Page 1 of 2
When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:25 pm
by Destyn
"When the River Runs Dry (Volume II)80 Glade, 121
His sunkissed skin, his honey hair, the fabric of what clothes hadn’t been torn, slashed or burned from him, all were doused in so much red that he looked like he’d been flayed as he darted ever upward with the frantic flutter of translucent wings. His trousers were tatters- their frayed edges black with ash where they’d once burned, ere the beating of his wings squelched their cinging advance. He spun and wove into the noxious fumes that hung above the glade, choking as the quick, shallow breaths of panic took their toxins in.
His voice, typically a tender tenor, was transformed to the raw, primal scream of a wounded animal. Had he the presence of mind to formulate more coherent thoughts, he might have felt like one. The aggressors who brought him to this state certainly treated him more like a pest to be put down than a conscious, intelligent creature. And they brought him to the point where he wasn’t one. He was just a terrified, bestial creature acting reflexively, and his instincts told him to cling to what was familiar and to fly- Just as his mother had cried for him to, before the blasting began.
Though he broke through the low-hanging cloud of smoke into the blue skies above, Destyn had never been brought lower than this. Through the blur of his streaming tears, he made out a hulking image before him- A vessel of the air, though not one of the egg-shaped warships of industry about which his mother had warned him. It was more familiar than that- Like the sort he occasioned to see in the North. He didn’t know whose airship it was, nor what their intensions were, but his body was in so much pain and he was losing blood to the point where his wings were starting to feel heavy. Whether the occupants of this ship offered salvation or death, Destyn knew he had to take this gamble or inevitably succumb to the latter. At breakneck speed he glided down toward the deck of the ship and alighted, only then realising that one of his legs was savagely wounded. He shrieked out in agony as he put weight upon the broken shin, and yet more blood squelched forth from the gunshot wound he’d taken to the calf. He fell forward onto his knees, and then rolling onto his side, holding onto something tightly.
“Bring her back! Bring her back, bring her BACK!” He cried out in his native Valasren, as he held the blood-drenched head that had been sundered from his mother’s body by the fiery blast of a Zaichaeri grenade. He lifted mortified, desperate eyes to plead to the crewpeople and passengers gathering around the strange Fae that had just collapsed onto their ship out of nowhere, screaming bloody murder.
"HELP US!!!"
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 1:08 pm
by Jane Farraway
Glade 80th, 121. Zaichaer, Northbound to Kalzasi.
The sound of mortars boomed faintly in the distance, but Jane paid them no mind, nor did any Zaichaeri native on board the ship. Between military exercises and the occasional skirmishes, artillery fire was so commonly heard that it hardly registered as a threat, but this was not the case for many of the other passengers. They murmured nervously amongst themselves, many leaving the deck and rushing back to their cabins. Others fearfully watched the horizon. Jane’s mother, Carmen, cast a judgmental eye and shook her head.
“They should have stuck with wagons if air travel was going to be so frightening for them”, she said with mock pity.
“I suppose”, Jane responded with a breathy sigh. She was mostly concerned with the details of their trip. Three days in Kalzasi. Her Aunt Rosana, her mother’s sister, had invited them for a visit, offering up a couple rooms in her home for the duration of their stay. Jane had never met her aunt before, she having been estranged from the family several years before she was born. The invitation felt sudden to say the least.
“When did you start talking again with Aunt Rosana?”, Jane asked. It was a question she did not feel comfortable asking until now, but all they had was time until docking.
Carmen clicked her tongue, “Well, she had been writing me for quite some time, about a year or two I’d say. It wasn’t until she mailed over these tickets with her last letter that I felt—obliged to respond.”
Her mother held herself tightly, clearly not wishing to speak on the subject any further. It was going to be a rough few days. Jane was thinking about something else to talk about when an anguished cry tore through the air, followed by horrified gasps and shrieks. The deck shuddered as a few people fell over in a dead faint. A woman’s voice rang out above the pained sobs of what sounded like a young man
“A doctor, get him a doctor. Quick!”
Against her better judgement, Jane ran over to the crowd, highly confused as to what had happened. Her mother put a hand on her shoulder to stop her but she slipped out from her grip and then followed behind. Zaichaeri guards, those that enforced the law while in Zaichaeri air space, had already begun to police the crowd, conflicting with the authority of the Kalzasern crew as they tried to do the same.
