Exalted: Age of Sorrows (IC)

[Luminesa]

Previous Night
Eugeni - Reading Fairytales in the Dark

Eugeni found quick relief from his anxiety at the table, when Xenna answered and seemed to tease Yeiji about his freedom to take the hobbies that pleased him. Indeed, few people of Noble standing were able to simply enjoy whatever activities they liked, and members of the Sky Navy could enjoy even less. The Ledaal heir smiled back at her as she followed with a comment on the wine, understanding that she saw much of this party was frivolous and even wasteful. Xenna was of a more spartan, practical mind, and she had only come to the party due to being an invited commander.

He was shocked to hear that she might receive lashes for drinking the wine, however, and felt embarrassed at having mentioned the wine she could not drink. Yet Xenna did not take his words to be threatening or insulting. She even murmured something about saving a glass for her after the watch. I should do this. I think she would like some wine, he told himself. He felt foolish for interrupting her statement, but she did answer another question anyway. Eugeni knew her father, and nodded as she mentioned him. Then he noticed the brief glimpses of anxiety in her eyes. She was not comfortable talking politics, especially not when they related to her own home, and he decided to hop over the subject.

“Yes, well...I never had many friends in school, or in university...so I have never had a chance to show...that I can be a good friend. Except to my cousin, who is...somewhere at this party...” Eugeni took another sweeping look around the room, and sighed. He wished Shi would walk over and say hello, but he was busy elsewhere. When he looked back to Xenna, he gave her a kind, lucid smile. He was not drunk enough to forget his manners, after all. “...I would be grateful to be your friend, and I thank you in return for...wishing to be mine...” He sat tall and stable, and gave the slightest bow while he was sitting. Perhaps having a friend on the battlefield with him would make the experience less traumatic.

Switching smoothly to the topic of the Bull, Xenna bitterly recalled previously meeting the Bull’s army elsewhere, and Eugeni nodded as she spoke. He looked up at her eye-patch, and shivered. Yet he did not worry too much, as Xenna was not a person to pity herself. She spoke with pride about her role in the Sky Navy. Eugeni felt his heart warming, as he watched genuine passion flare in her eyes. She...loves her duties...She is proud of her place as a warrior...That fire in her eyes...how many times have I felt that, when I have...made a breakthrough in my studies?... he thought. Nodding to her explanation of her duties, he then added, “Your men must be very happy to have such a devoted commander...Some armies do not have such a luxury, I have heard...But it does help...to love your fellow troops...” Eugeni had heard stories of magnificent armies made of soldiers who loved and respected each other, who wished to die together against a horrific enemy. The romantic tales of chivalry and courage. How he longed to be brave and strong himself...

“...Oh!...Me?...” Xenna threw the subject of Eugeni’s own purpose to him, and he blushed. “...Well, I am more well-versed in medicines and potions...I have done many experiments to create salves and such for healing, enhancing strength, and even...well...calling love. While I hope to be known as a medic, I also can use my power to...fight from the rear. I am not used to fighting on the frontlines, but if I am needed I have weapons for hand-to-hand fighting. But...medicine is my passion. Research and healing are the things that bring me joy...Physical, mental, and spiritual healing. If I can give all of those to you and your army to aid in our victory march, then I will be very glad...” Eugeni found himself blushing as he spoke openly of his more academic pursuits, which were nowhere as physical as Xenna’s. Yet he wished to still have a place on the battlefield, and Eugeni especially hoped that all of his research would be useful to the people around him.

Current Morning - Something's Got A Hold On Me

When the party ended, with Eugeni's stomach full of food, wine, and fireworks, he decided to head to his room for the night. He was tired, but satisfied that he had at least managed a conversation with someone. Xenna was definitely important, and his parents would be happy for him to have made friends with a general. He could not tell how they would feel about her being from House Artaxias, but for now, he could rest knowing he had made a friend. Perhaps if he could manage to continue his friendship, he could turn it into a relationship. At least, he told himself that he could. He knew his parents might try to shove him into another marriage, when he got home, but he was independent for now. He could make his own decisions, provided they were about relationships and not about how he managed the army. Even if he was not the top commander, when the fighting began, the Ledaal army would have to be his top priority.

As he removed his various adornments and his formal wear, Eugeni stared in the mirror, and for once he became self-aware of how he looked. He wondered if Xenna had thought badly of his wearing eye makeup. She had never commented, and had seemed more shocked by Gregor's own sudden reveal. He knew he was not dressing as a usual representative of a Major House should, but he had wanted to make a strong, bright impression, and at the very least he had caught her attention. As he changed into his pajamas, Eugeni smiled and sighed. A clean, rosy feeling swelled in his chest. Maybe I do have a chance...at making something of myself after all... he considered. He went to bed, but only after he wrote in his journal.

I hope you're proud of me, I made a friend! She seems to be kind and steady, I wonder how she is in battle. Probably much better than me. I am glad I went to that party. I had a good time, even if I only found one person. I guess it only takes finding that one person, to find happiness. And it definitely made-up for the debacle at that party held by House Vai...or Cygnus...I forget which one now, I've had so much on my mind recently. I'm sure you have, too. I hope you're sleeping well tonight, too. Good night...

***
Eugeni awakened too early the next morning, and he sat upright, his journal under his arm. He forgot to put it in his nightstand's drawer, as was his habit. A strange dream had caused him to awaken, and he sat upright in his bed. A servant must have heard him mumbling from outside, and they decided to bring him a cup of jasmine tea. As the servant entered, Eugeni nodded to the servant. "Thank you kindly, Lao Ming...How is Shi?"

"Shi is well, I presume, though I have not gone looking for him. Another servant has kept an eye on him. Provided the captains have not spoken anything about him disappearing, he should be safe..." the servant answered softly, with a bow. When the servant had left, the Ledaal heir happily sipped his tea and enjoyed the silence of the morning. One more day, and the ships would arrive in Port Ilya. The Ledaal forces would meet the representatives and commanders there, and then, presumably, the epic battle would begin. These quiet days were for him to savor and treasure, as long as he could. Yet today's silence would be cut short. After what seemed like an hour, he heard a scream from the deck. Getting dressed in a hurry, he rushed to the deck after slipping his new metal fans into his robes. When he reached the deck and looked around, he saw Gregor in his pajamas, and Zara as the source of the screaming. They were both looking upward, and Gregor had already launched an attack. Not sure what else to do, he drew his fans and waited.

[Parcia]

Yang the next day.

He arose early in the morning, the orange sun rising over the horizon. The lantern to his left still warned their little pocket of air, and his bed make, a cute Northern ensign with ginger hair and a spattering of freckles across, well, most of her. They were swathed in a bundle of thick blankets, forming a little Cocoon of warmth in the otherwise freezing air of the ship's crows nest. His head felt foggy, and he was sore, but generally felt good. His bedmate, who he guessed maybe to be in her late late teens or early 20s had a certain glow about her that he recognized.

He gently shook her awake. "Hey, Ensign wake up hun." This drew a grown from her. "What time is it..." She chuckled, already rolling a herbal smoke, lighting it, and taking a drag and felt his head beginning to clear. He offered her the smoke. "I figure it still morning...quick thing, you know I'm a Dragonblooded, right?" She giggled, taking a drag. "Honey you showed me right and proper what "Dragonblooded" meant last night!" He groaned and checked around for his firewand and firelance, finding them both near by.

He tossed her a few gold coins, much to her confusion. "In the event you end up with child, which given my blood is pretty fuckin likely, use the extra coin to charter a boat to the Imperial City, find House Vai and tell em you have a dynast's child. Don't tell them which dynast."

He was curt and dry in tone, taking back his smoke and getting to his feet, the cold wind lashing at his bear chest. He didn't shiver, instead basking in the little warmth the Sun's rays conveyed at this height. He shimmied on his pants and boots as well as his hat and looked out over the edge of the railing. She appeared next to him, her uniform on, though a little disheveled. He spotted...twinkling...wait, why what something twinkling?

He hefted the Firelance, uncovered the optical sight and taking aim at the...thing. He was about to look over to his female friend when he heard Zara yell an alarm down below him. He peered over down and yelled down at her, "Yea, you see that too? My little devise here isn't that powerful, but I can make out a ship, a sky ship, I think."

[Imperialisium]

Zara Azairya Vai

The cry went up a moment after her own first shout. Looking up she saw the head of Yang pop up from one of the Crow's Nests. What is he doing up there?! No time to think as Gregor and Eugeni arrived while the Crew moved at a frantic pace. The ship awakening as a bell began to ring in panicky hands to alert everyone to action stations. Gregor's golden dragon met the rapidly approaching metal object and was quickly dwarfed by it. The silhouette of a Skyship of a cruiser sized class was making full power towards them at a strafing angle. Plowing through the golden dragon and dissipating it as if it where a cloud as its steel hull moved in exorbitantly towards them at now less than five kilometers distant. Zara almost was thrown from her feet suddenly.

The Dawnlight yawned violently. Its own essence engines whirring as more power was shunted from its arcane core to the engines. The Solar sails furling as it moved sharply right and upwards in a diagonal angle. Zara gripped the railing and looked down. Seeing thin steel wires ending in hooks. Crew around her fastening it to their belts. Safety ropes. She grasped a hook and cinched it to itself. The steel reinforced crank holding it creaking as she secured herself. In good time as the angle of the Dawnlight increased as it fought to gain ground. The ship rolled.

Zara let out a gasp as the Dawnlight rolled thirty degrees as it brought it's bow around. The massive turrets of the arcane battleship coming to life as they rotated and began tracking the incoming Skyship. Not a moment too soon. A pair of bright green beams flashed at the speed of light. Barely missing the Crow's Nest and the bridge. Zara looked about herself as images flashed into her mind. Of her first war, one of many that had happened throughout history against Lookshy, and of the mighty Skyships bombarding a Lookshy fortress not far from where she had landed during the Empire's amphibious assault. She began to breath heavily as shouting around her intensified as crew and marines began to move frantically to stations. The enemy cruiser coming ahead fast. Growing larger and larger. The Dawnlight's forward two turrets fired. Sending six beams of pure essence lancing towards the cruiser.

The ship yawned. The Dawnlight's gunnery was just buying time to line up the main battery. The Dawnlight achieved parallel altitude and was now parallel to the enemy cruiser as they moved towards each other at breakneck speeds. The air howling and snapping at her face, hair, and tugging at her armour. But at least she was level now. The ships came in close, barely a kilometer between the two, when the ships opened up with their main salvos. The Cruiser and the Dawnlight exchanging rapid fire at close range. Their essence cannons joined by dozens of lightning ballistae and lightning crossbows of their crews. A pair of lightning bolts struck the Crow's Nest, throwing sparks and creating blackened scorch marks. Both ships quickly showing hundreds of such marks across their hulls as they slowed. Fires and explosions erupted from the Cruiser as a turret was struck by the guns of the Dawnlight. Detonating the turrets essence cores in a violent plasmic cloud of green-purple fire. The Cruiser swung in close and performed a partial roll. Zara could see the crew of the cruiser bracing and preparing. The Cruiser moved as the Dawnlight began to dip. The bow of the ship pointing down at a 40 degree angle to the rapidly approaching blue of the Ocean.

