Sophia's Journey

Niall had chosen the new man Voralius as his second for the meeting, for though new to Esscha Endor and the Honor Guard he was quite old, exceptionally skilled and sharp as a razor. Niall rather wished Seth had not opted to move the meeting but take a stab at protecting the king here while perhaps catching the culprits in the act. Before the brothers arrived Niall decided to take the initiative and hope he wasn't stepping on Seth's toes. Establishing a solid and well guarded mental link with Seth, Treborn, Merrek, Voralius and Gram, Niall spoke his thoughts to their thoughts. Meanwhile there was an illusion of them speaking about the city. ~"My Lord, Treborn, we've received information that an attempt on your life will be made when your clock there strikes ten AM. We wanted your sons invited here to see how they would respond to being present and certain conditions we were told to observe. There is little time so I ask you to trust that we can protect you. Did your sons know of this meeting before we instructed you to invite them?"~

~"Yes,"~ Treborn answered plainly.

~"When were you planning to offer drinks?"~

~"Just about now, to sample a bottle of the wine you brought together while we talked."~

~"As you would then,"~ Niall compelled.

Treborn smiled. "Let us sample some of the fine wine you brought from your vineyards then you may taste some of ours," he suggested as he walked over to a cabinet and turned five cups upright which sat on a tray on a piece of fine cloth. He brought the tray over to the table center room and fished around in the chest for the bottles there. He pulled out two bottles rather than one and uncorked the seastar wine to begin pouring it into the cups.

"None for Voralius and I, my lord, We are on duty," Niall declined.

Treborn nodded and filled three of the cups half full. "I would like for Eoghan to remain here as my guest for a time, Lord Octavian. He will not be harmed, on my honor he will not. I only wish to offer him my friendship and prove to him he has friends among my kind. He is on the verge of a fall, Lord Octavian, a very dark fall and I mean to help him back to the light of his heart if I can. I fear being among your people will only encourage his fall as it will remove any healthy fear he has of Acheron. Acheron values the good brethren it possesses for a reason. All the better to draw those who are resistant in. I do not declare Acheron as my enemy as some mortals might, but Eoghan's fall can only result in disaster for what compells him towards surrender. Mortals filled with fear and malice have abused him far too many times. More than any other immortal before him. It is imperative I show him that he has the support, friendship and protection of humankind in me and mine. Allow me to do this." The clock was ticking down.

The door opened and his three sons entered as the guards outside let them in. His eldest son Adroplal went straight for the bottle of wine which still had a few sips left in it and drank from the bottle. "Ah, that is a fine dry red bouquet." He commended and looked at the label. "Seastar, never had that before."

Niall picked up one of the filled goblets and held it to Adropol who waved his hand and shook his head. "There's enough in the bottle and I only wanted a taste. Adropol by the way, Adropol Treborn."

"Niall," Niall returned then introduced the others starting with Seth.

Adropol bowed to Seth. "Goodness, a god comes among us. How fortuitous." They had heard the tales.

~"There's no such thing as enough wine for that one,"~ Treborn informed them.

"I am Robrek and I'll have some," the youngest brother was happy to accept and started to pick up a fresh bottle to uncork it when Niall offered him Gram's cup as he tried to offer it to Adropol before him. Robrek took the cup with a nod of thanks and was about to drink when Cenyen tripped over his own feet and knocked into Robrek to knock the wine from his mouth spilling half of it in the process. Where Adropol could care less if Robrek drank Cenyen was quite fond of his younger brother.

"Sorry, brother, that was so clumsy of me." Cenyen apologized.

Treborn was getting a headache because he saw exactly what Niall was trying to expose here. It was absolutely depressing.

****

Eoghan had fallen asleep spooning his wife, his arms coiled around her as if trying to safeguard her from the world. He hadn't realized how completely exhausted he was and slept quite soundly. He was a light enough sleeper though that the slightest stirring from her would rouse him. Belial and Ris were escorted down a hall that went straight out from the living quarters to split two large blocks of capacious rooms with a perimeter corridor at either end of the central corridor which led straught from the living quarters to Eoghan's assigned three story keep. Silent commands were given by the very professional guards which activated the runes on the door to allow them to unlatch and open them. "He'll be inside. Likely here in the main floor bed chamber on the other side of the sitting room," the eldest of the two guards directed, then once they were inside he closed and secured the doors once more behind them.

It was so quiet in the keep that Belial moved across the foyer and the connecting sitting room silent as a door mouse. The room was beautifully decorated with a wine and refreshments bar that was fully stocked. A breakfast tray sat on the sitting room tea table untouched. It was covered with a metal plate dome that was still warm when he pressed his hand against it. He leaned his head against Ris arm which held onto as they walked to the bedroom then he lifted his head as they opened door to peer inside. Now wasn't that just the cutest thing? His antithesis all curled up with his daughter's corpse.

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Seth perhaps should have been more willing to take risks, between the three of them they would have surely been able to halt it. However, Seth had perhaps lost the nerve to put him in jeopardy? Or perhaps Seth believed they would take the risk to see it done, regardless of the kinks he put in their plan to keep them causing their father's death.

As wine began to pour Seth was focused on Treborn's words rather than his thirst, the thought of ones own sons seeking their fathers death though? Is this what would have become of Soren, not for their same reasons, but would Soren have resorted to plots like this had his curse been let to run its course? He wanted to punch Tiber more than ever now! Seth could understand the way Treborn thought of Acheron. Octavian he sometimes had his doubts for how Acheron did things, Octavian was no angel, but he had not ever truly been of Acheron. He assumed many Hellions felt that someone like himself was soft, maybe even untested. "I understand, however, the means in which you offered him your olive branch was rather.. well forceful, how can we be certain you are not holding him against his will? I understand your intention, but, I like you were born mortal. So I can see your point of view, at least on some level." He then looked thoughtful, "I am not against what it is you are trying to do, it is a noble goal, to try and save him as you are. However, there is an earth saying: 'The path to hell is paved with good intentions.' Has Eoghan agreed to this as of yet?" Seth had no real Authority here, he was after all King of Esscha Endor, not Eastguard. "I would be ashamed if I did not check on the mother of my Queen, and take her back with me, as well as seeing that her Step-father is not being held against his will. I think that would be reasonable." He thought it was a good idea to save Eoghan from a fall, he saw how falling could make someone, and did not think everyone NEEDED to be of Acheron, sometimes another perspective was needed.

