The Pilgrimage to Demincia (IC)(OO)(Closed)

[Valorono]

Port Tabriz, Demincia, 5th of March 2053

As Abraham stepped aboard the dock of Port Tabriz he took in the scent of the air, it smelled of salt, fish and blood. The smell of blood took him by surprise until he remembered where he was, this land was after all the birthplace of the assassins. He put his pipe back in his mouth as he waved farewell to the submarine that brought him to this barren wasteland. He soon realized that he stuck out like a sore thumb out here, in the desert while wearing the furs needed to keep him warm in his homeland. He sighed as he began walking towards the town, boots making noise as he walked through the sand. He hated the idea of being heard, always had been more partial to being silent and deadly over loud and brutish. He truly was different from the rest of his family. He laughed slightly to himself at that, everyone in his family was a bit strange now that he thought about it. His grandfather Dimitri died before he was born, however he had always heard stories of his heroism and honor in the liberation of the Steel Imperium, and the Elven Civil war. His father Bjorn the Black was renown for his bravery and survival for slaying the Demon Cavaro and saving the Motherland during the Rise of the Phoenix. His Uncle Ivan however was remembered as both a great and awful man. Leading Valorono through many great reforms however going mad with power and ultimately killing himself and Abraham's father. He cringed at the memory of seeing his father die, telling him that he was now the king of winter, that he was now the Black wolf. How wrong his father was he thought to himself as he shook his head, for he was no wolf; he was a lion. He shuddered away the memory as he realized he was in the town square. However oddly enough he heard no talking or for that matter saw anyone, the 19 year old Assassin continued walking however avoiding the creeping feeling at the back of his mind. He decided he would walk into a nearby tavern and see if he could find his contact there, or if they would find him...

[Demincia]

Alexis waited in the tavern idly. She didn't want to be here but Il Mentore made her. She couldn't say no to her leader, especially since it was her mother. Or one of her mothers, technically. Alexis's wings fluttered idly. She had wings more like Icaria, her other mother, then Selina. Selina could fold hers up and hide them under her clothes, because they were given to her my a dragon. Icaria's didn't because she was an elf, and her clothes had to be made around that. Alexis kind of wished hers could hide away too. Everyone in Demincia was used to them by now, as both her mothers had wings, but they would give her away if she went on a mission. She drank some water and poked at her food, wishing she was away from here hanging out with Grace instead. Selina didn't want Alexis to get too serious with Grace but that didn't stop either of them from falling in love. They met whenever they were sure Selina wasn't suspicious, and they were going to try to sneak away to get married. But for right now, she was waiting on some stupid Czar or something who was coming for The Gathering. Why this was her job and not a normal Assassin was anyone's guess. "She wanted me busy so I couldn't meet Grace." she muttered to herself. "Where is this guy anyway?" She asked herself. "I hope he isn't old and creepy." She wasn't told what to look for, just that he would greet with "How high does the Eagle roost?"


Alexis:

[Valorono]

Alexis waited in the tavern idly. She didn't want to be here but Il Mentore made her. She couldn't say no to her leader, especially since it was her mother. Or one of her mothers, technically. Alexis's wings fluttered idly. She had wings more like Icaria, her other mother, then Selina. Selina could fold hers up and hide them under her clothes, because they were given to her my a dragon. Icaria's didn't because she was an elf, and her clothes had to be made around that. Alexis kind of wished hers could hide away too. Everyone in Demincia was used to them by now, as both her mothers had wings, but they would give her away if she went on a mission. She drank some water and poked at her food, wishing she was away from here hanging out with Grace instead. Selina didn't want Alexis to get too serious with Grace but that didn't stop either of them from falling in love. They met whenever they were sure Selina wasn't suspicious, and they were going to try to sneak away to get married. But for right now, she was waiting on some stupid Czar or something who was coming for The Gathering. Why this was her job and not a normal Assassin was anyone's guess. "She wanted me busy so I couldn't meet Grace." she muttered to herself. "Where is this guy anyway?" She asked herself. "I hope he isn't old and creepy." She wasn't told what to look for, just that he would greet with "How high does the Eagle roost?"


