Announcement

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 12-23-2013, 07:58 PM

Amaya glanced at the Logatan she had put in charge of the Gerudo. "Do as he says. And send that one girl to my rooms later tonight."
"Yes, general," the man said, giving her a salute. He knew which one she was talking about, since she had been eyeing the young girl as if she was a slab of meat the entire trip, even though she didn't approach the captive at all.
"Solar, go ahead to the room. I don't like the chance of her being sent up before Rhykim's finished." The cheetah chuckled, but did as she asked, his lithe form trotting across the courtyard with no real urgency. Amaya smiled, then turned to follow her master to the council room.

**Kairu** · 12-25-2013, 04:00 PM

As everyone gathered in the room, Rhykim looked around noticing Nyx was still gone. He then began the session. "The victory at Falldell was costly us. The Gerudo ambushed us the night before and eliminated a third of the forces, however, it was a victory thanks to General Amaya's reinforcements. Any news from General Nyx?"

The man that was left in charge of Logata Castle spoke up. "No, Sir. she had left according to your plan. We haven't heard from her field commander, Ranger, either. If they aren't with you, then I would assume they are dead."

"Nyx is not dead. She's smart and conniving. She's still very much alive. What's the status of the fleet?"

"The first fleet has already been deployed. Commodore Thompson is commanding a galleon and patrolling outside Falconmill."

"Very good, now onto the plan. How long will it be until the Royal Fleet will be ready?"

"It is nearly ready, Imperator. I have allocated most of the naval production into bolstering construction of the Royal Fleet. Projections say it will be ready by the end of the week."

"Hire in local help and give them benefits, I don't care, speed up production."

"Yes, Sir."

"If there is nothing else, you are all dismissed."

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 12-28-2013, 10:52 AM

Amaya hardly paid attention to the meeting, except for when her sister's name was brought up. But she agreed with Rhykim, no one was more clever than her sister. The Gorons would fall to her and her small group. Aside from that, there was little to interest Amaya. She didn't care about Rhykim's fleet, as long as he kept his promise to firmly establish his control of Logata before sending his troops to attack Hyrule. She would like to join that fleet when it does launch its attack, but she wouldn't be heart-broken if she needed to stay. Since Narus had broken the alliance between Stari and Logata, most of the Stari would be expected to return to the forest. However, she had a feeling this would not be the case. Several of the Stari had sworn themselves to her, Nyx, or Rhykim, so they would remain until their master released them from their oath. Some Stari would remain simply because they enjoyed the freedom of being in the open instead of hiding in the forest.
But not all the Stari would remain with Rhykim and the Logatans. There would be those who followed Narus, or even rejected both parties and returned to the forest. And if Narus was serious about wanting to avenge himself upon Rhykim, there would be war. A civil war with the Stari would not be as quickly concluded the war with the Logatans had been. Stari attacked like shadows, striking a vulnerability and disappearing before any retaliation could be launched. Rhykim was a clever commander, but he didn't know how the Stari fought. He would sustain many casualties even if he won, and Amaya had doubts about that possibility. No, this needed to be handled without him.
When they had all been dismissed, she hurried to her rooms, wanting to send someone to locate her sister and bring her back to the castle. She was sure she could handle it on her own, but Nyx was the more clever of the twins. She'd have a better chance of defeating Narus quickly, before his uprising could hurt them too badly.

**Kairu** · 12-28-2013, 02:43 PM

Rhykim watched as each of his advisors and Amaya left the room, noting each of them and their expressions. Amaya especially seemed to have had something weighing her mind. As everyone left, he sat in the empty room in silence. He had days before his personal fleet was ready. Inside, he felt nervous. He didn't know what to expect and as far as he knew, he was going to be the first one to travel beyond the oceans to see another land. For now though, he had to ensure the security of Logata in his planned absence. Narus' proclamation of the broken alliance between Stari and Logatans was bold, and Rhykim recognized a man with a conviction. He knew that Narus was serious about his rebellion and if so, Rhykim would need to ensure his people were safe.

