Baranthia Time: The Month of Ruan, 5056 Roleplay Time: The Month of January, 2006 The Monthly Baranthian: Please visit to get updates on each kingdom. Shout Box 1/9/06: Everyone's getting involved with The Kidnapping, so that's awesome! There are a couple of threads you may want to check out: The Kidnapping and Summon The Brotherhood. Other than that, I think we're off to a good start :) 12/30/05: The Runath Royal Feast is up and running! Anyone traveling through can visit all month long!

[Tokar Dirin]

EARLY MORNING New Year's Day

“Three days from now, bring three wagons full of your finest treasury contents to the southern border if you want to see the Princess still living, the King must come himself, with few guards, and be prepared to negotiate.”

The simple script scrawled clearly across the parchment swam before Tokar's eyes. The King's jaw was clenched and the grinding of his back teeth was very audible. His right hand, clenched around the leather-wrapped hilt of the dagger, was white-knuckled. Blue eyes blazed with pure, undiluted anger while his face was drawn into a ferocious mask of demonic rage. The noble man's chest, swathed in simple white linen, swelled as he drew in a breath, then another. The part of his brain still capable of humor and concious thought said, Nope, that didn't work. At all. After making that pitiable attempt to calm his rage Tokar roared:

"Malthus!"

After the short talk with Nia in his study, Tokar had been in a glowing mood. A smile had crinkled the corners of his electric blue eyes and he'd gone back too work with a lighter air than before. By the time the cnadles burned down, the all-important hour had passed and it had been a new year in the kingdom of Fordin. It was a relief that no one had come to fetch him and force him into some ostentatious get-up to be paraded before the nobles and the common people. He had looked in on the festivities, careful not to be seen, but had not seen Nia. That had suprised him, for he had expected her to be up late dancing. Tokar hadn't been worried, he'd simply headed off to see if she was in her chamber. His only goal had been to confirm she had enjoyed herself and that no one had cut (socially) her.

That was when he'd found the note on the door to her room.

----------------

Malthus had been heading toward the King's study, bent upon nagging him into making an appearance at the feast when the roar reached him. As the old counsellor was already in the royal wing, it did not take him long to sprint to the Princess' chamber. His shrewd, all-seeing eyes quickly took in the note in the King's left hand, the dagger clenched in his right and the look on his face before he spoke.

"My Lord?"

-----------------

"Summon the Brotherhood."

The king's voice was curt and precise, boiling with barely controlled rage. The Brotherhood was a band of elite soldiers, many of them from the regiment Tokar had commanded in his Army days. They were comprised of various nobles and enlisted men, but all of them shared a fierce loyalty to the royal family and were, to a man, renowned soldiers. Skilled and ruthless. They had sworn a secret and sacred oath, and would come at his command. Many were in the city already, hopefully enough to initiate the plan that was, at that very moment forming in his mind.

The original rage had subsided, and cold, calculating purpose was beginning to take its place. He had forced emotion - anger, worry and fear - into a tightly sealed mental box until there was nothing left. Nothing but plans, schematics and strategies....

This post has been edited by Tokar Dirin on Jan 8 2006, 12:08 AM

[Tokar Dirin]

"And get me the Captain of the Royal Gaurd. Wake him if you must. Send them all to my study."

Tokar added the last over his shoulder as he strode quickly toward the study he had only recently left. His mind was completely focused on the task ahead. The idea of actually paying the ransom was unthinkable, such a thing would be pounced upon as a weakness to be exploited to the fullest. Rather, he must formulate a plan to get Nia back. There was also the matter of revenge. The king had a good idea about who had instigated the kidnapping, but he would not act without proof. He firmly pushed plots of strategies regarding the retribution he would wreak on Gavan to a corner of his mind for later consideration. Nia came first.

------

Malthus gulped, for he had a healthy respect of many of the members of the brotherhood. He did not feel especially privileged to be allowed into the king's coonfidence regarding them, for he felt they were an overly violent bunch. Besides, summoning them all on such short notice would be nigh on impossible. Certainly, the ones in the city would come, but there were few enough present... Malthus sighed. Today was /not/ going to be a good day.

First, he bustled off to waken the captain of the guard. After that, he sent a servant to roust the few noble members of the brotherhood that were in the castle at the moment.

------

A sharp, military rap roused Tokar from his brooding. "In," The command was growled, but the captain entered promptly and saluted smartly.

"My lord, you summoned me?"

