Esylana: The Empress had been in the chamber, with the Void Crystal, when she realized it. As she was looking over her own notes and thinking over the growing thorn that was Esylana and the fixed leylines, she realized two things. One - the leylines were not being fixed, as originally thought. Not entirely, anyways. She wasn't setting the power back into the Land, she was absorbing it into her body. And of course she'd have to - that's how a Master Crystal was made. The second realization was...it was too late, now. She'd gone too far to reverse the damage to the Void Crystal. And that second realization briefly had the Empress lashing out as she threw her glass at a pillar and let it shatter into a rain of broken glass. But then she took a breath, a slow inhale, and looked at her notes again. "Very well...then finish it, she shall," she said darkly, her hands clenching. She came out of the chamber, down the steps, and back into the Rose Garden, where her hand maidens waited with loyalty. She didn't beckon them to follow - she didn't need to, she knew that they would, and sent for Malgus to be brought to the Imperial Forge. She would have him create one final masterpiece for her.

MrMurasaki: Chains clad the boulder-like hands of Malgus, ones designed specifically for Mages. The Ley had been cut, but with one so studied, chances weren't taken. The Old Dwarf stumbled as he was being summoned, the exhaustion was deep in his red Mardune eyes. In generosity, the Empress allowed him to keep his armour, what good did it do anyway with no Magick and a castle of armed killers? His hair draped as his head was bowed in his advance. He stumbled, being pushed before the empress, clearing his throat and letting out his deep earth-like words that were laced with a tone of annoyance. "What do you want with me, Elle?" The old Mage, being well researched, knew her name and how much she hated the rabble using it. "Is it not enough I make your Champion his horrible construct? What else can you squeeze out of this old Mardune?" He let out a heaved sigh, his head still bowed, not yet looking up to see who else he could be annoyed with.

CrystalOnyx: -As they waited in the guarden, Maxine admired the roses quietly. She leaned down and smelled the fresh odor of the flower and glanced back to Kiala as they waited for their Empress.- "It's been a while has it not?" -She straightened trying to make small talk, but soon their Empress made her way into the gardens. She bowed her head lightly and soon followed her without a word. As the old dwarf made his way in, her brown eyes stared at him coldly. She never liked non-humans, they all deserved to be put in their place; whether it was working or licking someone's boot. At the dwarf's crude words, him uttering the Empress' name with his dirty mouth. Maxine became enraged as she moved over to him and with a searing hand of flame, burning the skin on his back and anything that was in the way. She soon growled as she pulled her hand away after a few moments letting the heat burning his ugly dark skin.- "You address the Empress with respect or I will rip the tongue from your mouth."

Aeternita: The young woman turned her gaze to her partner, her lips parting for just a moment to respond before she heard their Empresses footfalls approaching. Her eyes quickly fell to the floor, her head lowered respectfully as the two passed. As if by instinct alone, her body moved to follow her Empress through the garden and it wasn't until she heard her name come from the lips of that thing, that her eyes lifted from the ground and towards the disrespectful voice. She winced premptively, though it was behind a coy grin. Her counterpart was much more prone to jumping in to punish those who dare fault before their Empress and she knew her well enough that she'd make him rethink his words in the future. Her giggle was stifled only slightly behind her delicate wrist. She always found Maxines temper to be amusing, and though she'd never touch the creature herself, she did enjoy watching her do what she does for the honor of the Empress.

Esylana: The Empress smirked slightly, letting Maxine have her moment, before extending a hand. "Please, Maxine. There is work to do, and I'd hate to keep Malgus from his...well, whatever it is he does in his dark cell, hm?" Her smile faded as she stepped to the old dwarf, even as another two hand maidens appeared from the shadows. They were silent, they didn't have much to say, but the blonde one named Asarial would also have a grin on her face, her brown eyes, almost a red in some light, glittering with quiet malice. The second girl, pale and stern, her black hair pulled back into a tight braid, was named Pirone. Her dark green eyes simply observed the scene, awaiting the command of her Empress. "We're going to forge, today, a -very- special item. I need some Elementium shackles, designed to seal power within an individual, save for those who are allowed access. And I want them to have a bit of oomph to them." She motioned her handmaidens closer, it was clear they'd all be combining their blood, their power, to ensure these shackles sealed whomever they were placed upon, and thoroughly at that.

