End of an Era [MAIN PLOT]

[Nayeli]

( LADY NAYELI )
Featuring
Warrior Turin

( Nayeli talking to Anck, Tox, Sean, Laioni... Being taken to Dining hall... )
I held no fear as I looked at this stupid elf, this person who seemed to think I cared for the riders and their pets. I honestly did not care about anything but my kingdom and those riders had shown that they were nothing to me but enemies of my uncle and my kingdom by no helping. If they had tried, I might have had a different approach on things, but they did nothing. Yes, it was before my time, but I did not care, I was the person who lived in this castle and I was not going to have someone in my home, my kingdom, spying on me. I looked at her eyes, my own holding a cold, dark fire that showed I held no feelings for anyone who dared to tempt my own anger and my own wrath. My brother stood strong behind me. One thing I loved about my brother, he was not like the guards who looked at woman like they were pray, he was smart and knew what to do around anyone.

I looked to the man who had been spying upon me, the pale skinned man I was about to have in my own cells below and the man I would be sure to cause pain to. Food would be something he dreamed about and water, something he begged for. I did not care about him at all, or anyone who dared to spy upon myself and my family. I glanced at my sister for a second, seeing her dancing with Darek, someone I had only recently met and who worked in Ilirea, but I did not care much for him, at least he was a gentleman and I did not think he would attack my own sister. I had burnt the paper, allowed the ashes to flutter to the ground at my feet, looking back at the elve before me.

I held little respect for the oversized lizards and I would not even shake in fear if they came here this very moment. I rolled my eyes slightly as I thought about my sister’s own love for the riders and dragons. She would be horrified right now, so maybe it was a good thing that I stayed back, away from everything. I looked at her for a moment, waiting for what she would say. ”This scene won’t play,” I narrowed my eyes. Was this woman going against the law, breaking the law of the Kingdom. I looked at the man who was my sister’s guard and one of the main soldiers in our castle. ”We’re choosing freedom over subjugation.” I looked at her for a moment, narrowed my eyes.

Sean took a step forward at them, about to stop them. ”I think not-” I was at that point that words were shouted that I did not know, however, I knew they were of the ancient language of the elves and I watched. I was shocked at what I saw, the nail grew and it was placed within’ Sean’s own stomach. He bellowed something, I saw the blood coming from his lips and then looked at her for a moment. I held anger at her. I was very happy Leilani was dancing. She bowed to me, I could hear Sean saying something to his men and I stepped forward. ”Do not judge me too harshly for the murder of your soldier, milady.” I frown at her arrogance and then looked at the other. ”Let’s see,” I was about to order them to be attacked. ”There’s one- two- three- four- five- six- seven- eight- nine- ten… of you… and one of me. Oh my, I…” I watched as her eyes grew larger and I narrowed my eyes. She pulled out a Kerchief from her pocket and I glanced at Turin, he was nervous. ”What’s a poor girl to do?” I was about to say something, but soon, a purple screen came, smoke everywhere and I could not understand what was said and I waved my hand.

I was raging, I turned to something, looking at the soldier who were dumb struck. ”Go you worthless pigs! Find them!”

I did not care about any orders, I could not understand the words of Sean and honestly, my anger was too boiled for anything. I now looked at him, snapping my fingers to order someone to come, but before anyone could come, he was gone, towards my sister. I heard them ask everyone into the hall and I growled slightly. ”Don’t. He is going to get Leilani.”[/color] I looked at my brother and then back at Leilani. Awiti was on her way to her and I watched as Turin stopped her, begging her to come with us to the banquet hall. I did not understand why, but he moved us quickly towards the table and our seats.
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( LADY LEILANI )
Featuring
Awiti Ekere

( Leilani, dancing with Darek, reacting to Sean and Darek's fight. Nayeli stopped to watch, Turin coming in slightly. )
I was heading towards the dining hall when I saw purple arise and I turned towards it. I could not see what was going on, but I turned to look at Darek for a moment, wondering if he had some idea. I was about to ask when I felt tapping on my shoulder. I was horrified at his condition. My eyes widened and I looked at him for a moment. ”Milady…this area is not secure. Please come… with me… I cannot accomplish my duty to the Royal Family if you are on the dance floor, with a man unknown to me. You have my ….word of honor that I… shall dance several dances with you at a later date, to make up for this.” I was about to turn to Darek again, to thank him for the dance, but things did not go as I had planned. Darek was about to speak, but Sean allowed his hands to fly, blood from him splashed and I back away. ”Sean! Stop!”

[/color] I did not understand the anger. I was not there when things played out, I had left with Darek.

I looked at Darek, who was scary to me. I tried to grab Sean, but it was no use, he had moved too quickly. He was in his boxing stance and I wanted to scream for him to stop. My yelling had attracted Nayeli’s attention, I heard her ordering people to move, but it was no use, the crowd was too great. After a moment, he yelled in his native tongue and then I felt hands from the other who worked for him grab me, pulling me away. ”Let go of me you animals!”[/color] I tried to break free, managing to get my hand free and pull the small dagger I had out to cut the man who had me enough to cause a bit of pain before placing it back. I could not hear the words exchanged, but soon, I saw Sean on the ground, Darek over him. ”Darek!”[/color] I pulled at his arms, trying to get his attention. ”Darek, I know what you are, but this is not you! Please, control yourself!”[/color] I tried pulled at his arms, begging him to stop this before it was too late. Sean was losing grip upon his own life.

I looked up, seeing the guards surrounding and then Turin’s face. He pushed Nayeli away and pushed past the guards. He tried to grab me, but I slapped him quickly. Darek was a sweet man, I could not allow anything to happen, nothing like this. ”Darek…”[/color] My voice was a whisper. ”Stop… Please…”[/color] After a moment… He stopped and I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked at the guards. ”Guards… Take Sean quickly and get him bandaged up now!”[/color] I looked at Darek, hoping he would look at me.

”I’m sorry.” I was so thankful he had looked at me, but soon, he was engulfing me with his wings and I looked down to see Sean’s Knife in his stomach and my eyes widen. I watched as Darek pulled it out and I went to touch, but I stopped as he unfolded his wings from around me. I looked to my sister who was towering over us. ”We need to get to dinner… Guards… Take Sean and get him bandaged up…”[/color] I looked to see that Sean would go, but soon, he tried to object, but it did not work, the look Nayeli gave was blood drawing and he was picked up without struggle and taken by his men, along with some other guards. She then looked at me. ”Get to the dining.”[/color] I looked at her for a moment and nodded to my sister, who was escorted by Turin. I waved for Awiti to follow.

