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Part 29: Infinite war
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Part 29 - Infinite war by Dworkin (GM)
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Almost on cue, Fiona appears from a doorway at the other end of the
deck, accompanied by her bodyguard, and by a young girl who looks as
though she could be the Amberite princess' own daughter.
The girl, aged about twelve or thirteen, has short red hair and green
eyes behind rimless spectacles. She is dressed in a loose-fitting
white shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers.
Around her waist is a belt which supports a sheathed knife, and she
keeps touching it and then jerking her hand away from it, as if unused
to its presence. She smiles nervously at the group on the deck,
and gives Aaron a small wave.
Fiona glances around the group assessing who is present and who absent, "I
can assure you Aaron, I have spent some time during the night, and over
breakfast, discussing the matter of defending the Golden Circle against
such events as we have seen here."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
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Jonnee turns to face Fiona and her group as they approach, wondering
who the kid is. He scratches Hunter behind one ear, and smiles at
the girl in his friendliest manner, always keen to make a good
impression on somebody who looks like they might be Amber Royalty, even
if they are dressed pretty much like somebody he might have seen back
in good ol' Las Angelos.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian turns to meet Fiona's approach, and gives a short, quick bow
from the waist, but remains silent. His dark eyes flicker over the
young girl, noting a familial resemblance. He wonders what other traits
the youth acquired from Fiona or her relatives. Such thoughts brought
him back to his own internal quest, which caused his gaze to return to
Fiona. He would not ask; it had not been long enough, and there were
much more pressing matters at hand.
He quietly waits for further instructions.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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Turning at the familiar sounds of movement behind him, Aaron smiled and
sketched the smallest bow to Fiona and her comrades. When the girl
waved to him, the smile got slightly larger, and he bowed his head in
her direction.
"I expected nothing less, my Lady." was his reply to her, and then he
turned and took in those who were with him currently. The smile
dispersed, being replaced by a thin line.
"As soon as the remainder of my group returns here, I believe we will
be departing." Returning his attentions to their host, he sought
acknowledgement in her eyes. "Be assured that we will do our best to
accomplish the tasks at hand, Lady Fiona. I'm going to squeeze every
ounce of effort from my fellows, in the hopes that it will stem the
dark tide of our enemy."
But I won't sacrifice their well-being... and I surely won't ignore
complaints about wanting a day off. Not that they need to know that,
though.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn eyes the girl with fiona as well as the others and waits to find
out where the group will be going. The absence of jack at the meeting
last night and this morning was encouraging but she will not assume he
is gone. She looks towards Aaron as well.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
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Andrej nods his greetings to Lady Fiona and her entourage, then listens
to Aaron addressing her, keeping a stoic face. He wonders who the girl
is, but gathers her to be family, of which more and more step out from
somewhere every day, including him. Keeping his arms crossed in front
of his chest he waits, watches and listens.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
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James head reappears in the hatchway, followed closely by the rest of his body.
"Aaron, Princess Fiona's not answering her door, I can't find her anywhere..." James turns as his eyes track the others gaze, "Aw, f..iddlesticks. Um, sorry ma'am."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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"Ah, James! Just who I was looking for. Good."
Catching the eye of each person in his group, he then waved his hand.
"Berd, please inform Cyan that we will be with she and Jack
momentarilly."
"Andrej, James, Dorian, Kaelyn, Jonnee please gather around me, if you would."
Catching Fiona's gaze a final time, he nodded once.
"At your leave, m'lady. Be assured that we will contact you with any further developments."
He pondered for a moment whether Cyan would contact either Berd or
himself, but he knew it didn't matter. They were on their way to the
same spot no matter who got the answer.
Aaron also hoped that she and Jack were preparing the cabin, despite
the recreational amusements that their being alone afforded. At that
thought he nearly laughed, but held it at the last moment, for the both
of them were very much his friends.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
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Andrej steps up next to Aaron, keeping his arms crossed before his
chest. He looks from one of his comrades to the next, finally settling
on Aaron. His freshly shaved head glints in the midmorning sun as he
straightens to his full height. A wry smile ghosts across his features,
nearly hidden by his neatly trimmed beard.
**I think I should have kept that cask of wine. I think I could use a glass now.**
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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With a glance to Andrej, Aaron chuckled slightly and spoke.
"Prepare thyself, he of my right hand. That which we step into may open paths far beyond your current understanding."
Then: "At our readiness and Fiona's leave, Berd, take us home."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Reaching out physically, Berd touches Aaron's hand with his tail, then
idicates that of Andrej, Cassie, Dorian, James, Jonnee, Kaelyn.
He then points to Hunter (out of alphabetical order, but Hunter doesn't
have a hand....).
Then the dragon's eyes begin to burn like tiny stars as he waits for
the people to gather around and clasp hands, and for Fiona to give any
last words.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Fiona (NPC)
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"Good luck, Aaron... all of you. The hopes of Amber go with you." Fiona says, as the group gather closer to move out.
The young girl tries to keep a straight face, but fails as a smile
spreads across her features. She puts a hand over her mouth, as
if to stifle a laugh which becomes a choked cough, then an impish grin, "Goodbye Grandpa, try not to destroy the whole world."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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A last laugh, and another smile at the girl, Aaron sighed.
"For you, Princess, I'll do anything."
Well... almost anything.
And then he made sure that everyone was attached to either he or Berd,
before giving the nod to his draconic companion. "At your leisure."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Berd, waiting to see that everyone is prepared with no last questions
or request for Fiona, promptly ensures that NOBODY will be grabbing him
by climbing up on top of Aaron's head.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
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James isn't really clear on what's going on, but it seems that Fiona
and Aaron have already worked things out and Berd's instructions are
clear enough. James moves over beside and slightly behind Aaron
and lays a hand on his shoulder.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
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Jonnee has seen this sort of thing before, and a half smile flickers
across his lips as he remembers how he had reacted the first time
somebody dragged him through a trump.
He grasps Aaron's shoulder with one hand and takes a firm grip on Hunter with the other.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
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Nodding his own advice Andrej puts his left hand on James' shoulder and
holds out his right to Kaelyn, then waits for the transport to happen
or the world to end, whatever comes faster.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian grips the hands or shoulders of those next to him and waits to
see what is about to happen. Aparently, the others are familiar with
whatever this is. He will hold his questions for later.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn is careful to take James's hand as well as Andrej as she places herself between them. "What is this for?"
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Berd looks straight at Kaelyn for a long moment. Then he looks to
Aaron with an appraising expression, then settles down to await Aaron's
explanation.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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Aaron suppressed a sigh. He'd been travelling the worlds for so long,
he figured that everyone understood the manipulation and usefulness of
Trump contacts... it was his fault for not anticipating their current
situation.
"Ah, I see. Kaelyn, Berd is about to contact Cyan via what is known as
a Trump, which is usually an artistic rendering of a person or place
that has been imbued with a particular power. The contactee either
returns the contact, thus allowing for communication or actual physical
meeting between the two parties, or refuses it, negating either option."
He smiled slightly, though not everyone could see it. "We usually
travel via a deck of cards, a series of which I own. There are also
artifacts, and even creatures who are bound to the power of the Trump,
or palanquet as it's known to Cyan."
"Now then, are we prepared?"
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Berd sits silently, already in contact with Cyan, waiting for confirmation from Kaelyn that she is, indeed, prepared.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn looks towards Aaron, "I
have seen something like that. seven playing cards with pictures of
people and one of a place that I found. I have not yet found my way
back to my home to claim them since the one of the place send me
elsewhere. I still have that one of the place that I can always get
back to Amber." She considers a momnet "I did not know what they
are called but I kept it for an emergency that I never needed. I don't
see any of them here though or reason for us all to have touch contact." She looks towards where she is touching Andrej and James.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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Berd breathes out a small cloud into the air. It solidifies into an image of Cyan's face.
The image blinks emerald eyes, then smiles.
"I am in contact with Berd right now through his palanquet,
Kaelyn - I hold HIS card. Using it, I can bring him and all of
you to me, but you need to be in contact with each other."
"Are there any more questions?"
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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"No." Aaron answered for Kaelyn. "There are no more questions."
Adjusting his jacket, he nodded to the image of Cyan, which also adjusted Berd from his position atop his head.
"Pull us through."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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Cyan's face turns to look at Kaelyn. "There is no danger in the travel, and none awaits here." Then Berd's tail reaches out, touching something, and the world -
-goes away in a prismatic explosion, falling into a rainbow of colour that re-rezzes after several heartbeats into somewhere-
-else.
Fresh fallen snow gives way under the feet, pressing down into the old
detritus of winter's peak. The meadow in which the group appears
is large, ringed by a mixed forest. Oak, ash, birch and maple
reach skeletal fingers towards the sky, vying for space with evergreen
and pine. Here and there a bird sits on a denuded branch,
flitting back under the cover of the greenery after a moment's
observation.
The sky arcing above is a cloudless, brilliant blue, so deep and clear
it almost hurts the eyes. The sun is bright and far, now,
midmorning high and held at a distance by winter's grip.
Mountains, snow-crowned, stud part of the horizon, and hills roll
nearby; it seems the meadow lies in a valley.
A shimmering, terribly beautiful structure spans several trees on one
side of the meadow - a giant spider's web, hundreds of times larger
than it should be, the fingerthick 'threads' glowing like glass in the
sunlight, and redolant with icicles left by winter's tears. It's
an astounding creation, somehow seeming to belong here in this sylvan
setting. A tiny gust of wind blows through it, and the harmonics
created send a low, shimmering hum through the air for an instant.
Across from it, on the other side of the meadow, lies a haphazardly
built cottage. Irregular, it looks to have had rooms added after
it was built; the style of contruction of the walls seems to bear that
out. Smoke rises from the chimney, and the shutters are open;
glass paned windows keep in the heat, but somehow the scent of cooking
wafts through the air from moment to moment.
Grinning brightly, her eyes mirroring the sky above, Cyan steps back
from the circle of people. "And here you are!" Berd hops
from Aaron's shoulder, circling her head once before floating off to
land on the roof of the cottage. Cyan's right hand snaps his palanquet back into its case and closes the clasp; her right holds Kirilinde by its simple wooden scabbard, near to the hilt.
