Riot in trihali [OPEN TO ALL]

[The Storyteller]

VINCENZO DI GRATE, SENATOR

He hated talking to this people. There was no way that someone like him, Lord Vincenzo di Grate, would ever mingle with such commoners, but he had to do what needed to be done. If there was one thing that he liked about this whole situation, then that had to be the fact that the new laws the senate had voted were strict enough to give him a lot of money.

He loved money as much as he loved the show of power he was giving to those that had gathered to find out the Senate's new laws.

"As I said, you are all to give to the senate half your monthly wages in order to redecorate the senate's offices. This law will be taken into effect by tommorow. Every man or woman that refuses to pay will be considered a traitor, and they will be held accountable for their crimes in front of all the senators in the court of law."

The earth started to shake under his feet, a couple of building falling down, claiming quite a few citizents. "ORDER. WE SHALL HAVE ORDER."

He was afraid, for the first time in his life.

"THIS IS BULLSHIT!"

"IT'S OUR MONEY YOU ARE STEALING!"

"The Senate needs your money!" he yelled above the rest of the voices.

Another earthquake.

"THE LIGHT GOD IS WITH US!"

"KILL HIM! KILL THEM ALL!"

His eyes widened as a few of his men stumbled forward to protect him. "Kill them all!" he yelled, but little did he know that his words provoked the crowd even more. His men were lost in the riot, as those commoners he hated started to arm themselves.

People started to run out of their houses, carrying torches and weapons. He didn't know where to look. "Light God, help me!"

"No one will help you now. It is our time!"

All he saw was a sword making its way to his chest. And he knew nothing more.

The riot had started.

[Luna]

Luna stared at the city before her, a flicker of fear in her face. Leon’s hand touched hers and she looked down at him to see his reassuring smile up as he looked at her face. She smiled back and rested her cheek on his head. She had never been asked to be a guardian before, and when Eddard had asked her to take Leon, at first she had been furious. He barely knew her and yet he was handing the life of his son to her, she couldn’t fathom why someone would do such a thing.

Yet in the day she recovered before riding to meet Arethar and Anira, she had come to understand that Eddard felt he could not protect Leon from whatever danger was coming their way, and despite Luna telling him she was going to be in the middle of a war he still felt Leon was safer with her. She could not refuse then. Leon had a good heart and was incredibly smart for a boy his age. In the small amount of time they had spent together, Leon had already come to know when something bothered Luna.

“It’ll be dark soon.” he told her “We should be inside the city walls before darkness falls. It’ll be safer.” Luna sighed and dismounted, her instinct told her darkness had already fallen in the city, and that it was safer out here. But she had a job to do, and family to reunite. She had told Leon little of her duty, not because she didn’t trust him, but because he already seemed to carry the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

“Darkness is in there. Not out here.” she replied, and no sooner had the words left her mouth than the world began to tremble beneath their feet. The horse reared in panic and Luna caught its reins and whispered soothing words to it to stop it from bolting as the tremors made her whole body vibrate. She waited until they had stopped and exchanged a dark look with Leon. “Earthquake.” she told him before removing her knife belt and passing it to him, who strapped it to his own waist.

She proceeded to strip down, carefully concealing her clothes with Lightbringer and the bracelet that Anira had given her. “Remember the plan.” Leon nodded and smiled. “Good.” she shifted glad to be her true form again. She looked to the wound on her leg which seemed to be holding in her wolf form and was concealed by her fur. A quick look at Leon told him she was ready and he drove the horse towards the gate, Luna trailing behind like a hunting dog. Dust clouds rising in parts of the city told her some building had collapsed.

When they reached the gates however, chaos had erupted as peasants were attacking the guards crying their fury at them. Luna barked at Leon who pulled the horse up short and looked down at her, the worry shining his eyes. Luna wagged her tail, an attempt to tell him it would be fine before taking the Leon and running for the crowd. Leon followed suit, the horse making people dive out of their way. An occasional snap at snarl at people made them move too and they were deep in the city quick enough.

Luna stopped to sniff the air and survey the situation. She could smell smoke, anger and above all she could smell fear. They could not have chosen a better time to slip into the city unnoticed. Leon grabbed someone arms and asked them what was happening. The man’s eyes rolled with terror “People have gone mad, attacking the senate they are. Bloody fools I say. Dead they will be.” he pulled away from Leon and ran off. Luna shifted again and dug out her dress and boots dressing quickly as Leon translated the mad mans words.

She lifted up some blankets and uncovered an axe she had acquired and slid it through her belt before mounting behind Leon once more. “You know the way to the Senate building?” Leon twisted his neck and looked at her horrified. “That will put us in the middle of the riot!” he exclaimed.

“That is where I will find who I am looking for.” she took Leon’s panicked face in her hands. “You will be safe. I promise. Ride.” Leon nodded took the reins and drove the horse hard through the streets, running down the occasion fool who ended up in their path. When they reached the building he stopped the horse and for a moment the two of them stared in horror as they watched the people of Trihali throwing themselves against the line of guards that had encircled the building in an attempt to protect the Senators.