”I believe I owe you a thank you." I looked at him for a moment and smiled. I looked down for a moment and then looked at Sean’s Dirk. I took it slowly, pulling out my own cloth from it’s hiding place and wiping it clean. I looked at him again and smiled at him for a moment again. After a moment, he offered his hand to me yet again. ”Shall we go eat together. It seems that if I stay here much longer you will either have to have me turn your guard or he will be dead.” I smiled and headed it, following the last of the crowd towards the last remaining seats. I noted that Nayeli sat close to Malandra, Turin and Awiti sat together and Darek and myself sat towards the end, a few elves and humans together, though, it held a uncomfortable silence. I was not really that hungry at all.

As Darek allowed me to sit, Awiti came up and he repreated the action for her, pulling a chair out for her. ”Why don't you look gorgeous tonight." She set to the right of me and I smiled at her. Giving her a kiss on the forehead. ”And where would the lady I owe my life to like me to sit?" I smiled at him for a moment and then back at the chair to my left. ”Right here sir.”[/color] As he was about to sit down, the attention was sent down to Malandra. “Dearest guests, I ‘ope you will all enjoy ze meal our diligent slaves ‘ave prepared. But before eating, we will first give our prayers to Nyx, oui?” I narrowed my eyes slightly. Sure, I guess you could say I knew about the slaves, but I hated to think about it. We stood again and then, we started to sing once it was silent. I looked at Awiti, who was unsure about all of this and then, after she was done, we all set down. ”Eat as much as you desire, my lords and ladies. Tonight is a holy night.” I looked at Awiti, her face nervous. ”What is it child?”[/color] She looked at me for a moment and was silent. She was either nervous or tired. She did not eat, she was moving the food around on her plate. I was not that hungry either, after what had just happened, and as I glanced down towards Nayeli and Turin, they were about the same, keeping very blank faces and not doing anything.

I heard something, and turned to see Sean coming up, taking a seat across from me.

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( WORD COUNT ) – one. eight. eight. one.
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[/color]

[Elloria]

Josk/Niko - with Addison (Ancient Language)
Niko laid a hand over his mouth to stifle his snickers. He wondered if Kieran was frequently like this or if the older elf was simply letting loose for once. Judging by Kieran's appearance, Niko suspected it was more the former than the latter. Life's worries weighed heavily upon Kieran's brow. He wondered what the elf had seen. More predominantly, however, he wondered what further tricks he could play. There was nothing quite like pulling the wool over another elf's eyes because it was so difficult to do. However, before he'd even begun formulating his next steps Myaja reappeared. She poured some sort of liquid down Kieran's throat, causing him to cough and sputter in a thoroughly amusing way. Niko almost laughed aloud. When she finished her business, she left as swiftly as she arrived and Kieran seemed to have sobered up considerably. Niko had no time to regret this turn of events, for the gong sounded to announce dinner. He returned Kieran's wave before losing all sight of him in the crush of people making its way to the dining hall. He allowed himself to be swept away with it until he could extricate himself in the hall itself and away his brother's arrival with Addison. He let a tendril of thought reach out to Josk to let his brother know where he was.

As the music ended, a gong sounded. Josk looked up from his daze to see the crowd of people moving towards the dining hall. “I guess it’s dinner time,” he murmured to Addison. After a moment, he began leading the man in the direction of the crowd. He unceremoniously pushed his way through the press, keeping Addison as close to him as possible to prevent the man from separating from him. He had all but forgotten about Jeralt by now. Within a few moments, he further pushed the vampire from his mind as he and Addison finally escaped the crush of people. Latching on to Niko's thoughts, he made his way over to his brother to collect him before meandering over to their seats at the table. Josk gracefully dropped into his seat, Niko at his right hand and Addison at his left. He eyed the vast array of food, wondering what potential dangers lurked within the feast. His wards were not going off, so at least the food nearby was not poisoned.

As one, the twins turned their eyes to Malandra Ramakrishna the Prophet of the Cathedral. Though neither elf made a sign to indicate their feelings about this half-naked human - or rather, a sign that most humans could read - it would be abundantly clear to any elf looking at them that they were disgusted. Their mood merely soured as the woman spoke. They, like most of the guests present, did not join in when she began singing to Nyx. As she smiled and urged them to eat their fill, Josk finally scoffed. “I wonder what wickedness that creature has planned. I dislike her greatly.” Niko nodded in agreement.
========

Samar - with Clarus (This is Samar's native tongue.)
Samar breathed a small sigh of relief. Though it saddened her that light-dark-pale-one Artemis was placing its pride above the knowledge it desired, she nevertheless was pleased that she would not have to deal with the being ever again. Not even its threats bothered her greatly. Master had always been good about protecting her from its malevolent intentions. She was certain he would continue to do so. Thus when Master held his arm out to her once more, she gladly took it. She had heard a deep gonging sound and judging by everyone's reaction, it was an important sound. She followed Master into the dining hall, letting the opulence of it wash over her. As always, she was awed by the things the pale-ones found desirable. While the jewels and decorations were undoubtedly beautiful, Samar had to wonder how much the pale-ones actually enjoyed them. She preferred a simpler existence - one in which she could appreciate what the world offered her. Master never seemed quite satisified with that, though.

As they sat down, she continued to look around. This time, however, she eyed the people themselves. So many light-dark-pale-ones-with-odd-ears were interspersed with the other pale-ones. She had never seen an elf before Artemis and she was understandably wary of them all. Still, they were more interesting to watch than the pale-ones. They were graceful as the deer she had hunted, beautiful as the wells her people had fought over - and knew the subtleties of facial expression. They were much more difficult to read than the pale-ones. She was enjoying guessing what each elf might be thinking. There were two just down from her, though, whom she could easily tell how they felt. They disliked what they were looking at. Following their gaze, she couldn't help but agree with their assessment. The pale-one at the head of the table - the host of this gathering, perhaps? - was an unsightly mess. It clearly had no decency walking around in such attire without even the excuse of being a slave. She shivered and dropped her gaze. When the singing began, she shivered again. It didn't feel right somehow. She gently touched the amulet hanging from her neck. “Please protect me from whatever evil may come to pass, Mother Wolf.”

