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Post by ash on Nov 1, 2018 10:22:16 GMT
Kill her? That was not part of the plan here. It would cause more disruptions and honestly? He guessed being captured and having to fear for ones life after something like that was hard enough in her situation. Roan shook his head. "I will not kill you. But I am afraid I can make them let you go." That was something else entirely. If she crossed lines, she had to pay for. And in this case Azgeda would keep her prisoner, he knew as much, because they might need her. They might need proof. Since she had caught no harm he could not see them harming her just yet. If they wanted to play Heda, that was to be it. They had to at least look like they were playing her game. And keeping her, just like she was keeping him, was an important piece of that.
"Who sent you here?" He asked her the. He was convinced she was either sent or sent herself because of someone. The prince sat down and watched her. "Going into Polis alone, into Azgedan area isn't exactly clever." But at the same time it took guts to do so and he admired that, in a way. "It's not exactly times like this where you can just be sure of your life. Under other circumstances you would have been killed. Under other circumstances they wouldn't have needed proof of you being here and thus your life would not matter to them in the slightest."
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Post by ash on May 12, 2018 8:48:23 GMT
Roan heard from the men that they had captured a skaikru spy. A spy of these people, Roan almost wanted to laugh. They were like children, clumsy, entirely incapable - yet - of adapting to the ground. Formally Roan was a prisoner, but his people allowed him a certain amount of liberty. And this allowed him to go to the room where the so called spy was. He was surprised when he saw her, cowering back. She was beautiful, not an ounce of muscle on her. He would bet her hands were soft, unknown to fighting, to actually doing what they feared she might be able to do. This was certainly not a spy. But what was she really doing here?
"This is not a spy." He told the others. Damn them. "Are you really this stupid? This could be seen as an act of war. The commander will not take kindly to Azgeda just randomly imprisoning a skaikru girl, spy or not. Has she committed any true crime?" He highly doubted it. Roan moved forward, hands held up to show her, hopefully that he meant no harm. "You are not truly a spy, are you?"
Leiana LaCroix
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Post by ash on Apr 15, 2018 6:40:45 GMT
As Echo steadied him, he knew this would be the end of it, of them, but not for their people. He watched the champion of Skaikru, had to admire her tactic, her resilience and her plan. Their people would not have given everyone spots. So many innocents could be saved now. And he would make sure that the selected for his people knew to carry their culture into the future, as well as move and adapt to it. There were careful considerations to be made to ensure that his people could survive and survive with cultures that were against them so fundamentally, that they had to fear that an uprising would once again occur with the prospect of Azgeda joining them in the bunker.
"She won." He said simply as an explanation. "She won. It would have taken her one blow only and I would have been dead at her feet." And he perhaps should have been. He would be. This was all about making sure they did not waste a single space in the bunker on someone who would end up jeopardizing all of their positions in the bunker. "My fate is sealed. The only reason I gave her the necklace and live now is to see our people safely in the bunker. I will not join them myself. It would be a wasted space anyway." His injuries were grave, he would most likely perish anyway and that by taking the place of someone else? He did not want that. There were better candidates than him.
"That is untrue, Echo and you know it. I did let you investigate Skaikru. This is for the sake of our people. You know them better. You have lived with them far longer than I have." And this was why he needed her opinion and advice. They needed a strategy with it. "We have to make sure the right people go in, the ones who can survive among the other clans and keep our culture alive. And we have to ensure they get to go in. The other clans don't want us. We will ensure our peoples survival."
@echx
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Post by ash on Mar 29, 2018 8:17:54 GMT
In the face of imminent death and potential survival, sometimes people changed, and sometimes they found strength where there was none to be sought. When the girl screamed at him to find cover, it was a mere stumble that brought him out of harms way for a moment. She sprung into action, turning him away and herself, hiding them, to regroup and find them an advantage, despite him being wounded. The willingness to help him, the desire to save all, all clans, that impressed him. Unlike another leader of her clan, there was sincerity in this one and he knew he stood no chance in a fight against either of these women. He was too wounded. And so, as the deed was done and Luna slain, as only he and Octavia remained, he lay the necklaces, including Azgedas down at her feet and offered her victory without a fight. And yet it was not necessarily victory she sought.
