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Post by Rayl Torien on Jan 7, 2010 18:22:14 GMT -6
OOC: Hope you don't mind if I use Marquess Pherae as an NPC, Gab. If you wish for me to change it, I will do so accordingly...big travel post is big.
The trio had traveled through the Sacaen-Lycian Border, and Rayl particularly rushed them through Araphen. The people there, mostly due to The Marquess' opinion of the nomads, shared his opinion, and he didn't want Chelsea to be offended at first traveling outside her home. The group soon arrived in sight of glorious Pherae, and as they passed through small villages, you'd see kids looking up in wonder and running to their parents," Look mommy: Sir Rayl is back!" The parents would look up to see the knight with smiles on their faces, temporarily forgetting about their worries about the latest news about Ostia (which our heroes were so blissfully unaware of...). He was well known in the territory for his actions, and was obviously a hero to his people.
Some time later, they arrived through the gates of Castle Pherae, with shouts of "Welcome Back!" coming from some recruits and other knights as the three went through. Known for always being on his horse, no one was too surprised as he continued into the Castle on it's marble floors and on it's carpeting. Soon arriving before Marquess Pherae upon his throne, Rayl finally dismounted, and knelt down on one knee, "Forgive me, your highness...I took longer than I had hoped."
"Rise Sir Rayl, it is good to have you back nonetheless, especially in these daark times."
"Dark times sir?" a frown on his face, he looked back to Gabriel and Chelsea, along with his fellow knights. Rayl was then motioned to rise to his feet as his lord continued
"Yes...our temporary embassy in your absence was barely able to get back to us from Ostia...when it was attacked...Nay, that is not the right word...Ostia was destroyed by The Prophet's Fire."
Both Marquess and Knight were silent, as was the whole of the hall for some time, before at last Rayl spoke out, "Sir, we should send messages to the other Lycian Nations, that we may band together should The Prophet continue forward, heading for Tania and Laus, surely we can stop him-" The knight was silenced by the rising of the Marquess' hand," We will speak of this later. Tell me, who are these two with you?"
turning back to the two, he waved a hand back in formality as he introduced them," This is Gabriel, Wandering Mage. And this is Lady Chelsea, of the plains." the marquess paused, before smirking slightly," You always seem to come back after a trip with something following behind. I'm assuming you are holding yourself responsible for their actions?" "Yes sir." " Alright then, dismissed. You may return later to speak to me of Ostia." bowing his head in respect, Rayl re saddled up, and departed from the Castle, heading down the road to his ranch for the night.
"This news brings some obvious complications to your goal, doesn't it young master Gabriel?" he lacked his usual smile, but was keeping from his grim expression. If War was declared, then they had to do something...maybe this was what Barigan spoke of: he had a way to stop this from spreading any further...
Arriving at the ranch Rayl called home, he couldn't help but take a deep breath while dismounting. He was greeted by the hands he had hired to take care of his animals, who had been kind enough to take time out of their days to continue caring for them until he had gotten back...he was soon after greeted by his dog by a lick to the face...as a matter of fact the animals were making all sorts of noise, as if they felt that he was back, "Well then: I guess I'll give you two a tour of the ranch starting with the stables." he gave some extra payment to the kind folks he'd hired, before leading the two along, with horse and dog following.
OOC: Admit it, Rayl is an animal lover through and through...have we ever had posts depicting characters at home and not out adventuring and fighting? Or do we always just seem to skip those details?
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Post by Chelsea Dagger on Jan 7, 2010 18:51:52 GMT -6
Chelsea was silent during the audience with the Marquess. Unlike Rayl and the other knights, the news of Ostia didn't really affect her. Granted, her mother was from there so she felt a little bit of sadness, but not the overwhelming sadness they all seemed to be feeling. Maybe she was missing something? Nevertheless she made it seem as if it were saddened by it, not wanting to upset anyone. And who was the Prophet? All questions for later.
She felt herself blush slightly when Rayl introduced her as Lady Chelsea. She had never been called a lady before. Wasn't sure how she felt about it. She just pushed it out of her mind and brought herself back to the present.
