Post by PJ on Mar 23, 2006 0:52:08 GMT -5
Chapter Four - Treason
That next morning, PJ awoke late, as was usual, had breakfast alone again, and went for another spar in the training yards. After another few bouts (he almost lost one to a hardened veteran) PJ returned to his quarters for a change of clothes and a quick bath. On the way he was intercepted by a messenger, who claimed that a message had just come for PJ, and was in the highest tower, which was used for pigeon-messengers.
PJ quickly changed, and, once again, forwent the bath, before starting the arduous climb to the tallest tower. He quickly was perspiring again, and decided that it was lucky he hadn’t bathed, as it wouldn’t have helped much. On his way to the aviary, he had to pass through one of the more derelict parts of the Fort; the Fort was always being attacked, and Dante had a score of masons and builders just for the purpose of repairing the spam-damaged parts of the Fort. The central tower was safe enough, but there were many rooms and attachments to it that weren’t quite so stable.
As PJ traversed the ancient passageways, he didn’t notice the invisible magical trip-wire he walked through, which alerted its creator of the presence of an intruder. As he continued along the passageway, PJ heard voices. He paused, listening, and discovered the source of the noise was coming from one of the derelict offshoots of the main tower. He tip-toed down a passageway, listening hard. There it was, again. Voices. He turned a corner, and approached a moldy old door, which was slightly ajar, and listened.
“…hardly.” The voice was male, and he couldn’t quite place it.
“Do we have to be in this derelict old place?” Said someone who PJ thought was Ennui. His heart began to race as he realized he might be eavesdropping on one of their “secret meetings” and might finally find out what all this secrecy was about.
“Well, nobody is going to be up here, are they?” Dupin said quietly. PJ hid behind an crumbling statue of some famous hero, so that even if someone were to come out of the door, they wouldn’t see him straight away.
“I spose. It’s drafty.” Someone who sounded like Derik was saying.
“Onto business.” Dante said loudly, and all chatter ceased.
“Should we include PJ in our plans?” Antenora asked softly, and PJ barely heard.
“He’s only got 50 odd soldiers, however well trained they may be. If we don’t choose to accept him, he can be easily neutralized.” PJ’s ears perked up. What?
“Still…his support would be welcome. He was an excellent lieutenant before he went into politics. And he’s a Detriment Deleter, so he has quite some magical power, too…” Dante was musing.
“I don’t think we should drag PJ into this.”
“Let us vote on it.”
“Fine.”
“All in favor of including PJ, raise your hands.”
There was a momentary pause.
“Ah. Three versus Two. We shall include PJ.”
Include PJ in what? He didn’t like the sound of this at all. Neutralizing?
“So all our plans are set?”
“My warriors are ready to surround the Malignant Merchants.” What?!? This sounded like…like treason. PJ’s heart beat faster.
“My Intelecteers have prepared the way for us.”
“Good, good.”
“The troops are ready, Dante. We should be able to strip at least half the garrisons without worrying about the n00bs. We broke their last major assault two years back; they’re still recovering from that, and raids are at a bare minimum.”
“My powers are at your disposal.”
“Antenora, have you arranged…?”
“Yes, Snicketface should be traveling for at least another two months.”
“Excellent. Gentlemen, and mylady. Within two months time, the crown will be ours.”
Regicide! They were planning on taking the crown! PJ thought furiously. He must think for the benefit of the whole kingdom…the room was unstable and derelict. If he used his magic, he should be able to hurl the traitors right off the tower! It wouldn’t require a lot of magic, and they’d be dead before they realized anything was happening. But he never did like murder…killing n00bs was one thing – they had to be killed, otherwise they would kill again. There was no middle ground like with humans. He could kill all five of them, and stop this treason before it started. But they were his friends! Or were they?
