Lore: Arken - Arroes - Secret Orders

[Soran Nightblade]

Original Thread started by Emora Deen on July 21st, 2004

Emora Deen:

Emora:

The darkness of the halls of the Palace of Pain, which many people, called the place where the Queen of Arken lived. Gargoyles lined the walls and over looked you as you walked down the hall. They made the archways, two on each side fighting above you, their hands meeting at the top, the archway complete. There were no windows down this hall, the main hall before you reached the thrown room. Today she was dressed in a tad bit more clothing that usual.

Her long skirt actually covered her hips when she wasn't moving, her flat stomach still shown, and to cover her breasts it was a long jacket that had three buttons and a long V to show that she was very developed in that area.

She was flanked by six Queen's Maidens, who worshiped the ground she walked on practically. There leather sounded as they walked and the heal of there boots clanked against the stone. She opened the door with a wave of her hand, flying open as if an invisible force had pushed them. "Do you have the plans? Is everything ready? I'm not going to tolerate failure on this... every one of you will be tortured until death if this fails, do you hear me?"

Yes, it was clear that today was not a very good day for the evil ruler...

Leora:

The Queen's Maiden lowered her hood. Her pale face held a stern look, much like her queens. She seemed to always have a stone face, if only she would not have been raised in such a hateful way.

"We will not fail," she said and kneeled before her queen as she turned to them in a flash. "I promise you this."

All the leather creaked as the Queen's Maidens knelt before her.

Emora:

Shea smiled a cunning smile at her most favorite of Maidens. She was the most ruthless out of them all, yet she did not know the truth... if she did she would surely try and kill her Queen, but fail miserably at the task.

"Good," she said and turned, walking to the thrown of flesh and bone. Her feet made no sound as she wore no shoes. Yet, they never seemed to get dirty. "So the spy knows the plans? He is to send the order and they will not know anything until they are to far away from Lowight to find out. I only want him alive, make sure the pirates know that. Kill any one else with them, they mean nothing to me. Give this to Markquet, tell him he is to slip this onto the neck of the eldest one. This will weaken him dramatically, to the point of to where he is almost dead, but keep him alive, just immobile. This is not to come off his neck, tell him that."

Shea acted as if she was pulling something from the air and as soon as her hand was half way down an object appeared in it. It was a necklace with a single stone on a rope chain. "The Acoutist Necklace," she said and handed it to her favorite of Queen's Maidens. "Give this to Markquet and send him on his way."

Leora:

Kyra took the necklace and bowed as she stepped back and into her place. She would do like her queen had stated, throwing in her own little bit of information to make sure the job was done. She planned on staying alive for a very long time and no one was going to mess it up for her.

Kyra left her queen and went to the docks where a ship awaited departure and awaited to go to Lowight. A man stood there and he was most definitely the man she was looking for. He had a thick red beard and braids coming out of it. His hair was red and also had braids, he wore a black hat that seemed overly large for his head and the normal attire for a pirate. The ship was on of the nicest in Arken and good thing, something evil looking would not be welcomed in Ighten.

She gave the amulet necklace to him with the orders and ended it with this saying. "If this goes wrong, I would think twice before coming back here... then again my queen will find you any where you go..." She turned and left the man to his work. The ship was to set sail for Ighten soon...

Emora:

Shea walked down the steps to the lower levels of the palace. Screams of pain and agony could be heard the whole way down and she smiled at the sound. Her minions were working hard tonight, they still must be angry...

She entered into a room where a particular blond man was hanging from chains, blood ran from various wounds across his body and his teeth were gritted tight. The demon next to him was just about to continue with what he had been doing, obviously to show off to his queen, but she held up a hand and stood before the blond vampire with a whimsical smile.

"Why... why are you doing this my... my Queen?" the blond asked and his queen's smile only grew with satisfaction.

"To make you stronger Adrian..." she said and her face took on a look of caring, though fake, but he could never tell. "I want you to be strong for when you meet that offal No Life King..."

"Did he go through this?" Adrian asked and tried to hold back the tears that wanted to escape.

"Well, I don't know..." Shea said and smiled again. "But, if he didn't don't you think this will make you stronger?"

"Why are they altering me by magic?" Adrian asked and she narrowed her eyes.

"So questionative for some one being tortured..." she began and turned from him walking through the door. "You will see soon enough..." She left him with out saying good-bye and they began his preparation all over again. His screams feeling the halls behind her.

Emora:

It was many days later when she had figured he had had enough and now the magic had altered him, giving him powers that Vladimir didn't have. Human shape shifting, he could now turn into any person he wanted and looked just like them, not only that, but he could blend in with any background. She was turning him into the ultimate stalker... the ultimate spy.

He was brought before her and he fell to his knees, he was no bond, after all he was not a prisoner, but a subject who was being bettered by his queen. Two Queen's Maiden's stood behind him.

"Adrian Dylore...." she crooned and swayed her body as she walked. "My dear, dear, Adrian I'm freeing you of your pain... You are now not like the person you were. You are immune to everything a normal vampire is and I have altered you with magic and made you even better..."

"Thank you, my Queen," Adrian said and bowed his head. She smiled.

Not only did she have an altered vampire but also the torture had more than likely affected the stability of his mind. "Come Adrian, I have plans to discuss with you..."

She walked towards him and held down a hand, pulling him to his feet and slipping her arms around his. "Walk with me," she said and smiled seductively. He did as he was told, not because he feared her or because he served her, but because like most men, he wanted her.

"I want you to accompany the Third Talon, the one Fray leads there you will attack the boarder that separates our land. This is just a skirmish, I am not ready to attack full force yet... it is not time..."

"But, they already know!" Adrian said and looked at his queen in disbelief, why would she send her army to doom... with him...

"I know," she told him and her smile grew into a playful grin. "Thanks to you they do... and frankly it was for the best. Now, I have devised a better plan. You know as well as I do that our forces are growing by the day. More and more youth of Arken are joining our cause. The Citadel is training Knight Mages and paladins by the day, more and more are being turned out into the world..."

"Are you planning a war... another Queens War?" Adrian asked and looked on in awe at the might of his queen.

"The Queens Wars were only the beginning idiot," Shea said, throwing him a cold look. "Do you think I stopped that war because I was tired of blood shed? I wanted more... and to get that I needed to build up my forces... I have a force far beyond what I had last time and far beyond what Ighten still has. My spies have made sure of that... It is only a matter of time before Ighten falls and I rule over all... Now, to your role in this, my love..." She meant nothing by calling him that, only a taunt really, he knew that she could never and would never love him...

Emora:

In Arroes that day, a few days after Vladimir won his freedom hell seemed a lesser word to describe what was happening in Arroes. Shea sat on her thrown looking down at a very pain filled person. She didn't even know who he was... to bed Kyra wasn't here, she had been sent away a while ago...

Shea rose with furry and hand her hand out towards the trembling fool. She slashed the air and invisible claws scratched and tore at the skin of the street bum. She bent, grabbing his hair and lifting him off the ground.

"Am I doomed to have fools work for me!!!" And he didn't even work for her. "Of, course I am, I'm always going to have fools...." She through him then onto her steps and the edge of one of the steps was in between his neck. She put her bare foot to it and smiled coldly as she stomped one time, breaking his neck in half.

She spun; her barely could be called clothing flying around her as well as her strange hair. She stormed towards the man doors of the thrown room and as she grew close they opened, two men on either side coward back as she passed them, her fury could be felt by all her minions except in them it was fear. It was stupid to even attempt another revenge tactic on Vladimir Dracul... that was his name according to Adrian. Many great evils of the world had died chasing their never-ending thirst for vengeance and that was not her flaw.

Her flaw was the people who worked for her.... She smiled coldly as people jumped out of her way as she stormed down the hall. She through open the doors to her room, a lavish room decorated in black, red, and gold. Black candles littered the room and there was one window, which black curtains hung in front of. Red silk and black velvet made up the covers of her bed as she fell back onto it. Three hours of sleep was what she needed and three hours of light for Arken. But, she could not sleep, to much was on her mind...


Emora:

Shea sighed heavily as she walked around her thrown room. It seemed this was all she did... walk around her palace; watch a bit of torture... walk around her palace. She missed her little fight with the vampire... the most excitement she had had in a long time... oh well.

A man dressed in black armor came with a helmet under his arm. He stopped and came to attention from a bow. He was a hansom man clean-cut jaw, nice lips, dark hair, and crystal eyes. "My Queen?"

She smiled and walked a circle around him, admiring. "Captain Hemington..." she said and addressed the front of him. She gave a nod to the people in the back of the room and they left her.

She looked into his crystal eyes and could tell he was nervous, from gossip, good things came to a man in the presence of his Queen... then again... bad things came to a man in the presence of his Queen.

"My Queen?" he repeated after a while when she didn't say anything. Her smile grew mischievous... she had been lost in thought.

"I would like you... since I have just heard of the dear departure of our No Life King, Adrian Dylore... to take up the reins and lead my siege into Hepian... But I have special plans for you..." she said and smiled as she held out her hands to the side, flat. She whispered something and in each hand a gold-rimed wine glass filled with red liquid appeared. She held the glass out for him to take and once he had she turned and began walking away.

Armor is a trifle thing isn't it, she thought and smiled. "I bet it's hot in that armor, Captain." she said and as soon as she was finished with her words his armor dropped to the ground, leaving him in the clothes he wore underneath. He seemed shocked and even more nervous. She sat down on her thrown, crossing her legs like the good lady she was.

Trained in the citadel to seduce she was the best there was, the most beautiful, the most clever, the daughter of the second most powerful woman in the world, after all she was the first. Her father was Sinead's father, a strong and powerful ruler and she was gifted beyond belief. Shea knew that an heir was what she needed, after all... she couldn't live forever; one day some one would actually kill her. Hard, yes it was, to believe.

She had given much thought as to who would be a good father to her child and many times... many, many times she had thought of pulling on over on her sister and sleeping with her husband while she was busy and away. It would be simple... just a glamour spell. But, alas... he didn't have what she wanted. And then she had thought of Vladimir... now there was a powerful man.

Now she didn't know who would be a good father to her child... so she guessed she would wait and test men. That was this man's test, if he survived, but unlikely. But she had other ideas, to go around the world as a different person... looking for men... and at the moment she had her eyes set on the Shogun, but she needed something to placate her for the time being.

"Shy?" she asked finally after a long period of silence. She held out a hand and beckoned him and his feet slid across the floor, something pulled him up the steps to her thrown and before he knew it he was right in front of her face, her free hand going to his neck. She smiled seductively, "I'll fix that." And took him in a passionate kiss, his wine glass fell from his fingertips and the room grew dark.

Emora:

"That stupid, arrogant... no good... Arghh....!" Shea paced around her throne room with a very angered expression on her face. The thunder and lightening was going crazy out side as if the madder she got, the worst it became.

Her beautiful elegant form was almost glowing with rage and her almost nothing clothes were whipping around her from a none existent wind. "Make a fool out of me? I think not!"

