(Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board)

Subject: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:29 pm

Setting: Jiluria
Time: 17th of July, 3709, 1pm, a cloudless and hot day.

11 days after the board Surahnian tactics, the men and women of Surahnia have marched again for their King, banners raised to claim swathes of new land as they press harder on the DDC- This time without resistance. Jiluria has already bowed to the Surahnians, the citizens either fleeing or submitting to the new rule. Some have done so quite gladly, but many through lack of options, but there has been no fighting, only gifts given to the Jilurians and begrudgingly given freedom in return.
Now however, a truly priceless exchange must take place.

Joiners:
- Rintho/Yuzan (Zay)
- Atoro (Rogue)
-(Closed for a while)
-(Closed for a while)
-(Closed for a while)

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Sun Jan 12, 2014 4:10 pm

Dear Apollo,

As both the greater of the Deans and the greater of my few friends, I think it only the most correct thing to write to you now in great haste. I'll leave you to decipher my penmanship, and grumble on it in my presence another time, but for now, take only my message to heart and think on it. Please dare to think of the unthinkable, please care to humour your would-be student. I would never have believed such things until that day when I had set off into Celen's fall.
Forgive me but, I can only explain one subject at a time, the tale behind my travel to the fall is mere detail and absurdity, the fault of foolish men with narrow minds. My company in the fall was no better; the dragons are as blind as the people of this island. Oh how I see that now.
The host, great Celen himself was another breed apart from anything and any manifestation and anyone I have known. Yes Apollo, he lives on, with his dragon. Or that is to say, he did; they destroyed him.
All of our lives Apollo, though young we may yet still be (and I will hear no different from you), we have sought to learn all we could of our land. To understand our noble balanced magics, the "Higher" shows of magic than anything else; the tainted and dangerous free magic that lay beneath. The magic that would surely destroy us all if it were to be revealed again, so thoughtfully restrained by the five stones and the arch magician.
But Apollo, my trust is shaken to the very core of my being. What stock can I put in the academics if they do not dare stray from acceptable?
It seems my presumptions of the academy have been shown to be shockingly truthful, for the truth is not something you find within the confines of a building. It is something you must search for fearlessly.
While in the fall I saw things, crafted things, intended things that should never have existed. Entire cavern walls, painted from the lowly edging on the floor to the great heights of the stalactites, covered in fine work. This alone is surprising; was it not true that none could enter the fall?
The hordes of hostile bones of those deceased, animated into ferociousness to guard the stone, spoke of that.
Yet these paintings preceded something grand, and the stone my friend, was not it.
I must recount to you of them now while I am ecstatic and the images are so vivid to me, that dragons like I had never dreamed of were shown so precisely. Alongside peoples and their banners I had never heard of, depictions of monarchs and rulers I could never have known. So chilling however, was the great paintings in such richness, showing the tragedies of these nations and beasts fighting amongst eachother, allies indecipherable from enemies; pictures alone do not tell me whom fought for whom and what…But this is the story painted.

Is this our history, or is this all imagination? The nature of the fall calls to my curiosity, the secretive nature of it, the death that hangs within it. Nobody has lived to tell the tale of the bottom, but now that I still do, I wonder if such an event were supposed to be prevented.
If there is one thing I am truly certain of, it is that Celen was destined to protect the fall for all of his existence, alongside his faithful dragon; his huge and terrifying, but wise, dragon. Indeed, it makes me wonder, how long has he been there?
When did such a dragon come into existence? For it was not only the enlargement of a ghost growing in anger; it was a lich like the man himself. A fierce spirit of life, within a dead body.

For all his unusual and laudable magic (I could only aspire to such feats as the man performed, though his attitude left much to be desired) he could not hope to hold back a horde of dragons, set from the first foot in the fall to destroying the lightning stone. Indeed, I hear they believe it is something akin to an idol, human worship, but nevermind that.
The end of this all is, Apollo, the stone has been destroyed. Utterly obliterated, and I never thought I would say it, not in my life time, if ever.
I have now seen the mist of free magic, felt it within my body; no reading of it can you prepare you for that first feeling of its power. With such focus it burst like water from a spring to overwhelm the area, in such focus it created a blue mist, sending the less attuned of the dragons into panic, and others becoming erratic and wild.
I have never seen magic behave like it had at that moment, explosions of all sizes in all kinds.
So I ask you Apollo, can Yarrowitz stand this?
But then I must also ask you, if the tales are true, could we not stand, like those old nations? Why are we so fragile as we are told?
Perhaps you were right all along, there is more that lies beneath the surface of this island. There is a history we have been too afraid to acknowledge. And now I think, I must begin to explore your ideas with greater interest, as I see the merging of magic and history in a way that is so new to me, I think I will go mad for it filling every thought in every moment of my days.
I will find you at the first opportunity Apollo, others must know of this, but I am not sure of the consequences. I will seek your advice humbly on the matter.

