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Post by Trinn on Sept 4, 2012 20:39:42 GMT -5
The crystal city appeared on the horizon from many miles away, clearly visible to Elaine who rode atop Eridor's large gray bulk. She hadn't been happy to leave her young charges at the orphanage, but it was no surprise that after sixteen years the peace would start to waver. It seemed that wartime was lurking just around the corner, and it made Elaine both depressed and excited. Eridor seemed almost thrilled. In a sense, she and he had been born in war, raised in it and fed on it. War was one of their specialties. Subconsciously, Elaine's hand moved down to caress the hilt of her sword, Celobra. She hadn't buckled the weapon to her waist since the end of the war. Even after all that time, it felt as natural as ever.
~~
Elaine had left Eridor just outside the gates into the city. The Ismalian guards had been surprised by his presence, and it was clear they didn't quite know how to react. Fortunately they weren't foolish enough to try and make Eridor stay anywhere else, because there was no way he would budge from his current position. Elaine now stood in front of the throne room, and she was having a series of flashing memories. She had come to Ismalia only once before, and it had been as an ambassador then too. The guard outside the door went in to announce her, and Elaine waited patiently with her hands clasped before her.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 4, 2012 23:48:18 GMT -5
Teza Mae watched with awestruck wonder at the new gray dragon that had appeared on the horizon. It was much bigger than any of the dragons that lived near Freia, even bigger than Caedus! The woman who rode seemed to hold a regal disposition, almost as if she were royalty herself. As the woman approached the gate, the fourteen year old princess fairly flew down the steps of the palace and was out the gate nearly before the guards entered to announce their visitor. She approached the stranger curiously, alert for danger but sensing none. Obviously, she wasn't here to assassinate anyone.
"Hello," she greeted in a friendly, though questioning voice. "What brings a Rider to Freia?"
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Post by Trinn on Sept 4, 2012 23:54:03 GMT -5
Elaine had not expected to be met by a young girl. A strikingly familiar looking young girl at that. And intelligent to boot. "Well met young one." she said, unsure what to call the girl, or why she was running about by herself. "What brings a rider is news of great importance, and it must reach the Queen Mother urgently. I don't suppose you could take me to her?" she asked, smiling down at the girl. "I have a hunch you might know The Lady Tenal Ka quite well." A shadow fell over them, and Elaine didn't need to look to know that Eridor had lifted his head over the gate to look at the girl with his own eyes. She smells like Tenal Ka and that ranger, Romulus. he said in his stony voice, and Elaine quite agreed.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 5, 2012 0:07:31 GMT -5
Teza Mae was struck first by the woman's strange accent. Of course, she had always noticed her father spoke with the slightest difference in pronounciation, and she recalled the same accents from her brief visits to Alagaesia over her younger years. But to hear such a strong difference seemed so out of place at home.
Then she understood that the stranger had asked to see her mother. Whatever had brought this Alagaesian Rider to seek the Queen Mother's aide had to be something dire indeed. She nodded.
"Of course, come on," she said. She glanced back at the dragon, giving him a sad smile. "I think Caedus, Torrick, and Trinity are somewhere close," she told him. "Sorry you cannot come in with us. The court would hate it." She gave a slight laugh, "Although I think it would be quite funny to see them all shocked be a dragon in the city." She motioned for the stranger to follow her to the palace. "I'm Teza Mae," she introduced herself. "May I ask, what business do you have with my mother?"
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Post by Trinn on Sept 5, 2012 0:17:08 GMT -5
Eridor seemed to shrug, and his head disappeared again. Elaine followed after the young girl, and was only a little surprised to learn that Tenal Ka was indeed her mother. But if that was the case, why was she out without a guard. Elaine instantly became wary. She new from her previous visit to Ismalia that assassins were as common as grasshoppers in summer grass. Keeping her eyes on the lookout, she answered the young princesses question. "Business of the dreary sort, I'm afraid, princess. And business to be discussed behind closed doors. Too many ears out in the open. Speaking of which, should not a young princess like yourself be flocked by a dozen guards? But of course not. I'm sure you're as sneaky as your mother, eh?" Elaine laughed lightly at that. Tenal Ka had always been an independent woman, and the daughter seemed no less.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 5, 2012 0:30:52 GMT -5
Teza Mae grew more curious about what this woman had to do with her mother. Whatever they were going to discuss, Teza Mae wanted to make sure she was going to hear every word of it, even if she had to put her ear to a keyhole.
