Fantasy IC - Chapter 1A: "Blood On My Hands, Dirt On My Boots" (Roadalia)

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by @robyn Banks in the previous IC



@Robyn Banks
as

Holy Knight of Azae Seraphina Aeritheos​

_____​

Location: Lorriston's town-square, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 10


Time: The third hour of night (3 P.M.)

_____​

"Please let me go! I am a follower of Azae! You must be mistaken!" The woman exclaimed trying to break free from the grasp of the two soldiers beside her. Seraphina ignored the buzzing of the maiden's plea as she continued walking through the former cathedral to deliver the prisoner to the headsman, who was more than please to fulfill his duty in the name of the crazed queen.

Her armor stained with dirt and blood due to the riot that arose in response to her duty to capture the faux believer of the 'new religion of Azae' as sera liked to think of it. Surprisingly there was no deaths this time. injuries and collateral damage. She had to admit she found it amazing what people would do for a person.

Servants took quick glances at her and her ladies before proceeding to their usual routine. Her walk with filled with grandiosity, her head held high.Though she was a holy knight earning her more recognition, she was already known due to her family's history of breeding desired horses and warriors. However the warrior part didn't seem to matter. Since the queen became mental, she allowed outsiders and more poor citizens to join the knights.

After strolling through many hallways and stairwells, the small group arrived in the dungeon where the galloter was already prepping his instruments for the 'entertainment' that will occur later on that day. The Queen executions has increased tremendously in the last couple of months and the knights always has to deliver the prisoners therefore It was common to have small talks with the headsman.

He chuckled as he watched Lady Sif walk down the steps along with his new victim prior to commenting. "I see that you have brought a hysterical one. What's the verdict?" She only raised her eyebrow for him to know what the woman was convicted for, The most used one at that. "Ah, I see." Sera commanded the soldiers to release the inmate. The maiden screaming turned to sobs, shifting Sera's thoughts to sympathetic ones.

She no longer wanted to be in their presence whilst she felt regret and the urge to defy her mandate. "Tell the Queen that the infidel has been captured."

"And what about your beloved future queen, Renaria?" Teased the executioner snickering softly to himself, Knowing as well as everyone in the castle that Sera has hatred for the heathen.

"Don't ever allude that pretentious, Oblivious Swine in my presence. She's just lucky, the Queen decided to make a charity out of her." She hissed unceasingly making her way out of the revolting place.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by Zooks in the previous IC​

Zooks as

Roadalian Successor Renaria Velouse​

_____​

Location: Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 13


Time: Quarter to the seventh hour of morning (6:45 A.M.)

_____​

High up-top one of the towers to the Capital of Ashah, gazing out into rolling lands far below was a women with long thick brown hair blowing about in the stiff, cool breeze just before Dawn. The highest and most South West facing tower, in fact, overlooking the land and the huge expanse and outline of the Swazi Forest miles and miles away. Just a blip on the horizon. Here on this Tower lived the Capital's Falconry station, where messenger birds would relay important business to and from high-ranking officials, other Nation's Royalty or Rulers and Troops lining the Great Wall surrounding Roadalia's borders. And among the flocks of small, trained birds preening was one much larger bird whom rocked back and forth on a balcony ledge. An Eagle, to be exact, that belonged to none-other then the women aside it. It stretched out a large wing to run it's beak from root to tip of a spread flight feather before shuffling it's wings and stretching it's curved beak wide in a bird version of a yawn. Then the Eagle curled his head back to nestle his face into his own back feathers and promptly took a snooze, his claws tightening on the rounded railing before relaxing as his beady yellow eyes closed down.


Renaria glanced to the Eagle, and while she was alone among the flutter and half chirps of birds, did she allow herself to give him a small smile. Fingertips reaching out to brush over his head, to which the bird fluttering his wings in an excitable manner then relaxed down to snooze again. Her trained Eagle reminding her of times long ago as she ran with a fast pace through the depths of the Swazi Forest, bare feet silent as dead leaves on the forest floor swirled up from her fast pace. Grasping a hand up to swing and use a low hanging branch as leverage, the then young girl hoisted herself into a couch in one fluid motion on the thin branch which creaked, while simultaneously drawing the long bow to full strength, fingers steady as her eyes didn't even blink. Focus 100% on a spooked Buck Deer as it ran and pranced at a surprising speed. Normally one would forgo a deer as erratic and fearful as this, often time's to hard to hit with a simple Bow and Arrow amidst the hundreds of tree obstacles.


However Renaria was an exception to the rule, and an above average sized Buck Deer would be worth too hefty a price to simple leave to escape. Taking a deep, steadying breath, to avoid any unnecessary movements the girl's eyes narrowed down and with a resounding thud the arrow whistled through the air. The deer made a gurgled cry before crashing in a heap against the ground. Not only had the shot hit it's target, but downed it in one hit. Almost before the arrow had plunged into the furry beast, Renaria had slipped from the low lying branch and slung the bow onto her back as she dashed beside the creature, suddenly grabbing an antler and exposing it's neck to cut right through the creatures jugular, causing the creature a sudden and as painless death as she could manage. Then without a word the girl started to drag the beast back to her home and awaiting family.


That was the deer whose meat and hide they had showcased at the Ashah Capital on her 14th birthday. The same day she had silently left the respite of the crowds to find some peace and quiet, alone with her thoughts. The same day the Queen had blocked her exit and requested her age, to which she answered truthfully. The same day the Queen had asked her to stay, to become her Successor. The girl originally had intended to refuse her offer, she enjoyed spending her days within the Forest hunting, spending nights with her family. However it was not her place to refuse a Queen and as such she concluded it was best to simply follow along. Why the Queen took her to favor still confused the woman, she had never given her any outwards signs of adoration, of needfulness or fever pitch love. Instead always the blank face and watchful gaze, like a enigmatic statue. And yet the Queen adored her so.


Renaria took a deep breath in, filling her lungs to capacity before letting her hot breath steam up before her against the chill air. This new advisor, Miranda, seemed to be taking the spot of Renaria by the Queen's side which as a whole was fine by the woman. However, along with the new advisor came stricter punishments, relapsed laws, and a stricter devotion to the Azae Religion. One of which the girl confessed her sins often... mostly apologizing for using the Church pray time's a moment away and to herself. What she would give to escape to hunt once again. Years it had been. But with the Queen's eyes (both her own and through servants and watchful spy's) the girl knew she was never truly alone. Even now in the corner of her eye she saw the smallest of a flicker, the tell tale sign of an observer. Though she made no movement what-so-ever. Even had she asked the observer to leave, two more would no doubt take their place.


Giving one more rub at the back of her pet Eagle, before she turned on her heel and walked with complete silence. Not even her boots making a sound against the ground.


Once a hunter, always a hunter.


Descending into the huge Cathedral that was Ashah to find the Queen and keep abreast of the day's activities.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by yoikes in the previous IC



yoikes as

Holy Knight of Azae Thera​

_____​

Location: Leer, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 11


Time: The third hour of the afternoon (3 P.M.)

_____​

There was to be another execution, ordered by Queen Gayana herself. A few devout followers of the Goddess of Azea, a bald priest and several men and woman of different ages. Thera was sent to observe the trial, and watch as they begged and prayed for their life. Their accusation varied from stealing, to non-believing, and to murder. And then the judge would find them guilty, like every other trial out there. And like most of them, they are punished with public execution.


One of them, the last to be judged, was a priest.


A bald man in his forties, he used to be known as the friendliest person in the town. That was until a girl went missing, and they found her body buried in a shallow grave behind the priest’s residence. Then they found out that she had been raped, and that before she disappeared she went to visit the priest to learn the verses of the holy book.


The verdict came almost instantly, public execution.


The gallows were built right after their trial, with a wooden podium and trapdoors. The ropes were tied and the stage was now set. Thera, an observer, could only watch as the soldiers led the criminals to the podium. The crowd was wild, cheering and clapping as the criminals climbed the podium. A child cried as the soldiers placed the rope around his head, followed by his sister of fifteen years old. Then his mother, his father, and most of the criminals that were about to be executed except for the priest, who started singing. Before anyone knew it, the criminals joined in. And together they sang the Prayer to Mother Above, with the crowds booing them.


“Calm the crowd.” Thera ordered, and her men, quickly moving, did as she told. They stood in line, surrounding the crowd and shouting orders. There was some pushing, but all that ceased as soon as the cleric walked to the podium and started singing a prayer. The crowd and the criminal joined her.


Thera was not religious, she did not believe in Gods. She found it hard, believing that there is something greater than her, that watches over her after all that she’s been thought in the past. She did learn a few prayers and hymns and verses from the holy book. Her father, who knew about this little secret of hers, told her to learn some so at least she looked like one. A believer, like the many people in front of her. She was glad she followed her father’s advice, or it could have be her standing in the podium with a rope around her neck.


Having faith in something is beautiful, that’s why she respected those who believed in the Gods. Thera watched as she finished singing and saw how the rapist priest fell on his knee and prayed. Thera couldn’t help but to wonder whether any of the Gods would listen to him after what he did.


The priest then stood, mumbling a verse as a rope was hung around his neck. Then the trap doors were opened, and their bodies fell through it. Some broke their neck and died instantly, some struggled as they slowly choked to death. Their eyes were wide with surprise, their faces turned red and then, as they slowly died out, turned pale. Their bodies swayed left to right. Left to right. Then they stopped and the crowds cheered and rejoiced before dispersing.


“Start cleaning.” Thera gave the order, and her men did as told. They cut the ropes and put down the bodies in the street, their face covered with a piece of dirty fabric, then started putting down the gallows. The cleric, a woman in her fifties with beautiful blonde hair who is in charge of this small town, approached her.


“Thera, of the Holy Knights.” She greeted.


“You know my name.” Thera paused.


“There are many knights who serve the Queen, but only one with weapons such as yours.” The cleric took a glance at her hooked blades, clipped to her belt and ready to be drawn anytime she needed to fight. “Do you know what the people call you? The Queen’s Slave.”


Another mockery to her past, a secret known to the public. Ha-ha. Thera wondered if she was supposed to smile, or laugh to please the woman in front of her. She decided to do neither, replying her with her usual deadpan face.


“What do you think of today’s trial?” The woman asked her second question.


“The Queen appreciates your help on keeping and securing the peace of the nation, by capturing the sinners and non-believers—” Thera replied, straight into the woman’s clear blue eyes, with an answer that she had burned inside her memory.


“I don’t ask what the Queen’s thinks about,” The woman interrupted. “I ask what youthink about.”


Well, that’s new. No one asked about that before, they were usually satisfied with that answer she memorized for them. She did not know what to answer or whether she was allowed to speak out her thoughts, so Thera answered with silence. The woman laughed.


“Is that your answer, or are you as quiet as they said?” The woman laughed. She stopped laughing as the soldiers started loading the corpses into the back of a horse cart, where they will be transported to a graveyard where they will be buried. “What do you think of them?”


“Criminals.” Thera gave a short reply.


“Rapist and murderer and non-believers.” The woman turned at her, a big innocent smile on her face. “Tell me, do you believe in Goddess Azae?”


No. “Yes, of course.” Thera nodded. “My father introduced me to her. Taught me how to pray and how to sing, the read the holy book and memorize verses.”


“Bless your Father, then, and please forgive me for asking such a stupid question.” The woman apologized. “I’m curious, for there has been a rumor going around that you might be... a non-believer.”


I am. “The petty and their stupid gossips.” Thera snarked, before giving a nod to her second in command who has been standing next to her for the past minute. “Are you finished?”


“Yes, ma'am!” Her second in command saluted. “We are ready to return anytime.”


Then we shall take our leave now.” Thera bowed to the cleric in front of her. “Good day, ‘mam.”


Thera and her troops went to Ashah straight away, a two-hour ride on horseback from that town they visited. They all headed straight back to the castle, a beautiful building that used to be a cathedral. They passed through the crowded streets, Thera spurred her horse and went straight toward the castle. Her troops could find their way back to their barracks. She left her horse to a soldier waiting at the front door, then as she walked inside she wondered and was trying to remember who’s in charge today or whether she need to report it directly to the Queen. Anyone was fine, as long as it was not Kira.


That girl may be the second-in-command, but she could be the first when it came to a loose screw. So blinded by her faith, drunk with prayers and mad with her belief. Oh, words could not express how much Thera hated this woman and her cronies. She never liked her, not even once. Disgusting fanaticism, and into this abyss the Queen has seemingly slipped deeper into.


Thera always talked back to her, never listened or obeyed her orders, despite knowing that she was making enemies. Which she was fine with, she was not looking to befriend those kinds of people anyway. Believing in something is important, but giving in too much has never been a good thing.


In silence, Thera continued to walk inside the quiet hallway.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by @Robyn Banks in the previous IC

@Robyn Banks
as

Seraphina​

_____
​

Location: Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: The second hour of night (2 P.M.)

_____​

Seraphina walked with three guards in the vacate halls, making her way to the horse stable to receive her horse.the Ashah square was only a mile from the Castle however she wanted to arrive in haste, she had other things to attend to. She wished she had time to refreshen up. she didn't feel that it was appropriate to roam the palace covered in blood and ashes however, she maintained her supercilious stride.

Everything seemed in order as she observed her surroundings until she saw a woman with a hood traipsing around making her way to the same destination, instantly she knew who it was.

"Ah Ranaria, I see you had your little hunting trip with your pet chicken."she remarked with a devilish smirk. She was trained by her mother to be polite to everyone even enemies at a young age, not to be two face but to show that she was refined. However the pretentious heathen seemed to be the exception. Seraphina's hatred for her was known due to the fact that she declared it to the maiden numerous times before. Seraphina decided to malign her more, it was quite entertaining.

"You didn't bring an animal souvenir? Probably just shoot down an animal for no reason and left it there. Didn't give it to the chef to prep it for a meal, skin it to make a fur coat, or even beheaded it to use as decor. I thought a queen was suppose to have solicitude... I guess I was wrong." She didn't stop walking as she spoke, she needed to report to captain Janer immediately.

"Speaking of the Queen, how is your plan of calming down the prophet? I'm sure you have the situation handled." She inquired with sarcasm. She knew well enough that the Queen wasn't going to be convinced to stop anytime soon by the likes of her, only Miranda had that power. She wasn't sure what Ranaria was good for anyways. Gayana broke the law of inheriter just for that mere girl and yet she didn't see any potential. Maybe she did but not in the areas where it was needed.Either way the deed was done and there was nothing left to say. Ranaria's Responses would only be given slight scoffs and furrowed brows.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by @too much idea in the previous IC



yoikes
as


Thera​

______​

Location: Holy Knights of Azae Headquarters, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: Half past the second hour of night (2:30 P.M.)

______​

"Captain Janer is in her chamber." The guards told her as Thera was looking around the castle, so she went straight to the captain's residence in the Holy Knights headquarters- a short walk from the main castle building. She knocked on the door of her room, announcing herself and then waited for permission to enter. When the captain gave it, Thera opened the door and stepped inside. While closing the door behind her, she could tell that there was something off about Janer. She didn't greet her like she usually did. The captain knew her long enough to know that Thera was not the most active speaker in Roadalia. Captain Janer was usually the one to start the conversation, and the one to end it too.


And tonight, Thera couldn't help but to notice that there was something off about her. Too calm, too composed.


"Speak." She said, in her usual commanding tone. She sounded distraught by something.


"As ordered, I went to Kalis to watch over the trial of criminals, in which the criminals were all found guilty, and then executed by hanging. The execution was a success." There was a long silence, which nothing but confirmed that there was indeed something strange about Captain Janer. "The criminals were found guilty of rape and murder, theft, and non-believing--"


"Tell me, Thera," The captain cut in, suddenly. She stood up from her chair, staring at her with her piercing gray eyes. "What do you think of it?"


"It?"


"The trial, the execution," Janer added. "The sins that we humans commit, the sins that we all commit. What do you think of it, of us cleansing the nation under Her name?"


Don't tell me she has fallen into the abyss. Thera blinked. "It's wonderful."


"... Don't give me that rat piss. Come on, tell me the truth. Your true opinion." Janer approached her, closing in with that huge step of hers. Thera wanted to take a step back, moving away from her gaze. She stopped right in front of them, staring down and covering her with her shadow. "Go on, tell me."


Did she find out about her secret? Thera blinked once again, realizing that her legs had opened into a defensive stance. No- Slashing Janer's throat here will make her trouble worse- and it's not like she could strike her by surprise that easily. Her position is no joke, after all.


"Like I said, wonderful." Thera repeated. "The Goddess must be pleased with what we did, under the order of Queen Gayana."


"Even if it means killing innocent people, whose only fault is not believing in the same God as we all do?"


Thera flinched. "Yes, of course."


"Good! I know I can count on you!" Janer smiled, that big smile of hers that Thera was familiar with. She grabbed her hand and shook it, while praising her highly for what she just said, and while she did she passed a crumpled piece of paper to her. Janer winked at her. "May the Goddess Azae bless you, Thera."


"May she bless you too." Thera quickly opened the note.

Sorry, I need to deceive whoever listening to us right now.


Can you meet me in the Red Swan's tavern tonight?​

The ink was dry. Had Janer planned this from the very beginning? Probably, definitely.


"If I were still with the pirates, they would've had a drink instead of praying for this success. Of course, I am no longer a part of such barbaric tradition." Thera folded the paper in her hands. "Good night, Captain. I'll see you tomorrow."


Thera turned and then quickly made her way out of the room, as she usually did after reporting to Janer. Then she’ll return to her chambers and change into her off-duty equipment, with a black cloak that she’ll use to cover her entire body- just to be safe. She bowed at Janer, before closing the door of her room, and started walking toward her own chamber when she noticed someone familiar walking toward her direction- someone Thera hated so much.


"Good evening," Kira greeted- a smile on her face. "How's Kalis?" Thera nodded as an answer.


"I heard about a rumor, you know, that your Father is the one who taught you about Goddess Azea." Thera could feel her eyes widening, staring at Kira who was now grinning at her. "May She bless your Father, for showing and teaching you the correct way."


How the hell did she find out? The cleric? A bird, a spy in her platoon? As she's busy keeping her composure in front of the woman she hated the most, Kira moved closer- reaching out for her right hand.


"What are holding in your ha-"


"Not something that you should see." Thera moved her right hand away, behind her back. Her left hand was wrapped around her hooked sword's hilt. Without breaking her eye contact, she continued. "I advise you not to pry too much into my private matters."


Kira frowned, obviously unhappy with Thera's reaction. Thankfully Kira was still sane enough to know that Thera was always serious about her threat. She took a few steps back, lifting her chin as she walked away and continue toward Janer's chamber. Thera clicked her tongue, as she hurriedly returned to her own room. She took one of the lanterns in the hallway and took it inside her room, hanging it on the wall before locking the door from the inside.


Thera was glad that she had a room of her own, her own private chamber as a part of the so-called-elite Holy Knights of Azae. She took off her armors and cape, unstrapping her belt and put it aside as she threw herself onto her bed, trying to get some sleep after the long night.


She dreamt that she was the one standing on the gallows, a rope hung around her neck. The crowds were booing at her, her troops turned their back against her.


"Non believer!" Kira whispered in her ears. "Guilty!"


And the trapdoor beneath her opened, waking her up.


How long was she asleep? Enough, judging from the amount of sunlight entering her window. Thera sighed, wiping off the sweat on her face. A new nightmare that'll haunt her at night, how lovely.


I should grab some food, then head down to the library. She thought, realizing that today she did not have anything to do but the small appointment at night. Thera rose from her bed and cleaned herself, before wearing her shoulder plate and breastplate, which was more than enough for her, strapping her belt around the waist and after making sure that her hook swords were perfectly clipped by her sides, and headed out from her room.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by Zooks as a collaboration with @King Ad Rock in the previous IC



Zooks
as

Renaria


King Ad Rock
as

General of the Roadalian Military, Leonard Roadalia​

_____​

Location: General Leonard's office in Ashah's castle, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: The second hour of night (2:00 P.M.)

_____​

Renaria's silent steps lead her down the winding tower to the lower levels of the great Cathedral that made up Ashah's main Castle. Her mind oddly silent as she took in her surroundings. It was a habit she picked up as a child to not think or dwell on memories when alone, as to do so would mean one was not fully prepared should the need arise. Beasts of the Forest after all were fickle creatures and often unpredictable so the less her mind was wandering the more in-tuned to the current situation she was. For instance, it seemed the two fellow's intent to watch her every move figured that staying a good yard or so behind her to follow would somehow be enough to escape her ever watching gaze. She made a half chuckle and only the very edge of her mouth turned up in a smirk.


Amateurs.


They certainty would not catch much as a Hunter, that was for sure. But she played their little game for her amusement, wondering how much they were being paid to Spy. Perhaps she should find whomever was paying them to cut their fee? Her dark eyes turned then as she heard the voice of none other then Seraphina as she came down a separate corridor and their paths met at a cross junction. The smirk quickly faded to be replaced with that dull, cold and unforgiving look she was know for. Almost looking bored or moronic, except for the piercing and intensiveness of her very eyes.


She remained silent as the woman proceeded to attempt to goad her into some sort of reaction, calling her pet Eagle a chicken, and bringing back a souvenir. If only the woman who's arrogance was thick too the point of bursting knew. Had Renaria wanted to kill her, she would have been shot from a mile out long since now. In the cover of darkness, and straight through her breast into her heart. With an arrow she would buy from a Market Stall owner, rather then her very recognizable hand-crafted set. Her sword and shield nothing to the silence of an arrow straight and true.


But Renaria did not react, did not let her mind wander even a moment longer then necessary. She didn't even speak to the girl as she approached, only walked to meet her and pass her underneath the center of the massive four way corridor intersection. Although as they passed, almost brushing shoulders, her voice finally rang out soft and low. A single sound, a soft whistle. An imitation of an arrow whistling into the air at an incredible pace before The Queen's Successor reached out and let her very index finger touch at the girl's temple. Finally her head and gaze shifting to the right at her with an unforgiving gaze. "May Azae always watch over you... you will need it." she finally murmured and the very edge of her lip turned up. The only reaction she would allow the woman with a bone to pick to see. She lowered her finger and continued with strangely echo-less steps.


Her feet naturally led her to General Leonard's office of which she rapped three times to announce her arrival before she took a step back and crossed her arms at her lower back, shoulders straight and posture pristine. "General. You wished to speak to me?"


General Leonard Roadalia almost jumped at the soft sound of Renaria's words. They were not loud or sudden, but he was jumpy and sleepless. There he sat, behind his desk covered in various scrolls and messages it appeared, the General of the Roadalian Army and last living namesake of the nation. His mauve colored breastplate, decorated with the symbol for the Goddess of Azae, was undone and tossed over the paperwork.


Leonard stood and paused there by his desk, a colossal 6'10 of a man. He looked at Renaria with sullen and tired eyes through his mop of blonde hair. Sleep did not come to the General in the evening before; instead spent shouting and arguing with his love, Captain of the Holy Knights of Azae, Janer Courtine. The morning sun shone brightly through his window, accentuating his tired features.


As if he realized the look on his face lacked seriousness, his expression instantly changed to one of determination and urgency. Without a word, he motioned for her to shut the heavy door to his chambers and have a seat.


Renaria eyes did what they almost always did and roll over his entire frame. From his very bent over back, shoulders sagged and fingers idly pressed into the tabletop's surface. Those were the subtle hints she was picking up, but as her eyes lifted from his frame to see the haphazardly placed chest piece among piles of papers. Finally her ever watching gaze fell back to his sunken eyes and tired expression. She knew it was because of the Captain of the Holy Knights, but it was not her place to intervene nor to ask further on the matter. He would tell her in due time. Grasping the heavy door and sliding it closed behind her with a practiced elegance the woman took a seat across from his desk with her face still a cold feature.


Still awaiting his words, she did however motion with two fingers to tap onto her lip, then her shoulder and slowly slide up to her own ear. Wordlessly telling him of the two men who had been following her since day break, and who would no doubt surround the room in due time. "I have seen to the Falconry department today and all the flocks are in correct order. The Keeper informed me should the Queen or her advisor need a message sent, the birds have been rested well and are more then capable of making a long trek to The Wall if needed." As she said this, however, the girl grasped a feather quell from his desk and slowly grasped a spare piece of paper, sliding them both towards him with that same emotionless gaze. It was always hard to tell if Renaria could be trusted simply from her complete lack of emotions at times. Though she had confessed to the General about her concerns over the Queen's sudden shift in moods, increasing in frequency since Miranda had arrived as her council.


As Renaria passed the quell and paper to Leonard with her trademark "Dead-eyes", he couldn't help but snicker. Renaria was a bit of an oddity in the capitol. Many called her the "Queen's pet" behind her back, but Leonard always found her fascinating. He couldn't help but think, in a different world...


She was smart enough to know that she was being followed, always under the watchful eye of Queen Gayana. With no hesitation, she used their hand signals they had practiced in the months before to be able to communicate without being heard by the royal spies. Her idea to use these signals, coupled with her expression of concern over the Queen's changed moods since Miranda's arrival gave Leonard the assurance she should be invited to what was to transpire later that evening.


He did not take the writing utensil, instead passing Renaria an already written note across his desk; pushing the clutter out of the way as he gave her a knowing smile. After Renaria grabbed the folded piece of paper and began to open it, Leonard collapsed into his cushioned seat.

As you know, we cannot speak.


