Rise in Arms ( Diamond , Garza and Adrain)

[Noku Noru]

Noku sat quietly upon his throne. His fingers taping on the arm rest of his golden chair as time seem to drag on by in a slow manner. His gold eyes shifting over to a servant boy who stood quietly at the bottom of the small set of stairs that lead out to the throne room court floor. The boy obviously uncomfortable standing still as he rattled in place.

 “ You boy, come here.”

Noku broke the silence, startling the poor lad with the booming voice of the king in the empty court room. The boy spun around and looked up at the King with wide eyes. Quickly climbing up the small set of stairs and falling to the kings feet, the palm of his hands placed firmly on the marble stair slabs and he bowed at his king.

‘ Yes your majesty?’

 The boy asked, his voice echoing in the large hallow room that was lit up by the sun light coming through the large arch windows lining the throne room. Noku sighed, tapping his index finger on the arm rest as he lifted his foot to tap his boot on the boy’s head. “ Send for Sir Diamond Corsica , Sir Anthony Garza and the Head Master at the Arch of Ages Adrain Kaiaru at once. Bring them to me at once and do your best not to make me wait too long.... “ Noku spoke, his voice demanding like a Royal King placing his boot back on the ground and leaning back in his seat.

The boy quickly picking himself up and stepped back off the stairs; keeping his head low the entire time while within the court room until finally reaching one of the doors. He quickly opened the wooden door and disappeared, The boy darting down the halls like a bat out of hell. He ran as fast as his scrawny stroke legs could; stopping only to ask each of the staff where they might have seen the men last. With no luck the boy scrambled together a letter and hustled out to the court yard to find a carrier. Once he was able to locate one, the boy handed the man the letter.

 ‘ To Sir Diamond Corsica, Sir Anthony Garza, and Lord Adrain Kaiaru; It is urgent and a demand from the King that their presence is needed at once! ‘

The boy told the carrier, letting the man go with that bit of information and let him leave to go find the three men on his own; meanwhile he would continue to search the castle for the three men. At least one of them were bound to find the gentlemen and they would arrive at the castle before Noku grew too bored. 

[Deleted]

After getting the summons by Noku, Diamond quickly made his way to the throne room.  He had cleaned up after doing some vigorious training and would look as presentable as he could. He then walks into the throne room and lets out a small wissle. As this was really swanky for a royal with all of this. He was in slight awe of it, perhaps this was the action it was meant to instill, although it could be the inverse if the enemy was being dragged into the the throne room.  None the less he would continue to walk forward and once he got to the bottom of the stairs to Noku's throne. He went to one knee and kneeled before the King, showing his proper respect as the ruler of this nation. "You have called me your majesty? Also I was able to get the information that you requested for that matter. Would you like that information now or would you want it for another time" he said not getting up until Noku told him. Diamond was not good with the majority of the nobles with the exception of Noku himself, Aria, and Melda. The rest he had no trust in or knew that much on them to have a true opinion on them. Whatever this was though, it had shook up the majority of the castle. So whatever this calling was, it had to be something rather major.

[Deleted]

Anthony Garza had been doing paperwork in his office with the door open when the young boy had darted past his door, only to skid to a halt and enter out of breath. The older guard looked up at him with a combined look of curiosity and irritation. He was about to tell the boy to go away because he had important work to do when he heard the words "King" and "summons", barely blurted from the boy's mouth, who was still too tired and out of breath to speak whole sentences. Garza needed no more then these two words, however, and was out of his chair and pushed past the boy almost instantly; a summons from the King was serious business, and Garza was a dutiful soldier through and through. The man did not run, but kept a brisk pace as his legs strode across the hall surprisingly light on his feet for a man his size and girth, the only sound made being the occasional rusting of his uniform as he turned corners. His face was was painted with concern, his thoughts racing. What was it that the king could want? If HE, of all people, was being called, it could not be good. It was highly likely that a high profile criminal or fugitive needed to be hunted bu the Bloodhounds, his unit. That was, after all, EXACTLY what his unit did, hunt down war criminals, rogue mages, and fugitives of the Kingdom.

When Garza entered the throne room, he noticed Diamond, the mercenary he had met at the tavern, kneeling in proper respect to thing King. While he liked Diamon's surprisingly honest nature for a mercenary, he was not comforted by the man's presence, as it only seemed to affirm his suspicions; bringing a skilled sell sword and mage meant that it was more then likely that here was a target. He knelt down on one knee next to Diamond, bowing his head as he put a fist to the ground, his metal gauntlet clinking softly on the cold stone.

