LINESII- Into the Darkness- Part III

[Wubba360]

Thranwuir II stood within the storehouse. The door was barricaded. His third son Arboleg, Captain of the Yu-Yan was due to arrive at any moment. Thranwuir turned to his trusted soldiers. Only about 5 of them were actually trained. The rest were all peasants. Common men who would die for their king.

The crunch of the door as splinters flew back caused the room to shake. Thranwuir looked out towards the small window. The flames could still be seen. The screams. The King shed one tear for his kingdom. As it fell to the ground he turned to his men.

Their bodies were broken, but he could see in their eyes something no sword could brake. It was the spirit of a Bladeist. Never weining, always strong. To the death on the battlefield.

No words would be spoken in this final faceoff. IT was not needed. These men knew battle. Most knew what was expected.

Finally the door was broken. The King smiled, Silent Death would rule this battle. To scream was to give their enemies pleasure. To kill a man without saying a word or blinking an eye was pure fear.

Firing his arrows the flurry took down the first wave. But arrows were not his men's talent.

Drawing his sword he charged the enemy. Slicing into the abdomen of a armored knight the man's stomach split open over the ground. The man screamed in agony.

The King's men made no battle cry but only charged. The King drove his blade through the scarlett clothing of what appeared to be a squire. The boy squeeled as if he were a pig. The King ignored all remorse.

The King would release this enemy from its hellish bonds. A group of archers jumped into the room and fired. Ten men fell instantly. Seven more were injured.

The King looked at his wound. The arrow was protruding out of his stomach. The burning sensation made the King cringe, but his enemy would not hear him scream.

Chargin he struck down three more enemies. Soon the last of his guard was shot in the head. Grabbing a discarded spear off the ground the King impaled the nearest Archer.

Withdrawing his attack the King was soon encircled. Jabbing back and forth he kept the men from coming to near.

Out of the corridor two men walked out. Both wore scarlett armor. One spoke and one stepped forth. The Kings tried to stab the man but he was knocked off balance, his wounds finally showing their effect. Tjhe man's face could not be seen. Faceless, emotionless.

As the man came closer the King lunged for his fallen sword. The man was no fool and immediately stomped upon the blade. As the kin pulled up his blade it was broken. Putting it into his sheath the King slouched over, the spear grasped in his hands.

The man stared at the King, walking closer he pulled out his sword. The Scarlett knight saught to have the honor of bringing the Kings head to Tactius.

As the blade split the air, the King sprung up with the spear going straight threw the man's heart. The man was dead. Smiling to himself the King fell unconcious.

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

Arboleg pushed his way threw the rubble. His men right behind him. He had to find his father and get him out of the ity before it was to late. Pushing his way to the top of one of the walls he saw below the storehoue. Outside stood a man in shining armor. Beside him, what appeared to be a Guangfei General.

Arboleg jumped down the batterments to see his father being pulled out of the storehouse. A man in scarlett armor spoke. Soon a soldier threw water upon Thranwuir.

Two men proceeded to pick the King up and bring him before the two leaders. Arboleg listened.

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

"Master Thranwuir II, quite a show you have put up these past weeks have you not? Tell me why are you always trying to exterminate us oneists?"

Thranwuir remained quiet.

"WE could have been friends you and I. But your pride got the best of you."

Thranwuir staired down at the ground and spoke the scriptures, "An open mind is like a fortress who's gates are unbarred and unguarded, Huitzil 13 verse 9."

"Pathetic. Surrender now lord Thranwuir and you may yet walk away alive. You may again see your beloved son."

Thranwuir spat at Tactius. Snarling he spoke again, "You filth among men. You preach peace yet you seek war. When has your nation ever held a promise. You have caused great anguish for your people Tactius. But I sware it, you will die, but it will not be in the fury of battle. Not the lustful passion of war, but you will die old and frail. You will be unable to lead, to speak. The Blademaster will little by little take away your senses until oneday no one will recognize you. You shall be cast out. Women will scream at your face and babies cry. You will be unable to feel. And then finally you will be left in your bed, the pain to much to bare, but there will be no way out. You will die horribly, ut not by any hand from which this earth can muster but onethat only the Blademaster can wrought."

