Kingdom of Mornia

((RPG Starts Now. Those with guides don't have to post for them yet, but if you want to, go ahead. All chars, including the sorceresses, are at the ball. The sorceresses are actually in disguise for the moment as well as the guides.))

In the Mornia's capital city, Eoroki (pronounced E-roki), a masked ball was being held in the grand palace. It was already in full swing and everyone from the Four kingdoms had been invited. However, there were those there that hadn't been invited. Several mysterious strangers were there, mingling with the guests and several unwanted guests were there too. Each had a different reason for being there. One of the unwanted guests was Amaris Corea of Ordrin. She honestly didn't want to be there, but her father had given her and her sisters a royal command to mary the four kings, telling her about the promise he had been given by their parents years ago. Amaris would have refused him, but her father had become so much powerful somehow and forced obedience from all of them. With his command, he had vanished again. It was humiliating to be dominated like that and Amaris vowed one day she would overpower him. Maybe this marriage would prove to be a good thing. She had learned about the magic of the four kingdoms and if she could a way to harness that power, she would not only be able to defeat her father, but become more powerful herself. Of course, she first had to convince one of the kings to marry her. If she was refused, well, if all of her sisters were refused, there would be hell to pay. Besides, no one said no to her. Right now she had her sights set on King Alexander of Nitel. He was the oldest and had immediately caught her eye. She knew he was incognito himself with his mask, but she could spot a king from a mile away. Plus with her dark magic, she had the shadows confirm it. Looking at Amaris now, one would never think she was a dangerous sorceress. She was only 5'5" and had a lovely smile on her face as she danced with one of the guests. She would make her move when the time was right, which was midnight, the Witching Hour. That was also the time when the masks were taken off.

Bridgitta, or Leena as she was known in Mornia, stood in the corner watching the crowd. She so didn't know why she was here, she didn't like crowds. However, her father had insisted she come and even her cousin King Takumi asked if she could attend. She finally gave in, but that didn't mean she was going to interact with others. She could spot Takumi in the crowd and was glad he was having a good time at least. She wondered where the other kings were, but didn't really think about it too much. Another thing that was bothering her was her Edelweiss mark. It had been tingling and itching all day. What did it mean? Was something going to happen? She hoped not.

Amaris continued to dance but she could feel others in the room that had magic and it wasn't her sisters. She could feel something that was trying to find something. The violet hair sorceress was very careful to keep her magic hidden. This was not the time to be discovered. If there was one thing her father taught her at least, it was to keep one's control of emotions and energies. She hoped her sisters were doing the same. If they were discovered, things could get ugly. However, Amaris had already several back up plans because if things did go as unplanned, she would have an escape route for her and her sisters. The only reason why she made the plan to include her sisters was because she needed their help to escape. Even Amaris had her limits, which was something she learned on her own. Her father was always hungry for power and she was sure it would lead to his downfall, a downfall she hoped she would be in charge of. She still kept her eye on the King of Nitel. She would have to approach him soon before he caught his eye on someone else.

Bridgitta was a bit surprised by his question. She was usually hard to read, but he seemed to pick up on her feelings.

"Actually, yes, I'd rather be home than here. Since I can't leave though, I guess I am stuck here." she said honestly again.

Normally she didn't talk to strangers, but for some reason, she was slowly starting to feel at ease.

((I am going to wait for the Noondrim king and chosen to meet and mingle before I bring in the sorcerer. By than I want the guides to be active. I'll be contacting those in charge of guides what I want to happen. Also guys, since everyone is in Mornia, put that in the Where section of this post. It's in the upper right corner there.))

Amaris knew people were staring at her and the mysterious young man and didn't mind it. She always brought stares about her and secretly loved it because it was a form of flattery to her. She was a graceful dancer too so no one would know that she was a dangerous sorceress. However the man with her seemed to catch on. Who was this man? She intended to find out and do something about it.

"So young sir, you are great at dancing, but I am sure all the women tell you that." she giggled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Leena and her escort returned to the ball room, she looked all over for Takuma but couldn't spot him anywhere. Where was he? He might have gone outside. She did see Ryu though dancing with someone and felt something was off. The fact that Ryu was dancing shocked her. Was this person the threat he felt? She looked at the man she was with.

"My cousin isn't here. Maybe he's outside." she said.

Ryu lissened as the woman he was dancing with said. "So young sir, you are great at dancing, but I am sure all the women tell you that." she then giggled
Ryu then gently replied."Not really i don't like crowds. And most girls would not aproach me within a ten meter radius nor guys actually. So.. mind telling me your name miss? i will tell you mine in exchange."
Somehow Ryu was quiet intrested in her, and the others who she was with perhaps because they have one thing in comon having been trough hard times, they continued dancing while he waited for her reply.

