Raven's Flight:- Chapter 1 Cóup dé Etát

[Stormtrooper1990]

This is the first story of a new serial in Darala, featuring Kallista from "Night of the Raven." Fresh from her daring heist at Hollandby Manor, Kallista is in search for her next big job. However she about to receive an unexpected offer of employment from a unlikely source, meanwhile Stormward is preparing for a delegation from the Haxony Protectorate. Both nations have been locked in a bitter war for the last 5 years, and it had reached a bloody stalemate but it seems the Haxons are willing to negotiate an end to hostilities. However little does the city of its High Chancellor know this is the beginning of the darkest period in its proud history...




" Extra, extra. Read all about it. Haxony and Stormward to enter peace talks. Is this the start of a brave new era of peace in our time. Only in the Stormward Herald, the cities number one newspaper." Came the cry of the young newspaper girl, as Kallista walked towards the Hammer and Tongs tavern in the Artisans District, her hooded cloak drawn around her. The Clock Tower of the Craftsmen looming over the Artisans square, a constant reminder to the bustling craftsmen and women that time waits for no-one. It had been two nights since her raid on the Hollandsby Manor, and the theft of the Auroran Stone. Through her grandfather Syrion, Kallista had already returned the priceless Stone to her people recieving a fair reward for her hard work, she had been reluctant to accept but the elder of the alienage had been insistent. Taking her 500 sovereigns, Kallista was paying a visit to an old friend the man responsible for the creation of her one of a kind grapple gun. As she entered the Hammer and Tongs, busy at this time of the afternoon with craftsmen taking advantage of their one hour downtime, she caught the attention of the barman who's head barely came up to his bar. " Kallista! You young elven rascal." Cried the dwarf as he ambled towards Kallista, a huge smile under his ginger bread. " Hey, Varick. How's it shaping? That wife of yours still running you ragged?" She said as they shook each others hands. "Running me into the ground more like." The two laughed as they walked towards the bar, propped up it seems by one single figure in a hooded cloak. Kallista had known Varick Olafsson, for nigh on a decade back when she was still cutting purses. Originally one of the finest weapons crafter's in the Dwarven hold of Deepgloam, Varick was exiled to the surface along with his family, from the Dwarf hold for leaking Dwarven crafting secrets to Stormward. That had been over 30 years ago and now Varick had a reputation for his finest home brewed Dwarven ale, the only tavern in the city to sell the strong brew and for his adjoining crafting hall in the back. Standing at just over three foot, Varick had a belly as big as his heart his ginger beard that reached down to his belt with piercing blue eyes the sunlight from the windows reflected off his bald dome. " So my dear Kallista, what can I get for you? A glass of Stormward's Finest I trust?" Kallista nodded , a grin on her face. "Yes please, Varick. Although I fancy a small one. I have another gig lined up tonight and I need my senses sharp."



Suddenly, the figure next to her turned nursing a glass of red liquid. " Whatever plans you have for tonight, you may want to cancel." Kallista was surprised to hear a female voice under the cloak. " And why would I want to be doing that, stranger?" Asked Kallista as she accepted her Brandy from Varick. The strange woman paused to take a gulp of her thick red drink before answering, Kallista had a fleeting suspicion about the contents of her glass. " I have a proposition for you, Kallista. Something that should be very lucrative for someone with your particular set of skills." Kallista shook her head as she took a snifter of brandy. " If you want me to bed you, I'am afraid I'am not that easy. Now if you excuse me, sister I need to talk to my friend here. And how do you know my name?" The woman finished the last of her drink, then pulled her hood down revealing a pretty human face with sharp beautiful features and a slightly squared jaw with glittering emerald green eyes. Her long black hair wound up in a braid around her head. Her skin was deathly pale, her two incisors pointed. " I'am a member of the Dukes Hidden Hands, and we know everything about you, Kallista. We have been watching you for a long time, most impressive." Varick who had been watching the conservation with interest, nodded to her. " Kallista, this is the Vampire Rowan. She is a friend of Anna's and Katrina's. And just so happens to be the lost princess of Winterberg." Rowan smiled shaking her head. " That is all behind me know, Varick. It's just Rowan. now." Kallista looked between them, utterly confused. " How do you know each other?" Rowan slipped the glass back to Varick. " He is one of us, he actually supplies us with our gear. Now can we take this conversation, to somewhere more private." She quickly glanced over her shoulder. " We don't know who else might be watching." Varick gestured to both of them to enter the backrooms. " Follow me, ladies." Varick showed the pair into his office,




