The Demons of Watchwood Forest 2

[Blaze]

James nods, a small smile on his face.

"That would be a great help. Do the dead have much use for money?"

[Knight Errant]

Ginny shot Caileanne a frustrated look, before folding her arms across her chest. The older child in the blue dress was only too happy to give Rose the information she desired, "Our city is called Epoch. The Temple is right in the middle, towering up over everything else", she described, motioning with her hands to demonstrate.

"Remember you promised me they would not be harmed... ", said the red-haired six year old, apparently giving up hope of preventing this mission to her home. Letting out a weary sigh, the former paladin slumped back into the chair her daughter had been sat in when practicing her writing, the white underskirts of her frilly green dress swishing up around her knees with a loud rustle.

Caileanne chewed her lip, looking over at her writing, and then up at the Princess. "Your Highness... will I be excused from lessons to go with Lady Rose? Maybe Ginny can take my place... ", she said with a sweet smile. Using her Mother's name still sounded a little odd on her lips, but she was enjoying being allowed to do so by the two women that were clearly in charge now.

The Princess giggles. "That sounds like a great idea! I can stay and do some lessons with little Lucille... and you two girls can go off and have fun!"

Rose nods, grinning to Caileanne. "I do love having a eager apprentice... you and me are going to get along very well. Come here and give me a hug... I'll transport us to your little city."

Ovvar sits there, contemplating the other figure. He stares for what must be an eternity of perfect silence. Peering into the darkness, he says "...the way of the spirits? The way before the Church? ...perhaps. Perhaps you have something here." He pauses, and not blinking, "...but perhaps this isn't the full story. I know not what you are, or who you serve. I can only guess at why you come to me." He leans forward, and says "...I don't know if it's fear. Misinformation. Or what..." Trailing off, he finishes "...but I do know something."

Sitting back up, he says "...we are different, you and I. You have your motives, and I have my own. I can promise you this though, the king is threatening open war between the existing forces. ...and open war is not desired." Ovvar peers at Vilehand, "...I will not join you. Nor will I stand against you. ...unless your own agenda lays against my own. I seek to learn what the king intends, and if it is ill intended, than he shall deal with the consequences." Adding after a moment he adds, "...there is still many questions left unknown..."

This entire time though, he hasn't tensed up.

Vilehand snorts. "The King has fled one war to find himself in another. He feared the army of the Church, when he should have stood up to them like a true Arleigh. If he had done so he would have found us on his side... our armies fighting with his against the unwanted intruder. Instead he has traded alligience with a power far removed from here for hostilities with a greater power... much closer at hand."

"Remember, 'hero'. We were the ones betrayed by the king. We do not seek the destruction of Watchwood, but its return to the old ways. And we are not compromising. We will fight Arleigh, we will fight the church, and if it comes to it. We will fight you as well."

"Choose who you ally with carefully. We will be watching..."

As his last words are spoken, the darkness in the coach grows to become a thick cloak... obscuring all sight... Then just as suddenly it lifts... and takes with it the ominous feeling. Light seems to shine through the slatted windows brighter, the sounds of outside filter in louder, and Ovvar finds himself alone. On the seat where Vilehand sat is a ring, embossed with a ghostly flame.

James nods, a small smile on his face.

"That would be a great help. Do the dead have much use for money?"

The innkeper nods. "Not the coin in itself, but the act of giving is a sacrifice, see? That carries much weight down here." He says with a bit of a smile. "Anyway if I was you, I'd seek out the Gray King in the castle keep. He isnt much of a friendly chap, but he has been here longer than anyone. Knows all there is to know down here."

[Harri-chan]

Caileanne looked delighted as the two women praised her ideas and behaviour. When Rose asked her to come give her a hug, she grasped her dress with both hands and bent her knees in a polite curtsey for the Princess, and gave Ginny a mischievous little grin, "Have fun, Lucillle... ". Her blonde hair swept around her as she turned to Lady Rose, reaching her arms around the grown woman to hug her.

Ginny watched this play out with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance on her face. Caileanne had never been a bad child, but seeing her Mother was even younger than herself had freed her from the parental authority Ginny had over her. The giggle of the Princess made her blush, the kiss they had shared so fresh in her memory.

"You better take good care of her... ", she warned the Seductress, although what she could do now if the Demon failed to keep her promise she didn't know.

[Vomica]

Ovvar tenses up as Vilehand departs, that engulfing darkness is... not a good feeling. His fingers twitch as they want for a blade, but he doesn't go for it... knowing that it wouldn't help, even if there was need for it. As the world, and life, seemingly returns to the couch, the man is left staring down at that ring. He frowns, and mutters "...and thus another player in this game has played his move." Stooping over the ring for a moment, he peers down at it in skepticism. He is great at making enemies apparently, but not so good at allies!

