The Chronicles of Mystria: Times of Sorrow I

[Almonde Tise]

Five minutes had passed and Maddy found herself before a microphone that had been tapped into every corner of Caltris as a warning system near the end of Maven's reign in case the city had ever come under attack. Today it had come under attack or rather an attack that had been going on for years had been discovered.

My dearest people of the Great City of Caltris, I apologize for the abrupt interruption. This is your High Chancellor speaking. Don't worry this is truly me and not some arcane magic by which you are hearing me. This is coming to you over an emergency broadcast system that was installed for your safety near the end of Maven's term....

I come to you today using this device for what it was intended for...a state of emergency. We are under attack. Not from the outside as i know some of you have begun to look past the walls but, from the inside of our city from the very power that rules over it with a bloody hand. In the depths of the Lower Cloisters that has been abandoned for much time we have found an unending dungeon of travesty. Many prisoners, cherished ones, and others you may have thought to be missing have been taken to this humongous torture chamber for who knows how long?

But, by who you wonder in a emotion of anger? Who could dare commit such heinous act? I ask you this citizens...Who do you least expect? That's right the impossible has happened today the most cherished tradition of Caltris and the Beastling Empire has been found not to be true today. The Uncorruptables are no more. They have been filled with the cursed disease. They have been keeping the crime rates low by not reporting and not giving fair trial for numerous years.

It is a sad day when you realize the leaders you entrusted with your life, your truth, and all of Fornt's gratitude to be nothing more than of lesser character than an Unbidden. Very sad indeed...

Pause for 30 seconds as she let's it sink in. Tears began to roll over her face but were passed through out of a sense of duty to Caltris even though she had intended to do away with Eryeil...but to end up like this??

I mourn the coming deaths that our traditional values call for. Since the Uncorruptables are no more the decision of judgement lies with me. The penalty of Corruption called for by our ancient laws is one we all know too well over the recent past. However, I cannot bring myself to make the final judgement. The laws also call for a fair trial so...two citizens of Caltris shall vote along with me.

What do you say, sir? What is your passing judgement?

"Death."

What do you say, ma'am? What is your passing judgement?

" I...uh...I can't."

But, you must. As a citizen of Caltris you have the dutiful power.

"Oh...oh...all right...I...judge them as..."

Yes...

"Death."

Many heads across Caltris sunk in disbelief, shock, dismay and many other emotions that day when they heard the horrid news, the betrayal, and the ruling that only needed two votes.

Then it has been decided. I do not need to vote. It is out of my duty of High Chancellor that I must initiate the citizen's call for justice. May Fornt bless us in these troubled times. The Uncorruptibles are to be executed on sight. Do not let them corrupt you. Take up arms and take back your city. I stand with you as your High Chancellor!

[Crystal Spires]

The Uncorruptibles began to flee for their lives, while some of which stood their ground.

Deygan watched as he saw Knight Captain Trellis raise his hands and approach the crowds.

"Please good citizens, this must be some sort of mistake. We have not done such a heinous act! We're willing to go through with a fair trial which we're entitled to in our laws and the code. Please, give us a fair trial, let us live by the Code!"

An older man approached the knight captain with a great-sword. "No, son. You live by the Code, you will die by the Code as well.

Blessed be those who govern and serve the good and welfare of the all,
Cursed be those who govern and serve only themselves.

The Lord deems them Corrupted and with the Rod of Judgement Smite their Greed, Stupidity, and Hate.

We who know of the dangers of Corruption more than anyone else know that the sentence for Corruption and Betrayal of the people is death.

So with a merciful hand I will cleanse the wickedness and free his heart from the corruption. Stand still and this will be quick and painless but if you struggle it will be more excruciating than I would like.

Three Uncorruptibles rushed to the aid of the Knight Captain, who was the same rank as Yalij. He watched horrified as his men were struck by the sword and they fell to the ground as their anguished cries in pain reached Yalij's sensitive hearing.

"NO! Don't kill them! They're just recruits!" the knight captain shouted as he watched the man strike one of the fallen recruits across the neck causing the blood to gush down and another citizen picked up an ax and aimed a strike at a knight who backed away and tried to disarm the citizen only to be struck with a blow by a wooden plank and then the man with the ax struck at his face killing him instantly.

The Knight Captain fell to his knees looking at the bodies of his men and looked up at the man with the blade in hand.

"We live by the code, and we are innocent, we have done nothing. If you believe I am corrupt then so be it. I surrender my life to you for the taking. We're uncorruptible, and now you've the blood of the uncorrupted ones on your hands. This will be remembered by the Just God as an affront, and a crime against all nature. Now then my executioner, may mercy guide your blade as I will face you without regrets."

