Dezuel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The ever grateful and humble noble breathed out a sigh. Not of relief, but one of bother. The very important person section of the hotspring did not have any walls or a roof, so when he would speak to himself, he was not meant with the pleasant echo of his own voice.

A travesty, possibly even a crime. He would have to forward his grave concerns and legitimate criticism to the temple priestesses. Perhaps his lady, the ever- well the usually shimmering goddess of the sun wanted him to educate them. Like an experienced master would to his flock of witless students.

The darkhaired nobleman rose to his feet, basking in his own state of being. It was almost illegal to be as fortunate and blessed as he were. If only his mother could see him now. Not in the spring, but the wonders he would bring to Dawnhaven.

Ayel stepped out of the spring, and felt confident the water had now been graced even further by his flawless shape. The very thought made him chuckle as he looked for a towel. A towel. He did not bring a towel! Not even a piece of cloth to dry his regal goddess-given body.

A sheer moment of controllee panic filled him. He tried his best to breathe. He couldn't dress in his clothes, they would get wet and then freeze. Neither could he wait for himself to dry as it was too cold. The nobleman got back into the water, sank down with just his nose and eyes above the surface. He was cooking up a plan. Despite feeling like a piece of pork in a stew on the stove.

He couldn't even dry himself off with his coat, because then he would have to wait for it to dry by the big brazier in the main hall, not only that, people would see him and start gossiping like commoners usually would.

Gossip about him not being able to afford a towel and forced to use his coat would spread like wildfire. He would be the laughing stock in the refined noble circles. He could not let that happen.

He had to find a towel. He glanced down to the commoner section of the spring and frowned. No. Absolutely not. He would not dirty his pristine body with a towel for commoners.

He raised his left hand to his mouth, holding back the need to throw up.

No. He had to go and find a towel, the inside of the temple was still warm enough for him to traverse, despite lacking an attire. He scurried out of the water towards the door, opening it slightly and peeking outside.

How hard could it be to find a towel. What was it that the blonde servant woman had babbled about?

'Keep your thoughts to yourself... disturb priestesses for added duties...' He mentally phrased to himself. That did sound right. Due to his own voice in his head having taken rightious priority before when he was being escorted to the spring, he wasn't a hundred percent certain.

It made him for a moment feel a tinge of doubt in himself, but he soon after shook his head violently. She was just a vommon servant, those were definitely not worth his time.

The nobleman spotted the piece of paper placed on the door. Truly his perception were without equal.

He stretched out his statue-esque perfectly biologically made arm to snatch it. Then he read what was written on it. First he furrowed his eyebrows, this handwriting was worthy of his critique, but he had gotten used to Faldrin's writing. He was also a filthy commoner without proper writing precision and refinement.

'Peacock warning?! At the spring? Why would anyone be worried, I literally hunted most of them down in the forests near the capitol. My coat did require a large amount of feathers after all. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Besides my coat turned out perfectly.' He nodded and thought for a moment. This piece of paper could be used as an ample cover for him in his search for a towel.

He couldn't afford that noble-hungry blonde servant woman to spot him in all his glory. He was stunning after all, and commoner girls were known to fawn over charming rich noblemen like himself and possibly could hold themselves back.

The Marquess felt a cold shiver up his spine, was it the cold weather or the very idea of some unclean commoner coming into contact with his noble being. He wasn't certain. This lack of certainty made him worry. And worry led to rash ideas. And rash ideas led to mistakes. And mistakes led to- he didn't have time. He was getting that towel. He stepped out clad in the paper as his only shield.

"Servant! I demand a towel of exquisite material!" He called out. He felt at ease. With this he would show he did not forget a towel, no he demanded the servants to serve him. Perfect. The door clicked behind him.

"Hm?"

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Anora's steps slowed, her thoughts swirling in her head, and only snapped out of them when she thought she had seen a few figures in the disrance. But she had been out of earshot and they moved away swiftly. Was that Flynn? If it were then she had to change her direction and move back the way she came or down another path.

She decided to track her own footprints back and then passed by the jail. A group of individuals were located just outside of it. Guards by the look of it and well dressed woman with dark hair and dark skin.

Anora assumed a more ladylike walk as she got closer, her opened umbrella resting against her shoulder, her fur clad coat flickering in the wind, the snow flakes falling all around her. The nearby light of the torches reflecting off her pale smooth skin.

