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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:29:22 GMT
« Thread started on: Aug 20th, 2014, 7:46pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FATE... CHAOS... THE GODDESS... ......BITCH.....
Llewell sat in the throne room on the dais with her back to the stone throne that she refused to sit in. Those around her called her Queen, others still referred to her as Lady... others, though few and far between, called her traitor.
Llewell had come to Chaos seeking solace after Camelot's third monarch, Kalyessien, allowed Camelot to fall to the Unclean. Even as King's Protector, with all her magic and ties to the king, had been unable to prevent the betrayal, or save the kingdom. Uther had returned from the Mists to reclaim Excalibur in the name of The Goddess because, it seemed, no one else was worthy. He turned his back on Llewell as if blaming her for the failings of the Kings she had been marked to protect and serve.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:29:52 GMT
« Reply #1 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 7:59pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But how does one protect and serve kings who used deliberate subterfuge, constant lieing and magic to keep her from her duties?
So she left... she left behind the home she had finally found again, and had betrayed her, and had come to the one Lineage that had never doubted her or believed she was anything less than devout to her role... the King of Chaos...
The title had once beloved to the eldest son, Vladamere. But he had married an angel, Lady Myst, and had come to her beloved Camelot. Excalibur had chosen him to be the second Monarch Llewell was to serve after King Arthur had been found wanting and been judged and sentenced to death with his soul imprisoned for all eternity.
But the pull of the Gods and Goddesses can never be ignored. So when the Goddess, Lady Chaos, had called to her once king, VLad was unable to ignore her. He set Excalibur aside, kissed Myst goodbye and had gone to The Abyss to serve his Lady as she willed.
Llewell, again... failed to protect her King.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:30:24 GMT
« Reply #2 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:09pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three kings... three failures... Camelot was a jinxed realm to Llewell. So she had picked up her Goddess blessed sword, Fali'Sara, and headed off to find a place worthy of what, she thought, was her tainted soul.
During her trip, another sword came into Llewell's possession. It was the third of the Excalibur Trio. Excalibur was strength, Fali'Sara was protection, and the third sword was balance. As Llewell was merely a messenger, and not its true wielder, it had not revealed its name to her. She simply took it with her in hopes, someday, of finding the true owner and perhaps returning to Camelot to heal her wounds and once more return glory to her beloved name.
Llewell was brought back from her delusion of grandeur when a shimmer at the edge of her vision caught her attention. "What is it?" she asked the apparition, a shadow servant. They were shade like beings able to perform corporeal duties but also able to shimmer thru the walls and halls like the ghost stories of her youth.
She had grown accustomed to them.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:31:04 GMT
« Reply #3 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:21pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chaos. Land of ash and cinder, ever on the verge of the absolute, the abyss. She was the first bastion for a fraction of Order, though in truth, that fraction was allowed by The Lady herself to allow for a land of her own making. The lands were dotted with monestaries, not to gods or goddesses persay, but to the belief, the conviction, and the dedication of loyalty to she who brought the ashes to settle, she who soothed the cinders from lava, and she who could drive any mortal mind mad just by simply beholding her voice. Rumor had flowed lately from these hallowed places. The Sentinobate, or more widely known as The Cathedral, had found a drifter among The Mists. The Mists being the closest ring to the abyssal pit itself, a place of utter madness, of absolute disorder, ever fluctuating. It was said upon this strangers removal from The Mists, lightning pierced the clouds that hung ever present over The Sentinobate, and formed a glass sigil upon the sands where he was layed. It was the mark of the Dragon. The whispers over the months that followed turned to rumor, rumor turned to speculation, and soon the halls of Chaos were practically shouting with this story.
The Chaos Knights, being no better then sailors when it came to a tall tale soon began to repeat these stories, especially in the absence of the heir and emperor.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:33:02 GMT
« Reply #4 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:21pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Lady, something stirs. We know not if it's for good or ill, but the Keep is not feeling as it should when we pass between." The shade was a male, she never could keep names straight, and obviously had drawn the short straw to be the one before her with such vague accountings.
