The Burning

[Isalentia]

The night approached and with it the howl of the wind. There was a long period of silence and before long the ground was trampled upon by the pounding of hoove prints. Not of one horse but many of steeds that broke through the brushes and invaded a small region. This being territory of Countess Isalentia....

Isalentia had just begun to settle within the sheets when the shards of her windows burst within the room and wicked laughter disturbed her present contentment. She immediately rushed to her closet to get her armor but it was to late for the army of darkness was upon her like the black of night. A violent hand abducted her leaving her stripped from own footage.

Like a rag doll she tumbled down the staircase and was escorted maliciously into the cold. There was no time to visually recognize a face, or see where she was lead only that a hilt pounded upon her cranium and knocking her out cold.  The vague sound of a woman's taunt seem clear but distorted when she was passing out..

"Ther be a heft prise on your head wench. Your uncle is a generous man.  The Syndicate don't waste their time on a beggers change. Best keep ye under lock and key for the time. For you'll bring a fufilling wage to our pocket." Tianna Syndicate exclaimed.

The Syndicate burned her home, carried her off to their territory were Isalentia was interrogated vendictively before the lord master Talon Syndicate. It was assured there was a bounty on her head from her foreign lands and the Syndicate were in the position to gain a hefty price from this. 

For now Isalentia rots within the Syndicate castle dungeon waiting to learn of her release to enemy hands or become exicuted....













(ooc:  Islentia imprisonment will be for sometime. The storyline motive is still being established so if you wish to participate please give the creator's time to set forth a proper invitation for other individuals to participate. Thanks for your read )

[Talon]

: laughs menacingly remembering that night as he writes missives about his captive : Yes the little "countess" is at my manor as my......guest for the time being.  I hope you won't miss her too much for she will fetch me and mine a hefty price one way or another!  Of course we may be willing to return her...if the price is right, of course. : chuckles to himself  and sends the notices off, one to Isalentia's family, and the other to her guildmates :

[Nioka Syndicate]

Sound of wind whipping against canvas sails in the harsh icy winds echoed the clammier of voices shouting orders. Horses being loaded in to the hallow of the ships belly, whining and snickering in protest at being confined. This inhospitable climate was bad enough, the small beasts detested the lash of snowy wind that beat across their bodies as much as they hated being drug in to the dark of a ships hull. All but one beast was giving the shipmen problems. He was nothing spectacular to look at, a plain dark brown, near black that stood waiting under the care of a slender woman in black.

Unlike most, she concealed herself under layers of clothing hiding the fact she was a woman as much as she could. Hard to hide her slender stature or the lack of height. Gloved hands rested against the muscled neck of the best as he moved. Only thing that made the stud uneasy was the presence of the Vampire Mistress... Tianna Syndicate. Bossy did not even begin to describe her. She was the kind of woman who never took no for an answer and imposed her will on any one who challenged her till she broke them. Little love existed between Tianna and Nioka for more then one reason. The small wolven lash did not break under the Vampires will... nor would she give in. Not with out a fight.

"Your staying here, Ride back to the Castle grounds and over see the work being done there. Kyle, Athena and I will be accompanying Talon on this mission"

What a slap in the face. Nioka's vision blured in anger for a moment, so hard to keep that beast under her skin from springing forth to rip out the vampires throat. "This was my find! Or did you leave that little bit of information out when you relayed the discovery to Talon?" Heads turned when the sound of leather contacting with flesh rose over the whipping of canvas and shouts of men's voices! Nioka hit the snow on her knees lashing blood from her lower lip, watching the pure white at her knees take on a spattering of crimson. "Don't you ever raise your voice to me Dog... remember your place wench and never forget you will always be beneath me!" Boot tip contacted with her shoulder shoving Nioka on to her back in the snow knocking the Kasa from her head.

Goliath, the Mount by her side reared putting some distance between his Mistress and the Vampire. But it was a little late! Nioka's reason for always wearing her hat so low was in view for all to see. A scar, that imperfection she hated so much lay across her cheek and down the side of her neck. Tianna backed up laughing, drawing the whip from her side and used it to repel the beast who's hooves worked to forcer her backwards. "HA!... HA! Get that nag under control Dog or I will serve it up to my mares... they would very much like the fresh hot meat for dinner. Get back to the castle! Do as your told!" Survival of the fittest, Tia for now had the upper hand, and Talon was watching as were all the others. Nioka would bid her time... Crawling to her feet tugging Goliath's regains leading him away from those gathered on the shore line.

Mounting up Nioka could not refrain from setting her gaze upon the Vampire and issued that subtle challenge. Meeting here eyes and smiling, a gloved hand wipeing away the blood from the corner of her mouth and flung the spattered at the Vampire Mistress's feet. "We shall have to... Settle our differences Mistress when you return.... Forgive my impotence, I have now begun to see the errors of my ways." Tugging the leather in her hands the horse under her reared and spun. Trodding off back towards the Castle grounds, Nioka hatched the plan to rid herself and every one of the one power hungry and untrustworthy female in the Legions. If Talon did not see it, Nioka did. Tianna was after the throne and would have it one way or the other.


