Judith stepped out of the changing room in a huge, flowing dress, and twirled around once. She looked over at Shrike. "Well, what do you think?"

"Uhmmmm...its ok I guess." he said. Shrike wasn't well versed in the styles of women's clothing. He'd often only needed to see if their clothes looked expensive or not.
"I guess its ok..." he repeated, looking it over while wondering why people wore such cumbersome things. At least it would look normal in a palace setting.

She sighed and rolled her eyes, but decided if he wasn't impressed, then no one else would be either.

She bought a plain shirt, some shorts, and a new, black cloak, as well as the dress, and joined him at the entrance. "So, need anything else before we visit the queen?"

[Do you mind if I jumped forward a bit? If you wanted to do something else before we got to the palace, I can edit this :) ]

"Gotta pass by the tailor's." the boy replied, holding up his paper wrapped clothes. "Then maybe shoes..."
They stopped by the cobbler's after Shrike had his clothes customized. He was as meticulous about how he wanted his shoes as when he spoke with the tailor when he instructed the cobbler on what to do. After they each got their new pairs of shoes, Judith and Shrike stopped by an apothecary to get some medicine for LiNeerlay's wounds. Since she was going to continue guarding them until Kaland arrived, she should be in top fighting condition, risky as it may be. They were starting to feel sorry for what Ruby did, anyway.
Returning to the inn, they quickly changed and made their way to the center of the High Trees.
The princess, the thief, the drow, and the dragon soon stood before the majestic White Palace in the afternoon sun.

((No, this is fine, but I'm going to need to take a break from your story. Sorry. :sweat: But this plot has continued longer then all the rest, and I've been trying to come up with as much new stuff as I can, but now I've starting to loose track of the other parts of the story. If no one else shows up by tommorow, like Fading or Fallon, or Black Rain, then we'll continue.))

[Sure :D I was starting to lose ideas anyway :rofl: So did April talk to you?]

((yes, and I love her idea. I need Fading to post one more time, advancing his plot, and then once I get her character sheet's final draft, she'll be in :XD))

[Well Fading said he'd be going somewhere and would be back tomorrow. But if he's a grown up (like I'm not :XD) and had to go on a business trip, honeymoon, to a bestfriend's wedding or something, maybe like on a plane/train/boat/spaceship, he might not be able to post immediately after he gets back so the closest we could probably hope for him to actually post is Friday :sweat: I'm going to head on up to the very first page to looky looky at April's char, then I'll bother her about it, hehehe :twisted:]

((I'm back, though I'm a bit lost at the moment...so much had progressed during when Eramthgin is still stuck in that destroyed little guild of his...:sweat: I'll edit this post again later after I find my post and get a new post up for Era, sorry for the huge delay...))

[Yay! You're back :D How was your trip? Sorry about the whole three pages :sweat:]

((lol Well since you posted I'll make my post in this one instead :XD
I'm not sure if Darkest's last post was Era's POV or Lyle's, I'll take it to be Era's, but if it isn't, I'll come back and edit the post :sweat:

Trip was pretty nice, had fun at my friend's house and basically just lounged around relaxing for the most part. And now the aftereffects are finally catching up; I'm swamped with assignments now :sweat:))

"What in the hell..."

It took him several minutes of just staring at the mess before the images registered in his mind. He hadn't seen the old Guildmaster in many years, so long that he was sure the old man'd probably be dead already the next time they met...but this wasn't exactly how he had envisioned their reunion.

Someone had came, killed everyone inside, and offered their Guildmaster as a sacrifice for the Summoning of a Demon Lord. The years had swept away the most of clues that may have been left behind by the attacker, but the evident ones still remained: the attacker had most definitely been a Dark user, or had been accompanied by one or more. There was no other way they could have entered the guild otherwise, and who else would kill everyone with such Dark magic, as well as summon something as dangerous as a Demon Lord? Eramthgin was glad that the Demon had gone; the Lord of the Six Hells was not one to be meddled around with.

"Well, now what?" He muttered.

((Yes, that was directed towards you, as no one was around to see what Lyle's seeing at his place))

As Eramthgin took stock, he noticed one missing among the supposed dead, one he remembered from long ago...

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

Irata, Capital of the Nezerus Province
The Black Tower

Taarn looked across the throne room. "Nuria, Nuria, where are you?" He looked around the room, his eyes aflame.

