"I was thinking the same thing!" Lilyana hissed in reply.
"Maybe she has her brothers confused," she said with a tiny giggle, suggesting that it was rather Dalus-Bälezu who seemed to better-fit her demeanor.
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"Your Highness," Lilyana whispered, lips slightly parted to conceal their movement, "what will you do?"
Hmmph! Alis isn't that short, we're about the same height! Perception DC 15 (Alis, Amh, Darv, Isaac):
Beside him, Lilyana hissed under her breath, "I wouldn't have guessed that someone with orange eyes would be in any place to judge!" Rolls: Perception DC 15
"Oh wow," Lilyana remarked, "I remember that! Those two gladiators, the cat girl and the brute with the stone skin, rushed to your aid and drove them off!"
The breath caught in Lilyana's throat and disappointment was soon forgotten with the honor, Lady Ourson's stare imperceptible to her. "Oh yes, certainly! We are sisters of Lyria, aren't we!" Lost in bliss, the young woman gave a gracious curtsy before squeezing past Ieana. She was practically bouncing in her seat as Poe and Elendreth presented themselves.
Lilyana was beaming as she nodded. Oh good, I knew she'd like it! And she thinks it's from Ize. Did she just smile at him? "Yes, that's right, your Highness. It was a gift from our Father to our Mother during their betrothal." Lowering her voice, she continued in a whisper. Alis OR Perception DC 15 (Darv, Isaac, Lureene, Sasha):
"Even as brave and handsome as he is, my brother can be a little shy sometimes, but I assured him you would like it." Isaac OR Sense Motive DC 29 (Alis, Darv):
While most of the room might have been fooled, the Princess and her frændi at least could see thru Lilyana's attempt at matchmaking. Rolls:
Perception DC 15
Sense Motive DC 29
Lilyana frowned slightly at the unenviable position in which her elder brother was now seated. At least that Lureene won't be able to fawn over him. Uugh, is she making passes at everyone else too? No shame at all! The sound of Poe's voice however distracted her for a moment. Hmm... Is he going to try and butt in now too? Wait a minute... "Oh! I almost forgot!" Lily looked up from the fennec fox and met Alis' gaze with a smile, "Your Highness, my brother asked me to present you with this..." Turning, she motioned to a servant who approached with a carefully wrapped package which Arion took from her. After the disguised assassin received a silent nod of approval from his royal mistress, he set it down softly on the low, marble table. Though he was careful not to disturb Princess Jasmine, the perceptive little fox seemed to be aware of everything around her and looked on with apparent interest. Rolls:
Nobles, guild heads, and heroes milled about in the shade, cool drinks and light fare a welcome reprieve from the growing heat. Within an ornate exedra at one end of the room, Alis and Lureene sat upon a curved marble bench, arms carved in likeness of lions. On the low table before them, the Princess' tiny fennec fox lay nursing her young atop a plush velvet cushion that Sasha procured. The delighted cooing of more than a few ladies wafted thru the air leaving little doubt that they were enamored by Princess Jasmine's delicately taped snout,large, pert ears, and bushy tail. That King Tut was gently petting the fennec's heat and doting on the young kits was almost too much for them to bear. Nearby, her voice breathy, Lilyana asked, "Your Highness, how did you teach a monkey to care for a vixen? She's completely docile!"
The young woman was given momentary pause, her green eyes blinking at the unexpected request. Mouth slightly open, she looked from Alis' soft yet regal visage to the rougher, more chiseled features of her dear brother's face. If Lureene even entered into her thoughts, it didn't show. At length, she beamed a smile and replied in a chipper tone, "How could I refuse?"
Lilyana blushed and gave Alis a second curtsy, "Thank you, Princess Alis, that is very kind of you."
Nearby, there was a sharp intake of breath, and a familiar face stepped forward, her brand new monk's robes granting her the freedom of movement to curtsy even more deeply than Lureene. "Your Highness," Lilyana said sweetly, "it is a joy to see you again! Please, might you allow me that great honor?" So earnest and graceful was Lilyana's request that with the exception of the Princess, her cousin, and her scribe, all others took the young woman's request at face value. Even her own brother and the woman who had come to see the meddlesome girl as her own personal tormentor failed to notice any cues to the contrary. Rolls:
Sense Motive Checks:
"Well..." the young Lady Hlokenar pouted slightly, arms crossing as she contemplated the matter, "if they have abandoned their old leaders and now live in the Outer Quarter then why shouldn't the nobles on whose land they live represent them? You, Lady Mondracus, and Lord Bonati."
