Telmar, or what's left of it, was once a magnifficent central port of trade between Arda and Telpurion. Telmar fell to Ullari's army after a seige that lasted well over a year. In that time much of the city was ruined, and most of the inhabitants killed or driven off. Telmar is a city of stone, with stone harbours housing Ullari's navy, and a great central fortress that is now all but destroyed. The streets of Telmar are filled with the bustle of Ullari's army, many of whome take up residence in the burned out huskes os former homes and storhouses. Telmar is the sister city to Eldamar, both once rulled by a single kingdom though they be a great distance from each other. The Empire that rulled Telmar is now all but destroyed, with most of it's soldiers either dead of serving Ullari's army.
Seriphim steared the long boat into the huge port of Telmar, seeing it was full of Ullari's warships and transports
Eldur, i will act as your guide, do not speek to anyone my friend....this is a rather rough place he cautioned.
Agreed said
Eldur.
I will keep my mind open sencing people around, don't worry, they will not notice, I will not interfere with their minds to find me out, thay can find me only if they search for me.
Seriphim carefully directed the long boat in and around the large warships
let us hope somone does not get curious then friend...i can help though if it comes down to that he was in a rather good mood considering the slightly tense situation they where going into.
Eldur was watching closely the way Seriph was directing the ship. He felt any change of the air around them, he knew that now he could reach his connection with the spirit realm whenever he wanted. His mind was spreading around gently, like being where it was always supposed to be, he could feel the toughts of all the oarsmen, even their sences. Around him in the other ships he felt of people who had barriers on their minds, yet they where not wizards, his mind was passing around them gently, less detectable to them than a voice from the distant. He informed Seriph about that there where not wizards, and he intended to keep that so.
that much is good...i've been around here before on a mission....even if they do notice your mental intrusion they'll merely kick you out of their mind he said pulling the boat up along the docks.
So, tell me again, where are we going now? asked
Eldur
snooping my friend...snooping an wreaking havoc in our dear friend Ullari's army he said with a smile. Seriph smiled as he lept out of the boat. He stood gazing at the dock and boat yards....he had forgotten how immense they where. So much ativity, a dance of organized chaos that continued day in and day out per the demands of the slow beating heart of the Dark Army.
Eldur lept out, too. He disliked docks, they made him uncomfortable. Too many people talking he could not understand, the air around him was thick and smelly, and thousands of minds and colours where entering his mind. A place so full of senses that it was difficult for him to separate one from the other, only familiar minds and those of wizards could stand out of this sea of thoughts, and at this point it was only Seriph.
Let's not loose each other requested Eldur from Seriph, sending him this merge of senses that where on his mind so that he understands his position.
ack! you have so many cobwebs in your head! hear let me help you with those he said sifting through the mass of thought roiling inside Eldur's head
you need to learn how to turn this thing on and off...though i suppose you rely on it far more than i do he finished, accepting the sense link as he continued to montitor the mind chatter on the docks. He made his way towards the fortress like gates that led off into the city, making sure not to lose Eldur.
My mind and my eyes are my ears replied
Eldur softly.
And I do not want to turn it off, putting barriers around my mind makes me both vulnerable and more easily recocgnisable amongst other minds, I have survived wizards a lot of times through that, they simply don't pay attention to unprotected minds, although I can lift my barriers instantly. I just need from you a thought to focus on, so I don't get lost in the merged minds of everyone.
I can understand that my friend...most of the telepaths around here are actually pretty lax and carefree....however if we run into o'le Gurthar than we....uh oh he said pausing. Sure enough he could see Gurthar walking through the crowds
leave those barriers up...we may be in for a scan he said taking Eldur and darting into a bar....for one it was an easy exit and Seriphim felt like a good drink
care for a drink? he asked Eldur.
Why not? he replied. He examined fully the memories of a nearby sailor and left the same thoughts run around his mind, his own thoughts protected by a barrier.
I leave my thoughts open only to you, other people will find only the thoughts and memories of a sailor around me. Get me an oenomel.
very well he said ordering Eldur what he wanted, secretly signing for a strong liqour as a joke. He gave Eldur the liqour, keeping what he ordered next to him. Seriph decided on the same hard liqour...thoug
h distilled and flavored drink up he said to him, sheilding any thoughts of the prank from Eldur that will be useful for up to mid level spirit elementals...any persistant advanced and they could break through...though these are few and far between.
