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Valor
Aug 19, 2018 2:20:04 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 19, 2018 2:20:04 GMT -5
Eliza Ashmore
Kingdom Praiyarith
The streets were bustling with people from across the kingdoms. It was a time to rejoice. The decision had finally been made whom the princess was to be wed to. Everyone in the kingdom was happy with King Baylor’s decision on their future king. It would bring more fortune to the land, more viable soldiers. The deal was all around good for both parties. The Kingdom of Praiyarith was one of the most powerful kingdoms on the continent of Bekar. It was nestled in the mountains of the north and snug within a valley that protected it well. There was one road in, one road out. It was nearly impenetrable to threats, which is how the kingdom rose to the top in the first place. The castle was well build and the towers could be seen from miles away as the stone jutted into the skies with blue white and gold flags flown upon the tops. The family crest of the Baylor family was stitched into each flag in golden thread.
As the sun set the festivities grew, music played cheerfully within the city as its citizens rejoiced the new king and queen to be. Within the castle walls a feast was prepared.
“Marcus.” King Baylor spoke, he had white hairs upon his face that made up a well kept beard. His eyes were old and wise. The crown glistened in the light from the nearby torches. “I am pleased that you have accepted my offer to marry my sweet, Liane.” He gave a smile.
Prince Marcus was a strapping young man with dark hair, a strong jaw and chestnut eyes. He gave a warm smile back to the king. “My king, it is an honor to have been chosen by you to take Liane’s hand.” He placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head.
The king grinned then, “It is best that you meet my right hand. My Captain of the knights of Praiyarith.” He brought his eyes from the prince and glanced over to the knights that stood guard at the door. Another knight stepped forward. She had long blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Her armor was silver and shined. It held elegant swirls upon her forearms and kneecaps as well as the throat guard. A white and gold cloth was attached into the front of her armor bearing the Baylor crest, marking her as a Baylor knight. A blue cape with golden stitching flowed behind her as she stepped forward and bowed deeply. “I would like you to meet Captain Ashmore, you may call her as you like, though I call her Eliza.”
The prince nodded his head, “Wonderful to meet you Captain.” He smiled.
“You as well.” Eliza bowed to him. The hilt of her sword held beautiful jewels and a red leather wrap. “I look forward to serving at your side and protecting you and Princess Liane.” Eliza spoke with a gentle smile.
Just as she finished her sentence the food was carried into the room by a servant. The man looked to Eliza a moment before he shuffled around him. He had a bit of sweat upon his brow as he set the food down before the prince and the king. “Wine, my king?” He questioned. He watched the king nod and hold his glass up. The servant poured a glass for each and scurried off.
Eliza stepped back to the side. She watched over the room as the prince and the king chatted over their meal, planning a bright future for the kingdom. Eliza’s eyes glanced to the king when he coughed slightly, his skin had taken on a tint of red. Eliza glanced around, the other knights had disappeared from the room. Her brows drew together. She rushed to the king’s side. “My king.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. Her eyes moved to the prince whom held his hand to his throat, choking. “Guards!! Help!!” Eliza cried.
“E....Eliza....” The king gripped her arm tightly. “P-protect....L...Liane....” He choked, blood dripped from his nose.
“My king...” She looked to him with frightened eyes. Tears began to well in her eyes as she watched the man that had helped push her to become the captain of his guard perished before her. She looked to the prince whom had fallen out of his chair with a loud clatter, the glass of wine he’d been drinking crashed into the floor shattering and spilling across the marble.
“Guards!!!” Eliza yelled as she rushed to the door. She pulled on the handle to find it locked shut. Eliza took a few steps back her eyes glanced about the room a moment. Something was wrong. Where had all of her knights gone? She turned to the horror that was her king slumped back in his chair blood running from his nose....dead...
“Murderer!!” A voice called from across the room.
Eliza looked to see the king’s brother Victor, he was a tall and slender man, he’d always had a menacing appearance, but now...he had a wicked expression upon his face. “Guards!!”
“No....” Eliza took in a breath. “Victor, I--...”
“Get the traitor! She murdered the king! She murdered the prince! What a disgrace!” Victor called. He rushed to his brother’s side. “How could you do such a thing?”
Eliza was frozen, her jaw loose. She heard the sound of the guards rushing toward her the familiar sound of armor clanking against the ground. “I didn’t....” She took a step back.
“How could you?” One of the knights asked, he was her second hand.
“Peter, I...I didn’t...” Eliza stammered. Her pulse raced within her chest. Protect Liane. The king’s words played through her mind. “Liane...” She breathed, her eyes widened. Eliza bit her lip slightly. “I’m sorry Peter.” She shoved him to the side and rushed forward quickly toward the open door.
“Get her you idiots!” Victor snarled. “She murdered your king!”
Eliza rushed through the halls the shouts of her men behind her. Tears streamed from her eyes. Each breath of her life had been devoted to King Baylor, each step she took. She was always at his side ensuring his safety...from the moment she could hold a sword she’d sworn to him. She sprinted through the castle and up the rounding stairs of the tower. She skidded around a corner and shoved the door to the princess’ room open. A cloaked figure stood within the room, Lian was held in his arms limp as a rag doll. “Unhand her!” Eliza pulled her sword. “By order of King Baylor, unhand the princess!”
“Haven’t you heard, Captain?” The sly voice spoke from beneath the cloak. “King Baylor is dead, by your hand.” He chuckled. “You’ll have a new king now.” The man disappeared into a smoke.
Eliza rushed forward her sword slamming into the smoke. She took in heavy breaths as she fell to her knees, a pool of blood was soaked into the carpet before her...the princess’ blood.
“Where is she?!” Peter’s angry voice growled from behind her. “What did you do with the princess?”
The world was nearly silent as Eliza felt Peter’s hands grab ahold of her. She felt the shackles slap onto her wrists. He screamed into her face but all she could do in return was look to him with teary eyes. Nothing she said would save her now...this whole thing...it was set up to pin on her. She was shoved through the castle roughly and thrown into a cell in the dungeon. Eliza paced that night. She didn’t gain a bit of sleep. She was left in the cell for nearly a week. Slop was pushed through the bars on the floor once a day. She was starving and weak by the end of the week. It was in the early hours of the morning on her 8th day of imprisonnment that she heard footsteps approaching.
“Enjoying your new room, Captain?” Victor stood before her, the crown upon his head. He smirked as he looked her over. “How could you do such a thing?”
“I didn’t...” Eliza spoke her brows tucked together as she stared to this man before her.
Victor reached through the bars and pulled her forward roughly, his face was inches from hers. “Want to know a secret Captain?” He smirked then, a wicked devilish smile. “I murdered your king. Oh...and the princess?” He paused a moment. “No one will ever find her.” He snickered then. “She’s as good as dead.” He pulled her forward harshly, slamming her face into the bars before he shoved her back.
Eliza fell onto her back, her nose gushing blood, her chest heaved. “H-how....how could you? He was your brother!” She cried.
Victor snickered, “Now I am king, as I rightfully should have been.” He grinned. “Guards! Guards!” He called as he ripped his sleeve of his tunic. “Help!! Guards!”
Guards came rushing down the hallway. “My king, what happened?” Peter questioned as his eyes fell upon the ripped shirt.
“This traitor tried to attack me through the bars! Have her shackled this instant! We must find Liane! We must get answers!” Victor ordered.
Eliza stood slowly as Peter came into the cell. “Peter...”
“Don’t even speak to me you traitor.” Peter grabbed her harshly. “How could you? You murder our king and then you try to attack his brother whom is being forced into the throne in the absence of Liane. What did you do with her?! Where is she!” He shoved her harshly into the wall.
Eliza tried to bring her hands up but the shackles prevented it and she slammed face first into the wall. She let out a whimper as he gripped the back of her hair and shoved her forward. Soon enough he shackled her into a chair. Her pulse began to race. “Peter, please, you must listen...” Her voice was cut off by a harsh slap to her face. Her head turned to the side as a bruise began to form nearly instantly.
“Where is the princess?” Peter questioned.
“I’ll take is from here.” Victor stepped into the room.
Peter turned to the king, “My king are you certain?”
“Yes. Be gone.” He spoke as he waved Peter from the room.
Hours passed as Victor beat upon Eliza, blood stained the beautiful white cloth on the front of her armor. All the while Eliza was thinking of an escape, trying to figure a way out of the dungeons...she had to find the princess...she had to save her from the man in the cloak...she had to return her to the throne.
“My king.” Peter pushed into the room. His eyes fell on Eliza and then slowly fell away, her eye was blackened, her jaw bruised. Blood leaked from her nose and mouth. “The citizens...they are outraged...”
Victor took in a breath. “Then let us give them what they want. Hm?” He nodded. “Bring her to the stockades. We will address the city. We will let them see the villain that their honorable captain truly is.”
“Have you gotten any information about the princess from her?” Peter glanced to Eliza again, a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“No, she won’t speak, no matter how hard she is beaten.” Victor washed blood from his hands. “Bring her to the stockades.” He then walked from the room.
Eliza watched as Peter unlocked her from the chair. “Stand up.” He ordered, his jaw tight. Eliza stood and instantly fell to her knees. “I said, stand up.” He growled.
Eliza shakily pushed herself to her feet. Her wrists were instantly grabbed and shackled once more. She was then grabbed by two other knights and she was pulled through the castle her feet dragging along the floor. It wasn’t long before she was placed into the stockade. The sound of the citizens was terrifying. They were screaming and crying.
“This is your villain!” Victor shouted. “This is who is to blame for the death of our king! This woman, once the head of the Baylor Guard, poisoned our king and the prince! Our princess is missing at her hand!”
“Kill her!!!”
“Let her rot!”
“Traitor!”
“Murderer!”
The townspeople erupted in shouts and accusations. Eliza shuddered as blood dripped from her nose. The back of her knees was hit harshly and she weakly fell to her knees. The wood of the stockade pushed against her throat making it hard to breathe.
“We will not kill her until we have a location on the princess.” Victor called over the crowd. “For now, she will remain here.” He leaned down before her and stared into her eyes a grin on his lips. “You’ll be dead by tomorrow.” He smirked. “I can bet on that.” He then looked to Peter. “Place her in the cage.” He nodded.
Peter nodded, “Of course my king.” He moved Eliza roughly. Soon enough she was hoisted up 10 feet into the air within the confines of the small metal cage.
Eliza closed her eyes as she listened to the shouts of the townspeople. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Eventually though, the heat of the sun left her skin. The night was upon her. Eliza shifted she pulled against the door, with no luck. She pulled a small pin from her armor and began fiddling with the lock, click by click she was getting closer until a rock smashed into her hand. She winced as the pin fell from her fingertips. She looked down to a man that passed, his expression angry. She was the scapegoat...for a man more evil than the devil himself. Eliza leaned her head back and looked up to the moon. She refused to give up hope...Eliza let out a shaken sigh, she would get out...she would find the princess...she had to...she couldn't be the only one that knew the truth? Someone had to believe her...eventually...
