Announcements: Cutting Costs (2024) » January 2024 Copyfraud Attack » Finding Universes to Join (and making yours more visible!) » Guide To Universes On RPG » Member Shoutout Thread » Starter Locations & Prompts for Newcomers » RPG Chat — the official app » Frequently Asked Questions » Suggestions & Requests: THE MASTER THREAD »

Latest Discussions: Adapa Adapa's for adapa » To the Rich Men North of Richmond » Shake Senora » Good Morning RPG! » Ramblings of a Madman: American History Unkempt » Site Revitalization » Map Making Resources » Lost Poetry » Wishes » Ring of Invisibility » Seeking Roleplayer for Rumple/Mr. Gold from Once Upon a Time » Some political parody for these trying times » What dinosaur are you? » So, I have an Etsy » Train Poetry I » Joker » D&D Alignment Chart: How To Get A Theorem Named After You » Dungeon23 : Creative Challenge » Returning User - Is it dead? » Twelve Days of Christmas »

Players Wanted: Serious Anime Crossover Roleplay (semi-literate) » Looking for a long term partner! » JoJo or Mha roleplay » Seeking long-term rp partners for MxM » [MxF] Ruining Beauty / Beauty x Bastard » Minecraft Rp Help Wanted » CALL FOR WITNESSES: The Public v Zosimos » Social Immortal: A Vampire Only Soiree [The Multiverse] » XENOMORPH EDM TOUR Feat. Synthe Gridd: Get Your Tickets! » Aishna: Tower of Desire » Looking for fellow RPGers/Characters » looking for a RP partner (ABO/BL) » Looking for a long term roleplay partner » Explore the World of Boruto with Our Roleplaying Group on FB » More Jedi, Sith, and Imperials needed! » Role-player's Wanted » OSR Armchair Warrior looking for Kin » Friday the 13th Fun, Anyone? » Writers Wanted! » Long term partner to play an older male wanted »

The Chronicles Of Galeia | Ballad of Calraida

The Audience Hall | Skysong Castle

0 INK

a part of The Chronicles Of Galeia | Ballad of Calraida, by BrienaSkysong.

Grand, welcoming, sparkling with clear wealth and importance, this is the room in which audiences are held with the Queen of Serenia; where grievances are made known, thanks are given, and choices are made.

BrienaSkysong holds sovereignty over The Audience Hall | Skysong Castle, giving them the ability to make limited changes.

447 readers have been here.

Setting

The Audience Hall is a wide, long room, marble pillars veined with gold and silver lining the sides of the room, while a long royal blue carpet edged with gold knotwork and woven my the finest weavers in Serenia runs the entire length from the great oaken double doors with their heavy gold and steel handles and hinges to the wide stone dais and its three thrones.

The Throne at the center is that of the Ruling monarch, in this case the current Queen, the Lady Briena. The Throne at her left is that of her sister, the Princess and Regent of the Kingdom. The Throne on her right, the dominant side, would be that of her king. It sits empty, vacant.

Three wide steps lead up from the floor to the dais platform, comprised of yet more silver and gold veined marble, and the dais itself is set back against the wall, behind it a great tapestry of the family.

The windows are of stained glass - a great finery in a world where glass requires much work to make in any high quality - depicting scenes of great import; from the victory over the Orcs during the Orric War a thousand years ago, to the newest depiction of the Queen's Coronation. In the morning and the evenings, the light striking through these windows throws brilliant shows of colored light through the air and onto the floors, sending the gold and silver sparkling delicately.

The hall, in all, is about two thousand feet wide by four thousand feet long, and while large, is easily packed on days of the audiences. Lining the walls under the windows are padded benches and chairs, there for courtiers and lords to rest their feet.

To the right of the dais is a heavy black oak door, it's hinges polished and oiled steel. This door leads into a wide corridor, lined with windows looking out into a lush garden filled with flowers during the warmer seasons, and a few autumn and winter blooming varieties of flowers, before the corridor leads up a flight of stairs and deeper into the castle's array of chambers, rooms, alcoves and suites.

Through a small arboreal archway at the right wall, is a hedge lined path into a small flower garden, roses of all varieties blooming and bringing a heady scent to the area, the sweet smells filtering into the Hall during the Spring and Summer, though a spelled veil of silk covers the entrance during the cold seasons, letting none of the chill inside while allowing for fresh air to enter.

On the left wall of the Audience hall, a wide archway leads to a great ball room, the chamber more like a solarium in that the great, wide room is walled and and roofed in glass, allowing the light of day to fill the room.
Create a Character Here »

The Audience Hall | Skysong Castle

Grand, welcoming, sparkling with clear wealth and importance, this is the room in which audiences are held with the Queen of Serenia; where grievances are made known, thanks are given, and choices are made.

Minimap

The Audience Hall | Skysong Castle is a part of The Queen's Residence | Skysong Castle.

1 Characters Here

Ellethiel Ann'aria Nerrivenya [1] Working as an ale girl in The Dusty Traveler, Elle is one of the cheerful faces that greet a weary traveler with a warm smile and a bowl of food.

