Secrets Of The Deceiver

by **Ricky Maze** on June 25th, 2013, 5:54 am

Secrets Of The Deceiver
Summer 14th 513 AV, 12th Bell
Location: Wright Memorial Library

It was getting warmer with each passing day in Zeltiva, the heat that started to blanket the city had begun to get a bit unbearable in the azure uniform Ricky was outfited in. Already he a had sweat that broke from his forehead and covered his brow, the uniform already made his body start to sweat in other hot places as well. Luckily he did his best to keep bathed and clean as much as he could, lest a terrible aroma would plague him and ruin his day. Still the body odor hadn't yet to cling to him which was a good sign, though if he kept up with all the sweating then that could change easily. However the sweating wasn't a concern to Ricky now, he only had a bell to find Ignotus and confront him like he planned. Hannah forbade it of course but with his persistance she gave in, finally mentioning that one of her contacts saw him entering the library today. So that's where he went off too, and even though Hannah asked him not to do anything stupid, Ricky found that his actions would better justify what exactly Iggy had done. Would they be stupid yes? But he had planned this in his head for days now, and it was time he finally spoke his mind and got a better sense of understanding.

Ricky arrived at Wright Memorial Library and proceeded to enter to be greeted with a cooler air compared to outside, he gave a silent prayer to Zulrav saying thanks considering how refreshing it was to outside. The aroma of old dusty tomes filled his sense of smell as he went on further back, people scattered about the place in near silence as they tended to their business. Whether it wad research or simply a good book the library had much to provide, but as Ricky shuffled through the aisles to find Ignotus he had little luck. He continued on further back into the library where the magic section could likely be found, although he wasn't sure if all of it was really on magic. He had quite the bone to pick with the magician after all, his horrid plan to use Hannah as leverage against him had been turned around for the better or worse. Whatever Ignotus planned with Ricky's unborn child, the guard would be sure to get his point across to Ignotus. There was much fuel, fuel for anger that wanted to be ventilated. But then again there was also something else Ricky couldn't explain, an uncertainty in which he had to clarify first hand before he could confirm what his real thoughts were with Igno.

Finally he arrived at part of the library where few people seem to linger, and when he filed through the aisles to seek out Ignotus he then realized something that would helped made his search easier had he remembered to ask. What did Ignotus look like? He was aware the man was a Nuit after all, so he could've changed into another new body again. If that was the case then he wouldn't know just who Ignotus could be. He muttered and cursed under his breath as he looked around, and wished that Hannah had a description on what Ignotus' appearance was. "She probably didn't tell me on purpose since I'll be goin' on patrol soon. Dammit, where's Ignotus hidin' in this place." He rested his hands at his hips, as he gathered his thoughts on where he would find Igno.

"Ricky's words.", "Ricky's thoughts.", "Telion's words.", "Hannah's words.", "Other's words."

by **Ignotus Everto** on June 25th, 2013, 7:40 am

As if aided by providence, Ricky's attention was soon drawn to something that would not normally be in a library- a dead raccoon. A moving dead raccoon. A moving dead raccoon that was scurrying off with a book on Summoning. Now, this being a bizarre sight, he was naturally compelled to investigate.

Ducking through a number of hallways to a rather dusty section of the Uni, Ricky saw the little zombie scuttle through a flaking door left ajar. From this door, wafted the sickly sweet smell of death. In addition, as he neared it, something felt... Off. As if reality had the flu. The air simply felt... Distorted, somehow.

Of course, having been a wizard for so short a time, he would not, perhaps, realize that it mean Djed was being manipulated in his vicinity. Then again, this being the East Wing, perhaps it wouldn't matter. As he creaked the door open, he was greeted with an equally strange sight inside.

A rather tall man in the same sort of clothes Ignotus favored was sitting cross-legged, and perfectly still, beside a pair of heavily glyphed chalk circles connected by a line, one larger than the other. In both were pigeons. One asleep, one dead. From the sleeping one into the deceased flowed what looked like a mix between smoke and water that occasionally bounced off the magical barriers made by the glyphs. It was glowing blue.

Behind the man, who was almost certainly Ignotus, was row after row of dead birds, and about two-dozen similarly dead raccoons. He did not seem to notice the intrusion. However, about thirty six freshly undead pigeons noticed, staring at the guard with cocked heads and unblinking eyes. If Ricky decided to make a commotion, he would get a response, though it would be a rather irritable one.