Zara felt the acceleration of the Dawnlight's mass cause her to lean back, gripping a nearby rail as the ship swung in a vast arc at just over 60 knots towards the Sea and then level. The rear turrets and ballistae throwing up appreciable ordinance as it fought to bring itself parallel once more for a broadside. To allow the Dawnlight to bring its multiple decks of ballistae and essence cannon to bare in what would hopefully be a fatal scouring of the enemy vessel. Alas, the cruiser swung in just below the turrets and ballistaes firing arcs. Following the Dawnlight's stern as the mighty battleships helm, and looking at the bridge windows one could see Niigata now, fighting this personal duel of maneuver warfare. A bridge crew man was rotating a Heliographic dish. No doubt they were also sending rapid messages of being assailed to any neighboring Imperial Skyship that could be close enough to lend aid.

The Dawnlight decelerated rapidly and swung left. Throwing Zara forward with extreme violence and she narrowly avoided biting her tongue as she once more felt rapid acceleration as the Ship cut down to 20 knots before firing up to climb at 40 knots in a matter of seconds. Her eye balls felt heavy in her sockets as she was subject to the curious sensations of multiple g's of force. The Cruiser was momentarily surprised it seems as it swung right to avoid a collisions, trailing the smoke of its destroyed turret like a malevolent black cloud, and to Zara's dismay began to swing around in a tighter arc that the smaller ship could pull off. The Cruiser accelerated and began to gain. Coming up tilted with its deck almost forming an incline perpendicular to the Dawnlights own deck.

The Cruiser and Dawnlight exchanged fire in a slowly rolling battle as both sides rotated their ships slowly to allow banks of guns and ballistae to discharge their weaponry in frightening displays of explosive destruction. The ships having to slow as power was drained from their cores to fuel their weapons. Both ships slowing to a speed of less than twenty knots.

"AHHH!"

From the enemy cruiser the cry went up as dozens of enemy warriors cheered from the railing of their ship as both vessels rolled back to level. Grappling cables and armor with special spells activated as the enemy warriors leapt or grappled and swung onto the deck of the Dawnlight. Both ships cores suitably drained from the rapid maneuvers and firing and thus moving slow enough to perform a boarding action.

The enemy warriors were marked with the symbol of a circle with four rays in gold paint. Warriors of the Bull. They had a Skyship?! Zara watched as a warrior leapt, ax in hane, and swung. The blade of his brutish Icewalker ax biting deep into the chest of a naval crewman who screamed as bloody mist erupted from his chest. His blood curdling screamed joined rapidly by others as the Crew and Marines of the Dawnlight drew arms to defend themselves.

Lightning bolts and regular bolts of steel and bronze flew. Zapping black scorch marks or ricocheting off steel. Scorching or puncturing flesh. Axes, swords, spears, and clubs mixed in with daggers and knives in a rapidly expanding orgy of violence sweeping the deck of the Dawnlight. Memories of war, death, and bloody murder flashed across Zara's vision. A screaming Bull warrior hefting a spear readied to hurl it across the desk into Zara's face. Her mind cleared, she stepped, the spear missing and flying off into the Ocean far below. Zara swung her arms to her chest in a circle, each arm moving in an opposing arc, power step and thrust. A brilliant flash of lightning and the warrior's chest detonated with all the force of a firedust bomb. Ribs, bone, and organs showering as the man let out his death cry. Poor Eugeni standing nearby showered in chunks of gore.

Zara moved ran into the fight and jumped. Her fist becoming enveloped in flame as she landed amidst a party of enemy warriors. Blue-purple flame and the smell of ozone. Followed immediately by the screams of men ionized alive and the reek of crackling flesh. A Windslave detonated nearby, blocking a lightning ballistae strike, the force of its detonation flung Zara heels over head. She landed on her feet with a skid. She saw the enemy bridge. Saw people fighting around her as soldiers and marines from below decks poured from doorways and stairs to join the battle en masse. Even more enemy warriors were crossing as the enemy cruiser continued in its daring boarding action.

Zara grunted and ran forward, building energy, and with a great effort of mote and essence she planted her feet firmly. Rocketing her forward in an arc of fire thrusting from her fists and feet. She sailed from the Dawnlight and landed on the enemy deck.

"DIE WITCH!" She ducked. A sword missing her head. Coming up she delivered two swift ionizing punches that scorched flesh from face and did a swift roundhouse kick that snapped the enemy combatant's skull back in a crackle of shattered vertebrae. Zara was already on the move...

[Luminesa]

Gregor and Eugeni - The House is A-Rockin’

“...So it’s not a bomb of sorts...but an entire ship...fantastic...” Warriors of the Bull would not wait for their enemies to land in Port Ilya, but would attack now in order to bring early ruin to the Empire. Even if Gregor was not as invested in the Empire as a whole, he hated the idea of being made a fool twice. Grabbing onto the ropes as the ships creaked, roared, and rolled, he snapped his fingers to make the dragon come to his side, curling behind his back. “...Cheeky bunch, I suppose...”

Eugeni was taken more by surprise, simply as he was not expecting a fight first thing in the morning. He was glad he had grabbed his fans, and through the screams and enemy fire he summoned his robins. They tweeted in a large, shrill group, alerting the Skyship’s crew and residents to come aboard and fight. As he clung for dear life to the ship, he watched green fire shower around him, and could feel himself breathing fast. Focus. Focus. You are the wind. You are the wind. This is your element, float with the danger. Be calm. Be cold. Just as you were trained... Even if Eugeni had never been cold in his life, now was his time to try.

Gregor, however, beat him to the punch, showing that he was indeed not a lightweight. As several soldiers of the Bull laughed at the rolling ship, they received a mouthful of golden fire. With the flick of a few fingers, the professor had extinguished the lives of at least five men just to start. Their faces were burned, melted, and twitching as they rolled either to the ground or off the ship. As the Skyship caught its balance, Gregor rolled his shoulders and also drew his sword. He watched Zara for a moment as she seemed to freeze, lurching from the whirling of the ship before launching herself into combat. Good little soldier, shake-off that fear of murder...They don’t have faces or names, they’re just pawns...

A man approached him with a sword, and slumped to the ground seconds later as his head rolled at the professor’s feet. “...Pssh...almost got blood on my pajamas...he could have stood back a little...” He stepped over the body and burned another two men from afar. The smell of burning flesh perfumed the air and made the atmosphere morbid. Yet the most impact seemed to come as Zara caused a man to explode on his more gentle student.

Eugeni had trained and fought hard to be decent at combat. He had learned all sorts of spells, he had read about war, and he had braced himself. Yet this man’s body was now splattered on his. A man he never knew, and bits of his bones were scattered on his robes. The man’s blood stunk on his skin, on his face. An eye rolled on the ground, blinked once, and then stayed open. The other was white goo on the deck. Bits of jawbone and organs sprayed everywhere. Looking down at the man’s body, he saw a mangled mess of tissue and skin, not even enough substance to dump into a coffin.

Holy Dragons of the Heavens, have mercy...Have mercy...Have mercy...Have mercy...oh gods...OH GODS...

The Ledaal scion took a breath, and with that breath he held all of his seven billion nerves in check to keep from screaming in terror. Yet all of his robins screamed for him, revealing the terrible pain that had afflicted Eugeni. Enemy crewmen would fall to their knees, their ears bleeding, before the Exalted just managed to silence his Anima. He took another shaky breath, and with superhuman effort he turned his body away from the gore, just in time to meet a crewman aiming for his chest.

Eugeni managed just enough grace to block with his metal fan, which was just as hard as a sword. Taking the parry as a fast opportunity to disarm his opponent, he slashed his fan and sliced the man’s arm off. Yet as he realized what he had done, and that he had caused more blood to spurt all around, his body turned cold. The man’s eyes were becoming lifeless before him, as quarts of blood gushed onto him and the deck. Everything in his body told him to heal this man, but if he did, he would get up and harm someone else. Potentially his teacher, who had already filled the air with the putrid smell of death. Blazing bodies were falling around him, and Gregor had hardly blinked. When their eyes met, however, his teacher glared through him. Fight, his eyes ordered, here is the honor your parents wanted you to take. Seize it from their cold, dead hands.

Pushing himself forward, Eugeni tried to keep in step as he left the other man to bleed. A crew member approached, and the Ledaal heir tapped into his Air Aspect. With the grace of a dancer, he waved his fans in the air, and moved the wind with enough force to send both men overboard. They crashed into two others, who also flipped off the side of the boat. Out the corner of his eye, Eugeni saw Gregor give a smirk while he himself stepped on a burnt corpse. Yet the Ledaal heir could not bring himself to feel proud. He only fought because he needed to, because he could not pause to heal, because he could not pause to cry. The time for crying would come much later.

[Parcia]

Xao Long Yang

He took cover, grabbing is bead might by her abdomen and diving tot he floor of the crows nest as the weapons fire roared past and the ship violently pitched and yaw amid its game of aerial jousting. As the two ships settled next to each other, and the screams of boarding actions began to begin and the force of the Raider's met the Dawnlight's crew.

Taking president, he quickly put on the rest of his kit, armor, arming cap, sabatons and padded silk trousers. Taking up his firelance, he braced its long length of blued metal and wood and began to scan the decks. He could make out the symbol of the Bull on many of the warriors, and this worried him, but he moved on. Then he saw it, the distinctive wolf head of what he guessed to be an officer. Not a high ranking naval commander, but likely some lieutenant or captain of the marines boarding the Dawnlight.

He took a moment to gauge the wind, speaking out allowed. "28-30 knots, with a strong draft to the east, he's about...70 yards out, just inside the sweet spot." He pulled back the hammer, adjusted his aim to account for the wind and distance, emptied his long and squeezed the trigger. The firelance kicked hard, a gout of red-orange flame spewing forth from its barrel fallowed by a puff of white smoke, and a sharp crack, much to different from any other sound in the air, rang out.

He watched through his telescope as the bullet zipped through the air, the .58 caliber jade tipped conical ball flying true and impacting the Officer's head just to the left of his forehead, tearing a chunk of his scull off and mincing his brain with a shower of jade and bone fragments. He fell with a wet thunk, the two ice walkers near him stunned at the sudden case of cranial detonation their leader had suffered. He went through the reloading drill, finding only 3 more pre-made pouches of powder in his belt and cursing. He'd have to travel below deck to grab any more.

His bed mate, who he remembered as "Ensign Remmy" had her helmet and gear on as well, a spotting glass in her hands. She watched him go about his reload drill, pouring a measure of fire salts in to the barrel, a little extra given the situation of the combat, and finally ramming the bullet home. "Think you can spot target for me?" She nodded and began to scope out the deck. They did this thrice more, finding some unfortunate tribal leader, sighting in the range and adjusting for wind age before delivering a fatal doze of Jade tipped justice. He took a moment to scratch 4 more notches in the stock of the Firelance, coming to a total of 54 notches aligned in neat rows.

His supply of rounds spent, he made a quick decision. Leaning forward and plating a kiss on the Ensign's lips and ran for the ladder downward. "Stay alive hotstuff!" leaving the poor girl rather dazed and blushing. Slinging the firelance over his back, he dropped that last 10 feet to the top deck and landed with a roll. Finding the top deck a melee of men, marines, and icewalkers, he drew his saber began to put some of that Dragonblooded capabilities to use.

He moved with practice skill and grace, ducking and weaving, the glowing, superheated blade of the enchanted saber slicing through the leather, silk and hide with lethal fury. Most hardened warriors would pale at the sight of a trained and experienced Dragonblooded in open combat. Yang ducked, he parried, he danced through the nearest group of Icewalkers, cutting them each down in rapid succession and giving the nearest sailors a moment to breath.

