Tuesday, November 10, 2009
chapter nine warning
In case you couldn't tell from chapter eight; there will be blood and violence in this chapter.
chapter eight
Food was getting scarce. Kiera had never realised how much food four hundred people ate in a month. Anatolia wasn't exactly abudant with life in the first place, and the rather sloppy hunting techniques the guards had been using were scaring away the herds.
Then there were the Ga-Vok. It seemed like the Ga-Vok could ship in any food they needed, but insisted on hunting anyways. No matter how hard they tried the Ga-Vok hunting parties seemed to stumble on the camp at least every other day. Each time they were killed, but they still had to pack up everything and move just to be safe; they'd learned quickly what would happen if they didn't.
"Milady?"
Kiera sat upright.
"A fight is brewing between some of the others; it seems that someone over ate."
Kiera picked up her sword, she wasn't going to put up with this any more.
She climbed on to a nearby rock.
"Listen up!"
The crowd looked up, surprised to see their normally quiet leader speaking.
"I've had about enough of this. Sergant, stay here and protect the camp. I'm going into town to get some food."
She watched the shock roll over the crowd. Then jumped down and started walking. Let them think whatever they wanted; she had work to do.
And she might just get a chance to kill a few of them while she was at it.
Then there were the Ga-Vok. It seemed like the Ga-Vok could ship in any food they needed, but insisted on hunting anyways. No matter how hard they tried the Ga-Vok hunting parties seemed to stumble on the camp at least every other day. Each time they were killed, but they still had to pack up everything and move just to be safe; they'd learned quickly what would happen if they didn't.
"Milady?"
Kiera sat upright.
"A fight is brewing between some of the others; it seems that someone over ate."
Kiera picked up her sword, she wasn't going to put up with this any more.
She climbed on to a nearby rock.
"Listen up!"
The crowd looked up, surprised to see their normally quiet leader speaking.
"I've had about enough of this. Sergant, stay here and protect the camp. I'm going into town to get some food."
She watched the shock roll over the crowd. Then jumped down and started walking. Let them think whatever they wanted; she had work to do.
And she might just get a chance to kill a few of them while she was at it.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
chapter seven
Sorry, It's been a while since I updated. I had to decide whether or not to consolidate the story or not. I've decided to go ahead and stretch it out longer; in the hopes that I can manage proper character development and possibly lay background for some future scenarios.
Chapter seven
It had been three days since the attack, Kiera was begining to grow worried. The platoon that had escorted the wounded to a local hospital were going to arrive at the rendevous point in a few minutes. She was already begining to question the wisdom of meeting by night. Were the Ga-Vok nocturnal? Would they be patrolling? Would they even be looking?
After another half hour had passed she was growing restless. What if they had gotten lost, or worse? Did the Ga-Vok eat Nielda? She'd heard about some of the cuisine that diplomats had been forced to endure for the sake of diplomacy, and she could only imagine how little the sentience of a being would matter to them.
She decided to risk an attempt to signal them, in case they were lost. The Ga-Vok didn't seem to notice color, maybe just a little red...
She concentrated, thinking of the desired results, and released a small flare that hung over her position. All she could do now was wait.
"Princess, I see a torch. Just over the ridge."
"Quickly, let's go meet up with them"
The joy of having found the platoon quickly turned to horror as she saw the odies strewn across the hillock.
"Men, get them out of there!"
The sergant began barking commands to the other guards, who hastened clumsily to obey. By the time the Ga-Vok had been finished another four of her guards had fallen. She strode to the survivors, tending their injuries as they related the events that had happened since they left.
It seemed, though their words were garbled, that the Ga-Vok attack on the palace had not been an isolated incident. When they had arrived in town they found it under the control of several dozen Ga-Vok warriors. Before they could decide upon a course of action a hunting party had stumbled on their camp. In their rush to escape the wounded were abandoned. Both guards took great shame in this; Kinel went to considerable lengths to justify his actions, while Siru just broke down weeping audibly. Kinel could not be roused from his defensive state, but Siru was coereced into earfully relating what had followed. The hunting party they had escaped tracked them, and joined with several others. This larger band had cornered them here on the hill a few minutes before Kiera and her guards had arrived.
Kiera stood, she thanked Siru and Kinel for their efforts; then left them to the medic.
This was worse than she had thought; the Ga-Vok had not only attacked multiple, likely all, towns across Anatolia, but had likely managed to defeat the local garrisons and gain a level of domination over the planet that allowed them to hnt down the survivors at their own discretion.