Dante surely wished to be king. Treachery! But…but…Tragedy was getting old and apathetic. His sloth was spoiling the kingdom, he was almost like a disease. Many times PJ had wished he would simply die or elect an heir. But regicide? It could lead to civil war, which would leave the Border open for a really cool member invasion…thoughts swirled through his head, and he barely heard the discussion continuing in the room. He could kill them now! He could stop this! But should he? Would Dante be a better king than Tragedy? Undoubtedly…but was it worth it? And Dante was a tyrant…
Doubt gripped PJ, and he tried to clear his head. Then a voice called out from the room.
“Why don’t you come in, PJ?”
PJ felt a terrible urge to just run, but the door was already open, and Dante was standing before him. Dante…Dante was a powerful, powerful magician. He could kill PJ with the flick of his wrist. PJ silently followed Dante back in the room, and felt the others’ eyes upon him. Derik gave him a small smile which wasn’t returned.
“We must confess, PJ, this was all a sham. I sent that servant to call you up here, so you would witness our conversation,” Dante explained quietly.
“Why?” PJ asked, puzzled.
“Because we wished to test you. You could have used your magic to break the foundations and hurl us all to our deaths, had you wanted to. But you didn’t.”
“You placed your lives in my hands?” PJ asked, still confused. He wiped the sweat off his face.
“Well, no. We took the precaution of magically strengthening this room beforehand. Nothing would have happened.”
“So…so what happens now?” PJ asked, backing up against a wall. Would they kill him? No, that didn’t make sense.
“We’re going to invite you to join us whilst we liberate this kingdom from Tragedy’s detrimental regime.” Ennui said passionately.
“And if I refuse?” PJ said, still feeling all of their eyes upon him.
“Then we have to kill you.” Dupin sighed loudly. He seemed genuinely troubled by the thought. That was something, at least.
PJ calmed himself down, and collected his thoughts.
“Give me a minute.” He breathed, and closed his eyes. Tragedy, or Dante? Ennui was right, Tragedy’s rule was detrimental to 667. But…
“So who gets the throne once you march into Menacing Miscellaneous?” PJ wondered aloud.
“We’ve agreed that it should be me. And if I should die, Antenora.”
“Right. Dante.”
PJ closed his eyes again. If Dante seized power, people would die. Civil war might occur.
“What about civil war?” He asked.
“We will ensure that it doesn’t happen.” Antenora said soothingly.
That was no big guarantee. And people would still die, if Dante tried to seize the throne. And Dante would be a tyrant.
“You’d be a tyrant, wouldn’t you?” PJ accused, eyes fixing on Dante.
“Perhaps. My associates will be my advisors, so I won’t be able to be very tyrannical.” Dante said, truthfully, and his comrades nodded. They had obviously discussed this at great length.
Dante? Or Tragedy? Tragedy, or Dante? He weighed them both up in his mind, coming to a conclusion.
“I refuse your offer.” PJ said. Dante seemed surprised, everyone else troubled and worried.
“But that doesn’t mean you have to kill me.” PJ added quickly.
“Yes, yes it does.”
“No, it doesn’t. I’m willing to swear an oath of obedience.”
The clever magicians of 667 Dark Avenue had devised a spell that would render it impossible to lie. All oaths were made under this spell, so that it was impossible to break them. It was a very serious matter, though controversial. It all depended upon the oath-takers definition of the oath. He may swear to do something, but secretly mean another. It was a tricky business.
The five betrayers looked at one another.
“I say we do it.” Derik said.
“Me too.” Dupin said immediately afterwards.
“So do I.” Antenora said.
“Well, that’s already the majority.” Dante said, turning towards PJ.
“You’ll swear exactly what we tell you to, ok?” He commanded.
PJ shook his head.
“No. You’d just bind me to your service. I make the oaths, and you choose whether or not to accept them.”
“Fine.” Scowled Dante. Then all the participants in the room closed their eyes, and meshed their magical power together, to combine to form the complex truth spell. A bit of swift manipulation upon Dante’s part, and the spell covered PJ completely.
