Whispers and Screams

[Gwendolyn]

Koal wasn't sure what possessed him to leave the others, but every fiber of his being implied him to flee from them. They were dangerous, and would only succeed at distracting Koal from his mission. So here he was, swerving his way through the market area of Minas Tirith, haggling with some wizened old man, their good natured bargaining going back and forth, back and forth.

 The subject of their good-natured debate was a dog. Not just any dog though, this was a fine-bred hound. And Koal didn't actually want her, but he knew he needed to fit into the crowd, these people were still suspicious of the tall dark-haired teen, yet they felt more at ease because he played their game. It was a game of strategy, like chess, it was a give and take situation. In this case, the young man could tell he was fighting a losing battle, so he thanked the elder, and once more weaved himself into the mass of people milling in the street.

The sound of natural nothing metal drew Koal's attention to a small stand a few meters to his left. A blaksmiths' tent; Koal's hand involving flicked the sword that lay buckled to his right hip, the worn grip feeling almost perfect in his grasp. He drew the blade a couple inches out of its midnight sheath, the silver blade now nicked and waited under the weight of the blows delivered to it. He might as well get rid of it, it was nothin but a bad memory anyway.

"Excuse me, sir?" His voice was tenative yet sure, " If you could spare a moment of your time, I have a piece that I would like appraised."  The hulking mountain let his hammer fall a choice mitt times, before lifting up the white-hot blade and inspected it, his bearded face glowing slightly from the luminescent metal. He tossed out to the side, into a small trough of water, bubbles writing from the water with a violent hiss as the water comes his creation.

Koal felt the vibrations of the blacksmiths footprints as the man approached him, the black eyed muttering his violet ones as he still his hand out. 

" The names' Paul, young man. What do you have for me today?" He rubbed the palms of his hands together,a childlike glued filling his eyes as he regarded the blade in front of him. Koal looked the thin blade, the black sheath and hilt emitting a faint black aura. He was reluctant to give it up, and the Smith seemed to understand his plight.

" You've fought with it before, haven't you, young man?" His eyes were sympathetic and his tone gentle " It is a blade with much sentimental value, and you are hesitant to give it up. I understand, but I'm sure you have your reasons for wanting it gone, do you not?" Koal nodded his head, his voice stick in his throat as he started at the blade that had caused him so much pain, yet had defended him from so much.

" I...need it gone, sir, yet I'm not sure what I would do without it," the young teen let out a sigh, running a hand over his ragged face, " Just take it. I want nothing in return." He picked on a hell, then began his face through the crowd once more...

The South let out a sigh ass he gently created the blade, as one would create a newborn babe. " I hope ya find peace lad, I truly do."

[Gwendolyn]

A king's function on the board is a leadership role. A position of higher status and nobility. The Queen is the right hand of the King, his partner in leadership, and the most versatile player on the field. 

Tick

The role of the Bishop is one of endless angles, and is truly a hard piece to use effectively. They flank the King and Queen on the sides, protecting them from harm. The Knights are very important to the survival of the monarchs as well, often their first line of defense.

Tick

The Twin Castle are the pillars of the kingdom, providing strength and solidity to inspire the rest of the pieces. The pawns are often regarded as the weakest and most ineffective piece in the game, used as cannon fodder to thin an enemies defenses. But if you play the pieces right, they can be used in more important ways...

" Checkmate." Koal swept up the piece and dangled it in front of his opponents eyes. Said opponent frowned at him in mock anger, her golden eyes twinkling with laughter, a small smile gracing her lips. She brushed a stray stand of hair from her eyes, and leaned forward, picking the white chess piece from his hand before replacing it on the proper square. She rotated her body around in the chair, positioning her body in a way so her legs dangled off the side.

"Good, that means you're learning. A sharp mind is far superior to a strong body." She smirked at the young man, her eyebrows raising slightly, as he had a look of disbelief on his face at her eyes. 

"You don't believe me, then?" She rotated herself back to his front and get eyes narrowed into dangerous slots of molten gold. 

" I don't understand how you are gonna price a point by star-" he cut short as he felt her presence in his mind, but instead of the peace it would usually bring, pain and immobilization reigned supreme. He felt his body begin to move on its own accord. It moved in perfect synchronization with the movements of Leah's, and he felt his mouth twist into a grin as hers did the same. He regained function of his body as she released her hold on him. 

"Like so."

[Gwendolyn]

"Again."

The command echoed across his mind-scape as Leah once again withdrew from his mind, leaving his thoughts their usual color. The black-haired youth barred his teeth in the beginnings of a snarl, his party white fans, glinting in the dim candlelight. They had been at it for hours now, this sharpening of his mind. They would perform various exercises, often reviving around the defense or the adult of ones consciousness. 

"This is pointless!" He exclaimed, his voice raspy from disuse, " We've been sitting here, going for each others throats, and I haven't gotten any better!" He stood from his chair, the candle that has been reading on its arm teetering, almost falling to the floor. Leah fixed him with a calm gaze, her mouth set into a firm line.

" This is not pointless. In fact, this is the most important thing you have done." Her words effectively chastised the young man, his head bowing, and he sat back down, shifting the candle so it would sit upright. 

