Introduction
Every kingdom has somethin they're known for. Something that had been there as long as the people could remember. For some kingdoms it was the mighty architecture of their proud city. For others it was the large river that protected their doors from invaders. For the kingdom of Valie, it was the children who lived in the forest surrounding its walls. The Shadow Children. They were the orphaned and forgotten of Valie who sought ways to survive and found a family of their own. They were assassins and thieves and guards for those who could pay. For those who were brave enough to venture into the forest to hire them. Now, these children were no threat to the city for the most part. Most of the Valieans paid them little mind. They were just children.
The Kingdom fell into darkness bringing plague, poverty, and ruin when The Red Lady became Queen. She had her own army, the Daggers, who were there to "keep the peace" when in reality they were taking what little the people had and gave nothing back. The hope of this small town rests on the shoulders of the fallen princess as she and her bodyguard, make their way into the forest to seek out The Shadow Children.
The Kingdom fell into darkness bringing plague, poverty, and ruin when The Red Lady became Queen. She had her own army, the Daggers, who were there to "keep the peace" when in reality they were taking what little the people had and gave nothing back. The hope of this small town rests on the shoulders of the fallen princess as she and her bodyguard, make their way into the forest to seek out The Shadow Children.
For this roleplay, all the children have been orphaned by the same person: The Red Lady. Now, these children live inside a massive cave in the woods. Inside their cave grows a tree from which they have built treehouses to live in as well as small huts around the base and in the rocky walls. These children are skilled in different fields and stay with the group until the age of 21 before they take off to see the world and find work. Maybe raise a family. Right now, these children are the kingdom's last hope.
The Captain is the sister of the weapons master. Not by blood but by bond. They grew up together not far from where the Shadow Children have made their base. She was unconscious when her family perished and she will never forgive herself for not fighting back. When she joined the Shadow Children, she worked her way up through the leadership ranks until she was chosen to be the captain at an age younger than any before her. She was once friends with The Captain of the daggers but now they're enemies. Her best friend is the herbalist and there may be something more there than friendship.
Name: Kaitlyn Singh | Age: 20 | Gender: Female |Face Claim: Natalie Dormer | Position: Captain | Taken by xXxCryptic-AngexXx
The vice captain was found wandering around the forest covered in blood with gaps in his memory. He's given up trying to recall his past and instead looks to the future. He aids his captain and watches over those below him.
Name: Frere | Age: 19 | Gender: Male | Face Claim: Francois Arnaud| Position: Vice Captain | Taken by Luft
The Master of the guard wasn't an orphan until after she befriended the Shadow Children. She doesn't blame them for her fate for she knows the real cause of her family's deaths and aids TSC in any way she can. On darker days, she can be found at the ruins of her home, not far from their camp.
Name: Mavis Crusico| Age: 16 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Maisie Williams| Position: Master of the guard | Taken by afreerobin
The Medic is the brother of the herbalist and was unconscious during the attack that lead to the deaths of their parents. He learned everything he can about helping people who are sick and wounded by the previous medic of the camp. He wanted to help his sister who was struggling with dealing with the attack. Now he helps the whole camp. He also has a thing for the weapons master who is also his best friend.
Name: Will Joscelyn | Age: 18 | Gender: Male | Face Claim: Naleye Dolmans | Position: Medic | Taken by icat
The herbalist is the sister to the medic and was not only conscious during the attack, but she was attacked herself, but not in the same manner as her parents. It was a bargain for her brother's life and when the Shadow Children came, they were able to escape, but she hasn't been the same. She struggles with her past, but has found a friend in the captain. Possibly more than that. She began to study herbs as a way to distract herself from her thoughts, but after seeing how useful the skill is, she puts more effort into helping others.
Name: Alexandei Joscelyn | Age: 19 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Natalie Emmanuel | Position: Herbalist | Taken by TheCrimsonLady
The weapons master is the bonded sister of the captain and is also the blood sister of the captain of the daggers. When their family was killed, he joined the daggers while she and the captain joined the Shadow children. She learned how to make weapons from her father before his death and uses her skill to protect the family she has found in the group. She's also found a friend in the medic and maybe something more.
Name: Leila Singh | Age: 17 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Ivana Baquero | Position: Weapons Specialist | Taken by xXxCryptic-AngelxXx
The Red Lady's team made up of those who feel wronged by Valie's former ruler. Highly skilled and not the nicest of people. Some are even former members of The Shadow Children. They have two bases. One in the ruined bones of a building in the forest so they can watch their enemy and one in the biggest most lush mansion in Valie as a gift from their leader. They're her secret army so they cannot live in the castle with her, but manions have their own perks.
The Captain of the daggers is the blood brother of the weapons specialist of TSC who chose to join The Red Lady. As a child, he felt he was to group up before he was ready because he was always watching his little sister and doing chores and hard labor around the house while his father way away at work in the city. He once had feelings for the Captain of TSC but now he just wants to see them burn.
Name: Tom Crow | Age: 24| Gender: Male | Face Claim: George Blagden | Position: Captain | Taken by unicorns.are.real
The Vice Captain of the daggers was plucked from a special school for girls for her gift of strategy and leadership. Woman were not normally meant to join an army, but The Red Lady had taken a liking to her. She harbors secret feelings for The Captain of the daggers and will do whatever she can to support him.
Name: Kassandra Capps | Age: 23 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Jamie Chung | Position: Vice Captain | Taken by Sunshine and Whiskey
The Weapons specialist of the daggers is bloodthirsty and always ready for a fight. his weapons are his children and takes care of them well. He was once a member of TSC but found them too peaceful for his liking.
Name: Julien Roux Brisbois | Age: 21 | Gender: Male | Face Claim: Gaspard Ulliel | Position: Weapons Specialist | Taken by luft
The Master of the Guard of the Daggers was rescued from an abusive household by The Red Lady and so is indebted to her and will do anything in her power to make the woman proud.
Name: Contessa Tavner | Age: 19 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Alycia Debnam Carey | Position: Master of the Guard | Taken by συιʝα
The Messenger was taken in by The Red Lady from the streets as a young child and sees her as the mother he always wanted. He travels to and from the castle to send messages and orders from his queen to her army. He'd die for her.
Name: Robberd thorn | Age: 17 | Gender: Male | Face Claim: Logan Lerman | Position: Messenger | Reserved by tigerz
The Inquisitor is the law of the land. If the Daggers get wind of a rebellion or really anyone who speaks ill of their queen, she pays them a visit and they have a trial of sorts to determine if they are guilty. Only in their case, they're guilty until proven innocent. She has a thing for causing pain.
Name: Khara | Age: Max 22 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Olga Kurylenko | Position: Inquisitor | Taken by maieutics
The Inquisitor is the law of the land. If the Daggers get wind of a rebellion or really anyone who speaks ill of their queen, she pays them a visit and they have a trial of sorts to determine if they are guilty. Only in their case, they're guilty until proven innocent. She has a thing for causing pain.
Name: | Age: 10 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Bella Ramsey | Position: Spy | Reserved by TheCrimsonLady
The Princess is the only heir to the throne. The queen had tried to kill her by tossing her into the prisons and forced her into work with little sleep and little food, but she had managed to escape thanks to her best friend and body guard. She seeks the help of TSC.
Name: Drew Phoenix | Age: 17 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Poppy Drayton | Position: Princess | Taken by xXxCryptic-AngelxXx
The Body guard was the son of the king's body guard and had always planned on becoming a soldier in the king's army, but when he was chosen to guard the princess, he couldn't say no. At first, he found her silly and spoiled, but soon saw the potential she had to become queen. When The Red Lady took over and she disappeared, he used his contacts in the guard to find her and eventually free her. Now he helps her find TSC. He may or may not have feelings for her.
Name: Winter Valentine | Age: 20 | Gender: Male | Face Claim: Kit Harrington | Position: Body Guard | Taken by TheCrimsonLady
The Red Lady is actually the former queen's older sister who felt robbed of her crown and has worked to create a force to help her get it back. Now that she's queen she's punishing the people who allowed her to be wronged, but has plans to make the kingdom better afterwards. Well, for those who survive the cleansing.
Name: Angelina Phillips | Age: max 35 | Gender: Female | Face Claim: Lena Headey | Position: Queen/Red Lady | Taken by Sunshine and Whiskey
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[center][color=#HEX COLOR HERE][font=Century Gothic][size=250]The Past[/size][/font][/color][/center]
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1. I am the GM and, as such, I have the authority to add, subtract, or control characters. Though this will only happen under certain circumstances.
2. When reserving character in the OOC please include Password One Faceclaim as well as their position.
3. If you have a problem with a player, talk to me or them via PM. Do not bring it to the OOC. There are others trying to play.
4. Please no Godmodding, offensive language, or Power playing. There will be combat, but you're not invincible.
5. Please be active. I cannot stress this enough. I have been apart of so many roleplays that have died before they have barely started. If you don't think you'll have the time, don't join. Simple.
6. PW Two Transparent answer for- What weapon would you personally love to wield?
7. Your characters should not be: Mary Sues, Gary Sues, or Special Snowflakes and please try to make them diverse.
8. Max of 2 characters please. you can request a third but I will only grant it if you're active and have your two characters already submitted.
- 48 posts here • Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 8 authors
Time: 22:00
It was late evening when the screaming started, emanating from the stone fortress of the castle. The people gathered at the doors, too frightened to go inside, but too terribly curious to stay away. The doors flew open with a bang and people, Nobles and Servants alike, fled from the interior of the building. They trampled people and wrecked stalls as they fled, but they wouldn't get far. There were plumes of smoke rising from the different districts of the city. Orange light began to glow and the air was filled with more screams. There was the crashing of glass, the clang of metal on metal, and the heartbreaking sounds of people losing their homes. Some even losing their lives.
The culprit? A woman dressed in the same shade of red as the blood staining the throne room who wears the face of the queen. But the queen is dead, the king is nowhere to be seen, and the princess is missing. This new queen, this Red Lady, and her young army are tearing down the kingdom. Not just to conquer it. No. To rebuild it. First comes the fire and the cleansing. Then the reconstruction will commence and the kingdom will be remade.
The key players are all in place. The Queen stands at the head of the square. A shimmering crown of gold sits upon her head, glowing in the orange light of the fires. The Captain and Vice Captain of her guard, her soldiers, stand on either side of her giving a... trial of sorts for the nobles that refused to help when she had appeared to them before. Her daggers moved throughout the city, seeking rats on two legs who must face their crimes against the crown.
"Winn," she said, barely a whisper, "Winn, we should go back." She pushed herself to her feet, her legs weak beneath her. She had been working in the gardens all day after being sick all night from the drugs they fed her. She didn't have a choice. She needed to eat to survive long enough to escape. And she had, but it was bittersweet. She didn't understand why Angelina chose to strike that night when it was obvious she had her men in the castle for weeks. Her torment had only gone on for days, but the time seemed to stretch down in the cells. She wouldn't tell Winter the truth about what was going on down there. Not yet. She doubled over and wretched. Whether from exertion, drugs, or shock she couldn't tell.
