Dezuel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

The Aelios temple.

How it irked him, he had only taken a few steps from his home-in-progress when his legs reminded him of their delicate nature. Why could he not take his carriage to the shrine? It was of course understandable. At least fourty percent of Dawnhaven was afflicted by those filthy mountain-dwelling barbarians, who worshipped the snow as a sign of their witch of a goddess.

He felt a momentary disgust build within, it was that or he was about to throw up. Had he by mistake eaten a second rate cheese? Impossible. He was beyond making errors.

The ever observative and clever noble concluded it had to be the very air itself, having been made worse by all those barbarians panting and grunting. Ayel vouldn't help but feel a sense of dread. What if he had inhaled air that had been in the lungs of someone poor... or worse. Lunarian.

He shook his head swiftly. The goddess was with him, protecting his every step.

He felt his footing on the icy road almost send him falling, but he regained his balance quickly.

A sign. Aelios was watching him. She had to. What other choices did she have? He was leagues above everyone else, with his wealth, looks and intellect.

Ayel proceeded up to the main door of the Aelios temple.

"Doors." He said calmly and reached up to move his troublesome curled renegade bang from his face. Upon having waited for five seconds, which were four seconds too long, the nobleman grunted.

How undignifying. That he would have to open a door himself, but in the same moment he had felt despair, he felt a surge of energy. Of course! Aelios wanted him to open the door to her chambers. They were after all basically married.

Surely her priesthood had used holy water to clean the handles in case that beast-tamer or some other lower form of life would come by for some much needed guidance in their wicked existance. Ayel place both his hands on the handles of the door and pushed. And pushed.

The door was not budging. Had someone locked him out? Perhaps one of those barbaric brutes had taken his goddess holy site hostage?

With renewed determination, the nobleman exhausted some of his usually dormant physical prowess. Yet the doors remained in place.

Perhaps he had missed something? Oh who were he trying to deceive? Of course he couldn't miss anything, except the Aurelian capitol. There were however some puzzle which was in need of solving, only one which he alone could figure out. Aelios priesthood obviously knew, but that was a reward for their faith, not because they were as smart as him.

The nobleman pulled... and the doors opened. He felt an overwhelming sense of triumph, that this obstacle which would have been unsolvable by those thickheaded northern louts, had been solved by his brilliance so quickly.

To pull instead of pushing. It did remind him how his charisma, how he always managed to gather a crowd of people atound him. Jealous and angry people. Though he felt a slight bit of understanding, even if he would never allow himself to think of being in their shoes. He would be jealous of himself too.

Ayel stepped into the hall and inhaled deeply. The holy site could use some big rework. Maybe a proper statue of Aelios and himself. But where would he find a stonemason and sculptor in this severely lacking town? It was in this moment that the very self-aware nobleman became even more aware that there were no priestess, servant or bathing assisting maid greeting him.

All he could see was some man which he assumed had gotten lucky to be stationed at the temple.

Ayel narrowed his eyes, scanning the man over. He wasn't Lunarian was he?  The nobleman proceeded to check the man.  He had no unibrow or were scratching for lice, or seemed ape-like. That meant he were likely Aurelian. But even with this revelation, the ever prepared nobleman would have his napkin ready. Commoners had an universal smell of stables or of an outhouse.

"You there! Guard. Yes, you. The scruffy looking one  I, Marquess Ayel Raunefeldt, command you to go and fetch me the best washing-maid in service to Aelios. My time is precious, so make it quick. I have some very important things to talk with my best friend about, the prince that is. Well? Chop chop."
He clapped his gloved hands together.

"I will find the changing room myself." He raised his head and nose, walking over to what he suspected were the changing rooms. Even in the wrong, he was certain that he was right.

He turned the handle on the door leading into Tia's private chambers.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Anora had blinked slightly, looking over Daphne from top to toe.

"Glad to make your aqquintance, Daphne~. My name is Anora Raunefeldt, no escort is required~. While this is indeed not the nicest of places, it shouldn't stop you from having a look. But do forgive me, I must be on my way~. Be careful around that man in there, there is something very wrong with him." Anora made a courteus motion as well as she could with her umbrella still in hand.

"Have a good day, miss Daphne~. Perhaps we shall have the fortune of speaking at a later point. I have some things I need to do." She said in an appologetic tone as she continued outside, walking towards what she assumed were a building of importance. The temple of Seluna.

She felt abit bad for having not lingered long enough to speak with Daphne, and only after having left did she remember her tea party. She could have invited her along. But she reconsidered. She wouldn't want Flynn to have one less guard to keep watch. There was alot of work and danger around no doubt.

Anora was not easily spooked by danger however, or afraid to confront some ruffians. She knew she wasn't a warrior or a soldier, neither were she some mage prodigy or master of something.

She was however creative and was confident enough that she could hold her own. She imagined in her mind if she could hold her own against Flynn or Ayel. She knew her brother was quite reckless with his use of magic, there was not a trace of restraint or finesse in Ayel's use of magic. He just unloaded the biggest beams of light he could muster, making them so big that no matter how off his aim were, things would still get caught in the blast. She recall how furious he were when one of his stray blasts had hit his newest carriage, sending the thing raining down on the mansion grounds. The servants had been picking up pieces from it for weeks.Her brother typically could only unleash four of those blasts before he would almost faint. Even if he wouldn't admit it, always saying that he had other things to do or that the food made him feel ill.

Anora smiled at the idea, her own magical use was to conserve her energy, using smaller weaker beams typically in conjunction with her other magic. Creating crystals and then shooting said light magic into them to cause the light beams to split and shoot in many directions. Almost like a cone shaped attack of smaller beams of light. She even had been able to make some trick shots, tossing a crystal into the distance, then shoot a light ray at it to get redirected towards someplace else. Her foster mother had always berated her for using magic.

'If the other houses learn that my daughter is using magic they will gossip for weeks behind my back about it. It is far better if they speak about what we have that they do not.' Anora frowned as she recalled how her foster mother had phrased things.

How she had always tried to keep up some charade that they were somehow superior to everyone else. It had never sat well with her, those kind of thoughts. Her brother Ayel however had inherited it from their mother.