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Valor
Aug 19, 2018 3:52:39 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 19, 2018 3:52:39 GMT -5
Royal Archmage Rey Sunfury
Hails from Genevia, training from the Mage - Tower of Ardon
Serves Kingdom Lucius - King Raymond Lucius
Many would ask why Rey left the great Country of Genevia... though more often than not she remain silent. Her home was a peaceful country of democracy and knowledge, majority of well known mages came from this land, almost like a breeding grounds of power. She came from one of the ancient families, the Sunfury family had hand in most Mage affairs... from developing the different towers, to leading the Genevia government, and even assisting other Kingdoms and sharing their vast power and knowledge...
Like most in her generations - Rey followed suit into the standard expectations of the Sunfury’s. She excelled swiftly in her art of magic, and even was accepted to the most prestigious of Towers. When she graduated she was named an Archmage, the youngest to have existed. These Archmages prove to be the representation of the Mage Circle, and also the greatest of the great. Most of the time they are assigned a Kingdom to watch, of those who had pacts with the circle. It was a true honor to have been assigned the Kingdom Lucius, being that it was the most developed of all the others...
Her efforts with King Raymond Lucius had not gone unnoticed... She cured the hatred between Religion and Magic, set up Magic Schools and even found ways to implement magic into the economy which boosted the growth by milestones. The place to be was Lucius, it was growing in size, power, and wealth, and almost too quickly for it’s own good.
“Archmage you have been summoned” A guard stood at the doorway to an expansive library. Rey stood with a book in her hand, another 3 books float in the air around her. She seem to spin from each, flipping a page, working intently. She held her hand up - the feather pen paused writing, as it was magically scripting on its own.
“What is the reasoning? I am on the verge of something here...” She spoke, her golden hues looked to the guard, her soft complexion offering a sense of peace to him, certainly this aura was enhanced by magic in some fashion.
“The King requests your assistance, he has received a letter from Kingdom Praiyarith, it is of dire emergency.” The guard bowed his head and then turned from the library.
Rey sighed deeply and the books closed and floated into a small stack on the desk before the great windows. She held her hand out and her staff lifted from the couch and float to her hand. It was a tall staff, the wood of it was ancient crystalized bark, it had glowing purple lines that carved about the wood, giving it a slight glow. The staff jutted into a glowing orb, of which large purple crystals seem to be attached, it spiked outward and glowed brightly, it was no question that this particular staff was ancient and powerful. It would enhance her power, as well as give her a very powerful appearance.
She wrote long red and white robes, of which several belts circled her abdomen. About her collar was a fluffy pelt, which was attached to a thin cape that only reach her mid back. She wore two simple pauldrons that rest over the fluffy pelt. Otherwise her ribs and swell were exposed as the material had a large cut into the sides. Her robes came down to her shins, where she wore thick tall boots, with several belts about the shins...
Her clothing ruffled as she made her way down the corridor of the castle, her boots clicking upon the shining tiled floor. A third click could be heard as her staff touched down every third step, almost as if it was a third leg - completely in synch, as she had been holding the very thing since she was barely of age.
“My King” Rey bowed her head as she stepped into the Throne room. In seconds Raymond stood, he wore Red and white armor - a side cape covered most of his body, which he threw back with his arm in a motion of dismay.
“Rey - My son” he shook his head, his cheeks were red - he had been drinking heavily. She had only seen him really do this since his wife passed years ago... “Those bastards lured him in and killed him” he shouted out.
“My King... please” she held her hand up. Rey was never one to put up with raised voices. She held her hand outward and a bit of purple dust float his way, a relaxing agent to help him cool down. “A letter you say? Let me read it” she held a hand out to him.
Reymond dug into his pocket and handed a crumpled scroll her way. She took it and scoffed slightly, her fingers brushing away some of the crinkles. Her eyes rolled over the page and she sucked in a deep breath.
King Lucius,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that your son, Prince Marcus Lucius has been pronounced dead. He was poisoned during his welcome dinner. In the acts to murder Marcus - King Baylor was also killed. It is unknown what poison was used, or the reasoning, but that their Guard Eliza Ashmore is responsible for their deaths, and is being punished accordingly...
Praiyarith will be delivering Marcus after the investigations are completed, to which he can be laid to rest appropriately.
Kindest regards,
Royal Ambassador Carne Rutforth
Rey held the letter and then rolled it back up, she pursed her lips and then crossed her arms. “Hm...” She shook her head. “This does not make much sense, the letter is not very informational either” she spoke aloud.
“What do you mean?! MY son has been murdered!” The King shouted and sobbed as he fell back into his throne. “I cannot make another, you understand?” He cried harder now.
Rey shut her eyes and shook her head. “No mention of who took his place, no evidence that suggests this Eliza truly did it - other than their word. You never indict a murderer of a Prince and King without proper evidence. No, there is more to this story...” She paced slightly, her staff clicking on the tiles.
“What do you suggest then? If it was me - I’d murder that bitch, Eliza!” The King cried harder.
“That is exactly what they wish...” She shook her head. “I will not let them investigate this alone. Royal politics and such are far too common, you just have been lucky enough to avoid them. Trust me, I have read enough politics in the world to know It can exist...” She paused and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear... She brown locks came to her shoulders, and flipped at the ends just barely..
“Give me the chance to figure out what happened, to join them in their investigations, to ensure that we do not pollute Marcus’s death with vengeance and lies. Whom ever truly did this should be brought to justice, and only then can his soul rest appropriately. The last thing we need is a rampant Prince - Soul full of rage and hate, to wander this forsaken world...” She stared to the King then. “And you will remain here - to mourn in my absence. When I return, we shall make a decision of what is to come with Praiyarith. If they are responsible for his death, then surely you know what this means...” She spoke quietly, her voice silky and smooth like waxed amber.
“War” The King spoke with a rattling chest, his cheeks puffed outward as he stood. “If - If they killed him, I will burn their entire Kingdom to the ground, so much that even the demons of hell would have nothing to do with it’s burnt ashes!” He exclaimed with gripped hands.
“My King... please...” She bowed her head. Her hand released more of the purple powder and she sighed softly. She turned her gaze to an old man who stepped into the room, Gais. “Master Gais” she bowed her head.
“It is always lovely to see you, Archmage” the man was hunched over, a long white beard touched down to his belt line. His skin was severely wrinkled, but his skin was still full of life. “Our King is having an outrage of sadness” he spoke with a rugged voice.
“Indeed... you will look after him?” She questioned. “I must leave to Praiyarith right away.” She voiced.
“I will... Do you need help with the portal?” He questioned. Slowly he stepped over and stood next to her, his old grey hues looking to her with awe.
“I will..” She nodded, her gaze turned to the King - who also nodded to her.
“Figure this out, you have a week before I march there myself. I will give you that, and only that” he spoke to her.
“Very well...” Rey held her hand out, Gais followed suit and they both whispered a spell out loud. With combined effort - a portal appeared before her, which would take her to a library with Praiyarith, where a ruin had been drawn under the carpet - ages ago, by other mages.
Rey stepped through and the portal closed behind her. She took in a deep breath and she turned from the isles and slipped outside. It was already growing dark, the traveling through the portal sped time up by a few hours, though it had been seconds between the transition...
Her steps lead her to a Greymane Tavern. Greymane was a universal name in almost every city - which indicated a sort of safe space for all alike, but mostly a gathering space for the darker kinds of the city. The thieves and bandits, the assassins and dark mages all came here as a hub of communication and past times.
Rey stepped inside the dimly lit room and made her way to the bar. Her eyes fell to the bartender and she waved a hand. “The King is dead hm?” She questioned as she ordered a drink. A man next to her turned his gaze, he wore a hood over his head - his eyes glowed slightly red.
“Not from here hm? Gathering information?” He questioned to her, his hands holding a mug of ale in his hands.
“I am under contract to find out who did it, and kill them” she spoke with a hiss in her voice, a lie - but something they would expect.
“Oh wow, huh ? Me too” he growled in return.
“Then why are you sitting here, hm?” She looked to him and then pulled out a sack of coins. “Tell me what you know... and I won’t have to kill you due to competition..” She spoke in a low husky voice.
The man reached forward and slipped her coins away. “Deal...” He leaned back. “King poisoned, the Prince of Lucius as well. The royal guard is the one said to be responsible, of which the bounty is placed...” He tilted his head.
“Tell me something I don’t know” she growled then.
“The King’s brother - Victor has been crowned King because the Princess has disappeared, surely some underlying plot there, but it matters not.”
“And Eliza?” Rey questioned.
“I have a resource that says she is being transported to the gallows, I was waiting for him to arrive here, before you sat down...” He sipped his ale. “But I guess this is all yours now, huh?” He chuckled. “I have what I need...” He stood then. “Good luck”
Rey huffed and stepped out of the inn, she made her way through the city until she came upon the gallows, her eyes staring to a large cage that held the woman. Her hues glared to the battered woman - who ever this person was... the murderer? She pulled her brows together. A murderer would not be crying, she would be proud of her movements, knowing she would die regardless of the outcome...
She watched as people began to fade away as darkness grew thicker. Rey stepped forward and approached the cage, her staff pounding into the ground with power as she finally stopped before the cage.
“Eliza Ashmore, the Royal Murderer...” She spoke with a dark voice. “There is a hefty price on your head...” She spoke and glared to her.
“But you’re going to tell me you didn’t kill them...” She leaned towards the bars, glaring to the woman for a long moment - studying her reaction. “Or did you?” She questioned with peerful eyes.
A fog began to surround them, thick and white - hiding all visuals. She reached forward and gripped the lock, which suddenly melted, the metal turning to liquid and leaking down the length of the bars. The door suddenly opened and she looked to Eliza for a long moment.
“I am Rey Sunfury, I am the Royal Archmage of Lucius... Here to investigate Marcus’s death. You are my pivotal lead, either you did it... or you did not. Either way you’re going to tell me what you know.” She reached her hand forward and pulled her from the cage. “If you are truly innocent, I am the only one with the power to exonerate you... it would be wise to heed my aid... Now... we haven’t much time. Have you some where, someone, who would aid you in your dire moment of need? We must find a place of safety...” She spoke as she glanced around, the fog was beginning to settle...
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Valor
Aug 19, 2018 4:54:02 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 19, 2018 4:54:02 GMT -5
Eliza fell quiet as she was approached by the mage, her breaths quaked within her chest as she fought back her sniffles. “I did not...but what I say does not matter...” She whispered, her voice soft. Her eyes moved to their surroundings as the fog settled in. Her pulse began to pound within her chest, she stared to the woman before her as the lock simply melted away to her touch. Her brows quivered as she looked to the woman. Her jaw loosened slightly as the mage introduced herself. She grit her teeth as she was pulled from the cage. She stared to the woman as she spoke. Eliza took in a shaken breath. “A Sunfury...” She breathed.
The knight closed her eyes a moment, her muscles trembled from her lack of nourishment in the past week and the beating she endured. “I did not kill your prince...and I did not kill my king...” She spoke, her voice soft. “But I am to fall for this horrible crime...” She shook her head and shuddered slightly. Her eyes moved to the fog that was disappearing from around them. “There is only one person that I would trust, I only hope they have not turned him as well.”