Eldur took the drink and tasted it a bit. It's nice, although it is not what I ordered he said to Seriph in a funny way. Did you really think you could fool an air wizard with that? but he continued drinking the liqour.
you're no fun at all he teased here...this is what you ordered....promise he said setting the right drink in his hands well...where to? or do you want to wait for Gurthar to pass by alittle longer?
Better wait a little longer, we don't want to be detected from the very beggining.
very well....i he's far enough away now to where i don't think he'll be a problem....though i think it would be wise just as well to wait he said looking around.
Gurthar felt Seriph's mind tracking him. Normally this would not interest him in the slightest for he knew all the regular interlopers and tended to ignore them. This time though he didn't, once more he had a vague sense that he knew who this was. Slipping into the nearest ally way he put on a black hooded cloak of a traveller, and feeling the sensation leave him, returned to wait inside the bar where he had seen the two elves enter now which one of you is tracking me...and why? he thought, waiting like a patient spider for them to leave.
Gurthar is here, you know. What shall we do? asked Eldur.
i'm not sure....one thing is for sure we don't want to tangle with the secound in comand...least not here and not now he said whaching the door. If Gurthar showed his face he would bolt....he had no desire to fight so soon and in such an exposed place.
Are you tracking Gurthar? He knows it. Leave that better to me, I can pass unnoticed. Unlike you, I don't need to stare in order to see said Eldur
I am not tracking him....Balakor is...therefore i don't need to see or for that matter even feel Gurthar's presence...and Gurthar would be used to Deamons poking around...there's alot of that here he thought as he discarded another probing mind....more like burn it and caused its' owner to fall to the floor with blood streaming from his eyes.
Could you attract a bit less attention? And leave mind tracking completely to me, I am starting getting used to all these people. I will let you know of anything needed. said Eldur.
"Very well" he said, looking around for whoever it was that had tried to intrude on his mind. Seriphim was realativly at ease, though he didn't want to be found and questioned by Gurthar...the crusnik was far to curious for his likeing...and far to chatty
Alexus Rose stretched her cramped arms above her head as she stepped out of one of the many new recruit boats that had docked at Telmar. Charming, she thought, as she looked at the chaos going on around her. People were running left and right, while most of the recruits were just standing nervously around, as if afraid to do anything.
Well, I might as well keep myself busy, she thought grimly. Noticing someone trip and drop everything they were holding, she hurried over to help.
"Th-thank you," the man said once she had helped him. He then hurried away, leaving her standing there alone and feeling slightly irritated.
Turning back to the recruits, she thought, Okay, I've had just about enough of these slackers - it's time to put them to work.
"Okay everyone," Alexus said, so all the other recruits could hear. "No just standing around - it's time we got busy, and show these people just how useful we can be." Her voice was commanding, but kind and eager as well. The other recruits blinked, then nodded quickly, and started helping some of the dock hands pull the boats in. Once this was completed, Alexus started ordering them to unload the boats. She spared herself not the luxury of just standing around giving orders - she immediately began to drag the luggage out of the boats. This motivated the others, and soon, they were all working together.
As she was hauling some of the baggage onto the dock, she felt a presence behind her, watching her as she organized everything. She then felt it probe her mind, and instantly lashed out with her own, quickly overpowering her psychic attacker, feeling him wince. While she was doing this, she had continued to unload luggage, and baggage, acting as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
She felt the presence grow curious, and put up her mental barriers to protect herself from his probing.
Then she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, and turned around, wondering who it was...
Gurthar stood behind her, with a slight smile "Well, it would seem that you have a nack for putting men in their places...but i wonder...what is it that you hide? Somone just probed your mind and you quickly detected it" he said grimacing as the same thing happened to him, though he was not so kind. A man screamed as he held his head with blood streaming from the orifices in his face. He turned back to her "I think i might have a job for you...oh and it doesn't involve dealing with cannon fodder either" he realised he had forgotten to indroduce himself "Forgive me, My name is Head Captain Gurthar Lelaith" he said with a slight bow.
"I am Alexus Rose, a dark elf," she said, bowing much lower than Gurther. It hurt her pride, but she knew better than to hold back on courtesy. "As for what I hide... I hide many things, as do we all, and I believe, if you had been in my position, you would have done the same thing... though, seeing as I have just met you, I do not know this for sure. However, I am interested in this job you might have for me." She laughed, and the sound sounded as clear as a singing crystal. "And I am glad it does not involve cannon fodder, as well!"
"I was thinking, seeing as you have abilities...and from what you demonstrated they are good....how about a captain of a division in one of the legions?" he asked. THe position of course would mean she would have some level of independance...signifficantly more than most save for others of her rank.