Rhykim eventually got up and sought out his advisor that ensured the safety. After several minutes of searching, he found the man in his office where Rhykim would begin briefing the man of what happened.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 12-28-2013, 10:56 PM

Amaya was surprised to find the Gerudo girl sitting on her bed when she entered her room. The Stari raised an eyebrow as she saw Solar with his head on the girl's lap, eyes half-closed as she rubbed his ears in just the right way. "You made a friend," Amaya said with some amusement.
"She pets better than you," the cheetah purred. He didn't look up, having noticed her approach.
The Gerudo, however, hadn't, and flinched at Amaya's voice. The Stari grinned, leaning against her doorframe with her arms folded. "What's your name anyways, girl?"
"Hedya," the girl said after a moment. She seemed to have grown more timid since her initial outburst, no doubt having heard Amaya's reputation from the Logatan men. She was well known for torturing the people who antagonized her with her water manipulation. Slicing her victim's skin apart with careful skill or simply lashing away with her vicious whips, water was the only tool she needed to extract the screams that pleased her so much.
And now she had a new toy to play with. Her grin broadened as she wondered how she'd go about it. "Solar, I want you to go down to the courtyard. Find one of the quickest riders and send them to Ironlynne. Find out the situation with my sister and the Gorons, and what she needs to be able to return soon. The cheetah huffed, but hopped down and stretched. His jaws parted in a wide yawn, then he trotted down to the courtyard. She turned to Hedya. "Alright, girlie, let's see what we can do with you."

**Kairu** · 01-01-2014, 10:50 AM

(Keep going I got nothing yet.)

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 01-01-2014, 11:01 PM

Hedya had definitely learned to be wary of her new mistress. All the Stari had to do was reach for her water skin and she did as told. Oh she'd grumble and complain, especially when tasked with cleaning the chamber pot, but quietly, as if Amaya couldn't hear. The general loved the feeling of empowerment it gave her. It also showed her a few things about her captive. Hedya had no problem speaking her mind, but only when backed by others. Once separated, she was a cowering pup to her master's whip.

She also learned the Gerudo had a fear of spiders. It was rather amusing when a rather large one popped from under the vanity and scuttled across the floor while Hedya screamed and did a rather unusual dance to get away. It made sense, when she thought about it. Most creatures in the desert were poisonous, and while spiders were rare, they were also poisonous. It made Amaya wonder if the girl was afraid of snakes too. Rats would be something else she'd need to test, although she doubted that one. Only the fool city ladies were frightened of the rodents; a desert born girl would recognize them as part of the food chain.

Amaya was pleased to discover Hedya knew needlework. It was a task the Stari found most bothersome and annoying. Now with a slave to take care of it, she wouldn't have to worry when her favorite top had a hole in it. She could just pull it off and toss it to the girl, then sit on the bed watching with amusement as Hedya went to work fixing it with grumbling and fearful glances at her mistress.

**Kairu** · 01-01-2014, 11:12 PM

Rhykim had finished talking to the appointed governor of Logata about the possible insurrections from the Stari and how he felt the Governor should handle it. Instead of retiring, he stopped to remove his armor, exposing his tough skin and thin clothes to the open air. When he was dressed casually, he walked to Amaya's room, opening the door disregarding any need for privacy. Upon opening the door, he saw Amaya watching her new slave. Although Rhykim didn't want any slaves of his own, he didn't mind if his closest personnel had them. "Having fun, Amaya?" Rhykim asked with a neutral tone, never wavering up or down.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 01-01-2014, 11:33 PM

Amaya smiled with amusement as Rhykim entered her room without knocking. She was laying on her bed as she watched Hedya, clad only in her leggings. She never really cared how much of her skin was exposed when people entered, but it always amused her to see the reactions of the people who saw just how much she had exposed. Rhykim had long since grown used to her habit, but she still thought of the first time he'd walked in on her without a shirt. He had been a good deal more noble then, and good deal more dull for it. Now he was still dull, but only in that area. He was a lot more fun in others.

"When am I not, Master Rhykim?" she teased. "If I wasn't having fun, you'd know, because I'd have some poor sap in here, his screams lightening my otherwise grim mood." She eyed him up and down, pleased to see he wasn't in the armor. She hated armor, as she found it restricting, and he looked a lot better without it anyways. "Did you come here for a particular reason, Master Rhykim, or were you just bored?" she purred.