Wait, wow did she– Hmmph! I knew she was a sneak! Lilyana put on her best smile, hands clasped at waist height, and lifted her chin as she said, "Well, the peoples of the Zucktol Wildlands are traditionally tribe-centered, with chieftains or elders holding authority. If their own leaders contributed to a concensus then the other tribesmen would certainly have to follow what their leaders said." Although most of those assembled failed to notice it, Amhranai could tell that the General's daughter felt very pleased with herself, as if she had just executed a riposte after countering a jab by the succubus. Rolls: Sense Motive Checks:
"Who is going to speak for the Zucks though?" Lilyana piped up, frowning slightly as she looked at Lureene.
"Oh Ize..." Lilyana held the gift to herself and gave her big brother a one-armed hug, affectionately bonking her head on his breastplate. "Don't you know, the right lady would buoy you up, not drag you down!" Smiling up at him, she turned at the sound of another approaching carriage. "Well it looks like the Bonatis are here, I guess I should head inside. Try not to work too hard!" With that, the young woman stood up on her tippy-toes and gave the Marshal a kiss on the cheek, leisurely following after Rinaldo and Lucio who had begun to head inside.
As the others began to make their way inside, leaving the Marshal of the City Guard to his thoughts, he heard a familiar voice by his side, "They make such a sweet couple don't you think Ize?" Looking down, Isaac found his sister by his side wearing one of her abbey's formal uniforms — a gi of brocaded white silk trimmed to match the color of her dark green eyes. While the jacket itself was tied at the sides to contour to the young woman's figure, ornate cinches on her arms and knees cause the short sleeves and pant legs to flair like flowers, much like the wrap skirt that billowed about her toned legs. With a wistful sigh, Lilyana looked up at her big brother, a thoughtful look in her dark green eyes. "You know, we need to find you a nice lady too. Princess Alis seems nice, don't you think? With a smile, she hefted the package she was carrying. "I brought a vase from home for me to give to give her from you, I hope she likes it..." It was at that moment that a horrible realization struck the Major — his sister had gotten an idea into her head, and she meant to play match-maker! Rolls: Sense Motive Checks:
However, what ever madness you were witnessing was apparently not about to end. With a sinking feeling, you could see the wheels alongside the trebuchet begin to turn as it reloaded and pivoted counter-clockwise, stopping at approximately the two o'clock position. "Ummm... Isaac," Lily asked anxiously, "isn't it aimed right at your office?"
"Arrowhead?" Lilyana says incredulously looking up at her brother. "Why would the naval base fire on one of our own ships, brother?" Even as the taller warrior shakes his head, the three make their way down to the deck, quickly joining up with everyone else near the prow.
Although the others can't see or hear it, Isaac can tell that Lily gives a slight sniffle as she returns his hug and whispers, "I love you too, Ize," before heading to her room, eyes moist but cheeks dry — at least until she is out of sight.
Still trying to keep from pouting, Lily nods before giving a quick curtsy and a mumbled pardon to be excused. She then hurries out of the ready room and back to her bed whether to cry or curse you aren't quite certain. Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Lilyana stands in shocked silence when her scolding elicits a stern rebuttal from her big brother. He's– They're– My self control?! She starts to pipe up, growing red in the face with embarrassment at being treated like a child in front of the others when Alis' joking reference to the princess and the pea cools her flames just a tad. Does Prince Amthyrian think of me as just a child as well? Failing completely to avoid looking like she is sulking, she looks down, avoiding eye contact with everyone (particularly Lureene) and says, "Forgive me for interrupting your conversations, I thought we had simply forgotten ourselves in the excitement, that's all..." Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Even as Darvesch and Greasha were beginning to feel the weight of hours and spirits weighing upon them... Even as Lureene and Sasha whiled the hours away laughing and flirting with Isaac... Lilyana lay tossing and turning in Lieutenant Nimniel's cabin. Ire and anxiety were doing more to keep her awake than the muted conversation between Prince Tyralor and Princess Alissariel, or the intermittent squeals of laughter from the ready room. She sighed. At least we're safe now, but who knows what will happen when we reach home in the morning. Those two floozies are in for a surprise if they think brother will have time to dote on them with everything that's... The young woman's thoughts trailed of and her eyes grew wide in the dark. "Of all the stupid..." Lilyana yanked the sheets aside and slid out of bed slipping on one of the princess' silk robes over her nightgown. Within moments, her feet were pattering down the hallway towards the ready room where Lureene and Sasha were keeping her brother awake. Lips pursed, she put on her best face and flung the door open. Even though her words made it clear whom she was addressing, the look she gave Lureene took her to task just the same. "Were you planning to brief our new governor and her companions on the situation back home at some point, or were other more important affairs keeping you occupied?"
