The Emperor's City *Permission Only* (Dead)

Shawnee

I swallowed hard and looked up to the man. He was an elf... was he a tracker as well? No, he didn't look like a tracker. Besides. I had called sanctuary. I shuffled to my feet and pressed my back against the wall, despite the fact I was tired and hungry I was awfully alert.
"I-I've called sanctuary. You can't touch me." I stumbled.

Of course, this only applied to ethical people. He didn't look very friendly.

He just stood there, analyzing me. Waiting for me to do something interesting. What? Did he expect me to do a flip or play dead? I didn't do tricks. I didn't do much all really. My stomach growled loudly and I quickly covered it with my hand, in hopes of quieting it down. I mentally reminded my stomach that no was not the time to worry about food, it was time to worry about the creepy man who could possibly kill me in my father's house. He had a sly smirk on his face, and of course I was the untrusting type.

"Please don't hurt me." I mumbled.

*Um, Puzzler Seghed is human, It's Ravel who's the elf out of my characters.*

Seghed- Trader Street

"Sanctuary?" Seghed thought. No wonder the girl was nervous. Even though she was in a so called safe place, it looked like she'd learned the hard way that there was no such thing. Seghed slid down the wall so he was sitting spread eagled on the floor. Seghed smirked, amused at the situation he'd found himself in. The girl's stomach growled and she blushed, ducking her head so dark blue bangs hid her eyes.

Seghed cocked his head to the side, she really did look underfed. Rummaging in his pocket he pulled out a pair of apples. Rolling one across the floor to the little healer he took a big bite out of the other. The apple was perfect, sweet juicy and crunchy.

"My name's Seghed, what's yours?" He spoke softly so as not to startle her.

*People seem to be having problems with their characters interacting, a few of them could start hunting Ravel if they wanted. See my last post.*

*Bahhh I knew I was reading the wrong profile*
Shawnee

I stared at the apple and quickly snatched it up. I quickly took a bite out of it and looked up to the man. He sat, not looking at me but still waiting for a reply.

"I'm Shawnee, a direct descendant of Jarelle. It's a pleasure to meet you, Seghed." I smiled weakly, looking up to make eye contact with the man if he decided to look over to me. I sank back down to the floor.

"Pleasure is all mine." he chuckled, "Why is a pretty little thing like you hiding in here?" he asked curiously.

We sat in silence for a moment, I stared at the apple in my hands for a moment. Then took a slow bite out of it while I decided if I wanted to tell him or not. Usually I only talked to other healers, like myself. It didn't seem like I'd be leaving for a while, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to tell him.

"I'm what they call a rouge. Our country needs healers right now, and as you may tell, I'm not one for war. So they drafted us, and I refused to go. So I went into hiding. A tracker chased me up in here, I called Sanctuary and have been hiding here ever since."

He nodded slowly and took a bite out of his apple. I quickly mimicked his action and took a big bite out of the apple. It was beginning to get dark out, so it appeared I'd be spending the night in here.

"What about you?" I mumbled shyly.

Seghed:

In the distance a bell toled as the stars began to come out, the sun was no more then a faint rim of light on the horizon. Seghed opened his mouth to lie but something about Shawnee made him honest. "Well I can't blame you for not wanting to get involved. As for me you could say I work for Lyansa in a reconaiscance capacity. It was the only way I could help a very close friend of mine."

"Not that Rav wants my help. In fact if he ever figures out what I'm up to it'll be painfull to say the least." Seghed thought wryly.

Her eyes widened warily, but she calmed down a little when Seghed flashed her a charming smile. "Still, if you don't want to be involved that's your choice. I think it's pretty brave to stick up for your beliefs like that."

Shawnee

I sighed and looked up at the murals on the ceiling. Faded away and now distant tales of the good my father had done. This war was now effecting friendships. Lovely. It seemed nothing went unaffected.

"Well, your affairs are your affairs I suppose. It's beginning to get dark out... I suppose you want to go home. I, on the other hand am stuck here." I grumbled.

He looked at me oddly and bit into his apple. We sat quietly again for a moment, my mind drifting off to that charming smiling and his flattering attitude. I blushed slightly and looked down at my hands and the apple. If I took three steps out of here that tracker would get me. She had the advantage of hiding, I on the other hand couldn't. As soon as you step out of the doors you're thrown right into the open. No place to hide in the open.

