~1658~ Two men cautiously approached each other in a dark tunnel under the streets of Paris. They spoke softly, afraid to be overheard. The language was somewhat like French, but with obvious differences. "Is everyone prepared?" the elder of the two men asked. "Yes, everything is packed; the women and children are ready." "Then we leave tonight." The younger man nodded and walked away briskly, they could not be found together, it would have been too dangerous.
Hours later the men met again, this time at a port. They quickly loaded men, woman, and children onto a vessel. "Count them, we cannot leave anyone behind," said the elder gruffly. "41..." said the younger man, a slight panic in his voice, Someone is missing." "Marcel" the elder said sighing. Marcel, a boy of 14, was always getting into trouble. In fact, it was the boy's fault that they were fleeing France that very night. Marcel had accidently led the French authorities to the sect's underground hide out. The French government was not keen on any "alternative" types of people, especially those that moved around dipping into the dark arts. The police considered the Children of Enos (as they called themselves) to be on the same level as gypsies, worthless filth needing to be cleansed. It was only by sheer luck that the elders of the group were able to get all of the women and children out of their dwelling before the police arrived. A fight ensued, leaving all but one of the policemen dead and several of the sect wounded. That episode had been two weeks ago. Now that Laurent and Jacques were healthy enough to travel, they knew it was time to make their escape.
Suddenly the sounds of dogs barking filled the air... the hounds. The authorities were on their way. The sect was in no position to fight, so if they didn't leave immediately, their fate was sealed. The last of the men jumped onto the boat and pushed it away from the dock. Both men thought the same thing- how were they going to break this to Angelique, Marcel's mother? The men gave one last look at France and began their descent into the ship's cabin. "Wait!!" a shrill voice cried out. It was Marcel. He was running, sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him. There were two dogs inches behind him, snapping at his ankles and heels as he ran. The boy had two choices- swim with the fish or be eaten by the dogs. He dove into the water, swimming in a pathetic doggy paddle in attempts to catch the boat. Laurent peeled his jacket off and jumped in after Marcel. He grabbed the boy by the waist and dragged him to the boat. With some help from David, the elder, both Laurent and Marcel were able to get safely onboard.
The journey lasted for about 3 months. The people were plagued with scurvy, dehydration, and slight insanity from the cabin fever. Two of the children died along the voyage, but everyone else arrived to America intact. As they looked around, David became puzzled; this was not what the new land was supposed to look like. He studied his surroundings and realized that this could not have been the colonies, but somewhere south. The thought of having their very own land was quite tempting and the sect decided to stay in this new land lush with mountains, trees, and a few scattered local villages.
At first, the Children of Enos tried to make their way on their own, but they were unsuccessful in this new rugged environment. However, they were thrilled to find relics and partial ruins that suggested a history of dark magic in the area. They enslaved local tribes by kidnapping small children and threatening to kill them if the adults did not obey. It took years but soon a beautiful, ornate fortress was built.
~~~
The Children of Enos lived for decades, perfecting their magic and uncovering dark secrets. They created curses and voodoo to plague their enemies in France. The sect also developed magics beyond their wildest dreams- ways to dominate the mind of their opponents, elemental powers such as fire and water, and so much more.
Generations of the Children of Enos were born and died; some were wiped out by the Snakes, others by disease or in fights with local tribes and spirit guides. The Rogue Isles were also invaded by pirates around this time. Approximately half of the sect join in the piracy, some willingly, others not. In the late 1780s, the Children of Enos were so whittled down that only 16 of them remained. They realized that they would need new blood to keep their legacy going.
The area they lived in had become a settling ground for new groups of people who formed villages and towns, rather than just crude tribes. These settlers were European descendants, people with similar bloodlines of the CoE. The elders of the tribes talked and the plan was born. They would kidnap girls and young woman and bring them into their sect. The children would be taught magic and everything the Children of Enos could do. The new blood would be enough to sustain themselves. By 1810, the Children of Enos were back in full power.
~~~
Very little has changed with the Children of Enos over the 200 years since their surge in power. They remained largely unground, letting the settlers in the area believe that they were extinct, overthrown by the Snakes. When girls or young woman went missing in towns, the villagers almost always blamed it on the Snakes or the Circle of Thorns, a group that had recently become present in the isles.
~1996~
"Do you like any of them son?" Jean Claude Moreau asked his 8 year old son, Antoine. "No." Antoine said and shook his head stubbornly. It was the fifth time they had looked at possible wives for him. "What about her?" Jean Clause asked, pointing towards a very active girl of about 7 doing cartwheels across the grass with her friends. "No, I don't like her." Antoine was very spoiled and because his father was the leader of the Children of Enos, he was used to getting what he wanted. Jean Claude sighed and began to lead the way home from their current hideout in the trees.
"Wait Papa!" Antoine said after a moment. "I want her!" He was pointing at another girl, one sitting all alone playing with her doll. She was petite with fair skin and hair. Jean Claude looked over his son's choice and smiled. Leave it to Antoine to pick not only the prettiest girl, but likely the most submissive at that. Jean Claude smiled at his son and agreed... whoever the girl with the fair hair was, she would be Antoine's.
Her name was Megan Miller and she was six years old. She was mysteriously taken out of her bedroom, there was no sign of a break in, no evidence, and her parents didn't even hear her scream. Megan's name was changed to Celeste and she was given the middle name Aurora, to be a member of the CoE, it was expected that one would have a fitting name.
Celeste was taught the ways of the Children of Enos from her first day with them. She resisted only slightly and after being punished several times for disobedience, she learned to obey. Celeste was a quick study and with Antoine's help, she became accomplished at basic magic. He looked after her, as she was his duty and would later be his wife.
~2008~
Unfortunately for the Children of Enos, their leader, Jean Claude, was killed while dueling several mages of the Circle of Thorns. Antoine was now 20 years old and Celeste nearly 18. It was up to Antoine to step up and take his father's place as leader of their sect.
Antoine, being bolder and more arrogant then his father ever was, decided that they should no longer be hide in the underground, but make their presence known through the Rogue Isles. His plans included taking over all of Cap Au Diablo as his ancestors had and reclaiming the land theirs. Along with his betrothed, Antoine had set the plans in motion, including taking his revenge on the Circle of Thorns for murdering his father. Other brave members of the Children of Enos will follow.
The Date for Triumph has been changed. Sunday the 20th is the new date, the times will be the same. The original post will be updated soon.