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Evermore
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((I feel I should finally develop Exeter. Sorryfor godmodding Retta but he makes a good fall guy))
The King’s meal seemed like it was going on far longer than Exeter had time for, since the removal of Vlasdimir Vi’ Tepes he was in a position that needed to be filled quickly.
He had been seated next to the King’s left hand, however as was his custom the King was already as drunk as a lord. Exeter seized his opportunity and leaned forward and whispered some thing to the King.
If one had been watching carefully one would have noticed the young king’s eyes glimmer with excitement and nod vigorously toward Exeter.
Exeter then stood, and exited the banqueting hall.
As he walked out he saw the hunched over figure of Retta Yarbo eating rapidly, looking over his shoulder.
Exeter seized him by the collar and dragged the unfortunate man out of the hall, and hurled him into the wall outside.
“Wha? What…What is it my lord?” he mumbled
“Go to the lands lying before the Shakon vu Garron. There is a man there. Bring him to me.”
“Yes, my lord, er…who is he milord?”
“Do not bother me with your useless questions! Go!”
So saying, Exeter hurled Retta forward, easily sending him rolling ten feet. The poor man got up, and not even stopping to bow, fled with all of his might to the canal, where hopefully the bargemen would be. If not, he knew what happened to those who failed Exeter.
As he fled away Exeter turned on his heel in disgust.
There was nothing he despised more than a sniveling worm like Retta. It was not that he was in a foul mood, quite the opposite in fact. His temperament was an odd one, when he was calm and almost kind you could count on finding yourself in the torture chamber, this was his general state. If he was angry then it meant that his plans were working and he was not engaged fully in thought.
Heaven only knew how many of his servants had entered his chambers to work, only to find out too late that they had disturbed him while he was thinking.
Most of these servants are either now little more than vegetables or completely lost their minds, and thus been used as guards for his dungeons.
Exeter walked rapidly through the city, the shadows merged around him as a ghostly silhouette. His face wore a smile that would have driven an exorcist mad. He saw a few people milling about a dark alley off of one of the busier streets.
He walked directly into it and the people parted like the water under Moses’ staff.
It was the most direct route to the back of his rooms.
It was not an inn; it was some thing new, some thing that had just come into fashion.
It was a place designed for people to stay in not to drink, though it had a large and nicely furnished eating area next to it.
He knew that he would be seen by a clerk if he didn’t slip in through the back.
A voice broke through Exeter’s thoughts,
“A few coins for a poor blind beggar sir, just a few coins...to feed my family sir…”
“Blind are you?” Exeter hissed back in a voice sharply reminiscent of a razor across your throat.
“Yes govna’ since birth. Great pity it is…great pity.”
“You seem to have seen me in this dark alley fine.”
The beggar stood and clutched at Exeter, only to hurl himself back with remarkable vitality.
“By Garron, I feel a black art’ governa’ I’d rather meet the devil hisself then you.”
“Who’s to say you haven’t? Rare indeed one with the second sight meets me. Rare indeed.”
Exeter said slipping a few coins into his cup, only to have them tossed back to the ground in front of him by the old seer.
“I can’t say I ever met a man like you before gov. But I ken truthfully say I ‘ope I neva’ do again.”
Exeter chuckled softly, and vanished from the alley leaving the old beggar with only the coins on the ground and a memory that would last him eternity.
He entered through the back door of the building that housed his rooms. Underneath there was a bathhouse and toward the back was a series of rooms for other purposes.
Exeter was walking through the servant’s hall, at the sight of the tall shadowlike figure cloaked in black the serving girls fled. When he reached the area that led into his rooms he seized on of them, his tapered, immaculate fingers clutched her head like it was a grapefruit. He inclined his head at a slight angle and smiled.
“Is any one in my rooms?”
“Well, sir…well I don’t know sir…er…No sir…”
“Then why is there some one in a chair facing the fire?”
“What do you mean sir?”
“I left all chairs facing away from the fire and now one is facing it. The fire is dimming so obviously no one has cleaned the room. Who is in it and why are they there?”
As he said this he constricted his hand tighter and tighter around the poor girls head until the very pressure caused veins to bulge and deep red lines to appear on her face.