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Tianna watched Talon drag the blond from her house as it started to burn. Holding the torch that set the blaze to the reed and straw roofing. Tia sat in the saddle of a mare of dark gray a short distance from the flames that licked up thatch and plaster walls. One thing she feared was fire, and she did well at hiding that fact. "Pathetic little trick. Shackle her hands, and strip her down, we need to get her to the ship." She barked orders. While Talon had the little Countess sealed up in her temporary prison for transport. Tia over saw the men  that carried her fourt to the shore line where their ship lay Docked. The Icey paradise of the Syndicate home lay not far off the Shores of Marketvale Sound. Even so they needed to way anchor and get off these shores as soon as possible. What more was here for them any way? A port town? a bunch of merchants who kept Neutral standing with all their fellow communities. The Syndicate Mistress could not stomach the pretty colors and the sick smell of flowers mixed in with the smell of smoke in the air.

Back home they were bound, For the most part she had ignored hat Talon had done to the blonde, Or Kyle's snickering remarks back and forth with Athena as they rode behind her. This was petty business, much more important things waited to be seen to when returning him.... A little wolf needed to be skinned before she out lived her tolerated presence. The sneak could move in darkness unlike any one Tianna knew, even more then the vampire herself. Kill the Lupine before she ended this little feud between them leaving Tia a pile of ash on the floor to be swept away...


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Back on snow covered grounds, Nioka watched the stone walls being slowly erected, one by one the slave's of the Legion cut away stone from inside the Mountain cave hulling them by Horse, dog and Sleighs back to the castle foundations. Each one rose so in a few days time walls would be securely in place, tiles would be laid and more then tents of hide would serve as Havens for the Legions.  Talon and the others would return before the weeks end, and when they did Nioka would settle a score with the undead wench who thought herself untouchable. They arrived under the cover of a snow storm, dragging a blonde in tattered robes across the snow. Goliath pranced in the snow as they drew closer, Talon giving orders for men to aid in unloading the ship that anchored in the icy waters not far from the castle grounds while he saw to the prisoner.

Riding out to meet up with the men, Chin lifted in defiance to the Vampire and Nioka road around her to greet their Master properly. "Building is running on schedule M'Lord... More men arrived three days past and should secure the last tiles are in place before the week is out. There have been a few travelers that have stopped in... We have dispatched the wolves to clear them out, Other then that things have been quiet in your absence M'Lord... I will take my leave and return to my duties.".....

to be cont.....

[Talon]

: looks the lupine over, knowing she did her job well but had a strong dislike for Tianna : Yes, you may take leave for now but be ready when I summon you for a full report.  And make sure the wolves get cleaned up when they return or Athene and Tianna will have another guest to play with in the tower. : Pat's the lupine on her shoulder and walks off to the tower to see to his gust's settlement in her new home :

[Isalentia]

--Part II â€" Continuation from the Burning Storyline


Cold crisp air continued to assault the Countess skin. Dragging its frozen nature to were every nights in the Syndicate prison to be most uncomfortable. Isalentia could only pray for the sun to arise least that was the day when Athena Syndicate would come into the prison walls and put her to work; there her body would warm up from the adrenaline and sweat.

Everyday at sunrise Isalentia was given tattered robes to be worn and a small handle pick ax and ushered out of the cell which she shared with the deceased; decaying bones. From there Athena, the Syndicate Mistress shoved and pushed Isalentia outside. The desolate evil nature the Syndicates had was perfect for this arctic weather. What countess could view in her weaken status was the process of walls being put up.

“Stop gawking â€"get to work!” Crack of the work encouraged Isalentia to do as her captures desired. There was no kindness Athena’s voice â€"only the elements of cruel domination.

Isalentia lifted the pick ax and began to chip out large rocks that would later be chiseled down to a square shape, then heft by Syndicate goons who would then lay them onto the castle foundation. Laboring was not something Isalentia was use to; for the muscles were working hard in the lower and upper back. Not like being a warrior when most of your strength was relied in your right arm, and bent motion for your abdominals to pull when you victimized your enemies. So, with new muscles at work she agonized several days until they became use to the burn.

When the day ended the arctic weather came harsher with the night’s malicious embrace.  For Isalentia she burrowed herself into the hay scattered in the corner and wrapped the robe about her tortured frame trying to find some comfort in ghastly night.  She could see the highlights of the castle windows perfectly built, the hearth were the Master Talon resided, and no doubt in company with his nefarious concubine Athena. 

“Vendim, Rayne, Ardin….someone please….please save me?” she ailed in her words as chattering teeth did beg for saving.

Who would come?