He was being supported, a guard taking over as they walked into the throne room, two victorious, instead of just one. Both their desires met. He stood back, aware that he had offered victory to her and well aware that she would have claimed it and gotten it otherwise. His arm, though shaking, was curled around his injured stomach. Thoughts of giving up crossed his mind, but not yet. He had 100 spots to fill and he had to be wise about it. He knew this was a sign of weakness in his clan. He did not care. If this was to be his end eventually, so be it. As long as his people survived. The guard supporting him brought him over to Echo. He allowed himself to lean on her as he stood, his touch soft, despite the feelings, despite the pain. There was only one thing that mattered in that moment: "Our Clan lives." But they, both of them might find their end in praimfaya, but their clan would survive. At least there was hopefully no way the others could discover Echos interference. They had no mind for that now. Each clan only had 100 spots. So did they. "I want your advice - one last time."
@echx
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Post by ash on Mar 22, 2018 6:57:52 GMT
What is your favourite Azgeda tradition?
"I always enjoyed and loved the great bonfires up in the north. Especially the festival around the end of the long nights, when the world transforms, plants resume to grow, food promises to once more be plentiful and we have survived yet another winter. It is a truly wonderful and joyful tradition and one that I missed while banished."
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Post by ash on Mar 22, 2018 6:53:57 GMT
What do you believe were Queen Nia's strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
"Mother was certainly a strong leader. She was born to be a leading woman. Making plans, scheming, if you want, was certainly one of her strengths. She was capable of detaching herself completely from any emotions. So, I think perhaps her greatest strength was her ambition. And that, in the end, perhaps that was also her greatest weakness."
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Post by ash on Mar 20, 2018 19:13:56 GMT
28. King Roan of Azgeda "What do you want? Spit it out!" |
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Post by ash on Jan 29, 2018 17:07:57 GMT
"There is no need for correctness here. It is wise to only trust in oneself and I understand your need to ensure your villages needs are met. Of course you will be granted that leave." He said. It was a no-brainer really. This was one of the reasons why Ragnar was perfect for the position. He wanted his people, their people to thrive and he had taken up responsibility in so many ways. He never once backed down from it. And Roan doubted he would. In a kingdom that was full of opportunists and up starters and potential usurpers, he was a loyal constant with ambition upwards, but enough responsibility to stall that in order to do what had to be done. And with enough loyalty to listen to a King. He could very much appreciate that.
"But in truth, Ragnar. I do not need your correctness. I need your blunt opinion on things. I have been raised by Nia, shaped by banishment and I have to admit I am aware that my own judgment might not always be the best. Which is why I need you to be blunt. And I can assure you, you will not be punished for that by me. You have free hand." And Roan just knew Ragnar would not abuse that in the slightest.
Ragnar
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Post by ash on Oct 1, 2017 19:00:01 GMT
Disbelief was still Roans companion. The past years had nod been easy to him and yet here he was, where his life once began, king of a nation that he had been banished from. Nobody can cast a king out of his kingdom they said and they were right. Nobody could take him away from here anymore. But there was more to it, he knew. As they paraded him around, he knew there was more he needed to do in his kingdom. Roan noticed him in the crowd, Tripion, one they usually avoided, aside from when they needed him. He was brilliant at his craft. Roan quite liked him, actually. He had a certain sense of loyalty. He was loyal to exactly the things that one could anticipate. And he was more than that.
Out there Roan learned of something that changed a lot for him, and for him. Given his siblings, Roan tended to avoid them, to not like them even. He was lucky he was the oldest one, because he was relatively sure, should it have been one of them he would not be back home. After seeing him in the crowd, he still indulged in a moment in his childhood home, washing, changing and just taking a breath. The day had him emotional in many ways. And since it was already a hard, he decided to just continue with him. He had seen Tripion flinch when he looked at him, so might as well rip off the bandage.
Roan made his way to where Tripion lived. He didn't bother with knocking. Once knocking would have wasted precious time, now he had the time, he just did not want to take it. "Tripion!" He said. "Where are you?" What if he wasn't back from the center of the town yet?
