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Post by Narrator on Apr 10, 2005 12:53:08 GMT -6
Over the course of a week several Elites have turned up dead at their posts. Even posting guards in pairs has not stopped the killings and now the General stands over yet another gruesome scene.
Two Fallen lay where they fell after a short battle- there are only a few small splatters of blood and the edges of the great gashes across their bodies are all charred as if licked by flames.
A shaken solider rushes up to Zarek and salutes hurriedly.
"My Lord! Her Wickedness comes this way!"
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Post by General Zarek on Apr 10, 2005 13:09:28 GMT -6
Zarek, busy looking down at the fallens bodies, doesn't even bother to look up and rubs his temples. "Of course she is. Well, hopefully Lye is with her at least."
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Post by Thane on Apr 13, 2005 13:46:52 GMT -6
A spine chilling scratching of claws on stone becomes audible and grows louder by the second in the ears of those already present at the scene. The sound is of a large animal approaching at great speed as a dark beast in a black cloak leaps at the small group to land almost silently before them. Only the sound is the black blade being withdrawn from it's scabbard and the rustling of the leather cloak as it settles, and the creature breathing heavily make the only sound.
The dark figure stands from its crouched landing zone and throws back the hood revealing his wolven face. "M'lord..." Thane speaks with a reverent tone cradling his Scimitar, "I heard the screams of ... slaughter ... and rushed to the scene to find ... this." He then looks to the floor, "I pursued the coward yet they have managed to evade and vanished before I could catch them, their lead was to great, even for me." He huffs with frustration. "However, their stench is thick and will make them easy to prey to track." He says as he looks his General in the eye with determination. "If we act post haste, the odds are great we can catch this slayer before the breaking light of the dawn." Thane then bows again before his Lord, "I request to be part of the hunt M'lord," Thane grumbles deep and steady in a menacing tone, "...These elite slain will be this bastards last."
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Post by Admin on Apr 15, 2005 1:55:09 GMT -6
The sound of rapid foot steps comes down the corridor to the waiting soliders. Her Royal Highness comes around a corner and stops- her eyes narrowing as she turns to Zarek and snaps.
"This is the TENTH this week. What is going ON!?" Her dress' hem rustles in irritation as she glares at him.
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Post by General Zarek on Apr 15, 2005 2:15:50 GMT -6
Zarek, oblivious to the Queens irratation, rubs the bridge of his nose. "I don't like this. All the Elites that are dead have been Fallen, and all the wounds are large slashes. But there's not much blood around, becuase the wounds have all been cauterized. The only blades that do that are angelic blades. Meaning we probably have an avenging angle running amok."
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Lye
Bourgeois
Darkangel: The Queen's BodyGuard
Posts: 166
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Post by Lye on Apr 15, 2005 2:44:45 GMT -6
Lye pokes her head out from behind Ghostie, looks at the bodies, and wrinkles her nose. "Damn. Right-handed. No help there. Maybe...maybe the Fallen Elites should be stationed with Leccubi or something...you know, the angel might kill other kinds of demons but posting two Fallen together is probably NOT a good idea."
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Post by Erethkhaniel on Apr 17, 2005 23:48:19 GMT -6
Khan becomes noticeable by speaking from a gargoyle-like perched position atop the Palace walls. "Considering the sounds of battle, not to mention any cries for aid, would call any nearby to help, the simple fact that they were slain with none the wiser suggests that they were taken by surprise and killed in the first blows. Given the general abilities of most Elite, to say nothing of Fallen, speaks of an angel of both power and considerable skill at stealth, if angel it is. Going haring off after them without knowing more would be a Bad Idea, if you ask me." He leans over a bit more, one arm dangling down along the wall, wings flaring a bit, a strange glitter in his eyes, and says with quiet malice. "I think that we should set a trap instead." His claws make a scratching sound as he drags them along the wall, then digs them in, still speaking in that quiet tone. "Remove all Fallen from their posts. Send them home, all save two." His other arm comes over as he continues to lean farther down, likewise digging that hand into the stone. "Those two you post together, as these were, in a somewhat less-than-defensible place." He begins to climb down the wall, head first, still watching the others with that glittering gaze. "Then, we watch and wait, hidden from sight, for this creature to show itself. Have any manner of magical and non-magical restraint ready that might hold an angel, nets, chains, spells. And perhaps some weapon that even a powerful angel would fear, one that could do grievious damage from a fair distance. A spear, perhaps." His body, now halfway down the wall, pulls back into a crouch, as if getting ready to pounce. "All these things we have in hand and prepared, while we lay scattered around the post and hidden, and when the angel comes, we STRIKE!" And he leaps at the group with terrifying speed, but just before hitting them, he rolls forward in midair, flares his wings, and slams them in a powerful downbeat just as he comes out of the roll, shooting up above them to begin circling like a bird of prey. "But then again, what do I know of hunting, right?"