Start Character Here »


2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

She'd risen before dawn, and as she stood out on her balcony, she watched the stars in the sky dim slowly, winking out. As the first pastel rays of color painted the sky, she sighed, turning away and returning to her chambers in time for Ardellia, her main maid, to arrive. The court gown was laid out on the bed; a resplendent array of dove grey silk, hemmed in gold and crimson knotwork. As the maid laced her into the gown, the Queen listened for movements from the other side of the door to what was usually the room assigned to a governess or a lady in waiting. Since she had none, Titan, her personal guard, occupied the room. While she, personally, never truly felt she needed that much guarding, she, nonetheless, accepted her services when she'd inherited him upon her Coronation as Queen; though he had long ago been chosen to become her and her sister's guardian.

As the last lace was tied, the Queen took a breath, relieved that the fashions of Serenia didn't follow with many human fashions of tight, restrictive corsetry and bodices that made breathing and moving so difficult. The bodice of this down clung delicately to her form, the neck low, the shoulders left bare. The fabric continued to cling until midway down her hips, whereupon the skirts fell in an elegant drape, a court train whispering behind her as she moved toward the seat, settling gracefully before Ardellia and allowing the maid to do her hair, weaving the silken, fiery red waves into a modest arrangement. Finally, the Queen's Circlet was settled on her head, encircling the crown of her skull, gems and gold glittering against the red hair.

Today was a day for receiving audiences, and settling disagreements, rare though they were. Whether her guardian followed or not, Briena descended the stairs to the Audience Hall, climbing the three steps to the dais and settling into the throne that was hers. Her back was straight, her bearing regal, her fathomless, vivid sapphire eyes sweeping the grand hall as those Lords who were on their rotation for court this week took their places in the room, awaiting the first Audience's beginning.

The herald at the other end of the hall stepped into the room, clearing his throat and calling out in a clear tenor voice. "Daelis Taraveyn of Riverside" She sat up, spine stiffening before she forced herself to relax. The man had not been to blame in her near death experience in the Early autumn. Someone in a guise of the groundskeeper had lured her away, on the belief that his daughter was drowning in the river. The real Daelis had been found unconscious with a bump on his head. All they could draw from him was 'Grey, Many Moons.'

The man entered, grey eyes seeking her out as he walked down the room along the fine royal blue carpet that stretched between the doors and the dais. His hands, she noticed, wrung the floppy brimmed hat he favored, though his face and eyes carried joy.. As he reached the bottom of the dais, the Queen smiled at him as he bowed respectfully. 'Lady, I bring news of great joy. My wife and I are expecting again.' And so the day began. She just hoped the rest of it would be just as good.

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Maestro
Image


The calls of the crickets and frogs filled the night air, and the warm summer’s sun hid beneath the horizon, waiting for the call of morning. Flowers were in full bloom, and the birds sung their sweet siren song from the trees. A warm summer’s breeze stirred from the west just as the sun rose up over the lush wooded mountains to the east; and the sound of silence still fell across Skysong City, but fresh news traveled from the south. “You lived for a reason. There will be a time where Snow will guard the Rose, and cherish it.” As the caravan rolled through the southern gates, he’d caught the briefest glimpse of fiery red hair in the corner of his eye, akin to the prophet who had spoken those words to him so long ago. It was only later that same morning he learned what he’d seen belonged to King Lionel’s granddaughter, Briena, who he was asked to protect the very same day. Thirteen years later, there he stood, still forever by her side. And cherish her he did.

Lost in reverie, Titan begun to recall the moment he met Queen Briena. For over two-hundred years he had loyally served under her grandfather King Lionel, and all it took was his granddaughter to radically alter the course of his life. It had been true, that he cherished her more than the sun did the sky; willing to even put his life before her own. Locked in the confines of his room, he stood overlooking the balcony like he had many times before. Arms outstretched, what appeared to be grains of shimmering blue sand hugged his form as his breastplate appeared across his chest, followed by a set of metal grieves and sabatons to match. His armament was made from the finest metals in Aedillon; and with his navy-blue, gold ornamented scabbard on his back, a glimmering claymore appeared in his hands, which he quickly sheathed.

As he closed the doors to the balcony and returned to his room, the visage of an ornate crown began to appear on his head. With a usual stoic scowl on his face, whitish-blue locks cascaded over his shoulders and stretched halfway down his back; framing his face, strands hung in his left eye, guarding the dark crimson red hue that lay beneath. His right eye on the other hand was a completely different color altogether, a deep oceanic blue that seemed to flicker with a sense of determination. With snow-white skin, a single scar ran just below his right eye, something he had endured during his time with the Queen. Able to sense Briena leaving her room, he waited several seconds before slowly trailing after her, descending the stairs leading down to the Audience Hall.

