Flames of Darkness (Started- Still accepting)

Hunter
Oh, that was just great. A third wolf, and this one seemed just as hostile as the Atranian chief of war. I hadn't even noticed him because the scent of the two others was clouding my mind. A deathly silence had settled in the room, as people stared at the man and me.

I took a deep breath and smiled towards him. "I know you must be hungry as a wolf after the long journey, but the food will be here soon, so there's no need to behave like one." I laughed as heartily as I could, and some of the others started laughing too.

The conversations slowly restarted as I stepped aside to let the maid set my plate. It was odd for the advisor to sit at the head of the table, beside the king, but it couldn't be helped. I needed to be able to elbow the king if he said anything stupid, and vice versa.

I sat down and watched as some musicians entered and took their place in the corner. The king looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "If we're going to have a feast we might as well have some music to. To ease the mood, you know. And I asked the chef to take out the stronger vine and mead, so don't drink to much." I thought about how stiff the king looked and changed my mind. "On second thought, it's probably better if you drink a lot."

The food arrived. For any Genorian it was the feast of centuries, but I wasn't sure how impressed the others would be. After all, the soil in their lands could grow far more fancier vegetables than our could. At least the turnips from this year had been exceptionally tasty, and one of our hunters had manged to land two deers.

I did my best to ease the conversation between the royalties, and avoided to look at any of the wolfs. Except for Luna, since she actually had the decency to smile towards me, and I felt obliged to do the same. Her eyes were mesmerizing.. A bit like mine, I guessed.

A weak scent from the door made me frown. Was it really that hard to stay in my room? I got up suddenly, very aware that the other immediately turned to look at me. I quickly pulled the door open, making Quick tumble into the room.

"Vill du ha mat?" He nodded mutely in response, far to startled to say anything. I nodded towards an empty seat. "Sätt dig och ät."

I didn't feel like yelling at him at the moment, but he'd get the scolding of his life when dinner was over. For now I'd just let him sit down and eat with the rest. Hopefully he wouldn't do anything too stupid.

I went back to my seat and sat down. "I'm sorry about my apprentice, he can be a real idiot at times."

Quick glared at me from the other side of the table. He had understood me. At least that was progress.

"He seems to be rather found of listening through doors," the chief of war remarked dryly.

"He's just curios." I gave her a warning look. "He's from the northern mountains, and he has never been to the city before." I forced another smile. Luna looked like she felt bad for me, and my king looked confused. Had I forgotten to tell him about Quick's stunt earlier?

Anaki Shadowflame (Queen of Atra)

I smirked as Balik stared at me, unmoving and silent, a vague look of panic in his eyes. Finally, after blinking several times, he offered a tense smile. "C-c-cousin."

He frowned, then tightened his lips, gathering himeself. "I'm so glad to see you well. I heard there was an altercation in your room." He raised his eyebrows and offered me an arm. "Shall we?"

I narrowed my eyes as he looked at me, his face decidedly blank but his eyes flicking around, nervous. I wasn't sure what he meant by that comment, and I was, for once, lost for a witty comeback.

"It was a mere disturbance," I assured him.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you were accustomed to them," he said flippantly.

I stiffened, glaring at him. He smirked. "Disturbances that is."

You're a distubance. I shook my head. He was one up. But not for long.

I allowed Balik to lead me to the left side of the table. The left side, completely barren, the right lined with my party. Hunter coughed loudly. Balik looked around. I smirked as a crimson blush flooded into his face.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and then escorted me around the table, nearly tripping over a chair. God I love Balik. I smiled as I sat beside Eira.

Eira stared at Balik for a long moment, until he turned and sat in his chair at the head of the table. At least she wasn't fighting with Balik...or me.

He stood once more and waved. "If you're sitting beside a fellow countryman, please move to where you are sitting beside one who is not or, at the very least, with an empty chair on either side of you."

A wave of terror ran through me. Dear god...no, no...this is bad... I could practically feel my grip on the situation slipping through the cracks between my fingers. Ulric was the only bloody person who I trusted to act like he had a brain. The soliders might be okay...maybe...unless Balik gives them--damn. There was wine galore.

Loose tongued bastard. I clenched and unclenched my fists as everyone else rose and began shuffling around.

Balik looked at Eira, who hadn't moved. "I think it wise if you stay where you are."

She blinked and leaned forward. I laid my hand on her wrist. She glanced at it and gave Balik a very gracious nod. I closed my eyes and laid my head back. That's what I get, I suppose, for being on such close terms with...Eira. I couldn't even think of her as my subject, even if Balik would, and even if she was making me look bad.

"You know, if you need an extra table setting, the head of a table this size is really big enough for two places. Both of you would even have elbow room."

I opened my eyes and looked at Eira flatly, half-glaring. I didn't know what the problem was, but I doubted that that was an acceptable solution. She squirmed, crossed her arms, and glared at the table silently.

I glanced at Balik, who seemed to be considering it. He turned towards Hunter. "Is that okay with you?"

He gave a sharp nod. Balik gave some sharp orders and sat down. I looked down the table, at my subjects, sporadically placed around the table. Dear god...when Korhel and his people get here...if a brawl doesn't break out right then, my men will spill thier guts, and then everyone will know that the only reason I have the throne is because I'm a good fighter-- that I have such a loose grip on my throne, I might not have it next year...fuck.

Balik stood as the door opened and Korhel strode in, followed by his people. His people began sitting down and, I could've cringed, several of my people began mingling. I fixed an icy stare on Korhel and watched as he took his seat opposite me.

My head was spinning with diplomatic rules. Men were supposed to rise for women...were women supposed to rise for men? And if not, was I supposed to rise for him anyway? Since I'd passed my Test?

I glanced at the girl that sat next to him. She held my gaze defiantly, before moving on to Eira. I couldn't say I had expected Korhel's subjects to respect me.

