DrowsyPangolin

When the Flames Die

Eva sighed. It didn't seem they were getting anywhere fast, anyone who could help them at this hour was either asleep or busy with the situation at hand. She could tell both Gareth and Sophia were beginning to feel their exhaustion. They needed somewhere to stay. She looked towards the Princess. "I hate to ask this at a time like this, Princess... but you still have some money with you, yes?" The girl looked at her curiously and nodded. Good. Their options had just opened up. "Okay, this isn't the most developed idea in the world, but I think our chances of finding help at this point are slim. If we leave the Palace, and go out into the town, we may be able to find an inn or tavern or something where we can rest for the night. It won't be as well defended as the Palace, but at this point I think it'd be just as safe." She couldn't believe she was suggesting they leave the Palace grounds, but their search was dragging on and it was getting extremely late. In addition, there were some people she needed a word with in town...

When the Flames Die

"Right." Sophia looked towards Gareth, agreeing that they should find somewhere to stay. She turned towards the doorway, but stopped, turning on a heel. "No, wait, there's one thing I wanted to get..." She walked back into the room, and opened the door that led to what had been Jezin's quarters. The room was dark, but she quickly found what she was looking for. Sitting on a nearby table was a helmet made of a brass-colored metal with a long red plume protruding from it's top. If Taggerung had taken Jezin the way he'd evidently taken Jorun and Alia, his body would probably never be seen again. The helmet was the only reminder of the man who had protected her. She picked it up and walked back out of the room, cradling the mass of metal beneath her arm. She returned to Gareth in the corridor. "Do you think anyone would even lend us a room?" With the state of things, she found that unlikely, though maybe someone would show them mercy. She felt fatigue beginning to take hold of her, and her eyelids felt heavy. Every time they shut though, she saw that face, staring into her soul.

When the Flames Die

Tears continued running down Sophia's face as Gareth put his arm around her. She looked towards the boy, her eyes stinging with salt, and hugged him, a new wave of sadness rushing over her. For a few moments her crying was the only sound in the room. She'd been trying to compose herself for too long. Eventually her willpower had just given out. After a while, her sobbing subsided, and she released her friend. "I'm sorry for that... you're right, we've got to find somewhere else..." Gareth said a prayer for the dead, something she appreciated. She slowly managed her way to a standing position, her knees wobbling. "But where will we go?" No one seemed to know the answer to the question.

Lily had frowned as the bar fight behind her started. Something always had to get in the way. No matter, it'd been a boring few days, perhaps a little chaos would liven it up. She was surprised when Maria threw her cloak on the table and charged headlong into the fray. Despite the noise, she noticed a loud metallic clank when the cloak landed. The merchant glanced curiously at the garment. "Yes, I'll hang on to it for you." She turned on the bar stool, watching the encounter behind her closely. Eventually, Maria pursued one of the thuggish men she had noticed earlier out the door. She pondered the subject for a moment. Following the woman was certainly an option, but it was an option that would probably lead to dangerous circumstances. She glanced through the fray, noticing a redheaded woman sitting in the corner reading a book, despite the cacophony going on around her. The woman didn't look up, but shook her head very slightly. Well, it was settled, she wasn't going anywhere. The merchant turned back around, pulling Maria's cloak closer to her and taking a swig of ale. Hopefully the brawl would die down soon.

