Arcaea/Dining Hall/Rondo on the Theme of Siegfried
Thunder crashed and rain fell on the city of Nocaneb, as Richter stood on the roof top adjacent to "The House of Silk and Light", watching and waiting. He had been tailing Harmony for a few days now, keeping an eye on her just in case, and trusting no else eyes but his own.
He was taking no chances this time, if his father WAS still alive, and Richter wasn't about to believe he would die so easily, he would find his lesser offspring ready for him if he was to repeat his performance.
'By Aeniel, I applaud her stamina but this is just EXCESSIVE,' thought Richter as he paced the edge of the building for the second time.
Richter had been waiting for her to leave the house for nearly a day now, and his patience was beginning to wear thin.
Normally Richter would have left the rash decisions to his brother, but as the rain began to soak through his thick black cloak, he decided that a little rashness might be what the situation needed.
So after several moments of navigating the thoroughly drenched roof tops of Nocaneb Richter found himself atop the shingled roof of the house of loose virtue.
Taking slow careful steps to avoid any slips he edged across the roof hoping to find an empty room he could sneak into.
A sudden explosive crack of thunder ruined that plan, however, causing Richter to misjudge his next step causing him fall onto his back and slide down the well lubricated roof.
His hand struggled to find purchase, but he fell to fast for any to be found. Before Richter knew where he was the roof left him behind and he felt only empty space beneath him.
Instinct took over as his arm extended out to catch his fall, finding purchase in a wooden beam. The force of the whiplash caused him to loose his grip, as well as rip his shoulder from its socket, causing him to swing into a first floor window, and into the room currently occupied by the Lady Harmony and Lady Adine, face first.
Richter groaned as he forced himself to sitting position, snapping to attention as the first knife landed where his head rested moments ago. He cursed under his breath as he rolled out of the way of another barrage of knives, not noticing, or caring at this point, who threw them as he retreated across the room. He banged into a wall, and pushed into a sitting position, reaching up to to remove his hood as a knife impacted upon his dislocated shoulder causing him to curse in pain and pinning him to the wall behind him.
He removed his hood and grabbed another knife from the air seconds before it impacted with his right eye, before another one embedded itself in his hand and pinned it to the wall above his head. With no options left to him Richter closed his eyes, and waited for them to ethier recognize him or kill him, which ever came first.
Richter Massey Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
Harmony grinned happily at Adine as she made her way towards the door. Here was a woman after her own heart! She felt almost herself for the first time in days. And going out with a new friend and finding a little entertainment (but, not too much entertainment, Arlian would be furious if she got anyone killed again) was just the thing she needed to get fully back into the swing of her life once more.
Then the window shattered and her heart stopped to see a large, hooded figure fly through it and hit the floor. Her blood felt like ice in her veins...he wasn’t dead...he wasn’t dead...he wasn’t dead... She seemed to be moving in slow motion as she reached for the knives in her boots. From the corner of her eye she saw Adine in motion...thank everything that breathed she wasn’t alone...but...oh bless...two wasn’t enough...
Harmony was too slow...her knife impacted where his head had been resting a second before, and he was scuttling across the floor...knives chased him...hers and Adine’s and he slid up the wall...pulling back his hood...the solid meaty thunk of her knife in his shoulder and another in his hand gave her hope...she unsheathed her sword and looked into his face...
Oh...
“Adine! Stop!” she yelled and knocked into her friend before she could stick any more steel through Richter’s blasted body.
The ice in her blood turned to fire. Harmony stalked to where Richter was pinned against the wall and leaned in with bared teeth, “What in nine bloody hells are you doing? And why are you smashing through my window? Were you trying to scare me to death?”
She reached up and pulled the knife from his hand and waved it in front of his face, “We could have killed you! Damn and blast! Your family is going to put me in the ground,” Harmony reached for the knife in his shoulder and pulled it free with a little more twist than was strictly necessary.
“You know what...I don’t even care...I am sick of all of you,” and she turned her back on him and walked across the room. She looked at Adine and all her anticipation of the simple pleasure of going on the town with a friend had evaporated...hell, it might not even be safe...safe...
Harmony froze and turned slowly back to look at Richter.
