The Color King, and the Tale of the Fade Thief (O/A)

[The Strawberry Witch]

To pass the time, Hunter had begun a small game of cards as he occassionally glanced out the window. A few times guards would walk by and he would happen to look when they were staring up at him. He reisted the urge to shoot them a bird, instead wiving politely at him. Once instance he thought he saw a flash of a figure that wasn't someone from the army, but he dismissed it. He wondered what it was like to have powers, if it was something you had to be born with. The normal male wished he could have powers of some kind, even if it was something simple.

Cora jumped as a bolt of lightning lit up the room. She had lost her appitite moments ago and had put down the food she was eatting. She held her stomach as it growled, but the mere thought of swallowing a substance made her feel like throwing up. She looked out the window again, seeing that the first droplets of rain began to hit against the window. She gasped when a light from the forest was coming her way. She quickly bolted for her hiding spot, her heart beatting in overtime as she flashed. She ignored the wave of dizziness that overcame her after using it in such short notice as she undid the trap door and fell inside her hole, closing the latch behind her before squeezing through the bens and barrels down the short pathway under the home. They wont find me... She had to repeat to herself to keep fear from consuming her. None of it helped though when she remembered she had left her half eaten food on the window ceil.

 

[Strifer Garuwashi]

Lewis took just a moment to make sure he had not alerted anyone before he began to focus his ears. To help him listen he closed his eyes, hiding the indigo that made him feel comfortable for the first time since he'd worn the glasses this evening. There was only one guard pacing the courtyard, the Fade Thief could hear his steps when they landed on cobblestone, however occasionally they would vanish. The man was taking an uneven path on the trail occasionally stepping on the grass. Finally a step on cobblestone, followed by a short one meaning the man had come to a stop at the tip of his round. The sound was from the opposite direction of the gate, and now was the time for him to make his move.

Lewis opened his eyes and darted out of the gap to his left, in the opposite direction of the guard. One, two, three steps and he was just out in the open. Then he felt it once more, the fun part. Again the world rushed around him, a blur of motion, and the Fade Thief was about ten feet away from the front gate. Another blur, this time shorter and more controlled, and Lewis was at the wall beside the gate. He scrambled, his hand finding a grip to climb the wall as quickly as he could. Instinctively he found grips for his feet and scaled the wall as quickly as he could. The wall guards were changing their shifts, and most would likely be off the wall, even if for just a few moments. The Captain of the color army thought that rotating ground shift and wall shift times would make it harder, and he was right, but on occasion it worked in the thief's favor.

In about one minute Lewis was on the top of the wall, his muscles screaming, his breath regulated and slow despite the fact his heart pumped quickly after the exertion of the exercise. He pulled himself over the wall, and fell fat to the ground, and just before him was the door into the castle. His only hope was that the guard in the courtyard had been looking too intently to turn and notice the Fade Thief as he scaled the wall. Just in case, Lewis laid flat, hoping he would hear the alarm should he have been spotted. Now it was just a momentary waiting game.  

[Strifer Garuwashi]

Ty Gwynnia

Rayne Engel

The Strawberry Witch

transformersgirl13

((My temporary hiatus is over! Huzzah!))  

[Ty Gwynnia]

((Aw yeeeah! School swallowed me, otherwise I would've posted here earlier.))

[NPC]
The blue-eyed guard kept his eyes roaming over the darkened courtyard as he reached the end of his circuit, pivoting smartly on a heel to face the way he'd come. Although he was seeing spots from having stared at the sputtering torch behind him, he could have sworn he'd seen a blur of something in the distance by the wall's low parapet. Might have been a bird, or it might not have. He frowned as he paced back towards the gate, the beginning of his circuit. The first few scattered raindrops splashed down.

Nelly sifted the buns in the basket and shifted the basket to the crook of her arm as she took out her writing pad. With a piece of charcoal, she scribbled on the paper and then turned it towards Finlay so that the woman could see it. It read: "Someone who looks...average. Or looks like a soldier."

