Ain: The Rising

He sat completely still. The world lay at his feet, its waters sparkling like diamond jewels, its forests blurring all greenery together. Clouds drifted over the land, occassionally obstructing his view. It didn't matter, there was nothing particularily interesting to see.

Drawing his gaze away from the world, Akken decided it was time to eat. He did not necessarily have to, but he liked the movement of his jaw when he chewed; it made him handsome. Any cause for him to move any part of his body made him handsome, and the vain creature that he was, he was always innately pleased when he did look handsome.

Raising his hands, he clapped - short, sharp and twice - and a servant came bowing towards him. On the servant's back was a table laden with all the delicacies of the world beneath him and any other world he happened to be liking at this point in time. Drinks of every nature, world and plane existed here as well - they never ran dry and he was even more pleased at the action of swallowing; which of course made his throat bob up and down most attractively.

Plucking a morsel from the servant's back, he began to guide it towards himself. Though he usually used his hands - the movement would have been exquisitely beautiful - this time he chose to simply will it towards him. Though he wanted all to see his beauty, he was simply too disinterested and lazy to fully allow those surrounding him to fully appreciate his... assets.

At that moment the ugliest woman he had ever seen walked into the Hall. At times she seemed to be the thinnest bag of bones, then a squashed, messy pulp of flesh and hair. Her movements were more than awkward, they made an onlooker wince with pain and disgust. The stench that arose from her was putrid to say the least and made the food curdle as she walked past.

Akken could not help his lips stretching into a welcoming smile. She smiled - or what he had always assumed to be a smile - back at him as she took a seat next to him. She also picked a morsel from the servant's back, never seeking permission. Luckily for him, she preferred the stronger, less tasteful food. When she spoke, Nekka's voice was hard to describe. Not many could stand it, but Akken found that it endeared her to him. "How fares the Watch today?"

Akken shook his head, "It bores me, this constant Watching. We all know He will never return, and if He does, it will not be in our lifetimes,"

Nekka nodded, popping the piece of rotten fish in her mouth, "Tis a pain, but if it were not for the Watch, we would not have met,"

Akken let his smile fade as he contemplated. Almost as an afterthought, he placed his own honey roasted piece of meat in his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully. "Aye, too true," he said at last. "I - " Akken abruptly found himself bending over and frowning as he watched the world below him. The Hall rang as he dismissed the Servant, to better watch the goings on below. Nekka did said nothing, but he felt her concern. He found himself shaking his head, "Tis nothing, my dear." He watched her warty, pulply face crinkle into a smile once more. "Tis simply some war or another."

Nekka looked down, concentrating and found what Akken had seen, "Oh - Talarines are attacking some poor country again..." her voice - he was pretty sure - conveyed some dismay.

"You still do not like our daughter's creations?" he asked, surprise colouring his voice with a sweet melody.

Nekka shook her head, her bones creaking as she turned from enormously obese to sickly thin again, "I cannot say I will ever like them. They are far too cruel - " she cried out in dismay once more as she recognised the country being invaded. "It is Ain!"

Akken turned an indulgent smile onto her, "I know you were working them towards your worship, my Love, but they were a stuffy lot."

"The Aine are stronger than you think, husband." Her tone - this he did recognise - was full of warning. Needless to say, he did not heed it.

"Our daughter's pets are rather good too. I know you think them too brutish to be concerned with, but she did put some effort into them, you know."

Nekka snorted, the sound coming like a thousand large animals defecating, "They have taken Ain, but can they keep it now? I think not, the Aine will not stand for it."

Akken laughed, "How about a bet then? Naturally I would see the Talarines win this war - "

"-and naturally, I, the Aine," she finished for him.

Akken grinned, "Ah yes, this Watch may be less boring than we had originally thought." He rubbed his hands together, noting the gleam of desire it created in his wife's ugly, piggy eyes. He settled back, "Rules?"

Nekka frowned as she thought, her lips pursing, the sound of them rubbing together sending a shiver down Akken's spine, "No direct contact. But we each can have a representative - I will send our son, he agrees with me."

"And I will send our daughter - their powers will be halved too."

Nekka nodded in agreement and pursed her lips again, knowing the reaction Akken would have to the sight and sound of her doing so. "And what of the prize?"