Eliza took a few shaky steps, her muscles were tense from being locked in the cage. The shackles upon her wrists clattered slightly as she walked forward. She slipped into the alleys of the city, hiding from sight of the guard. “If King Lucius sent you, why do you choose to listen to my story? I’m sure Victor sent word of his son’s death...that I am to blame...no one else has questioned it...after...” Eliza paused, her eyes welled with tears. “After everything...I would never harm my king...I...” She shook her head as she turned another corner and she fell silent once more. They had entered the slum district of the huge city. Eliza glanced around to the quiet streets, she stumbled slightly, her vision blurring. She took in a few quick breaths. “We...are almost there...” She nodded as she came around another bend. She nearly fell down a flight of cobbled stairs. She gripped onto the railing to balance herself. She stepped up to an old wooden door and she knocked, both of her hands held up with the shackles still holding her.
There was a bit of shuffling behind the door. Then silence. A moment later the door pulled back to reveal a man, he wore a plain tunic. His eyes looked to Eliza, his jaw loosened as his eyes widened. “Eliza...!” He exclaimed, his voice hushed. His eyes then fell upon the mage. “Come, come. Quickly.” He turned and ushered them inside. They went down a thin hallway and into a back room that was cramped, a small wood stove heated the room, a pot of chili on top of it bubbling. “Mary, the kit, please.” He spoke as he wrapped his arm around Eliza’s shoulders and helped her to the bed. He looked her over. “Dear God Eliza...” He whispered softly. “What have they done to you?” He sighed softly as he looked her over. His eyes then fell upon the mage. “My apologies friend. My name is Gerald....and you...saved Eliza...thank you...you are?”
“A Sunfury.” Eliza spoke, her voice weak. “From Lucius.”
Gerald straightened slightly, he bowed. “It is an honor....” He looked to the mage in awe a moment.
A woman rounded the corner a bag in her hand. She wore thin glasses and a patched dress. “Here you are...” Her eyes fell on Eliza and she stopped speaking.
Gerald took the bag and offered a gentle smile. “This is my wife Mary.” He looked to his wife. “Mary, this is a Sunfury mage sent from Lucius.” He nodded.
Mary rose her brows, “Oh...” She spoke her voice astonished. “Let me get you some tea, hm?” She scurried off from the room.
Gerald opened up his bag. “I imagine you’re here to investigate the murder?” He looked to Rey. “Eliza didn’t do this.” His eyes locked on Rey’s eyes for a long moment. “I would bet my own life on that.” He nodded as he pulled a few supplies from his bag. “Alright dear.” He looked to Eliza. “Let’s get you patched up hm?” He gave a gentle smile. “You’ve had worse wounds when you fought the war a year back, hm? You’ll recover.” He began cleaning the blood from her wounds. He removed the cloth from the front of her armor and looked to the blood that was soaked into it. He sighed softly. “Sadly without our princess, this crest means nothing...” He lowered his eyes slightly before he handed the cloth to his wife when she returned with the kettle of tea and cups. Mary took the cloth and stepped from the room once more.
Eliza winced as Gerald worked on the lacerations on her face. She shut her eyes tightly. She grit her teeth as he sewed up the wound and patched over her skin with a salve. Eventually Gerald stood and closed his back. “I’ll get you some food...you’re weak...you need rest.” He placed his hand on her shoulder before he stepped from the room.
Eliza took in a shaken breath, the moments of the past week played through her mind. “Rey...you said...right?” She asked softly. “I do not know how to prove to you that I am innocent...” She looked to her a long moment. “My entire regiment turned against me...even my lieutenant is blinded...” She lowered her eyes then, her hands trembled slightly. “I held my king...as he fought to breathe...as blood poured from his nose...he begged me to protect the princess...” She whispered.
“A servant...” She looked up to the mage again. “He knows.” She watched Rey a long moment. “The man who served the king and your prince the food...he was nervous...I could see it in his eyes. I didn’t understand why...” She shook her head. “When everything started to happen...I found myself alone in the room with the king and the prince...I was locked in, I called for help...” She took in a sharp breath. “I tried to protect the princess...I...” Her memory of the cloaked man rushed through her mind. “I don’t know who the man was that took her...I couldn’t see a face...he wore black cloaked robes...his voice was a hiss....he took the princess...he vanished...”
Eliza gripped her hands into fists. “Victor took rule...he’s always wanted it...he and Baylor fought about it...He should have been locked away...but no...he never gets his hands dirty...he has enough money to pay for anything to be done to a man...enough money to turn me into a murderer...” She sniffled, tears were rolling down her cheeks. “I should have known...I should have stopped them from eating...I’d never seen that servant before...and he was so...nervous...his eyes lingered on me for too long, he knew...he knew when he set those plates down that this whole thing was to go spinning wildly out of control...” She grit her teeth.
Gerald stood in the doorway with two bowls of soup. “Victor did it...and he...he publicly humiliated you today...I saw they way everyone was looking at you, that bastard is playing his cards right, he lined up a full house and dropped it on you in the first hand.” He scoffed as he handed Eliza a bowl. “Eat up.” He looked to the mage and held a bowl forward. “Chili?” He asked, “My wife made it...” He gave a nod. “She’ll be upset if you don’t have some.”
Eliza began to spoon the food in her mouth as if she hadn’t eaten in ages. She closed her eyes as she chewed on the beans and meat of the chili. Soon enough her bowl was empty and Gerald offered her another. “Thank you Gerald...” She breathed as she started on the second bowl. She brushed away a few tears.
“Of course...” He looked her over, he then looked to Rey. “What can I do to help?” He asked then his arms crossed. “Eliza doesn’t deserve this. She is the most loyal of all Baylor’s knights...he practically raised her for God’s sake!” He exclaimed and sighed. “You must believe her.”
Eliza sighed softly and shifted, "Gerald..." She spoke her eyes soft, "My word at this point means absolutely nothing...I don't expect her to believe me, I must show her that I am not the murderer, no matter the cost." She nodded and glanced to Rey a moment.
"Eliza..." Gerald took in a breath his eyes lowered. "I promised your father that..."
"This is not your doing, Gerald." Eliza spoke. She stood a bit unsteadily. "The castle easier to get inside of at night..." She glanced to Rey. "The servant would be our first step...he was well aware that the food was poisoned and that everything was to fall upon my shoulders." She took in a shaken breath, her body was still in pain, though that did not matter to her in this moment...she could only think of what horrible circumstances the princess was placed in...
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 1:39:49 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 1:39:49 GMT -5
There was something secretly pleasing of her last name, of which she abused quite frequently. It was something she could never escape from - so she managed to make the best of it. Unlike her countless other family members who treated it much like royalty - she simply used it for the respect that it gathered, never to glamour in the reigning glory of it. She bowed her head as they recognized her name, which made the rest of this much easier to her.
“Rey Sunfury” she introduced herself to the two homely people, who allowed them both into their small home. She shifted through the small hallway as they came to the living space. Despite the location - the home was tidy, and well kept. She stood by the wall as her eyes peered to the man handling Eliza. Rey stepped forward, her robes brushing against the small rugged couch - and she touched the metal shackles about her wrists. The locking mechanism melted and broke, allowing Eliza to take them off then.
Rey took the bowl of chili and spooned it - to her surprise it was actually quite delicious. She smiled lightly in delight as she ate quietly, her ears listening in on the family. When she finished - she set the bowl down on the table and wiped her lips with the cloth provided to her. “We do not need to sneak in...” She shook her head. “No, I’m going to need full access to the room in question, and more so. I am here under Royal decree and Praiyarith is expecting me - which gives us an advantage.”
Rey stood then and held her hands up. A purple circle formed in the air - of which a pentagram formed with several small runic symbols in between the apexes. A purple shimmering wave cascade over Eliza - changing her appearance with a bit of illusionary magic. Hers was powerful and had many magical locks, meaning figuring out she was covered in an illusion would be nearly impossible, as this was one of her top arts. She could mask an entire city, if she wanted it.
“You are now Melani Sunfury, my younger sister - here to aid me in this investigation.” she lowered her hands as the ruins disappeared. “Mel for short, if you please. She is a true mage, actually, one of which I’ve used her image several times before” she chuckled “a Long cousin of mine, who is now married with 4 children, and wants nothing to do with the circle, which is a shame. She was quite gifted...” Rey glanced to the couple.
“Might we stay the night? We can go to the castle in the morning... We need not worry of sneaking, instead - we think smarter, not harder” she grinned then and nodded. “We will find this servant... I will need to review several things... the site of the murder, the food itself, the areas around the room, and the deceased as well...”
Rey then pulled out a small coin pouch - but nothing was in it. She held her hand out and suddenly a book formed in her palm. “Void bag” she grinned. “I can use it to store anything I please, at the cost of... nothing” she chuckled and slipped the bag away. The book was on different poisons and alchemy.
She opened it up to a page and placed a finger on the page, her eyes glancing down. “I do not doubt that you are innocent. I’ve met many murderers in my past - and you do not fit the psych profile. That is indicator one, unless you are an incredibly good liar, but I would say not so much. You are too emotional to mask a good lie of this magnitude. Meanwhile, no clues indicate that you are or are not, which makes you innocent until proven guilty - in my eyes. I will view everything with an objective eye, and only the facts will matter when we come down to the wire. But... Just as you have witnessed - these warfare politics is quite common of those of royalty, almost an expectation at some point. If Victor is truly behind this - he would be smart about it. Poison indicates he is a coward, but Poison is most easy to track out of all murder weapons, and is frequent to assassination groups - like the Crimson Ward, which is very popular in this city. I can almost ensure that he used them as his troupe...” She flipped the page, eyes looking over a lengthy paragraph.
“So, I have many leads to venture upon, but just need the proper clues to lead me there. We will find them, together, and bring whoever did this to justice. Your King, and my Prince will not rest properly until the truth is unraveled. The only catch is what happens after. Regardless of the result - my King will wage war on this Kingdom, and our Allied relationship will melt away, as I will surely be back to reek havoc on this poor city.” She glanced upward to Eliza, now Melani. “Hopefully then we can work together to ensure civilians do not get harmed? Hm?” She lifted a brow. “But first - we track this murderer, and get you your exoneration, the rest we can figure out later...” Her eyes fell back down to the book as she studied, which was clearly something she did frequently.
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 3:22:03 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 3:22:03 GMT -5
Eliza rubbed her wrists as the shackles fell away, beneath the metal her wrists were covered in blood from her struggling against the bonds. “I can’t just walk into the castle...” Eliza spoke a brow raised, “Once they realize that I am gone the whole city will be hellbent to find me.” It was then that Rey held her hand up and the rune appeared in the air. Eliza looked up to the beautiful purple glow, her eyes looked over the pentagram. The wave of light washed over her then, Eliza watched as the lines of her body morphed, she stepped back slightly as she looked down over the robes that were in place of her armor. White robes with brown and black markings and pelts of white fur lining the outfit. She had golden hues just as Rey did, her hair was dark as the night and long, it reached down to her hips. Eliza blinked a few times as she took in this appearance. “Melani...” She nodded, “We will certainly have more access this way, you’re right.” She looked to Rey a moment.
Gerald nodded when Rey asked if they could stay. “Of course, no trouble at all.” He gave a warm smile and looked to Eliza, “You know you’re always welcome my dear.” He touched her shoulder. “Your room is still as you left it.” He spoke as he lifted her empty bowl.