Tokar had no time for any sort of witty repartee or formalities so his voice was abrupt as he ordered a check on the sentries, not giving any explaination as to what the urgency of such a routine was. The guard, not daring to question his soveriegn in such a mood, bowed and left immediately to do so himself.

[Calasear]

Virgil had reluctantly attended the party that evening. He had to leave his family at home and he would have much rather preferred to have been with them. Dressed in dark colors, the tall man was wearing his usual garb of armor. A black leather jerkin covered his chain mail and a heavy fur lined cloak covered that. His dark blond hair hung down around his face as he scratched at his beard. The night had been boring and he stayed out of the ballroom, opting to stay out on the expansive balcony. Several others had gathered out there and Virgil lit the short pipe he had brought with him.

Sitting on the flat rail on the balcony, the noble stared out to the north, toward his home. One hand held his pipe, the other rested on his sword hilt. The music from the party faded in and out with the opening and closing of the glass doors. Other than the murmuring voices of the shadows, the night was silent.

Tapping his pipe on the stone rail, Virgil had finished his smoking and giving thought to returning inside when a young servant approached him. Waving the youth forward, Virgil mustered a smile so the boy wouldn't be so nervous. His grim aura often unsettled people. The boy stepped up and whispered something into Virgil's ear. The faint smile that had been there immediately vanished. He clapped the boy on the shoulder and nodded to him. The boy ran off.

Virgil gave a final look over the northern horizon, wrapping his cloak around him and headed inside. Something had happened; the King was summoning the Brotherhood. Virgil stormed down the hall, his mood darkening with each step. Something was seriously wrong; the Brotherhood did not meet for frivolous matters. The hall was silent and the air was heavy. The air grew thicker as he reached the doors to the study. Virgil stopped and knocked loudly at the oaken door.

[Tokar Dirin]

"And how, pray tell, did two gaurds become so inattentive as to get stabbed in the back?"

Tokar's voice was icy with contempt and leashed rage. Wisely, the captain kept his own counsel. Any comment he made would have only singled him out as a target to vent for the king to vent his rage on. Finally, with a growl of disgust, the King dismissed the unfortunate man with curt instructions.

"Say nothing of this; dispose of the bodies and tell any who ask that they died in a drunken brawl."

The captain of the gaurd, who was competent, but unfortunate, bowed and left the room quickly. He had two trusted men bury the bodies of the slain gaurds, and then, uncertain of what else to do, returned to the festivities. Though he though the events of the night passing strange, he pushed away his pondering for another time and drowned himself in a good mug of ale.

=----=

He should probably have at least one wagon filled with treasure. Gaudy looking things such as large, low quality gems and gold-painted jewelry. New stuff, that sparkled and glittered and wasn't worth more than a few coins. Perhaps one actual piece to draw attention away from the inadequacies of the others... In the other two wagons, he would put some good-fighters. Not those of the Brotherhood, but warriors none-the-less. Three of the Brotherhood would ride with him, in plain sight. Others, supplemented by some of his garrison, would follow just far enough behind so as not to be seen...

Tokar's plotting was interupted by a firm knock at the door. Not Malthus, nor a servant then. One of the Brotherhood, if he were lucky. "Enter," His tone was only slightly less short than previously, but still noticeably aggravated. He stayed in the leather chair, but his pose was far from relaxed; on the contrary, he was like a tiger, crouching as it waited for the chance to attack. In front of him, on the desk, were scattered three documents: a contents of the royal treasure vaults, a list of the fighters in his garrison and the ransom note. Tokar's left hand was splayed flat on the desk, the other idly flicked what the King now thought of as the dagger spinning upwards before he caught it. As the door opened, he looked up and set the dagger carefully on the desk.

This post has been edited by Tokar Dirin on Jan 9 2006, 08:58 PM

[Calasear]

Virgil lifted the latch handle on the door and walked in. A proud man, Virgil walked into the study, the lights low casting the room in malevolent shadows. The King sat at the head of the table and Virgil's gaze went from his King to the items on the table. His eyes moved quickly past the list of warriors, familiar with the names, his blue eyes rested more heavily on the hastily scrawled bit of parchment.