Alexis:

(Image)

Abraham took a sip of his coffee as he looked around the bar trying to detect the other assassin. He managed to make out the fluttering wings near the back of the room near the bathrooms and figured that it had to be his contact. He learned from his father that the Il Mentore of the order had wings, and he figured that for someone to have wings they had to be pretty high up in the chain of command. He paid the bartender and downed his coffee before making his way to the john, passing right by his contact. He took a quick glance before heading in to relieve himself, he had to make sure it was his contact. After he got out he leaned on the wall next to the door and next to the unsuspecting assassin before he said. "How high does the Eagle Roost?" in a somewhat deep yet calm voice acquired from smoking for the last 4 years.

[Demincia]

Alexis was caught a little off guard. She was expecting someone old to meet her, not this... kid. He had to be around her age. She thought it was a mistake at first, but he knew the code. "On top of the tallest tree." She answered, confirming herself. "Pardon me, I was not expecting.... well... You. No offense." She looked him up and down. He couldn't be the Czar could he? She'd heard from Selina that the country had been through tough times, but a kid as the leader? She didn't feel right about it. She was going to succeed her mother as leader, but that would be for a long time, because her mother was not going to die. It wasn't false hope, it's a fact. She had a few Pieces of Eden, one of which grants her eternal life. Her great grandmother before her had one too. Alexis didn't understand why there were generations of leaders that lived normal lives, if one Mentor from the 1500's was still alive. She tried not think about it, as it confused her. "I'm Alexis Auditore da'Maljaiör."

[Valorono]

Alexis was caught a little off guard. She was expecting someone old to meet her, not this... kid. He had to be around her age. She thought it was a mistake at first, but he knew the code. "On top of the tallest tree." She answered, confirming herself. "Pardon me, I was not expecting.... well... You. No offense." She looked him up and down. He couldn't be the Czar could he? She'd heard from Selina that the country had been through tough times, but a kid as the leader? She didn't feel right about it. She was going to succeed her mother as leader, but that would be for a long time, because her mother was not going to die. It wasn't false hope, it's a fact. She had a few Pieces of Eden, one of which grants her eternal life. Her great grandmother before her had one too. Alexis didn't understand why there were generations of leaders that lived normal lives, if one Mentor from the 1500's was still alive. She tried not think about it, as it confused her. "I'm Alexis Auditore da'Maljaiör."

"I am Tsar Abraham Petrenko, It is an honor to make your acquaintance daughter of the Mentor", he said with a bow. "And yes I can understand your confusion" he said rubbing the back of his head. "You see I have technically been the Tsar since I was 7, when my father was killed by my uncle in our last civil war. However you need not worry about my age, I have been brought up in the ways of the assassin since I was born" he said taking a seat across from the assassin. "So now that introductions are out of the way I understand that we have a pilgrimage to make, yes?" he said with a grin, He may not look like his kin but he did inherit their optimism. He got up and took his hair out of its pony tail. "I hope you don't mind if I look a bit scraggly, I have to maintain my reputation as the Lion of the North".

[Demincia]

Alexis smirked. Her wings must have given her away as her mother's daughter. Or their name. Oh well. Soon she will be free to go find Grace and they can both hide away from the opening ceremony of The Gathering for a while. "Yes. It hasn't begun yet, but my mother said she wishes to speak to you beforehand. I thought you looked like you just woke up from a nap but what ever suits you. Come with me." She said pushing past him and walking out tossing a coin at the bartender. She shielded her eyes from the sun as she stepped outside. She must have been in there waiting a while, it was almost midday now. She bent her knees and jumped up into the air and started to fly away before realizing her error and turned around and landed next to Abraham. "Sorry, force of habit, you forget not everyone can fly. I guess we can take the long way up the mountain." She apologized as she turned to walk towards the high mountain in the distance with a fortress on top.