She straightened and wiped her mouth. "Winn, we have to go back."
She had half a mind to reach for one of the bottles she had tucked away, but then she remembered that Leila had been in her room earlier that night and she had yet to get her report from her vice captain and Mavis. She would need that before she decided to incapacitate herself for the night. Things in the forest had been quiet lately which Kat found incredibly unsettling. "What are you up to you crimson bitch?" She mused to herself.
She took another swig of wine and gulped down the sour liquid. Wine wasn't her favorite, but Kat always had some stashed away in her treehouse and never locked the door. She too was oblivious to the monstrous deeds happening on the other side of the wall. Hell, the forest could be on fire and she wouldn't know. She was watching the stars with a reverence. The only way she was leaving her treehouse was if Will came in her and talked her out of it.
Still she had to be sure. If they got attacked tonight because Mavis though she was seeing things the teen would never forgive herself. She sent all but one of her party back to camp with the instructions to tell their Captian that Mavis would return later. Kat would need to know after all.
She made her way to the edge of the forest, her ruined home in the distance. Was that smoke from the city? Mavis had to check this out. She turned to the Shadow Child with her, hand on her blade. 'Return to The Captain. Tell her of the smoke. I will go further and look for signs of those blasted Dagger.'
'But Mavis-'
She silenced him with a glare. Young as she was her troops respected her. He nodded grimly and after placing a calloused hand on her shoulder, ran off. Mavis faced the castle again. Just what was happening?
She took a deep, calming breath and took off, a blur in the night. As she got closer Mavis could hear the screams. Painfully she was reminded of the flames licking at her skin, her brothers screaming for her.
She shook her head. Now wasn't the time. Something big was happening and Mavis needed to find out what. The Castle's main entrance was in sight but Mavis didn't need that. Anyone of intrest would be escaping in the smaller routes, sewers and holes in the ground.
Not wanting to be noticed, but wanting to see what was going on Mavis did what she does best. She scrambled up a tree and planted herself on a thick branch. If no one important came out within an hour she'd return to camp.
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Frere woke up with a start from the dream, the same one that seemed to plague his mind whenever he felt restless or had a particularly rough day much like today and unbeknown to him the night was guarding a secret that would send his days into a much more stressed life the red queen had made her first move...
Frere decided to go for a late night tree running session that always served as a way to calm his nerves and the confusing thoughts that dream always left him with, dressing quickly and taking his red cloak and the dark poniard that had been his only companion since his rebirth to consciousness in the forest 5 years ago, he made his way out of the tree that he now called home.
Making small talk with the kids still awake and those posting as guards on the entrance to the cave he went into the woods, everyone knew that the vice captain was more than capable to take care of himself and was normal of him to go patrol the woods at all hours as long as the captain was in base and his duties were fufilled.
After half an hour of running jumping an climbing through the woods his mind was completely clear of confusing dreams and the only thing coursing it was the idea of maybe having a excursion to the city with some of his TSC companions to see how the situation was developing and maybe to invite them to some drinks they all needed a little respite from the routine. That’s when Frere stumbled with some of Mavis´s group running towards the cave it seemed "Woo woo my friends where is the fire calm down or you are going to give Will more work than he signed for a broken arm is not easy to tend to you know" coming down with a smile he approached them. "The city is on fire!... *cough cough* the Master went to check and send us to inform the captain" shock moved through his mind trying to lay claim on his body but he needed to warn the other and make sure Mavis didný got hurt, she was strong but he couldn’t leave her all alone the Daggers were very dangerous "The captain is in her chambers tell her and only her what you saw I don’t want to cause panic, I´m going to reunite with the master and evaluate the situation, take care please my friends" and with that he was gone...
The day had finally come. Besides the day of her gaining her crown, the day of reckoning had come, as well. It's been days that she had been exacting her revenge as today was just pure icing on the cake. Angelina roamed around the castle with a few grapes inside of her hand. She popped them all into her mouth then turned to look towards the throne room and saw that there were blood on almost every single aspect of the room. The aroma of smoke began to crept at her nose as she knew that the day she took over that there was going to be turmoil - Her turmoil.
Angelina was heavily guarded by her recruited group of misfits. She wondered if this display of the day would bring out those obviously terrified children in the woods. They were pathetic in her eyes as she continued her waltz throughout the castle as most places she went, she could see the flames still burning a bright orange. The black smoke of already burned places that were slowly turning to ash.
As she entered the square and took her rightful place in front of her throne, she directed her soldiers to stand guard beside her. She stood there proudly and looked as she had one of her hostages tied with their hands behind their back to a wooden pole. Angelina looked at the person as she parted her lips to speak.
"One last chance to bow down to me or suffer the consequences." She spat as the male tied to the pole eyed her with a disgusted look. "I'd rather burn in the deepest depths of hell before I bow down to a wretched person like you." Angelina chuckled as she lowered her head to look down at the ground before her eyes fixated back towards the male. "Well, let me help you out a little bit, huh?" Before the male could even respond, masked men that carried torches had already set the male ablaze as his piercing screams filled the square.
"Kassandra, make it stop." She muttered towards the female as Kassandra nodded her head and grabbed her bow along with an arrow and shot it towards the male, ultimately silencing him. A smirk began to form among her lips as she took a few steps forward and looked down at the other nobles before her. "This is just the beginning. There is plenty more where that came from. Bow down to me or the King you all once knew is next." Yes, those last words she had uttered were simply breathtaking as no one truly knew what happened to the King - Their King. At least they knew that he was truly alive or maybe she was just toying with them.
Angelina along with most members of The Daggars truly knew where the King was kept hidden. He was kept in a tower within the castle as she didn't quite know what to do with him yet. She didn't know if she wanted to kill him or just torture him until he cannot take it anymore and asks for his own sentencing. Angelina couldn't think about that now as she eyed her loyal army. "If this doesn't bring those children out of those woods, I do not what will." She spoke softly as she turned back towards the audience. "Now, we feast!"
After she spoke those words, the audience was still at a hush as they followed her to the dining area, a place in which she has yet to burn. Her army trailed behind her as she entered the room and took her rightful seat at the top, where she could see down at everyone else. "Now, we wait." Angelina spoke as she sat back and relaxed for now as it seemed like people were actually enjoying themselves.
Ash fell down like snow, clinging to his dark curls as he pressed himself against a brick wall watching the eerily quiet streets of Valie. The still burning fire gave the once beautiful kingdom an ominous red hue. Smoke pluming black up into the sky, making the night even darker .
Winter's gloved hand gripped the Princess's wrist. Gently but firmly. He was not about to let her out of his sight, not again.
Hee once soft hands were blistered and calloused, her was straight and proud frame was bent and broken. She looked little like the woman he'd left those few days ago and it ate at him.
He knew he had to do it. He was a student of history, of life. He read about conquerors, war lords and invaders. He knew the first thing they'd do was break the royalty in front of the people. Her killing the queen only ensured her ascent to the throne. Killing Drew wouldn't do that. Breaking Drew, that would give her something to show the people. It would prove her strength. It bought him time to set things up. Find someplace safe for them to go. It took him only days, but in those days, she was nearly broken. If he got her to safety, where she could heal, it would be worth it. Maybe, just maybe, she would understood, and he hoped against hope that she'd forgive him.
Winter's dark eyes watched the street, trying to almost to see through the smoke. They were nearly there. They escaped the palace, but it wouldn't be long now before the Red Lady was alerted and then the entire kingdom would be looking for her. Fear would turn the loyal against the Princess, especially in the state was she was in.
Suddenly, Drew dropped, a sob rocked her body. Winter spun and lowered so not to break her wrist. He pulled the dark fur cloak from his shoulders and on to hers. His black jerkin and doublet would keep him until they made camp in the forest. He gave her a once over, with a crestfallen expression. They truly didn't have time for this.
He gave her a moment, his eyes turning back to the street, his left hand gripped the hilt of his blade while his right held her wrist. He wanted to hold her, console her, let her grieve, her entire family was lost but they couldn't afford this break in their escape.
"Winn." Her voice barely a whisper. He didn't look at her. He watched the street, looking for anyone who might be approaching. "Winn, we should go back" She pleaded, and still he said nothing. A frown hardened his face but he gave her wrist a reassuring squeeze. Suddenly, she doubled over, causing him to whip his head in her direction. He set down his blade so that he hold her hair back while she wretched, what little was in her stomach. He had food at the camp he made but they just had to get there.
This was his fault. If he'd seen this attack coming somehow....No, Don't be a fool, he told himself before guilt fogged his mind. He had to think, and think clearly. He hated his pragmatism sometimes, but he knew this was a better alternative.
"Breath, Princess." He cooed softly, as she finished. She straightened herself as much as she could with her injuries and wiped her mouth. He stood as well, bringing his sword with him. He slid it back in its sheath, it's twin resting on his other hip. He tugged his cloak around her some. "Winn, we have to go back." she begged and he looked at her. His expression softened.
This was going to hurt her, he knew, but it had to be said. "There's nothing to go back to. His tone was brusque. He wanted to cup her cheek, reassure her, but that was never his way, as formal as he was with her. There was a lot of things he wanted to do, but he couldn't bring himself to make attempt then, and it would be impossible now.
He took her hands. He could feel the cold through his gloved. "I never lie to you, you know that, yes?" He asked but it was rhetorical. He hoped she'd find some comfort in that, at least he hadn't changed when the rest of her world was turned upside down. He was still his pragmatic, honorable self. It may not be what she wanted at that moment, but it was needed. She was Queen now, hard truths were part of the job.
"If we go back, the torment you faced before, whatever it was, whatever she had them do to you....it won't end." He told her, his fingers gripping hers. He didn't want to remind her of what happened and while he didn't know, she didn't tell him the details, he knew what men wear, men he once called comrades, men to whom he refused to be like, the same men that held her captive, the same men he cut down to get to her. He could only imagine what she suffered. That made his choice to leave her there hurt the most.
He'd tell her...one day.
"This is personal for her, she wants to break you if she hadn't you'd be dead already. If we go back, just the two of us, you'll be back there, and I'll--" He paused. She'd make an example out of him ,or worse, torture him in front of Drew. They were all each other had now and the Red lady knew it and it was clear she was not above mental torment as a means to her end.
"We'll come back, I don't know when, but I know how, with an army, something we don't have now, and that's something we need in order to end this." he told her with a grip of her hands. Footfalls echoed from the distance. He stiffened, a heavy frown hardened his features again. They had to go. Now.
"Right now, Let's just get you safe, fed, warm, and healed, then we'll amass an army in your name and we'll come back. We'll come home." He told her, and letting one hand fall to his side, the other still on hers, he peeked around the corner. He still didn't see the guards but they were getting closer.
"Once we get out of the city, I can carry you the rest of the way, but for now, Can you run?" he asked. If she couldn't. He would have to wait, and take out the foot soldiers one by one. It wouldn't be many, provided the Queen didn't know of her escape, it would be the usual four man patrol, a patrol he used to be on. At the time, he'd taken the time to leave every alley of the city, every turn, every corner. It was a just in case, he never thought he had to use it. His once comrades used to tease him, call him paranoid and or love struck. Thinking he worked too hard to impress the princess. They never bothered to learn which would work to his advantage now.
