Guild's War 4: Operation Popping Daisies

[Bacon]

Bacon felt relieved at Amneiger's response. Not so much what was said as the way he said it. There wasn't concern or regret or sorrow in his voice; if anything he sounded a little absent-minded. Probably just a routine mission somewhere, in that case.

"That's okay, I was mostly just wondering if..." He paused, unsure of how to word his concern. He took another look at the Commander, which reminded him of another issue he probably should have brought up before, but before he had a chance to bring it up, Cal's voice buzzed in his ear.

"I just picked up something strange on audio, sir. Embedded within the sound of the army; whoever sent it didn't want it to be overheard. Some sort of song in either a language or code that I cannot decipher. In the middle of the song, however, there seemed to be a segment of Morse code. 'CAPTURED'. This seems to confirm that there are mage prisoners, or at least one, among the army, however I don't know what to make of it other than that."

"In addition, there seems to be someone hiding in the trees near the army, unless the leaders of the zombies are in the habit of taking impromptu target practice sessions. I can attempt to contact whoever they are firing at and possibly attempt exfil."

"Alright, thanks for the update. Wait and see what happens, and if the watcher is in clear and present danger, intervene. Until that happens, just stay where you are. He could have his own way out or something." Bacon thought about what he had just heard, then turned back to Amneiger. "That was Cal, he just confirmed that the zombies have at least one prisoner. Some sort of SOS message he intercepted. He seems to think it was a mage, but didn't really elaborate why."

[Draco]

((Dunburrow--Sukhbataarmy))

Draco's smile fades from his face instantly, replaced with a look of annoyance.

"So you had to go there..."

He struggles a bit, trying to avoid the sword against his neck. In the process the sword he received from Dragus manages to become loose in it's sheath.

"Really, you can't just going killing everyone who decides to have a restroom break in the bushes... Well, unless they're your bushes. Are they?"

Several kunai zip past Sukhbataar and the zombie soldiers holding Draco down. The soldiers now having a few stuck in them now. Draco takes the opportunity to free himself from their grasps. He rolls over to the side and gets into a crouching position, rubbing his neck to reveal he was sliced a little. Looking back at Sukhbataar he notices Dragus' sword is laying on the ground. He cursed lightly and reached for his own two swords as several ninja run over the hill armed with their own bladed weapons.

"Did I forget to mention I wasn't traveling alone?"

[♥ Azzie]

Azalea noticed Celestial looking over at her and waved. She was sitting on the riverbank, splashing her feet in the water and taking deep breaths. She'd gone over there hoping that the cold water would calm the pain in her swollen foot. It was working, to an extent, but that wasn't the reason the tension had relaxed in her face.

It felt almost absurd to feel relaxed after all that had happened over the last twenty-four hours, but she found herself feeling that way nonetheless. Even with all the thoughts swirling around her head, she was calm, and her heartrate had slowed to normal. She ran her fingers through the water and breathed deeply.

This wasn't so bad. Everything would be okay soon, she was sure. Nowhere with a landscape that looked as peaceful as Dunburrow's did then could possibly be in serious danger. Perhaps all it would take was a few words with Miss Jensen and everything would be all right.

[Amneiger]

"Did he know who, or where they were?" Amneiger whispered back to Bacon. He put one hand on his communicator and sent a quick text to Fraze with the news; hopefully if Hunty hadn't overhead Bacon, then using text instead of voice would keep her from intercepting the message. He didn't know if Celestial's communicator had the same capability; maybe Fraze would, and would be able to pass the information along. Amneiger wondered if Hunty knew about the prisoner.

[Pixie]

Ellen gazed off solemnly at the horizon, breathing heavily, hoping her hawk messenger could deliver her message effectively. She was not aware of it, but at the hawk's high speed, it would reach the destination with the code and the scarlet ribbon within fifteen minutes. She had exhausted what little magical energy that restored over the past few hours with her magic song, and was rendered powerless once again. She longed to be able to turn tail and sail off into the afternoon sky along with the hawk. Even if she had he powers back, she reasoned that the drafted mages would not hesitate to bomb her out of the sky.

