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Suis sighed to herself, she knew he was coming. Hell he even warned her about it...still she did not expect him to be so blunt, and directly introduced himself to them, just like that. Though she was glad that she was able to persuade him, that these two were worthy to be in the presence of the Children, as she knew that was not always the case. And there are legends passed down her family tree about what might happen to outsiders who don’t meet his standards, it often ended...gruesomely to say the least. So she just slumped in her shoulders, in relief that this instance wouldn’t add onto those legends and myths of old.
So she continued to walk down the elegant halls. The walls were of dark oak, with vibrant swirls of delightful and light white and blue mixed in with the hard brown of the oak. The floor was adorned with a beautiful carpet, of blessed red, which continued on seemingly infinitely down the various halls of this grandiose palace. High above them sat golden chandeliers, which let a dim white light shine out, as various sparkling blue gems covered the mighty fixtures of architecture, which hung from the roof.
They passed by, paintings of beautiful women. Each a magnificent specimen of the Cypherian species, they stood tall and mighty, sharing both beauty and strength. Under these paintings read little names, on a gold plate underneath the painting. As they walked down the line of paintings, they stopped in front of one. A one of the Queen herself, it looked very recent, only a couple years old, the others looked centuries or even millennia old, but this one smelt of fresh and vibrant paint. The Queen sat smiling, in a puffy dress of pure silky gold. She sat on a throne of purple linen, and blue gems, and had crossed her legs and had her hands placed in her lap. She seemed quite, for a better word to put it adorable in the painting.
Suis looked at it, and looked to be contemplating something. Maybe a look back to a simpler time in her life, admiring her younger self, or just maybe admiring the simple art. Whatever it was, she stared hard and long at the painting and let out a deep breath and looked towards the duo. “I again greatly apologize for what occurred earlier. The Lord Regent just has interesting ways of reminding us of our…”noble birth.” I guess.” she said as she took another deep breath and took a turn, towards down a hallway, to the left sat a massive door, its carvings odd and unique, carved like the stars themselves. Straight across from them, was two sets of marble doors, separated by at least five feet of wall.
The Queen stepped forward, went to the doors on the left and swung them open. Inside was an entire room of...clothes, hundreds of feet of just clothes. She grabbed hangers and examined them, before tossing them to the side. It took her several minutes before, she exited, with two hangers in her hand. One was an odd set of garments, a long red coat, sat upon it with a white undershirt and a similar set of red pants. They looked elegant, and extremely expensive woven from what looked to be the finest wool. He handed it to Harai. “Man and woman must be separate from bathing, the bathroom on the right is for men.” she said as she then looked at Eftayla, and handed her a long and puffy dress made of silver silk. “This is for you Darling.” The Queen said as she stepped forward and opened the door for Eftayla.
Eftayla could see a marvel of a bath, the bath itself was five hundred feet long, on each end were marvelous statues of angels, which water spilled from their open palms. The wall of the bath was made entirely of fine marble, and various scents filled her nostrils. All delightful, as exotic smells filled them, the room itself was lit like a candle light, setting a very atmospheric mood. “Darling, let you know there is a bar of soap by each statue's foot.” The Queen said as she stepped in.
Cast by Fire
Part 23:
Otun led the scouts and his people, seventy of them that were left, from his old ravaged lands and into Nocte Khur where they'd reach the fortress Kataan'hallah, the fortress hold of Natun, Ef's Uncle. But there was a problem. The road would be long, his people would need food and water, and they had little of either to spare for them. Not to mention, they were heavily exposed to ambush by bandits, feral tribes, prawns, and even worse, slavers. He did not physically find a way to enter into the County of Ostanakar with an army, but he already knew a feasible path through a canyon that would provide protection from Sakir's harsh radiation for those who would march on foot and upon their Ho'ahn. Within the canyon, there was a five-hundred year old pump that struck an ancient water reservoir nearly twenty miles underground. The pump provided water for an old settlement that carved its homes into the walls of the Canyon. Not much was known about the settlement's disappearance, what was known was that the water and the infrastructure already in place would serve as an important to hold which would provide them with the rest and the water which the army needed without exposing themselves to the elements or raiding nearby settlements.
He already had it planned out. Natun had a fleet of fifteen wind sails he could use to ferry an advance force of fast moving cavalry forces and scouts to harass the enemy whilst using the heavy weapons on the fast vessels themselves to inhibit their ability to respond to attacks, worsen their morale, and destroy those massive sand treaders which were probably armed to the teeth with artillery and automatic slug throwers. Natun's vassals had wind sails of their own, which when combined would amass a fleet of thirty sails. A fine force to be feared, he was sure of it.
