Fist of the Iron Ogre

[Triyun]

Rhee's eyes darted towards Aden's scimitar being pointed at Angelika, but his sheer rage overcame him. Bridgette was the one along with the warlock Ming who had put this curse upon him. It was they who did experiments on him. He was tunnel visioned in his sheer loathing of her, eclipsed only perhaps slightly by the loathing of the Warlorck Ming. snarled at Bridgette's comment, "This is all her fault Shah." Rhee said recognizing Aden, "Bridgette Saenger, a witch who back stabs everyone she can in order to get her own gain." Rhee said, he turned back towards Bridgette, "Don't give me that crap, there is no way in hell she'd..." he began before Angelika began moving in towards Bridgette.

He saw in Angelika's eyes a fury which he had only seen in a mirror before. When Bridgette spoke, he scoffed. Bridgette's help always came with a price. He remembered being told by the Emperor of the "help" she had provided in the mountains of Tibet. Rhee had exhibited a rare outburst, decrying both Jia and Theresia as delusional fools then. You did not get 'cured' from being a schemer and back stabber, no ordinary human, possessed of god given compassion could have done what she did in Seoul all those years ago. "We don't want what you offer." he said.

Then she said it, the one name that brought more anger to him then even she could. [i]Ming.[/i] As much as he wished to tear the woman apart, he knew that the destruction would continue unless he slew Ming too. Rhee growled, as he continued to listen on to the exchange between Angelika and Bridgette. The beast rune, he remembered seeing it that night. It was vague, but there was something about it. Something both terrible and seductive. If Ming got a hold of it, it could spell disaster. But did they want to make a deal with her?

Before he could answer, Angelika made the decision for them, "Angie are you sure?" he began to ask, but there was no time, Bridgette completed her spell and soon the army of stone crumbled. Bridgette dropped to the ground.

Chiang spoke, "I demand to know whats going on here!" he said, his upper class arrogance and assertiveness returning to his voice with the knife no longer so close to his throat. "Rhee turned grabbing his and slamming him up against the wall of the fortress, "I'll have you speak a bit less at the moment." Rhee said snarling to the general, "Nobody here is having a good day, but you're the one who falls dead easiest got me?" Rhee snarled.

He turned back to the others as Chiang mopped away, "Angelika what the hell do you think you're doing?!" he asked, this was too much. First the out of control beast, and now making an alliance with Bridgette, "We need to remember who our friends and who our foes are here, first you kill our fellow soldiers, and now you make an alliance with her! The one who tortured me!" he spat angrily.

------

Yen was in a cold sweat from the sharp pain he experienced. His hand wound was ripped open as a puddle of blood formed on the kang bed below him. A voice echoed through his head, a woman with a strange accent. Her voice was both horrifying and compelling. What did she want, "Who are you, what strange magics are this?" he demanded, attempting to reach out to her with his own mind to compel her to his will.

Edited September 30, 2012 by Triyun

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Hearing Rhee yell at her, Angelika turned back sadly and shrugged. "The battle's over, isn't it?" Then she left the tower to wander down into the Imperial camp.

She sat alone outside of the camp, sitting on a small stone she had taken from a supply tent. The sun was beginning to set and she felt nauseous from the fight. In the heat of battle, Angelika hadn't noticed what she had done, but when she looked out from the tower the barbarity of her assault was almost too much to bear. She still felt powerful and she enjoyed that power. Yet, everything seemed to be falling apart; she had made an alliance with Bridgette, Rhee was upset with her, and she wore the blood of countless Imperial soldiers all killed by her hands. For the first time in months, perhaps since Magdalena's funeral, Angelika let herself cry and she placed her head in her hands as she wept.

---

Bridgette, on the other hand, had been taken to an infirmary where she immediately fell asleep. But in her dreams, she pushed herself into Yen's mind. She could feel that he was in pain, which was fine for this part of the possession. "Let's just say I'm a friend of yours, but a rival of your adviser. I can tell you Yen, he will not save you, but I can." She could feel his own pull of his mind and it made her smile. He wasn't weak and perhaps with her streak of bad luck for surrogates, the Pretender would finally yield a strong demeanor for her conquests.

"I'm more powerful than you can imagine, Yen, and I want to help you, but only if you let me into your mind and body."

[TheShammySocialist]

Given his own experiences with the forces of otherworldly power, Aden was not in complete disbelief when he watched Bridgette invoke some sort of enchantment, and completely dismembered the stone army to dust, and then collapsed in a heap at their feet. As Chuang moped by him, Aden felt the burden of travel and battle finally take its toll on his body, the adrenaline he had been running on since arriving at the Imperial Capital only a few days previous finally vanished in a quick measure. He struggled to keep himself sure footed, struggling over to a seat against the battlements, his eyes flicking at the fallen Bridgette, before addressing the group, as Angelika made her statement and moved to walk away.

"I'm afraid this probably isn't the end of this conflict, and other matters could complicate this further," he said, the pain from the wound to his arm becoming quickly evident as the adrenaline high continued to rush out of his body. Blood dripped from the ends of his fingers, as one of his guards moved forward to help him remove his chain mail torso piece, leaving him in a simple white shirt, the bloody gash's extent becoming ever more prevalent with the removal of the armor. Another guard sought out medical supplies as Aden looked over at Rhee, as Angelika walked away.

Aden opened his mouth to speak to the Imperial Knight, to tell him of the Imperial Court's intentions, but no words would pass his lips, the overwhelming fatigue the Shah was being overcome by was one that even the strongest man couldn't hold back against. He would slump backwards against the stone battlement, unconscious from the loss of blood and sheer loss of energy, as the [i]Kheshigs[/i] began treating his arm, and the remaining survivors came to help move him to the camp. Only half of his closest bodyguards had come from the melee unscathed, one was grievously wounded, another mortally, the rest had fallen where they stood, crushed by the sheer weight of stone and flesh sent against them, their faces to the front.

