[center][h1]Carn, Auriëlle & [colour=deepskyblue]Titania[/colour][/h1][/center] To free the Highland’s people from the wicked grasp of Ketrefa. The sentence still got a chuckle out of Auriëlle. She reckoned any rebel stupid enough to rise up back in Nallan would use the very same sentence. Maybe they would even use her name. Yet here she was, not that far from a city she tentatively called home, ready to destroy another. The sorceress always knew Carn had some hard feelings towards the great city. Still the news that he was now actually moving against it came somewhat as a shock. “Do you think he’ll win?” Esiré, who walked beside Auriëlle, asked. “Alone? No.” The sorceress answered as she kept her eyes in front of her. She was getting close in the last days now. Her pace was higher than usual. Now she had broken into a full march. One Esiré could match, luckily. “But with me at his side? Ketrefa will be torn down to its vestiges.” Those words summoned a smile on Esiré’s face. The young warrior had a knack for destruction, as she had shown in Bul’Gadin. For once Auriëlle was happy with some company. Especially the company of this strange warband she was seemingly, wordlessly, leading. Esiré, who acted as her second in command, seemed to be interested in magic as well. Auriëlle’s warband, counting fifteen members, reached the peak of a hill. From the horizon they had seen the white smoke tendrils reaching the sky but now they could see the actual camp. There was very little order to it. Individual warbands from dozens of different settlements had arrived, and set up wherever they pleased, with no pre-planned layout or direction. Hundreds of men and women wandered between the tents; some training, some conversing, some eating, and others patrolling the perimeter. At this distance there was no way of telling which tent belonged to Carn in particular, but this was undoubtedly the right place. “Oh Carn, what have you gotten yourself into?” Auriëlle asked herself with a chuckle. Most of her warband, all armed as well, caught up with her. The sorceress, dressed in just commoner's clothes and leather robes, with a strange eyed disk on her hip and carrying something completely wrapped up on her back made her way down the hill. The only thing that truly adorned her was the small necklace that was given to her by the goddess. Slowly, to keep her warband together, she descended the hill and approached the campsite. In her chest, her heart began to flutter. One of the sentries stopped upon noticing her approach. “And who are you!?” he shouted across the field. “Your worst nightmare if you’re going to try and stop me!” Auriëlle shouted back, with a big smile plastered across her face. Gods it felt good to be free and fierce again. The guard blinked, and then let out a sigh of exasperation. “No need to put on a show. Are you here to join Carnelian’s army or not?” “I’m here to win his war.” Auriëlle said as she got closer. “And get my necklace back. By the way, his name is Carn. Just Carn.” She really hoped glory hadn’t gotten to his head now. “So where is he?” The guard gave her a skeptical look. “Check the center of camp. The biggest tent. Should be two guards standing outside it.” “Thank you.” Auriëlle said as she threw the sentry a far too big smile. Most of her warband kept a wary eye on everyone within the camp. Slowly they managed to make their way through the makeshift corridors of the camp. “This is going to be problematic in a battle.” Esiré noted as she moved along a tent and nearly kicked over a cooking cauldron. “I bet half these people hate the other half. Destroying Ketrefa better be a damn good reason to get them all together or else we’ll have riots on our hands. Soon.” “It is.” Auriëlle assured her companion. When they approached what was presumed the biggest tent in the center, which was indeed guarded, Auriëlle shouted: “Carn! Come out you ox!” One of the guards winced at her abrasive tone, before casting a nervous glance back at the tent. The other glared at her. “Lord Carnelian is not accepting visitors right now, and you ought to show more respect.” “Lord Carnelian?” Auriëlle frowned, then furrowed her brow. “Oh gods it’s really all gone to his head.” Still, she kept closing in. “Stand aside lady. I’ve known [i]Carn[/i] for a lot longer than you have and he has something that he needs to give back.” Her own warband began to tense up as well. None of them were grabbing for their weapons but it was clear that they were preparing for a row. “You’ll have to wait, then,” the guard grit her teeth. “He’s not taking visitors, and that’s that.” Around them, others had taken notice of