MrMurasaki: The force made Malgus fall over, it was not a far distance but he still caught himself with his Elementium gauntlets. He propped himself back up and stood tall... well for a Dwarf. rolling his boulders of shoulders and cracking his neck spitting at their feet. "I was forged in the Dragon Forge by the blessed hands and flame of Aurus himself, you think your spark of a slap can crack this stone solid body?" He chuckled to himself then looked to them, clenching his shoulders he severed the chains that bound him his gaze not leaving them as he did. "that was without Magick... I will say these inferior shackles are barely suitable for an Elf,Elle." He crossed his gauntleted arms over his chest. "So you want REAL Shackles made? For what? Collars for your loyal mutts here?" He sneered. "Why should I Witch? What more can you do to me?" He began to pace infront of her ignoring and brushing off any guards who approached. "your Champion destroyed my City, you stole the sacred Mirror. Took me from my people, now you continue to desire my work? For someone weho hates non-humans you depend on them greatly..." He huffed at his words, his ancient gaze not leaving them. "I would assume you need these rushed?" he would sigh his foot tapping, impatiently waiting to return to his cell.

CrystalOnyx: -At the Empress' words, Maxine stepped back as she cupped her hands together and bowed lightly. She soon straightened and remained quiet as the dwarf spoke once more. Her rage never went away as he spoke, but she kept where she was. Her face was blank as the petty words didn't bother her at all. She was greater than this thing, and their Empress would use him until he cracked or simply died. A malicious smirk crossed her face as time went by, she had also noticed the other maidens whom had stepped out of the shadows. Her eyes briefly glanced over to her partner, Maxine could see the amusement on Kiala's face.-

Aeternita: She growled mockling as she was called a "mutt", a teasing grin ever curling the corners of her lips. She breifly wondered if that noise she just made was a word spoken by his people, under the assumption that their kind probably mainly communicated via gutteral grunts and other beastly sounds. That line of thought is quickly ended though as she notices ther other Handmaidens approaching them, her piercing sky blue eyes acknowledging them breifly before turning her attention back to Maxine. Her head tilts slightly before giving her a playful wink, her platinium curls bouncing as she moves.

Esylana: "What more can -I- do to you? Oh, you're right...-I- have no need to do much to you...however..." And she stepped back, letting the hand maidens close in. "I'm not sure how much my lovelies, here, get practice in their 'Arts'. And I would be remiss if I didn't have them in tip. Top. Shape." She smirked as Asarial giggled suddenly, a small dagger slipping from her sleeve as she appraised where she might cut into the dwarf, while Pirone chewed on a fingernail, looking bored. Bored, but her eyes never left the dwarf in front of her. She waits for him to respond, he best choose his words wisely.

MrMurasaki: He had a growl to his voice now, more serious yet more annoyed. "Alright, how many mutt collars do you require? All of these hounds, then?" His gaze meeting every one of them before returning to hers." It will take time, Elementium just isn't some steel forged on a whim. This takes time and care, just as Aurus showed us. We Mardune Mages don't believe in denying anyone of Magick, but Elle, you test my patience..." He huffed his chest pushed out, foot still tapping. "to make the bond I will need all of their filthy mutt blood, as well as more of that crystal dust you have. My stores are getting low." He lifted his pipe to his teeth and lit it puffing. "Also, I will need no interruptions in this, not even your Bloodhound Draxis - this is no statue; it takes careful work and precision, or your little sultry hounds will surely be in for a suprise," he chuckled loudly at them, letting out a "Ha!" near the end. "You just wait Elle, your days are numbered and so is the Empire's. Thelgen... My Son will come..." a smirk befell the solid face of Malgus. "You have no idea what is in store for you and your armies... the shadows will bring upon you your destruction." His arms crossed once more.