[Valorono]

Alexis smirked. Her wings must have given her away as her mother's daughter. Or their name. Oh well. Soon she will be free to go find Grace and they can both hide away from the opening ceremony of The Gathering for a while. "Yes. It hasn't begun yet, but my mother said she wishes to speak to you beforehand. I thought you looked like you just woke up from a nap but what ever suits you. Come with me." She said pushing past him and walking out tossing a coin at the bartender. She shielded her eyes from the sun as she stepped outside. She must have been in there waiting a while, it was almost midday now. She bent her knees and jumped up into the air and started to fly away before realizing her error and turned around and landed next to Abraham. "Sorry, force of habit, you forget not everyone can fly. I guess we can take the long way up the mountain." She apologized as she turned to walk towards the high mountain in the distance with a fortress on top.

Abraham laughed "Do not worry, my family are wargs so Im used to seeing people having extra abilities. I unfortunately was not gifted with the ability to fly like you, However I can turn into a lion" He said with a smirk as they continued to walk towards the fortress. It was hot in Demincia, really hot. He cursed himself for wearing fur when heading to a nation renown for its desert. He looked around and managed to spot some people selling water. "Just a moment milady" he said as he rushed over and bought two bottles of water, downing one on the way back to Alexis. "You forget what heat is when everyday is usually 20 below". He said opening the 2nd bottle of water

[Demincia]

Alexis chuckled a little. "It's fine. You'd be a lot better if you didn't dress in furs. It may be a tundra in Valorono, but you're in the desert now." They kept walking for a bit before she spoke again. "A lion eh? Selina told me that your uncle could turn into a bear or a wolf or something, I don't remember. I wasn't listening to her. I don't usually though." She chuckled again to herself as they made their way to the base of the mountain. She stopped and looked up. "I don't really feel like climbing this. So just hold still and don't yell." She said as she grabbed Abraham's shoulders and rocketed into the sky. She set him down on the ground outside the gate to the fortress. "Thank you for flying air Alexis. We're not responsible for any lost luggage or empty bladders you may have suffered."

[Valorono]

Alexis chuckled a little. "It's fine. You'd be a lot better if you didn't dress in furs. It may be a tundra in Valorono, but you're in the desert now." They kept walking for a bit before she spoke again. "A lion eh? Selina told me that your uncle could turn into a bear or a wolf or something, I don't remember. I wasn't listening to her. I don't usually though." She chuckled again to herself as they made their way to the base of the mountain. She stopped and looked up. "I don't really feel like climbing this. So just hold still and don't yell." She said as she grabbed Abraham's shoulders and rocketed into the sky. She set him down on the ground outside the gate to the fortress. "Thank you for flying air Alexis. We're not responsible for any lost luggage or empty bladders you may have suffered."

Abraham's eyes lit up as he started soaring through the air and let out a child like laugh as they hit the ground. "That was fun" he said with a look of glee on his face before swapping it for a bit of a more serious tone. "I know what airline Ill be flying with next time, he said with a wink. "You should listen to your mother though" he said with a sorrowful laugh. "If I had a mother's advice growing up I..." he trailed off before coughing and trying to cover himself "So what exactly is this place?" He said looking up at the tremendous fortress.

[Demincia]

Alexis looked up at the fortress to. "This? This is Maljaiör. The true one. The city you saw down there was just the outermost fringes. This is the true heart of the Assassin Brotherhood." She guided him through the gate and through the mazelike corridors of the main keep until they reached the top most floor. She took him down the hall and stopped at a large set of metal doors with gold stylings of the Assassin insignia. "This is... My mothers' room. Selina will meet with you in here." She said as she turned to grab the knocker. Before she could even knock one of the doors opened up and a woman walked out. She didn't look much older than her mid twenties, though Alexis knew she was almost sixty. Her black hair flowed out of her hood and her green eyes pierced into Alexis's face. "Well, you must be Abraham." she said, walking towards the two. "What's the matter Alexis, aren't you going to introduce me?" She asked as she lightly rest a finger on her daughter's shoulder. Alexis groaned and pushed her hand away. "Abraham this is... one of my mothers... Selina Auditore da'Maljaiör. Mentor to the Assassin Brotherhood. Mother, this is Abraham the first, Czar of Valorono. There, may I go now?" Alexis asked frustrated. Selina looked at her annoyed a little. "Don't go to her. I've warned you before." Alexis looked indignant. "Mother not here! And don't tell me who I can and can't visit." She turned to walk away but Selina stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder firmly. "Listen to me. This is not the time for this. I've told you before to forget about this little adventure of yours. Now go to The Great Hall, you understand me?" she asked, her anger mostly controlled, but still noticeable. Alexis shrugged her off and kept walking, also noticeably angry. Selina shook her head and turned back to Abraham, her composure solid again. "Sorry you had to see that, my daughter is... not the most obedient child."

