Lord of Azure Flame: Chapter 17: I got nothing.

[Script]

Luc Altair

"Oh?" Luc said. He was unaware of the customs of the nomads, so it was possible not wanting an honorific was a cultural thing. But he also had no idea of the boy's personality so it could have just as easily been a personal thing. Either way, it might make things more difficult ahead. And Luc didn't like that. "Very well then."

"More bark than bite?" Luc hoped that would be so. But he would still be cautious about the whole thing. Even Tessa's word was not enough to sway him. "Very well. Good to see you both unharmed then. Until we meet again." Luc nodded and rode off to the front of the party again.

EDIT: Starting a sentence with proper capitalization helps!

Edited August 24, 2010 by Script

[Snike]

Alex

"Umm... I do not know whether to be honored, or be distressed," Alex began, blushing lightly. I'm that different? "And I'm concerned about what the others may believe, if the daughter of the Brute and the prince, went to the ball together. It would be awkward, no..?" she trailed off nervously.

"... I was not planning on appearing the ball. But, if you need a date, I guess I could attend, Prince."

[Inactive Account]

"...Thanks..." Kelas was unsure of how exactly to respond. Instead, unconsciously, she leaned back slightly against Isotov's shoulder, an approximation of a hug since she couldn't turn around.

Instantly she realized what she was doing and abruptly leaned forward, nearly throwing off her balance and earning a disgusted snort from Amari. "I really should probably walk, in case we need to go anywhere quickly later," she muttered, deciding to attribute the slight heat in her face to sunburn.

[-Cynthia-]

"I was kind of hoping for honored." Tristan said, scratching his head. "And Mother and Father wouldn't mind since you're on our side, well they would prefer I take Charlotte I think, but I don't want to be paraded around all night like I'm some prize winning stallion." Bellerophon whinnied in indignation.

"So you'll go with me then? I'll come by with Bellerophon a few hours beforehand I guess." he said smiling.

Bellerophon looked over the woman in the door and snorted in approval. She was tall enough, would make for good, strong children. Tristan fed Bellerophon a carrot and patted him affectionately on the head.

[Phoenix]

Isotov

Iso was a bit startled by Kelas' rapid motion and rocked just a bit, but thought that maybe Amari had stepped on a rock or something. He couldn't see where the source of the motion. When she offered to walk again, he simply spoke his mind ... without so much as minding his wording.

Iso: I think we might be okay until we reach the capital. It isn't that far now, right? It's much easier to keep my balance when I'm holding you.

[Inactive Account]

"Erm... all... right..." Kelas replied, settling stiffly back into the saddle. "...I guess it is pretty nearby." Well, this was awkward... and wait, what exactly did he just say? "...Er."

[Snike]

Alex

"Oh, the Princess has a date, as well?" Alex said, curious. "It appears that her excursion outside of the nation had helped her. As for the arrangements, I would guess that would be acceptable. I will... See you then, prince." The last words came out a bit softer than her previous tone, though, not intentionally. Smiling, Duchess Rielle waited for Tristan to mount Bellerophon, and closed the door, her smile fading partly. Now, how to explain this to Father...

Eric

After hours of continuous travel, he finally arrived in Burgosas. The sun had almost set, and business was beginning to wind down. Nonetheless, Eric began to wander the streets, looking for any sign of Charlotte. He doubted that he could do anything if he heard about her capture, but nonetheless, he had to try.

[-Cynthia-]

Charlotte tried to go to bed, but found that she couldn't sleep. I wonder how everyone is doing... she thought to herself.

Tristan was flying back to the palace on Bellerophon, when a cardinal appeared in the air. It tweeted at the pegasus and began to fly off. Bellerophon took this as a challenge and charged towards the red songbird! Tristan swerved to stop this, and the sudden motion sent Bellerophon coming toward the ground, where he landed upon an unlucky myrmidion.

Tristan got out of his saddle, dusted himself off, and helped move the pegasus off the man, who was rather smushed, but alive.

"Dreadfully sorry about that." Tristan said, offering the man a hand. "Bellerophon can be...spirited sometimes."

[Snike]

Eric

Apparently his luck was as vengeful as ever, since a pegasus suddenly decided that Eric was a perfect landing pad.

"... It's alright. I've been through worse," Eric said, accepting the hand from the rider of the pegasi. Noticing the rider's emblem, he immediately knelt down, in a show of respect. "Forgive me for my rudeness, Prince Tristan."

[-Cynthia-]

"I should really be the one apologizing, since I hit you with my pegasus and all." Tristan said, motioning for Eric to rise. "It's a little late to be shopping, so you were walking home I guess?" he asked. Bellerophon was shaking himself off from the impact.

