Of Kings and Black birds

When Raven awoke from his unconsciousness he groggily sat up. He expected to be in some sort of prison or dungeon which is how these things, being pounded unconscious, usually ended up, but much to his suprise he found no prison cell or dungeon but a rather regal bedroom. The bed were e lay was remarkably soft, made from a fine cloth. Raven began trying to focus his maind as dizziness and a pounding sensation scrambled his thoughts. Ok focus were am I? I dont know. What happened? I stumbled upon strange ruins, and next thing I knew I was in...this world. Ok, next? People in th desert helped me. And then we were attacked by...those things...and then, that man... Almost on que the large man came into the room opening a door to Ravens right.
"Ahhh your finnaly awake master Raven" Raven jumped out of bed, instinctualy grabbing at the spot where his sword would normaly be, yet he found only empty space, his swords gone. Almost institaniously Ravens head began spinning, his vision blurred and the next he knew he was staring at the swordsmans feet from the floor. Using what little of the strength he had left he propped himself up to look at the man. The man chuckled.
"heh arent you a right mess." He strode past Raven to stand at a window his back facing Raven, showing how confident he was in Raven's temporary state of weakness.
"Im your wonderinh why you are here master Raven." Raven responded with small humph. "Well let me first tellyou I can assure that I by no means wish to kill you, yet." Raven even in his weakness could not stop his knowledge hungry mind.
"Why?" The man turned away from the window to face Raven.
"Because I believe we can be helpful to one another. You see I have a propisition for you, but on the terms of manners I believe that I should introduce myself. I am Emporer Rufus, and High Chancellor of Rgalia, pleasure to make your aquantince." Raven only stared in silent contempt. "Now I believe it necessary to expalin a few things to you, like for example why you are in my world." Raven was glad about the fact that he did not seem to need to ask questions with this man. Rufus continued "You are in a world by the name of Solace, more accuratley you are in the center of the empirial capital, in my personal fortress. Now Im sure your wondering how you got here. You happened upon a strange ruin did you not a bright light engulfed you no doubt?" Raven did not see a need to answer so he let Rufus continue. "Those temples seem to act as portals of some kind in between the worlds. By activating one you are now in my world." Rufus stopped for a moment to allow Raven to digest the words.
"From what I hear you wandered the desret untill you collapsd, the people in the settlement I attacked took care of you. I recieved word about you from a spy in the area. You can imagine my surprise when I heard about a strange warrior with wings. I had to see such a person." The last words rolled off of his tounge with venom.
"That still doesnt explain what you want with me..." Raven was very confused at this point. "You culd have killed me whenever you wanted, but you didnt, so that means you must want me for something. You mentioned a propisition earlier..."
"Ahhh yes..." Rufus paced the room as if deep in thought. Raven attemped to stand agagin but only made it a few inches off of the ground before flatening against the floor again. "Rufus continued. "...you see from what I have gathered you are incredibaly strong. It is for this reason that I want to make you a General in my army. Rufus looked at Raven as though his request was simple in nature. The pounding returned to Ravens head s he once again grew confused.

Just then, an officer came in through the door.
"I apologize my liege, but there seems to be a disturbance in the streets. It seems a blonde haired man has attacked our guards and is now taking the mercenary that we had recruited. What action would you like to take?"

Rufus lookes at the gaurd and then at Raven.
"I want my wyrven and lance ready on the terrace by the time I get there, and I want three escorts." Rufus said motioning the gaurd.
"Right away sir!" Thegurd saluted dashing out of the room. Rufus returned his attention to Raven.
"I'm afraid that I must leave, so I'll shorten what I was going to say. You have one of two options," Rufus held up two fingers, " You can wait. Wait until your body has recovered and then you can escape slaughtering my men, and perhaps even killing me, but then you would be alone, and you would never see your home again. For you see I am your only friend in this world. I am your only path to returning to your world, if you resist my kindness you will never see your home, never see your friends, never accomplish whatever goals you have in that world." Raven looked down, thinking of all his vows to kill Keon. His mind wandered to Monyca...and the promise he made to her. 'I promise....' "The obvious solution is to help me. Become a spearhead for my influence, help me and I swear on my honor you will return to your home." Raven said nothing only continued to stare at the ground. "I make my leave, think well about this and I'm sure the right answer will come to you." The last words were an obvious threat.
Rufus turned leaving the room. Raven could hear his steps echoeing in the corridor, in the midst of them he could hear a quiet chuckle.....The answer of course was obvious. Raven slamed his fist against the wall.