Her other brother, Andros, had however inherited more traits from her foster father. Joviality, carefreeness and an overwhelming sense of simpleness. Anora smiled fondly. Andros and her foster father had always been supportive of all her undertakings. If Ayel knew that Andros had gotten engaged to a commoner, that round baker woman... then Ayel would have surely left Dawnhaven in an instant and with the temper of a bursting volcano.

Some things were best to not tell him. He was quite sensitive to things like that. Yet there was something thst she felt she had to tell him at some point. But when or how? She didn't know.

The truth was always to be sought no? She didn't like to keep secrets, not from her brothers or Flynn.

Anora couldn't help but wonder where Flynn had gone to. That boy was always on the move. Like when they were children, Flynn had always struck her as the adventurous type. The kind of boy who wanted to be a knight on a horse, fight evil and get the princess... the princess? That's right. Flynn had gotten married. Somhow they all had grown up so fast. Though Anora did suspect that Ayel was still having his doll collection and probably still slept with his thumb in his mouth.

The idea made her snicker momentarily clearing her mind of the strange meeting in the jail. Slowly the blonde man's ghostly blue eyes came to mind again. She shuddered and touched her gloved hand holding unto her umbrella. That man had intentionally provoked her, and she had taken the bait. She loathed to admit it. She then felt a chill down her spine. That man. Those eyes.

She had seen him before... she must have...

But when and where? She closed her eyes momentarily as she thought about it.The hint of coldness, grimness and...sorrow in his eyes? Could he had been a priest visiting her family home? A priest...

No. He was not a priest. A merchant? A noble?

She thought about all the various people which had come by the mansion through the years, from charity collectors, servants, gardeners and friends of her foster father. But then she realized. She had not met him there at all. That man. Anora knew she had seen him before. It all now came back to her, those ghostly blue eyes, the blonde hair...

The old attic...

The man in the painting...

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez Paladice

The jail

He allowed himself a smirk as Daphne had offered him the choice of eating some crackers. While she had given a few choices, to choose neither option was also a choice. He still had his dried meat rations in his cell, along with his waterskin and armor. The guards had seemingly not deemed that an issue. Not like he was planning an escape, a certain conditions would have to be fulfilled for him to take action. To break free.

"Most generous missy. For a... "  He chuckled softly. ".... captive stale alive." He said in an amused tone.

If the guardsmen would try to tie him up in some manner, it would mean likely death or some form of punishment which could severely hamper his prowess. Overall he could not afford being killed or maimed just yet, not that he feared death. It was a natural and unavoidable truth. Accepting it's existance and power was necessary, but it didn't mean he would go there too eagerly.

He still had promises to keep. To himself and to others. The dead gave him the strength to move on, those who passed and those who were destined to pass.

Protect the stone. Kill Auric. Destroy the two kingdoms. Dawnhaven's victory. Curiousity. These reasons were good enough to continue the struggle, to see what doors could be open.

To every action. There is a reaction.

Whereof it was a show of irritation, rage or fierce retorts, or if it were silence, reservation or amusement. Each would yield a glimse into what kind of person one would deal with.

Of course there were those who donned masks and would try their best to conceal their true nature. But whilst the eyes could be deceived, much like the ears could be. Were it softly coated words or a bards tale. The blonde warrior-monk knew to trust his own intuition. At least to a point. People's true nature would often come creeping through fascades, it made him wonder if any of those he had met had been able to see him through.

The thought brought a soft smile to his lips. Elio had chosen silence, it told the blonde plenty about what kind of man he were.

'To be quiet can at times tell more about a person than words ever would.  Zephyros had the curiousity and questions, yet was cautious to tell anything about himself, there were some genuine desire to know there, but wariness to trade anything for it, yet unwittingly had nontheless. This man however desires to simply cure his doubts. One jaded by the world, still seeking the flicker in the dark. Yet shy to let others know that very truth. I can sense the emotions from here. This man's words are meant to show one thing, his own perceived image of himself as unworthy and that he is a villain most foul. Yet his physical reactions display the opposite.

You are quite the caring one, aren't you, mason of stone. There are things one may outrun in this world, the truth however always manage to catch up.'

Gadez walked over to the sad excuse of a bed and sat down on it.

'True nature. That is a curious thing. We traverse down our paths seeking the precious treasure fabled to lie there in the end.  Regardless what happens now, I have won but also lost. I cannot have a complete victory, nor a complete loss. I will of course still, like many others, strive to do my outmost to win the most. Death truly isn't the end fully, isnt that right, you detestable priestess? You are still haunting my memory, you beautiful and relentless specter of the past. I will do what I can to keep the precious stone safe. It does look much like you. My lady lost.' He thought and stretched his arms momentarily, giving the crackers a glance.

'To kill Auric is a necessity, to see the old splintered world crumble and be unified. Quite the lofty goal. But then again, I am not your average warrior, monk nor gardener. I am a weapon and weapons are made to fight with. Have my own strengths led to the weakness of looking down on others? Perhaps so. For who here is my equal in this game, where I cannot lose? No matter what the others choose.

Tia is by far my greatest adversary. I cannot let my aspirations waver. Again. Oh you must indeed be watching with amusement, you warring goddess of the sun, sending your most capable to try to stop me. The self-proclaimed champion may claim to champion your cause, yet compared to the priestess she's but a leaf in the wind. Simply going wherever the wind dictates, unable to change directions. Like a puppet in a play. I can only pity such a fate. But family can make you do the oddest of things. I should know. Yet you must have quite the love for irony, Aelios. The little girl gave me such a good front row seat from here. All I must do now is wait. Time shall tell if you, Flynn, have the strength needed to rebel against 'destiny'. Or if we are fated to clash. If you cannot unite Dawnhaven...

I will.

The victor of the game of life, is the master of hearts. Know them and guide them, and you'll claim the world.

Kira. A perceptive and intelligent girl, tactful and guarded. More than a simple herbalist. Not prone to prod. She does not bear the questioning curiousity of a spy nor the urgency of an inquisitor. She might prove to be an able ally, like most blightborn, the success of Dawnhaven is crucial to their existance. The re-emergence of the sun would no doubt bring ruin to those like her and return our world to how it were. A stagnant world where we are but pawns for two goddesses, two sides of the same coin. To be trapped in such a loop is a cruel fate, and that which shall befall the world if I. No. We fail.