Breaking his gaze away from the ring, he breathes in a deep lungful of air. ...it's warm and sweet. Perhaps it's all just psychological, but it felt stifling beneath the presence of Vilehand. Relaxing once more, he turns his attention back to the ring "...and what shall I do with you than. Hmm."

[Blaze]

James nods and takes a small amount of coins from his coinbag, leaving them on the bar in a pile.

"Thank you for your help."

He exits the tavern and heads back outside! Peering through the mist, he tries to spot this keep.

[Knight Errant]

Caileanne looked delighted as the two women praised her ideas and behaviour. When Rose asked her to come give her a hug, she grasped her dress with both hands and bent her knees in a polite curtsey for the Princess, and gave Ginny a mischievous little grin, "Have fun, Lucillle... ". Her blonde hair swept around her as she turned to Lady Rose, reaching her arms around the grown woman to hug her.

Ginny watched this play out with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance on her face. Caileanne had never been a bad child, but seeing her Mother was even younger than herself had freed her from the parental authority Ginny had over her. The giggle of the Princess made her blush, the kiss they had shared so fresh in her memory.

"You better take good care of her... ", she warned the Seductress, although what she could do now if the Demon failed to keep her promise she didn't know.

Rose nods, hugging Caileanne tightly to her soft bosom. "Of course, little paladin... dont worry. After all, I didnt let any harm come to you while you were under my care, did I?" She winks, then she and the girl glow for a moment... Rose's purple demonic energies wrapping around them... Then they vanish!

The Princess walks over and hugs Ginny. "Dont worry, dear... I know she can tease, but she would never let any harm come to your daughter..."

Meanwhile, with a crackle, Rose and Caileanne appear in the midst of Epoch. In the darkness of an alley. Rose blinks, looking around with distaste. "Ugh... a church city. What a horrid place..."

Ovvar tenses up as Vilehand departs, that engulfing darkness is... not a good feeling. His fingers twitch as they want for a blade, but he doesn't go for it... knowing that it wouldn't help, even if there was need for it. As the world, and life, seemingly returns to the couch, the man is left staring down at that ring. He frowns, and mutters "...and thus another player in this game has played his move." Stooping over the ring for a moment, he peers down at it in skepticism. He is great at making enemies apparently, but not so good at allies!

Breaking his gaze away from the ring, he breathes in a deep lungful of air. ...it's warm and sweet. Perhaps it's all just psychological, but it felt stifling beneath the presence of Vilehand. Relaxing once more, he turns his attention back to the ring "...and what shall I do with you than. Hmm."

The choice of what to do is Ovvar's alone! As the clopping of hooves and the turning of wheels are heard... his carriage emerging from the alley finally... heading onto the main road up to the castle! Perhaps the driver had been in on this... perhaps not. Anything seemed possible at the moment. But for the time being he felt safe... the sun shown down brightly as the castle grew swiftly nearer.

James nods and takes a small amount of coins from his coinbag, leaving them on the bar in a pile.

"Thank you for your help."

He exits the tavern and heads back outside! Peering through the mist, he tries to spot this keep.

The barkeep nods. "Surely, stranger. If ya happen to die any time soon, I'll have a clean bed here for ya." He says amiable. Meanwhile, outside the mist makes it hard to see much... but there is a road up a hill. Seeming to end in a large, dark shape of a building. That could be it...

[Harri-chan]

Ginny watched, the only thing that even suggested she'd once been an adult was the concern in her eyes as the Seductress embraced her daughter and the pair were enveloped in magic before disappearing from the room. Her blue eyes watched the Princess as she came close, before blushing as the woman leaned down to hug her. "She's a Demon... I don't understand what drove you to ally yourself with her, Princess... ", she sighed, her small arms hesitantly reaching out to return the hug. "I'm sure there were other ways to reconcile your differences with the Church... ". Despite her somewhat grown-up words, she closed her eyes, and pressed herself into the warm body of the woman.



Cailleanne peered up at Rose, breaking the embrace once they'd arrived at the alley. "The Temple is much nicer than the city, Lady Rose... ", she explained, her small hand grasping that of the Seductress, to lead her out from the darkness, and into a bustling square.

In the center was a large, clear pool, miniature fountains in each corner causing the surface to be constantly shifting with a little splashing sound. Rising up from the middle of the pool was a huge stone statue, the top of which was even above the thatched roofs of the three-storey buildings that surrounded the square. It was a figure, seemingly a thin woman, wearing a long, but sleeveless robe, with a hood drawn over her head, concealing her face apart from her jawline and lips, with two, large, angel-like wings folded across her back.

