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 Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:18 pm
Ash remained unconscious as Rebecca worked on him, but his mind kept circling around several worries. He knew he and Rebecca would have to leave the demon realm, his banishment made that unquestioned. But he would also have to check in on the servants in Sebastet's castle keeping watch over Tamlin. He'd left the boy unattended as a test, to see how he would do in such a situation. He'd tried several times to get Tamlin to learn what Ash had to teach him about his Incubus powers, but the boy seemed reluctant to listen to anything he'd had to tell him. So he'd left him alone to see how he would do. At Tamlin's first 'hiccup', Ash fully intended to step in and give him the lessons anyway. But it could only happen when the younger incubus was ready for it. He also worried about Sebastet, knowing she would face her attackers alone instead of asking for help. He also worried about the wedding he was trying to plan to surprise Rebecca. Since Lareth had banished him, he would have to change his plans. He'd intended to ask Lareth to perform the ceremony. But with the banishment in place, he couldn't ask that of the king he'd served so faithfully for so long. All of that moved through his unconscious mind where Rebecca had full access to it... Gypsy's demonic half accepted the energy from Rebecca and started working on healing her throat so she could breathe easier, but the draining effect on her soul was a bit more worrying. Once she could breathe easier, though, she still got to her feet and looked up at Ost with a small smile, "Thank you for your help... I wish we could have stopped him completely, though. Still, your help was much appreciated. I would gladly spar with you at some point, help you hone your fighting skills better. You're good, but everyone could use improvement in some area.
"I live in that tower there. You can come by at any time," she offered as she pointed out the tower that was separated from the main building of the castle then gave him a full bow of respect before she moved over to help Rebecca with Ash. The fact that the Incubus hadn't woken up was a bit worrying to her...
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:45 pm
Rebecca started to patch up everything she could see, she remebered how Michael connected with Dancer so she tried the same to feel where he was worset off, with Ashs mind fully open and his worried thoughts going through her head she froze a moment as the mention of his suprised wedding, looking at him as laid there still. She was not going to ruin it for him but she was going to deffently have a chat with Lareth, banishment was too harsh of thing to do to Ash when she knows how loyal and faithful he has been to his King and still is even if he is with her, she would never keep him from his king. Rebecca looked at Gypsy seeing she was healing and got up to speak to Ost and then came over by her and Ash "He won't wake, his energy is very low I can transfer some of mine to help, but I need to get him to some place more comfortable" She says to Gypsy, Rebecca shook her head as she changed back to her normal form and her wings went back to hidding she was weak herself but she didn't care, the wound on her side was easier too see now but that was nothing to Rebecca as she moved her arms under Ash and picked him up to fallow Gypsy on where to go to get him more comfortable.
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:10 pm
Shale was still focused on the golem forge circle. He had crafted it to use his blood as fuel. Normally this would put a tight limit on how much the forge could create. However, Shale was not a normal demon. His blood replenished itself faster than he could bleed, so long as he hadn't been cut in half or had his heart ripped out or had some other independantly lethal experience. For the spell's needs he remained focused and unmoving. His soft mantra played a steady rhythm as one after another of the newly created raven golems flew to different perches. Some even flew close by the newly arrived group of wounded. But, they made no cry. They moved to their perches and silently watched with red eyes, unmoving and unnatural. The Golem Forge Circle was at full power, creating a new raven golem every five to seven minutes. Shale intended to keep this up until there were enough golems to shade the entire castle if need be. Even that many would still be a less arduous undertaking than crafting the greater golems he had before. They would also fall in great numbers against any significant threat. ------------------- Ost stopped singing. He had done all he could for now. The King could still add more power to the wards but the guardian's limits had been reached. Gypsy's words were kind but felt jarringly out of place. The enemy had succeeded. An enemy that their number could not defeat was still relatively nearby and she was addressing him with polite court manners and inviting him over for tea and a sparring session. This struck him as confusing but he returned her bow.
"Thank you, m'lady." He replied, smoothly as ever. "Excuse me." With that he took two soft steps away, adjusted the collar of his shirt absently and waited. The King felt like he was involved with another person. Ost had already announced his return. The King knew. If he desired Ost's presence in a private meeting then the ward net would allow an effortless summons.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:08 am
As everyone had returned and Ost announced his presence with a song, the castle wards increased with power after a few minutes as Lareth added his own magic.