“Jane! What are you thinking—“, Carmen snapped at her daughter before her eyes filled with horror as she caught sight of something beyond the crowd. Gripping the lapel of a guard, she stumbled in shock but the guard caught her before she fell. Jane spotted what had caused her mother to swoon and she clasped a hand over her mouth.
A pair of wondrous dragonfly wings was shocking enough, but the bloodied young man they were attached to made for a horrifying sight. Doubled over and broken on the deck, he desperately clutched something in his arms as a woman and man tried to assist him. The woman seemed to understand the strange language the boy spoke. The man was attempting to treat his wounds, but looked ill-equipped to do so. One of the Zaichaeri guardsmen spoke sternly to a crewmember of the airship. They both looked to be of high rank.
“Have the helmsman dock immediately! This boy needs proper treatment and is to be put in holding until we can contact the State.”
The Kalzasern officer looked between him and the boy, clearly conflicted, “We have medical staff onboard that can attend to him. There’s no need to dock.” He said this but even Jane could see that he was unsure.
“You hear him screaming—he’s unhinged! And quite likely a fugitive! Need I remind you, officer, that you are currently in Zaichaeri air space, which is under my jurisdiction? If this creature escapes the State I will be held accountable, as will you, for facilitating the escape of a criminal while subject to Zaichaer law!”
Both men seemed firm in their positions, continuing to argue with increasing fervor. Jane could only look on passively at what transpired before her. The Fae was clearly a criminal but the fairness of his features and his devastated cries provoked a feeling of sympathy that made her uncomfortable with herself. She hid in the crowd of stunned bystanders, clutching her stomach as she fought feelings of panic and nausea that were induced by the gory scene.
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 8:53 pm
by Destyn
"When the River Runs Dry (Volume II)80 Glade, 121
"Doc...tor?" He rasped in repetition, at first uncomprehending. The common tongue of Ransera was not his first language and, in his shock, it took him a few moments to register the meaning in the words that rose out above the general din of shouting all about and the distant echo of blasting artillery below. All at once, a woman's voice spoke Vallasren into his ear and he looked down into the lifeless eyes of his mother whose visage wore a grotesque, unfamiliar expression and, painted as the head was, in so much blood he could almost make himself believe it wasn't her at all. That it was some conjuring- an awful joke or a cautionary vision to bide him against tempting fate with the humans again. If it was that, the mission was well-accomplished. He ignored the strange woman's urging that he release the gruesome carrion, and embraced it more tightly and, in the doing, felt some of the pain in his leg abate. The relief was neither profuse nor long lived. Looking behind him, he started and rear away at the sight of a strange Samaritan attempting to apply pressure to the wound with a cloth, which staunched the bleeding but rended the breaks in his bones and yielded a wail of pain from the Fae.
He felt a weakness in his limbs and the strange woman who'd spoken his language succeeded in prying the head from his grasp, and several humans moved to hold him still, kneeling on his wings and holding his arms against the deck of the ship as the man worked at binding his leg.
"No!" He yelped in common, "Help!" He tried to beat his wings, but that only served to make them feel sore at the joint where they met his oaken spine. Finally he relented and lay still as strangers fought over his fate a few metres away.
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 10:16 pm
by Talon
When the River Runs Dry 80 Glade 121
Zaichaer had been a mistake. More importantly, Talon had made mistakes he would have to come to terms with in the future regarding his trip there. He sat in his cabin aboard the airship headed back to Kalzasi. One hand was gently carding through the hair of his bondmate as he slept peacefully. Meanwhile he was seated in a chair with his wings resting behind him. Nothing had gone as he had hoped but he had been warned that it would be unlike anything he had faced thus far. Zaichaer was a brutal place. Far more brutal than some of the madness that he had witnessed in the Warrens during his years as a warrior. For all of his upbringing and training, it had not prepared him for the nauseating sickness that he felt brewing in the heart of that godless city. It was a place that was slowly being eroded of hope and intentionally deprived of anything remotely resembling freedom of expression. He understood now why his mother hated it so much and why his father was so cautious of it.
