Tiger/Dragon!
Tiger/Dragon is once again in production. Below is a very very very rough rough draft of Chapter 2, which helps to introduce many of the political aspects quickly into the story... Senate meetings in most stories are dry and boring, and there will most likely be several "formal" situations in Tiger Dragon, but hopefully I can keep the pacing exciting throughout. Don't worry, the entire story will not all be war and meetings! There will be a great mix of several different stories taking place all at once, all while surrounding the main characters, and the Demon. Enough talk, read and enjoy, but keep in mind this a rough draft, and it is rough around the edges. Enjoy.
"The more intelligent the person, the farther they seem to stay away from politics." - Nalia'Serra - "Impartial Diary"
Chapter 2 -
"Unfathomable, what you mean to tell me Senator is that somehow, one of those demon managed to traverse past the Great Wall into Solace, ransack a town, and simply disappears? Perhaps they were only bandits, some kids looting for fun!"
"Taurus, you make a mockery of these people whom have suffered. It is dangerous for one in your position to think so close-mindedly. Perhaps this was the work of bandits, but I seriously doubt that even bandits have such disturbingly gruesome tastes on how to mutilate a body."
"Perhaps we should go ask the dead what they think about the whole situation?" shouted someone from the crowd. It was met with laughter, but was soon hushed.
"Perhaps we should!" exclaimed Senator Griselgrey, "but unfortunately the dead have trouble talking Senator Taurus, providing you with the cold hard evidence you need to understand that Solace, was indeed attacked by the Demons horde! Until a witness of some sort arrives I admit our suggestions lack 100% confirmation, but it is obvious that simple men could not have performed these actions!"
"Now now," Taurus replied to all around him, "the Wall-Keepers are very good at what they do, all traces of the Demon are kept out. It's been quite some time since the last attempt to charge the wall, but their makeshift leaders make some of the worst battlefield decisions ever seen, ever! So now, a small band of Demon has slipped passed the wall, smart enough to maneuver past all the watching eyes. They travel unchecked, stroll into town, and then kill everything. Afterwards they bow, and stroll back over the wall, and go back home. Demons? Bah, not in the slightest bit! Humans! Humans that slipped away into the woods, and went back to their villages, blending in with all the other humans. They are looking to get rich quick, cause they are sick, sick people!"
Agreement ran throughout the crowd.
"There are no demons in these lands, only delinquents, and they will be dealt with!" He finished crossly.
"Senator Taurus", jumped in Quintus, "You probably are correct in your assumption, but the truth is these people were slaughtered and we cannot simply rule out demon activity. As soon as the Sari return, we'll have a better understanding. Perha...."
"All rise! Bow your heads in the honor of the Queen and the Lord, welcome our champions, and welcome our guests!" shouted the Lord's head sentinel.
All along the balconies, the patrons instantaneously showed their gratitude while the giant double doors began to open.
Grand Patriarch Theodore Ford and his queen, Eileen Josephine strolled through the massive opening, followed by Grand Champion Jakus-Ko and his highest level students in training. Behind them followed scribes, and personal guardsmen.
The Patriarch and his Queen took their seats. The crowd followed. No one said a word, not a sound was made, and not a shoe scuffled. Silence. Although this process had taken place so many times, it was still held as prominently as possible. Even though this meeting was called so soon, everything had already been well prepared. For emergency meetings such as this, all travel to the near center of Solace, to CityDale. Heavy walls fortified the outskirts, prepared to eliminate any whom tried to force an assault on the city laden with the most important combination of figureheads in the Sol-Planes. In fact, CityDale was more heavily fortified than the Capitol of Solace, Solaria. Simply because no other city was the meeting place for all the world.
The center of CityDale held the most defining structure in all of Solace. The Apex Tower, it stood higher than the Siberyian Great Wall, it stood so tall, a traveler could see it from clearly five miles back. Inside the Apex, on the second level, lay the Senate Floor, there was enough room for the 100 elected members to sit.
90 Lesser Senators sat behind the 10 Major Senators. In front and slightly lower was a very long panel in the shape of a U, for ambassadors and other guests to sit. In between the floor and the next, a balcony jutted out, and thinned on the sides, surrounding the inside of the ring made above. This higher façade sat none other than the Patriarch and the Queen, the supreme leaders of Solstice. Each chair surrounding was left for important guests and their followers. Rulers in the front, their entourages fanning out behind them. In this room, no one sat at a disadvantage, although the higher the rank of the speaker, the better their vantage point. From the floor, the Apex Tower looked large enough for no more than the people currently sitting. But by glancing upwards above the Champions Row, the Apex Tower dons its name. Rows and rows and rows and rows of stadium seating fill the eyes. Above another layer, stretching higher and higher. This tower, is the Apex, Tower.
"Welcome Senators," Patriarch Theodore greeting his guests, “before we begin, I'd like to present to you a very special guest, who's come to us from the Great Wall, Lord Randall of Siberiya."