In other words... his mission was already complete from the moment he saddled his Ho'ahn, but he could not leave what remained of his people to die. They sat under a hanging cliff, some of the Sakirai chatting up the younger girls that had survived whatever that upstart lord had put them through. Things may have seemed well enough now, but within two days, with all the people they had, they'd run out of food and water. So, with no answer in sight, he settled himself on his knees, closed his eyes, and sunk into a state of trance.
Part 24:
Eftalya awoke in Suis's lap, she had no idea how long she was asleep, but she felt well rested enough. Soon, she was overcome with embarrassment for having put the queen through such an ordeal.
"Your grace... forgive me for putting you in this position. It is not my place to lose myself before a Queen"
She lifted herself off from Suis and tried rising from the water only to realize that it was freezing outside the water, she sunk back into the bath for refuge from the cold. She turned to Suis, "Thank you for what you've done for us, you are blessing from watered sands." She looked to the dress Suis had picked out for her, "Should we dress ourselves?"
Suis, herself had fallen into slumber. Her dreams were of magnificent waves, vibrant and magical in there color crashing against the golden sands of the beach she treaded as a child. Which she had treaded as a child, she saw herself, draped around her was a beautiful sun dress. It was of a light blue fabric with little yellow flowers dotted all over it, and clung to her tightly, like a snuggly blanket. She was bending over and collecting shells that had washed up on shore, a pass time she always did as a kid, and was able to do now and then as Queen, but never could get the time for. Waves crashed against her feet and she let out a little giggle as she dashed about collecting the various shells.
And then a massive wave crashed onto her and she woke up, and looked about, a bit startled not knowing where she was. She then remembered where Eftayla was and blushed heavily, as Eftayla woke and began to stir. “It’s uh..fine, its a bath its meant for relaxation.” she said as she laid back again, she then noticed Eftayla was starting to get up and winced. “Don’t do that you need a towel f-” she was cut off as Eftayla quickly realized her mistake and dashed right back into the water. Suis let out a silent chuckle as she slinked back into the water. “Your absolutely welcome darling.” she with a smile, as she herself rose out of the water and quickly dashed out, shivering as she grabbed two towels which had been heating up on some warm coals. She quickly wrapped herself in one, and put the other on the floor for eftayla to step on and get dry. “And yes we should.” she said as she quickly began cleaning herself and wiping herself down. Once she was done she reached into a little closer at the side, pulled out a set of purple underwear and slipped it on, and handed eftayla a white pair. Over that she put on a puffy pink dress which clung to her form perfectly, and she slipped back on her heels. She pulled out a mirror to look at herself, and whistled at her reflection, before turning back to Eftayla.
“I am letting you know...your husband will think you will look absolutely stunning.” she said with a smile, as she walked toward the door and began to open it, allowing Eftayla to get dressed. She stepped out and approached Harais door and knocked. “We’re done!” she shouted through the door. She then walked several feet, picked up a small white phone and pressed the kitchen button, where it dialed up, and called the Kitchen. “I would like a royal meal for three.” she then thought about Lord Knight 1;1 and how he was probably roaming around the halls...or hiding in the roof. “Make that a regent dinner, for the Lord Knight if he would like to join us,” she said, as she hung up and approached the female bathroom again, where Eftayla was finishing dressing. “Come Darling, the kitchen staff is preparing us dinner and I will tell you it is to die for.” she said with a little and wink as she twirled herself around, and beckoned her forward slightly.
Cast by Fire:
Part: 25
Otun's trance did not take long to take effect as he searched the deepest recesses of his minds for an answer. But it wasn't an answer he found, rather a face. His lord's face, Harai, uncomfortable, confused, and well dressed. He was safe in the hands of some foreign Queen. He Saw Eftalya, dressed rather strangely, with her arms showing through an unnecessarily puffed dress. She was also safe, close by this alien Queen. Lastly, he felt only dread and gazed upon a face of what must have been a God, some deity, or something else. It turned its gaze to him and Otun's vision ended abruptly.
"My lord! My lord! He's awake!" Otun woke to the glad face of one of his men at arms, "What did you see?"
Otun, slightly annoyed, rose from his knees, feeling the blood rush back into his legs, wobbling slightly. "Nothing that would help us now, but perhaps later. How long have I been gone for?" The man at arms responded with a laugh, "Three hours! Can you believe it? You didn't move or even breath for three hours!"