His gaze returned to his King. Seated, the man exuded more power and fear than any other Virgil had ever met. He walked over to him. Virgil stopped in front of him, raising his right arm to his chest, bowing at the waist. "My King," Virgil said, his calm voice piercing the tension in the room, "What has happened?" Virgil asked, raising himself, resuming his usual height. Virgil had read the note, but he was not bold enough to make any ascertains, yet. If the note was true, then the situation was far graver than he had thought it to be. This wasn't not only a kidnapping, but depending on the kidnapper, this could be the incident that launched a war.

[Tokar Dirin]

Tokar watched quietly as Virgil took in the documents on his desk. Virgil's face was already grim, as well it should be. The King had not summoned the full force of the Brotherhood in several years. Such a thing was cause for alarm, indeed. Hard blue eyes watched Lord Calasear approach, and the dark-skinned ruler acknowledged the salute with a quick, approving nod.

"What has happened?"

Though Tokar knew that Calasear feared to jump to conclusions, it still irritated him slightly, illogical as such a thing was. Sharply, he admonished himself, Save your anger for Nia's captors. Discord is not a good thing at the moment. Quickly, he focused himself once again on the task at hand. This was rather difficult for him, as he rarely restrained violent emotions, but right now the person he wished to lash out at was a faithful, unswerving vassal. His equal in all but title and estate.

"Someone, very highly trained, entered the castle. Supposedly by scaling the wall. He killed two watchmen; stabbed them in the back. Nia was taken, presumably several hours ago. It is too late for us to catch them before they reach the border. Some fool gaurds were distracted by an unauthorized fireworks display inside the castle grounds. Since they seem unable to find whoever set them, I'm assuming it was a distraction. And it worked, damn it!" Tokar controlled himself and continued on: "So no one noticed that the princess royale was missing until I went to look for her. I found this pinning the note inside the door." Tokar tapped the hilt of the dagger.

Again, Tokar forced back the urge to jump on a horse and ride hard after the kidnapper. His perceptive blue eyes monitored Virgil as he awaited the noble's reaction. Calasear would be angry, but Tokar knew he would disguise any emotion well, retreating behind a stoic mask.

[Calasear]

And indeed it was the mask Virgil donned, save for his eyes. Anyone who knew him could read the anger there all too easily. He had a family as well, including a new baby. The worst thing he could imagine was one of his children to be snatched away from him. He had listened silently as Tokar spoke; he picked up the dagger, examining the tool. The dagger was much lighter than it looked.

"I wouldn't be so sure, my lord, about not being able to reach them" Virgil said, looking over at him, "This was a poor time of year to kidnap a person. The weather could prove detrimental." He said, setting the dagger on the table.

"And if the princess's demeanor has not changed since I last saw her, this kidnapper will find himself in a hard place." Virgil added. "Can the mounted scouts be sent to the borders to warn the garrisons there? Unless they've been put on the alert, I know they will not trouble themselves with two lone travelers." It was a true fact. In an effort to encourage trade, the guards had been instructed to interfere as little as possible with passing merchants and adventurers.

The study was full of many things, maps were numerous in number. He walked over to a large one that had been lying open on a smaller desk nearby. His fingers traced the route from Malorn City to the nearest Gavan border. "If they were sent now, they could be there within only a few hours." Virgil said, looking back at Tokar.

This post has been edited by Calasear on Jan 10 2006, 12:54 PM

[Maximillion Dirin]

A black haired stallion sped through the gates into the castle. Riding upon the beautiful black horse was the youngest member of the Dirin family, Maximillion. The very second he passed through the gate he took quick notice of the chefs, cooks, and servants running about getting ready for the party that was to take place soon. I wonder how many people are going to show up tonight. With a smile on his face the young prince kicked the horse on the side and it started to walk through the snow covered ground.

As he rode through a few of the servants waved at the passing heir, though he knew that his older brother would be the one to get the crown when his father died. He just waved and smiled at them but kept on his short journey to the stables, not sure if his father was awaked yet or not. It was still early in the first day of the New Year, even for Maximillion. He was only up this early because it was one of the only times that he was able to get in a bit of magic practice before the whole kingdom was alive and moving. His eye cut towards the bag that was hanging from the side of the black stallion. I have to get that cleaned and fast.

He rode into the stable and quickly dismounted in one jump. He had on a fur coat that covered the top part of his garment and a pair of black boots. It wasn't odd for this time of year to see people wearing such things as it was snowing and very cold out. Lifting the bag onto his own shoulders the young black haired man ran into the castle where it was much warmer. He moved through the maze of a home heading towards his room.

