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| A tale of one choice | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 27 2007, 01:26 PM (461 Views) | |
| NRE | Aug 27 2007, 01:26 PM Post #1 |
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
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Chapter I: Requiem of Illusions... There was the sweet smell of salt in the area and the gentle summer breeze washed over the jagged shoreline of the city of Acropolis. Seagulls over head could be heard for miles singing their songs of the sea. The Laughter of children echoed down the alley ways of the great city, only to be drowned out by the mighty ringing of the church bells. He sat there, with a warm glow and peaceful feelings over him as the sunlight kept him warm and the sea breeze kept him cool. He sat there on that bench, with the rail in front of him and the descending sky scape of the city before him. The palm tree beside him added a bit of shad to the seat he had taken. He was a made of age, his skin was dark and so was his hair. Though native to the country, he had a polish air about him. It was a secret he could not hide nor one that he would chose to if given the choice. It was his heritage, his lineage, his history and it was everything that made him the made he was. Those his physical looks alone spoke pages about the man, his clothing spoke volumes. He was dressed in only the finest in stately attire. Reds, blues, and purples adorned him in ways only fitting for a man of his kind and title. Jewelry found a place on every finger, on both wrists and around his neck. His face cleanly groomed as well as his head, and his manner of sitting all dictate the title he carried with ease. "Earl Herbert Kaczorowski" said a young woman as she curtsied at the man sitting on the bench. "I was almost afraid I would miss you here as you are certainly a man of great business." The woman who address Herbert was a beautiful yet mysterious figure to not only the people around him but also unto himself. She wore a flowing gown that was appropriate for the coastal city. Her face was covered by a veil she wore and as she motioned for the open portion of the bench, Herbert answered to her "please be my guests" and the woman sat. "It is certainly a beautiful day is it not Earl Kaczorowski?" asked the woman. "Please call me Herbert and yes it is a most beautiful day" he said, wondering why he said it at all for never once had he been so friendly to someone he did not know. Still he felt compelled to allow the two to be friendly and on a more personal level. "I must say that this has to be by far the most beautiful spot in all the Commonwealth." said the woman. "Certainly you of all people Herbert have seen the Commonwealth for all it's splendor, surely this is the most beautiful." The Earl now found himself speechless not because he had nothing to say nor due to any preoccupation within his mind but simply because he could not will himself to speak as if he had a hand over his mouth. "You know Herbert I myself have seen some of the world's riches for my own eyes. Still I find this spot to be most relaxing indeed, I can see now why you come here when you could be anywhere you please." The woman now began to get comfortable on the bench, still peering out onto the sky scape of the city. She never once looked at Herbert nor did he look at her. The two simply continued to sit there, look out onto the horizon of the city and the sea. Only someone touched will bring forth the end needed to save his children... said the woman. Those words began to echo in Herbert's ears, words he had read before, words he knew all to well from childhood. "Tell me something Herbert, if you do not believe in it, why would you continue to serve it? I seems only foolish to continue to service it when you feel no loyalty towards." "They would follow you, you know Herbert" said the woman "no matter how far you went they would follow. They would follow and you could win, but I know why you do not act. You can't act with full faith until you know that it is what is need, what is wanted, what is right? Do you really think that the answer will just be handed to you, it does not work like that. You must figure it out on your own Herbert, that is why you have a heart. If you heart tells you that it is the path you must walk, then how can it be anything less than what must be done." "You must follow your heart Herbert, it is the only path you have now and it is what must happen. You will find the answers you are hoping to gain once you begin, to wait would only continue to delay that which you seek" It was a this that the woman took her left hand an placed it on top of Herbert's right hand, which he had kept placed on his knee since he had sat on the bench. It was at that moment that those words the woman had spoken began to echo again in his ear.... Splashing water on his face, Herbert did not have to wonder what the dream meant as he looked to cool himself from the night sweat he had endured. Looking back through the mirror of his bathroom he saw his beautiful wife sound asleep and knew with confidence that his children were also sound asleep respectfully in their rooms. Dawn was certainly fact approaching and if he was to begin his path, he would have to do so before that same sun set on the coming day. |
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| NRE | Aug 30 2007, 10:30 PM Post #2 |
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
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"It is certainly a daring plan Earl Kaczorowski" said the young Thomas Vandermeersch as he peered over a map stretched across the table in front of him. "Needless to say the house Vandermeersch has, as I image most of the houses have, seen this move coming for sometime. Still I must wonder, has the Reverend Mother given her consent to this endeavor?" Herbert held up a letter "I received this shortly before you arrived as I made haste this morning to send word to Acropolis. With open arms and fully blessings I give to you this royal order to do what is necessary to preserve the Commonwealth, at least those are her exact words. The seal of the Commonwealth should be proof enough that the letter is real." "I am certainly not a man of whom sits in a position to call you a lair Earl Kaczorowski" said Thomas "though I must say that your request to see me was something strange. Is talk like this not suited for my aunt ?" "It was your aunt, the Dutchess Vandermeersch who directed me to you, my young Thomas" said Herbet "though we have had our differences in the past our houses do agree that the continuing competition that has been created between us has afforded both our houses great wealth. That said I have also only recently found that our house also agree on other more political points of view." Thomas eyed Herbert, looking to him as if to see if he knew what Thomas believed to be the subject of his discussion. Herbert simply stared back giving no real clue as to what he actually knew or what he was bluffing, if he was bluffing at all. "Well I must say that I am pleased to know my aunt puts such faith in me and my opinion and skills of decision making. I am a man of the sword, that is to say I am a General not a politician so any belief in our similarity on that level is best left between you and my aunt. However, when it comes to this plan I fully endorse it and would be more than will to assist in the advance. With our armies combined we would be more than enough to conquer what is left of our poor neighbors and those who occupy their lands." Posted Image "I am glad that you agree, and will help in this endeavor" said Herbert as he moved around the table to pour a drink. "It has been years since anyone has been in the country, what reports we have is that the nation has been mostly abandoned. Those who asserted power in the revolt have drained the nation dry. Thousands now starve, those who are left anyway and yet still they hold belief in the government, which has been reduced to a archbishop of sorts who says he speaks for the Colognian church but we know otherwise. In truth the nation hasn't been in contact with anyone, let alone the Colognian church for years. This warlord of a man, in draining the nation of it's assets to fuel his personal pleasures, has also allowed it's infrastructure to crumble, so even if he wanted to get word to the church he has no means of doing so, short of flying there himself. Coupled with the occupied lands of a nation we have held as evil for many years, Le Congo Leapold, we will be going a great service by liberating the countryside from terrorists. We will not only liberate these people from oppression but also return South Africa back to the faith." "The faith?" asked Thomas a bit confused but the statement. "Yes my dear boy, the faith....Surely you're a bright enough boy to understand what's going on. You must know that the army I command alone would certainly be enough to conquer this poor excuse for what's left of the once great South African Empire, but I wish to surround myself with those of whom I can trust and though our houses are rivals, our beliefs almost mirror one another. In actuality my young Thomas I did not call upon you here today for your approval of this plan. The Dutchess singed away her approval for your house on this plan long before you arrived. I simply wanted to meet you in person to gauge you and see the sort of man you are. I believe you to be a just, fair,and above all a loyal man. That is why i am now pleased to bring you and your army with me." Herbert, after pouring two drink, walked over to Thomas had handed him one. He then raised his glass in the air for a toast. "To our combined armies, may we be dinning in the old Imperial Palace of South Africa, this time tomorrow." "To our armies" said Thomas and the two men drank. "It is getting late my boy, but send forth word to your commanders to prepare your army. We will leave swiftly across the border for Adowa at first light...." |
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| NRE | Sep 2 2007, 10:15 PM Post #3 |
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman
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The invasion had been more of a success than Earl Herbert Kaczorowski could have ever imagined. They had entered the nation that was formally South Africa at first light, and have made steady progress through the countryside before the light of the sun had made it's way to ever crevice of the land. His knights, commanded by his son, Master James Kaczorowski coupled with his ally of Master Thomas Vandermeersch and his knights; they formed an imposing force that truly signified the might of the High Guard as the whole. The political leadership of South Africa had changed somewhat since the leadership change. Warlords that posed as bishops or nobles now grew fat of the riches they stole from the land they were so handsomely given, by a man who now styled himself as not only the nation's leader but also the churches Cardinal. They lounged his unimaginably huge manners and surrounded themselves with only the finest in riches. Their stock houses were filled from floor to ceiling with large amounts of food and drink. This disgusted the Macedonians since along the way to this manners they pasted through the Bishops towns and villages for which he claimed ownership and not one was filled with a man, woman, or child who did not look as if they had been starving for years. The towns themselves were far from the splendor they once represented. Buildings were on the verge of collapse; houses neither had running water nor electricity. In fact, though the plants to produce both were still running, now under what could be wholeheartedly considered slave labor, their out put was full concentrated on both the manner houses of the Bishops and the Imperial Palace of the Cardinal. It was perhaps at the death of the second Bishop along their march that the men began to meet resistance. Fearing the same judgment and fate as their comrades, Bishops began ordering the very men they subjugated to take up arms against the invaders. "They are the agents of Satan,” the Bishops would cry "an they have come to lead you astray from the church and the homeland. Lead not into temptation but instead stand firm against them and protect the very church that you yourself will find salvation in. For this is not my command by the command of your just and fair God!" Just and fair...How dare they believe that they themselves (the Bishops) speak for a just and fair God when they lay in sin. This only put great conviction into the Macedonians as they fought want militias could be brought forth against them. Many knights were saddened by the fact that these people were so unjustly taken care of and yet still they stood and fought. It was the conviction of their faith that brought them to bare arms, it was a misguided faith that they had put into the church of Cologne and the Macedonians would spare all they could. When they finally reached the outskirts of Adowa, Master Thomas and his man parted ways from Herbert and his son. Thomas was to take his men to the occupied lands of the Congo people. They had many years ago taken unjustly a land that was never theirs. The South African Empire never challenged this case or at the very least did not survive to do so. The