the tension and stopped what they were doing. “Find a place to set up camp, if you haven’t already. Or go look for Lothar.” Things were getting serious now. Even Auriëlle noticed it. She didn’t back down though. “Don’t make me move you.” The sorceress was getting close now. “Get Carn out or I will tear his tent down.” A new voice pitched in. “What’s going on here?” a rather burly-looking men asked. He was clad in bronze armour, though some pieces were rather old and battered, as if it had been scavenged off a battlefield. “This woman doesn’t understand what ‘no’ means, Chieftain Yarwick” the guard said. “She wants to see our lord. He’s not taking visitors.” Yarwick frowned. “He isn’t? Why not?” And without waiting for a reply he walked forward, pushed the guards aside, and stepped into the tent. Auriëlle’s eyes followed the new man inside. Tensions were still high. She didn’t want to stay in a stand-off for too long. So instead she decided to push her luck and began walking forward, towards the tent and the guards guarding the entrance. Challenging them to stop her. They didn’t. “Not again,” Yarwick muttered in frustration as she stepped inside the tent. The remark was not aimed at her, however. A table stood in the center of the tent, with a series of chairs surrounding it. At the far end of it was Carn, his head face down on the table, with his cheek resting on the wooden surface. His eyes were closed, and he was snoring gently. He was asleep. At first Auriëlle didn’t know what Yarwick meant. That was until she saw Carn sleeping. She thought she would hug or even kiss him the second she’d see him yet here he was, not even bothering to be awake!? “You gods damned ox!” She yelled as she kicked a leg of the table. “This is how you welcome me back!?” Carn jolted awake and leapt to his feet as the table shook. “Dammit, Ingrid!” he shouted, as he plucked a sliver of wood from his cheek. “I told you-” then he stopped, as he saw who stood in front of him. He blinked, and it took a few moments for him to process it, and when he did, his eyebrows rose. “...Auriëlle?” She was glaring at Carn. A fire burned in her eyes. For a second she stayed calm. Until the first tear dropped. Then she rushed over, threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I told you I’d come back!” “I…” Carn began, still taken aback by the sudden reappearance, but his arms wrapped around her almost of their own volition. “That was four years ago,” he said quietly. She didn’t say anything. Instead she just took it all in. Right then she realized she’d almost forgotten how he smelled. Though eventually she released him. “Well you still have my necklace.” She said, now more playfully as she lightly touched his chest with her fist. “I thought you were dead…” he whispered, before reaching forward to place a hand on her shoulder, as if testing if she was real. She smiled. It was a smile of pure happiness that somehow still felt a little sad. Four years of regret somehow finally hit her square in the heart. “I don’t die that easily. Especially these days.” She said. “And neither do you, apparently.” He offered her a thin smile. It was then that she noticed the dark circles under his eyes, and the haggard expression he was attempting to conceal. “Leave us, Yarwick,” he ordered. The Chieftain nodded, clearly relieved to be dismissed from the awkward reunion. “Why don’t we get some wine in here and catch up?” Auriëlle said, realizing he had seen better days. She sat down on a nearby chair. “So what happened with you after Jalka?” Carn did not sit, and took a few moments to consider the question as he leaned against the table. “I waited for you,” he told her. “You didn’t show up. Eventually, I had to leave. I uh, left the Redspears,” he scratched the back of his head, and seemed ashamed to admit that. “I wandered a bit, then found a place called Thyma. It was then that Cadien contacted me, and… set me on this path.” Guilt crept up in Auriëlle’s chest. He waited for her? Why? She felt something cold grip her heart now. “You shouldn’t have waited.” She said. Her voice was colder, though she didn’t intend to appear frigid. Oddly enough, she didn’t particularly care that the Redspears were no more. Even though it looked as if Carn did. She just shrugged. “The path to destroy Ketrefa?” “You could say that,” Carn nodded. “The people following me, they want the raids to stop. They want their loved ones back. They want revenge for everyone and everything that was destroyed or taken.” He shrugged. “If that means destroying it, then so be it.” For a second Auriëlle turned her gaze slightly to look next to Carn. To look beyond