"You've amazing courage, the uncorruptibles are to be admired for their tenacity, but you have betrayed the people. So go then to the sacred realm without corruption and be cleansed." The man said as he walked behind the knight capitain with the blade raised high above his head, and he struck the Knight Captain, beheading him in a clean strike. Another citizen leaned over the fallen knight who now lie dead at his feet and he dealt another death blow to the last recruit. Using an ax he severed the recruits' heads and placed them on a pike and then the old man picked up the Knight Captain's severed head and they marched through the streets as the bodies of uncorruptibles and civilians killed in self defense littered the streets having them run with blood.

Yalij watched as he horrifically watched his brothers and fellow brutally massacred while Deygan tried his hardest to get them both out of the area alive. It was then he looked up and saw the white stork in the sky and with tears in his eyes he looked in awe and sadness at the bird as it flew over Caltris.

[Yesopalitha]

Sylandral

Han saw Jabrill run away.

Mere mortals, we all... Why do you run?

"Wait up! Stop!" he shouted, while chasing Jabrill.

Our fate is our fate; nothing can change what is to come. However, we can change what we do with the things that are handed to us. In fact, that is what makes us who we are - how we handle the things that do come our way.

[Crystal Spires]

Jabrill grabs Han and pulls him into a corridor panting and trying to muffle his breath.

"Shhh!" He said as he looked pale and checked to see if Ayliah had caught up with them. Luckily Jabrill was very quick and agile, and Han was also quick and agile enough to follow the wayward foxkin. "Han... she's with Maven. She's friends with Maven. I never told you this but, Maven Auryn tried to sell me out to be killed by the Dwarves. He also is another seeker of the Flower of Zaiden. This means that sooner or later he's going to have to kill me to get the relics and take them from me. He's not like Cherry, he doesn't want us to help each other get the relics. His willingness to sell me out should have said as much."

His green eyes scanned ahead and he looked past as he would likely get lost in the corridors of Sylandral. He didn't know how well he could get back, and perhaps he would not be able to. This made him incredibly nervous.

[Yesopalitha]

His green eyes scanned ahead and he looked past as he would likely get lost in the corridors of Sylandral. He didn't know how well he could get back, and perhaps he would not be able to. This made him incredibly nervous.

"You don't understand, do you, crazy Foxkin? Nothing can be done by running away from your problems; you must face them, confront them, and give it your best shot. If you lose, then at least you know that you went out fighting to the best of your abilities; if you don't try, there is nothing that can be done. Do you understand? You can't run away from your problems forever, and when they catch up to you... they'll be bigger than they were ever before!" whispered Han furiously.

Silly Foxkin, why do you run? For everyone must face their destiny in the end. Yes, everyone must. No matter how you try to hide and run, there is nothing that can be done. No, no, no.

[Crystal Spires]

"I can't fight and kill two heads of state! I'm already a former criminal all that will happen is after I live somehow I'll have the whole of the Beastling States and the Treefolk lands coming to have me pay for killing the Chosen and the High Chancellor! Han, this is something I cannot win, something I cannot confront! I'll lose no matter what! You surely can see that. Please don't make me..." Jabrill heard a noise and knew it was likely that Ayliah had managed to catch up with him.

Crap.... What do I do now?

[Metanih]

Ayliah momentarily lost Jabrill, before activating her detection spell, and scanned the area. The darkness was excellent cover until she activated it, but he stood out like a sore thumb once it was activated. "Jabrill! Don't run off like that! These tunnels are larger than you can imagine, and you could get lost down here forever!" She said, relief evident in her voice, that she had found him. "Who is your new companion?" She asked a moment later.

[Yesopalitha]

Ayliah momentarily lost Jabrill, before activating her detection spell, and scanned the area. The darkness was excellent cover until she activated it, but he stood out like a sore thumb once it was activated. "Jabrill! Don't run off like that! These tunnels are larger than you can imagine, and you could get lost down here forever!" She said, relief evident in her voice, that she had found him. "Who is your new companion?" She asked a moment later.

Han bowed, rather clumsily.

"Han, your Majesty," he stated.

[Crystal Spires]

"Han is a friend of mine from when we were passing through the Changeling Empire which is still in danger. Maybe Han can tellyouallaboutit I reallymustbegoingyouknowtodoseekerstuffthat I look... is that Maven?" Jabrill said in a rather shrill voice as he tried to back away from Ayliah defensively.

Maven hadn't caught up with them, but Jabrill remembered that horrifically loud sound. Dareth hadn't followed behind. He wondered what had happened with that idiotic ore smuggler.

At the Bottom of the Collapsed Tunnel

"I'm sorry...If I hadn't gotten caught by his arm I wouldn't have been used like that. You could have killed him right then and there. I'm really sorry you know. But thanks for that. If it weren't for you I'd have had my throat slit by that damn Storkii." Dareth said to Mari as he dusted himself off. "We'll need to find some other way out, or we'll end up completely lost and die down here."

