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

Shawnee

I laid a hand on his forehead and another on his heart. Seghed's hand met my shoulder as he watched me work. I smiled slightly and looked up to him.

"He's not going to try and kill me when he wakes up, will he?" I asked quietly.

My energy was already flowing into the elf. Slowly, but surely. Seghed shrugged, and not surprisingly this wasn't much of a reassurance to me. I took a deep breath and opened up. Seghed was right. I did feel a little anxious and awkward, but no serious pain.

His eyelids began to flutter, and Seghed squeezed my shoulder lightly. I turned and looked up to him, but the next thing I knew I was pinned to the ground with a dagger to my throat. So much for trying to help. I gasped and stayed completely still. I didn't feel like dying tonight. The elf opened his mouth to say something but I cut him short.

"S-Seg! Get him off of me!" I pleaded.

The elf quickly turned his head and sat up, smiling at Seg. His dagger left my throat, and my hand quickly replaced it. I squirmed under his weight and he quickly stood.

General Altair Jinan | Clearing - Northern Forest:

The General had seen the large pillar of flames from the war room. He'd shifted during the tence, hour long triade of war tactics that he knew would never work and had been standing at the Northern window in the tall tower. The flames had drawn his attention and he had excused himself. They didn't need a forest fire on top of a seige.

So Altair had dismissed everyone and left the room at a run. He'd made it to the clearing late, but that didn't matter. What he found was the Spy, one of his Emperor's trackers, the Princess and a young Rogue Healer in the clearing. The Spy, the Princess and the Healer we near another figure, one he couldn't make out. At least, not until the figure work up and almost killed the healer.

Ah, another Elf, Altair thought, staying in the shadows of the treeline. The General chuckled, shaking his head and leaned back against a tree where he'd have a clear view of the group in the clearing. Interesting... Then the other Elf met his gaze, even from where he sat and Altair swore. Perhaps now would be a good time to interverne or retreat? Before Altair could make up his mind, the elf was on his feet and crossing the clearing--heading straight for Altair.

"Shit," he muttered, pushing away from the tree. He debated leaving, but no. That wouldn't do. The elf had already seen him--he couldn't leave. And beside, Altair was armed. Damnit, Altair! That may not be a good thing! he chided himself, eyes on the elf.

Ravel/Seghed:

It was that same desolate wasteland Rav always saw after snapped. There was no color on this plane, no life. Behind him he felt the Beast testing the chains of his control, harder than ever. Rav turned to face it, it was a thing of darkness without any real form. The Beast was simply a mass of black rage, the first time Rav had laid eyes on it he had known that this was what had driven the Asraadi of the past to madness.

The Beast roared, no sound emerged but it still shook Rav to his core. The thing evoked a primal terror, harking back to the days when elf and man had huddled by the fire in fear of the dark. Suddenly a cool blue light lit the plane washing away Rav's fatigue and for the first time since Rav was a child, the Beast slept.

Rav came awake in a rush, his body moving before his mind had time to catch up with it. A stranger was crouched over him and that normally meant a threat. His vision only cleared when he felt a familiar swat on the back of his head and he realised the girl pinned beneath him was a Healer. Reflexes, Rav thought as he blushed and scrambled off the healer could be a wonderful thing, saving your life in a pinch. Or they could be highly embarrasing.

Seghed glanced around the charred wood as Seghed helped him and the little healer to their feet. Isolde stood off to the side watching him intently. Under that gaze Rav felt uncannily like a rabbit caught in the open by a wolf. At the edge of the clearling was the elven Tracker he had seen in the woods earlier. So he assumed the Healer who had helped him was her target. Speaking of the girl she had slipped behind Seghed to hide.

Rav's lips twitched at the look on Seg's face and he smiled apologetically at the Healer. Sheathing his dagger quickly. Woman gravitated to his best friend, but this was the first time he had seen Seghed flustered by it. Rav would relish seeing the notorious flirt domesticated.

But Rav's contary amusement didn't change his situation he thought morosely. He was stuck in Lyall, his father and the Melnaran army wanted him dead now. Rav couln't be sure if he could trust Seghed, since apperantly his best friend had been playing spy behind his back for years. To top it off the Lyansan Princess and one of their armies trackers were here and he was tapped out on magic. His powers wouldn't regenerate for at least another day. "Yep, I'm royally screwed" Rav thought. As Rav gave the others in the clearing his full attention he wondered dismally if the gallow's had a nice view of the sky.