Lightening hit right by her foot and she smiled as she held a hand out over it and called the glass shards to her, forming a picture of the Shogun's face. "First, I'll take your loved ones... then your kingdom... then your life..."

"MORGANA!" She yelled and a Queen's Maiden dressed in black leather came to her. "Send out for the people on this list... tell them they HAVE to come..." and so her Maiden left her to her brooding...

Zenmusha:

Earon was busily studying a spell scroll when the maiden known as Morgana decided to... interrupt. He'd have killed her on the spot, since he hated to be interrupted, but the matter at hand was worth a few days away from his books. He walked all the way into Shea's palace, occasionally getting his foot caught on a beggar, that were promptly mind-tricked into picking a fight with bandits.

When he arrived, he admired the architecture of the palace for a moment, before proceeding into the Queen's hall, somewhat eager to see her again... For reasons different than simple duty. In his dark mind, he hoped that she would see him as more than a simple servant.

He looked at the disgruntled queen as she sat in her throne... Guess that wouldn't be the day. "I believe you have summoned me, my beloved Mistress. What matter of such importance that you must call for thy loyal servant must be taken care of?"

Emora:

By now Shea had calmed herself, watching a few peasants being slaughtered slowly by acid draining from the mouths of stone dragons... She was quite relaxed and when she saw Earon she kept her face cool for a moment and then smiled at him. She loved his hair... how long it was... She uncrossed her legs and walked down from her thrown with her seductive smile on her face. "No need to be so formal, Earon... after all you and I are friends right?"

She circled him slowly looking him over. She found him very like able... and nice looking, though... he spent his time in books and she liked that as well.... He was powerful and she liked power as you can tell.

"I have a job for you to do... and I will send you on a head, the others can meet with you..." She stood before him and put a hand on her almost bare hips, the only thing there was the string that held up the little fabric that made up what covered her bottom half and it didn't even cover her that well. "But... first... tell me how your doing... I haven't had a good night and I'd enjoy some intelligent conversation..." Shea had never been a talking sort of person unless it was about business or... other things. She was about action and her body action had a habit of sending men over the hormone hill...

Zenmusha:

"How am I doing...? I'm a sickly, weak dark elf." He looked at her as if she had asked an obvious question. "I spend whole days breathing in candle fumes and studying magic scrolls. If someone decides to so much as slap me, my fragile skull can barely contain the pressure and so I faint from the impact. It's obvious that I don't do well."

He sighed. "My only comfort is my magic. Using it, I am someone. And that way, I cope with the physically lesser creature that is me. But..." He looked back at her, admiring her comely shape. "... I suppose I was brought here for reasons other that psychiatry, am I correct?"

Emora:

Shea smiled again seductively and arched an eyebrow as she spoke; "Right down to business..." she turned and walked back towards her throne, beckoning him to follow her. She reached her throne and sat down, crossing her long gorgeous milky white legs. "You should come and visit more often Earon... I could give you a variety of experiences besides studying." Her smile grew to a grin and she leaned forward slightly in her seat.

"No... You’re quite right... I didn't ask you here for psychiatry. I know you’re a powerful man when it comes to magic and I need a powerful man..." She propped her chin on her knuckles and she looked him over.

Sakura:

-Down in the Labs-

The bloodcurling cry of the young infant made Motoku flinch, but only because the pitch was so high. Guilt was something her emotions had gotten rid of long ago. To her, this would just be another gallon of blood she was responsible for spilling.

She sent out her majikku to map out her lab table and the tools that lied ready. She guided her right hand upward, and it grasped a circular object. It was exactly what she was looking for. An orb of the infant’s mother’s blood.

It was a payment to the demon’s spirit, which is at this moment held inside the spirit box sitting to Motoku’s left. In return, the demon will cooperate…<br>
Her left hand slid the spirit box in front of her. The orb is placed in a circular crevasse on the lid of the box. Vine like strings encircled the orb, ready to receive the blood it so desired.

Motoku lifted her hands over the object, directing her magic toward the box, chanting:

“Cruor Strages!”<br>
The vine-like strings expanded, sucking the orb dry of its contents. The vines let go of the now empty orb, and everyone listed to it roll off the table and crash onto the floor. Although Motoku could not see it, the spirit box glowed red, letting it be known that the sacrifice had been accepted.

Motoku’s fingers gingerly touched the side of the box. In her mind, she told everyone to brace themselves, although those words did not actually leave her lips. She could feel the presence of her lab partners behind her, all dressed in cloaks cursed to protect them from the side effects of coming in contact with a demon spirit.

She smiled as she said the spell.

“Maligo-are Iacio!”<br>
The box popped open with a furious energy. Unstable tools were sent flying across the room and met their doom against the cold stone wall. The spirit swirled like a giant hurricane, its presence bursting throughout the entire room.

Motoku used her majikku and condensed the spirit into the size of a child’s ball. The spirit ran circles around her hand, burning and scarring it in the most horrific way.

Motoku stood next to the infant, whose wails were drowned in the demon’s roar. With the spirit in her right hand and her left supporting her wrist, she held the spirit over the baby’s heart. She pushed the spirit inside the baby while chanting:

The room went into a death silence. Motoku was almost afraid to say it: did it wor-

KABOOM! That’s what she heard. She felt it later when she was sprayed with bodily fluids.

“DAMNIT!” Motoku’s voice boomed, and all agreed her voice was scarier than any demon spirit. Motoku clutched the closes thing and threw it blindly in some direction. The thunk of a body hit the floor. She clocked someone. Not that she cared.

Her majikku was sent out to find her the door out of the lab she did not want to see for quite a while.

She stormed down the corridors. For about a year now Motoku has worked relentlessly on this project. Infusing demons with human babies. Through this humans would have demonic powers…Imagine the strength…. The scientist have gotten closer each time, because this time the demon actually went inside the baby. Usually the infant would explode before the process is complete…<br>

Zenmusha:

Earon easily heard the explosion from the bottom levels, thanks to his enhanced elven hearing. "Not quite as powerful as that lady working on those poor souls. What an interesting idea... Fuse demons with humans."

He laughed. "So, those scum of Ighten will now have new reasons to call us Hellspawn!" He returned to his serious expression. "But I suppose I go off topic. So, what do you require me do?"

Emora:

"Good afternoon Motoku... I trust the experiments are going well? I'm sure with your mind you have bade good progress." Shea smiled to her loyal servant and then looked at the both of them in turn.

"I was hoping that my followers would come when I called, but I see they have disserted me..." She took on a sad expression, but her eyes were smiling with the thought of vengeance. "They will pay for it with their lives. But, you too... my most loyal subject aside from the Maidens will be my secret weapon against my dear sister..."

She rose from her seat and walked down the steps leaving her thrown. "I have three things to ask of you. One I ask that you go to the Boarder... the Boarder is weak already with futile guards who are lonely for there home... there I want you to attack it and reek havoc, causing it to weaken more... Just go a head of my army; it will take a while for Sinead's army to make up for it. Then I want you to travel to the Ashgrown forest and there you will find a beast of extraordinary power. You must put your hand on the jewel in her forehead and recite these words... 'Erus Tempero Uma!' You will be the master over her and you WILL bring her to me, because even with her on your side you are no match for me and I will smite you if you defy me..." For a moment there her eyes had flared with fire at the thought of them betraying her.

"Last I want you to be with my army and lead the pitiful fools that are going to storm the Boarder and take Hepian... Do you think you can handle it?" She smiled to them and put a hand on her hip, waiting for their answer.

Sakura:

(OOC: Sorry it took so long)

Motoku bowed to her Queen. "Of course, my Queen, I will not fail you."

She was aware of the dark elf next to her. Knowing nobody would be stupid enough to deny the queen's orders, Motoku assumed she would be working with him

"There is one thing I ask, my queen." Motoku asked. "What is this beast you want us to seek for you?"

Emora:

Shea looked at them both and smiled. "You will of course be working together, is that a problem? Good..." She didn't even wait for them to answer her before she continued. "The creature you seek is centaur, her name is Chirona, she has just been awoken and lies in the Ashgrown Forest of Ighten. I want this creature, it will be a very big help in defeating my sister."

Shea looked at them and for a moment wondered if they could work good together. "I want you to work well together, is that possible?"

Sakura:

Motoku looked in the direction of Earon, although she could not see him. "You.. have my cooperation, Earon." She said sternly. Motoku was never big on team work, but if that is what the queen wished, it is what the queen wished.

Chirona. A centaur? ...It was a legend she faintly remembers, but does it truely exsist?

She waited for Earon to ask anything else of Queen Shea before departing.

Emora:

"I ask you to leave as soon as possible," Shea said and sighed a smile coming to her lips. "I will be visiting you off and on to see that your mission is going well, I'm sure it will be."

"Take some time to introduce yourselves and get properly acquainted," Shea said and rose from her seat. "I have something to do for a moment that will help you on your journey..." She smiled as she bid them good bye for a moment and walked to a door that when she twitched a finger opened on it's on.


Sakura:

(OOC: Heh... I was hoping Zenmusha would post first. Oh well ^^)

Motoku swayed her fingers over a map of Ighten, her majikku transferring the image of the map to her minds eye. They would set in three days.

Travelling wouldn't take long, and the border isn't that protected. Its snowy, so fire magic would not be sufficant. She considered summoning Shikon, but she decided she would use that in the raid of Hepian.

The border can be attacked head on, since people there aren't that strong. So sad they can't see thier loved ones again, and the last image they will see as thier bloodly pulps fall to the ground is the cold, cruel, snow adorned with the blood of thier brothers. Motoku had no intention of keeping this attack secret from the light kingdom. She wanted Queen Sinead to know they were comming, and that she will soon fall victim to the Witch Queen.

Hepian. That will take more planning. After the border, Sinead will probably send more soilders to Hepian. Good. Better the challenge. The Ashgrown Forest will conceal them, they will attack at night. Hepian is an old old city, fire magic will be most useful. Enslave the citizens, burn things, sounds like a pysco's dream.

After the raid she could only guess to wait for her Queen's orders.

The slaves rushed to and fro, gathering supplies for the soldiers and preparing for thier journey. They all went out of thier way to avoid Motoku, since they knew if they even so much touched her they would be missing a limb. Motoku walked to the stables to find Nightfire, a black horse Motoku herself enchanted to be her eyes. Tomorrow they leave for the border...

Zenmusha:

OOC: Sorry... I was being a lazy ass again and didn't post, though I did try to squeeze some inspiration every now and then... to no avail.... ^^;;;;;

IC: Earon had kept silently to himself, and nodded when Motoku spoke to him, forgetting she was blind. Really not in the mood to make up for his mistake, he let it be.

He admired as she played her magic. He'd never admit it, but he envied her abilities. Earon prepared his own things for his journey, leaving the bothersome planning to her. His skill was not in planning, after all he was a terrible student of strategy in his youth. He was a sorcerer and a trickster.

He went back to his house to get his horse, the grey stallion known as Eor'win. He intentively named it after his older brother, who constantly picked on him.