[Metanih]

"I know the way out. Simply the way i came in." Mari said. She had found her entrance, which was not the one into the royal palace Maven had used, from older records, and recalled her path to here from there. "Sadly, i doubt we will find pleasant reactions above, what with the attempted assassinations." Mari said, smiling softly, before turning and walking down a tunnel.

[Metanih]

Ayliah smiled softly, the beastling was a rather pathetic creature. Not really the match of the others she had known, like Maven for example, as Jabrill was obviously a coward, and an imbecile. "Jabrill, you will get lost in these tunnels. Come, i have an exit not far from here." Ayliah said, turning and making her way to the entrance into her private chambers, unaware that Maven had destroyed them.

[Crystal Spires]

"Right behind ya." Dareth said with a smile as he kept a little bit of a literal glance at her as he moved forward through the caves. They'd have to catch up with that damn sneak Maven if they wanted to have any chance of getting the relics and delivering his just punishment. To make matters worse Jabrill was with Ayliah, and the chosen had allied with the former High Chancellor. This would not bode well for Jabrill if the legends proved to be true.

Upper Corridors

"C-Chosen. My Friend Han, he's coming along with us." Jabrill said as he looked at her with a nervous glance. "What will you do with me? After we get out?" Jabrill asked as he looked at Ayliah desperately.

[Metanih]

"I think that will depend on the outcome of Maven's encounter." Ayliah said, honestly, thinking. If Maven hadn't survived, then Ayliah knew she would be a bit too angry at the entire group, Jabrill, Han, the cheetah, and the Elf assassin, to allow them to live nice lives. If he was fine, then turning Jabrill over to him would be in order, as Jabrill was a beastling, and Ayliah recognized Maven as the leader of the beastling homeland still.

[Crystal Spires]

Maven panted deeply pressing against his injured shoulder from Dareth's sneaky strike, and he pressed with his hand firmly to try and stop the bleeding as he followed his way toward where he saw Ayliah had gone, but he would need to get her attention somehow to find his way out.

"Ayliah! It's me! Can you hear me?" he shouted through the halls as he looked far ahead hoping that she would be able to hear him otherwise it was certain he'd get lost. Ayliah!"

[Metanih]

A guard moved to intercept Maven, stating quickly, "Where is Ayliah? Is the Chosen injured?" Worry was in the guard's voice, as he looked past Maven, a second guard approaching, concern on his face as well.

[Crystal Spires]

Maven looked at the guards who certainly seemed like they were deeply concerned, and with good reason. Using the full force of his strength and the power of the fully powered rod of Judgement to slice through what was made of stone made a huge racket. The floor beneath them must have shook as well.

"The Chosen..Injured...? No... but the Chosen is not with you? I had thought she was far ahead of me..." Maven said as he looked at the guards as he tried to heal his arm, but he had clear spell fatigue and couldn't use his spell at all.

"The Chosen is beneath us then. I was forced to destroy the entryway when assassins accosted us. We must find a way to help her. Is there perhaps another way down? It seems those tunnels could easily get one stranded, and if we don't find her soon the result is obvious. I have also felt the assassin's blade as I shook the pursuit, but Ayliah's in danger. We must find another way down right away or perhaps make one." He said as he tried to tend to his bleeding shoulder.

[Metanih]

One guard laughed nervously at the idea of "making one." It was not exactly possible, with any haste. "There are other entrances, but Ayliah knows them better than anyone, and surely can find her way out, as well as handle herself." The other said, confident.

[Crystal Spires]

"What do you mean my fate will depend on the outcome of Maven's encounter?" Jabrill asked as he looked at Ayliah with concern. He wasn't sure what would become of him either way. Jabrill was face to face with a head of state and didn't know what to make of her. She could either save his life of damn him.

"Where do we go?" Jabrill asked as he tried to keep his mind clear so that he could be ready for any kind of move by either her or Maven Auryn, but he knew that Han, Cherry, and he couldn't take Ayliah on their own. There was no chance to be had on that fight, except for the use of the Locket of Eventide. He still wasn't even sure that would work. His thoughts then returned to Mari as he imagined that she'd be okay if she had to fight Maven, but she was no where to be found.

[Metanih]

Alyiah led them to the ladder, about to turn the corner to view it. "This should be our way-" Ayliah stared in shock for a moment. "Who could have done this?" She exclaimed in shock and dismay. Ayliah feared for Maven's life, if this was the result of their fight. "I can lead us to another exit, but it will be a bit of a walk. Let's get going..." She said, sighing.