She audibly groaned at the woman's mention of guards. "I don't need them, no matter what everyone else may think. I could probably protect myself better than all of them combined." Her ears perked up a bit at the mention of her mother. She was sneaky? Well, she had been an expert when it came to their hunting trips from so many years ago, though not quite as good as her daddy.
"So...you've met my mom before?" she asked, dropping her formal pretenses. Unlike Tenel Ka, Teza Mae often liked a relaxed approach to speaking, almost lazy what with the use of contractions. She even used a more common and dear reference to her mother.
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Post by Trinn on Sept 5, 2012 0:42:16 GMT -5
"Yes, I came to Ismalia before just as I am now. To ask for your mothers help. Of course, I was much younger then, and Eridor much smaller. I'm sure she's told you of Ismalia's part in the Empire war. I spoke to her quite a few times. A very noble, and a very intelligent woman. A great ally. You should be proud, young princess to call her your mother." Elaine felt rather comfortable around Teza Mae. The girl was quite easy to speak to. That, and Elaine had long ago stopped feeling uncomfortable around royalty. It was no secret that dragon riders didn't need to grovel to kings and queens. Of course, it always helped to be polite and stick to formalities. "Perhaps if I stay here for a couple days, I can tell you more about your mother during the war. And of Alagaesia. It's really quite a wonderful land." She looked about now, taking in the beautiful, sparkling crystal of the city. The Ismalian's may not be able to properly wield magic, but this city proved otherwise. Elaine was grateful to see the palace drawing closer. She felt anxious to relay the news of the attacks to Tenal Ka.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 5, 2012 15:57:51 GMT -5
Teza Mae smiled as the woman described the queen with praises. Her mother truly was something special, and her father was just as amazing.
"I am well-read in all our past Queen Mothers," she said. "And personally, I believe Mom has been the greatest. I plan to do everything in my power to be even better whenever I become Queen Mother." That had long been her determination, to surpass her parents and grandparents and be the best she could be.
"Elaine!" Teza Mae heard her mother call, coming out of the castle with quick, steady steps, despite the nearly impossible shoes she was wearing. Tenel Ka rushed out to greet her old friend when she heard she'd arrived. Foregoing formality, the queen hugged the Alagaesian Rider, her joy from the visit evident on her face. However, as she pulled away, a concerned look clouded her expression. "Tell me what is happening," she said, leading Elaine into the palace.
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Post by Trinn on Sept 5, 2012 18:30:48 GMT -5
Elaine was surprised to recieve a hug from the noble Queen Mother, but she found herself returning it in kind. "I am quite happy to see you again, Tenal Ka, I only wish I would have come to visit sooner, with. I bad tidings following after me." she fell into step beside the queen, eyeing Tenal Ka's shows. How on earth was she able to walk in them! They looked
Ore to her like torture equipment. " Alagaesia has been suffering from some very insidious attacks. Entire flocks of cattle butchered, people gone missing, then found in manners too grotesque to repeat in front of your daughter. Now, small villages have been attacked and. Ompletdly emptied out of their people. And here is the worst. A dragon rider scouting across the country saw a strange gathering in the haddarc desert. A gathering of shades. The rider lingered only a short while, but said hat he fled when he realized that not only were there shades at this gathering, but dragon riders and soldiers. This wasn't some weird shade ceremony, It was an army. And leading this abominable gathering, was another dragon rider." Elaine had to pause, almost unable to utter the horrible words she must. "Queen Mother, the leader was a shade. It was when our scout recognized this that he fled in earnest." Elaine let this news sink in for Tenal Ka. The whole time she had spoken quietly, trying to keep unpleasant things from Teza Mae's ears.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 6, 2012 22:13:29 GMT -5
Tenel Ka's eyebrows knit together as Elaine decribed for her the situation in Alagaesia. She had heard rumors that something was not right, and she was sure Romulus had heard something of it as well while he was keeping accounts with his estate. She paused for a second in midstep as Elaine told her what the scout had spied in the desert. She wondered if she had heard correctly.
