The Labyrinth

[MWalton]

To enter the labyrinth was to go to one's doom. Everyone knew that. In three hundred years, only two had made it out. One had been driven mad and one had been weighed down with gold. Still, they came, drawn by the promise of royal treasures within.

King Tyron was the latest in the line of kings who were charged with keeping safe the door to the labyrinth. Three hundred years ago his great-great-something-grandfather had consulted with the greatest architects and wizards to create his masterpiece. It had taken a thousand slaves to build it, all of whom were put to death upon it's completion. Only the King's own hand could open or close the portal to the labyrinth and upon the old king's death, his power would transfer to the new.

Each year, on the Spring Equinox, a royal banquet was thrown for those brave enough to enter the labyrinth. Those who would enter knew that it would likely be their last meal and yet they came. There would be three or four every year, drawn by the need for a challenge to their skills or by their extreme poverty. For a slave to enter the labyrinth was to be freed the night before, so some of those would also enter. Every year a few would enter, never to be seen again.

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

Rorik stood in the entry way to the palace, knowing that soon he would be in the presence of the king. He was a gangly youth of 18 summers with a book of spells and little hope. There had not been any other choice but to volunteer for the labyrinth this year. His sister Greta lay dying for want of some simple medicine which his parents could not afford. The only chance she had to live was if he could enter the contest and win money for her medicine.

Rorik was a thin, weedy fellow with a thatch of wild blond hair and a determined cleft in his chin, which kept him from looking effeminate. He was dressed in the simple trousers and tunic of a peasant and carried his shepherd's staff and his grandmother's book of witchcraft. His bare feet were dirty from walking for days to reach the capital and his stomach was growling.

A few others were gathered around him, ready to go in front of the king. Tonight they would be bathed, and feed and pampered, for tomorrow they would surely die. It was the way of things.

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

(PM before jumping in, please. I am looking for 1-3 others to join me in a futile quest for glory, with all manner of unpleasantness along the way. Normally I write longer first posts for games, but I am trying to keep the new writer friendly, though you do need to be able to write 3 paragraphs at least.)

 

[KytttheKyttenn]

When her father or the father which should have raised her realized her mother's misgivings Elle was sold into enslavement and had been there ever since. That was some 20 odd years agao and to this day Elle remembered every detail.
It was a cool summer day and Ella had been playing out back in the yard her mother watching on when her father came up grabbed Elle by her hand and dragged her away to a much older man tell the man she is not mine so do with her as you please. Elle mother stood there briefly and as Ella was placed inside a traveling cage and driven off Ella could hear her mother's screams and nothing but silence from her father. It was this that haunted her still to this day.
Now of course if Elle had been pure human she likely would not have heard the screams at all be born to a mother who was human and a father who she would later realize was a shifter Elle had exceptional hearing, not to mention sight which allowed her see almost as well as any animal beyond that there really was nothing special about Elle.
Elle now on the brink of her 22 birthday was a grown women her hair cascading down her back reaching to ass laying in waves of golden red, jet black, and silver, her eyes a final set coloring of golden green with tinny slits barely noticeable unless she became overly frighten which over the years she had learned not to let anything overly scare of frighten her, ear which grew pointed however not overly but still more so then an averaged human. Last thing to note on Elle was the fact she was slightly smaller then a normal human of her gender not so much age anymore for she had stopped growing when she hit 18 and now stood in her eyes a proud 5 feet 1 inch.
Now being a slave Elle had learned to listen to a lot of things one thing she had heard rumor of was the great labyrinth run and so as a birthday present so to speak her owner at that time upon her asking if he would allow her take part but only when she agreed to give him all the money should she win set her free knowing full well she likely would not survive.
Elle of course knew in her heart why she even dared ask to be part of this trail and it was something even her own did not know and that was Elle had revived word that her mother was still alive but that old age and grief was slowly taking her life. Elle wanted nothing more then to see her mother one last time heck if she was lucky maybe even spend time with her.
Now with this in mind her owner who made sure to place a locking color around her neck and give her some resemblance of clothing, pants which where held up by a rope belt, a shirt which barely hid her full and nearly always erect nipples and of course no shoes for no shoes where findable to fit her after all slaves where meant to be naked.
So now before the gates Ella waited not even looking at the other boy who was there too with one goal in mind survive whatever came her way get the money to buy her freedom and see her mother again before her mother passed.

