Dezuel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The blonde man rose from his seat, his hair falling momentarily over his eyes. He stretched his arms slightly, displaying the tattoo on his back momentarily towards those by the cell door. Then he looked over his shoulder towards them, gradually turning to fully face them, approaching by a few steps.

"You'd come. I knew you would. Red Star. You are bold. It runs deep in the royal blood." Gadez said in a soft tone of voice, his ghostly blue eyes setting on Flynn's and then gave his usual butlerlike bow to Flynn and Amaya.

"It is also good to see that Princess Maize has indeed the heart of her mother. The same bravery and defiance. But you've ought to know that sometimes it is better to stand down. However it is most fortunate that you were able to survive the attack on your life. No doubt you have pondered on the 'if's an 'what's would have happened had you taken a different approach. Well... to put your mind at ease, regardless of what choices we'll make, we have to live with them. You can dream back to a time other than now, yet you cannot ever go back. And even if one could, what is to say the other options would have been better?

Here's my advice. Always heed what your heart tells you, regardless what anyone else says. That's how you'll go on without looking back with any regret." The man walked closer towards the bars separating them, his hand slowly tracing up his abs to his chest. For a moment he felt a rise in warmth, causing him to smile softly. Memories were sometimes indeed a cruel thing. He could not afford it right now. Thus the man returned to a more smug expression.

"Standing down is what has left me to find myself with the opportunity to speak with you without attracting too much attention nor ears. Even if my attempt to lure the wolf which set upon you princess, has not quite yet paid off. He'll come for me. Boys seeking to prove themselves as men always do. Curiously one particular guardsman by the name of Zephyros did not return with the parchment nor coal which I requested. A pity. As I could have by now been able to provide you with quite the ample phantom face to chase. Even if you have seen the man yourselves. The rest of this place may be unaware of what face the boy wears. Here's my suggestion regardless. Refer to him as a human. For are rumors to spread of a blightborn attacking humans, it shall become exceedingly more difficult for you to unify that which must be. Without a unified core. Without a strong base. Dawnhaven. This tower of hope. Shall crumble. We would all lose." He smiled softly as his gaze wandered from Flynn to Amaya, his hand by his waist, momentarily letting his tattooed back come into view again.

"Ah... but you did not come this way to merely listen, you came here bearing questions. Such as how did I find myself locked in here? With abit of luck and guile. That girl. The self-proclaimed champion of Aelios, she played her part well. Nothing perks curiousity as making an open door become tightly shut. And then a few chosen words... made quite the wonders. No doubt you have had moments such as these yourselves in your youths.

Exploring the castles and finding secrets you were never meant to find? Well... if you do have found things, perhaps it is because you were meant to. I was initially very doubtful of the goddesses myself, but after having experienced the things I have, even I, their greatest adversary has come to believe in their wretched existance. They are the reason why this world is never truly whole. Fractured. They've made the divide. Aurelia... Lunaris... I am certain once upon a time they were one, just like the goddesses were likely aswell. Nothing is ever created as a half. Makes one wonder where the glue that held it together went. And what became of it.

Perhaps exploring the very foundation which the twain kingdoms be built upon may yield such answers. But perhaps such knowledge is not meant for mortal minds..." He paused briefly, but only briefly.

"As for the matters at hand. Dawnhaven needs not a prince nor princess, it needs a king and queen. Not necessarily by title. But action. It's soldiers are right now only it's soldiers in name, their loyalties lie with the kings of the two kingdoms. Tradition dies hard. The olden guard are too set in their ways, they will not buckle easily. Even when pushed. Drastic change is required. Ideally a blightborn commander would be good. However with the already strained lack in trust, such ought to wait. Red Star. Maize. You need a proper sword and shield of your kingdom come. Appoint the Aurelian commander to the Lunaris guard, and the Lunaris commander to the Aurelian ones. They will have to earn each others respect in action...

