Finding the Syndicate

[Selibas]

Ooc: Continued from Led Astray.

Ic:Selibas walked into Nabata. He was reluctant to be in a desert. Not enough trees to sleep under. There also weren't that many rivers to get Lightning to drink from. But he had to reach this so called Syndicate and his informant in Lycia didn't have any news left for him.

Informants. Other Sacaen fourteen year olds were fighting in the Etrurian army or learning swordplay from their father. But Selibas had left all chances of Sacaen swordplay behind when he got back from being Led Astray in Lycia. He tilted his head up and saw the sun had almost set. He looked around until he saw a nearby Oasis and headed toward it.

[Selibas]

Selibas got to the Oasis a bit before sundown. He couldnt see anything sufficient to hitch lightning to so he simply let lightning go and figured he wouldn't wander off. He knelt down at the water source andtook a drink. He looked up to see his first desert sunset. Selibas remembered something of an old rumor. Nabata, Land of...heat? No that wasn't it but Selibas took off his shoulder armor and shirt and layed down under the trees by the Oasis.

Selibas drifted off to sleep slower than he was used to. He dreamt of a giant cavern filled with people. There were people who looked to be from all different parts of Elibe. The people seemed to be celebrating something. There were children running people playing music and large tables set out in the lantern filled cavern. It was a dark night and Selibas could not tell where in Elibe the people were.

There was one group of people who looked about fifteen all sitting around laughing happily. They all had different colored hair except for two boys both had green hair. They were sitting at a table slightly around the corner from the entrance of the cave. One of the boys with green hair was in the main part of the cave only slightly. He had a hard expression on his face even when he smiled.

Then the music stopped and the laughter died with it as a terrifying roar split the peoples ears. A monstrus form came up to the mouth of the cave the older men and women drew their weapons and opened their tomes but they knew they were to late as the dragon inhaled.

The beast blew out a massive colum of fire that envoloped the cave. Selibas covered his face from the expected heat but realized it was a dream as the fire did not hurt him. All people, men, women, and children died. Save those in the runoff. The thing reared it's head in a final roar. Selibas did not know what this beast was or if it was real but he didn't want to meet one in reality. The thing seemed to sprout wings and took flight like a bird even though it had scales like a lizard.

Selibas turned and saw the group of men and women who had survived gathered around their second green haired comrade. He wasn't dead but the blast had injured him. He was helped up by two boys. One with white hair, the other with black. As he seemed to pass through selibas with his arms around the two boys for balance followed by the rest of the group Selibas saw, his hair had been singed grey.

He got to the mouth of the cave and said to those surrounding him, " Me or my descendants it doesn't matter which one. Someone with this grey," he indicated at his hair, " Will kill that Dragon."

[Selibas]

Selibas awoke to very loud shouts. His eyes snapped open and he saw the dunes so whit they almost blinded him. His eyes weren't adjusted to the light and he couldn't make out detail. What he could see were shapes and colors.

He saw about fifteen black shapes and fifteen white shapes. Also a few other colors standing to one side standing off to one side. There was also a group of shapes he guessed were horses. As his eyes adjusted he realized he was watching to leaders of rival factions shouting at each other.

[Selibas]

White: I will tell you sir, Lord Grey would not approve of us taking every warrior, who may have stolen their insignia by the way, we find, back to the base while they are unconcious. Also where is his wyvern that's why Grey you and all of the extra manpower instead of just Green, Blue, and I.

Black: I'm tellin' ye' he's a Cinderfelt stole something from the old b*****d back 'afore Grey found me. Screw 'is Wyvee' flyie' thin'.

A man in Red stepped forward

Red: I will tell you all though it was not necessary for me to come he is the description Grey gave me and if we were to lift him, we would see on his back the Syndicate insignia.

White: You should know not to iterupt a member of the Fatal three boy.

Black: Ay the boy only just 'came a color lay off, nobody but you me an OUR men have even been a council member for more 'an a week.

White: You have no right to address anyone, your a member of the council only to balance my intelect with your bullish strength. You are here essentially to carry the boy if there were a problem.

Black: Well look at yer' with yer' fancy Sage Books. Well I'll tell ye my men could beat ye and yer boys anyday of the week.