" So what do the Hands need with a simple thief, like me?" said Kallista as they sat in Varick's office. Rowan shook her head, clasping her hands together. "You give yourself too little credit, Kallista. You and I both know that you are more then some common thief. You are the Raven, the scourge of Stormward's ruling elite. Your face is plastered on every wall, every broadsheet and every ad blimp from here to the Pleasure District. You break in, steal yourself a disguise and leave without none the wiser, without a single drop of blood being spilled. You know the city, as out quite a bounty on your head." Kallista had to smile, she had caught a glance at the Morning edition of the Herald. " 50,000 Sovereigns the last I checked this morning. I appreciate the flattery but I'am not seeing were I come in." Rowan leaned back in her chair, smiling. "We need you for a simple yet difficult job, something that should be right up your wheelhouse. Tell me, what do you know about the Haxony Protectorate?" Kallista took a sip of her brandy. "I now Haxony as arrived with a delegation in Stormward, to enter peace talks. And the stuff that was written in the Wayfarers guide." Rowan nodded impressed by Kallista's knowledge. " I see you have done your homework. The peace talks actually take place this evening, at the High Chancellor's palace. What we need you to do is to sneak abroad their consular ship the HNS Spirit of Kalindra, and find any information they have on what they are really doing here." Kallista shrugged finishing the last of her brandy. "Why are you so interested in Haxony? And more importantly what is in this for me." Rowan sighed shaking her head. " Because we have reason to believe they are plotting an attempt on the High Chancellor's life." Kallista's eyes widened. " They would not dare. The watch would stop them before they could even get within an inch of the Chancellor." She scoffed as Rowan rose from her chair. " Not if they plan an invasion at the same time. If loyalty to your city, won't sway you to act. You will be well compensated, a purse of 100,000 sovereigns plus we will wipe your record, you will be a free woman." Kallista sighed, she knew full well that if Haxony were plotting to assassinate the duke, and were to invade then it would be innocent people of Stormward her home who would suffer. That was something she could not abide. "I will do it, you can keep the money but I will take the pardon. And can I ask you something?" Rowan smiled as she walked towards her. "Name it, Kallista." Kallista couldn't help but be enchanted by the vampires beauty, she reminded her of Anna. "When I return, I want to join the Hands." Rowan gently carressed the elven thief's face. " You pull this off, Kallista. Consider it your induction." She passed a note into Kallista's hand. " Here, this note contains the location of the ship, what you are looking for, plus guard rotations. You will need a disguise, I'am sure one of the Haxons will oblige you. When you are finished, meet me at the Wracked Man. I'am sure your grandfather wouldn't mind the company." Kallista laughed. "I'am sure he wouldn't. Ever since Anna and Katrina went on their holiday to Hi-Chan, it's been too quiet over there." Rowan held out her hand. " It's been a pleasure meeting the granddaughter of Syrion." Kallista shook it tightly. " Any friend of Anna's and Katrina's is a friend of mine." As she turned to leave, Rowan called back. " Good luck, Kallista. You are going to need it." Kallista looked over her shoulder, smiling. "I don't need luck. I have this." She said gesturing to her blowpipe, stowed in her cloak.




Later that evening



Kallista crouched low overlooking the private dockyards, the giant three deck Haxony steam ship in the distance her destination. It had been a simple task to get past the Stormward Guard, standing watch over the perimeter using the rooftops to circumnavigate their patrols. Now she scanned the area, looking for a suitable disguise. Luckily for Kallista the Haxony armed forces also recruited elves into its ranks, and she spied an elven soldier disappearing into a secluded corner of the dockyard, a packet of cheroots clutched in her hand. Kallista smiled as she made her way down to the soldiers position, readying her trusty blowpipe.



Haxony Marine Corporal Vallena shivered as drew her greatcoat tighter around her slim body, her breath misting in front of her face. Fucking country she thought, why the Lady Protector wanted this place so bad Kalindra only knew, she had sought out this spot to light up one of her cheroots in an effort to warm herself up. She couldn't wait to go back home to the balmier climbs of the motherland. At 23 summers, barely out of her teens by elven standards, Vallena had been in the Protectorate Navy for since she was 18. She had considered herself fortunate that as an elf she had the training to fight for her race, Vallena pitied the elf's of Stormward treated worse then animals by an uncaring government. A government that treated vampire scum better then they, soon the elves of Stormward will know the Word of Kalindra. They all will. Vallena was dressed in the standard winter uniform of the Protectorate Marine Corps, which consisted of a navy greatcoat with fur lined collar, her white corporals stripes on both forearms with white leather combat webbing belted at her slender waist. With spare ammo for her Dwarven semi-automatic rifle and scabbard that housed her sabre hung from her left hip . Covering her short blonde hair and short pointed ears was a matching kepi, the symbol of the Protectorate Navy, an anchor over a gout of flame pinned at the centre. Underwhich she were matching navy battledress, a buttoned tunic and trousers with white leather knee high jackboots and gloves. Like many elven girl's, Vallena was a looker with high cheekbones heart shaped features and narrow blue eyes. As she leaned on a crate trying desperately to light her cheroot, Vallenna heard a low whistle she whipped around to see a hooded female figure, holding a pipe to her mouth. " In the nam--ugh." Before she could say anymore, the woman blew. Vallenna felt the sensation of a dart hitting her throat, she began to feel dizzy, seeing double as she took out the two darts lodged in her throat. Her vision blurring Vallena fell forwards, laying draped over the crate unconscious.




