06:46:28 Sep 17th 07 - Duke Gaius Septim II:
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A very unique story Rhiannia and I wrote:
You (9/14/2007 6:24:20 AM) |
There is legend of a blade, a blade so powerful it can make the Gods themselves kneel before a mortal man. It is rumored to grant immortality, cut through anything, and can summon the powers of the Gods. The blade has never been seen, only in legends have ever told of the blade. Many have looked for it, all have failed, yet now another two people are going looking for the mighty blade, Gaius Septim II and Rhiannia II...
Gaius sat on a large sofa in his house, he was waiting for the knock on his door of Rhiannia II, an adventurer like himself who could be a companion an the hunt for the blade, Quicksilver. Rhinnia did not know why Gaius had summoned her yet, he hoped she would take up the offer. He looked into the flickering fire before him and got up. He grabbed two logs and put them in, the fire grew again and Gaius sat back down... |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 7:25:32 AM) |
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Though the summons had been somewhat mysterious, it was enough to intrigue Rhiannia, and she knew her friend Gaius ALWAYS could be counted on to have found something rare and desireable...and so, despite the early spring chill still lingering in the night air, she answered the summons of a long time friend...
*Rhiannia approaches the great oak double doors bound in iron that admit entrance to the Dukes grand estate and takes hold of the large iron ring set in the door for this very purpose....she strikes the knob on the ring against a piece of metal affixed to the door three hard strikes...it is the only way sound can travel through such a thick door.....* |
| You (9/14/2007 7:43:19 AM) |
Gaius looked at the door to which the knock had just sounded. He then got up and walked over to the door and opened it, Rhiannia stood there.
"Come in", said Gaius.
Rhiannia walked in and over to the fireplace.
"Please, sit down", said Gaius.
Rhiannia sat down on a chair next to the fireplace, Gaius sat back down on his couch.
"Rhiannia, you know I would not summon you without good reason, so I will just cut right to it. I believe I have found out the location, or at least a clue as to the location, of the legendary blade, Quicksilver!" |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 7:49:01 AM) |
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| "Ahhh, I knew it had to be something good...tell me more, how did you come by this information? Oh, and what a lovely fire this is...it feels so delicious after the evening outdoor chill." |
| You (9/14/2007 7:54:24 AM) |
"Thank you, I found out the location from a book I have read, let me go get it", Gaius said as he got up and walked out of the room, he came back a few minutes later with an old leather bound book, he sat down and flipped through a few pages.
"It says here that the hero Berdinard Rocksmasher stabbed the sword into a tree near the city of Xeras to prove his strength, but he tried to pull it out and it wouldn't budge, so he left it there. A mudslide soon came down, and the sword was forgotten. I know where Xeras once layed, right next to the Caldus River! So if we gathered some mining and excavation tools we could go through the mudslide and maybe find the sword!", said Gaius. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 8:07:36 AM) |
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| "Haha...it was obvious that Quicksilver was tired of being carried around by such a stupid oaf....well...this does sound exciting...let us begin first thing in the morning...we can gather the majorit of the eqipment and tools from the city or town closest to or destination, that will speed out travels and make more room for food and weapons." |
| You (9/14/2007 8:09:30 AM) |
| "Of course it will! So we leave tomorrow, you will be in charge of gathering food, I will be in charge of the weapons. I have my own weapons, what type of weapon do you use?", asked Gaius. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 8:23:12 AM) |
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| "A simple longbow, broadsword and a dirk or dagger at least 6 inches in length will do me nicely...and what type of travel rations would you like best? i can get venison pemmican, bear pemmican, elk pemmican, fish pemmican or some of all the above..." |
| You (9/14/2007 6:27:56 PM) |
"I will take some elk pemmican and some bear pemmican, fish rots too fast. I will meet you hear tomorrow night at six o'clock sharp, don't be late", and with that Gaius brought Rhiannia to the door and let her out, he then went up to his room where he grabbed a small gold pocketwatch. He opened it and saw that it was seven o'clock. Gaius then undressed and went to bed.