[Kite]

*Edan eats some of the food, the roast in particular being some of the absolute best he has ever tasted. The food and wine slid down his throat easily and quickly, leaving his mouth empty for conversation. He turned to the Lady Nayeli and sees her demeanor as decidedly miffed, her face a blank mirror of her brother's is, and he speaks lightly to her.*

How are you enjoying your evening, Lady? Well enough, I'm sure.

*He smiles slightly to her and awaits her response of some sort and then turns to Myaja and observes her, the woman tense as well. He wishes these women were less tense. The palpable tenseness in the air is most off-putting, even to him, and felt that it somehow curdled relationships between cultures. Natural, but very negative. He was just happy to have had a decent night and fairly calm and easy speaking with General Kolbjorn and her people when he tried. With that thought, he moves back to the thoughts of the feast and his wife, making sure she was having a satisfactory meal as they slowly grazed food from the table.

(Edan speaks to Nayeli and his wife, and observes Nayli, Turin, and Myaja)

---

*Clarus notices Samar touching her amulet and speaking softly to herself during the prayer, knowing from observation that this is something of a nervous habit for her when she was uncomfortable with something going on. He smiles slightly to her and speaks to her in the language she taught him softly as the dinner continues.*

Worry not, my dear. All will continue well, no matter what occurs.

*The food is fairly scrumptious to him, the royal flavors rolling over him the way only a master cook could manage. He eats it for a while, and drinks water over wine this night. Malandra was a slippery dame, and he didn't trust any of it, but he worried not, knowing that he had nothing to fear from her. He was not a threat to her, not yet, so he doubted her fierce anger would touch him or Samar this night.*

(Clarus speaks to Samar in the tongue she taught him and continues to eat the food.)

---

The meal was long and the food was consumed in a volume only possible by hundreds of guests. After something of an hour and a half as the moon moves, the slaves and serving servants come streaming out and, in short order, the table is cleared before trays full of a very spicy broth are brought out by the same slaves and distributed to everyone. The smell wafting from it is exotic and it exudes a heat that is extraordinary from just a broth, and a sound of discontent comes from the end of the table absolutely farthest from the royals and hosts.

It smells sumptuous, Your Holiness,

Anck’s voice sounding friendly as she speaks, but with a hint of suspicion.

But I can’t eat another thing.

Another voice rings out besides her, sounding more than a little annoyed.

Your Holiness, you know that everyone at this table would happily die to please you, but is it really necessary that we gorge ourselves to death?

The table rings out with appreciative and sympathetic groans from the assorted mob of guests and Malandra’s face widens into a grin boardering on the slightly psychopathic edge of scary before beginning to speak.

Ironic words, my dears. You see, an alchemist visited me today, as some of you must know. He showed me ‘ow to make a beautiful poison and its antidote- a very potent potion. No ‘ealing spell will aid you once it is ingested. Only ze antidote will save you from certain death. And what a death! I am eager to see if ze effects are all zat ze alchemist promised. It should be agonizing for ze afflicted, but quite entertaining for ze rest of us to enjoy.

A silence covers the table for a moment as the words sink in and the guests digest it, followed by icy words coming from the queen of ice herself, General Kolbjorn.

Your Holiness, have you poisoned someone at this table?

You are very astute, General.

Malandra pauses after responding to the General, taking her time to look every single guest in the eyes before starting to speak once more.

Little wonder Queen Dellanir so values you. As I value all in zis room. It would be per’aps easiest for me to say who I ‘aven’t poisoned- I ‘aven’t poisoned any who serve but one master, any whose loyalty to me is sincere. I ‘aven’t poisoned anyone who ‘as Broddring’s best interests at ‘eart. I ‘aven’t poisoned anyone who isn’t a spy.

Malandra then snaps her fingers and a slave rushes to her side, carrying a tray full of a strange, deeply green liquid that sloshes slightly every time the slave moves, then Malandra continues her announcement.

You may be wondering, ‘How can she be certain zat ze poison is ingested? Is it possible zat ze guilty party, or dare I say, parties were suspicious and merely pretended to eat and drink?’ Of course. But even ze craftiest of pretenders would raise a glass to his or her lips and put empty forks and spoons in zeir mouths to play ze charade. Ze food, you see, was not poisoned. The cups and cutlery were. If you did not partake, you are poisoned just ze same, and sadly, missed an excellent roast.

Malandra then looks at everyone with her perverse enjoyment of this turn of events obvious on her face, clearly that this was absolutely making her day. The faces of the assorted guests as her face traverses the whole slew of reactions, seeing sweat bead down the faces of some and seeing others stuck as statues. There were white faces, and shakes abound across the crowd from anger or terror. She then speaks once more, enjoying every minute of the suspense.

Ze poison acts quickly. If ze antidote is not taken wizin one minute from now, zere will be death at ze table. Zese are ze last words you will hear if you are an enemy of mine.

She smiles sadistically and takes the tray from the slave, holding it out towards the table.

Take ze antidote and live.

(Anck, Tox, and Myaja all respond to Malandra’s declaration of poison contaminating sets of cutlery and wine glasses spread throughout the room to catch those who were even just pretending to eat, before holding out the tray of antidotes.)

--

*Edan hears the declaration and his face collapses in shock and rage, although he recovers as quickly as possible. This would truly contradict and destroy any good done here, especially since it could be anyone. He knows that he will not have been targeted and was therefore not in danger as he has always been a true supporter of Broddring according to her, but other than that he doesn’t know and that infuriates him. He will not say anything about it to anyone yet, but he would have words with Ramakrishna after this was over, most definitely. It wouldn’t do much, but it would be something. He turns in his seat and looks around for the guards, making sure they are on guard for anything that may happen.*

(Edan reacts and looks around for soldiers to calm anything that may get out of hand more than they already have.)

--

*That devious bitch rings through Clarus’ mind, and his mind races. His mind is firing off at the most rapid it can as he rifles through the scenarios that he could see, which was exactly as she wanted. Assuming there was poison, the chances are astronomical that he would actually be sitting at one of the poisoned chairs, and that Samar would be as well. That being said, the one time he assumes that would be the one time that its true and they both die. So, the logical thing is to take the antidote… Except that the antidote might be the poison, so he could assume that and not take the antidote, but that would be the one time that that assumption is wrong. God damn me and my paranoia…, he thinks and then makes up his mind. He turns to Samar and speaks quietly in the language they share other than Common, the language she has taught him.*

Do not go… I will fix this even if we are… afflicted…

(Clarus reacts and looks over to Samar and tries to tell her to not panic as much as possible and waits for what is to come.)