As the King spoke an eclipse appeared. The men were all shocked. Grabbing two knives from his belt the King stabbed his two handlers in the heart. Unsheathing his sword he charged Tactius. Thranwuir had no intention to aim for the heart. Swinging his sword he cut into Tactius' right arm. The man screamed in agony. Hacking constantly.

The king knew what would happen next a bow to the heart. I will deny fate. Thranwuir pulled the short sword out of its sheath. I give my life for my people

Penotrating his own heart Thranwuir did not scream, nor did he cringe. He smiled and looked up at the eclipse. Soon he was blind. Thranwuir shed no tear. Falling over dead, he would one day join his fathers in Venustas.

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

Arboleg screamed.

"Sir, we must leave."

ARboleg stared back at his fallen father. Tears ran across his cheeks. The battle was over, but nothing was yet written.

"A Man decides his own fate" Huitzil 9 verse 7

 

[Azale]

Perhaps the Kingdom of Rozan should try and remember how they were able to fund and prosecute the war against Magland? What happens in the south affects Guangfei and His Majesty has the ability to reach beyond The Empire's borders to insure that her bordering nations remain at peace.

Rozan should be compensated sufficiently with the territory she has acquired east of Trinlin as well as with the destruction of Magland as the major southern power. Why should Trinlin further cede territory to Destre that they themselves had taken back?

Guangfei has not, and will not, forget the lesson we learned in the Valin War. As thus, His Majesty opposes the Kingdom of Rozan's border proposal and believes that the current borders are the most suitable for long lasting peace in the south.

Perhaps if Guangfei had given more than a little money and some moral support we would give a care what you thought. Alas, we could hardly care less what your opinion is.

To Trinlin, we are willing to cede the lands the road goes through, but we want the red city and a border with the river. Free Magland can be created around the capital city. The port is for you and Destre to discuss.

 

[alex994]

Perhaps if Guangfei had given more than a little money and some moral support we would give a care what you thought. Alas, we could hardly care less what your opinion is.

To Trinlin, we are willing to cede the lands the road goes through, but we want the red city and a border with the river. Free Magland can be created around the capital city. The port is for you and Destre to discuss.

Ah yes, a little money worth more then twice Rozan's previous national income. Alas, Guangfei does not see it as the Kingdom of Rozan, and should words fail...

The Han Guangfei Empire stands with Trinlin and continues to espouse the establishment of the current borders as the most beneficial to the peace.

 

[alex994]

Return to Old Times​

“We shall build a new Golden Age for the Han People, unbothered and undisturbed by the exterior forces in the world. A new Golden Age where peace, order and prosperity shall be the words of the day, we now sit upon the cusp of the greatness. Before that, Guangfei’s borders must be threatened by none.” –Emperor Zhang, Edict of War

Sanctus Tutela, the capital of the Cultesian Bladeist Empire of Greater Myocaca, was not truly with substance. In his mind, Bladeism robbed the souls of the Myocacan and Swade Peoples. Even as he basked in the triumph and glory of the Han-Valin occupation of the Myocacan Capital, he continued to read the great works of the Ancients on humility. He too had fought in the battle, but he would be hard pressed to say he liked the slaughter, blood and gore.

War was a necessary thing, but he did not like it. He did not like it at all. The Oneist-Bladeist antagonism was something that was foreign to him, the carnal virtues of having a clear and open mind were difficult to these people. Their prejudices, hatred and everything else blinded them to so much. Some of his more religious troops from Qingdao had started burning and looting Bladeist places of worship before he had stepped in and ordered it to stop, they grudgingly followed.

As a man, he distasted their religious fervor and found it disconcerting at least. As an Emperor, he found their faiths dangerous to the stability of his Empire. He would need a faith that would suit the interests of the Imperial State, the strength of the Imperial Divine Monarchy would be preserved. He would never become beholden to the great nobility as had happened in even Khemri! Shaking his head, how he wished to have lived in the past, but he remembered the words of his ancestor.

