[color=00aeef][center][h1]Chres Sansus[/h1][/center][/color] [@fetzen][@13org][@Jerkchicken][@HokumPocus][@Typical][@Elevation] [hr] And so the Pact Makers ran. They ran away from the clock tower. Away from the crowd and following Malkev's lead. with each stride they put more distance between the cult and themselves. [color=f7976a]"This way."[/color] Malkev said on occasion. [color=f7976a]"Over here."[/color] He said now and then. Wherever he led, the Pact Makers followed. Left. Right. Straight. Left. [color=00aeef][i]Where were they going?[/i][/color] Chres wondered. It seemed as if Malkev was just leading them aimlessly. Making them run in the rain till their clothes became soaked. Occasionally, Malkev would slow the group to a stroll while motioning them to keep silent. Those moments were the worst. When the group wasn't running, the chill from their damp clothes became far too noticeable. More than once Chres felt himself shiver in the rain. He had to stop storing away his own body heat, for any heat he stored away now, was heat he needed to not collapse from the chill. However, there was another chill slowly crawling up his spine. A concern about a certain someone missing... Where was Sil? He had seen Karina holding Sil when they left the building. Now that they were back together again, he could help but notice she was gone! [color=00aeef][i]Sil![/i][/color] Chres thought to his familiar. [color=00aeef][i]Sil, where are you? Where did you go?[/i][/color] [color=a2d39c][i]Chres...[/i][/color] He heard her thoughts distantly. [color=a2d39c][i]Do I know you?[/i][/color] The running had kicked in again. With it came a wave of relieve washed over Chres. She was okay... Sil was okay... [color=00aeef][i]What do you mean, silly?[/i][/color] He thought imitating the way she often would talked to him. [color=00aeef][i]Of course you know me. Why aren't you here? Where did you go off too?[/i][/color] For a long while Sil said nothing. The silence made Chres want to squirm. At last she replied. [color=a2d39c][i]I went... away...[/i][/color] She thought back. Chres felt his heart sink. His breath growing heavy from the running. Something was wrong here. The way she spoke. The replys she was giving... Away? What did she mean away? Could a familiar run away from its master? Could a familiar even leave its master? [color=00aeef][i]Sil...[/i][/color] Chres thought back to his familiar. [color=00aeef][i]Sil, what's wrong?[/i][/color] [color=a2d39c][i]I... I don't know...[/i][/color] [color=00aeef][i]You don't know? What do you mean you don't know?[/i][/color] Chres asked, trying to convey a feeling of comfort. [color=a2d39c][i]I mean, I don't know![/i][/color] She thought insistently. There was a clear frustration in her words. [color=00aeef][i]Sil...[/i][/color] He thought. [color=00aeef][i]I-[/i][/color] His thoughts were cut off. At long last Malkev lead the group into an empty building. Empty save for several burning lanterns on the floor among a pile of cloaks. Malkev handed out a cloak to each of them, frowning in obvious irritation when it came to Ferris's turn. To his credit, the man said not a word to Ferris. He gave the man his cloak and then moved on to the next person. Once everyone had been fitted with their cloak, he then motioned for everyone to take a lantern. Taking one for himself, he hid it under the cover of his cloak. He then eyed everyone as if expecting them to do the same. Occasionally Malkev's eyes would flit over to the windows as he wait. [color=f7976a]"Quickly, now."[/color] He said impatiently, with that deep, rich voice. Once everyone hid the lanterns within their cloaks, Malkev nodded. [color=f7976a]"Very good."[/color] He said. [color=f7976a]"Should be safe to talk now... or rather... that's what he tells me..."[/color] The second half of his comment seemed to be more so directed to himself rather than the group. [color=f7976a]"For you who have not met me yet, the name's Malkev."[/color] His eyes flitted to the window again. [color=f7976a]"You're friends here came searching for The Watch. Well... I'm the man at it's head."[/color] Malkev shuffled his feet uncomfortably at the words. [color=f7976a]"Or rather... now I am..."[/color] Malkev turned away from the group making his way to the back entrance. He waved the group to follow. [color=f7976a]"The Watch, I'm afraid, has been left in shambles since yesterday's... unfortunate incident. Fortunately, your friends and I have made other allies who might better help us in our cause."[/color] By this point Malkev had reach the back entrance and open the door. [color=f7976a]"We head to them now. The lanterns will hide us from prying eyes. Sadly, we do not have enough Crystal Jade candles to spare on us right now. So... well... just try not burn yourself on the lantern. Senses knows I've done it more than once."