Reacting quickly, Kallista pulled the unconscious Haxony Corporal over the crate. " Ok, sweetheart. Let's see what Haxony's finest wear under their hood." Kallista smiled as she propped up the girl's sleeping body against the crate. After stripping off her leather armour, Kallista started to strip the unconscious elven soldier. She removed the girl's coat, hat, ammo webbing and boots from her body then resting the girls body against her, unbuttoned her battledress tunic. "Wow. Get a load of you, my love. You have really cute little tits." Kallista said as she removed the shirt from the girl's shoulders, getting a good view of the elves small but buoyant B-cup breasts barely covered by a sheer cropped white vest, her nipples peaking through the thin fabric. After letting the unconscious elf fall back down to the tarmac, Kallista unbuttoned the uniform trousers working them off her slim hips peeling them down her long divine legs and off her slim athletic body. "Cute panties too, sister. Much better than Stormward's finest." Kallista's eyes travelled across the slim attractive body of the unconscious Haxony Marine, clad only in her matching white cropped vest and scanty panties." Perfect, you are made up so well. Toned and athletic, my type of girl." After finishing her appraisal, Kallista got dressed in her stolen uniform then scooped up the half naked unconscious elf, stashing her body inside an empty crate packed with straw. " There you go, sister. All warm and cosy, this way you won't freeze to death. Thanks for your uniform, sweetie. Fits me like a glove." Kallista said as gave the unconscious scantily clad Haxony Marine a parting kiss, before sealing the crate the shut behind her and stashing her gear within. Kallista then proceeded onto the dock, towards the Spirit of Kalindra.



Using her stolen uniform, Kallista walked up the gangplank leading up to the Spirit of Kalindra as the white sun sank beneath the horizon past similarly dressed Haxony marines and sailors, men and women attired in fur lined black great coats underwhich they wore tight blue and white horizontal striped shirts, with loose fitting black trousers and black shoes. A matching black boater hat perched on their heads, with the pin of the Protectorate Navy at the centre. Kallista noted like the marines, the sailors were a mixture of different races but mostly young women, this could prove useful if she needed a new disguise in a pinch. After accepting a few salutes from the naval ratings, Kallista descended below deck into the bowels of the ship. Using the layout from the note Rowan had given her, Kallista made her way to the emissaries cabin to the rear of the ship on deck 2. As she passed through the cramped confines of the iron juggernaut, towards her objective Kallista's eyes widened in surprise, for a consular ship the Spirit was packing a lot of firepower; semi automatic rifles, machine pistols, grenades and silvered blades forged specifically for slaying vampires. There also seemed to be more marines below decks, it seems that Rowan's suspicions held weight after all, Haxony were indeed planning something. Troubled by these revelations, Kallista had finally found her way to the emmisaries cabin, breathing a sigh of relief that it was left unguarded. After scanning behind her making sure was clear, Kallista took out her lockpicks. The tumblers proved no match for her skills, not standing on ceremony Kallista quickly open the door and closed it behind her.





She found herself in a well appointed stateroom. Despite their reputation for austerity, the Protectorate had made certain that it's emissary was well appointed. With redwood furnishings, chintz arm chairs and rugs imported from Hi-Chan, large open windows behind the desk afforded a view of the rest of the dockside. The Ice Spire reaching into the clouds in the distance. Kallista approached the desk, and began to rummage through the drawers. After what seemed like an eternity of fruitless searching, Kallista found a letter along with a ledger. She quickly scanned the letter, her mouth opening in shock.





Dear Comrade Kreismann



All is in place for your ascension to your rightful position as High Chancellor of Stormward, a position that was usurped from you from your older brother. It pleases me to see you embracing the Word of our Revered Martyr Kalindra. The Protectorate stands to assist you in this righteous endeavour, to that end we have provided you with our entire Northern Fleet along with a battalion of our marines, along with our finest vampire hunters to combat Stormward's vampire regiments. As a token of my personal favour, I have also despatched my enforcer Carmina she will follow your orders as if they were my own. I'am sure you will find her skills very useful in your endeavours.



