Jellicle's Creed
Frozen Memories
Seqeunce 8
Memory 3: Thawed Hearts
13 Febuary 2052
Arendelle
Marketplace District
Just before dinner
"Seasons change with the scenery... Weaving time in a tapestry... Wont you stop and remember me..."
- Hazy Shade of Winter
It had been a day since she saw Diamond returned from the dead as Mother had promised. About time too. The woman robed in dark purple and bright pink took her seat at an open air market to eat dinner, she never expected anyone to recognise her in any manner, if any one did recognise her it had been over a million years since anyone had seen her work her magic in the Pond District a million years ago. But that didnt matter at the moment, what mattered to the Light Dragon was her next meal. Her black hair was pulled into a lose ponytail to at least keep her hair out of her meal.
For the moment it worked nicely
She waited for a waiter to come and ask for what she wanted to eat, she never expected anyone to join her at table either.
Click Click Click!
The rapping of the three large finger tips surrounded in iDuradaeden/i claws sounded on the glass table as the man sat across from the woman and gazed upon her for a moment. He'd approached unseen, and even sat unseen; deciding to tap his fingers as if waiting impatiently for something to get her attention. The silver and Bronze Glow under his hood didn't reveal much for anyone except him, as he took in the entire situation; possibilities of the next few seconds running through his head.
"Asaca." he said; his voice deep and soothing. Mark smiled, and Kalda watched from within.
Pale purple eyes looked first to the tapping noise and then upon seeing what caused it simply blinked, OK... who had claws on their armor ? One of iHer/i Servants perhaps wanted her ? Or was Kanwar in a bad mood again and wanted to prank somebody ? I mean come on, living so long and not having any fun makes one bound to go a bit stir crazy. Kanwar though went many places over time, so for the moment Asaca was safe.
Her eyes went back to the floating symbols from the white crystal she held. However they looked up again at the voice. It sounded hauntingly familar yet clearly unknown to her. Looking up she spotted the man, the owner of the voice she could only assume was male. He looked like one of the more common servants or lower ranked soldiers in Lights army. What in the world was he doing there ?
It didnt matter. "Who is asking ?" She asked calmly. She held a crystal about the size of a large metal rod or spring from a truck in the southern cities that Mark was used to, technology had yet to really reach up there, but data crystals could get round as a mans head and long as a man was tall, but the thing she held was only about he size of a grown mans arm or leg. And the data floated off it like a hologram in the air. Pale purple eyes locked on the hooded mans unseen face. Seemingly glowing from within she smirked slightly. She was recognised by someone she did not recognise ?
"I'm not." He replied in response to her question. "I've already taken the liberty of ordering for us both. I think you'll like it." He said. At the moment, only Mark's signiture left Gauntlet was on his person. He didn't move as the crystal began to glow, and in response to her smirk, he only tilted his head.
"I'm surprised you're in town again. You've not been here for a long time." this was Kalda talking, using Mark's voice as a mask. "I'd of thought you'd be tending to Her." he said. Her? He meant a ship, or... someone else... Light? Possibly. Asaca would likely know. "Speaking of which... how is She? Still up North?" indeed, he spoke of a ship.
Slowly the rest of Mark's Armor glowed into view, and again he rapped his fingers on the glass, the claws clicking once more. In the far distance, Ulnaus screeched; making his usual rounds around the secure districts of the Kingdom.
She recognised the terminology he used, though he could mean either the Ship itself, or Mother, or maybe even both! But when he asked if she was still up north, the symbolds faded and winked out. "I dont know" She said simply. "The death of her captain the ship disappeared, I woke up in bed in the Crystal Courts of Light. I have not been on the 'Eagle since." She said truthfully. Asaca rembered only being told to go on leave by Kalda, when he went to face Kethend alone. So when she was in the Courts of Light on leave, Kalda fell, and the ship diasappeared, and Asaca was never summoned back to the ship, though Light named her her new Champion with the loss of Kaldakava.
Asaca though was different, she had captioned a ship of her own, but unlike Kalda, or herself when she was younger, Asaca chose instead to travel by land, not by air. With the way technology was moving however. that could help a lot with the traveling by air. "She on the other hand... I was hoping you knew... No one has seen her in the Courts for a year or so now." She meant Light being among Mortals, living and working with Charity and Tiri, and now Diamond. Her pale eyes locked on where she felt his to be. "Where Mother is... I cannot tell." If she so much as told where Kanwar was, well, Kanwar would nail her scales to a wall
The waiter came, and dropped off their food and drinks. "It's not Icewolf Meat, but it's close enough." Kalda spoke, using his own voice now before Mark began to eat his own food, a simple steak, some potatoes and rice, and then a pint of beer. He then lifted his pint to Asaca as his free hand moved to remove his hood and reveal his face.
"To reuniting with old friends." He said. Mark's eyes, now naturally ringed with Silver at the edges of his Irises, had the same piercing texture that Kalda had when he looked upon someone. If anything, Mark looked the same age as he did when had arrived in Arendelle. He aged, as the newer scars did fade, but it was slower in a sense, his connection with Kalda having slowed his body's aging slightly.
"So tell me, what are you doing in town again?" He asked, reverting back to Mark's voice again, as it was easier to maintain his presence.
