Burning Seas

[Cailen]

Cailen smiled. The jewel would be for the North, the ignorant Southerners still had no idea about it. They were only here to destroy the Navy, which was perfectly fine with her. She had no quarrel with the Navy, seeing as the White Wings did not have a single ship, but if the Pirates and Southerners faught the Navy, they would be weakened no matter if they won or lost. They would be ripe for an attack from the Angels and Ice Warriors.

The breeze had picked up slightly, and the cool wind felt good on Cailen's skin. Her hair was held back, but the few strands that had escaped her clasp were blowing across her face. Annoyed, she brushed them away, and then spoke, her gaze never leaving the Southerners. "If they are not here for the Stone, then perhaps we should get it ourselves, and then after the Southerners and Pirates have their battle, we attack them while they are weakened." She was mostly just thinking aloud, bouncing ideas off Ice, but maybe he had something in mind. "Our soldiers would be moralized because of our victory, and we would probably fight better anyway." She scanned the horizon, her piercing eyes scanning for white sails. "Where is the Navy? The Southerners can not fight them if they do not arrive... perhaps this is a trap? Or a deception of some sort?" She finally turned to Ice, noting the look of deep thought.

[Ice]

Ice stood, still as stone and he greatly resembled the snow leopard sitting beside him. Both pale, dressed in shining white armour, standing completely still, presumably deep in thought and with unreadable expressions.

For a while, it seemed Ice would do nothing. Plans were running through his head at a pace that they rarely did and it was becoming hard to grasp just one and build upon it without another coming in and distracting the first.

Finally, Ice turned to his semaphore-man. "Tell him that I will not attack a single Southerner ship today unless in self defence, as long as he swears upon all of his honour, and all of the honour of his race, that he will not, under any circumstances interfene in the Ice Warrior mission."

Ice looked back across the water to the figure of the King. Ice did not know who would win in a battle between the Navy and the allegiance of the Pirates and the Southerners. It all depended where the battle would be fought. The Fort was the strongest establishment in Lilan, but Ice cared not if it fell.

[khalora]

Khalora eyed the flagman as he relayed his message to the Southern Flame. He turned to look over the fleet behind him, along the back of the Southern Flame he could see the Southerner and Pirate war galleys in a long line some distance behind him.

Bakana stirred on the deck below him where she had been sitting, waiting, sensing death on the horizon. She was wearing a large, golden, ferocious-looking helm with an open jaw and two razor sharp protrusions out the front. The other amour she was wearing was thinner and allowed for more movement, besides, all she would really need would be her claws and teeth.

He turned back to the semaphore sailor, his decision made up. "The Southern Armies and Navy will not attack a single Northerner vessel or soldier until nightfall unless in self defence, as that is the longest it should take to find a stone, which will returned by them. This I swear on the honour of me and my race."

He waited a moment before continuing, "However, it begs the question of why such a large war fleet is needed to recover one stone. For that reason, the major part of their navy must turn around and return to the Northern realms, as they aren't required for such a peaceful mission."

He looked at Maccena, "I won't have them turning around and attacking my forces when we are engaged in battle."

[Ice]

Ice remained impassive, looking across the ocean at the golden ship with the King of the Southerners standing next to his semaphore-man. Ice imagined that he must have looked alike, as if looking into a tinted white mirror, but there were many, more obvious, differences between the armies. They were the opposites of Lilan, alike to the Pirates and the Navy.

Ice looked back at the Frozen Fleet as his semaphore-man spoke aloud what the King of the Southerners had said. Ice looked first at Cailen, and then down at the ground before finally turning his eyes back to the King.

"Tell him there are a lot of terms that the Ice Warriors can not accept." Ice said, looking solemnly across the shining sea. "This mission could take us beyond nightfall, depending on where our amethyst is."

Ice then turned his attention to the other matter. "I will not allow my armies sent back, not while within enemy territory, surronded by hostile forces. Even you, as a King, should be able to see how impossible your proposal is. The Navy owns this land, they will, without a doubt, fight us for anything within their territory. I will not be caught with the smaller army when battle begins. I care not for the fate of the Navy, or the Isla de Meuna, so I will not be in any way inclined to attack your soldiers should the Navy be threatened, rest assured that my forces will not be used against you, should my army as well be left to our own mission."

Ice didn't speak his other concern, the concern that should the Ice Warriors turn their back, the Southerners would attack. Ice could think of no other reasons that the King would want his army weakened.

[Alaria]

There was a movement amongst the ranks. A member was walking forward. All weapons were put away, none were drawn. A long blonde braid hung over a shoulder from underneath a helm. Between the two pieces of metal across the face, two pale blue eyes blazed out.

Dressed in silver, the Ice Warrior was ready for battle. Armor coated her arms and legs as well as her midsection and chest. Under the armor was leather. Normally she would wear wool under her leather, but she was not in the North. She had no reason for that.