"I am honored that you consider me worthy for such a position," Alexus said. "And I accept this suggestion, a being in such a rank would allow me to help the other recruits and soldiers to prepare themselves for war." She smiled, charmingly. "And I thank you, greatly." Her smile was sweet and beautiful, but her eyes were dancing with wicked pleasure. Bowing once again, she asked, "Is that all? If it is, then I will get back to commanding the new troops - hopefully they are all worth they're salt in this place." She winked.
Gurthar smiled...she was enthusiastic, he'd give her that...but somthing was already setting him on edge. He hid his thoughts well though "I think you will find commanding one hundred men of the black guards quite satisfactory...though try to be cordial to them...they are shaken up as their last captain proved to be a traitor and spy so if they don't take to you immediately then you know why" he said turning to hunt for Seriphim and eldur.
When they had gone, Seriphim flitted along the docks, he had heard there would be somone of interest and he wanted to make contact.
Alexus returned to ordering the other recruits around, and she hurried about, helping where she could. She noticed one recruit standing leisurely off to the side, which irritated her.
She reached out with her mind, and poked the man's own mind, hard, before retreating back to her own, and putting up her barriers. She then marched up to him, and stood before him, hands on hips and feet spread.
"And just what do you think you're doing? I'm sorry, but when everybody else is working so hard, I won't be having one of my own taking it easy - get to work!"
Seriphim whached as she ordered her men about...he had managed to avoid the recruit desk as of yet but he knew that if he whas to stay under the radar than he would either have to find his way into a unit soon or report to the cannon fodder legions...and he would rather not put himself in to one of those.
Alexus felt someone watching her, and after making sure that the boy was doing his job, she looked around, pretending to be looking to see if there was anymore trouble. She noticed a man wearing a traveling cloak standing at a distance, watching her every move. She also noticed several men very close to him, who were arguing vehemently about something. Deciding to use this as an excuse to see and perhaps talk to the person, she hurried over to the men, and found she was just in time to stop a public brawl from happening.
"Oi, you men over there, quit your arguing. If you have a problem with each other, then you report it to someone with a higher rank than you - you do not start a brawl, especially in broad public!"
"And just who might you be, that you think you can just strut up here and tell us what to do?" One of the men shouted back to her, still enraged.
"I might be a captain of a division in one of the legions, and I might be about to have the two of you thrown in jail for causing a riot! Now, please, calm yourselves and get a move on!" After making sure they left, she turned away, and inconspicuously moved closer to the man, pretending to be tying one of her shoe laces.
Can I help you? she asked in his mind, trying her best not to sound impolite, as well as to not catch him by surprise. If she did that, who knows what could result of it.
you look like somone that could use a hand at what they are doing...yes i know you are a spy...but in that case than we are in the same boat...oh an thank you for shutting those men up...mortals are rather borish he telepathed in return by the way...my name is Seriphim Darkheart if you need any proof..well then you will have it in due time he turned on his heels to crack one of the men hard over the head "And shut the hell up with that gibberish of yours..." he snapped, by now sick and tired of the crowd of drunks following him.
"Oh, Seriphim, it's you? I didn't recognize you! Alexus replied with her head. She glanced at the drunk who Seriphim had just hit over the head, and winced. That must have hurt... She turned back to him. I am Alexus Rose, a dark elf of the Alliance... though I assume that you already know that. She winked, smiling.
Yes i did he said smiling is it really so hard to ask that these damn drunks leave me alone? oi...i suppose not, though they aren't really drunks...they are part of the assasin squad i was assigned to...and they are adaquate... he did not attempt to hide how bored he was with the assignment "Mind if i weasel my way into your detachment?" he asked absentmindedly, keeping an eye out for the crusnik Gurthar.
On normal occasions, no, I would not mind, however... well, right now your not the only one on a mission. But if you wish to weasel your way in, then by all means, do so, however, if you get caught, I will not be able to help you - I am under strict orders from Lord Lomien to try to stay in this army for as long as I possibly can, at any cost. Alexus frowned, and stared up at the sky for a moment, thinking. She saw a small shape flying above her, circling, and blinked. Well, it looks like I might be able to help you after all... Alexus smiled mischieviously, eyes twinkling. Suddenly, she threw her head back and whistled loudly. The sound was strange and unnatural, and Alexus could feel several people staring at her as she did this.
Well, if they don't like it, then that's their problem, she thought, as she watched the shape circle again, and start to make a descent towards her.
Pheonixia circled high in the sky, waiting for the signal from her mistress, Alexus Rose, that it was safe to land.
