| Reed & Alaric | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 9 2016, 12:40 AM (17 Views) | |
| aluckymuse | Apr 9 2016, 12:40 AM Post #1 |
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I think I am, therefore, I am. I think.
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Here's the archive of the roleplay so far between Reed and Alaric...and hopefully eventually Garm. For the archive; Reed is in this color, Alaric in this one. I felt near my wits end. I had lost track of Garms path and I had yet to find an entranceway into our destination. Admittedly, it had been a miracle I had lasted this long tracking him and not have been lost prior. The sound of wings gave me pause then, as I spun around to spot I was no longer alone. There, a few paces away, was Evelyn sporting an owl on her arm and what looked to be a guard accompanying her. I jogged over, "Hello? Miss Evelyn?" I was thrown by my sudden reassignment, and not sure how I felt about the whole affair; Arden had become home to me, and all I'd ever wanted to be was a Ranger... It was true, however that there was only so high to climb on that ladder--it wasn't as though Lord Julian would be retiring soon. Perhaps this promotion, though a different one than I'd hoped for, was the better. I had tried to talk her out of it, but Evelyn had insisted we'd only be stepping just into the next Shadow; because nothing is simple with the Blood of Amber, it was not "just" that. Mired in an unnatural fog, I suggested we turn back. That would have been too easy. A voice called to us and a man looking utterly lost came running towards us. I stepped forward, placing myself between him and my charge. "State your name." “Alaric.” I took a moment to catch my breath and then straightened my posture. “My name is Alaric Bontaire, and I am afraid that I have lost my way in these Shadows. I hope I can safely assume we have the same destination? When I last spoke with Naddia she was residing in a keep her uncle, Lord Bleys controlled.” Evelyn put a hand on my arm and stepped around me, saying "I'm looking for all of them. Bleys has them--in there, I'm sure." "If we can't get in, maybe we should go back," I said. I listened to the guard’s suggestion and immediately spoke up. "I was, until just recently, following Shade's wolf companion. I believe he must have made it through somewhere." I addressed Evelyn, "If Lord Bleys is preventing contact then this may be our best chance to permeate that Shadow. Once Garm is found to have passed through here, I imagine Lord Bleys will make sure one can't attempt it again." I knew of course that it was unlikely that Garm simply found his way into our destination Shadow without complication. We had been traveling together for quite a while, and towards the end when he scouted ahead his trail had abruptly vanished with no trace to follow. I was not sure what we were about to walk into but I also greatly disliked the idea of coming so far to give up now. Evelyn looked to the owl the king had given her; "Rowyn, follow my Shadow trail back to Amber and tell Eric where this place is." The creature--which I was sure I'd heard speaking moments ago--screeched and took off with a forceful flap of her wings. "We should wait, at least, for reinforcements," I said. I was anxious to see what magicks lay beyond this veil, unable to quell the adventurous ranger in my heart, but there was something greater than just us happening here. Tactically speaking, this was suicide. "We don't know what we're up against." "It's Bleys," she said. She placed her hands upon the barrier and closed her eyes. "I know what he's capable of." "Evelyn--" I saw her start to slide into the smoke and tried to grab her, but my hand hit wall and she was gone. "Ah," I stepped up to the veil of dense smoke that had claimed Evelyn so abruptly. "How did she..." I ran my hand over an invisible barrier that the smoke snaked through. I looked to the guard, "Can we presume she has a plan to allow us through?" "I find it's best not to assume you know what she's going to do next." I tested the barrier with my sword, but it was useless at cutting through. "You go with Lady Naddia? What regiment are you from?" Perhaps we had compatible skills for this task. “Fair enough.” I felt I could relate to such a sentiment. When he asked his question of me I paused for a moment. I had thought my accent would have given me away; I had gone to great lengths to match Amberite speech as of late, but it had only been about a week. “Yes.” He was clearly dressed as Amber personnel, and I, clearly was not. I was reminded as well of my lack of fighting ability with weapons of any kind. And the fact I carried none but a dagger. One day soon I would need to learn more than just the basics of self defense. “Circumstance brought Naddia and I together.” This whole time I had been, for the most part, strung along in a series of events. She enticed my curiosity with wonders of the universe and bound my hands with abilities that would never allow me to be satisfied with my old life. And now with the actual choices I’ve made my old life was destroyed and I was out in the soup of Shadow in a potentially life risking situation as a greenhorn. I stepped back, folding my arms and studying the obstacle. “And I am not from Amber…” I halfheartedly finished as my new train of thought took full course. ”This has to be some sort of magical barrier- most likely a spell that doesn’t require complete concentration. These things require a formula in order to operate.” I turned to the guard, “Evelyn said that Lord Bleys “has” her other cousins; perhaps his barrier’s formula allows them safe passage.” I