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Post by Otho Sarus on Feb 1, 2006 12:21:49 GMT -5
It was utterly perplexing how the crotchety old codger had managed to make his way inside the keep unchallenged, and even unnoticed. But then again, he seemed to have been around forever, and everyone knew that although he was completely mad, he was no harm to anyone at all. The old man rocked slightly from side to side as he hobbled down the hall, his incoherent babbling trailing along behind him, as his long wooden staff met the hard floor in a regualr, punding rhythm. People paid him no attention, but instead continued to talk amongst themselves. The Guards and soldiers that patrolled the halls and guarded the doorways paid him no attention as he walked right past them, almost as if he were unseen. Otho sarus had much to do today. A certain woman to meet, and much to talk about.
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Post by fyrhtu on Feb 1, 2006 21:01:48 GMT -5
Fyrhtu watched as the old man todled down the hallway in unintrest. There was nothing else to do but stand around, as she had no way of knowng where to go.
She noticed the old man had a look of determination on his face among the wrinkles and the shockingly violet eyes. She would have gasped if she were not so knowledgable. her own eyes were fiery red, and a young woman at the front of the hall who had been watching the warriors meet had the same color eyes, but less... Wise-looking was the word. The old man looked very wise, beyond even his years. He was obviously not as weak as he appeared, and Fyrhtu wondered why he felt the need to enchant himself to look as though a push would break him in two. Surely it didn't protect him?
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Post by Diala on Feb 2, 2006 3:20:58 GMT -5
Kalista had been walking the halls of her home when a familiar presence touched her mind. A small smile lifted the corners of her lips as the war-like Queen suddenly changed direction, her personal guard having to sidestep to keep from smacking into her.
Now, the sound laughter and idle chatter silenced in the Entrance hall as the Queen entered dressed in full armor, carrying her helm at her side, the sword of Karador hanging within easy reach at her side. Little Kinglets practically threw themselves on the floor as she passed, giving them no notice, her destination set, that smile still evident on her lips. The guards that stood at the entrance scrambled to salute the already passing woman and the herald bowed as quickly as he could, though a look not all too pleasant on his face being denied the chance to announce her arrival as she swept pass him without so much as a hesitation to even consider being announced.
Then she spotted him, the old man she knew all too well and a twinkle was set in her onyx eye the likes of which had not been seen there in many a long day since the great eclipse had taken place and thing shad began to turn from bad to worse in the Lands of Karador.
Kalista stopped, not more than a few feet from the old man who had seemingly made it through the entire throng of self-important onlookers without notice, to her, it was no surprise.
“Well, the old wolf has decided to make his appearance has he?” She stated more than asked, the tone of her voice betraying the happiness and relief she felt at seeing the Great man. “I would have thought you still at home licking your wounds, what business do you have here old man.” She said, and though her words may have sounded harsh to the ears that certainly hung on their every syllable, to the Sorcerer, they said far more than hi, as she welcomed her long time old friend.
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Post by Otho Sarus on Feb 2, 2006 13:37:13 GMT -5
Otho stopped still and turned to face the direction of the warm voice that addressed him. A sly grin spread across his features as he stood to his full height, no longer stooping and allowed the age to fall from his form. Then, the people who had followed Kalista in awe and adulation grew distant, the faces of those gathered in the room became drawn and distant, their eyes growing vacant. They could of course, still see the old man and the queen, but no longer paid them any attention, as Otho had 'Encouraged' them to do so. The illusion that surrounded him then melted away, and he changed his very form, once again becoming the strong willed, wise and warm sorceror that he had been hiding these long years. No one in the room saw them now, so he would be free to take on his real form wihout fear of revealing his identity. "Old Wolf?" Otho raised thick, quizzical eyebrow, "I haven't heard that one in a long while." He grinned even more broadly, showing a row of pearly white teeth that gleamed in their brilliance - Otho may have possibly cheated a little on that front. "Besides, one has to be sure ones wounds are well tended. Wouldn't want to risk my dashing good looks." He teased openly, winking at Kalista. "Come now, let's make your guest comfortable. Namely me." Otho chuckled, paying the blank faced people that surrounded no attention whatsoever.
The old sorceror and the Queen were old friends, and their banter was ages old, and centuries in the making. It was often the best way to hide any feelings of friendship, or even love that you had for another. However, serious matters required a degree of severity, and Otho was sure that their conversation would take a turn in that direction soon enough. He sighed mentally, hoping to avoid the dark subject, but what must be done, must be done - and there was no escaping it.