Edited September 30, 2012 by TheShammySocialist

[Triyun]

Rhee watched as Angelika walked passed him giving him the cold shoulder. He frowned and was about to turn around when one of the soldiers approached him. His voice was filled with rage as he spoke, "What has happened?" he demanded to know. "You were our hero, and now this?" he said. "Perhaps you are truly cursed!" he said spitting on Rhee. Rhee felt the animal instincts inside him rage, demanding he strike the man down. But he managed to keep his hand steady. [i]Perhaps I was wrong.[/i] Rhee thought to himself, [i]maybe I never should've embraced it, and now I've saddled Angelika with this burden.[/i]

The knight walked past the soldier, as the soldier yelled out behind him, "Grey skin, where are you going!" he demanded. "Running away! You coward!" A mob had began to gather behind the soldier, ready to draw their weapons on Rhee. "We don't need any more magic!" they yelled.

Rhee was about to walk away, when Aden fell forward onto the ground in a pool of blood. The knight looked over concerned, "we can deal with your prejudice later." Rhee yelled as he picked up Aden to carry him to the medical tent. At that moment the men relented, staying their blades... but Rhee knew the seeds had been planted, something would have to give.

After placing Aden on one of the beds, where he would be attended to by physicians and clerics, Rhee left the infirmary. He decided that it would first be best to find Angelika. He had to explain to her the dark side of the beast rune. Just like she had for him. Super strength and the adrenaline rush of it was great, but it did come with a cost. Perhaps he was wrong to have done what he did that night. If he had known this would happen, would he have done it? He did not know.

Wandering down into the Imperial Camp after Angelika he found her sitting sobbing on a stone next to a supply tent. Sitting down next to her he looked over, "You remember when I fist got this and I tried to kill you?" he asked looking at her, "I think I may have lost sight of some things. Thinking I had this controlled, its my fault, I should've warned you more how easy it is to lose control."

Far in the North, Yen continued to listen, he could feel that she was powerful, the fortress around her mind was almost as strong as it was around the warlock, but there was something different... something seductive. He wanted to give in, to give her complete control. But part of him knew better. Rubbing his head he at last spoke after a long pause. "I will hear you out, but I will not give some voice in my head control." he said.

"If you are truly as powerful as you say you are you should come here and show yourself." he asked hoping that he would get to see whatever presence was creating this effect on him.

It was then that Ayako Fujiwara entered the room. She still bore her wounds from her battle with Angelika, and was eager to see the pretender. She found him in conversation, with something else. "What is this?" she asked as she entered, "to whom are you speaking?!"

Her suspicion was aroused feeling a strong presence around them. Something was threatening what was rightfully her own.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Hearing Rhee walk behind her, the Princess lifted her head for a moment before looking out, teary-eyed, across the countryside. "I just wasn't ready, that's all. I've been riding on this passion, on this power, and then when I can't control it; this happens. It's so strange Rhee," she looked over at him with a frown. "When it first happened, when I ripped out of my clothes, out of the carriage, and breathed the air of the countryside; I felt free. When we were in that cave, it was different, strong, impassioned. But I don't know, I don't know if I can deal with such anger inside of me. I couldn't help myself, there was blood and carnage and I loved it and that scares me."

She let her head rest on his shoulder. "But I'm glad there's someone who I can share it with."

---

"I can visit and I will bring an offering to your Imperial Greatness, the Princess of the Imperial Family. Wait for me, Majesty, me and no other."

The vision and voice suddenly left Yen, but when it did, all the passion he once showed to Ayako vanished with Bridgette's voice.

[Triyun]

Rhee wrapped his arm around her, "You were the person who kept that anger from consuming me. Without you I would've become an animal. You helped me bear my burden, so I'll help you bear yours. Whatever happens I won't lose the person I fell in love with." he said with a strong conviction. "We'll find a way through this."

"Well isn't this special a monster love fest." a voice said from behind them. Rhee recognized it as the soldier from earlier. He had a bows aimed squarely at them and he was not alone. A group of perhaps 15, all had silently surrounding them taking aim with their bows at the two. "You're crying? How tragic." the soldier said mockingly. "Do you know how many widows will be crying because their husbands aren't coming home! All because of you two!" he yelled. "What do you two have to say for yourselves?!" he demanded.

Rhee looked at the man, with anger in his eyes, "This is [i]not[/i] the time to be provoking." Rhee yelled angrily.

Meanwhile in the North, Yen was at a loss as the voice vanished. The shinto priest went over to wrap her arms around him but he shoved her off, "Not now." he said angrily, "I am judging by the fact that you return in this manner that you have failed in your mission." he said. "Send for Ming, I must speak with the warlock, it seems that there are some things which he has failed to mention." he said.

Ayako frowned as she walked away. That he shunned her so easily disturbed her greatly. Something else must have been acting on him. She had heard rumors that another sorceress had been once again showing herself. If so, perhaps she would try to steal what was rightfully hers. She would need to talk to the warlock Ming, she did not trust him, but she knew that they had common enemies and for now at leas their interests aligned.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Angelika jumped up when she heard the voices from behind and as she turned, she found herself staring at a line of armed soldiers. Clenching her fists she looked around and found both herself and Rhee surrounded. "Do you people even know what you're doing?" But the question the soldier asked weighed heavy on her shoulders. "Look, I'm sorry, I wish I could change the past, but I can't. I don't even know where to begin, but I'm sorry."

Obviously it wasn't enough as the soldiers bow strings were pulled back, until another voice boomed over the field.

Commander Zhen and a contingent of Amazons rode up towards the circle, their own swords drawn at the soldiers. "You all realize you are currently threatening the life of the Imperial Princess? Do any of you know what the punishment for such a move is? Lieutenant Rein?"

"Death, Commander," said the woman with a smirk.

"I thought so, though I assume none of you men have names, thus I would clear the area now before my warriors and I dispatch you to the afterlife." Watching the men flee, Zhen jumped down from her horse and walked over to Angelika and Rhee and bowed her head. "Princess, your sister has requested that you immediately return to Chang'an. The Imperial family cannot afford you up in the north in the presence of men who want to kill you, apparently now on both sides. I must ask you come back with myself and my contingent."