...which has made me draw the conclusion that you need an overseer of this. A supreme commander if you so wish. Fortunately for you... I am quite free at the moment. Despite how deceiving the scenery may be. Unless you came here for a different reason, like executing me for... supposed treason? Well then thing is... I was never aligned with Aurelia. Nor Lunaris. My allegiance has always been towards Dawnhaven. Even before it even existed. These lands were once grounds I gazed upon from quite the elevated position. Therefor you bear not the right nor duty to pass that judgement upon me, Red Star. However I do believe you ought to use your command, a true leader leads by example...if you won't lead Dawnhaven, another will make an attempt to do it in your stead, depending on whom it may be it could lead to catastrophic results. No more hesitation. We cannot afford that." He tilted his head to the side and gave a smirk then looked to Amaya.

"Princess Amaya. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Halcyon. My my, you do resemble them both... your mother and your grandmother." Gadez nodded his head softly as he looked over her face.

"Pray tell, do you see any other resemblence here? You see... the Red Star, the man you know as Flynn... is my little brother." He said in a soft matter of fact tone of voice, looking at Amaya with a soft expression, then his head would eerily slowly turn towards Flynn, giving a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth.

@c3p-0h@The Muse

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The former pirate captain made a flourish with his four arms and offered a generic bow towards the tavern after his performance, placing two of his hands at his mouth and made several distance-kiss motions towards Tia and Kira, then set his eyes at Ivor. Yet threw no kiss.

"Thank ye! Thank ye! Ye are mighteh kind! But 'Tis good ye are holdin' back on the applause til the evenin', wouldn't want ye all to get tired now would we? Herb's hemlock! Look at that fine specimen o' whatever the heck birthed ye, ye mighty whale o' a man! Feck if me had ye with me on the ol' Crown Jewel, the mere sight o' us would'a scared 'em shiteless! But pard'n me!" He twirled around on his boots on the table and reached up to cup his own cheek with one of his four hands, leaning down alittle to look Sya in the eye.

"Oi! Serpent'ey lassie, ye doubt me skill with me 'ands? Well, me oughta give ye a show later! Are ye trying wordplay on me? Me be a ex-pirate, nay a page-turning flabberjabber! Nay offense lad!" He threw a glance over his shoulder at Aldrick and gave him a cheeky grin.

"So the prince is a stressed lad? Who'd knew! Well. Ye did. But nay matter, if he's got himself a smart'ley dress'd man with red eyes, he's probably in great feckin' 'ands. Me ought'a know, me be both red eyed an'... dressed… fer the time bein'." He winked and reached for a somewhat empty bowl which may have contained some food, located very fortunately at his table.

"Me be takin' yer kind offerin's, so me can afford to feed me twelv- twenty-five lil orphans in the makin', Cause me be dead ye see? Ah ah, and they say pirates are dumb! Hah!" He placed two of his hands at his waist and the other two cupping the bowl, accepting donations from anyone dum- generous enough to provide it.

"Yer welcome snakey' lassie! Yer the capt'n o' this stranded ship? Feck me starboard an' then up the mast! But where is yer hat then? An' scrubbin' yer decks, don't tease me with a gud time!" The dark haired former pirate gone less pirate said with a grin on his lips and gave her a wink, before jumping down from the table, landing with both his boots on the floor at the same time.

"Sorry 'bout tha' waitin' matey! Who needs to sleep anyways aye? Also what the feck did ye mean? Ye mean tha' say shanties are nay songs? Me don't know if ye be trying to peck a fight with me or flirt with me, either way… gud work on comin' back to the land of the awake. Fetch ye food an' a drink? Oh but me friend, me be a guest, the honor is yours to provide me with the food an' drinks. An' since ye are such a generous, famous and skilled fellow artisan ye'll even toss in abit extra, me bettin' Roight me friend?" The pirate grinned widely, now holding only on with his hand on the bowl with one of his hands, trying to wrap his arm around Aldrick, in a somewhat friendly manner. For a pirate. A charming pirate. Ex-pirate.

...and master pickpocket.

@SpicyMeatball@PrinceAlexus@c3p-0h

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

The nobleman heard the heavy steps, not because they were clearly heavy, but due to carefully attuned and refined hearing. As someone were approaching, he assumed that the man he had addressed earlier had taken his request at outmost importance. But when the ever levelheaded fully turned around he was met with the sight of Dyna.

'My dear, Aelios why must I suffer all these lowborn? Ugh. This one cannot even dress the part. Have I seen this one somewhere before?' He mentally sighed. Wearing that sort of attire meant she was not here to assist in cleaning his noble back.

