Nahia spend her day talking to several locals, merchants and soldiers, everyone seems more than happy to talk to the new herbalist lady. The fact she is a charming and cute one is just something to add in the total. The morning goes and then she walks again to the Inn, no one should skip the pleasures in life, and eating is one of then!
She is again very well received into the Lord, and after some moments, she is chatting and eating with several locals.
After all that, this is what she recalled that can be of any interest, that she heard from the people around her:
”Mad Martin is a strange one! He tends the rookery in the Watchtower. They say he never leaves except for necessities. He talks to the birds like people and has named every one!”
” That Captain Zack Eddarly is a handsome one,isn’t he? Such a gallant! And still unmarried at his age. He’ll make some lady of proper breeding quite a catch won’t he?”
” Have you seen Kaitlyn Mott? She’s the most beautiful woman in town! How did an ugly lump of a man like Captain Franz Mott bag a looker like her? And how does he keep her, that’s what I want to know!”
Seren was about talking with soldiers and peasants alike, at first they were mesmerized by her beauty, but they always got a feeling that she was not someone to be crossed, a deep fear warning to behave next to her.
Her day went uneventful and from what she heard, this what she thought it worth remembering:
” Lord Havelyn is a good soul but so grim and gloomy. For so great a lord to be unhappy, he must be guilty about something!”
” Balentyne’s magister, that creepy Tacitus, has been spending a lot of time working on something in his tower! I don’t know what it is, but it’s said that something unnatural was recovered from the north.”
” I’ve heard that Father Donnagin was sent here after the church demoted him from bishop. He got into some sort of trouble – serious trouble I’d wager to be banished to the Watch Wall.”
That night, after having spent her day amongst the people, Nahia will return to the inn, make a brief showing for a drink, and then retire back to her room, waiting for Seren... and the other two.
Upon reaching her room, Nahia sits with her meal and a nice glass of... water.
I haven't seen Eric since we got here, and Zerik since dinner yesterday. I don't like this. It could be that someone is on to us, hunting us. We need to be on our guard...
God's below today was boring. If the rest of the time is filled with just this... socializing... I won't make it. How do these people live such mundane lives? No killing, no torture, nothing. uhgg I mean I don't even think some of them have held a blade before.
Seren saunters into the bar, exhausted, and sits down for a drink. She ponders for a moment about something tamer then last nights whisky but decides that after the day she was just put through she deserved a little something special. She looks around the bar for Sissy. Finding the barmaid she calls her over.
"Something strong dear. I had no idea it would be so exhausting meeting all these people around town." Seren begs, placing her head on the table. She ponders that days event while waiting on her drink.
I still haven't seen Eric in Aldencross, nor Zerik since he left last night for that matter. So help me if they got captured. Seren is going to have some new minions if I find them chained up in that tower somewhere.
Receiving the drink, Seren savors it for a while before heading upstairs to see if Nahia had returned. Knocking lightly on her door, she steps into Nahia's room as Nahia opens the door and immediately heads for the bed, collapsing on to it in exhaustion.
"Please tell me you found something out. I don't think I'll survive many more days talking with such fundamentally boring individuals." Seren pleads to Nahia.
"Seriously, it was all Lord Havelyn must be guilty, this guy must be doing something, Bishop must be in some sort of trouble. These damn people could learn to shed some specifics. Hells, at least make a wild guess or two to make it interesting, but no, all correct and happy with their mundane lives, uhgg, it was sickening." Seren continues.
Remembering her thoughts in the bar Seren sits up, staring at Nahia. "Also, did you happen to see Eric or Zerik while you were out today? I haven't seen them in a while, and I'm getting concerned that they've gone and done something stupid."
Nahia will smile at Seren and even giggle when she sees her condition.
By the gods, I know I said I wanted to see you like this more often, and I do, but this whole thing with Eric and Zerik has me worried. I'm no fighter and if something got them, well, I'm not sure how well I could fight it off.
Nahia continues to smile at Seren, before saying "Sounds like the common rumors. But I thought everyone loved the bishop, that he was the most beloved in town, so rumors of him doing things like that seem... odd."
Fetching some water and going over to Serens collapsed body, Nahia offers the cool cup to her. "As far as what I found out, well, I was really curious about that rookery that Timeon mentioned. Why would a fortress keep a collection of birds? Well, I didn't find out much, except that the fellow that runs the thing, Mad Martin, barely ever leaves the place, and even talks to and names the birds as if they were people." Nahia says with a curious look on her face.
Sitting on the bed next to Seren, Nahia continues "Now, I did find out some more about something Timeon mentioned. It seems that one of the captains of the fort is having an affair with the wife of another captain. Maybe we could expose this little affair and see if we can do something in the chaos?"
At that last question from Seren, Nahias face will break into a bit of a scowl and she will say "No, I haven't seen Eric since we split up from our arrival. And I haven't seen Zerik since dinner yesterday... And you're not the only one that is concerned. I think it best if we stick together until we hear from them."
Nahia will sit quietly for a moment, looking down at her cup of water, smelling the liquor on Serens breath...
I really shouldn't drink right now. It would be a very bad idea. Who knows what could happen tonight.
F*ck it, one drink won't hurt...
Nahia will go over to her chest and withdraw a bottle of whisky. Not the good stuff either. A couple of gulps later and she is laying back on the bed next to Seren, the bottle on the nearby table, Andros curled up near her head.
Nahia will giggle at Seren and say "Ok, we really need to plan here. How are we going to go about getting into the fort in the first place?" Nahia will roll her head around, looking at the patterns on the wood ceiling. "We could disguise ourselves and sneak in. As servants maybe?" Nahia will bring her hands up to feel her flushed face and then rub the center of her chest for a moment, at first grimacing and then sighing heavily. "Maybe we could start by picking them off outside of the fort? I wonder if there is a real brothel hidden around here. I find it hard to believe that it would just go away upon an imperial decree..."
Nahia will look over at Seren with a warm smile and asks "So was it really that bad dealing with them? The people you talked with, I mean. You seem frustrated that they were happy with their simple lives... why? What about that frustrates you?" Nahia's smile melts a little and she quickly tacks on "Sorry if that is too forward. I probably shouldn't be asking such questions at a time like this..."
