Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
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Kingdoms At War (Kwillz and Seeker95)
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Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
The sun had risen not too long ago. It's rays of light are just now climbing above the mountains of Rynos Valley, the large mountain range separated the kingdoms of Oleania and Zeyolus. Filled with cliffs and steep climbs, the large mountain range is extremely hard to traverse.
On one side of the range was the Zeyoluan encampment, preparing for their march deeper into the range. Emerging from one of the tents came Ari Zeyolus, the general and lead commanding officer of the company. She came out in her signature armor and faithful sword sheathed at her side. A young soldier: a scout, just about her age (if not a little younger) came rushing in. "My lady!" the scout exclaimed, "Some forces of Oleania have been spotted just over the cliff. It seems they may make our passage through the area....quite difficult." Ari clenched her fist. Those damned Oelanians... She thought to herself. She turned to the scout, "And you've already informed Admiral Westfall of this?" The scout nodded. "Good then we shall find a way around this. Though it may seem we will have to engage. Notify the company to get the supplies and gear together as soon as possible." The scout nodded once more and quickly ran off.
Ari walked on, meeting with a group of older commanders. "Westfall," She addressed, "Do you see any other options in passing through." Westfall shook his head. "Unfortunately not, my lady. We are either forced to maneuver across the cliff or turn back." Ari looked at him, "You know we cannot turn back now, Admiral." Westfall nodded, "Then I shall make sure the men are ready for our charge." With that the two parted ways. Ari took her horse and readied the army. "Men! This path is out only option. We cannot turn back; not now. If this is your final stand so be it. It is better to die for your kingdom in courage and honor than to return cowards with our tails between our legs."
With that the Zeyoluan army moved forward, a good number on horseback with the rest one foot. Ari led the charge, unafraid of whatever threat that was to come ahead on that cliff.
On one side of the range was the Zeyoluan encampment, preparing for their march deeper into the range. Emerging from one of the tents came Ari Zeyolus, the general and lead commanding officer of the company. She came out in her signature armor and faithful sword sheathed at her side. A young soldier: a scout, just about her age (if not a little younger) came rushing in. "My lady!" the scout exclaimed, "Some forces of Oleania have been spotted just over the cliff. It seems they may make our passage through the area....quite difficult." Ari clenched her fist. Those damned Oelanians... She thought to herself. She turned to the scout, "And you've already informed Admiral Westfall of this?" The scout nodded. "Good then we shall find a way around this. Though it may seem we will have to engage. Notify the company to get the supplies and gear together as soon as possible." The scout nodded once more and quickly ran off.
Ari walked on, meeting with a group of older commanders. "Westfall," She addressed, "Do you see any other options in passing through." Westfall shook his head. "Unfortunately not, my lady. We are either forced to maneuver across the cliff or turn back." Ari looked at him, "You know we cannot turn back now, Admiral." Westfall nodded, "Then I shall make sure the men are ready for our charge." With that the two parted ways. Ari took her horse and readied the army. "Men! This path is out only option. We cannot turn back; not now. If this is your final stand so be it. It is better to die for your kingdom in courage and honor than to return cowards with our tails between our legs."
With that the Zeyoluan army moved forward, a good number on horseback with the rest one foot. Ari led the charge, unafraid of whatever threat that was to come ahead on that cliff.
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Seeker95
New Member
With one last strike, Leviathon winced when the bark cut into his palms as his hand hit the trunk of the great oak. Panting, he collapsed onto his back into the soft grass and let the sun warm him. He had been training alone since before dawn, but with the light filtering through the mountains, his soldiers began to stir, and his second in command joined him at the edge of the cliff overlooking the purple and gray ranges.
Leviathon smiled at his friend, nothing more than a twitch of the lips, but Tristan and no other knew it well. "With the gods smiting us, it's rare to see, much less enjoy, such wonderful weather."
Tristan shrugged, "Only because we are bordering Zeyolun territory."
"Or perhaps a reward for finally fighting back."
Tristan grew grim and turned away from Leviathon to face the scenery once more. "I trust you and your decisions with my life, Prince Levy, but I wonder if what we are doing is right."
Leviathon understood this well and had many sleepless nights during their travel, wondering if leading his men to battle was nothing more than sacrifice and bloodshed. On more than one occasion, he had thought to turn back and allow Oleania to live the rest of their minimal years in peace, but he also knew that the people, his people, would never feel at peace without a second chance. He also knew he could show no weakness, otherwise his men would as well.
The prince placed a hand on his friend's shoulder in reassurance. "We are doing what we must for Oleania. The kingdom has suffered enough, and if we don't rebel, if we don't show the gods our strength, they will extinguish us. If Oleania must die, at the very least, Oleania should die fighting."
When Tristan still did not look towards him, Leviathon chuckled in a rather awkward manner to break the tension. Going into battle with a brittle mind was food for weakness. "Do not worry, Tristan. When all is done, I will make you Chief Minister. You will be my right hand not only in battle, but in ruling the new Oleania."
At this Tristan smiled and the two men locked their hands together in a tight shake, and for a moment there was hope, but the peace did not last. Seconds later, before the two could take another breath, a panicked soldier intruded, his expression tainted with fear. "Your majesty," he greeted in a rushed manner. "We've been spotted, and the Zeyoluans are headed this way."
"What?" Tristan leaped to his feet, a hand on the hilt of his sword. If the men could see the Zeyoluans approaching, they must not be far. "How could they possibly have known about us?" Tristan demanded. "The mountain ranges are steep and the hills provided us cover."
"The gods," Leviathon responded in a steady tone as he too climbed to his feet. He had suspected such would happen. They could have camped an ocean across the Zeyoluans, and they still would have been spotted. The three hurried to the soldiers' camp where many were already strapping on their armors and sharpening their blades, readying for battle.
"Soldiers!" The men perked up at the sound of their commander's voice and listened. "Yes, the gods are on their side, but we have been punished long enough! We refuse to be suppressed any longer for a mistake that is not ours! We must show the Zeyoluns and the gods that we will not surrender so easily, and we will not falter!"
The soldiers roared, and Leviathon continued. "Today, we fight! We fight for our land, we fight for our people, we fight for Oleania!"