"Welcome to my world, and my home! Jack awaits within, as does
breakfast and mulled wine, or brandy for those interested in something
different Berd can outfit those of you who require proper
clothing." Indeed, it is below freezing, though the sun and the
lack of real wind goes a long way towards redressing that issue.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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"I see," Dorian says icily towards Aaron. "That we are
fortunate to have a leader who even speaks for us. I should be relieved
that I am excused of the burden of thinking for myself, then." He
glances at Kaelyn and bows, then turns away from the group as a whole,
pulling his cloak tighter around him against the cold air. It would
have helped to have warning against the climate, as well. They could
have said something.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Berd, landing on the roof, turns his gaze on the group as they stand in
the snow. His eyes begin to burn, even in the bright light, and
the air slowly warms, first to chilly, then cool, like a brisk spring
day.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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Aaron gave a look to Dorian that was more a reflection of his patience
than any sort of aggravation. He didn't fault Dorian for his comment,
but Aaron was the leader for a reason. Decisions needed to be made when they needed to be made, and dancing around them would do none any good.
He suppressed a shudder as the first cold breeze of the mild, yet
startlingly beautiful winter hit his hands and face. Yet he was not
cold, nor really mildly disturbed by it. The first intital chill was
all his body reflected before his mind adapted to the change.
"Cyan," he said as he began his stroll to her cabin. "your hospitality
is as welcoming as always. I'm still sorry for my actions the last time
I was here." He shook his head then, and his eye finally caught the
strange spiderweb nearby.
"Now that, is a work of art." Strangely, his mind trailed
down another path, and he slowed to a stop as he considered the
webbing. "Woe, woe do I say thusly, to any person who dares destroy
such a reflection as I see before me. For to shatter its purity will
damn you, that you may never see its like, nay anything beautiful at
all, for your remaining days."
A pause, and then Aaron's single eye unclouded, and he returned again
on his way to Cyan's cabin, silent but for his boots tromping within
the snow.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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“A-lo ho ho!” Jack called out
a friendly greeting as walked up to join the group, and smiled a warm
pleasant smile as he fell in behind Cyan and said “How are you all
doing this brisk morning.” He threw his cloak around Cyan in a
wintry embrace as he looked at the other with conspiratorial mirth.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian turned to look at the web as Aaron spoke. It almost comforted
him that Aaron didn't retort, as he had expected. Dorian deserved it of
course, but at least the man had some capacity for both self-control
and listening. Not that he would have changed his words, either way.
There was a distinct difference between a leader and a dictator, and
Dorian would not be walked upon. That much needed to be established.
"Touching," Dorian mumbled as he turned away from the web again.
At least the weather had been adjusted. He hated the cold.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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Jack thoughtlessly began to whistle ‘Loch Lommond’….
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
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James, meanwhile, has taken a step or two, somehwat unsteadily, away
from the others. He has his eyes shut and is pinching the bridge
of his nose with one hand.
"I feel like I left my stomach on the last world, otherwise I'm fine. I've never travelled that way before."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn looks towards Aaron and speaks with just as much ice as Dorian did, "You
can say that questions have to wait but you will not answer for me. You
might be the leader, you do not speak my mind, my thoughts or for me.
IF I have more questions, I have more questions and you can not say
that I do not. I agree with our companion. You might be Fiona's
nominated leader but you have a long way to go to prove yourself to me
or worthy of my trust."
Kaelyn looks around the area. She has a way to Amber any time she wants
and she now knows to be careful of artwork of her. She knows there are
some things she does not know that can be dangerous and she is learning
them but Aaron has shown himself to have very questionable judgement
and it seems to be getting worse as time goes by.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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"That is THX's work," Cyan replies to Aaron, smiling at Jack as he
throws the cloak about her shoulders. Amber eyes shine with
pleasure. "Fine words you speak, Aaron. You never met our
friend, unfortunately, but I suspect you will..."
Her voice trails off, good mood crumbling under the tension rolling
from Kaelyn. A glance to Dorian as well; the man seems to have
lost whatever good humor he possessed. Quickly, Cyan steps over
to James, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps it is lack of
food," the Bard suggests, frowning. "If you eat something simple
- toast, maybe - the feeling should pass. One gets used to it,
after a time."
With Jack's whistling still hanging in the air, Cyan turns back to
Kaelyn. "Perhaps Aaron meant that questions could wait?" she
hazards, hoping to diplomatically head off the imminent
explosion. "If you have any, I would be more than pleased to
answer them over breakfast."
Berd grins silently from atop the cottage, eyes throwing back the sunlight in a thousand different sparkles.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian straightens himself, and takes a deep breath before speaking.
This time he looks at no one in particular, speaking in an odd
third-person dialogue. "Perhaps that is what he meant," he begins in a neutral tone, that tries to be diplomatic. "Then
I would request that he be more sure-footed with his words, in the
future. Tyranny and dictatorship I am familiar with, and I understand
this man to be a leader, which is supposed to be different from those
things. Respectfully, I would ask him to be more mindful and respectful
of the rights and feelings of those he leads. We are not lowly
footsoldiers under his whim of command, we are equals who have agreed
to follow his leadership-- though in my eyes, he has not earned this
right, and relies only on Fiona's word."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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The whistle stopped as Jack
chuckled, as the chuckle grew to laughter he looked between Dorian and
Kaelyn and said in shocked and amazed tones. “The sky is blue!” the
grin was almost manic as he fought the laughter “The sky….it’s
blue!” He tried on an icy face and tones but had difficulty with
it through his mirth ”The sky is blue.” . That only cracked him up worse.
It took him several seconds to half way regain his
composure, still chuckling he looked to Aaron “Did they need more time
Aaron?” He looked up at the sky and the to the Amber man “The sky is
blue you know.” only bringing on more personal merriment. “HEY
BERD!” He yelled to the drake “IS THE SKY BLUE!?!”
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Berd pauses a moment then laughs silently, small puffs of multicoloured steam floating from his mouth.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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Jack tried a few times to whistle but the last waves of laughter
made it hard. On the end he started the tune of “When Jonny comes
marching home again.”
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
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Andrejsteps out of contact with Kaelyn and James, recovering quickly,
since he has travelled like this before - once. The climate is not
unlike his own chosen home, so he shrugs it off, even enjoying the
crispy cold to the warmth of the last days near Amber. He listens to
the complaints, the crabing and the attempts at conversation with a
fleety sense of alienation. As Jack suddenly breaks out in hysterical
laughter on the fact that the sky is blue. At first Andrej thinks Jack
has cracked, but it seems he shares a strange joke, or tries to, though
it is incomprehensible for the large man. He shakes his head in wonder
and looks at the hut, the woods and the web, noting the strange way it
fits the surroundings despite being alien to this world.
"Does anybody have reservations against
continuing this conversation in more hospitable surroundings? Inside
the - building would come to mind."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian turns in place, looking at the landscape. "I hunger, does this cabin belong to one of you?"
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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Cyan prods Jack in the ribs. "You play the fool," she whispers,
but without any true annoyance. "These are guests." Her
voice rises, slightly. "Andrej," she says to the burly man,
smiling, "one would think the cold might remind you of home, from what
you have told us. I jest - you and Dorian should feel free to
enter if you wish, and the same to you all. This is my home, and
I would like for you to consider yourselves guests while you are within
it."
Still waiting to see if the others will have anything more to say, Cyan
waves to the door. "If I am kept out here, Berd will attend to
your needs within." Berd's head comes up and he (briefly) looks
annoyed, but then scurries across the roof to hurry down the
chimney. For an instant the smoke is plugged, but a loud cough
and a gust of soot bursts from the top, and the white clouds begin to
rise again.
Again, she prods Jack's ribs with a stiffened finger, making the whistling jump.
A moment later the door of the cottage swings open.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Seemingly oblivious to the earlier contention, Dorian turns and heads
towards the structure with a brisk stride. His cloak flows out behind
him.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
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Andrej smile softly at Cyan.
"Oh, I am pretty impartial to cold, but sitting
down in the snow has never been my favorite pastime. Also it seems your
small scaled friend has something against frostbrands..."
He sketches a deep bow in Cyan's direction, then straightens.
"Thank you, Lady Cyan, for inviting us into your
home. May it contain the spirit of Strength, the body of Contentness
and the heart of Oneness."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Within (during whatever happens without) Berd sits, and five tiny
faeries spring to life, formed of dust and sunbeams, cooperating to
assist in finishing setting the table, pouring the wine, and preparing
several hot pokers for mulling.
One of them begins working on the soot on the dragon's scales.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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Outside the cabin, Aaorn paused momentarilly, taking in a good amount
of their surroundings before he would enter. His eye sought the sky,
then the ground upon which he stood, and he took a deep, cleansing
breath even as he felt the season change at Berd's manipulations.
"You're right, Dorian, and the fault was mine. However, I was pressed
that we get on our way and off of that ship. Trust me when I say that I
knew whatever questions any of you had would be answered once we
reached Cyan's cabin." A sigh escaped him, revealed in the white breath
that even now was dwindling in the warmth of the sun.
"Whatever the case, we're here now. Bitching and moaning about not
getting your way won't get you anywhere with me, but I do have an ear
for those whose wishes are true to the heart."
Reaching into his jacket, he produced the seemingly neverending pack of
cigarettes that he held contained within. He didn't remove one, but
instead pointed the pack in the direction of Kaelyn.
"Care for one? You sound like you need a cigarette."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian nods. "I
did not understand and I acted more rash than I needed to. My mind has
been bombarded with much communication in your defense since I spoke.
Let us consider the matter settled. Surely, something much more worthy
of our contention will present itself before the day is done."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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Still holding the pack of cigarettes, Aaron allowed a small laugh in the direction of Dorian.
"I believe you're right, Dorian. Though I hope our further
conversations will be more productive." A pause then, as he considered
a stray thought, and his eye turned to find the man. "Come to me later,
that we might discuss your idea of trapping our enemies. It does
interest me quite a bit."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn watches Aaron correct himself to Dorian. Perhaps her time with
this group will not be so long. She will not stay where she can not
trust the judgement of the others much.