She rose and stretched. "Very well, thank you. Please tell me if you learn anything more." Without another word or even a formal dismissal, Llewell strode from the throne room. She had never stood on formality with the servants or the Chaos Knights of the realm. They were all there to serve Lady Chaos, and that was enough for her.
As she headed down the hall to her room, Llewell ran her porcelain fingertips across the alabaster walls in a loving caress. "What's troubling you, my dark embrace?" She had given it the nickname when she realized she could traverse thru the Keep like the shades, just like she could in her own beloved Pendragon Keep. She discovered the walls would also 'hold' and 'fetch' things when was had need. Fali'Sara and the unnamed sword were two objects currently in the keeping of the stones she ran her fingertips over. Her new sword, the one Lady Chaos had bestowed upon her when she was recognized as King Aramis' Queen, and Protector of the Crown in this realm, currently laid easily on her back. She felt it hum in response to her query, even as the walls echoed the same vibration.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:33:39 GMT
« Reply #5 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:34pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reaching her chambers, she closed the foor and looked around. She and Aramis shared this room, but just like in Camelot, three times she had failed a kingdom and once more found herself alone.
Vladamere had gone to the Abyss. There had been no warning, no chance to stop him. Chaos had cloaked him from her till that moment the ebon darkness of the Void had enveloped him. That sudden severance had nearly been her undoing. Only her own Chaotic bloodline, unknown to her then, had saved her from the coming wave of loss and madness that her Protector's Mark had felt at his sudden disappearance.
Her second failing to Chaos had been her own soul bound Demascus. He had given her her Chaos armour. He had taught her to love again and had loved her despite her guilt at losing his brother, Vlad. He never saw failure in her, only mistrust in those around her. He had built them a house on an island far from any other Realm's prying eyes. They had been happy. She had been happy.
But once more, Lady Chaos intervened.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:34:20 GMT
« Reply #6 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:40pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Demascus went to the Abyss to exchange himself for Vlad. Llewell had thought it foolish, but Chaos would not release him from his destiny. Llewell had let him go vowing to ding a way to reunite them in the future, content to know King Vlad would return.
But again, the joke was on her.
Vlad came back, but something dark and evil had come with him. Not willing to risk her or his people, Vlad now slept a magic slumber. He lay in a wagon belonging to the mage gypsies of Chaos. They guarded his body and kept the Darkness at bay while Vlad slept and wrestled with control to send it back to the Void.
"Aramis..."
Her whisper as she stood in the middle of the room seemed to reverberate off the walls and scream back at her in torment. Taunting her and an ever constant reminder that everything has a cost... and all the fees are painful.
Aramis was Vlad's son, and next in line for the throne of Chaos. He had had the mantel but a short time when Llewell had arrived in his Kingdom and come within his vengeful reach. She had stolen his father and Uncle from his side; taken 2 kings from his beloved Chaos; and now came seeking solace for her betrayals in the one place he felt, in all the Realms, she had no right to traverse.
But even he was not in charge of his fate.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:35:20 GMT
« Reply #7 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:45pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Her broken soul, beautiful eyes, and iron determination to persevere no matter the odds had torn at his heart and he had fallen in love.
She had done the same. They fought it for as long as they could. But when the Goddess laid the choice at their feet, each had chosen to sacrifice themselves rather than see the demise and destruction of the other.
The Lady had rewarded them well. Aramis' crown was sealed in Her blessing and not just in bloodline. And Llewell had been granted his side as Protector of the King. The new sword she was granted hadn't been seen in known history. Only tales of the past held its description so everyone had known it upon site. the whole realm had taken a knee in fealty to them both and for a while, it seemed the gods and goddesses were content to allow Llewell some peace of mind.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:36:30 GMT
« Reply #8 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 8:53pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But even in Her Realm, at Her whim, Llewell's peace didn't last long. One night Aramis himself had kissed her, faded wordlessly into the walls of his castle and hadn't come back. only the fact the Goddess' sword remained at Llewell's side earned her the respect and loyalty of the Chaos Knights who woke to find their King gone and their Kingdom now in the care of the "King Slayer"... a nickname whispered behind her back, but just loud and often enough for her to be aware it was her moniker.