Can you meet me in the Red Swan's tavern tonight?​

Renaria's eyebrow actually lifted as the General handed her an already folded piece of paper, like he had planned this from the very beginning. Or rather, the news was that important he couldn't risk it getting out in the open. As she peeled the sheet wide her eyes quickly flicked over it before she looked back to him and made a curt nod. Although her eyebrows narrowed just a fraction as he suggested a tavern of all places.


It made sense, loud sounds of musical instruments would leave them open to have a full discussion. Hiding in plain site as it where. Though the name of the Tavern he mentioned was not ringing any bells, so her eyes had to narrow thoughtfully. Was it one of those black market taverns that sold liquor or abandoned long ago? Regardless she didn't like the hairs on the back of her neck standing up but if he insisted...


She gave him a much firmer nod as her eyes drifted down again and she slid his tabletop candle towards her, putting the paper above the flame to burn the evidence. Then she flashed him a strangely soft smile as he half collapsed into the seat.


"You need rest, General. Why don't I stand in your place and control the Roadalian Army today? The Queen has taught me the intricate nature of all sectors to the Roadalia Queendom, I'm sure keeping tabs on your soldiers will be easy enough. And if there are any issues I can always have a messenger find you?"


Leonard shook his head wearily while he gave her a curt, "No". Realizing that might come off ruder than he had intended, he expanded, "I mean, No Ms. Velouse, that will not be necessary. I know that I may look a wreck, but I can assure you that I can handle everything." While still leaning back into his chair, Leonard let his hand graze the beautifully engraved front door to one of the cabinets of his desk. He pushed gently on it, sliding the door inward and revealing a secret compartment with an ornate glass bottle of red liquid and several pristine wine glasses.


Everyone has their secrets, and this was one he knew the spies would dare not bother reporting on. He pulled the bottle from the hidden cabinet and proceeded to pour himself a generous glass, pausing only when he noticed Renaria's gaze upon him. He chuckled a bit wildly to himself, both at the hour of his choice of drink, and the peculiarity of the situation. While placing another glass in front of Renaria before sipping from his own, he spoke, "Do you drink wine Ms Velouse? Might as well have a small glass, for today and the coming weeks will be full of fiery stress." Leonard toasted the air, to no one in particular before swigging the contents of his glass down. He had no idea how darkly accurate he was.


Renaria watched his curt nod and sharp response and the tiniest flicker of a smile graced the corner of her lips. She never expected him to actually hand over control of the army but an offer was an offer after all and she felt obliged considering how tired the man seemed. Of course her eyes narrowed down as she watched him procure some wine from his desk drawer. Now that was something new, though she had seen the Queen herself have a glass or two in years past with dinner when things seemed bleak or particularly troublesome.


As with most things to do with Renaria, despite her being the Successor to the Throne, she never felt it her place to comment nor dismiss anyone's choices regardless if it was against the Rules or Regulations, or even Scriptures. To each their own. Perhaps it had to do with her more humble upbringing. Now she didn't mind him drinking but then he offered her a glass. Naturally she was disgusted with the idea, having grown up watchful and a Hunter she always wanted to have the sharpest mind and quickest reflexes.


However....


"I do not General.... but... if you insist..." She answered and for once her eyes broke their fierce gaze as she peered towards the tabletop. It was momentary and while he was busy filling her glass he may have missed it, but for a second she looked visibly shaken. Worried even. Something just didn't feel right and had since that Miranda woman had showed up. She felt like she was a spooked animal, overly edgy for no reason.


She lifted the glass to her lips, her inexperience with the liquid showing as she gulped it down heavily then made a face of disgust as it burned sliding down her throat, pushing the now empty glass back towards him. "Um... Thank you for... the offer Sir... But... You can keep the last of it..." tongue lolling out in a rather funny manner from a third person perspective. An odd face for someone usually so stern.


Leonard's chuckle from before had now become a full blown laugh at Renaria's disappointment in the flavor. "Yes, it is an acquired taste. One that most Roadalians will never get a chance to acquire." He put his glass down on his final word. He did not want to get too inebriated, just something to calm his nerves before being in the presence of Miranda. It was the only way he would be able to do so, and not stick his golden sword through the belly of that witch.


"I know you just got here and I wish we could converse more, but believe it or not, I have a meeting with the Queen and Miranda later today." With that said, Leonard put his finger up slowly to his lips in a hushing gesture.


Renaria still had that half grossed out look on her face. She tried very hard to regain some of her renown composure but the liquid was so dry and it literally burned her throat and tongue oddly. Licking her lips briefly her eyes settled down for a moment as she started to feel oddly warm. Her attention drew back when he mentioned a meeting with the Queen and Miranda before her own eyes narrowed down seriously. She nodded quickly and with that the women stood, probably a fraction too fast as her chair groaned while it slid across the wooden floor. The noise making her wince as she was never one to make a loud noise, ever.


"Alright, General. If that is all you need of me I shall let you be." Pointing her finger towards the ceiling and making a quick circle before dropping that hand fast to the floor, telling him she'd meet him after dark at the Tavern he had specified earlier. She turned on her heel but her foot stepped out suddenly on reflex as her body unnaturally lent to the side more then it should have.


The woman blinked as she straightened, taking another step which seemed only a fraction more solid then the one beforehand, confusion littering her normally expressionless face. The poor dear had never drunk alcohol before and wasn't aware she was tipsy after one drink. Though she wasn't adverse to the warm fuzzy feeling in her tummy.


She didn't even consider how funny her stagger may have looked to General Leonard.


With that the woman silently left the room but closed the door a fraction too loud behind her, hearing the hinges shake and groan.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by @Robyn Banks in the previous IC



@Robyn Banks
as

Seraphina​

_____
​

Location: Holy Knights of Azae Headquarters, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: Half past the second hour of night (2:30 P.M.)

______​

She scoffed at how proper Ranaria wanted to act, though she did sense the Sass. 'Always trying to be something she's not, Sif thought. She didn't return the gesture since she could care less about what Azae did especially if it didn't benefit her. She use to be so religious.Praying every night and day for years but they were never answered. She found it was better to get things done on her own, never gave her false hope.

She walked quietly to the horse stables to retrieve her black stallion with large, Dark expressive eyes set wide apart. She patted it on the back before calling out the name"Avila". Instantly the high spirited horse eased itself for Sera to climb onto him. After, clicking her tongue they were off.

It was expected for them to arrive within minutes since the caretaker was already awaiting her entry. She tossed him a small poach of silver pieces whilst jumping off to ensure that Avila was taken care of better than the rest, He was an expensive treasure after all. the servant happily took the leash from her hand to escort the horse to its usual stable. Sif sighed softly with a firm gaze at the Headquarters. She knows that the knights usually slept and spent their leisure here but she had never done so herself. She only entered her private chambers when it was necessary or if she anticipated a long day ahead which was quite rare. She had a luxurious estate of her own not too far from the capital. Why the hell would she voluntarily want to rest here?

Sera went her common route to her boudoir, leaving her door ajar. She removed her armor to personally cleanse it from the filth of the village. She took pride in her work, making sure her breastplate shined after she was through with it. Alas her concentration was disturbed by the various footsteps of the attendants holding fruits,cheeses, breads,and a goblet filled with water. "My Lady, We have brought the food you've requested." One of them announced. Sera only gave them a quick flick of her wrist prior to them closing the door and placing the food and drink beside her, quickly filimg themselves before her when they were done. "What is it that you want? I would expect you to have something new to report, if you had to make an excuse to enter without doing anything suspicious. Go on, I'm all ears." Seraphina said as she took a slice of bread, preparing to take a bite.

"Last night Captain Janer and General Roadalia were involved in a heated argument in the captain's room. It was about the Queen and the decision potential decision to revolt against her. I could only get a grasp of their interaction but they have decided to meet at the Red swan Tavern at midnight. They agreed to inform few including Thera and Ranaria." Seraphina was surprised to hear that the leaders of the country was against their Queen so soon but of course it was expected. Only a handful had loyalty now-a-days however she was still intrigued. "You are sure of this?"

"I swear it on my life." He announced in a hushed tone, perfoming bow to her as did the others shortly after. A smirk appeared on her face as she rose up and graced her way to a compartment. Inside it was a medium chest full of money that she had for times like this. She took a plethora of gold, giving them an even amount, watching their eyes gleam with wonder.

Seraphina bribed everyone for information and support. From the soldiers to the maids, They all worked for her. She went far enough to forming a group of young and beautiful women that are trained and polished to sleep with important noblemen and report back to their mistress about information involving secret meetings, changing written contracts,changing personal opinions, agreements, and political interests. Money and Knowledge was power and she surely had that.

"My My My, the Queen is in tragic times. Surrounded by Wolves in sheep's clothing but I will make sure that this is all taken cared of. I want one of you to tell the owner to keep a close eye on their discussion and order the waiters to do the same." They nodded as they began to exit out with their pockets filled with coins. She didn't plan to report her findings to the Queen, she needed to know more. She planned to personal go to the Tavern and hear their plots with her own ears.she was sure that her title will be promoted and she would finally be acknowledged after she reveal the truth. For now she had to be patient. All good will come to those who wait.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by King Ad Rock in the previous IC



King Ad Rock
as

Roadalian Queen Gayana Dasa, Miranda, and General Leonard Roadalia​

_____​

Location: Ashah Castle, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: The third hour of night (3 P.M.)

_____​

“Not who she says-“


“NOT FIT!”


“Goddess..”


“FIXIT! FIXIT! FIXIT!”


“Wasn’t suppose to be you-“


“None of it’s real.”


“Your father tried the bes-“


“NOT GOOD ENOUGH! FIXIT!”


“Real?”


“FUCKING BITCH!”


“She’s not-“


“Save them from sin”


“SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!”


“It’s in the back, it’s in the back, it’s in the back”


“Who she says-“


“They don’t trust you, nobody trusts you..”


“You know what you want to do to them.”


“She’s not-“


“FUCK!” YOU DUMB CU-“


“How could she know it all?”


“IF THE SIN IS PUNISHED THEN ONLY THE TRULY RIGHTEOUS WILL BE REBORN! SCRIPTURE 110”


“She is-“


The voices ceased once Gayana felt the delicate touch of Miranda’s hand on her shoulder, as they always did. The slight weight of visionary’s fingers brought her back to reality. The middle aged half Kildran; half Nomasdae ruler opened her closed and concentrated eyes and gave an attempted smile up at her younger, more beautiful counterpart.

​

Miranda stood behind and to her side in the majestic throne room. Sunlight shone through the stain glass windows that depicted holy scenes from the Book of Azae.


The castle itself was no castle, but an old cathedral converted to living quarters for the ruler of the nation, done so by a predecessor of Gayana’s long ago to be closer to the Goddess Azae. The throne room itself used to be the bedchambers for either the head cleric or Head Priest Gayana could not remember which. Although she did believe it was quite too large and lavish for somewhere to sleep. Perhaps even too much for a throne room.


The Queen sat in her stone throne, cushioned with the finest feathers and softest cotton in Zeldwa. Balanced on her adorned armrest was glass of water that she shakily took a sip of. Her body was aged, but still showed the firmness from her years as a Holy Knight. She was to have her first meeting in weeks, finally feeling strong enough and up to the task with her confidant Miranda by her side. General Leonard would be arriving at any moment. He had never kept her waiting in the years prior to Miranda’s arrival, and she did not expect him to do so now.


As if on cue, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the corridors of the cathedral castle, indicating a heavy bodied presence getting closer. General Leonard entered from one of the side hall entrances with a brisk pace, and stopped right before his majesty and the infamous Miranda.


“For the Goddess.” Leonard almost growled while placing his palm across his heart in the usual religious salute for the country. He was already having trouble hiding his anger at being in Miranda’s company.


“For the Goddess.” The two women responded almost in unison. Against the stonewalls in the back of the throne room shadows danced, but Queen Gayana ignored them.


“You wished to see me, your grace?” Leonard got right to business. It had been nearly a year since he had last stood before the Queen. He used to be one of her most trusted advisers, even during her times of mental trouble. But Miranda’s arrival in Ashah had changed all that. It had changed everything. He didn’t care about exchanging pleasantries; especially not in front of the woman he referred to as some kind of “witch”. Queen Gayana had other plans.


“Leonard, it has been too long.” She paused and stared at him with an affection showing in her eyes. She seemed joyed, yet sad at the same time.


“Yes, well…” Leonard attempted to keep his composure. Perhaps he did have a bit too much to drink earlier. “It has been by no intention of mine.” Though he tried to hide it, his feelings showed through the inflection in his words.



Interrupting the awkward reunion, Miranda spoke “The Queen needs more men and women in Roadalia’s Holy Army, this is why-“


“Yes Leonard,” The Queen interjected. “The time has come to conscript soldiers into the service of the Goddess. We need more bodies to man the wall.”


“I don’t understand. Almost the entire standing army is currently watching the wall and has been this entire year, per your orders, your grace.” Leonard looked both annoyed and confused at this request. He stood there with his perfect posture, trying to understand why he was being asked this.


“This is what the Goddess Azae has shown the Queen. She needs her people to defend the holy land that is Roadalia. No expenses can be made. The truly devout will know it is a great honor to be asked to serve both the Goddess and the holy Queen." Miranda spoke with such prose. Where did she come from? Who was she?


“I’m sorry, do you speak for the Queen as well as fill her head with nonsense?” Leonard could hold his tongue no more. He finally broke his gaze with the Queen and let his glassy blue eyes fall on Miranda despite how unsettled that made him feel.


“Such insolence!” Miranda retorted, almost mockingly.


“Miranda, please.” The Queen interrupted, still showing some sign of backbone that Leonard remembered her for having. She continued on to him, “Leonard I know it has been too long…” Gayana trailed off. The voices came roaring back in an inharmonious symphony.


“REBELLIOUS! TRAITOROUS!”


“Can smell the wine from here-“


“This is what-“


“None of them love you.”


“You get.”


“SHUT UP!”


“I HAVE SPOKEN TO AZAE. I HAVE SEEN MY PAST LI-“


“Why is-“


“You have been chosen”


“None of them love you. None of them love-”


“They all must die to escape-”


“It like this?”


“Why did she pick me? The others were better”


“UNFIT! UNFIT!”


“If father could-“


“Blood”


“Azae isn’t real. None of it’s real.”


“AND THE HOLY WALK WITH HER HAND IN HAND TO BE REBORN AGAIN ANEW FIRST VERSE, BOOK OF COUSWA!”


Gayana tried to hide it. She had gotten good at it over the years. Ignoring them despite the shouting and echoing, somehow managing to get her own words out.


“Please Leonard, thirty-five thousand men is not enough. You must believe us when we tell you that we must prepare for the future. You must believe me.” She pleading with these last words. In this brief moment, she desperately needed one of her loved ones approval.


Leonard did his best not to frown, although he was never good at hiding his emotion on his face. Both his own men, and Janer told him almost on the daily. He could finally see just how bad his beloved leader had gotten. The bags in her eyes, and the slight twitch in her face showed she was just barely holding it together. And there stood the dreaded Miranda by her side. Although her lips were straight and tight, Leonard could swear he could see a glimmer of a smile in her eye.


“And how am I to go about this ‘conscription’?” Leonard questioned.


“The first born male of every family of at least sixteen years of age shall be sent to the major cities and the capital to enlist.” Miranda answered for the Queen yet again. Gayana had her eyes closed once more, appearing to be willing something away.


“Ah, just like the Vendel Decree in Kildra. Are we to be like the heathen Kildrans now, my grace?” Leonard was beginning to raise his voice. “Gayana, it’s been a year since I’ve seen you. You call me to the castle out of the blue and you ask me to start forcing children into our army and give me no explanation?” Leonard stared again at Miranda. “Can we please speak alone, without her?”


“Watch your familiarity, General!” Miranda sternly barked.


“You watch your mouth, you damn witch. I have known the Queen since you were probably suckling at your mother’s teat!” Leonard could not control his rage at the situation any more. The silent and helmeted guards along the stonewalls noticeably tensed up.


“Leonard! You are speaking to the holy visionary!” Gayana finally broke from her haze and shouted.


“What is this holy visionary nonsense? If you are the ‘Prophet’ then why is she the one who receives these so called visions? Why are you, the Queen, following her commands?” Leonard seemed proud of his assertion. Gayana turned to Miranda seemingly for an answer.


“The Goddess bestows the visions to me, but it is up to the holy Queen to interpret them and lead the chosen people to salvation. The Goddess led me here so I could tell her my visions. She is the true prophet. I command nothing.”


“You demand a lot for someone who commands nothing. This all sounds like horse shit!” Whatever calm demeanor the General was able to keep over himself was washed away with those words. Perhaps he did have a bit too much to drink. His blood was rushing now as the pace of his heart quickened.


Miranda looked right into the eyes of Leonard and in almost a half whisper said words that only made sense to him,


“Boy watch your tongue, or mother will cut it out!” For the first time in the meeting, Miranda truly smiled. Gayana looked over at Miranda with a bit of confusion on her face.


“What did you…?” Leonard looked stunned. His eyes widened and his mouth became agape, He trailed off and if one could get a closer look, they would see him beginning to slightly tremble. The words echoed over and over again inside of his head, but they slowly changed into a voice he hadn't heard for years while they repeated. He tried to gather himself and continued on to the Queen.


“Yes, your grace. I will begin plans immediately.” The change in his tone was very obvious. With that said he gave one more glare at Miranda, more to psych himself up for the future then to intimidate her. She didn’t seem the type that could be. Then he turned his heel quickly and marched from the throne room, his heavy steps echoing against the walls. When the steps were finally no more. And the sound of the main entrance could be heard opening, Miranda spoke out again to Gayana,


“His devotion worries me, your majesty."


Gayana stood, ready to have her nap, and hoped the voices found their slumber as well. To her side shadows only she could see danced wildly against the walls and religious paintings. There was no candle burning for it was daytime. "Leonard's ancestors fought and created this land. He has always been a trusted friend and confidant. He is just angry at the distance I have had to put between myself and my subjects." She spoke a bit too loudly, probably trying to yell over the cacophony in her head.


"The time may come, your majesty, when the Goddess will test your faith, and that of those closest to you. It is then you will know who your true friends are." For some reason Gayana immediately felt the need to see Renaria. But Miranda had told her they must spend these times apart while many in the nation are being tested for their true mettle, possibly even Renaria herself.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by @Robyn Banks as a collaboration with @too much idea in the previous IC


@Robyn Banks
as

Seraphina


@too much idea
as

Thera​

_____​

Location: City streets of Asah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: Quarter to the twelfth hour of night (11:45 A.M.)

_____​

The sun has set, the time for the meeting is approaching. Thera has spent her entire day looking for the Red Swan tavern, which she finds hidden in a cramped alley south of the castle. Now all she need to make sure that she arrived there safely, without being followed. So she pretended to be exhausted after walking around the town for a whole day, ate dinner and go to sleep early. She locked the room's door and turned off the lantern as soon as she dressed for tonight's meeting. She decided to wear nothing but her breastplate, a black cloak to hide her identity and the hood to cover her face. And then, her trusted hook sword clipped to the belt around her waist.

As soon as the dark cloud covered the moon, Thera opened the window of her room and climbed out of the wall. She carefully grabbing the frame of her window as she stood on the stool, closing the window with her feet before glancing back. Then Thera jumped to a tree located next to her window. When Thera grabbed one of the branches- a loud crack could be hear, but the branch held on. Thera sighed in relief, as she dropped herself down to the ground and quickly fled out of the area into the town.

~~~​

Tonight's the night. Silent and motionless, Dark yet Dimly illuminated by a soft glow of a lantern that briskly disappeared. Seraphina stayed behind a bush crouched the same way she was 2 hours ago. Waiting for something to occur, Waiting for her next move. It wasn't long after until the natural glimmer of the moon was covered by cloud and her prey made her escape.

She watched Thera jump on a tree to cause a loud crack. while Thera sighed in relief, she did as well. Sif needed her to make sure the meeting occur. If not the others would be suspicious. She was dressed in peasant clothing with her hair rolled up in a bun,covered in a little too much makeup than her liking. She thought it would be best than to roam around in her clacking armor.She made sure that Thera continued her route to the Tavern before following in a safe distance.

~~~​

Passing the guards on patrol was easy, they are too busy chatting about woman and card games. The soldiers are becoming too lax, too soft, and too relaxed as they are trained and grew up in such a peaceful time. Thera pitied them, they are like lambs that are released in an open field and had to defend against the wolves on their own.

She waited until the time is perfect, when the soldiers are looking away, before rushing out of the gate and hopped into the darkest alley she saw. The main road is too risky. She continues her journey.

~~~​

She watched Thera pass by the guards when they weren't looking as softly snickered to herself, observing the knight as she jumped into the darkest alley. Sera figured she wouldn't need to go through all that trouble. She looked like a lady of the night might as well act like one.

She walked towards the guards with a flirtatious smile and which caused the men to silence themselves and watch her go pass. She felt violated by their long stares but didn't say a word. She creeped into the alleyway thankful that Thera chose to take the darkest path, making it easier for her to lurk in the shadows. She knew it wouldn't be long til they arrived.

~~~​

Something, or someone, is following her. She could sense her presence, following her closely like her own shadow. Is it the spy? The Queen's? Or Kira's? She needed to lose them, or if she can't do that- silence them and throw their body to the gutter. She saw a junction in front of her, so she speeds up and took a sharp turn to the left, then took a right, running as fast and as quiet as she could before taking another sharp turn to the right and leaned against the wall- quietly hiding in the shadow.

~~~​

Sera paused as Thera began to sped up and take a sharp turn. 'She knows', Sera thought. Sera decided it was best to not be seen by Thera. She wanted to make sure that everyone was Oblivious to her knowledge. She walked to the right, presuming that she could rejoin Thera when she arrived at the Tavern.

She made her way to the Tavern alone with her own thoughts. A few minutes passed until she arrived at her final destination. The Tavern looked cramped behind the alley. It was well hidden by trees which was perfect for her to skulk. She peeked inside to see captain Janer already seated at a table. Though she covered herself in a cloak, it was easy to identify her by her frame. In Seraphina's opinion, cloaks did nothing but make you look suspicious.

Sera decided to hide herself among the various plants that grew over the years and her only way to see inside the abandon Tavern to be a small window. She waited patiently for the other military personnel to begin their conspiracy.

~~~​

The presence was gone. Seems like she managed to shake off whoever was tailing her, though Thera is not so sure. She's a fighter, all she know is to fight and not to deceive. She walked out of her hiding and hastily find her way to the tavern. Abandoned and cramped, many people passed thinking that it's just another run down building in the city.

She knocked on the door, and walked inside the tavern.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by Zooks in the previous IC


Zooks
as

Renaria​

_____
​

Location: Ashah Castle, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 14


Time: The fourth hour of night (4 P.M.)

_____​

Renaria made her way through the halls of the Cathedral doing as much as she was able to as a Successor to the Roadalia throne. At least, everything she was able to help the Queen that Miranda hadn't already been privy to. Mostly it was meeting with High Court Officials to sign off wavers on ownership of lands, stamps and approvals of Marriages, interstate goods transfers, documents on people requesting entry into Roadalia for various reasons, mostly for business that was either approved or deigned with a flick of her wrist and a feather quill in hand. Or a sealed red stamp plastered with the Queen's seal.


The most mundane of tasks where left for Renaria and had been increasing so since the Queen's health had been failing. It was only really with The General, Janer of the Holy Knights, Renaria and Miranda that the Queen even saw to these days, and only for the most pressing of matters. Even evening meal times with the Queen were a thing of the past. And despite the woman not ever holding the same kind of adoration that The Queen seemed to hold for Renaria, the Hunter couldn't help but feel slightly saddened over this. The Queendom was awfully large after all, and a woman signing off endless piles of paperwork was both boring and lonely.


She glanced out of the window with a heavy sigh as it was near to midday, a man in a hurried voice expressing his absolute DIRE need to bring a caravan of Carpets and rugs at a discount price and as much as she tried to keep her normal stone lackluster expression she couldn't help but close her eyes for a second as a soft sigh escaped and she flicked her wrist. "Yes. That is fine. The Goddess bless thee in your endeavor." Even as she sent him off another fidgeting woman ran in not a moment afterward screaming about some trouble of her neighbor stealing her crops for the winter. Renaria let her fingertips run over her temple and eyebrow before letting them slip over her eyes to shut them for a moment. 'Maybe I should ask the General for more of that...Wine he was offering this morning. Lord knows how anyone gets by in this place without an absence of some sin...' She waved a hand. "Half half, Azae watch over you." The woman, of course protested but was lead away by some Military men. Here another council member attempted to enter but she stood up slowly from her room and silently approached him. "Forgive me Sir for I must see to this pressing issue another time.." And leaving the man with cloth clutched in his hands still, she walked straight past him and back down the lonely echoing halls.