Akken thought for only a minute before he waved his hand and another servant came bowing towards them. He gestured and the servant obediently stripped. Then he looked to his wife. Nekka frowned, her gnarled, twisted nails tapping on the armrest of her chair, "It seems hardly worth it..."

"Ah but think of the fun we would have... that has more worth than It, but we did say this was a bet."

"And It is the tastiest meat of all...." she grinned then, her crooked teeth splitting the fragile flesh of her lips, "Very well, husband. We shall see how this little war turns out."

"Yes, my love, we shall see." Akken's eyes gleamed with planning as he summoned his son and daughter, sending them off on their way to each respective party. Then he rubbed his hands together, excitement clear in his beautifully sky blue eyes. He smiled, the smile of the already triumphant - his boredom was for now, relieved. Both he and Nekka leaned forwards, intent on the world that swirled beneath their feet.

"The Talarines will win -"

"Nay, the Aine are stronger than -"

"Hush, my love, it is started..."

Druz: Mantra

Druz gave a lopsided half-smile.

"Good, we go now."

He turned to look back over one shoulder, barking to his Riders in Orcish;
** "They will take us. Form up!" **

The other two WolfRiders padded forward to stand at Druz's right and left flank as the Riadans moved into their own positions.

"Dulak!" Druz called, thrusting the tip of his spear into the air. As one, the three Wolves began to move forward.

Cormac: Renegadeirishman

It had gotten dark by the time that Cormac's warband had arrived in the village. All around he saw refugees with looks of fear and uncertainty in their eyes.

Then he realized, Most had probably never been as far north as Eiriada, a kingdom given to an ancient Warchief who fought for the Aine king and was gifted with a large kingdom for the then nomadic Riada, in gratitude for their skill, honour, and near-suicidal courage in service to the king. This warchief vowed that the Aine would always have Riada muscle and steel to call on, and he became the first High King of the Riada, Boru I, and Eiriada a vassal to the Aine.

Most of these people had never seen Riada, and now a heavily armed warband full of horned and fanged barbarians was walking into their one salvation.

They were afraid of him and his men.

Cormac stood in the village square, and his deep voice rumbled out in his heavily accented version of the trade language.

"I am Cormac, Priest of Cernus, We mean you no harm. My people are friends to yours, I would speak to your chief."

The Hunter: Jedi Khan

The elf watched Karesh’s reaction to his sudden move, and he was rather unhappy with it in general. Specifically, she reacted as she should have, with a defensive response, but the elf didn’t like the fact that the response involved flames dancing around her fingers. The blatant display of magic simply served to confirm the fact that Karesh was born to the common elves, despite her half-blood nature, for Mori elves did not possess any magic, nor did they like it, except for the occasional entertainment.

"Sorry about that, but strange man, lots of weapons, have to be careful mmm?"

The elf didn’t respond to Karesh, mainly because he didn’t have anything to say in response. Besides, if she didn’t think that he had made the sudden move for a reason, so be it. As for the cat growling an obvious warning, the elf simply looked at the animal and raised an eyebrow for a moment, before completely ignoring the feline again.

"Well the village is back this way, follow me. As for a name I think I will wait till you either decide to share, or think of something you would like to be called. I have more important things going on right now than naming a grown man."
Again, the elf didn’t respond, for the same reason as before; he had nothing to say. He simply pulled his cloak around him, covering his head with the hood, and fell into step a few paces behind Karesh.

Karesh: Kalika84

Striding along the dirt track Karesh was very alert to the strange elf following behind her. he was very....VERY strange. He clearly had a distaste for magick and magick users alike. Well too bad for him. She was not ashamed of her power and had worked hard to become as good as she was.

Thorne kept pace with her. *I dont like him. And I certainly dont trust him Karesh. Maybe I should just eat him.* His growl echoed around her mind as the giant cat slanted a calculating look over his shoulder at the elf and flicked his tail in a distinctly "get bent" gesture.

*Thorne, I know you dont like him. Im not entirely at ease with him around either, But he is good. And we need all the help we can get.*

As they tramped through the wood and brush they could see the village appearing in front of them. MEat was already roasting over open fires and the men, women and children that had escaped were looking in better spirits. Though....they looked a bit odd. And there were strange beings patrolling around the village square. What the hell. Without a backward glance at no name she took off for the Queen's tent. "Hurry up if your coming!" She shouted over her shoulder as she took off, Thorne easily keeping pace at her side.

