[center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYjPSUoJ2ws]Château de D'Aubigne - Noble's Quarter[/url][/b][/center]

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Lucius's fingers drew towards his weapons, only to stumble upon a knife leveled along his jugular. His sight blurred as finely dressed ladies and male courtesans surrounded their retinue. Before their very eyes, their fortunes had seemingly reversed and though the initial gathering seemed remotely harmless, the concealed weapons retained a lethality only the dead could truly recount. Elsewhere, the lyres continually bristled below the orator's haunting voice.

"Indeed," a new female voice began, "You three appear to have enjoyed yourselves this evening, although ... I [i]am[/i] rather disappointed! To where do your motives lay, Daedhel L'Fevre?"

"My motives?" Dae responded, one hand moving slowly to find a dagger while the other moved towards the pistol she carried. She glanced around and tried to find some way out of this. She had, of course, been through far worse situations. However in many of these she had been alone or her companion had been able to fight. Lucius' jaw dropped, however, he clearly did not appear to present a worthy state of readiness. Ona? Well Dae knew that she had no training. 

There was only so much the assassin could do without getting the other two killed. "They are something I would rather keep to myself." As she spoke she moved ever so slightly, hoping she could at least get Ona behind her. One hand found her pistol, while the other loosely gripped the hilt of her dagger. Though she did not draw them, not yet, there was a certain comfort in knowing that she still had both in her possession. "I could ask the same of yourself. To where do your motives lay?"

"Do you not remember your birthright, Daedhel?" the woman quietly whispered upon craning towards the trio. Her middle aged features still exuded a radiant physique and blossoming beauty far past her youth, yet through the revealing tunic dress and draped, overhung sleeves, the woman's eyes sunk into a narrowed, motherly scolding. The ravishing, dark haired, Ivalian woman smirked as chuckles quickly rippled across the armed retinue. Following several heavy nasal commands, an order to stand down provoked the Ivalians' weapon lowering motions.

"Daedhel," the, cream tunic clad woman gently addressed as she herself lowered her pistols, "I cannot even fathom how quickly you would have lost your life. Your choice in companions are also ever more odd."

One by one, the young Ivalian ladies dipped their heads as was tradition amongst the matriarchal Ivalian customs towards older peers. Several Ivalian ladies' weapons suspiciously remained fixated upon the Prince before the authoritative woman's narrowed glare relinquished their concealed aim. The males simply bowed as their eyes never left the floor, presenting ever more indicative insight into their role within Ivalis' matriarchal ranks. 

Exhaling softly, the dark haired woman leaned ever closer towards Dae's ear before whispering, "By Athirat's grace, Daedel; what are you doing here?"

"[i]Dae[/i]," Lucius simultaenously hissed, "I lost sight of Conqvist. He simply disappeared down a staircase ..."

"Of course I remember my birthright, Sofonobisa," Dae hissed, ice blue eyes remaining narrowed. Though she recognised the woman it did not put her at ease. In fact, it served to do the opposite at first. This was someone that she had doubts that she could defeat and even as the Ivalians' weapons lowered, she readily kept her hands prepared, even as her weapons remained sheathed. She frowned at the women's words, though she knew they were true. If this had truly been an enemy she would be dead, as would her companions. She was growing lax.

"I am here," she paused as she began to reply, hesitating. Why was she here? To tell the truth, she was not quite sure. She knew why she was here in the D'Aubigne Chateau. But she did not truly know why she was here in this country, with these people. Sentiment? Hope for revenge? Something like that. "I am here to help put the rightful King on the throne." After she spoke this in hushed tones she glanced at Lucius. 

"Can Ona not track him? You saw the staircase, yes? Then we can watch it until he returns... or follow him down."

"You should know better than to deny the reality that Valania's current king is the Lord Sovereign, Richter Von Conqvist and unless you have other motives, I am inclined to believe you run on a fool's errand. Valania's Lord Sovereign is undeserving of his ability to abuse and neglect his subjects, however, it is beyond our jurisdiction to question or interfere with inter-Sarifen-Valanian affairs. The trade and wealth amongst his more prominent aristocrats remain a fruitful enterprise worthy of our merchantile attentions. To perceive otherwise is against Ivalian interests and thoroughly ..."