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Lye
Bourgeois
Darkangel: The Queen's BodyGuard
Posts: 166
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Post by Lye on Apr 18, 2005 2:50:16 GMT -6
"That...actually sounds like a great plan. If I could be made to look like a convincing fallen - not too difficult, I think - I would volunteer because he could kill me and I would be all right."
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Post by Thane on Apr 18, 2005 13:13:44 GMT -6
Thane lets Kahn's words sink into his fuzzy ears and ponders them for a moment. Thane then stands again bracing against Kahn's wing blast, his ears laid flat and eyes squinted as the force of wind flutters his cloak and ruffles his fur.
He then opens his eyes brightly and looks to Lye. He admires her self-sacrificing attitude to assist the greater good. His attentions then shift to the general.
"The Great Lord Erethkhaniel has a point," Thane agrees, "With due respect, however, if this angel is as strong and sly as suggested, Arch Angel perhaps M'Lord, who is to say that any such trickery would prove effective? With this many slain... a trap might be anticipated by now." Thane places the tip of his scimitar on the ground as he places both his paws on the hilt. "We then will have lost the trail and by doing so, endangering more of the fallen." Thane looks down at the wounds on the slain. "Should the guard prove to become more difficult pray, then this rogue may seek other fallen subjects as easier marks."
Thane then looks to Kahn, "Many questions need answering. We need to know how they entered Hell undetected, where are they hiding and are they acting alone." Thane looks to the Queen, "Respectfully, to the court, no trap can tell that tale only covert reconnaissance and stealth observation. Then would we know with certainty what we are up against. The trail grows cold and those answers fade with it."
Thane's eyes wander over the group as he speaks in a deep authoritative tone, "This defiler's mockery has proven the Palace is vulnerable. I recommend the Elite Guard be placed on full alert, the Fallen should be specifically warned, educated to this slayers methods if need be, winged special forces should be ready for action at moments notice and security stepped up." Thane pauses briefly as if in thought, "Two Centuries posted within eyeshot of the other posts placed strategically about the parameter ought to deter any future incidents. Ten teams of mobile Hell Hound patrols with twin guards would detect any foreign presence and a temporary detachment commanded by master Zavel to protect the Queen, as this all may be a cleaver ploy to divert our attentions in a plot to capture our beloved."
Thane then pauses for a moment then bows to the court, he speaks with a bold clarity and resolve, "Whatever your decision M'Lord, Your servant stands ready to act by your command General."
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Post by Pox on Apr 21, 2005 21:16:23 GMT -6
**Pox watching from across the way , walks up non-chalently , the already impressive entrances need not be spoiled by a shape shifter , besides , more important matters are at hand. His staff clicks on the stone as he speaks up from behind everyone.**
Sending the fallen off would be a mistake , it would be harder to keep track of them all , who is to say they wont be killed elsewhere. On that note , do we have any other fallen that have gotten themselves perished away from the castle ?
I think posting them within eyesight of each other is a good idea, but I would also increase the number , it may not be successful , it may cost more lives , but if two are slain like this. and this quick , spreading them apart will mean that it will take longer to group up. And defend against. Or attack whoever is doing this , and by that time , they may be gone , whoever they are.
So many decisions to make , so many tactics , well , 50/50 , you do or you don’t. I guess that’s why this is your job Zarek. I wonder what ilinid is up too during this , I imagine she wouldn’t be invited to this kind of thing , then again , neither was I really.
**Pox bows to the Queen , turns on his heel, and marches himself back into the castle.**
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Post by General Zarek on Apr 22, 2005 15:14:10 GMT -6
Zarek watches Pox leave, then makes takes a quick look around to make sure that there are no "Pox peices" laying about. "I agree with the Pox. We should still keep everyone posted as they are. We will want to keep the patrol's and the sentry's tighter together. That means more will die, but they are fallen, and they should be prepared already. We can post lye too. It seems like a good idea to have her on the watch, and me too, but not posted with her. We don't need to get suprised and have both of us slaughtered off. We can put Thane on patrol. Thane will be with the queen during this, just in case this is all just a ploy to get our attention away from her, along with several other guards. I don't think this is a distraction to gett to the queen. It's way to obvious. I feel like we're missing something, but I don't know what."
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Post by Admin on Apr 23, 2005 12:18:29 GMT -6
Her Majesty watches the proceedings calmly with her head tilted slightly to one side. She speaks softly after Zarek has finished.
