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Carmen stood still taking In faize's words, her gaze settled on the stranger that had approached. Her expression was confused she was royalty but the idea of others bowing still felt odd. She reached a hand out placing it to the lads shoulder raising him to stand straight.
"There is no need for such curtsies"
She looked up at Grevious as if comtimplating the whole thing. She tightened her cloak back and raised its hood.
"Very well, Montra it is. I shall help you but we do this peacefully. We go demanding his head we'll be no better then him. If we take the support of the people he has nothing. He is to old to fight himself"

Ooc:here's the thread for ooc discussion

https://www.rprepository.com/community/forumthread.php?t=52720

Faize nods."The north stills follows me not the king. All i have to do is say the word and they'll rebel."

The council listened carefully to Vygoren's words.

"There's mountains all around the castle. The quickest and easiest route would be through the forest to the east." He paused for a moment before pointing to a location in the mountains that wasn't on the map. "If we go here, we can cut her off before she makes it there. A secret passage winds around into a quarry which leads into the forest. If we leave now, we can make it there in two days."

As Vygoren finished speaking, there was a concerned sigh from across the table. General Vendrick, arms crossed and a vexed expression on his face, leaned in and pointed out the Eastern forest.

"Your prediction would take her close to rebel territory. This does not bode well."

Murmurs of anxious agreement rumbled out from the others. Caspar scraped at the stubble on his jaw.

"That might not be a coincidence," he said. "Apparently the Princess has departed with one of her new 'tutors'. The swine might be bringing her to them, as a bargaining chip, or worse."

He glanced up to Vygoren.

"Lord Calygarn. You and your men deserve a stay of rest, so I will not force your involvement here. We will dispatch a small contingent of riders, following the route that you have advised; however, if you desire to aid your King and join them, then I know that their odds of success would be greatly improved."

As Lucifer dived into the pig pen, his head were buzzing around as all hell had broken loose. "Ah!" He spoke and rubbed his. Then SPLAT! Right into the mud head first he went. The farmer behind him laughed his ass off. "Stupid man" Laughed the farmer. The pigs oinked and one of them picked up his satchel. The pig began running around like mad, the shoulder strap had wiggled around its neck.

"For Etiri's sake" Lucifer groaned, his boots a third deep in the mud. He struggled to walk in the thick mud, its strong grasp tried to hold him in one place. .

With arms stretched out, he tried to grab the pig, but it were greased up from the mud. The pig oinked loudly, which startled the other pigs into even more oinking. It felt like Lucifers ears bled, but no blood came.

"Argh!" Shouted Lucifer and jumped up on one of the other pigs. He kicked it in its side, and it began moving forward. It picked up speed, its course were to the pens fence. To avoid the full-on stop that would be caused if the pig hit the fence, Lucifer grabbed it by it's neck fat, and steered it out of the way.

He twisted the fat and the pig were under his control. Lucifer looked around for the pig with his satchel, then he saw it. "Gotcha" He steered the swine over to the other pig, then jumped from one to another.

He grabbed the strap and began to wiggle it off the pig. The animal were startled and ran around, trying to throw him off. "I won't give up that easy Ham!" He shouted so it even gave him a minor headache. With a twist and a turn, hewiggled the satchel off the pigs neck, now he could finally let go. He slided of the pig and down in the mud.

"Yes" He muttered to himself and crawled out of the pen.

Grevious nodded his head towards the Queen, many of the rebel forces had already began to leave the campsite. Many of them continuing on old roads towards Montra, many of the rebel forces had split up for travel as to not have everyone killed as one caravan, it allowed travel distance and a moments notice for an ambush. Grevious began putting on his armor, a large Ironclad Helm, a spiked shoulder piece on the left shoulder, and the rest of his armor. He looked down at Carmen and Faize adjusting his helm and sword.

