Dwarves, perhaps then they might give you a minute of their time...” he spoke, glancing to her.
Sylvia glanced to him and then nodded. “Okay... Thank you...”
“My pleasure my dear...” He then disappeard into thin air.
Sylvia turned and walked back into the bedroom, closing the door behind her. “Good morning” Sylvia smiled as Adrian rose. “Murdoc just visited me... he says that The Black Soulstone might help us negotiate with the dwarves, though he says it’ll just be our ticket inside... The Grand Master would have this... do you know what it is?” she questioned aloud...
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 16, 2018 10:57:38 GMT -5
Adrian stared at the ceiling as the liquor settled in her body. The room spun slightly, a smile curved up her lips, pure bliss. Anytime she thought of her past, her easy out was to down a few stiff drinks. Julius didn’t approve of it, of course, but Adrian would do it anyway. She’d been property of the circle since she was a child, she felt she deserved to be free even if only for a few hours.
As sleep took over Adrian her memories of Talium rushed into her mind. She stumbled up the stairs, ashes still raining from the skies. She fell to her knees next to her mother and father. Blood covered her hands as she hugged onto them, whimpering. The city was so silent on that day. Such a silence that it was unsettling. The images of the bodies flashed through her mind causing Adrian to toss and turn in her dreams. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her hands balled into fists.
“No…” She gasped as she sat up, her chest heaving quickly. She brushed away her tears as Sylvia returned from the balcony. She stood slowly and gave a nod. “That is a forbidden artifact.” She spoke her voice soft. “Another of Murdoc’s belongings that holds great power.” She looked outside to the sun as it lifted up over the horizon. “The grand master may not part with it easily. The power that it holds is much greater than that of Azeralite.”
Adrian turned and pulled her goggles from her head. She brushed through her hair carefully. “If that even gets us in.” She spoke as she placed her goggles back on her head. “We will be lucky if it’s that easy.” She smiled to Sylvia. She then stepped over to the door. “We should get going though.” She opened the door and walked down the stairs. There was a commotion downstairs.
“You’re the closest city within distance of Talium.” A voice spoke angrily. “Who came from this city and killed my soldiers? Not a mark on them. There has to be a mage in this city.” A fist slammed onto the counter.
Adrian hesitated as she looked to the tavern, several soldiers stood in the room. She glanced outside, more had come with them. She bit her lip slightly as she walked down the stairs, one of the soldiers was already staring at her.
“You.” A voice spoke. “You two came to town late last night. Were you near Talium at all?” It was the barkeep, his nose was bleeding, the soldier had slammed his face into the bar for not cooperating.
The commander looked to them, his eyes boring into Adrian’s. “Well?” He asked.
Adrian stared to him, “Who goes near Talium?” She asked a surprised look on her face. “Wasn’t that city leveled years ago by raiders? We came from Bermethia. We are traveling south to Secca.” Her eyes glowed slightly though she looked away when she felt the wards on his mind.
The soldier stepped forward and gripped her jaw. “Bermethia hm.” His grip was tight. He smirked then. “Why Secca?”
“For trade.” Adrian replied, she could barely speak with the grip that he held on her jaw. “Our crops didn’t grow so well this year before the winter hit.”
The commander glanced to Sylvia and smirked. “What did you do shave your head girl?” He asked as he stared to her. He then chuckled. He pushed Adrian against the bar.
Her breathing quickened as she gripped onto his arm. “Let go.” She spoke as she looked up to him.
The commander smirked, “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” He asked. “Not many push back against a Commander.”
Adrian shut her eyes, her breaths shuddered. She moved and brought a hook into the side of his head. “I said let go.” She quickly grabbed a glass and shattered it over the top of his head then. “Let’s go.” She gripped Sylvia’s hand and rushed forward as the soldiers moved toward them. Adrian slammed her shoulder against a burley soldier that blocked the exit. Her grip on Sylvia’s hand tightened as she took in a sharp breath. The red electricity filled her eyes and rushed over her body. She shut her eyes and suddenly the world around them grew cold. Darkness surrounded them, Adrian didn’t let go of Sylvia’s hand. Her breaths echoed in this void space. “Don’t let go, Sylvia.” Adrian spoke, her voice was soft as though she was speaking underwater. She turned and looked to Sylvia, her eyes filled with red sparks. She stared to her for a moment before she turned and pulled them through the void.
Spirits floated around them in small balls of blue light. The world filled with shattered pieces of her memories. Moments would rush forward, immersing them in that time for only a few seconds before they would return to the darkness. Adrian tugged Sylvia forward, “Just close your eyes.” She spoke as she focused. She paused a moment as she watched herself knelt down next to the dead bodies of her parents, blood smeared on her hands. She grit her teeth as she turned then and pulled Sylvia into a tight embrace. “Don’t let go.” She whispered as the world around them whipped with a violent wind. It pushed against them and threatened to rip them from the ground. Then suddenly the winds were gone. Adrian opened her eyes and let out a relieved breath, they stood in her room in the tower.