"Men, gather the fallen and head back to camp. The longer we stay here the longer our scent will linger for them to track." She wasn't sure if they could smell quite that well, but she could smell them and it stood to reason the Ga-Vok could too.
"Sergant. Gather their dead on the hill and set fire to it." With any luck the smoke would blur the smell, or at least the pile of corpses would distract them a while.
She wasn't sure how, but she would not let the fallen rest unavenged. The Ga-Vok would all burn for this, just like their fallen comrades.
Chapter seven
It had been three days since the attack, Kiera was begining to grow worried. The platoon that had escorted the wounded to a local hospital were going to arrive at the rendevous point in a few minutes. She was already begining to question the wisdom of meeting by night. Were the Ga-Vok nocturnal? Would they be patrolling? Would they even be looking?
After another half hour had passed she was growing restless. What if they had gotten lost, or worse? Did the Ga-Vok eat Nielda? She'd heard about some of the cuisine that diplomats had been forced to endure for the sake of diplomacy, and she could only imagine how little the sentience of a being would matter to them.
She decided to risk an attempt to signal them, in case they were lost. The Ga-Vok didn't seem to notice color, maybe just a little red...
She concentrated, thinking of the desired results, and released a small flare that hung over her position. All she could do now was wait.
"Princess, I see a torch. Just over the ridge."
"Quickly, let's go meet up with them"
The joy of having found the platoon quickly turned to horror as she saw the odies strewn across the hillock.
"Men, get them out of there!"
The sergant began barking commands to the other guards, who hastened clumsily to obey. By the time the Ga-Vok had been finished another four of her guards had fallen. She strode to the survivors, tending their injuries as they related the events that had happened since they left.
It seemed, though their words were garbled, that the Ga-Vok attack on the palace had not been an isolated incident. When they had arrived in town they found it under the control of several dozen Ga-Vok warriors. Before they could decide upon a course of action a hunting party had stumbled on their camp. In their rush to escape the wounded were abandoned. Both guards took great shame in this; Kinel went to considerable lengths to justify his actions, while Siru just broke down weeping audibly. Kinel could not be roused from his defensive state, but Siru was coereced into earfully relating what had followed. The hunting party they had escaped tracked them, and joined with several others. This larger band had cornered them here on the hill a few minutes before Kiera and her guards had arrived.
Kiera stood, she thanked Siru and Kinel for their efforts; then left them to the medic.
This was worse than she had thought; the Ga-Vok had not only attacked multiple, likely all, towns across Anatolia, but had likely managed to defeat the local garrisons and gain a level of domination over the planet that allowed them to hnt down the survivors at their own discretion.
"Men, gather the fallen and head back to camp. The longer we stay here the longer our scent will linger for them to track." She wasn't sure if they could smell quite that well, but she could smell them and it stood to reason the Ga-Vok could too.
"Sergant. Gather their dead on the hill and set fire to it." With any luck the smoke would blur the smell, or at least the pile of corpses would distract them a while.
She wasn't sure how, but she would not let the fallen rest unavenged. The Ga-Vok would all burn for this, just like their fallen comrades.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
chapter six
Kiera sat on the edge of the clearing. She watched the survivors from the palace flow out of the passage. More than she had hoped, at least a few hundred of the servants and guards had managed to escape.
she quickly gathered them all together and took count of them and the meager supplies they'd brought. Without some sort of food they weren't going to last long.
"Does anyone know where we can find some food?" She yelled.
She wasn't sure if the silence bothered her more than the message it conveyed.
"How about a map. Does anyone have a map?"
Still no reply, save a few muttered groans from some of the injured servants.
This was going no where. She walked up to the top of the ridge and looked out.
She could see Ankara from here, there were fires scattered across the city. That was one option ruled out.
She continued to survey the surroundings as one of the guards approached.
"Milady, we must move. That rabble will be coming soon."
"Get the people together, we're heading east."
"The nearest town is five kilometers west of here. Shouldn't we head there?"
"Really? Send a platoon to escort the wounded there; the rest of us will move to the hills. We can hunt for food for now."
As the guard started barking commands to his fellows, Kiera strode over to the entrance to the passage. She drew her sword and began scratching arcane symbols about it. It wasn't good for the blade, but she could sharpen it later. Still etching the runes, she glanced around for something to use as ink. She stopped, she could only think of two things that could be used and neither of them were apealing.
