As time passes

[Diala]

Kalista walked along the misty grounds of the early morning. She was dressed in a long, gray gown that seemed to float about her knees as it disappeared beneath the mist that surrounded the garden path. Her long tresses of raven hair hung loosely over a pair of slender, but strong shoulders, to curve ever so slightly around the beginnings of her collarbone. She had risen early, her dreams full of visions she couldn’t put together and so it was, she decided to take an early stroll to visit her father and the Tree.

As she walked, she took in the delightful scent of the flowers that lined the path in the damp air that seemed to hang quietly about the garden this misty morning. A slight smile even graced the Queen’s lips as she traversed the cobbled path to her destination. Certainly, she had been bothered by these visions, but right now, the walk through her garden seemed too peaceful to avoid a smile here or there. The sounds of the birds, just waking in their nests, talking to one another, perhaps about finding food for the day, or how many eggs they had nestled under a mothers safe wing, were a perfect touch, to what was promising to be a most delightful morning.

She had duel purpose for rising so early and slipping away from the inner walls of the Keep, and the first was as mentioned, to visit with her father and the second, was her once again, avoiding the watchful eye of her personal guard, to actually be alone for a bit before they found her gone. Of course they would know where to find her, they always seemed to, she had her suspicions that Kiara had something to do with that each time. If there were two eyes she would never truly escape, it would have to be those of her sisters. Once again, of course, she really didn’t mind.

It wasn’t much longer and she had reached the center of the garden, in front of her stood, as always, the gnarled and twisted form of the tree that sealed away the Dark Lord and as well, held her fathers body inside its hard, dark and thorn covered limbs.

“They started again father, the visions…” She said, her voice as quiet as the softest whisper. “Does it mean they intend to come?” She asked. Of course, she would get no reply but she had to talk to someone, it seemed no one else knew a single thing about her dreams. “The air becomes more heated and the wind carries upon its back the scent of danger, I can feel it in my very soul.” She continued, her onyx eyes closing as she spoke, her voice still as quiet as can be as she stood, statue still in front of the old tree.

Kalista stood like this for a very long time, the sun was beginning to melt the mist away and a soft breeze began to blow as she brought her arms about her body and drew in her robes about her a bit tighter. She didn’t say another word, just silently watched the tree’s branches move ever so slightly in the soft morning breeze, she did however, notice that she wasn’t alone.

OOC: Open to any

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

"Your highness." Spoke a deep voice, lined with the cares of age and responsibility, yet sounding no less strong nor purposeful. "You know that your guard don't ever get used to your disappearances?" The unseen speaker went on.
Slowly, a tall figure strode around the corner of one of the many garden paths, passing under the branches of a budding tree and ducking slightly to avoid them. The man had short white hair, and a weathered face that bespoke severity with every scar.
He was clad in ornate armour, engraved with brilliant designs and wondrous runes. A long, orange cape was fastened about his shoulders, swaying gently behind him as he walked with solid, sure steps.
He wore the crest of the armies of Karador, and his shoulders carried the Oak Leaved broach of a general. A sheathed broadsword hung at his side, and he carried an ornate helmet in the crook of his arm.

He bowed fluidly, his armour clinking lightly with the motion. "It seems that I happened upon you by chance, Your Majesty." He said rising, "Though I had in truth come here with the latest reports on the state of the kingdom." He told her, removing a rolled up sheet of parchment from within his helmet and offering it to her, idly running his thumb over the wax seal as he did.

Through all this, he made no introduction, as if the two were all ready well acquainted. . .

[Diala]

A friendly and knowing smile turned up the corners of the Queen’s lips. She didn’t start or gasp when he spoke, she had already known she wasn’t alone and was rather pleased to find her old friend now stand before her. She took the piece of parchment from his extended hand but didn’t open it immediately. She looked at her friend for a moment longer and then a full smile lit her face. “My dear friend, please, no need for formalities when we are alone in my garden, save that for the courts.” She told him, reaching out and laying a hand on his shoulder for a moment before letting it drop to her side. “I know they hate it when I slip away, but truly, I never get any peace with them about all the time and a girl does need her time alone.” She winked at him before finally running her finger as well over the wax seal of the parchment and finally, breaking it to open and read the news that she dreaded.

