[color=lightgray][center][h3][color=#CD853F]S[/color][color=#BF8C3E]t[/color][color=#B1923D]r[/color][color=#A3993B]a[/color][color=#959F3A]t[/color][color=#87A639]y[/color][color=#78AC38]a[/color][color=#6AB337],[/color] [color=#4EC034]K[/color][color=#40C633]a[/color][color=#32CD32]z[/color][color=#3DCC42]u[/color][color=#49CB51]m[/color][color=#54CB61]i[/color][color=#60CA71]n[/color][color=#6BC980],[/color] [color=#82C79F]C[/color][color=#8EC6AF]a[/color][color=#99C6BF]s[/color][color=#A5C5CE]s[/color][color=#B0C4DE]i[/color][color=#ADC3D6]u[/color][color=#AAC3CF]s[/color][color=#A7C2C7],[/color] [color=#A1C0B8]O[/color][color=#9EC0B1]l[/color][color=#9BBFA9]i[/color][color=#98BEA2]v[/color][color=#95BD9A]i[/color][color=#92BD93]a[/color] [color=#95BB94]&[/color] [color=#A1BAA5]C[/color][color=#A7B9AE]h[/color][color=#ADB8B7]a[/color][color=#B2B8C0]r[/color][color=#B8B7C9]l[/color][color=#BEB6D2]o[/color][color=#C4B5DA]t[/color][color=#CAB5E3]t[/color][color=#D0B4EC]e[/color][/h3][/center] [color=#A1C0B8][h3][center]Part 3[/center][/h3][/color] [color=limegreen]Time:[/color] Ignis 2 Evening [color=peru]Location:[/color] On the way to the Vikena’s Sorian Estate [sub][color=lightsteelblue]Mention:[/color] [color=firebrick]Violet[/color] [@Tpartywithzombi] [color=gold]Alexander[/color] [@FunnyGuy][/sub] [hr] After the two had left, Cassius, Lottie and Stratya were left in the den. Charlotte was still sitting where she’d been left on the couch, shoulders subtly curled inward as if she could make herself smaller. Her hands rested in her lap, pale and trembling, fingers laced too tightly together. The healing had helped—there was no denying that. The sharp ache had dulled into a bearable inconvenience, and she felt more anchored to the moment. Still, it wasn’t yet easy to keep both feet in reality when her mind kept snapping back to that tavern. Cassius was glad to see that Olivia’s spell had done its job. The word [i]relief[/i] was not strong enough to describe how it felt to see the sight of Charlotte’s wounds closed and no longer bleeding, though the blood that had already stained her face still lingered. He walked over to her, the supplies he and Kazumin had gathered in his grasp, and knelt down in front of her where she sat on the couch. Their gaze met now that he was down to her eye level, and just like every other time she had looked at him…the storm of the bastard’s mind calmed and he felt something stir behind his chest. The moment he lowered himself, Lottie’s throat bobbed with a hard swallow. She hadn’t forgotten, despite the chaos, that she wasn’t supposed to be near him. But she still leaned forward, as if her body had already chosen before her logic could argue. Her pupils were still blown, too dark for the warm den light, and when she blinked it was slow. She looked like a girl who’d been forced to grow up in the span of one night without any say in it. [color=lightsteelblue]“Here, let me help you.”[/color] Cas said, gently raising the wet washcloth to her as he softly began to wipe the blood from her hairline and down her face where it had dripped. She flinched on instinct at the first brush near her skin. Her shoulders jumped, then she caught herself, ashamed of the reaction, and forced her body to be still. He worked delicately, with a touch that was more tender than a man like him should be able to perform. The warmth of it made her chest ache in a way she didn’t know how to describe. Her lips parted with the intention to say something, but the words died on her tongue. Soon, the blood, sweat, and tears that stained her beautiful face were washed away. [color=lightsteelblue]“You look…[i]perfect[/i]”[/color] Cassius spoke aloud, though it was not intentional. That thought had been meant to remain just that, [i]a thought[/i]. The sound of his own words caught him off guard, his eyes meeting hers once more. A soft inhale followed his words, and Lottie could only stare at him, her eyes searching his as they held each other’s gaze, her lashes still clumped together where tears had dried. [color=lightsteelblue]“Uh…”[/color] He scrambled to find words to cover what he had just said; some way to disguise it all or pivot or…[i]anything[/i] that might help. He found none. Instead he did something he had not done since he was a child; he looked away with a little bit of embarrassment and a healthy dash of self-punishment. And yet, even as he turned from Lottie’s gaze, he could not help but smirk at his own mishap. And she, too, smiled softly, her gaze refusing to leave him even as he looked away. Maybe she was too weary to retreat into herself the way she usually did, too exhausted for the nervous little panic that always made her look anywhere but at him. So instead, she stayed. She watched him, as if watching could keep him there. Barely a second later, the man recovered best he could and turned to the knight captain. [color=lightsteelblue]“Captain Durmand… I hope the little witch’s magic worked wonders on you as well. Is there anything I can do to help?”