Seth's actual reason for being here was something else entirely, aside from keeping this man from being assassinated, he wanted to guage the type of man he was. If he was indeed worthy of the respect his man Merrek seemed to have. Seth had been told already by him why they wanted Eoghan and it was a worthy cause.

Seth let his eyes take in the young men who soon joined, Treborn's own sons, so these were the loving boys were they?

"Andropol, it is my pleasure to meet you, you needn't bow to me. Sit, sit." He said as he placed one of the cups down and held the young mans gaze. "I was born a Roman man, and your words they moved me. But where I am from it was not words but offerings that the gods took. An offering of spirits, a toast of Libations. Will you make a toast to the Storms with me, young man?" He asked as he held his gaze, "'Tis but a matter of custom, I shall not make you swill down wine as if you were Bacchus, but surely a god deserves a toast?" He asked as he raised a cup, awaiting to see if his offer would be accepted. "Already your brother has spilled wine I have brought as a gift to your father, let us waste not anymore wine, hm?":

****

Ris had his arm coiled possessively about Belial as they moved deeper into the keep, and he moving to where they were told that Eoghan might be. "I never imagined you would be such a sweet heart, Belial, you and Art make this creature feel such warmth he hasn't truly known in many years.. It feels shame for not seeking it sooner." He said, his speech pattern falling to his more strange patterns as they were now alone. "I know it is Artorius who you truly love, but we are glad to be accepted into the plurality of your love. Few have loved me as the two of you have, I think my nature is hard for many to fathom, and so I just want my heart to be known to you, my beloved Mogduain." He said and then noted what his lover had, the sleeping form of Eoghan and his Sophia. He could feel her soul was missing, he had an acute awareness of her, it made his stomach sink a bit noting how empty her lifeless form felt. "It's heart breaks to see its daughter so lifeless. Its heart breaks." It was then he felt something strange. His right arm he had trouble keeping it from reverting. "We feel off, my love, we feel strange." He said softly, he had never been pregnant before, it was an odd thing, as he felt suddenly nine seperate beings, their souls awakening within. His glamour, or form it was collapsing and he could no longer maintain it very well.

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Treborn understood Seth's concerns. Merrek had expressed similar misgivings, but time had been against them. "Had I the time to be displomatic I would have chosen that path but he is a step away from leaping into the abyss. I had to take immediate action. My range riders Argos and Merrek acted precisely according to my orders. Presently his full focus is fixed on his wife and her return. He assures is she is of his kind, a race which restores itself after death. He refuses to leave her side. I understand your desire to bring her home but had you seen her with him you would not desire to take her from him. Please allow her to choose her own time to return home. She may travel freely when she revives. Please try to understand... if she leaves here before she wakes, so will he, and the risk of his fall should he leave here now and go with you is terribly high. Give me two weeks. If by two weeks he wishes to leave I will let him go. I am asking you to trust me with your people, Lord Octavian. Will you do that?"

Gram looked to the mortal king and touched his arm. "What happens if he falls?"

"He will become the bane of mankind and the greatness of his power will be terrible. He could kill us all with a thought."

Gram backed up a step and looked to Seth. "Isn't Eoghan the Comet a force for good? How could his fall make him so dark?" the only lady wondered, disturbed by Treborn's beliefs.

Niall sighed heavily. The Morning Star had once wanted to destroy mankind. Was that why he had wanted Eoghan? As a weapon? But he seemed different now... and yet in many ways he was the same. Niall had always flirted with doubts where the Morning Star was concerned. He wasn't like Sarku or Byron whose loyalty in him was undivided and unconditional. There were things Niall wouldn't do for the Morning Star. He had the scars to prove it. "If there's even a chance he's right we should listen, My Lord." Niall looked at the clock. Two more minutes. He casually repositioned himself between the spy holes and the Eastguard king.

Adropol was beginning to feel cornered but reminded himself that refusing to drink was proof of nothing. He smiled at Seth and reached for the bottle. "I will toast you, we all shall." And he filled all five cups and passed them around, one for each honor guard, one for the old lady, one for each of the kings, then help up the bottle. "To the king of Storms and Lord of Goth." He raised the bottle then drank and passed it Cenyen ago drank, who passed it to Robrek.

Treborn picked up his cup pretending as though he'd drink and the clock chimes began to peal.

****

"I know... so hard to see her that way. She should rouse soon though," Belial commiserated.

Belial looked to Ris with some concern then watched as his arms first one then the other reverted to tentacles. He pulled Ris away from the door and started looking around the keep while ushering him along as he became less and less human. He found a stairway that went down and guided him down to the next level. They passed through a dining room with a wash hall off a pantry with a kitchen just beyond and backtracking found a bath chamber off a magnifent master bedroom. It was the bathchamber he led him ibto and was thankful they had running water hot and cold like Goth, Inaaksu, and Castleguard did. Maelmorda had brought the solar heated cistern system to all of them. Belial started a bath for him then went to help him undress. "You need to soak in a hot bath and unwind, love." Steam was already rising from the large oval tub of polished malachite, the fixtures copper. "What a lovely bath tub," Belial lived very simply vut appreciated the finer things he denied himself. Art and Ris though? He'd deny them nothing. Belial loved Ris plenty and every bit as much as Art. Mates and friends was the best of two worlds. Art had the same fortune with Ris. If anyone was loved less it was Belial by Art, but he wasn't worried. Art was already falling head over heels for him and friendship would quickly be in the bag, Belial was sure. "Can you tell me what's wrong, Ris? What's making you unwell?" He had sensed the life in Art but for some reason wasn't feeling the offspring in Ris, so he was clueless.

