A sky of war

[Jamie]

If there was one thing Crayton hated it was being ordered. He would happily serve his royal family but a…pirate so it seemed he was is not a person he would like taking orders from. However it didn’t seem he had that choice so he decided he should tell the guy a few details, the ones he needed to know.

“Ok, well we are in need of going to hell I suppose, we need to travel to Thermidor, we need to go as soon as possible, I am a marked man by the Ares empire, she is suspected to be marked by unknown forces and I will pay you with a grand ship of the Ares fleet. The ship you most likely have heard about, “The countess” the queen’s personal ship. But if you want this reward I expect to be taken to Thermidor, you must trust that I will return after my business there and then must take us back. What do you think? “ Cryaton had maybe jumped certain details and the fact they were unsure how long “business” would take, but in all truth he had no plans on returning or paying the man. He did however know that he was the only person now alive who knew of the whereabouts of the countess ship.

“What say you sailor?”

[My Final Heaven]

Elcid laughed out loud at the proposal.

'You're going to pay me with the most expensive and tricked out load of rubbish on the mist seas? Even if I believed you, which for the moment lets say I do, what use have I got for a royal transport ship? I don't care if it is the fastest ship in the Ares fleet, how am I to pay her crew eh? With honour and duty? Bollocks, my men will follow me so long as they know they'll be better paid than in the Navy and because they know that if they don't I'll crack thier skulls with my boot.'

The soldier explained that they might wish to be paid with the Mella Gems used for the Countesses trim.

'That'll pay them for a little while, certainly, but how am I to get her past the battle line? A ship like that is pretty bloody obvious init? The second they spot her mast they'll be blowin trumpets and rollin out carpets for us, only when they pull along side, they'll see she ain't got no royal crew, nor royal cargo and I don't care how fast she might be, a broadside in the stern from a man-o-war will tear her to ribbons, and then we'll all be dead. Only way we can get to Thermidor is to go right the way around the fleet which you're looking at a two or three month voyage which is going to be doubled if I have to tow a bloody great yacht behind me...'

A sudden thought struck Elcid. The letter of Marque against any ship flying the Ares flag must surely still be out and the prize money for captured Ares ships was enormous. If he could somehow get both the Mistress and the Countess to Thermidor in one piece, he would be sitting on a gold mine.

The look on the Soldier's face suggested that a time frame of five to six months was unacceptable but Elcid had other concerns to deal with at the moment, namely meeting a client about the silver ingots in the hold and recruiting more crew members.

'Look, I'll think about your situation. If I can think of a way to get it done that won't end up with all of us getting killed, then I will accept your payment and take you to and from Thermidor. If I can't well, you're S.O.L. but you're free to stay on board ship here until such a time as I make up my mind. Right now I have other buisness what needs seein to, not least of which is getting some more sailors as I'm sure we'll need, especially if we're to be running with two ships instead of one. For that, I think I shall be putting the Lassie's skills to good use, if you'll come along with me miss.'

Elcid stood and beconned for the girl to follow him.

[Akira Avelon]

Anei blinked and did a double take between Elcid and Artois.. She looked dumbfounded for a second as she had literally been dragged around and she didn't quite know what would happen. but she did know that Elcid wasn't meaning to do her harm as she was listening to both men's inner selves. Both at a place where neither trusted one another as far as they could throw themselves... This was going to be a hard thing. But she did follow. As Elcid did have the inquiry that was directed to her and she needed to make this seemingly new partnership actually get off the ground if anything was to happen.

Anei turned and nodded and bowed slightly to Artois before running out of the room and closing the door. She didn't want another scene like the on in the market. But of course. she bumped right back into Elcid. This time right with her front instead of her side. Literally making her assets press right up to his chest. As she nearly backfired backwards. Stepping back a few paces and bowing once again. Looking up and blushing. She was being absent minded at the moment as she picked up on someone grumbling about how bad the one side of the hull was. which was beside a wall three floors below them.

Shaking her head and rubbing her temple. Anei blocked out the happenings surrounding her and went back to just listening with her ears. Looking back up to Elcid, she might have still been blushing. But she was regaining her composure. "sorry about that.. had other things on my..." Anei didn't finish as she saw that he wasn't needing an explanation. She had inadvertently used telepathy on him and this might be one of those things he would soon ask her about.

Anei stood back up and moved her cloak. Shifting it so that her arms were covered. It was a bit drafty and she knew that would soon be fixed... maybe.