All was calm. It was a quiet evening. There wasn't even any minor injuries for Will to deal with, so he was able to just sit and play cards with his sister. He'd been able to do this more and more often lately- which, of course, just made him suspicious. Something was building. He'd been spending more time training- so the fact that he could now spend most of the day training and still have time to play cards with Andei was unsettling him.
He glanced up towards Leila's room. She'd been spending more and more time by herself. Will wasn't going to pry, but he could tell something was wrong. Maybe she'd tell him eventually. Maybe she didn't need to talk and was just going to deal with it by herself. Either way, it wasn't his place to ask too many questions.
He turned his attention back to the game and his sister. They'd played together a lot as children, so it was almost like they were at home again. If not for Andei's almost constant silence, and their new surroundings and... well, everything but the fact that they were playing together.
And yet, Will couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Or, at least... off. But he kept his attention on the game, laughing a little at Andei. "Remember when I thought that I was never going to be able to beat you?" He asked. "I also thought I was never going to be taller than you," he added, grinning. That was back before he realised what his lighter skin meant, back before everything changed. Back when things were simpler.
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"Hear the loud alarm bells --
Brazen bells!
What tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!
In the startled ear of night
How they scream out their affright!
Too much horrified to speak,
They can only shriek, shriek,
Out of tune,
In a clamorous appealing to the mercy of the fire,
In a mad expostulation with the deaf and frantic fire,
Leaping higher, higher, higher,
With a desperate desire,
And a resolute endeavor
Now -- now to sit or never,
By the side of the pale-faced moon.
Oh, the bells, bells, bells!
What a tale their terror tells
Of Despair! (Edgar A. Poe)
A deep and rich singing voice was caring itself through the chaos of the burning city repeating the verses from an old poem. He remembered singing the same poem in another life far before this one and the merriment of his performing days blended with the joy he felt tonight, finally the Queen-the real Queen was allowing them to perform at their leisure, she had been juggling with her Daggers for far too long and even if our twirling through the air had been an alluring and quite favorable aspect of our Lady´s vision.
To Viper nothing compared to the marvelous image with which she had presented herself to the whole kingdom tonight, as of this evening he will only be able to see her as the savior of this decadent land, a Queen dress in gown made of flowing blood crowned with a mane formed by a raging fire.
Feeling the blood of his recent contribution to the exhibition dry on his face he Interrupted his singing just for a second to capture the pictures around him, colors made more intense by the fire and faces with expressions never before seen in such variety, he felt such an inspiration that he played with the idea of just continue as an observant to this final and first act "hum Silly thoughts... Reshaping this kingdom is one of the reasons I have employed my brushes help in expressing to everyone the need for change"With an amused chuckle he climbed through the window of another of designated spots "uhhm this one has offsprings, that’s unfortunate but alas my silver fang will be quick, no rage will cover this walls only a soothing release after the snake´s bite"
While drinking some wine on a tall tree branch he found himself widening his smile as he saw a shadow wolf manifest itself only to disappear before its prey touched the ground, whirling his body to the ground he continued as to not fall behind with the schedule musing inwardly to invite the Dagger of law into a mach of wit "perhaps after the hunt is done for the night, perhaps..."
To Viper nothing compared to the marvelous image with which she had presented herself to the whole kingdom tonight, as of this evening he will only be able to see her as the savior of this decadent land, a Queen dress in gown made of flowing blood crowned with a mane formed by a raging fire.
Feeling the blood of his recent contribution to the exhibition dry on his face he Interrupted his singing just for a second to capture the pictures around him, colors made more intense by the fire and faces with expressions never before seen in such variety, he felt such an inspiration that he played with the idea of just continue as an observant to this final and first act "hum Silly thoughts... Reshaping this kingdom is one of the reasons I have employed my brushes help in expressing to everyone the need for change"With an amused chuckle he climbed through the window of another of designated spots "uhhm this one has offsprings, that’s unfortunate but alas my silver fang will be quick, no rage will cover this walls only a soothing release after the snake´s bite"
While drinking some wine on a tall tree branch he found himself widening his smile as he saw a shadow wolf manifest itself only to disappear before its prey touched the ground, whirling his body to the ground he continued as to not fall behind with the schedule musing inwardly to invite the Dagger of law into a mach of wit "perhaps after the hunt is done for the night, perhaps..."
Tom took another large bite of his apple. He swung his dagger around in his free left hand and he watched the first set of flames erupt. This was her plan and now it was in motion. Tonight would go well, there was no doubt in anyone's mind. Tom eyed off the smoke that rose through the dark sky. Sure he didn't need to be here waiting, it wasn't exactly a job that called for a person of his position, but he preferred to be out here rather than in that castle watching the chaos from a distance. Down here he could hear the screams, feel a part of the madness. Besides Kass would be at their Queen's side. He trusted his vice captain as much as he trusted his own to hands.
Tom was getting impatient now. He took the last bite of his apple and threw the core to his feet stomping on it with one of his boots. Then finally, the door he had been watching swung open. A portly man saddled up with luggage appeared followed by his wife and three children. Just what Tom had been waiting for. One of the Queen's enemies looking to make a hasty exit. Tom strode forward pulling out his sword. "And where you guys be off to on such a fine night?" The family all jumped at the sound of Tom's voice and the father looked at him like a guilty child caught stealing an extra cookie. The man made a move to run, but Tom was able to immediately stop him by way of sword. "Oh no. I wouldn't try that. A noble family like yours shouldn't be skulking around alleyways so late at night." Lord Albert, cousin to the king. A title that brought him a stunning commoner wife and access to as much food as he could stuff down his pie hole, a liberty he had clearly taken advantage of. Another one of the nobles who had turned their backs on his Queen. Tom wasn't one for politics but he knew how to follow orders.
"Please, just let us go." He pleaded, his face red and splotchy from the panic that had clearly set in. Tom closed in on the group, his features giving none of his thoughts away. “I’ve got money. Lots of it.” None of the man’s arguments swayed Tom at all. “Just let me go,” His wife said stepping forward, batting her big brown eyes Tom’s way. “I’ve done no wrong to The Red Lady like him. And I’m not royal blood like the children.” Tom’s face held a sadistic smile. How quickly the parents rose up to betray their children.
He shrugged and moved aside to let her past. After all, she was right. The wife wasn’t anyone his Queen wanted revenge from. Although, she only managed to run a few meters before Tom slipped out a small dagger and pierced it through the back of her skull. With blank features Tom tugged his jacket back into place. “Sorry. That was personal.” Tom had a thing about shitty parenting. “Now the rest of you.” Tom made quick work of cutting down the remaining family members. It was messy work. It had to be as so to leave behind a warning for anyone else thinking of going against the Queen.
Once he was done. Tom left the bodies how they lay and walked through the backstreet towards the castle. Fire seemed to roar all around and people ran about through the streets, screaming and yelling. Tom liked the sense of it all. It felt like change and Angelina provided the means that allowed Tom to be at the heart of it. Heading towards one of the many lesser known back doors into the castle. He pulled up a grate in bedded in the ground and was about to jump down when his attention was caught by some movement out of the corner of his eye. Glancing upward towards the tree foliage, he narrowed his eyes searching for the same movement but he couldn’t see anything. Shrugging off the feeling of being watched, Tom jumped down into the tunnel below the streets that led straight into the castle.
Tom entered the dining room quietly and with little fuss. He had been picked for the Dagger’s because he didn’t stand out or have much presence. Wandering around the edges of the room Tom made his way up to his position at Angelina’s side. As he walked past Kass, he briefly put a hand to her back and whispered “Nice shot.” He had seen her previous show out in the square. Then he passed her and took his spot of Angelina’s side. He flashed her a smug smile. Their day had finally come. Tom wasn’t much into politics and he really didn’t care much for bloodlines or who he was expected to bow to. Though this was one political move that mattered to him. Being by Angelina’s side meant he had a lot to gain from this movement. “How are things going from your end?” He asked quietly.
It was nice, sitting, being able to play a quiet game of cards with her brother. Like all of the world's problems big and small were a million miles away. Alexandei knew better. It had been a nice quite like this one, when their world was shattered. Nights like this made Alexandei particularly nervous. Her guard high, even sound and twitch of shadows made her jump. She wasn't always like this but she was now, and she didn't expect that to change anytime soon.
It seemed Will to be lost in thought too for a moment because he seemed to return as she set down her card. She closed her eyes as he placed his down, beating her in the game. She allowed herself to giggle softly.
"Remember when I thought that I was never going to be able to beat you?" He asked and she rolled her eyes playfully. "I also thought I was never going to be taller than you," He told her and she merely shrugged. He was always quick to make things a competition. Not out of malice, he just wanted to prove himself, anyway he could. She loved that about him. She reached out and touched his hand. The look on her face was soft, telling him, he was taller then her now, and he beat her now. She didn't speak often, but her face was full of readable expressions. All of the Shadow Children could read them, only two ever heard her speak.
Suddenly, the smell of fire wafted over them. It wasn't like the burning of leaves, it was wood, brick and mortar. She looked at Will, terror in her eyes.
She reached to her side, where a pack sat, leaning against her chair. She reached inside and pulled out a different deck of cards. She shuffled them quickly and placed three face down.
She set the deck aside and took a breath before turning the first card over. The Lovers. Alexandei frowned and continued. The Five of Cups. Alexandei swallowed before reaching the final card. Death. Her eyes went wide but she stopped herself from panicking. The Death card didn't always mean literal death. It could also mean Transformation. Change. However the Five of Cups meant grief, sadness. That paired with Death was never good, but the Lovers. That meant a choice. A choice would be made, or has been, that will bring grief, sadness, and death, or -hopefully- change.
She looked at her brother. "Something's wrong..." She said her voice soft, and a little hoarse from disuse, it was the first words she'd spoken to him all day. It wasn't uncommon but still.
She turned toward the smell of fire. "A Storm is coming, Will...Just like--" She paused, unable to finish. She wanted to say 'Just like that day' meaning the day their parents died and she lost the will to speak. "We need to prepare." She told him, but for what she didn't know. The Death card scared her more then she could ever explain.
She looked over at Winter and nodded. "You're right," She murmured. "Lets go." She took a step forward, her leg wobbled once but held her up. "I can run." She said before really believing that she could. She could hear them now. The pounding of soldier's boots on the cobblestone road. She stiffed, fear consuming her where once she would've been brave. She had heard them so many times from behind those metal bars... She took off as fast as her legs could carry her. She knew Winter would be able to keep up. Hell, he could outrun her. He had many times when they spent afternoons in the sunlight and floral aroma of the gardens while she was temporarily shirking her "princessly duties".