The young noblewoman offered the gathering a curt gesture by tipping her head and offering a slight nod.

Her fierce blue eyes wandered over the gathering, one woman towering over them all, but it wasn't her which Anora's gaze lingered on. It were the potent blue eyes of the dark skinned woman.

Were she there to visit- That man. The one that were locked up. The one who was trying to not only rattle his cage, but anyone outside of it too. Anora could't help but feel heavy at the thought of the man. She decided to shake the meeting from her mind and instead greeted the gathering as she passed. She wasn't sure if they were Lunarian or Aurelian, so she had to improvise a greeting.

"Warm winds to you all~" She said softly, giving them a faint smile as she proceeded past, hoping she could find Flynn. Somehow she knew he wasn't far off.

After having gotten away from the gathering outside the jail she laid eyes on two other individuals.

A tall darkhaired man with tanned skin, his appearance alone put Anora on the defensive. But his companion, a short woman was like his complete opposite, fair hair and meek looking. Were she in trouble?

Anora's eyebrows furrowed for. A moment, then allowed herself to don a more relaxed expression.

She called out to the duo as she came closer to them.

"Fair darklight eve to you~ Might I be so blunt as to ask you if you know where I may find his royal highness, Flynn Astaros?~" She gave to duo a soft smile and tilted her head to the side, her eyes momentarily closing.

She did want to find Flynn, but this was an ample opportunity to see if the woman was in any trouble with the charlatan scruffy looking man.

Anora's eyes soon opened again, her pale blue eyes searching Tia and Elio for answers.

"Pardon me. My name is Anora Raunefeldt." She said, knowing fully well that they probably knew of her brother. After all, who had not heard of her brother? He was after all quite the special individual.

She reached up with her free hand to move her dark hair from her face, including the blonde bangs of hair on the left side of her head.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez raised his right hand to his face and laughed softly. The Aurelian prince was providing him with such ample opportunities to offer retorts. The warrior-monk's opinion of the younger man had begun to take shape. But there were still no certainty if somewhere down the line, they would come to blows. King Auric had to die, and his kingdom brought to ruin. Not only for the sake of all those who would yet be born into the world, but for all those whose dreams and futures he had destroyed. A king would ultimately be held responsible, as any leader would. Like no doubt Flynn and Amaya would also be.

"You question my motives, my loyalty and my way with words? Yet have you ever questioned the motives of the Aurelian tyrant and the clergy of the sun goddess? Have you ever pondered on the possibility that you've been duped and spoonfed lies since birth. That the wretched excuse of a king has, and is still using you as an expendable puppet to serve a purpose he devised a long time ago..." Gadez said in a manner of fact tone, his hand trailing down his jawline. Then again. He too had been given a purpose, but it had not been by the same person.

That specter serene who had made his aspirations waver, if but for a brief time. A priestess cursed to live a cheated life. Her time robbed from her. Life was truly not fair, only death is fair. It comes for all, regardless which shape it takes. How long had he'd been dead? A man without a past to return to and no future to exist in. A specter. Just like her. For a moment his gaze wandered away from Flynn to look at the wall, he imagined her standing there. Looking at him with those grey yet gentle eyes, clad in her pure white long robe and dark long hair.

'I'll keep the promise I made to you... and the promise I made to myself.' He thought as his eyes settled back on Flynn.

"What of your own loyalty? Where does it ultimately lie? With Princess Maize? With the Aurelian king? Aurelia? Yourself? Or does it lie with Dawnhaven. I have already told you were my loyalty lies, because this is the only place in the world, where you can see both sides of the same coin. We live now upon the edge. I intend for the coin to remain in this state until it begins to change its form. Til the other two sides no longer exist. When all becomes one." He motioned with his left hand in a manner as if he was playing with an orb in the air.

"A man which sprout words of a common tongue tends to fall upon deaf ears, like the familiar sound of a bird chirping in the distance. You hear it. But you do not linger upon it, for you've heard it so many times, you know the tune it sings in the background. Yet a song sung in a concealed manner will catch your intrigue, for people crave to know that which seems to elude them. Immortality. Love beyond what is considered appropriate or expected. Alchemical secrets for a cure for all ills. Proof of the existance of the divine. The knowledge and power to revive the dead. The strength to ward off ones child against all harm. It all comes back to how a song is phrased and sung. You being here in this very moment, bringing it up shows that indeed it has nestled itself into your mind." The blonde man smiled softly, walking over and softly jabbing the stone wall with his hand.