 

[slippedhalo]

At age twenty Avrielle seemed much older. She'd been looking after her little brother, Kieric, since she was sixteen on the day her family was killed in a robbery turned into violence, rape, murder, and arson. Now, they lived to survive, day by day, just the two of them...

There was no luck in begging in this town, and scrapping had been difficult. After a week without a crumb to eat Avrielle had decided to take the purse from a particularly wealthy looking fellow on the street. It had served well in buying her brother and her a fantastic supper and lodgings at the inn that night. In the morning, however, the authorities had clambered into the room while she was still half asleep, taking her brother and chaining him up. They told Avrielle she had to earn back the money they stole to return to the man, a Sir Koldrey, within one week. During that week they were keeping her brother in the detention hall as collateral. Avrielle was encouraged to join the labyrinth party or else she'd have to take her brother's place in prison and he'd be put into the quarry to work...It was a no brainer.

Avrielle tearfully bade Kieric farewell and hoped they would not abuse him in custody while she went off to earn his freedom as quickly as possible...This Labyrinth...she'd survived much worse, she thought, as she packed up her gear and entered, stumbling upon others as she was shoved through the entrance. She made eye contact with a gangly boy somewhere between her brothers age and her own. He smiled shyly and she refused to smile back, only blinked her green eyes his way and looked around her to figure out the surroundings. ''Are we supposed to work together or against one another?'' she asked softly.

She could feel eyes which were not all those of the living upon them and not all of them meant them benevolence. She was nervous. ''We're not alone here.'' she said to the others. But, she doubted they'd know exactly what she meant. Avrielle had gained the sight and ears for it from her mother, they could sense and contact ghosts.

 

[MWalton]

King Tyron was a handsome, older man with a slight middle aged paunch. He stood by his throne, dreading what was to come. He stood half a head taller than those around him and was broad of shoulder. His hawkish nose stood between two dark brown eyes. His magnificent beard flowed salt and pepper down his massive chest. He wore a royal purple satin robe and a heavy golden crown. His favorite slaves sat at his feet, two nubile maidens who gazed out at the court through hooded eyes. Their clothing was an after thought of satin and ribbons.

Every year the fools would come, with hopes in their hearts or with little other choice. This one wanted free his enslaved son, and that one was desperate to feed his starving children, while the other was sure no challenge was beyond her capabilities. They would all die, as would their hopes and dreams.

He sat heavily into his carved oak throne and gestured for the doors to be opened. "Chancellor, let us begin."

 

[KytttheKyttenn]

Hearing the voice booming in her ear's Elle lifted her head just enough to scan the room seeing more had joined in made her both worried and happy, seeing another female made her ecstatic.
Maybe she could make friends, maybe, right now it was just a dream and besides could she really trust anyone, would she be made to trust those around her. What would or was going to happen when this great race began.
All of this was questions going on in her head as she lowered it once more listening further to what all was being said.

 

[slippedhalo]

Avrielle followed the King, eyeing his slaves with a look that said she knew they couldn't possibly love what they did as much as they pretended to, yet she respected them for their willingness to do whatever it took to survive in this harsh world. Avrielle was often enough told she was herself quite attractive but she hated the thought of eyes oogling her or hands touching her without her permission...gritting her teeth into an obviously faked smile she nodded to the King when something was said to her about being sure to listen to every rule and guideline or the money and their lives could be at stake. The others looked as uneasy as she felt. She began to wonder how Kieric was doing and if she'd ever see him again. She pushed a stray strand of red hair away from her dirty smudged face and cast her eyes about, looking for the source of the non-living presence she felt.

 

[KytttheKyttenn]

Something cold touched Elle making her jump and slightly yelp out this of course drew unwanted attention to her as her hair moved just enough to reveal her pointed ears which up until now had remained hidden as had her eyes which where developing small slits in them despite her trying to stay calm.
It was then she would fully notice the other female blushing at her own thought Elle quickly lowered her head again only to be touched once more by the coldness she could only feel now like a blanket around her.

