[center][h2][color=fff200]⚜[/color] [color=0072bc]Camille de la Saumure[/color] [color=fff200]⚜[/color][/h2][img]https://i.ibb.co/10ZC8wb/Profile.png[/img][/center][hr][i]Interaction: None[/i] [i]3.1 A Bittersweet Arrival[/i] [hr] [center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9cj7MM5GXo&ab_channel=JessicaCurry-Topic[/youtube][/center] The Eskandr had withdrawn by the time Camille, the Queen, and the company of knights had reached the city. They could have given chase, but it hadn't crossed the young paragon's mind as she charged into the city, racing Perrin through the rough remains of the tightly packed streets, she reached what would have been the front door to the keep first. The great wooden doors that she had remembered had been splintered and broken, replaced the mound of rubble from the keep. Camille had stood aghast. She thought the worst had befallen those that she knew. Had the keep fallen before they got here? The weight caught her chest, threatening to topple her from the back of Perrin. It had only been a familiar voice that called to her that caught her attention, stealing her away from the dread she was feeling. [b]"Dame Camille! Dame Camille!"[/b] A hand waving had in the pile of stones had caught her attention. She dismounted and rushed over, climbing the few chunks of rubble to reach the small window created in the debris. She peered in, catching the tired face of a man bearing patchy dark facial hair. [color=fff200]"Chevalier Henri?"[/color] Camille couldn't believe the knight captain had made it. She looked past him, seeing others hurrying over to witness their salvation after three days from the bitter siege. Camille had heard them muttering, passing the word along. [i]"Dame Camille!" "The Grand Armee has arrived!" "Oh bless the Pentach for this mercy!" "We are saved!"[/i] Camille muttered a prayer to Dami to give her strength, throwing herself at the rubble to create a larger opening. She had managed to do just that, expanding the window Henri had been peering out of by using her enhanced strength to lift a partial pillar out of the way. Many of those inside had gathered to witness the great Dame Camille stand at the threshold, light of the sun illuminating her from behind. Their faces… She could remember the awe in them… but she didn’t deserve it. She was far too late to save most of them. She would have looked away but she was looking for people in particular. They were all faces she recognized at some point but… [color=82ca9d]”Camille!”[/color] [center][img]https://i.ibb.co/xYVKSKK/token-2.png[/img][img]https://i.ibb.co/JszRN94/token-1.png[/img][/center] Her eyes went wide as she witnessed two of the people she was looking for. Marc was there in front, waving at her. Behind him, Marion, who looked a bit shaken and the stain of blood down along the front of her dress were signs she didn’t make it out entirely whole. Camille slid down the crumpled stone, nearly losing her footing in her haste. She wanted to see them! Ask them about what happened. [color=fff200]”Marc! Marion!”[/color] Camille’s lips actually curled into a timid smile as came to a stop before them. [color=fff200]”You are alive.. I-”[/color] She lunged for Marc, wrapping her arms around him. She couldn’t help it. For three long days, she rode alone without her friends. It was nice to see a friendly face. [color=fff200]”I’m so glad you both made it.”[/color] Camille tucked her head into his chest. He had a tight, warm hug. Just like his father. Marion slipped in and the dame made room for the three to embrace in a tender moment. She’d pull away quick enough as curiosity got to her. [color=fff200]”Where’s your dad?”[/color] She held her smile like she was expecting a quip to come from behind her at any moment. Yet all she was given was a pair of disappointed looks. They couldn’t even look at her. Her smile faded. [color=fff200]”Where-?”[/color] Camille managed to get out, but never found the strength to continue. [color=f7976a]”The Eskandr broke through. Papa threw everything he had into closing it and he was trapped on the other side.”[/color] Marion heaved a sigh, like she had long since processed the reality. Camille focused on the cloth wrapped around her eye. She had taken a cut that had been healed, but the crust of blood was still there. [color=f7976a]”He sealed us in, protected us. If you didn’t see him out there then I fear the Eskandr might have taken him.”[/color] Camille felt her heart drop. Claude being taken by the Eskandr… What would they do with them? She heard they weren’t kind. The dame swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat as she finally approached another conflict. This wasn’t everyone that had been saved inside the keep, surely her parents were inside just waiting to hear about her return. [color=fff200]”What about my papa and mama?”[/color] She had a bad feeling. [color=f7976a]”I’m sorry, Camille. I don’t remember seeing them come in here before we shut the doors.”[/color] Marion stated plainly. Camille turned to Marc, who shamefully shook his head as if he felt responsible. That wasn’t fair to him. It was on her for failing. [hr][i]Interaction: None[/i] [i]3.2 Fields of Fire || The Lament of a Saint[/i] [hr] Camille had spent the rest of the day helping her hometown. She pulled survivors from wreckage and fires and laid healing hands on those wounded enough to need tending. The people she helped all uttered their desperate thanks and each time, it sank the dame low. She had [i]failed[/i] them. If she were truly worth it, then she’d have stopped the Eskandr on the beach. Slain the wicked fire witch. Routed the enemy army off their land for good… Yet each person thanked her and praised Dami for sending them a saint. A few, Camille had even outright refused but they only claimed her to be humble. It was exhausting and by the time the bishop began his sermon, Camille collapsed in a slumber only to be awaken by Marc with a snicker after discovery. The next day, Camille had set out early for the beach. It had meant so much to her, the white sands of Port Morilles that she had carried a bag with her. That bag still sat tied to Perrin’s saddle, believing she’d never see it again. Yet here she sat not in relief, but in loss. It was so easy for her to recall the time before when she sat on this beach. Armand, Claude, and her parents, Pierre and Berenice, were still alive waiting for her back in the town. Waiting to say their goodbyes together. Her fingers curled, buried in the sand she strangled the clumps of sand she clung to. Her faith was being tested in her head. Why had Dami judged the good of her loved ones to be not worth it? [color=fff200]”I’m really trying but am I not good enough?”[/color] Camille muttered looking up to the dawn sky, expecting a sign. The rhythm of the waves rolling had been her only answer. For a time. [color=aba000]”I knew you’d be out here.”[/color] Camille jumped, knowing who it was and turning to face her father. She froze, not believing this was real at first. In fact, not even recognizing her father. He looked older, like the past four days had advanced his age by ten years. Dirt and grime covered his face and the lack of sleep had worn his features to look like they sagged with advanced age. The dim light of the rising sun didn’t help either. [color=aba000]”Bastards damn near chased me to Torragon.”[/color] He limped over to her side and collapsed onto his bum next to her. [color=aba000]”But when I heard you were here, I told them you’d be out here. Heh.”[/color] He forced a single chuckle before grunting as he leaned back on his hands. He looked exhausted. He looked at her, his face unwavering in a steadiness but even Camille could tell, there was so much he wanted to say. She couldn’t figure out what to say either. Instead she quietly slid over to his side and leaned against him, tucking herself in a ball and making her as small as possible as one of his arms came around to her shoulder. Her father had been pursued by the Eskandr ever since they broke into the city. Berenice and him had ran for the keep, having both volunteered to fight the fires during the siege. They were cut off from getting to the keep and tried to escape to the caves. The invaders pursued them, chasing them both into the countryside where they were separated. Pierre had spent the night searching for her. He never found her. He hadn’t slept in nearly two days and hardly had the strength to stay awake. Yet that arm around Camille flexed enough to hold her tight as the two watched the sunrise and the waves crashed in. No words were exchanged but it was enough.