She looks to James whose hand she still has, "Let us get some food and go talk a while out of the main bustle."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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“Hey..” Jack says with a hurt smile at the
prod the whistle dropping “Me play the fool? Neeeever…” He gave Cyan a
wink. “No I just figured those two would start arguing over if the sky
is blue next and figured to head it of.” Jack kept the smile light and
easy as he walked beside Cyan towards the Cabin.
“It just made me wonder idly, that the two people
that complain about Aaron’s choice in words are the ones that are the
two that have the most trouble choosing diplomatic words of their
own..” He smiled over to Dorian “Though at least Dorian is trying, and
even I will give him that.”
Then Jack flashed a surprised yet knowing smile at Kaelyn “Talk
about coincidence, I was Just about to ask James to talk for a bit. But
mine can wait until after you are done, since it’s of no particular
importance.”
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian glances back at Jack, on his way to the cabin. "Indeed,
I would never suffer such insolence, if I were leader. Kaelyn and
myself would have perished, or become the new leader, by now." He smirks dryly.
"The sky is azure, by the way," he adds as he turns away once again.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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Cyan, her friendly question completely rebuffed by Kaelyn, shrugs her
shoulders. Obviously the woman has no interest in talking and the
bard will respect that, whatever the mercenary's reasons.
Still, it's good to see that the others have decided to set their
issues aside and try to cooperate...or at least come to some kind of
understanding. Understanding
is the key. We all come from different places, with different
rules. I must try to accept them all, as best I can.
Andrej, on the other hand, obviously comes from a culture where the
etiquette is at least similar to her own. She returns his bow,
smiling. "Andrej, it is an honor to share my home with
friends. With you and the others inside, it will certainly hold
all of those things." It seems that behind the man's rough
exterior beats a noble, poetic heart. "It gives me great pleasure
to have you as my guest."
"So James, Jonnee...will you be joining us inside? Hunter, of
course, knows the area - he has been here before, Jonnee, but I expect
he has already told you that."
"Play the fool here and in any other place," the bard mutters in reply
to Jack's comment, amythest eyes glimmering with amusement.
Growing more serious, she continues. "But within, where the food
lies, there is only the one large room as well as some spare
bedrooms. If people wish a private conversation I fear they must
retire to the bedroom, or take their food outside. My home was
made to encourage people to speak together, not apart."
Of no import? I doubt that very much.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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Jack Laughed deep and heartily at Dorian comment on the
color of the sky “Call it what color you will, it’s still the sky I
think.” Jack couldn’t resist no more than he had the first time with
Cyan, though this time he had a target that was head of him and walking
away. He scooped up and snow ball and threw it with a lazy lob at the
back of Dorian. “I think my name would be on that list as well. What
color is the snow?” and he prepared to run.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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As the snowball floats lazily towards Dorian's head, a golden streak
shoots out of the open front door - for an instant the faerie sits in
the path of the ball, then vanishes when struck, the impact
annihilating both projectile and protector.
"Berd," Cyan sighs, shaking her head.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian turns at the sound of a fae and snowball colliding, and scans
the area, trying to figure out what just happened. Then he turns to
look in the direction of the cabin, having noting a golden streak from
that direction. It must not be anything dangerous, since no one else
looks suspicious. Arching an eyebrow he turns again, this time stepping
more carefully and keeping more alert.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Glancing at Cyan, Aaron cocked his head towards Jack and raised his one good eyebrow.
"Is his mental state your fault?" he asked, and then he
laughed softly before entering the cabin proper. "Just what were you
two doing here before? Or should I not ask?" And the the laugh gained
strength as he disappeared into the house.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack frowned at Berd for a moment then
smiled and nodded his thanks for catching the faux pas. Looking over at
Aaron he walked up to the Amber man and beamed a smile. “You should
know by now that my mental state is mine ol bean. Would you rather I be
as I was?” he asked before entering the cabin.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Lenore
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Aaron walked into the cabin there was a
spreading of black wings and a harsh caw as Lenore glided down to
alight on his shoulder. Casting a reprising look back at Jack,
full of reproach.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, Bird of my Demise." Aaron commented as Lenore landed on his
shoulder, and he reached up to scratch her in the feathers behind her
head. Looking to Jack, he shrugged.
"I'd rather have you as you are now, my friend, even if you are mad." and he smiled, looking for a place to sit. "We've much to discuss
regarding our plans, but for now, let us relax together." A low
whisper, then: "Though I fear others in the party may find my idea of
'rest' a bit hypocritical... despite my intentions to plan our next
move against our enemies." A sigh, then a shake of his head. "Bah!
Whatever. Let's just find a seat, a nice drink, and then we can talk of
times as they are."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
J ack clapped a hand on Aaron’s shoulder as he
passed the man, stopping to whisper to him for a moment. Boyishly
friendly smile never wavered.
Jack lifted his hand and patted Aaron shoulder again,
brushing off some unseen dust. Then gave the leader a half bow to show
respect, before continuing to the hearth and larder. “Berd… Are
we stocked for Brandy and wine? We have a war council.” he asked
realizing he was sounding like Aahz talking about wine and war.
Pulling out stone ware mugs he started looking for
something to fill them with for the group. "What does everyone want to
drink? The bar is open i think." he glanced at Berd.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James opens his eyes and shakes his head gingerly as though making sure that everything's still functioning properly.
To Cyan he says, "Perhaps you're right Cyan, a light breakfast wouldn't go astray."
To Kaelyn, "Sure."
To Jack, "I don't know what hour it is here
but it's too early in my day for wine or brandy. I'll come find
you once I've spoken to Kaelyn."
To Aaron, "Is it o.k. if I skip breakfast with you guys? Might just have to hold off on the war council for 15 minutes." James looks to Kaelyn for confirmation of his estimate of the time required.
To himself, When did I win the popularity contest?
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Nice place." Jonnee remarks, looking around at the scenery, "Quiet, peaceful, miles from anywhere. A good place to rest up after a rumble." He lets go of Hunter and grins as the big wolf lopes off into the forest.
The wolf will return when, and if, he is good and ready. "Good hunting, buddy."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan flushes at Aaron's rather indiscreet comment, and shakes her head
- before she can come up with any rebuttal, he's gone inside, Jack
following.
Inside the cabin opens into a large room. The walls are of heavy
oak, the ceiling about an arm's length above one's head. The
floor is mostly wood, but there is a large, thin carpet in the rear
portion of the room. The front is mostly taken up by the 'kitchen
area', an open space dominated by a large, wood-stove (which actually
splits one section of the room from the other) on which food may be
prepared. There is a counter on the other side of the stove, and
home-made drawers and small cabinets. All are mismatched,
obviously made at different points of someone’s life. At this
moment, Berd sits atop one of the cupboards, supervising a horde of
clockwork faeries who go through the motions of preparing food.
Every now and then the little dragon turns his attention upon one of
them, and the faerie changes what it is doing. French toast,
pancakes, toast, fresh, heated fruit, bacon, ham, and eggs (scrambled
and fried) seem to be the order of the day - the various pots and pans
fight for space on and in the oven.
The room then opens up into a larger area - there is no real 'dining
room', but there are many chairs and a center table, knee high. A
few side tables sit beside the chairs and two sofas. All of the
furniture is obviously handmade, sometimes clumsily, but looks
functional. An easel stands in the corner, beside a small, simply
made cabinet.
There are small pieces of art hung upon the walls – most of them are
landscapes. Green, rolling hills, deep forests, the coastline and
an ocean at night, with something shining far out over the
waters. A cave, with tunnels leading from it, covered in tiny,
sparkling lights like stars, ethereal figures dancing on the floor in
the dim light. Others clearly illusrate stories, or
perhaps...history? A coal-eyed dragon, wingless, its evil eyes
filled with agony as it writhes around the black sword driven to the
hilt in its belly; a man crawls from a ravine nearby, his wild face and
burning eyes filled with rage and hate. A marsh battle, where
hordes of dark creatuers fall upon a single warrior who radiates fury,
cleaving them down with the murderous axe held in both hands while his
shining companions flee, reluctantly by the looks on their inhuman
faces.
The remaining paintings are portraits, of men and beings who are not
human. Two shining figures of light, a man and a woman, holding
hands while the trees grow tall around them. A grinning, raggedly
bearded man, with twigs in his hair and an irreverent look in his
eyes. A single pair of portraits have the most detail – a softly
smiling, sharp featured person, with deep grey eyes and dark
hair. The tips of his ears are slightly pointed; from that, and
the alien cast to his features, he is certainly not human.
Another man of the same race, but with heavier features and an ironic
twist to his smile graces the painting next to him.
Berd glances at Jack briefly, then dips his head, motioning towards one of the cupboards.
Outside, Cyan nods to James. "Well, there will be food remaining,
I am certain, if I can keep Berd from consuming it all. I shall
keep a pair of seats for the two of you. If you are to stay out
here, you may need these..." She leans in the front door of the
house and comes out with a pair of cloaks, bringing them back and
offering them to James and Kaelyn. "It will be quite cold, now
that Berd has released the warmth. If there is aught else you
require, please ask - I will be within." Grinning, the Bard gives
him a half-bow, turns for a polite nod to Kaelyn then waits to
accompany Jonnee inside, leaving the two of them be, outside of her
hearing.
The host should really enter last.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James accepts the coat gratefully. "Thanks, Cyan, but I had thought to take some food with us." He calls past Cyan, not loudly but pitched to carry, "Berd, could I have some pancakes to take away please?"
Turning to Kaelyn, he says, "Shall we take a short walk?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Of course," Cyan states, nodding her head. "Whatever you two wish."
Two faeries carry out a tray of food - pancakes, some plates, cutlery,
a bit of maple syrup, some egges, bacon, and toast as well. They
labour under the effort of carrying the tray, and gratefully deposit it
in James' hands.
A third faerie comes out, wobbling under two glasses of water.
It's difficult to see how the diminutive creature balances them on its
hands, but it manages.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kaelyn nods to James, "let us grab some food and walk." She refuses to take the cloak though, "My armor keeps me warm."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Stepping into the cabin, Jonnee looks around and gives a low whistle of appreciation. "Cozy. I'd sooner be in here than outside."