Seeing the distinctive form of his patron lady leap across the gap between the ships. He sighed, "Ever the go getter, that one." To his surprise, Kahn jogged up to him, a nasty cut on his cheek and the riders close behind him, sabers out and bows slung. "Brother, you didn't tell me there was an after party!" Yang laughed, "brother, it seems we have uninvited guests...take you're men and get to the highest vantage point you can and rain arrows down upon them, I'm sure they have extras around if you need them." Kahn nodded and in a moment of warmth, wrapped Yang in a hug. "I saw the lady Vai jump the gap, go to her Yang, she will need the help."

Letting his brother go, Yang handed him his firelance, "If I don't make it back, return it to Jethro." With that, Yang climbed the railing, spied the nearest deck of the enemy vessel and leapt for it. Barely grabbing the deck and hauling him self up and over the rail. He found him self staring down a squad of Bull Soldiers. With a grin, Yang drew the firewand with superhuman speed, fanning the hammer from the hip and cutting down the squad with six rapid fire shots from Lucile and belching out bright blue flames with each shots.

Taking a moment to reload a fresh cylinder, Yang went about moving down the side deck, putting down any crew or soldiers he came across with wandfire and throwing knives.


She had to find Zara.

[Acerbez]

Xenna Artaxias,
Dawnlight Barracks

Xenna woke and rose before the sun had dipped over the horizon as was her responsibility. Her watch ended in the late evening and resumed early. Such was the life of a full time officer of the sky navy, but to its frequency she was indifferent to its calling. Having spent the better half of her life living in this manner became second nature. She tended to her duties and managed her scheduled agenda without error or sloth. She was known for this... First to rise and last to leave, a prime example of her station and rank.

Xenna stood in the middle of the corridor, before a squad of not more than 5 sky marines who stood at attention and listening intently to her directives. "We land at days end, and by no means will it be a drawn out affair" she stated with authoritative confidence. Her men stood like statues, looking straight forward beyond her wide plated shoulders. "Ensure that all of the cargo and equipment is accounted for and see to it that ample attention and man power is delivered to the houses for a fluid relinquishment of their property- allow no mix ups. It goes without saying that sticky fingers has always been an issue in regards to imperial munitions. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Captain!" the lieutenants nodded in near unison. "Dismissed". The men lazed their posture and returned to rest before turning their direction and heading off in an opposite direction. Xenna likewise followed suit affording no seconds wasted in watching them depart. Not 7 steps down the corridor toward the flight deck, almost at the corridors end, the sky captain was rocked by turbulence. So much so she lost her footing mid gait and found first her pauldron colliding wihh the side panel and then the corner of her forehead thumping into the hulls metallic surface.

The abrupt strike instigating a clinching jaw that felt as if she were about to shatter her own molers. Irritation being an understatement, her eye widening with killer instinct as the slight disruption inspired a desire strike someone as if another had thumped her on their own volition.

https://youtu.be/99WBsOqSujc

Her psyche alit with aggression at the surprising throbbing sensation, the sound of the Dawnlight groaning as bells sounded off in all directions of the vessel, echoing upon their own blaring cries. Her nostrils flared for the briefest moment before she began to bolt through the dawnlight's halls toward her quarters nearby. Banking the corner, the Imperial ship seemed to dip as Xenna shoulder checked the corner as she turned, bouncing her with force and into another navymen who was in the same hall as her running to his own station. Sending him crashing into the grated pathway of the corridor Xenna looked down to see the sense of urgency and bordline panic in his face. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? MOVE!" She shouted with unbridled rage as she commanded the navyman to get his act together. The man's jaw agape and his eyes stricken with fear, he scrambled to his feet with the yawning sound of the Dawnlight taking precedence of all other noise. Making it to her room and snatching her Daiklave, Xenna had no time to snatch her helmet as well and pivoted with force to sprint out the entryway towards the deck. Her mind focusing her anger and doing its utmost to temper her aggression. The Dawnlight was her vessel, her home. This is how she saw it, an attack on domestic soil and an affront to the authority of not only the sky navy but the Empress herself. Long and wide strides dominated her step and despite not being able to hear herself, he mouth moved and her chest vibrated as she barked orders for all personell to move to their designated battlestations. Her voice dwarfed inbetween the pauses of the alarm bells and yawning groans of the ships Hull.

Her heart began to race and without pause, she roared her commands throughout every passing nook and cranny while in a full sprint. Disrupted further by the dawnlights deceleration, Xenna flew forward into large crate that slide from an intersection in one of the last corridors before reaching the deck. The same stock and inventory she just gave orders to secure. Slamming her fists and shooting her knee into the large cube, her anger and irritation was reaching its limits on irrelevant obstacles impeding her path. She left multiple indentations upon the crates surface as crewman stared at her from various positions in confusion.

Inaudible to herself, but again the rumbling vibration of her chest and vocal chords roared out as adrenaline poured into her veigns, bellowing the command again to MOVE! Xenna slide her lithe frame around the obstruction and began to gait quickly toward the entry way of the dawnlights deck. Emerging from its door way, the plated officer surveyed the "battlefield". Saturated with boarding enemies in close quarter combat with her brothers and sisters, with patricians and dynasts alike. Her eye twitched slightly as she had now found a target, a group to transmit her fury upon. What fools they were to assail her own home.

Her pace started slowly in the direction of a group of 5 ice walkers who had just stamped their boots onto the sanctified deck of the Dawnlight. They paused momentarily observing where they felt they best fit in on the field. Xenna would not wait, her Daiklave in hand. Her strut quickly gaining traction before it transitioned into a full gear charge. The stamping sound of metal on metal as her boots picked up pace toward her foes with the massive daiklave held pointed toward the sky. Seeing a lone individual rise to challenge them, the ice walkers turned and cried out their war calls in confidence raising their blades and axes up in stance. Not 6 steps away from reaching them, Xenna manipulated the air around her to thrust her forward in what turned to be an upward sweep of a lunge. The daiklave superior in length and width to the blades they carried, the nearest individual would find the daiklaives tip surfing up his torso beginning at his crotch before beyond directed diagonally toward his pit. Continuing the momentum, Xenna spun and brought the daiklave around almost full 360, into the side of another Ice walker. In response, an axe came swiping sideways toward her upper body where she crumpled herself into a near crouch in a dodge. Again using her essence to shoot back up, Xenna's knee bounded toward the assaulters gut causing him to bend forward in a heaving gasp for air. Quickly turning her attention to the side, she briefly focused a concentrated gust of wind to overcome the 4th ice walker and sned him flying 11feet backwards. Quickly pushing aside the bent over ice walker, Xenna forced him to the ground through a feat of strength. His eyes bulging and wide from the sudden strike and loss of breath, shortly after a crackling sound followed by a clear pang of metal to metal rang out. The ice walkers eyes looking as if they were about to pop out of his skull as he spinal chord became severed from the puncturing daiklave tip shot through and dug into the Dawnlights deck.

The last man, overtaken with the futility of his existence began to take a step back. Xenna would have none of it. She channeled her essence slightly once more to instead beckon and bring forth the fear stricken warrior who second guessed his actions. His arms and body whiplashed by the sudden force of wind working against him. Leaving her Daiklave embedded for a moment, Xenna caught the warriors wrist with her left hand to stop him from completing his reacting swing. Clocking her neck backwards and flinging her forehead directly into his nose bridge, she head butted him with all her might. The ice walkers body reeled from the force and his knees buckled.

"You will stand and die on my ship, pig". The sky captain spurned with hate and disgust as she squeezed his wrist with force, bringing the warrior to drop his blade. As she squeeze, her taloned gauntlets began to send jolts of electricity through his body, the most terrifying aspect armor channeling her essence into lightning as it tightened his muscles and wrung him out like a rug. She then proceeded to draw her right arm backwards and bent like a cobra poised to strike, shooting her played fingers into his eye sockets and her thumb into his mouth shattering a few teeth on the way in. As she began to clench his face, the same effect of channeled lighting began to blacken his veins as his neck became evidently vascular and throbbing. A mix of gurgled shrieking rang out from the ice walker as his body contorted and strained from the pumping electricity. Xenna then pushed down while closing her gauntleted hands that wrapped into his face and folded him downwards into a slumped corpse that shook inconsistently. Letting gravity alone separate he grip and his body, she turned to retrieve her chosen weapon.

Just as she did she was struck with a first from a new foe. His thick fists colliding with her jawline and sending her back 2 steps. Slightly dazed, she looked up to see him following with a downward slash with his sword. In a disciplined and timed manner, Xenna sidestepped to snatch his forearm as she bent to use his own force against him and flipped him over back first onto the flight deck. A loud huff poured from his louth at the sudden change and collision of his fall. The surprised warrior's eyes rolled upwards to try and compute what happened and where this armored officer disappeared to when an abrupt black sensation washed over him. Xenna had retracted her right leg backwards and punted the warriors cheekbone with extreme force, shattering his orbital and jawbone together. A spew of blood shot out from his mouth and dotted her midnight hued armor. Just as she passed over him, Xenna witness an exposing of body and fire erupt across the deck a ways away and saw both Lords Eugeni and Zara in the combat.

As Xenna pivoted back to her daiklave, she yanked it from its body-pedestal and turned around to see Zara propelling herself toward the invaders vessel. Looking to and fro, it appeared that the battle on the Dawnlights deck would be won. In an instant, 6 purple tinged wings erupted from Xenna's back. Unfolding as if they were bundled beneath her skin, but merely an expression of her anima. A bluish purple halo formed above her brow and despite its opaque appearance was translucent enough to be seen through. With a quick thrust, Xenna propelled upwards in suit to follow the general of the expedition. To those on board the Dawnlight deck, the angelic presence would signal to all sky marines that their captain was present and roaring cheers resounded further to increase morale.

[Imperialisium]

Zara Azairya Vai

The fighting between the Dawnlight and the enemy cruiser had more or less boiled down to a series of tactical engagements between platoons of both ships. Additionally, most of the fallen were still alive in varying states of injury. Soldiers and crew crawling to escape the orgy of violence while those most grievously injured could only cry out to distant mothers, loved ones, or the Immaculate Dragons. The chaos of the boarding action and melee meaning that seldom was a warrior afforded the time to actually finish off an opponent before being assailed or having to move to the next combatant. But one thing was becoming clear as the minutes ticked by and exhaustion began to take hold. The Imperials were winning through not only numbers but better equipment. The flexible and tactical skills of the Sky Marines fighting in essentially their home environment allowed them to move in organized squads from engagement to engagement. The ranks of the House warriors whom were part of the small contingents representing those various important families fought in organized blocs denoted by their banners and heraldry as they carried the fight closer to the cruiser.

Some, including Sky Marines, some warriors of Ledaal, Ragara, and Cathak, along side an several of Zara's Warden's were beginning to follow onto the cruiser's deck. Some like a couple intrepid House Cathak warriors began to climb up the dangling grappling hook lines to get up on the cruisers deck. Air aspects freely floated themselves over. They were of course met by the defensive and accordingly more desperate fighters of the enemy seeking to prevent their ships capture.

Zara wove and ducked. Crunch, smash, kick. Punching an enemy warrior's arm up at the elbow she cracked the bone. The man cursed in a foreign tongue. She smashed him in the face with her gauntleted fist and delivered a swift kick to the back of his knee. The man fell, grasping his blade, she slit his throat with his own weapon. "DIE WITCH!"

Zara spun, her previous victim's blade gripped in her gauntlets, to ram it in the neck of a young man who had readied an overhead stroke. Crimson blood gurgled up fron his throat as she watched the confusion, panic, and realization of death gloss over his eyes. Zara dropped the blade, continuing her rampage to the bridge, the whistle of an arrow and she hunkered down. The arrow struck her in the shoulder and ricocheted off her armour. The impact slowing her down for a moment as she spun into a crouch. A stream of purple-blue flame spouting from her palm to immolate two enemy warriors. Including the archer whose hands melted onto his bow that was turn to smoldering ash in a moment. His skin boiling and peeling back from his bleaching skull due to the excessive ionizing heat of Zara's fury. She ran forward, plowing the other dying warrior over, his smoldering corpses clattering to the ground.