 

[slippedhalo]

''Careful.'' Avrielle warned the strange girl beside her who'd jumped at the touch of a very large spiritual mass surrounding them all. ''It likes your fear, feeds upon it...'' she whispered, ''It's hungry for more...let's try to use positive thoughts to diminish its power.'' she said.

The girl looked surprised and Avrielle shrugged, ''I have a cursed gift. If given enough time with this spirit I may even be able to communicate with it. But, right now we should do our best to block it from feeding off our negative energies.''

 

[MWalton]

Rorik smiled at the red headed girl, but his smile was not returned. "Everything says, to my way of thinking, that it would be best to work together." He looked over at the other woman and was startled to see her pointed ears. Her state of underdress embarassed him, so he looked away. Another contestant, a tall, muscular man with skin the color of an avocado was doing little to hide his interest. He looked to be an arrogant sort, with his cropped haircut and arched eyebrows.

The tall man spoke. "Why should I share the treasures with you lesser mortals. I am descended from Magnan himself and have little need of your assistance." He spat out the last two words. "There is an assistance of another sort you can show me, at the banquet tonight, little slave."

He wore a finely crafted chainmail vest and was armed with two wickedly sharp seeming scimitars. Leather sandles were on his feet and his loins were girded in a short leather stripped kilt. Below the kilt, his massive legs bore grieves of steel. A few others stood waiting and trying to avoid the tall man's attentions.

The young shepherd thought that the man seemed like the mountain lions he had chased off with his sling and staff. He had a healthy fear of the man, but knew better than to show it. Such a one could sense your fears. He believed that only through co-operation could they succeed. The king spoke. His voice held the gravity of a father advising a wayward chuld.

"My dear citizens, slaves and foreigners, you stand before me, ready to enter the labyrinth. No matter what your reasons, I beg you to reconsider. There is no glory or treasure to be had, but only pain and death. If you persist though, you will be bathed and dressed for a banquet; the last meal of your lives. Tonight my slaves will serve you as if you were royalty. Tonight you will sleep on silk sheets. And tomorrow, you will surely die.

 

[slippedhalo]

Avrielle spoke up, taking a step toward the King, barely escaping a tendril of the spirit surrounding the gathered group as it reached for her. She replied, ''I need to begin as soon as possible. I care little for sleeping on silk sheets or partaking in some poor woman or man charged to serve me for an evening. I have only got a week or my brother will be either imprisoned with hardened criminals who'd eat him alive, or sent to the quarry to be worked to a young death...I will not let him suffer because of my bad judgement. When can I get this over with?'' as the gasps echoed around she added a hasty but not very convincing, ''...your Majesty.'' to cover her not so reverent tone.

 

[MWalton]

The king looked at her sadly. "Are you so eager for the hour of your death? At the witching hour the Summer Solstice begins and by law I must open the portal to those that will their own death. You may enter at that point, but not before. I am afraid that you must suffer through our meager fare, or abstain as you wish. I would advise a full night's sleep but you have a right to enter the portal at midnight."

Rorik stepped forward. "I would do the same, your majesty, for my sister lies dying. The food would turn to ash on my tongue." His stomach growled, showing his words for a lie.

"Are any more amongst your ranks so touched in the head?" The king reached down and petted a slave absent mindedly, as if she were a mere dog.

 

[slippedhalo]

Avrielle finally returned the boy's smile now that she saw he was also in as much of a hurry as she was and that he was good enough to not leave her standing on a limb testing the King's patience all on her own.

 

[MWalton]

Cross shook his head. He fully intended to enjoy the king's kept whores and rich feast before setting out. Still, it would not do to let these little fools look more eager than him. "Aye, screw the sleep. I enter at midnight as well, but only with a full belly." And an empty cock, he added to himself.

He looked over and saw one of the women smiling at the gangly shepherd lad. Fools. Did they really believe their moonpie glances and honest intentions would protect them? Forget the labyrinth! Wbo would protect them from him!

Ooc: We can skip the feast if everyone agrees. I am flexible. Just let me know. Call it a vote.

