Spirit was still at his desk inside his quarters when he could hear a loud commotion coming from outside. Setting down the photos, he opened the door and looked down from his balcony. He could see an armed escort of guards taking what appeared to be a fox scout towards his direction, but it also appeared that there was a large crowd blocking their way.
Spirit sighed slightly. "Hey! What's going on down there?"
Jumping down from his position, he landed gracefully on to the ground below him and walked towards the guards. The crowd began to form a path for him to walk through. One of the guards saluted and explained the situation.
"We found this one outside the gates. Apparently, he wanted to speak with you sir."
Spirit tensed up and stared at the fox. "What do you want, fox? This better be good." Spirit leaned closer as to whisper into the fox's ear. "Or else I'll make an example of you infront of all these people. We wouldn't want that, now would we?"
He grinned and dismissed the guards, taking the fox into his own hands. He stared at the crowd, and frowned suddenly. "Come on people, show's over. Nothing else to see here."
The crowd grumbled and began to loosen up as people went back to their daily lives.
Dek's wolf escort pulled tightly on his wrists, as he pushed him forward into the crowd of wolves. Lots of them sat and gawked at the strange sight, while others laughed or snarled their bare teeth at him. Dek sighed. This probably would not turn out good for him. He turned and was just about to say something sarcastic to his guard when he heard a bigger grumbling from the crowd. He turned back towards the front of him and saw a young woman approach his little entourage. Dek's eyes widened. She was a very peaceful sight to see in a kingdom filled with hostility. There was something eerily calm about her, and Dek was filled with curiosity. She wore a fancy set of garbs, but what attracted Dek's attention was the long mysterious staff she held in her hands.
A wolf made to bark something at the woman, but she only smiled, held up her hand and spoke.
"I am not here to bring or take any pain, fellow members of Gaia- Mother earth!"
Dek rolled his eyes and thought to himself You and me both babe. Now we just gotta convince the rest of these guys... He was going to speak up, but decided to let her finish speaking first. There was something about her that was strangely familiar. Dek had gone through the information on important figures in the Wolf kingdom, and maybe this is one of them? What was her name?
"I know what you are thinking. I asure you that I am not an intrudor. I am here to aid you and the wolven raise. A friend aid another friend in need. I am a friend indeed and you are considered a friend in need. If you do not mind me walking by, I will share a few words with your officers in charge here. Again I know what you are thinking. I am armed and should maybe be considered a thread. Let me comfort you with the fact that this staff has never felt the touch of blood and it is long to come before it ever will. My name is Corina Bleach and I am a bringer of wisdom and peace. Remember my name because you will be hearing a lot of it"
That's who she is! Corina Bleach! The Owl Demon. One of the most charismatic and caring creatures in both kingdoms. Dek was captivated by her words. She was almost as good a speaker as he was. But something troubled him. She wasn't a wolf or a fox. She must be from a far lands off, and had been recruited to the wolf regime. Dek frowned. That means the enemies were expanding their forces...no doubt leading to a giant military confrontation at some later date.
So the wolves are already preparing...I might actually be too late in the end.
But what was a smart girl like this doing in a place filled with hostility and violence? Dek would have to look into it. The important thing right now is talking to someone in charge of military operations. Regardless, Dek was excited to meet someone of such importance in the kingdom. Corina turned and walked behind Dek's escorts.
Things were looking better, as the guard who bound Dek's hands loosened his grips. Dek smiled and was once again about to say something sarcastic when he heard a snarl from in front of the crowd.
"Oh Come On!" Dek said, spent of his energy. It was a young wolf girl, but this woman was not as friendly.
"What’s that fox doing here?!” She yelled over the crowd.
Dek sighed again. "Well clearly I'm just here to borrow a cup of sugar! Mind letting me go?" He yelled back. He smiled at her dissatisfaction, and looked back to see Corina smile as well. The moment was soon over however, as once again there was yelling towards the crowd - this time from a high up tower. It was a deep voice, filled with power and suppresed rage. Dek couldn't make out what he was saying, but it didn't matter, as the dark wolf general jumped from his position, and landed softly in front of him.
