Re: Never Surrender (Open, could be mature)

[questor]

She was now free as were the other Utopians. He chuckled at his mother's comment. "Well you should have seen her when I first brought her here." he told her. He watched from the throne platform as she went to talk to her brother and his wife. Another that had been in the Utopian city that day some time ago. It was quite a shock to all of those that Nick had given protection to when the Utopians came forth. Shock, happiness, confusion, wonder, the whole spectrum. All found love ones, family members they had thought were dead.

Argon and his group of warriors, were now his personal body guards. They would have it no other way. He had saved the Utopian people and had given them their lives back. It was a debt that they were proud to honor. Argon and the other four stood close to the throne, as did two other large Utopians, that were the queens personal body guards. The king was not taking any chances now. Especially since she liked to fly every where.

The time came and the King stood and a hush fell over the room. "Draco, come forward." he called out. Draco moved down the middle of the room, again the people making an path. With him was his wife on his arm. As he got to the king he went to one knee, with his wife standing beside him. The king drew his sword and laid it upon each shoulder. "Rise Lord Draco and join the ranks of our new kingdom."

Draco rose to his feet as applauds from the crowd filled the air. The King raised a hand for quiet and the room was still again. "With this title not only comes a duty but more responsibility." he smiled. He brought forth a leather bound sheath of papers. The city that you govern along with several villages and the lands there in are now yours to govern. A map of your domain along with the names of all the village mayors or military commanders along with the names of the villages, tax informaion, ect are contained with in." he handed the papers to Draco, who had a dumbfounded look upon his face. His wife though had a proud look upon her face as she looked at her husband.

Nick looked over at Seclusion and grinned again. The first of many more, Nick hoped.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Seclusion had heard from Argon earlier that day of all the arrangements and had noticed the queens guards whenever she came to visit the city while she was there, she really did love to fly any and everywhere, it was much quicker for one and could be considered relaxing for them. They went silent as they heard Draco being called up and the three of them watched. Clare was clearly proud of her husband and Tamar grinned happily, Seclusion smiled proud of her older brother but was also happy that they finally had a secure alliance for once, they were always very picky on who they held an alliance with.

The still dumbfounded Draco looked to the papers in his hand and smiled at the king “I thank you, your highness” he said bowing his head and his wife did the same, both were very happy although shock was still running through Draco. The two sisters tempted to giggle at their dumbfounded brother held it back knowing it was not appropriate at this time. She smiled softly back at Nick before watching her Brother as he returned to where they were that shocked look still on his face.

“Dear, dear” she whispered and Draco snapped from his shocked trance and looked to his wife smiling. Seclusion held a finger on her lips looking to Tamar who was struggling to hold back giggles remembering such a face on her brother.

[questor]

Draco's lands were in the middle of his own Domain and extended to the Utopian lands. Nick had to hold back the laughter much like the young Tamar. The surprise had been pulled off and the look on Draco's face had been priceless. Nicks work was finally done. The Utopians had their lands back, and were now apart of the Demon kingdom. They were safe and now allies of the Demons.

Now that the formal stuff was over, the gathering could become more festive. Musicians came in and began playing and dancing began, as everyone began to move off to the sides of the room so that people could dance. The wine flowed and the food began to become more plentiful as wooden tables were brought in along with chairs. Soon it was a full fleged banquet and the King and Queen took their turn out on the dance floor. Nick chuckled as he saw his father dance. He was quite light on his feet and good.

Nick looked at Seclusion and grinned as he motioned his hand out to the dance floor.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Seclusion soon found herself holding back the small giggles and looked to the two of them shaking her head a little smiling. Finally over what had happened Draco waited for a bit before joining in with dancing with Clare. Seclusion smiled watching a little as the formal stuff faded, feeling the old atmosphere she memorable as a child at her first memorable festival. Tamar tugged her dress gently and pointed to Nick making her turn her attention seeing him grin. “Fine, but I can’t dance” she said a bit bluntly and tucked a bit of hair back from her eyes. She hadn’t really learned to, and was no natural at that either.

Draco and Clare came back and Clare picked Tamar up to make sure she was safe and not getting trampled on. They were all glad to have secured an alliance, after all the humans and angels seemed to have become good allies which was considered a little alarming to some degree, no one did know quite how either. She did not drink much, able to handle the drink very well but she barely ate anything there.

[questor]

"Never learned to dance?" Nick shook his head and took her by the hand and lead h er out. "Just follow my lead and move, it is really not hard at all. " he told her smiling. As he began dancing with her, "So what do you think of your brother being a Lord? I think his wife is already enjoying the title and Planning offical dinners and such." he could see her watching the servants and how things were being set up and what foods were being served. She was taking note of the other Lord's names and that of their wife's or female companions.