Upon arriving at Rayl's ranch, she immediately felt her spirits rise. She couldn't wait to see the horses. At the suggestion of a tour, she agreed at once, hoping she didn't seem too overeager.
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Post by Gabriel on Jan 7, 2010 20:26:54 GMT -6
Ostia? Gone? No, it can't be that simple. Though he had heard that Ostia had been practically destroyed five years ago, it was still a foe to behold. No one would so daringly and openly attack Ostia...right?
Gabriel had kept silent during the entire conversation in the castle and even afterwards, up until Rayl spoke outside. "I..."
Damn it! What am I going to do now? Perhaps it'd be best if I offered my services as a mage in training to Rayl? Would that be...right?
"I guess I'll have to change my plans" he simply commented, as Rayl took him and Chelsea through his home. The place was rather rusty, but it was a given. Rayl had mentioned that it was a ranch and that he loved animals, horses in particular. But it was still nice.
"To have a place to call home..." Gabriel stopped in his tracks. "I was kicked out of Delfia because I asked my father why he trusted Kraft so. The man had and still has given no proof as to how he was chosen by Saint Elimine. All we know is that he got to talk to her. How could an entire country that prides itself of it's knowledge and intelligence fall so low and for something so...unbelievable."
He was about to cry in rage. Gabriel lowered his head, took a breath and looked up. "Rayl, please warn the Marquess. Kraft spoke several times of the 'purification of the land' and the 'enlightening of sinners'. If it was really Etruria that attacked Ostia, then Kraft has began his move. He knows that the rest of the world is against him, yet he still goes on. He's confident in himself. We should be careful. Everyone should be."
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jan 7, 2010 20:35:00 GMT -6
OOC: Spirits rise? Horse pun not intended but lol'd at anyways.
IC:
"Yes, yes I know...Kraft had tried to have me killed before, five years back. He and I...we are on nearly different parts of the spectrum..." Rayl patted Gabriel on the back in comfort," If you wish, I could petition your recruitment into Pherae's forces tommorow. We have some mages, though we are hardly the professionals in magic..."
Leading them into the now noisy stable, Horses and Cows lifted their heads and things seemed to get calm again, as he made his way through, looking in on his friends, casually flicking open the locks of the stalls for the animals, who the rushed out into his large fenced field, save one horse. It was a tannish color, with hair of brown. Slowly making it's way to the knight, it gave him a sniff as a greeting, before pausing, smelling something familiar: fresh Sacaen Grass. Yes Rayl had collected some (at some point, minor details) along the way, and took the bag from Elibe's saddlebags, and held it out to Chelsea," Why don't I let you two get acquainted, hmm? I'll tend to your lodgings. Gabriel, how about you help me?" He'd let Chelsea be around the horses for awhile: he had some things to discuss with Gabriel...
and he really did need to tidy up the extra rooms some...
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Post by Chelsea Dagger on Jan 7, 2010 21:13:54 GMT -6
Chelsea took the bag from Rayl and took out some of the grass. At once she already felt a sudden missing of her homeland, though she hadn't even been gone that long. She shook off that feeling and made her way over to the horse, Spirit. She was beautiful, just like the mustang her dad used to have. She made her way over to the horse and when she got closer held out her hand holding the grass. Spirit came closer, sniffing at the grass she was so eager for. As she started to eat, Chelsea began to slowly stroke her soft mane. She continued to feed the horse, looking her over. As she stared at her head, Spirit turned and looked back at her, as if sensing she too was from the plains. She gave her a soft nudge with her nose, causing Chelsea to smile. All those good memories came flooding back as she continued to pet Spirit softly. Judging by how serious Rayl and Gabriel were looking, she knew there was something wrong. But for now, she was happy.
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Post by Gabriel on Jan 7, 2010 21:33:31 GMT -6
"Sure, I'll give you a hand" he answered, still thinking about Rayl's offer. Part of Pherae's forces? He'd give it a thought later. Rayl took him to the main building of the ranch and pointed at two rooms next to each other. The guest rooms were Gabriel's first guess, but Rayl did not say a word.