Her gaze never left him as he spoke. Finally she said "I live here. Why would I not be in town ?" She speared some meat and some rice into a bowl before eating a bit before taking a sip of wine. "The question is,... Captain... what are you doing in town ?" Sure there was a heavy Templar presence. Briefly her gaze caught the sight of a man in loud colored robes come into the dining market and order some meat and sunflower seeds. Her gaze went back to Mark.
She saw a tired look to him. Ok this was interesting. "What happened to you ?" the question sadly was going to go unanswered as a brief shouting match broke out not two tables away, As was her habit, Asaca listened calmly at what was said. One man accusing another, the man in loud clothing, of sleeping with his wife, to which the other man, in a loud almost nasal sounding shrill voice said something really rude.
Asaca smirked. Stupid nobles sometimes thought they were above the law... Wait what ? Her eyebrow raised slightly as she heard the loud dressed man speak something of keeping the cage door open every night. OK that was odd... only thing kept in cages that she could see in the kingdom were birds, parrots mostly.
"Those questions..." Mark answered, glancing towards the fighting men as he raised his hood again slowly as to not draw attention to himself. "Are best answered by me. I'm Mark, Kalda's reincarnation." he said. "I'm here to liberate the kingdom from Templar Influence." he said in a low voice, so he wasn't overheard. "As for what has happened..." he took a bite of steak and chewed slowly, the shouting match becoming more important.
"Also... a nearby district is set to be liberated today...I was going to do it alone; but since you're here...I might use some help." he said calmly. By now, Ulnaus was on his way to circle the district set to be liberated, by the time he reached it, Mark would have started his liberation. He had some time to kill.
Asaca was listening with half an ear as the two men, one loudly dressed in what had to be feathers on his robes, the other a normal looking Arendelle resident. were about to go to blows when another man stepped in and kept the two men apart, the third man was much larger than both other men. But it was the loud colored man who started it. Without warning, moving faster than even Asaca could follow, the feathered man slugged first the third man to arrive on the scene, then struck at the man who started shouting at him before heading for the window. When Mark made to move Asaca held her hand on his, and shook her head they'd find him later. She was sure of it.
"Yesterday two districts were... liberated as you call it. I and a friend were concerned of recent happenings in a district nearby. We snuck in, had some fun. Though dont ask me to dance as bait, we almost did it. We still might have to though." She mused thoughtfully. After a few moments of quiet she spoke again after taking another sip of wine. "Birds when threatened, find the nearest exit do they not ?" Asaca had recognised the loud dressed man, a Eagle tribe member from the Mythic Realm, hence the terminology the man used with the other, a mortal owning what he thought a normal parrot, turning out to be everything but normal parrot.
Mark 's eyes followed the Eagle Tribe member even after he left; his Eagle Vision helping him track the man for a bit before returning his gaze to Asaca. "If I was going to ask you to dance, I would have followed you in to a more rowdy tavern where dancing is more acceptable." Mark smirked. He took a swig of his beer and swallowed before nodding in answer to her question. "They always do. And they take the shortest route to their prey." Mark said calmly before letting out a small whistle and holding up a clawed finger.
A small jay landed on his finger and chirped back, Mark smiled as he whistled a few times before letting his tongue click on the roof of his mouth. The Jay tilted its head before chirping and flying off. "Why do you ask?" Mark asked, returning his hand to his mug of beer, his other hand remaining where it was when Asaca had touched it to stop him from going after the fleeing man.
Ulnaus screeched off in the distance again, growing closer to his destination.
Asaca smiled thinly and finished her meal before standing, her sword hilts he could see clearly seemingl sticking out of her left hip, like how a Samurai kept his twin Katana on either hip. Only, why were her blades pretty much stabbed into her skin ? That was the magic of Dragon weapons, they disapepared into harmless hilts when sheathed. "Walk with me... from sound of things, you have time... We both do" With that she left a shard of something, it glittered silver on the table before heading from the marketplace eatery to the road outside.
The streets were packed with people. And as the fleeing Eagle Tribe member soon disappeared into the crowd Asaca simply walked among the crowd as if not worried, in truth she did it every day and knew these crowds daily. Her and Kanwar both. After about three dozen paces she halted and held her hand out to prevent Mark from getting run over by Sven, who had Olaf on his back, they were chasing butterflies again. The two walked on to the next district. Asaca could barely see Ulnaus above. She halted just within the district border "The Toshalok District. I remember this place when it was first named..."
She knew exactly where the District core was, the Templar Captain controlling it was going to be a pain in the butt for sure, a brave and smart man, the tactical advantage to this district was that it was NOT easy to get to without getting scene. Unless one went from the air. But they'd have to go higher than rooftops. "This wont be easy," She mused, She focused inward and when she opened her eyes, her own version of Eagle Vision went active, the Dragon Vision was just as good, if not better than Eagle Vision. She counted too many men defending every access point. Well crud. Well, they could always get in by air!