"Teza Mae," she called to her daughter, aware that the girl was likely curious about everything that was being said, "Go find your father for me and send him to me. Then find out where your brother is and stay there." She had a feeling that Elaine would not be comfortable telling all the details with children present. However, the little royal scamps were known for eavesdropping in the past.
Teza Mae gave her mother a long stare, of course curious and listening intently to everything this Elaine was saying. This whole business of Shades escaped her understanding, but she knew that the fact that entire villages were disappearing and people turning up dead was not good news. She was dying to learn more.
She was staring at her mother, because the phrase "Go find your brother" always, always meant that something was being discussed that they didn't want her to hear, which never failed to make her even more curious.
"Yes, Mother," she said respectfully before turning to do her bidding, searching for her father.
Once Teza Mae was out of earshot, Tenel Ka turned back to Elaine, looking her straight in the eyes. She had kept her composure with her daughter present, not wanting to frighten her. But now her face turned white as linen sheets. "Elaine...did I hear you correctly? Did you just tell me that their leader is a Shade...and a Rider?" she asked.
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Post by Max452 on Sept 6, 2012 23:26:11 GMT -5
OOC: *Strolls in* ALOHA! lol
Romulus was standing over his desk, inspecting the reports of their estate in Alagaesia and the reports of Ismalia. The numbers had dropped a bit in his shipping business, bringing him some concern. It seemed like his suppliers were rambling about some evil that was spreading the land. Though Rom was usually not into rumors, this one in particular caught his interest. He would have to scry Gianna or Marcus to figure out what was going on, but something in his gut told him that peace was not going to last long anymore. He sighed. He really didn't want to get involved in another war, especially with his children involved. Perhaps it was time for them to travel to the land of the Dragon Riders; his children would be safe there. Rom continued to mull over their options, half aware of a familiar conscious bounding toward his office.
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Post by Trinn on Sept 19, 2012 15:28:17 GMT -5
With Teza Mae out of hearing distance, Elaine fel more at ease to relay the grim news, for she had not told Tenal Ka everything. "Tis true, though I wish with all my hear it were not." Elaine's expression grew tired. It was foolish to have ever thought that peace would last forever. Peace needed war. It was a tumultuous relationship. "Queen Mother, there is more to my report hat O did. It want to speak of in front of your young daughter. You see, the scout I spoke of was onl the first. Queen Nasuada sent two other scouts in to further investigate... The two scouts were discovered amid the shades, dragon riders, and magicians. They were. Fought before he leader. She is a former Dragon Rider that served under Galbatorix. Her name is Katiana, and she was once a noble. Well, she served very close to Galbatorix, closer even than the Red Rider, Vana. Her devotion to him was absolute. She gave the scouts a message to relay tonNasuada. Katrina is seeking revenge against Nasuada and Eragon for destroying Galbatorix. They are bringing on war. Katiana is the shade rider, and she has somehow retained her human identity. I fear she is very strong, stronger than any shade before. And without mercy. She beheaded one of the scouts and had the other carry the head back to Nasuada along with he message." Elaine fell silent. She waited for the Queen to have a chance to absorb the news. Peacetime was over. A new war was on the horizon, even more horrible than he last. Elaine continued on. "Now, the rider shade failed to mention anything about Ismalia. We don't know if the shade has any intentions of destroying Ismalia too, or if she simply does. It care about you. What I do know, is that eventually, if Alagaesia and Bromsland are destroyed, the shades bloodthirsty nature will drive her to seek fresh meat. Undoubtedly, she will turn to Ismalia. I hate having to ask you to do any favors for us, Tenal Ka, especially after seeing your young daughter, but once again Alagaesia is in need of stron allies. Queen Mother Tenal Ka, will you Join your banners wih Alagaesia's once more and help us defeat his new threat?"
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Post by Tismri on Sept 19, 2012 16:48:50 GMT -5
Teza Mae found her way over to her father's study, still pondering what the Alagaesian woman had said. She could read her mother's expression like a book; the news was not good. There may very well be another war on the horizon, like the one from her parents' time. The thought left her both excited and terrified.
"Dad," she called out to her father as she entered the room. She couldn't help but smile whenever she saw him, same stance he'd been in many times before. She remembered being five and trying to drag him away from his work to get him to play with her. "Mother needs to see you right away. We have a visitor from Alagaesia."