Rufus returned to the castle. Despite the fact that he had lost a rather powerful potential ally, his mood was relatively pleasant. He liftd the still unconscious woman, off of Keyotan, handing her to a gaurd on duty on the terrace.
"Please make certain she is placed in one of the guest rooms, have a healer examin her wounds." Rufus pulled his leather gloves off as he passed the gaurd who bowed in conformation of the order.
Rufus took a small stroll through the castle before arriving at his private chambers. Despite being the high chancellor,s quarters, the room remained, relitively simpl, the only odornishments in the room a plain sheeted bed and a simple oak desk. Papers where haphazardly strewn about the desk in no real order. As he proceded to unclasp his brestplate, he called out,
"Are you going to say something or just sit there and scowl at me?" Raven scofed at the emperor.
"Well at least your senses arent as dull as most human's. I have an answer for you." Rufus turned to Raven after placing the removed breastplate on the desk. He began to unlace his braces.
"And...."
"And...." Raven's gaze fell, "I'll help you..." He grimaced.
"Good, very good." A grin came to Rufus' face as he strode towards Raven. "Today has been most plesant. First I aquire a new ally and then a second. I am most pleased.
Raven's mind began to jump as he thought about who this other person was. "Someone probably just trying to get home as well...' Rufus clasped Raven on the shoulder.
"Thank you my new ally with your help we shall forge a new history." Raven frowned. "But for better or for worse?' Regardless of how he felt, there was now no turning back, but Raven felt that things would soon get alot more complicated before they got easier...

Im not dead...open eyes open. youll know your dead if you wake up next to a large thing of cash.
Mai sat up, opening her uncovered left eye.
"No cash? augh, i really did just do that...!" Mai hit the bed, hand curled into a fist
They better both be alive, if not, ill blow up this whole castle.
Mai stretched as she stood up, a heavy feeling from the kevlar vest she wore underneath, though she was unable to even think about taking it off, not here.
I already hate it in this room more than i did when i stayed in Sol a couple days ago.....Sol....I want to go back to Sol...my stuff is there.
She started to pace around, hand clutched in a fist, other waving wildly around for no reason.
Those two...why are they here? why am i here?

"I just want to go home."

Just then, a maid walks into the room, humming a little song. Despite the fact that Mai was sitting up in bed...and staring directly at her, the nameless maid is blissfully unaware of her conscious presence. For several minutes she catters to her maidly duties, ignoring the woman that sat in the bed. After dusting, cleaning the windows, and straitening a crooked painting, she walks towards the bed, grabing the sheets in an effort to change them, but her perky mood is replaced by a confused look as she grabs something stiff. She removes the sheets unvieling a foot. The maid is very confused now. Her gaze slowly wanders up landing on a confused looking Mai. The air is filled by a defening scream, as the maid jumps back, slipping on the cobblestone floor and falling on her head...

Several minutes, and even more apologies later, the maid delivers the message she was supposed to relay. "His Lord Chancellor wishes to dine with you." The look on her face is the strangest combination of embarrassment and general good nature. "Just follow the hall to your left and you'll find the dinning hall behind the largest set of doors." The maid bows, turning to leave the room, yet as she tries, her foot catches the cornor of the door and she is once again united with the floor. She gets up quickly dusting herself off. Her face grows warm as blood rushes to her cheeks. With a passive giggle, she darts out of the room. Leaving a rather lasting impresion...