The Protectorate Council and I await news of your victory. I wish you good luck




Yours Sincerely


Lady Protector Jessamina




Shaking her head, Kallista quickly stuffed the letter and the ledger in her stolen greatcoat reviewing the facts, her worst fears confirmed. While she like everyone of low standing in Stormward had never met the High Chancellor, she knew his name. Gottfried Kreismann had been the High Chancellor for 20 years, inheriting the position from his father Mannheim. His younger brother, Manfred had been exiled following the brutal murders of several courtesans in the Pleasure District. All evidence had pointed to Manfred but rather than face the public humiliation of the family name, Manfred was exiled. He had always vowed that one day he would return for the Chancellor's Seat, and it seemed that he had made some powerful friends, making good on his promise at last. Closing the drawers behind her, Kallista made her way out of the stateroom only to come face to face with a pretty petty officer. She was a pretty petite human with shallow cheekbones rounded features and big brown almond shaped eyes. Her chestnut coloured hair done up into a sensible bun. She was dressed similarly to the other ratings Kallista had seen throughout the ship. " Who are you, Corporal? And why are you coming out of Comrade Kriesmann's room?" The petty officer said, putting her hands on her hips.



Petty Officer Judith Brunner regarded the elven corporal, who had just stepped out in front of her from the emmisaries state room she didn't recognise the woman who was an attractive elven brunette. "Who are you, Corporal? And why are coming out of Comrade Kriesmann's room?" The corporal stood up straight fixing her with an authoritative stare, Judith had to admit she had the most pretty eyes. " Corporal Kallista, I'am fetching something for Comrade Kreismann, he forgot some important documents and ordered me to retrieve them. Now if you excuse me." Judith shook her head, something seemed off about this girl. " Funny since he left for the Ice Spire about an half hour ago, and had everything with him including his honour guard." The elven marine tensed. " Well, I'am sure he doesn't share his entire itinerary with the likes of you." She made to leave, but Judith held out her arm to stop the elf. "Who is your Serg--ugh." The only reply she got was a double jab to the pressure points, on her solar plexus causing Judith to double up in pain knocking the wind out of her. Before she could recover, Judith felt a sharp pain to the back of her neck as a swift chop brought her crashing down to the deck unconscious. "Boring conservation anyway." Quipped Kallista as she scooped up the fallen hat of the sailor, before dragging her body into the stateroom.



Kallista scooped up the unconscious sailor, depositing the woman onto the desk then stripped off her marine disguise. "Ok my love. Let's get you out of that uniform." Kallista said as she began to strip the unconscious human. She started by removing the girls coat and shoes, then yanking up the sailor up into a seated position and raising up her arms up pulled her striped shirt over her head. " Wow cute bra sweetie. I wasn't expecting that from a military girl, don't worry I will let you keep it, as much as I want to take a peek at those luscious tits." Kallista said as her eyes scanned the solid nude coloured low cut bra, barely covering the girl's small but firm B-cup breasts. After letting the half naked girl flop back down onto the desk, Kallista unlaced the sailors trousers peeling them down her long athletic legs. " You have taken great care of your body, sweetheart. It seems you Haxony girls are made up pretty well." Kallista said as she got dressed in her stolen sailor uniform, admiring the unconscious scantily clad petty officer, dressed only in her matching nude coloured bra and thong as her slim althetic body lay draped over the oak table. When she was finished, Kallista tore her discarded marine uniform into strips binding and gagging the half naked girl. Satisfied that she was secured, Kallista carried the girl over to a cabinet stashing her inside. " Thanks very much for your help, my sweet petty officer. You enjoy your little nap." Kallista gave the unconscious underwear clad sailor a parting kiss on her forehead, before she covered her body over with the marines greatcoat and closed the door behind her, snapping off the lock for good measure. Kallista then put the evidence into her stolen coat pocket and exited the stateroom, this time the coast was clear. Taking a deep breath, Kallista made her way out of the ship.





Dressed in her Haxony sailor disguise, it didn't take Kallista long to backtrack from the stateroom to above deck passing naval ratings and marines, who seemed to be more active, rushing around like an ant colony. Making her way quickly off deck, Kallista made her way to the crate wear she had stashed both the sleeping body of the elven marine and her gear. As she arrived at the crate, Kallista retrieved her gear quickly stripping off her sailor disguise then redressed in her leather armour stashing the letter and ledger into her cloak. " There are you are, something to keep you warm, love." Kallista as she threw the sailor uniform over her scantily clad sleeping body, sealing the crate behind her. Taking out her grapple gun, Kallista shot her grapple into the rooftop above her ascending from the dockyard suddenly behind her a horn sounded. She witnessed over 50 marines called to muster, they formed in good order presenting their arms in a sea of navy. " Now, I have overstayed my welcome." Kallista told herself as she turned from the scene, scampering across the rooftops towards the Wracked Man.