“All we have to do is to wisely use the time given to us.”

Ku had said that, after the fall and destruction of Guanzhong to the Valins. Those words emanated the hope and despair that had combined and intertwined into his ancestor. The words of a nation that was still strong which had lost her ancient capital. Myocaca faced that same dilemma as Guangfei did almost three hundred years ago. Yes, he would not follow Tactius’ words.

Myocaca would have a lenient peace by his will, he would insure it. He picked up his teacup and sipped some tea as he looked upon the harbor of Sanctus Tutela. It was lovely, a mite warmer, but it did not take away from the beauty. Peace, not war, was the natural order of the day. He, not Tacitus, would determine the war’s end, and if the Valins disagreed, they can disagree.

Guangfei would have her peace, a lenient peace, but if that was to be refused, then Guangfei would fight so that she would not have to fight. It was his dream, a Guangfei that would be at peace. He did not know how long it would last, but he would do his best. To prevent mothers from burying their sons before their times, to forestall the days of war and gore, he was no Tacticus to revel in the slaughter of war. It was not glorious, but terrible that men would die for such abstract terms. He and his army knew what they fought for, to fight so that their descendants would not have to.

Myocaca would have the most lenient peace Guangfei could give.

 

[LBaeldeth]

de Quirms legacy lives on; they must take on quite a few mistress'

I'm sure de Quirms line will give us genocidal maniac at some point....

I wrote the first Thresis piece before actually reading enough of the history to encounter de Quirm ... but then, great minds think alike (two inventors of the ballistae, I make no claims of greatness. Publicly. ). Did one of your mad scientist's many offspring happen to disappear over the eastern ocean long ago?

 

[alex994]

First Draft of the Treaty of Sanctus Tutela​

“The Han Guangfei Empire under the Emperor Zhang along with the Valin Republic of Veritas under the Autorex Tactius, having achieved a suitable victory over Myocaca/CBEGM with the capture of the Myocacan/CBEGM capital of Sanctus Tutela and desiring of a suitable peace would offer the following terms for the cessation of hostilities:

1. Myocaca/CBEGM will recognize New Veritas, including the no longer existing nation of Sintonia, as an integral part of the Valin Republic of Veritas and will withdraw all claims to the above stated territory and will not grant any aid to any rebel forces within the above stated territory.

2.

Spoiler map changes :

The border regions shown above will be ceded by Myocaca/CBEGM to Aryie to serve as a buffer state between Myocaca/CBEGM and Guangfei to prevent any future acts of war and aggression between the two nations.

3. Myocaca/CBEGM will not have a navy larger than 40 galleys/Bladeremes, or 10 Biguns/Titans.

4. Myocaca/CBEGM, the Han Empire of Guangfei and the Valin Republic of Veritas will all guarantee the independence of the state of Aryie under the High Priest and pledge to defend her should she be attacked.

5. The state of Aryie, strengthened by border territories, will act as a neutral nation unaligned with any other nations. They will be protected by Myocaca/CBEGM, the Han Empire of Guangfei and the Valin Republic of Veritas should their independence be threatened.

The above draft is just that, a draft and open to changes and negotiation at the request of any of the three nations of Myocaca/CBEGM, the Han Empire of Guangfei, and the Valin Republic of Veritas. His Imperial Majesty personally considers this a fair and equitable treaty taking into consideration the positions of the various powers and believe that this treaty will go a long way in preserving the peace between Myocaca/CBEGM, the Han Empire of Guangfei and the Valin Republics of Veritas.

 

[a_propagandist]

From: Destre
To: Trinlin

We feel that Orvit should remain under Destrian control, however, the river and access of the western seas will not be barred from Trinlinese ships.

 

[jeps]

To the Priory of Envia
From Guarela

It is said that the Great Blademaster once walked on the Mount Blade, during his quest to spread the truth. Would you consider modifying our borders so the sacred mountain may be part of Guarela?