She turned to Mark. A smirk on her face as her pale purple eyes glowed brilliant green as her Dragon Vision was active. "Care for a inflight meal ?" Now what did she mean by that ? She turned and lightly jumped off the ground to a nearby rooftop. Almost effortlessly scaling three floors to the rooftop without a sound. The purple and pink dressed woman had no armor that Mark could see, but then her dress also revealed possibly too much leg it was hard not to stare
Mark followed her until she jumped, raising his eyebrows. He was going to do something simlar...only not. He was just going to Transport Array into the core and do what he did best; kill everything calling itself a Templar. He sighed and with Kalda's help, jumped after Asaca, landing next to her with a thud on the roof. He kept low, using the darkening skies and shadows cast by the setting sun to hide, the dark colors of his cloak helping out as well. Using his Eagle Vision he scouted the area.
"You may want to watch out." Kalda's voice rang out, making Mark turn to look at Asaca, seeing and sensing her magical presense growing astronomically. He backed up a bit and leaned against a wall. Meanwhile, he looked for the Captain.
With the sky growing dark as the sun began to set, Asaca smiled, She crouched low then sprang upwards with a blast of power straight into the air and purple smoke swirld around her and grew in size as she transformed into a massive purple dragon, Quiet possibly a Kajiu sized creature if Mark's math was right, which it wasnt, she was about half that size, at best. Hovering over Mark she lightly landed on the rooftop, her massive draconic face staring at him. "Care for a lift ?" She held out a wing towards him to climb on As she turned around without a sound to get back into the air again.
With Ulnaus also in the air, this might be tricky, than again he did zone in on the captain already. "I think he found him" He being Uknaus, and him being the captain they were after. "Come on, You take the captain, I'll take the party favors down below. ready ?" She pushed off from the rooftop and hovered a moment waiting for Mark to get on before moving to let him drop on the captain, literally
With a emsense downdraft of air the purple dragon slammed into the courtyard of the Templar stronghold. Ahhh what fun it was to be in her true form for once! Asaca used her tail like a whip and sent many Templars crashing into each other, through walls, into fires,. She started a few fires, and burnt a few alive, Evil had to be purged!
Mark hesitantly climbed onto her and then moved to drop in on the captain, spotting a weakspot in the roof of the office he was in, Mark dropped off Asaca like a sack of bricks and slamed through it, hard, and land on the otherside. He drew his sword, the arc of his unsheathing slashing one of the guards acros the neck, while Mark stood and shifted his weight back as another guard rushed him, dipping his claws into the man's gut as he moved his head out of the way of a downward slash, the sword bouncing off his shoulder armor. Mark pulled the man in and slammed his forehead against his nose before grunting as he pushed his claws furhter into the man's body, feeling his spine in his palm, and with a Draconian Snarl, snapping it with a squeeze of his hand and a twist. He retracted his hand and opened it, dropping the section of spine to the ground while looking at the cornered Captain and his remaining two guards on the other side of the room.
Mark was quick to draw his Desert Eagle into his spare hand, the mess he caused having fallen off the sleek metal of his claws long after he dropped the peice of spine. He smiled and with his teeth, pulled the slide back before charging. The two guards met him in the center of the room. Mark's sword clashed with one of theirs, and his elbow with the other's sword, the metals clanging together as they moved. Mark's stance widened and he moved his sword arm back before pulling the trigger.
Bang!
The .50 Calibur round tore the man's arm clean while Mark then twisted his body to face the second guard, moving his right leg to slam into the disarmed guard's femur, shattering it. As the man fell, Mark brought his sword up to slice clean through his neck and then lock with the second guard, who grunted with effort. Mark's Desert Eagle barrel was on the man's lower jaw, between his mandables when he silenced his screams with another pull of his trigger. The man fell, and Mark smiled, his nostrils flaring to smell the fumes of the hot barrel before holstering the weapon.
"Well done!" The Captain said, slow clapping sarcastically. He was, like Mark, armored from head to toe, albeit inot/i in Duradaeden. However his armor was otherwise a direct match. Mark chuckled at that, sheathing his sword.
"Come then, copy-cat Captain of the Templars. Let us see whose armor is better." Mark assumed a fighting stance akin to eastern Tiger-Style, his claws out instead of fists up. The captain again imitated.
They began, the Captain faster than Mark as he gauged the Captain's limits before counterattacking by kicking the man's kneecap directly, sending him back in a stumble, and slowing him.
Mark's slashes and scratches were mostly blocked, as if it were a battle between Masters, before Mark closed his fists and resorted to more Western styles of fighting. The man didn't notice until Mark's fist collided with his chest, the force penetrating the armor and breaking his ribs. He paused, and Mark continued hammering him until he had him in a corner, multiple ribs broken, knee cap shattered, jaw dislocated, manhood in his throat, and for some reason a boot missing.
"Too bad; you had me excited there for a moment." Mark said, pulling his Desert Eagle out again and holding it tight, thumb flicking the safety off once more before lowering it to the man's forehead, and pulling the trigger.
After looting the corpses, going through the desk for anything important, and then lighting the room on fire, he walked outside, and noted the useless gang-up on Asaca's massive Dragon form, weapons bouncing off her beautiful purple scales before he chuckled, and then turned to climb the tower itself.