Diplomacy be damned. I took a long draught of wine as Balik greeted the bastard.

"Anaki," Korhel acknowledged icily.

I choked, slamming the goblet back onto the table. I covered my mouth, coughing, eyes watering. This was going to be bloody hard, if I couldn't even handle him saying my name.

"Korhel."

"You've been fighting."

My cousins are genuises.

"I'm very good at it," I say, glaring. "I never lose."

"There's a first time for everything."

"Right, then," Balik cut in nervously, clearing his throat. "I invited you both here for a peace-"

"I drew such from your letter." Korhel interupted.

"Then you should be prepared," I snarled. "Well as prepared as you are capable of being, to ask intelligent questions when our host has finished speaking."

"I'm not a child to be instructed, Naki."

Eira's arm landed across my abdomen, under the table, about the time Balik's leg landed across my shins, both trying to pin me to the chair. I felt my face flush, but I hadn't lost my cool...yet.

I clenched the metal goblet in my hand tightly. "I wasn't sure, Your Majesty, you're behaving like a small child."

Whatever response he had was lost, as we all looked at a man who was growling at Hunter. The insolent girl was smiling-- she'd been doing something. I looked back towards Balik as he cleared this throat, finally removing his leg from mine.

I figured he was learning an important lesson-- it's not wise to invite Korhel and I to the same palace, at the same time. I felt a little bad for him...he looked strained. He looked like he was working very hard to stay looking bored.

"Balik," I murmur, leaning towards him slightly, him leaning towards me, to ward off evesdroppers.

"Mmm?"

I carefully tapped into my powers. "Forget your books," I whisper, my words sugar-coated and throbbing with enchantment. "Just speak-- quit summoning all those pages to mind."

He straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat again, looking a bit more confident. He turned to look at Hunter, who murmured something to him as the music began. I took another drink of wine and set my slight bent goblet back on the table before me.

Balik was saved from trying to salvage the peace, as the food was brought in. The food was decent.

Suddenly Hunter stood and strode towards the door. He jerked it open and his little spy came tumbling in, saying something that meant nothing to me. Hunter answered in the same tongue, and Quick sat in an empty chair.

Hunter returned to his seat, wearing a look that made me rather glad that I wasn't the boy. "I'm sorry about my apprentice, he can be a real idiot at times."

Quick glared. I knew he spoke Atraian

"He seems to be rather found of listening through doors," Eira said dryly.

I was too busy glaring at Korhel to bother yelling at her.

"He's just curious...He's from the northern mountains, and he has never been to the city before." Hunter explained.

I finally tore my gaze from Korhel, to look at Hunter once more, who looked like he wished he could hit Eira, and at Balik, who just looked confused. I stabbed my steak.

Spoiler

Check the DT for details on this Character, and other new characters.

Glitch

He clung to the cieling, concealed in the corner by his magic cloak, and further rendered invisible thanks to his way with magic. His only thoughts as he watched the tension mount were I don't even have to be here. Humans, fools the lot of them. Can't even have dinner without waging war. He watched on as the disgusting werewolves, so many in one room, snarled at eachother, and struggled to maintain composure. There was so much chaos in the room already, he needn't even add any. He gripped a dagger in his left hand, caressing it lovingly. He didn't make a sound as he magically drifted towards the door to leave, but there was a presence. Someone is right outside... he flew above the door as a wolf, named Hunter, suddenly wrenched it open, revealing a boy.

"Vill du ha mat?" said the man, to which the boy replied with a nod. "Sätt dig och ät."

Glitch didn't know this language. It seemed there were more dialects of human then he thought. He crawled back up to the cieling just over the musicians. This was boring. He didn't even do anything, and they were already messing up! As they spoke, composure was lost, and he could feel the tension in the room pushing against the walls and threatening to burst them. Something had to give soon... Korhel had already almost issued a formal invitation for Anaki to fight. The suspense was maddening, and Glitch was growing bored. He noticed the food, a large shoulder of venison in the middle of it. Well, a better time to blow up a deer shoulder will doubtfully present itself And with a silent gesture, the venison exploded, shards of bone accompanied with bits of deliciously cooked flesh plinking against the walls. One bit of bone actually impaled one of the wolves, a silvery white one, who's name, Glitch read, was Luna. A long, needle like shard had gone deeply into her shoulder. She grimaced against the pain.Now's the chance! He tried to cloud her mind, but she was strong. Her mind was like a metal box. Instead, he clouded her heart, filled it with anger and violence. He had to chant, but the comotion was such that nobody heard. Nobody glanced up at him, except... Hunter. He looked right into the spot where he was, searching wildly. Glitch didn't falter. He kept chanting, and soon he had her angry enough to break. She drew a small dagger and snarled furiously, holding it out in front of her daring a strike. Many guards rose from their seats, and there was much shouting and cursing. That's more like it, he thought as he slunk behind a musician, and stabbed him through the back. The color left him immediately, and the gem in his dagger grew bright and dark at the same time, a malicious red. Many people pointed and shouted, but it was no use. He had already rushed through the wall behind and teleported back to his master, a mad grin on his green little face.

Hunter
People were shouting at each other, knocking chairs over and drawing their weapons, Luna was hurt, one if the musicians killed. Why hadn't I realized that there was another creature in the room sooner? It's scent was unfamiliar to me, probably the reason that I hadn't payed any attention to it.

It looked like the others were about to start a fight, so I cleared my throat and shouted at the top of my lungs to make myself heard. "Calm down!" They didn't hear me. They were far too busy arguing. It tried again, but this time I conjured up a huge black cloud, making a few bangs of thunder so loud that it shook the room. I finally had their attention. "Calm down. This wasn't caused by one of us, but by some creature that was here, probably hiding with magic. I don't know what it was, since I haven't encountered anything like it before."

