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Post by Ribitta on Jan 27, 2011 16:03:34 GMT -5
For three days the small Stamarian force had camped outside the walls of Teradia, sending two formal diplomats into the city each day, one in the morning and then another in the evening. The corresponding reports seemed to be quite successful. They reported not being harassed beyond anything that was obviously custom to the people, and curiously enough the languages were all but the same. Dialect differed slightly, of course, but for the most part this ancient civilization spoke quite understandably to those of the Stamarian Empire. Already jokes were circulating that this alliance would be secured from the Korin in no time due to their illiteracy and savage behaviors. While the Stamarians considered Teradia primitive in many regards, no diplomat had yet been unimpressed.
The Stamarian force was merely seven or eight dozen tents though, housing the tiny force of approximately 250 men and women. Indeed, the Emperor had no intention of making even a gesture of war toward these people. The flaps of the largest tent split open, drawn apart from the inside, and the towering figure of the Emperor himself appeared from the folds. Every diplomat had stated specifically the time and date that, should Teradia permit it, the rest of the Stamarians would make their entry into the city itself. That time had come.
Frigid air washed over the steel-like man, and his sonorous voice boomed throughout the camp, ”We will be leaving within the hour.” Without another word, he returned to his tent, the belongings already being packed up. He expected to hear from a man or two before departure, and once inside the city everyone would have their own tasks. Specifically, the Order of the Blade had arrived at the Emperor’s request, a surprising turn of events for many peering eyes. The Order of the Blade were not the only surprising choices as many low ranking men and women had been hand-picked by the Emperor as well. Sometimes the people forgot how closely their leader watched them.
Returning to the small, though not by most standards, desk that had been set up within his tent, the Emperor reviewed the papers one final time. He fully expected to hear the entrance of a handful of individuals within the following minutes, but until then he would enjoy his last few moments of peace before the world would churn at his words. It always did.
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Post by Steinerman on Jan 28, 2011 4:04:36 GMT -5
Gillian Arvestus shivered slightly as a particularly chilly wind passed through the camp. She'd woken early this morning, still unsure of why she and the Order had been summoned.
She wrapped her customary scarf around her neck, letting the ends fall daintily to her shoulders. Today, she wouldn't wear the military gear she would have preferred when moving into an unknown city. She'd argued against it, and secretly hoped the Emperor would order her into battle gear.
But no, they weren't here to make war, but peace. And if she were to be even somewhat near the Emperor, it was her duty to aid him in his goals. If that meant forgoing the military armament she would have preferred, so be it.
her one small concession was that she still wore her standard Rapier at her side. She'd upgraded the sheath for this visit, covering it in a golden cloth of a matching tone to her golden clothing. Even now as she walked, she practically radiated sunny beauty.
She was heading towards the Emperor's tent, where she'd wait to be summoned, or perhaps ask for an audience. She'd never really met the man, besides seeing him at the few social functions she still could bear to attend. (Disdainful eyes became tiring to look at after a little time) And so was unsure of how exactly she should approach the situation.
Equally unsure of why the Order had been summoned, she'd brought a diverse team with her. Unfortunately, one of her stalwart allies and good friends, Knight-Commander Michael Saint, was still away with the main convoy in Zailleon, and couldn't make it. But she'd brought a unit of Hospitallers with her, as well as a unit of the more Veteran Templars. And even a pair of the secretive Sphinx division.
The Intelligence arm of the Order, the Sphinx were mostly ignored by the Stamarian standard military. Both the men were officially listed as her assistants. And would be traveling with her when they entered the city. They would see to the gathering of intelligence, if necessary. And in their own right they were extremely skilled commandos. If things got dicey, if an ambush were to take the Stamarian party by surprise, they would be her stalwart shields.
She neared the Emperor's tent, still walking alone. Her gait was confident, she was playing the part of a Court Lady to a T, putting behind all the worries she held in her heart. Today, the Empire might call upon her mind, it would be clear of "All" distractions should that happen.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Jan 28, 2011 14:30:06 GMT -5
As Gillian approached the Emperor's temporary quarters, she would quickly see the man standing just off to the right side of its entryway. Clad in the white, blue, and black uniform befit of his status, Lord Jordan DuValle was a sight to behold. Easily towering over the diminutive leader of the Order of the Blade, the Emperor's personal bodyguard watched over the camp from his vantage point imperiously--even now... or rather because of now, the man had Flamereaver drawn, with its burning blade angled backwards in a reverse grip.
Blue-gray eyes soon set upon Gillian, but betrayed no emotion to the woman. DuValle courteously nodded to the woman as she approached the tent, knowing that the Emperor would permit her entry. Her two attendants he would bar the way. Perhaps he knew of their true identities. Such a thing would not be impossible for DuValle, with his status in the military being absolute.