Otun realized that three hours meant life or death stranded with up to 90 souls traveling with him now, they needed a way back to Kataan'hallah. He elected to get them moving immediately, hoping to find a moisture farm or something else along the way. It wouldn't be long before they were out of food and water. Soon, they'd probably have to start eating the Ho'ahn, who now carried only the weakest among them.
Part 26:
Eftalya was unfamiliar with such a dress, tinkering with it and eventually learning how to slip it on. Even when clothed with it, she felt incredibly exposed, with her arms bare and her head uncovered. But here, the star in the sky did not burn its people, so perhaps it wasn't necessary to be fully clothed. Still, she wasn't completely comfortable with what she was wearing, awkwardly holding one arm with the other as Suis turned to look at her. “I am letting you know...your husband will think you will look absolutely stunning.” That gave Ef some confidence, cracking a smile.
Harai had been sitting on the floor for some time now, not knowing what to do or where to go. He had wished he'd taken the oportunity to learn from Otun how he'd descend into trance, opening another eye capable of seeing all if he could focus enough time and energy on it, but Harai would never have been patient enough for it, and that impatience was certainly not helping him now. To alleviate his boredom, he took hold of some tool that looked like some kind of tool file, but it was tiny. Still, he made great use of it, taking a large bar of soap and carving out flakes and chunks onto the floor, slowly making out the details of one of the most feared and sought after beasts on Sakiris. The Loh-A'lud, the Dune Dragon. A four legged beast with two more appendages that made up its arms. It's teeth are as sharp as razors, its claws like daggers, and the spikes on its tail like the tips of spears, slung at its foes in a combative time. It's most feared weapon though, was the little amount of acid it could spit, eating through flesh and bone within seconds, always targeted at its prey's legs. They were sought after by lords as pets and mounts, by hunters for kills of prestige, their hides, ivory teeth, horns and claws, and savory meats.
When he had finished the final details when he heard a knock on his door, and the Queen uttering words he didn't understand. Eftalya followed with a translation. "You can come out now, I'm sorry we took a while." Harai snickered, that took long enough. He put down the carving, and walked to open the door, stunned by Ef's appearance. He immediately embraced her, pressed his forehead with hers, and took her hand to follow the Queen. Her heard nothing but gibberish along the way, hoping that the long wait meant something good, that perhaps Ef had secured a way back home. Maybe he was being too naïve, whatever the case he was glad to be back at his wife's side.
Suis sat back in her throne, holding her hands together as she listened to Eftayla translate, Harais bizarre language. Another mental note, implement common education. She thought to herself as she listened in, recounting this story. It confirmed several things of hers, first that there armies were definitely not as large as theirs, which definitely could suggest just based on numerical and technological superiority, their lands could be easily reclaimed. It also suggested they know what vassal ship was, and specifically lord ship which would definitely be a boon in negotiation, as they already have then concept of vassal hood. They then described their vassal and his apparent betrayal, she kept a stern face as she listened, but on the inside she was smiling to herself, this would be truly easy.
Once they were finished, she sat up slightly and looked at Eftayla. “Darling, that is tragic...that you got robbed, from your land by a mad warlord, and that your lord would not even come to save you. Now I discussed fourteen regiments earlier, and I will clarify that each regiment numbers twenty thousand women, that is of course not including armor and artillery regiments,” she said calmly. “Now of course, unfortunately, war is war, and Cypherian blood would most likely be drawn in this combat, so here is what I am proposing for assistance in reclamation,” she said as she put her hands on the table and firmly looked at them.
“The Cypherian Empire would like permanent access to your lands government, for this, we will assist in any infrastructure repairs, and help develop your infrastructure. Second, we like access to forty percent of your lands natural resources, be it cattle, raw minerals, or other resources, we like to be given access to it, so that Cypherian companies may establish operations there, in exchange we will set up a permanent military presence of five regiments in your lands to fend off any invader, and even assist in expanding your lands, by assisting in the subjugation and annexation of hostile lands. The last condition and I can definitely understand if this one would be difficult, is that you swear loyalty to the Cypherian Empire and me, in exchange for this, we will establish permanent trade with your lands.” Suis said as she laid back again. “All of these are negotiable of course, and I am a flexible woman,” she said with a slight wink to no one in particular.
Jazmin smiled and joked, “She helped Harlock, and maybe she can help us bring the AI under control. Regardless, even if she can’t help, still the right thing to do is help her. But let’s get Harlock standing so we can plan our next move. I say we should go back to that settlement, get some resources, get the doctor set up and devise a plan to knock out that AI and end this penancing pandemic!”