Gabriel went into one, and wow, Rayl wasn't joking. Though "dusting" just wouldn't quite do it. "Got a duster or cloth we could use to clean this place up?" he joked around. "And now I wish I had specialized in water magic."
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jan 7, 2010 22:00:07 GMT -6
"I never really have company, but I always kept these rooms there, just in case..." he sighed as he leaned his lance against a wall, taking the broom that was resting beside it...and this was where some of his lance training paid off. Handing Gabriel a broom as well, he made his way through, sweeping back and forth hastily (not to just get it over with mind you), every now and then thrusting the sweeping object against the roof to help get rid of cobwebs...
He couldn't help but smirk as this oximoron: when he was a child living on this ranch, he used to always dream of being a knight, using a pitchfork or broom from his chores and pretending he was a knight...and now he was a knight trying to clean in the same method he would use a lance...
" I will let you sleep on the thought of joining up with our ranks, Gabriel. I'd rather you be able to think with a calm mind." he spoke from a small dust cloud, bringing back the previous conversation," Also, I'll return later to the king to talk about...well, The Ostian Incident."
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Saffra
Dragon
The Winged Girl
Posts: 169
Lycia Fame: -1
Profession: Ill Omen
Affinity: Fire
Dragon Element: Ice
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Post by Saffra on Jan 7, 2010 22:06:10 GMT -6
This is Pherae?
Saffra seemed a little puzzled, wrapped in a pure white garb as she walked around, eying the tall buildings, never having actually been to a city in many decades. She was always amazed at human cultivation, and the need for aesthetics to their living area....but she had learnt over her many generations of life, that since the human life was short and mortal, they grew at a fast rate. it was always something amazing the marvel at...these creatures...humans were the absolute rulers of the known world, despite what many dragons would believe.
Sighing, she would pass by briskly, her white garb shrouding herself to the fullest, there weren't even holes for arms. However, under her robes, she had her wings wrapped fully around herself, almost like a second layer of clothing, the way they kept at her body, but she also looked rather bulky, well, bulkier than she should have been. sighing, sh met eyes with many, most of whom dropped their gaze at the sight of her yellow, narrowly-slitted eyes. This was her choice of life for herself now, no use being depressed over something she could remedy easily, but wouldn't.
After a few hours of walking around, she noticed that she had moved out of the common grounds of the city, and was actually now near a ranch. She had been brooding amongst herself the entire time, and didn't really look up from the ground except for now. She turned her head and looked at the fencing. The place was large...so much land owned by one person? Must be some kind of lord. Saffra felt a tugging in the back of her mind saying that she should proceed no further...but her curiosity got the better of her.
She didn't take the way up along the road to the estate, but instead, she moved through the open stretch of land quietly, and eyed a young girl, with a horse. Her footsteps were almost non-existent in sound, until she came within about twenty-five to thirty feet of the girl and the horse, but keeping her hood up.
She began to speak, but saw the horse eying her now, and felt a little awkward. Unsure if the girl would follow through with looking towards her, she figured it'd be prompt to be the first to speak, clutching tightly at the staff held to her bosom between her wings and her body, which were still hidden under the white cloth garb.
"Excuse me.." she spoke softly, but always filed with a determined tone. "Who's ranch is this, child?" Immediately, she felt like an idiot, saying 'child' since really, Saffra didn't look any older than Chelsea did.
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Karina
The "Before" years
[M:1000]
Submit to the short skirt!!!
Posts: 132
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Post by Karina on Jan 7, 2010 22:09:55 GMT -6
Karina jolted awake after dozing off in her saddle again. She had been flying on Sascha for almost four days, only stopping to let her steed eat and rest. She had saved time by eating while in the saddle, but she had made it. A nomad told her that Pherae was the best place, besides the dangerous Eutria, to find magic users. She noticed a stable and told Sascha to land.
Not many Pegasi here, Karina thought, I hope we don't stick out took much.
