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"Well yeah, I can't use nature like he could. Not my thing." He shrugged, not really caring about how the conversation went on.

"So, I can assume from this conversation you know magic. If I mentioned this to anyone else, they'd be asking a million questions by now." He smiled. "So...what element do you use?"

[Hee hee, Vence beat'cha to it. xd ]

"Oho, so there was interference," Vence said, grinning. "I honestly will have to thank you for it. I like a good challange. So, you figured out I control fire? What gave it away?" He asked, interested in how she knew. As far as Vence was concerned, he hadn't said anything directly indicating his use of fire. But then again, he always had a big mouth. Things slip sometimes.

"Well, you almost got that right. My teacher couldn't use nature, like most elves. How else could he teach me how to wield fire? However, he also could wield Life magic, hence why people thought he could use nature," Vence explained. "But yes, you guessed correctly. I hardly believed you to be so astute. I should be more careful of what I say," he said, smiling.

Finally, the raised platform was in view. The entire courtyard was filled with people, so much so that they couldn't get close. Vence glanced around, and quickly walked over to the corner of a building.

"Follow me if you can," Vence said, Easily beginning to scale the three-story building. It required a lot of strength pressing against the wall, he had been told, and the feet were used primarily for pushing. Never lift the hands, but slide them upward.

"Feet you push, Hands you slide," Vence added, to be sure she knew how. He was an axample as he climped to the top, and when he reached it, simple pushed himself up over the ledge. Now on the roof, he turned 'round to see if Mayloo needed any help.

~~~

Amongst the festivities, unknowingly to Vence and Mayloo, A dark presence slowly walked the empty back streets of Altyrys, not wishing to be seen by even the peasant families that did not wish to go. Cloaked and wrapped in shadows. He strode silently and swiftly, knowing full well his goal; he had planned this too long for it to fail, it was flawless.

Very soon, the music could be heard, and the laughter of people enjoying the night. He looked upward, his deep black eyes inspecting the moon's motion. He had still time yet, as he continued forward, the moons appearing to be just touching. The climax of the evening was arrived. At the height of the night, the King would give his speach, and he would pass the crown to his son. The boy would not live to be a king for any longer.

He grinned, stealthily and easily scaling a wall of a building, to more closely inspect the crowd that was beginning to gather.

"The time is nigh," The man muttered, his voice slow in speech as he pronounced every syllable spoken. He then grinned, surpressing a laugh that hinted of insanity.

[Make anyone you'd like. I'm planning on adding a third character. later, though. :3nod. I'm sure Theil would enjoy this, but he's busy in Oakvale, chopping logs or whatever. whee ]

When she had nearly reached the top, Vence extended a hand for her to take.

"Reading is always good...and if you are refering to my rarely seen boastful and/or commonly seen talkative nature, please think nothing of the sort," Vence added, smiling. Wit ha swift motion, he pulled her up over the edge.

"And now, we see more clearly," he said, motioning with his hand the entire clearing where the pople stood. On top of other houses scattered about, other people sat as well, taking advantage of the open space on the roofs. He glanced up, the two moons half-way till aligned fully. Several other people realized this, people pointing upwards and notifying everyone around them. A sudden cheer swept over the crowds as, the large Castle doors opened, outward stepping the king, beside him the queen, both well aged, and behind them followed the prince. They ascended the steps onto the platform, as the Queen and their son sat each in their seat. The king remained standing, waiting for the crowd to die down before giving his speech.

"It's about to start," Vence said, excitement building up. It wasn't the same kind of excitement; not the adrenalin rush, heart pumping excitement, but the gut feeling that something good would happen.

~~~

"Good, good, They are laid before me like sheep sent to the slaughter," the dark-robed man said silently to himself. His hand becoming visible from underneath his cloak. They too were gloved, black leather, the tips bare, so that his fingers were minutely visible. What he was about to do would cause the largest riot of fear and anger in the history of Almanast.

"How I love how easily these men consider themselves the highest beings. They know so little...pity," he muttered, a twisted smile reappearing.