Macedonians had a long running hatred for the Congoian people and were pleased when their government fell. This occupied land was the only stain left of the face of the earth and by their will, it would be wiped clean. For Herbert, his son James, and their men the fight into the capital was a difficult one. Those Bishops not yet opposed by the Macedonians had sent very able man and child they could to defend their capital city for fear of the Cardinals wrath. They had grown accustom to the life they lead and the life that was afford to them for their obedience to the Cardinal. To lose him would mean to lose the lands and riches those so loved. Though some found this new era of anarchy brought on by the Macedonians a chance to consolidate power for themselves, they also knew that not one of their militias alone could take on the Macedonians and win. They had to use their power in conjunction with the rest to have a hope of defeating them. Perhaps only then would the window of opportunity rise to take power for themselves. Still though this hope was in vain for though the men came in militias that counted to the thousands, they were very poorly train, if trained at all. Some men were those of the Bishops own guard, men trained in some combat, enough to keep the people in check. Most however were nothing more than simply farmers and had done little less than use their riffles for the hunting season. Full on military command was something radically new for them and once faced with it they crumbled under the pressure. The Cardinal, the same man who brought down the Imperial Family and the Empire itself through his own fiery preaching and cunning manipulation of the people, Domengue Makelele, stood at his window as he saw the scene of his nation unfold. "Julian" he cried out as he continued to look out his window. A young boy, no more than the age of fifteen or so came into the room. Dressing in robs of the church himself, he bowed and then made his presence known. "You called for me your eminence." Though it was never publicly known for fear of the Cardinal himself, the young Julian had in fact been the Cardinals toy, for lack of a better term, for sometime, presumably since his entry into the church at age 10. The abuse he received from the Cardinal broke all boundaries of horror and perversion. Yet, believing it was God divine will as told to him by the Cardinal himself, Julian stood by the Cardinal and catered to his ever will. "I cannot believe I we were not notified by the border guards of this intrusion into our state" said Cardinal Makelele in a fiery tone. "But your grace, you disbanded the border guard to years ago, saying it was a was of tax money to fund a army that we no longer hand a need for. You said our isolationism gave us a quality of the non-threatening nature. You said no country would look to attack us so long as we kept to our... "Silence" said Cardinal Makelele as he continued to watch the Macedonian army itch closer and closer to the palace. "What about communication, dictate a letter for me to send to Cologne. We have been out of touch for some time, but surely the Pope will send soldier if only to protect this Cologian outpost." "But your grace" said Julian "international Communication has been out for three years now. Surely you remember to report I gave you on the problem on your desk. You reduced funding in that area and when I told you there needed to be more, you decided to cut funding entirely. There isn't a working radio tower, or communications dish in the entire country. Most of our internal lines are failing as well..." The Cardinal glances from the window over to his desk. Piles of paperwork littered the top of the dark oak desk. The Cardinal hand not conducted official business from that seat in years and had almost completely forgotten it was even there. The Cardinal, a man well within his eighties began to rub his wrinkled hands together in a nervous motion. Moving away from the window, gliding across the floor with his robes floating about him, he took a seat near his office fireplace. Motioning Julian to pouring him a cup of wine, the Cardinal sipped it slowly as he tried to think of something to do, someway of saving his riches and nation. The Palace violent rocked as he finished the glass. The Macedonians, lead by Herbert and his son had blasted open the Palace door. Furniture and other larger items had been placed in front of it by orders of the Cardinal to his staff, in hopes of barricading himself in. As they moved away the remaining obstacles they stormed into the Palaces hallways with great force. It disgusted the Earl and his son at the wonders they found within the palace walls. Golden, silver, platinum, all the great riches of the Empire stored within the palace walls. Priceless artwork, jewelry, fine dinner wear, all the luxuries of a thousand kings over were plastered everywhere. This is what had become to the great riches of the South African people, they had all be spoiled by the Cardinal. After several servants surrendered to the Macedonians, they learned of the Cardinals location and quickly ascended the staircase to his room on the second floor. Using their boots and not firepower this time, the soldiers forced their way into the office. To their surprise they found but only a young church boy standing inside the room. "Where is Makelele?" demanded Herbert. Tears now forming in his eyes the young Julian now forced the words out of his mouth. "He has left, the nightmare is over and we are not fear." The boy then fell to his knees as cried out loud. Motioning to his men, Herbert directed his men out of the room, to search the rest of the Palace to stop the Cardinal's escape. This left only his son James and the young Julian in the room. Hoping to comfort the boy Herbert walked over to the kneeling boy and knelt down beside him. "It is ok my young fellow" said Herbert, "Your time of suffering is over" Without warning, as the Earl came close and stuck his arms around the boy, Julian with great force, so much so that a boy of his youth and small stature could surmount, stabbed Herbert stating only that "the suffering has only begun for you, sinner" James, astounded at the act, rushed to his father side as Julian moved away to one of the corners of the room. Herbert who was now face down on his stomach simply laid their in pain for he was no longer the young man of old glory and such a blow could certainly cost him his life. With anger now surging through his body James came to his feet to find the young Julian now with his robes off, wearing more form fitting clothes, in an attack position with the bloody dagger in his right hand. James who was also armed with a slide blade, unsheathed his own dagger and then took an attack position against the boy. “You are a brave child to dare attack the Earl, my father” said James “You are brave, to dare to conquer the land of God’s children” said Julian The two then began to pace, in circle around each other being sure to keep their opponent across from one another. Julian was a meager 6 feet talk where as James, being in his mid-twenties was a much taller 6’6. With passion in their eyes for the fight that certainly laid ahead of them they constantly stare, looking for the time to strike. Finally, having held back his youthful arrogance long enough, Julian charged James resulting in the two becoming tangled with their daggers clashing violently and the both using their free hand to grab the other's. Like to ferocious beast locking horns, the two opponents found themselves locked together. James took note that though his opponent was much more younger than himself, he had at his aid a strength James have never seen before within someone so young. Still James had the advantage of time and skill and after only a brief struggle was able to toss the young Julian across the room. The boy landed on his back but held tight to his weapon for fear of losing it. After shaking his head a bit he rose back to his feet and once again took to an attack position against his enemy. James was surprised at the resolve the young Julian had taken against him. He had thrown the young boy quite a distance and with a good amount of force, yet still he stood against him. Julian was mindful to watch his opponents moves more carefully this time and allow James to take the first strike attempt. Hoping to end this soon, James took to the attack choosing to to strike his opponent in the mid-region of his body James came in close but to his suspicion his opponent was quicker and avoided the blow. The two then engaged his several quick jabs at the other all the while using their free had to throw off balance the other. Their daggers clashed from time to time as their movements almost mimicked one another. They locked horns so to speak, several times during the brief dance between them but never did either met the fate of being thrown any great distance. Before long each had made their mark on the other with James taking a cut to his arm and Julian in turn taking one to his face. When they had locked together for a final time James took the offensive chance and butt heads with Julian. Dazed by the maneuver, Julian stepped back only to have James hit him several times in the face. These shocking blows only went to bring his sense back to him and in a reaction to the pain he joined in matching James blow for blow. The two were now entangled in a first fight all the while still holding on to their daggers. Each took the others blow and return the gesture in kind with a even more painful blow. Eventually James being th elder took notice of the opportunity and grabbed Julian's right hand, and disarmed him with military focus. He then gave the boy a few more punches for good measure and then with little mercy he stabbed Julian in the chest. His body, shocked by the intensity of the pain fell to the floor without mercy from gravity. Blood now forming a nice pool around his youthful body he used his final breath to call out to the Cardinal to forgive his failure. James noting taking much head in his enemies cries began to walk over to his father to tend to his wound. However, James would fall short of his destination as a bullet, during from an adjoining room hit him in the leg and he fell to the floor in pain. Having only the strength to flip himself, he caught sight of his shooter, and it was none other than Cardinal Makelele. Having spent his time in the small closet of a room off of the main office chamber, he had through the keyhole of the door witnessed the fight of his young boy. Armed with a riffle by his side he now felt it necessary to finish the job his Julian had started. "You heathens think you can simply take what is not yours!" he cried in a tone of almost madness. "This is all mine and shall for ever be so for I am the Cardinal and the church is law." Moving now to James who tried in agony to clutch his wound and stop the bleeding, the Cardinal now hovered over him with the riffle pointed at his head. James stared down the barrel of the gun to the eyes of the Cardinal, never once blinking or showing signs of weakness. "I shall now pass judgment upon you, and send you to hell with the rest of your sinner breed" With that the trigger was pooled, the gunshot rang out in the halls of th palace, and the body fell to the floor. Thankfully to James joy, his father hand found the strength to gather his side pistol and fire a lethal shot to the Cardinal's head before he could fire on his son. James now flipped himself back to his belly and crawled to his father's side. The stab was a deep wound but nothing that the medics, who rushed to the room after the final gunshot was fire, couldn't handle. James too would make a good recovered though he would for ever more walk with a slight limp in his leg. Fires burnt throughout the South African countryside as the long day of the invasion saw the coming of the night. To the very east of the nation, in the occupied Congo zone the forces of young Thomas saw no shortage of action and they took refused to surrender their zone. But the Macedonian resolve was as sound as the ground they marched on and in time they took found victory within the streets. Though there were still those who held out in their great mansions, surrounded by their material wealth, it would only be a matter of time before the Macedonian soldiers would conquer them and pass judgment through the barrel of their guns. |
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| NRE | Sep 4 2007, 10:35 PM Post #4 |
