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Post by Aaron Williams on Sept 20, 2007 23:36:21 GMT -5
There were no torches in the throne room that day. A blue glow wrapped the room in an icy embrace, adding both light and chill to every corner of the chamber. It had been three days since a knight had stepped foot into this room, and now the Kastel stood before them once more, greeting them all with a grim. At last he spoke. "You know why you all are here, so I won't bother to say it again. I have intentionally saved the rules of engagement until this moment, as you will need their full effect for what you about to partake in". Zypher shifted his gaze, spotting Khast as he did so. "Last night men under my orders kidnapped someone each of you hold dear. They are being held hostage at two locations on separate sides of Lower Genoa. That is where Lady Kit is, Khast. The objective of the Tournament will be to find an enchanted object that will free the hostages for your own team. Be warned though, when the gates of one prison open the captives in the other will be killed". Zypher paused to let his words sink in. He did not enjoy such senseless slaughter; especially when it involved the lives of innocents. However, this risk and personal sacrifice was what the Knights were supposed to be; it was about time they lived up to their title. Now, there is a roster to my left that lists your name, allegiance, where you will start, and the loved one you have rooting for you. To answer your questions, no I will not tell you what the key is, nor will I tell you where the prisons are located; all this information you must find on your own. I will give you thirty minutes from now to prepare and rally at your starting points, then the tournament shall commence. Good luck, and may there be mercy for the defeated." A curt nod, and the Kastel had retreated to his private chambers, leaving the Knights in a state of shock.
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Post by Aaron Williams on Sept 20, 2007 23:57:26 GMT -5
Twenty minutes later Khast found himself surrounded by many solemn Knights he knew virtually nothing about. He was getting uneasy when he suddenly spotted Sarai from over the crowd. However, as he moved to say hello, he saw that Zambi was directly in his path. "Shit...", he murmured to himself; there was no way around this one. With that, Khast sucked it up and trudged forward, determined to take the bad with the good.
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Post by Sarai Heber on Sept 21, 2007 21:12:25 GMT -5
Sarai was more puzzled than grim. Who could they possibly find that she loved or, for that matter, even remotely cared about? She took a black ribbon from her pocket and tied her hair back as she made her way over to the list, reading the names of the knights and the captives. She took her time getting to hers, after all, there probably was no one for her. If it was a member of her family...she would probably care less if they lived or died. She cared more about her fellow knights than anyone else she ever knew. "No..." she whispered, upon finding her information. Her face paled as she re-read the name. Erianthe Neveah, her one and only person that she could technically consider a friend. Though both their families were nomadic, they used to always find a way to meet up again...even if it involved running several miles. This was, of course, before Sarai had run away to make something of herself. Sarai turned and began quickly heading towards the door, her only exit. She needed fresh air and she needed to think. Being mad was pointless, she had signed up for this and she knew it would entail great sacrifice. However, in her attempt to make a quick departure, she ran straight into Zambi. "Sorry..." she muttered. "I just...I wasn't paying attention."
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Post by Aiden Chepi on Sept 22, 2007 14:19:02 GMT -5
Khai moved quickly out of the way as Sarai had past. He looked to the list and skimmed down through it. He lingered on Khast's name, though, feeling qualm. then jumped three names down and gawked. He could not even fathom the thought of this name being on the list..
Aerorudin Damour
"But... but she's--..." dead.... Khai took several steps backwards, bumping into two or three other distraut knights. Then he turned, ru,nning off, past Zambi, past Sarai, past Khast, and Vertigo. This was not a probable situation that any of the knights training had prepared him for...
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Post by belmoon on Sept 22, 2007 15:48:02 GMT -5
Zambi was lost in thought, something nobody expected from him at this time. It was assumed he'd have no one listed, shrug it off, and leave cackling. But even as Sarai ran into him, he just barely murmured out a complaint. "...Watch it..." He wasn't pleased with the name next to his, as well.
Finally noticing Khast making his way over, the shark quickly conjectured, "So, Rubberbands, Kastell sure singled you out. What're you gonna do about the kid?"
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Post by priestwarrior on Sept 22, 2007 16:10:59 GMT -5
Vertigo knew by the others' reactions that whatever he read on the chart would be highly unpleasant. As he walked toward the list, he steeled himself for whatever was coming. "Of course," he muttered as he read the name Tirzah Ehrlichstein. "Who else?" He turned on his heel and strode through the other clustered knights, looking for a good place to sharpen his blades.