“I don’t know who she is sir, the clerk let her in. She was an elf, real pretty. I had assumed you had, sent for her sir.”
Exeter loosened his grip on the girl, still keeping hold of her however.
“Don’t be repulsive, now go and give this to the clerk.”
He handed her an envelope richly decorated, when the clerk opened it he found nothing more than a remarkable rendering of a crimson skull with an “M” burned into it.
At the stroke of midnight he died.
Exeter entered his rooms slowly careful not to alert the attention of Kelli, this in itself would be impossible for a human, but no one could call Exeter a human.
He walked up to the chair, in which she sat and placed his hands on either side of the back. When he spoke he spoke in a whisper, soft, like a breath through the trees.
“Kelliana, what a pleasure, it is for you to come here. But surely you know the etiquette preventing a woman of your status from visiting a man’s apartment after dark unaccompanied.”
((Play with fire and you are going to get burned WhiteLily
Well I think that is it…Oh the Shakon vu Garron are the two major mountains that separate the territory of Dur from the Fangs of Dis
/ Shakon vu Garron (dwarvish for Gates of Garron, the greatest Dur leader in history and the an from whom Garrodak is named [Garron’s Bone {roughly the equivalent of heart in human, elven and Disean cultures}]/
The land before the Shakon vu Garron is the badlands known by humans and dwarves as “foolsbane” or “elfbane” respectively as it is where the dwarves technology all but annihilated the Disean and elven empires.
I figure that is where Dave’s barbarian should be from as it sounds like a good barbarian hangout ))
The King’s meal seemed like it was going on far longer than Exeter had time for, since the removal of Vlasdimir Vi’ Tepes he was in a position that needed to be filled quickly.
He had been seated next to the King’s left hand, however as was his custom the King was already as drunk as a lord. Exeter seized his opportunity and leaned forward and whispered some thing to the King.
If one had been watching carefully one would have noticed the young king’s eyes glimmer with excitement and nod vigorously toward Exeter.
Exeter then stood, and exited the banqueting hall.
As he walked out he saw the hunched over figure of Retta Yarbo eating rapidly, looking over his shoulder.
Exeter seized him by the collar and dragged the unfortunate man out of the hall, and hurled him into the wall outside.
“Wha? What…What is it my lord?” he mumbled
“Go to the lands lying before the Shakon vu Garron. There is a man there. Bring him to me.”
“Yes, my lord, er…who is he milord?”
“Do not bother me with your useless questions! Go!”
So saying, Exeter hurled Retta forward, easily sending him rolling ten feet. The poor man got up, and not even stopping to bow, fled with all of his might to the canal, where hopefully the bargemen would be. If not, he knew what happened to those who failed Exeter.
As he fled away Exeter turned on his heel in disgust.
There was nothing he despised more than a sniveling worm like Retta. It was not that he was in a foul mood, quite the opposite in fact. His temperament was an odd one, when he was calm and almost kind you could count on finding yourself in the torture chamber, this was his general state. If he was angry then it meant that his plans were working and he was not engaged fully in thought.
Heaven only knew how many of his servants had entered his chambers to work, only to find out too late that they had disturbed him while he was thinking.
Most of these servants are either now little more than vegetables or completely lost their minds, and thus been used as guards for his dungeons.
Exeter walked rapidly through the city, the shadows merged around him as a ghostly silhouette. His face wore a smile that would have driven an exorcist mad. He saw a few people milling about a dark alley off of one of the busier streets.
He walked directly into it and the people parted like the water under Moses’ staff.
It was the most direct route to the back of his rooms.
It was not an inn; it was some thing new, some thing that had just come into fashion.
It was a place designed for people to stay in not to drink, though it had a large and nicely furnished eating area next to it.
He knew that he would be seen by a clerk if he didn’t slip in through the back.
A voice broke through Exeter’s thoughts,
“A few coins for a poor blind beggar sir, just a few coins...to feed my family sir…”
“Blind are you?” Exeter hissed back in a voice sharply reminiscent of a razor across your throat.
“Yes govna’ since birth. Great pity it is…great pity.”
