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The Twelfth Kingdom Part 2

The Ouhta Council is about to meet on Returana, the twelve leaders are about to enter the council chambers to begin the meeting. Their trusted bodyguards and advisors are not allowed to attend the meeting, they are allowed to stay in their assigned palace, or to roam the island, anyone who breaks this rule and tries to sneak into the meeting will be severely punished.

To clarify, only Meret of Emerald, Serenity of Diamond, Vanniel of Pearl, Molan of Peridot, Emra of Sapphire, Thisa of Aquamarine, Saria of Amethyst, Merle of Topaz, Patrice of Garnet, Anka of Ruby, Ashalind of Opal, and Althea of Zircon will be allowed to attend the meeting.

Please feel free to start with any introductory posts (to your arrival at Returana and checking out the accommodation) whenever you can.

Also: The RP is now closed for any new side characters, they aren't really necessary for the meeting, however once we continue (no doubt with Part 3) I will open it up for more characters.

((My, it sure is silent on the forums.. sigh. It seems that I am the only one here during the day = still no freaking job.. bleh.))

The sky had turned into a muddy thick grey. Clouds were shifting quickly, drifting in a restless way, the sea supported countless white 'sheeps' riding its waves. Yet no thunder or lightening erupted. It was like everything held its breath.

Expect for the passengers on the pieced-together Topaz ship. The sails bolted up so much, that Merle thought they were going to tear.

"Are you sure they are not going to rip?"

Merle looked back at Gradia, who was clasping the ropes (quite desperatly) that made up the fences at the edge of the boat.

"At least we are going into the right direction."

The last few days, they had faced troubles with their drinking supplies. When the Topaz coast had long gone out of view, the water became undrinkable. Luckily being Topaz citizen all them could go without water for a longer period then common men.. or women for that matter.

One night, Merle had noticed the Raven again.. but the upcoming storm and heavy winds had swept the bird of the deck.

Now Merle was sure something was twarthing his journey. He felt more conscerned now.. about Topaz and his remaining family.

For how long already? Had it been twarthing Topaz?

He eyed the shores of Returnata, that were slowly coming into the view. He had never seen the island himself, now that he could view it better, he noticed that the shores they were approaching, weren't sandy like the Topaz ones.

Pointy rocks stuck up, grey and sinister, the water wildly crashed against them.

A sailor shouted, another too now.

Merle frowned, growing more anxious now.

"I think we're approaching from the wrong side," Gradia suddenly said.

Yet the ship raced on, spurned by the heavy winds.

Something, definitly unnatural, was not only twarthing them, it was putting up a good attempt to kill them.

((For time's sake, I'll just say Aquamarine and Peridot have been sailing for awhile now.))

"Your highness, Returana has just come into view on the horizon."

Thisa awoke from her catnap, and looked ahead. Indeed the rocky coast of Returana was visible, and she saw what appeared to be another ship close to the landmass. Despite the intensity of the situation, her uneasyness around people not of her kingdom, and the storm brewing above, she was quite relaxed. She nodded at the messenger and told him to alert Molan as well, and continued to gaze ahead. The weather pattern was quite unusual; the storm was clearly bothering the other vessel, but there was little trouble with Molan's craft. Perhaps this was one the work of the demons Diamond warned her about?

Either way, life on board the Peridotian ship was not too stressful. The Aquamarinians, who only needed the extra air the crystal gave them while in the mountains, were only restless at being around unfamiliar things and people. She couldn't tell if the Peridotians were effected at all, but they seemed alright.

Emra shielded her eyes against the sun.
"I can't believe we are here Althea." She sighed wistfully, Queen Emra admitted to herself that she felt so powerful, among all these leaders- soon to have the council.
The ship had just docked and Emra had wandered down to the coastline.

((Ugh, short post. Hope the entire thing is alright Lillie...ugh ugh ugh I have been so busy >.<))

[November is a dreadfully busy month for me, I'm afraid. I'm struggling with school at the moment but hope that I will be back on a more regular basis in December. For now, I'll be on and off, so just carry on without me. Apologies for the short posts.]

The Lady nodded, but said nothing. She knew that she should be feeling dignified and absorbing the importance of all that was happening, but frankly, she was just relieved that their journey had finally ended. She was no sailor and Althea was positive she would be sick if she opened her mouth now. That was a humiliation she would rather not deal with.