him. She didn’t dare to look at Carn. Afraid he’d see the truth in her eyes. Only a handful of weeks ago she was that kind of person. She raided, she killed, she took prisoners and she destroyed. Everything Carn just summed up, she would be charged with. Though she didn’t feel guilty for any of it. Instead it made her wonder if there was a Carn back in Nallan. Someone blessed by the gods, who’d rise in strength and prepare to take his revenge. She quickly shook off the thought, locked her eyes with his again and said: “Well, I couldn’t have returned at a better time.” As she leaned back in her chair. “They have my brother,” Carn went on, looking down at the table. “I think I told you that, once.” “You did.” Auriëlle said. “That’s why I’m doing this,” he said. “I was told it would get him back.” He cast an uncertain gaze toward the tent flap, then sat down on a chair, and lowered his voice. “That’s the only reason I’m doing this. But now… everyone expects me to be some hero. To break entire armies without taking a single loss. The way they speak of me, it’s like they think I can kick down Ketrefa’s gates and fight my way to their King singlehandedly. There’s even talk of me ruling Ketrefa as some sort of King after all this is over.” He shook his head miserably. “I just want my brother.” Auriëlle frowned. This wasn’t the Carn she knew. This was some pale, small phantom of him. “Self-pity doesn’t suit you.” She said dryly. “You got what you need: an army. To hell with what they think of you. Use them, then take your brother and get out. It’s not like you swore you’d rule over the city. Raze it, if you want to.” A thin, more malevolent smile formed on Auriëlle’s lips now. “Or I could do it for you.” “It’s getting there that’s the troubling part,” Carn told her. “Just last night, someone tried to kill me. There was also a brawl between two groups of warriors from different villages that hated each other. I can’t even get a short nap without hearing of some new issue, or some new arrival who demands to meet me - no offense.” He sighed. “Sorry. You didn’t come here to hear me complain.” His smile returned. “I’m… happy you’re here.” Her smile turned nicer. She missed this, deeply. But then she got up and turned around, to face the entrance of the tent. For a moment she closed her eyes so she could listen to all the noises coming from beyond the tent. It sounded like any other war camp but at the same time Esiré’s words echoed through her head. “You’re on borrowed time already.” She noted. “You’ve got a pack of wild dogs outside. How long ago did you give them a prey to hunt?” “They’ve been arriving over the past few days,” Carn said. “I spent all winter convincing chieftains, lords, and kings to support my cause. I’m not sure how many are coming, but I reckon I’ll end up with a couple thousand, at least. It’ll take a few weeks to get to the city, then I’ll need to figure out a way to get past those walls. I doubt a ladder rush will do it - you saw how that worked at Jalka.” “If you think those guys can hold on together for another few weeks, you’re mistaken.” She said. In her mind she was already preparing a raid on some Ketrefa friendly manors and what not. There was bound to be a suitable target somewhere nearby. Then Carn talked about the legendary wall of Ketrefa. For a second Auriëlle wondered if she could tear it down. Even for her that was an extraordinary arrogant thought, but not one she immediately disregarded. With her mind made up, the talk about Ketrefa lost its appetite. The issue of its walls could be discussed when they got near. For now, she wanted to have some fun. So she walked to one corner of the tent, the one with a pitcher and some cups on a table. She poured one cup and then carried both the pitcher and the cup back to Carn. Whom she offered the cup, and then took a gulp from the pitcher itself. The wine was not good to say the least. But then again, wine was wine. “Enough about Ketrefa.” She said. “What else happened. Did you meet any other gods?” “I met the Avatar of Gibbou,” Carn revealed. “Titania, her name is. She pledged to support my cause. She’s here, actually.” He took a sip from the cup. “Probably should have mentioned that sooner.” Her!? Auriëlle’s eyes grew wide. She nearly lost the grip on her pitcher. “And you’re telling me this now!?” She shot up and punched him on the shoulder. “You ox! Where is she?” “Under heavy guard,” Carn answered, furrowing his brow slightly. “What’s with you and calling me an ox?” “Because you’re acting like an ox.” Auriëlle said as she shot up and put the pitcher on the table. “Now let’s go.” She was already halfway towards the