Leela. An indecisive now snake-shaped blightborn. Claims to be selfish, then shows being the opposite. She is playful and easy-going for one of the afflicted, when the time comes for tough choices to be made, will she be joining the same side as I? Time will tell when she's made up her mind .

Flynn. You look just like him. That wretched excuse of a man. Conceited king.Yet time again shall tell if you have the strength to break free, or if you will follow the stream where it is trying to lead you. I am looking forwards to our next meeting, I can sense the unease at your core. Does the idea of us having sprung from the same tree displease you? Whereof you accept it as the grim truth, or the lies of a madman... now that is up to you. It doesn't change the fact our paths are crossing.

Amaya. A seemingly tough exterior, but is soft within. You bear the mask better than some however. You are a cunning foe for whomever may count you as their enemy. Yet you bear the pride of youth, much like the self-proclaimed champion. You step up when you've ought to step down. But indeed this isn't your fault. The attack upon you, by what I assume were the wolf-boy shall surely serve as a good lesson. Perhaps you shall grow into the queen you were meant to be? We shall see. '

The blonde smiled and looked down at his pair of hands. A pair of weapons. Like the rest of his body. He was made of bon, flesh snd blood, yet he could discern that as the truth. His old mentors had done well, even if they were not able to understand his motivations. They had unwittingly made him more powerful. Even now. Without his bladed staff,  Atropos. Without his fire and psychic magic. He knew that his body, his mind and words were dangerous enough of their own.  The right word could sometimes trigger or prevent wars, could sway a champion of light to the dark, or redeem someone far fallen. Who had taught him the art of words? His mind landed on his mother. She had shown him the power of words.

A master of words was something to be feared, it could even make swordplay or magic useless at times. He smiled softly to himself.

'What was it that the lynx hid within... knowledge dangerous as sin. Tread on steps careful prince Flynn, in this darkened game we seek to win. With eyes of truest blue, the stone has seen you through.

A seed planted long ago, to simply tell is a no. To solve the riddle of a puppet show, may tell you of where the paths may go. A grimalkin on silent paws step, born from a wicked tree's sap.

Precious gem of a feline bond, of this knowledge you shall not be fond.

What was it that the golden star spoke, what was the fire that it stoked? In this quest of war on the divine, comes forth the child of Cymbaline...

A star obscured in brilliant light, saved to reign after the final fight...

What was it that the lynx hid within? A second child born under a starry sky, to wield the mantle after it would die...' 

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Claret Crown

A big yawn was heard, followed by six limbs stretching.

"Ahh shite! T'was some good nap. Now where the feck are me?" Claret looked around, trying to recall the happenings of the last day. Had he drank up all his rum? The thought of being out of it filled him with a sense of dread. Being fully sober was dangerous.

The man wiggled his toes, and when he did he noticed two midgets by the end of the bed. Smaller than children they were, and dressed in crude outfits. They were even slightly ugly.

"Pard'n the intrus'hun... oi wait a shmackin' moment. Ye ain't midgets ye are feckin'..." He blinked to the two puppeteer dolls he had used as socks for the night. Oh that was right, he had broken into a room at the inn at night. They had locked him out. The nerve of some people, the former pirate captain had taken matters into his own hands.

"Oh..." He said in a short moment of revelation, that his post drunk clarity had bestowed upon him.

"At least me did nae burn it down this time 'round... tha's progress in me shippin' log. Time ta get meself some gosship an' intre...deuce meself ta 'dem highnessinesses..." The swaggered his was out of the bed and tossed his temporary puppet socks to the side.

"Feck some real freaky landlubber shaggin' dolls, shite... the fecker is gettin' more shag than me still. Cannae 'ave tha'. Time ta get meself some buried chest an' booty."

The former pirate grinned and got himself dressed. Which just meant putting on his boots, as all his other clothes he had kept on.

He had to get his way out of here before he would end up in trouble. More trouble. He went up to the door. It was locked.

"Ahh come on! Why ye gotta do me dirty like tha'. Okay it's the capt'n Crown tackke time." He rubbed his four hands together and then ran to force the door open. A loud banging sound.

"Oopsie...ne'er was one for knockin' things down... knocking up howev- oh shite gotta go. " He picked the door back up and discreetly. Or attempted to discreetly jam it into the doorway again. "Like new. Carry on ye dashbuckler." He scurried away on swift steps before someone would notice what he did. He had not stolen enough coins to afford to pay for a new one. Or the window he broke to get in.

Claret made himself down to what appeared to be the largest room.

"Gud mornin' everbuddeh! Who wants a hug? Me throat is a tad bit sore after last nights whatever-stuffus wha's goin' on... but enough o' that and more 'bout whose willin' to buy themselves a friend? Not just any friend mind ye, but the formerly dreaded pirate o' pirate captains, Captain Crown. Aye? At yer service ladies and gentleladdies! Whose up to be me...lessee 'ere... fiftyseventh first mate?" Claret gave a cheeky grin to the entire room, his four hands place on his waist as he took in the view. Now this place was more like it. If he could get drunk enough in here and sway enough it would feel like he was on the Crown Jewel again.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

Raunefeldt Residence

The audacity. How dared they tell him to return to his residence. No one but a royal and himself could tell him what to do. The ever so gracious, levelheaded and always considerate nobleman had surely given those rude good-for-nothing a good reprimand. It made his fall into sleep go so much easier, it had filled him with enough self-importance that he felt compelled to fall asleep.

When Ayel finally was waking up, he felt however disappointed, he had not been having any rich and intriguing dreams about himself, neither did he receive any guiding visions of Aelios. He felt momentarily at a loss, til he focused his eyes on the ceiling above and the large mirror he had neatly placed there. There was something special in being greeted by the person you loved in the morning.

After a having taken a few moments to take off his face mask, the Marquess took some deep stares at himself. While the world had gone dark, he was confident that his face would be the substitute sun until things would return to normal.

Those damn brutes were surely to blame, and their barbaric worship of the ice witch.

But while he knew that he was rich, he simply couldn't afford the time to think about those half-humans, no he had work to do.

The man walked over to his mirrors, all twelve of them neatly arranged in a circle, so that no matter where he would look he could always get the full view.