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Chapter II: Sonnet of Chaos.... As the sun rose on the second day of the invasion, the efforts of the Macedonians were all but complete. The remaining clergymen that held out hope of defending their lands and retaining some power within the now forgotten South African Kingdom had all been slaughtered, a testament to the judgment that had been passed over them by their conquerors for their transgressions against God and his holy church. Their mansions, the great palaces where they squandered the riches of the land to fill with priceless artifacts of greed and lust were now up in flames. The land had to be scorched clean in hope that the stench of their sins would be driven out of the very earth itself. The riches they had amassed were packaged up in trucks and taken from the farthest corners of the land to the once great capital, Adowa. In return the people were not forgotten, those poor people who now for years were forced to slave under these clergymen for mere pennies a day while their masters grew fat from the spoils of their labor. They were now helped to great feasts in the many churches that lay throughout each town. Though the relics of the Colognian faith were along with the Mansions, the churches themselves were left standing and proved to be good buildings for congregating the masses. The soldiers were praised by the people as they handed out fresh food, water, blankets and other necessities the people had been lacking. For many it was the first time in years since they had the supplies need to take a good shower. Their rags were replaced with fine garments of cloths. Toys and other object of which only the youth could appreciate were also distributed among the people. All of this was done in the name of the Commonwealth and it was not long before the people themselves were praising it's name. They were the saviors of their race, lifting them out of the agony of toil and slavery and into the true light of the lord. So dazed were they with their liberators that the Macedonians could have asked them to jump off the highest cliff and they would have blindly obeyed. Instead however, the Macedonians asked very little of their new subjects. Many were brought in from outside the capital city to help clean the place of the sin for which it had bathed in for long. The national treasury was cataloged and the spoils of the war were locked safely within it walls. "To the church it will go" said the soldiers to the people "an through the church will the people get their just rewards." This was no empty promise since not soon was the spoils cataloged that the men began to dispense to the people the money of the Commonwealth. To each man and woman they received the full amount of what their waged would amount to in the Commonwealth for the service they provided their old government. So to, were parents also given extra should they have bore a child whom also was forced to do labor. Soon the dirty poor of the nation because a moderate wealthy class of people, people who could not afford the food, clothing, and other supplies needed to sustain their lives and do so reasonably comfortable. Other efforts around the capital were made to bring it to a former glory, not so much that of the Empire for which it acted as it's seat, since no city within the Commonwealth could be allowed to outshine Acropolis, but to a glory that spoke volumes to the history and elegance that was this very city. Banners were soon hung all around the city, beautiful dark purple banners that had on them, laced in gold, the great emblem of the Commonwealth, the symbol of it's eternal power. All this was done because of the Reverend Mother Katherine's arrival. She had been sent word that the conquest was complete and now she wished to parade down the central boulevard of the capital, ascend the steps of the old palace and declare herself ruler of these new lands. Soldiers of the Highguard had filled the streets of the city where the parade would take place. Citizen from all around filled the streets where permitted in hopes of being the first to see the woman for whom all this was made possible. At the steps of the palace stood Earl Herbert Kaczorowski, whose military uniform was made a bit bulkier from the bandages around his ribs, his son James who leg also bore bandages and had to support himself with a cane, and Thomas Vandermeersch. Katherine, who had been flown in by chopper sat in all her radiance in the back seat of a military jeep as she made a slow precession down the central boulevard of the capital, waving from one side to the other at all the screaming citizen of this new province of her Commonwealth. She had worn a simply but beautiful gown, adorned with the usual regalia of her title and a veil to cover her face. Katherine had been accompanied on this trip by six sacred sister, who flanked her on either side by three as she stepped out of the jeep upon making it to the Palace. The jeeps following them were that of Baron Derek Von Euker-Hogan, Duke Umberto Rossetto-Cipriani, and Lord Robert Mabuza. Those all claimed loyalty towards the Reverend Mother, these three were seen as the tightest of the house to this category. The sun shown brightly overhead on this most clearest of days as Katherine and her entourage of maids and clergy made their way up the steps to where the conquerors were standing. Seagulls from the coast could be seen overhead if anyone had looked, though no one did. Their song for which they sang was also masked by the intensity of the crowds cheers which echoed throughout the street via all the large buildings around the boulevard. The blood that began to gush from her stomach was the only visible evidence that she had been hit and by the time it was realized her entourage of woman and clergy had all be claimed victims. The nobility that had come with the Reverend Mother were first to rush to her when she finally collapsed on the steps and the reality of the situation had been revealed. Those waiting on the steps soon joined them as guardsmen rushed past them into the direction of the shooter. This unseen marksmen had made well of his skills as everyone within the close party had been hit with fatal wounds. Death began to appear all around the living few who huddled over the Reverend Mother as the last bits of life gasped from her body. All this was the scene of a play, with an audience of two. On the one hand you had the marksmen, that masked devil of a man who hid in the shadows until the time was right to strike. Though he believe he to be the only man to see this play for himself, there was another whom even the marksmen did not see. The person had awaited in the shadows the entire event and though recent events elsewhere had distracted their mind for a moment, they were sure not to miss a single action. For it was here that this person's interests now laid for everything else had been turned asunder. All they had left was that which they had be brought to claim. Though this person had traveled by invitation only, that one act had turned out to save their life and now they could only believe that it was divine will and destiny that these events should now conspire... |
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| NRE | Sep 15 2007, 09:57 AM Post #5 |
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The news of the Reverend Mother's death raced fast across not only the nation but the entire globe. To some this was a joyous occasion as they deemed the Reverend Mother a heretic pagan and for others they laid in mourning. But the news is a fickle monster whose reach is far long than any by human alone. It has the power to raise people to act of bring them together in times of distress. It can calm crowds of destruction or it can create it. To a selected few, the media, the news, was a spotlight they did not wish to stand in and took all the precautions granted to them to stay out of it. With her body place in a coffin, which now stood in place where her thrown once sat, people from all over the country came to pay their last respects. Some cursed her from under their breath for the evil she brought to their people. Others prayed for her say delivery into the heaven to sit with Mary by her side. Along either side of the coffin sat the many members of the sisterhood of Mary. Though their veils covered their faces well, tears flowed down their faces for their lost matriarch and friend. Only one of their ranks was miss and that was there Sister Superior. Sister Augustine had since the day Katherine took the thrown, been molded as Katherine's successor. Never completely convinced in the ways of the Marinite religion she found comfort in Katherine's strong conviction for the faith and believe that if Katherine felt it was the path then surely it was god's wishes. Her grooming and education in the ways and matters of not only the church but also the state would soon pay off as she would soon be crowned Reverend Mother. In these last few moments all she could think about was her childhood. She was born Susan Williamson to a small Catholic family in the Seceded South. Being a grossly protestant nation it was dangerous for the family to even speak of their Catholic heritage for fear of harassment from their neighbors, harassment that would conveniently go "unnoticed" by their local law authorities of their small community. As a child she loved to play with dolls and even more so, loved to be read stories by her mother and father on the subject of brave knights in skinning armor rescuing their damsels in distress. She had always hoped that she would one day become that princess and that a brave and handsome prince would one day come for her hand in marriage. She kept that hope alive even today though the teachings of the church and her vows to the sisterhood tried hard to erase it. She had come to the sisterhood as a orphaned child, her parents were killed in a house fire that she firmly believed was caused by angry neighbors who found out her family secret however, no one was ever accused. It was their last will and testament that she be sent to sisterhood of Mary upon their death so that she could live her life free from any worry persecution. The Seceded South government, seeing no problem with having one less Catholic in the nation made no fuss in losing their citizen. When she came to them, she was a girl brought up in the Genesian ways, and remained that way all through her young life until adulthood when she soon found herself in the position of Sister Superior and under her given name Augustine. It was now that her beliefs were changed, she was now a Marinite believer and though it was contrary to her childhood beliefs she followed it as it was her solemn duty to do so. However, after all that happened she couldn't help to bring herself back in these last moments to that small farm house in the life she led as Susan. She found herself on the floor playing with her favorite doll. It was a small rag doll with beautiful brunette hair, matching Susan's. She wore a simply farm dress complete with stockings and shoes. A white apron was wrapped around her small waist, a bit dirty from years of enjoyment. As he sat their combing her dolls hair her mother entered the room. "Susan, it's time to go my dear. You're father is waiting at the door for us." "I'm sorry mommy" said Susan as she turned around "But I just don't leave Martha without first combing her hair, you know how she loves her hair combed." "You can bring Martha with us dear" said her Mother "They will not punish you for it." "Really, oh thank you mommy, thank you ever so much. I don't know what I would do without her." "I know my dear I know" Susan then got up from the floor and join her mother as the two walked down the small hallway from her room to the front door. There her father stood waiting as the door and cracked a huge smile when he saw the two before him. "There's my two beautiful girls, and how is my princess today?" He asked as he turned to Susan "are you all ready now?" "She father I'm ready, I have everything I need now" said Susan. Her father then turned to her mother and the two kissed. Then taking her mother's hand he opened the front door and let the light of the outside flood into the room. "Don't be scared" her father said in a comforting voice as he turned and took Susan's hand "you will never be alone ever again...." These were the last words to fill Sister Augustine's mind as she laid on the floor in a pool of her own blood. The blow to the back of her head was severe, trauma to her brain and spine that she could have never recovered from. Her killer did however, show her some compassion as she laid dying, praying for forgiveness in a mutter of a Genesian prayer. He placed in her arms the only thing in her room that he felt was of any real value to her, and that was the aged old rag doll that sat between two pillows on her small bed. |
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| NRE | Sep 21 2007, 12:37 PM Post #6 |