Seren looks at deeply at Nahia. "I've done simple and happy. Did the whole I know where my life is going, and life is good thing. I had what they had, I even worshiped their vile little deity." Seren begins.
She lifts her hand over her head, dispelling the glamour on it. Stark white bone shine from her fingertips where the skin has receded completely, angry blue and black veins running in a seemingly haphazard direction along the back of her hand, disappearing as the glamour takes form again at her wrist. "I'm not saying what I have now is perfect. Hell it's a long way from perfect, but it's far better then what I use to have and what the poor fools have now."
"Looking back on it, the thought of how complacent I was is disturbing. At how quickly things changed because someone else said so and how little control I had over my own life. Constantly being told what was right and wrong; proper and taboo. And then! My whole life upturned because some priest decided I was no good anymore. No, not again. This life is mine now. Mine to control, mine to live, and mine to enjoy. I wouldn't go back to that life ever, and it sickens me to watch people that are so happy to be in that naive bubble of theirs." Seren adds curling her hand into a fist and renewing the glamour over her hand. She relaxes her hand again before rolling onto her side and reaching over Nahia to grab at the bottle of whisky on the table.
Taking a swig directly from the bottle, Seren rolls back onto her back. She stares at the ceiling in silence for a couple of minutes, lost in her own thoughts.
Never again. Let these people suffer for their stupidity, and let me have my fun doing it.
"So now to infiltrate the fort that has never been infiltrated before..." She remarks with a chuckle.
"Servants could work, but I imagine their ability to move through the castle is limited. And why go in as servants when we could be soldiers instead" Seren adds with a giggle as the alcohol quickly dissolves the seriousness of the conversation. She concentrates on her circlet to change her image to look like one of the soldiers from the bar the prior evening and sit up on the bed.
"I'm sure this would give us far more access to the fort. We can be all "hur, hur, yes sir, yes sir. Right away sir."" She continues with an poorly done deep voice, swinging her arms in a mock march, and barely managing to keep down the giggles.
She pauses a moment and returns to her prior glamour, the beautiful girl reappearing "They must patrol the lands around the fort sometime. We could pick off a patrol, maybe even get lucky and kill a captain. These are fairly wild lands, I'm sure a missing patrol isn't unheard of. I mean we saw a panther dispatch a boy rather brutally yesterday. Plus how happy would they be to find out two of the soldiers survived! why, I would guess the would invite us right in the front door." She adds, finishing a a triumphant flourish, and falling back onto her back with her arms out wide, the one landing heavily on Nahia before she quickly retracts it to her side.
Seren looks over at Nahia from her back, the alcohol and bed making her far to comfortable.
"Whatever we do, I agree we should do this together from here on out. I'm not sure what happened to our boys but it is worrisome for them both to disappear so suddenly."
Nahia listens to Serens story and contemplates it for a bit... but decides to wait a moment before getting on that topic.
Nahia giggles and claps at Serens impersonation, and when Serens hand falls upon her, Nahia smiles at her quick withdrawal and says "Eh, get comfortable. You're not bothering me, I shared a bed with a sister growing up."
Nahia thinks about the infiltration discussion, trying to combat the blurry vision and slurring words, and reply's with "I'm just not sure I'd make a very good soldier. I swing my hips too much and the circlets don't disguise my voice. Besides, if what I have read in my books is true, the one thing that seems consistent is that brothers-in-arms form very close and personal... and erotic... friendships that we would be walking into blind."
Nahia takes another sip of the whisky before bringing her hands up in front of them, forming two 'puppets' and saying, "I could just see it now:"
Captain Puppet with a deep-ish gravely voice: "It is lucky you survived soldier. What's your name?"
Disguised puppet with Nahias fake man voice: "My name is... Bill... Sir."
Captain Puppet with a deep-ish gravely voice: "Very good Bill. Report to your bunk in the C barracks..."
Captain puppet "walks" off screen and another puppet walks in.
Friend puppet: "Oh Bill! I heard the rest of your unit died. I'm so sorry!"
Disguised puppet with Nahias fake man voice: "... yes... friend... it was a tragedy..."
Friend puppet: "... You're not Bill..."
Nahia starts waving her hands and says "And then they capture us and we die... The End." and then giggles inanely to herself for a bit. She recovers and then continues "Servants may be more limited in their movement, but usually take no notice. It's like being invisible as long as you hide your chest, hide your bum, and don't look 'em in the eye... Though, to be fair, it's not like I have a lot of practice at the first two things." and once again breaks into a fit of giggles.
Nahia nods at no one, and says "But the patrol thing is a good idea. They probably do send out patrols and an ambush could be very handy to us anyway. Especially if they send another patrol. And then send a contingent away, for us to raze the place while they are gone. Divide and conquer and all of that..."
Nahia lets some silence fall before reaching for the drink again, and having a little more. After taking some time to steel up her courage, she turns back to Seren, looking her in the eyes, and says "I understand how you feel. I wasn't born into a privileged life, and I myself was quite sickened when I was told that the best thing was to accept my lot and give up. And if I hadn't rejected that concept, I'd probably be married off to some dirt farmer by now popping out children and eating cabbage soup every night." Nahia's eyes seem to glaze over for a bit after speaking that bit, the smile slipping from her face, before she picks up and continues, "And I had to give up things for that. I've lost things and faced hardship too, to try and climb out of that ditch. And I won't go back to that..."
Nahia will grin at Seren again and say "But I realized something too. Just because I am not happy to dig turnips for a living, doesn't mean someone else won't be. Not everyone can be on top, and if it wasn't for the weaker, the strong would have no throne. So I have no disdain for those that have no ambition, for they allow me to overtake them with mine. If they get in my way, then we will let our strength and ambition determine the victor. But if they're willing to exist outside the path of my ambitions, then I say let them be. I'm going to have enough enemies without going out of my way to make more."
Nahia will start to giggle and say "That said, I should really practice what I preach, because I do love to taunt my servants and slaves. Not quite in the same way you do... usually... but you can only use a man as a living candelabra so many times before he starts to resent you."
