Annus De Consilium

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1:Inductum

It was a hard route but six weary travelers finally arrived. They had come from the land of Berigard, a poor backwater village, to the great kingdom of Riovanes. The whole kingdom was corrupt but it prospered under the selfish king and the residence lived their life the best they were able and trade was important to them. The majority of the civilians were nobles, very few common blood dared to lived there on fear of King Belvin's great liking for segregation of lowlifes. Even knowing this, the commoners of Berigard must find work, even if they must feign as nobles.

The first of the group is Axim(Axe-em), the oldest and most thick-headed of the group. He was 6'4 and wore leather as his armor for it's great freedom of movement. Not the most handsome but definitely one of the strongest. He was bald and had already begun to grow a small beard as he was of twenty years of age.

The second is Paten(Pay-ten), nineteen years old and had a great omnipotence of skills. He stands 5'9 and had thick iron armor and a self-made red mantle which signified as much class as he could lie to deceive them. He had short black hair and black stub of hair on his chin. Two of the travelers were brothers, he was found by their mother and father and taken in so he is considered as their step-brother. His sense of justice is sometimes blinded by powerful ambitions.

The third and fourth is Meiz(Maze) and Dosu. Brothers, Dosu is eighteen and his brother fourteen. Dosu wore armor similar to Paten and Meiz wore normal clothes, but they made it seem as if Dosu was a knight and Meiz his squire. Dosu, 6'0 had much etiquette and knew how to please people. If he were in an army he would certainly be a general for his great talent in teaching and leading, the man had Long dark red hair which was tied behind his head and most of it veiled by a simple helmet. Meiz, 5'5, finds great inspiration in his brother and has an unbreakable tie with justice. The young-faced, short red haired boy comes as a brave and yet naive fighter, though he has the potential to be a better knight than his brother.

The fifth is Zeke(Zeek), the youngest yet smartest of the group. 5,4 and thirteen years of age, the boy grew up as Meiz's best friend. If there was anything below commoner, Zeke's family would be there, in fact the way Meiz and Zeke met was Zeke pledging to serve Meiz's family for money. Meiz's family was actually a high class family and what you can call noble commoners. Zeke's family had a bloodline trait to use magic. Zeke was a mage-in-training and a very fast learner, even if he only learned one spell he can hardly use. The young man had light brown hair and a young childish face which made people think of how cute he was rather than his extreme IQ. He wore clothes similar to Meiz's and had a dagger, a wand was an insult to wizards of these times for people rarely saw a magic user create assumptions and rumors.

The sixth calls herself Demosthenis(Di-mose-thee-nus), Demos (Di-mose) for short. She joined the group late in their journey and spoke little of herself. She looked to be around seventeen years of age. She was intelligent and precise, the thing that boggled people most was the fact that she carried a sword which was unfitting for women in this time period. She had a happy-go-lucky attitude but rarely people can tell she only uses it to shade over true misery. She was 5'5 and had medium black hair. She would seem more noble then the men for her bright white armor which looked tougher than even steel and a helmet with white dragon wings that curved to the back of her head and had a full face plate which would totally veil her face except her bright green eyes. She wore a black cloak over herself most of the time in order to conceal her gender.

The six companions now enter the slums of the town which rested right out of the city walls, intentionally placed there in case of an attack, that way the commoners would die first. They all approached the walls, ready to offer service for adventure, gold, and fame, the key aspiration of young men.

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2:Itineris Erga Fidelitas

"Paten, you think they'll let us in?" Meiz spoke up in curiosity.

Paten shook his head almost annoyed. "Meiz, I told you for the fourth time that they wont pass up cheap mercenaries. Besides, if you play the part faithfully, you'll be rewarded." He finished with his casual english accent.

Meiz nodded in agreement. The group continued with a mutual silence as they reached the gate, the gaurds wore thick steel armor and held large pikes for chargers, one of them was a knight, the other two were normal infantry. The knight spoke up first. "What do you want?"

Paten moved forward with ease and determination. "We are travelers from the east who've come to serve King Belvin. Please, allow us an audience." He said with a graceful tone that lulled the knight into a state of trust.