Noticing his Lady's face, which was an interesting shade of pale green, Dev grinned to himself. He was more accustomed to sea voyages, having travelled on ships on his last trip up to shore, and was not suffering the same nausea that Althea evidently felt. It made Althea seem more vulnerable, more human, and less like the calm, cool queen she usually was.

As she scuttled off the ship as quickly as she could, Dev realized with a shock that he liked to see Althea lose her composure.

Interesting discovery, he thought. Perhaps I should tease her some more, just to see what will happen.

((Ugh... this week... I won't be able to post... and I doubt Rachel will either, this coming week is filled with our yearly exams. The week after however... ))

[whoo.]

Saria and Wolf had been left alone for the whole journey. The man of few words, whose name evaded Saria at every possible turning point, had offered to take them right to their destination, adding that wherever it was, there they would go. Saria had readily agreed, and made plans to tell them where she was headed, but then she realised that wasn't such a good idea after all. She had requested to be dropped off at the nearest isle to Returana she knew of, which was the isle of Topaz.

Saria had found herself stranded on Topaz. Her limited money supplies weren't going to buy her a boat, and she didn't trust anyone enough to sail her there. She stuck out like a sore thumb with her green clothing. She did not dress like Topazians tended to, and she got a lot of stares from the people who lived there.

One of these stares was from a man who was willing to help her in every way possible. He'd shop for her clothes, dress her like a Topazian, and even provide money for her, and soon, Saria grew to trust him and like him in such a way that she asked him if he knew how to get to Returana. He had clapped his hands and did a vague jig, before purchasing a small boat and informing Saria that he could sail, and sail well.

And here they were now. Saria and the man, whose name, Saria was well-informed, was Taylor, were nearing Returana. Saria was at the front of the little boat, with Taylor standing next to her. Suddenly, the island of Returana loomed into view, and Saria pointed. "There!" she cried. "I can see the island!"

"Told you I could sail," Taylor replied, and smiled. Saria smiled back. She had not told Taylor why she was going to Returana, nor who she was, but every time Taylor looked at her, there was a look in his eyes that seemed to say, 'I know who you are.' It made Saria nervous, but they had a good friendship and she didn't want to ruin it.

The little ship docked soon enough, and Saria leapt out of the boat onto the sand. It was harder, grittier than she had expected. Taylor jumped down next to her. "Would you give me a hand?" he asked. "I just need to pull the boat up out of the water, in case there's a storm."

Saria nodded, and Taylor got out some rope. He threw it around the boat and together Saria and Taylor dragged the boat further up the shore. They were both dressed as Topazians, the bounding black wolf around them.

[Waiting on ria so I can post about David. ^-^]

((Getting some life back here. ))

The boat speeded at an agonizing pace through the wild waters. Merle stared at the coast coming nearer. He heard Gradia curse. The sailors were trying had managed to put in one sail, the other, smallest creaked, caught wind, causing the ship to turn slightly.

Now the side of the ship was facing towards the rocks, the wild waves crashing in it on the other side.

This can't be good. Merle still thought, when bracing himself.

With a thumb, the vessel hit an underwater rock. For a moment there was no movement, but the golves rocking the boat gently.

Merle looked up, apparently, they were stranded, but yet, they had to get off quickly now. Even an non sea faring man as himself could see, that the ship would tipple over soon.

The coast didn't look far off.. yet he knew swimming wasn't an option. He peaked through the gushing streams of rain that started to drop, discovering another ship.

It was the first time Dagger had ever been on a ship. It was quite a big ship too, to fit Ash, Isabella, Vann ten sailors and himself comfortably. He was very impressed.
Leaning over the side, he could see fish jumping in the water. Not like the ones that he used to catch in the lake, but bigger and more colourful.

Behind him, Ash and Isabella stayed in a small cabin. They had not been out for hours, but Vann stayed out, helping the men tend to the ship. She had demonstrated impressive knowledge of medicine, when she had tended to some of the sailors.

Dagger wandered around the ship, not being able to help becuase he didn't know how to. Suddenly a man called to him excitedly. Looking up, Dagger saw an island in the distance. Not just an island but other ships surrounding it. Walking over to Vann, he tugged on her sleeve to get her attention, to tell her the good news.

Vann turned to the excited boy with a questioning eyebrow. "What?" she glared slightly at Dagger, the cheerful boy annoyed her, as did many of the people here. But he and Isabella annoyed her more than most.