The space around the pool was filled with market stalls, selling all sorts from meat and baked goods, to clothing and tools, and there were even chickens and cattle in cages and pens that seemed to be for sale. There were so many stalls, there was barely any room for the people to walk back and forth, and there was a LOT of people. While their clothing was well made, it was all very simple and practical, nothing like the splendid dresses worn by Rose and young Caileanne.

Most of those around the entrance of the alley turned to look in suprise, and after taking a moment to admire Rose's beauty... their eyes fell upon the blonde girl at her side. They immediately began to whisper amongst themselves, even tapping others on the shoulder and pointing to the child. Caileanne seemed to take the attention in her stride as she glanced up at the Seductress with a smile, "Would you like to take a look around here, Lady Rose, or shall I take you straight to the Temple?".

[Blaze]

James just barely manages to see the road winding up the hill and starts walking down it!

Pulling the cloak tight around himself, he takes care not to walk through any spirits. Best not to offend anyone.

[Vomica]

Ovvar takes a hankerchief out of his pocket, and uses that to wrap the ring up in. He'd put it in a lead container, but he doesn't have one on him! The carefully folded bundle goes into his pocket, and from there it should be fine. Right? He'll investigate it later!

For now, he tenses up again. Watching the door of the couch anxiously.

[Knight Errant]

Ginny watched, the only thing that even suggested she'd once been an adult was the concern in her eyes as the Seductress embraced her daughter and the pair were enveloped in magic before disappearing from the room. Her blue eyes watched the Princess as she came close, before blushing as the woman leaned down to hug her. "She's a Demon... I don't understand what drove you to ally yourself with her, Princess... ", she sighed, her small arms hesitantly reaching out to return the hug. "I'm sure there were other ways to reconcile your differences with the Church... ". Despite her somewhat grown-up words, she closed her eyes, and pressed herself into the warm body of the woman.



Cailleanne peered up at Rose, breaking the embrace once they'd arrived at the alley. "The Temple is much nicer than the city, Lady Rose... ", she explained, her small hand grasping that of the Seductress, to lead her out from the darkness, and into a bustling square.

In the center was a large, clear pool, miniature fountains in each corner causing the surface to be constantly shifting with a little splashing sound. Rising up from the middle of the pool was a huge stone statue, the top of which was even above the thatched roofs of the three-storey buildings that surrounded the square. It was a figure, seemingly a thin woman, wearing a long, but sleeveless robe, with a hood drawn over her head, concealing her face apart from her jawline and lips, with two, large, angel-like wings folded across her back.

The space around the pool was filled with market stalls, selling all sorts from meat and baked goods, to clothing and tools, and there were even chickens and cattle in cages and pens that seemed to be for sale. There were so many stalls, there was barely any room for the people to walk back and forth, and there was a LOT of people. While their clothing was well made, it was all very simple and practical, nothing like the splendid dresses worn by Rose and young Caileanne.

Most of those around the entrance of the alley turned to look in suprise, and after taking a moment to admire Rose's beauty... their eyes fell upon the blonde girl at her side. They immediately began to whisper amongst themselves, even tapping others on the shoulder and pointing to the child. Caileanne seemed to take the attention in her stride as she glanced up at the Seductress with a smile, "Would you like to take a look around here, Lady Rose, or shall I take you straight to the Temple?".

The princess cuddles Ginny for a while, stroking her soft red hair. At her question. "My father is the only one who could change things... but he is stubborn... I tried talking with him for months... But he wouldnt budge. So I have to do something louder to get his attention..." She says, her soft face hardening with a look of frustration.

Meanwhile, Rose is soon striding through the streets as if she owned them. Grinning a bit at the attention she is getting as she winks to a few young men... sending blood rushing to their heads. Looking to the young girl at her question. "We are on a mission. Maybe we can go sightseeing another time, dear. If you would... the Temple straight away." She says with a smile.

James just barely manages to see the road winding up the hill and starts walking down it!

Pulling the cloak tight around himself, he takes care not to walk through any spirits. Best not to offend anyone.

James travels up the hill without much trouble... as he leaves the town, the spirits around him seem to diminish... as if the castle was something not even the spirits wished to come near. Soon the blackened stones of the building loom overhead. The door to the shadowed courtyard stands slightly ajar... the rusted hinges look doubtful of moving... but there should be enough room for him to squeeze through.

Ovvar takes a hankerchief out of his pocket, and uses that to wrap the ring up in. He'd put it in a lead container, but he doesn't have one on him! The carefully folded bundle goes into his pocket, and from there it should be fine. Right? He'll investigate it later!