**Kairu** · 01-02-2014, 12:11 AM

Rhykim took a spot on the bed next to Amaya, forcing her to scoot over. "Both," he replied. It had been awhile since the two of them spent some time together. Rhykim didn't care if Hedya was there, in fact, he welcomed it. Women were women, he knew that no matter what their place in society was, they were always observant and always gossiped when safe. Rhykim had nothing to hide if Amaya decided to further unrestrict his clothing.

**jborgon** · 01-02-2014, 12:14 AM

Hooves trotting on ground were the first announcement to signal the group's return. Wretchedly, there were far fewer hooves than had originally set out from the castle. In fact, through trickery and ambush the group had been reduced to one third of the original. Having been forewarned, the Gorons had managed to trap and lead the Stari in whatever direction they wanted, forcing them to cower finally on the edge of a cliff. Battle ensued, and while the Stari were among the most respected fighters in Ranger's eyes, there had been no chance or opportunity of success against the superior number of Gorons out in the open, along with the allied rebels. In the end, three horses managed to pull through; one carried a not too wounded but quite infuriated Nyx whose anger at the moment was incommensurate, another carried a female archer, weary and holding close to the back of her stallion, and the third found itself carrying two passengers. One was Ranger, dirt strewn across his face, sleeves torn and blood seeping from some wounds across his body, the other was a male Stari, younger even than Ranger, tiptoeing along the boundary between conciousness and not, life and its dark brother. He had been hit across the back of the head with a hammer, and blood flowed freely from his scalp. Hope had been flashing away quicker than the horses, but Ranger held on to him. The others, dead or lost, they did not know.
For days they galloped across the fields, not stopping. They knew someone might be following, and risking it was worse than suffering through the thirst and hunger. What little supplies they had quickly vanished, and soon hope for all of them seemed grim, but Nyx pulled them through. They were close, she said. Ranger had lost sense of direction by that point, and the Stari had long since become unresponsive. However, it was true as they intercepted a rider on her way to Ironlynne.
"General Amaya sent me to find your group. I was instructed to make sure you got back soon, General Nyx." From a simple glance she could tell Nyx was beyond being cheerful at such an announcement. She instructed the man in desperate need of medical attention be taken back on the rider's horse, since fresh hooves would travel back faster. Before heading off, the rider asked what issue had been pressing on her mind that she hadn't dared to before.
"Where are the rest of the members of the group, General?" Nyx looked away, Ranger looked gravely on.

Two hours later, the horses finally came to a stop under the shade of the castle's gates. The horse of the female Stari that had also survived collapsed as soon as she got off and was dead before he hit the ground. Ranger was slow in his movements getting off. A guard brought them all water. The cheetah partners that had been running beside them drank as well. Nyx, without resting even for a second, informed Ranger that she would head off to inform Rhykim of the loss. There were no sweet parting remarks or loving kiss. Ranger didn't blame her. Him and Dara slowly moved through the halls of the castle, not feeling any particular inclination to head anywhere. "Ranger, you're back!" He didn't recognize the voice, but knew at once as he turned that it was a Stari. It was only then that he noticed he hadn't seen any of them since returning, which he found odd. "I heard your party returned after failing their mission. Are you alright?"
"We were ambushed," Ranger snapped, hastily trying to regain his composure. "Lives were lost. Do not speak freely of it, soldier." The man apologized with a nod. "Tell me, where are all our brethren? I've seen not a soul since my return."
"Have you not heard, then?" Ranger's eyes squinted at the man. The Stari shifted his weight onto the right leg, nervous. "The Chief has passed back in the forest, an accident." Ranger's eyes widened. "His son took control of the tribe, and as a first action he has broken allegiance with Imperator Rhykim. Many of the Stari are heading back to the forest. Some, like me, have chosen to stay behind and help." There was silence between the two men. Ranger had not been expecting such news. Dara whispered into his mind what he had been thinking, but he rejected the thought at the moment.
"Soldier, if General Nyx looks for me, inform her I am taking a walk outside castle walls. If anyone else asks for me...you have not seen me. Those are your orders." While confused, the Stari simply nodded. Ranger began heading off, but turned at a last second. "There was another Stari, gravely injured, he should have arrived hours before our own horses. Have you news of him?"
"You mean Prendergast, sir? He was cold before even passing through the castle doors." Ranger walked off with no further thought.