[Snike]

Eric

"... Not exactly, your Highness. I was attempting to find out if there was any news regarding my liege, Princess Charlotte," Eric said, avoiding eye contact. "She had been captured by a mercenary working for Jace, and I am looking into her whereabouts."

[-Cynthia-]

"Oh, Charlotte? She's at the castle. If you're one of the people traveling with her, she'll probably want to know you're all right. You can head back with me if you want, though we should probably walk. Bellerophon seem a bit testy for some reason." Tristan said to Eric.

Bellerophon glared at a passing pigeon. Foul vermin. I shall rid the skies of your filth one of these days, and then all will be able to revel in my magnificence.

[Snike]

Eric

"So, my liege is alright." A sigh of relief came from Eric. He didn't let her die. Things were looking better now "Walking would be an excellent idea, at least, for me," Eric said, looking at Bellerophon uneasily. "Horses and I do not have a loving relationship."

Passing Pigeon

The pigeon had found Mistress, and was just beginning his journey back to Master, when he passed a riding-bird which glared at him. Did I do something wrong?, he thought, flying past anyways. Most riding birds like pigeons like me. After all, who doesn't like pigeons?

[-Cynthia-]

Bellerophon glared at the pretentious pigeon as Tristan led him by the reins back to the palace. Bellerophon headed back to the aerie while Tristan and Eric walked back to the palace, Tristan waving off an approaching guard and the pair headed into the palace.

Charlotte was just walking out of her room to get some water when she saw Tristan and Eric approaching. "Sir Eric!" she cried out, jaw dropping. She ran over and threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're all right, I was so worried about what happened in the canyon."

Tristan coughed awkwardly and left the pair alone.

[Snike]

Reunion

As the princess wrapped her arms around him, Eric returned the embrace. "Your Highness, I apologize for letting you get captured. I tried to slay the wyvern lord, but... I was defeated easily. I am happy you are alright, even still," he said, before backing out of the embrace a little. "The others should arrive at around midday tomorrow. I ran ahead, as it was my fault you got captured. I hope you may forgive me for my weakness."

[-Cynthia-]

"Oh Sir Eric, please don't blame yourself." Charlotte said, releasing him. "You are...the best protector I could hope for. And I am glad to hear that the others are all right." she said, smiling. She looked him over. "You look exhausted though Sir Eric, perhaps you should get some rest and we can discuss matters in the morning."

[Snike]

Eric

"... I suppose I am in no position to argue with Your Highness," Eric said, feeling his exhaustion. "Very well, I shall retire, Princess. Bonne nuit, ma petite fleurette," he said, before being led to a guest bedroom, where he was promptly asleep.

OOC: He just called Charlotte his little flower. Obviously meant it as endearing.

[riariadne]

Chase halted Ava at a spot situated near the capital, but also backed by some woods. "We should stop here for a while. It looks like a good spot... we get cover from here because really, I wouldn't be surprised if we got attacked again," he exclaimed.

Conrad rode up from behind, and agreed, "Indeed, we need to rest. We haven't stopped all day, and now would be a good time to take a break... if not for us, for the horses."

Edited August 24, 2010 by Lightning

[Psych]

Cess and Rita:

Having ridden for the majority of the day, Cess and Rita dismounted, and set up their tents. Cess built a large fire so the others would be able to see them, and Rita took to making dinner.

---------

Pary:

"Owww....." Helping Viveka up, he stood, rubbing his head. "Is she always like that?"

[Snike]

Dani and Derek

The sun had set now, and it seemed that two of the others had set up camp ahead. Closing in, Dani hopped off of Ann, and went over to where Rita was cooking something. "Do you need help?" she asked, slightly unsure if the girl could cook.

Derek, on the other hand, began to prepare room for tents and such, as everyone else began to dismount.

[Psych]

RIta:

"Oh sure. Here, try some." Rita spooned some soup out into a bowl for Dani and handed it to her.

---------

Cess:

Walking over to Rita and Dani, he spotted Dani about to eat something. "No!" He quickly swatted the bowl out of her hands. "If you want to live, don't eat that."

"I'm and excellent cook, thank you very much."

"If you're cooking for vultures, maybe...>_>"

[Dark Sage]

Taking some of the stakes, poles, guy ropes, a tent and the hammer, Alferis went up to Derek.

"Do you need any help?" he asked, beginning to set up the tent.

Edited August 24, 2010 by Dark Sage

[Snike]

Dani

Rita had handed her a bowl of soup, only for Cess to send the bowl flying out of her hands, and onto the ground, spilling the contents as well. A small drop of it had touched her finger, though. Taking a taste of it, Dani almost immediately grimaced.

"Ugh...," she said, the disgusting taste still in her mouth. "... Rita, I think I'll make the rest of it myself. No offense." Before Rita could react, the mage had poured her soup out, and cleaned the pot out. That done, she began to take some of the spare carrion Rita was using, and cut it up, dropping the smaller pieces into the pot. Soon, Dani added carrots and potatoes, along with several other vegetables and herbs, into the pot. The juices from the meat began to simmer, and a mouth-watering aroma began to come up, out of the pot, as the mage worked.

