|
|
Affiliates 
|
|
|
Affiliates
|
| Clarion Call to Chaos | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Feb 27 2012, 09:18 PM (1,049 Views) | |
| Kasuin | Feb 27 2012, 09:18 PM Post #1 |
Eleforian War Master
|
The market was rife with peasants. Each one was like a many armed insect, carrying more than they should, more than weight should have allowed. They scurried about, chirping, honking, scratching, bumping, shouting. The sun was high overhead. Noon or thereabouts. Food merchants' pockets were growing heavier by the minutes. Children screamed out for food. Urchins cried aloud for coin. Dogs ran about, inbetween legs, around carts, biting, snapping, fighting, yelping. It was packed here. So many people, a pickpocket's dream. Such a press would bring good business for purse snatching. Adam wove through the throng of the them like a fish through water. His horse had been stabled at the Merry Faun Inn and Tavern. Unburdened by the beast, he was at ease. These were his people, people who lacked insight now, but would soon know the truth. Already he had called others to his side. Just outside the walls of the city in small villages scattered here and there, he had planted the seeds of revolution in young sons and daughters. He smiled winningly at this person or that, his targets giving him room unintentionally or perhaps simply stopped by a glance. He was in a good mood. He had gone to a brothel first thing when he had reached the city and found a clean woman and used her thoroughly. He felt... free. He smiled and ran a hand through his mild mess of blond curls. May I use that crate, Goodman? The merchant whom he had addressed blinked, stunned by the request and nodded, motioning for this handsome, young stranger to take what he would just have to toss out of his way soon anyway. Adam tipped it on its top and got upon its back, now standing taller than most everyone in the area. The noontime sun spun down on him as if he was some sort of godling, his hair like vibrant gold, his eyes twinkling. My people! My people! Hearken unto me! Some of the street noises quieted as curiosity took some unawares. For some others, it was the sight of a handsome young man. For others still, it was his voice that drew them in. Street performers were common, but orators and speakers were in the minority. Doomsday preachers called for the end of the world, death of sinners everywhere if they did not pray to this god or that. Adam had said nothing that was expected. My fellow countrymen, so many times we are shoved into a rut, one so impossible that we feel as though we cannot escape it. We find that we reach for something more, but that it is farther out of our reach than we thought. We dance to the tunes of lords and ladies who rest easy, dance, sing, and sew for pleasure, not for necessity. We give them our tithes, pay their taxes, give them the sweat and blood of our labor. Our young men go to their deaths under banners that have lost all meaning to subjugate more of our brethren. What is he saying? I don't understand. What is he trying to say? Shhh! Let him talk! Murmurs hit the crowd like a small wave as the nearest people began to wonder about his message. When you look around your streets, what do you see, my good people? His hands stretched out to encompass the whole area in his broad sweeping gesture, his sleeves like the wings of a gull. You see bumpy, rutted streets, dirty carts, begging children, street dogs fighting for scraps! This city has become a cesspool of inequality! No matter how hard you struggle, no matter how hard you sweat, no matter how much you bleed, you will still be thought of as the scum that those who have everything see you as! The order that our 'so-called' leaders have imposed on us is no better than slavery! But because we are insects underneath their heels, they do not hear us! They will not listen to us! They will not heed us! What can we do?! How do we fight back?! We can't do anything. Who are we to do anything at all except go back to work? Voices rose as people began to talk with each other in clumps. Those that had lost interest had moved on, being older people, too used to having things stay as they were. The ones he had caught were younger fish, lively and willing to put up a fight. We must prove to our overlords that we will not put up with their slavery! We must cast off the shackles of servitude! The imposed Order is a false Order! We must fight back! Join me, my brothers! My sisters! Join me and, together, we will rise above-- Adam raised his fist in the air triumphantly as all eyes had turned to him. It was then that the armorclad guards rushed into the street. There were only two this time, but they recognized him readily as a rabble-rouser of the worst sort. Stop right there, you! By the orders of Captain Dochel, you will be brought to stand trial for attempted uprising! They rushed towards him, weapons readied. The two pushed through startled onlookers, toppling over one older lady who shrieked as she fell. Other men moved to help the woman or stop the guards' hostilities. It didn't matter. Another onlooker was pushed aside like chattel. You see what they do! Find me! Join me! Only together can we right this wrong world! He jumped down from his box and, with a quick glance at the disturbance in the crowd and a sharptoothed grin, he dashed off like one of the street children that he had once run with, into an alleyway, down several more, blending in with this group of people or that. It was child's play until he stood in an alleyway that was empty, partially illuminated by the fall of the noontime sun. It cascaded about his shoulders like a spotlight, floating bits of dust hung in the air as if suspended by time. His breathing slowly settled, his face and neck dappled by a light sheen of sweat. That wasn't too bad. Then they just have to listen to the rumors floating around about me. The street children know enough to tell them about the farms nearby. I only hope that Ionas knows what he's doing. It's hard to hide an army. It's just as hard to have to gather is so piecemeal like this... Just... I need some more major operations. Setting fire on the bank wasn't enough. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled through his nose as he leaned against the wall of a building, his face upraised to take in the sunlight. It seemed a world away now, the market and every person in it that he has spoken to. Even now, whispers went around about this "Adam" and his group of fighters. He was sounding a call to arms against injustice, oppression. His ideals made him sound like a government toppler, a regime ender. Go to the farm north of the city known as Lockley's Landing, they said. Go there and join Adam's resistance. The whispers passed from this person to that person. It would not be for everyone, but it was clear that he needed people with certain skills, people who knew how to fight. Edited by Kasuin, Feb 28 2012, 12:31 PM.
