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Brothers; Edrik Greford & Darieal Letholdus
Topic Started: Nov 7 2012, 02:33 AM (436 Views)
Volksgeist
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Edrik and Darieal were led deeper and deeper into the Alabaster Keep, down winding stairs and eventually into the dungeons.

To Darieal, the sight was in no way comforting. He had only recently been liberated from the oppressive place with hope on the horizon and the wild man that had plagued him behind but, now, all hope had been quelled. There was a thirsty, phlegmy silence in the dungeon that was palpable. Something in Darieal knew that the eyes were on him and that the wild man was in there watching and smirking in the dark, his wild yellow eyes glistening with menacing intent. The darkness was oppressive.

Edrik had not seen the dungeons of the Alabaster Keep. He had been busied with the events of the above and had been cautioned not to delve into the dungeons lest he must. He now realized why. They were filled to the brim with terrifying criminals, all of which he could only see as potential murderers or thieves. They gawked and only stirred when they realized that Edrik was clearly of noble birth. It was written in how he walked, how he carried himself, and how his eyes never wavered. His lineage was also clear to many. Yet none stirred as the Aegis led the pair down the central aisle to their cell.

When they arrived, Darieal was sent in first as he was already clad in rags. Edrik was ordered to strip down and put on rags and, after he was done, the guards carried his things off and left them in the dark. It was silent. The "brothers" could speak.
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Flynn The Rambler
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I Get things Done, by being Big and being Bad.
Darieal didnt have much to say, he was mad. He was hurt, and he really did not want to be here again. He walked to the wall and let his weight hang on it. He looked up to the roof and recounted the events and simply shook his head. He didnt say much for quite some time. Then he let out a long sigh and spoke. "I almost had him. I wonder why the gods have cursed me so. I... Things are beyond me. Too many things are beyond me." He slumped against the wall and sat down hard. His head hung low.
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Lithas
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The One
Edrik walked over to the Templar and offered his hand. "Stand up. We can't let this place break us." After pulling his alleged brother to his feet he turned to a wall and paced out the size of their cell. "Regardless of whether we die or not, I refuse to die in any manner but a dignified one." He turned on his heel and double checked his count. "We have to stay sharp. What are the 6 basic teachings of Ongin? And where are they found in the Holy Texts?"

Too often he'd seen innocent men go bad when confined to dungeons. He'd never been in one himself... and had never expected to be in one, but if they could keep active and keep their minds focused they just might have a chance if one presented themselves. It certainly wouldn't do to wallow in despair, and sit in their own filth.
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Flynn The Rambler
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I Get things Done, by being Big and being Bad.
Darieal stood as Edrik helped him up, he couldnt help but smile a bit. "I am no broken man yet, my lord. I simply wished to sit. The six basic teachings? Praise Ongin and the shape that he has blessed us with, praise him for the earth we walk, and the walls we live in. Give thanks to him for are warriors strong and our true strikeing defenders. He gives the flesh we walk in and the protection our soul needs from those that would do harm. They are found under his name in the the holy book, and mentioned several other times as well. I knelt years ago looking at his statue and said my oath. I wonder if he can hear me now. I seek your guidance, oh holy ones. Guide your Templar so he might bring about justice!" Darieal said with a sake in his fist. He held tightly onto is book and looked down. He then nodded. "I will not die in this place. I can feel it. Something that is pulling me out of this place... I need to find someone... My neph-" He caught himself and paced around thinking of his friend and wondering how she faired. He then looked at Edrik "So. Your my brother? I dont know if I believe that. That man seemed to be made of lies...why would he seek to have me killed as well?" He shook his head as he thought it over.
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Volksgeist
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Timeskip
 
Darieal and Edrik were relatively silent and, after the day's issues, they were ready to get some rest.

Both of them picked opposite sides of the cell. The ground, though covered in straw, was extremely uncomfortable and cold. As they readied for sleep, they noticed that water was seeping in through the floor above and covering it. Luckily, the straw seemed to keep them off of it fairly well. Soon, sleep took them, and the darkness enveloped all that had happened during the day. The bellows of thunder grew distant. They faded into sleep.


A clink sounded as someone entered a key into the door of their cell. Darieal was the first to stir and rose, at first just seeing two hulking shapes glistening in the dark. From the relative silence, it was not a terrible assumption that it was early morning. The storm had seemingly passed, as no thunder still shook the heavens.

As Darieal came more fully to wakefulness, he realized that the shape nearest him was someone he knew.

"Darieal Letholdus, wake up. Wake up!" It was an urgent whisper, familiar. Darieal realized that it was the guard, Cormir. Darieal turned to see that Edrik was being risen by the other guard in the same way.

When both were fully awake, Cormir spoke in whispers to them.