exit of the tent. “You’re introducing me. Properly.” “What’s with the sudden interest in the divine?” Carn asked as he followed her out. “You never cared much for them before.” “I still don’t.” She said, with a voice that might’ve been a bit too high pitched. “Now what tent is she in?” “Follow me,” Carn instructed her, and set off, pushing past Aurielle’s men. “Lothar will likely be there, so mind your manners. He’s a priest, and a devout one at that. Doesn’t take kindly to perceived insults against the gods.” “Ugh, they never do.” Auriëlle balked as she followed Carn. Though she stopped for a second and told Esiré: “Setup camp. Don’t cause trouble.” The mercenary woman just flashed her a faint smirk before her people walked away to find a spot. “Well, this one is on speaking terms with both a god and an avatar, so I’d say he’s more fanatical than most,” Carn remarked as they walked. It didn’t take long for them to find Titania’s tent. It was smaller, with eight guards standing outside. They saw Carn coming and immediately stood to attention. “Where is Lothar?” Carn asked. “Inside, my lord. With her.” One of the guards answered. “I see,” Carn turned toward Aurielle, and gestured toward the tent flap. “Let’s go.” [hr] The tent was empty, save for a single table, upon which was a silver suit of armour. Lothar knelt in front of it. “There is something… that I need to confess…” the priest said in a soft voice. “Lothar?” Carn asked. The priest tensed, and rose to his feet. “M-my lord,” he stammered. “Is everything alright?” Carn asked with a furrowed brow. “Everything is fine, my lord,” Lothar nodded. “Do you have business with me, or with her?” “With her,” Carn answered. “Very well. I’ll… leave you to it,” the priest made for the exit… and then came to a halt when he saw Aurielle. His eyes widened, and then narrowed. “You.” “Me?” She asked, coyishly. Even though the priest did not particularly interest her. She was here only for Titania. Even though she couldn’t see the girl. Only what Auriëlle presumed to be her armor. “This is a bad joke, Carn.” Carn ignored her, instead focusing on Lothar, who stepped past Aurielle without another word and exited the tent. Only when he was gone did he look back to Aurielle. “What joke?” [colour=deepskyblue]”Is this a mortal joke, maybe? I don’t get it.”[/colour] The armour gave a hum. [colour=deepskyblue]”Is this what mortals refer to as ‘randomness’? I’ve heard that’s supposed to be funny.”[/colour] Auriëlle nearly jumped when she suddenly heard the feminine voice. “What the hell!?” She looked into the tent but there was nothing there. Then she came to her senses. “Hold up.” She said, as she slowly began to walk around the table, observing the armor upon it. Until she finally reached the helmet and put her finger on it. “You’re Titania.” Then another thought dawned on her mind. She looked up, still with her finger on the helmet. “Carn…” She said with a silky smooth voice. “Who wears this armor?” The furrow in his brow returned. “...I do?” he said slowly. “Why?” [colour=deepskyblue]”No one wears me! I am my own armour - I shield my user from harm; in return, they take me where justice demands!”[/colour] At first the sorceress glared at Carn. Then the damn armor decided to speak up! She took a step back. “Yeah… justice.” Auriëlle slowly said. “Tell me, Titania, can you even move without someone inside of you?” There was a pause. One could practically feel the armour flush with embarrassment. [colour=deepskyblue]”I am like a, a sword! A weapon greater than many, which is useless unless someone… Wields… It…”[/colour] There came a metallic sniff. [colour=deepskyblue]”Anyway, who cares about that - I can protect innocents without moving! Behold!”[/colour] In a flash, she produced a heap of leather armour next to her. [colour=deepskyblue]”Prime protection - out of thin air! Perfect for countering the fiends of chaos!”[/colour] “Right.” Auriëlle said, hiding how impressed she really was. You didn’t encounter talking armor that conjured leather armor at a moment’s notice without being at least a little bit impressed. Though the sorceress didn’t want to show it. “So you’re…inside of her.” She repeated, now looking at Carn. Slowly she walked back around the table towards him. “Must be… a pretty special bond.” When she got close, she gave him a quick, soft peck on his cheek before whispering: “You might want to step out.” “Aurielle…” Carn seemed bewildered. “Don’t tell me that… are you [i]jealous?”[/i] [colour=deepskyblue]”To be my user is an honour! Consider yourself blessed, Carn Swordsman!”[/colour] She offered a proud laughter. [colour=deepskyblue]”To champion justice is a quest of virtue!”