[center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQjx_oOc_2I]Le Palais des Voltais[/url][/b][/center]

[hr]

In days past, the Garde du Delacroix patrolled the halls with more precision and the [i]Gens des comptes[/i] held greater respect while its subordinate [i]vicomte, châtelain, baillis, viguier[/i] and countless other overseers ensured that justice and fair decisions over legal and political matters extended over all the fiefdoms that scattered across Valania's many counties. These were the years before King Lothair's brief reign, where Valanians could still proudly look upon their lineage, stand toe to toe before their aggressive Sarifen neighbors, and revere the foundations that had so firmly distinguished their civilization upon Carcassonne.

Eerie emptiness and the lingering dread of the Lord Sovereign's authority filled the interior hallways that regularly filled with the bustling natures that populated Valania's high courts. During the earlier days that encompassed King Lothair's reign, Valanian's aristocrats lined the Palais' many chambers, where near bloodless politics, courtly fashions, secretive lovers, devoutness towards the Augurian faith, and close associates of the Delacroix family dominated the Palais de Voltas to compose the unique and distinct qualities that defined the Kingdom of Valania's characteristics. The flight through the various courtyards and interior residences had left the Prince's emotions in a wide ranging state of sadness and longing. The heavy Crown Watch and newly erected tapestries that marked the stamp of Conqvist's commissions presence did nothing, but stir his brooding silence as they stalked deeper and deeper through the enormous Palais grounds. 

Some of the tapestries and ornately crafted, gold gildings that dated back to the Kingdom's founding still existed, yet the mark of Sarifen flourishes, rare Oradnian motifs, intricately woven - damask fabric patterns, brocaded furnishings that lionized the Firuzabad Aryanpour (Glory of Aryanpour), and low hanging desert flora had obviously found their way into the glittering chambers, palm tree lined gardens, state rooms, and various ornately chequered corridors that spread out through the Palais' grounds. No longer did such flurry of distinct Valanian culture line the Palais Voltais' magnificent chambers given how thoroughly Emperor Anoush and the great Sarifen Houses under his authority had buried the fallen Kingdom's better days with a near crippling political purge, Sarifen assimilation efforts, and a relentless occupation that had done nothing more than to inhumanely depopulate or impoverish Valania proper over the course of several short decades.  

Throughout the hours that followed, Lucius did his best to carefully maneuver the assembly across the darkly lit Palais grounds whilst he scampered through the various chambers that he once called home. Nothing short of erasing the past could completely suppress the many emotions that had already begun to stir from within. Still, he knew what was at stake and did his best to set a manageable pace given how weary Ona and the others had become, however, even as the assembly managed to comfortably snake and slither their way through the Palais compounds, he could not help, but acknowledge just how powerless he was to stop the tragic events that were unfolding across Valania Proper. Had his father lived through the assassination, perhaps Valania would still have retained its autonomy and the courts would've remained populated with the ancient aristocracy and families that dated back beyond the Kingdom's founding. Given how heavily Sarifen influence had shackled and disseminated the former Kingdom, Lucis could not have fathomed what hardships or treacheries were being committed across Valania's other territories or populated cities, but could only imagine that the suffering was only just as crippling, if not worse. 

Had the assembly retained more time or interest, they could have explored the state rooms for information regarding the Lord Sovereign's activities or found a means to discover what lay within the enormous vault that remained under heavy guard, however, given how serious a threat the Seer posed, there seemed little reasons for delay than to reach that accursed individual before they found themselves standing in the afterlife before Yadin-Hamon or Athirat's judgements. Even with Dae's expertise, there was only so much stealth and swift footed stalking could accomplish before they crashed into several or more fully plated Crown Watch patrols that were, to put it lightly, armed to the very teeth. Time was growing thin and with every minute stood a greater possibility of the Seer's awakening.

Lucius had taken utmost precautions to remain within close proximity of Uriel and Ona whilst Lord Bahram and Dae organically supported the front and rear in a unique inter-weaving motion that brought them through the Palais without detection. During several occasions, the assembly separated as they sought to evade the Crown patrols that frequently stalked through the Palais grounds in unorthodox route patterns. Their sopping appearances from the cliffside ascent certainly granted no favors to aid their close encounters with the Crown Watch given how chilly certain parts of the Palais, however, the many torch lit hallways had offered temporary respite from the cold that clung to the assembly's clothes and skin.

During various stops, the group had found blood stains within certain state rooms and meeting chambers being scrubbed by Crown Watchmen. Several other moments, they watched in horror as certain Crown Watchmen dragged bound and chained Nurlian men and women through various guarded openings where distinct screams and cries for mercy echoed through the floor planks followed by the occasional sound of crossbow whines or the distinct sounds of metal impaling flesh. The Palais had been secretly turned into a deplorable execution ground towards any victims that had earned the Lord Sovereign's ire. The Prince did his best to keep their own Seer from lingering too long, but knew that he could not hide all the realities that had lined Conqvist's vile activities within his own residence. They could do nothing for the poor victims that were to meet their end and to commit otherwise risked greater horrors that awaited the days ahead should they lose their golden opportunity. For all that they had endured, their destination was approaching and after reaching the Seer's chambers, only Yadin-Hamon and Athirat could determine how their fates would unfold ...

[hr]

After what seemed to be an eternity of light footed stalking and terrifying close encounters with the Lord Sovereign's frequent Crown Watch patrols, the assembly managed to weaved their way through a certain throne room chamber. There, they found a distinct set of tight corridors that seemed to melt and twist like a snake through the ground until a certain passage lead down a narrow, cavern that held a hidden opening and the chamber that lay beyond. Ona's sight had already identified the Seer's location and the route leading directly towards it along with the several heavily guarded and manned checkpoints that dotted the narrow cavern passages. 