She allowed him to lead her through the streets, stopping when they heard boots stomping around corners or the clang of metal on metal as guards attacked each other. It was chaos. No one knew who to trust. For a split second, Drew worried that she was being deceived, but shook it from her. If was residual from being in her cell. She thought she could trust the guards, some she had known for years growing up in the castle. But Winter? Winter would never. She had known him practically from the time she was born. There was no way he would turn on her. She grasped the cloak about her shoulders as she ran, thankful he had given it to her. It was autumn, edging closer to winter with every moon and she only had the rags she was given in exchange for her torn party dress.
They were nearing the walls now. Her lungs burned and ached and her feet were blistering from lack of proper footwear, but she pushed. If she could just get through the wall.. It loomed before them. A promise of freedom, but also a promise of imprisonment if they couldn't get out the gates. If they were guarded by too many.. or they were lowered. It took four guards to lift one. They would never pull it off with just the two of them. Thankfully they were open... And there were only two guards.
"Hold on, Sweetheart!" she answered as she moved quickly across the room to her makeshift wardrobe to pull on some trousers. The older kids were used to her being in different manners of dress, but the little ones were... well too little. Once she was fully clothed, she opened the door and knelt down so she was just slightly shorter than the guard that stood before her. They looked frightened, eyes wide and shoulders shaking. "What is it, soldier?" She asked, voice light, but serious. The child took a few breaths, still out of breath from running and crying. Kat stood and moved to her bedside table where a jug of water sat. She took a glass, poured it, and then handed it to the child to drink. "Deep breaths, hun." Once the child was calm enough, they ran a hand down their face before delivering the news.
Kat's whole body tensed, but she gave a soft smile and patted the child on the head. "Thank you for alerting me. Go get something to snack on and return to your hut. We will not be needing you tonight." Being a guard was one thing, but fighting against the daggers was another thing entirely. The child nodded gratefully and climbed back down the short latter onto one of the many bridges until they made their way down to their hut. Kat shut the door and pulled on better clothing and a small section of light chainmail she had managed to acquire from a recent job. She also grabbed her sword which she strapped to her waist before pulling on her boots, and exiting her room. She moved as quickly and quietly as she could until her leather clad foot was firmly on the ground.
"Captain's Guard! We are needed in the city!" She commanded as she moved about camp. She saw little faces poking sleepily from windows and doorways but were quickly shuffled back inside by the older ones. They told different stories, a drill, a bear, a dragon. Something they could spin into a bedtime story. Those children deserved chocolate one of these days for all the work to do to keep the little ones calm. She grabbed ahold of one of the older guards, someone who had been off duty this night and told him to run ahead and tell Mavis to lead the people into the tunnels. "Keep her from engaging unless absolutely necessary. She'll probably be after blood since it's almost..Well you get the idea. Keep her safe. We need to keep each other alive right now. Worry about killing them later." He saluted and took off into the short cave tunnel that lead out into the dark of the forest. Kat found Andei and Will playing cards at one of the tables and knew, by the tarot cards on the table and the look of fear in her eyes, she knew something was wrong. Kat cleared her throat, and shuffled her feet. Momentarily at a loss for what to say to her friend. She couldn't say, "It'll be okay," because she wasn't sure that it would be. She wanted to hold her and promise nothing would happen, but she didn't. Instead she said, "It'll be okay, Andei." Smooth. She shook her head and turned her attention to Will. "Where's Leila?" She had been all over camp, but hadn't seen her. She turned her head up to the window of Leila's treehouse and frowned. Leila sat staring at the sky, Kat's bottle of wine in her hand. She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her thumb and forefinger. "Will, go get her down and sober her up would you? We'll need her to get things ready and... as much as i hate to say it" She hated to put her sister in danger, but Leila was very skilled at many things. Things they would need. "Bring her. You both are needed in town."
She didn't bother to wait for the question she knew was coming. "The Red Bitch made her move." She took off to finish rounding up her troops. Where's my Vice Captain? Where's Frere?"
Andei's silent, gentle touch told him everything it needed to. A reminder that things were different now, that he didn't need to prove himself any more. If only it was that simple. But he smiled at her, thankful for her comfort.
The stench of smoke hit him at the same time as it hit her, and he watched as Andei pulled out her tarot cards. He didn't understand tarot all that much. But Andei's expression told him everything he needed to know- as did the fact that she actually spoke to him. When she was using her words, it was worse than they'd thought. He understood the gaps in her wording as well, feeling his stomach plummet to the floor. It was like the night their parents had been killed. The night that Will had probably nearly died. The night that Andei stopped talking.
Before he could do anything other than get to his feet, though, Kat appeared, only confirming the worst of his suspicions. He didn't miss her comforting of Andei. Kat was the only other person Andei would actually talk to instead of her usual, silent communication. Will was glad that she had somebody else, and only more so that it was Kat. If anything did happen to him, Kat would take care of Andei. She wouldn't be entirely alone. That gave him comfort, more than he was going to admit. He didn't know the exact details of their relationship, but he wasn't going to push Andei for them either. As long as she was happy.
He nodded at Kat's instructions, glancing up to Leila's room. If both of them were needed, then things were bad. They could sometimes get away with leaving one of them behind, but not now. They needed as many bodies as possible, and if it was what Will thought it was, then they'd need a field medic anyway.
Kat confirmed his worst fears in a few short words. The Red Queen had struck again- and for real this time. They had to move. He turned to Andei. "You know what I put in my field pack, right? Can you go sort that out for me while I attempt to deal with Leila? Put in anything and everything you think I'll need," he said, before climbing the ladder and going to Leila's room.
He knocked, counted to ten, then entered anyway. "On a scale of one to ten, how drunk are you right now?" He asked, leaning against the door. "Because we're needed in the city, and you need your wits about you. The Red Queen is on the rampage."
"Can I not, at least, have a chance?" He had sobbed, sniveling at the feet of the shadowy figure who'd come to make him scream praises to his new Queen. A defective guard the Red Lady's Wolf had caught wind of through some other guard's gossiping when they hadn't known she was listening in. The Inquisitor was silent, save for the bells at her waist, tinkling gently in the breeze as she gazed at the man with cold, unreadable eyes and a stony, painted face. As a guard, the man looked fairly fit--if he ran for it, he might have been able to make it.
The corner of Khara's lips twitched and she tossed her head of dark, curly hair, the white strips of her hair gleaming silver in the early moonlight. The guard wasted no time, taking the movement in, grabbing up his dusty satchel and shooting off. Khara had waited for a few moments, scaling up the wall of a nearby building leisurely, taking in the view of the city when she hopped onto the roof before taking off, her fur cloak waving out behind her.
She had quickly caught up to the man, so close that she could hear his gasps for breath from the rooftops. She counted the breaths, giving a grunt as she leaped from the roof. Reaching around her back, Khara produced a dagger, not made of steel or iron, but bone.
Her athletic build crashed into the man, the guard becoming a mass of flailing limbs and gnashing teeth, bursts of hot breath hitting Khara in the face as she easily dealt with her struggling victim, her twisted grin replaced by the bone dagger, licking the dripping, sticky wine red substance from it's whetted edge. The man released a terrified wail beneath her, looking at his pale bone in his arm that her weapon had revealed.
The hilt of the dagger butted into his nose, a sickening crunch followed by a defeated whimper. Khara dug her knees into his arms, raised up her weapon and buried it in his throat, a gurgle of hot, almost black, liquid gushing out and splattering her painted face. The former guard choked and gagged, eyes bugging out as his body squirmed beneath her in a last, ditch effort to live.
Futile.
Yanking her dagger from it's temporary sheathe in the man's throat and flicking it out to rid it of some of the blood sticking to the blade, Khara rolled her shoulders as if to shirk off some of the tension between her shoulderblades. She glanced at the corpse at her feet, the pool of blood inching towards her feet like syrup, with a sigh and shake of her head, sheathing her blade and running off down the stained cobblestone streets. She twisted through the alleys as if she'd been in the city her whole life, maneuvering past screams and shrill wails as blood poured down the streets like wine and fires raged, accompanied by the distinct stench of burning flesh. This was the Red Lady's legacy--the purge--even the castle seemed to have become darker, as if to glorify it's new occupant and ruler.
Khara turned to face the forest, her visage back to her usual severe demeanor, her callous, flinty eyes roaming over the treeline that rose up above the wall that surrounded the city of Valie. She took in a deep breath, believing that she could almost smell them--
The Shadow Children.
There was a knock at her door. Not urgent but not hesitant. The person on the other side waited for ten seconds before opening the door and taking a single step inside where he leaned against the door frame. Leila didn't even turn. She knew who it was just by the way he entered. He was here to talk her down. And he was the only one that really could. Didn't mean he didn't need to try harder. She turned and tossed her knife. It landed about a foot from where she actually meant to hit which was barely an inch from his head. "Does that answer your question?" She replied, a slight slur to her words.
She sighed and stood from the window, stumbling only slightly as her foot caught in the blankets that had been strewn from her bed. "If you've come to escort me to battle, young knight," she said with a smirk, "You'll have to do better than that." It wasn't that she didn't care about the town. In fact, she had fond memories of the town. It was more that the town didn't give a damn about them and in her current state, she couldn't look past that fact.
She'd at least to down fighting.
A sudden snapping of twigs made Mavis sit up straight. Hand on her sword she turned, ready for a fight. The familiar sight made her shoulders relax. Nimbly she jumped down from the tree, making the soldier jump.
She stared him down. 'Did The Captain send you?' Prehaps Kat wanted her to investigate more. Mavis could easily sneak into the kingdom, see what was going on.
The Guard stood up straight. Mavis wished he didn't. Even slouched he'd be taller than her. It was strange giving orders to people who were larger than her. 'Yes. She wants you to come back and lead the people into the tunnels. She wants no one to engage unless needed.'
Mavis cursed. She respected Kat too much to disobey her, but thay didn't mean Mavis had to like it. 'Okay, okay. Fine.' One more look was cast at the castle. Let's go.'
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After the last one got in the tunnels Frere was startled when he heard a loud metal scrapping sound "The gates! The people in the upper parts will be trapped, you crazy bitch you want to seize control of the noble quarters"
Turning to the people in the tunnel "You just have to follow the wall to your right and it will lead you to the river exit" with a more soothing voice still filled with strength he spoke to the younger ones in the group"I know it looks scary and dark but just think you are playing night tag only the wall is who you have to tag and I also know brave guys like you will help the older more scared ones out, hey you even helped me found you so remember stick to the right and don´t split okay"
They didn´t look too convinced but two of the men looked him with serious faces and nodded, at least the path was straightforward; he turn his way to the the south gate he had to check if it was open as it was the one that connected to the forest and the lower parts of the city.
Before reaching the gate Frere by a struck of luck was able to heard a group of guards talking while running and hide before they spotted him, creeping silently as to not give himself away he shadowed them to try and get as much information as possible, it wasn't completely clear, although the fire hasn't spread into the lower parts of the city the night was far from calm, from what he could piece together the red hag had let her dagger loose on the nobles, there were executions in the castle... they king was dead, no he was keep prisoner and was to be executed in the castle plaza and the princess, she was being tortured in the dungeons or missing completely it wasn't anything solid but he had to report back to his family, he had being gone for to long " Kaitlyn needs to now and if luck is by my side Mavis will be with her she is smart she wouldn't..." casting a frowning look at the castle.