raised a hand to my chin, “It doesn’t explain Garm though. He must have inadvertently found an exploit of some kind.” "Thought I heard an accent." I pressed my hand to the wall, but couldn't feel anything other than the physicality of it. I have no talent for the paranormal. "We might--" A rift opened in the barrier, like a curtain thrown aside, and Evelyn reached through and grabbed my hand; as she pulled me in, I seized Alaric by the shoulder and dragged him with me. I only just turned my head in time to see the guard was being brought through. Before I could fully register what was occurring, I felt air escape my lungs as he griped and pulled me along with him. As I was dragged through it felt as though my passage was molasses. The tension reached a peak and with a sudden pop we emerged on the other side of the veil. The smoke was visibly thinner here and quickly dissolved into clarity in the distance. "Ah..." I sucked in a breath and then turned my head to him. "Thank you." We hit the ground hard, and Alaric seemed to have had the wind knocked out of him. Nothing to be done about that but I wouldn't wish it on an enemy--it's practically an initiation right to fall from a tree in Arden and know what it's like to suffocate. He thanked me when he had breath, and I clapped him on the shoulder, saying "Any time, friend." These Amberite women would be the death of us; we had to stick together. I blinked, taken slightly aback by his affable response. “…It occurs to me that I do not know your name.” After he responded I took out my four Trump cards and settled on my Shadow, Skara Brae. The image did not budge. This, I had already assumed would be the case. I continued on, passing over Amber’s card, and began concentrating on Naddia’s, it stayed inert. I shook my head, “Blocking Trump contact completely.” Whoever constructed the barrier, presumably Bleys, did not want people communicating even within the confines of this Shadow. And that was…worrisome. Not too far away a stone keep dominated the landscape. The land itself was quite strange also, I was suddenly thankful to be standing where we were and not in the divisions of snow or desert. I let my gaze fall on Evelyn. “Shall we go to the keep?” "Reed Cavan, Captain of the Thirteenth Regiment." I got to my feet, helped him to his, and stretched to try and alleviate the pain of my landing as we surveyed the landscape. Evelyn used her spyglass to study the fort at the center of the chaos. "There's something in there, but I don't know how to describe it. I don't see our people, but I'll admit I'm not combing the place too thoroughly from here. We should move closer, but go unnoticed as long as possible." I started down the rocky hillside, picking along the ledges of the steep descent and reaching back to help Evelyn over difficult spots. I raised an eyebrow slightly with Evelyn’s idealistic concept of going unnoticed when it would seem we would be clearly spotted in the open field on approach. Regardless, there was little option and I followed the two quietly. As we declined to easier ground I allowed a part of my focus to drift into contemplation. As we walked, Evelyn and I had a terse conversation about strategy and how she absolutely did not have one. I glanced over my shoulder at Alaric. He seemed harmless enough, but it was strange that he'd just been wandering around outside this obvious trap. I stared straight ahead, listening to their hushed dialogue and it’s slight backdrop of apprehension emanating from Reed. His gaze shifted to me momentarily and I barely made any effort to physically acknowledge it. I’m sure he wondered about me. The curious case of the ordinary man. Wandering about Shadow to what end, even I was unsure. When surrounded by an emotional forest, it was sure damn hard to find a clear vantage point. I wanted to make sure she was safe, I knew that much. What distressed me is I did not know when it happened, or even when it started, that I was willing to walk into the fire for her. "What exactly is your plan for getting in?" I asked Evelyn as we neared the keep. We were hailed by a sentry just then, who wanted to know our names and business. "We come from the mountains," Evelyn said. "We just need a safe place to rest." "We don't get travelers through here," said the guard. I could hear the suspicion in his voice. "We are not mere travelers," I interjected. "This is Lady Evelyn if the House of Amber, and she requests an audience with her uncle, Lord Bleys. Send word that she's arrived." The guard hastily left his post at the wall to open the gate. Evelyn glared at me. "This is the opposite of what I wanted," she said. "Your way was not only not going to get us in, it was going to get us caught." I was being insubordinate, I knew. It was difficult to extricate Evelyn the Regent from Evelyn the lover and bow to the former but stand level with the latter. Once we reached the keep I observed in my usual silence as Evelyn responded to the sentry that regarded us. She seemed quite competent on our first meeting within castle walls, but after her and Reeds previous conversation and the shift to a tone of doubt within the sentry's voice I had to wonder. I felt a sudden impulse to step up, and speak the words the watcher needed to hear. There was no need, as Reed interjected before I could. I took note of it however, the sudden familiarity with which he quietly responded to Evelyn's dissatisfaction. “I have to agree. The landscape is inhospitable, and there is no road to speak of. Even if we could gain entry on the pretense we were mere travelers passing by, Lord Bleys would have been alerted to our presence regardless, and the fact we