He smiles at Cyan, and snatches a glass from the hands of a passing
sprite, leaving the creature suddenly bereft of purpose, even if just
for a moment.
He raises the glass in a silent toast to Berd, then asks Cyan, "The pictures - you did them?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan slips inside with Jonnee, leaving Kaelyn and James outside.
She looks around at all the chaos. "Berd! What are
you...did you make the place bigger...again?"
Shaking her head, she smiles at Jonnee. "Well, yes, I did.
Pictures of friends, of places I've been, legends of which I've heard
talk..." Taking a quick glance around, she realizes that Berd and
Jack have everything well in hand. "Come sit down, Jonnee.
How are things with you? There has been little time, and I know
you have lost a friend." Her amber eyes are sombre as she studies
him. "We did, as well."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Yeah, Kalika was a good friend." Jonnee says, finding a seat. "When
I was forced to lead her, and Snow and Collin and the others to my
world, when I found out that I'd been tricked by Brand's agent, and
that I couldn't ever go home, Kalika was the first to speak to me about
it. The first to show me any kindness. Not that I expected
it, I was with the black hats then, a prisoner."
He takes a sip of water, "I wanted to find
Kessler, the guy who'd set me up, and get even. Kalika stopped
treating me like an enemy when she saw what had happened to me, and
when I thought about that, I realised that my best chance was to tag
along with her and the others."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Jack takes his arm and their conversation dwindles to whispers,
Aaron nods a single time to his old friend before chuckling slightly
with a shake of his head.
Sliding into one of the chairs opposite the larger table, Aaron leaned
back in it and cast a nod in the direction of both James and Kaelyn.
"Take your leave, if you wish. I'll be sure to contact you if anything of note emerges prior to our meeting."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack poured up coffee for
himself, as he watched everyone milling about. He started by filling
two platters for Cyan and Jonnee. Filling Jonnee’s to epic
proportions, balancing two plates on one arm and The mugs in the other
hand On coffee and one tea. He served them, giving the coffee to
Jonnee and tea to Cyan. “I hope Coffee is fine Jonnee.” Turning he
heads back to get food and drink for the rest. “Aaron, Andrej,
Berd…What do you want to drink?”
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"That sounds like Kalika." Cyan sighs. "She seemed very
much a person of few words, but an eye for deeds. It did cause
some misunderstandings between us, but nothing that harmed our
friendship." The bard smiles, sadly. "I miss having her
around a very great deal."
"But that is typical of Kalika," Cyan continues. "Over one of
those misunderstandings, my own stupidity had her cut off part of my
hand. I recall she carefully guided me to the doctor's after
that, as though dealing with an overgrown child who had injured
herself. No thought to our arguement that had precipitated the
accident resulting in my loss of a finger."
Reaching up, she takes a tea from Jack and smiles up at him, emerald
eyes bright. "Thank you, Jack. Jonnee, have you any ideas,
based on your past, regarding our current situation? You have
more experience with Amber than I, to be sure. In fact, almost
everyone here save Dorian has more experience than I, and I am
suspicious that his might be greater than mine as well."
Berd yawns crackingly, and shrugs off the offer of a drink.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee grins at Cyan's tale of losing a finger, then changes his expression to one with a slightly less gleeful look, "Sorry, wasn't laughing at you. That just sounded so - 'Kalika' - I guess."
He shrugs, "Quick
into a fight, and just as quick to settle down after it. Even if
she had reason to fight somebody, she didn't hold a grudge against
them."
"As for ideas about this, I'm thinking some uncle that the Princes
never heard of. Their old man liked his secrets, from what I
heard."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James takes the food offered by the fairies and the water. He
carries the tray easily in one hand. Turning aside he moves away
from the cabin.
(OOC: It doesn't bother James whether he is following Kaelyn or leading since the intent seems only to be move away)
Once he judges they are safely out of earshot (plus an extra 50 metres
or so just to be sure) he stops, finds a convenient spot to put down
the tray, turns to Kaelyn and asks, "This should do I think. What did you want to talk about?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
-----------------------------------------------------------
"A tea would be appreciated, thank you, priyatiel."
Andrej sits down on one of the bigger chairs that accomodates his large
frame, then takes a long, appreciative look around. This looks like a
home that has been lived in; for a very long time. It reminded him a
bit of his home surroundings, back in Wandjina,
though a bit coarser. He listens to the engaging conversations,
reminiscations and emotions with a fond ear and a slight smile on his
face.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian removes his cloak and looks for a place to hang it. His eyes
sweep the interior of the cabin, slowly. There is an odd sense of
longing about him as he does so. "After
we eat, I will need to spend some more time in preparation of my
powers. I expended much in yesterday's adventure. Is there a quiet
place where I could spend a couple hours, if we have time?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"That was indeed Kalika," Cyan agrees, recalling her discussions with
the other woman with wistfulness. She glances at Jack, then, and
smiles, sadly.
"So you believe it to be a forgotten, or lost Prince of Amber?
How pleasant...I have heard much of the power of the Lords of Order,
and Fiona only confirms that." Cyan's lips thin, and her ruby
eyes darken. "Given enough time, such a creature would be more
than capable of setting into motion an almost inescapable plan, I would
suspect. And it is up to us to find that 'almost'."
At Andrej's request, she hops up to take the tea and bring it to
him. On the way, she pauses beside Jack, squeezing his arm and
whispering into his ear. "Thank you...." Quickly, Cyan brings the tea to Andrej, turning to look to Dorian.
"There are two bedrooms...two? Berd! Two bedrooms, it
seems. That one is mine - you may use that, should you desire, if
the other is occupied by sleeping bodies. It should prove well
enough for your desires," she finishes, giving the dark man a nod and
smile.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian bows politely. "You are gracious, Cyan. I appreciate your hospitality."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan pauses again, then turns back to Dorian. She smiles, bowing
to him in turn. "In accepting my hospitality you honor me.
My thanks to you for giving me the pleasure of being your host."
Warmth in the amber eyes, which then turn towards Andrej, curious.
"Andrej, you keep referring to people as priyatiel - to what does this refer?" Cyan's pronunciation is, not surprisingly, perfect, even in imitation.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
-----------------------------------------------------------
Andrej accepts the cup Cyan hands him with a thankful nod and takes his
first mouthful of the hot tea, rolling it in his mouth for a second to
savor the taste.
"It is a word I picked up in my years in Wandjina. It denotes an individual who for the speaker seems worthy enough to be called a drughe,
a friend, whom the speaker though knows too little about to be certain.
I found it useful in my travels, so I sdopted it into my everyday
speech. And you speak it, if I may be so bold, perfectly. You do
possess a natural affinity for languages."
He smiles and takes another large sip, unconcerned about the heat of the tea.
"So, whoever the mastermind behind this plan is,
if we assume it is one individuum, we need to find his or her
powerbase, if one still exists. It seems to me that this plan has been
in the making for quite a lot of time."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Brandy, if you please, Jack. Thank you." Aaron replied, and he leaned
the chair back somewhat, mulling over the current conversation.
"If the mastermind behind this great plot is indeed a relative, or
somewhat related to Amber at all, then we will have an enemy that is
far stronger than we might have thought. Unless, of course, they're
stupid."
Sighing, his chair returned to the floor and he leaned forwards, elbows resting in his lap as he placed his chin in his palms.
"I don't like the idea of this whole mess being the fault of some
wayward Amberite. Whether it is or it isn't, we must keep in mind that
our mission may already be in danger, even as we speak. Most of us have
only seen the enemies that we know of. Shapeshifters and great powers of Reality they may be, all of them
pale in comparison to the plotting of an Amberite. And even those of
Chaos should be rarely trifled with."
Shaking his head, Aaron let out a small chuckle and pointed to Jack.
"You, my friend, were correct. Leadership is certainly a great weight,
but a weight I gladly accept, if it means I get to put a rogue relative
in their place. If our true enemy is of Amber."
His attention on Andrej, Aaron nodded. "You have my agreement, there,
Andrej. We definetly need to discover just where our enemy, or enemies,
are plotting from. We'll need to narrow down our locations by using
what we already know and subtracting from there."
And now he looked to those around him, his eye falling on Jack for a moment.
"Anyone have any ideas as to where we should start?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"How did you know where to look for enemies before now?" Jonnee asks, "I
mean, from what I heard, you've all been running about all over the
place. How did you figure out where to go next, and how to get
there?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack smiled at Cyan and replied “No problem,
I am a host in your home as well am I not” before turning his
attention to the others. He brought each a platter of food and drink in
turn, giving Dorian both a gup of tea and cup of brandy. Once done he
sat down with his own cup of joe and a hastily made breakfast sandwich.
He nodded at Aaron to show of he would get to it, “Well Jonnee, if I
may throw a bit in here. Of course mind you I’ve spent a goodly portion
of this not knowing who I was. By the sounds of it leads were pretty
scarce at first and fairly minor in nature. Though they did well with
them…Lalai…Um
Kali and Hunter back tracked one of the culprits trails. Much of
the first part of the investigations was finding how deep this all ran.
I won’t kid you and say we know what is going on, we just have
more clues as we moved seemingly willy nilly.
A lot of finding out where to go was
just collecting bit’s of information, here and there, some of it was
just blindly pressing on in the best looking direction., taking care of
things one piece at a time. However we are at a point where it’s not
small things anymore, not that the Gather was small. We have many leads
that we need to check out. The poison lands of the Calisto
project, finding information on the Broken God, Figuring out how
to undo the threat of the orbs like the one back there, in one fell
swoop. I’ll fill you in more on what Berd and I found out about
the Calisto project in a bit. That promises to be one very messy
endeavor. It sits right on a bunch of old mature breaks. Also we need
to back track to the world on which we held a battle striking the first
major blow against the enemy. Find out if we missed anything.”