“You seem to have seen me in this dark alley fine.”
The beggar stood and clutched at Exeter, only to hurl himself back with remarkable vitality.
“By Garron, I feel a black art’ governa’ I’d rather meet the devil hisself then you.”
“Who’s to say you haven’t? Rare indeed one with the second sight meets me. Rare indeed.”
Exeter said slipping a few coins into his cup, only to have them tossed back to the ground in front of him by the old seer.
“I can’t say I ever met a man like you before gov. But I ken truthfully say I ‘ope I neva’ do again.”
Exeter chuckled softly, and vanished from the alley leaving the old beggar with only the coins on the ground and a memory that would last him eternity.
He entered through the back door of the building that housed his rooms. Underneath there was a bathhouse and toward the back was a series of rooms for other purposes.
Exeter was walking through the servant’s hall, at the sight of the tall shadowlike figure cloaked in black the serving girls fled. When he reached the area that led into his rooms he seized on of them, his tapered, immaculate fingers clutched her head like it was a grapefruit. He inclined his head at a slight angle and smiled.
“Is any one in my rooms?”
“Well, sir…well I don’t know sir…er…No sir…”
“Then why is there some one in a chair facing the fire?”
“What do you mean sir?”
“I left all chairs facing away from the fire and now one is facing it. The fire is dimming so obviously no one has cleaned the room. Who is in it and why are they there?”
As he said this he constricted his hand tighter and tighter around the poor girls head until the very pressure caused veins to bulge and deep red lines to appear on her face.
“I don’t know who she is sir, the clerk let her in. She was an elf, real pretty. I had assumed you had, sent for her sir.”
Exeter loosened his grip on the girl, still keeping hold of her however.
“Don’t be repulsive, now go and give this to the clerk.”
He handed her an envelope richly decorated, when the clerk opened it he found nothing more than a remarkable rendering of a crimson skull with an “M” burned into it.
At the stroke of midnight he died.
Exeter entered his rooms slowly careful not to alert the attention of Kelli, this in itself would be impossible for a human, but no one could call Exeter a human.
He walked up to the chair, in which she sat and placed his hands on either side of the back. When he spoke he spoke in a whisper, soft, like a breath through the trees.
“Kelliana, what a pleasure, it is for you to come here. But surely you know the etiquette preventing a woman of your status from visiting a man’s apartment after dark unaccompanied.”
((Play with fire and you are going to get burned WhiteLily
Well I think that is it…Oh the Shakon vu Garron are the two major mountains that separate the territory of Dur from the Fangs of Dis/ Shakon vu Garron (dwarvish for Gates of Garron, the greatest Dur leader in history and the an from whom Garrodak is named [Garron’s Bone {roughly the equivalent of heart in human, elven and Disean cultures}]/
The land before the Shakon vu Garron is the badlands known by humans and dwarves as “foolsbane” or “elfbane” respectively as it is where the dwarves technology all but annihilated the Disean and elven empires.
I figure that is where Dave’s barbarian should be from as it sounds like a good barbarian hangout
))
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WhiteLily
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*The corners of Kelli's lips turned upward in a coy smile.* At this moment, my status is vastly underneath your's my lord. I heard through the underground that you dined with the king, quite an honor. But, a woman has to divulge in her pleasures now and again, *She shifted so she was sitting slightly at an angle so she could see Exeter clearly. She crossed her legs, letting her dress show off their graceful contours* I found Atlas, and he left me alone once again. *tears filled Kelli's eyes, tranforming her into a fragile lady of the court, a silly, pitiful lady of the court.* I don't know why he's so disant from me, I thought he loved me. But now I'm not so sure if I love him anymore either...
ooc: Hell hath no fury, dramaking!
ooc: Hell hath no fury, dramaking!
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Exeter smiled at Kelliana and walked to his desk, he understood Kelliana actions perfectly, perhaps better than she did. He slowly began to contemplate what would be the most advatageous action at this time. He had come a long way in his quest for vengeance but this was a point where victory was very close.
His next step was golden, he had countless plans.
But he would quickly choose them.
Until then...
His next step was golden, he had countless plans.