As the roars of men grew, Leviathon raised his sword and his people followed, shouting, demanding victory. The blades glistened against the clouds, a beautiful sky of armory that would soon be covered in red.
At the foot of the hills of Rynos Valley against the cliff by which the Zeyoluans were approaching, with Leviathon at the front, with Tristan next to him, and with the soldiers poised and hungry for blood, Oleania charged.
Leviathon smiled at his friend, nothing more than a twitch of the lips, but Tristan and no other knew it well. "With the gods smiting us, it's rare to see, much less enjoy, such wonderful weather."
Tristan shrugged, "Only because we are bordering Zeyolun territory."
"Or perhaps a reward for finally fighting back."
Tristan grew grim and turned away from Leviathon to face the scenery once more. "I trust you and your decisions with my life, Prince Levy, but I wonder if what we are doing is right."
Leviathon understood this well and had many sleepless nights during their travel, wondering if leading his men to battle was nothing more than sacrifice and bloodshed. On more than one occasion, he had thought to turn back and allow Oleania to live the rest of their minimal years in peace, but he also knew that the people, his people, would never feel at peace without a second chance. He also knew he could show no weakness, otherwise his men would as well.
The prince placed a hand on his friend's shoulder in reassurance. "We are doing what we must for Oleania. The kingdom has suffered enough, and if we don't rebel, if we don't show the gods our strength, they will extinguish us. If Oleania must die, at the very least, Oleania should die fighting."
When Tristan still did not look towards him, Leviathon chuckled in a rather awkward manner to break the tension. Going into battle with a brittle mind was food for weakness. "Do not worry, Tristan. When all is done, I will make you Chief Minister. You will be my right hand not only in battle, but in ruling the new Oleania."
At this Tristan smiled and the two men locked their hands together in a tight shake, and for a moment there was hope, but the peace did not last. Seconds later, before the two could take another breath, a panicked soldier intruded, his expression tainted with fear. "Your majesty," he greeted in a rushed manner. "We've been spotted, and the Zeyoluans are headed this way."
"What?" Tristan leaped to his feet, a hand on the hilt of his sword. If the men could see the Zeyoluans approaching, they must not be far. "How could they possibly have known about us?" Tristan demanded. "The mountain ranges are steep and the hills provided us cover."
"The gods," Leviathon responded in a steady tone as he too climbed to his feet. He had suspected such would happen. They could have camped an ocean across the Zeyoluans, and they still would have been spotted. The three hurried to the soldiers' camp where many were already strapping on their armors and sharpening their blades, readying for battle.
"Soldiers!" The men perked up at the sound of their commander's voice and listened. "Yes, the gods are on their side, but we have been punished long enough! We refuse to be suppressed any longer for a mistake that is not ours! We must show the Zeyoluns and the gods that we will not surrender so easily, and we will not falter!"
The soldiers roared, and Leviathon continued. "Today, we fight! We fight for our land, we fight for our people, we fight for Oleania!"
As the roars of men grew, Leviathon raised his sword and his people followed, shouting, demanding victory. The blades glistened against the clouds, a beautiful sky of armory that would soon be covered in red.
At the foot of the hills of Rynos Valley against the cliff by which the Zeyoluans were approaching, with Leviathon at the front, with Tristan next to him, and with the soldiers poised and hungry for blood, Oleania charged.
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Hearing the cry of men from the other side of the cliff, Ari rode on and saw their opponent before them. The Oleanian army was charging toward them. Ari thought as much, but even so her heart still began to pound faster and harder. She removed Draconian Apparatus from its sheath and letting out a loud cry, signaled for her men to press harder. The army began to charge faster and the two armies met on the cliff side. The shouts of the men grew louder and from their cries you could hear things such as "Praise Nahum", "For Zeyolus", "Kill the heathens".
Arrows flew from both sides, and soldiers began to collide with one another. Ari maneuvered her steed through the wave of rushing soldiers. The sound of metal hitting against metal rang like bells echoing through her ears.
She made a charge for the commander of the enemies' army. It was a a man just about the age of herself leading the charge. Ari had recalled seeing him before on the enemies' side during previous battles. But they had never faced each like this before. But in an environment like this, their head-on encounter is now inevitable. There was no turning back.
Sword ready to swing, Ari charged at the Oleanian prince with all her might. This was for the good of her nation.
But what no one realized was how hard the ground shifted and moved under the weight of the battle itself....
Arrows flew from both sides, and soldiers began to collide with one another. Ari maneuvered her steed through the wave of rushing soldiers. The sound of metal hitting against metal rang like bells echoing through her ears.
She made a charge for the commander of the enemies' army. It was a a man just about the age of herself leading the charge. Ari had recalled seeing him before on the enemies' side during previous battles. But they had never faced each like this before. But in an environment like this, their head-on encounter is now inevitable. There was no turning back.
Sword ready to swing, Ari charged at the Oleanian prince with all her might. This was for the good of her nation.
But what no one realized was how hard the ground shifted and moved under the weight of the battle itself....
Seeker95
New Member
From every direction, all Leviathon could hear were the cries of his men as blood spurted from their wounds. They would stumble but not fall even as they gasped for breaths against the pain and exertion. Leviathon was proud. In his heart, he understood that this may be his last battle, that his army might have been the sacrifice Oleania had to make to the gods, but he was at peace with this and fought with a clear mind. For Oleania, he kept telling himself.
She found him before he could find her, the girl soldier carrying a great sword, one that could only be bestowed to a royal member or commander. He was familiar with her, but she must have risen in rank to seek him out. She was skilled, with forceful blows that pushed Leviathon closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. He noticed how cold her eyes appeared to be as she struck, and even when he managed to slice her cheek, she did not flinch. She was relentless, but so was he. Their swords clashed against each other again and again for what seemed like hours. Leviathon began to think the battle was never going to end, and then he thought he saw an opening, but as he lunged, he heard Tristan's desperate cry, "Prince!"