He figured that she would be talking to Seclusion soon enough to get all the information she could on them so she could be prepared to entertain and not look the fool when doing it. She looked at Seclusion and Nick and clung to her husband's arm, smiling a sprarkle in her eyes. When the dance was done, she head over to the two of them and hugged Seclusion and thanked Nick.

[Rose for the Hunter]

She never had the time, she never had time for a lot of things, she sighed and just nodded simply and just followed his lead slowly getting the hang of it. “Says the person who know how to” she said to him “I’m proud of him, he’s my brother after all and I know he’ll look after the people in his lands. As for Clare, she loved to plan dinners before, my mother told me that, always prepared small dinners for family events” she said noticing Clare was noting down things to remember and Draco looked to her “Relax Clare, you can’t mess up” he said pecking her cheek and Tamar pretended to gag before she went wondering exploring the place.

Seclusion jumped a little when she was hugged, Draco was chuckling a little “Not even I knew you couldn’t dance” he chuckled and Tamar soon returned and looked to everyone smiling. Clare soon began asking questions. She answered them easily not minding so much. Clare listened and took note “How do you know these things?”
“I’ve been living with one of them for quite some time don’t forget” she said “And Deadly has similar tastes as well, so of course I take note of those, she is still a demon after all” Clare nodded, deciding she’d keep the traditions of the utopians within her dinners, they were forever proud of their culture and how they lived, but would make alterations for any dinners they held.

Draco looked to Nick “Think we should leave them too it, Clare can question for hours, How have you been recently anyway?” he asked “Form what I heard your trying to learn our style of combat” he said, he was never any good with conversations and Tamar went with him following her brother around somewhat and smiled up at Nick.

[questor]

Nick shugged his shoulders. It seemed that Clare was going to take Seclusion's time up asking lots of questions. "Yep have been doing training with Argon, one can never learn enough." he chuckled. He knew that down the road the Angelic's would be wanting to try again to destroy the Demons. By that time Nick wanted to know more on how to fight them in the air since he could fly, and have an army of demons trained to fight them from the ground.

He looked down at Tamar, "And how are you doing young lady?" he asked her. She was young but one day would be like her sister more then likely. He already had seen the young Utopians being trained in warfare as well. He looked for her to be sent off to the training camp near the Utopian City soon. Starting early they would learn and become fierce warriors.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Clare did eventually stop questioning her in which she just vanished to go outside for a bit and stretched her wings out, a crack coming from them since they had been folded for so long.
Tamar smiled “Me ok, how is Nick?” she asked having heard her sister call him that a few times now it was a lot shorter than his full name and she could actually say it correctly. She was going to be sent to the came when the winter came, it was more like a school really they came home every night and when they reached 14 only then did they stay there until their training finished, but they were allowed to choose if their family had a certain style such as the Almas. Tamar had chosen to learn the traditional style meaning she would go with the other young utopians.

Walking back inside after getting a bit of air she found that Clare had gone over to where Nick and Draco were before she walked over and Tamar grinned up at her. “Hmm, what is it?” she asked Tamar, the pair of them looked very alike apart from their mismatched eyes on Tamar were slightly different, the colours being the other way round.
Deadly had decided to join and stood at the feet of Seclusion having cleaned her coat before she joined. “Seems as though both sides get along better than we thought that is a good sign” she said smiling a little, being a demon herself it was a reassuring sort of alliance for her.

Seclusion tugged a bit of her hair instead of rustling it, Draco looked to his younger sister raising an eyebrow. "You really hate dressing up"
"Oh hush and you know I do, you however, are no different"
He chuckled looking to her, still as calm as ever, Tamar stood beside her smiling she couldn't wait to get to the training camp, utopains had one particular trait in which they liked to have something to do and learning seemed to be a way they used to sort out that problem.

[questor]

Nick chuckled at Tamar's responce to his question. "I'm doing good. Now that your sister is back." he tussled her hair a bit with a hand. Seclusion and Clare returned and so did Deadly. As he looked around he could see that both races were indeed getting along at the gathering. Clare seemed happy and Nick could see the wheels turning in her head. He figured she was planning their first banquet or party, probably to celebrate Draco's award of Lordship and Domain. Getting all the mayors, or military commanders of the villages together and possibly some of those lesser lords that supported Nick to gain their support for Draco.