But he would quickly choose them.
Until then...
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WhiteLily
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*Kelli stood and stayed in front of the dying fire. She couldn't stop the tears now, they were real. She HAD seen Atlas nearly die, seen him stare back up at her, and then say he needed her, and Scott. He adn't even said he loved her anymore.*
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What Exeter would do next is completely unknown, though it probably wouldn't be order a set of drinks and then chat with her about how rude Atlas could be.
What did happen was a servant came in.
Five servants.
and entire cleaning crew.
That sucessfully got him out of whatever he planned.
Exeter bowed and spoke quietly
"Madame, I will help you in whatever you need. Do not bother youself with the ignorence of the foolish."
What did happen was a servant came in.
Five servants.
and entire cleaning crew.
That sucessfully got him out of whatever he planned.
Exeter bowed and spoke quietly
"Madame, I will help you in whatever you need. Do not bother youself with the ignorence of the foolish."
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Shadowseldil
Redeemed Darkness
(((Well, if that wasn't a cop-out, eh? Nevertheless, I can see that someone has been modeled after a famous Sir Doyle villain. Anyway, those of us stranded at the king's avoricious feast don't have anything either, so... yeah, I'm done now)))
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WhiteLily
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ooc:
*Kelli nodded and wiped her eyes,* I was actually thinking that maybe I can stay with you for the time. Everyone has gone and, of course, I was left to flitter over party favors once again. Remember when Atlas left the first time? He did that again to me.
*Kelli nodded and wiped her eyes,* I was actually thinking that maybe I can stay with you for the time. Everyone has gone and, of course, I was left to flitter over party favors once again. Remember when Atlas left the first time? He did that again to me.
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((Er...who? I modelled him after many people but I don't think I brought ACD's into it...))
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As the meal came to a conclusion, the King, as was the custom of the land, rose and bade his guests farewell, "I think I...we have made great progress today. Remember your vows, and I shall mine. However, until you have produced the barbarian's head, I promise no royal cooperation. Good day." With less than swift motion, the King turned and made his way out of the room. Once the door had shut behind him, the others were allowed to leave at their pleasure.
Zhash wondered where Retta and Villefort had gone, but since they were not there, other matters would need to be found out first. Stepping to Maxim's side, Zhash questioned, "Tell me, Maxim. Why really did you volunteer to take Villefort's place? I see no reason for it to concern you, even if it were a fateful thing."
Zhash wondered where Retta and Villefort had gone, but since they were not there, other matters would need to be found out first. Stepping to Maxim's side, Zhash questioned, "Tell me, Maxim. Why really did you volunteer to take Villefort's place? I see no reason for it to concern you, even if it were a fateful thing."
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WhiteLily
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*Sierra had fallen asleep with her head on her knees, a cloak sheiding her body against the sun. She jerked away, dazed, then remembered she was waiting for Atlas and Zhash to get the dinner over with.*
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Shadowseldil
Redeemed Darkness
(((Really, Drama? I thought that last post, the last long post, that is, sounded very much like something Moriarty would say/do.)))
Daethalion looked over at Zhash with the same smile he had given the king. "I was honest in my reasons, Obacia. This is to my advantage as it is to your friend's. Now, you must excuse me. I assume that Athos will be wanting to leave before the end of the day, and I have several arrangements to be made."
With that, Daethalion turned on his heels and began out the hall.
Daethalion looked over at Zhash with the same smile he had given the king. "I was honest in my reasons, Obacia. This is to my advantage as it is to your friend's. Now, you must excuse me. I assume that Athos will be wanting to leave before the end of the day, and I have several arrangements to be made."
With that, Daethalion turned on his heels and began out the hall.
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Zhash watched Maxim as he strode out the door, stunned for the moment. There was no lie in Maxim's face; what Maxim had said was competely true. If only I could see how it would help him. But, it is of no consequence for the moment. He's right, Athos will want to leave soon. Facing Athos, Zhash piqued up, "Well? Shall we go? We'll need to get as good a head start as possible."
