Azadokht catches Scherwiz’s words. She breathes. Then she turns, very slowly and forcefully, to Osroes, whose manner has suddenly become extremely nervous. She’s still smiling – but that smile now seems etched into her face, her eyes far wider than normal. “We’re passing through Murgavio.”
“Aza, I swear to you, I thought that we were to sail up the western coast –”
“‘Roey. I love you. But I just ran hundreds of miles to get here – to join you – when I could have gone a fraction of that distance. I know you never knew anyone would be relying on the information your dad got but you could’ve at least checked it was accurate.”
“I – I apologise to you. Sincerely and without restraint.”
“Thanks. Now, I’m going to go, find a place to collapse and calm down before I break something.” Azadohkt strides away towards the ship, fists clasped behind her back tightly enough that her hands are slowly turning white.
Osroes lets her go, wearing a deeply guilty expression. He turns to Scherwiz, speaking in the common tongue now. “I… If it would help, my father could send word with the next trading party… He could have some supplies bought and ready for us in Murgavio. If it would save time…” The cataphract groans, resting his head in his palm. Rsama, behind him, gently puts his own on his companion’s shoulder.
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Fist
"Alright. I'm going to start laying some ground rules." Kiri said approaching Osroes and Azadokht. "I don't care if your girlfriend wants to join, but you all have actually speak common. No one knows or cares what you're saying when you go Mizzuel or Sandrag or whatever. We have to communicate of you don't want to die."
PM box is Closed, Indefinitely Friend Code: 3368-4181-6850
Osroes looks somewhat startled at Kiri’s approach, lifting his arm to stroke the side of Rsama’s muzzle. He bows his head. “Of – of course, Radiant One; so long as Azadokht agrees, we will use the common speech in your company. It will, at the least, be good practice. I would warn you, though, that some words don’t translate well… I could explain those to you, should you wish. Nobody but Aza seems to…”
A little more composed now, he looks to the side, recalling something. “On the matter of language…” Osroes gazes directly at Kiri. “Before the battle a few days hence, the way that you spoke to the dragons… If it pleases you, I would know what that was. It's important to me.”
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Sep 9th 2018 at 12:28:52 PM
Pretentious Git
Two weeks after departing the desert, the Syldra slipped between two Vissan sentry ships off the coast of Calderia under cover of night.
"Normally I'd steer the ship 'round the outer end o' the line," Scherwiz explained, "but since ye lot sacked Gusfer, the blockade can't sustain many ships this far south."
"And what about the second blockade?" Ailes grumbled. "There's another one in the northern waters between Vissan and Calderia, in case you didn't know, and they won't be undermanned."
"Oh, I know it well," Scherwiz chuckled. "But that one be even less a concern than this."
Several days later, the last verges of the land vanished from the ship's port and into the horizon, and yet ''the Syldra' held its course due north by northeast, despite a certain spymaster's continued grousing.
"It shan't be long now," Scherwiz insisted, and indeed, after another two days' of sailing, Addelus was the first to spot land off the port bow.
"Land! I see land!" the young prince exclaimed, running from the bow to the helm to excitedly relay his news with Diane trailing behind at a more leisurely pace.
"The archipelago? Are you insane?!" Ailes practically screamed, and then truly did when only hours later, another ship, flying the skull and crossbones, pulled up alongside them. "You've sold us out, haven't you? What favor do you hope to curry with the pirate queen by turning the prince over to her, you wretch?!"
"Hush yer gob, ye bilgerat," Scherwiz drawled, lazily making their way down to the gangplank that had been extended to bridge the two vessels. "Maybe ye'd learn somethin' if ye ever did."
A party of three crossed the gangplank; two swarthy sailors flanking a middle aged man in what at one point had surely been a regal military uniform before years of salt and scuffling had their way with it.
"Cap'n Walse," Scherwiz greeted with a nod.
"Princess Scherwiz, it is my humb-"
The captain was interrupted by the shnnk and chak of a blade being slightly drawn and snapped back into its scabbard.
"I don't believe I just caught what ye called me, Cap'n."
"Uh, that is, Vice Admiral Scherwiz, it is my honor to receive you. I assume you'll be headed home to see your mother, then?"
Scherwiz yawned, picked a bit of grit off the back of their neck, looked at it and rolled it between their fingers for a moment, then flicked it overboard, all before answering.
"Nah, I be in a rush. Transfer all yer supplies to me ship, then head back to port to restock yerself. If'n mum asks, tell 'er I be settlin' a debt, an' I'll be back in me own time."