"so..." Anei started as she got right in front of Elcid and looked into his eyes. "What did you want to speak with me about, exactly?"

[My Final Heaven]

'Well, there's a few things I'm not getting about all this whole mess Lass.' Elcid spoke candidly as he led her down to the docks where a few of his men were gaurding the crates of Silver Ingots. They looked wolfishly at Anei but he waved them away and told them to go and spend some of thier hard earned money else where.

'Sorry about the men, but I only trust the scum of the earth. You can always count on scum to be scum see, and that makes 'em predictable. It's these upright types like your friend the soldier I can't bend my mind around. This whole bloody country is full of them proud buggers. You know they aint even hirin' Privateers to fight Thermidor? They think they're invincible cause they got big bloody ships, but if they keep thinkin' that, they're liable to get stabbed in the back. Ships can't fight if they aint got rounds 'n powder and thier ships can't rearm out in the middle of the sea without transports farrying supplies to 'em. But Thermidor's put such a price on captured Ares ships the sea is full of Pirates looking for easy targets.

But that just goes to show you Ares thinks they can't loose don't it? No need to resupply if you win the first battle hands down. Now what really don't multiply with me is what your friend is up to. What's a soldier doing running from his own people and protecting a Wizzard (OOC: discworld reference) like you for eh?'

Elcid could see by the look on her face he'd hit the nail on the head about her. He hadn't imagined that voice in his head after all. It had been a sound that had gone right to his mind without passing through the ears. His ears were shot from firing his Arquebazook so much, but the sound of her voice had been clear as the cold night air on a calm sea.

Before she could begin to give him a response however, they were approached by the buyer of silver so he tried to concentrate his thoughts towards her to test a theory.

'Right Lass, I'm certain if you can speak into my head you can read me like a book just as easilly, so listen good. Dive into this guys mind and tell me the going price of unmarked silver because I'm almost certain he's cheating me. If you can do a trick like that, then I'm pretty sure I can get you to Thermidor and back if that's what you really want.'

[Akira Avelon]

Anei looked and sighed in her mind. Opening herself up and could hear nothing but overwhelming joy of swindling Elcid... She winced a bit at the immense emotion and turned away and placed her hand to her forehead. 'Oi vie...what a cheapskate..' Anei thought to herself....

She moved over and simply placed her hand on Elcid's shoulder. and shook her head slightly and spoke in a soft voice. "He's lying alright.. Silver is way more pricey than he gives off... I'd say..." Anei closed her eyes and listened again as the man was still over boasting in his mind at how well he was getting a deal for the silver. "Oh he's swindling you alright. I'd say a good 40% more for the asking price is the right amount for what you're selling.. He's trying to get it cheap and has a buyer already.. I think you should actually pass since I now have that buyers name and place of selling to him..." Anei said as she could now feel the man's anxiousness turn to speculated worry... She even clearly herd him think. "Just what is going on here... I need to do this and get them over to the Mavir peer fast.. This idiot has no clue how much Commander Gegins wants this for... This is a steal.. Hurry up and stop talking to the Wench..."

Anei almost said something but instead turned towards Elcid. "Mavir Peer, Commander Gegins. That's who you want to sell to... and he's leaving right quick in forth-five minutes. He's buying Silver for double what this guy is offering..." Anei said as she had to finally shift off her telepathic abilities. This ass was giving her one hell of a headache now... and it could be seen on her face.

[My Final Heaven]

Elcid smiled. Truthfully, Anei had pratically earned thier passage with her telepathy. Elcid had been over eager at finding a buyer and hadn't bothered to look for a better price.

'Thanks Lass.' He said to Anei then shouted at a few dock hands lazing around to swing the donkey around and lift the crates of ingots onto a cart and take it to Mavir peer, offering gold if they could get it done in half an hour. Then he turned to the merchant who was staring bug eyed at him and asked what he was still doing there.

'Bugger off you lousy swine!' He said then turned back to Anei. 'Saved my neck you did there, but now I'll have to ask you to do it again. If we're to cross the Ares and the Thermidor line, we're going to need a crew that's willing to go but I can't very well go to the taverns and start flapin my gob off about our plans can I? I'll have the guards on me in no time doin' something like that. The other thing I'll need is registration for the Mistress and for this ship the Countess. See, the Mistress didn't put out the Mistress, she was the Antellope before I got my grubbies on her, and if we're boarded by an Ares frigate I want to be able to flash the papers at them what says she's mine, fair and square rigged. Course I don't have time to go through the proper channels, so if you can point me in the direction of a less republe nature of gent I'd be much obligated.' He explained to her.