Dagger didn't seem to notice Vann's irritation. "We're approaching Returana!" He grinned happily, suddenly his eyes lit up, "I have to tell Isabella and Ash!" Before she could reply the boy had run off to the cabin.

Rushing inside, and slamming the door open, Dagger bounded into the cabin happily. "Guess what gi-" he was startled when a boomerang whacked him in the head, a screech accompanying it, "Close the door Dagger you moron!"

((Since Trin hasn’t been posting I’ll fast forward our bit a little…))

<center>Anka</center>
Anka stood on the deck of his ship, looking over the side of the ship. He looked upon the Island of Returana.
Everything was so… green. The sun was so bright, bear in mind Anka barley left the mountains except during trade negotiations.

The events of yesterday were better left forgotten. The King and High council Leader had formed an uneasy truce.
Anka had been wondering, for a while now, why Sierra had chosen to accompany him. Only the King, Anka, could attend the meeting. He believed the council now wanted to keep tabs on him.

The boat was slowing, and came to a halt. Other boats were around, it seemed other leaders were also arriving.
“Sire, we have arrived.” said one of the servants.
“I’d have never guessed.” he said sarcastically.

And with that Anka’s ship moored, and he took his first step onto the Island.

<center>Bella</center>

“What… happened?” She asked.
“You had a fall my Queen.” said one the servants as the rest rushed to help her onto the bed.

“But… Where’d she go?” She asked them.
“Who my lady?” the servant asked her.
“No… No-one…”

The servants stared at each other, looking confused. The Queen had obviously hit her head.

By the next day the Queen was refusing to rest. Only she knew what had happened, and she certainly didn’t need bed rest to get over it.
To her delight, and the council of Ruby’s dismay, she was handling the ruling of the Kingdom quite well. This was unacceptable to the Council. No commoner should be ruling the kingdom.
The Queen just went about her business. That is until…

“Did you hear about the tramp at the door trying to get in?” One of the maids was talking with another.
“No what happened?” asked the second.
“She was trying to get in. Saying she knew the Queen and everything.”
“What did you say?” asked Bella.
“There was a tramp… at the doors my lady…” she told her.
“What was her name?”
“I think she said Infera… Um… Inferan…”
“Inferia?” she asked, sounding flustered.
“Yes. That was it.”
“FOOLS! WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED?”
“We thought she was a prankster…”
“Where is she now?”
“Apparently she’s still hanging around by the doors.”
“GET HER!” she screamed at the maid, who was now crying.

And with that Bella stormed off to her bedroom to prepare for Inferia.
((Nothing from Zach today. ))

[Rachel/Ria, is there anything we ought to know about Returana before we start describing the island?]

[I've been wondering close to the same- Rachel/Ria, I have been nervously edging forward, worried that I'll mess up some description or my post doesn't really work in the context. Thanks!]

((Oh no no no!

You guys can go right ahead!
The others have described Returana very well so far, as a forest-covered island which is quite small and surrounded in some parts by rocks. It has twelve small castles, each one for a certain kingdom and a larger meeting hall.

The description and appearance of each castle in entirely up to you guys, and you also can't forget that your character's description and opinion of places, people and events is probably very unique and different from another characters'.))

[Oh, thank you! (Freeeedom... *drool*)]

Since Althea's extraordinarily pale face was now laced with a green tinge, Dev took her firmly by the elbow and began to steer her leisurely away from the boat. Althea was still too seasick to protest and allowed herself to be directed wherever Dev took it into his head to guide her.

After a quick consultation with one of the servants of another monarch who had been here before, Dev found out where the castles were situated. According the experienced old servant, the meeting took place in the council chambers of a building situated in the very centre of the island. No one except the rightful leaders of the eleven kingdoms - the old servant regarded the existence of Diamond as a myth, although there were certainly twelve castles, the twelfth he believed to be in case one of the others burned down. There were twelve castles, yes, and they were arranged in a circle around the central council chambers in this order: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz and Zircon. Zircon was between Topaz and Garnet, completing the circle of castles.

'We must meet with Topaz's and Garnet's leaders soon,' said Althea weakly. It would be best to be on good terms with her temporary neighbours, she reasoned.

'You should rest first,' Dev said. 'It would look quite bad if you threw up on their castle doorstep, or something.'

'Oh,' said Althea weakly. 'Yes. I suppose so. Well, I'll come visit you later, Emra,' she added to the other queen. 'Hope you settle in soon...'

And with that, she was propelled away in the direction of her new, temporary residence.