Instinct told her she would find Astian here, but whether inside or out was another matter. For the moment she just waited with Leon, watching the chaos, looking for a sign Astian was there.

[Astian of Dheynor]

The announcement hung over his household like a shadow for days. The new laws the senate had been pushing forward had finally been voted through and his father had been all but destroyed. His mother was the strong one. She attempted to keep routine and polite and pleasant in conversations, especially considering that the younger ones had no idea what was going on. Astian knew that the laws were not right. They didn’t need any more money. It was greed that drove the senate, nothing more. The days of caring for the people were in the past it seemed, once again corruption had destroyed the hearts and minds of men.

"It seems the world is hopeless doesn't it? Little is given and everything is taken." Fevyn's words were filled with sadness as well. The dragon had a good heart. "I've lived this life because it was the only way I thought I could survive. I hate being a part of this. I hate that they are all a part of this." Fevyn used to be able to fit in their house, but no longer. He was glad that the land the Waine's owned was large enough for a dragon to sit and sleep.

Astian was outside. The sun had set several hours past and the cool night air was a welcome change. “Seb.” Called Benjamin with firm but quiet voice. “Father wants to see us.” Astian nodded and stood, he face cold as the pair made their way to their father’s study. Cedric did not have the same look his boys did, his sorrow spoke above all things. “Tomorrow will be a tough day.” He said simply. “The fact of the matter is that there is nothing I can do about it. We cannot stand against the Senate, however. With these laws many good people will be driven into the mud. However, nothing will be gained if either of you speak out. Words of opposition, no matter the basis for them, mean death and not just for you both. There is nothing to be gained by promoting the idea to others.”

Astian listened. No words left his lips, however he knew Benjamin would not do the same. “NEITHER CAN WE LET THEM STARVE!” He shouted towards Cedric. “Calm brother, listen.” Astian replied, putting a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Neither of you will voice outrage. Neither of you will openly oppose the Senate. Do you understand me? We can do more for them if they are alive than if they are dead.” Astian knew what Cedric meant. There were a few senators who still believed in the common good. They could help those who needed it. However it was easier to help families who still had half a wage than a widow with none at all. Benjamin just shook his head and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. “People are not going to take this well Astian.” Cedric said. Astian knew then that Cedric had more to say to him than his brother. “No matter how you feel you cannot draw the attention of the senate.” Astian nodded, his expression had softened, but he still did not dare to speak. Cedric rose from his chair and walked over to him, “You are my son and I could not bare if you were to be harmed by this. Sometimes things cannot be changed and no matter how you feel you must accept that. Always remember to think. There are always other ways, but sometimes they just take a little longer.” Cedric’s arms wrapped around him. Astian stood taller than the senator, he had for many years now, but the embrace hadn’t changed since the first. A smile came to his face. “You needn’t worry about me father, I promise you that.” A small smile graced the face of Cedric, than the two parted ways for the evening. Goodnight Fevyn. He said to his dragon. And to you. Fevyn responded. Astian went off to bed, something was telling him he would need it.

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Astian stood beside Benjamin and Thomanson at the senate building. From were he was he could see Vincenzo Di Grate and a few others who were present at the announcement. Among them, Cedric. The three stood amongst the senators who were excited to see the reaction but too judgmental or too big of cowards to be present. Vincenzo’s words were loud, but Astian didn’t hear them. In fact, once the ground began to shake he stopped paying attention to much at all. Some people around him fell and he saw some of the older buildings falling in on themselves. A horrible feeling filled him then. His gut twisted as he knew that this would not end well. Cries of outrage rang out and a sword was driven through Vincenzo Di Grate. Astian would have smiled, if it didn’t mean what it did.

Some senators ran back into the building, while others didn’t have the chance. The people ran at the senators as the guards attempted to bar the way. He couldn’t see either of his brothers, but had an idea of where they were headed. He ducked and weaved away from the senators. He caught a glimpse of Ben and Tom then, they had found Cedric and were working to pull him away from the crowd. Ben shouted, but Astian couldn’t hear the words over the voices of the crowd. Astian knew what Ben wanted him to do, however. He knew because he wanted to do the same thing himself. Astian unsheathed his sword and began to force his way through the crowd. He had more family than just a father and brothers.

His mother had made it back closer to the senate building. Surrounded by guards she was a safe as she could be in the situation. He ran up to her guards, “Get them out of here now. Out of the city, go behind the building and avoid the larger streets.” They nodded and Astian turned his attention to her. He pulled of her necklace and bracelets and his sisters began to do the same, “Drop you hair, get rid of everything of value. Get as dirty as you can. You cannot be associated with the senate right now.” He pushed them away, only to have Caroline grab onto him. “Beth is gone, she got pulled away. Mother thinks she went with the twins and Jacob, but she...” “GO.” He said firmly, “I’ll find her, but you need to go.” Caroline nodded as tears began to roll down her cheeks. The twins would be safe, that he knew. Jacob was a baker who no doubt had the pair locked in his cellar. But how would he find Beth? This was madness!