"Y, yes, of course, Pri-"
shnnkchak.
"-Vice Admiral. May your booty ever be full," the captain stammered, then quickly retreated over the gangplank, already barking orders for the contents of his hold to be brought over.
"It'll be a few more days to Reginbor from 'ere," Scherwiz said, lazily making her way back to the stern. "Ye all settle in. I expect ye'll be wantin' yer strength once we make landfall."
What matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too. - F. Rogers.
The Syldra
As the Syldra made its way through the cover of night, a figure walked back from the deck and towards her room.She made her way to her door, taking great care to slowly, noiselessly, open it. She tiptoed in and closed the door just as stealthily, then turned away from the entryway.
Bette was slumped over the bed, probably passed out from playing too much with the Pegasus or just bored out of her mind. In either case, she was out cold, and wouldn't be so easily aroused by whatever grunts and moans she might make in the next few hours.
Most people didn't understand. Cooped up in a ship like this for weeks on end. Sometimes you had needs. Urges. Maybe
She withdrew the long, smooth metal shaft from the place she had hidden it under the bed. Polished from regular use, and always being pressed against soft, moist, fleshy folds, it glistened slightly in the moonlight that managed to sneak through the hull.
Almost trembling in anticipation, she steeled herself for what was to come.
She bit down on the barbell and started doing push-ups, soon followed by sit-ups, suspended sit-ups, and a whole other bevy of weight-training exercises.
The things Vera did for fitness.
The Syldra - Now
"Hnnnhnnn," Bette sniggered under her breath, lips curling up into a barely-supressed smile. After a few more moments, she couldn't take it anymore."Princess." She said, clapping her hands excitedly.
Osroes and Rsama, already up in the air after Ailes’ alarmed pronouncements with bow and arrows readied – a far better place to be than above the seas, churning with enough dark power to trigger active sickness, Osroes has found – descend upon registering Scherwiz’s calm demeanour. Back on deck, the two play witness to the entire conversation.
Within it, Osroes recognises something.
Once the three men have departed and Scherwiz has turned back with their proposal, the Parni half-bows in acknowledgement. “I would think that a sound plan. Besides,” he mutters to himself, “it is already far too cold here. I’ll need that strength.”
Osroes frowns, then dismounts and walks up to them, Rsama following behind. “If I might, before we all turn in… I admire your conviction. I do not know how much it will mean from a land-dweller and I don’t wish to break propriety but I think that I might know a little of your situation.”
He sighs. “My father and I do not often ‘see eye to eye’, as is said. He is kind enough but has always pushed me and my brother to follow foreign ways, while mine…” He reaches up, resting his arm and head on his pegaz’s neck. “Mine are the ways of the bow and spear in allied flight, the ways of illumination,” Osroes continues, deploying the word that he has isolated as best fitting his idea of the divine. “The ways of my people. I wondered if it might be the same – or similar – for you.” He looks to Scherwiz, his expression open, if a little nervous over what the reaction of the rather fearsome sailor might be.
Throughout, Azadokht looks on, a quiet smile on her face. Then she looks away again, over the calming motion of the waves, and again focusses, placing one hand on the tome at her belt while the other holds an axe. Steadily, she works to channel the text’s power through the weapon; miniature lightning begins to flicker from her hand up the haft, then up to the metal itself. Still she focusses, projecting the magic with all of her mental strength until the axe is an electrical maelstrom.
She releases her grip, her focus retained in entirety. It clatters to the deck.
Not one spark remains.
Azadokht curses. She bends down, taking the handle, and stands to try again.
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Sep 13th 2018 at 9:50:27 AM
Strongest In History
Brendan was sharpening his axe during the encounter, just trying to be intimidating, as well as ready at a moment's notice. He seemed to go unnoticed, however.
"Princess Scherwiz. Sounds like a funny name, if I didn't value my life."
Brendan shrugged, sitting on a barrel on the port side of the ship, legs hanging off the edge of the boat.
Then he hears electric crackling and whips his head around to see Azadokht fully channeling the axe before dropping it.
If only I had learned magic...
He then goes back to looking out to the sea.
"DIO is the ultimate being! The being of the future! Dare you not to rival me!"
Grendan's only response to the revelation of Scherwiz's heritage was a muttered "Not the first example of rebellious royalty I've heard of, or the most extreme... At least not if the stories I've heard about Bandit Prince Gaius were true..."