-
Liline smiled and set her mug down and pushed it away from her. “I believe that between us we could sneak out of a castle full of armed guards. Breaking back in could be tricky. Well,” she removed a small pouch from her jacket and put a couple of purple bills on the table. She stood, “shall we off? Oh, I did not know you brought your formal suit with you. Though if you wear a suit, I shall also wear my old army uniform. Will have to pop into the eye-eh-oh to request my uniform be brushed and arranged for delivery. So we shall do that before we find accommodations.” Liline walked down the main boulevard towards the central areas of the city, past the brilliant tall buildings and posh shoppes. They came to a two story office building built near the government area, it was an imposing white building with two pillars on either side of a triple door entrance. A main massive wooden door in the centre of the entrance, meant for Fatimazda, and two humanoid sized smaller doors. Below the upper window of the forward facade were three flags, a large imperial flag, a flag of creachdair, and a flag that featured two crossed swords and a crowned tiger. The inside of the building continued the white stone facade, but with brown wooden desks. A large half circle receptionist’s desk sat under a massive chandelier. Off to the left and right of the large central desk were two wooden walls with glass windows to separate secretary areas, full of aides and other military officials typing away on Bezannian clockwork computers.
Liline approached the central desk where she was met by a Fatimazda in an undress uniform, he set down a large telephone handle and smiled, “greetings, how can I help you?”
“I’d like to request my dinner jacket be delivered to this address. I’ve a formal dinner and have need for it.”
“Very well, may I see your identification?” Liline handed a her pocketbook over. The Fatimazda read it over and started typing. His eyes remained focused on a small screen but raised an eyebrow after a moment. “Lieutenant-Colonel, ma’am. We’ll have that uniform delivered shortly. I’ll have an aide to notify you when it is delivered. I suspect you need it urgently?”
“Yes.”
“Very good, ma’am.” Liline smiled and took her pocketbook back and left the office. Heading to the street she looked to Sephus, “where to next?”
Cast by Fire
Part 31: Cypherius
Eftalya carefully considered each proposal which the queen put forth. 280,000 troops... way too many than were needed. She knew from hearing that number, that the Queen would have quite the price to have fulfilled. And quite a price it was. Fourty percent, of everything she and her husband produced on their lands. With such a deal they'd be hard pressed to even pay an army, no less their laborers. She and Harai would have to find another way to gather enough funds to pay their workforce other than just their farms and herds of cattle, of which she had no idea whether or not they were even around anymore. Five regiments, 100,000 troops would defend her lands alone, this alone would no doubt be supremely expensive for the Cypherian Empire, and thus it made sense that upon shedding their own blood for her and Harai's sake they'd want something in return. The last demand made her heart drop. To pledge her loyalty to the Cypherian Empire, and to a Queen she'd just met.
To drop her loyalty and her oath to her uncle, essentially her father, and to swear to a Queen of a foreign species... the thought disgusted her. Shame would be hers for the rest of her days. Her uncle would no doubt see nothing but disdain for her, and her and her husband's name, the old name Ostanakar would become a laughing stock for the entire Sakiri world to see. On the flip side of that coin, her and her husband would have no honor if they just ran from their lands, never to return. Forever they'd be destined to a fate of shame, perhaps never to serve the Deities in the afterlife. She wanted nothing more than to return to her home, nothing more than to see the sands she loved. She knew her husband felt the same, he most definitely felt worse than she. She remembered when she snapped at him, telling him that they were doing his bidding, probably throwing Harai into a spiral of guilt. But it was true. They'd never be here were it not for the slaver from the city of Tipir, however, neither would they probably be alive, found out and killed by assassins, or thugs at worst.
Eftalya whispered to Harai, conferring the details of the offer to Harai, whose face was just as grave as her own. They didn't like the deal as much as they'd hope to, but they had no other way home. Eftalya rose and looked at the Queen directly, "You are most generous in every manner... We will renounce our oaths to my Uncle Natun Kataan, and to the Great Sakai Ko'Tari of Nih'Ten, and we shall swear oaths of fealty to you and to your Empire thereafter. We will grant you access to two fifths of the resources in our lands and in the lands we hope to take, no expense will be spared. For this, we will owe you our lives, we shall die for you need be."
Harai rose with his wife, pushing out his chair and leading his wife to the side of Suis's throne. There, they brought their right arms to their chests and bent the knee before the Cypherian Queen, uttering strange words in Sakiri. They were the old words, the ones most sacred, the words that swore their undying loyalty to their liege lord, or in this case, lady. To Sakirians, loyalty and service mean everything, and renouncing their old oaths was not to be taken lightly.
