(3xp to Wue Xi)

 

It is the early evening. The sun slowly sinking beneath the horizon. That period of the day when it is not quite light out, and not quit ethe embrace of the night. one or two stars can be seen trying to gain dominence over the night sky, while Luna begins to slowly come into view in her waxing form.

 

 From the docks there comes a loud CRACK. Followed by Eight others, as firedust charges explode at stretegic junctures on the docks. Roaring could be heard as Four Blood Apes have gone utterly berserk and are laying into two scales of Infantry wearing 'Pearles' colors. Dragonlord Mnemnon Koal has eyes closed and is in utter concentration clearly trying to keep the Docks from Collapsing into the waters jsut yet as his booming voice bellows out into the night "Get off the Docks! MOVE!"

 

 The docks are shaking, bearely holding together thanks to the Dragonlord's powerful charm and his grasp of the Element of Eart as Earthen Bridges extend to the docks themselves. But it's clear they won't last for long. Highlighted by fires bursting and burning brilliantly in the waning light it's clear to anyone wiht eyes that these docks are baout to collapse into the waters.

 

 In the Distance, Seven ships have hoised Peleps flags and are moving toward the docks at fast speeds.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat is standing near those demons, but hey, she just did 'em a favor, right?

 

Ayesha expected an attack at any moment. Why the Peleps or the Cynis think Greyfalls has any value for them is something she has yet to figure out, but so many foreign troops in the satrapy could mean only something like this. As soon as she hears the first explosions, she sends elemental messengers to Saltwater Vale, Castle Meridian and the Red Swans factory. Then she takes command of the Ragara troops at the palace, and march towards the docks.

 

It isn't in Wepat's nature to run from a fight. But she's not actively suicidal. Well, strike that. She's actively suicidal, but only in such a way as would look really really cool, and dying in a structural collapse-- a dock collapse, no less-- would not reflect well on her at all. She grabs one of her wounded men and hauls him off the docks, returning once first is out of danger to pull out another.

 

It takes a good three minutes for Ormi to arrive. When he does, it is in jade armor, a thicket of arrows blossoming from his quiver, flush with a patriotic spirit and a patriotic fear, and astride Kurkurra, bright and brilliant and shining in the sun. The spirit of camraderie draws him to Ayesha, Wepat, and Koal, not yet dismounting.

 

The light of the fires shows those present Koal standing on the Docks his arms, holding both Gormaul and shield but out on wither side shaking with eyes closed as by sheer and pure accused willpower the mighty Earth Aspect is literally holding the docks together but only just. Scalelords are bellowing orders while a Winglord is overseeing the retreat off the docks. The remaining Thirty Five of Wepat's troops are running and not looking back. Totally broken by the assault of the Blood Apes. A Three Scales rush in to grab the Sixt or so wounded on the docks and by the light of the fire begin to drag them off as fast as they can.

 

 Highlighted by the firelight the blood apes are doing nothing but devastting the two scales from the pearlies. Their screams pierce the night over the roar of the flames and high pitched as they are they can be heard over the sadistic laughter and Roaring of the Four untouched blood apes ripping into their tender succulant flesh. One Blood ape is appearantly wielding one of Wepats Troops (Clearly Dead) As a bludgeoning instrament while another is sating his thirst on the blood of a Pearlie that is being poured into his mouth (The Soldier still screaming) from a wound in the soldier's gut. Tendrils of Intestines can be seen streaming out as the Soldier, futile;y tries to hold them out. The Blood ape idly crushes another soldier with his club. The other two are just ripping intpo the Sodliers, who with nowhere to go are fighting the monsters as best as they can.

 

 Exalted wise, Ormi's eyes can see nothing. Only the four Demons. Having their way with the Mortals

 

Ledaal Solace is at the balcony of the Palace within seconds of the explosion, his first reaction is to send word to the Empress of Vir Sidius and the Satrap of Calahar to make sure both know a move has been made, not that they can stop it from thier posisiton, he then begins using WCW to direct evacuations and reinforcements to make sure that civilians are cleared out and troops and emergency services are moved in to stop them from spreading past the docks.

 

"Thirst for blood? Gorge on your own," hisses Ormi, sending three arrows lancing for the demon's open mouth.