Yours sincerely,

Rintho Jurhaz

Yet, his letter was a flutter of his excitement. Such excitement had not followed him in such intensity for a while too long for his liking, and even those times before…it was not the same as realising an entire change of his world might have come over him.
But, it faded when he recalled the man he would have to meet today, the moment was ominous and impending, yet it seemed that he was to be expected...to hand over this pebble containing a portion of power from the now-destroyed lightning stone, to Atoro. A ignorant, demanding, snarly imbecile without a clue for the importance of such an object.
He was lucky enough to even be receiving a pebble, let alone one that contained such a thing. Yet, Rintho knew of this.
Ha, that man will be fortunate to even know if it has anything within it or not. And that was precisely what Rintho was hoping for; he did not send himself through arduous feats, he had since decided, to surrender the precious finds. Not when Atoro would be just as contented and smug in his victory to receive nothing more than a polished rock. Magical? Not in the slightest.
Rintho had only “Heard” from others that the Surahnians had displaced the Jilurian town council, putting their most important in the Council halls and chambers. Atoro would doubtless be residing there.
So of the afternoon, when he was certain the man would be about, and under the concealment of the magic exactly as he had used for the fall…Rintho used the very last of his magical reserves in his efforts to get close to the man. It crossed his mind, that perhaps he was the only one to make any pains to see such a bitter man. He should have been grateful to see him when Rintho did so much to see him, and did so much for him, lies and trickery aside.
It was of no surprise then, when Rintho found himself inside the chambers and wandering the halls, scouring every room from the safety of his invisibility, looking for a person with a face deader than his own. It was not hard to find; hearing the small group of servants speak.

“Send that to Lord Reimeghan’s room, and return quickly, as the towns Lords will need their lunches prepared.”

And so, he had followed, watched, narrowly avoiding clashing with the brisk servant as she left the room in a hurry, not to know that he was following almost at her very heels.
When the hall was empty and he felt his odds were good, Rintho rapped on the door, yet he heard no answer, the only sound of the light breeze that swept through from open shutters on this pleasant day.
Trying again he put his ear to the door to listen closely, his face serious with intent.
Nothing?
Rintho squeezed on the handle of the door and twisted it slowly, carefully, stepping inside with a light footstep.
No man, actually, only a mystified woman staring at the gap between the door and its frame, moving to peer around and see who was opening the door. Who was this?

Rintho did not want to think on why she was there, well, she appeared to be working, a pen in her hand…But her robes were different to the servants, and her face was delicate, but made shocking by deep, purple, blotched and shiny scars in her skin.
“Is this Lord Reimeghan’s room?” Rintho asked, politely to the scribe as he stepped in furtively.

Yuzan scuffled away hastily from her mat, dropping the pen at once and her eyes widening further as she looked to the mysterious, disembodied voice, with shock.
“Yes…yes it …what are you?” She gasped again, putting a hand to clamp over her mouth then.

“Oh do please forgive me dear woman, you need not fear, I only sought an audience with the man…but…Oh I see, yes well, you cannot see me now, funny that.” He rambled, not quite sure how to explain his invisible, yet obvious, intrusion. “Please do not speak of this. It would be very inconvenient, and if there is one thing I do not desire now, it is inconvenience, oh my, not at all. I suppose then Atoro was right when he said he would not return until the evening on such a day…A long while for him away from his lair I would guess. But even snakes need to hide, eventually.” Rintho grumbled to himself.
And with that, he left the room, no thought given to the ideas he had sown in the woman’s mind. How was he to know, that Atoro never spoke of when he would return or check upon her, or where he went? Not when it meant she could so easily slip away, without fear of punishment. How could she be punished, if she could not be caught?
Instead, Rintho would have to wander about, hope for the best, and then find the rat himself.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:39 pm

When Atoro had taken up the mantle of the Tactician, he had found it had come with many benefits. More wealth than he had ever even dreamt of; all the books and maps he could ever want for; power over nearly the whole of New Surahnia and a comfortable lifestyle that he was coming to enjoy through and through. Especially the food. The food was delicious.

However, it had also come with some rather unfortunate downsides. Some were due to just the nature of being in such a position; the weekly open floor of his council for the general public was one of his most hated duties. Some of the quarrels that came before him were boring; an hour-long debate over the price of corn, settled between those at the market so that they all benefitted fairly. Some were stupid; to whom a donkey belonged, after the beast in question had died so that the ‘owner’ might make a few coppers from its corpse. Others were ridiculous; a request to visit a repossessed bakery to bless it with prosperity. Only the gods had the powers to do that.
The other downsides were through his own fault, although Atoro would never admit to them. Andyr, the stupid barbarian, intent on becoming a thorn in his side; Yuzan, the Lahrukan who had to constantly be watched and kept under tight control; Rintho, whom Atoro thankfully did not have to deal with frequently, but every time he did, no good at all came of it.

That being said, it had been entirely too long since the lich had presented himself to Atoro. So much so, that the army had moved on from Racksom, although Atoro was hardly concerned that the lich would not be able to find him. After all, he had managed to break into his private quarters before now. There were more pressing matters to think of too, such as their movements on Jiluria.
In retrospect, the town had been an easy conquest. The people were easily cowed, their assets taken from them, their buildings repopulated. It was all for the cause, after all. The Surahnians had a mission, Atoro amongst the most important of them- was it not right that his place matched his worth?

It did sit at the back of his mind however, that Rintho was not just Rintho, but of Jiluria. The weasel must be in the town somewhere, even if Atoro hadn’t yet had any resources to put into actually finding him.
Soon, then he would have his map, and his other prize… the lightning stone. He had read up a little more on it, and although he had a great hatred of magic, such a thing intrigued him… if only for having something of such power and rarity. How many men could say they had a piece of the lightning stone sitting on their desk?
That was still second to having his map back, however. That filthy, thieving, bastard lich.
The impression sat well with the man's hometown. Atoro did not like Jiluria so far.