Elcid followed the dock hands a short way down the warf until they got to Mavir Peer. Elcid had Anei point out the captain of the ship and then approached him. True enough, the commander was more than willing to pay a high price for the silver ingots, after varrifying thier authenticity and unmarkedness. Elcid relected once again that you could always count on scum to be scum as he hefted the weight of the gold used as payment.

'Right, shall we see to crew now? Come to think of it, you look like you're a bit groggy. Maybe we should get a drink and you can fill in the gaps in the story your soldier friend didn't want to tell me. On me of course, I think you've more than earned it.'

[Akira Avelon]

Anei nodded as she accepted Elcid's proposal. She was happy to help and also make a good impression of almost getting Artois and herself to where they needed to go. But the whole finding other people and getting the registration papers signed was going to be a bit more of a problem. She knew that she was going to need to use her telepathic abilities. But in a pub would be like going into an aviary full of a hundred crows... It was going to hurt like hell.. But she would try.. The drink would just have to be something light. She really didn't drink that much anyways since she had to keep her illusion on her back up constantly... She didn't know how Elcid would react if he saw two sets of purest crystalline wings jutting out of her back... let alone anyone else that was nearby...

She did follow and wondered just what Artois was doing but decided to make sure she watched where she was going this time. She really didn't need to keep bumping into Elcid... It'd make a bad impression of her.

Anei followed to a small pub near the wharf as she could already smell the smoke and alcohol on the air.. She coughed at the smoke but quickly pulled up one of her silk shawls to cover her lower half of her face. It relieved most of the smoke to be bearable. She just looked up at the sign that hung near the door. "The Misty Swan Bar" was what it read as she felt an arm wrap around her waist and a hand grasp her hip. As she felt herself being lead in by Elcid.

[My Final Heaven]

Elcid had a seat at the bar, ordered a pint of Ale and a ploughman's lunch for himself and on Anei's request a glass of wine for her. She looked noticably uncomfortable which Elcid assumed had to do with the suroundings.

'Kick back and relax Lass. If this place ain't to your liking, you're in for a shock onboard ship. The ship stinks of all manner of things worse than cigarette smoke, it's dirty, it's small the food is horrible once it starts to go bad and it's always cold and damp, and you got naught for company but a bunch of smelly violent 'Tars' (OOC: slang for sailors) and yours truely.' Elcid motions to himself with a cheese wedge. 'Damn that reminds me, I need to see about provision. I'd send the midshipman if he wern't such a useless sack of meat, but I suppose if he were useful I'd have made him a lieutenant.'

Anei just sips her wine and Elcid mentions he never could get a taste for that fancy stuff, that his old captain was always trying to culture him up with little success. The wine didn't seem to be having the desired effect on her. He wanted to loosen her up,
but she was getting more and more tense by the minute.

'Don't take this the wrong way lass, but you look as if you need to lie down. I'll settle up here and then let's go back to the ship. You can tell me about things when you're feeling better.'

[Akira Avelon]

Anei felt tense.. but the way that a few were watching her was the reason. It was two of the four that had assaulted her and Elcid assaulted them... She knew nothing good could come out if they followed them.

"Actually it's not that... It's... well.." Anei didn't need to finish. All she needed to do was point. And there they were. Watching. But there were more of them now. A few looking like they'd keelhaul both of them. One actually was almost a good foot taller than her. But size really didn't mean anything.

Anei did however feel the malice. She didn't need to use her abilities to feel that much hatred.. "I... I think it's about time to go... I really don't like the feel of this.." Anei said in a very worried voice. Not for her. But for Elcid. They were looking in his direction more so than hers... She was a prize.. it was Elcid that had done the damage prior... She would have to help if it came to that.. but she didn't really want to show her shadow manipulation abilities this soon into the seemingly fragile friendship.

[My Final Heaven]

'Oh is that it then? Good eyes on you Lass. I may ask you to man the main mast nest with eyes like that. Now, see if you can spot this trick.'

He dropped his loaf of bread on the floor and went to pick it up, as he did, placed a powder cartridge under one of the legs of his barstool with a slowmatch touching it, so that all he would have to do in order to set it off would be to grind the stool hard against the stone floor.