"Wait here and I shall inform the bishop and you may have an audience with him." The knight said and whispered to a messenger before the man quickly set off. A few minutes passed before the man arrived again and spoke to the knight. The knight gave a quick nod and turned to the new arrivals. "You may pass." He said and the giant gates opened.

The group walked cautiously through the giant doors then found themselves in a bustling marketplace. All but Demos gasped at all the rare treasures and merchant's wares as they walked through, restraining themselves from attempting thievery. They all succeeded into making it to the castle entrance where they were let in. The bishop greeted the crew with great respect, a born host. They all talked for a few asking questions about each of the travelers, then came Demos.

"Sir, who are you and what is your name?" The gentle man said but Demos' eyes only seemed to stare blankly through her helmet. It was Zeke who spoke for her. "He-his name is Demosthenis, he is a knight of our land and greatly esteemed, though, sadly he lost his voice when a victor cut out his tongue in a duel in which Demos unfortunately lost." The child lied through his teeth and the bishop bought it and shook his head.

Much time passed when the bishop grew discontent and spoke up to the crowd. "I'm sorry but you all must prove your loyalty. You all are from a distant land that is unknown to us and your view of us is unknown. If you all are willing to take on the test of loyalty then I will allow you all to enter into our ranks." The others nodded. "Two years ago commoners broke off and revolted. They formed a group they named the Dusk Wolves. They have grown quite strong, they have a small fort in which I want you six to take. Do you accept?" They all nodded again. "I will give you some troops to he-" The bishop was interrupted by Dosu. "Help isn't needed, we will be able to take it alone." The bishop laughed but in the end nodded. The group left the whole castle and set off for the fort.

"We cannot stand this any longer!" A man exclaimed to a woman wearing armor in front of him. "The Wolves wont stand much longer, we should take hostages and flee while we still have our health!" The woman beside him put her hand up in annoyance. "Quiet! Zaluzose, we can win.. We haven't come this far for nothing. My father doesn't fight for himself, he didn't create us to gain power, he wants to see your children, our children to live a life of freedom and equality." The man quieted.

"Milady." Another female warrior spoke up with a slight bow. "Belvin fears us. Victory is an arms length away." She said and the other woman nodded. "Zaluzose, if you do not wish for freedom or a good future for your children, then leave, cast away yourself back into the depths of hell and abide the endless torture. We, however, shall stand tall as human beings. Lady Millia, we should seize this opportunity." The first woman, Millia, nodded with great faith.

Suddenly one of the fort gaurds burst in and yelled out. "Enemy attack!" He yelled and the many commoners exited the fort to face their opponents in an inevitable battle.

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3:Crepesculum Lupus

Millia folded her arms annoyedly as fifteen of her comrades looked out upon the six attackers. "I would never have thought that Belvin would send such a petty crew to try and dispatch us." She ridiculed, sounding as if she were serious. She wiped a strand of mud brown hair out of her dim eyes as they began to scan each one closely. The one in the nice armor was certainly small for a knight, it almost made Millia want to laugh.

"Quiet dog." Paten coldly stated as he drew his weapon. "I hope your bite is better than your bark, because you're pathetic." He was speaking straight-forwardly and without hesitation.

Millia was deeply offended being called a dog. She drew her beloved sword in which at the crest held a crimson crescent stone smaller than a ring and yet brighter than a star. "You bastard nobles know nothing of what's in front of you but the items you spoiled brats get. I'll show you not to judge one as animals."

Meiz looked surprised at Paten who seemed to mean what he said. 'But.. He's a commoner too. He has no right to treat her like that..... Does he?' Meiz was about to speak but the giant hand of Axim was placed on his shoulder with a strength that could have knocked him down. "We fight now. Get ready." His massive and fearless voice said as Meiz only nodded and prepared his weapon.

Meanwhile, inside the fort.. "I wont die.. I wont be hunted like a dog.." Zaluzose whispered shakily to himself before climbing through the nearest window and running off.

From the looks of it the wolves had begun making themselves a color and flag of a silver wolf with a brilliant shine. They had armor with the color of platinum, how such commoners as these got so brilliant so quickly were beyond the group, but most didn't stop to wonder at this splendor. Zeke, however, studied the armor and colors distinctively. 'Those certainly aren't their own, who's supplying them?' He thought, coming to a quick hypothesis of a third party.

