With no carriage to speak of, and only a vague sense of direction, the only real choice left was to walk. Spike, Simon, and a stowaway, decide to head down the forested path on foot. While the forest itself was beautiful, the lack of animals and animal noises was off putting.
Spike: Dood, do you think The Greenecks mean Nyx and Lalandra?
Simon’s flame puffs: would explain the skeletal animals and @#$%.
Spike: So the Metallicorps…
Simon’s flame simmers as he sighs: Angel and Balreth.
Skye: Excuse me…!
Spike: They’re fighting over Skycoast, and neither can get in. Why are they fighting?
Simon’s flame reignites: Who knows dood, we’ve been gone forever – and this is a new mists.
Skye, yelling: EXCUSE ME!
Spike frowns with sadness: We’ve always been a team.
Simon frowns too, although it’s hard to tell: We’ll get everyone on the same page.
Skye screams, which echoes through the empty forest: EXCUSE ME!!!
Spike, having little interest: What?
Skye, alone and scared: Could you fill me in on what’s going on?
Spike, irritated: Fine, but only since this is likely a long walk…
-some time later-
Skye: So you were a henchman?
Spike raises his hand in frustration, and Skye cowers in her flying contraption: Eee! No! Don’t slap me again! I’m just trying to understand everything. There’s so much going on here.
Simon looks at the camera: Just kinda had to be there, no?
Spike: Again, no. There were henchmen, which I’m not even sure YOU’d qualify for –
Skye pouts.
Spike continues, strained: -then there were Heroes which were essentially elite henchmen. We had instructors, fully fledged Hoolequin, then the best of the best – the Officers, and finally Crysania the Guild Leader.
Skye nods: you were an officer?
Spike shakes his head: nope, just a Quin. Crysania was my officer. I didn’t have to worry about any of the hard stuff, but to enjoy lots of the hard stuff if you know what I mean.
Spike grins and highfives Simon.
Skye hmms: So that fierce green lady. She’s an officer?
Spike’s smile fades: Yeah. Lalandra is the oldest officer, other than Crysania. I really want to find out this whole Greeneck v Metallicorps thing. Plus, Skycoast is here! Whatever is going down, is huge, dood!
Simon’s flame flickers and dances with thought.
Skye, almost afraid to ask: …and what is Skycoast, again?
Simon’s shoulders slump: Did we learn how to forcechoke yet?
Spike shrugs helplessly: You can try?
Simon’s flame intensifies with effort, illuminating the surrounding forest, but Skye floats along unaffected.
Skye, starting to feel uncomfortable under the intense stare of the pair, attempts to answer her own question with sincerity but zero confidence: That’s where green lady went back to?
Simon’s flame reduces to a pathetic version of itself and he just resumes walking, silently.
Spike: No, puppy. Skycoast is our guild hall.
Simon: I hear you helped destroy the first one.
Skye is immediately startled, but also excited: WAIT WHAT?!
Spike, chuckling nervously, kicks a rock: Oh yeah, about that… Skycoast was not the first. We had a Quinhalla, that The Officers and some of us members kinda destroyed. Crysania saw it coming though and everything worked out in the end. We eventually set up a new Quinland in the Mists and life became much more user friendly.
Skye: So Crysania is in Skycoast? …and wait?! IN the mists?
Spike, offers a weak smile: We hope so. It’s the last place we saw her, and let’s just say Crysania is of pivotal importance to ol’ Simon and I here. Yes, IN the mists. The QUIN decided that would be best, for a number of reasons.
Skye nods: You two are quite strange, so I’d really like to meet this person, and could we go to Quinland?
Spike nods: Well we aren’t your typical people, so I understand, and Quinland was the large overarching interconnected area that encompassed everyone. Skycoast is just essentially what’s left, Crysania’s tower and surrounding grounds.
Skye, her Asuran curiosity in full swing: Other than dimensional travel, apparently, what are you? Why is it so important for everyone to go to Skycoast if they still have their parts of Quinland?
Spike: Those questions will likely best be answered in person.
Skye pouts: but I wanna know now!!!
Spike: Easy there puppy, there’s so much you don’t know – you can’t even remember Lalandra’s name let alone anything else.
Skye mutters to herself: I don’t like green lady
Spike pulls out his pipe and questionable substances, gets a light from Simon and takes a long puff: Next time, we’ll let her kill you.
Skye is immediately alarmed: WHAT?! NO!
Simon offers: What if, in the Anchorwind absence they want to reunite Quinland and are wrestling for control?
