Young Writers Society

Grace:

SHe was hot as the sun beat down on the extra layer of armour. She was to use both her own and a man's armour. It was heavy but she could deal. She had to. "Ready for your first match?" The knight beside her asked. Her heart beat fast at the mention of a duel of any kind. It would be her first of many today.

"No not really," She answered as she feet startd to quake in her metal. There was no clanging sound though.

"Good. It means you know what is to come. Now show me you can do it." He pushed her into the ring and as she strugled to look through the slight in the helmet she watched as one of the princes advance on her. It was her cousin, John. Royal enough name. SHe strugled with the layers of armour to raise her sward just enough to block his first blow but he swong fast for a second attack and she stumbled back a step.

Darn. I have a feeling this isn't going to turn out well, she thought as she raised the sward once more. SHe took too many blows, all though she couldn't feel them she took too many. SHe had lost the match. Rules were rules. She bowed slightly to her cousin and stepped slowly away from him.

"If you're truly nobel you'll take that helmet off and bow to me properly, knight." Something in his voice... SHe turned and found he was smiling mischievously at her. "Come on. Take off the helmet. Or are you a girl?" His smile widened.

She gave a huff as she beconded one of the pesenses over. She signaled for him to untie the metal over her arm. The boy's mouth dropped as he found another set of armour. "Hurry up, boy." He glanced up, knowing that voice to be some what of a girl's. When he finished and scurryed off with his pay she pulled the helmet off. Her blond hair falling back over her face, sweaty with work of the two diffrent armour peices. "Yes, Sir John?" She asked as she watched his smile turn into something of a laugh when the crowd gasped in unisoun.

"Thought it was you, Grace. How about a fair fight. One set of armour for each of us. And I promise woun't go easy on you."

"Promise?" SHe asked as she untied the man's breatsplate and let it clang to the ground. John nodded.

"Promise." WIth that silver glinted as swards clashed and it was a more even fight. Still, John won. Not by much though.

---

"You did good today. Though I didn't expect for this to happen..."

"Neither did I, Master. Neither did I." She had the extra set of armour over her shoulder as her master carryed Grace's. She was dressed in the most inconspicuous thing you could think off. Nothing was extraordinary about it.

Izlude and Simon waled into the large mansion. Izlude was clad in the Hokutens armor with a white cape baring the white lion. Simon followed in his brown leather armor. The entered the Dux's room upon call and bowed respectfully, but Izludes tone was bitter, "I am Izlude of the Hokuten, my brother Simon. We have been sent by Prince large to investigate the rebels in the local area."

"Thank you, but you are not needed." The Dux had his back turned to the knight,

"I am here investigating the Death Corps."

"Death Corps, here?" The Dux turned to this, "I though I was dealing with just another faction."

"No, if they are allowed to integrate themselves they will control a port of there own, and that can't be allowed."

"What do you suggest?"

"I have already called an old ally of mine while I'll send Simon to recruit a few others."

"Alright. I will do what ever I can to aid in Price Larg's perge of this filth."

Izlude gave one last bow and walked out with his brother. "I want you to go find a young mage by the name of Azeala Yates. I have already called Morgan Shenai, his order has agreed to help us."

"Alright brother, I'll be back in a day or two."

As he walked away Izlude sighed, May god be with you.

Laviant Hallon:

Laviant Hallon sat on his horse, before him were two men who had just a day before mugged and raped a fair woman. These two men sat there looking disgusting and (in Laviant’s eyes) pathetic.

Laviant took a book from his pocket. The book was titled "The holy book of Galan"

"´The crime of raiping a fair woman... equals a sin of great extends." Laviant closed the book
"You have broken the holy law of Galan... To a great extend. How do you answer?" His voice echoed through the forest where he had found these two men

The men sat there and started to weep. "We are only lowly beggars. The woman is alive... please leave us be, oh gracious paladin."

Laviant looked at them sternly "You were to think of that before you did sin." Laviant raised his heavy hammer, and then swing it...

Grace

She heard a cry from the woods and dropped the set of armour. Her master wouldn't be able to run after her if he wanted to. He watched her go as she pulled her sward from her belt. She wouldn't be very well protected...

"Who goes there?" She called and she stopped dead in her tacks as she entered a clearing. She went to turn but fell to the ground as she saw a horse.

"I'm intitled to the same thing pesent." He growled holding a hammer of some kind over his head.

"I'm no pesent. I bear the royal seal." With that she pulled the faric from over her shoulder aside. Sure enough it was there.