I have to change before dad sees me wearing this garment. He was wearing the Sorcerer garment only because he had gotten his normal clothing dirty when he fell off the horse on his way back home. He knew he should have taken another route but it was the fastest one back. His footsteps rang down the hall as he graced them with his presence. He could see the dim light coming from his fathers' study and felt his heart stop.

He stood frozen in time it seemed as he looked at the faint light from the room. His grip on his overcoat grew tighter as he started to walk once again. Let him be sleep, let him sleep, let him be sleep. He just prayed that something was taking his fathers time so that he could hurry pass and change clothes and then head back down. He walked passed the door and looked in at one of the member from the brotherhood and his father at his desk.

Why is Virgil here. He was caught up in his thoughts about why the man was there that it slipped from his mind that he was supposed to be trying to sneak pass the office. His silver hues danced across the room and its many items within it.


This post has been edited by Maximillion Dirin on Jan 10 2006, 12:26 PM

[Zarek Shrygius Riseth]

- - -
Earlier that morning...
- - -

It was scarcely past midnight, and yet Zarek was still awake. Of course, this new day being the first day of the new year, that was hardly surprising. More than half the city was up and about, dancing, drinking, singing, talking, roughhousing, and generally celebrating. The noise could be heard even in the bowels of the castle deep down in the cold dungeons, where Zarek often worked on... Well, no one but he and Seviss really, knew, did they? Of course not, and neither of the two mentioned above were apt to tell or show anyone without reason.

Zarek was not working right now though. No, he was partaking in the festivities in his own fashion. The first person to suggest he was drinking would be a fool, the one to suggest dancing an idiot. No, he stood upon one of the long balconies on the side of the castle, his hands upon the cold stone railing in front of him. Seviss was curled leisurely about his neck, able to withstand the cold thanks to a minor cold resistance spell that Zarek had used on his familiar.

From his high perch above the partiers, Zarek could watch a wide variety of celebrations. A view through a tavern window depicted several rowdy-looking men hanging all over each other, slopping some kind of alcohol all over themselves, and either singing or shouting-Zarek couldn't be sure which. In the place normally occupied by merchant carts(during the day only, of course), several shabbily dressed people danced around a lute-playing bard whose instrument badly needed a tune-up. And finally, through the skylight of a lower story of the castle, Zarek watched the noblemen and women dance with one another, accompanied by professional music that Zarek could barely hear from outside. It was these proceedings that Zarek watched most closely, largely ignoring the former two.

"Wanting to join them, are you?" Hissed the whispery voice of Seviss somewhere in the back of Zarek's mind. that voice, if it could be heard aloud, would make any mercenary's spine tingle.

"Of course not, don't be foolish." came Zarek's immediate reply. He could have replied mentally in kind, but he tended to speak aloud when the two were alone.

Zarek lifted a hand to adjust the position of his mask. The steel was gathering frost, and even the leather on the inside was beginning to become cold. The area beneath the mask was extremely sensitive, and Zarek would have to cast a warming spell on the mask soon or go back inside. He would rather choose the former.

For what seemed like another hour(but was only about twenty minutes), Zarek's grey eyes glared down below at the festivities going on within the ballroom. The swirl of gold, green, blue, red, silver, and purple ballgowns mingled with the less prevalent swirl of black capes or the movement of black-clad noblemen combined to form a kaleidoscope of movement beneath the glass. Zarek almost felt like he was watching a bunch of fish swim around every time the music stopped. Instantly, the structured dancing stopped and the lot of them wandered around like a bunch of flies with their wings cut off.

Suddenly, several high-pitched screams came from the ballroom as something exploded not far from where Zarek stood. Having no time to cast any kind of spell, Zarek ducked behind a nearby wall and was only hit by a single flying piece of rubble about the size of his fist. The hit would leave a bruise on his left collarbone where it hit, and it was cut a little from the sharp edges of rock, but no real damage had been done.

Immediately, Zarek stepped away from behind the wall, letting one hand slip into a spell component pouch at his waist and looking down over the railing as the first syllables of a spell passed his lips. He saw nothing nowever, but a bunch of people running around yelling, and so he let the magical energy dissipate. One woman, he saw, had fainted, and his upper lip rose just slightly in a mocking sneer.

"Zarek, over there."

Zarek turned in the direction his familiar had mentally indicated, seeing a grappling hook hung over the side of the wall. Zarek's eyes narrowed, but as he moved towards the nearest door, he saw someone clad in black carrying an unconscious maiden through the crowd. He paused for a moment, watching the man put the woman atop a horse and ride off, then blinked once and turned away as though he had seen nothing. It was unknown what he was thinking, but he did not seem perturbed by the sight.