When the old words were spoken, Eftalya's head slightly rose to speak. "We are yours to command, Queen Suis Boanne."
Suis sat in her throne, as she saw the couple reach her decision and she could barely hold her smile in, as they announced there loyalty to her, and proceeded to bow before her throne. She leapt in joy in her mind, she finally be able to secure a colony outside of the system edenus, hopefully without the others prying eyes, it was perfect and she could feel ecstasy course through her body in joy. She was ecstatic, unfortunately she had forgotten that this would require the approval of a certain someone, and that certain someone has been passively observing the conversation from above, and though it would be the best time to drop in, as he had some very important things to say.
The Lord Knight had been listening in on the conversation. Entirely hidden he had been in deep prayer and consultation, as the conversation went on. He prayed and prayed and prayed some more, his mind roaming the vast cosmos, he walked upon red giants and brown dwarfs, his mind bathed in the liquid salts of worlds far past, and he viewed upon the many sinful races of the great sinful void, he felt disgust at the various races who dotted it. They were imperfect, warlike, brutish. They were bathed in sin, they weren’t worthy. But...this couple, passionate had been brought to cypherius, by Gabriel. He should have struck them down, but he saw something in them. A passion, a passion of love and care, something his creator, teacher...father taught him. So it caused a schism in his mind, as he warred within himself.
He thought back to his father Gabriel, he thought back through all his teachings. He saw through them all, and arrived to one. The last letter he had ever written to him, he remembered the words “To help the Children spread Adohais teachings to the stars, and to sanctify and purify this sinful galaxy.” he gasped silently. How could he be so wrong for all these years, he looked down again and he saw the couple pledging allegiance to the Queen Suis Boanne. His eyes fell upon them, and he realized these xenos would be the first, in many many eons, to be purified of their sin. But it did not specify that only one of the children could lead this purification, it must be all, thus he dropped down.
“This is wonderful darling, I will contact the admirals and generals immediately and we’ll begin planning the op-” she froze, as they could feel the room grow with the presence again from earlier. They could feel it worm from the rafters, as the thing dropped from the rafters landing gracefully upon the floor.
It wore around it instead of elegant battle armor, a simple white robe, with small little golden trims, it stood behind the Queen, its eyes observing Eftayla and Harai, far less judgemental this time. But still observed them with suspicion and also curiosity as, the Queen seemed to tense up as he spoke. “I see, Gabriels dearest daughters have treated you well.” he said as he put one of his massive hands on the Queen's shoulders, causing her to tense up more. They couldn’t tell if the being was purposefully causing the Queen tense up, as a sort of punishment, or it didn’t realize the kind of effect it had on people.
“I also see you have made an arrangement to return home, something I find very admirable, and agree with most of its tenants.” he said as he then strode forward and looked down upon them. His silver eyes, giving off the glow of an era, which had passed eons ago. “But...for any sanctification to occur it can not just only be one of Gabriel's children to lead this voyage of reclamation, it must be all his children.” He said stepping forward again. “I believe your agreement with the Cypherius Queen is amiable, but as the Lord Regent of the Confederation, I would humbly request that you also meet with those who lead the other Children of Gabriel,” he said as he walked forward, and took a seat at the silver throne.
He raised his hand, and slid up the white robe sleeve, revealing a massive silver gauntlet. He took his other hand and seemed to open it, pressing a couple of things which they couldn’t see, he stared at it for a brief second and then closed it. “They will be on their way shortly...now let us continue to feast,” he said, almost casually as he took large swathes of food, and easily swallowed it, with the grace of an angel and ferocity of a bear. Teeth of silver and steel ripping through flesh faster then they could bink, as he ate. All the while Queen Suis sat, both in shock, fear, confusion, worry, and embarrassment.
Princess Chione calmed herself from her little moment of excitement and turned to look up at Solomon, giving a nod, "I do believe I remember you, yes, on Tomboiorn. We briefly met on your way to see Sethus. The other sister by the way was Aleri, my elder sister. Only one I believe you didn't meet was the youngest sister, Kamilah. Too busy playing around the guards in the armory, I would bet. It is a pleasure to see you again however, Prince Solomon. And Richard, I think I remember hearing about that. But I am not one who dabbles too often in the Zantine court. They tend to be a bit too pompous for my liking. More so than you would expect with how much their Empire has shrunk. But I suppose pride has endurance beyond the standard." She then looked back out to the sea, seeming to enjoy it quite a bit, enjoying the ride.