"Forgive me. I was only setting in the law." He jumped down from the horse and pulled her up.

"May I ask a favor?" He nodded. "take me to the castle to see the Dux."

Someone please bring me in because I'm SO lost.

*Well for some odd reason, people are starting to gather around the Dux of Ilian, Mr. McRemedy.
The death corps has come ti Ilian to stop a new war from breaking out, also The knightmares are coming there. My paladin has just served justice for a pair of criminals before a arena fighter/noble came to him, now their going to Ilian.*

Isaon Satha

"Ilian, you say?" He raised his eyebrows at the messenger, looking up from the scroll, "And why exactly would I want to go there?"

"Reports of the Death Corps, sir. They're said to be active in Ilian, and, being of noble descent, you should want to stop them. They hate your kind."

Isaon smirked, "I'm not a noble any more."

The messenger stammered a little, "W-what do you mean, not a noble any more?"

"I gave up that life - which you should know if you've been paying any attention to the talk among the families. If there's good pay to be had in Ilian, though, I'll be there."

The messenger raised his head a little, "I am certain that the Dux will send out a bounty on any and all agents of the Death Corps."

Isaon grinned at the man, clapping him on the back, "Well, that sounds much better, don't you agree? Tell the Dux he can count on me to sort out these lawless, usurping bastards."

Azeala

Two men from the village watched on in surprise as Azeala began to dig the third grave, her white, cord trousers and cotton blouse covered in a light film of dirt. One of the men held her mage's robes in his arms. The other her newly fixed staff and shoulder bag. They had come across her not long after the kill and asked if they could be of service.

"...just conjured that spade out of nowhere!" the first man was mumbling quietly as he squinted through the fading light.

"Burying those blasted bandits after they caused all that trouble," the other murmured, wishing he had not offered his help in the first place.

Azeala listened patiently as she shovelled the last spade of dirt over the side before climbing out, her hands making faint implants in the slightly damp ground.

"Everyone is entitled to a burial," she said simply, straining for an ounce of serenity but she smelled of soil and could feel it squirming under her finger-nails. It made her feel alive, the sense of the elements streaming through her nostrils. But it also made her want to take a bath.

"Let us be done here," Azeala decided impatiently. She levitated the corpses into their graves and quickly lifted the unearthed soil in after them. Then she pulled on her clean robes and wiped the dirt from her face before leading the way back towards the village where a small celebration party was already beginning, (news travelled fast and when Azeala Yates said she'd get a job done, that job got done).

An hour into the festivities, Azeala excused herself and headed to the tavern where she'd slept the last few nights. The tavern owner and all its usual occupants were out in the street, drinking with everyone else but at one table sat a man with white hair and dark eyes. He stood as she approached.

"Azeala Yates?" he asked.

"I appear to be at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don't know yours." Azeala attempted to look patient but she couldn't help frowning in irritation; the boy was delaying her bath.

"I'm Simon Hyral," he said. "Izlude's brother." Azeala blinked and her expression became one of astonishment and delight.

"That's a name I haven't heard in a while," Azeala murmured, thinking to the years they had spent together at the academy. "In fact, I haven't heard it since he and I both graduated two years ago."

The Dux sat on his throne. All men had long gone.

A rebel faction in Ilian. Had we not won the war?

What am I to do. He sat up. He walked into his room through many decorated corridors.

When he finally got tp hos room, he walked to his closet and took out a old sword.

Is it time? Yet agin. Shall the ground be red? Yet again. He placed the sword back. Is there to be an other war?

Grace:

"Jez!" She called as she stepped through the trees and back to the road. The man followed a little reluctant. "I must go to see the Dux. May I have my armour?" Jez nodded, giving the man a look over and then trading armour with Grace. "It's been fun but I doute I'll come back," SHe said, giving him a hug. "Bye."

Jez set out on his way to the next city.

Edit}

"Show the way," She said turning to the man, a smile on her face.

Laviant:

Laviant offered his handto the girl. The girl took the hand and Laviant pulled her up to the horse.

They started riding, towards the mansion of the Dux.

To an outsider it was merely one of Ilian's many orphanages.

To an initiate, or perhaps someone with incredibly good perceptions, there was something else at work. The place was ordered and disciplined, but without the harsh physical punishment usually associated with obedience.

The younger children alternated between play and lessons, the older focussing primarily on the latter. Morgan and Jessi strolled past teenagers training with staffs and practice-swords, and clusters of younger children reading aloud to attentive tutors. The place was sparse but well regulated and clean. Both Jessi and Morgan had good memories of similar establishments.