Waiting until the guards were far enough he made a beeline to nearest gate and by all the green in the forest he called home was he ever grateful to find it open and the guards posted on it lacking in the life department, paying them just enough mind to steal a spear from one of them. Casting caution to the skies he sprinted into the woods keeping his senses attuned to hear any sounds that will indicate Kaitlyn and the others were nearby... and voices he heard.
&
A collaboration between myself and unicorns.are.real
Angelina took a sip from her goblet, a smile warmed her face as she eyed out towards her people. The music had just began and people were going over to the floor and started dancing. She had called over some guards and gave them an assignment. She had sent them to summon the princess down the stairs so that she can also enjoy these festivities, as well.
Her eyes looked out towards her army of comrades as she looked up and saw the captain, Tom, come over towards her. She smirked a little and took another sip from her goblet, her eyes fixated on Tom now. His question rang through her ears as she smiled out towards the people that was dancing then looked over at him.
"Let's see, now that I have the Kingdom within the palm of my hands and that I am finally Queen, things are pretty great here." She responded bluntly then eyed him. "Any news to deliver to me?" Angelina asked Tom as she waited for a response.
"It sure looks it," mused Tom as he looked out of the dancing people. Wine was flowing throughout the entire room. In here seemed more like a fancy ball was being held rather than the rebellion the flames outside represented. He looked back at his Queen when she asked his news. "Nothing of note. Everything is going as planned." He shrugged lightheartedly. "The other Daggers should be out. Taking care of a few things." Of course, they both new by things, Tom meant people.
Tom moved his hands behind has back and looked out at the party going on. He tried to keep his look casual to anyone who would glance over. "So. You figured out what you're going to do with that father and daughter duo?" He was of course asking about the King and Princess, Angelina had kept captured below the castle. She's been awfully vague about her plans for them, which was something that annoyed Tom. She wasn't supposed to keep things from him. Sure this was her thing, but he was supposed to be her right hand man.
Angelina looked at Tom with another smile as she admired what he was doing with his group. She had an impressive smirk upon her face as she continued to look at him. "Seems like I've chosen the right person to be captain." She slightly teased as her shoulders shrugged at his last question. She honestly didn't know within herself but she wasn't going to let Tom know that.
"I have my plans. It's just not the right time right about now." She responded as the guards she had sent to check on the princess came back with worried expressions. Angelina gave them a scowled face as she raised a brow at them. "Well." The guards looked at each other before one of them finally spoke. "The princess wasn't where you left her, my lady." Angelina stood up before her seat as she eyed them.
"She escaped? How is that possible?" She asked as she waved her hand towards her guards, dismissing them as she looked down at Tom now. Angelina had another small smirk curve among her lip as she sat back down beside him. "Gather up your comrades. Find that little princess and when you do, don't kill her. Leave that for me." Angelina looked at him and waited to see what he had to say. Though, it was her orders and that was final.
Tom lounged in his chair, though he clenched his jaw slightly when Angelina refused to answer his question. She was being evasive, and it didn't annoy him as much as irked him. He liked to be let in on plans. Tom didn't enjoy being treated like any old lackey. Though he knew there was no point pressing the issue. If Angelina didn't want to spill the beans he wouldn't be able to persuade otherwise and he wasn't pathetic enough to try.
Then his Queen's attention was stolen by two guards approaching them. He quirked an eyebrow in amusement and they told her the bad news. As they walked off he murmured to Angelina, "I could have sworn you were a kill the messenger type." She turned to him and gave her orders. He shrugged. "Sure. Would you also like me to bring you back a goose that lays golden eggs?" Tom replied sarcastically. Finding the Princess would be no easy task. Who knew who was helping her, and how long she'd been gone?
Angelina looked at Tom once he had made a statement then shook her head. "You didn't let me finish, kill those two guards." She demanded then quickly snapped a glare towards Tom after he responded sarcastically towards her. "No but if you bring me the head of one of those Shadow Children, that will be good enough." She wasn't really up for sarcasm right about now as she wondered if it was just the princess that had escaped or is the king missing, as well.
Her sharp response proved that there was no denying his Queen and if anyone could do it, his Daggers could. So he reluctantly got to his feet. Though he leaned into whisper to Angelina "But whilst I'm doing that, you better find your traitor." It was clear if the princess had escaped someone had helped her, and if Angelina intended on holding onto her throne traitors could not be tolerated.
Angelina looked up at Tom as she sneered over at him then leaned back within her seat. She took her goblet again and took a big, very deserved sip from it then sat it back down. She needed to go to see if the king was still within his little cell but she was going to wait for when her group, The Daggars, left the premises. Her heart was literally racing right about now as she dismissed Tom then watched him as he made his move.
Then he left his Queen and went to stand beside Kass. Despite the time pressing task he'd been given, his demeanor was casual and relaxed. It would do no good on the night of like this to look scrambled. Tom gave Kass a meaningful look, that said he'd explain later, then he motioned over one of the closest guards. One of the ones most used to working with the Daggers. Tom spoke lowly, "I want a message sent out. My group is out and about and I need you to pass on to them that 'the bird has taken flight'." Tom nodded that his message was done. He knew his team would understand the meaning of the message and he couldn't allow the message to fall into just anyone's ears. At the last second Tom reached out and grabbed the soldier, "Oh, and make sure to put you most loyal on our Queen."
Then Tom was done with the soldier. He motioned to for Kass to follow him out into the night. They had a princess to catch. He intended to fill Kass in on the details along the way.
Her eyes looked out towards her army of comrades as she looked up and saw the captain, Tom, come over towards her. She smirked a little and took another sip from her goblet, her eyes fixated on Tom now. His question rang through her ears as she smiled out towards the people that was dancing then looked over at him.
"Let's see, now that I have the Kingdom within the palm of my hands and that I am finally Queen, things are pretty great here." She responded bluntly then eyed him. "Any news to deliver to me?" Angelina asked Tom as she waited for a response.
"It sure looks it," mused Tom as he looked out of the dancing people. Wine was flowing throughout the entire room. In here seemed more like a fancy ball was being held rather than the rebellion the flames outside represented. He looked back at his Queen when she asked his news. "Nothing of note. Everything is going as planned." He shrugged lightheartedly. "The other Daggers should be out. Taking care of a few things." Of course, they both new by things, Tom meant people.
Tom moved his hands behind has back and looked out at the party going on. He tried to keep his look casual to anyone who would glance over. "So. You figured out what you're going to do with that father and daughter duo?" He was of course asking about the King and Princess, Angelina had kept captured below the castle. She's been awfully vague about her plans for them, which was something that annoyed Tom. She wasn't supposed to keep things from him. Sure this was her thing, but he was supposed to be her right hand man.
Angelina looked at Tom with another smile as she admired what he was doing with his group. She had an impressive smirk upon her face as she continued to look at him. "Seems like I've chosen the right person to be captain." She slightly teased as her shoulders shrugged at his last question. She honestly didn't know within herself but she wasn't going to let Tom know that.
"I have my plans. It's just not the right time right about now." She responded as the guards she had sent to check on the princess came back with worried expressions. Angelina gave them a scowled face as she raised a brow at them. "Well." The guards looked at each other before one of them finally spoke. "The princess wasn't where you left her, my lady." Angelina stood up before her seat as she eyed them.
"She escaped? How is that possible?" She asked as she waved her hand towards her guards, dismissing them as she looked down at Tom now. Angelina had another small smirk curve among her lip as she sat back down beside him. "Gather up your comrades. Find that little princess and when you do, don't kill her. Leave that for me." Angelina looked at him and waited to see what he had to say. Though, it was her orders and that was final.
Tom lounged in his chair, though he clenched his jaw slightly when Angelina refused to answer his question. She was being evasive, and it didn't annoy him as much as irked him. He liked to be let in on plans. Tom didn't enjoy being treated like any old lackey. Though he knew there was no point pressing the issue. If Angelina didn't want to spill the beans he wouldn't be able to persuade otherwise and he wasn't pathetic enough to try.
Then his Queen's attention was stolen by two guards approaching them. He quirked an eyebrow in amusement and they told her the bad news. As they walked off he murmured to Angelina, "I could have sworn you were a kill the messenger type." She turned to him and gave her orders. He shrugged. "Sure. Would you also like me to bring you back a goose that lays golden eggs?" Tom replied sarcastically. Finding the Princess would be no easy task. Who knew who was helping her, and how long she'd been gone?
Angelina looked at Tom once he had made a statement then shook her head. "You didn't let me finish, kill those two guards." She demanded then quickly snapped a glare towards Tom after he responded sarcastically towards her. "No but if you bring me the head of one of those Shadow Children, that will be good enough." She wasn't really up for sarcasm right about now as she wondered if it was just the princess that had escaped or is the king missing, as well.
Her sharp response proved that there was no denying his Queen and if anyone could do it, his Daggers could. So he reluctantly got to his feet. Though he leaned into whisper to Angelina "But whilst I'm doing that, you better find your traitor." It was clear if the princess had escaped someone had helped her, and if Angelina intended on holding onto her throne traitors could not be tolerated.
Angelina looked up at Tom as she sneered over at him then leaned back within her seat. She took her goblet again and took a big, very deserved sip from it then sat it back down. She needed to go to see if the king was still within his little cell but she was going to wait for when her group, The Daggars, left the premises. Her heart was literally racing right about now as she dismissed Tom then watched him as he made his move.
Then he left his Queen and went to stand beside Kass. Despite the time pressing task he'd been given, his demeanor was casual and relaxed. It would do no good on the night of like this to look scrambled. Tom gave Kass a meaningful look, that said he'd explain later, then he motioned over one of the closest guards. One of the ones most used to working with the Daggers. Tom spoke lowly, "I want a message sent out. My group is out and about and I need you to pass on to them that 'the bird has taken flight'." Tom nodded that his message was done. He knew his team would understand the meaning of the message and he couldn't allow the message to fall into just anyone's ears. At the last second Tom reached out and grabbed the soldier, "Oh, and make sure to put you most loyal on our Queen."
Then Tom was done with the soldier. He motioned to for Kass to follow him out into the night. They had a princess to catch. He intended to fill Kass in on the details along the way.
Raven was beyond bored, she was glad the Queen finally had her crown, but sitting at a feast with an entire room with people whose combined IQ was lower than hers, including that of her so called peers, no thank you.
She didn't enjoy physical torture, unless it taught her something. She didn't do it for the sake of bloodshed, she wasn't a psychopath like the rest of these lower lifeforms. She had a scientific mind, if she was going to use physical torture, it was going to be because she wanted to learn what it did.
She spent her time inside watching the carnage unfold from her tower room. The fires burned, the screams echoed, blood spilled.
Bored.
Raven looked over, narrowing her eyes at a tree, she'd found one of her 'peers' in, sipping wine with a wide grin. She rolled her eyes.
"Julian..." she groaned.
Another textbook psychopath... He annoyed her the most.
