Young Writers Society

Kosey| The Main Hall

Kosey just leaned against the wall, his moss-like eyes closed as he meditated over the season. He knew winter was coming soon. This he could feel in his bones. Winter was the season of his birth, the season of ice- his main element. As he meditated, he lit the torches in the main hall with a tic of his head. He smiled. Fire was his second element, the reinforment of his until winter has arrived. To the Crown Prince, Kosey's power over fire and ice was strange for a Mage as young as himself. Kosey didn't care what the other Mages say about him. He was proud of his power and nothing more. After what felt like an age, he went out of the palace.
A strange sense of familiarity struck Kosey in the chest. For the last nineteen years, he had this feeling. It was like someone he knew closely was somewhere nearby. Almost like...he sensed a twin.
Tears start to fall down his face. He never met his twin brother and felt bad about it. His parents were killed by soldiers and poor Kosey had to live in the palace, since that was the only other place he could call home. If he were to call a place home, the palace was the closest he had. He kept his service to the Crown Prince and the Queen, as a part of his gratitude for taking him in. To him, the monarchs were more than just rulers; they were practically family.

Hector: Palace/Then Temple

I walked through the empty back halls of the castle lost in my own thoughts, as usual nowadays. Briac followed close on my heels, faithful friend that he is, one of my only friends now.

My head ached, five hours straight of meeting and council debates did that too me. My father's council had been waiting like vultures until they knew he was dead and had attacked me with requests for favors. All of them finding it necessary to tell me all their petty accomplishments. It had been a moth since his death and they hadn't shown any sign of stopping-

Dear God!

I made my way into the throne room with the great iron seat upon the marble dais. The torches had been lit already- Kosey, I smiled slightly. He was a good lad, my other true friend.
I looked around for him, but as usual when I was looking for him, he was gone. I moved to the throne and looked at it, running me hands over the armrests I remember my father grasping as he shouted at his generals and council. He used to send them running form the room like the devil was after them. I wondered if I would be like that someday, I could only hope and pray I would be a good king to my people.

Pray?

The word flitted through my mind suddenly and just then I heard the temples great bell toll.

That might be a good thing to do right now, I could use all the supernatural help I can get! I thought bitterly.

I slowly made my way out of the hall and to the back of the castle's farthest garden. Here there was a small door built into the thick wall. Father had shown me this when I was a lad, kings for generations had used it for sneaking out. I wasn't the king yet but I still used it on occasion.

I slipped out of my tunic and tossed it into a tree where I could find it later. That left me only in my white laced shirt and britches, a common enough outfit. I knew the council would fuss if they ever found out but I thought I was safer alone. No on would recognize me dressed like this and certainly not during the festival that I could hear even from this far away. I unlocked the door and keeping to the shadows I made my way into the city, my city.

****
Fifteen minutes later found me in the main square, now nearly empty. Everyone had by that time made their way towards the wharf for the fireworks, so the square was not the beehive of activity it had been only hours before.

I walked across the cobbles and up the steps of the temple pausing before I entered to say the prayer carved into the posts and lintel of the door.

Once inside I immediately felt at peace. I always did when I came here. There were only a few of the maidens moving silently about or whispering, and only maybe five worshipers here now. I moved off to a corner pew and moved in looking up as the stained glass windows reverently. It was such a calm and holy place, I wished I could come here more often on my own but the council and mother would have an apoplectic fit if they knew.

I sat there for, I don't know how long, staring at the alter just listening and waiting. I half hoped I would hear some divine voice speak to me, telling me what to do- telling me how not to fail my country and my father...

(I hope this is alright, tell me if not and I will edit. )

Aisha | Temple;

Aisha didn't know how long she'd been sitting there beside the altar on the little step up to it, but the sun was well below the horizon when the young man wearing a white shirt entered the Temple. He moved over to a corner and sat down. It was only moments later that another young man entered the Temple. He paused, glanced around and moved to sit in a pew near the back. Aisha watched him for a moment before he attention drifted back to the other young man. The one sitting in the dark corner.