He woke up the next morning and dressed in a dark brown shirt, some dark brown slacks, a pair of leather boots, and a long black coat. He then walked over to a drawer in his dresser where he took out a long black case, he took it out, placed it on his bed, and took out a small key from his pocket, he put the key in the case and a clicking sounded, the case opened to reveal a long silver sword with rubies shining brightly on the hilt. He put on a belt and buckled the sword to it. He then grabbed a large leather sack of money and attached his pocketwatch to his coat pocket before heading to the front door where he picked his favorite hat, a dark blue one, and headed out the door. He walked down a few streets and sidestreets before coming upon the weapon shop. A fat shopkeep with a powerful looking hands greeted him.
"Well hello there! What would you be interested in? Swords? Axes? Maces? Hammers?", asked the shopkeep.
"Well, I know what I want, an oak longbow, a sharp steel broadsword, and a steel dirk, make the dirk at least six inches in length", said Gaius.
The man turned and walked into the back room where a minute passed and a large clang sounded.
"Are you alright?", asked Gaius.
A large stream of curses came from the room and the man walked out a minute later with a large bundle in his arms, he set it down and looked up at Gaius.
"A warhamemr fell on my foot, good thing I wore steel toes boots today eh?", he said.
"Yes, I suppose it is, now how much is this all?", asked Gaius.
"It'll be two hundred", said the shopkeep.
Gaius put down the money and left, he returned to his house where he left the items and checked his watch. It was then eleven o'clock AM. Gaius turned and walked down a few more streets and sidestreets before coming upon a fletchery, a man with several splinters in his fingers greeted him.
"Hello Gaius, what'll it be?", he said.
"Hello Tom, I will have around thirty arrows, five of them steel tipped", he said.
"Alright", he said as he turned and walked into the back, he came back with the arrows in a leather quiver.
"It would normally be about a hundred, but since we're friends it'll be fifty", said Tom.
"I'll give you seventy five", said Gaius as he set the money down.
"Alright, see you later", he said.
"Goodbye", said Gaius as he turned and left. He put the quiver on his back and went back to his home where he set the arrows down with the rest of the weapons. He then started packing his belongings... |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 7:32:14 PM) |
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Rhiannia left the good Dukes estate and walked down to a nearby village inn she knew to be of good repute...there she took a room and had a meal...remembering fondly her friend septim and his warm hospitality and good food...she then went up to her room....
Early the next morning found Rhiannia at the native markets, purchasing things for the upcoming trip. The first on her list, was, of course, the pemmican...she bought the elk and bear and after spying some bison, she got that too...then she bought some packets of spiced, dried trout...she knew that these would keep as long or longer than the other meats, for they had been preserved with a spell...and fish was an excellent lifesaving food source.
the next items were a new cloak, waterproofed, a new flint and striker, as hers was rather worn down, a skillet and pot for cooking, and 2 each plate and utensils and cups. she then went down to the livery and looked over the available horses, knowing the trip would go much smoother on four feet then two. Finally, she picked out a spirited riding mare for herself, a bold and firey stallion of chestnut color she just knew the Duke would love...and two willing geldings for pack horses...them and the tack cost a pretty gold...but she knew they would be well worth it in the long run...
