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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 20:12:43 GMT -5
Xandra was about to go back to looking for Saeryennan when she saw Akasha look at something.
"Akasha? What is it?"
And she saw them too...two hooded figures watching them. But why?
"I think we'd best get out and go find the princess," she said. "Hopefully we'll meet up with Caylin and the White Lupe - "
Wait a minute. Akasha didn't know who Caylin was!
"Caylin's my friend," Xandra explained. "She's an Earth Faerie, and she met Saeryennan and I here. I think she's still at the cottage where the Lupe was..."
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Post by krimzon on Aug 8, 2011 20:32:42 GMT -5
An earth faerie? Akasha perked up. Maybe she could help the Citadel? Or at least teach her a thing or two!
Akasha smiled, "I'll help you find the princess."
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Post by Fang of the Dead on Aug 8, 2011 20:39:09 GMT -5
Meanwhile, Hunter and Miraja were searching through the palace for the princess... Or they would be, if Skarl wasn't in a particularly bad mood today. "A princess? Here?! BAH! The only princess I know of being in my castle is Hunter's bride!" Skarl pointed a burnt, half-eaten ham at Miraja.
Miraja scowled at the pompous, fat king. "I have a NAME, you know. I'm not just some blushing beauty who's just around to sire an heir for the Emperor. I'm not even related to him by blood, I was adopted!"
Hunter slapped a paw to his head. Miraja and Skarl were equally stubborn, and when one was riled up, an argument could last for hours. "Your highnesses, calm down!"
Skarl bit a rather large chunk out of his mid-morning snack, and scoffed. "Since when do I have to kowtow to a princess? I hold the authority, here, I'm the king! Why, she shouldn't even HAVE any authority if she isn't of royal blood!"
"That is IT! You're nothing but a greedy, ill-tempered, fat, pompous old codger! We don't need your permission to search the castle, Hunter's one of your two Knight Generals!" Miraja stomped up to Skarl's throne, her face almost as red as Skarl's cape. "He and Jeran together hold just as much authority as you do, you stubborn tyrant! And if you try and throw me in the dungeon, my father and Hunter will make sure I get out! So there!"
Every lord and lady in the throne room stood silent enough that, in all likelihood, you could hear the bleating of a Dattup. Skarl's blue face was slowly turning red, his teeth chattering, his fists clenching, until... "GUARDS! TAKE THIS IMPUDENT LITTLE BRAT TO THE DUNGEONS! AND THERE WILL BE NO BAIL!" Two Skeith Guards cuffed Miraja's hands behind her back, as more made sure that Hunter couldn't stop this.
"You lousy..." Miraja began shouting Shenkuuvian curses I dare not repeat here, as she was dragged down to the dungeons.
Skarl breathed in and out raspily, trying to calm down. His Quiggle advisor, Hopkins, slowly walked up to Hunter. "If it makes you feel any better, he'll release her within a week. After all, she is your wife, yes?" The old Grey Quiggle smiled, trying to reassure Hunter.
Hunter slapped both paws to his forehead. This was going to be a loooooooong day...
Out in Meridell Castle town, Sirocco jumped down from a rooftop and bowed in front of Xandra and the White Korbat. "Sorry, but next time, d'you mind waiting up for me?" He smirked, before turning his gaze to the Korbat. "Who's your new friend?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 20:49:54 GMT -5
"This is Akasha," Xandra said smiling. "Akasha, Sirocco."
Saeryennan had made her way into the castle. Skarl was not busy anymore (as if he ever WAS), but he had an audience. He was yelling something at someone. Saeryennan couldn't find out what. There were two more voices, a male and a female voice. The girl in the room suddenly grew very angry and there was a clutter of commotion. They were dragging someone away...
Oh no! What if they'd captured Xandra?!
Thinking fast, Saeryennan pushed past the guards and opened the door, just after Miraja had been carried off. She faced the Lupe, Quiggle and the King himself.
