DrowsyPangolin

When the Flames Die

Jezin met Thomas smirk with a cold glare, but said nothing. A fine situation they had landed themselves in, he thought. He wondered if Thomas' offer to get them a ship home was legitimate. He found himself doubting it, but if the man were telling the truth, then they'd have caught a break, for once. Then again, he'd have to make it out of his interrogation alive, and that in itself didn't seem terribly likely. He followed without speaking, his armor clinking as he walked along back towards the palace. He looked to Jorun and Alia. Jorun seemed to have a grim face, but Alia seemed on the verge of fuming. She had always been that way, at least as long as he could remember. She was extremely headstrong, but the bodyguard was glad she was holding her tongue, at least for the moment. He watched Thomas' back. 'Just what are you planning?' he thought.

When the Flames Die

Jezin sighed, raising his spear and dropping it to the ground. He pulled the shield from his back, dropping it as well, before finally removing the dagger from his belt, which fell with a loud clang on top of the shield. "So be it." He walked towards Thomas, his hands raised in a non-threatening fashion. It was the second time he'd been arrested by the Order of the Thistle in two days. But Redwyne was dead, and he had a feeling his 'interrogation' wouldn't go nearly as smoothly as the first had. Jorun nodded, holding his hands up in a similar fashion. "Lead the way then, Sir." Alia slowly walked forward, looking a bit surprised at the rejection of her request. "Fine then, take us in, but we did nothing wrong." Jorun sighed at the woman's attitude.

When the Flames Die

Jezin frowned. The evidence against him looked convincing, even if it wasn't true. He took another step forward, gritting his teeth. As skilled as he was, he couldn't fight four knights, not if they were all as skilled as Thomas. "Fine then. If there's no other way, I suppose I'll have to surrender my freedom." He looked around. "I'll go quietly, but let the servants go. You have no reason to take them. They are here to take care of the princess, nothing more. Imprisoning them is pointless." He still held onto his spear, apparently refusing to disarm himself until Thomas answered his request. Jorun looked back towards Jezin, a grim look on his face. Alia stepped forward. "Yes, let us go back to the Princess. It's bad enough that she has no hope of going home, at least let us return to her. You can even keep a watch on us, we will be no trouble." Jorun looked at the woman, shaking his head at her pleas. He would not beg like some dog. The bearded man turned towards Thomas. "Let the girl go, I'll go with Jezin if need be."

When the Flames Die

Jezin froze where he stood, immediately recognizing Thomas as the horses neared them. He watched as the knights approached. The bodyguard brought his spear up, placing the butt of the weapon on the ground as Thomas spoke. So Redwyne had been killed by a snake, one of the many venomous serpents in Lyok. The day just kept getting better and better. He looked around, noticing that he was outnumbered, and that any attempt to flee would probably end terribly. Still, he somehow imagined being taken into custody by Thomas, who seemed so thirsty for his blood only a few moments ago, probably wouldn't end well either. He spoke up. "It is my prerogative to get the princess out of the country before full on war sets in. Unfortunately, it seems the whole city is under martial law, so it doesn't seem that's happening soon." He kept his eyes on Thomas, but watched the other knights out of his peripheral vision. His face remained blank. "You know Thomas, somehow I have a hard time believing that I'd be released, safe and sound." Jezin was surprised to see a figure walk past him. Jorun walked towards Thomas, giving a deep bow. "Good Sir Knight, I can assure you this man had nothing to do with any murder. We brought no snakes with us, you see, it's a terrible climate for them." The older man chuckled a bit. "There's no need for this to get out of hand. Jezin is only doing his duty, something I'm sure you, as a knight, understand." Jorun spoke jovially, not understanding the seriousness of the situation.

When the Flames Die

Jezin's fist clenched at his side when the dockmaster denied his request. He considered trying to bargain with the man, bribing him, even inquiring about private agencies or smugglers that might be able to help, but any attempt would likely be useless. "Damn it... Damn it all." He nodded to Joseph. "Alright, thank you for your help." He turned on a heel and walked out, flanked by Alia and Jorun. The woman spoke up as they walked outside. "What will we do now? How long are we going to be stuck here?" Jorun interjected. "Probably a while, Alia. If they closed the port in the capitol I doubt this is something they'll be taking lightly." Jezin looked back at the pair. "We'll find some other way. Maybe a carriage could take us across the continent..." Alia spoke again, trying to maintain some hope in the bleak situation. No, Jezin thought, if martial law had been enacted they had no chance of escape. He cursed as they walked away from the dock, his spear still hanging at his side. Mullen had just become their prison.

