Of Birth and Death

[Chikachu 402]

Something was wrong.

Kali couldn’t’ focus. Something was keeping the scene from coming into enough focus for her to think about it. Kali felt as though she were drifting. Then the pain came, and Kali realized with horror what had happened, and how it had come to this. She had felt this pain before. It was too soon. “Oh God, no,” she whispered, using the name in the actual and complete meaning of the word. A silent prayer to the One True God, a prayer for a child who was coming too fast… too soon. He wasn’t ready.

The boy who had caused her to fall was beside her now as she backed into the corner, trying to keep her breathing steady. He was an innocent child – he hadn’t even realized what he had done even now as the blood began to run down her leg. The boy spoke to her, but she couldn’t understand him. It felt as though cotton had filled her head. She could no longer hear the shouting that had been going around, her mouth was dry and her throat as well, she couldn’t focus on the world around her. It was though everything was coming to her from behind hazy glass and she couldn’t quite see what was coming or what would happen. The boy spoke again, and this time she understood a bit better. He was asking if she was alright.

“Lancel…” Kali whispered, “Go get Lancel…” Then she felt herself drift into darkness as she slumped to the ground. The pain didn’t stop in unconsciousness. It seemed to throb, coming out in waves from her lower stomach. She didn’t know why the pain was so much more than last time. Her body responded:

Something was wrong.

She came to again with the sound of people shouting above her. Her breath was coming faster now, and the pain became more acute – everything came into complete and painful focus. Another voice spoke from above, and this one she recognized. “Artorus!” she screamed, and she faded for another moment. The next thing she knew, Artorus was there, standing just before her.

“I’m here, Kali,” he said gently, and Kali looked up into the gray eyes of the man who had been there for her through everything, the man she had loved as a father in all her time in Oren. She smiled slightly, and she wanted to reach out to him, but her hand wouldn’t respond the way she wanted it to.

“It’s too soon,” Kali whispered, “It’s too soon!”

“It will be alright,” Artorus promised, his smile false on his face, but Kali could certainly see that he was trying. Still, their fear didn’t change the baby coming, and came he did. Little Artorus Hightower came into the world on Itnan, the 9th of Malin’s Welcome, Year 54. He was small, much too small, only the size of Artorus’ palm as the large man held the tiny child. Lancel was there then, clutching Kali’s hand just as tightly as she clutched his, his usually bright and teasing green eyes hard and cold as the emeralds in the market. His usual smirk wouldn’t fit on this new face that Kali saw as his son was born into the word. Artorus took the child and cleaned him, wrapping him in a cloak.

“Artorus…” Kali breathed.

“Yes?”

“That’s his name… Artorus... like I promised…” Lancel snarled slightly, but Kali knew he would respect her wishes in this. “Artorus Azagath… uniting enemies… just don’t tell Lion that…” Kali laughed slightly. Now both men were frowning, but Artorus held the baby out for her to see all the same. “He has my eyes…” she whispered again, “I was… hoping… he would have… yours... Lancel…” That seemed to lighten the mood, and Kali let go of Lancel’s hand as Artorus gave the small child to him.

Something was wrong.

The pain returned suddenly and in full force, making Kali gasp and arch her back from it. Artorus turned fast, hurrying back to try and help her. The blood was flowing fresh now, and in no way healthily. Kali screamed in pain, and she knew the time had come.

It was Kali’s time to die.

No! she screamed, though the word wouldn’t form on her lips. This couldn’t happen. Patrick was still only a child, four years of age. He would need his mother for many more years. And now little Artie was there too. Lancel watched in horror, holding the little Artorus and able to do nothing as Kali writhed in pain on the floor of the dark cave. This couldn’t happen. She hadn’t fixed anything – Oren was still as corrupt as it had been when she had come. She’d had so many more plans, s many more things that she’d wanted to do.

Kali felt herself begin to drift, and clutched at the stones only to find that her hands were already claws against the ground. He heart thudding in her chest began to slow and she realized with a strange dreaminess through the pain that she was dying. Artorus was a good man, but he was not a healer, and no healer had come. Kali might have laughed at the irony. The only healer around as she died was her.

Kali tried to speak quickly, knowing that her time was growing short, “Oh God, Alex… Artorus… don’t let him… Patrick…”

“Of course not,” Artorus replied quietly

“If anything happens… take care of them…”

Artorus nodded, unable to speak anymore, his eyes shining slightly in the semi-darkness. Kali turned to Lancel, looking up at the man she had come to love, no matter how wrong it had been. The anguish in his eyes was quite apparent. Instead, he clutched their child to his armor, though gently.

