Age of Nightmares

[Aldebaran]

Aldebaran turned slightly, his four assistants making sure they were well out of the way of the Queen and Eltana, keeping to the shadows as they silently waited for their leader. As the Queen sauntered up to Draken, Aldebaran watched. So she has moments of clarity? Or is she simply acting on those ridiculous voices? Aldebaran frowned as Draken retorted, his reply sounding more like an unsure plea. For a moment, he stood there, then he glanced to Eltana.

"Perhaps...I could send one of my men out with him?"

"Oooh! Me, me!" Shouted a voice from behind Aldebaran. He glanced slowly over his shoulder, an amused smile forming as Albafika smiled brightly, his arms raised over his head.

"I can fly! I can scout the area out!" He said with a merry voice. Aldebaran chuckled lightly and held a hand up. Immediately, Albafika quieted and shrank back in place, his arms behind his back. Geffil chuckled deeply, placing a hand on the blond youth's head.

"Now, now Alba. Just wait until Lord Aldebaran gives you an order. You wouldn't want to speak out of line and attract Lord Eltana's anger, now would you?" Geffil bellowed. Albafika pouted and nodded slowly. Aldebaran smiled and nodded once, then looked to Eltana.

"That's of course if our assassin here can't handle the job..."

[Eltana Remarque]

Eltana was just as surprised as Draken, though he managed to maintain his composure a whole lot better. At first he thought the deranged woman was acting on one of her insane whims, but when he looked to the corpse she was speaking to and saw it smiling back at him, he knew there was a deeper significance to the order.

"Send one of your men out with him..." he parroted, a pensive expression crossing his face as he closed his eyes.

"Allow the youth to accompany him," a familiar voice echoed in his head. "Prince Eros is a threat to our plans and cannot be allowed to live. And I have a feeling our winged friend isn't up for the job."

Eltana opened his eyes and looked to Aldebaran. "You may allow Albafika to accompany Draken," he said, his eyes traveling over to the assassin. "And if you ever disrespect Queen Marcelle like that again, you will be heading straight to the Blood Chamber."

Queen Marcelle lost interest in Draken then and returned to her throne. She rested her head against the table, going completely silent, her purpose fulfilled.

[Draken]

Draken glanced at him in disapproval. He had always gone solo, always having the thought in the back of his mind that anyone else would hold him back or compromise safety. His attention was turned back to Eltana, to whom he bowed quickly once more. "Yes, my lord. Any other requests, or shall I depart now?" He asked.

[Aldebaran]

Albafika's eyes lit up as he hopped forward to Aldebaran, smiling brightly.
"Really? I can go? Lord Aldebaran, can I really go?" Aldebaran looked to the side where Albafika was staring up at him like a little boy getting ready to open a present. He smiled and looked at Eltana, slowly nodding his head.

"If Lord Eltana wishes it, then yes you may go. But Albafika, this is a very important mission you're to go on," he warned, turning back to the oddly butterfly-esque clad armored young man. Albafika nodded feverishly. "But you must be careful as well..."

"Of course, Lord Aldebaran! I'm not worried with you around!" Albafika tittered. He then walked up to Draken with a bright smile. He was just like a boy meeting new friends.

"Assassin Draken! I'm honored to work with you!" Albafika said. But he could see Draken was uncomfortable with his presence and only wanted to leave. He turned back to the three other assistants and shrugged, making Geffil chuckle, Jamir roll his eyes, and Corcassax bring up an armored clad hand to block a minor smirk. Aldebaran then looked to Eltana, giving him another respective bow.

"Well then, if you will, I think I'll retire to my quarters now..."

[Eltana Remarque]

Brushing back a loose strand of ebony hair, Eltana looked on with mild amusement as Albafika pestered Draken. He noticed that Draken seemed upset over the young man accompanying him on his mission; which was perfectly understandable, for assassins were a solitary breed. But truth be told, he could not care less about how Draken felt about it. Someone needed to make sure he completed his mission.

"That is all, you are dismissed," he said to Draken, turning away from him. The sooner that insignificant little insect got out of his sight, the better. He doubted he tolerate his presence for another minute.

Focusing his attention on Aldebaran, he continued, "Then I shall take my leave, as well. If you need anything, I will be in my office in the Blood Chamber. I bid you good night." With that, he gave the new general and his loyal servants a respectful nod and departed from the ruined grand hall.