CrystalOnyx: -The flames grew within her soul as this barbaric old fool spoke. She would stay where she was, but her brown eyes seemed to reflect a bit of red. As the dwarf started to talk about how the days were numbered, she wanted to burn his throat with her hand. She was about to step forward and do this act if no one stopped her. The flesh on her hand was already sparked with flame as she neared him.-

Aeternita: She watched Maxine adoringly, her passion was beautiful but alas Kiala knew the Empress already asked her not continue acting out against the Dwarf. She then placed her hands out infront of her with just the giddiest of expressions, if she were the literal bitch the Dwarf kept reffering to her as, her tail would be wagging. Then just above Maxine's hand formed a pocket of nothingness, all air within the pocket was suddenly removed and as she popped it the force of the air around it suddenly rushed to fill the space, sucking back the flames from her fingers as well as pulling her hand back with it. She then waggled her finger at Maxine, a hand on her hip and bent slightly at her waist. "Uhn uhn uhn, her Majesty said that's a no no for now."

Esylana: Elleinad held up her hands, smirking as the filthy dwarf finally agreed - just as she knew he would. Asarial's disappointment manifested in a loud "aww", while Pirone merely rolled her eyes, the foundation of the room rumbling ever-so-slightly, but then going still. "Of course, you will have everything you need for this -very- special order. But I only need one set. The finest craftmanship. I want them so solid, that not even the largest...explosion...of magic could get through them. As if you were forging them for...oh...someone who had too much power inside of them." She spread her hands a moment, motioning as she spoke. "My dear girls here will do their part, you do yours, and I might actually let you have a decent meal in your cell for once." She smiled in a benevolent manner.

MrMurasaki: He scoffed at her words. "Very well Elle, I will do this as if I had a choice." He turned his back to them, not caring of her dismissal or not. His plated greaves echoed on the stone floor as he walked away, perhaps even before her final words. in the distance the subtle sound of solid heeled footsteps trotted down the stiarway, his pace was hurried as was his intention. Adorned in a Regal attire dressed in Violet the man stepped into distant view, his black and purple hair bounced beneath his tall hat. His jeweled handled cane guided his path. He advanced strongly to the Dwarf, he extended his cane before him to the chest of Malgus pushing him back to his pot in his advance. He stood beside and a bit beyond Malgus, his legs crossed before him and his body bowed. in one heand gripped his Cane the other the rim of his hat, both arms extended out. He tood tall returning his hat to his head and cane clenched in his arm. "My dearest empress and her most loyal consort, I am pleasured." His pale porcelain skin seemed to glow in the torchlight accented by a painted smirk on his face.

CrystalOnyx: -The flames around her hands had been extinguished by Kiala and a huff of annoyance came from her. She finally dropped her hands a long with her head a bit as she stepped back a bit. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched as the Empress convinced him with mere words. She admired her so, her eyes returning to the old dwarf as he walked off. Her eyes moved back to the Empress as someone she'd hasn't met yet greeted her Empress.-

Aeternita: *Quickly wraps my arms around Maxines neck affectionately, giving her a playful kiss on the cheek.* "No pouting now!" *She giggles lightly, turning her attention back to the Dwarf.* "He'll get his...O-ohhh.." *She releases Maxine from the light embrace, looking over the new comer curiously. She raised a brow as she sized him up, her lips pursing as he had the gall to simply saunter up and address her Majesty unannounced.*

Esylana: Elle's eyes followed Malgus, a special hatred burning in them, before she turned and faced the new comer. Her beautiful smile blossomed as she went to speak, when she was immediately interrupted by Asarial, who bounced with a giggle and waved, her hand still holding her dagger. "Oh, hello again, Archie!" she said with an unbelievable amount of familiarity. Pirone's brown eyes widened, and she then turned to Asarial, hissing, "Show some respect, Asarial!" Elleinad rolled her eyes, ignoring the two as she approached the newcomer. "My apologies, Archael, Lord of Barukin. I've been busy ensuring the stability of our Empire. To what do I owe the -pleasure- of your visit?" She spoke warmly enough, but that distant coldness was still there, a force that could send shivers down ones spine, even there in the sweltering heat of the forge.

