Trisphee - Runic Ritual Art and Writing Event Contest -- CLOSED

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Illusion

Alpha

The sight of the ocean was a welcoming one as they drew closer and closer. She twitched in anticipation, so close, she thought to herself, but still so much to do. N’veiss seemed as if she was even more wound up than she was, tail moving all about, never staying still even when she was motionless otherwise. It was obvious the Tangi was still fixated on the idea of the Soulstone being hers.

“Well then, onwards to Nautes. The sooner we arrive, the sooner we can begin putting into motion our theft of their most precious gem,” Jahael proclaimed.

N’veiss practically drooled as the idea of holding onto the gem and having it for her own. It must be enormous to be the source of the typhoon guarding the realm of the Ta’ecelle. Oh the shininess would allow her to make so many pretties for herself. All of a sudden what Jahael had said sunk in. “Wait a minute. You don’t mean we are going to swim all the way out there do you?”

Jahael laughed in response. “Of course not. They should be here shortly to bring us to out destination. After all, we don’t quite have the…. affinity for water that they do. In fact, there they are now.” She pointed out into the distance where a small ship approached them.

Several hours later…

Jahael stretched as she stepped onto the platform, attempting to loosen all the muscles that had become cramped and utterly stiff from the long journey. She glanced over her shoulder where the scaly Tangi carefully walked across the deck of their transport to the dock, taking each step delicately. It was quite apparent that while she was reptilian in appearance, she was uneasy with the water surround the city. Jahael had to admit she was surprised that their escorts into the city proper were not more “fishy” in appearance. It seems that her initial ideas were false, and she would have to adjust accordingly. As they were taken further into what was surely a marvel of construction, she caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a walking fish. She inquired of “What are they? Certainly they cannot be Ta’ecelle as well, can they?” One of the guards chuckled and stopped to turn and face her. “Certainly they are Lady Ambassador. They are the denizens of the lower reaches of our fair haven in the ocean, and are therefore members of our lower classes.” Curious, Jahael thought to herself, they are truly a divided people, distinguishing themselves by class through their very appearance.

Skulking along while the devious Isilme carried on idle conversation with their escorts. Perhaps I should try and slink away now, to steal the gem and keep it all to myself. That Jahael acts as if there is something more she wishes of the gem instead of mere theft. She banished the thought once she realized she didn’t even have the slightest clue as to where it was located. Resigning to more boredom and useless banter, she caught up to the group just in time for the arrogant Isilme to give her a nasty look. How dare she, when I could betray her in an instant and likely gain a far greater reward than what she is promising me. Perhaps I should….it would gain me the trust of these “fish-people” and would allow for me to learn the whereabouts of their most sacred gem, the lovely Soulstone.

“Oh my,” was what the Isilme, the one they told him was called Jahael, exclaimed as they entered the throne room. Haryn chuckled at her admiration of their splendor, then promptly brought himself along with his two guards to block the newcomers’ path. “That will be all, return to your post,” he said to the simple soldiers who had escorted the outsiders this far. They left, moving quickly as they knew they were not wanted in the splendor of the Emperor’s throne. “Now, you have already made it this far, but I apologize for we must search you for weapons and remove all of them.” Jahael looked slightly annoyed, but complied to the search. The more feral looking Tangi, however, initially resisted his guards search. When an attempt was made to remove what they found, she sprung backwards, bringing herself into a defensive stance. “N’veiss, do relinquish your weapons to the Sacred Guard. Especially those kunai you seem so fond of.” She tensed for a moment, causing Haryn to reach for the blade that was always at his side. They are supposed to come in peace. I had hoped it would not come to something like this so early in the visit. After a few moments, the Tangi relented and began removing all of her weapons. In the end, she had removed a small arsenal from her person. They both are prepared for the worst, and I can certainly respect that, he thought to himself. “Is the mainland so harsh and dangerous that you have to carry all of this on you at all times? No matter your destination?” Jahael and this N’veiss looked at each other and laughed, then Jahael answered, “Not always, but since it was much longer than normal and was more than we had expected. At all times, certainly we have to carry weapons on us since we are not so isolated as you ocean-dwellers.”

Much later, following a joyous welcome by the Emperor of Nautes, Eosric, as well as a lavish banquet welcoming the Isilme Emissary Jahael and the Tangi N’veiss, the two outsiders to the city plan their grand theft of the Soulstone, having been shown its location during a tour of the palace…

A dark figure made it’s way through the darkened halls, dodging from one nook to the next to avoid being spotted. She turns a corner and climbs her way to the top of the ceiling, grateful for her closeness to the lizard instead of some more brutal or foolish creature. Hanging over gem itself, she had to suppress a squeal of excitement. So close, so very, very close! Attaching a rope to the ceiling, she lowered herself down, moving ever so slowly. She reached out to grab the brilliant purple gem, when one of the guards stationed around the pedestal sneezed. Before she could stop herself, she uttered the traditional response of, “Bless you.” The guard answered, “Thank you,” then realized that it wasn’t a voice he recognized and turned to see her already up to the ceiling again, scrambling away. “Thief,” the guard exclaimed, “we must sound the alarm for we are betrayed by our guests!”

Jahael heard the commotion and sudden life of the palace, and was hit with the realization that something had gone horribly wrong. That cursed Tangi, she must have been seen…. perhaps even caught. She began to layer on her clothing and armor again, reattaching every weapon that had not been taken by the pompous Haryn and his Sacred Guard. Now I have to find that gem and make my escape. If I get my hands on her, why I’ll…at which point N’veiss ran into her as she turned the corner to make a dash for the gem’s keep. “Damn you! What did you do to alert them?” “I did nothing! They merely turned at just the right time to see my ascent to the ceiling.” Jahael seethed; there must be something she isn’t telling me. Oh well, at this point, what did it matter? She grabbed the hilt of her sword and used it to bludgeon the Tangi and knock her unconscious. She deserves whatever they do unto her, for she was fool enough to be seen after she boasted so much about her skills as a mercenary and thief, Jahael thought as she ran towards the docks, scrambling to get away.

N’veiss awoke to pain, and to her astonishment was placed in irons which held her splayed out with her arms and legs all in different directions. The Ta’celle were even smart enough to have restrained her tail. From the shadows came the familiar Captain Haryn, an evil look in his eyes. “Where is it? Where is out glorious Soulstone,” he boomed at her. “I don’t know! The Isilme, Jahael, must have taken it!” She cowered, realizing that she had let her greed get the best of her. If only she could go back and never have taken this job, perhaps she could be swimming in other riches right now. She would never know now…

Quiet