Suddenly, there was no ground beneath his feet. Tristan leaped to catch Leviathon's hand, but he was a second too late, and Leviathon was falling and tumbling with the rocks of the cliff. As if from afar, he saw himself reaching out his bloody fingers towards Tristan and his soldiers as he heard their cries. I hear the waves of the ocean, he thought, before he closed his eyes and allowed the darkness to consume him.
She found him before he could find her, the girl soldier carrying a great sword, one that could only be bestowed to a royal member or commander. He was familiar with her, but she must have risen in rank to seek him out. She was skilled, with forceful blows that pushed Leviathon closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. He noticed how cold her eyes appeared to be as she struck, and even when he managed to slice her cheek, she did not flinch. She was relentless, but so was he. Their swords clashed against each other again and again for what seemed like hours. Leviathon began to think the battle was never going to end, and then he thought he saw an opening, but as he lunged, he heard Tristan's desperate cry, "Prince!"
Suddenly, there was no ground beneath his feet. Tristan leaped to catch Leviathon's hand, but he was a second too late, and Leviathon was falling and tumbling with the rocks of the cliff. As if from afar, he saw himself reaching out his bloody fingers towards Tristan and his soldiers as he heard their cries. I hear the waves of the ocean, he thought, before he closed his eyes and allowed the darkness to consume him.
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Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Moving back to dodge at her opponent, a stray arrow found its way into the throat of her horse. The horse threw itself to the side screaming in pain. The sudden movement and panic of the creature forced Ari to jump off the other side of the horse. Her feet found themselves dangerous close to the cliff's edge, one even part-way over the cliff. Trying to steady her balance, another arrow flew her way and pierced itself into her right shoulder. She stumbled back but her left foot could find no ground.
Ari found herself falling back into the wide crevice. She slid down the side of the cliff before hitting her head on a huge rock. At the impact of the rock her vision began to blur and her hearing began to fade. The sound of the battle above her began to fade as she plummeted deeper, and she lost consciousness. A deep voice echoed through her head, but its message was muffled and obscured.
The way down was far. A small river flowed gently at the bottom of the crevice. Small shores surround in against the walls of the cliffs. The river wasn't very deep, only about 4 and a half feet. The sun's ray only just about found their way into the crevice.
Ari's unconscious body fell into the river with a loud splash, though over the sound of the battle ahead if most likely was not heard by those above. The river miraculously washed up her body into one of the shores not long after and she lay there face up, unconscious, with an arrow lodged in her right shoulder. Half of her body was still in the river. There was a large cut on the right side of her forehead, just above the eyebrow. Crimson blood flowed from out of wound. Not too far downstream, her sword washed up, traced with blood.
~~
The battle above continued to wage on. There were several causalities from both sides. Blood sprayed against the rocks of the cliff. "General Zeyolus!" Admiral let out a shout as he watched the young general plunge into the darkness of the cliffs. Several other soldiers also saw the dreadful fate of their noble commander. "Nahum welcome you...young princess.." Admiral Westfall prayed quietly to himself." Reaching for his sword, Westfall beckoned the army to press on. "Do not let her sacrifice be in vain, men! Push harder!"
The Zeyoluan army gathered themselves once more and made a second charge. Many yelled again, this time for vengeance.
Ari found herself falling back into the wide crevice. She slid down the side of the cliff before hitting her head on a huge rock. At the impact of the rock her vision began to blur and her hearing began to fade. The sound of the battle above her began to fade as she plummeted deeper, and she lost consciousness. A deep voice echoed through her head, but its message was muffled and obscured.
The way down was far. A small river flowed gently at the bottom of the crevice. Small shores surround in against the walls of the cliffs. The river wasn't very deep, only about 4 and a half feet. The sun's ray only just about found their way into the crevice.
Ari's unconscious body fell into the river with a loud splash, though over the sound of the battle ahead if most likely was not heard by those above. The river miraculously washed up her body into one of the shores not long after and she lay there face up, unconscious, with an arrow lodged in her right shoulder. Half of her body was still in the river. There was a large cut on the right side of her forehead, just above the eyebrow. Crimson blood flowed from out of wound. Not too far downstream, her sword washed up, traced with blood.
~~
The battle above continued to wage on. There were several causalities from both sides. Blood sprayed against the rocks of the cliff. "General Zeyolus!" Admiral let out a shout as he watched the young general plunge into the darkness of the cliffs. Several other soldiers also saw the dreadful fate of their noble commander. "Nahum welcome you...young princess.." Admiral Westfall prayed quietly to himself." Reaching for his sword, Westfall beckoned the army to press on. "Do not let her sacrifice be in vain, men! Push harder!"
The Zeyoluan army gathered themselves once more and made a second charge. Many yelled again, this time for vengeance.
Seeker95
New Member
The sun was so warm, the river so gentle. Aside from the occasional croaks and chirps, all was silent and at peace. To this, Leviathon woke with a gasping breaths. The battle, he began to wonder as he ran his hands across his arms, legs, body. I'm still alive... ? He marveled. Perhaps this is an illusion, played by the gods. Leviathon stood slowly and stretched, testing his limbs. He was incredibly sore and stiff and painted with scratches and bruises. Every little movement hurt, and he wanted nothing more than a nice hot bath, but he was alive. With his hair and clothing only partially dried by the sun, he realized with surprise that he must have by luck fallen into the river that ran alongside the cliff.
Leviathon's relief was soon overtaken by horror as he realized that he had abandoned his soldiers in the midst of battle, when his men needed him the most. He must find a way back. Even from below, he could hear the very faint echoes of war cries. Were those Zeyoluans' cries of victory over his presumed death? No, he decided. Tristan would not allow them to give up so easily. The battle must be ongoing.
He took a moment to survey his surroundings, a sparkling blue river flowing steadily ahead and the darkened wilderness behind. The cliffs stretched to the heavens and disappeared within the clouds. There must be another way. By instinct, he reached across his waist in an attempt to unsheathe his sword only to grab air, so he turned over his wrists and withdrew a dagger from under his sleeve instead and began to walk along the perimeter of the cliff, keeping close to the river.
Leviathon could barely remember the last time the water saved him.
"Lilith, hurry and have your maids prepare a room," the King strode down the halls of the castle, carrying Leviathon in his arms. Water, stained red by the blood oozing out of the wound on his back, dripped from the boy's long overgrown hair. He wore no clothes. Littered by bruises, unconscious and barely breathing, he hung on by the thread.