She hoped the elf would come. Then she could introduce him to the Queen. That and he may come in handy if the new visitors weren't friendly.

Risa: Satindesire

Risa had tailed them for days, stopping when they stopped, resting when they rested. All this, without letting her presence immediatly obvious. Perhaps out of the corner of their eye they would witness the flash of a ringed bushy tail or the flicker of silver in the densest thicket of a bush, but these sorts of things were easily dismissed as harmless, or flights of fancy. The woods were full of creatures, after all.

She hunted minimally, wont to leave the hodgepodge pack behind. Although gnawing hunger chewed angrily at her guts, she ate and drank little, absorbing their speech and becoming familiar with the elvish tongue again.

She had scouted the village ahead some hours before they arrived, and finding it lacking in companion animals she was wary of entering alone. Cheetahs were not pack animals, but all her hunting skill and great speed would be nothing against a village full of angry and witchcraft-seeking twoleggers.

The large male cat in the witch's company made it clear that she had no qualms about companion animals, but the crone and the elf were difficult for her to fathom...and that made her nervous.

She tailed them, several hundred feet back, creeping through the brush with her ears perked forward, straining to catch every word.

Crone: Wolfsister

The crone accepted the 'walking stick', grabbing her gnarly fingers around it. She found that when she had it, she could actually straighten a little bit from the pepetual stoop she had had since hitting a certain age. "Thank you young man," she said softly.

Then she was off walking, generally heading along the line of the little fast flowing creek. The mist rolled in around them, but their line of sight was always at least ten meters ahead, so althouth it was thick, they could still move around comfortably in it.

As the morning drew on, Nayil would find that the crone moved almost painfully slowly. Although her feet were bare, and she didn't complain, she still only managed to shuffle along the path at a rather slow pace. She kept silent most of the time and absently drew out the little idol, stroking her gnarled fingers up and down the figure. It seemed something of import to her as she crooned low in her throat.

The chill of the morning eventually wore of, though the memories of it remained. The further along the river they went, the closer they came to the normalcy of the forest once again and the mist gradually thinned out.

It was around noonish when the crone suddenly stopped and announced that she was lost.

Nayil: Qyron

Nayil had noticed the rapid change of the forest around him and was not happy. Such kind of sudden changes were not natural; his mood was turning grim again and the lightness of the old woman was starting to become enervating.

«Humans.»

- As you can easily notice, grandmother, I'm an athalan. There's not much to tell besides that about me; my race is well known throughout the world for what it is.

The man pours himself another cup of the beverage and leans against the tree behind him, feeling the wrinkled bark through the cloth of the shirt, his eyes closed.

The slow wind that blows in the forest makes the trees rustle. Birds sing and its easy to hear the small animals of the forest roaming around. All is too perfectly calm for Nayil's liking; the giant feels strangely alert, without being still able to pinpoint whatever is making him feel like that.

Putting down his now empty bowl, the giant runs his hands over his bracelets, feeling the engravings and the black stones cast into the solid steel, taking conscience of the wide and heavy steel necklace around his neck and the stone in it. The objects seem to be more part of him than even the clothes he wears.

- And how about you, grandmother? - The man sips his tea, opening an eye to glare over the old woman, calmly sit in front of him, looking at him. - Yes, what about you? Except for that lovely tale you told me when you woke up me last night, of course. I'm still trying to decide if I throw you into the river or not... - Taking a long drink off the cup, the giant's eyes wander around the nearby trees. - After all, you did get us lost.

Sebastian: Angelus

Sebastian hated the fact that this fight would now bring the humans out into his world and he would run into them in one way or another. The last thing he wanted was to be pulled into a fight that was in no way his but he had a feeling that he would be. Even if he offered advice to the people that had survived the massacre of Kalabad he knew that the Talarine would mark him as an enemy from that point onwards.

He slowly pulled his cloak around him and walked through the trees, noting how everything had changed significantly since the Aine had come through here. He let out a sigh but continued to walk freely; without a care in the world.