For now, he tenses up again. Watching the door of the couch anxiously.

After a long, and uneventful coach ride through the city, the coach comes to a halt! The door opening to reveal a city guard... and the courtyard of Castle Overwatch! "Evenin sir. Hope yer ride was nice. The King waits in his dining room for you."

[Harri-chan]

Ginny felt herself relaxing for the first time since leaving her home several days earlier as the Princess stroked her fingers through the former Paladin's red curls while holding her. She blushed at such a thing comforting her, but wasn't about to deny herself that. Tilting her head a little, her blue eyes peered up at the woman, listening to her justification of allying with Rose. "Then I hope you know what you're doing, Princess... you've made sure I can't stop you, but I won't be able to help you if all goes wrong either... "'.




Caileanne nodded. "Excuse me, please... ", she said, the crowds of people parting for the little girl and her stunning grown-up companion. As they made their way through the swarms of people, they were continually greeted with shocked faces. Away from the marketplace, Caileanne led Rose along a narrow street, the houses packed in tight and stacked high. About half-way along the street, a large tavern sat amongst the houses, and several more young men stood outside it seemed to fall under the Seductress' spell.

Eventually, the street opened into another square, but this one couldn't be more different to the market place. A stone path went around the outside, but inside of that was all grass, with beds of yellow flowers as a border, and several leafy green trees dotted here and there. The little girl and the Seductress made their way across the park, the canopy of trees doing a good job of hiding the huge stone wall that they found on the other side. It stretched much further up than the three-storey buildings they'd encountered so far, and in the center was an open gate flanked by four female soldiers.

They were all gorgeous, clad in gleaming gold armour, with stylised images of the sun of the large shoulder plates. The breastplates were shaped to leave the women's cleavage showing. Giant shields were strapped to their backs that seemed far bigger than they should be able to carry, and they all had large swords hanging from their hip. Spotting the blonde-haired child, two of the guards glanced at eachother in confusion, before one stepped forward to intercept the pair.

"Caileanne... what are you doing back here? Where is your Mother?", asked the brown-haired woman, before glancing questioningly at Rose.

[Vomica]

Ovvar gives his hat a tug up, revealing his eyes slightly. Getting to his feet, he smiles to the guard, "...thank you, my good sir." He steps down onto the cobblestone on the ground, and nods to the man "...it was very pleasant." He swishes his cloak behind him, and asks in a polite tone "...I'm afraid I've never been on the grounds of the castle, so I do not know just where his dining room is. Could you guide me there?"

[Blaze]

James looks up at the rusting gate, a look of foreboding appearing on his face.

"... oh well. Nothing ventured..."

He tries to squeeze through the gap!

[Knight Errant]

Ginny felt herself relaxing for the first time since leaving her home several days earlier as the Princess stroked her fingers through the former Paladin's red curls while holding her. She blushed at such a thing comforting her, but wasn't about to deny herself that. Tilting her head a little, her blue eyes peered up at the woman, listening to her justification of allying with Rose. "Then I hope you know what you're doing, Princess... you've made sure I can't stop you, but I won't be able to help you if all goes wrong either... "'.




Caileanne nodded. "Excuse me, please... ", she said, the crowds of people parting for the little girl and her stunning grown-up companion. As they made their way through the swarms of people, they were continually greeted with shocked faces. Away from the marketplace, Caileanne led Rose along a narrow street, the houses packed in tight and stacked high. About half-way along the street, a large tavern sat amongst the houses, and several more young men stood outside it seemed to fall under the Seductress' spell.

Eventually, the street opened into another square, but this one couldn't be more different to the market place. A stone path went around the outside, but inside of that was all grass, with beds of yellow flowers as a border, and several leafy green trees dotted here and there. The little girl and the Seductress made their way across the park, the canopy of trees doing a good job of hiding the huge stone wall that they found on the other side. It stretched much further up than the three-storey buildings they'd encountered so far, and in the center was an open gate flanked by four female soldiers.

They were all gorgeous, clad in gleaming gold armour, with stylised images of the sun of the large shoulder plates. The breastplates were shaped to leave the women's cleavage showing. Giant shields were strapped to their backs that seemed far bigger than they should be able to carry, and they all had large swords hanging from their hip. Spotting the blonde-haired child, two of the guards glanced at eachother in confusion, before one stepped forward to intercept the pair.

"Caileanne... what are you doing back here? Where is your Mother?", asked the brown-haired woman, before glancing questioningly at Rose.