Thankfully today was one of the better days, where Atoro did not have to go to any meetings and did not choose to, hiding away with a stack of blank pages and new ink to write up the happenings of the past few days to send back to the palace. The King had not deigned to head the army this time, choosing instead to stay back in Racksom… as perhaps were his dues. It did not relieve the pressure on Atoro any however, for having to hold up as the figurehead for those in this insubordinate town, but nor did he have to deal with the pressure of having the King looming over his shoulder and watching his every move personally.
That did not mean he was exempt from having his actions watched, but at least this way he could word them a little more favourably. There was little that had gone wrong, in any case.
For new ink, it was poor, and Atoro paused in his work to frown at his fingers and the dark black stains that seeped into his skin. The King would not be amused by fingerprints over his official dispatch. He cleaned the worst of it away, then set to writing again, his quill scratching on the paper, the only noise in the small room. It was quite perfect though, to not have the constant background noise of people talking and trying to disturb him with trivialities.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:44 pm

It was true that Atoro had not locked the door to his room, but then, Yuzan was tucked away from the view of the servants in this plushy room, and no visitors were expected. The servants that did come were only the ones he took with him from Racksom, and she only ever appeared Surahnian. He resented her "deceptive" magic, but moreso her being found.

Was this how it was to be? Was she going to just keep waiting for the hateful man to return to her every day so she could turn over her unpaid work and be scolded or beaten, to then be given more?
Yuzan slowly was realising that she tried her utmost to be with him, to make him see her fondly enough to let her go, but this was never going to be enough, was it? She had to take her chances as they came, as they came with her eyes fixed on the door. To take the highest risk and escape...
Her heart pounded at the thought as she rolled the pen between her fingertips, her body feeling heavy as she then rose from the floor...daring to try something a little different.

Rintho did not feel comfortable lurking about the corridors of this place as a thing with only a shadow cast as he walked near the lighter parts, it made him intensely uneasy. To know he would be confronting Atoro soon was the worst of it, and who knew what mood he would be in? Still, he should have nothing to complain about.
Rintho stalked down some corridors, narrower and far lower in height than any of Racksom Palace's, smaller and friendlier, but still pleasantly furnished.
He scowled as he stopped, not sure which way to turn now, where could he be then? Rintho did not fancy wasting all this costly and tiring magic on a man that did not even show where he should have been. Expecting Rintho to chase after his ghost.
Fiddling with the stones in his pocket he rubbed them together as he pondered on what to do, drawing each out to ensure that he had the right one prepared for when it exchanged hands. He examined them closely, the pebbles appearing to float in air, before he then scrambled and his fingers slipped, dropping them loudly to the floor as he swooped to pick them up again, looking about himself quickly.
Embarrassed and with hairs on end, he moved himself away, his footfalls sounding on the boards of the wooden floor as he "hid" himself out of the most open part of the corridors, namely, hunched against one wall of a north corridor, just around its corner, looking about like a clueless and slightly nervous child.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:57 pm

You are well on the way to having complete control of Jiluria, and the neighbouring land will pose no worry. They are only mildly populated, and by peaceful farmers to that degree. However, they will not be underestimated, for the cause to be threatened by even a mild menace would spark greater things, I fear. It would not occur, however, humour the thought; were a small collection of farmers to hinder the Surahnian cause, it would make us a laughing stock. The foolish ‘Defenders’, as I have heard them called, would recruit to their cause a thousand and more to hear such a thing, if mere farmers were to make an impression on our own.
Do not find concern for this hypothesised situation however, as I am ensuring that such will not occur. Your soldiers are strong, and have been met with no adversary, outside of Jiluria. There have been some mild disruptions within the town itself, but your forces have once again, quelled them easi--

Atoro looked up from his page as a crash outside disturbed him, his quill slipping in the middle of a word and ruining the paper. He gave a small noise of irritation, drawing away his hand and making sure that the nib wasn’t broken, before dabbing with his hand at the paper.
No, it made it worse! Now there was a black splodge the size of his finger, and his hands were black on the insides. This was ridiculous. Best they could find, War Father. What a lie.
His mental tirade continued as he rose from his seat, crossing to the door to stick his head outside and see whom it had been that had caused him his mistake. But, to his confusion, the corridor was empty, both ends. He frowned as he stepped out into it to look better, but there was nobody to be seen. How strange.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 2:16 pm

Rintho's head twisted back behind him to the sudden sound of a door opening, and a figure stepped from it. He scuffled back from where he was lowly crouched, almost falling back on his rump as he jumped to see Atoro step out, his face in its typical expression.
Sour, in a poor mood and yet so very alert. Well, at least he would have to search no longer, but this was hardly becoming. Rintho stuffed the pebbles in his pockets as he stood up, realising that Atoro might hear him now, but at least he could return his visibility, and not have the man accuse him of anything too severe. His apparent "stealth" was necessary to even get close to the man.

"My Lord!" He proclaimed, then realising he had not undone his spell; it would serve only to annoy the man. And with that he dropped it away from himself clumsily, his body coming into its normal state in a patchy and rushed manner as he still fumbled with his pockets.
"I have come urgently to you, for I have completed my mission set! I have wasted no time and..." Rintho looked around again, to check he was not being heard, in a fluster as he was.
"Forgive me Lord, have I interrupted you? I assure you I did not mean it, I...well, I have everything and, oh my, I can explain it all if you only give me a chance and a moment to prepare myself..." Rintho babbled, under Atoro's unflinching gaze, waiting for the man to give him mercy and speak something, anything, to stop him digging his grave all the deeper.