"You may accompany my company Carmen and sir, as well as you." He looked to both Matt and Faize before continuing. "But tread carefully through the Cemetery, we may have guards in the area." He hadn't known of the dangers, but the rest of the rebels were to wait at the outskirts of the grave site for Grevious to arrive. Looking at his heavily armored hand, he gave out a simple grunt and jumped onto the seat of a Carraige prepared with a pair of horses ready to begin a journey. He awaited for the pair to enter into the vehicle before stating aloud. "Throw on the robes in the back. If we are stopped you do not speak. I am your protection to the Shrines up North. It is an alias of course, but I wish not to be imprisoned again." He sat atop the perch, looking out at the vast clearing within the wood now, and the small pyres of smoke outlining the encampment.

He simply wanted this war to be over. But the only way he knew how to end it, was with war and bloodshed. Seeing many of his comrades fall to the blades of unwanted trespassers, those who claimed to have been agents of the King. The days from when Grevious was a younger man, his brothers being slain for being able to become more powerful then they had already been. Most of the Lycan's fled to the Northern Tundras, only to lose their control to the Feral, becoming terrifying wolves who would prey on unsuspecting passerby. The thoughts began to shake Grevious' head, he, growing very disdained and angry. He merely slammed a metal fist into the wood structure of the carriage, splintering the wood with the amount of force behind his hand.

"We ride into the moons light, by the break of sun we should reach Montra, and by tomorrow's moon, we shall have a base of Operations established. IF. Things go according to plan."

Vygoren would consider Lord Caspar's proposition carefully before making a decision. Lord Vygarn and his knights had travelled for many days from the east, and apart from the little bit of hospitality shown to them at Relbregh's Tower, the lord and his knights had not received much rest until now. Lord Caspar's generous offer was very tempting.

Vygoren considered his options again. But no matter how tempting it was for him to stay behind, Vygoren would never yield to temptation. He served the Throne with resolve and an iron fist. Carmen wasn't just some farmer's teenage daughter. She was the King's daughter, therefore making her a politically important and highly educated princess. Vygoren had been entrusted by Prince Relbregh to slay the King's greatest enemy, and now he was being trusted by the Royal Council to save the King's only female heir apparent.

Vygoren rested one of his brown gloved hands on Caspar's shoulder. "It would be my pleasure," he said before rolling the map up and sticking it into his shirt. With that, he would turn to General Vendrick and wave him along with a motion of his glove. The Council had wasted enough time talking already, and the King's Men were now in a haste. Lord Vygoren left the Council Chamber and started walking quickly down the Main Hall, never bothering to check if anyone was following him.

Vygoren pulled aside a young messenger in the hallway and ordered him to summon the other knights from the Guest Chambers, his cape flowing wildly as he kept walking. Soon, two of the knights would appear in the hall. "My Lord Vygarn," one of the knights said while bowing his head. "Listen," Vygoren commanded. "Gather the others and meet me at the Stables," Vygoren said while exiting one hallway and turning down another hallway. "Is something wrong my lord?" The other knight asked. "Just do as I say and go. Now!" Vygoren commanded while pushing open the large double doors in the arched hallway leading on to the front steps of the open Courtyard.

Carmen nodded stepping in the carriage her hood pulled over her head only her red lips to be seen. She tucked her ringed hand under the darkness of her cloak. Watching out the window trying to recall the graveyard it had been long enough that it was still on the hazy side.
"It would be guarded last time any of us set foot there was...when they buried her"
She leaned back in the seat
"I rather face those guards then the knights or lords he has out searching"

Faize nods and throws the robe on in a way that would allow him to take it off very quickly if they were to get into a fight."Leave the guards to me, if they see us."

"Now go! Before I reconsider my decision, and you end up with your head sliced off!" Calvin called to Johanna.

The woman gave a brief nod, as the guard politely exited his chambers. She'd look back at the prince, and gave a quiet "Thank you" before returning back to patrolling.

Calvin looked at the small note from the lady that rested in his hands, as the prince began to read it again.

Cal.

I humbly request that at my next break, I want you to accompany me when I travel to my home. I've been meaning to introduce you to my humble abode.

- Johanna

He'd shove the note into a minor pocket of his jacket, as the prince walked toward his window. Calvin gazed into the usual, gloomy sky with a thought floating through his mind.