"But you don't plan on fighting for the Empire, Zhen?"

"My duty is to guard the Imperial Family and that is what I am doing, you must return to the capital where it's safe."

"And if I refuse?" Angelika's anger immediately began to return as she hovered over Zhen, immediately contrasting the difference in their strength.

The Commander sighed and lowered her head. "My mission is to remain at the Princess's side and bring her back to Chang'an safely. I would like to, if you refuse, to bring you back in the measure of asylum and if necessary in chains. But no sister would do that to a fellow warrior, so I guess we're going with you, with whatever happens. But that protection does not include your lover."

"Very well."

---

That night as the military camp began to calm down, readying itself for coming battles tomorrow or later in the month. Bridgette pushed herself out of the infirmary bed. Her eyes still bled, but she had her strength back and was also permanently installed in Yen's mind. She knew where his headquarters existed and knew that he was the key, along with Rhee and Angelika, in finding the True Rune again and quicker than Ming could get his hands on it. Pulling a black cloak over her body, she walked towards where Rhee, Angelika, and the Amazons were having a dinner and stopped at the entrance to the large tent.

"I know where the Pretender is holding his court, I saw it in a dream. I can lead you there and we can end this war before more lives are lost."

[TheShammySocialist]

Not far behind Zhen, the balance of the Timurid vanguard had arrived, with Caroline still at their head, the banner of the Western Empire fluttering brilliantly as they rode into the camp. Having ridden through the night, only stopping at one point to walk their mounts for an hour so they could rest, the two thousand [i]Kheshigs[/i] would stop overlooking the battlefield, a mass of bodies covering a partially-breached wall, the carnage was everywhere. Carrion birds were ominously lingering in the sky above, circling wildly as they surveyed a field of meals that would satiate their hunger. However, a scream from a certain [i]berkut[/i] drove many of the birds farther to the north, as the Timurids trotted into the Imperial Encampment. It was clear that the battle was over, but the war was not done, the rumors that had been heard as they rode north were of magic and sorcery, this was not a conflict that had ended just yet.

Spotting Zhen's contingent, which was dispersing a crowd of soldiers around two relatively large figures, Caroline would ride forward with a group of her own soldiers, desperate to learn of the outcome of the battle, and the absence of her husband. She would pull her horse to a halt as Zhen and Angelika exchanged words, before looking around the group, drawing off her helmet, she rested her hand on her saddle. Her eyes widened at the two grey-skinned figures that came into view more clearly as she approached, her horse grumbling its slight discomfort of its rider guiding him over towards them. Whispers were shared behind her, and she held up her hand, halting her accompanying [i]Kheshigs[/i] short of the group, and advancing alone, arriving at Zhen's side.

She recognized the Imperial Princess, and bowed her head respectfully, albeit a little nervously, "Your Majesty." Although hearing about something was one thing, seeing was a complete other, and she shifted in her saddle as she gazed at the two hulking figures. She quickly realized she was staring, out of awe rather then repulsion, and she quickly turned her attentions to Zhen, "The banners of victory flutter in the wind, but I do not see the banner of the West." She looked around the group, "I seek out Aden al-Timur."

[Triyun]

Rhee kept his guard up as he the arrows were pointed at them. He knew they were feeling grieved, but he could not let them take her. If they had to spend their days out in the far west in exile so be it. He was resolved in that moment to strike. But then fortuitously another party appeared. It was Zhen, one of Theresia's hands. Rhee never quite trusted her, she always feuded with Ryu in private council, to whom Rhee remained fiercely loyal. He lowered slightly in his stance ready to pounce at the first move that she made. But instead, she and Angelika continued their verbal dance.

He frowned with discuss at Zhen's lack of regard for the lives of those other than Angelika, she seemed just a prize for her social advancement. His eyes narrowed, "I guess then we need to take along dead weight." he said. "Its a pity the Germans weren't better soldiers, at least on one area. Who knew that valor could fall so far." he said.

Then Aden's wife spoke. Rhee turned to her, "You must be then the Khaness, I fear to tell you that he is in the infirmary, he slew many soldiers but received grave wounds. However when I last saw him the healers expected that he would make a strong recovery in time." Rhee said.

He turned back to Angelika, "That is where Bridgette is too. I guess we have to take two cockroaches along with us." he said annoyed. "Lets go there."

As they headed over to the tent they were intercepted by Bridgette who made a recovery, one almost too fast for Rhee's taste. He looked at her with heavy suspicion, "Its funny how these things always work out as good timing and perfect knowledge for you isn't it?" he asked her. "Let me guess we need to go with a small group following you blindly into the unknown?"

[Sarah Tintagyl]

Seeing Caroline, Zhen, the contingent of Amazons, along with the two gray warriors, Bridgette chuckled as she walked into the middle of the group. "We could take a large army if that would be easier to control, Rhee. However, I think that yes, it would be simpler to cross the wilderness to the north with a smaller amount of soldiers. As to following me, you can either trust me to win the war myself, or come and make sure I do a good job. Either way, we'll meet up if the Emperor ever wants to see this Pretender defeated. But think, all this talk about lives being wasted, a little trust and many lives can be saved."

"None of us trust you, Bridgette," said Angelika rising to her feet.

"I didn't expect you to, nevertheless, I will be leaving to the north tomorrow morning. If you want to follow you're more than welcome, if not, have fun fighting more stone soldiers without someone to save you." The sorceress laughed and turned out of the tent leaving the Imperial party alone with their thoughts.

It was Angelika who spoke first and with a deep breath she nodded her head. "I'm following her, anyone else can stay, but after what happened today. I need to do something to end this war, I've killed too many people already."

[TheShammySocialist]

Caroline's face would turn grave at the remark of Aden being injured, she sat back in her saddle, the anticipation of seeing her amour was replaced by fear for his life, although a recovery was expected, one never knew if complications could arise. Illness could easily take those who were weakened by war, she'd seen it before in her days as a Queen of Sweden, and she heaved a sigh as she nodded at Rhee's statement. She would follow the rest of the odd group towards the infirmary, fearing the worst, but she would pull her horse to a halt when they were intercepted by Bridgette, and she listened attentively to the exchange.