When I saw the royalties speaking to each other like civilized men again I made the cloud disappear and turned towards Luna, who had calmed down. Her father looked like he was going to punch me in the face when I approached, but I ignored him. "Let me help you with that," I said, and before she could answer I pulled the piece of bone out. She didn't scream, but gritted her teeth. As soon as I had pulled it out I stopped the bleeding and began to heal it. "Why did you get so angry?"

"I felt like someone was trying to invade my mind, but when I wouldn't let it I got angry instead."

I nodded and closed her wound. A creature who could manipulate others with magic. I had read about it before, but it was magic that was far to difficult for me to perform. This had to be the same creatures that had tried to take down the spells surrounding the pass.

"Hunter," the king called and I hurried to his side.


Quick
This was insane. Chaos had broken out, and for a moment I had thought that they were going to kill each other, and then the thunder. A black cloud inside the room. I had never realized just how much better Hunter's magic was, compared to mine.

He healed the girl who had been injured, and then the king called for him. I was starting to regret my behavior towards him. There was much he could teach me.

Glitch

Perfect, he thought, as he strode from the shadows towards his hut. It was a rather large hut, built in the middle of a great stone city, the city of Agaar, a city unknown by humans. Blood on my hands, and I forgot to take the medicine again. His hands started to swell and itch terribly, a sensation that once reduced him to scratching off most of the skin on his shoulder. He quickly started muttering a healing spell, but healing and goody goody magic wasn't exactly his field of expertise, and an immunity spell wouldn't work this far into the reaction. He syphoned off most of the blood with the spell, but the itching remained. The swelling actually worsened, and the skin was pulled taught accross his now enormous hands. He quickly entered his hut and began brewing a paste that would stop the reaction, but it was hard work without the full use of his hands. By the time the gooey paste was done, the reaction had spread to his forearms, and the itching had elevated to a burning pain that cried scratch me! Glitch hated being allergic to blood. It was the worst possible thing for someone in his line of work. On top of that, he forgot to mask his scent, so the strange wolf called Hunter had found him out. At least it was a new scent to him. That would probably throw him off. Besides, it wasn't like he could smell his way here. As he spread the paste all over his forearms, the itching subsided and he let release a sigh of relief. Fuckin' allergies.



He made his way briskly to the great hall to report to the Blood Demon, Aga'Rauko. It was a beautiful city, really. The stone it was carved from was a dark grey, and scorched in places. Fire blazed from torches on the walls, and gargoyles gazed dauntingly down at him, watching intently. One of them, whose name was Hilkuor, nodded in Glitch's direction.

"Hullo, Glitch. I saw your hands. Job well done?" he rasped.

" 'Fraid not, Hilkuor. Humans are good at diplomacy, and managed to keep from killing eachother this time." said Glitch.

"Aga'Rauko won' like that, no. He'll send you back, he will."

"I don't think he will."

"He will! You wait an' see, he'll send you back again, he will!"

"If you say so, Hilkuor."



The great iron gates of the Great Hall open enough for Glitch to enter as he approached, and then closed behind him with a resounding bang! Their on his throne of skulls sat the Blood Demon, in the form of an Orc who's left eye peered through a deep gash that oozed black blood.

"Kneel." he said deeply. His voice sounded like it came from everywhere. Glitch knelt. "Are they at war?" he asked.

"Not as such, no, your maliciousness. They--" He began, but Aga'Rauko cut him off. He didn't shout. His expression didn't even change. He looked quite bored.

"Go back."

"My Lord?"

"Go back."

"I don't understand."

"Go," he said, before resting his head on his other hand and yawning. "back. Don't come back here untill they have waged war on eachother. If you do, I'll eat you."

"You'll eat me?" he said, hesitantly. This wasn't going to well, but Aga'Rauko wasn't very smart.

"Yes, despite your evident stringyness, I will eat you. With chips."

"Chips sir?"

"I would love some. Ukret! Chips!" the Blood Demon called. Ukret, who was on all foors acting as a foot rest rose to attention. Glitch hadn't noticed him there, and jumped.

"We doesn't grow 'taters, m'lord. We don't have any vegebubbles." he said, very militantly.

"Chips are... vegetables?" said Aga'Rauko, very disgusted. His voice changed immediately. "Glitch."

"Yes?"

He pointed to the door. "Go away, come back when there's a war." he said.

"Ah. Goodbye, then." said Glitch.

"G'bye, Glitch. Say goodbye to Glitch." said Aga'Rauko.

"Bye Glitch!" said Ukret.



As he made his way to his hut to pack, Hilkuor laughed down at him. "Told ye', I did!"

"Shut up, Hilkuor." said Glitch. god, this had better be the best blasted field trip ever. he thought. He packed all of his essentials, which he fit in a small bag with a magically expanded interior. Basically, this consisted of his brewing stand, his dagger, and his allergic reaction medicines. He took this with him and made his way to the borders to teleport.

All had had broken loose. The was a piece of deer bone in my shoulder and people were running around and screaming like chickens with their heads cut off, and I was pissed. Or at least I was. Hunter conjured this black storm cloud to get everyone's attention, which was a good idea. Once everyone calmed down, he came over to me.

"Let me help you with that," he said, and before I could pull the damned thing out, he 'd yanked it out himself.

Ouch. He stopped the bleeding and healed the wound. It was sweet of him to help, but I didn't really need it. I could've healed the wound myself.

"Why did you get so angry?" he asked.

"Someone was trying to invade my mind, but I guess they weren't good enough." I grimaced. "So I guess when that didn't work, they went for my emotions."

Just before the food had blown up in everyone's face, i'd smelled something....odd. I should''ve said something. The king called Hunter and he took his leave.

The royals were huddled together talking like civilized people for once. I stood up as dad walked over to me. "Are you Ok?"

"Yea," I rolled my shoulder. "i'm Ok. Let's get over to the King."

