4 replies to this topic

[Nowe]

Please note that first and foremost, this is a Co-op between myself and Bleach. Input is welcome in the form of a PM, but please don't add posts here.

This first post will be what I consider to be the "background" to the story, giving all of the information that anyone reading should consider while reading. It will house the magic system (Changed since the original Shadow of Oblivion), and some other documentations.

---

Magic and Magic Classification

Magic, it surrounds each and every living thing on the world of Gallena. Without it, the world would certainly die. Every day, people interact with magic, whether they realize it or not. While this magic is manifest in everyone and everything, it takes a great deal of training to learn how to control and command the forces of the arcane. As such, not everyone will intrinsically know how to use magic, or for that matter be able to control it. Loss of control, on several occasions has been known to produce splendid displays of fireworks for a very, very short while, as the body and anything near it is consumed in a ravishing but gruesome display of magical energy.

Since this is the case, most magicians adhere to strict magical code. They all belong to the Guild of Magicians of their respective countries, for one. There are three schools of magic that most guilds adhere to, and several more that are lesser known and not widely practice. There are also those schools of magic which have been completely banned in both teaching and in practice because they have been deemed to hazardous for their practitioners.  There are three widely used schools of magic:

Manifestation: Or the ability to bring into the world what one has created in the mind. In practice, any magician with Eidetic memory (ability to recall anything they have seen), or with at least partial photographic memory are very capable at Manifestation magic. This school applies itself at conjuration, clair-powers (clairvoyance, clairaudience, and further clair-powers), and physical manifestation.

Ruination: These are the battle-magics. Battle magicians tend to be extremely rigid and self-controlled, as any slip while casting magics can cause the magic to run afoul. This school applies itself to the knowledge of the major elemental forces of fire, water, air, and earth.

Remediation: The healing school of magic. This magic deals in mending of wounds, but works in odd ways. Even Remediationists are unsure of exactly how the magic applies itself, or why the magic applies itself in the ways it does. Remediation, although a large school, is quite possibly the least understood.

---

The World

The World of Gallena is, as of the moment of writing this, a beautiful and abundant place. Lined with ancient forests, sprawling plains, soaring mountains, and many other wonders yet undiscovered. There are many countries spanning the world, and the Kingdom of Gallia is probably most notable, alongside the Shogunate of Kyokai, as the two leading powers of this world. There are a scattering of other kingdoms and empires, but none as notable or as powerful as these two.

Strains and tensions have lead these two nations to the brink of war. Talks are underway at the Royal Palace in the Kingdom of Gallia. These two nations are at each others throats over power and contested land. Before the two sides go through all out war, the King of Gallia and the Shogun of Kyokai have decided one last attempt at a piece treaty.

Little do these two factions know that an even darker war is looming on their doorsteps.

---

The Writers' Characters

------------------------

Name: Caytlyn Ferdinand de Gallia

Gender: Female.

Age: 24

Appearance: Here

History: Caytlyn Ferdinand de Gallia comes from the royal family of the kingdom of Gallia. Weird incidents followed her around for most of her infant life. When she was born, a great storm suddenly roared to life of its own volition over the city, although quickly dissipating, it was thought she was the cause. After she turned three, she was tested for magical ability, and found to be extremely sensitive to the magical energies around her. It was then that the royal family decided upon her course of training as a magician. Due to her social status, and partly because of her abilities, at the age of ten she was accepted into one of the most revered Magician Orders. Her attitude never took on the heir of royalty, as one might expect of her. Instead, she valued knowledge and law, and was enthralled by the trappings of weather and the mind. While stern, Caytlyn is not mean, but certainly has characteristics that could describe her as such to people she has met. Shortly after her twenty-second birthday, she was named First Sage of the order, among four other applicants to the post for the year. She has held the title ever since, even though the post requires great amounts of paperwork at times. Now twenty-four, she can normally be found strolling the great libraries of the Magician's guild in the Gallian royal capital.

Power(s): Extremely proficient in the school of Manifestation Magic. She also has Eidetic memory, allowing her to remember and recall anything she has ever read or seen.

Weapon(s): Caytlyn adores the manifested crystal staff given to her by her uncle, Prince Ferdinand Teret de Gallia, of whom she was named in part after. It allows her to focus her abilities in magic farther then she could alone. Furthermore, because this staff was manifested in and of itself, Caytlyn can place the staff into her mind's eye, erasing it from reality with Manifestation magic, and recall it at will. Besides this, she carries a dagger in her boot, and when traveling a short Rapier, with which she was trained with in the Royal fashion.

Nationality: Gallian

------------------------

Name: Char Almagaan

Age: 22

Appearance: Char is in his mid twenties. He sports a slim build, and tends towards the color red in most of his clothing.  When going into battle, or when traveling, Char sports a very light armor on his legs and around his forearms and hands. This armor is made of a special alloy that is extremely strong.

Here

Personality: Char tends to be fairly rational when it comes to most matters. Grounded as he is in both the arcane arts and academia, he tends to be the first to conclude outcomes for certain situations. He tends to view history books and real world examples as extremely similar, but never the same, taking lessons from the past and arranging them to fit the future.

History: Char was never truly named Char. Originally named Cantus Alexander vi Gallia, Char was part of – at least in some vague aspect – the royal family of Gallia. Upon his family finding out his ability at the age of 3, just after he burned down the family’s Gazebo on the lawn, he was sent off to learn to control and harness his abilities. At fifteen, when his training was fully complete, he joined a small guild of magicians. His parents, frowning upon his decision to do so, had decided to outcast him and cut off his funding. Not before, however, he was able to obtain several items from the family vault, including his armor. Now twenty-two, Char has dropped the noble name and adopted just a simple name that best defined his abilities.

Power(s): Char studies devoutly the school of Ruination. He always has a book at hand ready to read ancient inscriptions from. He is the foremost Ruination consultant in all of Gallia, often found on the battlefields involving magical conflict.

Nationality: Gallian

-------------------------

Name: Soujiro Onikage

Gender: Male

Age: 35

Appearance: Soujiro has dark brown hair, usually tied into a high ponytail. His eyes are emerald, a color quite common of those from Kyokai. His build is lean however muscular due to his standing in the Kyokan military. When off duty from being a soldier, he normally wears a white kimono and dark gray hakama tied at the waist by an white obi sash. Even outside of battle, he always carries his swords as a sign of his social class - Samurai. When on duty or on patrol, as one of the special forces within the Shogunate - The Shinsengumi, Soujiro wears a light blue haori jacket over his kimono and light breast armor beneath. At the sleeves and hem of the haori are white mountain-like designs that signify the snow-capped mountains of the capital of Kyokai - Eidou.