In the courtyard was complete bedlam as the massive purple dragon, which in the setting sunlight looked black as midnight, just wrecked the place, Bodies were everywhere of dead and dying, and possibly still alive folk. a group of Templars attempted to gang up on her at once from the front while the rest went to her backside, it didnt work. She built up power, and in the darkness a flash of extremely golden light exploded from her mouth with a sound of harps going off quiet beautiful when one thought about it. Asaca didnt roar. In that kingdom, a roar made anyone nervous.
Finally with only one guy left who turned tail and bolted, he didnt get far as the downdraft of her wings tripped him up, and reenforcements came pouring in as Mark cimbed the tower to set the signal fire. Perfect. With a swirl of air and a swat of her tail, Asaca sent Templars flying before finally settling and the courtyard was cleared. In the darkness a thick purple mist enveloped the courtyard which shrank in size as Asaca was seen as a human once again, she dusted off her hands. long fingerless 'gloves' that went up her dress sleeves were seen.
But she missed a Templar. Out of nowhere the guy acting dead snuck onto his feet and snuck on her. st the very last second she caught he guy's weapon as he dropped off a balcony onto her. His weight drove her to a knee, the stone pavement below her cracked on contact as both her fists halted the mans weapon a hair from slamming into her nose. She spit in his face, the man screamed, not in pain but in rage and started swinging blindly as she easily kicked his legs out from under him before slitting his throat with a fingernail. She then bit said nail muttering something about a hangnail again.
She looked up as she saw Mark on the viewpoint, the courtyard was clear, set it alight! A few moments later and the district was cleared, but where Asaca had gone Mark had no idea
Arendelle
Castle Ice Rink Courtyard
A few moments later
With Asaca suddenly gone from the Toshalok District that left Mark wondering where she had gone off to. thankfully he found himself wandering back to the Castle and once int he courtyard her words made him wonder about not trusting the birds as he used to, some of them were not what they seemed. The man in loud colors at the marketplace eatery they had dinner at for ecxample, Asaca had recognised the Parrot Enclave member as a member of the Eagle Tribe, nothing more. But it was the mere mention of the Eagle Tribe that made him wonder. So naturally he went to the only place he could think of that had any information on it, Elsas mothers library
Though it was strange, there were none in Arendelle in such loud colors like that man had been dressed in. He didnt recognise him as anyone other than a visitor or merchant to Arendelle. And normally Mark was ontop of everything when it came to visiting merchants, they was always an up to date list of merchants in the kingdom,, and this loud dressed man from apparently his neck of the woods of Egypt, had somehow just appeared out of thin air, the other man, a mortal man and resident of Arendelle though seemed pissed off that his parrot had seen and learned things, blackmail no doubt.
But in truth the purple and pink dressed woman had gone after the Parrot she recognised. It was not often members of the Eagle Tribe ever left the Mythic Realm to begin with. So she had gone after the Parrot, and soon found him easily. OInce she had captured him she all but forced him to the Arendelle Dungeons Without help from guards or anything they apparently recognised her authority as a member of an elite unit of the Brotherhood thanks to her outfit and skills She dragged the Parrot into the dungeon. the way to it wasnt easy "I aint done anything" Came the shrill high pitched voice of the loudly dressed and befeathered male
"Save me the bullshit, Parrot" Asaca growled, her scaled hand pushed him along.
He stumbled into the entry room just outside the torture room and stopped "This is harassment!" The bird said turning to her, only to get smacked, hard by the scaled fist. The parrot wipped aside, spitting out broken teeth he turned to the Light Dragon in anger "That hurt!"
"There is more where it came from, get walking" Asaca growled
"Make me" The parrot said sticking his tongue out at her with his hands on his hips
Wrong move
The gate to the torture room opened and he sailed into the dungeons torture room, landing in a heap after giving off a sudden squak of complete loss of personal space and dignity as Asaca pretty much dropkicked the jerk dead into the rack with a crash and pained squak. Without another word bindings of pure light held the Parrot fast to the rack. Asaca wanted information now, and this was her only means to get it.
Asaca then moved to stand with her back to the door, behind the rack holding the Parrot. "Now... little birdy, you are going to give us some answers, or you become tonights midnight snack" She said simply, her tone a dead giveaway, she spoke the truth
Following the squawking and confused looks on guards' faces, Mark entered the dungeons without a sound, the Guards standing a little more at attention in his presence as his boots hit the ground. Letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer light of the dungeons, Mark continued onwards, followign the noises. He arrived to see the Parrot stick his tongue out at Asaca. Personally, he would have upper-cutted the jaw, and make the man bite his own tongue off. But then, if one wanted info, that wasn't a good idea.
Watching from the other side of the window of the room leading to the torture room, Mark crossed his arms over his broad chest, his armor glowing dimly, filling the room with an eerie bronze light. He only wished he brought popcorn.
The Parrot briefly stuggled in the viselike grip of the strange etheral bindings of light. Powerful light magic at work for sure. "It is not every day that a member of the Eagle Empire, is in the Mortal Realm without good reason." Asaca said, her back to the Parrot. the man smirked
"Like I'd tell you, The All-Mother's former Champion, was it ?" Asaca growled, snapping her gaze towards the eagle, Mark could briefly see purple scales wash over her face before fading to fair human skin as she stepped closer to the Parrot..