She would do well in furthering her husbands position. She was already noting the wives of the Demon Lords there and excused herself from the group and went to talk to a few of them. They chatted for a bit and the Demoness smiled and looked happy and very friendly. Being the wife of a new Lord and the only Utopian at the moment was something that peaked their intrest. Also it seemed that Draco was in good with Nick and that also made the other Lord's wives want to get to know Clare and Draco. Nick chuckled and then picked Tamar up. "Not many here your age. A shame. Guess the next get together we will have to insure we have more your age here so you can have fun."

[Rose for the Hunter]

Draco watched “She’s certainly enjoying herself” he chuckled watching as his wife walked off to go talk to other demoness’ quiet happily, as though they had been friends for forever. Clare did not exactly have to note the names down she could just search their souls and read the names from their but she did not wish to be rude if she did hold a banquet or party, she had also decided she might use the old palace as well once it had finished being rebuilt.

Tamar nodded frowning a little before looking to Deadly “Tamar play with Deadly when no kids around” she said and Deadly moved playfully hiding behind Seclusion who simply looked to her over her shoulder. “Deadly, be nice.” She said to the hell hound. Tamar giggled, Draco watched briefly before turning back to his wife watching her for a little before he went over when some of the other lords started to appear beside their wives.

Tamar flexed her little wings out smiling a little since she felt so tall after being picked up, Deadly still hiding before Seclusion simply moved a little and she looked to her handler and gave a light sigh “Tamar this is no place for play, you might get hurt and no one wants that” said Deadly. Seclusion nodded before adding “Well I think outside is safer” and Deadly glared at her. “She’s still a child, might as well enjoy life before she reaches my age”

[questor]

Nick chuckled and figured that Draco would have to see about having some of the other Utopian children and demon children come to his castle when training was over for the day so the little one could have more then a hell hound to play with. The young of both races need to be mingled together so that they could forge friendships that would be strong when they reached adulthood. Bonds that would ensure that the two races would be united no mater what.

"We will work on that." Nick told Tamar. You along with the other Utopian and Demon children are the future. It is time that you got to know each other. " he gave her a big smile. "Who knows, you may be one of the leaders of our future." he chuckled then sat her back down on her feet. Training, and being children were esential

Crimson moved forward to join them. "I bet she rides you like a horse." he said jokenly to Crimson.

[Rose for the Hunter]

She grinned and nodded smiling to him, Deadly chuckled a little looking to Crimson’s face guess it was actually true “Ah, well get used to it, children are very playful, some don’t even fully grow up” she laughed. Listening she understood that if bonds formed between the children or the two races it could forge a stronger bond and help the two races merge together. “Maybe next time the banquet can be held in the palace of the utopian city, it should be finished by the next festival, no doubt Clare will organise that” she said.

“Hopefully Tamar won’t grow up as unpredictable as her sister or as reckless” making Seclusion turn her gaze to the wolf as she sipped her drink silently. “Tamar always be careful, Sis bad example” said Tamar frowning as she looked up to her older sister. “Why thank you” she joked and gave a light smile, practically getting told off by her younger sister tempted her to laugh a little.

[questor]

It was good to have laughter and a pleasent atmosphere in his castle. It had never had it since he became a lord himself and he liked it. He had sent servents to his mother for instructions on how to prepare the place and everything. They had returned with their heads full of ideas and instructions that seemed to be making things go quite well. He wondered if Seclusion was like Clare in being in the mindset of preparing things for a banquet or get together. She had been a General, trained as a warrior, not a socialite. She might need to learn a few new skills.

He looked at the documents he had given her, that gave her freedom. Now that she had her freedom, she no longer had to stay. He wondered if she would.

When Tamar made her comment about Seclustion he laughed. The honesty of the young. Seclusion seemed to have taken it in stride. "She does seem to get into trouble now doesn't she." He agreed with Tamar.

[Rose for the Hunter]

Seclusion never was one for planning many things ahead, and she knew she had plenty left to learn plus she was already used to Tamar’s comment although regretfully she knew it was sort of true. Rustling her wings a little on her back, still thinking to herself where she was going to go, she could stay here or go the city; her two most favourable options deciding she might sleep on it later once everyone had left. People talked for what seemed like hours, time passing quickly with the fun they were having and many of them soon retired for the night.

Picking up Tamar Clare smiled “Thank you, Lord Nickodemus, we had a great night” she said and Draco nodded “Indeed, but alas we must all sleep at some point” he took his wife and youngest sister to their rooms in order to get some rest.
A rather Sleepy Seclusion was also thinking along the same lines partly because she found dealing with a group of people tiring, worse than those stubborn old generals from the city. “I think I should retire as well” she said Deadly nodding off where she stood at her feet, she pecked his cheek quickly good night before heading upstairs to bed tugging her dress off and messing her hair back to its usual scruffiness before she tucked herself under the covers and Deadly curled up on the carpet rug contently. Remaining awake a little longer she was thinking looking outside the window from the covers that kept her warm. Rolling onto her front she let a hand drop to Deadly whispering softly to her, with the sleepy wolf giving a slight reaction every now and then.