'Do you see?' He asked, a devious smile on his face then finished off his bread. He placed some money on the bar then stood. 'Shall we go then?'

Anei flinched away as he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. Amateurs, he thought, if it had been him, he'd have simply broken a stool over thier heads. None of this messing around.

'We gots a debt to repay you mister.' Said a giant of a man, a full head taller than Elcid and a half foot broader.

'That's good, I always like to collect.' Said Elcid as he ground the stool against the floor. There was a barely preceptible pause before the room seemed to exlode with noise and smoke, in which Elcid ducked down and rammed his forehead into the giant man's stomach, then made three quick punches to the man's groin before hauling him up and throwing him over the bar to crash violently through the glassware and liquor bottles.

Elcid had a simple method of fighting which was simply to go full out all the time or go home. He came down on the next man swinging his chain bollas like a flail, the heavy cast iron ball cracking the man's jaw on the first blow and his collar bone on the second. A man hit him with a chair which toppled him over, but he rolled away from the blow and came back armed with a piece of the barstool which had been blown appart by the powder cartridge.

He clubbed the last man into submission then grabbed Anei's arm to get her away from the brawl. The two of them fought thier way to door, Elcid swinging the bollas furiously ahead of him to clear a path and they dashed away as the brawl quickly spilled out onto the quay. Elcid led her to an alley where he had to stop, clutching his ribs where he'd been hit.

'Bloody hellfire lass it never gets dull with you around does it? That bugger did a number on me with that chair.' Elcid laughed, even though it hurt to do so, because despite himself, he was having a lot of fun.

[Akira Avelon]

Anei smiled at the comment but it was short lived.. They had been followed and they weren't too happy... actually they were downright pissed and they had them now outnumbered.. and out guned.. well so to speak.

But instead of letting Elcid get in anymore scraps... Anei walked forward.. the lowly lamp behind her making the multiple shadows now on the ground somehow grow forward. The men were just laughing, wondering what a pretty lil' wench could do? But they would soon find out as a smirk went across the pretty lady's face. The shadows quickly moved right into the pursuers and they couldn't move.. "What do you call a man that is bound by there shadow?" Anei said in a very clear voice.. as she let her hood down. Her eyes almost a crimson in the dancing light.

The men just roared as they tried to get free as more shadows came up and seemed to look like hooded men with scythes and outstretched blades. This made them want to run....

The smirk got wider as Anei now looked straight at the men caught in her trap. "Sitting ducks!" Anei said as the hooded figures swarmed near them. Muffled screams were barely heard as after a few moments the hooded men disappeared as if they were never there and the men collapsed as their eyes were white and wide. Anei had scared them to unconsciousness. as the shadows went back to normal and she collapsed.. She had used a big shadow bending and illusion manipulation techniques and it was a bit over done. But her point got across.. She just sat on the ground huffing as her cloak had fallen to the side. Her illusion on her back wavered and her wings were nearly visible as she sat there on the ground trying to get back her strength. She wouldn't be able to walk for a few moments.. but there was now a good amount of sound coming their way... "Damn.. used too much power..." was all that Anei could say. When she tried to get up, her legs wouldn't listen to her and she started to fall backwards as her legs buckled.

[My Final Heaven]

It was true that Elcid had seen magical powers used before, wind conjuring magicians aboard ships were highly sought after, but he never seen anything like what Anei had just done. It was terrifying but exciting. She'd seemed a little helpless to him before, but now seeing her true power, if anything, enamoured her to him more so. He supported her as she staggered backwards and helped her back on her feet and as he did, he could feel something odd on her back, which after what he had just seen didn't really surprise him much. Her eyes and her powers all suggested she wasn't a regular species of man.

'That was bloody increadible Anei,' He said, Lass was clearly inappropriate for her, she was no meer girl after all 'If you can pull off a trick like that, running a blockade will be a snap. Now lets be back to the ship before these bastards find more friends.' He held her around the waist and put her arm over his shoulders so that he could take her wieght which was surprisingly light, considering her height and helped her back towards the Mistress' dock.

[Akira Avelon]

The walk back to the ship was a surprisingly short one. It seemed that the way they had run was closer towards the ship than further away. Anei feeling worse and worse as her wings started to hurt and itch. She had realized that her cloak wasn't covering her body. The underlay was actually comprised of a very soft material. It stopped her from having itchy and annoyed wings. Sadly they were starting to get a tad unbearable and they moved instinctively.

Anei tried to make it look like she was just having trouble from time to time. But She could tell that Elcid was starting to figure out something was amiss on her back. Her wings were starting to get a bit of unwanted attention as she closed her eyes and tried to make the spell stronger. It worked but she used up the last of her magic to the point that she'd soon be asleep and wouldn't wake up for a good night's time.

Anei looked at the ship that was now in plain sight as they headed towards where she was docked.

When they had come aboard. A few crewmen thought that their captain had scored and brought his prise home for seconds. But it seemed that was short lived by the face he had given them. Making them scurry back to their assigned jobs.

It wasn't until they had gotten to Elcid's room that Anei had finally Scummed to her fate of very much needed rest. An "I'm sorry..." was all she could muster before collapsing in his arms. Her eyes simply closed as her chest moved up and down with the rhythm of rest. She was alot lighter now as her body was limp in his grasp. She only hoped that she'd be put to rest on something even remotely comfortable. Her hair now lightly sweeping her face as her head began to move lower and lower.

[Jamie]

Crayton was now getting restless; he had been sitting on his ass for too long, where the hell were they???

If anything had happened to her, he thought, he would see the end of his blade. She had become less of a burden and more of a requirement in the short time they had known each other, he couldn’t help but see his queens face when ever he looked at her, her last smile before death.

Standing up Crayton kicked the door open and walked out and breathed the fresh air. He was no longer wearing his mask but was still wearing his body armour. Staring at the scum to his sides, Crayton picked one up by his throat and clenched hard. Though probably fearless he was still scum and scum were never faithful, because they only cared for themselves. They were in Craytons eyes the lowest of man.

“Where is the girl, if you don’t tell me then you will get a one way ticket to the afterlife.” Artois grunted as he hung the pirate over board.

The pirate didn’t give anything away but his eyes seemed to flicker towards the main cabin, Artois might have killed him for his loyalties if he hadn’t have known they needed all the crew they could get.

Walking over towards the cabin with his fists clenched, the walking behemoth shouted Anei’s name as he raised his fist to punch through the cabin door…

[My Final Heaven]

Elcid laid Anei down in his bed and pulled a blanket up over her.

'You've got nothin' to be sorry about Anei. You sleep now.' He said softly to her. No sooner had he done this than he heard Artois' loud obnoxious voice calling Anei's name, so he left the Cabin to invsetigate and nearly walked directly into Crayton's raised fist doing so.

Elcid restrained himself, as did captain Artois and Elcid stood aside with a sweep of his hand, clearly as a mockery of a proper gentleman.

'She's just having a nap. Using her wizzardry seems to take it out of her.' Elcid said and then continued before the Artois could interupt him, 'I may not know my fancy words cause I'm just a bit of scum what came from scum. Common as muck I am and proud of it and each of me crew is like me. The thing about scum I always says is you can count on 'em to be scum. But you don't navigate with me at all. That's right I don't know my words but I knows my sums and you don't add up at all.

I thought you were a traitor, running from your own people but I can't figure as to why you take every chance you get to anti- ant-thingy..' Elcid stumbled over the word but rallied strong 'it won't be my fault if the crew don't like you and toss you overboard and if you keep assaulting them I'd sure turn a blind eye. Yes, that's right I'll take you to Thermidor as I've been working on a plan that'll work and I'm going to be honest with you, I'm doing this not for the prize money which I'll use to pay the crew but because I want to make a name for myself, and the Privateer that crossed the Ares line in a beat up old piece of dry rot called the Midnight's Mistress with the Queen's own yacht in tow sure sounds like a legend in the makin' don't it? But the thing is Mister soldier, I know I can't do it alone. The point I think you're missing is that you need me a hell of a lot more than I need you and I can't have you runnin' around my ship like a loose bloody twelve pounder threatenin my crew any bein a general pain in my arse. Explain to me why you're protecting Anei, explain to me why you know the wherabouts of the most valuable ship in the world, and tell the truth or make it a bloody good lie.'

[Jamie]

Artois laughed, who did this man think he was. Artois was no mug, he would not stand and be addressed in such ways.

“Follow me into my cabin and I will share the details you need to know, once I have I want us to leave the port, travelling at night would be safer. Now follow and I will tell you. When you have proven your self worthy I will share the entirety of my personal mission.”

Artois felt this was a nice gesture though even Artois could here the unneeded tone of authority in his voice. It would have to do though because Artois was not in any mood right now to show his charitable side.

Stomping off he eyed the pirate he had attacked previously and gave a small nod, symbolising his apology for his actions.

Pushing the door open to the room he was in before he took a seat and faced the entrance awaiting the pirate captain.

[My Final Heaven]

Elcid followed after captain Artois. Truthfully, a plan had been brewing in his head about how he could get past the line, and it was a daring plan but with a few solid additions to the crew and with the help of Anei's magic it could work and he would be made famous and rich instantly for pulling it off too. He needed Artois to pull it off too and not just as a fighter but as a knight of Ares but he needed to know exactly how far he could trust the man. Currently, not half the distance he could throw him.

Elcid entered the cabin and shut the door behind him then in a low voice made two simple requests.

'All I need to know is why you're doing this, and I don't mean any state secret types of things, why is Captain Artois commin' to me and not to his own people. Answer me that question and you've got yourself passage to Thermidor.'

[Jamie]

Artois thought for a moment and then curled his lip slightly.

“My queen, well the queen of Ares recently asked me to protect her on a journey to meet a person named the speaker. It was a journey the king himself could not know about and it concerned the matter of the democracy that is being destroyed as we speak. Trust me I am all for this war, Ares will not sit around and do nothing while Thermidor walks around with its head in the air. But that is neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is the said “Speaker” was Anei. She has a special gift that is extremely rare and is also a copy of the powers a man named Necronic has. Necronic is a a cunning mastermind who apparently is the reason for this entire war. He seeks to set the world in chaos so that he can then come open offering peace and solitude through a dictatorship. Knowing people will rally to him he will then have the entirety of this planet at his fingertips. He is currently using the kings of Ares and Thermidor as his pawns. Anei is the only one who can bring down this tyrant and finish him off. My job is to help protect her on the way. She is wanted by many different people. The king however when he realised of my queen’s treachery sent a unit to kill her off and me. I managed to escape with Anei with the queens help but now I am a wanted man. The head hunters of the kingdom will be keeping watchful eyes for me and you know as well as I do that a pirate looks like a noble when in comparison to a head hunter.”

Pulling himself up Artois sighed and shook his head. Why was all this happening, who was this Necronic. Where was he hiding…

Necronic was not used to this fresh air, he was more prone to his usual habitat in the sunken temple but this was something he had to do. Walking across the road he was shadowed by a monstrous building, its huge stone steps leading to its iron gates. On entrance Necronic took a deep breath. The journey hadn’t been a pleasant one, travelling these sort of distances was a severe exercise. Looking down at himself Necronic looked at the soldier’s life vessel he had taken for the journey. The man in which Necronic had taken control off from his sunken temple was a perfect way of visiting the recent take over of the Astinbar monk’s temple.

Though his body was still in the sunken temple, his conscious was within a soldier he did not know the name of. By the looks of himself Necronic guessed not one of a high rank however this mattered not. He just needed to go a few floors up and check that the item of importance was in tact.

Heading up the stairs of the temple the scene was one of utter bloodshed. Monks were strewn across the floor, hanging off stair banisters and crumpled in crippling positions in corners. They had obviously tried there hardest to hold of the attack but to no avail.

The soldiers which had taken the temple were however not Thermidorian soldiers. They were a independent body that had been hired for the task by Thermidor. Therefore Ares wouldn’t see it as a direct attack into their main land which would start the war sooner then it needed. Necronic knew all this because it was he who had convinced the King to do such an action. The king was under the belief that if they could take and hold the temple that could negotiate deals with the Astinbar monks for control of the city, but Necronic had other intentions. He knew that soon the Ares armies would come and vanquish the temple of any unwanted pests as easy as he was currently walking up the flights of stairs. Necronic just needed a way to enter the temple for a few minutes and check something was their.

He knew if it was he couldn’t bring it back with him as only his mind was in Astinbar but if he could verify its whereabouts for definite he would be in a much stronger position.

Necronic could now hear voices and he wasn’t surprised when he came to the 5th floor that he was in front of the squads general and his men.

“Johnson? What are you doing up here, your mission is to keep a lookout for any Enemy military movements. If they have reached Astinbar port then they we need to know when they are going to be ready so we can set up defensive positions.” The general finished with a sort of curiosity in his voice, obviously the soldier in which Necronic was controlling was not one of high importance.

“Move aside, I have other orders from someone higher up then yourself, where is the golden chamber. Tell me now.” The voice hissed mostly and though it was not Necronic’s own it his conscious mind was obviously showing his personal properties within the mans voice. Necronic was sure the man he was now controlling probably did not hiss in his words.