 

[TerrisH]

I wrote the first Thresis piece before actually reading enough of the history to encounter de Quirm ... but then, great minds think alike (two inventors of the ballistae, I make no claims of greatness. Publicly. ). Did one of your mad scientist's many offspring happen to disappear over the eastern ocean long ago?

sine the Original De-quirm was a oneist, probobly. hmm, and there is a story..
Primary Trait of a De'quirm: fiery red hair.
and now, to hint at the secret of kernel, so I have it in place when the space age comes.

 

[alex994]

To the Priory of Envia
From Guarela

It is said that the Great Blademaster once walked on the Mount Blade, during his quest to spread the truth. Would you consider modifying our borders so the sacred mountain may be part of Guarela?

OOC: My my, the Blademaster's been almost everywhere He could be an ALIEN DUN DUN DUN!

 

[Lord_Iggy]

@Foozicaba- The project's okay, though you can only spend one point on a project per turn.

To: Destre
From: Trinlin

That is acceptable.

 

[jeps]

OOC: Oh yes, the blademaster gets around

 

[Thlayli]

From: The Valin Republic of Veritas
To: The Empire of Guangfei, Myocaca

We approve this peace.

 

[alex994]

OOC: Oh yes, the blademaster gets around

OOC: I'm sure he does

Iggy, Out of sheer curiosity, how do the other nations and peoples in the world view the Han Guangfei Empire? Evil, close minded, tolerant, arrogant or etc

 

[Lord_Iggy]

It's good to be a buffer state!

Most view you like Europeans viewed 'Cathay'- as a rather distant land, with some trade coming from it. Those southeast of you are kind of in awe of your strength, those south of you kind of think you're threateningly powerful, but normally just a meddler.

You don't have any particular positive or negative adjectives.

 

[alex994]

It's good to be a buffer state!

Most view you like Europeans viewed 'Cathay'- as a rather distant land, with some trade coming from it. Those southeast of you are kind of in awe of your strength, those south of you kind of think you're threateningly powerful, but normally just a meddler.

You don't have any particular positive or negative adjectives.

OOC: So the people/nations of the south think I'm kind of threatening, but they're not really scared of me and just think I'm annoying?

To be more specific, how do the Bladeists and Oneists see me?

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Of course they think you're threatening.

Bladeists... mixed feelings, tending more towards dislike. Oneists like your Qingdao guys particularly, though most consider you to be good and worthy allies.

 

[Contempt]

Iggy, Iggy! Do me next! I want to know what the populations of the world think of the once mighty Lengels! Generally, I think I'm hated (especially by Gorin and Croyodon) but my defeats may have curbed the fear a goodly amount.

 

[LightFang]

The Restoration
"Never again."
-The Northern inscription on the Statue of Peace

Faulk ascended the steps of the Hall of Diplomacy. The train of his snowy white robe dragged against the steps and made a slight swishing sound as he walked.

It had been a tragic history for Faulk Phyron. He had been fifteen when the Myocacans invaded Aryie in retaliation. The Empire, despite being a misnomer, had barely lasted a week. The blood of the Oneists would perhaps never be fully redeemed...and that was good. They had to remember the past, lest they be doomed to repeat it.

Aryie's civil war had been interesting, to say the least. After the death of Emperor Zekat I, Aryie immediately reverted back to nation-statehood. Two factions immediately stormed the front and dominated -- the Republicans and the Royalists.

The Republicans pointed to the disaster of Priest Karzt and his succession. Surely, to avoid another tragedy, power had to be more distributed.

The Royalists pointed to all the time before that, right back to Priest Azlan. Why, they said, change a good thing?

Why indeed?

The country had become ravaged. The more radical Republicans clung to the cities, sparse as they were, and the Royalists had bastions of support in the countryside and Karholm. Still, a compromise had to be reached.

Royalist Anber Lyn had devised a solution, known as the Dinner Table Proclamation.