[/color] And with that the group was on the move again. This time, however, there was no running. Just a steady stride towards a meaningful destination. Exactly where they were going, though... Chres found himself unable to focus on that at the moment. [color=00aeef][i]Sil...[/i][/color] He thought. [color=00aeef][i]Why don't you come and find me? I'll make you a nice puddle to play in, and after that we can talk about what is bothering you.[/i][/color] For a moment, Sil said nothing. He felt conflict in their bond. She wanted to play in the puddle, yes... But whatever was bothering her held sway too. [color=a2d39c][i]I can't.[/i][/color] She replied at last. [color=a2d39c][i]Not until I know.[/i][/color] Chres furrowed his borrow, struggling to understand. [color=00aeef][i]Sil, I... I don't understand...[/i][/color] [color=a2d39c][i]Neither do I.[/i][/color] Her thoughts came faintly. [color=a2d39c][i]Neither... do I...[/i] [/color] [hr] It had grown late in the day, by time the group arrived at their destination. Malkev had taken them back to the underground tunnels using the same hidden passage as before. Upon entering Chres felt that same sensation as before. An acute awareness of every sensation picked up from his body. As with before it only lasted for moment. When they entered the larger chamber, The Kharu-Natjer had been there to greet them. He introduced himself to everyone who hadn't already met him. He had two healers at the ready -more slaves apparently- each healer tended to the group, starting with DB. The Kharu-Natjer told the group they would be safe here and that they were welcome to stay. Chres even thought he heard the man mention something about dinner. Though, in all honesty, he wasn't really listening. Chres felt numb, empty, and oh so tired. His wife had abandoned him, because he had never been there for her. Instead she turned to another man to satisfy her needs. Was Sil now abandoning him too? Sil looked like his wife. At times she even acted much like her. Chres and Sil had always been together, yet he had never tried to understand her. Never had he tried to actually know her. Was that why she was acting this way now? Was he at fault yet again? No... Chres was being foolish. This was different than what happened with his wife. His wife had left him. She was the one who betrayed him! It was her fault he- A flash of recollection... Shouting and crying amidst a drunken memory... [color=00aeef]"I gave you my everything..."[/color] Chres had said. [color=00aeef]"My heart. My trust. My-"[/color] "Chres, you don't understand! It wasn't-" [color=00aeef]"I don't understand? I DON'T UNDERSTAND?!"[/color] Chres shook his head, taking a swig of ale from his flask. [color=00aeef]"Exactly what don't I understand? Did you not sleep with him?"[/color] "I-" His wife started Chres slammed his fist on the table. [color=00aeef]"DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT SLEEP WITH HIM?!"[/color] He roared. His wife gripped her gown, her knuckles white. "I did..." She said eyeing the floor with shame. For long while the two of them said nothing. A silence so thick it could be cut with a knife. [color=00aeef]"How long?"[/color] Chres asked. His voice shaking with rage. His wife shuffled her feet. "If you would only let me-" [color=00aeef]"How long?"[/color] He interrupted. He placed extra emphasis on each word. "Chres, please... just let me-" [color=00aeef]"DAMN IT, WOMAN! Are you deaf?! I asked you how long!"[/color] His wife bit her lip. Her body trembling. "Years..." She whispered at length. "This has been going on for years..." Everything after seemed to blur. Yelling, crying, pleading, and then... death. Chres blinked. The smell of food filled his nostrils, the group had been lead by one of the slaves to what appeared be a living chamber. The chamber had been fitted with crystal jade candles, furnishings and a table full of various foods. There was even a stream of running water that went off into what appeared to be two separate bathing chambers. And... -Chres poked his head into one of the bathing chambers- were those curls of steam coming from the bathing water? Senses! How exactly were they heating it? Surely, this wasn't a hot springs! Chres shook his head. He turned back to the living chambers. The space split off into additional rooms with bedding and everything. One of these rooms even housed the Innkeeper and his family. Chres's head spun, dizziness setting in. The lack of sleep was likely not helping... Had The Kharu-Natjer been monitoring them since they arrived, or had it started from the day prior? "Food... Eat... Rest... Please..." The Kharu-Natjer's slave said, struggling with each word. She looked so young. Twelve maybe? She bowed to the group, showing a shaved scalp, and left them in peace.