Here

History: Soujiro grew up in Kyokai all his life as the second child of a Samurai family. While his father served the country in many battles, Soujiro resolved to become an even greater soldier than his dear father. After both parents fell ill due to an incurable disease, Soujiro lived on the streets for a while with his younger sister until he was old enough to take on a job and afford a home for them to live in. By the age of 15, he had earned enough to buy a small home by the shore and worked as a fisherman for many years until the age of 18 when he vowed to regain their prior status as Samurai - after all, being Samurai was being of the blood-line.

Seeking out the recruiters station for peasant infantry in his small village of Mibu, he served in the irregular military for a long while until he was called directly to his Daimyo's (prefectural noble leader) residence one day. Entering the Daimyo's rather large mansion, he was informed that the roots of his lineage came to their attention - no longer would he be deemed a mere peasant, he was Samurai once more.

Moving alongside his sister by the age of 20, they bought a larger house in the village inland. Even so, while Soujiro was off duty as a Samurai, he still caught fish at the harbor - finding that he still found himself humble albeit with old pride of his family coming back into his life. There in Mibu at the behest of his very own Shogun, Lord Matsumoto, Soujiro helped to found the "Newly Selected Corps" - the Shinsengumi - of special police that would help to defend the capital and the rest of Kyokai as their elite forces.

Proving himself through battle as a shrewd tactician, a fierce warrior, and a magician of proficiency, he earned the rank of First Unit Commander to the Shinsengumi. Currently, due to the competition between the Kingdom of Gallia and the Shogunate of Kyokai, Soujiro has been sent by the Shogun himself to request an alliance between the two nations in order to foster a more wholesome peace in Gallena.

Social Status: Samurai | Shinsengumi Commander - light nobility but more or less a place of respect and honor within Kyokai's society.

Talents and Specialties(s): Soujiro, being a veteran of war, is extremely skilled in both his own form of swordsmanship (Tennen-Rishin Ryu, as well as other various forms of close quarters combat and martial arts. In addition, he is highly proficient when it comes to being a tactician and strategist. Having been through war, and seen the hell that it brings, he has also gained some experience in non-magic healing techniques and in-field medical practices.

As far as non-warfare talents, Soujiro finds cooking enjoying, and stress relieving. Alongside this, is the keen ability to gather natural, outdoors sources for food and nourishment. Another ability of his, yet not uncommon among his people, is the ability to properly meditate. This lends toward his calm demeanor and personality.

Weapon(s): Mythril Katana and kodachi, Yumi bow

Nationality: Shogunate of Kyokai

------------------------

Name: Konata Gamashiro

Gender: Female

Age: 23

Appearance: At around 5’4’’ and 110lbs, Konata has long, silken, straight black hair falling to the middle of her back. Normally, it is let lose to fall upon her shoulders, however sometimes she has been known to have it up in the bun or ponytail depending on what she was doing. She has fair skin, however not completely pale. Konata’s eyes are a gleaming grey in color.

Here

As far as clothes go, Konata typically wears the Kyokan style of dress – a beautiful two-robes kimono of bright color, complete with tabi socks and waraji straw sandals. While going about her line of “work”, she has several different outfits, one being a shorter kimono called a “yakata” of pale blue and hakama (flowing pants) of darker gray. Konata has also worn a simple white tunic with a leather cuirass over, as well as tightly fitting pants that reach her shin, strapped with various pouches for “equipment”.

Personality: Konata, being a fantastic thief, is sly, cunning, manipulative, and utterly seductive in order to get her way. She knows how to use guile to her advantage, as well as her small size and speed for a quick get-away. She is also a survivor, not having any true home; therefore she can be stubborn and pig-headed to a degree. Underneath all of that however, is a young girl wishing for a better life. Long since her rather terrible childhood has she hidden away her grief, sorrow, hoping, and kindness due to her current life in crime. Of course, the guilt never leaves really. Perhaps a change is in order.

History: Konata could be considered many different things. Beautiful is one word that could describe her, for she truly is in most men’s eyes. However, she is also conniving, ruthless, and elusive. Men allow their eyes to get the better of their judgments, allowing this thief to get the better of them easily. She was not always in such straights however. Konata grew into a poor family, and thus endured all the baggage that comes with being homeless and hopeless. Once poor in Kyokai, it is difficult to raise yourself back up, thus much of the poor turns to a life in crime. After her parents died during the winter, some fifteen years ago, at the age of eight, she taught herself to care for no one but herself. She lost her capacity to care for others, to have hope anymore, and to attempt at bettering her life. She also learned to become a fantastic thief. Though she would love nothing more than to leave her current life behind, her hopelessness has made her think otherwise.

Social Status: Impoverished. She had no house to speak of, taking advantage of empty homes or abandoned buildings for warmth and shelter.

Talents and Specialties: Being a criminal and a thief comes with some perks. She can disappear into crowds when she needs to. She has the gift of persuasiveness and speaking, just as well as the gift of stealing and pick pocketing. In addition, she has learned how to pick locks that would ordinarily be nearly impossible without some kind of key for any other thief. Konata is fast and light on her feet as well, allowing her to run from trouble if the need arrises, or into trouble with a dagger (which she also has a lot of skill with… stabbing, slicing, and throwing, to be exact).

Weapon(s): Two steel daggers (hidden in her robes), makeup, lock picks and various skeleton keys, whet stone, and in a rucksack, her other clothes and some rationed food.

Nationality: Kyokan

---

The Prologue

Dawn broke, cold and damp. There were few clouds, mostly wisps up in the higher reaches of the vast sky above the silent village. As the sun rose, the inky blackness of the heavens parted. The wisps turned in their pale colors of gray and dull purple for the vibrant hues of orange and yellow. Dew lay on the grass. Puddles of water lined the street edges, the only remnants of the night’s drenching rainstorms. Around the small village, the forest was dark and silent. No songbirds had awakened on this damp and chilly morning to greet the rising sun with the sweet calls of song.

The ominous feeling settling around the town was left unnoticed by the sleeping inhabitants. Routine sounds, like the morning ring of the blacksmith’s hammer, were missing. Smells of freshly baked bread and other assortments were nowhere to be found. Smoke rose from no chimney, sign that none had risen to cook the morning meals. A pall of magic hung heavy over the village like a shroud, stifling and constricting every sound, every slight noise. The only movements among the dense fog of magic were two lone, cloaked figures. If anyone had been awake in the village, they would have seen that these two entered house after house, apparently looking for something. “It’s not here,” commented one in a low voice, “That was every house, and store, in the village.”