"Everyone spoke of the boy, the ocean's gift," the Queen would tell him the story when he first opened his eyes. "No one believed he would live, but the abandoned kingdom prayed and begged anyways for a single miracle." She tucked in the covers around him with a motherly smile. "And that miracle was Oleania's salvation."
Leviathon felt his stomach sink at the memory. I am so sorry...
Lost in his past, Leviathon stopped paying attention to the path until he suddenly tripped and fell over. "What the..." he began, but a slight groan from behind interrupted him. He scrambled to his feet and spun around, aimlessly pointing his dagger, to see he had tripped over a girl. He approached her cautiously. She was deathly pale, lying in her own blood with an arrow in her shoulder and still half in the water. She wasn't one of his own, he was sure. Dressed in armor, she must be one of the Zeyoluans, his enemy. If she were to wake, she would surely try to kill him. All logic and reason told him to leave her, but he knew he would never be able to live with himself, letting her die. He was human, not a god. Knowing he may regret this decision later, he carefully picked her up out of the water and leaned her back against a tree.
"My apologies," he said quietly to the unconscious girl as he pulled the arrow out with a swift tug. Moving quickly, he wrapped the wound to the best of his ability, using strips of his shirt under his armor. The blood seeped through quickly. He hoped the pressure would be enough to at least slow the bleeding. "I'll be back," he told her and began to wander, looking for herbs. Surely, with her blessed, he would be able to find some. Leviathon hadn't wandered far when he a glare caught his attention. Thinking it might be the armor of another injured soldier, he approached, only to find that the source was a blood stained sword. Disgusted, he reached for the hilt only to yank his arm back in pain. He glanced at his palm to see the burn. The blade rejected him. Suddenly, the realization dawned on him. She was no ordinary girl. She must be Zeyoluan royalty. What was she doing in battle? He didn't care. If he killed her, Oleania might just have a chance.
Leviathon stood over the injured girl, his blade quivering in his hands. I have to, he told himself. For Oleania.
Leviathon's relief was soon overtaken by horror as he realized that he had abandoned his soldiers in the midst of battle, when his men needed him the most. He must find a way back. Even from below, he could hear the very faint echoes of war cries. Were those Zeyoluans' cries of victory over his presumed death? No, he decided. Tristan would not allow them to give up so easily. The battle must be ongoing.
He took a moment to survey his surroundings, a sparkling blue river flowing steadily ahead and the darkened wilderness behind. The cliffs stretched to the heavens and disappeared within the clouds. There must be another way. By instinct, he reached across his waist in an attempt to unsheathe his sword only to grab air, so he turned over his wrists and withdrew a dagger from under his sleeve instead and began to walk along the perimeter of the cliff, keeping close to the river.
Leviathon could barely remember the last time the water saved him.
"Lilith, hurry and have your maids prepare a room," the King strode down the halls of the castle, carrying Leviathon in his arms. Water, stained red by the blood oozing out of the wound on his back, dripped from the boy's long overgrown hair. He wore no clothes. Littered by bruises, unconscious and barely breathing, he hung on by the thread.
"Everyone spoke of the boy, the ocean's gift," the Queen would tell him the story when he first opened his eyes. "No one believed he would live, but the abandoned kingdom prayed and begged anyways for a single miracle." She tucked in the covers around him with a motherly smile. "And that miracle was Oleania's salvation."
Leviathon felt his stomach sink at the memory. I am so sorry...
Lost in his past, Leviathon stopped paying attention to the path until he suddenly tripped and fell over. "What the..." he began, but a slight groan from behind interrupted him. He scrambled to his feet and spun around, aimlessly pointing his dagger, to see he had tripped over a girl. He approached her cautiously. She was deathly pale, lying in her own blood with an arrow in her shoulder and still half in the water. She wasn't one of his own, he was sure. Dressed in armor, she must be one of the Zeyoluans, his enemy. If she were to wake, she would surely try to kill him. All logic and reason told him to leave her, but he knew he would never be able to live with himself, letting her die. He was human, not a god. Knowing he may regret this decision later, he carefully picked her up out of the water and leaned her back against a tree.
"My apologies," he said quietly to the unconscious girl as he pulled the arrow out with a swift tug. Moving quickly, he wrapped the wound to the best of his ability, using strips of his shirt under his armor. The blood seeped through quickly. He hoped the pressure would be enough to at least slow the bleeding. "I'll be back," he told her and began to wander, looking for herbs. Surely, with her blessed, he would be able to find some. Leviathon hadn't wandered far when he a glare caught his attention. Thinking it might be the armor of another injured soldier, he approached, only to find that the source was a blood stained sword. Disgusted, he reached for the hilt only to yank his arm back in pain. He glanced at his palm to see the burn. The blade rejected him. Suddenly, the realization dawned on him. She was no ordinary girl. She must be Zeyoluan royalty. What was she doing in battle? He didn't care. If he killed her, Oleania might just have a chance.
Leviathon stood over the injured girl, his blade quivering in his hands. I have to, he told himself. For Oleania.
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Ari couldn't tell whether she was alive or dead. She was left in darkness, unable to feel or hear anything. Just then, the darkness around her melted and she found herself in a long hall with tall marble walls. She found her surroundings extremely familiar and she knew very well where she was. She was back at the castle in Zeyolus' capital. But the hall was extremely empty and the walls seemed...tall than they usually did. She heard a familiar voice from behind her. One that she thought she would never here again. Her heart filled filled with longing she turned and saw exactly who she expected. Her mother. Ari ran to her, arms outstretched, as she called out to her mother, she noticed her voice was different from what is usually was. It was higher, almost as if she had become younger. But Ari didn't stop; with eyes filled with tears of joy she continued to run to her mother.