MrMurasaki: He stood tall leaning on his cane at his side, his eyes met Asarial shaking his head. "Oh my Dear, I know it has been a time but please... I have enough titles a pet name is just adding to the list. " He snapped his fingers and a ruby rose appeared nestled in her hair. His deep burning eyes, accented by the smoldering burns around and beneath them looked once more to Elle. "forgive my intrusion my most beloved Monarch." His eyes fell to Malgus. "As always in my Calculations our timing would be impecable. I need only your time, I would escort him to my Chambers but I must depart from here urgently. Barukin hasn't seen my presence in a short time and I need to go check the books if you will." he rolled his hands as he spoke the final part. "I can report as of last assesment the Shadow Alley Clans influence in Barukin has increased to a staggering 72.56% repeating of course." he waved his hand to his words. "That is business upon my return however, I offer you a gift. One of my time and skill My Empress. A skill you may find most persuasive and informative." A wink creased his pale porcelain like skin, a smile painted so devilishly amongst his thin goatee.

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine was surprised by the sudden movements of Kiala, a soft blush coming over Maxine's pale face as the woman laid a small kiss on her cheek. She was almost disappointed as Kiala let go, but suddenly hearing that this man was a Lord; Maxine stiffened. They weren't acting professional, they had time later to play around. Her brown almost red-ish eyes admired the Lord silently. She could only listen to them as she scooted over close to Kiala and grabbed the woman's hand, entangling their fingers together as their palms touched.-

Aeternita: Kiala on the other hand was less impressed by the title. So, he's a Lord? She's the Empress...there should be more respect shown than barging in, in the midst of their dealings. Her lips parted for a moment as she was about to speak her mind on the matter but the caress of Maxines fingers lacing with her own caused her hesitation. Instead she just scoffed and left her diagreements in her head, her eyes rolling with impaitence at being inturrupted.

Esylana: Asarial was merely melting in giggles as she poked the rose in her hair. Pirone started to hiss, "You're embarrassin-" "Silence." It was all it took. The one cold word, almost echoing in the chamber in spite of its softly spoken timbre, and the hand maidens were docile again. Elleinad was, it seemed, not in a patient mood. "Speak, then, Archael - I have many things to tend to today."

MrMurasaki: His head bowed to her. "Oh Your greatness, I assure you this is worth your valuable time. " he unclasped a pendant from around his neck, he leaned down looking up to her. "Have I ever given you reason not to trust me?" His gloved hand rested on the Dwarves shoulder, his legs buckling which was weird for a boulder of a man he was. The pendant chain clasped in his fingers, it wasn't as his attire the pendant brigh tyet relaxing silver with a black swirl in the center. He snapped his fingers beside the pendant, the impact of his snap against the pendant caused it to spin after a loud chime echoed the hall and sang into the ears of Malgus. Archaels coise softened, became more hypnotic in a sense. "Malgus, Dear sweet Malgus do not fear, do not fight. You are among friends, tell us the trusth so we may part again." A song met his tone as he moved his fingers to spin the pendant back and forth continuously. "Let us peer into your mind, your secrets left behind.. what lies in the dark, in the deep. When I snap wake from your sleep." He stood tall seeing the glaze in Malgus's red eyes. He tipped his hat. "Now your Majesty, ask unhindered what you will of this stubbourn old fool. I assure you, he will be most truthful." A sneer in Archaels voice followed by a proud smirk.