~~~~~
Tenel Ka's face grew visibly more pale as Elaine more fully described the situation. Such merciless brutality was rarely heard of in Ismalia. And the fact that this Shade Rider had once served Galbatorix made things more terrible. This Katriana wanted retribution for the death of her master.
"Yes, of course we shall come to your aid. Although this Katriana seems to be ignoring my land now, I doubt she will so readily forget the Varden's allies. Only..." she turned toward the door where Teza Mae had vanished through, hesitating. "How much time do we have before they begin their attack in earnest, do you think?" She would have to speak with Rom about it, but he would likely agree that they would need time to get their children somewhere safe. Not only Teza Mae and Jason, but Tristan and Teodora's three as well.
A thought occured to her, and she glanced over her shoulder. "Dastan," she called her ever-present guard. "You once served Galbatorix, did you not? Did you ever see or meet with Katriana yourself?"
~~~~~
Tylon stood with his ear against the door, listening. The Queen Mother had agreed to go to war! The thought was both thrilling and sobering. With battle being imminent, he might have more leverage to convince his family to allow him to join the military. He was sure he would be able to do more good leading troops than standing by the princess. Still, after the way the foreign woman had described what happened to the scouts, he felt sick to his stomach. The reality of war hinted at the edges of his mind. A lot of people were going to die; there was no getting around that fact. He thought he was ready for that.
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Post by Trinn on Sept 19, 2012 17:08:15 GMT -5
Jason finally found Tezzie. He had made the mistake of taking a nap and thinking she would remain relatively safe in the palace. He woke and found out that she had been out on the ramparts. He now stalked towards her, glad that she was with father now but irritated that she kept risking her life without him around. He didn't say anything, just came to stand silently by Tezza's side. He caught the last bit of what she was saying and perked up. "A visited from Alsgaesia!" He exclaimed, looking from Tezza to his father.
***
Eline folded her hands together, pondering Tenal Ka's question. "First, thank you for once again agreeing to fight by our side. Nasuada never forgets a debt. She will grant you whatever you wish. Secondly, the shade never spoke of a certain time. But Queen Nasuada thinks it will be sooner than later. She has already started reforming the ranks and called in her generals. You should have enough time to gather your army, and to get your daughter to safety. I hope."
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Post by Max452 on Sept 19, 2012 21:24:59 GMT -5
Romulus turned around at the sound of his daughter's voice. He gave her his fatherly smile and went over to wrap an arm around her waist. He kissed the top of her head. His little princess. "A visitor from Alagaesia?" Rom tensed ever so slightly, the rumors coming to mind. He cleared his throat, not wanting to worry his daughter. "Mmm, well, if your Mother summons me, than I suppose I should go before I get punished?" He chuckled, trying to make light of the situation. Normally, any news about Alagaesia was brought forth by the Ambassador, so the appearance of a new visitor had caused Rom to worry some. He really hoped it was just a friend visiting and not bringing ill news. It was then he heard Jason's soft steps in the halls and then in his study. He smiled at his son, a proud look in his eyes. "Yes, it appears so. Shall we go and greet this visitor?" Rom asked them, before ruffling his son's head, unaware of his wife's command to their children. He was getting tall; where had the time gone?
***
As always, Dastan was there to protect his Queen. Although, he mostly stood in the shadows and remained quite unnoticed by many. He followed Tenel Ka with quietness, knowing that she was always aware of his presence. He was silent as he listened in on Elaine and Tenel Ka's conversation. He frowned. War was again upon them. He sighed. Was peace ever possible for long? Perhaps not, but it was the happiness that lied within the everday moments; that was something he had come to learn while watching the Queen and King interact with one another and their family. He wondered if he would ever be lucky to find such a bond. He still harbored a slight love for Allecia, but never allowed himself to dwell on it to long, for he would alway feel that painful clench in his chest. He was grateful for his friendship with Ealvale; she seemed to understand him better than anyone here. He wondered idly where she was now when he heard his Queen call for him.
Dastan appeared beside Tenel Ka, considering her question. "I've only seen her by Galbatorix' side. She was his stalwart bodyguard and was very loyal; I'm not surprised at her thirst for revenge. The time I did see her, though, she seemed very cold, and had this glint in her eye that seemed to make you feel somewhat degraded in her eyes. Either than that, I've never really associated myself with her." Dastan shared, wondering if his information was helpful.
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