Well then, ya know -- oh thank ye, you're too kind, keep the wine comin' -- there's this kid named Faulk. Faulk eh *gulp gulp*. Faulk Phyron, yeah? He's fifteen, a bright kid, and related to the royal family. That King Karzt, he was no pious man, eh? Napkins would be nice, need ta dab me beard! Nobody ever wondered why one son had flowing golden hair, and the other a head of pitch black? Why they were as night and day? He had tons of bastards, aye. Zekat and Aagi, well, they were off mistresses and his one true wife, so they at least could be passed off (plus the fact that his wife loved Zekat too much to just throw him away -- a kind soul, aye).

But anyway, back to the point, hmm? I say, end this bloody war! *pounds the table* Put him on the throne. The Republicans will be happy because he'll be easily controllable and they can decentralize the kingdom even more, and we'll be happy because he's of royal blood! Wooooo *thunk*

So he had been to the Palace. And he had seen it with his own eyes, eyes that grew wide at the prospect of being king, of being more than just a precocious young ascetic.

The ceremony had begun. He had grinned madly, he could see it from a third-person perspective for some reason. His feet had kicked the throne madly as he sat, waiting to be crowned. In a novel idea, both Anber Lyn and Knott Lyn, the warring brothers, were to place the crown on the High Priest.

There was a duality of everything, to be honest. Dual priests, the audience was divided in two, pretty much everything. It was symmetric and a gesture toward the coexistence that would exist from then on.

"Under the One," began Anber.

"In all His glory," continued Knott.

"We proclaim Faulk Phyron to be High Priest of the Kingdom of Aryie!" they finished.

A shriek from the outside. The door was kicked open.

Lieutenant General Barest, son of Bradicus of Herim Tower, a senior officer and renowned warrior who was recently promoted to said position, walked into the room slowly, although the occupants of the palace did not know his identity. His eyes scanned over everything intently. His shoes clopped and left nasty mud stains on the floor.

"I am Lieutenant General Barest, son of Bradicus of Herim Tower, a senior officer and renowned warrior who was recently promoted to said position."

"Gee," said Anber, drawing his sword, a ray of light, with a carved lion in the hilt. "Did you rehearse that all day?"

Knott drew his bastard sword, the twin of Anber's. "How did you get in here unimpeded?"

He cackled. "Your forces are in disarray," was all he said.

The brothers charged at him. He smiled and made a gesture with a gloved hand, then stepped to a side. He had shielded from their view archers, posed to kill. Faulk screamed; they shot.

Two arrows pierced Anber's chest. His tanned hand clutched his chest. "Knott..." he choked, twisting and falling, dropping his sword with a ring! At the same time, three arrows struck Knott in the stomach. His fair blue eyes looked with horror as he doubled over and fell forward.

"Anber..."

The brothers looked at each other, gasping for breath, almost side by side. One was face up and the other was face down. Anber's green eyes watered. He opened his mouth to say something. The archers shot again, and blood came out when sounds should have. Knott closed his eyes before he was shot again, a second later.

"Quiet, boy." Barest's voice was like steel. "I declare myself King."

--

In retrospect, it wasn't too bad. He got to be High Priest, after all. And although he held no power, it was surely better than being dead.

And now, another army had passed through Aryie. An army from Guangfei. They had entered, sacked Barest, and found Faulk. And so here he was.

He entered and sat through the boring meeting. The people of Guangfei sure did like pointless rituals. Ah well.

He scribbled his name on the document. It was done. The people applauded, and he laughed, quietly, to himself. It had come full circle. He had gotten to meet Emperor Zhang himself, wined and dined with him, talked, even. Yes, he had come a long way.

--

And so the Vassal State of Aryie officially surrendered to the Empire of Guangfei. The High Priest was reinstated, with Faulk at its head. And he finally got to have a crown placed on his head.

Side Note: Everybody in Aryie has weird names because they wanted to experience a cultural break from Svitzerland. Thus, when they came over, they named themselves new things. Of course, Aryien is probably yet to be a language, but we'll see. It's evolving...