Suddenly Rav stiffened, sensing someone unseen at the edge of the clearing, he snarled and ran across the clearing. Stopping midway he kicked a smoldering branch of debree into the woods and someone swore, leaping into the clearing to dodge the stick. "A new player on the scene." Rav thought, the Beast stirring at the danger surrounding him. "Well this party just keeps getting interesting."

Shawnee

I clung to Seg and trembled slightly. The elf was... unstable to say the least. It was quiet a shock when he attacked me. But at the moment, what surprised me more was when Seg wrapped his arm around me in both comfort and protection. I blushed and refused to look up.

There was now another in the clearing, he was a soldier of some sort. That wasn't good news for me and the elf boy. From what I gathered he wasn't supposed to be here. I breathed slowly as to keep myself from panicking. The tracker seemed to back into the shadows of the tree line. I smiled weakly at my small victory.

I inspected the soldier once more. This time I recognized him. He was the general for our country. I frowned and looked up at Seg. His eyes didn't move from his friend. I could tell they were close, and even though the elf had tried to kill me I would trust him. If Seg trusted him I saw no reason not too.

I tensed as the General evaluated the group with his eyes. I wanted to run off and hide, but right now I knew leaving the group - And Seg's side - could get me captured by the tracker. I let out a shuddery sigh.

Your move General.

General Altair Jinan | Clearing - Northern Forest:

Altar swept his gaze over the group, ignoring the Elf for a moment. Stupid elf, kicking burning debree at him. Ah, now they were staring at him. Altair bowed to the princess then gave the spy a cold look, completely ignoring the healer adn returnnig his gaze to the other Elf. "Ah, Prince Ravel. So nice of you to visit."

The Amder-eyed elf stiffened but Altair ignored it, moving closer to the elf. "What do you want?" someone demand and Altair looked past the elf to see Isolde glaring at him. He sighed.

"I saw the flames," Altair stated slowly, "and decided to investigate. Can't an old General still be curious?"

"Curiousity killed the dragon, my dear General."

Isolde

It was definitely starting to feel more and more like a stand-off - with this group against the general and whatever army he had at his back. Isolde had just barely a minimal of control over the general - being a female in the royal family sucked, sometimes. She bit her lip as she kept her eyes trained on him, wondering what he would do next.

Altair stared around and turned back to smile at her. "Ah, but I fear you are the dragon, princess. You seem to have gotten yourself in quite a pickle here. This might be reported back to your father, you know." He spread out his arms to gesture at the other three. "Let me see now. A Melnarian prince, a rogue healer and..." He chuckled at Seghed. "Well, I won't get into that. But however did you get yourself in this situation?"

"Don't try to judge me, General. I may be a woman, but I am still a princess. Your job here to investigate is done. Tell them nothing happened here."

"Lady Isolde - "

"If you use this as blackmail, I will personally hunt you down. Do not acquire my wrath, General. I have no time for your silly politics here." Isolde's eyes glinted with something almost malevolent, and the General stepped back, chuckling nervously.

"As you wish, Princess. As you wish." He stepped back gracefully out of the clearing, and as he did so, Isolde noted the other three staring at her. She glared back. "Answers. Now."

*Sorry for the short post, but I needed to keep Elphame in it without getting her lost or left behind*

Elphame


Elphame had no idea how to act in this situation. With her brother here she didn't want to do something that could giver herself away, and with the princess and her target here as well as the general, she was lost in this mess. She stayed where she was on the edge of the clearing and just observed.

There was no way to help, Shawnee had taken refuge in the guy's arms who had helped her, so she couldn't complete her mission without starting a fight, and Elphame did not want to get caught up in a squabble with the hierarchy.

This wont be an easy one. Elphame chuckled and a smirk appeared on her face. And I thought this was going to be easy.

Jarelle | Sanura's Room

“Ah, hello there, Niton. I was wondering if you would drop in,” Said Jarelle easily. Niton jumped so badly, it was hard not to laugh. He stood there, mouth open, blue eyes wide.

“Y-you,” he stammered, at a loss for words.

“Now, I’ve been meaning to have a word with you,” Jarelle said, gesturing the boy over to him. Niton didn’t move. Jarelle shrugged, unfazed by this non-response. “I’m sure that Alice is a talented medicine woman in her own right, but really, these wounds are simple enough for any competent healer – which you are.”