Casania:

A thick, heavy, bright green fog appears in front of the door inside the throne room. The fog obscures all in a ten foot radius. The fog disperses and a man with slicked back white hair, green eyes, and a leather messeger bag appears. He is dressed in a long black hooded robe covered in mysterious runes that Queen Shea probally would recognize.

He stands in awe. He looks up at the heavy black stone architexture and he listens to the cries of pain eminating from the dungeon. He smile and emits a heavy sigh of elation.

"Ahhhhh, I just looove what you've done with the place. Reminds me of home."

He secretly hopes to himself that the queen is very angry or frustrated.

He thinks, "Oh it soo pleasant to see an evil prima-dona who doesn't get what they want. To see them suffer so much, its almost as pleasant as when they get what they deserve in the afterlife. Oh just the thought of it is pure bliss!"

Emora:

There is no one standing there, but a soft evil laughter can be heard from some where in the room. Then Shea herself appears slowly. She was dressed in her usual almost nothing clothing, long fabric hung at her hips, in the front and in the back, held together with a thin god chain. Her hips and legs were bare and could be seen. Her top was little more than a thin peace of fabric held up by thin gold chains.

Shea was beautiful, this was no doubt. She could be considered the most beautiful woman in the world, but looks were something that you most definitely didn't want to distract you. She was a ruthless evil woman who would do anything for power... and the sight of pain. She loved the suffering of others, it was something that brought her great joy.

"Ah...Praxis..." she said pushing the black fur mantle off her shoulders. "Long time no see..." She smiled seducingly. "Oh, it wasn't that hard, my mother started it when she was young... I think she had a good eye for decorating...."

Casania:

He thinks to herself. "Ah still the same Shea. Still lusting for power as ever, and still thinking I lust for her body. How little does she know, its her dark soul and its agony I lust for."

A broad smile crossed his face at the thought of it. He embraces her, making sure his muscular chest presses against hers, and that his sharp finger nails lightly scratch against her back.

"Yesss but things have definetly changed here, for the better. "

He says this staring at her chest.

"How long's it been? Unlike you humans, us Demons pay no heed to time."

Emora:

Shea smiled welcoming his embrace with a dark smile. A flurry of thoughts entered her mind, though she actually pushed them away for the moment to enjoy some conversation with a fellow evil.

"I have seen more than a five hundred years, I haven't seen you in less than half of that I believe," she said turning and walking towards her throne, going up the steps and taking a seat. She crossed her long legs and ran a hand through her red hair that was streaked in black. Her eyes looked him over and yet another seducing smile came to her lips. "You don't seem to have changed very much..." She met his eyes and her smile grew into a wicked grin.

She was glad he was back. His skills would be very useful to her and she was willing to pay any amount for it. He should know she could pay him what ever he wanted in any way he wanted.

Casania:

From her smile he knew he was in. Time to make the offer. He walks up to her throne, and eases himself to the side of it. He gracefully leans over the armrest, and temptually strokes her arm.

He whispers, "Tell me your inner desires, and I'll tell you mine."

Emora:

Shea arched an eyebrow and looked at him for a moment, tilting her head slightly and smiling at him. She thought for a moment, feeling in the playful mood, it would cheer her up after the uneventful happenings at the Border. "My... my... aren't we on the forward side... How about we try this game the other way around. After all, I am the Queen..." She chuckled lightly and leaned forward towards him. "And I... order you too..." Her tone was a playful one.

Casania:

Her words struck him like arrows, even if they were playful.

He thinks to himself, "What impudence implying a mere mortal is superior to a demon! She's purposefully trying to get under my skin!"

It then occurs to him that pride is the worst of sins.

He again thinks to himself, "Just remember the more sins she commits, the louder her cries will be when you get her in hell. If I could only spend a milenia slowly rending the flesh off her bones AND get her soul. Ohhhh that would be bliss. If only I could rid myself of the Fiendish Coven and their rules! Arrrr! Fine I'll play by their rules and I'll deal with her, for now."

He carefully shows a sign of a little displeasure on his face, but it is quickly replaced by a smile and a laugh.

"Hehe, you always know how to push a guy's buttons, even if he's a demon. You should know by now that us high demons crave sins of the soul not of the flesh. We let the foolish old priests and imps rant about that. Of course if thats what you want you may have this body of mine, I care not about it. But you're right it is somewhat foward of me. Its just seeing you brings back so many fond memories."

He kneels down and kisses her hand.

"You know I never fully left. I watched how much trouble you've had with Sinead (his smile grows bigger for paying back her impudence with mentioning her failure.) I've seen an uneasy peace come over this land, and I wonder, what the hell happened to the good times. Oh to hear the cries of the innocent again, and to rend the flesh of your sacrifices. To see the Wings of Sorrow ride again. I want to bring back the good old times of the war. You see, my greatest pleasure is seeing you succeed. So I beg of you Queen, give me my hearts desire, and I shall give you whatever is yours!"

Emora:

Shea looked at him. Did he not know she could hear some of his thoughts? He must have forgotten. She knew she would burn in Hell forever... and it bothered her not in the least bit. She was not afraid of eternal pain at all. "I am working as we speak to begin what we had so many years ago..." Shea said and looked at him for a moment a thought coming to her. "Already I am seeking things that will give us a foot up in the war. There is a beast named Chirona in the Ashgrown forest, I have already sent some of my loyal subjects after her. Then there is a child at the Border, her name I believe is Rai... I have her parents locked away in my dungeon going through immense pain just for my liking... Rai is the key to unlocking a demon that will bring hell to this world... I am seeking her out at the moment, because I haven't had any one trust worthy to handle anything. I am surrounded my insolent fools..."

Shea smiled and looked at him. He had powers and looks and he was a demon... he was powerful! He was perfect. "I have lived more than five-hundred years and I have not yet birthed an heir to my thrown. Partly because I haven't thought of it until now... Actually I've been thinking about it for some time..." She hoped he would understand what she was implying. It was just so boring to go right on out and say she wanted him to bed her.

If they were to create a child together it would be a very powerful child indeed. She would have her powers and his powers together. His immortality and her beauty for eternity.

Casania:

OOC: Hehe have to leave on a cliffhanger for thanksgiving break. I don't know when I'll be able to post again, but it'll be Monday at the latest.

Sakura:

-The Next Day-

Motoku left the castle with her comrade as well as several legions of soldiers walking behind them. She rode in front with Earon. She had no trust for the elf, as he probably had no trust for her. However they both worked for the queen, and they both probably loved destroying things. Motoku needed to vent. Being coped up in the lab kept her from her training. This would surely renew her skills.

She road toward the border with a new found excitement.

(OOC: Zenmusha I started a new thread at the border called 'Fall of the Border's defenses')

Casania:

Listening, Praxis secretly smiles to himself. He thinks, “Ah maternal instinct, how human. Nothing is more reliable than that irrational desire of the female to have a parasite grow inside her and claw its way out; even with a soul as dark as hers! She cares more securing an heir after her death than acquiring more power. A more rational being would be more concerned about its own reign.”<br>
Yet, something deep inside him sympathized with that instinct for an instant. Something he thought was burned out of him countless millennia ago. Just for a second, HER face flashed in his mind, her deep azure eyes and golden hair. Could it be that he desires an heir of sorts as well? Yet, as soon as the notion popped into his head, he reacts by rationalizing it with nefarious ends.

He rationalizes to himself, "Her irrationality is the perfect opportunity. I can get what I most desire in exchange for merely a day of enduring her pleasure. It’s the perfect deal.” He goes on, "I suppose she wants me to be romantic about this! It’s such a bother that humans can never be blunt in these kinds of situations."

With that he stands up, and he intently looks Shea straight in the eye. He uses his telepathy to project images into her head. He creates the image of herself standing in an endless, smooth, metallic plane. He then projects himself standing close in contact behind her. He rests his head on her shoulders and wraps his arms around her.

He (mentally) whispers in her ear, "I can give you what you want, but as with all my…services, you’re going to have to give me something I value equally in return."

Emora:

Shea listened to his thoughts with a half amused smile on her face. They were to much alike, both plotting against one another in the hopes of getting the better hand in all this. She leaned over on one of the arms of the chair, propping up on her elbow.

"Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from you," Shea replied and her dark eyes looked at him. "Name what it is you wish and perhaps we can strike a bargain..."

She didn't expect him to react the way normal human men usually did, but even demons found her amazingly attractive. After all, she was the Witch Queen, ruler of all that is dark and evil. Her family began with the Beast's consent. If anything he was her ancestor.

This demon thinks he can twist and bend me to his liking for the sake of having me eternally in pain when I die... I am already to have that fate, and he cannot con me.

Casania:

Her calm smile disturbed him. He searches, but he cannot find any indication of surprise coming from her. For the first time in at least 2 centuries, his mind is not in complete calm. “My ploy didn’t surprise her one bit! Who is playing who here? I underestimated her. She’s not like other humans; she can dance with the best of us demons. I knew I should’ve kept the relationship simple, I slaughter for her, and she gives me more mortals to slaughter.”<br>
He worries more, “what does she know? Does she know about HER?” He tries calming himself. “She doesn’t know. Plus, she desires a child, and its worth more to her than Sinead’s head. As long as that’s true it even doesn’t matter what she knows about HER. Anyways, you’re being irrational. She thinks you’re after her soul. You’ve still got to show your last card, and she definitely will be surprised by it.”<br>
Just as he’s about to speak, he pauses and he looks her over one more time. “Looks and wits to match,” he observes. “No! Stop being weak, she’ll use feelings like that to crush you! You had all that nonsense burned out of you long ago! Focus on your objective!”<br>
Regaining his inner composer, he speaks. “I seek the mortal named Casania…alive! I desire your assistance in the matter. As well, I seek access to your resources so that I may resurrect the Wings of Sorrow. Finally, I seek employment under the standard rate, just like old times. Although, due to some unfortunate infernal events, I am unable to provide this service directly, but rest assured my associates are more than up to the task.”<br>
After saying this, he smugly awaits the queen’s response.

Emora:

Shea looked at him for a long moment, but it had only taken half of that for her to decide her answer. Why did he seek this person? She would have to find that out later. "Done," she and smiled. "Use what ever you need to your liking. I trust you to want the same things I do..." But, I do not trust you, yourself...

"I will help you seek you this Casania... and you shall have whatever you need to resurrect the Wings of Sorrow. Old times shall come again, my friend," Shea said and smiled. "They shall come again yet."

She waited a moment, looking him over again with anticipation and wondering a few things here and there. A cold smile coming to her full lips and she waved a hand in the air. "Care for a drink?" Two wine glasses appeared in mid air beside her and began to fill with dark liquid.

Casania:

Praxis ponders for a moment. Nice move; it puts me in a position where I have to show my hand and you show nothing in return. He looks at her and smiles. This is one shrewd costumer. This could be some romantic gesture, or an attempt to get me drunk or drugged, a test of loyalty, the list of likelihoods is endless.... Calm down, you know how to deal with situations like this.

