Maya stood looking down from the ledge that ran the walls of the building just below the roof, she had been sitting here for hours, her patience unwavering, the blood had stopped circulating through her legs hours ago but still she waited and would continue to wait for hours more yet. She pondered if these particular tasks were left for her because of her tolerence for flitting by time or if it was because of her abilities, she didn't know, if it meant she was allowed to have her freedom, her peace, her time as shehe chose it, mostly, then she didnt want to know. Maya enjoyed death, what it presented, what it meant to her and that was reward enough. It had been only 5 hours, since the guard her and her halfling friend disposed of had been found, leaving her somewhat dissapointed she couldnt see the reaction their masterpiece had caused, however she was sure in due time, she would. At that moment in her thought, a trumpet split the air as below her, foot soldiers began leaving the compound in formation heading in to town, opening the window with as much quiet as s he could muster Maya dissapeared from the buildings ledge inside the building itself. Here she would wait out the day in solace, for tonight, she would be doing one for herself, tonight she was going to savour the death she caused, harness that passion, she was going to continue with her work, and if that tattered group of do gooders didn't get the message a few hours ago, They will this time.
The light extinguished and the door closed, both Naveen and her husband leant briefly against the wall, smiling to one another, their kids soon to slumber from just being tucked in, they held hands and left the hall to retire into the living area. "Tea love? " he asked as she flopped bodily into the frayed chair and nodded, fixing her a cup he handed it to her, and went to make sure the cabbins small door was bolted over before they retired, as he approached the door, his own tea cup fell to the floor with a shatter, and he leant to the coat rack reaching for his sword to release it from his scabbard, but he never had the time to grab it, inside the door was a woman, her hair scraggly and brown, her barely covered skin pale in the moonlight and he was powerless to move. A blade appearing at his throat, held tightly in her hand, pressed to his throat, urging him back into the living room. "Who are you, and what do you want with us?" The husband asked as the woman stopped ushering him back. "Who I am does not matter, Who you are Gerald does, who you work for Gerald, does, all you need know is I'm here to leave a message" the woman hissed. "Now, take these here Gerald, thats a man, don't falter now Gerald, or I'm going to kill your wif e....... Good Man Gerald.. " Maya smiled and handed him 4 large mining cart rail spikes from her cloak pocket. "Now Gerald, instruct your wife to kneel down here please, your going to nail her to the floor.... "
The Fountain runs Red
The day was warm, it was going to be unusually stiffling. If there was anything Abraxus hated more then anything it was feeling stifled. Ah the birds are singing, the paperboy is calling out his news, its a horrible sound.. A happy market place, laughing children, the world doing its thing in rotation. An ear splitting scream? No... I'm hearing things. No there it is again. That sound I can appreciate, cherrish, that sound is like a golden harp playing out its last serenade.. Perfect and beautiful. Before Abraxus even knew it, she was running, picking her way deftly through the chorus of astounded market goers, travelling the mere few hundred feet to her destination The commotion was endless, vendors were slamming closed doors and boxes on the wares, the towns Militia was flooding the area, and amid it all that scream, piercing, oblittering its way into all calm sensibilities. A woman clutched her head in her hands, her clothes dirty from the dust floating its way around the market place, and she was histerical, following her gaze and anguish Abraxus couldn't help but smile, there strung up against the fountain for the world to see a harsh glimmer in the light, as soon as the glare passed Abraxus was able to see, her heart stopping a moment pure appreciation at the devotion taken, was shredded chainmail, soaked in blood, the mutilated corpse of a Radiant Heart Guard, turning on her heel she exited the town center to return home, eagerly interested in what this might mean for her.