She wasn't completely aware of the woman's identity, although she had some inklings, and her mind would scramble to recall the details of the woman's sordid past, she would remain silent as the group would exchange words. With the battle already won here, at least for the moment, the prospect of continuing the Western Empire's contribution to seeing the conflict through was certainly an alluring one for Caroline, who, despite her husband now wounded, was a decisive type of person. She saw through whatever she embarked to do, but she wasn't about to leave her husband's side without consulting him first. Her duty to her husband and her family overrode anything here, despite the gravity of the situation, and she resolved to consult with him before making any declarations of gallivanting off on an expedition that would hopefully win the war.

As Angelika made her own declaration of support to join the ride to the north, Caroline would quietly excuse herself from the group, and she rode the rest of the distance to the infirmary with a contingent of [i]Kheshigs[/i] in tow. The chaos of the infirmary, which was cluttered with casualties, would make finding the Shah difficult, but it would be a bloodstained and exhausted-looking [i]Kheshig[/i], one of Aden's personal guards, running up to her that would garner her what she was looking for. Rushing through the aisles of injured and sometimes dying men, Caroline would find her unconscious and pale husband, with what was left of the dozen men who went north with him, surrounding him, one holding a battle-tattered banner as they spoke quietly amongst one another. They would pay their respects to the newly-arrived Caroline, as she rushed to the bed, and they would step back, as she surveyed her fallen husband, gently taking his cool, limp, hand in hers as she looked upon the peaceful face that bore a few light nicks and fresh scars.

She looked down at the wrist of his wounded arm, and smiled sadly when she saw the handkerchief she had given him, criscrossed with stains of blood, tied there, and she sniffled lightly, as she buried her head in his shoulder. As she let out a soft sob, the [i]Kheshigs[/i] having turned away, to give their charges the privacy they deserved she would whisper softly, "I should have been here, I should have been here."

[Triyun]

Rhee took Angelika's hand gripping it tight as he stepped up beside her towards Bridgette, "You're crazy if you think I'm going to let you go alone with her." he said to Angelika. "Whatever happens Angie, I promise I'll be with you to catch you and help you up." he added smiling.

He then turned towards Bridgette. "We'll follow you, we'll see this fight through, but don't expect things to be right between us Bridgette." he said. "I've seen what you have done and I know you're lack of humanity knows no limits." he added.

He turned towards Zhen and her party, "And what of you, I suppose you're going to just leave the Empire to its own devices too so you can collect whatever rewards you have?" he asked.

In the North, Ming sat by candle light looking over the alchemic tome sprawled out before him. He was uneasy that his spell had been able to be undone so easily. There were few who had that skill.

The Beast Rune could only be brought out in darkened chaos. The savage butchery of the Korean War and then the suffering afterwards had let him summon it the first time, but it was no easy feat to replicate. This rebellion still had not created enough suffering for him to do so, and the loss of the stone army was a set back. He knew the more he delayed the more chances there were of things going wrong, or of others discovering his plans. Worse yet with that witch Bridgette in the picture, he could yet be usurped as he was then.

He heard foot steps behind him, turning to find Ayako there. "Something is wrong." she said with a frown. "There is something wrong with his majesty, he no longer looks at me like he once did."

"I have no time for love potions or the gossip of which concubine your so called Triyun III fancies today." Ming spat derisively. He hated Ayako, finding her a pathetic creature, more enamored with attention and personal glory, trying to pretend herself a sun goddess oblivious to what true power was. When her body was once again dust, he would be immortal.

"When I found him it was as if he was talking to someone, a ghost perhaps. Surely you can't like anyone muscling in on the occult, after all its your domain isn't it Warlock." she said as she walked by him sitting on the table in front of him crossing her legs and smiling seductively.

"IF I wanted a whore, I'd go to a brothel." Ming said, "Speak whats on your mind and spare me your games. Tell me of this voice." he commanded.

She sighed, "Fine, from what I could tell some presence, it felt like a female voice, from a foreign land. I'm sure its some cheap trick..." she said, "Give me a potion and I'll remind..."

"If you wish to make yourself useful girl, you'll quit trying to dabble in forces you don't understand and make use of your body instead of your appallingly underdeveloped mind." Ming commanded. Reaching into his pocket he produced a gemmed necklace.

"With this you can travel with the speed of the win. You will go South, there you will undoubtedly find something coming North, a small band, the ogres will be there, both of them, take them alive, but this is very important. They are not the most dangerous. You will find a golden haired woman, short, looking weak. It is important you kill her before she can speak. Only then focus on the Ogres." he commanded, "Can you follow these instructions."

Ayako looked at the necklace, it glistening in her red eyes, "Yes." she said.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

The next morning the small contingent of the gray warriors, the former Chancellor, Commander Zhen and her Amazons, and whoever else bothered to leave the Imperial camp before the sun rose in the sky, traveled out north of the wall. As Bridgette hoped it was a small group, which was beneficial in two ways. Firstly, they could move the northern wilderness without attracting rebel attention, secondly, for Bridgette, a small force could easily be dispatched once she had achieved her goal; the recreation of the Beast Rune. There were a great deal of killing going on already and seeing the world from Yen's perspective, she had a few other tricks that would yield a great deal of primal ferocity. Beyond that, as the party moved across northern hills, the sorceress looked back with a chuckle. It appeared as though the entire Imperial Party was at each other's necks. Obviously they all hated her, but Angelika and Rhee didn't trust the Imperial Commander and the other Amazon riders seemed genuinely confused as to why they were ending into enemy territory. It would turn a difficult journey into an almost impossible ordeal, which Bridgette definitely approved.

"I have to say," she said as they climbed one of the infinite mounts leading towards Harbin, "I do love this country. So majestic, full of natural beauty, it's a shame that everything is going south for you people."

"Keep walking Bridgette." Growled Angelika.

"I mean honestly, a civil war happening while dear Jia is trying to talk about interfering in the world because of German domestic policies? Your Austrian citizenship revoked, Angelika, your sister deemed a traitor." Then the sorceress paused, "Your other sister dead."