"Mmm... perfect." He mused softly and then fetched a small bowl of water to wash himself, which he did. Soon after he began to apply all his various oils and skin lotions. He could not stand it if he would get a wrinkle before Lord Stormlight. And when. If. He would get one. It would be a sign of aged charm. Like a man who gets some grey hair or beard.

Not that he would want a beard. It would cover up too much of his perfect jawline. It wasn't worth the effort. Ayel took of his net-headpiece which had been kept on during the night to protect his locks of hair.

"You are such a ravishing, strapping and handsome  man, Lord Raunefeldt. Oh yes you are... hmm... mmmhmm." He chuckled and reached for his box of wonders, opening the finely carved miniature chest which stood in the middle of the twelve mirrors.

He picked up some lipstick and applied a dark purple colour to his lips, making a smacking sound and giving himself a raised eyebrow. His reflections truly did him more justice than anyone else. The ever humble and humility adorned noble then opened his jewelry box, chosing between all his rings. Even if he had left his large collection at home, still picking between fourty was tough work.

After much consideration and deliberation he was finally done, picking a ring for each finger. Then he walked over to put on his attire, the corset was put tight. Not because he considered himself fat, but it was a fashion statement and a show that he was aware of his looks and wasn't some overendulging 'new rich' person.

He then proceeded to comb his hair, meticolously making sure that his locks would lie perfectly on his head. It was an important thing, his head held the greatest mind of Aurelia for generations, such were to be taken care of.

He did his finishing touches on his attire, choosing a pink longcoat with fur collar and peacock feathers. He then carefully picked up his family broché depicting his mother in profile.

"Oh mother dearest, if only you could see me right now. Not every mother can say they've birthed something this good. Mm. Yes."  The always considerate nobleman smirked and picked up his walking cane. He would use one today, his sword having already been strapped by his belt.

He knocked on the doot with his cane.

"Doors." He said aloud.

There were silence.

He coughed softly.

"Doors!" He said in a louder tone, his ever so finetuned patience growing thin.

"Open the fucking door!" He yelled out in rage before he came to the realization that he had no maids or butler.

Faldrin. That useless idiot. What was taking him so long? He didn't have time to wait two months.

The nobleman opened the door himself. It was thankfully his own door and not some germ infested commoner handle he had touched. But he still felt a lump in his stomach, that what if the handle had not been cleaned enough. He took out his napkin and cleaned his hand.

Breakfast. He had to eat. Oh what a bother. How had he missed the fact he needed a cook? Then again. They were servant folks. They were so easily forgotten. He had to try solve his hunger himself. He went to fetch himself some wine, cheese, smoked pork and tomatoes.

While he was enjoying his successfully crafted breakfast he realized he should go visit the Aelios shrine again, to make an offering and get himself and the prince properly blessed. That woman which Aelios had acted through might be able to relay his concerns to Aelios herself.

The noble wiped his mouth and then put some of the leftover tomatoes into a small basket. These would be a good offering.

His sister was seemingly already out. A good morning indeed. He went over to one of the windows, undid the hatches and looked at the blue skies, the white fluffy clouds and the view of his favorite room in Aurelia. That painting was perfect to use as a substitute for the damnable darkness and state of peasant plague that afflicted Dawnhaven.

"Mmm... to the shrine then." He said softly, picking up a big black hat with a feather, putting it on his head before locking the door and heading out.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The warrior-monk traced his hand along the stone wall and then blew some dust from his hand, then looked back to Elio, listening to the man speaking. The blonde couldn't help but have a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth as the other man finished speaking. Gadez patiently rested his hands behind his back, his eyes turning into slits as he gradually began to offer a smile without displaying his teeth. Elio? Most likely Aurelian. But he was surely not from the same region.

"Sunspear." Gadez said in an amused tone of voice before continuing. "A stonemason ought to know in order to build a mighty tower, one require to have a sturdy base. Whilst the earth here may be cold and difficult to work with, things may still grow from it. They say the hardiest of things grows in places where none would expect to find them. So I wouldn't say that you are entirely correct on that, mason of stone." Gadez approached the bars and gave a more smug look on his face, his hair momentarily falling over his eyes.

"There are trees older in this world than any structure, one might argue that nature is stronger than any construct made by our kind. Yet nothing is eternal. But indeed, what would you possibly know of that, my dear humble stonemason?" The blue-eyed blonde smirked and kept himself just out of arms reach from the bars now, in case Elio would feel it necessary to try and grab him.

"The earth beneath your feet may not be the only place where seeds may be planted. But in hearts and minds too. You would rather not plant a seed at all, believing it is doomed before it has even had it's chance to prove you otherwise. Then I suppose you feel the same way about the prophecy child? Why even try if the odds are stacked against us? Why even rise up in the morning to eat and drink, when you don't know if the following day is the last? I find it ironic that a man such as yourself, who seems to have left hope behind, to have come to the place of hope that is Dawnhaven. No. You are here because deep within you too have that hope. That somehow this world can still be salvaged. If you cannot be honest to others, at the very least be honest to yourself.

A man who has no belief in himself, the people around him or the world is more dead than those afflicted by the blight. So drop that pretention that you seem to try feed yourself with, and believe in the salvation of this world. Civilization was not built in a single day. Neither were you. Would you look upon a newborn with the same judging eyes? Even if something may appear weak, flawed or otherwise challenged against the world. Such challenges breeds strength of many kinds. Of will. Skill. A physically weak person, who continues to strive despite their weakness. May someday surpass those who walked a smoother path, fed by silvery spoons and wrapped in silk since birth. For they have not known how it is... to rise from a seemingly barren earth."

The vexing man said in a stern voice, his gaze unflinching. Then he changed his expression in an instant and took on a more carefree one.

"As you are a good listener, Elio. I am certain you shall remember this well." He bowed to the other man in a butlerlike manner from the other side of the bars, then the blonde man turned to face Daphne which had arrived.