 

The Blood Ape, the one that is the target of Ormi's rage turns those baleful eyes on the Dragon Blooded and throws the Mortal troop toward Ormi before bellowing and leaping over the mortals to come raging toward him. The Other three finish their slaughter of the Mortals and bellow to the night sky.

 

 As words are carried by the winds Soldiers that were acting as a Police force begin to get everyone away from the docks as fast as possible. About a three blocks from the docks are currently being evacuated in a confused but orderly manner.

 

 Ayesha arrives with her troops despite the confusion just in time to see the Blood Ape running toward Ormi, and the last of Koal's Dragon get off the Docks. The Dragonlord then starts to walk down one of the Earthen Bridges he made before collapsing himself. The Docks begin to shutter vioelnty and buckle. Not collapsing yet, but on the verge. One Warehouse slides off the side of the city into the water ina giat splash and hiss of steam from the burning building.

 

It takes a bit more than three minutes for the Ragara troops to organize, but finally the first troop leave the palace and move through the streets to the docks, with orders of support the 23rd. Ayesha will arrive a bit earlier, though, thanks to her Wings of the Raptor, which bring her flying to the scene.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat is pretty beat-up, but her duty is clealy not over yet. She attempts to rally the remainder of her men into something resembling coherency

 

The man at the teahouse continues to watch dispassionately. His single eye regards the flickering flames of the waterfront from under the short brim of his worker's apparel. Setting down his tea cup, he frowns as Ormi comes under assault from the blood ape.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat succeeds, yay, Wepat!

 

Ledaal Solace begins giving more orders, using his charms he remains on the balcony, where he can have a bids eye view of the city, He even orders releif to the remaining Peleps troops.

 

-Ledaal Solace.- Comes a formidable voice among the winds. -I am Ledaal Kilandros. I am the Commander of this Flotilla here. The Peleps officer is Peleps Ranoz. I'd really like to know why you are standing agaisnt the Peleps, Ledaal, Regara Alliance. You have at your disposal the Regara House Legion. You could have easily surprised the 23rd and secured the War Manse and the Alliance would have this Satrapy and the resources of her Manse.- The Ships move just out of Artillary range and stop.

 

 The Docks give one final shutter and collapse into the water, dragging ships, boddies of the fallen 23rd and Alliance soldiers, three of the Blood Apes and putting out the fire in a great gout of Steam.

 

 Out of the steam leaps the Blood Ape that threw the body at Ormi. It's club held in both it's hands as it flies at Ormi ready to bring the weapon down on the Dragon Blooded's head.

 

Sesus Ormi steps quickly to the side, pulling his leg out of the reach of the smashing bone club a heartbeat before it shatters the flagstones. He frowns - bowfighting at this range is easy with a powerbow, but with mortal sinews and wood...

 

Wepat hasn't stopped moving this entire time. Unlike most battles, she doesn't seem to be enjoying this one. Wonder why? Breaking off from her harrangue of her fleeing, mostly dead and wounded troops, she whirls in at the last moment, Small Recompense darting out to strike the demon from behind as he harrasses the defenseless (ha) Ormi.

 

 

 

 

 

Ledaal Solace pauses in his organization as he hears the words, he considers his reply. "The 23rd Legion is /my/ legion, The war manse is secure in /my/ hands. This is a Ledaal Satrappy, it's resources already go to house Ledaals coffers. Your unrpovoked attack on this city, destroying it's docks and unleashing demons into it's streets is an unmitigated error of judgement. Tell me has anyone even asked what side Greyfalls is on, or investigated anything? What kind of Morons are in command over there?"

 

"GRAAh!" Wepat stabs the demon through the back. It might slump over dramatically revealing her for the camera, or turn furiously towards her. Either way, there's Wepat, standing there panting, covered with blood (demon and human), her spear sticking through it. She looks kinda grim, all things considered.

 

The wind carries the light chuckle. -Have we investigated? Yes. We have. But humor me and tell me what side you claim Greyfalls is on. I believe I know the Answer. But for the record I'd like to hear it from you.- The Thirty Five of Wepat's talon still stnading have managed to reorganize into a Reinforced scale and are panting, covered in soot and blood and preparing to face whatever mayh come their way.