"I TOLD YOU TO WALK!" Roared the Princess as she leaped in front of the sorceress and grabbed her by the neck. "I swear, Saenger, if you ever speak again like that, I'll rip your head off."

"And then you'll be alone out here?" said Bridgette wheezing. "In enemy territory."

"I'll know you're dead, that's enough for me."

"And yet you're not going to kill me now, are you?"

"No, I'm waiting for a better moment, when you're actually afraid of death. You're worth more to me alive right now, but that might change."

It was the first time that the sorceress actually stopped smirking for a moment as Angelika dropped her to her feet. There was a realization in what was said and while Bridgette tried to brush it off, it weighed heavier on her heart. "Well then," she said dusting herself off, "We best continue."

The group continued heading into the wilderness towards Yen's capital.

[Triyun]

Rhee listened to the tense exchange between Bridgette and Angelika as they moved over the country side. Part of him wanted to see Angelika rip Bridgette limb from limb. He knew that she deserved no better. But she was taunting Angelika, and he knew that Angelika was struggling to keep her rage contained against the woman.

As Angelika dropped her to the ground, Rhee brushed past her looking down at Bridgette flashing his teeth in a threatening manner. "Who knew a witch could be sensitive." Rhee said as he passed by her.

He paused, looking around. The Manchurian woods were foreboding terrain. He knew that there would some who would take the opportunity to lay an ambush here for those who dared pass through it. Plus there was something else. As they went further north, he felt another presence, something touching out to his mind, urging him and his party towards betrayal. They would have to be on edge.

Walking up to Angelika he whispered in her ear, "Do you feel that?" he asked, "We've got to be careful, there's something creepy here. Maybe a spell, maybe Bridgette, maybe Ming." he said.

As the two spoke, the winds around them would begin to blow ever slightly, at first feeling like a breeze. Ayako began to watch the group was they approached the clearing, where she and her shinobi assassins would wait for them in ambush.

[Kevin Kingswell]

The battle against the rebels and their stone warriors had been most difficult for Lord Zhao Yun and his men, they quite easily dealt with the living soldiers of the rebellion but against the stone warriors they had stood no chance and were cut down were they had stood. Lord Yun himself was wounded fighting against them whilst trying to save as many of his men as he could and yet to his horror many of them had fallen in battle. By the time Bridgette had worked her magic Lord Yun's troop numbers had fallen to a mere handful compared to what he had set out with and worse after the rebels had fled he found out that the leadership had gone off on their own quest leaving the clearly inept General [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chiang in command of the remaining defenders. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Gathering their fallen Lord Yun took a number of carts away from General [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chiang's command and had his fallen soldiers placed inside them before having his remaining soldiers mount their horses before leading them away from the wall. He refused to be both left behind and to have to fight under General [/font][/color][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][color=#282828]Chiang and so they headed south to meet up with Lord Shu's forces. There the two lords came together and discussed their options and decided on a plan that could be both risky and fatal to them both but they were determined to carry it out. Thus the army of Bhutan turned about and traveled away from the battle with the rebels and returned to the land of Bhutan leaving the men and women to defeat the rebels by themselves. [/color][/font]

Edited October 3, 2012 by Kevin Kingswell

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Wait," wheezed Bridgette, still recovering from Angelika's attack a few moments before. She looked back at Rhee and saw him whispering to the Princess and she narrowed her eyes. They felt the same thing. "There's something here."

"You felt it too?" said Angelika as she walked towards the sorceress and then suddenly a metal star flew down from the trees slicing between one of the Amazons' neck. The woman leaned forward as blood ran down her mouth and she collapsed onto the ground.

Zhen's eyes widened as she reared her horse around and screamed, "Ambush!" The moment she screamed the woods seemed to come alive with stars and arrows that rained down against the party. Five more Amazons were killed and Angelika could feel her own skin ripped up from the stars as her and Rhee ran towards the woods, deep into the shelter of trees, while Bridgette and Zhen ran in an opposite direction. As they buckled down, the Princess looked up from the ground, glancing over the suddenly quiet woods and gulped.

"I think we're in trouble Rhee, I think we're in big trouble."

Meanwhile Bridgette's mind was going crazy, this was the last ordeal she had to cross before reaching Yen. She just needed to survive.

[Triyun]

Ayako descended down with the wind upon Angelika. Rhee was blown back onto the ground by Ayako's speed as she closed in on the Hapsburg Princess, aiming not to make the same mistake as their previous meeting. Drawing her dagger from her side, Ayako's blade headed straight for Angelika's heart.

Rhee lept to his feet, only vaguely tracking Ayako's movements, "Watch out!" he cried out as he was beset upon by two of Ayako's shinobi. Rhee turned around as one drew his blade. Catching it, Rhee could smell the stench of a poison blade. He could recognize the smell anywhere. Ryu had shown him how to mix these one day, and warned him if he ever again smelt this odor to be prepared.

"Poison!" he cried out, as he caught the blade. Flipping the warrior around he slammed him into the ground, taking his blade and thrusting it into the other assailant who came at him.

"These are Shinobi like Ryu!" he said as he turned, ready to assist Angelika, but it was too late Ayako had already closed the distance.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

"Uhhhggghhhh." Angelika moaned as she felt the blade pierce into her skin. She watched as blood began to pour out of her chest and the burning of the poison made the cut start to bubble. She cried out in pain and grabbed Ayako's hand, still on the knife, as she flung the Shinobi to the ground and ripped out the knife with another painful cry. "$%&@!" She stumbled forward and her vision already began to blur back and forth trying to get a grip on what was happening around her. "C'mon you !@#$%*! Face me like a woman, don't do this...uhhhhh...agility !@#$."

From a distance, Bridgette saw Ayako attacking Angelika and she clenched her fist. Was this little insolent girl going to destroy all her hope of regaining the Beast Rune? This was the girl who she saw in Yen's mind and she had to be stopped.