With the ship arriving, Tamour got off at about the same time as the other Iammelonians, with his guards quickly taking up their own positions. They did however move back to let the Bezannian soldiers present themselves, content to remain in the background. Tamour was the primary one who did the inspection, with Chione just acting formally and Ventol not caring too much. Tamour however, as Minister of War, inspected them more closely, before giving a little salute. After the gesture of respect he would move on, as would Ventol and Chione.
Chione smiled to Solomon and nodded, "Goodbye to you as well, Prince Solomon. Safe trop." Chione then looked to the Measctha, with Chione giving her a smile, "Very well then, Miss Saunders. We'll follow your lead. Come along Ventol! And goodbye for now, Minister Tamour!" She gave the Dragon a wave before heading towards the limousine, her Mystic Guardian silently following. Ventol for his part simply gave a curt nod and commenting, "Well, a fancy ride. Should be nice." He too then went along to get in the limo.
Tamour gave Solomon a nod, "Goodbye for then, Princeling. See you then." With that, he looked down to the Humanoid, before looking off in the direction of the train station, "And there's the train. Suppose I did choose this. Saddle up for a trip, troops. Now lead on, valet. Keep good pace if you will lead from the front, if you stop too suddenly you may get stepped on." With that little warning, the Dragon then moved out towards the train station, with his guard detail following.
Going back to the settlement doesn't sound like a terrible idea... Filia thinks to herself as she starts to walk over to the sleeping prince. "Yeah I'd say he's been asleep for long enough. He can rest on the way back." She says as she kneels down beside the gelatinous form of the Changeling Prince. Like he was, it was hard to tell if he was even alive before she poked him with a finger charged with Psionic lightning, no more than getting a static shock.
That certainly woke the prince up quick as he yelped and flew up to the ceiling, his strange body morphing and trying to hide itself as a ceiling fan before he looked around. Seeing his was amongst friends plus an extra person he hesitantly turned into his Firstborn form and dusts down his suit. "Was that really necessary Filia?"
Filia was grinning ear to ear with a nod "Completely~"
Harlock just seemed to scowl half heartedly, knowing she wasn't doing it to be mean to him, just to get a reaction out of him because she needed to keep herself stable in this loony situation they were in. So, with a sigh he just shakes it off and looks to Jazmin with a smile before he looks to the new addition. "And who might you be miss? And... Where are we for that matter?" Harlock looked around at his surroundings taking it all in.
-----
"Oh sneaking out won't be a problem, between our abilities it would be pretty easy to cause afew distractions worthy of aiding in our slipping away. But yeah, getting back in would be far tougher without simply brute forcing it." Seph smiles back as he pushes his chair out and stood up with her as she seemingly paid for their meal. "Well of course I brought my formals. I have the opportunity to represent my people out here ontop of getting to experience the rich culture with you." He says as he walks beside her, wondering what her suit looks like as he thinks on what kind of image they want to project in going to meet this Duchess.
Military formals would certainly get across a more militaristic message... 'We're here for business and shouldn't be messed around with'. So maybe something more like a suit and dress would have the Duchess relaxing. Sephus thought to himself, though from where she immediately took him, watching as she orders her formals to be sent to a certain address, he can only feel sorry for a certain Creach Duchess right around now for the panic attack they were going to give her at that dinner party.
Sephus follows her back out onto the street as he just smirks down at her "We're going to give that poor woman a nervous breakdown. As for what we should do now, I'm not sure. Before all this we were just going around looking at stuff, now we're waiting on your arm and your formals... Is there anything in the way of entertainment around here?"
Eftalya saw the smirk arising from Suis's face, the excitement she could barely hold back. It was a shame she could hardly bear within her, but it was once which was necessary. She'd come this far, perhaps farther than any other Sakirian in history, and she wasn't going to give into her despair just yet.
That thought quickly dropped when she tensed up at the sight of that thing coming down from the rafters, “I see, Gabriel's dearest daughters have treated you well.” Indeed they had, providing everything, more than everything she would ever need. From hugely expensive water baths to large poofy dressed, and extravagant dinners. She hoped the freed men and women she'd escaped with would recieve the same treatment.
“But...for any sanctification to occur it can not just only be one of Gabriel's children to lead this voyage of reclamation, it must be all his children.” W-what? Eftalya thought. We've already broke one oath and swore another! “I believe your agreement with the Cypherius Queen is amiable, but as the Lord Regent of the Confederation, I would humbly request that you also meet with those who lead the other Children of Gabriel.” Eftalya was beyond pissed. She promised to herself she'd take no more oaths than the one she had already taken, this one shame was enough. The massive being brought up a silver gaunlet on one of his arms, presumably adorned with some sort of tech, perhaps a communication device given his next statement. “They will be on their way shortly...now let us continue to feast,” he said as he began feasting like giant sand beasts, gorging themselves on the rare food that comes by them.