Zarek thought no more of it as he turned to go inside and find out more about what had happened. This was more interesting than watching any ball.

- - -
Now...
- - -

Zarek had not slept at all that night, and yet he was feeling fairly awake. He was used to getting little sleep at this point, and going a single day without it would scarcely hurt him. Zarek had found out little from the drunken, bumbling guards. All he knew was that someone had set off a firework of some kind(something to do with black powder that he knew little about) and had caused some damage to the castle and injured a few people. No one had been arrested, no one had been killed, and repairs would be underway as soon as the masoners had sobered up(that was not the masoners' excuse, but that was Zarek's interpretation).

Furthermore, Zarek had received a letter from a previous associate of his, whose messenger had interrupted Zarek in curt conversation with a slovenly guard. Zarek had dismissed the boy immediately after snatching the letter away. He saw with some relief that the wax seal on the parchment had not been broken. Good, then the letter hadn't been read by anyone but himself yet.

Zarek reentered the castle and was making his way down the hallway towards the king's study(his face turned down so that he could read the now-opened letter) when he heard someone else's footsteps and people talking. Immediately, he slowed down, partially folding the letter as he rounded the corner. Seviss hissed, and Zarek all but did the same as he came closer to the prince. Spotting him at the door, Zarek opened his mouth to say something, but stopped as he heard the king's voice.

"...stabbed them in the back. Nia was taken, presumably several hours ago. It is too late for us to catch them before they reach the border. Some fool gaurds were distracted by an unauthorized fireworks display inside the castle grounds. Since they seem unable to find whoever set them, I'm assuming it was a distraction. And it worked, damn it! So no one noticed that the princess royale was missing until I went to look for her. I found this pinning the note inside the door."

The next voice was unrecognizeable. The voice sounded like Tokar's in many ways, Zarek noted, but he could not put a name to the sound.

"I wouldn't be so sure, my lord, about not being able to reach them. This was a poor time of year to kidnap a person. The weather could prove detrimental. And if the princess's demeanor has not changed since I last saw her, this kidnapper will find himself in a hard place. Can the mounted scouts be sent to the borders to warn the garrisons there? Unless they've been put on the alert, I know they will not trouble themselves with two lone travelers. If they were sent now, they could be there within only a few hours."

Zarek's gaze had returned to his parchment as he neared the door, and he read the sheet carefully. The handwriting on the ransom note written by whomever contracted the kidnapper appeared identical to the handwriting on Zarek's letter: Written in script, but sharp and lacking actual flow.

This post has been edited by Zarek Shrygius Riseth on Jan 10 2006, 11:48 PM

[Tokar Dirin]

Tokar knew all the members of the Brotherhood, well, and he knew that Virgil was very close to his family. The warrior had cut down on his commanding duties and evolved into a father figure. Some might see this as laziness, or fear that the fighter might be lax in his duties. Tokar harbored no such fears. Calasear was loyal to the bone. Indeed, the fact that the man had family made it easier for him to understand Tokar's feelings at the moment, both the obvious anger and the less detectable fear.

"I wouldn't be so sure, my lord, about not being able to reach them. This was a poor time of year to kidnap a person. The weather could prove detrimental. And if the princess's demeanor has not changed since I last saw her, this kidnapper will find himself in a hard place. Can the mounted scouts be sent to the borders to warn the garrisons there? Unless they've been put on the alert, I know they will not trouble themselves with two lone travelers."

Tokar remained still, listening intently to his vassal. A glimmer of hope glimmered in Tokar's eyes, it was quickly followed by self-loathing. Silently, he berated himself for not thinking clearly. He had not been outside since after his ride on New Year's Eve, and the skies had been clear then. It was uncharacteristically foolish as well as neglectful of him to forgo such an obvious check. Allowing his gaurd to relax, and the emotions he felt show quite clearly, Tokar said in a low voice.

"I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner, Virgil. I'll send them out immediately."

Tokar rose, his height and heavily muscled frame making an intimidating figure. He was still dressed in simple shirt and breeches, his black hair, with no hint of age, secured by a leather thong. He was not carrying his sword, but anyone who assumed that the king was unarmed would be immeasurably foolish. His boots concealed a dagger each, and the loose sleeves stilletos. The King gestured for Virgil to follow, the only adornment on his hand the royal seal that he rarely removed.