It took Kallista 30 minutes of free running across snow covered rooftops, until she reached the roof top of the Wracked Man, her Grandfather's tavern. Kallista could make out Rowan who flashed her a warm smile and an elderly man smaller then she with chiselled features, his eyes framed by square framed spectacles. " Ah Miss Kallista, a pleasure to meet you at last. Rowan as told me all about all you. I'am the Grand Duke Victor Allenby, chief of staff to his most illustrious excellency the High Chancellor." He held out his hand. Kallista knew him by name, after all he was the boss of both Anna and Katrina. But never had the pleasure. " I didn't expect to be greeted by the Spymaster himself, your Grace." Kallista said shaking his hand, the old men flashed her a dark look. "When it pertains to the safety of the realm and my dear friend Gottfried, even I must venture out of the Spire." Before they could speak further, Syrion walked out onto the rooftop. " Grandfather! How are you?" Kallista embraced the elderly elf in a crushing hug. " My dear, Granddaughter so good to see you too." He said returning the embrace. As he pulled out of the hug, he turned to Allenby. " Shall we get off this rooftop? I don't want us to catch our death of cold up here, I will fix us up some drinks and then we can talk of plots and conspiracies." Nodding their assent, the group followed Syrion into the warmth of the Wracked Man.






" So, Kallista. What did you find aboard the Spirit of Kalindra?" Asked Rowan as they sat down in Anna's vacant room. Kallista removed the evidence from her cloak pocket, and filled them in on everything she discovered aboard the Haxony ship. She could see the faces of the spy master and vampire turn from dismay to outright shock as they read the letter and flicked through the ledger along with it. " So it's worse than we feared, Manfred as returned just as he always said he would do and he has the backing of the Protectorate. We must send word to the watch as soon as possible, they must mobilise against this Haxony treachery." Allenby said as he put the letter down, drinking a sip of brandy. Rowan took a sip of her blood. "We might be too late, the Haxony delegation would have reached the Spire by now. And I don't like the sound of this "Carmina", she sounds like more of an assassin then an enforcer." Kallista looked at each of them in turn. " We cannot give up now. We can still save the Chancellor if we act quickly. Plus this ledger." She tapped it with her finger. "Contains the names of the conspirators, we can go to Haxony and make them answer for this treachery." Allenby smiled as he and Rowan shared glances. "I told you she was Hands material, your Grace." Rowan said flashing a beautiful smile to Kallista. But before Allenby could respond, they heard the sound of distant popping that sounded like firecrackers. " No that cannot be..!?" Rowan said with surprise as they ran to the open window, over by the docks they heard the rapport of gunfire muzzle flashes in the distance. 30 Haxony cruisers unloaded over 1000 marines onto the docks, sweeping all before them. "We are already too late." Rowan sighed as they observed a red flare, shoot up from the Ice Spire. Signalling the beginning of the invasion. Shaking his head, Allenby turned to the couple. " Damn, Manfred and Damn Haxony! Come, Miss Kallista is right. Our only recourse now is to go to Haxony. Route out these conspirators, save Stormward from the clutches of Manfred and his Haxony allies. Follow me, my private ship is nearby we can slip past the blockade. "Before they exited Anna's room, Syrion appeared with a kitbag full of supplies. " Kallista! I won't have you going without saying goodbye, nor will have you running off to play heroine under equipped." He said giving her a hug and a kiss on her forehead handing her the bag. " Grandfather. Will you be safe. While I'am gone, the thought of something happening to you the only family I have left is..." Syrion embraced her again. " You are so much like your mother, my daughter. It's uncanny, besides I survived one invasion I can survive another. Now get going, write this wrong save Stormward." Kallista hugged him again as they quickly exited the room, then downstairs through the Wracked Man onto the street beyond.