Many didn’t know that she had moved to far on the outskirts of Marketvale. Even Isalentia was assured that Vendim had more then likely was uninformed. They had already separated and she could only hope he would naught hold anger towards such decision an still be remain her friend enough to save her from such treacherous holdings? Exhaustion with the unpleasant fatigue eventually placed her body into a deep slumber and helping her to avoid feeling the cursed winds numb her body.

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“Wake up Countess. I have a proposal for you” a deep monotone voice disturbed Isalentia’s sleeping subconsciousness. A tyrant voice whose cruelties that were notorious to those familiar with the Syndicate dealings. However when she awoke, the first onslaught of awareness was being startled. She scurried backwards intimidated with the anxiety thought he might tormentor with punishments. Yet, he did not lift a hand to keep her into submission. Rather he came in with an evil diplomatic nature; and taking presidency inside her cell.   

Talon was a mature man of age and you could see the profound evil that he could possibly inflict if you crossed his temper. He carried himself as the perfect antagonist who would do anything to obtain power if it suited within that diabolical plan. He stood there if naught carrying to watch her wallow in humiliation within the dirty floor which was surrounded by bales of hay.  He stared out the steel bars and looking over the mountain side. Naturally he was thinking, determining his choice of words. Isalentia found the silence aggravating; and increasing her desperation to speak out of respect of his patience’s.

“I demand release! You have no right. None! I’ve already lost the man I loved. Already lost my home to your treachery, my dignity -- what more do you need to take?” Isalentia plead for answers.

“Indeed you have lost him. He doesn’t seem to know who you are” Talon seems pleased with this notion.

“What do you mean doesn’t know who I am? I’m his……” She paused, and realized that separating from Vendim might have caused him stress beyond fixable measure and could indeed have amnesia. She looked down burden with sadness to learn of this news.

Talon looked at her if pleased he could meddle with her emotions, so vulnerable with defeat. Vanities seem to be his expertise and he used it to his advantage:

“Athena spoke you left him. Do tell….” He dug deep to use such information for possible exploits.

Isalentia’s eyes stared at the hay divulging into the past of the day she wrote him the letter. It was all she could recall due to irate weather that continue to wear and tear at her health.

“He was the man of the people. Vendim cared for them and did all he could to save them. He loved me. This is true. But he was distracted by their needs and I couldn’t be selfish with his time. I wanted to. I …truly wanted to.  I wanted to keep him to myself â€"hear him laugh, sit at the dinner table and have him comment on what dinner was for that night. But he was never home. He was saving the people. …and….I ….I .. “ she found her stomach turn with a broken heart. She cradled herself in that corner fighting with the shame of letting him go. Talon watched as she suffered an incurable inner wound and how he cracked a deviant smirk if wanting such moment to happen.

“. So you sacrificed your love and gave him to the people â€"and now…now you are forgotten an he doesn’t even know who you are.  Tragedy is as tragedy comes -- Countess.” He mocked her pain and found pleasure in it. He continued, “Which comes to another matter why you were abducted” He adjusted his eyes away from her waiting to find the right articulation of his scheming reasons.

“Your uncle has funded my castle, army and among other things as a bargain to obtain you. “ Talon shifted his head so that those dual conceptions of evil eyes would peer down at her scrutinizing her for being alive.

Isalentia’s palms covered her face and her tears channeled down the oval shape visage, saturating her cheeks and beautiful crafted lips. There was no one to save her, no one, so she thought. It had transpired days prior that Kyle Syndicate had passed information to Rayne, an Crim that Isalentia was being held under certain circumstances. It was an excruciating experience to feel isolated an with no hope.

She knew very well why her uncle wished to hire heathens to find her. He was in position of being a king in her former homelands. An to keep her out of the courts to object gives him reasons to have no one oppose him for the crown. It was a shadowy world and it continued to overwhelm the Countess as she remained in company of her tears. Somehow the gods must have heard such broken will, and took pity on her. For the winds blew within the cell, abnormal amount of boisterous bellowing and the cell doors blew open â€" a miracle?

Talon was so distracted with the wind’s strange arrival that it gave Isalentia enough maneuvers to get up in a sprint and bolt for the cell door. In her charge she shoved Talon aside, and closed the cell shut.  Isalentia didn’t sit there to promote the escape; nor did she wish to stay in one place in case a guard came. She knew that there was little hired help to watch over the cell so her escape was essential and unstoppable. Though you would at that moment think her escape was too easy? Indeed, Talon put on a fine performance for as Isalentia left the prison building Athena came out of her hiding and unlocked the door letting her master out. Athena watched mischievously before remarking to Talon.

“Do you think she suspects what we are after, an that this escape was a ploy?” Athena inquired.

“Not a clue. The countess is too weak and delirious to comprehend our plans. For now we wait…” He warranted the verdict and both he and the concubine laughed at the expense of Isalentia’s suffering and false escape.