The bridge was before her and not entirely dissimilar to the Dawnlights if a bit cruder in design. The cacophony of violence around her continued. She peered right and spotted Yang rapidly coming in to intercept her. A trio of Wardens had likewise fought their way onboard along with a pair of Cathaks, some Ledaal, Ragarans, a Mnemon sorcerer-warrior, and an entire squad of Sky Marines.

"I am going for the Bridge, Uncle, we need to secure the ships steering! Someone needs to secure the engine room!" she shouted over the shrieks of battle.

[Luminesa]

Eugeni and Gregor - Fire On the Mountain

The battle raged in and around Eugeni, as he struggled to keep combatants away from him. Blood and gore splashed all around him, crashing like the waves of the oceans below. No matter which way Eugeni turned to prepare himself for an approaching enemy, he saw someone being stabbed, punched through, or even stomped. Xenna decided to make her appearance with more than a bang, and while her presence was appreciated, she was terrifying to behold on the battlefield. Surprisingly enough, she was a user of the Air Aspect much like himself, and she threw men around like loose feathers from a pillow. Then he got to witness the gruesome sight of her gouging a combatant's eyes, causing him searing pain and a quick, horrible death. He then exploded like a live wire, as Xenna channeled lightning through the man's body and dropped him at her side.

Shaking from the terrible sight, he turned once again, just in time to see someone charging him with a spear. Using his own Air Aspect, he waved his fans in front of him and blasted the man away from himself. Once again, the enemy crashed into one of his allies behind him, and Eugeni could turn his eyes to see someone trying to stab him in the back. Whirling around, he found his body moving like a well-oiled machine. He got close enough to the man with a shortsword that he slashed his throat, and could only watch in panic as the man gurgled and choked on his own blood in front of him.

He...the wound is something I can close...if I do it now...if I do it now...maybe... Fighting with his urge to heal an enemy, he knelt in front of the man, who could only stare with frightened, fading eyes. He continued to choke as Eugeni put a hand on his throat, but then he was able to breathe, after several moments. The Air Aspect passed through his wound, cleansing and closing the wound through means only Magic could explain. Silence passed between the two men, even as the battle raged and roared around them. "...I...I didn't intend to slash your throat..." Eugeni attempted to speak Skytongue, but he hoped his action had spoken louder than his broken words.

The man took a moment to find his voice. "...Why...would you save me?" he croaked.

"...This...War is horrible...I wouldn't wish such pain on...anyone...truly... Eugeni murmured, trying not to cry. He would have to rise and fight in a moment, but maybe he could save one man...just one...

"EUGENI!"

The Ledaal heir looked-up from his spot next to the man, only to gasp in horror as he saw a fireball crash into and eviscerate his healed enemy's body. In seconds the man was nothing but ash, and Eugeni could only stare upward as the scent of burned flesh reached his nose. Gregor paced over to him, his hand still held toward the body he had just destroyed, and then he took the same hand and jerked his former student to his feet. "I hope you weren't actually trying to heal that fool, were you?" he questioned.

"...Sir, I...he was...his throat..."

"Did you not see him reaching for the sword next to him, clenching it?...You're not even in armor, Eugeni. You will be no use to your own if you get stabbed by this rubble," Gregor responded sardonically, kicking the blackened remains of his latest victim toward the edge of the deck. When he turned back and saw that his former student looked ready to cry, he shook his head. "Eugeni, you have already killed. There is no going back now, whether you wish to or not. Now stand and fight. The worst is yet to come, and we need you," he ordered, his voice grim and honest. He would not hide his student from the truth that he now saw in front of him, and he would have to watch his student turn into a hardened soldier before him.

Knowing he could do little else to shield Eugeni, he did move in front of him to blaze several more soldiers that came running with spears. "...Do they not have any horses onboard?...Imagine just charging an Exalted with a spear..." he murmured, as he watched the bodies drop, "We're surrounded by idiots..." He then heard Zara scream something from not too far away, something about heading to the bridge, the ship's steering, and the engine room. "Hmmmm...Eugeni, you might be needed to go cool the engine room. As for me...I've always wanted to drive a ship..." His eyes glimmered with mischief, though he knew Eugeni did not share the same enthusiasm.

"...I will...do my best..." Eugeni muttered, trying to give a hopeful smile to his teacher, despite the horror shaking his body to its core.

"That's the spirit! Now, once this is all over, hopefully we'll have a nice appetizer before we cook the Bull," Gregor responded, glad to see that his protege was trying to remain steady. With one more look at the younger Exalted, he then began to rush to the front of the ship, blazing more bodies in his way as he moved. He whistled a song as he moved, giving few cares for the enemies charging for him. When he made his way to the front of the ship, he began to move the ship, keeping it on course to Port Ilya. In the meantime, he let his Golden Dragon sweep aside combatants coming to try and kill him.

Eugeni, in the meantime, rushed to the engine room, using his fans to whisk enemies aside as he ran. He managed to get slashed once or twice as he ran, but each time, as he gained more attention, he would let his fans dance in his hands, tossing people out of his way. He hoped Xenna or Yang was in the engine room, or someone else. He hoped all of this would be over soon, so he could find Shi. He did see several people falling around him with dagger wounds, but he did not stop to see who caused those fatalities.

When he arrived in the engine room, sweating and aching, he looked around and braced himself. He surrounded himself with a spiral of wind, not only for protection, but to keep himself cool. "Just...a little longer...and this will all be finished..." he muttered to himself. He said a prayer and waited in the dark, fans at his side and ready.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Xenna eye'd the food and assortments of delicacies and drink, she began to think to herself... These commodities, were they presented as gestures from the magistrates own pockets? Or perhaps they were 'procured' from the imperial stores. considering the ease of access this Yeiji benefited from.

"Magistrate Yeiji". Xenna abruptly broke her silence. "Will you be supervising the field of battle directly? Or.... Will you be nearby?" Xenna asked almost casually while reaching to the table to play with a fork and morsel. Pushing it side to side on its platter.

Yeiji was smiling politely as he was drinking and listening to the discussions taking place in the dinner table. He mostly kept quite, until Xenna asked him with regards to his place in the battlefield.

"I hope to be supervising the battlefield directly," Yeiji replied. "It will be quite the sight, I am sure of it. I have studied quite a lot the art of warfare but only theoretically, so this will provide me an opportunity to study in practice the art of war."

The Next Day

Yeiji woke up rather early from his bed, considering how late he had slept last night. He freshened up himself and then proceeded to drink some green tea while reading some financial reports and other papers from the Office of Finance. The figures were not that good, but he would have to do with the meager finances allocated to him. 'Supplying a legion will be much harder of a task than initially I expected,' he thought. 'I will have to rely more on my proposed reforms. Hopefully they will work and make up for the lack of funding'.

As Yeiji was studying, he heard a screaming from the deck. He put down the paper and tea cup he was holding and walked slowly to the room opposite of his cabin, where his secretary Jiang was staying. Jiang bowed slightly before his superior, as Yeiji entered his room.

"What can I do for you?" Jiang asked.

"You've heard that scream I suppose," Yeiji said. "I want you to head to the deck and find out what is going on."

"Yes, sir!"

Yeiji then at once returned to his room, going back to his drinking and reading. 'I hate disturbances,' Yeiji complained to himself. A moment later, Jiang entered the room. He was sweating, out of breath and his face was pale.

"An enemy ship!" Jiang shouted.

Yeiji felt a sudden shaking and almost lost his balance. Jiang tipped and fell on the ground. Bells sounded off in all directions. Yeiji felt again a shaking, that bounced him onto his bed.

"What now?" Jiang asked. "Will enemy soldiers board the ship?"

"We will remain here," Yeiji replied. "No need to get to the deck, or anywhere else for that matter. We would simply be getting in the way of the soldiers: we aren't trained warriors after all."

Yeiji had no desire to risk his life in some futile act of heroism. He would remain in his cabin, keep reading his papers (as much as he could, with all that deafening noise) and wait for the battle to come to an end.

"Jiang, keep guard!" Yeiji shouted and a rather scared Jiang stood before the room's door, hoping that no enemy would come knocking down the door.

Yeiji returned back to his reading. Was he worried about the battle taking place in the deck? Yes, but he knew how to ignore such 'distractions' and focus on the task at hand: and that task was reading.

[Imperialisium]

Zara Azairya Vai

The sound of battle swept up Zara and she was unclear if her words had carried to Yang or anyone else. Turning the corner to the entrance of the ships central structure an enemy warrior roared and gave a vicious downward strike with a short one handed ax. Zara side stepped and kicked. The snapping of bone and sinew as the man's elbow was bent in the wrong direction. He howled as Zara grabbed the man's chin and skull. A quick jerk and the man's neck snapped. She kicked his corpse down as she barged into the structure.

"Ag!" a sword clanged over head. Right where Zara's head would have been. Ducking and rotating her ship her rear leg came up. The heel of her sabaton impacting the man in the chin. Breaking his jaw. Bits of tooth and gristle spilling into his scraggly brown beard. Grasping the sword she disarmed the man and stabbed. Taking him in the neck as he gurgled. Choking on his own vitae. Zara didn't break stride past the man as he crashed to the deck. She vaulted up the stairs and was met by two spear points. She grinned and grasping the rails spun her self in a summersault. Flames erupted from her scything legs to fan up the stairwell and strike the men. Their screams and burnt flesh filled the interior of the structure as she came upon the bridge. A lone crew man turned and drawing a knife ran towards her screaming. She spun, kicked the blade from his hand, and in a continuation of the spin Zara's feet left the ground. Cradling the man's head with her legs the force of Zara's body brought flung the man on his back. She drew her own knife and stabbed through the right cornea of the downed man. Twisting the blade so that it destroyed not only the eye and optic nerve, but mulched the frontal lobe. Killing the man with a massive catastrophic brain hemorrhage. Pulling the knife out with a slurp of gore she wiped it on his dirty tunic. Sheathing the glisteningly murderous blade back at her hip she panned about behind her and around the controls. They were primitive but definitely more advanced than anything these tribesmen should have been able to construct. She went over to what was a primitive bronze dish. It appeared to be a rudimentary Heliographic display and angled one of the dishes to face the bridge of the Dawnlight.

Zara, to be frank, did not know the complexities of operating an Imperial Heliograph machine. Even this basic device would be too long with a battle raging around her. She blasted out the glass and with a lit finger spewing flame into the dish. The Dawnlight's bridge crew would notice this as a sign that the bridge of the enemy vessel was in Imperial hands.

Snick

Zara howled as a blade bit between the articulations of her right calf armour. She spun around, the man who she had stabbed in the eye had crawled and with the knife he had previously lost. Stabbed her in the back of the leg. Rage filled Zara and she dropped to her knees. Rolling the dying man over and began to punch with steel gauntlets. Over and over until all that could be heard was her gasps and the mulching squish of his broken, beaten, fractured face. Rising slowly, calf burning, warmth creeping down into her boot she made to leave.

Her was blocked. A hulking man stood before her hefting a bronze mace. A crackle of energy around the mace. It was enchanted. Zara began to circle. The hulking warrior, easily six and a half feet tall and constructed of corded muscle, mirrored Zara.

