Bróen Mac Valtrenna's Story

The sounds of footsteps echoed through the stone corridors. It was a cold day and the castle had an extra dull feeling about it. Not to mention the fact that it was during his lunch that Bróen had been interrupted. The nobles had convened in his court again demanding all sorts of things. He grew tired of their constant begging and ass kissing. In his eyes that made them seem weak. They always agreed with him. Never offered contrasting opinions. It was frustrating to say the least, but thats the price you pay for being the ultimate law of the Kingdom.

As he got closer to the door he could hear the voices flood all around him. All talking over each other. Shouting and raising their voices. Had they learned nothing? He had tried to get them to conform to civil conversation with everyone taking turns to raise their opinion, but it always ended up with them talking over one and other and being subsequently offended by the other. It made days like this a literal royal pain in the ass.

He pushed open the large oak doors which triggered a unanimous silence in the throne room. Everyone looked in his direction and then bowed down on one knee. He glided towards the throne and took his seat. "Well then, what was so important that I needed to be disturbed during my time off?". The silence was fragile. No one wanted to speak, no one wanted to anger the king.

One noble stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Your majesty if I may. We were again discussing the 'magi stones' and the great rift that has opened up in the skies above us. We were talking about whether it would be a good idea to invade Stormhale?" The noble slowly sank back into the crowd that had gathered. Bróen sighed and rubbed his forehead. "For the last fucking time." He shouted. "We cannot simply invade Stormhale. How do we know they have not already unlocked the powers of these stones. How do we know they can't incinerate our entire army as we march forward. How do we know what these bloody stones do? I will not the risk the entire safety of my kingdom for something that could be so dangerous. Don't get me wrong I want these things more than any of you but I will not blindly go marching into an unsure fate for some rocks that so far have done nothing but scaremonger with that bloody rift over our heads." He lowered his voice and took a deep breath. "What we need right now is a diplomatic solution if only temporarily. We need to arrange a meeting with 'King Aelus'."

Griffian "Griff" Aethean
Griff surely thought it was ironic how his fellow nobles if you could call them that, a more proper word for them would be lackeys kissing the royal ass so they wouldn't have to face the iron shackles and guillotine, were arguing on what to do about the magi stones. As they argued Griff stood back in the shadows of the royal court wasting time with the young guards in their burnish armor and perfectly polish halberds at hand as he waited for the king to enter the court and silence his lackeys. This was as usually routine for the court as ever except for one thing. This time it was different because he had something to grandstand at the court this fine day, yet it is not time yet for him to show what he has. The fine emperor hasn't even had time to settle on his throne and listen to the bickering of his feeble lackeys.

So that is what Griff did for most of the day just standing there with his back against the wall waiting until he thought it was time for him to show what he had to show. When the bell rang for the seventeenth hour Griffian pushed himself off against the wall and whispers, "Time for me to have some fun." Without care who he forces out of his way he moves onto the center of the court where the crest of Valtrenna lays.

Coughing loudly he gets the attention of the squabbling nobles, the guards fresh out of the war academy, and the vigorous emperor himself. Smirking he bows to the emperor then starts his show, "My fellow lords and my mighty emperor many of you have heard of the magi stones. The mystifying, all-powerful stones that give you the power of the supernatural. The power to create oceans with one snap of your fingers and destroy mountains with another. The power to heal mortal wounds that would bring down even the strongest of strongest. Yes these all powerful objects that seem to come from the tales that our elders would tell us as we hundled around the hearth. Well I think the day has come for us to go and meet Stormhale on the battlefield and destroy the only threat that is stopping us from going to the north and getting those magi stones." Some of the nobles gasp at what he says, others yelled up in agreement, while most just sulked farther into the shadows of the court trying to hide from the fury they expected from their emperor. Griffian just continue to smille deciding that it was time to show what he acquired.

Everyone in the courts quieted when Lord Griffian pulled out a stone about the size of a fist from his pocket in his trouser. It was a light blue color almost white that radiated a dull almost unnoticeable blue glow. It was ice cold to the touch that it felt more like ice than a stone. This was a magi stone. How Griffian got it is a mystery to all except for him. And that is how it was going to be. "Yes my colleague and my lord emperor this is a magi stone. This is our first step in controlling the magi stones. Controlling Avion." He ended his rant with that. He was answered with an uproar of agreements from the nobles, but he ignore them all just looking at the emperor to see his reaction. Everything counts on what he did.

