City of Heresy [OPEN]

[Emma]

“Why am I here, Clavides?”

The nobleman did not answer my question, despite the impatient tone I hadn’t bothered to hide. Instead, he grinned at me devilishly before clambering up the ladder and vanishing into his attic, leaving me alone in the sitting room. I sighed irritably and slowly shrugged off my cloak, depositing it on a chair and stretching my arms. It appeared that I was going to be staying here a while. Lowering myself onto the day bed and propping up my legs, I laid my head on a pillow and closed my eyes, breathing deeply. I hadn’t slept properly for two days- ever since the ending of the blasted Renaissance Gala. The soft cushion and warmth of the fireplace made me long for the soothing embrace of sleep. However, rattling footsteps from above reminded me why I had to stay awake.

Ullis Clavides, a strapping man in his early twenties hailing from a long line of wealthy merchants, had inherited this cheery little manor near the banks of Leona Lake upon his father’s death three years ago. He was young, healthy, and women liked him. He had more than enough money to last his entire lifetime, and would never need a job. And so, he had gotten wholly, tragically bored. I didn’t know if it was this infuriatingly perfect life that had caused his mind to shatter, or if he had simply been born with those primal urges buried deep within him, now unlocked by sheer necessity. Either way, it had resulted in a sudden interest in the limits of physical torture- not unlike experiments my own brother had once carried out before his unfortunate incarceration.

“Alright, Your Holiness! You can come upstairs now!”

I rose from the day bed, taking my own sweet time in sauntering over to the ladder in my sapphire pumps. I took the steps slowly as I warily entered the attic, wrinkling my nose at the foul stench. The only illumination was provided by torches, but it was not difficult to see what caused the stink- bodies. Burned alive, poisoned, electrocuted, melted, torn apart, turned inside out, ripped to shreds and sewn back together- no two were alike. I was somewhat impressed that Clavides had managed to hide his sick passion for so long. We’d only found out about it recently, after his neighbours wouldn’t stop complaining about the smell. He only used people that no one would ever miss, he’d told me- immigrants, prostitutes, beggars. The filth of Broddring humanity.

“Well, well, Clavides,” I said musingly as I stepped around the carnage. “So you have been indulging your darker natures. We’ll need every Sentinel in the Cathedral to cart all of these away.”
“So they are valuable to blood magic, Your Holiness?” he squeaked.
“Of course, my darling. It is still a young art. We need all the research we can get our hands on.” I paused over one body that I realized was still alive- but only barely, as he had been skinned. “You’ll be properly compensated for your work, naturally.”
“No, I don’t need any compensation.” He grinned across at me. “Just let me keep doing it.”

I stayed for about an hour longer while he showed me the fascinating physiological results of rapid freezing, internal incineration, ingested acid, and other forms of torture. It was a pity that Anastasio wasn’t here to see it. Once I had seen my fill, I went downstairs, only pausing to take my cloak. The sun had come up by now, and people would soon fill the streets of The Tears. I bid adieu to Clavides and dispatched an Initiate that had accompanied me to go and fetch the Sentinels to take care of the awful, shocking amount of bodies within the manor attic. They would be taken to the Cathedral, seemingly for funeral rites and burying, but in reality my Oracles would be studying them. Clavides would be ousted as a monster to the public, but he would also be made an Oracle.

I wrapped the soft velvet cloth of the navy cloak around the revealing outfit I was clad in today, and pulled up the hood to partially hide my long black hair, which was styled in large curls. Normally I moved from points A to B in a grandiose carriage with several Paladins in tow, but all of Broddring was currently under the assumption that I was in Ilirea, being punished by the Riders for what had happened at the Gala. I would have to travel incognito when not in safe zones, at least until Azuan delivered his promise. I smiled at the thought, lowering my ocean blue eyes to the cobblestone road as I turned down a disused alleyway, heels clicking rhythmically. Besides my humiliation in Castle Carvala, everything was going exactly as planned. The wait was finally over.

Characters Used;; Malandra Ramakrishna
Words;; 810
Muse;; Not bad! Fizzled out at the last paragraph, though.
Thoughts;; It doesn't suck! HOO!

[Kite]

*Clarus strides through Tears happily, free of his cares as a teacher and taskmaster for a moment, and moving on to his long term goal. He had heard the rumors of the deadly and legendary "blood magic" from the olden days of the Elves and all paths that he had ran down and had his informants run down led here. Tears of Leona and the Citadel of Nyx ran by the Prophet Ramakrishna. Now, all he had to do was find her.