Her feet took her around the entire Cathedral, to the Church to find some solace. While is was as boring and quiet as the rest of the Capital, here at least she would not be followed by democrats or spies even. Alone to imagine a life not cramped in a room filled with stuffy men and women. A life how she had always wished, running through the Forests to catch game, to hunt deer and bears. A life she dearly missed. Her footsteps without a thought reaching her before The Queen's very own study. She stood there for some time simply before the huge, closed in door with a hand half outstretched. Waiting. Not sure what for, a sign perhaps? Confirmation she could see the Queen herself? But what if-


As if to her thoughts the door swung wide and none other then Miranda herself was there, standing before her. The hunter slowly let her hand drop as her piercing gaze held the woman. "The Queen is busy." Miranda had stated in a cold tone. And Renaria peered at her with the same intense gaze the other woman was giving her. You could almost feel the tension with a knife in the air. Not a flick of a movement between the two, and the same piercing, expressionless stare. Like Predators, eyeing off a wounded Prey. After an unmeasured amount of time, The Hunter finally let her eyes slip closed and turned on her heel without a single word. She knew even had she asked to pass a message, it would never be received. Her footsteps echoing against the huge Cathedral halls if she were to make a sound. Which she never did.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by King Ad Rock as a collaboration with Kayso , @Robyn Banks,
Zooks , and yoikes in the previous IC



@King Ad Rock
as

Captain of the Holy Knights Janer Courtine, General Leonard Roadalia, Holy Knight Arturia Vanguard, and Holy Knight Amber Genelynne

Kayso
as

Roadalian Head Priestess Azria Rohodege


@Robyn Banks
as

Holy Knight Seraphina Aeritheos


yoikes
as

Holy Knight Thera


Zooks as

Roadalian Successor to the throne Renaria Velouse​

_____
​

Location: Abandoned Red Swan Tavern, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 15


Time: Half past the twelfth hour of night (12:30 A.M.)

_____​

Leonard stood with his back against the tavern door so no one could enter. A small lantern in the middle of the unkempt wooden floor dimly lighted the abandoned establishment. The floor had an old and faded red stain near the bar counter, possibly blood. Cobwebs were in every dark corner. Tattered curtains still hung in the windows blowing in the wind, but giving them a bit of privacy. The place had the musty smell of old alcohol, more then likely soaked into the wooden floors and tabletops. Many were turned over or broken, but one still stood in near perfect condition save for the dust, with Captain Janer sitting at it.


She had a stern and concentrated look on her face for she was halfway through an argument with her secret lover. The moon shown brightly in the Roadalian sky outside the building. Nothing could be heard but crickets chirping their songs.


“Because what you are suggesting… It is not only treasonous, but it is insane” Leonard barked. His own eyes were closed as well in agitation. He had his well-toned arms crossed over his chest. He had stripped of his official armor earlier in the day and was now clad in a dark gray shirt, the darkest top he owned, and a loose fitting pair of black slacks. A brown cloak adorned his shoulders, complete with a heavy hood that was currently down. He dressed to blend in with the night. Janer had playfully mocked him on his entrance, saying he read too many books. She was still fully dressed in Holy Knight armor.


“And what are our options Leonard? Hm?” Janer countered. She had taken off her gauntlets and had her bare hands over her brow. “If what you say is-“


“I’m not sure what I heard.” Leonard interrupted.


"Oh, now you do not know? I need you to have a spine Leonard. The country needs you to have one.” Leonard did not answer, but only let a look of hurt wash over his face. He opened his mouth to say more, but was cut off by the soft sound of knocking on the door behind him. With the look of hurt instantly gone, Leonard locked eyes with a serious looking Janer before turning to open the door.

_____​

The door swung open and Thera is greeted by a man she did not expect to meet here. Her eyes go wide as she laid them on General Leonard, one who could very well be the second most important person in the kingdom. What is a man as important and as influential as he is doing here?


She did not ask, she knew she'd find out about it soon. She walked inside the tavern, closing the door behind her and waited like the good soldier she was.

_____​

General Leonard allowed Thera into the tavern. She waited by the door without a word, her soldier's posture near perfect with her spine straightened. Many In Roadalia found the Parshumian to be an oddity and another one of the Queen's pet projects, but Leonard knew she was cunning, fierce, and above all, loyal. It was, after all, his idea for her to be at the meeting. Janer had actually protested at first, but Leonard insisted and assured her she could be trusted. The Captain countered with a sneering "So you know my women better then me now?"


"Do not worry Thera, we shall be alright. Many in the area actually believe this place to be haunted,” Leonard mocked. "It's usually avoided by the locals."


"It is why we chose this location." Said Janer from her seat at the only table. "Come Thera, sit." It sounded more like a command then a request. She motioned to the empty bench seat beside her.


Thera wanted to refuse. It doesn't feel right, sitting and drinking with her superiors and people whom she respected. But seeing the expression on her face and listening to the tone of her voice, Thera gave in. She approached the table and sat next to her.

_____​

Renaria had spent her whole day dodging officials, duty men, military personal, and praying. Admittedly the pray was more to pray for forgiveness for using the solitude to collect her thoughts rather then actually praying for salvation. Nighttime soon approached and wordlessly Renara dressed herself in something akin to a regular citizen's plain dress which rested at her shins, though she still wore her travel leather boots. Her bow slung over her shoulder hidden under the huge cloak she wore and quiver tucked on a belt at her hips. She pondered leaving it behind but thought against it.


Her silent footsteps leading to the run down building. She rapped three times in much the same manner as she had at the Generals office, and once the door swung wide Renaria cloaked figure may have given off a threatening appearance.


Would have, if the woman didn't raise her face just enough to have her piercing gaze rest on The General with what looked like the tiniest of a coy smile gracing her lips. Voice so quiet it may have been a soft breeze blowing through.


"...You should stand guard at run down Taverns more often...the role suits you..." She held his gaze as she stepped inside and past him before that same smile faded almost instantly as she stood before Thera and Janer.


"Janer...Thera.... It is good to see you. Or, at least, it would be if the circumstances were not so dire."

_____​

A familiar rhythmic knock came on the tavern door. Leonard cautiously opened it again to find Renaria, clothed in a similar cloak as his own. He now felt less silly then he did when Janer made her remarks earlier. She smiled and looked deep into his eyes as she walked inside and opened her mouth to speak,[/SIZE]


"...You should stand guard at run down Taverns more often...the role suits you..." There was a hint of flirtation in her voice.


"Err I, um... Yes! I mean err.. Thank you? Um.." Leonard was visibly flustered. He cleared his throat twice. Janer let out a short, loud, and unabashed laugh. For just a split moment, Leonard shot daggers at his lover. "Yes, well I would not be here if I did not have to be." He realized that Renaria was still standing and waiting by the entrance. He quickly rushed over to one of the chairs that were turned over in the corner of the tavern and brought it upright. With a furious patting of his hand, he wiped away the large amounts of accumulated dust on its seat. The clouds flew up into his face and made him cough a few times. Janer just shook her head from her seat.


"Please have a seat." Said Leonard.


Renaria noticed immediately that The General chose to wear a similar outfit to what she was, and had she been capable of more facial expressions she might have made a chuckle and a grin. But instead only the very corner of her mouth turned up and a bemused look stayed in her eyes. The guy looking so flustered after such simple words entertained her to no end, and she watched as he hurriedly upturned a chair and brushed the dust off.


"Thank you kind Sir..." Even imitating a cute little curtsy holding the very corner of her dress, which looked only more amusing from the completely straight face. Often times her sarcasm or humor completely going over others head. In a way being here with this group, and not alone in a large dining hall felt oddly like her normal home and she found herself missing it suddenly as she took her seat with a completely straight back. Renaria heard the sharp tone in Janer's voice and her piercing eyes stayed onto her. She didn't like not knowing the situation, especially considering she was Successor to the Throne, but that was only natural with the Queen refusing to see her these days.


Renaria turned to Captain Janer and Thera, "Janer...Thera.... It is good to see you. Or, at least, it would be if the circumstances were not so dire."


"Dire doesn't begin to describe what had been going on." Janer retorted with the slightest bit of anger noticeable in her voice.


"Maybe we should wait for the others before we begin Janer." As if on cue a thunderous knocking almost burst the tavern door open. The sudden noise made Leonard almost jump out of his skin.


"HELLOOO! WE'RE HeRE FOooOR THE SEeeCRET MEEeeTING!" A booming voice slurred through the door. It was instantly followed by another, more restrained voice,


"Shut up, you imbecile!" Without hesitation Leonard swung open the door, revealing two more Holy Knights of Azae, both dressed in their Holy Knight formal wear. An obviously drunken Amber Genevieve was being held up by a struggling Arturia Vanguard. "General, I apologize, but do you think you could help me out here?" Asked Arturia. Amber Genevieve was no small woman. The red headed Kildran was almost as tall as Leonard and possibly just as built, and was draped over the shoulders of the much smaller Arturia. Leonard instinctively went to remove Arturia's physical burden, but stopped the moment Janer stood to her feet and shouted,


"Amber Genevieve! Are you drunk!?"


Amber took her oversized hand and slapped it over Arturia's face, the look of surprise evident in it, and using the leverage from pushing it, brought herself into a stance on her own weight. She sloppily brought her fist to her chest in a salute while wobbling on her feet.


"Completely out of mind, Captain!" And with that answer, Amber burst out in dribbled laughing. Leonard was watching this still by the doorway and couldn't help but think to himself,


"And she was worried about Thera."


Arturia walked over by the still giggling Amber while rubbing her own cheek. "I apologize for Amber. We have had..." Arturia paused. "We have had a rough couple of weeks. What we did in Little Town..." Her voice trailed off and choked up at the end. She looked to the floor with a look of dismay. Janer stomped over to the two with intended fury. Amber cut her laughing and looked undoubtedly afraid now. Arturia stood at attention and tried to hide her grief.


"Rough couple of weeks!? We have all had a rough couple of weeks Arturia!" Janer was bending down, her face in Arturia's. She then turned her hips and brought her face up to try to meet Amber's, only getting to her chin. " And Amber, I don't give a horse's ass if you want to drink, but to show up to this meeting like this..." Amber was still wobbling and trying to look away. She did not want to make eye contact with her superior.


During all of this, Leonard had made his way to the old bar and was now kneeling behind the counter. His blonde hair became visible as his head popped back up. In his hands was now a corked bottle of clear liquid. He placed it on the counter top with a heavy thud, likely on purpose to accent what he was about to say.


"Janer, ease up on them. We will all need a drink with what we are about to discuss."


"Aaalriiight General! You're not ashh boring ashh they say!" Amber yelled out while throwing her fist in the air. Arturia shook her head in embarrassment.

_____​

It was hilarious for Thera, watching one of the lieutenants beyond drunk while the other is clearly embarrassed by her friend's. The entire situation reminded her of her days back on board the pirate ship, except the situation is clearly different and Janer is clearly not happy with this. Little Town, they said. The public executions shook them this much?

_____​

Renaria slowly turned her head towards the door as the commotion of the two knights rolled in, staying silent though her expression looked vague. Truly this was different from any meeting she had had in the past, and she couldn't imagine ANY of the normal officials walking in like this. Her gaze turning then as The General put some clear liquid on the bench and even she was smart enough to realize it was Ethanol based.


"Oh deary me..." The woman breathed.


It was going to be that kind of meeting then was it? Eye's narrowing down a fraction in distaste.


Leonard produced several perfectly clean glasses from the same spot that he had gotten the liquor. It was evident that he had left these here earlier in the day, before the meeting. Amber eagerly made her way over to the bar, away from the brooding Janer, while Arturia reluctantly followed her. Leonard smiled grimly at the pair and began to gingerly pour small amounts into each glass. He spoke while doing so,


“Feel free to decline the offer, but I think a strong drink will help us with what we are about to speak about.” The moonlight shone through the fluttering tattered rags in the window and glinted off of his glass as he lifted it to his lips and took it all back in one quick gulp. Janer had followed the two Holy Knights over to the bar and was not done with her questioning.


“Speaking of which, just where were you two before this? You have your formal dresses on?”


Amber took her glass from Leonard’s hand hastily and swung her head back and swigged it back as fast he. He was impressed. Arturia was sniffing hers with a scowl, getting ready to take a tiny sip. Pouring two more glasses, Leonard gestured to Thera and Renaria,


"Thera? Renaria?” He held the glasses out with one hand.


Renaria remained seated as she kept her gaze on the two new comers, though her eyes fell and held more so on Amber then the other girl. Really she couldn't imagine a single person ever acting that indecently and roaringly drunk, just how was she supposed to function in on anything. What if someone attacked her? Renaria remained silent though her thoughts raged.


When the General reached out a hand with two glasses, she glanced up to his face curiously. She was torn for a very long time then with a very long drawn sigh, even letting her eyelids close completely down in an aspirated manner, she grasped a cup, and slammed it down, to everyone's shock probably, in much the same manner as Janer, Leonard and Amber had already done. Cup resting upside down against the tabletop.


Of course having only been aquanted with this 'alcohol' today, Renaria's eyes went massive and she almost instantly regretted it. She was still as a statue but her face was paled significantly like she felt any sudden movements might make her stomach turn.


And people drunk this stuff on a daily basis?...


Renaria watched Amber thud herself next to Thera making the whole table shake by extension and watching her newly emptied cup suddenly leap up into the air of its own free will. She snatched it straight out of the air rather expertly considering, before placing it solidly against the table once more. Though the whole episode left her wide-eyed and the reddness in her cheeks to enflame much faster then earlier in the day. The substance decidedly stronger then the Wine Leonard had given her earlier.


Her slightly softened gaze turning to the new guest now.


“Wewerre at Lieutenant General Abraham Tomney’s.” Amber swooned through her slurring speech. She dramatically put her hand to her forehead, feigning fainting.


“He was having another one of his parties.”


“Tch, that Abraham. He acts like he is the most holy person in the capital, yet is probably one of the most lecherous men I have ever had the displeasure of working with.” Leonard interrupted, speaking to no one in particular. He was swirling around another small amount that he had poured himself. The disdain was clear in his face. The alcohol was hitting quick and his inhibitions were falling fast.


“Yes, well, I normally would not attend such affair but-“ Arturia was cut off by Amber.


“But I insishisited upon it! Afterrwhat we-we’ve went frough we desherved a little feshtivities. He had a wine fountain! How doya do that!?” Amber was about take another glass that Leonard had but Janer snatched it from her clutches.


“No more for her. She has had enough.” Janer said plainly while drinking the entire contents of the glass she took from Amber.


“Awww, Captainss! I’m fine!” Amber pouted. She held out both of her oversized mittens of hands in a pleading motion.


“I said enough.” Janer’s voice was sharp and final.


“Yes, Captain.” Amber said in a defeated tone. She slowly shuffled and made her way to the seat that Captain Janer previously occupied and flopped down hard next to Thera. She turned to her and gave her a big drunken grin. Her heavy arm came swinging around Thera’s shoulder in an embrace. “Hellloooo my wittle shweet pea! How’veya been!?”


"Sweet little pea?" Thera chuckled. The girl reeks of cheap alcohol. "You sure are drunk, Amber. At what could be the worst possible time ever."


To be precise, at the worst possible time in her military career. Amber was lucky this was a secret meeting, where everything was kept off the record. Thera let Amber put her arm around her shoulder and sat well into Thera's personal space. She amused her and Thera was planning to bait her more into saying something stupid. Thera could not wait to see her reaction tomorrow when she tells Amber everything she said and done tonight, but she doubted that she'll even remember attending the meeting.


"We should finish our drinks b-before our last guest arrives. We wouldn’t want them to see us like-“ Leonard was cut off while finishing another glass by an utterance from the tavern doorway.


“It is too late General. I am here.”


Leonard quickly put his glass down and backed away from the bar table. The rest of the party turned their heads toward the source of the voice, the surprise evident in their faces. The High Priestess of Roadalia, Azria Rohodege, stood in the doorway, a picture of elegance and piety, but with discernment and valor evident in her eyes. Her soft and delicate frame did not fill the doorway, but she possessed a great presence, as if she were a giant in all actuality. Everyone in the room lowered their glasses to the table, looking a bit abashed and uncomfortable. Azria was familiar with those looks.


Thera’s face turned cold the moment she saw the High Priestess. Taking her glass with her, Thera stood up and took a few steps back. Her face looked stiff and sweaty, almost funny since she never showed this kind of expression and emotion before. Thera took a glance around the room, as if trying to tell them, "I am not supposed to be in here and I don't even think I am supposed to hear what you are going to talk about right now."


Leonard hurriedly turned to the High Priestess Azria and gave her the traditional Roadalian salute accompanied by a deep bow, as was the custom in Roadalia when greeting the holy figure. Almost in unison, Janer gave her own salute and bow as well. While in her bent position, Janer tilted her head and glared at her three Holy Knights, hoping they would follow suit.


Amber, who had let go of Thera when she stood up herself, jumped clumsily and drunkenly to her feet. She gave her own sloppy greeting as best as she could while Arturia did the same, but much more gracefully. Azria scanned the room, returning the simple greeting before she spoke:


"No need for formalities; we have a grave subject to discuss, and I believe our time is of the essence. Please, General, if you don't mind, I would very much like a glass of whatever you have there. It will indeed prove helpful, in some ways."


Renaria's gaze slowly turned as she heard a voice from the doorway, her expression decidedly softer then the one she normally bore. However that expression almost instantly fell to her usual cold one as she realized just who had entered the room. She pushed her chair out as she slowly came to a stand, putting a fraction more weight onto the arm on the table as she did for no reason whatsoever and definitely not because of the strong liquor she had consumed recently.


Once standing she crossed an arm across her chest as she dipped her head slightly, more a formal response one might give an equal then a subordinate. Though she did so with such grace it held the same level respect as anything more exuberant. When she slowly straightened once more the Priestess called for less formalities and Renaria brushed down the front of her tunic dress before she slowly sat back down on her seat. Though a momentary frown appeared on her face as she realized she had thudded down on her bottom harder then expected because of the alcohol.


"I think it is about time we started this discussion, is it not?"

_____​

Seraphina eyes widened in amusement for what she saw. So many wolves in sheep clothing. High officers that took their lives for granted, lives that she would be happy to take away. When Renaria entered seraphina felt the urge to roll her eyes in exasperation. She always thought of Renaria as a traitor but now she had proof. To believe that the Queen broke a law for her. However it was pleasing to see her in her appropriate attire, if only she stayed that way.


She took a moment to realize how banal the scenario is. People plotting over drinks in a bar, trying to perform small talk though the room was obviously filled with discomfort. Boring in her opinion. Amber made her entrance with a loud bang. That imbecile, a behemoth with the maturity of a child. Wait, that was inaccurate, there were youths that proved to be more responsible. She never liked her presence, in honesty she didn’t like anyone. They were far beneath her and acted the part effectively. They were too sensitive or too sympathetic, things that should've never left their homes.


The mystery guest peered into the room not too long after and everyone seemed stunned but her. It made sense, ever since the queen named herself a prophet controversy arose. Maybe the priestess was worried about her head rolling down the hill for her traditional beliefs. Though her death was inevitable at this point either way. Alas the meeting had the potential of becoming amusing. Sera adjusted her posture in between the bushes, prepping her ears for what she may apprehend.

_____​

"There is no going out from this, isn't it?" Thera thought. They invited her in and she walked in, all people ranked above her conspiring against the Queen. If she walked out that door, she will probably end as a body in a ditch. If she stayed, she's a traitor. No longer the Queen's soldier, no longer the Queen's sword and shield. A backstabber, a traitor. The kind of person she despise the most.


Oh Father, Thera took a deep breathe in. I'll decide after the meeting.


The worried expression on her face disappeared, Thera straightened her back positioned herself next to the still-drunk Amber as if trying to apologize for standing up so suddenly (While in truth she hopes that it woke her up, so she can stop acting so stupid and silly).


The party is over, now it's time to get serious.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by King Ad Rock as a collaboration with Kayso , @Robyn Banks, Zooks , & yoikes in the previous IC

King Ad Rock
as

Captain of the Holy Knights Janer Courtine, General Leonard Roadalia, Holy Knight Arturia Vanguard, and Holy Knight Amber Genelynne

Kayso as

Roadalian Head Priestess Azria Rohodege


@Robyn Banks as

Holy Knight Seraphina Aeritheos


yoikes as

Holy Knight Thera


Zooks as

Roadalian Successor to the throne Renaria Velouse

_____​

Location: Abandoned Red Swan Tavern, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 15


Time: The first hour of morning (1:00 A.M.)

_____​

"No need for formalities; we have a grave subject to discuss, and I believe our time is of the essence. Please, General, if you don't mind, I would very much like a glass of whatever you have there. It will indeed prove helpful, in some ways." Spoke Azria.


The look of stun on Leonard’s face was evident. After a moment he realized he was not doing anything but just staring blankly at the Head Priestess. To remedy this, he then quickly shot his long arms out and clumsily fumbled for the bottle, only to knock over a glass he had just recently poured himself. The contents spilled across the bar countertop and the glass clinked against another empty glass. The bottle itself was also bumped causing it to swivel on its round base. Leonard put the palms of his hands out while wincing, almost as if he could get it to stop rocking without touching it. Before the bottle could tip and fall, Janer quickly snatched it by the neck and grabbed it off of the counter.


“I’ll do that, you idiot.” Janer said coldly. She took the bottle and poured Azria a glass. The two locked eyes as Janer handed her the drink, and for just a brief second, Janer smiled. “Here you are, your holiness.”


Azria took the glass with both hands, covering Janer's outstretched fingers with her own. An artful and practiced smile touched the corners of her mouth as Janer pulled away. "Thank you very much, commander."


Amber looked behind her to the motion that caught her eye. She found Thera backing away with a look of worry and fear in her face. With an outstretch of her heavy hand, Amber grabbed Thera by the front of her shirt and brought the petite Parshumian back over to her. Then, with a voice decidedly more sober then she had been projecting, she whispered to her,

“Don’t worry schweet pea. It doesn’t matter what is shaid here tonight or what you decide. No one will lay a finger on you, I promise. If they do, I’ll fuckin’ CLEAVE EM IN TWO!” Amber did not whisper these last few words, but instead bellowed them out into the tavern. The rest of the group stopped and turned their attention to the source.

“Uh, shorry guys. Please continue. Don’t mind me.” Amber instructed with a big smile plastered on her drunken face.


"As entertaining as it is to watch you try to 'cleave in two' anyone in this room... I'm afraid I must stop you from trying, Amber." Thera leaned in little bit closer to whisper in Amber's ears. Hopefully, the drunken fool could hear her clear. "But thank you. You don't need to worry about me again."


"But I will." Amber replied with a knowing grin.


"I think it is about time we started this discussion, is it not?" Renaria chimed in from her seat, sounding a bit impatient.


Janer turned to the group and leaned her back against the counter. “Yes Renaria, let us get right into it, shall we?” Janer looked up to the ceiling and took a slow, deep breath in through her nostrils and let it out in a sigh. “And honestly, do we really need an introduction? It should be obvious why the General and I have gathered you all here. We have not invited Kira or Seraphina for, what should be, obvious reasons. There are others that I would have wished could join us, but they have yet to return and this matter can no longer wait.


“The Queen has been ill for some time. We all know this. We have done what we could to help her and the country in her time of need, but things have drastically changed since-“


“Since Miranda came to the capital.” Leonard interrupted. “We do not even know how she got in the castle. She was just there one day by the Queen’s side.” Leonard was slowly shaking his head back and forth as if he were still trying to wrap his head around it.


Janer looked a bit annoyed but continued, “During the first few weeks, she was the ‘Queen’s friend’ and the castle guard were ordered to allow her entrance to the castle and even her chambers at all times.” Janer stressed this last part to let everyone know just how entrenched in the Queen’s life Miranda had gotten.


“But the General and I have spoken to every guard in the castle, and not one can ever remember letting her in or out. And yet every time I have came to the castle, there she was.”


“Are you suggesting that she does have some kind of power?” Arturia spoke up and asked. Janer paused and then looked to Leonard with a look that said, “Tell them”.


“She said something to me…” He seemed to not want to go on. “Something my mother used to say to me often as a child. It was the exact quoting, word-for-word. How could she possibly know…?” Leonard tilted his head down and was now looking at the stained wooden floor. His brow was furrowed in both a worrisome manner and in concentration. The last question seemed to be directed at nobody but himself. Janer continued on,


“It was not before long that she stopped seeing me, the General, and even you Renaria. Considering you live in the castle, I'm interested to hear what your first meeting with Miranda was like."


Renaria's eyes narrowed as she contemplated the exact words Janer and even Leonard were saying. Renaria had been just as shocked as everyone else when it seemed she couldn't be more a few feet from the Queen's side, though she never showed that emotion outside. It seemed as if she awoke one morning and the Queen just refused to see her.


She had always felt this weird sensation around that woman, and it was still true after hearing all this. The hunter heard Janer ask her a question as her eyebrows furrowed down further in thought. The first time? That was interesting to say the least... She spoke up in a soft voice that seemingly carried far further then it should have.


“I remembered walking down the hallway alone. I was headed towards the Queen's chambers as I always do at Dawn only to arrive and realize she wasn't there and had already left. Thinking nothing of it, I left. I occupied myself for hours till midday and yet I still hadn't found the Queen. That was unusual to say the least. I asked some of the Guards around the Castle in my curiosity only for them to say that a woman was following the Queen and they thought nothing of it from afar. So I finally found the Queen in the Courtyard with a woman standing beside her and a hand on her shoulder."


Renaria stopped for a moment before she continued. "She seemed friendly enough, she had a huge smile across her face and she was standing very close to the Queen. She even offered her hand out to shake my own before the Queen even introduced her. Smile ear to ear. But her eyes didn't smile along with her mouth and I could tell. She already told me her name, and that she would be staying here. That the Queen needed her. And I looked to the Queen who only nodded in response. Any time the Queen went to say anything Miranda would step in and answer for her. Eventually Miranda told me to come see the Queen tomorrow.


But then, tomorrow never really came. Not like it was. A passing glance, a word at most."


Janer interjected, almost as if she had not heard Renaria.