Derek

"Not exactly," Derek said, almost done clearing things out. "Though, I may need a healer again in a bit. My hand broke again."

Edit: Added Derek

Edited August 24, 2010 by Snike

[Dark Sage]

"That's....not something you should keep silent about. Go to Tessa. I'll handle this," said Alferis, concern in his eyes.

[Phoenix]

Camp (Because Chase said so ...?)

After calling back Susann and calming her, the two mounted back up. Pary forgot to ask Viveka to the ball again during the trip because she kept going on and on about something or other and it was both very interesting and distracting. Once they reached the camp, they dismounted and Viveka came up to Chase and gave him a big hug from behind. Like every other time, he didn't see it coming. She whispered into his ear during the hug so he would understand.

Viveka: Happy birthday, Chase ^_^

Once the group stopped to ... ... to rest ... Kelas helped Iso down from Amari. They didn't do much else right away because Iso is blind right now and not very useful. Krinkov put Kiev down and began glaring at the cases he was being forced to carry. They were eventually going to start leaving indentations on his hide, and he didn't like the thought of that. He didn't realize that the extra load was making him much stronger though. Irina and Aiya continued their conversation while Irina watched over Kiev, and Levski sat down and went back to reading.

The Main Fortress

After a long long trip, Jasmine came down near the fortress inhabited by some of the mercenaries working for Ivanko. She dismounted with the letter in hand and led Illiam along by the reins on her way to the closest main gate. She had to pass through a small town surrounding the entire fortress, and she got all sorts of stares due to her obvious Elysimian military uniform, but she endured it and kept going.

When she reached the main gate, she was ambushed and held at arrow point by snipers. Her first action was to drop the reins and put her hands up, along with the letter! Illiam reared in response, startled by the sneaky human stick shooters!

Sniper: State your business!

Jasmine: I have a letter! it's for uh ...

She kept her hands up in surrender but lowered the note so that she could read the name of the person it was addressed to.

Jasmine: ... uh ... Ixion ...

The Sniper's eyes darted to the others, and they all began looking at each other, back and forth in rapid succession! She wasn't sure what they were doing. Suddenly, they all lowered their weapons and stood aside as the gate began to open. Jasmine reluctantly proceeded into the fortress ...

After running into someone who would escort outsiders and likely kill them at the first sign of suspicious behavior, she was led to a construction site. That was where the dark tower used to stand. The man led her to another building and once inside, she saw Ixion with his back turned to her. He wasn't wearing a cloak. He was wearing a tank top and very loose training pants, and seemed to be performing numerous martial arts stances whilst surrounded by visible strands of dark magic. She gulped before speaking up.

Jasmine: Uh ... I-Ixion?

The energy immediately vanished, and he stood up straight before turning to her, his face sweating from the high tension.

Ixion: Jasmine.

Jasmine: You know me?

Ixion: I know everyone in that group by name. I listen. Now what do you want?

Jasmine: I um ...

Suddenly she remembered that Ixion was using Viveka for dark magic spells and began to heat up a bit.

Jasmine: I want you to stop. Stop hurting Viv.

Ixion: Hmph.

She walked right up to him with her head held high and handed him the letter.

Jasmine: This is a request from Morgan to stop what you're doing to them.

He took the letter and read it. Afterward he sighed. Jasmine felt something pulsate from him and took a few steps back. Once Ixion opened his eyes again, he gave her a cold stare, that sent her into a slight shiver.

Ixion: Morgan has my answer ...

Meanwhile back at Camp

As Iso was just beginning to sit down, a bright set of glowing violet letters appeared on his forehead! He could feel the dark energy surrounding his head and flinched!

Iso: Oh no! Kelas! What's going on?!

The letters read ... NO

Back in Fortress Land

Ixion: If there is nothing else, you should leave.

Jasmine: What was your answer? I want to know.

Ixion was feeling both bored and opportunistic, and thus decided to give her a bit of a distraction ...

Ixion: I would worry more about that ball that's coming up. It's tomorrow after all isn't it?

Jasmine: *GASP* The ball?!! O_O'

She put her hands together and cringed!

Jasmine: No! I still have to go all the way back to Ilyphina! I'll ... I'll never make it in time!! Waaaaaaah!

Ixion: (Amusing.) I almost feel sorry for you. A victim of the group's timing ... and mine I suppose.

Jasmine: ... *sniff* that's totally not fair ...

Ixion: I might be able to help you actually ...

Jasmine: Huh?

Ixion: But ...

He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes shot to it instantly, her body stood there frozen.

Ixion: It's going to cost you ....