“The tap wouldn’t lie, it was here. It’s been moved recently. I told them that the tap would eventually wear off, it was a very strong item,” replied the other, “Nothing to do now except for question the villagers all at the same time.”

The magic hanging around the village dissipated, like a wall of mist parting ways. All of the villagers began to awaken to the reality of their situation. They would also now note that they were tied up to stakes in the village square. As they gained their wits, they began to realize that there were two among them that were not part of the village. “Who are you? What do you want with us?” shouted one of the women.

“We’ll make this easy for you all,” replied the taller of the two. He stood six foot two, wore a leather hood and a cape of cotton. Chainmail was easily visible below the light green shirt he wore. His boots were worn, but not old. His voice was almost a low rumble, audible to everyone at even the lowest level of speech. “We are seeking a certain item, an artifact, if you will. We know it was in this town at least two days ago. Tell us where it is and you’re all free to go back to your lives. Fail to tell us, and I can’t guarantee your safety from my partner.”

As if on cue, a spark of magic erupted amongst one of the villagers. The targeted man began screaming, as flames burst from inside of him. Flames began bellowing out of the open wounds it had created, melting all of the skin around it. His eyes bulged and popped, boiling with a gruesome sizzle. His screams did nothing to ameliorate his suffering. The image was burned upon the memories of all in attendance. When the spell was complete, nothing was left but a smoldering pile of charred remains.

“Ah, see, he just gets a little too excited when it comes time for persuasion,” said the taller one, “Now, if you’ve seen a book that has lots of old writing in it, speak up. If not, someone else might wind up like that one.”

A few of the people in the crowd began whimpering hysterically, with no end in sight to their torment. It was several seconds before someone even dared to speak up. “I…erm…I might’ve seen it,” stuttered an elderly man, “But I…I only…know what he…looked like…”

“Yes, do go on, I promise he won’t hurt you. You have my full, undivided attention,” stated the man now standing in front of the elder.

At this point, the other cloaked figure removed his hood. His bright green eyes clashed with the fresh red scar running down the side of his otherwise perfect face. Another in the crowd exploded in the same manner as the first. The screams of pain drowned out the moans of terror as again another of the small population was subjected to incineration. “Ah, I did say you, didn’t I,” stated the taller man, taking off his own hood. Brown eyes and a pleasant smile delayed the fact that this man was utterly evil. There was no denying that these men had plans with whatever the item was that they were looking for.

“Alright! I’ll… I’ll talk, just please don’t hurt… anyone else,” cried the older man. He looked to be in his late sixties or early seventies. His hair had turned white with age and had become wispy. His skin was drawn tight over the small frame. His eyes had sunken with the years, but some might still find him remotely handsome. Years of working a few of the farm fields had kept him fit, and the wiry sinew of muscle could be seen under the taut skin. “He… he had black hair…and…and blue eyes…he wore dark robes of some sort…and fingerless black gloves…please just don’t hurt anyone… please…” he pleaded eagerly.

“Very well, old man, we won’t ‘hurt’ anyone else,” said the brown eyed man, “Rayne, let’s finish this up and head back. They’re probably getting anxious by now.”

Rayne nodded once, turning away from the restrained villagers. Hardly ever finding the need to talk unless it was important, or involving a spell, Rayne preferred to keep to himself. Even his partner barely ever heard him speak. The two left the inhabitants of the town in the village square, not bothering to release them. As they padded along the southward trail away from the village, smoke could be seen above the treetops to the north.

“Pity it wasn’t there,” said the tall one in a low voice. Rayne responded with merely a nod.

[Nowe]

Caytlyn Ferdinand de Gallia was sitting at the very large table in one of the banquet halls of the Royal Palace. The floors were made of polished mahogany, as were the lower wall panels. The wood ended into a white paint that ran from the beam of mahogany running all around the room at about chest level on up into the vaulted ceilings. All of the crystal chandeliers had been lit for this occasion. Caytlyn thrived on occasions such as this, even if she hated the subject matter that had to be discussed at this unfortunate meeting.

Across from her sat two delegates from the Shogunate of Kyokai, dressed in their formal robes. No weapons had been permitted into the room, but she had seen wicked looking swords on these two foreigners as they entered the palace. Not even she had been allowed to keep her small dagger on her. The peace talks depended on trust, of which there was little between the Kyokans and the Gallians. Nevertheless, her father had requested this meeting alongside the wishes of the Kyokan Shogun. Her second cousin was also in the room, though he refused to admit that he was ever part of the royal family. Cantus Alexander vi Gallia, who had come to call himself Char Almagaan, dropping any hint at royalty stood off and behind to her left, against the wall, in his usual attire.

Caytlyn had found his attire atrocious for a meeting such as this, and had quarreled with him at length about it until she finally got infuriated enough to give up. Char had never conformed to anything the royal family had ever dictated to him, and she knew that he was simply to stubborn to have ever put up with the dictates and demands of the royalty. He had, however, proven himself a willing general in battle, showing absolute brilliance and command of the Ruination school of magic. Admittedly, he was the best person to have in the room, as he would act as the most likely deterrent in the case of an attempted assassination, of which both the Kyokans and the Gallians were afraid.

Char, of course, was looking over the entire situation in relative silence. He hated anything having to do with politics. Point him in a direction, ask him to blow it up, fine. But these obfuscations and muddled tones in a room behind closed doors annoyed him. He had just finished processing the latest rounds of political debate, and already his head was starting to spin. Char was at the point to where he was almost liable to blow up a suit of armor because it was there.

There was also another Gallian political adviser present on behalf of Caytlyn's father, sitting to Caytlyn's left. He was an older gentleman, dressed in the robes of the Adviser of the King office, deep purple robes with emblems set in gold on the shoulders. His hair had started turning towards the gray side of the deep brown they had been in the man's youth. This gentleman was Gerrison Almandine, the lead ambassador to many of the smaller nations around Gallia. Most of those nations had asked him to attend this meeting of the two larger powers, so as to control things and hopefully to prevent a war. His hands were folded reverently on the table, and he showed no outward signs of emotional turmoil.

After listening to a counter proposition made by the Kyokans, Caytlyn said, "I'm sorry, ambassador, that simply will not do! Gallia first settled that region thirteen years ago, after scouting the area for any signs of habitation. Finding none, they deemed it habitable and a good expansion for the Kingdom. The Duke of Indlington feels that his right to the land came before any Kyokan claim on that soil or the grounds there around. Our maps have marked the region ending at the Khrishnian Divide, and your lands beginning just beyond that. In this matter we are solid, there will be no ground given within the district of Indlington. Furthermore, if you so insist on having land already claimed and settled by Gallians, these talks will go nowhere. The settlements were all formulated before any Kyokan claim, in fact we have documents and reports from the Kyokan governments stating that they had no wish or intent to harvest these lands because the lands were not profitable enough to have to cross the Khrishnia."

