[M] Three Kingdoms Redo IC

[Jevan2318]

Forest of Keiron

In the beginning of this war, Lekain and his forces have managed to over power the Elves frontier, and have entered their forest. Patiently moving through the thick woods and following small trails and roads to villages and towns. He looks with his eyes and saw pity and great amount of sadness. This is not how things were suppose to be.He Thought to himself.

Walking among the dead of his own soldiers and Elves laying on the ground. He shakes his head in dis-approval. His men standing in ordered formation, waiting for his word. Lekain watched villages, and towns burn to the ground. Looking to his men who had lived through it all, he could but do one thing for his men.

"My brothers! Today we've done enough to tear a hole into Keirons' mass forest. We fought nothing but women and children. Old folk who could barely hold a broom, No! Barely hold a small twig! There is no sport in this if the enemy will not show their faces here. There is no glory if a real battle is won. There is no retreat if the enemy had out flanked us. Let us return home, and gather our strength back by taking the real fight to Damascus. To Askard!" He raises his sword and points in one direction. His brethren raised their swords and gave a cheerful applause.

Prince Lekain led the way, but before his forces have moved, yet another General was among them. "My Prince, you retreat, there will be a chance for the Keiron's forces will return full strength. We must press forward, we must annihilate them all."

The Prince stopped in his tracks, he did not move or changed his expression. His men watched from behind, wondered what he pondered. "General Ko'vhan, you may try your luck in finding the City of Keiron, but the path will not reveal to you, we must wait for them to come to us." He slowly faces towards the General, "It will take many days to find it, I am not wasting my Elite Marauders to become murderers of innocent people." Then he begins walking again, his men followed, nearly 10,000 troops had begun moving.

But General Ko'vhan had a larger force of 20,000. "The world is no longer innocent my Prince, it is more likely filled with selfish bastards and cowards can't face their enemies." The Prince continued walking, he did not wish to argue with General Ko'vhan. So he left him in the forest with his 20,000 troops, and returned to Askard.

Damascus, courtyard.

The sound of swords were so very soothing to the humans as they practiced and trained. Commanding officers enjoyed of yelling at new recruits before they entered the training camp.

Above all else, the two Champions were watching from the courtyard, giving troops a great deal of morale if they made appearances every day.

"Brother? Do you think we have a chance again'st the Askard Kingdom?" Saleen asked as she watched the recruits learned to wield a sword and shield.

Cross closed his eyes for a moment, he could hear the metal clink as they clashed together, the sound of officers yelling at recruits for their failed efforts. "If it were so little sister, I'd say we got one hell of a long shot to try." He responded with a faint smile.

"I would certainly hope so dear brother, we've tried our best for the sake our Kingdom to be not be in the wrong hands." She looks to their current forces of what they have left. "All we can do is defend ourselves for now." She lowers her head, "Wished there was something more we can do."

Looking among the skies, then back at his sister, "Do not fear little sister, we may have failed a few attempt to over take one of the Dragoons' fortresses. But no longer will anymore die. And if it were up to the King, I'd say we would have sent scouts to gather more forces from the counties across the Kingdom."

"Yes but, what if they don't come? What if they don't show their faces here at the heart of our own home?" Saleen had a worried expression.

"Fear not, for they will come, I am sure of it. We are the Champions of Damascus, we've fought the Rebellion Wars and won with the strength of our military forces. We will prevail!" Cross drew his sword, "Soldiers! Brothers and sons of Damascus. Today is a new day, today we will prevail again'st the odd our enemies. We will show them what humanity can do! Today we will bring our foes to their knees. No more will we have to suffer! No more will we bow to the knee of who they say they are the masters, We will be victorious!"

The recruits and soldiers raised their swords, cheered and applause the Champion. Saleen, watched her brother in awe as he made another wonderful speech. "That is what the men needs, bravery and courage." She smiles as she raises her spear with her brother.