She turned away, just as there was a knock on her door. "Come." She called. A herald entered and bowed. "Milady." he said and she looked at him with a look of disinterest. He didn't seem to know what to do with the little girl with the dark reputation. Most knew of her, most where afraid. He stammered.
"Out with it." She huffed.
"The Queen, she requests your presence." He said and she rolled her eyes. "Was it mine, or was it all of us?" She asked and he didn't seem to know how to answer "Fool, Where is she?"
"In the throne room, milady."
Raven walked by him with a huff, a cape billowing around her tiny frame as she moved.
She found Tom and Kassandra first. "Whose grand idea was it to send a completely inept herald to my chambers?" she asked them as if she weren't the younger of the group. "I have no idea, what is supposed to be happening now, all I was told was the Queen 'requested my presence' but since you lot are together, and armed I figured she had something she wants us to do?"
Khara zoned in on Crow and Kassandra, her feet whispering over the intricate marble flooring as she made her way over to them, patrons blissfully unaware of the predator in their presence despite the way her barbaric-looking clothes and the blue face paint made her contrast against the warm tones of red, gold, and brown that permeated the hall. She came up behind the leader and co-leader of their little plucky band of murderers, reaching their side at the same time the deranged little girl--Raven--marched up to Crow and Kassandra.
"I have no idea, what is supposed to be happening now, all I was told was the Queen 'requested my presence' but since you lot are together, and armed I figured she had something she wants us to do?" The Wolf glanced down to notice that they were, in fact, armed and now that it was mentioned, she could practically taste the tension in the air though it was probably just the nobles trying their hardest not to get killed.
"Hm," Khara grunted to make her presence known, though she was sure Crow had already sensed her. She rose a dark brow in wordless question.
She had killed her fair share of people within the early years of her life and now, she was at it again but for another cause. She was killing for her Queen, The Red Lady, Angelina and it was for her vengeance since most of the people will not bow and those that didn't, suffered their own fate. Kassandra looked down at the multiple bodies before her as the smell of smoke tickled at her nose. She smiled with sheer delight as she stepped away and met the Queen along with rest of The Daggars in the square for a trial, well more like execution. Her eyes fixed themselves upon the male that horribly failed to plead his own case as he was set on fire. The Queen didn't like the fact that his screams filled the square so Kassandra did as she was asked and shot an arrow directly into the male.
A soft gasp came from her parted lips once her captain, Tom, came up beside her and muttered that it was a nice shot. She couldn't help but blush then straightened up when Angelina called for a feast, which was already planned. Kassandra followed behind her and into the feast hall as she sat down right beside her. She wasn't hungry. She wasn't thirsty. Kassandra just sat there and waited for the Queen's next orders.
A few moments have passed and she had learned of the little princess escaped. She knew that their Queen was going to send them on a mission and that's sort of why she didn't get too comfortable within her seat. Her eyes went back towards Angelina as she whispered to Tom then went back straight ahead when she turned to look at her.
When Tom stood and gave her a meaningful look, she was slightly confused but she still decided to follow him anyway. Kassandra stood beside Tom silently as she parted her lips to speak but a little girl, unfortunately a Daggar came before them as if she was their size and much older than them. Kassandra raised a brow up at the little girl then looked as Khara joined them, as well. Her eyes fluttered over towards Tom as she waited for his orders on what to do. She really wanted to say something to that little pipsqueak, Raven but decided against it, for now, anyway.
A soft gasp came from her parted lips once her captain, Tom, came up beside her and muttered that it was a nice shot. She couldn't help but blush then straightened up when Angelina called for a feast, which was already planned. Kassandra followed behind her and into the feast hall as she sat down right beside her. She wasn't hungry. She wasn't thirsty. Kassandra just sat there and waited for the Queen's next orders.
A few moments have passed and she had learned of the little princess escaped. She knew that their Queen was going to send them on a mission and that's sort of why she didn't get too comfortable within her seat. Her eyes went back towards Angelina as she whispered to Tom then went back straight ahead when she turned to look at her.
When Tom stood and gave her a meaningful look, she was slightly confused but she still decided to follow him anyway. Kassandra stood beside Tom silently as she parted her lips to speak but a little girl, unfortunately a Daggar came before them as if she was their size and much older than them. Kassandra raised a brow up at the little girl then looked as Khara joined them, as well. Her eyes fluttered over towards Tom as she waited for his orders on what to do. She really wanted to say something to that little pipsqueak, Raven but decided against it, for now, anyway.
Winter watched her face as she decided. He was worried, he had to admit, that she would fight, that she was go on and on about going back and he'd had to literally have to subdue her and carry her into the forest. Thankfully, she nodded "You're right," That was a surprise. He didn't know why it was but it surprised him. He expected more of a fight then that. he was prepared for one, maybe his harshness worked out in his favor. "Lets go." She took an unsteady step, causing him to flinch forward to steady her but she stood on her own. "I can run." She aid and he frowned dubiously. The footsteps were getting closer but she moved and he followed at first. He lingered back a little to keep pace with her but they had to move and do so quickly.
They managed to avoid the foot soldiers, their footsteps were behind them and further away now. Winter was still on edge, he had to hope against hope that the gates were opened. If she were better, climbing the wall would have been simple but it wasn't.
He kept a hand on her wrist as they approached the gate.
Gods be Good He thought. The gate was opened. He didn't expect that but he couldn't linger too much on that little stroke of luck. They're were bound to be guards. He noticed two heads on either side of the gate opening. Why was it open and only manned by two guards? There were usually four? That didn't make sense, unless someone was woefully inept, or the other two fled, or -as it was likely- was loyal to the Phoenix family.
He looked back at Drew. That was her name now. The Phoenix Queen. Maybe she'd like that. She would be the symbol of hope. She had to be or this was lost before it truly began.
"Go hide, but stay close, I'll whistle for you." He told her, already freeing his blade. This one was virgin, one of his newer blades, it never saw battle -most of them didn't, but he'd just forged this one. It was so sharp is sung as he pulled it from its scabbard.
He crouched down, approaching the gate. He looked down, kicking a pebble to get their attention.
The guards turned at the sound and looked at him.
"Winter Valentine, is that you?" called the one on the left, called Greyson. Winter said nothing but he rose. "Aye, that's him, bloody ghost that one" said the other on the right, called Samel. Winter looked at the two of them, and realized how he could play this. He had to see where their loyalties lay...or confirm his suspicions. Greyson and Samel turned to him fully. They were armed but they didn't draw. "We have a new Queen." Winter said, his voice deep, his expression unreadable. "Aye, we do, She'll want to see you, mate." Samel said and then cracked a grin. "Pretty lad like yourself, she'll keep you alive for sure." Winter fought the urge to wince. Why Pretty?
"Is that what she'll do?" Winter said, as if he was musing that. Greyson nodded. "Aye, She looks just like the old Queen, only her color is red." Samel told him and Winter could only imagine what that was like for Drew. "Hey, Weren't you in charge of the princess?" Greyson asked and Winter stiffened but kept up an almost disinterested look.. "I was, I'd just come back from hunting, found the whole place up in flames, What happened to her?"
Greyson and Samel exchanged knowing grins. "You might wanna get down to the cells, Lad You'll find her there, We did." Winter didn't move, but a fury like his namesake brewed within him.
"Is that so?" Winter asked.
"Aye, lad, We all know how you looked at her, might as well go dip your wick now before Red Lady gets her hands on her." Samel said and Winter looked from the two of them. "So, You two...visited the princess in her cell." He asked and the two laughed. "That we did,"
"What did you do?"
Greyson looked at him confused. "Sometimes I forget how green you are, Valentine. What do you think we did?"
Winer nodded. They were going to suffer. He gripped his blade, walking up to them as if he were still friendly with them. "I gotta say, she's got quite the--"
Greyson didn't finish, Winter, in a flash of silver, swung his blade, steel singing, relieving Greyson of his head. His head hit the ground, leaving his body teetering. Samel barely had time to register what just happened before Winter, gripping his shoulder, and plunged his blade into his gut, through his armor, shoving him against the nearest wall. Steel touched the wall before Samel did.
Using two hands Winter twisted the blade, a grimace on his face, Samel crying through gritted teeth, blood leaking through them.
"I saw the princess....I saw what you did to her....Now you suffer the same." He said darkly, before he pulled his blade out and then back in the same wound. Winter was never an angry man, he didn't find any enjoyment in killing, but fury, guilt, and love for the princess allowed him to enjoy this. Samel gargled up blood, trembling, his hands on Winter's shoulder in a feeble attempt to fight back. "We weren't the only ones...." Samel choked before Winter freed his blade one more time, allowing Samel to fall at his feet, and bleed out on to the cobblestone.
"They'll c-come for y-you, boy."
"No, I'm coming for them." Winter didn't even turn, letting Samel bleed out while he flicked the blood from his blade before sliding it back into its scabbard.
He went back from the gate to where he saw the Princess rush off too and whistled. It was a soft robin's call, something he used to do when they were children and he was hiding from her. He always given her hints using that particular call. He didn't noticed the blood that covered his hands, and had splattered his face.
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It was by mere chance that Julien on his way to give his report that he stumbled upon two young men loading a wagon very well dressed underneath a tattered dark cloak, he had a mind to leave them to their business but he found himself enchanted by a jeweled blue Nagitana so beautiful he had to acquired it "What an exquisite weapon you have there gentlemen, would you care for..." After only a brief glimpse to the blood covered man holding a scythe both men jumped on the wagon and whipped the reigns, driven by the idea of caring for that nagitana and the small notion that it was his orders to detain traitorous nobles Julien used his scythe as a hook to help himself onto the wagon...
After a entertaining ride to the gate The Viper was able to calm the horses enough to stop the wagon close to the edge of the forest, taking as inspiration the calmness of the trees outside the city he decided to frame a large willow with the wounded would be escapees by hanging them from their feet "Don´t worry gentlemen blood loss will render you unconscious very soon" taking some steps back while they pleaded to assess his creation "the moon gives great lighting but it is still not perfect something is missing" he went to rummage the contents of the wagon as maybe his missing piece may be waiting for him there, gathering aside the beautiful nagitana, some bottles of wine and a fine chess set for latter he turned again to the display only to heard someone coming as if answering his need... or probably the pleas of the men. Hiding himself beside the wagon he waited as the loud and fast footsteps announced the man emerging from the forest, with a quick flourish of his arms he cut the man nicely in the back but the man´s reaction was quicker and different than what Julien had guessed so as to not lose ground trying another attack with his silver fang he follow his cut by throwing a knife that missed it´s mark but caused the man to expose his face in the moonlight.
"Frere! My friend how have you been, sorry for my rudeness have you come to see the Queen´s ascent" A sheepish grin plastered on Vipers face that evolved into a full on smile when the only response from his old companion was a barrage of insults and a full on charge. The song with rhythmic notes made by the caressing of their instruments filled Julien with joy, even more so after recognizing that Frere´s style had developed into a marvelous expression of rage with strong and emotional strokes;
"If it weren´t for the initial wound and what seems like tiredness this would be a more delightful dance, it is a pity this could not be postponed to a time more prime for both Julien thought sadly while leading the fight close to the wagon "I see that your time huddling in that cave has been more prosperous than what one would expect from that selfish and useless waste of potential, but you still lack some inspiration" making a quick back flip over the pole of the wagon julien slapped one of the horses causing it to launch on a gallop briefly unbalancing Julien and successfully hitting Frere with the side of the wagon. It all ended with a good bash to his old friend´s head...