With a kneel, the Ice Warior bowed her head in respect to Ice and Cailen. Cailen was a wonderful fighter, and a good ally. Alaria had met her in the Southern lands before. With a small quick glance at Cailen, she began to speak.

Ice, if you would please listen? Alaria's voice rang out softly, so that only those close enought to hear her would. She did not need anyone else to hear what was going on. This was for her ears and Ice's. Of course Cailen was involved in this. She was the White Wing leader afterall! Her face lifted and the pale blue eyes sent out her sturdy gaze to lock with his. She had come here without being summoned. She wasn't in his army yet, but she longed to be. And tonight, she might be able to help fight alongside him.

[Cailen]

Cailen listened carefully to Ice. She did not understand the semaphore flags, so she had a pretty one sided conversation, but she got the gist of it. She agreed with Ice though, the Navy might attack them for the jewel, and it would not be very good for them if they only had a ship or two. And, if half of their forses were gone, when this temporary truse was broken, who was to say that the Southerners would not turn on them while they were low on ships? She had not trust for the Southerners, and even less for the Pirates.

Cailen smiled slightly as Alaria spoke. She had met her before, and had liked her a lot. She admired the courage of the girl to aproach her king in such a way. The girl was filled with confidence, and she was sure that Ice would approve of that. Politely, she turned away, facing out to the sea, aso that they could have some degree of privacy. She did not leave though, she had to know what was going on, for the sake of her angels.

[Maccenna]

Maccenna watched the northern ships lined up in front of them and she did not blame Khalora for his concern. She was concerned too. IF the Ice warriors decided to attack them while they lay siege on Isle de Muena, they could be trapped between the fortress walls and the Ice Warrior ships and thus have little chance of escape. It made her a little edgey. The fact that this stone seemed more important to them seemed unsettling enough and made Maccenna wonder about it.

Something didn't seem right and she could tell the Northern ships were wanting to leave with all speed. There had to be more about this stone that they were unaware of, something that made a mission that consisted a whole armada of ships worth while.

"Ask them more about the stone." said Maccenna to Khalora. There was something in her heart that whispered a terrible warning about it, but she could not come to it and she needed to know.

[Jarad]

A small row boat came across the water and docked itself by Khalora's ship. Three ropes with a grapple appeared on the side of the boat, these where pirate grapples and on the ropes where none other then Geddo and two other pirates. He had seen the northerners and knew about this 'stone' everyone talked about. He rushed over to khalora. "King! Whatever you do, do not let anyone I mean ANYONE! Get that amythist stone! There are people trying to destroy it. Let the destroy it. That stone has power beyond comprehenction, and trust me, I know this. This isn't a rumor, this is a fact. If the northerners get this weapon, they could probably kill us all." Geddo took a moment to gather some breath. He countinued, "We must destroy that stone, for if the wrong people get the stone, then many people will die for no reason." He said to Khalora, trying to get his point across. If he didn't listen, then Geddo would just have to go protect the stone on his own. Of course the pirates would have to withdraw if that was the case. Geddo wouldn't let his men follow someone who wished only to cause terrible harm by using such a weapon. He hoped to god that Khalora listened.
(And enteres Geddo at the last minute to toss the salad XD)

[Kevin Sage]

Kevin stood in silence reading the flag-codes between the Southerners and the Ice Warriors. For the most part, Kevin agreed with Ice that they should not send half the fleet back to the north while within enemy territory, but he also knew there was more behind the decision than just protection. This amethyst played a big part in this encounter, though Kevin was ill-informed about the whole matter.

He looked toward the Isle nearby. It seemed rather tranquil compared to the massive sea beside it. Hundreds of ships floated upon the water in a tense stalemate. One slip, one seemingly threatening gesture would send the fleets into an uproar. Kevin touched the bow upon his back. He would not die in this ominous war, of that he was certain.

He made his way across the deck toward Calien and spoke to her casually, "To have traveled so far for this stone, there must be some sort of power behind it. I fear that I have not been filled in on all the details. What all do we know of it?"

[/size][/color]

[Ice]

As Ice watched Khalora and a Pirate he took for their King discuss something unknown to Ice, he heard Alaria walk up to him.

Ice turned away from the Southerners to face the Ice Warrior and a Fallen Angel that was also walking up to them. The Angel was asking about the amthyst. Ice looked over at Cailen, he supposed that his people had a right to know what they were hunting for. What many of them might die for, should these negotiations not work. At this point Ice didn't see why they wouldn't, both armies were serving each other's interests.

Ice looked directly at Alaria, pale blue eye looked upon pale blue eye. Ice Warrior looked to Ice Warrior, and Ice spoke to her differently then he spoke to people of other races. Ice almost spoke like a protective father, though Alaria was the same age as him.

