The Ruins of Alexandria

Aubresiah was better than that, better than striking her down Like this. Ranna heard the blade go back into its place upon her belt. "Mandelyn is left. Luka and Audrey are left. Names. I want names. I want statistics. I also want weaknesses and powers. Of you as well and your friend. I will have full access to your and his kind, so I can see. One thing doesn't match up and I will find you. " Aubresiahs voice was dark. Danger filled. "I trust you already know about me" she said to Ranna glaring a death glare at Janier. Her trust was broken. She felt angry with him. "I don't play games. I dont Like finding shit out later. Those people down there are my job to keep safe. Start talking. " she waited, listening to Ranna. she wanted to hear Why they.were here. Why they changed their minds. Why the shadow program existed what its purpose was.

She stood and folded her arms into her robes. "The 7 of us in ranking order from lowest to highest. It goes myself, Ranna Tevinterium, the Sleeper. My voice when I concentrate it can put people into a deep slumber. You are effective at fighting the effects, but if I were to concentrate on it, even you would succumb." She drew her sword and held it flat out towards her. "This blade is called Oathkeeper, the sharpest blade in existence, it can also bring people back from the brink of death." She sheathed the blade and took a seat. "Mosrael Brecili, also known as the Waker, his voice can counteract mine and bring people who are even in a coma awake. He carries a longsword named Spellweaver, and a dagger called Rose's Thorn. Spellweaver can resist any and all magic, and Rose's Thorn increases his power, becoming more deadly the longer he is in a fight. From here on out I can only give you names and the effects of their voices. Kibeth is known as The Walker, which can enchant anyone into doing her bidding. She carries a longbow, but the effects of the longbow are unknown. Dyrim is The Speaker, granting or revoking speech and carries two maces infused with elemental energies. Belgear is the Thinker, bringing memories to full clarity, or erasing memories as he wills, giving or taking free will to the dead. His axe is massive, and despite his size, he moves faster than anyone would believe of a man his size and stature. Yrael is second in command, his voice holds no properties, but he is a sly one with a plethora of magic at his command. We think he has his own Agenda apart from Orannis, but we have no proof, nor are we brave enough to approach him to help us. Orannis is the real mystery, he is always hidden in the shadows, even when we meet together in person, he is cloaked. That is all we know about him, he keeps himself very well guarded." She took a breath, her eyes never leaving Aubresiah's as she explained all she knew. "We do not know about the Shadows Project, only that Orannis took direct command after the fall of the council. We came here of our own free will, but in order to do that we had to plant the idea in Orannis' mind. Yrael we think knows of our defection, as to why we defected, you already know, we are helping Sivad." She said all of this honestly and openly. "My weakness is my own voice, it effects even me, and if not in check, I will fall into a deep sleep, that is why Mosrael accompanies me everywhere. Mosrael's weakness is he never sleeps due to the effects of his voice. The shadow beings under Orannis' command is infinite, as well as the greater spirits. That is all I can tell you without risking my own life, and Mosrael's. If you wish our help, you will have it, if not, then we will continue our original plan of helping Luka directly as his father wished." She pulled a necklace off from her neck and held it out. "I have already had Janier inspect this and he can verify it's authenticity. Sivad left us this in hopes it would help you see we mean no harm." The pendent was a sapphire, shaped into a pointed cat's eye, the one he had kept tied to his glaive.

Janier kept his back turned. At her words that she was responsible for the people's safety, he turned. "You are welcome here Aubresiah, but it is not your duty to protect the people of Sati, that falls to me and Linares." He stared her down. "Your protection, while welcome is better focused on Mandelyn and Audrey. Linares has already heard Ranna's story and agrees with me. She may not be able to tell us everything, but at least we know who we are fighting now." He yawned, fighting the effects of Ranna's voice. "We can protect our own people just fine, we may be simply human, but we have survived thus far by the advice of Sivad. If he trusted her enough to request her help, then that is proof enough to me. It would be an insult to Sivad's judgement to outright reject her, and I don't plan to, nor have we betrayed you so you can wipe that death stare off of your face." His face turned hard. "I want Luka back too, and from what I have heard, we will need his help for the coming events. If you truly still love him, then open your mind." He turned again and looked out towards Alexandria, his thoughts moving fluidly, plans being laid out for the defense of Sati.