[/colour] Auriëlle didn’t acknowledge Carn’s question. She just turned around to face the armor that talked about honour, justice and virtue. She no longer faked how hollow those words sounded to her. Her soft expression crumbled. Revealing the hard ice underneath. Wind picked up and rustled the tent. Something shimmered on Auriëlle. Small horns sprouted from between her hair as the shadows in the tent drew long. She held out an open palm towards the armor and summoned a flame in her hand. It leapt from her fingers onto the table and quickly spread. The fires remained small though. The sorceress’ appearance continued to shift. The horns grew, as a cloak of shadows and smoke cascaded from her shoulders, darkening the tent even more despite the flames. When the entire table was bathed in low flames, she clenched her fist, smothering the fire in her palm and raised her arm. An inferno roared up from the table. Igniting the tent’s canopy. Auriëlle didn’t care. She didn’t even care if it was a god’s avatar. She wanted Titania gone. “What are you doing!?” Carn shouted over the crackle of flames. He seized her by the shoulders and pulled her out of the tent. There was already a commotion outside, as the flames and smoke attracted notice. One man was shouting for water. A furious Lothar stormed toward them. “What have you done!?” he demanded. [colour=deepskyblue]”Oh? A champion of evil without heart to see the consequences of her ill deeds, I see.”[/colour] In a shockwave, the flames turned to gentle steam, and all who found themselves dangerously close to the inferno that had been found that the earth itself had risen to shield them from the terrible flames. The table upon which the armour laid had become hot-glowing steel, twisted and lazy from the heat. Titania, however, was untouched - not even soot had harmed her visage. Auriëlle didn’t acknowledge Carn or Lothar’s question. But Titania’s words rang like a taunt to her. The armor wasn’t even dirtied! But then she remembered Neiya’s words. Never challenge a god. She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. “Pro- Auriëlle!” Esiré yelled, as she and five more of Auriëlle’s warband quickly gathered around her. “Are you hurt?” “I’m fine.” Auriëlle said. Then she turned her gaze at Carn. “Wear the bitch for all I care.” [colour=deepskyblue]”You see this, Carn? This is what we fight - wanton destruction, uncontrolled rage - these are the enemies of peace. Quickly, put me on and let us apprehend her!”[/colour] “No!” Carn shouted. “Both of you, enough!” “You should do as the Avatar says,” Lothar interjected. “You cannot-” “Enough!” Carn repeated, before turning on Aurielle. “You. Come with me.” Titania scoffed. [colour=deepskyblue]”Carn, you cannot side with her in this! She’s [i]obviously[/i] a black-hearted being!”[/colour] There then came a sharp gasp. [colour=deepskyblue]”Wait, where’d she go? Where’d she go?! Wearer, where is she?!”[/colour] He looked at Aurielle. “She’s… right here… what’s going on?” “No.” Auriëlle told Carn in response to his command, crossing her arms. She just got off the hook working for a queen like a dog for a year. She wasn’t going to take orders now. Not from Carn. Not from anyone. Meanwhile Esiré and the cult members, with faint hearts, looked at each other while Titania raved about not seeing the prophetess. They had suspected for so long. The fainter stars, the sense that they were watched unless they were together. The shouting of the armor began to confirm their suspicion. [colour=deepskyblue]”She’s -obviously- not there, otherwise I’d see her clear as day, wearer! She must’ve escaped in the inferno! Quickly, put me on! We have no time to waste in our pursuit!”[/colour] Carn did not reply. Instead, he stepped closer to Aurielle. “Come with me,” he insisted, looking her in the eye. “Please,” he whispered. Auriëlle loosened her arms. “Alright.” She whispered back, ready to follow him. The people of her Warband kept around her, though their eyes were more on Titania than on Carn. Meanwhile, Titania kept shouting, [colour=deepskyblue]”Wearer? Wearer! Where are you going?! There’s justice to be served! WEARER!”