Accompanying Mieadov to her peasant home? I suppose that I agreed to the end of her deal.

~

Calvin turned the corner from the outside of the castle, as he saw the young woman waiting rather patiently for him. When he approached, the prince could see a warm smile on Johanna's face; an expression he'd rarely seen on anyone besides her.

"You arrived," Johanna said, as Calvin rolled his eyes at the sentence.

"Just get on with it, Mieadov," the prince muttered, as the two began walking off.

"Well," the guard began, as Johanna un-equipped her helmet, "We first have to go apple picking for my son."

The prince gave a rather confused expression at the woman. "Apple picking?" Calvin questioned toward Johanna. "Why do we have to waste time with something as worthless as apple picking? There is no point in doing something like that." He'd gaze at Johanna. "Is that what peasants do, now?" he'd say. "They do worthless activities."

Johanna looked down at the young prince. "It's actually fun," she'd say, as Johanna ruffled the prince's hair.

"Why are you treating me like I'm your child?" Calvin asked through gritted teeth, as the prince soon swatted Johanna's hand away. "You're no way in hell like my mother."

The guard raised an eyebrow at the prince, as the forest started to come into the view. "Then, what was your mother like, Cal?" Johanna asked.

Prince Calvin felt as though he froze for a moment. "How.. Mother was like?" he asked. "Well, uh, she was..." Calvin's voice trailed off for a moment, before the boy shook his head. "You know what, forget I ever said this," the prince demanded quickly, as the two stepped right into the forest.

Johanna looked up at the trees in silence for a moment. "Well," the guard murmured, as she settled her helmet down at a nearby tree. "Why don't we get started, Cal?"

Calvin gave a low growl at the nickname. "You really should learn to address me by my proper title, Mieadov," the prince said toward her, as Calvin soon followed Johanna. "Even the most idiotic servant in the castle addresses me properly."

Johanna looked back at the prince. "But, we aren't in the castle, Cal," she said. "Meaning to say, I'll keep calling you Cal."

Prince Calvin gave a groan, as Johanna laughed. When the prince narrowed his eyes, however, the guard would clear her throat. With a sigh, Johanna said, "Cal, if you want to head back to the castle sooner, then maybe you should cooperate better."

He'd roll his eyes at Johanna. "I suppose I may work with those circumstances," Calvin muttered. "If it returns me home sooner, Mieadov."

Johanna smiled. "Then, why don't we get started?"

*matt puts on the robe* hmm i wonder...

"Finally" Lucifer held his trophy of his satchel over his head, he did it, he beat the pig. Behind him the farmer were on the ground, laughing like all hell. "Thanks for your great hospitality and warm morning greeting" Said Lucifer to the farmer, then left the farm.

"That swine sure were unkind to me, and those pigs weren't that friendly either" He muttered to himself, and tried to brush the mud off his coat, then came to a smelly conclusion.

"It weren't only mud, it were pigshit too, For Vagtia's sake, what have I done for this to befall on me?" He sighed then marched along the dirt road.

His long hair were doused in mud and shit, the same with his clothes, he needed to wash.

He walked further down the road then a river began to run beside it, this delighted the dirty teacher.

He walked down to the riverside, then stripped naked. He placed his belongings behind him, then went into the water. The water glistered against his thin toned body. Scars from whips and belts covered his back. He dipped head first into the water, making him all wet.

The Council had seemed greatly appeased by the news that Lord Calygarn would be heading up the rescue efforts; Caspar in particular, who bowed low as Vygoren passed by, with General Vendrick in tow.

As Vygoren hurried to make his own arrangements, the General split away from him and marched down into the training yards. Outside, over two dozen fresh recruits pounded the gravel, lunging and flailing as they obeyed the instructions of their drill masters. Vendrick pushed straight through the lines, towards the end of the field, ignoring the hasty salutes thrown up at him by bewildered rookies.

"Captain!" he yelled, drawing the attention of several troopers. "Captain Daniels!"

A hard-boiled man with a nasty gouge through his nose turned in Vendrick's direction and started walking over.