[phrostphyre]

Sean felt the blood being sucked from him by the monstrosity upon him. His seax came out of its sheath, and then Sean was stabbing upward, into the thing’s stomach with his seax. To Sean’s extreme surprise, the thing smiled, stood, and pulled the seax from its belly, then handed it back to Sean. His world went black for a moment, and then Sean awoke to two white-faced, chalky-looking human mages poking his stomach. He swore at them for a moment in Gaelic, but then collapsed as he felt the holes in his internal organs stitching themselves back together. It had actually been fifteen minutes since he went black on the dance floor, which was now once more immaculate. Sean and the two mages were in an alcove, and Sean could faintly hear Malandra. He swore; Leilani was no doubt getting into an enormous amount of trouble without the tall islander there to at least keep any harm of the metal kind from her.

Sean pushed the two mages from him and swung his legs over the tiny cot he had been lying down on. He tried to stand, but fell back again. Grimacing at the pain that had erupted like a giant flame in his gut, Sean pulled his bloody and torn shirt over his bare torso that looked like it had been sculpted from the hardest Alban granite, cold and hard to the touch. Hard, yes, but not like a rock. Hard like a man who had known violence since he was old enough to carry a seax or dirk longer than ten minutes. The torso was as warm as the pulsing blood that had been only a few moments ago spewing all over the walls of the alcove. Sean nodded his thanks to the mage medics, and then replaced his mail armor over his shirt. He rebound it all together with his sword belt, and then emerged from the alcove. His own face pale, Sean ignored the dining area for a moment, and disappeared into another alcove, this time one heading to the kitchen. Once there, he managed to talk the cook into giving him a loaf of bread, and a flagon of weak wine. Tearing into the food, Sean went back down the passage he had come in, and then took a sip of wine. He finished a third of the bread, then handed it to the two mages as they walked by him. He also gave them the flagon, and nodded to them. They nodded back, and then began dividing the bread and wine. Sean moved to the dining hall and then slid into a shadow, where he was within striking distance of the man that had drank his blood. However, Sean had only eyes for Leilani. He didn’t feel betrayed by her choice of the fool next to her over him, but he did feel hurt that he wasn’t allowed to do his job properly.

Face still pale, Sean listened to the murmurs running through the room. Someone had been poisoned. Sean felt bitterness towards his quite obvious failure to keep unsavory elements from Leilani. A Gael slipped next to him, and they began speaking quite lowly.

”Hail, Sean. The fool man has taken it upon himself to make love with the Royal Leilani, Should-Be second to the Throne. Her honor is in danger. Your spies among the servants report that while close to the Lady, he is growing closer. I suggest you monitor his movements in and out of the city, while also allowing that he can fly due to the wings he grew in his devil form. Also, there is a Shade among those here tonight. I advise you seek his help in this matter, for it is said Shades are extremely powerful. However, this night is nearly done. I suggest you correspond with him in our language, for aside from scholars and merchants, none know it. Save for the Lady, who has doubtless picked up several words.”[/b] Sean nodded, then answered.

” I hear tell that this particular Shade is a merchant, Robby. Might he know our language?”[/i][/color]
”It seems more than likely, Sean, son of Lawrence. In fact, there is a man I know from Alba that worked for him once. They were able to discuss many things in the language of the Islands. If that is so, then you are fortunate. He is Clarus Maleficarum, merchant and Shade. He resides in Tierm, I believe. I’m sure someone in the city knows him.”[/i] Sean nodded, and then sent the man away. He saw a tall Alban piper, the one who had exhibited the swords, begin inhaling food. Sean face palmed, and then shrugged. Young men would be young men.




SEAN interacts with NO ONE, sadly. Save glaring daggers at DAREK, feeling bitter about his failure, and thanking the two NPC mage medics that saved his life.

[Elloria]

Josk/Niko - with Addison
If one had thought Josk and Niko looked similar earlier, it was now impossible to say that they were not twins. Outrage gleamed in their now dark eyes and their expressions were identical - furious, even murderous. This was a disgusting display of the human's need to feel superior. The left eye of each twin twitched at the same moment. Niko laid a restraining hand on Addison and shook his head to indicate that they should all remain in place - at least for now. He knew the angel would attempt to take the antidote without thinking all the way through. Addison was trusting like that. Niko and Josk looked at each other, thoughts flying between them.

Do you think she poisoned the cutlery Josk?

I do not. My wards are designed to detect such things. I have studied poisons for years. It is a difficult thing to embed it in an object like that. And not on such a large scale as she seems to be implying.

Is it possible to somehow circumvent your wards? What if it is a new poison - one you’ve never encountered?

...That...is possible. But if she did, then she has undoubtedly been planning this for years. Down to the very last detail.

And possibly with unstable materials. Let us not ignore the shaking from earlier. A structural collapse indeed.

This is why I despise humans. At least with our people, we know we are always up to something. And our language does not allow us to outright lie.

...Should we take the antidote, then?

...No. Josk looked around as people began fighting their way to the head of the table. He did not see many elves doing so, however. He hoped that his people were not so foolish as to trust this wretched human that called itself a priestess of Nyx. That would be unwise. Regardless of how one looks at it, we risk death. I will take my chances and not trust that her antidote is real. I suggest you and Addison do the same.

Niko nodded and, turning to Addison, relayed to the man all that had transpired between the brothers. The three sat there - the twins in stony silence - waiting for the minute to end.
=========

Samar - with Clarus
Samar returns Master’s small smile. It is more out of a grim amusement at his attempt to use Sithao than reassuring him that she is reassured. “I trust you, Master,” she replied quietly in Sithao. She turned her gaze from him to look upon the food being served. She was not particularly hungry. Merely thirsty. She nodded when a slave poured some water for her and sipped delicately at it. She wrinkled her nose slightly. It tasted a little bitter. She drank a bit more to be certain. It was, indeed, bitter. Almost as if the cup hadn't been properly washed after its last use and remnants of wine were left behind. She shrugged. It was a large castle. It probably used a lot of this ‘cutlery' thing that Master had sometimes spoken of. Who was to say it would always be completely clean? When Master occasionally insisted she try something, Samar would oblige him and take a small bite. But most of the fare she tasted was too rich, too sumptuous for her. She was used to simpler foods and actually preferred it. One couldn't properly appreciate the Mother Wolf's gifts if one was always trying to drown out the natural flavors with other things.

