[i]"The world reacts to you as a writer would add another page to his book. The more you worry about the content of the page, the less you write."[/i] -Page 56, Amora, Legend of Renalta: Reborn. --- Once upon a time in a small, lake side down, the scents of bakeries drifted through the streets, along with happy children and contented adults. The town of Arian--still informally called 'Arian Village', idyllic and second only to the capital of Renalta itself in terms of beauty and symbolism to the people of Renalta. Here, alongside the crystal clear waters of the lake, Queen Kouri stood. A small smile managed to reach her face, as her blue hair was reflected back at her by the water. [b]"After a thousand years... It still amazes me how this place never changes."[/b] She murmurs aloud to Alexandria. [b]"Yeah, I could only imagine... Just twenty years gone past for me, and it is still a shock that nothing ever changes... Well, some things,"[/b] she looks out across the water, her gaze drawn to the same point it always was... On a far bank, a small farmhouse half collapsed in and a tree protruding proudly from its midst. [b]"I still get a chill whenever we come back here,"[/b] she stands smoothly, having collected a broad, flat stone and sends it skipping across the water, watching the ripples. [b]"Give me the entirety of the heavens to face down any day over farm work,"[/b] she redirects with a smile, offering out her hands, [b]"Quick, check for me, I think I already feel blisters at the thought!"[/b] Kouri looks at Alex's hands and her small smile turns into a chuckle. [b]"I think politicians are worse than farmwork. Farmwork is honest work, at least."[/b] There were a few others around, and indeed, they stared, though pretended not to. It came with the territory of being a pair of royalty. [b]"Still... I wanted to see the lake again. Before we met with some of the Queen's Blades."[/b] Her eyes scan over every ripple the stone made on the lake. [b]"I wanted to spend a little time here before we instructed the Blades on their new duties in this country... The same place we got married."[/b] Quietly a giggle left her lips as Thane, the old marten, grey whiskers and all, came bounding over to the two of them with a small piece of bread in its mouth. Somewhere behind him, a baker was yelling about a thief of some sort. [b]"Remember when... Mikan stole your brother's favourite doll? Ran through the streets with it just to bring him to our wedding."[/b] After giving the marten a scolding look, Alex' lips spread into a wolfish grin as she places her hands on her hips, [b]"Of course I remember. He was furious!... And it made up for all the torment he put me through as a kid, seeing his face like that. And all the jokes about his baby sister being more a man than he was now, never gets old."[/b] She shakes her head, a niggling of worry eating at her again, [b]"You really think the twins are gonna be alright? I know its important to meet these kids, and I always enjoy any time we can sneak away from all the posh snobs and royal..."[/b] Alex fumbles, still fumbling to remember the proper names for the she-devils that hunted her down with dresses and ribbons stacked high upon their arms. How they didn't just topple over still was beyond her, [b]"The royal dress-attack hounds,"[/b] she settles, [b]"But I always feel bad when they have to stay behind."[/b] With a soft sigh, Kouri shakes her head. [b]"Maids. They are maids, Alex, and they're just doing their job."[/b] Her mind then wanders to the twins still back in the castle, her children. They had almost seemed excited at the prospect of their parents being away. [b]"The kids will be fine, I thought that we should spend a little time here just the two of us."[/b] Quietly she moves a little closer to Alex, and her voice goes quieter to match the look in her eyes. [b]"After all, we will be staying here for a couple of days... I heard the rooms at the Inns here are quite sublime. One was even described to be like a cabin in a ship..."[/b] A low growl rumbles from her chest and Alex closes her eyes, taking a deep breath in order to keep some composure while they were still in public. Loosely draping her arms about Kouri, Alex leans in to murmur, [b]"How long do we have to ourselves again?..."[/b] [b]"Just tonight, and tomorrow night."[/b] Her voice, quiet as it was, still rang clearly to Alex's ears the gentle care and affection of ten years ago. Slowly and delicately, her hand reached up and her fingers moved across Alex's cheek. Just as she was about to go in for the kiss, she hesitates, and looks around the village. [b]"That... Was a strange feeling..."