The Kingdom of Seven Stars - Encounter at the White River - [Sign-UP]

[Ryo_D_Disk]

Jenkens took a look at the sand and the gravel and thought to himself
("hmm uneaven footing large war army somthing seems out of place here")

Jenkens aproched the front lines with Liaisa and Grassblade
"Becareful it may be to early to draw a sword, expecaly if we can drag them into communication, and if not well I think you know what we need to do"

[Bravo 658]

Grassblade nodded grimly.  "Thoroughly understood.  Keep the phalanx defensive unless attacked!  Do not yet strike!"

[GalvinRoe]

  [Story - Verse]

  Her harried grace did hurry forth with ungraceful abandon and came she to-rest before council and guards. Already the pungent odor of fear clung to the air and the merciless desert's heat gave means for expediting fear. The salty tang mingled with parching plumes of alabaster dust and fear had never tasted so dry, be it few meters from the river white. With soft refraction of pearly white sand and shadows in her peripheral sight the queen declared her intention.

  "I will seek negotiations, with these figures half spotted, and take I but few members as show of peaceable disposition." With but the slightest tremble of the voice, her grace spoke these words and not even the protestations from staunch Ser Williger brought doubt to her proclamation. "This must be, for chances possible lye before us. Mayhaps these creatures know of recent occurrences, mayhaps they know how the stars have begun to fail and no matter the odds pay heed, for any chance we must take for our world."

  Stood the queen up, to her new divinely glistening height and the smell of fear was, for but a moment, over-powered by the smell of rain and a forest long petrified. Many a heart shifted in beating breast as stood the queen in her determined defiance. Her defiance of the way things were changing and the way they seemed to fall away from rationality, her's was a posture of unwavering denial and many a pony felt the power she projected within them.

And nod did the once flame bearer, Maju, and stood did good Sir Sameul; many others besides did feel the strength within in themselves and many more were rejuvenated and heartened for whatever was to come. With this sense laying across the camp, so did Sir Williger concede his objections and instead held the company with a question of honor, his blazing blue eyes softened with fear and beseeching in every soul there: "Who will go with her lady-ship? Who will brave the numbers for our first stab at understanding?"

[Bravo 658]

"I will stand by the Queen!" said Grassblade boldly, stepping forth.  "And should an arrow of iron, or a sword of steel, come down upon her I shall take it upon myself!"

[Ryo_D_Disk]

"your Grace please allow me to come with you, this old merchant knows his way through silver than steel, please let me assit with the discustions"

Jenkens said with the utmost confidance, not a stuter in his voice, nor a fear in his heart

[Chirp]

"If your majesty would allow it, I do believe I could be of assistance in this case." She said and stepped forth as well, with only the slightest of doubt in herself.

[Laebenal]

Laebenal sighs and lies down watching them carefully.

[GalvinRoe]

[Story - Verse]

Stood the queen and nod came forth, her eyes alight upon the three. Three champions of champions who stood before, their hearts as bright as yonder star. For these three were strong of will, to head through blazing flame of fear with naught but blink of eye. And once more her heart a-lite with hope and chance; for where such righteousness lives, "surely all would be righted in the end," so thought the queen.

Step forward did several more, among them the good guard Sameul and shamed bearer Maju, with them too the passionate spirit stemmed forth from glistening eyes. The silver-white in many others' blood shown through that day and the queen was not left wanting for loyal procession. 

  With diplomacy on mind and terror at heart, a band of 10 left to meet the tide. Debates had come and finalized the plan, the way forward was clear: A small band was to head forth, no more than 10 and the most even-headed as accessible. With criteria in mind her royal leadership chose those deemed most suited. And came the names: Carmain, of undeniable intellect; Williger, of unyielding morality; Edwards, of endless potential; Grassblade, of limitless morale; Liaisa, of boundless compassion; Jenkens, of grand wisdom; Sameul, of stalwart loyalty; Ster-nab, of frustrating patience; Frier Bronsworthy, of unwavering faith.