Before the Major can even answer, he feels the overwhelming aura of an ice demon threatening to crush the life-force from his mortal frame. Beside him, the petite she-demon hisses, "That is too kind, but I do believe the Marshal has other plans for the evening."
"Oh, don't hurt him..." Lilyana steps up beside Gelik and smooths his blonde curls once again. "I wish that we could have met under different circumstances, but you have my family's greatest thanks for what you have done here today. Lieutenant Tylalaes, Sister Priyya, I shall make certain my father, General Hlokenar, hears of your bravery. Thank you again!"
Lilyana is nearly too pleased by the treat of good pastries to care when her brother excuses himself in order to escort the tipsy succubus out of the room. Sense Motive DC 15 (Alis, Priyya, Tyralor):
Nearly, but not quite. Although the young woman seems to be thrilled to spend time in Alis' company, she clearly doesn't trust the succubus... Not overly surprising considering that the members of Súmalya's faithful see them as corruptions of their original purpose as divine muses. Dabbing at the corners of her mouth, she looks about the room and notes that the gnome keeps looking towards the door in irritation even as he speaks with Ieana and Sasha regarding field research and the dangers involved. Although the ranger's lack of mental prowess would normally place her at a disadvantage, the fact that she ate more heartily than the others and has a higher tolerance to intoxication helps to even the field. Her natural enthusiasm for adventure and knack for engineering solutions doesn't hurt either. The young lady places her hands upon the table and gives a contented sigh. "My but what a grand feats, my Prince! Until now I had imagined the banquets at the late governor's to be quite exquisite. I pray that is to the credit of your chef and does not mark me as a provincial." "Your Highness," there is a query to her tone when she looks to Alis, "if it should not be discourteous, I too should like to get some air. Perhaps Master Aberwhinge might deign to stretch his legs and walk with me a while in order to regale me with the tales of your exploits?" Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
K:Religion
Lilyana harmonizes with Alis, "The liiikes you ne-ver did seeee!"
Theme: Queen for a Day "Mmm!" Lily nods her head eagerly and places lips to flute as Alis begins to strum her own instrument.
As everyone else rises to their feet, glasses held aloft, Lilyana smiles demurely, blushing at the sudden attention of the gorgeous prince. In a meek voice, she says, "Isaac was also returned, but that's very kind of my Lord." It is only then that you realize the girl must not realize her life was briefly ended by Ozyrankhus' necromancy only a few brief hours ago. Tyralor OR Sense Motive DC 23 (Alis, Priyya):
Perhaps it is a subtle tip of her head towards her brother, or a plea in her gaze, but you realize that she doesn't want to upset Isaac by dwelling on the issue, even if she is quite grateful. Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Isaac's sudden downturn in his mood is obvious to nearly everyone save Lureene and Aerys. His little sister glances between Isaac and the succubus who had been flirting with him and says cheerfully, "Well I'm just glad that Isaac and I aren't going to end up there now. Thank you again for the your brave rescue your Highnesses!" She leans forward and looks at Isaac, "What a wonderful turn of events from this morning, wouldn't you agree, brother?" Isaac OR Sense Motive DC 21 (Alis, Priyya, Aerys, Sasha):
You can tell that Lilyana is trying to cheer up her brother. She seems somewhat happy that he's not paying attention to the succubus at the moment. Rolls: Sense Motive Checks:
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Lilyana nods her head eagerly, elbowing her brother in the stomach just below his breastplate as he walks past her to stand next to the succubus. With him out of the way, she slips closer to the two royals, stars in her eyes. "Most certainly, your Highness! It felt good to inspire our brave champions with Lyria's blessing! Do you think you might join the temple in Port Eldarion? It would be so wonderful to have an actual princess grace our halls! Perhaps all of the muses might have the opportunity to perform for Prince Tyralor, wouldn't that be something!" Sense Motive DC 17 (Alis, Darvesch, Isaac, Priyya, Tyralor, Gelik, Sasha):
Although the young lady thinks she's doing a good job of concealing it, her adulation of Alis and her infatuation with Tyralor is almost painfully obvious to most of the room. Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
Lilyana's dark green eyes light up with the tall and handsome prince speaks her name. Did he just speak to meee?! "Oh why yes, that would be wonderful, your Highness! We should be in your debt!"
