It was not often that Em found herself in Ishgard as of late. A visit here, a party there. The last one being for Valentione’s. A hand brushed the diamond earrings that had become a part of her regular ensemble.
Lance knew better then to insist he could walk without help. Especially knew better then to say that to Em. She was not the typical Ishgardian lady. It would have probably been insulting to even bring up the idea to her as she helped him into the house. So he kept his mouth shut and instead relaxed knowing he was in good hands.
He set down heavily on the bed she had led him to, grunting slightly at the pain the movement caused. This was going to hurt. Getting the chain armor off because of the wound to his shoulder. He still remembered the last time this other shoulder had been injured. Yet there was no way he was going to let a bit of pain stop him.
“We were attacked out near Hemlock on the western side of Coerthas.” Lance spoke softly, speaking to distract himself as he removed his gauntlets first. Trying to focus on the words rather then the pain removing that armor was going to be. He grimaced as he got the armor off finally and letting it drop to the floor beside the bed. Everything had been above the waist so he wasn’t bothered with his boots at this moment. That would have been more movement of that shoulder then he cared to put effort into right now. “Five of them versus myself and my cousin. I am the only fighter between the two of us.”
The spear had left a shallow wound on his right side, a glancing blow that his cousin had kept from being worse then it looked. The worst injury was the stab wound one of the attacker’s swords had given him on the back of his left shoulder. Those two wounds were freshly bleeding slowly from the movement he had been doing between getting here and removing his armor.
“We were setup…” Lance clenched his hands into fists as he hung his head. “An I couldn’t do anything to stop them from taking my cousin… She went with them so they wouldn’t kill me…”
Lance was still unused to the Western side of Coerthas. His shifts usually were always south of Dragonhead, at Skyfire Locks. Yet he had been picking up any extra duties where he could lately. Anything to avoid home as much as possible. So naturally he had somehow landed himself some work on the Western side. Including some work he had been keeping quiet. He was technically in service with Haillenarte but Durendaire controlled the areas around here. Yet since he had begun his friendship with Emon’i he had been on occasion quietly offering assistance to Durendaire when Haillenarte did not have enough work to keep him busy.
He hadn’t noticed her at first. He had been admiring the warm rays of sun that rarely graced Coerthas. Yet her raven hair stood out to him in the crisp white of fresh snow. He had called out to her as he hurried over. Meaning well when he had warned her that it was dangerous.
Interesting. She was a pretty face with intelligent eyes. Not as common of a pairing with most of the Ishgardian ladies he had ever met. He couldn’t help but smile slightly as he crossed his arms in thought. He liked the bit of spark she had. There was something in her tone and actions that told him he wasn’t the first that had ever tried to be concerned for her. Finally he uncrossed his arms, holding his hands up defensively for a moment to apologize.
“I meant no offense of course. I apologize if I have done so. Ser Lancefer Aurifore.” Lance swept into a bow as he spoke to Svan, still smiling warmly as he straightened back up. “I just know this side of Coerthas is not nearly as kind as the . Would it be okay to ask what brings you out this way?
As expected of a Temple Knight, courteous with a sense to protect. Although she couldn’t help but notice he was quite different from the ones she had seen. Then again such knights tend to be completely different when they were off-duty and deep in their cups…
But she was sure she had never seen this man before. He held himself proudly, but not in a way of arrogance. The way he would stop her was out of concern, not that she would judge him upon that, but knights of his age and appearance often stopped her for other reasons than her well-being. Reasons that signaled a large, ruffled-looking crow to scare them off. The cry of a crow would cause her eyes to shift to look upon Ink perched on the nearby rail, turning his good eye upon the knight addressing her.
She would acknowledged the moody bird, but her attention would return to the knight as he begun to question her intentions of being out here. Yet another odd thing, usually knights would demand to know what she was doing, but he was instead asking if he could get an answer instead. Curious indeed, but nevertheless Svan would simply gesture towards the leather satchel that strapped over her shoulder under the shawl that she wore.
“I see, well I tend to come out here often to gather herbs. Is that a suitable answer Ser? I would appreciate it if I could leave very soon before the next snowfall…If you doubt me at all you can ask the folk around here and they can tell you about a crazy woman named Svan venturing off into the snowy lands alone.”