Yuzan crossed the floor of Atoro's chamber-of-the-moment, pulling up her dress so it did not shift against the floor and scupper her. With a tingling of anticipation, she pulled at the door of the room, slowly nosing her way around it to gingerly look into the hall. It was empty, and not a sound was to be heard.
This is absurd, you will be killed. Scolded the voice in her mind, but her despair that had kept her held in place by the cruel man, now made her long for what was beyond any door she was hidden behind. Yuzan took a step outside of the door, but her spirits dropped. Atoro would not leave the entire place unguarded. Inevitably, she would come across one and...word would spread, even if not raised in alarm as few knew of her 'value' to the lead tactician, and she would be found.
It did not stop her wandering from the door gradually, looking for anything, any open shutter, any hole, any crevice...any way to ferret herself from the council chambers and disappear completely.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:29 pm

Atoro could hear small noises down the corridor, but there was nothing to be seen… could it be that the building had rats? It was not an unlikely thing, when it was already populated with one type, Jilurians…
He had lived with rats before, but that did not mean he wanted to now, now that he had experienced much better living. A touch of jealousy for the King being back in the palace of Racksom struck him, then he whipped around as a disembodied voice came from behind him, his muscles tensing defensively.
Rintho. He knew that voice.

But where? There was nobody in sight. He took a step back towards the door, the frown gone from his face for this blatant use of magic, unnerved by it, ready to whip himself inside and slam the door against it… but then the lich appeared.
It was slightly reassuring, that he wasn’t going mad and hearing voices where there were none, but also irritating, when it was Rintho that had just ruined his letter to the King, and Rintho even before him. He was always a menace.
“Rintho,” he growled, “yes, you did. Everything?” His eyes narrowed as he looked up and down the man’s ruffled appearance. Not everything, that was clear from a moment’s look- where was his map? If he had damaged it, he would not be leaving the building… “Get inside.”

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:48 pm

Unsurprisingly, Atoro was already irritated by him, coarse in his tone and looking for any part of Rintho to pull and pick at. Already he had found a good point, and Rintho averated his gaze lowly. The map, of course, the map...He had forgotten.
Then at least today, Atoro would receive neither his map or the pebble with power of the lightning stone. Why he even wanted such a thing that he did not understand, Rintho did not know.

"Oh, it has slipped my mind." Rintho chimed, the words sounding pathetic even to him as they wafted between the two of them. He then held his tongue, looking down like a scolded child, before walking into the room as Atoro had demanded. The room itself held no interest to him, but he hated to be trapped with Atoro, and so he had come prepared to escape, in a way. But what good were all his usual tricks with so little magic left to use?
"But you will have a fraction of the lightning stones power my Lord, that alone is a priceless object. Something of such value you could buy towns with, think on that. Besides, I can always return your map, any other time." Never. "Come now my Lord, do not look so sour. Let us speak fairly with one another. In a nature of civility."

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:13 pm

“Slipped your mind,” Atoro repeated, his tone distinctly unamused. Already. His expression darkened again as Rintho sidled past him into the room, stepping swiftly after him and shutting the door with a snap. He did not feel comfortable with the lich at such close quarters, but he could not call for assistance when it would only be interpreted as a sign of weakness. And Atoro was not weak. Besides, their business was private.
He was not scared of Rintho of Jiluria.

“I want my map back Rintho, do you hear? By tonight. I know you live in this despicable town. Do not forget who I am, and that I could have soldiers at your miserable residence within a moment of snapping my fingers.” Perhaps he would send soldiers anyway; Rintho deserved to be in a little discomfort, for all that he had caused Atoro.
He crossed back to his desk, trying to wipe a little of the ink from his fingers with a damp cloth, but they were well and truly blackened now. The task was reassuring however; it kept his hands from finding their way around Rintho’s neck. “What else have you finally brought me? Let me see.”

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:32 pm

"And my Lord, your map most certainly will be returned, oh yes it will...You know it yourself, that I live here, it will be a matter of little significance, I will deliver the map to you at first opportunity." He repeated himself, just to ensure that Atoro understood his message, even if there was no way of truly convincing him. "Indeed, for now I have brought you as you had asked my Lord. The feat was difficult, I am exhausted and with little power left at my disposal. Oh all the dragons, it is a wonder I have not been killed." And he locked his eyes with Atoro's, completely ungrateful for having been forced to do his bidding.
At the first opportunity, he would be fleeing from this man and ensuring he could not be found, but it would be difficult in his own hometown.

"But so much was gained my Lord, so very much, that I could never have dreamed of!" And then it caught his imagination, what he had discovered, that set him alight with wonder and a sense of nervous excitement. "This pebble of lightning was the least of it all My Lord. I witnessed an event that will change Dragons' Cove forever, nothing will be as it has been! Nothing! If only you could fathom that, how great and terrifying it is...Who knows what will come of the free magic, who can tell how the Guardians will gasp as they learn of it...But what of the fate of the people and dragons? Why yes, you best prepare yourselves to preserve your peoples, it is amazing, amazing! You think me mad but," And he could see Atoro was the farthest thing from a picture of amusement.

Rintho reined in his tongue not for the first time around him, and scuffled in his pocket, pulling the pebble from his side.
"Here it is my Lord. All yours as asked. Now, I must hurry away..."

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:56 pm

Atoro did not enjoy Rintho’s ramblings, but unfortunately they came as part of the parcel with the man. He scowled, surreptitiously covering over his letter to the King with another blank sheet of paper. Rintho had the unfortunate habit of poking his nose into those things that he was not party to, and he also was unfortunately, notoriously difficult to kill.
Atoro would have tried again, but he still remembered sorely the last time, how badly that had gone awry.

