DrowsyPangolin

When the Flames Die

Oh lawd.

When the Flames Die

^ Pretty much that. They usually cover the ground that the standard military can't. A few members were sent to tail Sophia in case something went wrong. Eva is also a member. If you see Lyoki Blackcloaks mentioned, they're the same thing.

When the Flames Die

Sophia lay back in bed, feeling the wine slowly drag her into drowsiness. Across the room, she heard Gareth's words. She tried to agree, but forming words was becoming difficult. "Yes..." She sounded as though she were barely awake. Her eyes grew heavier and heavier, despite the terror in her heart. "G- good night...." She murmured the words before she felt sleep finally wash over her. Everything went black, and she slipped into a world very different from the one she was in now. A world with no troubles and no death. If only she could stay in a dream for eternity.

Lily had been politely nodding along with what Amos was saying, but felt a chill when he used the word 'faceless'. She would've just thought it an interesting choice of words, but her background kept her from being so naive. She turned to look at the man, but he was already leaving with his companion. He told her to 'look to her god'. She smirked, turning back towards the bar and downing the rest of her drink. Well, it seemed there might be a few complications. She looked towards the cloak that had been sitting on the table. She'd give Maria a bit longer. It wasn't like she was used to getting enough sleep anyway.

Eva made her way back to the room, quietly unlocking the door and creeping inside. She shut it behind her, relocking the door and slowly and silently finding her way to the bed in the dark. She sat with her back to the wall, pondering their situation. Part of her was screaming for her to disarm and get some sleep, but the other half reminded her how defenseless she'd be. Eventually, neither won out, and she fell asleep sitting against the wall, all her weapons on her person. She likely wouldn't be waking up in the most comfortable of states the following morning,

When the Flames Die

Sophia's hand reached out in the dark, finding the edge of the table on which she had placed her belongings. She felt around for a moment, eventually finding the wine bottle. She uncorked it and took a long drink, straight from the bottle. It wasn't an action befitting of a princess, but at this point she didn't care. She took one more drink before recorking the bottle and placing it clumsily back onto the table. She laid back onto the bed, her eyes piercing through to the ceiling. She could feel the wine taking effect, but still she couldn't sleep. "I used to think things like this only happened in stories. But... that thing we saw... Gareth, I've never been that scared before." Her voice was scarcely more than a whisper, but every bit of fear in her mind was conveyed through it. Taggerung. That name, that face, that thing would haunt her for the rest of her life.

The cloaked figure shook his head. "What attacked you?" Eva's eyes fell to the floor. "They call it Taggerung, or Cain. It's... not human, strictly speaking." The masked man stared at her for a moment. "Eva, you know we can't interfere publicly, for us to just march into the palace... it'd be an act of war, they'd hang us all as spies." Eva's fist clenched at her side. "Then come up with something, find a way to justify you all being here. Don't act like that's not possible. You and I both know that Tosli could forge a royal decree with ease." Haeryn took another step forward. "Do you have any clue what the Empress would do if she knew her word had been forged?" Eva glared up at the man. "Not nearly as much as she'd do if her own flesh and blood perished due to your refusal to act." For a moment, the two stood in silence, their eyes locked. "I'll report back to Celeste, and she'll decide what needs to be done, but acting rashly in such a situation is dangerous." Eva looked to the floor. "Oh, and one more thing... who is the boy with you, and how much does he know?" Eva looked up, wide eyed. "His name is Gareth Harker. He knows very little about exactly what's going on, and he risked his life to save the Princess. There's no need to do anything about him." The masked man's eyes flashed beneath his mask. "Very well then, goodbye Stonewater, until we meet again." The man walked down the hallway, fading into the dark.

When the Flames Die

Sophia listened to Gareth as she sat in the dark. Somehow, the words comforted her. Even if everything was going to hell, at least she had a friend. She felt a tear fall down her cheek. She wiped it away, silently cursing how many tears had fallen that night. She looked across the darkness to where she thought Gareth was. "You're my friend too, Gareth... and... and I don't want to lose you to all of this either." She felt more tears falling down her cheeks. There was no point in even trying to stop them now. She took a deep breath, trying her best to steady her voice. "We'll make it through this, Gareth. I promise that much. The two of us will make it through this mess." She was trying desperately to believe in her own words, to escape from the hopelessness that felt like it was closing in on them from every direction.

Eva made her way out of the room, and was walking down the hallway, about to descend the stairs back to the bar room, when she heard a gruff voice from behind her. "Stonewater, would you mind explaining exactly what's going on here?" She recognized the voice immediately as Haeryn Blacksand, a senior member of the Faceless Legion. She turned slowly to see a figure standing before her. The man was tall, but most of his body was hidden behind a cloak of ink black. His face was covered by a mask of steel. "Haeryn... so, you're here too, I was wondering exactly who they sent." The figure took a step forward. Eva spoke again. "I saw Tosli at the bar, is Celeste here is well?" The man's head turned slightly to the side. "Yes she's here, did you not see her down below? Because she certainly saw you. She's the one who told me to find you." Eva froze. She had missed the woman entirely. The cloaked man spoke again. "I ask again, why are you here, and why did you bring the Princess?" Eva looked to the floor. "We were attacked. Tremora is dead. Two servants are dead, and the Princess is in grave danger. I need your help."