He nonchalantly places his hand in the pocket of his rune-covered robe. He walks towards the throne. As he ascends the dais, he withdraws his hand as to take the glass, but as he does, he purposefully lets a coin fall out of his pocket. The golden piece falls to the ground, rolls a few inches, and stops face up. Stopping for just an instant, he bends down, and looks at the coin. Just as quickly, he retrieves it and places it in his pocket.

"I would love a drink." A broad, prideful smile crosses his face. Randomness betrays no motive.

Emora:

Shea smiled at Praxis an all-knowing smile. She looked at him and then the one wine glass still in the air. She reached out an elegant hand and drew the wine glass to her full lips. "Praxis, you think so lowly of me, that I would drug you? Please... you do my cleverness injustice... So tell me, what did the coin do for you?" Her smile turned into a charming grin that made her haunting beauty grow.

She looked into his demon eyes, which most people would probably try there best not to do. Many people feared demons, but Shea loved them. They were so good at being evil... so very good. Soon she would have a daughter who would be just as evil as them and more so... She would train her in the ways of sorcery and seduction, and she will be a force to be reckoned with. One that not even Hell could condemn...

Casania:

Drugged, how did she know I suspected her? At every turn she knows what I'm thinking. Is she scrying my mind? Impossible, a pure mortal would be driven insane. She mentioned the deal with the beast. Did she gain powers over his subordinates in the bargain? That makes sense, but no matter, we mutually benefit each other. As long as she values her future child more than Sinead's head I'll be fine.

The last thought relaxes him, although there is no external indication of this. Then another thought crosses his mind, the coin. His smile draws wider. Of course he kept it around not for its monetary value, but for its abillity to effectively make random decisions. Of course the situation presents again the perfect opportuinity to use it.

I better draw up the contract, once its signed I'll have nothing to worry about

He replies, "I would never think that a seductress such as yourself would ever have to go beyond her looks to get what she wants. Nay..." His smile broadens to its full extent. "the coin is for business purposes. Us demons always put business before pleasure, a consequence of our... initiation.... " Although mine was unqiue. "I was just getting it ready for any...contractual dispute"

With that, he reaches into bag, and pulls out what appears to be a sheet of human skin. He glances down at the blank demonic contract. Suddenly, it catches fire, but it just as quickly dies down, leaving the following words behind.

"By the river Styx, both Queen Shea and the demon Praxis hereby pledge the following oath. Queen Shea shall provide the living body and soul of the mortal by the name of Casania DiMyr. In exchange for said mortal, the demon Praxis pledges to provide his blood and sire in such a manner that Queen Shea produces a viable offspring. The order of exchange shall be decided by coin toss. In the unfortunet event that either party is unable to produce offspring after Queen Shea's payment is rendered onto Praxis, the body and soul of Casania DiMyr shall be teleported by the forces of hell to a random location on Heirot able to adequetly sustain her life force. In addition, Queen Shea shall render onto Praxis all resources neccessary to rebuild the Wings of Sorrow mercenary group. Queen Shea shall have the option to contract the services of said mercenary group for a rate mutually agreed upon in the future between said queen and the demon Praxis. If either party should purposefully break their oath, in addition to the standard penalties for breaking an oath to the river Styx, the body and soul of the reneging party's payment shall become the sole property of the injured party as enforced by the forces of hell.

Hereby Signed,"

Praxis continues to smile as he draws up the contract. A smart woman such as her best know the consequences for breaking an oath to Styx He draws out a very sharp quill from his bag and motions for Queen Shea to take it.

"Before we continue, I'm going to need your signature...in blood."

Emora:

Shea looked to him, listening to his thoughts with much amusement as he pondered many things. She was no pure mortal... because if she was her death would have come long ago. She and Sinead had something else in there blood... something abnormal that there father had given to them... So that meant there father had to have been something special. Though, if not from her father Shea very well would have gotten it from her mother.

Who do I value more? My future child or Sinead's head? she asked herself. I have years left to have a child and years left to kill Sinead, either Sinead or the child comes first, either way I will have them.

"Signed in blood?" she asked and smiled taking on of her hands and holding it over the skinned parchment. She sliced her first finger with her sharp thumb nail and a drop of blood landed on the skin, it pooled out and glowed, in the place of the blood drop was the name Queen Shea, written in blood... "That all?" her smile was very seducing. "So why do you want this girl? You love her?"

Casania:

He grabs the wine glass and takes an arrogant gulp. "Pffftt. Demons do not love. I had such sentiments burned out of me long ago. Nay, the only love I have is the love of mortal suffering, and beleive me the girl is full of it. Everywhere she goes, suffering follows, much like you and I, but..."
Praxis gets visably excited as he speaks.

"heres the beautiful part, quite unlike you and I, she takes no pleasure in it. She is racked with guilt, and her own personal suffering compounds with the suffering she causes. I promise you, her moral downfall.... it will be soo painful, the most beautiful thing in ages."

Yet in saying this, he looks over Shea. He begins to wonder, perplexed by her even.

So cold, so powerful, so analytic. Yet, she has this irrational desire for a child. If she has the most human of emotions, does she have other human emotions as well, desire, love, guilt? If she cares about a child, she must expiriece them. She must expirence some moral compulsion as twisted as it may be. For the most beautifu and most painful of all sorrows, comes not from outside the soul, but from those which are self-inflicted.

Emora:

Shea smiled again at his continuous thoughts. Did he wonder if she felt guilty for the things she had done? No... she felt no guilt and never would. Her heart was not made that way.

"So..." she said and smiled seducingly. "How should we begin this, do you want the girl first or do I get what I want from you first? I have plenty of things to do, plenty of lives to ruin..." She looked him over with a grin. "You understand don't you?"

She thought for a moment. She was actually eager to... get her frustration out...

Casania:

Praxis gently takes the contract from Shea's hand. He pricks his own finger with the same quill. A small tendril of fire leaps off his finger and settles on the contract, leaving behind a large and elegant signature.

The contract signed, Praxis relaxes. He is greatly elated. Never have I been so guarded with a mortal before, but the contract is bound by an oath to Styx and sealed in blood. I have nothing to fear from her now As he thinks this, something wells up inside him, something feeding off of his previous thoughts. He realizes for some unknown reason, he's looking forward to bedding this mortal. Could it be some long lost feeling or his insticts anticipating a new plot waiting to be born, he does not know. However, in his elated state, he does not care.

The contract erupts in fire, splitting into two identical copies. He hands her a copy. Even though it's mostly for her sake, he actually now takes a tiny bit of pleasure speaking in a seductive voice. "What ever your desire. Our businees is complete. Just because us demons put this business before our pleasure, does not mean we abstain from partaking in it. We work hard...and we play hard."

Emora:

Shea grinned and leaned forward she brushed her lips against his ear as she whispered, "I desire you." Her voice was full of seduction, more than usual. It was true, something about him just... enticed her playful side. He brought out a side in her that normal men didn't. Maybe it was because he wasn't a man, but a demon. Demons had fire and a dark spirit and that was possibly what made her so attracted to him.

Shea smiled broadly and leaned back against her throne's cold back, crossing her long elegant legs that were completely bare, she didn't even wear shoes. She put her arms on the arm rests and took a deep breath, her chest rising gracefully. She looked him over, a since of want. She was actually wanting this demon... more than she had wanted a man. Of course there was no emotional feeling, it was all physical to her.

Many, many people called her a whore, which maybe in a way it was right. But, Shea had taste in men and very specific tastes. She didn't sleep with half the men people thought she did, she wasn't that bored...

Casania:

Just as Praxis starts to get in the mood, his eyes dialate, and he receives a sensation he hasn't felt in a while. SHE used her powers! She's back! "I'm sorry but something really important just came up, but before I go......" He looks Shea in the eyes, and the closes them. He moves to passionately kiss her.

Emora:

Shea smiled, there was something else she had to do as well. She was actually surprised by his kiss, because no one had ever made the first move on her. She arched an eye brow with a smile. "See you later...."

Hours passed and Shea returned from where she had been. She walked down the dark and dreaded halls of her palace, down the many staircases that led to the dungeons. She walked to a certain cell and opened it. Chained to the wall were two figures. One was a man who had very strong facial features and was a very strong looking man as if he had worked all his life providing for his family. The other was a beautiful woman that resembled that child so much. She had long curly blond hair and bright blue eyes.

The two glared at her when she walked in, but she was used to it. They looked very sickly just hanging there. "Your child is more reluctant to be caught than I thought... she has found friends. No matter, they will be killed and the child will be mine. Amazing something so small could be the key to something so large..." Shea smiled coldly and left them.

Shea handled matters of state and met with her army at the boarder before returning to her palace again. She had a bath drawn up for her in her bed room and she bathed peacefully in a black marble bath tub with red candles causing dim light all around her. She laid there thinking and relaxing under the steaming water that was covered on the top with red and black rose petals...

Casania:

Praxis raced down the steps leading from the throne room. His emotions alternated between happiness and irritation. "What poor timing," he exclaims to himself. His target had hidden itself well, lasting an entire year without emitting an arcane tremor strong enough for him to detect. I have to find somewhere quiet, without any...distractions. I have to find this quickly before the aftershocks die out. His thoughts go to a deep underground cavity he used to haunt when he rested during the war, and he quickly teleports to its location in a large puff of bright green smoke. He enters the cave with another cloud of green smoke. Praxis lays his hand on four of the stalachtites and they glow with a magical aura

He quickly sits down and enters a meditative trance for hours. He focuses on the mana echos reverberating off of the stalachtites. Focusing intently on the echos and calling upon his memorized knowledge of the stalachtite locations, he divines the rough location of the tremors source. The boarder! He has enough information to broadcast a message to her. He does so because he takes delight in her in her fear. He transmits the message of him frightenly whispering, ~I see you!~

His thoughts then wander back to Shea. I left really quickly, I hope she hasn't fallen out of her good mood. Then again, humans think part of the fun is in...anticipation. He sends out his own ripples in the mana and uses his magical antenna to locate her aura. So much for business before pleasure. His clairvoyant abillities detect her in her bedroom's bathroom. He is able to catch a glipse of her long silky legs and black and red rose petals. He telepathically transmits the sensation of him gently placing his hand on the back of her shoulder and the message, ~knock, knock.~ Just after this, he teleports to just outside the bedroom door.

Emora:

Her smile grew when she felt the sensation of a touch and heard the "knock knock." She smiled. I thought he had business, she thought. Well, this is wonderful... I was getting rather anxious.

Shea smiled and flicked her wrist. "It's open," she said rising from the oil bath which made her skin soft. Water ran down her body as she stepped onto the marble floor. She reached over and grabbed a long robe that was practically see through. Her body was still wet and it clung to her in places. She walked into her bed room to see who had walked in.

Casania:

Praxis enters the room, brushing his long white hair out of his eyes. "Sorry I had to leave so quickly and stay away so long. There was something I had to attend to, something that couldn't wait." He starts talking seductively. "Soooooo, where were w...."

Emora:

Shea smiled and snapped her fingers, the moment she did black and red candles lit all around her room.