"What was that ?" Asaca asked
"The All-Mother had a Champion, Everyone knows he died in combat, in this realm. We mourned him sure, but now. You're still around, and stronger than he was! So now here is little me being tortured by you, the big bad Champion of the All-Mother. How's it feel being iHer/i Champion again ?" The Parrot said, his whiny voice seemed more in control and not as shrill or terrified. Sure he'd just lost any form of whatever he had in terms of diginty when Asaca picked his ass up and dropkicked in clear into the torture room as if going for a field goal.
Asaca set a hand on the the rack near the Parrots head, looking directly at him as he laid there. A dark smirk on her face as her magic went to work. "Do not test me, Parrot. What does the Enclave want with Arendelle ?"
"Well for one thing, its better than the City of Talons, way too many stuffed up birds there let me tell you." The parrot said. partly truth, mostly lie. But at least he was talking
"Whoop there she went." Kalda chuckled. At Mark's puzzled grunt, he went on. "She's using her magic to basically read his mind; those thoughts that you thought were only to yourself? Yea, she can get to those. That's what she's doing right now to this poor bird. I would have strapped to some of the guns of the Silver Eagle to see how he liked it...but then he'd likely die." Kalda explained, shrugging.
Mark blinked slowly before opening the door and entering the room; his presence, two Champions of Light in the same room, aught to help, he figured; since this Parrot would likely see him as Kalda. "It would be wise to Speak, Parrot." Mark said, using Kalda's voice to add to the effect.
By that point the Parrot shut up and was visibly sweating as Asaca used her magic. her hand inches from the birds head, the bird grunted, most Parrots, the higher ups and leadership caste of the Enclave within the Eagle Empire, were very good at keeping their thoughts hidden from others. Hence their ability to blackmail, Sadly this guy was low ranking, one of the lowest ranked nobles in fact. as Asaca pulled her hand away and withdrew her power from the Parrot the bird grunted and his head thunked back against the rack. At least he wasnt getting stretched. Yet.
When her power left him the bird grunted, And upon seeing Mark, or rather Kaldakava enter the room, he started laughing. "Whooo, man I thought you were dead! Hey lady with the really grabby hands and hard foot, whats it like being suddenly depos... OW HEY THAT HURT!" The Parrot's jovial tone went to one of extreme sudden pain as Asaca backhanded him, thankfully not with her scales. This bird didnt know when to shut it.
Asaca started pacing. This sucked. Speaking in Draconian she said to Kalda "jaci ui ti wer ergriff ir tenpiswo, nakta vin sauriv shafaer wer schakriri persvek wer biwheg svadrav elsa convines astahi earenk nakit. ir fogahral di astahi tepohaic vi bird ihk vi lincesa. mrith apzen si shilta wyoga astahi vur montu astahi ekik ekess wux mrith sia arcaniss. jaci apparently wants ekess move tenpiswo though. jaci ui|ulph harmless shafaer jacida kurjh. shar mobi re lyriki hefoc jacion {He is not the only one here, keep an eye on the nobles in the council when Elsa convines them tomorrow morning. One third of them has a bird for a pet. With luck I can locate them and point them out to you with my magic. He apparently wants to move here though. he's harmless on his own. But there are others like him}" Oh sure, he remembered Kalda, and most of the Eagle Empire didnt like him, especially the Eagle King's brother and son at the time. Though Asaca had to smile, the current Eagle king, Tilr's daughter, Princess Fang had just been born when Asaca first arrived in Arendelle shortly before Elsa was born
Mark grunted in response to Asaca's words, and nodded, Kalda translating for him before taking over briefly to respond, like-wise in Draconian. "Very well... I'll have my turn with him now, then." And with that he let Mark take over again, and he stood in front of the Parrot, drawing a series of throwing knives from various places around his body before beginning to juggle them. Sort of. He wasn't completely juggling them, merely, attempting to, it wasn't pretty, and ended with him catching them all in between his fingers, the blades pointing outwards so that the blade wouldn't reach one of very few weak spot in his armor. He cocked his arm and let loose a knife, the thing landing a millimeter away from the Parrot's ear.
"Who are our friends in the Council of Nobles?" Mark asked simply.
The Parrot stared at the knife as it lodged so close to his nose in the rack. He swallowed carefully then figured, heck with it, free stay anyhow. He rattled off a list, of the twenty seven nobles on the lower council, only seven of them had a parrot of some kind, all of which were from the Parrot Enclave. Then he rattled off a second list of names, with the High Council members list having fourteen members having a higher ranked Parrot Enclave member as a pet. For one thing, the parrot said, it was easier to be a pet for a mortal than to live on ones own. "Besides, its not like we have any designs on Arendelle, we're tropical birds at heart ya know. But I gotta admit, the free board, nice warm house, and then the crackers on principle is good incentive."
But that did nothing to explain his presence in the marketplace eating area. that afternoon. to which Asaca growled, of the full council that was to convine the next morning, a third of them had a Parrot for a pet. Wonderful. Now the Enclave, one of the few groups she never trusted, made her distrust royalty appointed councils. Wonderful.