"You ask for proof which may never truly be given in a physical sense. Yet you lunged at the seeming chance to save this world, believing in a prophecy well-wrapped by the clergy, believing in the Aurelian king's words. Where is your proof? Well, dear little brother. You find the proof in your own core, what you believe in... that is why despite your hesitation, your verbal denial and your clear disdain for my existance... nontheless have come asking for clarity. You merely asking me is showing me enough. That you do believe it to be true. No matter how much you would want it to be otherwise." Gadez placed his left hand by his waist, a smirk on his lips. There were many things he could tell the younger man, but there were a time and place for everything. No one like a book that spoils the ending in the first chapter. But in the book of Dawnhaven, who will ultimately be the villain that must be stopped? The blonde's thoughts fell on the precious stone. It didn't matter, as long as he would draw breath he would make sure to change this world. No matter what role he would end up having.

"In a way of looking at it, I am what you could have been. Much you are what I could have been. I left the stream, making my own, abandoning the path ordained to me by royal and divine decree, you however sailed along with it. And now we find ourselves at the lake where all rivers meet and we realize that it doesn't matter if one has or has not sprung from the same tree. What matters is what we choose to do with it. Our actions form who we truly become." He began to softly laugh, giving a slight twirl and spreading his arms in a way that only a circus performer could.

"As I told you before. The cure for the blight is acceptance, like one has to accept that death is a natural thing for all things that exist. However this fact does not sit well with the divine, or those which view themselves as such. Have you ever wondered what caused the skies to turn dark? What created the blight? It is both likely made by us mortals and the divine. A betrayal was made, a follower wanted to be in charge. A goddess fell. Her soul went one way, seeking a new temporary vessel. Her physical form was partly absorbed by this betrayer, a mortal claiming a part of what was not meant for it as their own in pursuit of lasting forever. Someone whose grown weary of the world and desire to change it in their image." He chuckled and walked as close as he could, to the bars separating him and Flynn.

"Aurelia and Lunaris. As long as we can remember, as old as a scroll may last, has always been regarded as opposites. Much like the two goddesses. They were most surely one whole at one point, held together by what I like to call a glue. Nothing is ever created as a half. This glue was at one point discarded and left in our world, and cause the whole to become two. This glue however must have felt Aelios fall, and acted upon it. Seizing what remained of her lingering divine power... to create... the blight. So in a way of looking at it, she is now most likely split between three beings. Her soul bearer. The betrayer. And The glue.

You know where it all began don't you? Under the earth of Aurelia. In an old forgotten temple beneath the capitol. Surely you must have felt it, like a heart beating in the dark, beckoning you towards it. Beyond a door that was never meant for mortal hands to open. Yet it did. But if belief is not enough for you, then by all means pursue a physical proof. If simply looking at the sky itself isn't enough." The blonde offered a bowing motion, his ghostly eyes settling on Flynn's eyes again.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The former pirate captain had blinked as the bard shoved the coins into his handful hands.

'Well tha's nay common.' He thought as he heard Sya speaking to him from a little bit away, her words however fell on his ears in a way the reckless rogue found difficult to make out. Her name was Sya. That much he gathered, but what in the world were she saying to him.

'Seluna's booty wha' in tha world is she sayin'?' He blinked quickly. Couldn't people speak more like himself and be fully understood. It became clear to the experienced traveller that Sya, the serpentine owner of the landlocked ship that was the inn was a native landlubber, who spoke some variation of landlubberish.

But the former captain didn't get the chance to ask her about it, as the bard rose to his feet, so quickly that the pirate realized that the man was surely almost sober. A dangerous state of mind. A push. Or was it a shove. Claret didn't think of which it were, but he found himself against the nearby wall with the bard holding a hand against his chest.

The ex-pirate and swindler of others property was a man of great balance, but he was not a very heavy man. His constant running from the law haf kept his body in shape up until he died. And then somehow undied. He wasn't really sure, but he felt the hunger again. He needed blood.