“And then came the first announcement. I’m sure you all remember it well. We gathered half the damn city to the town square. She had builders erect that ridiculous stage. And then she told that crowd of morons that the Goddess Azae had brought us a ‘holy visionary’.” Janer snorted in revulsion at the idea. “And they all cheered.”


“Then came the executions.” Said Leonard. “With some of these people, yes, it is hard to argue they did not deserve the punishment they were to receive.”


“Miranda was smart about it when speaking with the Queen. She chose the worst criminals first. Then, slowly over the past few months, the infractions that were punishable by death became less severe…” Janer let her words fade off. “And I have been ordered to make sure these executions are carried out without fault. I cannot believe I have been-“


A loud whimper cut through Janer’s words, stopping them. It came from Amber, who had her oversized fists clenched tightly in her lap. Tears were flowing from her forcibly closed eyes. Arturia tried to take a step forward from her standing position behind Amber and put a hand on her now shuddering shoulder for comfort, but Amber yanked her shoulder away violently.


“Amber…” Arturia said with genuine concern in her eyes.


“I should have read the names… I should have read the names…” Amber was slightly rocking now as she repeated herself. “Arturia always shcolds me for not reading my paperwork.


“I was shent to Little Town, I’m not sure if it was Miranda…Or the Queen…or if the Queen even remembers I’m from there. I wasn’t goooing to go. I was goooing to forshake everything and leave it all behind. How could I carry out shuch atroshities in the name of Azae? But when I got to my offiish and looked at the lisht…” Amber trailed off again.


“His name was on it. I should of read the other names, but I didn’t because his name was on it. Sheeing his name at the top of the lisht was enough for me. I thought to myshelf, ‘M-m-maybe Azae is jusht. M-maybe this is how things are shuppose to be.’ I jumped on my horsh and made my way to Little Town with my men without the shlightesht bit of hesitation.” The tall redheaded knight was trying her best to hold back the sobs that kept trying to take over her in waves.


“Amber who are you talking about?” Leonard questioned. His voice was empathetic.


“When my mother gave me to the abbey where I lived, I was only thirteen. There were all kinds of girls there, but I was the tallesht by sheveral heads. I think that’sh why he never touched me.”


“Amber who are you talk-“ This time it was Janer who now questioned, her own voice much softer then it had been, but she was cut off by Amber.


“The head cleric in the church. His name was Bartholomew Urend. On the outshide he sheemed like a-any cleric, wise, friendly, and intelligent. B-b-but he had a monshtrous shecret. He was doing horrible things to the girls. He would take them into the cryptsh, under the guise of ‘tutoring’. Oh Azae, how blind and shtupid we were. I never knew because he never…” She picked up a bit louder,


“I wish that he did. I would have shtopped it all right there with my own hands like I had before…


“The smallesht ones were that bastard’s favorites. Years thish went on. Fuckin’ years. Not the shishters or I ever found out while it was happening. Oh dear, I hope none of the shishters knew.” Amber sobbed loudly some more into her open palms. Arturia had returned by her side and successfully had her hand on Amber’s shoulder rubbing assuredly. After a few coughs and deep breaths to gain control, Amber went on,


“The one he b-brought with him the mosht, Matilda. She was such an innoshent little thing. Her eyes were these big blue shaushers that you just got losht in. When I was eighteen, the shishters of the abbey shent me to the capital for military trainin’. I had already gained shkill over the years with a shword and shield and they figured thish was the besht way I could sherve the Goddessh.


“It was about a year after I left that I resheived a letter. I thought m-maybe it was the shishters telling me how everyone was doin’. But it was from Matilda… In the letter she detailed every shingle thing the evil shunofabitch had done to her. She shpared nothin’. All the different kinds of dishgushting torture he would shubject her and the others to, that shadishtic bashtard! I could shee the dried tear shtains on the parchment. The letter shaid she wanted to kill hershelf, but she was afraid of the Goddessh not allowing her shole to be reborn…


“I was shick to my shtomach. I hated myshelf for bein’ sho blind and shtupid. I rayshed back home, barely shtopping alooong the way. I was going to cut off his fuckin’ cock and feed it to him while he was shtill alive.” Amber paused to let out an unpardoned belch and then continued on, “But by the time I had gotten to Little Town, he was no longer there. Jusht dishappeared one night the shishters told me. The coward probably caught wind that the girls were shpeaking up. I followed a few leadsh on his whereabouthsh while in town but came up with nothin’…


“When I shtepped inside the church for the first time in years, I saw Matillda praying by the altar. I shnuck up behind her and hugged her as tight as I could. She had grown sho much shince I had left. I promished her I would never let anyone hurt her or the others again. Oh Goddesh I mesht up. She sheemed fine at firsht, but I could tell shomething was wrong. She had losht a peesh of hershelf. Unfortunately as time passhed, I had to return to the capital. She got older, and the shishters shaid she met a boy while shopping in the market, and they ran off together. I was happy for her. Happy that she was able to put it all behind her and find shomething to live for.” The never-ending tears cascaded down Amber’s puffy freckled cheeks.


“And I had thought I had put it all behind me too. That was… until I shaw his name. It renewed all that anger deep inshide. It made me believe that maybe thish is how things should be. I arrived back in Little Town onesh again, ready to get revenge for Matilda, not havin’ the foreshite to shee that it was only for myshelf. Holy Azae, I walked right by her on those makeshift gallows! Her shaushers probably looked right through m-me. All I shaw was him. The shcroll shaid the pig was caught trying to lure a child into a shmall shack he rented behind a farm on the outshkirts of town. He was filthy, dresshed in rags, and aged, but I shtill recognized that fuckin’ faysh.


“I got right in his dirt covered, pudgy mug. I wanted him to know that shumone knew who he really was before he died. He never reacted. He jusht shtared at the floor… I coulda ripped his throat out with my bare hands right there. Inshtead, I raised my shword, walked by him and the resht, and told them they were being executed for their crimes againsht Azae and her people… Oh Goddessh why!?” Amber stomped her foot with exclamation and without any warning as she shouted this last question outward. Her nose was leaking now, but she did not care. She could no longer hold anything back as she told her story. Her emotions flowed as the liquids on her face did.


“I’m sho sho shorry Matildaaa!” Her sobbing had become a sort of convulsion. Her cries taking away her breath as she fought to fill her lungs. “I-I-I lowered my shword and they dropped the floooor!” Amber turned to her left and put her weeping face into the front of Arturia’s dress. She could not finish her story. The truth of what happened was too much for her to admit to in this condition. Arturia patted the back of Amber’s fiery mane as she opened her mouth to finish the tale for her subordinate.


“The girl that Amber speaks of, Matilda…” Arturia even seemed to have trouble going on. Her eyes narrowed and her teeth gritted. “She was on the list of those to be executed that day. Amber told me that she only recognized her as the floor was dropped from beneath them. According to the information we were given, she was found and taken in during a raid on a meeting of a group of Non-Believers just two days before our arrival.”


“How could you have faith after going what she went through, though? Do we not all have crishes of faith? Is thish what Azae wantsh? What kind of tesht is thish? How could she resheive the shame fate as him? They desherved the shame? I didn’t… I didn’t recognize her Arturia! But those eyes… I took her body down myshelf…” Amber’s breathing was becoming more controlled now. Her eyes were bloodshot and half closed, spent from the intense crying. Arturia continued to stroke her forehead.


As someone of no faith, Thera knew that something was terribly wrong when someone tells you to start killing people in the name of religion. All religion taught of peace and acceptance, of forgiving and being forgiven. Not killing to cleanse the faith. Doing that makes them no different from a bunch of lowly pirates and slavers.


Thera did understand Amber's sorrow.


Thera remembered the people she sent to their death yesterday. Did they actually deserve that? Did they actually have to die in such a horrible and humiliating way like that? She could tell that the people gathered in the tavern tonight were thinking of the same thing, and that fact somehow put her at ease. At least that says that they care about the people, at least they are scheming for a good reason. But the discussion is far from over, and oh how she hoped that she was wrong.


Renaria very rarely let her emotions go. Her face a stone cold feature. Bordering on almost bored though her eyes suggested otherwise. At least, normally. After Amber's story the woman found her fingers tightening with such ferocity on her tunic dress at her legs the material almost torn and the threads groaned. Her teeth were visible gritted and her throat clenched. She knew about the executions. She heard the names on the list. How was she to know what they had actually done to deserve such a fate? A successor, with no real knowledge of the circumstances. She felt like somehow this was her fault, lowering her face even as her rage visibly started to show on her face. She had sat idly by while the Queen had agreed to all this? People were being put to slaughter like pigs in a kennel.


“Amber, I-I aam sure I speak for everyone here when I-I say this, but you have my deeeepest and sinceeerest condolences.” Said Leonard quite awkwardly, his speech now slurring. An obvious scowl was planted on his face. During Amber’s story, he had poured and downed two more glasses of the strong, clear liquid, the subject matter clearly getting to him. Amber looked in his direct but showed no reaction. Her face remained grim. A heavy silenced filled the rest of the tavern.


Azria hadn't so much as taken a sip of her drink. To hear yet another tragedy befall an innocent citizen of Roadalia was an inescapable necessity of her life's work, but that didn't make it any easier. Her heart now filled with a grim sympathy, she attempted to offer some sort of consolation, not only to the dispirited soldier, but to everyone in the room.


"Indeed, Amber, we all experience these crises of faith; it is an unfortunate fact of life. You asked if your friend deserved the same fate as this criminal. Of course she didn't. Not from what I can judge. But what of the rest of us? Do you believe us all to be tested? When each of us is witness to these horrible crimes, these acts of malfeasance and injustice, are we not being tested? To see loved ones fall victim, fall away, or simply fall... what do we do? Do we fail the test? Do we sit idly by, watching and crying to the skies, slowly wasting away in the limits of our own responses? Each of you is here because you want to rise above. You don't want to waste away, watching. This is where our test begins, and we cannot fail those who have fallen before us."


“Regardless of who or what the bitch is, she is not a ‘holy visionary’. She is a damn lunatic and we need to stop her. I was ordered to put to death an entire family in Kanzar for not showing up to church. I hung several rapists and a murderer with them. None of this makes sense anymore. We need to stop all of this!” Janer barked at the full room. She looked at each one of them individually, letting here eyes meet theirs as she said this.


“Are you suggesting we just kill her? Is this what we are planning here?” Arturia asked.


“I wish it were so easy, but the Queen is unpredictable. If Miranda doesn’t return to her one day there is no telling what she might do.” Janer answered.


“You ooordered ush to do it!” Amber hollered at Janer with a bit of renewed strength. She sat up to a prone position quickly, taking her head from resting on Arturia’s torso. Her eyes burned with a passion. No longer did she care that she was speaking to her superior. Janer showed surprising restraint with her answer.


“Yes, Amber, I had no choice…” Janer’s tone turned more serious then it had been this entire time. “I have my people in the castle who have been keeping tabs on what has been going on. They had told me that Miranda had convinced the Queen to have any of the Holy Knights immediately executed should they shirk their ‘holy duty’.” Janer said these last words with sarcasm and disgust.


“This is the reason we asked you to be here tonight.” Janer took one last deep breath before letting the big secret out.


“We need to relieve the Queen of power entirely and as soon as possible.”

____​

At last the discussion has finally taken some solemn turns. Sera ignored the introduction since everyone already knew it. She drew herself back in when the general started to talk about his talk with Miranda, which lead to Sera rolling her eyes. It must've been some saying or something of that sort. Stating it was magical powers was some excuse naive people make up for things they can't comprehend.


Sera faded in and out of the conversation, most subjects wasn't important however some could be used to her advantage... Just not at the moment. Amber's story prompted the behemoth to fall on the floor like a babe and weep. She felt a bit of sympathy for her alas it was professional to speak of it at a meeting like this...then again everyone there was unprofessional to begin with. The booze, the stories seemed more of a casual affair. The discussion caused her to think about her own past. Never gaining the affection she deserved, always being a disappointment. Remembering this provoked her to involuntarily stroke her cheek as if she had to relive the slaps from her mother all over again. She never had seen it as a story worth telling and she wouldn't dwell on it now.


Pity parties never helped anyone.

_____​

The outbursts of Janer caused her to become more amused. She expected it but hearing it from her captain's mouth still stunned her. They were going to do it. Assassinate the Queen; this brought a smile to her face. She could manipulate the situation and finally get the position she deserved, the wishes she was determined to fulfill. Alas she still need to know their strategy without that there would be no point in sneaking around in the God forsaken tavern.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by DemetrioMachete in the previous IC


DemetrioMachete
as

Heinrich Klaus​

_____​

Palenhome, Roadalia


Month 6, Day 15, 3:28 am

_____​

Palenhome, a quiet little hamlet northeast of Little Town. As close as it was to the land of the T'Odis, a cold breeze blew through the town, every now and then. Tonight, however, felt like a bitter, biting winter. Wind chill made the temperature drop like a dead fly, roughly 30 degrees, fahrenheit. For the soldiers in their discipline and armor, it felt like a relief from the heat of the day. The town was quiet, no one was lurking, slinking through the shadows.. it was just plain peaceful.


There was one soldier, a young man dressed with cuirass, helm and spear, patrolling by his lonesome through the town. The sounds of his footfalls striking stone broke the deafening silence of the town. Earlier he had gotten separated from his companion, and he was now searching. It almost seemed like he vanished in the silence.


Carefully listening to the sounds around him, the soldier quickly caught on that there was another presence. His feet stopped moving, and behind him he heard heavier feet bricking against the stones of the street. Only after walking a few steps further, the heavier feet fell silent. He looked behind him... the soldier could see no one trailing him. His thoughts were racing from his newfound alarmedness. What if that was his companion?


"Buddy, that you?" the soldier called out behind him. No response. With a shrug, he turned back around and resumed his patrol. The young man got about twenty paces, before he heard a clink against his helm, and the titter patter of something small bouncing off stone. He whipped around.. and saw someone standing there. It wasn't his companion. By instinct, the soldier's blood chilled with anxiety.


The silhouette was of a tall figure, rather lanky. It was maybe six feet, five inches, except its limbs were narrow and nonmuscular. On its head, it seemed to wear a hat and mask of some kind.. it was hard to tell. Remembering his training, the soldier raised his spear, and his voice.


"Identify yourself!" No response, as the tall one walked closer.


"I am armed! Step no further or I will hurt you!" no response. The figure moved closer.


Cursing himself for raising his weapons to a civilian, the soldier thrust his spear at the assailant. His face expressed surprise, and his weight tripped him up as the figure, in what seemed like a whirlwind of motion, reached behind his back, pulled away a mace, and subsequently swatted the spear out of the way. Before he could recover, the tall one sprinted, grappling with the soldier, and knocking him to the stone road. Before he could call for assistance, a gloved hand slapped his mouth shut. As close as his attacker was, he could tell what was on his face.


A white mask, shaped like a surreal bird beak. There were two visual lenses where eyes would be.. this was a doctor. More specifically, a Plague Doctor! Men of medicine, who treated sickness. Why, why was this one attacking!?


"Ssh sshsshssh..." the doctor whispered. "All will be over soon, pagan. Heretic. I shall end your life early, and condemn you to eternal suffering." his voice.. dark and maniacal, like a madman. The doctor raised his mace, and with a thunk, it crashed into the soldier's neck, crushing his windpipe.


With a strained groan, ever so faint, the soldier recoiled, and grabbed at his neck, desperately trying to breathe. What a wonderful expression! The doctor cracked an invisible grin as he watched the fear settle on his face. This mad doctor, however, refused to let up. The mace was raised again, clobbering him in the face. There was a disgusting crunch as his nose caved in, and a slight tear as the mace was dragged across his face, shearing away skin as blood streamed from the wounds. He couldn't scream, he couldn't breathe, he could barely even see! The mace was raised once more, with both hands, and with a tremendous force, it was brought down.


There was a crunch. The soldier fell limp beneath the attacker. Glancing at him once, twice over... indeed, he was dead. For this plague doctor though, this was not enough. Into the nearest alleyway, the soldier's body was dragged, and there, he was stripped of his armor and clothes. The doctor set to work, flinging his mace at his bare chest and stomach, tearing away his skin and flesh, until his bones and organs lay exposed to the cold air. One by one, his organs were ruthlessly pulled out of his body, leaving behind a hollow set of skin and bone. The organs were left in the alley, leaking a stream of blood. The hollowed body was then dragged back out into the street. Come daybreak, everyone would be welcomed by this gruesome sight.


The doctor leaned down to the corpse, whispering into his ear.


"This is what happens to heretics.. my work is not done until they convert, or they are killed. I will let your ghost spread the message." he then leaned back up onto his feet, crackling his back, and sheathing his bloodied mace. Without any further hesitation, the murderer walked off, never once looking back. Eagerly, he awaited the morning. He would already be present where he was needed, the Church, and not a soul would suspect a thing.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by Khadame in the previous IC
_____​

Palenhome
Arrival: 5:06 PM

Month 6, Day 15

_____​

It wasn’t often that Jin was assigned to investigate in one of the smaller towns, and when she did, it was usually nothing important.


The Captain – she, and the Castle's inhabitants – disliked giving her tasks. It was a thing of the ages, something they just couldn’t let go and forget so easily; it had almost been eight years, and yet Jin was still treated like she had joined the Knights just yesterday. Only the most mundane tasks possible were an option: training newcomer soldiers on a daily basis, catching lousy pickpockets and sorting documents that concerned the amount of corn in the storage. It was a humiliation, almost, and the least dangerous endeavours possible.


She and they both knew why.


The incident, as most have come to call it to avoid any prying noses, was a dent in Jin’s otherwise perfect track record, and an incorrigible one at that. Had it been anyone of lower rank, they would have been executed on the spot, but Jin was lucky – if one could call it that. Finding well-trained women was more than hard, especially with the outrageous prices of even one lesson; Finding educated women was even more of a task when most villagers couldn’t tell an A from a B. If she were executed, the gaping hole in the Knight’s ranks could not be filled for a while, at least not with an asset valuable enough. It would be a disgrace for Roadalia to confess that their population didn’t even meet the standards of a bunch of women with barely enough muscle mass to knock out a ferret.


Apparently, her superiors realised this, too. Despite Jin’s shortcoming, they couldn’t keep tiptoeing around her. She was still a Knight, someone worthy of at least an ounce of respect for being chosen from tens of thousands. Yet it wasn’t hard to imagine their reluctance when they decided to hand her over this particular task. Not that they had much of a choice, there – this one was personal.


Palenhome was an absolutely unremarkable town. Jin wasn’t sure she had even heard of that little spot on the map until recently, and as she arrived it was obvious why. More a village than a town, it stood close to the border of T’Odis and it seemed like it inherited it’s weather. The closer her carriage got to her destination, the more Jin huddled into herself, shivering by the time they arrived. The harsh winds were absent, it seemed – courtesy of Roadalia’s mild climate – but the biting cold followed her wherever she went. It was a terrible oversight to leave without a coat.


Even when one ignored the conditions, the small collection of huts and the occasional pub was nothing to write home about. On her way to the mortuary, she met two soldiers, who respectfully greeted and bowed, then focused their eyes on the road again. Their stares were hollowed, and faces white as chalk.


It wasn’t hard to imagine why.


One of the men under her had been murdered. Fat chance that it was accidental, or a suicide – the body was found in the middle of the central street, completely devoid of any organs and the bones in pieces. Maimed, almost, and this led to the belief that it was a dangerous animal that found a snack in the night... until they found the organs hidden in an alleyway. Those, aside from a few marks where arteries had once been, seemed fairly intact. No wild animal would do such a thing. There had been similar cases to this throughout the country, as Jin had found out, but those were not investigated in favour of saving funds and manpower. The bodies related to the case were documented briefly, then burned. The folk believed that these people had experienced the wrath of Azae, and it was easier to believe this for all parties involved.


But when it was a direct attack to the proud Knights and soldiers of Roadalia themselves, it got serious. Such an act was heretical, especially when it was committed with an inhuman cruelty.


Jin hated mortuaries. These underground catacombs were the very definition of death and mortality, something she wanted to think about the least. She felt sick when she entered, the smell of bodies and the faint whisper of a scream constantly on her mind the moment she descended the stairs. You're a Knight, for Azae's sake, she thought, a bitter taste in her mouth, get a grip.


There was no one to guide her through the walls of rock and tombs (her visit was not expected, and even she hadn't known until early morning) but the mortuary was small compared to the one beneath the Capital. It was surprising for it to be even this size, considering the fifty or so people populating the village. A relic from older times, most likely, but Jin wasn't well versed enough in history to pinpoint the when and where. Not that she cared to find out; stone was stone, and stone wouldn't be interesting to her until someone found out how to make it useful in fights.


The soldier's body was hard to miss once she caught a glimpse of it. The blood oozing from the corpse was pooled beneath the stone bed it lay on, and the dark red stuck out against the dull grey of the rocks. He had been deposited in a hurry, if the mess of limbs and spartan resting place was any indication. An unworthy position for a soldier of his rank, but Jin found it fair considering his state. She had seen lots of monstrosities in her years, but even her stomach churned at the sight of the body. She didn't dare look at his face. The expression of a man who died in such a way might be too much to handle, and it would get even worse if she recognised his features. Azae knows how the poor people who had to carry him away felt.


For several moments, she stood, unmoving and her gaze trained on the gaping wound in his stomach. The report certainly hadn't exaggerated. Though some of the organs had been put back clumsily - perhaps to make it somewhat presentable - the spots where they had been ripped out were easy to see. Precise, even. Had to be the work of someone who knew what to sever, she dully noted, so at least I can conclude that the cases from before are relevant.


She stared at the body, trying to find anything that might resemble a clue, but turned her eyes away before his state got to her.


It was no use looking at the records and document every single wound; she didn't have the slightest clue about medicine and would probably make enough mistakes to have inspected a different body altogether. Jin needed someone who could actually tell a heart from a liver (she was somewhat ashamed to confess that she didn't, but there was never a need for her to know, anyway). At most she could tell what kind of weapon was used and she definitely needed someone with gloves to actually touch it and find out.


Luckily, the ones who had compiled the files in a hurry had been kind enough to include a map of Palenhome as well. A crudely drawn one, as the smaller towns and villagers weren't very well documented, but it was more than enough to discern the church and the market place it was built on. Long story short, she exited the mortuary as fast as possible and made her way there. Jin checked twice for a hospital or some sort of medical facility, but there was none except for the church. In smaller communities, she figured, it would serve the same function. Most villages don't have the funds to build and maintain a costly building and a holy place of worship was required, either way. If she didn't find anyone there, she would have to pay a visit to the next town in the morning.


Jin didn't pay much attention to her surroundings on her walk to the church - there wasn't much to decipher. The houses were straw and wood, the trees green and the cobblestone road had barely any marks scratching it's surface. Palenhome had to have not many visitors, not surprising considering the amount of sightseeing it had to offer. The most exciting thing on her way had been a lone tomato garden with some flowers sprinkled here and there.


Even as she stood in front of the church's doors, her opinion didn't change. Small, it was, and nothing compared to the giant ceremonial halls the Capital offered. About thrice the size of a hut in Palenhome, and the only stone building she had seen aside from the mortuary. Yet, it had a certain charm to it; one could see the villagers held it in high esteem as the church seemed almost sparkling clean and well-kept from the outside. They had taken inspiration from the tomato garden, though poorly, and some wilting flowers decorated the space in front of the entrance.


Jin knocked, twice, then let herself in without another word. The inside was as neat as the outside; five wooden benches stood on each side with enough space for ten people. An altar of Azae stood in the mids, crowned with a silver-coloured statue of the goddess and more flowers sprinkled about. As simple as the establishment was, it was obvious they cherished their goddess more than their own homes, even. Jin wondered if such devotion was healthy at such a point, but caught herself before her thoughts derailed into unhealthy territories, themselves.


There wasn't any point in silently standing and hoping that someone noticed her. Jin took a deep breath, then called: "Hello?"


It was technically forbidden to raise one's voice in holy places, but no one would be there to punish her for it. She broke the rule already, might as well do it twice just in case someone hadn't heard her the first time.


"Anyone there?"

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by DemetrioMachete in the previous IC
​

_____​

Location: Palenhome, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 15


Time: The fifth hour of night (5:00 P.M.)

_____​

Jin's call would be answered by the sound of calm feet marching over the ground they stood on. As the sounds grew closer, another noise joined in: the low voice of someone muttering. As this noisemaker rounded the corner, his low ramblings grew coherent.


"Klaus Klaus Klaus... Klaus, Klaus Klaus." soon coming into view of Jin was the perpetrator.


He was a tall, lanky specimen of a man, dressed in a priest's black robe and white collar. Beneath the robe were a set of sturdy looking trousers, colored gray. Most of the man's face was obscured by a black cloth mask, but by the green hue of his eyes and the fairness of his skin, this was no doubt a man of Kildran blood. Oddly though, his hair, straight, silky and shoulder length, was a solid white. On his head was a three-pointed hat. As he walked into view, he gave away that he had something in his hands: an open scripture of the texts of Goddess Azae. He seemed to be flipping through it frequently, as though looking for a specific page.


Upon noticing the knightess in his church, he jumped slightly, looking her over with his green eyes. His lanky posture straightened, and he closed the scripture as he bowed politely to Jin.


"A fine day to welcome you to our church, Madam Knight," his voice was odd, quirky even. High pitched with a flavorful accent foreign to Roadalia. "Heinrich Klaus, they call me, but I simply prefer Klaus. Saves breath." he raised back up, and approached Jin, stopping around ten feet away.