[Drakkon]

Hook chuckled as he crouched on the ledge. His hands between his legs and feet as he watched the guards rush about down below. Unaware of his whereabouts. "Blast it! How many times must this thief mock us!" Sen yelled, kicking over a stand of an innocent merchants. "This damn bastard cost us promotions and recommendations! Not to mention our salaries diminished!" Another one, Hail, whined. Hook yawned, tilting his head as they continued to bitch and moan at their misfortune. "If I caused that much grief perhaps you should catch me then!" Hook called out. Instantly drawing the squads attention. "Or challenge your so called 'best' squad to catch me. No man or creature with my talents can catch me, what makes you, so domesticated and feeble, think you may?" He questioned, as Sen started climbing up the building to him. Struggling at a few minor points, to which Hook knew several tricks to surpass them. "I mean, if Sen cannot even pass the easiest challenges this building provides what hope is there for you?" Hook asked as Sen started moving faster, out of pure anger. But it was out of that anger and frustration that caused him to fall not five seconds later. Cockily stretching his arms Hook stood up. "Now, the only question remains. Should I remain or allow you to give chase?" He pondered aloud, scratching his head. Two of the guards start throwing rocks at him. Grinning Hook looked down at them. "I shall run then." He stated, and with that darting off out of sight from the guards.

[Wintersend]

Silence. That was all that was heard in the forest of Keiron as the Dragoons had entered the great forest in search of the Elves. Of course, they had not found the city nor the elven forces. That was when the screams of dying women and children started. And, the blood thirsty battle cries of the Dragoon forces soon overpowered the dying elves screams. Airaion was furious with the queen of Kerion now. She had sent no forces to divert the attacks of the Dragoon forces as they slaughtered innocent women and children. He mourned for the loss of so many of his people, but his anger soon overrode his sadness. This was the exact reason he had left the Queens service as Captain of the guard.

He quickly got dressed in light traveling gear and placed his quiver full with twenty-four goose feathered arrows and twin swords placed in slots on his quiver. He emerged from his home well hidden in the forest near the borders of Keiron, Damascus and Askard, and quickly ran through the hidden forest trails catching up to a group of Dragoon scouts that seemed to be lost. He looked that them with no emotion on his face and drew his bow, strung its and knocked an arrow onto the string in three quick fluid movements. He released the arrow at the scout heading the party and he fell dead without a single word.

The scouts quickly hurried through the forest trying to find their way out and two more fell over dead as arrows seem to spring out of the trees themselves. The Dragoons were not trained to fight guerilla tactic fighters. Nor were they trained to fight this particular elf that was slaughtering them with little effort. Then an elf stepped out of the shadows twin swords drawn and they charged him, thinking that he would be little more than a pest on their shoulders but they were wrong.

Airaion stepped from the shadows with his blades drawn and waited for the Dragoons to attack. When, they charged, and he easily avoided their attacks. They might've harmed a normal elf, but he was far from normal. His skill with the blades haven't been seen in a thousand years. He took these Dragoons down with little effort, but he left one alive. He strode up to the only living scout left and said darky "Go back to your masters and tell them to never return to this forest again. Or their fate will be the same as theirs" He pointed to the fallen Dragoons and turned back to him with a single word "Go" Then he tossed him on the path out of this area and that would lead him to the Prince.

Airaion gathered his arrows and cleaned them, retreating back into the shadows of the forest. He was going back home, now that he had frightened a single Dragoon, the main force would head to this section of the forest, that was abandoned save for the lone elf that walked the woods killing enemies of Keiron.

[Jevan2318]

General Koh'van leaded his forces through the forest. The sounds of heavy boots and metal clinking together followed him. His face was hard and no emotion showed, unlike the Prince, he was fearless, cold heart'd, and ruthless.

While marching, he waited word for his scouts to bring a report. When he only saw one scout returning, the look on his face did not worried. The scout breathing hard and fast, he tried catching his breath, but was still shock to see one elf had done so much damage.

"General Koh'van, we were scouting ahead, we found several paths, before we went any further." He looks up to General Koh'van, "We were ambushed, not by sheer force, but by one Elf." The General looks up to the path which he came from, he looks to his men. "Only a scouting party was wiped out by one Elf, but let us see how he can take an army of the deadliest warriors."

The scouts bows his head, "Yes Gene-." The scouts words were cut off, he felt a slice through his neck, his fell separated from his body and rolled towards the other officers under General Koh'vans command. Watching the scout's head stopped rolling, they look at the General who wiped his sword from the scout's blood. "Weaklings should never live."