-exit Eltana-

Queen Marcelle had once again left the throne and now lay on her side against the wall, fast asleep. Her dreams were haunted by visions of her dear Osirus, fighting his final battle against Aden and being crushed under the weight of his behemoth. That horrible vision, among others, would keep her tossing and turning in agony all night.

[Draken]

Once Eltana left the hall, Draken looked up and studied his accomplice a bit further, but there was nothing he had missed during the first glance. Of course, Eltana would pick the most ridiculous looking one of the bunch. He raised a brow as he surveyed his armor. "Don't you have anything a bit more...Stealthy?" he asked, sounding skeptical. "You look like a peathingy. And your hair screams 'kill me!'." Sarcasm. It's a package-deal that comes with adolescence.

[Aldebaran]

As Eltana took his leave, Aldebaran glanced at his personal knights, giving them a slight nod. Each, in turn, repeated the sign before their leader left as well. Now, all who were left was the crazed Queen, Draken, and the four knights. Whirling around to face the one speaking to him, Albafika gave him a bright smile until Draken had finished his harsh observation. When he had finished, Albafika frowned, thrusting his hands on his hips.

"Wow...You're mean when you actually talk!" He whined, frowning. Throwing a hand in the air to dismiss the thought, Albafika began to walk circles around the assassin, an aloof expression on his face.

"I'll have you know, little assassin, that Lord Aldebaran chose me to be part of his knights because of my skills of tracking," he said, suddenly turning on the assassin. He giggled and moved extremely close to Draken, smiling brightly.

"I am an insect shade, silly. I can see and hear things you can't even begin to think of. Sure, you've got wings little Malengeli, but we already know your skills of assassination are a bit...lacking, wouldn't you say, Geffil?" Young Albafika mocked, turning to the largest knight out of them all. The huge Geffil chuckled and nodded.

"You'd be right! We already know how you messed up with the assassination of the spy from the Order. Its no wonder why Lord Eltana would want our help! Bahahahaha!" Geffil's loud guffaw echoed in the dark room.

[Draken]

Draken balled his fists and cracked his knuckles as he glared harshly at him, mostly reacting on the word 'Malangeli'. "How dare you call me that!-" He began, but was quickly cut off when he mentioned his most recent failure- two months ago, and his expression dropped to that of shock, and slight panic. "W-What...How did you know about that?" He said, stepping away from Albafika.

[Aldebaran]

Albafika smiled. Only, this time it wasn't the smile of a precocious little boy. Instead, this smile was snake-like, filled with poison and spite. He brought his hands together, lacing his fingers together as he giggled.

"You want to know? Why...Lord Aldebaran told us, of course. You think Lord Aldebaran is just some meager man?" Albafika stepped back towards Geffil and the others, the four of them staring at Draken with a creepy glare.

"Lord Aldebaran is a God. He has the ability to gain whatever information he wishes. He will one day rule this kingdom and everyone in it...With that blubbering idiot Osirus out of the way, Lord Aldebaran will slowly move into the heart of this castle and take this kingdom for himself..." Albafika tittered. Corcassax frowned and reached forward, grabbing Albafika's shoulders with a tight grip, making the blond knight turn towards him.

"Don't speak anymore, you fool. Lord Aldebaran doesn't need everyone knowing whats going on. Just get on with the mission," he hissed, shoving Albafika forward. Albafika frowned, stumbling towards Draken, frowning at the long haired knight behind him. But after a moment, his coy smile was replaced with a lighter one, turning back to Draken.

"So, let's get going then! When we succeed, maybe Lord Eltana will find it in his heart to forgive you for your previous mistakes, eh?"

[Draken]

Draken listened, at first horrified but his expression slowly transformed until finally he was exchanging grins with Albafika. "So you know why I would be nervous about that one particular failure, then. But to you, that was a favor." He laughed, patting Albafika on the back. "Lead the way, my lord," he said with a grin.

(gah! my posts are crap lately)

[Aldebaran]

Albafika frowned, not sure what to take of Draken's reply. However, he quickly shrugged it off and turned to his fellow knights.

"I'll be back! Don't let Lord Aldebaran get in trouble now!" He said. Geffil laughed loudly.

"Aww, come now little buddy, we wouldn't let a single fly land upon him. Now do us some good and get out there," he bellowed. Then, without warning, the three disappeared into the shadows leaving Albafika and Draken. Turning to the assassin, Albafika smirked.

"Well...age before beauty," he chuckled.

Ooc: Lol. That's alright. Anyhow, we can move this up into the mountains in a bit. We can join the Eros and Titania thread in a bit. I'll let you know when that happens, alright?