She suddenly heard a strange, unnatural sound drift up from below. There's the signal. I hope that milady has something with which I can fill my empty belly - I have flown all the way from the Alliance headquarters without stopping, since milady thought that it might be dangerous for me to stay too close to her. Pheonixia thought this as she started her descent towards her mistress, descending faster and faster, until she suddenly raised her wings like a parachute and gently landed on Alexus's shoulder.
Milady, the bird dipped her head in greeting. Then she noticed the cloaked figure a few feet away, to whom Alexus had obviously been talking to. Who might this be, Lady Alexus? I sense great power coming from him - tremendous power, in fact. Who is he?
Ah, Pheonixia, I'm glad that you made it here alright. And you already know this man - he is Seriphim. Alexus glanced over to him, before returning her attention to her familiar. I would like you to trail him, and keep watch over him to make sure that he stays out of trouble. Can you do that, 'Nixia?
Of course, milady, Pheonixia replied.
Pheonixia, how many times must I ask you to please call me Lex, or at the very least, Lexia? I don't mind you calling me Alexus either, but all this "milady" business really becomes a hassle when you need to communicate quickly. Alexus sighed. Also, 'Nixia, before you start trailing Seriphim here, why don't you go get something to eat - there are probably plenty of rodents and such here, and there's also a very large clump of trees a little ways over that way,if you'd prefer to stay away from the other pedestrians. Oh, and also, I have to make it look like your doing what the dark army wants, and since I don't want them in our heads, I'll be talking to you out loud about stuff that I want you to do for the DA, and telling you what I want you to do for the Alliance by telepathy. And what I'm about to say out loud is something that I don't actually want you to do - it's just a facade for you to go get your food.
Alexus winked, then said out loud, "Pheonixia, would you mind keeping an eye on things in the other parts of this city, and reporting your findings to those in authority?" She paused for a moment, pretending to be listening to the bird's response. "Thank you, dear."
Pheonixia dipped her head once more towards her mistress, saying, Farewell, mil- she stopped short, and paused for a moment before continueing, I mean, Farewell, Lexia. The name sounded awkward in the bird's head, but she could tell that Lexia was happy to be called that, for she had a slight smile on her face, and her eyes were twinkling.
With a soft whoosh!, Pheonixia was off, and heading towards the trees on the other side of town.
Alexus watched her bird fade off into the distance, then turned her mind back to Seriphim. She kneeled back down, and started the task of tightening her shoe laces, while she said to Seriphim, So, you now have a new bodyguard. Don't worry, Pheonixia will make sure no one suspects anything. She may not look it, but she has quite a gift for diverting attention from things - if anyone can make sure that you don't get caught red-handed, it's Pheonixia. Alexus finished tying her shoes, and stood up, brushing the dust and dirt off her clothes. Noticing one of the recruits, a girl by the looks of it, hurrying her way, she stood up, waiting for the girl to reach her.
Her last words to Seriphim before she hurried away were: Oh, and call me Lexia, Seriphim - it makes communicating so much easier. She glanced back just once, and winked, before running after the recruit, who had informed her that a couple of the other recruits were getting into a brawl over a piece of luggage that they both thought was theirs.
Serphim smiled very well Lexia he did not permit Blakor to so much as give hint to his presence, it would do neither of them any good if the DA caught wind of a Deamon prince here.
Having just stopped a fight between two recruits, Alexus stood up and stretched like a cat. She was now officially tired, and could totally use a nap to refresh herself. She looked around, surveying the scene before her. The recruits had unloaded all of the boats, and were standing around, awaiting new orders.
A page came running towards her, nearly tripping over himself in his hurry to reach her. When he finally stood in front of her, he bowed, and said, "If you wish, milady, there is a tent prepared that is at your disposal. If you would like me to, I can take you there, milady. However, Sir Gurthar wants you to meet your new troops first."
"Very well, please do. And, boy, please, do not call me "milady" - just Lexia is fine." She smiled at him, then turned to one of the recruits that was standing beside her. The girl was one of the better and more experienced of the lot, and Alexus felt safe in leaving the others in her hands. "You, girl, would you mind taking command of the others from here on out? I'll be going to meet my new troops, and I won't be able to tell all of you what to do. But somebody has to make sure that they're organized and not just wandering around dumbly like drunks." Lexia laughed, waved goodbye to the girl, and followed the page towards the dark army training grounds.
Back to: Akallabeth RP
Telmar Archive
Telmar Archive2s
Stumble!