It was a dark and stormy night....

["Kathie Care" <kathie@availablelight.net>]

Logfile from DuneIII-Tat'iana
Where the Great Houses vie for power in the Padishah Imperium....


The scenario:

Pop quiz, gang. What do you do?
Earlier in the day, despite the pouring rain, Tat'iana decided to take her horse
out for a ride. She's been gone a few hours, it's now dark out ICly, still
pouring rain. And her horse has returned without her. And without his saddle.


Imperial Reserve -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

        This sprawling expanse, the largest part of the conservatory, seems from
the outside like a great mushroom, protruding from the comparatively small stalk
of the lower levels to rest comfortably again against the outlying hills around
the Imperial Palace. It houses four hundred acres of verdant hills, forests,
rivers and lakes, every concievable geographical locale from which to hunt. Game
of the most prized and rare breeds inhabit these areas, flocks of Carintheen
geese flying overhead as the silver glimmer of the elusive Silvershark is seen
beneath the ripples of an artificial river. This monstrous construct has been
completed with the utmost of care, climate controlled and both wildlife and
natural habitats carefully selected and maintained to give the utmost of
pleasure to those who come here. Spread throughout the wide hunting grounds are
several comfortable resting points: tables, covered platforms, and even a couple
ostentatious cabins to offer rest and relaxation to those who come to enjoy this
true wonder of the Known Universe.

Players:

 Pavel

Objects:

 Simarron

Exits:

 Pathway <NE> leads to Docks -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

 Wide Passage <E> leads to Cloisters -- Imperial Palace (Kaitain)

Inky black night has descended upon the wilderness of the Imperial Hunting
reserve, though commotion about the stables has been raised. Sounds of shouts
can be heard above the din of the pouring rain, and all of it centered around
one buff-colored thoroughbred. His reigns are held by one of the stablehands,
and the horse's saddle is missing from his back.

Leading the way in to the the reserve is the giant Burseg with his large war dog
at his side. Levies in perfect formation trail behind the Sardaukar and dog.
Already Slade has drawn his kukri and holds a very angry look to his sharp
features.

Near the stables, four Noukker stand, alertly awaiting any sign or word of news.
A slight shifting of their feet betrays extreme tension, but otherwise, their
faces are blank.

Pavel strolls along one of the paths leading in from the Reserve, a jolly
expression upon his face. Upon noticing the commotion near the stables, he
alters course, a bit of concern starting to break into his normally jovial
nature. He initially does not announce his presence, finding it more useful to
observe at this point.

Slade motions for the the levies to halt but remain in formation. The dog does
the same and stands waiting for his master's return. In a few strides the Burseg
approaches the Noukkers, grabbing the senior one by the collar and glaring down
in to his face with that single eye, "Where the hell is she!?!" His other hand
holds the kukri by the man's throat. Slade is breathing heavy, not from the
walking but from the anticipation of killing something.

All the man can do is shrug at first, and then, hoarsely, he croaks out, "Out
there". As he answers, he raises a hand, and points out towards the sprawling,
vast reserve, dark, and soaked with rain.

Pavel arches a brow at Slade's action, but remains silent for the time being. He
does make his way quietly over towards the Count Burseg, concern now evident
upon his face, not only for the missing party but also for the unfortunate
Noukker.

Slade laughs with a sarcasm that could burn a hole in the man's head. "Really?
We better give you a damn medal. Where was the last place you saw her at?"

The unfortunate Noukker swallows, tonelessly answering, "Her rooms."

Now obviously concerned that the missing party is a woman, potentially the
Princess, he speaks up from behind the Count, "Vhat seems to be the matter, my
good Count?"

"Her rooms? What sort of idiot are you?" Slade doesn't let the man finish as he
disembowels him with the kukri spilling his intestines all over the ground.
Blood splatters all over the Count Burseg but he holds a faint smirk as though
he enjoyed the pleasure of it. His looks over to the three remaining Noukkers.
"You better hope we find her or I'll make death a luxury to you all." The
accented voice catches his attention and whirls around letting the dead body
fall to the ground. "Justicar? Lady Rastanyev is missing. The Palace is locked
down for now until we find her."