 

 The Blood Ape screams a Feral noise of rage and pain. It Snarls at Wepat as screams at her spraying foaming demon blood from it's mouth at her.

 

Ayesha winces when the docks collapse, and needs to stop herself from doing an instinctive damage assessment, instead of joining the fight. The demon attacking Ormi is her first target. The great metal wings fold, and she dives towards the creature, landing just behind it and slashing twice. One to the knees, the other to the neck.

 

Sesus Ormi turns around without even bothering to look at the creature again, once he senses the approach of Wepat's spear impaling it to the earth, and Ayesha's weapons cutting it down. He traces his eye across the distant ships and the deep waters. With an eerie ripple, his anima bubbles and warps, taking on the infinite darkness of Danaa'd so that he might see more clearly through the dark waters.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat is now covered head-to-toe in demonblood/vapor, this being all that remains.

 

-= OOC =- Lytek says, "Yeah. Ayesha. You vape this Demon."

 

Cathak Adan Wepat is too beat to even complain about Ayesha taking HER demon.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat looks around for the nearest ranking officer to report to

 

Sesus Ormi slowly relaxes the tension on his bow, and turns to Wepat. "Thank you," he says. "Your conduct is worthy of great praise..." He gazes out to the distance. "...Worthier than some."

 

Sesus Ormi says, "Wepat, I came in late. What the hell happened here?"

 

Cathak Adan Wepat salutes sharply. "I attempted to intercept an illegal weapons shipment, sir. Thought the Talon could handle it. I'm prepared to take full responsibility for the consequences."

 

Sesus Ormi glances out to the distance. "And there were four blood-apes there?"

 

Ayesha's strikes surprise the demon. The first one hamstrings him, forcing him to his knees, and as the creature tries to turn, the blade falls again, neatly decapitating him. "Lord Ormi, what...? Oh." So he also arrived just now. Then Ayesha will wait for Wepat's report, her eyes on the Peleps ships.

 

"Four blood apes, two scales, a water-dragon and a sorceror, sir. They detonated the warehouses once reinforcements arrived.

 

You say, "Four blood apes, two scales, a water-dragon and a sorceror, sir. They detonated the warehouses once reinforcements arrived."

 

Ledaal Solace replies, "Greyfalls tribute belongs to House Ledaal, If anything you have crippled our house by attempting to destroy that trade. You also personally insult my honor by even asking what side I am on.

 

Sesus Ormi narrows his eyes. "They think they can just... do this, without consequences?"

 

"They're traitors, sir." Wepat says, as though this explains any madness.

 

Sesus Ormi says, "Obviously. But to who?"

 

Cathak Adan Wepat blinks, like: The Realm, isn't it obvious?

 

"To common sense," comments Ayesha with a touch of sarcasm. "This civil war is insane, and even more than they bring it here. Four blood apes," she reminds them, "I doubt they will so kind to drown."

 

Sesus Ormi turns to Ayesha. "I'll go handle the blood apes," he says, igniting the Water Anima. "I'll be back in a few moments. Contact Solace and Koal; find out what we're going to be doing abotu this."

 

The Ships with the Peleps flags do not advance further, but have clealry claimed Dominance over any ship wishing to enter or Leave the Satrapy by the river.

 

 -Have I, or have you insulted my Honor by simply lieing to me Cousin? We know of the alliance you have with the Mnemnon Satrapy of Calhar. We also know there is a Mnemnon Legion, the 23rd, currently in your domain, and we know that House Cathak holds many residences that were not siezed. I bring charges of Treason against you Ledaal Solace. I lay them at your feet and DEMAND you surrender the Satrapy to me and the Alliance. I demand that Mnemnon Koal, Sesus Ormi, and any other Reds in your Satrapy be brought to the remains of your Docks in Chains. I also demand you tell me the location of the Cynis Legion we spied entering this area and I expect trheir officers also brought to us in Chain. Now. Tell Me /Satrap/, How do YOU plead Triator?-

 

"Wait," Ayesha lays a hand on Ormi's arm to stop him. "There might be other dragon-blooded in the water. House Peleps has many water-aspects."