Kalista’s expression held no clue as to what the note might contain, she wasn’t surprised to find the contents bearing news of further moments along their boarders. Nor was she surprised that amongst the marauders seemed to be as well, a Necromancer who had begun to steel away the bodies of the fallen in the nights. She did however sigh before handing an awaiting Cassius the letter for himself to read.

“I fear if this keeps up, we will have no choice but to hold council…” She told him as she handed the parchment over. “It seems as though they are becoming ever more brave at letting us know of their existence.” She finished, talking of course, about the Necromancers.

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

Cassius took the offered parchment with an armoured hand. It crackled lightly as he unrolled it and began to read.
Unsurprising. This sort of news was to be expected these days, and was nothing new. The Necromancer's had been challenging his Queens rule for years now, but always running and hiding - as if mocking him, when his armies came to stamp them into the ground, to grind them underfoot like the insects they were. . .

Slowly, he snapped back to reality, his eyes coming to focous on Kalista's face. . .

"we will have no choice but to hold council…”

It was a rare moment, that she was ever alone - and even rarer that she would be seen standing among nature's beauty. She was a soldier - she had to be, just to survive. Cassius respected that, there was nothing he hated more than dull witted and oblivious leaders.

"A council of war?" Cassius half suggested, his features unreadable. "I fear that the days of peace and prosperity draw near to their end, though there was always trouble at the edges of our lives - now I believe you may be right. Perhaps we should hold counclil. . ."

Slowly, he rolled up the parchment and tied it about the middle dropping it back into his upturned helmet, and looking back at Kalista.
"Perhaps sooner, rather than later. . ." He said, a look of concern rippling briefly across his face.

[Diala]

"A council of war?"

His question brought a grim smile to her lips. “Indeed, would seem to be the course in which this is ultimately leading dear friend.” She replied, happy to have him here, to support her thoughts, her decisions, it was as if he always read her mind. Maybe it was his love of the army, his devotion to the realm that allowed the two of them to see eye to eye on things, as well as the fact that neither ever seemed to lie to themselves when it came to something as serious as this.

“Walk with me, tell me what is our opinion on the Necromancers, you know I value your opinion over anyone else.” She stated, moving her hands behind her back and clasping one over the next as she turned to her right and began to walk along the cobbled path, away from the tree again, her long dress now visible to the ground as the mist seemed to have dissolved in the slight breeze and warming sun that shown down now as it continued to rise in the east. “And what of word of these newer creatures, the ones said to be half demon, have you heard tell any more tales of them?” She asked, her mind moving over thoughts of the upcoming threats to her Kingdome, as well as to herself.

Kalista always put her people before her, though, she knew to truly keep them all safe, she must keep herself safe as well, she was always a kind and gentle leader, with much on her mind, but always time to listen to tales from the old folk at the taverns, or in the streets from the peddlers who had been abroad. As of late, she had heard stories of creatures called the Unchained, supposedly part vampire, part demon and these stories worried her.

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

Cassius's expression was solemn as he walked next to Kalista, his chiseled features sporting a surprising mix of concern and anger.
"The Necromancers?" Cassius said idly to no one in particular, "Much as I would like to say they are nothing to us, they are a sign of trouble to come and a trouble of their own making." Cassius's frown hardened.
"They cause unrest and terror among the simple folk in the rural regions of the kingdom just at the mention of their name, and have already claimed many lives - and it would seem, many dead." Cassius Paused briefly.

"They could be dealt with in time, but we must not underestimate them. Perhaps the dark magic that gives life to their servants is a sign that the winds of change are growing. Before, after the chaining of the great evil - I believe it was almost impossible to perform dark magic." Cassius sighed, "But as we all know, only too well - evil will always find a way."

Cassius glanced about the royal gardens, taking in their splendour. The bright, budding blossoms, snaking vines, proud trees and birdsong combined with a heavenly aroma, made it seem like an island of paradise in a stormy sea.
Slowly, he turned his head to look back at Kalista, "And good will once again triumph." He declared.

[Diala]

As they walked, she listened to his voice, his words never taken lightly and a heavy sigh issued forth from the Queens chest to her lips. “Indeed, a troublesome lot they have become and you are also correct that their power does indeed seem to be growing, this is something we need to consider and not lightly. As the dark arts have grown, so has the unrest of my people. This, I can not, will not stand for.” She replied a note of anger evident in her voice. “I feel something coming Cassius, something dark, it looms over the Keep as never before, they are close, closer than we wish to think, and I also feel something else, something even darker than the Necromancers, something I haven’t felt in near 2000 years now, it is Demonic in nature, this certainly doesn’t bode well.” She finished and then took a deep, settling breath, catching the sweet smell of her garden as they continued on down the cobbled path.