“You don’t think he’s dead, do you?”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Arlian had been resting up a bit in Nocaneb. After helping rebuild both the stronghold and Orbeh, he had needed a break. But he was feeling well rested, and ready for some real activities...Perhaps Harmony was ready to go get the wedding present...And if she wasn't...Maybe a meal...or...something...
Arlian sighed. He really needed to stop thinking like this. Really really.
Then the man came running up, and frantically reported the attack on the House.
The populace was very happy with Arlian. He'd smoothed over the red tape for all of them, at one point or another, and he had more favours than he could count to call in. One of them had been keeping a clandestine watch on Harmony. If she went missing again...He wanted to know immediately instead of a day later.
Arlian noticed he was running. As if that would do any good. Jenred at least knew a few tricks, might be able to stab Siegfried. But him? The buro? Yeah...Maybe he could cause the damn monster to lose one of his weapons...As it got caught in his ribcage...
Arlian kept running anyway. After all...What else was he going to do...?
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
Under normal circumstances Richter would have made some kind of sarcastic retort to his overtly rough treatment. He would have rolled his eyes, scoffed, and then made his annoyance quite clear to everyone present.
That all changed when he caught sight of Harmony's eyes, starring into him, as if pleading with him to tell her she was wrong and Siegfried was dead.
Richter had seen those eyes, many times before, reflected in a mirror during the days of his youth, and for that reason he sparred Harmony his normally crass manner. He locked eyes with her, his normally grim blue eyes made even more so by the black bags of fatigue framing them.
He turned his eyes away from her, and pushed himself to his feet, forcing his arm back into place with a barely contained curse of pain, it helped to clear his head.
"I spent a day and a half scouring the ashes of the manor for proof that he was dead," he said, finally gathering the courage to speak, "I did not sleep, I did not eat, I picked through each individual speck of ash with a tooth brush," Richter's voice echoed an aching tiredness like someone holding an impossible burden, "I had to be sure, I could not sleep until I knew one way," he paused, knowing full well what his next words would imply, ".......or the other."
Richter let silence flood the room, using it as a buffer to recompose himself, finding his own words terrifying, but also unable to stop himself. He lent against the wall, resting his body against the firmness of the wood, and finding it comforting.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing, nearly two days of non stop searching with nothing to show, no bones, no swords, not so much as a single piece of leather," his voice turned frustrated, angry, and just a little bit scared, "....nothing but ash."
Richter Massey Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
The ice came back. Harmony stared hard at Richter...searching his face...hoping that she would find him to be lying to her for some reason. But, all she saw was truth.
“He’s not dead,” she said it aloud, and her voice sounded strange...it was the terror in it.
“I should have known he wouldn’t be dead...he’s never dead,” she rubbed her face with her hand, “I should have insisted we dig out the rubble so I could cut off his head...we had the bloody man-power for it. We could have gotten search parties off right then...’
Harmony slid into a chair, her sword across her knees, and put her head down into her hands. She had been afraid before in her life—you didn’t live to retire from treasure-hunting unless you had a streak of native-caution and a strong sense of self-preservation—but she had never felt...this...this paralyzing dread, and by all hell it pissed her off.
She jumped to her feet and swung on Richter...
“If you knew, why didn’t you just come and bloody tell me? Why were you skulking about and crashing in my window? Were you keeping an eye on me? Seeing if he’d come back for more? And want to bet that you’re alone?” Harmony advanced on him angrily, a flush on her cheeks and eyes snapping, “Did you tell Jenred or Edara...how about the blasted General? Anyone?”
She cursed at him fluently, borrowing heavily from her little cousin’s...interesting...arsenal.
“One man alone, that’s the Massey way, yes? Well, it’s not the Kindon way...I came here because I felt safe...someplace he wouldn’t know...with people. Clearly that was a mistake, if you can find me...he can. I’m going home...no...first I’m going to send word up to the Castle...then I’m going to send for my men...then I’m going to have them take me home. And you can count that I won’t be going anywhere without an armed escort until that lump of crap is in the ground,” Harmony’s voice grew louder with each sentence until she was shouting in Richter’s face.
“I. Am. Not. Stupid! I am not going to give him the chance to make me part of his insane games ever again. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you and Goffrey, but you need to stop doing things that are going to get me killed!”