He was actually completely sure that this was going to cost him something… Something important. His fealty to the Citadel and her, perhaps, or maybe his vast empire of merchants. However, as much as this bothers him deep down in the core of his being, not knowing what was to come and knowing that, he balked inside. However, inside was the farthest from a haven as he could be, and the souls inside of him pushed him towards this path hungrily, thinking that Blood magic was the key to his need. It was the most powerful, deadly, and dark magic known to the world, and he needed it, deep down inside next to the three primal greed spirits he had played host to for a century.

He was feeling a tugging from those within him, and turns abruptly to another street down as they gain a momentary control, and moves over to an alleyway and he feels the the urge to wait, although he is once more in control. He does, however, decide to stay and wait at the open mouth of a very grimy and seemingly unused alleyway and looking down to the other opening. He is waiting for about 10 minutes and sighs, bored somewhat but willing to wait, before a woman in a navy cloak clicks and clacks down towards him, her eyes on the ground. The souls inside of him roar, happy to see what they saw as their goal, and Clarus steps forward as she approaches, smiling happily and speaking to the approaching woman.*

Good day, Malandra. May I accompany you a while? I really must speak with you.

[Emma]

As I continued down the sloping alleyway, I became aware of a jarringly powerful presence nearby. The sudden feeling made me jerk my head up, and I was surprised to see a man standing in my path, barring the way. But not a man, I realized as I looked harder at him. He was something more. If the ethereal aura of black magic wasn’t enough of a dead giveaway, Clarus Maleficarum was extremely pale, in stark contrast to his crimson hair. He looked exactly the part of a Shade, possibly the most intriguing race in Alagaësia. Despite my fascination, however, I was always careful of them- and this time, I had to be exceptionally wary. Clarus had been at the Renaissance Gala, and that black-skinned slave of his had nearly died at my hands. He could be thirsty for revenge.

“Good day, Malandra. May I accompany you a while? I really must speak with you.”

His tone was warm and inviting, and those sea-green eyes held no detectable malice in them. We were in a disused, empty alleyway. If he’d wanted to kill me, he would have done so here, without hesitation. But that left plenty of other options open- I was supposed to be under arrest, not loose on the streets. If the public were to find out that I had not been punished, that would spell disaster for all my plans. I schooled my face into a look of curiosity, but on the inside I was fuming. I was at a massive disadvantage. The owner of the Leona Lake Trading Company obviously wanted something from me, and I was in no position to refuse anything he said. I slowed to halt about two yards from where he was standing, allowing a coy smile to creep along my face.

“A pleasure to run into you ‘ere, Mr. Maleficarum. Of course you may join me.”

I graciously held out my arm for him to take. He was a foot taller than me even when I was in heels, but I was used to being smaller than most. Once we were linked, I moved closer to him as we left the alleyway and re-emerged on a smaller street. It was a peaceful, quiet area mostly lined with relatively large manors, but I knew there were taverns nearby where bored rich children got lethally drunk and tossed away their parents’ money. Few people lined the streets, and only the occasional carriage trundled by, but I still kept my head low and my face turned towards Clarus, not daring to risk anyone recognizing me. It was one of the most irritating, painful things I’d ever done, remaining unseen. I was used to crowds and drawing attention, not averting it.

To appease my inner wrath at my unpleasant situation, I looked up at the Shade’s face, and was suddenly rather curious. No trace of rage was in his eyes- unless, of course, he was as skilled an actor as me. I had rarely interacted with him besides pleasantries, and so I did not know the Shade’s abilities besides his obvious inherent magical Talent. He was rich and powerful, and so it did not surprise me that he wanted more- those with everything always did. I wondered why he needed me. He hadn’t been surprised at all that I wasn’t in the Riders’ custody, and had even been waiting for me at the end of that lonely alleyway. It was very troubling that he had known my supposedly secret movements so well. After mulling over it for a few more moments, I decided to ask.

“What is it zat you wish to speak of? You seem… pensive.”

Characters Used;; Malandra Ramakrishna
Words;; 612
Muse;; Not bad, but... there was nothing to write! XD
Thoughts;; Ehh... dialogue posts are always puny.

[Arizae]

Not one good night’s sleep for nearly a week, he should probably just get used to that now and find a decent mage to keep him on his toes. It disgusted him, but he could not disguise the tired look in his gaze. Count Settic could hold his back straight and hold his head high, but for there was no keeping the bags from his eyes. It was barely past midday and he already felt like he would fall from the saddle. That was life, at least the life he had chosen, but he must stay alert, must try to catch absolutely everything. It surprised him that he did not feel safe within his own city, could not feel comfortable within the walls of his church. Something evil lurked there. Nothing could be seen or heard, but Nyx so help him his skin crawled whenever he entered that building.