Of course he had not missed the fact that she was being just a bit wary. Not that he could blame her. He had seen both sides of the spectrum over his years serving. Not everyone trusted the knights right away. He had learned early on not to take offense to people’s reactions.
He had spared a glance in the crow’s direction for a moment. Curious. He had not recalled seeing anything here that might interest the bird. However he paid no further attention to Ink since the bird seemed to just be sitting there observing. It wasn’t something he thought much of. Animals that is. Beyond his chocobo, he had very few interactions with animals up close.
He eyed the leather satchel as she explained. A slight frown forming as she said the locals called her a crazy woman. He knew better then to judge a book by it’s cover but nothing about the woman seemed to cry ‘crazy’. Eccentric maybe. But that was even hard to go with in his opinion.
“I do not find it crazy. Then again I am pretty sure I have seen stranger things then a young woman gathering herbs in less then safe places.” He gestured for her to begin walking, not wanting to hold her up from her work but not walking away either. “I hope you don’t mind if I at least walk with you for just a bit. I can leave if you insist though. I promise to stay out of your way. Are you looking for specific herbs? Like those for healing or those for cooking?”
@nebula1984, to one of your precious beans Lancefer ; ; ))
Svanielle would scan the horizon as she emerged from the shelter, a fresh coat of snow blanketed the hills of the Western Highlands. After the harsh blizzard that lasted this morning the land was blessed with a rarity: sunlight. The beams shone upon the snow and glittered like crystals, a beautiful sight were it not only brief in time. It was a reminder that she make haste before the next snowfall. Western Coerthas may be desolate to some, but if one were to look closer the land was wrought with many herbs and plants. It was a gladly accepted cove of treasures that one such as herself would be unable to afford in the Crozier, as not only was it pricey but the merchants did not take kindly to haggling commoners….or commoners in general.
The local folk once thought she was daft in travel out into the lands alone, but every time she came back unscathed they stopped questioning it. Little did they know that the maiden was not without means of combat and defense and eventually her ventures out into the frozen wilderness became a normal occurrence. Although new witnesses were still a common thing.
As a gloved hand landed on her shoulder, she would sigh and turn to meet a tanned face framed with indigo hair. The concern was clear in his azure eyes as his complexion creased into a slight frown. The armor he wore was an indication that he must be a knight stationed at Falcon’s Nest, and considering that he stopped her, a new one. A soft smile graced her features as she gently took his hand and removed it from her shoulder.
“You need not worry Ser knight. This isn’t the first time I have journeyed out here.”
Lance was still unused to the Western side of Coerthas. His shifts usually were always south of Dragonhead, at Skyfire Locks. Yet he had been picking up any extra duties where he could lately. Anything to avoid home as much as possible. So naturally he had somehow landed himself some work on the Western side. Including some work he had been keeping quiet. He was technically in service with Haillenarte but Durendaire controlled the areas around here. Yet since he had begun his friendship with Emon’i he had been on occasion quietly offering assistance to Durendaire when Haillenarte did not have enough work to keep him busy.
He hadn’t noticed her at first. He had been admiring the warm rays of sun that rarely graced Coerthas. Yet her raven hair stood out to him in the crisp white of fresh snow. He had called out to her as he hurried over. Meaning well when he had warned her that it was dangerous.
Interesting. She was a pretty face with intelligent eyes. Not as common of a pairing with most of the Ishgardian ladies he had ever met. He couldn’t help but smile slightly as he crossed his arms in thought. He liked the bit of spark she had. There was something in her tone and actions that told him he wasn’t the first that had ever tried to be concerned for her. Finally he uncrossed his arms, holding his hands up defensively for a moment to apologize.
“I meant no offense of course. I apologize if I have done so. Ser Lancefer Aurifore.” Lance swept into a bow as he spoke to Svan, still smiling warmly as he straightened back up. “I just know this side of Coerthas is not nearly as kind as the . Would it be okay to ask what brings you out this way?”
Lance blinked at Em’s honesty. Her anger for his sake was in it’s own way endearing. He tried his best though to hide the urge to smile at her little tirade over his father’s recent attitude.
Over the years he had learned to let the things his father said to him or about him slide off him like water over stone. The rift between them was not worth the constant pain to attempt to mend it or even find a common ground. The day he made his choice all those years ago and set the two of them apart had begun all of this. If he had allowed everything his father said get to him since that day… He probably would have caved years ago. The words still stung sometimes but they were just that… Words. Yet even water would wear away at the stone with time. Just like words from his father sometimes wore on his heart. Yet he always tried to carefully mask those feelings.