We walked over and took up King Neko's flanks before looking around. Hunter waved as he saw me, and I waved back. I didn't really pay attention to what they were talking about, but the Queen was being loud about it, so I kind of couldn't ignore her.

"I want to know what the fuck is going on!!" she growled.

So did everyone else, genius.

"Calm down, Anaki." King Balik frowned. " Everyone wants to know."

"And you aren't helping anything." Neko finished.

I guess she took their advice, because she didn't raise her voice. I let their conversation drift into the background as I looked around again. Who did this? Who's actually dumb enough to do this? So many questions, so little answers. I tilted my nose up and scented the air. The smell was still there, but it wasn't right. Who ever it was had used magic to cover it, but if I smelled it again, I would recognize it.

"If we are to do this, we must do it together. Who ever did this is trying to do us harm." Balik said.

"They're trying to split us up and have us destroy each other." the Queen said.

I could imagine her jaw twitching in irritation.

"They're most likely trying to get them to wage war on each other and take them selves out so who ever wants them dead won't have to do any real work." Not realizing i'd spoken aloud, I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear and kept on.

They'd all stopped talking and turned to me, but I wasn't paying any attention. I was still thinking. The only reason I stopped was because my dad nudged me with his elbow. I looked at him. "Yes?"

He nods over to the royals. I realize they're staring at me. Whoops. "Did I say something?"

Dad just shook his head and sighed. I frowned. "What?"

"You interrupted them." he sighed.

"Oh," I looked at Kind Balik. "my apologies, your highness. I tend to do that sometimes."

He nodded, but said nothing. At least he didn't look offended. They went back to their conversation, focusing on what i'd said.. My mind went back to wandering. One question did echo through my mind, though, and everyone was thinking it. What the fuck had happened.

I silently thanked the two cups of wine I had guzzled just before the room fell to pieces. It calmed my nerves just enough that I didn't attack the nearest person, but didn't fuzzy up my judgement. Across the table, Stephen was up and looking like he wanted to kill the Nekoite next to him. Another one of my soldiers was glaring at the silver-eyed girl, who appeared to have a piece of bone embedded in her shoulder. The other Atraians were panicking, unfortunately. "Atraians!" I bellowed, and they turned to me. I jerked my head toward the Queen, hoping they would get my meaning, and thankfully they did. Moving as one, we flanked her even though none of us had any idea what was going on.

Everything was moving far too quickly. Then I heard Balik's assistant--or whatever the hell he was--shouting at everyone to calm down. He might as well have been whispering into a windstorm, because even if someone could have heard him, I was certain they wouldn't have listened.

Then a great black stormcloud gathered above us, and thundered echoed through the hall, effectively shutting everyone up. Soon everything was calm...for the most part. I hovered near Anaki, uncertain of what to do, but now hungering for a fight. I wanted to find the son of a bitch who had done this, and teach him a lesson about interrupting dinner parties...

Glitch

He floated for a moment over the castle, looking down at the guards and peasants. How could I put them in a state of war without their goody-goody diplomacy getting in the way he thought, placing a powerful undetected force spell on himself. This, as opposed to a temporary nonexistence spell, allowed him to use his magic and influence the world around him, i.e the diplomats, without being seen, heard, or smelt through nonmagical means. And he had sensed wizards, and magic students in the castle. None could rival his magical power. All that he needed was for him to not get caught again. If they thought he was gone for good, then all would be well. How to do that, however, was tricky. There was only one way. Death. He had to fake his own death. He'd need a potion, and a replica of his dagger. The dagger he could do without problem, and he had all of the supplies, and spells necesary... The plan was set.

He picked a small cave that he could brew in, and in the time of several hours he brewed a potion that would turn any human into an exact copy of Glitch, a thin silvery liquid that entered through the skin. He Dipped a small amount on the handle of his own dagger, frustrated with the failed replica's he created. Then, he put a One touch spell on the whole potion, so that any contact made with the potion by a human, like as on activation of the potion, would cause the potion to disapear without a trace. This way they needn't ever know it was a potion. The potion itself, he knew, was potent enough to last several years, so no worries on the human changing back. Truly a fail-safe plan! he thought, as he rushed back with the dagger, holding it gingerly by the blade so as not to cut himself too bad.

He arrived at the castle shortly after dusk, the last rays of the sun being washed away by the soft white glow of the waning moon. He came by an officer, patroling around, who was walking into a dark coridor. He placed the dagger on the ground just inside the corridor, and at the last moment thought of putting a quick stick spell, to keep him from dropping the dagger before he was discovered. He neered the corridor and peered at the dagger before grabbing it with his bare hand. Instantly he screamed, an unexpected convenience, as he changed over the course of one and a half seconds into a spitting image of Glitch, witht the same exact smell as the original as well. Take that, puny Pups! he thought maliciously, daring Hunter, or Luna, or even the King or Queen to hunt him. He would be waiting. The man looked at himself, gazing upon himself before the shout of another guard stopped him.

"There!" said the guard. "Kill him!" as he and three others shot at him with arrows. Glitch knew that Hunter would think something was up if he just let the man die, so he blocked most of the arrows, and returned with a volley of fireballs. The man that spoke lay dead and burning as the other three kept shooting. Glitch allowed, after killing one more, for an arrow to pierce his head between the eyes. Mission: Accomplished.

He was back on his way to his knew cave when he realized that his dagger was gone. "CRAAAAAAAAAP!" he yelled. He had to return for that dagger. He needed it to gain power. Right now, he knew, he would be running on reserve untill he could steal that dagger back. But first he needed to make a replica. He worked for the better of an hour fixing a particularly suitable replica, untill it was pitch perfect. He would need to kill dozens to regain the power needed to recover that dagger. Better remember my allergy medicine he thought grimly.