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Mourning soon became the national past time as one bad path seemed to bleed into another. Now a nation so rapped up in it's religion lost not only the one person who brought the religion to the masses and held the monopoly together without contest, their Reverend Mother, but now it came out in all the morning editions that the nation had lost their successor to the thrown as well. Sister Superior Augustine was dead, another victim of an assassin who still seemed to allude the capture of the police. The nation now seemed lost and division quickly rose as to whom the masses should look to for guidance in these troubling times. The Noble Conclave, the council that held no real power other than a advisory position to the royalty of the nation, now had for the sake of keeping chaos at bay, to take control and exert power. The nobles of the nation had always been content with their position even before the transition into the commonwealth. Ever since the first civil war of the nation, the nobles had existed and enjoyed the attention and privileges provided to them by the Sacred Queens. Each had by their own means amassed a considerable wealth and lived great and extravagant lives. Their only duty to the nation and the royalty was to provide the manpower for the nation's military and to pay royalty taxes, as tribute to the royalty that allowed them to continue in their beloved existence. This of course was now changed and each one of them wondered where the future was going to take them. Though each was educated and certainly capable of leading the nation into the future, no one really looked forward to the responsibility that came with the title. They were content in their lives and the small amount of work it took to run their provinces. A leader had to be chosen not only for the sake of the nation but also the church. Without a figurehead the Marinite Church would soon descend into chaos with no true purpose of direction for the future. So with the Reverend Mother's seat at the head of the table vacant in this beautiful building granted to them by the royalty to met with them, each member of the Noble Conclave sat at their respected seat as they had for years before. First there was Baron Derek Von Euker-Hogan. He was the younger brother of Robert Von Euker-Hogan who was not only a veteran of the Crusades but also the current head of the military. Though Robert was by all rights the rightful heir of the patriarch position, he granted it to his brother so he could continue to serve the Queen in other capacities. The Von Euker-Hogans as a family were of Germanic descent who had come to Neo-Macedonia years ago from the now defunct nation of Saxe-Coburg in Europe. Their family built not only their wealth but their power on a foundation of fear and terror. The family made many enemies in the Commonwealth and those enemies were wise to worry and fear their family's wrath. They had secured for themselves great favor in the eyes of the past Reverend Mother due to Robert's undying support for the Marinite church after losing all faith in the Genesian sect due to his experiences in the Crusades. If any family was positioned to take control of the nation it was certainly them. Across from Baron Von Euker-Hogan sat Earl Herbert Kaczorowski. The Kaczorowski family, like the Von Euker-Hogans and much of the families in Neo-Macedonia were of European descent. They had come to Neo-Macedonia from the also now defunct nation of Poland. Once friends of the house Von Euker-Hogan, the Kaczorowski family were soon used and betrayed by the Von Euker-Hogans and is now one of many enemies the Von Euker-Hogans have. Naturally the Kaczorowskis, especially Herbert, have been a family of peace loving individuals who have enjoyed their wealthy existence in Neo-Macedonia. Though they did experience a depression in wealth at the end of the civil war, they have since rebuilt themselves though they may never truly recover. At present Earl Herbert has positioned himself in a fair seat as not only the ruler of his province but the only military presence aside from the House Vandermeersch in the newly conquered Empire of South Africa. With these new riches at his disposal he certainly sits in a position to contest any move for the thrown. Beside Earl Herbert sat his new ally but once competition, Dutchess Alia Vandermeersch. The Vandermeersch came to Neo-Macedonia like the other great houses, from Europe. One of the only living families left from the now defunct nation of Elyk the small, the Vandermeersch gained their wealth in agricultural machinery, the same market that the Kaczorowski family places all their wealth in. The two houses competed for years until the civil war came about and at it's end put the house Kaczorowski in shambles while allowing the house Vandermeersch to continue their trade at full strength, leaving the Kaczorowski lagging behind. The Vandermeersch family also has the distinction of being the only family left in Neo-Macedonia that produced a nationally recognized hero of the civil war. The other house was that of the now vacant House Mastroianni and the war was the cause for the two houses to become life long friends. Now with their only friend gone and the hand extended by the Kaczorowski, the House Vandermeersch sits in an interesting position. Allied with the Kaczorowski Earl, the Dutchess now also shares the power of being able to contest any bid for the Neo-Macedonian thrown. Across from the Dutchess Vandermeersch sat Count Stavros Rossetto-Cipriani. The Rossetto-Cipriani represent one of the most greedy and selfish families in the entire nation. They came from Catholic Europe and flourished in their family business that is suspected by many to be soaked in black-market deals. The house owes it's origins from a convention of several wealthy families who through specific marriages form one family before their move to Neo-Macedonia. Through this calculated and carefully planned action the family was able to acquire a vast wealth that they doubled once seated in a position of power in Neo-Macedonia. Wealth and power aside, the family has made enemies of both the Von Euker-Hogans and the now dead Mastroianni. At present Count Rossetto-Cipriani is the only house outside the Von Euker-Hogans themselves who has the history to make them a suspect to the assassination of the Reverend Mother. That put aside, the Rossetto-Cipriani surely have the connections to quietly deal with any opposition to their bid for the Macedonian thrown. Beside Count Stavros Rossetto-Cipriani sat the only noble of pure Africa blood, Lord Robert Mabuza. Though his name was highly influenced by the European culture that ruled the nation, his family was deeply rooted in their African Heritage and the role they once played. The Mabuza family was once a thriving and powerful tribe that once control much of the area the original borders of Neo-Macedonia. However, years of warfare and famine lead to many defeats and was the result of why the Mabuza tribe agreed to allow the Europeans, specifically the NeoRomans to move in and set up the Neo-Macedonian colony. Recognizing their family's history in the area, the Mabuza's were allowed to continue to exist as a power family and were given dominion over the province that held within it what was their home village and once seat of power. The Mabuza's lived in peace until the civil war came and their army was defeated by the evil General who allowed the family itself to survive, believing they posed no real threat. After the wars end, they gradually reclaimed the lands lost by the war though their honor never recovered and have constantly been viewed by the other houses at a minor, non-equal house to their own. The only success they have seen in recent years was their campaigns for the islands Neo-Macedonia recently acquired. Because of their connection to these island, Lord Mabuza has a location to retreat to should a play for power prove dangerous for himself and his families future. The only other seat to be vacant at the meeting was that of the House Mastroianni. They had since the death of their last patriarch vanished from the political scene of the nation. Their province laid without a family yet no one made a bid for the land or it's wealth since in truth the riches of the house were the rightful property of the Royal Papal family, the dos Santos Aveiro-Medici. The Mastroianni in a final attempt to keep their family alive were able to secure the marriage of their only daughter and heir, Juliana Mastroianni to Prince Romulus dos Santos Aveiro-Medici. The couple married and then took the thrown of New Harumf. Though they never returned to Neo-Macedonia to reclaim what was theirs it was always believe that one of their heirs would claim it for their own. Though the nuclear attacks on the nation during its recent battle made this idea all but a fantasy, the other houses still feared to touch the land as a grab by any one house would certainly bring about the wrath of the others. So here they sat, face to face knowing full well that the future of the nation was on their hands. Silence seemed to grip the room for sometime as no one individual could find to words need for such a time as the eve before chaos. "Well we all know why we are here" Said Baron Von Euker-Hogan as he broke the silence "so I guess the question is, what are we going to do. I say we simply elect another sister from the sisterhood of Mary" "The problem" objected Count Rossetto-Cipriani "is that Sister Superior Augustine spent years of conditioning and training to fulfill her role as Reverend Mother when the day came to take the thrown. We cannot, if we wish to maintain order in this country, simply substitute another member of the order to take her place. The fact of the matter is, is that this body is the only other entity in the nation aside from the monarchy itself that has the experience and knowledge needed to run this nation effectively." "Though I completely Agree Count Rossetto-Cipriani" said Earl Kaczorowski "I completely object the notion of democracy in this country. We have since the days of the colony existed as a absolute Monarchy with this body acting solely as a collection of different views for which our monarch is able to view a situation in all lights before making their own sound and authoritative decision. To entrust this body with the decision making of the country would only serve to back up the process of law and order in this country. I refuse to be ruled by anything less than a monarchy." "Then" said Baron Von Euker-Hogan "Who is it that the power of the Monarchy should be granted to? We have already ruled out another sister from the order and for obvious reason who last Monarchy carried no heir, who then does this council suggest?" The room fell silent again as each member not only fell into deep thought over the subject but also let fear begin to guide their judgment. Each member in their own right had already chosen a successor for the thrown long before the council's session began yet each feared that their choice would bring danger to themselves by the others. "Well if I..."Earl Kaczorowski words were cut short as the room rocked due to the violent force of an explosion that echoed throughout the halls of the Conclave building. Startled by the noise each member quickly rose and rushed down the hall to the nearest window of the building, one of the few that had a most spectacular view of the city. Siting on one of the highest points in the city, a person could see the total expanse of the capital from the Conclave building. The only other buildings to sit higher were (in order from next highest to highest of all) the Cathedral of St. Emmanuel I and the Holy Royal Palace. To the shock of the group assembled at the window smoke and fire was now pouring out of the Royal Palace. More of temple now, the palace not only served the Reverend Mother as a place of residence but also a place to carry on the business of the Marinite Church. Gone were the stately banners and small statues that adorned it's gardens and hallways and in it's place stood larger than life statues, monuments to the former Sacred Queens and that of the Virgin Mary herself. Hardly Christian in nature, the palace was now the center of both the nation and the religion. An attack on it was a stab at both and the Nobles understood this far to well. "It is too dangerous to remain, we must secure order above all else" said the Baron Von Euker-Hogan. "My army will do what it can to secure the capital and we will as a council move on from there. Until then I suggest we return to our respected provinces and preserve the peace at all costs." Though disgusted with the forwardness that the Baron was implying, the nobles whether for fear of their life or because they were in truth needed else where left the Conclave building and the capital city in the hands of the Baron. The attackers of the palace would soon reveal themselves as also the assassins of the royal line and soon all would find out that the future of the nation was in their hands. |
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| NRE | Oct 6 2007, 10:01 PM Post #7 |