This signified two things.
Lareth now knew that the mission had failed and that trouble would be coming again soon.
How soon though....only time would tell.
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Hot Champion_of_justice Crew
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:53 am
╔══════════════╗
☣Ⓒ𝔩𝔞𝔶𝔱𝔬𝔫☣
╚══════════════╝
 It seems like forever and clayton had fallen asleep, again as they was getting closer to the castle gates. Clayton was having a lovely dream but soon it ended with a bad stop from the driver. " i guessing we here then father? " Clayton asked trying to look around before stepping out to strech his legs..
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:03 am
Gypsy put Ost out of her mind for the moment and concentrated on Ash and Rebecca. She motioned one of the healers over to tend to her, though, and gave her a glare that warned her not to protest it then looked back down at Ash. "Whatever got him has slipped him into a deep sleep, of sorts. I don't know. If it's anything like what that reaper did to me, he's going to be out of it for a while. You need to be seen to, then you can take care of him," she told her simply then motioned for a few servants to put him on a stretcher so he could be carried up to their room, knowing Rebecca would follow with him. She ignored her own pain for now as she got to her feet again, "After they get you patched up and him in bed in the Guest Room, lay down with him. Your bond with him will help him heal," she added then gave a heavy sigh, "I'll go check in with Lareth. Keep an eye on Ash, but don't try to wake him just yet. Lareth may have to help him out with that," she finished then motioned for the servants to go and for Rebecca to go with him. Then the hybrid headed into the castle to track down her brother-in-law...
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Hot Champion_of_justice Crew
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:22 pm
His father nodded and wondered what was going on as the castle wards were up and it seemed that it was in full force. "We are here yes....but I am wondering why the defense around the castle...it's usually open..." Jolken saw a guard hurrying towards them and he went to speak with the man. The demon took the invitation and nodded before he went and spoke briefly with another. That guard ran to the castle and a few moments later, the barrier around the castle opened, just enough to let their guests in. Jolken, Clayton, and their two servants entered through the opening and once they were in the courtyard, the barrier closed up sealing them inside. The baron tried to ask what was going on, but the only information the guard gave him, was that Lareth would address him later on the current situation. Until then, the guard would see to their situating in a room before Hal would come to give them a tour. Jolken looked to Clayton as the guard lifted their bags and lead them inside the castle. "I had hoped you could meet the king first, but it seems he is pre occupied at the time."
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:29 pm
╔══════════════╗
☣Ⓒ𝔩𝔞𝔶𝔱𝔬𝔫☣
╚══════════════╝
Clayton didn't really mind about not seeing the king, sure his father wanted him to, Clayton on the other hand he could care less for the matter but for his father, anything. " Its alright father, the king is a busy man, im sure we see him soon anyways " Clayton said in a calm tone in his voice.
Clayton looked up at the castle and though that it was a bit too big, getting lost would be easy but in a way kings love big castle's.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:51 am
Ost watched silently as the courtyard rapidly emptied of people. Some left to be treated, others left to find those who needed to know what happened. But, in the end, the guardian stood alone in the large open space. He stared at the castle. It was the palace of King Lareth. The only person he had really failed.
Ost was alone, the only one of his kind as far as anyone knew. It usually didn't bother him. His uniqueness helped those he respected and that was enough. But, at the moment of greatest crisis when terrible danger threatened and precious lives were being lost, he had been on a wild goose chase playing the fool on the strings of an enemy he didn't even realize was there. Now, he began to think of his father. Long, slow, thoughts flowed creepingly through his mind. All these swift changes were beyond the mental grasp of a being like his father. He briefly wished, deep inside, that he had known his mother. All he knew was that she was a demon. It didn't take much to understand that the family probably hadn't wanted a hybrid offspring for their daughter. Especially since she hadn't chosen to be with a titan. There was no way she could have. So, maybe it was better that he didn't. Then again, if not for her, would he have been born a pure titan? Slow and patient and beyond all of these swift and desperate people. Alone. With not even a single being relying on him. No one to fail.
But, without him, people would have died today. So it was worth it. It didn't matter how much it hurt today. He had done his duty and protected people.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:45 am
As Cynthia returned to helping the servants finish getting the guest rooms ready for the visiting barons, she noticed that the caste's wards had been tightened and wondered why. But she didn't get the chance to ask anyone about it thanks to the cleaning and such needed for the other guest rooms.