Fevyn was soaring above, but there were to many people for him to pick out a specific one. Ask around and I will keep searching. But Astian had another idea, one that Fevyn went off to do the moment the though crossed Astian's mind. His mother and sisters would be safe with Fevyn and that at least shifted some of the worry off of his shoulders.

He ran out into the middle of it all. She would have been trampled had she been in this. A shadow caught his eye and he moved aside just in time. A man with some type of butchering knife came at him, hollering like a mad man. Astian had no time, he couldn’t stop to fight and scare him off. Violence had filled the air. Astian knew what he had to do and he felt no guilt for it. He only had one hand on his blade, however he didn’t need that much power. Swinging his body around the metal barely made a sound as it slid across the man’s torso. Astian didn’t pause to see if the man was dead or bleeding out. He had to find Beth.

He didn’t know how much time passed, he couldn’t judge it if he tried. He didn’t know how many people he took out, nor how many people he asked. All he knew was the relief that flooded him as he saw her. Astian’s face was cold and calculating as he swiftly opposed the men who held his terrified sister. He drove his sword through the back of one man and pushed a second out of the way. She was at the end of an alley, trying her hardest to escape from those who intended to rape her. "IT’S BIG BROTHER TO THE RESCUE!” One man japed as Astian reached her, “ARE YOU SURE YOU DON’T WANT TO JOIN IN?” Called out another. Elizabeth’s clothes were torn, however she didn’t appear to me majorly harmed physically. She was small and he scooped her up easily. “You’re okay Beth. I’ve got you.” He said to her calmly. The poor girl had been through way more than she deserved. Beth held onto him tightly. Back to one-handed swordplay, Astian had to be more careful. He was grateful for the training he had received over the years.

The girl was brave, he would give her that. She didn’t utter a sound, even when the senate building came into view once more. He needed to get Beth out of this mess. He dodged around a horse, not looking at the two it carried. He was stopped as a clump of people stood before him, goring the body of a senator who’s day had obviously not turned out the way he planned. He stood taller than many of the people around and it was just his luck that his gaze found its way to the rooftops. Tom laid atop of one, scanning the crowd, no doubt for the rest of the family. Astian worked his way over towards the building, then down the alley on it’s side. The alley was deserted of people, and Astian stopped to catch his breath. How had Tom climbed that? “Seb!.” Ben whispered sharply from above his head. “Pass her up to us! Have you seen the others?” “Mother and the other girls are out, I heard the twins were with Jacob.” "Dad’s with the twins now, in Jacob’s cellar.” Ben replied, reaching down towards Beth as Astian held her up to him. Once she was out of his hands, Astian vaulted himself up. The four of them huddled low, but there was no way they could all stay there without eventually being seen. “What do we do now?” Tom spat, his anger obvious. “You all stay here, keep Beth safe. Wait until this all dies down then find the twins and dad and get them out. Climb back up here and Fevyn will get you.” Tom and Beth didn’t agree, but were silenced as Ben accepted it. Astian had no idea what he was going to do know, but he knew he couldn’t watch the slaughter like a bird from above. He dropped down from the roof with a small thud. At least he wasn't alone, Fevyn shared his strength as well as his mind. It didn't matter what they planned to do, together they could not be stopped.

[Luna]

The ring of steel on steel reverberated in Luna’s ears, and she subconsciously placed a hand over Leon’s eyes as a man was cut to pieces more brutally than her own people would normally. She could do nothing, but watch. This was not her fight, she had no idea who the enemy was and she had more pressing matters to deal with.

Movement above them caught her eye and she glimpsed a family huddled on the rooftop waiting for a safe opportunity to move. She looked down at Leon who had gone deathly pale at the sight of the commoners tearing apart senators; she could not take him into the fray with her. Dismounting she led the horse down an alley and out of sight other crowd. “Get you things.” she instructed him and her pulled a bag from the side of the saddle and slung it onto his back. “Now climb. Stay high, and stay out of sight.”

He looked horrified at the idea of being alone, and Luna reached up and took his face in her hands. “I promised you father I would keep you safe. I cannot do that in the middle of a riot. You will be safe on the rooftops I promise.” He nodded, using the horse as an aid, climbed shakily onto the roof. The moment he was out of sight Luna pulled Lightbringer from under the blankets and strapped it to her back. The bangle Anira had given her she slid over her wrist, she had no fear of being robbed, whoever was stupid enough to attempt such a thing would have to get past her blades first.

Leaving tehorse where it was Luna moved out from the alley as someone dropped down from the roof, it took her a moment to realise who it was and relief washed over her. It was a start at least, to know Astian was safe. She stepped towards him, intent on introducing herself but someone else had spotted him. “THERE’S ANOTHER ONE! KILL HIM!” the small group that had been butchering a senator earlier moved towards Astian like a pack of hungry wolves. Luna snarled and ran in front of him blocking their path, yanking the axe free from her belt.

