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"Oh it's fine, everyone makes booboos," the Colonel waved it off as if it had never happened, eyelids dawning until they were shut tight in a delightful bliss.

"... I was in the dungeon," Aarisa would point over to the headquarters, finger extending daintily as she attempted to pinpoint the spot. "Then Sir Colonel here came and got me out after he said you were looking for me. After that, he helped me look for you. The Colonel's such an awesome man!" A smile brightened across her face and her lips drew back into a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The general emerged from the stairwell moments later, idly shoving past those who scrambled to get out of his way. Everyone feared him, knew he was coming by how the climate about his form dropped from 70 degrees to nearly 30. Yet there would be an occasional flicker of warmth within his glittering ebony eyes, watching for something, waiting... waiting for it to show itself from within the darkened abyss.

"This world sure gets more pansies by the minute..." A smile quirked his lips, and for once, the scythe in his hand was relaxed.

"Mmm...I see," Ka`zeh mumbled, his eyes following Aarisa's index finger to gaze at the Headquarters. For a moment he had lost his head. Lack of sleep and the overwhelming fatigue that had been steadily growing for the past few days were beginning to win the battle.

"If you don't mind, Colonel Yuudoku, could you watch over Aarisa for a while longer? I have some business to take care of at Headquarters," The detective asked, turning his attention back to the man that had rescued the summoner from the Ghalerion dungeons.

He leaned slightly against the side of the building, folding his arms against his chest as he exhaled deeply. Ka`zeh considered whipping out his pipe for another smoke, but that was just pure instinct acting naturally. He had already had his fill today, but he was pretty sure that he'd smoke his pipe while interrogating Von.

That was another thing that troubled him. What questions would he ask? What would he do with the criminal? The detective stared at the ground for a moment before shaking himself back to reality, blinking as he gazed up at Aarisa and Yuudoku.

"Sorry, I gotta go take care of that business now.."

Wham! A fist smashed down against an aged table, the documents placed atop it floating off into the air while ink tipped and spilled out. It wouldn't be too out of bounds to say that Dusk was somewhat annoyed.

"You're just going to sit and let this kind of injustice go unanswered?!" He was in an absolute frenzy the likes of which none had really seen for a man so typically apathetic to it all. And Hanslo's rather feisty attitude in response kept him more than enough on his toes, the two locking eye to eye and going nose to nose a couple dozen times already since Dusk had stormed into the good governor's office expecting to receive an audience that he hadn't received immediately.

"Don't act as if I haven't done a thing, young rogue! My first priorities are the citizens of my city and their safety. Don't drag us into some likely nonexistent attack," Hanslo spoke with a brash and challenging tone, just the kind of thing perfectly suited to match the younger of the two and his own. And to think the whole first meeting between the two had begun so quietly. The hospitable governor of Dame had even offered tea.

"Just hide behind your bloody fortress like the cowards you are, is that it?! And this is the great and mighty Hanslo of Dame? Hah! You'd rather sit back and hide behind your walls while innocent people have their homes torn away from them!" Dusk was absolutely livid by that point, just a moment's hesitation away from drawing his blade and placing its point right at the throat of that stubborn politician, held back by little more than the reason which kept imploring Hanslo would eventually crack.

"You dare to make such a brash charge on my conscience? By the oath I've sworn to this city and to Gaius himself, I bid you calm your tongue!"

And just before the young one opened his mouth again, he stopped himself, fingertips digging into his palm while fists clenched tightly. There's no way this is going to work at this rate. If I have to do it alone, so be it.

"Then I'll just leave you to see. I'll leave you to wait and watch just as I will while the country I owe my entire life to completely falls apart because some brash military men with some egomaniacal superiority complex think they deserve to hold the world in the palm of their blood-stained hands! There's a time of instability coming, and as long as you and the people of this fortress remain isolated behind your walls and in your comfortable lives, none will be able to stand and stop it. And by the time their forces have been amassed and their country conquered, it will be too late for you to hold that oath to your people, and there will be no blessings from Gaius to save your pitiless souls this time."