[Valorono]

Alexis looked up at the fortress to. "This? This is Maljaiör. The true one. The city you saw down there was just the outermost fringes. This is the true heart of the Assassin Brotherhood." She guided him through the gate and through the mazelike corridors of the main keep until they reached the top most floor. She took him down the hall and stopped at a large set of metal doors with gold stylings of the Assassin insignia. "This is... My mothers' room. Selina will meet with you in here." She said as she turned to grab the knocker. Before she could even knock one of the doors opened up and a woman walked out. She didn't look much older than her mid twenties, though Alexis knew she was almost sixty. Her black hair flowed out of her hood and her green eyes pierced into Alexis's face. "Well, you must be Abraham." she said, walking towards the two. "What's the matter Alexis, aren't you going to introduce me?" She asked as she lightly rest a finger on her daughter's shoulder. Alexis groaned and pushed her hand away. "Abraham this is... one of my mothers... Selina Auditore da'Maljaiör. Mentor to the Assassin Brotherhood. Mother, this is Abraham the first, Czar of Valorono. There, may I go now?" Alexis asked frustrated. Selina looked at her annoyed a little. "Don't go to her. I've warned you before." Alexis looked indignant. "Mother not here! And don't tell me who I can and can't visit." She turned to walk away but Selina stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder firmly. "Listen to me. This is not the time for this. I've told you before to forget about this little adventure of yours. Now go to The Great Hall, you understand me?" she asked, her anger mostly controlled, but still noticeable. Alexis shrugged her off and kept walking, also noticeably angry. Selina shook her head and turned back to Abraham, her composure solid again. "Sorry you had to see that, my daughter is... not the most obedient child."

"No need for apologies mentor, she was nothing but courteous to me when I arrived. You've raised quite the young woman." Abraham said with a warm smile. "I understand that Im the third line of Petrenko's you've become associated with. Let me assure you I am not like my father nor my grandfather as great as they may have been." he said with a little sarcasm as great. "I must thank you for allowing me into your home mentor." he said walking alongside her. "I understand that assassins from all over the globe are meeting here, yes?" He said attempting to confirm what he knew

[Demincia]

Selina pointed him towards her chambers. She sat down on a large sofa and motioned for him to sit across from her. "That may be true, but I'm still concerned about some of her... Associates." She chose her words carefully, trying not to make her venomous feelings for her daughter's consort known. "But you are correct. I worked with your father, uncle, and grandfather, to show my age. They were not bad men, they just all had their own flaws like we all do." She paused and let thought roll around in her head. She didn't have any flaws that she could think of, but then again she'd spent decades working them out. "But I'm sure you will do great for your country and the world. And yes, there will be members from every bureau at The Gathering, whether the whole clan, or just one or two representatives like you. This will be your first one, correct? You're in for something, that's for sure." She paused and picked up the tablet on the coffee table and looked at it. "What am I going to do with you girl...." She muttered looking at something Abraham couldn't see. She looked up at him after an awkward moment. "Oh, sorry, I was... distracted by something. Will you have a drink? Tea? Coffee? Ale?"