Dek Gulped. It was Spirit. The general of the Wolf Army, and quite possibly the most powerful warrior in both kingdoms.
"What do you want, fox? This better be good." The large wolf spat at Dek. Dek shrugged innocently, and Spirit snarled, leaning closer so he could whisper in Dek's ear. "Or else I'll make an example of you infront of all these people. We wouldn't want that, now would we?"
Dek had no words to respond to this, and only gulped again. Spirit then dispersed the crowd and the only ones around now were Spirit, the Owl woman Corina, and a slightly more worried Dek....
Rubbing his wrists, Dek turned towards the General.
"So...do you mind taking me inside somewhere? It's very very hot outside and my feet are absolutely killing me. Not to mention the hateful glances I'm receiving from your buddies isn't too inviting in this situation...."
Sky couldn't help but smile at her large guest. she even blushed a bit as his eyes met her's, but soon cleared her lightly pinkened face. She sighed inwardly and stood then. A cool breeze blew in through the open kitchen window, and she moved toward it to shut it. As she did, she noted someone - a Prisoner? - Being led upward through the city. Hordes of people crowded, many saying quite vulgar things, which made the young wolfess roll her eyes in contempt. Sometime's she was dissapointed by the wolve's behavior, but then, they were simply civilians.
She turned then back to Carbo as he spoke. his words somehow comforted her, and drew forth another flushed smile. She lowered her eyes to the ground. She was a sucker for his charm, she noted. To herself she spoke inwardly.
How quickly you've been won over.
And then turned, determined not to let her emotions show through a shell she had hardened to perfection. Rolling her eyes up half way, she slid her teeth onto her lip, as she often did when she was deeply considering something. A sigh escaped her lips soon after. Even if she did not go now, chances were she would be called upon. Turning, then, to Carbo, she nodded slightly.
" Well, I have some business to attend to..."
she tilted her head very slightly to the window.
" You can join me, if you'd like. In which case I can sign you onto duty under my command, so you aren't reported MIA...no, that wouldn't be good. "
She thought half out-loud.
She then picked up her black over coat, pulled it on in a single movement, and pushed open the door, heading out. As soon as the afternoon sun hit her, she took her wolf form, and looked back at her home to see if Carbo would follow.
Walking after her slowly, he stopped by the doorway that she had exited trough. Looking down to where she stood in her wolf form, he started talking.
"MIA wouldn't be so bad.. That way I could be a wolf of my own.." Carbo grinned and shook his head quickly "No, but really.. I'd love to be under your command.. You seem like an honorful wolf, and it's the least I can do to repay you for your assistance" He smiled, as he walked down and to her side. "Where are we heading first?" He questioned her kindly, as he too transformed into his wolven form. He stretched for a longer time, after all the time resting and taking it easy. His wounds had recovered entirely. He thanked the wolf spirits for he had been blessed with a large body with rapid recover rate.
Since he was getting a response from the two females he decided to go out on his own for a while until he was needed again. Changing into a fox he lept up onto a branch of a tree and from the branch onto a low roofed house. From there he got a good grip of a wall and lept over it, effectively getting him out of the city.
Once the crowd had died down, Spirit turned towards the fox, glaring with hatred. "You are to come with me. Hurry up!"
He nodded towards Corina. "Welcome, Corina Bleach. You are welcome to stay with us as long as you wish. I do believe we have the space, so don't be afraid to ask." With that, he began walking back towards his quarters in the high tower.
Once reaching his quarters, Spirit opened the door, letting more sunlight flood into the room. Taking a seat back at his desk, he waited for the fox to follow him in.
"Take a seat." Spirit pointed towards one of the two chairs in front of him. "Now tell me. What is your business here in the Wolf Kingdom, fox? And also, what is your name?"
Open Up Your Hate...
"Bring it to me..."