“Ok. It’s done.” He said. PJ nodded, irritated. He’d felt the spell settle on him. Thinking quickly, PJ spoke the oath.
“I, Lord PJ, unofficial ruler of the Library, and Detriment Deleter of the Kingdom of 667 Dark Avenue, solemnly swear the following:
I will not tell anyone, whether alive or dead, human or inhuman, of the plot to overthrow Tragedy, the king, nor will I tell, or hint, at any trouble connected with you five.” PJ paused, taking a deep breath, and started the next oath.
“I will not try and kill any of the people in this room, nor will I hold them prisoner, or torture them in any way.
And I will do nothing to prevent one of you five from taking the throne.”
There was a momentary silence.
“Do you accept my oaths?” PJ finally asked. They considered.
“I say we do it.” Ennui said, after consider for a moment.
“Yes. Enough blood has been shed for this secret.” Dupin agreed.
“Ok. Lord PJ, we do accept your oath. We have borne witness, and it is legitimate.”
PJ smiled weakly.
“I prefer Dante on the throne to Tragedy, anyway.” He said, before the five of them took the truth spell off him. He exhaled loudly.
“Enough blood has been shed…I take this to mean that you killed Snicketfires?” PJ asked, suddenly, realizing.
“Yes.” Dupin said glumly.
“She found out about the plot and wanted to warn Tragedy.” Antenora said.
“It was necessary.”
PJ scowled.
“I will leave this place, now, and return to the Library, where I will most likely await for your revolution to take place.” PJ said, and took a step towards the door.
“PJ,” Dante said.
“We will need good men and women once Tragedy has been removed. Will you serve your country, then?” He continued.
PJ shrugged.
“I will do whatever is best for my country.” He left.
“Well…” Ennui said, sighing loudly.
“That’s done. He can’t kill us, nor stop us from taking the throne, nor can he tell anyone else. Still, he’s a wily one, and I suggest we send a small force to surround the Library on our way to the Capital. He may find some loophole which he could exploit.” He said, looking somewhat sad.
“Yes. PJ, despite the oaths, is still somewhat of a danger to us.” Dante said. Derik just stared out of the window, into the distance, and wondered whether this was the right thing to do.
PJ hurried down into the barracks, and told his men that they’d be leaving at once. Then, he hurried back up to his room, and packed all of his things up. Lord PJ and his men left within the hour. PJ had to move fast, if he was going to manipulate things. The oaths gave him some leeway, which is why he had chosen them. They had only spared him, he knew, because he was their comrade, their…friend. And he was going to have to exploit it, for the good of the kingdom. Dante could not be allowed to have the throne. But what he had spoken was true. PJ would rather have Dante on the throne than Tragedy. It was a dreadful quandary. He couldn’t kill any of the traitors, or warn anyone else, or even prevent them from taking the throne...
Not twenty minutes out of Sardonic Series, PJ halted his horse, and turned to his men.
“Men, I have received disturbing news. We’re going home. Now.”
“Sir?” Asked the sergeant, and PJ waved him aside.
“I’ll be using magic Sergeant. When the Portal opens, jump in. I might need some help getting through, though. Oh, and the horses will have to stay here. Let them loose.” The man nodded, and took PJ’s horse and baggage, and they sprang to work, unloading the horses, removing their saddles, and shooing them away.
PJ closed his eyes, and sat on the floor, meditating, and willing a portal to open between here and the Library. After nearly ten minutes of hard concentration and manipulation of magic, a black hole appeared in the air, which the soldiers instantly leapt through. The sergeant helped PJ through, and after stepping into the Portal, they appeared in his study at the Library. PJ weakly called for a doctor, and then he collapsed to the floor. His last conscious thought was that he loathed traveling magically. But this time, he decided, it was worth it
End of Part One
Allegiances:
Traitors:
-Dante
-Dupin
-Ennui
-Derik
-Antenora
Opportunists:
-PJ
Loyalists:
-Snicketfires
That next morning, PJ awoke late, as was usual, had breakfast alone again, and went for another spar in the training yards. After another few bouts (he almost lost one to a hardened veteran) PJ returned to his quarters for a change of clothes and a quick bath. On the way he was intercepted by a messenger, who claimed that a message had just come for PJ, and was in the highest tower, which was used for pigeon-messengers.