Aubresiah just shook her head at Janier. Nodding to Ranna about the stone she was quiet. The shadows in Kyuus place of dwelling were not harmful. Mandelyn was safe as was Audrey. If need be they had Tox. Kyuu, her consort, her children, and anyone else under Kyuus command. "Mandelyn is fine. I have my instructions strait from her as to what I need to do and Who I need to protect. " she left it at that "ill help Ranna. I'll help Luka. I'll help you and linares. " she kept her arms folded. Desix looked up at her and she nodded to him. "If. By chance Mandelyn does come here as well as Audrey. Then i do not want your people" she looked to Ranna "finding out. Audrey will if she comes, likely be staying behind. She wants children, as her leader I can not take that gift from her and put her in the field. "

"You have my word under whatever binding oath you wish me to take, that it will not be I who leaks your friends involvement to the other 5, and I will ensure Mosrael will do the same. We will leak false information, but Orannis will not be fooled for long, and Yrael even less than that." She stood and bowed. "I will now go report to Mosrael and tell him to make preparations."

Aubresiah just nodded to her watching her leave. She did not say another word to Janier as she walked to the door. Desix followed her to the door. Mandelyn would arrive Soon. Aubresiah did not feel welcome. Walking out of the room she went to hers cleaning It, then packing it up

Luka limped into the city. His wounds had healed to an extent, but he had decided to move too quickly, and the healing was not going as smoothly as he had hoped. With the light barrier still erected around Alexandria, he had no qualms about leaving it, the shadows would not want to reconvene there. Even after the barrier was dropped, the smell of death of their kind would drive the others away. He leaned against a building and caught his breath, catching a glimpse of the white haired woman who had helped him. He didn't attempt to follow her, he was too weak to do so. He settled on reaching the castle and took it slowly, one dogged step after another.

Aubresiah continued to pack she was going to visit Alex. As crazy as Alex was, she was still her friend. She had lived aline her whole life. No family. No friends aside Aubs. She took her things and set off for the forest Alex called her home. Upon arrival she found Alex cut up, bruised, battered. Putting her to bed she healed her. Then cleaning up the tree house just the way alex liked it she made the food she brought with her. Animal skins covered the wals and furniture. Trophies to Alex. Alex had the bones on her desk making weapons from them. She never wasted one piece of an animal. Animal bladders were being cleaned to be used as water jugs.

While looking out the window, Linares saw Luka limping into the city. He wasn't bleeding, but he didn't look like he was in good condition. She went down and met him at the gates to the castle. "Luka!" She exclaimed, putting his arm over her shoulders, she helped him up to her room and laid him out on the bed. Going over his body, all his wounds were healed. She brought him a waterskin and poured it down his throat. He coughed up a bit but was able to swallow most of it. He was dehydrated to an extreme condition and needed rest. She left the waterskin next to his head on the bed and sat down on a chair. "What happened? You are in horrible condition." She activated the beacon, not expecting Aubresiah to come, but if Mandelyn showed up and saw her son like this, it wouldn't be good for her.

Aubresiah got zapped by the beacon. "Shit.." she commanded Desix to stay with Alex. After being cleaned up and cared for Alex looked Like a normal girl. Kissing Alex's forhead she put the Hot food on a stone to keep it warm. Opening her wings, one still splinted, she flew to linares side, gasping in air at the pain in her wing. She left her belongings at Alex's, aside her backpack, and weapons belt. Kneeling beside Luka, she grabbed a bag of clear liquid Kyuu sent her with. Saline. Starting an I.V. as Kyuu taught her long ago she hung the bag higher than the I.V. sitting beside him she kept checking his vitals. "What Happened?" She asked Linares, last she saw he was healing. Taking the beacons she deactivated then then reactivated them.

"He hasn't been coherent. He mentioned something about Mandelyn, Lily and Sivad as if he was dreaming. He'll be ok, especially now that you brought a decent hydration system for him. I thought it might be best if you saw to his recovery." She pulled a chair up for her to sit next to Luka. "And I knew you would want to." She folded her hands in her lap and watched.

