[center][h3][color=3d5a88]Niallus Saberhagen[/color]
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[color=PowderBlue] Cold Soup.[/color][/h3]
[hr] Characters:Cold Soup[@Yummyyummy] Niallus Saberhagen. [@McKennaJ71]
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[color=PowderBlue]“You are lucky, Eskandr.”[/color] spoke the bulky woman to Niallus as they walked side to side by the stream of clear water. [color=PowderBlue]“We recognize your strength, and see Eskand as a friend to be made.”[/color] she kept it simple and to the point, her eyes trained forward as she continued her march toward the bigger body of water. [color=PowderBlue]“As a sign of good faith, we offer to you the Wailing Leviathan, Niallus Saberhagen.”[/color] she stopped and turned to face the tall young man, although she was taller. [color=PowderBlue]“A formidable weapon from your people, wielded by Ivar the Red, long lost but recovered by the Twins themselves. A blade I had long respected and yearned to wield, but I understand that its place is among the best of Eskand.”[/color] she bowed her head slightly. [color=PowderBlue]“And in turn, you will show an act of good faith and agree to cooperate with the Rettanese Empire. Yes?”[/color]

Niallus eyes widen from the offer that Cold Soup said. Thinking about it, looking at the clear water. [color=3d5a88]"That is a very old Eskandr weapon. I've read most of the stories that involved it."[/color] pondering the other things that she also said, he couldn't help to ask this. [color=3d5a88]"Can I ask you. If you have this much interest in it could you have asked the emperor's for it?"[/color] looking at her with a curious look.

Cold Soup crossed her arms. [color=PowderBlue]“I have found many trinkets and named weapons in my lifetime. I've had my eyes on many artifacts, this is one of them.”[/color] he began, a hint of pride in her not-so-womanly voice. [color=PowderBlue]“The legend behind Ivar the Red's battle against Arcel, Talit and Saint Camille reached even ReTan, and the darkness he conjured. It was more of a fantasy than a true want.”[/color] she looked to Niallus eyes, chin raised. [color=PowderBlue]“The lost Eskandr blade belongs to a worthy Eskandr. House Saberhagen would elevate itself as the successor to the will of Ivar, a will that sought to elevate Eskand to its highest peaks. And along with this, could usher in the greatest country-to-country relationship this world has ever seen.”[/color] her thin lips formed a tight and calculated grin. [color=PowderBlue]“Do you believe yourself to be that man to usher in a new age for both the Empire of ReTan and Eskand, Niallus Saberhagen?”[/color]

Niallus raises an eyebrow, and it seems that she's trying to butter him up to take this offer. If Niallus didn't spend time with the Ogauraq and learnt the Emperor's cannot  be trusted. He was also worried about his love, he couldn't sense her mana. He hoped that she was ok. Trying not to let his concern for Ingrid, distract him, he continued to think about the offer given to him. [color=3d5a88]"Hmm, It's tempting...But how do I know you have it. You could just be saying this to rope me along in all of this."[/color] he asksThe strong woman's gaze lingered for a moment, sizing up Niallus. [color=#6EF2F3]“As the Emperors said, we could have simply killed you. What would be the point of deceit at this point?”[/color] she sighed and whistled a call. Two of the servants then appeared, carrying a long and rectangular coffer and placed it by the two. It unlocked with a simple flick of Cold Soup's finger, opening slowly with a subtle creaking sound. Inside was a great sword, maintained and oozing with void-touched energies. The red ruby at the hilt looked exactly like what the tales had said, and the dark carvings on the blade were genuine old Eskandr runes. This was either an incredibly convincing replica, or the real deal.

Staring at this amazing looking greatsword, every bit of detail is exactly the same from what he remembered from the stories he heard as a child. [color=3d5a88]"Wow...it's amazing that is still in such excellent condition."[/color] A part of him wanted to touch it, but he refrained from, not wanting to push his luck any more. The only thing thats running through his mind is how the others are fairing. With a shake of his head, he was confident that they'd be ok. This is probably the best choice if they still want to overthrow the twin emperors. Looking at Cold Soup, [color=3d5a88]"I...accept the offer."[/color]

Soup smiled. [color=PowderBlue]“That is a very good thing to hear, and a wise choice, Saberhagen.”[/color] she gestured to the blade, inviting him to seize it. [color=PowderBlue]“It is about time the Wailing Leviathan meets the hands of an Eskandr once more.”[/color] she even took a step back while the two servants stood perfectly still behind the box. [color=PowderBlue]“It is concluded, then. You will cooperate with the Emperors of ReTan, and to conclude this transaction, a gesture of good will is expected of you.”[/color]Niallus reached out to grab the handle of the Wailing Leviathan. Once gripped, he lifted it up with both hands. It felt lighter than what he thought. Niallus has never seen a void-touched sword before, let alone hold one. He looks towards Cold Soup and lightly nods to her request.Soup returned the curt nod. [color=PowderBlue]“Now, for the sign of good faith.”[/color] she unfolded her arms and set them to her hips. [color=PowderBlue]“You will be expected to take out enemies of the Empire. Enemies that we have captured, and you may have noticed. Is this understood?”[/color]

Niallus let out a light sigh, he expected something like this would happen. He wonders what she wants him to do, only one way to find out. [color=3d5a88]"Where did they come from?"[/color] he asks.Cold Soup smirked, and then reached out for the sword's hilt. [color=PowderBlue]“From the city. And they were dining with us.”[/color] she was intent on reclaiming the sword. [color=PowderBlue]“Once you do the job, the sword will be yours, as you will prove to be a true friend to the Empire.”[/color]

With a look of confusion, Niallus wonders who they were talking about. [color=3d5a88]"The city, and they were dining?"[/color] Niallus felt sick, wondering who could it be. Was it someone close to him. A cold shiver ran down his spine just thinking about it. He reminded himself why he's doing it to help the group if they need it. [color=3d5a88]"Lead the way...."[/color]The sword was reclaimed, the box sealed and the servants carried the goods away, now that the authenticity was confirmed. [color=PowderBlue]“Yes. Traitors to the Empire.”[/color] she nodded as she guided Niallus to the agreed meeting spot. [color=PowderBlue]“You have met them, yes.”[/color]Walking to the meeting spot, anxiety slowly started to build up for Niallus. He wondered who it could be. Taking some deep breaths, he wanted to ask her for more about this person, but didn't want to. But he needed to know. [color=3d5a88]"What are we waiting for?"[/color] he asks.[/center]