The Kingdoms of War and Peace(Original MxM)(Tasinga and Traverler)

[Tasinga Nightwolf]

Aguria looked out on the open fields that divided his home country of Hosidia and their neighbor Natoria. For years and years on end the two countries had been warring with one another for rule. Hosidia though had just lost their king, Lord Singur and needed to recover. Hosidia itself was a peace seeking land and for years had wanted to find an understanding with Natoria to no luck. Aguria was the heir to the throne and knew he would soon have to take it for his now widowed mother's sake.

Natoria would sure see her as a weaker ruler and less likely to understand war. They would find they were wrong though Lady Kagemi was a queen of both wisdom and peace, but she understood war and how it worked. If Natoria forced her hand she would strike back with a swift blow of defense. She had told Aguria to stay on the war feild for a a while longer so that his younger brother and sister would not have to. He then put his bow over his shoulder and walked down to the battle field.

Both sides had retreated to their camps for now and Agura took the chance to make sure he had left no man un-attened on the feild for their final rest. It was the way of the Hosidia to make sure their fallen eyes were closed and a coin placed in their hands if man a flower if woman. This was in respect to the Hosdia dragon god Maiki a dragon who had a race of Hosidia people named after him. All countries had their dragon god or goddess and their belief in their respects to them. It was believe the royal line of Hosida was from Maiki. the sun was setting red int he distance as Aguria moved along.

 

[Traveler]

Damn Hosidia and damn their people. Why did they even try to resist the forces of Natoria? Prince Emiliano Destari squinted as he glassed the massive valley that separated the two kingdoms. Had it not flooded every few years the valley would have been built up by now, a bridge that separated two very opposing worlds, but the floods and the rocky ground made it both inhabitable and unfarmable. It was a waste of good ground, and a wonderful boundary.

When Lord Singur died, King Asminor of Natori had offered to marry the widowed Lady Kagemi, and unite their kingdoms. She'd be his second wife; a good position for a woman who was once equal to a queen. But the woman had refused and the war had begun to swell. She was proud and stupid. Perhaps, thought Prince Emiliano, once she saw enough of her people water the ground with their blood she's see the error of her ways. Sometimes he thought that the one who killed her husband should have killed her as well, but his father had wanted to taste her body and conquer her in the one complete way a man could take a woman, and so the woman was spared.

Emiliano scoffed. Women. They were not a challenge; definitely too soft and emotional and willing to make him want them. His father could have the queen; the prince was only hungry for blood. Nothing like the adrenaline of a good battle to make him feel alive.

Besides, the superstitious Hosidia people were too damn predictable and religious to be much of a challenge. He smiled to himself as he pulled the hood up to hide his royal features. The ragged robes he wore were much like what the Hosidia wore, and he wanted to blend in. Tonight they would creep the battle field like specters and pay homage to their dead, as if the dead cared what happened to their husks. And when they did, Prince Emilano would find his way into their camps and wreck havoc and terror in the quiet hours of the pre-dusk darkness.

 

[Tasinga Nightwolf]

Aguria suddenly stopped tending to the dead when a creature flew up to him. A Maiki dragon, considered messengers of the great god himself these small dragons never grew larger than a house cat with wings of butterfly nature often in vibrant color they could only chirp and squeak, but the Hosidian's had learned to understand them. Aguria looked at the one which had flown up to him. It was a female being her tail fans were lager than the one on her head he could tell. Her eyes blue her small body black and her wings a deep purple. "What is it girl? What have you found Camille?" The dragon squeaked agian and flew fast towards the camp along with several others he noticed. He the knew the sign, danger.

Running quickly towards the camp he had his bow out just in case something came up. Getting to the first guard he said."Light the torches the Maiki saw danger and we must trust them." The guard nodded lighting a torch and soon many started to light through the camp as the warriors woke Augria knew they were not ready for another fight so soon. He said."Spread the order to have the men head into the cliffs back into the safety. Have the injured go first." Nodding their heads the men moved. It was both fast and slow in Augria's eyes for he knew they were moving as fast as they could, but it seemed to still be as if they would be jumped.

He then took the rear not wanting to have any men injured or hurt he would stand guard along with a few other archers. It was almost dark highest point of the sky glowing with stars but off in the distant where the sun set a faint sliver of blue remained. Then it was gone. The torches long put out he stayed alert listening for for the Maiki to chirp a warning again. He paused though hearing the shriek sound as if a crow caught in a trap. "Camille." He knew her distress call well and without thinking went to aid his friend. Finding her being beset by a dog of Natoria. Not waiting he swung his bow down the outside edges sharpened to be blades as he swiftly killed the dog. He picked up the injured dragon in his arms."Shh come one girl lets go."