Her attention did drift occasionally. She stood and made her way down the center aisle, nodding to the other Temple Mains and those who had come to pray. She had helped Aly clean up the mess Jasmine had made hours ago and now the floor was clean and no longer in danger of making someone slip. Outside, Aisha could her shouting. Fireworks, then. She smiled slightly, pausing in the Temple's entrance to watch the flashes of brilliant colour in the dark sky. She found it beautiful.

She turned when she heard footsteps out in the main entrance yard. A young woman was racing towards the Temple. She appeared to be alone. Until Aisha looked past her and saw the small group of maybe ten people behind her. She frowned and waited. The young woman fell to her knees before Aisha, bowing and holding her hands in the position of prayer.

"Sanctuary!" she gasped, bending over to catch her breath. Aisha stared at her. "Sanctuary, please! They're going to kill me!"

Isranda had returned hours ago with the group she'd taken to the Carnival. Aisha turned to glance inside the Temple. "Get the High Priestess!" she called, breaking the silence inside. One of the Maidens heeded the call and raced out of the room. Aisha turned back to the woman. "Quick," she said. "Come inside before they can drag you out."

The woman thanks her and slipped into the Temple. Aisha stayed where she was, staring the group of men and women down. They halted and then, while throwing disgruntled glances towards the Temple, left. Once they were gone, Aisha retreated into the Temple.


(No, that's not Freya, Triplet. It's someone else. *shall not reveal who yet*)

Climalsi| The Forest

The familiarity sense struck Climalsi's chest, making him wonder what or who is the source of this strange presense. To Climalsi, this presense has picked on him for the past nineteen years counting. He never brought this up to the General. He found this presense disturbing, but he was too used to it as he grew up. As he went to his position, he thought over his training. He was trained vigorously by the General, but Climalsi didn't care. Training was all he needed to get around from one place to another unseen. The other soldiers don't call him the Fox for nothing.
He was quite sly for someone his age, hence being called the Fox behind his back by the soldiers and in front of the General. Climalsi often responded to Fox or his own name, which was something that surprises the General. He hardly spoke to other soldiers, so his solitude was his only sanctuary. He endured nineteen winters of solitude and vigorous training, but he didn't plan on stopping there.

Ulta | Forest nearby Asyra

Sat up in the tallest oak outside of the cities walls, I looked down on an old friend. Aodán. And crashing through the forest behind him was her royal highness Keira. For all she went around barefoot she hadn't yet become used to the forest however she was much less destructive than many who came this way. I'd been following them for the better part of their journy, having to listen to Keira complain... For the most of it Aodán seemed to ignor it, but this time when she asked he answered:
“How much further is it?”
"Not long," he replied
“What are we even going to do when we get there? It’s not like I can just walk through the gates and say, ´Hi, remember me, I used to live here!'” She continued, although it seemed as Aodán wasn't listening. Silently I laughed to myself, 'Keira will get a shock when hardly anyone recognizes her' I thought, expecting her to be like all other royalty I'd met.
“Do you hear that? We’re getting close!” Even from up here I could hear the day to day life of the city gate. No way were they going to get past the gate dressed like that. They were still dressed in upperclass like clothes and the upperclass never left the city with out a guard escort. The moment they were passing underneath me I called out to them, Aodán more so than Keira.
"What time does the eagle fly?!" My voice carried through the forest like some ethereal calling. Her highness looked around with panic and confusion on her face while Aodán seemed almost depressed to hear my voice. I had to strain my ears to his whispered reply: "The eagle flies alongside the owl at dusk." I dropped to the ground in fornt of them, landing in a crouch. When I stood I gave Keira a breif but humble bow before continuing.
"You can't go into the city via the gates, the guards wouldn't believe who you are. If you still trust me then I'll tell you how to get into the city and to a semi decent hideout. Currently no-one seems to know about it, and if they do and they hear about you my dear," I said facing Keira "They will not think of looking for you there. Now, Aodán, do you still trust me?" I saw his mask spread across his face, that mask no-one can read. Simply by looking at him I could tell he didn't trust me any longer. "Believe me, things have changed since then. And for the record, Mistress Isranda sent me."