"In fact, I find it interesting that Kyokai is only interested in these lands after the Gallians had settled and began to make a profit there," Caytlyn finished, her anger at these talks flaring up.

The Kyokan ambassador, roughly in his late forties or early fifties sat in a fully relaxed position, his hands folded over his waist area, and had undertaken the entirety of Caytlyn's tirade without so much as a frown. "And I fully believe you, Caytlyn-sama, however if you could give this area here," he started, pointing towards the trailing edge of a forest that draped around the southern reaches of the Khrishnian Divide and poked into Gallia, "then I am sure the Shogun would have no recourse but to accept that the other lands you have named would belong to your kingdom. Furthermore, I think that if you are to keep all of Indlington, that we get the unsettled region here, in the marshes around the northern reaches of the Khrishnian Divide as well. They were deemed inhabitable from your reports, no? But to us Kyokans, the wood from this area is used in quite a bit of our work, and we would like to be able to have free access to it. That way, any Kyokan wares..."

Char had drowned the man out. He regarded the Kyokan ambassador as a fat contented man who had seen little in the way of battle. Just another diplomat getting large on the sweets and other treasures afforded to him by his office. The man sitting to the Kyokan ambassador's right, on the other hand, had definitely seen battle. This man held himself with an air of authority, and his eyes kept sweeping the room. Yes, this man had definitely seen battle, and recently, too, for he was far to cautious. Char listened back into the ongoing conversation.

"I think that Gallia can agree to that, ambassador," said Caytlyn, "And I must say that I am glad that these talks may indeed avert war. I am hoping, though, that a more permanent resolution can be accomplished, and soon. We cannot keep trading lands around in the hope of preventing a war," Caytlyn stated.

"Ah, as do I, Caytlyn-sama, as do I. Are your servants available, I do believe that lunch is overdue, and I could not help but smell the wonderful delights that were preparing in your palace's kitchens," replied the ambassador.

Smart, if a bit lazy too, thought Char, I honestly do not understand people like this. He knew that the Shogunate was rich, and had plenty to offer, but as with any society, there were the sick and the poor, who didn't get half as much as this man had to eat in a day. Char held this ambassador in contempt, even if the talks were going well. Either way, his job was to make sure that the Ambassadors remained happy and safe during their visit here in Gallia. He clapped his hands twice, summoning the servant from just outside the door.

"Our guests are hungry, see if you can prepare a simple meal with some wine," Char whispered into the servant's ears as the ambassadors continued their talks.

About three minutes later, the doors burst open as all manner of carts entered the room. So much for simple, thought Char. The platters upon the carts were carefully placed upon the table between the delegates, and opened. The steaming contents within the platters immediately scented the entire room. There was spit roasted pork, chicken, figs, all manner of fruits and fine cheeses, and more. Wine was poured from pitchers into awaiting cups. "please, enjoy your meals, ambassador," stated Caytlyn.

The ambassador from Kyokai had already speared a piece of fruit and cheese with his fork, "Thank you, Caytlyn-sama, for this marvelous meal your people have prepared us."

Since it was customary to allow guests to serve themselves and eat first, Caytlyn waited. The ambassador's companion, and thereby bodyguard, prepared their plates in a most peculiar style. She had never seen fruits and vegetables, meat, or anything of the like split apart on a plate in such a manner. It was interesting to see the relationship between the ambassador and his bodyguard all the same. She knew that Char was also watching.

Seeing the ambassador place the first piece of food into his mouth, Caytlyn waited for him to chew and swallow before filling up her own plate with food. She realized that the bodyguard had not yet taken a bite, and wondered at the relationship there. She was busy piling different foods onto her plate, so she had not yet noticed that the Kyokan ambassador had already turned a very bad shade of pale white. It wasn't until he started to make the choking noises did anyone in the room realize what was going on.

It took quite a few seconds longer for a reaction. "Quick! Bring the palace physician!" Caytlyn shouted at the top of her lungs.

She bounded around the table, just as the ambassador was slumping to the floor, his bodyguard having caught him as he fell out of the chair. Char was also moving around the table, but moreso to block the servants from leaving the room. He had closed the doors already, and sealed them using a bit of magic he had learned in the interrogation of a former prisoner. Noone would be getting out of this room, unless they wanted to jump sixty feet out the window onto the pavement below. This seal did, however, allow people to enter the room.

Caytlyn approached the fallen ambassador quickly. The bodyguard quickly raised his head, glared at her, and stated, "If you come any closer, you will die," he stated in a near deadly whisper.

"Please, I know nothing of this. I do know some basic healing magic, I'm not sure if it will help!" breathed Caytlyn.

The ambassador was already dying, his face had started to turn a deep shade of red. He was obviously choking on whatever the poison had generated within his system. The bodyguard quickly glanced down at the ambassador and looked back up to Caytlyn, and simply gave a sharp nod. She quickly rushed forward, placing her hands on the ambassador's chest. She exhaled, allowing her mind to still amid the rush of emotions, and delved into the ambassador's body. The magic of Manifestation allowed her to visualize the internal functions of almost any living being, and find where things were out of place.

This magic, of course, does not give her an x-ray of someone. It merely gives feelings and images of places that feel wrong, or have something wrong going on in them. In this instance, the ambassador's lungs were filling with a liquid foam, as was his throat. She quickly decided to act, expelling this liquid from the ambassador's system as carefully as she could. The ambassador was able to catch a quick breath before more of the liquid started pouring in. "I don't know how long I'll be able to keep him alive like this," said Caytlyn, "Where is that physician!"

A bald, squat man burst through the doors, which quickly closed after his entrance, sealing themselves again. "Here, your majesty!" he huffed, quickly coming around the table.

He fearfully glanced at the ambassador, then at the princess who's hands were placed on the ambassador's chest. A warm, yellow-gold glow was flowing between the two people, and he knew at once magic was being performed. "Majesty, what exactly is going on?" he asked.

"Liquid, of a foamy variety is filling both lungs and throat. So much liquid, I've not ever seen anything like this before!" it was in fact still streaming out of the ambassador's open mouth as he struggled for breath. Caytlyn lost focus there, and the magic keeping the ambassador's lungs and throat clear failed for a few seconds, until she was able to concentrate again.