To the left hand of the Queen he stood, towering over many of the guests that filled the great hall. Titan was a colossus, and much taller than most elves. With a menacing presence, he kept his eyes peeled on the crowd, a hand over the hilt of his blade as he waited in preparation. Although most were simple citizens of Serenia, it only took one to try something stupid and find his blade planted in their skull. For now, he knew his place, to stand there and say nothing as the Queen went about her business mingling with all the wretches who had come to ask something of her. The only thing that went through his head was the fact that thankfully, he wasn’t a king himself. There was no way he could handle such responsibility. His place was on the battlefield, soaking in the blood of his enemies. Or, at the Queen’s side. Fortunately, he had the stomach for either.

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Muddy boots drug dirt from outside on a day that didn't seem to sport mud-bringing weather. However the man it was attached to always seemed to be boot-deep in a mess, and this time was no different. Flip-flap, flip-flap, his fingers flicked at the velvet casing that held a deck of cards, the lone thing he carried that was not his clothing, as a man such as this had little need for things that were not clothes. But ever since a short time ago, he had become awfully concerned about his cards and his fingers often fumbled with their casing, like a miser concerned for his coin purse.

He was unremarkable of features and could have easily been mistaken as a farmer, with only green eyes to set him apart from the crowd that he wandered among, one hand kept on his cloak to keep it from being trodden. While an unfortunate trip wouldn't dampen his mood, it would bring attention to him and that was rather the last thing he wished to deal with right now. No, he had something much more important on his mind.

A chance encounter along the roads of the surrounding lands had put him in the rather unfortunate position where he wished to plant himself right in the center of authority, at the attention of authority and see the queen. Being one who didn't make friends in the short and long term meant he would rather not be seen, but that wasn't an option anymore was it! The irritation brought an inescapable grin to his face as he joined the line of those who sought the audience of royalty to solve their petty problems. They were all terrible and should have just left. After all, she needed to hear about his petty problems.

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

It had been a rather eventful day. An Emissary from one of the Lords' sons had arrived, bearing a gift. He had just returned from travels to other countries and lands. And now, he was yet another suitor that she held little interest in. If he wanted to press his suit, why not approach her himself?

The hours trundled along, and as mid-day arrived, so came with it the near end of the line. And with that... Her head cocked slightly as she felt a familiar tread heading up the castle steps in her extended awareness. She knew that particular set of feet. A smile flashed across her face, as she refused to acknowledge that the last time she'd seen him, she and Patch had been harvesting apples when an impostor had led her to her almost death. But what could he be doing coming in through the front doors, and joining the line?

Her fathomless sapphire gaze flicked aside to Titan briefly while she settled a dispute over a loose mare having been covered by the other man's plow horse. The mare in this instance was a prized race-bred Courser, and the stallion was apparently not of the best breeding or conformation. How would her guardian react to Patch, she wondered. The two had never, in her knowledge, met. It would be interesting, she supposed.

Out in the hall, as the last supplicant before Patch left, a signed grant for land in hand and a giddy expression on his face, the herald gazed at the chestnut haired, presumably human man. "Your name, sir?" When given the name, he nodded, stepping to the door and slipping into the Hall, not letting the bemusement show on his face at giving such a name; "Ser.. Patch." At a nod from the Queen, he turned, pulling the door wide to admit the man, while knowing that his wife, one of the maids, would be giving him an earful tonight after she'd helped clean up the mud left behind by those boots.

The Queen's eyes glinted with amusement, having caught the faintest hint of a pause before saying Patch's name. Her eyes left the herald, settling on the man and giving him a swift once over with those fathomless sapphire pools, from the muddy boots, to the hand on the velvet case that held his cards, to the every present, wide grin on his face. "Patch." Warm welcome was evident in her tone of the name. Warmth and the faintest hint of wariness. What trouble had her adventuresome friend gotten himself into this time?

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Aha, now that he had an audience it was time to strike at the hearts of the people. "I come with news of a great tragedy, your majesty," Patch spoke, head down as to not yet unveil his face from the hood. Flip, flap, his velvet case went once more. "This is a matter so important that it must be spoken in private or in whispers, for there is no telling what unscrupulous forces might be at work."

Finally his head tilted back just slightly, the hood slipping back far enough to reveal his entire grinning face, full of youth and life that was married with a certain age. However it was this that made him very difficult to take seriously, as he rather didn't seem to be taking it seriously himself. It was much more likely that he was just trying to stir trouble and hysteria.

"All I ask is to have a minute of your time to reconvene into a less busy place so that I might divulge what I know."

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Maestro
Image


The whole affair had been rather uneventful, and by the sixth hour of accepting audiences, Titan had utterly tired of how dreary the day’s festivities had already been. There was however one incident of excitement in the morning hours, as Titan had just so happened to dote upon the Queen and notice something out of place. With her plunging scoop neckline, her breasts were pressed against her fragile form, and Titan was able to make out the soft curves of the tops of her bosom. Unfortunately, in his time spent with her, he’d seen far more of her than he dared admit; their adventures together having lead them into the most peculiar circumstances. As he edged closer to her, he could just make out the scent of wild jasmine and vanilla radiating off her skin, the smell of the summer hayfields and lavender in her hair. It was almost admirable the way she could hold her head high, regardless of the dire straits that led her there.