"Here on business, I presume? Have injuries to mend? Hm.. doesn't really look it." he clapped his gloved hands together, motioning for her to come further in if she so wished.


"Come, come!" the cleric called, positioning himself at the far wall. "Church is a place of prayer, confession and healing! If I may be of service I shall do so gladly." he hadn't brought up the dead soldier. It was the talk of the town.. Klaus presumed that was why a fully fledged knightess had rode into their town; to investigate his death.

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by Khadame in the original IC​

_____​

Palenhome Church


5:46 PM

Month 6, Day 15

_____​

If Jin was weirded out by his inane ramblings – she was sure she caught the doctor muttering his own name repeatedly, but perhaps he just had a short bout of amnesia and was trying to remember it – she didn’t show it. She stood through his introduction, eyes sweeping over his, mildly called, unusual appearance. Yet, were it not for the mask (a shaking fever doctor? She hadn’t heard of that disease in ages), he would be unremarkable. Jin wondered why exactly he chose to make himself look more suspicious, but it wasn’t her place to ask. Being rude was the last thing she wanted to be.


Heinrich Klaus – he had introduced himself as such, and she resisted the urge to ask for papers – acted as if it wasn’t more than obvious what Jin was here for. News spread fast in a town as small as Palenhome, and if it already leaked to the Capital, there was no room for doubt that he knew. Quite frankly, she thought he was ridiculing her, and if she weren’t dependant on his cooperation, she would have fined him right there and then for insulting a knight.


“My name is Guinevere von Vasten”, she said mildly when he had finished talking, and briefly offered the Knight's badge before continuing; “I’m sure you know what I am here for.” Though I certainly wouldn’t mind... later, perhaps. “I ask for your aid in the matter. Your medical knowledge would be a great asset, and it would be in both our interests to end the investigation as soon as possible.” Jin wasn’t the one to beat around the bush, and would never be. She didn’t waste time on unnecessary small talk; he will say no or yes, and that was the end of that. Any second lost is a second she didn’t use to solve the case (and had to spend without a winter coat).

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following post was originally posted by DemetrioMachete as a collaboration with Khadame

DemetrioMachete as

Heinrich Klaus

Khadame as

Holy Knight Jin

______


​

Location: Palenhome church, Palenhome, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 15


Time: Quarter to the sixth hour of night (5:45 P.M.)

______​

Jin walked through the door, eyeing the self-proclaimed doctor with a weary look before turning her attention back to her hands that held the report as she heard Klaus' words. A bundle of poorly-kept documents and hastily scribbled notes, that was all it was, and even calling it a report would be generous considering five sheets of paper were all she had to investigate a series of murders. The Roadalian government seemed to treat this in an incredibly irresponsible way and it was pure mockery to think that they gave her the task out of human compassion. Jin already had a snarky reply ready, her lips pursed and brows furrowed at the disgusting optimism in his comment.


Instead, she said: "Thank you for your assistance." And that was that. She didn't have any further questions, no sarcasm to offer - what kind of stupidity would it be to suspect or infuriate the doctor then? No, she would wait until he did his part - and he was welcome to babble on his own. Jin took the lead (the way seemed shorter when you memorised it) and started walking without another word.


As Jin thanked him for his assistance, the doctor nodded to her, his expression masked.. quite


literally. The two would now embark. He had no prior suspicions or hostilities towards this Jin. She didn't seem like a heretic, or suspicious of his deeds.


He followed behind Jin quietly, eyeballing the buildings of Palenhome as though they were foreign to him. His posture was just overall optimistic.. forgetting the fact that someone had died, it seemed like.


"Have you eaten, today?" Heinrich asked her, picking up the pace until he walked beside her. "If after our inspection, your appetite is not lost, I will gladly treat you to some peach cobbler and tea."


"Maybe", came the curt reply. Jin had eaten. Eleven hours ago. It consisted of simple bread and butter, and was spiced with the salt of her own tears. During that time, she knew that she would have to ride half a day to Palenhome and, considering it was highly irresponsible to get a snack on the road, would have to hold up on a good meal for at least a day. So really, the answer was an astounding: "YES!", but Jin would be mortified to leech a near stranger's food. "It would be better to discuss such matters after the more important ones."


"You're right, you're right.." Heinrich dismissed the topic, dusting off his robes. Perhaps he was being too intrusive. A hand of his slipped beneath his face covering cloth (in case I haven't clarified Heinrich isn't wearing the plague mask at this point, he has a black cloth covering his mouth and nose.) and seeming to scratch at something.. aside from their pitter patter on the stone streets, it was awfully quiet.


"So you answer to the Queen, Lady Knightess?" the doctor asked her, wanting something besides silence to fill the silent void on their walk. "News is slow, to people like me.. how is her Majesty?"


No one really knew how the Queen was these days, but most likely… “She’s fine.” And it wouldn’t be a lie, either. Jin was, after all, the one who signed the papers for the daily delivery of scented candles (she doubted anyone but the Queen could spend such a fortune on a trivial thing like that).


Nevertheless, there was a certain air of gloom that hung over the castle recently, for reasons unknown to Jin – yet, she didn’t feel the particular need to find out. Fooling oneself in matters like these was the best option. “The country is in the best of conditions. Our regent must be happy to see the people flourish.” The doctor would see through that lie, she was sure. Roadalia was a beautiful country, but to call it “flourishing” was something else.


"Good to know." Heinrich commented, working out a cramp in his shoulder as he followed behind. "I feel like her Majesty wouldn't appreciate me being her doctor.. for a number of reasons."


Soon after, the two of them finally arrived at their destination. Klaus aired out his gloves and slipped them back on, taking a deep breath.


"Okay.. Klaus is ready. Take me to the body, now, yes?"


Jin wouldn't get used to his particular manner of speech anytime soon. It wasn't often she met people who spoke of themselves in the third person, after all. She didn't beat herself up over small details and instead followed his suggestion, descending into the murky mortuary without further questions. Night was already dawning, and it would be a shame to waste it on trivial matters.


That... hollow feeling was back. Jin held her breath momentarily…


It isn't his. Pull yourself together.


...and released it.


Her steel soles clacked against the ancient stone floor as the doctor and the knight went further into the halls of the dead. She had an easy time finding the victim again - the disgusting smell of death and rot was unmistakeable.


"He's yours now", she informed Klaus curtly when they stood in front of the body, with her eyes averted, "Do what you want. Just give me the details I need. You're free to go after."


The doctor followed her inside, giving a deep, quiet sniff of the necrotic air around him. Positively wondrous, he thought it. As he was brought to the body, he of course recognized it. But now, he could see it in a better light. His work was rather sloppy, he thought, but then again, he cut someone open with a mace, more for bludgeoning and flaying, not cutting. He clapped his gloved hands together and, shortly after, began to look at and into the soldier's body.


"Hmm.. let's see," his voice calmed and lowered, sounding far less eccentric than before.


"We've got.. severe lacerations, bone fractures.. all along the torso. The nose is broken, and it appears he has lacerations across the face, as well. Looking inside now.. why are his organs loose? Loose but not taken? How odd..."


He backed away from the corpse, wishing to scratch his nose but knowing he just has his hands in a dead body.


"Well.. I can't really give you a motive. If he was cut open but his organs were not taken, it wasn't those organ selling villains within black markets. I'd say.. someone had killed him and brutally mutilated him for sport or amusement. As for a murder weapon.. well, there are both lacerations and bone fractures. Any big piece of steel can do that. Hm.." the doctor wondered if this would help the knightess, any.


"He was a soldier, right? A disciplined, trained killing machine? That would mean his killer has some degree of skill, as well."


Everything the doctor spotted so far seemed to be correct. Then again, Jin wasn't much of a whiz in the medical arts. "The organs were found in an alleyway and later put back inside the corpse as far as I'm aware. I would have guessed an organ trader as well, if it weren't for that fact. So..." She lightly tapped her chin in thought, trying to make sense of the situation.


"I suppose something similar to your theory fits. That person had to have some experience in this matter, as well. We're looking for someone educated enough to wield a heavy weapon and know where to sever organs." Her eyes briefly flickered to the doctor and back to the ground.


Not yet.


"Do you know whose soldiers are also stationed here? I've seen two that aren't under my command."


"I don't really know the soldiers, here." Klaus admitted, letting the body alone, as he calmly stared at his broken face, then back at Jin. "But who else but a soldier could brutally mutilate a man in such a manner? I'm no constable.. but I feel as though I should investigate them, now.. otherwise I might be next on their kill list."


His hands cupped together, as he turned his full attention to Jin.


"Do you have any further observations, Madam Knightess?"

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following was originally posted by King Ad Rock as a collaboration with Kayso , Spacing Out , Zooks , & yoikes in the previous IC

King Ad Rock
as

Captain of the Holy Knights Janer Courtine, General Leonard Roadalia, Holy Knight Arturia Vanguard, and Holy Knight Amber Genelynne

Kayso as

Roadalian Head Priestess Azria Rohodege


Spacing Out as

Holy Knight Seraphina Aeritheos


yoikes as

Holy Knight Thera


Zooks as

Roadalian Successor to the throne Renaria Velouse

_____

​

Location: Abandoned Red Swan Tavern, Ashah, Roadalia


Date: Month 6, Day 15


Time: Half past the first hour of morning (1:30 A.M.)

_____
​

The run down tavern was full with the heavy silence of disbelief. If one were to drop a pin, the sound would have echoed throughout the neighborhood,


“I can tell by the shocked look on all of your faces that your imaginations must be running wild, but I can assure all of you that my plan will include no harm done to Gayana. I care for her just as much as any of you, but it is time we finally did something that we should have done long ago.” Janer folded her arms across her still plated chest while she spoke and scanned the room,


“We should have had this meeting long before Miranda had ever shown her smug face in the capital. Before any of this had gotten to where it is now.” The Captain’s intense, hazel colored eyes fell upon Renaria and stayed there. She uncrossed her arms slowly and took a few steps toward the would-be heir. Somewhere outside the tavern a crow cawed loudly, cutting through the room. To everyone’s surprise, the Captain of the Holy Knights of Azae bent her knee and bowed before Renaria as she spoke directly to her,


“Renaria Velouse, Gayana chose you as her successor long before her mind started to deteriorate, and I will defend that holy decree until my dying breath. But drastic times call for drastic measures…” Janer paused while searching for the right words. She then gently took Renaria's hand into her own while looking deep into her irises. It was too quick for Renaria to catch, but during their protracted eye contact Janer's pupils constricted quickly in a strange manner, only to instantly return to their normal size and shape just a split second later. “I believe I need to interpret my duty in a different manner. I need to make sure you become Queen immediately."


Renaria had her eyes focused in on the table before her with a look of disbelief on her face. She only broke that gaze when she heard some footsteps come towards her, the shock almost instantly faded, only to be replaced with the dull mask she always wore. Of course that blank look dropped a moment later as her eyes widened like saucers when Janer, The Captain of the Holy Knights, bowed down before her. She already knew the words that would spill out from that pose along, but that didn't stop the shock that covered her face. Every word seemed to fill the dread in the pit of her stomach even harder, and she almost looked shaken, which was a first for her.


She took Renaria's hand but all the Successor could feel was coldness from her fingers. She wasn't physically cold but she felt the dread imitating from her like a black cloud. She somehow knew this day would come but so soon...


The look of shock finally faded to be replaced behind the cold expression.


“It can not be done."


She said this in a voice that was level, but then her anger got the better of her suddenly, this whole situation was wearing thin on the normally calm girl even as she knocked Janer's hand from her own. She stood up suddenly causing the chair to crash behind her with a look of close to pure rage floating over her face; she even lifted her hood up and over her face to bore into the woman that was kneeling as a hand slammed down onto the table beside her. "It can not be done! I do not know what plan you have Janer, but this is considered treason!! Do you have any idea how many of the Queen’s spy's are around! Talking about this could see us all hung! And now, NOW you want me to be Queen immediately? How Janer?! You say no Harm to the Queen, I can't get anywhere near Gayana with that, THING near her! So what brilliant plan do you have that could possible see me take her place!"


Was she angry of the plan, or was part of her anger at being offered the position of Queen so soon? Renaria never wanted to be Queen but who was she to say no to her when she were first named a Successor? She couldn't think of a single situation that would see the Queen step down of her own free will and allow Renaria to become Queen immediately without some sort of crippling suspicions behind her back. Like being Queen wouldn't already be hard enough without the people and her advisors all whispering behind her back. Renaria finally grabbed at the glass she had only drunk moments earlier as she hurled the glass at a wall narrowly missing Thera and Amber's head as she did.


She'd never been this angry in all of her life and her whole body was trembling from it. "IT CAN NOT BE DONE!"

_____​

Seraphina scoffed at Janer's statement. She was clearly being irrational by trying to ensure the Queen's safety, if they were successful. She perked her brow as the captain approached Renaria, only for her jaw to drop for what she saw next.


She started to panic, she wanted to scream and curse at the top of lungs, however all she could do is move her hair from her face. She couldn't risk being seen especially from everything she knows so far. She had more at stake than she expected. If this were to occur,she would be doomed. Renaria would have her banished or worst executed for how she treated her since their first encounter, if she rei-


Her panic ceased after she heard shouting. This resulting to Sera letting out a soft sigh of relief and chuckle to herself. How could she have been so worked up? Renaria always used the same excuse for the reason she decided to be successor and how she never wanted it. It was stupid of her to want to rule now, not even for the well being of her country. However sera had admit Renaria gave valid points against Janer's plan, some that she would question herself.


She rubbed her forehead in frustration. They needed to wrap this meeting up. Her knees were beginning to ache from kneeling for so long, she felt a chill against her spine, and most importantly if this were to continue for longer than it needed to be; someone would notice their absence.

_____​

Janer fell back onto her hindquarters as Renaria leapt to her feet and raged over her proposition. She watched as the woman grabbed her drinking glass and threw it wildly with a drunken force. The glass shattered against the tavern wall, just barely missing Amber and Thera, it’s sound echoing into the silent night. While trying to contain her annoyance, Janer got back onto her feet, and with an outstretched hand in Renaria’s direction, she spoke,


“Please, calm yourself Renaria.” Her authoritative tone had returned slightly. Janer was careful not to prod her future ruler further. “It absolutely can be. All that I am asking for is that you listen.” Janer continued on, but this time she projected as if to speak to the entire room.


“It is no secret that the people have never been content with the Queen’s choice of you as successor. You are the first non Holy Knight chosen in generations. And the first foreign-born chosen in history. But nevertheless, come the Queen’s passing, they will accept you as their ruler no matter what. “


“But if she attempts to take rule before then-“ Leonard interjected.


“Then no one will accept it.” Janer finished. She paused for a brief moment before speaking her next words carefully. “Unless she has someone by her side whom the people already love and trust. Someone whom without his family, we would not be here today.”


“Janer…” At these words Leonard uncrossed his arms and stood at attention, his spine snapping straight like a whip. He had not been informed of this part of the plan and it was now evident by the look of confusion and pain spread across his face. He knew where she was going with this. Janer only glanced at him from the side of her eye and pushed her words forward.


“I’m sure over the years you all have heard the whispers around Leonard and I. Well I can now confirm that they are true. The captain of the Holy Knights is supposed to be celibate, another sin of mine to bear. Although it is no excuse, I do not believe any Captain has been able to follow that one…” Janer slowly smirked at the room. Her smirk then quickly dropped to tight lips and with a jerk of her head, her gaze fell upon Leonard. She then spoke again with a sharper inflection,


“But Leonard, you know this means we cannot be together in the end… I cannot take a husband until I retire, and that will not be-“


“But I will wait fo-“ Janer cut him off while turning to directly face him, her hand now pointing at him. The two were now speaking to each other as if they were the only two in the room.


“No Leonard! There are no ‘but’s’! Deep down you know this is the best way to avoid violence. You must marry Renaria!”

_____​

The situation tensed for Thera when Renaria lost control over her emotion, her face wide with anger and red with frustration. A glass was thrown. Trying to evade will only raise the risk of getting hit, the pirates used to say. So Thera stood and still and the glass flew past her, shattered when it hit the wall behind her back. Janer said something to calm her down, which seemed to be working. Renaria calmed down, and Janer started talking yet another confusing topic. Something about people's acceptance? Thera admit she's not really following the sensitive political topic and sensitive secrets talked in tonight's meeting, but soon a topic that she can fully understand is dropped out of nowhere.


'Whispers around Leonard and I' 'true' 'cannot be together' 'husband' 'You must marry Renaria'


Leonard and Janer, together? She did have heard of the soldiers talking, whispering to each other whenever Janer and Leonard are seen together walking around the castle. So it is true and now, as if this is a scene cheesy romantic drama often performed in theaters, they must part so that the country can be united as one. Huh, interesting.

_____​

Renaria calmed down if only by a fraction, at the very least she wasn't seething and her hands started to unclench. She started to straighten a fraction, but she was coherent enough to realise the conversation was half directed at her. She should have been paying more attention to what was being said and who it was being directed to. As Janer shouted towards General Leonard, her brain seemed to come too finally and all at once. She was well aware of the General and his lover, it didn't take Azae to realise what was going on between closed doors, especially considering she saw both on a frequent basis. And leave on a frequent basis.


Of course it was the final words that finally seemed to melt in as she realized Janer wanted her to wed General Leonard. It made sense of course, but Miss Velouse had no idea how to take this suggestion. As if looking for an answer her eyes peeled to the General and stayed there.

_____​

The words that Janer shouted went straight through Amber’s ironically delicate sized ears and sent waves of intense surprise through her entire body. It was even enough to snap her out of the slight whimpering that she was still doing just moments before. With her blue eyes wide and full of shock and awe, she exchanged telling glances with Arturia still at her side. She let go of Arturia’s dress with her tight grasp and pulled at her long and fiery red hair on both sides of her forehead. Her lips slowly mouthed the words “Holy-fucking-Azae” to her friend and superior.


Arturia widened eyes met that of Amber's. She never expected the meeting to become so risky to not only her life but the country. She decided not to speak, she felt that her words could cause even more discomfort. Her eyes scanned the perimeter, looking at the reactions of her comrades whilst absorbing the details she was given so far. 'Azae save our souls. ', she thought.


Leonard caught Renaria eyeing him from across the room. There was a look on her face that suggested that she was perhaps looking to him for some kind of direction. The shocked and abashed General was not sure on how to react in that exact moment and instead chose to avert his gaze to the ground. His mind was in a whirlwind as his thoughts raced. He needed time to process all of this before he could be the man to give anyone any type of comfort or direction.


But before this blindsided man could do that, Janer continued the explanation of her intricate plan to the rest of the room. She had now turned her body, and thus her attention, to the Head Priestess of Roadalia, Azria Rohodege. Janer’s concentrated stare seemed to be beaming straight through her as the captain spoke,


“This is where you come in, your holiness.” A cold, shrill wind moved through the tavern with a quick gust. “I have thought long and hard about this. A great deal must be made of their union. You must be the one to personally wed them. Think about it; if the people are led to believe that their marriage was a blessing by Azae herself, they will not only accept their combined rule, but also hopefully will even insist upon it. If you publicly shower them coming together with claims of divine intervention, then you know almost every religious authority will follow suit, Azria. I know this sounds incredibly manipulative of our people, but what choice do we have with what has been going on?”


Azria had remained quiet throughout most of the discussion. She didn't want to make any moves until she knew the full story; knew why she had been asked to come here. She essentially already knew what she would be asked to do, but she wanted to understand why. She wanted to see how the others in this group would act and react. So far, it had been almost amusing. She enjoyed nothing more than seeing people with very different views and backgrounds come together with the intent of making a difference, but it was... off. The catalyst at the center of it all was still in the shadows.


"Captain Courtine, I have always made it a point to never attempt to sway the opinions of the people on the basis of dishonesty." As the group stared back at her, she blinked and the vision in front of her momentarily changed to that of a flash of dim light and armor.


"I just want everyone here to know that. That I can never condone withholding the truth from others unless it is absolutely necessary. Unless we are all in the gravest of circumstances, and for the betterment of us all."


Another flash of light, and footfalls upon stone…


"And... I believe... that this is indeed for the betterment of all. Not just for those present, but for the whole of Roadalia."


It is the General who is running up the castle steps…


"So I will do this, then. For the people. For I see no other way than this."


No more light. Only a dark room. And something lays upon the floor…


“I see another damn way!” Leonard shouted suddenly and without any warning, causing several people in the tavern to jolt in some way or another. He swigged back the fourth or fifth drink that he had poured himself since the meeting began, letting the burning contents rush down his throat, before slamming the glass on the tavern’s counter-top with an drunken and angry force. The loud clank that rang out echoed through the room and caused a second shock wave of jumps in the jittery cast of co-conspirators.


Janer was the only one seemed completely unphased by Leonard’s reaction. Instead of jumping or looking surprised like the rest, she just rolled her eyes in contempt of what he was about to suggest. “Go right ahead Leonard…” She mocked, her hand moving in an exaggerated gesture.


“Tell them of your brilliant plan.”


Leonard glared at Janer from his spot by the tavern counter before stepping forward and glancing over the room. By the look on his face, he was recognizably enraged at the situation, his mouth twisted into a wicked sneer. His voice boomed out, his words only slightly slurred by the copious amounts of liquor.


“I will climb the castle stairs. I will put down anyone who gets in my way. I will walk right up to Miranda and while staring her straight in the eyes I will stick my sword straight through her gut.” Upon finishing these words, Leonard’s sneer contorted into an inebriated smirk as he crossed his arms across his broad chest.


Azria felt the connection before she heard it. He would climb the castle stairs. He would take down anything in his path. But would his ultimate goal be at the end of it? The vision hadn't been clear; hadn't been complete. Azria searched for something that would guide her to the end of the general's footfalls, but there was nothing. She couldn't call upon visions, they merely came to her when they saw fit. She would have to move forward carefully, and keep herself involved. Lives might depend on it.


“Quite poetic.” Janer answered, her mocking tone remaining. She was now speaking to Leonard’s back. “Do you think I have not already thought of doing just that? There is more to the Queen’s adoration of Miranda than you realize.” Leonard spun quickly around to meet Janer’s voice, his look of confusion apparent.


“What are you-” Leonard began but was quickly cut off with Janer’s answer for him.


“Why do you think the Queen has never taken a suitor, hm? Or that time I told you I escorted a certain handmaiden out of the country years ago at Gayana’s behest?” She questioned, hoping the answer would be obvious and she would not have to explain in detail. Leonard stood there for a moment trying to comprehend what Janer was getting at. Then it dawned on him all at once.


“If you kill Miranda then Gayana will not hesitate to put you to death, Leonard. What fragile control she has over her mind state will be lost and we will have a completely different set of problems.” Leonard looked to the ground with a furrowed brow like a dog that had been shamed. It was now clear to him that Janer’s plan was possibly the only path to peace for the nation.


“Do not worry Leonard, once Renaria is in power then we will make sure Miranda gets what is coming to her.” It appeared as if Leonard wanted to respond in some way to this, but Janer continued on past him, now addressing the other three holy knights in the room. Leonard now gave off the aura of defeat as his shoulder slumped.


“This is where you three come in. I was hoping we could have put off this meeting until the others returned, but alas, we could not. Elizabeth, Rabiah, Ashlynne and possibly even Jin come to mind, but we are still awaiting word on all of their return. For obvious reasons, Kira, Margery, and Seraphina were not invited.” Almost as if on cue with the last name mentioned, Janer shot her head slightly to the right and in the direction of an open window with a draft coming in. She smiled sinisterly, almost to herself.


“You are pillars of the community, loved and respected. We need your public support of their union as well. Not to mention, when the announcement of the change of power commences, there will be an inevitable opposition. We will need you on our si-”


“I’M WITH YA’ CAP’N!” Amber shouted while leaping to her feet. This startled and cut off Janer as the serious look washed off her face and was replaced by one of surprise. Amber was no longer whimpering in any way and her usual steadfast determination had returned. She was clenching her right fist tightly in the air while her lower lip quivered, not in sadness, but in pride. The lumbering red headed Holy Knight turned to the others in the room, Arturia, Thera, Azria, Leonard, and Renaria, and continued shouting in the silent tavern with her arms outstretched wildly to them.


“What are the resht of you waitin’ for!? What else are we going to do!? We need to shave our people! We need to shave the Queen! And Renaria and the General look damn cute togever!”


Azria smiled at the willingness of the young knight. Such a pure heart come from such a dreadful past. The country needed more people like her, and with any luck, the people would choose to follow. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Azria nearly thrust her own fist toward the roof in elated agreement, but in the interest of keeping quiet, she simply held her fist to her chest, pledging the following sentiments: "I am in agreement, whole-heartedly."


Arturia jolted to her feet when the general made his outburst. She could understand his reasoning especially with the many drinks he had, however Janer had more reasonable option. She watched the two babble on like a married couple, knowing that this might be the last she would see them like this. Arturia was actually beginning to believe that they had a chance. If Janer was this optimistic, she should be too. Of course , her aspiring speech was cut off by Amber's ourburst. Arturia merely sighed yet managed a smile. "I'm with you my lady until the end of days." She cross her heart as her sign of her pledge, shifting her attention to Renaria. "May your future reign be long and prosperous, Heaven knows we need it.


The more she listened, the more confused Thera became.


A coup, one that is plotted by several people she respected the most to take down the Queen herself. The Queen was mad, that was true and that is no longer a secret to the public. Anyone and everyone could see that. She listened as Janer mentioned names, fellow Knights. A few who might have been invited to join and a few others that were definitely not.