For the most part, she ruled as little as possible. She left the majority of the control of the Realm in the hands of the Knights. The loyal legion of undead who had always been protectors even before her coming. She saw no reason to change that.
But now, here, in the middle of her empty room, with an empty heart, she closed her eyes and called to The Lady. For the first time, her heart and soul cried into the plea as if spilling her life into the request...
"Please, Lady, if you have not truly forsaken me... guide me now. Help me find my purpose... my soul... my love..." She sent a single mental thought to the Captain of the Guard that he was in charge while she was gone. Leaving her ring as proof to those who would question his leadership, she reached for the wall and warm fingers caressed cool stone. "Help me, Lady... guide me as you guided your Kings before me..."
She closed her eyes once more and stepped into the space 'between' and disappeared into the walls of The Keep.
As the last of her corporeal body disappeared into the marble and stone, a shudder would ripple outwards touching every soul in Chaos, be them dead or alive. To many it would simply feel like a cool wind...
... but to a few... it would be much more...
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:37:08 GMT
« Reply #9 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 9:09pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This simple request of Chaos had been answered some time ago, the makings of which took time though. The shifting of some sands, the changing of winds, the whispered intuitions of villagers to move things here and there all conspired to answer a prayer not spoken until this day. Funny how Gods and Goddesses work, how that manipulate and adjust long before the beconing of a servant. This day, to some would seem downright humorous.
Llewellynn stepping into the walls of the keep, to be whisked away to that which she held most dear would soon find herself stepping into a conversation, the darkness which enveloped her echoing the whisper in response to her plight.
"Aye, I seen him. The stranger of The Mists they be calling that one." these words coming from a caravan leader, one who frequented the keep and more specifically the Knights.
" Well out with it man, what did he look like?" " Was he mad from The Mists?" " What about this lightning we heard about?" "Yeah and the sigil? Out with it don't leave us hanging lad." The Knights were in the bar, partaking of their drinks and telling tales, but when hearing this man's words they frothed for information. Something they never did because in essence, they already knew what Chaos held, and yet for some reason, this stranger they spoke of Chaos hid from even them.
" allright allright, don' ya be pushing like that. The mark in the sands is bigger then a man I tell ya, huge. Looks a lot like the one which is on the banner there... ( a banner Aramis had instituted for his father's mourning upon his exile) This man, he doesn't speak, and The Mists... they come from his breath and around him a bit, like you lots ghostly look almost. The monks are saying he partakes little of food, and won't wear a stitch of clothes 'cept the robe and hood they gave him. He was stark nekkid he was when they pulled him out, speaking in lingos even they don' know."
" hold on, hold on... you're saying this stranger fellow showed up on a sigil of the Dragon?"
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:37:55 GMT
« Reply #10 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 9:25pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Llewell stopped... at least she thought she stopped. It was hard to tell movement in such a place. In the Keep she had always just wished herself somewhere, took a couple steps and was there.
This time was different. This time she didn't have a focus, didn't have a destination. She felt lost and the darkness, though comforting, was a bit unnerving as well.
Hearing the conversation made her tilt her head. There was noise. People. Information. Someone was speaking of The Dragon and then questions about another stranger's return. Moving her body in the direction she believed the words were coming from, she opened her mind to the words and whispered softly, so her mind would cement the wish, "I want to be where they are..."
She only hoped wherever that was, it wasn't going to get ugly when she arrived. She wanted information, not conflict.