At this, Eftalya lost her apatite and stopped eating, watching in disgust and in anger at the being that by whose whims determined everything that occurred around him as if he were a God. But she knew better, what she saw was not a God, for it involved itself in the affairs of mortals, defiling its divine status for the pleasure of the food set before it. For herself, that was a relief, for it could pose no threat to her land or her people should it choose to try to defile her home. But the thought of having to negotiate with two other entire races, as if they were to take for each of themselves a piece of her pie without even getting to know her or of her home at all... The thought disgusted her more than the voracious eating of that beastly being. She looked to Suis for some kind of help, showing a desperation in her eyes to her liege lady, hoping that somehow she'd understand, hoping that somehow she'd be able to resist the whims of this great silver being.
Suis gripped the table slightly in discomfort, what was she gonna do...she had no idea what to do. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and she accepted the Lord Knights' demand of including Kryss and Dynas. She could feel Eftaylas sickening feeling from the thought. Accepting the Lord Knights demands would almost definitely sour these fledgling relations. But if she argued on Eftaylas side, her own life could very much be at risk, as the Lord Knight has been rumored to not take descent well. She looked over to Eftayla, and looked into her swirling pools for eyes, and she felt something inside her flair up, some protective urge come to her.
“Lord Knight I must object.” she said, almost not realizing she said those words as she looked over at the Lord Knight who had just stopped eating and was for the first time in millenia, was left...a little shocked. Suis felt her stomach drop, and her meal almost come up, as she saw the Lord Knight slowly stare at her, in shock, confusion and what she might have thought was rage. “If I may explain myself Lord, these two have just sworn their oath to me as their liege.” she said as she again looked at Eftalya and sighed. “Honorable Lord Knight, these people have already broken one major oath, having them possibly break more especially to aliens they have never met...would only bring more shame.” she said, trying to keep her nerves down, as she began to sweat as the Lord Knight had stopped eating and now looked her right in the eyes. His eyes burned like stars, raging and swirling mystical pools of silver. She gulped as he slowly stood up and his eyes flared. "Have they not gone through enough, their lands seized by a mad warlord, taken as slaves for a month and then crashing upon a Alien world?, is this not enough, why should they have to go through more possible humiliation?" she asked flinching a bit as the Lord Knight continued to stare at her, his eyes still blazing with a bright fury.
“I see…” he said his voice low, and his eyes quickly flicked towards Eftayla and Harai. “Xenos, would you truly oppose any other species entering into these negotiations,” he said bluntly, with very little emotion, as his eyes dug into her like a dagger. His mind raking over hers, as he gazed through her thoughts. Suis began breathing deeply, how could the Lord Knight not understand these things were not proper, she thought to herself as she once again began clenching the table, her knuckles began to turn white.
Cast by Fire
Part 33: Cypherius
Harai and Ef felt the consternation in Suis and the overall tension build with each passing second. Ef was more relieved to hear defiance, but even the queen's defiance was immediately followed by hesitance. It was obvious, this Lord Knight seemed furious in the face of the Queen's defiance. Neither Harai or Ef had ever seen such fury in one's eyes, but then again, they've never seen a deity up close before now.
Then the question came, “Xenos, would you truly oppose any other species entering into these negotiations.” Eftalya wished Harai could understand common galactic language, but he was never one for linguistic arts. So she bore the brunt of translating literally everything she, he, or their hosts said, and now she bore the brunt of answering his question...
Part 34: Kataan'hallah, Sakiris
Natun knelt on a rug within his private meditation chamber, an austere sandstone room, placed 400 meters underground for absolute silence with no disturbances. Here, he would ride out the massive sandstorm above, seeking answers from the deities as he descended into a trance.
At first there was nothing but blackness, as far as he could see. A dark void or chaos, one that probably resembeled what the Universe looked like before its creation. And then, from the distance, stars... no, galaxies, racing by him like dust in a great cloud, finally centering in on the Ether and on an unfamiliar star, not his own, but one with three worlds. He was guided down to a world of sea and sand, thousands of islands dotting its surface with water as far as the eye could see. A world of plenty in Sakiri eyes. But it wasn't of the water filled paradise his mind centered on, it was within a palace that his thoughts raced, until he could make out the blurred image of his niece's face, and that of her husband. Near them, he could feel something else, something more powerfully dreadful than he's ever felt the presence of. It starred him down, even from such distances away, it gazed at him, trying to pick apart his mind, but Natun was resolute, and he concentrated on Eftalya.