Earlier that evening


In the swirling snow and bitter cold, a lone female figure, still dripping wet from the swim she made diving off the Spirit of Kalindra, began the arduous climb up the 1km spire towards the High Chancellors throne room. For a human or an elf, this climb would have been impossible but it was a good thing that I wasn't human thought Carmina has she scaled the sheer ice walls. As she slowly scaled the walls with her vampire claws, Carmina reflected on her mission. She was the personal assassin of Lady Protector Jessamina, and also happened to be a 300 year old vampire, ever since Carmina had saved a young Jessamina from slavers during the Civil War the two had been inseparable. In a country were vampires were actively hunted and hated, Carmina was well protected and their affair kept secret if it became public knowledge then the truth would destroy not only Jessamina but the Protectorate itself. Carmina had no love for the foolish protectorate but would give her unlife for her lover. For a vampire over 300 years old, Carmina was a beautiful woman. An Elven vampire with high cheekbones angular features and piercing blue eyes, her auburn hair done up in an elaborate braided bun, Carmina had over 400 years of experience killing targets of various races often employing disguises during the course of her contracts. In her long life she had murdered over 500 people, young, old, men, women innocent or guilty. It didn't matter to her, as long as her blood lust was sated which it never was of course. While it galled her to be placed under someone else's command, a man no less, Carmina still gave her word to see the mission through. And that being the assassination of Gottfried Kriessman, the High Chancellor of Stormward paving the way for his brother Manfred, to seize the throne. Finally Carmina had reached her destination, an open window that led into the High Chancellor's kitchens beyond. Inside was a young spire maid, with her back to the window. Smiling Carmina hopped silently inside.





Spire maid Meghan Harcourt, busied herself with preparing the feast for the peace talks with Haxony this evening. The main course was to be the finest cut of Sperm Whale fillet from the slaughter houses, she could feel her stomach grumble with hunger at the beautiful smell of cooking meat. At 22 summers, Meghan had worked in the Spire since she was 16 and found comfort in doing her small part to see the High Chancellor fed. She was dressed in the standard Spire Maids uniform, which consisted of a tight black buttoned shirt with white lace frilled collar and small apron tied around her waist. Tight black trousers, with red piping down the seems white ankle socks and sensible black pumps on her feet. A lace frilled hat perched on top of her dark brown hair tied into a bun completed the look. As Meghan hummed away to herself, adding some parsley to the streaming roast she caught a reflection of herself in the steel pot. She was a looker with slender cheekbones heart shaped features and soft hazel eyes. Finishing her self appraisal, Meghan began to stir the simmering roast with ladle taking in the sweet flavour of the meat cooking in its juices. Suddenly she felt a gloved hand clamp over her mouth, then a pain in her throat as someone bit into her neck. Meghan tried desperately to struggle to scream but the hand over her mouth muffled her cries, her struggles weakening as the vampire lowered her to the floor draining her blood , untying her apron and unbuttoning her uniform as she lay dying. Within thirty seconds, Meghan's arms fell limply to her sides. Her final thoughts were on the indignity of being stripped before she died.




As she felt the life of the young human maid fade as she drained her dry, Carmina resumed stripping the dead woman out of her uniform. Resting the dead girl against her, Carmina slipped off the girls uniform shirt revealing a white lace bra that enveloped the dead woman's well developed C-cup breasts. She wouldn't be needing the girls underwear, so Carmina let the dead girl's body flop back down onto the wooden floor, then removed the girls socks, hat shoes. After unbuttoning the dead girl's uniform trousers, Carmina peeled them off from around her hips then down her long divine legs revealing a matching white lace thong. As she stripped off her dark leather armour, then dressed in the dead maids clothes Carmina admired the girls slim petite corpse, clad only in her matching white lace lingerie, she often found mortals pleasing to look at whether they were alive or dead. While this girl was no doubt beautiful, she was nothing compared to her beloved Jessamina. When she was finished, Carmina dragged the scantily clad body over to a nearby empty grain vase, dropping it inside along with her gear. All except one stiletto, that she concealed in the maids apron straightening her stolen uniform, Carmina picked up a platter and loaded it with Stormward's finest brandy before she exited the kitchens towards the throne room.