".... Kira, Margery, and Seraphina were not invited."


The fanatics and the lunatics, that's good. Janer knows what she was doing. A piece of her secretly hoped that Kira fought against them, just for the chance to... pay her back. Amber shouted in agreement and shouted some more to motivate the rest to agree.


Her feelings were still conflicted, between her job and... And what exactly? Her own feeling? Her belief? Her ideal? No, she was still following orders. The Queen's, or the revolution's. Dammit. For now, she'd make it easier for herself.


"Whatever you order me to do, Captain Janer." Thera said. "I'll follow you."

_____​

Renaria Velouse - the soon to be Queen it seemed, always destined to be the leading Female in the country of Roadalia, to carry herself beautifully, with grace and elegance. To stand as a pillar to the community, to help the needy and restore the Queendom to it's rightful glory.


Or at least that was what she had been told ever since Queen Gayana had pulled her aside herself to whisper her adoration, her love for her. Treasuring her like a daughter, though Renaria never showed the same love back. She knew this day was coming.. But so soon? How old was she? Oh yes... groomed since she was 14 for this very day, and it loomed over her like a dark cloud, reaching down to her wrists like the weight of shackles held her down, thrust into a cage she could never escape from.. Never again could she run through the forest as she once did as a child, feel the breeze against her face, the leaves at her feet, the adrenaline of the kill. The hunt.


No she could do none of these things.. she hadn't be able to for a very long time and yet, Renaria always felt like she could if she wanted to.


Be the person you were raised to be. Groomed into the role set for you and you alone. Be the face for the people in their time of need.


They need you Renaria.


The country needs you.


People are dying in the streets, being captured by Knights, hung up for petty crimes... talks about not being faithful or religious. Breaking sins. Children, families, being killed.


Walls built. To keep the intruders and heathen out? Or to keep us in? Another cage. Another wall unable to be scaled. Another notch in the coffin.


Renaria, in a room, in a city, in a country surrounded by walls upon walls upon walls, the sensation making her claustrophobic. Arranged marriage? That was it then? Was this Kildra or a free country? Was she a Noblewoman being forced into marriage? Is that what her ancestors wanted when they left Kildra the first time?


When would they even marry? Tomorrow? The end of the week? Surely soon... surely in days, they would want her to succeed now. To take charge. To be trapped? No; lead... she had to lead; she had to, there were thousands looking to her for guidance.. she needed to do it for them she needed to-


Renaria looked over as The General shouted about stabbing Miranda in the tummy, an almost wistful look on her face. Hunter versus hunter. That would never work. But he was trying.


Leonard…


Renaria's face fell more as she heard Amber shout her agreement and one by one everyone around the room agreed in some way or another. Her eyes traveled to Thera in particular as she pledged her loyalty to Captain Janer rather than her. Interesting... was she doubting? Renaria was not one to talk, she was doubting herself more than anyone else in the room. She was no Queen... no person to lead. Just the cold face. The whirling thoughts. Picking up the littlest of gestures that none others did. A hunter... nothing more.


Renaria looked finally to General Leonard with his slumped shoulders and a soft outward sigh escaped as her eyes slipped closed. She nodded much the same as everyone had. She didn't say a word though. At least not a first, slowly her eyes drifting open to peer to Leonard with a face that almost looked broken, though the hard exterior stayed. Thinking hard about her next words.


"I... am surprised about your faith in my ability to lead this country." Her pause long and her gaze drifted up towards the ceiling only for a moment before they lowered and she looked to Janer now. Her gaze unwavering and even on the verge of piercing. Eyes unblinking. "I can wholeheartedly agree this country does need a Queen to return itself to it's glory...." but that person shall not be me.... "If this is all we have to discuss, then with these thoughts I shall take my leave." forever. I am no Queen, I am no help to anyone. "I need some time to prepare myself but I request I am informed of these.... developments." A day is all I need to prepare.


“Yes, Renaria has the right thought. Now is as good a time as any to call this meeting adjourned.” Janer spoke matter of factly to the rest of the room. Her eyes narrowed and for the first time in the late night it seemed that she was at a loss for words. “Before you all go, I want to leave you with some parting words…” Her voice had a different tone than it had previously.


Janer actually appeared to be somewhat choked up. This was an unusual sight to all those in the room as Captain Janer had always been the perfect example of composed in the past. She smiled through it and continued on with an obvious strain in her face.


“I do not know if my soul can be saved. I do not know if it can be redeemed to be reborn after what has happened under my watch. I am to blame more than anyone else, and I know this...” Janer closed her eyes slowly. “But as Azae as my witness, my legacy before I die will be that I helped save the Queen and this country from an insane and bloodthirsty woman. And that will be regardless of what happens to my soul after.” The words picked up momentum as she spoke them rapidly, barreling down the hesitation that she had before.


Amber stood at attention with another determined look on her face, and clenched her right fist over her chest in the nation’s salute. Thera followed suit, acknowledging the order of the coup. One will not see the same look of determination as Amber had on the short haired girl's face, but there's was something comforting about the look in her eyes. Loyalty, maybe. Respect, maybe.


Janer smiled brightly at her subordinates with the respect giving her clear pride. She saluted back and then spoke to them, "At ease ladies. It is time to rest now. Thank you for hearing us out."


With a raise of her right hand, she motioned to the door. “Renaria can leave first as it is pertinent that she get back to the castle without being seen. Then each of us will take turns leaving in fifteen minute intervals so we are not seen together or leaving the same location. I will leave after Renaria. When the time is right, we will contact you all to meet again. There is much to plan and think over.” Janer turned specifically to Renaria while continuing her motion to the door. "My future Queen…”


Here Renaria took a deep bow, almost letting her forehead kiss the floor before standing up straight with her shoulders peeled back. Chin held up. And with that she turned and strode towards the door with her steps that were always silent. And surprisingly steady for the alcohol she had drunk.


Calling over her shoulder as her hand turned the doorknob to leave. "General. A moment of your time at your next convenience. I shall be where I always am. I feel we still have much to discuss." She need not tell him where that was, as anyone who knew her well, knew her escape was always to the Falconry on the top tower of the Cathedral. And with that the girl flung over her hood before her face and thrust open the door. In an oddly strange motion for her, she thrust the door so hard back it actually slammed against the hinges with a deafening rattle.


The rest of the tavern, except for Janer, jumped suddenly at the unexpected crashing of the door and the echoing slam it produced. General Leonard winced at the hopefully unintentional exiting action of Renaria.


“Perhaps I let her have too much to drink.” He stated through his own inebriated articulation. The general voice was flat and emotionless. It sounded as if he were in a state of shock. Clenched tightly in his grip, probably due to the stress of the situation, was what he planned on being his last drink of the evening, but something in the back of his mind told him that he would be raiding his stash of fine wine and liquors kept in his bedside desk the moment he stepped through those doors. He would not be feeling well the next morning. Old habits die hard they say, although it certainly felt as if he had been drinking much more in the recent months.


In fact, many were acting differently since Miranda had shown up in Ashah just eight months ago. From Janer's cold and distant attitude to his lieutenant-general's frequent late night parties.


Leonard had noticed it in some of his men as well. An aggressiveness and attitude in some that he was not accustomed to. Unfortunately, the general was not making the connections between them all.


“Do you think?” Janer asked with yet another sarcastic inflection. Leonard looked less hurt and more annoyed than the times before. But now there was a gentle hand on his shoulder instantly, and as he turned his head he surprisingly found that it belonged to Janer. She had softened the features in her face, and was looking up to him in loving way for the first time in quite a while. Her hazel hazel colored stare met with his crystal blue eyes while her hand moved from his shoulder to caress away his blonde locks from his forehead, something that calmed him in the past. But for some reason, that familiar relief did not come this time. Instead, the only word he could use to describe the way her stare made him feel was-


“Dread.”


“Leonard, my love. I hope you know this means this mean we cannot continue any type of correspondence lest we are seen.” Her hand moved down to his cheek. He thought that it felt oddly cold. Not the kind of cold one would get from a drafty abandoned tavern, but… something different. “But-” Leonard began another protest, this time sounding defeated before even beginning.


“Please follow my words. We cannot see each other until the next meeting. And as Renaria said, you two must speak about things…” Janer smiled at Leonard, but it was not the warm, confident smile that he remembered falling for. There was something off about it. Something amiss that he could not place his finger on. He wanted to kiss her right there. It did not matter to him that the others were still there. He wanted some kind of semblance of the past that he knew with her. But while these thoughts were floating through his troubled mind, Janer hurriedly turned and made a bee-line for the door of the tavern with a brisk pace. The echoing of her footsteps from her heavy armored boots was the only sound she made.


As the Holy Knights Captain reached the door, she made a sudden stop before whirling around to meet the rest of the tavern. “Remember, fifteen minute intervals. Amber and Arturia, since you made the foolish decision on coming together, make sure to at least leave together.” Janer said to them with her scolding yet ice cold voice. She turned back to the door and with her face out of view, another sinister smile crept across her thin lips. Her hand opened the door slowly and quietly, and with one step over the threshold, she was engulfed by the shadows of the night.


Arturia nodded at Janer's orders. She knew she would have to keep an extra eye on the drunken giant while they made their way back to the headquarters. Amber was much looser, meaning she would be more willing to expose what happened last night to anyone who asked. Also she didn't want to her the sweet girl bawl again.


After the appropriate time had passed, Arturia signaled to Amber that it was time to leave. She bowed to the priestess and saluted her fellow comrades. "Come along Amber, We will be back home in no time. " She said beckoning her to follow. Amber began her stumble to the front door but stopped suddenly as she reached Leonard. Without warning, she gave the General a large hug and whispered into his ear, “Shtay Shtrong..” She let go with a pout on her face while looking Leonard in his. Then she continued her her way out the door following Arturia into the moonlight.


Leonard stood silently at the same position he had been in nearly all night by the bar of the tavern. He was still trying to contemplate just what had happened, as this was not how he had imagined the meeting going in the slightest.

_____​

Seraphina felt like she jolted out of her skin after Leonard's outburst. She witness so much destruction to the glasses and bottles, she was surprised they didn't burn down the building yet. Though killing Miranda would've been intriguing to watch, Janer held good points. If it was that simple, Seraphina would've done it as soon as Miranda was seen as a threat. Despite being the selfish, arrogant knight that everyone had come to know; she did care about the wellbeing of her country. However, it just so happened that she didn't think the huntress would be the perfect fit.


Janer went on to make one of her inspirational speech which was given an eye roll at how foolish they were to think that this would go unnoticed. Suddenly something unexpected happened, Janer looked out the window with a... Smile? Did she know Seraphina was here the whole time? Was that smile targeted to her? Perhaps Seraphina was over reacting, but there was suspicious about that smile. It wasn't a usual smile that would bring hope to everyone who veiwed it or a smile of confidence. No, it was sinister. The same smile the executioner would give when Seraphina would hand him another prisoner... It was like an omen for bad things to come. Seraphina let out a soft sigh in relief that Janer no longer had her attention on the outside world. Sera could feel her heart pumping out of her chest, she had to be more careful for the rest of the night.

_____​

As it steadily became time for Azria to take her leave of the shrouded, musty tavern, she finished the second drink she had gratefully taken from the general as they waited. Moving to replace the empty glass to the faded counter top, she placed a hand on Leonard's shoulder. He fell silent, even more silent than the state in which he had previously been, having merely been without words, and waited for whatever god-directed reasons had likely provoked this small but terrifying gesture. Speaking quietly but with purpose, not in a manner as if to hide them from the also-waiting Thera, but to include her in something serious, she only had a few words to deliver.


"General, I would advise that you take care not to wholly and undoubtedly place your trust in the Captain."


Leonard's eyes widened, either in disbelief or perhaps revelation; this was one of those few things she did not know. He said nothing, and Azria left what she said there, hanging in the stagnant air, seeping into the shifting reality that would be his new existence. She felt concern, and something else: fear. Fear was not a familiar friend to Azria, and it made the premonitions seem worse. She removed her hand from Leonard's shoulder and walked almost leisurely to the door, opening it as silently at the old hinges allowed. There was still time to change it; perhaps her fears were unnecessary. She watched the dust settle, having been agitated by her robes that dragged along the wooden floor, observing the proof that her simple existence caused ripples in the fabric of the corporeal; observing again as she watched the general that the same simple existence also caused other, deeper ripples in the essence of the incorporeal. She glanced at the forlorn-looking general once more before she closed the door with an eerie, unprecedented finality.

 

[Khadame]

DemetrioMachete as Doctor Heinrich Klaus

Khadame as Guinevere von Vasten




"Do you have any further observations, Madam Knightess?”

Jin paused for a moment to think. Klaus wasn’t very far off from her own thoughts with his theory about a soldier possibly being the culprit, but it was just unrealistic. They received little to none medical education. By Azae, she herself hadn’t known where her heart lay until a year into her service. And even if they were, most were taught nothing but hacking and slashing with a sword, or aiming with bow. There wasn’t a single man under her command that didn’t carry one of two, except for some exceptions of who the knight was sure that they wouldn’t be stationed here of all places. That kind of barebones training was not enough for such a precise and well-thought-out murder like that. That line of thought would lead nowhere. She needed more time before she jumped to hasty conclusions.

“None. If there is nothing else you think you can tell me that will assist in the investigation, then I believe we are done here.” Jin’s gaze flickered rapidly from her notes back to the corpse and then at the doctor’s masked face as spoke, messily scribbling down whatever clues she had gathered in the past minutes. The list was so short she nearly groaned. Hopefully the case wouldn’t be as time-consuming or difficult as it looked right then. She was sure this was the last chance she would get to prove that she could still work with the Holy Knights, and every minute wasted was a noose tied tighter around her neck.

The knight’s hurried writing returned after a few moments of silence, even faster than before, until she felt confident enough in her notes to pocket them once more. Seeing as the doctor stayed silent the entire time, he didn’t seem to have anything to add, either. Jin spoke up again: “I expect you to be available the next few days. Where can I find you?”

“If you need me for anything I am in the Church most of the time. Someone has to keep it nice and clean." The cleric merely nodded his head, playing with one of his solid white locks of hair as he stepped away from the body. He was no T'Odis, but he envied their beauty; which he saw as something near mythical, like an Elf, or a Yuki Onna.

"No more people need to be subject to a brutal mutilation such as this... I suspect the soldiers garrisoned here are a bit shook up. I'd offer them a meal or two, but alas they're quite the collective stick in the mud. All work, no play. Military life must be so emotionally demanding… may prayer keep them sane."

“May prayer keep them sane”, Jin echoed, and hoped these words could apply to her, too. Sadly, she hadn’t been so sure of herself as she was years ago. The Holy Knight extended her clothed hand to the doctor for a handshake. Klaus' hand met and shook hers, gripping it firmly. Like any doctor, his hands were bone-chillingly cold. She responded: “Thank you for your assistance today. I will get in touch with you if necessary.” The handshake turned firmer. “Please make sure to stay safe until then.”

The last words were spoken in warning and concern alike – it would be a chore to find another capable doctor in these regions, especially when the Capital was out of the question. She didn’t want to return with news that the killer had claimed another victim, one that was one of her contacts, even. The Captain would be so incredibly disappointed that Jin wasn’t sure if she would ever work again. The knight released his hand when the contact lasted too long for comfort, nodding to him once more before she went for the exit. Morgues made her sick to the point of being close to vomiting, and the soldier’s overwhelming odour of death and rotting flesh wasn’t doing neither her psyche nor stomach any good. To say that she wasn’t good with staying in the company of corpses for a long time was an understatement. The fresh air outside nearly made her sigh with relief.

Klaus followed Jin out of the Morgue, but from there, they both parted ways after exchanging short goodbyes, and he made his way back to the Church of Palenhome. By now he had already forgotten about the soldier he had killed... or rather, he felt there was no need to concern himself with being a suspect. As the doors to the church closed, he began to hum, and swept the floors to the rhythm of the melody.




Only after the woman had left the morgue and gone quite the considerable distance she realised she didn’t have a place to stay – and she certainly wouldn’t knock on anyone’s door and ask. While the knight was supposed to have her own accommodations, the person in charge of it was apparently not concerned enough to give her a housing for the first few days. She didn’t know the guy personally, but figuring from the way he described her upcoming situation as being “a result of not many lodgings being available”, even though she saw several of them being completely empty, Jin figured she wouldn’t like him.

She pulled the crudely drawn map out of her breast pocket, where it was neatly folded and tucked away, and squinted to see the pencil on paper in the dark. Nightfall certainly came fast. The people seemed to be used to this; no lanterns, hanging and swinging from roofs and trees, were lit yet. Must be the T’Odian climate, she thought to herself before her eyes flitted over the map again. A small spot was marked in a weak shade of red, and if it hadn’t been for that, she might not have seen the writing at all. Sahalen Inn, it said in a surprisingly neat cursive.

And with that, Jin was determined to tell someone to give the librarians a raise when she got back. And a bottle of wine to boot, if the area had any.

She studied the map again. The building didn’t seem to be far away from the Church. A good thing, in a way, as it was close to the town square. The bad thing, however, only occurred to her as she arrived at her destination. Built innocently on the left next to the inn, and next to an alleyway full of discarded trash, stood a pub.

Some might think this was be a petty, privileged complaint, but Jin had her fair share of experiences with pubs, and she could say with absolute certainty that none of them were positive. These demon spawns, of course, weren’t inheritably bad, as the knightess visited them from time to time when she felt like getting shitfaced, but it was certainly not enough to appreciate them in any way. Back when she still went on a lot of assignments herself, sleeping in inns was modus operandi for her, and sometimes, when Azae felt vicious, a pub was right beside it, or, even worse, built in. The noises drunkards made were absolutely unbearable, to the point that she would bring earbuds made of thick wool with her just so she could catch a wink of sleep.

If her assumptions were correct, then at least half of the town was a frequent visitor, because it was rather hard to tell what one was supposed to do in Palenhome except for drinking, praying and praying while drunk. Were they even half as loud as the Capital’s folks were, she would have to deal with insomnia for the next few days.

Jin hoped her suppositions were wrong, but she was usually right about these things - she was right this time, too, as she heard the faint sound of glass clinking from the outside. She could already feel a headache coming up at the mere thought of having to spend a night next to these people, especially because she hadn’t been smart enough to bring her beloved, woollen assistants on the journey. Yet, there was no other inn in the area and she wasn’t keen on going through the hassle to find a carriage to a nearby village at night. The soldiers stationed at the T’Odian wall might have rooms to sleep in, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if they were away (no one really cares about watching out for intruders these days, and no one checks, either, which might or might not be the reason there has been an increase of them lately).

So, Jin had no other choice other than to bite down her unwillingness and enter the inn. It already looked like a home on the outside, and if it weren’t for a black-ink sign that read ‘Inn’, most people would have merrily gone their way without ever knowing what the actual purpose of the building was. This aesthetic hadn’t changed much once she was inside. The weird placement of both the counter and the stairs was more reminiscent of a desperate attempt of a family trying to gather money than a serious establishment. The woman that lazily leant and smoked behind the receptionist desk didn’t look very serious either. She only eyed Jin once before going back to examining her fingernails; it took her a while to say: “We still have a room in the attic. You take or you leave.” The large badge of the Holy Knights hanging off Jin’s officer uniform was apparently lost to the woman. While it was refreshing to not be stupidly worshipped because of her rank, the knight preferred at least an ounce of respect.

“How much for four nights?”, she asked, got her purse from a pocket inside of her jacket and immediately halted when all she got in return was a nonchalant shrug from the owner of the inn. Jin narrowed her eyes. “Do you not know the rates of your own establishment, ma’am?” “Hey miss”, she scoffed and waved some smoke out of her nose, “don’t go around tellin’ me how to run my store. I told you before: You take or you leave. I’m not gonna stand for some girl from the capital tryin’ to act all high and mighty.” Jin thought it was very tempting to just go and slam the door behind her, but they both knew she wouldn’t be here to blow her only chance of warm nights. Or, at least mildly so.

Gritting her teeth and counting as little coin as possible, Jin murmured: “I’ll take it.” When she nearly slammed the sum on the counter, the woman was back to doing whatever. The knight didn’t even receive a key – could she just waltz in? By Azae, no wonder Palenhome had no visitors with this kind of service. Perhaps she could do everyone a favour and build a new inn after she returned to the Capital.

Nothing much of value happened afterwards. Jin supposed she could be spending her time better, but what was there to do? She went up the stairs to her room, made herself as comfortable as possible on a creaking bed and studied the details of her case until she got frustrated with all the loose ends she had (aside from the fact that the constant turmoil from the pub made her even more mad). In the end, she decided on enjoying the rest of the night with the rest of her water bottle and a vague view of the stars from a window that seemed too large for the tiny room. Perhaps the attic had been the best choice here – if she had to trade back pain to gaze at the night lights, she would gladly.

She didn’t know what it was with snowy climates; whenever she was near the T’Odian border, she would be guaranteed to freeze her arse off, but in return, the god-awful weather produced some of the most visually pleasing sights there were. With Palenhome so close to the Great Ice Mountains to the north, the colourful nights could be observed from nearby. Jin didn’t know the term for it – she remembered someone calling them auroras once – but she didn’t think any name could capture the beauty of the green, blue, violet waves of light dancing over the horizon, illuminating the houses and snowed in Wall beyond in its shades. She wondered why the Capital only had its bleak rain and grey skies to show off, and tried to redeem itself by building even bleaker buildings.

It would be nice to live here, Jin considered, and took a sip out of her cold water. I wonder if the Queen would let me.

Then she thought that the Queen probably wouldn’t, and pondered over anything else that came to her mind until her bottle of cool water was empty and she dressed herself for bed.

Month 6, Day 15, 8:27 PM
​

Heinrich was mostly quiet for the rest of the day. A few people here and there visited his church for guidance, he started to hand up some decorum which, to any that asked, he would explain was for a nightly sermon; to be attended outside, around a bonfire at, of course, night. The fire was a decent foil to the T'Odian winds.

The nightly Palenhome saw little change from that of the day. A few of the residents had started the usual bonfire so they could warm themselves and be social, but otherwise, it was just as quiet. Standing in front of the flames was Doctor Klaus. His eyes lightly shut, his bare hands being held just over the fire and a black rag covering his mouth - he looked quite content. The obscuring of his face, the villagers never understood about their priestly doctor. He never answered any question in relation to them, and he was never seen without some facial covering. It went beyond the simple act of stopping germs, it seemed more like an obsession.

After some time, Klaus' hands were warm, and he pulled away a scripture of Azae. His audience fell quiet as he began to cite from it. The doctor liked these social gatherings at night. T’was a good way to bring church to the people.

Upon some asking around, Heinrich had learned where his knightly companion had wandered off to, and so, he decided he would pay her a visit. To the Inn he did trot, and up to the attic he ventured, unhindered by the absentminded manager. Jin's ears would be welcome to the sounds of his heavy footfalls as he approached; was it not bizarre, that they sounded like a giant's approach? The Doctor was lanky; tall with little visible muscle mass. Perhaps it was all in the boot...




There had been footsteps outside of Jin’s door for quite a while, those also being one of the reasons she couldn’t get shuteye for a good minute now. Or should she rather say, an hour in total.

Of course, of course she wouldn’t be able to just lie and snooze off after the stressful day she had, and prepare her for the days that will probably will be just as bad.

The same thing happened in the Capital, all the time – and usually, in those cases, she would stumble through her accommodations in search of the dried chamomile on one of her cupboards, then mix it with milk, honey, and hot water and drift into restless dreams fuelled by the taste of flowery tea.

But this, Palenhome, was something different. Palenhome was different. First; there was no chamomile growing here, not when blizzards in the colder months would rip the buds out of the ground and leave behind frozen grass. Second, even if she the time to gather ingredients for her special brew, was the fact that the lights in the night sky that were once so dear to Jin seemed to betray her in the most crucial moment, and shine directly into her face and through her eyelids.

It didn’t matter, now, either way; the footsteps would keep her awake for quite some time, still. They were heavy and without a doubt, a man’s, but they were too precise and regular to belong to one of the drunkards still enjoying themselves in the pubs. Or maybe he was drunk, and just walking in circles in the inn in search of his own room. The possibilities branched in these two ways, and Jin was quite sure of herself, until the footfall ended and the sound of knocking picked up. The doctor banged against the door five times, each within rapid succession of each other. "Err- hello?" Klaus spoke up past the door. "Madam Knight, are you present? I have news for you!"

News. Wonderful. Jin didn’t care much for news in the late night, but she was present and it would be rude to ignore the man who was kind enough to bring her news at this hour.

She looked down at her state of dress – striped pyjamas were a bit silly to look at, to be fair, yet she found that she didn’t care much about making an impression on someone she was sure she was never going to see again after the murder issue was solved. Some of the other Knights back home would obviously be disappointed at her nonchalant attitude, but who gave a damn about what they thought when they couldn’t see what she was doing, anyway.

Jin opened the door to come face to face with the masked doctor from before, and gave him a weak shake of the hand. “Good night, Sir Klaus. I suppose you will want to speak somewhere more private than the doorstep.” She waved him in (and while this was probably not appropriate, she would bash his teeth in if he tried anything, but honestly, he didn’t seem like he would even entertain the thought). Heinrich hurried himself inside, as quietly as he could. Time and stealth were of the essence, after all. When all was said and done, and the door was shut behind him, he cupped his hands together and wrapped them around his thin, lanky stomach.

