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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 11:41:16 GMT -5
It was quiet, almost too quiet for a normal day. Finally though, there was the clanking of metal against.... something else. The young prince Axel was practicing his swordsmanship skills with his mentor, Oroan. Axel jumped easily over rather high rocks as his fairly large wings kept him in the air when he jumped with his strong reptilian legs, somewhat like that of a frog, only scalier. Occasionally his long, thrashing tail was the only clue as to where he was, but once you got there, his rapid, quick movements would've carried him somewhere else. It was amazing really, to think that only a year ago he wasn't nearly this fast, now if only he learned that quickly with his sword. He was horrible with swords, but with his loyal attitude, high, boundless energy, and willingness to -try- to learn, he was, indeed, a good student in that way.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 11:58:10 GMT -5
Oroan watched his student and if he had a mouth, he would have grinned. The prince had developed his physical abilities well over the last year, and Oroan was glad to help with that. Since the King wasn't at his best and his life was now fading, their kingdom would need the prince to be able to stand in his father's place.
So far Oroan had only used one arm, one set of claws against the young daemon. It was similar enough to fighting with a sword in one hand to allow him to train his pupil in sword fighting, something that the youth didn't seem to have a full grasp on yet, though any would-be attackers wouldn't find Oroan's prince an easy target. And Axel was a good student. Dedicated, and able to listen to instructions, which was more valuable than a student gifted in a particular study. A gifted student was the worst type. Axel was average in his ability to learn with the sword, and that made him a teacher's dream.
"Much better."
The voice would echo through the younger daemon's mind as Oroan 'spoke' while he jumped to meet Axel in the air, his claws ready to meet an incoming attack, his cloak fluttering around him and his hair seeming to float along the air, Oroan would likely be a terrifying sight to the prince under different conditions, but they had known each other for some time now, and Oroan's fear inducing pheromones didn't affect the royal family.
"You've improved your physical state to that of a full warrior, now it's your skills we must improve"
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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 12:20:57 GMT -5
Axel grinned at his mentor's compliment, he kept his sword up to keep Oroan's claws from getting his face, at that time, Axel managed to twist them both around and pushed them away from each other, so that they were both sailing and then descending at the same speed so they could hold each other's gaze. Then when they landed, Axel jumped to the left, his form almost a blurr with his speed. In no time he was several feet behind his teacher. "Well, what can I say, I have a good teacher." Axel said, resting the blade of his sword on his shoulder. He said, then gave a slight chuckle.
There was the sudden sound of claws on the ground as Bracken rode up on his dragon. "Your majesty," Bracken said, nodding his head to the prince. Axel grinned and trotted up to Bracken. "The traitors are revolting?" Bracken laughed, saying "They've always been revolting, young prince, you should smell one sometime, but now they're rebelling." He said with a smirk. "King Haku wishes for his son to witness his, possibly, last noble victory." Bracken said to Oroan with a nod, then turned his dragon, and it galloped away, it's claws scraping the ground as it ran.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 12:37:08 GMT -5
Oroan noted that his apprentice had made a skilled defensive move, he had to admit to being impressed by that move. Landing lightly he was almost tempted top send an attack at the prince for letting his guard down, but he was also trying to tech the daemon a sense of warrior's honor. There were time when it was appropriate to strike when an enemy wasn't prepared for it, but training was not one of those times.
"And a sense of respect for those who guide you. The makings of a fine leader." He mentioned in reply to the comment about his teaching. Oroan never flattered the prince, but he gave compliments when deserved.
Then Bracken arrived. Despite the fact that Oroan was close to the royal family in this incarnation as with previous ones, he didn't know Bracken as well. That aside, he respected the man, it was his duty to make sure the king and the prince were safe, while it was Oroan's task to trained the prince and also strike down those who would oppose his king and country.
"Very well, the prince and I shall go witness this." He replied and watched Bracken fly away on his dragon.
Walking to stand next to the prince he looked over at his fellow daemon.
"Your eagerness is quite transparent my prince. While these traitors must be crushed, they are our brethren despite if we like it or not. Remember this as a great victory, but slaying our own kind shouldn't be looked at as something enjoyable. Enjoy the battle and not the killing, that is the best way to view these things." He said as he prepped himself for actual combat, the light dimming for a mile around them as his brilliant eyes flared with a bright glow instead of the dim pulsing glow they normally displayed.
"With that said, let us depart."
He said and pushed off into a jump, taking him to the battlefield, making sure that he kept near the prince. He wanted the young Daemon in combat, to see it's true nature firsthand, but he was going to protect the prince, and any who wished to harm him would face the wrath of a daemon who's spirit was among the oldest in history.
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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 12:50:55 GMT -5
Axel nodded at his mentor, showing respect for what he had to say. Then He too jumped keeping up with Oroan easily, He kept his hand on his sword's hilt in case he was attacked by any of the traitors, despite not being good with attacking with swords, he could defend himself well with it, even if he was squeamish with striking someone down, he could hide it well, and make it seem like his threats were real. He stopped on the hill that looked over the village. Watching the battle that went on before him. He watched his father as he rode about on his own riding dragon, giving commands and striking down the occasional traitor.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 13:00:00 GMT -5
Oroan stopped to stand beside his student and watch over the battle. The tide was against the traitors at the moment and he allowed himself a small amount of satisfaction at the sight. Those who would betray the royal family deserved no better than this. To branch off into one's own faction was one thing, but to actually betray one's own loyalties, that was not forgivable.
"To your father's side my prince." He said as he jumped once more, clearing the distance in a single leap to land beside his king. The dimming effect on the light around the battlefield already would give their forces a psychological edge, and those near the king would feel the tremors of fear creeping through them.