His father had thought it was all some mummer’s farce when he found out Lance was supposed to be getting honors from ‘some daughter’ of the Durendaire line. Didn’t believe Lance deserved any such honor. Typical of his father of course. Couldn’t believe Lance had been able to protect the Viscountess. Lance was used to what his father couldn’t believe or did not want to believe to be true.
Em’s anger for him… He put a hand gently on her arm. “Emon’i. It’s fine. Honestly. I’m not asking you to apologize. I appreciate how strongly you feel. It will not change the man my father is though. There is no reason for you to upset yourself so on my behalf. Thank you though for the concern.”
( @ethereal-anomaly tag for Em! 😀 I told you I would do the thing. Just had to make small adjustments before posting it. :D)
Lance had managed teleport back to Ishgard. Barely. He was hurting fairly well though Yuti had tried to heal him then and there at Hemlock. He had allowed her to at least enough to stop the bleeding. He knew there had been more important concerns then his own sorry state. He just hoped they could find her while he hid and had his own wounds cared for. But the movements of walking through Ishgard had reopened the two worst wounds, drawing fresh blood because he had not allowed Yuti long enough before he had taken off.
He waved off any concerned guards as he moved through the city with purpose. Trying to hold his composure as much as he could to ward off questioning stares at his bloodied state. It was not unusual for soldiers to come home injured from a fight. Though most had at least had their wounds bandaged before walking around town.
He didn’t know who else he could trust right now. That letter from an old friend had been a lie. It had all been a ploy to capture his cousin. Alexois had been involved. Fury damn him. He could only hope now that Destiney was in good hands with her free company looking for her. So he went to the one person he knew he might be able to trust. One person who he knew would never think about siding with his family. He trusted her.
He paused before her door, having second thoughts about coming to her in this sorry shape. But she was one person who could help. Someone trusted when all else seemed to have gone to hell. He knocked upon the door, waiting for her to answer. He would give her an uneasy smile before sliding down to sit on the ground.
“I’m sorry for being in such a state. I did not know where else to turn…” Lance spoke softly, hand over the shallow slowly bleeding wound on his right side as he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. Among several other bruises and wounds, some of which were no longer bleeding thanks to Yuti’s attempt to heal him that he interrupted. There was a slice on his cheek, a busted lip, a small nick on his neck from the sword point, a stab wound on the back of his left shoulder, and a myriad of bruises in several places including his ribs.
(I blame Rhisi for the title. She labeled the event like that on the FC calendar and I decided to keep it this way. This is what happens right before the events that start at 9p. Hence why I waited to long to share this. I wanted to wait until as late as I could to avoid giving anyone too much of a heads up for my FC friends that follow my tumblr. >:D)
Destiney shivered slightly as she arrived at Falcon’s Nest. She had agreed to come out here and help her cousin with a bit of work. It would also give them a bit of time to discuss matters. Matters dealing with the Aurifore family.
Nebula chirped in impatience beside her. Her chocobo clearly not a fan of standing around in this cold either. She petted the bird’s beak affectionately before saddling up. “Alright. Let’s be moving them. Don’t want to keep Lance waiting in this weather. Too cold to be standing still long.”
They had agreed to meet up at The Pike. It was hard to miss the large statue of a Dragoon. Easy enough of a location to find each other even if a sudden blizzard swept in on them. When she arrived she found Lance waiting for her on his own bird, Strider.
“Glad to see you could make it, Cousin.” Lance said with a warm smile before kicking his bird into motion. “It’s not far from here. Let’s go before the weather turns.”
They set down around Hemlock, north of where they had met up. Keeping an eye on the archaeonis wandering about as they dismounted.
“So what did we need to come here for again? An why did I have to follow you out here into this wasteland?” Destiney sighed as she tugged her coat tight about herself.
“I got a letter with information from a trusted friend that we could find something here that might help our case against Grandfather.” Lance explained as he began to look around the frozen ruins of the abandoned place. “Apparently father has been meeting with some rather… Shady individuals out here. Some of which are involved in the case at hand. If we can find find something to pin this on…”
He words went unfinished as five individuals stepped out from the shadows into their view. All of them cloaked in plain undyed cloaks of wool which shrouded their features for the most part. What wasn’t hidden of their faces by the cloak hoods, a mask covered the rest.