Perhaps that was the lesson he was supposed to learn after all? He was not a seer. He could not see the future. What he could see though, disturbed him. While he had been in Zaichaer, there had been an ever present desperate plea for justice, for an escape of the pain and suffering that suffused nearly every soul that was not part of the privileged militant class. It had been a harrowing experience for him in more ways than one. He glanced down at his beloved and caressed a finger over his cheek. He was thoroughly sedated in order to ease the pain and suffering he had been forced to endure following his abduction. Softly, Talon whispered words in Synskrit to further soothe his bondmate’s dreams.
Talon began to hum softly. He did not know many songs. He was not the bard that his brother was. His talents lay elsewhere. But Talon enjoyed music. He hummed a gentle tune as he kept one hand resting upon Rickter. Talon continued to reflect on what he had learned and what the path moving forward with Zaichaer would be for both himself and his people. His musing was interrupted by a gentle knocking at the door to his cabin. He did not have to look up to know that it was his other bondmate, Aoren. The door opened and immediately Talon heard the sound of a commotion taking place beyond the walls of his private quarters. Aoren stepped into the room, ushering in the ship’s captain who gave him a bow.
“My Shinsei, apologies for disturbing you but I know of no greater mage aboard my vessel. There is...there is a matter that requires your expertise and perhaps your other skills.” The captain gave him a pointed stare to which Talon returned with a nod. Talon had made a choice as they departed Zaichaer, one that he decided would only be of benefit to him and his people. It seemed that the fates were testing him to see if he would follow through with that decision. Leaning forward, Talon pressed a kiss to his slumbering bondmate’s brow then rose to his feet. He did not even have to ask Aoren to remain with their wounded partner. As soon as Talon stepped aside, the raven winged Kathar took up a post next to their wolf. Neither of them wanted him to be alone. He squeezed Aoren’s shoulder as he passed then followed the ship’s captain. They walked through a partitioned section of the sizeable airship. This being one of the royal vessels, it was more spacious and comfortably outfitted for travel. As they took the stairs up to the main deck, the commotion that Talon had heard only grew louder.
Talon opened up his senses to the world around him. The first thing that slammed into him was an agony that clawed at his heart. He was caught off guard by it but he did not let it stagger him. Talon grasped that swell of emotions that assaulted him and warded himself against the mental onslaught. His eyes focused upon the aura of the crowd gathered ahead of him. The agony he perceived was at its center.
Pain. Suffering. Despair. It clung to the things that Zaichaer touched. As Talon focused on the aura ahead of him, he caught a glimpse of the silver fire that burned in the souls of all mortals. In it he saw the spectre of a terrible injustice. As Talon reached the main deck, he slowly let the veil of his mortality fall away. The violet-blue markings upon his body adopted a silver-white hue. Ghostly manifestation of his nimbus began to form around him, crowning him in an aura of soft white light. The silver of his eyes shone brighter. He moved forward. Across the gathered he could see a form of hysteria, horror, rage and shock dancing through the collective aura of the crowd. Talon let the presence of his nimbus extend outward to those who would accept it. It touched most strongly upon the lights that shone in the souls of his Kalzasern people.
When the soldiers aboard noticed him, they bowed, moving aside to allow him to pass. As his influence spread through the crowd, the general hysteria began to lessen. The civilians that spotted him bowed, moving further to allow him to pass and reach the center of the gathered.
“You hear him screaming—he’s unhinged! And quite likely a fugitive! Need I remind you, officer, that you are currently in Zaichaeri air space, which is under my jurisdiction? If this creature escapes the State I will be held accountable, as will you, for facilitating the escape of a criminal while subject to Zaichaer law!”
Talon’s gaze came to settle upon the soldier speaking.
“He will be taken to the medical bay.” The eyes of both Zaichaeri and Kalzasern soldiers turned to him. Talon remained unmoved. The Kalzasern officer bowed immediately. The ship’s captain motioned to some of the crew to assist.
“W-well, see here--”
“You have been seen, Major. Whether your request will be heard is my decision.” The man blinked at Talon, going somewhat red in the face.
“Your Highness, I must insist--” Again Talon cut the man off.
“Then insist. The decision is still mine and I have made it. We might be in Zaichaeri air space but this is a Kalzasern vessel. If you seek to take custody of this man, you will follow the proper protocol and seek deportation through the Foreign Office.” Talon waved a hand dismissively as he stepped forward to kneel before the bereaved and wounded young man. He extended his hands for a cloth which was immediately given. It was a grim and grizzly sight as he beheld the severed head in his grasp.