Aldrick had pressed him against the wall, it made the former pirate feel a sense of worry. The last time he had been pressed up against the wall by a non-guardsman was the time he had tried to steal the coinpurses of a gang of courtesans in Aurelia and they had taken their revenge.

Surely this bard was not interested in him in that manner. He was interested in booty, he didn't want to end up like it, buried or not.

The underhanded swashbuckler had instinctively raised all his hands in an attempt to calm the situation, he couldn't let rumors spread of him fighting a fellow celebrity. Especially a bard. This bard was after all write his songs and epics. He just didn't know it yet.

He had to play it off in the coolest way he knew.

"Whoa... " He said in a laid back manner. No. That didn't quite sound right. "Whoa! Whoaaa!" That was better. He quickly brushed off and adjusted his coat as soon as Aldrick no longer touched him.

"Calm yarrself mate, ye seem a tad too sober, did ye wake up on tha' wrong side o' the bottle? Aye? An... me 'aven't been called lad fer at least some...uh...years... aye? Me be nah common reliever o' coin ye wound me shir'." He said with a slight tone of being disappointed and offended. He was at least an uncommon thief. But a thief wasn't truly enough to describe him, a thief stole things of value. While he relieved people of anything he could snatch that could serve the here and now need. With a few exceptions of course.

"But me shall be fetchin' ye tha' drink. Ye be in need o' it more than meself ye bull e'eaded storyteller o' me epic!" Claret adjusted the collar of his coat and then twirled on his boots, walking in direction of the bar, taking the long route so he could think.

That's when some guardsman came barging in through the main door, almost slamming the door in his face. Had he'd been completely sober it would had been nasty. The bard had spoken to him in a very cold and somewhat hostile tone. Claret concluded that the man obvioudly had some trouble stemming back to his mother. Why else would a man go out of his way to sing about other men's greatness and not search for it himself. The former pirate captain laid his eyes on the guardsman and the parchment he was carrying, before one of it was shoved into his many hands.

Free stuff. Great!

Claret unwrapped the parchment and set his eyes at the letters that made things that half of his old crew had no way knowing how to write or read. Thankfully the four-armed scoundrel knew how to do both, even a pirate captain had free time to do things, and he felt obligated to leave personal letters for each woman he had met and remembered, that they shouldn't be worried, he would likely come by eventually like a wave hitting the beach.

The parchment however was no letter of admiration, it was a summons. He felt honored. The highnesses of Dawnhaven had already learnt of his arrival and was now inviting him of all people for a personal meeting. Probably with some others. Now this was the kind of welcome a captain of his standing was waiting for. Buying Aldrick a drink would have to wait.

"Lasses and gentleladdies, 'fraid me must attend to a pressin' matter o' royal nature! Booty calls ye see! Someone buy the bard a drink or two! If ye dare take tha' bull by the 'orns. Aye! Rest ashured that meself will find a way back, so rest yer sweetycheeks all ye lasses, ye be seein' more o' me in jus' a lil while!" The pirate jingled with his newly aqquired coins in his pirate coat pocket as he made an attempt to leave the inn by the doorway.

It was all such a timely thing. The goddesses were smiling on him. If only they would do more than just smile. The man grinned and his thoughts began to dwell on things not clean enough for neither speech nor thought.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The blonde woman had motioned for him to follow her, it made the nobleman raise an eyebrow. Since when was he supposed to let a commoner lead him? He was a noble, he should go first! But then… he began to think more about it. A few extra seconds at least.

This was akin to how he and Flynn were hunting in their youth on horseback, how they would saddle up on their high horses and literally be elevated above everyone elses heads. It made him feel nostalgic. Of course his horse was of a richer breed than Flynn's, that was likely why he saw to compensate it with all the decoration. He couldn't help but feel that Flynn, despite his royal blood at times felt insufficient in his presence. Thus the nobleman felt at ease letting this happen. Beside they were bestest of friends.

How they would have entered the forests with their bows at the ready. However the goddess clearly saw more promise in him than Flynn, that's why his bow was much harder to string than Flynn's for certain. The hunting dogs did do well at hunting deer, but Flynn always managed to fling his arrow first due to his clear advantage in gear!