The meal continued for far longer than Samar cared for it to. It was late and she was ready for the evening to end. Master and the pale-ones had turned her diurnal. She was no longer accustomed to more nocturnal habits. Moments after sour thoughts had begun drifting through her mind, she was jolted wide awake by Malandra's declaration. Poison? This pale-one was foul, indeed. Undoubtedly a servant of Salrynn the Lover, if its attire was anything to go by. Or perhaps the Destroyer. The Cursed Son chose servants with more decorum than that. And then a horrifying struck her, even as Master sought to reassure her once more. What if her own cutlery had been poisoned? Her cup? Panic wells up in her heart. She does not wish to die like this - without dignity, far from those who can give her a proper burial. She would be doomed to wander the land as a spirit, incapable of returning to the Mother Wolf! She began to shake. “I...I think I have been poisoned,” she said. The words seemed to tumble together. Combined with her thick accent, it was almost impossible to tell exactly what she said. Unless, of course, one was already used to it. “I have to take the antidote, Master. I have to!” She rises swiftly from her chair, ready to dash towards Malandra and take the salvation she was apparently offering. It did not enter into her mind that a servant of Darkness might not show kindness.

[dantieduurden]

Darek was pleased with the kindness Lady Leilani showed to Awiti her adopted sister. " Right on the side of me." he hear her say and with that smile of hers he could not argue with her and happily took the seat to the left of her. Darek enjoyed Leilani company and as he saw all the food get brought out he looked to the woman speaking. She was barely dressed in his eyes and it sickened him. " You disgrace the name of Nyx." Darek said to himself as he looked at the supposed priestess and what she had to say. Once she was done speaking he picked up his fork and began to eat. Nothing seemed off like his sister had suggested, but it was also not the wisest idea to put all his sisters words out of his mind. Though they had there differences she was extremely smart. " May I try some of both you and Awiti's food? I would like to see something before you take a bite." Darek said as he waited for them each to hand him a small piece of there food.

One by one he ate each piece, neither was poisoned from what he could tell and with a smile on his face he turned his yellow eyes back to them both and said, " The food is safe my lady's." And he was about to return to his own eating when he saw Sean join the table once more. So the fool would stay doing his job. Well at least he was determined. But when he heard them begin to speak in there native tongue he went on high alert, he had read up in his home about these fighters before and there loyalty to each other, and he also knew that they were always looking for revenge on those that had dishonored them. He had just done so and began to listen in on there conversation hoping what little he knew would help him.

" ....Danger....Spies....Closer.....Movements....powerful..." Darek understood first from the man speaking to Sean but then Sean spoke and he had to put those words in the corner of his mind, what did they mean. " Merchant....Sean....Clarus Maleficarum, merchant...." An once again the speaking stopped. Darek did not like this one bit but refrained from any acts of violence until they were needed. Could they be planning to kill him, not doubtful saying he had dishonored Leilani's guard Sean. But what of this merchant then, he had heard a little speak of him and his empire he was building but not much. What would a shade have to do with anything, Darek thought as he finished his food.

As the priestess spoke up once the all had eaten and spoke of her treachery he knew only one thing, he could not take the chance of Leilani or Awiti being poisoned, and unlike all the other elves here he did go for the supposed antidote. By the time he got one several people had already drank it and Darek watched them carefully as he walked over to his two lady's.

[Nayeli]

( LADY NAYELI )
Featuring
Warrior Turin

( Nayeli demanding to know who had been poisoned and glaring at Malandra. A few glances at her sister and others. Speaking to Edan at beginning. Turin and Nayeli drink Antidote. )
I was not very happy with how things were going. The dinner looked wonderful, but this woman thought this was her home and she was pissing me off ever second she set there beside me, talking with others lightly. I looked to Turin who was speaking with a guard he worked with, one that was a good friend and they laughed slightly at a joke the other said. ”Well, at least they are having fun.”

She thought to herself and picked up her fork, eating some of it food, not caring about anything at this point. ”How are you enjoying your evening, Lady? Well enough, I'm sure.” I looked to Edan for a moment and then swallowed my food, dabbing my mouth lightly. ”Well… I could be better.”[/color] I said blankly at the man, glancing at Turin for a moment who chuckled slightly. He leaned over slightly and looked the man. ”She is normally like this… Don’t be offended by her at all.”[/color] I shot Turin a devil glare and then put my fork down.

Once again, my appetite was gone and I did not feel like eating more, but it did not matter in the long run, I had to put on a good face for others, so I spoke with a few in the area, mostly about how they were doing, but soon, I had taken another bite of food and sipped some wine. I watched as a few faked eating, but I was not, there was no point. If I was poison by this woman… Malandra… My uncle would have her head on a platter, but then again… He was not the smartest of men, but I did love him no matter what. He gave me this position after years of training.

Slaves were running around, servants were giving them commands since they were the paid hands and not the slaves that were property. It had been possible a hour and soon the table was cleared and it was left clear, nothing on the table, however, soon, more stuff was there, a broth that was seemed very hot and spicy. I drank some carefully, not wanting to be rude in my own home. I thought I heard the voice of those I wanted to sentence to torture, but I ignored it. I was sure Sean’s men had a eye out for them. Many different voice could be heard and they were all going towards Malandra, so I joined in. ”Even I am afraid that this meal has filled me.”[/color] I said quickly, putting my fork down, some of the broth completely gone. ”Ironic words, my dears. You see, an alchemist visited me today, as some of you must know. He showed me ‘ow to make a beautiful poison and its antidote- a very potent potion. No ‘ealing spell will aid you once it is ingested. Only ze antidote will save you from certain death. And what a death! I am eager to see if ze effects are all zat ze alchemist promised. It should be agonizing for ze afflicted, but quite entertaining for ze rest of us to enjoy.” My eyes widened. She did not say who had been poisoned and I glanced at Turin and then down at Leilani who held her own shocked horror and her hand, delicate as it was, set firmly on Awiti’s own shoulder.