"Aye, General? New orders?"

"Of the highest urgency, yes. I need you to ready forty of your fastest riders. Have them assemble out front, where they will be placed under the command of Lord Calygarn."

"The barbarian?"

"This is not the time for such remarks, Daniels."

"As you say, sir. What is it that you want me to tell the men?"

"Tell them to ride fast, ride hard and to butcher anything that stands in their way. They shall be reclaiming our Princess."

Elsewhere..

The nightmares had been worse than usual and there had been moments when Magnus doubted if he'd ever escape from them, or if they'd caught up to him, at long last. But in a series of slow blinks, the room came into focus, as the old King finally awoke.

Judging by the ceilings that greeted him, he was in his chambers, high atop the castle. He had evidently survived his fall in the throne room, although he almost wished he hadn't: every fiber of his body groaned in unison, as though they'd been run through a press and he felt encased in sweat, drowning under the matted layers of his bedsheets. Grimacing, he gripped the edges of his mattress and tried to pull himself upright. A sharp pain shot through his abdomen.

"Gargh," he growled, flopping back into the spoiled linens.

But he had no time to dwell upon his discomfort: on hearing his wail, something stirred in the room and Magnus recognized the faint sound of cotton shifting under someone's weight. Still haunted by delirious dreams, his first thought was that this stranger had come to kill him.

"At last," said a voice. "He rises."

A woman's voice. His physician's voice. Magnus sighed, exhaling the fleeting fear that had captured him.

"I feel like death," he said.

"Well, almost. But not quite yet."

The woman came into view. Neither old, nor young, but something comfortably in-between, she had straw-coloured hair and the smile of a concerned friend.

"You old fool," she said, though there was nothing unkind in it. "You gave us quite the scare."

It was at this point that Magnus noticed an array of esoteric apparatus, stationed around his bed-frame. Cables were strung up like cobwebs, connecting to cog-wheels that spun lazily on their axis. Pipes, protruding from the walls, would infrequently sneeze a pinkish mist into the air; the room resembled a workshop, not a bedroom.

"What in the name of-?"

"Don't you start. It was necessary."

"This is my personal chamber!"

"It would've been your personal tomb if I hadn't rigged those things up. Now settle down, I'm working here."

The doctor turned to a strange set-up beside the King's bed. With a holstered pouch of liquid and a series of tubes that led directly into the King's arm, it was similar to a crude IV-drip. Magnus eyed the thing, warily.

"What's that one do?"

"It replenishes your fluids. Your fever has been draining you dry. In fact, this one's empty already."

Magnus remained unconvinced, but said nothing as the doctor wandered off to fetch a fresh pouch. In the ensuing silence, he thought of the events that had led him to this miserable state. He thought of his family.

"Has my daughter returned?"

"I'm afraid not, no."

It was the answer that he'd expected, though that didn't lessen the disappointment; shamed by his daughter and now, by the weakness of his own body, Magnus fell into a sullen silence.

"But hey," urged the woman. "I've heard that a whole bunch of knights were dispatched to go and retrieve her. So chin up, eh? Now, hold still while I re-fill this."

Returning to his bed-side, the woman began to refuel the IV drip with a new batch of liquid. It was primarily fresh, healthy blood that filled the bag - but hidden from the King's view, his doctor had poured in something extra: a vial of dark-grey gloop.

"There you go. That'll be working its magic on you in no time," she smiled. "Now, let's change those sheets, shall we?"

The sun barely shined through the heavy treeline, if there was still out in the clouds. Time hadn't seemed to pass fast or slow, Grevious had lost track of time, more focused on checking his perimeter. The Lycan shot out a large breathe of steam, the air beginning to get colder. His eyes wandered throughout the area, spotting something that resembled a body, quickly he stopped the Carriage.

"Wait but a moment, I must check something."