[questor]

Nick just smiled as he was thanked for the good time. Slowly everyone either departed or made for their rooms. Even the King and Queen departed before Nick did. They still seemed to have a lot of catching up to do. He nodded as Seclusion told him she was retiring. He bet she could not wait to get out of the dress and feel more comfortable.

He ensured to say good by to all the guests that were leaving and heading home, and saying good night to those that were staying at the castle. Once the last one had left, he looked at his servent staff and told them to clean the place up some but to retire for the night and get a good start early the next morning on finishing cleaning up. He piled some food, meat, cheese, fruits, and bread on a plate and took it up to his rooms with a bottle of wine. Something to snack on before bed and in the morning when he got up.

He saw Seclusion in bed laying on her stomach. He went to the living area's balcony and stood there for a bit, pouring a glass of wine and sipping it and munching on the food he had brought.

At the prison a guard was bribed and Antioc was smuggled out of the prison and into the countryside. Those loyal to him and those hoping to gain what they could if he succeeded in overthrowing the king hurried through the night to get as far away as they could so they could make their plans and gather their forces.

[Rose for the Hunter]

She rolled onto her side hearing the door open and gave an annoyed groan looking to him and Deadly yawned looking to him as well before both soon drifted back to sleep. Waking up only minutes later she pulled something on and went over to him “How can you stay up so late” she said giving a tired yawn and looked to him as he stood on the balcony.
Something like a gut feeling was stirring, she felt that something was wrong, no idea what but she could feel it. Not saying anything yet until she was sure something was wrong.

Kana had returned to the city and went down to the heart, it was beating far more strongly and smiled at that, there was more than one reason she did. Seclusion sat herself on the edge of the balcony as she usually did knowing since she was awake she wouldn’t suddenly fall off. “Did you see the heart before hiding the utopians?” she asked him, “if so didn’t you know it is only half the size” she said, she trying to find the words in her mind before speaking any sense yet.

[questor]

He turned at the sound of Seclusion walking up behind him. He sipped the wine and munched on a piece of cheese. He chuckled as she asked her question. "Oh long days of various things that drag on and on. I will be going to bed shortly. Just want to unwind from the party. " He offered her the plate of food to see if she wanted anything.

"Oh I think it was the heart that drew me to it that long ago day. It seemed to call me to that cave and down the tunnels to it. I felt it beating and it glowed brightly when I approched it. When the last of the utopians were safely hidden in the cavern, I found that it had became smaller and glowed dimmer. It was as if it was trying hide itself. The further it was away from the people the less it glowed. I figured it was a good thing and left it where it was."

[Rose for the Hunter]

She chuckled a little, shaking her head “Not thanks, I can’t really eat much solid food”
“Used to be a lot bigger than it is now, the beat is strong now as well… anyway that’s beside the point” she said thinking a little “Because the heart got split in two, many, many years ago” she said “my mother split it in half, to save one of her children, at that time Tamar wasn’t bon and in reality I should’ve died on my first day breathing.” She said shuffling a little uncomfortably, this was not something she told many people so struggled to find the correct words partly because she almost got her heart ripped out, quite literally. “Basically half of it is keeping me alive at the moment, the orginal power is trnaformed into life energy however, that means I can't really eat as much soilid food and I need to hunt more regulary compared to others” she said. She rustled her hair giving a yawn. “I think I might go back to sleep soon” she said the tiredness kicking in once more. Deadly looked to her, wondering about the reaction that would be given.

[questor]

He listened to her and nodded. So she had a piece of the heart within her. A good reason for her to be its caretaker and why she needed to feed on the souls of others. It seemed more of a demon thing then it would of Utopian. Demons had weapons, like Crimson and Deadly that drained the souls of those they killed and stored them with in themselves. Though the demons didn't need them much, except during war time to help keep their strength up, they did now and then feed upon the souls.

"Did the Heart come with you from the world the Utopians came from?" he asked. The Demons, Angelics and Utopians were not of the world they now inhabited with the humans. It had once been populated with only humans. But their greed and desire for power and their insatiable curiousity, allowed them to find the means to open the gate ways to other worlds. But instead of finding those willing to help conquer their neighbors, they found races that wanted to rule the humans and use them as food or slaves. The heart sounded like something that could have come from the Demon world. If not, then the Utopians were more kin to the Demons then they thought.