They hesitated, confused that a commoner would protect a senator. “You want him?” she spat, in halting Sianehese. “You go through me first.” For a moment, none of them moved.

“She is just a woman. Get her out of the way, kill him, then we can have some fun with her.” shouted someone at the back, Luna gave a dark smile in response. “Come at me, brothers.” she whispered as the first handful lurched forward. The kills were far too easy, these were working men, not soldiers. That had no idea how to hold a weapon, let alone kill with it. She dodged attack and removed a couple of arms before embedding her axe in the skull of the final man to run at her. Her axe remained lodged their and she made a noise of irritation. “Do you understand Dheynorian?” she barked at the group that were now looking terrified. One or two of them nodded. “Translate.” she snapped at them. “You are not soldiers, you are not warriors. You are the workers. You can keep running at me at you can keep dying, but it will not solve whatever problem you are attempting to fix. Go home and think about what you are doing! Or keep dying. Your choice.” She turned her back on them, and moved towards Astian and bowed her head. Behind her the group was moving away, whether they were going home, or choosing another target Luna did not care.
“Astian.” she said with a small smile careful to keep her voice low. “Son of Aergarn and Alana the fourth. My name is Luna, I am here to bring you to your family. Arethar and Anira live.”

[Cezar Boguslaw Volkova]

The building groaned and roars of anger erupted from outside. Inside there was silence as the senators two guards went to the window to look out at the mob that had just broken into a riot. ”Regardless of what the people want, I will have it my way. You will find the three I order you to and you will do it immediately!” shrieked the measly senator across the table at Cezar, who was sat down with his weapon laid upon the table. Behind two of the Novosi stood guard and the remaining ten were outside with the senators guards in the back alley. The senator was called Antonius Magnus, a small middle aged snob who thought he had all the power in the world and he'd sent Cezar a letter demanding he appear before him. He summoned him. This was his biggest mistake he'd ever make. Despite his future being foretold, Cezar chose to make his own future. No doubt he'd receive a visit in the night questioning his actions and most likely have some kind of fight. His men thought the man who spoke to him was a god. Cezar was going to see if a god bled that night.

Sat still in his chair, Cezar did not stir and not a word was uttered. With clear anger boiling inside him, the senator rose to his feet and screamed ”You WILL do as I say! I command you peasants and you will obey my word for my word is the law! Just like the plebs outside I will have you and your puny clan crushed if you disobey me. So get out there and do as I tell you!” Cezar looked up slowly from the parchment he'd been eye balling for some time and stared at the senator. ”No” he coldly replied and returned his gaze to the parchment. He'd been reading it to see if there was anything interesting in it. Something about a tax law. It didn't affect him so he was growing bored of it. Not bored enough to listen to the senator properly though. ”What do you mean no?” bellowed the small senator before motioning to his guard. The two men stood on either side of Cezar and placed their swords to his back. Behind them, the two Novosi men placed their hands on their sword's hilts but did no more.

”I always get what I want. If you don't do as I say I'll have you all killed. The Ajurah is nothing here. You'll have nowhere to hide. Don't you know who I am? I am god up here! sneered Magnus and rose up from the table with a smug smirk. Cezar stared at him for a moment before dropping his head down. ”Fool” he ushered. Suddenly he grabbed both guards by the groins and flipped them over onto the table, rising to his feet as he did so. Pulling a knife from either side of him, he slammed them down into both men's heads and paced quickly around the table, grabbing Magnus by the throat and lifting him up from the ground. ”I am Cezar Boguslaw Volkova. Don't you know who I am?! I am no a pleb to be summoned and I'm certainly not afraid of you. I am a Rajegh. You are a human. You bow to US! I will show your people today exactly why you should fear us!” Clenching his fist tight, Magnus' began to flail in his hand, grabbing at his fist and his legs kicking in all directions. With slow planned steps, Cezar moved to the window and with a quick few steps launched the senator out the window. Rotating backwards slowly as he fell, Senator Magnus reached out for the window with a blood choked gargle as he hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Pulling his blades from the guards faces, he commanded his men meet him in the crowd. As the two Novosi went to join the others and pass on the command, Cezar picked up his two main weapons. One was a two handed sword and the other was a two handed battleaxe. With one in each hand, he ran at the window and smashed through the remaining wall. Landing on both feet by the raging crowd, he swung his axe down at Magnus' face, spraying the crowd to his side. Whilst the majority of the riot continued, several people went silent in a stunned silence and stared at the man who'd just hit the ground. ”AJURAH” he roared at the crowd and took a swing at the first man before him. As the man splattered into several pieces, he swung his sword with the momentum going forward and hit a few people behind the man. Switching from side to side, he hacked and slashed anyone who came at him. Most were just normal people and they went down with little trouble. The odd thud reminded him that there were guards in the crowds and the clatter of metal began to echo around him.