Nahia gives a big warm smile at Seren, this one seeming even warmer than most... though it could just be the bright scarlet across her cheeks... and says "And remember, life is good for us right now... It could be better, and we will make it that way. But we're not in pain, have power, can further our position in life, and can enjoy such lovely delights as this liquor, some delicious treats, and each others company. True, I'm not being fanned and fed grapes and wine, and in a bed full of writhing lovers... But I'm not buried alive either..."
"aww, but I did such a good impression of bill." Seren pouts, then giggles along with Nahia, her eyes going wide at the mention of the erotic friendships.
"you're probably right though. Servants are the better bet to at least get us into the fort without notice." She concedes, gasping between giggles at Nahia's admission of inexperience.
Seren lets the giggles die down as Nahia reaches for the bottle. She listens somberly as Nahia recounts her tale, feeling a kinship with the changeling beside her as she talks about how her life could have been. Seren stares at the ceiling, contemplating Nahia's different outlook on the people around them.
I get it, I do, and for all I care they can all disappear unwritten in the pages of history happily, but then why must I deal with them? If they are so willing to live an uneventful life, then what value is their life to me? Should I not consider them the ant that you crush without a moments consideration? Why should I be content to scurry among the ants instead of crushing the hill from on high or plucking legs in an oh so fun way?
Her moment of contemplation over, she listen as the tone brightens again, and Nahia smiles warmly at her.
"Umm ya.. hahaha, Candelabra..." Seren giggles nervously, clearly not getting the concept.
Nahia gets the distinct impression that Seren is rather naive and innocent when it comes to physical intimacy, and perhaps a little nervous/curious around her and her experiences in that department. Nahia suspects Seren may be a virgin.
Seren understands torture, how to get her way through fear, and when necessary how to prey upon men with what she assumes they like in her body. But she was raised in the church for most of her life , and then the wasting and self-consciousness came swiftly after, she has never had the opportunity growing up nor the confidence in her body after that to ever pursue sexual relation with someone.
"You're right of course. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have guessed I would be lounging on a bed with someone, drinking whisky from the bottle, and laughing after they caught me and threw me in that forsaken prison." Seren concedes with a joyful laugh. She leans against Nahia in a not so subtle attempt distract her in preemption to pulling the bottle from Nahia's grasp.
Successful in plucking the bottle from Nahia's grasp with a giggle, Seren rocks back to her prior position, lifts the bottle and takes another swig, successful pride written all over her face.
"We really should be more concerned that the boy's are still missing. Zerik's new cat is probably off eating someone right now." Seren comments, laughing at the thought. She shrugs her shoulders dismissively after a moment. "Ahh, I'm sure they can take care of themselves."
... So yeah, fun times. :D
Nahia will giggle at Seren when she steals the bottle from her. While, normally, Nahia might be quicker, in this state she most definitely is not. And she couldn't wrest it back from Seren, even if she wanted to. Which she doesn't.
Nahia, grinning, will say, in her most sarcastic, serious, threatening voice, "Ah, so you got in bed with me just to steal my whisky eh? Just too clever and too fast for me this time. But you wait. My time will come." before collapsing into a fit of giggles again.
"Ah, it's hard to breathe..." Nahia says, recovering from her mirth, "Indeed. In my wildest dreams it was wine and there were 3 or 4 of you. And we weren't talking so much..." Nahia breaks into another fit of laughter and says "Sorry, I know my mind is in the gutter, but I'm going to blame it on the drink. Honestly, I expected to die in that place. Oh, sure I had visions of getting out, slitting a few throats, and getting my revenge on the one who set me up... still do, for that matter... but I didn't expect it." Nahia will smile warmly again at Seren and say "But I am glad it did. I think this turned out better... so far, at least... than my plan."
I wonder why I feel so comfortable in this? Is it my new found faith?
Nahia rubs at the center of her chest again, a brief grimace appearing before a contented smile.
Or is it that contract? I haven't been this close to someone since, well, Barnabus. And we see how that turned out... Am I a fool for liking this? For seeking this out and falling prey to this temptation, both the liquor and the 'friendship', considering who I am and what has happened before?
Wait, what was I thinking about? Right, Barnabus. I need to kill him. I haven't thought about him in a while. What made me think about him again?
Oh, right, that guy... what was his name... Clarence?... Clancy?... Charles, that's right Charles. Man, he hated getting that hot wax in his eyes. Still, the look on his face was priceless! And I will admit it took a lot more wax to suffocate him than I thought it would...
You know, this is nice... the drink... the intoxicant... sharing this moment with Seren... I like this.
Nahia is brought out of her scrambled thinking by Serens question. She easily responds, through mostly closed eyes, "They're big strong men, they can take care of themselves. Though, if they aren't back by whenever we wake up tomorrow, we should look into it. But that is tomorrow."
K:History (Rookery): You know a kite few about this topic. Every fortress, castle has one of those. It’s the main communication method used by the Talieran Military force. It can rely messages in a really faster manner than sending a mounted message, it’s harder to intercept and it’s relatively secure way to communicate.
K:History (Bothel): It’s common knowledge that the Marcadian Reign forbids such places. It goes against the Mitra Faith. You think you heard something about the Lord’s, but you cannot remember it now.
Seren holds the whisky bottle like a prized trophy and giggles along with Nahia "Time will come? Not anytime Soon." She adds, concentrating for a moment. A moment later, coming from seemingly nowhere, a small mouse skull peeks up from Seren's side, the body lost beneath her glamour. The little creature skirts up Seren's side, runs across her arms as Seren extends them into a mock bridge for the little thing, and leaps off to repair the unbroken glass on the night stand. Seren giggles exuberantly as the skeletal mouse reaches the glass, only to realize that no repairs are needed, and falls into a pile of bones on the small table.
Seren's giggles about her small mouse end abruptly at an "Eep" as Nahia begins to talk about her wildest dreams. Her face reddens through her glamour as thoughts creep into the part of her mind normally reserved for maintaining her illusion. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts again, the reddish tinge disappearing from her face.
"What we are doing here is so on so much grander scale then I could imagine. It's tough to think of Brandescar as a blessing, but now that you mention it, it probably was the best thing that's happened to me..."
Seren looks on with concern as Nahia rubs her chest, just barely noticing the grimace through her drunken haze. Unsure of what could be wrong she switches the conversation topic.