She noticed that the singing, although intended for vital purposes, was rather therapeutic. She brought her voice into a song again, with her pitch wavering and her voice squeaky, like a child's. She gasped for air every now and then, and thought back to the days when things were still simple, and a lullaby sprung from her lips. The army's cacophony drowned out her song, but if one would note it and listen, they would hear:

Little lamb
Little baby lamb
It's a sunny day
Why act grim and grey?
Oh-
Little lamb
Little baby lamb
It's a sunny day
Why let it fade away?

Little baby lamb
Little baby lamb
Don't fret here
You are safe here

In the fields with
Your sister and brother
Your father and mother
You are safe here
Little baby lamb
This is home.

This is home.
Little lamb
You're never alone.
Little baby lamb.
This is home...

Ellen was exhausted and pale. She hadn't slept since being dragon-back the evening prior and every mile more she walked caused her legs to fluctuate between sharp pain and utter numbness. A four-hour trek was an unprecedented journey for her. She was hungry too, as the last time she had ate was a binge on sweets when she was spectating the game of skill. If she had known the bitter truth she would not have had an appetite for such treats. Her blood-splattered clothes made her head spin every time she took sight of them. Her mood brightened slightly, as a strange thought came from nowhere.

I have the strangest notion, a sudden notion, that things may work out after all. If everything goes by plan. Maybe the others can pull through! Oh, I wish I had patience...

After a little while she found herself fantasizing about being home... the notion put into head by her impulsive song, but could not find "home" even in her head.

Amberdale? I was born and raised there, but the majority of people disliked me. My mother and father, and brother? They raised me, but they discarded me at Mrs. Tormal's when my situation got rough. Mrs. Tormal? She took me in at my lowest point- probably saved my life. Still, I've only been with her for a few years, and she could never replace mother as she was before the innocent times were through. Is her cottage the closest thing I'm getting to a home? Isolated from the world, it does not feel a home, even if she feels like a second mother. Dunburrow...? Mrs. Tormal claimed I could find people like me here. I intended to live here. It was home in my mind's eye... But I think I was deluding myself. Someday I will have a claim to a home and a place in this world! But.. right now... I'm just a wretched apothecary who will hurt her friends because she can't even escape it with a dagger to her chest! I wonder what the others are thinking of...Are they still fighting? Do they wonder were I am? Am I too new to this to be remembered?

She gazed around her, trying to calm herself again, but spotted an unnerving sight.

Wait... In the distance! Is that... Krisseh? Krisseh! Isn't she dead?!? Is she a zombie? Possessed by the underdeep once more? A captive like me? A turncoat herself? It's like seeing a ghost... How would her spells come undone if she was still on her side?Out of magic fuel? Or.. Or.. no.. She has great skills... This could be extremely frightening! It would be amazing if she was alive... but is that creature even her? Whatever her fate...

She finished her thought in a murmur.

"...Oh, Krisseh."

[Huntress]

((Stinky-pile-o-Poo, after standing around twiddling thumbs for a few weeks))

Hunty's eyes flashed at Fraze's refusal, but she'd advanced enough in her diplomacy studies (the bulk of which was apprehending merchant ships and asking their confused captains how they'd behave if they were apprehending merchant ships) that doing stabby things with her sword wasn't her top priority response any more. Which in any case would've put a sad damper on her romance with this Spacefleet do-gooder, even if dead people didn't really seem to stay very dead these days.

She looked at Celestial as haughtily as she deemed diplomatically suitable.

"Your...client took this kingdom away from its rightful rulers. You destroyed our home. What else are we supposed to do, roll over and quietly accept our fates? No. We will fight, rebels or not. Your client has made us that desperate."

"Looks intact to me," the captain said, glancing at the village where little kids had gathered by the nearest houses, pointing and staring. "Well, in that case we'll inform our client of your decision and-"

"-she's hopefully not the type to lop the heads off of messengers with bad news," Bloody Mary said grimly.