"What happened?! Is Xandra okay?! Where did they take her?!"
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Post by Fang of the Dead on Aug 8, 2011 21:05:08 GMT -5
"Xandra isn't here, I think." Hunter crouched down to see eye-to-eye with the much younger Cybunny. "You aren't a princess, perchance?"
"Bah!" Skarl scoffed as he took another bite out of his ham, stripping the last bit of meat from the bone. "If she WAS a princess, I would have been informed by ambassadors." Skarl tried to take another bite out of the now-eaten ham, but ended up crunching down on bone. "YOWWWWW! HOPKIIIIIINS!" Skarl clutched his jaw in pain, and tossed the bone aside, nearly hitting Hunter in the head with it. "FETCH ME A SLING FOR MY MAGNIFICENT ROYAL JOWLS! NOW!"
Hopkins sighed. "Right away, sir..."
Shortly after the Quiggle left, the doors to the throne room flew open. A tall, gaunt Draconian Korbat slowly walked in, accompanied by a very tall and very powerful Draconian Grarrl. "Skarl." The Korbat spoke, hushing everyone in the room save for Sir Hunter. "We in the Citadel have... Need of your aid."
Skarl fumed, still clutching his sore jaw. "Why should we help YOUR KIND after you nearly razed our land TWICE?! What does Meridell owe you and your wretched people?! You haven't-"
Both Hunter and the Grarrl shot Skarl a look that silenced even the grumpy old king. Hunter then bowed to Lord Darigan. "I think you should speak with me, Lord Darigan. You'll get nowhere with Skarl, and since Jeran is on an ambassadorial trip to Qasala, I'm the only one available who's willing to listen."
Darigan's usual sullen expression changed into a wizened grin behind his mask. "Even better. I'm sure this news would matter far more to you than it would to your... King. Galgarroth; you will join the Meridellian Parliament for now. Hunter and I shall be in the Hall of the Half-Orb."
Galgarroth bowed and slammed his fist into his chest. "As is my duty, my lord, I shall not fail you."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 21:13:36 GMT -5
"Excuse me?!" Saeryennan snapped at King Skarl. "I happen to be the only child of King Altador! Look!" She pointed to the crown of golden laurels on her head.
She then stood next to Hunter and listened to Lord Darigan. Finally she understood...this White Lupe, not King Altador, was who she had seen.
"I had a prophecy about you," she said to Hunter. "It was just you in Meridell. I thought you were my father about twenty years younger..."
And now, about Xandra...
"I thought I heard the guards drag someone away. I know Xandra was looking for me, but..." Tears welled up in her eyes. "I ran off, away from her! She found me when I ran away from Altador because my father wouldn't let me go here, and she helped me get to Meridell...but I think they just dragged her away to the dungeon! It's all my fault it's all my fault it's all my fault..."
Still crying, the Cybunny gave Hunter a hug. Even though he wasn't a younger King Altador, he did remind her of him.
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Post by Fang of the Dead on Aug 8, 2011 21:19:42 GMT -5
"A prophecy?" Hunter took Saeryennan's hand. "Lord Darigan, I think this child has foreseen something. Should we let her have her say?"
Darigan nodded. "Of course. If she indeed can see the future, her advice will be a great gift."
Skarl muttered something about how any Neopian could just buy some fake laurels at the Altador Cup merchandise shop, but quickly shut up with Galgarroth growled at him.
"As for Xandra, that wasn't her. That was my wife, Princess Miraja. I believe you've been a playdate to her younger sisters Terrana and Lunara, correct?" Hunter smiled, and began to walk into the hall with the old Korbat and the young Cybunny.
Meanwhile, in the dungeon, Miraja sulked in a dingy cell right next to one containing a rather filthy Blue Draik. "Hey. Hey kid. Maybe... Maybe you can help old Valrigard escape? I'm just like you; Skarl had a tantrum and ordered me thrown in here fifty years ago. If you help me, I'll share some of my gruel..."