Spike: That would be kinda neat, but still sad in the sense they’re fighting each other.
Skye things she’s starting to get it: You two are Anchorwind, I guess?
Spike almost chokes on his pipe: Holy @#$%, she can be taught!
Skye, offended: Hey! I’ll have you know I graduated from-
Spike exhales in her face, forcing her to cough uncontrollably: Yeah, that’s nice pups.
Skye, looking shocked: That wasn’t very nice!
Simon can’t help but laugh.
Spike: When you’re “Advanced” like me, then let’s talk.
Skye pouts: Stop being so mean to me.
The pair glance at each other and shrug.
Spike gestures with his pipe: Home is back that way.
Skye, looking shocked again, whines: WHAT? Noooooo…
The history lesson continued. Tales of old friends and grand adventures continued until the forest thinned and cleared. What lay before them now was a beautiful blue sky and rolling fields of grass and farmland blowing in the breeze. Off on a peninsula of a cliff was a heavily fortified fortress with several long banners, also blowing in the breeze.
Spike and Simon point at the fortress in unison: Balreth…
Skye giggles: Sometimes you two are so cute.
Spike shrugs: When you meet him, you’ll understand.
They head away from the forest, and towards the fortress and when they do – it becomes clear.
Simon grasps Spike’s shoulder firmly: Dood! Look…
Out in the sea, beyond both the forest and the fortress, was Skycoast.
Skye gasped: It’s, It’s, TALL!
Skye, studying further: …and floating?
Spike sheds a tear: We’re so close now, dood.
Skye, all excited: Well what are we waiting for? Let’s Go!
Ignoring Skycoast itself was floating, it was still down a tall cliff and a large body of water away. That didn’t matter, Spike and Simon had found it. They ignored the fortress and moved in its direction, and soon after stumbled across a roving patrol of armored soldiers. These soldiers all bore the same uniform, but most of them had a bronze color scheme; a couple of the soldiers bore a silver color and the clear leader wore gold.
Spike and Simon hit the dirt immediately, clearly this was the Metallicorps. They did not wish to get into any trouble. Skye however, saw an opportunity to get help. The little Asura stood atop her flying contraption and waved her staff around and shouted for help. Spike went to grab her but it was too late. The squad’s attention was drawn and they moved to surround the group with haste. Spike muttered further dislike for Skye as he and Simon highfived to merge.
Spike stood with a roar with rattled a couple of the bronze soldiers and summoned in his hand the spiritual bow of Vixoria. Angry at having to do this at all, Spike let loose some barrages of Simon-Infused arrows. The rattled bronze-rank soldiers were struck by several and set alight in blue flame and collapsed immediately. The rest of the squad either raised shields or dodged and closed the distance.
Skye shrieked in sheer terror for she did not like Angry Spike. The flashing of steel and the barking of orders from a trained squad was also new to this tiny Asura, and she just cowered and cried. She was quickly caught by a Silver-rank and could clearly hear the brief conversation on what was to happen to her. She could hear Spike yell he didn’t care, and she knew she was about to die. Fortunately for her the Metallicorps seemed more keen on taking prisoners than field executions and she was bound by a bronze-rank instead. All she could do now was watch this seven on one fight.
The gold-rank soldier was clearly the most formidable as both his swordsmanship and his barking of orders kept Spike on his toes the most. It did not take long for Spike to abandon Vixoria’s Bow and summon a new weapon – A Spiritual Version of a Flaming Dragon Sword, courtesy of Token Tank Death. Undeterred, the Metallicorps squad surrounded and tried to overwhelm Spike, but the Aura of Simon combined with Hundred Blades and Spike’s blinding speed proved too much for the slower, bunched-up squad.
The Metallicorps discipline was admirable, however, and the Gold-rank soldier would not yield. Battered, singed, and wobbly on his feet he would fend off intruders. Fortunately for him, a carriage raced towards him at speed from the fortress. Spike had no intent to kill anyone, as evidenced by the groaning men who lay all around him, and this gold-rank was in no real condition to attack so there was a long moment of swords being pointed at one another before a voice broke the noise of the breeze.
“HALT!”
Spike smiled.
From out of the carriage emerged a more heavily armored man bearing a platinum-rank.
Platinum Solder: Lords Anchorwind, I apologize my men need more training-
The platinum-rank looks around and clears his throat: -in more ways than one. Please come with me. My Lord and Lady wish to speak with you, urgently.
The gold-rank soldier, previously looking at his superior, turns back to Spike and grows pale: A-A-Anchorwind?