Harmony spun on her heel, strode to the fireplace, and pulled hard on a velvet cord that hung there. Suddenly remembering Adine who had stood watching their little comedy with interest, Harmony looked at her guiltily, “Adine...I’m sorry...I don’t think I’ll be up for any...entertainments...tonight. I’m afraid that this idiot here has put me right out of the mood.”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Richter stood where he was, weathering Harmony's assault with an easy indifference, having been yelled at by someone match scary then her in his younger days. In fact, the show of anger broke him out of the terror induced stupor he had forced himself into.
His mind cleared, and with it came the knowledge that telling anyone what he had just thoughtlessly told Harmony, would indeed be a bad idea.
"There's your first mistake," he said, his voice carrying a weighted assurance that he knew what he was doing, "Assuming that I'm an idiot, your second being the notion that I operate on the same methods as my brother."
Suddenly the doors flew open, as three partially dressed soldiers burst into the room, their swords held high, ready to be brought to bear.
"We heard a window break my Lord, anything to report," said the first one, his eyes darting about the room.
"Relax, its under control, return to your post," said Richter.
"Yes sire, come boys, we still have 20 minutes left in our shift," said the first one, as he ushered the other two back down the hallway, an exulted look in their eyes as they made their ways back to their 'posts'.
"And who said I came here alone," said Richter, once the three were alone again, "and if you must know, I've had 3 men here rotating in and out ever sense I tailed you here. On top of that I have 2 more across the street having a heated philosophical debate, with 5 more down the street in a local Tavern ready to relay any orders I might have to the local guards, should the need arise."
Richter moved his way over to the couch and sat down, pulling a flask from his belt and taking a quick swig before continuing, "The rest are out with Udo, following leads, and tracking down my father's current location."
Richter paused as his eyes caught Harmony's, hoping to stress just how serious he was, "Which is exactly why you can't tell ANYONE that he's still alive, which is also why I didn't tell you, and which is why I didn't tell anyone else I need him to think that no one is looking for him, I want him to think that no one knows he's still alive, so long as he's under that assumption, he'll get sloppy."
"I know how my father works, he's not an idiot, but he also has an ego the size of a small mountain. If he thinks its safe, he'll slip up somewhere, he'll move to soon or he wont move at all, if he does ethier I'll have him right where I want him, but if finds out that we know he's not dead, that all changes my entire investigation becomes compromised and we're back to square one."
He broke eye contact with Harmony and downed another mouth full from his flask, before tucking away back within his cloak.
"Your right, your not an idiot, but your also wrong, because I'm not an idiot ethier."
Richter Massey Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
Harmony looked at Richter incredulously.
“You have men out looking for him...your investigation will be compromised?” Harmony laughed in disbelief, ‘Oh...this is just too rich. Who, Richter Massey, put you in charge of any of this? I know that he’s your father, but...really...you’ve been so successful in stopping him to date.”
She jerked on the bell pull again.
“I wonder...do you really think that Jenred is so lacking in subtlety that he would befoul your investigation? Or that it was safer to let the entire realm think he was dead when he could be out there...right now...kidnapping or killing anyone? Damn you, Richter...you’re following me...what if he went after my father? Or Edara? Or...Idelle...say...I bet no one is guarding her...but do you think her loss would be any less devastating? You are one arrogant bastard, you know that? Risking everyone based on what you think.”
She smiled thinly as a servant came to the door, “At last...send word to my Captain...I want half my troop here as soon as possible...the rest are to guard my father. Go.” The servant scuttled back out.
“I’m done having my life risked for me, Richter. I’ll make my own choices, thank you very much.”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
It's amazing what happens when you run. You have time to think, for one thing...And it occurred to Arlian that while he was incapable of fighting Siegfried...Probably a mob could manage. Shouting while running proved problematic, but he managed nonetheless. By the time he reached the House, he had a good fifty armed (to use the term loosely, he had seen several kitchen knives and at least one pitchfork) men and women following him.
He was confused though. The House appeared to be running normally, although he could see the broken window...He saw a servant run out, and dashed.
"You! What in the Nine Hells is going on?"