She leveled her sword, point to the ground. placing her hand on the blade, she forced it into the ground. she winced in pain as blood trickled down and filled the marks upon the ground; this had better be worth it.
she withdrew her hand, wiped her sword, and activated the enchantment. the few drops of blood expanded, hardening, and filled each of her markings. they glowed dimmly red in the shadows of the valley. It had worked; the Ga-Vok would find it much more difficult to follow her now.
Sheathing her sword she rushed to join the plodding crowd as they headed into the mountains.
she quickly gathered them all together and took count of them and the meager supplies they'd brought. Without some sort of food they weren't going to last long.
"Does anyone know where we can find some food?" She yelled.
She wasn't sure if the silence bothered her more than the message it conveyed.
"How about a map. Does anyone have a map?"
Still no reply, save a few muttered groans from some of the injured servants.
This was going no where. She walked up to the top of the ridge and looked out.
She could see Ankara from here, there were fires scattered across the city. That was one option ruled out.
She continued to survey the surroundings as one of the guards approached.
"Milady, we must move. That rabble will be coming soon."
"Get the people together, we're heading east."
"The nearest town is five kilometers west of here. Shouldn't we head there?"
"Really? Send a platoon to escort the wounded there; the rest of us will move to the hills. We can hunt for food for now."
As the guard started barking commands to his fellows, Kiera strode over to the entrance to the passage. She drew her sword and began scratching arcane symbols about it. It wasn't good for the blade, but she could sharpen it later. Still etching the runes, she glanced around for something to use as ink. She stopped, she could only think of two things that could be used and neither of them were apealing.
She leveled her sword, point to the ground. placing her hand on the blade, she forced it into the ground. she winced in pain as blood trickled down and filled the marks upon the ground; this had better be worth it.
she withdrew her hand, wiped her sword, and activated the enchantment. the few drops of blood expanded, hardening, and filled each of her markings. they glowed dimmly red in the shadows of the valley. It had worked; the Ga-Vok would find it much more difficult to follow her now.
Sheathing her sword she rushed to join the plodding crowd as they headed into the mountains.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
chapter five
"That's the last of them captain."
"Well done men. Enge, contact the ship; We're leaving."
Daniel had no idea what it was that had gotten the Ga-Vok into such a frenzied state, but he had no intention to stick around and find out.
"back to the trucks everyone, I want to be back in camp before the first shuttle lands."
He rode in the back this time, with some of his greenest crewmen. They would need the morale boost after the fight; for several this was the first time they'd ever killed. Besides, if there was an ambush it was easier to escape from the back.
"captain!"
He turned, Enge was looking startled.
"Dalve says he's not going to risk the blockade"
"what blockade, Grell would never directly challenge me like that."
"no sir, there's a fleet of Ga-Vok transports and several smaller patrol craft in orbit. Dalve doesn't think he could get past them without the ship being tracked to camp."
"What?"
"there's.."
"I heard the first time, Enge."
"where do you think they got the ships?"
"If I knew I'd already own stock in the manufacturer."
"then what do you think it is?"
Daniel paused. He knew that there had been talk within the Daniellandish government about building ships that could protect the trade routes from piracy; but he'd have known if there were any plans to actually implement the system. To start with, they would have offered him a commission; his contacts would guarantee that much.
"I think those Ga-Vok in Ankara may have something to do with this. I've heard that one of the clans recently began consolidating power over the others. Perhaps they're trying to draw the Empire into the conflict."
"but where did they get the ships?"
"most likely the same place we did, stolen and modified."
They hadn't, Daniel knew even before he said it. The fact of the matter was that Ga-Vok didn't have the dexterity to operate most Nieldic machinery; and what they could operate they did clumsily. It wasn't that they weren't smart enough to do it; it was that they didn't like to sit down while they did. The claws didn't help either.
"what should we do captain?"
"We're going back to camp; then we'll wait till they go away." There wasn't much else they could do; it was mostly just a matter of waiting until the military came out and scared them off.
For the first time in his life, he hoped the military came quickly.
"Well done men. Enge, contact the ship; We're leaving."
Daniel had no idea what it was that had gotten the Ga-Vok into such a frenzied state, but he had no intention to stick around and find out.
"back to the trucks everyone, I want to be back in camp before the first shuttle lands."
He rode in the back this time, with some of his greenest crewmen. They would need the morale boost after the fight; for several this was the first time they'd ever killed. Besides, if there was an ambush it was easier to escape from the back.
"captain!"
He turned, Enge was looking startled.
"Dalve says he's not going to risk the blockade"
"what blockade, Grell would never directly challenge me like that."