"Ah... the fine and tall missy. Forgotten me have you? I take it your evening was fruitful last night? As for my reason for being here? A simple reaction to an action, all choices before me, I choose to tread the path that led me here. So many paths are before us, yet we always choose a path and proceed, in the labyrinth of life. No matter what anyone else may thing. When it comes to myself? I do what I have to do. To live life bound by some law other than the law of my heart is that truly 'living'? When you rob yourself of your true desires and the path you know that you want to take, no matter how many pebbles are along the way... as you seek the chest at the end of the maze, hoping that it contains that which you seek." He said softly with a slightly warm smile as his mind seemed to wander to something.

"Word of advice, young lady. Is to take matters into your own hands when they present themselves before you, lest they may be lost forever. Seize the opportunity or it will slip through your fingers. The purpose of your life is to live it as you desire, not what is expected of you by artificial creations... otherwise you might aswell truly be dead." He smiled softly with his eyes closing into slits.
'The stone is here... my dear. I feel it as much as the blood in my veins.'

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez's blue gaze set on Elio, looking over the man from top to toe, while the man in question spoke.

"Hah...hahah… if stealing a loaf of bread is ones biggest worry, then one should be considered to be lucky. Slaying a brother? Not quite there yet. But who can tell where the tale may tread, perhaps said brother will in turn try to end me? Well isn't that sort of uncertainty what makes life worth living? When it comes to coercion, I have no need to use threats, I deal only in promises." The blonde man stepped slightly closer to the iron bars, blowing some air from his mouth.

"So he was indeed a blightborn. That dark-eyed and dark haired young man. So temperamental too. As one may expect from the young. Yet he did seem to try his outmost to try conceal his true self. His intentions. The sweeter the words, the more poisonous they often be. Yet this one's eagerness seems to have indeed gotten the better of him. This boy has attempted to shake the very foundation of this place, the haven for the afflicted, trying to meddle with the great plan to properly save this world… from itself. However unlike many others, which may live and learn by their mistakes. This one will not have that fortune. Because he will be hunted down and squeezed like a lemon til there's nothing left but a dried shell for the fire..." Gadez gave a slightly sinister smile.

"By royal decree." He said in a eerie tone of voice. "I had however expected him to come by here, upon having learnt of my presence here. Boys seeking to act like men always do seek to prove themselves when faced with a challenge. Hnn.. well I suppose the guards must have kept him busy. Would explain why guardsman Zephyros of the gentle breeze, left for some coal and papers, so that I could draw the face of said boy... but the dear guardsman never returned last night. Makes one wonder... why that is? I would do a head-count, If I were the guard commander. However... I am but a humble gardener. What would I possibly know? Hah...hah...hahah..." Gadez chuckled softly, and traced his finger along the iron bars, as he slowly walked on his side of the cell.

"As for what my crimes are? Most of it is rooted in telling the truth. No matter how grim or bitter it may be. The dear, oh so rightious, and truly all-seeing... bovine minded 'Champion' of Aelios didn't find my displeasure for a peculiar King to be acceptable. After she had the audacity to eavesdrop. Shows how much they care for other peoples privacies. Not to worry, my stay here is temporary. As is all things truly. Nothing is eternal. On the bright side, the lodging and food is free 'barring' the underperforming view. Not to mention people have no choice but to talk with me here. So in a matter of looking at it, I am making the guard force slighlty more resistant to... taunts." He snickered and pulled his hair back.

"But manners. I am Gadez. A humble gardener, performer and a few other things. This place isn't all bad. It has given me the perfect place to draw said wolf to, would he seek to prove himself. With iron bars in the way. Magical wardings to render most magic unusable. One cannot help but wonder, would it work on the afflicted? Well, regardless a boy such as that mangy wolf isn't likely to try attack someone who cannot fight back. His pride wouldn't surely allow for it. So would said assailant of the princess come here, unlock this door here... then not only would I be free to leave, I would also be doing the place a favor by removing this obstacle. Even if the boy will not show up, this is an ample place to be for the prince to later visit and not feel... uneasy. Same goes for some others. I am gardener after all. I plant seeds. I water them. And tend to them. Some might even draw the conclusion that I intentionally want to be within this place. But who would be able to tell what's what? Now then... whom might you be, bronze skin?" Gadez smiled and tilted his head to the side, his eyes turning into slits, making him almost look like an overly pleased cat.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

&

Anora had woken early and eaten some breakfast, while her brother had been far too busy talking in his sleep and getting his precious beauty-sleep in his bedchamber. The young noblewoman had then spent a few moments to create invitation cards for her tea party. Only one of the invitations were signed with the receivers' name. Lady Aurora Haliwell and Miss Storm.

Anora had taken care of making sure to make her inviation personal with a miniature drawing of a horse head at the side of the invitation, with one of it's eyes winking. The rest of the invitation cards however had no names to them, but she thought she would hand them out in person. Perhaps some of the hardworking men or women of the guard force could find a moment to enjoy some tea-time? She also would have to check by the inn.

With no further ado, the young woman set out from the newly made Raunefeldt residence and traversed through the snow, peeking at the various buildings, looking for people being outside. She finally laid eyes on a man standing watch outside a curious looking building.

"Fair day sir~ May I inquire your name and the purpose of this building here?~" Anora said softly, resting her umbrella over her shoulder as she made a courtesy bow to the man.

"Good day miss... lady? I am just a simple man on guard duty. As for this building right here. This is the jail. It's currently under construction." The guardsman answered and raised an eyebrow.

"The jail? I have never been in a one. But I hear they are pretty awful. I would like to have a look. Also would you have time for tea today?" Anora asked softly as she closed her eyes and smiled.

"I am duty miss. I don't have time for such frivialities. Forgive me. I also cannot let you into the jail without a good reason. We have a dangerous person currently held in there." The guardsman explained and rubbed his gloved hands together to keep the heat.

"Oh that's a shame~ Well. I am trying to become aquaintenced with the people living here, a tea party will be held at my brother's residence today~" The blue-eyed young noblewoman said in a joyful mood.

"You'll find nothing but guardsmen and criminals in there, miss. Your brother's residence? Whose your brother?" The guard blinked and the question slipped out of his mouth before he could think of an answer himself.

"That would be Marquess Raunefeldt. I am Anora Raunefeldt, his sister. Have you perhaps met him? I can arrange for you to meet him if you wish?~" Anora said in a soft tone, blowing some air through her mouth and smiling, momentarily considering it.