|
 |
 
|
| Fyra | Feb 28 2012, 04:34 PM Post #2 |
The Lady's Assistant
|
The woman stood silently off the the side of the crowd that began to gather around the handsome man on the crate. He was good looking enough to catch many eyes, and his words calling out over the slowly gathering crowd were inspiring..for everyone else. Half hidden by shadow, Maia looked on with a sense of boredom. While she agreed with his turn on the plight of the poor, she wasn't encouraged to become a martyr. Only someone who truly was worth something would be worthy for martyrdom, after all. As the guards arrived, Right on time.. she started away. She was not well known, but any true guard could recognize one of her ilk. Rogues were less common than thieves, and usually more dangerous. She kept her ears open, listening to the rumors flying, a word here and there telling her where to go to satisfy her inner need to know. Was this man even worth gathering information on? Who knew? But the guards would want him, and they would pay a good price. Even the most lawful guard knew that rogues often would have the information they needed. Most, of course, would never sell out another. And Maia didn't dare make the whole court of the Rogue rise against her. Led by the half-demonspawn lady, they would crush her into a small ball and feed her to a dog. An unattractive fate.. Besides, honor was all that a puddle of dirt like her had, even if it was the honor of being mud. She wrinkled her nose and weaved her way between people, hard glares at potential pickpockets warning them away. Perhaps, she would go to this farm.. would he be there tonight? She didn't want to wait around to find him. She had been walking for several minutes when a shock of messy, curly blond hair captured her attention. Swiftly, she faded to the side, looking. It wasn't him. He was too short. So used to being away from crowds of people, Maia stepped off the main thoroughfare, and into the alleyways. She navigated them without thinking, her blue-violet eyes sharp, and her expression blank. She shook out her mane of brown hair, it's highlights gleaming in the noontide sun like gold, remnants of her elven curse them heritage. It felt weird around her shoulders. She was far too used to having it up. but to blend in with the crowd, she had opted for a loose style. I'll put it up when I get farther from here. It was only a moment before she spotted the man leaning against the way, his mess of curls hanging around his face. Her eyebrow raised. He was bold, to not be trying to leave the city already. |
|
|
|
| Kasuin | Feb 28 2012, 05:27 PM Post #3 |
|
Eleforian War Master
|
Adam slowed his breathing, listened to his pulse, suppressed the urge to laugh. It was a welling in his throat, the smirk on his face. Stand trial? Don't make me laugh! There is no justice there either. I will plunge this whole city into chaos, burn every building, and leave a charred ruin where it stands. If there was such a thing as justice, I would have already been arrested for murder. And... possession of a stolen object, information brokering, stealing, breaking and entering, my little "uprising," of course. Oh and arson, instigation... He could tick off the amount of things he was guilty on several times over with his available fingers. He didn't have enough hands for them all. He pulled off his shirt, his swordbelt clanking softly as it was wriggled free from his shirt and settled to his hips instead, and swung the white fabric over his shoulder. Guards... Heh. What a farce. He was simply talking to himself. When the world kicks you down, you get up and then kick it back until it finally kills you. Heh. His grin widened. As soft whisper of hair made him tip his head quickly, the sound drawing his attention instantaneously. His green eyes were sparkling with that hint of curiosity as the stranger that had crossed his path. He assessed her quickly. Pleasing colored hair, exotic almost, shorter, female, thin, armed, half elf, quiet on her feet. He straightened himself. She's a pretty thing. I wonder if she knows how to fight? Probably. It's usually the ones that don't look like they can fight that can. Adam bowed, one arm against his bared chest, still holding onto his shirt, and the other stretched gracefully to the side. Your pardon, madam. I should have realized that this alleyway belonged to another. He straightened from his bow, a half grin on his face, one dimple in his cheek. An alleyway like this should always belong to someone lovely. I'll move along then. Fare thee well. It was a subtle thing. He would tease her curiosity and then walk away. If she wanted to follow, then she was interested or at least her interest would be piqued. He enjoyed playing the mysterious, but handsome stranger. Noble to some degree, charming, but something that said "danger" like a lover's whisper before he dashed off into the night. At least, Adam's imagination always said it like that. He walked past her, about a half inch from brushing her with his arm, as he looked at her from the side, smiled, nodded, and began walking away down another alleyway, this one darker than the one he was leaving. Curiosity. It's a game. Play with me? He smiled to himself as he walked further on. |