With blood upon his face, Cezar came to a stop and looked around at the crowd, most of whom were now trying to get away from him. A crazed look had found itself upon his face and he turned to see his men cutting their way out from the alley. A few of them held the weapons of the senator's guards and the odd one had a wound or two however they were standing fairly strong. Swinging back round, Cezar looked to where he assumed the announcement had been taking place. It was there that most of the riot seemed to be focused and that meant one thing. More senators. Now was the time to take power. If the senate fell then the north was weak. With glory in his mind, he was unaware that hundreds of miles away in his home, the Ajurah clan was fleeing from the volcano erupting from underneath them. He had no idea that his sister was in such danger. Such thoughts of power would not be going through his head if he'd known.

Slapping aside members of the public with his weapons, not always hitting them with the sharp bits, he powered through the crowd towards the remaining senators. They appeared to have fought their way into a building and with the help of their guards were keeping the doors barred with whatever they could find. Looking to his side as he waded through the crowd he saw a family climbing onto a roof with two people talking beneath. The woman seemed familiar but not enough for him to ponder on it too much. Reaching the door, he threw aside the man closest to it and swung his axe into the wood. Pulling it back out, he swung it once more. With this pull of the axe, part of the door came with it and he moved to look in. With a twist of his shoulders, he ducked as a blade came flying through and waved around at him. Stabbing his sword through the door, he lifted his empty palm and let a fire grow. Flicking his fingers, he ignited a stream of fire from his hand into the torn hole to a barrage of burning screams within.

Kicking the door open, he quickly stepped back and moved to the side. As the first few mob members ran in they were hailed in arrows and after that people were more cautious as they tried to get in. Pulling his sword from the door, Cezar moved away and headed for the podium. Climbing up on the raised stage, he helped his men up with him and began to check the bodies to see who'd been killed. He may have been an outsider but he had a good idea of who was a noble around here. Some he'd traded with in the past and a few looked like their fathers before them. Sure that the mob would overrun the building he glanced around and found what he was after. Pulling a turned over chair up from the ground, he dusted it off and sat down. Openly a satchel on his waist, he removed an apple and took a bite from it. With a smile upon his face, he watched as blood, fire and anger mixed before him.

[Astian of Dheynor]

Astian was prepared for several things when his feet touched the ground. He was prepared for the possibility that he would be pushed back into the riot. He was prepared for someone taking refuge and he was ready for any more quakes that could arise. He was not however prepared to see a beautiful dark haired women approaching him. A sudden shout cut off the moment however, and the woman whipped around to face the crowd. Needless to say Astian was confused. He had no idea who she was or why she was there, but for some reason she seemed intent on keeping him alive. Her words stunned the men before her. No doubt they were just as confused as he was. Astian considered assisting her, however there was no doubt that she knew what she was doing. She had no need of his help and so he watched as she swiftly despatched a few. She was brave, he’d give her that.

The woman switched from a choppy Sianehese to a smoother Dheynorian. As she concluded her little speech the men decided to back away. They obviously knew this was not the fight for them. They enjoyed the idea of killing senators, but had yet to realize that their own deaths were just as likely.

He was about to thank her and planned to move on his way, but her hushed voice drew his attention. If her tone wasn’t enough than her words would be for sure. Son of Aergarn and Alana the fourth. She knew who he was. How? There was no way she could have known, no one did. Everyone thought he was long dead and in every essence he was. He hadn’t been Astian for around ten years. He had been Sebastian. Seb. He was a Waine raised and he had long accepted that that was who he would be for the rest of his days. The woman didn’t appear crazy, however she must have been. To speak that name aloud? Even quietly was a danger. It was nice to hear the name however. He only heard it a few times over the years and he found it slightly comical that the two times he had heard it in the past year were not even 24 hours apart.

Arethar, Anira and Astian. It was easy for someone to utter those three names. Anyone could say that they lived. However someone could say that the riot was actually a festival, that did not mean they were correct. Astian didn’t think about his biological siblings as much as he did when he was younger. He had let thoughts of them fade as his new life became more permanent. Of course they crossed his mind a few times, he had loved them. It had been a change for him, going from being the youngest child to the eldest. They had teased him often. He remembered how close Arethar and Anira had been. It had always felt to him that he had been a pest, especially to his sister. He had never been as good as his brother at things, however Arethar had at least been more encouraging than their father. At the time, Astian idolized Arethar and Anira. They were everything he wanted to be. Now he thought that to be a child’s fantasy. Illusions that faded as he aged. It would be nice if they were still alive. However even if he were he never imagined reconnecting with them. The truth was he didn’t really believe that he belonged with them any more. What would they be? Things could never be like they were before.

“That heir died a while ago.” He said to Luna, his expression cold. Astian could feel Fevyn’s attempt at remaining silent. The dragon was practically quivering but knew it was not the time to interrupt Astian’s thoughts.

[Luna]

Luna could not help but smile, a small chuckle escaped her. How different Astian was to his arrogant brother, humble, quiet and quite clearly preferring to stay alive. “Is he now?” she said, her voice somewhat mocking. “I suppose the dead heir won’t recognise this then?” she pulled the bracelet from her wrist and pressed it into his hand. She gave him a moment to study it, then a cry that chilled her to the core wiped all mocking from her face.