“May I have her?” He extended the cloth toward the young man, his voice gentle as he regarded him. Talon did not care about the blood. He had seen and been covered in enough of it during his years. His concern was for the life in front of him. He would worry about the fallout soon enough.
Off Topic
Talon is currently using the following Demigod trait:
Divine Nimbus- The Nimbus is the mark of the Divine and even at the lowest rung of demigodhood, these children of the gods still possess one. It appears as one or more glowing points of brilliant light, runes or symbols that float near the demigod’s head. To those with the ability to see magical properties (i.e. Semblance users, other demigods etc.) it is always visible. The demigod can choose to dismiss the nimbus at will, at which point in time it will become invisible to those who cannot see past the mundane world around them. Through the nimbus the individual can instill the following in those around them for a short duration:
Awe. People and creatures behold the demigod with awe and reverence.
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:58 pm
by Jane Farraway
Glade 80th, 121. Zaichaer, Northbound to Kalzasi
It was difficult to watch the bloodied youth writhe in pain. Much of the crowd found it hard to stomach, retching as they staggered away. Others, like Jane, stood frozen in morbid captivation. The boy weakly fought against the woman as she tried to coax him to release whatever he held in his arms. Locks of gore matted hair were shaken loose from the severed head, causing several in the crowd to cry out in horror and retreat. Zaichaeri guards and Kalzasern crew both seemed at a loss in managing the chaos that had overtaken the airship.
The bleeding proved too heavy for the bindings to contain and the man tending to the wound called out for someone to assist him. He pointed at Jane and she looked about in confusion.
“You! Young lady! I need hands”
“I...I'm from Zaichaer”, she managed to say.
“As am I! It's within the law, so do or don't!”
Feeling pressured to act, she moved past the guards and fell on her knees before the broken Fae. A few others were busy holding him, but she could only watch, helpless and unsure of what to do. The man held out what appeared to be dress shirt pulled from an open suitcase.
“Apply pressure to the wound!”
Jane hesitated for a moment before the shirt was shoved into her hands and the saturated bindings were tossed away. She wadded up the fresh shirt and closed her eyes, pressing down hard on the injured leg. The young man wailed in pain. She drew back slightly and swallowed as warmth seeped through the shirt. The stench of blood and charred flesh made her reel and break out in a cold sweat. The man moved with the precision and purpose of one who had medical experience, which helped to ease Jane's nerves. The apparent doctor swiftly tied a makeshift tourniquet just under the boy's knee and took over in applying pressure to the wound as he carefully elevated the leg. Jane trembled as she was released from her duty and stared ahead, stunned at the sight of blood on her hands.
Suddenly, the shroud of hysteria that had smothered the ship was swept away by an overwhelming force that gripped all who were present. It was powerful but quiet, like the rolling clouds of a storm. At the center of it was an Avialae shedding a radiance that went beyond mere magic. The shouting ceased, those that fainted came to, and all became fixated on this being that commanded such a sublime bearing. The Kalzasi natives knew him on sight and lowered their heads in reverence while the Zaichaeri people looked on in disbelief. Jane watched as he approached, the crowd parting in his wake, some kneeling, some touching his wings, and others withdrawing in fear. She felt small and powerless, tears streaming down her face, as she beheld the man whose presence felt like a vast and endless sky.
His favor was clearly with the injured boy and at his command the Zaichaeri major reluctantly yielded and the Kalzasern crew were finally allowed to act. They dismissed those that had been holding the young man and gently placed him on a stretcher. The doctor addressed a middle aged human woman who appeared to be leading the medics.
“A round shattered his shin from the inside. It's still lodged in the calf”
She nodded and began to apply an anesthetic salve to the wound and other injuries over the young man's body. Jane felt a tug and realized that the Zaichaeri doctor was attempting to shake her out of her daze. Weak from shock, all she could do was pull herself along to give the crew space but soon found herself in the shadow of the demigod. He gently asked the injured Fae for the severed head. The Vallasren speaking woman at the youth's side grasped the Prince's arm in shock.
“Arcas!”, she gasped. Remembering herself, she pulled away, leaving a bloody print on his sleeve. Grateful tears fell upon the severed head and she pulled the eyelids of the slain woman closed, giving the impression of a peaceful sleep.
