Mondaine's Gambit

[Zahru II]

Capital City, Imperial Palace. After a daring escape from a sudden betrayal, the Falx Lords Isabella and Pizzaro found themselves as prisoners of the Empire. Following a few days of captivity, they are escorted in a smaller room of the palace.



Isabella: 'Quite a barren room for a royal palace, don't you think?'
Pizzaro: 'Indeed. After being dragged through ornate halls and corridors, this does strike rather odd. Although I must commend the choice of carpet, very considerate given our own colors.'



Isabella: 'Not much apart from this table and some water. I wonder if this room is used for interrogation... or torture even.'
Pizzaro: 'I would doubt that, as you said, there's barely anything here, let alone equipment for such activities!'

While the two meander, the door opens:



King Mondaine: 'This is a room I use to ponder when I'm facing tough decisions. The less things to distract me the better.'
Both Falx: 'The King himself!?'



King Mondaine: 'Indeed. I am Mondaine Magnus, chosen ruler of the Empire of Northeros. Majisto told me you are high-ranking officers of the mysterious invaders who set foot in our lands. Your decision to follow him back into our heartland was rather bold, if not foolish.'



Isabella: 'It was an act of necessity. A sudden shift in power deemed us useless to the cause anymore.'
Pizzaro: 'Isabella and I had no choice unless we wanted to end up in an ancient wyrm's gullet. But why did you summon us, your grace?'
King Mondaine: 'Desperate times call for desperate measures. Most of my generals are either missing or are badly wounded and need time to recover. My son was claimed by a threat I thought we have vanquished for good. Given your circumstance and knowledge of the enemy, I am asking you to lead a strike force against these so-called Falx.'
Pizzaro: 'And why do you expect us to accept that? What if we refuse?'



King Mondaine: 'Simple. You shall be executed by sunset if you don't wish to comply.'



King Mondaine: 'However, if you can get rid of the head of Falx operations, you are to leave freely, along with your troops. I can't think of a more generous offer in a situation like this.'
Isabella: 'Brutally honest. I like that. What do you think Pizzaro? Shall we die as deserters of the Falx cause, or should we ally ourselves with the enemy to beat some sense into that creep Torquemada and his oaf of a friend, Barthelomeo?'
Pizzaro: 'I don't see a reason not to, they would label us as traitors one way or the other. We accept your offer, your grace.'
King Mondaine: 'Fine. I shall have you meet Majisto, who will prepare you accordingly. Make no mistake though; if you try and weasel out of our agreement, my imperial troops will immediately turn against you. Now, begone!'

[Zahru II]

Imperial City, Park District, Majisto's workshop





Isabella: 'I arrived as you have requested old man, what will it be?'
Majisto: 'Excellent. I've already instructed and sent your friend on a scouting mission. I got a special task for you though.'



Majisto: 'Furthermore, you seem to have lost your staff during your escape. We need to fix that.'
Isabella: 'Indeed, without it I struggle to focus the winds of magic, especially on a foreign plane like this.'



Majisto: 'This is an amberstaff. We used to give it to apprentices who have still yet to master controlling their powers.'
Isabella: 'Amber, eh? I've been more of a fire-wielding type beforehand.'



Majisto: 'Fire is powerful but crude. With this, you will learn to focus and master storms accordingly to the situation. Also being a Majistik design, I can always track your whereabouts.'
Isabella: 'Hm, that's reassuring. Anyway, it does require a little more attention than what I'm used to, but I already feel my powers amplifying.'



Isabella: 'So, what is my duty then?'
Majisto: 'Your first task is seemingly simple, yet perilous one. You need to recover some raw ebonite for me so that I could be able to study and understand the nature of it in great detail.'
Isabella: 'Figures. I know some of the mining sites we established, so I can mobilize immediately. Thanks for the help. Though it strikes me odd how beneficial you are to someone who was your mortal enemy not so long ago.'
Majisto: 'For now I have no other option than to trust you. Besides, I know your position too well, as I used to be a renegade of my order in the past.'
Isabella: 'Perhaps we have more in common than I thought old man. Farewell.'

[Silverdream]

I've always been a fan of reluctant team ups with a former villain.

[Zupponn]

I've always been a fan of reluctant team ups with a former villain.

Or heroes against heroes. That's fun too.

[Bragallot]

Excellent. The sceneries, dialogues and the general way the story is developing (plot twist!) is all really good. Isabella's new look is cool, too.

[lordintype]

I've always been a fan of reluctant team ups with a former villain.

Same here.

[BFenix]

I fell in love with the way you managed to amplify the scenario by poping it up in two. That's rather brilliant.