Mary looked to Rey a moment as she pulled the book from the coin pouch, her eyes looked to the magical trinket in awe. There weren’t many mages in Periyarith. The ones that did reside here certainly were not of the circle and were no where near as strong as this mage before her. “Victor is not our king.” She spoke her brows drawn together. “He has stolen the throne from King Baylor and he has stolen the throne from King Baylor’s daughter Princess Liane...none of this is our kingdom’s doing.” She pursed her lips slightly. Mary then carried an empty tea mug from the room.
Eliza cleared her throat slightly. Mary had always been that was fairly quiet, though when something riled her up she certainly spoke her opinion. “I will work with you, Rey. This city is my home, I do not wish to see it fall because of the ill doings of Victor.” She moved then. “I’ll show you where we can rest?” She walked from the room down the thin hallway. She pushed a door open, it stuck slightly but then it gave away and squeaked on its hinges as it opened. The room was small, a bed was push against the wall. It was kept neat and tidy. There was a small dresser that held trinkets upon the top of it and a picture of a young girl with blonde hair standing with a man in armor and a woman that was dressed in a beautiful gown, her parents. Her father had been a Baylor Knight as well. Eliza’s eyes fell upon the image a moment before she moved over to the bed. She leaned down and pulled a rolling mattress out from beneath the bed. “I can sleep on the floor here.” She spoke, “You may have the bed, it’s much more comfortable.” She nodded as she stepped to the dresser. Eliza could still feel the weight of her armor upon her body even though the illusion hid it from view. She took in a breath as she pulled a drawer open. She grabbed a few items and then nodded. “I’m going to go wash the rest of my blood away.” She spoke, “Make yourself at home. It isn’t much, but this is where I grew up.” She spoke before she slipped from the room.
Eliza pushed open the door across the hall and stepped into the cozy bathroom. She drew herself a hot bath. As Eliza began to pulled her armor away the illusion faded. She looked to herself in the mirror, the cut along her jaw, just high enough that her jugular wasn’t severed. She was lucky...at least some would say that. She neatly set the pieces of her armor upon the counter in the bathroom she rubbed dried blood from the armor shining it back to the state she always kept it in. She then slipped into the hot bath. The water soothed her muscles and allowed her to relax. As she leaned her head back the King begging her to protect the princess played through her mind. She drew her brows together. “I won’t fail you my king.” She whispered softly. “Not this time...”
Eliza eventually climbed from the water and toweled herself off. She pulled on a set of tights and a black tunic. She then slipped on a pair of leather boots. Eliza looked to herself in the mirror for a long moment as the illusion started to return. Her reflection blurred as she took on the form of Melani once more. She then gathered her armor and carried it across the hallway. Eliza knelt down and she shifted up a few floorboards. She set her armor beneath the boards and replaced them before she set a rug over the top. She glanced to Rey a moment before she climbed into her bed on the floor.
Eliza didn’t sleep much that night, she tossed and turned. Memories of the king dying before her flashed through her mind.
**
As the sun rose over the city it began to wake. The shop keeps flipped the open signs and soon enough a crowd gathered at the gallows. Whispers of the disappearance of the murderous knight began to crawl through the city and within an hour the word spread like a wildfire. The guards were on high alert moving from home to home in search of Eliza.
Eliza walked through the streets with Rey her eyes looking to the townspeople as they were thrown from their homes as the guards forced their way into the homes. She adverted her eyes and drew her brows together, King Baylor wouldn’t have acted this way, he never hurt his own people...not like this...
“He’s afraid of me escaping and letting the truth out.” Eliza spoke, her voice soft as she glanced to Rey. “He will have the guard flip every single home and shop in the city...”
She shook her head as she walked toward the gates of the castle. “Halt!” A guard spoke as he stepped forward. He looked over Eliza and then he looked to Rey. “State your business.” He eyed them.
Eliza took in a breath. “I am Melani Sunfury and this is Rey Sunfury, we are here to investigate the murder of our Prince Marcus of Lucius.” Her voice was strong as she spoke.
The guard took a step back. “A Sunfury?” He questioned, his jaw loosened slightly. “Of course, the king must know that you are coming.” He pushed the gates open. “Captain!” He called.
Eliza straightened slightly, her brows rose. So quickly she was replaced. She watched as Peter walked down the stairs from the castle. He walked up to them and looked Eliza up and down before his eyes moved to Rey. “What business do you have here?” He questioned his voice rough.
“These two mages are Sunfury mages sent from Lucius by their king to investigate the murder, sir.” The guard spoke.
Peter eyed Eliza a long moment, “Very well. The king is busy, as I am sure you could imagine. What is it that you need?”
Eliza glanced to Rey a moment before the looked to Peter. “We need access to the bodies, the food that was poisoned, the room that the deed happened to, anyone that came into contact with our Prince and your king that day.”
Peter shifted slightly his arms crossed, “Well I’m not sure if you’ve heard but the murderer escaped last night, so I can not offer you time with her. We will locate her though, no need to worry.” He turned. “The dining hall is this way. I’m not sure why you must look, we’ve already found the culprit of the murder after all.” He spoke as he led them inside.
Eliza eyed him, her brows tucked together. Her mind began to spin, Peter was so easily turned against her, a man that she’d considered her right hand. Was he involved? “What of the servants that delivered the food that day? The wine?” She asked.
Peter looked to her as he stopped at the door to the dining hall. “I could gather a roster for you.” He pushed the door open. “Go ahead.” He then nodded to a guard whom stepped over. “Clancy here will lead you about the castle, you go no where without him. Understood?” He watched the two a moment. “I will alert the king to your presence.” He then walked off, the blue cape flowing behind him. Only the captain wore the blue cape.
Eliza looked to his hip, her brows raised and a look of anger washed over her face. She walked into the room and let out a shaken breath. “He....has my sword.” She spoke, her jaw tight. “That coward stole my sword...” She grit her teeth. It was a very special sword that King Baylor had commissioned just for her when he promoted her to captain. She let out a long breath. “They sat here.” She spoke as she stepped forward to the long dining table. “King Baylor was here.” She pointed, “Marcus was here...” She glanced to the rug on the floor that still held a stain of Prince Marcus’ blood. “Where do we begin?” She looked to Rey.
Eliza shifted her eyes then as something caught her eye. A painting. It was different than the day of the murder. She stepped over to it and looked over the brush marks. It was a newer piece. Eliza reached up and pulled the piece down, her eyes widened slightly. She looked into a small hole that had been burrowed into the wall. The room beyond it was dark. “Rey...I think there is something more to this...” She spoke as she looked into the darkness.
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 4:15:58 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 4:15:58 GMT -5
As the night went on - Rey had pulled several more books out from her bag, while she lay upright on the bed. Her back was pressed against the wall, and her legs crossed. She soon fell asleep this way with her books about her legs, and even one pressing against her chest. When morning came - she stirred and yawned loudly. With one hand the books lifted, their spots saved - and they disappeared into her bag.
She stood and fixed her robes about her body and said her farewells to the small family. Rey and Eliza walked through the city, their steps clicking over the well set cobble. Her eyes stared to the guards who threw people, and things outside - shouting and hollering, the cries of babes and children filled the panicked air. Rey took in a breath and let it out slowly “Pay it no mind...” She whispered to her. “This is not your doing” she spoke as they made their way the castle.
When the guard approached - she went to speak - but was beaten by Eliza. Her eyes glanced to what would have been her cousin and she chuckled to herself. It was something Melani would have done in truth... Rey bowed her head as they passed by the captain and she listened to the boiling anger within the woman. “You handled that much like a true Sunfury...” She grinned and they passed by.
Her eyes peered to the captain as he walked away. “Something is off by him...I will have to question him later” she spoke and then they made their way to the dining hall. She paused at the door and observed the room for a long moment. She made note of the height of the ceiling, the size of the room from end to end - placement of the table and chairs.
“No doubt that they would have tampered with the evidence, my only hope is that I am smarter than they...” She stepped into the room and looked to the table. She circled about to the chair - the most worn being the Kings... she then knelt down to the carpet, blood... She pulled out a cloth and dabbed it slightly, drawing just a faint pink from the rug... She did the same to the spot before the Prince’s spot. She slipped it away into her bag - and then a notebook appeared.
It float in mid air - a feathered pen writing as she stood back up. “Average sized room, 3 entrances - North, South, and East.” She spoke and the pen began to move, writing her words down. “Dining table in exact center over a Eastern Lyrian Rug, approximately aged 130 years old. Blood traces in both spots of the King and Prince, samples gathered” she spoke and circled to Eliza as she stood before a painting.
“Ah...” She tilted her head. “There is always more to the story than it appears” she spoke and lifted her head. “Western wall, 10 paces from Dining Table - A painting covers a peeking hole, which leads to an unmarked room... Surely a place for whom ever was behind this to view” she nodded. “Good find..” She nodded.
“Mel, would say that the guard...Eliza - would have stood here, you think?” She questioned, using a sort of cryptic language to ask, knowing they were likely being observed. Rey stood in the same spot Eliza would have. “I’ll need to speak to the servants, and the chef...” She spoke and pursed her lips. “How long did it take for them to react, upon first bite?” She questioned aloud and hummed softly. “Very well... let’s find the entrance to that room. Clancy, do you know of this room?” She questioned to him.
“Come come” she answered before Clancy would argue and they stepped out to the hallway. They turned and walked for a bit until they came across the first room available. She opened the door, despite Clancy trying to tell her no. It opened up into a entertainment room. It had small tables with hookahs and other smoking devices, a chess table and the like.
“It would be against this wall... but that room was dark... so it means it is a hidden room of sorts...” Rey walked to the wall and stood before it... She held her hand out and her staff appeared. She brought the staff down onto the ground and a loud click pounded into the air. The sound of it bounced off of the walls - except a different pitch came back at one second. She stepped over to see a bookshelf with several trinkets and fun items stacked onto it. “How typical...” She looked to Eliza. “Surely there is a switch of some kind...” She shook her head. “This does seem to be an inside job...” She spoke and hummed. “To determine who.. and the motive...” She glanced to Eliza and raised a brow.
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 4:47:00 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 4:47:00 GMT -5
Eliza watched as Rey moved about. “Yes, from what I’ve read about the captain she was close to the king, truly his right hand so to speak. He trusted her with his life.” She stared to the blood stain on the floor for a long moment, the fear in the king’s eyes washed over her again. She shook her head. Eliza took in a breath, “It was swift, there wasn’t enough time to react.” She noted before they stepped from the room and down the hall. Eliza looked about the room, she remembered a time she’d smoked hookah with the king. He was a humble man. He invited her to all of his outings, even ones that she had to dress the part for, such as balls and masquerades. He had to have her at his side.
“What about this?” Eliza asked as she looked to a candle that was unlit, it was the only torch that wasn’t lit in the room. She reached up and pulled on it. The handle tilted forward and the bookcase slid to the side opening to a dark hallway. Eliza glanced to Rey a moment before she stepped into the hall. She followed it all the way to the small room at the end. A cigar rest half smoked in an ashtray with a glass of bourbon nearly finished next to it. “It seems the poison must have acted more quickly than our murderer expected it to.” She looked at the cigar a moment. It had a fancy foil design on it, it clearly was quite expensive.