As she prepared to entertain her final audience, there was something strange about the man who entered the grand hall next. He was average height for a human, young in appearance, with green eyes and chestnut brown hair. That wasn’t what threw him off however. That grin was almost unsettling. And that way the Queen greeted him warmly. Did they perhaps know one another? There were very few friends the Queen had that he didn’t know about. Although, there was that stint during the summer where he had to return home. Gods only knew what the Queen got herself into during that time. No matter, Titan knew his place. Standing tall, he eyed the man skeptically, and watched him very closely. There was just something off about him, something his intuition told him not to trust.

Itching to say something, he kept close guard of his claymore as he eyed the man, taking notice of the velvet case in his hands. A weapon of some sort perhaps? “A friend of yours?” Breaking the silence he had held over the course of the last several hours, he stepped off the platform beside the throne Queen Briena was seated in and ventured out into the hall. Standing in one place for so long had gotten the best of him, so he resorted to innocently circling Patch instead. There was just something about him he didn’t like. Maybe it was the fact he was a man, and had any relation to the Queen whatsoever. Or the fact that he wanted to speak to her alone. "I'm not so sure I like the idea of putting you two in a room alone." Although Titan had no reservations, he was of a jealous nature when it came to the Queen. While Titan was a prince, he was in no position to rectify his feelings for the Queen; and he knew this. So, why he had them at all was as much a mystery as anything.

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

She felt Titan's attention fix onto Patch as soon as he came into sight. The emotion of distrust and unease radiated from the man, her close proximity leaving no room for a buffer from the reaction. She gave no indication that she had noticed his unease, beyond a low hum through her mind to the Guardian's mind. A soothing note, though she doubted he would be easily soothed. From what she could sense, his mind was already made up to dislike Patch. A barely audible sigh lifted her chest and blew through her nose, but her smile never faded as she watched the man before her.

Theatrical as ever, Patch spoke of a tragedy, hand still fiddling with his case. Though he kept his head bowed, face hidden, she had no need to see his face to know he was grinning hugely. As he straightened, she cocked her head, brows lifting. Titan, however stepped from his post, and she gave the Aedillonian a brief glance. *"Yes. I would call him a friend."* The tone of her mental voice was conversational, pleasant, but there was a warning to stay his hand.

Her eyes returned to Patch as he requested a more private setting. It was her break hour. She had no objections. After all, the both knew she could handle herself. However, Titan, despite all their years of knowing one another as ward and warden, still stubbornly clung to the notion that she could not defend herself. He voiced his disapproval almost immediately, and gained a sharp look from the Queen as a response.

"He is a friend, Titan, and I am on my break hour. I would like to get up and walk around, anyway." She leveled a direct look at the tall man as she rose, lifting the front of her skirts with easy elegance as she descended the three wide steps, revealing that she'd sneakily foregone the court slippers during dressing that morning, bare feet padding silently on the carpet as she approached Patch. She was taller than the grinning man be a few inches, but his personality almost gave him a way of being larger than life. It could be amusing, it could be irritating. It was Patch.

"If you would like to take this to the garden, I could use the fresh air, old friend." She nodded toward the arboreal archway to indicate her direction. "And perhaps a light meal." Had she eaten this morning? Perhaps a light snack of an apple while she'd stood on the balcony. She turned on Titan after a few steps, however, stopping long enough to lock eyes with the man and utter in a low, commanding tone, "Stay here."

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Patch drank it all in, standing square and tall and proud. The royal guard fellow seemed to be a new addition, or at least that's what he assumed it was. Perhaps some trouble lately had prompted such a change. Alas, dragons and orcs got all the recognition. He heard not their conversation until Briena had neared and talked to him directly, at which point his grin grew wry and almost with a twinkle in his eyes he tossed a look towards Titan.

"Fear not," he said as he turned and guided a hand smoothly about to rest upon the curve of the Queen's back, "Your Queen and I will be done together long before an hour is up." With any implications meant by that left a mystery, he would quickly stroll for the gardens, if only to escape quick retaliation.

Finally free from the center stage he would relax and almost appear casual. "You know, with all the sneaking off you and I do together, your courts might start to think you have a secret lover," he quipped, followed by a side-long accusing glance leveled in her direction, "Though, I suppose that might drive off suitors..."

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Briena Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden Character Portrait: Patch
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Torcus Taliden



Such a short amount of time passed, at least by the elder's standards, before he could hear footsteps re-entering the room behind the great door before him. First it was many steps with the sound of jewelry and noble attire bouncing about in volume, perhaps a dozen at most, four at the least. Then there was another pause. A very short pause. After it came the sounds of gentle steps, likely barefoot or shoes of soft leather with a second set that sounded bouncy and childish.

As the elder took in the moment, he looked around once again. There was a small way that he might be able to get in to the chamber without the door, and Torcus was certain that all the nobles he would find here today were within, but there were decorations on the wall. Decorations that look to not hold weight well and make plenty of noise when they fall. A perfect reason not to use that route.