Strifer Garuwashi

Rayne Engel

transformersgirl13

 

[transformersgirl13]

i'm sorry bout the last post, I had no idea I had so many misspelled words.))
Andrea listened to her sister read. She wasn't very good yet, having trouble with several words. Andrea smiled, her sister, Abby, was struggeling with a rather tough word, but handeling it very well. She could almost feel her mothers smile. It made Andrea smile. "You're doing good Abby." "Thank you."

Romulus streached, he hadn't left his workshop just yet. He was looking at some of his sketches he had been working on in a thick sketchbook that Andrea had given him for his last birthday. It was currently half full. Romulus grins. He had a few ideas in here that Abby had drawn, they were very cute, and made him smile everytime he saw them. He wondered which project he should work on next.  

[Ty Gwynnia]

((Did you? I don't remember any.))  

[Strifer Garuwashi]

Twenty breaths. That was how the Fade Thief waited. He brought his body to a crouch as a drops of rain began to fall at a lazily spaced pace. Lewis would be inside by the time it began to really rain. The first part of his struggle had been realized. Quickly the thief made his way to the door, and pushed himself up against the wall. A slight pull brought a crack of indigo light to his eyes, where he watched the wall opposite him for shadows. None, and no foot steps. The guards should be passing each other at the stairwell. He pushed the door open more, still moving it slowly, as the doors were old and some creaked. Lewis had never used this one before and he had to be careful. Once it was open enough to fit the slender body through the thief slipped in like a mouse, and slowly began to close the door.

Once the door was closed Lewis began to make his way down the stairs when he caught the sound. The clanking of boots. The guard was coming up to take his place on the wall, regardless of the weather conditions. Frantically the Fade Thief looked upwards for salvation. The ceiling was vaulted, and the arch over the stairwell entrance gave him more then enough standing room. A sprint got him across the room in not time, and with a jump he scrambled for the top of the pillar. The right hand got a solid grip, but his left hand slipped. He swung for a moment before he reached upward to get a firm grip. Another aching pull, then a swing of his right leg and he was able to pull himself up so that he stood facing the door he had just entered, his back pressed against the wall. He let his breath flow freely until the steps got too close. A slow deep breath, then a hold. Hopefully the guard would pass through quickly.  

[Ty Gwynnia]

[NPC]
The yellow-eyed guard who was posted to patrol the wall, quite a boring job in her opinion, stomped heavily up the stairs. She held a bowl of stew in one hand and pushed the door open just slightly before she tsked and leaned on the doorjamb, staring at the outside. She wasnot going to let her food get cold and watery, but she also wasn't going to abandon her post. The guard stared out at the dark night, the steam rising from her food fogging her yellow-tinted glasses as she scarfed her foot down as fast as she could without burning her mouth and throat.

Daniel let his gauntleted hand rest comfortably on the pommel of his sword as he stroll aimlessly. Although he'd set specific instructions for the other Color soldiers, he hadn't planned anything for himself. He'd spent that time sleeping.

Staying up all night and resting for half the day took a toll on the body after a while. Approximately a week in his case. There was a pervading worry in the back of his mind that if he let himself take a break at any point, then his authority would be needed. And at a certain point, previously uncomfortable looking objects looked very nice to take a nap on.

Daniel shook his head and renewed his steps, crossing over the plush rug at one of the many plus-shaped intersections of hallways. He let his feet guide him wherever they felt like, counting the thumping rhythm of rug, then stone, and then rug again. Meanwhile he let his mind work over recent problems, such as recruitment and the sorry state of the organization in the armory.  

[Rayne Engel]

A gentleman that had been keeping quiet for a while finally stood up, he held a smug smile on his face, it was obvious his eyes were blue even when he was all the way across the room from Finlay. "I will do the job, if you'll have me." The leader couldn't help but blink a few times before replying. "And you are?" She asked, never having seen him before. Something about his smug attitude made her feel she would regret choosing him. Although someone wanting to do it would be a better choice than an unwilling actor.

