Lore: Upon The Heels of War

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:01 pm

Sinead blinked, stunned by Mizuki's message. She looked at her servant Talon, who was insisting he would go to his sister with or without her orders. Then she looked at Vlad, whose swimming red eyes were screaming out in frustration that he had no such privilege. "Lord Dracul," she said.

"My Queen," Vlad said stiffly. She had never seen him look this desperate, or this vulnerable.

"I can not send you both. This country is at war, and you two are my finest soldiers." She looked at them expectantly. "Talon, my opinion is that you are in no physical condition to fight. Also, no matter what calibur of soldier you are, infiltrating Arken's forces alone is simply not something you're capable of. To be honest, from a ruler's perspective, I would prefer that neither of you take this risk, as unfortunate as Tenele's loss is. But I understand," she looked Talon in the eye. "I understand, so you two please choose which will go. I will not sacrifice you both."

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:07 pm

Feeling as though she was no longer needed, Mizuki bowed her head in subservice and went back to her family.

"You were great mom." Blade beamed, his eyes glowing pride. Mizuki graced him a smile, still worried though about what he had done. She sat back down, her hand seeking out Soran's in a nervous gesture. She had the same fear she held long ago in the back of her mind, would he now despise her?

Post by **Emora Deen** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:08 pm

Talon looked at Vlad and the only thing that would come to him at this moment was fighting Vlad to the death for the right to save his sister. Though, he knew at the moment that was foolish. As much as he hated to admit it he was in no condition to go barging into an Arken camp to rescue his sister. Not to mention that they were working on borrowed time and his abilities were warn from battle. He could not get there quick enough. He didn't want to admit that it would be a useless and lost cause if he went, and he surely didn't want to admit that this vampire would do a better job.

Talon swallowed his rather large pride and glanced at the vampire with cold silver eyes. "Bring her back alive, or I'll hunt you down and kill you with my bare hands," Talon growled. He was satisfying the queen at the moment. Though, he didn't know how long he would have control over his ambitions and his urge to go after his sister.

He glared at the vampire, still wondering what his sister meant to him. She was said to be his lover. Did he care for her as more... or just something to keep his bed warm at night? No... if she was just a toy he wouldn't risk his life by entering an Arken fort full of Arken soldiers to save her. She was something more to him, though what was a mystery to him.

He was shaking, angry that he was too weak to venture to save Tenele. Angry that she had been so foolish as to get herself captured. Though, he guess that wasn't her fault. He was just angry at everything at the moment, even the man that was going to save her.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:29 pm

Vlad raised his eyes to Sinead's and slowly nodded his head to her. "I will go." He was extremely aware that Tenele could very well be on the brink of death as they spoke. But he was also able to register what Talon had just conceded, and he respected it. He looked at Talon. "You will not need to hunt me. If I do not bring her back, it will be because the privilege was lifted from your hands," he said darkly. It was an odd sort of vow, and also a strange admission that he was about to get in over his head. Charging into the heart of enemy territory with your head muddled with emotions was a strategy Vlad knew to despise, but here he was so riled up he could hardly breathe.

Sinead looked at him. "Quickly, my servant. And Vlad... Come back to me," she murmured. With that, the vampire disappeared from the room.

Soran took Mizuki's hand and pulled her in against his chest protectively. The whole room was buzzing now with a strange new energy as the advisors whispered to each other. "You did well. You gave them hope," he murmured into her ear, rubbing the outsides of her arms supportively. He wanted to ask if she was hurt, if the magic had caused her harm, if she wanted to lie down. But this magic was something important to her...she hadn't been the same since she'd lost it. He'd had time to watch her long for it, and to even sometimes wish she could have it back himself. He swallowed his concern and tried hard to see the good it did her instead of the bad.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:55 pm

"Did I?" Mizuki asked softly, becoming somber. "I hope he makes it in time..." She nuzzled Soran's chest and lightly gripped his shirt with one hand. She wondered many things; how did he feel about her now? would Tenele really be alive when Vlad finds her? what would happen now? Everyone's emotions and thoughts were buzzing in her ears again and making her vision hectic. After being so long not using these powers, Mizuki was pressed to remember how to lift up a barrier against the unwanted feelings. It came back as soon as she thought of it though, and the buzzing died down in her ears and the colors of emotion faded back into her normal vision.

Blade was feeling quite proud of himself, a small smile on his lips as he kept watching and listening to what was happening around them.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:31 pm

Soran took a deep breath and looked around at the others in the room, holding Mizuki securely. He approved of what she'd just done, but there was something else bothering him, like an itch at the back of his mind. Mizuki had locked her powers away...why had she done that? There was some reason...he'd never even thought to ask. He focused ahead as Sinead turned and walked toward them.

"You have my deepest appreciation, Mizuki," she said. "I don't know if she's alive, but if there's any chance, my servant will make use of it."

"Somehow he didn't impress me as the type to really care," Soran interjected flatly. Sinead blinked at him, like she'd forgotten he was there, and cast him a frown.