She was relieved to find out that another head cook had been found for the kitchen. Thankfully, the servants were listening to her when she told them to do something. In fact, they said very little to her, though she didn't notice it with everything going on.
Cleaning was taken care of easily, then the bedding in the unoccupied guest rooms had to be changed out. She sent three of the servants out into the garden to collect fresh flowers for each room from the gardeners, then saw to it that the bathrooms were fully stocked with plenty of towels and bathing needs.
The closets were all freshened with herbal sachets, quickly put together with fresh herbs. Though she had to wonder about the old suit of armor they found in one closet. She ordered that placed in the armory for Lareth to look at later, when he had the time for it.
After the closets were taken care of, she had small desks placed in each set of rooms so that the barons could take care of any correspondence while they were here with fresh paper and writing implements.
That done, she finally collected the servants and headed downstairs to clean out the parlor, solar, and library. The rooms had been shut up for a long time so the windows were all opened to air out the rooms as they all dusted, polished wooden surfaces, removed dust covers from furniture, replaced worn cushions and throw pillows with fresh ones, cleaned the floors, and replaced the curtains and drapes.
By the time all of that was accomplished, Cynthia was exhausted. But she knew there was more to do and sent everyone to clean up the main stairs and hallways.
She didn't simply stand around and issue orders, though. She rolled up her sleeves and worked with them on everything. Though she probably shocked the hell out of them all when she got down on her knees and helped scrub the floors, grabbed a rag and polish to clean tables, and even dusted the baseboards along the walls in each room.
But she didn't want the barons to have any reason to complain to Lareth while they were here, wanted to make everything as easy as possible for him. So if she shocked the servants, she didn't really care.
She finally sat down in the library with the new chef to work out meals and arrange various edibles for the visiting Barons, the only time she took anything close to a break from the work that she thought had to be done.
When Hal showed up and tried to help, she promptly sent him to his study to go through the king's correspondence and work with the elf that had been sent to help him with his tasks. When he protested, she threatened to set his a** on fire, which earned her a grin as he left to do what she'd asked of him.
She continued to work along with the servants to get everything done until they all finally protested and begged her to go rest for a bit. She felt a bit guilty for it, but gave in and went to go take a shower and lay down for a bit.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:42 pm
Shale's concentration rippled. Magic touching magic. There was a heart that was in a place where he had stood before. It was sad and tired and hurt and free and lonely all at once. And, it was waiting for death. He changed his plans, released the spell, and watched as it burned out. Only a few lines of char marked the place where it had been placed. The golem obeyed his single gesture instantly, taking a covered position where it could ambush anyone that attacked him, the castle, or any of its residents or guests in support of the defenders. Then his work began in ernest. He called to his newest creations, drawing ten of them to him, as he formed a very different circle of magic around himself of his blood. This circle combined golem, blood, space, and etheric magic in its design. It was designed to recreate and empower the golems to accomplish a very different task from their initial design. But first, they had to die. The golem ravens looked at each other, separated into pairs and then dove into each other with full speed. They smashed together like masses of oil and fell to the ground on each of the five points of power in the circle. Then they reformed, drawing in large amounts of Shale's blood. Five large ravens stood silently with blood red eyes and red edged wings, waiting for instructions. The orders came swiftly and they took wing, flying faster than any bird toward the nearby ruins. ((Exit the Raven Squad)) Shale then planted his staff more violently into the stone at his feet and drew blood from his feet and arms. He called so much blood that he stood in a pool with what seemed to be a shear cape of red reaching to the ground. The pool was nearly four meters across and had eaten into the ground to form a basin several inches deep. It was full to the brim. The magic circle he formed around it was powerful regenerative magic but it would take time to charge from his blood. The archer golem was not suited to assisting in this spell so he was slowed in his progress. However, one of the Ravens was different from the other four. Two to capture, two to carry, and one to bind to life. His brow was marked with sweat. He was hurrying spells too much. It was beginning to show as a strain. So, he knelt, maintaining his concentration, and waited as the power in the pool grew slowly.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:56 pm