[Valorono]

Selina pointed him towards her chambers. She sat down on a large sofa and motioned for him to sit across from her. "That may be true, but I'm still concerned about some of her... Associates." She chose her words carefully, trying not to make her venomous feelings for her daughter's consort known. "But you are correct. I worked with your father, uncle, and grandfather, to show my age. They were not bad men, they just all had their own flaws like we all do." She paused and let thought roll around in her head. She didn't have any flaws that she could think of, but then again she'd spent decades working them out. "But I'm sure you will do great for your country and the world. And yes, there will be members from every bureau at The Gathering, whether the whole clan, or just one or two representatives like you. This will be your first one, correct? You're in for something, that's for sure." She paused and picked up the tablet on the coffee table and looked at it. "What am I going to do with you girl...." She muttered looking at something Abraham couldn't see. She looked up at him after an awkward moment. "Oh, sorry, I was... distracted by something. Will you have a drink? Tea? Coffee? Ale?"

"Tea is fine thank you" Abraham said politely in response. "Forgive me if I'm out of place, but are you alright mentor?" he waited a moment before continuing. "You seem to have something on your mind, perhaps I could be of some service to you milady?" Abraham offered always willing to lend a helping hand, something he was taught by his father before his death.

[Demincia]

Selina ordered two trays of tea brought to her room on the tablet. She hesitated at his question. "Yes, I am troubled. And I appreciate the offer, but I don't think you can help me..." She stopped and thought. "Oh yes you can. You're rather new at this Assassin thing aren't you? I'm sure your bureau and country could benefit from having someone from the mainland come as an... advisor..." She said, relishing the thought of her victory. "It could solve both of our problems at once." She looked back at the tablet and thought to herself. Enjoy your rebellion for now, because soon it will be crushed.


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Elsewhere in the keep, on one of the towers on the wall of the fortress, two lone figures sat on top of them. They sat next to each other, almost touching, on a blanket. Off to their side, a basket sat with the remnants of their lunch. The two women had their hoods down, and they stared off into the distance of the desert. One of them ruffled her wings a little before speaking. "You know... This may not be the mountains or forests you see in movies, but I think it's beautiful anyway..." She said. Her long black hair flowed over her shoulder, finally free of the hood. Alexis let her hand slowly inch towards the other girl's and when she touched it they clasped together in silence. She turned to look at her lover. Her red hair, contrasting her emerald green eyes fit her personality of not always conforming and fitting in. "So anyway... I was sitting in the tavern forever... the guy was late by like an hour... And I'm expecting some old frail king right? Well he isn't. He's some kid about as old as us, really scruffy, he looks homeless. Says something about it's not his fault he's a lion or something." Her companion laughed. "Really? A lion? Oh my..." she said laughing. "I know, but that's not it. He comes here dressed it heavy furs and boots like he's climbing mountains. We had to stop so he could buy water like three different times." "Wow. And he's in charge of a country? And they're our allies. Why do we always get the misfits and the rejects, and the enemies always have supersoldiers and professionals?" Grace asked. They both smiled at each other before Alexis nudged her head toward the floor and she laid back flat, wings spread out. Grace smiled and laid right next to her, resting her head on Alexis's soft and feathery wings. "You know, you should make a pillow with this stuff, I love it. So comfy..." she giggled teasing her. Alexis laughed and blushed. "Why would you need my feathers when you already have my whole wing?" Both of the girls laughed as they relaxed together staring up at the sky for a while.

[Valorono]

Selina ordered two trays of tea brought to her room on the tablet. She hesitated at his question. "Yes, I am troubled. And I appreciate the offer, but I don't think you can help me..." She stopped and thought. "Oh yes you can. You're rather new at this Assassin thing aren't you? I'm sure your bureau and country could benefit from having someone from the mainland come as an... advisor..." She said, relishing the thought of her victory. "It could solve both of our problems at once." She looked back at the tablet and thought to herself. Enjoy your rebellion for now, because soon it will be crushed.