Through all of this the Zaichaeri guards still rebelled within their hearts. Many glared at the Avialae in bitter defiance, others wrestled with terror that such awe inspired. Most concerning, however, were the few who looked on with a softness that bordered on treason. The Major watched the faces of his soldiers and they watched him. They watched him as he cowed before the Prince and allowed him to usurp his authority. Their eyes held disappointment, pity, and disgust, all of which injured his pride more deeply than Talon ever could.
He withdrew a pocket watch from his coat and stared at the face for several seconds. The case was engraved with the seal of the Zaichaer Air Defense Corps, a gift awarded to officers after 20 years of service. The major glanced at his subordinates and snapped the case shut. He collected himself and approached one of them, whispering to her. She quickly took out a piece of parchment and hastily scribbled something down. The Major approached Talon with this soldier close behind him.
“Then I shall insist, Your Highness. I am Major Jermaine Stewart, 42nd Division of the Air Defense Corps. I acknowledge you as Lord Talon of House Novalys, Diplomat and Heir of Kalzasi, and I only acknowledge you as Lord Talon of House Novalys, Diplomat and Heir of Kalzasi. The State recognizes no other entity.”
The Kalzasern citizens paled at the implication, watching their demigod with bated breath. The confidence of the Major's soldiers seemed restored and they beamed with newfound respect for their commander. The soldier at his side wrote all that he said, her pen flying across the parchment.
“The boy will be treated at the medical bay, as you requested, but the laws of asylum do not protect those suspected of violent crimes. We must dock and he must be detained in Zaichaer. He may indeed by innocent, but there is no doubt that a murder has been committed!” He pointed to the severed head, his voice rising with indignation.
“I have traveled this route countless times and at this moment we are still miles within Zaichaer territory. There is no chance that this boy has traveled from anywhere but, especially in his condition. A crime has been committed on Zaichaer soil, that much is clear, but his involvement, his innocence, or his guilt, is to be investigated and determined by the State. With all due respect, Your Highness, this matter is beyond your power.”
Wind rushing over the deck punctuated the silence that followed. All eyes were on Talon and the Zaichaeri officer that stood before him. Even the medics seemed reluctant to move. A deep sense of urgency gave Jane the strength to crawl further away, dreading how this being would react to such a challenge.
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 1:45 pm
by Destyn
"When the River Runs Dry (Volume II)80 Glade, 121
Destyn had seen Avialae before, though he'd never properly met one. The clan had travelled through Kalzasern lands in his lifetime, and he'd shared the sky with the winged Synnekar on several occasions. He knew tales of their people, but none prepared him for the sight of this particular figure. He emitted an air of potency the likes of which the Fae had never seen and, to his eyes, appeared to be crowned by some otherworldly diadem bestowed by no mortal hands. The sight of the imposing creature also had the collateral effect of dismissing the weight of Destyn's terror. It was still present, but diminished because his attention was fixed perforce upon the approaching entity and it was hard to focus on anything else when in the presence of such majesty. He gasped slightly when their eyes locked, and a soothing voice posed a question to him directly.
He parted his lips slightly, as if to speak, but then only nodded and held his mother up between them without breaking the eye-contact to look at the grotesquery squelching between his quivering hands.
"Mother." He said softly and sadly as an errant tear escaped one of his glassy eyes to dash down the curve of his cheek to hang at his chin. Becalmed by the energy emanating from the strange being, he released her into His hands and allowed the others to lift him onto a stretcher, compliantly folding his wings behind him so he could be lain on his back. He only whimpered at the pain elicited by the jostling this motion caused to his wounded leg.
When he was situated on the stretcher, his head fell to one side so he could keep his eyes upon the benevolent being who had granted him some semblance of tranquility in the midst of frenzy and had turned the hurricane in his heart to a gentle Glade shower. When a human stood forth to confront Destyn's Saviour, the Fae narrowed his eyes and his lip curled into a snarl. The man had the look of those who had wrought these horrors upon him, and he recognised a similar dialect of Common when he ranted at the statuesque creature.
They were arguing over Destyn's fate but it seemed they were at least agreed that he might be conducted to the infirmary, so those manning the stretcher started toward the hold albeit slowly. They were, after all, as curious as the rest of the onlookers as to how this might play out. However things transpired, Destyn knew his preference lay with the non-human side of the negotiation.