“Indeed as well, good will prevail because it must… The consequences are too harsh to be thought of…” Her words trailed off as she reflected on the final nights of the Great War, her look seemingly moving far away for a moment before she shuddered and brought herself back home again. “These new creatures I hear of, they truly do exist, and unfortunately, that leads to the understanding that not all Demons were locked away when that seal closed.” She ended there, her eyes turning to glance at him as they walked.

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

Cassius's jaw tightened at the mention of the demons, his brows knotting as a look of concern spread across his face.
Demon's. Evil given form, and let loose upon the world, as it was in the old days, the days of terror. The stories that his family had kept alive now ran through his mind - images of unimaginable cruelty and gruesome slaughter, of hateful murder and twisted, grinning faces lit by flame.
No, Kalista was right. The consequences were to dire to even contemplate. He knew what needed to be done, and it would be. Cassius swore to himself he'd see to that personally.
"Karador's armies will protect her, and perhaps so will some of her more 'gifted' citizens. We need not worry now - we must, however, prepare for the worst." Cassius paused.
"If what you say is true, then we may face our nightmares once more - but if some have escaped the fires of hell, then we will most likely face them. Those creatures are cunning, and will stop at nothing to bring wreck and ruin, and not just to Karador, but to all of mankind." Cassius spoke with a strong voice, full of concern, but at the same time filled with purpose.
"We stand at the gates, Your Highness - Kalista, and we will hold them back - too much is at stake now."

Cassius glanced to their left, as the clattering of armoured feet filled the walled gardens, and the Queens personal guard filed in. Their captain stopped and saluted the general upon seeing him, then returned to stand by the arched doorway.
Cassius smartly returned the salute, then turned back to Kalista. "I believe they've managed to find you, your Highness - I can only wonder how." Cassius actually smiled.
"I will take steps to protect our people as best I can. Do I have your permission to deploy our men?" Cassius asked, idly toying with the hilt of his broadsword.

[Diala]

Kalista listened to the sound their feet made on the cobbled path through the beautiful garden and listened to Cassius as he spoke, the anger and sternness in his voice suggested he understood every meaning behind each word she had spoken, it was as she knew it would be.

“Yes, it would seem as though I have finally been found out…” Kalista grinned at him then looked over her personal guard, giving the Captain a slight incline of her head in greeting and then returned her attention to Cassius once again, noting his attention to the hilt of his sword, yet another slight smile graced her otherwise serious expression. “Yes Lord Cassius, deploy our armies in the manner you see fit, as always I trust your decision. I think at this time we should need keep a closer eye on the surrounding areas. It is possible that an old…” She paused her eyes narrowing slightly, a darkness sweeping over her, one almost never seen. “…Friend is about, and I don’t want you too far from me, I may need thee aid sooner than later.” She finished, a note of venom in her tone.

It had been near a century since she had felt him, and now, just as they walked through the garden, she had gotten a chill run down her spine like none she had felt since his last arrival. Kaldryn, the Dark Mage who had destroyed her sister had returned, she felt his arrival.

[Cassius Ado Virtus]

Cassius stepped back, bowing fluidly in his ornate armour. Rising, Cassius grinned wickedly, "The more the merrier your Highness, I'll be sure to greet old friends with 'everything they deserve'" Cassius chuckled to himself.
Peacetime was infinitely more boring and placid than wartime, but it was when a soldier’s life started to get exciting that he needed to worry.
War was the Genera's playground - his territory, and all trespassers would need to be taught a swift and painful lesson before being sent packing, most likely back to the hell from which they came.
It was always entertaining to face an honourable enemy, and rewarding to emerge victorious. Cassius had done this many a time, and his chest and shoulders were decorated with bright medals, lanyards and badges to tell each story, but facing this enemy - the great enemy, would prove to be very different indeed.
"Farewell, my Queen." Cassius saluted Kalista, before turning smartly on his heel and striding confidently from the gardens, his steps willed with purpose. The guardsmen saluted as he walked past and disappeared from sight.