The remaining three Noukker watch their leader fall to the Burseg's kukri, their
expressions just as hardened and wooden. None dare open their mouths to detail
how the lady gave them the slip. Some information is best left unsaid.

Pavel grimaces as the brute executes the Noukker. He clears his throat as rolls
his eyes, his expression now filled with disdain. "Ahh... and I see you've got
the situation under control, yes? Killing the witnesses is always a useful way
to solve a crime, I've found."

The Burseg squints his eye and spits in the direction of the Justiciar not
giving him a second glance. Those mental gears shift in to over drive as he
changes from protection to location. "Lt. Alvras, ready your squad and search
from the air." There is a quick 'yes sir' given and then the faint humming of
suspensors fill the air as ten men float up in the air zooming out. For the rest
of the company, Slade turns back. "Some one find me her horse."

The stableboy holding the horse's reigns nearby speaks up, but very haltingly.
"He's.... he's.. r-r-r-r-right here, S-s-s-s-sir..."

Pavel furrows his brow at the Burseg's response. He runs his hand through his
beard for a few moments, then, without a response, turns and heads for the
palace.

Slade takes reigns from the boy and checks over the horse. "Where there any of
her personal items on the horse?"

The boy shakes his head, stepping back a pace from the Burseg. "Just 'is
reigns... we've not touched 'im since, so's you could see..."

The remains of mud from a slide are caked on the horse's back hip, mud even
clumped and knotted into his tail. If he took a spill, the mud likely made it a
soft landing.

Slade sniffs the reigns and shakes his head, "No scent...the rain does help
much. Stableboy get the rain turned off now." He turns back to his levies,
"Spread out and find her now." His hand goes to this com.

The boy dips a quick bow, and runs off towards the stables to do just that..
since the thought never occurred to anyone else to turn off the rain.


Jenaa emerges from a long passage that came from the cloisters.

Jenaa has arrived.

Fahahd emerges from a long passage that came from the cloisters.

Fahahd has arrived.


Erich emerges from a long passage that came from the cloisters.

Erich has arrived.

More levies boil in to the reserve and begin making their way through the area.
Slade touches his shield belt. "The rest of you men spread out and find her.
Have a medical team here and I want more suspensor units in the air." One of his
men nods and begins to relay orders in to a com. Slade turns back to the wooded
area as he and his war dog begin to make their way out to find Tat'iana.


<<The RP split up into two different rooms, to continue the events as if folks
had actually split up without everyone getting so cluttered.>>


Wooden Copse
A dense, thick set of woods.

Contents:

Slade

Erich

The air is alive with the humming of suspensor borne levies floating past as
other levies spread out on ground in search of Tat'iana. Walking alone with his
Rottwieller, Slade covers the ground looking for signs of her. His uniform is
covered in blood and his shield is on while his face shows signs of a extreme
anger.

Erich storms out into the reserve, rain pelting down on his bare brow and
soaking his black uniform. He doesn't seem to notice, though, and his face is
raw and chiseled, the twitching muscle in his jaw enough to cause the soldiers
nearby to move frantically out of his path. He approaches Slade, "What the hell
is going on, Burseg."

Slade hears the too familiar voice, kneeling down in the mud before Erich. "Your
Majesty, the Noukkers failed to keep watch of the Lady Rastanyev. She went out
riding while it was raining. Her horse came back but with out her. I have sent
out levies and suspensor units out in search of her." The large man keeps his
kneeling position should Erich choose to kill him on the spot.

Erich snaps, "Gods below, Burseg, stand up! Now is not the time to grovel -
there will be time enough for that once my lady has been found. You have
detained the responsible Noukkers, I presume?"

Slade stands back up in snap at the Emperor's command. "I killed the senior
ranking Noukker of the four. The other three are detained, your Majesty."

Erich's jaw clenches. Even in the dim light, with rain running in rivulets down
the sides of his face, his fury is palpable. "We shall have words when this is
over, Burseg," he growls, "Now get horses for us. I believe we may have better
luck on horseback than the suspensor units. She is likely on the ground, and
will be difficult to find in the darkness from above."