"You forget that I am Valanian by birth," Dae replied sharply. "That gives me every right to interfere in these affairs, as my ties are as strong to this country as they are to Ivalis. Sometimes, there are things that are more important than mere enterprise. Maybe it is a fool's errand." It most certainly was. Yet somehow she found herself believing her own words. That there was something more important than money, even petty revenge. It was a strange feeling that occured. "But it is one I will run, whether it is again Ivalian interests or not."

"Ona, you mustn't lose sight of him!" Lucius quietly hissed despite his clouded vision. His fists clenched despite losing clarity in vision. The night was certainly becoming a heated affair, the likes of which he could not have anticipated. Not only had prominent Ivalians infiltrated and expressed indifference towards Valania's plight, however, their true nature exposed the ever lingering reality that after business concluded, it was the usual Ivalian custom ... [i]back to Midia and the client colonies whilst the world burned from around.[/i] 

Several notable servants strolled through the halls, carrying drinks and sizzling dishes. The muses and lyrists continually played as other notable, Ivalian and Valanian guests alike clapped whilst accepting refreshments. Lucius felt his rage boiling towards new heights as he saw one particular Valanian, an amicable man, he knew having operated and directed a resistance circle within Voltas' scholar's square, down a glass before his eyes lulled over into passive slumber. A young servant girl curtseyed before departing amidst eyeing the assembled Ivalian, Valanian circle. Before she escaped their company, Lucius could almost smell the allusiveness associated towards Conqvist's Crown Agents. 

"You ... you know each other," Lucius inquired as his eyes darted across the assembled Ivalians, "Is ... this is true, Dae? Have we ... have we lead the Ivalians here? I am not even certain I can ..." 

His words trailed off upon finding their companion struggling to retain her footing. "Ona? Are you alright?"

Onatha, hiding slightly behind Dae, had gone pale. She tried to see but found herself struggling. "Something...someone is..."  She waivered a little on her feet but used a hand on the wall to steady herself. She could not concentrate on those that surrounded them. 

"Someone else is here."  

She could feel it, the presence of another seer, another looking beyond walls to survey the world. "I do not think I can find him. I am weaker here than the other. This is their place."

"Yadin-Hamon be damned, Ona, try not to over exert your ... oh dear ... Dae! Help me, please!" Lucius' eyes widened as he struggled to remain afoot whilst managing an honest attempt to attend to Ona's collapsing appearance. His eyes suddenly snapped towards the Ivalians gathered around the secluded room. The gentle lyric hums had begun to fade as did the Orator's loud recital as both musicians and audience alike began to collapse or softly exhale. Women and men screamed as they addressed their companions without success. Even the middle-woman, whom only moments ago, had unveiled her identity as Sofonobisa of Gisgo dropped to her feet, earning her retinue's panicked and despite the woman's assurances that there was no reason for alarm, it wasn't long before [i]they too[/i] had begun to collapse.

A young Ivalian male cried for help only to find the Prince's hand over his mouth. A struggle ensued before Lucius bested the man into a body lock; however, rather than snapping his neck, moved to wrestle him into a row of towering, potted plants. Several other conscious Ivalians managed to level their weapons in the Prince's direction only to witness as he released his temporary hostage. His vision had only begun to realign and almost immediately his senses sharpened as the sleep suppressants had begun to fade.

"We should not be enemies," the Prince affirmed, "This gathering is a death trap as is clearly evident through the ..."

His words suddenly trailed off as one particular Ivalian agent kneeling beside her superior in a panicked attempt to offer refreshment.

"If you wish to see your master alive, you must [i]not[/i] allow her to consume that drink," Lucius quickly shot.

"We do not allow men to command our fate, much less Valanians." a particular pistol carrying Ivalian answered, "By Athirat's grace, [i]we are Ivalians.[/i]"

It was upon resisting the urge to unholster and fire upon the woman that Lucius calmly exhaled before voicing, "Suit yourself! The refreshments and dishes all bear poisons and as you can see, your kind have clearly failed to realize the effect it has wrought upon their forms."