When the Flames Die

The trio made their way out of the Great Hall and towards Sophia's quarters. The corridors seemed darker, and quieter than usual, even if it was very late. Both Eva and Sophia remained quiet for the entirety of the walk. After a few minutes, they finally came to the door of the Princess' quarters. As they reached it, Eva froze, placing an arm in front of Sophia. The door was slightly ajar, but she was almost positive it had been locked when they left earlier. Her thoughts raced, until she came to a grim realization. Jorun and Alia both had probably come back to the room after they had been released. "Shit..." She muttered under he breath, taking a step forward. After a moment of preparation, she opened the door with a quick shove. The room was completely empty, but it told a story. She noted toppled furniture, as if a struggle had taken place. As she walked into the room, she noticed a shadow in the pale moonlight. A puddle of red just outside the servant's room. She shut her eyes for a moment. Of course it only got worse. She looked in the door, being careful to avoid the pool, and saw a grisly scene within. Blood was spattered across the walls, and on the ceiling. The Tauran cursed to herself. It seemed 'Tagerrung', or whatever he called himself, had looked here first. Eva walked towards Sophia with a frown. "Your Grace..." Sophia bowed her head, her eyes on the ground, though Eva couldn't see them past her hair. "Jorun and Alia... they're dead too, aren't they?" Eva grimaced. "Yes... I imagine he came looking here first. It looks like... it looks like he took the bodies with him." Sophia looked up, her eyes bloodshot from exhaustion and tears. Eva looked towards Gareth. "I don't imagine anyone could sleep here... not like this." As soon as the words were spoken she saw the Princess drop to her knees. She sobbed quietly, her shoulders heaving back and forth. Eva looked towards the girl. She didn't deserve this.

When the Flames Die

Sophia frowned as Tyler failed to illuminate what the creature's motivations might have been. It hadn't seemed feral. It's moves were cold and calculated, and that worried the Princess. She looked up towards Eva as the woman asked about the creature's name. Tyler answered. The Princess thought over the names. 'Taggerung' and 'Cain'. At least the abomination had an identity now, not that it made her feel any safer. She nodded as Tyler suggested they make their way back to her chambers. He'd put Gareth in charge of guarding her, likely so the knight himself would have time to treat his injuries. The girl rose from her seat. "You're right, maybe some rest would do us good..." It was a lie, she knew she wouldn't sleep a wink. "I'm ready if you are, Gareth, Eva."

The woman gave a curious smirk and took another sip from her flagon. "I guess you could say that." Her bright blue eyes drifted towards the door as two figures, both wearing black robes entered. Her gaze held only for a moment before returning to Maria. She noticed Maria's eyes scanning through the bottles that lined the wall across from them. "Whatever this is is alright." She motioned towards her cup. "I think the bartender called it 'Black Ale' or something like that. I just asked for the strongest ale they had. Really though, it's not bad." She took another glug of the ale and wiped the foam from her lips. She called out towards the bartender. "Oi, bartender, another drink for me, and one for this lass too, my treat." She was determined to start a conversation with the woman. Maybe buying her a drink would help. "Anyway, I'm Lilian Tosli, Lily if you like." She extended a hand towards Maria with a grin. "I'm a traveling merchant, if you need silver, I've got you covered." She gave a slight chuckle. "Oh, who am I kidding, this place is terrible for business, I haven't sold a damn thing, but until I make some money I'm stuck here." She propped her chin up with her arm, bracing her elbow against the bar. "So what about you, what's your story?" Across the room, she noticed some thuggish looking fellows conversing and evidently making a deal, if the bag of gold was any indication. She smirked at the sight before returning her full attention to Maria.

When the Flames Die

A petite blonde woman sat at the bar of the Crossroads Inn, nursing a flagon of ale. Her bright blue eyes rested on the wooden flagon. It'd been a stressful few days, and the drink, or drinks rather, she was on her third cup, were doing her nerves good. She ran her fingers through her curls and sighed. Waiting around was such boring business, and patience wasn't exactly her strong suit. She took a long swig of the ale and smiled slightly. It was bitter, but she felt the warmth in her stomach growing with every sip. She lowered the flagon back to the bar, being careful not to spill any on the navy blue tunic she had been so careful to keep clean. She tapped the heel of her boot against the side of the bar stool, her legs weren't long enough to reach the floor. Just as the boredom was beginning to overcome her, she noticed a woman approaching the bar. She looked her over. Her clothing appeared to be some sort of uniform, though it was difficult to determine her origins with a once-over. Maybe the newcomer would be able to give some information, all she'd heard were rumors, and most of them didn't seem particularly reliable. She turned towards the dark haired girl with a smile. "Rough night?" The blonde woman spoke with a warm, welcoming voice, but it had a bit of a foreign accent.

