A Kingdom's Fate (Rp): Ended.

[The Zango]

Having watched as the man approached the group and began requesting after the egg, Ra'ive became suspicious.

'If they can get to the scout they can get to anyone'

He quietly sidled up to Ellondra and inconspicuously as he could lifted his hand to her ear and spoke quietly to her.

"I don't like this, after the scout business we should hand the egg over to the king personally" he whispered.

 

[Jav3lin]

Hodgar's expression came to a grin as he motioned his men back to the tent.
"Very well. Wait here a moment, I will see what the King thinks of this"

Then, as Hodgar turned on his heel and walked toward the castle, the armed men retired into the tent.
But not until one of them looked over to the group with an expression of distrust.
"We got word of your success. How, you need not know. However, we need you to stay right here, and wait for Hodgar's return. We do not want this information to fall into any unwelcome hands or viewing eyes, so keep it safe please"

Then, the man walked into the tent and sealed it shut.

 

[Slycne]

"How, you need not know."

Like Hell I don't, I think I've got San'tar's next assignment. He thought to himself. He shifted uncomfortably at the thought of someone having spied on him, he looked towards the others in the group.

Was it one of them? No one else knows if we picked up the eggs, let alone our mission at all.

Only Ellondra, Ra'ive, Skaar and Aer'rad had been on the mountain when they retrieved them and since then they'd been safely hidden away by Ellondra. Aer'rad was dead and buried, but perhaps he'd sent word off in Swaere? Ra'ive didn't seem the type, but he had followed them that night. Ellondra would have stuck by the King's orders to keep this secret, but Vik'nar was filled with momentary doubt at his ability to judge her based on the previous evenings encounter in the grove. His gaze passed over Skaar last. Would he gain by using his powers to spread information? There might be others of his like working for them. The thought that someone else might be invading their minds was not a settling one, but perhaps they were merely countering his bluff with one of their own.

 

[Cinnonym]

I'll smash them before I allow them to fall into the hands of the enemies.

Ellondra's hand rested lightly on her bag as she shifted in the saddle. Her head inclined just slightly to indicate to Ra'ive that she'd heard him and agreed.

 

[Lambi]

Landon watched as Vik'nar and Ellondra spoke to the men who requested an egg from them. He didn't say a word, knowing he hadn't been on the quest with them. But as always, he kept his hand on the shaft of his sword, Fury, ready to fight if need be.

I do not trust these men, but who am I to judge? I came to the group without their knowledge, but they seem to have accepted me somewhat. I'll have to wait and see what happens.

He sat on his horse, watching over Evela so he wouldn't try anything.

 

[Malifact]

Skaar scowled from behind his Skullhelm; this stank of treachery, pure and simple. Something was not right here. "I do not like this" He muttered to his companions, before shaking his hooded and helmed head, and closing his eyes. He reached out with his mind to the men and the king's advisor, bringing the full force of his unholy talents to bear as he sought to break into one of the Guard's minds and see what was truly going on. The challenge lay not in seizing the information, but doing so subtly; it would be easy to break open the Guard's mind, but far harder to slip through his mental cracks and siphon out what he wanted to know without alerting the Guard. He applied himself carefully, wielding his mental abilities as a surgeon would wield a scalpel; the slightest break in concentration, and his probe would be unraveled. He blocked out the noises and lights out the outside world, retreating deep within himself so that nothing could deter or distract him from his intended goal.

Spoiler: FYI

If his concentration is broken, the guard will still not become aware of what happened; but Skaar will awaken from his trance, severely drained.

 

[Nukey]

What an odd fellow... The Professional thought, dumbfounded at the recent string of events. The man who had approached had a suspicious vibe about him, and despite having only spoken a few words, seemed to be up to something. Yes, something was certainly going on, though Warees couldn't really place a finger on it.

Of course, he wasn't too concerned about it, seeing as there were more men on his side than there was on Hodger's, so any surprise attack would be quickly dealt with.

 

[Dragon_of_red]

Um... I have no idea whats going on... Evelea thinks, he looks around, everyone is wary and is ready for a fight.

He looks around, and sees a small torch in the tent of the guards Yes He thinks to himself, I wont have to be defenseless

He turns back towards Landon and whispers to him, "I know what you might be thinking, but i did not get my news of your travels from any source they could hear. And I sensed no-one following us.". He went back to sitting infront of Landon, eyeing the guards, getting his hands ready in case of a fight.

 

[Lambi]

Landon didn't trust Evela, but if that was true, he had to tell Ellondra. He let his horse walk up to Ellondra and he whispered to her:
"This mage here says that he did not get his news of our travels from a source they could hear. And he also said that he did not sense anyone following us. I do not trust him, but I thought it better to tell you in case he was telling the truth."

 

[Malifact]

Skaar grunted, sitting back straight in his saddle as he left his trance. His attempt had been entirely succesful; it was just a pity that his target had been an utter idiot, and hadn't been told anything more than "Guard them until I return". But one thing had proved a challenge; his target had been trained in mind-resistance techniques. This had been apparent when he'd first begun his probe, and he had neatly sidestepped the obstacle. The training was only useful if you actually knew you were being probed; and Skaar had not allowed him that. "I can gleam nothing from these guards" He announced in a low tone, shifting back in his saddle. "Their minds were hardened, but contained nothing.... useful. All they know is that they are following orders, and those are to guard us until he returns..."

