*The night is rich with fog as the moon penetrates on occasion. A woman stands in a Hakama with an arm exposed. Her sword glows in the night with dark red. A dozen men opposite of her shout...*
"You are under arrest! Drop your sword and surrender for summary execution for the murder of Seventy warriors and theft of their blades."
*The woman slashes the air and some of the dark red is cleansed from the steel. She runs at them shouting as the blade glows*
Handore ddosōdo surasshu HUNDRED SWORD SLASH!
*She runs past the men and only slashing one, but suddenly the other men are exposed to several slash wounds and fall over. She puts her sword away and takes in a deep breath of the air's chill.*
The night is far spent, the day is at hand;
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us wear the armor of light.
Jet came riding back,” Any messages you wish to return, sir Makepeace. I can stick around for a bit…”
Depheant looked up at the sky and seemed to count or estimate something. But then he shook his head,” No, I’ll be fine and will handle these later. See you later, Jet.”
The messenger saluted and took off in the direction of Lendose.
Next to him the farmer gasped,” Wait, you mean… Sir Depheant Makepeace from… from the Argentum Vigilo?”
“Aye aye… let’s get this over with, shall we?”
The farmer shook his head,” Sir, you have already done enough.” His beard suddenly split again as that same grin appeared, ”Go on, she’s waiting…”
Depheant blushed and couldn’t help to offer the chuckling man a silly smile.
Then he rubbed his hair….
The evening of that same day a well dressed man went up the stairs of the Burning Troll Inn. He was wearing a white noble shirt with a doublet made from fine dark blue velvets, rather rich brocades and sleek suedes.
Deph stopped in front of one specific door, took a deep breath before knocking. He raised the other hand holding a colorful and bright bouquet of flowers. His eyes glanced at them and for a moment wondered if it had been such a good idea.
Well, too late as he had already knocked. His hand quickly ran through his hair one last time…
There is a shuffling sound in the room. Then...a growl?
Depheant arched a brow and knocked again, more firm this time, "Cel... Celestia?"
His free hand reached for the door handle and he tried it.
The door opens too easily and what stands there is someone in full armor and small horns. He strips the bed open and opens the closet with only clothes. He roars in frustration.
Depheant suppressed a curse. The flowers were dropped on the floor and though he had left his falchion at Knightshome, the scimitar on his side was omnipresent ever since his adventures in Cuhanna.
As the blade was drawn he whistled a spell that added a ghostly effect to his body. After all... he wasn't wearing any armour. He pushed the door open, fully assuming the creature must have heard his small tune...
The person looks over then sighs when he cant find whatever he was looking for. His dagger is put away and oddly whatever he didn’t break he sets back in place half assed. He begins to exit the room...but leaves a note.
Depheant widens his eyes at the sudden change and moves only a bit to the day.... his scim lowering," Sir... what are you looking for in Milady Celestia's room?" He inquires somewhat firm but also politely. His eyes wandering a moment to the message.
The buff Tiefling looks at exactly where the voice came from and turns that direction.
"Who speaks from concealment? In Anjiro men of honor show man to man."
Depheant lowers his defenses with another whistle, appearing in Cel's room, his hand still around the handle of his blade.
"Anjiro? And here in Dasaria we have the decency of not breaking other people's stuff... This -is- Celestia's room... uh... unless..." suddenly Depheant blushed. Was this her... her... no....
"I'm Depheant. What is your name and business here?" he inquired.
"These material things mean nothing, boy. My business is to relay a message of a legendary swordsman who will challenge her in a few day's time. Setsuna the Collector of Swords."
seems to ignore his question and answers the other "The sword she possesses. Seems she has many weapons the 'collector' is demanding."
He looks on Deph and then suddenly laughs hardly
"You come baring gifts for this Celestia? I see flowers."
Depheant, calm as usual and not easily provoked ignores this last comment instead and moves to the door,
"Allow me to escort you out, ...sir... Unless you also wish to share with me who this sir Setsuna may be?"
"I would ask of your relevance to this Celestia..."
*He asks directly and follows along*
"Fair enough, she is my closest friend and I do care to know what is going on." He locks Cel's door with a frown and follows the man downstairs with his scimitar sheathed. "So what is going on?" he stopped down the stairs to face the man frontally.
looks to Deph
"I suggest saying your good byes to her. She will die. I follow Setsuna and observe her battles. She has never lost a duel."
He stands almost 6'8 in height and is quite the tank.
"I wish to arrest Setsuna given an opportunity. I am a “Kempeitai” in my language. How you say...Police Captain."
"I see." He thinks a moment of seeing Celestia in battle, knowing she can stand her own but instead of brooding over that right now and having the chance to gain intel, he asks" And why do you wish to arrest this person?"
