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[Dwarmin]

Chironas thought of what she would be writing already.

William expressed stunned disbelief at the notion that he would chronicled, remembered, perhaps even honored-or reviled, depending on the choices he made...like all truly great men, he was too humble-or stubborn-to admit how great he might become. Being small and keeping to yourself was easy, but changing the world? Much harder. I could not help but be impressed at...

Chironas ran her hand across the blades edge.

"This beautiful blade... It has figured in many of our chronicles, did you know? Again and again...Zerim returns to hands of those who will shake the world.

Then again, it also seems to portent a certain degree of tragedy among it's wielders-but you probably already knew that, didn't you William?

Yes. I also know your Father was a man named 'Vale'. A good person, by all accounts...he had his own chronicle, and it was a pity his life ended so tragically, but we only record-not fortell nor interfere any more than we have to."


The woman returned to her knowing gaze, awaiting a response.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tala was being torn apart. Pasha made her truly happy. Matthew terrified her. Pasha was the one person who meant something to her. Matthew could have one or both of them killed-and worse-with a snap of his overly long fingers. Choices, choices...in the end, she couldn't bring herself to leave Pasha's side. Did she ever choose any different? No, never. And Matthew Turin-poor broken monster he was-understood that perfectly.

Tala has a moment of bizarre pity for him, mingled with hatred. Always on the outside looking in. He could only tear away at a world he never understood with hook and blade-a world where few saw him for what he really was, unfortunately.

Something seemed to crawl under Matthews skin as Pashas carefully chosen words hit their mark with cruel accuracy. His cultured smiled turned ever so slightly into a sneer, almost like the twitch of a corpse. He knew he was beaten, for now.

"I serve this Family, as you well know. All other desires are secondary. I hope the Lady understands where her true loyalties lie.

In the future, I'll request any actions to be taken with your involvement receive my direct approval, understand? Otherwise, you or one of my employees could be harmed or exposed to uunwelcome scrutiny...Mr. Dolgorouki. No one wants to see that, especially the...demoralizing effect it would have on the Lady, and hence on my mission.

Good day, Mr. Dolgorouki.

My lady."

Matthew let his own possessive air linger in the air, before turning and leaving. There were 'bandits' in the dungeons that needed interrogating, but in truth he didn't care if they talked or not, today. Not at all.

Tala breathed out. She didn't know how to break the silence. So prepared for anything...and now she didn't have a word to say.

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I serve her as well," Pasha said as he watched him leave with a thoughtful expression. So, just warning me for now, huh? I see. I'll keep an eye on you too, my friend. After a few moments he sighed deeply. "I apologize for that. That man..." he trailed off, shaking his head. He had never told Tala about the second and third assassination attempts although sometimes he suspected she knew, or at least worried that they had happened. "...maybe he's just trying to look out for you," he finished, deciding to be charitable for the moment. People could change... but he doubted Matthew had, and he wouldn't drop his guard around him.

He turned to her, one arm still around her waist, and put his free hand on her shoulder. Trust him to want to kill the mood, Pasha thought, trying to read her eyes. Was it appropriate to try a kiss now? He had hesitated when he first had a chance but until Matthew had shown his face she had given every indication that his intentions were welcome. ...Yes. She must be under so much stress, I think she needs this more than I... He raised his hand to the back of her neck, lowered his head. "Let me help you forget your troubles. We'll worry about the future when it arrives..." he said.

(Time skip? )

[Dwarmin]

At least Pasha kept his head, Tala thought at first. She felt a certain trembling building up in her. A fear that was so unlike her normal self, that she was ashamed that Pasha had to see her this way.

But then, there was the weight of his hand on her shoulder. Gentle reassurance. Matthews sneering visage evaporated from her thoughts.

"Let me help you forget your troubles. We'll worry about the future when it arrives..." He said, looking into her eyes. She hoped he didn't see the fear in hers-for him and herself. She had to stay strong, for both of them.

"Yes, the only thing we have for sure is this one, singular moment...for now, fate spares us...so, let's make the time we are given well spent."