Sheathing his sword, he looks to his officers, "Order the men to keep their shields up and the spears in the back." The officers saluted their General and ordered their men. General Koh'van and his troops begin moving towards where the scout reported from. Marching slowly for any surprises, the troops were amazed to see the General walking in front of his army.

The General and his forces approached where the scouts lay dead. "Hmph, these were nothing but target practice for this single Elf." He looks around, He is still around, I can sense it. Thinking to himself, he reaches for his sword. "Come out Elf, let us see how you can handle an army and not a small pack of weak birds." He looks around, the others keep their shields up, leaving no open space.

[Wintersend]

Airaion heard the Dragoon commander calling him to come out, but he was no fool. This was an outmatched fight for him, but maybe with the right skill he could seperate the commander and his troops. Yes that was what he would do. He restrung his bow and knocked the arrow on the string pulling back and aiming directly to the left of the commander. He released and the arrow with the speed of a striking snake struck home and killed the Dragoon soldier instantly, then three more arrows followed, taking out the left flank and pushing them into the right flank.

Then, he emerged from the shadows of the trees swords drawn again and he looked straight into the commanders eyes and said "Here i am commander."

General Koh'van looked at the Elf, he scoffs of what he seen. He reaches for something behind his back, slowly moving his arm out, he reveals what he held. A shield was in one hand and his sword in the other. The look on his face did not changed, he moves into a stance, ready himself to fight. "You are good with that bow of yours, but let us see how you are in close combat." He moves his shield in front of himself, and charges forward.

Airaion smirked and his blades met with the generals in a clash of silver and sparks. He kept the smirk plastered on his face and swept his leg out and knocked the commanders legs from under him causing him to fall on his back losing what breath he had. He swung with his swords bringing them down on the commander stopping merely inches away from the neck of the dragoon and said " You were foolish to come to this part of the forest Dragoon. You will never find the city of the elves and you will not live long in my forest."

Koh'van used the shield to bash the Elf on the leg, when he did, he stands back to his feet. "Cheap talk for cheap tricks." He rolled his sword in one perfect circle before charging again. He swings his sword from above, he strikes, though he felt he missed and struck a large boulder, which smashed into several pieces. He looks over his shoulder, and takes another swing at the Elf.

Airaion clenched his teeth together as the pain from the shield meeting his leg spread through his body. He closed his eyes as he heard the sword coming down, but the Dragoon commander missed and shattered a boulder next to him. He gripped his twin blades tightly and healed his leg quickly then with the grace and precision of the Elves, he began a dance of fury, his blades flashing in the sunlight as he brought them continuously down on the commander, surely weakening him.

Airaion would have to finish this soon, he was getting tired. Even though he was elf by blood, his strength was prone to fading, which is why he relies on his bow to do most damage. Still, his skill was unmatched and he would come out victorious. He swung his blades with a heavy downward motion and clashed with the commanders sword shatter both of their weapons into pieces. Many of the swords piecies shot into the stomach of Airaion and he fell to his knees; blood pouring from is wounds in streams.

Koh'van saw the swords scattered into many pieces, most of them pierced through his neck. But the small metal was not his only concern, he had wondered where the other sword had went. Not moving an inch of his body, he looks down slowly and realized he had been struck. His body no longer in his control, numbness covered his legs, which forced him to his knees. His shield never blocked the attack, which falls on the ground with a loud thud. He reaches for the handle of the blade, he heard one of his officers called out to him, "Stay your blade, this is my fight."

The officer slowly moved away with their shields up high. Koh'van could barely get a grip on the sword, he lost his strength. "Beaten by a pointy ear bastard, what are the odds?" He begins laughing, blood started pouring out of his mouth, and his wounds, the blade almost pierced through his heart, but he was still breathing. "I..I can't fail now." Koh'van tries to get up while his hand still on the handle.

"I am not just any pointy-eared bastard Dragoon, I am Airaion Vannae, greatest Swordsmen/Archer in three thousand years." He stepped to the Dragoon commander and healed his wounds taking away the blood and sealing the tears in his flesh. But, he left the pain and numbness within the commanders body. Then he heals himself once more and staggers. The healing of so much today has drained his strength completely.