PJ quickly changed, and, once again, forwent the bath, before starting the arduous climb to the tallest tower. He quickly was perspiring again, and decided that it was lucky he hadn’t bathed, as it wouldn’t have helped much. On his way to the aviary, he had to pass through one of the more derelict parts of the Fort; the Fort was always being attacked, and Dante had a score of masons and builders just for the purpose of repairing the spam-damaged parts of the Fort. The central tower was safe enough, but there were many rooms and attachments to it that weren’t quite so stable.
As PJ traversed the ancient passageways, he didn’t notice the invisible magical trip-wire he walked through, which alerted its creator of the presence of an intruder. As he continued along the passageway, PJ heard voices. He paused, listening, and discovered the source of the noise was coming from one of the derelict offshoots of the main tower. He tip-toed down a passageway, listening hard. There it was, again. Voices. He turned a corner, and approached a moldy old door, which was slightly ajar, and listened.
“…hardly.” The voice was male, and he couldn’t quite place it.
“Do we have to be in this derelict old place?” Said someone who PJ thought was Ennui. His heart began to race as he realized he might be eavesdropping on one of their “secret meetings” and might finally find out what all this secrecy was about.
“Well, nobody is going to be up here, are they?” Dupin said quietly. PJ hid behind an crumbling statue of some famous hero, so that even if someone were to come out of the door, they wouldn’t see him straight away.
“I spose. It’s drafty.” Someone who sounded like Derik was saying.
“Onto business.” Dante said loudly, and all chatter ceased.
“Should we include PJ in our plans?” Antenora asked softly, and PJ barely heard.
“He’s only got 50 odd soldiers, however well trained they may be. If we don’t choose to accept him, he can be easily neutralized.” PJ’s ears perked up. What?
“Still…his support would be welcome. He was an excellent lieutenant before he went into politics. And he’s a Detriment Deleter, so he has quite some magical power, too…” Dante was musing.
“I don’t think we should drag PJ into this.”
“Let us vote on it.”
“Fine.”
“All in favor of including PJ, raise your hands.”
There was a momentary pause.
“Ah. Three versus Two. We shall include PJ.”
Include PJ in what? He didn’t like the sound of this at all. Neutralizing?
“So all our plans are set?”
“My warriors are ready to surround the Malignant Merchants.” What?!? This sounded like…like treason. PJ’s heart beat faster.
“My Intelecteers have prepared the way for us.”
“Good, good.”
“The troops are ready, Dante. We should be able to strip at least half the garrisons without worrying about the n00bs. We broke their last major assault two years back; they’re still recovering from that, and raids are at a bare minimum.”
“My powers are at your disposal.”
“Antenora, have you arranged…?”
“Yes, Snicketface should be traveling for at least another two months.”
“Excellent. Gentlemen, and mylady. Within two months time, the crown will be ours.”
Regicide! They were planning on taking the crown! PJ thought furiously. He must think for the benefit of the whole kingdom…the room was unstable and derelict. If he used his magic, he should be able to hurl the traitors right off the tower! It wouldn’t require a lot of magic, and they’d be dead before they realized anything was happening. But he never did like murder…killing n00bs was one thing – they had to be killed, otherwise they would kill again. There was no middle ground like with humans. He could kill all five of them, and stop this treason before it started. But they were his friends! Or were they?
