: The wind swept path through the Vallenwood aided not the wounded form of the last to escape the Assassins onslaught. A deep crimson saturated the black cloak that none would ever precieve. Legs strained and burnt to push forth through this darkened night. Fighting with each step. Whom knew what predator strode amongst this hollow woodlands. The cries of wolves and other beasts echoed around like a banshee's cry. Stumbling, the fallen leaves crumpled as hands scurried to force her form to rise once more. Wisking back the cloak, undaunting locks of ravens black hair pooled freely about the neckline. The woman's face stayed strained, hampered from the wounds delivered by a hidden foe. There had be some sort of shelter here, a retreat or hermits dwelling? She'd wandered for nearly an hour before she saw the shadowy enterance to what seemed a cave.. Pushing fowarth, she proceeded to enter. Her arm wounded past the point of holding her footman's mace properly. Slipping inward into the stone edifice she saught shelter, and that.. Be what she found..:
:The long corridor ran someways, stopping at a wooden door, she nearly had the strength to wedge it open, before she colapsed inside.:
:Morning struck, as she slept in a hazy slumber, lost to the pains of the wound and numb from bloodloss. She awoke near noon. With what strength she had left, she spoke aloud, calling words to her lips that had little meaning to those nae among the arcane. Extending her free hand it alight with a blue flame, only to be extinguished upon the wound which sat festering.. Miraculously, it started to heal as if it twas never there.. Rising slowly she searched her surroundings, this place once seemed to be a haven for a group of thieves and brigands. Weapons were strewn about, the place seemed looted.. Moving from room to room she found a table and chair. Taking a moment to relax, she searched her wares. Procuring a green crystal, it was layed before her. More words fluttered to her lips as the crystal sat upright by its very self and hand begun to spin.. A face appeared within the glowing light.:
" Flayd... "
"M'lady Malacite.. Yae've been gone long.. Is thy well"
"Mildly wounded. Tis nae the matter.. The ring hath escaped my grasps.. Move a faction of your troops within the city. Find that Ring.. I wish it not to escape us again.. Send forth for Grys and his Boon.. There are manors along the edge of town we can inhabit for a price. Away from prying eyes.. Seize them.. Keep thy mark off thy units. I wish not for us to be detected. He whom stole the ring needth not be alerted yet. I wish to spring a trap on this would be thief.."
"It shall be done M'lord.. Tis there another wish?"
"Send forth my steed to the woodlands.. It shall find me.. I shall meet with thee on the eve.. Farewell General.."
:The crystal toppled to the oaken surface of the table as she broke the necessary concentration. Her amethyst eyes glimmered in the faint light as her lips pursed in a scowl.:
: Day had ceased and dusk fallen by the time the elegantly decorated war horse manuevered to the manor house. Dismounting, the woman was met with a bow from all those present. An armed escort of three sentries lead her to a her personal quarters. After she seemed fit and ready, she was brought to the main dining hall.
A large map was spread across the table, intricately all the surrounding lands about Stormbreak were sketched upon the thick papyrus. Stripped of her armor, Malacite strode about the table drapped in elegant robes and oppulent jewelry. Dangling from her neck sat a small crystal shard attached to a gold chain, for some reason. It stood out amongst the rest of the attire. :
"Have your troops found anything Flayd"
"Not at the moment M'lord.. With more time we shall have results.."
"Bah"
: She hissed as her lilthe form circled the table to stand nearest him:
"I wish results M'dear.. Not hollow words.. Have them turn up every thieves guild in this bloody city if need be. Have them dragged unto the streets and slaughtered. I care not.. I wish that ring found. As well the BOY.."
"My men are already searching for both tasks at hand Malacite..They shall produce results. I promise thee.."
"They'd better My Lovely... Or it'll be your head I rest before my palace door.."
:Thrusting one of the chairs it didn't seem to fully move beneath the table.. Her eyes narrowed as she looked towards her Man at Arms... Motioning silently beneath the table, they both knelt to see what was present..:
: The local pubs seemed bursting with life recently, word of a death cult had spread. Others spoke of a raiding party come to unsurp King Stephan's crown. All seemed like tales of rubbish. One man seemed to differ in opinion however. Old Withersby continued to speak to a small crowd within the Tired Dragon Inn about how his vassel was sent to Thresshold a weeks prior, and not a word has returned. The old man spoke on foul play, and a legion hidden within the Vallenwoods. Many cast their doubts verbally at the old man, about speaking in lies and his aging mental state. He cried till his lungs ran dry with air..:
"believe me you fools.. believe. there is something wrong within our city state.. I warn yae!!"
:Nearest the bar a group of men armored with various weapons and dark platemail continued to shoot the elderly man irritable glances as they drank their meed. The woman tending to them was a fair maiden, nae older then her seventeenth year or so. She seemed to keep an open ear as to their conversation as well as to what they were ordering.:
"Bloody woman, Y'ae'd think she's got the lord enslaved to her the way she barks orders at him.."
"Keep it down Feston.. Nae need to put yae head on the chopping block.. If we find what she's lookin for then we'll be finished sooner.. and the sooner the better.."
"Why doesn't she go find it.."
"She tried.. got her arse whelped by some man.. Prolly a thief or something... Killed five of her priests.. Har har.. The nerve they had to call US savages.. Atleast we can best a simple thief.."
" HAR HAR.. that be true.. To wrapped up in their magicks to even know how to wield the steel properly.. Fools.. I heard she caught a good lashing.. Cross the arm and hip.. Ohh... hope that dinna scare the pretty.. HARHAR.."
"Quit you fools... Flayd could walk in here any moment.."
:The two boysterous men's heads turned towards another sitting amongst them.. His decorations were more fitting of an officer class then mere foot solider, his armor held a fine fit to his form, and would shine if not for several layers of weapon black upon it. Atop his head sat a helm decorated with the skull of some beast as the face plate.:
" Commander Grys.. We.. ehh.. we didn't nae see ya enter.. -standing-.. Sorry M'lord.. tis merely a heart yearning to go home.."
"We shall Thungbar... nae in such haste.. With haste things go foul... We shall see her plot through... I hold faint in our lord to do as he must, as well we should... "
:A woman lurched against Grys's right shoulder, completely hidden beneath an ebony cloak, the men seemed to glance at her for a moment then look away. Grys didn't even seem to make any form of direction or pay any care to her presence.. :
"Well gentlemen.. Enjoy your meals.. we shall continue our search within the morrow... Good eve.."
:Spitting Thungbar wished to comment beneath his breath:
"Thinks he's all tough cause he slew two hydra.. Bah.. to the nine hells with him and his bloody boon.."
: As he lifted his glass a dagger shattered the mug right within his arm.. Turning in a startled haste he caught the long milk white arm of the woman slinking back beneath the cloak as she marched backwards.. Her lord not inches away...:
:Thungbar grumbled and slammed his fist atop the bar in anger as he rose..: