Cassius Ado Virtus
Junior Member
Human
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil
Posts: 66
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Post by Cassius Ado Virtus on Feb 3, 2006 15:07:21 GMT -5
Thud Thud Thud Thud The dull sound of the soldiers hammer echoed across the street and into the city as he fixed the last nail in a large wooden board that hung upon the innside of the massive walls that skirted the city limits. It read: Good people of the great city of Karador, take note that the city is now under military control until the current situation subsides. This measure has been taken for your own safety. Please do not panic, and direct all of your inquiries to the public liason officers at the military keep within the city limits.
- Important -
The city gates will remain closed at all hours stated below. No travelers will be allowed passage out of or into the city at these times. The gates will be opened at noon until an hour before sundown. Travel will be permitted at these times only.
Officers of her majesties military are free to inspect travelers upon request. Do not refuse nor run, as you will be assumed to be an enemy of the crown and will be fired upon [/center] The gates were firmly closed, barred and bolted, and hundreds of heavily armed soldiers began to ascend the walls in rapid succession, reporting to their new posts. Row upon row of red surcoats and glittering steel lined the top of the wall, and were visible for miles back into the city. General Cassius Ado Virtus stood inside one of the old guardhouses that sat at the bottom of the wall, nar the towering gates. He was in a large room, which contained what looked like a model of the city of Karador on a central table - around which dozens of officers talked. They had to do a good job of reinforcing the walls, nd covering every possible weakness or vantage point an enemy could exploit. War was coming, and Cassius would meet it head on. Preparation would guarentee their survival as the darkness drew near, or at least he hoped.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 0:48:33 GMT -5
Bored, Marcus tread down the streets of Karador, hands in pockets, trenchcoat billowing in the slight breeze.
He looked about, admiring the archetechure of the city,and casting glances at the various shops and stalls.
Eventually, he ended up on the street that led to the great city gates. He continued down the road until he was nearly at the gates. There were an unusual amount of soldiers on the walls - well, maybe not so unusual. The threatening war would certainly have the city on edge, and preparing itself.
Distracted from looking up at the walls, Marcus accidently bumped into a stranger.
About to apologize for his carelessness, he was interupted when the man shouted at him, and insulting him.
Marcus watched, mildy interested, as the mans' face turned red from the screamed insults. When the man stopped to take a breath, Marcus lightly remarked, "You could possibly have a better life if you tired to not scream your face red at every passing stranger to bumps into you. And, incidentaly, I do not believe it is physically possible for my mother to do any of the things you 'suggested' she has done."
He grinned, showing suddenly sharp teeth. "She's dead."
Apparently, the man had a shorter temper tha Marcus realized, and flung himself forward, trying to start a fight with the wolf. Merely by chance, and the element of surprise, he actually landed a blow on Marcus' chin.
Marcus touched a hand to his chin, then raised an eyebrow. "Well now. YOu got a hit. I congragulate you." And, rather uneccesarily, he bowed, yet making the man angrier.
He yelled wordlessly, and flung himself at the wolf, hands and legs wildly moving about, trying to harm Marcus. easily, Marcus dodged most of the flailing limbs, but because of the sheer un-coordination and lack of training, and therfore pattern, this man had, he still managed to land many hits.
It wasn't long until Marcus started hitting back, restraining from usuing his full strength - he didn't want to hurt the man that much - and then not longer until it had developed into a full street brawl.
And barely ten steps from the guardhouses at the bottom of the wall, as well.
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 4, 2006 1:49:01 GMT -5
Fyrhtu leaned against the city wall, directly beneath a guard tower, which rose above her head so high that it hurt to look, as her neck strained. The young man dressed all in black looked similar to how she felt. She'd left the sleeping Fæger, her young sister, at the house in town, where a young woman had graciously taken them in. Fyrhtu had explained to the woman, named Wearm, that she badly needed alone time, as she'd been traveling with her sister for nearly a year and a half.
The young man tore her from her thoughts as he bumped into a short man. Fyrhtu had seen the man earlier, shouting with a vendor in the market. She pitied the young man, but he merely looked amused as the older man screamed himself nearly hoarse at the boy. Finally, asFyrhtu knew it would, a fight broke out. The young man's teeth did not go unnoticed by her sharp eyes, and she watched as they transformed from human teeth to kanine ones. A magician, perhaps? /i] she wondered. Or maybe a lycan.
She loved trying to guess people hidden powers, and discriminating them from the humans of the kingdom. There were many humans, though, that had smaller powers, meaning they were not sorcerers, but not humans, either. The Inbetweens, she called them. Fyrhtu made a game for herself, naming different magicks.
Once agian her thoughts were interrupted as the small one-sided fight escalated into a full-on brawl. She grinned. This would be fun.
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Post by Ashard on Feb 4, 2006 16:39:45 GMT -5
Various patrons and customers strolled in and out of businesses that bordered the main avenue while some of their doors stood open to greet the people as readily as posible. Bountiful flower baskets were suspended from hooks under every street light that ran along the side of the road. The paths were busy as citizens flowed by, not paying the slightest attention to the pale man that glided through town.
The keeper enjoyed taking trips through the active city of Karador. This day seemed a little different than usual though, folks were absorbed in something going on futher down the roadway, near the city gates.
Ashard kept with the flow till he arrived there and scanned the scene. The streets were a bit busier than usual, a brawl was taking place, the gates were closed and sealed, Karador's army was on the main wall and a new sign was up. All were very good attractions.
Nearing the notice, the ghost read it though and thought it to be a good measure and also a good oportunity for some fun. So, he headed towards the baricaded gates with his eyes bulging out as he paced back and forth, “I'm stuck in the city!! I can't get out!!” He grabbed his head and huddled in a ball on the ground as he started to whimper, “How am I going to get home?” The flood gates were now open.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 22:21:28 GMT -5
Marcus was enjoying the fight - possibly a bad sign, one that indicated a violent personality, or someone 'not to be associated with'.
But honestly - well, Marcus hadn't a good fight in a long time. It wouldn't have been a 'good' fight, if he had merely been fighting the one man. But for some strange reason, other people had joined to fray, and now it was almost challenging to fight them all.
He was faster than they were, and stronger - and he didn't want to seriously injure, or kill any of them, so he had to try and limit his strength. But there were so many of them...
He grinned ferally, baring his teeth again.
A couple people saw them, and noticed them this time, and either screamed or ran out of the fight. Normal people didn't have teeth like that.
Others, who didn't notie, wondered why their companions were running, but mentally shrugged, and continued fighting.
Occasionally, one of them would land a really good blow or two, making Marcus wince, but mostly, they wither didn't touch him, or their blows were not well connected, or were simply too light to do more than give him a developping bruise. Bruises didn't hurt - he'd had too many in his younger life for them to bother him now.
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 4, 2006 22:34:24 GMT -5
The brawl in the road now looked very amusing, as sveral men had teamed up against the orginal young man, but they couldn't seem to touch him. He dodged and punched, kicked and twisted. The boy looked as if he were having a wondrous time, and Fyrhtu debated whether she should join in or not. After a few concentrated seconds, she decided against, as she really couldn't think as to which side to contribute to, as the boy needed no help but she didn't want to assist in his injurement. Also, the ladies in town would think her forward and therefore evil.
Fyrhtu snickered at her thoughts. When had she cared about what the ladies thought? And besides that, she was evil. So why did others' opinions matter now?
Men had started to notice the boy's wolf-like teeth and were either running, screaming, or fighting with more effort than before. Despite the stick-with-its' attitudes, though, the young man was not suffering from any major injuries or anything that looked remotely painful. The men fighting him were in fact nursing wounds and colorful bruises, but he seemed unscratched. He's a good fighter, Fyrhtu said to herself. Quick reflexes and powerful muscles.
She turned her blazing eyes from the amazing fight to a small transparent figure laying in a ball beside the gates, with his arms holding his lags so that the knees touched his chin. He was crying, "I'm stuck in the city!! I can't get out!!" loudly, and the floodgates opened. She smiled and thought, Ghosts. You have to love them.
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Cassius Ado Virtus
Junior Member
Human
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil
Posts: 66
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Post by Cassius Ado Virtus on Feb 5, 2006 17:17:14 GMT -5
The sounds of fighting were suddenly drowned out by a thunderous din of metal striking metal. A large group of soldiers had arranged themselves in ranks facing the crowd and filling the entire street, and were clashing their swords against their shields. In full battle dress they looked formiddable. The soldiers were dressed for open war, and barely a patch of skin was visible. Their thick steel armour shined brightly, dazzling many of the onlookers, and their dark red surcoats hung low over the ground, making them appear to be draped in blood. Their hands were gloved with black leather, and their helms left only a single thin slit visible for their eyes, which suveyed the rabble before them with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "ADVANCE" A thunderous voice rose over the din, carrying into the crowd like a breaking wave. General Cassius stood somewhat behind the tightly packed wall of steel, his arm raised in the direction of the mob, his expression as clear as a morning sunrise. He was disgusted with this unruly mob, and would not stand for such foolish behaviour. With that, the massed ranks began to march forward, their feet thudding down hard upon the rough stones of the road in unison, shaking the very ground beneath them. as they continued their advance, men who did not run were thrown aside, knocked unconscious by the flat of a glinting sword, or felled by a solid blow from the shield of a hardened soldier. Rioting was not common within this great city, and it would not be stood for. "Disperse or risk arrest!" Yelled a thick voiced sergeant from the frontline, as the soldiers continued their slow and steady advance.
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Post by Ashard on Feb 5, 2006 17:35:58 GMT -5
It had not taken much time before the brawl had reached some massive proportions and as the Karodorian army was on the wall, Ash knew that it would not last long. Sure enough, moments later the troops had shuffled out to start calming the riot at hand while a sergeant yelled commands.
Ashard completly ignored the mass as he figured it not concerned him as of yet. This was a serious matter so he figured to act as such for one of those rare moments in his ghostly life outside his graveyard.
Aproaching the general in a calm manner her looked at him in a sincere manner, "Is there anything I can help you with? And please don't tell me it's by leaving." He frowned slightly.
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Cassius Ado Virtus
Junior Member
Human
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil
Posts: 66
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Post by Cassius Ado Virtus on Feb 5, 2006 17:48:35 GMT -5
Cassius turned his head slightly to see who was addressing him, raising a quizzical eyebrow as his eyes ran over the ghostly apparition before him, "Oh, It's you." Cassius muttered, over the ruckus that was happening only yards away from where he stood. Cassius sounded both amused and slightly shocked, and indeed he was. Had Ashard, the grave keeper, the pest, the noisome, troublesome spirit just made a sincere offer of aid? Never. Cassius blinked in surprise, and then actually smiled, "Oh ha ha, very amusing Ashard." He said to the spectre that hovered only a few feet from him, his tone dry, but at the same time dripping with sarcasm. "I suppose this is another of your wonderful practical jokes now is it?" Cassius stared hard at the ghost, his frown tightening. "I'm not amused." It came with all the warmth of a blizzard, and the understanding, caring compassion of an avalanche.
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Post by Ashard on Feb 5, 2006 17:58:06 GMT -5
Breathing heavilly and sighing deeply as Ash's eyebrows decended in a serious stern manner. "Look. I know I am often a thorn in your side as to causing what you consider annoyances. But I have never caused outright trouble for you or anyone else." Ashard paused as his eyes traveled up and to the left. "Well, there was that one time but it was a thief. So me causing it trouble should not count." He laughed a bit then took his serious tone back. "Honestly, what do you have to loose by asking me to do something for Karador? I live here too you know." He finished while crossing his arms.
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Cassius Ado Virtus
Junior Member
Human
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil
Posts: 66
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Post by Cassius Ado Virtus on Feb 5, 2006 18:38:54 GMT -5
Cassius cracked a sardonic smile, "You live here, do you?" He chuckled, "Okay then you spectral comedian, what do you really want?" Cassius raised his thick, heavy eyebrows, fixing the keeper with a look that lay somewhere between curiosity and disbelief. Could he actually be serious? If the General kept a diary, this would be a day to mark down. Perhaps he should recommend that Kalista make it a national holiday when he next saw her. Behind them, several dozen men were being chained in a long line, fixed by heavy iron links that looked as if they were as thick as a mans wrist. Some were literally being dragged into place to be clasped in irons, the large red contusions on their faces denoting their lack of consciousness. Cassius risked another smile. He could get used to this. Not the arrests - but the smiling, of course.
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Post by Ashard on Feb 5, 2006 20:24:14 GMT -5
Ashards eyes became wide with disbelief, "So just because I'm dead means I don't reside here?" He shook his head and continued, "Karador has been my home for longer than you have existed and believe it or not I have made friends here. One of which has Karador very close to their heart and so I do not plan on helping things along that are actually bad." He paused to look at the mob that was quickly dimnishing, "I know I don't usually stop them either but times are not usually this rough for you guys either now are they?"
From the corner of his eyes he could see a small boy sneaking up behind a soldier, trying to take the keys for the shackles. Looking more carefully he noticed a man chained in the line-up that had similar features to the child and making signals to him. Without hesitation, Ashard telekenetically grabed the small child and lifted him gently into the air just before he got ran over by an angry citizen that was trying to escape another soldier. The Boy started to kick his legs and arms about through the air to no avail while the keys he successfully stole jungled madly.
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Cassius Ado Virtus
Junior Member
Human
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil
Posts: 66
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Post by Cassius Ado Virtus on Feb 5, 2006 20:34:59 GMT -5
There was a loud cry of alarm from one of the soldiers, and a burly sergeant stepped out from a group of red uniformed and armoured bodies. He must have stood at least Cassius's height or taller, and been almost as heavy set. Veins in his arms bulged as he reached out and plucked the boy from out of the air, taking the keys with his other hand. As the boy dangled from the sergeants hand by his ankle, he kicked and screamed, yelling curse words all the while. The sergeant simply laughed, took the keys for himself and roughly deposited the child on the stone floor. Cassius grinned, "Well done." He said turning to Ashard, "So, you have some love for the living after all? And here i just thought we were about for your amusement" Cassius grinned broadly, enjoying every moment.
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Post by Ashard on Feb 5, 2006 21:11:03 GMT -5
When a large soldier reached for the boy and took him in his grasp the keeper let him go. Cassius still not seeming to trust him, and though he sort of did not blame him he found it agitated him slightly. But enjoyment seemed to be had so in the end he figured it was good. Kiara would be happy that Cassius was in a good mood.
"Thanks." He said smilling slightly, tryin' to be positive espesially since things were starting to look better. "And I used to be of the living don't you know." Ash smirked. "Would you mind if I asked you what it would take for you to believe me when I'm serious?"
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Cassius Ado Virtus
Junior Member
Human
Yea though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil
Posts: 66
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Post by Cassius Ado Virtus on Feb 5, 2006 21:34:23 GMT -5
Cassius turned to face Ashard properly now, paying him his full attention, well almost. The scuffle going on down the street was just subsiding now, with the majority of the offenders being dragged in chains back to the military barracks to be dealt with at a later date. They would be tried of course, and sentenced to some menial task or mayhap imprisonment. All this ran through the General's mind as he stood there, talking to the spectral form that hovered not a foot from him. "Do you mind if I ask you how often you intend to be serious?" Cassius retorted, "Or whether or not you intend to give me any advance warnings? Just so I can clear the streets for a parade every time you intend to be of some use." Cassius laughed, teasing the Grave Keeper. "No, but seriously now." Cassius began, his chest heaving as he calmed down from laughing at his own joke, "I still need to get used to this. Surely this is the first time you've ever had a momentary change of heart isn't it?" Cassius was still getting accustomed to laughing joking, so his attempts were somewhat shaky at first, but he was well on his way to becoming a comedian - or at least by his standards.
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