"I see.. I certainly hope there is only one angel slaying my people." She glances sideways at Zarek, her eyes narrowing a little.
"I have seen cuts such as this before, and not during the wars. General Zarek, I will lend you my bodyguard- however- Lye, take extra care, as with the loss of my Advisor raising you again may prove harder than before. I will accompany you for a while before returning to my throne room. Lord Erethkhaniel and my loyal guardian Thane will see to my saftey afterwards I am sure." She pauses and then speaks again, more relaxed.
"Ah- Zarek, what did Zavael come to report? He told me but I've forgotten."
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Post by Thane on Apr 23, 2005 16:42:07 GMT -6
Thane nods to show acknowledgment to his orders. He barks them back while saluting his commander. "Continue my patrol and then report to the Throne Room immediately following as ordered." Thane then returns his black blade to its shoulder scabbard "Highness." Thane says reverently to his queen as he bows to her then the rest of the court. "By your command and with your leave M'Lord." Thane rumbles, then turns and bounds away to carryout his orders.
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Post by General Zarek on May 2, 2005 22:48:14 GMT -6
Zarek watches Thane leave and then turns to his Queen. "I hope you are not saying that I am a suspect in this. As far as I know, I didn't kill any of my brothers. My sword is of... angelic... origin, but mine eats at the flesh around the wound. If it was my sword, the wounds would be similar, but larger. Anyways, Zavael had gone out to gather more information on a possible angel being sighted in hell. That, I hope is enough to keep me from being suspect. I may be old, my queen, but I would remember killing my brothers....I think."
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Post by Admin on May 2, 2005 23:22:23 GMT -6
"True, General." She nods curtly to him.
"And thank you.. it seems then that our killer is likely this angel Zavael investigated. Very well.. Lye, General, I will be in the throne room waiting for news. Lord Erethkhaniel- if you will escort me?" She turns to him and beckons.
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Lye
Bourgeois
Darkangel: The Queen's BodyGuard
Posts: 166
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Post by Lye on May 4, 2005 3:26:07 GMT -6
Lye always feels a slight reluctance to leave the Queen in others' care, but obeys and steps away, more toward Zarek. "So...General. What to do now?"
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Post by Erethkhaniel on May 4, 2005 18:19:50 GMT -6
Khan dives down to land in a crouch in front of the Queen, wings pooling around him, fluidly drawing in around his shoulders in their usual cape-like fashion as he stands. "As you wish, my Lady, though if you will give me but a moment..." He walks over to Zarek, motioning for his attention. "When I spoke of removing Fallen from posts, I didn't mean seperate them. Keeping them in a large group, rather, and limiting the creature's options of attack. Pox's idea indeed seems sound, though it still limits how swiftly any of us may get there if it attacks far from us, on the outskirts. And, contrary to Thane's perceptions, a trap WILL tell us what we're up against and it's capabilities, and it will be on our home ground, with superior numbers and the element of surprise, whereas no matter how stealthy we are, tracking it far away from the Palace gives the possibility of wandering into an ambush ourselves, without even yet knowing what we're up against. I hope this Zavael is good, and can get us a bit of that knowledge even before we decide to set any ambushes. That could help us prepare. But you are General, and doubtless know Heaven's tactics better than I, so I leave it to you. I simply wanted to express my thoughts, in the hope that if they're helpful, I shall be included in any ambush, or hunt afterwards. I'm in need of a hunt, and the taste of an Angel's heart's blood, fresh-ripped from it's chest, would do wonders right now." His eyes harden and glitter for a moment, before he nods to Zarek and returns to the Queen, offering his arm. "If you will, my Lady, I'm ready when you are."
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Post by Admin on May 8, 2005 18:39:07 GMT -6
The Queen takes Khan's arm and looks over her shoulder at Zarek.
"I trust you will take good care of Lye, General." Then she starts off down the hall talking of trivialities.
"I'm trying to write a joke..."
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Post by General Zarek on May 22, 2005 22:48:59 GMT -6
Zarek watches everyone else leave. "All right Lye, Lets go. Take watch on one side of the castle, and I'll take watch on the other. We'll set up runners along the walls wo we'll know when the next attack happens as fast as possible."
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Lye
Bourgeois
Darkangel: The Queen's BodyGuard
Posts: 166
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Post by Lye on May 23, 2005 2:45:00 GMT -6
Lye nods, and begins to turn, but stops. "General? Before I go...do you think we should get some flying Elites to circle the area from above? I know it takes a lot of energy but...it'd be an easy way to see whoever is doing this at the earliest possible moment and immediately have warning."
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