Thread: Stranger things.....(Razgriz x Lady Bloody Ava)

Prologue It was the year 1098, the start of the Middle Ages. Oh yes, there were knights, kings, princesses, all the good stuff where one hears of the noble champion of the king rescuing the damsel in distress from some inherently evil creature of demonic origin. However, unlike those fairy book tales where everything works out in the end, the times were much darker and grislier than most would care to admit. Famine, plague, war and death ravaged the lands humans were but a minority in most respects compared to the other races. And as the old saying goes Don't look under a rock, if you're not ready to see what lies beneath. Present day A colossal fortress stood imposingly on the horizon, its turrets and walls of granite and limestone blocks held by mud and mortar making up the majority of its architecture. A treacherous moat filled with vicious fish and home to nasty reptiles easily larger than a man encompassed the perimeter, the only safe passage being any of the three drawbridges that were lowered whenever someone deemed worthy could enter. Inside the overwhelming message of entry denial stood the monument to human achievement The walled city of Evugid, a completely self-sufficient community where only those of noble blood or exceptional skill were allowed to reside. The rest paid homage to their 'betters' through the renting of farmlands on the outside of the city, giving a share of their crop and sweat so that they could keep their land and make the best of an admittedly bleak existence. However, they were less reluctant to do so the King himself ensured the safety of the lands his people inhabited, wisely using his skilled warriors and resources to help his subjects carve out a life for themselves. In the heart of Evugid stood the castle, heavily guarded by the Knights of the King, one Richard the Third. To even enter this castle required considerable patience, as was common for royalty. And especially so, considering how widespread his control over the Kingdom of Man was. And the situation itself was even more stressful, considering all the problems they'd been having with the other 'inhabitants' of the surrounding region. Orc raiders and clashes with Dwarven hunting bands were two major problems that no one seemed able to resolve the Dwarves were cunning and the Orcs were monsters of the worst kind. To fell one required fifteen men and the aide of a sorcerer, a largely costly endeavor as the sorcerer was rendered useless for a long spell and over half the men died in the process. The good King - a man barely over five feet in height, his short-cropped hair and goatee largely brown, but streaked with silver from age and stress - dressed in his kingly attire. A red velvet cap adorned his head, a blue tunic and over this a black long-sleeved cloak open at the chest. The cloak itself was slit up at the arms to allow the limbs to slip through, the front trimmed with ermine fur. On his legs he wore long purple hose and green shoes similar in shape to high slippers. He sat on his throne - a priceless chair cast in gold, rubies and sapphires adorning its armrests and back, the seat and plush backing itself comprised of the finest cotton and velvet covering - awaiting his advisor to come and give him the daily report. Soon, the man - one James Bainard - entered the royal chamber the advisor was a man only an inch or two shorter than the king himself, wearing a fine purple cotton robe fastened at the waist and long hose, approached and knelt before Richard, saying Your Excellency, I have some largely troubling news. When do you not? Richard thought to himself, stroking his chin in clear agitation before replying verbally, Speak plainly, Bainard. Mine patience has worn thin enough today. What is this troubling news of which thou speaks? Bainard gulped and unraveled a small, tattered paper scroll this was a compilation of things that he'd prepared for the King. The town of Anvegad has recently come under siege from a Goblin horde. The elves have yet to respond to our bargain for a cease in the skirmishes, My Lord. The hunters near Knavesmire are still clashing with the Dwarves as well, along with several other towns out in the Wastelands. Bainard paused, then said, But there is a glimmer of light in this list of darkness, Your Majesty. Gillygate seems to have successfully driven off the Orc raiders. Richard sighed, then said in a rather moody tone, Good.....That only leaves the other ten or so towns still being plagued by those marauders. He removed the cap from his head and ran a hand through his hair, breathing a heavy sigh as he continued, Well, what do you recommend, Bainard? Bainard gulped again and said, We have knowledge of the Goblin's general area of gathering, and Cerian the Fire-Mage would be well-suited to quite literally burn them out. Richard simply said, Good, make it so. Tell him to make their lair a pile of ash and hellfire! He paused then asked, What of the Orcs and Dwarves? Bainard replied, By your command, the Black Brothers, Ulthane and Samael, are working on a new weapon to deal with the Orcs. The Dwarven clashes are slowly dwindling, though my Lord....Some towns even say that they're trading meat and hides for worked metal. A rare item for the towns in the stretches of barren land. Richard seemed to relax a little at least things were being done. But there was still one outstanding issue. And what of the elves? he then asked, glaring at his advisor. Bainard bit his lip there was no real solution for this problem. The humans had tried to be civil towards them, but the fact was....They simply wouldn't talk. And King Richard couldn't afford to have a war now, not when his attention was divided among so many other things.