Pretentious Git
Scherwiz scowled at Bette, then turned to Vera. "Ye don't awfully mind if I throw yer wife overboard, do ye? I've no debt to her."
Osroes started talking, and Scherwiz's face scrunched up into a look of utter confusion. "What in barnacles' name are ye on about, boy? Ye'd best give it a rest with the 10 doubloon words an' learn to speak plainly if'n ye hope anyone to know what in blazes ye be talkin' about more'n half the time."
"I believe you are all under a false impression," Ailes sneered, staring Scherwiz down. "Our upstanding captain is no 'rebellious royal.' This archipelago has been infested with pirate scum for centuries, but after the kingdom of Weizen fell to Vissan, its royal family fled to the islands, and married into the pirate hierarchy. They're nothing more than brigands with delusions of grandeur now."
"Aye, an' it be the best thing that coulda happened for me," Scherwiz retorted, meeting Ailes' gaze with a grin whose cockiness didn't quite entirely mask the seething distaste underneath. "If Vissan hadn't driven great grandma out ta sea, mum an' me'd just be two pampered petticoats starin' sad-like out some castle window all day insteada scourin' the sea lanes for ripe booty. Honestly, I should be sendin' the Empress a fruit basket in thanks!"
Eyes wide, Addelus stepped uncertainly forward. "You don't really mean that, do you, Captain Scherwiz?" he said, fumbling anxiously with the corner of his coattail.
Scherwiz's expression softened as she turned from Ailes to the Prince. "Lad, ye've no need to worry. A promise is a promise, an' I'll serve ye truly until yer country's yours again, if'n that's what ye really want. But I won't lie, princin' ain't the life I'd choose. Better ta be free on the open waves, answerin' to no one but yerself, if'n ye ask me."
"Selfish..." Diane said under her breath, pronouncing the word like a curse.
"Excuse me?" Scherwiz said, taken aback by Diane's harsh tone when they had taken no notice of the attendant prior in the conversation.
Diane's face was nearly blank, an almost perfectly unreadable look but for the tight set of her jaw and twinge of her eyebrow. "I said that you're selfish. You and your foremothers. You fled from your duty to protect your people, leaving us to fend for ourselves in the face of invasion. An invasion your great grandmother provoked!"
"What do you know about it?" Scherwiz said, taking a step backward as if driven off balance by a blade.
"My family is from Weizen," Diane said, her eyes narrowing to slits. "My grandmother told me stories of the traitor queen who abandoned us to our fate while she ran, and never came back. But of course, it must have been worth it. Our safety was such a tiny price to pay for your freedom, Your Highness."
"I, buh, ah, ye..." Scherwiz stammered to deaf ears. Diane had already turned and begun walking away. With one more glance at the pirate captain, Addelus ran off after her.
"Feh," Scherwiz grunted, turning their face away for a moment to regain their composure. "Avast! Bring us about! Headed West by Southwest, full sail! Snap to it; e'ery sailor what ain't busy in the next 10 seconds be walkin' home!"
"Hmmph. Pirates," Ailes mumbled.
The final leg of the journey to Reginbor was almost complete.
What matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too. - F. Rogers.
Osroes blinks, taken a little aback that that is what Scherwiz would focus on. “Condemning me for happening to be better able to speak your own language than yourself is hardly…” he mutters.
Then Ailes speaks, as does Diane, and the Parni’s opinion performs a stark reversal. He struggles for a few moments for words before simply shaking his head and walking away alongside Rsama to go belowdecks.
Azadokht, on the other hand, finding herself unable to focus nearly so well as before with the conversation going on behind her, turns back to the pirate captain, replacing the axe in her belt. “Listen, Scherwiz. I don’t agree entirely with them – you obviously weren’t around to do anything back then even if you wanted to – but they’ve got a point. I don’t blame you for wanting to do what you love doing and you needn’t take the throne back for yourself; still,” she points out, “some organised raiding on Vissan shipyards on Weizen’s coast might not go amiss, at least, or maybe attacking the remaining supply lines to the blockade. The way we’re going, the empire’s forces are being spread thin – there’d be plenty of soft targets and looting opportunities. I don’t know much about any resistance movements, but you could throw your support behind them if they exist; if any succeed, maybe they could set up a council like Murgavio’s or something like that and you could carry on as you were.” She shrugs, turning to follow the rest. “I’m sure it’s more complicated than that. Doesn’t stop you trying to do both, though.”