"Madam Knight, I wanted to take this time to inform you I will be hosting an outdoor sermon, tomorrow night. Nearly everyone in Palenhome will be present; and I figured you could take that time to collect a handful of suspects; possibly even make your arrest right then and there. No one comes to expect trouble when they're paying homage to their faith, after all." Though his mouth was obscured behind a black rag, the twinkle in his eyes and the enthusiasm in his high-pitched voice were clear indicators that he was happy and proud of such an idea.

Jin thought about the priest's proposal without uttering her approval just yet, and really, there was no reason not to go. There was barely anyone she knew in this town, since she had only arrived a short time ago: there were practically no suspects aside from a certain someone, and the knight would like to believe that men of the Goddess do not murder, even if the man in question was a strange one. The sermon could certainly offer a fresh light on the case if she asked the right people.

"Alright", Jin finally said, "You're right. I will be there, but don't expect to recognise me in the crowd. If I come in my usual attire, people might be less willing to talk." That seemed like to reasonable solution. She could threaten to get the information she wants, but that kind of brutish method was ill-suited for her.

The doctor clapped his hands together, blinking with joy.

"Magnificent. I shall go and ready the grounds for our gathering. Tomorrow night, it might be, but I have much to do." And with this, they exchanged their goodbyes for the second time that day, and Jin shut the door behind Klaus, more determined than before to finally get some rest. He turned, left the building and returned to the church, which practically served as his home, by now.

As he walked back, his pace slowed... He was again looking for a heretic to be slain. What whore would be out lurking in the night? What thief or murderer skulking in the shadows? Who would dare violate the town curfew? Any way the doctor could rationalize a death... He would do it.

He was just about to reach the church, when he noticed the doors seeming to open from the inside. He squinted, suspicious. He ducked behind one of the walls of the church, and waited, suspiciously. It was then that he saw two figures walking out of his church. He listened carefully, for the two were making conversation.

"What a total bust," said a gruff, male voice. "That lanky priest had not a single coin in that damned church. When was the last time someone made a donation!?"

"It doesn't make any sense." Said a wispy female voice. "As nice as the building looks you'd think someone was funding it."

As they walked away, Klaus squinted through the darkness, making sure to remember both if their faces. The man had a scruffy beard and wide frame, while the woman appeared to be an elder, hunched over with grey hair and wrinkles. As soon as they were gone, the doctor slid into the church. The two of them were heretical, trying to steal from the church, he thought. The only thing that spared their lives then and there was that Klaus did not have his mace handy. But tomorrow night, at the sermon... perhaps he could give them Jin's undesired attention... on this he plotted as he stayed up all night, humming calmly as he swept the church...

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following is a collaboration between King Ad Rock and yoikes

King Ad Rock
as

General Leonard Roadalia


yoikes
as

Holy Knight Thera

_____
​

Location: Abandoned Red Swan Tavern & Janer's personal home, Ashah, Roadalia

Date: Month 6, Day 15

Time: Half past the second hour of morning (2:30 A.M.)

_____​

Thera missed her chance to go home early, to walk out of the tavern together with the rest of the knights- Maybe even with Amber. Not anyone's fault, and she herself didn't mind being the last one to left. But she never expected to be here to hear something that she feel like she shouldn't hear.

"General, I would advise that you take care not to wholly and undoubtedly place your trust in the Captain."

The Captain... Janer? Of course, who else could it be? Thera watched as the Priestess departed from the tavern, leaving her alone with the general. Another fifteen minutes before one of them could go home, according to the Captain's plan.

Thera shifted between her legs, a bit uneasy that she felt whatever Azria told Leonard truly meant something. In fact, it sounded almost like a warning... And at the same time, she couldn't help but to be curious. Janer is her commanding officer, and also the mastermind of the entire plot... Wait. She... Isn't she basically the heart and brain of this plan? The one who invited and convinced everyone to join the cause?

If... If that is truly a warning... If something sinister is truly going on in the shadows...

"Sir," Thera called out, the feeling of doubt starting to fill her chest. "This is not my place to ask this question, but i feel like i have to: Do you think we can trust Captain Janer?"

Leonard stared off into the void, unblinking the entire time. It seemed that the gears were turning slowly in his head. Or perhaps he was just trying to comprehend just what the hell was actually going on. Azria’s parting words repeated over and over in his mind like an endless echo. It was true that Janer had been acting odd, but when did that exactly begin? Now that Leonard was finally giving it a true thought, it was not long after Miranda’s arrival.

In fact, he first noticed her change in demeanor specifically after she had a private meeting with Miranda. In those early months, the Queen has insisted that the entire court had one-on-one meetings with the new “Holy Visionary”. Leonard had put it off until he was no longer requested, but Janer had went to hers so she could confront the con artist in person. When she came back she told him it was just the maniac trying to convince her of her “powers”. But something had seemed off about his love on her return. He could not place his finger on just what it was, but it had troubled him every day since.

“Thera, I am not sure what it is about you, it could possibly be your calm and quiet disposition, but I believe I can trust you... I think I have to have faith and trust you.” Leonard closed his eyes slowly while finishing these words. The General snapped around quickly on his heel to face the much shorter Thera. “How well do you think you can trail someone without that person knowing?” He asked with a tone that hinted that this was a serious and quite personal request.

Calm and quiet? Thera wondered if that's how people saw her, or maybe just Leonard, but if it's good enough to win his trust then she'd just go along with it.

“How well do you think you can trail someone without that person knowing?”

"Confident enough." She truthfully replied. She was always more of a fighter, not a stalker or an assassin. "Sir... Captain Janer, do you want me to...?"

Leonard paused as if he was mulling over the decision in his mind. If Thera was successful, just what exactly was he expecting her to find? His head slowly rotated to take in the imagery of the abandoned tavern. The dreary scene seemed to mimic the feeling in the pit of his stomach. The same crow from before called out once more loudly through the silent night.

“Yes. If you go now, you may be able to catch up to her. I am not even sure what I am asking you to do here, Thera. Just... “ Leonard trailed off. His face slowly took on a look of both confusion and aggravation with a downturn of his eyes to the tavern floor. His teeth clamped down from his frustration with his lack of control in the situation. “Just follow her home and if she goes straight to sleep, then maybe my suspicions are for naught. I know she is your captain, but something just does not feel right.” Leonard realized the level of insubordination that he was asking for with this task.

“I know there is no reason for you to trust me, but…” Leonard did not have the words to finish this sentence.

“I know there is no reason for you to trust me, but…”

"But at least, you are telling the truth, sir." Thera bit her lower lips, instantly regretted what she just said. She had to make it clear that she did not want to try to insult Janer. "I mean- You didn't hide it for me, sir. What you are feeling, what you are thinking. I can trust that."

The wind whistled eerily throughout the dilapidated tavern, almost whispering of possible danger in the near future. Leonard waited a moment before responding. He was still trying get a grasp on the intense waves of emotion that were washing over him. Anger. Confusion. Fear.

Betrayal.

"Trust me on this Thera, something is not right." It was clear that Leonard was struggling internally. His mind was whirling and the drink he had consumed was not helping. The grimace on his face was evidence enough of this. "Meet me at my office at the break of daylight with whatever you find." With this said he tore his fiery gaze away from the back of the tavern door and brought it upon Thera. As his kind blue eyes connected with Thera's, the fire within them faded to a sad pleading. The light breeze tussled his blonde locks around his forehead and for a moment, he no longer looked liked the tall and gallant General of the Roadalian Army, but like a vulnerable young boy asking for help.

Thera didn’t know what surprised her more, the fact that Leonard was asking for her for help, or the fact that he could look this weak. She stood there in silence for a moment, but then she nodded.

"Consider it done." She said. "Keep your windows open, so I can report to you."

And with that, she turned and left. There was no time to spare, the sun would rise in a few hours.

Thera quietly walked toward her destination, the Captain's home. She wondered if she could catch up with her if she ran, but she could sense that someone was following her home. Too risky.

As she slowly walked under the moonlight, she remembered about how... Leonard looked when he asked for her help. She wondered if there was someone like that too inside of her, a helpless and confused little girl. The girl she once was, before all this shit happened.

But she didn't have time to think of what had passed, she needed to focus on the present.

She had only been to the Captain's house on a couple friendly occasions, but she already had it memorized. Soon, she could see the familiar house. It was just as normal as the other houses on the street; the only difference was that it was...

"Too quiet," Thera didn't like this. The house looked quiet, almost unoccupied. After making sure that she was alone, Thera approached the front door. She tried to open it, but it was locked from the inside. Since she didn't bring her lockpicking tool with her, she pondered whether she should break the lock, but what if Janer was inside? How would she explain her breaking her lock?

Thera decided to look around the house, finding an unlocked back door or a window. She was lucky, one of the windows in the kitchen was not locked. After entering the house from the kitchen, the first two things that she noticed was how quiet it was and how much she wanted to puke from the smell.

A smell she knew so well too.

The smell of death.

Covering her nose with her hand, and holding one of her hook sword with the other, she carefully made her way toward the source of the smell. The house, aside from being dark, was also messy. Table and chairs were knocked over; shards of vase and mirror were on the floor.

Thera stopped in front of a door, the smell clearly came from inside. She pushed the door open with her foot, and found a set of stairs leading down below.

She didn't like this at all.

After finding and lighting a candle she found in the kitchen, Thera made her way to the basement. One step at the time, still cautious thought she knew nothing else was here...

But Janer.

She knew it was her from her hair, that auburn hair of hers. It saddened her that that was the only part of her still recognizable from her bloated, half decomposed body.

With the state of her body, Thera knew that she wouldn't be able to find her cause of death.

How long have they've been fooled? Thera cursed, and prayed to whatever and whoever God was out there that Janer may find peace in her next life.

She hurriedly exited Janer’s house, and made a rush back to the Roadalian Military Headquarters. Leonard's office was located on the 2nd floor, but it was an easy climb for her. His office was the only one with it's lights still on, and windows slightly ajar.

Thera knocked on the door.

"I bring news," Thera paused. "It's not her."

 

[King Ad Rock]

The following is a collaboration post between

King Ad Rock as General Leonard Roadalia

yoikes as Holy Knight of Azae Thera

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​

Location: General Leonard Roadalia's office, Ashah, Roadalia

Date: Month 6, Day 15

Time: The third hour of morning (3:00 A.M.)

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​

Leonard watched the liquor swirl around the inside of the glass in his hand as he shook it around in a mild boredom. Perhaps he had been swigging back the booze just a bit too much lately. In reality, he was fully aware that he had been, but with the recent goings on he felt that it was the only thing on this earth that was keeping him grounded. Prayer had been doing nothing for his peace of mind and if the General was being completely honest with himself, he was beginning to enter a crisis of faith.

This was a near sin in the holy land of Roadalia.

He was leaning back in his cushioned chair behind his finely made desk in his elaborate office. A large array of leather bound books were stacked on oak bookshelves that covered the walls behind him. Many were writer’s interpretations on religious scripture, while the others were of interesting fiction from around the world. One would even be able to find a few forbidden texts hidden amongst the others. He had read every page several times over.

A single candle burned and slowly melted the wax on the desk beside him, giving off only a tiny bit of illumination onto is grim countenance.

Leonard could not rid his mind of the image of Miranda’s smug smile or the sound of her silver tongued serpent words. And whenever the thoughts of Miranda would come to him, they would soon be followed by thoughts of the Queen. These in turn would remind him of his own mother, who had been afflicted with a mental condition not unlike Gayana’s. Her horrible outbursts throughout his childhood had buried themselves deep in the back of his head, only rearing their ugly face during rare moments of weakness. His father, the lieutenant of the Roadalian military, had passed away when Leonard was just a boy, leaving him to grow up with and eventually take care of his mother by himself. She finally succumbed to illness when Leonard was only twenty-one, and even though this memory always brought him great shame, he remembered he had felt a sense of relief upon her last breath. In fact, General Leonard had not thought of his mother for quite some time.

That was until Miranda quoted her verbatim to his face, with an accurate and bone chilling tone.

Leonard nearly spilled his drink all over himself when he jumped from the gentle knock on his grand office door. The glass slipped from his hand but he was able to catch it again almost instantly before even a single drop escaped from its rim. He was actually quite impressed by this. A quiet and familiar voice came from behind the door soon after,

"I bring news," The voice belonged to Thera. She had returned from the mission he had sent her on. She paused before continuing, "It's not her." What exactly did she mean by this? It was not her? Leonard furrowed his brow in confusion while gingerly setting his glass down on the desktop.

“Thera.” Leonard projected in almost a whisper. Even though the military offices were empty at this hour, he still remained cautious. “Please, come in.”

Thera hesitated at first, but she did as the general asked.

"I... I followed her to her home..." Thera paused, again. Why am I hesitating? Janer is dead and Leonard deserves to know it. Let's just get this over with. "... And it looks empty. When I broke in, I found traces of fighting and a stench the two of us knew too well... I do not understand how it is possible, but she has been dead for at least a month already."

Leonard watched Thera inch her way into his office and quietly close the door behind her. There was a cast of melancholia throughout her whole demeanor that she appeared to be trying to hide. Her eyes were downcast and she seemed hesitant in her movements. He listened to her words intently, but her tone seemed both uncertain and wary.

The dire information that Thera was trying to dispense to Leonard was lost on him. He thought that maybe the wine had caused him to mishear her. The man did somehow manage to down several glasses of it while waiting for Thera to finish her reconnaissance. Her choice of words left him feeling confused on the surface, but a deep underlying fear began to emanate from the pit of his stomach. Just what did she mean by traces of a struggle? And did she just say that someone had been dead for months?

Leonard found himself with a rather bigoted thought. Considering Thera was foreign-born, it occurred to him that she may have been mixing something up in her speech. He quickly pushed this thought away once he reminded himself that even though she was quiet, she spoke the common words perfectly in every one of their few exchanges. No, she had conveyed her message fluently, but it was the information itself he was having trouble processing.

She was trying to tell him that she had found Janer dead, and that she had somehow been deceased for months.

Leonard's pulse quickened as his thoughts raced through his head. Externally, he attempted to keep his composure and exaggerated his disbelief with a furrowed brow of slight agitation.

“I do not believe I understand you, Thera.” His left hand was placed over his face with his thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of his nose, while his right hand gestured for Thera to take a seat in the ornately carved wooden chair across from him. He was now finding it difficult to swallow as the saliva rapidly dried from his mouth.

There was something brewing at the core of him that he was struggling to keep at bay. A feeling. Or was it a voice? A voice whose volume was increasing with each passing second. It rose through him and found itself shrieking in the back of his mind like a Yiptik howling at a full moon.

“SHE IS RIGHT! YOU KNOW IT! THAT IS NOT-” Leonard gave his head a rigid shake to try and quiet the internal dialogue. For a moment, he pondered whether or not the voices in Gayana’s head sounded just like this.

“Are you trying to say that you found Janer dead? And that her corpse is somehow rotting…?” The disbelief was more than evident in these inquiries. Leonard was beginning to regret passing out the liquor to the group at the meeting, especially when their low tolerance should have been painfully obvious to him. Also, he was starting to question if Thera was the correct choice for this mission.

“I do not- I am-” he stammered over how to question her next. Despite the growing feeling of dread and the screeching contentions within, Leonard had, so far, successfully convinced himself that Thera’s possibly inebriated imagination was just running wild.

The alternative was unfathomable and could possibly destroy his sense of reality.

“We had just parted way with her only about an hour ago. How would such a thing even be possible?” He questioned while making an effort to soften his facial expression and meeting Thera’s gaze with his own.

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​

“I do not believe I understand you, Thera.”

Thera have half expected this answer, noticing just how much wine he had drank. She opened her mouth, about to say something, when she noticed how Leonard suddenly looked so disturbed and confused. Maybe all the drinking tonight was getting inside of his head.

She stood there and listened to him patiently.

“We had just parted way with her only about an hour ago. How would such a thing even be possible?”

"It's impossible. No dead should be able to talk and walk around like what she just did. I don't believe in ghosts, but I know that's her corpse I found in the basement." Thera did not enjoy where this conversation was going.

In any other reality, Leonard would have slowly agreed with Thera and sent her on home to sleep off whatever the drink had done to make her say such insane things. But in this specific reality where he was sitting right now, a cold sweat broke out on his brow almost instantly. His mind floated back to the day Janer left to visit Miranda. He vividly remembered how different she seemed on her return. How it had felt like she was almost a different person. A change that did not shake since that day, try as he did to convince himself it was all in his head.

What Thera was telling him was just not possible. Not in real life. What he was considering just could not happen in real life.

“No… Janer...”

His stomach felt like it was constantly flipping itself over as he felt himself begin to gag. The intense realization of everything was too much for his body to handle.

Leonard turned and emptied the contents of his stomach into a hand-wash bowl on a small table by his desk.

He retched and his muscles tightened while a loud hacking noise came from his throat. His throat burned not only from the vomited stomach acid, but also from the fact that it was almost entirely liquor. Leonard’s breath was heavy as he gasped a bit for air once finished. During all of this, he had almost forgotten that Thera was still standing in his office watching him. He spit once and then twice in an attempt to remove the disgusting taste from his mouth. Normally, this would be where Leonard would apologize for such a scene, but instead, a guttural voice forced its way from his curled lips,

“Take me to her.”

 

[DemetrioMachete]

The following is a collaborative post between...

King Ad Rock as Guinevere von Vasten
DemetrioMachete as Father Heinrich Klaus

Month 6, Day 16, 7:41 PM​

The sun was beginning to set, and the light rapidly faded. In the final moments of twilight, Klaus had finally finished his preparations for the outdoor sermon. The fire pit was dug and ready to be lit, wooden stumps were aligned around it; meant to be used as seats, and, for the sake of catching the murderer, a small wooden fence had been erected behind the church. Only one swift way in, through the gate, and one swift way out, through the gate. Klaus thought deep in his mind, those two that attempted to rob his church.. how, exactly would he frame them for the murders..? It might have to wait until the sermon finished...

An hour passed, and the fire pit roared to life as the logs within were set aflame by the doctor's flint and steel. People began to flock in, and at Klaus' insistence, seated themselves upon the stumps around the fire. It was a welcome change from the bitter T'Odis winds of the North.

"Welcome, welcome welcome, my lovely Palenhome!" He announced, jovially clapping his hands together, eyeing everyone who had arrived. He didn't quite recognize the people who broke into his church, but he remembered their voices well.. All he had to do was get them to talk.

"Soon enough, we will begin our latest passage in our beloved faith, but first, your souls must be washed of sin; as only the truly faithful will benefit from our Holyness's teachings. I will circle around the fire, and so you all shall confess your sins to me, so that we may begin..."

Jin’s day leading up to her stumbling in a dress too small for comfort had gone as expected; that was, awful. She didn’t know people saw in joining the Holy Knights – and certainly not anymore what she had thought herself – when all you got in return for being worth more than a damn in combat and wits was doing tasks not even the queen’s personal dogs would be sent to do. While she was annoyingly aware of the fact that her own problems were her own fault, it didn’t lessen the impact on her pride having to enter a holy place looking like a tramp.

Finding a disguise in a town like Palenhome was hard enough. There was, of course, no tailor. She had asked, and the next one was two hours away with carriage. Quite frankly, Jin didn’t have the patience or the time to endure another ride without popping a vein and so she had instead opted to pay a visit to one of the soldiers living nearby. To her luck, there was a woman among the men willing to give up a piece of her wardrobe – but things were, also of course, never easy. The girl had been close to the deceased soldier and the Holy Knight had to awkwardly try and console her for longer than the trip to that damned tailor; the dress Jin got for her troubles hardly fit her and it took her another trip and back to finally tie a corset without suffocating or stabbing herself with a blade she tried to hide near her thighs.

Still slightly sour from the entire ordeal, the knight followed the residents of Palenhome to the fire that burned and lit the night from outside. She seated herself on to one of the wooden stumps scattered around, and waited patiently for the sermon to begin until finally, Klaus words rang out from the other side of the warm light.

Jin furrowed her eyebrows in displeasure at the announcement. It hadn’t been her intention to come here to actually participate in churchly activities, because she had no time to listen to words of Azae she knew by heart. Even less was she ready to speak in front of an audience about her sins when the capital offered her a much more private confessional. The knight wasn’t concerned that anyone would recognise her voice, since she had not talked to anyone but the weird priest and the innkeeper, but, well. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment at the state of her much too small attire. Jin had hoped that no one would actually notice her this night. Holding her breath and trying to swallow the mortification at the same time, she listened to the confessions of the townsfolk, dreading the minute she had to.

The priest circled around in silence, taking in a curious eye to see who and all had shown up. There were only a handful of soldiers who had shown up, likely friends of the recently deceased. The rest seemed to be following their duty and guarding the town. He didn't spot Knightess Jin among their rank, nor could he find anyone who fit her description. Either she had a truly deceiving disguise, or she had not shown up at all. How perplexing. Klaus did, however, spot the two that attempted to rob his church the night prior. His eyes glowered with utter contempt and calm rage, but soon he removed his gaze from them.

"Let us first... take a moment to mourn the brave soldier who lost his life the morning of yesterday. All of Roadalia's soldiers deserve our praise, for they defend Azae's children til their dying breath, and by no mortal or material means can we repay a debt such as that." All the while, as he spoke, Klaus circled the roaring fire. Light washed over one half of his face, and seemed to creep beneath his black facial covering. It produced a diluted silhouette of the hidden portions of his face. It was thin, with high cheekbones. His lips, though faintly visible, seemed to be curved into an aloof smile.

"In light of his sacrifice, allow me to read onto you, a passage from the Way of the Mother..." He took a deep breath, and muddled through his scrolls, attempting to find the correct one. Once he did, his recital began.

"I recite this line, found in Couswa, 2:19. It states as such; To love life, living, and the life of others, is to obey the wishes of Azae in the utmost faith and diligence. Never shall a man, woman, or child's blood be spilt under any circumstance save to protect myself, my possessions, or to protect those I love. Let the prey I pierce in the heart by my arrow and spear forgive my need, as the grass they feed upon forgives them. Let it be known to the world that the Mother will forgive her unruly children, and set them straight onto the path to righteousness, which ends only in paradise. I ask of thee all, do as the Mother Azae desires. Confess thy sins to me, and allow me to forgive you, and to set your still learning minds straight. There is no judgment to be had here, for it is not within our power as mere humans to judge and condemn, only to forgive, and educate." Now, Klaus circled around, looking his patrons in the eye, inspiring the courage, or maybe even the fear, to spill out their guilts.

"I... I spy on the women of the town. I am awash with a lust for them."

"Take to your home, and use your hands and your mind to satisfy your desires. Walk into town with a level head and your desires now suppressed. You'll find yourself peeping far less."

"I find myself overcome at times by the desire to... kill my husband and child. I have never acted on it, but I do not want to think this way."

"Set up a dummy of straw somewhere secluded. When your urges return, vent upon the dummy. Come and see me on your spare time, and we will counsel your wrathful temptations."

"I have not donated to the church in a long time. I am worried that I will be taxed the moment I do, and it will leave my family starving."

"Does anyone in your home partake in pottery? Weaving? Maybe even farming? All of these talents can be serviced for currency, and you may donate with that."

Now, Klaus walked up to Jin, looking into her eyes, expecting her to come clean with some sort of sin.

The villagers - or rather, some of them - seemed to be positively degenerate from what Jin heard of the stories. Nothing she wasn't used to hearing from the capital, yet there it was in the form of whispered rumours and exaggerated stories; here, everyone projected their darkest desires to the public, and the very idea of it was a mystery to her. Nobility, back at home, was ruthless. Even an insignificant story about a lad spilling her drink might turn into a full-blown scandal if any vultures decided they were bored of their husbands and latched onto it. There was no shortage of good, goddess-loving women being ridiculed for their mistakes, and in Palenhome, having a desire to kill one's family was met with not a single bat of an eye. What has happened here before that the people of this town showed no reaction to such dastardly things?

There was no time to think about it, however. Klaus would soon reach her, and Jin would have to quickly think of a solution. Never would she lie to the goddess, or a priest of hers even if her very life was threatened; it went against the morals of the country she would die for, and therefore, her own. Though there was no rule that she did not have to hide certain details unless specifically asked. Her true sorrows, in their entirety, would blow her cover and alert the culprit of her presence. Surely Azae was kind enough to forgive her omissions in the name of justice.

Eventually, the priest stopped before her, and looked expectantly into her eyes. Jin grimaced, still not at peace with the road she would take, but all hesitation vanished when she thought of the soldiers murdered by the very man she was here to stop.

"There is something I forgot that must have been important. I am troubled that, perhaps, I have commited a crime and chosen to forget my sin." It was close enough to the truth to not be a lie, Jin hoped, but kept a straight face to distract from her worries, staring right into the priests eyes as she finished speaking.


Forgot something? That was a sin, to this woman? Klaus was briefly silenced, taking a deep breath as he thought of a resolution to this particular predicament of hers.
"Ho-ho... there may be a case of being late, but let it be known that it can never be "too" late. Go back, retrace your steps, and retrieve what you have forgotten, be it an object or a thought." Klaus patted the woman he did not realize to be Jin on the shoulder, mentally cooing about how innocent she seemed. Forgetting something, a sin. How adorable. He moved onto the pair that had attempted to rob his church. His eyes squinted upon them as he peered into their faces with the light of the fire. There was a long silence, as the thieves' stomachs turned cold from a sudden surge of fear. The man, gruff of voice, was the first to speak, trying to save face.

"I... I've no troubles I can recall immediately... do you?" He looked to the older woman, who stammered out a response.