If he waited a few chimes, however, the flow of information would stop, the dead pigeon would stand, and Ignotus would look up. Either way, the response would be the same, though the inflection would differ. "Ricky! I'd love to talk, but I'm very busy right now."

by **Ricky Maze** on June 25th, 2013, 8:40 am

Of all the petched up things one man could encounter in this world, Ricky just had to come across a random dead raccoon that happened to be moving with a book. He had lived in a lifetime through slavers, a plague, a secretive expirate, and of course now a pregnancy that was far from planned, yet even combined he still couldn't fathom how a dead raccoon could roam around the library. It threw him in for a surprised loop as he saw the stinky little bugger flitter off like some mindless puppet, but then he very easily received the incline at just who could be responsible for such a strange... abomination? Unsure if he could classify it as that he only shrugged, and took this as a sign that maybe fate decreed for him to follow.

Thus cue the part where Ricky did follow. The little devil sure acted alive well enough but somehow it just wasn't right, raccoons never really "fetched" things such as books, they were more like scavengers than anything really. So why did this one act like a mindless zombie? Ricky would find that little bit out soon enough, when he would reach the door that flaked so awkwardly after the thing proceeded to enter. Somehow for some reason Ricky just picked up too well on what was going on, for the air carried the stench of death clung around as though flesh could be rotting. Given the raccoon there probably was... but something felt different. Wrong as though something sinister took place, and altered the very fabrics of the reality in the next room.

He hadn't time to lose, so he would assume whatever was at work definitely had to be Ignotus. There was no other explanation, a dead raccoon moves like its alive, the air feels touched by the resonance of magic, it just had to spell out Ignotus in big bright words. Thus when he entered he found his mind to be blown, the small cluster of undead pigeons as they lifelessly stared at him brought a stop right in his tracks. He became frozen and paled just a bit as though he could turn dead himself, already he failed the staring contest with the damned winged demons as he blinked in disbelief. "What. The. Petch." How morbid could this get? No clearly this was far from morbid for Ricky, this if he recalled from before was a magic he remembered coming across before. From a time Telion once thought of seeking someone with particular experience in this, only one word came to his mind as he watched the way the blue smokey substance danced within the perimeters of the glyph. "Animation." He chuckled as he fought the urge to spat, clearly he had a lot more magic to see in action. Luckily he could finally cross this rather strange one off his list.

The man that worked the glyphs was taller then he figured, definitely taller than he remembered Ignotus to be the last time they spoke. He chuckled a bit though as his gut had the right incline, it was obvious that by the clothes he wore the man definitely was Ignotus Everto; Animator, Reimancer, and Deceiver. Let's not forget that now shall we. He was after all so full of so many secrets, secrets that involved thick lies buried underneath nothing but more secrets. Was there ever truth to be found in this man? Ricky didn't plan to figure it out, that would've made Ignotus too easy to begin with. This time though Ricky would no longer play the fool. "Points for perserverance Ricky, but it looks like our little confrontation will have an army on us if things turn sour." Oh yes, he was in fact aware of the situation. Undead pigeons and raccoons skulked about just waiting for a command, all Ricky would have to do is probably make one little slip and things would turn ugly... but then why would they? Igno had what he wanted already did he not? A strong and determined guard who'd blindly fight to protect his friends and his home, sure enough Ignotus had little reason to see Ricky as a threat now that he had a family on the way. Or did he know?

Guess Ricky would find that out soon, as the procedure the wizard performed seemed to end, with another undead pigeon recruited for the masses. "Raisin' yer self an army are ya?" He mused with a chuckle, a bit on the confident side today. "I figured with everyone ye got in yer pocket ya wouldn't need such a thing." He approached the glyph to further observe its detail, curiosity slightly pulled the better of him. He knew not what the glyphs represent, but could assume the nature for their intended purpose. "I came here to've a talk with ya, for good reason too as I know a little bit about ya now." He waited to see if that would pull Ignotus' attention well enough then continued to spill a small portion of the beans. "Ye tried to set me and Hannah up so ya could use 'er as leverage against me, what I want to know is why exactly do ya need that leverage? Am I that much of a damn liability that ya? Or do ye just have some real trust issues that need fixin'." He only crossed his arms with a frown as he looked to Ignotus, his tone rather harsh but not very hostile.

Admittedly he had developed a much needed backbone for situations such as this, where as he once couldn't stand being around Iggy before he had little trouble with him now. Though the undead thing stil was a bit creepy. Still Ricky had a lot to do just as Ignotus did, and though their forms of work were far different one thing was alike. They were both rather busy, just on different sides. Ricky in the light of events while Ignotus tucked away beneath the shadows, it was almost rather poetic how they could be so alike on such a complete different level. Ricky had to face him though in any case, the man had a family on the way and so he had to use his mind as well as his heart. One of the many demons he would have to face in the long run stood before him even now, though this one came to be more of a devil than anything really. He waited to hear what Ignotud had to say, mind sharpened while his eyes switched between undead man and undead army.

