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Post by khalora on May 24, 2007 18:03:52 GMT 10
Alessio Khalora stood atop the massive cliff face, known as the Dragon's Eye, overlooking the sparkling blue waters of Dragon Tooth lake. Just looking at how the sunlight glittered in beams of the rippling water let him so easily understand why the gods had chosen this as their gateway.
He often came to this place, just to get away for an hour or so every week. He had to keep his sanity. Years of leading a kingdom and fighting a never-ending war with the North had slowly taken its toll on him, but he still had fight left in him. It was a hard climb to reach this point, and very secluded, but the view was well worth it. The climb was also probably the only thing keeping him fit and strong after his absense from battle.
He looked up at the clear sky. The god of the South had never spoken to him atop this cliff, the highest point in all of the Scared Mountains. He accepted that as a sign that he was pleasing them.
He looked down at his guard escort, who were all waiting just down the cliff aways. He would have to go back soon. Back to Sanara. There were things to do. Decisions to make. Battles to plan. But he just wanted to enjoy the serenity one minute longer...
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Post by amory on May 28, 2007 22:12:16 GMT 10
She did not believe in the Gods of the South, nor did she believe that Dragon Tooth Lake was the gateway to the Godess, if it existed that is. Amory does not think there is a god in this world, that everyone must live for themselves and themselves only. If there was a god or goddess, then the war would not be taking place right then and Amory's people would not soon be at risk of extinction. However, maybe her doubts in a higher ruler is exactly why her people are in danger... and thus, Amory soon found herself heading towards the lake from Alante Jungle, making sure not to be caught from any warriors that would not hesitate to slay her instantly.
She has not visited the lake for quite some time now, but it's impossible to forget the beauty of the crystal waters, the bright blue skies, clear from any imperfections... the serenity of the air and the perfect silence except for the ocassional sounds of a bird chirping, or a fish whipping its fins against the water. Amory looked at the lake from a distance, lowering herself as she held onto a tree to keep an even balance. She hesitated on moving any farther, knowing that the lake was an open area and she could be caught. She closed her eyes and stood up once again. She hadn't noticed the large figure standing close by on the cliff, and continued to move across the cliff. However, only moments later, she bumped into something, or rather, someone, and looked up quickly, moving backwards at impulse. It appeared to be a guard. To her relief, he was the only guard that had decided to move up the cliff and stop her from moving. She looked at him briefly before raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms across her chest.
"It'd be best if you move aside," she said, her eyes suddenly narrowing as she knew he would never move. He was, after all, on duty protecting someone. Amory didn't know who that someone was, but right then, she didn't care either. She continued to watch the guard intently, making sure he wouldn't try anything, like attacking her.
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Post by khalora on May 29, 2007 16:59:34 GMT 10
"Mi'Lord," someone called to Khalora, and they were close, only about twenty metres down the track, "It seems we have ourselves a visitor..."
Alessio made his way quickly down the track, it looked like he was going home now after all, but his thoughts were interrupted as he saw his guard looking directly at a pirate female, with his hand firmly on the hilt of his broadsword. Alessio instantly recognised who it was, having dealt with her in the past, but the guard obviously didn't.
"Stand back Corporal," Alessio said to the guard, and wait there. The guard didn't take his eyes off of the pirate, but he took a few steps backwards, his hand still on his sword. Alessio, however, drew his broadsword and walked casually right up to the pirate. He could easily kill her, right here, right now, but he couldn't raise himself to do it... not yet...
"And what would a pirate queen like yourself be doing here, so deep in enemy territory, Armory."
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Post by amory on May 29, 2007 19:08:20 GMT 10
At first, Amory disliked the guard more than she did Alessio, but that quickly changed when he came into her view. She narrowed her eyes and her hands touched her cutlass hilt, but she did not pull it out like he did his sword. She watched him. "I do not think that's any of your concern, Alessio," she said, her voice sharp. She stood up straighter, her hands still touching her sword, as she put one hand on her hip. "But, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not here to kill anyone." Not yet.