The room was fluttered with bodies. The sweet perfume of rotting flesh filled the air, suffocating those that craved to breathe it. The incense of death lingered heavily upon the atmosphere. Blood coated the floor, shimmering like some toxin that could envelope its victims and constrict the very sanity from their consciousness. The breeze carried no safe haven to starved lungs. It brought with it only a miasmic odor of bodily excretions. There came the stench of urine, the nauseating stink of vomit, and let us not forget the bile ( famous for causing a burning to the nostrils ). Yet, the air was not nearly as wretched as what lay within the shadows.
Skulls, bones, organs spilling over with maggots... There lay a heart, once beating so thick in health it had only purpose in this world to lay forever still. No longer would it pick up its famous tempo. It housed no blood, only flies. There lay a man, eyes gaping and mouth wide as if still screaming in the face of death. He was like an ornament in this hell. Once he lived, but as the coldness of his skin and the decomposing features of his face and chest showed it had been a long time ago.
Who would live in such a place? Sitting upon a throne of bones - femurs, skulls, full backbones, random pieces of flesh still clinging to the structures - there lay a creature so terrible as to feel at home in its castle of death. Shadowed no features could be seen. He was perched so perfectly, so at home upon his chair, that one would guess him royalty of a beautiful, fairy book land. Nevertheless, this guess would be mortally false.
Rising, the creature turned. Still cloaked in the silhouette of his castle constructed of cadavers, it was unclear what was facing what. Two beasts lay in that building. One an employer, the other an employee. But, wouldn't you know it; the manager of this man was terrified. One could not guess what this demonic creature would pull. He was as unpredictable as the sea. The two beings held their gaze together. Each seemed intent on their own desires. Now only to autograph the contract.
"Bring me the heart..."
And the beast nodded.
~*~*~*~
The evening air was cool. It lay almost as tranquil as the stars, just now revealing themselves to the earth below them. A blanket of little bits and pieces of light. The moon was new; it was not shining. Perfect. Darkness was a welcomed circumstance. The leaves trembled, shifting and scraping against one another as if singing to the sweet breeze.
Below the quiet night lay something not so at peace. As the vulture gives to the mortally wounded, it sent the clear sign of death upon its carcass. One would think that a carcass would refer to the body of something long since dead. But no. This body still breathed, still moved, still reacted as any other living figure would. Still, a body needed a soul. This being lay as nothing more than a shell. Unfilled by the softness of life, pushed only by an anorexic desire for something that would never truly fill it.
Movement.
A scream pierced the air, sending the trees shuddering as they helplessly viewed the scene before them. A young woman dropped into the dirt, her parcel of food and clothing tumbling around her. She wore the same look of horror as the decoration he looked upon so proudly. A shriek lay cast upon her face. But the silhouette had not moved.
As quickly as she'd been killed, she was consumed. The lights gave no sign of what feasted upon the flesh of the maiden. Only the sound of crunching bones and sloshing fluids gave evidence to the mystery surrounding the forest. An owl looked upon it, studying the two figures cast in shadow. She screeched out, watching the much larger figure finish off the final piece of its meal.
Digits danced along the branch, matching the rhythm of the feeding monster. Then the hand froze and the creature stilled. Time seemed to cease, even the trees quieted, holding their very breath to see what happened to the play before them. The hand flicked in the air and the creature below opened its bloodied jaws and cried out to the night.
Hairline strands were neatly wrapped around each finger, trembling and shaking with even the smallest of movements. The beast looked up at its master and seemed to smile through its skull face. The puppeteer smiled back, then dropped back into the cloak of darkness. The pet soon followed.
"Bring me the heart."
They had work to do.
Originally posted by Rodgort
Once the crowd had died down, Spirit turned towards the fox, glaring with hatred. "You are to come with me. Hurry up!"He nodded towards Corina. "Welcome, Corina Bleach. You are welcome to stay with us as long as you wish. I do believe we have the space, so don't be afraid to ask." With that, he began walking back towards his quarters in the high tower.
Once reaching his quarters, Spirit opened the door, letting more sunlight flood into the room. Taking a seat back at his desk, he waited for the fox to follow him in.
"Take a seat." Spirit pointed towards one of the two chairs in front of him. "Now tell me. What is your business here in the Wolf Kingdom, fox? And also, what is your name?"