Uldor, Land of Glory. (High Fantasy)

Fitch turned to Louis when he explained his goals. "I'm telling you Captain, they're out there..." The boy seemed to get lost in thought, and was starry-eyed for a moment. This moment of imagination was shattered when the smell of chicken filled the air. His eyes turned to the waiter as he arrived with their meals. His shipmates thanked the man, but Fitch was too awestruck by the magnificent smell to even speak. As the chicken was placed before him, he tore into it, shoving a hunk of the delicious meat into his mouth before washing it down with a gulp of ale. "Brilliant!" He said, tearing the unsuspecting chicken to bits.

When the Flames Die

Tyler's words were all too true. Sophia knew she had no chance of even harming the creature herself. Still, she wanted to destroy it. She wanted vengeance for Walden and Jezin. But such a goal seemed hopeless. Her gaze fell to the floor as Tyler reminded her that the monstrosity he'd spent the last few minutes talking about was likely still seeking her, for whatever reason. She looked towards Tyler. "Sir Tyler, do you have any idea why that thing would be after me? Any guesses at all?" She nodded when Tyler thanked Gareth. She was lucky to have such loyal friends...

Eva had remained silent through most of the conversation, pondering the monster that now pursued them. From what Tyler had said, killing it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. Still, it'd have to die, one way or another. She frowned. She didn't think she could even hold the thing back for long, much less kill it. If it came down to it though, she'd stand for the Princess, even if it meant her death. She looked towards Tyler. "This thing, this monster, does it have a name?" The handmaiden spoke suddenly from behind Sophia, more thinking out loud than anything else.

When the Flames Die

Sophia sat quietly, listening to Sir Tyler's tale. Her already quivering hands began shaking more and more violently as the story continued. So, it wasn't a man that had killed Jezin at all. It was some sort of monster, some abomination known only to fables. Something that would've been put in stories to terrify children, except it was real. She grew pale, and tears silently began to stream down her cheeks. Her eyes glanced to Gareth and then back to Eva. They'd had no idea just what they had been fighting. They had been in more danger than she could even fathom, but they had tried their best to save her. Her eyes returned to Sir Tyler as he finished his tale. For a moment, there was silence, then the Princess outstretched a hand, placing it on the knight's shoulder. The tears had stopped falling, though the wet paths they had followed still stained her cheeks. Her eyes had changed, it seemed. The fear was still there, but something else was beginning to seethe behind the yellow orbs as well. Something cold. She locked eyes with the knight, and after a silence of several seconds, spoke. "Sir Tyler... I will see that thing die. I swear it on everything I have. It. Will. Die." Her voice sounded odd, like someone else's voice was coming through her lips. Her face was like stone, unmoving.

Eva was shocked by the story, but it at least explained the inhuman ability the man had shown. She shuddered for a moment, realizing what terrible danger they had all been in. She grimaced for a moment. Tremora hadn't had a chance in hell. Her internal pondering on the knight's story was shaken by the Princess' reaction. Her eyes locked on the back of the girl's head. The way she spoke was completely out of character. There was hate there, a hatred she had never heard from the Princess before. The change in the girl bothered her slightly. It made sense to react in such a way, to want to harm something that had harmed you, but the coldness with which she spoke was strange.

When the Flames Die

Sophia's knees wobbled slightly, her yellow eyes widening. Her voice sounded shaky. "You...you know...that...that thing?" Tyler had referred to the man from earlier as an 'old friend'. It seemed that the man who had killed Jezin was also the one who had injured Tyler. Sophia sat back down in her chair, looking to the ground for a moment. She steadied her breathing and looked towards Tyler, her eyes filled with a sort of primal fear. "Sir Tyler... please tell me. Who is he? Who was that man? and what does he want with me?" Despite her best efforts, her voice cracked as the last words left it. She gritted her teeth in frustration, trying to hold back tears. Maybe Tyler could demystify the abomination, at least somewhat. The man himself had given no answers. She felt Eva pat her gently on the back.

The Tauran watched Sir Tyler carefully, listening to every word he said. An interest sparked in her eyes when he mentioned his acquaintance with their pursuer. Perhaps they would get some answers after all. She patted the Princess gently on the back, trying to calm her from her traumatized state. The gesture would do little good, though. She knew what such traumatic events could do to a child. Hell, she wouldn't be here without experiencing a few of her own.