He returned his gaze back to surveying the camp. Some distance away, a brunette woman in the blue-black outfit of a Knight of Stamaria was busily giving orders to her men, getting ready to depart from the campsite so to be ready for their entry into the city of Teradia. Beside her, a bronze-skinned wyvern stood, stretching its wings casually as it examined the nearby area, occasionally giving an abrupt cry at some of the soldiers.
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Post by Risk on Jan 28, 2011 17:08:57 GMT -5
The left flap of a small tent slapped back against the canvas side behind it, a long fingered, bare hand pushing it aside. Black boots stepped from the shadows of the makeshift shelter, reaching the knee before they revealed black cloth pants, stitching done in silver thread. A black belt with a silver buckle held them firmly in place, and directly above, falling slightly over the waistband of the pants was a blood red silk shirt, buttoned up until the last two which fell open to reveal a pale chest. Pulling on her black, silver threaded gloves, the woman stepped out into the sunlight, hair falling over her eyes to shade them.
She straightened up as she passed through the opening and brought her shoulders back, pushing her chest out without realizing it. Her hands folded at the small of her back as she surveyed the Templars she was charged with. She shouted at two soldiers nearby to part ways. Those two were always together, and as of late they'd been far too comfortable with each other. She was tired of it.
The Knight-Commander spotted her commanding officer, Gillian Arvestus, heading for the Emporer's tent. She tilted her head slightly and immediately started off in her direction. They hadn't spoken past the orders for her to arrive here the previous evening with her soldiers, and she was curious as to what was going on. Walking quickly and taking long strides, she began to catch up and in her carrying knight voice she made herself known, "Grandmaster." She met her side, "I have been meaning to speak with you."
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Post by Steinerman on Jan 28, 2011 17:21:39 GMT -5
Gillian had slowed in pace as she saw the truly massive man at the Emperor's tent. She had heard tales of the Emperor's warrior and body-guard. But like the Emperor, had only seen him from a distance at social functions. There, he had been tall.
Here, however, in his full uniform and carrying the flaming sword, he was a giant.
But still...a voice calling out to her brought her attention to the approaching figure. Knight-Commander Lightshield was hurrying towards her.
Gillian smiled graciously, "Knight-Commander," she greeted pleasantly. "What's on your mind?"
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Post by Risk on Jan 28, 2011 17:37:00 GMT -5
Turning to face her commander, the knight placed her left hand over the hilt of her smaller sword and gave a short bow, "My men are restless." She said, rising from her slightly bent position, "They are restless and I have no answers for them. I would request information on our task here so that I may put them at ease." Inside her stomach protested her mind. Why must she always be so formal? Gillian was never formal with her aside from her title, and that was to be expected of even civilian friends.
So why couldn't she speak like a friend? "If it would not compromise anything, that is." Her stone expression held, but she was crushing her tongue inside her mouth. Even in trying to be informal...she was nothing but a soldier. She cast her eyes across the camp again, trying to divert attention from her inability to be friendly.
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Post by Steinerman on Jan 28, 2011 17:50:31 GMT -5
Gillan's expression became somber, "Believe me, Knight-Commander. If I knew, I would tell you. But in truth I have very little idea why our Order was summoned, this obviously isn't an invasion. Unless the Emperor thinks to take Teradia with less than three hundred men. And not all of our companions are warriors, either."
She shrugged and shook her head, "We are to move into the city today, it seems. I was on my way to the Emperor's tent to see if I could glean anything more about our purpose." Her expression was now apologetic, she truly wished to be able to give better news. But the truth was, she simply did not know.
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Post by Risk on Jan 31, 2011 19:43:18 GMT -5
The knight nodded quietly, her hands clenching at the small of her back. A silent sigh left her lungs and she turned her gaze back to Gillian, "Very well. When you have more information it would perhaps serve our purpose if you would share it with me." She bowed low, put her hand on the hilt of her blade, and without awaiting dismissal turned on her heel and returned to her soldiers.
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Post by Steinerman on Jan 31, 2011 22:31:24 GMT -5
Gillian raised a hand to bid goodbye to the Knight-Commander, but the woman spun too quickly and walked off.
"Good..." She began lightly, a smile on her lips. "bye..." She ended lamely, her expression disappointed for a moment. She quickly replaced the expression with something more calm and serene. Lightshield wasn't trying to be rude, the woman was just abrupt. Gillian couldn't fault her for that.
With a down-cast half-sigh she turned back towards the Emperor's tent and once again beheld the massive body-guard standing at the entrance. She quickly resisted the urge to gulp or make any other sound that could be taken as fear.
Instead, she walked serenely forward and curtsied to the large man.
"Good morning, Sir." She greeted, her flowing voice warm and gentle, a seeming rebuttal of the cold chill that had seeped into the camp. "Will the Emperor see me, pray tell?" She questioned politely of the big man.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Feb 2, 2011 13:41:54 GMT -5
DuValle responded in kind, giving a short bow of his head. "Good morning, my lady," he greeted smoothly. "His Majesty has been expecting some visitors before our departure."