[/b] Her eyes move about the various villagers, who seemed entirely undisturbed. [b]"... Someone is near... Amanda wasn't supposed to return from Liveria for another week... Alex, grab Thane."[/b] Alex tenses and gives a low whistle, drawing back to crouch down with an outreached arm. Thane awkwardly pounces over the ground, a little clumsier in his old age and barely clears it to her hand, scrambling to pull himself up as he scurries up her sleeve. [b]"What is it?"[/b] Her eyes dart over the area warily, looking for the first sign of danger as she warily places herself in a protective position of Kouri. [b]"I'm not certain... Magic, that is all I know."[/b] She whispers to Alex as the few townsfolk around notice their sudden tension. One of the older men starts motioning to the women, quietly, to get the children indoors, while the other men around quickly start moving for the armoury. It was silent alarm, knowing that a powerful mage would suddenly tense up was enough reason for them to get the innocents to safety and get ready to potentially fight for their lives and lands. It was a few moments after that a raven lands in front of Alexandria and Kouri, between them and the town. The older villager stuck around to see what was happening as the raven slowly unfurled its wings, and with a series of grotesque cracks and spine chilling grunts, quickly turns into a person... A person with a flamboyant purple cape, top hat, and long, black hair racing down his shoulders that failed to hide his pale white skin. His gloved hands reached up to his head and pulled his hat off, bowing politely before the two queens, and his voice held a certain air of cold nobility, the kind one would expect from a slaver... Or a lunatic. [b]"Hello my wondrous darlings... I couldn't help but notice your lack of entertainment in this town!"[/b] Kouri takes a deep breath and whispers in Alex's ear as her hands light with magical flame. [b]"That man is James the Illusionist... A powerful magician, the leader of a... Traveling circus act. Do not trust what you see."[/b] James snorts with irritation. [b]"Circus? Circus?! My dearest blue lady, it is a faire! A circuit of artistic madness!"[/b] He summons a cane out of thin air and leans upon it with a grin that showed eerily white teeth, which glinted with sharpness all around. [b]"But at least, I do not have to introduce myself!"[/b] Alex looks at James with cold eyes, more irritated at his interruption than anything, [b]"So, you can juggle, right? All the good circuses have jugglers. Fruit, clubs, knives, fire. You know, the interesting bits."[/b] She scratches irritably over her neck, a faint prickling building under her skin as she was readying to shift subconsciously. James rolls his eyes as another raven comes to sit upon his shoulder. He feeds it a bread crumb he pulls out from underneath his sleeve. [b]"How crude."[/b] His voice changed to that of mock offense. [b]"I traveled with your estimable wife before. I'm only here to make things interesting for her again!"[/b] Kouri's look turns into a glare as the fire around her hands licks with old anger. [b]"You nearly got me killed, as I remember it... What games are you playing, you half-wit jester."[/b] James shakes his head. [b]"Tsk tsk. Your mother didn't teach you to be very lady-like... But I suppoooose I can tell you."[/b] He swings his arm back dramatically, the raven on his shoulder taking off and cawing at Thane, who hisses back at it. [b]"In this little town of yours there is four little wonderful devices--courtesy of my Carnival of Chaos, of course--one in the east and west watch towers, one inside the central fountain, ohhh, and..."[/b] He cranes his neck beyond human ability to look backward at the extremely disturbed villager. [b]"...Inside the Inn, now courteously full of women and children!"[/b] Before the villager could shout an order the raven from earlier swoops in and cuts his cheek. [b]"Nuh uh uhhh! You're not allowed to ruin the fun! If one of your militia steps foot inside, everyone will get to coat their houses in a brilliant shade of sapphire red! Wouldn't that be nice?"[/b] The villager flinches and immediately runs for the Inn as James laughs manically, before craning his head back to the two queens. [b]"It will be all up to your Queen's guards to... Prove their competency! After all, if they can't stop little ole me, how are they supposed to stop a demon invasion? Hmm?"