"Your Majesty. Anthony Garza, Guard and Captain of the Bloodhounds at your service."

He looked up hesitantly, his face locking eyes with King Noku. He had always found his liege's eyes unsettling, but his own steel gaze would not avert. He had to ask the man the question, though he feared he knew the answer.

"If I may be presumptuous, Your Majesty. The fact that I have been summoned along with Sir Diamond...does this mean you want someone tracked? A fugitive or criminal?"

[Deleted]

Adrain had been in the second district handling some supply orders for the Arch of Ages when the runner was first deployed to seek him out. It is perhaps greatest fortune that Adrain wasn't at the Arch proper since that could take half a day to reach by foot and that's even to get to the rendezvous point for visitors to be led to the deeper part of the forest where the tree was hidden by countless wards.

The Archmage had just put in an order for parchments and inks when one of those searching somehow tracked him down, informing him that the King was seeking him out. Now this was curious, very curious. Whatever could the king want of him. It was inevitable with his position he would meet the king at some point but the sudden summons was another matter entirely.

He tosses the runner a gold coin for his trouble and promptly begins making his way to the palace. Following the directions to the throne room, he arrives behind the other two, taking in for a moment the expansive, elegant throne room of the king. Unlike some of the other nobles, he knew that Noku embraced the more traditional image of a noble and king.

Approaching the position of the other two, he lowered his head in respect to the King as he approached. "Good afternoon your excellency. I am glad to see you in good health. I came as soon as I could." he states, then taking a kneeling position a small gap away from the other two, but not noticeably so. At this point, he would merely listen, curious to see what the King wants with both him and the other two. Diamond he'd run into several times by this point, but the guard he can't place the face to.

[Noku Noru]

The air in the empty throne room hung placidly, imparting a vacant deadness to every sound. Noku reclined in his throne, staring absently at the richly embroidered drapery framing the high arching windows, tapping a strong, hollow rhythm with his index finger at long intervals. The thud of flesh against stone was not answered by any echo; the stillness clung oppressively to one’s skin in the amply lit room.

Diamond was the first to answer the summons, breaking the silence and arresting the steady tapping; bowing politely and offering his report voluntarily, his demeanor exuded poise and readiness. Noku spoke with the same sombre, sonorous cadence from earlier, his deep tones reverberating softly from the exposed portions of stone:

“Yes, I desired you to be summoned here for another reason; let us discuss your report before a more selective audience. We are presently awaiting two other gentlemen to meet for this item of interest.”


As Noku elaborated, Garza entered the grand hall, swiftly placing himself at Diamond’s side. His mark was spot-on, guessing at the king’s motive for issuing a summons. It pleased Noku to see the shrewdness of his Bloodhounds’ leader, and he assented:

“You guess correctly, Captain. I will reveal that knowledge shortly, when our third guest has arrived.”

Resuming his former posture, Noku occupied a few long minutes in absent thought, until Adrain joined the group before him. Adrain hailed the king, and paid homage to his health, eliciting a brief courtesy on Noku’s part, after which, he delivered his address to the whole:

“Gentlemen, I have called you to my throne room for several matters specific to your respective positions. The first is a congratulatory recognition of Mr. Corsica’s service to the throne, in the form of a promotion.” Noku extended his left hand in Diamond’s direction and continued. “Diamond Corsica, you are hereby promoted to Captain of the Rose Court Guard, and will assume the role of overseeing its personnel and carrying out its campaigns. A new private wing in the barracks have been set up for your purposes. You will answer directly to me and carry the authority of the crown in delivering the functions of your office; the strength of Nova will be at your back.” Turning to Anthony and returning his hand to its arm rest:

“Anthony Garza, you and Mr. Corsica are to locate and apprehend the fugitive Roland Walker, former Captain of the Royal Guard. I need not stress the importance of preparedness on this assignment; Roland’s abilities are well known and cataloged. His capture is of great importance to the continued safety of the crown and kingdom.”

Noku directed himself at Adrain, and continued, his voice steady and clear.

“As Headmaster of the Arch of Ages, it was my desire to meet you personally, Mr Kaiaru, and, more importantly, to discuss the progress and programme prescribed by your expertise in the arcane. Do, pray tell, elaborate on the produce my gold will yield under your care. I have high expectations of our mages and their handiwork.”