It was then that he heard a sound off to his right and stopped to see several mortals run into the trees and bushes and stop, terror written clearly on their faces. They were making so much noise that he knew whatever they were running from would have no trouble in picking them up. He wanted to warn them of that fact but he knew in doing so that he would once again be interferring and that would most likely get them killed or would slow them down enough that whatever they were running from would find them in no time.

The smell then came to him before they came into view and Sebastian realized why they all had the look of terror in their eyes. The Talarine must have been chasing the group since they had left Kalabad, hoping that they would lead them to where ever the rest of their people were. As he watched them Sebastian couldn't help but be surprised. It was the first time he had ever seen the Talarine this organized before but he could not help but let out a sigh as he watched the mortals started to scream and run faster as the Talarine got closer and closer.

He knew that there was no way the mortals were going to be able to outrun the Talarine who were much quicker than they were. He hoped though they they weren't stupid enough to try and find where ever the rest of their people were or it would surely lead to the slaughter of the survivors.

Sebastian waited until the Talarine ran past before he moved himself and sniffed the air. He instantly caught the scent of the rest of the mortals and could not help but smile when he knew that the group who had just run past was going in the wrong way. He knew though that it would get them killed; especially when the Talarine finally caught up with them. He pulled his cloak around him once more and wondered if he should see what the survivors of Kalabad were doing.

He knew though that he should at least tell them there were more survivors out here in the woods. With a loud sigh Sebastian started to walk in the direction the main group of mortals had gone.

Queen Lisika

Lisika sat in the less than comfortable camp chair and silently grumbled to herself about the 'rough' treatment the village woman was giving to her long, silken strands. The woman clearly had never even been around a princess - Queen, she corrected herself - before and did not know how to act. Let alone twist a simple braid into someone else's hair. All she asked for was some respect and absolute perfection! It really wasn't all that much.

Lisika made a small noise of annoyance but endured the painful tugging on her flaxen hair. She had to show some sort of queenly presence here, after all if she was going to get her kingdom back, she would need to do it from somewhere and this backwater village was the closest there was.

Barely concealing her impatienc, she allowed the mess of a braid to be tied and smiled politely to the giggling woman - girl, really - that had done such a bad job.

A bellow sounded from outside and several half hearted screams reached her ears. Lisika's pretty green eyes finally flashed with true annoyance as she abruptly stood, upending the inadequate camp chair.

Striding out of her royal tent, she gave a look to the two guards - local boys - at the entrance. "Well, what is it?" she demanded, not bothering to look herself.

One of the pale faced boys pointed, unable to speak at the warriors that were milling at the village center. Only then did Lisika deign to turn around and look - her eyes widening with a little fear. At first she thought the Talarines had come after them, but on closer inspection she realised the warriors weren't plated.

There were even a few Orcs in amongst them.

Bold as day, she strode on, only stopping to give an annoyed glance backwards at the boys that only belatedly realised they were supposed to follow. All the 'good' soldiers she had managed to round up were out patrolling the forest around them. She mentally kicked herself for not having a few stay behind. She would not make that mistake again.

The petite queen marched up to Cormac, his clothing and bearing showing him instantly to be the leader of the pack, "I am Queen Lisika of Ain. Who are you and what do you want?" Her bearing was stiff and her voice laced with pride.

In the corner of her eye she saw Karesh bearing down on them swiftly as well as a strange elf shadowing her steps. She chose to keep her dignity and await Karesh's arrival without announcing she needed the magic user close. Just in case.

The Hunter

The elf followed Karesh in silence, as well as ignoring the obvious signs of annoyance the big cat was giving, while still watching for any sudden aggressive movements from the animal. And then suddenly she was off at a run, calling for him to hurry up. The elf looked ahead in the direction Karesh was running and saw the village square. But more importantly, he saw the group of orcs surrounded by a larger group of some large horned beings that the elf had never seen before. Orcs were despised by most races, including both common and Mori elves, so seeing them in the village square was not exactly a good thing. The elf broke into a run, and upon reaching the edge of the village, he veered off into the shadows of a nearby building.