“This is the only warning I will give you Rintho. If I do not have my map by tonight, I will have a squadron remove the door of your house and retrieve what is mine.” He tossed his inky rag back onto the table carelessly. He was exhausted, was he? Well, that was a reassuring thing to know. A full powered Rintho was not something he would be aggravating, even if the man made him want to stab him through the gut all over again, and damn the consequences.
“Then your expedition was just as valuable for yourself as it was for me. And you made such a fuss when I first proposed it to you.” He folded his arms, leaning back against his desk to look Rintho up and down, taking note of his every move. “You have my piece of lightning stone at least? I will be very irritated if you do not.” He narrowed his eyes briefly, seeing how Rintho dug in his pockets and immediately on his guard for the movement, hand moving surreptitiously to his sword. Even if it had been the thing that had caused him so much grief before now.
“You are mad, there is no question to that. Put it on the table, and tell me more.” He stepped aside, not understanding properly this fresh babble from Rintho’s lips- but it was information, and he was always eager for that.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Mon Jan 13, 2014 6:45 pm

"I understand my Lord, completely." And unfortunately, he would be required to comply with just what Atoro had said, yet again. But the future seemed brighter in this one aspect, soon, he would never see the man again and that would be that. With the Surahnians in Jiluria, his 'home', it would be time to move on. Nothing would be the same; they did not tolerate the work that his magics required to be performed. There was a reason the black market of Racksom was all but entirely dead now.
Jiluria's defining point would suffer under Surahnian rule, in Rintho's eyes.

"And rightly so my Lord, I have come close to death more times than I can count, and for all your stature and all my deferral to you, you repulse me with your indifference to that. You are an awful sort of human, I believe. But that does not mean I will ignore your orders, as I know how problematic you can be in your position of power." Brazen though his words were, Rintho felt safe in his relative immunity to any sword Atoro could draw. It would not kill him, even his looks might have.

Rintho shook his head in a small way, then placing the pebble down on the table that Atoro appeared to have been working at.
"If you are so interested that I stay and tell you..." And indeed, even for all the dislike of Atoro's company Rintho had, to tell another of what he had seen was too enticing to throw away the moment. "Then you must know, the dragons that call themselves Maledictus Eice, I believe, are amongst your greatest foes. Whether they harm your people or not, the damage that wreak upon the land will come to light when you realise that all of our balancing stones will crumble if not seen to."
And yet, did this ignorant, boneheaded invader even understand such things?

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:07 pm

The scowl on Atoro’s face deepened as Rintho spoke, intensely disliking the way that he did. With such disrespect, and so brazenly- it made it all the more infuriating when he knew that he couldn’t touch Rintho either. His hands clenched at his sides however.
“A shame you have not yet embraced death, to have courted it as you say. Do not think you are immune however, if you continue to speak in such a vein. I will have to have you… put down. It will not be that much of a shame.” He held Rintho in no high esteem, and if he had not been of so much use occasionally, he would happily have seen the man truly dead. His words were useful sometimes, but it was those like this that Atoro took no notice of whatsoever. The animosity was shared.

He took a close look at the pebble Rintho laid on his desk, noticing that it was rather… small and… unassuming, not what he would have expected of his prize. But, he could question that further later. For now, Rintho had more to speak of, and he did not want to miss what immediately sounded like important information. His eyes narrowed and he watched the lich closely, filing away every scrap of knowledge.
“Mei-… Meal-… Write it down for me.” The words were too difficult for Atoro to repeat, but he needed to remember them. Shuffling his pages across the desk, he laid out a clean sheet on top, gesturing stiffly for Rintho to join him. “What do these words mean? I have not heard them before.” Much as it chagrined him to admit it.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:23 pm

"You would not." Rintho said with utmost presumption, even though he severely doubted himself. Fortunately he was distracted quickly by Atoro's own interest in his words. It was often best not to tempt fate too much, power was not always obvious; it did not need to be Atoro's own hand that slew him.

"Maledictus Eice." He repeated, noting as Atoro started writing down on his paper. Perhaps he should have cared, given how he was truly an enemy, but the spread of knowledge was of greater importance to him. Besides, the man could not possibly weaponise what which was already lethal to the majority...or was presumed to be. "Have you...not yet heard of them?" Rintho looked to Atoro in disbelief, holding his head still, along with an incredulous gaze. "A great horde of dragons. In small numbers overall, but large for a flight of them...strength in their fanatic bond...weakness in their foolishness...lead by two of the most ferocious clubtail dragons you should ever learn of."

He snorted lightly, "Lord Reimeghan, a clubtail dragon is amongst the largest of dragons, green in colour, armoured from tooth to tail-tip and with...a rather dangerous club attached to that tip. I should not think it would end well to be on the wrong side of that club. Unfortunately, as we are not of dragon form, they would all wish to see that we were." Rintho nodded then, stopping his idle gestures he made with the one hand as he spoke, letting Atoro write whatever he pleased.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:02 pm

Still fumbling with the foreign words, Atoro took his seat again to scratch them onto the paper. He was vaguely surprised that Rintho would offer more than he needed to, but was not going to question it. At least yet; later he would make sure that the information was fact and not a lie fabricated to make Atoro look a fool.
His pen made a mess of the page in his haste, but he did not mind too unduly. This was important, he could not miss anything of it! He added a few brief notes on that Rintho had already said, scowling over at him when he was so surprised that he knew something Atoro did not.
“I cannot commit to memory every rebel group your foolish nation chooses to erect. They are just as easily beaten down as they are risen, do not think that our cause is any the worn for it. However, if you think this ‘horde’ is worthy of notice, I will take into consideration your words.”
He drew a circle around ‘weakness in their foolishness’, taking as many notes as he could. “And how is it that you know of this… these dragons? What is their cause, to refrain from showing themselves to us as the ‘Defenders’ have?”