Stood this small band of friends and companions, stood at the river white to see the tide of black roiling across the alabaster to the white bank beyond.

[Laebenal]

"Now might be a good chance to escape but should I take the risk?" Laebenal thinks and watches the group of ten ponies.

[Bravo 658]

Grassblade walked next to the queen, a single pace in front and to the left.  He was prepared to intercept anything that should approach the queen with foul speed and ill intent.

[GalvinRoe]

 [Story Half-verse]

  Came the tide, the shifting of granules a slithering snake in the mind, bearing fear and uncertainty as passenger. Heat wavered about The River White and it's clean, cold water beckoned forward, but this heat did not dance about the shadow-like forms, the area was not distorted with heat and their faces were clear seen.

Black on black clothes did they wear, great heavy cloaks that pressed against their midnight skin, heavy but loose pants and tunic and all was black about them . . . save their eyes. The eyes were the brightest, white, as lite with light as the stars themselves, though not as strong or illuminating. These blinding eyes hard stared upon the congregation and with a great slow movement, a single creature sauntered onto the edge of opposite river. A coy smile barely visible behind the layers of clothes, and a slow deliberate upturning of a hoof.   

[Ryo_D_Disk]

Jenkens did not bat an eye or look twice to there appearance, true he had never seen such a pony before , but nor would that be his blockade, his knowledge should serve him he thought, his bartering skills and wordful ways should turn the tide of this meting, those were his thoughts, whether the ideals were shared with his companions was yet to be seen

But without a doubt of hesitation and his mind set to his idea of pitching the sale of peace he stepped forward and spoke

"Greetings there my fine fellows"
as he spoke he realised his hoof was shaking, only slightly but still something was bothering him perhaps the movements or the fact they looked so dark, maybe the pressure that his plan could go wrong all the thoughts went through his head twisting and swiring as he awaited some response

[Chirp]

Liaisa watched Jenkens step forward. She was happy that he did, but she felt disturbed by the fact that he was shaking. She switched her gaze between Jenkens and the black ponies. Somepony had to do something, somepony...

"Exactly. Greetings to you, fair ponies. How is everything this fine day?" She said. No doubt or fear could be heard in her voice, but that was simply due to the fact she was trained for giving speeches. Inside, she was shaking, fearing for what stood before them and for what she said. Would it annoy them? That wasn't what she wanted.

[GalvinRoe]

[Story-Verse]

Through heavy cloaks their eyes shown forth and whispers of soft greetings from across the river white, still yet their whispers may be silent conversation if body language be much different. For eyes did train upon the group and many an upturned hoof did fly but never a-fore had ponies encountered, such beings as these, and language be it a clear for Queen and congregation may be elusive in meaning.
 
Then turn the flood upon each other, and whispered words flowed soft and melodious. A language of many tone, a language filled with rhyme and heavy emotion. Wonder, bewilderment and curiosity seemed apparent through the hum-sing of the many creatures. Then turn the front-most creature upon the congregation and join him were nine others, standing ball on sand, at the utmost edge of The River White. Anticipation prevailing the air about them.

* * *

Queen Leimus Pastoring stood strong and true, and turn she upon her fellow kinsman. "My friends and heroes . . . these creatures here, they seem intent to come cross the River White . . ."

Took up the speech, did young Ster-nab. "My gracious queen, may not observing bring us much knowledge? Should they stay stationary we shall understand our move is on-board, but should they make move we will learn of new abilities and preferences."

So brought a curious look from Sir Williger and from such a short nod. "Perhaps patience is in order, but not overly-much."

* * *

Overly-much they did not wait, as the ten creatures made move. Hooves quick landed upon water, and River white shuddered to River black whence they stood. For but a moment a small section shuddered to opaque darkness, until river they had passed. Then all was as it was, save the creatures before the congregation.