Viper once again stood before his work now with a center piece hanging from the willow upside down like the others, the enemies of his ideal future and the friends of his past all witnessing The Red Queen ascent while their blood slowly descended to the ground "Asymmetrical perfection" He played with the idea to bring more color to the scene but it wasn´t his wish to cause them more pain than necessary, he stepped on Frere´s spear and the joy from his dance with him filled Julien again "No it´s better this way, if your fickle mistress, your Lady Luck decides to smile on me you will awake and find a way to grant me another song and if the blood takes you away then it wasn´t meant to be my dear Frere"
Climbing on the wagon crossed the gates only to be stopped by a young guard "errr... The Captain of the daggers sends a message errr Sir... he said to tell everyone of you that The bird has taken flight" leaning over to place his blood stained hand on the guards cheek he winced inwardly from his wounds "That’s just wonderful news my handsome friend this night seems to be filled with unexpected and exciting happenings" warmly and with a more firm grip mirroring the firmness in his stare he continued "now will you indulge me and bring other guards with you here to hold position on this gate, close it at least until our beloved queen has finished with her ceremonies" A node to the side ending his command and Julien made his way to the castle...
A willow came into sight and Mavis stopped dead in her tracks. Bodies, so many Mavis didn't bother to count. Her stomach churned as she stepped closer. Hopefully one of these poor souls were still alive. Her eyes danced around, landing on the center piece. She stepped a foot closer and a scream ripped out of her throat. 'Frere!'
Without a moment more wasted Mavis scrambled up the tree. 'Stand under him, be ready to catch him when I cut the rope!' The Guard's face went white but he did as ordered. It only took one upward slash of Mavis's sword to cut the rope. Like a stone in a pond Frere dropped, landing in the waiting Guards arms. Nimbly Mavis leaped from the tree. She helped the guard set Frere down and laid his head in her lap. Feeling for a pulse Mavis smiled. He was still alive. 'Frere...? She whispered. 'Frere wake up.'
A long stretch of silence was all ot took to anger Mavis. 'Frere!' She was yelling now, hot tears streaming down her face. Probably not the best idea since whoever did this could come back, but she didn't care. Mavis was not about to lose someone else.
Doing what seemed the most logical at the time, Mavis slapped the male in her lap. 'Wake up you stupid boy! The Captain needs you! The children need you! I...I need you...'
Will didn't let himself flinch as she hurled the knife. He trusted her aim- but, seeing how far away it landed from him, he wasn't so sure anymore. He pulled the knife from the wall, tucking it through the back of his belt. "You're not getting his back, not when your aim is that bad," he remarked.
"Well, I'm going into the city, whether you're coming or not. Your sister is going too. You can come along, help protect us, help innocent people escape from the very person that resulted in us becoming what we are," he said. "You have the chance to be a hero and get all the glory and have the most handsome men in the kingdom falling at your feet," he teased lightly, taking out the knife and studying it. "Or, you can stay here and wonder. Wonder who's coming back tonight. And deal with the aftermath if none of us come back." Will had always seen it as far, far more honourable to die in battle than in any other way, even more so since he'd become a Shadow Child. As a medic, it was his role to minimise the deaths. But he wasn't an idiot. There was some people he wouldn't be able to save, and some of them could be his comrades. It could be him.
He'd come to terms with that long ago.
"So, what's your choice, soldier?" He asked, the term soldier keeping it light-hearted. Getting overly serious wasn't going to work with Leila. It never did.
The temptation to wait and watch was easy to overcome when faced with the second option. There was no way she would allow Will and Kat to do anything dire without her. No. If she was to die in battle it would be with them. There was no way she could live without them. She'd forget how to function without her sister and her best friend. A sick feeling rolled in her gut at the thought of either of them being dragged back, broken and lifeless to be buried. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the nausea to pass and when it did, she looked up at him again. She stood and walked over to him, slightly unsteady, but nothing a run couldn't fix. She held out her hand for her knife to be passed and she held up the uncorked wine bottle for him to take. "I think, Doctor, you drive a hard bargain."
Once her knife was once again in her possession, she went to grab the others before also grabbing her cloak and making her way down to ground level. When she was most the way down she started barking orders as if she was the captain and not Kat. "Alright, we haven't received much ammunition from our jobs as of late, so everyone will have to stick mainly with sword. Only those deemed "sharp shooters" are allowed to use a bow or cross bow tonight. Blasters, grab whatever you need in case of an emergency, but do not get selfish with the powders. Save them for what they're meant for in times like these. Emergencies. If I see any explosion with our signature in it, you will be hung from the cave ceiling by your toes until your legs go numb." She continued on like that until they were at the mouth of the cave and ready to leave.
There, she saw her sister. She sauntered up as if she hadn't stolen her wine and as if she hadn't been drinking most of the evening and said, "Hello, sister dear." That was honestly a dead giveaway. It was only ever Kat or Sis. Never Sister Dear unless she was drunk.
As she was making her way to the cave entrance, she glanced up to check on the status of Leila's coming or not and smirked as she saw a familiar dark haired figure make her way clumsily downwards from her treehouse. She shook her head in bemusement as she began to bark orders at the others even though most had already gathered their weapons. She didn't bother to say anything until her sister was beside her at the cave opening. "You're late," she greeted with a smirk, but the time for talk had passed. With a nod, she turned and took off through the trees. Branches whipped by her face, but none struck her as if the trees were aware of their urgency and parted so they could pass. She heard Leila give out a curse every so often as they ran which told Kat two things. One of which she already knew and another that surprised her, though she'd never admit it. The first was that Leila was still buzzed from the wine. The second that the trees seemed willing to hinder her. Guess she must've done something stupid.
The made their way to the hill that overlooked the entire kingdom when she stopped them and motioned for them to split up. The different groups were to go to different parts of the city in search of people to bring down to the tunnel systems. Kat, Leila, Will, and two others were going through the front. They were to serve as a distraction for the Daggers. Not that they would truly take the bate, but they had to try.
With a crack, the sky opened up and the rain came down, causing the cobblestone streets to become slick, but it did little for the fires. Kat pictured the streets in chaos, but now they were just a mess. There was noise in the distance, but most of what she could hear was glass breaking and fires raging. No Daggers in sight and no people. At least, no people who were living.
"Come out, you red bitch!" She yelled into the streets, her voice echoing off the stone. "You're going to regret waking your neighbors!"
So now she watched, practically cowering behind a stone wall. Valie's once strong princess reduced to hiding in the face of danger. How sad. How sickening. Maybe The Red Lady was right about her. Maybe there was no way she could ever be queen.. The sound of metal on bone broke through her daze and brought her attention into the present and what she saw she hoped to never have to see again. Winter had sliced one of the guards' heads clean off and had stabbed the other into the wall. He was angry. Why was he angry? Well... besides for the obvious reasons.
He gave his call for her to come out and she felt the corners of her mouth lift ever so slightly as she made her way out to him. It brought back memories of playing in the gardens as children, giving each other clues as to each others' whereabouts while playing hide-and-seek. In a place as big as the castle, one needed hints in order to keep them from playing the day away with the same match of the same game. She stopped a couple feet from him. She reached out with a hand and wiped a spot of blood from his face. "I wish you didn't have to do that.." She whispered and then made her way out of the gate. "You have to show me the way to camp. I don't know how to get there. Also, do you have my sword?"
Drew emerged from her hiding place, it wasn't far, and honestly she was barely hidden. He wondered briefly if she saw what he'd done and what she thought of him for doing so. A small part of him, whispered to him, wondering too if she herd what they said about him. It wasn't important but he wondered.
She approached him, stand a respectable distant from him, and all he wanted to do was reach out to her, hold her close and tell her he wouldn't let anything happen to her, but now was not the time nor the place for such a thing, nor was she -evident by her body language- in the proper state of mind for such an embrace.
To his surprised, his reached out, her hands, marred by callouses, brushed blood from his cheek, causing him to turn his head ashamed. "I wish you didn't have to do that..." She said and Winter watched after her. He knew her to be kind, and a gentle hearted woman, but he never expected such forgiveness for men who took turns defiling her body. Guilt weigh on him like a ship's anchor, keeping him from moving. It wasn't until she spoke that he moved to her, a few long strides and he was at her side once again.
"You have to show me the way to camp, I don't know how to get there and do you have my sword?"[b/]
Winter almost smiled. Almost. He was glad she wanted her sword, she was sounding more like her old self but he was dreading this conversation. He made a camp for them, hiding his swords, and the one he'd been forging for her but most of their hope lay in a myth. He had no idea where to find the Shadow Children and up until a few days ago, He didn't even believe them to be real. He swallowed.
[b]"I wasn't able to retrieve it from your chambers" He told her before rubbing the back of his head, upsetting a few of his dark curls. "I have one for you at camp, but I must confess something once we get there." He told her but that was it for the time being. When Winter want to talk, he wouldn't, it irked her, hell, it irked most everyone, but that was who he was. He only said what was important there and then. Telling her that their only hope rested on some mythical faery like children, and that's what he'd been doing this entire time, while she was in those cells, suffering at the hands of his former comrades, and the Red Lady's wrath, was not of the upmost importance right now. Besides he himself wasn't prepared for that conversation.
They move through the gates and soon they were free of the city and beating through the forest. rain began to pour down, giving the forest an eerie calm. Winter offered to carry her again, she'd been on her feet enough.
They made a beeline for the camp, Winter leading the way and found it unmolested. It was a fort like structure, blending in with the forest, made of fallen tree branches and brush, against a large tree, set upon moss, crude in it's build but it would keep them. The rain would make a fire impossible, even though he built the pit slightly underground, he pulled the brush aside, to allow her entry. Once inside, she would see a small cot for her, though it was wet now, a satchel full of food and clothes, he would have grabbed her something but all he could managed were some of his more smaller shirts and breeches, and a few belts to keep it from falling from her, and a whole host of swords wrapped in leather, most of theses she would recognize, as she'd seem him use them before. It was at the moment that he realized, he'd never taken a human life before and certainly never felt fury in the way he had. It made his chest ache in a was he did not appreciate. Pulling the brush too, he sighed. "It's not much but it'll have to do for now. I'll lit a fire once the rain stops." He said and took a breath before sitting against the tree.
He didn't realize how tired he was until then, his body felt heavy.
"Before we do anything else, I have to know, How are you...truly?" He said watching her face, now was the time for them both to grieve, they would need to get it out of their system now, before the real work began and the time for it passed.
Alexandei felt useless. She knew she wasn't, having given Will a field pack of everything he would need. needle and thread, salves made of aloe for burns, stinging nettles for numbing and ground deadly nightshade should he be attacked.