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To say that Atlas was unhappy about the turn of events that had transpired in the King’s Court would be a drastic understatement. The pledge of allegiance he had gained had given him momentary consolation, even when it came under the necessary pledge of servitude against this warlord. When Daethalion had offered his help, this did not improve Atlas’ mood. For some reason he had taken a liking to Daethalion, and that was extremely dangerous. He was clever, ambitious, skilled in the arts of war and honorable to his causes. He was trouble. Worst yet he had connections to Exeter. The combination was a deadly mix, if he was a bit fatter that would be different but a figure so lean only meant one thing: Ambition. When he said he said that he was coming to “see the workings of Fate” Atlas was furious. Indeed his thoughts for the rest of the audience were involved in decrypting Exeter, for if he knew his enemy, and he did indeed, he knew him better than any one.
Exeter had complete knowledge of what Daethalion was doing, whether or not Dae knew that Exeter was using him as a tool was a different question, and one the he needed to look at with most careful consideration.
When Exeter left after speaking to the King Atlas cursed aloud.
His good mood from previous time was gone, and the numb pain that had been silently slipping back into him had long since fully returned in its full sporadic fury.
Mad world, mad kings, mad composition! This world is mad with quiet subterfuge and all men silently scream of their own ambition!
Atlas reached into his pocket and removed a small purse filled with powder, it had been mixed with water and injected into his arm earlier. The powder was to be dropped into a fire and the smoke inhaled but he had long since learned from his military days that the pain could more quickly lessened by inhaling it through the nasal cavity.
After taking it he felt the pain fall from him and the world seemed clearer again.
Obviously Exeter had made some sort of a deal with the King; however it could not be a permanent allegiance, because while he was sure neither the King nor Exeter would think twice about breaking his previous oath the King surely would not make any other plans until after the warlord who had a bounty on his head was gone. In addition, as had been pointed out the Isle of Amor was not militarily powerful. Its positions commanded great social respect, it was an all but perfectly protected position with a legendary defensive guard but nothing that would aid you in attacking other lands and that was exactly what Exeter needed now.
Obviously Exeter was going to betray the King. How Atlas had no idea, and he knew that whatever he had said it was what the King had wanted to hear and so it would be pointless to attempt to change his mind, besides, Exeter intimidated the King. He could tell, Exeter was older than the King and was more used to commanding respect. All of the “Sun King’s” grandeur masked a young man with an inferiority complex trying to live up to his father’s example, to Exeter this was putty in the hands of a master sculptor.
After the dinner had finished he quickly left the table, he waited quietly in the alley outside of the palace as he watch Zhashban speak to Daethalion.
Zhashban turned to Atlas quickly and spoke
“Shall we go?”
Atlas answered back quickly,
“We? Indeed not. I see no reason you should not continue with our previous plans. Go to Camador with this news, establish yourself as my aid and surrogate leader. It will be quite a major upset but if you ally yourself with my old mentor all will go well, his name is Cador Solomon. His niece Alicia Brightstar is his protégé but I am not sure but he is the only person who is able to polish you to the point necessary to take the position that you need to achieve. Beware in Camador; all politicians there are starving for blood. It is, by far, the most dangerous political battlefield in the world and, being a young noble from the boarders of the empire you will be considered either a tool for their own device or a sheep for slaughter. With Solomon you will be safe until you establish yourself well. Move quickly, it took me ten years to establish myself well enough to be considered a senator; you don’t have that much time. Though your friendship with me will speed the process, it will also give you enemies.
I am going after this…barbarian warlord, though I am afraid he will vanish like a ghost of the ether once I am safely out of Exeter’s way. In any case, be wary but I believe I put the game in your hands. By all means I unless I am much mistaken I will be back soon.”
After they departed from one another Atlas quietly followed Daethalion, he desired to leave as quickly and as quietly as possible lest he arise the suspicions of the King. If he “left immediately” he would be much less likely to suffer the consequences of whatever Exeter was planning to do in Avalon.
All he had to do was be inexplicable and he may even escape Exeter’s traps out of Avalon.
He didn’t have his hopes up.
Daethalion was difficult to follow, when he desired to be seen it was simple enough but he was very skilled at utilizing people’s constant desire to see what they want to see against them and when he wanted to be hidden it was very difficult to follow.