Loki leaned against the wall of the stone corridor using all of his willpower to keep his eyes open. The boring dribble of nobles and politicians never interested him much. The hall was crammed with members of the court arguing their stance. “Magi Stones” These two words have put the entire lands in turmoil. With these stones the world has produce more cowards and idiots than ever before. The cowards fearing the unknown, wanting to destroy the stones before any research is done. Then you have the idiots who automatically assume they are a source of power to claim and utilize for warfare. No one seems to notice or care about the massive two mile long split in the sky. If the magi stones are weapons used by some ancient force… Then who were they used against? Everyone seems to dismiss the fissure because its high in the sky. Suddenly the king entered the hall to hear the pleas and request of the high strung nobles. Many pleaded for the king to invade Stormhale. Like the arrival of the Magi Stones had forced a shift in the balance of power. "Ignorant simpletons, we have no intelligence concerning the matter. The stones could be a Stormhale invention. Our walls have never been breached in its history. These storms could be a method to circumvent that." All of a sudden the Emperor's Hound began marching to the center of the court with a fierce purpose set in his mind.

Griff gave a long winded speech telling of the stones majestic power. He talked about the stones creating oceans, destroying mountains, healing wounds, and other fantasies. Loki laughed to himself thinking there have been no destroyed mountains, new ocean structures, or miraculous wounds being cured. He sighed and though Griff was nothing more than another deadly sword. He was just as eager as the rest to meet Stormhale on the battlefield to obtain the magi stones. "It seemed as though Loki was the only Valtrennan around that had not seen a shift in power or opportunity to attack. Everyone claims these stones are so powerful but no demonstration of their power has been witnessed."[i/] He watched carefully as Griff held up a light blue orb in its hand. The orb pulsed and seemed to be frozen to the touch. The nobles began to gossip amongst themselves in a rowdy fashion. Even with Griff holding a stone, no demonstration of its power had been shown. To wage a war with no information is a task only the ignorant would take part in." Loki looked around the court and realized that he was actually surrounded by idiots.

Loki pulled his hood over his head and turned to leave the meeting court. He suddenly realized that many of the citizens wanted war. These Magi Stones have sparked the flames of war stirring throughout many of the decrepit old geezers. Although the Valtrennan king may be charismatic he is still young and inexperienced. In order to sate the desires of many of the nobles he will eventually have to submit to their demands for conflict. [i]"It's time for me to travel to the College of the Ancients and see what information I can gather. We need real intel and not wild speculations and myths."

A young woman named Hannah, age twenty, walked into the meeting court just as an assassin presented a magi stone. The fact someone like that man would even needs such a thing when one of his kind killed her parents seemed ridiculous. Then again, it was a war the assassin was talking about. She wasted no time in clearing her whistling, getting the nobles' attention as well as the ruler's, and clearing her throat to begin speaking.

"With all due respect, gentlemen, even if you were able to use that against my home, how do you it will not destroy you, as well? If we do solid research on them, which can only be achieved if both nations work together, we may pinpoint their advantages and disadvantages, plus possibly find a way to end the rift!" As she spoke, her dove symbol on her brown leather dress could be seen by the High General. "My brother, Zechariah Lex Ossi, has seen much animal aggression in Eagle Forest that is unnatural since the beginning of that same rift! As a well-experienced hunter, he knows when wildlife feels threatened by something just by observing its behavior! If it continues and spreads, not even your walls can protect you, regardless of how well they served you, thus far! The stones might or might not be responsible, but there could still be a chance they could be related to something else potentially dangerous or even help us turn the unfortunate events around! I am asking you, not just as the Dove of Stormhale, but also as the daughter of two knights killed by an assassin's hand and the sister of a brave and caring hunter, to help Stormhale study the stones and pinpoint the source of this rift, once and for all!"

Griffian "Griff" Aethean
Griff felt a slight tingle in the back of his mind when he was giving that speech. Someone was watching him that was more than just a dimwit noble that was surrounding him currently, it was someone that was more intent in what his words meant than what he said. To snoop out one of the few people in the court that actually had half a brain he turned slowly showing the nobles the magi stone, as he did that he searched throughout the crowds. He smiled when his eyes fell upon a cloaked figure leaving the court. "A Loki I wasn't expecting you to be here to watch my show. Oh what he must think of me spitting about war and such. Power hungry probably is what he thinks. He wouldn't be half wrong though"

Griff lifts his hand to tell the guards to stop the fleeing Loki from leaving the court, but out from the crowd the pesky diplomat from Stormhale calls the attention of all the other nobles and emperor to her. From her lips she spouts words of cooperation between Stormhale and Valteranna working together to study the magi stones and find the source of the rift. It was hilarious to the assassin/noble how innocent the Dove of Stormhale was. She acted like it was simple for the two kingdoms to work together. And maybe it was that simple, but Griff didn't care this broad was going to ruin his plans if she was able to unite Valteranna and Stormhale together and he just couldn't let this happen. He waits until the girl is finished then counters, "Ah yes Dove that would be nice wouldn't it. Us and Stormhale working together to study the magi stone and find the origins of the Rift in perfect harmony. Well until Stormhale gets what it wants and stabs us in the back. Fellow nobles do not listen to this Dove-feathered Viper all she wants us to do is open ourselves up so Stormhale can come and wash us away into oblivion so no one can stand against them as they control everything. Listen to me your fellow Valtrennan not the Dove. Let Velteranna prosper always and forever" He lifts his clenched fist into the air.