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Seth nodded, "Desiree will be disappointed, would you give me leave to visit Sophia, you see we have just given birth to six children. My wife, she is beside herself with grief and mourns her mother not being at her side at the birth of out six beautiful newborn children." He said as he looked to Treborn, "Two weeks is a small amount of time to ask for, I can extend to you at least that much time." Seth was not sure if Eoghan was a force for good or something that would spell the doom of worlds, but, Treborn seemed genuine in his desire. ~"I trust you, as much as I can trust someone I have only just met. I do not sense that you seek to decieve me, however these boys of yours, they could bring ruin to all of this."~

Seth nodded to Niall, "My man Duke Nystori has the right of it, you have our trust, use it well, Your Majesty." He said that would be that, it was one check box filled for the night, but the King had manymore he wished to see checked off."

Seth reached for the bottle first and slid it just out of reach, "Verywell I shall not force you," He said glancing to Robrek, he channeled wind and slid the cup he had offered his brother, and lifted his own. "Will you make a toast to me then?" He said glancing sidelong and Adropol, "Surely we need not turn into savages drinking straight from the bottle as if we had not been taught better. I have never been offered a toast in my name, the way my parents spoke it was something that gave power to the gods, will you help me to see if it is true?" Seth did have another idea up his sleeve, but it was a dangerous one, he could deminish himself and drink from the cup himself. An assassination attempt on a foreign visiting king, what would that earn them?

~"Niall if he doesn't bite, I intend to diminish myself to a mortal, if there is poison.. I leave my life in your capable hands."~ He shared with only Niall, it was a dangerous ploy, but perhaps they could use it in their favor?:

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"Forgive me, Duke Nystori. I didn't know," he bowed slightly to Niall in deference to his rank. "I mistook you for a King's Guard. Your uniform..."

Niall waved a hand of dismissal. "Think nothing of it, Lord Treborn. I am duke and guard."

"That is noble of you, Sir."

Niall shook his head. "I am just a simple man of duty, my Lord."

His words made Treborn only think better of him.

When Seth spoke of poisoning himself to prove the cups were poisoned Niall regarded him a moment with an unreadable look then responded through his thoughts. ~"My lord, that will prove the cups are poisoned but will not prove anything against them."~ Then was about to speak to Treborn when he heard a hiss of air and his hand snapped out to catch a dart. Another hiss and he doubled his talents to catch a second dart and grapple the culprit in a coil of shadows to pull him into the room. The assassin was bound up in a rope of shadows when he landed on the floor. He was struggling fiercely to get lose but the lore protecting him did nothing to weaken Niall's wylde magic. The sons tried to flee but Niall threw a ward over the entire room to seal them in. Niall then conjured a cage around the assassin while he moved swiftly across the floor to grab Adropol who drew a dagger and attempted to stab Niall who disarmed him with a quick martial move that ended with Adropol's arms wrenchef around behind his back in the powerful grip of the Arcanon. "Lord Octavian, if he fails to confess make him drink from that cup you poured for him." He directed then twisted his arms painfully to male him cry out. "Who hired the assassin? I'll know if you're lying and if you lie, you drink."

Adrolpol didn't believe it. He was sure they were bluffing. There was no way they'd poison a prince without proof. "I have no idea who's trying to kill my father," the tall blonds sword.

"He's lying, My Lord. Make him drink and drink deep."

"Hold on," Treborn interfered and moved towards them.

"Trust us, Lord Treborn as we are trusting you," Niall reasoned and against his grit Treborn backed down.

Adropol didn't believe they'd do it up to the moment Seth forced his head back and pressed the rim of the cup to his mouth, at what instant Adropol jerked his head aside to save himself. "It was Cenwyn... He poisoned the cups and hired the assassin. He threatened to kill me if I told anyone... Oh forgive me father!"

"He's lying!!" Cenyen roared angrily and tried to draw his sword but it vanished into shadows. So he lunged bare handed at his brother.

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Nial was right of course, Octavian was still too rash a person, he would need to work on that he chided himself as they made their move, and Seth Stood ready to Aid Niall but the assassin was caught up in a weaving of shadow and Adropol had not faired much better. Seth took up the cup of wine and he let Niall convince Treborn that they knew what they were doing, and Seth believed that they did in fact know what they were doing. They were turning on one another in a spectacular display, but, Seth would not let them kill each other.

Cenyen was caught in a weaving of air, his arms pressed tight against his sides as pressurized air hugged him as if he were bound by thick cables, and he flopped to the deck like a fish. "Patricide, such nasty business." Seth sighed as he moved to stand with an easy motion to take the cup, the one the king had pretended to drink and came to kneel beside the form of Cenyen. "The truth or I will make sure every last drop lands itself in your stomach." He said as he made a stream of the contaminated wine rise from the cup, "The truth." Seth had never tried gating a drink into someones stomach, how would that work he wondered. :

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The human form of Ris that he had led back to the large bath was a magnificent well muscled form, his skin smooth and pale, he was powerfully built just as he was in his astral form, or perhaps star eater form was a more apt description. "You know I think I am on the cusp of something magnificent." He said as he stood naked with Belial, he gave him a soft kiss. "I can feel nine souls forming within me, the children, sons and daughters you and Art put in me." He said as his pale skin gave way to skin the color of he cosmos, he then felt one of his tentacles bulged and it pushed out an egg of sorts and soon a large fleshy egg was left behind as he fell against Belial. Get me to a bed my love, I will need to push out several more just like it.." He said and kissed Belial on the cheek, what horrible timing he had! Like Belial Art had infected him with a hardness he could not be rid of, and god was it a bit embarassing to be hard while you were laying eggs like the alien bitch from aliens! "Just help me to the bed and go make sure our girl is not alone when she wakes, I will be alright." He said kissing his lover gently, when he got to the bed he sat on it and he could feel another egg coming, this one was larger, not as easy to push out.