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Chapter III: Rhapsody of Kings.... Chaos had now gripped the nation and madness seemed to run wild like the wind. The nobles had all returned safely to their respected provinces and done all they could to secure order. Like a plague brought by Satan himself, people seemed to be drawn to public and almost forced to commit crimes that they would have otherwise never committed. The armies of the lords and ladies of the land were brought to full strength and many arrests were made. The Von Euler-Hogans were skilled in commanding order into those who lived under their watchful eyes. In less than a week the house had secured the capital from terrorist activity and all seemed as it should. Back in their own province, they were given the same reports. Though the Baron thought it a bit too simple to have exiled the rest of the nobles back to their homes, he was certainly getting use to the power he now held. Having no residence in the capital itself aside from a very handsomely decorated condominium in the downtown area, he decided to grant himself the esteem pleasure of living in the Palace. Many of the residents of the capital thought that this move was a bit bold of the Baron however, with chaos reigning elsewhere the other nobles had little power to do or say anything about it. Soon the luxury and presence of the Palace began to thrill and excite the Baron's sense. His mind began to wonder with thoughts of living here for the rest of his life as King. Eventually he mind became so warped with these thoughts that he believed he could make this move to power without any contest from the others. So after holding the capital for almost two weeks he ordered a decree to be scribed for him and sent to all the nobles. In the decree he went on about his family's deep history and how far deep into his own lineage tree, a third cousin twice removed was actually held kinship to the now lost royal family of Saxon-Coburg. A complete fabrication of his own heritage to be sure, but as the decree was also made public, very few in the general population believed it was worth questioning. Given this now royal foundation to his family, he went on to say that it was divine right and destiny that he should ascend the thrown once held by King Alexander and once again lead the people to salvation. For the people of the Commonwealth, it was the answer to their prayers. The nation was crumbling into chaos around them and the Baron offered the only form of leadership they had yet to be offered. If submitting to the house Von Euler-Hogan meant that their nation could once again be the ordered paradise they had come to enjoy then so be it. Not far from the public support did the Baron find Noble support as well. Both the houses Rossetto-Cipriani as well as that of Mabuza wrote back confessing their support. The support from the house Mabuza wasn't a surprise as their support came only due to their need to stay alive. The Rossetto-Cipriani support however was questionable, as it was most likely a move to get close enough to assassinate him. Even if this were true, the Baron would rather have them be his side where he could watch over them, than have them at war with him. The only support he didn't receive was from the houses Kaczorowski and Vandermeersch, if fact he received no word at all. As if they had not receive the letter no word was every relayed back. Wondering what those houses were up to, he sent a request for the house Rossetto-Cipriani to sent soldier into their provinces to get word from them. The house complied and soldiers soon stormed up to their noble mansions and found them to be empty. More so the mansions were in great disarray as if they had been attacked. When aides of the houses were found they confirmed this suspicion as they retold the story of a small band of terrorist storming the mansions in the dead of night, killing the noble family and they burning their bodies outside. Mounds of ash were found along with skeletal remains. When word came back to the Baron he was both horrified and overjoyed. He was pleased to have two less houses to compete with however it worried him that a terrorist group was on the loose and could have very well tried to storm the palace next and kill him. Still, he now had little to worry about since he was uncontested for the thrown. Thus on the next sunrise he crowned himself King Derek Von Euler-Hogan of the Holy Catholic Commonwealth of Neo-Macedonia. The coronation was a ceremony and a celebration the likes of which the nation have ever seen. The sisterhood of Mary, though still in mourning over their lost came out and supported their new King. The body of their fallen Queen was laid to rest first, early that morning in a beautiful funeral ceremony. Noon was when Derek crowned himself King to the cheers of hundreds of thousands of spectators. Both the houses Ressetto-Cipriani and Mabuza both congratulated the new King and swore their allegiance to his crown. This willingness came mostly from the prospect of being able to now absorb not only their fallen fellow nobles lands but also the untouched lands of the recently conquered South Africa. They were almost garaunteed to make a very substantial amount of money and could now care little about the crown of the nation itself. The after party of the coronation was like none other seen before. People drank and made merry of themselves from one o'clock that afternoon until after midnight that evening. The streets of the capital were filled with millions of party goers the entire day and no one went to sleep that night without some found memories of the day that changed everything. As the new King laid his head to rest that night, everyone believe that this was truly the eve of change. They were of course certainly correct in this belief however, the truth and the fiction was what they could have never figured out nor understood. Though his dreams were pleasant his rude awakening was certainly not what he had expected. Aides had rushed into his new chambers and pulled the King out of his bed. Frantic they explained to him as they rushed him down the hall that something terrible had happened. Not sure what to make of the chaotic words be thrown at him he focused mainly on waking up. When he finally had his wits about him he found himself in the communications room of the palace. With machines all around him, screens were focused on several areas of the nation, mainly the former border between Neo-Macedonia and South Africa and it was there that his attention was focused. As he rubbed his eyes to get them into focus he soon noticed the large black line over the horizon. "What is that?" he questioned openly. "That your majesty is what was discovered this morning by the border patrol. It is a army several thousand strong and they had just been sitting there. Word has been radioed to them but no one answers. They fly no flag and it is impossible for them to be South African as the campaign wiped out all the resistance." As the King began to pounder on his situation, a light began to flash on the switch board of the room. When the technician switched it over, he informed the King that it was an incoming message. The message was typed script only and it began to flood over the screen. It was a declaration of war against what the writers of the document called a false King. The document was simply signed by the nation of a nation, a nation that called itself the Holy Catholic Dominion. The King's eyes began to widen in rage as he slammed his fist onto the table top. Just then a flash was seen on the horizon and the camera then went dead. The flash then happened again and another camera went dead. This happened several times again until all the cameras were gone. The King then ordered the technician to radio the guard station. What they got back was a horrible sound of pain and fear as the man on the other end begged for reinforcements before the sound of his death echoed throughout the communications room. The war had begun...... |
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| NRE | Oct 15 2007, 01:06 PM Post #8 |
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"Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it." - Sun Tzu, "The Art of War" The war was an unexpected event that no one could have predicted past the few who knew that it was to happen and the thousands that now fought in it. The lines in the sand were now clearly drawn in the sands on this once peaceful land at the bottom of the world. On the one hand you had King Derek Von Euler-Hogan, crowned royal of the Holy Catholic Commonwealth of Neo-Macedonia. With the support of not only his own estate but that of his allies of the House Mabuza an Rossetto-Cipriani the King put up a good defense of his kingdom but as hard as they fought they could never turn the tied from defending what they believed was rightfully theirs. On the other side was that of the mysterious Catholic Dominion. Never before had anyone in the area nor the world for that matter heard of this entity that now claimed that all of Neo-Macedonia was by right theirs. Their soldiers dressed to from toe to heal in black uniforms, there faces kept hidden by various means. Their numbers were massive, far more that the Commonwealth. They swept over the border from the former lands of South Africa and into Neo-Macedonia without contest. They had traveled several miles inward until the first soldiers for the Commonwealth came to greet them. The fire of the mighty cannons of the tanks shook the group as the war began. Many of the elderly in near by towns watched the fighting in the fields with a familiarity that was all to real for them. Their generation had been the unlucky lot to fight in the first civil war of the nation that almost torn it apart. Had it not been for the blessed Mother of Neo-Macedonia, Sacred Queen Chloe who brought about the end, their nation would have certainly fell to the evils of war. Many of them still carried the physical scars of that tragic event and as the land once again began to bleed to blood of its fair citizens those scars once again began to ache in pain. The attack of the Dominion had been swift and was completely reliant on the element of surprise. The first strikes came by air as enemy bombers soared deep into Commonwealth airspace and took out the many airfields on the nation. Having the knowledge of those who lived in the nation, they dug the dagger deep into the Commonwealth by taking out any hope of fighting the war by air. With no flyable aircraft left the Commonwealth was forced to depend solely on their ground forces to win the war in their favor. As the soldiers of the Commonwealth mourned so many lost in the surprise attack, it add a fire to them they helped their side hold on to so much land when the first ground invasion began. Still with so much hatred for the enemy it was simply not enough to hold against the numbers that poured in from the east. Ground was lost and soldiers had to move back and reform their lines to begin to hold again. The Dominion forces simply kept pressing as they moved forward into the nation. When they had conquered a town, city, or village their actions afterwards were always the same. Their first move was the burn all the Marinite texts of the town including the church's holy book of The Dividian. This usually followed with the execution of all clergy members of the local church as they were dragged from their homes into the street. Finally they would set fire to the churches themselves and watch the building burn until all that was left was ashes. It was the same all over the nation as the Dominion moved in further and further. As the first nights of the war fell over the nation many swore that the fires of the churches were so bright that it was if the sun never set and that was why the fighting continued because no one new when to sleep... |
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| NRE | Oct 19 2007, 11:16 PM Post #9 |
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The war was a harsh reality few wanted to experience and many wish they could deny. The Commonwealth forces were fighting bravely against the threat of the Catholic Dominion but the battle was in vain. No matter how hard they fought they simply could not get the upper hand against this enemy which fought with a resolve few had ever seen. Already half the nation had fallen into anarchy under the new occupation of Dominion forces. Only the province of the Baron Von Euler-Hogans stood in the way of the Dominion forces stepping into the capital city. Though the armies of the other allies of King Derek were well trained, the men of the House Von Euler-Hogan had battle experience on a scale even larger than this. They were all veterans of the crusades and though many would not admit they fought for what was now considered a war of heresy, the war had given them a perspective and a mind set that no other army could command. The sun shown brilliantly over head as the Dominion forces met at the border of the Von Euler-Hogan province. There numbers were massive as column after column of soldiers marched forward, followed by their tanks and artillery guns. Awaiting them were the soldiers of the House Von Euler-Hogan, most well dug into trenches that had been prepared for this very day. The Dominion Catholics were the first to make a move, advancing upon the Commonwealth forces. At first the battle went like all those that the Dominion had fought against the Commonwealth to date. The more pressure they were able to put the more it seemed the lines of the Commonwealth began to fold. However, a remarkable thing occurred and made history in the events of the war. The Commonwealth actually amassed the energy and drive to push back, astounding the Dominion soldiers and forcing them back to only a few feet from the border itself. It was the first time the Commonwealth had ever gained the upper hand on the Dominion forces. The Commanders of the Dominion quickly understood that the Commonwealth had adapted to their battle plans and that a new strategy would be needed. The battle was certainly bloody as soldiers of the Dominion poured themselves in, trying with all their resolved to break the Commonwealth lines. The Commonwealth, who had seen crushing defeats throughout the country side had finally take enough and now refused to retreat any further. The Experience of the Von Euler-Hogan soldiers was certainly an added bonus and a determining factor in the Commonwealths stand. They had adapted to the style of fight the Dominion had shown against them and believed they were now prepared for most of their enemies moves. Commanders for the Commonwealth believed that they could hold their lines indefinitely and hopefully wear down there mysterious Dominion Catholics. With the enemy tired they could then push harder east and move Dominion lines back across the border of frm. South Africa. This of course was future plans and were simply still thought and ideas thrown out across the Command table. At the moment the only thing either side worried over was who would control the border of the Von Euler-Hogan border once the day of fighting was done. The King, seated back within the safety of the palace walls, knew that the Dominion was close but had faith in his soldiers to protect him. Already he had lost favor with the people and worried over a civil revolt if he could not end the war soon and bring unity once again the Africans of his realm. Little could he know that there were the same thoughts of another within the realms of the African tip and that soon enough these two master minds would soon come face to face and clash over the crown of the Catholic people. |