[Deleted]

Diamond gave a nod of his head Noku on that other matter he attended to for him. He then sees Anthony Garza one of the only high ranking individual he knew of the guard that was on par with at least Roland or what was said. He had heard the man was more of a military stock then a pencil pusher like walker. The other gentelman that walked in though did surprise him though as Adrian was called in. This did make him wonder as the three of them were rather powerful individuals to the kingdom at least. Then when the King spoke to him and the others. The white haired male was shocked and surprised that he was going to be placed in a new military wing for the kingdom. Diamond was no fool, if he declined this offer it would not look good at all for him or the king. In addtion though he would be getting some funds as well as some extra favors. Perhaps it was time that the Crystalis had found a home to come to for once in there lives. Again he was going to take it as this was honest work at least from the king plus they would only answer to him. "Very well I will gladly accept this office that you have given me. I shall not bring dishonor apon you or the kingdom that I am serving now. This I swear" said Diamond to Noku. He then makes a fist with his left and then gently puts it into a open palm and gives a slight bow again with this. A habit he had picked up in his travels.

He then hears that he and Garza would need to apprehend Roland Walker. The darkside of Diamond was going to enjoy this, as he wanted to get a bit of payback on the man. The insult to his honor needed to be avenged as he was made a fool of by that man. None the less he gave a nod to the king. After that though Noku speaks to Adrian on matters of the Arch or what not, as he was not too familure with the location or what seemed like a school or temple to train and learn magic.

[Deleted]

Garza remained in the kneeling position, daring not to move out of respect, only looking over his shoulder when Adrain entered the room. He had heard nothing of the man save his reputation, which was an impressive one at that. The gravity of this meeting was not lost on Garza, though he was surprised when the King mentioned that Diamond would be made a Captain of his own order. He did not question Noku's judgement; Diamond had more then proven himself in the past, and he would be very supportive of his new role, helping any way he could.

When it was his turn to be assigned a task, he paused awkwardly at the mention of Roland. He had actually been filing the report on Roland's arrest when he had been summoned, and thus had not had the time to properly notify Noku. After this brief delay, he spoke up.

"A thousand pardons, Your Majesty, but the arrest of Roland will no longer be needed. I was filing the report when you summoned me; Roland himself walked into the castle, and was arrested then. I made the arrest myself; he currently sits in a cell, and is being fully cooperative thus far."

[Deleted]

Adrain was quiet while the king addressed those who were present first. He raised a brow in curiosity when Diamond was promoted to captain of the Rose Guard. That was interesting, the King giving what as far as Adrain knew was a mercenary a high ranking military position. There was more to this story than met the surface, but Adrain had no right to inquire into it and if there was something high level with the king then he would likely not get an answer anyway.

Noku mentioning the capture of Walker, followed by Garza stating that Roland had already surrendered was a matter of curiosity. After the initial meeting at the falls, Adrain had looked more into Roland's issues and found out quite a it which would to him serve as a very cautionary tale of how to not fuck up trying to start a more formal relationship with Lucinda. Now wasn't the time for doing so, but he would try to get an audience with Noku privately to discuss the matter in the near future.

When Noku inquired directly to Adrain about what the gold will yield and mentioned he had wanted to meet him he thought carefully about his initial words. This was a test of character and an initial sparring of sorts. Noku was known to be cautious of magic. It was probably less of how the arch was doing and more of a 'what can you do for me?' sort of deal.

"Graduation and performance rankings have been higher since I started as Headmaster, a few organizational and policy changes having helped with that with enrollment growing. The spring entrance exams will be starting in the weeks ahead for the newest batch of mages. Those who enroll in the Rose Guard or other uses of mages you have in the castle should surpass you expectations. But I have more ambitious ideas to help the Kingdom." Adrain says, pausing for a moment before speaking again.

"The knowledge that a shipment of food and other supplies went missing in the earlier when we were expecting a shipment of produce, meats, and arcane supplies has given me inspiration to strengthen the Kingdom's position during the leaner months. I've drawn up plans for a 'Mana Farm' that I recently acquired land for to develop. It is a project such that will create jobs for the unemployed and ultimately substantially increase the food supply available even into the Winter months due to use of magic to maintain growing conditions as well as accelerating the process to create more and bigger yields." he states, then pausing for Noku to process it. "As well, I had deployed mages to the already existing farmlands closer to the kingdom to reverse the magical damage from Helena's attack to the lands there such that the normal yields should be unaffected. Undeath magic had infected the land and needed to be extracted lest produce potentially turn people into the undead or something worse."

Adrain pauses before speaking once more, letting the king take in the first bit.

"I also have ideas for improving the defensive strength of the Kingdom in the event of another attack occurring, but as you might expect my ideas would integrate magic more heavily into the ranks as well as the structures so there would be substantial consideration needed before moving forward in that direction." he states, then falling silent until asked to explain anything further.