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Elsewhere in the keep, on one of the towers on the wall of the fortress, two lone figures sat on top of them. They sat next to each other, almost touching, on a blanket. Off to their side, a basket sat with the remnants of their lunch. The two women had their hoods down, and they stared off into the distance of the desert. One of them ruffled her wings a little before speaking. "You know... This may not be the mountains or forests you see in movies, but I think it's beautiful anyway..." She said. Her long black hair flowed over her shoulder, finally free of the hood. Alexis let her hand slowly inch towards the other girl's and when she touched it they clasped together in silence. She turned to look at her lover. Her red hair, contrasting her emerald green eyes fit her personality of not always conforming and fitting in. "So anyway... I was sitting in the tavern forever... the guy was late by like an hour... And I'm expecting some old frail king right? Well he isn't. He's some kid about as old as us, really scruffy, he looks homeless. Says something about it's not his fault he's a lion or something." Her companion laughed. "Really? A lion? Oh my..." she said laughing. "I know, but that's not it. He comes here dressed it heavy furs and boots like he's climbing mountains. We had to stop so he could buy water like three different times." "Wow. And he's in charge of a country? And they're our allies. Why do we always get the misfits and the rejects, and the enemies always have supersoldiers and professionals?" Grace asked. They both smiled at each other before Alexis nudged her head toward the floor and she laid back flat, wings spread out. Grace smiled and laid right next to her, resting her head on Alexis's soft and feathery wings. "You know, you should make a pillow with this stuff, I love it. So comfy..." she giggled teasing her. Alexis laughed and blushed. "Why would you need my feathers when you already have my whole wing?" Both of the girls laughed as they relaxed together staring up at the sky for a while.

(Image)

"An Advisor mentor? What type of advisor are you suggesting? Afterall Valorono has had long ties with the Assassin Brotherhood, and the assassins of Mount Dower. However I'd be happy to take an advisor home with me." He said with a kindly smile. He soon remembered the heat of the air as he started to sweat in his gear. "By chance do you have any spare robes I can use mentor?" Abraham asked wiping sweat from his brow.

[Demincia]

Selina stood up. "Yes. An advisor. I'm not sure how much help she'd be to you, but taking her would be a huge help to me. And I'll page someone to bring the robes. Maybe not your brightest idea." She said as the door opened and two servants came in with a tray of tea, and one had a set of robes under his arm. He set them next to Abraham and bowed, before they both quickly turned and left. "It must be obvious to you what I'm planning, and you probably have your own opinion of it like it or not. But know this. There is a certain thorn in my side that simply will not move. So I have to force it to go. And you're going to help me take it far... far away, where it will do no harm." She opened a door to a closet. "Change in here." She said pacing around. "Soon I must give a speech to ever member gathered here. Trust me, you do not want to miss it." She said smirking.


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After a while of laying on the tower together, Alexis tapped grace shoulder and motioned for her to get up. Grace sat up and grabbed the basket and started folding the blanket and putting it away. When she had everything together she smiled at Alexis and clutched the basket to her chest. Alexis smiled back and put one arm under her knees and one under her back as she picked her up and started to fly. Grace leaned in close to her as they flew in circles for a bit to enjoy the view before landing in front of Grace's house. Alexis opened the door and carried Grace inside despite her playful protests and set her down in the living room. They stood looking at each other for a while before Grace pulled her in and kissed her. Alexis was stunned but kissed her lover back before they finally broke apart. "I love you...." Alexis whispered. "I love you too..." Grace answered. Alexis was hesitant to leave but she turned back and flew up to her room in the keep.

[Valorono]

Selina stood up. "Yes. An advisor. I'm not sure how much help she'd be to you, but taking her would be a huge help to me. And I'll page someone to bring the robes. Maybe not your brightest idea." She said as the door opened and two servants came in with a tray of tea, and one had a set of robes under his arm. He set them next to Abraham and bowed, before they both quickly turned and left. "It must be obvious to you what I'm planning, and you probably have your own opinion of it like it or not. But know this. There is a certain thorn in my side that simply will not move. So I have to force it to go. And you're going to help me take it far... far away, where it will do no harm." She opened a door to a closet. "Change in here." She said pacing around. "Soon I must give a speech to ever member gathered here. Trust me, you do not want to miss it." She said smirking.