Karina noticed a small group of people talking amongst themselves. One girl was an archer. She looked like she came from Sacae, someone who she should fear. The other girl looked sort of like some kind of magic user, from all of th elayers of clotheing she was wearing The last one she saw was a young-looking boy. He looked like some sort of mage, though one who had just started out, judging from his youthful face and short cape. She examined him in a bit more detail, trying to judge whether or not she should approach him. She made up her mind and walked over to the group.
"E-exuse me, but are you the owner of this stable? I-I'd like to stay here the night with my pegasus. I will pay whatever you want..." she asked the archer in a small voice.
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Post by Chelsea Dagger on Jan 7, 2010 22:50:54 GMT -6
Chelsea felt slightly overwhelmed at first, being asked questions by two people at once. She recovered quickly and took them in stride. She turned first to the pegasus knight, "No, this isn't my ranch, but I can bring you to the owner if you'd like. And no need to be nervous, I don't bite," she said, giggling. She then turned to the mysterious lady in some kind of white garb. "This ranch belongs to Sir Rayl. I can get him for you if you'd like." So much excitement in such a short time!
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Saffra
Dragon
The Winged Girl
Posts: 169
Lycia Fame: -1
Profession: Ill Omen
Affinity: Fire
Dragon Element: Ice
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Post by Saffra on Jan 7, 2010 23:03:59 GMT -6
Saffra turned to look at the young girl who came in with the pegasus. She took a moment to eye the winged horse, They were rather rare in general, especially since they mostly just came from Ilia...but even then, their numbers were small, well, smaller than they used to be. Her golden eyes fell onto the young rider, and flashed a soft smile as she offered a small bow to the noble pegasi rider.
However, she couldn't let her attention linger upon the knight, and looked to Chelsea as she responded and gave a curt nod, a barely movable action, as she processed the information.
Rayl? I don't think he has anything to do with Robert's daughter...but better to make sure...
She would of held out her hand to motion for the girl to go get this Sir Rayl, but her arms were trapped behind her wings under the garb, and spoke up quickly.
"If that wouldn't be so much trouble, and I think think the rider would prefer that as well, mmm? After all, as she said, she would like residence for her pegasi, and shelter over her head.."
Saffra knew it was rather rude to speak for another, but she was in a hurry herself, she wanted to be done with her task, before she could go back to trying to live a life of her own.
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Post by Chelsea Dagger on Jan 7, 2010 23:11:48 GMT -6
Chelsea was slightly taken aback by the forewardness of this mystery lady, but didn't question it. She was either always like this or in some kind of hurry and either way it was none of her business. She gave them both a nod, "Stay here and I'll go get him. Shouldn't be more than a few minutes."
Hoping nothing would happen to Spirit while she was gone, she hurried into the house, looking around for Rayl. Finally, she heard his voice coming from a room and poked her head inside. "Er... Sir Rayl? There are two people outside who'd like to speak with you."
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jan 7, 2010 23:22:58 GMT -6
Rayl peeked outside from the room, now filled with dust from the sweeping, wiping some off himself," I'll be out in a moment then." he set the broom against the wall, giving an 'I'll be back' look to Gabriel ( no reference intended...I'm getting into that bad habit...), before grabbing his lance and heading outside. Exiting the main living quarters of his ranch, he was greeted first by Elibe who knew he'd be out soon anyways, and his hound dog, who yapped at his side as he headed to the barn, looking out into the fenced pasture at his horses and cattle, a smile on his face, before stepping inside.
His first look was to the Pegasi, and immediately he thought Persephone, and was almost excited...however this died just as instantaneously when he noticed it's own was not, in fact, his lost love. His attention then went to the woman in the white cloak...something about her was familiar...and not in a good way...
OOC: My Drago senses are tingling!
IC again: dusting himself off abit on his armor, he put a hand to his chest and bowed," Pardon my appearance, I was merely keeping house: I am Sir Rayl, knight and emissary of Pherae, at your service, strangers. What is it that you need?" rising back to a normal posture, he paused before kneeling down, petting his dog who was wagging it's tail. Despite his status he was still an odd person: he didn't have servants to assist in his homekeeping like some of the other veteran knights did, again obvious by the dust on him, yet the luster of his new armor still seemed untarnished...only thing that didn't seem so glamorous was the tattered scarf of his lost idol: Crowley...but even then, it seemed to add to his appearance, as the giant horse Elibe returned to it's friend's side as always: Rayl had already removed it's saddle, and would remove it's armoring soon.
