The Price for Sundren

[Gabryal]

The man looked her over in an appraising way.

"In order to stop my spying upon Hano and Pyras, it will cost you.. 3000 staggs and you must spend the night with me."

Kathryn didn't hesitate, she suspected it would come to this, inwardly she sighed as she handed over the money.

"Follow me" the man said and Kathryn did..

A short journey later found them in a private place.. and as the night wore on and the sun rose she kept one thought in her mind "What I do I do for Sundren"

As the night wore on she used her gifts to craft a very subtle spell, tying it to the man's life, so that she would always know where he was, so long as he lived or she did. "By necessity I'm the bait, and this is the trap" she thought as she endured the man's prescence

Then the night was over and the man left... and Kathryn left to visit the baths, and try to find what was left of her soul. And to talk to Hano and Pyras.. as soon as she could..


(( Completely OOC: In respect for the fantastic RP session I had with MadMartiganx, I don't want anyone to think he's some sort of perv OOC. This RP was approved by both of us before hand, and he didn't "do" anything really. It's just good dramatic RP, and he was and has been a complete gentleman about it all ))

[Gamling]

Katie held Lauan in her arms at the four lanterns inn. She had just finished talking with Osclow, about the entire freedom issue, and what she had thought about it. Lauan was utterly confused, and hurt. Katie's whispers helped alleviate some of the burden, as she remained in her embrace.

Lauan could feel something wet splash against her neck, which she then realized Katie was crying. She hugged her and asked what was wrong. She had been hurt, what she had done, giving herself up to help a greater cause, it took its tole on her. All Lauan could do was hold her tighter until it was time to go, with a platonic kiss on the cheek from Katie, she left to the Triumvirate temple.

Lauan could feel anger, because it took some kind of pig to ask someone for such a thing as payment. She clenched her fist, and shook her head. She realized the similar fashion in which she was treated long ago, but her thoughts were cleared as Osclow put a hand on her shoulder, and his kind words soothing the anger within her. She hugged him, not letting go for the longest of moments.

[Lollercide]

"Shit." Was the first thing he could mutter in his mind as he slammed the palm of his gauntlet into the bunk above him. "Silly little girl," he thought while staring into his gauntlet, trying to contain his rage. She was sobbing in the bed before him, but that wouldn't spare her.

"Am I so vain.. That my allies and friends believe that they must resort to such methods in order to accomplish anything? Has everything I've done been passed over and pushed aside as tedious, worthless?" He couldn't bear to look at her, not while the rage and disappointment burned in his eyes.

She who so blatantly defied what he believed and lived for, and yet she taunted him by stating she did it for him. For Sundren. That she did it because she loved both of them. "Silly little girl. I had given you my trust.. I trusted you, believed that you would do the right thing when it came down to it. However.. You fail to understand the importance of finding better methods other than sacrifice - Even if you truly believe the sacrifice to be worth it." He slowly retracts his gauntlet and looks to Kathryn, attempting to leave.

"No. You're not getting away that easy. If what you believe what you've done is righteous then stay here before me and explain yourself. Listen to what I have to say." He removes his gauntlets and tosses them to the foot of his bed, moving to her side.

Resting his hand on her cheek, a lone tear streams from her emerald eyes and over his fingers. Refusing to meet his gaze immediately, he guides her head until she does so reluctantly. "...Kathryn." He sighs, taking a seat by her side.

Despite what his heart told him, he needed to give her reassurance. Confidence.

[Silas North]

The man across the table smiled with confidence. There was no reason for him to lie. There was no need for deception. Everything had played out in a way he could use for his advantage. This was the way Osclow saw it. It was rather ironic that in revealing nothing, the man across the table revealed everything. But he held all the cards and held all the clout, sway, and power. The ways of magic and politics were tools that he had mastered. It did not matter if the bard did not trust him, or if he knew there was something to be gained other than the safety of Sundren.

"Just so there is no confusion, am I to assume we have a deal?" the man across the table asked, looking rather confident as to what Osclow's answer would be.
"Yes..." the bard felt somewhat dissapointed at how quickly he answered.

Was it possible their friends would ever learn the whole story?
What would they say if they learned the truth, or came to learn it in time?
Was it possible their actions could be deemed more than merely rebellious but actually criminal as well? What would their loved ones say then?