Miraja winced at the sight - and smell - of the gruel, and crossed her legs. "If only Sirocco was here. Or maybe Fang..."
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Post by krimzon on Aug 8, 2011 21:45:47 GMT -5
((Good god this is crazy, lol. Everyone needs to get in a big ole' group. )) "Yeah. Akasha." The white korbat hesitantly held out her hand to Sirocco, "Pleased to meet you, Sirocco...I guess." She put her hand down before Sirocco could offer his own, "So we have a princess to save or something?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 21:54:00 GMT -5
"I don't think she needs saving, but she did run off on me," Xandra replied. "So we should go to the castle."
She and Caylin met up just outside the door. The two of them headed inside to find the princess, the Lupe and the two younger Neopets who must be there with them.
"Xandra, thank goodness!" Caylin cried out. "They just threw that Xweetok in the dungeon. I believe she's the oldest princess of Shenkuu. Saeryennan is okay, she found the Lupe..."
Xandra raced inside, determined to find them all.
Saeryennan breathed a sigh of relief. Xandra was okay!
She was just about to speak to Lord Darigan when Xandra ran in and hugged her.
"Saery! There you are!"
"Xandra!" the Cybunny wept, hugging back. "I thought they'd captured you!"
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Post by Kozma on Aug 9, 2011 7:29:31 GMT -5
Zapphire was delighted when Eevee returned to the bench where she was seated but was displeased when he stated that all the inns in Meridell were pretty much full.
"Unreal," she declared. "There better be a good reason to why there are so many visitors in Meridell currently."
"There seems to be some big event going on at the castle," Eevee replied, "though I don't exactly know what it is. Everyone I've tried to talk to about it was unusually quiet and wouldn't say anything other than 'it's none of your business, stay out of it.' Perhaps Vitus can tell us more when he gets back, he's good at finding things out."
"I hope you're right and I hope he returns soon. It's not like him to be gone for such a long time; why is he not back yet?"
"I don't know, but just be patient, he'll be back."
***
Somewhere in Meridell lay a unrolled scroll of parchment. Near the top, written in large, red letters was the word 'HELP.' Nothing else was written on the scroll.
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Post by Tiger on Aug 9, 2011 9:44:52 GMT -5
"The castle?" Nemo murmered to Howler, smoothly rejoining the Lupe as the crowds pettered out.
The Lupe nodded. "It seems so. Perhaps they were here on official business for Skarl." He glanced at Nemo, one eyebrow raised.
"Point taken, I assumed too fast," Nemo replied. "You did bring me along for something other than my good looks."
Howler began trotting toward the castle, the hood of his cloak beginning to slip back. "I brought you because you're a warrior, Nemo. I appreciate your vigilance, but by and large we can trust most pets."
Nemo thought, "And there's where we're different,", but he didn't say so aloud. Instead, the spotted Kougra asked as he joined the Lupe, "Are you really planning to just walk in there and hope Skarl believes you're a Brightvale knight?"
"I brought proof," Howler said. He paused a brief moment to pull back his cloak. His chestplate usually bore an orb-shaped centerpiece that glowed blue like a distant star. Today, however, he wore the crest of Brightvale, just as official Brightvalian knights did.
"Well," Nemo said as they approached the castle doors, "I guess we can hope Skarl's reasonable." He didn't think Howler's silence as the Lupe knocked twice on the doors was a good sign.
Without waiting for an answer, Nemo shouldered one of the doors open. He and Howler stepped into a room full of a great many pets, King Skarl, Lord Darigan, Galgarroth, and a knight of Meridell. Perhpas not the best room in the castle to barge into.
"Ah...your majesties," he said, with a curt nod at Lord Darigan and King Skarl both. "The Brightvalian knight Howler arrives...with a message sent by King Hagan."
He stepped aside to allow Howler to pass. The Lupe glared at him, red eyes glowing brightly. "I cannot believe you just..." With the faintest trace of a growl, Howler shook his head, and turned to the two rulers.