Tripion -- Shudamin
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Post by ash on Jun 17, 2017 12:23:31 GMT
"No." Roan said simply. The kid was actually listening. He could learn. He could become greater than the commanders before him, if he learned and looked at the other side as well as his. One woman once listened to Roans side of the story, to the small voice of the people voiced through a wide eyed prince and she paid for it with her life. But this was the way it went at the moment, with a cruel mother and a war that was fought in places he didn't even know war could reach. He paid the price. "Leaders always have to give up parts of themselves. What we want is no longer important. What our people need is. Our own ambition is what we have to give up. But not everything of us. Not our honor. Not our morality. Not our personality. We are but servants to our people." Or at least that was how he understood leadership.
"Costia, your hedas lover understood that. And yet the world was not ready for the way she thought. The way we thought. We both paid a price for that. Hers harder than my own." He suspected Adan knew exactly what price Roan meant. He washed his hands in innocence of her final fate, but he acknowledged the fact that their discussions aided all of it. His mother disagreed with Roans view on the politics of their people, thinking him too soft and so that encounter was never viewed as good. Costia was killed, in parts for this. He was banished, in parts for this. He knew their culture was not ready for their ways yet. But he hoped with Skaikru being around it would become ready soon enough.
"Wouldn't it be easier to look at your people and know with a good conscience you have done everything you could do within reasons, than look at them and know that you went too far? I can look at mine and know, with a longing to go home, that I have done everything I could. I tried to reason with Costia and my mother. I failed. But I tried and I accept that punishment. I'd give my life for Azgeda. Yet I long for home. That is a part of me I will never give up."
Aden
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Post by ash on Jun 4, 2017 16:44:45 GMT
He was right. Voicing his his concern was literally what Roan asked him to do not too long before. He needed this. He had needed someone at his side who would strengthen his position in the eyes of the people. They needed this sort of networking. In a court laced with traitors and spys - and turncoats who embodied both - the stability was needed, stability Ragnar could help him bring as a balance to the traitor he could not get rid of in his court so easily - yet whom he rarely entrusted with truly important tasks. He needed someone he could actually trust with those. If this was about not risking trusted people, he'd know who he'd send into this battle, but this was grander than himself. This was one of the purest fights of survivals, one he refused to pawn of to others. And yet, it seemed like he no longer had to.
Volunteering was something else entirely. And he was right. In this state, Ragnars chances of survival were so much higher. And he was perhaps the most honorable fighter Roan knew. If anyone could win this, not only for their people, it was Ragnar. "You are absolutely right. But you also know why I wouldn't appoint someone as my mother would have done. However I gladly accept you volunteering. You are the better warrior out of the two of us, I admit that without shame. And you are without injuries." Even the healing kind. This way he could make sure this was done more honorable than it would have been done when his mother ruled. Perhaps if they went down with Ragnar as their champion they could wash some of his mothers dishonor away from their people.
"Ragnar, Azgedas champion and hopefully the man who secures our future for us!" Ragnar
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Post by ash on Jun 1, 2017 17:33:28 GMT
He wasn't fully healed. It lingered in the small pain in his chest, a twinge that came when he overexerted himself. But he was the king. He was born the prince, grew up under the rule of a queen who let others fight for her. That very thing had put him to the throne. But he, he put his people before his own life. An thus, after he had suggested a final conclave to happen, he had been the one to throw his own name into the ring. Azgeda, the clan with the reputation of cruelty under his mother, would be a prime target. If he was to die for his people so be it. But the thing was: Could he win under those circumstances? He doubted it. His room, even now, was only for selected people to enter. Among them his most trusted advisor. Ragnar. The most skilled Azgeda warrior he knew.