Tap, tap, tap came the sound of what the lycan could only consider to be another elf looking to see their queen. The steps moved closer with each tap, but they were not taken with haste. After some period, the elf arrived and the doors opened.

As they finished their movement, Torcus bolted, silently, into the room. Moving around with the practiced step of an ambush predator, the runt moved about the seats of the nobles. As he stalked about them, waiting to hear names to ensure that he had found the right one, the lycan never neared the Queen. He had no interest in here beyond thanking her for making her city so easy to maneuver about.

As the elf got into his speaking position, the lycan began to slow. Beneath his hood and cloak of invisibility, Torcus's ears rose to listen to what the elves would say. He only needed to hear a single name to know the prey he had come in search of.

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kanixillo Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

(OoC: First off: Unseen, I want to note that the trouble hinted at in the Introduction, has nothing to do with any of the nobility, Lords, or any other higher ups in Serenia. None of the nobility are corrupt, and the kingdom is stable. The danger comes from outside the Kingdom. Secondly, I feel you need to participate in the chat so that we can get a hold of you, and that you can talk to us to clarify details about the world. Please, do that. Communication is much easier there, and PMing is too clinical and email-y. Thank you.)

Alerted by the mental brush of his sister, Kanixillo paused, an ear pulling back as he listened. Something off in the castle? Hm! *Alright, I'll check it out.* Maelstrom, a truly massive Dire Wolf, and one of a set of twins, looked up from grooming his violet swirled left foreleg, mismatched violet and blue eyes watching the Lycan as Kanixillo set down his tools and pulled off the jeweler's goggles. "Queen wants a security check at the Audience hall. You and Vortex are requested as well." Maelstrom pulled himself to his paws, shaking out his black coat and padded silently from the shop, Kanixillo pausing long enough to flip the sign on the door to 'Gone Out', lock up, and shift to his birth form.

The citizens of Skysong city were accustomed to Lycans; with Serenia being allied to Lycaernus, and Kanixillo in particular being a common sight around here, no one shrieked at seeing him in his birth form, nor did the look sideways at the fifty inch tall wolf padding ahead down the street. As they reached the castle gates, Vortex, a mirror image of his brother, with a lighter pendant dangling from his neck on a silver chain - while Maelstrom bore a pendent that glowed with dark, storm like lightning, and a heavy asymmetrical bangle on one foreleg - joined his brother at the gates, the twins padding side by side, shoulder to shoulder and giving wolfish greetings before turning to business.

Kanixillo passed through the main doors that the guard held open for him, lifted his nose to the air as he entered the chamber that stood outside the Audience Hall, taking several testing sniffs, and running through the various scents that the air brought to him. Elves, the Lords and lesser nobility, and a few people from the Southeast Quarter of the city and the Riverside Trader. One human... Not quite human? Hm! Interesting smell. Mingled with mud and velvet. It was plenty of minutes old, but he set it aside as he caught the smell of a Lycan. An Elder no less.

He kept his face expressionless, ears relaxed and listening, as he casually made his way toward a scent as one of the elves of the Court passed through the doors to the Hall. The scent was seconds old, and not in the right spot. And no one was murmuring about an elder. That felt wrong. It wasn't Aliath or Aleyana. This was one he hadn't met yet; older than the two Elders in charge. A male. Healthy. But not in this particular spot. A gruff woof from Maelstrom turned his head, mane falling over one shoulder as his ears perked. "Yeah?" "Inside."

Kanixillo grinned, turning and padding to the Herald. "Has there been a Lycan in here other than myself?" The Herald looked at him in surprise, then shook his head. "No, Lord Kanixillo. Just you that I know of." The Lycan nodded then pushed the door open, admitting himself and the wolves. Maelstrom and Vortex took the right side, following the Queen's scent out into the gardens to check upon her. Kanixillo, meanwhile, followed the Elder's scent, slowing on silent fours as the scent reached peek strength. Golden eyes swept the area in front of him. Seemingly nothing, but his ears could pick up the sounds of breathing, and a heartbeat. "It's rude to sneak into the Queen's castle without an invitation, y'know. I shouldn't have to be telling an elder such a thing."

A ripple passed through the crowd, as the lords, returning from their breaks, paused, heads cocking as they listened. The mental announcement from Briena that the rest of the day was free of Audience duties brought a few amused smiles to some men's faces. They all knew her adventurous spirit. Sometimes she needed to get away.

The crowd dispersed, the nobility filing toward the door, while the lords filling in their rotation for Court dispersed into the castle, perhaps to their suites to rest, read books, etc.. Soon, the room was empty, the Audiences over. "Care to tell me, one Lycan to another, why the hell an Elder would sneak into the Queen's castle, instead of showing himself respectfully?" His drawling tones were conversational, ears pricked toward the spot he could hear a living being at.