[Crystal Spires]

The blood from Maven's injury could be seen where the fight took place leaving the destroyed ladder in its wake. It did not leave a peaceful feeling on anyone's mind as they went on their way to the other exit which led out of the tunnels of Sylandral. Jabrill was hoping that the struggle ended in Mari's favor and that Maven Auryn could no longer be a threat to his life, but then he remembered that Ayliah had said 'depending on the outcome of Maven's encounter' his fate would be sealed. So if Maven truly had been slain by Mari, then he would have to fear Ayliah instead. It was a losing outcome no matter who won that fight.

"I'm right behind you..." Jabrill said as he VERY RELUCTANTLY followed Ayliah and planned for some way to lose her once they reached the end of the tunnels.

I'll have to do what I can to get out of her way and make sure that Maven doesn't find me or Cherry. he thought as he looked at Cherry with cold sweat breaking out.I'll have to find a way to take her and run.

[Yesopalitha]

Han followed Jabrill up the tunnel.

Things happen in the order they do for a reason. This is happening for a reason. Jabrill... Only if you'd just let things happen, and do the best you can... It'd make your life a lot easier...

[United World Order]

Jeremiah was near the tunnels and looking about at them. "Tunnels...thats wonderfull...tombs for the lost" Jeremiah said as he was at the entrance of the tunnel and shouted for fun very loudly "HELLO ANYONE THERE!" He said his accent would be easily recognized by anyone who knew Jeremiah well as he chuckled thinking noone could hear him. He awoke still at the tree he rested on and looked around like he saw a ghost and got up looking about and streched his limbs out before deciding to take a breief walk.

OOC:Edited

[Metanih]

Cherry felt fine. If worst came to worst, she could simply conjure a lake of fire beneath the Chosen. Maven could fly, so that wouldn't work on him, but perhaps she could solidify the air around him? She would hopefully never have to find out, but it was always possible...

Ayliah wandered on. Why would someone destroy that entrance? Had the fight gone badly? Was someone buried alive? She shook her head, horrible thoughts filling it. Maven had to be alright. She continued onward, coming to a ladder upwards.

Mari led Dareth to the entrance she had used, pointing upwards, and saying nicely, "After you?" Before waiting patiently.

The guards inspecting Maven both grabbed a shoulder. "We need to find you a healer. There are many skilled healers in the city, and many loyal enough to the Chosen to keep their mouth shut, even about you." One said, pulling him along.

[Crystal Spires]

Cherry felt fine. If worst came to worst, she could simply conjure a lake of fire beneath the Chosen. Maven could fly, so that wouldn't work on him, but perhaps she could solidify the air around him? She would hopefully never have to find out, but it was always possible...

Ayliah wandered on. Why would someone destroy that entrance? Had the fight gone badly? Was someone buried alive? She shook her head, horrible thoughts filling it. Maven had to be alright. She continued onward, coming to a ladder upwards.

Jabrill followed Ayliah and wasn't happy about having to follow her at all because he suspected the worst would happen when it came to Maven's return, and he felt even worse about the fact that he felt totally defenseless. Cherry on the other hand had the locket so she would be fine. Worse come to worse, he'd have to rely on her to get him out alive somehow. He wasn't optimistic.

Maven Auryn... he'll probably... Jabrill felt drained and climbed up the ladder and intended to break for a run once he got to the top. He didn't want to be anywhere near Maven Auryn, nor take his chances with the guy who set him up.

Mari led Dareth to the entrance she had used, pointing upwards, and saying nicely, "After you?" Before waiting patiently.

"Fiiine... Sheesh..." Dareth went ahead and found himself back in some area in Sylandral.

The guards inspecting Maven both grabbed a shoulder. "We need to find you a healer. There are many skilled healers in the city, and many loyal enough to the Chosen to keep their mouth shut, even about you." One said, pulling him along.

"No, I need to find Ayliah. She's in danger. The entryway here was broken apart. I need to find her." he tried to struggle against them and despite his raw power he was incredibly weakened and he was still trying to heal from the damage inflicted upon him by Maddy. He placed his hand upon the injury that he received from his beloved Maddy and wondered what had become of her and Yalij.

[Metanih]

Cherry followed Jabrill, followed by Ayliah. It seemed luck smiled on Jabrill, as Cherry's presence would give him the seconds he would need to escape. Also, this ladder led into a part of town that was less used than others, giving him plenty of places to hide once above.

Mari climbed behind him. "From here, the central palace should be... That way." Mari said, recalling the map she had seen, and previous experience. "There is also the library a few blocks that way." She said, pointing at a 90 degree angle in a differing direction. "And a whole city around us. Where to go Cheetah?"

The guards sighed. "You cannot help Ayliah much like this. Surely you trust us, the Royal Guardians, to find her? We have sent search teams already in hopes of finding her. See a healer first, Ayliah can take care of herself."