“You will find nothing here. Afraid you have been duped old friend.” the tallest of the five spoke as he stepped forward, lance still at rest against his back.
Lance’s face began with a frown that slowly became a snarl as he recognized that voice. “Alexois…”
“What do you want?” Destiney asked as she scowled and readied herself to run if need be. Or at least shield her cousin if it came down to a fight. Though she definitely did not like the odds. All she was armed with was her magic and tome. Not that she could have fought back even if she had her bow handy.
“We’ve been paid well to do what we are about to do. Come with us quietly an Lancey here won’t be harmed. Much.” Alexois said as he reached up to remove his mask, sneer clearly visible now.
“Never! I won’t allow you to lay a hand on my cousin. Father paid you didn’t he?” Lance snarled as he drew his sword and shield, ready for the fight that was about to unfold.
“Poor Lancey. You never learned to stop being so trusting. Even after all I did to you.” Alexois held his arms wide as he mocked the knight. The four others with him drew their weapons. Alexois motioned the group forward before reaching back to draw their own weapons. “Let’s pick up where we left off shall we? Get the girl.”
Destiney moved quickly to place a hurried arcane shield over Lance as the group charged forward. There was no way for her cousin to stop all five by himself. No matter how hard he tried. She would have to defend herself somehow. If only she had had more time on those lessons with C’lest.
“Destiney! Run!” Lance called back to his cousin as his shield met the blade of one of the attackers. Two others used to the chance to slip past him to go after Destiney. A glance back to his cousin was all it took. When he looked back it was just barely in time to avoid a fatal wound from Alex’s lance. He felt the cold bite of metal rip through his chainmail though. Could feel the warmth of his own blood and the stinging pain in his right side. His movement and the arcane shield his cousin had hastily cast had saved him from worse damage then a glancing blow. However the damage was still done.
Destiney watched the two come towards her, their run dropping to a slow approach as they neared. Obviously waiting to see what her move might be. The one to her left moved first. She quickly dropped her tome and raised her arm as C’lest had taught her. Her forearm met the taller attacker’s throat. The surprise of the movement made the man drop his daggers as he choked at the arm against his throat. Destiney used her free hand and drew him in close by his belt to not give him any room. C’lest hadn’t really taught her what to do next so she improvised. She brought her knee up to his groin. The man collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain with his hands over his injury.
The second one decided not to give Destiney a chance to pull that maneuver a second time. He had used the distraction to come up behind her. Strong arms wrapping around Destiney from behind, around her shoulders. Her necklace somehow getting tangled in his fingers as she struggled to get loose. The chain snapping and the green stone pendant dropped to the snow at her feet.
“Let me go!” Destiney screamed in panic as she struggled hard. Her feet kicked in the air as the taller man lifted her up. A bright green rune carved stone jostled from her coat pocket as she fought for freedom. It landed in the snow about a foot away from the pendant.
Lance looked back with wide-eyes as he put a brief moment of distance between himself an the three that now circled him. Fresh blood ran down his cheek from a shallow cut below his left eye. “Destiney!” The one rammed him from the left, sprawling him into the snow. His chest rose and fell heavily with each breath. Fighting three on one with skilled opponents was not good odds. He forced himself back to his feet only for Alexois to kicked him from behind. He had no idea when the Duskwight had gotten behind him. He fell to a knee an scowled up as a sword came to rest beneath his chin, forcing him to look up at the man holding him at sword point.
“I would highly suggestion you come quietly, Destiney dear. Or I might have to stain the rest of the snow red with your dear cousin’s blood. I’m sure the archaeonis would love the meal.” Alexois sneered as he looked back towards the struggling woman.
Destiney froze at those words. Her eyes met Lance’s. The options were limited. She could continue to struggle and maybe get free. But at the cost of Lance’s life… If she went with them… There was no promise that Lance would live but the odds were better then the first.
“Only if you swear on Halone to let him live. If you dare kill him… I swear to the Twelve I will make you live to regret it.” Destiney didn’t want to embrace that old part of herself again. Did not want to go back down that path. Her looked to Alexois as she waited for his promise.