"When I'm done with you," he spoke rudimentary Skytongue, "I'm going to enjoy fucking whatever holes remain, witch." The Icewalker roared and Zara spun fast into a crouch. The bridge flashed with blinding light as lightning lanced into the barbarians chest. Picking him off his feet and flinging against the controls. Still and unmoving. "Not my type," said Zara with a smirk.

Stepping towards the door she heard the sound of air moving and she spun to the left. A large axe struck the frame of the door and crashed to the ground. The barbarian rose, smoking, chest charred black. Oozing raw cooked flesh and blood. Zara grimaced. She was exhausted from the repeated use of her element and thus rested a hand on the hilt of her sword. Feeling its familiar weight as it rested on the hilt. The barbarian roared and charged, Zara drew the starsteel blade in a glittering flash of steel. A skull leapt from shoulders to thud wet on the deck. The corpse stumbling and crashing back onto the consoles. The ship jerked. Zara nearly fell as she looked at the barbarians corpse now splattering arterial spray onto the bridge control regulating the ships essence core. It had been knocked to shutdown.

"Oh..." The cruiser lurched down as it began to cruise. Cruising slowly to the ocean. The Dawnlight yawning as it tilted to compensate. Outside the last of the enemy crew on the deck was cut down and soldiers were knocked off their feet. Either someone had quick wits or the shout went up. Zara couldn't hear from where she was. But Imperial soldiers began to cut the grappling hook ropes to free both vessels.

Engine Room

The thrum of the engine room was the glowing orb encased in bronze and steel. Orbs of light and celestial metal objects moving in precise orbital rotations surrounded it. The Essence Core of the ship cast an alternating heavenly glow and a malevolent purple-red hue as the chaotic pure, primordial, energies therein pulsed with infinite power. Otherwise there was a stillness. Eugeni was cast in shadow. No, a darker shadow. As the candlelight was snuffed out by an unseen wind. Casting Eugeni in gloom.

A dark figure stepped out of the shadows. Passing by the glow of the Essence Core, Eugeni would make out some features such as a bald skull and a tattoo of a four rayed sun on his forehead, with thin features and lanky build under heavy robes. The man was mouthing something. But no words could be heard given the distance Eugeni was from the man. Only a rapidly growing whistle as two purple glowing blades lashed from the man's robes to rocket towards Eugeni! To make matters worse, all light was gone, the Essence core abruptly went black and the ship lurched with gravity now pulling Eugeni back as if falling down a hill backwards!

[Luminesa]

Eugeni - Dancing In the Dark

Eugeni looked around at his surroundings, as he held his fans up in front of his body. He looked like an elegant statue, watchful for his surroundings. He scanned the room, examining the Essence floating around the room. The heat, the vicious hiss of the engine, the clanking of his sandals against the floor, made for a dark atmosphere. Yet not as dark as a room fully encompassed in shadows. “...Hm?” He felt shadows pouring into and filling the room, and he faced forward to see his enemy.

He hid a gulp as a Sorcerer with a sun tattoo on his face stepped through the darkness and stood several feet away. He was imposing in stature and build, despite being a Sorcerer, and Eugeni raised his fans even as his line of vision began to fade. He took a moment to realize he was not going blind, but rather was the target of some obfuscating Magic. He grimaced, but prepared himself, as he felt the glow of an attack being prepared for him. “...Ah!”

As an attack launched, two glowing blades headed for his chest, Eugeni stumbled backward as the Skyship rolled a bit. Steadying himself without too much effort, he whirled forward and slashed the air in front of him, creating a barrier to shatter the blades. He breathed, careful not to speak as he shifted around the room, guarding his chest and neck with his fans. He waited for the man to move, so he could sense his location, but in the meantime he created a wind barrier around himself.

[Imperialisium]

Eugeni - Dancing In the Dark

Eugeni looked around at his surroundings, as he held his fans up in front of his body. He looked like an elegant statue, watchful for his surroundings. He scanned the room, examining the Essence floating around the room. The heat, the vicious hiss of the engine, the clanking of his sandals against the floor, made for a dark atmosphere. Yet not as dark as a room fully encompassed in shadows. “...Hm?” He felt shadows pouring into and filling the room, and he faced forward to see his enemy.

He hid a gulp as a Sorcerer with a sun tattoo on his face stepped through the darkness and stood several feet away. He was imposing in stature and build, despite being a Sorcerer, and Eugeni raised his fans even as his line of vision began to fade. He took a moment to realize he was not going blind, but rather was the target of some obfuscating Magic. He grimaced, but prepared himself, as he felt the glow of an attack being prepared for him. “...Ah!”

As an attack launched, two glowing blades headed for his chest, Eugeni stumbled backward as the Skyship rolled a bit. Steadying himself without too much effort, he whirled forward and slashed the air in front of him, creating a barrier to shatter the blades. He breathed, careful not to speak as he shifted around the room, guarding his chest and neck with his fans. He waited for the man to move, so he could sense his location, but in the meantime he created a wind barrier around himself.

Engine Room Duel

The lurching of the ship caught both off guard. The Sorcerer rolled into the shadows. Eugeni just as silhouetted amid the fresh darkness. The Sorcerer drew two vicious, serrated, daggers of cold northern steel worked into whaleshark hilts. The Sorcerer rolled up and shouted a sequence of words in the language of his tribe. A brilliant dazzling light burst forth from his eyes in an attempt to blind Eugeni. The Sorcerer was still moving, surging forth in a daring leap, daggers poised to bury themselves in the flesh of the young man!

[Parcia]

Yang...

...was having Fun.

He dashed through a corridor, wand in hand, moving from room to room. He had did his best to chase after his cousin but had lost her in the chaos of combat, ducking and weaving through enemies like some lethal dancer. He had chosen a more direct rout. Channeling just a bit of that Dragon Blood strength, he wrench the bulkhead door open, its locking wheel groaning as who ever was on the other side tried their best to stop him. With a grunt he heaved the thing open and stepped aside as it crashed against the wall.

On the other side stood at least a company of sailors, armed with all manner of melee weapons. With a roar the men charged him, bumping and shoving each other. Reacting quickly, he leveled the wand at them and fired, fanning the hammer and emptying the cylinder is a bright shower of blue fire and smoke. At this sort of range, the jade balls flew quickly, and often penetrated 2 men before stopping, meaning with the half dozen shots cut dozen the dozen or so men quickly. Acting more so on instinct then anything, he pulled the release lever and with a flick of the rest ejected the cylinder in to his hand.

Stashing it on his belt, he inserted another, flipped the lever back and pulled the hammer. He found the room empty, a pile of burning, seared corpse being it's only inhabitants besides him self. This continued 3 or 4 times over, he sorta lost count and by the time he kicked open the door to the bridge, Zara had just executed the brute. He lowered the wand he had leveled on her and smiled. "Beat me to all the fun, ehh little Z-" he stumbled as the cruiser lurched. "Shit, we should go."

[Luminesa]

Eugeni - Dancing In the Dark

Eugeni looked around at his surroundings, as he held his fans up in front of his body. He looked like an elegant statue, watchful for his surroundings. He scanned the room, examining the Essence floating around the room. The heat, the vicious hiss of the engine, the clanking of his sandals against the floor, made for a dark atmosphere. Yet not as dark as a room fully encompassed in shadows. “...Hm?” He felt shadows pouring into and filling the room, and he faced forward to see his enemy.

He hid a gulp as a Sorcerer with a sun tattoo on his face stepped through the darkness and stood several feet away. He was imposing in stature and build, despite being a Sorcerer, and Eugeni raised his fans even as his line of vision began to fade. He took a moment to realize he was not going blind, but rather was the target of some obfuscating Magic. He grimaced, but prepared himself, as he felt the glow of an attack being prepared for him. “...Ah!”

As an attack launched, two glowing blades headed for his chest, Eugeni stumbled backward as the Skyship rolled a bit. Steadying himself without too much effort, he whirled forward and slashed the air in front of him, creating a barrier to shatter the blades. He breathed, careful not to speak as he shifted around the room, guarding his chest and neck with his fans. He waited for the man to move, so he could sense his location, but in the meantime he created a wind barrier around himself.

Engine Room Duel

The lurching of the ship caught both off guard. The Sorcerer rolled into the shadows. Eugeni just as silhouetted amid the fresh darkness. The Sorcerer drew two vicious, serrated, daggers of cold northern steel worked into whaleshark hilts. The Sorcerer rolled up and shouted a sequence of words in the language of his tribe. A brilliant dazzling light burst forth from his eyes in an attempt to blind Eugeni. The Sorcerer was still moving, surging forth in a daring leap, daggers poised to bury themselves in the flesh of the young man!

Eugeni - Needs a Flashlight

Eugeni listened to the silence that passed, as the muffled noises of combat raged outside the engine room. He almost would have felt safer in here, except that he was now locked in combat with a fierce opponent. He breathed soundlessly, shifting his feet a bit as he kept himself limber. He could feel an attack coming, and thus he continued to guard his face. He did not want to try and stab at anything, as he could harm the machinery within the ship. Taking a single deep sigh, he nearly jumped out of his skin as he heard his opponent shout at him in a language he did not know. A ritual of some sort...so he has an attack prepared...but now I know where to aim!

He had to wait a moment to strike, however, as his vision was seared by a blinding light. Eugeni endured the light, however, by closing his eyes and taking a step forward, still guarding himself with the fans. The moment was soon over, however, as just a split second before the other man attacked, the Ledaal scion waved his fans toward the man, creating a gale that would slam him into the nearest wall. He also felt the fans catch something, skin and bone. As sharp as they were, the other man's hands were either chopped or shredded. Eugeni's eyes widened as he felt his fans cut through something solid, and yet he was equally surprised by how anxious he had become for an instant. He had nearly been caught in an attack, and could have received large gashes in his face or neck.

"...I'm sorry...you cannot hide now..." Eugeni's robins joined him in the room, creating a cacophony which filled his opponent's ears as his Anima manifested. "...Stand down...Run away...or you will suffer here..." he whispered, as his Anima seemed to flood in the man's direction. The opposing sorcerer would feel the spiritual energy passing through him, filling his head with existential terror. Eugeni knew enough about the soul to know how to frighten away an enemy, and he hoped this man would just run for his life.

[Imperialisium]

Engine Room Duel

The Sorcerer was for a moment entirely dumbfounded at how the man before him had known when exactly to unleash his gale force of wind. Even as the back of his body impacted the wall and he crashed down onto his side. The forearm on his right hand bloody with a deep gash that ran thick rivulets of crimson ichor onto the deck. The Sorcerer growled and spat in the tongue of his people. The Sorcerer rose and clutched one of his blades. Once more mouthing a string of ritualistic words. Slowly in a half circle he began to advance. Spots of flame flickering along the blade of his dagger as he moved closer. While the air around him began to mold. However, Eugeni would see the effects of this rapid spell casting. The Sorcerer was undoubtedly strong. But his eyes showed the growing intensity of strain. Eyes going blood shot and bleeding intensifying as the Sorcerer picked up the pace. Ready to engage in melee once more. No doubt, the man was determined to die in combat, in the name of the Bull.

Zara Azairya Vai

Yang's voice followed his quick arrival. He too almost taken clean off his feet by the sudden shifting of his center of gravity as the ship lurched towards the ocean. "Yes, lets go!" she said quickly as she continued forth. A slight limp in her gait as she walked past Yang. Leading her cousin past his handiwork of roasted and punctured bodies to feel the cool air whipping past her. The waves of the ocean rapidly approaching as the cruiser coasted faster and faster towards terminal velocity. Towards the Ocean's surface.