“I…” Kali whispered as her life ebbed away, “I… I’m so…”

“Don’t be sorry,” Artorus said quickly.

Kali smiled, wishing she could laugh for them, “I’m always sorry…” she said as she faded away.

All she could see was the one who wasn’t there. The one who should have been there. Alexander. Her love, her life. After everything they had done to each other, she still loved him, and she would always love him. She could love many others, and he could love them as well. But not matter what happened, she would always love him, and she knew that he would always love her. Now and forever. To him she was sorry. She wished she could have waited for him to come.

~~~

And so passed Imperial Princess Kali Horen. Wife to Alexander Horen. Lover to Lancel Hightower. Mother of Patrick William Artorus Jrent and Artorus Azagath Hightower. Friend and Rival of Ari Hightower. Caretaker of the orphans Borceicity, Samuel, and Thomas. Friend of Artorus Elendil, Alyssia Elendil, Isabella Elendil, Ramdir Soulblade, and many many more over the years. May her soul find peace in Solace where her body rests. Amen.

[~≈Panda≈~ 290]

(( *sniffles* That was so sad... And yet so wonderfully written. It makes Panda wonder what will happen now to the child that came too early. Will it die soon? Will it be shunned, hated for taking the life of her mother? People can only be so cruel. ))

[Gemmylou 484]

*Alyssia Elendil sits with her ill and weak niece Isabella telling her a story when her Father walks in the door, his eyes red from tears and a grave look on his face. She kisses her niece and takes her Father from the room. In a small voice he tells her of the birth of Baby Artorus and the death of her good friend.

Alyssia covers her mouth in shock and removes herself from the castle. It isn't until she is out far enough in the cold woods she releases her tears and mourns her friends death. Alyssia stays in the cold a long time then decides to find her cousin Alex and his son, knowing they would need the most help in this time of grief.*

Edit: (( You bought tears to my eyes. WHY. WHY DEATH. WHY?!))

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Alexander Horen died the very next Elven Day

He killed himself in the Cathederal in Arethor, just before Richard's wedding, staining the stone and carpet red with blood

As he stood, rope around his neck, he looked at the cleric trying to stop him

"Hell can't hold me, and Heaven can't keep me out. I am Horen. I will be with my love."

He said this with clarity, and truth. Nothing would or could stop him.

He had tried to hang himself, but when the roped snapped as he fell, his head ragdolling and macking against the stone with a smack

He bled and bled, the cleric's efforts in vain as he tried to heal the wound

Nobody seemed to care as Alexander died, his last breath in the church, and his death inside for all to see

A guard of four Royal Knights carried his body, a small choir in black singing a haunting song as they carried him to Mireton

Alexander had taken Kali's body from Solace, and reburied it next to his pre-dug grave on a hill, on the little abode he had built for them so many years ago

They were finally laid to rest together, side by side, as the sun set, and the wedding bells rung

Little Patrick Horen left in Arethor, ignorant of his coming fate, and the Hell it will be

A will was sent out, after Alexander died, signed and stamped by him. His last wishes

"I, Alexander Horen, Imperial Prince, Duek of Pruvia, Grand Inquisitor, Knight, and now dead, send out my wish.

Ser Shais is to be granted his barony, where he chooses in my land. He has done me well, and was a good friend

Artorus shall recieve a dowry for his friendship and staying with Kali until the end, what I never could

My son, Patrick Horen shall inherit all my land and any titles he can. He is to be put in the care of Patrick Denims, and if not him, then my brother Horen IV, so he might learn the ways of our family properly

The Palace I had made shall continue, according to design, and to be finished soon, so my family might enjoy it as I wanted Kali, Patrick, and I to

Lion shall have his barony in my land taken from him, not Black Keep, under guidance from Artorus and others, he is unfit for lordship

I would like my friend Ser Belyn to mantain Pruvia until Patrick can take it

I would wish my body remained at rest, and hers too

I want Lancel Hightower cleared of any charges that might be brought upon him. He is my cousin, and I would never truly be able to rest if his life was ruined

Ari Hightower, I wish you a wonderful life with my brother. Make the Horen's proud

Richard, you always were a damn find uncle. Don't lose her. Don't do what I did, and destroy it all.

William my brother, I wish I had spent more time loving you, and less hating you. Our family doesn't that

Henry we never knew much of each other, but I wish I had known you more. Keep the family proud

Horen IV, my brother, you deserve this more than any of us. Make my son proud to be Horen, and make father proud

