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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 13, 2018 1:46:41 GMT
Along the border of the great forest, far away from Fero's lofty residence in Freyr-Lunge, several guards stood watch. A wooden palisade wall surrounded roughly 10 miles of land in this area - a fairly high traffic road that passed through the woodlands. The guards stood firm, their pikes raised to the heavens as darkness fell across Lemuria. Several horseman rode along the edge of the wall, eyes peeled for potential intruders, while guards stood at the ready on the ground, ready for any potential intruder.
News had reached them from Arkos and the Eastern Watchers about an intruder who had slaughtered many of the soldiers stationed there - including Junn, their commanding officer - after they had saved her from the worm beast that had been plaguing their area. They claimed that her name was 'Temned', an aspect of some sort of divine being who wielded an ebon sword. The news had not yet reached Fero's ears, but they feared a storm would come when his ire was provoked. He was not known for showing mercy to outsiders; it was likely it would only get worse now.
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Post by Stage on Jun 13, 2018 2:09:00 GMT
In the depth of the newborn night, on the farthest visible edge of the road, a horse so fair it appeared to glow appeared. Atop it sat a broad figure in platinum armor that held nearly the same luminance. As the rider approached, encouraging his steed forward at a gentle pace with gentler words, each whispered so that the night consumed them, it could be seen his face was uncovered, his hair a shock of gold. His speed did not fade as he grew close. It was only when he was within a hundred yards of the palisade that he altered course, commanding his pale beast to stop with a firm utterance of, "Giruy."
"I seek passage," the man asked, his voice young and projected loudly to reach the ears of the guards from the respectful distance he had chosen to give them. He had a notable accent. English was clearly not his first language.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 13, 2018 2:19:17 GMT
The guards sneered at the platinum-clad figure, clearly not impressed by his impressive attire and powerful voice.
"For what purpose, traveler?" One of the guards stated, twirling his pike in his hands. "Fero gave strict orders to allow no travelers in or out of these borders."
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Post by Stage on Jun 13, 2018 2:30:12 GMT
If the traveler was fazed by the cold reception, he did not show it. His gaze did not waver from that of the guard.
"I serve the throne of Lexia," he explained. "I am of its Pale. I seek a fugitive from our justice. I believe she made her way through your land. She is dangerous. A... A traitor and a killer."
Only this final statement seemed to give him pause, his large, blue eyes flickering away from the pike-bearer's.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 13, 2018 2:33:54 GMT
The guard tilted his head, as he looked toward some of his compatriots. They briefly discussed with one another in some strange, phlegmy language - presumably about the traveler's words. After a brief discussion, the guard turned back towards the traveler.
"Tell me, Lexian - did she wield a black sword?" The guard inquired, brown gaze meeting the traveler's own icy blue eyes.
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Post by Stage on Jun 13, 2018 2:38:22 GMT
The robin egg eyes of the stranger seemed surprised. "Y- Yes. As dark as her hair."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 13, 2018 2:50:22 GMT
The guard grumbled. "She killed around 8 men yesterday night. Including one of our best officers." The guard sighed in a somber manner. "She's a menace, I tell you. But soon, she'll have all of Draxonia bearing down on her. Fero won't stand for some low-life northern scum butchering our kin."
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Post by Stage on Jun 13, 2018 3:01:33 GMT
This news seemed to disturb the stranger. In sharp contrast to her earlier stoicism, his face now spoke loudly of distress, blue eyes downcast and downtrodden.
"I... I see," he said, powerful voice now quiet.
It took him a moment to formulate a proper response, though, if his knitted brows were anything to go by, he was not entirely happy with it. "In that case... I request you permit me to assist you. She is Lexian and... and more than that, she is Pale."
The armored rider lifted his eyes. A hint of anger smouldered behind the grief. "She was once a Lexian elite, but chose to betray us and leave one among us dead. She is a menace because she has received the best training. But so have I. She is old and has foolishly chosen to travel by foot. The only advantage she has left are those of a Pale. I will strip even that away from her. So please, allow me to help. Both our people deserve justice."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 13, 2018 3:07:37 GMT
The Guard grumbled to himself for a couple moments, before speaking once more. "Fine. But know you are under Fero's jurisdiction now. Whatever power you held back in Lexia is null and void down here. You will obey the commands of a superior officer and will abide by our kingdom's rules. Fair enough?"
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Post by Stage on Jun 13, 2018 5:58:19 GMT
The stranger bowed. "I am at your service until th- until the traitor is brought to justice."
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 14, 2018 0:14:42 GMT
The guard smiled, showing off his many teeth. The smile was not so much a friendly smile as much as it was one looking forward to bringing suffering.
"Then make your way to the Eastern Watchers - the beginning of this madness. They will join you in your hunt for the black swordswoman." With a whistle, the gates to the palisade slowly swung open, making way for the member of the knight to walk through.