After listening to the rather garbled account for some time, Arlian had no clue what did happen, but he knew that Siegfried was not, actually, the cause of this.
Arlian scowled. He really wished he looked a little more...terrifying. When he screwed up his face into a supposedly intimidating expression...Well...Screwed up seemed an unfortunately accurate description...
He did have boots though. Heavy, hobnailed boots. Could do serious damage, with boots like that, especially to someone who was, apparently, pinned down.
Arlian marched up the stairs, the servants letting him by (he had been here before, and they certainly knew who he was. Besides, he tipped well.) although one ran ahead to inform Harmony that he was coming.
Arlian pushed through the door and saw Harmony, a noblewoman he did not recognize and...Richter? What in the Nine Hells...?
"Harmony? Is...I...Well, I was informed of the break-in...Thought it was...Hm. This is rather embarrassing..."
Arlian flushed a little, but felt somewhat relieved. He wasn't really a fan of dying, after all, and it seemed that possibility was remote now.
Although with Harmony right there, tripping over his tongue was a real possi-...Bad Arlian. This is not the time...
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
Harmony was astonished to see Arlian enter the room, though less surprised when he said he had been “informed”...he had spent a lot of time working with the people of Nocaneb; he was bound to have made some interesting contacts. She gave him a twisted smile and said brightly,
“Hello, Arlian...welcome to the rather fun party that we’re having. Richter decided to come by way of the window...for novelty. Apparently, he’s been following me about...in case his bloody dog-vomit of a father shows up to catch me again...because he’s not dead. Can I get you a drink? Wine? Brandy?” She turned to the cabinet, “Yes, dammit...brandy...that’s just what I need.”
Suiting actions to words she uncorked a bottle and poured a generous amount into a goblet.
“Anyone?” She flourished the bottle in query, “Oh yes...Arlian, Richter...I’ve been remiss...this is the Lady Adine...Adine...Richter and Arlian,” Harmony nodded at each in turn before downing fairly half of her drink.
“So, Arlian...anything new with you?”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Arlian scraped out a nod to Adine, and a mumbled "Milady" before turning back to Harmony.
"I'll have a shot of that brandy myself...And...The way you say this...Makes it sound like you know the bastard is still alive? I had my suspicions...But..."
Arlian trailed off. Ye gods, this was a mess...
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
Adine, who had been watching the drama unfold with no lack of interest, suddenly felt a little claustrophobic. This was clearly a situation she had no part in for the time being. After making the rounds of greeting and retrieving her knives, she moved close to Harmony.
"Keep them on you, don't be afraid to use them, and I'll meet up with you later. I'll be on the lookout. If I see him, he's dead, and I'll bring his filthy head back here to show you," she murmured in a low voice to Harmony.
With a flourish of her cloak she bowed and walked out of the room. A servant stood waiting. "Milady, a carrier pigeon brought this for you," the servant said as he handed her a letter. Adine unrolled it and quickly hid it. Finally, a proper job to do.
Adine Evadne (Dame of Remton)
Richter sat where he was and saw everything he had been working for fall apart before his eyes. He saw his father slipping through his fingers, countless dead left in his wake, as he killed his way to Richter's brother. Last of, he saw his father, standing triumphant over Goffrey\s broken body, his head held aloft in Siegfried's outstretched hand.
Rage built within Richter, a lifetime's worth in a split second, so much so that he was literally quaking with it, as he strode over, pass Arlian, and to the doorway of the room the now two nobles were standing in. Slowly he closed the door, latching the lock in place, before leaning his head against the door itself and taking several deep breaths, a futile jester of control.
Suddenly, he lashed out at the closest thing to him, a nightstand next to the door, and sent it hurtling across the room to shatter into splinters against the wall. He eyes where like his father's as he glared at Harmony a mixture of disgust and frustration contorting his face.
"You," he said, his voice deeper and darker now, "YOU........do you have any idea WHAT YOU'VE DONE? DO YOU HAVE EVEN THE FAINTEST GRASP OF HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU'VE JUST SENTENCED TO DEATH? WE WERE CLOSER TO SIEGFRIED THEN EVER BEFORE, AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SENT HIM A LETTER WARNING HIM. YOU DAMNABLY IGNORANT LITTLE...."