|
|
|
| Fyra | Feb 28 2012, 05:45 PM Post #4 |
|
The Lady's Assistant
|
His words were eloquent, but all they raised were a soft snort. Her voice was icy, her will keeping the curiosity she felt in check. "Any who try to lay claim to an alleyway like this one is naught but a thug and a bully. Neither are those I will tolerate, sir." Though her voice was icy with sarcasm, the word slipped out without thought. Better to be polite. Besides, his words, and his bow, had a flare of nobility, not learned, but lived. She automatically shifted to avoid coming to close, moving with a few steps to remain out of grabbing reach. Innerly, her curiosity piqued, raised all the more by his careless manner and mysterious way of simply leaving her supposed "territory". Any man who was against order would go against the rogues as well. Their lives were built on order, just a different one than the rest of the city. She waited, torn, and finally, with a short huff of air leaned against a wall, waiting for him to get far enough away. The only way to get rid of her curiosity, insane as a cats it was, was to satisfy it. Maia tested her hand on the knife-whip at her side, taking comfort in it's cushioned chain. When she deemed him far enough away, the rogue slid her hood up, as if to shade her eyes from the sun, and began to follow. |
|
|
|
| Kasuin | Feb 28 2012, 05:59 PM Post #5 |
|
Eleforian War Master
|
Then she's a lady if she's neither thug nor bully. He continued on, not giving rise to her words in one fashion or another. She was cold, it seemed, as an icicle. Lovely in the sun, dripping with frigid cold, yet a sort of natural artistry. Perhaps she'd follow. He made no efforts to escape if she had or hadn't. He had lost the guards a while ago and had no fear of reprisal this early in the game. His white shirt was a beacon as it swayed on his shoulder. His stride was easy, relaxed, neither too fast nor slow. He headed back to the Merry Faun, his duties in the city concluded. He would get his money's worth and sleep in the room he had paid for so his horse could continue to get his rest as well. The Inn and Tavern was moderately priced, neither hole-in-the-wall nor one that would draw nobleborn to it. It was simply clean and not too loud. He waved at the old, graybearded man who stood at the bar, wiping luncheon glasses, spitshining them for good luck, perhaps. His room was up the stairs and last down the hall. The curtains were boldly open. Adam cracked it open to let the air come in. He settled his shirt on the bed, sat down in the small chair nearby the small table and picked up the book sitting atop it. It was a simple book, old, the bindings bent, about the reported historical beginnings of the hiskrs in the west. Nothing too interesting, but it gave him something to do to clear his mind. He was mildly disappointed that no one had seemed to follow him or steal into his room through the cracked window, though he kept listening. His risks were careless, he knew, but he enjoyed the games. And so it was that Sirticlaw was descended from Great Claw the Mountain Cat... Blah blah blah... These histories are just as boring as anything else. How can anyone bear it? He sighed. I should have picked a different book... |
|
|
|
| Fyra | Feb 28 2012, 06:39 PM Post #6 |
|
The Lady's Assistant
|
Not silent, but quiet, Maia smiled to herself. Following someone, and staying unnoticed, was her specialty. And it was quite apparent that the man in front of her had no idea he was being followed. The white flag of his shirt made him easy to see, and she moved carefully through the crowd. Pausing, now and then, but never letting him get too far ahead. She watched him from across the street, shaded by a competitor inn as he entered the Merry Faun. She recognized the place. Had never stayed there, but had gathered information from walking past it. Settling into a comfortable lean, she watched the building. He would come out eventually. After a few minutes, she moved, her walk casual and easy as she crossed the street, and ducked into the alley that led to behind the inn. Casing the building. After all, he might leave by a back exit. She moved past the stables, and movement up above caught her eye. A window cracked open, blinds carelessly pulled back. Maia caught just the barest glimpse of blond hair, and an angular face. There he was. A sudden burst of spontaneity ran through her. The curiosity was eating at her. Slowly, she looked for a way up the side of the building. She found it in the slender lattice that was sturdy enough to support her weight. Taking her time, she scaled it, hooking her