I looked back at the woman, seeing another woman who was speaking. ”Your Holiness, have you poisoned someone at this table?” I wanted to strangle someone. Of course she had, she had probably poisoned us all to make sure the person was poisoned in the first place. ”You are very astue, General.” I stood quickly. ”Who have you poison Malandra? I demand to know… This is my home and people here are my family!”[/color] I was calm for the most part, but my words were as sharp as daggers as I looked at her with my ice blue eyes. ”Little wonder Queen Dellanir so values you. As I value all in zis room. It would be per’aps easiest for me to say who I ‘aven’t poisoned- I ‘aven’t poisoned any who serve but one master, any whose loyalty to me is sincere. I ‘aven’t poisoned anyone who ‘as Broddring’s best interests at ‘eart. I ‘aven’t poisoned anyone who isn’t a spy.” I hated the fact that she did not give a clear answer. Some people could see wrong in anything, even though who had not done anything wrong.

I was about to ask again, but she went on to more. My brother had his hand on my own shoulder and I looked at him. He wanted me to be quiet, but I would not. This was my home and this woman was threatening my family. ”You may be wondering, ‘How can she be certain zat ze poison is ingested? Is it possible zat ze guilty party, or dare I say, parties were suspicious and merely pretended to eat and drink?’ Of course. But even ze craftiest of pretenders would raise a glass to his or her lips and put empty forks and spoons in zeir mouths to play ze charade. Ze food, you see, was not poisoned. The cups and cutlery were. If you did not partake, you are poisoned just ze same, and sadly, missed an excellent roast.” I at least ate, but I was still poisoned and that meant, everything at this table, everyone was poisoned. My uncle and this woman had been working together, he would not allow his own family to be killed, unless it was his brother in law, my father, which I was fine with.

I looked at her for a moment more and then at the tray that was before her. ”Ze poison acts quickly. If ze antidote is not taken wizin one minute from now, zere will be death at ze table. Zese are ze last words you will hear if you are an enemy of mine.” I looked at her for a moment. She would always be my enemy, but she always worked for the kingdom and my uncle seemed to trust the woman. Did he know of this event? If he did, I would have more words with him. I took a breath for a moment and I looked at Turin. ”Take ze antidote and live” I took the antidote and soon, Turin did the same. If I was poisoned, I wanted to live… If I drank and became poison, people would make sure this woman died and that person would be my own uncle. He loved me and my family, as we loved him.

I watched as many people did not drink the antidote, some would die tonight, I had a feeling many would. I could only hope I would not be one of them. Turin held my shoulder firmly.
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( LADY LEILANI )
Featuring
Awiti Ekere

( Leilani enjoying her meal, hearing of the terrible act played by Malandra and scared. Drinking Antidote. )
I kept glancing towards my sister and brother up the table, my sister was her normal tense self, while Turin spoke with another night, probably about something stupid or funny. It was nice to see him enjoying himself and doing something to gain a evil glare from my sister. I notice someone talking to her and then tried to focus on the food before me. It was all beautiful and looked great, but my stomach was still turning slightly from all that had happened, I knew it was better to allow myself to settle before eating. I picked a few grapes from a bowl and popped them into my mouth, allowing them to settle my stomach for me before eating more then that.

Darek was sitting to my left and soon, Sean was there, but he was with one of his men and talking to them. I smiled at him, my eyes glistening with kindness that not many held. I wanted him to calm, to know I was fine with this man. I looked towards Malandra, who was still disgusting me slightly with her outfit. She should have never been in my sister’s home, acting like it was her own home when it was not hers at all. It made me so mad, but I tried to relax and enjoy the evening as best I could. I was about to eat some, as was Awiti, when Darek stopped us. ”May I try some of both you and Awiti's food? I would like to see something before you take a bite." I nodded quickly, looking to Sean for a moment who was still speaking and looking at Darek as if he was a enemy. I had picked up a few words, but it was still hard to speak it. I would have to have him teach me some later on, so I could speak to him aswell. ”The food is safe my lady's." I smiled at him and nodded, patting his hand softly with my own and smiling at him.

I had never met a man like Darek, even though in the ears of some, he was a monster. He was handsome and sweet and the wings just added to the mystery behind the man. I took a few bites of food carefully, enjoying the food that was before me, looking at Darek every now and then, wanting to invite him to my room, but at the same time, I did not want Sean to get upset. I wanted to spend time with Darek, get to know him and be his friend. I focused on eating, but soon, the slaves and servants came, taking our plates that we were done with and then bring out another bowl of Spicy broth, which we ate slowly as to not burn ourselves.

After a while, barely talking, which was fine with me. I had had time to write quickly on the napkin a note for Darek to come to my room to night so we could get to know each other. I knew Sean did not come into my room because he respected my privacy. I pushed it over to him and soon, I turned my head to look at Malandra, who was speaking. I wanted to get sick from her outfit, but I held by my disgust. ”Ironic words, my dears. You see, an alchemist visited me today, as some of you must know. He showed me ‘ow to make a beautiful poison and its antidote- a very potent potion. No ‘ealing spell will aid you once it is ingested. Only ze antidote will save you from certain death. And what a death! I am eager to see if ze effects are all zat ze alchemist promised. It should be agonizing for ze afflicted, but quite entertaining for ze rest of us to enjoy.” I knew I did not like this woman from the start and I looked at Darek for a moment. I looked back at the woman who had just announced she had poisoned people.

I heard my sister demanding to know those who had been poisoned, and soon, Malandra had answered, but now what any of us wanted to hear. “Little wonder Queen Dellanir so values you. As I value all in zis room. It would be per’aps easiest for me to say who I ‘aven’t poisoned- I ‘aven’t poisoned any who serve but one master, any whose loyalty to me is sincere. I ‘aven’t poisoned anyone who ‘as Broddring’s best interests at ‘eart. I ‘aven’t poisoned anyone who isn’t a spy.” First was to the elven General and then to the rest of us. I was scared for a moment, but I put on a strong face, as I was trained to do and patted Awiti’s own shoulder carefully. I knew that everything would be fine, or so I hoped everything would be okay. I glanced at Sean for a moment and then at Malandra. My sister was being quiet for the moment, which was good, because I wanted to focus on the woman who had everyone’s attention. ”You may be wondering, ‘How can she be certain zat ze poison is ingested? Is it possible zat ze guilty party, or dare I say, parties were suspicious and merely pretended to eat and drink?’ Of course. But even ze craftiest of pretenders would raise a glass to his or her lips and put empty forks and spoons in zeir mouths to play ze charade. Ze food, you see, was not poisoned. The cups and cutlery were. If you did not partake, you are poisoned just ze same, and sadly, missed an excellent roast.” I could not believe it.