((Wherever the heck the three generals currently are. I'm technically the co-owner of that lot and they don't seem to be doing much of crucial interest for the plot, therefore yoink. *pirate logic*))

The zombie army was stomping along. Here and there, they passed a farmhouse, where terrified people were working the fields, casting glances over their shoulders but carrying on steadfastly, because grain does not slow down its growth even when someone digs himself up from underneath it. Cattle was kept closer to home now. Little kids swung on front gates with usual little-kid curiosity that fears no man, army or zombies, occasionally getting dragged off by a watchful adult.

"Grandpa!"

This kid didn't have a watchful adult nearby. She was swinging on the gate like so many others, eyes as big as plates. She looked to be about ten.

The generals, filed side by side in the front, cast a look behind them. One of the zombies right on the edge of the flank had faltered in his pace, not that there was that much to falter any more, and was shooting quick glances at the kid and at the generals.

Brick made an executive decision. "You got an hour, soldier. Catch up at the castle."

"They'll all want to go off at this rate," Hellas said disapprovingly as the zombie behind them ambled off as quickly as zombie legs permit and a heartwarming reunion scene with slow-motion running and swelling background music unfolded at the farmhouse.

"Might be good," Brick said, unfazed. "Spreads the troops all over the country, keeps watch on the people and at the same time people won't want to rebel because it's all family. I'd do it on spot if I was calling the shots, but as it stands, I can only bring it up with the big lady."

He pondered for a moment. "I had kids. Grandkids, even. Probably long since dead. Probably had kids of their own, though. Should find out if any are still around. If they even remember great-great-whichever-grandpa."

"'Geneaology of Dunburrow Military, Highlights, published on the Year of the Dingbat," Alabaster muttered as if to himself. The other two shot him a disbelieving stare and he shrugged with an apologetic smile. "Of course, that was my time. They've probably written more up-to-date books. When I read it, you did have surviving descendants."

Brick grinned broadly and as he marched on, a certain glazed wistful look crept over it. "Man, that's the best part of being alive again. Mostly. Getting to find out what came after. How your kids went on. Did you ever have kids, son?"

This was directed at Hellas. The young general cast a vaguely smug glance at Alabaster who seemed to be racking through his mental catalogue again and said, "Had a son. Killed him in battle."

Alabaster was just as baffled as he'd expected. "History's stayed silent about it. Scholars never knew you had a son. Who was he?"

"Scholars didn't know much about you, far as I remember," Brick remarked. "Nobody ever figured out where you came from before enlisting in the army of Dunburrow. And they dug thoroughly."

Hellas seemed on the fence for a moment, but then shrugged and ignored Alabaster's question completely. "I was in Ilium."

"The war of Ilium? Ten years? Odysseus, Achilleus, all those guys? The war of gods and men?"

"Didn't like those two much," Hellas said drily. "The gods weren't much better. Ten years of stupid, senseless bloodshed. No glory, no purpose, very little tactics. Horrible beer too. After the war, I settled in the first country with decent beer. They had this man with a cart here-"

"Oh wow, here's proper descendancy for you," Brick said, immediately sidetracked from his millions of Ilium-questions. "I remember a man with a cart of beer. Best beer in the world, I tell you. Tagged along with the army, sold it by the roads."

Hellas and Brick looked at Alabaster, who thought to himself that his baffled face was probably getting unprofessional at this rate.

"I was never much for beer," he said apologetically, "and didn't get a lot of fieldwork, but I did hear my men praise a beer cart merchant a lot. It's a family trade that's been handed down for howevermany generations-"

"And still is," Brick said quietly, awe in his voice.

They'd rounded a bend. No more than twenty paces away stood a rickety cart with a keg and tankards on it. A stocky man with a cheery, good-natured, sunburnt face and sandy hair, wearing a grimy apron, leaned on it with a grin of a man with zero cares in the world. Behind him stood a wagon full of kegs and a stoical Clydesdale horse with gigantic proportions.