Hearing Nahia's response to her question, Seren's eyes light up. "Then to dealing with it tomorrow!" She says excitingly, takes another large swig from the bottle and falls backwards on the bed eye's closed in contentment. She is soon asleep on her back, the whisky bottle still firmly locked in her grasp.
Happy dream of fun things fill Seren's thoughts. She dreams of touching a man and watching the skin peel from his body, his skeleton standing at attention. The skeleton then turns into a majestic skeletal steed, Seren riding triumphantly on its back, a horde of her skeletal minions slaughtering a battlefield filled with Mitran priests and soldiers. She lifts her whisky bottle in the air, a look of confusion on her face as too why she would bring a whisky bottle into combat.
Seren smiles innocently in her sleep, happy dreams and alcohol stealing her sub-conscious concentration as her carefully controlled glamour shimmers into nothingness. Her content smile turns into something slightly more horrible as lips wither into cracked lines, and her teeth glimmer through an open wound on her face. Dried Black ichor has pooled in some of the deep recesses of her rotting skin. The nights actions causing cracked skin to open in savage lines. The wounds appear bloodless though that is likely only due to the magic keeping Seren alive.
Nahia will giggle at Seren and say "Just you wait. You'll be at my mercy soon enough. You'll see."
Nahia watches the mouse scurries about, smiling at the movement in the small creature. And letting out a giggle at it's confusion, her drunken haze adding a look of irritation to the mouse that it clearly could not show.
Nahia will watch Seren as sleep claims the older woman. Seeing the look of contentment on the still figure, Nahia smiles, reaches over and gently takes the bottle from her.
I think this is just what she needed... a reminder that there are worthwhile things in this world. And honestly, I needed it too. That travel and this situation we are getting into... it is draining. I'll do your bidding my Dark Prince, but that doesn't mean that the path is easy.
As Seren's false image falls, and her true form reappears, Nahia's smile quickly becomes a frown and she shudders.
Here I am complaining about my path when it is nothing compared to hers... I don't know how she has the strength to accept something like that... Is it her faith? Is my faith weak that the idea of needing to do something like that horrifies me? Or is her faith just that strong?
Nahia will reach up and collect Andros. Placing the serpent on her stomach, she will begin to pet him absent mindedly, and he will nuzzle her.
I envy her strength sometimes, both physically and spiritually. I am easily the weakest member of this team and I worry the rest know that. I hope this connection that I feel we have made is true. I could use an ally and Seren would make a tremendous one.
Nahia starts to feel her own eyes getting heavy. After briefly falling asleep, she awakens again and is somewhat startled by Seren's appearance.
Maybe I should get up and sleep in her bed?... No, you've dealt with dead bodies before. Besides, Seren could really use the confidence boost.
Nahia finishes off the small mouthful left in the bottle. After placing the now empty bottle on the nightstand, she attempts to stand, and finds herself more intoxicated than she expected, partially indicated by forgetting that Andros on on her, sending him tumbling to the bed. Catching her balance on the nightstand, she shuffles over to her chest and retrieves her nightgown. After a quick change and an inspection of the wound on her chest, it nearly healed by this point but thick flakes of dried blood still forming the star, she gets back in the bed, whispering "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to." to Andros.
Taking one last look at Serens form, Nahia whispers to her, "Goodnight, righteous one, and may sleep bring you peace, however brief." And with that, Nahia lays her head back and is quickly out.
Seren awakes groggily, her head pounding from the prior night. I really must stop doing this.
She slows opens her eyes, her eye brows quirking in confusion. This, this isn't my room.
Startled to full alertness Seren looks around, noticing the sleeping girl beside her, the memories of the prior night slowly returning through the hungover haze. She sits staring at Nahia, a mixture of happiness and concern fleeting through her thoughts. Horror entering the mix as she notices the slithering wounds up her body, wounds that her glamour should have been covering.
What am I doing? Do I really know her? I mean I think I do. She seems to want the same things I do, but look how easy it is for her, how carefree she can live her life. NO! Not the way to think, you can't change what's happened, and really, would you give up this power for beauty like that again? No, you know you wouldn't, you weren't lying last night when you said you really wouldn't change this, that life is better now then you could have imagined. You and her. Maybe, just maybe you've found someone that you can actually rely on, and when we bring this place to it's knees you'll laugh together again over the risen corpses of the Mitran dead.
She smiles as she watches Nahia sleep, Andros sleeping contently on her stomach, but the after effects of the drinking last night begin to take priority.
Seren tries to quietly skirt around the room, her memories and headache wrecking havoc on her ability to remember where Nahia kept that amazing Alchemist's Kindness. Finally finding it, she struggles to down some of the divine liquid. She stands gripping the cabinety, waiting on the liquid to take effect.
Feeling the repercussions of the whisky starting to recede, Seren heads to the bathroom, staring at herself in the clouded mirror. A tear cascades down her face. I may not give up the power but, did the price have to so high? She takes a steadying breath before calling on the power of her circlet, willing her favoured glamour back into effect. She looks at the new face staring back at her, the face she can still remember looking back at her in the mirror years ago. She lets out a steadying breath, and creeps out of Nahia's room, careful to not disturb the woman as she heads back to her own room.
She leaves her armor and most of her weapons bundled by her bed, using her sleeves to create a simple blue dress, with only a solitary dagger hidden in the fashionable belt secured around her stomach. She walks down to the bar, finding a table in the back, and casually calls over the barmaid.
"Breakfast please. I'm not really concerned what you offer, bring me your choice. Oh and did you happen to see a pair of men last night? one with a gorgeous black cat that he likes to call Zeus I believe?" Seren asks, hands massaging her temples, a sullen look on her face as she sits in silence, recalling her face in the mirror. That's why he gave you the circlet. Deep breath, think of all you've gained because of this. Speaking of which we really must get started on actually putting this plan in motion. And where are those damn men?
Nahia will start to stretch to the feeling of a nice morning... until her head so rudely reminds her of how much she had to drink last night. She lets out a groan, and rubs her eyes. Even Andros feels the pain of this hangover, as he slithers off of Nahia and curls back up on a pillow in the sunlight.