The only thing that materialized in the air above the pool was the girl and her bindings. The two ravens charged with warp magic had been destroyed by its release. The girl fell into the pool with an undignified splash. It was not deep enough to cover her face but she was on her back in a stone basin up to her earlobes in someone elses blood. It was probably a good thing that she wasn't awake. The bondings, strengthened by the pool's magic, extended tendrils and anchored themselves to the stone of the pool's rim. They formed a link, a network of connected magical flow that allowed Shale complete access to body and mind. He had already begun coming to an understanding of exactly who he had saved. It was beginning to appear that his centuries of life had not given him their full measure of wisdom. He could still stick his foot in it with the best of them. Not only had he just rescued a former enemy... two times over, but he had bound her to him with blood and powerful magic while bringing her to the castle of the most tempermental king she had ever made angry. This could... make his assumption of his duties as Baron somewhat... awkward. He sighed softly as the magic in the pool repaired her body and reinforced the seal, the bindings, and the bond between them. She would be unable to die from loss of blood and she would soon be able to command the lesser golems of his creation. Given enough time, she might even be able to create her own. But there was one thing that had to be done before anything else. That warp spell had struck the wards like a chord from an out of tune banjo. The guardian was coming and the King likely already knew that someone had teleported into the castle. This would require some finesse. Shale pulled his archer golem from its place to a position nearby with its bow ready and a black arrow charged with lightning ready to fire if there was the slightest problem with his new possession. "Well, for better or worse, guest, victim, damsel, prey, or prisoner... you are mine now, Ilea." He said softly. His expression was conflicted. He had not thought his actions through and there would be large consequences, though, perhaps not all for him. -------------------------- Ost felt the high pitched tremor in the ward net. A teleportation spell, spacial warp magic. It wasn't a hostile kind of spell but the presence that entered with it was laced with two very different and known hostile energies. He jumped toward the point of entry. It only took one small jump as it was close to where he had been... brooding. There, in the shadow of the wall, in a part of the courtyard out of view where no one ever came, was the newly appointed Baron and a girl in bondage up to her ears in a pool of blood surrounded by the most complicated spell circle he had ever seen. It was odd and he was not sure what to make of it. The girl had traces of hostile magic on her. But, she was tightly bound and under the watchful eyes of not only the baron in whose magic she was immersed, but also the armed and ready gaze of his golem. And that golem was not in a friendly stance. The black arrow was already in position and nocked to the string. In one fluid motion the girl's life could be ended.
The King would need to know about this. But, for now at least the situation was contained. It could wait until more pressing matters were attended to. Ost reset the wards and sent a brief song to the King that the intruder was no danger at present and was bound under heavy guard and unconscious. Then he approached the new Baron.
"Baron, what is this?"------- "A girl who was dying. I summoned her here with a few of my lesser golems. She has been an enemy to... many of those here it seems. But, she is under my power now and may be of some use later." Shale summarized quickly, still concentrating on the spells in progress. ------- "The King will decide that." Ost said gravely.------- "Yes, yes he will." Shale replied with a mixture of resignation and distracted concern.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:21 pm
As Shale continued the bindings on her, Ilea gave a frown and a soft moan as she began to regain consciousness. The first thing to hit her senses was the scent of blood, then the feel of it surrounding her body. While this was nothing particularly new to her, it was disconcertingly familiar. So she finished waking with a body jerk, restrained thanks to the physical bindings around her, and her crimson eyes wide with fear. She turned her head, the only thing she could move at the moment, to look a bit frantically at her surroundings. When she didn't see Goh, she visibly relaxed a bit. She had a hazy memory of the larger man from the fight at the leyline, though she thought he'd been larger. The second man, however, standing almost right above her, she'd never seen before. But she could feel the bindings he was putting on her and the fact that he had connected the two of them together, making him her new master. That set off a whole new level of fright for the created being. This man was completely unknown to her, so she had no idea of what to expect from him. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it when her 'training' under Goh stepped in and reinforced her 'habit' of not questioning her master. She considered everything she could possibly say in this moment that wouldn't earn her any punishment, not bothering to hide her very real fear, as she finally settled on the one thing she could say that had never gotten her punished, "What would you have of me, Master?" she asked softly, her voice shaking a bit with her fear. But even that fearful tremor to her voice was beautiful to hear. She'd been created to be beautiful and desirable, a seductively deadly servant meant to answer to every whim of her creator and master. All of her abilities were at Shale's disposal now, to use and command as he saw fit. From her body to her screams, from her ability to manipulate the shadows to the necromancy she'd been taught. Everything about her now belonged to him, and she knew it to her core.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:00 pm
Ost knew that this young woman could be bested in single combat by Gypsy. He also knew that she could not defeat him in his titan aspect. He was not worried about her. He was disturbed, however, by her sudden acceptance of her position and the way she addressed the new Baron. This could both simplify and complicate things. What kind of person could instantly change sides like that. Such a fickle creature she must be. Ost's own nature was far more constant and this quick change disturbed him more than he could completely conceal. His eyes narrowed slightly. He would be watching this one.