"Come, let us do battle." Millia announced and within minutes everyone was ready. Millia looked at how outnumbered their enemies were and laughed. "We have more honor than to outnumber, so lets see how you do.." Six of her troops came up and attacked them.

Paten had taken two down quickly and Axim dispatched three without much trouble. The last was taken by Dosu. Meiz was still indecisive about the fight and Zeke wasn't nearly old or strong enough so he stood at the sidelines, watching and calculating Millia's intentions. Millia sighed. 'Seems I've underestimated them.' She said mentally before sending six more. The last three, including herself, were female and by far the better of the fighters.

As expected the last six were dispatched and this time Meiz did fight but succeeded in being only a burden for his big brother Dosu who had to pull him out of the path of an enemy troop. Paten stepped up and pointed his sword at Millia. "Stand down and bow to us and maybe Belvin will spare you." His cold black eyes stared into hers.

Millia laughed. "Lavian, Celia, let's go." She said as she and her two trusted allies slowly came forth to fight. Demos, who had been biding her time finally came forth. She didn't say anything rather she threw off the cloak and and pointed at Millia then turned her hand around and beckoned her forth with a finger before drawing her sword which was a rapier of a sorts with a very thin blade that didn't look much use for hacking at limbs. The others in the group were reluctant to fight females for a knight must show honor to ladies.

Millia noticed them not budging and smiled. "I guess you'll have to fend off three attackers since your allies are chicken feet." All three of the ladies came forth at once, Demos dodged to the right and struck Celia in the leg right between the joints of her armor. Celia was stunned and out of the fight. Next came Lavian this time she was struck in the gut, soon to find out it was a mortal wound. Demos just stood there, her green eyes gazing into Millia's.

It wasn't long before Lavian fell, not to get up again. Millia wasn't afraid for she welcomed such satisfactions as death, and yet she wanted to fulfill her duty. Millia charged forth and was struck in the arm with a click flash of Demos' sword then struck in the knee where she fell to knees. Paten was about to finish her off but Demos stuck her hand out. "Let her live.." She said quickly and Millia looked up. "You'll regret letting me live, as long as your a noble you're my enemy and the next we meet will be your last, remember that.." With that she limped away and out of sight..

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4:Laurifer Malum

The group was quiet the whole walk back to Riovanes. The two younger ones were still in half-awe about the female's speed and skill, the older ones had gotten over it. In this age women were home labor and are labeled to be owned by men, of course, there are a select few who would rather die standing up for their rights.

Upon entering the slums the group were aghast, even Paten's mouth dropped. On the street lay a young boy crying over his dead mother who seemed to have been raped and killed. A broken father lay curled near a house. The people who passed by acted as if they took no noticed which made Zeke quickly speak up. "It's as if this is an every day thing."

Only Zeke and Demos seemed to be the calm ones. A tear dropped from Axim for he too was parentless and how sad it is that such an occurrence could happen. Meiz and Dosu were flaming with rage but Dosu fought his own outbursts as well as held back Meiz's.

Paten walked over to the boy and knelt down by him. "Hello." He said gently to the helpless child.

The boy only looked him in the eye. "M-mommy!" He whimpered and moaned. Paten sighed and held out his hand and took off a ring. The ring was found bundled in Paten's rags when he was a baby. Paten held the ring out to the child. "When I avenge your mother, I want you to give this back to me." He said calmly with eyes piercing with a gentle ambition.

The boy didn't know what to do but he took the ring and held his mother, not whimpering as much. Paten drew up from his knees and looked at the others. "Lets go report." He announced and as discontent as they were to serve such tyranny, they nodded. They all entered the gates and found themselves in front of the bishop once again.

"Hello, hello! We heard of your great success and see people of great talent to work with the honorable King Belvin." The bishop acted as if he were worshiping their skill. Normally a few of them would be flattered but many of their eyes shone hate which made the bishop's happy smile turn away. "Well then, welcome to Riovanes, we'll call you in for your next assignment tomorrow." He said and shone the group to the door.