The Princess smiles down at the young girl in her arms. "Dont worry, sweetie. I'll be fine... and so will you." She says, nodding. "Right! I guess we should work on your lessons~ First, can you tell me about your upbringing? I need to know what I have to work with, hehe~"

Meanwhile, Rose looks up and down the guards, sizing them up. Apparently liking what she sees, she smiles and begins speaking... Her enchanting voice on full strength as her words begin pouring into the guard's ears like honey. "Ginny has fallen under the service of the Princess of Watchwood... and me. I've come here to see how many of her underlings will share that same loyalty..."

Ovvar gives his hat a tug up, revealing his eyes slightly. Getting to his feet, he smiles to the guard, "...thank you, my good sir." He steps down onto the cobblestone on the ground, and nods to the man "...it was very pleasant." He swishes his cloak behind him, and asks in a polite tone "...I'm afraid I've never been on the grounds of the castle, so I do not know just where his dining room is. Could you guide me there?"

The guard nods at his request. "Surely. Follow me and I'll escort you there." He says with a little smile, turning and heading into the large gates of the castle.

James looks up at the rusting gate, a look of foreboding appearing on his face.

"... oh well. Nothing ventured..."

He tries to squeeze through the gap!

Its a bit of a tight fit, but he is able to get through without too much trouble. The only trouble facing him now is the darkness of the inside of the castle. It is complete, save flickering light seeping in from high narrow windows in the stone. The torches and lamps on the walls lie cold and unlit. It felt eerily like a tomb... still and silent.

[Harri-chan]

Ginny chewed her lip, and then frowned slightly up at the Princess, "I can assure you I know how to read and write, Princess, there won't be any need for lessons". She shifted around a little, her fancy dress rustling, while she swept loose red curls back from her face with her fingers. "I grew up in orphanages. A couple of years here, and a few there.... never in one place for very long", she began to explain.

"I got sent to live with people now and then. I spent about a year living at an Inn here in the city when I was a teenager... ", she said, pausing to blush a little, as she felt silly talking about her teens being in her passed, when for her body they were clearly now very far into her future. "That's when I went to school for the first time. It wasn't school that taught me most of what I know though... ".

"A few years later, I ended up very far from here". She smiled, glancing up at the woman again, "I was chasing a boy. Stupidly, I tried to prove to him I was capable of facing the world's dangers at his side. Of course... he was right, and I was far from ready. My foolishness nearly got me killed. I was taken to a Temple to be treated for my injuries. It did lead to a chance meeting with another Princess however. She was the same age as me, around seventeen. She didn't get much contact with others her own age, so when she came across me during a visit to the Temple with her Mother, she took an interest, and insisted the Queen take me in to aid my recovery".






Rose's claim seemed to confuse the two guards. They exchanged uneasy glances, "You better come with me... ", said the brown-haired woman, motioning for the Seductress to follow her. Her blonde-haired partner stood back, retaking her position outside the gate. As they were led through, Caileanne gave Rose's arm a slight tug. "She's taking us to see Heulwen. Mother left her in charge".

Through the gates, the architecture went through quite a change. Every building was made from a clean, white stone, and they were much more spread out, with a lot more grass. Two women with nothing but white towels wrapped around their curvy figures walked passed them, and headed up the stone steps into a small building with stained glass windows that were clouded up with steam. From inside came the echoing sounds of splashing water and female giggles.

Moving beyond the building, the giant white temple was revealed in the center of the compound. It was huge, with around a hundred or so stone steps gently sloping up to it's entrance. Infront of the temple was a most curious sight, a large wooden ship, complete with sails. It was resting in a wooden construction, with several ladders around it, and people seemed to be unloading goods from it.

As the brown-haired guard led them up the wide steps to the Temple, people continued to look at them oddly after seeing Caileanne. "Almost there now... ", the child murmured to the Seductress as they headed into the building, it's halls refreshingly cool compared to the sunlight outside. Their path took them along many corridors, which occasionally looked out over large halls within the Temple, some of them filled with groups of women.

Eventually, they came to a set of double doors, with armed female guards on each side. "This woman has an urgent message for Heulwen... ", explained the brown-haired woman to her two fellow guards, not even pausing as she pushed open the doors and led Rose and Caileanne into the room.

It seemed to be some kind of study, packed bookshelves against much of the walls, with any space left taken up by maps and charts. In the middle of a room, a white-haired young woman was sat at a desk. She too wore heavy armour, but her's was mostly blue and gold, and seemed even grander than that which was worn by the guards. Her blue and gold shield was resting against the wall behind her, along with a giant sword. She had a pretty face, her hair twisted into thick curls which fell just below her shoulders, and she had green eyes which now peered at Rose and Caileanne in suprise.

"What's the meaning of this?".