But as she embraced the person before her, she felt and found that her mother's warm clothes were replaced with cold, metal armor. Looking up, she saw her father in his gold-plated armor. His glare was cold and she felt it pierce into her soul. He kicked her off of his leg and she lay on the floor, looking up at him. The happiness that once filled her was replaced with sorrow and a different kind of tears fell down her face. Her father yelled at her to get up and leave him, pointing forward. She got up and turned the other direction and in an almost seamless transition, she found herself now on a battle field, fighting an enemy soldier with a basic iron sword. The soldier slashed at her face with his axe. Ari spun around as she winced back from the pain. She opened her eyes once more and found herself now on her knees on another polished marble floor. She looked up and saw her father once more standing over her. They were in the throne room this time, and in her father's hand was Draconian Apparatus. He dropped it on the ground and Ari stared at the sword. It let out a gleam and with that the room began to fade back into darkness.
Ari's eyes slowly opened, her pupils drawing back as sunlight slid through her eyelids. She was alive, but she had no idea where she was. The sound of war had faded as she felt pain all over her body. Had she really survived that fall? She looked up and saw the Oleanian boy she was fighting before standing over him. In his hand was a dagger.
Ari knew what was about to happen. Out of instinct she jumped up and her mouth opened, letting out a bright flame in the space between them. It wasn't very big, but just enough to cause him to back out. She stumbled back against a tree behind her, her legs felt excruciating pain. She tried to advance forward but a sharp pain hit her shoulder. She checked it and saw the wound...it had been wrapped? Blood still escaped and stained the cloth. Ari could feel the infection already begin. She put her hand over it and felt that the wound was still open. There was no way she could even fight him in her condition. She saw her sword behind the boy.
At least he can't use it against me... He probably tried to.
Even if she were able to get to Draconion Apparatus, she was unsure if she'd even be able to wield it properly. She looked at the boy, half of her vision slightly obscured with blood pouring from a wound above her right eye.
"You..." She said, sounding nearly breathless, "What are you doing here? Trying to kill me while I'm unconscious and vulnerable? Tsk.. You Oleanians really have no honor, do you?"
She looked at him with a cold glare, if he were to try anything, Ari was not planning on going down without a fight.
"Even if you did kill me, what would come from it? You think it would somehow turn the tides? I doubt that."
But as she embraced the person before her, she felt and found that her mother's warm clothes were replaced with cold, metal armor. Looking up, she saw her father in his gold-plated armor. His glare was cold and she felt it pierce into her soul. He kicked her off of his leg and she lay on the floor, looking up at him. The happiness that once filled her was replaced with sorrow and a different kind of tears fell down her face. Her father yelled at her to get up and leave him, pointing forward. She got up and turned the other direction and in an almost seamless transition, she found herself now on a battle field, fighting an enemy soldier with a basic iron sword. The soldier slashed at her face with his axe. Ari spun around as she winced back from the pain. She opened her eyes once more and found herself now on her knees on another polished marble floor. She looked up and saw her father once more standing over her. They were in the throne room this time, and in her father's hand was Draconian Apparatus. He dropped it on the ground and Ari stared at the sword. It let out a gleam and with that the room began to fade back into darkness.
Ari's eyes slowly opened, her pupils drawing back as sunlight slid through her eyelids. She was alive, but she had no idea where she was. The sound of war had faded as she felt pain all over her body. Had she really survived that fall? She looked up and saw the Oleanian boy she was fighting before standing over him. In his hand was a dagger.
Ari knew what was about to happen. Out of instinct she jumped up and her mouth opened, letting out a bright flame in the space between them. It wasn't very big, but just enough to cause him to back out. She stumbled back against a tree behind her, her legs felt excruciating pain. She tried to advance forward but a sharp pain hit her shoulder. She checked it and saw the wound...it had been wrapped? Blood still escaped and stained the cloth. Ari could feel the infection already begin. She put her hand over it and felt that the wound was still open. There was no way she could even fight him in her condition. She saw her sword behind the boy.
At least he can't use it against me... He probably tried to.
Even if she were able to get to Draconion Apparatus, she was unsure if she'd even be able to wield it properly. She looked at the boy, half of her vision slightly obscured with blood pouring from a wound above her right eye.
"You..." She said, sounding nearly breathless, "What are you doing here? Trying to kill me while I'm unconscious and vulnerable? Tsk.. You Oleanians really have no honor, do you?"
She looked at him with a cold glare, if he were to try anything, Ari was not planning on going down without a fight.
"Even if you did kill me, what would come from it? You think it would somehow turn the tides? I doubt that."
Seeker95
New Member
Leviathon had stood over the girl for what seemed like an eternity, willing his hand to move. She was weak and in no condition to fight. Even if she tried, he was sure he could overpower her easily. The answer was so simple. Just kill her. Yet he couldn't commit the crime. His insides were torn. He wanted to scream out in fury and frustration at this weakness.
He smirked at the flushed girl who scolded him and returned her glare. "Easy for the blessed to speak of honor, to have honor when you have everything else. I'd like to see you try to tell my people, dying of starvation and famine while watching your people swim in gold, to try to live with honor."
Leviathon wanted to kill her so badly. The desire was so overwhelming, his body shook with the rage.
He smirked at the flushed girl who scolded him and returned her glare. "Easy for the blessed to speak of honor, to have honor when you have everything else. I'd like to see you try to tell my people, dying of starvation and famine while watching your people swim in gold, to try to live with honor."
Leviathon wanted to kill her so badly. The desire was so overwhelming, his body shook with the rage.
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Ari looked him straight in the eyes. She could sense the conflict going on in his mind. She looked at the tensed hand carrying the dagger.
He can't bring himself to do it...
"Blessed? You're definition of a blessing must be different than mine then... You have no idea as to what kind of things I have had to live through." She said, standing up straight, "But through all that I learned honor does not come from the strength of one's castle or army. It comes from the strength of the person."
She looked back at her sword on the ground behind.
"If you're so desperate to kill me, then finish we can finish this the way we started."
There was no way Ari could even fight properly, and she knew that very well. But she at least wanted to go down fighting. Draconian Apparatus began to pulse a faint glow on the ground, as if it heard the beckoning of its wielder.
He can't bring himself to do it...
"Blessed? You're definition of a blessing must be different than mine then... You have no idea as to what kind of things I have had to live through." She said, standing up straight, "But through all that I learned honor does not come from the strength of one's castle or army. It comes from the strength of the person."