He smiled to Belial, "Before you go beautiful, tell Ris you love him." He said against his lips, then he felt another ready to come, ready to be laid, there were no childrent hey could see yet.. instead just large eggs that housed.. something.:

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When Seth came before the eldest of the three sons Cenyen whom he had bound, the man bowed his head deeply, not to avoid the wine he had snaked up out of the cup to threaten him with, but because he realized it was over for them. "It was Adropol and I who poisoned the cups and hired the assassin," he confessed.

"And Robrec?" Niall asked.

"He is clueless, ever so clueless," he assured.

Niall shook his head. "He is still lying. Blending truth with lies," the newly dubbed Duke promised.

Cenyen shot his eyes at Niall with pure hatred. "You inmortals. You sicken me with your high minded superiority." Then stabbed Seth with his gray eyes. "And you most of all, so eager to make a spectacle of your craft in any petty way that you can before us pathetic mortals. What a disgrace to gods you are."

Niall only laughed to rankle the man. ~"He is only trying to nettle you, my lord. He mustn't die by our hands and he knows it."~ spoken through the mental channel they shared.

Even as Niall said this Treborn drew the exquisitely crafted longsword at his hip and gripping its long hilt with both hands he ordered Seth to release him and Niall to give him back his sword. Cenyen lunged at his father the moment he had his sword in hand but Treborn blocked, let the blade slide off his tip to floor then swept his blade around to cut off the head of his son Cenyen. As his son collapsed he picked up his dead son's sword and turned on Adropol who Niall released seconds before Treborn tossed the other very fine blade to him which landed at Adropol's feet.

Adropol shook his head. "I won't fight you, father." He knew his father.

"You'll send assassins to kill me, you'll poison me, of course you haven't the guts to fight an old man. Your cowardice won't save you, Adropol. I'll cut you down out of shame regardless. Tell me the truth and I might spare you my blade." He knew his middle son well enough to know he'd put his own life before anyone else. Robrec knew this too and twisted the ring on his finger but its ward bypassing gate power failed against Niall's wylde ward.

Robrec dove for the sword. "I'll kill him for you father! The cowardly miscreant!" Robrec cried as he grabbed the sword and went to thrust the blade at his brother's heart, but Treborn knocked the blade's aim aside with his own sword and grappled Robrec by his collar to yank him back and fling him away from Adropol and himself.

"It was Robrec planned everything. He always did the planning." Adropol finally confessed. "Cenyen and I followed his instructions to the letter."

Treborn looked to their lie detector the Duke and Niall nodded. He was speaking the truth now.

Treborn swiveled to face Robrec, the one legitimate son he had thought didn't want him dead and twirling that long sword in hand slowly Robrec lifted his brothers blade and drew his own in a duel blade high guard and low guard stance. The sword bout which followed would have the guests in the room constantly moving out of the way. Robrec was quite good with those blades but though ten times his age Treborn's hand was far superior with experience. If Robrec could best him the throne would be his as he and not Adropol had taken up the challenge. Robrec fought like a man whose sole purpose in life was to claim that throne which would have given him an edge had Treborn not been protecting his throne and kingdom from tyranny. Old as Treborn was he should have tired against the onslaught of duel weapons assaulting him with everything Robrec had but he did not wear down as Robrec anticipated. He fought with the tireless vigor of a very fit young man. At length Treborn executed a disarming move which stripped Robrec of first one blade then the other, the following sweep was swift and leveled his blade to behead him.

During the duel to the death Niall had grabbed Adropol and dragged him around the room to keep an eye on him. With two of his sons dead Treborn eyed Adropol a moment. He knew he could not leave him alive. "Lord Octavian. Would you do me the honor of making my eldest son Adropol drink from one of the poisoned cups? I wish to see what kind of poison they intended for me. And use no magic."

Adropol shook his head and struggled against Niall trying to shake him loose but the Arcanon's hold was immovable. "Father, no, you promised!"

"I vowed you'd not die by my blade! You think me incapable of the kind of clever tongue your mother instructed my once dear sons in? Justice demanded it of me! Think I can let you in all your avarice and blood lust to claim my throne live? What kind of fool would I be to believe a prison could hold you? Justice will out this day!" Treborn's passion and grief was intense. "Do it, please, Lord Octavian and let us be done with this terrible business."

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Octavian had then snaked the wine back into the cup, only losing a drop or two as he did so, Seth would not kill one of the kings children unless he was asked for aid in doing so, but damn if these boys of his did not make him want to end them. It would not have taken the power of a god, or even a vampire to end them. Octavian the mortal could have done so, he was positive of that much.

Seth looked down at Cenyen with a look of pity in his eyes, he did not so much as reach for his belt dagger as he listened to the flaccid attempt to goad him into anger and violence. "Pathetic mortals? Who could look at what your forebearers have made here in Eastguard and have anything but respect for them?" The King of Esscha Endor said as he felt the mental connection in the back of his mind, Niall making sure Seth did not kill the patricidal maniac. ~"I wont be so easily goaded, you needn't worry." Seth had a lot still to learn as a god, but as a king and Father he thought he did well enough, but there was always room to improve.

Seth backed away and the air he had bound the man with dissipated leaving him free to move as Octavian stepped back, the wine still in his hand. To see father and son fighting to the death, it reminded him of older times, and what Soren and he might have been driven to had things not been better. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, to be forced to strike down your own children, what a fresh hell that must be.

In the end two of his sons lay dead, Treborn was spry for a man of his age and stature, he was strong of mind but he did not expect him to be able to move and fight like a man in his prime! It was impressive, he'd have clapped if the men he felled weren't his own flesh and blood.