 

"Including the commander of the assult force. He fled after I killed his sorceror.

 

You say, "Including the commander of the assult force. He fled after I killed his sorceror."

 

Sesus Ormi glances wearily at Ayesha. "I doubt anyone would be so canny as to be able to sneak up on *ME*," he says. "Trust me. I'll be fine." He leaps in to the water, bow taut and out.

 

There is no blood in the water when Ormi strides out again, though his scalp gleams red where a claw raked it half-open. He has no more arrows left; he shakes the water off his bow with no words, just a weary expression.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat watches Ormi, feeling guilty for her practical inability to follow

 

Ayesha looks worried at Ormi stunt, then, seeing Wepat is injured, calls for a combat medic. She also tries to find survivors from the Peleps troops, getting some prisoners might be useful to find out what they were doing here.

 

Cathak Adan Wepat looks around, for something, ANYTHING she can do to be useful. Ships aren't something she's well-equipped to fight.

 

Sesus Ormi is in more or less the same position.

 

Ledaal Solace places the Pearl fleet on hold and intiatates a confrence call, filling Calahar in on the situation, "I have a Peleps fleet at my docks, we have repelled the invading forces for now. They are now asking for the heads of the 23rd and 7th Legion, and free passage through my Satrappy to reach Calahar. Technically as you are no doubt aware we are currently Technically on opposite sides of this war. I want to know what your opinion and intentions toward this war are.

 

Sesus Ormi looks wearily to Wepat. "'Things fall apart,'" he quotes. "'The center cannot hold.' The Empress said that, when she destroyed the Seven Tigers... Did she foresee this?"

 

The Answer takes fifteen minutes before it comes. Finally Clahar's sultry voice answers back, -Well Solace. I can offer only this advice. Choose a Side. It's hard. Especially in a Civil War. But it's clear YOU must choose. I can tell you we will not give up the Cynis Legion.-

 

"She was the Empress, sir," Wepat says, vaguely.

 

Ayesha could actually fly there and do some nasty things to the ships. They blew up her docks! Well, the satrapy docks, technically. "I need to talk with the satrap, we need to drive off those ships trying to avoid more unnecessary deaths."

 

Cathak Adan Wepat is basically a spear-carrier here. Literally!

 

Sesus Ormi gazes thoughtfully at the distant boats. "You're a good soldier, Wepat," he murmurs. "You protected me without a moment of hesitation."

 

Sesus Ormi says, "...I wish I could, in turn, protect you from what you'll learn in the weeks to come."

 

"... sir? What do you mean?"

 

Sesus Ormi says, "The Realm... The Realm is all fragments, now, and no one knows where the heart lies. You'll see the worst of the Host now, and you'll the best of us wasted in this.""

 

"We all will, sir," she replies.

 

Ledaal Solace clears his throat, his words are no being carried to Ragara Ayesha, Ormi, Koal, The Calahar Satrap, the Cynis Legion Commander, The Empress of Vir Sidius and the commander of the Flotilla, "I Ledaal Solace, loyal member of house Ledaal do recognize your request, Ledaal Kilandros, for me to turn over the Commanders of the 23rd Imperial Legion, and the 7th Imperial legion, the head of Sesus Ormi, and all Members of House Cathak, Cynis, and Mnemon residing inside the limits of the Greyfalls Satrappy. I Also acknowledge your request that I turn of the Satrappy in full to you and your troops. Recognizing that you must have a signed order personally commanded by Ledaal per article 7 paragraph 23 of the Greyfalls Satrappy Charter, as well as Explicit bounty papers cosigned by the Ledaal house justicar for each individual person who you are requesting, I will allow you to have those papers presented, by long boat to my representatives at the dock, so that can be properly processed, and if found to be in complete order, such bounties can be carried out. Please make sure the papers are clearly in order, in triplicate and that the proper signatures and seals are all afixed correctly.

 

Wepat nods: "I fear we all will."

 

The Answer comes immediately. -I will have the Honored Ledaal Omeger send a Messenger to you within a week.- There is just a small hint of smugness in his voice. -Your cooperation is appreciated.-

 

Ledaal Solace sends a second wcw to the same people, except the flotilla commander "I think we should talk"