He would wait, thoguh, for the right time. He was not alone on the roofs; several people joined him on the rooftops all around. None would see him as out of place, as he planned. He lowered his hood, for the first time unveilign his face. Because of the shadows of the night, none would see him clearly; the black hair that fell past his shoulders, the scar that passed over his eye, the black pupils that sent fear through those that gazed upon them, and the ever present, slight grin in the corner of his lips. No one would see this. They would only see what he wanted them to see.

[Ah, that's where the true spirit of imagination is brought forth. The choice, ultimately is yours. Does it matter who, and what they do? Yes, and no. Yes, every character plays its role, and every character leaves its mark. But, this is for the enjoyment for ourselves to explore our minds and let our creativity run free, and for the leisure of others, who may read this, and be inspired...Ok, enough of the speech, you get my point. mrgreen ]

Vence smiled at her comment of balcony seatings, and quite honestly had to agree. It did seem that way. The silence grew, as Vence felt Mayloo lightly grip his hand. Normally, he would ask about it, but on this night, under the two moons, about to hear the last words of a king before he steeped down, and to see a new king rise, well, it was natural for him to let it go, and allow the gesture. He even went so far as to give his own light sqeeze back.

Now, tell me if I'm crushing now, he thought to himself, smiling.

~~~

Let us hear what the old man has to say," The man murmured to himself, barely a whisper. He remembered when the king had first ascended the throne, when he was but a young man, possibly in his late teens, early twenties. How he had been a fine man back then: responsible, loyal to the people and not himself. The people loved him for this, and they both shared love for each other; the people loved their ruler, and their ruler loved the people.

The fool of a man, he thought to himself. To rule a country, he had to have an iron grip on his country. Love was not a power that endured through time; he had learned that by some twisted fate of the gods who wished ill upon his soul. But soon...that would change. He would make what he had become, and create his own ideal world. Then, what would the gods do then? He would be supreme, and he would show the world, the creation it had made by taking away one, single, seemingly insignificant life. The ultimate plan for revenge was at hand. The world took away a life he loved, and he would soon take away from the world what it loved, and even more so, he would defy the gods, taking the world from them. Yes, it would seem impossible, but after four hundred years of his life, he had learned the things of myths and legends. Anything was possible for him now.

The crowd was now quiet, and the old king took a step forward.

~~~

"For many years...I have lived, and seen many things. I have seen life, and death. I have seen tears of sadness, and tears of joy. i have never, however, seen a nation of people stand before me, with of these present at once.

When I first became crowned king, I later asked my father, "How should I rule, for I do not know." He merel smiled at me, and turned away, leaving me to puzzle this for myself. The next day, I sat on my thrown, and I still wondered, what should I do? So, I did waht any child as I yet was would do. I had to sneak out the window of my bedroom, of course, and avoid the guards of this courtyard you now stand in...Ah, and I see the roofs are now occupied. I once tread upon those tops. When morning came, they would find my room vacant, while I would be commuting with the townsfoolk, asking them of issues of today.

I had no love for politics, and no care for squabbles over dictating matters. But I found a place in my heart for you, the people...my people. I cared, and while I was dragged away from my "common friends," I was always happy to know, as they were, that there was already and arranged meeting time and place the next day. My father came to me once, after I was caught trying to escape again. Instead of scolding me, like he always did back then, he simply smiled. He asked me, "Have you found your answer?" I answered him yes, but I did not know how to help. He nodded his head, and left me. I realize now his intentions. He wanted me to learn myself, and find my own path, but he stayed near by to guide me.

I still always had to sneak out, and my father found this amusing. Whenever I was caught, he would sit with me, and we would tak. I would explain my ideas, and he would give his advice.

Some time later, An event came, a "royal ball." Being my age, I spoiled the royal part, inviting my friends and many of the townsfolk. The nobles, of course, disaproved, and they asked me, "Why do you discrace yourself with these people?" And here is what I said to them. "Why do you look down upon the people that live more worthy lives than yourself?" And with that statement, I explained what I thought myself as. I was merely the shepard leading the sheep. The people are the true heart of any nation.

And from then on, I began to work upon what I had learned. I began to rewrite laws, change the system of government, changed the way people lived their lives for the better. To lead, you must not focus upon yourself, but upon those you lead.