Behind Jarelle, Sanura groaned, her face in her hands. He returned his attention to his daughter. “I apologize,” He said quietly. “Let me get that.”

Jarelle gently placed hand on Sanura’s forehead. She stiffened, but allowed the god to send his energies down into the wounds. In moments, they were nothing but faint scars. Eventually, those, too, would disappear.

“There,” he said with a small smile. “That wasn’t too awful, now was it?”

Ravel/Seghed:

The Princess thought she could order him around and he would listen, Rav noted. Even for his father he had never come completely to heel. Ignoring the Princess he turned and examined the clearing. There was that one intact body at the edge of the clearing but other then that his attackers had been reduced to cinders.

He waited with amusement until the Princess lost her patience and snapped at him again. "Tell me what happened here."

Smiling Rav glanced back at the Princess. "Well the simple answer is that the political winds are shifting in Melnar. Something Lyansa wouldn't know. What with the war I'm guessing your intelligence has focused mostly on the military."

Seghed spoke from wher he stood, arms wrapped protectively around the little healer. "Basically some of the people in Melnar have realized the Crown Prince is even less sane then his father. A few of them have started talking about having Rav inherit when the bastard finally keels over."

Rav raised an eyebrow smirking at Isolde. "Hence the assasination attempt." Really, Rav didn't know why he enjoyed needling the Princess so much, but she just got under his skin so easily.

Shawnee

This was all frightening. Another reason I avoided wars and royalty for the most part. The princess looked ready to rip Rav's throat out, and with a quick glance at him I could tell feelings were mutual. Seg stood ready to defend his friend, even though his arms were wrapped securely around me.

His arms around me... It was a pleasant feeling. Some what calming as well. My mind wandered off to thoughts of safety and sleep. I was extremely tired and I had no doubt it showed on my face. It definitely showed on the other's faces. Even the elf prince, who I had healed.

I didn't realize I had leaned my head against Seg. Everyone seemed to be fighting, perhaps they were cranky from the lack of sleep they had gotten. It would be day break in only a few hours. Why couldn't we all just get along? Maybe then I'd get a full night's sleep.

I felt Seg's hand run through my tangled hair and I let my eyes slip shut for a minute, and the trembling ceased. I mustered up the will to look up at Seg. His brow was furrowed and he stared intently at the others. I sighed and looked over to them.

"Can't we all just agree on something for tonight so we can all got to sleep?" I grumbled quietly.

Isolde

"Can't we all just agree on something for tonight so we can all go to sleep?"

The small mumble came from the rogue healer in Seghed's arms even as Isolde was ready to snap back. She took a deep breath, unable to compose herself completely. "Very well. But I will want answers from all of you. Especially the two of you." She stared directly at Shawnee and Seghed. "I will see you all tomorrow."

"How will you find us?"

Shawnee stared back at her. Isolde simply smiled back - it was hard not to, since the girl looked so innocent and peaceful. Isolde pulled at her sleeve almost self-consciously, aware that she was the only one of them who was legitimately linked to her father. She felt slightly alone for a moment, then shook it off. "Don't worry, I'll find you. And no, I won't tell my father where you are."

Shawnee looked slightly surprised. "Why would you do that? I mean, he's your father."

"He may be my father, but he's a bumbling fool to try and force healers into his service. That really is of no use." Isolde turned her back on them. "Ta ta."

General Altair Jinan | Clearing - Northern Forest:

He backed away, listening to the Princess's orders. He would do as she said, but to a limit. He had line that he never crossed, and he wasn't intending to do that tonight. So he stayed at the edge of the clearing for a long moment, watching them and listening in on their conversation before deciding to head back to the palace. He wouldn't tell the Emperor about his daughter's little excursion into the forest--not yet.

So he started walking, lost in thought. The Melnarian prince was here, with the spy and a rogue healer. Altaur shook his head, remembering Isolde's words; "If you use this as blackmail, I will personally hunt you down. Do not acquire my wrath, General. I have no time for your silly politics here." No, he would be keeping quiet for a while. He knew how to keep secrets, since the Emperor had so many. Silly politics? Bah. Like the General cared.