Jack sipped his coffee and shook his head “I’m getting
ahead of myself, we had better wait until everyone is here and ready, I
don’t want to leave anyone out of this. Much of my side of
investigation has been using my abilities, an imperfect Pattern and the
breaks the riddle the worlds. Pretty much we have been stuck with
following the enemies footsteps up to now. We have not to date been
able to get one step ahead of the enemy. Even when we laid waste
to their world that was pure reactionary, even if it was on a
mass level. It’s to bad I forgot how I did that.” Jack gave a
small frown “Side effects of a shattered mind.”
“I think the best place to start would be Callisto, I got
that much out of the Archon’s and Leon found some things along that
line. We know who the main player is in that project and he can summon
Archon’s at will. There is something there that is at least similar to
the Church in Cania. That means powers and magic’s are going to be
hindered, but if I am correct that will be the next piece of the broken
god and some answers. I have a plan for getting us
potential information, anyone got a pair of binders?” Jacks eyes
swing between Jonnee and Dorian, Jonnee was more socially adept
and a shadow man, Dorian had no real traces of the pattern on him. “You
guys feel like playing turncoats?”
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan smiles, giving Andrej a nod of the head. "Part of my training at the Bardic College...I hope to someday be worthy of drughe."
She listens silently as the others put forward their ideas, then laughs
quietly. "Interesting plan you put forth, my associate
host. Classic, as well, to walk brazenly into the stronghold of
the Enemy with 'prisoners'." Her amethyst eyes clear, growing
more serious. "On the subject of our Enemy...let us not assume it
is one of the Lords of Order or Chaos. I am seeing that there is
a popular conceit that one of them is the be-all and end-all of power
and cunning...but why can there not be things out in the Worlds?
We have seen greater power already, have we not? The Gatherer...."
Running a hand through her hair, Cyan dismisses that image.
"Limited, of course, but why could it not be possible that beings of
power as great or greater than the Lords of Order and Chaos exist in
the Myriad Worlds? Look at Jack - his strength has only begun to
grow, and his skill and ability rival those of any here. So, too,
might a creature exist, living on the outermost Worlds, so alien that
we may not comprehend its motives or abilities until it is too
late. A creature that has spent untold milennia formulating its plans, waiting for just...the right...time."
Her voice drops. "And perhaps everything leading up to now, the
situation in which the Lords of Chaos and Order find themselves, has
been of its making as well. We cannot know. We have seen no
TRUE sign of a Lord of Order at work. Perverted Patterns, but
such exist in the Myriad Worlds already. The Hand in the Temple
of Caina was tattooed with A pattern...perhaps not The Great
Pattern. Assumptions can be lethal."
With this dire pronouncement, Cyan puts her elbows on her knees, leaning her head down.
"We have too many things to consider, too many loose ends. We
must choose one, and Callisto is a place where the Enemy works even
now. A good choice. I can bespeak our allies on the world
where we fought, Jack, and trust them to tell us if they have
discovered anything. I can also attempt to create a palanquet of Beldrin, discover more about this man. But I agree, and these
are all things I might, personally, bring to the group as we continue
our quest into Callisto, should that be the choice." Her eyes
sweep the room. "I know that as we all work together we will
still be bringing our own particular abilities to bear on our list of
problems."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack took a sip of the bitter brew and slipped a casual arm over
Cyan's shoulders. "It may be classic but in rethinking it, it still may
not be the best way. I think it may be time to find religion instead...
The only man that has access to the inner Callisto temple is a priest
that Leon mentioned, he aslo is able to summon Archon's. Priest's
love to talk about religion, and you catch more flies with honey. So
far the problem has been that these things, the unknonw and the Archons
have strong minds and will die before parting with much information. A
priest however will give it out for free to a convert."
"Yes Cyan, checking with Prime to see if they found
anything would be good. I suggest we make Callisto the goal and go the
round about method of finding out as much as possibile through the
priest. It might just give us more to go on. What do the rest of you
think? Aaron, boss man...Final say is always yours with that heavy
burden."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
A cigarette twirled between his fingers as Aaron considered that which had been brought forth.
"I agree with you both," he said to Cyan and Jack. "Project Callisto
should be our first priority." A nod to Jack, "And using you as a
prisoner, while risky to all involved, is a very interesting plan, and
one I approve of."
A final sigh, and Aaron ran a hand through his hair as he leaned his back into his chair.
"Yes. Callisto it will be, then." To Cyan, "You may contact our allies in the Worlds, Cyan."
A curious look, and a cock of his head. "This priest you mention...
have any of you spoken to him, or was this man simply known through
Leonardo?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
"No I have not spoken to the priest," Jack said
taking on that professorial lecture tone again. "but I have verifyed
his exsistance and know what he looks like. He travels to Callisto and
is the only one that will set foot inside the temple that is warded
like the church of Cania. Another piece of the broken god with a drawn
pattern perhase? Using me as a prisoner at Callisto won't be much help,
the people there are nothing but exspendeble slave labor to these
people. It is the priest that we must get information from, I checked
through many of the minds of the dieing people on this world.
They don't know much...The priest is the key and getting in on his good
side is best."
" Better to join the relegion as new converts or have some
of us do that, get in on the inside. If a couple of you wanted to take
me in that would be fine as well, but I think joining the religion and
getting close to this priest will be the premium answer."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd stands and stretches, and with a low call that sounds like a
trumpet in distress he hurtles across the room to perch on Cyan's
shoulder. There he nips her ear to gain her attention...
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan pauses, about to answer Aaron, then appears to consider something
as Berd lands on her shoulder. His bite to her ear goes
unnoticed, for once, as the bard focusses completely on the
information. Her face crumbles, then, and her eyes grow dull with
despair. "Yes. Attack the head. Attacking the body
will do...nothing." She slowly turns towards Jack, misery evident
in her jade eyes.
"The Archons were not seriously inconvenienced by our liberation of
Prime's World. Berd has been searching through infinity for
traces of their presence, and for other presences related to this
'Broken God' - in essence, the Enemy we fought with Aaron once before,
the Archons...."
Cyan looks down at her feet. "He has, obviously, not completed
his search - it could go on forever, given the nature of the Myriad
Worlds. But he has completed a search of a LARGE area of the
'inbetween worlds' - those worlds who lie close to the axis between
Chaos and Amber, a ellipse between the poles. Thus far, he has
discovered nearly twenty-five hundred worlds with a significant Archon
presence, and almost six thousand where there remain echoes,
traces...we cannot fight them. We must...must destroy the
head..." Cyan trails off, thinking furiously.
"That is too, too many Archons, and they can travel through the Myriad
worlds. If they were to fall on Amber, this many of them, they
would destroy it utterly, unless it has defense of which I am not aware
- even defenses to the level of what struck them down on Prime's world
would be insufficient against that mass of power. So...why?
Do they seek to stall Amber and Chaos while they bring forth their
grand design?"
It is the only thing that makes sense.
"Then it can be stopped, and not with weight of armies," she concludes.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Someone's been busy. That's a lot of places
to look, and these guys might not even be the only soldiers the enemy
has. Calisto might not even be that important to him, if his
forces are spread out across so many worlds." Jonnee says, speaking quietly. He tugs at one of the rings in his left ear, thinking, remembering.
"Still it's a good place to start."
"Back in Las Angelos, the key to beating a bigger gang was to keep
moving and hit were they didn't expect it. Pick a target, and set
a time limit. If the target goes down before the time runs out,
well good. If not, then retreat and attack somewhere else, well
away from there. Keep them running about trying to defend
everything with all their manpower at the same time. Eventually
they start getting sloppy."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
As he absorbed the new information, Aaron's eye widened, his jaw becoming set as he slapped his palm against his knee.
"Godless insanity." With a look to Jonnee, Aaron shook his head. "Now
I'm not so sure if either of those ideas will work. Cyan could be right
by saying that the shutting down of Callisto might not even be noticed
by our enemies, and sapping their strength could take much longer than
any of us have anticipated."
He ran both hands through his hair, his eye rising to stare at the ceiling above.
"How many worlds? Thousands? Millions? It's impossible to comprehend just how much the Archons have at their disposal. If we do choose to make specific, decisive attacks against them, then we'll need more information than we have now."
He nodded, his eye finding those who sat before him.
"In that case, I suppose getting a little religion will have to do us
good. Investgating this priest might give us more of a hook on our
enemies." He said, stabbing his finger into his leg. "If we can
discover how to cut off the head of our enemies, well and good."
And then he leveled his gaze, his eye taking on a far off look.
"Yes. It's well and good to discover how to destroy them. But we'll all
need to strengthen ourselves, and what we're capable of if we're ever
going to strike a blow against them. So yes, I think we should
investigate this religion, in the hopes that it will get us farther
than where we are now."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
-----------------------------------------------------------
Listening carefully to the other's suggestions and ideas, Andrej nods
slowly as his own ideas start forming in his military mindset.
"I agree with Lady Cyan. Whatever they are doing
is just preliminary to some grand attack whichever. Otherwise they
would not have waited this long. What concerns me most is the question
whether this is their only front or if they have backup plans already
set in place, like I would have. So a quick strike to the head,
removing the brain is the only way to wreck their plan."
He turns to Cyan and Jack and looks at them quizzically.
"Lady Cyan, Jack - in your fights against the
Archons, did you find any indication that they are aware of the
existance of the First Pattern? If not, might it not be possible that
they just stumbled over some broken reflections and are just now
expanding on their, unquestionable, skill with that? I don't really
know much about them."
He takes another sip of his rapidly cooling tea, draining the cup and putting it on the low table.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“If you guys will bear with me here
I have a lot of information to impart, so pay close attention while I
give my best run down. I’m not coming down on anyone, but I have
been trying to impart the information that this is happening to a
myriad of worlds for some time. Berd’s revelation only shows it to be
worse then I knew, but not worse than expected. We knew of the line of
breaks running from Chaos to amber and the fact that there must have
been orbs in each world. However the fact of how big a fore we face is
heavy news. We will need all of us and all of us working together if we
are to have a hope of this I think. I’ll talk to Kaelyn once she gets
back and see if things between her and I can be mended, I needed to do
that anyway.”
Jack started in trying to fill in as
much data as possibile, James and Kaelyn would have to catch up on the
fly, though he meant no offence in it. “I
would assume they have a back up plan Andej, these don’t seem like
beings to not have a back up plan. They did not only have the orb
Cadiniagart, the had the Chimerak as well. Also they did not only have
Cadiniagart as the only world close to Amber that they had an orb in.