Bloody Sorrow from a RadiantHeart
Maya moved through the darkened streets with little noise, the occasional scratching of her cloak on the cobblestones not even irritating her companion, who was picking through the shadows beside her with a cunning smile. "How much further little demon? The sun approaches soon, and it brings with it the happyness and joy these vile pigs are spreading, it fouls my dark heart" The little head bobbed up and down slightly in front of her now as he turned sharply down an alleyway to his left, crossing through it and a few more turns they arrived on Arsenal street. "For all their whispers and guidance Maya, you need to relax, those gods should give you some insight? Eh? " with a scoffing chuckle, his dexterous fingers flicked in the air indicating for her to keep on the move. After about fifteen minutes of snaking turns and dusty streets, they had arrived at thier destination, instantly the pair seperated, the tall slender woman dissapearing to the left, lost in the shadows of the hedged fence. The little head kept walking foward, his face grew an apprehensive expression and his eyes began to water, as he ran, flailing and in a panic toward the two guards standing by the gate. "I need help, I need help, right away its my friend, she has been attacked! I could not move her! " The little man reached out a hand to the guards elbow. The guard seeming to be caught in the middle of a moral objection looked hastily toward the other guard, the second guards face mirroring his own. "Wait here Haverman, signal the platoon, when you can be relieved join me, I may need help with the woman, call the priests too, have someone on standby! " As the guard started off after the Halfling he finished "Hurry little man, let us reach your friend". As the two ran down the street a little way, when they rounded the corner into the nearby park, The guard hastened, for there indeed before him was a woman laying face first in the road. The guard bent down over her, a hand caustiously outstetched "Maa.... " The words were cut off as a river of blood flowed over the mans chainmail uniform to splatter on the woman below him, with a grunt the woman pushed the heavy body to roll off her and hit the road with a squelching thud. "Come on then Imitidoras, lets get on with leaving our message" and bowing down over the carcass of the RadiantHeart guard, the two set to work disembowling and re organising the guards limbs on his bloody corpse. The two dragged the disfigured corpse a few hundred feet, stringing it up over the shiny white marble of the fountain, with in moments, sinew and blood tainted the drinking water, the fleshy corpse dangling in the breeze.
Keepers Of Balance 2
Jayden waited in Westbridge for two days when the courier returned with a letter. Once read there was a smile forming on the old man's face, "Oh how you work in myseterious ways, thank you my Lord."
The next few days were spent walking around Westbridge reaquainting himself with the area as the place to meet was set in a bake shop. Jayden walked with haste down the street as he saw the lady in his dreams walking. Once caught up Jayden smiled and took a bow in front of Sanria. "Would you like to find a place to sit?" Sanria looked at Jayden, "If you wish m'lady." Sanria nodded and walked to the Coffee Cafe, Jayden followed a heavy burden lifting from his shoulders.
"I've not been here in ages it seems" Sanria spoke as Jayden pulled a chair from the table for her and motioned "Please ladies first." They both sat "So, I suppose as we wait for Annie to make her rounds, I should let you know that we have read your note and found it intriguing." Jayden's smile lifted slowly and kindly.
The talk lasted quite awhile as they discussed what brought them onto this path and how Jayden could help on this cause. Sanria asked him for a favor, to help out a man. Jayden took flight after their meeting to help the man.
Jayden met the man in a hut and from there proceeded to aid him where others would merely shrug him off and leave. As he left Jayden felt watched, just as he turned Sanria stood smileing "Welcome to our ranks, Sir Jayden. May you find these halls ever your home."
The next few days were spent walking around Westbridge reaquainting himself with the area as the place to meet was set in a bake shop. Jayden walked with haste down the street as he saw the lady in his dreams walking. Once caught up Jayden smiled and took a bow in front of Sanria. "Would you like to find a place to sit?" Sanria looked at Jayden, "If you wish m'lady." Sanria nodded and walked to the Coffee Cafe, Jayden followed a heavy burden lifting from his shoulders.
"I've not been here in ages it seems" Sanria spoke as Jayden pulled a chair from the table for her and motioned "Please ladies first." They both sat "So, I suppose as we wait for Annie to make her rounds, I should let you know that we have read your note and found it intriguing." Jayden's smile lifted slowly and kindly.
The talk lasted quite awhile as they discussed what brought them onto this path and how Jayden could help on this cause. Sanria asked him for a favor, to help out a man. Jayden took flight after their meeting to help the man.
Jayden met the man in a hut and from there proceeded to aid him where others would merely shrug him off and leave. As he left Jayden felt watched, just as he turned Sanria stood smileing "Welcome to our ranks, Sir Jayden. May you find these halls ever your home."
Keepers Of Balance
He sat at his table in silence, the candle burning dim. thoughts of things unknown at the time dwelling in Jayden's mind, "What are these thoughts, what is it you wish of me my savior?", Jayden asked aloud.
As Jayden layed to sleep in his bed as the candle died into darkness, thoughts still weighing heavily from earlier, he then drifted into deep slumber. Dreams of an order, a balance filled the void of sleep.
The sun came up just as Jayden woke, straight as a board he rose. "I understand my Lord, I will seek this out." Jayden dressed in his robes and left the cabin behind.
Westbridge was filled with people as Jayden passed asking all he could of his vision. Once his answers were filled he found the courier, placed a note freshly written in the boy's hands, "Make haste son, for this is an urgent matter, and thank you for helping in the Lords work." he spoke softly and he crossed his heart praying for the childs safe return.