Rovaalian

He rose the following morning after a sleep that was so good compared to the usual sleeping in trees or on mossy ground, that he was to drowsy to tell the serving bow who woke him how drowsy he was before the bow dropped off a strange set of armor, a large sword in a sheath, and a note.

Don't bring your swords. Use the big one instead.

That was different, and interesting. He examined the sword. It wasn't a bad sword from what he could tell. It was lighter than it looked, but Rovaalian wasn't weak. He wasn't super strong, but he wasn't weak. It was a bulky weapon by Rovaalians standards, but what could he do? Complain? Absolutely not. He examined it further and was surprised to see that he had only recieved one. What should he do with this, use both hands for one sword? It was ridiculous. He could have told this to the wall were he not so drowsy. He splashed some cold water on his face, enough to wake him up. He was, from then forward, running on willpower alone as he pulled himself from the tempting grip of that bed.

He came outside with his helmet on backwards, and hauberk all screwed up. He had never donned armor, and a young lad stopped him and fixed his armor. He remembered the boy... of course!

"Remember me?" asked Rovaalian. When the young man didn't respond, Rovaalian asked "how's your archery doing?" and he turned a bit pink. He might have been a bit younger than Rovaalian. Then his eyes widened.

"You... the crossbow... acorns... you're alive?" he said, seemingly trying to complete four sentences at once.

"Rovaalian." said Rovaalian, extending a hand.

"erm... Runi. I have to go..." he said, not taking the hand and instead running in the direction opposite the training barracks. Whatever. Rovaalian didn't care. He was eager to learn how to use this cumbersome sword.

Aelicine waited for him. Well, waiting was a strong word. She was pacing left and right muttering to herself "four minutes... four minutes late! Why, I..." but she stopped when she saw him and said, after a brief pause, "Rovaalian! Stand over there." she pointed to a wall. The fighters in training were swinging the same cumbersome swords at eachother, parrying with both hands. The technique seemed simple enought. He mimicked it in his mind as he walked over to the wall. A moment later, she spoke to everyone. "Attention everyone! Hey! Pay attention!" she called. The clanging and slashing ceased. "This," she gestured to Rovaalian as she spoke. "is Rovaalian. he has never been trained in the use of a broadsword, but he has been trained in other techniques."

"This is a very wierd weapon, and..." Rovaalian started to interject, but Aelicine stopped him with a very blunt "shut up."

"Do not underestimate him. He will now be excepting challengers..."

"Well this is interesting." said Rovaalian.

"For the next four hours. During this time he will have fought all of you at least once."

"Four hours? Don't you think..."

"Begin!" she said, and gave him a look that said Go ahead. See what happens next time when your five minutes late!

A chorus of "I chalenge you!" and "I'll fight him!" rose from the trainees as they circled around this new fresh meat. The first man to actually step forward was particularly large, and hefted a sword that Rovaalian could have sworn was much larger than his own. He would need to get closer. Rovaalian held his sword tightly in both hands, and the man swung at him. He blocked the blow with his sword, only for it to go right through the parry and bash against his helmet. Suddenly, he was in battle mode, a similar sensation to when he had fought Aelicine. Everything was slow motion. He could see them all laughing at him. At least he was no longer drowsy.

"Go ahead and try that again, brute." said Rovaalian. The man wasted no time with being angry, instead swinging his sword to hit his head again. It was slow motion again, and he angled his blade down and it slid harmlessly off of his own blade and he riposted with his own sword to hit him on the head. How'd it feel, big guy? he thought to himself as the man came back around with a flank cut. He ducked and rolled under it and prodded him hard in the ribs. This continued untill the man was beaten, having not been able to hit Rovaalian at all. Five minutes had passed. This is going to be a very long day. he thought. He spoke up after beating this man, and said "For the sake of efficiency, and to maximize the number of people who fight me, I will now be taking chalenges two at a time!"

Rovaalian was hit a total of one time over the course of four hours.

Aelicine Sehinnine

She watched him, thinking, He's doing good. Very good. I should've given him a bigger weapon. Hmmm, I know. "Break," she called out to the group. She walked to the weapons rack and pretended to study it, then grabbed a cudgel that was little more that a thick piece of wood that was obviously of balance. She walked back with it, and grabbed the sword from Rovaalian, handing him instead the over sized piece of wood. She noticed he preformed better if his adrenaline was pumping, so she looked him in the eyes, and said simply, "You'll thank me for this later," and punched him in the gut. It was hard enough to knock the wind out of him, but it was obvious she was holding back. Stepping back, she said, "Well? What are you waiting for. You beat him and I'll let you eat whatever you want from town." All of the boys turned in unison, and charged him.

(Finals week, sorry.)

Anaki Shadowflame (Queen of Atra)

Everyone lost thier minds. People leapt to their feet, cursing, bickering. The soldiers were throttling each other, suddenly, after spending the first bit of the meal perfectly fine. Korhel was the only one who didn't seem bewildered, or angry.

"You!" I pointed at him accusingly, storming around the table. "You did this, you bastard."

He stood, looming over me like a bad dream, glowering. "I did not."

"You did, you son-of-a-bitch."

"I d-"

Suddenly there was a loud boom, thunderclouds over us. The room fell silent.

"Calm down. This wasn't caused by one of us, but by some creature that was here, probably hiding with magic. I don't know what it was, since I haven't encountered anything like it before."

Well that makes me feel better.

Hunter glanced at us. I paled. I hated his magic. I hated how it could unnerve me in an instant. I glanced around. Korhel's chest had deflated a bit, and he now stood at a more respectful distance. At least it's knocked Korhel down to size.

I crossed my arms and glared at roast that had exploded into that girl. It didn't make any sense. Who, or what, would've done something like that? I was silent as Balik and Korhel exchanged a few words, politely, as was Balik's style.

"What, exactly, is being done to find the culprit?" I interupted icily.