The elf pulled the hood of his cloak down over his face, hiding his features, and proceeded to circle around the square, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. He quickly made his way around to the shadow side of a large tent that bordered the square, having obviously been set up to accommodate someone of importance that didn’t normally live here in the village. The elf then slipped under and into the tent. From there, he went to the entrance where he could watch and listen without being spotted.

The elf had his bow at his side, ready to strike down either the orcs or the horned beings should hostilities break out. When and if the group decided to return to the tent, the elf would quickly and silently move to the darkest corner of the tent, and essentially become one with the shadows there.

Nayil/Crone

The crone chuckled at his comment, "I would hope not young man, I'm not such a good swimmer these days. Besides, I might feel compelled to drag you with me," there was a sudden hardness in her eyes at that, but it was gone so quick that the man would probably think it just a trick of the light.

"What I told you was truth, Athalan," her croaking voice complimented the bubbling of the water rushing by them so closely. Leaves stirred up in the breeze whirled around her for a second before moving on and leaving a rustling trail behind them.

"I never got us lost. I just don't know where I am right now. But I know where we're going." Her eyes glinted with that old humour that ancient people have when they tell a joke that only they can get.

"Besides, I like this part of the forest. Its nice and peaceful. No nattering going on to hound on your nerves." Then she reached into her shawl and pulled a small bowl from beneath it. Then she hobbled her way to the water, filling it with some of the clear liquid before hobbling back to her place. Her bones creaked in that ancient way she had and she moaned in dulled pain as she lowered herself onto the ground once more.

She placed the bowl on an even spot on the ground and reached out around her, drawing her fingers through the dirt and scraping up errant leaves. Muttering something to herself, she flung both the dirt and leaves into the bowl of water. They skimmed along the surface, floating out in all directions aimlessly.

Winking at Nayil, she closed her eyes and began to hum softly. Her humming was melodic, but in an ageless way that could not be identified. After a only a few moments, the pitch of her humming became so low that it was hard to hear if she was still making noise at all.

Then the dirt and leaves that skimmed the surface of the level, still water began to move. Slowly and then faster and faster, it all began to move in one direction. It formed a clump to one side of the bowl, something that should not have been possible.

The crone opened her eyes and cackled appreciatively, "There we are young man. To the east are people... a large amount of people. And where there are people, there is a village - or at least some sort of shelter and directions!"

With that, she stood up, energetic enough now to stoop down and pick the bowl up, discarding its contents with a negligent flick and placing it underneath her voluminous cloak once again. She looked at him expectantly, "So, we're moving on now. Come on then..."

And with that she struck into the forest, leaving the river behind, the creaking of her bones even more pronounced now that they had left the sounds of the water that had masked it effectively behind.

Karesh tore into the village square, Thorne coming around the back and flanking their new 'visitors'. Dear goddess, she hoped they were not here to cause more trouble. Three quarters of the army was decimated, all that was left on top of that was townspeople, the villagers, some mild magic users, herself, the queen and some pack animals. Not good.

The Queen was already outside her tent speaking with who appeared to be the leader of the new group. Karesh spoke to Thorne silently. *Thorne, don't let them see you, flank them on the left side just incase we need the element of surprise.*

Walking to her Queen she dropped to a knee "My Queen. I am sorry I was not here earlier. I have no excuse." Waiting for the Queen to indicate she could rise, Karesh felt the Queen tap her shoulder meaning she could rise. Standing Karesh stood on her Queens' right hand side as Thorne was to her left in the brush. Keeping her hands behind her back Karesh kept two spells ready, a warding spell and a paralysis spell ready to launch both at a moments notice.

Creating a temporary mind connection between herself and the Queen Karesh spoke quietly in her liege's mind. "What do you want of me My Queen?"

Lisika was always surprised when Karesh created a mind link, but she managed not to show it. While awaiting for the leader of the Riada to speak, she eyed the Orcs that accompanied them. She knew that if it came to a fight, then their side would surely lose. She just hoped that what rumours she had heard about these fierce warriors weren't all true.

To Karesh - Stand ready. Try not to show too much power, let them underestimate you. Surprise may be our only defense. I will not lose more of my subjects. The Riada, though reasonable, have a bad reputation. The Orcs, even worse. Be on your guard. And where is your familiar?

To the Riada leader, she tossed her head into the air and gave her hautiest expression, "Well? Speak!"