“Ladies.” Clancy spoke, “I do not thing that my captain would appreciate me allowing you into one of the hidden safe rooms of the castle...”
“A safe room?” Eliza spun and looked to him, she tilted her head slightly, a smile curved up her lips. “Do all of your so called safe rooms look in on the king?” She questioned, she stood just inches from the man her eyes staring up into his. “Our safe rooms in Lucius do not have this feature.” She stood before him quietly a moment before she turned again. “What’s this?” She questioned as she looked to a black powder substance that was sprinkled upon the table.
“I will show you to the kitchen.” Clancy spoke his brows rose slightly. “Though, it has been over a week I am not certain what you hope to find?”
Eliza looked to him a moment before she nodded. “Anything that points us to the murderer.” She spoke, “There must be an explanation.”
**
A week prior...
“You imbecile! You weren’t supposed to poison his food!” Victor gripped the throat of the servant. “Now I’m going to have to deal with the kingdom of Lucius! Not only do I have to play my cards well with Eliza and get the entire city to turn against her I have to fight with the king of Lucius over his only son!” He slammed the man against the wall.
“You gave me enough poison to kill off a party.” The servant knocked his hand away. “What did you expect when you hired me? I clean ending? Death is never neat and tidy, my king.” He chuckled lowly then and smirked. “Though, in the end you have what you want, you will be crowned king with that princess missing. Now, I’ve done the job, where is my money?”
Victor stepped forward to the man, “You forget who you’re dealing with you lowly scum. You don’t talk to me that way.” He growled and suddenly he stabbed forward. A dagger dug into the abdomen of the man. He brought the blade out and stabbed several more times. “I have too large of a mess to clean up without worrying about you slipping up if someone comes forward from Lucius with enough money.” He kicked him to the floor. “Peter.” Victor turned as he lifted a cloth from the table. “Get this mess cleaned up. Dump him in the slums.” He looked to him.
Peter took in a breath his eyes looked to the now dead man on the floor. “My king.” He spoke and looked to him.
Victor looked to Peter a moment, “Do I sense that you are not willing to follow orders, Peter?” He questioned. “You’re the captain now, don’t let me down. If you do, I’m sure I won’t have any trouble finding a place in the ground for you at the hands of Eliza.” He snickered. “I’ll let her escape, and you’ll die at her hand. It is as easy as that. Now be a good soldier and do as you are told.” Victor then walked from the room.
Peter took in a shaken breath as he looked to the body. “What have I done...?” He whispered as he stepped forward.
**
“Here we are, this is the kitchen.” Clancy spoke. “Flynn.” He called into the kitchen.
A chef with a tall hat came walking forward, wiping his hands with a towel that he threw over his shoulder. “I am in the middle of preparing lunch, is this a matter of my concern?” He questioned his brows drawn together. “If I do not serve this on time King Victor will have my head.” He crossed his arms. “He already got rid of the last chef.”
“This is of your concern chef.” Eliza spoke she searched his eyes a moment. “What do you mean the king already got rid of the last chef?” She questioned.
“Everyone that worked the kitchen the day that King Baylor was poisoned is gone. They disappeared. King Victor made it known that they were not welcome within the castle walls or the city for that matter...” He muttered softly.
Eliza glanced to Rey then. “Our leads are growing shorter and shorter...” She muttered softly. “What do you suggest next big sister?”
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 5:45:12 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 5:45:12 GMT -5
Rey entered the dark room, she held her hand up and a glowing orb appeared, lighting the room. “Hmm..” She knelt down at the small seat... When Clancy spoke up she turned her gaze and shook her head. “I will take as much time as I please in this room. Or I’ll have you strung along for impeding on an investigation, and tampering with evidence.” She spat and then she lifted the cigar... it slipped away into her bag with ease and she stood once more.
“Records - “ her journal appeared once more, floating in the air. “Secret room hidden via candle-stick lever, a bookshelf as the doorway. The peep hole looks directly to the King’s seat... A cigar and ashtray were left at the scene. The cigar is half smoked - made by...Formet, A Delvish Sweet Prune cigar...” She sighed and stood up and waved Clancy along.
Upon their entry to the kitchen - her eyes looked about. The place had been completely cleaned from one end to the other, quite recently too. Not a bit of dust lingered in the corners of the building... Her eyes fell to the main chef and she tilted her head. “Everyone is gone?” She hummed. “Convenient, and you say it was the King who ordered this decree?” The floating journal wrote the entire while, recording the conversation.
“Yes, his Guard - Peter, he came in and fired everyone. They were given a big bonus, and told to leave the city...” He stammered and then glanced to the journal, he bit his lip then and sighed.
“The place has been cleaned...” She added - her gaze looking about.
“Uh.. yes.. the entire Kitchen was cleaned, everything was thrown away - and replaced...” He muttered and squeezed his brows together.
Rey stepped past him and approached the counter... “We won’t find much here...but it speaks measures. The King sought to hide something, this tells me he is the prime suspect...” She then left the room.
Clancy caught up swiftly “Where are you going?” He questioned, his hand reached out to hers to pull her back. Rey jerked her hand away and scowled
“Don’t ever touch me” she spat and then shook her head. “I want to speak with the Guard - Peter.” She spoke, just as she did - he rounded the corner. “Impeccable timing...” She cooed. “I shall lead this..” She nodded and stepped towards Peter.
“Excuse me sir - “ she bowed her head. “I have a few questions for you...” She lifted her gaze. “Just have to strike you off my list, so surely you won't mind answering... Where were you on the night of the murder?” She questioned, her eyes watching him intently, awaiting his answer. “And - Can you tell me of the Chefs who were fired?” Her beaming hues stared to him with convincing power.
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 6:45:36 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 6:45:36 GMT -5
Eliza watched as Rey took charge over the situation, she watched the chef curiously as he answered the questions. She walked the kitchen looking for anything that would point them in the right direction. The place truly was cleaned down to the smallest crack. Soon enough they were off down the hallway in search of Peter. Eliza rose her brows as she watched Clancy try to stop her. “You shouldn’t touch a lady like that, you know better.” Eliza spoke as she stepped passed him to join the conversation between Rey and Peter.
Peter turned the blue cape flowed over his shoulder. He looked to Rey a moment, “No of course, I can answer your questions.” He placed his hand on the hilt of the sword, resting it there. Peter shifted slightly as Rey asked where he was the night of the murder. “I was on duty at the main gate that night, rather far away from my late King Baylor and your dear prince.” He took in a breath when she questioned about the chefs. “Yes, of course I kept a roster of them. Follow me.” He turned and led them down the hallway. “We can chat a bit more comfortably in my office.” He added as he continued down the hall.
Eliza was fuming, she stared at Peter’s back. She trusted him. He wasn’t on duty at the gate that night, he had been right there, up until the moment that he wasn’t...he was there...at the door of the dining hall. She looked to her sword once again. “Did you ever suspect anything of Eliza Ashmore?” She questioned as they entered his office.
Peter stepped over to the desk. It was Eliza’s desk. Everything was wiped clean from the desk, her pictures were gone, her trinkets and awards were all gone. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a scroll. He then cleared his throat and looked to Eliza. “Do you ever suspect anything of a cold hearted murderer?” He questioned. “One that is like a cat among its prey? She must have been planning this.” He shook his head. “Here.” He stepped over to the closet and opened the door. “I carefully placed her items in this bin.” He lowered a wooden bin from a shelf. “We found a bottle of the poison in her desk, it was locked and behind a false piece of wood. If she hadn’t been caught we wouldn’t have known.”
Eliza took the bin as he shoved it into her arms. She looked down over her pictures and trinkets. Upon the top was a pouch that was a soft black felt material with red stitching. She took in a breath. “The poison was in her desk?” She asked her voice soft.
“Yes, we haven’t touched it any further than removing her items from this room. There is more in the storage downstairs if you’d like to have a gander. Though I haven’t been able to make sense of it.” He spoke and crossed his arms.
Eliza shifted slightly, her pulse pounding. They planted evidence. Evidence that pointed in her direction, that would convict her. She looked away slightly and walked around the room. “Your Captain, were you close to her?” She asked.
Peter looked to her a long moment. “I imagine I was, but you can never truly know someone. That has become clear to me.” He held the scroll toward Rey. “This is a list of the names of the men and women that were working in the kitchen. King Victor had all of them removed in case they were corrupted by Eliza.”
Eliza looked to him another moment, “That sword on your hip. It’s nice, Captain.”
Peter watched her a moment and took in a breath, a hint of sadness and regret showed in his eyes then as he ran his thumb over the hilt of the blade. “Yes, it is quite the sword, very well balanced in fact. Our blacksmith here in town forged it. It took him months to construct.”
Eliza smiled to him, “Must have been a fortune.” She spoke searching his eyes.
“I...uh...I’m not sure how much it cost exactly.” Peter stammered slightly. “It was a gift from the king.”
Eliza nodded then, she glanced to Rey. Her expression was calm though on the inside she was close to exploding. “Do you still have any of the poisoned food?” She asked as she looked down into the bin she was handed once more.
“As far as I know it was all thrown out.” Peter replied his eyes staring to her a long moment.
“Rey, we should sift through this, see what we can gather, hm?” She looked to Rey and raised a brow. “Maybe this case isn’t as difficult as we imagined.” She looked back to Peter. “Thank you for your time, Captain.” She searched his eyes a long moment. “Could we use the study so that we may go through these things?”
“Yes of course, let me lead you there...” Peter spoke as he led them from the room. He was uncomfortable. Her questions that she asked were answered with bent truths and lies. He was silent as he led them through the castle and into the library.
“Oh, another thing, Peter.” Eliza stepped to him, her eyes looking into his. “The server, that brought the food in. Could you fetch him for us? We would also like to speak with him.” She didn’t break eye contact with him.
Peter took in a breath, “Oh...” He let it out slowly, Eliza could see his mind working. “I will try to locate him for you.” He offered a gentle smile. “The servants are very busy this time of day.” He spoke before he turned and looked to Rey. “I’ll bring him, within the hour.” He stepped from the room.
Eliza drew her brows together, she grit her teeth. She wanted to explode. She wanted to scream. She took in quick breaths as she sat down at the table. “This...isn’t mine...” She whispered as she pulled the felt bag from the box. She slipped the clear vial from the bag and looked to the red liquid within it. Eliza’s eyes softened then as she fought to hold her composure. “If they have planted things...if they have aimed all blame on me...” Her voice fell off as she held the vial toward Rey. She pulled a photo out it was of her kneeling before the king as he knighted her the Captain of the guard with the sword that Peter now wore on his hip. She pulled another image of her and the king together with the princess standing before the ball. Eliza had a bright smile on her lips in the picture, her hand rest upon the hilt of the beautiful sword.
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 18:53:09 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 18:53:09 GMT -5
Rey stepped over to the bin of goods and she glanced to the image. “Ah... perfect...” She grinned and lifted the image of Eliza receiving the sword from the king. “I love when stories clearly do not line up. You see... my recorder takes note of every word verbatim..” She grinned and held her bag open. “I will return this to you after the trails... we are putting together quite the case...” the image disappeared into the bag.