Seghed:

"Should I tell her, she might just chicken out? Seghed shrugged in answer to his own thoughts, finishing the apple he stuffed the core in his pocket and stood.

He cleared his throat and glanced at Shawnee out of the corner of his eye. "Well, I do know another way out of here. I'm staying close by, and I make sure to know any and all escape routes. There's an old dried up sewer tunnel under the infirmary. It comes out around the slum district."

Shawnee's eyes widened at this knews and Seghed gave her a lopsided smile. "It's up to you whether you want to believe me. But I think it would be pretty funny to leave your Tracker watching an empty building." The thought appealed to his sense of humour.

The healer laughed at that idea and seemed almost surprised at the sound. Seghed waited to see if she would take him up on his offer.

Ravel:

As night fell over the besieged city, Rav slipped from his hiding place. Climbing agilely onto the roof tops he worked his way across the upper reaches of the city. Rav paused and glanced up at the darkening sky. The summer constellations were out now. He could trace the Stag's Antlers and the Hunter without even searching. As fires were kindled and lamps were lit in the street below.

After his encounter with the Princess, Rav had no doubt that some of the soldiers and other people were searching for him. Even if the Princess had bought his ruse, he had drawn to much attention to himself. Rather than spend weeks combing the city for one person, it was more expediant to lure the spy to him. The rooftops were tangled in shadows. The perfect hiding place, Rav thought sardonically, for someone who is both hunter and hunted. The asraad smiled grimly as he moved through the darkening night.

Sanura| Room; Palace - Lyall:

I shot upright in the bed, gasped and fell back down again. The sharp pain in shoulder and ribs told me I was injured. I blinked, taking in the pale blue walls and the wispy, white curtains surrounding the bed. Wait a minute--why was I injured? Even worse--better, you decided....where was I?

Groaning, I leant back against the head of the bed and hugged myself. Gods, what herbs were they using? Didn't they have a healer or something? Couldn't they have healed me, instead of leaving me laying in a bed, unable to even get up? I glanced towards the window; arched with a stone pillar in the middle. Interesting. The sky outside was dark and I could see the stars. Night time then.

I ran a hand over my face, tired. Wonderful, such an interesting new developement. I was so dead. Could my mother, back in Ronas come and get me? I closed my eyes. No, not if everyone in the Royal Palace was dead.... Well, expect for me. My mother was a handmaid for the Ronasian princess. Not that would have helped her. I shook my head, hand falling away from my face. There wasn't much I could do now....was there?

Suddenly, it felt like I was missing something. The image of a bandit withdrawing a sword from a man's chest hit me hard and I doubled over, gasping. It was about then that I heard the footsteps echoing down the hall and the door creaking open. I didn't move as the door closed; someone had stepped into the room. I couldn't move. Stupid wounds. Why wouldn't they heal me?

"I see that you're awake."


General Altair Jinan | Throne Room - Lyall:

Altair eyed the guard known as Elleraj whiel the Emperor and Niton spoke. He took note of the guard's face when they spoke of the healer in the cells. He'd personally found her; at the Eastern Gate. He had no idea why she had been left there, but the poor Gate Keeper had almost had a heartattack upon finding her there at dawn when the Gate Keeper's were switching over. Altair frowned, shifting from one foot the other and fingering the pouch. He hadn't been completely listening to the conversation anyhow.

Eventually, he was dismissed and handed off the pouch to someone; he didn't care who. With one last look at his Emperor, he left, slipping out the doors behind the Prince and the Royal Healer, eying the guard named Elleraj as he passed. The man stood still, not looking away fromt he old man sitting on the throne. The General gave the boy a narrow-eyed glance then promptly turned and swifting strode off down the corridor.

Two Hours Later - War Room...

The sun was setting as Altair stood in the war room, gazing out over the city and towards the Southern Gate. Fires from the enemy camps littered the grasslands. He wasn't surprised; this was what an army did. They tore a great swath of ash and trampled dirt through a country, not stoppnig until they had reached their goal and destroyed it. It was something Altair knew well; he had had a hand in creating that sort of damage, the kind that only war could bring.