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:25 pm
by Talon
When the River Runs Dry 80 Glade 121
Talon handed the severed head, wrapped gently in its cloth, to one of the nearby members of his crew. He paid no mind to the blood that now covered his sleeve. It was not the first time he had been touched by the gore of war and battle, it would not be the last.
“Mother.” He spoke softly, acknowledging the young man’s grief and sorrow. It was as plain as day combined with the evidence of his wounds. Talon rose to his feet. He merely let his gaze rest upon the woman who had been startled by his appearance. She had said a name, it was and was not his name. He supposed it was only a matter of time before that name continued to spread. His thoughts turned to the knights that were aboard the vessel. Some of them bore his Emblem of Eminence. He thought on the Kalzasern crew and guard that accompanied it given it was a skyship of Kalzasi. He looked to the young man who was being carried away on the stretcher, wounded and broken. Hearing the Zaichaeri officers words, Talon had a very clear idea of the kind of justice that the young man would receive. It would be a farce. He would be condemned for mere speculation, twisted to suffer for indignity of an officer having to look tough and commanding in the face of a clear challenge he could not simply bully into submission. Resisting the urge to sigh, he regarded the Major impassively with as much interest as he might show a passing breeze.
“Is your statement supposed to mean something, Major Stewart? You mistake your place and your authority.” Talon rested his hands at the small of his back, wings shifting slightly as he did so. “This ship is a sovereign vessel of Kalzasi, guarded and guided by a Kalzasern crew, captained by a Kalzasern officer. It is also designated as my royal vessel, accompanied by an entourage befitting such a status. Were this merely a merchant vessel or passenger vessel, perhaps your words might hold merit. Unless you are threatening to attempt to commandeer my vessel without my consent?”
Talon nodded to the escort of Icewing Eagles and Skyriders that drifted comfortably beside them in the skies. Talon further nodded to the royal guard that lined the rails of the ship. His eyes settled upon Tarshenna who was observing the discourse with the same frigid air as she did most things in public.
“We are in Zaichaeri airspace, true. But you are not the commander of this ship nor its crew nor its entourage. Your role, Major, is to consult and advise on behalf of the Zaichaeri citizenry that I have kindly allowed to accompany me back to Kalzasi. You did not consult.” Talon swept a hand around to gesture at the Zaichaeri soldiers that had gathered aggressively across the deck of his ship. “But you have been advised. In roughly thirty minutes we will cross into Kalzasern territory and will then continue on our way to the city proper. You speak of asylum, presuming I am extending it. I am not. This man is now in my custody.”
Talon suspected strongly that the young man was a victim. He had seen firsthand how Zaichaer treated anything remotely non-human. That the head he had clutched had once been the young man’s mother, churned his stomach. Anger would not be avoidable. The small group of soldiers with the Zaichaeri officer would undoubtedly feel rebuffed, though judging from some of their faces, he could not be sure all of them would feel that way. Nevertheless, he had been challenged. He had to answer that challenge. Justice was his domain and he would see it done in the manner he saw fit. Even if it meant taking advantage of the bureaucracy of government.
“The manifest must be checked. All passengers must be cross referenced. The spaces of the ship must now be inspected. If this winged Fae’ethalan is not on the manifest, he may have been a stowaway. How did he access my ship so readily and easily? Docking may risk other stowaways fleeing the vessel, avoiding proper custody. That would be a disservice to the safety and security of my people. I will not allow it at this time. With that said, steady as she goes, Captain.” Talon nodded to the ship’s commanding officer who bowed and moved to continue his duties. Talon made to continue on toward the medbay in order to observe the young man’s treatment. He spoke to the Major as he walked.
“If you suspect foul play, you will consult with the Office of the First Minister of Zaichaer. It will then be adjudicated by the Foreign Office while the suspects are retained in Kalzasern custody for presenting on a Kalzasern ship mid-flight, potentially jeopardizing a diplomatic envoy.” Talon shrugged as he gave the Major one last look.