 

[KytttheKyttenn]

( I posted and it was ate ARG. I'm fine with skipping.)

Elle would look to the girl and nod her head softly trying to stay or more like become calm. She hated this, this feeling of cold tendrils touching her and running over her body.
Soft whisper (averielle) , I'm Elle.
That was all she would say as she begun to listen and hear everyone saying how they wished to start the quest sooner then later including a boy she had barely taken notice too.

 

[MWalton]

Ooc: Once we are in the labyrinth the players are locked in. I am hoping for another guy. We can play it out for a day or so of real time before skipping.

IC:

The king shook his head. "Well if your going to eat at my table you need to be bathed and dressed. The rest of you can go to the kitchen and help cooks. Make your decision now." A eunuch came forward and bowed to them. He had a fat face with as much makeup as a woman. "Come with me honored guests! You will be bathed and pampered. The rest of you can go with Randal." He pointed dismissively toward a slender page with thick black hair and large green eyes.

The tall muscled man (Cross) winked at the slave with the pointed ears. "Joining the fun love, or are you off with the rest of the stiffs?" He ignored her response and headed out after the eunuch.

 

[KytttheKyttenn]

Confused and looking around not sure what she should do for never before that she could recall had Elle been given a choice on anything.
Finally deciding she follows where the red hair (averielle) goes for she made Elle feel slightly more comfortable and slightly less scared.

 

[MWalton]

If he was to help in the kitchen, so be it. Rorik walked determinedly toward the page. Many were the times he had helped his grandmother with the housework. His father had died when he was only a lad. His mother and grandmother had not differentiated between womens' and mens' work. His sister had learned shepherding as well. With only four of them, there was always much work to be done.

Rorik nodded to the page, who was dressed in white and green silks. "Just point the way. I'm with you." If he was lucky the cook would take pity on him and feed him for his efforts.

 

[slippedhalo]

Avrielle was anxious to get started immediately but she also knew she shouldn't tempt fate too much. At the moment they would begin at The Witching Hour and that was better than waiting until morning, at least.

They followed the male servant and Avrielle felt the girl watching her but she ignored it for the moment. Something else had her attention. She took a closer look at a bush nearby as they walked behind the man leading the boy who was apparently with them as well.

Avrielle swiped a branch from the bush and passed along a handful of berries from it to each of her companions before picking the last couple of handfuls off for herself and eating them as they walked to the castle kitchens. She noticed a grateful look from the strange girl as she took her handful, watching Avrielle carefully as she ate her's and then following once she knew it was something safe to consume. This made Avrielle smirk, glad to see her companion was careful and alert enough to pay attention to what others do and maybe learn from it.

Avrielle was a good survivalist. She'd kept her brother and herself alive in the woods and nearby villages for four years now. She knew which plants were good to eat and which were poisonous. These berries were sweet and a pretty good appetite suppressant. It would be helpful to keep some around in case of a day or two of hard luck in finding food so Avrielle pocketed the second handful and tossed the branch aside before they were led inside the castle wall.

 

[MWalton]

Rorik followed the page deep into the castle, aware that the two women were with them. He page talked amicably.

"I would not worry about the work much lad. Mistress Henibush will see your taken care of, once I tell her what happened. It is a shame to be sure." He looked around at the two women. "There is time to back out you know. There is no shame in it."

As he lead them the stone corridors grew more narrow and full of slaves and servants scuttling about their tasks. The page called to this one and that, his green eyes flickering from face to face. Evidently he knew everyone and had a kind word for them, or one of admonishment.

After ten minutes they reached a massive kitchen with four mighty stoves and row upon row of preparation table. A woman with wide hips and a substantial bosom was marshalling the troops. Her steel gray hair was drawn up in a bun and she seemed to never stop moving.

 

[slippedhalo]

''Awright, pretty young sacrifices, here's your job. You, tall-red, I want you kneading that dough and twisting just so, see? Like I do, add flour when needed but not too much. You, little multi-hued one, you will be stirring those five pots there, don't let the bottom one boil, tell me BEFORE she boils or you've ruined the stew! And boy, you will man the oven. When red hands you the rolls you will put them on this sheet here and place them inside. Each batch bakes for around a quarter of an hour before they get turned. You will do this and do it properly or I will shove you in it to bake as well, got it? AND, little one, this green mixture here, when he puts the buns on the plate you are to brush this green mixture onto each bun, lightly, before they cool down. Get to work!''