The room itself was large with black marble floors and a large bed in the middle, it was enclosed in black curtains that you could see there and the sheets were black and red silk. Her room was decorated in demons and monsters that were very realistic, some of the women who cleaned her room often thought they saw them move. There was a large open window that led onto a balcony. When the sun rose in the morning the black velvet curtains were pulled closed so that the sun wouldn't touch her sensitive skin.

"Oh, you asked me what I desired," she said and smiled at him as she stepped forward. "And I said I desire you," she replied.

She tied the thin strings of the rope that would hold the lose fabric closed. She stood right in front of him and looked up. "So, what is it you desire?"

She wasn't used to talking that much, usually it only took her presence to have a man coming to her bed. But, this one was different, he wasn't as willing it seemed.


Casania:

He looked at the picturesque scene in front of him, and committed himself fully to the effort. He confidently walks up to her, slips his hand behind her back, presses his body against hers, closes her eyes, and passionately kisses her.

"How's that answer?", he inquires.

Emora:

Shea smiled and slipped a hand up his arm and to his shoulder. She looked into his eyes with a seductive smile playing on her lips. "Nice," she said and ran a hand up his chest, looking from her hand to his eyes again.

She moved away from his body and walked backwards a few steps. She slipped the silk robe from her shoulders, but held it at her chest. she stood there, one of her long legs visible sticking out from the robe. She beckoned him forward and his feet lifted off the floor an inch as she caused him to glide towards her. She put a hand behind his neck as she set him down on the ground again and her soft full lips met his, kissing him slowly and deeply. She was good at this...

Shea then turned and walked away. She liked teasing... it made some men want her even more. To get close and then have nothing afterwards. It always made them so much better... She knew he would be good whether she teased him or not.

Casania:

Oh she's good. The tease worked, but Praxis isn't fazed. He's not insecure at all, in fact, he likes a little challenge. He laughs. "My, how coy of you; so cruel! I guess I'm going to have to try a little... haarder.

With that he approaches from behind her, places his head on her shoulder, wraps one hand around her hips, and places the other on her top half. He lightly blows in her ear and then kisses her neck.

[Soran Nightblade]

Emora:

Shea tiltes her head to the side, a smile of complete amusement playing on her face as one of her hands come up and her fingers go to his hair. "I little harder never hurt..." she said and closed her eyes, her smile growing. She wondered what a demon felt at moments like these. If he would only think... she could read and know what he was feeling, which would make this all the more amusing...

One of the heads of a demon turns towards them. He can sense that his master is actually liking this fellow. With normal men it was just for her amusment, but she actually wanted him to be amused about it as well. He found it interesting that she would do so. He knew the man must have been one of importants or truely an old friend.

"Do you want me?" she asked and smiled as she opened her eyes. It was a clear invatation, but she had a motive behind the question...

Casania:

Praxis replies automatically, "oh yes, I want you sooo much it hurts." But his reply unsettled him for there was a parital truth in it. Seduction has always been a means to an end. Intimacy can cause great suffering in mortals, but why am I enjoying the process with this one? Something's not normal. She's ressurected feelings in me that have been long since dead, even worse these feelings are so intermingled with my desire for mortal suffering, I can't seperate the two! Stop thinking about it! You'll ruin the atmosphere! Just keep her your eyes on the prize, keep her satisfied, and you'll get your reward! He removes his robe, leaving it hanging in a fashion similar to hers, and moves towards her.

Emora:

Shea grinned wildly at his thoughts in her head. How interesting... She moved back, stepping backwards through the curtains that surrounded her bed. Human suffering mixed in with this? She motioned him closer and she untied the string to her robe. It fell away from her and drifted to the floor. Leave her bare behind the curtains. The soft candle glow made her look even more radiant.

Shea wasn't modest that was for sure. But, what should she be modest about? She had a beautifully perfect body. "Then come and get me," she said with a grin and then acted with fake concern, saying seductively, "So I can make it hurt worst." Her grin was filled with a strange excitement that no man had ever given to her before. She would really enjoy this...

Casania:

Praxis steps fowards behind the curtain. Here we go! He disrobes, and moves foward. His perfect body hovers over hers with eyes hungry in anticipation.

Emora:

Shea smiles and her head rests on the pillow. She looks up at him and puts a hand on his cheek. She kisses his lips and the candle light fades around them until there left in darkness.....

Casania:

Much Later in the darkness. Praxis stares up at the ceiling. Slightly exhausted, but still not like how other men would be. He quietly ponders for a second. What now? I have to keep our relationship strictly professional. Otherwise.... He shudders at the thought. He might develop feelings for this mortal. That would defeat his purpose. How could he effectively negotiate if that happened...

Emora:

Shea rolled onto her back. She had been laying on her side almost a sleep. The demon statues had left there post to close the thick curtains. The spell on Arken was made so when Shea fell a sleep the sun would come out. Shea was allergic to the sun and if she fell a sleep with out the curtains being closed she could be in great danger.

Shea sat up slightly, holding the silk covers to her chest and looking down at him. "Don't worry, even if I did have feelings for you they wouldn't get in the way of my business. I always put business first. I'm sure you haven't changed and your still the same way." Shea smiled and leaned over him to where her head hovered just over his. Her long red and black hair hung around her. She pushed it behind her ear.

"I'll make a deal with you," she said tossing her head and chuckling lightly. "IF we do begin to have feelings for each other, and that's an 'if' mind you... I won't let my feelings get in the way of business." She kissed his lips lightly with a smile on her face.

"So, are you the time to leave right afterwards or sleep in? I bet you have better things to do... does your type of demon even sleep?"

Casania:

Reassured, Praxis exclaimed, "agreed." He then looked into her eyes. How did she know? He underwent a relevation, and was both alarmed and delighted by it. Sooo, she can read my thoughts. Very interesting, this woman is full of suprises.

An idea crossed his mind. He looked towards the window, and noticed the curtains were closed. His mind wandered. Today is good day to ressurect. I'll go.

A thought crossed his mind. A suprise for a suprise. He kissed her a second time, and rose up, smiled, and replied "I think you already know the answer to that question."

He put on his robe, and before he walked out the room, he looked her in the eye. Concentrating he thought, I have no need for sleep He winks and then he is gone.

Emora:

Shea smiled at him as he left. She wouldn’t openly admit that she had no idea what she was supposed to know the answer to. Which question?

Shea had nothing better to do than see about the affairs of her kingdom. What was there to see about? If they weren’t receiving enough pain and suffering? Some times it grew so very dull and now her entertainment was gone. No use checking on the girls parents… but for the sake of keeping them alive until the girl was in her possession she guessed she aught to have them fed… How sad she had to go easy for the moment…<br>
Shea dressed in her usual clothes. She took the moment to look down at herself. When she started to show, if she was pregnant that is, she would have to put away her favorite clothes for something less revealing. Yes, it would kill her, but not even she was that disgusting. She wouldn’t be able to stand looking at herself. Shea took the moment to think about things. Right now she could still do whatever she wanted. But, in a few months she would have to take it easy. Which meant she would need some one she could put in charge of doing the things she wouldn’t be able to. Praxis was a good choice? But, could she use some form of trust and put it to him? He did seem to have to much of a selfish streak in his thoughts.

Shea walked down the hall, heading for a healer who could tell her weather she was with child or not. If she wasn’t then they would have to try again… After all the contract did state it.

Casania:

As he walked down the steps, Praxis mind wandered. I'm a demon, I gave up my humanity, yet why am I delighting in pleasing her. This was not supposed to happen, it was not part of the plan.

He is confused and his mind wanders. I can't tell what would be more satisfying, hearing her cry out in pain or in pleasure. I thought I had lost my weakess for women long ago, but now its rearing its ugly head.....

A thought wanders into his head. He tries to rationalize his feelings. No! She's not making me weak. I'm making her weak. I don't have feelings for her, she's the one who has feelings for me. My instincts sensed this. Thats why I delighted in pleasing her, love is the most painful of all emotions. I was delighting in how she was becoming attached. Moreover, I was delighting in the pain she'll expirience as a parent. Children are nothing but parasites. They enter this world with a rhapsody of pain, and afterwards continue to do the same to the mother

Yet, in spite of this, deep down, he hoped that they would have to try again for a child. Recoiling from this thought, a new idea popped into his head.
I just need to get out and hurt people, that's all. I haven't been causing nerely enough suffering lately. Once I get down to busiess, I forget all about Shea. But first I need a minion

With that, he directs himself to the castle dungeon to procur the materials for the ressurection.

Emora:

Shea looked at the small dark elf and folded her arms. "My queen you must understand, the body of a woman is very complex..."

"I know the body of a woman is very complex you idiot," Shea spat and grabbed him by the collar. "So when may I be able to conceive?"

"I don't know! You could at any point," the man said and she shoved him.

"Why do I bother," Shea said and turned on her heal to walk away.

Shea turned and left the room, stalking down the stone hall on her bare feet. She would just have to try again... much to her delight. After all it was in the deal. She wondered if he actually enjoyed it or did he feel obligated? She smiled, she was pleased with him, any many ways. He was going to give her a child, and an edge up in the war, not to mention he provided wonderful entertainment.

Casania:

"...Alright, I need you to bring three strong but expendable prisoners to the room filled with runes. I need there wills broken before I return, I trust you know how to do that."

The obese torture master grunted an affrimative. He had no idea where this person came from, but he figured he must be important. The only other person who barks orders at him like they own the place is the queen.

"Fine, be sure to have the ready when I return, I may be immortal, but I'm very short on patience right now."

With that he turns to leave.

Everything is set His thoughts then wander to the singal he received the other day. I should inform Shea about that. She should start fufilling her end of the bargain. As well, I'm in the mood for some slaughter, I could really use some bounties right now. He turns to head up into the towers of the castle, as he does his thoughts wonder. I wonder if she's pregnant

Emora:

Shea grabbed up the peasant with one hand and held him in the air. She was so angry at the moment. "Do you dare to try and kill me?" she said and threw him against the wall. "Idiot, do you not know me?"

Only moments ago Shea had been walking down her hall when the man had stepped out of the shadows with a sword raised.

Now the man was lying on the floor bloody. She smiled. "You're pretty strong looking, but I bet you wouldn't last five minutes with Amis torturing. Galana!"

A woman with jet black hair came forward. She wasn't the prettiest woman and had everything but a perfect shape. She grabbed the man, who was twice her size and through him over her shoulder to carry him off to Amis.

Shea stood there staring after them with a fire in her eyes that could scare the bravest person. If there was one thing she hated it was when a peasant thought he was powerful enough to kill her... She cooled down quickly, never letting silly things get to her for long...

Shea went to find Praxis to see how everything was going, and to tell him the news...

Casania:

As Praxis ascended the tower, he heard a clamor and male screams. His eyes lit up, some one's having fun. Loving to be in the presence of misery he ran up the stairs. As he rounds the corner he almost bumbs into Shea.

His eyes light up, and recoil in responce to relizing they''re lightening up. "Oh," he laughs. He looks around and notices blood on the floor. He thinks of something clever to say. "I guess I missed the party..."

Emora:

Shea whirled around with her usual seductive smile. "Oh, it was nothing really. If you want fun I can have some peasants brought to you and you can play with them for a while," she said smiling, walking towards him gracefully and placing an elegant hand on his shoulder.