"Ricky's words.", "Ricky's thoughts.", "Telion's words.", "Hannah's words.", "Other's words."

by **Ignotus Everto** on June 26th, 2013, 5:33 am

"Yes I am." Ignotus replied tersely. "To face the one you've allowed to gather right under your nose."
Now, when Ricky began to mention pockets and names, the Nuit fell silent. For one, he didn't want the boy to stop talking- those who would conspire against him needed correcting, after all. For another, he needed time to think. Should he simply kill the boy? No... Why should he? The child existed for precisely that purpose. So he would be able to keep himself safe should Ricky betray him, while still making use of the boy. The less blood was spilled, the better.

After a few ticks, the wizard rose slowly to his feet. As he did so, his hypnotic presence began to make itself felt. First, by muting the anger with a certain thoughtfulness. It was not truly a reversal- it simply predisposed him to consider the words to come carefully, and promoted quiet contemplation as opposed to hard passion. "You must understand, Ricky. Those in my position cannot afford to leave things to chance. Imagine, my dear boy, that an agent of chaos enters our fair city." As Ignotus said this, he began to pace around the circle. "They give nothing, love nothing, and care only to destroy what we as a people have worked so hard to achieve!"

The Nuit's hand clenched into a fist, "They must be destroyed, and you must be the one to destroy them. But you hesitate. Your heart, though it is the source of your strength, balks at such harsh measures. But such measures must be taken, lest we fall into a second darkness."

Images began to flicker across Ricky's vision. Zeltiva burning. The library pillaged, guttural men stalking through the streets. Telion raped. Telion dead. "Perhaps this agent hides in the body of a child, and you feel guilt. Perhaps taking another life is simply too much in and of itself. But you must do your duty."

Ignotus stopped with his back turned to Ricky. "Zeltiva cannot afford to see your heart lead you astray. Thus, I ensure that your resolve may never waver."
Doubt began to worm into Ricky's mind, now. Was he truly in the right? Was the Nuit truly the villain? He turned to face the guard again. "I trust you, but I cannot take that risk. There is a storm coming, Ricky." Ignotus intoned gravely. A new emotion introduced now. Rapt attention. Focus on this new threat, not an old quarrel. "One for which I have been preparing many weeks now. We must be united, or we will burn. And I refuse to allow that! We have worked too long, too hard to preserve this last bastion of civilization. We will weather through this, but we must not in-fight."

by **Ricky Maze** on June 26th, 2013, 7:05 am

Ricky scoffed at Ignotus' remark about the "one he allowed to gathered under his nose", unaware that such a threat could be possible in Zeltiva after all that's been going on. Yet he didn't really need to think so much on it to guess at what the man hinted at, as Ricky was just as aware as any other guard that the numbers in the Denvali seemed to be on a rise. He didn't believe they had the balls to strike at Zeltiva though, not when they themselves had so little to claim as their own. When Ignotus stood up Ricky could tell what he said at least irked the man, it was clear in his expression that his words held some form of meaning to Ignotus. Whether that meaning was meant to be good or bad, Ricky would have to soon figure out in this little confrontation. However something had changed that nearly slipped Ricky's attention, just moments ago he felt fired up and ready to stand up to Ignotus, and now he felt calmer and more considerate about the whole situation. It was all a little too sudden for the guard when he thought about it, as he watched the wizard with suspicious eyes.

"An agent of chaos? Here?" There was next to nothing he knew of Rhysol and even less about his agents, but when Ricky listened to Igno's little speech. If what he said was.in fact true then tempered caution to deal with this threat would be absolutely necessary, there were in fact things far worse in this city then a man like Ignotus Everto. "I've no reason to hesitate if they threaten my family and friends, that's for damn sure." He crossed his arms as Ignotus continued, as his imagination somehow gained a conciousness of its own. Fire ravaged the very city he vowed to protect, the library ruined from its entire glory, most importantly the one person he loved the most violated and slaughtered in the most gruesome fashion. This caused a spark to ignite in his heart, as his face seemed to flush a bit with closed eyes. "This ain't real..." He reminded himself. "This isn't somethin' that will happen, not unless ya overlook the signs that he's pointin' out." He remembered the night he and Castor spent drinking Kelp Beer, the discussion on the magics and what they were classified as. Personal magic being one that came from the user's Djed, the one Ricky's mind finally made the connection to now was the one Ignotus had to be using on him. "Hypnotism." He speculated with a sharp look to the wizard with his expression indignant.