No these seem like the type of beings to have plan after, plan after,
after plan. We are probably barely scratching the surface of this.”
“Sorry Andrej, we have found nothing to show that
they know of the Perfect Pattern, the closest thing to that was the
pattern tattooed into the growing arm in Cania, even that pattern was
not totally perfect, though damn close to it. The main thing we learned
from the Archon’s was Callisto… However that is not all, they have
complex society with factions and individuals all vying for power. We
may be able to take advantage of this fact at some point, factions can
be played against each other. The Archon’s have substance to them, to
real to simply de edited. They are powerful mentally, by what I have
seen. However they may have some kind of mental links, perhaps if we
released a mental plague it would be transmitted between them. Dorian…
Do you think you, I and Berd could pull that off? ”
“Let’s see here, it looks like we are
facing an opponent that can rob us of our powers under the right
conditions. That includes the powers of our items…If hit with it items
that change shape will be stuck in the form they are in. It can and
will neutralize the powers of order, chaos, magic and just about
everything else.”
“I do like Jonnee’s idea of hit and run tactics and
Dorian’s guerilla tactics, Cyan is also right…However I think we should
be looking for big sweeping ways of striking at the enemy as well. The
strikes against Archon control of Primes world may have been to small
but it is along the right lines. We achieved our first major victory
without having to take time to train troops, and the repercussion of
the loss of life of those troops. We need to be able to make
large strikes that sweep across the enemy camp, even between worlds. Of
course at the same time investigating and making what small strikes we
can.”
“This isn’t everything, but it’s a good starting point, I think
investigating the priest and hitting Callisto would be a good starting
point. We need to investigate what is blacking and warding powers
within the pyramid, that could save us from having to go back to Cainia
to investigate the arm.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Please, Sir Andrej," Cyan says, smiling. "Cyan. I am not
of noble blood, nor am I a 'Lady'. Such titles only make me
nervous." She considers the various plans, nodding at some,
frowning at others.
"Fragmentation of our efforts would waste them - the enemy is vast,
vast enough to suffer minor setbacks while inexorably marching
on. If, as Jonnee suggests, we are to pick away at them, we must
do so with purpose. Our targets, as others have noted, must be
carefully chosen to maximise the effect of the next attack - perhaps
some will do no damage, but simply divert efforts and defenses
elsewhere to set them up for a more deadly strike. And as always,
our goal should be to find the head, and cut it off. Anything
else, and we only waste time...and time wasted against someone whose
plans already are in motion is lethal."
She glances to Jack. "My apologies, Jack, but I do not believe
that taking action against them directly as we have in the past will do
any good. I suspect they have learned from their loss, and will
be ready. Should we level destructive powers against a large
group, nothing prevents them from being prepared this time, and
striking back twice as hard. We know the strength of their minds
- they would shatter us, like glass. We need information. I
believe your second plan, the one involving Callisto, would be the
correct means to that end. Without information, we fumble in the
dark, attacking that which we can see while ignoring the true plan,
rolling along unmolested beneath the veneer of warriors, conquered
worlds, and slavery."
"Information," she concludes, topaz eyes shining, "will allow us to
exploit the struggles for power, to find their leaders, to discover
their ultimate plan. Without that knowledge, we are doomed."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“How do you feel about being called
princess?” Jack asked Cyan with an arched eyebrow and a smirk, but let
it drop just as quick. “Cyan, I understand what you are saying about
not bringing their attention down on us. I still feel strongly that we
should be working on major back up plans, such as other forms of
subtle, insinuating and power base attacks against the enemy.
“We are only assuming at this point that there is one head and
it’s not a hydra with multiple beings behind it. What’s more is
even if there is one head person, a king or queen so to speak, they
will not be easy to get to. We must have some mass power attacks, if
only because we don’t know when they will come in handy. It is better
to be prepared to make some mass strikes at a tactically sound time,
than not have them and need them. Think of what I am proposing as
research and development.”
“As for the getting in and working the Archon
factions….I am certain with Berd and I working together, we could find
the weak points we need and even possibly start setting them up.”
Jack sighed heavily “Over all I do not look at it
as fragmentation of efforts, but a utilization of rescues. They are
many and we are few, it is best to have equalizes, if only to buy us
time.”
"Now....With what we know about the size of the treat and
it's nature directed at both Amber and Chaos. Would it be wize to
contac Chaos and bring them into this. If the two poles can work
together, then they will be stonger in the face of the enemy."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The mind is no less real than world it exists in," Dorian announcess cryptically. "If
you wish to play the foe against itself, a common tactic where I come
from, I can aid you there. Using magic, I can conjure up thoughts as
easily as I could conjure a horse to ride. I need only prepare the
compelling ahead of time, which is no trouble."
Glancing at the warriors in the group, he adds, "The mind is my battlefield."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Glancing at Dorian, Aaron suddenly passed him a weighed look.
"You may know the talents of your own mind very well, but the mental
faculties of the Archons are... significant. Not only that, as Jack has
stated, they have abilities that can negate attempts at magical
manipulation." His eye turned to Jack, and the eyebrow above it rose
somewhat. "Am I not correct?"
Rising from his chair, Aaron paced once, twice, and considered his
thoughts. There seemed to be so much to decide from, and yet, he'd
already made his decision as to what they would do.
"Let's get this out in the open. We investigate this priest, and
Project Callisto, if just to see if we can get more information." He
turned, and looked to the group at large. "Even if we don't, you all
must understand that we should still try to strike out against our
enemies."
Nodding to Jack, he made a sound of affirmation. "I suppose that
getting ahold of those in Chaos may be a good idea. If they decide to
deal with us, then they too might have a little more information than
our handlers in Amber have as yet obtained. However..." and here he
paused, "unless we have a link to Chaos, we'll be travelling through
worlds that may be inhabited by our enemies. We should be cautious."
He began contemplating it more and more, a strange idea growing in the
back of his head. He tried to snuff it out, but even though he did, it
remained somewhat. An idea he would have to investigate sooner or later.
"We strike where we can, when we can. We try to hit their biggest
resources, but we should take advantage of anything that comes our way.
They have a growing pull out in the myriad worlds, so I believe
we should work out some way of limiting their links to those in their
entirety."
"Jack," he said, and he turned his attentions to the man more fully. "I
think I'll need your help with more than a few of these things. I think
I have an idea that may be of use to us." Then he waved his hand and
shook his head. "I'll talk to you about it later if I can, but I've
been fostering ideas as of late that you might find interesting."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian merely smirked when told of the Archon's powerful intellect and
resistance to magic. He'd seen such parlor tricks before and felt no
intimidation. "Then
you should also note, that my home world Samhain lies very near to the
courts of Chaos, and you'll find I still have some pull there, even
though they have not seen me for many years. If we go that direction,
it might be a useful stepping stone."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
With a sigh and a shake of his head, Aaron exhaled a great breath.
"Do not think that your supposed 'advantages' will get you anywhere
against our enemies, Dorian. Each one of us here has seen our greatest
abilities get turned against us when facing the Archons."
Looking up, he nodded. "Still, that's not to say that you can't try,"
and here he chuckled, "After all, we'll be backing you, I'm sure.
Personally, I have every intention of taking this fight to our
enemies." He sighed, finding his seat yet again and falling into it.
"But, well, that's just it. This war isn't about me, or what I
want personally. It's about everyone else we're fighting for, and the
rotten bastards who are trying to subjugate them."
He decided to let that hang. After all, just who those rotten bastards were could be bent either way. Here they were thought as the Archons,
but perhaps on the Archon's world, Amber was seen as those who
subjugated others... and the so-called slaves were killing themselves
in the hopes of destroying the greater evil.
That thought made Aaron glad he was sitting down.
What if... what if what they were doing was the wrong thing?
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian's face darkened at this. "You
confuse me, oh great leader. I did not mean to imply that Samhain
provided any advantage; I merely offered that it could be a staging
point if we decided to go that direction. Nothing more."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack leaned back and looked up
to the ceiling after downing his coffee, he tossed the cup up in
a lazy arch and caught it only to toss it again. “Aaron be careful, I
know you don’t mean to discount Dorian’s abilities, but it is sounding
awfully close. Dorian… Be careful, do not underestimate what we face,
Aaron is right to a point. We could find our powers and magic stolen
from us at a most inopportune moment and the Archon’s are very powerful
psychically.”
The cup went up and came down.
“Still I have no doubt Dorian will prove most useful as we all will.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian shrugs, glancing from Aaron to Jack, looking perplexed. "We
shall see. I certainly have never claimed to be the strongest force in
the universe, and I'm not sure why you both seem to think I believe so.
I said nothing to contradict Aaron's statement. And I find no
discontent that our leader thinks I am useless; it merely means I need
to prove myself-- just as he does to me."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“I am merely playing my part as an advisor
Dorian.” Jack said as he caught the cup again flipping it over and
setting it one the table upside down. “You said the mind is your
battlefield, it is theirs as well. I am advising you not to
underestimate or discount the Archon’s…They are powerful. Likewise I am
advising Aaron not to discount your skills, nothing more or less. What
either of you choose to do with that is your call.”
There was a soft wash of psychic energy and Jack
lifted the cup to reveal an egg under it. “Also I think Cyan is
right, we should focus less of fighting the enemy and more of
infiltrating them. Possibly even proving ourselves useful to them and
moving up in their ranks, become trusted to them. A bard could be
useful in something like that, every ruler loves to hear is songs sung
and praises passed on. Sometimes a soft touch can do more good than
boot to the head. Dammage potential done from the inside is great...”
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan frowns at Aaron's dismissal of Dorian's words, twice now.
"Aaron - Dorian was merely offering his abilities for consideration by
the group, not implying that he and he alone would be the one to
succeed against the enemy. We all bring something to the table,
and all abilities should be considered. Our powers DID work
against the Archons, and with subtlety, brute force may not be
needed." She glances at the Dark Man. "As for the other, we
HAVE been intending to speak to those in Chaos for some time now...here
Dorian offers us an excellent opportunity to jump over the usual
diplomatic hoops and dodge the ditches - he knows people. We
should consider this a boon, as we should consider everyone's
abilities."