"I've got my men on it, Naki," Balik assured me quietly.

"My men are yours."

"Thank you...but I believe it is under control."

Ulric was shifting behind me, itching for a fight. I didn't have it in me to calm him down. I wanted a fight too.

"That's right Naki, just calm down," Korhel said patronizingly.

"Shut the fuck up!" I snarled, turning on him, clenching my hand into a fist.

"You're.not.in.charge.here," Korhel snarled, looming once more.

"That much is obvious. If I were in charge, this wouldn't be such a clusterfluck."

"What is it exactly that you want?" Korhel snapped.

"I want to know what the fuck is going on!" I growled.

"Calm down, Anaki." Balik frowned. " Everyone wants to know."

"And you aren't helping anything." Neko finished.

"And neither are you," I glared.

"If we are to do this, we must do it together. Who ever did this is trying to do us harm." Balik said.

"They're trying to split us up and have us destroy each other." I stated through clenched teeth.

"They're most likely trying to get them to wage war on each other and take them selves out so who ever wants them dead won't have to do any real work." Luna finished, speaking to no one in particular.

We all stared at the girl.

"Yes?" She looked at us. "Did I say something?"

Her dad shook her head, seeming to bewilder her. "What?"

"You interrupted them." he sighed.

"Oh... My apologies, Your Highness. I tend to do that sometimes."

I rolled my eyes as Balik nodded.

Crossing my arms, I focused on the tip of my boot. "Ulric." I breathed.

"Ma'am?"

"I want my swords."

"Ma'am." He turned towards one of his men.

"I want you to get them."

He pursed his lips, pissed, but bowed and excused himself. I know it sucks, lad. But you're likely to start a war yourself, if I let you stay.

"What does that mean?" Korhel asked at last.

"It means," I said icily, as I looked up once more. "That if we don't want to be overrun, our countries must unite."

Korhel snorted. "Like Neko would be lowered to associating with Atraians."

"Believe me, I find the prospect as equally repulsive, if not more so, than you do, Lord Malbrar." I retorted icily, watching with some satisfaction as Korhel recoiled at the title I used. No, no, Naki. We can't be prodding him anymore. "But you and I must put our differences aside and pray that our countries can do the same."

"...Even if I was so inclined...which I am not, it is impossible."

"Difficult, yes. Impossible? I think not."

I glanced at Balik, who was watching us both carefully, silently.

"Our countries will fall into civil wars."

"At first, yes," I agreed. "But once they catch sight of whatever was here earlier, or witness a few roasts blowing up, they'll get over it."

"We don't have the means to fight an invisible army."

"Atra does. We've got magicians enough, skilled metal workers."

"We'll need more than that."

"You've the produce and the manpower." And the looks to shut Cordel up...

"What about horses and iron?"

"I believe Balik would be useful in those areas?"

Balik looked between us, his eyes a bit too wide, probably bewildered that we were actually getting along. "Ah...yes." he cleared his throat. "Yes, of course."

"...It's a deal." Korhel frowned, but held his hand out to me. "We shall become partners."

"Until we crush the bastards," I clarified, taking his hand. "Then you're going down."

Korhel grinned venomously and squeezed my hand tightly. I squeezed back, as hard as I could, until our knuckles were white and our hands were blood red. "I'll look forward to it."

We glared at each other for a long moment, neither of us willing to back down. I wouldn't look away first. I wouldn't loosen my grip first.

"If you two intend to be of any use to your countries, I recommend you end your...er...handshake, while you have right hands left in tact." Balik interceeded.

"Her first," Korhel growled.

"Not happening."

"Children," Balik sang.

"Fine, I'll be the adult."

"Thank you-" Balik started, but stopped as I stomped on Korhel's toes, making him jump backward cursing. I smirked after him, my hand still raised. I didn't let go first. His sentence ended in a sigh. "Dear god."

I tried to somber my face, my nose still twitching in amusment, as I turned to Balik. "I'm sorry."

"No you're not."

"That aside, will Genor partner with Atra?" I held my throbbing hand out to him.

Balik
Exploding roasts.

Thunder clouds.

God, I was exhausted. What I wouldn't do for a stack of reports.

"That much is obvious. If I were in charge, this wouldn't be such a clusterfluck."

My attention snapped back to the conversation, and I stopped myself from baring my teeth just in time. What exactly did she mean by that? Did she not realize that the country she ruled was on the verge of war? What was a bigger clusterfluck than that?

She yelled again, and I turned toward her. I needed time to think!

"Calm down, Anaki." I frowned at her. " Everyone wants to know."

"And you aren't helping anything." Neko finished.

"And neither are you."

I closed my eyes so I wouldn't roll them. "If we are to do this, we must do it together. Who ever did this is trying to do us harm," I said as calmly as I could.

"They're trying to split us up and have us destroy each other."

"They're most likely trying to get them to wage war on each other and take them selves out so who ever wants them dead won't have to do any real work," a girl I didn't quite remember murmured.

We all stared at the girl.

"Yes?" She looked at us. "Did I say something?"

Her dad shook her head, seeming to bewilder her. "What?"

"You interrupted them." he sighed.

"Oh... My apologies, Your Highness. I tend to do that sometimes."

I stared at her for another minute before nodding tiredly.

Who cared anymore?

Naki murmured to one of her people, surprisingly not the wolf whose name I would eventually know along with with the other girl... eventually.

"What does that mean?" Korhel asked at last.

"It means that if we don't want to be overrun, our countries must unite," Naki muttered.

Korhel snorted. "Like Neko would be lowered to associating with Atraians."

"Believe me, I find the prospect as equally repulsive, if not more so, than you do, Lord Malbrar."

I winced at the title she used, knowing it wouldn't go over well.

"But you and I must put our differences aside and pray that our countries can do the same."

"...Even if I was so inclined...which I am not, it is impossible."