While later he would've never believed that those words actually came out of his mouth, for those last remaining moments in the workplace of that governor, his heart was pounding against his chest with nothing but rage and fire pervading his spirit. He would not rest until his country was secure yet again, even if he need do it alone.

But while that door slammed and the exasperated governor fell back into his seat with an exaggerated sigh, there remained in the back of his mind the reality. The reality that every single word Dusk had said was undeniably true.

Yuudoku tilted his head as he watched what appeared to be Ka`zeh tuning out, but when the question had been asked, a direct nod would come out as a reply. "Of course; just becareful... I sense bloodlust in the HQ, and it isn't Von."

The young maiden would look back and forth between the two before shrugging to herself, clearly not able to follow the conversation on her own level of intelligance. Instead, she began to look about for something interesting, spotting the fountain again and smiling before rushing towards it, forcing Yuudoku to go after her.

It was a long time before Gent had the energy to wake up, his mind was swirling deeper and deeper into the manic darkness that was his mind. Memories of the dead filtering into him, pleading with him, threatening him, speaking their horrors to the Bellringer; Gent was ready to scream and thrust them all into the abyss if only he knew how. Only his older brother, the Gatekeeper could do that. In the darkness not three feet from Robert's still form, Gent's body shook from the lack of food and sleep as well as the shock of over using his energy. As Gent opened his eyes he realized for the first time how numb and cold he was. Though not as bad as before, Gent felt trapped by the darkness that swallowed the entire dungeon. His breathing was quick, laced with fear and panic. How long had he been out? What this the work of the general that had been spoken of before.

Crawling through the straw and filth on the floor Gent struggled forward towards the dim lights and voices- the echoes were too far away to make out voices, but he could recognize the idiot he had saved and someone else. Someone he didn't know. Then his shoulders touched the cold iron bars, not able to pass his head through them, he saw Robert there! Blood!
"Blood?" He whispered hoarsely. "Blood! It's everywhere!" A wave of sickness made Gent double over. "Robert! I'm sorry, old friend." The Mage's weak hands touched his companion. He couldn't gather enough power to start searching where his companion was hurt, he could just smell the blood that was on him.

"I screwed up!"

Ooc: sorry I’ve been out- I’m on a trip. I give Andy or Jader permission to play my character.

"Ah, so I hear the farm lands ar..." Sensha nodded for a second, the conversation's he'd been listening to for the past few hours leading him no where. For crying out loud, these people were talking about crops! Not one seemed to have a grudge, or a need of something stolen to be returned.

"Well...I can see I'm not going to make much business here..." He pondered as to his next move. There simply had to be some kind of business he could get ahold of around here. There was no way he would survive another dry-spell without going out and sterring up some trouble...the kind nice people didn't live through.

It was a shame he just couldn't keep his thirst for battle in check, otherwise he might of settled down a hundred years ago. He could that his human father for that...the constant need for chaos being a part of their souls, it seemed

Suddenly comming across with an idea, Sensha jumped out of his seat. I'll head to the main offices and wait and see what happens there. There is bound to be some pissed-off noble storming about. And so, Sensha finished his water and happily strolled back out into the streets, momments later finding himself staring up at the bronze statue resting just infront of the great stone steps.

"Well...some one seems to be over-compensating...I wonder if this guy is even a good-" He trailed off as he noticed some one leaving the governer's office, in a not-so-wonderful mood it seemed.

It was, as he had come to realise, the vagabond-esc man he had bumped into at the tavern. "Ah, business with the general not go so well? " He saw his chance to offer his services, sitting on the large marbe the hefty statue was errected on.

Ka`zeh nodded at the fleeing Aarisa and Yuudoku pursuing her closely, knowing she was in good hands. He calmly continued to walk towards the Headquarters, his thoughts a tangled web that he dared make no attempt to unweave.