"Follow the road until you hit a fork. Head down the left path until you reach a small fort. That is the camp of the Eastern Watchers. They will most likely distrust you immediately. If they do, tell them Ivan sent you." The guard handed the stranger a small brooch. "Hold this up for them if they still disbelieve you. It is the emblem of the Northern Watchers - my division."
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Post by Stage on Jun 14, 2018 0:40:09 GMT
The slope of the stranger's brows indicated he sensed the ill intent behind the smile, but he answered as politely as ever. "Thank you. In return, if you ever find yourself in Lexian territory and need assistance, ask as a friend of Zander."
Kneading his platinum steed's haunches, the Pale rode through the gates and down the road without further pleasantries.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 14, 2018 0:51:54 GMT
The guard, presumably Ivan, gave Zander a nod and a gesture of respect as he strode through the gates and beyond the palisade wall. Behind the Pale, the doors of the gate slowly pulled themselves closed, before shutting with a loud thump.
Ahead of Zander lay the darkness of the great forest, a thick canopy of trees obscuring what little light from the moon there was. The wind rustled some of the foliage around the knight, as the yips and howls of wolves echoed through the night. It would be a lonely journey to the Eastern Watchers for Zander...
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Post by Stage on Jun 14, 2018 1:13:33 GMT
The pale, powerful horse- named Giruy, presumably- huffed in worry at the cries of the wolves, but Zander gave his muzzle a reassuring pat. These southern wolves were but pups compared to the massive man-eater wolves they were used to dealing with, let alone the predators such as taiga bears and the mighty czorol. The Pale would be surprised if anything so large stalked the forest. Despite its name, the Great Woodland was not nearly as vast as some of the the woodlands both in Migma and back home. The Lexians were a people well known for their rapid consumption of natural resources, yet they had failed to majorly dent either.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 14, 2018 1:25:25 GMT
However, it seemed as though those howls in the distance were not merely just for show. Around the platinum-clad knight, the rustling of foliage filled the air. Hidden within the darkness, furred forms observed. Patiently they shadowed the knight, waiting for an opportune moment to strike, their eyes locked sternly upon their quarry, nostrils flared.
The knight could faintly make out the glisten of eyes in the dying light beneath the canopy of the Great Woodland. He was not alone...
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Post by Stage on Jun 14, 2018 1:36:22 GMT
Giruy's steady trot became jumpy as the pale stallion took notice of the streaking eyes. The breathing of the horse became heavy and audible. His rider muttered to him in Lexian, trying to calm the steed. He was a courageous horse, but even he had his limits. Sapphire eyes hardening, the Pale leaned back, sitting tall in the saddle, and gripped the pommel of his saber. He drew the blade, but not entirely. Instead, he slammed it back into its sheath, making a loud, metallic crack.
"USTEVLYET!" Zander roared, cracking the sheathing several more times. He repeated himself in English. "Leave!"
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 14, 2018 1:47:53 GMT
The crack of steel rung through the forest and hung in the air, reverbing across what felt like the entirety of the forest. It seemed Zander's intimidation tactic was fairly successful; the hungry eyes of the invisible hunters seemed to have vanished from sight.
Still, the knight knew not if his stalkers had truly fled, or if they were merely waiting for another opportunity to attack, one where he was less observant...
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Post by Stage on Jun 14, 2018 2:13:35 GMT
After a few moments of silence from the forest, Zander pushed Giruy on. He did not let down his guard completely however. Eyes raised and vigilante, he drew something from the hip opposite to his saber: a pistol.
He secured the firearm under a strap across his silver chest piece, where it could be quickly and easily reached. These beasts were not the giants he was used to, but perhaps it had been foolish to dismiss them for it.
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Post by Orcus on his Throne on Jun 14, 2018 2:22:27 GMT
An eerie silence had fallen around Zander, only the wind rustling the leaves in the canopy serving to give him and his noble steed company. Darkness had begun to creep ever more across the landscape, very quickly beginning to take away Zander and Giruy's main strength - their sight. As the shadows grew stronger, evidence of their assailant's presence grew more persistent, as the scampering of something through the underbrush reached their ears.
In an instant, things changed. Six grey-furred creatures, roughly three feet in length and a little under two feet tall, charged out from the underbrush, homing in on Zander's horse in an attempt to surround the two...
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Post by Stage on Jun 14, 2018 3:15:39 GMT
Releasing the reins, Zander seized his saber with one hand and his pistol with the other. He slashed blindly to his left, only trying to keep the beasts away for a time. Mirroring him, Giruy drummed his front hoofs while kicking out with his hind.
"Nezed, zviro!" Zander shouted, taking aim with his right hand. He hoped the thunderous sound of the gunshot alone would scare the wolves off, but he did target the nearest one for a fatal shot to the mid-body as he squeezed the trigger...
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