Sophia's eyes widened as she remembered the last gift the king had received. She had forgotten all about it after the other events of the night. She had never saw it's contents, but he had looked quite shaken. "Oh." Sophia stated, glancing around the room, hoping for Jezin's return. She turned her attention back to Feril. "No, I don't suppose so, the food is wonderful." She took another bite of the peach. She took a breath to answer the woman's question. "This was meant to be a diplomatic visit. I was to deliver a gift from Lyok, and hopefully discuss trade with the king. Unfortunately... all this happened." She looked a bit downtrodden for a moment. "It seems as if everything that could go wrong has."

When the Flames Die

Jezin was a bit surprised at the scene he saw when he entered the office. A blonde woman across the room seemed very concerned about some crates. Ordinarily Jezin might have been curious about the circumstances, but at the moment that didn't matter. He lowered the spear to the floor and shook the seaman's hand briskly. "Jezin Tremora, bodyguard of her Grace Princess Sophia Octavia of Lyok. I've come to seek transport out of Mullen as quickly as possible. I need a ship headed for Lyok, we can pay whatever you desire." The Lyoki spoke quickly and seriously, a tone befitting of such an important situation. The servants behind him glanced back and forth between the blonde woman and the seaman, looks of confusion on their faces.

The princess looked back, waving to Gareth as he left. "Goodbye, Gareth." He said he hoped to see her again, but she likely would be leaving the country soon, never to return. For a moment she felt sorrow at leaving her friend, but it was what had to be done. She looked back to Feril with a bright smile. "Why thank you," she said, acknowledging Feril's point of politeness. "Oh really? What sort of parcel?" The Lyoki smiled, taking a bite of the peach that she had neglected up until that point.

When the Flames Die

Jezin, Jorun, and Alia moved at a quick pace out of the palace and down towards the docks. The servants seemed to be having difficulties keeping up with the knight's quick feet. "Jezin, is it really necessary for us to run like this? Sophia's royalty, surely they'll let us pass." Jorun huffed out the words, struggling to keep his breath while keeping up with the knight. He was not accustomed to such strenuous activity. The bodyguard replied sharply. "Yes, I heard the ports will close soon, and I doubt they'd let even royalty through after that." He hurried along, his spear clutched tightly by his side. The docks were in sight. He glanced back towards Alia and Jorun. The short, fat, bearded man seemed to be having difficulties running. Alia's tall thin frame seemed unfazed by the activity.

As they reached the docks, Jezin approached the nearest dock worker. "I need to see the dockmaster, now." The young man pointed the trio in the right direction, and they hurried along the edge of the dock. The sunlight shown brightly against the ocean, an uncomfortably serene backdrop for such a nervous and hasty endeavor. Jezin heard a bright voice behind him. "At least we'll be going home, I don't like this place very much. It'll be good to see the sand again." Jezin looked back towards Alia, still walking along the docks. "Yes, I've missed my boys." Jorun chuckled, speaking of his sons, both of which worked in Veranthium's stables. Jezin sighed. "We can worry about that later, for now we have to find the dockmaster." He finally found the office the worker had pointed him towards and opened the door hastily.

Sophia smiled, extending her hand across the table. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Tatchet, my name is Sophia Octavia. Oh, so you're a courier?" She frowned when Feril threw in the 'for now'. It seemed people were already feeling the strain of Wallace's machinations. She smiled when the woman asked their identities. She looked off for a moment. "I'm the princess of Lyok." Her light, feathery voice seemed almost inappropriate for speaking of her title. The princess glanced over to Gareth, seeing a knight standing by him. The man said something quickly that Sophia couldn't make out. She looked at the half-elf quizzically for a moment.

When the Flames Die

Jezin scanned the crowd, quickly finding Sophia. He wanted to set up their exit from the country as soon as possible. The Princess' life was his top priority, and every second she spent in Keilaudrin was a danger. He walked swiftly towards her tapping her on the shoulder and speaking quickly. "Princess, I am going to find Jorun and Alia, and then I will be heading to the docks to arrange our return trip. The way things are looking it will be better if we leave as soon as possible." He noted the girl across the table's words. "It seems we'll need to hurry then." He gave little chance to reply, turning quickly and walking back towards the room. A new vigor hastened his steps. He felt doom looming over them at every turn, and he had no intention of getting trapped in the squabbles of foreigners. He finally reached the room and opened it. He had intended to ask Eva if she had heard anything about the location of the other two servants, but was surprised to find them waiting inside.