Curses spewed forth with Richter's mouth, terrifyingly fluent, as the rage of a lifetimes worth of suffering was verbalized for any within earshot to hear. Paint all over the city peeled awhile, while orphans cried tears of blood, as Richter curses poured forth unto the word. Then suddenly, he stopped, as the flickering of the candles caught his attention, distracting him from his unholy rant. Richter's inhuman eyes beheld a decorative mirror, reflected back at him was the face of his father. Shock replaced rage as Richter blinked away his father until he saw himself in the mirror's surface. He stood staring into the mirror, silently daring it to change back to his father as shock and horror writhed under his sky. Suddenly a white hot pain exploded within his lungs, and blood split from his mouth in terrible wrecking coughs. Richter stumbled back in pain, collapsing against the wall, as one shaking hand pulled a blood stained handkerchief from pocket, as another shaking hand withdrew his flask from the other. He closed his eyes as he brought the flask to his blood stained lips and gulped down a good half of the liquid within. Slowly, Richter opened his eyes, once again steel blue, as he brought the handkerchief up to wipe away the blood.
"I'm sorry........you had to see that," he said from his position against the wall, exhaustion laced through his voice, "I guess.........its true what they say........he who hunts monsters......should take care......not to become a monster himself."
He rested against the wall for a bit, finding the will to go on, before continuing.
"You have to understand something," he said, as he pulled himself to his feet, "My father, however insane he might be, IS NOT STUPID, and he has a purpose, every move he makes is a steep towards achieving that purpose. I choose to focus on guarding you, because to my father, you are worth substantially more then anyone else, because your a means to that end....."
"You have a choice now," Richter said, standing tall once again, "If you revel the truth of my father's status to the world, then you damn my investigation to failure, and my father roams free to do as he sees fit. If you choose to keep it a secret, then my father becomes vulnerable and easy to track, but the rest of the realm becomes just as vulnerable."
A hardness returned to his eyes as he stared into Harmony's, "All I ask of you is to weigh the odds, are you really willing to bet everything, EVERYTHING, on the false assumption that you know my own father better then I do?"
Richter Massey
Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
Harmony was sorry to see Adine go, but clearly their fun night had been put on hold...there would be another time. When Richter strode to the door and locked it, she was bemused and a little irritated...whom did he think he was locking out? Then, he went mad...
The flying table shocked her but it was Richter’s face as he began to berate her that caused her to take an involuntary step back. His face...his eyes...they looked just like his...For a long moment, she was frozen...his tirade rolling over her...while she stared at those eyes and terror clutched at her. When he began to cough up blood, she remembered to breathe...when he kept speaking, she remembered that she was angry.
“You...” Harmony choked on the words and began again, “You...your brother...your father...it’s a conspiracy to drive me insane, isn’t it? No matter what I do or say...none of you listens to me. You go forth completely convinced that you are right in every situation.”
Without warning, the goblet she had clutched in her hand sailed across the room to impact with Richter’s head.
“How many times can I say it? What is wrong with you? You go through the world blind to every idea but your own! I have sentenced people to death? Because you have the idea that your men skulking around are going to be able to stop him?” Harmony was shaking with anger and frustration...she wanted to throw more things at him...she wanted to scream.
“I am going to tell my father...I am going to tell Jenred...I am going to tell Edara...then we are going to discuss the best way to handle this situation. You...you don’t get to make decisions for the rest of us...based on some screwy logic that only you know what’s best.”
She grinned at him sourly, “You’re just like Goffrey...both of you want to play the lone hero...both of you think that you know all the answers. But, both of you are wrong.”
Harmony slumped back down into the chair, feeling suddenly weak...and gods...so tired...so tired.
“Leave me alone, Richter...I can’t stomach the sight of you. Oh, and,” she raised her head to look at him, “Don’t ever call me ignorant again. Ever.”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
When Richter began screaming, Arlian had considered walking up and kicking him. After a look at Harmony's face, he thought against it. Right now, more unreasonable violence seemed like a bad idea. After listening closely to her response, he made a few choice remarks of his own.
