[center][b]Lady Adrianna Heurassein[/b][/center]

[hr]

The heavily armed aristocratic man's warnings proved just enough to alert the regrouping Nezamni Warriors the time to scatter towards the grand staircase as the ceiling above the hallway collapsed in a flashing display of sparks, wood grains, and sharpened debris Flames and fumes began to lick upon the ceiling and through the mist filled plumes an ashen faced man carrying a beautiful young lady limped laborious towards the assembled group. His face appeared badly blooded and his arms shot with splinters and gashes. How he and the young lady had survived the initial bombardment or the poisoned refreshment was beyond anyone, however, the collapsed ceiling's slanted angle proved the ultimate culprit towards their continued existence. 

“[i]Let it end![/i]” the bloodied servant cried through throaty coughs! His words did little to ease the young woman's groans, yet still he managed to hobble onwards before collapsing to the floor. “[i]Oh Lady Heurassein[/i] … when you had mentioned that arms would control the world, I did not believe you, but this?! I was a fool … and you were right! People are savages and they will do anything to gain power. Gunpowder is the future …”

Adrianna's eyes flickered open to a blazing hell. She could vaguely recall the dream she had. A vision of calm, peace, and warmth. She could even less so recall the events that led her into this sorry state. As her consciousness slowly returned to her, the sound of a blabbering buffoon bombarded her ears. Mustering up what was left of her strength, she pushed the servant aside and leaned against the nearest wall to steady herself.

"I don't know who you are, but I don't like being touched." Hidden underneath her dress, strapped to her thigh was a small silver pistol with an elaborate ivory handle; which she brandished, making her intentions clear.

"M-milady! It is I, Edgar!" he exclaimed in shock.

Adrianna narrowed her eyes and pulled back the hammer on her pistol. "I don't know any 'Edgar'"

"How can you not remember? Annalise hired me nearly two years ago!"

"Oh, you must be one of the lackeys. But Annalise, where is she now? She is alright?"

"I don't know, but we must regroup with the others" as he said so, he stepped closer to Adrianna to help carry her but was met by the end of her pistol.

"I said I don't like being touched. Just lead the way." She was in no mood, nor was time on their side. The flames and fumes make it that much more difficult to carry on. Adrianna was no soldier, it was thru careful planning that she avoided situations like this. That's why she was confident they weren't trying to kill her. She'd have to thank the person they were trying to kill for the lively festivities.

Nodding, Edgar scrambled through teary eyes and hacking coughs to lead his master through the blazing wreckage and swirling mists towards an assembling group. The staircase chamber stood as a reminder as to the residence's elegance as opposed to its ruined condition. Hands and legs from the motionless Banquet victims sprawled out across the floor, earning the manservant looks of sadness and recognition towards their former Ivalian conversational companions. They had just reached the Grand Staircase when Edgar noticed the ceiling completely slowly buckle downwards. Within minutes, the Chateau would collapse into a raging inferno where the flames would consume anything and everything ...