When at last he was asked to do the honors, he understood as a father, perhaps it might have been too much to kill all three of his sons, Seth could play the executioner. "As you wish, Lord Treborn." Seth said approaching slowly, and he with Niall's aid forced the liquid down his throat, a hand over his mouth and nose once the cup was emptied and he held it there until he swallowed it. "It is done." He said stepping back to watch what this poison would have done to the good king, he would not look away though, he had been asked to do it.. but he had still done it, he would watch the young mans final moments.

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Six of Treborn's twenty King's guard had stormed the room at the first ring of blades, the seal Niall had raised allowing the guards to access the sealed space, and there observed the fray as it unfolded. They would only have intervened if the king had commanded them to seize his son. Treborn felt Octavian should understand why he had tasked him with the execution of his son. "Lord Octavian, I feel it is your right to know... I have chosen you to end my eldest son for two reasons. One is that I swore I'd not wield my blade to kill Adropol. I will kill no offspring of mine no other way than in a fair fight. The second reason for choosing you was that if not the king of Eastguard, only another king of Morendor may lawfully execute a prince of Eastguard without a trial, if he's the consent of Eastguard's ruling monarch." Sentiment would not have stayed Treborn's hand. The circumstances had.

The poison Robrec had chosen and Cenyen had soaked the cloth the cups were sitting on with acted instantly. Robrec had wanted to insure the king did not survive. The second Adropol swallowed the wine his body seized, muscles locking up violently, then he went slack and he was dead in a matter of seconds. Seeing this Niall addressed the king about the danger of leaving the tray and cups around whereof Treborn insured him it would all be taken care of. Niall handed the darts he had caught over to Merrek wrapped in a cloth.

Merrek, who had stood as a silent witness to all the events finally lifted his soft spoken voice to address Seth and his party as he received the darts from Niall. "I wish to thank you for aiding Lord Treborn this day. You have proved yourselves friends to Eastguard. May we do the same in the days to come." He bowed to them

Without further word Treborn withdrew from the room and walked out onto the patio overlooking the chalice sea. Niall glanced at Seth, Voralius then Gram and followed the king. Tweaking the seal over the room to transform it into an added layer of defense to Treborn's wards, Niall raised a protective ward over the patio as well with the wylde power that yet remained undetectable to Treborn's wards and worn lore. There was always the risk more than one assassin had been hired. The poison, the bodies, the assassin in the cage meanwhile were all being dealt with by the King's guard and Merrek. "Lord, Treborn," Niall addressed the King. "Your wards have been fractured to allow for the attack on you by the assassin."

Treborn nodded slowly. He was having their Lore Master inspect the Lore Stones and adjust the wards. "Thank you for bringing it to my attention though the assassin did that well enough, aye?"

"Aye," Niall agreed.

"Merrek expressed my own sentiments in thanking you for your support today." The king then looked to Seth. "I have a daughter who I would like to offer in marriage to one of your sons. This would bind us as family and insure stable relations in an alliance I would also like to discuss establishing. She is my only daughter. She is beautiful, virtous and as yet young, fifteen. Consider the proposal and get back to me when you have an answer. Now please speak freely if you have other concerns. I will grieve the loss of my sons later." Despite the fact that they had wanted to murder him they were still his sons. He had done all he could to be a good father to them but his exwife had done everything she could to undermine him and obviously succeeded. It was the reason he had divorced her.

****

Belial was a little blown away by what was happening and how it was happening but was happy as a clam and quite fascinated at the same time as he gathered up the eggs Ris was laying in that bizarre way of his while helping him to that huge canopy bed. He chuckled as he tucked the second egg under his arm. "You have wonderfully diverse tentacles, Ris. Their multipurpose applications truly boggle the mind." Said as he tucked him in. "So do these need to be incubated or... Oh dont concern yourself with the timing. Look on it as a test of diversity for a our hosts. How truly benevolent ARE they towards people who are foreign to them?" he grinned and placed the eggs by him. "Now how may I help you through this?" Hmm .. he really needed to inform Seth about this didn't he? "Leave you? Are you kidding? Not if our children are about to be born. Eoghan is with Sophia should she wake. She'd probably want a little alone time with him anyway. She's a true romantic you know. Now how long do these eggs need to incubate?"

Then he reached out to Seth. ~"My Lord... We have a slight dilemma here. Turns out Art and I knocked Ris up and he is laying eggs. I am handling it but the wards here may be alerted to the sudden presence of nine additional lives. Just thought I should give you a heads up so you might insure Treborn we're not any kind of Trojan horse."~ He could practically see Seth face palming himself.

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Octavian still held the cup as Lord Treborn addressed him about why he had chose him to dispatch his son, and it revealed something to the King of Esscha Endor, that Treborn seemed to be a man of morals who would hold fast to his word, but, also that he knew well the laws of his land, which he figured any king would. The thing that stuck out was his ability to keep a clear head in such circumstances, it was an admirable trait, most would be overwhelmed with rage of grief, he handled his emotion well though. "You made the best use of the tools you had at hand, doing what needed to be done, while also seeing justice was met. All without breaking your word, very impressive, Lord Treborn. I was right to come and seek you out." A hint that Seth had come for more than to discuss Eoghan, he imagined that the Monarch of Eastguard had likely assumed as much already, it would not have been a hard guess to make.

Adropol's death was quick, but it looked as if it might have been intensely painful, no doubt he deserved every last agony. Seth watched, until Merrek spoke, he was glad to see the man again and this time on less tense terms. "You needn't even mention it, this situation, we are glad to offer any assistance we can."

Seth was already moving when Niall looked to him, he was moving to join Treborn on the patio, "I think after what just happened, we ought to be able to talk in an informal manner, Treborn. Just Octavian is fine, no need for titles, if its all the same to you." Seth was glad to hear the king shared his man's sentiment, "I hope that we can offer each other more of the same in the years to come." The proposal though caught Seth by surprise, of course he had something like that in mind, but, he had someone else in mind and not his son. Soren seemed intent on chasing after a certain gods daughter, and if that turned out well it might be better than marrying Soren to this young lady. Niall would make an excellent match for any young noble woman. Niall was not impatient either, he'd be a great match if the King was open to the idea. "Your offer humbles me, to offer me your daughter after what just happened, I am truly honored. I have a counter offer though." He said as he looked the King in the eyes, "Consider my Duke Nystori to be a match for your daughter. He is related to me, he is also my queens great grand father, and my right hand, when I say you could ask for no greater match for your daughter than him, I mean it."