When the Flames Die

At least she wasn't alone. It seemed Gareth was awake as well, unsurprisingly. Who could sleep after what they'd been through? Still, they had made it through the night, despite all odds. Sophia wondered what was on the boy's mind, if he felt the same worry and fear that she did. She remained silent for a while, trying to think of something to say. Eventually, words came to her. "Gareth... I'm... I'm really thankful you were there tonight. If you hadn't been... I shudder to think what may have happened..." She sat up in bed, shaking her head. "I know it's selfish to say something like that. I'm sorry you've had to risk your life for my sake, I really am. I never meant to put anyone in danger... but still, as selfish as it is, I'm glad you were there, Gareth." Her voice was a bit shaky, as if she were trying to hold back tears. She was flooded with emotions. On one hand, she was overwhelmed with sorrow and guilt. Jezin, Alia, and Jorun had all died for her sake. On the other, she was thankful to be alive. Of course, neither of these feelings could match the fear, the dread in her heart that they weren't safe, that the same monster they'd seen before would appear to take her at any moment.

When the Flames Die

Sophia fell back against the cot. Lying down felt good after everything that they'd been through that day, but terror still lurked in the back of her mind. That night had changed everything. She hadn't been used to things like this. She'd grown up the privileged princess of Lyok. She'd never wanted for anything. That's not to say she didn't know any suffering. When she lost her brother, it had hurt considerably, even if she was too young to fully understand it. When she saw the poor mulling about in the streets, downtrodden, it made her sad, but now she had experienced true terror. Now she had felt loss, and if not for the actions of a few dear friends, she'd likely be dead or worse. Sleep didn't seem to come easily, so she rolled about for several minutes in the silent darkness of the room. She couldn't find rest, even now. The princess had no way of knowing if Gareth was still awake, but she decided to find out. After a few seconds, her light voice drifted across the room, scarcely more than a whisper. "Gareth... are you awake?" She rolled over again, turning towards where she thought the boy might be in the dark. "I... I can't sleep."

When the Flames Die

Sophia noticed Gareth's apparent restlessness, but was distracted from it by the appearance of a man from the back of the inn. He gave them their key, and informed them of the location of their room. Finally, some rest could be had. The Princess emptied her glass in a single motion and hopped down from the barstool, bringing the wine bottle and Jezin's helmet with her. She thanked the man as he went back to his job, and made her way towards the stairs. Every step was a labor, and she was beginning to realize just how exhausted her body was. After what seemed like miles, they finally reached the door. She unlocked the door, and it opened with a creak. The room was pleasant, and two beds lay within. A smaller cot lay across the room. Though it wasn't as large as the other two, it still looked quite comfortable. Sophia glanced around for a moment before taking a step forward. She turned back and looked towards Gareth. "I'll take the cot, I'm the smallest anyway." She made her way across the room, sitting down on the small bed, placing the bottle and the helmet on a nearby table. She removed her shoes, necklace, and circlet, and placed the latter two items on the table as well. Finally, she reached to her side, removing the flute from it's pouch. She half expected the instrument to be smashed beyond repair, but was surprised to see it still apparently in working order. A faint smile crossed her face as she placed it beside her other belongings.

Eva followed the group to the room, and was the last inside. As soon as they entered, Sophia began preparing herself for bed. The Tauran sighed. There was still one more matter to attend to before she could sleep. She looked between the squire and the princess. "I'm sorry if I seemed suspicious earlier... It's just... that woman, the blonde one at the bar... she's... one of the people I mentioned earlier." Lily Tosli, the Mockingbird. She'd met the woman once or twice, and though she wasn't particularly fond of her, she didn't doubt her skills. "You two get some rest, I need to go see what's going on with them. We should be safe here, so sleep, it's been a long night." Eva took the key to the room and turned. "I should be back shortly. I'll try to be as quiet as I can." With that, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

When the Flames Die

Sophia smiled, waving at the bartender. "Thank you miss." Good, they'd have a room soon and she could hopefully get so me rest. She looked towards Gareth. She felt bad for the boy. He'd risked life and limb for her, and it was clear he was exhausted. She felt sorry that she had no way to repay him. "Gareth, are you sure you don't want some food? Anything at all?" The Princess took another sip of wine. She looked up. Eva kept glancing across the room to the bar. "Eva, what are you looking at?" The Tauran woman glanced towards her for a moment. "Oh... um, nothing, Princess." Sophia looked at her with a complete lack of belief. Something was going on, and she was uncomfortable not knowing what it was.

When the Flames Die

"A pleasure to meet you, Amos. I'll try that out, no worries on the strength." She winked at the man and hailed the bartender, requesting a mug of Arbor ale. As her cup was filled, she turned back to Amos. "I've only been here a few days, actually. I'm actually a merchant. I sell silver, but it seems people here in Mullen aren't too fond of my wares." She faked a pout, taking a sip of the Arbor ale. "This really is quite good, thanks for the recommendation." She thought over how to continue. The man's charisma was a bit overbearing. "I actually haven't seen much of the city though. I'm sure there's quite a bit to see." She smiled, taking another sip of the drink.

Sophia glanced towards Gareth, taking a long drink. She was tired too, that was why she was drinking. Maybe if she could get drunk enough she'd actually get some sleep. She reached out, patting Gareth on the back. "I'm sorry Gareth, hopefully the room will be ready soon." She looked over towards Eva, who kept glancing towards the woman at the bar. She had never seen the blonde woman in her life, and was curious as to why Eva was so interested. She looked around the room, noticing a blonde woman in a black robe sitting across the room. She seemed to be wearing some kind of eyewrap.