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:12 pm

"Yes you could. If you knew anything about this land you would know that rebellion is...a foreign concept to many of the people. I am sure you have seen this with how malleable your new subjects have been." There was no denying it, and Rintho held no stock in the island's nation either; he was, as far as he was concerned, no part of it at all and with little interest toward it. What he did mind more, was the people as a whole, and moreover, the ruthlessness of these Surahnians. Slowly undoing a great many things and with little understanding of what had come before, nevermind that they did not know a thing of magic.

"Lord, you must know...When you were informed of the loss of Plurith, or were you? I do not know of the survivors but...perhaps that should stand as testimony. You did not even notice Plurith was destroyed, by Maledictus Eice. Such was their haste and ruthlessness. Utterly ruined." He himself had only known since flying over what had been Plurith, his curiosity only sated when he heard from the nearest village that had not yet been abandoned.

"Their motives have shown to me. They do not just abhor all that is not dragon, they abhor the creations of such ones too, or, that is what I have come to believe. They were trying to destroy the lightning stone, a monument so ancient and powerful it has always been thought an immovable object of eternity, but no. That too was ruined by these dragons. Troubled times lay in wake, most for those that do not know the nature of magic, and those that depend too greatly upon calm magic." He narrowed his eyes in serious thought, a resigned sigh coming from him as he waved a palm to the air.
"Well, I guess you could say, you Surahnians have come at the very worst time. You will need more than loud men with orders and swords to stop the floodgates of magic and dragon revolutionaries."

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:07 pm

“Rebellion is not as foreign a concept to your people as you claim. I can testify to that, having to quell their fruitless attempts, over and over. They may be malleable, however, they still find themselves rather wild-willed.” Rintho was not exempt to that, frustratingly evasive at times when he decided to be. Atoro did not include this small diversion in his notes. There was no need to, and the paper would be quickly filled if Rintho so easily gave away information.

His gaze was dark as he looked at Rintho soundlessly, then drew a long strike across one corner of the page, writing in small letters that Plurith had fallen. How had he not known about all this? He needed better informants, if so much had passed him by without even realising it. A shame Rintho was so adept; he would not be able to kill him, if he brought this sort of news. He would have to meet with the lich much more frequently too, if he was going to produce such gems. Not a pleasant thought.
“Keep talking Rintho. I must know everything.” He would make sure that Rintho had told everything, even if it took the rest of the afternoon. Atoro did not like the man’s company one bit, but he would set aside that if it would give him this sort of knowledge. “What is it that has occurred to these dragons to decide to act in such ways? Suddenly, if they have not come to light before now. The Rebels have not matched them.” What had possessed them to exterminate a small town? Atoro did not have a map of the isle in front of him, but he knew well where Plurith was… worryingly, not far from Racksom, and the King. It had been a more minor concern than the closer Jiluria, but one none the less; another town to bring under Zartear’s rule. Any movement in that direction would have to be swiftly severed, lest they risk losing troops. If they had not already.

“You will find that we are most successful colonists.” That was a fact that hardly needed stating. “Destroy the lightning stone? Then, that makes this,” he gingerly picked up the prize that Rintho had brought him between his fingers, turning it over, “a rarer prize than first demanded.”

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:22 pm

"Perhaps you would call those minor things rebellions, but they are not to our people. Not truly; such things would die of their own accord, none to guide them...there was no place for them...the stones and Guardians have been immaculate, until now." Rintho noted, more glumly than he might normally have. How had so much changed and so quickly?
Yet for all of that, he thrived on the sudden chaos, bringing to light the greatest of truths...but with it, came the heavy price to pay...But not yet.

He lowered his eyes then, still listening to Atoro's words, silky in his ears, wishing for him to speak more.
"Indeed it is Atoro." He paused, gulping in his throat. He did not have to get the stone for Atoro, but he now realised in his very heart, he had wanted to. "I wanted to give you this. As, a sign, Atoro." Rintho met Atoro's deep, blue and mesmerising eyes with his own jade ones; seeing all the colours of their shared manly affection between them.
He licked his hungry lips as he tried to hold himself back from the cold and yet tender flesh of his paramour.
"I have not been honest with you." He said, feeling choked as he looked away, circling behind Atoro, ignoring the paper that he was allegedly to be writing on. "With every night that I have been away...Lord..." Rintho began in earnest now, "I have stroked myself with great passion, that only matched by a thousand sunblaze dragons, and I think to myself...." He held a hand over his mouth, his brows furrowing in his seriousness.
"What if the snake were to come to me instead? To slither a python into me, and deliver his snakelings...what if a snake could show me love like this?" Rintho put both of his hands to Atoro's shoulders, then leaning down and resting his head to one side against Atoro's neck.
"I need my courageous cobra to conquer me again. I have been a wild and untamed creature of the dead, but you bring me to life with your nectar."

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:07 pm

And there was such loathing on the part of the natives for the changes the Surahnians were making, good, noble ones; but they were affecting their own country just as strongly.
“The world is changing, Rintho. You cannot deny the new way forever.”