“Destiney! Don’t believe a word that traitor speaks! He’ll lie!” Lance pleaded with her, only to be silenced as that sword drew a drop of blood from his throat an made it hard to breath, let alone speak.
“I swear by Halone’s mighty grace that I will not kill your cousin today.” Alexois’s sneer changed to a genuine smile as he bowed towards her. “I can not make any promises on the future however.”
“Fine. Then I will go quietly.” Destiney closed her eyes and bowed her head. All struggling ceased from her. Though she slipped a hand into her pocket. When her head came back up an her eyes opened, she found Lance’s concerned gaze. She nodded to him as the one holding her marched her forward towards the rest of the group. She subtly dropped a linkpearl into the snow near Lance, brushing a bit of snow over it to hide it from the attackers’ sight. Lance blinked to try an let her know he had saw what she had done.
There was no denying she was going to be leaving as a prisoner to an unknown fate. She stared up at Alexois with a defiant look.
“Come along, Princess. We’re going to have some fun.” Alexois chuckled at her gaze. He turned to walk off with two of the four others he had come with. Leaving two to keep Lance in his place while they left. Destiney cast one last worried look back to her bleeding cousin. She mouthed a few last words to him…
Tell the Order.
Lance clenched his hands tightly around his sword and shield. Eyes drifting between the two who had remained behind. He felt a sudden kick to his ribs from the one not holding him at sword point. He coughed and rolled to his side, having dropped his shield. He bit back the cry of pain as he felt the one with the sword stab the back of his left shoulder as he rolled to his knees to get up.
“He said we couldn’t kill you today. Dun mean we can’t have a bit of fun.”
The two remaining finally left after leaving Lance with a few more bruises and wounds. Laughing as they walked away. Lance wiped at the blood from his busted lip as he watched them leave. Too much time. They had wasted so much damn time. He scrambled to find the linkpearl in the snow.
Tell the Order. The last words his cousin had mouthed to him. He needed to make a call to arms. He couldn’t do this alone. Definitely not in the shape he was in now. If there was any hope of finding her still alive… Then it lay in the Order’s hands now.
Everything had gone as planned. Or at least it seemed that way. He had used the money Rhisi had provided to plant the seeds of distraction. To give his cousin a smoke screen. A protection of a different kind as she studied self-defense with C’lest.
It had taken more time then he had wanted. The extra caution had been necessary. If any of this came back on him it could not be something that would look bad on Haillenarte. He had told that much to Rhisi when he had agreed to this idea. He would not drag down the Haillenarte name any further with the chaos his family was causing among the shadows of Ishgard.
To think his family had gone as far to send death threats to Destiney. This game was getting beyond control now. He was almost afraid to stray far from her side. Part of this was his fault. He was to blame for telling them about Destiney’s past out near Wineport. They had used that against her. He was to blame… He hadn’t known back then but ignorance was not an excuse for what he had done. He would see this corrected.
Even if it ended with a Trial by Combat…
He had meant what he had said at the Order house. If it came to that in the Ishgardian justice system… He would stand in for her. Life entrusted to the will of Halone to see him through it. He had faith that Halone would see justice done. That the weapon he had become would be used to correct the problem.
“I cannot fail. I will not fail. Even if I must place my life on the line.” Lance muttered to himself as he stared up at the cold sky above Ishgard that promised more snow.
From the shadows a figure of a man watched in silence as Lance walked through the streets of Ishgard towards home.
“What a clever boy. However you still have so much room to improve.” the older man mummered to himself as he watched. Sharp dark blue eyes remaining on Lance. “You are definitely an Aurifore yet you leave much to be desired. If we can not find her then we shall just have to have you followed instead. You are bound to be with her sooner or later. One way or another. This ends.”
A wicked grin on that tanned face of Vairemont as he stepped out of the shadows. Still dressed in his armor for House Dzemael. A cloaked person silently walked up an leaned against the wall near the older Aurifore. The stranger’s stance casual yet still tense for movement. Vairemont never once glanced in the stranger’s direction.
“Follow Lancefer. Find a way to lure them together if you must. If we can not find her alone then we will simply use the boy as the weapon he was meant to be. You better be as good as you bunch are being paid. If you fail… You know the price of failure.”
The cloaked stranger nodded in response to Vairemont’s words before vanishing off as silently as they had arrived.
Spirit of the Warlock 