2 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kanixillo Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Torcus Taliden


The runt's head flicked as he heard a small pack's worth of footsteps coming from beyond the door to the chambers. All of them definitely heavier than that of an elf. Controlling his breathing to prevent his heart rate from going up, Torcus watched the doors open with two dire wolves, and big ones too, and a lycan entering the hall. A large pup by the scent of him. Fully grown, but still only a pup in understanding of the realities of the world, if his youthful sent gave anything away.

Watching as the three began moving about the room and following scent trails, Torcus reached into his pocket. His hand left holding a simple seed, one that would not stay that way for too much longer.

The pup reached the runt, staring straight at what couldn't be seen with a moment of confusion across his muzzle that quickly dissipated when his ears faced the elder. Then came words from the pup, a small lecture on what is and isn't considered rude. As far as Torcus was concerned, this pup had no right to condemn when he knew not the reasons for the elder's actions. Hopefully the pup was smart enough to realize such a simple concept about old people.

Suddenly, without the prompt of word or sign, all the elves in the room began to leave, each going to some place their own. The runt remembered the last time that he had to deal with telepaths, as that was the only explanation that he could draw without some form of further information on the subject. Being able to speak without speaking had made the telepaths quite the long fight, able to coordinate the elder's position the telepaths were much better at avoiding him then they should have been. With a subtle huff, the elder decided to stay put and keep his hood up till the nobles had all left the hall.

With the nobles cleared out Torcus took down his hood. What suddenly became visible was a lycan of clay and dirt reds in a green cloak with leather plates placed as to not impede his movement. This lycan's right hand moved a small, visibly growing and budding vine about it while his left hand rested on the guards of a simple steel longsword, though to anything smaller than the short lycan might consider it a bastard sword. Around the cloak of the lycan was a composite longbow that aside from the metal string was just as average as the blade resting on the lycan's left leg and the light crossbow on the right leg. As the lycan looked up at the pup that was just over a foot taller than he, his eyes told of a cold hunter as much as the rest of his body language, even if his body didn't show many intimidating features.

When his mouth finally opened, Torucs said "I hunt that which offends Kii'Toc." in lycan with a voice deeper than his size would suggest and a slight dialect that had died long ago. The elder's arm moved silently into the pocket on the front of his leather skirt, pulling out a small letter written in human with a small blood splotch on it. "Do you know of this prey?" Torcus asked, voice still deep and still in that slight dialect, as he pointed to the name of the noble he had come hunting for.

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kanixillo Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Maestro
Image


Bathing in a flash of blue neon light, Titan's footsteps echoed against the walls of the Audience Hall. Standing there clad in armor, he reached for his back, drawing forth his claymore, dubbed Firebolt. His hands seemed to glow an almost luminescent blue hue as his gauntlets appeared around closed fists, the palms of his hands locked around the hilt of his blade. Instantly, small bolts of electricity radiated off his armor, making contact with the ground with a loud crackle. His hair raising, the tension in the room was palpable as he stepped forward. Instantly the room grew dark and cold, and Titan's voice thundered throughout the hallow hall. "Torcus Taliden." He’d encountered the mongrel before in his travels. There was a sense of rivalry between them, one Titan was willing to rekindle that very moment if it was required of him. “Everything okay here Kanixillo?” The whole mood was hostile as Titan stood there with little patience for the politics of their kind. Words like elder meant very little to someone such as Titan. Either way, he would cut him down all the same. “What is it exactly we can do for you?” Noticing that Torcus was clutching a shred of paper, he peered at it curiously, able to pull one name from its contents.

The name struck a chord in him as he tried to figure why it stood out. Wasn’t the noble one of the suitors that had asked for the Queen’s hand? Lathaim. What could he possibly have to do with this situation? “What business do you have with Lathaim?” Of a serious note, he lowered his blade, dropping his guard for the briefest of moments as he consulted his better judgement. “You should save your breath because he isn’t here. Quite frankly, I’m not sure where he is. He is the son of well-liked noble in Serenia.” Being that he came late to the party, Titan had little notion of what Torcus intended for the nobles son. To be quite frank, he’d half-hoped it wasn’t good. Titan had little patience for the Queen’s suitors. They came in droves, serenading the Queen in poetry and lavish gifts they claimed were from the heart. This was just something Titan could clearly do without in his line of work. Not to mention, it was hard to suppress his own feelings for the Queen when the subject of suitors came about.

Clutching his claymore, he lifted it up again, with few intentions on letting his guard drop a second time. His last encounter with Torcus wasn’t a house call. It was neither pleasant for him nor the lycan. There were a few scars that Titan bore that were in part to Torcus’s handiwork. Perhaps this encounter could remain civil, in some respect. After all, he wasn’t about to fight the creature in the heart of the castle with the Queen in attendance. “Tell us why you require Lathaim and I’ll see about sparing you your head.” There had been rumors of Lathaim as of late, things that swirled around in the underbelly of society, hushed whispers that Titan had heard about. He hadn’t been sure if they were true, but if they were, his doings were said to have intimately involved the lycans.