"For a warrior of Anjiro...a sword is a prized possession. Setsuna has murdered Ninety of the land's greatest swordsman. She must not be allowed to persist. It is my duty and honor to bring her back to Anjiro for summary execution. Where is this Celestia?"
"I honestly have no idea? I was searching her myself. So Setsuna is some sort of warrior..." he shook his head," I hope i can find her soon an brief her all about this."
He examined the man, "Are you sir staying somewhere where I would be able to contact you?"
"I will search the Lightbringer's every known location known publicly. I hear of a Flame Temple in this Vicinity and assume she takes refuge there. I always find what I search for. And Setsuna is a Rōnin and former Onna-Bugeisha who hunts for their swords."
Meanwhile...Cel sits in the Temple of Tyrak and seems to be reading and resting as she waits for Deph...*
The night is far spent, the day is at hand;
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us wear the armor of light.
*The ship ride from Anjiro would be nearly two weeks, but this did not dispirit the woman, Setsuna. She walks onto the docks as several workers approach her in defense of their ship*
“Y-you can not have our livelihood! This is with no honor! You were suppose to protect us!” One shouts out.
*She steps forward as they charge. Her blade drinks deep of their blood, and splinters farm and ship tools easily. The shine of the moon’s light against the blade make a visual of her quick slashes. The men are but a minor inconvenience to the warrior. She boards the ship and looks on the nervous crew then speaks their tongue…*
“Set Sail…Dasaria.”
The night is far spent, the day is at hand;
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us wear the armor of light.
Depheant left the inn and then rushed over to the temple. When he saw Cel sitting, his heart jumped but he tried to calm down. There were more important matters to handle now.
“Oh, Deph—-“
He strode over to her and stopped in front of her. As she looked up and before she was able to say anything, and held her tightly then kneeled.
“Cel,... we talk later. Something came up and it’s really important.”
“Oh um…alright?” She barely has time to register.
Quickly he explained her how he had found a man in her room, mentioned the mess he created and the behavior. He told her about officer’s message, and the threat to her and her sword. His hands moved up to her upper arms were he held her gently and added his own thoughts.
“I’m not sure if I fully trust this man, but I think it be wise we go talk to him and see what you all make of this” He made certain to emphasize the word ‘we’. “Have you already ever heard of this... sword collector?”
Warm chestnut eyes looked up into hers...
"Um...I suppose I could meet this person. I don't know about any sword collector, but if it's as troublesome as it sounds it might be a good idea, no?”
She follows Depheant out of the Temple and to the tavern in lendose.
Down that path Depheant wished he would have had a bit more time to listen to whatever she maybe had wanted to say. After all, she had sent him the letter so it had him a bit curious. He glanced at her in anticipation as they made their way out of the temple.
And then, only then he noticed her white dress in all its glory. Wouldn't his concerns about this sword collector have bothered his mind so much, he would certainly have seen it at right away and expressed himself.
Well, he still couldn't, no?
He swallowed as he escorted her towards the inn.
"You look amazing, Cel..." he said soft, but loud enough for her to overhear. He thinks to himself…
Gods Deph...What, It is the truth..!
He blushed a bit...
Cel smiles sweetly as he suddenly stares at her and his thoughts are his own. She enters the inn and as they enter to see the Taichou at the bar who had already been keeping an eye on the door.
"Do I regard you as Lightbringer?"
“You regard her. Might I ask your name?”
“You may not, but I am here as a warning and to attempt to hinder the one coming for you. I did not expect a child though.”
Cel blows some hair aside and puts a hand on her hip. Cel motions for him to continue, and looks on the tall and imposing man. He almost winces as his own being is in opposition to hers. He composes himself as quickly as his displacement was.
He is quick to update Cel of the situation as a frown slowly creeps across her face.
"Your life is in danger. She will not stop until your blades are hers. There is not much I can do to assist you against her, but I will part with some wisdom. She can use what some refer to here as 'magic' to a certain degree. Jutisu...a physical manifestation of 'magic' in a way. It is as a sorcerer may inherit and use such abilities with only minor training, but with advanced teaching can become powerful techniques and focused abilities.”
“Wow…that sounds quite unique. Though I do thank you for helping how you can. Do you know when she will arrive?”
“She stole a ship from our docks a week ago. I took our fastest ship ahead of her and that was almost a week ago. She will be here within a few days. I suggest preparation and defense.”
Cel sighs and runs a hand through her hair.
“Thank you for all this. I will try to do all I can.”
He nods once and stares at her as he passes by to the exit.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand;
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us wear the armor of light.