Feigning ignorance, Lilyana replies, "Oh, so that was what got caught in my shoe? You have such an odd sense of humor sometimes Iss..." Moving her foot, Lilyana smiles warmly and gives a little curtsy to the Princess and Lady Lureene beside her, eyes half-shut with a measure of satisfied glee that she just can't hide. Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
The pretty young girl blushes a bit and scrunches her nose and mouth to one side as she looks up at her too-tall brother and shakes her head. Holding up her hand, she mouths the words, 'He's hopeless,' to the dwarf before elbowing Isaac in the side as she lowers her hand again.
"Unlike some people," Lilyana murmurs. Frowning the young lady shifts her weight, something stuck in her shoe apparently. Isaac OR Sense Motive DC 24 (Alis, Darvesch, Priyya, Tyralor):
Actually, you realize that the Major's little sister is not at all happy about her brother's attentions towards the succubus and is presently grinding her heel into his toes. Rolls: Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
"Uunngh..." The sound is almost imperceptible, but you hear it again and slightly louder. With a grimace and a moan of discomfort, Lady Hlokenar's eyes flutter open, and she looks up at all of you, blinking as if she had just started into a blinding light. "Brother?" she whispers hesitantly. "Isaac!" Suddenly wide awake, she reaches up with her other hand to brush his face. "What's wrong? Why are you kneeling here? What... have you been crying?" Sitting up weakly with the help of the handsome prince, she throws her thin arms around her brother's neck and hugs him tightly, stroking his sandy-colored hair. "It's alright, brother, don't worry, everything is alright..."
With Gelik helping to steady her, holding her hand, Lilyana looks between Sasha and the mage-dragon... If they holy back for my sake... and improvises a bit... "Siiing as you raaiise your booow," Sasha suddenly looks at her blinking thru blood. "shoot straigh-ter than before!" Frowning but giving a curt nod, the huntress raises her bow and fires twice, wounding him once in each wing. With a muffled curse, Gelik catches the girl as she blacks out again. Rolls:
Sasha, , Ozyrankhus, Aerys, Gelik, Alis, {Lilyana}, Lureene
Lilyana does her best to keep singing even as Darvesch's axe descends. "The apples of the valley ho-OOold–" There is a gout of fire, and a shower of holy sparks as the dwarf's axe sheers thru Ozyrankhus' stoneskin spell like it wasn't there. Immediately, Lilyana drops to the ground, motionless! Sasha, Darvesch, Priyya, Malandraenas, Isaac, Tyralor, Ozyrankhus, , {Lilyana}, Lureene
"Side by side we wait the might of the darkest of them all." Alarmed, Mal and Tyralor pull their attacks at the last moment, but not realizing what has happened, Isaac strikes home! "AAUuu-Ooh-Ooh!" Perception DC 26 (Alis, Darv, Aerys, Sasha):
Even as the Major's attack strikes true, his little sister, Lilyana, cries out in pain. She attempts to mask her cry in the lyrics of the song, but you can tell that something has pained her horribly! Rolls:
no Bluff Checks
Perception DC 26 (16+5+5)
Sasha, Darvesch, Priyya, [Malandraenas], Isaac, Tyralor, Ozyrankhus, , Aerys, Gelik, Alis, Lilyana, Lureene
"The dark Lord rides in force toni-ight," With a might shout unto Heaven itself... "And time will tell us aaa-ALLLL!" Prince Tyralor buries Atharos to the hilt in Ozyrankhus' side! Rolls:
"The queen of li-light
At the first words of Lilyana and Alissariel's song, Major Hlokenar gave the signal to his team to move in and outflank the enemy: Two men at north, two men at south, Priyya sniping. Without delay, the young officer rushed forward, swooping around the dragon-mage to get into position. "The prince of peace
Though he could not understand what the young girl was singing, her brother's tactics and signals were clear. With a shout, Prince Tyralor flew after the other man, swooping in from above, timing his attack for when the others would be in position.