(OC-yeah kinda crappy, but i wanted a clumsy maid, so there... -_____-)

"W-worst maid ever...." Mai muttered "and i refuse, i want to escape..."
Walking out to the corridor, hoping to find a exit Mai began to think again.
Me, verus guards, plus, escaping this city AGAIN, probably being hunted down, nowhere to go to, yeah, im dead. dead. dead dead dead- ow.
Mai looked up, after crashing into the large doors the maid mentioned a minute or so ago.
"Damn door..."
W-wait...why did i just walk over here?! Mai turned around, only to be faced with Guards, 1 of them being the one that knocked her unconsious and took her over here, though Mai was still blissfully unaware of that fact. oh...not good.
"His Lord Chancellor wishes to see you." the solider coldly stared into the girl's eyes, seeing the small bit of fear behind them "and youve seem to found the door, why not go through?"
WHAT DID I DO TO THIS GUY?! augh, it seems everyone i meet here hates me.
Putting on a smile, Mai waved, turning to open the door as she closed her eyes walking through.
Someone...as too late as it may be...Save me.

(OOC: nah its fine, how cute lol. and hello? i just put it that she walked straight into the door she was trying to avoid, and sorry to borrow the guards again (like i did in sol), i love using them for random lines. also yes, she does want to leave. deal with it.)

There was a resonating creak as the large doors opened into the dinning hall. Rufus glanced up, quite happy to see Mai stroll through the door. Swallowing the piece of steak he was chewing, he wiped his face, standing up from his chair. He no longer wore his armor, only a deep crimson tunic.
"Ahh lady Mai you must be hungry, please help yourself." He motioned toward a chiar placed on the elongated table, then to the scores of food strewn about its top. Dishes of all kinds were littered across the table, foods of every size and shape.
Raven sat across from the chair offered to her, absently chewing on an apple, his legs propped up on the table. Several plates of finished food lay before him. His first reaction to Mai, was suprise, though it was hardly visible on his face. 'Poor Girl,' he thought, half caringly and half sarcastically.

Mai took a seat scross from the raven haired man, grabbed a giant steak and started to cut it wildly, in hunger, and anger.
She couldnt remember the last time she ate something, but due to the fact that she was normally busy on her most "normal" days, she didnt eat often anyway.
Stabbing at pieces of meat with a fork, she looked up, trying to meet her eyes with the raven haired man.
I know this guy she chewed I definitly know this guy.
"Excuse me." Mai started said slowly, placing down her fork, the question aimed towards the man "Can you help me? i can seem to think of how to spell the word "Sacrifice""

(OOC-Awwwww you suck -____-)


Raven galred at Mai, with enough intensity as to melt ice. Out of all the things she could have asked, she had to ask him....that. He thought of several snide remarks, but settled on simply glaring at her. It seemed to work with most people.
Rufus noticing the tension between the two smiled, falling into his chair loud enough to garner the attention of both guests in his hall. As Mai dug into her food and Raven chewed absently on his apple Rufus spoke, beckoning Mai, " Was the room to your liking? I find the guest beds far to soft for my tastes. If you would prefer something else we can arrange a new room for-" Rufus was cut short as an angry Raven stood, slamming his apple against the table. "you...."
"I didn't come here for pleasentries Rufus. I want answers. Just what do you expect from us? What is it your planning?" Rufus interlaced his fingers, as if going into deep thought. He undid them as he stood walking towards a nearby window.
"Tell me do you two enjoy the food. I had it made in advance for just such an occasion. You may find it to be some of the finest dishes in all of Ragalia. All of the food is quite rare here. For as you can see, due to the amount of cold here not much flourishes. Once, an early winter came and wiped out much of our small amount of crops. We lost over a fourth of our population that year..." The room went quite as a solemn cloud of tension filled the air. The calm and collected posture of Rufus then dissapeared, as he ripped open the window. A glacial torrent blasted through the hall. Several of the dishes flew to the ground. Rufus turned his black eyes burning with intensity. Dispite this he still spoke calmly. "This is what my people look forward to everyday. Some go to sleep wondering if they'll freeze to death. Others wonder how they will feed thier children the next day. While the people of our nieghboring countries grow fat and wealthy, my citizens spend everyday fighting death. That is what I'm planning Master Raven. To save my citizens from this," He motioned towards the wind streaming from the open window as though it were a tangible object." Even if it means pushing aside the people of the other nations. I will claim those lands, so my people no longer have to die in this wasteland...."
Raven sat a twinge of pity welling for the people of Ragalia. Despite how much he hated Rufus, he was right no one deserved to live like that...