performed needless subterfuge. Best not give him more reason to be curious or suspicious.” I said as the doors began to open. "If we're to be friends, Cavan, you must stop antagonizing me," she said, quiet and brusque. I was sure Alaric was eavesdropping, though; it wouldn't benefit either of us if our ongoing trust were public knowledge, so rather than retort as an irked lover I nodded in deference and say "Of course, my lady." As a guard led us through the courtyard to the citadel, I took subtle inventory of the place--how many men, how they were armed, tactical advantages and disadvantages. I dropped back a pace to walk alongside Alaric. "Are you armed?" As we walked I clasped my hands behind me and took in my surroundings. It wasn’t long before I began a tangential wondering about the implications of being bound to a Shadowalker to simply sustain such a place, let alone furbish and arm it. Reed fell back a stride to meet mine. “Does wit count?” I responded dryly as we passed a burly man dressed in iron armor. His eyes watched me from their corners and were matched with a quick nod and smile of my own before once again I faced forward. “The only weapon I carry is clearly in sight. And I’m afraid I’d be no match in a fair fight. ” We started up the stairs. “I would imagine our weapons will be confiscated within a few moments regardless.” "Which is your dominant side?" I asked. There was a chance, however slim, that Lord Bleys would let us keep our arms if he was keeping up a friendly facade. I let my gaze slide over to him for a moment, “Ambidextrous.” I was reminded of the few weeks in Shadow before Naddia’s meditations led her to the Keep, where among other things, I had begun basic training in martial arts. It was and continues to be a smart venture for a life of unpredictability and risk out in Shadow. "Good, that's good." I straightened my coat and used the movement to mask unclasping the strap securing my blade in the scabbard. "If things get interesting, cover my left." (OOC: Is Evelyn armed with anything btw?) I nodded quietly. He seemed a bit too optimistic that I’d be of any real use in a fight, but I supposed if it came to such a thing a borrowed sword would be better than my dagger. Our footsteps echoed off the stone walls as we entered into a large lobby three stories high. The centerpiece of which, was a fount containing a thick wispy smoke like substance that emanated a soft white light that brightened the room. (OOC: She has a sword on her hip and a dirk in her boot. She dresses practically when she's out adventuring. Riding pants, boots, blouse, coat. A lot like a Ranger, actually.) The interior of the fortress was stark and utilitarian, but the ornate fountain in the center of the room affected the entire scene, making it all seem mystic and fae. I felt entirely out of place, but kept my face expressionless. The guard escorting us left as I looked up to the ceiling and the vantage points of the upper floors. It was a shame guns did not work in all shadows like swords did. I felt I was straddling the fence between apprehension and comfort as we stood suspiciously alone in the room. Eventually I heard footsteps approach and a man I recognized as Blaine entered the room. He stopped suddenly taking in the scene and then pressed his hand to his forehead with a mixture of disappointment and disbelief, “Great.” I could hear him mutter before lowering his hand and quickly approaching. “I’m going to assume you’re waiting for the Lord of this Keep? It’s Bleys. Evelyn, do not cross him. We’ll need to play nice to get out of here. I’m going to leave so he doesn’t know we’ve spoke.” As he finished he continued his trajectory, making his way to the other side of the room and exited with a closed door behind him. I glanced at Alaric as Lord Blaine left, hoping he knew enough to stay quiet for this. Evelyn's uncle might detain us if he thought we were a threat, but if we were simply mute muscle to him, he might let her keep us around. We wouldn't be much help to anyone in a cell. As my mother would say, 'Speak of the Devil'--Lord Bleys himself entered, trailed by a man I'd never seen before. "Evelyn, what a pleasant surprise," said Lord Bleys, and I could see why he was so well-known for his charm and affability; if not for the fact that Evelyn distrusted him, I'd think him our friend. "May I ask what changed your mind?" "I was looking for my cousins, and that led me here," she said. Once Bleys entered the scene my gaze locked straight ahead. Naddia had always referred to her family with much disdain. In my time interacting with them, I could see why she had wanted to estrange herself so completely. The Game was ever present, politics and machinations underscored every action and word. If one does not have the proper constitution I would imagine it would weigh heavily on the heart and soul. It was a fascinating thing to observe, and different from the one that I was brought up to play. The stakes where individualistic here, and blood ran cold depending on the time of day and power sought. I felt Reeds eyes upon me and blinked a quick sideways gaze of recognition. He was disciplined and focused, a model solider, and an Amberite one. I was sure he was deciding on what to think of me, certainly still cautious of my true intentions. I was glad that it was not me that Lord Bleys was questioning; I've wit but no cunning, and he would have eviscerated me in seconds. Evelyn, however, managed to get us all invited to stay as guests--with the unspoken provision that we didn't try to escape or take control or in any way behave as anything other than glorified prisoners. She asked about quarters and he replied, "Up the stairs and down that corridor. I'll have someone show you, and you can wash up for dinner--but before you go, I'd like to introduce you to someone." He brought forward the young man who accompanied him. "This is your cousin, Rinaldo. Son of Brand." This newcomer took Evelyn's hand and bent over it briefly in a gentlemanly gesture. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you." It only tripped her up for a split second. "I wish I could say the same, but I was unaware of your existence until this very moment," she said. With all the sly grace of a lady, she excused herself as well as the two of us, and we followed a servant up the stairs. I blinked in mild surprise when Rinaldo entered the equation. However, listening to Evelyns words, it was mildly abated. It seemed this man was an unknown to more than just Naddia. Although, it was safe to presume she would know of him by now. I counted my blessings that our stay here would be, for the time being, pleasant; and when it was time I quietly made my exit with the others. The servant stopped in front of a particular door in the corridor, opened it and waved us in, then excused himself promptly and bluntly. Evelyn unclasped her cloak and tossed it onto the bed. The room was stark and undecorated; Spartan. I liked it, but she looked as though she felt out of place. "Follow me," she said to Alaric, and she went out into the hallway and started knocking on doors. I stayed in doorway as Evelyn and Reed walked into the room. Evelyn didn’t waste much time and was promptly out and about in the hall trying to find what I was correct in presuming Naddia’s door. She made short work of her task and eventually a door clicked open and Naddia was on the other side. It took her a moment, a moment Evelyn wasn’t interested in accommodating. She pressed against my shoulder and pushed me through the threshold to Naddia, who stepped back, still surprised at the situation. I bit back a comment when Evelyn shoved Alaric at Naddia. She had run out of patience for the situation, clearly. "Found him outside," she said simply, turning to go back down the hallway. I stumbled slightly from the force and in one smooth motion Naddia touched my arm and brushed past me. She seemed keenly focused on Evelyn. “Hey- wait. Why are you here? How did you get here? You were supposed to stay in Amber.” "Well, I'm here now," Evelyn said, sounding exasperated, "so let's just end this thing. Where's Shade?" She continued on to the next door and opened it. "Maybe I should secure the rooms before you burst in," I suggested to her in a low voice. I caught up to her pace as she walked after Evelyn, whom had just found Ronin. I cracked a small smile at Reeds comment as we picked up Ronin and continued down the hall. “I’m not sure where Shade went, last I saw of her she was exploring the fortress.” Naddia commented as Evelyn opened the last remaining door in her path to find Blaine. “Oh? You’re looking for Shade?” He commented walking out of his room and made his way to the stairs just a few feet away gesturing upward, “By all means. After you.” We walked up the stairs rather quickly, Evelyn continuing to take point. “Alaric,” Naddia leaned over in a hushed tone, “We are going to need to have a talk later. Why the heck did you come here?” I let a long huff of air escape my nose as we reached a big oak door at the top of the stairs. Evelyn immediately began to knock. Naddia widened her eyes in realization, switching her focus away from me, “Evelyn, I forgot to tell you someth-” “Who’s there?” Shade’s voice called out from the other side. "Evelyn," she declared herself at the door. In the blink of an eye, the door was flung open and a woman I recognized as the daughter of Lady Fiona pounced on Evelyn, practically shrieking "I'm so happy to see you!" Almost instinctively, I jumped in to try and pull her off of my charge--it was no secret the disdain they held for one another--but the full force of my strength is barely noticeable to an Amberite. Evelyn pushed her away, saying "All right, I get it, you don't have to be a bitch about it!" I raised an eyebrow as I heard footsteps rushing against the floor in a hurry. The door flew open and not a moment after we entered the room Shade pounced with delight. Naddia reflexively, I image, raised her arm up in a protective fashion. I brushed it aside and entered the room further as Reed made a valiant and futile effort at separating the two. As Evelyn freed herself I took a cursory scan of the room. It seemed Shade had been constructing a chalk drawing on the far wall. One I could only assume that was going to be made into a Trump. “What?” I heard Shades voice ring out in innocence and looked back in confusion as Shade stood there sniffing, on the verge of breaking into tears. “You, didn’t, have…” She blubbered, “to be so mean!” she managed to finish her sentence before she broke into tears collapsing into Naddia. I cocked my head as Naddia looked up to Evelyn, who seemed to be just as stunned as I was; which I found comforting, at least I wasn’t the only one who found display this extremely out of character. Naddia simply nods silently, a nod that is also shared by Ronin who then steps forward pulling Evelyn aside. “We don’t know exactly what’s going on with her but she’s been this way ever since she showed up here. She’s been…well, caring and hospitable. And when we questioned her about the sudden personality change she’s denying that there’s anything different about her at all. It’s been quite disturbing really.” Edited by aluckymuse, Apr 15 2016, 03:57 PM.
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2:58 PM Jul 11