Bloodlust in the Headquarters eh? No doubt one of the Arch Generals was up to something, and Ka`zeh had a very bad feeling in the pit of his gut.

He quickened his pace to the Ghalerion Headquarters, pushing the double doors open as the guards greeted him with a stern salute. The detective nodded at them, his crimson eyes flickering brilliantly from the dim torches flickering along the sturdy walls of the lobby.

Ka`zeh automatically ventured to the dungeon, his steps echoing through the prison as they traversed the wet stone steps. His cloak bounced a bit with each step as a few of the prisoners gazed at him with horror.

"Gaius save us...it's Ka`zeh...," One of them muttered, getting as close as possible to the opposite wall.

"Wonder what unlucky bastard he's come to rip apart now," Another spoke, shuddering a bit from the cold grip on his spine as the detective passed.

Ka`zeh looked at Robert and Gent, smiling warmly, "For your brave services to the city of Ghalerion, you are hereby dismissed from custody and you are allowed to stay as long as you wish in this city."

The detective fetched a wooden chair that was resting against the opposite wall of the cells, taking a seat in front of Von's cell. Even though Von could only fit his arm up to his elbow through the bars, Ka`zeh distanced himself even further than that, smirking a bit as he slowly pulled out his oak pipe.

He slipped some Black Rine tobacco into the pipe, struck a match against the stone floor, and lit the pipe, puffing on it a bit before issuing a stream of smoke from his mouth.

The detective then sat, and stared at Von, without moving or speaking a bit.

Ka`zeh was actually sitting in the chair enjoying his pipe, just gazing nonchalantly at the criminal Von. The look seemed rather bored, as if the man separated by steel bars was some lame caged animal.

He puffed on his pipe, glancing back at the guards, "Leave us."

"But sir," One of the guards protested, his mouth opening again to speak but was silenced by a soul piercing glare from those glowing crimson orbs.

"Y-Yes," The guard muttered, and the soldiers quickly made their exit from the dungeon, closing the heavy steel door behind them.

Ka`zeh turned back to gaze at Von, a mild smirk of enjoyment crossing his expression as he puffed on the pipe again.

"This feels right. You behind bars. You are caged as a wild animal should be. But my words will most likely fall on deaf ears. Barbaric scum like you does not care what I have to say," The detective began, relaxing in his chair as his eyes never left Von's own.

"I could reprimand you for your crimes. I could let you sit here and rot for the rest of your pointless life, or I could have you escorted to the torture chamber. I'd lose no sleep while you sit in here and cry for the bitch of a mother that had you."

Ka`zeh drew the pipe from between his pursed lips, tapping the end lightly on the back of his opposite hand, crimson eyes still penetrating Von.

"I already know you don't give a shit about anything but your own hide. You have no concern over the citizens of this city. If families, mothers, fathers, children, had died in that raging inferno you caused, you would feel absolutely no guilt at all."

The detective slowly stood to his feet, slipping the end of the pipe between his lips as he puffed on it again. He released five consecutive smoke rings, once more his eyes never leaving Von's own.

"So, with that said, what do you suggest I do with you?" He inquired, standing silently to await Von's answer.

Ka`zeh sat there and fiddled around with his pipe while Von carried on, breaking eye contact for the first time since he had enetered the dungeon. The detective brushed his shoulder off, yawned, and puffed on his pipe, waiting for a few seconds after Von had finished his rant before speaking again.

"I'm sorry. Did you say something? All I heard were a bunch of pathetic whimpers coming from you, animal," Ka`zeh chuckled, yawning a bit as he issued a cloud of smoke from his pursed lips.

"You're wasting your breath. Your primal assumptions about how I run this city are so far from the truth it's laughable."

The detective glanced around the prison as if admiring the unsettling atmosphere and tension that was developing.