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| NRE | Nov 1 2007, 03:37 PM Post #10 |
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Chapter IV: Ballad of Peace.... The war was going horribly wrong for King Derek Von Euker-Hogan. He had believed himself immortal, believed himself the rightful heir to the thrown, the chosen heir of God himself. Now the reality of his situation was setting in. The forces he had amassed for the defense of the Commonwealth had failed. His brother Robert and Count Stavros Rossetto-Cipriani had been declared dead. Both had served the Commonwealth with extraordinary strength and bravery. But the plague that was this Catholic Dominion simply was to great for them to fight off. King Derek had only Lord Robert Mabuza to aid him in his final hours. His famiyl estate, the Mabuza province had already fallen to the Dominion, everything was now under Dominion control, just outside that of the capital city, which now burned as the forces clashed fro control. Derek sat on his thrown, impatient as he awaited Robert Mabuza who he had earlier summoned when the first shorts rang out in the city. Finally the large doors to the palace thrown room opened and Lord Mabuza stepped forward. "Your grace I apologies for my late arrival" said Mabuza a bit short of breath. "As you must surely understand, it is by every definition a war zone out there. We had to take several detours from my city apartment to get here to the palace." "There is no need for apologies Lord Mabuza, but we must act quickly." said King Derek as he rose. "As I have been told by my most trusted advisers, the islands you once conquered in the name of the church are still unchanged by this war. They may prove to be the only places left within the Commonwealth where we may be safe. Though I wish to stand an fight I also know that if I am to win this war I must be alive to do so. There for I request that you take me to your palace there on the St. Helena at once." "Of course your grace" said Lord Mabuza. "My family already awaits me there, we can have a chopper life us to my off shore boat at once. From there we shall sail to the island." "Good" said King Derek "we must leave now!" With that King Derek lead Lord Mabuza through a secret passage from the thrown room to a chopper pad near the rear of the palace. within minutes they were in the air and on their way to the coast. Below King Derek saw how truly close he had come to death as the hordes of the Dominion pushed through the final defense of the palace and where making their way in. The chopper had not gone unnoticed but was not touched as it left the scene of death and destruction behind. Within about twenty minutes the chopper touched down of Lord Mabuza's private yacht. From there they set sail for St. Helena island where Lord Mabuza would be reunited with his family, all terribly worried over his safety as news of the destruction in the mainland came to them. As for King Derek, He stayed in solitude for the rest of the day. He had now lost the mainland of his Commonwealth. His palace now laid in the hands of this mysterious Catholic Dominion and all he had left were two small islands. If he could not come up with a new strategy to defeat the Dominion soon, he would find his reign as King to be a short one in the eyes of history. ______________________________________ As the Dominion soldiers made their way into the palace, Commonwealth soldiers simply gave up without further fight. Though it would be another two hours, fighting throughout the city and throughout the countryside soon came to a close. Within the palace walls, as the dust settled two small army-grade vehicles came around to the front of the palace, every soldier stood to attention. The first car doors were opened and two men in military uniform, high ranking, came out an waited at the bottom of the palace stairs as the first car pulled away and the second came to take its place. When the second car came to a stop, the first man opened the door and the joined the second in a bow. Each and every soldier standing outside the palace in view of the car fell to one knee as the figure in the second car came out. With a small gesture of their hand, the two men rose from their bow and followed the third into the palace. Every soldier stood still until the three were well outside of their view before returning to their stand. The group of three traveled deep into the palace until they made their way to the dinning hall. There, an hour before when the palace had been secured, preparations had been made for a feast. The three sat down to the table, the two military men at neither side of the table while the third took the head. Drinks were served to the two military men but not the third. The servants were a bit taken back when they first entered the room, an considering the party that now sat at the table they had very right. To the right of the head of the table sat Earl Herbert Kaczorowski, dressed in a fine military dress uniform, with numerous metals and pins of rank. He had been presumed dead however the plot which would now unfold would find many surprises. Across the table from Earl Kaczorowski sat another man presumed dead, that of the young Thomas Vandermeersch. Like the house Kaczorowski, the house Vandermeersch had been presumed dead. The victims of some devilish plot of thieves but the truth was that these two men, and their families were very much alive. The third figure was a man, at least that's what they assumed. He was dressed in only the finest robes, all of which describe him as a king. The only great mystery to this person was that they wore a very elaborate mask. It was a complete headdress of a mask, something not seen since the days of the pharaohs. The skin of the mask was metal, but the carving was extravagant giving him beautiful wavy hair and a thick beard. The only holes where in the nostrils of the mask as the eyes were covered with a glass, which resembled real blue eyes. The mask was topped with a pointed crown embedded with beautiful jewels. The man wore gloves so that no part of his skin was shown. With no hole in the mask for his mouth, he just sat at the table as the others were served. "Can I assume everything has been secured as planned" said the man in the mask, in a deep commanding voice." "Yes your majesty" said Earl Herbert. "The city has been taken and fighting throughout the country has been cooled. Our only concern now his Derek Von Euker-Hogan." "His brother died honorable in battle. Killing him brought me great joy and I can only hope that his death will be equally as satisfying." "Of course your majesty" said General Thomas "We will finish what we have started." "Good" said the man in the mask. "I tired now, I shall leave you two, to your meal. We will continue this conversation in the morning." Both Earl Herbert and General Thomas rose as the third made proceeded to get up and leave the room. Before making his leave he turned to the others one last time. "Do bring the heir to the heir to the house Rossetto-Cipriani to me in the morning. His father's death was also pleasing, but he has a choice to make before I decide on what to do with the rest of the family." With that, the man in the mask left. |
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| NRE | Nov 8 2007, 08:32 PM Post #11 |
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The breeze was an usually cool one as King Derek sat on the balcony of his home away from home. It certainly wasn't the palace of Acropolis, but it was comfortable with a view of the Atlantic that was certainly breath taking. He sat in a lounge chair, taking in the scenery and the sun. It had been a few days since Derek had landed on St. Helena. They had received no word from the mainland but Derek Von Euker-Hogan knew that by now all was lost. The most he could hope for now was the support of the people. If he could rally the people together, he might be able to talk them into terrorist activity against whatever new government this "Dominion" had in store for the country. Derek had ordered Lord Mabuza to get Television equipment prepare for him, in the hopes that the national network was still operating. With any luck it was, an Derek would be able to deliver a speech to his people. Mabuza warned the King that it would take some time to have their satellite on the island operation for such an endeavor. So for now King Derek had to play the waiting game. Little did he know that he would not have to wait long to know what was going on back on the mainland. As he sat there, taking a sip of his drink an aid had come up to him. Excusing herself for the intrusion, she told the King that Lord Mabuza requested him. The King, believing it to be urgent rushed down to the communication's room of the mansion where a pale faced Mabuza stood, glaring at a screen. "What is it Mabuza?" asked Derek. "This was broadcast live just a few moments ago, you should take a look at this." With that Mabuza pressed a button labeled "Play" on the switch board. The screen in front of him lite up and the national news networks logo came on. The archer of the channel as always introduced herself and went about your usual pleasantries. What came next was an apparent conference from the Palace of Acropolis. When the screen had flipped over, the flag of the Commonwealth, no Neo-Macedonia few high. A Podium was set up and several seats to either side were also put in place. A door to the side of the stage where the podium sat opened, and men began to walk out. The first to amaze an astonish the King was the living bodies of both Earl Kaczorowski and young Thomas Vandermeersch. He had believed them both dead and to see them now alive brought his blood to boil. The last figure however brought more wonder than hatred. It was the mastermind of the entire campaign, that masked man who more an iron face more menacing than any face of history past. Wearing robes of royalty, with no flesh showing he stood stern, his facing haunting to the crowd. In a deep, though slightly muffled voice he spoke. "Citizen of the Commonwealth, and the global community. Today is a day to be heralded as I have brought to a quick end not only the civil war that I myself started, but the end of a monarchy drenched in heresy. For too long the royalty of Neo-Macedonia has allowed this nation to dive into pagan rituals and heathen acts against our God, the one true God of Earth. By my hand alone I have wiped this nation clean of all the evils of Satan and the stench of heresy. I have cleansed the countryside of all the darkness that lay over it, shrouding this beautiful land from the light an warmth of God's grace. An I have done it all not in the name of some heathen church of the Virgin Mary, nor in the blasphemous name of a heretical church of Cologne. No my crusade against evil was done solely in the name of the church of Genesis City, the one true church of God! I was sent here by God to free the people of this land from the darkness that had engulfed it an to once again lead God's children home. As your new King, I shall evoke a new era of prosperity an peace that has not been seen since before the Pope of Genesis fell. I have killed those nobles who dared to steer you wrong, and I shall hunt down those still who remain. I have slaughtered those who have not profession love for Jesus Christ in the name of the Genesian church and I will continue to do so until we are a Holy nation once more. I shall rebuild this Commonwealth in the name of the one true God and I swear this, for I am your King, your ruler, and you shall forever know me as, the Grand Nagus!" Derek could not believe what he had witnessed. This made did not even have the honor of showing his own face and now he professed himself ruler of Neo-Macedonia. Derek could not allow this an stormed out of the Communications room in anger. Before leaving, he informed Lord Mabuza that he had half the time Derek originally gave him to get that television conference equipment ready. Derek would have his speech to the masses. |
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| NRE | Nov 18 2007, 12:08 PM Post #12 |