Zara, mouth agap, looked behind her. The Dawnlight was following as close as it could but would need to pull up to avoid impacting the surface of the Ocean. The men wouldn't be able to follow and she could not abandon them. She turned to Yang quickly, "Brace for impact!"

Throwing her self to the ground she clutched onto the railing as the Ocean's waves drew ever closer. The impact of the prow and underside of the mighty vessel into the ocean was like a surging thunder clap as the ship slid into the waves. Warriors, Skymarines, Dawnlight crew, were violently jerked as the cruiser impacted at terminal velocity. Soldiers were thrown head over heels. Tossed about. Whiplash. Cold ocean water splashed and surged over the prow. Dousing all aboard in a surge of salty Ocean water. The ship listed heavily as it continued by sheer force of mass another two kilometers before coming to a stop. Resting at a thirty degree right angle.

Zara groggily rose, shaking, the force of the impact clearing her lungs of air with the violent back and forth compression of ballistic energy. The wound in her calf burned. The Dawnlight came to rest mere feet above the water next to them. Crew carrying gangplanks with hooks to create temporary bridges for their compatriots to withdraw back over.

[Luminesa]

Engine Room Duel

The Sorcerer was for a moment entirely dumbfounded at how the man before him had known when exactly to unleash his gale force of wind. Even as the back of his body impacted the wall and he crashed down onto his side. The forearm on his right hand bloody with a deep gash that ran thick rivulets of crimson ichor onto the deck. The Sorcerer growled and spat in the tongue of his people. The Sorcerer rose and clutched one of his blades. Once more mouthing a string of ritualistic words. Slowly in a half circle he began to advance. Spots of flame flickering along the blade of his dagger as he moved closer. While the air around him began to mold. However, Eugeni would see the effects of this rapid spell casting. The Sorcerer was undoubtedly strong. But his eyes showed the growing intensity of strain. Eyes going blood shot and bleeding intensifying as the Sorcerer picked up the pace. Ready to engage in melee once more. No doubt, the man was determined to die in combat, in the name of the Bull.

Zara Azairya Vai

Yang's voice followed his quick arrival. He too almost taken clean off his feet by the sudden shifting of his center of gravity as the ship lurched towards the ocean. "Yes, lets go!" she said quickly as she continued forth. A slight limp in her gait as she walked past Yang. Leading her cousin past his handiwork of roasted and punctured bodies to feel the cool air whipping past her. The waves of the ocean rapidly approaching as the cruiser coasted faster and faster towards terminal velocity. Towards the Ocean's surface.

Zara, mouth agap, looked behind her. The Dawnlight was following as close as it could but would need to pull up to avoid impacting the surface of the Ocean. The men wouldn't be able to follow and she could not abandon them. She turned to Yang quickly, "Brace for impact!"

Throwing her self to the ground she clutched onto the railing as the Ocean's waves drew ever closer. The impact of the prow and underside of the mighty vessel into the ocean was like a surging thunder clap as the ship slid into the waves. Warriors, Skymarines, Dawnlight crew, were violently jerked as the cruiser impacted at terminal velocity. Soldiers were thrown head over heels. Tossed about. Whiplash. Cold ocean water splashed and surged over the prow. Dousing all aboard in a surge of salty Ocean water. The ship listed heavily as it continued by sheer force of mass another two kilometers before coming to a stop. Resting at a thirty degree right angle.

Zara groggily rose, shaking, the force of the impact clearing her lungs of air with the violent back and forth compression of ballistic energy. The wound in her calf burned. The Dawnlight came to rest mere feet above the water next to them. Crew carrying gangplanks with hooks to create temporary bridges for their compatriots to withdraw back over.

Eugeni - I Put a Spell On You

Eugeni could not see the man's wounds, but as he heard the crash, he knew he had done damage. Looking toward the spot in which the man had landed, he kept his guard raised, and he waited to hear his breath as he rose. He heard a growl and some raging words, which only informed him further of the sorcerer's location. He took a deep breath, and with the man's lack of surrender, he knew he had to fight to kill. He glared at the man in the darkness, as the light faded, and he took another step forward. "...So be it," he murmured.

He watched as the sorcerer turned to the side, and began to advance with flames flickering off his daggers. In the glimmer of the fire-light, he could see the glistening blood pouring off the man's body, the way his hands shook as he moved. Even if his will was strong, and his Magic was powerful, his body could not handle the pressure much longer. Eugeni had to exploit this weakness to end the battle, and so he circled around the man in a slow, constant rhythm. As the robins' song got louder, and the Air Aspect molded around the enemy, Eugeni took a deep breath and let air pour from his mouth, like mist out of a lake in the winter. The room filled with mist, which would freeze the man in his tracks. A primal fear of the Air Dragon creeping in the darkness would overwhelm him.

With his body now facing the man's side, Eugeni rushed forward and aimed his fans. This time, he sliced at the side of the man's neck. Something warm gushed onto his clothing, and Eugeni had to hold his breath to keep from vomiting. The man would hopefully be dead in a minute or two, and the Ledaal scion took that time to rush outside to the deck. He had to see what was happening, and whether or not his help was necessary elsewhere. With the threat in the engine room gone, hopefully the battle would be over soon. Only as he rushed out into the sunlight, however, did he see that his yukata was now splattered with fresh, warm, dark blood. All over his chest and neck. He was soaked, and he could smell the sweet iron, the scent of death. "...I killed him...I terrified him and killed him...I killed him..." he muttered.

Gregor - Rolling With the Punches (and the Waves)

Zara had made her way to the front of the enemy ship, and Gregor chuckled. "Look at my little pirate, running another ship like a little toy," he murmured. He kept focused on killing as many enemies as he could, and as they fell around him in droves, he watched the ship in front of the Dawnlight filling with allies. He grinned, knowing that the enemy would soon fall, but as his enemies cleared around him, he heard a horrible, guttural sound behind him. His eyes widened, and he turned to see Eugeni leaning against the cabins by the deck and vomiting. Tears poured from his eyes as he looked down at his shirt, and then continued to vomit.

"...Eugeni?" he questioned. He walked across the deck to see the younger Exalted, who began to sob as soon as he was finished throwing-up his guts. He pat the young man's back and stared down at him. Understanding that he had seen too much death in one day, he began to rub his back. "...Shhhhh...calm yourself...The fight is mostly over, and now you can change your clothes and relax...Stay back for some time, and I'll handle anything else that happens..." He knew that the other Ledaals could not see one of their captains in this condition, and thus he pulled him close and shielded him with part of his yukata. Sword still drawn, he moved toward the cabins and waited to see what would happen on the enemy ship.

[Imperialisium]

Interlude

The result of the engagement sat heavily with most of the Skyships officer class and crew. Several Dragonblooded were equally unsettled by the prospect of the Bull possessing the capability of creating Skyships. Even relatively primitive ones of smaller chassis could easily ruin many a land campaign without the presence of Imperial ordinance capable of engaging such a warmachine. The Dawnlight had spent several hours attaching various anchors and deploying the stricken enemy cruiser's solar sails. Reigniting it's essence core and beginning the fine task of towing the captured enemy vessel back up into the heavens for the remaining distance to Port Ilya. A distance of just over three hundred leagues. The Dawnlight arriving a full day behind schedule as it settled delicately into the steel girdles of the small Skyship dockyard that Port Ilya possessed. Passing over the various maritime vessels that crowded the water harbor. Fish schooners, squat tugs, pleasure yachts by local nobles, barges belonging to merchants, and throngs of smaller boats belonging to private subjects of the Empire. A single Imperial Navy frigate prowled the entrance of the harbor ready to interdict any vessel striking hostile colours.

The arrival of the Skyship and the advance contingents of the Great Houses and a few minor houses was well received by the citizens of Port Ilya. Many flocking from field and workshop to cheer or stand in awe at the passing Dragonblooded and their attendant soldiers. The 26th Imperial Legion had provided an honor guard of an entire cohort till the column had reached the fortified manse of the Mayor's Palace and neighboring barracks-fortress of the 26th Legion. What transpired between Lady Vai and the Mayor was not revealed however, only that she was now privy to all military matters affecting the region and Satrapies of the region, the only noticeable sign of military operations picking up in pitch was a flurry of Heliographic and messenger bird dispatches sent from the barracks to ascertain the arrival of the main Imperial forces.

Which, the advances forces did not arrive for a total of 7 days due to a storm at sea for those arriving by water, while heavy snows had delayed the advance forces coming from neighboring satrapies and those of the closest House Vai forces in the North making for Ilya. It was not until the 13th day after arriving at Port Ilya that the barracks and city began to swell with the banners and ranks of soldiery.

Port Ilya

It was on the 14th day, a fortnight since arriving in Port Ilya, and with many military elements still en route. That Lady Vai held the first general war council. The heads of every House that had contributed forces was invited. Gregor's invite even having a cheeky hand written line specifying to wear male attire and look. An addition in Zara's own hand writing no less. Further, the commander of the 26th Legion was also invited as was Yeiji. While Yeiji had no control over the financing of Household forces his financial acumen would be appreciated. Specifically with that Zara had in mind at the War Council.

The War Council chamber was located in the top of a wide circular tower dominating the central citadel of the 26th's Legionary fortress. It's grey stone and reddish tile roof mirroring the endemic style of architecture common along the Southern coast of the Near North. The ample natural lighting was enhanced by the strategic placement of glow globes. The room was exactly fifty meters across and dominated by a large lower space with terraced seating on two sides along with space near the table itself. No doubt as a distinction between greater and lesser officers.

Zara, however, by distinction and authority sat on a chair at the central table while everyone else would have to sit cross-legged or stand. She sat, one leg over the other, in her armor with her helmet resting on the table, her eyes scanning the room as people arrived. The table itself was decked with a very detailed and accurate, master crated, three dimensional map of the surrounding region. Major cities and towns were distinguished along with key features.

A pair of staff officers of the 26th Legion stood with adjustable wooden staffs to facilitate the movement, retrieval, and placement of pieces representing military formations. Zara shifted in her chair, the pain in her thigh was dull, aching from the wound she received. But that was not nearly as hard as it was to keep face while watching the burial of thirty-four Dawnlight crewmembers and Marines who had perished in the battle with the enemy cruiser. Their names would be rolled on the Dawnlights scroll of honour back in the Imperial City along with letters send to newly widowed wives, surviving parents, and to children about the fate of their loved ones.

Zara had spoken to no one but Captain Niigata during the remainder of the trip and refused to see anyone, even the House Briton envoy, until now.

[Luminesa]

Gregor and Eugeni - When The Hurt Is Over

The sting of battle settled, and darkness fell slowly over a hectic, frightful day of battle. But in Eugeni’s heart, the wounds of his first battle still burned and cut into his chest. Over and over he envisioned the eye of the man who had exploded in front of him. The eye had been a clear, beautiful, sky-blue. The man had been innocent, forced into a battle by men much stronger than himself. Then the men Eugeni himself had killed seemed to call his name in the silence. He gasped as he tried to shield his eyes from their faces, covering his eyes with his shaking hands to do so.

“...They had...families...They had lovers...children...friends...” He whispered this truth to himself, as the flood of images broke through his guard and rushed to his mind’s eye. The man he had tried to save, the men who went overboard, those he had stabbed and deafened and killed. A sob rose to his throat, and an intense chill sunk in and around his body. He felt ill, gravely ill. “...Maybe if I die...They will...They will have peace...” he murmured. A knock came to his door, and he figured a servant had come to check on him. “...Enter...” he croaked, only for his eyes to widen and for his figure to straighten as Gregor’s tall figure opened the door. “...Professor!”