Grevious hopped off the perch and landed harshly on the ground, feeling as if the ground itself shook. His left claw reached to his waist to grab a large cutlass style blade, having it drawn and ready. Kneeling over to a body face down in the mud he was able to turn it over to reveal a young boy, seventeen, with his neck cut and an arrow in his stomach. A thought wandered to his head, 'Perhaps this was the men ahead of us...' but he knew that wasn't true. A supply group was sent out nearly two weeks ago to get medical munitions for the wounded, but were never heard from. Grevious remembered the face of the boy. His brother had been a good friend before being slain by a Royal Officer last year. But Grevious stood, interrupting his train of thought to look at the rest of the battle scene. The aftermath of the battle between Two Bit's men, and Rebel interceptors, however Grevious was unaware of this but continued on to investigate for a few more moments.

However he is unable to find anything but the remains of his fallen comrades and black looking blood. Though he could not explain he didn't feel as if it were strange, none the less Grevious returned back onto the perch for which he sat upon beforehand, "We must be cautious now. I know not of what lies in this wood. Keep your guard everyone." He refrained from mentioning plans in case the assualters or assaultees were lingering in the shadows listening in. Grevious' sense of smell was almost perfect, however his hearing was slightly terrible, and often relied on his nose for tracking target.

It had been a long ride, but there was no resistance along the road, there was bits of food and water in the carriage enough to had lasted the ride to Montra. Grevious' nose flared as he caught wind of Montra itself, he could smell the rotted dead, even those freshly put in. The trees beginning to clear to reveal the large graveyard within the side of the mountain, crypts being in the hearts of these mountains. None of the rebels had entered the site by the time that Grevious and gang had arrived, many of Grevious' officers stood at attention when he arrived.

"General Grevious, we have waited patiently for your arrival and await orders."

Grevious gave a scratch to the side of his head, jumping off the perch and grabbing his blade, pointing with his other hand, "We must clear the area before we bring in the wounded. Have a few of the stronger men hold the position, while I bring in a clearing squad through the Crypts. Incase of hidden protection..." Suddenly Grevious sheathed his blade, walking towards the carriage, opening the door to talk to Carmen, Faize, and Matt even.

"Princess do you know of the defenses within these tombs. And you two, do you wish to help clean this place up for the sick and hurt?" A sly grin growing on Grevious' face.

Faize glances at the man."I'll stick with the Princess"

There was commotion at the Stables, a row of small wooden roofed horse pens and fences with dirt flooring covered in hay, emitting a foul odor from the smell of all the rotten food bins and horse droppings. For this reason, the Stables were open and located outside of the Inner Wall just past the Courtyard, but still within the Outer Wall of the castle where they recieved protection. A band of knights were putting on their armor and mounting up to go search for the missing princess. There were seven of them altogether, each one of them wearing royal regalia over their white overcoats. All except for one of them; Vygoren Calygarn.

The sharp toothed lord was savage. Though human, he was far from humane. As he sparked up a rolled shabster, already on horse's saddle, Lord Calygarn would inhale the leafy substance before exhaling all of his anxiety in a swirl of smoke. Baring his piranha-like teeth, his eyes intent on showing authority, Vygoren stiffened his shoulders and straightened his back, taking a close firm grip on the reigns. His long wild firey red hair was waving in the wind, with his green cape tucked between him and the saddle he was sitting on. His armor was very light, consisting of a single long metal armguard. On his opposite side, attached to his hip was a bastard sword. Apart from this, he had already removed his shirt and was bare chested, his body covered in several personal tattoos and many scars, which Lord Vygoren flaunted openly like symbols of honor and glory. Every scar told a story of battle. Every tattoo told a story of victory.

"Gather round gents," Vygoren bolstered. "I'm only going to say this once. The princess has escaped, this time beyond the wall. The King believes she may be in the eastern forest, possibly heading to cross the river. He doesn't wish for it to be known to everyone so don't draw attention to yourselves when we leave." He paused to look around at all his men, all of them now mounted and ready for battle.

After giving his comrades a look of pity and disbelief, Vygoren hit the shabster again before finishing his speech. "So take off your overcoats, and lose the heavy armor if you have any. We need to ride fast." Smoke billowed from Vygoren's mouth and nostrils as he spoke. His words were loud and deep, as to be expected from a warlord. "Let's go," he said, before nudging his black stallion along.