All of a sudden a large conflict broke out between the factions.

[Selibas]

The man dressed in black swung an ax at the main man in white's head. He ducked and avoided the blow. He cast a thunder spell that the man in black avoided.

At other points in the battle some men had mounted horses others had grabbed weapons. Selibas could see they were all expert fighter. He saw two figures one in green the other in blue walk over to him. They both muttered a few words and wave there arms. Then Selibas blacked out.

[Selibas]

Selibas awoke in a large hot tub of hot water. He looked over and saw his old clothes folded and washed on a bench. He very quickly put them back on and opened a door to reveal a man with Grey hair dressed in all Grey clothing. What was it with all the matching for these people.

" Hello Cinderfelt," the man said with a smile.

Selibas scoweld and said. " My name is only Selibas." The man in Grey smiled again and signaled for Selibas follow as he walked away. He did.

They were in a giant cave. Selibas saw the symbol he recognized from his shoulder armor. All around he saw people sparring and mages reading. His biggest surprise was when a man and a woman tranformed into giant monsters from his dream. What were they? Dragons.

Selibas opened his mouth to ask about this place the man in Grey said, " So your wandering what this place is at this point."

[Selibas]

The Grey man countinued, " This is the Syndicate. The Syndicate is an organization made before most known history. It was started when my ancestor, Grey and his companions became unhappy with the way governments would handle conflicts and catastrophes. So they found a cave where noone would look and begun recruiting warriors they saw with potential. Those warriors would fight for our causes. We also set certain events in motion.

A problem we have is The Children of Destiny. They are a very similar group to ours simply, they have different veiws. Now clearly we cannot operate with the other orginization contradicting us at every corner so we have fought for quite some time. Whenever there is a conflict I will send out men t recruit warriors we have watched. You were one picked for a very recent battle that The COD are right outside our doorstep even now.

So Selibas I have discovered you are not a Wyvern Rider like your father. But you will need to pck a leader to serve under. Also You will be trained by Brown an old Hero who can teach you sword like no other. You will go to him and then pick the faction which yes you will have change your hair, It's annoying but it's the old ways. So what will it be name a color."

The an finally finished talking. Selibas figured it would be easier not to die his hair. He run his han through it and said, " Green."

Grey said, " Excellent if you go back to the room you woke up from nd there is a change of clothes. Change and come back here. Chlane who is Brown will train you in the sword will be waiting here. I will explain more as you get to a higher rank here. " And at that the leader of the Syndicate left and Selibas went and changed.

[Selibas]

Selibas walked back into the large chamber. There was an older man in brown sitting on a small stool sharpening a broadsword. Selibas walked up and pulled out his swod ready to begin.

The man looked up at him, " So your the new boy well I don't know what your doing with that needle but put it down. Get on the ground and do five hundred pushups then five hundred sit ups then got to that room with the green banner." He pointed to a room and walked away with his broadsword.

Selibas couldn't believe the man. This wasn't swordplay this was mediocre training.Selibas thought the man was probably watching. He got down and begun doing push-ups.

He got to about one hundred eghty. But then his knees collapsed. Right as he hit the ground a bucket of water was dumped on his head. Chlane said, " Allright now I know what your capable of, tommorow same time same place real lessons begin. Lesson over." And he walked away.

[Selibas]

Selibas entered the room with the green banner. He saw only about six people sitting around a table. They were all in green. One man wore cavalry armor and he looked about twenty. One woman had the wings the dragons had before transforming. Two men were very large and had axes around their back and they looked both about twenty five. Then there were two twins a boy and a girl both had dark tomes in front of them. They both sat and looked relaxed not really caring.

Selibas didn't say anything he just sortof looked at all the people. There was an akward silence until the male shaman stood up and smiled walking toward Selibas. He said, " Hello there mate welcome to Green. This is my little unit. You,re Selibas right? Green hair in robes in here you gotta be. Theres a room to change right there," he motioned at a door. " Oh right here's your clotes mate." He held up Selibas' old clothes but green eve his shoulder armor.