Amory knows Alessio well enough to know that he's an excellent fighter. He's been fighting for years as a warrior, while Amory, who has been fighting for years as well, has not gone through quite as... strict training as he has. She would never underestimate him, which is why she almost always cuatious when he came near her, but he shouldn't underestimate her either. She isn't pirate queen for nothing. She raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised, Alessio... I never imagined you to be a fan of nature. This lake is, even I must admit, beautiful."
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Post by khalora on May 29, 2007 21:12:24 GMT 10
"King is a title that carries with it a very restraining lifestyle, a fact that you may come to terms with very soon I would imagine with you pirate brood." Alessio looked at Amory hard, he didn't want to fight her, even though he knew he had the upper hand here. "There is precious little time when one can escape, and here is one of the few places in the world not ravaged by war... that is what I am a fan of."
Alessio relaxed a little and started to pace around Amory, "There must be some reason that you have come here. I would not put it past you that you know that my forces are still strong in these parts." He waited a moment for a response, but he knew she wouldn't say it openly... unless, "Corporal, can you please inform the Lieutenant that a pirate has been spotted here." The guard willingly obeyed his orders, and ran off down the cliff.
"Now," said Alessio. "Why have you really come?"
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Post by amory on May 30, 2007 5:47:41 GMT 10
Amory would not show much emotion to this man, a man who she knew, or thought, wanted her dead. Though, inside, she found his response to be admirable. Coming from someone who has seen so much in his time, even at a young age, didn't surprise her much though. She did realize that the Lake had not recieved very many battles, if any, because of its holy sites. However... Amory's mind changed and she began to dislike the man even more. Just how stubborn was he going to be? Amory can do better.
She listened to him talk to the guard, and her eyes widened. Why was he so desperate to know why she was there? She prepared herself to be able to run if she had to. She narrowed her eyes. She would not tell him of having doubts in her own people... that would show him that she's weak, she's vulnerable. And like any good leader would do, he would take advantage of that for the benefit of his or her allegiance. Amory took a breath and stood up straight. "I came here for serenity, peace. I wanted to get away from all of the chaos of the rest of the world." Amory was very single-minded and did not trust others easily, but in ways, that always made her a good leader. However, it never hurts to improve.
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Post by khalora on May 30, 2007 15:56:51 GMT 10
Alessio looked at her coldly. He had better things to be doing than barter with Amory, and he could see there was very little to be gained here. "You have no guard, you are deep in enemy territory, alone, away from your pirate brethen." His eyes narrowed. "Do not mistake me for a simpleton Queen Vlimone, I have seen and conquered more rulers than you ever will, and I know how armies work, especially one so..." he searched for the right word, "...volatile, as your own."
Alessio took a pace backwards from her, and returned into his own personal space, rather than being near hers, "Your pirates are acting rather irrationally I would suspect. They are afraid, they are unwilling, they are rowdy, they are ill-prepared to follow the orders which you have laid before them because they do not feel as if their interests are being served..."
"The pirate army is crumbling... I have seen it... have you not?"
"But my army... The Southereners of this world... we are still strong... and maybe... maybe that is why you have come..." He waited for a response...
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Post by amory on May 31, 2007 6:07:40 GMT 10
Amory looked at him. She didn't like him. Not him personally... she disliked anyone that hurt pirates before. But... she had to come to her senses. She continued to watch him. Not taking her eyes off of him, just in case he grew impaitent as she thought. She had to think. She can't be selfish anymore, she can't be stubborn... at least not now, and she has to be reasonable. It's Khalora. Alessio Khalora, a man who's been in battle for years, a man who's been ruler longer than anyone who's currently ruling an army... He knew what he was doing; his warriors are loyal to him...
Amory had come here because her army was breaking. She knew that. Or maybe, they weren't breaking as much as she was losing faith in everything... She thought this place would be helpful. It didn't pull through with its purpose. However, Amory had come here on a second mission... for another reason. She wanted to meet with Khalora. Now was her chance. She had to take it...
She took a step closer. "Actually...," she took a breath. Don't be stubborn. "That is partly why I came. To, hopefully, speak with you on... equal terms. Not as enemies, but rather, leaders." She felt more confident. "It is true, that my army is crumbling... they are becoming restless and needy, but... they have pride, and cherish their honor more than most would think. Sometimes even I'm surprised. But, even so... having everybody hate us isn't exactly a good way to enter this war." She raised an eyebrow. "Neither would it for you." She removed her hand, finally, from the hilt of her sword. She walked closer. "We could use all the help we can get, as our power is limited on its own. However..." How far was he willing to go? She shook her head. She looked at him, waiting.