fingers carefully and makign sure there was no more than whispers of sound against the wood, and finally, after what seemed far too long, was at his window, perched precariously on the sill. She looked at the hinges, noting that they were well oiled, and kept her sigh of relief in her lungs. The window cracked wider, and she slid in through the small gap, letting herself settle by the curtains, her grey cloak blending with the shadow as she let her eyes adjust to the dim light of the chamber. Her icy eyes studied the man, and blinked at his supposedly rhetorical question. She shifted, winced at the sound of soft soled boots on floorboards, and spoke up, rather than try to continue to hide or fleeing. "Well, some people actually find it interesting. If I cared to read the histories of hiskrs, I might just be able to find why they make such good theives, if one bothers to teach them.." Her voice was soft, still cold, but her eyes glinted with the curiosity he had counted upon his manner awakening. |
|
|
|
| Kasuin | Feb 28 2012, 07:19 PM Post #7 |
|
Eleforian War Master
|
Adam had sat, picking through the book with a minor irritation, until there was a soft noise. It was the sound of a soft sliding, a whisper of a noise. That is, until the woman started talking to him. He turned slowly to look at her and smiled. Oh, it's you. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to find your way here or not. Turns out, you're fairly good. If I hadn't greased the hinges, I probably would have heard you coming. Of course, I did invite you didn't I? He nodded before looking back to his book, placing the marker inside the pages, closing it shut with a soft snap, and setting it back on the table. As for hiskrs, well, this book won't be giving you the answer you seek there. His voice was conversationally friendly, not overly friendly, but not closed down. He reacted without any surprise that she was there, as if he expected her all along though he had begun to believe that, if she was coming, she would have used the front door like most other women he had met. That she hadn't... well, that at least was interesting. More interesting than the book anyway. He stood and turned to face her, his mouth stretched in a closed lip smile, his eyes assessing even as they glittered with intelligence. Would you like the chair to sit on? A drink? I'm sure I could get us both something. Room service may not have a bell, but I've got a loud enough voice to call the barkeep up to get us what we would. He held out his hand towards the chair, offering the sturdy little wooden thing to her if she desired it. His bed was an unspoken offer though the chair was near to it as well and his offering hand encompassed them both from her point of view. His shirt, of course, was still rumpled on the bed. I wonder what got her. Curiosity more than what I look like or a combination? Perhaps she heard me in the market and is interested in my speech? Doubtful though, she is so... cold. Very professional. I wonder what she's thinking. Ah, the game. I love these games. He would refuse to ask her name or offer his unless she asked. It was a customary part of this meeting. If it was a legitimate business, he would not have hesitated to give his name, like at the brothel or the inn's front door. But she had come in through the window and that spoke of a purely different set of skills, more in line with his own, though he was quite a different sort of rogue, one that wanted to be seen. At times. |
|
|
|
| Fyra | Feb 28 2012, 07:36 PM Post #8 |
|
The Lady's Assistant
|
Her voice was a low murmur, "Had the hinges not been greased, I would have greased them myself before using the window." It was a small retort, one that defended her own experience, and her raised eyebrow dared him to challenge it. When he offered her a seat, she didn't take it. Instead, she pushed her hood down around her shoulders, studying him as she leaned casually against the frame of the window, holding an act that said she expected him to expect her. But his nonchalant attitude was a sore bruise at that moment. "I've no need for a drink, though, if you truly wish to do so, by all means, you may call for one yourself. I'm sure the barkeep is intent on keeping you pleased with the services of his domain." There was a light mocking tone in her voice. Her eyes glanced him over, and she put a smirk across her lips, as if assessing his attractiveness. It was, honestly, quite astounding. Not that it matters. I'm not likely to find someone attractive, if I find someone at all." She studied him a moment longer, her poise one of a wary animal. Her hands remained loose by her sides, her back kept to a wall, and she was near the same exit she had entered by. It would not seem uncommon for any who lived among rogues. Her gaze was icy cold, for all of her expression. He was being weighed, measured. But for all the icyness, a spark of curiosity remained. After all, he was something she didn't know about in the city. "You have...some interesting ideas." Her comment was one that would hopefully lead him on to speak of his "ideas" that she had heard of earlier that day. "I haven't seen one such as you...well, ever. The Lady Rogue discourages anarchists among her own. I believe it may be the one point her and guards agree on..." |