Dek peered around in the room that Spirit has entered. His quarters were filled with documents, and light flooded the room from the door that he had just entered from. Spirit sat down and gestured for Dek to do the same. Slowly, Dek entered Spirit's quarters, and took the seat that was appointed to him. Looking behind him, he noticed that Corina was still standing in the doorway. He turned back towards the silver haired Demon in front of him.
So this is Spirit aye? Dek thought to himself, absorbing the appearance of the wolf in front of him. Dek had never actually seen Spirit in person, but had heard many stories about him and his tremendous battle prowess. What Spirit actually looked like had suprised Dek. He seemed no older than Dek himself, and had a surprisingly thin physique. He was also covered with strange tribal tattoos. Dek cleared his throat.
"Like I said to your guards before I was treated like some ass-hole, I'm not hear to fight anyone" he raised his hands as he spoke. The whole time he talked to Spirit, he held eye contact.
"I'm hear to talk about a convoy that is going to pass through your woods...a fox convoy." He said, wincing at the word fox.
"I'm hear to request that you guys leave it alone." Dek said sternly.
Originally posted by QuincySpirit cocked an eyebrow at the request. "It's bad enough that you would walk straight up to the gates demanding to see me, causing such a commotion, and you want me to let a convoy of your people pass through?"
Dek peered around in the room that Spirit has entered. His quarters were filled with documents, and light flooded the room from the door that he had just entered from. Spirit sat down and gestured for Dek to do the same. Slowly, Dek entered Spirit's quarters, and took the seat that was appointed to him. Looking behind him, he noticed that Corina was still standing in the doorway. He turned back towards the silver haired Demon in front of him.So this is Spirit aye? Dek thought to himself, absorbing the appearance of the wolf in front of him. Dek had never actually seen Spirit in person, but had heard many stories about him and his tremendous battle prowess. What Spirit actually looked like had suprised Dek. He seemed no older than Dek himself, and had a surprisingly thin physique. He was also covered with strange tribal tattoos. Dek cleared his throat.
"Like I said to your guards before I was treated like some ass-hole, I'm not hear to fight anyone" he raised his hands as he spoke. The whole time he talked to Spirit, he held eye contact.
"I'm hear to talk about a convoy that is going to pass through your woods...a fox convoy." He said, wincing at the word fox.
"I'm hear to request that you guys leave it alone." Dek said sternly.
Spirit leaned back and stared at the ceiling in thought until he came up with a few questions of his own.
"First off, what's the convoy carrying across the border that's so important for me to leave alone? Second, what's in it for me if I allow it to pass through unharmed? Also, you never answered my earlier question. What is your name?"
Spirit put his hands together in the shape of a triangle under his nose as a form of thinking.
Watching how Spirit escorts Dek into his quarters Corina slowly followed. She was stopped by a couple guards and she decided not to bother convince them. She had quicker ways to get where she wished to go. She closed her eyes and listened for a minute, slowly walking along the wall of the building that she wished to enter. Hearing the voice of Spirit she walked around the corner and turned into a little white owl. Flying quietly and with elegance along the tower wall, she flew around and landing on the roof. Transforming back into her human form, she ducked and listened to their footsteps and analysed what room the two had entered.
She smiled as she dropped down from the rooftop falling. She looked as she fell and saw the window that she heard the voices from. Falling by it, she gripped the edge and with elegant moves she flipped her way to a ducking position at the windowsill. A smile across her face, she looked at the two who sat inside the room.
Listening to what Spirit said just there, Corina decided to interfear.
"Letting it pass might delay the war that is ought to occur. Time and lives will be saved. I know you do not care about the life of a Fox, Spirit, but I do believe you care about the life of a Wolf-"
She sits down on the very same windowsill and paused for a moment, looking at the two. Her eyes went from Spirit to Dek, and from Dek to Spirit again.
Dek was surprised to see Corina appear at the windowsill, crouched in a sitting position. Her head was cocked innocently, and she spoke to Spirit before Dek had a chance to respond to his questions.