"It would be best if you did as he said," Dae spoke, glancing at Lucius before her gaze moved to the Ivalians. "It would not do for the life of such a prominent Ivalian to die due to your wish not to listen to a male, would it? If you will not take his word for it, then take mine. Any refreshments will only make her state worse." She craned her neck in an attempt to see the rest of the room.

"Lucius, I do not think that it is wise for us to stay here much longer. The situation can, and will, only worsen and I do not have any confidence in our ability to face any threat that we may meet."

Onatha felt cold as if someone had drained her blood away. She took a deep, shuddering breath and tried to find the man once more.  "I cannot..."

Her hands went to her head. The other woman's presence was too much. Onatha looked at Dae and Lucius. "I am sorry." Her knees were weak. 

She looked at Dae. "Leaving is a good idea." 

Lucius nodded before he unveiled a vial filled in a strange swirling liquid. "You there," he commanded as he directed fingers towards a suriving Ivalian lady. "Empty the goblet and serve this towards your master. It will not heal your master, however ..."

Yet again, the Prince's words tapered off as his neck crained into an almost instinctual demeanor and for a moment, he'd thought he'd heard crackling noises reminiscent of firearms. Perhaps the fireworks and jesters, he thought before carefully sliding the vial across the floors towards the weary Sofonobisa's location. 

"It will at least keep her alive ..."

For a time, the lady's eyes remained fixated upon the Prince's form, however, slowly and surely, her legs bent to allow for retrieving the flask. As she moved to uncork and administer the antidote, Lucius offered his companions a worrying glance. His attention diverted back towards their blonde seer, whom had since grown increasingly pale.

"Dae, now would be a [i]very[/i] good time to locate an escaping pathway," Lucius inquired as he unholstered his pistol. The Prince's searches brought him through the various belongings before he finally uncovered the shot and powder reserves along his concealed pouches. "Ona, can you at least walk?"

Onatha nodded, eyes squeezed tightly shut. "Yes, I think so." She braced herself against the wall. Her knees were giving out. 

"How insightful of you, Lucius," Dae respondedly drily, drawing her own pistol along with a dagger. This was certainly going to be interesting. "There is a servant's entrance in this place, is there not? It may be best to go through that. Lucius, you support Ona. I'm sure I can deal with any... resistance we may meet."

"[i]Not alone[/i]," another voice weakly uttered. Lucius turned to find the middle-aged Sofonobisa rising, "Barekbaal help me please. I feel a bit weary and [i]oh mother Athirat ...[/i]"

"Counciller Gisgo," the light haired Barekbaal gasped, "You're alive!"

"There. It is done and your master lives. Now, if you'll pardon our departure, we fear our company is unwanted. We must leave while we are still able, oui? Oui!"

"Daedhel?" Sofonobisa weakly inquired. Her eyes strayed towards the limp Ivalians, performers, and Valanians before resting upon the blue-eyed girl, "What has happened? Is this the purgatory, mother Athirat imposed upon our kind? Have our sins proved beyond forgiveness?"

Letting out a light, slightly cold laugh Dae shook her head in response to Sofonobisa. "This is not purgatory, though I think you'll find that our sins have always been beyond forgiveness."

"Then let it be known that I was and am a witch who both served and protected her people. I regret nothing nor the lives I ordered to be silenced to preserve Ivalia's peace in Queen Athirat and Mother Athirat's name. Heretics the likes of the bastard Sarifen Inquisition and the self proclaimed jackal, Emperor Anoush I deserve their suffering."

"Regret is for the weak. It is not something we can afford to feel, in our profession. We do what must be done."

As the Ivalians knelt before their master, Lucius quickly rushed to offer his ailing companion a supporting arm. "Easy now, Ona. This is not the place to abandon your life. Please don't die on us now."

Onatha leaned on Lucius. "I just need to be away from here. The other presence is overwhelming."  Her breathing was shallow. 

"Then we must leave now. There is no time to spare, and it is so much easier to leave when everyone is concious!" She indicated slightly with her head for Lucius to lead the way. 