He could still sense the girls from earlier sometimes watching him he tought. "Your right to keep your eyes on me." He grinned slightly behind is mask wich could not been seen by anyone
Tough the woman's he kept his eyes on also kept a eye on him they tried very well to hide there magic knowing from his jobs,and people he fought,and killed by far they where the most skilled ones he met.
They tried to hide there magic but it was not good enough, he could still quiet easly sense them especialy the ones who ate the candy he gave them.

Ryu then sensed a very powerfull presence but it was not one of the girls.
He got a flash back from sensing this before seeing his family dead again he remembered who this aura is from the one he wanted to kill all his life...
The king of Odrin is here but couldn't find him.
He couldn't leave suddenly anyways he would give away he found something out wich could end up bad if he had to fight all four woman at once.
He would not stand a chance if the king would join in also so he stayed, still dancing with woman that kept pulling his attention somehow.

Ryu fellt like melting away from the heat inside so he asked the lady. "Shall we go to the balcony? i could use some fresh air." He offered his arm to the lady,leading her to the balcony grabing two drinks along the way for both off them.
When they arrived at the balcony Ryu handed over one drink to the lady while taking a sip of his drink looking up to the sky. "Someone ever told you about the stars?"
He suddenly asked her, he felt like changing the subject of the cat,and mouse game they where actually playing, to something diffrent.

((Okay let's get this show on the road. Tornado, take your time okay?))

The was a second gong that announced midnight's arrival. The same announcer as before came forward.

"It is officially midnight! The kings of the four kingdoms will now come forward and reveal themselves. After they reveal themselves, everyone else is allowed to reveal themselves. There will be a midnight banquet and a final dance before the festivities end. As with tradition, the kings will pick a partner of their choice for the final dance. Enjoy the rest of the night!" he said before stepping back.

Amaris was ready. She was already murmering the first words of a spell. When the kings come forth, she would use a dark shield to keep a barrier separating her and her sisters and the kings from everyone else. That way, they would have no physical interuptions. The only way to get past it would be by magic and that's where her father would come in and distract those with magical abilities. At least with attack magic abilities. This spell though required perfect timing and she would use her sisters to help her in this spell. Already she was moving herself to the perfect position, near the front. She looked to see if her sisters were doing the same.

Leena felt something dreadful. It was something that made her uncomfortable. She looked around for the source but was having a hard time pinpointing it. She saw her cousin and waited for him to go forward. She wondered who the other kings were as well.

Ryu was looking at a barrier, but before he could get down there, he got pulled into some kind of portal landing on the ground a few seconds after in a dark place, he sensed odrins king presence which ment big trouble.
Ryu looked at four other people which where probably also a danger to the king he saw as a praying person took action.
The priest shouted, "Baruch atah, Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha'olam, boray me'oray ha'aysh!" as he finished, a pillar of fire shot out of the ground surrounding him and his friends then he went to his prayers again.
Seemingly they didn't notice Ryu was there, he removed his mask,and pulled his sword out of the sheath using dark magic to create some extra's of himself, sending them from all direction at odrins king hoping to defeat him fast, which would not happen.





((OOC:posted ;P))

Ryu dodged odrins king counter attack just in time."pfew that was close." he said softly to himself seeing how the king attacked the barrier then not much later destroying the barrier standing close to the four people.
Before the king could do his next move, Ryu silently apeared right behind the king striking with air magic making his strike much faster then normal upgrading his own speed with magic aiming for the kings heart.
Just before strikeing the king he said to the others using telepathy. "Do something fast! or we will all die here!" then his sword almost stabs the king through his heart, thinking he had the king at that moment.







((OOC: i ment his sword is close to hiting the kings body so the sword is not in him yet or missed his heart giving dolman a split second to escape it. hope its ok))

Ryu nodded back to the king showing he noticed him and his wave to him.
He then lissened as the four people replied to him. "I should ask you the same question." the nthe priest who was praying gave his answre which was much better. "Dragged? I think not. more like dove in head first. possibly pushed, but in the end, it was our choice. I am called Lavilev. Priest, Prophet, and Scroll Guard For the Rabbinical Order. This is Leija, Israel, and the other one is Harumi We heard news of a rather unfortunate event that was to transpire here tonight, and hoped to prevent it. We seemed to have failed in that aspect, regrettably. I assume that you had the same purpose as we did?"

Ryu thought for a bit about there intent which seemed to be good. "Me? i was here on a job to protect the king of mornia, and his family. It seems the sorceresses, and the sorcerer thought i was a threat which made them pull me into that black dimension togather with you people.
Ohh let me introduce myself my name is Ryu im a mercenary known through out the kingdom of mornia as Ronin.
The king hired me incase something bad happend, i already reported what happend on my side to the king.
Lets go down to them shall we? to check up on them?"
Ryu slowly walked down to the kings, walking slow enough for the other four to catch up to him incase they didn't trust him.