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After a while of laying on the tower together, Alexis tapped grace shoulder and motioned for her to get up. Grace sat up and grabbed the basket and started folding the blanket and putting it away. When she had everything together she smiled at Alexis and clutched the basket to her chest. Alexis smiled back and put one arm under her knees and one under her back as she picked her up and started to fly. Grace leaned in close to her as they flew in circles for a bit to enjoy the view before landing in front of Grace's house. Alexis opened the door and carried Grace inside despite her playful protests and set her down in the living room. They stood looking at each other for a while before Grace pulled her in and kissed her. Alexis was stunned but kissed her lover back before they finally broke apart. "I love you...." Alexis whispered. "I love you too..." Grace answered. Alexis was hesitant to leave but she turned back and flew up to her room in the keep.

Abraham nodded retaining his silence as he changed into the robes provided from him. He waited for Selina to finish and drank his tea in silence before voicing his own words of wisdom. "You can remove a thorn and you will bleed for some time, just be weary of infection." He said before thanking the mentor for her kindness and leaving the master's room. He lifted his hood over the back of his head, causing his golden hair to cascade down the front of his shirt down to his chest. Ensuring no one was following him he soon found himself outside of one of the many windows in the tower and began working his way to the top.

[Demincia]

Later that night, Alexis opened her window and jumped out of it a flew in a straight line on a mission. She flew into Grace's open window and stood by her bedroom door. She knocked four times slowly, then three times quickly, their secret signal. Grace came out and Alexis picked her up and the couple flew back to Alexis's bedroom in the keep. They talked and laughed for a while before both of them decided it was enough and crawled into bed.

[Valorono]

Later that night, Alexis opened her window and jumped out of it a flew in a straight line on a mission. She flew into Grace's open window and stood by her bedroom door. She knocked four times, their secret signal. Grace came out and Alexis picked her up and the couple flew back to Alexis's bedroom in the keep. They talked and laughed for a while before both of them decided it was enough and crawled into bed.

Abraham continued to climb the fortress until he reached the top spire, seeing the sun setting he realized he had been climbing for quite awhile. However he always was able to think more clearly when he was under the stars, outside with nothing but the night to keep him company. He was not as dumb as everyone portrayed him to be, he knew he wasn't. He had a hunch what Selina's problem was and it turned out to be true. The only thing he needed to figure out now was weather to side with the mother or the daughter. The Ruler or the Heir, the Past or the Future. He sighed as he leaned back on the roof and closed his eyes. He let out a low whistle that only the most highly trained ears could have heard. He didn't have to wait long before he heard the flapping of wings and before he felt the warm kiss of fire on his skin. He opened his eyes to see his fathers companion Svosha. He smiled as the large Phoenix roosted near to him, though the birds feathers burned very hot he could tolerate it. After spending the past 19 years marveling at the creatures magnificence pain was the least of his concerns. He soon found the moon to be rising as he began his descent down the fortress. Soon enough he came to the conclusion that he would have to side with Alexis on the issue with her mother. It was now apparent that Svosha would not be the only feathered friend Abraham would be visiting this evening. The thought repeated itself in his mind as he managed to climb near Alexis' window seeing if he could hear any signs of life.

[Demincia]

Alexis thought she heard sounds coming from her window and she jumped out of bed and put on a nightgown and went to the window. "Abraham?" She whispered? "What are you doing here? It's like three in the morning! How did you even find me? Ok that doesn't matter, you REALLY can't be here now. We can talk tomorrow, when I'm-" "Lexi? Who are you talking to?" called a voice Abraham couldn't see. "Damnit." She said under her breath. Soon an arm appeared around Alexis's waist and a girls head rested on her shoulder. Automatically one of Alexis's wings curled around her body. "Tell your boyfriend to go away, the homeless shelter is across town. Come back to bed dear." said the girl. "I can't. This is the Czar I told you about earlier." "Must be bad for a country if the king is homeless." giggled the girl before she walked out Abraham's sight. "Go away king, we're not home" she yelled.