"Though I would like for the matter to be so easily solved, I will not take chances with Nia, and there is still the matter of whoever hired the kidnapper. The only way to resolve that will be to go to the - "

Tokar halted aprubtly as his eyes narrowed. He had just opened the door fully, and his eyes darkened ominously as he took in the two figures lurking by the doorway. Though the sight of his son was shocking, Zarek was the figure that drew most of his attention.

"I would suggest," Tokar growled, "that you come up with a /very/ good reason for lurking outside of my study." Though he did not turn his gaze he added, "You too, Maxmillion."

[Calasear]

Virgil moved quickly, only a step or two behind Tokar. His chain mail clinked as he walked, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword out of habit.

"Though I would like for the matter to be so easily solved, I will not take chances with Nia, and there is still the matter of whoever hired the kidnapper. The only way to resolve that will be to go to the - "

Looking over at Tokar, Virgil brow furrowed as to why he had stopped so suddenly. He pace stopped as quickly as Tokar's did, standing next to him. His confusion disappeared immediately when the two figures in the hall came into his sight. Virgil recognized the youngest in the Royal Family. The boy reminded him of a shadow of his own youth. Virgil suppressed a bemused smirk about the youth's predicament. His face grew stern however, taking in the figure that had also been out in the as well.

It was one thing for a boy to be eavesdropping in the hall, quite another for an adult to be doing it. Virgil's eyes strayed to the piece of parchment the man was carrying. Virgil didn’t like the look of this man hiding out in the hall. His grip on his hilt tightened and loosened, something he often did when in situations he didn’t feel comfortable in. He stayed quiet, waiting for the explanations to come. This raised his ire, however, they were wasting precious time.

[Zarek Shrygius Riseth]

"Though I would like for the matter to be so easily solved, I will not take chances with Nia, and there is still the matter of whoever hired the kidnapper. The only way to resolve that will be to go to the - "

Zarek had slowed down as he came closer to the door, still all but ignoring the young prince. As he heard the king and... Whomever else was in the room... come towards the door, he began to speed up again. Seviss had his tail looped around Zarek's neck still, but his head was leaning out to face the door, yellow eyes staring intently at the king as the door swung open.

Zarek looked up as the door opened, taking a couple more steps forward before turning to face the door. Seviss' eyes remained on the king, and Zarek's own look resembled his familiar's in a way that was almost spine-chilling.

Zarek noted that the king glanced at his son, but kept most of his attention focused on Zarek himself. The sorcerer's expression seemed to harden even more(if that was indeed possible) as his and the king's eyes met. Unlike most of lower rank, Zarek did not bow. He inclined his head slightly, pausing partway back up when the king spoke once more.

"I would suggest," Tokar growled, "that you come up with a /very/ good reason for lurking outside of my study." Though he did not turn his gaze he added, "You too, Maxmillion."

Zarek kept his eyes locked onto Tokar's own, saying nothing for several seconds. He had been walking by, but he could tell by the king's look that Tokar probably wouldn't accept so simple and obvious an explanation. Not from him, at any rate.

"Tell him-"

But Zarek didn't let his familiar finish, instead cutting off their connection for a brief moment. Seviss hissed at the sudden break, stretching his mouth open to reveal sharp, poisonous fangs. The black viper's attention turned on the other man next, whom neither Zarek nor Seviss recognized.

"I had come to inquire about your daughter. Zarek said calmly, beginning to fold the parchment in his hand up and to tuck it into one of the pouches at his belt. He did not wish that to fall into anyone else's hands, least of all the king... Or any other nobility for that matter. "I have heard rumors, but I assumed you would know the truth about them. I hate listening to mere gossip."

ooc| Feel free to interrupt Zarek in the midst of that last sentence, if you want. ^^

This post has been edited by Zarek Shrygius Riseth on Jan 10 2006, 11:06 PM

[Tokar Dirin]

Annoyance radiated from Virgil, and Tokar was in total agreement. Nia was more important than Zarek, and Maxmillion, though dressed oddly, could not be up to anything malicious... Of course, Zarek was a likely culprit for a spy. But alhough the man's actions and dealings were shady, and Tokar was relatively sure he practiced some of the darker magics, there had never been any proof of treason, or anything else, for that matter, and the King prided himself on never convicting a person without reason. Gossip and rumor were not proof. Unfortunately.