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King Derek Von Euker-Hogan was a nervous wreck. The speech given by the Grand Nagus had left him uneasy. He could feel everything crumbling around him as if he no longer had any control over the events that were to come. He sat in an armchair overlooking to beautiful beach of St. Helena island. The cool breeze of the salty air helped to calm him a bit much it was only a temporary solution to his ever growing problem. Lord Robert Mabuza came to the balcony where Derek was seat. Bowing to the King, he then sat quietly in the armchair beside him. "Your majesty" he stated in a whisper of the voice "all has been prepared as you asked. I am not completely sure that we will be able to broadcast throughout the Commonwealth, but we should be picked up by enough local stations to get the word spread." "You have done me a great service Lord Mabuza and it shall not be forgotten when I return to power" said Derek still staring over the seascape of his surroundings. "You know your majesty, there is still a chance we could escape from this place, leave the Commonwealth completely. I am sure there are at least a few countries we could find asylums in. We could leave this war behind and save ourselves an our families." said Lord Robert. "We very well could Lord Mabuza, but unless you haven't noticed I have no family left. My brother is dead, a hero of the war and my nieces and nephews are now most likely dead, victims of this war. I am all that I know remains of my house and I have nothing left but the thrown that I rightfully claimed. If you wish to leave, to take your family away from this place I will not hold ill will against you. But I myself must stay an defend what I believe to be mind." "Very well your majesty" said Lord Robert "I understand." With that the two men then rose and Lord Robert showed Derek down to the dinning hall of the mansion where he had setup the video equipment. There was a seat setup for Derek to sit in to deliver his speech, the flag of the Commonwealth hung behind it. He sat there as the crew turned on the lights an readied the cameras. The lights blinded him a bit as they came on, he could see nothing past the camera, the red light came on and he delivered his speech. It was a touching one, as he called out for the people of the Commonwealth to resist this new force of evil, and to stay strong in resistance for he would return to them and lead them back to the gold age. He implored them to remember the greatness of the Commonwealth under his admittedly short rule and how he alone could restore the order they certainly wanted after the chaos of the war. When he was finished he paused, giving the signal for the camera to be cut off. The red light went out and a single clap could be heard in the distance. "There is no need for such things, though honored I was only doing what I must to save our Commonwealth" said Derek, being modest. "Oh, but for a final speech it was touching, though a pity no one saw it" said a cold, deep, and muffled voice. The lights dropped out an Derek, his face pale white struggled to have his eyes readjust only to find himself surround by Dominion soldiers, the Grand Nagus just behind the Camera. Though his instinct was to try for the door he knew he was surrounded. "Lord Mabuza, so you betrayed me in the end?" Derek asked. "You must understand" said Lord Robert "that you are not the will of God, not the future of our Commonwealth. I tried to get you to leave, to save yourself but your arrogance was your downfall." "Yes Derek, arrogance was your downfall, to believe that your family above all others deserved the thrown" said the Grand Nagus. "Only one family deserves the thrown of the Commonwealth, an forever shall they remain in its seat. May god have mercy on your soul Derek, as I shall show mercy on your house as it has pledged its loyalty to me. Your nephew Maximilian is wise for his age, because of him the house Von Euker-Hogan shall live on well past your death." With that the Grand Nagus lifted his hand and then waved it down. The echo of the gunfire could be held throughout the entire mansion, Lord Robert's family was luckily not in the home at the time, sparing his child such a event. The Grand Nagus the promised Lord Robert that he would pay for the repairs and the clean up, as for the body it was to be burned. The last outpost of defiance was now taken care of, leaving the Commonwealth solely within his possession. The battle of power was now over, the civil war was now over, a new dawn approached. |
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| NRE | Nov 19 2007, 02:08 PM Post #13 |
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Chapter V: Prelude to A New Dawn The civil war that had irrupted only a few weeks ago was now officially over. There was no one would swore allegiance to the now dead King. His boy was burned and his ashes thrown to the sea. The architects of the new age now stood uncontested and proud of their great victory. In the capital, Acropolis, they gathered now with those who swore their fidelity to the new King for fear of death. A marvelous feast had been prepared and along the rather large table sat the nobles, those who were allies and now those who were saves. Of the house Von Euker-Hogan, the house of the defeated king, sat Maximilian Von Euker-Hogan. He was a mere boy of 15, the son of Robert Von Euker-Hogan, hero of the crusades. Though still not educated in all the words wonders his mother was a devout Genesian catholic. Where his father had lost faith in the church, his mother held strong to her convictions and in return so did her children. As the eldest child, Maximilian was the only choice for Baron. Beside Maximilian sat the other defeated house, that of the house Rossetto-Cipriani. Count Stravos had only two children to carry on his name, a daughter who was the eldest and a son, much younger. The son was much like his father, defiant to the new rule but unlike the others who died because of their defiant convictions, Antonio Rossetto-Cipriani had his wise sister to cool his tongue. Maria was a wise woman still in her youth at only 24 years of age. She was very well educated and did not take long to realize that if her family was to survive in the new order concession had to be made. Not completely religious herself, she cared not was church she had to serve so long as she remained alive to serve it. Keeping her brother's bold comments to whispers, her allegiance was accepted and the title of Countless was afforded to her. The the rest of the table was of those who had either betrayed the old King or who were always loyal to the Grand Nagus. Earl Herbert Kaczorowski, seen as the master mind behind the hand of the new dawn sat humbly by the head of the table. Next to him was his ally and friend, the young Duke, Thomas Vandermeersch. His aunt the former Dutchess, Alia Vandermeersch had grown ill in her old age and had passed on the title to him, being the only choice for her. Beside him sat the betrayer and hero to some, Lord Robert Mabuza. Out of all the houses of the nobility, the house Mabuza was perhaps the last house anyone would have guessed to have betrayed the King. However, Lord Robert was no fool and when the Grand Nagus contacted him secretly, early in the war, he knew that his survival would be through the Grand Nagus alone. There were a few new faces to the table as well, ones of whom the Grand Nagus, as he sat stern at the head of the table, would soon introduce. The evening was at first quiet, as no one wished to speak before the Grand Nagus for fear of condemnation from his hand and as luck would have it he eventually broke the silence himself, giving no time for anyone else to speak before him. His cold, dark voice vibrated through the mask he worn, sending chills down the spine of those who heard his voice for the first time. "A new dawn will rise tomorrow ladies and gentlemen, a dawn not that I have designed but one that I hold the plans to and one that I shall see constructed. Those of you who sit at this table tonight do not sit here because I allowed you to live but rather because it was God's design for you to live, because your purpose has yet been fulfilled. I am but the messenger, the hand of his will. What God has planned I shall give form. When it comes to the Nobility, either directly or indirectly you have all met one another. Think not that you sit on unequal ground for I hold only God as without fault and thus there shall be no favorite with me. As for the rest of my guests, allow me to introduce them. First let me introduce and welcome to my table Cardinal Marcus Tilius. His name should not be unfamiliar to this table as the Tilius family has supplied a Primate to Neo-Macedonia since Neo-Macedonia came into the Catholic church and the Pope himself sent their family to us, generations ago. Mathew Tilius, was Marcus's uncle. His family went under my protection when the pagans took control. I have now restored their family honor as well as grant them an estate, placing them among your noble ranks. Cardinal Tilius will oversee the church until a Pope is restore and we can once again return to communion with Genesis City" As the Grand Nagus Finished, a man in about his late 40's, dressed in full Cardinal robes stood from the table, nodding his head slightly forward and then sat back to his seat. "To his left" continued the Grand Negus "Is my new Grand Inquisitor, André Certeau. His family is of french decent and have served within the ranks of the Inquisition here in Neo-Macedonia for many years. He is a loyal Genesian of whom I believe has the power to reassemble the neglected inquisition. These times are crucial to us if we are to rebuild the Genesian order once held over this country and I believe Grand Inquisitor Certeau has the ambition and talents needed to help me realize my dream. Together with my orders, the inquisition will become to new hand that deals with anyone who does not submit themselves to the church." André Certeau, a man of about 30, dressed in the formal robes of the Grand Inquisitor, stood up and like the Cardinal, gave a simply nod of his head before returning to his seat. "Across from the good Cardial you will find a priest of whom shows great promise in the field of medicine Dr.Hugo Rivero. His family comes from a devout Genesian family whose roots are from the lands of the Argentinians. His father, and father before him for as far back as their family tree goes since their arrival here have served in the priesthood of the Genesian church here. However, Dr. Rivero decided to take a different path and is one of the leading physicians in the country, especially in the fields of genetics, pharmaceuticals, biology, and general medicine. Though some would believe a doctor of his talents are a contradiction to the beliefs of the church, his own conviction is enough to convince me." An elderly man in his early 60s softly rose from his chair, his balding head glistened in the lighting of the room. Wearing the robes of a priest, a beautiful gold crucifix around his neck, he like the other simply gave a small nob of the head and returned to his seat. "And last, but not least we come to Master Gustavo Pérez Almodóvar, a military man who I have chosen to lead the High Guard, once we have had a chance to reorganize it. I envision to High Guard to become like the Templars of old however, I will not allow greed and deceptions to destroy them. Master Almodóvar will instill only loyality in his men, and they will become a fighting force to be feared. They will protect our new Commonwealth from all the heretics they will try to destroy us. They will also be quick to put down any insurrections that dare to crop up in my new world. For his service, his family will also be given noble honors." Gustavo Pérez Almodóvar was a man in his mid twenties. Physically fit, he rose from his seat wearing a black military uniform with medals adorning his breast. He gave a nod and then returned to his seat. "The night is young ladies and gentlemen" said the Grand Nagus. "The food is plenty and I suggest you enjoy and savor eat bite as if it were your last. The world you have so bravely chosen to stay in, and step forward to will not come easy but will come nevertheless. We are almost completely alone in this world and without a Pope many will feel we are without direction. However, God sent me here to ensure that this Commonwealth returns to its original path and I will do just that..." |
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| NRE | Nov 22 2007, 11:16 PM Post #14 |