The nobleman furrowed his eyebrows as he kept following Dyna, forgetting about addressing her or memorizing the way they were going. That he had been forced to jam one of his own arrows into the already dead deer to prove that he had in fact hit it. It wasn't his fault that the goddess had bestowed him with the guile of a divine consort. Even Flynn was unable to tell. But then again. Outscoring royalty was frowned upon. Even by the most prestigious families. He recall his own words to Flynn back then.

'It would appear despite my perfectly aimed arrow, this deer in particular seemed defiant enough to not be felled by one arrow, and thus your highness was able to finish it. Well done!' He thought back on his words and smiled. Those were the good old day when the sun still shone and- Now he realized why he was remembered of a hunt. Following Dyna was like following a dog. A hunting dog.

He slammed his empty fist into the palm of his other hand as he came to the realization. Which came just around the same time that Dyna motioned to the more private section of the hot spring at the very top.

The nobleman's eyes began to sparkle like only privileged noble eyes would, his eyes wandered over it. Perhaps it was true. Perhaps this girl was in fact serving his goddess, maybe she saw something useful in her. The nobleman blushed as he pondered on it. Aelios had known he would visit and had prepared a servant to greet him, and made sure she were of a lower birth and rank than himself so that he wouldn't feel being less than what he were. He felt a sudden warmth that almost took him off-guard, and he wasn't the type of man to ever be caught off-guard. He had only felt these feeling towards himself before. Coming to think of it, he had such a feeling at the marketplace the other day. Wait a moment. This blonde woman was present. He may have been drunk from his wine. He thought he had seen double, but no. This woman definitely had horns back then. And now she didn't. By the goddess. Aelios had cured her of the blight.

The nobleman's eyes widened. That meant he was likely the cure to the blight himself. For who amongst Aelios choosen would have nobler, purer blood than him? No one!

He had to find Flynn and tell the news! But first he had to bathe. Ayel set his ever precious noble eyes on Dyna for a moment before looking over the private section of the hotspring. "You have my gratitude, which is a reward in itself, you may be dismissed. However I would also like you to make sure to not allow any animals in here while I am enjoying the view." He looked down at the water, even if it was steamy, he could make out the perfect structure of his face in the watery reflection. And then he turned to Dyna, who had left. Just when did she leave? Had she left before he had finished his speech of gratitude even? He felt like gritting his teeth. Those uncultured rude commoners. But in this case perhaps Aelios had some less important task for her like tending to the latrine or bathe that guardsman. Perhaps she had returned to stand where she initially stood?

He shook his head, whilst rich he couldn't afford any more moments thinking about it. He began to undress and in his horror couldn't find a place to hang up his noble attire. Putting them on the stones was not an option. Not only could they get splashed but only commoners placed their clothes on the ground. He chuckled as he imagined those northern barbarians bathing, if they even did. Likely fully clad in their clothes.

He spotted a torch being held at a nearby wooden post with an iron holding piece on it. That was perfect for hanging up his attire and hat. He reached up with all his height and grabbed the crude looking torch and looked for a trash-barrel. But upon not finding any, he couldn't put it into the water to put it out, he just tossed it away. Somewhere over the other end of the outside of the building. Or was it the forest? Either way. He was rid of it right now.

He fully undressed and his hat, corset and rest of his attire was hung up on the torch handle. He put his exepensive jewelry into his pouch which he put into his coat, before he was fully undressed and went over towards the water. 'I shall descend into Aelios holy water with grace befitting of a lord-' He thought and then he felt that his previous slow pace began to speed up drastically. The stone he had stepped on had been misplaced by some underhanded mason. He didn't slip.

The noble fell into the spring headfirst and then his head popped up, his hair over his eyes. He reached up to attempt to fix his locks which were now drenched. He pulled his hair back.

"Wretched craftmanshi- Wait a moment." He said aloud, another brilliant thought entered his head. Perhaps it was not so badly crafted. He had thought himself as a lord... Aelios had gotten displeased. He was a consort to be, not a lord. He had for a moment forgotten his importance and place in the world, and the goddess in her attention upon him had given him a reminder. It all now made sense to him. He clasped both his hands together and looked at the dark sky. "Praise the sun!" Then the nobleman tried to move to the border of the upper spring section, looking down at the regular spring below.