It wasn't until someone shouted for General Jinan that he realised he had reached the palace. Looking up, he saw a Captain of the Guard--November, wasn't it?--rushing towards him. "What is it, Captain?"


Sanura | Room; Palace - Lyall

Jarelle had healed me. I ran a hand over my ribs and shoulder, wondering. Alright. Jarelle was here. He had healed me and now he was glaring at the other healer, the one he'd called Niton. "Thank you," Iwhispered, looknig away from Jarelle and the other healer. Now that I was healed, whaat would the Lyansaian Emperor do? Force me into the healing temple, to help with the war?

I shook my head, rubbing at my temple. Jarelle's healing hadn't helped with my memory loss, but no matter. I didn't mind not having them--at least, at the moment. I jerked my head around when Jarelle spoke; "Now, why wouldn't you heal her?" The question was directed towards Niton, who I assumed was the Royal Healer for the Emperor. I watched the pair with barely concealed curiousity. Now what would happen?

*I'm tired so this is gonna be a short post.*

Ravel/Seghed:

The little healer, Seghed had said her name was Shawnee, had a point Rav thought as he stifled a yawn. Granted he was used to staying up for awhile and sleeping at irregular intervals, but even he was on his last legs. Glancing over at the pair he spoke. "If you guys don't have anywhere to stay I've found a pretty good bolt hole. It's a little worn down but no one else ever goes there."

Seghed raised his eyebrows in exasperation. "You've been in the city all of what, a day? And you've already found a place to hide?"

Rav's lips quirked and he flashed Seg an irrepresible grin. Really, it was impossible for Rav to stay mad at his best friend even over something important. "I work quickly."

"Well I can't go back to my rooms at the inn. That General is a sneaky one, even if he doesn't report to his higher ups his hands aren't completely tied. I'll go with you but Shawnee can always go back to the sanctuary if she wants." The taller young men glanced down at Shawnee waiting for her descision.

*If they end up going to Rav's hiding place I guess Elphame could follow them and get caught or something?*

Shawnee

I glanced in the general direction the tracker had disappeared from. If I was to head off towards the sanctuary she could follow me and catch me while I was alone. Couldn't she? I trembled slightly and looked up to Seg, not bothering to glance at Ravel.

"I don't want to be alone. Don't leave me." I begged quietly, squeezing his shoulder.

He smiled weakly down at me, I could swear I heard Ravel chuckling at us.

"It's settled then, she's coming with us." Seg stated.

I smiled and glances over my shoulder at Rav. He smiled lopsidedly at us, this seemed to amuse him greatly. He nodded at us to follow. I reluctantly let go of Seg, just to wrap my small arms around his larger one. The only sound was our feet crunching against the charred ground. When we caught up to Rav he nodded his acknowledgement at us.

Before long he looked over at me again, "So, what's her story?" his question was directed to Seg.

I blushed and looked at the ground, leaning my head into Seg's shoulder.

Niton~

Niton was still in shock, but he managed to reign in his emotions allowing him to replaced his face with a stern cold indifference. He observed Jarelle with contempt. He ignored his supposed sisters question and directed his answer towards Jarelle.


"Alice handled the situation as it needed to be. You see I believe in modern medicine, not the archaic mumbo jumbo that healers do," he said the word healers as if her were not one himself. "It's lazy and unnecessary in most cases. True, some people can't be saved with herbs and stitches. In those cases I would use my...gift, but the girl had no serious injuries," he glanced at the girl with disdain.

She looked shocked by the venom in his eyes and then returned the look. Niton didn't care he did not know her. The fact that she had blue hair and eyes did not make them brother and sister. He had one brother, and that was it.

"All my life I've practiced true medicine. How to clean a wound, how to break a fever, how to deal with blood poisoning. Because I'm not lazy. I don't just snap my fingers and make things all better with pretty magic. I put in hard work, blood, sweat and tears into my job. That is why I am the Royal Healer, because I understand that medicine is far greater than just putting my hands on someone and making them feel better. It takes understanding of the human condition, it takes trial an error, it takes talent. But you're a god, what would you understand of hard work, pain, suffering. Do not speak to me as if I'm a misbehaving child, because I'm and adult and you're not my father."

Niton had managed to say this all rather calmly to his own surprise. Years of pent of anger towards his so called father spilled out in a steady stream rather than the flood he had expected. He had to admit getting it off his chest felt good.