"Allright, people. here's the deal. Someone or someones are attacking
the good people of our Kingdom masquerading as the Kings men. Claiming
their tax
collectors. Others are attacking the true Kings men 'In the name of
the People', I would suppose in retaliation of the harsh measures of the
other group.
It is no accident that both these groups showed up at the same time.
They are both part of some sinister plan by an as yet unknown mastermind.
What this
mastermind is really after, I haven't figured out. Yet.
Today, we are going out to hunt down and squash the group of traiters that are attacking the Crown. Don't be afraid to kill, but I want the leaders taken alive if
possible. I need more answers, and I need them fast."
The King turns to Captain Tey. "Send out the scouts and let's get this show on the road."
Orders are given and relayed down the lines, and the small army moves quickly out of the compound and into the new dawn.
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"Any word from the pup?"
"Not yet, but I think the game is beginning to shape up.I will get a full
report from the dove tonight.Any requests?"
"No, same shit different day, "
The rains had only just begun to lift, making travel slow at best.
The woods and her creatures were motionless in the cold nites air, clinging to what little warmth she
could. Once in the cave , a blast of warm air surrounded him, as he threw his patchwork cloak to a stone in the corner. The spell on the cave kept the warmth in ,
and intruders out. After a bite to eat, he mused to himself,,,,,"dinner and a date ..." and laughed at himself.
"Better sheep than a black wolf that bites back."
His mood suddenly changed as he thought about what was next on the agenda.
It was time to send a message, and to check on loose ends.
Sleep enveloped him like an old friend, his breathing slowed almost instantly, taking him to the dream world that had become easy to find, now that he knew from
where he truley came. He now understood the mood swings that had haunted him his whole life. He was of pure blood... born with the gift, and the dream world was
a part of that gift.
Tel'aran'rhoid , the dream world, but the part of the dream world where what you dream affects the real world. This was his safe place now. his home away from
home. He dreamed himself into the castle, into the hallway that he had visited once many years ago. The rugs on the floors , the paintings of battles long since past ,
all the same as when he was young.
" Mi lord,,,, "
Tanara stood at the doors to the entrace , her hair held back in a ribbon, a riding dress appeared , then blured out of focus, then returned as a wedding dress, that
too, melted away and returned as the riding dress.
"You have not learned to control what you think my dove"
"But I am doing better than the first time you brought me here, Yes?"
"Yes,, you learn quickly , and jump ahead to gain more . Don't allow yourself the comfort of knowledge without knowing the danger it brings.
He trotted over to the
lovely woman, claws clicking on the marble floors.
His nose turned up to smell the stale air.."Only thing I never liked about the castle,,,stale air. no breeze . .. "
"Milord, you asked me to keep you informed?"
" Yes child,,,, how is the pup? "
"He is progressing well... He is holding his sanity well. I believe is is because of his high morals and his sence of duties that he is finding the balance. I wish to stay
here , and continue his studies."
"The game has begun child.. will you stand ?"
"Yes ,, I'm sure you know that the king has taken a party to crush the� rebellion,,,,"
His paws crossed,,, his tail swishing back and forth , all signs that�tanara
knew well .. He was pleased.."We are in search of the rebels and McFadden�wishes to crush them himself.. "
"Dont be so sure of yourself , you are getting a bit cocky with the pup and� his leash holder."
"He is ready to die for his King milord"
"Are you child?"
Tanara looked down at her dress , fading from a plain brown to a silk nighty. She blushed and the dress materialized..
"You have feeling for this one I see....Let me remid you who your leash holder is"
With sudden speed , the wolf lept from its lazy stance to tanara and crushed� her to the wall behind,,,"Dont forget your place ,,,,,,,my dove,," he hissed at her.
One claw raised before her face,,,,down her cheek , tingles swept her�shoulder,,, then searing pain stabbed her throat,,, His claw sunk into the� neck ,,,,,tearing her
mind as well as her skin,,,,''Dream well my dove,,,
tomarrow the war begins..."
She woke in a sweat,,, her tent as cold as ice..
A hand rose to her neck� line,,, as a trickle of blood stained her night shirt...
"dream a lil dream for me'
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Approaching the area where the hanged guard was found, the last known location of the wagon that was to go to Daharahn. The air was still and quiet. To quiet. The
trail had had time to grow cold.
"This my lord is where have a decision to make, venture into the forest or go back to the compound and send out scouts to survey the situation.
It would be the most
prudent option." KTais voice wavered nervously.
"That may also be what the devils need, MORE TIME, to cover their lecherous tracks. We proceed."
An hour or so passes. The road in the forest begining to widen. The dense forest begins to thin. Sean leans over to the king ..."This doesn't feel right." Tanara with her
head tilted back as if to be sniffing the air,"Doesn't smell right either."
"Stay alert men, this could be it." Almost as soon as the echo of the king voice died in the wind, the roar of voices began permeating the air on three sides. Soon the
tree line seemed to come to life. "This is more than a band of thieves majesty, I suggest we make a hasty retreat and return when we are more prepared." "K'tai, your
mind may be in one piece, but it can't possibly be functioning with all its faculties. Until we engage them we have no real way to find out who they are or what their
capable of."
"Eye sire. I guess the word discretion is not in your vocabulary?"
The first charge came with very little warning and it did not take long for the king to realize that his search party was outnumbered and facing more magic than would
be at the disposal of common thieves. The band they faced seemed to function like a pack of animals with a single goal in mind, KILL THE KING.
The foot soldiers
though valiant, were dispatched as if they were almost standing still at times. The wounds the kings party sustained could not be countered by the healers that were
present. The whole thing went south very quickly.
The part of the party in which Sean and Tanara were placed suffered almost complete annihilation. Yet when their attackers had an opportunity to finish him off they
backed of and redirected their attack at the main body of the party leaving them to deal with their wounds.
"Your majesty..." Ktai covered in blood of those shed been trying to aid,
" Have you learned enough!? ITS TIME TO GO!"
"You might be right. This is more than what I expected it to be. SOUND THE RETREAT, Return to Daharahn
as best you can." With that he laid his hand upon a nearby tree, muttered a few words and was gone.
The battle went on for only a few moments after the king vanished. A cry from behind the formation of marauders, "Spare them they are only pawns, besides if we
kill them all now who will we fight tomorrow!"