Kathryn had already sacrificed so much for a man she was willing to die for and all the people that same man helped to protect. The grotesque image of what she had to endure stuck in the mind of the bard. The humiliation she went through mocked him. The worst sensation however was the fact that as sick as it made him, it was most likely nothing compared to what Lady Blake herself was going through.

And it did not end there...

Their plans for this land could very well cost them the love of all those they sought to protect. It was a betrayal of a sort, or could easily be translated into one. Kathryn had already gone through so much for a man she was willing to die for, as well as the same people that same man protected. To Osclow, this man was like a brother, and if the details of their plans for Sundren were ever to be discovered, his brother may lose more than simply the grace and good tidins of others. He could everything he was.. everything he had sworn to be.

I cannot let you down.. I WILL not let you down...brother...

The price for Sundren was a steep one.

[Lollercide]

Shaped to be from Necessity

The Tormite left the tavern with the tiny frame of Kathryn in his arms. Her head bobbed and weaved ever so slightly with each heavy step he made against the cobble road in his full plate. Securing her the best he could in her arms, hoping to reduce her movement from each impact from his step.

"Heh.. You overdid it again. Even while we only hoped to have a good time an relax with Osclow and Lauan... You managed to exhaust yourself. Not too surprised, though. When you do something, you have the tendency to put your full effort and heart into it," he speaks passively to himself and chuckles under his breath while carefully making his way down the stairs leading to the center yard in the Military Ward.

"At least.. It's not raining," he thinks to himself looking to the pond with a smile. It was indeed a quiet and beautiful night - A perfect way to end such a day. He continues, ascending the stairs to the Triumvirate's road. He couldn't remember the last time he was able to relax and act so care free... At least, to that extent, and without Tamryn.

Approaching the wooden door leading to Torm's sect in the Triumvirate, Hano pauses to shift Kathryn's position in his arms. Just enough so he could slide a hand free, lean into the door, and then open it. After such he uses his foot to part the door so he could enter, closing it just as awkwardly as he opened it.

Pressing through the Temple, the air of responsibility returned to him. He smiled looking to Kathryn's face covered and masked by her well kept red locks of hair. "I hope now.. You understand the importance of not being a tool to be sacrificed to the people. The path you and I follow.. It's a vicious circle that requires us to clutch on to our humanity - The memories of the time we were once innocent and free. For ourselves, and for the people." He pauses for a moment before opening the door to the bedding room. "Your innocence.. It's not something you can give away or can be taken. With your eyes opened truth as they are now, you only have to find it once again." He smiles, as if reassuring himself as well as her.

He enters the bunker rooms, moving to where she slept the night before. Tamryn's bed - Opposite of Hano's. She no longer used it ever since Tamryn and Hano started to share the same bed, so it was of little consequence to anyone. Hano also found some kind of security and comfort knowing she was sleeping there in the same room as himself, or in the very least, was safe under his watch while she slept.

Carefully resting her on the bed he pauses, sighing to himself. Conflicted with his next actions, he folds his arms and gives her a scrutinizing look.

"I'll compromise," he speaks a bit defeated to Kathryn, responding to her as if the silent figure asked him something.

Moving to her feet, he removes her shoes and sets them beside the bed, and eventually her gloves as well. For a moment he considers how often Tamryn had been in this very situation. Both, who oddly enough had the same habit of passing out in uncomfortable places in equally uncomfortable clothing.

He rubs his forehead in silent frustration with their habits, but deep inside, he wouldn't admit to how much taking care of them like this put him at ease - He was there to make sure they, in the very least, could get a good night's rest under his watch. A feint smile touches his lips he takes off his gauntlets, tossing them behind him - each landing softly on his bed.

With a brief moment of hesitation, he begins to remove her clothing carefully so not to disturb her, and then immediately draws Tamryn's sheets and blankets over her. A sigh escapes his lips as the sheets and blankets slowly sink on top of her as their weight pushes out the air between them.

Relaxed, as one would as if they had successfully defused a bomb, he brushes the hair from her face and smiles. "...To have a cause that you would die for is noble, but... This is a cause that we must all live for, Kathryn. You understand this now, and are growing stronger with each day. Almost ten years younger than me and yet you're coping and growing so much faster than I ever could. I'm impressed with you, Kathryn."