OOC: Cookies to whoever gets the intentional reference.
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Saffra
Dragon
The Winged Girl
Posts: 169
Lycia Fame: -1
Profession: Ill Omen
Affinity: Fire
Dragon Element: Ice
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Post by Saffra on Jan 7, 2010 23:43:47 GMT -6
Saffra eyed the man closely, but kept a rather plan look on her face. She shifted a little in position, feeling a bit nervous, knowing she'd have to show the staff, but how would she show it without parting her wings to allow an arm to be pushed through the cape that covered her...and if, when she did get an arm out, what if he saw her wings, if even by accident? Shaking her head mildly, she took to giving Rayl a small bow, which was odd, since her coverings moved with her wings, which didn't allow her to bow very well..
"Greetings to you, your lands and your house, Sir Rayl of Pherae...might I say, your lands are vast, and your animals look strong and healthy, clearly a testament to how great you are as a keeper...but.." she paused for a moment and shifted her eyes down a little, then looking back and forth. "..I am sorry, words lost me for a moment. Your lands confuse me, but I am glad I have reached the proper place...I am looking for someone, might you have heard of a woman named Precilla Abais? I heard she had married a knight of this city."
Taking a deep breath, she parted her wings a little, which caused the cape to push and become more revealing, showing her red and white traveling clothes, as well as the scarf around her neck. As well as her wings, in a quick flash of light, icey blue colour . Pushing the staff forwards, she held the wealthy-looking staff, ordained with a large emerald jewel.
"...as a request of her dead father, I have traveled from Eturia, to bring this to her, as his testament to his final will...his name was Robert...please...have you heard?"
Her eyes searched the girl and Rayl's, almost having forgotten the Pegasi Knight, but she had doubted that she would have known anything at all pertaining to this..she looked foreign as well.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jan 8, 2010 0:06:52 GMT -6
Rayl listened to her formalities with a smile. He had to hear them often, and thus they had become a part of his life. However, Elibe was edgy as well, she smelled...of ash. His dog also smelled this and barked and whined for a bit, before heading off to watch the animals. She then spoke of a Priscilla Abais, and his mind began to scan his memories of anyone of that name. Before nodding his head," Yes...I believe I have. She is married to-" that's when she revealed the staff...among other things. Oh he saw the wings alright, both he and Elibe saw them. The horse reared in anger, and Rayl, even this peaceful man, already had his lance ready and pointed at her," Dragon huh? What, so you came here to finish me off huh? Did have enough fun burning that city? Killing all those innocent people?" Yes he had her confused with Aerious, for he had never seen that particular manakete in human form. His usual pleasant and happy face was twisted in anger, of six years resentment, and he was just about ready to attack, when...
...well, he remembered what Barigan spoke of...but...this was different! It was a dragon! Barigan had slain them too!
...slain them only for preservation of his own people...slowly, he lowered his lance, and Elibe, sharing the same thoughts (as always) with it's master, began to calm down, but you could tell they were both wary,"...Prescilla Abais is married to Sir Jin (OOC: Get it? Surgeon?)." He rested his lance back into the ground, twisting it in his hands, making a slight indentation in the wooden flooring,"...pardon my...outburst madame manakete, I have made the terrible error of mistaking you for a...less than savorable beast of your race. Please forgive" he'd also just remembered at the time that the dragon that assault Bern was in all actuality a male, as he had, briefly, heard it speak to that Wyvern Rider Alan.
At this stage, both mount and blade calmed down, and he let the weapon rest at the side of one of the stalls," If you wish, I may show you to them in the morning, you may stay here for the night...I'd recommend you not show the people around here what you really are though..." his smile returned to his face, guilt was obviously on his conscious though," And what do you need, maiden of the Frosty Mountains?"
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