"He tried to kill me, and now he'll pay," Shea said and grinned wildly, her dark eyes sparkled with fire. "What would you like, you name and I'll give it to you... After all, what are friends for." She grinned and looked into his eyes.

Casania:

Praxis first instict was to ask about her, but he repressed that instinct. Instead he talks in a business-like tone, "Well, I was wondering if you have any work that needs to be done.... Er, Its really nice around here, and I love what you done with the place, but I'm growing listless, I need to slaughter and spread misery and suffering out in the open."

Emora:

Shea looked at the man before and smiled. "Go where ever you wish... To any place and do with it what you want," she said with that same smile on her face.

"Hell, I might even join you, it gets awfully boring here with no one to torment," Shea said and turned away for a moment looking around. "So where would you like to go?"

Casania:

He chuckles. "I haven't the faintest idea. I've been away for 250 years. Wherever we can cause the most suffering I guess. Maybe you could show me a good time?" He does a double-take at how he phrased the last sentance. I can't beleive I just said it like that

Emora:

Shea walked gracefully forward down the hall. "We could go right outside and cause great suffering. Make the lives of those poor people even more miserable than what they are," she said and put a hand on her hip as she turned her head to look back at him.

"Oh, and your not a daddy yet," she smiled and winked as she began to walk away.

Casania:

Not satisfied with the answer. Praxis yells out, "Please wait, I didn't come all this way to slaughter peasants. Let me win this war for you. Isn't there someone powerful you wished out of your way. Bringing down the strong is always more fun...."

Emora:

Shea stopped as an idea came to her. She smiled and turned around. "Yes, there is some one I need you to kill for me," she said and put her hands on her graceful hips. "The ruler of Ongoreth, Kitanai, the Shogun."

Her eyes grew dark for a moment. "Sadly it's day there and I may not go, but you are welcomed to have him. Do what you want with him and those that travel with him. I believe an half-elven woman, a centaur, and a ghost are with him. The ghost you can't kill, the centaur I need, I've already sent a team after her. The half-elven woman is free, I have no need for her."

Casania:

Praxis suddenly gets a sensation, like the one before, except stronger. "Well about your side of the agreement..." he pauses, closes his eyes, and receives HER thoughts. "the one I seek lies on the border. I trust you have eyes already in place there."

Emora:

Shea smiled and nodded. "I will alert them to be on the look out for this girl you search for. My army is about to attack the Border. They will find her," Shea said and her smile grew.

"Are you in a hurry to get her?" She wondered what his reasons were. Was there more than just to watch her suffer. Did he have some feeling for this girl? Some hidden desire?

Casania:

Praxis sees no reason to lie. "As long as she remains alive, I can patiently wait for her. She's a long term project of mine, something you mostly have to sit back and watch grow. Although occasionaly I have to protect my investment, steer it in the right direction. I enjoy cultivating this source of suffering." He hesitates, and continues the monolouge internally. She also reminds me of .... no stop thinking like that. You're a demon you're not supposed to have sentiments like that!

Emora:

Shea looked at him for a long moment and felt a ting of jealousy... but through it away as soon as it was felt. That was a weakness. "Who does she remind you of?" Shea asked with a brilliantly perfect fake smile.

Shea wondered again who this girl was. She might even have to visit her... Just to see who this girl was. But, not at the moment, she didn't feel like it.

"Or is that a part of some past you can't and won't tell me about? Not that I care," Shea said and smiled.

Casania:

Praxis felt defensive. She knows I feel sentiments. Does she know I have sentiments for her? "She doesn't. That was just some ridiculous notion from a long since dead past. That past is dead to me! The person, the mortal I was died a long time ago, and with it any sentiment, emotion, or compassion I once had!"

Emora:

Shea looked at him, her smile had faded. No person ever talked to her in such a way. But, this person was different. Shea's face was one with no hint of emotion to it. She could read his thoughts, but which "her" was she talking about.

"I see," Shea said and turned from him to walk down the hall. Shea was aggravated by the fact that he would be so simple minded as to take offence to something so small. She had thought more highly of him than that...

Casania:

Something was wrong, Praxis sensed it. He had lost his composure, and now Shea suspects something. His overeaction and defensiveness only raised more suspicion. He had to do damage control, and he had to sell it too

"Wait... if your truly curious about her. She reminds me of myself, thats why I pursue her. To create another being as foul and evil as myself. The same reason you desire a child."

Emora:

Shea couldn't tell whether he was lying or not. He gave know thoughts out to tell her if he was or not. She stopped and turned around and again she repeated the same word, "I see."

She looked at him for a long moment. "I will uphold my end of the bargain, you have nothing to worry about," she said and walked forward again. "If you don't wish to go after the Shogun... then there is some one else. The knew lord in Darkwood has gotten on my nerves, he's a formidable Knight Mage... and a nice challenge."

Casania:

Praxis fumed with anger at himself. Nice going, real smooth on that one. He had to get out of this place and quick, he had to kill and he had to release all this pent-up tension. Things will get better, once she sees me back with a hand full of heads.

Emora:

Shea sat on her throne and crossed her legs. She sighed heavily for a moment. Bored yet again. It shouldn't take long for Praxis to get back...

Casania:

Praxis had business to attend to. He headed down to the depths of the castle to ressurect his minions, and afterwards he planned to depart. He reached a long forgotten room. He began the magical preperation for the ritual. Fire arcs from his fingertips, covering the walls, ceiling, and floor with glowing magical runes.

As he prepares to open a gate to hell, his mind wanders. He buried his heart and soul deep within himself, and sourrounded it with a cold wall of cold, sadistic logic. He thought himself superior to mortals, he knew this. He saw them as mere instruments to carry out his plans. Demons were different, the only emotion demons could ever expirence was pure unadulterated hate. Yet, he didn't identify with them either.

No, he was different, neither demon or mortal, an abomination to the natural order of the afterlife. He wasn't undead either. He didn't know what he was. He simply existed, continueing onwards in silent agony without expiriencing death, trading its pain for the agony of living, a consequence of his first business deal with the supernatural. Yet, in spite of this uncertainy, he always thought his fate was certain: to live forever without the warm touch of feeling close to another. Never in a million years did he ever anticipate that this beleif would be cast into doubt.

As he finished preperations, he was rudely interrupted by an arrogant voice.

"Well, well, is it not the queen's man-whore. Becareful with that fire there, it would be dreadful for you to lose favor with her because something awful happened to that pretty face of yours..."

Emora:

She was standing in the middle of her throne room holding two short bladed swords that were a metallic color. She spun in a graceful fashion wielding the blades with a skill perfected for close to 500 years. She hardly ever got the chance to fight someone using her swords because she always relied on magic.

Hmmm... she thought with a smile as she dragged one of the Queen's Maidens forward with her magic. "Fight me," she ordered. But, the Maiden didn't last long and she was cut down with in three moves. Pitty, that one was actually good..

"I wonder what Praxis is doing," she found herself thinking out loud. It was a very bad thing when she was beginning to rely on someone for entertainment.

Casania:

Praxis turned around just in time to see middle-aged man standing in the doorway. The mans bald spot stood out like a sore thumb. Two burly lackeys stood behind him. Praxis looked the man in the eyes.

The man spoke, "You think you can stride in here, whisper some sweet nothings in the Queen's ear, and instantly climb the upper ranks of Arken's armies. We'll I assure you that I won't let that happen. I'm going to take great pleasure in sending you on a slow, painful trip back whence you came DEMON!" The man chants an an arcane phrase and the room is engulfed in an anti-magic field

The lackeys moved towards Praxis, but his eyes do not move from gazing into the old man's eyes, as if he's gazing into his dark soul. They grabed him. The man further spoke.

"You know my family has this straaage story passed down from generation to generation from the early years of its service to the Queen."

The lackeys began to punch and kick Praxis.

"The story goes that as the tides of the Queen War turned towards Ighten favor, a certain Demon was forced to never harm a mortal again."

A boot connects with the demon's face.

"Guess what that Demon's name was, Praxisss?

He responds by coughing up red blood, but his eyes remained steadily gazing into the generals eyes.

You're nothing but a sweet-talking declawed pussycat aren't you? Oh I bet you want to rip me apart limb from limb, but you can't. I'm having so much fun, aren't you?"

The lackeys paused in their beating for a responce.

Yet, unexpectedly Praxis started laughing. He spent the entire time telepathically reading his opponent, and plotting his downfall.

"Of course I'm having fun, nothing delights me more than watching you mortals expirience dramatic reversals of fortune before you die."

The man's only responce was a confused, "Waa?"

Taking the role of some sadistic teacher, Praxis spoke. "For all your knowledge of my past, you neglected to consider that us demons live to subvert mortals will. Let me show you."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a contract. The lackeys eyed him suspiciously as he did this, looking for a weapon.

"With this, I can convert your advantage into my advantage." Noticing that the old general was confused by this, Praxis purposefully looks over to one of the lackeys and gives a nod.

Now realizing what Praxis ment, the general becomes enraged at the proported betrayal. "You son-of-a..." He lowers the anti-magic field and magically creates a large icicle and sent it hurling towards the lacky, impaling him and splattering Praxis with blood.

Praxis immediately appears ill in reaction to the blood splattering on him. The blood gets absorbed through the skin and his eyes start glowing a bright green. In a strained voice he speaks.

"Now you just made three mistakes. In your irrational anger, you bought my bluff, and killed off a loyal subordinate. Secondly, you just lost the advantage in lowering the anitmagic field, and thirdly you provided me with the ammunition for my powers, death."

The room starts shaking, and and a whispy green mist flows out of Praxis's back

The general stands aback, amazed at how Praxis strung together these chains of events.

Tears of blood drip out of his eyes, and the mist slowly takes on a human form.

"Perplexed aren't you. Let me put it this way, I looked into your soul and found that you are a miserable general. You couldn't of done this any worse, rushing in here on bad intel, arrogantly taunting your enemy giving me time to hatch a stratedgy, failing to esatblish dominance over your subordinates and thus distrusting them, and finally acting like a complete fool without considering the repucussions of your actions. You are an embarrassemnt to Arken and deserve to die!"

The mist takes on a beautiful female ghost form. She has a crown on her head and has a face with great despair on it. Yet, instead of a look of menance on Praxis's face, a look of extreme guilt comes over him. Somethig about this ghost greatly disturbs him, and he refuses to look at it. The one thing he does do is utter the words, "expirience the sorrows of a thousand deaths."

Both the general's and the other lackey's screams reverberate throughout the castle.

Praxis lies catatonically in a pool of his own bloody tears.

Emora:

Shea had been training for many minutes until she heard the most horrific screams ever. Well, they weren't horrifying to her, but it was good way to describe them from another person's point of view. She turned towards the door that led from her throne room and looked at it. She dropped the metallic swords which melted into the floor and ceased to exist.

She comely walked down the halls, with a face of curiosity. Many of her subjects looked at her with the same curiously, wondering what she had done this time. But, the thing is Shea hadn't done it... but her had. A person's face came to her mind and she smiled with great delight.