Nahia takes a moment to recall the night before and looks over, noticing Seren is missing.
Hah!... Ow, don't think so loud... Ok, it is my time to put her at my mercy!
Nahia gets out of bed and shambles over to her box of remedies. She will get herself a vial of Alchemical Kindness, down it, and notice that another vial is empty.
Drat. Well, there goes my plan to hold that over her. Oh well... foiled again...
Nahia will giggle to herself as the tonic starts to take effect. Nahia will then go for her bath, taking Andros with her and donning her disguise as necessary. She makes sure to get all of the blood off from the day before and then takes some time to soak, watching with amusement as Andros swims happily through the water.
Ok, we need to get a move on. We need to find the others and start trying to take this place down... But this bath feels sooooooo good.
Getting over her pouting, Nahia gets clean and dressed, takes her things and goes to check Seren's room. Finding it unavailable, she decides to go and have some breakfast.
Nahia smiles at Seren and takes a seat next to her. Turning to the waitress, she will say "Oh, some breakfast please! Biscuits, a cured meat, and some jam please. Oh, and a cup of table wine. Thank you!"
Turning back to Seren, she will grin and say "Good morning sweetie, I hope you slept as well as I did. How does this morning find you?" before chuckling to herself.
Seren grins sheepishly, still unsure of what to make of last night.
"Great night; poor morning." She mentions with a small chuckle, trying hard to mask the sad look on her face.
"It's getting better though." Seren adds, taking a bite of the warm biscuit in front of her, savouring the taste, and the possibilities the day brings.
She waits impatiently for the waitress to deal with Nahia's food. Looking around to ensure a lack of prying eye or ears Seren leans forward. "It looks like those damn boys have failed this business already. Still haven't seen any sign of them since that first night. It's Going to put a rather awkward crunch on the time we have to do this. It'll take a lot longer for two people to secure the tower then it would have with four. Plus the two of us aren't likely to be able to take on the soldier's in the fort very well if it comes to a fight. Kinda miss Grumble, at least the brute is reliable." Seren states with a smirk.
She sits back in her chair, her smirk turning into a grin.
"On the other hand... some doors may be open to us if we don't have the boys to include. It may be time we start thinking about introducing ourselves to some of the more influential people in this town. As you said last night, You are oh so bad at hiding that chest and bum of yours." Seren adds laughing.
how to be seductive again... well seductive and innocent. Sigh, being scary is so much easier and oh so much more fun. Maybe someone in this town needs a mistress... Mistress I can do.
Nahia will smile at Seren and say "Yeah, if you aren't used to it, even with the alchemical kindeness, it can still be rough the next mourning. Especially when you drink the cheap stuff... And food definitely helps, especially cured meats." Nahia looks down at the plate for a minute and says "No, I clearly don't have very much experience with this..." and giggles lightly to herself.
Nahia nods at Seren, keeping up her smile but obviously talking through her teeth, "Do you think it would be worth trying to find them. I mean, I'm no tracker, but it might be nice to know what kind of threat we are dealing with." Nahia stops to nod at the waitress when she brings Nahia's breakfast, and continues after she has left, "Then again, we are of limited time, so you may be right..."
At hearing Seren's comment Nahia will giggle as well. Pursing her lips, Nahia will take a pose like she is thinking, before saying "I think I could do that, if I knew who I should be working my wiles on."
Hmm, this will be interesting. I've always been able to cut and run if things went bad before, but not here. I'll have to play this carefully.
Nahia will continue, "But who to start with? We don't know who is married except for the one. We do know there is the oh, so eligible Captain Eddarly, but we know he already has a... girlfriend. Though if I could get some evidence from him to give his girlfriends husband..."
Nahia will actually spend a moment thinking while having some of her food. After taking a sip of her watered down wine, she will say "I also have a role I can play for us to get some information. So business partner, at some point it might be good to set up my fortune telling business somewhere for some more silver... there are some excellent plants in the fields off that road that leads to the castle... Just something to think about, if we need it." Nahia smiles as she continues to eat.
A handsome and charming man enters the Inn, smiling and waving to everyone. He looks at you, taken aback. Two beauty’s that he never saw before. But he does not make any mention to approach you.
”Hey, Sissy. Bring me the best food ya got! And tell that fattass of your boss to get out of the bed and go to work!” says the man laughing
Sissy on the other hand is all over the heel, smiling and beaming to the newcomer ”I got what you need Cap Eddarly. But you’ll have to call my boss lazy yourself!” she laughs in a easy way. The she goes about to make him his breakfast.
Nahia smiles at Seren and takes a mouthful of her wine. She waits a moment before turning her head slightly and staring into space at Captain Eddarly with a slight grin. When he notices her staring, Nahia quickly turns her head away and looks down at her plate, her eyes closed and a sheepish smile on her face.
That's it. Drink the wine to redden your face. Let him catch you staring, then seem embarrassed. One more time, and if he is interested or not, I'll know it.
After some time passes Nahia will look over at the Captain again and begin to stare. And when he catches her, this time, for a brief moment their eyes will meet, and then she turns her head away again with a smile, biting her lower lip and playing with the food on her plate.
C'mon, take the bait...
Seren watches with fascination as Nahia subtly starts the seduction process.
umm, well I'm way out of my depths with subtle...I haven't done subtle in years. As much as we have time to play the slow game. Why be subtle when you can control the pieces directly.
Seren chuckles to herself as she watches Nahia garner the captains attention, but not willing to let the captain get away with out this meeting Seren stands and sashays seductively to the captain.
Reaching the captain she leans over and whispers quietly in his ear.
"Your brother has told us so much about you Mr. Eddarly, and it seems my friend has developed a rather embarrassing crush on you. It would make her oh so happy if you could sat with us." Seren whispers innocently in his ear.
The cap looks startled when get near him, when you whisper in his ear he redden a bit then says ”You must be thinking I’m someone I’m not miss. I have no brothers besides my fellows soldiers in this town.” he looks at you a bit suspicious.
Seren lets out an innocent, horrified laugh. "Oh Mitra I'm sorry! We are new to this town and were in the bar a couple of nights ago with some of the soldiers, laughing and drinking. They way they talked about you I just assumed you must have had some sort of blood relation with one of them. It's not often that people talk so fondly of their captain when he's not around, figured there had to be another reason for it." Seren replies with shock and embarrassment.