"Allow me to clarify, Sir Richter. You seem to be informing me that you, with your limited resources, time, and apparently mental capacity, are far more capable than my esteemed brother, who, despite his faults, is King of Arcaea. This, mind, is the same man who was at the forefront of taking a realm from the brink of destruction to the position it currently enjoys. He certainly didn't do it alone, either. In fact, he has talked often of the great help he enjoyed from various, and allow me to emphasize, high-ranking and powerful friends. He has the entire resources of this realm, and via his friends, several other realms at his disposal. He is also subtle enough to stalk monsters many times his strength, power, and numbers without once being wounded in his hunts.
To date, the Massey family attempts to deal with this...problem...Have been ineffectual. And to counter your next point, yes, so have those of everyone else. But, please explain why in the names of all the gods you think that anyone else can do anything useful when you and your brother CONTINUE TO WITHHOLD VITAL INFORMATION!"
Arlian abruptly realized he was shouting, and that his fists were clenched. Calm, calm, this couldn't help matters...Arlian took a deep breath before turning to Harmony.
"Lady Harmony, since I seem to have an armed mob handy, would you allow me to escort you to the castle proper to inform my brother and your cousin of this very belated finding?"
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
Harmony listened to Arlian speaking to Richter gratefully. The Massey brothers had a way of making her wonder if perhaps she were going crazy...they were so obstinately against anything that she had to say...but no...Arlian was agreeing with her, and he was the most practical and least mad person that she knew. She wasn’t even surprised that he yelled, having been on the receiving end of his wrath before. The memory made her smile ruefully for a moment.
“You know what, Arlian...I would be delighted to be escorted by a mob...I’d take five farmers with pitchforks about now; anything to get out of here.”
She rose and began sliding knives back into place about her person. Sheathing her sword, she faced Richter, “We’re leaving now. We’re going to the Castle and we are sharing this information. What Jenred decides to do with it is his business. Now...you can come with us...help us. Or you can get out of our way...but we are leaving now. You should get those holes in your flesh looked at in any case.”
Harmony smiled grimly at Richter and left her hand on the pommel of her sword.
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Richter felt himself die right at that moment, as surely as if Harmony had drawn her blade and run him through right then and there. He slumped back against the wall and covered his face in his hands, deaf to their words and numb to their presence. He stayed that way for an uncertain amount of time, before he realized that he was being addressed. Slowly Richter moved his hands away from his face, the light in his eyes already gone, as he stood on his own two feet again.
"Do whatever you want," he said, his voice the epitome of hopelessness, "It doesn't matter anymore."
"I tried...I really did," he muttered under his breath apologetically to no one as he crossed the room, "...it doesn't matter anymore."
He stopped at the coffee table and threw a bag of gold down onto it, reparations for the window and the nightstand, before turning back to the two, "I'm pulling back my hunting party back, he'll be gone before they get anywhere close now, and my men watching you Harmony, will be gone within the hour...there's nothing left for me to do...it doesn't matter what I do...I'm dead...I'm already dead."
Richter Massey Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
There was no point in saying anything, so Harmony didn’t make any further effort to try and get through to Richter. Under different circumstances she would have felt some compassion for his hopelessness and despair, and even in her anger she felt a twinge of...no...she shoved it down. Damned if she was going to feel sorry for him.
She picked up the sack of coins, weighed it in her hand. Yes, that ought to be more than enough. Harmony nodded at him. She would give the money to Vivaine on the way out.
“Arlian,” she turned to her friend, “Shall we?” Harmony didn’t wait for his answer, but strode for the door.
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Arlian strode after Harmony and offered his arm once they reached the door, acting the courtier's part to the hilt, with a wry grin for the irony of it all.
"A stroll, milady? I hear Nocaneb is quite pretty by torchlight, and, well, we have torches! And pitchforks. What a happy coincidence. Admittedly, I would prefer a walk under better circumstances, but...Such is life."
It was a gamble, but he was hoping the absurdity and slightly macabre humour would work...
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
She couldn’t help herself; Harmony had to smile. It was crooked, and the little puff of air she let out could hardly be construed as a laugh, but it was the best she could do. She eyed Arlian with a hint of her usual humour, and inclined her head at him.