Adrian gasped. Blood trickled from her nose. Her grip around Sylvia’s body loosened and she took a step back. Her eyes fluttered slightly. She staggered and placed her hand on the wall. “That could have been bad…” She spoke softly. “A-are you okay?” She brushed the blood from her nose.
The books that were once on the desk and in the bookcase were scattered through the room. The winds must have followed them into this world from the void. “Adrian?” Elias asked, he stepped forward. “What are you doing here?” He held onto her as she stumbled slightly. The amount of energy it took to teleport them that great of a distance.
“We need the Black Soulstone from the Grand Master.” Adrian spoke.
Elias looked to Sylvia a moment and then back to Adrian. “The Grand Master won’t give that to you, you know that. It’s dangerous.” He spoke softly.
“So is the king.” Adrian spoke. “His men are everywhere. We need to move quickly.” She slipped the scroll from her satchel. “He was after this in Talium.”
Elias looked to the scroll. He unrolled it and looked over the words, his eyes widened. “He isn’t stopping for anything is he?” He asked and shook his head.
“He won’t stop until he gets what he wants, we gave a fake scroll to his men, but it will only anger him I imagine.” Adrian spoke softly. “We have to get the stone from the Grand Master so that we can hopefully gain an alliance with the dwarves.”
“That is a long stretch.” Elias spoke, “You have the princess with you.” He crossed his arms. “The bastard king just attacked the dwarves no less than a month ago, they would sooner see her dead.”
Adrian nodded, “I know…” She glanced to Sylvia and took in a breath. “Sylvia, can you distract the Grand Master while I get the stone? Elias will help you. I can get the stone while you two have his attention…”
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Post by Raven on Apr 16, 2018 19:18:05 GMT -5
Sylvia squeezed her eyebrows together as the soldier mocked her. Before she could react – Sylvia was yanked to the side by Adrian and they ran forward. She felt a sensation fill her, as if she was being squeezed by every cell of her body. She opened her eyes and saw the floating blue orbs – souls lingering in the air. Sylvia tried to scream – but nothing came from her mouth. Images flowed through her brain.
“Twins, m’lady” The cries of two babies filled the air. Sylvanas reached forward and accepted them both, holding them in her arms – their bodies wrapped in little blankets.
“He will kill one of them…” The doctor spoke to her, looking to her with soft eyes. “He will harvest the largest one, and he will grow the other…”
Sylvanas held the largest child up…”Marali” she whispered. “Send her to the farmer Brandon Rye, and his wife Kiya…my sister…” she then held up the smaller baby. “Sylvia… you will have to stay here my love… I’m sorry..”
Sylvia fell to the ground as they emerged in the tower. She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. Marali… Kiya? She stood then and looked to Adrian.
“Distract the Grand Master… ok” she nodded. Elias and Sylvia headed for the top of the tower.. Soon they came to the Grand Master, who was surprised to see them.
“Sylvia… What are you doing here?” he questioned.
“We had to return – I needed to gather some of my mothers books… I… Grand Master…” she paused, her eyes glancing down.
“What is it dear?” He questioned, he held his hand out to a table, where he poured two glasses of tea.
“My mother… she had twins. I had a vision…” she shook her head. “She sent my sister to my aunt.. Kiya?” she questioned aloud.
“Ah… Kiya… yes. The only one who has ever been able to slip away from the Circle unharmed…” he squeezed his eyebrows. “I did not know she adopted your sister… I knew she had a child…” he shook his head.
“Is she still alive?” Sylvia asked.
“Marali was the childs name, yes. The family is alive… I believe they are… If only I had known that Sylvanas had a daughter… this.. changes a lot…” he pondered and sipped his tea. He took in a breath and then let it go. “Perhaps I should send a mage to her, convince her to return, just for safety…but… Sylvanas was a very powerful mage, the combination of you both could really turn the tables… that is if Marali even knows she has magic…”
“I see…” Sylvia sipped her tea and lowered her gaze.
“Where is Adrian?” The Grand Master Questioned. “And what all have you accomplished?”
“I was able to convince the Elfs to join us, under a Blood Promise, I must aid them when I become queen… and we were able to stop the King from retrieving a very powerful set of scrolls said to summon abominations from the earth… Instead he is going to get a ancient scroll on how to make it rain…” she chuckled slightly. “We are headed now to the Dwarves, but we got a tip that the Dwarves may only listen to us if we knew were the King stashed the Iron that he stole. A couple thousand pounds of it… Murdoc came to me and told me of a scrying spell that my mother had created, one that could use memories to go back in time – and watch some one else… it is a real shot in the dark. But if we can provide something to the Dwarves, then they might listen to us… for a few seconds…” Sylvia finished her tea.
“Adrian is getting the books now, but we are running a bit out of time…Elias – could you check on her for me?” She turned her head, looking to Elias.
Elias raised his eyebrows and then nodded. “Right away…”
“Oops.. that was sort of princess like, wasn’t it?” she questioned.