"Another presence? You dont ..." Lucius inquired before he finally understood, "Ah ... I see ... it is the other seer, is it not?" 

Onatha nodded slowly. "This is their place, they are strong here." She wobbled on her feet and her grip on Lucius tightened. "They are making it hard for me to focus."

Wincing, Lucius's nose wrinkled as his fingers formed a nose-pinching motion. "The other seer," he muttered as his mind raced back to remember what she'd mentioned only several hours past. 

"Yes, other seer." Onatha took a deep breath and tried not to fall. "I fear they were watching us."

"Is she currently here in the Chateau," Lucius inquired.

"If she is not here, she is close but this is her realm, her territory, and she is strong here."  Onatha gripped her head with a free hand. "I think she is indeed here and is watching all that is going on. I think she knows I am here as I sense her, she would sense me." 

"But she cannot see or know what is happening here. Not while you are present, oui?"

"I do not..." She took a deep breath and focused. "No, we are clouding each other. She cannot see what is going on around me as I cannot focus on her or those around her. She is making the rest cloudy but I do not think she can see me."

Onatha opened her eyes and looked at Lucius. The green pools were clouded with pain. "I wish I could do more."

"You've already done more than was required, Ona. Rest and do not over exert your senses. I could never forgive myself if you fell on my behalf. We must remain inconspicuous lest we trap ourselves."

"You! Yes, I am speaking to the one wearing the ridiculously colored tunic," the cream tunic wearing Sofonobisa addressed, "You saved my life and ... I am inclined to think it was no mere coincidence. Who are you and what are you and your companion doing in Daedel's company?"

"Allow me to handle this," Lucius whispered, placing a hand along Ona's neck.

"I am ..." the Prince's eyes theatrically lowered before glancing towards the emptied hallways. Following a momentary sigh, offered a respectable bow before lying, "I am Count Lucius Van Ander Le Crosse. 'Tis an honor to receive your company, Counciller Sofonobisa of Gisgo, and valiant member of the Ivalian Council of Four Hundred and Four. On your behalf, we offer the greatest of honorable tiding towards the Queen and her sisters, if only for a short-while. The times are harsh and it appears our company is not welcome here within the Château de D'Aubigne."

Onatha tried to breathe as Lucius addressed the others.  Her knees buckled and she gave a slight cry as she knelt on the ground. Her hands went to her head. "She is trying to break through."  

It took everything she had to keep the other woman out. She could feel the other seer weakening. She was tired, perhaps even more than Onatha was.  

"Lucius she is tired...I am..."  Her hands braced herself on the floor. It was cool beneath her touch. "I am trying-I-"  Her conscousness wavered for a moment. It was taking all the last of energy to keep the other seer at bay. It was a battle of wills at this point and Onatha did not want to lose.

"Dae, help me move Ona, we do not have much time. The other likely seer knows Ona is present. We cannot stay here much longer."

"I am in agreement, Count Le Crosse"  the Counciller inquired, "Although, I am uncertain if ... hmmm ... strange ... that is [i]quite[/i] a fireworks display out there ..."

For a moment, Lucius's neck craned as he too found the strange sounds growing increasingly loud. It remained to be seen what the dinner gathering had in store so early into the evening. Suddenly, Lucius' hand levelled as he cocked down his pistol's large hammer.

"Those aren't fireworks, Counciller. [b][i]That is musketfire ...[/i][/b]"

A short moment later, the sounds of screams and shouts filled the halls as dishevelled guests burst through the halls. Some fell through sheer exhaustion, whilst others trampled each other through the sheer panic engulfing the Chateau interior.

"This isn't good," Barekbaal muttered as she too unholstered a concealled firearm, "Sacred Band, guard the Counciller. Find out what is happening and do not allow her to come to harm! Count Le Crosse, Daedhel, you mustn't stay here. [b][i]Go!![/i][/b]"

"Come on," Dae spoke as she moved over to help on, supporting her from the side the Lucius was not. She could only hope that they managed to get out before bumping into anyone that might try to kill them. "[b][i]Come on![/i][/b]" She began to move in the opposite direction of the crowd, while trying to work out what the best way out was.