"Angelika! Wait! I can help!" Bridgette started to run towards the Princess and began to mutter a spell under her breath to even the odds.

[TheShammySocialist]

It would not be until early in the morning, only a few hours before Angelika, Rhee, and their fellowship left for the north, that Aden al-Timur would finally gain consciousness, and would take a few minutes to get his bearings on where he was. There were shooting pains in his arm, and he had a light fever that the physicians were watching closely, and a nurse was in attendance of the wounded Shah, keeping cool, wet cloths on his forehead, to keep him cool. The nurse smiled down at him lightly when he finally opened his eyes wider than slits, and he looked to his side, where Caroline had fallen asleep, half sitting in a chair, half laying on the bed, her blonde hair curly and disheveled, her head on her arms, having fallen asleep at his side.

His uninjured arm would gently reach out and stroke her frazzled hair gently, Caroline almost immediately waking up, and she wearily leaned forward, the two embracing gently, Caroline careful not to touch his injured arm. She smiled sadly, "I think I got here a little too late."

"The enemy forced our walls," croaked out Aden, his throat dry and his head dizzy as he tried to sit up, but was forced back down by the Khaness.

"No, you need your rest, the physicians are worried you have an illness, and we need you resting so that heals," she said, pointedly looking at his bad arm wound. "The battle now lies to the north, the Princess and a woman named Bridgette, that Rhee fellow, and that Amazon Commander all are set to leave in the morning."

"The battle here is won, the fight has to be brought to the north," said Aden, as he looked over Caroline with a steady look. "I don't think I will be able to deliver any blows anytime soon," he said, dejectedly looking over at his mauled arm.

"One of the doctors said they considered taking the arm, because of the potential for infection, you're still in danger if you don't get rest and let your body mend," responded Caroline, as she sat on the edge of the bed, her sword and weaponry in a pile next to them.

"How many go with the Princess and this Knight?"

"Not many, it is a smaller group, so they can move faster, not to mention, many of the Imperial Soldiers do not trust the two, there whispers of open murder in the camp," said Caroline, grimacing as she looked down at her husband.

"She fell many allies as well as many enemies, she slew one of our own, Draco fell to her wrath when she charged through our lines," sighed Aden, speaking of one of his closest [i]Kheshigs[/i]. "There is no doubt that she is on our side, though, do you plan to go with her?"

"You are here, there is a breach in the wall, and forces from the north may have been stopped cold here, but there are plenty more out there. I will not leave you here, and I doubt their group will want to take along two thousand [i]Kheshigs[/i] who are looking for nothing better than to kill something right now."

"They're raring for a fight?"

"Any fight they can get themselves into," sighed Caroline, as she shrugged her shoulders. "I intend to stay here, however, whether you like it or not, the road to the Imperial Capitol must be kept closed to any northern forces."

Aden tiredly nodded, before patting the bed next to him, Caroline would sigh out softly, as she wearily lay down next to her amour. Noting Aden's upturned eyebrow at her weariness, she would respond with a small smile, "I think the road is beginning to take a toll, and seeing you like this is also taxing on me." She looked at him sadly, and gently took him by the hand of his uninjured arm, and he gently smiled at her.

"Get some rest, my love, you need it," he whispered, as she curled up into his shoulder.

[center]--- --- ---[/center]

It would be close to mid-morning when one of Caroline's personal [i]Kheshig[/i] guards, a rugged Slavic blonde by the name of Anastasia, would rouse her, with a gentle tap on the arm. Caroline looked up sleepily at the guard, sitting up slowly from the bed, unaccustomed to the late rising time, but feeling a bit more refreshed. "Yes?"

"I beg your pardon, my Khaness, but one of our scouting parties has returned."

"And?"

"Well, it might be best if they tell you themselves," said Anastasia.

Caroline would sigh softly, looking down at Aden, before leaning down to kiss his forehead, before picking up her longsword, slinging it over her back. She would then follow Anastasia out of the room, the clouds were still dark and foreboding to the north.

[Triyun]

Ayako recognized the voice. She turned glaring at Bridgette, [i]"You."[/i] she exclaimed as she turned, sparing Angelika from the death blow. She swept towards Bridgette, the amulet Ming gave her glowing as she aimed to slice her throat. "I know that voice, you cannot have Yen!" she exclaimed.

She moved with the wind, soaring up into the air and then coming down on Bridgette, her red eyes filled with furious jealousy as she aimed to end Bridgette, closing in on her gaunt frame with her daggers drawn, she aimed to severe her artery.

Before Angelika could recover another group of Shinobi closed in on her, their weapons drawn. Rhee lept to counter. Grabbing one he punched into him, slaying him near instantly. However, he did not calculate well enough, as a second drew its blade thrusting it into Rhee, its poison entering his system. Rhee gasped as he reached to slay him. But he could feel the burning sensation enter into his blood stream.

"Angie." he gasped.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

But just before Ayako sliced open Bridgette's throat the spell she began to murmur released in it's full strength. The sorceress screamed out, "Del Rag!" as a wave of flame leaped out of her body and burned across the ground. Everyone would be hit, the gray warriors, the Amazons, Zhen, but those shinobi, who relied so much on quickness and stealth would be paralyzed with pain. The moment the spell was over, Bridgette found herself in such a rage that her body was still smoking as she walked over to where the ninja was laying on the ground. Before her enemy could react, however, she jumped down over her and grabbed the blue necklace, ripping it off of Ayako's throat. "Oh I know this, I've seen this necklace before." She mused and clenched her fist over the stone as it started to glow. "The Wind Stone, unfortunately for you, girl, there's a problem with giving your spirit to the wind."

"Bridgette?" wheezed Angelika, "What are you doing?"

"Showing our friend what happens when the Earth gets her hands on the Wind." Suddenly the stone broke in Bridgette's hand as Ayako began to scream in pain. Time seemed to stand still as the shinobi around began to shake as the ground rumbled beneath them. Vines sprouted up from the ground and pulled them into the dirt as the plants pushed into their bodies. "The Earth claims her own, with vengeance." Vines and mushrooms sprouted over their bodies as their hair turned to grass and their hands to dirt. Ayako's body was already being wrapped up in vines and her skin began to harden like bark and her eyes began to shrink to small wooden marbles. Soon the screaming died off and what was left of the shinobi and of Ayako, looked like natural logs and trees, with horrifyingly distinct human features.