“You are wasting time, Major. If you send your message now, a message I will add, that requires my written concurrence given the uniqueness of the circumstance, the First Minister may receive it by this evening. Which means she will likely have a response ready by tomorrow.” By then, they will have docked safely in Kalzasi and the matter will have been referred to the Council of Kalzasi to be examined. Talon waved a hand dismissively in the Major’s direction as the Kalzasern soldiers began dismissing those not directly involved and restoring order to the ship. Between one blink and the next, Tarshenna, the commander of the royal guard aboard, was walking beside him. Talon made a note to himself mentally to consider pursuing the powers of teleportation. There had been multiple instances in the past few seasons where he would have found it useful.
“They will not take kindly to such a dismissal, my Shinsei.” Talon sighed heavily.
“No. I imagine not.” A look passed between the two with understanding clear. Tarshenna bowed, then performed an about-face to ensure the safety of the ship and those onboard. Talon was about to catch up to the stretcher but stopped himself from colliding with a young woman with strawberry blonde hair and a pair of large spectacles on her nose. Talon’s expression softened as he beheld her. She looked shellshocked. He extended a hand to her.
“Come. I am certain the healers have something warm to chase away the cold.”
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:06 pm
by Jane Farraway
Glade 80th, 121. Zaichaer, Northbound to Kalzasi
Jane and the doctor watched with the rest the crowd as Talon gave his measured response to Major Stewart. It was reasonable enough to ease the tension that surrounded them and the Kalzasern people beamed with pride and admiration for their champion. The Zaichaeri officer stood at ease with a stern scowl on his face, nodding occasionally and absorbed in thought. The guard at his side quickly filled her original sheet of parchment and withdrew another as she continued to document their conversation. An icy wind swept over the deck, displacing the hats of some, as the Skyriders made themselves known on their beautiful and fearsome mounts, drawing gasps of fear and amazement. The Kalzasern crew seemed embolden by the speech of their Prince, standing tall at his assertion and seeming ready to take action at a moment's notice. Still, the fire of resistance burned deep within the Zaichaeri guardsmen, along with many of the Zaichaeri passengers as they watched this foreigner attempt to delegate within their land.
The Major raised his eyebrows, responding plainly, “Such action was never my intent, I assure you. As for my “statement”, Prince Novalys, yes, it was.”
He beheld the radiant Avialae for a moment, “I only wished to confirm that we were operating within the powers granted to us by our material stations. I know am because it is only one that I have or could ever want. Apologies, Your Highness, for being less than trusting of your—status.”
A slight red flush swept over his paled bony cheeks as his duties were recited to him. All who were near watched him as he struggled to not interrupt.
“My duty”, he asserted softly, “is to enforce Zaichaeri law while we are within Zaichaer's air space. That remains unchanged, regardless of my assignment. My role to “consult and advise” extends to that. My officers have done nothing outside of their rank and have reacted to what is understood to be unambiguous by our operations: that those suspected of violent crime are to be detained by the State for investigation. You, of course, have diplomatic immunity, but this does not extend to the passengers or “stowaways” upon this vessel, regardless of who owns it. You should find the same for any Zaichaeri vessel within Kalzasi terriority.”
Major Stewart pointed to the blood splattered imprint were the young man had fallen, “And to clarify, he landed on the deck from outside the ship.” Several others in the crowd gave timid nods to confirm this fact. “A bullet wound like that does not travel far.”
He paused for moment, as if in thought, “Docking, perhaps, might not be the wisest choice, given the bizarre circumstances. I agree that the matter of potentially jeopardizing your envoy should be addressed, but given the severity of these suspected crimes, what happened within Zaichaer must be investigated. If you insist on his custody within Kalzasi then I will have officers accompany the suspect. They will stay during his processing and return with him to Zaichaer. I'm confident the First Minister and the Foreign Office should find that fair”
A bitter smile spread on his thin lips as Talon gave his parting statement. Major Jermaine Stewart withdrew his pocket watch and quickly glanced at the face, “Prince Novalys, I have never wasted a single second of my time since enlisting. Your message is more than encouraged. A case like this deserves scrutiny on all sides.” He roughly snapped his watch shut.
“It should not be decided by the judgement of a single man.”
Whether Talon had truly listened was unknown, but he had said his piece. With that the old Major withdrew, visibly drained from the encounter. He and number of the other Zaichaeri guards began to quietly discuss what should be done once they were well away from the crowd.