Seth had been about to speak about some desires he had when Belial hit him with the cold water, and Seth sighed, "I am afraid something has just come up that demands our attention, I have some things I would like for us to discuss.. But Lord Henri and Aughiri.." How the fuck should he put this, "It would take too long to explain, but, lord Aughiri seems to be in the midst of a less than convential child birthing event. I think it would be wise for us to attend to the situation before we move onward with anything else, my apologies for the disorder my parties arrival seems to have stirred up in your kingdom."

~"Just keep everything as calm as you can, I will be in touch, Belial."~

****

Ris smiled, "I am afraid I wont easily be able to retake my form." He said in this form of his, he said as he laid nude with his mate, Belial would find the eggs were rather large, the size of newborns wrapped in fleshy membranes, one larger than the other. Each egg was coated with a lair of mucus and seemed to pulse. Where those eggs were stored previous to him laying them was anyone's guess. The offspring in each egg was in a fetal position and those casings with the brood in them were getting larger moment to moment. Before long they would be fully mature though it was hard to say how long that would take, and the eggs seemed to be growing at different rates. It was all quite confusing. "We should go home to Arty... I will be ashamed to birth our children without our sweet Art to be there to share in the moment." He said, his tentacles that were not engaged in laying those strange eggs seemed to wrap about Belial, some in ways that were not entirely appropriate. What could Ris say? He had been awakened to such a need to hold onto his lovers that he could not help himself sometimes. "Just stay with me," He said even as that tentacle wrapping about his manhood squeezed and moved gently, He was doing it without even realizing it, his dormant lust had been awakened and now he felt so insatiable! "At the rate of their growth, I'd hazard a guess that twelve hours is the average we can expect, but some might hatch in less than five hours." Ris estimated.

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For Merrek's part, he was glad to see the three wicked sons trimmed from the family tree of Treborn however tragic it was emotionally to his king. Treborn could wear a serene demeanor in most any circumstance but he knew the man. He was neither cold hearted or incapable of breaking. Though his only legitimate heirs Treborn could choose anyone of blood relation to succeed him and had secretly made that choice recently in Tyrwyn. Merrek was the only one who was aware of his chosen heir as yet.

Seth's counter offer to Treborn was not unappreciated, but he was quite disappointed and had Seth been an Eastguardman he'd have also been deeply offended, but he was aware policy and custom in Esscha Endor was apt to be very different than it was in Eastguard. Treborn could see for himself the Duke was a good man, but he was also an ancient, had been in service to Sarku for ages before Seth. "The Duke is a good man, but my only daughter cannot marry anyone who is not a prince or king. You can understand of course... but I fear I have trouble grasping your hesitation. Such a match would insure a far more stable alliance. I do have a cousin though who would make your Duke an excellent match. She is twenty seven, a horse maiden, quite beautiful and as good a woman as your noble fellow here could hope to know. I think personality wise they would suit each other. She is... overly adventurous in a culture where women are important to the household. She might fare better in Esscha Endor. Consider it. Her name is Corina."

Niall was amused to be talked about as though he wasn't there about who might suit him as a wife but that was customary to political betrothals. She did sound intriguing to him. A horse maiden was a girl with horses in her blood who raised, trained, doctored, rode, basically lived horses. Though women were forbidden to to become warriors in Eastguard, the rare Horsemaids were permitted to ***train*** horses in combat, but to wield weapons ***only*** to train the horses. They had a very special natural bond with horses. Such a dedicated occupation would keep a wife content while her husband attended his own duties. "For my part I am quite willing to accept your cousin as my betrothed," Niall made it known.

Treborn smiled, clearly pleased. "Then if your king consents, it is done. You will wed my cousin at your convenience." Treborn indicated. And when Seth offered his seal of approval it would be done, just like that. Treborn would have an agreement drawn up immediately by Merrek. Treborn only hoped Seth would add one of his sons to the betrothal list.

Niall meanwhile had a brief private conversation with Seth. ~"My Lord... Why are you unwilling to marry your son to his daughter? Such a marriage would be far more politically binding to an alliance and familial relations than my marriage to a cousin."~ When Seth explained about Soren Niall gave him a discreetly puzzled look. ~"Majesty, you more than one son. Would it not be prudent to betroth Xevos or Magnus to her? Whichever son falls next in line for succession age wise? She is only fifteen, they age rapidly. They will catch up and surpass her age in no time."~ Niall offered his counsel with his usual sage wisdom and insight.

Seth would soon be losing a calvary commander but with Seth's blessing Treborn had every intention of replacing his son Tyrwyn with his good man and cousin Calvary Lieutenant Caleurian Treborn, Corina's twin brother in fact. It was a happy fortune that Niall had agreed to marry Corina for that would keep brother and sister together. They were quite close.

Treborn looked rather puzzled and a little put out by Seth's sudden change in tack concerning his male acquaintances and one of them giving birth? Bloody immortals, he thought privately. Seth had barely informed him of the development when Treborn was alerted by his Ward Master that nine additional lifesigns had showed up rather suddenly in Westhold, the name of the keep Eoghan was being held in temporarily. Treborn put two and nine together and waved his hands in a halting gesture to slow Seth down. "Just hold on. People cannot just be traipsing with havoc on their heels in and out of Westhold. I will handle this situation through my ward master. Your people will be gated out. I will give you leave to direct where they land." Treborn took a moment to confer with Laurelai, his ward master, then when she was ready he instructed Seth. "Direct them to their destination now." He bade and when Seth did so Belial, Ris and their nine offspring whether still carried or already laid where transported safely and smoothly to the destination Seth chose for them. The inhibitors on them were likewise removed from them in the process and returned to Treborn's vault off his den where he kept them.