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Post by Diala on Feb 3, 2006 4:36:47 GMT -5
Kalista looked around and then sighed. “You always did have a knack for entrances.” She stated and then slipped an arm in his and began to move forward towards the hall.
“It seems to me, that I just might have the perfect spot to accommodate you and, thanks for coming, by the way.” She said as they now moved along the hall away from the throng of useless onlookers.
Kalista was indeed very happy to see him, and in time, she would bring him up to date over the state of Karador, but first, he was right, she should find him a comfortable place to rest up a bit from his journey before drowning him in all the details of the last few weeks. She was certain the reason he came was that he too felt that their old friend had made his way back to Karador once again, and she knew, if there were anyone capable of defending against Kaldryn, it would be Otho.
“So, what will it be, you wish to stay in the Keep, I could offer you one of the rooms in my personal chambers unless you prefer, of course to stay either in the Inn or at the Military base.” She asked and stated all at once. “Of course, the inn IS closest the tavern.” She chuckled slightly “I am certain you would get a whole lot of studying done there.” She then raised a brow at him teasingly.
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Post by Otho Sarus on Feb 3, 2006 4:58:02 GMT -5
Otho feigned a look of outright shock and appaled indignation as they walked, "Surely you're not suggesting that I would do anything innapropriate are you Kalista? Let's remember who we're talking about here." He winked slyly and laughed, a sound filled with mirth and childlike glee. Otho Sarus had now completely shed his disguise. The clever combination of transfiguaration and illusion had been swept away totally, and he only slightly resembled the old man who had entered. They wore the same robes, and had the same eyes, but there was nothing else to signify that they were one and the same. He stood much taller now, though he was only of average height and build, the fact that he no longer stooped made him seem to have grown a fair amount. He no longer looked frail, but carried a wiry strength in the way that he walked. His beard and long hair were slightly more grey than white now, and even if it was not much colour at all, at least it was something. "Much as I dislike the city and it's array of self important buffoons, I think I shall stay at the Inn. After all, it might look a tad odd if the queen invited a mad old beggar into her home, and I needent even walk to get here. Sometimes is best to do it just to make sure I still can however." He chuckled lightly, "Though I must say, a nice bit of hospitality wouldn't go astray about now. I'm ravenous." He grinned wickedly, rubbing his stomach with his free hand and glancing slyly at Kalista.
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Post by Diala on Feb 3, 2006 5:15:59 GMT -5
Kalista stifled a laugh at his first remark. “Oh no, I would never suggest such a thing, I was merely pointing out the fact that you could gain so much information from the foul smelling drunks at the tavern is all. I mean, certainly, you would never take to those places naturally.” She replied and then might have perhaps even rolled her eyes skyward, just maybe, a little bit.
“Very well, I don’t suppose you would be in need of a purse for your stay?” She asked, her brow shooting up again at her question and then she smiled softly. “That stomach of yours always seems to be starving when in the arms of Karador, might it be that you wait until you have the opportunity to eat until you gain access to the kitchens, or is it that you enjoy the company of the cooks?” She grinned again, her onyx eyes continuing to show every bit of mirth they intended. “We will stop then in the garden to have lunch before you are off to find yourself a place to lay those terribly old bones of yours.” She finished.
It was indeed a relief to have him here, in truth, no one ever did make her smile so much, even in the face of desperate times, as this old sorcerer at her arm now had. And right now, that was exactly what she needed. She was in no way in such a hurry to bring things down by mentioning the war council or the Necromancer or even Kaldryn for that matter, not just yet, though she knew they would have too and it would be all too soon.
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Post by Otho Sarus on Feb 3, 2006 5:32:51 GMT -5
"Well," Otho began, "If you're offering, then how could I ever refuse your generous hospitality. I just couldn't bring myself to do that, it would just be too uncouth, impolite - rude, even." Otho said it without any hint of a smile, and not a hint of sarcasm. Only the wicked glint in his eyes belied the wiley trickster now, as he feigned innocence with complete precision. The old man could probably write a book on how to get what you want, with the least effort. "Now then Kal," He smiled, "You shouldn't underestimate just how much information those drunkards possess." He deliberately left out the phrase 'Foul smelling', "A bit of drink will loosen a man's lips and get him talking for hours. I've studied this in depth you see." Otho laughed openly, before glancing about him. "So - which way are the kitchens?"
