[After the snow melted, Xue Yang would find a small wrapped bundle in the hollow underneath the repaired gravestone. Inside was a boot knife made completely from antler that was as sharp a steel that lacked any tool marks as it had been necromantically crafted. Unfortunately, it whitish have the durability of steel.
[ It goes out to all of them, instinct, in the closing instant of the eternity of awful crystalline silence between the severing and whatever comes next. He's not expecting an answer from all of them, knows logically there are a few who won't be able to respond - not instantly, if at all. But he asks because he has to know. Because if he doesn't ask now he might ask never, and he can't have that. He can't. ]
[There is a lot to process as he gets freed from the control. What has transpired doesn't bother him. Remembering what he went through and the fact that someone actually controlled his mind in such a way is what has him more unhinged. And he certainly wasn't expecting to suddenly be contacted by someone who experienced the same things.]
Definitely not.
[Not that he expects there is anything anyone can do or say to make it better.]
I don't know what I expect of the law in this place.
[ Yes and no. They've been harsh on lesser crimes than theirs. How far torture and wrested control will go to protecting them from repercussions he has frankly no idea. ]
I know you don't need my protection. But if they ask something of you that you can't stomach, remember you aren't on your own.
[ It's not intended to be as blunt as it comes out, but he means it. At the very least, he has one more person on his side now, but Stephen doesn't doubt it'll be more than that as they each start emerging from the woodwork. ]
I haven't burned anything else or destroyed any more kitchen items so the cookbook has certainly done its job to that point. I haven't made it through the whole book yet though.
A Cavalier is a necromancer's sworn sword. They support and protect the adept, fight in tandem on the battlefield, supply extra thalergy to the adept if necessary, champion their adept in duels, and die for their adept if needed. It's the highest ranking swordsman in my culture.
I am not just a necromancer. I don't require what a common adept does. What I need is someone who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, stand next to me against my enemies, and work toward creating political stability for the Duchess. That may involve shedding of blood or other clandestine activities.
You see, Xue Yang, the Duchess has agreed to teach me Resurrection when this Rubean split is settled. So we will help that process along.
Interesting. I certainly have interests in the resurrection given my experience with the dead. And I've never been afraid to get my hands bloody. So it seems we have a deal.
Excellent. I will keep an additional journal in Rubean regarding my teachings with the Duchess once they begin so you'll be able to read it. In fact, I'll start it today with my preliminary observations and hypotheses based off of the task she asked I complete to prove I was skilled enough. I'll also outfit you with any equipment you may need.
I would like you to take the cavalier oath: One Flesh, One End with the exchange of blood upon our lips.
Just let me know when it needs to be done. I don't exactly have a lot of activities taking up my time right now. I'm available for whatever is required.
I prefer them to be the same. Keeps the balance. The blade I used at home could be slit into two and connected in the middle to create a long two sided blade. I could use it many ways because the two sides were identical.
That will take a bit longer. The Rubeans aren't that knowledgeable in swordsmithing. Getting a proper tri-dagger was hard enough. I'll see what I can do.
There are...or were...some skilled void touched that could make a decent blade. But there is no rush. As I said, I've got one that will do what is needed for now.
Ooh how exciting. It can be used in a number of ways. The results depend on how you use it. It can be dispersed in the air, drank in tea, placed on a blade…give me more details and I will tell you all you need.
If I choose to employ it, there is one target adept at defending himself through magical means. I'd like to minimize bystanders becoming fierce zombies but some collateral damage is acceptable.
Do you think you could get him to ingest it? If you aren’t concerned with collateral damage, handing out samples to a group would eliminate any suspicions.
Best time for airborne contagion is when the air is already heavy. Fog for example. Masks the sight of it in the air.
And what would be the ideal spot? I would think neck at the carotid, but I recall you mentioning using spikes at the base of the skull to control a fierce corpse.
It worked quite well. But once the spike was removed, the control over the corpse was lost. Blood can also lead to the brain so you could strike the place where all blood goes.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Graveyard Drop
Date: 2023-08-04 03:06 (UTC)There was also a single apple.]
slendy death day
Date: 2024-01-21 21:50 (UTC)[ It goes out to all of them, instinct, in the closing instant of the eternity of awful crystalline silence between the severing and whatever comes next. He's not expecting an answer from all of them, knows logically there are a few who won't be able to respond - not instantly, if at all. But he asks because he has to know. Because if he doesn't ask now he might ask never, and he can't have that. He can't. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-22 04:05 (UTC)Definitely not.
[Not that he expects there is anything anyone can do or say to make it better.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-23 13:40 (UTC)Safe?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-24 05:04 (UTC)Do you expect to be punished?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-24 20:11 (UTC)[ Yes and no. They've been harsh on lesser crimes than theirs. How far torture and wrested control will go to protecting them from repercussions he has frankly no idea. ]
I know you don't need my protection. But if they ask something of you that you can't stomach, remember you aren't on your own.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-25 03:23 (UTC)[But maybe considering it was several of them and not just him...perhaps he is safe.]
There is very little I can't stomach but I"ll keep that in mind.
I'm not used to people wanting to help me...
no subject
Date: 2024-01-26 11:39 (UTC)[ It's not intended to be as blunt as it comes out, but he means it. At the very least, he has one more person on his side now, but Stephen doesn't doubt it'll be more than that as they each start emerging from the woodwork. ]
I mean it. Call if you need
no subject
Date: 2024-01-27 04:03 (UTC)You as well.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-02 11:01 (UTC)[ He means that, too. ]
Text
Date: 2024-05-22 22:32 (UTC)Re: Text
Date: 2024-05-28 02:11 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 02:19 (UTC)If you're interested in a formal alliance, I would like to take you on as a Cavalier.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 02:24 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 02:45 (UTC)I am not just a necromancer. I don't require what a common adept does. What I need is someone who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, stand next to me against my enemies, and work toward creating political stability for the Duchess. That may involve shedding of blood or other clandestine activities.
You see, Xue Yang, the Duchess has agreed to teach me Resurrection when this Rubean split is settled. So we will help that process along.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 02:53 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 03:04 (UTC)I would like you to take the cavalier oath: One Flesh, One End with the exchange of blood upon our lips.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 03:25 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 03:31 (UTC)Do you have a steel sword? I can't recall. If not, I'll present you with one.
no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 03:34 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 03:47 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 05:58 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-28 11:00 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 02:56 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 03:06 (UTC)[ooc: Peony's player agreed to witness the oath. We can handwave it if you want.]
no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 03:35 (UTC){ ooc: Good either way! If you want to play it out thats cool, but handwave is good too~. He is grateful to have a purpose again lol}
no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 03:37 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-05-31 03:46 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-17 12:36 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-25 01:22 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-25 01:28 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-25 23:08 (UTC)Best time for airborne contagion is when the air is already heavy. Fog for example. Masks the sight of it in the air.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-26 15:55 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-04-01 00:51 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-04-01 00:56 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-04-01 01:00 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-04-01 01:05 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-04-01 01:06 (UTC)After the Side Quest
Date: 2025-05-12 18:36 (UTC)Re: After the Side Quest
Date: 2025-05-23 05:00 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-05-23 09:51 (UTC)He and I are family or I'd do it myself. Luckily Vesenya Lovti has it open season on traitors.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-26 02:03 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-05-26 03:03 (UTC)