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Only when he gave the reason for why he could not marry his daughter off did Seth realize he had erred, he should have thought before he spoke, he was so taken with match making Niall, that all sense and reason had left him. Seth felt a little bit of shame as he realized he was being a fool, and Niall noticed it, and Octavian took a calming breath. He needed to be smarter, he was making a fool of himself. He schoolded his face to appear calm however as he allowed himself a moment while they spoke of his cousin, it was a better match for sure, and he felt a fool for not having a bit of patience.

Niall soon had pointed out to him again, that he seemed hesitant, and damn it that was not the case, though he would like to speak to Desiree on the matter, he thought Magnus would be a good match to put forward, of his siblings he seemed to be the most.. outgoing of them. ~"I did not mean to appear so, I am making myself look like a fool, I suppose."~

Seth cleared his throat and offered a bow to the other king, "I must ask you to forget my foolishness, I made an offer that must have felt insulting to you. You offer a princess up for marriage, I should have known better. I would not have accepted anything less for one of my own. I would be interested in a pairing of your daughter, with my son Magnus, by the sound of her she would be ideal for him." PErhaps this daughter of Treborn could teach Magnus patience, he sorely needed it, and caution! ~"Not unwilling, though it seems I came off that way, maybe next time I am let off the leash I should ask for some training."~ He said, it was obvious the king felt like he was a fool over this misstep, he would learn from it and move on, but still it did make him feel like an idiot speaking to a room full of genius's.

Seth was NOT happy with this turn of events, it was an ill-timed little event wasn't it? Seth wasted no time though and he reached out and directed them to a room with Art, and sighed as he leaned against the railing. "I apologize for that, I hadn't been told that.. they were.." Seth was also quite taken off guard by the event. "I hope this doesn't dampen your enthusiasm for a friendship with Esscha Endor." Seth looked up at the sky, "It is my hope that we can forge a long and fruitful relationship between our kingdoms, Lord Treborn. I would like to discuss more, but if you wish time to mourn your sons, we could give you some time alone."

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Niall was quite understanding of Seth's error where the marriage customs were concerned. ~"Don't be too hard on yourself, my lord. Eastguard customs are little known outside of Eastguard. I'm not even certain they've ever had immortal intermarriage in the royal family before. If not this could be a major undertaking for Lord Treborn."~ Niall didn't know it but his speculation was spot on. No one in the royal family had ever married an immortal. Treborn was breaking with tradition in hopes of fostering a greater tolerance for all people. He wanted to change policies before he faked his death and Tyrwyn took the throne.

Treborn weighed Seth heavily with his gaze when the Esscha king chastised himself. "And what if I should agree that you are a fool, Lord Octavian? A weak and incompetent fool however powerful you are as an immortal?"

Niall was stunned and angered by Treborn's words but then the king explained himself.

"It is unwise for a king to admit to being a fool even if he is, Lord Octavian and you are simply unfamiliar with our ways. If you must admit to something, admit to that, but you grant others too much power over you by admitting to being foolish," he advised.

The unexpected situation that had arisen and the alieness of it did give Treborn pause but... he was forcing himself to adapt to the fact that he could not expect inmortals to be as humans were. An immortal male was giving birth to nine children... that was strange to him, even strange to Octavian it seemed by his reaction, but it was happy news, not bad. Should he abandon new customs for that reason? No, of course not. "The unexpected event with your acquaintances is nothing for you to concern yourself about. It is... odd to my concepts but I will adjust. Tell me more about your son Magnus. At what age would you like to see him married to my sweet Ashalaa?"

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Seth night have felt the fool, and perhaps saying it out loud was another fool's move, but the first reply Treborn gave stung, but, Seth was a fighter. Seth had been about to reply but Treborn continued with the offer of advice. They were wisely spoken words, and Seth was glade he did not bristle or show anger, it would have made him look worse no doubt.

"I will heed those wise words, Lord Treborn, sound advice." The fact was men giving birth was indeed a situation Seth had never really gotten used to, but, he did not have a prejudice against it, it was just simply not something that he understood entirely. When it came to Ris though, that was likely the LEAST odd thing about the entity.

"Magnus is a courageous boy, just the other day he and his brother fought off a Gryphin that threatened his two other siblings, he and his elder brother fought well and laid the beast low, I am quite proud of them." Seth said and his face reflected that pride, "He is yet still young, but I imagine he and your Ashalaa will come to the age we shall want them wed at around the same time. "He is genuine and I have not known him to lie, with a lions heart. I could arrange for you to meet him, if you would like."

"I should like to meet young Ashalaa as well, Not to mention your cousin, Corina, if it is possible on such short notice.":

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Treborn did harbor a prejudice against immortal men having offspring with other males simply because it was so very alien to him but he was fighting that part of himself that felt uncomfortable or even disgusted by things which opposed his sense of what seemed natural. Treborn had never shared his thoughts about the supposed superior races but felt it was time he chose an immortal to confide in. Morgais had chosen Seth to reform the Army of Man for a reason the Escion King was sure. Treborn addressed Seth after regarding him a moment speculatively. "It is my hope that you and I may at some time come to see one another as friends. There are... a great many things about immortals that offend human understanding but I have come to realize over the years that humans and elves alike, who are very similar in nature in fact, live beside immortals and will either learn to live in harmony with them or end up locked into a war until one entirely conquers the other. I have witnessed the things arch immortals are capable of and yet I have seen mortals defeat those immortal enemies they have come up against more often than not. Such triumphs always followed incredible losses nevertheless. I would like to see such losses avoided on both sides. People will always find things about others that offend them. You and I .. we have to find the common ground between all kinds of people and ourselves, however strange they may be to us. It is our duty as leaders to resolve differences be they political or hereditary. What happens when you put a birdman in the same room as a catman? It can get tense I can tell you from experience. More even than that we have to navigate the differences between mortal beings and gods. I being the former and you being the later, we can set an example. Morgais allowed people to assume he was human. He didn't lie. He just never volunteered the information. I knew him well enough and long enough to figure it out. I told him he should let it be known and he said it had been too long. He would continue to age... then pretend to die, and leave his kingdom to a younger version of himself he'd name as his son. I thought it a terrible idea but... here recently, something uncanny occured and I became young again. The young ranger Eoghan and Sophia met with Merrek at the Inn, that was me. What you are seeing is a type of glamour, a reflection of how I looked before some kind of time anomaly swallowed me. But I have been feeling strange since this morning. Far from myself... like a man dying and leaving hus body but I am still here. Still rooted but I swear only because it is an act of sheer will to stay anchored to my flesh. I need to know I can trust you. There are things I need to tell you in case I am indeed on the verge of death." His gaze fell upon Seth's people. They had a synergy with their king that told Treborn more about Seth than all the information he had gathered on him. THEY trusted him. Believed in him whatever his doubts in himself.