"This city has been corrupted, and I aim to destroy that corruption. However, I only have so much control over the soldiers of Ghalerion. The Arch Generals wanted to find you, and they were willing to put the innocent citizens in danger just to do it. That is not the method of the true Ghalerion's rulers," Ka`zeh explained, taking his pipe out of his mouth for a moment as he rested his elbow on his knee.

"For years I have been trying to bring this city salvation, but for years I have failed because quite frankly this city's people are afraid of the Arch Generals," The detective continued, quite unaffected by Von's rude demeanor.

ooc: Bloody hell, throw me a bone of plot here. I hate wandering around without a purpose and so far I've watched others flow around some unspoken story. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bitching, but I'm trying and nothing is connecting with the other characters.

... I love Von's line "Woof woof, bitch." Classic.

Gent was awake enough to look up at Ka’zeh, the mage had nothing to say as the guards opened the cell. But as they were doing this the echoes of another conversation was starting… Gent didn’t understand why the detective was wasting effort talking to a brick of an idiot, he reasoned there were a lot of things he didn’t understand.

That didn’t phase the mage in the slightest. No, he would get what he wanted. Reaching into his robes he pulled out a slender rod of chalk as the guard fussed with Robert being in the way of the lock and door. The slender arm passed through the bars and made the runes that would attach to the Ka'zeh's boot.

“Belarius.� Gent whispered to the runes, creating a buzz word so that when ever the name was mentioned, Gent would have access to that conversation. The newly drawn runes glowed a red and then faded to black on the stone floor outside his cell. Then on himself, Gent repeated the markings- this time altering the electric current in his body and down into his finger. He repeated the markings into his flesh- tattooing it into his arm.

A fairly complex spell based on a serirs of simple principles. Mage craft and all aside- Gent liked inventing spells like this. Sure it required an extra push, but he would be able to capture the echoes in the room and listen in to the conversation several cells away.

It was a bitch move, but the corruption of the city interested him…
And it seemed that the only one who cared was the detective that tried so hard to get answers.... Gent smiled, perhaps this man would be of use to him- or he would be a service to the detective- both had their places- both had their freedoms.

Gent didn't know what this man would see when he would pass by his cell. Gent hardly imagined that the cripple act would pass by him- so perhaps Ka'zeh would truly see the deadly priest of Lain. The mage who still had a streak of vengence within.

… Besides… what made the idiot a few cells down so prize worthy? That was what Gent really wanted to know.

The Cripple managed to make it to his feet and hobble to Robert, slipping into the harness he knew so well all the while listening through the runes drawn on his arm.

A game of wit was about to begin...

(( Edge, I understand your concerns. The discussion between Von and Ka`zeh was planned quite some time ago, and we've just now got around to doing it. There is a definite plot unfolding, but it takes time to get everyone situated into the RP, make sure all the loose ends are tied up, and guarantee that everyone is ready to move on to the next level. I promise that the plot will involve every participant of this RP, and that every single one of you will be critical to its success. No worries, I haven't forgotten about Gent or Robert. In fact, this post is going to be leading up to how I intend to involve all of you in the upcoming adventures! =D))

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Ka`zeh chuckled a bit at Von's attitude concerning the present situation. The detective played the actual scenario over in his mind, and the mild chuckle of amusement almost turned into full blown laughter.

"Mind your tongue, Von. The Arch Generals have eyes and ears all over this city," He muttered, slowly standing to his feet. Ka`zeh ventured over to the wall behind him, his fingertips grazing over the cold stone surface of the wall lightly.

"An endeavor like that possesses far too much possibility for error. It will take time and careful calculation before I can make my move," Ka`zeh seemed to be talking more to himself than to the prisoner that had almost burned down the entire city.

"The Arch Generals are tyrants, plain and simple. Power hungry individuals who are only allied together because of one common goal: rule Ghalerion with an iron fist. I also fear that their appetite for control will not stop with this city," The detective exhaled, smoke billowing from the depths of his lungs as he gazed up at the unwelcoming dark stone ceiling of the dungeon.