The man gave the zombie army a little wave.

"Beer?"

[Tiger]

((Stinky-pile-o-Poo))

Tiger kept one ear tilted toward the Guild leaders' conversation as she joined Azalea by the water's edge. She scooped up some of the water in her hands and gulped it down, careful not to drink until her hands were over the riverbank so no potential backwash reached Azzie's feet. "How are you doing?" she asked quietly.

Unlike the winged mage, Tiger still felt rather grim and worried. They'd barely made a scratch in the zombie army, and Tiger didn't think the generals would waste much time trying to out the Librarian. So far, Jensen's plans were going...well, according to plan, and even with the Spacefleet on their side, Tiger didn't like their odds.

"I don't suppose you saw where any of the other mages went?" Tiger asked. "Or even who made it through the portal? Krisseh and Ellen and I ended up...not at the normal exit." Now probably wasn't the time to bring up the manor's paranoia.

Watching a hawkish shape in the distance, Tiger added, "And...uhm. The Librarian - any idea how long he's been...that way?" She checked her pocket for the Librarian's gloves and found them there. Tiger was a little worried about what might happen if they went missing during this escapade - they might be enchanted to give the Librarian his human form, and he probably wouldn't be happy to lose the camouflage. Or, he might get upset just because the gloves were quite nice. For all Tiger knew, shadowy, nightmarish creatures with tentacle arms might get really attached to fashion accessories. She'd seen stranger things. Heck, she'd been stranger things in the Games...

She shook her head a bit to clear it. Even better would've been pulling her hood off and splashing water on her face, but the mixed company made her wary. People didn't seem to care as much in Dunburrow as they had in her home kingdom, but today had been full of enough unpleasant surprises.

[Draco]

((Three Generals))

Dragus continued to walk with the army and Ellen. He keeps a eye on her, noticing her having trouble, however he was unable to offer any real help.

"Stay calm and continue walking. Soon we'll be at our destination and could possibly rest."

He watches as Brick allows one of the zombies to visit his family.

"Just... Try to stay around General Brick... I trust him more then the others."

He scratches his chin as the generals talk, listening to the similarities in their stories. Then there was the man with the beer.

"This seems interesting."

((Unknown Location))

A man in silver and red robes and hood paces back and forth. He rubs his hands together and looks around from time to time. He stops suddenly and takes a deep breath. He slides the hood off his head revealing dark hair with streaks of grey along the sides, and small dark tinted glasses covering his eyes.

"It's almost time. The moment I've been waiting for."

A man in uniform walks up to the man and bows lightly.

"Advisor Ravencrest, it is about to begin."

The advisor smiles slyly and raises the hood back over his head.

"Very well. Lead the way."

The uniformed man presses his fist against his chest and nods. He turns around and walks away, followed closely behind by Ravencrest.

[Gelquie]

((Somewhere))

The king had spent much time to himself, pondering the words of the masked stranger and considering further actions. He was at first tempted to write off the man's words as an attempt at deception in order to usurp the throne he had won for so long. But he could not deny the facts of the matter at hand. His scouts had already confirmed the menace plaguing Dunburrow, and the man's words were adding up, even if he had no real reason to trust him.

Then again, perhaps he did not have to. With the right sort of power and tactics, he could play right into the man's hands and still come out smiling. But only if he was careful.

After much deliberation, the king sent messengers out to each of his prominent members of his court, and told them to meet in a secret place. His messengers were quick, as the King would fully expect; they know full well that he would not tolerate any delays.

An hour later, each of the members in question were escorted to a room with maps lined along the wall and a number of tables. The table where the King sat had a map of Dunburrow laid out in front of them, with a variety of flags planted onto specific places. He nodded to each member as they arrived and waited for them to take their seats before speaking.

"You have heard the words of the stranger who entered this court, and you have heard the words of the messenger," the king started. "Dunburrow faces a dark era in its history, with the undead attacking and disbanding the Mage's Guild. However, this turn of events can work in our favor. While both sides are weakened, we have a chance to move in and expand our empire.”