Niall met the King's gaze when his focus traipsed his way. "You can trust Lord Octavian and us to keep your confidence, Lord Treborn," he assured the man.

When Seth gave his word Treborn continued. "Our children will meet of course. They will wed only if they like each other. I named my heir in my will. It is Tyrwyn. He is my son out of wedlock. He is Ashalaa's older brother. His mother is a wonderful woman named Elishelel Alqwan who I intend to marry if I do not perish. Tyrwyn doesn't know yet that I am his father. I hid him to keep him alive. His brothers would have surely killed him if they'd known of him. I have two daughters out of Elis as well. I wanted to marry Elishelel before I became too old and feeble but... despite how physically fit I am, I feel sure I haven't long on this world."

Niall stepped forward with a look of concern. "Lord Treborn, may examine you?" he asked the man and after regarding Niall curiously a moment he nodded his head. Niall moved a bit closer to the old Escion and placed a hand against his chest, then another flush against his cheek. Treborn noticed how warm his hands were. For a little while Niall had a very focused look about him and Trueborn felt waves of the Arcanon's warmth moving through him, hence at length Niall stepped away with an expression of some surprise on his face.

"Majesty, you are in an incredibly exceptional state of health. Too excellent for one your age. This will come as a shock to you, but I believe you are rising into an ascension, becoming more than you have ever been and yet the sum of what you have always been and come to be. Perhaps that is why you have such uncanny vigor at your age."

Treborn shook his head. "No. Something happened in my bedchamber. An anomaly appeared and when I approached it pulled me in. I experienced... what I believe was a glimpse into time for awhile then blacked out and when I came to I was on the floor of my chamber and I was young again. What you are seeing now is but a glamour. My people would never understand. It decided to move forward with naming Tyrwyn as my heir for that reason. Falling ill only pushed that time line forward. Until now Merek alone was aware of my youth. Surely you must be mistaken about my condition. I am human. Humans do not become gods. Perhaps some residue of time clings to me and it is that makes it seem I am... rising as you put it."

Niall had expected him to have trouble accepting the idea. He was Escion. "My Lord, I am not mistaken about this. You are becoming a deity... an ethereal by other words. It is a rare occurrence in humans but it can and does happen now and again in men or women of very particular cast and quality. For every mortal who ascends into an immortal there are hundreds of such vainglory as imagine it is happening to them when it is not. Mortals who seek to become gods rarely ever do unless living as a sired immortal for ages upon ages. Your ascension marks a new age, my lord. The age of Ascension. Those meant to rule as guardians over this world who are not already deities are becoming gods. You are one among them. It is a fact, majesty. I am not making a guess at this. I recognize an ascension when I see and feel it.

Treborn hardly intended it but fell up against Niall as he doubled over in agony at the onset of the rigors of his quickening. Niall caught him and held him firmly. The man then guttered in excruciating pain where most would have been howling then just seemed to vaporize in his arms. Niall's entire body was tingling from the raw power which shot through him. Next thing Niall knew he was being seized by the wards and plunged into the deepest darkest prison cell in Cliff City to find himself chained to the walls. Had he really wanted to he could have slipped through the wylde to escape but he would neither give himself away like that or compromise Seth's position by doing so. Merek meanwhile sealed the balcony and adjacent living quarters placing them on lockdown until he could suss out what happened in his witness. Either his friend and king had just been assassinated as the wards suspected or Niall had been telling the truth and his king had just risen to whereever new gods went to be born.

"Everyone stand at ease!" Merrek commanded, finally making his voice known. When not ranging with his king Merrek often stood as his silent watchman. "The wards have seized your man Nystori. Their power has deducted that he just destroyed my liege." Merrek had seen what happened though. The way his king had locked up in pain then fallen against Niall who with genuine concern had caught him. If Merrek had truly known Niall's secrets he might not trust what he had seen at all. But Merrek had the wards trained the entire time to disclose any lies or deceptions as just standard protocol for establishing trust with new entities, particularly those of such power as this lot. "Who among you can tell me what just happened?" Merrek questioned.

As Seth seemed to be struggling with how to explain what had just happened, as his experience had been quite different, Voralius looked to his king to offer his help. "May I, my lord?" When Seth nodded he stepped forward in plain sight of Merrek. "I am Honor Guard Voralius, my Lord. Your king is neither dead or destroyed but undergoing a great transition into an ethereal being. It is a sort of death and rebirth all mingled together, but it is not of our making. Only the very highest of deities can create another deity, but more often than not an ascension is a natural occurance from a combination of conditions which simply result in such a coalescing of power as creates a deity. It is different for every being that transcends their sum. He will be back. It may take a few days or even a week, but he will return and we will help him and those he trusts to know what he has become adjust to his rebirth."

Merrek wanted to believe him, he did, and the wards could detect no lies, but... wards weren't infallible. "And what would you do in my place?" Merek asked Seth specifically.