Her bare feet made no sound as she walked quickly down the hall. Her loose clothing billowed in a mysterious way. Her feet touched the steps leading to the lower levels, which everything beyond had the smell of death and torment.

It wasn't long before she came to a room where once of her Priests of Pain said the screams had come from. For some reason he said he dare not go in there. She reached to the handle and through the door open to see if she could catch any one in the act of something.

She saw four bodies lying on the stone floor. Three of which she cared nothing about, but the other one... Shea grew enraged beyond belief. She had given no instructions for anyone to harm Praxis. She growled, it was a sound that caused all the guards to back away. She stared at the bodies for a moment, the bodies of the three idiots. And with in the second she did so they caught fire. It was a fire that was so hot to them, it made them turn to ashes in a second.

She walked to Praxis in a worried rushing way they no one ever saw her do. She after all was never worried about anyone. She turned Praxis over on his back and looked at the tears in his eye. "Close the door," she ordered to her men and they grew to a state of confusion that led them not to move. "Close... the door!" They did as they were told.

Shea sat in the pool of blood and pulled Praxis's head into her lap. She put her hands to his face and wiped the blood from his eyes. Then the room faded around them and they were on Shea's bed. She layed his head down gently to the pillow.

She disappeared for only a few moments, but returned with a rag and some water. She proceeded to wipe the blood from him so she could determine a wound to heal.

Yes, many people didn't know Shea could heal wounds. Healing was something the good people did and she was not good. But, Shea could. She only chose to heal those she needed. And she needed him... But was that really why she was going to heal him?

Casania:

Praxis lied unconscious. Bruises covered his body, and a couple ribs felt broken, but these wounds pale in comparision to the emotional ones. If he only had his own powers back, none of this would've happened, instead he had to summon a subordinate. Yet, even the this shouldn't have been a problem. Something was wrong, he'd always had excellent control over his summoning abillities, yet he wonders why he summoned the one subordinate he vowed never to use, his first and most powerful one, full of sorrow, It took all the energy he had to contain her sadness within the room. The very sight of her, it dredges up... bad memories

Emora:

Shea pulled Praxis's robe open over his chest. Her elegant hand lightly ran over the firm surface. She placed both her hands flat on the chest and closed her eyes. A purple sparkling light began under her hand and entered into his body. It would search for the wounds and heal it.

Shea hated healing people, partly because it was something nice... and the other half was because it was the only thing that made her feel tired and weak.

The magic cut off on it's on when there was nothing left to heal and Shea let out a tired sigh. Her eyes barely were open and were slowly closing. She pulled the robe over his chest closed and rolled away from him so that he could rest. But, before she was even close to making it off the bed her head hit the pillow. She would only need a few minutes of rest to make up for the energy used.

Shea guessed that healing effected her more because it was something in her blood that thought of it as unnatural... Could be the thought that she had some demon in her and it was definitely against the nature of a demon to heal...

Casania:

The magic worked somewhat. His physical wounds were healed, but alas no magic in the world short of removing his memories could cure his real affliction, and certainly no one can undo the past. Yet, the physical jolt of the healing magic roused him from his self-induced ableit subconsiously coma. His eyes fluttered open.

He looks around confused He looked over to the bed suprised to find Shea lying there. It occurs to him. She healed me, but in doing so she has expirienced pain. With that the dam he erected in his mind burst.

He needed this woman, needed to be close to her. He feels a great elation around her...and also a great deal of tension, Feeling both extremes of relaxiation and absolute fear at the same time. He was a great and powerful demon. He could look death straight and the eye and remain calm enough to negotiate, and as such he had no reason to fear death anymore. But his fear of Shea trancended the physical, his need for her made him feel vulnerable to her, and that if she wanted to, she could absolutely destroy him.

He lightly brushes his hand across her cheek, desperately trying to think of something to make her feel better.

Emora:

Shea, through the deepening blackness, felt a soft gentle touch carress her cheek. Her eyes fluttered, but closed as the darkness of sleep tried to take her. She forced her eyes to flutter open again and she stared up at Praxis for a moment. Her expression was a tired one.

She smiled lightly at him, a strange sort of smile that was very unusual to her. She used some of her remaining strength to reach him and she kissed his lips lightly. Her head rested back onto the pillow and she tilted it slightly. "Feeling better?" she asked in a whisper.

Her beautiful hair spilled across the pillow and framed her lovely face. Her chest rose slow and even as she took long breaths. Her eyes looked his face over, admiring his handsome looks.

Eslin:

Valencia lounged in a fluffy chair that was sitting outside on her balcony. She was here. She was inside Shea's strong hold. It was night time. She gazed up at the stares. She wondered when Shea would come to continue her training.

There were a few birds taking roost on her balcony railing. She smiled a wicked smile. The night air was lit up with light as she threw tiny fireballs at them. The died one by one. She did it quick enough that they didn't have time to fly. The fell into the darkness. It looked as if the sky was raining fire.

When she was done she leaned back and continued to stare at the stars. They'd always interested her. She wondered what secrets they held.

Casania:

He looked Shea in the eyes. What do I say? Afraid relaxed, aaahhh she can hear me... As soon as he stops thinking, he starts talking. "I don't know. I'm feel like an intelligent moth, who knows well the fear of flame, but is mesmorized and drawn into it nonetheless...."

He realizes he may have said to much, and tries to cover. "I mean I'm starting to call back my servants, but things are different, I never lost control like that before, and I don't know why. I feel like something else is guiding them. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before."

He slaps his had to his forehead. "Oh you mean physically. Yes, you did a very good job..." He pauses and for an instant, ponders what he is about to say. His voice slows down.

"Heal..ling me"

Emora:

Shea smiled as she listened to his thoughts and the tone of his voice. He seemed to stumble alone... But, of course she was a little out of it to even care. "Well, that's good to hear. Wouldn't want you encompasitate for too long." Her smile was pouring charm and she also fading out again. She felt very tired and heavy from using magic that was not meant for her to use. Evil had a price, this was just one of them....

A knock racked the door and Shea sat up slightly, but fell back with a growl. "What is it?" she called very rudely. There was a long pause. "What?"

"My Queen.... Miss Valencia is waiting for you I believe," a servants voice came from the other side of the door. Shea sighed deeply.... The life of being a Queen.

Her eyes drifted back to Praxis and she smiled again. "Well, duty calls..." she said and forced herself out of the bed. She almost fell, but held herself up. She would not be weak. "You can rest.... or if your feeling up to it you can come along..."

Shea swayed to the door and gripped the door knob. She looked back to see if Praxis was coming or staying...

Casania:

OOC: Sorry for the hold up, I've been stricken with a bad case of the flu.

Praxis looked Shea in the eyes. He behind those dark irises he saw the pain she was hiding. I'll be strong as well. He gets and follows uttering, "I would love to see what beautiful suffering you're cooking up."

Emora:

OOC: It's alright!

IC:
Shea looped her arm in his and grinned evilly as she rested her head on his shoulder. The door opened and the servant bowed as they walked past him. "Oh, no suffering for this one. She's my apprentice... Her name is Valencia, a very gifted student from the Citadel... I am to train her in the art of seduction. After all...." Shea's evil grin grew into a shimmering smile. "I'm the best..."

She didn't know how strong he was at the moment, but she needed some one to lean upon. No matter how hard she tried she was using him to help her keep her balance. And... maybe he was using her for the same thing.

They came to an open balcony where a lounging chair was and a woman torching birds in the air...

"Praxis... this is Valencia.... Valencia, Praxis."

Eslin:

Valencia glanced up at Shea and the one she'd name Praxis. She nodded her head to the Queen and rose.

She then turned her intense emerald gaze to Praxis.
"Hello."

OOC:Sorry I'm so slow. It's due to the fact that I'm grounded.

Emora:

Shea was trying to be in two places at once and she felt her energy fading. She clutched Praxis's arm for a moment as she pulled her other half back, finishing with business there.

"You have come for your training?" she asked, but before Valencia could answer she'd continued. "Well, I'll begin it after today. Today is a special day. I am inviting you to the sacrifice of a child in order to retrieve a great demon." Shea looked to Praxis with a seducing smile. "You're invited too and we can discuss my part of our deal tonight. Don't worry I haven't forgotten."

She sighed, still clutching Praxis's arm. "Well, Valencia, I have things to do. I have an idea for you. Why don't you go practice on Soran Nightblade. He's down stares on the first floor I believe. If you hurry you could catch him in the mirror maze..."

She went to turn around on her own, fighting the weakness. She would not be weak.

Casania:

Praxis caught Valecia gaze for just a second. "Its quite a pleasure to meet one so young and so... promising as yourself." He assesed the girl admiring Shea's handiwork. He found the corruption of the young quite pleasing. The sooner the soul is tainted the less the opportuinity for such concepts as compassion and self-sacrifice to enter their impressionable minds

He stood there cotemplating all thats happening. Great Demon huh? Lets hope he hasn't heard of me, the great demon lords aren't very fond of myself circumventing the natural order

He then took notice of Shea ordering the apprentice to fight. "A battle, hmmmmm, what will you do if she fails?"

Emora:

Shea smiled at Praxis and tilted her head slightly. “Valencia will not fail… She is only to deliver a message. Soran Nightblade is beyond her fighting composite as of yet. But, not for long, soon she will be able to take on those greater than that elven man…” Shea smiled and turned back to Valencia… “I almost forgot…”

Shea snapped her fingers and a note appeared in her hand. It was the note to be given to Soran…. “You will give this to him, no matter what situation he is in. If it involves some one working for me, tell them to step down for a few moments. But, give this to him. It’s a game…”

She handed the note to her apprentice and turned with Praxis. “She will not fail me, she knows better…” Shea smiled cruelly and full of seduction… Though her smile was a tired one.


Soran Nightblade,

Running a bit late aren’t we? I figured you would have done made it to my throne room by now… Or even to the top of the castle to where the execution of that little brat will take place. You might want to speak with a woman by the name of Tora… She knows a good deal too much. But, hurry, she won’t live too long if I have anything to do with it. Akisu is no match for me, and I know his mind. I can read his mind. How do I know such things? Well, I am Shea, the Witch Queen, and I know all…

But, most of all I know that if you don’t come rescue the child… Then the fate of Sinead’s kingdom is all in my hands. It amazing how evil can start and stop this from happening. Good is only merely a player…<br>
Tick, tock… You're time is running out….

Shea, Queen of Arken.

“Better hurry Valencia… wouldn’t want that note to come late.” When she was always from Valencia and around the corner Shea sighed heavily. “How trying the work of a Queen is,” she said with a good bit of humor. “Tell me do you know the demon I am resurrecting? He’s a rather foul one and will be very hard to control… His name I believe, if I am pronouncing it correctly is… Richtievaxz.”<br>


Eslin:

Valencia bore Praix's assessment with a smug smirk, "It's nice to meet you too."

It irritated her when they talked over her head like she wasn't there, but at least her Queen thought well of her. The smirk remained on her face, and she knew that they would be able to see the least bit of irritation in her face.