After gathering a few other sundry items as she thought of them...she went back to the inn, had a hearty meal and slept the rest of the day away, with orders to be awakened at 5;30 sharp...one never knew if the Duke might just decide on travel by night... |
| You (9/14/2007 7:42:21 PM) |
| Gaius soon finished packing a few pairs of clothes and some books and opened a jewelry box with a large golden ring, set in it was a white stone with the Septim coat of arms engraved into it. Once upon a time he had been a Duke of the Emperor, Duke of Cariland, but he had been removed from that post long ago after disobeying direct orders from the Emperor to kill a village of people. Rhiannia still called him by his former title, which didn't really bother him much. Gaius put the ring on his finger and buttoned up his coat. He then grabbed his sack of belongings and walked downstairs, he ate a dinner of bread and steak before sitting down and awaiting Rhiannia, he looked at his pocketwatch. It was five forty five and she was soon expected to arrive... |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 7:51:05 PM) |
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| At six sharp, Rhiannia Knocked at the great oaken door of the Dukes...she was excited...and actually hoped he did intend to start out this very night...the horses had all been personally checked and groomed and fed, they were as ready as she...and seemed to feel her excitement, for both the mare and the stallion were prancing and dancing as she led them up the walk towards the dukes home that evening...now as she stood at the door, each of the dukes grooms that held a horse...held a handful...they were eager to be away... |
| You (9/14/2007 8:08:36 PM) |
Gaius opened the door to see Rhiannia and two horses.
"Good good! We are actually leaving right now! Do you have your belongings?", asked Gaius.
"Everything I will need", said Rhiannia.
"Good, hang on", Gaius turned around and grabbed a small sack, he tied the sack to one of the saddlebags and walked back to his door.
"Alright! Let me lock the door and we will be on our way!", said Gaius as he turned and locked the door. Afterwards he jumped on the large stallion.
"I will call him...Felix", said Gaius, "What shall you call yours?" |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 8:31:56 PM) |
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| She likes the name Moon Shadow...it matches the black and white patterning of her coat...unless you prefer to look after Felix yourself...i will tend to the 4 horses myslef...as i have the gift of communications with animals...it will facilitate their care knowing how they are feeling... |
| You (9/14/2007 8:54:23 PM) |
| "That sounds alright to me, so let us spare no more time, follow me", said Gaius as he turned and spured the horse, the horse went off and Rhiannia followed on her own. Soon they were out of the city and off into the forest where they rode until the horses tired, they found a nice forest clearing and rested there. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/14/2007 8:58:21 PM) |
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| "So what is the agenda...ride all night...rest thru the day? or shall we ride half the night...rest the rest of the night...then travel like normal people, during the daytime? you never told me wether we should expect any above average trouble on this little quest....." |
| You (9/14/2007 9:08:28 PM) |
"I do believe we will be safe around here, closer to the ruins I am not so sure about", said Gaius.
Gaius looked at his watch.
"I shall be sleeping now, goodnight until morning, a watch isn't required, we already have one", said Gaius as he layed down... |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/15/2007 6:49:14 PM) |
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RHiannia led the horses over to a grassy area and untacked them and groomed them, carefully examineing their hooves for stones or bruises...as she let the halter slide from each one, she spoke a gentle but firm command to the mind and soul of the horse...that command bound the horses to her spirit...they would not willingly wander from them now...and if any were to try and steal the horses...they would fight tooth and hoof to return...
she then went over and laid her blanket down on a soft bed of grass, wrapped herself in her cloak and soon was asleep. |
| You (9/16/2007 10:14:17 AM) |
Gaius woke up in the early hours of the morning and pulled out a tinderbox from one of his pockets, he soon had a nice fire going and grabbed some elk from one of the saddlebags, he started roasting it when he heard a noise, an arrow then flew through the trees and missed Gaius's throat by an inch. Gaius dragged Rhiannia behind a tree and pulled his sword from it's sheath.
"God danged assassins, they finally found me", said Gaius as he pulled a kris from a sheath at his ankle, "Fine, if they want to tangle"
Rhiannia woke up.
"Stay down, assassins", said Gaius as he jumped from behind his tree to another, he did that until he was one tree away from an assassin, he snuck up behind him and held a knife to his throat.
"Another of the Emperor's goons? I should have been prepared if they found me", said Gaius.
"Emperor? I am sent not by that fool!", said the assassin.
Gaius kicked the man.
"THEN WHO THE HELL SENT YOU!?", yelled Gaius.
"I cannot tell you, I work for a private company, I never know who the clients are, but I can assure you I'm not from the Emperor, we don't take contracts from the Empire", said the assassin.