Outside the castle grounds, Ranger pondered with Dara. He still believed in the cause, yet Rhykim's orders had cost Stari lives. There was much to consider. He wandered further away from the sight of any other living soul.

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 01-03-2014, 11:09 AM

(On phone, so please watch for typos.)

Amaya wriggled over as Rhykim sat next to her, grinning at his answer. It had been entirely too long since they'd been together like this. In fact, they hadn't even kissed since before the final attack on Logata, except after her ordeal with Nexus. Her expression softened as she recalled the injuries she'd received fighting the pool and how Rhykim had been so gentle with her. He'd told her he loved her. The powerful man, now master of Logata, the only person able to tame her, had said he loved her.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Solar pushed his way between them. She laughed as his fur tickled her bare skin. "You weren't supposed to be back yet."
He snuggled closer to her, forcing the two humans further apart. "Your messenger has been sent. Now I want my reward."
She heaved the cheetah around her so that she was pressed against Rhykim again. "Hedya, take this over-grown kitten to the courtyard. He needs a good game if chase and a wrestling. He won't use his claws, but you still need to make it a challenge for him."
"Yes mistress," the Gerudo said, eyeing the cheetah warily as he hopped out of bed and led the way out.
Amaya turned back to Rhykim. "Now let's see what we can do about your boredom."

The door slamming open woke Amaya the following morning. She looked over, then leaped out of bed and rushed to her sister. Ignoring her and Rhykim's nudity, she took her sister's hands and led her to a chair. "What happened?" she asked, grabbing a water basin and wiping the dirt and grime from her twin.
Nyx scowled. "They were expecting us. They knew we were coming and they ambushed us." She slammed her fist on the table, causing things to jump. "It was a slaughter. Our gifts make us better fighters than most, but we fight best in rapid strikes from the shadows. They caught us in the open with those cursed weapons of theirs. How in the world could we hope to compete with that on their home turf?"
Amaya glanced at Rhykim, who had been listening closely. "We should have been better prepared," she said softly. "The Gerudo and Gorons cost us more than they should have. We nearly lost this."
Nyx watched Solar and Luna, who were laying on a large cushion, Solar helping his sister wash, much as Amaya was doing. "Did they really cost you so many? The Stari seem mostly gone."
Amaya winced. "The cheif died, which left Narus in charge. Many of the Stari left when he dissolved the allegiance. Thank goodness most of them returned to the forest. Those unaccounted for will have joined him."
"As if we need another war," Nyx scowled. She turned her glare on Rhykim. "What are going to do south this mess?" she demanded.

**Kairu** · 01-03-2014, 12:08 PM

While Nyx was debriefing Amaya and Rhykim about what happened in the Goron territory, Rhykim was clothing himself. By the time there was a pause in the conversation, Rhykim was sliding on his boots and answered Nyx. "We try to find a peaceful, secure resolution to this abrupt change. At midday, I'll reassemble the advisers and we will plan out the our next moves. If push comes to shove, we may need to show force."

**HyrulianBlackcat** · 01-05-2014, 07:39 PM

Amaya snorted. "Did you see the way Narus was attacking you? It was as if you had scorned him in some way or another. He's not going to agree to a peaceful solution."
"Nor would a show of force work," Nyx added, finally shooing her sister off to get dressed. "Not only would it be a tedious peace if it did work, but we don't have the forces to convince him he'd lose. Narus has always been a crafty tactician. He'll learn the strengths and weaknesses of his followers and form a cohesive web with them. He'll attack from the shadows, picking us off man by man while hardly receiving any casualties himself."
"If he's thinking straight," Amaya commented, pulling on her boots. "Jiro's always been termpermental. If he's really after Rhykim for some petty vengeance, he might just charge in without thinking."
Nyx rolled her eyes. "Especially if you keep calling him Jiro. You know he hates being called second."

Announcement

Final Preparations

Final Preparations

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