They were all being treated well and found themselves in rooms which were fit for high class. Most of them were uncomfortable with the sudden change of class but got used to it. When the guards who had shown them to their room had left Meiz broke out in anger. "I cant believe we're going to serve this bastard!!" He yelled aloud but Dosu hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Keep it down and don't cause a ruckus. This is not our problem we'll let time solve it."

Meiz looked upon his respected kin with dissatisfaction. "All of you shut up." Came the female voice of Demos. "As you all have told me during the journey, you've come for fame and adventure correct?" She spoke softly and the others nodded silently. "I didn't run into you by accident, rather I've come to ask that you assist me in my brother's dying wish."

The others were quiet, Dosu, Zeke, and Paten quickly caught on to what that wish was. Dosu, being a mature man who finds satisfaction in duty rather than justice stood up. "Are you saying we betray the king we've fought and killed to gain loyalty to!? Time heals everything." He said after calming himself.

Demos unclipped her helmet and gently pulled it over her head. She had an innocent face and yet her beautiful green eyes held a deep darkness that would strike people on contact. "I'm not proposing that we strike now, however, wait until we get an advantage. The Wolves are powerful and can liberate Riovanes. I only ask for your help." She said softly that the others stood quiet. Meiz was quick to agree. Zeke, too, agreed to it. Before long they all were unanimous.

With no more said, the group of young and desperate people retired to the dream world. To awake for their next assignment the following day.

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5:Scelestus Proditio

According to the bishop they were to have an assignment the following day. They all set out to kill a small band of thieves and returned successfully. A few months passed and the group was well liked by the king, he even left his throne to go and glance at them for a few seconds.

Belvin was a very cautious man who would hide behind anything if it would hide him from certain death, and he has many enemies. Normally a tyrant is thought to have great strength and a powerful ambition, but Belvin was a simple coward who steals ideas from his warlords.

One day, the bishop, who's name is Devince came to report a new mission. The group were still plotting their rebellion and were still biding their time. They all accepted it with a fake excitement. They were to escort a princess, one who was important to Belvin.

They all set out to a desert about a three day walk from the castle. When they had arrived at the location, the princess was followed by a large group. Paten walked forth and greeted them. They continued on for a day and were out of the desert and in a small forest. The group were taking their rest near a river, Paten was with the princess and her guards. A few minutes passed and the princess gasped as the guards drew their swords and began to approach the group, being led by Paten.

Unfortunately, due to their slow movement the ambushers were quickly identified and the group readied themselves for battle. "Paten! What the hell are you doing!?" Dosu yelled out loud. "I simply told the king of your plans, the king figured you can earn loyalty, but you can buy it."

Paten laughed harshly at the disheartened group. "We'll have to fight them." Demos said and readied herself. The young and confused princess hid behind a tree, unable to act. Paten and the guards charged forth confidently, seeing that the group was outnumbered.

The fight begun and Zeke found himself being charged by two. He quickly raised his hands and began to utter a spell. He smirked when the incantation was finished and threw his hands out. He stood there for a few seconds as the guards crooked their eyebrows. They continued their advance until Demos came in and with a quick spin as if she were doing a ballet, and the two men went down.

Zeke was losing the confidence he had when uttering the spell and found himself dodging and running more than fighting. Meanwhile, Paten and Dosu were fighting as Meiz fought to keep any interferences of the duel out of the way, but Meiz wasn't doing such a good job.

The fight lasted for an hour before both sides were exhausted. Meiz was badly wounded and Zeke, to his surprise, found himself fully unharmed thanks to Demos' aid. Even she seemed to be quite weary. The fight had been drawn out by the slow fleet of the group and they had reached the deep bank of the river. There was a bridge for crossing.

Zeke knew what he had to do and urged them on over. Paten sensed something wrong and didn't pursue but his lackeys did. Zeke uttered his spell and threw his arms out as a burst of flame hit the wooden bridge and it was soon engulfed in flames burning the remnants and the guards. Paten found himself defeated so he retreated back to the weariest of the guards and they had returned.

The group found themselves tired, hungry, and lost. Where could they go now? The journey home was too long and they lacked the food, they couldn't go back to Riovanes, and the Wolves wouldn't take them since Millia knows of their attack. They were alone and confused...