Selibas went back and changed. He came back outside and the two large men were arm wrestling. The cavalrymen was simply sitting watching the men combat. The shaman twins sat at the other end of the table talking to the winged girl. Selibas sat down and didn't say anything. But then the Male shaman said, " So I'm your new commander. We are currently waiting for White to give us our orders. We know we will be fighting the children of destiny today. You were recruited to be extra trops in case more of us die. So you'll only be reinforcements later in the battle, if neccasary."

Right at that time a man in white poked his read in their room and said, "Excuse me all troops to the main entrance."

[Selibas]

All of these other people in green left the room and Selibas was left alone. This was boring. Selibas had been brought into this orginazation without really thinking about it. Now he was about to go and fight some battle against another secret covenant. But maybe the veiws of this society would be allright and some good could come out of him being here.

Plus he could learn a bit more about using the sword. He sat at the table and rested his head on the table. There weren't any d**n trees here. He couldn't sleep without laying down and there was only the rock floor here. He wondered how the battle would be going.

He pulled out his sword. He had never realized how slim this one was. Well he hadn' really used it since he had gotten it. He would have to get a whet stone sometime soon.He resheathed it and tried to sleep in the chair.

But then a different manin white came in and said, " Your are now one of three green members left, we need you on the battle field." Then he signaled for Selibas to follow him as he walked out of the room. Selibas followed strapping his shoulder armor as he did.

[Selibas]

Selibas followed the man through many chambers. As they walked through the caverns Selibas saw other people colors and just natural looking soldiers joining them. Selibas and his guide got lost in the back of this large group.

They got to a large gate like structure and it was opened by a par of gears triggered by a higher member. Selibas could not believe this.He shouldn't be here he isn't being paid he's about to be a in a giant battle for some people he didn't know and no money. Selibas thought it must be simply because he's in captivity.

All the people marched out side and Selibas realize the cave was in fact a mountain he realized the only entrane to the mountain was to entr a large valley. Archers were stationed all along the cliff walls. Selibas saw a large force on the other side of the canyon and another on this side.

Neither side was advancing, they were both waiting for the other to move. Of course the Syndicate and not The Children of Destiny were the ones who had to advance. Selibas was place on the far east of the fourth line. He was in between a mage and a cavalier.

Selibas almost stumbled over all types of body parts and equipment. Many other soldiers were stopping long engough to pick up armor or valubles. So that after long very few men were recognizable as onecolor. Selibas looked up at the cliffs and saw that the archers were marching with them. Then the COD got up and started advancing a bit more slowly.

All of a sudden the marching stopped. Selibas didn't and he walked into a Manakete in front of him.

[Selibas]

Selibas appologized for running in front of the Manakete. He heard over all the men a large commanding voice. He realized it was coming from a man of the army. A man covered in light armor but his skin was not visible.

" Soldiers of the Syndicate. I am the leader of the yellow faction. But I look here and I see all of you as my soldiers. I am in command out here. White has given orders to march in a four by four formation. Each sixteen will be a unit. I will appoint leaders. When the unit behind you says "Cycle" got to the left and retreat full to the back of the army. Archers will previde cover fire." He raised his spear and screamed, " May the Rain bring Beauty!" And all the soldiers except Selibas and the other new recruits yelled it back raising their weapons as well.

Selibas was now in the third unit. He was surprised thet the leader of green, Samen, was in the group. But he was appointed leader and He smiled even though he explained to Selibas he and the Manakete Nimune (all the manaketes had taken to the skies before Selibas was called upon) were the only Green survivors. That ment his sister had died.

They took their positions and Yellow (at the front) ordered the march.

[Selibas]

Selibas was scared out of his mind. Yellow and his unit had just cycled to the back and now a man in Red had himself up against the CODs current unit. The COD basically had a group of their best soldiers in the front stepping over each others dead bodies.

Selibas wanted to run. He had only done small battles against bandits as a mercenary not against hand picked soldiers. He wouldn't have time to run because very quickly the second unit needed to cycle so Samen yelled cycle and they all stepped forward.

Selibas was in the second line of his unit. The man in front of him was fighting a man wielding a lance. Then his ally fell and Selibas had to step forward luckily the person behind him was a healer.

Immediately when he got on the line he got stabbed in the shoulder. F**K! How was he supposed to even survive. He could barely hold a sword much less beat an expert lance wielder. The healer healed him and Selibas swung his sword in a wide arc.