He sighed, leaning against the stone windowframe. What were they going to do? They could hardly retreat into the forest; it wasn't ideal. They couldn't leave via any other gate--the enemy was surely watching them. Suddenly, Altair realised it was checkmate. They were unable to move without heavy losses, nor could they directly attack the enemy. Half their forces were over in Ronas, helping to drive out the other kingdom's northern neighbours. And with more than ten thousand men, Niran had them out numbered; it was more than enough to overwhelm Lyall.

"So why isn't he attacking?" he muttered, frowning at the Melnarian encampment. "Is there something here that he wants? Or are we not the object of his desire in the first place?" Altair sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. Perhaps there was something else in Lyall that Niran wanted... Or someone.

Shawnee

Perhaps I had completely misjudged him. I had once heard that first impressions were usually wrong, this one seemed different then the others. He didn't thrive on power, or being stronger then any one around, he was kind. Plus, leaving my tracker to an empty building would be hilarious. I shuddered at the thought of having to see her again. She toyed with me, she mocked my pleas when I asked for freedom.

"I-I'll go with you." I stuttered, still nervous about the idea.

"You don't sound so sure there..." he commented, giving me a some what worried and somewhat questioning look.

I pulled up my hood and looked at the beautiful stained windows. One held a picture of Jarelle and a mortal woman holding a child with blue hair and eyes. I smiled weakly and looked back to the man, even though he couldn't see my face under the hood.

"I'm sure." I said, almost quietly enough to be a whisper.

Isolde

The tip-tap of the slippers of the servants echoed throughout the castle hallways, much louder than her footsteps, and she could hear one pacing outside her bedroom door even as she pulled the ragged old cloak off herself. Isolde bit her lip, wondering whether anyone had been looking for her.

Well, not likely, but it was still possible. Especially when it came to Bristan.

Bristan...

She had to tell him who she had just met today. She knew her brother carried a good head on his shoulders - a bit inexperienced, maybe, and sometimes follows their father's advice more than she would like, but he still would believe what she had just seen today. She removed her dust-powdered slippers and dropped them merrily into the box under her table.

Thank heavens that her father didn't force the issue of servants cleaning up her room.

Bristan was pacing in the gardens when she finally found him. He looked troubled - like someone who had tasted something rather unpleasant and couldn't get the feeling out of their mouths. Isolde sneaked up behind him and tapped on his shoulder - causing him to jump and whirl around.

"Isolde! Stop doing that, will you? It creeps me out."

"Well, it amuses me, so there." She smiled at him almost affectionately - and recalled a day just about two years ago, when they were throwing apple pies at each other, made by their mother's personal maid. Too bad it couldn't be like that anymore. "I have something to tell you."

-----------

Christan

Lilac was painting a pretty picture, filled with roses and trees and rainbows and...castles. Christan could never understand his older daughter's fascination with castles. It was like something possessed her whenever she talked - or did anything related to castles. Her drawings of castles were eerily detailed. She could list all the gates, stationed guards and maidservants' names in their very own castle.

It was eerie.

"Darling, could you go the market and buy these for me?" Liese handed him a list of groceries. "We're all out of fruits and vegetables. I swear Simon has something against them."

"He just likes them, dear."

"Oh, I don't know. Lilac, stop drawing and come help me in the kitchen, please."

"Yes, mother." Lilac set down her pencil and walked off towards the kitchen. Christan sighed and shook his head, taking his hat on the way outside.

His family could be so confusing at times.

Jarelle | The Throne Room

Jarelle heard the prayer as the occupants of the room filed out, one by one. A cry for help, from one of his children. How many of them need help today? He wondered. He sighed, closing his eyes. He saw the street outside the little chapel. A young man was walking by. He seemed to have a good aura. Jarelle gave his mind a subtle jab in the right direction. The man hesitated, but proceeded to enter the chapel. Hopefully, it was enough. It had only taken a moment. He returned his attention to the throne room.

General Altair was just leaving. The man gave Elleraj a bizarre look as he left the room. Only when the Emperor was alone, with only the two door guards, did he move.

“Yasmine,” he said, addressing the other door guard. “You may go.” The stony-faced soldier nodded, before leaving the room, only shooting a curious glance at Elleraj. The door clanged behind her. Jarelle stirred, shifted, and moved closer to the throne.

“I’m sorry if I missed something, liege,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone, casually slipping into his blue-skinned guise. “But what was that about an imprisoned healer?”

The Emperor sighed. “Jarelle, we don't know who she is. She may be Melnarian, for all we know. We cannot allow her to go free.”