“You can call me Gregor right now. We are equals in this fight,” his mentor answered, walking into the room with two cups of steaming tea. Black tea, sweet and citrusy, tickled Eugeni’s nose as he accepted the cup, and he stared at Gregor as he sat next to him. The older man was solemn, but he held a rare concerned look on his face. “...Why did you come on this expedition, Eugeni?...”

The Ledaal heir stared down at his drink as he thought on the question. “...I...I wanted to protect Shi...I did not...want him to go alone...” he muttered, taking a sip of his tea as he spoke.

Gregor nodded. “...And you would be useless to him dead. Even worse...your death would leave quite the hole in your family. You have a role to fulfill...and dying to protect your broken heart is a worthless endeavor,” he explained. He did not mince his words, and narrowed his eyes as he reasoned with his former student. “...You understand this, don’t you?...”

Eugeni nodded in return, and looked back at him. “...I killed...ten people...at least...I see their faces...I see their bodies...How do I live like this?...With this...horrible guilt?” he whispered, afraid.

“...The guilt goes away the more you do it. Some people are pawns sent to die, and when they die that is the end of them. That is what they are trained to do, that is what they await, that is what they seek. You do not have to feel guilty for a man who went to his death knowing the consequences. And we...we are conceived to be their killers. Conceived, born, trained, and sent to battle. We choose the battles in which we partake, but otherwise...all of us are murderers, Eugeni...” Gregor’s eyes became dark and hollow, as he lectured Eugeni. “...I waited for the day when you would know...the reality you could not have imagined. The world is cruel, and we must fight until we die ourselves...”

“...Is it true?...Does it have to be this way?...Does it?” The Ledaal heir had never questioned Gregor in such a way before, but now he could not help but feel a twinge of indignance. He stood and glared down at his professor. “...Must I be a warrior, instead of a healer?! If the reality was different, why did my parents allow me to study as I did?! Why did they not tell me all of my hard work was useless?!” He did not raise his voice, but his tone became sharper and more desperate.

His old teacher sighed, and took a sip of his tea. “...Eugeni...Your skills are far, far from useless...But all Exalted are raised for fighting. You have read enough history to know this...Besides, was is not something you know until you find it...or it finds you. The panic, the chaos, the hatred...No parent wants their child to know that, until they are ready...” He reached for Eugeni’s hand, and squeezed it. His voice was low and hushed, as though he was speaking a painful secret. “...Now sit. I’m not here to fight or attack you. I came to see you and to talk...by also...to console you. That part is coming.”

Slowly, Eugeni sat back on the bed, and he gulped his tea. He tasted a little salt, and realized his tears were falling from his face. Before he could wipe them, Gregor reached for his face and wiped the tears with a thumb. “...You were always so gentle...afraid of violence, afraid of confrontation...Medicine gave you hope against violence and hatred, and you should continue to feel that way...You are a wonderful medic.” A small smile came to the older man’s face as he complimented his younger student, who blushed at his kinder words. “...And yes...those men had family, lovers, and friends...but so do you. You can not abandon those who care about you...They should always come first, even when your kingdom says it should be first...”

Eugeni blinked, and looked down at the hand that continued to hold his. Gregor’s hand was warm, but hardened and calloused. He had fought longer than he had walked, and the heaviness showed when he was alone, or away from everyone except those he trusted. The younger Exalted sighed. “...I do have a family and friends...but no lovers...I’ve scared them all away...”

“Becoming a war hero is a good way to win lovers and admirers, don’t you know?” The older teacher grinned and winked, causing his student’s blush to deepen. He laughed, and Eugeni could not help but smile in return. “...You are doing fantastic, Eugeni...But...You must remember, you always have your duty to your family. You must live, and so must Shi. All you can do is assure your enemies a quick, swift death, rather than one filled with pain...That is the best blessing you can give a man in war...” Gregor advised. When Eugeni nodded, the older Exalted chuckled.

Eugeni frowned, still scarred from the gore he had seen, and the scents he had inhaled. Burning flesh was a fiercely awful smell, and he almost gagged just thinking about it. “...How will we defeat the Bull, though?...He is not someone to...die swiftly in battle...is he?”

Gregor shook his head. “But this day has been rough, we shall worry about that in the morning. You need your rest, as we all do...” His smile looked strange, when his lips formed a genuine, charming expression, but his eyes betrayed a deep, hidden pain. Gregor was not upset about killing people, but Eugeni could not pin what was making him upset.

“...Are you alright, sir?...” Eugeni inquired as he finished his tea. He turned to Gregor, who continued to smirk. “...You...your eyes...look different...” He almost wanted to check his dear teacher for a fever, but Gregor stood as he reached for him. "...Oh! Um..."

Silence filled the room for a second, as the teacher looked down at his former student. That same pained look with that odd smile. One knew something the other did not. Yet neither seemed to be able to unlock that door, and so Gregor smiled as he stepped back. "Don't worry about me. You get your rest, and I shall see you tomorrow morning. Perhaps we can talk more and share some tea once again." He then stepped out of the room, silent as a shadow on the wall. Eugeni let him leave, baffled by the sudden end to the conversation, but he could not do anything to make it continue. He did not have the energy to ask Gregor to stay, and thus he crawled into bed. Even as he had changed into another shirt, he almost felt the sticky blood still molded to his chest. Maybe with some sleep, the memory would go away. Sleep and prayer were his only refuges, and so to them he ran.

Port Ilya - Children, This Is the War Room!

Another two weeks passed in relative quiet, almost too much quiet. Lady Vai had taken the city by storm, but only those who had any hand in war matters would have noticed. The military's forces answered mainly to her, despite the fact that multiple houses had brought armies and navies to join the fight. Everyone had been well-received, but House Vai had received the most attention from the beginning to now. As he sat at breakfast smoking his pipe, Gregor could not help but wonder if she had been playing games behind everyone's backs. She would decide that she was the little leader, wouldn't she? As if this was the playground in a school, and she's the captain of the playground. Funny how some things never change about a person, he muttered, amused. She had grown into a powerful monster, but unfortunately she was the head of the expedition. Of course, if glory is to come to other Houses, then we must make our own moves as well.

He received an invitation early that morning, and as a servant brought it to him, he eyed it with a casual, disinterested glance. No parties, this time the invitation was for a war council. Lady Zara herself had written a note underneath the information written on the little paper, telling him to wear male attire. At this, he laughed so hard that his servant stood back wondering if he was drunk. He turned to another servant, before Gregor slid the invitation into a pocket in his robes. "Ahhhhh, as if she can dictate what I want to wear...Heheheh. Fine, we'll play this little game..." He walked from the deck and out toward his room, putting his pipe out before entering the room.

Eugeni had also received an invitation, but looked apprehensively at the invite. Lady Zara was heading the council, and based on the way she had interacted with him at the party, she was not privy to giving others a say in conversation. Or she ignored people she did not deem important. "At least the room is too small for her to smash someone's head open..." he murmured. His opinion of her had not abated at all, since he had seen her in combat, and now he had to sit in a room with her again. This time, he tried to dress more 'masculine', passing on eye-shadow and wearing his hair in a simple, prim bun. His robes were more dark and practical, and he looked more manly. Slightly more manly. He still had such a slight frame that his indigo robes made him look like a twig wearing a shadow. He could only sigh, and hope that his words would show his true strength.

Gregor, in the meantime, entered the war room with two junior members of House Mahajan, and he did not skimp on demonstrating his own power. Rather, he wore it over his shoulders, a full cloak of heavy, thick, black mink over robes of deep-scarlet and black. Just because he was not wearing a dress did not mean he could not be in male attire. He brought the pipe as well, and was the first to step through the door and to find a seat. He sat near the back, in a large, cushioned chair that a servant had brought from his room. Having killed as many men as Zara, and having lost none in his own House, never mind having taken almost no wounds, he found himself to be just as worthy of a big chair. "...So she sits on the iron throne...but she looks rather uncomfortable! Ah well...It's not a pretend chair, is it, but a chair made from the bodies of her enemies..." he muttered, as he took a breath of his pipe. As bubbles popped near the ceiling, he spoke again. "Greetings, Lady Zara, I do hope you don't mind my more 'masculine' attire. I remembered your little thoughtful note, and I was touched that you considered me."

By contrast, Eugeni entered with Shi and sat in a smaller chair, bowing to Lady Zara as he entered. He did not want a fight, but he would be honest with her. Now was his chance to show that he was not a pushover, as she had not seen much of him in battle. "Greetings, Lady Zara," he whispered as he sat down. He looked toward Shi, and then toward Gregor, but otherwise he sat in silence and waited.

[Revlona]

Alexandros of the House Daveas
King of Elladanos
Port Ilya

The young king sat to himself in the corner of the war room that was beginning to crowd. Upon his lap sat his helm, a marvelous work of steel that had a strip of colored blue horse hair running down the middle of it. He wore his steel chest plate only, discarding the rest of his armor for when battle was actually joined, if it was joined by him at all. At his hip he wore a short sword angled to make it easier to draw, it was a cutting blade known as a Xiphos to his people. Behind him and to the left stood Argos in full armor, his hand resting gently on the pommel of his own blade. Alex’s gentle curls were held down by the circular of hammered bronze that was his crown. Upon the crown, runes and other symbols were etched into it.

As the room filled up even more Alex reached into a satchel he wore at his hip and produced a small notebook and pencil. He began to take notes on the people in the meeting. The big arrogant looking man with the black cloak, he was most likely dangerous, but he seemed full of himself and that could prove deadly in of itself. He etched a few notes on the small man that cage after him, he seemed shy and almost nervous, but Alex put it down to poor social skills at best. He took notes on the watchers that were the Lady Zara’s personal guards, and finally, he took notes on Lady Zara. Nearly two whole pages were dedicated to her alone, her looks, the way her eyes moved, how she sat in her throne, they way she seemed comfortable in her armor. He wrote it all down as the room filled, and when he was done writing, he sketched.

Alex has many talents, being a decent artist was one of them, and so he sketched Zara as she sat upon her throne. The rigid way she sat, the shadows that danced across her armor, the striking eyes, he sketched it all. No detail was missed, not one. When he was done sketching he took the paper and held it up, comparing it to the woman in front of him, the woman he had come all this way to meet. What he saw made him happy, his smile proved that.

He handed the picture to Argos who grunted an acknowledgment, the young kings skill at art didn’t cease to amaze the middle aged singulare. He himself compared the picture to the woman who sat in front of them and he found few, if any, errors. The only thing he saw different was that the woman in the room with them had not once glanced towards the two southerners yet, but in the picture, she seemed to be staring you straight in the eye. He raised his eyes once more to the real Zara, almost expecting to see a mirror image of the kings drawing, but all he saw was the calculating, and dangerous woman in front of him. Argos grunted once more before handing the image back to the king, straightened his posture, and tightened his grip on his sword.

[Parcia]

Port Ilya, Yang.

He had been given a good welcoming by Kahn and the riders, this welcoming evolving in to a party below decks, with a good portion of the Crew and even some of the marines joining in. Days later Yang Strode through the area of the town marked for their operations, a little grumpy and far, far too hung over. When the war summit was called, he took his spot rather close to Zara. Not to close as to raise to many brows, but close enough.


Arthur Breton

The armored form of Arthur Breton walked through the Breton family camp, the disdain on his face evident. His envoy had been refused, not even refused, they had been ignored. Calling his Knight-Sargent to join him, a pair of House Breton soldiers took up form behind the pair, doing their duty to protect the elder surviving heir of the Breton Bloodline. "I send en envoy to set up proper house to house diplomacy and she doesn't even hear the fucker out...Pompous fucking tart." Spoke Arthur as they made their way through the town. His Knight-Sargent giving a heated sigh. "My lord...she did just come off a rather interesting naval battle, if the reports are true." In a rare show of annoyance, he cut him off. "We have a war to fight, Gilles, a naval skirmish isn't worth an extra fucking week at sea."