Aodán - Forest nearby Asyra

"Isranda!" Aodán snarled and positioned himself between his old friend, and Keira. Ulma had changed, Aodán still sensed bravery and recklessness but she had lost all traces of the little innocence that had still remained when he'd known her. She wasn't dressed in the fancy clothing she usually wore, and her long, fair, hair was tangled. "You still run errands for the Temple?" Aodán finally asked. Ulma was an assassin, like him, yet not. She hadn't been raised under the same horrid circumstances, she'd had people who cared and to Aodán it seemed as if she felt like she owed them. Aodán didn't trust them though, they acted with such innocence, and kindness but nothing in his life had ever prooved that people could act nice without having a hidden agenda. Aodán didn't trust anybody.

"Have I ever done anything to make you doubt my trustworthyness?" Ulma responded, avoiding the question. Aodán avoided her glance, he already knew what he'd see. Big, dark-blue eyes staring at him with honesty. If there was one person Aodán should be able to trust it was Ulma, the answer to her question was No. She was the one person who hadn't let him down... not yet at least.

"Say I did trust you... what's your plan, and what will happen after we've entered the city? What's Israndas intrest in us?" Aodán counted up question after question, saying more in a matter of seconds than he had for days. When he was finnished he looked up at Ulma and met a face of impatience but Aodán wouldn't move until he got answers.

Kosey| Outside the palace

Kosey sighed as the sense of familiarity vanished from his chest. Who or whatever was the source of the presence, it left him gently. He went inside the palace and returned to his position at the throne room, putting his lute on his lap and waiting for the Crown Prince to come. Both the boys were almost like brothers, since they both started growing up together. Kosey was no stranger to the Crown Prince, even if the former keeps disappearing before the latter could catch him. That didn't matter to Kosey. Every so often, he was found by the Queen or King before the Crown Prince was put in charge. As he strummed on his lute, his eyes closed in meditation.

Freya | Inside the temple

Freya swept the floor with a broom rather irritably, a frown creasing her forehead. A glance at her pocket-watch told her it was late evening--just about time for dinner. But for some reason the maidens of the temple had disappeared elsewhere, leaving her all alone with only the broom for company. Not that she blamed them--if she herself had been in the same situation, she no doubt would've been wary of the suspect.

They better serve apple-pie for dessert.

But it didn't help that some of them acted rather like mice. Her fingers twitched on the handle as she started sweeping even more vigorously. She was seeking sanctuary at the Temple, of course--that was why she couldn't perform any of her dangerous magic. But if she'd had the choice, she would've simply flicked her index finger and turned the next skittery temple maiden into a mouse. She herself hadn't been that trippy, had she?

No, definitely not.

She hemmed and hawwed, sweeping the dust all to one side and tip-toeing out gracefully from the room. No spots, no dust. Even if she burned most food into charred ash, at least her other housework skills didn't suffer, much. And it helped that she knew a few spells here and there. She turned around--only to come face to face with a rather shy-looking temple maiden.

"Um, hello."

"Hel-lo." Freya stared at her suspiciously. "Is there something you wanted?"

"Um, it's just that." The girl twiddled her fingers. "You see, it's my job to clean up, so--so..."

"Is it?" Freya sniffed. "If I do it of my own will, there's no problem, is there?"

"Well, that is to say--"

But their little conversation was cut short, as a commotion began to develop at the entrance hall of the temple. Freya growled and tossed the broom carelessly to the girl. "We'll have this talk later. But for now. I sincerely hope the Prince and his lackeys aren't busy hunting me down again. Or I just might lose my control this time around."

She strode down the hallway, ignoring the poor maiden's fearful whimper.

Alycia | Temple

It was true, she was menacing. The rumors had that part right. I picked up the broom and began to continue where she left off. I was curious as to what was happening out in the main hall, but it was really none of my business. No one wanted me to stick my nose where it didn't belong.