Takumi stared at the girl who spoke, "Right... Is something wrong with her? she seems a bit on edge."
Lavilev stifled a laugh. "She is merely upset that we were not able to help you, or the other kings, your highness." He quickly interjected, bowing low.
"No. something else. I think she is mad at me. And if you ever bow to me again, I'll stab you in the foot." He added the last part as an afterthought, not really paying attention to the fact that he said it. "In any case, Ryu, would you please tell the other kings to meet me and our guests in the garden at the old bonsai tree?" Despite the fact that it was a bonsai tree, it was the oldest plant in the garden, and had been there for near countless generations. It was five meters high, and the trunk was so thick that only the largest of men could wrap their arms around it so that their fingers touched. It was a very distinguished part of the garden, and kept very private due to the belief that each Mornia King's soul lived in the part of the tree that grew during his reign. "We will talk about everything that happened tonight there."

Ryu lissened to his new order. "In any case, Ryu, would you please tell the other kings to meet me and our guests in the garden at the old bonsai tree?"
He replied."Ofcourse i will tell them." Ryu uses is telepathy again to talk to the other three kings."My apologies for interupting your lordships king Takumi asked me to request your present in the guarden at the old,and big bonsai tree to discuss the things that happend,and to see what to do next."
Ryu waited for there reply as to make sure they would show up.

((Thanks so much for filling in for me, Skye!))

Lejla glowered at Lavilev, though inside she was ashamed. I guess I am being a little edgy. But still...the plan had failed. And she was worried that the darkness would return. It was ridiculous, but she wanted to be sure they were safe before carrying on. "Why would I--" then she stopped. Courtesies, Lejla, courtesies. "Your Highness, forgive me. If I were upset with you, you wouldn't even need to speculate. Yes, I am on edge, but I assure you, I only wish to take precautions. Your safety is my highest priority." She hoped she'd done well to keep the sarcasm from her voice. She glanced at Harumi, waiting for her backup on the issue.

Takumi smiled at Harumi. "I guess that I will have to take your word for it." Then turning to Lejila, "No worries, we are all less than happy at tonight's events. Truth be told, I am quite furious." then walking out back to the garden, he called, "This way please." It was quite a distance to the tree. The gardens were very large, much larger than the rest of the palace. He made his way past the the cherry trees, sand garden, rock garden, other plants, a small bridge over a man-made river, and more. He entered into a hedge maze, and quickly found his way to the center, where the tree was. The maze was a recent addition, the idea taken from Nittel. Before this, was a large open field, with the tree at the center. The labyrinth was not difficult at all, really. The hedge only came up to one's shoulder, so it was easy to find the path to the tree. Arranged around the tree, were six benches. Takumi promptly sat down on one of the benches, and looked at the tree. "What should I do, father? please give my friends and I wisdom to overcome these trials, ancestors."

-----------

Lavilev was in near hysterics over the exchange. he could only imagine what was going through Lejila's head as she and Harumi tried to assure the King that she was not angry with him. The King barely looked as though he cared, anyway. And the foot stabbing comment was more humorous than threatening. He struggled to maintain his composure, but made it as subtle as possible. Finally, The King led them all out to the garden, and on what was almost a hike. When they reached the tree, Lavilev could not help help his surprise, "That is a bonsai tree? It's huge!"

Ryu lissened as he followed king Takumi to the bonsai tree which he already been to before allot of times, he went there to clear his mind.
He made a slight grin on his face laughing in his mind on the comment of Lavilev. "That is a bonsai tree? It's huge!"
Ryu commented."Yes that is the bonsai tree, no bigger one out in the world i can tell you."
His mind wondered back to the woman he was dancing with today,and talked. Which was actually a danger, for some reason she kept being somewhere in his mind which was odd for him.

((Okay, those of you who control the guides, remember what I pmed you about okay? I am going to speed things up a bit though to give the guides a better way of explaining things.))

Melchor nodded when Takumi asked if everything was acceptable. He knew dawn was approaching quickly and it made him feel uneasy. There was a tightness in his chest and he felt a sense of dread. However, he didn't show things on his face. He just wanted to get this meeting down and over with. He looked at the four young strangers again and could help but wonder where they came from and how they were involved? Unfortunately before anyone could speak again, the first rays of the sun appeared and its rays fell on the kings. Suddenly, Melchor felt a pain in his chest were that cursed mark was and felt like his body was starting to rip apart from the inside out. He tried to hold it in, but a scream was ripped from his chest and he collapsed to the ground. A yellow gold aura appeared around him and suddenly, he changed form. His body shrunk and feathers appeared. Before he knew it, he was turned into an eagle, which happened to be the symbol of his kingdom. Melchor flapped his wings about and confusion and felt out of place. What just happened to him? He quickly realized he had wings and almost when nuts, but managed to keep calm.

Cursing, he realized he could still talk.

"Dammit, this is NOT happening is it?" he questioned.

It was then he noticed the other kings had changed too.

((I'll post for Leena next time. I want the other kings to have similar experiences and each will have a different colored aura around them. Mornia will be blue, Duskin is red, and Nitel is green.))