((And let us all welcome our newest member, April. Welcome to the War, April :XD))

[Sorry about my previous post :sweat: I thought you were just going to edit your old post anyway and add Era's part there. Lucky your trip was enjoyable and too bad about your assignments, but right now I'm celebrating! WOOHOOO!!!:boogie: Today's my last day of classes!!! I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :rofl: -pauses- Welcome April as well :D -continues- I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeee :rofl:]

[Ohhh sick. xD Thank you for the wonderful welcome! <3]

"I am here, My Liege.." came a soft, reassuring reply.

Although it was but a whisper the voice carried clearly to Prince Taarn's ears. Jade-colored eyes stared out from the shadows accompanied by the light swish of cloth as Nuria bowed her head low before her beloved Master. After a short pause she looked up at him with a smile.

"How may I be of use to you?"

((Yay, new member! Welcome! ^_^))
((Whew, done xD;; Sorry about that...))

"What was her name again?" He muttered, unable to remember the name as usual. "Ruby...Nuby...Nubia...Nu...whatsis." The name slipped, but he was pretty sure it probably began with 'N'. The Guild had its 'interesting' members, which included the half-demon. She was one of the more heartless ones, having no mercy with her enemies and always fighting until she dropped. Nu, (he temporarily dubbed,) had left an impression on him because of the time when she nearly killed him with a flood of undead due to a small misunderstanding when she'd overheard him muttering to himself one day, and thought the words had been directed at her, when he was actually talking about someone else. Fortunately, the misunderstanding was quickly solved with the help of the other Guild members when the undead had nearly flattened the guild in a stampede with him running at the front.

She was pretty powerful, having inherited half her blood from a demon, so he didn't think she would be killed too easily...If she was lucky then she wasn't in the guild when the massacre started. Or she might be dead already and her body parts scattered all over the place so he couldn't recognize her. Or she was taken captive. The possibilities gave him a headache and he rubbed his forehead, wondering what to do now, amidst the trashed guild.

((Oops, sorry Fading, I thought you'ld catch the transition. Nuria is the missing member. Might need to edit your post. Sorry :XD))

He straightened up in his chair. The Half demon had been at the guild, but had since lost her memory, not that he was going to remind her what had happened that day. "I have just received word the town of Boarderwatch has shaken me off with the help of that cursed Mercenary Force the 'Bloody Hand'. I have become tired of these insects harassing our army... I want you to take a force of our best undead, and siege the city. If they show their faces again, I want you to kill that ex-royal guardsman yourself. Bring me his head, and I shall grant you a marvelously gift." He sat back and watched her. He had no doubt of her loyalty, and she was one of the few he would be willing to allow to reject his orders, to a point. However, he also knew if she accepted, she would not return until she had accomplished her mission.

((Oops...and off I go to edit my post...))

((Ok, edited! ^_^;;))

[Ahaha, I could actually imagine Era being chased. xD Sorry I was waiting to read your edited post before I continued~
Gahh. And then Menewsha did that awesome avatar saving thing and I almost lost what I typed. ;~; ]

"A gift, you say.." Nuria repeated, eyes lighting up as she stood to return his stare. "Then it shall be a kiss from Your Highness that I look forward to when I return."

With that said the half-demon leaned forward to kiss the hands of her King but instead made a detour to kiss Taarn's forehead. She laughed happily as she did so, moving quickly out of his reach and once again bowing before him. Though she truly adored him she knew his eyes would never see her as a woman. Nuria would only ever be fooling herself.

"You will have all their heads," were her last words to him before exiting the great room.

He smiled. "Well, if you wish that as a bonus, I will grant it to you." He didn't shy away from her kisses, but did not show gratitude for it. He already had a love, and had no need for her. But she was loyal, and not unattractive. He would give her his favor, if nothing else. He smiled as she left.

Outside, a pair of Dragons, black as the night, clawed at cages hanging nearby. Prisoners and courpes were trapped within, except those cages were the Dragons had succeeded in prying them open. The Dragons, however, we guardians of the tower, not allowed to leave the castle walls. Instead, a warhorse stood waiting for her, three Skeletal Knights in Plate Armor sat mounted as her escort. They could not speak, but they would listen to her orders.

"Lilith, Otieno," the horned woman called to the dragons, using magic to toss them each several huge slabs of meat. It would at least sate their appetite and spare the prisoners for a while longer. "Be good while Mommy's gone, okay?"