He looked to the lich as he turned the stone over in his hand, although the movement came to a halt as their eyes met. Rintho looked quite dashing, standing before him in his moss-coloured clothes, eyes and skin matching rather wonderfully, and with that bright splash of red that served only to make him all the more striking. His tongue, darting between his lips was not quite as red, but Atoro could not draw his eyes from it, unconsciously mirroring the action.
“I think the new way is an improvement on the old. That… did not contain you.” His gaze followed Rintho as he moved, looking up over at him, then a shiver of anticipation ran through him. “I thought it was only I that felt such… attraction, to you.”
He had not felt this way before, not about a man, but with Rintho… it felt very right. More right than anything else he might have had with the lich; animosity or friendship. Moreso that he now knew it wasn’t just him, it was Rintho too.
“I would come to you in an instant, if you were to ask; will you?” He felt strangely out of breath, that which he had heavy and hot in his chest. “I have much love if you have want for it. My people have conquered this green land, but such things pale into comparison when I think that I might conquer your green land instead, and explore every inch of your shape; your lush depths.”
He shivered again to feel Rintho put his hands on his shoulders, pressing their cheeks close as he put his face near, suddenly strongly needing to feel him physically. His want was strong, his cashew become a yam with barely any encouragement.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:06 am

"Who knows, my Lord?" Rintho shrugged, only able to speak of the things he knew, from having been around them in that time. Even he had been surprised by their might. "However, I do know that they feel wronged by the humans, why or how is only speculation at this point, but there is a deep flame to avenge within them. I know that much." Vague, but probably correct when it came to speaking about M.E.
"But the true worry for us all now, aside from the pillaging dragons that would have us all dead but can be fought against, is that which we are unable to fight against." He gesticulated again then, trying to find a way to explain this to one that knew nothing. "All this time the balancing stones have kept our magic friendly, tame and none too large...it is thought that the magic beneath, the true magic or as we say: 'free' magic, is too dangerous to live by unchecked." Rintho paused to note if Atoro was following him, before continuing. "So, now a stone is broken, a hole has been pierced through our protection, and free magic will come forth...then it will slowly build and suddenly consume the next barriers...until we are left with no stones, no balanced magic...and only the utter chaos of a world in free magic."
So they say. Free magic excited Rintho, to see what its nature was, but he also respectfully feared it...only time would tell on the truth of it.
"I never thought I might say it, but, Guardians save us now! For I do not know of a single one that could replace the stones. It is far, far beyond the capabilities of all of us." He hummed in concern, looking back down to Atoro and his notes. "You Surahnians had best take note. Fighting for the land of farmers is easy, surviving this will not be, not if ill prepared."
Unfortunately he was also right about the pebble of the lightning stone. It was a shame then, he did not have the real one.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Wed Jan 15, 2014 6:09 pm

None of what Rintho said seemed like a good thing; of course, Atoro had not expected any praise from the man, but he had not expected either more problems to lump on top of those he already had to compete with. It put him in an even more uncompromising position, if he were to make a mistake. Death was all around.
He brushed the end of his quill against his lips in thought, then added a few more notes, sparing Rintho a glance now and then for the widening of his hands through the air. He could see them out the corner of his eye, and he could not help but be super alert and attentive when Rintho was in the room. When the topic changed to magic, he had to pay even more attention, setting down his pen so he could look up at Rintho and try and understand. Atoro was clever, but he had never been particularly interested in magic, nor was he familiar with it. His interest in the lightning stone had been purely for the power it would give him, and the use of it as a hidden asset, should he need something of the sort. It was always better to be prepared, than caught unawares.

“So this ‘free magic’, it is like... water underneath ice, in a lake. When the ice is broken, it leaks above and consumes the ice until there is none left.” What then? Did the land start to flood? He understood the concept, but not the consequences. “What effect will that have? We Surahnians do not use magic. It is an unnatural thing, bringing only ruin.” He scowled, picking up his pen again. “You will find however, we are a most tenacious race.”

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:08 pm

"It is indeed my Lord, however, how it will behave once above land...there is no telling. It will be the water that devours the ice, but what will it do to us? Many have spoken of perishing, or unusual weather, of volatile dragons...all of it coming together to destroy us. I, personally, am not convinced until I have witnessed it, but...from what I have seen, in great intensity, free magic is highly...explosive in nature." Rintho did not have much to say to humour the man on his supposedly strong race. How strong would they be when such currents came?

"You would do well to merge you peoples more, to accept the knowledge the natives have to offer, otherwise your people will be destroyed. That would of course be the case eventually, whether you conquered the isle or not, whether Maledictus Eice plagued this island or not. If one does not learn from the land they live in...one must expect nothing better than death."
Rintho nodded sagely, wondering on all the things that Atoro had yet to understand.
So, so very many. "Precisely how free magic might harm you...well, the dragons that do remain may be stronger, the magi that remain more potent, and possibly your own weather less reliable...If your earth stone were to be destroyed - that great object King Straten sits upon now - I fear a great famine or poisoning of the earth might come your way." And Rintho did not have a single thought of the irony that could befall the Surahnians, on that count.

She was hoping heavily on the Surahnians ignorance of the full capacity of the chambers. Surely it was possible for an oversight to be made in a building claimed so quickly and so recently?
Yuzan stepped further from the door, hearing the pleasant quietness of a summer's day and only the sound of wind in the trees. The light was quite wonderful and the temperature pleasant. She began to walk her way around various empty corridors, surprised to hear nothing at all. Not even the shuffling of a servant here or there, it was eerie and she feared being caught dreadfully, her heart pounding harder for her disobedience.
But then she reminded herself all the more, what would she earn herself, to never explore this chance?
Only certain misery, and then death. Yuzan knew she had to escape the dreadful man; she was not going to wait to explore the depths of his brutality.
With fear all through her and making her hands shake whenever she stilled to listen or peak around the next corner, she scuttled herself this way and that, looking for some finality in the building...avoiding the centre parts if she could help it.
When she happened upon stairs, she looked sternly toward them, leaning over a finely polished banister to look below. If she was seen leaving in her slave garb, nobody would let her pass, she would be thrown back and the wrath upon her would be endless.
As such she turned away from them, going to the opposite side of the hall, where a closed set of dark shutters were, a large and heavy metal clasp holding them together within a deep set arch of stone and wood.
Wrangling with her fingers upon it, she could feel how stiff it was, this never usually being opened, but with another press to free it she found it gave and she could open them. The creak was quite awful and made her arms tense as she stood on her tiptoes, looking behind herself sharply from time to time.
Leaning further forward now she looked out of the space between the shutters. It was the back of the council chambers, she could see she was on the first floor, and that trees lined the back of this manor, a strip of grass here without a person in sight.
Where were all the guards?
Could she perhaps jump away? Nobody would suspect a body to be breaking out of the chambers, from this place...
The thought of falling out of this window was not pleasant, but the fall was not too great either...
It only needed to be done once, and then she would not be found by those that lurked the floors of the halls that she had not yet heard. Yes, this was safer.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:00 pm