He gathers the dress and sets it over his bed carefully, moving to the bookcase intending to work through the night again. "In the short time you've been in this valley.. You've changed from the curious and lustful red-head to a strong and determined woman. Even if it was out of necessity." He reaches to the shelf without looking, having it built into muscle memory where he kept his particular book holding all the blank parchments he worked with. It wasn't there.

"Tch.. Perhaps I misplaced it? No.. Don't think I've ever done that before." He sighs running a list of possible places he might have left it through his mind. He picks a place he believes to be most likely and nods to himself while taking his leave, but not before whispering something under his breath regarding Kathryn.

"We need leaders, Kathryn. Not tools or martyrs. You've proven yourself strong enough to follow a path unwavering and without falter - Despite the burdens, blood, sweat, and tears that weigh heavy in your soul. But.. Can you show Sundren that you're strong enough to pave one? Without sacrifices?"

[Gabryal]

Kathryn awakens, and has to blink a few times to get her bearings. She knew where she was but she couldn't remember how she got here. Her time sense was all screwed up as well, she couldn't tell how long she'd been asleep. Had she been ill? No, she checked her forehead, no fever. She sat up in bed clutching the sheets to her bare breasts.

Bare breasts? "I didn't come here to sleep" she thinks to herself, she looked to the side of the bed and saw her pack laying on the floor, she had it organized in a way that worked for her, but would probably have baffled other people. That's why I don't have on my nightgown, I'd not sleep naked here, not with Hano and Tamryn around.

"He carried me... all this way.. just to make sure I was safe, and he didn't even about what I was wearing or why..." She whispers to herself as she thinks it through. " How remarkable... " For an unknown reason two tears stream down her cheeks as she makes sure no one is awake around her and slips out of bed to get dressed.

"That man, much more than he pretends to be" She thinks to herself as she get's dressed Much more.. and he too is paying a heavy heavy price for Sundren. I'll make it worth it to him.. somehow.."

[Silas North]

Osclow was not about to let the sunlight pull him away from such a comfortable sleep without a fight. As it crept upon the emerald gaze sheltered beneath lids and bangs of darker blonde, his head turned with a light moan. A few more minutes, was that so much to ask? His body attempted to shift itself moments after, but stopped with the realization of the weight upon his chest. Finally, his eyes opened. The curtains were mostly closed but the transition from shadows into day required a moment of focus even with only the single determined sunbeam poking its way through.

A light mummur of comfort escaped the tussle of bed sheets and blankets, arising not from the bard but the one whos head lay upon his chest. Her hair, rather long without the braids she normally made use of, draped along the back and side of her long neck and over the bare chest of the bard.

"Lauan..." Osclow simply whispered her name, not in attempt to awaken her but instead taste the gentle warmth that came over his lips whenever he spoke of her. She did not awaken, but merely nuzzled against him once more. A smile upon her did well to not only temporarily distance the bard's mind from all the troubles they were facing in Sundren, but also inspire a bit of confidence in him as well. He was responsible for that smile, and it made him quite proud.

Lauan was one of the main reasons Osclow still remained within this valley. Sundren's problems were a difficult one for someone such as him to simply turn his back to, but it was the people he loved and cared for that truly kept him anchored. The smile upon Lauan's face became a fire he had given a personal oath never to let be extinguished. He strived to make her happy, and in the accomplishment of such had a found a joy all his own. At first everything he did was merely to keep a sweet, innocent woman of this world from feeling a pain she did not deserve. However, in time it had become something else, something more.

That sweet smile, her gentle innocence, and an athletic body that was quite pleasing to the eye. How could he not love her?...

It was not that simple though, for she was a Thayan Knight.

It was not that odd for the brutal protectors of the Red Wizards to possess lovers or families. Indeed many slaves strove to become knights in order to better provide for their wives, husbands, or children. However, all of this was at the whim of the Red Wizards themselves. Their knights were allowed only what they said they were allowed. Pyras had known about their affection for one another and had attempted steps to keep them apart. No doubt, he was angered by the fact that there was one he could not taint in the eyes of his knight. Ironically, it was by demonizing all of Lauan's friends that he had helped the Thayan Knight and bard to come together. As humerous as this thought was, the bard did not laugh. Lauan was still loyal to him, even if it was Osclow that held her heart.