[/color] Watching Cassius dote on Charlotte and almost, [i]almost[/i] compliment her was cute and everything, but Stratya’s mind kept wandering back to how she’d failed. One man died. One man was maimed. And one woman, who’s plight continued even as she sat thinking, was kidnapped. And here she was, resting. She was in shape enough she could possibly fight again, yet- He caught the captain looking at her left hand. [color=peru]“Mm?”[/color] Her gaze turned to him with a start, her hand coming in to tuck against her body. Her eyes firmed with resolve as she eyed him,[color=peru] “yes, ac’ually.”[/color] Captain Durmand recognized another combatant when she saw one. A knock at the door interrupted her, and she moved to stand, bearing caution in her voice,[color=peru] “I will answerr.”[/color] [hr] Roman was beginning to feel much better now that the second healing potion had taken effect. A glance over his shoulder confirmed his men had spread out around the estate—he counted seven of them. Apparently, word of the events at the tavern had traveled fast; reinforcements had arrived, ordered to pose as drunken merchants and sailors enjoying the night air. At least they had brought what he asked for: the flasks and the music box. His attention returned to the obstacle before him: the large, ornate doors of the Vikena estate. With a hurried motion, he rapped his knuckles against the wood a few times. He immediately stepped back, tucking himself against the frame and pulling his hood up to obscure his face. After a quick peek outside, Stratya Durmand opened the door,[color=peru] “oh, thank t’ Gods, it’s only you.”[/color] She looked around behind him, quickly,[color=peru] “come in.”[/color] She stepped aside to let him in and shut the door herself, scanning the exterior quickly as she did. It came out with a sigh, [color=peru]“we ‘ave a guest.”[/color] She sounded tired. [i]Deeply[/i] tired, not from lack of sleep. Alas, now was not the time to be tired. Her stubborn vigilance spotted the music box he carried. Yes, of course. Lottie rose and stepped to where she could see through the archway into the foyer. Her posture relaxed, her shoulders dropping as she recognized Roman’s face. A soft smile painted her features. [color=#D0B4EC] “Oh thank goodness. Roman, please come in, darling.”[/color] She folded her arms tightly around herself. [color=#D0B4EC] “Close the door quickly now and both of you come into the den.”[/color] A pleasant smile hid the emotions he crushed down in his mind. His thoughts raced with what he could and couldn’t do to free himself from his bond and one day return to… her. They were just more voices to silence. Right now, he needed to think clearly. He needed to tell them the truth, so that maybe one day he could be free. He nodded at Stratya, pulling back his hood and stepping quickly inside. Clutching the case in his hand, he walked toward the den with a questioning look. [color=f26522]“Guest?”[/color] Who could they have picked up on the way here? The list of possibilities vanished the moment he stepped into the room. His eyes locked with Cassius, and he froze. Cas met his gaze with a slow, rhythmic blink of pure confidence. Surprise quickly turned to confusion, and then to a glare. His free hand instinctively moved to the hidden blade at his waist. His eyes scanned the man, flicked to Charlotte for a brief moment, then snapped back to Cassius. [color=f26522]“Why is the son of Calbert here?”[/color] He hadn’t seen the man since the dinner, and his voice was sharp with accusation. Did Calbert know already? Did he send his son to infiltrate their group? It was paranoia, and Roman knew it, but he couldn't stop the thought. Cassius stepped towards the mountain of a man… a hollow, cynical laugh escaping him. It was a defiant sound, a reaction to being labeled as simply [i]somebody’s son[/i] when the man before him clearly knew who he was. That much was clear from their [i]very public and less than ideal[/i] interaction the other night. Lord Ravenwood didn’t just know Cassius Vael as the recently revealed son of a Count, no… Roman knew of his reputation from the life the man had recently left behind. His eyes were locked on the new arrival as he began to speak. [color=lightsteelblue]“I could ask the same thing about [color=firebrick]Violet Damien[/color]’s abuser.”