[/b] With a bestial snarl, Alex lunges forward. In her flight towards James, her body shifts and contorts in shape and size similar a russet wolf. Without a beat missed, claws lash out to rend the malevolent magician in two... James gasps in surprise and stumbles to the left, his right forearm is cut and he drops his cane behind. He stares at his cane, wide eyed for a moment before looking at his bleeding arm. [b]"You... Cut me..."[/b] His breath quickens in a mixture of shock and anger. [b]"You DARE ATTACK ME?!"[/b] Before he can muster a counter attack, a ball of flame whizzes past Alex and hits James, sending him several feet into a wall which he bounces off of pathetically. He gets up slowly, and glares at the both of them as Kouri retorts. [b]"Only a child thinks himself above reproach. I should know, I have two of them."[/b] James wipes a little blood away from his mouth with his left hand and grins savagely. [b]"And they will pay for your sins, dog fucking whore."[/b] With that said he flourishes his cape, and in one swift movement, disappears behind it. The cape then falls to the ground, a harmless purple rag, stained with a little of his blood. He was no match for the two of them together. Mikan then appears from the shadows. [b]"I knew you didn't need my help!"[/b] She sticks out her tongue as Kouri shakes her head. [b]"Not a good time for jokes, Mikan. Go warn the Queen's Blades coming here. They should be traveling in from the southern road, they can't be far now."[/b] Mikan pouts. [b]"Aww! But I wanna stay here and plaaayyyy~"[/b] Kouri shakes her head. [b]"You're the fastest. You have to go."[/b] Mikan sighs in disappointment, before looking between both Alex and Kouri. [b]"...Stay safe you two, okay?"[/b] With that said, she starts moving for the Queen's Blades as more ravens start to come in from across the lake. A whole flock of them--hundreds, possible thousands. Alex takes a moment, bending over the cloak and inhaling deep, intending to track down the fool who dared to threaten her family and homeland and think to get away with it. Yet, the only thing to meet her is the scent of raven, doing little in the wake of the incoming swarm. Alex rears to her full-height, tense and frustrated before she looks back at the town worriedly. A snarl rumbles from her as she looks back to Kouri, ready to assist her in whatever they might do to control the damage til the Blades arrived. --- [b][center]Act 1: The Carnival of Chaos[/center][/b] --- [b][center]West Watch Tower[/center][/b] --- Standing high and mighty at eighty feet, this watch tower can peer well over the rolling grasslands off into the distance to spot for incoming bandit attacks. Upon arriving to the scene, members of the Queen's Blades would see nothing out of the ordinary. Four militia would be standing watch at the top of the tower, which could be reached with a central ladder and had two "floors". Around the watch tower was the nearby palisade walls of the town meant to keep out wolves and other wild animals. At the top of the watch tower, a device would clearly be able to be seen, though it was no explosive. It was simply a red button with a label saying "push me!" A few ravens did litter the ground around a few people caught outside the walls who missed the general evacuation notice, and would watch the queen's blades movements carefully and eerily. It was clear that these were not ordinary ravens. Whether they were shapeshifters like James the Illusionist, however, was up for debate... They could just as easily be traps. Around this area one -could- feasible climb to the top of the tower and use the large horn at the top to summon back patrols looking for bandits... Though that would likely set off whatever threats James left behind for them. --- [b][center]East Watch Tower[/center][/b] --- Akin to its western neighbour, the east watch tower also stood eighty feet in height, with the same central ladder structure and two floor layering. Palisade walls surrounded the place, but unlike the west watch tower, there was no ravens, and no surviving militia. Two bodies on the top floor could be seen vaguely through the floor boards, they had been viciously pecked to death, though a few raven's corpses littered around them, so they put up a fight before going down. Standing at the base of the watch tower was an orc knight in full, silver plate mail armour, wielding a large warhammer on his back, and a silver short sword on his side. On either side of him were young men in carnival uniforms, working on something behind him. A closer look between the orc's legs would reveal it to be an explosive of some sort. Apparently, James didn't have the power of omnipresence, and couldn't arm all the bombs at the same time himself. The orc, however, stood firm at the approach of intruders, though kept his warhammer sheathed at the approach of any Queen's Blades. [b]"My name is Dirge. I am sworn to the service of James Moriarty. If you would stand in his way, then prepare to die."