Location: Redwater Point Mid-Morning [hr] [@Cu Chulainn][@Guy0fV4lor][@Crimson Paladin] [hr] Ethelred turned, facing the fomorian just as it made its first strike against the child who barely had enough strength to deflect it and leaving him completely open to the fell creatures follow up strike - “Ggggrrrk-!” Ethelred charged at the creature, his lance once more striking true just as the blade would swing downwards and impaling the fomorian on it. The ice covered armament slammed into the fomorian sending it stumbling away from the children and Ethelred both as it clutched its chest, gurgling in pain, small crystals of ice forming on its body from the impact. The two children took several quick steps away from both the Fomorian and Ethelred both, obviously put off by his appearance as the boy regained his composure, holding his sword defensively in front of them again. “...w-who…w-what are you!?” He’d ask. “Brother…I think he saved us…” “...A-are…you a knight from Harzel, mister?” He’d nervously ask. Marduk, meanwhile…was playing ball. The Lanky fomorian that Reinhardt had decided to wrestle with was proving far more of a challenge then he might have initially thought. It had lunged towards Reinhardt, barely missing the stalwart knight as its claws dug into his skin…but attempting to latch onto Reinhardt and claw his throat out, left it open to swift retaliation from the Elf. [i]crack[/i] There was a sickening crack as staff met fomorian skull, the fomorian flying a fair bit of distance from the duo as it would land rather roughly right on top of a pile of rubble under a half decayed building…that would subsequently cause the rest of the roof to fall onto it. [hr] [@Pyromania99] Location: Southern Giants Rest Early Night [hr] [hider=Vegetables are for peasants] “Apologies, Your Majesty, however… Sometimes, a Knight must not follow their master’s orders when said master’s best interest is in mind.” Luna said, firmly yet gently pushing the bowl back towards the Queen. “I insist, you should eat more than just meat and bread.” Luna seemed confident that she could get the Queen to eat the leafy greens somehow. [color=fff79a]“But meat and bread is the only food I-nnnngggh-”[/color] The Queen responded with a huff, grabbing the bowl and staring at the contents in a somewhat disgusted manner. It was soon followed by a crackle of energy, a bolt of lightning seemingly zapping the bowl and its contents, burning it all and sending the bowl flying out of the queen's hands. [color=fff79a]“...see?”[/color] The queen responded, holding in what seemed to be a fit of laughter. [color=fff79a]“Allergic. They just spontaneously combust when I touch them.”[/color] She’d clasp her hands together, holding them to the side of her head with a smile. [color=fff79a]“Now if you’ll fetch me something actually appropriate for a queen of my humbly beautiful and powerfully merciful status…” [/color] The bowl would land right on top of Luna’s head, spilling the rest of the contents all over her. As the wooden bowl landed on top of her head, it covered her eyes so the Queen couldn’t see her eyes. Shakily, her hand went up to her head and grabbed the bowl and promptly broke it in one hand. She stared at the Queen with a somewhat worse gaze than before, though it seemed slightly impassioned… Though the gaze itself would feel somewhat sinister, “You want something appropriate for a Queen? No, I think you need something appropriate for a petulant child.” She was quite obviously very upset. The Knightess stood from her chair and moved to grab Queen Sorcha by the ear, like a child. [color=fff79a]“Oh would you look at that I think I heard Gabriel calling me. I really must get going. Do enjoy a meal without me, toodles~!”[/color] Sorcha would deftly evade Luna’s attempts at grabbing her, still smiling completely innocently as she’d pivot on her heels, and then proceed to sprint out the door. “Gaberiel left on your orders, Your Majesty.” Luna said as she started pursuit of the Queen. “You still need to eat, Your Majesty.” This wasn’t the first time she chased an unruly child around this camp. For some reason, she felt that this wouldn’t be the last. The knight bolted out the door behind the Queen, intent on catching her. [color=fff79a]“Eer, I meant Leo! And I’m suddenly not hungry any more!”[/color] Sorcha shouted back, bolting by some guards and nearly knocked them over as she’d turn a corner. Right she was a super might queen among other things, surely running from a single misguided knight was easy for her! Sorcha would find herself running up a flight of stairs. If she could make it outside to some balcony or something, there was no way Luna could follow her! “You’re lying, Your Majesty! You’re always hungry!” Luna yelled at the Queen as they ran. Luna had one desire in her heart right now. Disciplining her royal like the child she as acting like. As the two ran past any of the guards or soldiers on the grounds, she would give them a death stare somewhat translating to, “Speak of this and you will be punished”. When Sorcha ran up the stairs, Luna took them multiple steps at a time to try catching up to the queen even faster. All she needed was to get a hold of the queen and it was (in her mind) her win and she felt like she was gaining. The guards proceeded to continue their patrol routes like they had seen nothing. Not a single thing as the Queen and Luna ran past them at high speed. [color=fff79a]“I’m fasting! It's a foreign festival for some short blue elves!”