Char simply stood back, glaring around the room, searching through the servants. He was attempting to recall their names, their faces. He knew a few by name, a few by face, but most of the others he did not know. None had made a run for the door yet, or for that matter the window - not that they would ever make it. None seemed suspicious or out of place. Not one appeared the least bit agitated, but quite a few were looking disturbed, or sobbing into aprons for some of the females. Damn, I don't know! he thought, trying to discern who the assassin was who had poisoned the ambassador.

Caytlyn's magic had began to fail again, the liquid too much for her to keep up with. The ambassador began choking again. "Please, physician! Do something!" she cried.

"I...I can't! I don't know what this is! If I had the poison, maybe! But...I don't!I just don't know, majesty!"

The ambassador's face was now purple, Caytlyn was crying through her disparate attempts at keeping the man alive. It was just too much liquid, there was no way she could expel it all, even if she had to take drastic measures. With a final choking cough, the ambassador died, his eyes already glassed over. "No!" cried Caytlyn, "Gods no!"

Char strode forward, "Majesty, I am fairly certain one of these servants is responsible," he stated, "And I fear for the rest of our safety. Are there any here you do not recognize?"

Caytlyn looked up at him, her distress clearly apparent on her face, "Char, now is not the time..."

"Now is the perfect time, princess," he interjected, "For if I did not, we could all be in danger. Are there any here you do not know."

Caytlyn looked around. Her eyes were red, tears still rolling down her face. Most of the servants she had known her whole life, some she knew by face, just as Char had. There were three, though, that she could not identify. "You three," her demeanor suddenly changed, "who are you?"

Gone was the calm, quiet princess. She was replaced with the fury of a thousand quiet suns, her voice growing quiet and cold. Some of her servants flinched, those who had known her for some while were backing away from the three exposed servants slowly. "For Gallia!" the three said, placing their fists together.

"Down now! Everyone on the gro..." Char shouted, whatever he had been about to say had been extinguished as a giant explosion rocked the room, roaring to life with an intensity that none in the room, save Char, had ever known. Caytlyn had barely enough time to throw a quickly conjured shield around herself, Char, and the Kyokan representatives as the room blasted apart.

The explosion carried such a force that it blew the four people, including the already dead ambassador, out the windows on the far side of the room, still contained in Caytlyn's shield. She quickly modified it amid the tangle of legs and arms and bodies within the shield, so that they would not plummet to their immediate death. She could hear the shouts sixty feet below, and quickly caught a glimpse of a crowd of people already gathering.

Caytlyn stabilized the shield in midair, allowing the three people still alive inside of it to stand as if they were on solid ground. "You know, that really is disconcerting, Caity," said Char.

She glared at him, her fury still in full swing. "Do not, ever, call me that again, or you will quickly find that your presence no longer suits my needs. Got it, dearest cousin?" she said in that same cold, detached voice. She maneuvered the shield using the vision in her mind’s eye, and began taking it back into the banquet hall that they had been so forcibly expelled from. "Who the hell were they, Char," she glared.

"I'm not sure, but if I had to guess? I had heard rumors of an anarchist group starting here in the capital. They were only rumors though, so I don't think they were ever fully investigated. In essence, our intelligence fucked up," he stated plainly.

"I would have to most certainly agree with you," she stated simply.

The room was completely obliterated. The mahogany that had formed the perfectly polished floors was charred to nothing but charcoal. The table itself had been blown out the window along with Caytlyn and the others. The crystal chandeliers had been fragmented into billions of pieces, and blown out of the rood entirely. The entire room lay in devastation, blackened and charred bodies lying around the room itself. There was nothing remaining of the three that had began the spell. "Is this what magic in battle is like?" Caytlyn asked, returning partially to her former self.

"Yes, it is," said Char sadly, "Every battle, every war fought with magic, is just as devastating as this here. Every action in battle has to be carefully planned so that we do not tear asunder the earth beneath our very feet. Magic is a deadly game."

The door, blown out into the hallway during the blast, still smoldered from the explosion. Guards began rushing into the room, followed quickly by the captain of the guard, Indus Liginsworth. Upon entering the room, he gawked all around, before quickly closing his mouth and approaching Caytlyn, Char, and the bodyguard for the dead Kyokan ambassador. "What on earth happened here!?" he half shouted at her before realizing who he was speaking to, "Your majesty! Are you alright!? Where's the amba....oh god...this was worse then we ever feared or realized. Quick, we must get you all to safety, you will be taken to the throneroom, we've doubled security there, and the king and queen await you."

"I am fine, Captain," said Caitlyn, before Char interjected.

"Where the hell were you people? You should have been on the heels of the physician, knowing that there was a problem here in the negotiations. If you had been, none of this would have happened!" his words cut the Captain deeply.

"Yes, sir, I realize that. We were dealing with our own..ah...situations. We had someone try to enter into the palace with some magical items that looked dangerous in and of themselves. We did not realize that there was more than a small problem up here until the explosion shook the entire castle. Please! We must move at once, we cannot keep the king and queen waiting, and they will want an explanation."

Caytlyn held her hand up just as Char was going to respond, "Kyokan delegate, will you please join us?"

The kyokan, who had not spoken since he had threatened Caytlyn's life gave a curt nod. They were lead out of the room, an army of guards in front and behind them, and at least one to each side. Caytlyn continued to support the shield that carried the dead ambassador as a casket alongside them. The throne room was three floors down, and took a few minutes to reach for a party of this size. "You will give the Kyokan back his weapons immediately," Caytlyn ordered, "As well as our own."

"Are you sure, majesty?" asked the Captain, a single glare from Caytlyn stifled his objection.

The procession stopped by the room that held all of the personal belongings that had been taken away from the two delegations as they had entered the banquet hall preparing for the peace summit. Caytlyn was more than happy to have her dagger and rapier back alongside her, and the relief on the Kyokan's face was almost palpable. "Now we can continue," Caytlyn ordered.

The throne room had several guards placed in front of it. Caytlyn had not the time or the wherewithal to count the amount, but knew that anyone trying to gain entry unannounced would be killed before they could. Behind the line of guards was a line of knights, and behind that were a few battle magicians. They obviously knew something was seriously wrong, most seeing the dead ambassador fell into a quiet, still state, their expressions shock and horror.

The doors to the throne room opened, admitting Caytlyn, Char, the dead ambassador, and his bodyguard. The doors quickly shut behind them, leaving them in the high and vaulted throne room, still as pristine as ever, and apparently untouched by the explosion in the other part of the palace. The king and queen were out of the chairs, and pacing, furious expressions on their face. They both looked up as the party entered the room. "Caytlyn!" shouted Caytlyn's mother, Queen Amelia Isabella de Gallia.