It would have been impossible for most people not only for them to find him but remain unseen himself during the search people but Atlas was remarkably skilled at the same art and used it against him.
When Daethalion finally stopped Atlas was behind him in an instant.
“Are you prepared to master the workings of Fate?” he asked him
Daethalion smiled, the smile of a fox
“So be it.”
What lay behind that cunning smile and those veiled eyes? Atlas had no idea. He realized that Dae desired more than the friendship with a devilish noble or a flamboyant king but what he did desire was not yet known. That was dangerous; he was a snake whose venom Atlas did not yet know how to counteract.
Like the old tale of the tortoise who ferried a scorpion across the river, he would not do it: he would sting him but at last the tortoise relented and took them. True to form the scorpion stung, as the tortoise died, and they both sank to the bottom the river he asked
“Why did you do that? Now we will both drown!”
As it gasped in water, drowning, the scorpion answered:
“It is my nature.”
Daethalion’s nature likewise was dangerous. But unlike the scorpion, Atlas knew he would never strike until he had achieved his end.
As of now however they were not in the most dangerous position, neither one could operate without the other, that did not, however, make it comfortable.
Of course Atlas could be wrong, it was possible that Daethalion was an innocent who had, for whatever reason been forced into Exeter’s clutches.
Atlas had considered it, but it was obvious that that was not the case.
Daethalion was far too clever to be forced into anything of the sort.
Atlas needed no clothing, as he knew that every thing that he had in Avalon would be far too frivolous for an assassin’s mission.
In addition, as he had already known the rapier was not his weapon. He was trained to fight, the Amorian army commando’s were trained in nearly exactly the same way as the Atlantian Warmaster’s, and they were trained with the claymore as the primary weapon and with heavy armor as the protection. Honor and form were considered second to getting out alive and in one peace. This was terrible in fencing but in a battle it was ideal. The result was that he took no weapon save a broadsword that he bought off a mercenary. Lighter and smaller than he liked but it was greatly superior to the rapier he had been forced to use.
Daethalion had changed into traveling clothing and together they walked to the canal’s what they were in need of was a bargeman who was willing to change his route for some gold.
Atlas had heard of a great amount of raiders in the western cities by a barbarian warlord.
Of course they were on their way to Iraseil, assuming they could find a bargeman.
One who wouldn’t ask questions, asks too much money, or report it to the government.
They could be looking a while.
Exeter had complete knowledge of what Daethalion was doing, whether or not Dae knew that Exeter was using him as a tool was a different question, and one the he needed to look at with most careful consideration.
When Exeter left after speaking to the King Atlas cursed aloud.
His good mood from previous time was gone, and the numb pain that had been silently slipping back into him had long since fully returned in its full sporadic fury.
Mad world, mad kings, mad composition! This world is mad with quiet subterfuge and all men silently scream of their own ambition!
Atlas reached into his pocket and removed a small purse filled with powder, it had been mixed with water and injected into his arm earlier. The powder was to be dropped into a fire and the smoke inhaled but he had long since learned from his military days that the pain could more quickly lessened by inhaling it through the nasal cavity.
After taking it he felt the pain fall from him and the world seemed clearer again.
Obviously Exeter had made some sort of a deal with the King; however it could not be a permanent allegiance, because while he was sure neither the King nor Exeter would think twice about breaking his previous oath the King surely would not make any other plans until after the warlord who had a bounty on his head was gone. In addition, as had been pointed out the Isle of Amor was not militarily powerful. Its positions commanded great social respect, it was an all but perfectly protected position with a legendary defensive guard but nothing that would aid you in attacking other lands and that was exactly what Exeter needed now.
Obviously Exeter was going to betray the King. How Atlas had no idea, and he knew that whatever he had said it was what the King had wanted to hear and so it would be pointless to attempt to change his mind, besides, Exeter intimidated the King. He could tell, Exeter was older than the King and was more used to commanding respect. All of the “Sun King’s” grandeur masked a young man with an inferiority complex trying to live up to his father’s example, to Exeter this was putty in the hands of a master sculptor.