The King makes eye contact with each of the four members to ensure everyone's rapt attention before continuing. “I do not expect either side to surrender easily regardless of the the circumstances. The undead will still be powerful, especially in the hands of their generals, and I do not expect their leaders to give up without a fight. Dunburrow is greatly weakened without the Mages Guilds, but the other guilds should still be considered a threat, unless they choose to change their allegiances. Still, with the factions busy fighting each other, our army should stand a better chance even against both of their forces. And then once their armies are either dead or collected into ours, Dunburrow will belong to our kingdom.”

The King went silent for a moment before he waved a hand over the table. "Before you is a map of Dunburrow, with the conflict displayed as we currently understand it. I want each of you to give me your thoughts on the conflict. Speak up when ready."

[♥ Azzie]

Elsewhere, a boy wearing second-hand practice armor clambered his way along the road.
He thought it had been a pretty lousy morning, all things considered. Being woken up to gossip that the castle in the kingdom north of you is under siege was not a very pleasant experience; Shadow wondered if his heart had ever stopped like that before. But when he'd hightailed it to town to find out more and learned that the one person he'd expected- trusted- to help with matters like this was mysteriously absent, he'd just about gone into panic mode.

Which was why he was traipsing along, in armor he'd borrowed from the supply shop, toward the kingdom. He wasn't panicking anymore- at least, he didn't know he was. He was just mad. Sure, they'd told him the fighting would never get as far south as the city, but he wasn't willing to take that chance. Someone was invading his home, and he was determined to do whatever he could to stop them.

His plan was to head toward Mage Manor; he'd heard a story once about it even protecting someone's mind from attackers, so it was sure to be a rallying point for the people displaced by the undead. He could only hope they were all still there...

[Celestial]

((Somewhere in another land...))

They called her a Princess.

Dulcia both hated and loved that title. On one hand, whenever people heard it, they expected a sweet, innocent girl who spent her days gallivanting around in the forest, being friends with the local wildlife and not having a care in the world as she waited for her prince to come. On the other hand, that expectation was always handy whenever the ruler of the latest kingdom either she or her father had their eye on was preparing their defences. They never expected a "princess" to win their land and their crown from them by force with the ease that she usually did. There was always so much satisfaction in watching the look of surprise on their face.

Perhaps that is why she kept the title. "General" did not bear the element of surprise that "Princess" did.

Dulcia loved being in control of her father's armies. At first it was a ploy by him to curtail her ambitions, to give her a taste of what it was like to lead and she knew that he wanted her to fail. But she proved him so very wrong. Every campaign was an intellectual challenge that she savoured and she always deliberated carefully over her strategies, always making sure that she lost as few men as possible. Veterans were useful assets to have in an army and men were much more likely to be prepared to die for you if they knew that it was a slim possibility. The popular support of the army was also vital if she was one day to take the throne as she hoped. Her father was growing old and her idiot brother was never going to rule this kingdom. Soon it would be time for her to overthrow him, to give the kingdom a strong ruler that it deserved. But for now, she was genuinely loyal and loved her father. That is why she had survived for so long in such an important position. Her father could sniff out liars like a jackal could sniff out a carcass.

She opened the door to the meeting room where she had been summoned, although she already knew what her task was going to be. Dunbarrow, the kingdom to the north. Her armour clicked as she sat down and examined the map carefully, the cogs in her head already turning. She smiled, although the scars on her face twisted the smile a little.

"Father, we will not get a better opportunity than this to take Dunbarrow for ourselves. It has been the greatest threat to us, with our only salvation was that it had no interest in conquest. Right now, it is weak but with a goddess of war and the generals awakened, if the rumours are true, it could be a powerful entity. I say we kill two birds with one stone: take Dunbarrow, usurp this new ruler and her puppets and eliminate this threat while securing our power," Dulcia said, folding her gauntleted hands. "I, of course, will be happy to lead the assault. Give me the word and I shall assemble our armies."