"I advise that you make no mistakes, Baron." He said coldly before turning and jumping to the top of the wall.
There, he took his titan aspect form once again and remained in it. He would be at his full power if there was any further disturbance. The King would not need to intervene. The guardian would handle it, as was his duty.------------------ Shale simply watched Ilea struggle and panic. He could feel her panic, old and new fears blending together. She was so unsure, so lost. The only thing she knew was total surrender. She was beautiful, but darkly so, and so marred by fear that he felt little attraction at all. He was still bleeding from almost every bit of exposed skin below the neck. The blood loss would have killed almost any other creature but he did not even feel the lack. With a gesture, he activated one of the many small spells slumbering in his garments and the black body suit closed over his injuries, sealing them and stopping the flow of blood until they could heal on their own. Ost's words rang heavily in the night air. Yes, there was no room for error. But, with her submission came a responsibility. Shale had never had a living servant before, only his golems. Here was one who did not know if he desired her service, her blood, her fear or her pleasure. And he found as he looked at her that there was one thing he wanted. "Ask your questions, Ilea." The new Baron sat down beside the pool while it finished the last of its work. "I am not so quick to punish as you fear." His voice was steady and soft. But his face and form were thin and eerie. He did not smile to try and reassure her. He knew that wouldn't help. She had his blood in her. She would learn more of him through that than from mere facial expression. His nature in his blood was marred and wounded. He was a demon, but not all of him was still there. A part of his deepest nature had been ripped out and raw power and patience had filled the hole left behind. If he did decide to punish, it would be castrophic and enduring. But, he was telling the truth. In fact, there was a very short list of things that he was quick about. Punishing was not on it. Also, while he did not allow her full access to his mind, he did allow her to feel the current nature of his heart. He was worried about what the King would do, what would happen to them. He was patient and prepared to wait. And most importantly, he was neither afraid nor angry.
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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 11:31 pm
Ilea gave him a small frown, still very unsure about everything. She watched him and Ost with wary and fear-filled eyes. After all, even Goh had been gentle with her in the beginning. She could feel that the man was being honest with her right now, but experience had taught her both the joys and the pain of changing nature. She licked her lips nervously, inadvertently drawing attention to their naturally ruby tone. Her dark eyes finally settled on Shale alone and considered what to ask him. She thought carefully, she'd learned that lesson very painfully early on. But one question circled her mind above the others, as if demanding an answer. "Why... why did you save me? I know I don't deserve to live despite the fact that I don't want to die," she asked him softly then silently assessed what he was letting her know about him through the master/servant bond that had been forged between them and finally shook her head slightly as she frowned up at him, "I was created to serve, to answer to the needs and desires of my master. But you seem to have no need of me. So I have to wonder why you saved me, why you brought me back from the brink of the death I likely deserve," she added, still in that soft voice that shook slightly with her very real fear. While she and Gypsy carried the same features, Ilea's had been turned into something much more sensual over the years by Goh. Her skin was paler and would show the numerous silvery scars gained from her servitude under Goh; her hair was so dark a black that it actually absorbed light and fell to mid-thigh, where Gypsy's hair carried the varied red shades of fire; the only real similarity to them now was the fact that they both carried crimson eyes. While Gypsy's body was athletically built, Ilea's was built for seduction. How the hybrid would react to the fact that Ilea still lived, and was now the servant of a trusted baron, there was no telling. Her scars, when revealed, would show that she had good reason to know fear. Most had been gained from being a guinea pig for Goh to test various forms of torture, though some had been gained through more pleasurable means. Even her face carried a few of those long-healed scars. So when she said she had likely earned her death, she meant it. When she said she didn't deserve to live, she meant it.
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