Slade barks in to his com for horses to be brought for the Emperor and himself.
There is even a mention to send out more mounted levies. "They are on their way,
your Majesty." Seeing that the stables are not too far away the stablehands show
up soon leading two horses for the Emperor and his Burseg.

Erich grabs the reins fiercely, his anger lashing out even to the unfortunate
steed which is brought to him. He steps into the stirrup and lurches up onto the
saddle angrily, "This way, Burseg! To the reflecting pond, first. There are
tricky brambles and hedgerows there." He yanks up on the reins, and the horse
whines before responding by launching into a swift gallop.

Slade checks his saddle before mounting then steps up in to it. His gaunlet
covered hands grab the reigns as he kicks the horse in to a run. The large
muscles of the black horse seem like a pitch dark ocean as they expand and
contract.

Erich and Slade gallop off into the darkness. The rain pelts down and the
horse's hooves splash and thunder as they move quickly through the reserve
towards one of the many small lakes. Erich's hands are clenched fiercely on the
reins, his face tight and determined as the heavy rain stings his cheeks.

Slade leans forward in the saddle, tucking his elbows as he rides. The black
mare's nostrils flare out as she sucks in air and sweat pours down her black
hair.

The pond was indeed a good guess. Just off the path around it, beyond a
particularly steep but short dip lies the lady's broken saddle, the girth's two
ends frayed from where they split. Deep cuts into the muddy earth indicate
trouble -- apparently, the horse's hooves slid down the hill, and it thrashed
about to regain its footing in quite a mad scramble. No doubt, it at one point
hit the ground, and the severe twisting of it lent to the breaking of the
saddle's girth. Or perhaps, even a small cut might have assisted that tear. Only
close inspection will tell.

A short distance away sits the lady in question, very much soaked and covered in
mud. And quite angry. She picks up small pebbles near her, tossing them towards
the water of the pond. And the whole while there is a constant stream of curses
severe enough to bring a blush to some of the most hardened soldiers - both in
Galach and Russkiy.

Erich's eyes soften as he sees Tat'iana -- moving and alive. He gallops up to
her, and dismounts as the horse slows. He runs the last few steps and collapses
to his knees beside her, placing a hand gently on her back, "Anya! You're
alive!"

"Whoa!" Slade calls ordering the horse to stop and so it does as the large mare
halts. The Burseg, too, dismounts and walks over but instead of kneeling he
watches over the Emperor and the Lady Rastanyev like a giant armored sheep dog
guarding. He pulls out his com and speaks into it.

Tat'iana turns as she hears the horse's hooves so near, her curses ceasing
immediately, but it is the sight of who it is which causes her to startle in
surprise. Despite the situation, the pouring rain and mud, she gives Erich a
soft smile. "Of course I'm alive," she says very matter-of-factly. "But walking
back when Shishka got spooked and ran off was quite out of the question. I seem
to have slightly twisted my ankle."

But then, she leans towards him, throwing her arms around his neck, and
murmuring something very quietly into his ear.

Slade speaks into his communicator.

Over your communicator's secure frequency, a man's voice says, "All search party
members, converge my signal and form a defensive perimeter."

Erich sighs softly and embraces Tat'iana, squeezing her close to him gently. He
rests his forehead against her temple for a moment before turning back to Slade,
"Get a Suk here, as well, Burseg. She's injured her ankle."

Slade nods, "Yes, your Majesty." He talks back in to his com.

Tat'iana shrugs off the call for the Suk, then shakes her head. "It's not so
bad... really. I just didn't think I should try to walk on it. But is Shishka
alright? He didn't... hurt himself when we fell, did he? I take it he made his
way back to his stall."

And quickly, she adds, "I'm alright. I'm ok. Really... I've taken spills before.
It's nothing."

Slade speaks into his communicator.

Over your communicator's secure frequency, a man's voice says, "Medical unit
Gold One, trace signal and converge. Perimeter access allow medical unit to
enter."

Erich pulls back from you slightly and gently palpates your ankle. His brow is
furrowed, as he asks quietly, "How did you lose your security escort?"

Tat'iana looks slightly sheepish. "I slipped out without them," she says,
slightly evasively. "I wanted to be alone for a while."