"Guess that would be my fault for not getting all their names. Stupid, silly me." She adds shaking her head. She concentrates on brings an embarrassed flush to her cheeks.
"Oh please let me buy you this meal for you in compensation. A lady shouldn't jump to conclusions like that. I have made such a horrible, horrible fool of myself. Oh I hope she will forgive me for ruining her chances." Seren adds looking quickly back at Nahia, her face filled with sadness, tears brimming on her eyes.
Nahia sees Seren get up and saunter over to the Captain, a look of genuine concern coming over Nahia's face.
Oh god, what is she doing? NO! Not towards him. He has to think that he is the one in control, that he orchestrated and wanted all of this!
Nahia decides to let her own visceral reaction work in her favor. She turns away while holding her breath and squeezing her chest muscles, forcing blood into her face, as if in embarrassment.
Her back turned to the two of them, Nahia sips from the wine, preparing herself for the conversation that will hopefully come.
Play coy, play embarrassed, play interested, but don't play easy. He seems like a forward man, that means you counter with being coy and cute and teasing. That will make him chase, because he thinks you want it and he wants the feeling of conquering...
The captain look at you and says ”I don’t know what you are playing at miss. But lying will get you nowhere. If your friend want to talk, then she may talk. You don’t need to keep creating histories. ” he look at you, then at Nahia and finally turns in to the bar maid ”I need to get back to work Sissy. I’ll be here again tonight, tell your boss to expect me and my brothers.” he get up and with then with a stiff nod for you two, he leaves the inn.
In all, you are getting some strange looks from the locals, you are not able to make any sense of it.
Seren takes in the captain's denial with barely contained rage.
Bloody Mitran...stupid....Fine. Leave the damn seduction to Nahia, I'm going to go have some fun.
With fury in her eyes, Seren stalks back into her awaiting room. She grabs her armor, donning it hastily, strapping the breastplate cruelly to herself, reveling in the feeling as the straps tear at the cracking skin along her back. She hoists up her heavy mace, an evil glint in her eyes.
Don't kill her, you know it will raise too much suspicion. You don't need two of the Captains after you now. But oh I can just imagine the look on his face as she lays there dead...
Seren paces through her room, trying to calm her building fury. You don't have those boys anymore to take the blows for you. Don't be stupid.
Her self-rationalizing doing little to quell her anger. Seren checks the mirror, extending her glamour to hide her armor and mace (the mace masked as a pleasant looking walking stick, Seren firmly grasping it by the head). She opens the top draw of her dresser with unbridled fury, grabbing the bag of gems within it before slamming the dresser closed again, a distinct crack heard as the drawer slams back into the dresser itself. She heads back downstairs and directly for the exterior exit to the Inn, looking at Nahia as she passes.
"I'll be back later." Seren comments, death in her eyes.
She squints in the morning sun, getting her bearings before starting off in the direction they originally came to town, in search of where they found Zeus, and the lifeless bodies residing there.
As you are about to step outside, a new group enters the inn. Two man, a child and a really beautiful woman. You know for sure, as you, she has some celestial blood in her, as you, she is wearing an Iron Circlet, but making it visible. Cleary a message for you and Nahia. “We have some mutual friends”. As they enter they look about, they don’t seem to know who you are.
Nahia doesn't even turn to look as she hears the Captain leaving, simply letting out a heavy sigh when she hears the door to the inn close.
Well this has gone south very quickly. Again, the ability to skip town would be really nice right now...
When Nahia sees Seren march up to her room, she takes the opportunity to head over to Sissy, places a gold on the bar in front of her to pay for their meals, and says "I'm so sorry about this. It may have been quite apparent, but my friend is not very good with men, and was simply trying to help me. I've been seeking a good man for a husband and several people told me that Captain Eddarly was both unmarried and quite a catch. We really didn't mean any trouble for you."
- - - - -
Nahia brushes the bangs of her bright auburn hair out of her freckled face as she waits to see if Seren comes back. She decides to continue standing near the bar instead of taking a seat, hoping that her short-for-a-half-elf stature will make her seem less intimidating given the recent happenings.
Normally, Nahia would be elegantly leaning against a wall, radiating a coyish feel despite the olive skin and tell-tale signs of a rustic heritage. However, wanting to play up the uncomfortableness, instead she is fidgeting: tapping her soft brown leather boots, repeatedly smoothing out the green linen of her long dress, or playing with dark green cloth or brown securing ribbon of her arm warmers.
When she finally sees that Seren has returned, Nahia, knowing Seren's wraith, will not say anything but will move to leave with her.
Resplendent in his new breastplate armor, Fausto strikes an imposing figure as he saunters into the inn. With his large axe close at hand, composite bow and quiver on his back, the man could be mistaken for any other mercenary or guard in the city. His dark clothes and cloak cover much of armor and weapons so as to not call undue attention to himself.
His face is clean-shaven with the exception of his goatee, the man's eyes scan the room trying to find their fellow 'bound'. His iron circlet, a symbol of his pact is proudly displayed on his neck. This is where he would meet the others...
Seren almost bumps into the group as they enter the inn, her blonde hair sweeping into her face as she stops suddenly, a black spark noticeable for only a moment through her glamour as barely contained energy arcs down her fair skinned arm, grounded by the elegant looking walking stick currently in her hand. The energy arcs down the stick, weaving through the flowery design, before discharging into the ground, leaving a small scorch mark at the base of the stick.
Piercing blue eyes, glare heavily at the new group as Seren weighs the cost of killing the people before her, her rage nowhere near abated.
She almost misses it, but her eyes open in surprise as she recognizes the circlet encircling the beautiful aasimar. Innately aware of the circlet, it's power, and who provided it to her, Seren's shock overcomes her rage. She stands, suspicion and confusion written across her perfect complexion.
Did the Cardinal have so little faith in us that he sought to replace us? Who are these people? Does he know something we don't about what happened to Eric and Zerik?
She stands awestruck and confused in front of the group, unsure of her next move.