"Ack, ptew! To hell with the princess. The King --" One of the knights had spat in the mud with disgust, but did not even finish his sentence before Vygoren spun around and beheaded him with his giant long bladed sword. The headless knight was wearing a throat protector, but it did not seem to matter as he fell off his horse into the very mud he had spat in. Vygoren gave a quick gaze to the other five knights before turning around again to trot away.

Riding his stallion back through the Courtyard to the Barracks, Lord Vygoren nodded to Captain Daniels, observing him. General Vendrick was not among them, but he had sent fourty of the fastest riders in the King's Army to accompany him on his quest. As Vygoren and the five other knights approached the riders, it was almost difficult to tell the two apart. Without their overcoats, Vygoren's knights blended in with the King's men. This they did intentionally, for even though others would find them difficult to recognize, they would recognize each other by their familiarity with one another.

Once everything was in order and the company had been organized, the scouting party took off through the Main Gate in a full gallop, riding in a close formation as they followed King's Pass into the Forest to the east, kicking up dust in their path. Crossing hills and thin creeks, Vygoren led his party of 47 scouts - including Captain Daniels and himself - off of the main road and through some trees into more rocky terrain. As they drove their horses on to a very narrow passage heading northbound up into the Mareshoe Mountains, Vygoren explained to Captain Daniels that they were not just going towards the Quarry, but to a hidden passage within the Quarry, which would wind around towards the River's bend in the northeast, bringing them back down the mountains again and into the northern edge of the forest where they could hopefully setup an ambush.

All they had to do then was wait...

Carmen looked up seeing the graveyard she stood stepping out of the carriage carefully. Her hand lingered on the wood before going to step forward. Her hand gripping tightly to her blade.

"There are golems placed around Queen Celias tomb, 10 to be precise, to pass one needs a blessed item from the summoner"

She took a deep breath stepping into the graveyard ahead waiting for no one to follow. Her feet bringing her into the clearing she stood silently hand gripping her Rosen blade tightly. The sound of cracking stone as the placed statues began to move wielding their swords. Expressionless stone faces as they went to charge on Carmen.

Carmen glanced up with her blue eyes knowing the movements from one of her studied. She knew what creatures the royal family had and what purpose they served. As the stone beasts moved closer she unsheathed her blade. Holding it firmly swinging into a spin slicing through five of the statues. Turning to block a swing from one statue inpaticular that bared her mothers face. Her stance stayed firm pushing back against the attack.
"Fortunately"
She flipped her blade tapping it to the stone forehead. The stone quickly freezing back into its place. Spinning to spot the other four blade out and ready.
"Every rose be it plant or carved my father has blessed before it is presented to me, including my sword"

Faize grunts."I may be joining but i still intend to teach you. Remember what i said about making your own stance to cover your weaknesses and boosts your strengths."Faize looks at the downed golems."If they were any faster and smarter you'd ave been screwed."Faize glances at the others moving closer to the group and he draws his blade."Princess i think i'll deal with the others unless you want to stop them."

With the mention of ten Golemns Grevious sped into action along with Carmen, he was seven feet tall when he was in his Lycan form, if the princess intended on fighting alone, she was wrong. The armored wolf walked into the clearing, unsheathing his cutlass and wandering into the masses, one of the stone soldiers walked towards Grevious slicing a sword at his shoulder, though he was not fast with all his clad armor on, he side stepped slamming his armored boot into the side of the stone guardian's leg, and then slashing his head at the neck. His blade protested the action, but the head flew off with a cloud of stone and dust behind it. Grevious held his blade, "You will not fight alone when you are with me and my people. Though some of us are peasants, we have been fighting for as many as seventeen years." He said this in spite, as some of those who fought for seventeen years, were nearly into their fifties, and were not as fast, but talented swordsmen. Grevious held his blade, going in to assist Carmen as best he could, he let her have her enemies, but if the battle was to heated he would step in to assist, it was his nature.