As they neared the tower the legionary guards stationed at it's entrance stopped them. "Weapons are to be left inside-" Again, Arthur's annoyance showed. "I am lord Arthur Breton, of House Breton, and my sword goes were ever I do. I am to be expected."

[Luminesa]

Alexandros of the House Daveas
King of Elladanos
Port Ilya

The young king sat to himself in the corner of the war room that was beginning to crowd. Upon his lap sat his helm, a marvelous work of steel that had a strip of colored blue horse hair running down the middle of it. He wore his steel chest plate only, discarding the rest of his armor for when battle was actually joined, if it was joined by him at all. At his hip he wore a short sword angled to make it easier to draw, it was a cutting blade known as a Xiphos to his people. Behind him and to the left stood Argos in full armor, his hand resting gently on the pommel of his own blade. Alex’s gentle curls were held down by the circular of hammered bronze that was his crown. Upon the crown, runes and other symbols were etched into it.

As the room filled up even more Alex reached into a satchel he wore at his hip and produced a small notebook and pencil. He began to take notes on the people in the meeting. The big arrogant looking man with the black cloak, he was most likely dangerous, but he seemed full of himself and that could prove deadly in of itself. He etched a few notes on the small man that cage after him, he seemed shy and almost nervous, but Alex put it down to poor social skills at best. He took notes on the watchers that were the Lady Zara’s personal guards, and finally, he took notes on Lady Zara. Nearly two whole pages were dedicated to her alone, her looks, the way her eyes moved, how she sat in her throne, they way she seemed comfortable in her armor. He wrote it all down as the room filled, and when he was done writing, he sketched.

Alex has many talents, being a decent artist was one of them, and so he sketched Zara as she sat upon her throne. The rigid way she sat, the shadows that danced across her armor, the striking eyes, he sketched it all. No detail was missed, not one. When he was done sketching he took the paper and held it up, comparing it to the woman in front of him, the woman he had come all this way to meet. What he saw made him happy, his smile proved that.

He handed the picture to Argos who grunted an acknowledgment, the young kings skill at art didn’t cease to amaze the middle aged singulare. He himself compared the picture to the woman who sat in front of them and he found few, if any, errors. The only thing he saw different was that the woman in the room with them had not once glanced towards the two southerners yet, but in the picture, she seemed to be staring you straight in the eye. He raised his eyes once more to the real Zara, almost expecting to see a mirror image of the kings drawing, but all he saw was the calculating, and dangerous woman in front of him. Argos grunted once more before handing the image back to the king, straightened his posture, and tightened his grip on his sword.

Gregor and Eugeni - Three Kings

The room began to fill with more people, after a few moments of quiet. One of Gregor's subordinates had gone to get him tea, and as he had returned, he had nearly stepped into the back of a massive armored man, and had put a hand over the hot cup of tea to keep it from spilling over the sides. Gregor was rather impressed to see this hulking statue of iron march into the room, seemingly with an attitude as sharp as his countenance. He motioned for his family-mate to move to the side of the man and his entourage as they entered, but as soon as they made their way inside, he beckoned for the man to enter with the tea. When Gregor received the tea, his subordinate moved behind him. "Thank you, Asam," Gregor muttered, as he sipped his tea.

Another man entered not too far behind Arthur, also with an entourage. This man did not move to the front, but rather sat near the back, almost in a show of humility. He did not present himself with the swagger of a king, either, as he took out a notepad and a pencil and began to take notes, much like a ready pupil in a classroom. He noted as the man looked toward him, and he smiled and held his cup toward him in a greeting. "I don't know if I have ever seen you before, though I have met many people and have never caught their names. Who might you be, good king?"

Eugeni, in the meantime, looked over at Arthur as he entered. He had a angry pace to his walk, as though something on his mind was bothering him and he needed to pace it off. He tried to show him a pleasant smile to try and assuage his mood, and to let him know he was welcome. He also noted Yang walking through the door, but he did not speak much to anyone and took his place near Zara, as was expected for him. Despite the fact that he was her uncle, something about him did not seem very much like an uncle. He was also hungover, which made him seem less professional. Oh dear...hungover in the war room...and if a fight starts, it might actually be due to him...or the man in armor...

Only after making this observation did he note the king near the back of the room sketching something. He watched the way his pencil moved across a notepad, effortless and quick. He would look up and down at his paper, eyeing Zara between strokes. He seemed mystified by her appearance, as he studied her expression, her posture, and her clothing. Eugeni did not want to seem intrusive, however, so he looked back to Arthur as he entered. He had massive weapons on his own person, which gave him a more intimidating appearance. Eugeni had only brought his fans, a dagger, and a potion, all of which were small enough to hide in his robes. The potion, a healing potion, was stored in case someone decided to poison someone else. Even if they were all supposed to be allies, he did not trust everyone in the room.

[Revlona]

Alexandros of the House Daveas
King of Elladanos
Port Ilya

Alex looked up as the arrogant looking man that he had taken notes on turned to him and spoke, Alex felt Argos turn towards the man and could almost feel the Singulares thoughts flow from him as he analyzed the man. Of course this was not the first time he had done so, as he had been quietly and mentally taking notes on every person that could be a threat to the young king, and as that would prove to be nearly everyone in the room, his mind had been busy.

"Alexandros, of Elladanos," Alex said as he swiveled in his seat to face the man, stowing the picture of the Lady Vai in his satchel as he did so. The man was dressed and acted like he was important so Alex too began making mental notes as spoke with and looked at this man.

"And you? May I know who you are?" Alex said, a smile creasing his face as he asked the question of the man. As he did this, his hands unconsciously moved to his head to shift the crown around, its weight still both physically and mentally uncomfortable to the young King.

[Luminesa]

Alexandros of the House Daveas
King of Elladanos
Port Ilya

Alex looked up as the arrogant looking man that he had taken notes on turned to him and spoke, Alex felt Argos turn towards the man and could almost feel the Singulares thoughts flow from him as he analyzed the man. Of course this was not the first time he had done so, as he had been quietly and mentally taking notes on every person that could be a threat to the young king, and as that would prove to be nearly everyone in the room, his mind had been busy.

"Alexandros, of Elladanos," Alex said as he swiveled in his seat to face the man, stowing the picture of the Lady Vai in his satchel as he did so. The man was dressed and acted like he was important so Alex too began making mental notes as spoke with and looked at this man.

"And you? May I know who you are?" Alex said, a smile creasing his face as he asked the question of the man. As he did this, his hands unconsciously moved to his head to shift the crown around, its weight still both physically and mentally uncomfortable to the young King.

Gregor - Suspicious Minds (Are Easy to Find)

Taking a sip of his tea, Gregor noticed that Alex seemed to almost be scanning him for signs that he was a threat. He was impressed by his attention to detail, especially after he caught sight of his portrait of Zara. His portrait was quite accurate and flattering, and Gregor smirked. “Alexandros of Elladanos...fascinating. I don’t know if I have heard your name before. You must not be from the mainland. Then again, my own House has moved around a few times...” he answered, “I am Gregor Mahajan, of House Mahajan. I am one of my family’s captains, though I am no king. I must guess based on your appearance, however, that you are royalty? Why do you not sit near the front of the table with Lady Zara?” He cocked his head to the side, genuinely curious by this quiet, studious Noble. If he is an Exalted as well, he must be quite powerful, he reasoned.

[Revlona]

Alexandros of the House Daveas
King of Elladanos
Port Ilya

"You are correct Gregor, may I call you Gregor, that I am royalty, but I do not sit near the front because that is just how I am. Plus, it is easier to read a room if you are not the center of attention, people are less likely to look at you and change how they are acting because they notice you reading them." Alex said before stopping when argos nudged him in the back with his knee. Alex played it off without any hesitation, not even flicking his eyes in the direction of his singulare before changing the topic.

"Anyways, you are correct, my Kingdom is not of the mainland but south of it, it is quite easy to gloss over the Satraps in history, but incase you wished to know, Elladanos is one of the more powerful ones in the south. But you, I'm not sure I have heard of your house, maybe some history to spark my memory? It'd be quite embarrassing if I actually didn't know it." He said, boyish charm emanating from the young man as he twirled the pencil in one hand and spoke. Many would see the excitedness and low self control as a sign of immaturity in the young king, but those who did were always fooled for alex played them like a fiddle. He put on this act of immaturity to throw off any would be spys and rivals, they would think him weak and immature, and would make mistakes based off it. Alex only wondered if he was fooling this man with the act, for his apparent arrogance and wealth, he seemed quite intelligent.

[Luminesa]

Alexandros of the House Daveas
King of Elladanos
Port Ilya

"You are correct Gregor, may I call you Gregor, that I am royalty, but I do not sit near the front because that is just how I am. Plus, it is easier to read a room if you are not the center of attention, people are less likely to look at you and change how they are acting because they notice you reading them." Alex said before stopping when argos nudged him in the back with his knee. Alex played it off without any hesitation, not even flicking his eyes in the direction of his singulare before changing the topic.

"Anyways, you are correct, my Kingdom is not of the mainland but south of it, it is quite easy to gloss over the Satraps in history, but incase you wished to know, Elladanos is one of the more powerful ones in the south. But you, I'm not sure I have heard of your house, maybe some history to spark my memory? It'd be quite embarrassing if I actually didn't know it." He said, boyish charm emanating from the young man as he twirled the pencil in one hand and spoke. Many would see the excitedness and low self control as a sign of immaturity in the young king, but those who did were always fooled for alex played them like a fiddle. He put on this act of immaturity to throw off any would be spys and rivals, they would think him weak and immature, and would make mistakes based off it. Alex only wondered if he was fooling this man with the act, for his apparent arrogance and wealth, he seemed quite intelligent.

Gregor - Pretty Eyes Tell Lies

Upon closer inspection, Alex actually had a rather attractive face. He leaned a little more toward the young man as he spoke, impressed by his polite eloquence. He sounded older than he was, and more well-mannered than many Nobles of his young age. He agreed with his assessment that reading a room was easier from the corner of the room, without the background noise of curious eyes and voices. "...You're a rather sneaky sort, then...or at least a more introverted one...That's not a bad thing...Nobody can read you if you quietly sit far away from the crowd, and you can always just watch who you want," he murmured. He liked something about this young man, but he knew that anyone could be cruel and calculating under a pleasant persona. Zara had shown him the cracks in her own mask, and he held onto that memory with a tight grip.

"House Mahajan lives to the West, on the very edge of the Imperial Realm, closer to the Imperial Shipyards. We have quite the fine navy, if I must say so myself. We're a little more of a mixture of cultures than perhaps some of the more...prominent Houses. After all, I can imagine you'd be hard-pressed to find another 'Gregor' in the Realm. But our family has traveled from several lands, over the course of a few centuries, before we allowed ourselves to settle and to become a part of the Imperial Realm. I was not yet born when this decision was made, obviously. Yet we have specialized in the creation of various Magical weapons for combat, though I do not have any here on my person. So if you wish to ask me for some, perhaps an official trade can be made later...Depending on what we shall all need for combat against the Bull," he explained. He watched Alex twirl his pencil and smile, and he could not help but chuckle. The young King had a spark in his eyes, as he knew all too well the importance of looking pretty. Ah, but if he thinks I am a fool, how unfortunate for him. I have seen enough lovely faces to know...I am always the better player.