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine stood beside Kiala as they held hands, the hid a soft chuckle at the other two fighting maidens. They were all close, but Kiala was her most prescious friend besides the Empress. The ringing from the Lord's necklace touched her ears, it was almost hypnotizing; but her mind was like a steal trap. Little spells like that didn't bother her as she just watched and listened to the man's words. She glanced up Kiala to see her reaction to this.-

Aeternita: *Kiala was starring with wide saucer like eyes, though whether it was the spell, or simply her love for pretty trinkets causing her rather vacant gaze was undetermined. Though her fingers curled in Maxines grip, giving her a slight squeeze as she watched the magic occur. Oh the things she could do with such a neat little pendant...the potential, the possabilities. She lightly chewed on her lower lip as she practically gawked at the power before her.

Esylana: And now, the Empress was paying attention. Completely. She watched as he brought Malgus under strict control, and then she tilted her head, looking up at Archael. "What a wonderful little trick...and if it worked, well then." She rested a hand on her hip as she sashayed a little closer, examining the dwarven mage closely, before she asked him a single question. "Where is the location...of the Sky Fleet?" She already knew, from Draxis' report, that the ships were out there somewhere. The question was, would Malgus know where? And if he did, would Archael's little trick actually work?

MrMurasaki: Malgus's glazed over gaze befell the Empress. "Sky Fleet? Thelgen my Son he leads them. They make berth at the East Gate, built into Starfall Mountain only Sky Ships could get there." He remained stone solid his voice in a trance like way. "The Gates cannot be unlocked by any who does not know the truth of the Land. Beneath we gather under the Lyre around the Dragon Forge." His eyes started showing signs of fighting the control but this Magicians Magick and sleight of hand too powerful in his weakened, Magick deprived state. "Yes the Labyrinth... How do we get in?" the body of Archael arching over him. "The entrance to the Labyrinth is found by the four gates, sealed to all those who don't know the truth of the Land." He muttered his trance still deep.

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine knew what Kiala was staring at, it wasn't the trace that this Lord was doing. Kiala wanted the locket that he did it with, Kiala was obessed with shiney things. This brought a chuckle to her as she turned back to observe them. She listened to the filthy things words as he explained the where abouts of his fellow commrades. 'Ha, what a fool.' She thought to herself, returning the light squeaze the Kiala gave her hand a few moments ago.-

Aeternita: She was entranced both by it's beauty and it's power. Right now there was nothing else in the world, just lustful, greedy thoughts of having that trinket. Her grip tightened further, though she didn't realize she was squeezing Maxine so much as the scene outside of the interrogation blurred around her. Her heart raced within her chest. "It wasn't fair." She thought to herself, that others should have such power and beauty and she couldn't. Kiala of course was loyal to her Empress, would throw her life away in an instant for her...but was it wrong to just want a taste of that control?

Esylana: "And what is...the 'truth of the Land'?" she asked in a low, sultry voice. She would have that answer riddled, hopefully before he woke up - it looked like he was trying to fight whatever enchantment it was that Archael had used upon him. But she wanted her answers, and she wanted the sky fleet dead. She would immediately be sending in a -very- special individual to handle the operation after Anthem fell.

MrMurasaki: His eyes snapped back and shaking his head, his glare met Archael and then the Empress. "Unity... That is what connects the Land. If your petty mind tricks are through I would like to get down to business." He scoffed looking up to Archael. "That is a powerful trick, anyone deprived of MAgick as long as I would have been a puppet." he clanked his elementium Gantlets together. "Your enchantments while powerful become hindered because of my Sacred Steel Mind Mage." A sharp sneering smirk cracked the face of Archael, he gripped his face removing the now revealed supposed mask. He tossed it to the side shattering it into the floor. The symbols on his gloves ignited in a smoldering purple. He gripped the Dawarf through his beard into his thick neck and raised him into the air. "You insult this meeting Dwarf and my patience. We'll see how long you last without your armour." He threw him before him Malgus falling to his back. Archael turned to the Empress. "If I may be so bold to ask my Empress, strip him of his adornments let the Residual Magick of his Elementium fade from him then his mind will be putty at your mold." His face had been returned to normal, the usual porcelain hue shone bright. One mask for another. He rested the tip of his cane to the Dwarves forehead and sneered. "you will reveal to me the way into Khaz'Aurus, I will rule those caverns. Mark me Dwarf Mark me."