“No.” she breathed turning slowly to watch as Cezar Volkova cut his way through the crowd and helped the mob into the senate itself. She stared, anger and hate boiling inside her rising from the pit of her stomach as a feral growl. “Luna!” the hiss came from above and she looked up at Leon’s young face. How the boy knew she was cracking, that she desired nothing more than to throw herself at the Ajurah, she would never know but his face reminded her she had greater responsibilities than her own life.

She looked down at Astian again, and drew the sword from her back presenting it to him. “Your brother told me you would know this blade. Your sister told me you gave that bracelet to her for her birthday. They live, they breathe and they need you. The time has come for what was dead and lost, to rise again.” She cast another look over her shoulder at Cezar and swallowed hard against the rising emotions.

“It is not safe here.” She moved to the edge of the building and held her hands out for Leon to climb down into. Rooftops were not safe when Rajegh were around. Setting the boy on the ground she gently stroked his head and cheek before taking his hand in hers. “That man, is the second in command of the Ajurah clan in the West. He is a rajegh and so are his men. If he realises who I am he will kill me, or worse.” she explained to Astian.

“We need to leave. Now. Get your family out! There is nothing you can do for the Senate now.” Only the Bervenhall could defeat the Ajurah clan, and even then it took five men for every rajegh and losses were high.

[Astian of Dheynor]

Her voice was mocking and he didn’t like it. Did she seriously expect himself to proclaim his lineage to the world? To tell her who he ‘really was’. Only a fool would ever claim to be one of the three heirs. To admit that was death. The world ran on blood and money. Who had the best blood, who could spill the most blood, who could you hurt by spilling blood, who was the wealthiest, who could barely afford to feed their children...He was tired of it. What did blood matter in truth? Would it give him a crown? Would it take his life? No. It was the people who mistook blood and wealth as power. No one would have control over him for money or blood. He choose to be Sebastian. He choose what to do with his life. A sometime another being would choose his death, whether mortal or deity.

Astian knew the bracelet he held. He had given it to his sister as a child. He grasped it and turned it over, pausing to gaze at the inscription it held. He would have spoken had Luna’s attention not been diverted. Her gaze shifted to a very large man in the crowd. He only needed to see her face for a moment to see the anger there. The boy that was with her knew as well, probably more than he did himself. She turned back to him and handed him a sword. “Great.” He muttered sarcastically to himself. Lightbringer was the twin to Arethar’s blade. He knew then that they were alive. Luna was no liar, about that fact anyway.

Luna explained who the large man was, however Astian did not share her fear. He didn’t really care who the man was and wasn’t interested in paying him any thought. He didn’t know Luna and he wasn’t about to trust her. There were few people he trusted, mainly the Waine’s and Fevyn.

”They are all together. Safe and sound.” The emerald dragon said, now circling above the trio. What do you say? Are we going with them?” ”I’m not sure.” Astian responded. ”Well I am. We go. You owe it to yourself to see where this goes. Besides, Ben had a feeling you might not be coming back. He’ll have you covered.” Fevyn was right and that bugged him. “Fine, let’s go. If we go behind the houses we have a better chance of leaving unseen.” He said to Luna. You best move fast kid. he said to the boy who accompanied Luna. “By the way, nothing I do is for the senate.” He would have told her not to presume things about him, however that wouldn’t have been productive. He was leaving his family behind, thus there would probably be no times in the near future that he would be open about anything. This was one of the most dangerous things he had ever set out to do and the less risks he took, the better.

[Luna]

Luna nodded her face set as Astian agreed to leave with her. She could not summon any joy for her success while the Ajurah were so close by. Leon jutted his chine out, prideful and replied “I am the fastest boy in my village, milord” Luna tousled his hair a tight smile tugging at her lips. She looked up the smile slipping from her as Astian spoke of the senate.

“Glad to hear it.” she said before turning away and moving back into the alley where she had left the horse, cursing silently when she found it was gone. It would have been so much faster if Leon had been on the horse. Taking the bag from the boy she slipped it over her shoulder so he could move faster. She glanced behind her at the mob then at Astian and held her hand out for lightbringer. “Till we get out, once we’re free of the city I can shift and I won’t need a weapon.”

Leon looked at her confused. “Why not shift now?” he asked her.

“Because that is how the Ajurah know me best. As a wolf. I would not bring that danger to you Leon.”

She looked at Astian again. “Better if you lead the way out, you know this city better than I do.”

[Cezar Boguslaw Volkova]

With one last crunch he let the core of the apple drop from his hand and watched as it rolled for a moment before disappearing over the edge of the podium. Around him the Novosi were spaced out across the podium with their weapons drawn and he found himself looking around at the chaos around him. Rising to his feet, he brushed himself down and casually walked to the edge. Screams could be heard from within the building he'd opened up as the crowd finally reached those inside. Raising his hands, he cupped them into a ball and slowly moved them away from each other, growing a ball of fire within. Taking a gasp of it with his right hand, he playfully swung around before throwing it at the open building. The fire glided towards the door and disappeared within. For a few seconds nothing happened and Cezar returned to his chair to pick up his weapons. With his back turned to the building, he smiled as he heard screams erupt from within as the fire exploded inside, trapping those inside.