 

[Slycne]

Vik'nar responded in a soft curious tone. "Hardened?" The mentioning had keyed him in on one of his earlier suspicions. "As in someone had taught them how to resist and would it take someone who could invade the minds of others to teach them?"

 

[Malifact]

Skaar nodded slowly "Exactly. It would appear that this... advisor... has taken certain 'precautions' outside of the law... and who knows what else. It would be best to remain wary; I have not sensed the presence of another of my kind here yet, but if what I've felt is correct, then he may be actively concealing his presence..."

 

[Dragon_of_red]

Evela didn't like what he heard. Those people who were looking for me... Did they realise i had joined with them? Are they coming for me? Evela thought.

He became worried, he eyed the fire again, making sure its still alight so he can cast magic on it.

 

[Jav3lin]

A few minutes later, closing in to be three quarters of an hour, Hodgar returned to the group with a glee smile on his face.

"The King will see you now, please, this way"

--

The group had walked with Hodgar up to the Castle, and entered into the magnificant castle halls and glorious rooms once more.

As the group neared the King's Chamber, Hodgar turned around and looked toward the group.
"Me and my men will stand guard here, so no-one intervenes your meeting. Please, enter"
Hodgar waved his men to open the double doors and then waved his hand inward.

King Herald sat there, pondering in his thoughts as he snapped to attention once the group entered.

"W-what news bring you?"
He gasped out as he positioned himself in his throne properly.
The double doors slammed shut and the two guards in the throne room exited out the service entrance.

 

[Cinnonym]

They appeared to be alone... Good.

"Majesty," said Ellondra, stepping forward and bowing before continuing, "We discovered the Gryphon, as you'd requested, and slain her. And if these truly are your envoys, then you see that we have met them as well."

In a general gesture she encompassed the newest members of their group, Skaar excluded.

"...May I be so bold as to ask, has the situation regarding the Tai Ogul changed since last we spoke?"

 

[Jav3lin]

King Herald rose from his seat and walk up to the new party members.

"So... this is the Half-Bound that was discovered in Riverbank hmm? And... you say he aided you in the quest? And that he chose to do so by his own will. Seems fishy, but if you think him a viable asset, I will not deny him in your presence"

King Herald then stepped closer to Skaar. Not having been disclosed of him, he was quite eager to learn who he was himself without being nosy and asking.

"And yes, the situation has indeed changed. Scouts from the East report water spurting out of the Rift's walls. It appears that a water source was under the ground, and the rescent earthquakes in the East have caused the pressure in the tunnels to increase, severing the rock and terrain, sending water into the Rift.
While it is unknown wether the Rift will fill with water or no, it is of great concern"

Herald then walked over to his throne once again and grabbed sealed parchments for each member of the group.

"One of my Royal Guard Divisions has recently returned from the South, and they will be overseeing the situation regarding the Rift. Here are your rewards, and also petitions for each of you that you can submit in the Cleric's office down the hall once you are down. These petitions will allow you access or grant you anything you desire which is in my power to give"

The King then walked over to each member, giving them a sealed parchment.
"I see some of you have perished or deserted along the way. It fills my heart with grief, but it was required to defend Calemdar. I hope they knew that they died for their country, and their families will be given these parchments as well"

King Herald then sat back into his throne.
"There is however.... one more thing I need of you. With the new situation at the Rift regarding the water sprouts, my Royal Guards won't go to Tartungen as I orgininally planned. There have been signs of combat and screams from within the gates, and none of my Scouts have managed to infiltrate it. I hope... that you will"

King Herald sees the disappointment in their faces and fears his prayers will not be heard with a calling.
"It is of most importance that the Dwarves show co-operation should Tai Ogul manage to infiltrate Calemdar. Currently, the Dwarves are investigating Tartungen from the town known as Lemsten. If you wish, there is a ship in Wesburg ready to take you there. If you wish not to be a part of this, I understand"

 

[Dragon_of_red]

Evela was glad he was finally infront of the king. Though he was really nervous. He knew not to speak untill he is introduced, which would be after everything is over. He just had to wait and hope that he doesnt get killed for it.

 

[Malifact]

Skaar felt something he hadn't felt since his body had been fused with one of the Dead Souls; he felt pride. A sense of accomplishment. Everything he had worked towards, the years of pentinence... it seemed as if it was all finally paying off. "Your will shall be followed, my Lord. I shall leave as soon as the ship is ready." He paused a moment, before bowing his head and kneeling before the King "There is but only one thing I would ask of you, my liege... and that would be your pardon. I am Half-Bound; my existence is heresy. But I have upheld your laws and the laws of the Goddess during all my years of exile, and I seek nothing more than to serve you, for the betterment of the Kingdom. If you see fit to pardon my, then I swear to you, I shall serve Herelden to my dying breath."

 

[The Zango]

"Well, my lord I shall not pledge my service to you in such a... Touching display but as-long as the land needs me and I can be suitably compensated then I too am at your service"

Though his statement sounded crude and selfish, the sentiment behind it was true. Ra'ive had been drifting for the better part of fifty years now and now he'd found a cause, a lucrative cause at that and one that could also help him in his own quest to find his brother if he played his cards right.

 

[Slycne]

Vik'nar stepped forward next to Skaar. "If these petitions can truely give us what we most desire, then you have my service as well. The Half-Bound and I and anyone else willing to travel will leave at the earliest opportunity for Wesburg."

If Vik'nar was going to start a new land-ship here in Herelden, then he had best gain as much favor as possible.