"I apologize, Madam, my patience has run thin and I allowed my emotions to rule my thoughts." Koal's violet orbs shut as he took a deep breath, the air shuddering in his lungs. " I believe I shall retire for the night." As he rose from his chair, shadows danced on the wall, featuring and turning in tandem with the flickering candle flame. Koal observed the small flame, and stretched a claw-hand towards the small luminescence and twisted the limb, extinguishing the flame. He placed the small candle on the desk, and quietly exited the room.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Leah signed as she watched her wars leave the study. He was troubled, and as good as he was at hiding it, and was better at breaking through his facade.

 " I wish he would talk about it. I'm sure if would he-"  She snapped her head to the window as she heard movement outside of it. She silently stood from her high-backed chair and stalked to the window, her golden eyes narrowed to slits and her wind extended slightly, the feathers bristled. She extended her mind, and felt a presence retreating.

She turned and drew the curtains, the light that spilled out onto the street went dark...

[Gwendolyn]

"He is vulnerable now, my lord. We must strike" A voice rang out, deep and sinister.

"I am aware, but we must bide our time. He will come to us once we make our presence known to him. The young demon will not be able to resist us." This voice was old and wizened, rasping over the words as if each one pained him to utter. His eyes were narrow and serpentine, a paralyzing yellow color and bloodshot. His skin hung off of his bones like rags, and he was immaculately dressed in crimson robes with a gold trim. His claw-hand was extended over an illuminated pit that glowed with an inner red light.

"And when he does find us, he won't stand a chance."

____________

Koal lay in his bed, his violet orbs fixed on the ceiling above him. This world reminded him so much of home, and his chest ached. His thoughts flashed back to his mother. His sweet, gentle mother who had taken care of him for his whole life. The image of her broken and lifeless body manifested itself whenever his eyelids fluttered shut. He could not show weakness when others were present, for he had to look strong in front of these people. And it hurt him, he could feel his heart slowly begin to die.

He could hear the door slowly click open as someone open the door to his small room. Footsteps gently fell on the wooden floor, and through his closed eyelids, Koal could hear them move to his side of the bed. A weight settled near the midsection, and he felt a hand begin to run itself through his hair, soothing his raw emotions and nerves. 

"Just because you've blocked me from your mind, doesn't mean I'm not strong enough to feel your emotions, young one." The melodic voice of his teacher and best friend made its way into his hearing. She sounded quieter and more melancholy than usual as if his state of mind was affecting her too. Koal felt guilt flood his being at his thoughts. He didn't want to hurt anyone. No one should have to bear the pains of his creation.

He bit back a sob, and his body shuddered with the effort of keeping the cry within himself. Tears carved their way down the surface of his face silently, glistening in the twilight of the room. He felt someone wipe the tears from his face before everything faded to black.

[Gwendolyn]

"Haven't you ever heard the expression, The clothes make the man?"

"Yes, but I never believed it, if I'm being perfectly honest with you," Koal grumbled under his breath, tugging awkwardly at the new clothes his mentor had forced him into. He was standing tall in front of a full-body mirror, Leah bustling about making sure everything fit right. He was now wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, with a jet black t-shirt, and a black scarf. How the hell she had wrestled him into it, Koal had no idea. He had kept a hold of his mask if only to put it on if he needed to conceal his identity. Koal smacked Leah's hand away from his face as she tried to reach up and 'fix' his hair.

"Enough! Seriously, If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to molest me." Koal huffed out, running a hand through his black hair, and his violet eyes narrowing at the shorter woman. She pursed her lips and glared at him, backing off.

"Fine, excuse me for trying to make you look nice, ungrateful brat." She mumbled the last part under her breath, but Koal still caught it amid the noises of the early morning market noise. He and Leah were staying in a local tavern by the name of Mead Hall if his memory served. Housing here was relatively expensive, and Koal had a feeling that they wouldn't stay here for too long anyway. Waving over his shoulder, he called out a farewell to Leah.

"I'm going out for a while, see you later." He talked, trying to make himself heard over the commotion outside. He heard a muffle reply through the walls of the small room. Closing the door behind him, he nodded a polite greeting to the young maid, and waved a greeting to the barkeep. Sitting on a stool, he motioned to the bartender, who promptly filled a shot glass with whiskey. 

Throwing back his head, he grimaced as the liquid burned its way down his throat. He heard footsteps behing him as the door to the bar opened, and a cold feeling washed over him, and he froze. 

"Thats some strong stuff, you sure you can handle it, boy?" The voice of Darth Nihilus mocked.

[Beta Ray Bill]

Nihilus hoped up and sat beside Koal.  "Long time no see Koal, last I heard you killed a bunch of stormtroopers, you do know you have a bounty right"  Nihilus said with a laugh. Koal slammed three more shots of whisky. " If they want my head they can come and get"  Koal was tripping by then. Nihilus had a shot him self. " Now to business it's time for me to train you in the arts of combat, deception, and strategy, but first there is more the Force has granted my foresight and there are thing we must talk about in private" Nihilus said in a whisper. Koal was now focused on his master.