Angelika looked in terror at what just happened but the poison running through her and Rhee's body filled her mind again. Interestingly enough, Zhen was no where to be found, though her Amazons were pushing themselves up, having been burned from Bridgette's attack. "What? What did you do?"

"I saved all of you," the sorceress said smugly and walked over to Angelika and placed a hand on her chest. "You're poisoned, we have to rest here tonight or you and Rhee won't be able to make the journey."

"Rest? But," said the Princess, "We have a lot further to go and not here, not where you just turned them into this..."

"Can you see straight?"

"No," Angelika sighed and looked at the ground.

"Then we have to rest." Nodded Bridgette and she turned towards the hills beyond the forest, "Wait here though, I'm going to get the plants I need to fight that poison."

Once Bridgette had left, Angelika leaned against a tree and looked at Rhee, shaking her head. "Amazing, first she saves our lives, then she runs away, and I still can barely see straight." But the power of the beast was keeping the poison from being fatal, it was still extremely uncomfortable.

---

At the same time however, as Bridgette wandered the plains, her mind crept back into Yen's. With Ayako gone, now there was the chance for complete ownership. She could sense him, he was pushing Ming away, he had pushed Ayako away, and now it was time to reward her disciple, her future hope for the Beast Rune. Inside his War Council...Yen would find himself growing delirious, confused, the same burning passion that filled him last time Bridgette began to speak to him. His hand began to bubble thought this time it didn't burst open.

"Dismiss them...Unless you want them to witness what you can become."

She said as his eyes turned blood red again.

[Triyun]

Ayako looked up at Bridgette meekly, "Damn you." she muttered as she tried to breath through the smoke, her entire body had been set a flame and her skin was burnt to a crisp she knew her life was fading, she knew that she had been bested by this foreign barbarian. The shame. "You're a traitorous !@#$%*, I hope your companions know that, or discover it in time to kill you." she said, her voice was soft barely traveling beyond Bridgette's ear before she slowly, quiveringly removed a tanto style knife blade thrusting it into her stomach. She gurgled on blood as she attempted to do the Japanese suicide ritual to avoid death from a foreigner. Then she passed.

Had Rhee's state not been weakened by the poison, perhaps he would have been able to better hear the treachery of Bridgette's dead, but instead, between the poison and the flame he was near done. He knew his body would be able to handle it, but like this he was near defenseless against whatever else could be thrown out. He had made this way over to Angelika, where she too was nursing the wounds of battle.

He looked at her with great concern, hoping that the regenerative abilities afforded him by the beast rune had fully transferred to her too. "I hate to admit it but Bridgette may be right on this one." Rhee said glumly to the Princess.

Rhee took Angelika's hand as she leaned against the tree staggering over to make his way next to her, "We should head deeper into the woods before night fall, we're too exposed out here." he said. "But yeah, though I hate to admit it, on this one we may need to rely on her." he added his voice bitter. He did not enjoy the prospect of needing to count on the traitorous sorceress, but as they sat under the tree, him feeling the poison course through his body he knew that their prospects were limited. It was only then that he remembered the other companions, "And where are your sisters in arms." saying the last words with a great deal of sarcasm.

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

In Harbin, Yen felt his wound boil, and then burst. She was back, her presence both powerful, infuriating, and lustful. Her ability to speak into his mind, push past the barriers he had learned to erect was intriguing. He attempted to reach out with his own formidable mental abilities to try and see if he could touch this person as well, the challenge thrilling him.

He turned to his generals, "I am feeling tired." he said, "We shall continue this later." he ordered.

One looked at him, confused, but Yen yelled out angrily, "Go. Did I stutter." he said. Yen's voice always commanded an authority in it, others had been unable to match. Even these formerly loyal generals of the Empire would feel compel to obey it. They nodded, exitting dutifully as the Emperor in the North waited, sitting back on his throne. When the last left he at last spoke.

"We have to stop meeting like this. When can I see you, you've promised me great things, but you still come in visions, I wish to behold you." he said, his voice filled with an inexplicable desire.

[TheShammySocialist]

"Are you sure?" asked Caroline, of one of the [i]Kheshig[/i] scouting party leaders, a gruff man by the name of Balian.

"I swear on the Koran, Khaness, a large force of heavy cavalry and light infantry detached from one of the rebel camps, they headed north, a scouting party of their own must have been on the scent of the Imperial Princess and her cohorts," responded Balian, standing at the fore of a group of scouts. "They left shortly after the Imperial Princess started her journey northward, which means that there are eyes and ears for the rebels in the ranks on this side of the wall," he added, lowering his voice and looking around nervously.

"Well, its been established that there are probably a certain number of informants for both sides on both sides of the wall," responded Caroline, folding her arms and looking through the breached wall to the north. She had decided to hold a small council of war at the foot of breached section, away from the camp, gathering together the leaders of the [i]Lances[/i], which were one-hundred-soldier increments of the [i]Kheshigs[/i]. "How many were they in number?"

"At least two hundred foot soldiers, maybe fifty horseman," responded Balian, looking around his scouting party, who nodded in general agreement.

"It is obvious this force is meant to track and probably to destroy the Imperial Princess and her cohorts, has this information been relayed to the rest of the Imperial Command?" asked Caroline, looking at Balian.

"I spoke with one of the Company Commanders, he seemed still pretty disgruntled about the mass of soldiers killed by the Princess yesterday, he said he would relay it to Chuang, nothing has come of it thus far," responded Balian, as he leaned against a crumbled piece of stone that used to be part of the wall.