“You see... There has been no evidence thus far that indicates Eliza has actually done anything, but much evidence that suggests we are working with liars, who have had plenty access to tamper with evidence. While we might not be able to prove she did or did not to do it - we can dismiss all of their evidence due to false pretenses... Their actions will in criminalize themselves...” She spoke softly and nodded.
“Peter - “ she waved him over before he could leave. “Can you show me where this hidden spot was?” She questioned as she stood by the table.
Peter looked to her for a moment and then walked over. It took him a long time to come up with something - he opened one of the doors and pointed. “There was uh, a piece of wood here, a fake backing...”
“And it is gone now?” She questioned.
“It was makeshift...” He spoke and stepped back slightly.
“Was it real tight? Or lose? How easy was it to figure out?” She questioned as she knelt down to view the cabinet space.
“It was hard to budge, it appeared seamless...” He shook his head “she was real clever...”
“Uhuh... okay, thank you, that is all I need to know...” She nodded, meanwhile her notebook was scribbling away of their conversation.
As Peter left - she chuckled and her book floated over. “If there was a door here - there would be some kind of details of its existence, notches and markings of the wood, possible scraping on the furnish - but there is nothing here that indicates anything was added on...” She stood then and nodded.
“The last person to talk to... is the King himself - and then we will make a trip to the Crimson Ward...” She nodded and then glanced to her. “But leave the talking to me, you do not need any additional attention..” She nodded and then she stepped outside of the room, where Clancy waited.
“I need an audience with the King, and then I believe I will be out of your hair...” She nodded. Clancy fidgeted slightly and then nodded. “Yes, right this way.” He lead them to the throne room, of which he entered.
“My King - Archmage Rey Sunfury was requested an audience, she is the one investigating the deaths on Lucius’s behalf..” Clancy bowed deeply.
The King sat on his throne, his legs crossed. “Very well, bring her in.” He nodded.
Clancy returned and allowed both of them to walk the red carpet before the King. Rey bowed her head slightly and she nodded. “King Victor - I would like to ask a few questions regarding the recent situations... if you do not mind.”
“Not at all, please - let us get over this so I can return to my grieving, much has to be done in preparations. The sooner you can end your investigation, the sooner I may bury my Brother with respect” he spat with a cold tone, his fingers grasping a cigar that was lit. He puffed on it and stared blankly to her.
“Yes... of course.” She cleared her throat. “You and your brother were close?” She questioned.
“Yes, of course - as close as brothers might be. We had our banters, but I supported him regardless, he was a fine King, and a good brother...” He nodded, awaiting her next question.
“Do you know of anyone who would have something against your brother?” She questioned, her eyes studying him.
“What a silly question” he scoffed “he is King, there are plenty of people who would wish harm upon him.” He shook his head.
“Can you give me any reason why his second hand might want to murder him?” She questioned. “Did you know Eliza personally?”
The King paused, not expecting this question. “Hum, I knew Eliza in passing but had nothing to do with her. I know my Brother was fascinated with her, maybe even too much. But no - I am not sure. Perhaps her aim was for the Prince, as she did not wish for the Princess to take the throne and her time with the King would come to an end? I cannot say, all that I know is our investigator has found all leads pointing to her...” He stood then and puffed deeply on his cigar, his steps leading him down the stairs.
“One more question - can you tell me what you know of the Crimson Ward?” She raised a brow.
The King froze just barely, and then he scoffed once more. “The Crimson Ward? The gang in the slums that we’ve been trying to eliminate for years?” he shook his head. “I have nothing to do with them...” He nodded. “Have I answered all your questions? I have much to tend to...” He stared blankly.
“Yes, your highness, I have what I need. Thank you...” She bowed her head and turned, she nodded to Eliza and they made their way out of the castle.
“That is exactly what I was looking for..” She grinned and shook her head “He thinks he is untouchable, his work to clean this up is sloppy.. This will be easier than you think” she nodded. “Okay, We need to get in contact with the Crimson Ward, I’ll start with you - do you have any connections, or can get us a way to their base? Otherwise I’ll have to really pull out some old favors of mine, of which I’d rather not...” She crossed harms and looked to Eliza.
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Valor
Aug 20, 2018 19:34:59 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Aug 20, 2018 19:34:59 GMT -5
Eliza nodded as she looked to the desk. “Nothing was ever hidden.” She spoke softly. She then took in a breath when Rey said that they were going to speak with the king. “Prepare for a cold welcoming.” She spoke, “I will remain silent, you have my word.”
As they were led toward the throne room Eliza looked to the pictures upon the walls. Paintings of King Baylor and the princess had been removed. Her brows tucked together as she noticed this. Victor was so quick to wash Baylor away. She walked in behind Rey her eyes watched the man as he spoke. She studied him. She held back a scoff when he stated that his relationship with his brother was good. It was far from anything that would be coined as good. Eliza remained silent though until they were walking from the castle into the city. She glanced to Rey, “That lying sack of....” She growled and shook her head. “He and Baylor fought constantly!” She snapped. “I’ve had to escort Victor from the castle before!” She crossed her arms and took in a huge breath, suppressing her anger.
Eliza gave a slight smile when Rey asked if she had any connections with The Crimson Ward. “Actually.” She spoke and gave a nod. “I’m from the slums, remember?” She glanced to Rey. “I grew up there when my father passed in the war...I know a lot of people. It actually was to King Baylor’s advantage, he used my connections with the slums quite often to help him develop a relationship with the people there. He worked on improving their lives...” She shook her head. “What Victor said about him having enemies? As a king I would say he was the most humble I have ever seen, even more so than his father and Liane was to follow directly in his footsteps, as would your Marcus.” She walked forward. “Um...” She looked to herself, “I can’t show up like this...” She bit her lip. “They won’t let us in, you see?”
Eliza slipped through the city, the guards were still on high alert, posted nearly every corner. She took in a deep breath, she pulled a coin purse from her hip. “One moment.” She stepped inside of a shop. She returned a moment later. “When I say, let the illusion drop.” She nodded to Rey.
Eliza led them into the slums, they turned and made their way up the streets. Eventually they came to a wooden door with a crimson handle. “Okay.” She spoke and offered a nod. She looked to her body as the illusion fell away. She was wearing a black cloak that she’d pulled up to hide her identity from any peering eyes.
Eliza lifted her hand and took in a breath, she did a very specific knock on the door, it was a code of some sort. A small peep door slid away and a set of eyes looked out to the two. “Aye....what do you want?” The man asked in a growly voice.
“I’m here to speak with Orion. It’s very important.” Eliza spoke her eyes watching the man behind the door.
“Orion eh? That’ll cost you then. What do you have to offer?” He tilted his head slightly, looking her over.
“I’m good for it, I’m a friend.” She spoke as she watched him. “I’m Gerald’s god daughter.” Her eyes locked on the man.
His brows raised slightly. “Why didn’t you say so, aye?” He chuckled and the small door slid shut. The sound of locks sliding away echoed through the thick wooden door and it was pulled back. “In.” He spoke and stepped aside. “Who’s your friend then?” He questioned as he looked Rey over.
“None of your concern.” Eliza spat, “Don’t make me speak to Orion about you again.” Her expression was threatening.
The man snickered, “It’s fun is all, you know that don’t you beauty?” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and grinned a wide smile.
Eliza slapped his hand away and scowled at him. “You know better than I what Orion will do to you.” She spoke before she started off down the hallway. She led Rey up a set of stairs and she came to a door. She glanced to Rey a moment before she knocked on the door.
The sound of someone with a heavy limp walking toward the door sounded before the door was pulled back. The man that stood behind the door had a scar along his jaw, a patch where hair didn’t grow anymore in his beard because of it. He wore a nice tunic and he held himself up with a cane. “What’s this?” He questioned.
Eliza reached up and lowered her cloak. She looked to him with her ocean blue eyes. “I need a favor, Orion.”
His jaw dropped, “Get in here.” He grabbed her by her arm and limped back into his office. “Shut that door!” He ordered Rey as they came to his desk. “Are you trying to get us all killed?” He snapped his voice angry. “You...” He drew his brows together. “The guard is searching up and down the damn streets for you Eliza!” He sat heavily in his chair and stared to her.
“Orion. Calm down.” She spoke, “Look.” She set the vial upon the desk before him. “This is Rey Sunfury, she was sent from Lucius to investigate the murder of their prince. Can you help us out? Do you know if anyone came to you for poison? Is this it?” She questioned quickly. She then glanced to Rey.
Orion grumbled slightly, he leaned back in his chair. “You know very well I keep my clients safe, Eliza.” He chuckled then. “But, we grew up together.” He grinned to her, “I owe you my life from what you’ve done for me.” He then glanced to Rey, “And a Sunfury huh? This is quite a mess isn’t it?” He laughed and took a drink of a glass of bourbon. “I knew it wasn’t you the moment that they announced it, Eliza.” He raised a brow and looked back to her. “You know this girl nearly died in her first battle because she saved a man on the enemy side, rather than killing him? He nearly killed her.” He shook his head. “She has always wanted to make a difference. You know, Eliza here is a shining light in the majority of the dim moments of life.” He smiled, “At least, she has been for me. Even her god family. Shit has really turned around here in the slums.” He chuckled. “So this poison.” He lifted the bottle he tilted his head as he flipped it over. He uncorked it and wafted the smell to his nose. He then began to chuckle. “This is poison?” He questioned. “Hm.” He poured a bit into the bourbon and then downed it. Orion sat a moment looking to Eliza with playful eyes, he held his hand to his throat and choked a bit before he chuckled and shook his head. “This is nothing more than the juice of the red berry. Smell it.” He held it to Eliza. “It’s sweet. Harmless. This is a hoax, not what killed the king, I can guarantee you that. Besides, our vials are much better than that.” He winked. He then looked to Rey. “So what is this favor that you need?”
Eliza held the vial in her hand, she looked it over after she sniffed the sweet berry aroma. She then glanced to Rey curiously. The odds of the castle were staring to buckle. Rey was right, every piece of misinformation caused Eliza to look more and more clean.
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Valor
Aug 31, 2018 0:45:01 GMT -5
Post by Raven on Aug 31, 2018 0:45:01 GMT -5
Rey looked to Eliza curiously - she was surprised to learn she knew so much of this group. From her knowledge they were ruthless contract killers and thieves, she did not picture Eliza to be connected to them at all. She nodded none the less and followed, as they came to the door - she waved her hand, the image about Eliza faded away. She was quiet as they entered the building, her eyes averting from the rude man at the door.
They winded through the building until they came upon their destination. She was ushered in by a strange man, to which she came to learn was Orion. He must have been the leader here... Her eyes watched the two, studying them closely. She bowed her head as he recognized her name - something she seemed thankful every day. "Rey Sunfury" she stepped over then and lifted the vial of 'poison'. She sniffed it, having just watched him take a swig of it. "Pathetic..." she scoffed. "You would think they would actually try and put some kind if poison in this, not juice..." she slipped the vial away into her void bag and crossed her arms.
"I've never seen such idiotic attempts to cover a murder up. I suppose he just assumed that he would easily be able to sweep this under the rug...." she shook her head. "I know you have confidentiality concerns, but we need to figure out what poison was used. Is there any information you might be able to give us? This was a quick and hasty job, meaning if they used your services - contact would have been made just days prior to the event..." she pulled her bag and lifted the Cigar sleeve and set it down. "I am not sure if this is helpful, we also need to figure the owner of this cigar. Either it is an insider, or the one doing the deed left it in waiting..." she let him glance at for a long moment.