”The senate may be lost today but they will come back. They always do. Take this moment to find riches for our clan. Grab as much as you can and meet me on the edge of the city in two hours. If I am not there head home. We will return with gifts for our people. I will catch up with you.” After a hesitated agreement, the Novosi split into small trios and vanished within the crowd. Their aim was to rob the rich homes and buildings. The small price of a riot in the grand scheme of things. Dropping down from the podium, Cezar sheathed his sword and held only his axe. Now he was simply looking around and had no need to go full power. The quietening screams from within the fire saw to that. Many of the guards had gone to get the others or fled by now so it'd gone from a fight to a destruction zone. People were smashing whatever they could find and looting was starting all over the area. Following a small group into a nearby home, he ducked in the doorway before entering the main room. Most of the building was trashed by now and he noticed a knocked over book shelf.

Kneeling he rummaged through the books before spotting one he quite liked. It was a love story between an Ajurah and Bervenhall, a tale for the humans to show that even two enemies could become lovers. He loved the part where the lovers killed themselves rather than be without each other. Cezar really knew that when both sides found out the two lovers had been hunted and eventually burnt alive by the Ajurah. Still he liked to read the fictional side of it. Placing his axe by a chair, he sat down and flicked through a few of the pages looking for some of his favourite moments. As he did, a man ran at him with a sword and thrust it at his face. Dodging to his side, Cezar simply grabbed the man by the throat and pulled the sword from his hand. Sitting back down, he picked up the book with one hand and read a few pages whilst he held the man by the throat, squeezing tight. After a few pages he forgot he still had the man in his grip and let the limp corpse drop.

Putting the book in his satchel, he picked up his axe and went to leave the house. Noticing a back door, he went to open it when another man came at him, this time with an axe. The door shattered into various pieces as the man went crashing through it after Cezar kicked him in the chest. Ducking out from the door, Cezar brought up his axe and slammed it into the man's chest. Pulling the blade from the body, he looked up to see the woman from before and two others with him. A child and a noble. Remembering what he'd been asked, he took a moment to work out if they were who he was meant to get. With a glance to the sky, he spotted the dragon circling above. Clenching his hand around the axe, he pointed to them one at a time. ”The child. The dragon rider. And the....” he stated, before pointing his axe at Luna. ”You must be the wolf.... Bervenhall” he coldly snarled as axe slowly dropped back into position for a strike.

[Astian of Dheynor]

Astian handed Lightbringer to Luna. She did need a weapon and he knew his blade better. It appeared that he would need it as well as the man who brought such strong anger to Luna appeared. The man recognized Luna and if what he had seen from Luna before was any indication, this would only end in death. The chance it would be Luna was great enough that he couldn’t take the risk. “And you must be the town fool.” Astian said calmly, stepping in front of Luna. He wasn’t looking to protect her, she could do that on her own. He just didn’t think it was the best idea to have the pair look into each other’s eyes. “You probably don’t give a damn about where you are and what you do and that’s just fantastic. I know you aren’t from the North and that makes this...” He said gesturing around him, “...absolutely none of your freaking business. I really do not want to fight anymore today. I was planning on leaving the city and having a lovely time with my companion here.” Astian said pointing to Luna. “I have fought bigger men than you and come out alive. Adding in everyone else, well you’ll be belly up in a river just in time for my next piss.”

He wasn’t in the greatest mood, however he was irritated not angry. His voice was strong and steady and he meant every word. Astian had no desire to fight the man before him. Now was the time, however to see how stupid the man was. Astian, Luna, Fevyn and even the boy stood a good chance together. They could at least stand strong until others came and Astian knew some would. Astian was not the type to bluff. He made no empty threats. Fighting aside he would really enjoying slicing the man before him. Fevyn did not need to ask what to do. He cut off his circle and streaked down to the other side of the riot. He knew who to find, just in case the outcome was not in the group's favour.

[Luna]

Luna’s snarl was unmistakable as Cezar came into view. She brought lightbringer up in a defensive stance pushing Leon behind her, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Hello Cezar” she spat his name like it was poison in her mouth. She would know the killer of her parents anywhere, in any form. As a man or dragon, but he would not know her, not truly. Rajegh cared little for the wake of destruction they left after a battle.

Before more could happen though Astian moved in front of her, whether to protect her or to prevent a fight she didn’t kow which. Either way the move caught her off guard, he was so different from Arethar, more humble, gentler. She smiled and laid a hand on Astian’s shoulder before looking at Cezar, her blood boiling as she met his eyes.

