DrowsyPangolin

When the Flames Die

Sophia followed Gareth as they left the group, too engrossed in thought to realize they had gone the wrong way. She looked up towards the young man when he spoke, being jolted from her internal ruminations. "Oh, oh right, you've never been there." She giggled halfheartedly, still a bit worried about what exactly was going on. She put on a smile and motioned down a hallway. "It's this way." She spoke a bit softer than usual, but otherwise seemed as though she were holding herself together. She kept reminding herself it was just an investigation, everything would be fine. The pair meandered down the hall way for some time, until eventually the room was in sight. "There it is." She motioned towards the large door a bit farther up the hallway. She glanced towards Gareth nervously. "Gareth, do you know what all of this is about?" She knew very little about what exactly the investigation was for, but the fact that Redwyne had been killed earlier that day suggested that was likely the cause. But why would Thomas even begin to think she or Jezin were involved? "... and what would Thomas need to ask me about?"

When the Flames Die

Whichever you'd rather do.

When the Flames Die

Hey Rae, do you wanna just have Gareth and Sophia head on towards her room? I don't know when Sightles will be back on, so I think it'd be safe for us to go ahead.

When the Flames Die

Sophia glanced towards Gareth as Thomas suggested he escort her to her room. She liked the idea, but at the same time it made her somewhat nervous for Feril, who would now be alone with Thomas. Still, she was in no position to say anything about that, and there was no reason for the knight to harm the young woman. She nodded. "Yes, that would be fine." She felt Gareth squeeze her hand and smiled. The world was falling to pieces, but at least she had one friend here. She looked towards the young man, a faint trace of hope glimmering in her yellow eyes. "Right then, Gareth, let's go." She wasn't sure if the boy knew where her room was. Before they left, she sent one last glance towards Feril. She remained silent, but her eyes seemed to beg the courier to be careful.

When the Flames Die

"Oh, yes, alright." Sophia stood from her chair, pushing it in quietly behind her. Being questioned worried her, but at least she wouldn't be put in a cell. Poor Feril, she thought, looking back towards the courier. Hopefully she wouldn't be kept for long. After all, she only seemed to have done her job. Gareth coming with them made the princess feel slightly better about the whole situation. She wasn't entirely sure why, but the small comfort calmed her nerves, if only a bit. "Lead the way, Sir Thomas." She prepared to follow the man, leaving the peach she had been eating sitting on a silver plate on the table. She inched slightly closer to Gareth, throwing a quick nervous glance towards her friend. She wondered if Jezin had been able to find Alia and Jorun. Eva was likely still in the room. She wasn't especially sociable, though other than her feuds with Jezin she was quite pleasant to have around. She imagined Jezin had been brought in for interrogation as well, though she imagined after what he had said about Thomas the setting for his questioning probably wouldn't be nearly as comfortable as her own.

When the Flames Die

The color visibly drained from Sophia's face when Thomas said he needed to question her. She managed to maintain her composure, however, despite the nervousness that wall quickly overcoming her mind. He hadn't said where Jezin was, but the princess had a feeling things weren't going well for her protector. She glanced up at Gareth with a bit of fear before replying to Thomas with a steady, metered voice. "Certainly, Sir Thomas. Where will we be going?" She took another bite of the peach in her hand, trying her best to prevent it from shaking. It seemed Thomas wanted to question Feril as well, though Sophia was unsure of his reasoning. Whatever had happened, it didn't bode well.

When the Flames Die

"Sir Thomas." Sophia said, nodding in his direction. She felt nervous around the man, even if his charges had been dropped. "I'm... alright, I suppose. A bit shaken up." She appreciated the knight's concern. She was surprised to see Gareth appear from behind the man and place a hand on her shoulder. She smiled up at her friend, somehow the small act made her feel safer. "Oh hello Gareth! I'm glad you're back." She noticed the sword at his waist, a new addition that she assumed had been given to him by Sir Walden. Gareth's return reminded her it had been a while since her bodyguard had departed, though. She looked back to Sir Thomas, a bit of worry in her eyes. Thomas had wanted to duel Jezin earlier. Surely nothing had happened... "Sir Thomas, you didn't happen to see Jezin outside, did you?"

When the Flames Die

Thank you based Gareth.

When the Flames Die

Sophia smiled at Feril's words. "Thank you, Feril, I appreciate that." It seemed the people in Great Hall were beginning to disperse. She giggled slightly at Feril's comment. "Oh, no, none taken, I understand." It was true, royal affairs tended to move with the speed of an arthritic tortoise, she couldn't dispute that fact. As she talked to the courier, she noticed a glimmer out of the corner of her eye. She gradually turned her head, seeing a suit of white armor and a familiar face: Thomas. She froze for a moment before turning back to Feril. "I believe we have company, Miss Tatchet." A faint look of worry appeared on her face.

Jezin took a seat on the hay pile, leaning against the wall of his cell. A fine situation he'd landed himself in this time. He wondered how things would go now. He felt he would probably be here for a while, regardless of what Thomas had said. He was also worried where the knight had left to. He had promised not to do anything to Sophia or Eva, but he had little reason to trust Thomas' word at this point. Jorun sat quietly a few cells down. He still refused to speak. Alia lay across her bedroll in the far cell. She continued muttering about the unfairness of their situation under her breath.

When the Flames Die

The Lyoki trio followed Thomas to the palace in silence. Jezin remained straight faced, looking back and forth between his companions. Jorun's eyes stayed glued to the ground for the majority of their short journey, while Alia sported an expression of pure frustration. As they entered the palace, Thomas explained the arrangements for their imprisonment. Alia looked fairly surprised at the courtesy, if it could be called that. She started to speak, likely with some edged retort, but Jezin shot a glare towards her and shook his head. At the moment they were at the knight's mercy, and antagonizing him further would likely end badly, especially for a servant. Alia sighed and spoke, forcing a calm tone. "Thank you, Sir." As they reached their cells, Thomas opened the first door, looking towards Jezin. The bodyguard examined what would be his quarters. He wondered if this was what the life of a pack mule felt like for a moment, before stepping into the room. "Hmm, cozy." He said the words with every bit of sarcasm he could muster before turning back to Thomas with a smirk and waiting on him to shut the door. He caught a glare from Alia, who he had silently reprimanded for nearly doing the same thing moments before.

Sophia forced a smile after Feril's encouragement. "I suppose you're right, at least we're alive." She couldn't help but wonder how much longer those words would be applicable. No, she reminded herself, she wouldn't die here. Feril reminded her that Jezin had gone to find an escape route. He had been gone longer than she'd expected. "That's right... he's been gone a while now..." She hoped nothing had befallen the knight between the palace and the docks. Feril's mention of smugglers caught her ear. The thought of traveling with criminals terrified her, but criminals were usually more than willing to break the law if the price was right, regardless of the risk. If nothing else worked, it was always an option. "I suppose anything that got me back home would be acceptable. I just... worry. If the docks are closed already, and I can't get back, my mother may assume the worst. I fear what her reaction might be, after all, she's already lost one child." Sophia's eyes widened as she said the last words. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't mean to burden you. Now's not the time to be discussing such sad matters." She forced a smile, but quietly wondered exactly what the Empress would do if she didn't return. When Alexi had died legions had sacked Taura for nearly a year before she begrudgingly put an end to their escapades.