Another knife, this time close to the other ear. "If you are tropical birds, then why Arendelle? This is the least tropical god damned place on the planet inhabited by humans besides Siberia. So tell me, before my aim is altered by my allergy to liars." Another two knives were let loose, a literal hair's width from either side of his neck.
"Hey!" The parrot said, more like screeched, "I only just arrived here! I'm only doing as told, get a nice home, get a roof over my head, none of the higher ups told me anything I swear!" His voice shrill, he spoke rapidly, naming off three of the higher ranked Parrots. Out of nowhere the light bindings faded and he fell off the rack as Asaca pulled him to his feet.
"What is the Enclaves plan ?" Asaca asked simply once he regained his footing
The parrot looked between her, her hand dangerously close to his head, and then back to Mark, who had another knife ready to throw. Sweat beaded on his head, finally he said simply. "The Eagle Princess, Fang. The Parrot Enclave is trying to get her out of an arranged marraige with the Sparrow Flock she never wanted part of. That's why we're here. She wants a mortal man, here, from this city." he said
Asaca grunted and looked to Mark, a simple nod, the parrot spoke the truth. Apparently the Enclave wanted to be of help, but they had other plans as well. But then, was Fang going to come there ? From what Asaca remembered, Princess Fang was born before she herself left the Mythic Realm to live in Arendelle with Kanwar to keep watch on the reborn Xeir Zith from afar, so that meant that Princess Fang was an adult now. But was Fang planning on moving from the Mythic Realm to the Mortal Realm ?
Mark motioned for Asaca to lower the man so he could stand on his own, and holstered his remaining knives before trailing the sharp claws of his gauntlet around the Parrot's neck; were Mark a woman, this gesture would be more alluring, as his claws traced along the underside of the bird's jaw, pressing down just hard enough to scratch but not break the skin; which with how sharp those claws were, wasn't hard at all, about the force required to hold an egg with a brittle shell.
"I want more information. On every Enclave member on Arendelle. I want their names, their ranks, their specific bird species, what they had for dinner on the fourth of August, and when the last time they got laid was." Mark spoke, his hand then quickly cupping the man's face, thum on one cheek and fingers on the other, claws now beaking skin and blood trickling lightly down the bird's cheeks.
"Then I want to see them...You being lower ranking, you don't know as much as you could...a pity. But you will do as told, and report back to this room in a weeks time, understood?" Mark's tone dropped, and his grip tightened again. At the subtle nod, he relaxed and smiled. "Good; because if my info isn't here in a week, I will find you, and my claws will be meeting each other in the middle of your tongue." he said, cupping the parrot's chin and then smacking him gently as if teasing him. Which he was. Mark was playing with the man, but was entirely serious while doing so.
He Spoke in Draconian to Asaca again. "I'll personally oversee the Council meeting along with Elsa tomorrow; would you join me? Your eyes are more experienced at spotting our feathered friends." He said, releasing the Parrot before swiftly spinning and launching a kick to his gut, knocking all the wind out of his body before calling for two guards to drag him out of the dungeons and dump him somewhere discreet.
Asaca watched as Kalda, her former Captain, acted the part rather well, talking with a prisoner was one thing, getting information, quite another. The information she had retrived however could only be so much. At least they had names, and now they'd get more. Asaca smirked. "The Parrot Enclave is a massive group in the City of Talons.. Why they would help the Royal Family is beyond me when last I knew they hated the royal family. But then, Princess Fang is a Eagle, not a sparrow. She'd accidently eat them for lunch on her own!"
She went throughful as Mark proposed the plan to join him and Elsa at council the next afternoon. "Possible, But I do not want to risk confrontation with any of the nobles here, it is bad enough I barely got my home and keep the nobles I bought it from from taking it back as it is." Kanwar had a house, a dojo actually, in the Yaeko District, she and Asaca lived there together. "I will think on the offer, I will send you notice on my choice before bed. I will send a dove if I am coming to join you and the Queen in council, or a raven if I cannot. Agreed ?"
Mark nodded with a grunt, and placed a hand on Asaca's shoulder, giving her a firm pat before nodding and leaving the dungeons. It was time for dinner with Elsa.
As he neared the door Asaca called out to him. "Captain, Hold onto this" She threw something to him, on white leather, it was her seal as Lights Champion, "I'll be back for it."
Mythic realm
The Courts of Light
Time unknown
Time did not tarry in the Mythic realm, hell, time didnt even go there or even attempt to keep track of the long seemingly neverending years and even longer beautiful seasons. Lights massive castle was pretty much a mountain of glass, crystal, ice and white sand. It towered three milies into the sky alone, yet, it felt no different than being at ground level when at the top. The crystal tower, carved as if from nothing more but Crystal alone. At the top of the massive crystal tower waas a wrap around balconey of a sort. It was on this balconey where two people spoke.
One of those people wore a golden lightly jeweled dress, her crown of silver and white sapphires glittered as it caught the rising sunlight. Light stood at the balconey edge. her tall stature simply stood there, watching the sunrise. A massive silver eagle, easily twice the size of Ulnaus alone flew into her field of view before coming to a light landing, The Eagle Emperor, known simply as Tilr, stood regal with a slight bow towards Light, "Mother-Dragon, it is an honor to receive your summons" he said
Light did not turn to face the Emperor, but smiled at his presence; his was not unwelcome. "Tilr, good of you to come on such a short notice. Before we begin; would you like to take a guess as to why I summoned you?" She asked softly.