He missed and the man stabbed him in the same shoulder. Okay Mother F****r, that's how it is? As he got healed he started swinging his sword as hard and fast as he could. he pushed the man back taking lighter blows but still too many to continue. He got healed right before he head the words. CYCLE!!!!

All of the other soldiers in his unit made toward the left, about to fall back. Save Selibas, he stood his ground hitting the man in front of him on the shoulder then the thigh then stabbing him through the stomach. Selibas still didn't fall back his unit had retreated thinking he had been lost.

But he was there with this different unit and they had their healer close enough to do her magic. Selibas fought and fought actually starting to deal more hits then he took. He fought and fought trying and wanting to kill. He could not understand his change in personality but he wanted nothing then to feel the enemy soldier's flesh under his blade. Then that group fell back and once again Selibas took a few seconds not being healed.

Selibas killed his eighth person and felt one of the next unit's soldiers grab his soldier. He turned to see Brown staring at him. He yelled over all of the shouts, " Get to the back you idiot Wolf!"

Selibas snapped out of his frenzy and went around until he saw Samen and fell into the unit. Samen smiled at him and said, " So mate, your the Little Wolf the units are passing back news about." He indicated at Selibas' sword dripping with blood. " Is this your fang?"

Selibas smiled back at him as they heard news from the unit in front. Their completely falling back, fully leaving the valley. Samen threw his fist in the air and shouted, " May the Rain bring Beauty!" Everyone including Selibas and the other new recruits raised their weapons and shouted it back.

[Selibas]

Selibas and Samen got inside of the caverns very quiclky. They started to make it back to the Green faction chamber but there was a sudden grip on both of their shoulders. Chlane was standing there looking very angry and he said, " Both of you follow me." He walked away toward the main chamber.

Samen and Selibas followed Chlane through the celebrating Chaos after the victory. There were many promotions given to soldiers who had fought bravely. The largest one was The Yellow clad soldier. He was promoted from Captain to Major and would have a larger part in every battle that would later be fought.

Selibas realized there were units not bound to a faction. But clearly Chlane did not want him to talk so he remained quiet. They made it through the crowds and got to a small door that had a grey banner with the Syndicates insignia in the canter of it.

In the room Selibas saw Grey sitting at a large table with a map of Elibe laid out about it. On either side of him The leader of Black the Brigand from the Oasis, and White, the sage from the Oasis. Selibas had wondered what had happened to them.

Samen took his seat in a chair with a Green insignia. Brown in a seat with a brown one. Selibas took a seat in a red one. He could tell Grey wanted him to sit because Chlane and Samen sat. Grey was clearly angered.

He spoke up after several minutes, " Do you think I don't participate in the battles concerning my units "Wolf"? No I am ever present. You think you may ignore the strategies formed are useless and so you fight in a as a feral beast who does not know how to use his claws.

Chlane has told me he thinks you will learn Better in the real world. However I think you would learn better with him teaching you along the way. So you will be leaving to do various things that I suppose Chlane would think of along the way.

Samen. I appologize for your sister. Also for the rest of your faction. It seems that you need more members as your final member Nimune was lost to an enemy Manakete. Sadly you cannot have a faction with two members. You will need new members.

What you need to do is go along with Selibas and Chlane take note of any worthy or potential warriors. After a certain time we will find you and you will give a list of names to aour messenger.

All of your alls things have been prepared. Go find new recruits. Solve conflicts as we would. May the Rain bring Beauty."

Chlane and Samen repeated the phrase and stood up and walked away. Selibas was a few seconds late on both steps. Chlane was clearly angry. He said with a sarcastic tone, "So strong warrior. Going to make me travel with you. Think I deserve to have to travel from this warm place. Well you will learn to be a true Swordsman the way I see fit. We will go to Sacae and you will learn how your tribe fights. And I will teach you how to best it."

Samen smiled and said, LOts of good warriors in Sacae."

Timeskip: The three left the caves with heavy packs. Chlane had appointed his Daughter as his substitute during his abscence. They were heade to Sacae first and go were Chlane or Samen decided next.

FIn.