"Your highness, I am quite alright, as are Char and the bodyguard to the ambassador. We took a tumble out a window, but are relatively unscathed. The ambassador, however, was poisoned, mother," she said, choosing the last word carefully.

"Poisoned! This isn't the result of that explosion?" inquired her father, King Reginald Alfred de Gallia.

"No, father," she stated.

"Your highnesses," started Char, "That explosion was not an accident either. It was clearly deliberate. I have seen it before, in battle, and always on the losing side. It's a coward's move to take out as many men as they can before they themselves die. I hate to say that I allowed it to occur within your palace."

"Nonsense," replied the king, "Char, I do not believe that this was your fault. This was an obvious act of terror and needless violence. The perpetrators, those who planned this attack, will be found an executed. You have our word on that, Kyokan," the king himself bowed to the bodyguard, "You have my profuse apology that this has happened within my kingdom, much less within my own palace."

"Caytlyn," the king turned to her, "Your mother and I have decided that safety is best for you. We are hereby charging you to leave the capital for as long as possible, until we get the situation with the perpetrators involved in this conflict under foot. Char, you are to go with her. I will have one of the magicians send you reports to a voyage-book on what we have found. Take this copy," he said, handing Char a small, leather bound book that clasped closed.

Voyage-books are exceedingly rare, as the magic to create them was lost over a century ago. Their use was to send messages between two books, no matter how far apart those books got. Whatever was written in one appeared in the other.

"We will, of course, be using the royal-seal encryption for messages," stated the king.

"Of course, your majesty," said Char, already intimately familiar with the system of encryption.

"You will have to leave at once, there can be no delay. Another attack like the last could happen at any time," said the Queen, in a near whisper to them. She moved forward, hugged Caytlyn, and consequentially Char, even though he had tried to back away, and then she patted the Kyokan on the shoulder, "You have our sincerest apologies and deepest regrets."

Caytlyn turned to this man, "Will you come with us? I intend to leave at once, and we could at least see you to the border of Gallia and Kyokai."

[Kamikaze_X]

When Soujiro was called before the Shogun for an "extremely important quest" and it was "in the name of the Shogunate", he had no idea that it would be quite as... boring, as it seemed to be. He was ordered by his Lord Shogun Matsumoto, to serve as the bodyguard to their Ambassador, Yoshihiro Ujiyama. Upon hearing the name of the man he was to guide to the Kingdom of Gallia, Soujiro's face went blank. Though he would never say it to his Lord, he absolutely hated that man.

The Ambassador Ujiyama, was a portly man. There were a very small number of men or women in Kyokai that gained such weight - and they were most definitely all within the wealthy elite. All greedy, all gluttonous. The only reason the Shogunate allowed them to serve was because they all also happened to be fantastic foreign diplomats. However, as far as Ujiyama went, Soujiro found him distateful. He embodied everything so very un-Kyokan to him. He was brash, rude, dishonorable toward others, and took any chance he could find to flaunt his power. It was disgusting, but he wouldn't question in.

And so, from the Capitol of Eidou, the two left upon their journey. Ujiyama upon a carriage, while Soujiro took his own horse and rode alongside. As they weaved their way down the great thoroughfare down the giant Kamizawa Mountain on which the Capitol sat, and down to the greater part of the city itself, Soujiro couldn't help but watch the people as they trotted past.

The Kyokan people, as a whole, were honorable, polite, and high self-sufficient. Despite this, the people were also extremely loyal to their Shogunate and their God-on-Earth, the Emperor whose throne rested in Tenken, a great city far to the east. As they passed pagoda-styled traditional Kyokan buildings, and the bustling citizens still perusing the shops, he looked to the still blue sky overhead. Not a cloud in sight, and the sun was only just starting to wane. Passing through a gate, guarded by the armored samurai of the Kyokan Shogunate, they bowed low with respect to the Commander of the First Unit of the Shinsengumi, the special forces of the Shogun. No wonder he was the only one tasked to guard this Ambassador. It only took one man in this case.

The walls enveloping the great city of Eidou loomed ahead. As they entered a large circular courtyard, they passed by a colossal statue of the first Shogun to Kyokai, a man who ruled over four hundred years prior. At the Main Gates to the city, which opened to their approach, the Kyokan colors flew - a orange rising sun, with rays of red, white, and black. Looking back on his horse, he couldn't help but gaze at the sweeping city moving up the side of the great Kamizawa Mountain range like a wave of wooden buildings, beautiful sakura and Banzai trees, and the high Palace at the very tip, blanketed by cloud and mist.

"After we're done with this bit of business, maybe there will finally be peace..." Soujiro ventured to say, making some conversation.

"And a fair bit of money in my pouch, I think!" Ujiyama continued, laughing with glee.

Soujiro did not reply to the man's comment. Trying to conceal his disgust with the man, a person who thought nothing of the people, and only of himself. The wind had started to blow with the rising moon so high above. Soujiro's light blue haori blue gently in the wind, as well as his dark brown hair. Looking to his equipment, he made certain that he had everything he needed for the trip. Strapped to his back was a Yumi bow and a quiver of arrows. At his side were two swords, both curved - one shorter than the other. In a rucksack, strapped to his steed's saddle, were several things: around 1000 Sen, the national currency of Kyokai, a whetstone for his blades, an extra kimono robe if he somehow lost the one he had, and several pieces scrolls paper and a piece of charcoal.

"I think I have everything..." He thought as he looked back up.

It was just on time too. Something was moving through the trees, which grew dark as the sun fell below the Kamizawa Mountains. It was but a shadow, but he was sure he saw something. Halting their progress, despite the incessant questioning of Ujiyama, Soujiro dismounted his steed and walked a few steps to the edge of the cobble-stoned road. He tried to listen as soon as the Ambassador stopped speaking. Nothing but the gusting of wind, the sound of the cicadas, and the babble of a stream running nearby. Soujiro was still suspicious. He knew better than to not follow his instincts in matters like this, they always served him well before.

Mounting again, he road off, telling the carriage's conductor to continue on the road toward Gallia. It was a full three days journey from the two nations - from Capitol to Capitol. There was no time to waste, for as much as he hated the man who was to conduct the negotiations, even Soujiro was aware of how important they were. This could very well mean peace between the Kingdom of Gallia and the Shogunate of Kyokai. Both nations had been on edge for so long, it was only a matter of time before war was kindled. Ironic, how a man who professed in the making of war and battle, would go out of his way to hinder its progress. Such was his Lord's will.

But war, he thought would surely happen. Especially with the events that unfolded within the confines of the Palace in Gallia.