Avrielle looked at the others and they each manned their individual station. She started rolling the dough on the table-top as shown and a vague recollection of cooking meals for the family with her mother back when she was a girl...It made her nostalgic and melancholy all at once and she tried not to remember things too much and just focus on making the bread and the sounds, sights, and smells of the kitchen while they worked.

 

[MWalton]

Rorick worked many hours manning the ovens. It did not help that the buns smelled so delicious, when he was so hungry, but then he was used to that. He had gone hungry many times growing up, or only had mutton... again. He tried to watch for the other two as he worked, but it almost got him in trouble with the head cook, as the rolls threatened to roll right off their trays.

After what seemed like forever he finally realized that there were no more rolls to rescue. Mistress Henibrush was finishing up the final touches on the many cakes and deserts and things looked to be winding down in the kitchen. He couldn't imagine that it was to long to the Witching Hour after all the hard work he had done. He also hoped that he would be fed before he had to step through the portal.

"Right you lot, that does it then. Everyone grab some leftovers!" The kitchen crew excitedly grabbed legs of chicken, rolls and now cold potatoes and sat down any which were to eat their fare. Even the mistress did so, though she sat at a proper little table as befit her station.

"You three better look lively if you want to die with a full stomach! It's the 23rd hour already."

 

[slippedhalo]

Avrielle had made sure she plated some chicken, potatoes, greens...and she pocketed lots of rolls (easy to carry). She moved to a spot near the corner pantry and saw Rorick filling a sheepskin with beer and water, his plate had some potatoes on it and what looked like a chicken bone already mostly stripped of meat.

Rolling her eyes at him she placed two chicken legs on his plate and spooned a bit of green vegetable mush onto it as well, doing also some of the same for the little slave who had come in with them and seemed too timid to fight for her own meal. ''Eat.'' she said to them both. ''I can't keep looking out for you two. If I need your help later you must be strong and alert.'' She warned, and started tucking into her meal herself. Quickly, but not too messily, she cleared her plate, green eyes already watching the other kitchen staff to see if there was more to eat or store. She reached out for the boy's skin-made canteen and arched her eyebrows, ''May I have a sip?'' she asked, slipping him a roll from her pocket in the process.

 

[MWalton]

"Aye, but be careful. It's my grand's own home maid wine and it packs a punch." He handed over his canteen and watch her expectantly, to see how she would handle the drink. He found it a bit strong himself, but he felt it would be useful under the circumstances, if he lost his nerve when it came time to walk through the portal. He could not allow himself to chicken out at the last minute.

The little slave was accepting the red head's attentions. He wondered about her. She seemed to timid to step through the portal and yet she was going to go. What was her stake in this? Surely she would die in the world, without the protection of her master to watch over her. He stared at her for a second, almost missing the moment when Red took her drink. Maybe there were hidden depths to this slave.

 

[slippedhalo]

The wine was not bad. Avrielle took a large swig and then capped the bottle, handing it back to the boy she had heard called Rorick. ''Rorick, can you fight? You good with a bow or a sword? Got any skills? You're almost as skinny as my eleven year old brother. Will you be able to defend yourself against whatever waits for us in that labyrinth?'' she asked, hoping to see some fighting spirit in this guy if he was to be at her side during some bad times to come.

 

[KytttheKyttenn]

Elle had followed the others into the kitchen doing her work as was told. Then when allowed helping herself to the food once everyone had gotten their plates she filled her. Not being overly picky or well picky at the the final scraps did her fine. Food was food she never ate for enjoyment or anything only eating to eat and besides right now something was toying with her mind making her think she had made a mistake listening to the rumors and everything of her mother still being alive making a mistake coming on this great mission but she knew it was too late now. So into a corner area on the floor she went sitting and quickly eating her food with eyes watching on as if waiting for someone to steel it.