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Sep 14th 2018 at 12:50:49 PM
Pretentious Git
"Careful, lass. I've no debt to you, or your boyfriend, neither, so keep yer nose outta what ain't yer business!" Scherwiz snapped, and stalked off toward the helm.
What matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too. - F. Rogers.
Akuma Shogun
While Damien was doing sit-ups, he listens to the argument between Diane and the pirate jerk. The pirate was apparently royalty. And then Grendan mentions something about the bandit prince Gaius. Royalty can be assholes if they put their minds to it, apparently.
Damien asks, "Is royalty turning to thievery to make ends meet a common thing around these parts? Next, you'll tell me there's a guy wearing a straw hat who wants to be king of the pirates."
Azadokht’s only responses are a shrug of the shoulders and a calm smile offered as she looks back. “Of course. Your thoughts are as good as mine, better in this case; you’ve no need to agree if you don’t want to. Just giving my take, whatever use it might be,” she concludes in a pleasant tone of voice, heading away.
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Sep 14th 2018 at 6:56:37 PM
Pretentious Git
Several days later, the Syldra made landfall off the eastern coast of Reginbor. After so many months spent in the south, between Murgavio, Chamur, and Kambacha, even the brisk air of the lowlands felt like stepping into an icebox, making the prospect of climbing into the alpine highlands seem like a page straight out of hell.
"I picked up winter clothing for everyone at our last port stop," Malia said, producing a crate of quilted tunics, fur-lined cloaks, and other such cold weather attire from the ship's hold. "I'm sure it won't feel so cold once we're hiking."
The Syldra's landing point meant several days journey through dense forest to reach the main highway leading into Reginbor proper. Ancient trees, big enough around that the entire company could have held hands and barely reached around their trunks, towered over them, blocking out great swathes of sky. Snow crunching beneath boots was the only sound if no one was speaking, but for the occasional ear-piercing crack of a branch breaking under the weight of snow in the distance, echoing through the crisp air like a thunderbolt.
Late in the morning on the third day, the company emerged from the forest and discovered the main road; a broad highway winding its way up a gash in the mountains.
"Festning Pass," Ailes said. "Perhaps the very reason Vissan has not yet attempted to conquer this neighbor."
"Why is th-th-that?" Malia asked, rubbing her arms vigorously as she marchedh, greatly regretting letting her vanity take a little too much priority in her own choice of winter wear.
"This pass is the only entrance to Reginbor that doesn't take the sea, and if there is one realm of warfare in which Vissan is weakest, it is its navy. The pass itself is defended by four forts, garrisoned year-round with veteran troops and defended by ballistas. Any large-scale assault would be walking into a killing field."
"Th-then why does it look like th-there's a Vissan soldier s-standing in th-that one?"
Chapter R.1: Festning Pass.
Objective: Capture the Gate.
Round 0 Deadline: 9:00pm PST, 9/17.\\
Edited by Wryte on Sep 15th 2018 at 7:01:42 AM
What matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too. - F. Rogers.
It is at that moment that a pegaz practically falls out of the sky towards the party, two figures clutching onto him in his dive. Rsama screams downwards, then pulls up to rapidly decelerate and eventually come in to land far, far more slowly than one might expect. His wings beat as strongly as ever – but a visceral gash cuts through one of his hind legs, crimson blood flowing from the wound, and he holds it away as his hooves touch the ground. Azadokht and Osroes dismount immediately, the latter ripping open his saddlebags and calling out desperately for a healer.
Azadokht herself dashes towards the group, pulling out two axes by the head from her belt, repositioning her hands and allowing the hafts to slide into position in a single motion. Her face mirrors a storm, her hard breathing forming small clouds in the air before her, though her report is slightly calmer: “Red-uniformed figures, probably Vissan, manning the bulwarks above the pass; guards and cavalry support inside it. They have ballistae, some of them –” she looks back at Rsama with fury in her eyes – “with anti-flier bolts.” She grinds her teeth, gripping her weapons. “They’re going to pay for that.”
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Sep 16th 2018 at 3:37:52 PM
Strongest In History
Brendan happened to be right in the downwards flight path, and quickly rolled out of the way when they landed.
"Ah, my jacket got-"
He stopped when he saw the gash on Rsama's leg, quickly tossing a vulnerary to Osroes.
"I kept this from Dracobara. Use it on the flyer. Meanwhile, I say we merry band kick some Vissan ass!"
With this, Brendan dramatically tossed off the long jacket he had been wearing, brandishing the trusty axe.
While he immediately regretted this, he wasn't gonna show it.