"I dare not attempt it All-Mother." Tilr said simply, his tone had a upbeat ring to it and he himself always was in a good mood, though a bad mood was also possible. "Pray tell, why did you send for me ? is it because...well... The Aaetherspace barrier growing weak ?"
"You're partially right. You're familiar with my daughter, Xeir Zith?" she asked, glancing to the bird before turning to head inside. "She's waking up...And as she grows in power, the Aetherspace barrier weakens." She explained calmly, moving to a comfortable sitting chair and sitting upon it, crossing her legs at the knees and leaning back comfortably.
"However, the pace at which she regains her power is troubling me. I want your daughter to go and help her return to full power." she said, staring the Eagle in the eye, her tone, though light and pleasant, was dead serious.
At the mention of Xeir Zith the mood seemed to darken briefly, The news had reached every empire in the Realm; the loss of the child of Light hit evreyone hard. Fang and Diamond most of all as they were all three very good friends. "I still do not believe that she has been reborn, in the Mortal Realm no less." He said softly as he watched the sun come up. For a long moment he was quiet, the last ime he had seen Xeir Zith was only days before Kethend ambushed her
He put his hands behind his back, turning from the sunrise he spoke. "The Aaetherspace barrier weakens daily. My own soldiers can barely hold a tide of darkness at bay for so long." he nodded. "Fang is a capable woman, she may be only twenty seven years old in Mortal Time, but she is strong, and can hold her own in a fight rather well." He was confused. "But of magical power she only psosesses what all Eagles do. the ability ot transform into an Eagle, or human likeness. It comes natural, I am unsure of any other magics she may have."
Princess Fang was Tilr's older child, her younger brother Prince Talon was still a VERY small bird, with barely any feathers on his wings, so to speak. Fang had been besting all her teachers in combat, which was why she went to Lights Court to train more there under kanwar, then Kanwar disappeared shortly after Diamond did. Leaving the Eagle Princess with out anyone she could fully trust outside of Light or her father.
Light smiled. "That's not why I want her to go to Arendelle. I want her to help Xeir's human form in ridding her home of a rather annoying... pest. She has help from a sort of... quarter-breed boy who happens to also be my Champion reborn. He is quite... strange, but he needs help doing his job. Else I fear he won't be done finding his own destiny for many years to come." she said calmly.
"As for the Aaetherspace, I wouldn't worry too much about that for now; while it is true that Draco's soul still wanders the realms in search of his Queen, there is no way he himself can get her out. He doesn't even know where the Aaetherspace is, the poor boy." she explained, fanning herself gently with a hand for a moment before standing before the man, towering over him even as he stood at full height.
"Do we have an agreement?"
"Draco wanders freely ? I heard you sealed him away ?" It was confusing to say in the least; the mere thought of Draco, when sealed away, his soul torn from his body, was still wandering without his body. And to send Fang to help Xeir Zith regain her true strength. he nodded. "We do, I shall send Fang on her task at once. When she arrives, who is she to seek ? Is she to seek someone ?"
A small Sparrow was seen flying like hell was behind it as it alighted near Tilr and Light, dropping to one knee the Sparrow spoke, "All-Mother, Emperor Tilr, The parrots have been sighted in the Mortal Realm in key cities, one of them is where Champion Asaca resides; A Swallow informed us of this visitor" The Sparrow relayed everything the Swallow had told him after the swallow had observed by chance alone of one of the Parrot Enclave members getting uncerimoniously dropped on a few beer kegs outside a bar in Arendelle by the Royal Guard
Tilr thought a brief moment, "Send word to Princess Fang, she is speak to the Swallow who informed you, the Swallow is to leave nothing out of what they know in news to her. she need only to take what she will require in terms of personal survival, she is to find the Lady Xeir Zith, or the Lady Asaca, If she is lucky in finding either Kanwar is with one of them. I hope" Fang always spoke highly of Kanwar and her teaching from the Light Dragon in all forms of combat. The Sparrow bowed deeply and flew off. Though the news the Sparrow brought was... unnerving... "What would the Parrot Enclave want with Arendelle ?" The Parrot Enclave resided in the rainforest areas of the Eagle Empire. Rarely where they in the cities
Light was silent through the exchange, and sat back down slowly, nodding to the Sparrow. "I think your dear Parrots are up to something with good intentions, but the wrong way of going about them..." she was staring off into the distance. "Fang's mission will be as follows; find out what members of the Parrot Enclave are doing in Arendelle, and it is to help the queen rid the kingdom of Templars, she is to make sure they do it correctly, working with those in hoods. She is also to become one of the hooded men and women." She said.
"Mortals are creative when it comes to fighting; she will learn much there I think. Particularly from the higher ranking hooded ones...they seem to hold the most creativity when it comes to fighting and killing...Now then, if you've any more questions, speak them, it's almost time for lunch I believe." she said.