Yes, My Queen. Drawing her aura in to herself she seemed to be a lowly court magician not really good for anything but sparks and flashes and little fancies. Thorne is in the brush to your left My Queen. Our link includes him aswell, for should we need to attack, relaying the command would waste time. He will hear it himself.

Eyeing the intruders surreptiously she waited to see what would happen...she also wondered where that elf was.

My Queen, I also met a strange elf around the river not far from here. He seems to be friendly and has followed me back. I am unsure of where he is but I can sense that he is around here somewhere. Thorne could locate his whereabouts to within a couple of trees if required. He is also magnificent with a bow My Lady.

Good. Let us hope that he is on our side, should we need assistance, then, was really all the reply that she could make. The Riada leader still had not spoken and she toyed with the idea that he could not understand her, but dismissed it when she realised he had spoken too clearly before for him not to understand the King's Tongue.

In the meantime, she would gather as much information as she could, Karesh, what do you know of these Riada? Or Orcs - there may some information that I have not dealt with through trade negotiations. The petulant royal was slowly but surely becoming the commanding warrior, but it would still take some time, and a bit more experience.

Cormac's eyes flashed and low growl rose from his warriors at the young queens insulting tone.

"I am called Cormac, my father was Abrecan, I have the privilege of serving Cernus, god of hidden war and the Lord of the Wild Hunt as a priest and I will thank you, young queen, to mind your tone. Your father, the king whom my people served well protecting the northern marches for many a year, obviously did not teach you how to speak properly. How'd you imagine that your caravan came to this village unmolested? We have come to fight the Talarines, as Boru long ago swore. Your warriors, though valiant and honourable, do not fight like we do." Cormac said.

"We have also brought these three orcs, their leader wishes to speak to you. We considered killing them, but thought that killing what seems to be a battle priest would bring war with the orcs. Ordinarily, we enjoy a war with the orcs as much as a holiday, but given the circumstance I thought it best to focus on one front."

Queen Lisika stared at the Riada who had finally spoken. For a moment she did not speak. Her mind was reeling with the information he had just given her and she was caught between feelings of gratitude, anger, indignation and suspicion.

She had never really paid attention to the northern corners of what was now her kingdom. The southern reaches had appealed to her more because they had seemed so exotic and full of life. The northern passes, however, had always seemed inhospitable and unconquerable. Apparently, the old King had put his faith in these people - or perhaps not.

Karesh, I need to know if he is decieving me. I have heard of them in passing, but I have never heard of the Riada being a part of our nation. Find the truth of it for me - for now I will play his game.

That being said, inside the other woman's head, Lisika arched an eyebrow, "I take it that you want our thanks then?" her hautiness was far from lifted, in fact she seemed even more imperious now. She made a show at looking at all of their faces in turn, "You will serve me, under me and my command from this day forth as you claim you served my father?" It was a light question, but one heavy with consequence.

Abruptly, dismissively, she turned her attention to the so called battle priest, "And you? What is your story in all of this?"

"Haughtiness will not be your ally in this My queen." Cormac said, peering down onto the much shorter and slighter figure. "But by the sacred oath of Boru the Eternal, and on my honour as Cormac son of Abrecan of the Mighty Warcry, My warriors and I will serve you as we have always served the Royal House. Until My lady release me, or Crom og Cruach take me." He said solemnly. As one, he and his warriors drew their warblades and stuck them into the ground as they took a knee. Even on his knee, Cormac was able to stare almost directly into the queens eyes, and he asked. "Do you accept our oath?"

Not being given time to wait for the Orc to speak up, Lisika was startled out of her appraisal of the battle mage by the actions of the Riada in front of her. She blinked, her hautiness for a moment being replaced by confusion. But it was a bare second, a flicker of her eyes and her mask of superiority reasserted itself in no time.

"I suppose I have no choice." She nodded but then deliberately added insult to the acceptance, "We are so few that I have to accept anybody who gives oath." She smiled triumphantly inside her head, paying Cormac back for his surprising her.

Her careful little world was gone. Her happiness over and responsibility thrust onto her shoulders. Only Karesh was close enough to even remotely guess what her feelings were. Lisika, the petulant child, was lost, alone and very afraid. But she would have died before allowing anyone to see it.