[/b] A pair of ravens descend from the sky and land on his shoulder plates, as though threatening to attack if the intruders made any sudden movements after his introduction. --- [b][center]Town Square[/center][/b] --- At the centre of Arian village one could see the beginnings of civilization starting to creep into the otherwise small town feel. The fountain was recently constructed, made out of brick and mortar. Around it the town square, with several small buildings and merchant's wagons, and dirt paths leading north, east, south, and west. A few militia were moving around it, numbering at half a dozen or so, trying to find something, weapons drawn. The pupils of their eyes were dilated and full of fear. As they looked around, one man of the militia would see the approaching members of the Queen's Blades, and would quickly move towards them, weapon still drawn. [b]"HALT! W-we don't know who you are! Are you... Y-you... One of them?"[/b] As a raven lands near his feet he ruthlessly executes it, stabbing it with his blade and crying out in fear before looking back at the group. It was clear he was pretty much reduced to a harmless, sniveling pile of tears at this point. It should be noted that out of all the locations, this one was closest to the two queens to the north east where Arian lake was located, so they could attempt to rescue their queens and get help from them before finding the bomb, though risk it going off due to running out of time. On the other hand, they could stay here to find and defuse the bomb, though the queens by themselves could be injured without help. And then there's the militia... They were acting beyond reasonable fearful. Their eyes especially gave away that the nature of their fear was totally unnatural, and any magicians in the area would feel the presence of a mage, hidden from sight. --- [b][center]Raven's Inn[/center][/b] --- In the south western portion of town was the highest population density, and coincidentally, the largest Inn. Tight dirt streets would lead to it, houses on either side of the Inn were typically bungalows made out of logs, some with hay rooftos, some with somewhat better quality, this area of town seemed to be under renovation. The Inn itself was quartered off with a magical barrier, save the door, which had a raven guarding the door. A middle aged villager with a dozen militia surrounded the place, and upon sight of the reinforcing Queen's Blades, would sigh in relief. [b]"Oh thank the Queen's les'ban arse you lot are here. There's a talkin' raven 'ere, and he's been demandin' to sees yas lot."[/b] The raven clears its throat, before shape shifting. Its spine would crack, and the low guttural groans would indicate pain as James the Illusionist once again took shape. He grasped his right forearm in pain, spitting a bit of blood out onto the dirt as he glared at them before summoning his cane into his left hand. [b]"Your queens are quite violent things."[/b] The militia did not move whatsoever as the middle aged villager looked at them in confusion and anger. [b]"What have you done, wretch?!"[/b] James shrugs. [b]"They would have interfered. Can't have that now, can we."[/b] He then looks at the Queen's Blades. [b]"Look. I'm not a bad guy, so I'll help you help the people inside... Because I was a child once you know. Yes, it's true, and I did like being one."[/b] He taps his lip in thought with his right hand, almost as though thinking of how he could help. [b]"Inside I have a guardian with a key. Get the key and unlock a chest... From there, you will know what to do... Oh!"[/b] He giggles madly, almost like a little girl. [b]"...You can't beat the guardian by killing him. That would destroy the key! But he can kill you. Oh yes. Yes yes yes yes yesss. Yes he can. Can can can canily can!"[/b] He sings cheerfully, seemingly to himself, before snapping back to reality. [b]"Sooo... What'cha gonna do huh?"[/b]