Goldwater Family/Wolfram/A Long Day

Roleplay from Aila Storme

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

In a City far from home and alien in its appearance she had spent the majority of her day locked in a room with some of the most important people on the Continent. Usually it was something she could be happy about, but today she just felt worn out and with her guard gone to accompany the Duke Lucius and his son she was feeling somewhat lonesome as well. She wandered the corridors of this foreign palace with just Wolfram more than not during this long visit, preferring the freedom of smaller numbers rather than bringing around the retinue of minor nobility she would usually have milling about for appearances. Here she had no desire to appease anyone but Cayden, and judging by the gift he had given her, the big ugly blade at her side she had accomplished that much at least. Music would make her feel better, she decided in an instant as a familiar shadow of an old Falcon flitted by the tall windows leading up to a hall known for attracting bards and noble artists alike. A place for minds to meet, artisans to trade secrets, Duchess’ to relax. A piano could be heard long before Aila got to the doors, she admired it for what it was though she had never been allowed to play it. Not traditional, or classical, or proper or any of the things her Mother had made sure to raise Aila to be the example of. Harpsichord had dominated her childhood education, and she loved it even now. The sight of keyboard with its white and black keys makes her heart jump with excitement as she enters the room, it’s player turned and distracted. Aila had always wondered what would happen if she played those keys instead, but never had ventured that far. Today she would not either, and pushes those thoughts from her mind easily. The click of a heel belonging to an expensive boot accompanies her as she finds a seat among the many situated around the room. It is delightfully vacant with only a few artists practicing on their own, a relief for the well known Noble. She looks opulent, draped in lavish silks cut in local styles and very elegant with hair, her braided neatly and tasteful application of makeup but also; very tired. “I adore love songs” She calls out to the anonymous Piano player in a voice much kinder and more hopeful than she is known for. Normally she would not be so blunt with a stranger about her desire to hear soppy sickly love songs, but Aila Storme had endured a very long day.

Aila Storme (Duchess of Northern Eponllyn)

Roleplay from Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

Cai had wordlessly played his song for a while, Amelie, Edward and Harold had entered the hall, Amelie giving Cai a friendly pat on the shoulder, they told him that the minor courtiers had been dismissed by the Queen and other members of the higher nobility before their meeting began. He shrugged and continued to play as the other three courtiers joined in his song, they played together for a short time before splitting off throughout the hall to perform their own pieces, Amelie playing her violin whilst Harold and Edward played their lutes and quietly sung about some sailor and some mermaid or something. After a while the sound of clicking heels on the stonework brought Cai out of the almost trance like state that he entered when he got lost in his music. He heard someone sit down somewhere in the seats. He flinched as a voice called out almost causing him to hit the wrong note, the voice was kind and hopeful, Cai smiled to himself. He straightened his back and spoke without turning his head from the piano. "As you wish, a love song then." He flipped over the pages of his song book finding a page with a song titled the Knight and His Love. He began to play a serene tune, the tune was hopeful and almost joyous sounding. "Upon the rolling winds, his banner fluttering high, his castle growing nearer in it's towers he saw her eyes, days and weeks passed him by as rode evermore oh he would ride until he finds his darling Eleanor. For he gone too long his war harsh and fierce but he still he came back flower in hand for his darling Eleanor. Oh he was a knight brave, on the rocky cobbles he rode for her love he craved. Golden sun set to night as he reached the castle's might, through the gate and through the halls he searched for darling Eleanor. A rose he did find upon his throne, a trail up the tower he finally was home. Up beyond the flights of stairs, songs of love had filled the air and up the tower he did go, he knew he was rid of all his woes." The tune grew more hopeful as he sung until it suddenly slowed and the simple serene tune returned. "At the door he did pause, would she even love him though, after all they had been through alone for months his wife did stew but as he opened up the door, he was rushed and loved by his Eleanor, happy and free tears did shed for gladness that her love was not dead and hand in hand with smiles bright they had their love by the starlight and to war again he would never go, he'd never let his Eleanor go." The tune slowed and died out as he finished singing, he paused and sighed. He reached to his cheeks and found they were wet with tears, though he did not understand why. He wiped his eyes and took a small sip from his flask of water. He spoke again. "Was that to the lady's satisfaction? I fear my skills are not in love songs." He waited for a response. (OOC note, Apollyon/Cai is a good musician, I however am not. I think the tune worked alright in my head cause I actually sang this to myself as I wrote but if it's terrible I apologize.)

Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny (Knight of Troyes)

Roleplay from Wolfram Goldwater

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

"Some wine, Your Grace?" Wolfram assumed position to the side of Aila's chair, reaching out and claiming another noble's jug for his own. "I'm still wondering about the man you sent me to find. I have asked all around the city and the castle, but despite everything, no one had heard about an Apollyon Daubeny."

Wolfram Goldwater (Knight of Troyes)

Roleplay from Aila Storme

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

Beautiful. Just the sort of song she loved the most, full of sorrow and longing, memories, longing and most of all a happy ending. Aila is silent while she listens, relaxed and focused on the words of a song she had never heard before. She had known an Eleanor long ago, a small smile appears on her lips as she recalls harassing the woman as a young knight. It had been good fun for her then, mischief like that was one of many things that had long lost its luster to her over the years. The song faded into nothing and she was left feeling discontent in its absence, waiting for more but only getting a question from the player himself. She does not answer his question directly, but instead asks bluntly “What are you skilled in then?” before being startled altogether by a gruff voice beside her. The Pianist forgotten, the Duchess turns startled in her seat and finds Wolfram standing there with wine in hand. She looks shocked, then states with astonishment in her voice “I thought you had gone to Poiters already?” She stands from her seat, receiving the drink from him without thanks and sipping thoughtfully. “I have been here as long as you. I feel if he were here with us we’d have seen him by now. Just rumors, always rumors.” More wine, then she takes her cup forth to the piano where she lays it on the top improperly and sits beside the mysterious bard. “I play keyboards, but never a piano. Do you know anything from Sirion?” She asks hopefully while venturing to play a few notes in the upper octaves on his right. Finally she steals a glance and-falls straight off the piano bench onto the floor as white as the ghost she had just seen. All in the room turn to witness the normally poised and proper Duchess on her bottom, frozen on the floor in shock. The Duchess cannot believe it, the music she had heard every day on her way to the meeting halls, he had been under their nose the entire time- “Are you- here to kill me?” She asks in a voice thick with dread.

Aila Storme (Duchess of Northern Eponllyn)

Roleplay from Wolfram Goldwater

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

A loud thump made Wolfram turn around, stunned in shock for a second. "Your Grace?" Still unable to understand what was going on, Wolfram began pacing towards the piano, concerned about his Liege. And then, as his eyes shifted from Aila to Cai, her question made him freeze in place, his eyes widening with sudden understanding. "OI!" he shouted, leaping across the room.

Wolfram Goldwater (Knight of Troyes)