Just then nearly forty arrows poured out of the trees and all met their marks. Forty Dragoons fell to the arrows of the elves. Elven archers stepped out of the shadows of the trees and trained their arrows on the dragoons still standing. A dark haired elf stepped forward and said "Leave our forest Dragoons. you will not live a day longer if you dont."

The Dragoons forces pushed together and blocked any arrow hitting anymore. One of the officers saw they could not get their General back, they had no choice but to withdraw from the battlefield. "Fall back! Fall back! Retreat back to Askard!"

The General laid there, he watched as he fellow brethren left him there to die. But now he had realized what the Prince had meant before, he laughs, his vision begins to blur, he saw a figure standing over him. "I don't care if your the King of all the pointy ears, The Prince of Askard will come back to fight." He smiles, "Only he knows of your city." He lost his conscious and fell into a deep sleep.

Airaion nodded in thanks to the king and then left with the general hanging over his shoulder. He made it back to his home and tied the commander up then collapsed on the bed from exhaustion. He closed his eyes resting for a moment to regain some strength before he began his torturing to get the general to talk. He could feel the strength returning to his limbs now, and feel the rush of relief as his body began to relax. He would be back to strength in no time at all.

Koh'van wakes up in a shocking moment, finding himself tied down. Looking around he thought he was alone, relaxing the throat a little bit, and groaned sounded a little feminine. "I gotta get out of here." Koh'van sounded more like a woman instead of a man. Back home, Dragoon women can fight in the war, but ranking positions were forbidden, Koh'vans' dream was to be the greatest General who ever lived, but in order to do that, she must act as a Male Dragoon. She struggles with the rope around here. "Crap, this is can't be the end of me...if they find out..." She lowers her head, keeping her eyes closed.

Airaion has listened to her words the entire time, even without Koh'van detecting him in the place with her. He smiled and spoke softer this time, feeling slight guilt for treating a woman the way he did "So, you are not a man. You are a woman." The look on Airaions face clearly showed guilt and regret. " I apologize for treating you in such a way. Had i known you were a woman...I...I don't know what i would have done." Airaion was clearly troubled now, with what had happened between the two in his home. His regret was growing steadily.

She chuckles, "I do not need your pity your pointy ear bastard, I am still a Dragoon, I'll...I'll..." She stops struggling, her head low. "If your going to torture me, know I will not speak, I will not give in." She looks up to Airaion. "I am great General, I will not forsaken my kind." She stops rambling, thinking about the time when she first joined the military, the time she acted out as a Male.

Her body was still numb at the time, she could still feel like the pain. She kept her eyes closed, she stopped speaking, she remained silence.

Airaion shook his head swiftly and said " I had plans of torturing you, but now that i know of your true nature i will not do such a thing." He walked over to her pulling out a knife made of elven steel, and cut the ropes tying her to the chair. Then he murmured a few words healing her wounds and taking the pain away. " Leave the forest and my home. Step outside of this home and travel directly north. It will take you back to the lands of Askard. Be safe Dragoon." With that Airaion gathered his things and left the woman alone in his home, as he stepped into the sunlight and strode into the shadows of the forest. Not turning back once to look upon the Dragoon woman.

Feeling angered, she felt she was no longer worthy of anything. She looks around and finds a blade hidden under a shelf. She quickly grabs it and walks out of the Elf's home. She find the Elf walking down the trail. She charges after him, "Get back here! Never turn you back on an enemy!" She raises the blade and takes one swing.

Airaion knocks down the female dragoon easily and throws the blade deep into a tree. He looks back at her sternly " Do not give up your chance to leave woman. You were a worthy adversary, and you will likely be again. Go home to your family." Airaion turned and once again disappeared before the females very eyes and his voice spoke from the darkness "leave the forest"..

Koh'van stays on the ground, half her face covered with her hair. "I have no family." Still feeling angered, she slowly gets back up on her feet and chases the Elf in the woods. "I'll find you myself!" She too disappears in the woods.

[Jevan2318]

A small time bounty hunter watched her target, the one called "Hook" Dodged and toyed with the guards. She chuckles as she observes his movement. "Well, guess the guards are out of the picture." Wearing light leather armor with a bow attached to her back including a quiver of arrows. Dark blue hair matched the color of her eyes. Rogue was her name, matches with her own personality and always works alone, not following any rules of what so ever.