Catherine I know you will do good by my uncle. You are the perfect fit for him. Keep him in line.

Artorus, I'm sorry. You were there and I wasn't. That's why I can't bear to see you again. Goodbye, uncle

Ezekiel I wish I had spent more time with my grandfather. Our few moments were damn fine

Father, I have failed you. Hell is where I belong, but it won't hold me. I will make it know the name Horen, and by God, I will force Heaven's gates open. I am Alexander Horen, son of Godfrey Horen, and I will stop at nothing for what I believe in. That is what you taught me. To never stop for what you love.

By the time this reaches you, I am dead. I have failed you all, and I am sorry. By the time you are in Heaven though, I swear I will have the gates forced open, and by our name, we will be toegther again. All of us will.

Imperial Prince Alexander Horen"

Hell can't hold me, and Heaven can't keep me out. I am Alexander Horen, and I shall find the one I love. The Angels and Demons are no match, for I have nothing to lose.

[Austin 697]

[[why u no give patrik to william :(

[Arkelos 1027]

Kyral had heard news of Kali's death. Though she did not know her, Kyrals eyes began to water as she slammed her fist into her throne. Crying uncontrollably as her adviser Selina Demones came running into the palace. Kyral still crying as the messenger walks away solemnly, Kyral looking back up to Selina, smiling.

"The next one, I'll name Kali." She said, resting her head back as tears began to fall from her face once more.

[Sargeblub 78]

*Matthew sits in his study in Solace, a grim look upon his face. He brings the event to the forefront of his mind, and begins to think.*

"This is the Gladiant's fault... they helped the Mage instead of us, had they not done so Kali could be alive right now..."

*Matthew frowns deeply as he thinks of the Mage called 'Blood' who had tried to take Lancel's life not a month ago, and now he's done this. He picks up his quill and presses it against a fresh piece of parchment*

[Watyll 1104]

As Death walks the streets of Arethor, he hears of the deaths of the two nobles. He chuckles, a low hollow sound.

"And so noble blood is spilled."

Death sighs

"But there is always more...I will not stop until they are all dead."

Death laughs suddenly, realizing that the nobles have done part of his job for him.

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

* Ser Kais learns of the news of having two of his close friends die, a few tears run behind his helmet knowing he will never see them again, they were his friends and allies and he had lost them, being on his last will and testimony did nothing but give him more grief, he kept saying to himself

"I'm sorry I failed you, I failed you both"

* More tears shed down behind his helmet

"I'm not going to bury anymore members of the Horen Family"

(( Disclaimer I am Ser Shais on the will ))

[aron. 427]

Aron has come to peace with the untimely death of Kali. Though He never knew her in health, he vows he will help Lancel raise Artorus, and will do anything he can to make sure Artorus grows up to become the best man he can be.

*Aron tickles baby Arty's* feet "Your mom would be happy to know she gave birth to such a happy baby"

"Just wish she didn't give you the middle name of that lion" *Aron shakes his head* "Man, i hate that Lion!"

[Jay Lenos 384]

-Snip*

*coughs as he speaks*

"Will nullified exempt to what has been passed on to his son, disgraced within Oren- his name is to be stricken from that of House Horen never to be spoken of again, and excommunicated from the church in and out of death: all because of this great Sin he has done. Where his lives worths shall leave off do will be decided at another date by His Majesty Godfrey and those of the House of Horen."

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

*coughs as he speaks*

"Will nullified, disgraced within Oren- his name is to be stricken from that of House Horen never to be spoken of again, and excommunicated from the church in and out of death: all because of this great Sin he has done. Where his lives worths shall leave off do will be decided at another date."

Your RP is voided. You're tryin to do things you can't again. I'm also going to start ignoring all of your RP until you stop trolling. It's old, knock it off. []

[Jay Lenos 384]

Your RP is voided. You're tryin to do things you can't again. I'm also going to start ignoring all of your RP until you stop trolling. It's old, knock it off. []

((The roleplay has already been done and all that has been said happened, merely posting on here so that you know. I also ask that you do not swear, attempt a flame war, and harass me for something that happened in roleplay - Thank you))

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

(( I'm pretty sure you can't excommunicate a Horen since well there better than you. The Horens are the Holy House chosen by God so I'm pretty sure only Godfrey can excommunicate a Horen so your RP should be voided since you don't have that power ))

[ski_king3 0]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.