Spike calmly walks up to him and jump-scares him to his face: Boo!
The gold-rank falls backward in a panic, dropping his sword!
The platinum-rank scowls audibly, and issues a loud proclamation about at what time people need to be outside his office. Simon reconstitutes himself as Skye is released, and Spike makes a comment about how it sucks to be them. The stoic platinum-rank soldier chooses not to respond as everyone boards the carriage and it departs swiftly.
They barely sat down when Skye bursts with exuberance: Are we going to Skycoast?!
The platinum-rank soldier briefly glances at her, before returning his gaze to Spike and Simon: I was informed there were only two Anchorwind Lords?
Spike and Simon quickly and enthusiastically agree, speaking over one another.
Skye folds her arms and pouts.
The platinum-rank soldier goes to speak, but Spike interrupts: If you could arrange safe transport for her back to…Rata Sum? I’m guessing? That’d be great.
Skye pleads no, with her face, and tries to argue but is silenced quickly.
The soldier nods and offers to see what can be done.
Skye wants to ask about Skycoast again, but the conversation has become hushed. The fortress approaches and it is hard to do anything but appreciate it on approach: the different flags of rank, and banners of what can only be assumed as Lord Silverlock and Lady Neveah themselves, the symmetry and order of the fortress combined with the elegant notes of flowers and color, the presence of guards of different rank mixed with hooded figures weaving to and fro, and the everyday folk bustling about.
The carriage comes to a halt at the main gate, and the platinum-rank soldier exits first. Immediately, every other soldier comes to attention. Looking around, there are no other platinum-rank people visible. There are multiple gold-rank, quite a few silver, and a plethora of bronze-rank. There are even some people with no colored rank all. Spike points out a couple and ponders aloud what they did and giggles. The platinum-rank soldier clears his throat loudly and wishes to hurry along.
The group approaches the main gate of the fortress. No one moves on the side of The Metallicorps. The platinum-rank soldier draws a dagger, and glides it into the gate of the fortress where he twists the pommel of the dagger. There are some audible clicking noises followed by some intense red glowing lines that spread from the lock of the gate throughout the rest of the gate itself. The fortress rumbles into life and the gate slowly opens, revealing two long lines of soldiers at attention. At the end of the parallel lines stand a hooded lady adorned in beautiful embroidery and an armored figure with long silver hair, and a thick beard cleaning his glasses.
The hooded lady swiftly elbows the man cleaning his glasses. He puts them on and smiles. He can see again just in time to see Spike arguing with guards who didn’t like his too-swift-for-comfort approach. The sound of “@#$%^ I’ll @#$% you up!” echoes through the entrance space to some restrained chuckles from other guards.
Balreth holds a hand up and the guards return their weapons. Spike gets in the face of the guard “Yeah! What?!” before hurrying down the line in glee. Skye looks at the 4 of them standing there, and can’t help but think of how stark the contrast is. Two of them are: dazzling, radiant, well-kept, and live in this grand place; two of them dress in this old mismatched attire and are: trail worn, kind of dirty, and out of place in any scenario. Two of them look wonderful together. One of them has a ball of fire for a head and the other still hasn’t fully learned how to wash off makeup from adventures long since passed. Two of them make sense they would be sought out, but these other two? Skye knows they can fight but what else is going on? She realizes she’s already missed the goings on because of her inner monologue.
Spike: -and Lalandra says Hi.
Balreth strokes his beard: Skycoast continues to elude us.
Spike is visibly excited: So I’m assuming you have some ship that can help us get there?
Balreth shakes his head: No, and to make matters worse they have blocked most access to all wood.
Skye, forgetting herself: What?! Impossible.
Spike sighs: Please pay no mind to the puppy other than helping her get home.
Lady Neveah speaks quietly: I’m afraid that’s unlikely. ‘Home’ is across the forest, and, well, you’ve seen how well that works.
Skye makes a taunting gesture at Spike.
Lady Neveah, flatly: I’m sure we can place her in a labor camp or something useful.
Spike grins at Skye.
Skye recoils in horror.
Balreth and Lady Neveah explain the dynamic of Tyria. They explain how Balreth’s troops patrol the roads and routes, and the Neveah spies and merchants handle business in the cities. They also explain how Nyx and Lalandra control the wilderness, including: forests, caves, shallow water areas, etc. There is currently an uneasy balance as intermediaries from both sides interact with each other in somewhat neutral ways, and plenty of ‘border skirmishes’ happen but nothing decisive. Nyx’s ability to influence animals and Lalandra’s necro powers make for a self-sustaining where as the Metallicorps is fine as long as it stays on the defensive.