"If you say so, come here", said Gaius as he walked the assassin over to the saddlebags, he tied him up to a tree with some rope and sat down with Rhiannia. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 12:18:36 PM) |
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| hmmmm, my dear Duke, you simply must remember you travel with a lady...please try to use less colorful language in my presence...I would be very grateful.....now that I am awake...perhaps I should let you in on a little secret...pemmican is a dried meat made with berries and meat fat...it is in no need of being cooked...you are merely wasting that piece of meat...however, some nice tea will go with the pemmican and some of this chees i have left from my trip to your place yesterday..." |
| You (9/16/2007 12:40:05 PM) |
"Sorry for the language, assassins have been after me since I disobeyed the Emperor's orders...he doesn't like to let people who disobey him get away"
Gaius takes his pocketwatch out and looks at it.
"Well, it seems that it is almost time to be heading out again!", said Gaius. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 12:48:56 PM) |
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*with those words Rhiannia heads over to the horses, who look up and greet her with a warm nicker...she looks each over carefully, brushes them down and tacks them up...she then takes the water skins to the nearby creek, where it gurgles over the rocks and fills them with the icy cold, clean water...*
"Ok...all set, I am ready...but what do you plan to do with this fellow...?" |
| You (9/16/2007 12:55:35 PM) |
"I will...let him live...I...am not sure why..."
Gaius walks over to the assassin and unties the ropes, the assassin looks up in wonder.
"Now, stay here until we are gone, if you try to follow I may change my mind about letting you live", said Gaius, "And for your life I would like you to tell the Emperor something, tell him I'm dead"
Gaius jumps onto Felix and spurs, Rhiannia follows after him...
For many nights they travelled and travelled until they finally came to a large mountain of dried mud.
"Here it is! The last known location of the item we have been questing for! Now, we need mining tools, I know of a small town nearby, Gurlen Hollow, we should find some mining tools there", said Gaius. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 1:20:17 PM) |
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"I will set up camp here"
Rhiannia dismounts and untacks her horse and both pack orses...she then whispers into their ears, then walks over and whispers into the ears of the mighty stallion, Felix...
"Now you can take the pack horses and go to this town and get what we need, the horses will stick to you like glue, and Felix will defend your life with his own....I will have everything ready here when you return" |
| You (9/16/2007 1:31:34 PM) |
"I can assure you that Felix will not need to do that", said Gaius. He mounted Felix and looked at Rhiannia, "I will be back soon"
Gaius rode off to the town and entered the General Store where a bald man looked up over the counter.
"Wat'll id be?", he asked in a weird accent.
"Two pickaxes, two spades, and some rope", said Gaius.
"Alrigh', well dat be i' then?", he said.
"Yes"
"Tweny gol' coins", he said.
Gaius gave him the money and the man handed him the tools, Gaius walked out of the store and packed the tools onto Felix before heading off to the mudslide. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 2:26:39 PM) |
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| Rhiannia set about making camp, and scouting the area...and as she was examining the face of the mudslide she noticed something odd about one place in particular...there was one long vertical streak of pale green moss growing from thr ground to about a height of 8 feet. the odd thing was that, though there was a smattering of green growth here and there on the mudslide....it was scattered and dark in color...she marked the spot, making a note to tell the Duke about it, and returned to the camp to start the stew... |
| You (9/16/2007 2:58:57 PM) |
As Gaius was travelling back he saw a man approach, he waved to Gaius and Gaius stopped.
"If you know what's good for you, you won't try and dig into that mudslide", said the man.
"Why?", asked Gaius.