[/colour] [hr] Carn led her back through the camp, through the ever-growing crowd, while ignoring the questioning glances. Eventually they made it back to his tent, and he led her through the entrance. Once inside, he turned to face her. “What was that?” he asked quietly. “Just testing her.” Auriëlle didn’t even try to hide the lie. “That wasn’t just a test,” Carn said. “I’ve seen that look on you before. The horns are new, but the look in your eye wasn’t. You wanted her destroyed. Why?” She kept her eyes off him. There was still anger in her and she didn’t want to unleash it. Not now. But she also knew what he already thought. That she was jealous. Maybe she was? “I’m not going to feed your ego.” She just said. He did not relent. “Why did you think it was a good idea to attack the avatar of a god in full view of the entire camp?” “Because I didn’t think!” She finally snapped at him. “Because I just saw her and hated her and wanted her gone! What? Afraid I’m going to divide your camp? Break your army? Give me a week and a quarter of this bloody warbands is going to love me! She’s the one who doesn’t belong here!” “Why?” Carn demanded. “You just met her. She’s the Avatar of a God. It’s better to have her on our side than see her used against us!” “Cause she’s an avatar of a [i]God[/i]! Have you ever listened to her? Talking about justice and virtue and all that bullshit?” She wanted to keep shouting. To empty her soul. But she knew she couldn’t shout the next words. So with all her might she whispered at him: “What happens when she realizes you’re just in it for your brother? What happens after Ketrefa? Ever thought about that?” She grabbed the pitcher she left before and took a swig. Trying to wash down her rage a little longer. “You say you do this because of your brother. If that were true you would’ve dyed your hair black, snuck in, got him out and ran far away. Instead you’re here preparing for war against Ketrefa, gathering an army, having an avatar on your side. You say you don’t want to be king? That’s fine. But don’t you fucking dare tell me you’re just doing this because of your brother. You love all this. You love leading an army and being a warlord.” Her words, even whispered, started with malice and anger. But at the end she just felt hollow. “It’s why I loved you.” She finally admitted. She let silence reign for a moment. Before grabbing the wine pitcher and walking out. “Come find me when you’re finally done making stupid excuses for yourself.” She said. “Meanwhile I’m going to make sure your fifty packs of bloodhounds don’t tear each other’s throat out before we even see the grand prize.” “Aurielle, wait!” She didn’t. She just vanished into the camp together with the six warriors of her warband. [hider=Post Summary] Aurielle arrives at the camp where Carn’s army is forming up. She demands entry but the guards aren’t particularly impressed by her bravado. Anyway eventually she is taken to Carn, only to discover that he was napping. The two have a reunion, with Aurielle feeling guilty for leaving him but being unable to express her true feelings, while Carn is just shocked that she returned at all. He reveals a bit about why he’s doing all this, as well as some of his internal struggles. Eventually he mentions Titania, causing Aurielle to get all jealous and demand to see her. Carn takes her there, interrupting Lothar who was in the middle of a conversation with the avatar. Lothar leaves, but not before recognizing Aurielle and clearly disapproving of her presence. Anyway an awkward conversation ensues with Titania about the nature of her relationship with Carn. Aurielle’s mind is in the gutter so she immediately jumps to the worst possible conclusion. Then Aurielle attempts to destroy Titania, but only succeeds in burning down the tent. Carn drags her out and is like, “what the hell?” while Titania denounces her as a Champion of Evil. Members of Aurielle’s cult then arrive, and it’s revealed that, because Titania possesses no eyes of her own and must rely entirely on divine senses, she can no longer perceive Aurielle. Thinking that Aurielle has run off, Titania demands that Carn put her on and hunt Aurielle down. Carn ignores her, and instead drags Aurielle off for a private conversation. He attempts to get to the bottom of her outburst. Aurielle then goes on a rant about how an avatar of god doesn’t belong in their army, and implies that Titania is too naive to be relied on. She then accuses Carn of loving his role as a warlord, before confessing that she once loved him because of that. Then she leaves. [/hider] [hider=MP Spendage!] Titania 5MP/5DP 1DP: Perform godly feat - Extinguish Auriëlle’s flames and shield the surrounding people from them (and the table, too… Mostly.) After: 5MP/4DP [/hider] [hider=Prestige Summary] [u]Carn[/u] [b]Beginning Prestige:[/b] 22 +5 for 10k+ characters [b]Ending Prestige:[/b] 27 [u]Auriëlle[/u] [b]Beginning Prestige:[/b] 29 +5 for 10k+ characters [b]Ending Prestige:[/b] 34 [u]Cult of the Destroyer[/u] [b]Beginning Prestige:[/b] 8 +5 for 10k+ characters [b]Ending Prestige:[/b] 13 [/hider]