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Post by Sarai Heber on Sept 22, 2007 16:37:21 GMT -5
As soon as she was out of the throne room, Sarai kicked the nearest wall as hard as she could, ignoring the pain. She was trying her hardest to hold back the tears that were threatening to betray her, but a few were already making their way down her cheek. Erianthe was the closest thing she ever had to family...or anything for that matter. 'I can't lose her...' she thought as memories began to flood her. The woman who was normally so cold was now having trouble keeping herself together. The tears broke through right as she saw Vertigo heading towards her. Quickly wiping them away, she began walking in the opposite direction without even so much as a snide remark, though she was mentally cursing herself as more tears replaced the ones she had wiped away.
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Post by priestwarrior on Sept 22, 2007 17:51:25 GMT -5
Vertigo slammed out the throne room doors, fuming. He caught sight of Sarai whirling away from him, quickened his step and caught up with her. "Let's talk," he said quietly. "I hate you too, but this is far more important. We need to figure this out or people will die." He paused for a moment, watching her. "Sarai! Forget us - there's only one way out of this situation, and we need to find it!"
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Post by Sarai Heber on Sept 22, 2007 21:25:06 GMT -5
Sarai sighed and turned to face him. "I'm not turning away because I hate you, asshole," she said coldly. "You see these tears running down my cheeks? Yeah, that's why." She paused and gave him an apologetic look before lightening her tone. "But I agree...we'd have to get everyone to work together. As much as I hate you, I would never wish the death of a loved one on you...or anyone for that matter. If you don't mind my asking, how is your person related to you?"
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Post by Aaron Williams on Sept 22, 2007 23:39:53 GMT -5
Khast had noticed Vertigo and Sarai, and was in no mood to fratranize with the enemy. "Come on, Sarai, we'd best get to our starting location...ten minutes left, and we have a lot of planning to do".
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Post by Sarai Heber on Sept 22, 2007 23:45:59 GMT -5
Sarai frowned a bit. "Wouldn't it make more sense if we all worked together?" she asked. She groaned, realizing what she was saying. "If I ever say anything like that again, slap me. See? This is why I never let myself dwell on any emotion other than hatred! I turn into an overly compassionate person and it's rather obnoxious." She turned to Vertigo, a slight smile on her face. "Luck?" she questioned, offering her hand.
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Post by Aaron Williams on Sept 22, 2007 23:51:39 GMT -5
Khast sighed. He hated having to be the one to point out the obvious, "How exactly do you plan to outsmart a man who can see what you think? He said himself that if we tried anything the hostages would be killed. There is no way around this, we're just going to have to fight by the rules". Khast winced at the thought; he could not bare the thought of loosing Kit.
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Post by priestwarrior on Sept 23, 2007 7:59:08 GMT -5
Vertigo grimaced at Khast. "This is what I expected from you," he sneered. "No thinking for yourself - if the Kastell says it, it must be so." He turned back to Sarai, speaking quickly. "Think the Kastell can raise the dead? Hardly. Whoever those hostages are, they're not who he says. Those of us who refuse to think about what they're doing-" he rather pointedly glanced at Khast - "are going to start killing our people in order to free these hostages." Vertigo leaned in close and lowered his voice to a whisper. "We have to stop it, Sarai. Do what it takes." He turned and walked away, leaving Sarai to digest his words. He had only a few minutes left, and he needed to make a trip to the apothecary.
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Post by Sarai Heber on Sept 23, 2007 19:00:39 GMT -5
Sarai frowned a bit, torn between rebelling and following the rules. "Exile..." she muttered, shaking her head a bit. "Yeah, c'mon..." she said, turning and walking quickly towards the doors. "What do you need to get, Khast?"
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Post by Aaron Williams on Sept 23, 2007 22:30:05 GMT -5
Khast's long strides made it difficult for Sarai to keep up with him. As they passed into the industrial district the surroundings drastically changed; steam was everywhere, pipes hung low above Khast's head, and there were just a few too many men standing around outside the generator plant. "Believe me", it appeared as if Khast had not noticed this oddity, but was talking unrelentingly at Sarai, "I've been in The Knights longer than nearly everyone here today. I know how much the Kastel dislikes being undercut. If he thinks that you're trying to cheat him I don't care how much he cares for his citizens..." Khast broke away, still not wanting to face the truth. "I wish there was a way around this, and I'm not the smartest cog in the clock, but as far as I can tell we're going to have to do our best and apologize to the others later".
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