[/color] Cas said with unshakeable poise. At first, Stratya wondered why Roman had phrased it so. The son of Calbert, not… Lord Vael or The Bastard or some such. No, he named Calbert. Had there been purpose to that, or was it just a jab at Lord Damien, not naming him directly? They were about to start at each other, an irritated growl escaped Stratya’s throat before she spoke sternly,[color=peru] “I will not hearr [i]bickering[/i] at this tyme. Therre is a woman ou’ therre sufferrin’ ferr ourr lack o’ prrowess, and I will hearr [i]nowt[/i] but how tae save herr. Lady Kalliope fough’ brravely, you will [i]not[/i] disrrespect herr current perril wit’ [i]infigh’ing[/i].”[/color] She turned to Cassius then, whose demeanor had shifted suddenly at the mention of Kalliope. [color=peru] “Lorr’ Damian, ye asked if y’ could do anythin’ ferr me, an’ I said yes. I need yerr swordarrm, and I rregre’ tae say thah’ I nae ken ourr foe. I underrstahnd if ye rrefuse.”[/color] Lottie’s breath caught, and her gaze darted between the three of them. Finally, she took a small step forward and positioned herself between Cassius and Roman. Her gaze flicked once to Roman’s hand at his waist before returning to his face, soft and pleading. [color=#D0B4EC]“Roman… please,”[/color] she said quietly, voice still a little rough around the edges. [color=#D0B4EC]“I know why you’d think it, truly I do—but he was just helping us get back home.”[/color] She let her eyes drift to Cassius and her expression twisted with concern for his statement. [color=#D0B4EC][i] It’s hard to imagine Roman hurting Violet, let alone anyone… But I remember that banquet quarrel. [/i][/color] Nonetheless, Stratya’s words struck deep. Charlotte gave a weary shake of her head as if forcing the panic and the pride in the room to settle, and she turned to Cassius with resolve. [color=#D0B4EC]“Stratya’s right. Kalliope was taken, and I won’t allow anything else to be placed above that. We [i]cannot[/i] fail her again.”[/color] Her fingers tightened together at her waist. [color=#D0B4EC]“While we’re all here, we should make a plan tonight.”[/color] Cassius took in her words, eyes darting about as he processed things. Roman's hand dropped from his waist, not to draw a weapon, but to push the white handkerchief deeper into his pocket until the embroidered 'V' on the corner slipped from view. His eyes darted toward Stratya, but he didn’t truly relax until Charlotte stepped between the two men. Only then did his gaze soften. His stance shifted from a defensive crouch to something more neutral. He did not trust Cassius—not because of his reputation, but because of the name he now carried. Her voice softened on the next part, her guilt becoming audible. [color=#D0B4EC]“And tomorrow… we find Sjan-dehk. If anyone might know why someone would want her—if there’s a reason, or a trail—we need it.”[/color] It didn’t take long for her brows to knit and for another important topic to wander into her mind. [color=#D0B4EC]“ Oh… And Cassius… If you don’t mind me, dear… [i]Who was that man that came out of your estate?[/i]”[/color] Lottie’s final question had jolted Cassius out of his mind, where he was already busy putting some semblance of a plan together with what limited information he had, and brought him back to reality. He met her eyes once more, and the visage of the man she spoke of appeared in his memory. [color=lightsteelblue]“That was Marek Delronzo, head of the Black Rose…but we can discuss him at a later time.”[/color] He said, shifting focus back to the revelation that had just been dropped on him. Charlotte’s eyes darkened as her pupils widened. She subsequently angled her body the other way as she instinctively covered her mouth. [color=lightsteelblue]“I need you all to tell me everything about this situation with Kalliope. As much as you can remember.”[/color] Cas’s gaze flicked over to Stratya. [color=lightsteelblue]“I’ll help you find her. I’ll do anything and everything in my power to bring her back safe.”[/color] Stratya gave a firm nod,[color=peru] “I thank you.”[/color] Lord Cassius and Lady Kalliope knew each other, then? Interesting, but irrelevant. A servant emerged from the hallway leading to the carriage stage. “Captain Durmand, your carriage has arrived.” Stratya inhaled sharply through her nose,[color=peru] “aye, fynally! Show them in.”