A hushed murmur swept up through people, and at the site of the giant man, cheer burst forth. There was no nation nobler than Siberiya, and few men more revered than Lord Randall. His own men followed, all rather large, powerful looking warriors. Each wore highly decorative armor, Siberiyans were the only people in Solstice allowed to wear all red, simply out of honor and respect. They wore helmets with high golden crests from the front to the backs.
"As you may already know Senators,” continued Lord Ford, “this day is not one for pleasure. Great people of Solace, our lands have been attacked, and your brethren have suffered. I present to you, in honor before this high court, Lord Randall"
The seven and a half foot man stood up at the second mention of his name, and took a slow look all around.
"People of the Sol-Planes, a town that was once laden with 300 people, lay in ashes. The people, all were killed, not a witness of the slaughter lived. Demons, are to blame. How they got there and how they left is still a mystery, but we will have our revenge." Randall was a man of few words, him having said this much was a treat for all the spectators. He then spun, motioned to Jakus, and the two marched out.
Queen Eileen stood up as the double doors closed again. The peoples chatter quickly ran silent again.
"One hundred warriors from each village and five hundred warriors from each city are to form up, and proceed into Syberiya. From there they will be separated into scout teams, assault, and defense teams. As proud as the Syberiyans are, they will never admit that they may need the rest of the worlds help. The Demons have become active as of late. We have become aware of this, and as dumb as those brutes on the wall may seem, they are smart, and they have reported strange antics. No human has been into Demon lands in the past five years, we cannot assume things have remained the same since then. We must find out, so we will be sending teams as well, past the Great Barrier, and across the Frosted Sea."
"My Lady, I can see sending patrols to the outskirts of our lands, but to spy on the Demon? If...they find our men in their lands, a war could be sparked." cried Griselgrey, "there is too much we hold dear for war with the Dark ones!"
"You foolish old man," laughed Taurus, "I supposed we just wait until every city is burnt down before we take a look at what's happening. Sooner or later war will break out, we can hit them hard if when they aren’t looking!"
"Suppose we do, scout out their lands", Quintus reacted, "We could slip in and out, and the information would be extremely valuable. If we knew what the enemy was up to, we could better prepare for what could be a next step in their plans to make war. As much as I hate to send out young boys out on these missions, it is a necessary evil that must be done."
Griselgreys old eyes sighed, "There used to be a time," he said, "when we lived in peace, without fear from any Demon, in fact, no one really knew what one looked like. Syberians knew how to enjoy themselves."
Laughter escaped from the tense observers, usually when Senator Greiselgrey spoke, all ears opened, and all minds listened. He was a man well into his age, and had been a Senator for well over half. The man has lived through love, loss, war, and tragedy. His word is respectable, his knowledge vast. Grisel grew up and still resides in Ashdale, where he now spends most of his time mentoring the children. He has two favorite students. Only one person treated his seniority without care, Taurus.
"Old man, the days of flowers, butterflies, and beautiful skies are trembling."
"The more intelligent the person, the farther they seem to stay away from politics." - Nalia'Serra - "Impartial Diary"
Chapter 2 -
"Unfathomable, what you mean to tell me Senator is that somehow, one of those demon managed to traverse past the Great Wall into Solace, ransack a town, and simply disappears? Perhaps they were only bandits, some kids looting for fun!"
"Taurus, you make a mockery of these people whom have suffered. It is dangerous for one in your position to think so close-mindedly. Perhaps this was the work of bandits, but I seriously doubt that even bandits have such disturbingly gruesome tastes on how to mutilate a body."
"Perhaps we should go ask the dead what they think about the whole situation?" shouted someone from the crowd. It was met with laughter, but was soon hushed.
"Perhaps we should!" exclaimed Senator Griselgrey, "but unfortunately the dead have trouble talking Senator Taurus, providing you with the cold hard evidence you need to understand that Solace, was indeed attacked by the Demons horde! Until a witness of some sort arrives I admit our suggestions lack 100% confirmation, but it is obvious that simple men could not have performed these actions!"
"Now now," Taurus replied to all around him, "the Wall-Keepers are very good at what they do, all traces of the Demon are kept out. It's been quite some time since the last attempt to charge the wall, but their makeshift leaders make some of the worst battlefield decisions ever seen, ever! So now, a small band of Demon has slipped passed the wall, smart enough to maneuver past all the watching eyes. They travel unchecked, stroll into town, and then kill everything. Afterwards they bow, and stroll back over the wall, and go back home. Demons? Bah, not in the slightest bit! Humans! Humans that slipped away into the woods, and went back to their villages, blending in with all the other humans. They are looking to get rich quick, cause they are sick, sick people!"
Agreement ran throughout the crowd.
"There are no demons in these lands, only delinquents, and they will be dealt with!" He finished crossly.
"Senator Taurus", jumped in Quintus, "You probably are correct in your assumption, but the truth is these people were slaughtered and we cannot simply rule out demon activity. As soon as the Sari return, we'll have a better understanding. Perha...."
"All rise! Bow your heads in the honor of the Queen and the Lord, welcome our champions, and welcome our guests!" shouted the Lord's head sentinel.
All along the balconies, the patrons instantaneously showed their gratitude while the giant double doors began to open.