Malandra would not have known where everyone would be sitting, and the slaves did not always know names… Everyone could have been poisoned, even to the small slaves such as the one who had helped Awiti earlier. I held fear now in my eyes, but I did not allow Awiti to see it in my eyes, I could not look at her straight on. If I did, she could possible panic. Her life was in my hands now and I could not allow such a death to come to her. ”e poison acts quickly. If ze antidote is not taken wizin one minute from now, zere will be death at ze table. Zese are ze last words you will hear if you are an enemy of mine.” I looked at the tray that she took from the slave and soon, Darek was gone from me.”Take ze antidote and live” I could not believe how fast he was. I saw my sister and brother drinking and tossing the glass vials on the ground… Well, my sister threw hers on the floor, where as my brother put the empty thing on the table. Soon, Darek was with us again, handing us the antidotes that I made Awiti drink first and then myself. ”Thank You Darek.”

[/color] He took the thanks and I looked at Awiti, who did not seem well. ”Are you okay.”[/color] She looked at me for a moment and nodded. She was scared, I knew this and I kissed her forehead quickly.
[/size][/blockquote]
( WORD COUNT ) – two. three. four. two.
[/blockquote]
[/color]

[Emma]

Long minutes after I left the banquet hall, I felt the shadows closing in on me.

I smiled despite myself as the tendrils of darkness enclosed around me. Here in the bowels of Castle Carvala, in the ancient, long-forgotten passages, there was no light or energy. The cold, dusty shafts and half-crumbled walls were void of anything, even air- I had been forced to cast a spell to direct what little oxygen there was to me to survive. But I was in no trouble, unless I stayed here for very long, and I didn’t plan to. Once the message was sent and Ramakrishna was dealt with, I could return home to Ilirea and continue my personal studies- at least until I was required once more. I had thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight, barring that one incident with the drunken human, and was eager to see how Nayeli Richards would seek her revenge on Castox and myself.

I was convinced that tonight’s events would lead to a new Blue Divide, but not one of warrior pitted against warrior on a blazing battlefield. This would be a war of conspiracies and secrets, of heinous acts at the top of the government and whispers behind closed doors. Even the Riders, in their adorable naïveté, realized this. The only thing that would remain the same was the blood soaking into the soil of Alagaësia, and the corpses defiling the land. I looked at the human blood that had accumulated on the palm of my right hand, still warm and dripping. I had only stabbed that man partially out of sadism and the need to save my foolish cousin. I would need blood to make such a complicated signal work properly, as well as to avoid detection.

As I finally reached the end of the passage, I lowered myself to the floor, moving a slab of rock off of the precious seal beneath. I had also cast a spell that allowed me to see everything in various shades of violet, thus giving me excellent night vision. As I moved the fallen stone aside, I was only partially relieved to see that the glyph inscribed around the pool of water underneath was intact. I hadn’t expected it to be touched. Nothing was down here to disturb me, not since the days of the heathen kings millennia ago. I touched the glyph with my bloodied hand, feeling the static energy within, and quietly whispered a spell to the darkness. The glyph glowed, responding to the crimson stain on my gloves and feeding off of it. It was so uncivilized, this method, but it worked so well.

As the glyph glowed still brighter, the water in the tiny pool glossed over and turned translucent silver. I saw blurred shapes within, and smiled down at them, raising one hand in a signal. The shapes raised their hands in turn, and the water rippled, causing the brief connection to break from the other side. I raised my face and gazed up at the ceiling with a pleased sigh. The Order was not usually the type for cloak-and-dagger engagements, but it was very obvious that stealth had become a thing of necessity in this day and age, this evolution of war. Humans and elves- they were fundamentally the same, both foolish and impulsive. Elves merely hid their weaknesses better. This war was going to destroy both of them. Only divine intervention could save the fools now.

---

In the room’s deathly silence, I realized that my mouth tasted metallic.

I licked my lips, but the tang was still there. Was it my own rage, or poison? I couldn’t tell, and this only made me angrier. I gripped the edge of the wooden table until my knuckles turned white, fighting to still the maelstrom of rage churning deep within me. Every fibre of my being screamed at me to unsheathe my sword and cleave off Ramakrishna’s head, but I couldn’t think or move. Again, was it simply my fury taking control of me, or the alleged poison? The Prophet despised me as I despised her, after all. With her childish selfishness, it was entirely possible that she had poisoned me to rid herself of that particular annoyance. She was watching everyone in the room, smiling devilishly. At one point, she turned slowly to look at me, and her eyes flashed.

‘Fear not, little girl,’ they seemed to say. ‘Your life will soon be mine.’

Still nobody came forward to take the antidote. They were too afraid. Even if an agonizing death by poison was averted, what would happen then? They would be killed on the spot or taken away for torture and interrogation, and there was no telling which fate was worse. Hatred for Malandra Ramakrishna lit my blood on fire. This was an attack on my people, even worse than an open declaration of war. Was that what she was trying to do? Turn the poisoning into an obvious cause for Du Weldenvarden to attack, and begin the second Blue Divide? I did not shrink from war, but Ramakrishna clearly had something planned out. I wasn’t going to let her string us along any longer. Rising to my feet, I reached for a glass- and gawked as a tall man flung himself at the antidotes.

“Brian Conchobhar MacTìre,” said Malandra, still smiling. “You ‘ave spent some time in ze East.” She then held the tray out as others, inspired by the man, came forward to snatch up the chalices. Soldiers, noblemen, even one or two of her holy warriors. “Ze Hive?”
“You didn’t know?” MacTìre laughed sourly. “I report to the rightful Queen of Broddring. I’ve always been in her employ. Goddess, you poisoned me because you thought I was working for some damnable elves?”
“You are half right,” said Malandra thoughtfully. “I did not guess who you were working for, or even zat you were against me. But you are also wrong about me poisoning you. You poisoned yourself when you drank from ze chalice.”

I was a soldier of Du Weldenvarden. I did not mind war or death. Whether it was the humans and Urgals to the south or the denizens of the ice tundra to the north, I had seen enough carnage in six hundred years for it to no longer matter to me. But the utter carelessness in which the Prophet doled out death to these people, and the simple act of poisoning itself, made me feel a chill creep within my bones that I had not felt for a very long time. There was no screaming, no bending over double in unimaginable agony. The man in front of me, MacTìre, gripped his face as it became flaccid, actually shapeless. His brow hung low and his toothless jaw went slack. The rest of his body oozed like a gelatinous glob- suddenly no more, I realized, than a soft bag of muscle and blood.