"If it could please wait a moment?" Ice said, "I would gladly hear what you have to say."

Ice then turned to the Fallen Angel he knew as the powerful archer, Kevin Sage, and the rest of the troops gathered nearby. He knew his voice would not drift that far across the ocean to reach the ears of the Southerners and the Pirates, especially with his back facing to them.

"We are not hunting a normal stone." Ice said, getting quickly to the point. "Some of you might know of the Amethyst of Eternity? A stone, with more power then the mortal knowledge can comprehend. It has eluded countless generations, but now it has been found. Here, in the Isla de Meuna. Some of you might have been wondering what we are doing here? This is the reason. To find, take and command the Amethyst of Eternity. With it's power the Ice Warriors and Fallen Angels will summon a blizzard that will strip Lilan bare of all impurities and surge the lands of the North to power with a fresh blanket of victorious snow!"

Ice turned around and looked back across the ocean, his voice lowered. "The time is upon us. The Reign of Ice is near. The stone calls to us."

[Alaria]

Ice had accepted her invitation to speak. Before she could however, she listened to him speak of the stone that they're after. As he spoke, the crowd of wariors drew up in anticipation. After he was done, they exploded in applause, roars coming from a few throats. Alaria added her own excitement, but then died down.

I wish to join you in battle my King. I have trained and fought in battle before. It would be my honor to fight alongside one such as you. Her voice was still the same tone, sleek and sophisticated. Not angry, not sad, nor glad. Just there. Turning to see Cailen's back to them, she waited. Alaria wanted to fight, it was what she had always wanted. But until now, she had never been able to get an audience with the King.

If it pleases you, I would like to enter myself into your services.

[Cailen]

Cailen nodded in greeting as Kevin aproached her. He was asking about the stone, to which she did not know that much herself. As if Ice had known, he spoke for her, telling the entirety of both armies what they were fighting for. Upon hearing this, the entire boat seemed to ripple with electric energy, all of the warriors and angels willing to fight for this stone, if it meant that a Reign of Ice would come, bending Pirates and Southerners alike to the will of the snow. She herself was excited at the thought, and her heart tingeled with excitement a the notion of the entire realm covered in snow.

"That, Kevin, is what we are fighting for. We will have free roam of all the forests of this world, and we shall never again be bothered by the Pirates, or the Southerners." She said, her voice full of pride. She was glad that Kevin had come, and if he did well in this battle, she was thinking about promoting him to captain over all her archers... which was a fair amount of her army.

[Kevin Sage]

Kevin turned to listen to Ice as he answered the pending question. A smile played about Kevin's lips. The Angles and Ice warriors would wipe out the insignificant Southerners, Pirates and Navy, and reign over the land of Lilan by divine right.

Kevin tuned to glance at the Isle once more, this time with new fervor. The isle held the promise of a new future, the beginning of the Ice era.

He stood silently, suppressing the roar of adrenalin that now surged within his veins. His time would come when he fight, and the angels would win.

be still my racing heart…

[/size][/color]

[khalora]

Khalora listened intently to Maccenna and Geddo as they spoke to him, Maccenna calmly and Geddo urgently. "A stone with power beyond comprehension?" Khalora asked uncertainly, but as he looked back across the northern ships, he knew that no simple religious jewel could warrant the arrival of an entire fleet.

"It would seem to me that if you are right Geddo, then a terribly immortal power has been unleashed upon this world..." He put a hand to his chin in thought, there was a great decision to be made here, and it would resound throughout the entire day's battle. "... power like that should not be wielded by mortal hands..." The more he thought about it, despite his moral disbelief, the more it made sense to him. "...but I see no immortal hands here today."

Khalora turned to Geddo, "Then yes, we must destroy it."

"Now, tell me everything you know. Where was it last seen? What sort of power are we talking about? What does it look like? Everything you know about it," he turned to the semaphore soldier, "Tell the Northerners that if they want to thoroughly conduct a search that warrants the use of an entire army across the expanse of an entire island, tell them that they will be done by nightfall if they split up their forces into search parties and collectively scan Isla de Meuna. That thought should give us a few minutes..."

[Ice]

Ice widened his eyes. Khalora was moving quickly, he was doing what looked like shouting orders to his people. Ice shook his head, he had obviously heard something from the Pirate King. He could only imagine what it was, but he thought he could make a fair guess.

Ice looked over at the semaphore-man. "And tell, the King Khalora, that for this mutual agreement to work he must swear not to attack my men. I will not attack his while he attacks the Navy, and he will not attack mine while we search. The deal will last until sunrise tomorrow morning, then all agreements we have made will be lost, if it be what he wishes."

Ice turned now again to the Southern Flame. It was now busy preparing for something Ice could only guess at. Ice knew that a siege of the Fort would last far longer than a night.