Ka`zeh's eyes widened a bit in surprise as one of Belarius' elite guards slowly opened the door leading down into the dungeon. However, the guard simply stood motionless, the depthless coal eyes staring down at the detective.

"Arch General Belarius demands an audience with you immediately, Head Inspector Ka`zeh," The elite guard spoke with a very robotic tone.

"Damnit...what does that old fool want now.." Ka`zeh cursed under his breath, glancing to Von.

"My apologies, you'll have to wait here for a bit longer. Apparently I am needed."

With that said, the detective turned and began to walk out of the dungeon. His steps echoed about the hard stone floor, his crimson eyes shifting about carefully before they suddenly shot towards the floor itself. His right heel connected with the floor just at the edge of a strange rune that had been traced across the cold surface. If he put the rest of his foot down, he would make contact with the rune.

Hmm, did Gent draw this rune with the intention of me stepping on it? The detective's thoughts were a bit suspicious at first, but he was quite sure the crippled magic user would not create the runes in an attempt to harm him.

Ka`zeh glanced over at Gent, his eyes studying him for a moment, internal thought processes playing over scenarios for a briefly. His lips then curved into a smirk, the rest of his foot coming down on top of the rune. He paused so the magical properties would have enough time to anchor to his form, and then the detective calmly walked out of the dungeon.

"I wonder if he's alright..." Aarisa mused to herself as she sat on the edge of the fountain's rim, emeralds glistening in the water's reflection as it rippled and bounced off the walls of its containers. She seemed to like looking into their depths, and Yuudoku was glad that it rooted her attention enough to allow him some time to think.

The colonel was in the midist of a memory when he heard Aarisa speak, and with a quick russle of his messy bangs, he would turn to her with a lone brow raised in question. "You mean Ka`zeh? I'm sure he's fine; I've seen no such a stronger and firm-willed man than that investigator. I believe the day I do will be the day I die."

"But you're nice," countered the maiden, still not rivetting her gaze from the crystal water.

"... Being nice doesn't make up everything good about a man, Aarisa. You must come to understand that."
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Gaidoku slumped down at his desk along side Belarius, looking more than displeased from something or another. As usual, he had turned the room cold the instant he had entered, but those who wore the protective armor of the Ghalerion generals would not be affected by it, as it provided a sense of warmth.

Alas, it appeared that something important was on the youngest general's mind. One could assume that it was his failure of a brother, the Ghalerion Colonel, Yuudoku, but to be absolutely certain would mean questions would have to be asked, and no one alive dared to do that.

The echoes of steps were lost along a reflective marble surface to bustling clerks, accountants, and citizens involved in all matters of municipal business while Dusk still stamped through infuriated, mumbling curses to himself all the while.

"Bloody old bastard doesn't know a damn thing, we're all going to fall, every single one of us, without exception. The blood for this one is on your hands, Hanslo, you mindless senile..." he trailed off lost to the overwhelming noise of citizens that met him once more as he emerged into daylight and the Dame streets. It was then that he heard a voice with a subtle mocking tone behind it, catching his attention nonetheless.

... "Ah, business with the general not go so well?"

He arched a brow towards the stranger, stopping mid-tirade and giving him a moment's stare down that felt more like an eternity with all that passed between it. Feelings that immediately began as tense and apprehensive settled down after that instant as Dusk read into those eyes and captured more than enough of a snapshot. The only one conclusion he could without a doubt draw from their coloring and fleetness of movement was that the stranger had definitely seen combat before.

"Errr...you could say something like that." He paused and tapped a finger idly against his temple a few times while his sight canted skywards, that familiar sign that he was immured in thought. He had already solidified his next location, but the thoughts that were thrashing about in his conscious now, at least following that little meeting with the Governor of Dame, were considerably more brash, more reckless than he had ever considered before.