"He serves me loyally. His cares are beside the point," she said firmly, and knew she was half lying. Just this once, Vlad's emotions might turn out to mean the difference between success and failure in his duty. The question was which they would sway him toward. She knew she was being defensive because she was worried and perplexed over Vlad, but as an ex Arken war hero, Soran was a fitting recipient of her frustration. "I spared your life, Soran Nightblade, but do not presume I care for you enough to hear my servant declaimed by your lips."

Soran held his tongue without much effort. He was proud, but no emotion could outride his instinct to avoid conflict with royalty. Still, his eyes gave no hint of submission as he looked aside and put his hands on his hips.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:16 pm

Mizuki winced, feeling the tension between the two as if it was pounding itself at her. She disengaged herself from Soran's embrace and looked at the Queen directly.

"Please..." Mizuki interjected, pleading. "It is not my wish to have ill between us."

Next to Mizuki, Blade got a sudden chill up his spine. His wings twitched and shuddered in response, and Blade looked around with a worried expression.

"...Something bad is about to happen..." He said to himself but audible enough for his family to hear.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:38 pm

"My lord Raider, you must go back to the hospital ward," one of the nurses said as she came up behind his hunched form.

Talon looked at her for a moment and he knew good and well that Vlad would not immediatly return. "Someone let me know as soon as he gets back..." the warrior hobbled out of the room the nurse hurrying behind him.

* * *

Rai looked around for a moment wondering what was going to go wrong. She wondered off from her parents as they were talking and walked directly to a window that was open to the balcony over looking the gardens.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:40 pm

Sinead looked at Mizuki and seemed to accept what she'd said, because her frown softened. "I thank you for doing that reading. I'm not aware of the details, but I sense it required a sacrifice from you. You are still my guests, and I recommend you remain here in the castle, for your own safety, until our enemy is better understood." With that she turned and went back to the other advisors, who spoke briefly before beginning to shoo everyone else out of the room.

Soran glanced at Mizuki, and they too wound up out in the hall. Soran was loaded with unanswered questions.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:49 pm

In the hall with her family, Mizuki sighed, wanting to see what was happening now with Vlad rescuing Tenele... but she did not have that kind of ability. She smiled up at Soran warmly, hoping to ease any fears that he might be having.

"Everything will be alright--"

"Mom," Blade interrupted. Mizuki looked down at him, surprised. His face was distraught with worry and... fear.

"Blade, what's wrong?" she said, concern in her voice.

"Something... something bad is about to happen... I... I don't think we're safe anymore...." he was sweating from the fear. Mizuki's eyes widened, if she could concentrate she would know what it was Blade was talking about.

"It'll... it'll be alright. Do you know what it may be?"

"N-no.... it's not safe..."

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:52 pm

Soran eyed the mother and son skeptically, finding it difficult to believe in these gut impulses even after what he'd just seen, especially from the young boy. "Rai," he said out of nowhere, just noticing that she was gone. He glanced around to see where she'd gotten off to.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:03 pm

Concentrating on what her son was saying, Mizuki closed her eyes to go into trance but was jerked out immediately from a more sudden vision. Crows. And the feeling of terror. She looked around for both Soran and Rai.

"Soran! Rai!" Both Mizuki and Blade sprinted towards where Rai was standing innocently.

Post by **Emora Deen** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:05 pm

Rai was walking closer and closer to the railing of the balcony, looking up into the air. For some reason she just felt the urge to look at the sky. She smiled dancing around in a circle on the balcony when suddenly her attention was captured by something else.

"Cawww..." she heard the sound and it startled her. She glanced to the side and there sat a crow, blood colored eyes looking at her with intrest as it cocked hits head side to side.

"Silly bird," Rai said, walking slowly towards the black feathered feind. "Why do you make a funny noise?" The bird strangely didn't move away as she grew closer and closer.

She heard the rustle of feathers and noticed that three more birds had landed. Then a fourth. They were quiet compared to the one just in front of her. Then more fathers until the whole railing was cluttered with ebony colored birds with bloody eyes. She turned to the first one she had seen and reached out to pet it. The bird tilted its head eerily and made the most wreched noise. Rai jumped and her quick movements seemed to startle the other birds. They took to the air, swirlling all around her.

Rai screamed in sudden terror, huddling down and covering her head with her hands.

Mizuki · Post by **Mizuki** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:18 pm

Mizuki was the first to rush through the birds. People were screaming and running and staring in terror. After Mizuki reached Rai and held her tight in her arms, she found she could not get out of the swarm of crows. Damn! It was a near deafening sound of cawing and the speedy flap of black wings circling around the two half elves. It seemed to get even faster.

"Mother!" Blade yelled, trying to pierce through the throng of crows with a silver whip. Where one crow fell, another took it's place. It was impossible. Blade cursed before joining alongside his father, continuously trying to break the circling ring of crows.

Post by **Soran Nightblade** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:40 am

Soran didn't have time to wonder what the crows wanted, or why the heck they were here. He just knew he didn't want them swarming around Rai and Mizuki. His armblades weren't going to be much help against a flying swarm of birds, so he chose his other option, which was to dive through to the girls and try to pull them back out.

Sucking in a breath to steel himself, he ran headlong into the crows with his arms covering his head for protection and tried to force his way to the center.