A dull pounding from the north...

[Kilkenne]

 
OOC: I am ignoring Beatles' post because he is autoing. No more stuff like that bro...
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Kilkenne looks from left to right, and quickly sweeps his blade from it's place on his back, bringing it out into the open. He proceeds to pick up a cover for a huge roasted meat of some sort, and starts banging it with the flat of the blade, trying to attract attention of anybeast in his standing armies who may be passing from the barracks, as they are all trained in routine field medical procedures. Soon, an inquisitive weasel, who happened to be a higher ranked hordebeast, and therefore more knowledgeable than the rest poked in, and immediately saw the fallen.

"He'll be all right now, I bet." The taller ferret put the scimitar back down the rear hole of his robes, making sure it was securely in before walking to the great window and looking out into his grounds as snow began to lightly fall. "Early in the season for snow." He stated simply, somewhat to himself, but really to anyone who would listen. His mind was still a blur.

[~>John<~]

 The Hexans rode into the edge of the mountains. "So, this is truly the Northlands, eh?" asked a rat. "Yes, it is." replied John. "Though I fear we were too slow to catch Dead Eye......we shall enter Kilk's hall within hours of him arriving. Though he is being followed....hmmm.......another 5 days at least before Usr tries to get him." The scenic beauty was lost on John as he saw the familiar flag of an old friend - and rival. "So, she has returned......guess I'll need 20 flags from her. Heh heh." he thought as he climbed the stone steps of the citadel. "Now, more than ever, it is crucial to help Agglan. Captains, if you find out anything about his location, report to me immediately. We have a fair amount of land up here, stoat?" he asked. The stoat answered,"Yes.....29,000 acres, I believe......we already have our tents pitched, and guards posted." "Good......I go into Kilks hall. We shall see if he accepts me into the Imperial Forces.....though no doubt he shall." John grinned wildly as he fingered his sword, " For he knows I can...help him." He banged on the door "Kilk, can you hear me? Are not there supposed to be escorts? Or are you so far into the citadel the escorts are in there also? Are you there Kilk?"

[Dead Eye]

 Dead Eye walked to the large table and took his seat. He saw that the young one was taken away to sleep before sitting. He saw that silverwear had been moved. So he slid out a knife from his pocket. Admitaly 10 guards with spears surronded him. Dead Eye gave them a dirty look then started cutting his meat.

"So Kilk, what job do you have for me?"

[The Lady Shael]

 The young weasel began cutting her own meat, and took a quick glance at Kilk, who was seated to her left, at the head of the dining table. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something, almost only vaguely aware of where he was, mechanically lifting the fork to his mouth. It suddenly seemed very awkward, only the three of them seated in the large dining hall.

Then Dead Eye spoke. "So Kilk, what job do you have for me?" Shael lifted her fork halfway to her mouth, with another sideways glance at Kilk, who was still lost in his own mind, and lowered her fork. "I think it'd be best to leave business matters until after the dinner. There's been a lot just happened, and you and I have just arrived." She continued talking as she poured herself some warm vegetable soup. "We both made good time, though. Not sure when any others will arrive."

[Kilkenne]

 (OOC: Woohoo, finally posting on this again)

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The ferret undid the clasp of his cloak, tossing it across the back of his chair, also unstrapping the uncomfortably heavy scimitar from his back, and placing it on the ground at his side. He wore the gleaming chest armour of his troops, though his was brighter and made of silver instead of steel. He then took off the ornamental helmet that he wore only on special occasions, revealing his dark red eyes and both ears, the full one and the stump, on which an earing dangled.

He looked over at Shael, thinking hard still, but pushing away his plate like he was over-full, having eaten very little. He leaned forward to whisper something to the Empress, but was denied as John burst into his hall. He stood up immediately and looked down on him from his elevated position, resisting the urge to bend over and take the scimitar from beside his chair, just to defend himself.

"John. What are you doing in the Northlands? I know you have joined the Imperial Forces, but I figured we had worked this out by letter? You were supposed to stay in the South and police the region ever so slightly. Well...While you're here, I suppose you can attend this meeting, being a strong warlord and all."

He sat back down again, motioning for a guard from far across the room to his side. The guard shuffled over, he whispered a few quick commands, and the guard ran off out of the hall, presumably to show John's guard their barracks. The smoke-grey ferret then motioned for the traveler to sit. "Pick a chair. There's plenty. The guard eats in forty-five minutes' time, but now the food is for us."

He leaned over and spoke softly in Shael's ear now, as to not disturb the other two. "More were to arrive. You saw none coming when you made the journey? The situation is dire yet still, even with our raiders pounding the ranks of Loren. That aside, I have something yet more pressing to ask, but now isn't the time. Remember to remind me once this meeting is over. What do you reckon Dead Eye's intentions are about ruling the southern lands?"

He sat back up, leaning back in his chair, thinking once again as he shifted the leather tunic under his armour, then leaning back to her, awaiting an answer.

[The Lady Shael]

 Shael stopped eating, lowering her fork, and staring at her plate. "I don't think he means anything against us. He'd make a fair leader of Southsward, I suppose. About the others arriving, some of my guard did mention to me of spotting creatures further off to the south, and some coming from the east, I think, but I was concentrating more on getting here rather than finding out who they were..." Her voice trailed off. She let go of the fork, leaning back in her chair, surveying the large dining hall from her newly assigned position at the table, her face calm and serene, as she recalled dust-ridden memories.  