Ayel raised an eyebrow, then his eyes narrowed in acute unison, his arms crossing to show his discontent by the sight before him. How dared someone -that- short talk to him in that manner.

Something about her appearance poked at his memories. Had he run into this girl before? He instinctively glanced to the top of her head. It was as if something was missing. Some hat or something. For a moment his thoughts landed on sheep and other animals. Disgusting. He briefly cleared his head and decided it was time to address the girl. He was still baffled at her words, fouler words had not been uttered that day.

"Lost?" He said aloud as if he was making cerain he heard right. The audacity! How dared she presume, that he, the very chosen of Aelios herself, a noble lord, was lost! The mere presumption would have been met with instant whipping. If he would have convinced the Aurelian queen that such a law change would have made the otherwise hard life of the nobility, abit less bothersome.

"I am certainly -not- lost, I know this place iike the back of my hand, lady Aelios guides her -most- chosen -all- the time. Do you ever get that? Oh what am I saying? Of course not." He reached up and moved his troublesome lock from his pristine face.

"But it does indeed seem like even servants like yourself have your uses, I, in my vast and sometimes unfathomable knowledge cannot keep track of every little detail. That this is in fact just some priestess chambers. Imagine a man of my esteemed nature being seen entering or exiting that room, it would give rise to unwarranted gossip. But yes, that is why servants like you exist. To serve your betters." He said in a slightly more satisfied tone, giving off a smug smile. The girl had proven somewhat useful, the room ahead had been a carefully laid out trap to ensnare unsuspecting noblemen. It then occur to him that she was clearly the temple appointed guide. Like one of those expeditions in Aurelia where they were hunting near extinct animals and needed a wayfinder to guide through the wilderness.

It did worry him that she stood so close to him, what if he would inhale some cheap perfume, or worse yet. Air breathed by a commoner. Maybe that's how the blight was spread? As he was about to use his noble influence and aura of respect to command the blonde girl to guide him to the changing rooms, the man from before interjected.

The nobleman's eyebrows twitched and his mouth opened to reply to the man, almost cutting him off and briefly putting his fingers in his ears.

"Na na na! Do I come by the watchtower and bother you when you are working?! Do not speak out of turn! No no. Ah ah. Shush. Why must you commoners always speak when you are not spoken to? Can't you see that I am a very busy man? Obviously you are not a proper servant but some spoiled guard with attitude problems.." He angrily began to walk towards Kale, trying to pass by Dyna.He felt the desire to slap him with his glove, but resisted as he knew there was a big risk of his gloves getting dirty. As far as he was concerned, his gloves were worth more than their lives.

"Of course I need to do -everything- myself! Ah! You! Girl! You have my permission to lead me to the changing rooms and after that to my private holy bath. And if you think about peeking then you must know that while I am stunning, I am way out of your league. But look on if you must. But try to contain yourself. I know how easily you lowborn get flustered. Well? Don't just stand there. Chop chop." He clapped his hands, he had a very eventful day ahead of him. For certain.

He could once again swear he had seen her before? Or had she a twin? A twin? The nobleman once again was reminded of animals. But why?

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Claret couldn't help but to blink and rub his eyes. Twice using both set of hands.

'Feck me! Tha lass got somethin' in 'er eye. Oh shite! Tha' feckin' tail!' He mentally screamed as he tried to gather his thoughts, walking over towards a nearby table to steady himself. He had never had problems to keep balance on his ship prior to his blightborn state, but this snake-like woman had surely done him in. If a snake-lass existed. Then it meant there were great odds of a kraken-woman aswell. He fondly recall having used his feathered pen to draw added physical attributes on those kraken drawings on the old maps. Of course his uncle's reaction had not taken away that habit, only reinforced it.

"Aye lassie! Me be a pirate, a captain indeed'ey! Please-sure ish mine! Me never saw such a pretty sea-serpent' afore. Tha's a mighty fine piece o' a- Oi!" He said aloud, his eyes landing on the table he had walked over to. A left over pastry. He could have also sworn he saw another nice piece of landlubber lass sit there a moment or two ago. He must have caused her to rush to get all powdered in the face. It was that or grab some booze.