"R-raunefeldt-?" The guard's tongue slipped on the name, as he felt the hairs on his neck stand up as his mind ran various scenarios of what could happen. None of them were good. Crossing that obnoxious, self-absorbed but nontheless influencial nobleman was definitely one of the five worst things one could encounter. The very thought of meeting said nobleman was enough to make him get a knot in his stomach, as if he suddenly felt ill.

"Ahh.. my appologies, Lady Raunefeldt. I didn't recognize you. I would hate to take up any of the Marquess' time, please go ahead with your business and enter but be careful." The man felt the sweat sliding down his neck and back and opened the door to the jail for Anora and motioned for the guard inside to follow and watch her while she were inside the building.

"Your concern has been noted~ You'd have my gratitude~" She said softly and tipped her head. Anora's pristine heeled boots clattered as she stepped inside the building which was still being properly constructed. She adjusted her fur-clad scarf around her neck as she proceeded to look the place over with the guardsman in tow. He didn't seem the talkative sort. Anora also felt odd. As if something very wrong was going on in the jail. Like a big hollow emptiness. Was there some strange magic at play?

"M'lady. Keep your hands close to yourself. Do not under any circumstance go near the iron bars or the prisoner held here." The guard finally spoke.

"Do not worry~ I shall keep a clear distance from the bars~. What can you tell about this prisoner?~" Anora's gentle eyes landed on the guard, she blinked a few times.

"He's been taken in for threats against the Aurelian King." The guard said after a brief moment of recollection.

"I see.." Anora nodded her head softly, as she lifted her gloved free hand to her chin.

'All these holding cells. Is Flynnie expecting this much trouble?' She thought to herself before stopping in her tracks, she could hear a voice. Someone was singing… or hymning. Normally she would join in whenever she could hear someone else singing, she almost couldn't resist the temptation to do so. As had been the case with Aurora. But this… this voice made her feel a chill up her spine… there was something very off about it. It made her almost recoil and collect herself before stepping forwards with determined steps. Now curious to find the source of the voice.

"...the stone in paws… magic that defies all laws… lurking in the midnight mist is a name... of the dead… a secret ink upon his skin... a mark of destinies… with blight beside him on his quest… the world falls to it's knees…"

She frowned, shaking her head softly as she made her steps abit faster, causing the guardsman to slightly increase his rate of speed aswell, he felt compelled to call out to the noblewoman to slow down. Then Anora stopped as she came to the cell and laid eyes on a man standing within it with his back turned, his blonde shoulder-long hair flickering slightly from the slight breeze coming down from the small jail window far above. The finely clad young woman raised her free hand to her mouth and pretended to cough into it to alert her presence, but to her suprise the man was already turning, his ghostly blue eyes setting right into hers.

"That is a very gloomy song don't you think?~" Anora said and tried to offer a smile, despite feeling a sense of dread. It was as if this man was staring right into her very core. Something about it made her feel strange inside. She couldn't quite place it. The man however didn't strike her as gruff or the type she had expected to find in a jail. He was clearly not a nobleman by inspecting his attire.

"Oh?" The blonde man said aloud, his eyes widening in what she could only describe as suprise, then moments later he closed them and tilted his head to the side and gave the noblewoman a smile.

"No doubt a gem like yourself can do it far better than I. My my, aren't you a bold one, coming to a place such as this." Gadez opened his eyes again and took in the full view before him, looking the young woman over from top to toe.

"What a fierce looking little lady. Pray tell, what brings you to this place? I doubt it's the stonework." He said with a smug smirk on his lips.

"My name is Anora Raunefeldt~ I am here to help Prince Flynn and my brother to offer my support in defeating the blight. Is it true that you are kept in here for threats against King Auric? Why is that?~" She placed her free hand on her chest where her heart were.

"Anora? A fitting name. It means precious. Did you know that? Names can reveal much of a person. As for myself… I've come to bear many a name. Some of the favorites among other people are 'Oh no.. it's you.' or 'You again...'. However you may simply call me Gadez. And defeating the blight? I wonder if that is even possible. After all. Can one defeat death? As for the conceited king, he and I have some unfinished matters. No doubt I am not alone to bear a resent for that man. I am convinced there are many who speak akin about King Jericho of Lunaris." The blonde man did a butlerlike bow towards the young woman, followed by a soft smile.

"I see. Gadez? Do you not have a last name?~ Family is important. You should not toss that away no matter what.~ And we will try our best to find the cure for the blight to make sure no one else will have to die because of it." Anora said with a slightly stern voice, placing her free hand at her waist, as if trying to make a point to the older man.

"Hahahah... Of course. Family is important... it is what makes you get up in the morning, to choose to live and go on despite all the pebbles along ones path. Is it not? I know this quite well myself. Perhaps sometimes things are... put aside in order to better safeguard oneself and the things that one find to be important. Feelings can be dangerous if left to roam freely without restraint. Can allow ones ambition... to waver. My family name is one riddled with evil. You are one lucky kittycat. To have a finer family name than I. Perhaps you were more fortunate with your parentage than I." The blonde man gave a softer smile, his eyes changing to express... warmth? Anora's eyes displayed slight concern at hearing the man's words, nothing about his chosen words were overly hostile, but the way he spoke put her on edge.

"Do you have any issue with the Raunefeldt family?" Anora asked and adjusted her umbrella slightly. She looked abit uncomfortable.

"Besides their unwavering support of the Aurelian royals? No. I would even go as far as to say I owe your family some gratitude." Gadez smirked.

The young noblewoman crossed her arms after folding her umbrella. "What is that supposed to mean?" She felt as if the man in front of her was making fun of her… or mocking her family.

"Nothing to worry of. It's a minor thing. A boon given a long time ago. No doubt there will come a time for me to repay your… family. For their kindness." The blonde smirked yet again and turned around slightly.

Anora was typically a very collected, patient and perceptive person. But this man, whomever he were, was poking at her in some way. His words were praising, but the way he delivered them made them seem like threats. She found it very disturbing. Who was he to speak of her family in such a manner. Perhaps he was locked up for a reason.

"Do not play games with me! If you have some issue with my family, you will take it up with me. Are we clear?" Anora raised her voice, it was firm and clear. Her eyes defiant. She was now upset. Family was the very thing most important to her. This man was stepping on her toes, going into a dangerous territory. She held herself back from the bars and gave the guard a glance to not interfere.