Theme: Take Heart! The Battle of Evermore As the princess beside her began to pick a familiar tune on her instrument, Lilyana nodded enthusiastically and cast a spell to help amplify the sound of their performance. Rolls:
"Indeed I do, your highness!"
As the men plan their assault, Lilyana sets her jaw and shakes her head. My father is a general dammit, even if I can't fight I can still help in other ways... Sylvan: "Your highness," she calls out, "I will encourage the Zucks to row for safety, but Lyria's inspiration would serve everyone well in this battle, would it not? You and I... our training is similar, is it not?"
"Oh, brother is with Lady Lureene? I should thank her for..." The girl's voice trails off as she sees Isaac slowly flying back towards the ship in the company of a golden-winged succubus and a flying white snake, laughing and joking. "I... ah... Isaac?!"
When Gelik and Mal both turn their heads at Sasha's commentary, the young noblewoman frets. She crosses her knees, trying to pull down the hem of her gown while covering her bust with her other hand. "Where's my brother?!" she asks with more than a hint of distress in her tone.
Lilyana frowns as Derrin climbs down into what was so recently her cell. She quickly steps out of the way to ensure that he doesn't get any worthwhile glimpses at her thru her tattered nightgown. (Not to mention she doesn't seem to care for the way Sasha is biting her finger and cocking her head while looking at her.) Once Darvesch has lowered the trap door back into position, she curtsies to Alis and him. "I thank you for freeing me from that cramped enclosure. It is probably a trifling concern but..." Blushing she leans forward and whispers something in the princess' ear. Rolls: Perception DC 20+2+2
While he still has the cover of a smokescreen from whatever just happened near him, Isaac tries to haul Darvesch up and out of the water. He hastily grabs for the rope, setting one foot against the railing for leverage and goes to heave when his foot slips out from under him and he falls... Or at least he should have fallen. In surprise, he finds that he is floating in place mid-air above the deck, the back railing pushing him along. Evidently Alis' flight spell was not merely a quick boost allowing a few moments of flight, but one with a much longer duration. As the cloud of sooty smoke flows over and past him, Isaac wonders how long he might be able to put such an ability to use before the wizard sends him falling into the sea as well. From beneath him, he hears Lilyana shouting out, "Brother, is that you? Did the ship just get struck? What's going on up there?!"
Isaac's sister brightens and nods enthusiastically, sweeping up the dagger and giving it a quick spin to test its balance. "Yes, indeed I can, your highness!" After a moment, she adds, "Did you come across my brother's sabre by any chance? I overheard the woman who delivered him to this vessel state that she had taken both it and his helm as proof of our capture." Rolls:
With a tremendous, but measured pull, Isaac pops the entire bar free from its frame. He stumbles backwards, but an invisible hand catches the broken bar before it can clatter to the floor. "Well done!" Lily clasps her hands together in youthful excitement at the turn of events, even as she wonders at whatever it was the princess just did to aid her brother. That way of speaking, the look of calm confidence on brother's face— well, when he was concentrating anyway... does the princess also serve Lyria? I never even heard her cast a spell! Rolls: Reflex DC 15
Lilyana winces and knocks her head against the floor for forgetting to introduce themselves. Sitting up into a kneeling position with her feet crossed below her bottom and hands folded in her lap, she took a deep breath and said, "Your highness, might I introduce Major Isaac Hlokenar, Marshall of Port Eldarion. I am Lilyana Hlokenar, his younger sister. You may know of our father, General Aurvandur has dutifully served King Aramandil in Dafar for over a century."
Lilyana's singing halts with a sharp intake of breath, mouth agape. Crossing her hands over her chest, she bows low, nose nearly touching the ground. "Your highness! Please forgive my presumptuousness, I intended no disrespect!"
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