[/color] She’d shout back, reaching the second floor of the fort. Sorcha didn’t even bother looking back as she’d pick up the speed, turning another corner and almost immediately running into a few servants carrying a few boxes of supplies. She’d deftly leap over the boxes, flashing a playful smile at one of the servants as she’d land, rolling and immediately continuing her sprint. “You would eat the entire festival’s supply after having a full dinner right before.” The knightess said before she started to curse as she saw the servants. “Aside!” She shouted, going for the low drop between them and under boxes, sliding past them before popping back to her feet and chasing the queen again, sprinting after her. The servants, of course, did exactly as they were commanded by their lord. They’d swiftly clear the halls, letting the two continue more unimpeded. [color=fff79a]“That’s not even what fasting is!”[/color] She’d shout back, having climbed another flight of stairs, passing another servant who was carrying a tray of food. Coincidentally being some freshly cooked mutton. [color=fff79a]“Besides, I have to eat so much! It all goes to my…assets!”[/color] She’d snatch the entire roast, giving the maid a friendly wink and blowing her a kiss as she’d run by, promptly stuffing her mouth with the meat. “I thought you were fasting, Your Majesty!” Luna angrily complained, pushing herself harder to catch up to her Queen. “If you can eat that much, you can eat some greens!” The knight growled. Luna seemed very keen on forcing the Queen to expand her diet. [color=fff79a]“I’m a queen! I do what I want!”[/color] She shouted back in turn, reaching the flight of stairs again and running to the final floor - the roof of the fort, serving as a lookout and observation point for the rest of the immediate land. [color=fff79a]“And vegetables and stuff, hurt my assets!”[/color] She’d somehow managed to eat most of the entire half of mutton roast in the time she had climbed the final set of stairs. She’d stop at the far end, standing next to the edge of the battlements. She’d turn to face luna with a smirk, seeming none to bothered by the fact she was effectively at a dead end. “I have you cornered now. Or do I?” Assets? There were other things to worry about right now. “Vegetables don’t hurt you… Ahem… Assets.” Luna said, sighing a small bit. “What do you plan on doing now? Jump?” She was slightly worried about that. While there was a chance the royal could jump and splat on the ground… Knowing her, it was more like that she did something to land safely. Luna wiggled her fingers a small bit and then offered her hand to the Queen. “Now, your majesty, please come with me and let us end this farce.” The motion was also a feint of sorts as she created a light barrier alongside the edge Sorcha was next to. She took a step or two forward. “Come with me, Your Majesty, and I’ll be nice as long as you eat a bowl of that stew.” She had some hope that her barrier would be enough to at least stop the Queen for long enough to “capture” her. [color=fff79a]“Hmm…”[/color] Sorcha seemed entirely unfazed still. [color=fff79a]“I suppose I should commend you for being able to keep up. Your keen observation and skill do you well. Unfortunately,”[/color] She’d place a hand on the barrier that Luna had put up. [color=fff79a]“I cannot abide by your offer. Now, if you’ll excuse me…I think it [i]is[/i] about time we ended this farce.”[/color] The queen smiled. [color=fff79a]“This flimsy barrier won’t hold me!”[/color] Electricity ran along the Queen’s body, magical energy building within as her arm was coated in lightning. Luna’s barrier fractured, lightning starting to run along it in a fractal pattern, cracking and splintering the barrier. [i]grrrwwwwl[/i] All at once the magical energy left, the queen blinking in mild surprise as the barrier in fact, did not shatter as her stomach loudly complained about lacking any food it seemed, despite eating a whole roast in mere minutes. [color=fff79a]“...ahahah~”[/color] Sorcha glanced to the side, avoiding meeting Luna’s gaze. [color=fff79a]“Caaan I ask you to be gentle? Its my first time~”[/color] Luna’s eyes oozed malice as she stomped over and grabbed the Queen by the ear and promptly dragged her back down the stairs. As she saw some servants she asked them a question. “Is there an empty room?” The servant swallowed and pointed to one of the store rooms. As the two entered the room, the servants escaped the floor and prayed for the Queen. —- Some time later, the Knight and Queen found themselves back in the dining hall with a bowl in front of the Queen. “Now, eat it, Your Majesty. I swear on the Lightsword name it doesn’t taste as bad as you think it does. It’s a recipe of mine.” [color=fff79a]“Didn’t I ask you to be gentle…”[/color] Sorcha replied with a whine, holding the bowl of stew in hand. [color=fff79a]“I can’t even sit right…This is cruel and unusual punishment…”[/color] She’d pout, sitting uncomfortably in her seat and lifting the spoon in the stew to her mouth. She’d put it into her mouth, biting down and swallowing with a slight visible wince. [color=fff79a] “...jokes and everything aside.”