[/color] She turned to the group again,[color=peru] “Th’ man thah’ took us rround t’ guarrd, Gale, and my lieutena’, Clea’well, will need tae hearr all this. You c’n trrust them.”[/color] New faces and people he didn’t trust. This seemed to be the common theme for the evening. Could he tell them everything? Would they even want to hear it? They would have to. The subtle scent of Violet’s perfume reminded him of his promise. It didn’t matter if they didn’t want to hear it; he needed allies, he needed friends, and sometimes trust isn’t earned—it's given. He clutched the crate in his hands tighter, his gaze drifting from the two new faces he recognized. When they first arrived, he had placed tails on them, realizing now that they had done the same with most of the people here. No matter. They had a job to do. He had a job to do. He paused for a moment, straightening his posture as he looked at Cassius. [color=f26522]“My apologies.”[/color] His words were sincere. With a sigh, he continued, [color=f26522]“There will always be orders I can't say no to.”[/color] His eye contact broke from Cassius halfway through the comment. It wasn’t shame, just a sadness he couldn’t quite place. He stepped fully into the den. He set the crate on a table but kept the music box in his hand. The information he was gathering just from being here was answering some questions while raising others. [color=f26522]“I do have some information—mostly about how everything is setting itself into place—but not necessarily about where Kalliope might be.”[/color] He looked to Cassius then Charlotte and over to Stratya and her men, [color=f26522]“I trust Charlotte’s and Stratya’s judgment, so I suppose I will trust the rest of you.”[/color] He began to twist a small tab on the side of the music box. [color=f26522]“I will warn you.”[/color] His gaze shifted across the many faces around the room. [color=f26522]“What I have to say is considered a Varian state secret. It could get you or me killed for spreading it. If you do not wish to hear this, simply step out of the bubble.”[/color] Stratya eyebrows shot up,[color=peru] “we c’n spare my men thah’ parr’, I think.”[/color] She glanced at the two now standing by her and inclined her head, directing them to step back. Roman did not elaborate or explain what the bubble was; he simply finished twisting the knob. The box itself was ornate but not eye-catching; it was simple enough to sit on a shelf in a study without drawing attention. It was just an intricately carved wooden and silver box with a small raised edge on the top. He pressed his thumb onto the edge and whispered, [color=f26522][i]“Þögnin er lífsins tónlist.”[/i][/color] The music box began to play as he lifted his thumb, leaving a bloody print behind. The melody was enchanting and slow, yet it seemed to drown out all sound from outside the room, leaving only the quiet music and the breaths of the people within. Charlotte remained where she stood, a look of concern painted on her features. Cassius watched from her side, his expression full of curiosity and skepticism. He waited for Stratya’s men to step away, then turned his back to them. [color=f26522]“I would like to state, first off, that no one outside of my chain of command and my men knows this information.”[/color] His arm itched where the blood bond fought to silence him. He knew its effects were muted by the spells he had cast earlier, but that wouldn’t last for long. [color=f26522]“A proper introduction, then.”[/color] He shifted into a posture suited for a soldier standing at rest in the presence of other military personnel. His voice flattened into a monotone, matter-of-fact cadence, dropping whatever mask he had been wearing. Intensity and resolve loomed in his gaze, backed by a hint of something angry—or perhaps hungry. [color=f26522]“I am Lord Roman Ravenwood, Lord Commander of the 187th Varian Expeditionary Forces, Leviathan Battalion.”[/color] He paused, letting his gaze drift slowly between them. He had just confessed to heading a foreign military operation within an allied kingdom. Lottie’s lips parted with her shock. Cas’s lips curved as the pieces settled into place. Stratya’s eyebrows raised.[color=peru] “Oh. [i]Thah’[/i] kynda sta’e secrre’.”[/color] [color=f26522]“My mission is to seek out and destroy the criminal syndicate that has spread its corruption into Varian and Alidasht. We tracked it to this Kingdom—to this city.”[/color] He shifted his weight, rubbing his left arm. [color=f26522]”This syndicate is responsible for the trafficking of magical and non-magical persons. This includes sex trafficking, slavery, and fighting pits that include children. Smuggling illegal drugs and potions, black market magic items, political assassinations, bribery, murder... I could list their crimes all night.”