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Holy Cross Hospital, Johannesburg Posted Image Earl Herbert Kaczorowski exited the elevator around the six floor of the massive, yet not complete, Holy Cross Hospital he had funded construction of here in his beautiful city of Johannesburg. There at a nurses station he spied Dr.Hugo Rivero, wearing black pants, a button down black shirt with the priest white collar and a white doctor's coat. The two greeted each other warmly as Early Herbert approached the desk. "Dr. Rivero I hope you are getting comfortable here." said Herbert. "Yes Earl Kaczorowski the hospital is everything I could have hoped for an more" said Hugo as the two glanced around their surroundings. Dr. Rivero was a small Argentinian man of about 6"1. He was an aging man of 52 whose shaved head was not by choice but the preferred look since his silver hair was slowly falling out. He wore a finely trimmed beard that was almost the color of snow. His glasses were thick, about the thickness of the bottom of a coke-a-cola bottle. "I hope to have this place operational within the month. I have already began a training program for many of the sisters from the sisterhood of Mary, those loyal to the church of course. They will make fine nurses for this institution and with the equipment I have coming in from all over the world, this will surely become the finest medical facility money can pay for. An since the church will finance everything, it will be at no cost the patient." "Well I am just pleased that I could help in this truly worthy cause" said Herbert as the two began to walk slowly down the hall. "Please do not take this as an offense to you Dr. Rivero, but I must say that I find you as something of an enigma." "Because I am a man of both the faith and the profession Earl Kaczorowski?" said Hugo with a bit of a smile. "Well yes and no" said Herbert "certainly just because you are a man of the faith doesn't mean you can't work to heal those in pain. But excuse me for taking rumors into account, but I have heard that it is no secret that you actually believe in such scientific theories as evolution. Certainly you must find contradiction in your spiritual beliefs with that of your scientific knowledge." "It is no secret as you yourself have found that I do in fact believe in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution" said Hugo "for I believe it explains much of our world. What people don't realize is the true context of the theory. Many believe that the theory is an explanation of Human evolution and that I agree with but as the church itself states there are two types of Humans. You have the faithful Genesian Catholics and then you have everyone else, the heretics. Haven't you ever my dear Earl where heretics come from in the first place? Why Catholics would split from the Holy Mother church? Well I have found that the theory of evolution explains just that. You see in the beginning it is as the bible tells us. God created Adam and Eve, our ancestors who went on the bare the righteous people we now call Genesian Catholics. It is we, their descendants that are the true faithful, the true children of God. However, if we were all of Adam an Eve it would not explain how some are so easily tempted to evil, to darkness. However, the theory of evolution helps to answer this question. You see it is my firm belief that all heretics in the world whether they be atheists, protestants, orthodox, or Islamic, are all the product of an evolution from the ape. I believe that Satan in his evil design and jealously of God, molded the ape into a copy of man in an attempt to infiltrate mankind and temp them to darkness. Of course these copies are just that, copies. They are not true humans, but subhuman creatures created from beasts to tempt us to darkness. That is why they broke off from the church to found these heretical religions in an attempt to draw up with them and away from God's true word. So you see in the proper context of the theory it makes perfect sense." "I must say Doctor, I would have never thought of it in that light" said Herbert "but now that you have explained it to me, it does make sense and answer a lot of previously under answered questions." "Well I am certainly glad to be of help and clear up any doubts you may have had with me" said Hugo as they rounded a corner. "Between you and me though I personally believe I am close to discovering the genetic difference between true humans and that of the copies. I hope to, in the near future, have a process by which we may screen people to see of what true species they are. For let us face it, anyone can lie and say that they believe in the church if only to try and get close to us to destroy us. However, with a method of screening genetics I will no with scientific proof who is and who is not telling us the truth." "I certainly look forward to such medical discoveries" said Herbert. "Of course in the mean time I hope to tackle more pressing issues such as cancer and diseases of this nature. In South America, in the small village I worked in it was hard to get the proper equipment and supplies needed. It was tough times in those days and I had to come up with my own methods of treating diseases. I do not wish to get into anything specific at the moment but I will say that what I soon discovered made the process of healing the sick far faster and in doing so I also help clean the earth of evil. That is why I cannot wait to begin work on board our medical ship fleet. The Tilius family have donate a large sum of money to have five former cargo barges refitted into state of the art medical ships. We will be sailing into less fortunate areas of the world, doing what we can and spreading the Catholic faith where we may." "Yes, you must be excited over the new fleet" said Herbert "though initially I will not lie I was not completely happy about the idea of helping heretic nations, I do see the opportunity such a good will gesture brings." "Yes, the opportunities are far greater than you could ever imagine my dear Earl.....far greater indeed...." |
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| NRE | Dec 5 2007, 04:30 PM Post #15 |
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The Palace at Acropolis, The Catholic Commonwealth... A gentle breeze fluttered into the large windows of the palace hallway. The drappery was pulled away and secured on either side of the large windows but still you could see the window try and pull them loose as if to dance with them. The echo of feet tapping rather briskly down the hallway could be heard throughout most of the nearby rooms of the calmly quiet palace. The three sets of foot steps were from three men making their way to the royal office of the palace. The men were dressed in black trench coast, body length and wore shinny black boots. Their hair was short, and finely kept and their hands covered with black leather gloves. They wore (though you could see) black dress pants and a black button up shirt with the white collar around their neck, the dress of a normal priest. The two men on either side of the third which walked in the center, where dressed this way. The man in the center was also dressed similarly with only a slight difference, he wore a beautifully crafted, solid gold and embroidered with jewels crucifix around his neck. Very heavy, it still slightly tapped against his chest as he walked down the hallway until the three made their destination and tapped on the solid oak door in front of them. "You may enter" said the slightly distorted voice of the Grand Nagus. The men entered as instructed and found the Grand Nagus behind a beautifully craved desk. His iron mask slightly glissended in the sunlight that poured through a nearby window as he looked up from his work and rose to meet his guests. Traveling around his desk to the front the three men approached him, fell to one knee and bowed their heads. The man in the middle spoke for the three. "Your graciousness, I have come as summoned" "As I knew you would Grand Inquisitor Certeau" said the Grand Nagus, motioning for the three men to rise. "I have been waiting for your report on the battle front." "The battle against heresy goes well your majesty" said André as he rose from his knee, the two men on either side followed suit. "To date we have found and convicted ten thousand heretics and burnt them at the stake. A thousand of them still await their punishment just outside the city limits, a testament to all heretics that Inquisition and the Church will not rest until they are all found." The Grand Nagus returned to his seat behind his desk. Grand Inquisitor Certeau and his two men approached closer to his desk. "And you did as I requested no doubt, when finding the heretics?" "Of course your excellency, we had them shipped to the Holy Cross Hospital at once for medical examinations. Those deemed in perfect health were left in the care of Dr. Hugo Rivero. The father of course sends his thanks and graditude to your majesty last I spoke with him. Those deemed unhealthy were of course returned to our custody where they were burnt at the stake. I have allowed nothing to go outside of what you have asked down with the convicts." "Then you have done well André, you have allow me to take comfort in my appointment of Grand Inquisitor. There is still much work to do I fear, as the reaches of heresy stretch far. We must not only purge the evils of the pagan Marinite faith but also that of the Colognians. However, I have faith that my inquisition will not fail me and that you will do everything within your power to fulfill God's wishes of us." "Of course your graciousness, I will do whatever is asked of me to the best of my abilities." "Then I can ask no more of you André, you may go now" The Grand Inquisitor along with the other two inquisitors that had accompanied him bowed and then left the room. A few minutes after the Grand Inquisitors exit, a second knock came at the door of the Grand Nagus. Again he instructed his guest to enter and this time a single man came through the doorway. He was a young African man of about 37 years of age. His face was aged a bit but still proved to be young in nature. Physically he was in the best of conditions, his face and hair were well kept and his cloths gave hints to tone muscles along his arms and chest. He wore a nice suit, perhaps not originally his, but it certainly fit him well. He entered the room a bit confused and made this apparent through his facial remarks. Respectively he bowed at the sight of the Grand Nagus and then took a seat at his desk when the Grand Nagus instructed him to do so. "I am glad to see that you have arrived without delay Johannes Whitmore and I am assured that you must have questions" said the Grand Nagus. Johannes sat silent for a minute since in truth he was quite nervous about the whole matter. He was never person to scare easily and most of the time he bore an iron will about him. However, like most of the population, he simply did not know what to think about their new leader. The man wore a mask, a mental mask over his entire face and head. The facial expression of the mask was cold, dark, and very distant. In many ways in was like a reflection of one's own inner being when looking at it, and many did not like what they saw. "I am told you are perhaps one of the finest politicians on the local level in this country. You graduated top of your class and if there were a legislative body for the national government you would be a fine choice to represent any area. I am told your strong of will and wise beyond your years. If all this is true then I can think of no other choice for such a position." "A position your majesty?" said Johannes as he broke from his own silence. "Yes, a position that will demand a great deal of yourself and one that will carry great importance. You see as time continues to track on I find this world of ours becoming more and more dangerous place. The agents of darkness, the soldiers of Satan work diligently to bring forth an end to all the church stands for and all it has built. Even now the righteous fight on in Catholic Europe to bring an end to Satan's evil and restore a Pope to the thrown. God save me once from sure death, a death no man could have escaped without his help, and brought me here to do his bidding. If I am to continue my work I must do so without delay, without the fear of being killed while out in public. Therefore I have decided to seclude myself to this palace where I can continue my work without problems. Of course by doing so the people may lose faith in me and that is why I have decided to create the position of Chancellor. It will be the Chancellor who will see to it personally that my decrees are carried out, which means you will see to just that." "Me your majesty" said Johannes with a stutter "surely there is some more noble blood who you would wish to carry this out?" "No, there is no other. I need someone of common stance, someone the people can relate to. Already the nobility has been given a taste of power and though I do not question allegiance of anyone I am not will to spare more power to them than I already have. They will continue to exert their power through the noble conclave, you will exert yours through a new legislative body I will create, the Senate. To be composed of a number of representatives from each section of the Commonwealth, it will give the people a voice to be heard, ensuring me their allegiance and passivism." The Grand Nagus paused a moment while he shuffled some papers on his desk. "However, never forget that your position is by appointment and that therefore you serve me and not the will of the Senate I create. All will be because I allowed to be and in that same respect I can also take away the gifts I will give. Swear your allegiance to me Johannes Whitmore and from this moment forward you will be my Chancellor." Johannes took in everything that the Grand Nagus had told him and then rose before knee to one knee. "I Johannes Whitmore to pledge my allegiance to this Commonwealth and therefore you, the Grand Nagus. My life and work will be devoted to you, the church, and the divine will of God" "Excellent, I am pleased that my decision and choice in you was not mistake. We have much work to do Chancellor and we cannot delay..." Edited by NRE, May 26 2010, 04:21 PM.
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11:32 AM Jul 13