We became slaves of our own creation
Adari citizen
Our duty is to protect the weak, our shield is for all creeds and colours
Apostle Markus
We will drag them kicking and screaming into paradise whether they want it or notApostle Gregorian
Adrax - Arcadia
By Midmorning the streets and markets of Adrax were filled activity, the crowds milling and jostling past the two Justiciars as they patrolled the streets
Arcadians are like rats, stink like em too
Its a good thing they dont speak Adari or wed have a riot on our hands Tasi sighed.
Ha! You wish, at least thered be some excited. Ageric begun pushing his way through the crowd with little or no care. Most Arcadians tried to move out of his, although one burly individual seemed determined on confrontation
*Watch who your pushing Heathen* he Snarled squaring up to the Justiciar. The throng of people kept their distance when they saw Agerics hand on the hilt of his sword, Tasi manoeuvred behind the large Arcadian while silence descended on the market.
*We will be free Heathen! Our brothers from west are coming, they will smite you* he spat out wisely thinking better of starting a fight.
The Justiciars left the markets and made their way into the residential districts.
Praise the Red Lady, I thought for sure he would start a fight, I saw a few others who looked like they would jump in
Better for us if they did, we dont need the ones with backbone alive. To be back in our homeland
Malkavia? Tasi said with a grin
Why do you crystalists always bring up Malkavia? Its just a backwater filled with Barbarians
I just find it interesting no Adari speaks fondly of it, I wish I could return to Ruby to see the Stone Circle or visit the Vuori cave
The difference is simple your homeland has a glorious past, ours was merely the scene of pointless infighting that lead to our eventuARRGGH!
Whilst conversing both Justiciars had failed to notice the skinny out breath man who crashed into Ageric who also failed to notice them as he scanned over shoulder.
A look of dread flashed over the sweaty mans face * F*** S*** more of em?* quickly followed by a look of relief as he jumped to his feet *Oh thank the One!* and with that he was off again darting down the street into an alley.
What was that all about? Tasi grunted as he helped Ageric back up probably a bloody thief, I really cant be bother to chase after him
Better get off this street then, or well have some stupid old women demanding we go chasing after him whilst dusting himself off he glanced up the street where the Arcadian had been running from and saw a score of Justiciars barrelling towards them, the leader ordered the men to split to search the alleyways while he stopped to question them.
Did you see where they went brothers? They could tell the man was a Harbringer one of the highest ranking officers in the army.
They? Some blind fool ran into me not a minute a go, scarpered pretty quickly, what is he a murderer?
They tried to assassinate Apostle Delagani! He may not make it his eyes bore into the two men Well! What are you standing around for go and look!
At the entrance to alley the sight of an Arcadian retrieving his dagger from a dead Justiciar greeted them, not the same man as before but the Harbinger had mentioned other assassins. He saw them immediately and sprinted off leading them through the haphazard scattering of alleyways, as they gave chase they heard the whistles and shouts of fellow Justiciars, the whistles either signalling an attack on one of their own or a riot.
The man was incredibly agile clawing his way over walls, they would have lost him if it wasnt for pure dumb look he had ran into other men chasing him forcing him to retread his steps.
I cant do this anymore Tasi! Lets stop for a minute, wheezed out Ageric, he hunched over placing his hands on his knees.
Fine, I think we lost him again anyway, I cant believe this happened
****in Arcadians *wheeze* theyre animals
Come on lets search this house What!? That wasnt a minute
Tasi kicked down the door, a simple family of peasants occupied the building and the appearance of armed men sent them into a panic, the children ran to their mother and the father placed himself between the Justiciars and the children.
*Get out you filth! Cowards!* the father was ready of a fight
Calm down idiot we just need to search the place Tasi held of his arms motioning for the man to sit down Ageric search upstairs before he could even complain about being ordered around the assassin appeared on stairs vaulting over the banister and crashing into Ageric before rushing out the front door.
****
Chaos gripped Adrax and the people rioted across the city.
__________________________
Adar (originally Rascirai), namesake of the Adari people and where the first Malkavians set foot in Azulia. Where the Justiciar council was seated, the centre of power in Zamdar.
It is no rival to the greatest cities of the Old world (or Malkavia as it is known to the Adari), Its monuments and statues a reminder of a time many would rather forget, such as the statue of a Justiciar about to strike a cowering Eldist, especially now that they wanted to attract immigrants from the world over.