As Nuria neared the waiting horses she broke into a run, happy to see three familiar faces-- well, skeletons. Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar watched silently from their steeds as she mounted her horse. They were her favorite undead, and she has gone so far as to consider them friends.

The Destrier snorted as the half-demon clicked her tongue, signaling for them to start moving. It would be a long journey ahead but they needed to make haste. Though he was fully capable of defending himself Nuria did not trust many of those serving under Taarn. If he were on the losing side of this war they would no doubt turn on him in an instant. She would not risk it by being away from her Master for too long.

Of course.. she was not implying he would fail, if at all.

[Hope you don't mind I took the liberty of naming them. xD;

Edit:
And sorry for the wait again. It's 3:57am and I'm dead tired so I'll be heading off. Night/Morning everyone~]

((Not at all xD See ya))

The three rode behind her, Casper carrying the Nezeran banner. As they crossed the countryside, the undead forces that roamed the mostly deserted lands, they met little resistance or friendly greeting. Most of the living soldiers were on the frontlines, where they could be reused if something happened to them. As day turned to night, they came to one of the many outposts along the Provincial Capital border. The Black Wall ran for most of the border, save where the mountains helped seperate Arana from Nezerus. A guard lowered the gate to allow them enterance.

General Stanus, the man in charge of all Taarn's forces at home, came to greet her personally. "Good evening. Are you going to ride the night, or shall I have beds drawn for you and...." He looked at the skeletons. "Well, you." He looked back at her with a smile.

[Goodnight April :heart: And I'll be smacking the hay as well :) Goodnight all :heart:]

The castle shone white in the sunlight, giant steps leading up to the front door. LiNeerlay stood in the back, watching for trouble, and Judith took point, heading up the steps. "Excuse me," she said to a guard. "We need to see the queen. Is she seeing guests right now?"

The guard nodded. "She's holding court. You'll need to wait till your turn to speak, but you can see here, if you need." Judy nodded, and looked at LiNeerlay. "Try to behave while we're in there." LiNeerlay glared at her, then glanced at Shrike, and followed silently.

Inside the large chamber, people from all over town were gathered to speak about local issues to the queen. Judy took up a position in the back to listen. "Shrike, take LiNeerlay and head around to the left, try to get a good view of the whole chamber. I'd rather not be surprised. I'll keep Ruby to protect me."

((Fading, if you need something from the guild, everything but the people are intacted. If not, Lyle and the Mercs are waiting for you))

The boy nodded and let Ruby leave his shoulders and perch on the princess. With how much guard duty Ruby's been doing lately, Shrike might just have to start paying the dragon. He moved around the crowd, aiming towards the left side of the chamber.

The room was huge, even more so than the reception hall of Lord Vo. All the people visiting were wearing high class clothes and jewelry. This was no doubt one of the best places a thief could wish to be. But Shrike wasn't interested in stealing from these people, even if he was low on money. His only targets were other bandits or criminals of the corrupt sort. Since most of the people were generally taller than him, he decided being on the same level as them would not do. Fortunately for him, there seemed to be a few balconies that overlooked the entire area and he quickly made his way up to them, via the stairs of course. Scaling up the beautifully deigned walls, although time saving and easy, wouldn't exactly help him keep a low profile. LiNeerlay quietly followed him, no doubt still suspicious of them. Maybe she has already decided Judy really was Judith. So far, the drow has kept to her word about continuing to guard them until Kaland came but the young dwarf would not lower his guard around her anymore.

Soon, they found themselves looking down on the many elves in the court. They shared the balcony with three other people who were paying attention to the proceedings. Shrike and LiNeerlay, however, were more interested in Judy's position and any suspicious movement.

Eramthgin spent the next few hours or so going through the guild, looking for stuff that might have been left behind. A lot of the scrolls and books had been burned, possibly by the guild members when the attack was launched to prevent their secrets from leaking out, but there were a few left behind, such as the stash hidden behind one of the book shelves in one of the member's rooms.

He collected the items that might have value in the future, mainly the books, and some of the gems and stones left behind. There wasn't much; the place was nearly totaled. He was surprised it hadn't collapsed under all the damage. After going through a final check and deciding he had probably gotten everything, he walked back up the spiraling staircase and out the hidden door. The forest was still the same as when he had gone in; burnt, withered, and silent.

Eramthgin let out a breath. "Now...off to Lyle's and find that Handprint." He had no idea what the Silver River or the Silver Thunder was, but there weren't many waterfalls in the area. He picked the closest one and set off towards the general direction.