He watched, after the three and a half day journey from Kyokai, as the man he was to protect choked on his own food - or rather, whatever was in his food, and died. Ujiyama died doing the thing he loved most at least - eating. Soujiro honestly could feel sorrow for the man he so deeply disliked - however he did feel a shred of pity for the Ambassador. Perhaps, with time, he could have changed his way. Fat chance.

When Caytlyn moved to aid in trying to rescue the man, he had threatened to kill her. However, upon peering into her eyes, he immediately knew her purpose was pure. She wished to help, and he silently allowed this. In the moments the Ambassador had started to die, Soujiro's thoughts immediately went into believing that the Gallian's were behind his death. But then, as he logically put the pieces together, what would that do for the Kingdom of Gallia? It would only thrust them into a war that neither nations truly wanted. No, this was the work of someone else.

With the Ambassador's dying breaths, Soujiro knew some deep-seeded conspiracy was at hand. And now, with the only man able to finalize the negotiations between the two nations on behalf of Kyokai, was dead.... Soujiro was left to contemplate his situation. Obviously, the man's body had to go back home. He would see to it that his family was notified, and the Shogun knew the situation. In fact, he need to make sure his Lord knew that the Kingdom of Gallia had nothing to do with this...

If he didn't get home on time, before news of Ujiyama's death reached his Lord's ears, war could begin.

Being led into the throne room - after receiving the weapons he had to leave behind (something Soujiro normally would have been quite upset about), he finally felt whole again. As the great doors opened, and the situation was given to the King and Queen, Soujiro stood stoically by the body of Ujiyama. It wasn't the explosion, or the fall out of the window, that rocked him, it was the realization of the danger that reared its ugly head now.

An anarchist movement. A conspiracy. And now, the threat of a large scale war... how could this get any worse?

"Char, I do not believe that this was your fault. This was an obvious act of terror and needless violence. The perpetrators, those who planned this attack, will be found an executed. You have our word on that, Kyokan," the King himself bowed to Soujiro, "You have my profuse apology that this has happened within my kingdom, much less within my own palace."

Soujiro knew that the King was sincere at these words. The man's eyes practically smoldered with fire. And that man Char, even he was not a part of this. It was those three servants... or rather whomever directed those three servants that was the reason for this. Soujiro couldn't say he was particularly overjoyed by the promise he was given... he didn't like that bastard of an Ambassador anyway, but he bowed lowly to the King and Queen either way to show his respects.

"You will have to leave at once, there can be no delay. Another attack like the last could happen at any time," said the Queen, in a near whisper to them. She moved forward, hugged Caytlyn, and consequentially Char, even though he had tried to back away, and then she patted the Kyokan on the shoulder, "You have our sincerest apologies and deepest regrets."

Caytlyn turned to this man, "Will you come with us? I intend to leave at once, and we could at least see you to the border of Gallia and Kyokai."


Soujiro was happy for the offer, however before he spoke to them, he bowed to Caytlyn and approached the King and Queen. Matters had to be taken into his own hands now, so for the first time since arriving to Gallia, Soujiro spoke. Kneeling and bowing to the King and Queen as traditional in Kyokai toward any royal family member, he straightened back up and looked to the two, who appeared to be surprised.

"De Gallia-Denka (Your Highnesses)." Soujiro started, his voice deep and rather gravely, however quite calm. He had quite a thick Kyokan accent, yet his words were fluent in Gallian "It is my own apology that all of this happened. Suffice to say that our negotiations were cut so short. I shall hasten at once to my Lord Shogun to bring news of this incident, and that the Kingdom of Gallia had nothing to do with the events that unfolded here today."

Looking to them, he had almost forgot.

"Ah, were are my manners. My name is Soujiro Onikage, I am the Commander over the First Unit of the Shinsengumi. I was chosen to accompany Ujiyama-sama as his bodyguard, however it seems that due to his death it shall come down to me to proceed with the dealings that were agreed upon. In this case, I shall notify my Lord of the exact negotiations that occurred today, with the hope that war will not happen." Soujiro concluded. "Please excuse me, but I must be off."

Looking to Caytlyn, and the man he supposed whose name was Char, he nodded to them both.

"I will gladly take up your offer for company, Hime-sama. And if you wish to rest somewhere safe, there is no place better than in Kyokai, should you wish to accompany me back home. Perhaps my Lord would see you as your own country's Ambassador in this case." Soujiro said, with another low bow.

[Nowe]

"Quite so, Soujiro Onikage," said Caytlyn, "I would in fact love to see your country. I believe it to now be my duty to - at least in part - explain it to your leader all that happened here this day. If you so wish it, I shall accompany you to your Shogun and act as ambassador for Gallia. This will hopefully keep me away from Gallia as long as need be, until mother and father can find and quell this uprising."

Just then, the guards outside the door started shouting orders. A resounding explosion was heard on the far side of the walls, enough to know that a magician had cast a magic spell towards the lower level of the stairs leading to the throne room. More muffled shouts came from beyond the doors. The King and Queen of Gallia looked urgently at each other, and the Queen nodded. "Right, my dearest daughter," stated Caytlyn's father, "You must leave at once. There is a hidden passage behind your mother's throne that will see you all to safety. Char," he said, turning towards him, "I task you with protecting her, as well as the delegate - excuse me, Soujiro - as you move away from the capital. I ask that you not return until word arrives in your voyage-book that the Kingdom is once again safe. These are dark times, you three, you must trust and rely on each other or I fear there may be no future ahead for either of these great nations."

"Now dear, don't get so depressing around them. I am quite sure they will be just fine," stated the queen.

Caytlyn nodded, understanding that the situation was extremely serious. Char, on the other hand, had been standing relatively at ease, not really caring one way or the other, until he was tasked with the protection of these two people. He raised his hand, scratched the back of his head, nodded towards the king and queen and said, "You have my word that they will be safe, Majesties."

"Go at once," said the king, moving to behind the throne he had mentioned. A soft click was heard, and the stones near the rear of the platform began falling into the floor. Not moments later, a descending ladder existed leading right down and out of the throne room.

"Goodbye, father, mother," said Caytlyn, taking one last glance back at their smiling faces.

She descended the stairs, followed quickly by Char. The fighting on the other side of the doors to the room grew in intensity, more explosions and chanting could be heard, even from this distance. As they descended out of site, the stones forming the first part of the stairs moved back up into their position, and the throne room was once again whole, showing no signs of an exit. Darkness encompassed the passage now, its chill fingers creeping into every corner of its space. Caytlyn asked, "Does anyone see a torch?"