"Cutlass, I go by Cutlass." His voice gave away his arrogance, which only made Finlay sigh. He seemed to be taking her reaction of annoyance for something else for his smile only grew. "I guess you will have to do." Cutlass bowed and resumed his seat. She resumed looking at the papers that the other ally had given her. Silence fell over the room for a moment, all knowing that she was thinking of something. "I say we strike tonight" She had a mischievous smile as another male stood up, about to object. Finlay waived her hand, dismissing him. "Maybe we'll get to meet our little thief." She stood and the people looked at each other before all agreeing. And they began to prepare the spy and get their plans together.

 

[Strifer Garuwashi]

Lewis mentally cursed the guard and himself, but the Fade Thief held his breath as the guard stopped at the door. Now that the rain was starting to come down a little harder he could probably breathe in slow careful breaths, but the risk was too high. Slowly he began to move his hand to his belt where his throwing daggers were strapped. In an even slower motion he began to draw it from his belt careful not to draw it too quickly and make too much noise. The Fade Thief had killed before, but it was messy and then he'd have to find a suitable spot to hide the body. Lewis was too far in now, he didn't want to turn back. Finally the throwing knife was free from it's holster and he moved his hand upward. Ready to strike with precision and practice he had built up over years of training if the guard happened to look up and see the figure cloaked in brown above him. The strain of holding his breath was beginning to creep into his lungs. A slight tightening, that if held for much longer he'd be force to take a breath. The Fade Thief could feel his pulse in his chest as he continued to hold, but still he held. Patience was what won him many victories on many nights. With each passing moment his pulse grew stronger in his chest time was his enemy as it had been the whole night, but still he waited.  

[Ty Gwynnia]

[NPC]
The guard sighed in contentment as the warmth of the rich food hit the pit of her stomach, wonderfully contrasting the cool breeze that threw raindrops onto her face. She slurped the rest of the remaining sludge down and set both the bowl and spoon on the floor where she could pick it up later on her patrol back near the kitchens. However...she paused before stepping out into the rainy weather.

There was a tickle on the back of her head, as if someone was watching her. Had the Captain made his rounds and seen her stalling? She thought this with more than a bit of panic; forty-laps around the inner halls of the palace was a grueling punishment for something like failing to carry out a duty. The guard almost looked behind her, to see if he was there, and was even in the process of turning her head, when she stopped herself and stomped out into the rain, shutting the door behind her. Better not check, just in case.

Nelly offered the rest of the contents of her basket to the anyone who would want it whilst they planned. Her inward thoughts turned away from the rebels' work and to her friend Hunter, most likely safe in his room above the dusty catacombs of the city. He would most likely be bored out of his skull at this time of night, or asleep, but she placed her bet on the former. She wished that he would accompany her to one of these meetings, if only to see what it was like.  

[transformersgirl13]

Andrea frowned. The storm was getting worse and Romulus still hadn't come in from his 'work shop' (aka the barn). he had either 1) started a new project. or 2) fallen asleep. Thunder boomed. Abby stopped reading, thunder scared her. Andrea reached over and took her hand, she didn't need to see to know that her sister was so close. "Should someone get Romulus?" She asked. Their father mused for a moment. "I'll give the lad five minutes, then see what he's up to." That seemed to help Abby, for she started to read again.

Romulus had decided, against his own better judgment, to start something new. Thunder boomed. His family was surly wondering where he was, but he knew this would be helpful. It was for Andrea, a walking staff of sorts, it would fold out into a blade for protection. People were often mean to her because she couldn't see, and this would help. He knew it would.  

[Strifer Garuwashi]

Lewis let his breath out as the door hurriedly left, perhaps sensing something watching her. He allowed himself two loud breaths to relieve the pounding of his heart before he slowed his breathing down, ignoring both his pounding head and heart. First he slid the knife he had drawn with practiced ease and a fluid motion. He allowed himself to drop while he turned and caught himself on the same ledge he had pulled himself up to his hiding spot. Slowly he left himself down with nary a sound. So far, everything was going quite well. He had maintained his spotless reputation of going without anyone spotting him up to this point. Now came the hard part.

