Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-5824038-20160606113513/@comment-5824038-20160616162848

(Big long post incoming!)

Talyaras seemed surprised, but trusted in Levith's calm and uncaring attitude, not questioning the matter further.

The airship was ready to go. The Red Plague coughed and spluttered steam from its flight rock, and rose up into the air. Talyaras was in the rock chamber, flicking switches and turning valves, controlling the ascent of their vessel. Alynia was up above, steering the ship away from the city of Windhelm, far far to the south and east. Azirath, Levith, Lyrissa, and Elara were free to relax below decks, or control the sails. Someone had to be at the sails, but it did not matter who exactly.

[Timeskip]

The ship had been flying all through the night. In the morning they touched down briefly in the Niben Basin to rest and make slight adjustments to the rock in preparation for the warmer climate of the south. As they were doing this, they noticed a large collection of military skyships flying overhead, coming from the direction of Brightwall. Far in the distance, a large mass of people could be seen moving in the same direction.

Talyaras turned to the others, a worried look of surprise on her face, and asked 'What do you suppose this means?'

___________

'We can't let this happen!' Sofia called out to Xarxes as he was walking to his study.

The Redguard sighed and turned around. 'Sofia, you know as well as I do that we live in a democracy now.'

'That's bullshit,' she said, shaking her head in disgust. 'The Senate is supposed to represent the will of the people. If you went out into the streets and asked everyone there if they wanted war, what do you think they would say?'

'I think,' Xarxes began, 'I think they would say no. But after being presented with the series of events leading up to now, some may change their minds.'

'They know what was going on. The newspapers didn't stop existing, you know.'

'No, they didn't. Which is why several hundred fine young volunteers have been down to the Office of Military Enrollment since yesterday afternoon, when it was announced that the war was beginning, to sign up for the army.'

Sofia looked shocked. 'What? Why?'

'Because the people understand why we are going through with this, and many of them agree with the decision. As you can see. That will be all, Senator. I have letters to write.'

The Resistance's leader sighed and walked away, cursing under her breath.

Xarxes went into his office, only to see someone else sat at the desk. They looked at him expectantly, or at least he thought they were expectent. Long strands of blond hair came out from underneath the wolf mask.

'This isn't a great time, Wraith,' he said, bemused. 'I have to write to Admiral Markus, he is posted in Sentinel and is awaiting instructions.'

'This war,' Wraith started, completely ignoring Xarxes' comment, 'Is a mistake.'

'You think I don't know that? It's impossible to say who will win, neither of us are significently stronger than the other, and the Empire will find itself bankrupt at the end of it. Unless of course we win.'

'That's your problem, Xarxes,' Wraith's silky voice explained, 'You hang onto the idea that you can win, when in reality you are being played for a fool - along with Samarkand. The only winners here are the Council of Nobles.'

Xarxes lowered his eyebrows. 'They were wiped out, disgraced, and disbanded. Stop clinging onto hope that your nemesis is still around to make misery for the peasants, Wraith. It's an unhealthy obsession.'

The rebel coked their head. 'I assume I am neither needed nor wanted in the coming months?'

The Redguard nodded. 'That is correct. You may be a voice of reason sometimes, but the majority of the Senate still aren't sure why I let you onto this government in the first place.'

'Then I am requesting permission to leave Brightwall. I have some digging to do.' The enigmatic fighter stood up and walked out of the room, not waiting for Xarxes' decision either way.

Wraith left the palace and then the city. A troop of soldiers left at the same time, moving north. The rebel shook his head in disappointment.

'Wraith! What are you doing here?' came a voice from behind.

'We are leaving, Victorius. We are going to find them.'