“Ah. So, you’re just subjecting her to the pain of her own injuries? Seems fair.”

“Look here, Jarelle,” said the Emperor tiredly. “We have no other choice. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re under siege by the Melnarians as we speak.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed. Thanks for pointing that out.”

The Emperor ignored him. “So, what do I do when I find a mysterious healer on my doorstep? I put her in jail, that’s what I do. And honestly, what other choice do I have?”

“You could heal my child." Jarelle said, cocking an eyebrow. "You could allow Niton to give her the treatment she needs.”

“She’s already been removed from the dungeons,"The Emperor’s tone was tired, unmoving. "And she’s been given some healing. That’s all I can do.”

Jarelle kept his voice light, but his deep blue eyes seemed to swirl and turn blackish. “I care for my children, highness. I don’t like for them to be mistreated. I will not sit by when any healer is suffering. You can keep her imprisoned; but I will see to her personally.” The Emperor’s face paled.

“You cannot go against-” he said, starting to rise from his chair.

“And you assume too much.” Jarelle’s voice was quiet, final. “I will see to my child, lord. But I will do no more.”

The emperor sighed, skinking to the throne. “I can’t stop you, can I?”

“No,” said Jarelle cheerfuly. “Not unless you’ve got some other divine being lying around somewhere.”

The Emperor sighed, sinking back into his throne. "Do what you like, then. You always do."

Jarelle bowed with a smile, and after a quick change of guise, departed the throne room.

----

Some Time Later | Sanura’s Room

“I see you’re awake,” said Elleraj cheerfuly, shutting the door behind him. Ah. It was Sanura. He crossed to the bed, pausing before the footboard. She eyed him suspiciously.

“What do you want?” she said, glaring.

“I’m here to check on you,” He said. “What else?”

Bristan|Palace Gardens

Bristan made his way around the twisting paths of the palace gardens, searching through the foliage for Isolde. Usually she was wandering somewhere around here, sometimes even hiding away at the top of a tree or some other obscure place where she was unlikely to be found. Bristan rolled his eyes internally, silently wondering why he was even bothering to look for Isolde when the probability of actually ever finding her was minimal.

Hearing a soft thump behind him, Bristan turned around, gaze flickering to the area the noise had come from. HAd she run off outside the palace walls again? It wouldn't be the first time, he considered, and almost certainly not the last, either...

Tentatively making his way forward, he narrowed his eyes to try and see through the branches to find out what had made the noise. A dark silhouette could be made out from the shadows, and he laid a hand on the hilt of his sword in a cautious gesture; if it wasn't Isolde, then it must be some kind of trespasser.

"Isolde?" he called out, brushing away some of the branches to peer in. "Is that you?"

A second passed, and the silhouette stayed immobile, seemingly indecisive of what to do. Finally, it began to make it's way forward slowly, hesitantly, and Bristan stepped back. This didn't seem like Isolde, she would have said something by now. Which could only mean...

Bristan blinked in surprise as a young woman stepped out into the light, dressed in barely anything and with a variety weapons strapped to her waist. He hesitated, unable to make out if this woman was dangerous or not. After a moment's hesistation he drew his sword anyway, shifting into a more defensive position. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" he asked guardedly.

Cat:

Damn...there was no use in hiding now. Swallowing, she stepped forward. She heard the barely audible gasp and snorted. Yeah, she barely had any clothes on but so what?

"Who are you and what do you want?" Ugh. Typical male reaction. Always thinking someone somewhere was up to something.

"I, dear sir, am none of yours. You don't know me and I do not care to know you. I am merely strolling through the gardens if it is any mind of yours. Please excuse me." She made an attempt to leave but he quickly caught her arm, preventing her from doing so. She closed her eyes, breathing slowly to calm her sudden anger. She inhaled his scent, masculine and rich.

"Where do you think your going?" he asked.

Bristan | Palace Gardens

"I'm leaving," the woman insisted defiantly, pulling away. A sudden noise behind them startled Bristan, and he let go to turn, the girl fleeing as he did so. He hissed in frustration, making to follow her before changing his mind and pacing frustratedly around the area , deep in thought.

Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned in shock. Had she come back...?

No. Isolde stood next to him, a mischievious smile on her face, and Bristan scowled. "Isolde! Stop doing that, will you? It creeps me out."

