The Negotiations Continue....
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 19943
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The night was wanning and the pale-blue moon hung low on the misty
horizon. Queen Astra had always dreaded the day this moment would come,
the moment she had known would come for years. The moment she must choose
the lesser of two great evils. She paced the floor of her chambers, her
mind racing. There had to be some other way of winning the long, hellish
war without selling out to the Allarians. The thought of men dwelling in
Themyscira under an Allarian flag sickened her. How had things come to
this!?? And yet, there seemed no other way. The day before she had received the news that Irysopolis-on-the-Hill had been laid seige by the Salmonshire- MalBoncton Alliance. It was only a matter of time before they would make their way into central Aqualaria, the jungles and fortresses that had served to keep her people safe for so many years were crumbling and burning before her eyes. She knelt down in front of a window and began to pray to the spirits of her ancestors...
**** The next morning dawned hazy and humid...Charles D'Honaire was preparing for the rigorous duties the day ahead held for him. The sooner these negotiations were resolved, the better. But it was a complicated process... "I think we are in a good position, the Aqualarians have no other choice but to succumb to our demands! They face starvation and invasion if they don't!" Consuled Aldhelm the Advisor, seated at a large table along with the ambassador and other officials of the Allarian Court. "And there is still the matter of the accursed Barrier of the Queens along the Forsaken Coast. If they expect any aid, their Queen must lift this magical barrier so that our ships may harbour on Aqualarian shores safely! Other than the Tumbar Road and the sea, there is no other way to move an army of any great size to these southern regions. Now, they are an old and proud people, but they will yield if we apply more pressure. I advise we enforce further sanctions and trade-taxes until the Queen signs the treaty.""I don't think that will be necassary." Charles replied, reading over the latest reports. "It appears the city of Irysopolis is under seige. Once it falls there will be nothing to stand between the invading force and the city of Themyscira. The time is ripe for an Allarian takeover, I belive the Princess will be most cooperative in this matter..." Just then there was a poof of smoke over the table. An instant later a man with a snow-white beard and dirty robes was standing in the same spot."Good morning, gentlemen! Allow me to introduce myself, I am Caldor the Mage, master of the third eye and prophet extrodinaire!" "GUARDS!!!" Charles reached for his sword but was stopped short by some unseen force."I'm afraid your guards are taking a short nap, which gives us plenty of time to talk! Now listen up, for what I am about to tell you is of the upmost importance. Remember every word, for I will only say this once..." There was utter silence in the room."Much better! Now where was I? Oh yes! Oh wait...I forgot...I'm dreadfully sorry, I'll be back when I remember!" *POOF!*Caldor was gone. Suddenly the assembled Allarians went into an uproar as they found themselves free of the mage's spell (at least temporarily).*POOF!* There was Caldor, once again. "I remember now! I...errr....Oh, fiddlesticks! I forgot again! Sorry!"*POOF!* And no Caldor...*POOF!* "I've got it! Oh wait...no I don't...."*POOF!* Empty air above the table....*POOF!* "Right! Okay, I've really got it now! I must tell you that...something, something...Blast it! I've lost it again!"*POOF!* The room was growing very smokey by now...*** In a quiet, shadowy corner of Karvol..."Our informants have advised us that the Allarians and Aqualarians are close to striking up some sort of deal. The details are sketchy right now, but what we do know is that Queen Astra herself has been sent here to negotiate with the Allarian ambassador." The raspy voiced man lowered his tone. "We've set spies and assassins throughout their compound, and now await what further move the BMC desires us to take. Shall we kill the Queen and ambassador now, or wait until we learn more?" "The orders from Walants are clear: Kill them now."The raspy voiced man bowed his head. "Aye, m'lord." *** Pageboy Fred crept through the forest underbrush at an easy pace, taking care to break no twig or limb. He finally had a short amount of time for himself, and he was determined to track down one of the infamous blue boar's of the south that were said to dwell in these very hills and woodlands near the skirts of the Shrekken. He was pretty sure he could handle one of these pigs, he had hunted dozens back in his homeland of Suffex. He had his spear ready as he searched the trees and ground for any sign.~ I mean, how much bigger can these boars be than the one's I've hunted near Semper Wood?~ He thought. (Alot bigger, actually) Caldor's strange words were still playing in his head, but he was finally able to focus his mind and block the memory of the night before and that intrusive mage.A rustling in some bushes ahead caught his attention...
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7/2/2002 6:08:12 PM
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