She begins following him as soon he darts off in the streets, though she was on top of buildings, jumping roof to roof. Not using her full speed, she caught up to the thief, running side by side.

"So...you're the infamous thief the guards always blabber about, your not much to look at." She mocks while running beside him. "Listen, how about you just give up right here, right now, and we won't have to draw blood or anything like that, will you do that for me?" She smiles.

[zelli]

Nicolas wandered the forest as was his habit of late when he needed time to think. Something about wandering amongst the tree's had a calming effect on his aching soul. This cannot be, the queen cannot have lost control so much. Even my half-brother cannot be so cold hearted as to leave women to thier fate. He thought back to the conversation he had the morning before with one of his infrequent visiting court friends.

"They were just told to sit and wait I tell you, it was the worst thing I ever heard." The friend said.
"Surely you are mistaken, my mother would never allow innoccents to die. Nor would she allow my brother to command the army while she still drew breath." Nicolas replied.
"As much as I wish it were not true, your brother gains more power every day. More and more the elves are wishing for a saviour, and he appears to be it since your supposed death." The friend replied steadily.
"Then return I shall, but first I will need some help to stop my brothers elite guard. I will see you on the next month, don't bother to look for me." Nicolas replied with a grin, knowing full well that his friend would abide by his decision.
"So be it my friend, don't wait to long, your mother grows weak." So saying, the friend departed, leaving Nicolas to start his wanderings.

As Nicolas ran over the forest ground, something caused him to stumble and stop. Turning slowly, he blinked twice as if to confirm what his eyes were seeing. Falling to his knees he began to weep, for the forest itself had been burned. Acre upon Acre to precious tree and life had been destroyed by the invading Dragoons. As he wept, hiding in the bushes, he saw the Dragoon Army gather and turn to listen to their commander. Gathering his emotions, Nicolas just barely heard the commander say, “, “We fought nothing but women and children. Old folk who could barely hold a broom, No! Barely hold a small twig! There is no sport in this if the enemy will not show their fa...." Nicolas moved away quietly, unable to bear anymore.

So it must be true mother, you truly are loosing control. Fear not, I shall return with an army to save you, and to save my people as well. With that vow, Nicolas turned and began to make his way to his hut on the edge of the woods. He had much planning and packing to do if he was to outwit the invading armies, and his brother. While fleeing to Damascus at the same time. The Humans will know what started this madness, and how to end it. They are first on my list, besides they have been good allies in the past, whats to say they won't help me now.

[Drakkon]

Hook blinked, hardly breaking pace as he turned his head towards the woman. "Oh! Uh, maybe, wait. Actually! No. Not at all. We shall not draw blood and I shall not give up." He spoke quickly, leaping over a ledge to another roof. "Quick question though, are you spiriting or are you running? Well I suppose it has to be running otherwise you would have fallen by--Oh! My drop!" He cut himself off then vanished. Using mostly his feet and a single hook he effortlessly landed himself several stories down using the walls and windows to keep him from falling directly. As he dashed out of the alley he spun around and ran backwards. Waving to the woman. "Chase me if you wish!" He chuckled, before dashing off. Quickly running through to a crowded street.

Chuckling more so as he passed through the usual crowds of people memories of each and every chase he was ever in came and went. This woman was agile and fast but Hook knew what she was, more so he knew what her weaknesses were. Well, they would be his own as well if he had not wielded the two hooks. Which was exactly why he was going where he was. An old ruined tower in the most dilapidated part of town. There were only four levels of the tower that one can reach with skills such as Hook and the Hunter woman, but their is a sixth area which only Hook and possibly a few others with like equipment may reach.

[Jevan2318]

Rogue gives a small pout look as she watches Hook escapes from her. "Have me chasing you huh? Well, lets see who has the quickest feet." She jumps down from the roofs and lands quietly and takes a quick tap on her foot to start running again. Though she was not out of breath yet, she dodges the crowd that almost closed every gap for her to fit through.

Grabbing her bow, she kept up with the thief.