She had chosen this path and was determined to follow it to the end. What kind of future did that leave for the two of them?.. She would not leave her chosen path, she would not leave Pyras.

It was not healthy to think of such things regarding the woman he loved while she lay comfortably by his side, but Osclow could not help it. He wanted to stay by her side. But what was possible for them and what was not?

Could they truly be husband and wife?
Could she truly become the mother of his beloved Tia?
Could they have more than just this sneaking around?

Peace to the land would bring greater focus to simplier matters such as what two people did with their lives. Then would come the answer to everything and whether or not their destiny was intertwined. For the briefest of moments, Osclow questioned all he had agreed to and all he had devoted himself to. It was quite strange how that in the chaos there could be peace.

And in the peace could come only more sacrifice...

[TheBrogueadier]

Eira shifted slowly on the bed, taking care not to wake the sleeping form beside her. She dropped her feet to the floor, smirking at the feeling of the carpet against her skin, the lushness of the room in the Thayan Enclave was substantially better than her normal sleeping arrangements.

She padded to the table near the wardrobe and began the laborious but comforting task of donning her armour, she could do it without thinking, muscle memory guiding her hands through the layer of padding, ties and plate arrangement.

What Katie had done was reckless, but equally ruthless. She had no doubt that a man willing to demand money and a persons body as payment for something as trivial as not spying would have no hesitation in breaking his word. Still, the enchantment she had laid upon this Marrs man could be useful in tracking him down, and in a time of war it was wise to use any available weapon, fists, sex and deviousness included. That wouldn’t stop her from taking pleasure in this Marrs’ death however.

There was no pity in her heart, and she doubted Katie had any regrets, she had made her choice and followed it through with conviction and she had the strength of mind to live with the consequences. It was all too easy to sacrifice yourself; to die for a noble cause. The true test of a person was if they could live for what they believed in.

Her armour on she walked as quietly as she could back to the bed, smiling as she watched the slow rhythmic rise and fall of Katies sleeping breath, her red hair splayed out around her head like some glorious copper sunburst. Katie had a bright future here. Hano himself had said she saw her achieving greater things than him and had tasked Eira with watching over Katie, guiding and caring for her, helping provide a cold and calculated edge to the redhead’s fiery nature.

Eira had agreed to this, not for the paladin, but for herself. She disliked the term love; something bounded about by fops and soft people but she felt a lot for Katie. A sense of completeness as if with Katie around she had recovered some vital organ she’d never known she’d lost but would now struggle to live without. Katie gave her a sense of rightness, wholeness.

Together they could shape Sundrens future, bring an end to the bickering, war and petty squabbles and bring a simpler, purer way of life to the valley where all people were united in the simple struggle to survive.

When Aurils great white cloak enveloped the land with endless winter it would be Katie that Eira would walk with, together in the eternal snows, hand in hand.

She kissed Katies forehead tenderly and moved to leave the Enclave, while Katie slept she had matters to deal with.

A silver-white winter never melting to spring,
That was what their future would bring…

[Gamling]

Lauan could remember it as vividly as it had happened, by the light house in Port Aventhyr with her bard. She had her arms around his nexk as she restd her head on his shoulder, watching the night time sky, talking about unimportant things to distract them from the pain of reality. She would whisper in his ear, and then he would smile as they looked out upon the horizon where the ocean met the sky.

Suddenly the stars dispersed, and began their retreat into the coming light of the sun, which began to push its self up over the ocean, as they merely watched in silence. Then the silence was broken with a murmur as their faces locked into a kiss. Time seemed to stand still as the sun rose to a higher position to warm the Port Aventhyr.

In the midst of it all, the girl whispered three simple words, which seemed to bring doubt and unncertainty within the bard. He looked at her, very much confused with a wordless expression as storm clouds seemed to gather with supernatural speed. The bard looked at Lauan for a long moment with a sorry expression, as her looked begged him to stay. He began his desent down the hill.