She listened closely to the orders her Queen gave her.
When Shea handed her the letter she bent her head and said, "Yes my Queen; it will be as you desire."

The smirk stayed as she turn and went to find Soran Nightblade.

Casania:

Richtievaxz.... that name hung in Praxis's head. It worried him because there multiple supernatural forces interested in keeping that thing buried for eternity. Yeah he had pissed off those very same forces, but he did it by finding loopholes in their rules. Granted of course he was punished, and imprisioned in a fashion, but he did have some freedom left.

Richtievaxz on the other hand blatantly violated the natural order. He was imensely powerful because of it but he also slaughtered mortals without thought or purpose. Of course, this messed up infernal business because hell only gets those souls who've been corrupted. It didn't do the demon lords any good to see potential "clients" slaughtered before they had a chance to sin. Thus, there were parties both good and evil interested in keeping him buried.

I'm going to have to be very tactful explaining this to Shea

"Yes I have heard of him, there are very few supernatural beings who haven't. It concerns me though, not only is he the embodiment of chaos and impossible to control, but... a demon that powerful, it had to take a power greater than his to imprision him.

Such a power will not react very kindly to you undoing its work. But be warned those who possess this power are very subtle in their works, acting in the most indirect manner possible especial in the affairs of mortals. What concerns me the most is that as a mortal, as powerful and wise as you may be, that you were previously unaware of this threat. This is natural, I am not aware of any mortal who is, but what should be of imense concern to you is this Soran Nightblade you speak of. You're toying with him, but as weak as he may be, when the time comes for the sacrifice, he may very well unwittingly become a divine agent."

Emora:

Shea smiled as she walked with him, her arm looped around his. She rested her head on his shoulder and her elegant fingers trailed over his hand, lightly touching the skin. She was doing it again. Using her temptation... her seduction. Though, even in a weak state she could charm the devil out of his home.

"I know he is dangerous and I most likely cannot control him. But, I'll get to have my fun any way. There is a purpose behind everything I do, love..." she grinned and tilted her head up slightly to look at him. "If Nightblade succeeds in saving the kid he'll keep the demon free and keep me from problems. I also get to have the amusement of trying to twist his mind to my will. You won't get jealous will you?" she asked but quickly moved on. "If he doesn't consider my offer I'll kill him, and those who are with him. Soran would make a fine addition to my army. I have heard of his fighting skills from a woman in my service. If the demon is set loose on this land he will tear a path straight to Ighten... leaving it completely open and undefended for my armies. If I must I will try and destroy the demon on my own. I'm sure my power mixed with the power of all the strong magic users in my kingdom can subdue this beast..."

She trailed her hand up to his chest and pressed on it lightly as she came around to face him. She tilted her head. The gargoyles watched the devils with evil grins as they passed through the halls. "Now, when is it you would like me to fore fill my part of the bargain... or would you like to 'discuss' my heir a little more?" She smiled a smile that would usually make her guards knees buckle with want.

Shea was hiding her tiredness well... For on the inside her body was screaming for her to lie down. If he chose the second one she planned on lying down...

[ooc: Shea is such a whore... lol]

Casania:

He glaced down into her eyes. Certain thoughts came to his head, but with great difficulty, he dismissed them temporarily. He had other things on his mind, and his demonic blood coupled with living for over a 1000 years had blessed him with imense willpower and self control.

He averted his eyes from hers and took a minute to clear his mind of thoughts. He didn't want his lies to be that apparent.

"Jealous.... why would I be jealous of some nancy elf?" He laughs. "Don't mistake my concern for your wellbeing as some romantic gesture or weakness on my part. To put it simply you're a business partner, and given all the infighting and sin that happens in your kingdom it would be good for my business if you took over the world....

He glanced at her, his head was spining now with want. He just soooo badly wanted to stop talking and start acting, but the sight of Shea also brought on another feeling that drove him on.

now... I very badly want this contract of ours to be completed, but I also am interested in protecting my "market." Something's occured to me recently. Now this may not be the best time to bring this up seeing how you want to get down to "business," but I'm afraid that once our business is complete, the effects may be irreversible. But your mother, you are aware of how she died right? "

Emora:

Shea grinned evilly as she listened to his seemingly rambling. It really did sound like rambling to her. She would just have to test this jealousy theory...

She tilted her head and looked into his eyes. "Maybe I was just a little to evil to handle?" she asked with a grin. She felt no remorse for the death of her mother. She felt nothing but respect for her mother. She had been a fine ruler. "Or maybe she just wasn't strong enough... In any case, I won't fail at a simple childbirth..."

The hand on his chest began to trail down as her smile turned to a pure mixture of lust and seduction. She leaned forward and whispered huskily. "I'm willing to take the risk, what about you?" She nibbled on his ear and turned smiled for a moment as she turned to walk away.... Another teasing tactic...

OOC: Yep, big whore... I love writing for her. Hehe

Casania:

His mind burned with lust. His breath becomes deeper and more rushed. His hand grips the desk tightly. Yet as powerful as they were he resisted the primal urges. His body was screamig at him "DO IT DO IT YOU COWARD." Yet something in his mind shouted back "NOOO." But as the secconds passed the voice in his mind got weaker and weaker. Just as he was about to give in, in a last act of desperation, he walked about behind her and whispered in her ear. "I know you risked much in healing me."

Emora:

Shea smiled wickedly and took a step back. She pressed her almost bare back against his strong musculiar chest. She reached up behind her and placed a warm soft hand on the back of his neck... But, his words brought back something. She turned to him.

She no longer had the playful look in her eyes, but it was replaced by cold evil anger. She looked at him, not meaning to make it seem as if her anger was directed at him, but she was furious about the situation.

"That reminds me," she said coldly. "Just why did those people attack you in the first place? Why did they wish to harm you, the great demon Praxis?" She didn't care if he had done anything to cause there wrath to be brought to him, she rather liked his taste in how to handle things. But, what angered her was that her own subjects would choose to defy her.

A cruel smile twisted on her face for a moment. "Maybe there families should be punished along with them?"

Eslin:

Valencia walked into the room where her Queen was. She swept a grand bow that gave a great view, and she said in a sarcastic voice, "My job has been preformed my Queen. I'm positive you'll be satisfied." She then stood to see if Queen Shea would have anything else that she'd like her to do. The last assignment had been fun, but it was quite short.

Casania:

Praxis breathed a sigh of releif. Too much was happening at once, and he needed to slow things down. Shea's sacrifice showed him that she was still vulnerable; that she could die and he could lose her forever. He knew he couldn't handle something like that happening again...

Just then Valencia walked in the room, interupting his thoughts. He glanced over just in time to accidently catch the view. Slightly irritated in noticing it it, he wondered, did she do that on purpose?

He turned his attention back to Shea, realizing that she could hear his thoughts. He thought about the question she asked. However he noticed that Valencia was still in the room and he did not know if Shea wanted her to know that some very high officers had defied her. Also, he wanted to cover-up any sense of attraction he just had. "Is it alright to discuss such matters with the CHILD in the room?"

In awaiting the responce his thoughts turned to Soran Nightblade. It bothered him how she played with him, and purposefully let him into her stronghold. She's so close to conquering the world. Why doesn't she crush that weakling before he has a chance to stop her?

Emora:

Shea looked towards her apprentice and smile at her what seemed to be purposed bow to give any one looking a view. It might not have been on purpose, but it sure did seem like it. “That will be all for now,” Shea said and nodded to Valencia before returning her gaze to Praxis.

Shea had a habit of ignoring those who weren’t of any use at the moment and at the moment Valencia was of no use to her. “You may speak in front of her if you wish, I trust her not to let any words leave this room. She knows the penalty…” Shea said and looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Why did they attack you…” A grin came to her lips, a beautiful dazzling evil grin. “Lover.”

Casania:

The question perplexed Praxis. Hmmm, why is she making such a big deal of this? "Come to think of it I really don't know. I would guess he was jealous of the... position I was in regarding you. I thought such infighting was normal, but if you gave the order I was not to be touched, then I'm suprised he would be stupid enough to disobey them."

Since his attacker did seem to know something about his past, Praxis thought it best to handle it himself.

"If you want, I'll look into the matter further once this whole demon thing is through. I think my style of interrogation will be an sufficent punishment for his family."

He had enough of talking about himself today. He looks out the window and notices the sun starting set. He changed the subject.

"Hey by the way you mentioned I was invited to the sacrifice. When is that, I wouldn't want to miss it?"

Emora:

As if on cue a knock sounded through the room, coming from the door. "Yes?" she asked, smiling at Praxis. He seemed eager to see blood shed.

"The child is ready... It is time to proceed, my Queen..." a fear filled voice said outside her door.

"I'll be there momentarily..." Shea said and looked to Praxis another moment. "Well, I must go speak with them and head to the sacrifice... If your coming along that's wonderful. I'd like it if you came..." she purred and slipped her arm around his. "And you are more than welcome to handle it on your own. I didn't warn them not to touch you... I figured I didn't have to, but I will."

Shea led him towards the door. "What's your take on children?"

Casania:

The question caught Praxis by suprise. She has victory in her grasp and all she can think about is children, children, children!

"uhhh.... " He paused and regained his stature. His responce came from his gut reaction to any human feeling, denial. To hide his true human emotions, he provided a detalied logical analysis/diatribe as they walked down the hall.

"Hmmm, children. Well, after a thousand years of observing them I cannot understand why any logical being would want one. From conception, they are functionally identical to parasites, inhabitting the mother, feeding off of her, and causing her a great deal of stress and pain.

Of couse, once a child painfully tears themselves out of her it still functions the same, albeit indirectly. Insteading of forcefully stealing resources it requires the mothers consent. However it is very successful at attaining this. First through its incessent crying for attention, care, and nourishment, and secondly, from observing both mothers and fathers, I have concluded that once a couple has children they have a reduced capacity for rational thought."

Again the painful thought of the Shea's child entered his mind. H epushes it aside. "Of course, I promise I won't let that happen to me, and hopefully not happen to you." Yet, something deep inside him disagreed with what he said, yet as soon as he began to hear that voice he violently repressed it.

Emora:

Shea grinned and patted his arm as she leaned on his shoulder and led him down the hall. "Well, I didn't mean my question in that since, but thank you for that thorough analysis... I guess it's partly my fault for not making my question more clear. What's your take on murdering children? That better?" She smiled at him one of her dazzling smiles.

"I am going to do everything with in my power to make sure this child that I wish to have comes with ease. I already dread it... I'm going to get fat..." she said and gave and amused grin. "But, most of all it will mean I'll be vulnerable for a little while. For nine months to be exact. Nine months where I won't be able to do anything strenuous. Of course the first few months will be a breeze... but you know what I mean. I've never had to rely on my person guard really, but I will sooner or later.... I'm dead..." she said with a grin. her unborn baby could probably guard her better than her person guard.

She led him to the hall where all the scientists were gathered...

[OOC: I'm going to post this in Arrival and you can post there if you would like or here. It doesn't matter.]