"Listen, I'm not here for your head, if you just listen." she looks forward and realized she was about to run into a wall, she jumps for it and managed to leap over a 10 foot wall. She gives a quick whoop and smiles.

Watching the thief enter a ancient tower, she stops for a quick second and looks at the building. "Well guess I can keep with that." She smiles and giggles.


Keiron Royal Palace.

"Milady, we just received word a few dozen villages of women and children were slaughtered by the Dragoon forces, we must act upon this milady." One of the Royal guards informed her of grieve news. The Queen sitting on her throne, she does not say a word, her face expression says other wise. "This is unfortunate news....However, I can not send our forces out." She turns her head and looks at a young prince, who stepped in the throne room.

"Mother, we must use our forces to protect ourselves, and father had gone out there deifying your wishes." He walks up to the Queen, "Mother, I ask of you to exile father, for he had abandon us." The Queen gives a glare and slaps the young prince, "Your father did not abandon us, do not speak of such things."

Rubbing his chin, "Then where is father? Hm? Why has he not come back?" The Queen glaring and closed her eyes and turns her body to the Royal Guard. "The remaining forces we have....will remain behind the walls of this city." The Royal Guard looks to the prince and then to her.

"So you are willing to leave the people outside to be slaughtered your majesty?" He spoke out of line, the Queen looks at him, "If you wish to join them then so be it, I hereby call upon you to be exiled from Keiron Royal Palace and it's city." The Prince smiles pleasingly.

"Milady, please don't-" The Royal Guard begged. "I am sorry, but my mother has already made her decision, guards?" The Prince snapped his fingers, Two more guards appeared next to the Exile, "Please show the exile the way out." He turns to his mother whom had sat on her chair. The guards escorted the exile who protested again'st her claim.

"Mother, you not need this, please, go to your room and rest, I'll take care of any business you have on today's agenda." The Prince offered. The Queen looks at her son displeased. Her two servants followed her to her chambers. The Prince grins and finds the throne's chair and sits on it. Looking upon everyone. "Today will do nothing for those poor souls outside of the City, they choose their way and that is that." Everyone looking upon the young prince in disapproval, but still they must obey for they know the true face of Keiron's Tyrant ruler.

[Wintersend]

Airaion knew the woman would eventually find him among the many trees, but where he was going she could not go. He leapt into the trees, leaving his trail at a dead end in the middle of the forest. He had plans of his own, and if he were to act upon them, then he must be careful. First step was to visit the Royal palace in Keiron, and then he would have to travel to Damascus, in hopes that the rumors that Dragonsbane was gathering his army for war against Askard. He remembered when war was not known among the people of this realm, he remembered a time of peace and friendship between all nations.

While running however, he chanced upon a lone elf in the forest, a dead part of the forest at that. He stopped and looked closely at him then his eyes widened "Nicolas, i knew you were not dead. I knew your foul playing mother made that rumor up. Your father still searches for you." He looked around in the direction that the dragoon woman would be following him and said "Run towards Damascus, look for Dragonsbanes army, and tell him of the situation in Keiron. This great forest has become corrupt with powerhungry elves."

**Caleb**

Caleb had been riding for three days from the capital of Damascus to the Army encampment. He needed to check on the progress of his army. He needed to make an appearance to better the morale. He sent his champions to the encampment to prepare for battle. His scouts had told him of a large host of Dragoons on the borders of Damascus. He wondered how Keiron fared in this war, but his borders were his main priority. Within days he had reached the encampment, and had gone in disguise as an Archer.

He strode into the command tent, and met the eyes of three very angry generals. The oldest one said voice filled with outrage "Archer, what exactly do you think you are doing in the command tent of his majesty the King Caleb!?" Caleb looked upon the man with a slight hint of amusement on his features and then spoke while removing his cloak "Why General Interian, I am pleased that you asked me what I am doing in my own tent." He burst into laughter, while the General quickly corrected himself, and asking forgiveness from the King. Caleb shook his head and spoke softly " No need good General, it was all merely a misconception of identity."

After that scene had played out Caleb told everyone to go rest and he removed his armor, and dressed himself in a white robe with golden trim and a golden circlet rested upon his head. He turned to the servant in his tent "Please dear Amara call for my Champions"