Ignotus' innovation that everyone must stand united or fall victim to a cruel fate was a bit mind boggling for Ricky, and for once there was actually a hint of truth to what the cunning man said too. Ricky's heart had strength but the resolve however failed to remain the same, he lacked the spirit of confidence one needed in order to achieve such ambitions that Ignotus planned. The kind of confidence that even power failed to give, where as motivation however tended to fuel. Such a dark approach this man of secrets took, and yet Ricky found himself no longer angry to Ignotus. Instead he pitied him for falling to such standards. "I've to admit yer not just some corrupt bastard out for his own skin, ya actually look as if ya care about Zeltiva as much as the next person." He mused with a chuckle, arms still crossed as he slowly paced left and right. "I can understand yer need to resort to yer methods for someone like me to follow through, I'll admit I'm just a simple man who wants to protect everythin' he loves." He faced Ignotus once more, a small little grin to the wizard before he finished his bit of the speech. "But that's only because I've not believed in me self as much as everyone else has. I've my resolve in a form better than yer levity, I've the one thing that will always drive me forward mate. I've love in my.life again, and I'll go through any extent of pain just to keep it alive."

He unfolded his arms and looked at the pal of his right hand, then showed it to Ignotus as he continued his "heart to heart" speech. "I came to ya because I thought power would be the answer to make me stronger, but I've learned that the love I feel for Telion... for the baby... my friends. All of them is what gives me strength, they are my power mate. And so long as I've got them, ye can keep the damned hypnotic tricks to yer self and just tell me what I've got to save them from!" He demanded with a clenched fist now, the firmness in his tone of voice from before slightly presented itself once again.

"Ricky's words.", "Ricky's thoughts.", "Telion's words.", "Hannah's words.", "Other's words."

by **Ignotus Everto** on June 28th, 2013, 7:50 am

Ricky's speech elicited a smile from the wizard. He had chosen well. "Then you truly are the hero Zeltiva needs." he began.
But the mirth drained out of him as quickly as moisture from wood in fire when he heard the word 'hypnotic.'

"It was the flashes."

If the Wave Guard paid close attention, he'd notice thick azure fog rolling slowly along the floor from Ignotus. "Am I that obvious?" the wizard inquired. "I suppose my sense of showmanship got the better of me..."

The door swung itself shut. "You know a very sensitive secret, Ricky Maze..." Ignotus said in a dangerously low voice. "Most who learn it do not enjoy the information for long. However, I trust you."

There was a great emphasis on that word. Trust. Along with a touch of guilt imparted onto Ricky. Treating poor old Ignotus like a dog, when he himself believed in him so. "I trust that you will keep this information quiet- for there are many who would use it for evil, and they take many guises."
An element of paranoia, now. Not a heavy element. Just a shadow of a feeling. He could harm Zeltiva by letting his secret slip!

"The Denvalis are gathering a cadre of mercenaries, Ricky." continued Ignotus. "They have been preparing for two seasons now, as far as I can tell- and so have I. Maria resigns on the seventy fifth. At that precise moment the Zeltivan government will be at its very weakest- they will not get a chance like this for a very long time."

Ignotus took a step towards Ricky then, making a sort of ticker gesture with his left hand as he spoke.

"I do not know when precisely, but at some point after the seventy fifth of Summer, but before
a new Lord of Counsel can be recognized, they will strike. We must not be caught off guard. You must ready as many guards as you can, and keep a careful eye on the Denvalis. Find the leaders of these mercenary factions. Find who is paying them, and make sure that money is never received.

This can be done in two ways. Killing the man doing the paying, or taking the money itself. The latter is more difficult in some senses, but is much harder to fix. And, of course, is bloodless. Relatively, at any rate. In addition, you must prepare your men. You should have quite a few now, no? They should be ready for a great assault on the 75th."

Ignotus grimaced and locked eyes with Ricky. "Can you do this?"

by **Ricky Maze** on June 28th, 2013, 9:16 am

Ricky never believed himself to be a hero nor had the potential to do so, but with the way he had everyone elses confidence held inside he could only do his best. If he had to be a hero for them then by Laviku's waters and Zulrav's winds he would step up. For his family and friends. Yet the glint of pleasure in Ignotus' expression turned sour after Ricky challenged the knowledge of his power, and soon he found that Ignotus had come to be absolutely defensive about his hypnotism. A quick glance to the floor proved Ricky correct on his observation as there had been the fog the color of his uniform originating from the magician. Ricky truly struck a nerve without evening noticing it, but that didn't mean he had screwed his confrontation up. In fact his challenge had involved something like this, the fact that his assumptions were finally proving to be correct also proved Ricky himself was more alert. More wary of the world around him then be was before, more focused on being a true protector to the ones he absolutely loved.