The men had now looked taken aback but not as much as the Squad leader. He simply stared with his jaw dropped and blinked dumbly. He then addressed his men, “Kill this incision.”

Necronic expected no less and withdrawing the sword which wasn’t his own he readied himself.

The 5 soldiers circled around him making sure to pincer him from all sides, Necronic though not as strong in someone else’s body still new how to fight and as the first blade whipped for his head Necronic blocked and crouched down, spinning on his heel as he did and withdrawing the second blade from its sheaf and slicing the mans legs apart. Then moving forwards to wards the others, Necronic blocked the next blade and pushed himself forwards into the enemy soldiers chest, his back towards the mans groin and still in a crouching position, Necronic pushed the blade over his head and deep into the mans skull, entering through the bottom of his jaw. Then flinging the man over his head with the blade as its hoist the man flew and knocked another of the men to the ground, the man screaming as his comrades blood dripped over his face, his dead eyes staring emptily into his face.

Then standing up, Necronic looked at the two soldiers now on either side of him. Pointing a sword at each of them he closed his eyes and waited. After a few seconds of nervous silence precipitating from each of the soldiers the air was unsettled as a blade ripped down towards Necronics neck, a soldier had got the guts to attack. Pulling his blade in close to block the oncoming attack Necronic opened his eyes and looked into the face of his attacker, then with his other blade he through it from his hands, the thud on the ground telling him he had hit his unexpected victim perfectly. Then without warning with one sword left, Necronic pushed his attacker away and stood staring at him, shaking his head slowly in disappointment.
The soldier eyed Necronic and looked around him, his fellow soldiers where all dead except the one who had been knocked down by a fellow soldier and was still sobbing at his comrades obliterated face. Then peering even more left then that he could see his Squad leader, not helping but obviously enjoying the show, his face told Necronic he was obviously taken aback never the less.

The soldier then swallowed hard and ran fast and Necronic his sword drawn for a critical blow. Necronic with ease moved slightly to the right allowing the soldier to run past him, being sliced across the back as he launched forwards into what was Necronic into what was now just his blade whipping around.

Necronic now looked up and stared at the squad leader.

“We do not have time for me and you to do battle, I need to examine something and I need you to tell me where it is. If I can slaughter single handed 5 of your best soldiers then I am sure the Ares army will need not even use weapons. Now stand aside and tell me where the…” Necronic had been broken off.

“If you are looking for the red vial of liquid in that room over there, I have it in my pouch, and before you ask, im not giving it to you. “ The words were merely whispered and the effect had hit Necronic hard.

He needed that vial and this common squad leader would not stand in his way, he served no use now anyways and Necronic had nothing so far, if he was killed in this vessel he would not die, his physical life form was still in Thermidor after all.

They needed not formalities the battle between them started spontaneously, both blocking and parrying each others attacks and casting minor fire spells when they could. Eventually the battle took them near a window and Necronic knew they must be now at least on the 10th floor, they had been fighting for several minutes, heading up flights of stairs continuously.

Throwing his sword in the direction of the lsquad leaders his head, Necronic followed it through a kick to the mans chest, lunching him through the pane of glass and out onto a ledge that seemed to stretch of into the nights sky. It was a very thin ledge and was used usually to connect buildings or balance them out. They were both now walking single file across the ledge, the sword actions now simply fencing, lung plunges and counters.

Necronic could hear the soldiers fighting down below, the armies had arrived and they would soon find himself and his attacker. If they gained the vial it would be a severe problem. Necronic needed to get this vial and stash it somewhere safe. But both getting hold of it and stashing it seemed rather difficult right now.

Parrying another plunge to his heart Necronic flipped in the air and landed slightly of balance on the other side of his attacker. His back was an inch away from his attacker and taking his chance he stabbed himself, making sure the blade went far enough in to go through the enemy as well. He knew they would both die from this, but Necronic was loosing nothing, it was the vessel he was controlling that would loose its life.

As they both stood, trying to keep balance as they poured blood and shook as the heart started to loose power, Necronic put his hand into the mans pouch and pulled out what he knew was the vial. He then with what energy he had left placed it in a small crevice, far out on the ledge they were on. As soon as he had placed it Necronic pulled out of the mans mind, leaving the squad leader to die, falling from the ledge and pulling the unknown soldier to his death with him. The soldier would never know what had happened to him.

