Empires of Ashes

*she looks over to the other immortal, on the other side of the gate* *Fluent kelthrovi* "Raquiel, hold the gate." *he knods back, and she turns back to trajan.* "What is it?"

"Well first, how are you? I trust the immortals are still treating you well?"

"Of course."

"I'm glad to hear it.... you're a little apprehensive about talking to me, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"I understand. It was the likes of me that wronged you. Only natural you'd harbour.... animosity to some degree."

*she inhales deeply* "Thats what you came to talk about."

"Not at all. From what I can tell, you're past that now. I don't want to reopen old wounds."

"Good. So, what do you want to talk about."

"Well...it's about LI"

"...Go on."

"I think it's quite obvious to the two of us that she has...gravitated towards you."

"Maybe because i treat her like a person." *Shrug* "Could be that." *an eyebrow is raised behind a helmet*

"Yes...from what I can tell it is the same reason she has gravitated towards myself also. Meaning we two are rather....unique in our experiences with a Clavae."

"Yeah, probably quite true."

"*sighs* If there's anyone who needs the help of someone in my position, it's her. and yet I don't think I'm able to do anything near what she needs."

"Okay...?"

"You're alike in quite a few ways, I think. She's lucky to have someone like you to talk to."

"Thanks..."

"*sighs* Sorry, I don't mean to bandy my words like this. I'm not usually this unsure."

"Just say what you mean then? "

"Once these battles are over, when I can next return to the capitol, I'm going to try to do something for her, and the others like her. If I fail, or if I am killed before then... I want the immortals to take her in."

"...You should probably ask her about it."

"Of course. But I'm not going to offer her this path if it is shut to her, if you get my meaning."

"I can't say we will... You'd have to ask Ke...Prince Ket'Verahi."

"Obviously. But you're her friend. And you know the immortals. Do you think she'd be accepted? That she'd be looked after?"

"Yes."

"Then that's all I needed to hear." he smiles and offers Diana his hand.

*She leans her spear against the gate, and takes his hand, and shakes it.*

"You're not just a damn good soldier diana. You're a good person. The immortals are lucky to have you."

"I'm lucky to have them."

he nods
"they've treated you better than the legions did, eh?"

"Yes, they're... like family."

Trajan nods, a smile on his face.
"Anyway. I've wasted enough of your time."

"Yeah, i should get back to it." *she picks up her spear*

"Farewell Diana. If you need anything of me, just let me know."

"I... Won't take you up on that."

"As you wish. Farewell." *he turns and walks away*

*She takes her place at the gate again.*

*well, who can we do stuff with now*

OOC: So how are we all?

OOC: Nat bad

OOC indeeed

OOC: Good!

*The Royal army of kelthro is a vast entity, its command structure maintained by fierce loyalty and draconian punishments for the slightest misstep. Its camps are lain out in concentric circles, with the commanders tents in the centre, surrounded by their elite, then the professional soldiery, and finally the slaves around that. Wide pathways radiate out like spokes of a wheel, four in total. Within his command tent, as dusk falls, The second son of the king, Prince Yet’Ori Isatk, pours over maps and plans with his advisers. Every other sentence is a curse to his rebellious cousin*

*all of a sudden, the torches and other light sources blow out*

*Scabbards ring as swords are drawn, shouts go out, and in the near distance, men in chainmail rush to their aid with its distinctive sound. The prince draws a long curved blade from his hip*

*There is a commotion in the camp. several war beasts have somehow gotten loose and are trampling through the camp*

*their handlers are roused, and sent with escort to calm the beasts, under threat of severe punishment if they are tardy*

*the prince has left his tent, and is stood with his staff by one of the great bonfires, sending messengers with orders, and sighing quietly to himself when more bad news arrives by runner. For such a young commander, he seems calm, collected, and decisive in a time of crisis.*

*there is a clatter behind him*

*He turns, drawing his sword, his guards moving to his side*