[/color] He grimaced, pulling up his sleeve to check the red, raised runes that spiraled up his arm. The discomfort was evident in his voice. [color=f26522]“The information we have gathered since arriving has led us to form several theories that are now proving to be true. One is that the Black Rose Trading Company is acting as a front for this syndicate. We have evidence of several high-ranking noble families that use or cooperate with them.”[/color] He had to pause and sit down as pain began to radiate up his left arm and into his chest. [color=f26522]“One of those high-ranking noble families is yours.”[/color] His gaze fixed on Cassius. [color=f26522]“We also suspect that the King may either be helping them or turning a blind eye to it.”[/color] Charlotte’s gaze lowered as she absorbed the weight of his words. Her mind wandered back to that little card she had found in her purse. She wrapped her arms around herself as she let her eyes slide toward Cassius with the intention of watching his reaction. It was not as though the last part was truly new information… and yet her heart still seemed to trip over itself all the same. Cas’s reaction was all but naught. His expression remained controlled and unphased. [color=#D0B4EC]“I am also pursuing the Black Rose.”[/color] She admitted quietly. [color=#D0B4EC]“I have reason to believe they are pursuing me in return, and if that is to be my misfortune… then I shall at least make it useful.”[/color] She thought about the banquet quarrel: how Roman apparently had struck Violet. Charlotte could understand necessity. She could even understand provocation, if it meant coaxing the truth from a man like Calbert Damien. But she could not quite understand why Violet had been made the price of it, and it disturbed her. It was a subject she meant to raise with Roman when the moment was right. She had no wish to villanize or accuse anyone, not after the night she had. As she spoke, Cassius let his eyes shift to her, remembering the conversations they had on the matter…understanding the potential implications of it all. The scars that were still healing on his abdomen burned as he thought about the reality of such a force pursuing her. What they could be capable of doing if she was left unprotected. Charlotte raised her gaze finally and said simply, [color=#D0B4EC] “Very well, Lord Commander. It’s nice to meet you properly. “[/color] She tapped her fingers against her arm and added, [color=#D0B4EC] “Perhaps we ought to spend what remains of this hour on the matter that cannot be delayed—how we shall bring Kalliope home. The Black Rose may have its due… but not at the cost of her life. We will return to it when the time is right.”[/color] Stratya’s gaze shifted from Roman to Charlotte as each spoke in turn of the Black Rose. They were both pursuing them?[color=peru] “This is nae t’ firrst tyme I’ve ‘earrd the Black Rrose mentioned underr suspicion. Prrince ‘ulfrric, ‘imself, seems tae suspect as much. Even o’ t’ King.”[/color] This was a problem beyond borders, they all suffered for this evil seeping from Sorian. The captain frowned and narrowed her eyes at the memory,[color=peru] “an’ theirr leaderr saw us, wounded an’ bloody, stumblin’ back ‘erre..”[/color] She fought back a swear,[color=peru] “nothin’ doin’ ‘bout it now. Kalliope comes firrst.”[/color] She gave Charlotte a nod. The fact she suspected the Black Rose to be after her was concerning, as well. Finally, Cassius spoke. [color=lightsteelblue]“Lord Ravenwood…The Lord Commander…Whatever this man wishes to be called, he is correct about the Black Rose. They are monsters, and their crimes in Varian alone are worth the extermination of the entire organization in my book.”[/color] He stopped, eyes lowering as he pondered his next words, all the while Charlotte continued to watch him. [color=lightsteelblue]“I know that my…[i]newly acquired[/i] family is involved with them. I wasn’t sure how deep it went in until tonight when Marek Delronzo arrived at our dinner table.”[/color] A long exhale escaped him before he continued. [color=lightsteelblue]“But everything you’re saying means that my family has targets on their backs. And…and I’m not sure what to do with that information. I would give almost anything to watch the Black Rose burn, but I don’t know the circumstances around my family’s involvement, and I certainly won’t watch them burn with it.”