The Tauran woman looked up and was the first to speak. "Ah, Jezin, back so soon? Where is the princess?" Jezin shook his head. "We're leaving as soon as possible. It seems Keilaudrin has an international incident on their hands, one I have no intention of getting us involved in. I was going to ask you if you knew where Jorun and Alia were, but it seems you two have finally appeared." He motioned towards the round bearded man and the slim woman standing on either side of Eva. Jorun spoke up. "I apologize for our absence, Jezin. We were both out in the town, but they held us at the gates after whatever happened last night." Alia nodded to confirm the man's story. "Ah, that would make sense I suppose. You two come with me, we're heading for the docks, I'll give you a moment to prepare. Eva, if you would, please stay here and keep a watch on everything." Jezin spoke with an authoritative tone now, something like a military commander's voice. All three servants nodded. The bodyguard made his way to his room.

Once inside, Jezin flung off his coat and doublet, and donned his armor. Common courtesy had been thrown out the window. He had no reason to trust anyone in Keilaudrin at this point. He still didn't have his sword, a shame, but he could get another. He fastened his belt, affixing the dagger at his right hip. He fastened his shield to his back and flung his bright red cloak over his armor. He left his helmet behind, but grabbed the polished spear that lay leaning against the wall. He hoped he'd have no use for the weapon, but if the need arose he wouldn't be left defenseless. He walked out of his room. "Alright, Jorun, Alia, let's go." The two servants nodded, following Jezin outside. Eva watched them as they left, a look of concern in her eyes.

Sophia frowned. It seemed even the natives had no idea what was going on. She sat for a moment in silence, which was quickly shattered by a woman across the table. She began to ask a question, but was interrupted by Jezin. She looked surprised by the bodyguard's sudden decision, but was unable to reply before he left. She couldn't disagree with the man's thought process. She did long for home. She looked towards Feril. "I'm sorry Miss, that sounds terrible." She couldn't help but think she very well could be one of the people stuck there, if Jezin didn't hurry. "Who are you, if you don't mind me asking?" She figured she might as well make some conversation while Jezin made plans to leave.

When the Flames Die

A faint smirk crossed Jezin's face when Thomas challenged him to a duel. Court proceedings be damned, cold steel had a way of dealing out justice. His smirk disappeared when Wallace proceeded to strike both knights' pride to the ground. He glanced up at the man, gritting his teeth behind his lips. "As you wish, sir." He glanced over to Thomas for the first time. He'd have to avoid conflict, something that didn't sit right with him. The bodyguard remained quiet, listening to Wallace. His conclusion was that Arcartus had conducted a 'deliberate military action' against Keilaudrin. He had been in the military long enough to know exactly what those words meant. They were usually the preamble to outright warfare. If that were to be the case, Keilaudrin wouldn't be safe for long. They needed to leave, as soon as possible. They'd return to Lyok and forget the entire episode as quickly as possible. When Wallace adjourned the court the man turned on a heel, walking towards the back of the room. It seemed Sophia was no longer there.

Sophia nodded at Gareth's statement. She felt the same. There was no way to be sure that Thomas was lying, and he had not been proven guilty. She concluded that whatever her opinion of the man, he was innocent as far as the law was concerned. She gripped the edge of the table when Thomas challenged Jezin, ready to stand up and deny Jezin his right to fight if necessary. He was her bodyguard, and it wasn't his place to be throwing himself into risky situations. Thankfully, Wallace managed to diffuse things effectively, at least for the moment. He then proceeded to conclude with the statement that Arcartus had attacked Keilaudrin. She sensed conflict coming, something that only served to increase the fear building in the back of her mind. She looked back to Gareth. "What do you think all of this means?" Her eyes showed a glimmer of fear. She knew all too well the losses a war could inflict on people. The princess remembered her brother. His body had been returned to Veranthium missing an arm and riddled with arrows. That was what war did to people.

When the Flames Die

Direct interaction is Sophia's middle name.