'Tala' leaned into the kiss. It felt pretty damn good-hit all the sweet spots. She breathed out, and he breathed in. Perfection.

Then, she heard Pasha whisper something to her, something quite sweet and somewhat boorish, and that was all he needed to do, really. She laughed, called him a villian and they went to each other again. Tala supposed they wouldn't quite make it to her room this time...

(Time skip! )

[filiusenox]

((Is this chick and what she says canon?))

...you were in a closed tent, no one else around...How did she see that...?

William let the blade fall blade first into the ground and made it so it stood straight up. He rested his hand on hilt and let himself lean back against the support. Then he pulled his scrambling thoughts together and regained control of his emotions. A thousand questions sought for his voice, but he only spoke one.
"Why did you reveal yourself to me now? And why reveal yourself anyway? Aren't secret organizations that write down the actions of historical figures supposed to be shady and secretive, never revealing yourself to your subject, lest you change or alter the tale as it grows?"

He was speaking calmly again, his voice changed back from panicky to relaxed, icy even. Nearing the end of it his little speech, you could have cut the sarcasm with a spoon.

[Dwarmin]

((@Filly: Well, I don't know. Yes? This has to do with your character, anyway, so if you feel it's canon to you, then it is. ))

The lady tilted her head, as if her having an internal argument.

"Indeed. I was not supposed to reveal myself...but your red headed lady friend somehow marked me out in a crowd. I don't know how. There is more to her than meets the eye.

Anyway-She approached me and felt out my intentions. The Lady was sort of possessive of you, to be honest.

I told her something similiar to what I tell you know, but not all. In return for keeping quiet about my activities, I offered to carry her gift to you as I followed your camp. My order was consulted-they agreed you should know. Mostly because of how many close calls with death you have had lately, how reckless you have become. I argued for this-so, we made an exception for you, William.

Also, I would be lying if I did not say I was eager to meet you in person-and test your skill against mine.

Do not worry-by tomorrow, I will again be a ghost, invisible as I can manage, allowing your story to play out to it's end-unless you feel the need to detain me, or worse. In that case, there will be another chronicler assigned to you soon. It's a risk I accept.

[filiusenox]

"I wouldn't kill you, even if you had a record of all my crimes. You're currently of no threat to me and have nothing I want enough to kill you for."
He paused and then another thought got controlled of his mouth.
"What do those numbers and letters on your skin mean?"

[CyberGenesis]

escort the prize back to port.

[3/4] The trip back to port was an uneventful one. You recollect your crew and try to hire a new one [3] which looks to be about 1d for hiring fees.

Spoiler: Holdings (click to show/hide)

1 Regiment (Marine)
2 Light Warship

0 Ducats
3.5d total upkeep

[micelus]

((Ignore my other post))

"Ah, captain, I see your not totally convinced that I'd let you off so easily..well so be it. I ask for a few simple things. I want you to focus any drugrunning you do on Ligoria; sell to the Bleeding Fists, and only them. I also want to know the countries your contacts are, nothing more, I promise you. I only need to know so that my associates don't go eradicating them later on."

Tell the captain that he must sell most of the narcotics he may acquire to the Bleeding Fists in Ligoria and that he must tell Retcyl which countries he has contacts in; only to keep them safe of course.

[Ardas]

It appeared that most of things were said. Nikephoros was happy that he was finally free to do his thing while more competent people took care of the country. Things like spies and the crazy queen were finally out of his hair, but at moments it sometimes felt as if the entire state was waiting for his decision: he was no politician and he dreaded the moments where he had to make decisions like this council.

With a clear relief on his face he proceeded:
"Well then gentlemen, I see that in one short meeting we did more than the entire country in the last year. Not to diminish anyone's job of course. But nonetheless I must say that the problems of the state seem to be addressed and we re finally free to do our jobs. Once the queen approves funding for army and city watch, security will be strengthened and baron Kathos can take the position of city prefect, if he so desires. I presume that Sir Avitus will be happy to finally proceed with work on foreign policy. I even dare to say that he may become a chancellor for our queen one day...
As for me, I am glad to finally take to the field. I've spent too much time in one spot anyway. For the next meeting, lets meet in Baron Kathos' estate on my way back from the campaign."