Quickly and quietly the Fade Thief made his way down the hall, his breath still regulated with the quiet slow breath, and his internal pounding fading with each passing moment. When he reached the end of the corridor he began to slow his pace, listening intently. The sound of the boots would be muffled on the carpet. Tracking the route of the guard inside had been the hardest part of this whole operation, but eventually one would pass right by the corridor. The moment the thought had entered his mind he had caught the sound of the boots growing closer. Lewis backed into the corridor a little more, being sure to use the shadows to his advantage, and waited for the guard to pass. The sounds grew louder, before the guard appeared in the light of the hallway. Lewis eyed him as he passed and allowed two steps to pass before he silently slid out from the shadows, keeping low to the ground to hide against the stone railing, trailing the guard on the second story route silently as a mouse.

The guard wore light armor, leather mostly, and had metal rods about two feet long on each of his hips. A yellow drafter, the perfect type for him to strike against. So far Lewis had not needed to kill a guard to steal anything from within the palace, but tonight everything would change. They would know how close the Fade Thief was to them. How vulnerable they really were. One hurried step, then two and Lewis was behind the guard, his feet almost toughing the back of the guards before he stood and caught the man in a headlock, gripping with all his might. The man barely had time to gasp before he realized what was happening. Soundlessly the man grabbed at The Fade Thief's covered face and the arm the strangled him as Lewis swept the guard's feet out from under him, bringing them both down to a crouch. The guard grabbed at Lewis' face, but he turned away, pulling his head back and tightening his arm around the man's throat. A small choking sound exited his through as muscles strained against one another, and Lewis began to drag the man backwards towards the corridor he had entered. Dragging the man back, the arms slowly began to lose their strength in their scrambling. By the time the two were at the corridor the struggling had ceased. The Fade Thief finally released his chocking grip and dragged the man far enough into the corridor that he would not be spotted should anyone pass by from the hall, laying him against the wall in a shadow. The Fade Thief brought himself against the same wall he had hidden while waiting for the guard, looking out to make sure he had not been seen.  

[Ty Gwynnia]

[NPC] (this guy's just wherever, I don't know where)
Whistling, the guard glanced down at the hastily scrawled map he held in one hand. Even with years of knowledge of the castle's interior, he still hadn't been able to recognize every hallway or corridor. It seemed almost a maze of identicalness in one wing, and complete difference in another. Or so he told his fellows. They thought him either tired or confused, and usually chuckled at his ability to become easily lost. Well, he'd show them.

Recruitment was low, as it always was, Daniel realized as he continued his stroll. It was more of an obligation than anything these days, with the large influx of recruits stemming from militaristic families who supported the crown. Their support was invaluable; there were few truly loyal citizens who willingly joined the Color Guard anymore. Almost any and all volunteers were now welcomed into their ranks if the average citizen spoke the oath and took up arms. Daniel had a suspicion that the main reason, perhaps the only reason, that volunteers even still came was that there was no threat of death in the line of duty now.

Once, the Captain reflected, joining the Color Guard had been a noble calling, hailing back through the centuries to when Alearnia was in turmoil. The Guard was living history and radiated a long-standing tradition that had stood the strain of the line of Color Kings. Daniel paused, stopping in his tracks. Strain? He repeated this to himself. No, not strain. Only Ganriel and his ascension had done that.

Ganriel. Daniel swept his gaze over the entirety of the hallway before dropping his head into one hand. A familiar pressure built up behind his eyes and throbbed in his temples and he breathed it away quickly, dismissing the emotion. There was no time to dwell on it or the King, especially when the Fade Thief was no doubt lurking around somewhere.  

[Ty Gwynnia]

NPC

The blue-eyed guard tromped up the dirty road to the farmhouse. He held his cloak about him in a vain attempt to keep it from fluttering around as he walked rather than to hide from the cold. His boots were quickly becoming covered in mud and the bottoms were an even brown by the time he made it to the door, mailed fist banging on the wood.

((Andrea/Romulus's door.))