Erich's eyes turn up to Tat'iana, the knot reappearing in his jaw, though his
hands continue to explore her ankle rather tenderly. "You /know/ that doing so
could be fatal, love?"

Tat'iana shakes her head. "But I didn't leave palace grounds... I'm right here,
on the Reserve. And I have my communicator on me. Or... had, rather. It slipped
off and is in the mud somewhere around here."

A slight humming in the air can be heard as suspensor levies circle off a ways
keeping watch on the perimeter. Other horses with riders and ground troops are
seen as they approach. Slade stands with his shoulders slightly slumped in
failure. He keeps quiet for now.

Erich nods gravely, "Dangers can lurk anywhere for someone as precious to me as
you are, love. Who's to say that there wouldn't be a spy here in the reserve?
There are countless nooks and crannies in which an assasin could hide. You must
be more careful in the future."

Tat'iana sighs deeply. No more slipping out of her rooms via the balcony for
night-time rides, it seems. Any further protestations she might utter die on her
lips, and instead, she nods obediently.

Erich looks at Tat'iana, his expression softening as he offers, "It's only for
your well-being..."

Tat'iana manages a small smile, and nods slightly. "Perhaps... they need not be
so close they can smell my perfume, hmm? It's really quite disturbing."

Erich nods and sighs, "I will tell them to be more discreet."

Tat'iana dips her head, her forehead coming in contact with Erich's shoulder. A
muffled 'thank you' can just barely be heard.

Erich cups his hand behind her head and pulls her close to him. Turning to
Slade, he says, "Fetch a transport. She'll get a chill in this rain."

"Yes, your Majesty." The Burseg speaks in to the com device ordering an
ornithopter to their location. Noticing the split girt he makes his way over the
muddy ground and picks it up and the saddle as well casting an odd look at the
items.

Tat'iana does shiver then, genuinely. She looks up, and notes the Burseg's look
at her saddle. But she remains quiet, waiting to see what he says about it.

Erich removes his coat and drapes it around Tat'iana. "Where the hell is this
transport?" he snaps at Slade.

Slade checks in with the ornithopter. "Approaching, your Majesty." As he
finishes speaking the faint beat of wings can be heard growing louder. He look
down at the saddle and girt again. "My lady, are you in pain any where else
besides your ankle? Pelvis region, hip, rib area?" An odd question from him but
something seems to bother him.

Tat'iana frowns, then shakes her head slightly. "Not.. remarkably so, no.
Nothing beyond normal for the mild spill I took, Burseg."

Erich stands, "If this 'thopter doesn't arrive in thirty seconds, the pilot is
being put to death! This is our own damned reserve!"

Erich mutters, "I can't believe how long this is taking. If our enemies knew of
our incompetence, their troops would be descending on us even now."

Tat'iana pulls the jacket tighter about her soaked shoulders, and just looks
from the Emperor to the Burseg, and back again. She says nothing, though she
silently wishes furvently for simply just being back in her rooms again, warm
and dry.

Oddly enough the thopter parts through the cloud cover and lands nearly in to
the pond seeing that the trees would clip the wings. Once it touches down the
hatch opens. Someone had enough reason to have Suks come with the ornithopter.
The white coated doctors rush out hold a stretcher. Slade nods to the Emperor.
Showing proper respect to the Emperor and the Lady Rastanyev, the Suks go about
checking her over asking her question. As the rain pours down, the one eyed
giant speaks up but there is humility in his voice, "Your Majesty, I think an
assassin is on the loose."

Tat'iana answers the questions pressed to her as quickly and carefully as she
can, gritting her teeth only slightly as she is moved to the stretcher and
covered in warm blankets. With the activity going on immediately around her, the
Burseg's statement slips entirely by her, unheard.

Erich gestures to the 'thopter, "Get inside, Burseg, we'll talk about that in
chambers," he says, then turns to the Suks and barks, "Her ankle is injured, but
if you don't get her warmed up soon, she'll have far more serious troubles than
that... as will you. Get her inside."

The Suks gently but quickly get her inside the ornithopter. With the Emperor's
command he obeys and gets inside the flying contraption as well.

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