But the world went black again until he opened his eyes, mentally drained, kneeling in his austere room with the storm no doubt continuing to rage on. In his heart he was glad to see little Ef, even her bastard husband, but he was more concerned now about Ottun and wondered whether or not he'd have to mobilize his army prematurely to use whatever element of surprise, if any, he had left if it was true Ottun had been captured.
Part 35: Cypherius
Eftalya felt a warm presence beside her, but she couldn't make out who or what it could be. Before she had any more time to give the presence any thought, it was gone as quickly as it appeared. But from it, she was given her answer. She stood and looked into the indifferent eyes of Lord Knight 1;1.
"We refuse to break yet another oath, I would rather die now than to soil my honor and that of my forefathers again." She trembled with fear and sweat building up on her neck, "You certainly will have no place in determining my afterlife, vanquish me now if your ego has been tainted, I do not fear false, vain deities." Whether or not what she said was true, it was done, and she was left visibly shaking at her words. Harai stood to calm her and put himself between her and Lord Knight, trying to stare down its silvery eyes.
In Sakiri he muttered, "Sakir save us." In his mind, he only wished for home.
The Lord Knight now was in more shock and confusion than ever, these xenos stood defiant to him, they not only stood defiant to him, but believed he was a deity, it was all so bizarre. But their bravery, their refusal in being dishonored impressed him, it impressed him greatly. So his fury slowly tempered as he looked at them and then back at the Queen. He raised his hand to the Queen. “Sleep.” he said calmly, as he waved it slightly in her direction, causing her to slouch over in her throne, and passed out. His gaze then returned to Eftayla and Harai. “You impress me xeno, so I shall explain some things not many know.” he said as he gazed toward them.
“I am not a God, nor would I ever claim to be one.” he said as he raised his hands again and a majestic array of colors formed upon the ceiling, they were whittling colors of silver, ruby and gold. These colors soon formed into a solid image, depicting a garden as large as a city...even larger perhaps, streams of dancing pure water, more beautiful and glorious then any water they had ever seen, slid across the ground. In the center of the imagery, laid a figure made of pure clay, and around it were four robed beings, dressed in odd regalia which swirled and twisted around itself into weird shapes and colors. In the center of these four figures stood a tall golden figure, his robes fluttered with scarlets and browns and he stood over the clay body, looking down on it. One figure poured red juices into its mouth, another then poured a whirling pool of water, which bubbled with swirling unknown colors and finally the last poured a liquid metal. Then the towering figure with scarlet and brown robes, looked down, he took a knife in his hand and stabbed himself, ripping it down, and reaching in pulling out a shard of glowing white light and casting it into the clay being, whos eyes opened and sat up
“That is, Gabriel my father, teacher and creator. Gabriel also created three races that would spread his true message, a message of peace and charity in place of the sin.” he said, his eyes looking watery and emotional as the image swirled into another. “Gabriel, was the lord of the Druids of Thomane, Adohai arch angels made flesh. But, the Druids were corrupted, and half of them split off, forming the Corruptos.” images came, of beings larger than stars, beings of horrifying appearing, made of things of nightmares as they screamed, tearing stars apart, enslaving entire races to their whims. “They were looking to conquer all, thus Gabriel made me, and my order, the Seraphs.” he said, as an army of angelic beings like him swirled into appearance. “Thus we marched to fight the Corruptos, to defend creation.” epic battles came into sight, worlds shattered as angels battled the corruptos, slaying them.
“But we failed...the corruptos breached the cosmic web we had built to defend thomane from invasion, our father Gabriel sacrificed himself to annihilate not only his order the Druids but the Corruptos with him.” he spoke, as a bright line shined in the room. “And he left me and my order in the care of the three children, the Cypherians, Dynas and Kryss…” he said as the vibrant display of colors disappeared. “For a long time, I had kept them ignorant of the outside world, hiding them from the sin of the galaxy at large...but you changed my mind.” he said as he looked down at Eftayla and Harai. “I see hope in your race, and I see honor and decency in you both, others have failed, you two have succeeded.” he said as he approached. “I have not shown this imagery to any other besides a few, and the children themselves do not know.” he said as he looked down at them. “But I show you this, to show you my trust and because your bravery, honesty and purity has truly impressed me, and I can ay as the Lord Regent of the children of Gabriel, you and your oaths shall not be violated any further.” he said, as he stepped back and sat down.
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