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of speaking with your non-blood related brothers about such a thing." Gadez mused softly, reaching for his waterskin and taking a sip of water from it.

"You! So what if I was adopted? Does that make them any less family to me? Do you have any idea how it is to be an orphan? Where's your compassion for others?" Anora's eyes twitched, she could feel them being slightly watery, but she held it back. She wouldn't let this provocative mean spirited prisoner get the better of her. He must have been from Aurelia and heard it from the gossiping other nobles or something. She tightened her grip around her umbrella and her other hand tightened into a fist.

"...as a matter of fact. I do know how that feels. Liberating... yet also lacking. As if there's something hollow always within. Never filled. Like a hunger for something out of reach. Abit like how this particular building seems to sap ones magical potency quite effetively. But not all magic... there's magic in this world, which defies all laws." The blonde said in a softer voice, he then walked closer to the iron bars to look the young lady into the eyes.

"Then you out of anyone should know better. You don't know me, don't speak as if you do. You don't know anything about me. I am leaving now... You... you are a very unhappy man. Gadez." Anora straightened her back, put her umbrella over her shoulder, raising her chin upwards and gave the guardsman a nod that she was ready to be escorted out.

"Good thing you came by to lighten my mood then. Til next we'd meet, little opal." The blonde man mused softly, in a playful manner. His blue eyes turning into slits.

Anora stopped in her tracks, what did he just say to her? "What did you just..?" Anora bit back with a confused look in her eyes and teeth gritted. Had she met this man before in Aurelia? Did he know her middlename or was that a coincidence? She reached up to touch her two-coloured hair, her glove reaching up to the blonde fringe of hair, moving it out of her smooth pale face. She had the same issue as her older brother. Bothersome locks.

The guardsman stepped in. "You have to leave now, miss." He motioned to Anora to leave, even though she seemed eager to rush back to the bars to continue talking to their prisoner. Gadez simply watched with a soft smile, closing his eyes and giving her a wave of his hand, before his voice echoed again as he sung on his hymn again.

"---in the ashes of the night.. a secret child was born… lost within a mansion's light… future to be sown… in silent dreams a face appears… a mother lost to time… who birthed you child my dear?"

Gadez's hymn echoed along the stone walls and she found herself more or less pushed out of the jail by the guard. What in the world had just happened? She also felt as if the hollow void she had felt within the jail disappear.

'Who in the world was that? The way he looked at me. It was the same way those friends of my foster mother looked at their newly bought necklaces.' Anora's gentle eyebrows furrowed slightly. She would have to ask Ayel and Flynn what they knew about that man.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The nobleman found himself surrounded in his bed by pillows, to the point of finding him would be an undertaking. The various walls bearing his portraits of himself. It was indeed a good thing he had brought them with him, the room would have felt insufficient and empty without these familiar faces.

Ayel allowed himself a satisfied smirk as he cuddled his way deeper down into his bed with the various pillows and his favorite doll next to him which was made in his own image. But it was a bed companion which he did not need anyone to know about, there would be all manner of ill rumors from such. Was it wrong to feel so beholden to an object which identified everything he liked. It was having an unchanging wrinkle-free face and the head was of the most fine porcelain. The artist had made good work of making it resemble him.

But as pleasing as the sights were, even his noble eyes required to rest, he simply couldn't strain his eyesight. He had plans to be the oldest man alive, proving for everyone to see that his blood was flawless and he could walk over to his dead adversaries graves and gloat. Then again… perhaps gloating to someone which couldn't respond back was bad sport? He couldn't be a bad sport.

The darkhaired Marquess smugly arranged the cucumber slices over his eyes and adjusted them to neatly cover up the only parts his face-mask was not covering.

He took a deep inhale and relaxed. Now he could get his beauty sleep. Nothing to worry about. The prince would have everything solved by the morning no doubt, string up some lowlife barbarian and that would be the end of that. He snuggled further down amidst the pillows.

[Bells toll]

"Ahhhhhhhh!" He screamed aloud as he was rudely disturbed by the sounds of bells being rung. He sat up amidst his pillows and the cucumber slices fell off his eyes and he angrily moved his cover away and grunted as he slide out of the bed, clad only in his nightgown, which was a knee-length white shirt, a sleeping net for his hair and the face mask.

He angrily moved over to the window which his workers had very recently put in place, he looked out the glass but couldn't see anything. Why in the world were there bells being sounded?

Were they being attacked? Was the Lunaris army attacking?! Or perhaps it was just some lunatic trying to ruin his sleep. Either way the ever determined nobleman made his way over to his wardrobe, slid a morning-robe of finest quality over his nightgown. He threw away the net holding his hair in place and carefully rearranged it, slipping on one of his feather adorned hats. He was clad in blue now. The colour was surely flattering him. Then again. What colour did not?

He scoffed and walked over and slid on his boots in a quick manner, darting out into the dining chamber where Anora was trying to sleep on a couch.

"Ayel.. what's going on?" She yawned slightly, not having slept but was reading a book and gradually getting there.

"I am about to find out! This better be an attack by those lousy half-bred barbarians! If I find out it's some drunk I'll string him up myself! Now excuse me!" Ayel straightened his back and walked over to put his elegant black overcoat over the blue morning robe he had donned.

He stepped out and heard some commotion.

But before he could make his way over there, he saw someone strutting over his lawn. He had clearly claimed this site as his home. This unsavory intruder was not only intruding, he was being caught redhanded!

"You there what do you think you are doing?! What in Aelios name is going on?!" Ayel barked out towards a man he could only assume was some swindler or bar patron with a coat that looked like it had been through some rough fifteen or so years.

"Ohoi landlubber! Tha' a mighty fine dress ye get yerself there madam! Me haven' got a clue 'bout wha's up. 'Cept the sky of curse." Claret tipped his imaginary hat at Ayel, as he no longer had his mighty headwear.

"What did you just call me? I am Lord Ayel Raunefeldt, I am very much a man! And you are intruding on my home and what is that disgusting accent you have? You are not a border-region crossbreed are you? Nevermind that! Get your reeking ill-timely self off my lawn!" Ayel yelled at the man, clearly agitated mostly from having woken up. But was this man the source of the problem? He didn't look like some murderer. He knew how those looked. This man was more like a sad poverted merchant of some kind.