With a practiced move, DuValle returned Flamereaver to the magnetic clip of his uniform as he turned around to enter the Emperor's tent. As he entered, he dropped to one knee, bowing his head in reverence.
"Lady Gillian Arvestus has come to speak with you, your Majesty," he spoke.
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Post by Ribitta on Feb 3, 2011 1:50:24 GMT -5
The Stamarian Emperor's gaze immediately focused on the tent flaps from the moment they stirred, his face an unreadable mask as one of his closest knights dropped to one knee and spoke. At his words, though, Aurinar's face betrayed the slightest of satisfactory smiles. Normally his voice would be sonorous enough from even inside the tent to allow all to hear, but the enchantments set up let his words only fall on the ears of DuValle, "I will see the Lady Arvestus now. You may send her in at once." With a dismissing nod toward the Knight, the Emperor leaned back in his seat slightly.
He had no doubt that many people were muttering over his decision to bring the Order of the Blade into Teradia as a large number of the tiny force present. While Aurinar never truly trusted anyone, he was of the opinion that people would show their true nature when trusted. The Order of the Blade could be a powerful asset to the Empire, and he needed to know if wounds were yet ready to be healed. Teradia was only the first step in establishing a foothold in the rest of the world.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Feb 3, 2011 2:58:07 GMT -5
DuValle nodded, bowing his head a little lower than before. "As you command, your Majesty," he replied, standing up and leaving the tent with a slight, accidental flourish of his outer coat. He blinked a bit as the light of dawn struck him, but his vision quickly cleared, and he nodded to the expectant Gillian. "His Majesty will see you now, Lady Arvestus."
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Post by Steinerman on Feb 4, 2011 16:56:38 GMT -5
Gillian gracefully bowed her head in acknowledgment of the Knight's words. And then moved inside the tent, trying to find the right balance between speed (she didn't want to keep the Emperor waiting), grace and a complete non-threatening appearance. She was sure that if there were a misunderstanding, the Knight would kill her and ask questions later.
Mere seconds later she was inside the tent. She again curtsied, giving the motion every ounce of delicacy and proper form she could muster. "Your Majesty." She greeted with the utmost politeness. "I came here in the hope that you might be able to shed some light upon the reasoning my Order was chosen to come with you. The court seems confused by it, and I confess a certain sense of bafflement as well."
She realized she'd spoken rather abruptly, though her tone was ever-polite. She kept her head bowed and eyes locked firmly on a patch of ground mere inches away from the Emperor's feet. "Pardon me, your majesty. But quite frankly, the Order, myself included, is unsure of its place here at your side."
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Post by Ribitta on Apr 26, 2011 21:41:39 GMT -5
Aurinar raised an eyebrow at Gillian, noting the formalities one might give to a noble or a host but not an emperor of a nation. Nevertheless, he waited for her to finish; he had her here for a reason, and killing her on the spot would not be beneficial for his plan at this moment. He had no doubt that her anxiety and genetics obligated her hurried nature and lack of formality, and this was partly why the reason he had chosen both her and her knights for this moment, "The Order of the Blade once served the Empire nobly, a strong weapon to be used when necessary. We do not choose the paths of those before us, and it would be a pity indeed to watch your Order become useless simply because of the past."
Stamarin shifted toward her slightly, his form towering well above hers, "I understand that your Order is loyal to you before it is to me, and rest assured I have not forgotten its history. However, I believe you seek glory for the Order of the Blade, and if you serve your Emperor over the next few days, you can be certain it will not be forgotten." His face remained emotionless, though his head dipped once in a nod as he finished his last sentence. Turning from her, he folded his arms as he left his back exposed to her vision. "Unless you have further questions, your orders are in the hands of my officer who let you into this tent," Stamarin said to the rear wall, his tone insinuating that there were no more questions to be asked that were worthwhile.
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Post by Steinerman on Apr 26, 2011 22:06:58 GMT -5
Gillian wanted to wilt and die as the cold words emanated off of the Emperor. She realized that she had indeed spoken far too abruptly for the situation.
However, to show fear could simply add to the foolishness that she was sure she'd already committed. So she bit down on her tongue and waited for the Emperor to finish, listening attentively to his every word.
Once it was clear that he had nothing more he wished to say to her. She curtsied as low as she possibly could ( a mostly useless gesture, as the man had turned his back on her) and speedily left the tent. Not daring to breath until the flap had closed behind her.
She was able to mostly suppress a shudder of terror that wracked her body, and the goosebumps now covering her skin she could easily attribute to the chilly air. But still, that conversation, or lack thereof, had been extremely unnerving for Gillian.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she stepped away from the tent and towards the massive body-guard.
"Sir," she said, her voice shaking ever-so-slightly. "The emperor informed me that I should speak to you regarding my orders." She stated softly, her voice regaining some of its original composure as she was able to settle her frayed nerves.
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