"Thanks Linares. I reset your beacon. " she sat beside him holding his hand, rubbing his hand gently with her thumb. She tried getting into his mind, gently to see what he was thinking.

She nodded and placed a hand on Aubresiah's shoulder. "I'll leave you two alone." She whispered and walked out into the hallway, leaning her back against the door.

He tossed and turned in his dreamless sleep. Seeing the faces of his family, the moving around causing his body to be wracked with pain. He gripped her hand as the Saline drip continued its slow feed into his body.

Aubs bodded at Linares kissing her hand when she put it on her shoulder. Wheb she left Aubs held him still so he wouldnt hurt himself. She kissed his forhead sending calming energy into his body. "I'm here." She whispered into his ear.
Mandelyn had felt the beacon packing everything she would Or could need , she left immediately after she was packed. Alexandria was in runs and that hurt her deeply. The place she raised her children, loved her husband. Gone. She was cloaked so no one could see it was her. Summoning a horse she patted it, loading her supplies on it she gave it sugar cubes. Saddling it she rode to Sati. Walking up to the castle with her horse she awuired, knocking upon the castle doors she waited. Aubs could feel her

He stopped tossing at her kiss and his eyes fluttered. "Aubs?" His voice was quiet and croaked through cracked lips. "I never said it...I am sorry." Tears began to form in his eyes as he squeezed her hand voluntarily. "I'm so sorry."

Aubs nuzzled him gently grabbing him water to drink "shh.. rest you need it" she kissed him softly holding the glass up to his lips. "How are you feeling...?" She whispered to him

He clumsily sipped the water and coughed. "I'm ok now." He rasped, holding your hand, he pulls it up to his lips and kisses it. "I'm sorry to worry you like this, I know you have more important things to worry about than me." He took another drink and reached up, touching her cheek lightly. "Once this is over, I want us to be together."

"Not really. I have work and you. Which right now, work is you." She said kissing him softly on his lips "just rest. You need it. Don't go meddling with shadows either. Not alone." Aubs said nuzzling him gently again. "What happened to you?" She asked in a worried tone. She wanted him back to normal, not un pain Or weak.
Mandelyn knocked again waiting patiently.

"I cleared out Alexandria. There are no more creatures in the town or castle." He coughed and took another sip. "As soon as I recover, I want to go to the Crystal Lake and do the same there. Force out the shadows, create a barrier so they can't escape and demolish them." He squeezed her hand again. "I'd rather not have you there, I couldn't stand to see you hurt again, but I know that you won't let me go alone. There is no one else I would rather have by my side than you."

Linares stepped up to the castle entrance and opened the door. "Mandelyn!" She envoleped her in a hug. "It has been awhile since we have seen each other." She released her and looked her up and down. She looked good since she had last seen her, consdering she had seen her drained of life last time.

Aubresiah smiled at him. "The lake is mostly taken care of. Just a few stubborn ones hanging on. " she held his hands in hers. "Relax. Think of these things when you're better. " the splint was slowly leaving her wing on its own. She laid her good wing over him protectively. It was warm and soft..
Mandelyn smiled hugging her "how are you dear Linares?" She wrapped her soft white wings around her lovingly. "Still breaking hearts?" She kissed her forhead.

He wrapped his arm around her gently, pulling her close to him and breathing in the scent, triggering memories long past. He sighed and kissed her cheek. "Together then, when we are both fully healed we will clear out every shadow creature in our path."

"Not since both of us were younger and single." She laughed and took her hand in hers. "As great as it is to see you again, we have a slight issue I might need to fill you in on." Her eyes became serious and looked into Mandelyn's carefully, knowing she would understand why she had been kept in the dark sofar.

Aubresiah nodded "I wouldn't have it any other way" she laid in bed with him, holding onto him gently. Her wing was over him protectively yet. Kissing his forhead she smiled softly at him running her fingers down his arms.
Mandelyn looked at her "of course. Let's go talk then" she held her hand still in her own. Mandelyn still looked as if she were twenty five at the most. Still young, still healthy. Much better than being drained