Dante surely wished to be king. Treachery! But…but…Tragedy was getting old and apathetic. His sloth was spoiling the kingdom, he was almost like a disease. Many times PJ had wished he would simply die or elect an heir. But regicide? It could lead to civil war, which would leave the Border open for a really cool member invasion…thoughts swirled through his head, and he barely heard the discussion continuing in the room. He could kill them now! He could stop this! But should he? Would Dante be a better king than Tragedy? Undoubtedly…but was it worth it? And Dante was a tyrant…
Doubt gripped PJ, and he tried to clear his head. Then a voice called out from the room.
“Why don’t you come in, PJ?”
PJ felt a terrible urge to just run, but the door was already open, and Dante was standing before him. Dante…Dante was a powerful, powerful magician. He could kill PJ with the flick of his wrist. PJ silently followed Dante back in the room, and felt the others’ eyes upon him. Derik gave him a small smile which wasn’t returned.
“We must confess, PJ, this was all a sham. I sent that servant to call you up here, so you would witness our conversation,” Dante explained quietly.
“Why?” PJ asked, puzzled.
“Because we wished to test you. You could have used your magic to break the foundations and hurl us all to our deaths, had you wanted to. But you didn’t.”
“You placed your lives in my hands?” PJ asked, still confused. He wiped the sweat off his face.
“Well, no. We took the precaution of magically strengthening this room beforehand. Nothing would have happened.”
“So…so what happens now?” PJ asked, backing up against a wall. Would they kill him? No, that didn’t make sense.
“We’re going to invite you to join us whilst we liberate this kingdom from Tragedy’s detrimental regime.” Ennui said passionately.
“And if I refuse?” PJ said, still feeling all of their eyes upon him.
“Then we have to kill you.” Dupin sighed loudly. He seemed genuinely troubled by the thought. That was something, at least.
PJ calmed himself down, and collected his thoughts.
“Give me a minute.” He breathed, and closed his eyes. Tragedy, or Dante? Ennui was right, Tragedy’s rule was detrimental to 667. But…
“So who gets the throne once you march into Menacing Miscellaneous?” PJ wondered aloud.
“We’ve agreed that it should be me. And if I should die, Antenora.”
“Right. Dante.”
PJ closed his eyes again. If Dante seized power, people would die. Civil war might occur.
“What about civil war?” He asked.
“We will ensure that it doesn’t happen.” Antenora said soothingly.
That was no big guarantee. And people would still die, if Dante tried to seize the throne. And Dante would be a tyrant.
“You’d be a tyrant, wouldn’t you?” PJ accused, eyes fixing on Dante.
“Perhaps. My associates will be my advisors, so I won’t be able to be very tyrannical.” Dante said, truthfully, and his comrades nodded. They had obviously discussed this at great length.
Dante? Or Tragedy? Tragedy, or Dante? He weighed them both up in his mind, coming to a conclusion.
“I refuse your offer.” PJ said. Dante seemed surprised, everyone else troubled and worried.
“But that doesn’t mean you have to kill me.” PJ added quickly.
“Yes, yes it does.”
“No, it doesn’t. I’m willing to swear an oath of obedience.”
The clever magicians of 667 Dark Avenue had devised a spell that would render it impossible to lie. All oaths were made under this spell, so that it was impossible to break them. It was a very serious matter, though controversial. It all depended upon the oath-takers definition of the oath. He may swear to do something, but secretly mean another. It was a tricky business.
The five betrayers looked at one another.
“I say we do it.” Derik said.
“Me too.” Dupin said immediately afterwards.
“So do I.” Antenora said.
“Well, that’s already the majority.” Dante said, turning towards PJ.
“You’ll swear exactly what we tell you to, ok?” He commanded.
PJ shook his head.
“No. You’d just bind me to your service. I make the oaths, and you choose whether or not to accept them.”
“Fine.” Scowled Dante. Then all the participants in the room closed their eyes, and meshed their magical power together, to combine to form the complex truth spell. A bit of swift manipulation upon Dante’s part, and the spell covered PJ completely.