"I have brought the prince my liege." He said, giving a bow at the waist. He would normally kneel before his king, but that wasn't a smart idea here, not to mention his pure essence would but him in a category not much lower than the daemon who's family he had sworn fealty to.
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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 13:12:53 GMT -5
Axel jumped about the same time, landing merely a second after Oroan did. He lowered his head a bit. "Thank you, father, for allowing me to see your victory." Haku merely nodded to his son before striking down a traitor who had run up to get him for letting his guard down. "Keep him safe." Haku said to Oroan. Before nodding and getting his dragon to trot off, across a bridge where he took a flaming torch, and continued towards the fort on his own. He would torch the fort to ensure that the traitors could not plan any more battles against them, because without a fort, what good was an army? Even if it was just squabbling peasants with pitchforks.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 13:30:58 GMT -5
"Of course my lord." Oroan replied, more than happy to assure the well-being of his student. Looking out over the battlefield he looked at the mad rabble of peasants with little more than scorn. Normally he was vehemently against attacking villagers instead of soldiers, a matter of basic principals. but these fools had turned their backs on their kingdom, and had denied themselves of potential, therefore they were wasted.
"Very well my prince, I think it it time that sword of your's tasted the blood of these fools. If you can, spare the youngest, they might be able to be pulled back to our cause, but do not risk yourself to do so." He said. Oroan had no qualms about slaughtering the young, but the younger they were the more malleable, and to simply kill them would be a waste of potential resources.
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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 13:42:40 GMT -5
Axel nodded, unsheathing his sword, merely waiting for a command from his mentor to begin. His ears twitched slightly, he was just itching to use his sword in battle. But after merely a second, his attention was drawn to his father who was being surrounded by a large group of peasants with a variety of makeshift weapons, from poles to beatsticks. Axel watched, before shouting "NO!" And running in the direction of his father as the peasants beat Haku mercilessly.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 13:52:19 GMT -5
Hearing his student shout an objection, Oroan looked over at the cause of it, and he himself felt the same way.
"Axel, wait" He said, one of the few times he referred to the younger daemon by name instead of by his title. He darted after his student, hoping to be able to help his king, though the life of the prince was his charge, and what he would focus on.
An orb of pure magic force collected at the palm of his right hand and the thrust it at the peasants who would dare to attack his lord. Upon contact the orb blasted away about a quarter of the attackers, but not enough to make it safe to leave the king on his own. He readied his claws for combat, ready to rend apart anyone who would dare attack the royal family.
"Help your father, but do not risk yourself. Your safety is paramount to any factor in this battle." He told Axel, hoping that the young daemon could see past the understandable urge to rush to his father's aid.
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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 14:05:53 GMT -5
The peasants that attacked the king had now left the limp body of the king and Ran back to the battlefield. Axel was atop a building, seeing he could do nothing with his useless sword skills against at least 30 peasants with their own weapons. When the crowd was gone back to the battlefield, he jumped down, running to his father's side. "Father!" He said, the king did not stir. "Father, wake up, come on!" he said, pressing his hand to his father's chest and shaking him a little. The king merely laid there. "No..." Axel muttered. His father, the king.... was dead. Axel lowered his head, murmuring a respectful prayer. "Ancestors, hear my prayer, watch over my father and take care of him should he join you in the heavens..." he said, drawing a cross from his head to his waist and across his shoulders. He merely sat there beside his father's body.... not caring if he, himself, lived or died.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Seeing the peasants scatter after the damage was done. Oroan took up his duty to continue keeping the prince safe, allowing him to grieve in safety, even while on the battlefield. One peasant leapt at the prince, only to be impaled upon Oroan's claws.
"Scum" He said, venom dripping through his mental voice. He swung his arm out, sending the peasant flying. Standing at the side of the prince, he opened his hand to be able to rest it upon Axel's shoulder, and odd sight as his claws extended far, and he had to be careful with their placement.
"It may sound cold, but we must leave, our forces have routed the enemy for now, but with this loss moral will be shattered." He said, the pang of loss echoed in his 'voice'. In his previous incarnations, he had seen such things before. He wasn't immune to the effects of such loss, though he had been conditioned to be able to operate as normal when needed despite any situation.
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Post by Agul'Muhn on Mar 8, 2010 14:26:39 GMT -5
"Very well, we shall leave...." he said with a nod. He stood, walking to his father's dragon, and getting up into the saddle. Axel was trying not to cry, it was evident. Finally though, he sighed, and said "These traitors will pay for this..." he muttered. Despite his father only having a while left to live if he were still living, Axel still saw him as a role model. And he didn't know, but now, even in death, he was helping him. "I will meet you back at the castle." he said, and nudged the dragon's sides and it jumped into the air, flying back to the castle. Weather he ran back to the castle or if he flew on the dragon, he needed time to think.
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Post by Oroan on Mar 8, 2010 14:34:21 GMT -5
Oroan watched his student rise and mount his father's dragon and gave a small nod in acknowledgment. Once the young daemon had taken off Oroan looked down to the body of his sovereign. bending down, he took care to not cause any more damage to the body with his claws and scooped the body up in his arms, there was no way he would leave this body to the depraved mercies of the traitors, who knew what way they might defile the corpse.
Taking a mighty leap, the daemon left the battlefield with the king's body in his arms, heading to the castle to bring him to a place where he could be cared for until sent to his final rest. he had only actively served the king for a short while, primarily training his son. Now he would serve him once more and keep him from to clutched of their foes.
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