[Dead Eye]

 Dead Eye leaned foward a little after nodding to John. His scouts had reported that John had been following his trail. He slid his rapiers on his lap. Then he noticed Emperor and Empress talking. He leaned foward, only catching every few words like "south" and "Dead Eye" and "journey" Finally Dead Eye coughed. "My lord, I think the time is ripe. What job is for me?"

[~>John<~]

 OOC: The storyline is no longer connected to the game at all. I can move to mossflower, without actually moving there, you see.

As John sat down, he heard dead eye asking " What job is there for me?" He sat down and waited for Kilk answer. As Kilk did, he leaned towards shael and said, "Is Kilk thinking of letting him rule Southsward? Hmmm......let us ask Kilk If you and I may talk together....in his courtyard. I have some plans that might be good...... Kilk?" He interrupted, " May Shael and I walk around the grounds and see if any new armies approach us?

[Kilkenne]

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He leans back in his chair a bit, thinking over Dead Eye's proposal, and then turns to John, who is also wanting something.

"If it pleases the lady, then so be it. Go if you wish, Shael."

He turned to Deadeye, staring him straight in the eyes.

"You are looking for power, no? Power you may well get. Before any part of the Mossflower region is to be taken, you will be a regent of Southsward. If all goes well there, you may move up into a new position in the mid-lands, but not until you have proven yourself once again. You were loyal, then you betrayed me. I do remember that."

The ferret stood up and threw his cloak back on, picking up the scimitar from the floor, twirling it idly as he once more returned to the window, thinking again. He stared off into the falling dusk and light snow, misting it's way to the ground. Things seemed so much simpler when his horde was just that - a horde. Not a small empire to rule.

[The Lady Shael]

 The weasel raised her eyebrows slightly when John said he had some plans, and turned her head towards Kilk for his approval. "If it pleases the lady, then so be it. Go if you wish, Shael." She placed her napkin on her plate and stood, walking through the entrance hall towards the courtyard with John. The sky had begun darkening, and most soldiers were in the barracks, while others milled randomly about courtyard, tending to duties, and keeping lookout. Shael opened her mouth to speak, and closed it again, unused to seeing the furls of frozen breath issuing from her mouth. She spoke. "So, what's this about?"

[Dead Eye]

 Dead Eye got up and pulled out both rapiers. He had seen a glint in Kilks eyes. "Kilk, the southern lands are trashy. Loren lives there. I no longer wish for mossflower either though. The only true place where power can be gained is the sea. My skiffs are growing by the minute. Let me rule the coasts! The only other fools who go by it are Ashyra and her knights. I will be the greatest corsair of all time!"

Dead Eye swung both rapiers in circles, waiting for a reply. He knew that John was near by, and the two had a score to settle. But right now he must gain the coasts. The water ways would be his. John was no doubt coozing the empress to making him the king of the south and Kilks number 1 lieutenet(spl?) But right now Kilk was armed and unpredictable.  

[Kilkenne]

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He continued to stare out the window for about a minute, still thinking before the obvious answer dawned upon him.

"I have an idea, DeadEye, that I think will please us all." He peered out onto the grounds, seeing Shael and John passing the window. "A new era is soon to come. Dark times are coming."

The ferret turned to face DeadEye. "We will do this: I will make John the Black Cross' regent of the Mossflower country, so you may have somewhere to dock the navy you will provide the Imperial Forces during the winter. But during the summer, you will arrange for a great port to be constructed on my coastland, and there will be your base. I will keep both from being cut off from land, as long as you pay a 40% subsidy to the Empire of your loot. I would do 60%, but I entrust that you will invest the heavier funding into more ships...Better ships, more arms."

He grinned. "You are not to be a 'Corsair' " He laughed at the word. "You are to be the Grand Admiral of the Imperial Forces, a title far befitting one of your stature in the court of the Emperor. We will begin construction of your ports and the surrounding cities at once, and will stop for winter, then will resume back in the spring. By then, in Mossflower, you should have enough ships to start raiding enemy shores...But this is all contingent on John agreeing to hold the Mossflower Country."

[Dead Eye]

 Dead Eye thought. This was a great offer, except for the tribute. But 40% wouldnt be a lot if he used all his cunning. And also, how would Kilk know how much 40% was. If he was short one month, Kilk would never know. But this seemed like the best idea, and with Kilk the only one better then him, none would he fear. Yes, the tribute would try to be made each time. And John would not be ahead of him.

"Kilk, you are a wise creature. I will do all this. Now I must see to my guard, and send a messanger to my horde that they shall travel north and set up camp. Then I shall gather my workers." Dead Eye bowed, then walked outside. But when he saw Kilk turn, he pulled out both rapiers and went to where he had last seen Shael and John.  

[Kilkenne]

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The Emperor had noticed a strange glare in DeadEye's well...eyes. He allowed him to leave, and turned his back on him for but a second before the other left. He motioned a guard towards him.

"You. Take twenty with you. These in the hall are fine. Follow DeadEye, if you do not find him, find Shael and John. Something is wrong. He drew his weapons, I heard the steal on scabbard. I will be going as well."

He hefted the scimitar and took off at a sprint, out the door and out into the grounds, his eyes scanning for a lone figure, or two wearing no visible armour walking together, as his soldiers walked in pairs and quads, not wanting to be caught alone. The Emperor saw two figures in the distance, and once again made all haste toward them, throwing off his cloak to gain greater flight of foot.

The ferret had to get there before DeadEye.

[Dead Eye]

 Dead Eye had hid behind a tree. He caught sight of Shael and John. Throwing off his cloak he three himself at John, stabbing down. His blades missed any virtual part but the blast had thrown down John. Now John laid on the ground and Dead Eye laid ready to strike.