Dirin's eyes met the enigmatic ones of the sorcerer without flinching as he waited patiently for an answer. Tokar was far taller than Zarek, but just as Riseth's pet viper didn't intimidate the King, he knew his size and greater physical ability did not scare Zarek. Tokar saw the snake hiss, and knew that the two were communicating. Finally, Riseth ended the silence by speaking.


"I had come to inquire about your daughter. I have heard rumors, but I assumed you would know the truth about them. I hate listening to mere gossip."

Smoothly, and without any warning at all, Tokar reached out and took the letter. As he did so he spoke,

"How... noble of you. I am glad you ignored the rumors. Nia has been kidnapped, but I do not wish the people to panic..."

Tokar trailed off as he looked down at the later, his face was perfectly still as he read it. Too still, in fact, it was quite obvious that he was masking strong emotions. Keeping his manner pleasant was difficult, but he managed. Refolding the letter, he said,

"Zarek, I think we need to talk. Virgil, go and send out the riders. The best ones, have Traian (NPC) pick them, or do so yourself. Max, go to your room and change, we'll talk later." Tokar gave Calasear a nod, Maxmillion a warning glance, and then pivoted and stalked back into his study, growling at Zarek to follow.

(bleck)

This post has been edited by Tokar Dirin on Jan 11 2006, 04:51 PM

[Zarek Shrygius Riseth]

Zarek did not look away for even an instant, not to glance at Virgil, nor at the young prince Maximillion, nor past the king into the study. His expression was neutral, controlled to remain almost completely blank, and his eyes told nothing about what he was thinking. A passerby might almost think that he and King Tokar were having some sort of standoff, the way the two of them looked at one another.

Of course, to many that would be a relief. There were more than a few people within the castle(both servants and not) who would love nothing more than to see Zarek put in chains and locked away, even if it was for something so simple as defiance. Zarek was always careful about anything that he did, however good or bad it may have been, and he knew that there was no evidence of any use to give anyone reason for jailing him.

Smoothly, and without any warning at all, Tokar reached out and took the letter. As he did so he spoke,

"How... noble of you. I am glad you ignored the rumors. Nia has been kidnapped, but I do not wish the people to panic..."

Zarek blinked for the first time as Tokar reached out. The sorcerer looked down at the king's hand, and twitched his own back to avoid Tokar's probing fingers, but he was just barely too slow. The corner of the parchment was caught, and Zarek snatched at it once as the king pulled it away. His eyes practically glittered with anger in that moment, and Zarek seriously considered wresting the parchment from the king's grasp, but it was the man just behind the king that stopped him. The man and the hand he had placed on his sword, ready to draw the thing at a moment's notice. And Zarek was in a perfect position(unfortunately enough) to be run through with the blade if he were unprepared for an attack.

"The letter proves nothing." Seviss' voice said in Zarek's mind as the snake slowly recoiled into an S-shape, then turned and wound its way around to the other side of the sorcerer's neck.

With some difficulty, Zarek prevented himself from saying anything while the king scanned over the letter, and for the first time his eyes focused on the man behind the king. He was almost exactly Zarek's height, possibly just a fraction of an inch shorter, but certainly more well-built than Zarek himself. Like the king, he held himself regally in an exceptionally dignified(though now obviously agitated) manner. He was probably a lord or something similar, Zarek thought.

As king Tokar spoke, Zarek's eyes flicked instantly away from the lord to stop at the king's face once more.

"Zarek, I think we need to talk. Virgil, go and send out the riders. The best ones, have Traian (NPC) pick them, or do so yourself. Max, go to your room and change, we'll talk later."

Zarek's eyes still glittered with that look that could quite possibly be hatred. There was definitely something else hidden in those startlingly colored eyes, but whatever it was Zarek kept well-hidden.

"Go with him." The voice of Seviss said in Zarek's mind. Irritated, Zarek snapped back mentally. "Cease ordering me about, Seviss." he spoke, even his telepathy tinged with annoyance bordering on the violent. Wisely, the viper held his peace.

In silence, Zarek stepped towards the study after king Tokar, glancing first at Maximillion and then at the lord(whose name was apparently Virgil) as he passed them, but he said nothing. Only Seviss remained staring at both from around the sorcerer's neck. Zarek said nothing to Tokar. He would wait for the king's words to come first.

This post has been edited by Zarek Shrygius Riseth on Jan 11 2006, 05:25 PM