He turned back towards the stranger and extended a hand, much more politely than he was known to be. And meanwhile, he took little time in cutting to the chase, as awkward as he knew it was going to sound. "But anyway, I'd hate to be rude. 'lo there, stranger. You can just call me Dusk or you can choose to call me nothing at all. Both work just the same."

He paused just long enough to allow the stranger an opportunity to reply in kind before jumping right back into it. "...Say, you ever been to the Harborym Valley?"

Sensha smiled generously as his new acquaintance extended a gesture of greeting. ~Well, this is off to a good start.~

Sensha reached his own hand out and shook it, sleeves shifting to reveal the tight leather armor he constantly wore. "Ah. Tis' a pleasure, Dusk. Those who hear of me know I go by Sensha, though some prefure less-dignified names for me on occassion. I don't ever seem to find out why." He blinked and looked off for a momment, like he was thinking.

Truth be told, he knew exactly why....Most of them being pretty accurate, too.

Sensha withdrew his hand and reached up to adjust his silver pony tail, letting his hair run free for a little while. He hadn't the need to have it up for the momment anyhow.

"Harborym harborym.... I have terrible issues with placing names to things, but I've been just about everywhere so its very likely. Why do you ask?" ~Sounds like somethings brewing.

Belarius brushed a strand of gray hair from his face, his coal orbs staring straight ahead at the large double doors leading into the audience chambers. Any minute now Ka`zeh would come through that door, and the discussion would begin. The Arch General's four elite guards stood behind him, ever motionless yet calculating in demeanor.

"Let me do all the talking Gaidoku. Your job is to sit there and look menacing," The Arch General commanded smugly, stroking his chin with a long slender finger.

Ka`zeh pushed open the double doors, sighing as he walked towards the long maple table separating himself from the two Arch Generals present. The guards closed the doors behind him, and the detective took a seat at the end of the table.

"Where are the other two generals?" Ka`zeh inquired, having to raise his voice a bit so the words would carry across the ridiculously long table.

"That's not important right now, Head Inspector. I was informed that you were able to take the criminal Von into custody. A job well done. You've been serving our cause quite faithfully these past few years, Ka`zeh. Loyalty will certainly be rewarded," Belarius spoke, his thin lips curving into a malicious smirk.

"I did my duty as an officer of Ghalerion. I expect no special treatment," Ka`zeh replied, folding his hands together on top of the table as he watched Gaidoku and Belarius with those penetrating crimson orbs, but they seemed to stare right through the generals.

"Ah yes yes, ever modest as always, I see. Well, I believe you will be quite humbled by my next order I have for you," The Arch General Belarius spoke, slowly standing and walking towards Ka`zeh. However, to the detective he seemed to be slithering.

"What would your lordship have me do?" Ka`zeh asked, although his tone seemed a bit less enthusiastic than his choice of words.

"The time has come to extend our reach even further than this city. We must further our boundaries and take control of this entire country for the glory of Ghalerion! Ghale will fall under our might and we shall be there to rule with an iron fist!" Belarius explained, his volume growing with each sentence, stopping to stand next to Ka`zeh as he put a hand on his shoulder.

The detective suddenly stood to his feet, backing away a bit as his eyes widened in shock, "What are you talking about?!" He shouted, the elite guards suddenly stepping forward and placing their hands on the hilt of their blades.

Belarius raised his hand, and the guards resumed their stone-like positions, his snakey smirk never leaving his face.

"Viktor has already mobilized most of the army and now marches for Harborym Valley as we speak. The Vykens will surrender their land or they will be destroyed. Such is the will of Ghalerion and its Arch Generals. You will be Viktor's support, commanding your own army of soldiers," Belarius explained, smirking.

'Y-You're insane!" Ka`zeh gasped, barely able to formulate a sentence much less remain standing. Invade Harborym? That's madness!