She looked back at her sword on the ground behind.
"If you're so desperate to kill me, then finish we can finish this the way we started."
There was no way Ari could even fight properly, and she knew that very well. But she at least wanted to go down fighting. Draconian Apparatus began to pulse a faint glow on the ground, as if it heard the beckoning of its wielder.
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Seeker95
New Member
Leviathon suspected that the girl was sensing his weakness. If he wasn't going to do it now, then he was never going to do it no matter how much he wanted to. Plus, the battle raged on, even without their presence. Even if he killed Zeyolun's leader, the people would still fight. He was sure that the Oleanians would right even if he was dead.
He turned away with a frown and tucked the blade back in his sleeve.
He turned away with a frown and tucked the blade back in his sleeve.
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
He had backed off, just as Ari had expected. Though she didn't express it, she felt a wave of relief roll over her. She was glad she didn't have to fight him anymore. She couldn't care less about killing him now, the obligation to her army was more important now.
Ari tried walking forward for the first time. Her legs felt pain all over, and the metal armor she wore didn't help her much either. She walked up to her sword on the ground, and saw that its once polished blade was stained and clouded with traces of blood. She picked it up and placed it back into her sheath. At that moment another thought hit her and she checked around her neck. Her jeweled necklace managed to stay on (thank the gods).
She looked up the cliff beside them. The sun was still climbing its way up the side of the mountain above.
"I assume that you're going to try to get back to them too?" She said still observing the cliff, "It's obviously impossible to climb back up the cliff and who knows how long this crevice and river run... It'd be impossible to find a way it and find them still there."
Ari tried walking forward for the first time. Her legs felt pain all over, and the metal armor she wore didn't help her much either. She walked up to her sword on the ground, and saw that its once polished blade was stained and clouded with traces of blood. She picked it up and placed it back into her sheath. At that moment another thought hit her and she checked around her neck. Her jeweled necklace managed to stay on (thank the gods).
She looked up the cliff beside them. The sun was still climbing its way up the side of the mountain above.
"I assume that you're going to try to get back to them too?" She said still observing the cliff, "It's obviously impossible to climb back up the cliff and who knows how long this crevice and river run... It'd be impossible to find a way it and find them still there."
Seeker95
New Member
Well isn't she friendly, Leviathon thought, so long as you're not trying to kill her.
He shook his head. "We won't make it back by tonight," he avoided her eyes and kept walking down the stream. He wanted to find his sword as he was uneasy not having his while she had hers. She had already seen his weakness, but he wasn't so sure she wouldn't kill him given the chance. "We'll have to find another way, either a more shallow cliff or a hill that'll lead up. Either way, it looks like we'll be stuck down here for a while."
He shook his head. "We won't make it back by tonight," he avoided her eyes and kept walking down the stream. He wanted to find his sword as he was uneasy not having his while she had hers. She had already seen his weakness, but he wasn't so sure she wouldn't kill him given the chance. "We'll have to find another way, either a more shallow cliff or a hill that'll lead up. Either way, it looks like we'll be stuck down here for a while."
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Ari continued her way downstream until she saw a shape on shore in the near distance. Quickening her pace, she came upon a soldier lying face-up on the ground a decent length away from the river itself. He was lying at the end of a large trail of blood coming out of the river. A shield was at his side and on it was a Zeyoluan crest.
This man was one of her own who had also fallen of the cliff as well; though it seem he met a worse fate. She came closer to the soldier and saw that he wasn't moving. He was extremely wounded and bloody, most likely from both the battle itself and the fall down. She checked him for a pulse, but there was nothing. The body itself was still warm, as if he had died very recently. Through the blood that smeared his face she could see that his eyes were still opened, gazing up at the sky, and his mouth formed a small smile. Ari felt a heaviness in her heart. She wondered how a man could die in such a state of peace after all he had been through. She looked and saw that the soldier was clutching something to his chest with both hands. Kneeling down, she gently lifted the hands up and removed two pieces of paper, both damp and blood-stained. They were letters, both written in handwriting different from the other. The first one she read was from the man's wife. She wrote about the recent birth of their firstborn, a happy little boy. She looked at the second letter, this one was from the soldier himself and was most likely going to be a letter he was going to send back. It was unfinished, but in what he managed to get in, he wrote of his homesickness, excitement to meet his child, and love for his family and his nation.
With great sorrow in her heart, Ari looked at the man and carefully put the letters back into his hands, just as they were when she found him. She slid her hand down his face, closing his eyes. She knelt at his side for a moment longer. "Thank you..for your service... May Nahum welcome you into his great hall and give your family great blessings." She prayed quietly and stood back up as she finished.
You should have survived that fall instead of me. She thought to herself. We should have never charged through that cliff in the first place. Who knows how many met a fate similar to yours...
With a heavy sigh she tried to push the thought away from her mind. She took the shield from the ground beside him. He would not need it anymore anyway. Ari looked back at the Oleanian boy. He was probably watching her during all of that.
This man was one of her own who had also fallen of the cliff as well; though it seem he met a worse fate. She came closer to the soldier and saw that he wasn't moving. He was extremely wounded and bloody, most likely from both the battle itself and the fall down. She checked him for a pulse, but there was nothing. The body itself was still warm, as if he had died very recently. Through the blood that smeared his face she could see that his eyes were still opened, gazing up at the sky, and his mouth formed a small smile. Ari felt a heaviness in her heart. She wondered how a man could die in such a state of peace after all he had been through. She looked and saw that the soldier was clutching something to his chest with both hands. Kneeling down, she gently lifted the hands up and removed two pieces of paper, both damp and blood-stained. They were letters, both written in handwriting different from the other. The first one she read was from the man's wife. She wrote about the recent birth of their firstborn, a happy little boy. She looked at the second letter, this one was from the soldier himself and was most likely going to be a letter he was going to send back. It was unfinished, but in what he managed to get in, he wrote of his homesickness, excitement to meet his child, and love for his family and his nation.
With great sorrow in her heart, Ari looked at the man and carefully put the letters back into his hands, just as they were when she found him. She slid her hand down his face, closing his eyes. She knelt at his side for a moment longer. "Thank you..for your service... May Nahum welcome you into his great hall and give your family great blessings." She prayed quietly and stood back up as she finished.