The Grand Master chuckled. “Quite all right… it seems you are making great strides… I am impressed…”
“While I have you here… could you tell me a little about Sylvanas? I mean… about her family? Do you know any of it?” she questioned to him… trying to stir up talk, buying Adrian time…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Apr 16, 2018 20:11:21 GMT -5
Adrian glanced to Sylvia as Elias led her from the room. She took in a breath. She could feel the weakness setting in from using such a large amount of her power to take them across the country like that. “Focus.” She whispered to herself as she shut her eyes. Red sparks gathered over her body and with a burst of power, she disappeared.
**
Adrian stumbled then, she was once again in the void. Her head felt cloudy this time. She sifted through, sprinting forward.
“It’s dangerous to keep coming here.” Lillian’s voice spoke, her mother.
Adrian turned as the blue orb took human form. “Mother?” She asked, her voice soft.
“You could lose yourself…” Lillian stepped forward and cupped her cheek. “You’ve already become something that…isn’t human…” She searched her eyes. “Don’t let the circle take your humanity from you, Adrian. Revenge isn’t worth it.” She disappeared then.
**
Adrian stumbled back and spun around and stepped forward. A thin layer of ice formed on her arms as she stepped into the vault. It was huge room kept in the basement of the tower, filled with artifacts and old scrolls. No doubt the scroll from Talium would be kept here.
“Black Soulstone…” She spoke to herself as she glanced around. She moved through the aisles of the room, looking through boxes that were covered in dust.
**
Elias glanced over his shoulder to Sylvia as he stepped from the room. He took in a breath as he stepped onto the platform and he teleported to the basement. He walked through the hallways and came to the end, the locked door to the vault. It was said the no mage could get inside. The Grand Master had placed wards upon it to prevent teleportation, to protect the artifacts from getting into the wrong hands. Just as he lifted his hand to knock on the door Adrian appeared, she collapsed forward into his arms. “Adrian.” He gasped and held onto her. He looked her over worry in his eyes. “Did you get it?” He asked. “How did you get in?”
Adrian took in deep breaths. “The void.” She whispered. She pulled a small round stone from her pocket, it glowed with a strange aura that seemed like a black cloud surrounded it. “I got it.” She spoke as she leaned against him.
“The void? Adrian are you mad?” Elias grit his teeth. “You could get stuck there…many mages have become bound to the void by dabbling in it.” His expression filled with worry.
“When I teleport, every time I do I’ve gone through the void, even if only for a split second, I’m there.” Adrian’s breaths began to calm. “Come on.” She spoke. “We need to go.”
Elias placed a book in her arms. “If the Grand Master asks, you’ve found the books that hold where the iron is hidden.” He spoke and searched her eyes.
Adrian looked to him as sparks danced within her pupil. “Okay, got it.” She nodded as they headed to the platform. Elias teleported them up to the Grand Master. Adrian composed herself well, she hid her weakness as she walked forward. “I’ve the books for you Sylvia.” She smiled as she stepped into the Grand Master’s study.
The Grand Master looked to Adrian with curious eyes. “Ah there she is.” He smiled. “How are you fairing with your new powers?” He asked.
Adrian nodded to him in return. “Well, it has helped us immensely Grand Master.” She spoke and looked to Sylvia. “I would love to stay…” She paused, a smirk on her lips. “But we have places to be, hm?”
The Grand Master chuckled. “I’m not sure you would stay if given the choice.” He glanced to her and shook his head. “Here.” He handed a piece of paper to Sylvia. “This is the location of Marali. I will send a mage to try to convince her and her family to come to the tower, if anything for protection. If the king even has an inkling of your sister…”
“Sister?” Adrian asked, her brows squeezed together. “Wait…” She tilted her head slightly.
“Yes, Sylvia here has a sister that has been hidden away.” The Grand Master spoke. “Even I did not know.”
Adrian shifted slightly. “Does the king know?” She asked, worry in her voice.
The Grand Master shook his head. “I’m not even sure the king knows that Sylvanas had a sister.”
“Not without help.” Adrian glanced to Elias. “Other mages know, I imagine.” She crossed her arms.
“Elias.” The Grand Master spoke. “Tell Julius and take him with you. I want you both to go and retrieve Sylvanas’ family.”
Elias looked to Adrian a moment, his eyes searching hers. “Of course, Grand Master.” He bowed his head and left the room.
Adrian took in a breath. “Send word by raven as to what you find, Grand Master.” She looked to him a moment. “Sylvia, we should be going. We are running short on time.” She spoke as she turned and walked from the Grand Master’s office.
She glanced over her shoulder and waited on Sylvia a moment before they made their way through the tower. They walked across the drawbridge and Ullr appeared on the other side. He whined and circled around the two before he helped them onto his back. “Here.” Adrian shifted and held the stone in her hand. “I got it.” She offered a smile. “Now we just have to convince them.” They took off into the sky then. Adrian gripped onto Ullr as they flew up into the sky. She leaned her head to the side. “Do you want to go after your sister?” She asked. “Something doesn’t feel right about this…why didn’t the Grand Master speak up of this sooner?” She spoke as they soared above the mountains, headed toward the dwarves home.
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