Jack's trick with the egg brings a grin to her face, as do his
words. "There...perfect proof. We ALL bring something to
the table. Jack brings eggs." She laughs, quietly, then
grows more serious.
"Grand, sweeping attacks...no. Subtle things, now, when you speak
of that, Jack, I feel more secure. I fear that the Archons will
be waiting for us, now. Prepared for any sudden strikes, with a
massed defense spanning several worlds..."
"As for the thought of being called Princess, it makes my fingers
shake." She smiles again, amber eyes shining in the dim light.
Berd yawns, checks his claws.
Growing impatient (hardly surprising), Cyan stands and begins to
pace. "We need to move. Every second...we have a target, we
have options. Dorian can contact chaos. We can move against
Callisto. I will continue to forge the palanquet of the questors, with their approval. What else?" Berd lets
out a chiming noise from atop the cupboards, and floats over to land on
Cyan's shoulder, tugging at her hair with his teeth. "Blast you,
dragon, I...very well." Closing her mouth with a snap, Cyan moves
back to the couch and seats herself.
"Well. What else do we have? Callisto, Chaos, and palanquet.
Those are my suggestions for the group, Dorian, and myself, myself and
Dorian still working with the group as we go about our tasks, of
course."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack smiled thinly and said "You and Dorian...Dorian and you do that."
He glanced at Berd and nodded before getting up and moving off to
sit down tailor fassion on the floor, up against the wall.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shoots an annoyed, emerald glance at Jack. "Jack, I have no
idea what everyone else might be working on, whether you might be
working on this virus, or what. I mentioned myself and Dorian, as separate people, because I knew...oh, never mind."
Feeling sick, she stands up herself and moves to the stove,
unnecessarily checking on the food. Berd leaps off her shoulder
as she does and flaps back up to his post atop the cupboards.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sighing, Aaron nodded. His eye, once lowered, rose to find those of Dorian.
"Forgive me for for my swift words, Dorian. There is... alot on my mind
at the moment, and I would hate for any of my party to act rashly or
without consideration for the strength of our enemies. However, all of
you are right. My words were improper, and I apologize."
Rising from his chair, Aaron approached the door and stared at it for a
moment. He felt a familiar pull... he'd been here before, not
necesserally in this room, but in a similar point in the past. Standing
before a door with many choices to make.
"We all must do what we must. I appreciate your offer of assistance,
Dorian, and I hope my rash words won't cause you to change your mind.
Please understand that I take any help from a member of our group
thankfully." He turned his head and chuckled slightly. "Even if I don't sound like I do. I just... need time to adapt."
"If you'll excuse me," and then he approached the doorway once more, "I
need to think and consider all that's been revealed. I'm quite sure
we'll be following our leads towards the priest and Callisto, but
communicating with Chaos first and foremost may be our best idea. I...
won't be long."
And then the door opened and closed, and he sought his way out into the surrounding landscape.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee shakes his head at Aaron's exit. It seems that every time
they try to plan anything, somebody decides they don't want to be in
the room while it's discussed. This does not look good for the
mission.
If it carries on like this, well then, he might have to start banging a
few heads together. Maybe start with Kaelyn and Jack.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack simply sat there propped up against the way
and searched for the next piece of the puzzle. Quietly
searching…Hunting… It’s what he did.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack started speaking in a soft,
broken, halting fashion, his eyes closed “City of iron and
brass……. The sky is ablaze and the clouds themselves
burning….Flames!…Flames!” Jack winces back from the flames facing the
psychosomatic demons of the past.
“A fortress….Covered or made of ice though the buildings
around it glow red. Warded all warded….” Jack is veritably
cowering against the wall hands trying to reach around to his
scared back, tugging uselessly at his shirt “Fire and flames!
Fire and Flames!” moments pass his face twisting up. “The thing
that pursued Ares!…. No, not the thing – but something just like
it……..An Archon….Is it? I think it is…Fire and death awaits in this
place! THE BROKEN GOD!” he shouted eyes still squeezed shut.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee glances at Jack as the man starts to speak, as if in a dream.
"Uh - Cyan? Does he do this sort of thing
all the time. The foaming-at-the-mouth-and-spouting-nonsense
routine, I mean. Reminds me of one of those old-time prophets Ma
would tell me about when I was a kid, back when she still thought she
stood a chance of getting me inside a church."
He flashes Cyan a grin, "Well, other than to rob the place, that is."
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
-----------------------------------------------------------
Andrej leans forward andd listens closely to Jack's words, trying to
filter any clues from the madman-like ramblings. Most really sounded
like gibberish, but he still concentrated on the words. The technique
was unfamiliar and he would not have known how and what to do anyway,
but he had seen truth-trances and similar rituals before. They opened
the mind to whatever the user wanted to, but they were, due to this
openness, also quite dangerous, as unbidden things might come true.
He waits patiently, his frame taut like a bowstring, in case something happens.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian studied Jack through half-narrowed eyes, uncertain if these
images he desribed were literal or figurative. In either case, they
appeared literal, and overpowering, to Jack. He needed some
objectivity, so he could sort through the images.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
There are more like the thing that attacked us…the Unknown…. Many
more!!!….A city full!…” Jack continued but like the changing of the
wind he began to calm down somewhat. “Far, far away…Far across the
boundary and the great tree…I think even farther then Dorian’s
home…Very near the writhing chaos that is Lexy and Laz’s home…But not
there…”
Jack grew yet calmer, though distant “A
world not of substance…Writhing and struggling trying to break free as
if it alive…But pinned in place by something I have never seen the
likes of before. like a butterfly in a lepidopterist's display
case…Sill alive and striving to escape the pin driven trough it’s body.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shakes her head. Aaron is gone...again. This is becoming distressingly familiar. I hope he's going to look for Kaelyn and James.
Then Jack's explosive outburst cuts through her frustration and
annoyance at his attitude, and she hurries to his side.
"Jack? What is it?" Her arms grip his shoulders, but
gently, so as not to alarm him. Brilliant sapphire eyes flick
towards Jonnee for a moment. "It is...he sees visions through his
powers. The Enemy had him, tormented him-"
Then Jack speaks, and another shiver runs through Cyan. The
Unknown. A being who, all by itself, nearly managed to overcome
the entire group with its arcane powers and the simple power of its
mind. And Jack speaks of a city of them.
"The Enemy is legion," Cyan says to the others. "Recall...in my
story I spoke of a being of fire and light that we fought. That
was the Unknown, and it almost defeated us. But the rest of what
he speaks...this is beyond my ken! Berd?"
The little dragon's eyes begin to glitter and shine.
Cyan's hand carefully strokes Jack's hair twice, trying to calm him
down - otherwise she leaves him to the visions, knowing that to
interrupt a Seer begs for worse.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack winced back from Cyan
eyes fluttering for a moment, giving a soft whimper like a hurt
pup. Yet he settles back in calming as he realizes who it is, he gives
a brief muttered Sorry Cyan, sorry Dorian… as an apology. Still he continues deeper and farther hunting. Growing more agitated again as he examines this closer.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Never mind that," Cyan whispers. "Be careful," she implores,
ruby eyes worried. Slipping around beside him, she hooks a nearby
chair with one foot, dragging it over and helping Jack into it.
Berd rises up on her shoulder, now, his own eyes shining.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Fascinating," Dorian mutters under his breath, his eyes locked
on the floor of the cabin, though they briefly glance up at Berd, Cyan
and Jack.
Finally, Dorian stands and turns to Andrej. "Since our leader has stepped out, I would like to spend a short time in meditation and make preparations."
If there is not an objection, Dorian takes an empty guest room and closes the door.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Primal madness pins it." Jack said softly eyes moving
back and forth under his eyelids, he can not help but let out a mad
giggle as he emapthises with it to learn of it. The giggle grows to a
mad mirth as he fingers his staff as if to stand and draw.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's eyes narrow, then blaze with sudden, fearsome intensity.
"Jack," Cyan cries, shaking his shoulders, heedless of the danger,
amethyst eyes bright with fear, "release the vision! Let it go -
the madness infects you!"
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack shakes his head and his eyes clear for a moment, and then something strikes like a giant's fist and slams him back through the wall of the cabin and into the snow outside in a hail of wood and stone shards.
A heartbeat later Berd lands nearby, and the snow flashes into steam
around the indignant drake. Just above where Jack tore through
the wall, there is a Berd-sized hole.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack!" Cyan's cry echoes through the cabin. "Aaron!"
Berd, outside, staggers around in a circle, dazed. Being punched
through a wall was enough - the mental blow was hardly necessary.
The small creature hacks bloody froth for a moment before collapsing,
stunned, to the ground.
An instant later, Cyan is outside. "Ware!" she yells to the
people within. "We may be under attack!" Hurrying, the Bard
sprints to where Jack lies, Kirilindë in her hand, eyes shining topaz in the brilliant, winter sun.
"Jack?" Falling to her knees, she checks to see if he is
conscious, breathing. Behind her, Berd struggles for breath of
his own.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian turns with a start. "Perhaps preparations can wait." He furrows his brow in concentration and looks around.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Woah! Hell of an exit, man!" Jonnee
is on his feet and out through the wall right behind Cyan, careful not
to barge into her as she passes through the bottleneck of the new
Jack-shaped doorway.
Berd looks okay, at least he's moving about.
Cyan is tending to Jack, so Jonnee stands well clear of them and
listens to the woods around him. Not that he'd know an out of
place sound here anyway, but there are some sounds that he would
recognise automatically as being hostile.
Almost as an afterthought, he sticks a finger and thumb in his mouth
and whistles, loud and shrill. If Hunter is anywhere in earshot,
that should bring him back.
Twin blades of gleaming bone slide out across the backs of his hands as
he tilts his head towards Cyan, while still watching the treeline, "Talk to me Cyan, how's he doing?"