The old area of the city is not welcoming at all, largely constructed during Arbiter Wulfnoths reign to maximise defence, particular attention paid to the temples in this area with arrow slits, battlements and their own armoury for use by the citizens during an Eldist invasion. Priests still carry knives in these old temples.
The area closest to the docks on the other hand is more welcoming, with Taverns, a large marketplace and many different temples of other faiths, especially crystalism, much large and grander then in the old area of the city.
The largest building that can be seen across the entire city, the Council chambers and the tower of Ascension (named after a religious building in Malkavia) where the Justiciar council along with representatives from Zemora and Nontin decide matters of state.
The situation in Arcadia is dire, an assassination of one of the Council Apostle Gunderic stood before the grand oak table and with it the assembled members of the Council, behind but above him was the seat of Arbiter it has stood empty for an age, as he gazed out he let his words sink in
I thought things were settling down? one of councilmen sighed
I think its time we talked about allowing them self rule, our current stance is needlessly antagonistic
Almeno the Nontin representative spoke up What! Are you insane? The first thing they will do is try for independence, then when you dont give it to them theyll revolt. You know whatll happen then theyll strike at the closest target, Nontin! I will not allow that to happen
The youngest man in attendance began to speak, although he was quieter then the others his words often carried the a calming influence and the voice of reason Allowing them self-rule will go some way in alleviating the Arcadians fears; this is the first step to conciliation Semevinaras, Zemoran representative was regarded as a voice of reason.
Fool they will never be content, Arcadians take pride in their xenophobia they think no one is their equal! Raged Almeno
HA then I think their utter defeat at our hands has changed their view somewhat Virconuss laughter and booming voice was answered by the chuckles of many fellow Justiciars.
This is no laughing matter Virconus, my peoples lives are at stake imbecile! Almeno indignant retort served only to rile up the old Generals fiery temper
Imbecile? I am Apostle Virconus! he leapt from his seat and planted a boot onto the table And why you fear these dogs is beyond me, two thousand men give me two thousand men and I could crush the Arcadians and unite all Azulia from sea to sea beneath me!
The old generals fiery proclamation sent the whole council chambers into action, from laughter to cheering and a couple senile councilmen pledging to raise a million men to aid in this glorious endeavour, Virconus continued in detail describing a mighty armada descending upon the old world deposing the decadent Guangfei King and all like him.
The saner members allowed them time to calm down
Enough of the theatrics Virconus, we have spoken at length on this matter before and I believe the time has come for us to make a decision Gunderic placed his hands upon the table and considered his words before continuing Zemora and Nontin are clear examples that this can work, allowing Arcadia self-rule is letting them know we value them as our equals, that we are not here to control them but protect them. I implore you to lend me your support
They will see it as a sign of weakness their pride is hurting, they look down upon all outsiders, to be conquered by one beyond belief, to not be masters of their own fate is unacceptable. They are different to the Zemorans and to my own people; we accepted it grew accustomed to it. The Arcadians are of different stock; they are like Valins they rise again and again. You can crush them hundred times and each time they are stronger for it! They will grind you down
What are you getting at Almeno? How will not giving them self-rule go anyway towards stopping what you describe?
As the council members continued their debates and prepared to vote, they were increasingly drowned out by noises in the council building hallways, at first the sound was distant and did not interrupt the proceedings. But quickly the shouts and commotion was upon them taking them by surprise.
The large doors swung open and emerged three men; the leader who caught everyones attention was a burly stout man dressed in the attire of Justiciar with his white cloak with its golden trim he was holding something by his side.
The other two had numerous blue cloaks pilled atop one another.
My lords addressed the stout man as the council stared seemingly transfixed I have grave news indeed as he finished he threw what seemed to be a small black orb into the largest grouping of men, immediately the incendiary device erupted in flame engulfing a number of men and the three assassins sprung into action while shouting for Arcadia slashing wildly knowing they had little time.
As the Council members were cut down (being mostly old men and the younger ones being overpowered by reinforcements) explosions sounded in other locations around the Council Chambers, which were heard all over the city as chaos and confusion descended upon Adar.
OOC: Bombs have been used before in Gorin right? I didn't imagine that I hope.