 

[Traveler]

The way the panic spread was like a balm to Emiliano. He walked through the camp, blending in with those who had gone out to lay coins or flowers in the hands of the dead. He felt contempt towards them, even as he took one soldier unaware and slit his throat, dropping the stunned man silently to the ground. Though he knew that he wasn't invulnerable, he felt like he was taking advantage of the Hosidian innate sense of trust and love of peace. They wanted to see good things in life, so they did, even when it was evil and death looking right back at them. It almost felt unfair to do what he was doing.

As he worked, setting small fires that would flare up five minutes later and silently killing both soldier and cook, laundress and messenger, with the same lack of emotion that he would feel if he was slaughtering a chicken for the fire, he wondered at the way the strangely peaceable people seemed to worship their little fairy dragons. Did they really think that the creatures were holy? He almost wanted to taste one, to see if it's seared flesh was as delectable as that of a pheasant or a fattened goose.

Perhaps he should order his mage warriors to capture a few. Once he convinced his father's desired 'lady' to marry, they could serve up platters of those creatures to celebrate. The thought brought a sly smile to his lips. The thought of forcing them to devour what they thought was holy?

He paused, ducking into the shadows of a tent when he heard the sound of a war dog attacking one of the Maiki. Suddenly footsteps approached, running ones, and then a sharp smack sounded as the dog was slain. Prince Emiliano frowned, not liking the sound of one of his own being slaughtered. He stepped out in time to see a young an cradling an injured dragon in his arms. He called it by name and spoke to it intimately.

"Shh come one girl lets go." The man's voice was what stilled Emiliano's hand. He heard in it something unfamiliar; compassion.

"You're not going anywhere," said the prince as he stepped out from the shadows. He pushed back his hood, wanting to let this one see the face of the one who was going to kill him. "You killed one of my dogs." He spoke as if the animal had importance to him, though in truth it was merely that he was offended any would resist his forces. "Give me a good reason not to end your life as well."

This man might offer him a fair fight, he was aware of that, but the thought of a true challenge, of fighting someone who actually posed a threat, made him cocky. "Or do you want a chance to defend yourself? Put down that glorified butterfly and I'll give you a chance to earn another day of life."

 

[Tasinga Nightwolf]

Aguria looked at the man as he came out of the dark freezing and feeling his blood run cold at the sight of who it was. Camille hissed at the man, but he placed a hand over her mouth and said."Shhh you cannot fight little one." The dragon seemed upset by these words. Her wing had been torn and she clearly was grounded. Not wanting to see his friend hurt more Aguria took a few steps over to a tree."Up." The dragon used her claws to climb high into the branches. Aguria then turned to the man.

"Prince Emiliano heir to the Natoria thrown." His voice was calm not holding any disdain"It is not that I wanted to kill your dog it is the fact I had to. You would have done the same if it was a Maiki trying to kill a dog. Would you not? Honestly have you not cost me enough and caused my mother enough grief? Slaying father and then keeping this stupid un-needed war going on and on. It is fruitless." He then took his bow out and said to him."I will fight to defend myself, but I rather not shed blood tonight." Aguria's eyes seemed to glow silver for a moment.

This was the trait of the Hosidia royalty. All the royal families had some sort of skill or trait gifted to them by the old gods even the Natorian ones though no one knew what it truly was. Hosidia's royals were granted clear vision of the dragon able to see like a dragon giving distance and focus.

 

[Traveler]

His lips curved into a cruel smile. "Lord Aguria, heir to death and despair." He tilted his head the opposite direction as if inspecting a horse he was considering for purchase. "How kind of you to wander about, unescorted." His hand went to the hilt of his sword. It was a long, curved, cruel thing, that drank blood like a desert drank in the rain.

"Your mother needs to accept my father's marriage proposal and submit her lands to our rule. Otherwise we'll bleed out her people until she is the ruler of only the dead."

He moved forward, his strides fluid and confident, as if the battle was a well practiced dance. "So... do you prefer your death to be quick, sans the groveling and begging that your father indulged in, or do you want to feel every last breath like a fiery lance in your heart?" He smiled but his eyes were critical and measuring. He thought of things better than death for this prince; perhaps as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Hosidian ruling 'Lady'.

 

[Tasinga Nightwolf]

Aguria's eyes blazed at the mention of his parents."My mother is not a common gorse to buy or be bought. As for my father. He would never beg to such ugly beast as you."Hosidians though kind could have their cruel and dark side. Moving in step with the other to keep at least four feet between them he spun his bow the blades shining in the light. Camile started making loud hissing sounds and growls from her spot in the tree.

Aguria then moved forward quickly using his bow to force the other man's blade downward."Now like I said before. Get off my lands and never... Never hurt my mother again. Or I will make you wish you were dead." He then moved fast as an ax almost hit him. A woman clearly also a royal. She was Princess Azura and a deadly force to fight against. Often considered the female counter part to her older brother.