"Set up your camp and my captain at arms will meet with you. I will post guards as well - you are to be watched." She nodded and turned her face again towards the Orc, effectively dismissing her new charges.

"Impudent girl! To whom do you imagine you speak?" Fionn roared, many of the other warriors roaring as well.

"Diabhal Fionn! Go raibh maithe agat! Control yourselves, We have sworn an oath!" Cormac growled harshly, his eyes flashing with anger. His warriors fell silent, save for an angry growl or two.

"You would do well not to trifle with us my queen." Cormac rumbled, his eyes filled with anger. "Post your guards if you wish, They are less then no threat. I would advise you warn them not to approach too close, else my warriors might find their skulls a fine amulet. I swore to fight for you, not to brook your childish insults." He said with finality. He turned his back to her and yelled to his men. "We shall sleep in the woods, surrounding the path in from Kalabad." His warriors did as they were told, though many still felt insulted.

Druz

OOC: ** denotes spoken in Orcish

IC:

The trio of WolfRiders watched the little exchange between the Goatling and Humie leader silently, save for the occasional 'Ruk-ruk' of a moment of laughter. The three were clustered close together that they might still speak without missing any of the events unfolding.

**Urk! Do the Humies actually let little girls be chief?** Urk grunted towards Druz.

**So it would seem."** Druz grumbled back, **but she speaks like an Orc. Maybe this will be fun!**

**Orc spirit she may have,** Hobnob chimed in on Druz's other side, **but it is the one behind her with real spirits.**

Druz grunted but fell silent as the Goatings, departed, grumbling. Pressinging with his knees, Druz urged Furfang forward until they stood before the woman.

"Adal lok Rado!" Druz called, raising his spear high in salute. "I be Druz, dis be Furfang." he said, first tapping his chest with the spear- wielding fist, then tapping the worg's shoulder with the butt of the weapon.

"Me an da Boys comes to see Humie Chief and share words. Maybe Humies make deals wid the Boys, yes? Maybe make for good trade?"

He cracked a tusky, yellow-toothed smile. "You get Druz's gift, yes? You like gift?"

Keeping her eyes downcast Karesh responded to the Queen. The Riada leader speaks truth Your Majesty. I had heard of them serving in battle for and with your Father and his army. They are formidable warriors...I beg of you do not anger them...they will be of much assistance and are powerful allies. The orcs however are not quite so civilised My Lady. But again they are also formidable in battle. They are against our enemies as much as we. I advise to hear them out and please Your Majesty, and I stress this as a humble subject...be polite they are very quick to anger. But we need them. They are also not used to a Female leader...it may take a little for them to get used to it.

Watching the Riada leader and his followers move off to take guard on the Kalabad road she also kept an ear on the Orcs. If they continued to speak in Orcish to often she would consider casting a translator spell for the Queen, so she could better understand them. But it as yet may not be necessary if they did not do it too often.

Thorne stay where you are until we have concluded business with these orcs...the Riadans are no problem they are allies and have sworn an oath to our Queen. The Orcs are an unknown factor however.

You see Karesh..this is what I am talking about! You get all the fun....can't I chase just one? please? Im bored! Thorne all but whined.

I think you need a nap and if you continue to act like a just birthed kitten Ill throw you in the river!

Lisika's eyes widened at Cormac's harsh words, as well as the words of his followers. She just barely reigned in the urge to stamp her dainty foot in anger and frustration as the Riada moved off. She also suppressed the urge to shout out after them, opting for what she hoped was a dignified, yet royal, silent treatment. She crossed her arms in front of her breasts and glared at the Riada's backs, nodding as several Kingdom Guards peeled off to follow them.

Then she swung her head towards the Orc leader who proclaimed himself to called Druz. She eyed his wolven steed with barely concealed distrust. Turning her thoughts inwards, she snorted into Karesh's mind, What honestly makes you think I should humble myself before these... barbarians and their piggish friends, hmm? Karesh, how can an alliance with the Riada have gone past me? I should have known, no! I should have been made aware! The dealings my father had were your responsibility to report to me. she made an impatient sound as she tilted her head at the Orcish leader, glaring at him in her queenly anger, "Your Gift was... acceptable."