A roar of agreement erupts from the crowd of nobles and continues on for a few more minutes. Griff then continues after the crowd quiets, "However even though I don't believe in what the Dove spouts I think we should give her chance. Emperor let the Dove and me go to the College of the Ancients with a few others and find out what we can. If not for that reason then we should go anyway because a party from Stormhale is heading that way as we speak. With that I am done my emperor"

She could not believe what she just heard. That party includes Zechariah! She was not about to let her brother be killed by an assassin!

"Assassin, if you think I would want a war personally, you are seriously mistaken! You have no idea what Zechariah and I went through for seven years after one of you from a different nation killed our parents, fully trained knights, and pursued us! Had the crusaders from Stormhale not arrived and given Zechariah the chance to shoot the killer, he and I would not be alive to this day! Don't tell me after that amount of time, you would rather face humiliation than be involved in a war! That was why my brother did not want to be a knight, anymore! Emperor, he would have been so much like you, had his career not ended! You two would have gotten along well!" Tears began to show. "I'm begging you, please keep him alive! He sacrificed so much to protect me, including knighthood! If he were to die because of me, I would not forgive myself!"

Meanwhile, the nobles were once again in dispute. They argued about whether to believe her. At this rate, if the assassin wanted all of them on his side, it was useless. What she said, whether it was her intention or not, was enough to break the unanimous support he had.

Loki

Loki slowly paced his way leaving the court when his path was interrupted by two guards. "Sir we cannot allow you to leave yet. Sir Griff of the Order of the Scythes has request you stay," the guard spoke with a trembling sound in his voice. A devious grin grew over Loki's face as he stared at the guards. He steadily approached the guards like a predator preparing to pounce on its prey. Out of the cuff of his gauntlets two small blades began to protrude under his hand. Just as Loki was about to strike, a figure within the crowd caught his attention. Her long blonde hair swayed as she walked into the court. Loki slid his blades back under his gauntlets and told the guards if the Fifth Blade wishes to speak with me then I will wait to see what he has to say. He then turn and slowly approached the blonde woman. Loki recognized the woman as the infamous Dove of Stormhale. A sigh of disappointment came flushed over his face. "Not only do we have to deal with ignorant and cowardly nobles, but they were stupid enough to allow the enemies diplomat to learn of this meeting. No one but the High General would have told her the court was convening today. That lecherous old man, I may need to silence his ignorance sooner rather than later."

The blond woman began speaking of her home and the need for research on the Magi Stones. She then began speaking of her brother and the increased animal aggression within Eagle Forest. She spoke of her brother with such pride as though he were a warrior known throughout the land and not some common hunter living in the woods. She then spoke of how her parents were killed by an assassin as though that had any relevance on the matter. Loki placed his hand over his face and let out a quite chuckle. "Well at least the nobles of Stormhale are as stupid as the ones of Valtrenna" he uttered.

As soon as the woman finished speaking Griff countered her reply with tales of collusion, betrayal, and trickery by Stormhale. Loki laughed to himself realizing that Griff was planning to perform every act he accused the woman of performing. Griff ended his speech by with a few words of patriotism and lifting his fist in the air. The nobles all cheered and applauded. Loki then realized that the Dove of Stormhale had played directly into Griff's hands. Now that the entire court was in agreement with Griff it was only a matter of time before the King was forced to consent as well.

After Griff's speech the Dove began to lose her composure. Something he said must have infuriated her greatly. She berated him calling him an assassin and blaming Valtrenna for her parents death and their persecution. She then began to shed tears and plead for the emperor too save her brother's life. Loki then began to ponder the purpose of Stormhale's king sending her as a diplomat. Not only did she fail to persuade the court but she revealed information that Stormhale was sending a party to the College of the Ancients. All reports stated the king of Stormhale possessed a brilliant political mind, but this was a move of sheer ignorance... Or was it?.. Now the king of Valtrenna would have to respond by sending a party there as well. Loki then approached the diplomat and Griff and began to speak softly.

"You're not a very good diplomat are you. Do you really not realize the predicament you are in. What proof do you have that Valtrenna was responsible for your parents death. You are also quick to call one of the Order of the Scythes an assassin. You claim your brother is a mere hunter, but he does serve the king of Stormhale doesn't he? Would he kill for you king? That makes him no better than an assassin and makes you an ignorant child for believing otherwise. You do not seem to understand that in this hall you are an enemy. It would be wise for you to speak more carefully and carry you self in a more dignified manner if you value your life." Although his words were harsh he felt the woman needed to hear them and realize the situation she was in. The fifth blade or many of the other nobles could have her executed at any time. If Valtrenna killed a Stormhale diplomat then war would be inevitable. Although as he pondered the thought that the chaos of war could put an end to his constant boredom.