"I am willing to die for our people." He said. "I will give my life for them, spill my blood so they may survive. I want this to be done with honor." that was the one thing he had to insist on. Most had forgone honor under his mother and there was no way to bring it back. There was next to no warrior he could even send into this battle. "I'm not fully healed, Ragnar. Chances are I will die on this battlefield tomorrow. If I do, it will be on you to keep Azgeda in line. Make sure we accept my fall with honor, our fate with honor and absolute dignity. We will go out with pride and honor in our hearts, if we have to. And if we make it, the bunker will not only be for our clan. We won't abandon children of other clans or mothers." |
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Post by ash on Apr 29, 2017 9:58:12 GMT
He was overcome with emotions. So many emotions. His mother was dead. His mother. He hated and loved her. Despite everything she was his mother. And now she was gone. A part of him was satisfied with it. Another part of him was terrified of a world without her. But, Wanheda had been right, nobody can banish a king form his kingdom. He could make it right. He could negotiate. And his main ally in it was still alive it seemed. Overcome with relief and terror - because Lexa would be furious - he moved forward. Strong arms enveloped Costia in what he suspected might just be the first friendly embrace or touch in years. He held her. He held her close, just strong enough to hopefully give her a sense of security. Because she was safe now. He would not hurt her. He would not try. But he had to plot. With her, not against her.
"This is good news I got. And terrifying at the same time. I did not expect to return to my people and find you alive. This could destroy every bit of the fragile peace we have with Lexa." And he wasn't exactly willing to do that. Peace was hard earned. And it was meant to last. He had started to talk with Costia about that peace just before she was apaprently imprisoned and he banished. Both pawns in his mothers plans, things could change. "We have to be careful. Are you willing to work with me to get you back to your people without destroying me and mine?" Sure his people held her captive. But he didn't. Back then he had always been open with her about what he planned, what he intended. And so he had to be open, too. "Would you be willing to support Azgedas new king and work with me? It is your choice. I will not continue your imprisonment. You are free. But... if we play our cards right, my mothers mistake doesn't have to start another war."
Costia
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Post by ash on Apr 27, 2017 19:15:54 GMT
The new kings first order of business was as simple as it was bold: A good nights sleep in a proper bed. Once that was done, he looked around the place. It had been a long time since he had been here. The last time everything felt like it was falling apart. And it had been. It was apparent by his banishment. His banishment spoke for itself. As did the state of his home. Once it had been happy. His father taught him. Then his father got killed. His mother was fierce. His mother was powerful. His mother was all about war not about survival. It was all about schemes. It was pure coincidence that he uncovered a huge scheme.
He ran. He ran down to the cells in disbelieve. Honestly, he prayed to be wrong. He wasn't. Down there he found a woman he thought dead. The commanders former lover. The one they all thought dead. Shock coursed through his veins. He saw the alliance, unstable as it was, fall apart over this already.
"Costia..." Without another word he reached for a key to release her. "All those years. I had no idea."
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Post by ash on Apr 13, 2017 19:01:26 GMT
“My mother doesn’t exactly care about my end, Costia.” He pointed out, almost sadly. She had other people she could give the throne to, people she wanted to give the throne to. Even a bigger throne than being king or queen of Azgeda, but that should forever remain their secret. He knew his own head was at stake if he dared to speak up about this. Well he wouldn’t. He would take that secret to his grave. He sighed. It seemed like the ambassador actually had a brain. She seemed tactical enough to realize that negotiations might solve things. But Azgeda was a bit different than Trikru. It had been established that they were a war clan. Even more so when his father died. Before he walked on he stopped. Looking around he made sure nobody was there to overhear them when he turned to her.
“Negotiation was once possible under my father. Now, the people closest to my mother don’t value it. They want strength and ultimate power.” He had to admit he was not against that either. But power would do him no good if he his people died away under his hands. “You should take a message back. Because there is no way any of those ambassadors we have will have enough of a brain to ensure the actual needs of our people. If there is a suitable offer my people might be much more inclined to not oppose the coalition.” He knew it was dangerous to say. “In the north winter brings a very long night. It lasts for months. No sun means no crops, barely any anime life stays there. They wander south, towards Trikru territory. In the north food becomes rare. Famine hits those parts every single year. No matter how much we gather in summer, winter and the long night always has people starve. I believe aid in form of food and proper trading might make the people much more open to the coalition – the people, not my mother granted. But if you have the majority backing you, who knows what might happen?”
Costia |
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