"Letting it pass might delay the war that is ought to occur. Time and lives will be saved. I know you do not care about the life of a Fox Spirit, but I do believe you care about the life of a Wolf-"
Dek raised one eyebrow. He turned back towards Spirit, who sat in a thinking pose. Dek looked back towards Corina, and nodded thanks. He faced Spirit again, and spoke up.
"Sorry about that, my name is Dek. And don't worry, I know who you are General." Dek said smiling. Dek lifted one of his legs and laid it across the other, in a figure four position, while still maintaining the conversation.
"What's IN the convoy?" Dek repeated Spirits question, his voice growing higher. "Well honestly...I have no idea. And If I did know what was in there, I still couldn't tell you General." Dek said honestly, shrugging his shoulders at the thought. "Lest we forget, we still aren't exactly pals. But like miss Bleach said, it'd only lead to death. After all, there was just a recent scuffle out in the barren woods between some foxes and wolves. I'm not too positive about the casualties, but it's certain that both sides were wounded. One of my friends included. Maybe we should take retribution for this attack and lead a military force towards another one of your small encampments to the west?"
A royal guard approuched Aegis and stopped before him. "I see you have aquired armor and a blade, Aegis."
Aegis turned around and stared the man down. "What is it that you want?"
The guard smiled and held out a document. "As a pardon for your crimes, we wish for you to defend a caravan that we will have leaving soon."
Aegis thought for a moment.
Corina gently laid her hand over her face almost as she had embaressed herself, with the thought that Dek could be a bit more smoothe while inside the wolf base. The wrong words could cause him a whole lot of trouble and a wolf different from an owl would not have as easy of an time getting away from here safe and sound.
Sometime that suprised Corina thought, was the fact that both knew who she was. She had not shown herself a lot lately but she did not mind being recalled. It would probably be of help to be known if she was to to her work in a good way. She smiled and climbed down from the windowsill. She knew helping Dek in this matter was important but she did not want any missunderstandings around.
"If the scuffle that you speak of is the one where your dear Derl moved on, it was as much their fault as it was Carbo's. They were a simple scouting party that stumbled over the wrong wolf and took head over heel. I am truly sorry for your loss Dek, but the wolves are not the only ones to blame for the event. They finished the battle, but you were the ones starting it. I although believe taking their lives was a bit unnecessary."
Corina walked trough the room, dragging her staff behind her as if it had a higher weight than she could carry. In fact it was very light, but she did not wish it to seem as if she were going to do anything hostile with it. She gently placed her right hand over Dek's left shoulder with respect of his fallen brother. She looked him into the eyes and smiled before turning her eyes to Spirit.
"I am a far way from home and I know my words is of little significance, but look into your heart and consider it, General. The caravan could be transporting medical and food supplies, and that would be a highly dishonorable move to do. If loss of lives do not fright you, a change of your reputation might. No one wish to be remembered as the man who destroyed caravans of medical supplies."
She smiled and barely held her giggle back. She felt like the greatest intruder or all, interfearing in a deal like this without being at either ones side. She even told the wolves that she did not wish to intrude and yet, look at her.
She sat down on the chair next to Dek, still holding her hand on his shoulder. She used the edge of her staff to remove the hair that covered her eyes.
Spirit sighed heavily. He really REALLY hated to do this, but he had no choice.
"All right. I'll sign a proclamation stating that the caravan and anyone with it may pass unharmed, and will present it to all in the kingdom. But if I find out that your kind was smuggling weapons and explosives over the border, I'll have your head."
Standing up, Spirit fumbled around on the shelves behind him and pulled out a long document. "Luckily, I had copies made for such an occasion."
Signing his signature at the bottom, Spirit stood up. "There, it's official. You and your caravan may pass through unharmed. Any who dares lay a hand on you or your friends will be dealt with personally."