|
|
|
| Kasuin | Feb 28 2012, 08:01 PM Post #9 |
|
Eleforian War Master
|
Adam smiled and sat on his bed, hanging his shirt over the post. Hmm. Very professional. It was a soft comment after her desires to stand and stay near her exit as well as to not accept any hospitality. His smile widened. The Lady Rogue isn't even in the city right now. She may say what she likes from wherever she is vacationing. However, my ideas are not quite anarchy, my friend. It is nearly impossible to live in a society without rules of some kind or another bounding us, keeping us in our places. I understand the need for order to some degree. My problems reside with the current system. The king takes our money. We are told it is our right as citizens to have our money stolen by the king. Tithes, taxes, crop allocation, et cetera. In fact, it is a privilege to give it to him. A bit of sarcasm crept into his voice as his green eyes paled slightly. To put things quite frankly, we are being stolen from. Of course, those with your sort of skill and mine steal from others and are stolen from in return. It seems to be the way of the current regime. But have you ever seen a guard that doesn't take a bribe? I've seen very few. There are some guards that will rape or maim just because they have the power to do so. His voice was becoming colored with that undercurrent of passion. There is no justice from the ones who are supposed to keep it. I don't seek to be lawless. I don't want to take power for myself. I simply want to topple everything that is in place right now. This supposed Order is nothing except an established set of rules designed to crush the weak, the poor, and those who weren't privileged enough to be born into the aristocracy. He chuckled bitterly and brushed the hair from his forehead in a quick gesture even though it simply fell back on and tickled. The truth is that this world is foul. It is mired in things labeled "tradition" or... or "laws", but these things only benefit a select few. If you have sat down to read a historical account of the world, you would find that every time a ruler dies or a regime is deposed or a some sort of coup happens the world gets shaken to its very foundations. For too long now, our society has stagnated or, with a death of a leader, things are shaken the wrong way. I propose to shake things the correct way. I don't want glory. I don't need fame. I don't do this for myself. I do it because it needs to be done. The world is a false world that doesn't care about its inhabitants. The world be damned! I would burn it down to rebuild it if I must! The fire blazed in his eyes, his voice louder than he had initially intended it to be. His left fist was clenched in the air near his heart. He spoke with passion, with vehemence. It was intense and throughout his words, it had built so steadily. And I was shown this corrupt world by the corrupt. They should all pay for their misdeeds. I will sew chaos everywhere I go until I find my way to the palace and choke the life out of the false figurehead of our corrupted world. |
|
|
|
| Fyra | Feb 28 2012, 08:22 PM Post #10 |
|
The Lady's Assistant
|
Maia hid her smile as her words sparked exactly what she had hoped. Essentially, it was his ideals. The man was preaching. He woudl make a good churchman.. oh, but he woudl gather crowds for whatever god he decided to serve... Hatred welled up in her at the thought of the gods. Hadn't they, after all, never intervened to make her life better? And then, with a single phrase, she found herself paying more attention. This world is foul. It echoed around her head as his voice, impassioned by his beliefs, sent tingles down her spine with the sheer ferocity. This was a man with power. She let silence stretch for a moment, and then stared at him with her violet flecked gaze. "The rich are not always the privileged. Perhaps, once they are in power of their homes...but until then...The world singles us all out. Will you save only the poor or will you save the entirety of the world, in your plan to topple the current regime." His idea made her uneasy, but his passion, the anger that rode inside him, drew her in, inexplicably. Better to keep her guard up. And she snapped it firmly into place, hoping to lead him further on, so that she could understand the man better. |
|
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
|
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · City Randatria · Next Topic » |
| Theme: Elefor Original | Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
 10:00 PM May 23
|