"Not this close to the entrance of the tunnel," Char replied, "The light from a torch this close to the stones at the entrance could give it away to anyone who might be looking for it. We will find one a few feet down the passage, where it should be safe enough to light one."

Caytlyn continued to descend, feeling her way down the tunnel with her feet on the cold stone steps and her hand on the chill and damp wall. The air grew chill, and smelled of musk and mold. "We should be far enough now," said Char, "I think it'd be safe for a little light now."

Light, however dim, flared into existence. Char's hand was held at waist level, holding a small and wavering flame. It was an ability he had used quite often in tense situations where light was needed just as badly as discreteness. The small flame gave just enough light for them to see where they were going, but nothing more than that. “We must find our way down to the bottom floor, and to the stables outside of the palace. From there, we can get horses. If not there, there are stables just outside of town. We should be able to make it there by dark, if we are quick in our descent,” commented Char.

The descent continued on for what seemed like hours. From time to time, explosions could be heard from a wall. They party continued in relative silence, not seeming to want to know what was going on inside the castle. Just as sudden as the passage had appeared in the throne room, light appeared at the end of the stairs just ahead of the party. It was a small hole in the rock that lined the stairs, allowing sunlight at the ground level to enter into the passage.

“This is it,” said Char, “The exit should have a little switch around here somewhere….”

There was a slight click sound as Char found the switch in the wall. The stones next to him hissed as they dropped into a grove into the floor and were rolled sideways.  The opening was big enough for one person to go through at a time. Char lead the way into the sunlight, pulling his cowl up to cover his face and protect his eyes from the sun. The palace grounds seemed relatively quiet, but a few shouts could be heard around the corner of the walls. They were out of the palace, at least, and headed in the right direction.

“This way,” said Char, leading them past the last of the palace’s defenses and into the city.

The city was in poor shape. It appeared that some protestors had set fires in some of the houses and shops in the city. Smoke was curling from several places within the city, and already there could be heard shouts ahead of them as yet another shop caught fire. “Who could do such a thing?” whispered Caytlyn.

“Anarchists, terrorists, a variety of people,” responded Char.

They moved quickly through the streets, sticking to the shadows and back alleys, away from any of the fires. They found the stables, which was luckily unharmed as of yet. The horses had also been prepared for their trip already, which was remarkable considering that communication to or from the palace had been cut off since the first explosion had started. “We must away,” said Char.

“What about mother and father? Will they be alright?” replied Caytlyn.

“It is not our job to worry about the doings of their Majesties,” said Char, “Right now, we must leave this place before people realize who you, or any of us are. What say you, Kyokan?”

[Kamikaze_X]

Soujiro and his two new companions started off through the damp, dark tunnel heading out of the Palace, and into the city. The air was moist with ground water, the air slightly stale within having no real way to filter out. The bricks only amplified the cold temperature that enveloped them during the short escape journey. Soujiro wondered just how many times this tunnel had to be used in the past. It didn't seem like it saw too many travelers, that was for certain.

Char lead the group of three with Caytlyn in the middle and Soujiro heading up the rear. Though he knew Char was tasked with protecting them both, Soujiro felt more than confident in his own skills with battle. He felt secure before, knowing that he had his knowledge in the martial arts, and even more so when he received his swords back. Truly, he felt much too naked, too vulnerable without his swords. They were like extensions of their own body, to the Samurai, and regarded as a part of their very soul.

As they made their way through the tunnel, Soujiro couldn't help but keep a hand cautiously leaning upon the hilt of his katana. There had been too many wars, countless battles, that started horribly for those who were ill prepared in a defense. He knew many a soldier who had been routed and killed by their enemies because they did not prepare themselves mentally for an attack. Many would consider this paranoia, Soujiro considered this common sense.

Of course, inside Eidou, he never once felt ill-at-ease. Because the Shogunate was essentially a military state, there was always a presence of authority. Soldiers, tasked as city guards patrolled regularly and were positioned at every gate one might cross, and yet the public thought nothing badly of it all. In fact, the Kyokan people praised the might of their military, for its constant vigilance, and for the swift and precise way the soldiers of the Shogunate handled their own business.

Coming from Kyokai, Soujiro couldn't help but question the security of Gallia. Was it so ill-trained and inattentive that the enemy could just make their way into the main Palace of the Kingdom and wreak havoc. As a soldier himself, he knew of no excuse for such leniency, however his thoughts continued to tell himself that something was merely terribly wrong. After all, the Shogunate's main competitor in the world was Gallia - and for good reason.

As Soujiro looked to Char, he knew the man had seen some kind of action in the past. It wasn't as obvious as Soujiro, who bore several scars and the sort of demeanor one might expect from a warrior - no, Char bore another telltale sign that belonged to anyone who served in the military or fought an enemy. Soujiro could see it in the way the man held himself. He could see it in his eyes. Kyokai has barbarian tribes, treasonous clans, and other enemies that they fought. Whom did Gallia fight?

Light came from the end of the tunnel. Soujiro could smell the air start to get a bit fresher, and the dampness of the tunnel start to dry up. Glad that they could escape, they found themselves by the outer reaches of the city soon enough. Buildings burned, and the distant sounds of struggle echoed past buildings from adjacent streets. A shop ahead of them began to burn, a roaring inferno by the time they passed by.

“Who could do such a thing?” whispered Caytlyn.

This was the first sign to Soujiro that not all was normal in the Kingdom of Gallia. All the more reason to leave hastily for the Shogunate.

“Anarchists, terrorists, a variety of people,” responded Char.

The stabled loomed ahead. Soujiro could see his own steed, a friend he had been with for many years and shared the stresses and terrors of battle on many an occasion. He had named the beast Akikaze, which meant Autumn Wind. During that season, the winds in Kyokai are quite strong, especially by the port cities. Finding his own horse to be quite fast, faster than many other Kyokan horses, Soujiro named her as such as a symbol.

Casting a shrill whistle, Akikaze immediately trotted to him. Her snout found his face quickly and she whinnied as he scratched the back of her neck. Finding his saddle and bags to be in order, he looked to him comrades who found their own horses.

“What about mother and father? Will they be alright?” asked Caytlyn.

“It is not our job to worry about the doings of their Majesties,” said Char, “Right now, we must leave this place before people realize who you, or any of us are. What say you, Kyokan?” Char said, looking to Soujiro inquiringly.

"We must leave quickly, both for your own safeties, and for the safety of this land. Returning to my Lord before news of the Ambassador's death is paramount. I fear retribution, unless I return to the Lord Shogun with news of the events that have transpired, and your Kingdom's negotiations." Soujiro stated as he mounted up, patting Akikaze's side. "Waiting any long only brings us closer to danger, Hime-sama."