"Just...don't", he said casually, he then walked away. Gaius wondered who the man was as he kept riding back to the camp, he soon arrived and told Rhiannia of the man. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 5:25:49 PM) |
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| After hearing Gaias' tale, Rhiannia thought a moment, then looked up at Gaias and said..."Well, we knew there would be risks when we undertook this journey, and I for one did not come all this way just to turn around again because someone says i shouldn't proceed....besides, maybe someone else is after the sword and trying to scare us off....and i think I know just about the best place to begin our search, when you are finished with your stew, if there is still enough daylight left, I will show you..." |
| You (9/16/2007 5:32:54 PM) |
"I do not plan to quit either, the last two years of my life have been devoted to finding the blade, so let us continue", and with that Gaius ate his stew, he finished quickly and rose.
"Lets see the spot" |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 5:40:45 PM) |
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| Rhiannia asked Moon Shadow to keep an eye on the camp and let her know should anyone approach, she then led the Duke towards the mudslide and the spot she had seen earlier in the day...They had nearly reached the spot when Rhiannia was suddenly slammed to the ground...not by a physical blow, but a mental one. She barely had time to cry out "Duke...Attacker!!!" before she was overcome in a mental fight for her life.... |
| You (9/16/2007 5:56:58 PM) |
Gaius could sense the mental blow and put up barriers around his mind. He then drew his sword. The enemy tried to attack Gaius's mind, but he had recieved training in all types of defense as a child, including mental defense...
Gaius sat in a chair, he looked around when an old man approached.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my mind?", asked Gaius.
"I am the Guardian of Ara-goljer, known to you as Quicksilver", said the old man, "And I am trying to keep you from a fate worse than death"
"The Guardian?!", asked Gaius.
"Yes, I guard the blade, I am the first line of defense"
"Get out of my mind", said Gaius.
"No", said the Guardian.
"GET OUT!", said Gaius louder.
"No", said the Guardian.
Gaius rose from the chair and prepared himself, he shot a beam of mental energy at the man and the man swifty blocked, locked they were in mental combat until Gaius, for some reason, "Woke up" in the physical world, he walked a few steps and fell down again. Rustling in the bushes could be heard and suddenly the assassin walked through, holding the Guardian at his feet... |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 6:10:17 PM) |
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Rhianni was only just able to keep the pressure from crushing her mind, and that was only because she had learned to block unwanted thoughts...but she soon heard voices..."WE ARE WITH YOU, WE GIVE YOU OUR STRENGTH" and indeed, suddenly, the pressure eased a great deal, enough so that she could make some sense of it.
and she realized the fight she fought was with the blade itself...she could feel a sifting, as it were, as though every part of her, past, present and future were being weighed in the balance...she reached out and with gentle, honest thoughts, felt a question towards the blade...and was answered...not in words but in the same manner as she asked...she knew then this was a defence mechanism in the sword, it had no desire to fall in to the wrong hands, nor even into immature hands again, and so it tested those who would seek it...
Suddenly, the blade gave a feeling thought much as a human would a sigh, and the pressure left slowly, as though regreting that it must do so...and Rhiannia knew that even if they never reached that sword, she had touched something incredible in its ancientness and its power...
Rhiannia, slowly sat up, blinking and looking around, wondering who the old man was...surprised to see the assasin...concerned to see the Duke laying on the ground, yet he too was sitting up... |
| You (9/16/2007 6:26:01 PM) |
Gaius quickly grabbed his blade and the assassin did nothing.
"Why are you here! I told you to run away", said Gaius.
"I could not do that, you spared my life, I had to pay you back", said the assassin.
"You have followed us all the way here?", asked Gaius.
"Yes"
"But how? Rhiannia used a spell that could sense people from upto a mile away", said Gaius.
"Yes, but you forget that I am a very well trained assassin, I can go through those spells like a hot knife through butter", said the assassin.
"Well, who is that?", Gaius pointed his finger at the old man.