You should have survived that fall instead of me. She thought to herself. We should have never charged through that cliff in the first place. Who knows how many met a fate similar to yours...
With a heavy sigh she tried to push the thought away from her mind. She took the shield from the ground beside him. He would not need it anymore anyway. Ari looked back at the Oleanian boy. He was probably watching her during all of that.
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Seeker95
New Member
Leviathon tried his very best not to feel sorry for the girl, but he understood that the soldier could have been one of his own, and he would have been just as devastated. For two minutes, he decided to put aside their differences. For now, neither one of them had an army or kingdom behind them. They were just two people dressed in an armor with a silent contract not to kill each other, or so he had hoped.
He placed a hand on her uninjured shoulder. "We should give him a proper burial. A brave soldier deserves at least that."
He placed a hand on her uninjured shoulder. "We should give him a proper burial. A brave soldier deserves at least that."
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Ari looked at the body and gave a solemn nod.
"Help me bury the body. Then I can try to hold a funeral rite for him. It's the least I could do for him."
She walked up to a nearby tree, a fairly small one. Using her sword she cut up curved planks to be used as shovels. It took a little time to dig a hole deep enough, but they eventually finished. They carefully put in the body and filled the hole back up over him. A stone was placed above him as a headstone of sorts. Walking back to the tree, Ari cut out a small sheet and took a small fallen stick from the ground. She came back and stood before the grave.
"This rite is usually only done by clergy... I've honestly never done it before nor do I know if I can do it at all. But I hope I have the authority to do this... Many are too poor to even pay to hold this right. But he I think he deserves this."
She brought the branch in front of her face and blew a small flame onto the end. Using the burning flame like a pen, she inscribed a series of intricate runes onto the wood sheet. She tossed the branch to the side when she was finished and held the runes above the grave. Looking up at the sky and she began to speak in a different language, it sounded ancient and brought her voice into a lower tone. The runes began to glow a pale blue, as if they had been awakened and were brought to life. She placed the wood onto the ground. The physical wood dissipated and the light from the runes became absorbed into the ground. The light glowed for a few moment longer before fading away slowly. As the light disappeared, Ari briefly knelt to the ground before walking away from the grave.
"Alright. I think that worked." Ari said, letting out a sigh, "Let's get moving. There's no more we can do here." She continued moving downstream. She wanted to try to push away the wave of guilt still rolling over her.
"Help me bury the body. Then I can try to hold a funeral rite for him. It's the least I could do for him."
She walked up to a nearby tree, a fairly small one. Using her sword she cut up curved planks to be used as shovels. It took a little time to dig a hole deep enough, but they eventually finished. They carefully put in the body and filled the hole back up over him. A stone was placed above him as a headstone of sorts. Walking back to the tree, Ari cut out a small sheet and took a small fallen stick from the ground. She came back and stood before the grave.
"This rite is usually only done by clergy... I've honestly never done it before nor do I know if I can do it at all. But I hope I have the authority to do this... Many are too poor to even pay to hold this right. But he I think he deserves this."
She brought the branch in front of her face and blew a small flame onto the end. Using the burning flame like a pen, she inscribed a series of intricate runes onto the wood sheet. She tossed the branch to the side when she was finished and held the runes above the grave. Looking up at the sky and she began to speak in a different language, it sounded ancient and brought her voice into a lower tone. The runes began to glow a pale blue, as if they had been awakened and were brought to life. She placed the wood onto the ground. The physical wood dissipated and the light from the runes became absorbed into the ground. The light glowed for a few moment longer before fading away slowly. As the light disappeared, Ari briefly knelt to the ground before walking away from the grave.
"Alright. I think that worked." Ari said, letting out a sigh, "Let's get moving. There's no more we can do here." She continued moving downstream. She wanted to try to push away the wave of guilt still rolling over her.
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Seeker95
New Member
Leviathon watched the girl carefully, following her lead, and by the time the two were done digging, the sun was beginning to set again. Just 24 hours ago, he was wondering if he would live long enough to see another day. How amazing it was that he would, and with his enemy too.
The girl performed the burial and walked swiftly away. Don't you want to say a few words? He thought better than to ask. She looked... defeated. He died fighting for his kingdom. You should be proud. Leviathon wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know where the boundary between them was. He didn't want her to lash out, and he didn't want to say the wrong thing, so he kept quiet.
The two had been walking for hours, and still, Leviathon could not see the end of the river or the top of the cliff, and when darkness settled in, he wouldn't be able to see where he was stepping either. Plus, neither one has had any food. "We should stop somewhere for the night," he told the girl. "And take advantage of the last remnants of the sunlight to hunt instead."
The girl performed the burial and walked swiftly away. Don't you want to say a few words? He thought better than to ask. She looked... defeated. He died fighting for his kingdom. You should be proud. Leviathon wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know where the boundary between them was. He didn't want her to lash out, and he didn't want to say the wrong thing, so he kept quiet.
The two had been walking for hours, and still, Leviathon could not see the end of the river or the top of the cliff, and when darkness settled in, he wouldn't be able to see where he was stepping either. Plus, neither one has had any food. "We should stop somewhere for the night," he told the girl. "And take advantage of the last remnants of the sunlight to hunt instead."
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
Ari looked up at the sky and saw sun was already retreating into the cover of the western cliffs.
"Resting for now would be smart," She said, "There are probably some fish in the stream, we could try to fish them out. Frankly fishing has never been a forte of mine, especially without any proper gear, so I should just go set up a place to sleep and a fire. Not that the fire would be hard in any way.."
Oleania was bordered by the ocean anyway. It was likely that the Oleanian would know more about fishing than she did, or at least be better at it, so she decided not to her embarrass herself trying. She went cleared a decently sized area comfortable enough to sleep on (comfortable meaning that there were no rocks digging directly into your back.). Then she made a small campfire using dry branches, twigs, and rocks lying around. She blew on another small twig and threw the burning stick into the campfire. The flame spread easy and became an easily tamed fire.