“You have been associating with naysayers and pessimists. You natives are a weak-willed people indeed, if a little unbecoming weather brings about supposed ruin.” Atoro was stalwart in the face of volatile dragons; as for weather, there was nothing a mortal being could do about that. Rintho’s warning of the stone was more troubling, although Atoro’s knowledge of magic was so limited, he had no answer for that one. It would be something that required a lot more thought, and if Rintho could not see an answer, then he was a little doubtful for what he himself could pull up.
Even if he did not defer to the lich, he knew his knowledge in this specific area was much, much greater than his own.

He idled with his pen a little more as Rintho spoke, tracing circles with the ink until it ran out dry. These words were not worth taking note of, when they were just barely-veiled insults. “I am sure you would approve of our ‘destruction’. I would not be so hopeful, however. Remember than it is I who is Tactician of the Surahnians, and the War Father may throw all he likes at my race and know that we will not fall under it.”
Atoro’s stare was fixed on Rintho, although it pulled away sharply and to the door instead as a bang came from the corridor outside. Another? Jiluria was full of strange happenings and loud noises that disturbed him all the time. He looked closely at the door, then pulled his gaze back slowly to Rintho again, wondering whether it would be of any worth to investigate this noise like he had the last. After all, look what this one had turned up.
“The earth stone is solid within Racksom. None will touch it.” They did not understand its magic, and for that reason it had been left well alone. “What other rumours do you have for me, Rintho?”

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Sun Jan 19, 2014 7:21 pm

"No Lord, we have resided in this country far longer and we know everything of its nature. We know that your people would perish if not prepared for what the free magic will bring. Even us who have lived alongside and even practiced in magic all our lives, fear this event. Take heed or your own damning words, I would say." Rintho shook his head mildly, still rattled by the entire event. It was catastrophic and gravely important. Who would replace the stone now, who could? And if not, what would become of them?
"Even if none would assault your stone - and those dragons yet might - the free magic will consume its barrier until it too is broken. There is no avoiding such an outcome unless the lightning stone is recreated...my point is, that free magic pervades. You cannot simply blow it away with a concerted army of blowers." Rintho felt quite frustrated but he tried to mask this all the same. Were they truly only to hope that the free magic was not so deadly as presumed?

It had to be done; there was nothing else for it.
Then she felt awkward as she clambered up into the thick arch of the shutters, realising she could not jump properly like this, she might risk falling forward and onto her head. But then as she shuffled back out she realised she could not seat herself in it as it was not wide enough, and it was too high...
Hesitating though she was, she felt her time running out and realised her jump was due. Pulling herself once more into the window she put a leg up, awed at the ground for a while as her body began to shiver and she felt her doubts come back. Then, she pushed herself, ungainly and in a way that hesitated from true confidence, making her body flail uncertainly and in a clumsy array of limbs from the tight and uncompromising position of the ledge. She met the ground with an awkward thud, her body falling forward on the grass, the impact was strong but she knew she was well, even in spite of that. Even in spite of her frailty...she was to have this one stroke of luck.
Raising her head from when she was bowed she looked left and right with agitation, realising she was out on the open strip, before pulling herself up and darting ahead into the near foliage.

Subject: Re: (Jiluria) Fair Play (26th Board) Sun Jan 19, 2014 11:23 pm

Everything of this country’s nature? Atoro doubted that very much, when Rintho seemed so inflamed over this ‘free magic’ he had just discovered. Was there really so much knowledge flourishing, when an accomplished mage such as himself became like this?
“If it is so damning, then why would it be that native dragons destroyed your precious lightning stone. This group of dragons cannot be oblivious, when the stones are of such importance to this land.” Otherwise, why would they have done such a foolish thing? Atoro did not put great faith in dragons, but he could see they were more intelligent than mere beasts, enough to see through some rational thought.
“This free magic, if it is so uncommon, how is it that you know so much on it?” Atoro looked at Rintho sceptically, then set down his pen, rubbing his fingers together and spreading more sticky ink over them. Nobody could contest that he was working today. “I am no great reader of magic, but that does not mean I will take your word on this topic with faith.” Not from Rintho, certainly.

His paper fluttered in a light breeze from the open window, drawing his attention as the lich spoke of blowing things away. Magic was not like his papers then, which seemed rather intrigued by the idea of exploring the rest of the room. He pinned it down with his hand, trying not to smear the drying words, and stood to pull the window shut; the desk was near to it, to catch as much light as possible, although this was somewhat of a drawback.
“I will humour you, Rintho; what is your great ‘plan’, to—“
He frowned as he caught sight of a quick movement down on the ground below his window, fixing on the spot with hawklike eyes. He could not tell what it was, probably some sort of animal, for having disappeared so quickly, but his attention had been diverted.