"The Keepers of Balance....They fight for the same goals as I.... I must find them and ally myself with them for the Lord once again guides me to the light."
As Jayden layed to sleep in his bed as the candle died into darkness, thoughts still weighing heavily from earlier, he then drifted into deep slumber. Dreams of an order, a balance filled the void of sleep.
The sun came up just as Jayden woke, straight as a board he rose. "I understand my Lord, I will seek this out." Jayden dressed in his robes and left the cabin behind.
Westbridge was filled with people as Jayden passed asking all he could of his vision. Once his answers were filled he found the courier, placed a note freshly written in the boy's hands, "Make haste son, for this is an urgent matter, and thank you for helping in the Lords work." he spoke softly and he crossed his heart praying for the childs safe return.
"The Keepers of Balance....They fight for the same goals as I.... I must find them and ally myself with them for the Lord once again guides me to the light."
All Things Considered
The six beings reconvened in the large meeting room and sat at the table. Fenlauch seated himself at the head of the table and looked from Sanria, to Vorcet, to Kineada. "So, do you three feel you could aid us in our task?"
Sanria smiled broadly. To her, it was the beginning of a new mode of living, a new beginning that she could not have anticipated being placed before her. "Of course," she replied. Kineada leaned back in his seat with a smirk, his hands folded loosely over his lap. "I suppose a new adventure is in order." Vorcet gave a nod, reminiscent of a solder. "I admit I am beyond intrigued, and what you have shown me may very well help me understand even more of this realm."
"Then it is settled," Fenlauch replied with a nod. "Now, we will entrust the three of you to set to rights the imbalances within the realms. You will do it not for power, not for fame, but for the assurance that balance is the way to ensure a measure of peace and knowledge and, above all, truth. You'll need a name. Something for those of your realm to know you by."
Sanria looked toward the table in thought while Kineada merely shrugged, "Names aren't quite as important to me," he replied.
"I'm not certain what we should consider ourselves," said Sanria.
Vorcet leaned forward, his face concentrated, his gaze focused. "I believe we should call ourselves the Keepers of Balance."
"Simplicity I can appreciate," Kineada said with a nod.
"As can I," replied Fenlauch with a smile.
Sanria nodded as Fenlauch rose from the table. He looked at each of them. "Go forth and gather your fellow keepers. Let us stabilize this period of time, and every day into the future."
Sanria's eyes welled and her heart filled with pride. She finally had a new place to call home, and a way to bring others to a peace she had no doubt she would soon find.
Sanria smiled broadly. To her, it was the beginning of a new mode of living, a new beginning that she could not have anticipated being placed before her. "Of course," she replied. Kineada leaned back in his seat with a smirk, his hands folded loosely over his lap. "I suppose a new adventure is in order." Vorcet gave a nod, reminiscent of a solder. "I admit I am beyond intrigued, and what you have shown me may very well help me understand even more of this realm."
"Then it is settled," Fenlauch replied with a nod. "Now, we will entrust the three of you to set to rights the imbalances within the realms. You will do it not for power, not for fame, but for the assurance that balance is the way to ensure a measure of peace and knowledge and, above all, truth. You'll need a name. Something for those of your realm to know you by."
Sanria looked toward the table in thought while Kineada merely shrugged, "Names aren't quite as important to me," he replied.
"I'm not certain what we should consider ourselves," said Sanria.
Vorcet leaned forward, his face concentrated, his gaze focused. "I believe we should call ourselves the Keepers of Balance."
"Simplicity I can appreciate," Kineada said with a nod.
"As can I," replied Fenlauch with a smile.
Sanria nodded as Fenlauch rose from the table. He looked at each of them. "Go forth and gather your fellow keepers. Let us stabilize this period of time, and every day into the future."
Sanria's eyes welled and her heart filled with pride. She finally had a new place to call home, and a way to bring others to a peace she had no doubt she would soon find.
Books
After turning the last page, Ror closed the tome and put it on the pile on the right of him. He crossed the name out on the papyrus scoll before him and picked up a book from the pile on the left. "Magic: Technical Details on Lifeforce Manipulation," read Ror on the cover and he grunted. The theoretical ones on the topic of magic were always a bit on the dry side. Good writers were rare among wizards and the like. He placed the book in front of him on the TriPower crest, opened it and started to read.
How many books were left to go? He had no idea, but he knew that sooner or later, he would have read them all in this library and then training would be complete.
How many books were left to go? He had no idea, but he knew that sooner or later, he would have read them all in this library and then training would be complete.
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