"Aly?" I heard the voice behind me, "What are you doing here? Everyone's in the main hall. Are you scared?" I turned to come face with Jasmine. She just didn't give up. I decided then that I needed to stand up to her, or she'd never leave me alone.

"L-le--" I choked on my words, and let my head hang.

"We'll go together, wimp." She swatted me over the back of the head and dragged me towards the main hall.

Climalsi| His Private Hideout- A chamber below the forest

He knew something was up with himself. Since he was born and during his training, he often sensed the presence of someone who could be his true equal. He never brought this up to the General, who he assumed deep down is his father. Climalsi's training had turned him into the Fox, the most cleverest of soldiers. To Climalsi, the Fox more of an honor than a title. He was clever, like the animal he was called. Unlike what the other soldiers thought, Climalsi was proud of what he does for the General. The soldiers thought he was ignorant of his work.
As he laid down in his bed, he felt something else. The feeling of strength, power, and greatness. This meant winter was on her way to bring him to the peak of his power over ice. He smiled to himself. Winter was his birth season, so this will be his twentieth birthday. He couldn't wait for this moment. He slept peacefully at first, then was disturbed by the knocking at his door. He growled, "Nobody enters the Fox's Den without permisson, soldier. What do you want?"
The soldier said nervously, "The General requests your presence, Fox."
Climalsi got out of his bed with a start. At last, the General has asked for him to come. He wondered what could be the mission of this matter. Nonetheless, Climalsi was anxious and excited for this moment.

Ulta | Forest nearby Asyra

With a irritated sigh I answered. Although it was good to hear him speak after such a long time, he'd never said so much in one go before.
"Isranda wants to meet Keira, as she's one of the only remaining royal court left in health. Unfortunantly, I've known her too long. Take this advice: don't let her get 'friendly' with Keira," I felt guilty that I was speaking as if she wasn't even there, "She has plans that even I don't know about... Anyway, I have a place in 'Assassins' Alley, you still know where that is right? What I am talking about, of course you do. Tenth on the left, use the back the door. You're free to come and go as you please, even Isranda dosen't know about it, okay? Please don't look at me like that..." The look on his face showed his disbelief of what I was saying, I only wished I'd hadn't had to leave his frienship long ago. "Look all I'm going to say is that once you're in the city just pay a visit to Isranda then you're free to do whatever. Although it would be nice if you visited onced in a while, to get in to the city there's an old passage not far from here leading into lower side." I tured to leave but Aodán's voice stopped me: "See you around then..."
Silently I smiled to myself and carried on my way further into the forest.

Hey so if I make a Foreigner character can they be a Mage from another land?

The foreign mage is taken >_>

General Aban

Aban closed his eyes tighter, hands pressed firmly together in his lap. He would turn around and see what was happening as soon as prayers were finished, but he had to finish first. There was something wrong, and he didn't know what it was- he just knew that something wasn't right. The dizzy spells, the migraines, the feeling. It just wasn't right- nothing was right.

He had decided this morning that it was because he had been neglecting to pay tribute in the temple. He was being punished for his disloyalty, although all he ever had been was loyal-- just to the wrong person. His eyebrows scrunched together. That obviously wasn't the right way of putting things-- he was loyal to the right person, but he had been so caught up in his duties around the palace that he hadn't gotten around to his spiritual growth. There, much, much better.

And though I have been an inefficient vessle for whatever your will may be, please forgive me. Maybe he should bring an offering of some sort. Did this temple accept offerings? Aban felt a frown flicker across his face. It was probably not good thing that he didn't know. At least he was certain that this was all some sort of punishment now, and at least he had caught it before it got too out of hand. Right? What if the gods were unforgiving today? What if he really hadn't caught it before it got out of hand?

What then?

Aban was well-aware that people had been severely punished for being ungrateful or for forgetting to pay homeage... things could get a lot worse than just a dizzy spell and a headache or two. It would seem that he would be visiting the temple during every moment of his free time.

Amen.