His sister laughed in reply. "Well, it amuses me, so there." A smile spread across her face and Bristan returned the gesture. "I have something to tell you," the princess continued after a moment, and Bristan raised his eyebrows enquiringly. It wasn't like Isolde to share things with him, especially not as of late.

"Really?" he asked, then paused. "Something that happened on one of your escapades, I suppose?" he teased, then gestured back to the palace. "Come on, it's getting cold." As they started to make their way back inside, he cast a quick glance over his shoulder, looking for the girl.

*phew* Hope this is okay, Celtica!

Isolde

They stopped in front of the old tree that Isolde knew to be Bristan's favorite. It was a weeping willow - sometimes, back when they were kids, it would rain, and the water would stream from the tree, and Bristan would point and say, "Look! The willow is weeping!" Isolde smiled. Those were the good times. But other things had to be dealt with now.

"There's a spy in the city. And you won't believe who it is."

Bristan's eyebrows dipped into a scowl - he stopped and faced her. "Bad things on top of bad things..."

"What do you mean?"

Bristan's eye's flickered momentarily - then, he sighed, as if he was giving in to something. "Didn't you hear? There's a healer trapped in the dungeons. She's Ronasian."

It was at this moment that Isolde felt an uneasy stirring in her chest - how come she wasn't informed about this? No - how could she be as ignorant as to forget that things tend to happen back home, too? She stared down at her hands and back up at him again. "It might be a plot of some sort."

"I don't know, Isolde, I just don't...so who is this spy you were talking about?"

Isolde looked back at him and wondered whether to tell him the truth. They may have grown distant after their mother's death - but he was still her only brother and best friend, no matter what. And seeing worry after worry heaped onto his shoulders...she couldn't stand it.

"It was a major. Don't worry, I'm tracking him, Bristan." And even now, she felt the gap widening with this lie. But she had to do this by herself. "Don't say a word. You know I'm perfectly capable of doing this by myself."

She left Bristan a hour after that, and started plotting.

Seghed- The Tunnels:

Seghed led Shawnee through the corridor that connected the infirmary to the sanctum. In an old back storage room he lifted up one of the paving stones, revealing a ladder descending into an old tunnel. He glanced back at Shawnee and saw a spark of mischief dancing in her eyes. Apperantly he wasn't the only one amused by ditching the tracker. Although if the elf he had seen loitering outside was any good she wouldn't stay fooled for long.

But there was just something about Shawnee that made him want to protect her. She reminded Seghed of his little sister, Lara would have been about the same age as her. Besides until the Emperor or General Altair called him he had some free time. He didn't have to be back at the Melnaran Encampment for a week.

The tunnel was old and solid, the stone as strong now as it was the day it was built. Water marks on the walls showed where there had once been a channel running through the tunnel. Though it was dark Seghed's eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness and he moved off, Shawnee trailing behind him. The pair was quiet as they snuck off, it wouldn't be long before the Tracker noticed her prey had flown the coop.

Ravel- The Roofs:

Ravel was on top of the world, literally. He sat on the banister in one of the tall bell towers of the city, leaning against a pillar. Listening to the voice of the wind as it blew over his face, whipping his long black hair around. In the shadows of the night Rav's eyes now glowed like twin flames. A baleful light that the world had learned to fear in ancient times.

The wind had traveled far, twisting it's way through the city streets it saw everything and brought Rav the answers he sought. The sights and sounds of the city flickered across his senses and Rav felt a headache begin as he waded through the sensations, searching for the single thread he needed.

When he found it Rav froze in shock. The spy had been careful to say nothing in the open air since he knew Rav's powers so well. But Seghed hadn't counted on General Altair speaking near an open window that afternoon. Rav felt like he'd been kicked by a horse. Intelectualy he understood Seghed's actions, Niran had executed his family for treason after all. Inside he was still numb with shock, but beneath that ice the embers of anger had already begun to smolder. The Beast rattling it's cage.

Before he could work himself up into a real rage he heard a voice call from below. He recognized that voice, Rav stifled a curse. After that revelation he was in no mood to play games. Curious of the diversion Rav leaped from the tower, using the Wind to slow his fall he landed in a crouch in front of the Princess Isolde. Now how had the lady tracked him down he wondered.

*Anyone else can be nearby for this confrontation, ideally I would like the tunnel Shawnee and Seghed are in to let out somewhere nearby.*