Wonderful. It was wonderful. He felt truly like a god watching down from above. He could likely behold all those unclean and undeserving commoners from up here. Perhaps that priestess of the other day could be bringing him cheese and wine up here on a platter. The more he thought about it. Perhaps having those savages bathe below was a good idea after all. He could distinguish himself from them, and watch them beat and fight each other. Like gladiatorial combat. A crude sport. But they were crude creatures. How fitting.

The marquess smirked and relaxed. Nothing was going to ruin this moment for him. He was getting what he deserved. He had to find his friend later and relay his theory that made all the sense in the world, that he… himself was the cure for the blight. Maybe a single drop of blood could cure all ills? Wait a moment. He could make a fortune selling a cure! He could put the price high enough so only the rich and successful could buy them!

A plan began to take shape. A master plan even.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

After having heard out all that Flynn had to say did he finally give in to his held back laugh, going as far as reaching his hand up to his face, taking a few moments to collect himself before approaching very closely to the bars.

"Hnn hnn! Ahaha hahahah… Ahh…" The blonde finally exhaled, assuming a more laid back expression on his face.

"Measure my life? How can you hope to even accomplish that, when you cannot even measure your own worth? Chasing the interpretation of a prophecy which demands your demise? Prophecies can be read in more ways than one. Did it ever cross your mind, that perhaps giving ones life… meant giving oneself to a cause or person. Such as dedication towards someone or a place. As for her family? Well… aren't you part of it now? Whereof you will accept my words as the truth or not. My loyalty towards Dawnhaven and the afflicted ones shall remain as firm as it has been." He blew some air through his mouth, walking over to pick up his shirt, putting it back on whilst momentarily having his back turned to him, displaying his tattoo in open view.

"I knew not of the attack when I spoke to you at the temple. Had she. Whom I am not permitted to speak of… by your majesty's decree. Not taken action to put faith in her own abilities, I would have dealt with that boy right then and there and possibly ended up in here either way. But I do not force others to cross the stream when things take a turn that I do not agree with. To violate the free will of others… is a severe wrongdoing. In this case your other half. But yes. I would have alerted the so called Champion of Aelios or one of the others had I not encountered you there, Red Star. But I did tell you." He took a moment to remove some strands of blonde hair from his face then continued.

"By the sounds of it, you seem to almost blame me for said attack happening. Hardly appropriate. I did not appoint those guards, neither did I command them. A leader is ultimately left responsible for the actions of his or her followers. Some might think it is the duty of a husband to protect his wife. However… that may not be fair considering your many… obligations. I may have said it in a cryptic manner, would you have prefered a barrage of words unleashed in panic? That wouldn't do well for your health, you do have quite the temper, prince. I can tell. Besides I wasn't loitering at the temple, I was visiting the woman I carried out of the blizzard with my own two hands. You may not ask for my advice nor opinions, yet seeing where things are going, how could I possibly not desire to aid the ones that are seemingly trying to aid Dawnhaven?

It is the place that will decide the fate of this world. In Aurelia right to counsel is earnt by whose best at licking the king's ear or has the most coin. A tyrant on his throne, surrounded by fawning merchants, prancing nobles and silver tongued leeches. I would not count myself amongst them. So perhaps your should ask yourself your own question. What qualifies a person to offer counsel? I think the answer is simple. Telling the truth. No matter how grim. At least that is how it should be..." He mused softly, adjusting the collar of his shirt.

"Trust is a curious thing. You can always however expect people to behave according to their true nature. Once you learnt what that is. Or you can tell yourself not to trust a single soul in this entire world, closing your heart to it completely. The former does seem abit less extreme doesn't it? For starters, why don't you try judge people by their actions like I have with you… gradually having more and more of the real you come out. If you intend to remain loyal to Dawnhaven and be it's leader, then I will follow you to the end, little brother. But if you side with Aurelia against Dawnhaven. Then you and I shall be mortal foes, and if this is, or has always been your intention. Then you've ought to spare us all the charade and go ahead and take me to the execution grounds." He gave a content soft smile, tilting his head to the side, his eyes turning into slits.

'The lynx in shadows holds a secret truth… buried in it's paw, lies power that you never saw. With a gem that glimmer brighter still, it guards this key with iron will… this token pure and grand, lies cradled in the beast's command...' The hymn resonated in his mind as he awaited Flynn and Amaya's next move.

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.