[/color] Sorcha would say with a smile, seemingly putting aside the early nights misadventure as she’d offer luna a smile. [color=fff79a]“Have…you ever heard of the Elder Beast of ‘Lucent Ataxia.’”[/color] Luna was mostly happy now that she exacted her vengeance, though there was a small frown when the Queen winced. Still, a question about an Elder Beast, “Lucent Ataxia?” She hadn’t heard of that one. She shook her head. “Not that I recall. Why do you ask?” [color=fff79a]“Hmm…well, I don’t know its actual name, but that was what it was.”[/color] Sorcha replied, taking another spoonful of the stew. [color=fff79a]“A beast of conflict, a beast who shone so brightly that it could cause men to go insane and turn on their allies in the midst of battle.”[/color] She’d look a bit longingly at some meat being passed around as she’d continue. [color=fff79a]“I ask, mostly, because I am curious about it, that’s all. It was killed a long time ago by the Old King during his Elder Beast hunts, you see. Quite dangerous because of its aforementioned ability.”[/color] “Hmm… That does sound quite dangerous.” Luna said following the Queen’s eyes. “Did it have a reason for doing such a thing?” Luna asked, curious to see what the Queen knew. “Or was that just it’s nature?” She as turned to the chefs and made some hand motions at them. One gave her a spoon. “I’m not the most knowledgeable on Elder Beasts, I’ll admit.” [color=fff79a]“Hm,”[/color] Sorcha hummed lightly, setting the bowl aside for the moment as she’d reach for a drink. [color=fff79a]“I…don’t know. Beasts are complicated creatures. Some function merely on instinct, carrying out whatever it is they represent with barely a thought. Ones that can think…often do not have the same thought processes as humans do. Take…the Elder Beast that lives out in the Field of Ghosts. Have you ever seen it? I’ve actually had the pleasure of speaking with it.”[/color] She’d chuckle. [color=fff79a]“Quite the interesting thing. I can not claim to know what its purpose is, but do you know what it does with the bodies and souls of the creatures it collects? On occasion, I have seen it sink below the Whispering Sea, and come back with far less than it had some days later. Curious, isn’t it?”[/color] She’d take a swig of what was very obvious alcohol. [color=fff79a]“Who knows why the beast of Blinding Conflict did what it did. Perhaps, it simply thinks that such conflict is the nature of the world and how it should be.”[/color] Luna thought on what the Queen had said for a minute as the Queen spoke. “Elder Beasts are quite the curious creatures.” The Knightess used her spoon to take a bit of the Queen’s bowl. It tasted good to her at least. She wondered what made the Queen wince at it earlier. “Perhaps Lucent Axatia does think that. It’d be hard to say I suppose, if the Old King had taken it out. Do you intend on speculating on it?” [color=fff79a]“No, not really.”[/color] Sorcha responded dismissively. [color=fff79a]“I was just curious. You know how I said I have memories of the king? Well, its just, there’s a particular one that’s been bothering me lately involving it, is all.”[/color] She’d take the stew bowl, and instead of bothering with a spoon would instead pull the entire thing to her lips and start just…drinking the whole thing, greens and all. [color=fff79a]“More food, luna! I ate it so bring me something good already!”[/color] She’d shout, slamming the bowl onto the table. Luna’s eyes went wide before she just gave a small chuckle and smile, “Very well.” She looked back at the chefs. “You guys heard her, get it going.” The chefs smiled weakly and started cooking the meat the way Luna had told them. “While we wait… What story is it you remember?” [color=fff79a]“...Oh, well…”[/color] Sorcha’s enthusiasm visibly fell a bit at the question, glancing off to the side. Her words wavered ever so slightly as she continued. [color=fff79a]“For a bit of context…many of the beast hunts happened before he officially became king. Before the golden age. The beast of conflict…if I remember right, was the first and final beast he killed under the guidance of the sage, but…was also the most brutal…if…what I remember is anything to go by. More brutal than when he even had to kill the heinous black dragon.”[/color] She’d take another drink, falling silent for a few seconds, contemplating the mug before her. [color=fff79a]“...a bloodbath.”[/color] She shook her head. [color=fff79a]“People that had been friends, allies…family…tearing each other to pieces.”[/color] She’d glance to the side, not even bothering to touch the food in front of her when the servants brought her a freshly cooked cut of meat. [color=fff79a]“The king…me…sinking my blade into the beast's heart as it laughed saying that so long as conflict existed…so too, would it.”