[Valorono]

Alexis thought she heard sounds coming from her window and she jumped out of bed and put on a nightgown and went to the window. "Abraham?" She whispered? "What are you doing here? It's like three in the morning! How did you even find me? Ok that doesn't matter, you REALLY can't be here now. We can talk tomorrow, when I'm-" "Lexi? Who are you talking to?" called a voice Abraham couldn't see. "Damnit." She said under her breath. Soon an arm appeared around Alexis's waist and a girls head rested on her shoulder. Automatically one of Alexis's wings curled around her body. "Tell your boyfriend to go away, the homeless shelter is across town. Come back to bed dear." said the girl. "I can't. This is the Czar I told you about earlier." "Must be bad for a country if the king is homeless." giggled the girl before she walked out Abraham's sight. "Go away king, we're not home" she yelled.

Abraham smiled a bit before pulling himself up to sit on the ledge and immediately taking a serious tone. "Well it would seem that I've found this so called thorn your mother has been talking about" Abraham said rather plainly "Alexis I have reason to believe your mother is going to send your friend here away to live with me for awhile." Abraham said trying to keep a serious tone and face to him as he waited to hear the young woman speak. He could see Svosha flying around the tower they were in and let out a whistle for the Phoenix to come rest by him.

[Demincia]

Alexis gasped when he came in and stood between Grace and Abraham wings blocking her. "At least wait until she's dressed before you barge in with bad news." She glanced over her shoulder and when Grace had slipped on a night gown she lowered her wings and sat next to her. "Now what? Selina plans to send her to you? For what? A marriage? An assassination? I don't understand.... what do you mean? Why would she do this... She's never gone this far before..." she said growing restless and confused. Her eyes clouded with worry and Grace put one hand on her shoulder to try to calm her. "Calm down, let him speak. Now how do you know this, and are you certain of this?" she asked in a serious tone. "If this is some Valoronian practical joke I'll kill you where you stand."

[Valorono]

Alexis gasped when he came in and stood between Grace and Abraham wings blocking her. "At least wait until she's dressed before you barge in with bad news." She glanced over her shoulder and when Grace had slipped on a night gown she lowered her wings and sat next to her. "Now what? Selina plans to send her to you? For what? A marriage? An assassination? I don't understand.... what do you mean? Why would she do this... She's never gone this far before..." she said growing restless and confused. Her eyes clouded with worry and Grace put one hand on her shoulder to try to calm her. "Calm down, let him speak. Now how do you know this, and are you certain of this?" she asked in a serious tone. "If this is some Valoronian practical joke I'll kill you where you stand."

"I'm sorry to say this is no joke, your mother asked me personally to take your friend away with me." Abraham lowered his head looking down before saying. "I accepted for I have reason to suspect that if I did not accept then your lover here would become food for the worms". Abraham says solemnly. "If you want to retaliate in some way I understand, but let me just remind you that it would be most unwise. Your mother afterall carries several pieces of Eden. If I were you two I'd pack my bags and try to find salvation somewhere." Abraham said finally finishing so the two could speak.

[Demincia]

Alexis stood up and paced around hands running through her hair in desperation. "You're sure? She specifically mentioned her by name?" She asked. She knew it was certainly true but she couldn't accept it. Would Selina really kill Grace? Alexis felt like that was too much, even for her. She HOPED it was too far. Grace sat unmoving and staring at the floor in shock. "I... Why are you telling us this? When she finds out she'll hurt you or worse. Worse than we could if you did what she asked..." she asked in a meek voice.

[Valorono]

Alexis stood up and paced around hands running through her hair in desperation. "You're sure? She specifically mentioned her by name?" She asked. She knew it was certainly true but she couldn't accept it. Would Selina really kill Grace? Alexis felt like that was too much, even for her. She HOPED it was too far. Grace sat unmoving and staring at the floor in shock. "I... Why are you telling us this? When she finds out she'll hurt you or worse. Worse than we could if you did what she asked..." she asked in a meek voice.

Abraham smiled a sad smile. "She cannot hurt me, I am a lion and my claws are as sharp as hers." He sat down again on the ledge allowing Svosha to perch on his arm. "Alexis if you would like to accompany Grace to my Kingdom you're more than welcome to tag along. You'll just have to leave a clone in your wake." Abraham said inspecting a scratch on the Phoenix's side