"This way Lord Shenai, Squire...Knightmare," the boy tripped over Jessi's title.
"Thank you Tobias." Morgan replied with a smile. It irritated Jessi that he could be so charming with strangers. The glistening armour with the enamelled silver hand of Lilus-Den probably didn't hurt his appearance either. Not in an orphanage bent on training future initiates.

Tobias led them to a secluded chamber, its entrance artfully hidden behind a statue of the Goddess.

"Brother Daniel is in there," Tobias indicated the chamber, before bowing and rushing off to join his friends at play.

Jessi followed Morgan into the darkened room. Though she knew this was perhaps one of the safest locations for one of her order, she kept a firm grip on her quarterstaff.

A thin man in a brown robe was waiting for them in the room. He and Morgan greeted one another as old friends, before Morgan introduced Jessi as his Squire.

"Down to business then." Morgan began, tentatively.
"Aye. The recent violence here has been linked to the Death Corps faction." Daniel informed them both.

"And the Dux has asked our order for help?"
"No...not exactly. We understand that he was only recently informed of the Death Corps involvement. A knight of Hokuten asked for your help in the matter." There was a note of dissaproval in Daniel's voice.

"Izlude?" Jessi asked, an uncharacteristically light tone in her voice.
Daniel turned to her, fully taking in her runic leather, dyed locks and harsh appearance for the first time. "Aye, a knight by the name of Izlude. I take it you know him?"

"We crossed paths a few months ago sorting out a band of highwaymen to the north. He seemed a very promising young knight."

"Aye, he's a court favourite. I need not remind you that our order does not act against groups such as the Death Corps based on history or court politics. We may only be seen to act on behalf of the wronged party, and toward a better end."
"Of course brother," Morgan replied humbly.

Jessi and Morgan left soon after, to search out Izlude at the Dux's palace.

Grace:

She was surprised of the sea that streached bigger and bigger ebfore her eyes. She had never seen water this big in her life... well except for the exception that when she was young someone took her onto the waters and she fell in.

She shivered. ANd there just up on the hill was the Dux's mansion. She had never seen him before as far as she could remember. The man looked back to see her reaction, since she seamed to tense. She'd never been here. That was true. She jumped down from the horse, followed by a man as a stable boy held the reigns. As she entered the place she noted no birds were singing in her presence. They never did anymore.

She heard the door shut and it ecoed through the vast room beyond. "I call the Dux of Ilian," She called, her head held high. SHe heard feet pad her way from another room. She didn't know what to expect but she found him to be old in a matter of speaking. His face showed lines of worry and his eyes showed that of an abused dog. SHe bowed quickly as he stared down on her. "Uncle," She breathed just slightly.

"Wha'd you say?" He asked gruffly. She raised her head to see him better.

"I said Uncle." She stood up, leaving her armour on the ground. "I am princess Grace. You may not know me..."

"That you ran away to a knight and asked him to train you? I know a lot about you, Grace," He gave a laugh once and returned to his saddened face. "Your father wished for me to keep tabs on you. Even after he became ill I cept tabs. Every once in a while he'll send a messanger to colect information on you. The mesanger has been ocmeing less and less often now..."

"I understand." She bowed again. "I came here for another reason though."

"ANd what is that?" She slouched into his chair watching her.

"I wish to help fight Death Crops." The Dux looked like he was choking on an apple as he froze, still looking at her.

****I'm so lost it's not funny, someone fill me in or I'm out! Sorry Pie.****

Jared McRemedy: Dux of Ilian:

He looked up at Grace.

"What do you know of the death corps?" He asked

Grace shurged. "How did you even get here?" He continued

This was when a man in a shiny sky blue armor stepped out from the shadows. The man's head was covered by a helmet that was shaped like a lions head.

"What are you doing here? Paladin of Galan. Is the death corps done sin.?"

Laviant looked at Jared "I am not only a humbel priest of Galan, I am also a knight of the prince. My way goes by those two laws... Though the law of Galan is to me the stronger of the two, I am still a knight, and I am entittled to protect the nobility." Lavian replied

"But aren't you nobility yourself?" asked Jared

Laviant shoved his hand "That is of no importance." He answered

The dux looked at him.

He walked to his throne, and then looked up at his two visitors. He called his servant to show the two their rooms.

When they had left Jared buried his head in his hands... "So the storm truly is here."