“Ok. It’s done.” He said. PJ nodded, irritated. He’d felt the spell settle on him. Thinking quickly, PJ spoke the oath.
“I, Lord PJ, unofficial ruler of the Library, and Detriment Deleter of the Kingdom of 667 Dark Avenue, solemnly swear the following:
I will not tell anyone, whether alive or dead, human or inhuman, of the plot to overthrow Tragedy, the king, nor will I tell, or hint, at any trouble connected with you five.” PJ paused, taking a deep breath, and started the next oath.
“I will not try and kill any of the people in this room, nor will I hold them prisoner, or torture them in any way.
And I will do nothing to prevent one of you five from taking the throne.”
There was a momentary silence.
“Do you accept my oaths?” PJ finally asked. They considered.
“I say we do it.” Ennui said, after consider for a moment.
“Yes. Enough blood has been shed for this secret.” Dupin agreed.
“Ok. Lord PJ, we do accept your oath. We have borne witness, and it is legitimate.”
PJ smiled weakly.
“I prefer Dante on the throne to Tragedy, anyway.” He said, before the five of them took the truth spell off him. He exhaled loudly.
“Enough blood has been shed…I take this to mean that you killed Snicketfires?” PJ asked, suddenly, realizing.
“Yes.” Dupin said glumly.
“She found out about the plot and wanted to warn Tragedy.” Antenora said.
“It was necessary.”
PJ scowled.
“I will leave this place, now, and return to the Library, where I will most likely await for your revolution to take place.” PJ said, and took a step towards the door.
“PJ,” Dante said.
“We will need good men and women once Tragedy has been removed. Will you serve your country, then?” He continued.
PJ shrugged.
“I will do whatever is best for my country.” He left.
“Well…” Ennui said, sighing loudly.
“That’s done. He can’t kill us, nor stop us from taking the throne, nor can he tell anyone else. Still, he’s a wily one, and I suggest we send a small force to surround the Library on our way to the Capital. He may find some loophole which he could exploit.” He said, looking somewhat sad.
“Yes. PJ, despite the oaths, is still somewhat of a danger to us.” Dante said. Derik just stared out of the window, into the distance, and wondered whether this was the right thing to do.
PJ hurried down into the barracks, and told his men that they’d be leaving at once. Then, he hurried back up to his room, and packed all of his things up. Lord PJ and his men left within the hour. PJ had to move fast, if he was going to manipulate things. The oaths gave him some leeway, which is why he had chosen them. They had only spared him, he knew, because he was their comrade, their…friend. And he was going to have to exploit it, for the good of the kingdom. Dante could not be allowed to have the throne. But what he had spoken was true. PJ would rather have Dante on the throne than Tragedy. It was a dreadful quandary. He couldn’t kill any of the traitors, or warn anyone else, or even prevent them from taking the throne...
Not twenty minutes out of Sardonic Series, PJ halted his horse, and turned to his men.
“Men, I have received disturbing news. We’re going home. Now.”
“Sir?” Asked the sergeant, and PJ waved him aside.
“I’ll be using magic Sergeant. When the Portal opens, jump in. I might need some help getting through, though. Oh, and the horses will have to stay here. Let them loose.” The man nodded, and took PJ’s horse and baggage, and they sprang to work, unloading the horses, removing their saddles, and shooing them away.
PJ closed his eyes, and sat on the floor, meditating, and willing a portal to open between here and the Library. After nearly ten minutes of hard concentration and manipulation of magic, a black hole appeared in the air, which the soldiers instantly leapt through. The sergeant helped PJ through, and after stepping into the Portal, they appeared in his study at the Library. PJ weakly called for a doctor, and then he collapsed to the floor. His last conscious thought was that he loathed traveling magically. But this time, he decided, it was worth it
End of Part One
Allegiances:
Traitors:
-Dante
-Dupin
-Ennui
-Derik
-Antenora
Opportunists:
-PJ
Loyalists:
-Snicketfires