"I... I tend to feed any creature I come across... even the rats." They didn't seem ready to face the doctor. His presence filled them both with an aching dread. Klaus, at the woman's response, narrowed his eyes in utter disgust.

"Hold out your hand."

The woman, now trembling where she sat, did as asked, and tenderly held out her hand. It was here that Klaus could see her shaking uncontrollably.

"Do you need to move closer to the fire? You're trembling quite bad."

"Father... she is an elder. They tend to shake as they age..." the gruff man tried to defend the woman, but Klaus held up a hand in protest.

"Nonsense. This cold weather must be doing a number on her. Come, my elder. Move closer to the fire." Reluctantly, she agreed. Klaus helped her up, draping an arm of hers over his shoulder as he carefully inched the old woman closer to the fire. Closer.. closer... ever so much closer.... soon, he thought.

"Would someone please move her seat closer?" The gruff man, needing to get up and relieve his own chill of fright, complied and lifted up her stump, bringing it to them. Klaus then set her down easy, gazing with sadistic glee as he saw her terrified face glow in the flames... Those beautiful orange embers he wanted to toss her into. But how to make it look accidental, in front of all these soldiers? What if Jin was here, too? How would he fool her?

The soldiers eyed Klaus and the elderly woman suspiciously, as he had indeed placed her dangerously close to the blaze. Any minute now, her garb could catch ablze from some errant ember, and they would have to act fast to put her out. Klaus, however, did not seem the least bit concerned about her safety, as though he had experience or confidence about being so close to open flames.

The old woman herself, despite the flames warming her, she still found herself frozen in fear. Did the priest know what she did the night prior? That she and her son attempted to pilfer the church? She wouldnt dare admit to it, not with these soldiers around, and certainly not to Klaus himself. Something about him, she thought. He just seemed... dangerous. She trembled and hung her head, shutting her eyes in desperate prayer that she could maintain her "innocence". It seemed to work, as Klaus moved away from her, refusing to take his eyes off the old woman.

"There is a certain passage, I would like to read out to you all, tonight. One I feel that would help us through these frightful times." As Klaus spoke, he reached his gloved hands beneath his black veil, feeling at something briefly.

"There is a vagrant among us who sees fit to claim the life of others. They seek our fear, our pain. Can anyone tell me, where in the holy scripture, a devout of Azae was faced with mind-breaking adversity and fear?"

Klaus had mentioned the chance the culprit - or culprits, in this case - would show themselves, but Jin could hardly believe the stuttering messes in the spots next to her could be responsible for anything but a minor crime. Whoever was responsible for the murders had to be someone far more sinister and calculating than whoever these villagers seemed to be. Klaus must be participating in some elaborate joke, or simply had some grudge against the two she hadn't yet been able to wrap her head around. Priests have to be more forgiving than this, don't they...?

Nevertheless, she had to watch as Klaus coaxed the woman closer to the fire, cracking and gleaming dangerously close to the elders gown. The priest surely must be beyond himself; the look he gave her was cold as ice, and even when his words seemed sweet and benevolent, there was not a single ounce of honesty behind them.

Jin was close to gritting her teeth in frustration. She should jump up and help the woman paralyzed with fear move away from the fire, but a small voice in the back of her head warned her: Your cover will be blown.The gathering didn't seem to be even close to done yet and she wasn't about to ruin quite possibly her only chance to come closer to the culprit's true nature.

Klaus had moved away the the woman, leaving her to shiver in fear and gruesome anticipation. "There is a vagrant among us who sees fit to claim the life of others", Klaus started, voice smooth and unbothered, "They seek our fear, our pain." He continued non-chalantly and Jin merely stared at the scene behind her.

A single ember had found it's way into the woman's gown, and there was complete silence for a fleeting moment - the priest had finished his question, and the flame slowly rose higher and higher - until it hit the elder's leg, and she screamed.

Jin sprung up immediately like it was second nature to her, grabbed the blade from her thigh in one smooth motion and wasted not a single second as she cut off the burning garnment from the woman's body when she reached her. The knight grabbed it, hissing as the heat torched her skin and immediately threw it into the fire, pulling the woman and herself away from the flames as she did.

And just as Jin let out the breath she had been holding, her face went white as she realised the entire population of Palenhome was staring at her, as she sat on the ground, blade in one hand and dress hiking up her thighs, and it took her only a second to realise she had quite possibly made a major mistake.

As Klaus awaited an answer to his question, for someone to come forth with a passage, he instead heard the strained cries of the elder he had set so close to the flames. His head jerked around, his eyes wide as he caught a glimpse of her garbs in flames. How utterly ironic, he thought. She would get a taste of Hell, tonight! As the flames surged brightly, he raised an arm to shield himself from the brightness, determined to act in her "aid", until the woman, the one he thought so precious as to think forgetting something was a sin, leapt before he could, using a concealed blade to tear away her burning clothes!

The elder collapsed once she was away from the flames, trembling as her legs stung of the pain her minor burns inflicted. Her son, the gruff thief, leapt up, calling her in desperate urgency.

"Mother! Mother! You okay!?"

The elder remained silent, her eyes wide with fear, and her lips trembling. Practically catatonic. The man was growing emotional at the site of her, desperately shaking her in an attempt to resolve her stillness.

People were stuck staring between the cries of a grown man trying to revive his mother, and the strange woman with her blade. Klaus, while taking utter satisfaction in the former, found himself fixated on the latter. Where did he recognize this...? Her face, illuminated by the glow of the flame, that assertive, but exposed stance...

He felt like he knew, but until it was confirmed, he felt he had to remain vague. He merely clapped his hands in applause for Jin, nodding his head.

"A fine display of quick reflexes and heroics, Madam!" He praised, spurring a few others to clap, as well.

"But... back to the business at hand... I do believe Holy Mother Azae is trying to tell us something." The clapping ceased, as Klaus approached the stunned elderly woman and her soon-to-be crying son.

"The flames, they lashed out at you, for she is doing what she can to ensure an honest life. You stray away by lying of your sins..." as the doctor walked around them, the son looked up at Klaus, his face red with fear and anger.

"So tell me. What really happened that brought you to this? Do not lie." Another silence fell across the residents of Palenhome, as their attention fixated upon the man and his burnt mother... Klaus was among those keeping his attention on Jin, strictly because she was armed. What if her movements and mamnerisms matched the killers? He had to keep suspicion off of him...


Jin stood before the group villagers as the intense confusion built all around her. she could feel the stares of what felt like a hundred pairs of eyes bursting from her on-looker’s heads. The awkward feeling that poured over her from their glares was only exacerbated by her ill-fitting dress. Jin had done what had gotten her in trouble so many times before in the past: she had acted without thinking.

The pale moonlight that had broke through Roadalia’s cloudy sky was glimmering off of Jin’s blade, capturing the old woman's reflection perfectly. While lying on the dirt by Jin’s feet, the woman's mouth was agape with shock and horror as her head tilted up and pivoted between Jin and Klaus.

“Great.” Jin’s ever-defeated inner dialogue said flatly. The disguised Holy Knight had wished to stay incognito for quite a bit longer during the doctor’s strange communal confessional. Jin had hoped that removing her intimidating position as a factor would allow her to acquire the leads she would need in order to close this case as soon as possible. But now, judging by the looks of those around her, Jin was in for quite a headache of trying clear up the confusion for these rural Town Folk

Just when Jin was about to open her mouth to explain the situation, the elderly woman leapt from her position at Jin’s own feet to grovel at the lanky Doctor's, much to Jin’s surprise.

“Father Klaus! Father Klaus!” The woman began to shriek and sob at his boots. “I confess! Oh by the mercy of the Goddess I confess!” The crowd gasped nearly in unison. What was this? Had whatever mind games that the doctor was trying to play on the woman work?

“W-we did not kill anyone! That is not the sin we are guilty of!” The confessing elder reached her shaking hands to someone in the crowd. Jin eyed a reluctant boar of a man inching his way forward. There was a stern look on his face, Jin could not tell if it was anger, regret, fear, or a combination of the three. The apparent son somewhat came to his mother's aid with a hand on her sobbing shoulder.

The man's eyes never left Klaus though. That was something the Holy Knight took note of. Was this group confession something the village did often, or was it some kind of show just for Jin? The woman's continued public confession cut through Jin’s thoughts.

“We t-tried to steal fr-from the church! W-we st-steal from everywhere. It's how we surv-”

“She does not know what she is saying. She is old.” The son tried to cover his mother's admitting to their thievery with tales of dementia, but she would not have it. She rose to her feet with surprising speed and clutched at his shirt.

“We must confess! Confess and repent in the eyes of Azae. I saw her wrath in the flames!” The son clutched his mother's bony hands as she began to sob into his chest. He looked over her convulsing shoulder directly at Klaus and glared.

“How dare you Father Klaus!? You have scared her out of her wits. You are lucky she is not burned!” He growled at Klaus with his ever-growing accusatory tone. “I never did like you. There was always something off.”

Jin was not sure when she became one of the spectators over the spectacle, but she did not mind the odd turn of events. She waited with bated breath to see where Klaus was going to take this wild affront to religious tradition.

As everyone stared wide-eyed at Jin and the aftermath of her heroics, Klaus shifted his attention away, merely glaring down at the old woman. When she began to sob at his feet, and admit to her thieving, his eyes narrowed, twitching erratically when her son attempted to cover their tracks. But alas, it was too late. They had already confessed to this theft, and supposedly many more. As much as Klaus desired to cave her pitiful skull in, and force her son to watch... now was not the time, nor the place.

Klaus took a deep breath, muted among the flames and the old woman's cries. When he exhaled, his eyes shut briefly, before returning to their former brightness.

"Very well. All is forgiven." He spoke quickly, brushing off her confession as nothing too special. The old woman was utterly in shock. Forgiven, so easily? She couldnt move. She was unsure whether to feel guilt, sadness, anger or confusion.

"I.... what.... F-Father Klaus..."

"All is forgiven." Klaus repeated himself, missing nary a beat. "You may rise. Tis not my place to deal with petty thievery."

Her son, however, turned red in the face.

"You... how DARE you!?" He stormed towards the priest, his fists clenching.

"You cause my mother to catch fire, lose her mind and have her GROVELLING at your feet... and you.. you treat her confession as a mere joke!?" The thieving son grabbed Klaus by the neck of his robe, the priest giving no resistance as the uniformed soldiers in attendence quickly acted to separate them and restrain the man's short temper.

"Alas, I tell no jests, my child," Klaus spoke to him softly.

"However, the long arm of Palenhome's law may take a different tone to your thievery... and attempted assault. You need not steal when behind bars... the jail will keep you fed."

This stranger, the old woman's son, was stunned by the priest's words.

"Attempted assau...." it was not too long before he was actively thrashing to release himself from the grip of the two men restraining him, to no avail.

"ATTEMPTED ASSAULT!? UNHAND ME NOW - I WILL SHOW YOU ATTEMPTED ASSAULT YOU LANKY COWARD! YOU HEAR ME!? YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY FROM THIS! NO ONE HARASSES MY DEAR OLD MOTHER!"

The son was evicted from the sermon in short order, leaving only the old woman, tears leaking from her eyes as she stared at the ground in disbelief. Klaus let the tension simmer down for a moment or two, before he leaned down and spoke in whispers to the elder.

"Will you give yourself over to the law? Azae has decreed that serving your sentence will pardon your sins..."

The light from the fire flickered over this tense scene. Jin took a quick moment to scan the faces of the crowd in the dancing illumination. Not one eye was upon her. The increasingly dramatic scene had stolen everyone's attention for the time being. Jin could not say she was surprised when the guards came to take the old woman's son for accosting the priest. He clearly had a hold over this town and seemed to be the closest thing to a mayor or official they had.

If it was not for that lanky frame, he would be suspect number one. Jin could not imagine a man of his delicateness being able to cause that kind of damage to a trained Roadalian soldier. But still, the man, his mannerisms, and way of speaking were all more then odd. She could still not truly believe she was in such a situation with such characters.

"Will you give yourself over to the law? Azae has decreed that serving your sentence will pardon your sins..."
The priest whispered these words to the woman but Jin's keen ears picked them up. It was surreal the way Klaus' voice could be both soothing and accusatory. The elderly woman hesitated.

"I..." The tears were growing on the hunched woman's wrinkled cheeks. "I will give myself up Father, please accept my surrender. I-I have made so many mistakes in my long life." She outstretched her arms and waited for a guard to come and take her away. As one came forward to take the thieving woman away to what was probably the town jail, Jin took this short opportunity to inch her way next to Klaus' side. With a hand on his bony elbow and an upturn of her glaring eyes, she spoke forcefully,

"We need to speak, Father."

Klaus stood tall, as the elder was whisked away without a fight. Beneath that black veil, which covered all from his nose down to his chin and neck, one could almost see a sinister smile form across it. It was not until he felt something touch him, and a familiar, assertive voice filled his ears with a single stern demand that Klauz broke from his stupor, turning his head to face Jin. He was silent for a time, as he thought of a way to get himself and Jin alone, for this "talk". When the inspiration hit him, he nodded, and gestured to Jin with a single finger, as though to say "hold on one second". Then, turning to the crowd , he spread his arms out wide, and addressed them all.

"And this will conclude our sermon, for tonight. I am aware that it has been far shorter than normal, but... whew, events became quite heated, no? Have a wonderful night, everyone. And please, be safe walking home. Azae protects."

At his dismissal, the people began to rise up, leaving the warmth of the fire for the comfort of their homes. The soldiers were among the last to leave, scouring every last presence for some form of malice, before turning their heads back to Klaus and the armed woman. A few squints of suspicion were shared, but nothing was made of it, and soon they too, walked off. Now it was just Klaus and Jin, standing by the fire as it began to lose strength.

Klaus took one step away from Jin, then turned around to face her. His hands were at his sides, completely open and visible.

"What do you require of me, Madam Knightess?"

The priest had the audacity to plainly ask her this? Despite being a Holy Knight of Azae, Jin was not the biggest expert on archaic religious traditions, but even she knew that what the priest was practicing here with these simple townspeople was blasphemous. They clearly knew no better then him and his odd interpretations of Azae. Not to mention, that this whole event seemed like a waste of time that brought nothing to light that had to do with the murders.

"By the name of Saran Melander, what do you think you are doing here, Klaus?" Not realizing how ridiculous it looked in her current state of dress, Jin passionately put her hands on her hips in an attempt to seem serious. Her grey eyes were burning more fierce than the former fire. "Do you care to explain just what all this is? Because I am honestly at a loss for words here."

The tall, masked man looked down at her, concealing a smirk that found his lips, as her hands found her hips. What was he doing, she asked? Why if he had to tell her the truth, Klaus would say that he was cleansing this town of heresy and crime. But alas, Jin did not want to know the truth, she wanted the murderer brought to justice. And it was so, in light of this, that Klaus brought forth this reply.

"I am setting bait." It came forth as whimsical as his voice had ever been, as though the seriousness of the situation was lost on him.

"I have an idea on what this murderer may be after. You listened to the people and their confessions, yes? How morbid they were? Why, one of them said she outright had urges to kill her family!" The priest found himself pacing around as he explained this, never once taking his eyes off of Jin.

"And those two, the ones the guards took away, how utterly worked up they were? I had an idea... what if, either by means of coincidence or receiving a threat... maybe they think, or possibly know... that they're next?" To this, he raised a hand up to his face, and raised an index finger.

"So we, or you, if you prefer, can lie in wait at the jail, and accost the murderer there..." there was a brief silence, before Klaus began to look down, deep in thought.

"That is... unless perhaps I made a lucky guess and got the murderer arrested? You saw how that man was ready to strike me, over his mother's penance. It was possible.. someone with his build may have been able to kill a soldier if he ambushed them."

Would Jin even buy any of this? Klaus delivered his lies so boldly, seeing them with his mind, as no lies at all. The flames, and the light they brought, were all but gone, now.

Jin was at a loss for words yet again, but this time it was for the complete opposite reason. Klaus's plan was actually a decent one, albeit not for the reasons he thought. The thing was, she had information that he did not. She had personal documents on the soldier that was killed that one of her own men collected before her arrival. This document told the tale of a soldier that lead a more than questionable second life. A life of gambling debts and a penchant for visiting secret underground brothels. Reports of their suspected locations were sent back to the capital, but Jin knew that they would be long packed up and gone before anyone could get to them. As it usually was with the roving pick-up brothels in the country.

But this detail is what the deceased soldier shared with the other victims. They all had some sort of known sin or vice in their life. Things much darker than your average transgression. This connection is what she kept coming back to when she peered over the measly notes. Maybe the killer knew about these misdeeds and was doling out punishment? With the spectacle that Klaus created, whether intentional or not, it was sure to get back to the killer about the thieving mother and son. The idea did not sound so crazy, despite coming from an apparent lunatic.

"I'll concede that your plan sounds like it may work, although I will not hide by myself. I have a small group of men accompanying me and I will have them move to the jail immediately under the cover of this night. They will disguise themselves as common beggars and place themselves in another cell as a trick, provided this one-horse village has more than one cell?" Jin cocked an eyebrow at the end of this sentence. She looked up and off into the moonlit Roadalian sky. There was nary a cloud in it. She thought it was a rather beautiful sight to behold on this evening .

"Do I deserve this, Captain? Is this really the best use of my talents?"

Jin quickly snapped back to attention and to Klaus. The moon's luminescence only heightened the creepiness of the doctor's veil, and proved to send a sudden and unexpected shiver down Jin's spine. Just what was he hiding under there? She all at once did not feel comfortable being out alone with him, even if it did look like the wind could take him away at any moment. There was always something off about his vibe, just like the thieving son had said.

"This conversation is not over though. I believe it is wise for me to look into your practices here in Palenhome to make sure everything is done right by the Goddess. As is my duty." Jin was practically running away from Klaus with her hurried pace after that last sentence. As she approached the inn that was keeping her, she turned to possibly wave good-bye, fearing her hurrying away may appear rude. But when she turned, she stopped mid-wave when she saw that he had not moved a muscle. He was just standing there motionlessly by the burnt out fire.

Watching her.

Klaus cupped his hands together as Jin spoke of her plans to wait at the jail, within the cells. As she inquired about the number of cells the town jail held, maybe it wasnt a relevant detail, but alas, the priest opted to answer anyway.

"We have four cells. The amount of bandits who frequent our tiny little Palenhome would surprise you, Madam Knightess."

Klaus eyed her soon after, looking for a reaction of some kind. She seemed to be staring off into the night sky. Curious... from what he could tell, Jin seemed to still be thinking on her "sin" of "forgetting something". Perhaps, the priest thought, if he inquired about her, he could assist her in remembering what she had forgotten? Ever since she arrived, Jin had been aloof and distant... to be expected though. She and Klaus were total strangers.

When she brought up her own impending investigation of his own faith, Klaus merely nodded his head, watching silently as she walked away.

"May Azae bring you success."

. . .

When she finally did leave, Klaus retired to the Church, making sure to lock the doors, this time. Perhaps it was his fault, that he lead the man and his mother to heresy? Had he locked the doors last night, or simply been there, he could have ki-... no. Stopped their downfall.

With a heavy sigh, Klaus disappeared into his chambers; not only a place of sleep, but of study. Study, he felt he had to. His heart was so suddenly wracked with a wretched anger and guilt that slumber would only agitate it. With his inkwell and quill, he set to work on writing in one of his loosely organized tomes, labeled as "Calm". Tonight would be a quiet night in Palenhome. As Jin waited at the jail.... nothing would find her senses save for the grumbling resentment of the man, and the quiet, sobbing prayers of his mother. Tomorrow was a new day, as the sunny morning would soon be wracked with an overcast sky, much to the chagrin of anyone that desired the warmer weather.

Jin stared up at the stone ceiling of the Palenhome cell through her hazy vision. The coldness from the stone slab that her head rested on was just uncomfortable enough to keep her from dozing off. That, and the just audible sound of the thieving elder's sobs. Earlier in the night, Jin was forced to shout quiet her son who was screaming at his mother for confessing to Klaus. Now, every half hour or so, the son would suddenly blare out from his own cell for his mother to stop her crying. Jin would, in turn, respond authoritatively for him to be silent and that he was responsible for his own fate. It eventually took threats of calling in her men from outside to deal with him to get the despicable bastard to shut up.

"This was actually a terrible idea."

Palenhome's tiny jail, a small offshoot building attached to the town guard's barracks, was barely lit by pitiful oil lanterns. Jin had made sure to change from that ridiculously fitted dress that she adorned earlier to the most common clothing she had brought with her. The lack of light, cold air, and the bickering mother and son made the entire night a miserable experience. Despite all of this, Jin could only fight off slumber for so long. She could feel her eyelids growing heavy with aggravated exhaustion as the thieving mother's steady rhythmic sobs slowly lulled her to sleep.

_______
Jin felt like she was floating weightlessly through the air with disembodied faces all around her. Each of these faces would blur with each attempt to focus in on them. There was a darkness all around her save for the illuminated faces. Echoes and whispers filled her ears only to flee them before she could decipher their words. Her feet found assured footing as one face came into focus before her, one that was all too familiar. The voices that filled her ears coalesced into a single entity.

It was her own voice.

"There is something I forgot that must have been important. I am troubled that, perhaps, I have committed a crime and chosen to forget my sin."

It was as if these words were spoken from elsewhere, their origin a mystery. It was as if they were giving more focus and a body to the face directly in front of her. Jin waited with bated breath, though she was never truly breathing at all, for her recognition of who this was to burst through her thoughts.

It did not take long.

His handsome olive-colored eyes met her stare. It had felt like ages since she had last felt his loving and calming gaze. His intimate cocky smile was making its unhurried way across his beautiful lips. There was nothing she wanted more then to take one step forward and gently place her lips upon his. But with her step, a rapid change came over him; his eyes glazed over with the grayness of death, and his skin decayed to that of a corpse in just a blink of an eye. The cocky smile on his lips soon peeled back to reveal two rows of rotted and missing teeth. As the gorgeous lock on his head grayed and fell from their place, his eyes sunk back into their sockets giving his face a skull-like appearance. A putrid smell invaded her nostrils causing her to want to jump back, but her feet were firmly frozen in place.

Jin was now face-to-face with a long-dead corpse.

The abhorrent creature unhinged its decomposing jaw and rasped a query at Jin that sounded more like a demand for an answer.

"My love, do you still believe!?"

Jin could feel the control of her lower half return to her in that instant. She tried to back away from the hideous sight, but felt herself bump into someone who felt like they towered over her. A pale, bony hand landed softly on her shoulder, yet somehow managed to feel like it had some weight to it. Jin slowly turned her head upward to meet the gaze of he who was impeding her retreat.

______
Jin bolted awake to a seated position on the stone slab that she was asleep on. The frigid morning's sun was shining through the lone window of her cell. Early song birds were chirping their tunes away outside. Jin internally scolded herself for succumbing to slumber, especially so soon into the night. But she was able to convince herself that nothing happened and this was a failed idea from the start.

With a yawn and a stretch, she took her time getting to her feet. The door to her cell was never locked. She paced slowly over to it and swung it open. As she did so, a cold feeling came over her. Something was off. She quickly glanced over across the hall and to her left to the cell that housed the thieving old woman. There she was, fast asleep, assured by the steady rising and falling of her shoulders. Jin then hurried to the cell directly to the right of her own, the one that the woman's son was in.

It was empty.

Despite all the teachings in his notes, Klaus could not grant himself calm. He closed the tome, sighing deeply.

It had to be done.

Klaus left the church that night, planning to kill the thieves. His mind was not in the right. Had fate not played her hand as he walked the streets, Jin might have caught her killer...

But this game of cat and mouse would continue.

No sooner than he walked out of the church did Klaus find himself being tackled to the ground. With his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could clearly see his attacker. It was the thieving son.

He said nothing, as he flung his fists into Klaus' masked face. All that came from his mouth were snarls and grunts of pure fury. A left hook, a right hook, a cross, every punch in the book was used to strike at Klaus, focused merely on protecting himself and blocking his fists.

One certain punch connected; the last punch the thief would ever throw. It struck Klaus square in the jaw, causing the black veil around his face to unravel. The thief, adjusted to the dark as well, took one fateful look at the priest's face... and he froze. What lay behind that veil caused the thief's rage to turn into primal fear. He stopped punching. He stopped breathing, staring wide eyed at this face he had exposed.

Now it was his turn.

Klaus took the opening, reaching up and shoving the thief off of him. This tall, lanky man was deceptively strong. No sooner than he had been shoved, Klaus was on him. A thumb went into the thief's eye, and as he opened his mouth to scream, Klaus pressed an arm forcefully against his throat. There was no scream, just the sounds of a man being choked. He thrashed beneath him, but to no avail! With cold eyes, this priest watched as the man he blinded began to struggle less and less... his ungouged eye rolled back into his head as his face went pale. Then finally... he fell limp.

Klaus did not move. Playing dead, he thought? He could remedy that in a heartbeat. Wasting no time, he removed his now bloody thumb from the thief's eye, fixating both of his slender hands around his head. There was a brief pause, as the priest muttered to himself...

Snap!

The now, truly lifeless body was dragged into the church, leaving no trail of blood in its wake. Klaus would have to hide this one... too high profile...

The next morning, however... the church did indeed have a trail of blood leading into it; staining its floors and seeming to lead into one of its back rooms, normally only accessible to Heinrich himself. No peasant seemed to approach, whether out of knowing truly what was going on, or out of fear...

What answer was there, to fill the gaps of dawn?