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kanixillo Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

Torcus Taliden


Tap, tap, tap, clunk, clunk came the sounds of the footsteps of Torcus's, as of recently, second most hated elf. His current prey had stolen the top spot on that list, though the runt's plans would certainly remove of Titan's competition in that regard. At the sound of the familiar footsteps the elder flicked his head to the elf, squinting at the elf... who was taller than the elder. Then the blue light and crackles of the lightning that did little to make Titan seem friendly.

Torcus, upon seeing one of the few people to have walked away from a fight with the elder, began to glow with a soft, green light from beneath his fur. The small, budding vine in Torcus's hand grew up to his shoulder in only a few moments with dull yellow flowers sprouting from the vine as it quickly spread to form a wood-like layer between arm and world. At the same time, plates of bone began to erupt from his left arm as his hand gripped the hilt of the simple steel blade that sat at his hip. Titan's blade has done more damage to the elder than any other weapon, if only because it has fought the lycan more than any other weapon, and Torcus was more than aware of just what level of damage the not-so-humble blade would do with a single strike.

Then Titan spoke the runt's name. "Snowblooded Titan." replied the elder, his voice far from happy. He watched as Titan spoke, holding his tongue as the elf tried to read the paper in the lycan's hand. Torcus was not afraid to admit that it was a bit hard to read the human's words, their scribbles not being as defined as a practiced writers. As Titan spoke next, he let his guard down. Torcus could not believe the moment, even though it was only a moment, that the elf's defenses relaxed. This was something that the elder had only seen happen when Titan had not known he was there and that was only once that he had seen it happen.

Titan spoke a bit more as Torcus finished processing what had just happened. The elf spoke once more, asking what business the the runt had with Lathaim, the name from the note. Taking a small breath and focusing on Titan, Torcus said "Kii'Toc demands that he breath his last breath for purposefully bringing harm to lands that sustain the Eternal Hunt and I will see him draw it."

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kanixillo Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Maestro
Image


Kii'Toc and the Eternal Hunt, a spout of nonsense that Torcus had been spinning since the age of antiquity. Titan hadn’t the time nor the patience to deal with his kind, nor was he prepared to let him loose on one of Serenia’s nobles. He did however have a better idea that would solve his problems for the time being, albeit being only a temporary fix. Perhaps his memory was a bit faded on where Lathaim was exactly. It could be one of several places, all of which he would express to Torcus. Anything to get him out of his hair. Meanwhile, he would dig into Lathaim himself, and find out just what he was involved in. He’d only heard rumors thus far, which wasn’t substantial enough to simply lock the man behind bars. Perhaps Titan could learn something on his own and handle the matter personally before Torcus had the chance.

“He either lives in Shore’s Haven City, which is a three days ride North, or Ravenwall, to the far south, which is a two and a half week ride. But being a lycan, you could probably get there in
 half the time?” Although he was betting all of his cards on a gander, he hoped Torcus would bite. The last thing he needed was Torcus making a mess of things in Serenia. If Lathaim was breaking the law, it was Serenia’s business, not a lycan elder.

“I’ll tell you what. Being that Shore’s Haven is closer, I’ll even teleport you there myself. Save you a trip. And if I learn anything in the meantime, I’ll be sure to let you know. Don’t worry. I’ll have no problems finding you.” That would remove Torcus for at least a few days, giving Titan ample time to tend to any problems Lathaim might give him. And of course, if any new information developed, he had no true intentions on informing Torcus of any of it. But he didn’t know that. “You will forgive me in advance.” Continuing to speak to Torcus, he had slowly been edging his way ever closer to the lycan, enough so to get within reach. Quickly, and without much notice, he grabbed the beast’s neck, pulling him close before the pair vanished in the blink of an eye. Reappearing somewhere on the docks of Shore’s Haven, the smell of salt was thick in the air. It was loud as ships pulled into the harbor with their haul, nets loaded with fish, and bells ringing. It was the perfect place to be leaving Torcus.

“Welcome to Shore’s Haven, Torcus. Do keep in touch. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, Ravenwell is only a three weeks ride
 in the opposite direction.” Words left in jest, Titan didn’t spare much time as he did what he did best and disappeared, leaving Torcus on the dock alone. That should keep him busy, at least for a few days. Back at the Audience Hall in no time at all, he looked over to Kanixillo and smiled. “I don’t think we’ll be seeing Master Torcus for at least a few days. In the meantime, I’m going to see what I can learn about this Lathaim fellow. Thank you for all your hard work. I won’t hold a grudge if you need to go.” All in a day’s work. Now the only thing on his mind was the fate of Gaele, and whether she’d come to any sort of decision on his offer. Of course, she was going to say yes. Who would refuse?

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kanixillo Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Torcus Taliden
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

His fellow Lycan was revealed shortly after the Hall cleared, and for an elder, Kanixillo was surprised to see that this male was so short. Perhaps putting the ability all elders gained after a certain point in life, to shift their height to better fit inside buildings? Kanixillo gave the male a rough once over with rich golden eyes, noting that the eyes of the other held none of the natural underlying kindness usually found in Lycans’ eyes. While he hadn’t liked this fellow from the start, due to what could be perceived as a breach of territorial boundaries, the cold eyes enhanced that dislike, though none of it showed in his own eyes, nor in his expression or posture. Didn’t mean his skin wasn’t prickling.

