Fate's Emergence

•] XXIX [•

"Because I Could Not Stop For Death"

Nine voices ring out in the dark , discussing heinous crimes committed by an unknown assailant . "He must die !" The room was rich with incense of myrrh and ripe juniper . "We must hear him out first !"

"Kill the boy now." They called , shouting over one another , there was no clear indictment brought forth . "This high chamber will not fall victim to tyranny , we will bring him forth for his crimes then allow the waters of veracity to judge him ." One voice spoke above the others .

"If I may be so bold to approach your council if you would kindly dispatch me , I'd be more than happy to visit him personally ." A subordinate cooed , coaxing them into agreeance .

"I'll travel with you , I've missed the outworld ever so deeply ." An elderly voice rang , and a glimpse of light shined through an unforgiving passageway . The stranger slowly climbed from its high pedestal towards the shroud servant . "Then we should be on our way , old friend ."

The two linked arms , leaving the others to converse over their every whim . "And what would you have us to do with Ares ?" One mumbled to another . "We let him seek his carnage" Another replied , the door creaked as our two voyagers closed it shut behind them , leaving any light from either side to drift away into nothingness .

"Those merciless fools , nonetheless , we should get to Middle Earth as soon as possible , mind opening your infamous threshold ." With no further instruction , the servant waved her hadn't around in the darkness and pulled forth a doorway of great magnitude from thin air .

"You never cease to amaze me." The old man spoke tenderly to his companion .

On the island , they stumbled and bumped through the forest . "Not our best entrance ," the servant mumbled as they journeyed through this unfamiliar territory . Without warning her traveling companion had transmitted from a roaring dragon to a harmless serpent . "Not a bad look you know ." The servant whispered , leading them toward The Encampment .

As they pushed on they heard voices amid the songs of nature , their ears honing in on the conversation .

Barqael was hard at work training , he kept a boulder balance on his back whilst in a planking position . "You know , this might be the most I've ever seen you apply yourself ," Nau'Jour said with a chuckle , he'd been twitling a splinter in his fingers for hours .

"And I've never seen you apply yourself at all ." Barqael snarled , he'd grown tired of being the fat prince , eating from the spoils of knightly sisters . He'd never gone through the rigorous training , but he'd been taught with the highest degree of care about his world . He'd be damned if his mother's years of tutelage went without proof .

With each passing minute , he shaved milligrams from the ten-ton boulder . "How could you bare such a weight ?" Barqael ignored his words , and continued with pinpoint focus . As his body shook and jolted underneath the immense pressure . He turned part of his focus towards his breathing and the rest on keeping his balance .

Nau'Jour huffed and decided to join in on the workout , he jumped to a branch and began to curl his body in the shade .

     Yet as the boys were working ferociously , many of the others were resting in the warmth of the sun . "Alizae , may I have a word with you ?" Unslaad croaked with a smile .

     "What can I do for you ?" She asked , getting up from her place in the shade . Marisol followed swiftly behind with curiosity . "Where are we going ?" She prodded and pestered .