"The current advance of Princess Angelika and her fellowship is one that could serve to end this conflict, if it fails to achieve its objectives or goals, or is hampered in achieving them, this war could become even more protracted then it already is. The Emperor has already lost the support of one ally, after this battle was concluded, but this conflict is not over yet, the storm was held here, but it still churns to the north. If we can help the Princess and her cohorts in their advance to the north, stalling any enemies for them, then we can possibly help in ensuring that this conflict does not end in a stalemate," said Caroline, as she walked to the crest of the pile of rubble, stained with the blood of hundreds. Her [i]lance[/i] commanders followed her, listening to her as she spoke firmly, her eyes narrowed as she looked warily to the north.

She folded her arms again, and sighed heavily, before turning to the gathered group of commanders, and looking at her adjutant, "Ahmed, I need a force of seven [i]lances[/i] organized on the fastest horses available, make sure they are sturdy mounts, though. We need to be able to have speed, as well as endurance, I will personally lead this company to the north. The rest of your number will stay here unless I send for you, protect your Shah well, the rest of us will ride and screen the Princess' fellowship."

"At all haste, milady," replied Ahmed, with a bow of the head.

"I must have words with the Shah before we depart, be ready to ride within the hour," she added, as her fist gripped the pommel of her longsword, and she quickly descending the pile of rubble, letting out a loud whistle into the air as she walked towards the infirmary. As she made her way towards the citadel's infirmary, the [i]berkut [/i]Azrael would swoop down to land on her upheld arm, a few minutes and hastily scribbled words later, the golden eagle would flap its wings, and take flight from its' mistresses' arm, with a message attached to its talon. Circling around one of the walls' tower, it would loudly screech as he flew north, as fast as the windcurrents and his wings would allow him to, flying into the night if needed, seeking out the Princess and her group of followers.

The hasty message would read; [i]Enemy Force in Pursuit, will distract, Godspeed to the North; Khaness of the West[/i].

[Sarah Tintagyl]

The next morning after Bridgette had collected the necessary herbs from the wilderness to apply to Angelika and Rhee's wounds, the force was back on the move. By now, the Princess was beginning to distrust Zhen and the other Amazons who were supposed to be her protectors. Bridgette was turning out to be a greater asset to the journey and even that was suspect. It never left her mind that she and Rhee were heading into unfriendly territory with no one they trusted and it only meant that they hung closer together than ever.

When the falcon arrived from the Khaness, it was cause for alarm. After Angelika read the message she stared at Bridgette and shook her head. "There are raiders on our tale, probably from Harbin, we're getting close. But I don't know if we can stay hidden much longer. Queen Caroline is sending a force though to track our movements, possibly we can raid the city at the same time."

"A genius idea, Majesty!" Bridgette smiled and looked up at the sky as the falcon flew away. "Though I don't think we have much to worry from the raiders, they're still far from our position."

"How do you know this?" said Zhen as she looked at the sorceress from her horse.

"I have my ways, a better protector to the princess than you'll ever be." She said smugly and continued to walk.

"You're an enemy of the state!" the Commander cried and stopped Bridgette in her tracks as the other Amazons presented their spears. "I could kill you now if I wanted."

"But you won't," said Angelika as she took Bridgette's shoulder. "She is in my stead not yours, Zhen."

The Commander and the Amazons scoffed and a few glared at the Princess before turning back towards the front of the column to lead the force further into the wilderness. Bridgette's grin widened as she turned back to the Princess and bowed her head. "Thank you, so much, Angelika for protecting me there, I-"

"You're in my stead so I can kill you when I see fit, not them."

Bridgette blinked at the response and sighed as she continued to walk, the skyline of Harbin beginning to rise before them.

---

"Behold me?" the sorceress' voice rang in Yen's ears. "My dear Yen, I will single handed deliver the Imperial Princess to your court so that we may either kill her, ransom her, or do whatever to make sure that you gain that seat amid the great rulers of Chinese history. Your warlock's powers are weakening and he will not be able to stop the Princess and her guardian when they arrive. However, you..."

Suddenly the boiling in Yen's hand stopped as his fingers began to thicken and the bones began to crack and rebuild. "This is a taste of my power, something you will need to survive the confrontation..." The feeling traveled up his arm, bulging out as his clothes tightened around his body and moving into his chest, other arm, and down across his body. "Once we harvest the Princess, you will find out what true power is and then we will destroy the Empire together!"

Her laughs echoed in his head as his eyes turned dark red and his husky screams filled the council room as Bridgette's magic surged through him.

[Triyun]

What one would not give for one extra man amongst the feuding amazonian horde, Rhee thought silently to himself praying none of the Amazonians were mind readers.

He remained close to Angelika sharing her suspicion of the others in the party. Even against Zhen, Bridgette's long history weighed heavily on him. He kept his blade ready on his hip to pounce upon her, and his eye always ready encase she made a move for him or Angelika. "The Khan and Khaness certainly have more credibility in my book then either of you." he said.

Why had Zhen not stayed to help them, he thought to himself. She just suddenly reappeared? Unlikely. He knew her dislike of anyone coming between her and the Empress. Even the Emperor had been taken back by Zhen's jealous guarding of his wife and had seen fit to comment to his inner circle on multiple occasion. Rhee could not trust Angelika's life to the hands of this woman. He remained silent on their final part of the journey towards Harbin, staying close to Angelika the entire way.

As they made their way towards the edge of the wilderness nearest the city gates of the enemy capital, Rhee turned towards Angelika, stopping whilst the others walked on. He whispered too her, "We're coming to the point where I can't protect you from both the rebels and traitors within our own ranks." he said clasping her hand in his.

"Whatever happens in the coming fight, I want you to know how much I love you, and if things go south, I want you to flee to safety, even if I cannot get away with you." he said his eyes meeting hers, "We cannot trust Bridgette or Zhen. Only each other, and you're far too important to lose to traitors."

There was another set of eyes though watching the Princess, from far atop the pagoda at the center of the city, the warlock Ming had sensed the approaching beast rune as well as the chaotic magic of Bridgette Saengar. He felt her presence approaching his. Her magic had already seeped into the city. He felt it when she slew the priestess Ayako, the girl had failed him, and now it would be up to him to put an end to this.

He headed into his repository to begin the incantation ritual. He would not allow any of them to escape, and threaten him again.