"Aye? Beg ma pard'n yer lordshippiness! Me be on me merry way to find meself a room, shag an' drenk. So ye can get back to..." Claret replied and then his eyes wandered over the various statues that littered the front of the nobleman's home-in-progress.

"Yerself." He made a overexaggerated bow and turned around to walk away.

"No one tell me what to do! You hear me! You do not have permission to turn your back to me! I will turn my back to you! You hear me?! I have more pressing matters to attend to anyways!" Ayel raised his chin and nose up and turned to walk back in, before being reminded that he still needed to find out why the bells was ringing. He gruntingly waited for the irritating border-region brute to leave, before he carefully locked the door and scurried over the road to assess the situation. He peeked around a corner.

It didn't look like an attack. But maybe that was just what those underhanded barbarians wanted them to think. He wasn't going to let some uneducated apes get the better of him. Perhaps the guards had caught the murderer? He would inspect and if that didn't do it, perhaps he should ask those good-for-nothing guards by the jail.

'Ahh yes, the jail. I should see about funding the construction of a much bigger one. So much work to do. So many troublemakers to lock away.' He strode up to listen in on the announcements.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The warrior-monk's eyes snapped open on hearing the bells ringing.

'My my… for whom does the bells toll? Let us hope it shall not be to taxing for the prince.' He mentally mused as he walked up closer to the bars of the cell. It seemed like everyone was taking their dear time, no priestess in sight, no prince and no guardsman with coal and papers. If things would turn out to take too long, he would have to bid the cell his leave, but for now patience was no doubt the best key. He wasn't one to disregard laws, well at the very least not the law he lived by. His own code. Most of the other warrior-monks had them aswell, albeit very different from his own, and their dedication to Aelios.

He had not been the fastest to rise in rank amidst them, for he was refusing to kneel or pray at the small shrine within the monastery. The superiors within the order did their best to try and punish him for it, were it isolation, hard labor or some other form of punishment. To the blonde however, all these punishments just further amplified his despise for the divine and for the King, which the order was in fact serving.

The order of Golden Death. Created by the kingdom of Aurelia to train young men into becoming fanatical defenders of the kingdom and it's sovereign and hunt down any would be claimants to the throne and other threats. How ironic. An order made to hunt down people like him, yet they were completely unaware that he was right under their nose. The sin made flesh. The very anti-thesis to all they stood for. Yet they had forged him into a weapon. And despite constantly irritating the superiors, the elders and the other younger ones. He ultimately reached the apex, having issued the challenge to defeat each and everyone of the others and doing so. Any rank or title however meant nothing. It didn't mean a thing then and not now.

It was all about proving something. The mind and body had to be like one. The monks had some things correct. But often they would prove themselves unable to live up to their own mantras. How many of them had he coerced into a fit of anger just to prove a point? He couldn't remember. But he did remember how liberating it felt when the monastery finally burned. Much like his old home. Fire always paved the way. It did so in the blizzard aswell. What better element to represent his devotion to his task than a fierce fire… ready to consume whatever happens to end up standing in the way.

But fire can also be warm and keep one from cold. The fire in ones heart could be two different things and he had experienced them both, yet one of them nearly rendered him blind. Blissfully so. Had he died back then, it would still have left a bittersweet feeling.

King Auric would have to die.

But each child born into the world have two parents, a father and a mother. Who was his mother? A traveller from the lands of frozen earth and jagged spines. How had she managed to slip past all the guards so easily? He didn't know. He couldn't know. But what he did know were that she settled in Aurelia, built a mansion outside of the capitol and had her servants with her. He could still remember her fierce blue eyes. The same kind which he inherited. Yet her other traits? What else did he inherit? Her heart and mind perhaps? And the devious and shrewd side of his father.

Yet while they were different, both had the same intentions. To turn him into nothing more than a puppet. No matter what, their paths would lead to him sitting on a chair unable to live. Freedom that was life. Choice is life. To chose what to do with it. What other purpose is there to exist, but to traverse down the path you've chosen for yourself?

The father threatened the mother, seeking to lay claim on his heir and bring him with him, and the mother sought to lead him far away to be under the thumb of another. Having heard and witnessed their meeting, he had just been a young boy, but he knew what it meant. Both sides of the coin led him to the same kind of place. But what about the edge of the coin? The path between. A narrow way to go. But it was better than the other two.

The boy gathered a few belongings, a music box, a ring and a few other things. Before he took the candle and brought it to the curtains and lit the mansion ablaze. Everyone managed to get out unscathed. He watched from the bushes in the night how his mother tried her best to get back into the building, but being held back by her servants. He knew his mother had a heart. Unlike his father. Yet it wasn't her heart he needed to heed… but his own.

Besides it wasn't he who broke her heart. But his father.

Love. Such a fleeting emotion. Dangerous. Volatile. Ruinous. His father had cast away that feeling as easily as one would discard the core of an apple, yet his mother had been unable to let go and was crushed by the truth.

She took her caravan and servants and left Aurelia. A long time ago. Never to return alive.

She was likely at least ten years older than his father, having caught the attention of the much younger Aurelian man with her exotic appearance. Her piercing blue eyes. The way she spoke with that northern accent, regal and proud, yet with a soothing and calming tone. How her dark long wavy hair flickered in the breeze and her tanned skin resembling the most warm of browns.

He could vividly picture her in his mind. But he never saw her again. She died a long time ago. Yet she had offspring. He knew this.

A sister who in turn also had a child. That he would have some distant relatives who were likely completely unaware of his existence did bring him some amusement. He knew they too had to deal with wicked men. Just because the land would change under the feet didn't mean human nature did.

Until now.

The warrior-monk smiled broadly as he observed his surroundings. To almost anyone else. He was indeed caged. But this was nothing compared to the cage he could have been in. The cage someone else now finds themselves unwittingly pushed into.

'Let see what can be done to break all the cages… and set everyone free. Are you watching, my grimalkin, maker of the gem? The bells... ring of fire, water, air and earth. The time is approaching for the revelation, of a father's sin written upon skin.' He mused and waited.