She turned her gaze back to Eliza - "I will need to see the bodies, I need to take some samples..." she raised a brow to Orion. "I have a feeling you have a alchemy table in this hall of yours?" she questioned. "I will need to use it. I will have to take blood samples and try and separate the poison from blood - perhaps we can find the match by putting the slipper on her foot?" she chuckled. "I will do this alone, you don't need to see his body again... I will return shortly..." he nodded and found her way out.
Within minutes she stood before the castle once more, approached by a guard. She easily talked past him and made her way downward. A guard approached to guide her - and she was lead down into the catacombs, where they were holding both bodies prior to their burials... She stood before two stone tables - both bodies covered by a white sheet. She slowly moved one back to look to her dead prince... she sighed softly and cupped his cheek. "You were too young..." she caressed slightly and brushed a black lock of out his face.
She pulled out her back - where she gathered two needles. She drew his blood, clipped a bit of his hair, scraped under his nails, and observed his body to her best ability. "Bloating..." she whispered. She grit her teeth and pulled out a knife - she cut down his stomach, peeling apart his flesh. This was not what she wanted to do, but she knew she had to. She had to know what he ate last. She pulled out another leather bag - with a scrunched nose - she plucked the last meal from his stomach, which she had cut, and placed it into the pouch. She then pressed a finger to his stomach and it closed, a hot beam of light burning the flesh back together, as if melting it. She did the same to his chest, a black line formed on his chest - where she closed him up. She pulled out a cloth and wiped her hands off, running her hand over a stream of water from her canteen...
She stepped before the King and took samples from him too, but she dared not to cut his chest. Her King would understand...eventually. She shook her head and then made her way back up to the main castle. It had been roughly 4 hours - she returned back to the red handle and knocked.
"I am here to see Orion..." she ignored the guard.
"The code..." The guard replied.
"Bippidyboppity boo - open the fucking door" she spoke, clearly agitated, as her hands still stunk like the dead.
Finally the door opened and guy let her in - only because she was expected. Rey walked back through the halls until she came upon Eliza. "I have what I need" she nodded. "Can you show me to the alchemy table?" she questioned.
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Valor
Sept 2, 2018 3:44:17 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 2, 2018 3:44:17 GMT -5
Orion chuckled briefly a grin split his lips. “You would think a man that aims to steal the kingdom would take his steps more cautiously...” He watched Rey closely as she began to speak of the idiotic actions of Victor. Orion glanced to the cigar that was placed upon the table. “Hm, the services of the Crimson Ward were not permitted in this case, I would never authorize an assassination attempt upon Baylor.” He smiled again then his eyes looking to Rey. “Though, it just so happens that one of my men turned up dead a few days after the death of our good king.” He shrugged then as he lifted the partially smoked cigar. “I’ll see what I can do.” He glanced to Eliza, “For an old friend.” He kept his eyes on her for a long moment before he looked back to the mage. “I have an alchemy bench that you can make use of.” He nodded.
Eliza drew her brows together, she stood when Rey left the room. “Be careful...” She spoke but her words were a few moments after Rey had left the room.
“Sit down.” Orion spoke, his eyes were looking over the cigar.
Eliza collapsed down into the chair, her eyes looked to the leader of the Crimson Ward. “This is a nightmare Orion.” She spoke her voice soft.
Orion chuckled as he pulled the foil label from the cigar carefully with a set of tweezers that he had taken out of the drawer of his desk. He pulled a small round plastic container and set the foil into it. “A nightmare?” He questioned and looked to her. “Hm.” He huffed slightly. “It certainly could turn into one.” He raised a brow slightly as his dark eyes stayed on her. “We could lose this city to Victor, you’ve seen what he is capable of.” He shook his head. “If only Baylor had allowed me to finish him the last time they were in an argument.” He pulled a small leather bag from his desk. He opened it carefully and pulled out a few vials. He very carefully began to place drops of different liquids upon the foil before he placed a cap upon the plastic container.
“What are you aiming to learn from doing that?” Eliza asked.
“Hm, if it is the cigar I believe it to be this wrapper has gold laced within the foil, only one company that I know of does this.” He took in a breath. “We will see.” He looked to the cigar again. “The poison that was used I fear is a strain of one of our poisons.” He tilted his head slightly. “Two of my men have come up missing since the assassination. We found one in the horse stables, his throat slit...the other I have yet to find the body...if there is a body...” He drew his brows together. “Camden is the name of the second man that I am missing.”
“And the first? The dead one?” Eliza questioned.
Orion smirked, “Does it matter? He’s already dead.” He tilted his head. “Though, he knew how to make a poison strong enough to do what the rumors state it did.” Orion watched Eliza. “So tell me, what did happen?”
Eliza lowered her eyes slightly. “A servant came in, with the food and wine. Soon enough I found myself alone in the room with the king and the prince, the other guards were gone...the king began to choke, his face turned as red as an apple...blood began to drip from his nose...” Eliza’s breathing quickened as she thought of it. “He could barely speak as he begged me to keep his daughter safe...I...”
Orion watched her silently for a long moment, “It’s a shame that you’ve been put into this situation.” He spoke his eyes watching her. “You should go rest until your friend returns, hm?”
Eliza grit her teeth slightly. “I haven’t slept well since it happened, Orion.” She stood and looked to him. “You know something.” She spoke her eyes staring to him. “Did he come to you? Victor...did he ask you to do it?”
Orion watched her, a wicked grin split his lips. “He did. A year ago.” He stood, leaning heavily upon his desk, leaning forward toward her. “I told him no, just as I told him no three weeks ago when you threw him from the castle. He offered me quite the coin.” His eyes watched Eliza, “But Baylor was worth more to me alive than dead because I know Victor’s type, once he has what he wants he will cut everyone around him down until nothing but stumps remain. He must have all the power, no one can have a hand up on him. Including you, Eliza.”
Eliza took in a breath, she pulled her eyes from him and turned. She stepped from the room and walked down the hallway. Her boots clicked against the old wooden flooring echoing down the silent halls. Everyone seemed to be out. That uneasy feeling settled in her gut again as she stepped into the lounge room. Eliza’s eyes looked to one of the men, he had dark eyes, his tunic was worn and patched, his facial hair was scruffy. She’d seen him before on her visits that Baylor made her make to the Crimson Ward.
“Look who we have here.” He spoke and chuckled, he had a glass of liquor in his hand. “The king killer herself, in the flesh.” He stood up and stepped to her. “Why the long face sweet? You should be celebrating.”
Eliza looked to him, her brows tucked together, her eyes angry. “There is nothing to celebrate.” She growled. “Our king was assassinated and the blame was placed upon me. I had nothing to do with it.”
The man circled around her, a chuckle came over his lips. “Hm, that’s what they all say at first, isn’t it? Is it the guilt, love? Do you feel remorse for killing the king the way you did, such a dirty trick to poison his food, or was it the wine? Or both? Though, I must say it was quite the sloppy job.” He snickered.
Eliza spun then her hand gripped around his throat and she slammed him back against the wall, his glass fell to the floor and shattered bourbon splashed upon her boots. “I did not murder my king.” She looked up into his eyes. “Stop acting like this is a game. A game is meant to be enjoyable. This is not.” She shoved him slightly before she stepped away.
The man choked slightly and rubbed his neck where red marks appeared. “Hm, well, you’ve the anger of a murderer.” He chuckled before he stepped from the room.
Eliza sunk into a chair, her arms crossed. Her anger boiled as she sat there. She was helpless against this. The odds were against her. Rey was uncovering truths, things that could exonerate her, but would they? Victor surly wouldn’t allow her to get away, she was the one he’d painted the target on so carefully. It was planned, every second of it. She wondered how many members of the guard were in on this, how much coin did they earn to go along with the assassination?
Eliza thought over that day for the next few hours, she retraced the steps in her mind, everything that happened. Every single red flag that she missed. She hated herself for it. How could she miss the clues? How could she allow her king to be murdered? Eliza looked up as Rey stood before her. “Alchemy table.” She nodded and stood. “Yes, of course.” She stepped from the lounge. Eliza led her down the hallway and into a small room with a bench that had several vials upon it. The bookcase was filled with more vials and several old leather bound books. Eliza’s nose scrunched slightly. “What is that horrible smell?” She questioned as she looked to Rey.
She sank into a chair in the corner and sighed softly. “What will happen if you can prove my innocence Rey?” She asked softly. “The king isn’t going to allow you to exonerate me, Victor isn’t going to let you show the kingdom that he is the reason for the assassination...”
Eliza fell quiet then to allow Rey to work. She would grab vials for her when asked. She thumbed through a few of the books looking over the old scripts. She was always interested in magic, though she was a warrior...not a mage...
Eliza had a book open her eyes looked over the words upon the page as she heard the familiar sound of Orion walking down the hallway. The thud of his cane, his heavy foot. He was injured in the same battle her father died in. He was once a guard...though only a few knew that...
The door pushed open and Orion looked to Eliza a long moment. “I do hope that you have something to save her.” He spoke his eyes were soft as he looked to the mage. He glanced down the hallway. “She’s in here.” He nodded, “She will come peacefully, won’t you Eliza?”
Eliza’s eyes widened, her breathing increased as she watched guards round the corner. She backed up slightly. “Orion...” She breathed.
Orion’s jaw tightened slightly. “If you are innocent Eliza it will be proven.” He turned his eyes away.
Peter stood before Eliza with two other guards behind him. His eyes fell upon Rey a moment, “Very good job Orion, we will deliver your reward tomorrow morning.” He looked back to Eliza, his jaw tight. “You’ll come peacefully.” He spoke.
Eliza was fighting back a panic attack. She squeezed her eyes shut as she took a step back. “I didn’t do this Peter...” She breathed, “You know I...”
“Enough.” Peter cut her off his voice harsh. He pulled shackles from his pouch and stepped to her. He took several steps as Eliza backed herself against the bookcase, tears welled in her eyes. He reached forward and clipped the shackled over her wrists tightly. “Let’s go.” He shoved her forward. He looked to Rey a moment. “You’re lucky she didn’t try to kill you as well.” He spoke before he shoved her forward.
Eliza nearly fell, she stumbled and was caught by another one of the guards. She looked to Rey with frightened eyes. This was it. She knew she wouldn’t return from the dungeons. Victor wouldn’t allow it. “Peter, you have to believe me.” She spoke as she was turned harshly. “Peter...” She was shoved forward from the room.
Peter looked to Rey a moment before he turned and stepped to Eliza, he gripped onto her arm tightly, dragging her down the hallway.
Orion stood in the doorway, he leaned on his cane heavily. “The cigar was made by Strayther Monroe, the foil contained gold, he’s the only merchant that laces the cigar foil with gold like that. They are incredibly expensive cigars, only the wealthy can afford them.” He took in a breath. “Victor smokes Monroe Cigars.” He nodded, “He gave me some when he tried to get me to take on the assassination of the king.” He drew his brows together. “It’s a shame I didn’t take him up on his deal, your prince wouldn’t have died. My men...the good ones, the ones that get assignments, they aren’t that careless. This was an amateur at best.”
