|
|
Post by Aeric Ecrai on Aug 8, 2009 10:39:45 GMT -5
At the sound of Theodore's voice, the rapier on Ezekiels belt was swung free. Rose jumped up from her throne at last, her wand at the ready. She took one last look at Theodore, turned her back to him, and spoke.
"Thank for coming, Master Theodore. You can protect my brother as well as I can from whatever this is. Master Barsidious should arrive for my lessons tomorrow, and he can provide protection as well." She then stormed off towards the sound of the scream, her cape flowing behind her.
Ezekiel would have given her a strange look if he had not been so worried. With Theodore in tow, he raced down the narrow hall and into one of the many courtyards. What he saw then nearly made his heart stop.
Most courtyards in the Castle were all the same: some kind of fountain in the center, surrounded by lots of roses.
In this courtyard, all the roses were withered and black. The fountain's water was frozen solid, and it was the middle of summer.
But, worst of all, there was not one body, but two. The Knights of Dawn. He had never known their names, just that they were a personal bodyguard to the royal family. Now, they lay dead without a single visible would. If someone had not screamed murder, and if the courtyard didn't look so ghastly, he would have assumed they were just unconcious.
"They always strike this way..." a voice murmured, spoken by Alis as she stode into the courtyard. Ezekiel was too frightened to notice her lack of fear, to notice the icy cold look in her eyes.
She bent down and pulled their cowls back, one after the other. Ezekiel didn't recognize their faces, their pale, white faces. He hurried to a corner and emptied his stomach of his lunch. Through tear glazed eyes, he stared at them once more. Their skin was as pale as death, but their eyes...
Trails of crimson blood flowed from their eyes like tears. |
|
|
|
Post by Joshua, the Wayne on Aug 9, 2009 20:54:08 GMT -5
Theodore's face was a blank expression.
"What happened... their eyes... My Lord, who are these men? Were they skilled fighters or mere walkers?"
Theodore noticed Alis' lack of emotion. His mouth slightly curved down. "M'lady?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Aeric Ecrai on Aug 27, 2009 18:32:38 GMT -5
"We have to go. Now," Alis snapped, "Get the Prince and Princess to the safest place in the castle."
She remained hunched over the two dead men, as if studying them. Ezekiel, face still pale, took Theodore by the arm as if to lead him to a select, safe area where he could guard himself and his sister.
Alis just stared at the men, and muttered, "they never come alone..."
But Ezekiel and Theodore were already out of earshot. |
|
|
|
Post by Joshua, the Wayne on Aug 27, 2009 22:12:07 GMT -5
"Ezekiel? Ezekiel, what do you think it was that killed those men? Is that woman hiding information from us?" Theodore chanted in Ezekiel's ear as they were led to somewhere beyond Theodore's knowledge.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aeric Ecrai on Sept 17, 2009 18:39:39 GMT -5
Ezekiel's eyes had taken a far-away look. He had never seen death before, never seen something this awful. "Killed them? I..I don't know, I've never read of any death that gruesome..." Turning a corner, Ezekiel and Theodore reentered the main part of the castle and started down a long hallway. Rose promptly appeared from where ever she had been to join Ezekiel and Theodore.
"That woman was just Alis, Rose's and my personal attendee. She teaches us and more or less chaperones us when our parents are away on business, like today."
Rose remained silent. Ezekiel knew that this meant she was either not paying any attention to the conversation or thinking deeply on something. Ezekiel's main plan had been to get to the royal saferoom - a hidden, fortified room that lay deep in the castle in case of situations like this. Theodore did not know this, but was following Ezekiel in case whatever it was that was out there came back.
"Ah!" Ezekiel cried as he tripped and barely caught himself. Spinning around, as if it was the work of some unseen enemy, he realized his mistake. He had tripped over that strange cat that he had seen earlier in the throne room. Before he knew it, the cat had scurried off and a pair of azure boots had taken its place. Looking up, he stared into the eyes of Alis.
"They're gone." She said, and arm extended to help him up.
Ezekiel took her arm and pulled himself to his feet. "Who are? Or what are? Why did they kill the Knights? How did they kill the Knights?"
Alis's eyes broke contact with his.
"I do not think it would be best to tell at this time. But the threat is averted for now." She turned to face Theodore.
"I am Alis, personal attendee to Prince Ezekiel and Princess Rose. Tell me, Master Theodore, what do you know of Druidoks...?" |
|
|
|
Post by Joshua, the Wayne on Sept 24, 2009 16:48:30 GMT -5
(^--- EPIC)
"... Drui--doks?" he said.
Druidoks, he knew what they were--or at least, he thought he remembered something.
"They're.. people who change shape?" his answer was questionable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aeric Ecrai on Oct 7, 2009 22:31:10 GMT -5
Alis smiled slightly. "Exactly. And there are only a handful left since the October War." She turned to Ezekiel, questioning both him and Rose.
"Tell me, do either of you own a cat?"
"No." Rose and Ezekiel stated at the same time - something they actually did quite often. Whenever Rose spoke, that is.
"And do you know anyone in the castle who owns a cat of that breed?"
"No." Ezekiel said, a bit exhasperated at Alis's strange questions. Who cared if someone owned a cat?
"So, what do you think of that strange cat, Master Theodore?" Alis asked, once again looking in Theodore's direction. Ezekiel moved to protest, to say that her questions served no purpose, but she held up a hand to silence the prince. |
|
|
|
Post by Joshua, the Wayne on Oct 8, 2009 21:09:20 GMT -5
"It was a strange cat.. Are you saying that the cat was...?" Theodore questioned Alis. He had an idea of what she was thinking.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aeric Ecrai on Oct 18, 2009 17:09:24 GMT -5
"Precisely. Although I do not know if it is friend or foe," Alis admitted. "For now, Theodore, let us accompany Master Ezekiel and Miss Rose to a safer area. I don't know if they will return. And again, I apologize for not telling you what they are."
Ezekiel nodded, and he wondered if his sister was thinking the same thing he was. Alis had said "what", not "who". |
|
|
|
Post by Joshua, the Wayne on Jun 25, 2010 22:07:52 GMT -5
(Amggg must continue this was getting epic. It's late, though. I might post tomorrow W0o0)
|
|
|
|
Post by Aeric Ecrai on Jun 30, 2010 11:39:10 GMT -5
(Ah, totally didn't see you reply to this. Awesome! I'm hoping that I can still make the storyline on here go somewhere...)
|
|