That and I don't know what typical Svitzer Swade/Valin names are. =]

 

[Thlayli]

Well Wubba, since you've taken some artistic license with my characters, allow me to take some with yours.

Tactius

Part Two:

Tactius focused his somewhat vacant expression on the bloody figure before him. The Myocacan made some irrelevant comments, perhaps trying to secure his future for posterity. Tactius was rather disappointed. He had hoped for something slightly better than petty insults and clichéd prophecies, but alas. For a king who had put up such a spirited defense, he wasn't much of a conversationalist.

He realized too late that Marcus was still bleeding from the arm, and Antelian's face was gashed, a glancing blow dealt as they took the main hall. Thranwuir, well built despite various battle injuries, ripped free of his men's grasp, lunging (despite broken knees, at least his men had seen to that) for Tactius.

The blade neatly severed the tendons of the elbow, and he heard the bone crack. The Autorex determined that the arm would be lost, and angled the fall of his body to allow the archers behind him sufficient room to shoot the king-turned-assassin. It was not necessary, since he committed suicide.

He heard himself calling for Elesius as his body went into shock. His last, disjointed thought was a hope that the healers would cauterize the wound correctly, using the method he developed.

---

Host-Lord Varus restrained the soldiers from beating the man further. He had no further information, it was clear. He was probably just another retainer of the late King. The prisoner slumped to the ground, bleeding from a broken nose. The horror of failure was written all over his face. They had almost made it across the walls.

"What of the boy?"

"I will take him."

The young man was perhaps nine, or ten. His movements were fierce and undisciplined, as he struggled hopelessly against the Septilion that pinned him at arm's length.

Varus was born to a Sintonian mother. He was one of the original five thousand hostages. Using only a broken shard of pottery, he killed three Urban Militia when a detatchment of soldiers stormed their village. The Autorex took note, and Varus was earmarked for training as a Regian Guard.

He leaned towards the boy. The cool gray eyes of the general were motionless. In comparison, his green eyes sparked with unadulterated hatred.

"You are no different," he whispered. "And he will see it."

"I am a prince," he spat, in broken Valin. "Not afraid of Veritas scum!"

"Yes, that will interest him."

---

Tactius sat up. The flow of blood had stopped. He felt his arm twitch, and distantly calculated the time it would take to gain weapon and writing proficiency with his left hand. The pain was immense.

Gray healers moved throughout the room, their cloaks swishing against the reed floor. The Autorex did not bother to look out the window. He knew the city was largely intact, not including the devastated strip of land Valin and Han troops had carved from the harbor to the palace.

He knew that his commander would be waiting by his bedside. Host-Lord Varus had probably foiled assassination attempts he didn't even know about. Nor would he have wanted to.

"Varus, report."

"My liege, we have captured the heir to the throne."

"Ah. I see. Is this the one?"

The boy was bound hand and foot, still hopelessly struggling against the thick cords of rope. Varus roughly pulled him up to stand in front of the Autorex, who had risen from his bed. The boy attempted to spit in his face, but Tactius rose his hand to block it.

"No, not this time. I learned that lesson from your late father."

The boy seethed with rage. "Murderer, scum, vile heathen! You killed my father, and destroyed my land."

"Your father committed suicide the moment he decided to oppose me. I warned him that I was more intelligent than he, but he failed, in his hubris, to anticipate that I would not attack his armies, but the heart of his nation. And now I have his son."

"I am Arboleg, sovereign prince of Myocaca. You will release me!"

"No...I don't think I will. You see, that prince died in the siege, attempting to escape the palace. A sad fact of war, how it affects the children. Still, I found a Myocacan orphan in the streets, and decided to raise him as my own. After all, you show some promise."

Motioning to Varus, he stood. "Take him to the ships. I must meet with the Han Emperor."

The Host-Lord didn't get to his position by questioning orders. Without a moment's hesitation, he started dragging the boy towards the open door.