After the dinner had finished he quickly left the table, he waited quietly in the alley outside of the palace as he watch Zhashban speak to Daethalion.
Zhashban turned to Atlas quickly and spoke
“Shall we go?”
Atlas answered back quickly,
“We? Indeed not. I see no reason you should not continue with our previous plans. Go to Camador with this news, establish yourself as my aid and surrogate leader. It will be quite a major upset but if you ally yourself with my old mentor all will go well, his name is Cador Solomon. His niece Alicia Brightstar is his protégé but I am not sure but he is the only person who is able to polish you to the point necessary to take the position that you need to achieve. Beware in Camador; all politicians there are starving for blood. It is, by far, the most dangerous political battlefield in the world and, being a young noble from the boarders of the empire you will be considered either a tool for their own device or a sheep for slaughter. With Solomon you will be safe until you establish yourself well. Move quickly, it took me ten years to establish myself well enough to be considered a senator; you don’t have that much time. Though your friendship with me will speed the process, it will also give you enemies.
I am going after this…barbarian warlord, though I am afraid he will vanish like a ghost of the ether once I am safely out of Exeter’s way. In any case, be wary but I believe I put the game in your hands. By all means I unless I am much mistaken I will be back soon.”
After they departed from one another Atlas quietly followed Daethalion, he desired to leave as quickly and as quietly as possible lest he arise the suspicions of the King. If he “left immediately” he would be much less likely to suffer the consequences of whatever Exeter was planning to do in Avalon.
All he had to do was be inexplicable and he may even escape Exeter’s traps out of Avalon.
He didn’t have his hopes up.
Daethalion was difficult to follow, when he desired to be seen it was simple enough but he was very skilled at utilizing people’s constant desire to see what they want to see against them and when he wanted to be hidden it was very difficult to follow.
It would have been impossible for most people not only for them to find him but remain unseen himself during the search people but Atlas was remarkably skilled at the same art and used it against him.
When Daethalion finally stopped Atlas was behind him in an instant.
“Are you prepared to master the workings of Fate?” he asked him
Daethalion smiled, the smile of a fox
“So be it.”
What lay behind that cunning smile and those veiled eyes? Atlas had no idea. He realized that Dae desired more than the friendship with a devilish noble or a flamboyant king but what he did desire was not yet known. That was dangerous; he was a snake whose venom Atlas did not yet know how to counteract.
Like the old tale of the tortoise who ferried a scorpion across the river, he would not do it: he would sting him but at last the tortoise relented and took them. True to form the scorpion stung, as the tortoise died, and they both sank to the bottom the river he asked
“Why did you do that? Now we will both drown!”
As it gasped in water, drowning, the scorpion answered:
“It is my nature.”
Daethalion’s nature likewise was dangerous. But unlike the scorpion, Atlas knew he would never strike until he had achieved his end.
As of now however they were not in the most dangerous position, neither one could operate without the other, that did not, however, make it comfortable.
Of course Atlas could be wrong, it was possible that Daethalion was an innocent who had, for whatever reason been forced into Exeter’s clutches.
Atlas had considered it, but it was obvious that that was not the case.
Daethalion was far too clever to be forced into anything of the sort.
Atlas needed no clothing, as he knew that every thing that he had in Avalon would be far too frivolous for an assassin’s mission.
In addition, as he had already known the rapier was not his weapon. He was trained to fight, the Amorian army commando’s were trained in nearly exactly the same way as the Atlantian Warmaster’s, and they were trained with the claymore as the primary weapon and with heavy armor as the protection. Honor and form were considered second to getting out alive and in one peace. This was terrible in fencing but in a battle it was ideal. The result was that he took no weapon save a broadsword that he bought off a mercenary. Lighter and smaller than he liked but it was greatly superior to the rapier he had been forced to use.
Daethalion had changed into traveling clothing and together they walked to the canal’s what they were in need of was a bargeman who was willing to change his route for some gold.
Atlas had heard of a great amount of raiders in the western cities by a barbarian warlord.
Of course they were on their way to Iraseil, assuming they could find a bargeman.
One who wouldn’t ask questions, asks too much money, or report it to the government.
They could be looking a while.
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