[/color] [color=#D0B4EC]“...Perhaps it is only fair that nothing further be done concerning your family until we have the chance for a second, proper conversation—one in which we may sift through the details with due care.”[/color] Charlotte offered, stepping back into the role of mediator preemptively. [color=#D0B4EC]“And if you would be willing to learn more on your family’s behalf, and then share what you discover with us, I imagine Lord Ravenwood and Commander Durmand would not object to delaying matters a few days more.”[/color] He watched them closely, analyzing every glance, every look, every word. He was trying to read them—trying to convince himself he hadn’t just gotten himself killed. He didn’t see betrayal. Cassius was skeptical, certainly, but that was part of the job; it was how he operated. But when Charlotte admitted to investigating the Black Rose as well, Roman's eyebrow shot up. More pieces were falling into place. As he pondered their words, he noticed something else. He wasn’t entirely sure at first, but then he caught the way Cassius looked at Charlotte. It was familiar—painfully so. It was the same way he looked at [color=firebrick]Violet[/color]. The sudden pang in his chest forced him to sit down, though he continued to listen. [color=f26522]“I will steer our investigations away from your family. As of now, we are focusing on my upcoming trial and on [color=gold]Alexander Deacon[/color].” [/color] His brow furrowed as his thoughts drifted to where they might have taken Kalliope. The four of them remained in the den long after the hour had grown late, their voices lowering as the house around them settled into silence. They spoke at length about how to bring Kalliope home, weighing every possibility until there was little left to examine without new information. Eventually, fatigue pressed too heavily on even the most stubborn among them. Stratya and Roman withdrew to separate guest chambers to wash the blood from their skin and claim what rest they could. Cassius took his leave soon after, though he did not truly go far. For several hours he remained beyond the estate walls, keeping watch until he was certain no further danger lingered near the Vikena grounds. Only when the night had deepened into stillness did he finally allow himself to return home and surrender to rest. Charlotte, however, did not follow the others to bed. She lingered in the corridor outside her stepfather’s bedroom, knocking gently at first, then with a little more insistence when no answer came. The house gave her only silence in return. It was the same silence she had grown accustomed to in the late hours, and yet it never felt familiar. After several moments, she pressed her forehead briefly to the wood, as if listening for something that might change her mind. With an exhale that trembled more than she intended, she slid down until she was seated against the door. Her blood-stained skirts pooled around her as she drew her knees close and wrapped her arms around them. The effort she had spent holding herself together throughout the evening began to loosen and tears spilled from her hollow gaze. Delilah appeared not long after, dressed in her nightclothes, her blonde hair still mussed from sleep and falling loosely. She took in the sight without surprise and lowered herself softly to the floor beside Charlotte. [color=#D0B4EC]“He’s not home again, is he?”[/color] Lottie asked quietly after a moment. [color=7ea7d8]“…I don’t think so.”[/color] Delilah replied. There was nothing more to add. The answer was one they both understood. So they remained there together, shoulder to shoulder against the closed door, saying little as the minutes stretched and folded into one another. An hour passed, perhaps longer, before Charlotte finally stirred and gathered what composure she could. She made her way to her own chambers and laid down, but sleep did not come easily. When it did, it drew her into the monstrous clutches of night terrors. The tavern returned in flashes—shouting, blood, [i]everything[/i]. She woke more than once with her heart racing and her throat tight, the darkness of her room offering no comfort. At last, unable to endure another hour alone with it, she slipped from her bed and crossed the hall. She knocked softly at Kazumin and Olivia’s guestroom door, waiting only long enough to be admitted before stepping inside. Without ceremony and without apology, she climbed beneath the covers beside them in the dim light of early morning and reached for their hands. Only then, with her friends anchoring her on either side, did her breathing begin to slow enough for true rest to take her.[/color]