Dek jumped up in excitement. He knew he could do it. It was the best thing for this sort of situation, and it had gone over perfectly. Dek smiled as Spirit signed over the proclamation with his signature. Dek sarcastically bowed, and rolled his eyes
"Thank you your humble...guy" He said half-heartedly. He took the proclamation and scanned it quickly. All was well - no fine print or anything of that sort of trickery - Dek wouldn't put it below a wolf to cheat out on a deal.
Dek turned his attention towards the woman sitting at his side - Corina. If it wasn't for her, it might have gotten ugly in this room. A scuffle would surely happen with this fiery wolf - and Dek would surely get his ass kicked. He turned back towards the Silver-Haired General and cleared his throat.
"Any chance a negotiator could get a tour around this place? It's pretty cool over here, and I would like to stop by one of your gift shops. Get a shirt or a hat 'er somethin....." Dek said trailing off, scratching the inside of his ear.
"Corina, maybe you could take me around the place...introduce me to some of the big wigs over here at Castle Wolfenstein or whatever you want to call it."
"You may have a tour around the city, but once you are finished you must leave immediately. I don't want any of the guards or citizens getting suspicious about you being around here for too long."
Spirit turned to Corina. "If you want to take him under your custody for the time being, be my guest. Otherwise, I can arrange for an escort around the city for him. It is your choice."
Opening the door once more, Spirit stepped outside and took a deep breath of the wonderful afternoon breeze. "Such a wonderful day..I think I'll take a little walk. Good day to you, Sir Dek."
Spirit bowed slightly and walked down the steps onto the path below him.
Corina turned her gaze to see both of them at once. She smiled as she leaped up to the back support of the chair, light as a feather and sat in a crouching position. She was suprised of how she was treated, despite the fact that she indeed was a demon from another kingdom. A rogue of course, but rogues too could be hostile and with bad intentions. Of course, she was not and she wanted to prove it.
"It would be my honor but I have a place I need to visit. Unless Dek mind to come with me there I can take him a tour trough the base afterwards."
With a grin, she jumped down from the chair and walked past Dek and to the door. She guessed that Dek was the kind of person that prefered the stairs over the window and that was something Corina just had to put up with for the time being, even though she loved the air beneath her wings.
"What do you say, Dek? Duty first and pleasure later?"
She thought for a while and had a nasty thought occuring to her. But what is said is said and done is done. All she could do right now was wait for his response in the matter.
"I warn you though! I am not as good a guide as many others around here."
Originally posted by C. C. Cowgirl
Corina turned her gaze to see both of them at once. She smiled as she leaped up to the back support of the chair, light as a feather and sat in a crouching position. She was suprised of how she was treated, despite the fact that she indeed was a demon from another kingdom. A rogue of course, but rogues too could be hostile and with bad intentions. Of course, she was not and she wanted to prove it."It would be my honor but I have a place I need to visit. Unless Dek mind to come with me there I can take him a tour trough the base afterwards."
With a grin, she jumped down from the chair and walked past Dek and to the door. She guessed that Dek was the kind of person that prefered the stairs over the window and that was something Corina just had to put up with for the time being, even though she loved the air beneath her wings.
"What do you say, Dek? Duty first and pleasure later?"
She thought for a while and had a nasty thought occuring to her. But what is said is said and done is done. All she could do right now was wait for his response in the matter.
"I warn you though! I am not as good a guide as many others around here."
Dek stood up slowly, and brushed off his knees. The day had been one alright. He couldn't wait to return back to his camp and report back to the captain. But then again, the chance to take a look at the inside of the Wolf Kingdom without being attacked, or doing the attacking? He couldn't pass up this chance. Not in this lifetime. So he stood up and nodded at Corina.
"A place to go? Yeah sure I'm game for that." Dek said eagerly, as he started for the door. He couldn't contain his excitement, and began whistling as he walked.
"I'm sure you'll make a fine guide. And even if you don't, I won't be able to tell." Dek said, brushing his red hair from his eyes. He was about to take his first step out the door, when he heard Corina say
"What do you say, Dek? Duty first and pleasure later?"
He stopped midstep and had to hold back laughter. He looked back towards her and smirked an arrogant smirk. Then he stood, waiting for Corina to start the tour.