High Chancellor of Stormward, Gottfried Kriessman sat in his throne impatiently waiting for the arrival of the Haxony emissary. He was a middle aged man of 50 summers, with short wavy grey hair and deep brown eyes, he had been High Chancellor for two decades and every summer of those 20 was lined across his face. Gottfried knew these people were known for their tardiness but this was being plain disrespectful. His dear friend and Chief of Staff Victor had warned that this could well be a trick, a trap even. He had grown to trust his old friend, so before sending him away the Chancellor had doubled the guard in his throne room hoping that this would be enough to dissuade the Haxons from doing anything foolish. If nothing else it would serve as a show of force. He turned to see a young pretty auburn haired elven maid, walk towards him with a platter of Brandy. He didn't recognise her, but then again he never was on first name terms with his staff, and she had the pale complexion of a vampire this wasn't unusual either as quite a few of his staff were vampires. She smiled as she offered him a drink. " A drink, my lord?" Gottfried smiled back as it took a glass, taking a snifter of the peat aroma. " Thank you, my dear. What is your name?" The maid bowed, practised and formal. " Carmina, if it pleases my lord." She answered. Nodding his thanks, he dismissed Carmina who stood next to the throne, ready to serve drinks to the delegates. As the High Chancellor took a sip of his brandy, the large double doors in front of him opened revealing the Haxony emissary along with his honour guard of navy clad Protectorate Marines. Gottfried balked as he saw elves among their number, but that wasn't the most strangest thing. As the emissary neared the throne, walking down the red carpet lined either side by Stormward palace guard , men and women clad in crimson greatcoats, the High Chancellor could finally saw their family resemblance. " Manfred, what in the five hells are you doing here, brother? You are the Haxon emissary? We warned you to never show your face again." He said in disbelief. Manfred Kreismann smirked as he approached ihs brother. Younger by 5 years, Manfred possessed the same family features but his hair was shorter with a black goatee beard. " I'am here to reclaim what is rightfully mine, brother." Gottfried laughed out loud at his brother's arrogance. " With you and what army, Manfred? This army of unwashed peasants? You always were insufferably arrogant. Get out before I have my guard through you down the spire." Manfred shook his head, he clicked his fingers. Suddenly his own honour guards, along with the Haxony Marines were pointing their rifles at loyalist Watchmen around the throne room. Gottfrieds eyes widened in shock. " What treachery is this?! Sergeant I order you to stand your soldiers down at once!" To his surprise the woman shook her head, as she pointed her revolver at him. "I cannot do that sir, you are a traitor to Stormward." Now it was Manfred's turn to laugh. " You see brother, making the head of the city watch a vampire was so divisive, many began to question your ability to rule. It wasn't difficult to buy the loyalty of most of the City Watch after that. Now if you don't mind, you are in my chair, Carmina!" Gottfried turned to the elven maid, he had so easy overlooked. She threw the platter aside, drawing a Stiletto from her apron, Carmina advanced with lightning speed upon the throne. Before the High Chancellor could draw his dagger, the vampire assassin plunged her dagger into his chest. He let out a surprised gurgle as she threw his dying body to Manfred's feet. At the same time, the Haxony Marines and traitor guards begin to cut down the few loyalists guards with practiced gunshots. Carmina simply bowed to Manfred. "It is done my lord."





Manfred put a hand on the elven vampires shoulder. " You have done well, Carmina. You are everything your mistress promised and more. Please signal the invasion force and our friends in the city. It is time for us to begin." Carmina took a flare gun given to her by a Haxony Marine, and proceeded towards the balcony. Smiling Manfred knelt by the still gurgling body of his dying brother. "I warned you, my brother. That I would one day return to reclaim Stormward, that what you stole from me. But you just laughed in my face, well the jokes on you. Gottfried." He said as he stripped his brother of the chains of office that he wore around his neck, dropping them over his shoulders. Manfred sat and watched his brother die, then once he had gargled the last of his lifeblood on the carpet, the new High Chancellor ascended to his throne. Has he sat on his throne, caressing the wood as his loyal followers hunted down the last of the loyalists, he started to laugh. He was looking forward to remaking Stormward in both his own image and that of the Haxony Protectorate.

[simon4242]

epic epilogue please

[Stormtrooper1990]

STORMWARD HERALD


INVASION!




To all Stormward Citizens! The forces of the Haxony Protectorate have invaded our beloved city, at 22:00 this evening a massive invasion force landed at the dockyards sweeping all before them. We have unconfirmed reports of some elements of the City Watch fighting alongside the foreign invaders. There have been no signs of response from the office of the High Chancellor, nor a general muster of forces in response, leading many to fear that our benevolent High Chancellor may have been a victim of Haxony treachery. That they may have assassinated him during their "peace talks", although this remains an unsubstantiated rumour. The Haxony fleet as blockaded the harbour, preventing the Stormward Navy from launching a counter thrust.



We urge all citizens of Stormward to either flee the city and make for Fort Razorcat or bar their homes to prevent getting caught in the crossfire, but do not approach the holy district. It seems the Holy Church as closed its doors to the suffering of the city, the implications of this may be too disturbing to consider. We do have confirmed reports that Colonel Jordis is leading a spirited counterattack with loyalist Watchmen and the vampire regiments, we can only pray that the brave loyalist men and women of the Watch can drive away this treacherous insurrection and restore order to our beloved Stormward. We can also hope that our benevolent High Chancellor is alive and well to lead us to victory over the Haxons.



Stay strong Stormward! Only united can we triumph against the foreign invaders.

[simon4242]

wonderful do we have news of brunner and vallena

[Stormtrooper1990]

wonderful do we have news of brunner and vallena

They were both found during the intense fighting between Haxony, traitor and Loyalist Stormward forces, by their colleagues. They were promptly disciplined for allowed themselves to be rendered unconscious by an enemy infiltrator, and for allowing the theft of classified sensitive documents.



They were both put on latrine duty aboard the Spirit of Kalindra.