**
Eliza was shoved forward, a rain had started to fall outside. “Peter...” She begged. “You’re wrong...you know this is wrong...” She sniffled.
Peter clenched his jaw slightly, he couldn’t look at her. “One more word out of you and I’ll cut your tongue out, prisoner.” He growled.
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Valor
Sept 2, 2018 15:11:44 GMT -5
Post by Raven on Sept 2, 2018 15:11:44 GMT -5
Rey stood over the alchemy table and pulled out the leather satchel – full of innards. She painfully placed it on the wooden board and used tweasers and a knife to sift through it. She turned her head then as someone else approached. Rey set down the tools and scrunched her nose – eyes falling upon Peter once more.
Her eyes glared to Orion, who stood idly, quiet to the motions. As Eliza was being pulled away - Rey shoved by and followed after. She caught up to Peter and Eliza – rain falling upon her head. She stopped him and stood before him.
“You’d allow this murderous king to control you like the pet you are?” She questioned. “Peter…” she pulled out an image – it was Peter and Eliza, smilingly brightly together. She then pulled out a ribbon, a small cloth with Peter’s name on it. “Evidence suggests that you two were quite fond of each other – actually…” she pulled out a pressed rose. “The ribbon – worn here in this image, saved by you, as well as this linen that she offered you before, seemingly because your allergies left you constantly sneezing, and you also saved this rose, which you had given her – and she playfully gave back to you…” she lifted a brow. “Meaningless nothings left on your office shelves, which clearly say to me that you Peter are quite taken by Eliza…” she slipped the goods away.
“Take me for an idiot?” She questioned and raised a brow. “You know quite well what this King is doing… and I have enough to put him under… and then some” she stepped forward and glared to him. “Take this order of protection. Eliza is to be placed in the Royal Cells – not to be touched or harmed, she needs to be prepared to take the stand as my key witness. I delivered her to you after questioning… do this, and I won’t put you under either… I have your grubby finger prints all over the bottle of poison, and plates…” she bluffed and held the letter to him.
“I will see you in court tomorrow” she bowed her head and then looked to Eliza. She had no choice at this point – but she could ensure her safety and protection. If they did not have Eliza then the king would kill all of her witnesses in anger, she knew this well.
She then watched Peter walk away with Eliza, still shackled in his hands. She turned then and entered the Crimson Ward once more… she stood over the table and then began to work the vials, until she retrieved what she wanted.
***
The following morning came swiftly, just as she ordered – the trial was to commence. She approached the castle, wearing her Archmage attire – the Sunfury crest adorned on her chest. Next to her was a servant – who followed slowly behind her.
She walked past several guards until they entered the court room. A Jury sat to the right…. She waited until the judge announced her. “Archmage Rey Sunfury, please take your position. May the court know that she is representation of King Raymond Lucius…”
Rey stepped to her table and began to lay out several items, until finally the table was full, each item labeled with a number. “Thank you your honor…” she cleared her voice and looked to the opposing table – where Eliza sat.
“I am here today…to understand what truly happened on the night my Prince was killed…” she stepped from her table, standing the center of the room. “As often interpersonal royal murders have a shadow of politics that loom over the truth, I have come to find hard evidence – to show you, the real story… as seemingly no one knows the reality…” she glanced to the Jury briefly.
“We will start with the beginning, shall we?” she smiled and nodded. “I want to call Eliza Ashmore to the stand please…” she watched as Eliza was guided up to the stand.
“Eliza… Could tell me – what is your relationship with the King?” she questioned… awaiting the response.
“Could you tell me – do you recall what the King and Prince were eating the night of the murder?” she raised a brow, knowing very well that Eliza would have no idea, that what they ate was likely the last of her thoughts.
“And when the murder took place – who do you recall being in the room?” she questioned.
“Thank you… that is all my questions – “ she finally finished, after Eliza had answered. “I’d like to ask for Peter Cravenhal to the stand next please…”
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Valor
Sept 2, 2018 15:59:35 GMT -5
Post by Blindside Tex on Sept 2, 2018 15:59:35 GMT -5
Eliza gasped slightly as Peter’s grip tightened on her arm. His eyes stared to Rey, his brows tucked together as she mentioned the rose...the ribbon. He stared to the picture that she held before him his eyes softened. His grip upon Eliza loosened slightly as Rey continued to speak. His eyes fell away, he knew what he was doing was wrong, but what choice did he have? His jaw loosened slightly when the mage mentioned his fingerprints. “I had nothing to do with this.” He spoke his brows creased again.
Eliza watched Rey, she bowed her head slightly, staying silent. She watched as the mage began to walk away before she was shoved in the direction of the castle again. “Peter...”
“That’s enough.” Peter spoke. His voice was so cold. He’d never been this way before.
Eliza looked to his hand that gripped tightly around her arm. She sighed softly as she looked forward. The streets were quiet at this hour, most of the inhabitants of the city were sleeping. The few that were standing beneath the awnings of their homes stared to Eliza as she was ushered passed. “Peter, what happened to you?” She asked as they marched toward the castle.
“Enough.” He spoke again, his brows tucked together once more. He pushed her toward the main gate of the castle.
Eliza watched as the gates were pulled aside for them. She bowed her head as she was pushed toward the castle. Her boots clicked against the marble flooring of the castle then, a sound she knew well. She had each and every inch of this castle memorized...or so she thought. She was ushered down a spiraling staircase and to the dungeon. She was walked passed the small cells that she’d been placed in before and she was stopped before a large wooden door that held bars for the small window into the room. Peter walked her into the room. Eliza glanced around to the space, it had a small bed and a desk. It wasn’t ideal but it was much better than the cells that she was kept in before.
Peter pulled his keys from his belt and they jingled as he gripped onto Eliza’s wrist. Eliza looked up to him with soft eyes. “Peter...you don’t have to follow this man...” She whispered softly. “He is not our king...the princess...”
Peter looked up to her, his hands still holding onto her wrists. His eyes locked on hers and in that moment she could feel the regret seeping from his being. He searched her eyes a moment before the shackles fell away. “You will receive breakfast before the trials tomorrow.” He spoke before he turned and stepped from the cell.
Eliza rubbed her wrists which were red from the tight shackles. She took in a shaken breath as she moved to the bed and sat on it. She pulled her knees up to her chest as she looked out the barred window to the city. If it hadn’t been for Rey...her circumstances would be completely different in this moment.
**
The night passed slowly, she had a hard time getting any rest. The night of the murder played over and over in her mind, the king’s eyes as he pleaded for her to protect Liane. She sat up in a cold sweat, her breaths quick.
“Fear for the trial in the morning king killer?” A voice spoke from the shadows.
Eliza glanced around the room. “Who’s there?” She breathed.
From the shadows a man stepped forward. He wore black robes and a hood over his head. His face was completely shrouded in shadows. “You know all too well who I am.” He chuckled.
“Where is she?!” Eliza shot up from the bed, she reached forward to grab the man but he seemingly disappeared. She stumbled and fell into the wall. Suddenly the back of her neck was gripped, her face pressed harshly against the wall. Eliza groaned as she struggled against the weight of the man.
“Wouldn’t you be the one that we should ask where the princess is?” He chuckled. “No one will find her, Eliza.” Then suddenly his grip disappeared.
Eliza turned slowly her room was empty. She slid down the wall to the cold stone floor. A trickle of blood ran from her nose. A tray was pushed into her cell then.
“Breakfast. Eat up.” A guard spoke before walking away.
Eliza stood and made her way to the door. She reached down and lifted the tray of slop. Her nose scrunched and she fought her gag reflex as the smell sifted into her nostrils. She moved to the desk and sat down. She gagged a few times as she tried to force herself to eat the disgusting sludge.
Soon enough the door to the cell was pushed open. “Let’s go.” Peter spoke he held shackles in his hands.
Eliza stood slowly and stepped to him, she held her wrists out but she didn’t raise her eyes to meet his. How could she looked at a traitor like him?
Peter took in a breath as he tightened down the shackles over her wrists. He reached forward then a cloth in his hand. “What happened?” He questioned his voice was smooth the chill from before had seemingly melted away.
Eliza looked up to him, her brows quivered slightly. She took in a breath to respond though her eyes moved from Peter as she saw Victor marching her direction.
“You’ll burn at the stake you murderer.” Victor snarled he stepped to her and gripped her around her neck harshly, he forced her back against the wall. “You think you’re so sly? Hm? You’ve somehow gotten that mage on your side. You won’t walk out of that trial alive.” He sneered.
“My king.” Peter reached forward. “We are under strict demands not to harm her.” He took a step back as the king glared to him.
“It is I who makes the orders, Captain.” He narrowed his eyes as he looked to Peter. “Or have you forgotten that?” He questioned before he slammed Eliza harshly. He then walked off.
Eliza’s world spun for the next few minutes. She couldn’t make sense of things. She blinked several times. She could feel Peter’s grip as he lifted her back to her feet, his arms around her. She winced slightly and took in deep breaths. “Peter...” She spoke her voice soft.
“Enough, Eliza.” Peter held her face in his hands. “Come on.” He nodded.
Eliza looked into his eyes as she regained his bearings. She took in a breath as he gripped her arm and marched her form the dungeons. She could feel the eyes upon her as she was marched into the courtroom. Eliza was placed in a chair at the front of the courtroom. She looked to the jury. So many time she’d been in this room, she never imagined being in the position she was now...
Her eyes moved to the doors as they opened, she looked to Rey whom wore beautiful robes. She blinked a few times as she looked to the judge as he announced Rey. Her head was pounding from the king slamming her against the wall like he had. Was that his plan? Eliza looked up as Rey took her place, as she began to speak. When she was called to the stand she was guided up by a guard whom gripped her arm tightly. The shackles around her wrists clanked as she sat down on the wood podium. Her eyes looked to Rey as the questions began. “My relationship with King Baylor...” Eliza began, her head pounded. She closed her eyes a moment. “He was an incredible king, he was the reason that I became the Captain of the Baylor Guard. He always pushed me to pursue more, to be more, to do more...I was his right hand, I helped him in decisions of war, of peace...I helped him bring the slums to the position that they are today, to rise up...he trusted me...as I trusted him...” Eliza teared up slightly as she thought of the king.
The next question caught Eliza of guard. She blinked a few times as she tried to remember. “I...” Her voice was small as she fought to think of the food. “I don’t know...I wasn’t...” She shook her head slightly and drew her brows together. Though as she tried to think Rey asked another question. Eliza looked to Rey with soft eyes. “I was left alone in the room with the prince and the king. The guards that usually stand watch with me over such dinners seemingly disappeared, the exit to the room was blocked, I couldn’t call for help. I tried to get out...I tried to call for help...” She breathed, her breaths increased slightly as she recalled the panic. “Victor was the next to enter the room...followed by Peter and a few other guards...” She let out a slow breath.
Eliza was led from the stand then roughly by the guard. She winced to his tight grip. She grit her teeth slightly as he shoved her into her chair. Her eyes moved then as Peter walked toward the stand. His armor glistened in the light of the room. Eliza’s eyes fell upon her sword that he had strapped to his hip...
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