Spike and Simon glance at each other and nod.
Spike: Why not work together to get into Skycoast though? We’ve always been a team.
Lady Neveah coughs softly and excuses herself, taking Skye with her despite immediate complaint to the contrary.
Balreth sighs heavily: Without You, or Crysania, around…
Balreth looks around and makes dismissive hand gestures. The platinum-rank barks some orders and the place begins to clear out with haste, but organization.
Balreth: We’ve all grown apart. I’m not great at maintaining relationships, the missus is busy building her empire. Lalandra seems to have grown into quite a force of her own, and Nyx is a shadowy figure but her influence can’t be denied. There isn’t a unifying force anymore, no one big banner.
Spike and Simon both slump and sigh: Quin or Quit has resolved? The answer is quit?
Balreth strokes his beard: Well, you’re here. I would surmise it isn’t quite over yet, eh?
Spike grins, a sly grin. Simon’s flame puffs into action.
Spike: So I just need to convince everyone to be Quin again.
Simon sighs with hope: To be a Quindicate again.
Balreth: I would appreciate it if you could convince them to cease hostilities and help us build a ship, and help us link The Fortress to Skycoast.
Spike frowns: Hold on dood, I was cool with you up until the link part. Why would she go with that?
Balreth strokes his beard: We have all the facilities here already, with you here – why not?
Simon looks back at the gate: How many people can open that?
Balreth folds his hands behind his back calmly: That’s Metallicorps information. Not even for you two.
Simon’s flame flickers thoughtfully: So at any time you can control the flow of everything to said facilities, to potentially include access to Skycoast.
At this point Lady Neveah re-emerges and whispers something to Balreth.
Balreth hastily excuses himself, but not before requesting the pair again secure the assistance of Nyx and Lalandra – The Greenecks.
Spike: You think she was listening the whole time?
Simon: Without a doubt, dood.
Spike: That was great timing on her part.
Simon’s flame flickers in thought.
Spike: Shall we look around?
As if on cue, the platinum-rank soldier appears and escorts Spike and Simon back towards the gate.
The platinum-rank soldier, who is quite tall, look down on the pair: I was doing some quick reading in the archives. I gather that you are a drunk and a thief?
Spike doesn’t bother to look back up at him: I believe the term you’re looking for is ‘adventurer.’
The soldier scoffs: Being a bit lucky and nimble isn’t going to get you out of everything.
Spike jumps out in front of the soldier and waggles a finger in front of the soldier: Now you listen here! I’m not really all that lucky. If you had ACTUALLY done any REAL reading, you’d know about this little thing called the silverluck.
Spike makes several motions with his hands demonstrating how little loot the Anchorwind get, and how much the Silverlock get. He then imitates big money bags hanging off his belt when talking about the Neveah and examines, quickly, the soldier’s belts. Spike points out he doesn’t see big money bags and asks Simon to back him up. The platinum-rank soldier doesn’t have time for this irritation and pushes Spike along, back to the gate. At the gate he offers a brief but barely courteous farewell and reminds them of what their mission is.
At a gesture of a hand the gate closes, and the pair walk off. Several paces away from the fortress, Spike can’t help but play with the key-dagger a bit.
Spike, grinning at Simon: I hope he doesn’t get demoted for this.
Simon grins back, although it’s hard to tell.
Spike: So Balreth will be the easiest to convince, but the other 3 I think will be tougher. Convincing Balreth without Angel is meaningless because Angel will re-convince him otherwise.
Simon: We should probably also worry about the little one.
Spike: The puppy? They won’t hurt her. They’re not like that.
Simon: Both of them?
Spike smiles a bit: Well, HE won’t.
Simon giggles, his flame dancing in the breeze: Any ideas on where to begin?
Spike’s gaze turns back to Skycoast: I guess we go deeper into the forest and see what Lalandra wants. I feel we’re just missing something. There’s one big thing preventing everyone from being The Quindicate again.
Simon stops and stands with his friend, gazing at Skycoast as well. They’re so close but still so far away. Several powerful figures stand in their way, friends who have drifted apart and don’t understand each other as much anymore.
Spike shakes his head, as if to clear his thoughts: Come on dood, we won’t get there by standing here staring.
Simon nods, and they begin again, back to where they just were. However, now they have more information and a new bargaining chip: The key-dagger to The Metallicorps Fortress.
References:
Guild and Life History
Not a whole lot else this time 🙂