"Difficult, yes. Impossible? I think not."

I crossed my arms, deciding they were handling things well enough.

"Our countries will fall into civil wars."

"At first, yes, but once they catch sight of whatever was here earlier, or witness a few roasts blowing up, they'll get over it."

"We don't have the means to fight an invisible army."

"Atra does. We've got magicians enough, skilled metal workers."

"We'll need more than that."

"You've the produce and the manpower."

"What about horses and iron?"

"I believe Balik would be useful in those areas?"

At the mention of myself, I blinked, realizing just how far this 'ceasefire' of sorts had gone in a few minutes, and with minimal bloodshed. I hadn't even had to say anything. "Ah...yes," I mumbled when it hit me that I was the one holding things up now and cleared my throat. "Yes, of course."

"...It's a deal." Korhel frowned, but offered his hand. "We shall become partners."

"Until we crush the bastards. Then you're going down."

"I'll look forward to it."

I allowed myself a moment of victory, though I had given little to find peace, and studied them... and studied them.

"If you two intend to be of any use to your countries, I recommend you end your..." I glanced down at their white knuckles and frowned. "Er...handshake, while you have right hands left in tact."

"Her first," Korhel growled.

"Not happening."

I couldn't withhold a small smirk. "Children," I sang nervously.

"Fine, I'll be the adult," Naki gave viciously.

I gave a true smile. "Thank you-" I began when she jumped on Korhel's toes, stopping myself. I looked up to the heavens as Korhel jumped back and Naki grinned. Children. "Dear god."

She looked at me with slightly widened eyes, not quite pulling off serious. "I'm sorry."

I gave her a flat look. "No you're not." I tried to keep the laughter out of my voice.

"That aside, will Genor partner with Atra?" She offered her hand to me.

I looked down at it and almost accepted it, freezing just above her hand. I glanced at Korhel. "I will not partner with only one of you." I resisted the urge to glance at Hunter. It would make me look weak at this point.

One hand hovering over Anaki's, I offered my other, my gaze locked on Korhel's. He hesitated for a moment.

I took Anaki's hand as Korhel took mine. "Partners," I murmured, and they echoed softly. I released their hands and adverted my gaze.

I had my alliances now. That's what I had wanted when I invited them.

Now I realized how humbling it was to ask for help.

"Ah..." I swallowed twice, unable to quite meet their eyes. I could get my gaze to their nose. "Genor's soil isn't good. We have trouble growing crops, grazing livestock." I forced myself to look dead in their eyes. "My people will be no help to our... cause if I- they... we do not get some-" I grimaced at the word, hating how weak it sounded. "Assistance."

I refused to drop my gaze, praying that they would give mercy and not jab too hard. My skin was only so thick, and it had been worn quite thin over this subject.

Eira
The nobles spoke, and I tried to pay attention for a while, but it was basically Naki and the King of Neko playing chicken.

I caught Hunter's eye and jerked my head ever so slightly, away from the throng of advisers. I met him, ignoring the wary look on his face. "You smelled him too?" I murmured. I tipped my head as Luna glanced our way.

She broke off from the group nonchalantly.

Hunter nodded.

I glanced at the royals again. Things seemed to be calming down.

"One of those..." My lip curled into a snarl. "Things was just inside the Altrean borders."

Hunter frowned. "A group of them were in the pass."

"They're here to do our peoples harm, as we've said." I shrugged. "I'll admit, I'm a bit... aggressive." My eyes narrowed at a scoff. "Okay! I'm antagonistic and am looking for a fight, but I'm willing to forget you're a..." I had to work my mouth a few times before the word would come out, "Sheep dog." I looked at Luna. "And I'll try not to hate you." I shrugged again, none of this feeling natural. "I figure each of us protect our own monarch in our own way. We may need to be able to communicate... easier if we each want to do our jobs."

I waited for an answer, unsure of their reactions, and unsure of my ability to stay... civil.

Ulric

The nobles were bickering, the smell of exploded venison hung in the air, and I was sobering up far sooner than I would have liked. And, meanwhile, whoever had done all of this was most likely scampering away with a shit-eating grin on his face and a song in his heart. I half-hoped the Queen would just hit someone so that we could be done with the niceties and commence with the brawling.

"If we are to do this," Balik said after yet another bout of heated words, "We must do it together. Who ever did this is trying to do us harm."

No shit, genius. I clenched my jaw, fidgeting.

"They're trying to split us up and have us destroy each other," The Queen said through clenched teeth.

Then the silver-eyed girl spoke, seemingly to thin air. "They're most likely trying to get them to wage war on each other and take them selves out so who ever wants them dead won't have to do any real work."

All heads turned to her. She looked right back, seemingly oblivious. "Yes? Did I say something?" The man next to her, who I now assumed to be her father, was shaking his head. "What?" she said.

"You interrupted them."

"Oh... My apologies, Your Highness. I tend to do that sometimes."

Well then...she may have been good-looking and tough, but she was clearly a little out of her mind. In fact, I was starting to believe that everyone in the room was insane, and I was feeling a little crazy myself just from being around them for too long.

Anaki shifted, folding her arms over her chest and directing her gaze to her feet. "Ulric." I almost didn't hear her, she said it so quietly.

"Ma'am?"

"I want my swords."

"Ma'am." I turned to locate one of the younger soldiers who generally acted as errand-boy, but Anaki's voice stopped me.

"I want you to get them."

I pursed my lips quickly, trying not to show my displeasure or, worse, say something I would regret. Yes, I towered over her and could probably have picked her up with one hand, but I knew very well that size doesn't always count in a fight...especially when your opponent is a fast-moving, pissed-off little woman. I bowed and excused myself from the room, fuming.