“One day Cezar, you and I will finish our business. Not today. I am not a bervenhall anymore, you made sure of that when you destroyed my family.” She glanced at Astian before looking back at Cezar. “I have a new family to protect, and you will not stand in my way. Rajegh or not, I will kill you if you go down this path today.” Every ounce of her soul wanted to kill Cezar there and then, she wanted to avenge her parents more than anything, but she had a duty: to unite the heirs and to protect Leon. Her words held a subtle alternative, one she hoped his tiny brain would decipher.

Leave us today. Leave my protégé and you and I will meet on the field of battle later on.

[Cezar Boguslaw Volkova]

A growl slowly fell from his gritted teeth as his hands tightened on the hilt of the axe. The rider walked between him and the Bervenhall in such a calm manner. It was clear he wasn't aware of who he was talking to. With slow strides, Cezar soon closed the gap between them, towering over the fairly tall human. ”Such big words for a puny human. On the contrary to what you believe this is my business. It becomes my business when the senate tries to hire me to find you all. And to kill you.” Cezar's eyes trailed from the rider to the young boy and there was a very brief eye contact before the boy looked away and hid behind the woman. ”We have all fought bigger men than those who often stand before us. That means nothing to me. I have killed entire clans. Wiped them clean off the face of the earth. Human. Rajegh. Dragon riders. All have fallen who dared to fight me.”

Slowly turning his head to look at the woman, he lifted his head up proudly when she said his name with a smug and proud look upon his face. It never got old to hear an enemy remember who he is. Reputation proceeded him. ”Well I'm glad at least one of you has an idea of who you are fucking with.” Lifting up his spare hand, he pointed at the rider's face as he brought his down to the same height with little space between them. ”I suggest you learn who I am before you challenge me to a war. Because that is what you'll get if you try anything with me. I am a Rajegh. I will kill you. I will kill your family. And I will kill every single person who calls you their ancestor until I am no more. You might think you can take me on. You might think all your friends will come running to help. But I have friends too. Five thousand just like me. Have you ever seen what a full Rajegh siege on a city looks like?” Looking at the woman, he answered ”She has.”

Rising back up to his full height, Cezar paused for a moment before sheathing his axe and he stepped forward pushing aside the rider to stand before the woman. He did not care about the rider any more. He was just another human who thought himself better than he truly was. Standing before the woman, he dictated ”You know first hand that I do not just stand aside from a fight and let people walk by. We will have this battle another day. Not because you said so. Not because I fear any of you. And definitely not because blondie over there said so. If the senate wants you dead, they can do it themselves. I have already killed the man who tried to hire me. And I say hire very loosely. Like your friend they thought themselves better than their true station.” Turning his back on her, he walked back to where he'd emerged and swung back round to face them. There was an arrogance to how he walked so calmly and he made sure he didn't leave first. It would have to be them. He knew the woman would know this.

Pointing at the rider once more, Cezar continued ”You better learn when to keep your trap shut. If your own people end up rioting, you have no power against me. If you bring a war to those people, they will let you know they don't agree. Many of your kind got killed today for such a reason. Probably best to ditch the noble clothes.” Switching back to the woman, he finished ”As for you, make sure you look after your family better than you did your real one. Ever seen a child burn? I have. I can make it happen again. And you know I will. So I advise that you leave quickly then. I may have pardoned you on this day but the plebs out there? You still have them to get past. Yet I'm sure such fierce warriors as you lot will make mince meat of them. A dragon rider, a wolf and a child. Well I'll give you the fact it's practically written for a legend. Just don't forget. Legends always die at the end. That's what makes them legends.”

[Astian of Dheynor]

Oh the arrogance that poured out of this man. Astian had to hold in his laughter. Luna’s words made sense and Cezar -as Luna had called him- of course had to take that and spin it back on himself. Astian really could not stand people like this. He did not like being pushed out of the way “I know all I need to know about you. I do not give a shit about what species you are. Nor do I care who you think you are. Threaten me all you like but know that I have no family, I’m too mistrusting to have friends and if you want to take on this city? Than go right ahead.” Astian’s had no true family, he knew people but didn’t call them friends. This city was one in many. He had lost enough in his life that losing any more wouldn’t be the end of the world for.

Cezar walked away, than turned back towards them. As he spoke Astian walked back up to him. “You need to learn how to take your own advice.” He said looking straight up at the arrogant asshat. “For most of your life you will consider yourself undefeatable. You will continue to look down on every being you meet. However the day will come when you will die. Considering your obliviousness to your own flaws I am pretty sure it will be by someone you thought to be inferior. For a single moment while your heart still beats you will know death is coming. You will realize how idiotic you truly are. These are my people about as much as you are.” He stopped for a moment to take another breath, “How gracious of you to pardon us, but heed your own notions. You have no idea who I am. Therefore do not fuck with me.” Astian turned and headed back towards Luna. “Let’s go.” He said to her bluntly. He had known her for a few minutes and she had already completely altered both his life and state of mind. He turned around, thinking of a few more words for Cezar. “Everything dies. I’d rather be a legend than a bump in the lives of others.”