Lucius had been brewing through his options, however, given how emotion he had become and the nature of the Palais' fully garrisoned condition; avoiding the reinforced patrols within the Palais had served as their primary priority until they encountered what appeared to have been their final obstacles. The heavy manned checkpoints proved a yet unsolvable problem alongside the chamber's rather intricate entrance and after finding no other points of entry, it appeared that their options appeared fairly limited. As it stood, their greatest challenge was not entering, but of escaping alive, intact, and in one piece. This left brute force as one of the only viable options if enough explosives could be used to blow open the Chamber entrance. The narrow cavern leaning straight into the chamber itself proved the only means of entering the Seer's chambers leaving for little room for error. 

Matters only seemed to heighten after the Prince glanced towards the Chamber walls and witnessed golden rays cascade upon the Throne chamber's arched glass panes lining both sides of the walls. Misfortune quickly ensued as noticeable shuffles echoed from near and afar. Within mere moments, it became clear that the quick rustle of clanking armor, boots, and the shouts of orders in foreign tongues marked the entry of armed guards. All at once, several long columns of full plated Crown Watchmen carrying pikes and crossbows spilled quietly into formation from hidden passages leading into the throne room. 

Leading from between the ranks pranced a slender woman of smooth, pearl yellow skin, slinted, albeit dangerous brown eyes, and long, dark-raven hair. Flanking her position stood a small collection of similar looking, yellow skinned men and women wearing Crown Watch armor and recurved composite bows. Her strides had already brought her through the throne room where several horn cries officially served to raise the alarm. Within a blink of an eye, the slender woman unveiled a gleaming sharp knife of foreign origin and hurled it towards Dae's location. With almost catlike grace and daring acrobatics, the Valanian assassin merely twisted backwards to very narrowly avoid the knife's piercing reach as it quickly sailed above her nose and into the cavern stone. Immediately afterwards, the girl cocked the hammer along her pistol and returned fire, felling a slanted eyed Crown Watchman whom repositioning in front of the young woman receive the blow. 

A moment later, the group found themselves diving for cover as well aimed crossbow bolts and eagle feathered arrows rained upon their previous position with alarming accuracy. Through gritted teeth, the Prince found himself staring back towards the corridor where several fully reinforced platoons of fully assembled Crown Watch advanced in unison towards their location. Lord Bahram took it upon himself to shoot the support above a chandelier swinging atop the advancing Crown Watchmen. The effects proved somewhat ineffective in impaling the Crown Watch, but served to temporarily halt their advance. The man wasted no time in throwing down several objects to form a several barricade against the crossbow and eagle arrows before firing with precision to remove one of the leading Chevaliers in an attempt to sow confusion in their ranks.

“Well, we all knew Conqvist's lieutenants would eventually use their brains,” he exclaimed before lighting a musket stuffed glass bottle and hurling it towards the platoon. A swift explosion followed shortly afterwards and punched a hole into one of the platoons and several nearby windows. The Crown Watch calmly advanced and reassembled into a similar compact formation in a display of almost eerie discipline.

Through fixated observations, Lucius dove forwards and into Lord Bahram's makeshift cover as more crossbow bolts rained towards his previous location, “Ona, stay under cover and out of harm's reach. Dae, Lord Bahram. If they reach within twelve paces of our location, you are to clear to open a second entry of escape through one of those nearby ...”

Suddenly, the walls exploded as large spherical objects ripped through the throne room. Crown Watchmen and women alike screamed as a relentless barrage tore through the throne and into their ranks like a knife through melted cheese. Whilst the other members of the group flattened to the ground, Lucius instinctively cast aside his Legion training and reflexively curled into a tight ball against the makeshift cover. The explosions so violently ripped through the throne room that within moments the roof immediately came crashing down upon the Crown Watch platoons with alarming rapidity.

In the aftermath, the Palais' distant alarm bells did nothing to dispel the clouds of dust and debris that had begun to clutter what remained of Conqvist's throne room. Miraculously, the Prince and the other retinue emerged relatively unscathed and through the grunts, groans, and for alarm, Lucius took no liberties in stumbling and peeling his way through the throne room wreckage to ensure if the others were unharmed.

Shouts could be heard in the distance, announcing the arrival of more Crown Watch detachments, but in the thicket of the crumbling stone and warning bells; the Prince slowly made his way through the wreckage before peeking out through a newly crafted opening within the throne chamber's remaining wall sections. In the distance, a slow moving row of Ivalian Galleons and Caravels could be seen puffing fresh cannon vapors from their sides. A familiar middle aged woman stood on one such deck, flanked by a small collection of Dorkim Ivalis Kdoshim Aloophim and sailors. Next to the woman kneeled a fuming younger lady in chains and through the distinct clothing and appearance, was unmistakably recognizable as the Chuda Chevalier they'd captured earlier. 

Following several humorous gestures, Councillor Gisgo blew a kiss towards the bewildered Prince before issuing strict orders towards the fellow crewmen and women to depart. Within moments of the modest Ivalian flotilla's release of sail the Prince offered a curt nod of respect and smirked just as a southerly wind blew across his left cheek. A moment later, he too turned away without ever looking back. Matters quickly escalated as a musket round whizzed just mere inches from his face and just as suddenly, he found himself engaged in a pitched skirmish between the fast approaching platoon of disciplined Crown Watchmen near the cavernous Chamber entrance.

“[i]Uriel[/i],” he shouted as his piercing eyes glanced towards the armored magi, “If you've any strength, now is the time to rain hell upon our foes! [i][b]It's now or never!!!![/b][/i]”