I stomped back toward the guest quarters until I found the one the Queen had been staying in; going in, I located her swords--admittedly taking a moment to admire their craftsmanship--then headed back out. This, at least, might mean that we were going to do more than just stand around and talk. To be on the safe side, I also stopped by my own room to get my staff. I would have to ask her if my men could arm themselves, as well...

Luna

So everything was settled. An alliance was formed so we didn't end up killing ourselves and giving whoever wanted us all dead the satisfaction. I honestly didn't pay much attention. They were acting like children. I glanced toward Where Hunter was standing with Eira, and walked over.

I nodded at hunter and I stopped a few feet away, but said nothing.

"One of those..." her lip curled into a snarl. "Things was just inside the Altrean borders."

Hunter frowned. "A group of them were in the pass."

"They're here to do our peoples harm, as we've said." Eira shrugged. "I'll admit, I'm a bit... aggressive."

From what I'd heard, that was putting it mildly.

Someone scoffed and her eyes narrowed. "Okay! I'm antagonistic and am looking for a fight, but I'm willing to forget you're a..."

I was like she had to work the words out of her mouth. "Sheep dog."

She looked at me. "And I'll try not to hate you."

She shrugged again, as if she didn't feel right. "I figure each of us protect our own monarch in our own way. We may need to be able to communicate... easier if we each want to do our jobs."

I nodded, not saying anything. I couldn't give two shakes of a rat's ass whether she liked me or not.

Hunter spoke up first. "I guess you're right. We need to be able to communicate at all times."

They both look to me. All I do is nod, then shrug my shoulder. Hunter takes a step toward me. "How is your shoulder?"

I take a step. I hate it when people got so close. Especially men. Before I could say anything, dad walked over. He looked pissed. His feet came to a stop in front of me, his back to me. "Take a step back."

I touched his arm, but he shook it off. Since he wouldn't look at me, I stepped around him. Looking down at me, he glared. I glared right back. We stood off.
His hands raised.

What's going on? he asked.

Nothing. And now is not the time for something like this. I frowned.

"Something the matter?" Queen Anaki said from beside us.

I look at her for a moment, noticing the other two royals now watching us before looking back at dad.

"Everything's fine." he said.

"I think I will return to my quarters." King Neko spoke up. "There's been enough for tonight."

"I do believe i'll return to mine too." the queen said.

She nodded at Eira, who in turn nodded to others, and they took their leave. As we started for the door, King Balik called to us. "Excuse me!"

We stop. My father turns back.

"What is your name, sir?" he asks.

"Jethro, your highness." he answered.

"And you, young woman?" he inquired

There it was again. Woman. I turned back to look at him.

"What is your name?" he inquired.

"Luna, your majesty." I inclined my head and smile. "Nice to make your acquaintance."

"Like wise." he inclines his head towards me with a smile, then looks at Neko to do the same thing. "I bid you good night, brother."

"As I you." he returns with a nod.

We took our leave as well.

Rovaalian

He looked at the cudgel, and then back at the sword he had once deemed cumbersome, almost longingly. He would be better off without a weapon! This was made of wood! As far as he had known, weapons were made of metal. Suddenly, Aelicine had punched him hard in the gut. He lost his breath, and almost panicked. He didn't know what to do, and before he knew it, boys were charging with swords, not bothering with the decency of chalenging first. His Warriors instincts shut off, and his assassins instincts switched on. He turned tail and ran straight up the wall of the barracks, taking the cudgel with him. He grabbed to the ledge of the wall with his free hand and pulled himself up, with much difficulty in his armor, but managed it. He ran along it to get to the roof. He stayed there for a moment, while the fighters tried to scale the wall to get to him. Stupid stick. Finally, one of them got to the wall, and made his way over to Rovaalian on the roof, holding both arms out to balance himself. Rovaalian let him come, seeing as nobody else made it to the roof. Once the man reached him, he swung his sword, which Rovaalian dodged, and lost his balance. Rovaalian savagely hit him hard on the back of his head, knocking him out, and took his sword. This was a one handed sword, not like a short sword or a Hand and a Half. This will do, he thought, swinging the sword to test it. He noticed that two more had got up to the top of the wall, but one of them fell off. One of them, obviously more balanced then the rest, took no time getting to Rovaalian. Rovaalian, in one deft movement, knocked him out, too, and took his sword. Now he had two swords and a stick. He lay the sword down on the roof, and took up the stick. Another soldier had made it to the top of the wall, after removing his armor, and was tiptoeing over. Rovaalian threw the cudgel, and it hit the poor man right in the torso, knocking him off of the wall outside the barracks. Rovaalian contemplated waiting for people to come up, but thought better of it as he jumped down with two swords and slashed wildly at opponents, hitting heads and flanks, blocking swords and spears, carving arcs of steel with his swords. At one point he threw his sword at someone, and it caught him in the head, knocking him out. He took up a shield and continued. By the time training had been finished, he was sweating and visibly fatigued.
Many students had long since given up, satisfied with not getting what they wanted to eat. Soon they were all sent off to lunch, for a brief break. Rovaalian had a sandwich, and proceeded to wander around the town. He was absent mindedly talking to a young woman when a courier bumped into him.

"Oi!" called Rovaalian. "What's the rush?"

"Attack... on the... the world! Orcs, magic... oh, must tell the king!"

"He's gone to the meeting in Genor."

The courier made a face and slumped into a chair by the street.

Orcs? Magic? sounds like his kind of party. Maybe they should go. "What exactly happened?"

"A goblin was spotted in the Genor castle, reaking havok. He was a powerful sorcerer. We found him dead in the castle, with a strange magic dagger! We think that he tried to start a war, and we know that he couldn't be the only one!" said the messenger.

Rovaalian wasted no time. He ran back to Aelicine.



"WHAT?" she shouted after he had told her what the messenger had said.

"What will we do?" asked Rovaalian. She made a face as she thought about it.

Spoiler

It's up to you, Dawnpath. What will we do?