Kii’Toc? Oh joys; a hunt fanatic. Kanixillo’s expression remained neutral, his thoughts making no display on his face as he lowered his head, sniffing delicately at the parchment and reading the name Torcus directed him to, as well as the rest of the letter. Lathaim? Now that was bizarre. His silent analysis of the scent was of a camp of humans, mixed with the Elder’s scent from being in his pocket. The blood? Also human, likely from the last one to have held it before they died. By this guy’s hands? “I know ‘im, but he isn’t prey. He’s well respected, and as deeply carin’ of the land as our Queen. I don’t see him doin’ thi-“ A flash of bright blue light signaled Titan’s arrival, and Kanixillo straightened to frown at the Aedillonian.

Ah, well. There was the Lycan’s name. Seemed the two knew each other. Kanixillo backed a few steps away, not caring to be within range of either male, his ears flicking back with mild displeasure at the ongoing conversation. Briena would not be delighted. First an intruder, and now? However, his teeth bared slightly as Torcus made a threat on Lathaim’s life. “I’ll remind you that the Queen has jurisdiction in Serenia. Kii’Toc or not, if Lathaim is guilty of this, it will be the Queen’s blade that severs ‘is head, as is her right.” A sharp flash of the golden eyes to Titan’s mismatched blue and crimson emphasized the statement.

A moment later, and he was struggling not to roll his eyes. Well, at least Titan hadn’t given the guy an actual map. When Titan returned from wherever he’d taken Torcus, Kanixillo’s brow points lifted. “Hard work? My sister called me and the twins in to deal with it. Seems y'must have been drinkin’, since y'stink of ale. Good day, Titan.” A sharp nod was given as the midnight colored Lycan strode from the Hall on his twos, claws clicking lightly on the marble floor. It was out in the courtyard that he encountered the man with a shipment of pearls from Islehaven, the main city on the islands. The next few hours were spent going over the shipment details, so that the next arrival would go to his shop.

-Exit Kanix from the hall-

3 Characters Present

Character Portrait: Taran Caelis Titan Character Portrait: Ellethiel Ann'aria Nerrivenya Character Portrait: Neirin Erraveyn
Tag Characters » Add to Arc »

0.00 INK

#, as written by Maestro
The nerve strikes to his wrist left his hand virtually useless, which didn’t put him in a good position to strike back. Though, he’d had to fight with a broken left arm before, so he would make do. Exerting all his energy, he moved with immense speed towards Neirin, darting towards him faster than he could blink. By the time he was upon him, his right hand stopped just shy of his face, enough to taunt the man before he disappeared again. This was the first time he’d used teleportation in a fight, something he had been working on accomplishing for quite some time. Reappearing in a flash of blue neon light behind Neirin, he brought the full force of his left elbow down on Neirin’s head, before he was distracted by something in the distance. His senses had caught the better of him, and he simply put a hand on Neirin’s shoulder calmly, with little time to spare. “Excuse me Neirin. I think I may have to call this fight.” It was going to be close, but he figured he could just barely make it. Putting one foot before the other, and moving at lightning speeds, he stopped just under one of the trees in the orchard and put his arms out. Falling into them, was Elle.

“And what do we have here?” Dragged down by the weight of Elle rushing into his arms, he peered around the orchard before his eyes trained on Neirin. “It would seem I’m going to have to call this brief fight to a close. Maybe another time, Neirin. I believe the lady is in need of my assistance.” Stepping to the side, he disappeared, reappearing in the lustrous Audience Hall which was now strangely empty. Carrying Elle onto the platforms where the throne was seated, he placed her in the center chair without paying much attention to who the chair belonged to. Inspecting her arm, he placed his palm over the abrasion before his hand began to give off a faint glow. “I’ve never done this before, so hang tight.” Holding his touch there briefly, he pulled away only to find fresh skin in the scrapes place. “Well, you still have your arm, so that’s a plus.” Titan wasn’t one to use healing magic, and while he had had some instruction during his days as a student, it wasn’t enough to get him out of a serous bind.

“Where did I leave off last time? Awe yes, Eirelle. She was a blonde bombshell who could do things not even your wildest fantasies could comprehend. Her technique was just flawless.” For some strange reason, he’d come to tell Elle about all of his sexual escapades in his two-thousand year run. And unfortunately, he hadn’t finished “Then there was her sister, Nyrrielle, who was a lot more competent than she looked. She could do things that would drive a man’s senses wild.” Stopping in his tracks, he quickly saw a connection between their names. “Elle. I suppose the only Elle I didn’t have was you.” Eyeing the woman amusingly, he took a step back, hoping to avoid being swatted. “You’re looking good there Queen Elle.” It was no secret now that he’d sat Elle down in the Queen’s chair. But he suspected the Queen wouldn’t mind, especially being that she was in distress. Though, Serenia’s took respecting their Queen quite seriously, so who was to say how she would react.