Roleplay from Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

The lady seemed almost annoyed as she asked what Cai what he was good at, he heard a new voice presumably speaking with the lady, the two conversing. He returned to paying the quite sad melody he had been practicing before the lady had asked him to play the love song. He did his best to not eaves drop, focusing on his music until he heard a name. "Apollyon Daubeny." His fingers suddenly felt as if made of lead and he hit his piano discordantly causing a rather horrid note to play. He felt strange as his vision began to cloud over red. "APOLLYON!" A gruff commanding voice screamed and the man felt the world around him drop away. --- His brother spun him around and slammed a black steel plated fist into Apollyon's own black helmet, denting it and causing the man to stumble backwards. He shook his head and looked back at Duncan who just pointed towards the white castle. "GIVE THE ORDER, ABIGAIL'S OPENED THE GATE!" He nodded and with a mix of dread and despair at what ha come to pass he strode forward throwing his left arm forward and screamed. "ATTACK! AVE QUOD LEGIO! FIGHT!" Fiery catapults fired their devastating barrage against his old home and his kin. He charged forward, cutting down any of the white clad soldiers that got in his way. He heard a different voice shout his name, a female voice pleading for help as she screamed out "SER APOLLYON!" --- When he turned around the scene of the siege had disappeared, he was standing in the middle of Ashtown but the buildings were still all standing and the volcano looked different, he looked and saw two men cad in back armor with iron skull masks. He felt a rage bubbled as he saw them surround his marshal and friend. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" He charged forward and fought against the closest, parrying and slashing out, cutting his throat which gave his marshal the chance to beat her opponent. She was always so skilled at fighting. He turned away from his marshal and looked out over the desolate grey rock looking for any sign of attackers. He heard his marshal's voice again but as she spoke his name but there was no concern or fear in it, her voice was kind and warm. He felt her hand touch his cheek and he turned back to look at her, she hugged him and kissed him beneath the tall tree. He glanced to see if any of the General's staff had seen him, he saw nothing and committed his effort to the kiss. Wrapping his arms around her as a bright blush came to his cheeks. They parted and he smiled "I love you Lorelai." A voice cut through the happy scene "Ser Apollyon, this is all your fault. --- He looked up from the war map to look at Ser Goldwater. "Jacelyn. I never meant for this to happen, we both know this." The man shook his head and with slight scoff let the room, he glanced and saw the disapproving gaze of the Queen. He looked back to the map and sighed as he planned for the battle of Perdan. "Apollyon, brother, did you you'd really think you'd win? a cruel but beautiful voice spoke. --- He drew his sword and aimed it towards his half-sister who sat upon her throne with eyes full of cruelty and contempt. He glanced back at his friends, he had to fight to protect them, this was his battle. He wouldn't run this time. He charged forward sashing down the black clad knight in his way and as he launched himself at Abigail she fired her crossbow. He felt a snake bite down into his shoulder and his world went black. "Ap-pollyon?" the next voice was filled with dread and fear, he had never meant to hurt her. --- He looked down at the Duchess, she was laying on the cobbles of Perdan City, he neck bruised, her fearful eyes looking at his own blazing red eyes both of them full of tears. He felt a bottle break against his armor and he felt as if he was a puppet on a string. He fought against the pulls of his strings and ran away, shock and horror that he could possibly hurt his liege. The sound of an arrow be loosed filled the air mixing with the shouting and the sounds of the fire as the purple inferno he had started consumed the city around him. The arrow found purchase and stabbed through his shoulder, he paused and almost recoiled in pain as it finally registered, the world was so loud, he saw the same arrows Aila always used piercing his flesh, he looked back to her and saw a look of malice and hate. He deserved this and he wished that she had taken her second shot but instead she didn't and Apollyon ran towards the docks. --- He heard someone fall off the bench beside him and saw Aila looking at him with same fear as last time. But why? That was all just nightmares, right?

Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny (Knight of Troyes)

Roleplay from Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

Apollyon stood and looked down at Aila confused, concern written all on his, why did she look so scared. Had something happened? Then she asked him something, words that burnt into his mind “Are you here to kill me?” Those words brought with them a weight heavier then a mountain, a leaden weight that dropped his heart into his stomach as the sudden realisation hit him. He felt something inside him twist and sting like a dagger being stabbed into him. His eyes went wide with shock as they filled with tears and Apollyon sink to his knees. He looked down at his hands, a flash of memory of choking his friend. His friend who now looked at him as if he was death incarnate, come again to steal her life away. He clutched his head and let out a dread filled sob. “It was real then, that night…I am sorry.” He felt weak and he heard someone rushing over. He spoke a familiar resolve burning in him. “No, my liege…my friend. Never. I am not here to hurt you, I never wanted to hurt you or anyone that I did that night.” He felt the small amounts of hope flickering out within him. “I am not here to kill anyone.” He looked down and sunk deeper into himself. “I know you’ll never forgive me, I can’t even forgive myself. I promised to protect you and yet I… I am so sorry Aila. I should have been stronger, I should have resisted. Or better yet. I should have just jumped from the tallest tower in Perdan City and have saved you all the trouble like I had planned to.” He waited, accepting whatever blow was to come next, he was ready for it. He deserved it, he deserved her hate. He was just another Blackstone monster that should have died in the fire that had consumed the Legion.

Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny (Knight of Troyes)

Roleplay from Aila Storme

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

For a split second Apollyon has a look of concern on his features as if he might reach down and pull her up from the floor like he had all those years ago. He did not, instead falling to his knees in front of her staring at his hands then at her, sending her scrambling backward away from him before she could get the sense to stand up. He stayed there like that, begging for her forgiveness and assuring her he was not going to hurt her- long enough for her to catch her breath and slow her racing mind. Long enough for her to take in the sight she had been served. Aila steels herself as she had done a thousand times, her armor was a simple scowl and a crossing of her arms as she peered down at him. He looked pathetic to her now, and she found it all the more embarrassing that he had nearly been the one to put an end to her a few years ago. Then through the embarrassment came an amusement and all at once she could not help but laugh- how something this weak have made her so much stronger. “You cannot kill me now, just as you could not do it then. You couldn’t do it if you tried every day until you die. I see that now.” The Duchess stands her ground above him “Step back Sir Wolfram, your skills are wasted here. Like a childhood terror it melts in the light. . . Apollyon Daubeny instead of granting you a death I curse you. I curse you to live in my sight knowing that you can never best me. I curse you to work tirelessly just to prove yourself worthy to breathe the same sweet air as my precious Canas of Troyes.” Her back is turned to him at last, utterly unafraid of what he might do to her as she prepares to leave him there “I curse you to have the chance to redeem yourself, as I rise like the flames in Perdan."

Aila Storme (Duchess of Northern Eponllyn)

Roleplay from Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

Apollyon was still reeling from the flooding memories that blinded his vision and deadened his hearing. All he could see was their faces, twisted with grief and rage. Their screams and the roaring fire, the warmth. It coated him and stuck to him like a thick oil. He breathed out a long sigh and looked at Aila who cursed him out, he blinked confused. “You….you would accept my service as a knight, you’re giving me a chance?” He felt a flicker of something new enter the swirl of emotion that had washed over him like a tidal wave. A flicker of hope, Apollyon stood shifted to a kneel and bowed his head. “I will not rest, I swear I will prove my worth, I will prove to you and to all those who’s call me monster that I am still a Son of House Daubeny, I won’t let you down.” He stood, he looked to Amelia and the other courtiers who looked at him with shock. He took a step forward and they all backed away in fear. He paused as familiar voices laden with hate and malice licked at the edges of his mind. “Murderer, Monster, Madman, Fool, Worthless, Coward.” The voices called him. He sighed and stood tall, turning away from the courtiers. He looked to Sir Wolfram and then Aila who still had her back turned to him. “Duchess, though I doubt you care, yes. I do know a few Sirionite tunes.” He felt his sense of control failing and he hesitantly asked. “Do I have your leave then? I must prepare my provisions if I am going to leave Kalmar.

Apollyon (Cailinn) Daubeny (Knight of Troyes)

Roleplay from Aila Storme

Message sent to All Nobles in Eponllyn

There is a hopefulness in the voice of Apollyon Daubeny that gives even Aila pause, though she does not turn around to face him even then. Instead she stands her ground busily pulling on a pair of riding gloves retrieved from somewhere in her skirts. The mention of Sirionite songs makes her heart ache, not for the man but the piano she had only gotten to admire for that one short, terrifying moment. “You are correct, I do not care.” A gesture toward Wolfram summons him to her side and sighs “I believe I will go to Poiters with Lucius after-all.” An uncomfortable silence later, Aila leaves abruptly while commanding Wolfram to “Tell him he can go” before she leaves the room at a brisk pace, expensive skirts swaying as she does. “He has a lot of work to do.”

Aila Storme (Duchess of Northern Eponllyn)