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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Jack lays there staring up into nowhere for the longest time, deep blue eyes focused on nothing ……
His chest heaves and he takes a
ragged lung full of air and his eyes focus sharply. “Don’t ever mention
spiders.” he said enigmatically with the last vestiges if insanity
flowing away like water off oil. "Hey look! It's Switchblade Jonny,
adventure punk. So Ken get's cut and Barbie is slapped around a bit."
He started to nod off with the last of the madness leaving him. Okay
except for his normal folderal.
Even before he had nodded off the lights
came back on like someone throwing a switch. “Why is Jonnee asking
about me like I’m not here?” He sat up only to miss his mark and fall
back over The tattered remains of his shirt and cloak dangling, even
his armor was a bit battered. “I am here aren’t I?” he asked dazed,
bruised battered, but surprisingly alive for a man who was just sent
flying through the timbers of a cabin wall.
After a second he added still dazed “We may want to wait to go visit that place, they don’t seem big on tourist trade.”
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Andrej
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Andrej jumps up as Jack and Berd are smashed through the wall, his
heavy sabre instantly appearing in his hand, his gaze fleeting around
the room, searching, assessing. After estimating that there is no
danger inside the cabin he briskly walks out through the hole in the
wall and looks around outside, standing near Cyan and Jack,
bodyguard-fashion, unobtrusive, showing presence.
"Quite a show, priyatiel, quite a show.
But, please, if you ever intend to do this again, tell us beforehand,
so we might prepare a defense. I cannot say if we were lucky or not,
but you seem to have drawn a little bit of attention."
Andrej continues to watch the surroundings, not sure if danger still
exists here or not, but determined to be prepared, this time.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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"He lives," Cyan shoots back to Jonnee, brilliant sapphire eyes turning
back to Jack, full of worry and growing anger. "Though I am not
certain how much longer." The strange man's assistance is
gratifying, as is the way he immediately moves to defend. This one is no stranger to working as part of a team.
Now Jack, on the other hand....
Cyan listens to what he has to say with mounting fury, and nods along
with Andrej's words. When the big man is done, Cyan shakes Jack
by the shoulders, and this time not gently. "You...again, you go
off by yourself, not letting anyone know what you do before you come
under the Enemy's eye! You will get yourself killed, Jack of
Shadows! Cease this playing of the fool!" The bard,
obviously, is working up to a righteous anger. "You- What would
you think of one who, without telling us, hunts for the enemy on foot,
in their territory?" Her fists clench in the remains of his
shirt. "You were almost slain, and Berd with you!"
Berd, behind them, does not disagree, stumbling in a circle, making
odd, mewling cries. After a moment, he tries to lift himself into
the air, but sinks back down, huddling in on himself and coughing.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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Kaelyn returns in time to hear Cyan's rant, "And he has told the enemy exactly where to find us if it can trace him. The reckless fool has endangered us all again!" she interprets the Jack type hole in the wall correctly with Cyan's rant, "I
suggest we immediately go looking for another place and leave this one
or prepare for an attack. James and I had a little visitor calling
himself Luke that just appeared, talked to us and then disappeared and
he said he had been watching us for a while so no more blurting out
secrets either. Hostile territory rules need to be followed to some
extent. Find some corner to leave him in until we need him, he is as
much a danger to us as the enemy it seems."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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"Silence." Dorian commands with utter calm and coldness in his voice. "We
don't know if Jack did anything at all. For all we know at this point,
he may have been tricked, lured in, by the enemy. How many times today
have I been reminded of their power and trickery, and now I
must remind you? It may be Jack is the fool in this matter, but let's
save our verbal wrath until we know so for sure."
Pulling his cloak in tight around him he steps past Jack and kneels beside Berd, looking the diminutive creature in the eyes.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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"Jack can be a fool, but without him we would have died several times
over, with disastrous consequences for Amber," Cyan says more calmly,
the discussion between Kaelyn and Dorian giving her moments to
relax. "Kaelyn, if you have a place to go, say so, and we will go
there when Aaron returns, should he so agree."
"As for this Luke...." The woman seems to be well, though very
agitated, Cyan realizes upon studying her. "We should discuss
that matter when we find a place of safety, for certainly my home is at
risk. And my World."
She sighs. "You make a good point, Dorian, and the creatures we
viewed were the Unknown, as we called the one we met. Powerful
masters of the spiritual realm. Without all of us working
together, it would have been the end of us." Taking that man's
arm, she moves to help him, voice softening. "Jack, can you
stand? Are...you well?"
Berd stumbles as Dorian nears him, and looks up miserably. The
drake is battered and bloodied - being violently thrust through the
wall of the cottage has harmed him, obviously severely.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Kaelyn
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"Yes, I can lead us to a place secure for access save by the route I
lead you in. It will not be the nicest journey but I think I can find a
suitable place to give us plenty of time to plan. Gather everyone up
while I prepare myself and stay close to me once we start." KAelyn says.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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What little snow that remained on the earth crunched beneath booted feet as the sounds of approach alerted all nearby.
Aaron stood, not afar off. The look in his eye was curious, but not
without concern. Though he shook his head and let out a sigh, as was
his wont, his voice was stern and understanding.
"I was sure I had said that I did not wish any of my group to underestimate the power of our foes."
As he moved, he approached Berd and Dorian and gently, very, very
carefully, scooped the drake into his arms, cradling him like he would
any wounded friend. Looking down at the sad mess of his fellow comrade,
Aaron shook his head.
"But now is not the time for me to go about chastising and punishing.
You've been through your lot, and we have no time. We must move, and we
must do so right now."
His eye sought Jack and Cyan first, gauging the injuries of his friend with a focused gaze.
"If he can stand, we can take him along with us, though the going will
be slow." Seeking Kaelyn, the eye narrowed and his mouth set into a
thin line. "Kaelyn, if you don't mind, I believe I may have an answer
to our problem."
Looking to Cyan, his stern gaze rose somewhat. There was a glint in that single eye that bespoke of sudden inspiration.
"I can take us to Jadus, my half-brother. His world is guarded, and at
last I remember, he had particulars that may be of assistance to us.
His medical knowlege is very significant. It's a curious and roundabout
route to get us to his world, but not impossible."
Turning, he looked at each of them in turn, apparently checking to see if any of them disagreed.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Berd
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Berd struggles in Aaron's hand for a moment; he gives a dull-eyed glance to Dorian then closes his eyes.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Dorian bit his lip as Aaron gathered Berd up. The leader hadn't been
privy to the conversation, and thus not aware of that he interrupted
Dorian in doing the same thing-- only Dorian had been stopped to ask
first. It didn't matter so long as someone was able to help the
creature.
"I am ready."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jonnee
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"Ready when you are, Boss-man." Jonnee affirms. He grins at Aaron, but he doesn't relax, and the shivs are still popped.
He looks past Aaron as Hunter lopes into the clearing, traces of red on his muzzle still, "Oh, there you are. About time too! Where you been, buddy? You missed all the excitement."
The wolf doesn't even have the decency to look properly ashamed of
himself. He just throws himself on the ground a few yards off and
starts to roll in the last of the snow.
"You better start showing me some respect. I got a couple of those opposable thumbs, remember, that makes me your boss." There is no seriousness in the young man's voice as he complains about the wolf's attitude.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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Suffering from shaken Jack syndrome does not help
Jacks mental clarity. Some of Cyan’s words he knows is right, yet in
the same breath wrong. He begins to suspect she will never
understand, it was sad that Dorian was the closest to
understanding. However he did not have time to explain or defend
himself, it was the farthest thought from his mind. The only thoughts
in his addled mind were for Berd…
He was hurt, bruised and weakened but he was still Jack.
He pulled from Cyan with a swift motion and his surprising strength,
burning adrenaline to overcome pain. All he needed to make it was a
short distance… His face filled with worry and the drakes name on his
lips. “Berd….” he charged Aaron reaching for the dragon.
===========================================================
Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Cyan
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As Jack hurries towards Berd, the little dragon swings his head towards him, eyes suddenly flaring brilliantly.
With a surge of strength, the Drake rises off Aaron's arm, away from
Jack's reaching hand. Barely managing to keep in flight, he
attempts to flutter up to the roof and fails, ending up scrabbling for
a grip atop one of the shutters, slumping there.
Catching up to Jack, Cyan takes his arm...gently, so that if he wishes
to pull free, he can without any effort. "Jack...you need to take
a moment for yourself, too. Please," she says, amber eyes full of
worry. She turns her head back to Aaron, again noting that Jonnee
is ready to defend. Good.
"Whatever you and Kaelyn decide upon, Aaron, but swiftly! We have
injured, some of us have not had their necessary rest or preparation,
and this area may be under the eye of the Enemy."
At that, Berd makes another limping, weak flight, this time back to
Jack's shoulder, keeping a close eye on the man's hands. He bites
Jack's ear, lightly, with some exasperation, and Cyan makes to swat his
head away, remembering the little dragon's injuries at the last moment
and stopping herself. "Leave him be."
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by James
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James is a little behind Kaelyn as he detours into the cabin to put the
tray of food down. Surveying the scene outside through the
hole(s) in the wall, James scowls and punches the wall in
frustration. He must have hit it pretty hard for the punch is
accompanied by the sound of splintering wood.
As he steps through the hole, he's practically growling. It's the
equivalent of hackles up. Hunter can probably smell his anger.
He stops a pace or so away from the others. Perhaps strangely he
doesn't draw his sword, but there's no doubting that he looks ready to
fight.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Aaron
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Giving a singular nod to Cyan, Aaron proceeded to walk in the direction
of the trees that surrounded the cabin. Whatever Cyan thought, he had
been waiting to see whether everyone was prepared to move. They were.
"We move. Everyone follow me, stick close and stay together. The ride
shouldn't be as rough as some we've had, but I'll try to move as fast
as possible."
He said this as he walked, procceeding closer to the trees. Soon, he'd be amidst them, and then he'd begin.
They'd find that a Hellride was called such for a very good reason.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Dorian
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Without even a glance back at the others, Dorian fell in line and
followed Aaron. His hand gripped his crooked walking staff firmly, as
he walked.
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Re: Part 29 - Infinite war by Jack
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Jack shrugged off Cyan's help. Leaning heavily on his staff and limping, he made his own way in silence.
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