Aban pushed himself up and turned around, frown deepening at the sight of one of the temple maidens trying to soothe what seemed to be a foreigner. He had heard the claims for santuary- he had almost gotten up and checked on the problem himself- but his prayers were important. He brushed down the aisle, trying to ignore the familiar shape in the corner.

"Excuse me," he offered politely, making sure to keep a respectful distance from the women. "General Aban... is there a problem here that I can assist you in solving?" Straight-faced, not quite cold, same old General Aban.

Lynx Veirn | Docks

Lynx strolled down the street, his hands in his pockets and his lips puckered into a whistle as he slowly sauntered along. His cloak was pulled back, allowing his hair to flow down to his shoulders. His green eyes sparkled with amusement and a coy smiled played across his lips as he looked around. He wore a simple dark gray cloak with silver trim, and a silk shirt with silver buttons followed up by a dark pair of breeches and high boots. Just because he lived on the streets, Lynx didn’t believe in dressing like some poor farmer.

Even though it was late the docks were still packed as everyone pushed and shoved to get a better spot to see the fireworks that would soon be starting. It was a pickpocket’s heaven. “I’m sorry good sir,” he said as he pumped into a man. The man brushed him off with a nod and didn’t even notice as Lynx hand darted into his pocket. As the parted Lynx looked at the small bronze coin he had lifted. “Humph, he’s as broke as I am,” Lynx muttered as he opened his nearly empty coin purse and dropped the bronze coin into it.

His eyes roamed the crowd of people and he bumped into another man. As he was apologizing his fingers daintily cut the man’s purse from his belt and pocketed it as he moved away. He casually picked a few more pockets as he weaved his way through, but most of the time he came up empty handed besides a few coins.

“Damn poor people,” he muttered as he dropped a few more bronze pieces into his purse.

A movement out of the corner of his eye caused him to turn and he watched a few guards moving through the crowd. They weren’t coming for him specifically, but they were scouting about, looking for any trouble. Lynx grinned and began to make his way out of the crowd. He hadn’t made much money today, but on the bright side it was easier to steal from people now then ever before. The King was dead, and with him social society had almost collapsed.

According to rumor mongers battles were already waging in the palace for political control. The Queen was sick and dying some said, others claimed the King had been murdered and already people were moving to take control. Some thought the Prince would be killed next, and others claimed he would be used as a piece, manipulated back and forth across the chess board. He was young however, and easily coddled and manipulated.

Lynx personally didn’t care what happened. They could all die tomorrow and he wouldn’t even bat an eye, and that was the truth. What he did care was how the streets were run, and how life for him down here in the armpit of the city was like. When the King had died things had changed. The Royal leaders of the country had converged on the capital as everyone fought for their piece of the Kingdom. The Royal’s attention on their lands had ebbed a bit as resources were put into other places. It was a perfect time for Asyra’s underground to move in and take a little bit more control, and they had. Guards were easy to bribe, especially when the higher ups weren’t always looking over their shoulders.

Lynx paused as a pretty young thing flittered into his view. A young woman with impeccable posture, and a summering dress that flowed about her ankles was easing through the crowd. A white shawl was wrapped around her, and she was followed by a personal body guard who watched her every movement. Her long dark curls fluttered down her back and as she caught sight of Lynx through the crowd she gave him a dimpled smile.

“Perfect,” Lynx whispered as he smiled back and began to make his way through the crowd toward her. The young woman’s body guard saw him coming and moved to intercept, but the pretty young thing stopped him.

Lynx approached and as he did so took a quick inventory of what he could see. The young girl didn’t have on gloves, and two jeweled rings glittered on her fingers. There was no easily accessible place for her to have a purse, and he could take her away to a private place to find it, though he doubted the body guard would go for such a thing. Other then that she wore a small golden necklace with a pendant, and a couple of silver bracelets decorated her arms. Lynx quietly thanked the gods and swore he would go pay and offering to the Sisters as soon as he had a chance.