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Post by Diala on Feb 3, 2006 5:53:33 GMT -5
Kalista turned to their right and started down a small hallway and after a few more paces, the smells of a working kitchen began to travel to their noses. Meaning of course that the smells of Roasts that have been, or are being cooked to perfection mingled with the delightful smells of pies and pastries, and other assorted meats and even the scent of freshly baked bread seemed to hang about in the hall, making one stomach yearn for a taste, even if it was not the hungriest.
“I see…” She started, “And I am certain that you have done your fair share of … study with the heaviest of hearts too. Never quite enjoyed it at all, pure study for you, or.. Information gathering I would suspect.” She returned without missing a beat. “As well, I do believe that the Kitchens are not all too far down this hall.” She stated needlessly, though enjoyed the fact that she had stated the obvious.
She took him to the outer doors of the Karador Kitchen and pushed them aside slowly, so as not to hit any who might be passing by and then walked inside. There were pots heating on the great stove with enough stew inside their large bellies to feed an army, and then of course, in the ovens one could tell that the fresh bread they smelled had been lovingly settled there to be browned to perfection by the hand of what would be an elderly lady standing not all too far from the two of them. Of course, there were many others running about here or their as the old woman barked her orders. The place was so busy and no one seemed to notice the arrival of the Sorcerer or the Queen, of course, they had, but in such a place, the need for formalities such as bowing and the like, simply would not do. It was a sort of unstated policy that in the kitchen, Ada was ruler, and right now, her eyes were too busy looking into a pot to even worry about her visitors.
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Post by Otho Sarus on Feb 3, 2006 6:06:23 GMT -5
And speaking of eyes, it seemed that none were fast nor watchul enough to catch the old man at work. Somehow, he held a steaming loaf in his hand and was already chewing away merrily - all within the few seconds since they had entered the kitchen. Some might suspect sorcery was at use here, but no- Otho was just an accomplished liar, a cheat and a thief. All the characteristics one needed to blend in with the masses - or at least that was his excuse. "Mofery guu bweb" He said from between mouthfulls - meaning of course 'That's very good bread'. Otho hardly even took time to swallow as he wolfed down the loaf, and began to scavenge about the humid kitchen for cheese and churned butter and it wasn't long before he returned with a ne loaf, filled to the brim with buttered cheese. He grinned wickedly, before devouring it in a matter of seconds. Food and drink were his domain, as was sorcery - however the former proved to be much more satifying, and easier on the brain. Otho was a rogue at heart, but a great and powerful man. He avoided being serious whenever he could, and never hesitated to dip his spindly fingers in anything that looked remotely entertaining - as Kalista had pointed all too many times. "What?" He gasped indignantly, noticing the expression on Kalista's face. "I just needed a little snack was all. . ." He muttered, not seeming to have noticed he had consumed enough for two or three full grown men.
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Post by Diala on Feb 3, 2006 6:17:41 GMT -5
Kalista’s eyes never left Otho the moment they stepped foot into the Kitchen but even her trained eyes seemed to have ‘lost track’ of him from time to time as he managed to pilfer his little ‘snack’ as he would put it. Of course, she expected nothing less or more of him, as he was who he was and that would, it seemed, never change.
She had managed by some grace of God, to finally capture one of the girls running about the Kitchen and was just letting her go when he made is little “What?” Comment. Kalista pursed her lips together, and simply shook her head. “You really are an old wolf, you know that?” She stated and then turned as the young Kitchen maid returned to her with a basket full of food and of course, a couple bottles of drink. Kalista thanked her and then turned to Otho. “Very well, if you have finished with your thievery, might we then run along to the gardens before Ada catches on to your addiction?” She stated, once again, raising that fine brow towards him as seemed was her usual manner when it came to his little ‘habits’.
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Post by Otho Sarus on Feb 3, 2006 7:16:10 GMT -5
Otho grinned wickedly, his eyes glinting mischeviously, "But thievery is such a harsh word. How about borrowing? Or transfer of ownership rights? Yes, i think that one sounds best. Transfer of ownership rights. . ." He muttered to himself, seeming to forget all about the people around him. It was then that he saw Ada counting the loaves of bread to be served at lunch, and within the instant he had bolted. Otho was out the door in a flash, and on his way to the gardens with only so much as a sly grin and a wink at Kalista as he sauntered on out, as if he were totally innocent. Of course, that would never be the case. Otho waited in the hallway for Kalista, toying with a fork he seemed to have pilfered from the kitchens, for no apparent reason other than for the sake of stealing it. If Ada was anything like the old mistress of the Keep Kitchens all those years ago, Otho had done the right thing by making himself scarce. He didn't fancy the idea of harsh words and hard rolling pins. . .
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