[Rose for the Hunter]

“Where else would it have come from, of course it came from our original world, curiosity drove us here” she laughed “ So many stories surround it origin, no one know where it came from but form the very beginning it was there and it has lived within the city, never thought it would split itself in half” she chuckled. “and you’re the first one who I’ve told that hasn’t tried to rip my heart out about thirty seconds later” rustling her wings a little and Deadly sighed relaxing a little.

Neither of the races had known how similar to demons the Utopians were, it was as if their race had separated itself from the demons so long ago that they became forgotten. “The city was rebuilt here as well, the original city remains in our realm, and the door is still open as well, just very hard to find since it keeps moving its self.” She said thinking back a little. “and you need to sleep soon, your eyes are drifting off to sleep” she said to him

[questor]

He wondered about it. Could the Utopians be an off shoot of the Demon Race. There had been records way back when they arrived on the world they were on that there had been other gateways that lead to other worlds. It was a possibility though it would be hard to prove. "So your gate way is still open. Why has no others come through it?" he asked. Perhaps it was open on this side only. For surely there would have been more coming through it if it was still open on their world.

As for sleep he was almost ready to retire. "I will be going to bed her shortly." he told her. Setting down the empty glass next to the platter of food, he took a deep breath and placed an arm about her waist. He slowly began moving towards the bedroom.

[Rose for the Hunter]

“Because, there are no others, we are a small race, always have been” she said yawning a little and walked back to bed with him, growing tired once more “and it’s open on both sides since I’ve been through a few times when my younger sister decided to hide there when we were younger” she said. She was quick to settle back down to sleep she enjoyed the warmth and moved one of her wings over him once more the feather brushing very softly over him as she began to drift to sleep again breathing very softly against his neck again after nudging his head up again.

Morning rays were the first thing to wake her up in which she soon protested by curling up a little hiding form them since she wanted to stay asleep. Deadly yawned and stretched before looking to the pair of them and walked out to get some food and drink.

[questor]

He didn't want to get up again. He felt comfortable. He could tell that Seclusion didn't want to get up either as she curled up more with him, hiding herself from the sunlight that filtered through the windows. There was not much on his agenda for the day. Since the Utopians were made public and the marriage of the king to their queen, things had settled down some. It seemed as if even the people were more tranquil.

There were only a few cases that he had to see and he knew that they would not take long. Then there was a meeting with a few of the lords that had to be done in the afternoon. More business then anything else. Draco would be apart of that meeting. His first as a Lord. "Well shall we just curl up here for a bit more?' he asked her. "What have you planned for the day?"

[Rose for the Hunter]

“What do you think,” she said still not bothering to get up making her answer to his question clear enough when she just curled up more again quiet comfortable as she was hiding from the sunlight under her wings still she opened one eye and looked the him, the golden amber hue making it very clear she did not want to get up. “I don’t plan anything, things change so rapidly best to make sure a person is not too busy” she said bluntly.

It was a few more hours before she got up sitting up after a little while and stretching out her wings and arms looking around for either her training/hunting clothes or one of her dresses. Rustling her hair she yawn and looked to the ends, “I really should cut my hair soon” she muttered walking from the bed after spotting one of her dresses she had left out. “Plus there is not much reason to plan thing, it’s so peaceful for one” she said

[questor]

It was peaceful for the time being. After the fiasco that the Anglics tried, they were keeping things down and the humans were as well. Those boardering Nick's domain, seeing that he was not building up to attack them were actually talking and doing a bit of trading with the boarder villages. So things were pretty quite. The demon lords themselves were busy with their domains, seeing that the King and Queen were making the rounds of each to see how their subjects were doing.

"Well I do have a bit of work to do. Never ending struggle to keep the peace among my subjects. He got up and dressed and then stretched. "I am sure you will find something to do." he told her and patted her on t he ass. "But try to stay out of trouble." he chuckled. With that he kissed her and then left to go down to the throne room and take on the daily business.

"Are you sure that this will work?" Antioc asked.

"Guarenteed, my lord." the old man said. "There is no known antidote in the demon or Angelic lands.

"Then there is one." Antioc looked sternly at the man.

"Oh Aye, my lord, but it would only be found in the Dead City of Tryon." he smiled.

Antioc grinned also. The City was Called the City of the Dead for a good reason. Some magic or perhaps some god had cursed it. For it was inhabited by the dead or undead, how ever one wanted to look at it. Each of the things there carried diseases that could rot your flesh very rapidly, suck the life out of you and perhaps even turn you into one of them. Though these creatures roamed the city, they were bound to it. If they left they would fall to the ground and turn to dust.

"Good." Antioc said. "Then proceed as planned."

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