"We ready?"
Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Sep 16th 2018 at 8:15:27 AM
"DIO is the ultimate being! The being of the future! Dare you not to rival me!"
Grendan narrowed his eyes at the troops stationed in the area; from what little he could recall, red was not among the colors used by Reginbor uniforms, though admittedly he'd never had much cause to meet with them so he could be mistaken. Making a snap decision, he called back, "Astra, make sure Malia doesn't get frostbite, okay? We'll handle this."
Pretentious Git
At the northern end of the pass, a tall, broad-shouldered man emerged from the garrison door and inhaled a big lungful of the frigid mountain air, letting it out in a cloud of breath as he casually donned his gloves and hat.
"Another fine day in heaven," he mused to himself. "Fresh white snow, crisp, clean air, and strong, ancient stone beneath my feet. The only thing that's missing..."
His thoughts were interrupted as breathless messenger boy came running up, nearly collapsing as he reached the man's feet.
"G-general Hagen!" the boy said, saluting smartly once he'd caught his breath. "Strangers have entered the southern end of the pass, flying no colors and heavily armed!"
The general's smile widened until it bared his teeth, and a manic glint appeared in his eye. "...is a splash of hot blood over it all. Rejoice, boy! For this is now a perfect morning! To arms, Sons of Reginbor! Death and glory await you!"
Chapter R.1: Festning Pass.
Objective: Capture the Gate.
Enemy Army Level: Army
Round 1 Deadline: 9:00pm PST, 9/20.
After a brief, concerned exchange sealed with a brief kiss, Azadokht steps forward to join the assault group, making sure that the spare staff that she is carrying is secure, while Osroes stays behind, taking care of Rsama. “Those ballistae have to go,” she declares.
Thus Azadokht focusses. Her body begins to sway as she falls into the ancient forms that she knows well by now, charged with their antique power. She dances a dance of restoration, of rejuvenated energy and perseverance.
It soothes perhaps a little of the anger that she felt. Mostly, she channels it.
Azadokht dashes, moving to O31, performing a Dance of Stamina for Sophia and continuing to P33.
Recommending that, once everyone else has moved, Diane attacks any of Hodeskall 27-9 that are not yet dead with the Lightsaber Sword or, failing that, heals anyone whose health has dropped most precipitously in proportion to their maximum health with the Heal Staff.
Edited by Existential_Tempest on Sep 20th 2018 at 1:23:34 PM
Akuma Shogun
B Team
Where was Damien when the main team was in Reginbor, you ask? Recovering from his wounds caused by those bandits. Also, he bonked his head real hard by accident on the trip over. Oh, boy. For some reason, Damien's wearing a fake crown.
"Where am I...? What is this place?"
He spots Vera and Osroes off in the distance and waves at them.
"Veronica? Reggie? It's me, Jughead!"
Who the hell is this Veronica? Who the hell is Reggie? And what kind of nickname is Jughead?
A-Team
It's been a while since Talbot's proper fight at the ruins. Eighty-Six glances at his master, worried that he let him down. Those dumb golems and ghosts must hate horses or something.
Eighty-Six quickly dashes up to the swordsman and lets his master take care of the rest.
Dash to J35 and attack Hode-skall 29 with Killer Lance.
Edited by josh6243 on Sep 18th 2018 at 8:55:58 AM
Strongest In History
"Bring it!"
Brendan dashes forward once Aza is out of the way, finding an opponent and going for a small stomp on the foot before a hefty leaftward cleave.
Move to K34, Attack Hodeskall 29 with Swordslayer.
"DIO is the ultimate being! The being of the future! Dare you not to rival me!"
2 Spooky 4 U
Railen zigzagged across the snowy grounds towards the tough swordreaver and delivered onto him two fast, clean cuts with the curved edge of the shamshir.
Move to J30 and attack Hode-skall 27 with the Shamshir.
If someone attacks the ballistae, Dash over, rescue them as a free action (Riding Rings), then continue to as close to L36 as possible. Otherwise, go to K31 and attack Hodeskall 27 with Iron Lance.
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Fist
Move to L32, use Purge tome on the Balista at E39, and then the Balista at E33.
PM box is Closed, Indefinitely Friend Code: 3368-4181-6850
Brendan looks left and right, and at that moment, makes a split-second decision.
"Hey, you guys mind if I join you on this little endeavor?"
Brendan took a few steps towards the ship.
"DIO is the ultimate being! The being of the future! Dare you not to rival me!"