[Bravo 658]

Grassblade didn't consider it his place to think of such things, but he decided to 'throw his idea out there', so to speak.  "Perhaps they mean to help us cross if they don't believe us to be a threat?"

[GalvinRoe]

[Story Half-verse]

Quick did hooves of black fly upwards in gesture as before, and moreover words did float along the air, melodic and kindly. Although kindly, although soft and saturated with meaning, the congregation had impression, best and impressions held as greetings. Now eyes were upon them, white and bright without pupil or distinction, globes of brilliance in a face of black.

With great unexpected movement, the queen's hoof flew skyward and smile she forced on anxious features; all that escaped her throat: a soft, distressed whinny.

And in discomfort the champions felt the shifting of temperature, the air had cooled as though a great mountain's shadow had taken up residence but surely there was no shadow and still the temperature decreased. Soon a chilly sting encompassed the congregation, a temperature never before experienced in Pastoring's constant environment. Soon the cleansing taste of peppermint was on tongue and scent of mint stinging the nostrils.

Still stood the congregation, hooves upturned, silent and still

[Chirp]

Liaisa raised her hoof in response to the black ponies' gesture, but her hoof was not still, it trembled together with the rest of her body. Maybe it was the decreased temperature that made her shake, but she was scared, no doubt.

"T-They're just p-ponies, just like u-us." She thought to herself as her hoof lowered and the shaking lessened slightly. Her hoof raised again, but not as gesture. Instead, she walked, she approached the black ponies with a bright smile on her face, then nuzzled the nearest hoof.

[GalvinRoe]

 [Story Half-verse]

  The leading creature took Liasia's face in hoof, with touch as gentle as the summer breeze and with the closeness of contact, Liasia did see the glorious white teeth a'sparkling in unbridled happiness. Then took he his silken head and caress he did return on Liasa's hoof. The skin was unmistakably cold to the touch

And so they were met.

With quick strides the queen came forth and a bow of such elegance she did perform, a simple act brought to dance with the grace of movement. And with such a movement the leading creature did smile once more, soft whispers ushering forth from the group.

Then, too, did the lead whisper forth, a language of emotion and quiet, deliberate, words. But these words must not have been for champions, yonder. Although the man kept eyes full on forward, two of those behind stepped forward and made conversation with him.  With sudden action, another covered in a great robe of darkness, strode forward and produced a box. The box was all over knots and loops, tied of some silken rope, where the box itself be made of stone and where the knots were quite intricate, the box was but a stone atop a hollowed stone.

From this box did the creature produce a rotten stick, a stick more like a twig, and looked the group upon the stick and with surprise Ster-nab did whisper. "The more one looks upon it, the less it appears a thing of wood."

And so it was, the stick had patches of 'rot' that began to look more about rot, until the group decided they were glistening patches of obsidian. Then the choice was changed again, it was once again sap and so forth went the deduction.

Took this, that brave creature, and held he so between two trembling hooves. Moved through the air went the object, as though through it's own will and the creature's eyes did close as the object guided him about. Then sit did he and chant did he and soon the other creatures were making camp. For tents they produced; bed-rolls they unpacked; fire they did make.

Laid they down, around the fire, and the one with rotten stick did have it dangling precariously over the fire yet no danger would ever be assumed. The wand was delicately but indiscernibly attached to that creature's hand, or so the group did think in unison.

So the two groups met, at the White River in the Alabaster Dessert

[Bravo 658]

Grassblade realized that he'd been holding his breath for quite a while and scarcely managed to avoid gasping for air when the tension fell.  He looked to the queen for instructions.

[Chirp]

Liaisa smiled at the pony who returned his gesture, trying to look presentable and not shake too much. After the greetings were done and her majesty stepped forth, Liaisa went back, away from the black ponies. Her smile slowly faded and her legs began to shake as she kept walking.

When she reached Grassblade, Liaisa swung herself around his neck and hugged him as tight as she could. Tears formed in her eyes as she buried her face in his neck. She held back her fear and she had to let it go now.