[/color] She gripped the mug hard enough to turn her knuckles white, a few sparks of electricity sparking from it. [color=fff79a]“Out of hundreds of people in that battle…only five people survived. Five that would later go on to become the Kings Knights.”[/color] Unlike the playfulness earlier the queen had showed when messing with Luna earlier that night, there was nothing now but what seemed like a slow, subtle anger. “I see.” Luna said, empathizing with Sorcha. She had never fought such a beast but… What could she do if she had? Would she have been strong enough to survive and become one of the King’s Knights? She wondered what it’d be like to be burdened by memories from so long ago. “I can’t imagine what it must be like, having those memories.” She hesitated for a second before putting her hand on top of the Queen’s hand that was holding the mug. “For now, lets get some real food in your stomach, shall we?” She made sure the meat was in front of her. “I’m pretty sure this will taste better than that stew.” Luna said with a bit of a smile. Luna, would understandably get just a slight bit zapped from touching the queens hand. Not hard, just a little static shock from a bit of electricity. [color=fff79a]“Its fine, really.”[/color] Sorcha sighed, looking at the food in front of her. [color=fff79a]“It happened…well, ages ago now and I wasn’t actually there…if anything, I’m glad to have them.”[/color] She’d say, mouth turning into a smile as she’d reach for a fork…and promptly shove a cut of meat right into Luna’s mouth. [color=fff79a]“I wouldn’t have met any of you if I didn’t.”[/color] Luna smiled a small bit until she saw her queen grabbed a cut of the meat and swiftly delivered it to her mouth. It was small enough she could chew, thankfully. She removed her hand from her Queen' s feeling little need to comfort her again as she finished chewing the piece and swallowing. "Well, you're back to your usual self now at least." The knightess was unable to tell if she should be glad or exasperated at the moment but she figured glad was the better option. [color=fff79a]“...I don’t know what you’re talking about.”[/color] Sorcha replied with a small smile and a laugh. [color=fff79a]“And now, I shall get my revenge for earlier. Luna! ME. YOU! DRINKING CONTEST!”[/color] "What's this? With all due respect your Majesty… I'm no lightweight. I'm not going to just let you win, if you do." [/hider] [@VitaVitaAR] [hr] “Fomorians?” Sucaria tilted her head lazily to the side, reaching towards her chest. “...so you…do want to see it again?” Instead of spooking the sword witch again though, she would turn on her heels back towards the bookshelves. Delicate hands ran over the spines of several books, sleepy half asleep eyes searching for a few book titles as she’d pull one or two from the shelves, and then walk over to the desk. “...nnhn…heavy…” Sucaria sleepily sighed. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to have made a macabre mess with her unique condition. “Fomorians…but…I could answer questions…too.” The dusky skinned elf coughed a few times and muttered a quiet apology before continuing. “I think…the Wings of Dark are from one of the…stories…here…” She’d hand Fio a smaller book. On the cover of it was a relief of what seemed to be two draconic figures, one lightly decorated with a black outline, the other white. [i]“A Collection of stories of Albion’s peoples”[/i] Upon opening the book, it seemed to be a small collection of a few miscellaneous stories and myths of a lesser known or not quite as popular status, apparently written as a sort of journal or research paper from someone. Many of them were related to the Betrayed God, the Tuatha, and the Giants, focusing much on the time just after the Endless Night and things unrelated or only somewhat connected to the King. The Giant Hrelskin and it supposedly betraying its frost-bitten kin, something about the Lake Ithica supposedly being able to transport one to other realms, a clan of Tuatha supposedly living out in the Gheslias wastes…numerous myths and stories of various veracity and claim. What Fio, though, would be interested in was one of the longer chapters within the book, and indeed, had some relation to the king. [hider=Wings of Light, Wings of Dark] [i]“What I write now, is a tale both connected to the King, but one that was initially completely unrelated. When the Gods cursed body fell to the earth, its soul was split in twain from the evil the wicked fey set upon it. The cursed ridden body, too, did split. The gods spine, falling to the earth in the form of a hideous black creature that flew, breathed fire, was as black as night and spewed venom from its breath. The other half, became a brilliant white creature that could outshine the heavens and sun, a single beat of its wings turning the entire of Albion into a wind-sheared wasteland ravaged by storm and lightning. They would become the first of the Dragons in Albion. The black, known as the vile Varakel ravaged the land with its breath of fire and disease. It ruled over humans with a tyrannical fist, forcing them into its service slaughtering those who refused. Those who refused were turned into little more than slaves and tools, some even forced into becoming experiments to the Fomorians. The