When they had both eventually regrouped at the fire, the sun had disappeared and the blanket of stars in the night sky began to take over the sky. Ari sat leaning back against a rock, looking at the fire as it fluttered and burned.
"You know what I just realized? It funny how..." She said to the boy, "We have been spending all this time stuck down here together and still have yet to know each other's names.. So I guess I shall be the first to properly introduce myself. My name is Ari. Ari Zeyolus, but I guess you already figured that I'm a Zeyoluan royal of some sorts."
"Resting for now would be smart," She said, "There are probably some fish in the stream, we could try to fish them out. Frankly fishing has never been a forte of mine, especially without any proper gear, so I should just go set up a place to sleep and a fire. Not that the fire would be hard in any way.."
Oleania was bordered by the ocean anyway. It was likely that the Oleanian would know more about fishing than she did, or at least be better at it, so she decided not to her embarrass herself trying. She went cleared a decently sized area comfortable enough to sleep on (comfortable meaning that there were no rocks digging directly into your back.). Then she made a small campfire using dry branches, twigs, and rocks lying around. She blew on another small twig and threw the burning stick into the campfire. The flame spread easy and became an easily tamed fire.
When they had both eventually regrouped at the fire, the sun had disappeared and the blanket of stars in the night sky began to take over the sky. Ari sat leaning back against a rock, looking at the fire as it fluttered and burned.
"You know what I just realized? It funny how..." She said to the boy, "We have been spending all this time stuck down here together and still have yet to know each other's names.. So I guess I shall be the first to properly introduce myself. My name is Ari. Ari Zeyolus, but I guess you already figured that I'm a Zeyoluan royal of some sorts."
Seeker95
New Member
Once Leviathon had a belly full of fish, he allowed himself to lean back against a tree and gaze at the stars. The meal was good, and the fire provided all the warmth they needed. But a silence still settled between the two. To Leviathon's surprise, the silence wasn't necessarily uncomfortable. In fact, it was the exact opposite. It was the silence that neither felt the need to fill. An unspoken comfort, and they didn't even know each other's name.
"Ari," Leviathon nodded politely. "My name is Leviathon."
"Ari," Leviathon nodded politely. "My name is Leviathon."
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
After that, the silence that fell between them felt like it lasted hours. At first, Ari almost felt the most relaxed she had been in years. It was even more peculiar that it was while she was right next to someone she had called an enemy less than 24 hours ago. Maybe she felt this way because she was away from her father...and her kingdom. But she knew she had to find a way back to her army. She was still sworn to serve the kingdom, and she wasn't planning one breaking the code she had lived for this long. Thinking about it, she would have died fighting for her kingdom that day if she hadn't been saved from the river. But she had lived...because that Oleanian saved her. She looked at her injured shoulder, still wrapped up before looking to Levianthon.
"This is something I never thought I would ever say to you..but I feel as if I have to.." She said breaking the silence once more, "...thank you. I have no idea as to why you pulled me out of that river, but...I am grateful that you did, I really am. I probably would have died on that shore."
She shifted uncomfortably and looked back up at the sky. Even though they were not fighting there was still a tense atmosphere around them. Who knows when they might become enemies again? The war was still raging, and if they were caught together like this, they would surely be marked traitors. Who knows when they would find themselves holding a blade to each other's throats.
"This is something I never thought I would ever say to you..but I feel as if I have to.." She said breaking the silence once more, "...thank you. I have no idea as to why you pulled me out of that river, but...I am grateful that you did, I really am. I probably would have died on that shore."
She shifted uncomfortably and looked back up at the sky. Even though they were not fighting there was still a tense atmosphere around them. Who knows when they might become enemies again? The war was still raging, and if they were caught together like this, they would surely be marked traitors. Who knows when they would find themselves holding a blade to each other's throats.
Seeker95
New Member
Leviathon decided he would hate the day when he and Ari had to be enemies again. The thought of peace between them, as this almost paralleled the possible peace between their kingdoms, was too sweet.
Leviathon shrugged at her thanks. He wasn't really sure how to act in the situation. "I didn't know you were a royal member. If I had known, I might not have helped you." He scooted himself half a foot closer to the fire, craving the warmth. The darker the night grew, the colder it got.
Leviathon shrugged at her thanks. He wasn't really sure how to act in the situation. "I didn't know you were a royal member. If I had known, I might not have helped you." He scooted himself half a foot closer to the fire, craving the warmth. The darker the night grew, the colder it got.
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
"I guess it would be best to get our rest now so we can take have as much daylight as we can tomorrow." Ari said. She let out a slight shiver as a wind blew over her. They were next to a fire but her clothes were still somewhat damp in places armor.
"Would it be wise to take turns keeping watch?" There had always been rumors and stories of things that come out at night in these parts of the mountain range. Sure, Ari had always regarded them as tall tales; but one could never be to careful about sleeping out in the wilderness like this.
"Would it be wise to take turns keeping watch?" There had always been rumors and stories of things that come out at night in these parts of the mountain range. Sure, Ari had always regarded them as tall tales; but one could never be to careful about sleeping out in the wilderness like this.
Seeker95
New Member
Leviathon nodded. "I expect to start hiking at sunrise. I don't think keeping watch will be necessary, seems to me we're pretty alone. If you should feel safer though, I'll be happy to take the first shift."
He wished he could make the fire bigger, warmer. Would they have to blow it out when they slept to avoid attracting attention? The night was so quiet it was hard to believe that anything else could possibly be in the wilderness with them.
He wished he could make the fire bigger, warmer. Would they have to blow it out when they slept to avoid attracting attention? The night was so quiet it was hard to believe that anything else could possibly be in the wilderness with them.
Kwillz
Bardic Inspiration
"That's true. Who would be out this deep into the range. I never really thought it as necessary either. So you can go ahead and get the rest you need for tomorrow." Ari rolled over onto her side.
"No need worry about the fire; it's holy. Fire like that is usually only used ceremonially, so the flame itself is basically kept under the watch of Nahum himself. It goes out when it knows it needs to go out."
"No need worry about the fire; it's holy. Fire like that is usually only used ceremonially, so the flame itself is basically kept under the watch of Nahum himself. It goes out when it knows it needs to go out."
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