Tilr nodded and raised a hand, two fingers were held up, he lowered one, "One question was answered before I even asked it, but one still remains unasked and unanswered" he said. He lowered his hand, "You mentioned a quarter-breed. Your Champion reborn ? Kaldakava I assume ? How can he be a quarter-breed ? He is a Silver is he not ? Even when reborn ?" Sure Diamond was a full reborn dragon, only it took her twenty seven years to manifest. "This wont have anything to do with one of those Hooded Ones with a mastery of our feathered friends now will it ?" Ok so it was more like half a dozen questions instead of two, but they were all good questions
Including the last one. "Would you mind if I join you ?" There was a map within the main throne room made of light that floated in the air, it showed the kingdom of Arendelle in various colors for each district.
She nodded. "Yes, Kalda. Quarter Human, Quarter Tigris, Quarter Eagle, and now that Kalda's awoken, Quarter Dragon. He's a mess, but...it gives him a sort of flare that people like. As for whether or not Fang will encounter the hooded one known as Mark Wolfe, there is a distinct possibility. He and Kalda do share the same body, and is currently one of the more prevelant hooded ones in Arendelle at the moment." She answered swiftly. At the question of if he could join her, she nodded, and gestured to the door.
The two moved into the throne room where a table had been set up with food for the day. As they walked, Tilr mused over the words. "Quarter Human, quarter Tigris, quarter Eagle, and now, quarter Dragon. Your champion makes a body for himself quite strangely I must admit. Kaldakava, Fang has only read about him, she has never met him in person, though she has often dreamed of meeting him as a mere hatching." He said as they sat at the table. "Either way, the Swallows have means of getting information, both discreet, and polite means. Fang will get her information when she arrives in the kingdom." Little did either of them know exactly just how Fang was going to meet Mark the next morning. "Wether the Parrots know it or not, they're being watched."
Arendelle
Roughwater District
Roughwater Assassin Den
Dusk
Georgina sat at the desk, for once in the last year alone she was writing a letter. A letter destined for home. As much as she hated to write it, she had to write it, elseways her mother would never have the contact she wanted. Georgina knew that Car Key could do amazing things with a tool like Google and CNAR Searches. As much as she didnt want to contact her mother, Georgina wanted to do just that. It was a long time in coming, but her letter was simple and to the point.
Letter to Empress Luna from Princess Yei Jia Jia, translated from original
Dear Mother
I must thank Agent Key of the United States Centeral Intelligence Agency for informing me of your wanting to contact me. I would have contacted you sooner. Had I the chance to contyact youm our settlement here in Arendelle was for the most part, not easy as hoped. Things have changed here, They are here. We had our home for barely a year before it, and Yang, was taken from us, Yang fell defending me from them. But it was their queen who rescued me, and returned the keys to my home to me. Yang is lost to us, slain in the street, but with a proper burial he rests peacefully now.
I miss him daily, seeing his smiling proud face light up a room, He would have made a wonderful Prince. But alas it is not to be
Mother, I was scared to write to you, to inform you of the loss of your heir, the only one you found suitible to take the throne when his time came. I only wish it were possible for me to produce another heir, but ewith my husband slain by them as well, I fear there is no chance for us to liberate China from them. Mother, what should I do ? There is one here who does not have an heir and fears he is the last of his clan, If I were to produce an heir, would the child be for his family, or for ours ?
Mother I await your reply, I miss you and papa dearly.
Yours as ever
Yei Jia Jia
PS: Send my regards to the Captain of the Guard Shendir,
Letter to Princess Yei Jia Jia from Empress Luna translated from orirginal
My dearest daughter
I am happy to hear your voice through your letter, though it saddens me that my grandson has been lost to them after all. there was nothing we could do. We could only forstall fate. What is done is done, there is no hate or wrongdoing on your part, I do not lay any blame upon you nor do your siblings or your father, if you wish it we will send a contigent of troops to support you and the Brotherhood within Arendelle. these soldiers you chose are strong good men, and follow only your orders, which we currently give in your name.
My dear child, please do not despair, fate will provide for you just as she provided you with your husband and son. Soon we will see each other again. Please contact me directly when you are able to provide news further of an heir, and do not worry, the servants miss you as does the Captain, he recalls your growing up quite well. He misses you as we all do
The loss of Yang grieves us all, but t is hope for the future that brings smiles to our faces. Please do not worry sweet one, soon Fate will have a say. Be it for good or for ill, we must wait and see what fate has instore for us.
Yours as ever
Mama
Georgina upon getting the letter smiled and put it away, and quickly wrote up another, thanking her mother for the prompt response, the soldeirs were to be sent, a full contigent, about eleven hundred soldiers, all under her command back home, sent to Arendelle to help the Brotherhood. Wont Mark be surprised about that!
Arendelle
That same night
Full dark
As darkness took Arendelle a massive Silver Eagle alighted atop the pennecle of the Castle; she preened her feathers for a moment before the darkness washed over the kingdom; the simple darkness of sleep. Without a sound the beautiful bird lifted from the rooftop of the castle and flew to the courtyard, as she alighted, a smoke seemed to fade through her body and a woman dressed in silver and black robes woven with silver armor stood in the dark courtyard. It was time to see if an old friend was indeed alive
Memory Sync Verified, Sequence 8 Completed