“Why Sir Arlian, I do believe that you are correct...it is a lovely night for walking. A stroll to the castle? Why how charming of you to suggest it,” she placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her from the room.
“I have always longed to see Nocaneb by the light of torches...” she continued the conceit as they walked, “...accompanied by a mob...and with pitchforks you say? I shudder with pleasure. Will there be clubs? Or other farm implements?” Harmony paused for a moment and said in her normal tone, “You know, I can’t believe that you really gathered a mob and ran here to face Siegfried...”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Arlian flushed.
"Um...yes, well...You know, lot of work, you going missing...Was terribly boring in Nocaneb and Orbeh for days...Everything put on hold, such a mess..."
Could he have bungled more? Possibly...not...
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
Harmony looked at Arlian quizzically. What the devil was wrong with him all of a sudden? Was he embarrassed that he had rounded up a mob for no reason? It wasn’t as though he could know that it was only Richter. Damn him.
“Yes...I’m sure that it was quite a mess...so sorry to have caused you extra work by being kidnapped.” She was aiming for light hearted, but her own words caused a shiver to run through her and she grimaced.
“Actually, you know...I’m not ready to joke about that...especially not now. Not while he’s still out there,” Harmony shuddered more, “Let’s talk about something pleasant while we walk,” she gave him a slightly pleading look, “Shopping, say? Our gift?”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
They had appeared by the time Richter reached the window he had originally crushed in his entrance. Apparitions of his father, lurking just on the edge of his vision, mocking him, taunting him, all the while laughing that damnable laugh.
Darkness surrounded Richter rendering everything as a meaningless blur, blocking out all noise into an incomprehensible ring.
He looked over his shoulder at two such departing blurs, nothing more then forgotten memories at this point, about to be swallowed by the darkness.
"Aenil help them," he said to himself, the first pray he had uttered in a long time, "Though you have already forsaken me."
With that he pushed out into the darkness of the night, harassed constantly by the specters of his father. 17 years of hardship had solidified him against such abuse, he marched on, confident that he could endure.
It was painfully quite outside, despite the rain, and lonely, but such was death, it singled a man out more then anything else.
'Heh,' thought Richter sardonically, as he continued his trek to someplace he had already forgotten, 'Dead man walking.'
Richter Massey Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
Arlian relaxed a little at the change of subject.
"Ah, shopping...Always a good idea. I think we should spend the night in Nocaneb, and head off to Remton tomorrow for our shopping trip. If, for no other reason, then you still owe me a stew!"
Arlian grinned and nudged her. He was looking forward to the meal. He was unfortunately even more interested in merely spending more time with her...He quashed that line of thought ruthlessly. Even assuming she might possibly be interested someday (a large assumption given his appearance), this was most emphatically not the time.
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
“Oh stew,” Harmony echoed wistfully, “Yes...I’d like some stew...I’d like to cook. Let’s do that, Arlian!”
She turned to him with enthusiasm, “After we go speak with Jenred and Edara...let’s go back to my house and do that. I don’t want to stay and talk more about Siegfried or listen to strategies. I’d just like to go home...and cook. What say you?”
She turned her mind to the soothing routine of being in the kitchen...yes, that was just what she needed: to do something normal, ordinary...like she used to do before she was a lady and everything got...odd. And, Arlian was just the company for it. Harmony smiled fondly at him. He was the only friend she had here who really knew what it was like to be...different.
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
"I say...That sounds excellent!"
They had reached the outer castle now, and Arlian gratefully dismissed the mob, promising to come by and explain it all later. They waved cheerily, and more than a few winked...Which Arlian steadfastly ignored. Well...Tried to.
As he did this, Harmony requested an audience with Jenred and Edara who, shockingly enough, were together. The real surprise was that they were immediately available. So lucky, those two...Arlian shook his head as they were escorted up by a full contingent of the castle guards.
"This should be...interesting. I'm betting Jenred is going to be quietly enraged. I'll give you good odds..."
Arlian grinned sardonically, tilting his head.
Sir Arlian Bedwyr (Knight of Orbeh)
Harmony quirked her brow at Arlian, “That’s not a bet I’m prepared to take...though I wouldn’t be surprised if he were less than quiet.”