I looked at the others who had taken the antidote. Elves and humans, men and women, had lost their bones. It was the only possible way I could explain what they had become. Their faces and bodies were sunken, like empty sacks, but their mouths and eyes were wide open. Jarringly, I realized that every person dying was screaming at the top of their lungs- only soundlessly. The void of noise was quickly compensated for by the shrieks of horror and howled curses at Ramakrishna from the other guests as the bodies, no longer supported by any internal structure, hit the floor with wet squelches. Even Malandra looked somewhat disgusted as they wriggled there, like fish on dry land. Then she smiled and rose to her feet, holding the nearly-empty platter aloft.

She was probably about to make a speech, only to be interrupted by a hollow, but nonetheless achingly loud crash. The Prophet froze where she stood, her face white. There were several more noises, like thunderclaps, none as loud as the first, but still powerful enough to make the floor reverberate. It was not comparable to the structural collapse from before, however, clearly coming from outside. I rounded on where the sound was coming from, removing my katana from its scabbard in one flowing movement and holding it in front of me. Across the room, and taking up the entirety of one of the bay windows, was one enormous reptilian eye. It blinked, the slitted pupil widening and narrowing as it gazed into the banquet hall. Malandra dropped her platter.

“General!” screamed Siofra, grabbing me viciously by the shoulders and shunting me in the direction of one of the fireplaces. “You must go! Go now!”

I didn’t have time to bark orders or even make an attempt to stop my soldiers from uniformly pushing me away from the table and past Malandra’s holy warriors. Siofra flung open a small door, probably used as a slave entrance, and crammed me into it. For a long moment, I fought with my own shock, and then realized who had just arrived, and what was about to happen. I allowed myself to be swept into the tiny passage by my men, which was barely large enough to stand upright in, let alone run at a full tilt through. Keeping close to my guards, I held my katana out in front of me, my rage giving me speed. When I heard the first running footsteps and the clink of weapons and armour from the other side of the passage, I raised my sword to meet them.

---

The entire banquet hall had been thrown into a panic- first by Ramakrishna, then by the deaths, then the eye and now the fact that even General Myaja Kolbjorn had run off. At this point, I wasn’t at all concerned that Nayeli Richards was still out for me and Tox, or being poisoned- I was much more worried that we’d be trampled to death as every guest in the room tried to leave all at once. We had gone over to one of the walls and pinned ourselves there to avoid the crush. The enormous black eye blinked one last time before pulling away, but I seriously doubted that it was going to leave. Instead, I watched as General Edan Valaician bellowed at his soldiers for crowd control. Several guards had lined up along the double doors, making a human wall against the screaming crowd.

However, they were quickly cleared out when the doors suddenly swung inward, blown open by the howling winter wind from outside. The rush of freezing air briefly blew out the fires, plunging everyone in cold and darkness for a few long moments. Then, they sputtered back into life, and once the flames had returned, ten new arrivals stood in the path that had been cleared in front of the doorway. Tox sucked in a breath beside me, while I held mine. Five of them were elves, and the other five appeared to be strange hybrids of human and lizard. Their skin was various pale shades of hues like gold and blue, and their eyes reptilian. Pearly fangs glistened from behind their lips, and they had talons rather than nails. All at once, I realized the creatures for what they were.

“Amazing,” sneered one of the dragons, a tall woman with close-cropped jet-black hair. She stepped towards the guests, dark eyes glittering. “Thousands of years of evolution and you humans are still the same mindless animals you started out as. Pathetic!”
“That’s enough, Almalexia,” said one of the elves, a tall man with a smooth, calming voice. He was observing the crowd through half-lidded eyes. “We’re here to soothe them, not anger them further.”
“And you!” Almalexia came storming over to where Malandra still stood. “They say you’re good at talking. So talk!” She grabbed her by the corset, pulling her up to face her and then shaking her viciously. The Prophet remained utterly silent, white-faced with rage.
“Good people, I can assure you that this has all been a misunderstanding,” said the man that had to be Anurin Sarethi, tossing his long black hair from his eyes. “Malandra Ramakrishna will come with us, and stand trial for what she has done tonight. However…”
“The human race is made up of violent, miserable fools,” snarled Almalexia, viciously prodding Malandra. “So eager to play into your own deaths.”
“… Bloodshed gives way to more bloodshed, and hatred breeds more hatred- until all the violence soaks into the land and carves rivers of blood. And that is why, as of tonight, neither Broddring nor Du Weldenvarden may control their militaries any longer. They now answer to the Riders.” He snapped his fingers. Two dragons appeared at the doorway, gripping a struggling Myaja Kolbjorn by the arms, whose face was bloody. Two more dragons strode forward to apprehend Edan Valaician. “To drive our point home, both Edan Valaician and Myaja Kolbjorn are under arrest for their governments’ martial movements outside the regulations of the non-aggression pact. They will remain in Ilirea until further notice.”
“Of course,” said Edan Valaician, handing his sword to his traumatized-looking wife. “I will go peacefully.”
“MYAJA!” I stared as a tall, dark-haired human bearing a striking resemblance to the female general came rushing towards her. “They can’t-”
“Be quiet, Kieran!” she snapped, spraying blood from her mouth.
“Watch what these bastards think of my-”
“I said, BE QUIET!” she roared in a frightening voice. Then, panting for breath, she took her own sword and held it out to him. “Be quiet, and obey.”
Miffed, the man took the sword in silence.
“As of this moment, the Renaissance Gala is concluded,” said Anurin, stepping backwards with a deep bow. “The Riders will handle everything from here.”

Character(s) Used;; Laioni left the banquet hall to send a mysterious message while Myaja Kolbjorn watched Malandra Ramakrishna brutally kill several guests, including Brian Conchobhar MacTìre, before getting beaten up and arrested by the Riders. Anck Seh Namun and Tox watched the Riders arrive and put an end to the Gala, while Kieran Kolbjorn unsuccessfully tried to free his sister.
Words;; 2290
Muse;; Unbelievably horrible.
Thoughts;; Everything's okay but the dialogue at the end... which is unforgivably bad. This post officially ends this chapter of the main plot. You guys can post your characters' reactions and them leaving the banquet if you want to, but I will not be posting here again and all my characters have vamoosed.