Mai stopped chewing, looking over at Raven haired man sadly.
The glare was enough to tell her it was Raven, it was the same glare that he had given the girl's partner many times.
Listening to this man makes me sick.
"Sacrifice. S-A-C-R-I-F-I-C-E. the same thing those people are." the girl muttered to herself "to save the land, in his case, means to take over another, a sacrifice."
Mai looked over at Rufus, cold hatred in her eyes.
"I might have come here out of my own will, but i wont help you. and yes, i understand what your trying to do." She stood up, walking around the table to Raven, placing her hand on his shoulder "Unlike other people, i dont care."
She smiled, putting her other hand in her pants pocket.
"I live for myself, I want to go back." Mai's hair free eye moved its line of vision towards Raven "thats what he told you right? you would go home?"
"But, do you think he would stop at just this land? just this one place? what about our worlds Raven?"
"Id prefer to not have mine become a sacrifice for this land." Letting go of the man's shoulder she took the seat next to him, smirking she finished "though, i could be wrong about this."
I should learn to keep my mouth shut. I really really need to stop talking.
"Its just the way you made it sound 'Dear' Rufus, so tell me if im wrong."

(OOC: dude, he really did make it sound like that >_> no lying.)

Rufus laughed. Using a fair bit of strength he closed the window and laughed. Walking back to the table all the while laughing, he picked up a steak knife. And he laughed.
"Wow lady Mai such accusations are," he stopped to laugh some more, "hurtful. But again they are no doubt true. How do you know I would not claim your world, or master Raven's. But you must consider the concequences of making such claims." Hw tossed the knife point first into the table. He knew it would not frighten the girl, but he found it necessary for her to know who held power. He snapped his fingers and the door to the hall opened. "I cannot give you your answers lady Mai. So I give you this ultimatum. Both of you, if you wish, may leave right now. You can leave the castle. Leave the city. Leave the country. But if you do I can assure you, no mage in amina nor soldier in Alondia can help you return home. All your answers are right here." He prepared to leave on the oppisite end of the hall. "So go. I can assure you no oppisition but know this..." He stopped turning to look at both of them. "If you leave, you become my official enemy..." He turned away continueing his personal dismissal. "...And I show my enemy no quarter, or mercy." The doors shut with a resounding thud behind him.

Raven sat back down and looked at the cieling, his mind deep in thought. He was right, he REALLY hated this man.
"I hate my world...." His gae dropped to meet the table. "I always have, and I always will. If it were not for circumstances that bound me to it, i would leave and never return. Even if what you say comes true, I wouldn't care. All the worlds can burn for all I care. As long as I can kill him' nothing else matters. And if helping this madman is the only way..Then so be it...." He looked at Mai. "You seem familiar. I dont consider you an ally, but I hold no ill will for you. But if you leave and I have to fight you, I will kill you. f it means I can return to my world..." He waited wondering what the girl would do.

"I only came because i didnt want to take a chance of some guy named Theo dying."
Mai stood up walking over to the otherside of the room, Mai grabbed her guns and bag laid out on the edge of the table.
"How sweet."
She checked her ammo, missing the two minedarts from earlier, everythingelse was still in place.
Ill probably head past Sol, grab ammo, and head over to Amina...they might be there.
She attached the strap to her Minethrower, slinging it over her back, and took out the handgun, holding it tightly in her hand, smiling she turned back to Raven. "Then ill probably see you across the way in a battlefield, Dear."
And Mai walked out the door and down the hall.
I might not fit into that place but...
"No mercy huh?" Mai laughed slightly as she left into the town.
"Hey, im allowed to leave once, 'Everybody gets one' right?"

(OOC: lol yes, Mai just quoted Family Guy. "Everybody gets one, tell em Peter." and yesh, i am leaving you, the good side calls for the moment, ill see if i change my mind...off to the rain topic, Later.)

OOC-awwwwwww Raven is alone now TT__TT

THREAD OFFICIALY COMPLETE