The attractive young woman with the slightly otherworldly appearance approached the Innkeeper's desk.
She was dressed finely in a green and gold traveling dress that spoke of wealth and privilege. She was quite short by human standards, but wore heeled boots that brought her up to a slightly more respectable height. Her form was extremely curvaceous, accentuated by the corseted dress and the heels she wore. In spite of that, her clothes were modest. Hardly and inch of pale skin was exposed. Affixed to the metal circlet on her brow was a birdcage-style veil that slightly hid her face. A braid of bright red hair as thick as a man's wrist hung down her back. The symbol of Mitra cast in gold sat as a brooch on her modest, high necked collar.
"Excuse me, sir." She said to the innkeeper. "We would like two rooms for the night, and perhaps longer, adjacent, if possible. We also require stabling for two horses and storage for our carriage. Do you have lodgings for us?" she asked, putting a green velvet purse on the counter.
She looked around, taking in the room, her gaze stopping on the pretty blond woman nearby. She reacted with none of the usual appraisal or jealousy that usually comes when one beautiful woman meets another. She merely inclined her head politely, obviously impressed and gave a small smile beneath her veil. Then she quickly cast her eyes down shyly as though she was surprised at her own reaction, and turned back to the innkeeper.
"We're here to meet some friends."
The clang of plate on leather and chain followed Lady Rose and in lumbered a tall lean figure with pleasantly sharp features. One could peel a potato with the razor sharp lines of his nose and jaw. Above those lines, piercing grey eyes sit under a dark ridge of auburn. The man's hair was a mess. Uneven locks indicated that whoever had done his hair the last couple of months, he or she didn't deserve to be called a barber. And how it sticked to his face! The sweat-soaked hair made it seem as if the man had just run a marathon. His forehead glistened. Repeatedly he snorted, in an attempt to clear his stuffed nose. If it weren't for these signs of affliction and poverty, one could call him handsome. Right now, he needed a woman's touch to dig up his good looks from under a thick layer of grime.
Practical leather boots, fit for one who travels a lot, then click-clacked on the floor as he followed the Lady Rose to the bar. Over his armor he wore a dark red robe, open at the front, trimmed with thread of gold. A puzzling iron disc hung around his neck. On it is displayed a stylized pregnant woman, whose lower body was being consumed by sword-sized teeth. Quickly, realizing that it perhaps wasn't wise to keep it on display, he put it away under his clothes.
He peered about feverishly while Lady Rose attempted to gather some information at the bar.
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Mysty uses the magic of the circlet to disguise her features as a red haired human child with different features to her own. These features resemble, but are not quite those of lady Rose. She wears a pale green travelling dress and has a satchel over a shoulder. A flower decorates her hair. A silver holy symbol of mitra acts as a broach for her cloak. On her feet are a pair of leather boots, suitable for travelling. On her head is an iron circlet, polished and gleaming.
She examines the bar and it's denizens, with a solemn gaze.
She follows lady rose to the bar, and listens to what is said, respectably behind her
Nahia will look over the otherworldly noble girl for a moment, unsure of what to do.
Well, there could be other knots. Or this could be a trap, the circlet having been taken from one of our companions as a way to fish us out. Then again, they know we arrived together, so no need to do that... I'll take the chance, because if they wanted to knife me it isn't like they couldn't do it already...
Nahia will walk over to this noble one and curtsey. "Ah, so you must be the agent that our gracious benefactor was to send. It is good to see you. I hope your travels have been pleasant. Please, follow me. For now you can rest in my room until yours is prepared. We can discuss the condition of the local flora and fauna and what will be good to procure." Nahia says with a grin as she finishes a long flourish.
Ever protective of his 'bound', the inquisitor steps up to intercept Nahia as she nears Lady Rose.
He stares her down for a second or two before seeing that she meant no harm, at least not yet. Fausto then slowly backs away a step or two, letting the Lady engage in conversation.
If only whistling was a socially accepted form of flattery. Sourat's eyes came to live when the elvish woman presented herself and a thin smile formed around his lips. He was in fact amused at his own sorry state, that such a common woman would invoke these emotions and desires within him. Dark Mother, you must be laughing at me right now, seeing what a fool I am.
When and if Lady Rose accepts the invitation, he will follow.
After receiving your gifts and instructions from the cardinal, instructions that only said: “you are now part the Nessian Knot, and Baleytine must burn”. Cleary the cardinal trust you’ll be able to accomplish your mission without anything else need to be said. He gave you some information about the rest of the Knot, their names. The same ones you saw in the contract.
The travel take some weeks but at least you get to Aldencross. It’s a small and happy town. You can see a lot of soldiers walking about, but no one is really paying any attention to you.
As first thing, you decide to head to the town Inn ‘The Lord’s Dalliance’ or just ‘The Lord’s’ as the locals call it. In your way, you pass for a richly dressed soldier. A charming and beautiful man. From his bearing, he is no small soldier. You enter the Inn, the place is lively. Beautiful bar maids can be seem about, serving and chatting the customers. The place is not empty and it looks that most of the customer have something related with the military.
Looking about, you see a really beautiful woman about to storm out of the place. Her features make you think of the Lady. It’s not hard to think they are somewhat related. Behind her, another woman, of elvish appearance, with auburn hair.
The first woman is about to pass you when she notice your group. The anger you saw in her face suddenly turn into shock. She looks confused and unsure of what to do. On cue, the other woman step up and curtsey "Ah, so you must be the agent that our gracious benefactor was to send. It is good to see you. I hope your travels have been pleasant. Please, follow me. For now you can rest in my room until yours is prepared. We can discuss the condition of the local flora and fauna and what will be good to procure." says the woman with a grin as she finishes a long flourish.
Seren looks back and forth from the new group to Nahia. She looks at Nahia her brows quirked in confusion and betrayal.
Did you know they were coming? Why was I left out of this conversation?
Seren grips the head of her mace tighter, feeling bone creak against the metal head as fingertips try in vain to dig into the hard steel. She can feel her anger rising again, Feel the need to hurt something rising. Seren pulls her eyes away from Nahia, the look of betrayal apparent.
I suppose this is your punishment for thinking you could have friends again.