Panic threatened a she thought of her bother being attacked again. With her not there, she knew he was with Kat. Andei's mind went to her, the way she held her, letting her know everything would be alright, even if she knew it might not be. Most would find that offensive but not Andei, it told her Kay would try her damnedest to make sure things would turn out alright, or at the very least, she would protect her bother in the field.
Andei calmed her breathing, knowing Kat wasn't there to help her through a panic attack as she so often would. "They will be alright, they'll return, they'll be safe." she thought to herself while she decided toofocus on the gardens, and tend to her plants. That was her job, that was how she was useful.
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Settings are the backdrop for the characters in your universe, giving meaning and context to their existence. By creating a number of well-written locations, you can organize your universe into areas and regions.
Navigation
While not required, locations can be organized onto a map. More information soon!
Add Group » 0 Factions to align with
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Collectibles
By creating Collectibles, you can reward your players with unique items that accentuate their character sheets.
Once an Item has been created, it can be spawned in the IC using /spawn Item Name (case-sensitive, as usual) — this can be followed with /take Item Name to retrieve the item into the current character's inventory.
Mobs
Give your Universe life by adding a Mob, which are auto-replenishing NPCs your players can interact with. Useful for some quick hack-and-slash fun!
Mobs can be automated spawns, like rats and bats, or full-on NPCs complete with conversation menus. Use them to enhance your player experience!
Current Mobs
No mobs have been created yet.
Spawns
Locations where Mobs and Items might appear.
Events
You can schedule events for your players to create notifications and schedule times for everyone to plan around.
The Forge
Use your INK to craft new artifacts in The Shadow Children. Once created, Items cannot be changed, but they can be bought and sold in the marketplace.
Notable Items
No items have been created yet!
The Market
Buy, sell, and even craft your own items in this universe.
Market DataMarket conditions are Quick Buy (Items Most Recently Listed for Sale) |
Open Stores
View All » Add Character » 17 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Raven Delacroix
"You'll do well not to underestimate me, it'll be your final mistake."
Frere
WIP
Queen Angelina
"I am now Queen and I shall be treated like such. Doubters will be punished."
Julien Roux Brisbois
The viper is a charismatic artist with a discomfort towards what he sees as a decadent society and a very large colection of blades to fix it.
Alexandei Joscelyn
"..."
Tom Crow
"A soft heart is a vile one"
Drew Phoenix
"This is my kingdom, and we will not bow to a false queen."
Leila Singh
"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me."
Khara
"Judge. Jury. Executioner."
Kaitlyn Singh
"You'll never get far in this world without having some fight in you."
Trending
Raven Delacroix
"You'll do well not to underestimate me, it'll be your final mistake."
Frere
WIP
Queen Angelina
"I am now Queen and I shall be treated like such. Doubters will be punished."
Julien Roux Brisbois
The viper is a charismatic artist with a discomfort towards what he sees as a decadent society and a very large colection of blades to fix it.
Drew Phoenix
"This is my kingdom, and we will not bow to a false queen."
Leila Singh
"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me."
Winter Valentine
"A people should not fear their Queen, The Queen should fear her people."
Kaitlyn Singh
"You'll never get far in this world without having some fight in you."
Khara
"Judge. Jury. Executioner."
Kassandra Capps
"Don't you dare call me girl or princess. I will end you if you do."
Most Followed
Kaitlyn Singh
"You'll never get far in this world without having some fight in you."
Julien Roux Brisbois
The viper is a charismatic artist with a discomfort towards what he sees as a decadent society and a very large colection of blades to fix it.
Tom Crow
"A soft heart is a vile one"
Frere
WIP
Queen Angelina
"I am now Queen and I shall be treated like such. Doubters will be punished."
Mavis Crusico
'I want to stop the Queen. I'll help my friends anyway I can.'
Khara
"Judge. Jury. Executioner."
Kassandra Capps
"Don't you dare call me girl or princess. I will end you if you do."
Alexandei Joscelyn
"..."
Drew Phoenix
"This is my kingdom, and we will not bow to a false queen."
Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » The Shadow Children: Out of Character
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The Shadow Children
1, 2, 3, 4, 5by xXxCryptic-AngelxXx on Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:56 pm
- 91 Replies
- 4226 Views
- Last post by xXxCryptic-AngelxXx
on Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:42 pm
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The Shadow Children
Most recent OOC posts in The Shadow Children
Re: The Shadow Children
Hey all, Sorry about the derp post. The sight it being quite the twat to me atm.
Re: The Shadow Children
Hi everyone I'll be posting for Frere in a few hours when I get home, I was kind of waiting for the heart to heart between the Drew and Winter to end and also since Mavis is also in the same area to see how it developed but I think the moment is right
P.S. If either Winter Drew or Mavis wants feels the post isn't right by their characters tell me and I'll edit it ASAP
P.S. If either Winter Drew or Mavis wants feels the post isn't right by their characters tell me and I'll edit it ASAP
Re: The Shadow Children
*oh snap!* That goes to show me what can happen if I don't check the RP for a whole day, I mean its not like I have a life or anything ... One little post and so many tables have turned, the wine is staining the carpet, there is food everywhere, the chandelier looks like a sex shop, someone woke the baby and the mother and here I was thinking we were going to have a calm, friendly and somewhat balanced 3v5 massacre in the courtyard and I was even making a cake with unicorn toppings *wink* now everything is ruined and its all your fault Sunshine and Whiskey... and I applaud you for that, this is great there are cats still coming out of that bag an everything
Re: The Shadow Children
Everyone is doing great, and I want to thank you all again for your interest. :3 Also, just a heads up, Raven is a TSC spy for the daggers, and the princess and Winter will eventually make their way to TSC camp. I'm giving you all a heads up because Raven will not know the princess nor is she high enough in the ranks to know the truth. Kat most likely doesn't trust her so any information she'll have to gather elsewhere and I encourage you to make it difficult on her because if it's too quickly found out and reported that the princess is in the camp, then the rp will be disappointingly short because Kat will accept Angelina's bargain that she leaves them alone if she hands over the princess, but of course that isn't her plan. She's just buying time for the others and to come up with a better plan. I'll post for Kat later though. Just thought I'd give you all a heads up and say thank you again. :)
Re: The Shadow Children
If something is wrong with my post, please let me know as it's the dead of the night. I'll alter it after work later on after work. :) I just wanted to get something up so no one was waiting on me any longer.
Re: The Shadow Children
@luft- So I just saw this now and its all cool. I don't mind people giving my character a push, or even making them react a bit. It's all part of the fun. ;)
Re: The Shadow Children
Hey, so to tag characters you have to write their name (or at least the first part of it) in the box under where you post that says 'tag a character' and if you were typing names in there and it wasn't working, make sure you put a capital letter at the beginning because it is caps sensitive :)
Re: The Shadow Children
Hi everybody
Sorry if my post doesn´t have the same energy things have been different to say something and yeah so to answer unicorn on his technically not a questions thingy:
At least on my part I don´t mind some mild controlling/pushing/abusing the power of a post mujaja mujaja muajaja jaja ja/kindly directing of my characters especially when it involves interactions that are natural, like a boss ordering his underlings, some small talk, two characters in the same area founding each other and the like...
On a related note and this goes more to @afreerobin more than anyone but I guess it may come in handy for everyone latter. Whenever I´m in a situation with more players/writers I´ll always try and make my post to express only what my characters does even if the response or something like that is kind of obvious, this of course if the interactions weren´t talk about previously. So if your char felt pushed to follow I apologize I tried to write his way in the forest vague enough as to give you room to do whatever you would choose.
EDITCEPTION:Junior Detective *shows badge* Nobody moves! there is nothing to read here proceed with your day,Also if I may so noobly ask how do one tags the characters in the post? I tried writing their names and it didn´t work or maybe its just another thing like the HEX part of the CS and is so obvious that I´m going to delete this edit after founding out how to do it.
Sorry if my post doesn´t have the same energy things have been different to say something and yeah so to answer unicorn on his technically not a questions thingy:
At least on my part I don´t mind some mild controlling/pushing/abusing the power of a post mujaja mujaja muajaja jaja ja/kindly directing of my characters especially when it involves interactions that are natural, like a boss ordering his underlings, some small talk, two characters in the same area founding each other and the like...
On a related note and this goes more to @afreerobin more than anyone but I guess it may come in handy for everyone latter. Whenever I´m in a situation with more players/writers I´ll always try and make my post to express only what my characters does even if the response or something like that is kind of obvious, this of course if the interactions weren´t talk about previously. So if your char felt pushed to follow I apologize I tried to write his way in the forest vague enough as to give you room to do whatever you would choose.
EDITCEPTION:Junior Detective *shows badge* Nobody moves! there is nothing to read here proceed with your day,
Re: The Shadow Children
I'm fine with that. I like what you have, pairing Raven with Khara seems logical to me. I'm gonna have it so that Raven figures out that Winter was the one to spring the Princess if that's alright with you all.
Re: The Shadow Children
Wow sorry that post was so long and I kind of ordered your characters about a little bit (feel free to tell me if wet too far or want me to change something!) But I just didn't want to waste too much time explaining and dividing up jobs IC
Re: The Shadow Children
Hey guys, I'll post for Tom soon which should hopefully bring the two sides together!
Re: The Shadow Children
I will post for Will this evening! Sorry, school got a little hectic for a few days there xD
Re: The Shadow Children
Winter's up!
If anybody can spot the references to GoT in his post, is like the greatest of all time xD You know besides Winter himself xD
If anybody can spot the references to GoT in his post, is like the greatest of all time xD You know besides Winter himself xD
Re: The Shadow Children
Ohhh I totally volunteer Mavis for escorting. Mavis and Winter have history and it would he intresting to have them meet again.
Re: The Shadow Children
Waiting on Will for leila, I'll probably post for Kat soon, was hoping to have Leila moving before she left, but the SC need to get moving so.. yeah. As for the princess, I'm waiting on winter, but once she and winter are at the camp Frere or Mavis could find them and maybe escort them back to camp or something?
Re: The Shadow Children
Hey guys, sorry my post is so woefully short, but I had to rethink what I had going since Sunshine and Unicorn posted. (You guys have such happy usernames xP)
Re: The Shadow Children
Heya everyone (Well actually this is mostly just for the Daggers) :) As you can see me and Sunshine and Whiskey just posted a collab between the Queen and Daggers captain just basically giving Dagger's orders. So basically all you Daggers feel free to receive the message however you like, whether returning to the castle or running into a soldier, whatever! Then, yeah just go princess/shadow children hunting :) (Oh, and feel free to run into Kassandra and Tom and group up with them)
Re: The Shadow Children
Hey guys, I'm posting now, Sorry for the delay. I'm gonna get a post out for Raven first then Winter and Andei.
That's the plan anyway xD
That's the plan anyway xD
Re: The Shadow Children
If someone wants to run into Mavis they can. A dagger could if they wanted to. Smack her around a bit. Maybe even kill the NPC guard she's with. Send a message to the SC. If not I'll just have her meet everyone back at camp.