white, who had taken the name of the Land Itself - Albion - mercilessly slaughtered humans in divine, righteous fury. No human dared to get close, for doing so would most have certainly been a death sentence. It had no love, or no use for the humans beneath it, for it had deemed them all as sinners unworthy to live. The King, Arthwys, would slay Varakel within the wastes where it made its home. He is often referred to as the Dark-Winged Tyrant, the Dragon which brings ruin, the Beast of Destruction and Perdition who destroys all. Some say the dragon slayed by Sigurd, Fafnir, was the son, or had some other direct relation to Varakel. Albion, however - was oddly pacified by the king in some other manner. I’ve done my best to speak to Tuatha seers, educated sages and the like to find out what exactly happened to it - but as far as anyone knows, it seems to have left Albion upon befriending the king in some manner. I ran across one fellow who insisted that the Traitor Knight had some relation to Albion, though he could offer no evidence of such a claim. There are some sources that say that when the King Returns, Varakel would once more show up to challenge them. Indeed, I have scoured a few prophecies left by the Tuatha seers, as well as a few scrolls left supposedly left behind by sir Regimbald and that say that such a thing could possibly be the case…[/i] [/hider] The text continued on, speculating about more and theorizing more upon the nature of the legend and the two beasts. Ultimately, it concluded that it was unlikely that some beast like Varakel that was definitely killed in some fashion, could return. While there were precedents for Elder Beasts and similar creatures being able to cheat death in some manner, the author ultimately concluded that the fact no dragon had been seen in Albion since the Kings old hunts of glory…there is unlikely any dragons left that could be related, or even cause Varakel to return in some fashion. As Fio would read and research, Sucaria would remain close by in case she was needed. For the most part, she’d stay silent aside from the occasional quiet cough…had she…fallen asleep standing up? Either way, she had gotten some useful information. She should probably go find the queen, now unless there was anything else she wanted to look for. [@FrogRFlowR] [hr] Trekking through the camp was easy enough. No one expected someone to actually be inside already, after all, so no one was really looking. Even after being alerted to something possibly having happened, no one really seemed to think much of it. Undisciplined and unruly, as one could expect of bandits. He’d approach the one standing guard at the stairs leading under what seemed to be the main base for this little bandit fort. Upon hearing a the clattering noise of Niall’s spear falling to the floor he’d of course, turn to look at it. He’d blink in surprise, completely caught off guard by where this weapon had even come from - “Guh!?” Not a second later Niall pounced, grabbing the guard by his neck from behind and crushing his windpipe, slowly choking the guard until he was unconscious. Niall hefted him over his shoulder as he’d head down into the basement and prop the bandit up on the wall. It should be noted that knocking someone out was quite hard, especially doing it for long amounts of time. He would not have long until the guard would likely rouse - but perhaps Niall’s attention may be drawn by what was down here. It seemed to be less of a basement, and more of a makeshift prison and storeroom. A single hallway led until the end of the room, flanked by rooms full of supplies. At the end though? [url=https://i.imgur.com/AdPg3h8.png]It was a…very oddly dressed Fomorian.[/url] They looked fairly human, for the most part, save for the completely black skin and black slcera. A fairly slight looking creature, by all accounts and dressed in a completely outlandish and unknown fashion. Something resembling a robe almost. [url=https://i.imgur.com/vvOUudS.jpg]And a red-haired Tuatha male.[/url] “Seems its my lucky day. You have no idea how hard it is to find good research tools. They all break so easily. I’m sure someone who’s been giving us as much trouble as you have, you’ll be able to endure a few…enhancements.” “I don’t know what you’re planning,” The tuatha male snarled. “But if you think I’ll just let you do whatever it is you did to those guys with me, you’re gonna get your head beat in.” He had been completely tied up, wrists shackled to the wall, and his body tied to a wooden post with thick ropes while his legs had been restrained with metal chains. “I’m absolutely quivering in my robe.” She’d dryly reply. “Bull-headed idiots like you are pathetic. You should be thanking me. I’ll be giving you power to do anything you want.” On a table near her were what seemed to be tools of some less than nice nature. Not torture implements but more…things of magical and perhaps, medical nature. “Now get comfortable. I have some...things to prepare.” The woman would walk off into a side room, leaving the Tuatha male and Niall alone for now, but there was no telling how much time he had left before either the guard woke from his nap or she returned.