Azura then spun glaring at her older bother." Emiliano are you an idiot?! How is father to claim their queen if you go and murder their prince honestly you are as thick as a log." Azura was known for being somewhat different being she often refereed to herself in third person terms and acted motherly towards her brother.

 

[Traveler]

"I'm not going to murder him," Prince Emiliano answered, his sword tip still down as he moved to counter Aguria. "I'm playing with him." He smirked, though his eyes never left the other young man, and he shook his head. "Don't you know that it's bad form to throw your weapon, sister?" Swiftly he moved forward, testing the other man's skills as he parried and struck, all with the intent of measuring the skills that Aguria had and not injuring him too greatly. If he nicked the young lord it was only a minor cut; nothing intended to injure or disable him.

"But you're right... I am as thick as a log. I never knew that you noticed." His words were innuendo, barely disguised to make her uncomfortable. His reputation as a man of hedonistic tastes was well-earned. "Besides, yourself might like to play with this pretty boy as well. He's your type; slim and pretty, easy on the eye and soft in the brain." Emiliano laughed at this last jest, more a loving insult towards his sister than a jibe at their mutual combatant.

 

[Tasinga Nightwolf]

Azura instead of getting flustered got angry, which was never a good plan. Fist tightening around the metal of her ax handle she then took a few steps forward and swung it right between the two men nearly removing Emiliano's hand and got both weapons from them. She then inspected the bow and stated."Well made." Looking at her brother's sword she glared at him and said with a feline like purr in her voice."Ever insult Azura again brother and she will kill you. Understood?" Walking off she then whistled and a Wyvern appeared having a solid black hide and red eyes."Casordi bring Azura home now." She tossed her brother's blade to the side along with Aguria's bow.

Then taking flight on the creatures back she left. Aguria was taken aback by the events, but also knew not to re-act. Spinning he then jumped when a woman on a strange horse like beast appeared. The woman was the queen herself having wanted to come see her son only to find confusion. Glaring at the other prince she then looked at Aguria."Are you alright my child?" Aguria nodded his head then instantly asked."Why are you out here I told you to stay home." The queen answered"to see my son, but instead I find that the peace agreement I had with Natoria is being broken. I want to know why."

 

[Traveler]

Emiliano scowled at his sister. "Bitch." He shook his head, the distance between them more vast than it had been in all their years. Since she had reached the age of maturity she had begun to strut around, as if she were the heir or had claim to the powers that came with the throne. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Azura mounted her wyvern and seemed to give her hips an extra shake, as if demonstrating to the enemy lordling what wares she had to negotiate with, had she any care for diplomacy.

He extended his hand towards his sword, calling it's name softly. The weapon spun through the air and returned to him. Of the enchantments on his blade, the ability to recall it was perhaps his favorite.

It must have been his birthday... there appeared before him the queen herself. Prince Emiliano smiled, a wicked, satisfied smirk that had no mirth mixed in to accompany the pleasure he was experiencing. He laughed outright at the pleasant conversation the two were having, and as they talked his left hand flung out a golden enchanted rope. It grew as it flew, spinning around the queen and fastening her hands and feet fast, then circling her head several times to keep her from calling out any spells or words of power.

"Thank you," Emiliano sneered. "You've made my job easier, foolish woman." His confident steps brought him to the side of the woman who his father was eager to bed. "I hope you are worth the blood it cost to make you my father's newest whore." He reached down with a powerful hand, his other holding his blade defensively, and yanked her off the ground. "Say good-bye to your son. This will be the last time you set eyes upon the brat."

 

[Tasinga Nightwolf]

The beast snarled at Emiliano, but jumped back when the rope aroubnd the queen vanished. The queen glared at Emiliano and then said."I am not so stupid to not have spells on my to protect me and not be uttered or the need to be awake. I am on my home land and as I stand on these sands nothing you do may harm me or my child. Brat who is spoiled. At least your sister was respectful." However the screams of several Maiki were heard as Azura returned one Maiki being eaten by her mount. She glared at everyone, but then looked at Emiliano."Father wants you home. Now!" She then spun tossing her ax as it struck a Historia rider trying to come from the back.

Her Ax returning she pointed it at the queen."He also wants a word with either you or your eldest son. Azura swears not to let her brother do anything to whoever comes even if she must remove her brother's manhood from him." Before the queen could say yes. Aguria stepped forward and said."Alright I will go. Mother go home before more needless violence takes place." The Queen not wanting to argue nodded her head then looking at Azura."I want him back the same he left." Azura nodded."Azura swears it." Aguria caewfully got on the back of Azura's mount and she took off but it spun at Emiliona when she felt he was not moving fast enough.