"He was the one assaulting your mind, something else was assaulting her's", the assassin pointed his finger at Rhiannia, "I am unsure what..." |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 7:29:22 PM) |
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| "Amazing...I had no idea, sir, let the old man go, he is deserving of our thanks, not this treatment, though you i am sure, are desrving of our thanks as well...the dword, Ara-Goljre assures me that this man is indeed his servant, has been for over a century...Ara-Goljer now knows we intend it no harm, and intend no wickedness with it...but it is destined not for our hands...there is yet one to come...a hero, or saviour, if you will...whom the sword is awaiting...who is in need of the pwer the sword has, to fight a great evil in the land...if we continue to force the issue, Ara-Goljre regrets that it must destroy us to preserve its safety for that saviour to come..." |
| You (9/16/2007 8:34:00 PM) |
"Yes, but...what if we are the saviors, what if we are the ones that it has been awaiting, we will not know until we hold the sword in our hands, we must press on! We can do it!", said Gaius.
The old man rises.
"Ara Goljer is no sword, it is a soul, the soul of a very ancient demon, one more powerful than the gods themselves, he may take your mind from you, bend it to his will, yet...I see something in both of you, an aura, I am not sure what my lord wants me to do...", said the old man. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 8:48:39 PM) |
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| "Ara-Goljer knows me inside and out now...and I know somewhat of him...men call him demon because of his power, but in fact he is a spirit or form of power of the one true GOD, sent here for one purpose...as usual man took that sword and used it for his own fancy, until Ara-Goljer found the opportunity to free himself of mans clutches...until The Saviour comes....Ara-Goljer will stay buried...but he asks now, that we act to protect the knowledge we have of him and seek The Saviour, to prepare an army to fight for him when he comes...I know this to be true...my friend, I feel it in my very soul...please let us do as Ara-Goljer requests...let that be our quest now, to build an army of loyal followers for the saviour to come who will wield Ara-Goljer, and fight against the great evil...." |
| You (9/16/2007 10:11:33 PM) |
Gaius thinks for a minute.
"I am not one to crave power, I am and always will be a leader...let that be our quest now, assassin, you seem to have changed your ways...do you wish to be the first of the army of serveants dedicated to Ara-Goljer, the one true god", said Gaius.
The assassin bowed.
"I wish to be an assassin no longer, there is no reward but money, and money is not what I crave", said the assassin as he knelt in front of the two, "I, Meridius Xarillius, vow to serve our Lord Ara-Goljer until the end of my days"
The old man rose from his spot at the assassin, Meridius's, feet.
"I am the voice of Ara-Goljer, I am the man who speaks his voice, my lord says he will protect himself, even in the blade, until he is needed", said the Guardian, "I will accompany you"
Gaius walked over to Felix and mounted.
"Then let us look for the savior, but where should we look?"
The Guardian looked up with his eyes white.
"I, Ara-Goljer, have found a soul that is kinder and more pure than all others, born to this world it is a soul that has never been incarnated, the man's name is Garius Serrillar, he is the man you seek, although, I cannot tell you where he is, for in my present form I am not that powerful", suddenly the Guardian's eyes returned to their old blue color.
"Let us look for Garius, wherever he is", said Gaius. |
| Ms. Rhiannia II [DR] (9/16/2007 10:18:24 PM) |
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Rhiannia divided up the remaining equipment and shared it amongst all four horses, she then spoke softly to the two erstwhile pack geldings, then led each over to the two men...
"Sheldon will serve you well, my lord" she said, handing the reins to the old man..." I am only sorry there is no proper saddle for you"
"and for you Meridius, Phantom would be pleased to be your mount..." |
| You (9/16/2007 10:26:15 PM) |
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"Thank you Rhiannia, I am very glad my aim failed at the time I tried to kill you, Gaius, or else I would be contract killing right now...", said Meridius.
"As am I", said Gaius, "The best place to search would be the Imperial records, I am not on good terms with the Emperor though and I am not a very stealthy person, Meridius, when we get to the capital you should do it, I am sure you have the best training in stealth"
"I have been trained since the age of five in stealth, so I believe I am qualified", said Meridius.
"Alright then, to Vermillon City we go!", said Gaius, he spured his horse and headed off, his three companions followed...
Now, if any of you would like to be in the next story, The Search for the Savior, sign up here and you will be in it |
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