A moment later she stepped from the shadows into the corner of the tavern. She saw the people milling around the bar apparently listening to the one who had the information. She stood still and waited. If this was not where she wanted to be, stepping backwards into the wall would be am easy enough thing without anyone being the wiser.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:38:37 GMT
« Reply #11 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 9:39pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The shadows released her within the tavern in the keep, the place the Knights always drank and generally were social. The banner of mourning and grown old, tattered around the edges. Some Knights were corporeal some were more ether, nothing really was considered taboo here besides fighting. The Knights were listening raptly to the story unfolding before them, few even glanced in Llewellynn's direction as the stir of Shadow was felt in the room. A whispered conversation from two, one Knight who converted to the monestary, in his robe and ethereal, and an old servant from Vladamere's time could be heard by her from the corner.
" This Stranger of The Mists as they call him, why would The Lady let go?" the monk was saying, while the old servant would reply, " She did so twice in the time of the Dragon, once for The Dragon himself and once for the Dark Scion..." " Don't speak of him, he was blighted from the records of history for a reason wench!"
This conversation only seemed to highlight another more outlandish statement from the trader, " This Stranger they said can come near no open flames, they said it becomes void fire in his presence."
" Bullshit! that only ever did that for The Dragon."
" It's true I tell you, those monks can't lie. They also say the lightnin' that etched the sigil still remains archin' in the sands, and has taken the life of three monks who tried to get close and see what it's strikin'." The tension in the Tavern was growing, as was the excitement. This was new, this was history repeating itself, and this was possibly war...
The older knights, those of Acrylis' time could be noted, moving towards the weapon rack, their determined expressions showing little doubt in their thoughts.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:39:15 GMT
« Reply #12 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 9:55pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Llewell took a step towards those closest to her speaking of the chosen subject for the evening. "Where was this sigil in the sand? And where is the one in the hood now?"
She tried to keep her voice steady, but something in her blood stirred and it troubled her to not understand it. She knew the reference to The Dragon usually meant Vlad. But the Dark Scion was a new concept to her ears other than in brief historical counts of something having to do with a war centuries ago.
She felt there was something more than what was being spoken of out loud. Whether it was because it was not something to be spoken of, or was unknown, she had to find out.
As if they had not answered quick enough for her, she turned to the rest of the Tavern and raised her voice. "Who can take me to this sigil and show me where the hooded man has gone?"
Her voice came out steady, but underlying it was a panic and fear she didn't know she had in her. What was happening... and why now?
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:40:13 GMT
« Reply #13 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 10:03pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The silence that enveloped the room was sudden and quick as they all turned toward Llewellynn. A younger Chaos Knight spoke in a mutter, " Take yerself to this scion" Though if he were to say anything else it was unheard. The snapping of bone crackled like a firecracker as Belyal snapped his neck. The anger of his action tinged his ethereal flames reddish in hue. He was one of the 6 that would have remembered the war.
Standing Belyal looked toward Llewellynn, speaking slowly he said, " any trader can take you, any knight could escort you. The Shadows won't, for from what they are saying, this STRANGER is in the Sentinobate, and the Sigil would be not far from it." The silence continued after his words seemed to engulf the room. His actions were the only taboo of this place, and yet not one of the elder knights were taking action as they normally would.
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Post by Admin on Nov 9, 2014 6:40:51 GMT
« Reply #14 on: Aug 20th, 2014, 10:11pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She looked around the room, straightening even as the man stood his height and popped his bones. "So there is none here who will take me? No one who will take the Queen?" She let a rue smile touch her lips and shrugged as if it made no difference.
"So be it. If there are none here who wish to see if Lord Vladamere has returned... or has the nerve or guts to see if perhaps even their King Aramis is come back... then I shall go myself. I am sure the Lady, herself, will guide me when all others have failed my requests."
She turned back towards the deep shadow that stood between the hearth and adjoining wall. She was going to step thru it and pray, harder than she had prayed even a moment ago, unless someone felt something akin to loyalty and offered her another solution.
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