If things worked out, this could easily be her opportunity to take the throne. She was already popular. The last jewel in the crown of her military career, Dunbarrow, could be the final push she needed to stage her coup and allow her father to retire comfortably. Above all else, Dulcia loved her father.

[Pixie]

(( En Route to Castle Kestrel ))

After traveling a while in a state between hope and misery, Ellen began to take notice of her surroundings. Adults occupied with hard work, and fear, and children occupied with play, and interest, were visible on the outskirts the small villages they traveled past. Her heart shattered when one of those stray children recognized their grandfather among the undead, and in a moment of what must have been great bitter-sweetness for the child and soldier alike, Brick allowed the solider to reunite with his family.

The zombies haven't lost their brains entirely- he knew his grandchild. Maybe being torn from you your grave isn't the worst thing that could happen once you die. To see a deceased loved one again, close to living, is a sweet fantasy come to life. Maybe... I was wrong to have so much excessive scorn for what that Valkyrie had done. I still hate how Ms. Jemson took control, and made the dead fight, and used us, but, maybe she'll be a decent ruler once the fighting stops, and maybe things will go back to sort-of-normal. Maybe Brick was right... she's not bad for a dictator- not the vilest villain, but still a villain. I could imagine, if she proved more benevolent, in the future being her little obedient subject, but I'd feel like a traitor since I already chose my side. I hope I made the right decision.

She listened more, fascinated by the generals' conversation. She had sympathy for Brick, but little for Hellas. He wanted to prevent the reuniting of families, and, he had killed his son. At this point she tuned them out again, to avoid hearing anything else that might further provoke her into doing something unintelligent. After a while they approached at a partially dilapidated stand that appeared to be selling beer. A quick thought of using some shinies to get some, to numb her mind, went in her head and promptly left. An incident with a misbrewed potion a few years back that caused her to become intoxicated, the fact that she needed to stay as sharp as possible in order to escape later, and the fact she was only sixteen, were reasons enough to not partake. This time, passing on beer was to preserve her life, not to avoid feeling that attempting to jump of a hay cart with with chickens tied to her wrists, to try to fly in her human form, was an ingenious idea. Maybe they would stop, and she could rest her legs.

She wanted badly to stop walking, but was afraid of what tasks she might be given when she reached the castle.

((Skies above the Guilds' Conference))

The hawk Ellen had called approached its destination at the base of the Ebi River. It flew over by the riverbank, where it spotted two of the subjects from the command, and released the red hair ribbon between Tiger and Azzie. It flew in wild circles overhead, and cried out the message it carried continously, loud and shrill.

(( Someplace else ))

A rather androgynous and pugnacious general was seated at the table in the meeting room. She had fought in many battles, but never grew tired of them. While she waited for the king to speak she took a brief glance at the raised pink scars on her arms and admired the beauty she saw in them. They stood out on her pale, colorless skin, and were scattered all over her slender and athletic frame. Her hair was cropped at her shoulders with uneven bangs, and drawn in a low tail. Despite only being in her early twenties her hair was snow white.

General Solvaya Resore was extremely hyped for the meeting, as she was certain it concerned a battle before the messenger even spoke. Life without combat was unsatisfying, and she was itching to draw her halberd once again. Solvaya found it unlikely they would have brought her in if it was diplomatic matters, as she admittedly lacked the patience for that. The general held a straight face, as she typically did, but her eyes at close inspection would betray her excitement.

The news she heard was even more favorable then she expected. The loathed kingdom of Dunburrow was weakened, and could be conquered. The fact there would be two strong factions to fight just made the idea of fighting them more appealing. With a great variety of enemies, it was going to be an interesting martial challenge. And with so may enemies,there was a large chance there was going to be a very bloody war. That was good for her, and good for the king. More accurately, the latter because former. The king's ability to satiate her bloodlust would ensure she stayed on his side. Solvaya wouldn't have stuck around if there weren't so many opportunities to fight.The rowdy men and women who followed her were held there with the same promises of fighting. However, with the new war starting, she had no intentions of leaving the king's service.