She realized this is not how it happened, this isn't the truth, but something told her that what avtualy happened, was about as truthful of what she was seeing now. She sat on the stormy ledge, tears in her eyes as she saw an armored figure brush past her, from within the light house down toward Osclow. The armored figure had armor much like her own, a Thayan knight, only her eyes visible, and how stunningly green they were. She had dark skin as well.

Lauan watches helplessly as the Thayan knight made its way down the hill toward Osclow with her sword drawn, she screamed and shouted for him to run, or at least turn around. It was too late, the knight was upon him as it whipped him around to face her,
Osclow had a look of betrayal on his face as she pulled her sword back to strike him. He did not move, despite how badly Lauan screamed out to him, he merely stood, motionless.

His eyes suddenly went wide as the sword stabbed through his stomach, and exited his back. He looked from the sword, to the knight, and then one long look at Lauan who could not see clearly from all the tears. The merciless knight quickly unsheathed her sword from the bards stomach and kicked him over the edge, as it turned to face Lauan. The knight aproached her, sheathing her sword as she removed her helm, revealing a familiar face.

It was as if she stared into a mirror, and the knight reached out to touch her on the cheek. The knight failed, she disappeared, along with the sunny ledge, the dead bard and the light house. There was no sun, only the shuffling of feet outside of a door, and a bed she layed in. She could see a window, and a pile of belongings in the corner, clothes on the floor. She tried to move but was rooted in place by an arm across her shoulders and a warm chest under her head.

She shifted her legs and wiped her tears as she looked up to the face of the very alive bard laying next to her, his hat brought down over his eyes and a satisfied smile on his face, which brought a smile to her own. She took his hat off and placed it on the floor gently as she placed her head back on his chest and drifted off to a more peaceful sleep. She could only think of the bards words that day, in Mirakus post about his plans for peace, and rather than bother her, it was something to hang onto into a deeper sleep.

[Gabryal]

Kathryn walked the streets with her head held high, her long red cape flapping in the breeze as she went from one refugee to another. Despite her inner pain she pushed on, held her head erect, flashed her smile to each man woman and child. Touched their shoulders and faces. "I offer them Hope, it's all I can offer them now. They must see me, they know who I am, they see a beautiful confident woman and they don't know how scared I am. I can't let them see the fear. I have to give them this little bit. Hope is such a fragile thing, if I'm confident in appearance they will think that I am confident we will win, and if they believe.. then that much peace is given to them.

She moved amongst the Shanty town outside the gates, looking like a rose amongst weeds, but never putting herself above these people, the reason she fought. She gave of herself fully, her natural gifts of charm and grace to give them what they sought so deeply, and as she passed many a heart was lifted, and filled with courage for the future.

She made sure she never complained, never was bitter, never exuded anything but complete confidence of victory to come. And inside she screamed as her mind clawed at itself in fear of what she knew was coming. Through sheer will she finished the walk that she had been making a few times a week, noticing the new faces.

"If they need a symbol I will be one" she thought softly "I will be whatever is necessary for them... for Sundren. I'll bury the little girl named Katie and become Kathryn Blake, Champion of the People, who's near god powers protect a nation.. if that is what they need from me". She finished her rounds and walked through the gates giving orders without thinking that the guards should secure hot soup for the refugees outside the gates for the night, as the bitter cold and rain was coming down heavily. She barely noticed the salutes now, that had been becoming ever more frequent since the Battle of Sestra.

"To those who weren't there, I'm becoming legend.. and I can't even tell them the truth, they need that legend... and in all likelyhood the truth would only make them smile and nod and make me seem more like them. What to do? Hano would know.. I'll talk to him about it.. when I have the time" She looked back at the men as they carried out orders she had no authority to give, and with an effeciency that no job requirement would instill in them " This is the differance, this is why I must be as I am. The men follow Symbols, they will go hungry for Hope, and they will die for a cause.. that's what I'm giving them here.. in a strange way Xithis is making us a closer people, with a national identity.. forged in the frustration of suffering." She strode into the city heading for the Triumvirate and she knew in her heart... that the Price for Sundren had cost her something else.. Anonymity... she wondered what else it would cost, and who would bear the price, as she went seeking Hano Fetten, the one man in Sundren to whom she could release her soul.