09-05-2016, 12:45 PM
YOU CAN STAND ME UP AT THE GATES OF HELL, BUT I WON'T BACK DOWN.
A simmering rage begins to boil beneath the stoic surface of his terse jaw, scratching gently at the under-layer of skin and leaving him raw and agitated. Though concern ebbs away at his mind, frustration lingers - everything has been taken away, but little did he care for the proverbial crown of thorns that had graced him for so many years, nor did the title mean anything in the end. The crystalline ice wall that had held enemies at bay and kept those safe within - gone. The gently sloping mountainside, littered with jagged, jarring caves - gone. The firm permafrost and its annual bloom of flora and fauna - gone. The stability he had fought so hard for, the lives his once feeble heart had grown to so deeply care for - permanently altered; destroyed.
Destruction knew no limit.
His eyes darken as each familiar face approaches; relief pulls at the very edges of him and yet he cannot do more than offer a solemn expression of gratitude, looking each figure over for wounds - grievous or not. Sahm and Newton had followed him from the very crest of the overt, intimidating mountain peak that loomed so closely to their gathering - a fierce reminder of the reckoning that had just wracked the entirety of what any of them had ever known. His fury bubbles again within the pit of his belly, but he has little time to allow himself to mourn what had been or to be furious at what has happened - perhaps, in a way, a cleansing was to be expected. Each and every story has its ending.
But not this one.
"I am relieved to see that you are all well - for the most part; I am certain there are more of us nearby - we must gather together and find refuge," He bellows, though his voice is rough. A swiveling eye turns to Thanata. "I have not seen her, nor our children - I know my Isle; she will find me - and I will find her. We always do." Emotion tugs at his softly spoken words; a truth he hoped would come to fruition again.
A pair soon follow, in unison, each with a glimmering eye of fire and brimstone like his own - his daughter and son, though birthed from an untimely union, brought a shred of hope to his weary heart. He gives a solemn nod to them as well, and in turn, Romek - who flees frantically but soon returns (and though he can understand the panic, he is more than a partner and a father - he is a leader, a friend - he must stand for all first, and seek out later, though it pains him to do so). Josie soon appears, and his heart warms again. He could only hope the rest were as well.
"I do have a plan. Once we convene, I will, too, search for our lost companions and friends - we need to know their whereabouts; we need to know they are safe." He glances to Romek, his words most heavy with meaning towards him. His heart clenches in his chest to think of his precious Maribel, his sunshine - his nerves could hardly be held at bay.
"Change is on the horizon - I am no longer your King, but I am as I always have been, in that I am your friend. Our alliances will not fall into the shadows of uncertainty, for it is the brotherhood, sisterhood and friendships bound together that will see us through. I will pursuing a further alliance with Eight, with Topsail of the Valley, and with Killdare and Malis of the Chamber. If you seek refuge and stability as I do in these dark, uncertain times, you are welcome to come with me. If not, you are always welcome among us."
Destruction knew no limit.
His eyes darken as each familiar face approaches; relief pulls at the very edges of him and yet he cannot do more than offer a solemn expression of gratitude, looking each figure over for wounds - grievous or not. Sahm and Newton had followed him from the very crest of the overt, intimidating mountain peak that loomed so closely to their gathering - a fierce reminder of the reckoning that had just wracked the entirety of what any of them had ever known. His fury bubbles again within the pit of his belly, but he has little time to allow himself to mourn what had been or to be furious at what has happened - perhaps, in a way, a cleansing was to be expected. Each and every story has its ending.
But not this one.
"I am relieved to see that you are all well - for the most part; I am certain there are more of us nearby - we must gather together and find refuge," He bellows, though his voice is rough. A swiveling eye turns to Thanata. "I have not seen her, nor our children - I know my Isle; she will find me - and I will find her. We always do." Emotion tugs at his softly spoken words; a truth he hoped would come to fruition again.
A pair soon follow, in unison, each with a glimmering eye of fire and brimstone like his own - his daughter and son, though birthed from an untimely union, brought a shred of hope to his weary heart. He gives a solemn nod to them as well, and in turn, Romek - who flees frantically but soon returns (and though he can understand the panic, he is more than a partner and a father - he is a leader, a friend - he must stand for all first, and seek out later, though it pains him to do so). Josie soon appears, and his heart warms again. He could only hope the rest were as well.
"I do have a plan. Once we convene, I will, too, search for our lost companions and friends - we need to know their whereabouts; we need to know they are safe." He glances to Romek, his words most heavy with meaning towards him. His heart clenches in his chest to think of his precious Maribel, his sunshine - his nerves could hardly be held at bay.
"Change is on the horizon - I am no longer your King, but I am as I always have been, in that I am your friend. Our alliances will not fall into the shadows of uncertainty, for it is the brotherhood, sisterhood and friendships bound together that will see us through. I will pursuing a further alliance with Eight, with Topsail of the Valley, and with Killdare and Malis of the Chamber. If you seek refuge and stability as I do in these dark, uncertain times, you are welcome to come with me. If not, you are always welcome among us."
OFFSPRING
The (rulers of) the Valley and what is left of the Chamber will be uniting.
The alliances will stand; who will be coming along for the ride?