"Your Majesty, It would be a good time to strike now, while the those two armies are weakened and distracted by each other. We cannot let them a chance to regroup, and we don't know when they will weaken again. Maybe we're up against some war goddess and some undead pawns, or the like, but their possible divinity aside, we are powerful in our own right. With our sheer military force, Dunburrow will fall! We should cross over in their territory discreetly and swiftly, and overwhelm their castle until both forces are defeated."

[Lord Hayati]

((a computer))

Hayati looked up into the new forums, confused, wanting to know how his new bookmarks worked.

he then noticed the GW4 thread.

"My god, I forgot to update!" he exclaimed.
what follow what could only be described as a series of broken keys and random ramblings.

((Stinky pile o poo))

Krisseh gazed at ellen, heartlessly. her emotions were dulled, and so was her heart. She turned to the trees, where she slung a jellify spell at the seemingly moving target.

"Join our army, ninja."

-x-

Malleus couldn't help but giggle as Krisseh fell into his trap. within a blink of a eye, the Jellify spell was captured onto the card, leaving an image of a cupcake on it. He pulled his stringed kunai back, and made a run for it.

He then heard where they were going.

"Kestrel, eh. I should at least move ahead and warn them," he muttered in his head. He pocketed the newly captured spell, held onto a kunai, and make a break for the castle, using the trees to his advantage.

-x-

Krisseh was dissapointed. It seems like her spell had failed.
"General Hellas, It seems we've been had. The "Ninja" that was stalking us has fled. they had set up a diversion. We must quickly move. We must catch Kestrel castle by surprise."

[Draco]

((The Place of Unknown Places))

Gin Ravencrest sat, listening to his King, followed by the others of importance. He raised his hand up to get a little attention.

"I agree now is the best time to strike my King. However, with all do respect, we still need to be careful. It is true they are weakened, but the other guilds are still strong. Then there is this new army, we don't know much about them. We need to be careful."

He turns his head and coughs lightly.

"Sorry... I believe taking your children and our ever so charming general to the front lines would be unwise. We should sneak in just to the east. It would be wiser then a direct attack from the coast."

He leans back in his chair.

"Of course that's just my advise."

[♥ Azzie]

((Stinky Pile-O-Poo))
Azzie looked over at Tiger, pondering her questions. "I'm fine. But you're right; I really don't know what's going on or where everyone is." She sat down on a rock. "To tell the truth, I wasn't really paying attention back at the castle. I was trying to figure out what's going on with Miss Jensen. I don't really understand; she seems so nice... As for the librarian, I'm not sure. I've always just assumed he was human; but I guess it's not really a big deal. He helped us, whatever he is."

She wiggled her toes on her good foot in the water. "It all feels so weird."

It was then that she followed Tiger's gaze. "What is that?" she asked, pointing at the bird which was rapidly screeching. "Does it see the undead...?"
She grew silent as she saw something tumbling from the bird. A feather? But it didn't look like one. It was floating through the air, toward the middle of the river, and she decided to investigate. "Just a second," she told Tiger as she flew up to chase after the strange object.

If anyone was watching, it was almost certainly an amusing sight to see. She chased after the object, which she quickly realized was a ribbon, and the wind from her wings kept blowing it further away. Finally she caught up with it, catching it only a couple of feet above the river, and brought it back over to Tiger.

"Do you recognize this?" she asked.
((Somewhere unknown...))

Prince Leroy watched the council in silence.

It wasn't that he was opposed to the invasion; on the contrary, he was quite looking forward to it. He simply had nothing to say. His silly sister was playing the role of attentive child well enough for the both of them, and he was content to go along with their plans- at least for the time being. He was glad of this, as it left his mind free to wonder about the kingdom itself. What are its citizens like? What is it that's kept it afloat for all these years in its unstable state? Whatever it was, Leroy thought that it was what would make it even more prosperous than his own kingdom once it had been seized. He didn't understand the place, but he thought it would be simple enough to learn once he arrived.