"no sir, there's a fleet of Ga-Vok transports and several smaller patrol craft in orbit. Dalve doesn't think he could get past them without the ship being tracked to camp."
"What?"
"there's.."
"I heard the first time, Enge."
"where do you think they got the ships?"
"If I knew I'd already own stock in the manufacturer."
"then what do you think it is?"
Daniel paused. He knew that there had been talk within the Daniellandish government about building ships that could protect the trade routes from piracy; but he'd have known if there were any plans to actually implement the system. To start with, they would have offered him a commission; his contacts would guarantee that much.
"I think those Ga-Vok in Ankara may have something to do with this. I've heard that one of the clans recently began consolidating power over the others. Perhaps they're trying to draw the Empire into the conflict."
"but where did they get the ships?"
"most likely the same place we did, stolen and modified."
They hadn't, Daniel knew even before he said it. The fact of the matter was that Ga-Vok didn't have the dexterity to operate most Nieldic machinery; and what they could operate they did clumsily. It wasn't that they weren't smart enough to do it; it was that they didn't like to sit down while they did. The claws didn't help either.
"what should we do captain?"
"We're going back to camp; then we'll wait till they go away." There wasn't much else they could do; it was mostly just a matter of waiting until the military came out and scared them off.
For the first time in his life, he hoped the military came quickly.
Monday, November 2, 2009
about chapter four
I'm going to go ahead and slap a PG-13 rating on that one for mild sexuality, mildly gratuitus(sp) blood, and minor character death.
I suppose that only counts as PG these days, but in my eyes; this is PG-13 at least.
I'll try to give you more of a heads up next time.
And please leave comments, How else am I supposed to know what you think of it?
I suppose that only counts as PG these days, but in my eyes; this is PG-13 at least.
I'll try to give you more of a heads up next time.
And please leave comments, How else am I supposed to know what you think of it?
Friday, October 30, 2009
chapter four
Sorry, busy weekend.
Halloween party, bowling, etc...
chapter four
Commander Arkha was impatient. They had entered the palace nearly four hours ago and the guards were still holding out in the hall that connected the throne room to the rest of the palace.
"You and you; come with me." It was time to take matters by the scruff of their neck and make the prize the seers had promised him, his.
The bodies of Nieldic guards and palace servants littered the floor; several of his own warriors lay still, slowly being consumed by the blood. He made a mental note to mention this development in his report; heavier boots would be nessesairy for future armies.
The gates were not barred, but the guards had built a barricade to deny his men access, fools.
"Traonih! Teach these pups who the true masters of Anatolia are."
A good seer, but Traonih was to old to be put on a front line like this. His reputation, however, was such that his very presence inspired the men to greater feats, and that was before he even began to weave his first spells.
"I dare not commander."
"what!"
"There is a poweful force within that room. I fear that f I enter it; I shall not depart."
Then his suspicions were correct; what the seers had told him would indeed come to pass.
"By the authority of the Alpha himself. I order you to destroy that barricade!"
"Then my death is certain. I pray the demon of this world devours your soul that I might revisit this grievance, Arkha son of Brakh."
Traonih turned. He lifted his staff as he began to recite an incantation of destruction. As he brought down his staff, the barricade was blasted inwards.
Arkha smiled as his warriors rushed in, slaughtering the remaining guards. This was his day, and it was quickly growing better. For there before the throne was the one he sought.
"What is the meaning of this, this outrage!"
"This is the only chance I shall offer you to surrender, fire-blooded scum."
"neve.."
The armored figure to the right of Lord Lathorian silenced him with the harsh sound of her stave hitting the luxuriously tiled floor.
"What are your terms, tailed one."
Arkha motioned, his crossbowman raised their weapons, aiming directly at Callin.
"Your complete surrender."
"Unaceptable. The empire will never allow you rebels to get away with this."
"Then we are done talking"
The twang of crossbows echoed throughout the large chamber. Callin brought her staff around, deflecting many bolts effortlessly and dodging the rest with equal ease. One of the dodged bolts silenced the still protesting noble before he could even rise from his throne; while Callin deftly redirected another to lay low the elderly seer, still standing in the doorway; resting of his recent cast.
Arkha motioned for his men to stop; his intended target was slain, and he now had things exactly where he wanted them. Now, to set his plan in motion.
"The seers are not so blind as they may appear, guardsman. I know what you are."
"That is a bold accuastion. I hope you know what I would have to do if you were correct."