Howler, for his part, was more concerned with why Darigan and Skarl were in the same room than with Nemo's rudeness. According to Hagan, they didn't get along particularly well. The Lupe bowed to them both, then shook back his hood to reveal his mixed Darigan and Tyrannian features. After calmly waiting a moment for any cries of shock to make themselves heard, Howler said, "King Skarl, Lord Darigan. I do come with a message from King Hagan, but...perhaps there is something more urgent happening here?"
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Post by krimzon on Aug 9, 2011 10:23:15 GMT -5
Akasha looked over her shoulder, beckoning for Sirocco to come with them. She followed Xandra and Caylin inside.
Moments later, she saw the princess and Xandra reunited. "Well that was easy..." She muttered, frowning slightly. Her attention was immediately drawn away when she saw Lord Darigan. Why was he here...?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2011 11:30:29 GMT -5
"Shhh, Saery, it's okay," Xandra said, still embracing her niece. "I'm not going anywhere."
She saw two more pets enter the room. They had cloaks on, and then one pulled back his hood. Another Lupe...was he Darigan colored? No, Tyrannian - no, Darigan - no!
Xandra put it out of her mind. It was too confusing.
Were these the same pets who had been spying on her and Akasha? If so, she had the right to know why.
Letting go of Saeryennan, Xandra turned to the Lupe.
"Excuse me," she said, "but why were you two spying on Akasha and me?"
Saeryennan had her own business to take care of. If Skarl was throwing a royal personage in the dungeons, then he must not be a very good king.
"Listen, Majesty," Saeryennan snapped. "As Princess and heir to the throne of Altador, I order you to let the Princess of Shenkuu go free! I don't think her father will be terribly happy with you if you don't - and if you even THINK about making me join her, then my father and mother, my guardian Faerie or Xandra will have some words with you!"
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Post by Fang of the Dead on Aug 9, 2011 17:25:39 GMT -5
Skarl grumbled, but he had no choice. After all, this was the daughter of King Altador AND the niece of the sorceress who brought Faerieland crashing down. "Fine. Guards, bring that royal brat out!" The Skeith guards stood tall and marched out to fetch Miraja.
Meanwhile, in the Hall of the Orb, Darigan began to explain his appearance at the castle. "I knew that I would get nowhere with that oaf, Skarl, but the Goddess has seen fit to have an audience with you, Sir Hunter Penn of Meridell." Darigan set his staff of office down. "And it is even more fortunate I came across you - Hm?"
"Hey, let go of me - oof!" Miraja was thrown down in front of Hunter and Lord Darigan. "Hunter, remind me never to go anywhere NEAR that fat slob agaiiiiii... Who are you?" Miraja dusted herself off. She had never met Lord Darigan.
"This is Lord Darigan. Don't worry, he's a friend of Meridell - and of my family." Hunter gave Miraja a hug.
"His father and I met during an attempt at a peace treaty in the first Citadel war before Sir Arthur was betrayed by one of my soldiers." Darigan paused. "I'm sure you know whom that would be, your highness?"
Miraja nodded. "Kass."
"Precisely," Darigan continued his speech, "And he is of relevance to the topic at hand. Sir Hunter, I believe Kass has returned from the dead."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2011 18:40:43 GMT -5
That's why she was here!
Saeryennan understood everything. If Lord Kass, who she had never met but had heard dreadful things about, was alive, then she'd been right. This kingdom was in danger.
Xandra let out a horrified gasp. Granted, she'd never met Kass either, but she knew the stories, the most terrifying being of when he'd carried off one of those kids hitting a Darigan Eyrie plushie with a stick. That kid had never been seen again. If Kass had killed him (or worse), then he was probably as soulless as Katriana.
But she'd never heard of Kass possessing anyone, which for her was a relief.
Caylin didn't know where the two younger Neopets were, the Yellow Lupe and Mutant Acara. She had to tell them. She began to fly around the castle...
((On to you, Dju.))
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