She pondered for a moment, “I don’t really know your brother all that intimately...not sure how he will respond to something like this. Not well, I know that much.”
They had reached the main entrance and went through into the Hall. Edara and Jenred were just entering from the other side of the room...arms around each other as always. Harmony did wonder what that would be like...to love that way. Edara disengaged herself and hurried across to greet her with a hug.
“I wanted to have you come up to the parlour, but the message said this was an official meeting...with the King and the Duchess...not a family visit,” Edara searched her cousin’s face, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Harmony was not happy about spoiling Edara’s pleasure so soon before her wedding: what a gift this was. Jenred had reached them and greeted them formally--if somewhat ironically--and stood waiting to see what business his brother and cousin had with the King.
She looked over at Arlian, feeling suddenly uncertain how to begin. She felt another tremor as the thought she had been avoiding resurfaced in her mind in all its terrifying glory. Arlian gave her a nod that seemed intended to be reassuring, and oddly, was...so she just...said it.
“Siegfried...is not dead. Richter went through the rubble and ash with a fine-toothed comb and found...nothing...no sign of bones or clothing...weapons...nothing. He and his men have been watching me for days, waiting for Siegfried to...make some...attempt on me,” her voice dropped as she thought of Siegfried ever laying hands on her again.
“He’s out there...somewhere...right now...” she nearly whispered it. She looked at Jenred and Edara and Harmony was surprised how badly she just wanted to cry...she never cried in front of anyone, and damn if she wasn’t shaking again.
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Jenred had been still himself when Arlian and Harmony had entered, not quite sure what he was needed as, but upon hearing Harmony's words he immediately drew himself up, and was unmistakably the King.
"I see. I will deal with Richter later, but for now, I can offer some better protection than last time. You won't see them, but you may rest assured that you will not be out of sight. If you wish...We had the castle here thoroughly surveyed after...last time, and even Siegfried will have difficulty dealing with full squads of guards. Beyond that, I will ask, but not command, that you keep this information to yourself. I have a few ideas to implement, and one of the perquisites of my position is that I can give orders and refuse to give explanations, so word should not leak. Do you have any questions or suggestions?"
Jenred looked at three intently. This was not something to be left for a later date...
Sir Jenred Bedwyr
Edara looked sidewise at Jenred. This then was The King. She was used to him being decisive and gravitating naturally towards control of a situation...but this was...a sort of transformation. Even though he was wearing his regular clothes, she could almost see the Robes of State upon him. It was...exciting...a tiny bit alarming...but exciting...
She focused her attention back on the matter at hand. “Oh yes...you should stay here, Harmony. That horrible man’s not getting in my Castle again. You’ll be completely safe.”
Harmony smiled slightly at her cousin, “I’m going home, ‘Dara. I should have done it sooner. I’ve just been...letting the monster win. But not anymore.” She turned to Jenred.
“I won’t be saying anything about this. I...we...” she indicated Arlian, “Just felt that you needed to know...so that measures could be taken...people could be protected. I will appreciate any...additional protection that you have to offer...particularly for my father. You can be assured that I won’t be going anywhere without armed guards, but it would...I couldn’t stand it if my father was harmed because of this.”
She sighed and rubbed her face, “As for ideas...I’m fresh out. I just want to go home.”
Lady Harmony Kindon (Dame of Nocaneb)
Jenred nodded.
"Home you go then. Everyone in the Kindon households will be watched, have no fear. If these men can find high-ranking nobles taking all precautions against being followed, they can keep track of people staying in plain sight."
Jenred summoned one of the servants and held a short low-voiced conversation before dismissing the man.
"It is done. Once Duke Tharion's visit is completed, Magistrate Madelena and I will be having a conversation with Richter."
Jenred's lips thinned, and his eyes narrowed and dimmed to mere points of fire.
"We shall see..."
Jenred shook his head, and slipped back to being merely Jenred Bedwyr again. He gave a crooked grin.
"Perhaps you two could spend some time with us under...hm...better circumstances sometime soon, but for now, I think we will leave you to your own devices. Edara, we should go inform Dougal..."
Jenred firmly steered her out of the room.
Sir Jenred Bedwyr King of Arcaea
Continued in Boiling Stones