With that, he quietly left the tower. In no time he found himself back in his office, as if nothing happened.

[Dwarmin]

"I wouldn't kill you, even if you had a record of all my crimes. You're currently of no threat to me and have nothing I want enough to kill you for."
He paused and then another thought got controlled of his mouth.
"What do those numbers and letters on your skin mean?"

Chironas smirks, and turns around, slipping her tunic down, giving William a clear view-of her back. She tilts her head toward him slightly to speak. It's even more confusing now.

"It's the Chroniclers code. My identity, my work, my life. We cannot rely upon our agents to carry any sort of physical identifying marks on them, that could be stolen or copied easily. Even if I was to die, the marks would fade in less than half a day. It is our final defense."


Chironas doesn't put her tunic back on after speaking, but keeps her slim back to William. There is a moment of silence.

"Any more questions, William? The night is dragging on, and I'd like to make the most of it...with you."

She let the last word drift out. How could he know? How hard it was, to merely watch...watch, and not act. To see the grinning man with the blade approach his back, over and over again, and to only be able to pray that he managed to win again. She could not even call out to warn him.

She did know William could be cruel. Better than anyone. But for now, she wasn't thinking about the legend-only the man. Chironas had an odd thought-maybe she would leave out the details. They would have their Grand Chronicle, but this night...would be just between them. An intriguing idea.

[filiusenox]

...All in all, one of your better birthdays, was it not?...

William shrugged, and straightened himself up. He approached the woman and kissed her with deliberate slowness on the neck, while letting his hand drift with careful gentleness down the slightly raised tattoos on her back. He spoke softly and warmly, accenting each word with a small kiss down her shoulder blade.
“And say, if, I wanted to “detain” you for longer then one night…would you let me?”

((Regardless of the answer, time skip to next morning.))

[Dwarmin]

Her code warred with her feelings. The Chronicler was supposed to keep contact to a minimum, but...what harm could it do?

"When you need me William, I will always be there for you..."

She left it at that-no promises-and let what was going to happen come naturally. It was better than she had ever imagined.

They didn't sleep until the first rays of dawn rose over the cold grey sea.

((Time skip! ))

Morning-well, more like the afternoon...

William wakes, and hears Chironas rise from the bed beside him. He doesn't open his eyes-his breathing hasn't even changed. A sleep trick that has saved his life more than once.

She begins to get dressed, with uncanny silence and speed. William might be able to say or do something...if he wants to.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Two days later...

Pasha took a seat on the deep window ledge in the library with an apple in one hand and a book in the other. He hadn't seen hide nor hair of Matthew since that first encounter, but he had little doubt the man was around somewhere. He wasn't particularly worried about him, though. The man wasn't likely to try anything around Tala until Pasha had pushed him to the breaking point, and he was sure he hadn't done that yet. A man like Matthew, who clearly prided himself on his self control, would take a long time to finally snap.

He took a bite of the apple and cracked the book. All right, Sir Rainor. Let's see what you know about war that I don't, you magnificent bastard. He was impressed Tala had secured a copy of Rainor's book. Most copies had been destroyed over the years by lord and ladies that didn't want 'the competition' reading it... and why wouldn't they? Sir Hargill Rainor was legendary for his ability. There was a reliable record of the numerous times that every card in the deck had been stacked against him, but he still won the battle. Things in the world hadn't changed so much over the past three hundred years that his insights would be invalidated, Pasha thought.

Study Tactics.

[Araph]

So close to working... The gun was rather unnecessarily complex, but Ite thought he had an idea for making a simplified version. He wondered if the university would acquire the means to create a prototype; if they would, hopefully it would be soon.

Ite tries designing a simpler gun with interchangeable parts again.

[filiusenox]

"You know, its not polite to leave without saying goodbye, love?"