"Move." Seren whispers menacinagly as she approaches the arriving group, purposefully walking through the center of them, forcing the group to part before her as she stalks towards the door.
Seren paces to out of the building and down towards the forest, ensuring she is out of sight of everyone and anything before releasing her anger. Waves of dark energy grow in a mist around her as she vents her anger into the ground around her. The grass at her feet withering as dark energy collects and discharges around her. She feels the handle of her mace give out as the woods cracks and breaks, the energy rotting the handle from the inside.
Unprepared for her mace to give out, she falls forward, landing unceremoniously on her face.
She rolls to her back, laughing crazily, and stares at the blue sky above her. Should I really be surprised? Why would the Cardinal trust us to take this tower? Last time I took on the church I ended up in Brandescar.
She spends a few minutes on her back, staring at the passing clouds, collecting her thoughts. Her anger sated, she lifts herself from the ground and heads back towards the Inn. I suppose I better find out what they are doing here.
Nahia sees the look on Seren's face and is unsure, herself, what to do.
Shit. This isn't good. Do I leave the new ones and go after Seren or do I stay here and figure out what is going on... I'll stay here. If this is a trap at least Seren won't get caught in it. And I can go after her after I figure out who these people are. By the gods today is not turning out well...
Nahia looks at the noble lady in front of her again and says "Apologies for my companion. Today has been... difficult on her."
"See to her. I'm glad to have found you so soon, but clearly we have arrived in the middle of something trying. We will need a bit to get settled in and clean up from the road. Join us when you are able."
"Please tell her that if there is anything she needs, we will help her."
The red haired noble pushes a small scroll case into the hands of the woman who had addressed them.
"That is why we are here, after all."
Not a great start. Wonder what has her corset in a twist...
Nahia smiles and curtseys again, before saying "I'll be back soon." and places the scroll in her satchel.
Taking her leave, Nahia brings her wrist up to Andros, who coils around her arm. "Come now, let's see if you can sniff her out..." Nahia whispers to the little serpent.
Nahia follows the subtle signs given to her by Andros, a squeeze to turn this way, a squeeze to turn that way. Once Nahia gets to the forest, away from prying eyes, she takes out the scroll and examines it.
Ah, so that is what is going on here. More helpers sent by the Cardinal, additions to our knot. I will say, I didn't expect this, but I'm not exactly unhappy about it. Especially with the disappearance of our other companions...
Nahia sees Seren coming back towards her. Smiling a concerned smile, Nahia looks at Seren and says "Are you alright?"
Fausto curses for being caught off-guard and pushed aside by the girl. His hands tighten in a meaty fist meant to knock the girl out but Seren is already past him.
His jaws still clenched, he relaxes somewhat as Nahia and Lady Rose engage in amiable conversation.
He shakes his head and muses at Nahia's choice of words, difficult, eh? Were these women the weak links of the Knot?
"Alright?! No, I'm not alright. I suppose it's my fault for not expecting this though. Why did I think I could trust you?" Seren replies laughing, her recently gotten calmness disintegrating quickly.
"I thought I could trust you why? Just cause a piece of paper bound us together and said to treat each other fair and honorably? Ha. It is not like you have any loyalty to Asmodeus or his ways. This whole plan has obviously been setup to fail from the start. Eric and Zerik have gone to who knows where. You've been keeping me in the dark about other agents. What are they here for anyways? To take over? Join with you? Kill me? Gods below, you clearly know better then I do. I'm obviously just a pawn in this whole game. Someone for you to play with." Seren adds angrily, tears forming in her eyes, the emotional dam in her mind bursting.
"All I do know is this bloody town will be the death of me at this rate, Literally." She continues, Anger turning to despair.
"But fine. I signed a contract with Asmodeus and the Cardinal and I'll be damned, again literally, if I break that Compact. If my life is forfeit cause of it then congratulations, I guess you won, but I'm bound to you by Asmodeus' blessing, so I'm going to see this through to the end." Seren finishes, a crazed fire in her eyes visible through the tears.
She stalks past Nahia back towards down before looking back, bowing and pointing towards the inn. "So let's go meet your new friends."
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Mysty restrains herself from slicing the arrogant woman as she weaves out of the way. She looks at her stalking away thinking not a good way to start a relationship. Obviously the pact doesn't stop bad tempered assaults. Noted.
she was rude. mysty said, idly touching her illusion hidden daggers.
She listens to nahia talk about a "difficult day" and keeps a blank face. if this seren cannot control herself she may be a liability. But the pact prohibits removal. Still, it's early days, and she may yet be an asset.
Mysty's concern turns to the rest of the Inn. How are they taking the altercation. Instead of a quiet arrival, now they will be noticed and remembered
Well it cannot be helped now.
Nahia stands back, surprised keeping her quiet while Seren rains her tirade. When Seren is done and starts heading back towards the town, it is only a moment before Nahia snaps out of it. "Wait, wait, wait! Why are you doubting me? I have no idea who those people are! You have to believe me! Stop! Listen to me for a moment!" Nahia exclaims at Seren, trying to get her to slow down for a moment.
Nahia looks Seren in the eyes, genuine concern there, and says "Listen, I don't know why they are here, but it is obvious that they aren't townsfolk, or we would have heard of at least that one by now. But she was wearing one of our circlets! So I figured it's a trap, and we're dead anyway because they know we came with Eric and Zerik, or it's reinforcements, in which case we need to talk with them, away from prying ears. I was trying to keep our cover as best I could." Nahia explains herself to Seren, growing louder with each sentence, her face growing redder.
Suddenly, Nahia steps forward towards Seren, standing very closely, and, her voice filled with strength and exactness, says "And you listen for a moment. Firstly, I am wholly dedicated to our Lord. In fact, other than myself, I have never been dedicated to anything or anyone more. Which is amazing to me considering how quickly that happened. Second, we're all pawns, alright, all of us. Each of us is a chess piece being played for the betterment of each other. But that doesn't mean we have no worth or value. And last, but very much not least, you can trust me. And at this point, it has nothing to do with the contract, or our Lord. I think highly of you Seren, and I would like to see you, hell, even help you succeed." Nahia stands there, face to face with Seren, her cheeks red and her breath coming in pants from between barely parted teeth.