His gaze flickered to the body guard next. The man was tall, muscular, and obviously young. He had some military bearing, but was too young to have been discharged, unless there had been issues. A couple of medals adorned his chest, older ones, probably family heirlooms. A sword was sheathed into his belt, and a purse hung from the belt. A couple of gold buttons glittered on his jacket, and his narrowed eyes watched Lynx as he approached.

Lynx ignored the body guard for now and casually approached the young woman who watched him with a small blush on her cheeks. “My lady,” Lynx murmured as he swept aside his cloak and reached down to kiss her hand. As he did so he stuck two of his fingers into his cloak and found the small jar with lotion. He quickly got some on him and as he took his hand out he moved his other up her arm and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. The girl let out a giggle as Lynx pulled back and looked her in the eye. “You are stunning my lady,” he whispered with a smooth smile. She didn’t take her eyes off of his face, and he made sure that most of her body, including her hands were hidden from the body guard who stood behind.

He held her hands, slowly massaging her fingers as he rubbed the lotion onto her fingers. She didn’t even notice him slip the rings from her fingers as he moved in and whispered something in her ear. She giggled and he stepped back and whispered, “I am staying at the Emerald Star if you wish to stop by anytime my lady.” It was the name of one of the ritzy hotels in town, and he was definitely not staying there.

She just nodded, and Lynx turned toward the guard and stretched out his hand. “Thanks for doing your job sir.” The young guard looked surprised, and hesitantly reached out to shake Lynx’s hand. As they shook Lynx stepped in close and whispered, “Make sure you take good care of her.” As he said that his other hand reached back and carefully clipped the man’s purse from his belt. He palmed the purse and stepped back, giving the guard a smile.

“Yes sir,” the guard stammered as Lynx turned, and with a whistle began to wander off.

He soon left the crowd and was strolling through the street as the fireworks began to go off behind him. A few minutes later he was in the City Square. Most of the shops were closed but one of the taverns was open, the Silver Rose. With a sigh Lynx walked over and stepped through the door. He nodded to the couple of bouncers who stood lounging around, and they gave him nods back. Lynx walked over to one of them and pulled out two silver coins from the pouch he had lifted from the guard. “Here Ruby,” he said, handing the coins to the big bouncer. “Go fetch Jasmine for me,” he said with a smile, “She’ll come if you tell her Lynx has called, and keep the change for yourself.” The big man gave a nod and left the room.

The place was pretty empty and Lynx walked over to the bar and sat down. “Well look who is here,” the bartender said with a smile as he grabbed a cup and filled it with a frothy beer.

Lynx glanced around, and saw that the place was pretty much empty besides a few regulars at their tables. “Cain,” Lynx said with a smile as he pulled out the two rings he had lifted from the girl and slid them across the counter.

Cain quickly palmed the rings and said, “Well those will are two nice bits of coin, I will get right on that.”

“Thanks,” Lynx answered with a smile, “I am on my way up to my room, just add the change to my monthly allowance.”

Cain nodded and Lynx grabbed the beer and hopped up the steps to the upstairs. The room at the end of the hallway was his. It had a decent bed, with a small mirror and washing bowl, along with a desk and two chairs. Lynx actually owned the room, and about a quarter of this tavern. He never had much money, but when he came into town he had made a few investments in the city. Cain had been going through a rough time with one of the local bosses and Lynx had helped the man straighten the problem out for a part ownership in the tavern along with the room at the end. He had made a few similar investments since arrive, and had money stashed away at numerous banks under numerous names. But he usually stayed at the Silver Rose. Not only did he own part of it, but Cain was the best Fence in town. You wanted something sold fast, he could do it.

That was money he didn’t touch however. That money was there for a reason, and in case there was an emergency. Lynx tucked the coins he did have away and stopped as a knock sounded on the door. He quickly walked over and opened it to reveal a large bosomed woman with dark skin and hair. She wore a skimpy dress and gave Lynx a smile as she slinked into the room, “I am here my sweet,” she purred as she moved toward the bed.

“Boy are you,” Lynx replied with a grin as he shut the door.