'Don't mind if me do.' He thought as he gave the older gent by the table a thumb up with his lower right arm, as the left one carefully slid over and snatched the leftover goodie. The upper two arms started to spread as his eyes wandered back on Sya.

"Sorry lassie! Me get meself destracted by tha lack o' joy in 'ere despite the fine company! Booze and shag-opportunity! As fer why me be having gotten 'ere? Cause both the kingdoms want me head, and it ain't even the most impressive one. But nevermind tha'! Tell me, have ye seen the highness-asses? Me need to provide me introductions aye! Offer me services for the royals an' the Dawnyhav'n! Me wouldn't mind to shag ye and the pretty redheads after tha', but me gots to keep me head straight or me might forget 'bout reportin' fer duty! Aye!" He grinned and gave a wink in Kira's direction.

The captain made a deep bowing motion, and stealthily snuck the pastrie into his mouth, chewing it and swallowing it swiftly. Odd. It didn't made him feel any less hungry.

'Oh shite. Me needs ta find another o' them bird'ey's.' He lamented mentally, but perhaps all was not lost. A song could surely get his thoughts elsewhere than biting some unfortunate sucker's neck. Then he laid eyes on someone he recognized from posters he had seen during his pirate-relief work in the past. Aldrick! The famous bard!

He had felt abit bothered that somehow whomever drew the wanted posters and the posters for the musical events were not the same talent. Some even have had the audacity to put the man's poster above his own. As if he was the most wanted man. Claret had at the time taken in the view of the poster. Sure. The guy was goodlooking, but he was not pirate captain. But since they were both artists, despite clear differences he had come to an agreement to coexist with the man in their pursuit of fame and fortune. And shag.

"Oi! It's Aldrick! Tha' man be famous among ye landlubbers! Perfectum on ye shiney rectu- Anyweys! Good mornin' ye handsome landlubberin' lass-stealin' scoundrel! Arr! Time ta wake up! And what's better way to wake yerself up than with a song! Ohoi!" He reached over and tried to lift Aldrick's head up from the table he had seemingly fallen asleep against, using one of his handy hands at one of the man's horns. Then he tried to give the man a gentle barrage of slaps on the cheek to wake him up. "Ye play, me sing! Let's do et! The capt'n an' the bard, nay room fer any tard!"

The captain jumped up on the table and began to make a few step-dancing moves, his buckled boots almost as worn as his coat. He really needed to steal another pair. But for now. The urge to sing aloud was taking over.

"It's time ta be cheery with joy, oh me goodness, here be lands ahoi! In Dawnhav'n where the racks are full, where yer day, nay night is never dull! Don't ye fine lad worry yer silleh little head, it doesn't really matter if you sleep in someone else's bed. Yarr! Harr! Di diddle! Ye might not know it, but someday lass, my hands might just slip to hit that- sass! We are the fun ol' laddies o' the inns, don't ye mind us when we keep our eyes at yer twins!

Booze and shag! Skip out on ye work and don't be a drag! Aye! Fill that mug to the brim! It just ain't gonna make yer vision dim! Trust me! Me know these things! Captain Crown is in town! Line up lasses and all ye lads, there's rumble to be hads! One! Two! Three! Four! It's time for them royals to keep tha score! One! Two! Ahh! Four! Nay three! Four! Tha Capt'n is 'ere to teach some pirate lore! Yaharr! First mate Greg had a big pegleg! Balance liked to tip and durin' one stormy night he fell o' the ship! But keep in yer saddle, for Greg used it as a paddle! Unsinkable Greg! Greatest rowman o' the wavy waves! Me own proud mast with sail, knew that in the end rank would prevail! Aye!

Let me see yer hand! Not all four! Two will suffice! Aye! Move those feet too! Dance to the shanties! Or pay me a tribute by givin' me yer- vigilantes!

It's time ta be cheery with joy! Yarr harr! This be land ahoi! Landlubberin' and booty rubberin'! That's a pirate life fer ye and me! Me got some room for a lass, miss, lady and even a wife! But goddess forbid my own, or it be the end o' my life! Aye? Feck! Me blighted an' dead already! The dead tell no tales! Well fellows? Thenk again me just gettin' started!" Claret kept making his best attempt at livening the inn with some of his own sea shanties.

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.'