Jane's stomach dropped as the God Prince kindly offered her a hand and she looked down in panic. Beside her was still the broken young Fae struggling against his injuries. It had made her heartache to hear him call out for his mother, the first word she had recognized from him. It made him too "human". Too vulnerable. She fought back tears of pity, resenting them deeply.
Talon's hand stayed extended before her and she reluctantly took it, feeling like she had no choice but to accept. Despite his shimmering, ethereal appearance his flesh was surprisingly warm and she was somewhat unnerved by this. Jane stood to her feet and released his hand, her head lowered and eyes closed.
"Yes, a warm drink would be lovely. Thank you"
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:06 pm
by Destyn
"When the River Runs Dry (Volume II)80 Glade, 121
He cried out in an anguished bellow, his back arching as he was transferred onto an exam table. He could feel the throbbing wound to his leg, and without the distraction of his awe of Talon, his mind perforce returned to the inciting incident of his woe. Flashes of horrific images that he witnessed helplessly pierced his thoughts like so much shrapnel, and he shrieked out. Amidst his writhing, he managed to free his wings from under himself despite the hands trying to still him, and in his panic their rapid fluttering knocked things over left and right.
The initial alarm of returning pain only lasted a few moments, during which he did quite a bite of damage, sending two humans hurling back onto their arses and breaking several bottles and vials. Then the exhaustion caught up with him and his wings ceased to beat, instead they drew back inward toward his body which lay limping with his head lolling toward the door.
He regained enough presence of mind to recognise the irrevocability of what had just transpired, which yielded a new, greater sense of horror. An uncertain future bereft of family, friends, purpose... He clenched his eyes shut, welcoming the black.
Re: When The River Runs Dry (Volume II) [Open]
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:47 pm
by Talon
When the River Runs Dry 80 Glade 121
Talon gently ushered the human woman toward the infirmary as the conversation with the Zaichaeri officer ended. He did not trust them. Already he felt something tugging at the back of his mind but he was confident that Tarshenna and the ship’s crew would be able to handle anything thrown their way. He was pulled from those thoughts as an agonized wail pierced the air. Talon knew that cry. It was the cry of a broken man realizing that life as he had known it, was over. He had heard it many times. He had fought to bring comfort to those who had experienced such a terrible hardship more than once in his life. He had a feeling that such hardship would become commonplace soon enough. It was not a feeling that he welcomed.
His gaze passed over to the woman beside him. She was a Zaichaeri. Her clothing and features told him that easily enough. Her discomfort was almost palpable. He wondered how much of that was because of the events that had unfolded in front of her and how much was because of just him. It mattered little in the end. He examined her with a clinical eye, noticing that there was some blood upon her.
“You helped him?” There was a small amount of surprise in Talon’s voice. Every story that he had heard, everything he had witnessed while in the city, it had all corroborated what he had always been told about Zaichaer. They were a city steeped in prejudice, paranoia and a distaste for anything remotely resembling non-human. Like all places, Talon knew logically that there were exceptions. Still, it was surprising to see it in the midst of so much turmoil.
“Apologies that you had to suffer through such a startling ordeal, ma’am. I hope that the rest of our journey is, well, restful.” He gave the woman a melancholy smile as they reached the infirmary. Opening the door, Talon stepped inside just in time to catch one of the medical staff as they went sprawling back. He helped the man back to his feet.
“This young woman could use something to calm her nerves.” He gestured to the Zaichaeri woman. The man looked to her, then to Talon, then to the Fae who was beginning to calm down if only because of sheer exhaustion.
“Right. Of course, Your Highness.” The man looked a little relieved to have someone less urgent to deal with. As the medic stepped up to her, Talon met her gaze once more.
“When we reach Kalzasi, ma’am, I invite you to the palace as thanks for your assistance in this matter. May the rest of your travels be safe.” He nodded to her then turned to observe the Fae. His head had lolled to the side, pain evident on his face even as unconsciousness clearly took him. Talon sighed inwardly to himself.
“What will you do?” The question came from a human man who was spattered with blood. Talon looked between him and the young woman still nearby.
“Justice.” With that, Talon went to speak with the head physician. He would undoubtedly have to ensure that a guard was posted wherever this Fae ended up recovering. It was going to be a long journey back to Kalzasi and he had a feeling there would be troubling days ahead for all of those involved in this situation.