Surprisingly it seemed that Ignotus passed Ricky's test in the whole trust factor, though for him to do so had to have been a tremendous leap of faith on his part. Ricky found that where a cautious look filled his expression, that slightly eased a bit with a smile to creep as well. It was clear by how Ignotus explained his situation, paranoia reeked in the air as he talked about the danger in keeping this knowledge secret. Somehow where Ricky found a pitiful misguided sense about Ignotus, he now began to feel that there could've been a chance his impression was all a misunderstanding. "Both ye and I have secrets we'd rather keep buried mate, rest assured this is just another that will remain buried with the rest." He nodded along with his promise, only appropriate that he express his promise with a silent oath. Thus when that bit was out of the way the truth finally came to be spilled, and soon Ricky's knowledge on the Denvali had come to be proven misunderstood just as his impression on Ignotus. The Denvali planning to cause an uprising? Just when Zeltiva was at it's most vulberable would they strike, were the information coming from someone else other then Ignotus or Hannah then Ricky could scarcely believe it. Then again not even Hannah seemed to pick up any information on this, which could only mean Ignotus was the one who had the better contacts if he knew all this to be true. It did make sense after all, for two seasons mercenaries have gathered within the Denvali Quarter, and now with the Lord of Council Offices left open the chance to claim a new home existed for the refugees. They slowly planned to invade the city that gave them a place tl rest their head.

"Them cheatin' bastards." He clenched a fist in anger at how they could have such balls, to take advantange of such an opportunity such as this really made them seem like pure scum. Thus now Ricky had been charged with a new task, one that could very well serve the people of Zeltiva, more importantly Zeltiva herself. "Ye can count on me. Hannah may've a few contancts that can help.locate these leader's, and maybe these funds too if were lucky enough." Ricky would rather take the path of less bloodshed if at all possible, but that didn't mean he wouldn't work to fulfill his duty as a defender of Zeltiva. In the moment the two locked eyes of course Ricky felt part of him become anxious, the part of him that lacked belief in his own abilities flared inside as he almost wanted to shiver. He mentally shook it off though as he thought about the others; Telion, Castor, Tallis, Gale, Hannah, all of his friends. They believed in him and supported him nonetheless, and so he would use their confidence in him to drive himself forward through this trifling matter. "I've to admit I slightly misjudged ya for a while there Igno. I couldn't find it in myself to think this at first, but after a while I finally convinced myself that maybe there's some good in ya." He gave a humble smile to the man, a moment to fill him with intrigue before continuing. "Ya hired me at a time when I was a mess, and somehow managed to do somethin' actually good for me. Though yer plan was for leverage, me havin' a baby is more so of a blessin. Without yer involvement in draggin' Hannah along, I surely wouldn't be as ready to fight now. Because of ye I have love in me life once more, so in a sense I owe ya just as much as I owe Hannah." He clarified with arms crossed once more.

"So thank ya Ignotus, for helpin' me get my shyke together." He nodded once more in a more appreciative tone, the grin on his face humble as he waited to see the magician's response.

"Ricky's words.", "Ricky's thoughts.", "Telion's words.", "Hannah's words.", "Other's words."

by **Ignotus Everto** on June 29th, 2013, 5:33 am

The corners of Ignotus' mouth curled upward. "Thank you..."
It was good to know his secret was in safe hands.
Of course, it wasn't a matter of contacts- Ignotus simply extrapolated the same information much farther than Hannah ever would. The Denvali had police forces- mercenaries were both pricey and unnecessary. Thus, they needed them for warfare. And since the siege of Sahova had worked so well (it hadn't), it would almost certainly be warfare against Zeltiva.

Now that Hannah was involved, and by the request of someone she liked, Ignotus was very happy indeed. But he was even happier when he heard Ricky's apology. "Think nothing of it, my boy." the Nuit drawled, putting an arm around the guard's shoulders as he began to walk him out of the impromptu Animation chamber. "But..." and his smile took on a grandfatherly tone, "Who said it was for leverage?"

It was with warm words and an amiable handshake that the two parted ways, and as Ignotus closed the door to return to his corpses, he thought happily to himself.

"That was far too easy!"

by **Eldritch** on August 6th, 2013, 10:52 pm

Ricky :

Ignotus :

Notes :

If you have any comments/questions/concerns about your grade please PM me and we will work something out.

Keep on writing!

Completed Secrets Of The Deceiver