[meditions142]

Great next chapter in the story. I do very much Kallista's character.

Loved the takes outs. First, great the way she gets Vallena to turn around before shooting her with the dart. I also like the way Vallena falls draped over the crate. Don't know how to explain it but there is something about a woman slumping over something (a desk, a railing, in this case a crate) whe she is knocked out.

The take out of Judith was amazing. Like the pressure point hits to cause her to double over with pain and knock the wind out of her followed by the neck chop while she was doubled over.

Thanks for the new story!

[Stormtrooper1990]

Great next chapter in the story. I do very much Kallista's character.

Loved the takes outs. First, great the way she gets Vallena to turn around before shooting her with the dart. I also like the way Vallena falls draped over the crate. Don't know how to explain it but there is something about a woman slumping over something (a desk, a railing, in this case a crate) whe she is knocked out.

The take out of Judith was amazing. Like the pressure point hits to cause her to double over with pain and knock the wind out of her followed by the neck chop while she was doubled over.

Thanks for the new story!

Thanks Meditions


There is something really sexy about the thought of a woman slumped over anything, that is really sexy. Whether it's the crate corporal Vallena slumped over after she was darted or when Kallista threw Judith over the desk, to strip her all the more quicker.


I wanted Judith's takeout to showcase Kallista's martial arts skills, that even when cornered by a suspicious guard like petty officer Judith Kallista will always find a way to extricate herself out of that situation. Unfortunately for Judith, that meant her getting the stuffing knocked out of her and spending the night in a nice cosy cupboard, tied up in her underwear.


The next story will feature Kallista, Rowan, Allenby and Varick sailing to Haxonburg to unravel the conspiracy. With the next disguise targets being an old blood verse favourite, the Novices of the Holy Church.


This is will be the last time in a while at least, you will see the winter greatcoats. As Haxony is more mild compared to Stormward, you will see more uniform variations as the story progresses.



You are very welcome, my friend. It was a pleasure writing it. I appreciate your support

[meditions142]

I wanted Judith's takeout to showcase Kallista's martial arts skills, that even when cornered by a suspicious guard like petty officer Judith Kallista will always find a way to extricate herself out of that situation. Unfortunately for Judith, that meant her getting the stuffing knocked out of her and spending the night in a nice cosy cupboard, tied up in her underwear.

Indeed you showcases Kallista's skills perfectly. Her attack is top notch. She is fast but precise enough to hit just the right pressure points to immobilize Judith between the pain and having the wind knocked out of her. Then a precise chop to a pressure point in her neck and Judith is out cold.

Judith is a perfect "dumb guard". She is suspicious of Kallista but still gets close enough to her that Kallista can take her out.

[Stormtrooper1990]

I wanted Judith's takeout to showcase Kallista's martial arts skills, that even when cornered by a suspicious guard like petty officer Judith Kallista will always find a way to extricate herself out of that situation. Unfortunately for Judith, that meant her getting the stuffing knocked out of her and spending the night in a nice cosy cupboard, tied up in her underwear.

Indeed you showcases Kallista's skills perfectly. Her attack is top notch. She is fast but precise enough to hit just the right pressure points to immobilize Judith between the pain and having the wind knocked out of her. Then a precise chop to a pressure point in her neck and Judith is out cold.

Judith is a perfect "dumb guard". She is suspicious of Kallista but still gets close enough to her that Kallista can take her out.

She breaks the first rule of guards everywhere, don't get too close to the infiltrator. Fortunately for our heroines, they never learn do they?


I will expand Kallista's skills, to include chokeholds, nerve pinches and maybe even the classic crotch grab.

[meditions142]

I wanted Judith's takeout to showcase Kallista's martial arts skills, that even when cornered by a suspicious guard like petty officer Judith Kallista will always find a way to extricate herself out of that situation. Unfortunately for Judith, that meant her getting the stuffing knocked out of her and spending the night in a nice cosy cupboard, tied up in her underwear.

Indeed you showcases Kallista's skills perfectly. Her attack is top notch. She is fast but precise enough to hit just the right pressure points to immobilize Judith between the pain and having the wind knocked out of her. Then a precise chop to a pressure point in her neck and Judith is out cold.

Judith is a perfect "dumb guard". She is suspicious of Kallista but still gets close enough to her that Kallista can take her out.

She breaks the first rule of guards everywhere, don't get too close to the infiltrator. Fortunately for our heroines, they never learn do they?


I will expand Kallista's skills, to include chokeholds, nerve pinches and maybe even the classic crotch grab.

Wow. Very much looking forward to seeing Kallisata perhaps sneak up behind some cute sentry girl and putting her out with a nerve pinch. And a crotch grab, hmm, sound intriguing.