Grand Patriarch Theodore Ford and his queen, Eileen Josephine strolled through the massive opening, followed by Grand Champion Jakus-Ko and his highest level students in training. Behind them followed scribes, and personal guardsmen.
The Patriarch and his Queen took their seats. The crowd followed. No one said a word, not a sound was made, and not a shoe scuffled. Silence. Although this process had taken place so many times, it was still held as prominently as possible. Even though this meeting was called so soon, everything had already been well prepared. For emergency meetings such as this, all travel to the near center of Solace, to CityDale. Heavy walls fortified the outskirts, prepared to eliminate any whom tried to force an assault on the city laden with the most important combination of figureheads in the Sol-Planes. In fact, CityDale was more heavily fortified than the Capitol of Solace, Solaria. Simply because no other city was the meeting place for all the world.
The center of CityDale held the most defining structure in all of Solace. The Apex Tower, it stood higher than the Siberyian Great Wall, it stood so tall, a traveler could see it from clearly five miles back. Inside the Apex, on the second level, lay the Senate Floor, there was enough room for the 100 elected members to sit.
90 Lesser Senators sat behind the 10 Major Senators. In front and slightly lower was a very long panel in the shape of a U, for ambassadors and other guests to sit. In between the floor and the next, a balcony jutted out, and thinned on the sides, surrounding the inside of the ring made above. This higher façade sat none other than the Patriarch and the Queen, the supreme leaders of Solstice. Each chair surrounding was left for important guests and their followers. Rulers in the front, their entourages fanning out behind them. In this room, no one sat at a disadvantage, although the higher the rank of the speaker, the better their vantage point. From the floor, the Apex Tower looked large enough for no more than the people currently sitting. But by glancing upwards above the Champions Row, the Apex Tower dons its name. Rows and rows and rows and rows of stadium seating fill the eyes. Above another layer, stretching higher and higher. This tower, is the Apex, Tower.
"Welcome Senators," Patriarch Theodore greeting his guests, “before we begin, I'd like to present to you a very special guest, who's come to us from the Great Wall, Lord Randall of Siberiya."
A hushed murmur swept up through people, and at the site of the giant man, cheer burst forth. There was no nation nobler than Siberiya, and few men more revered than Lord Randall. His own men followed, all rather large, powerful looking warriors. Each wore highly decorative armor, Siberiyans were the only people in Solstice allowed to wear all red, simply out of honor and respect. They wore helmets with high golden crests from the front to the backs.
"As you may already know Senators,” continued Lord Ford, “this day is not one for pleasure. Great people of Solace, our lands have been attacked, and your brethren have suffered. I present to you, in honor before this high court, Lord Randall"
The seven and a half foot man stood up at the second mention of his name, and took a slow look all around.
"People of the Sol-Planes, a town that was once laden with 300 people, lay in ashes. The people, all were killed, not a witness of the slaughter lived. Demons, are to blame. How they got there and how they left is still a mystery, but we will have our revenge." Randall was a man of few words, him having said this much was a treat for all the spectators. He then spun, motioned to Jakus, and the two marched out.
Queen Eileen stood up as the double doors closed again. The peoples chatter quickly ran silent again.
"One hundred warriors from each village and five hundred warriors from each city are to form up, and proceed into Syberiya. From there they will be separated into scout teams, assault, and defense teams. As proud as the Syberiyans are, they will never admit that they may need the rest of the worlds help. The Demons have become active as of late. We have become aware of this, and as dumb as those brutes on the wall may seem, they are smart, and they have reported strange antics. No human has been into Demon lands in the past five years, we cannot assume things have remained the same since then. We must find out, so we will be sending teams as well, past the Great Barrier, and across the Frosted Sea."
"My Lady, I can see sending patrols to the outskirts of our lands, but to spy on the Demon? If...they find our men in their lands, a war could be sparked." cried Griselgrey, "there is too much we hold dear for war with the Dark ones!"
"You foolish old man," laughed Taurus, "I supposed we just wait until every city is burnt down before we take a look at what's happening. Sooner or later war will break out, we can hit them hard if when they aren’t looking!"
"Suppose we do, scout out their lands", Quintus reacted, "We could slip in and out, and the information would be extremely valuable. If we knew what the enemy was up to, we could better prepare for what could be a next step in their plans to make war. As much as I hate to send out young boys out on these missions, it is a necessary evil that must be done."
Griselgreys old eyes sighed, "There used to be a time," he said, "when we lived in peace, without fear from any Demon, in fact, no one really knew what one looked like. Syberians knew how to enjoy themselves."
Laughter escaped from the tense observers, usually when Senator Greiselgrey spoke, all ears opened, and all minds listened. He was a man well into his age, and had been a Senator for well over half. The man has lived through love, loss, war, and tragedy. His word is respectable, his knowledge vast. Grisel grew up and still resides in Ashdale, where he now spends most of his time mentoring the children. He has two favorite students. Only one person treated his seniority without care, Taurus.
"Old man, the days of flowers, butterflies, and beautiful skies are trembling."
posted by Kev at 10:12 PM
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