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Post by khalora on May 31, 2007 15:55:35 GMT 10
Alessio looked at Amory for a long time, just weighed up the meaning of her words. "An alliance?" He looked down at his guard, who had almost reached the rest of the party now... He didn't have very long, but he had a little while left...
Finally, Alessio sheathed his massive broadsword and hung his hand limply beside the hilt. "It is strange to fathom that your soldiers would show such nobility towards my own... But your words are true, friends are hard to come by in this day and age... I have recieved word from my spies that the Northern armies are forging. I would be able to hold out against them on my own, but not for forever..."
Alessio sighed a little and looked at Amory, "As equal rulers, I will listen to your proposal for an alliance. You already have a position on my land, and your army is closest. Please, continue... I am intrigued..."
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Post by amory on Jun 1, 2007 5:51:24 GMT 10
Amory smiled slightly, relieved. She wasn't quite sure what she was expecting, but this was a start. "Rumor has it that the Ice Warriors ruler, Ice, is trying to make an alliance with the Fallen Angels, Michelangelo. I'm not quite sure how well that worked out, however... but, either way, they are two very powerful armies. You, by yourself, would never be able to defeat them. But, with another army, you would have a much better chance. As well as I would. I know very well, and even if I don't want to admit it, that the Pirates on their own, would not be able to defeat the north. There is no doubt in my mind..." She looked at him again. She realized that they were short on time. She had to make this as quick as possible.
"We can make an alliance. We will not fight each other. We can call each other for help if needed during a battle, and the other should be there without any hesitation. However, I'm not sure how much I want the Southerners to be traveling on my land freely... that, I would have to think about. Now, what do you want?"
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Post by khalora on Jun 1, 2007 18:12:39 GMT 10
Khalora thought for a moment, and gave his terms, "I want strategic information of your army's and navy's movements so that I can correlate them and my own for maximum effect. I want to be able to move troops and fleets across or beyond your land when I give you notice of it, and I will allow the same in return. We do not fight each other, and when we call for help, the other comes, just like you said. And we do not back out of this until our enemies are dead."
Khalora extended his hand, the small armour plates on the back of it glinted in the sunlight, "We don't have parchment, or time, so this will have to do."
He waited a moment, "Do we have an accord?"
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Post by amory on Jun 1, 2007 18:54:26 GMT 10
Amory listened to Alessio's request and nodded her head, agreeing with what he has to say. She pulled out her hand and shook his head. "Yes." She smiled. "My first ally. We're off to a start." She turned her head to look at the guards below. She sighed. "Are they going to be a problem?" There wasn't much left to discuss with Alessio, as they have already made their agreement and make other arrangements later, but she wasn't sure.
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Post by khalora on Jun 1, 2007 19:10:58 GMT 10
"Just one thing, I need to send some spies up to the North to find out what is happenign with this alleigance. I would ask if you would send some of your spies up with them as well if you could, someone who is stealthy or something..."
Khalora looked down at the guards coming up, they had all the time in the world now, the pirates weren't his enemy any more...
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Post by amory on Jun 1, 2007 19:21:48 GMT 10
Amory rolled her eyes at her own stupidity. She took a breath and bowed her head. "Of course I shouldn't be worrying about your guards anymore. This will take some getting used to, then." She looked at Khalora once again and nodded her head. "That would be a good idea. I will be sure to send some spies along as well." She thought for a moment and asked, "When do you plan on starting?" Who would she have spy on the north? Spying on the Ice Warriors and Fallen Angels... it would have to be someone she knew would be able to. She smiled to herself, knowing exactly who she would choose.
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Post by khalora on Jun 1, 2007 19:25:07 GMT 10
"I have an officer named Calypso who I will contact soon. And I know where to find here. I'll send a ship to Tritern in four days, does that suit you?" Khalora waited a moment. "That should give you enough time to contact your spy..."
Khalora, raised his chin as a cloud moved away from the sun and he basked in its sudden warmth. He was born for this climate...
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