Of course, Lisika had no idea just what the Orc was talking about, but she wasn't about to let that little tidbit become known fact. She resumed her hauty nature and stared at Druz in what she hoped was a commanding and terrifying nature, "We may have need of your kind of services. I plan on taking my kingdom back from those filthy beasts!" she fairly snarled the words. Then she became ever so sweet like, "If you lend your spears, I will grant you trade rights with my people. Perhaps even your own land to settle in Ain. If you prove useful."

Of course she had to add the last bit. It was just classic 'Lisika'.

Karesh, I would like -

Her thoughts were cut off by the approach of a tall man. He was powerfully built in a lithe sense and was an obvious athlete. He wore a bow slung over his shoulder, with a quiver of equally looking lethal arrows. His face was shadowed with the beginnings of a beard and his dark hair hung in greasy lengths to his shoulders. His cloak bore the markings of the Huntsmen, an elite class of Rangers that had worked under the direct command of her father. She realised that she had just inherited this shady man's services as well.

He stopped before her, passing through the Orc ranks, and went to a knee. "My Queen, I am Rorik and I know much of the Orcish culture and language. I ask - with your permission - to be a liason between yourself and your new... allies." He tilted his head upwards to stare directly into her eyes.

At first, Lisika couldn't speak for the indignation that flowed through her veins. For a Huntsmen to presume to speak to her, in person, and in such a crowd and to dare to suggest a strategy to her. It made her speechless. She was only just getting used to her new role as sole ruler and already an upstart from her father's time was telling her what to do.

As she stared into his brown eyes, she gradually began to realise that this would be a very good idea. Actually, it was so brilliant, she wondered breifly why she hadn't thought of it before.

Karesh, I want you to find all remaining Hunstmen. Bring to me when you can. Perhaps we can use them -- if there are any more left. As always, she left the finer details for Karesh to flesh out. After all, she just gave the commands. It was up to the other woman to follow them.

"Very well, Rorik. If they agree to fight for us, you will cater for their needs,"

Rorik bowed his head and stood to his full six foot height. Then he turned towards Druz and presumed to speak again, "So Orc, will you have me?"

Lisika pressed her lips together in disapproval, but strangely enough, she said nothing.

Taking the reprimand quietly Karesh only said I am sorry My Queen. I should have advised you of the relations between Riada and your Father. Forgive me for being remiss in my purpose.

Seeing as Thorne could hear Lisika's comments but she could not hear his as it was a one way temporary connection, Karesh was not to appallled when she heard Thorne's snort of indignation.
What on earth are you apologising for Karesh? If that upstart Kit bothered with state affairs before her parents died she would know already! But she was to busy being fawned over by sycophants and lapping up the attention of 'yes' men. Pah!

Karesh watched the exchange between her Queen and the Ranger. Her eyes narrowed as what should have been a trademark Lisika tantrum moment melted into...aquiessence. What by the Goddess was going on? Lisika should have been tearing that Ranger a new backside right this minute.

Oh goody. I get to find more of the rat bastards. Wonderful. Unaware she had telegraphed these thoughts to Thorne , thank god the Queen had not heard!, she nearly fell over when he replied,
Karesh, I know you had a bad experience with a Ranger but surely they are not all that bad? But if you are adamant I could just eat them for you?

No Thorne....but thankyou. I do not want to talk about it either. I will simply do as my queen commands.

Keeping up her pretense of being a lowly court magician rather than a powerful war sorceress she closed her eyes and appeared to nod off. Casting out her senses heightened by the sigils she was inscribing in the air behind her she cast a net out for Rangers.

One...two...three. There.....no...wait, Four. One group of two and two solos spread out about the area surrounding Ain...three were close by the fourth would take a half day walk to reach them. She recognised two of the Ranger marks. One was Cullyn, tall dark and deadly he was often used by the King for the more....sensitive missions. At the moment he was solo, not fair from the river were Karesh had bathed earlier.

The other Ranger she recognised was Shellan, one of the few female rangers...she was just down right...nasty. She was used when a message was required to be sent. Small lithe and generally considered way to pretty to be a threat she was very good at what she did. She was the one over a half days march from their location.

Not recognising the others she passed on the information to her Queen, which ones she had been able to identify and where they were.