And now, I see you people...my people, always, and I find myself saddened to give up my position. Not because I love the rule, but because I love to watch over you. But I yet also have joy. For tonight, I will cease to guide you, and become one of you to be guided. I will have my wish to be as one with the people. And now, my son, I hope will follow my example, and lead you with a kind, loving, and generous heart."

the king stepped backward, and motioned for his family to stand. His son stepped forward, standing beside the king. His appearance was young, but old enough, and nervousness was clearly apparent. The king's words rang true. regardless of status, man was man. and every man, no doubt, would be nervous being crowned a king.

[aurg, my pc is being gay. I'm using my sister's computer account because mine won't let me on the internet. crying ]

The queen then proceeded with the ceremony. With the whole crowd watching, she faced the king, her husband.

"King Nyrasca, do you, from this time forward, forfeit the crown? Will you step down from your office, and will you live the remainder of your lifetime, bound by your station as a lesser man in status?"

"I do so, with no regret," The king replied, removing the crown from his head, revealing the grey and white hair underneath. Proof of his elderly age. The qween took he crown from his hands, and boht bowed to each other.

"You now are no longer the king of Almanast, Nyrasca. You shall be honored and held in high respect, for the remainder of your days and after." She then stepped aside, to stand in front of her son, prince Raelle. Nervous as he was, he still looked composed from a distance. Self disciplined.

"Do you, prince Raelle, take this crown to bear, to be known as King of Almanast, as your father before you, and rule the people as you see fit to rule?" A pause of silece, the answer that everyone knew was yet to be heard, before the crowd could cheer.

"I do," the prince said, with just enoguh voice to be heard. Some stiffled laughter could be heard; sympathetic laugher that understood his nervousness.

"Then, with this crown upon your head to bear, I name you...King Raelle, of Almanast." She proclaimed, as she placed the crown upon his head. Instantly, the people cheered, overjoyed. Above them, the the first moon remained, as the other moon was nowhere to be found. On the very edge of the large moon, a shadow began to creep, the alignment nearly complete. There were only seconds left.

~~~

"Good, good...so emotional, it makes me cry," the man said, pretending to wipe away a tear. He then grinned, his black eyes held a shine of eager expectations. "You shall be missed, but not by me. And the boy...what shall his last parting words be?" He placed a hand over his mouth, holding back his silent laughter. The time was so soon, it was hard to wait, but he knew patience. He would wait until the proper time.

~~~

"At last," Vence said, breathing a sigh, unleashing tension he had held in before. "And now we have to listen to a hopefully much shorter speech. What can a twenty-year-old say after being crowned king, while being embarrased beyond belief, you know?" he asked, a smile on his face.

He glanced up, and his smile widened. The moons were alligned, and now the lunar eclipse was taking place. That was what made today more special than the other moon festivals: every ten years, not only would the moons align, but then an eclipse would take place.

"Amazing how nature works its ways," Vence commented, mostly to himself.

"Same," Vence said, referring to the last time he had seen this site before.

Fter a fw minutes, the cheerign began to ease, and the new King Raelle stood up in front of everyone.

"Great, another speech, just what we all need," Vence jested, shifting in his place to be more comfortable.

~~~

The new king now stepped up to the spotlight, nnow almost a nervous wreck. He closed his eyes, though, and took a few deep breaths. With new resolve, he spoke now.

"There's really not much for me to say. I never expected this day to come so soon. I knew it would happen though.

As your king, I hope to be much like my father; To work in the good of the people, and do my best to serve you, and not myself. From this day forward, I pledge myself to you, the people. Adnd I thank you, for acepting me...I thank my mother and father, for raising me, and teaching me all I need ot know. I hope while I am still king, that they will still be my guides.

"And so, My first "royal decree" I guess...is go and have fun for the remainder of the night."

He laughed as everyone else cheered for him, laughing some as well at his last sentence.

~~~

"Now is the time," the man said, glancing up, watching as the moons began to reappear. He stood up, And stepped lightly into the shadows, his goal now im his grasp. The moons were not shedding their full light, and he had free roam over the night's darkness. And while the lights of the torches and spheres of light the magicians created were a light bother, they were by neams in his way.

Now, you will die...

[ eek Dun, dun, duuunnnnnnn! twisted ]