"Men! Leave us. We must discuss terms."
He looked up into Callin's dark eyes, trying to percieve her next move. As they stood watching each other cautiously, the Ga-Vok warriors fliled silently passed Traonih's body as they exited the room.
"What do you want, mortal?"
"I was told a prophecy while I was a young warrior, barely past my first hunt. The seers foretold that I would find a woman of otherworldly power. I have found you, and I can offer you what you desire."
"And what is it that you desire in exchange?"
Arkha grinned wickedly, "You must not be as powerful as I thought if you need to ask. I will let you have your way with this world; but only so long as I may have my way with you."
Callin stared blankly at the commander. Then she strode across the room to Traonih's body, and bending over it incanted a dark word. A shrill, piercing cry rang out; Arkha stepped back, reaching to his katar in fear. The cry was cut off mid howl, and Callin rose.
"Show me you are worthy. Bring to me the dearest possesion of the wealthiest man on this world. Then, I shall fulfil your desires, Arkha Shadesworn."
Halloween party, bowling, etc...
chapter four
Commander Arkha was impatient. They had entered the palace nearly four hours ago and the guards were still holding out in the hall that connected the throne room to the rest of the palace.
"You and you; come with me." It was time to take matters by the scruff of their neck and make the prize the seers had promised him, his.
The bodies of Nieldic guards and palace servants littered the floor; several of his own warriors lay still, slowly being consumed by the blood. He made a mental note to mention this development in his report; heavier boots would be nessesairy for future armies.
The gates were not barred, but the guards had built a barricade to deny his men access, fools.
"Traonih! Teach these pups who the true masters of Anatolia are."
A good seer, but Traonih was to old to be put on a front line like this. His reputation, however, was such that his very presence inspired the men to greater feats, and that was before he even began to weave his first spells.
"I dare not commander."
"what!"
"There is a poweful force within that room. I fear that f I enter it; I shall not depart."
Then his suspicions were correct; what the seers had told him would indeed come to pass.
"By the authority of the Alpha himself. I order you to destroy that barricade!"
"Then my death is certain. I pray the demon of this world devours your soul that I might revisit this grievance, Arkha son of Brakh."
Traonih turned. He lifted his staff as he began to recite an incantation of destruction. As he brought down his staff, the barricade was blasted inwards.
Arkha smiled as his warriors rushed in, slaughtering the remaining guards. This was his day, and it was quickly growing better. For there before the throne was the one he sought.
"What is the meaning of this, this outrage!"
"This is the only chance I shall offer you to surrender, fire-blooded scum."
"neve.."
The armored figure to the right of Lord Lathorian silenced him with the harsh sound of her stave hitting the luxuriously tiled floor.
"What are your terms, tailed one."
Arkha motioned, his crossbowman raised their weapons, aiming directly at Callin.
"Your complete surrender."
"Unaceptable. The empire will never allow you rebels to get away with this."
"Then we are done talking"
The twang of crossbows echoed throughout the large chamber. Callin brought her staff around, deflecting many bolts effortlessly and dodging the rest with equal ease. One of the dodged bolts silenced the still protesting noble before he could even rise from his throne; while Callin deftly redirected another to lay low the elderly seer, still standing in the doorway; resting of his recent cast.
Arkha motioned for his men to stop; his intended target was slain, and he now had things exactly where he wanted them. Now, to set his plan in motion.
"The seers are not so blind as they may appear, guardsman. I know what you are."
"That is a bold accuastion. I hope you know what I would have to do if you were correct."
"Men! Leave us. We must discuss terms."
He looked up into Callin's dark eyes, trying to percieve her next move. As they stood watching each other cautiously, the Ga-Vok warriors fliled silently passed Traonih's body as they exited the room.
"What do you want, mortal?"
"I was told a prophecy while I was a young warrior, barely past my first hunt. The seers foretold that I would find a woman of otherworldly power. I have found you, and I can offer you what you desire."
"And what is it that you desire in exchange?"
Arkha grinned wickedly, "You must not be as powerful as I thought if you need to ask. I will let you have your way with this world; but only so long as I may have my way with you."
Callin stared blankly at the commander. Then she strode across the room to Traonih's body, and bending over it incanted a dark word. A shrill, piercing cry rang out; Arkha stepped back, reaching to his katar in fear. The cry was cut off mid howl, and Callin rose.
"Show me you are worthy. Bring to me the dearest possesion of the wealthiest man on this world. Then, I shall fulfil your desires, Arkha Shadesworn."
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