Anei waking up hot and sweaty had just realised that the dream she had experienced had taken place with in no less then a mile from where she lay….

[Akira Avelon]

Anei sat up straight alright. She was in fact sweating bullets... She saw everything. It was a horrid nightmare.. She never really wished to Dream walk.. But to witness all that... it was definitely a first. She had been dragged in her sleep by a powerful force. She could tell exactly whom it was as well. It was the same man from a year ago that she knew as the man of Black... Her enemy... 'What's going on...' was all Anei could think as she could hear, over everything she could see, the screams of the young man that her enemy had taken over. Pleading for help and for this nightmare to stop.

Anei wished she could help, but she was powerless at that moment. Just like the poor soldier.... She was just a spectator.

As the fight continued and Anei saw it end on that high ledge. She noticed the red vial... 'What is that? I wonder....' Anei thought as it had ended abruptly and she had been flung back to her own body and arose, wide awake and into her second wind. She had made up her mind. She needed to get that vial... But how? She knew that she needed to go alone. It was at that temple they had passed earlier that day and she knew full well.. She wouldn't be able to reach it on foot....

Oh how Anei hated the idea... But she would have to reveal one of her deepest secrets... Her wings.. Her twin sets of crystalline wings that she had since birth. She just hoped she could slip out without any trouble....

She looked around and heard people moving outside.. She looked and saw the windows at the back of the cabin. She ran and left a short note saying she'd be back..... but not to go looking for her.

Anei climbed up to the poop deck and crouched behind a few crates... She looked around. It was dark alright and she could see some people doing natural patrols of the deck. She also saw the rigging near her to get to the Mainmast. She started to climb and got her feet caught a few times. but quickly moved to not cause any unwanted attention. Moving her cloak off of her back so it wouldn't interfere with her flight.

Anei watched and waited. the main mast was huge and very much so tall. She could get to where she needed to rather quickly.. If only she had known that there was someone up there was well... She quickly materialized her staff and clunked the man in the crow's nest. Knocking him out temporarily. as she quickly began to lift her spells from her back.

Outstretching her wings, Anei flapped them a few times to get all the kinks out. It felt wonderful. But she couldn't dilly dally, Anei knew she needed to get this done and done quick.

As she looked around, to make sure no one was looking in her direction, Anei jumped from the nest and started to fly. She went as fast as she could, as she watched the scenery go by. Looking for certain things to help her get to the ledge where that vial was hidden. It would take about a half an hour for the full quest.. but she would take a few extra minutes to make sure she could cover her tracks and leave a little surprise for that man of black. She had also grabbed a small vial and opened a bottle of wine that was stashed in the cabin where she had been sleeping. It looked almost identical.. but it was in fact something that wouldn't look the same in pure light. Anei just hoped that by the time Artoise and Elcid found out... She'd already have gotten the vial and was on her way back.. without any complications....

[My Final Heaven]

It was worse then Elcid had feared. Artois wasn't a criminal or a traitor, he was a patriot. That was the worst thing of all. It was a form of allegiance Elcid couldn't understand. How could someone be loyal to a place or even an idea? Elcid knew two loyalties. To his ship and to his men, but a patriot was someone who would willingly sacrifice both and maybe even themselves, and for what? A piece of land and an idea?

On the other hand, this Necronic character sounded seriously bad for buisness. A pirate or a privateer made thier living from the petty conflicts between states. They were the great levellers of the seas which wouldn't let one state use it's ecconomic levearge to cripple another state and although a pirates motives are always self serving, that was how a world ought to work. A unified world would have no place for pirates in it. Freedom and democracy didn't concern Elcid one bit, you were always free if you sailed the mists and the Captain was always in charge of the Freedom. Elcid was a captain of a mist ship, ergo, he was free and no state or head of government could say otherwise, but if the five states were unified, his freedom would be the freedom to starve.

The final point of course was that while risky, there was an awful lot of bounty to be made from bringing in both the Mistress and the Countess to a Thermidor port and a pirate doesn't become rich and famous quickly by playing it safe. Of course a lot of pirates become dead by trying exactly this kind of stunt, but Elcid had a trump card. Magic as he had never seen it before.

'Alright mister Artois, I'll give you your ride to Thermidor. Give me a day or so to hire some more crew and to finish the mistress' refit and we'll set sail. As to how we'll cross the line I think you'll get your second wish. Let's go start a battle shall we?'