He had made his announcement to the city of Tears. Let them know of his father’s tragic passing. There had been some sadness, but truth be told there had been no respect for the past count. Sure some may shed a tear, but that was simply for the wine they would miss at those extravagant parties. His grip on the reins tightened, had he not been wearing gloves it would be easy to see his knuckles go white. Truly he must stop doing such things, his hand was starting to cramp and Khael swore his teeth were being ground down. It did not matter. He had made the announcement to the city, and also told them with a firm word that there would be change. Khael would let the name of Settic be thought of with honor again. With that came justice and harsher judgement on his city.

Not that he expected people to rush in with complaints to his office. Khael would have been busy enough with the preparations for his father’s funeral…which was already tomorrow damn it the nine hells…but now he had petitions coming from all over the city. No one had ever come to his father, they knew he would simply laugh it off, and many that normally just went to the church were coming to his doors. It seemed that Nyx damn her false prophet Malandra had finally been carted off in Ilirea. The people of Tears had faith in their false church, but without their whore prophet they felt lost. He hoped she never returned. Life would be much better for his citizens if she had simply been killed by those overgrown lizards. Simply put there was a backlog from his father’s laziness and a new influx from everyone else that was worried about their prophet. Some wanted him to storm off to Ilirea and save her. It made him want to wretch at the thought of it. Just picturing the beautiful demonic face brought bile to his tongue. No human face could be so perfect…

“Count Settic Sir,” his mind snapped from his reverie and he slowly turned his head to look back to the left. His captain was dressed in full livery today, Khael wanted to appear strong to the people, so he traveled with a full escort and made quite a display of his procession. He hated the showiness, but it was needed right now, his people needed a strong figure with their worry over their prophet and he would gladly fill that void. So let them see him attired in black and silver, a tunic with a high color and highly embroidered with vines and thorns climbing the sleeves. A sword attached to the saddle and the black sapphire foxhead a pendant for now. The captain that had just spoken was equipped with shield and sword, not to mention a long pike with a con with his colors attached. Quite a show for a quick ride to some obscure noble’s home and absolutely no carriage today. What good would it do for people to simply see the foxhead emblazoned on some horses and a wood box? Better that they see his face and meet his eyes. “, our destination draws near. Would you like me to send two of my men ahead to warn the noble of your arrival?”

Khael had to considered such a thing, it would be satisfying to surprise the noble and send him scurrying about to prepare for him. Perhaps he could catch him off guard and find out what this silly business was about. A complaint about a wretched smell and he was off to attend to it personally. Normally he would never consider such an act. But he had to make his presence known, and the fellow noble that had asked the favor was in good standing within the city and the cathedral. It would help solidify his standing and show his dedication if he resolved this matter quickly and personally. But, it was proper to give nobles at least a fair warning. So without further hesitation he nodded shortly to the captain.

The captain spoke a few quick words and two guardsmen from the back put a heel to their horses and quickly trotted ahead. Khael watched them go, and nearly swore aloud as one of them nearly trampled a bent form that shuffled along below a cloak. Bloody hell what did that man think he was doing? He was wearing colors belonging to the House of Settic! Feeling anger boil in his blood Khael did his best to calm down, now was not the time to blow up, he must keep calm, remember the four essences. So he turned stiffly to his captain, met the man’s eyes to let him know the guard’s name must be put down. He would receive punishment, but Khael would now have to remedy the situation himself. Surely a coin or two for this seemingly short woman and her tall companion would suffice.

With a flick of forefinger and middlefnger together Khael motioned the captain and the rest of his revenue to hang back slightly while he nudged his heel into his horse stirring the creature to a quick trot. Looking down at the hooded woman Khael had to wonder why she was covered so on such a clear day, it truly was weather to be enjoyed during this part of the year. Never knew when it would get ugly again. With regal bearing he tried to get the woman’s attention as his horse came to a stop by her side.

“Pardon me miss, but I fear I must apologize for the foolhardiness of my man, would you accept this as compensation?” he took a coin from the purse latched firmly behind his saddle just for this purpose, the piece was worth 100 crown, a staggering sum for what he assumed was a common beggar and offered it to the woman, still trying to see her face.

Words :: 1150
Character :: Count Khael Settic
Muse :: Surprisingly good, like this one alright
Interaction :: Guardsmen came close to trampling Malandra while on horse back, so he is offering coin as compensation to her.[/size]