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine shook her head at Kiala's greedy face expression, it made her smile as she continued to listen to their Empress and the old dwarf. She soon noticed how Kiala's grip started to hurt, she winced for a moment and looked up to the woman.- "Ease your grip love, my hand is not unbreakable."

Aeternita: *Kiala's expressionless mask soon returned to normalacy with a few blinks, upon hearing her dear friend's voice. She quickly retracted her hand and laughed awkwardly. "S-sorry Max...heheh...I err..." She offered a small remorseful shrug, behind a sweet little smile. Maxine knew her well enough to know that pendant had got to her head and Kiala wasn't about to deny it. She then snapped back to the group before her, the sound of something smashing to floor causing her to flinch in surprise. She didn't really understand the need for all the dramatics, in her mind if the Empress needed something, with all her power she could get it without all the nonsense. Torture someone here, throw some coin there...Everything should be in her grasp without the theatrics and flashy scenes people do to make them seem powerful.

Esylana: "In. Due. Time." Elleinad said, tempering the hot situation with her own coolness. She knew what she wanted, and in spite of Archael's little display, she still had a focused goal in mind. After all, the entirety of magic in the Empire depended on it. "I want, dwarf, my shackles first. For the Sae'ala. Her sacrifice will carry on, but you will have a hand in making it meaningless. Something to add to your list of "shames", hm?" She taunted, in case the dwarf got any ideas. "When he is finished with the task I have for him," she nodded to Archael. "-Then-, you might have him." She finally turned to her hand maidens. "Maxine, Kiala, Pirone, and Asarial. Attend to Malgus and the shackles. I want them done by tomorrow." And with that, she would snake her arm into the crook of Archael's arm, and while it looked like he might be escorting her out, it was really she who was leading him away from the Imperial Forge. He'd have his chance. Later.

MrMurasaki: Malgus watched as they walked off, the anger controting his stone like face. "You will never breach the Sacred halls!" his words fell to a fleeting wave from Archael, before they left he stopped. "Just a moment Dearest." He turned on his heel his posture tall, his cane guided his path it was directly to Kiala. he stood before her and leaned down on his cane. His smoldering flame circling eyes met hers. "You showed intrigue in this yes?" he tapped the pendulum. "Well then take it, as a gift." He unfastened it and held her hand in his silken gloved hand and slowly dropped it in her palm. His pale face painted with a smirk. "The only use you will get I'm afraid is a shiny trinket, there is no Magick within. that trick comes from yours truly." with a brush of her cheek he turned on his heel and returned to the waiting arm of the Empress. "forgive me, her eyes wouldn't leave me this entire time, ahem the pendant." He reached into his coat and drew one exactly as the other was and fastened it around his neck. His final words heard to the empress were. "Don't worry my Empress, I will personally attent to the locating of the defector. Draxis cannot hide from the ever watchful eye of the empire and the Shadow Alley Clan."

CrystalOnyx: -Maxine bowed to the Empress as the woman said her orders. She didn't move just yet as the Lord come closer and gave Kiala the small trinket. That was nice of him, but now Kiala wouldn't shut up about it. Her friend would probably stare at it for hours. Soon he walked away and she took a light hold of Kiala's arm to guide her over to the dwarf.- "Get up so we can start this." -Her voice was stern as she hardly when looked down at the thing.-

Aeternita: *Kiala tensed as the Lord approached her, swallowing anxiously with him so close. She couldn't pull her gaze away from his eyes until he dangled the pendulum before her. "I...I-it's a lovely piece my Lord." She muttered out meekly, fully aware of how her thoughts contradict how she responds in reality. She flushed lightly as he took her hand and laid the delicate jewlery in her open palm. Before she could respond from the shock of it all he was already heading off with the Empress. She watched for a moment, motionless until Maxine tugged her with her. "M-Maxine! Hold on a moment!" She pleaded as she stumbled behind her while trying to fasten the pentant around her slender throat.