"Blessed Letholdus, Lord Greford - I know what I am doing is considered traitorous, but you must listen. I have arranged for a friend of mine, Captain Gyleon, to ferry you from Tearvale to Echo Point. From there, I have arranged for his son, Warder, to lead you into The Orient, where you might find some solace and remain attached to your lives. Accompanying you will also be Lord Westead and the lordling, Harwin Esbyn.

I know what I am doing is wrong and against the oaths of my post - but all of you are wrongly accused. Something terrible is happening to Peleras. Removing you from here for some time might give you all time to find some way to return and rectify the issues at hand. I beg you, follow me."


Cormir looked urgent. He turned to the other guard and whispered to him, and the other guard left shortly after. It was clear he had been sent to get Lord Westead and Harwin. Cormir waited for Darieal and Edrik to speak their minds while the other guard moved to get the others.
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Lithas
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The One
[Sorry about the delay]

[Time: Pre-rest]
Edrik hadn't really considered the accusations about his father's infidelity earlier. However, alone in this cell with his accused "brother" he could see what might pass for family resemblance. "I... I do not know. My father was an honorable man, but he was oft away from his family. It is possible he could have had a mistress and fathered a son by her. I think it's much more likely that Lord Meson simply found a lie and seized it to defame my family." Edrik thought for a moment, then added "Regardless as to our relation, we are in this together. I bear you no ill will regardless of who our respective fathers are." That being said, Edrik relaxed for a while to await whatever would come.

[Time: current]
"Whatever" seemed to have chosen to take the form of a semi-treasonous guard and his friends. Standing, Edrik nodded. "I'm with you. But how will we sneak anywhere in these rags? Anyone will recognize us as prisoners, even if they don't know what we're accused of."
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Volksgeist
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Before Cormir could answer Edrik, the other guard arrived with Lord Westead and Harwin Esbyn. They looked like they had had a much more harrowing time in the dungeon thus far, but in their eyes Edrik and Darieal could see the light of hope - the light of escape. Cormir, turned to all of them then and spoke:

"We will be leading you up through the Guard's Quarters of the dungeon. There, we can get you all clothes in common dress - cotton shirts, leather vests, cotton pants, boots, and simple cloaks. We will also give you each a weapon with which to defend yourselves. We have already sent two others guards before us with your personal affects to Captain Gyleon's ship, so once you get there, you will be able to get your own weapons and clothes. But until now, this will have to do.

Now, what we beg of you is to act natural. Act like an apprentice guard. We have sent a couple of them away for the day to run errands not so far off, though we told no one. You will be playing them. Is this all clear?"


Cormir paused and awaited an answer from Darieal and Edrik, Harwin and Lord Westead nodding in agreement already.
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Flynn The Rambler
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Darieal thought on all of this. He understood what the point was, and why they wanted to do this. "This, is very kind and honorable of you. I appreciate this offer, the Orient. I did think I would ever see that place again. I will gladly follow what ever needs to be done. Unless one of us need to stay behind, then I will offer up myself." He thought about the whole situation, and wondered how this would go about. He let out a sigh. He was ready to go after all. There were people that needed him somewhere. He couldnt help but think back onto Edon. "What of my Nephew? Has anyone seen him?" He asked a bit panicked. He did not want to leave with out knowing his fate. Or at least, trying to learn it.
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Lithas
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Edrik pulled off a sloppy salute and said with a lazy street-drawl "Aye, sir. I jus' do wha' ya say." It wouldn't be the most accurate disguise, and it would pain him ever so slightly to be taking orders instead of giving them for once. The pain of the submission, however, seemed significantly less than the pain of missing his head. He would see his people justly served, no matter the cost to himself.
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Volksgeist
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"Blessed Letholdus, I know not of the fate of your nephew. You never mentioned a nephew when we spoke earlier. Regardless, I should doubt that anything terrible has happened to him. If anything, perhaps he has sought to find you and has failed to this point. With luck, perhaps he has had the sense to remove himself from this place. But, we cannot dwell here any longer. Come with me quickly."

Cormir and the other guard led them up through the labyrinthine tunnels that connected the dungeons underneath the Alabaster Keep. After quite a bit of walking, they arrived at a set of heavy oak doors bearing a black ring. Cormir entered first and then waved them in.

The guard's quarters were longer than they were wide by far and all about were beds and chests filled with personal affects. Cormir led them past a hearth with a low-burning fire and to a chest in which were the items he had mentioned to them before. He gave them plenty of time to change into their new clothes and draw the hoods of their cloaks about their heads. Then, after they had all readied, they moved up a staircase and out into The City.

The courtyard was full of servants, but none seemed to pay them any mind. If anything, Darieal was the only one that they looked at even semi-suspiciously because of his massive size. All of the others blended in with heads bowed and hurried walks after Cormir, who was giving them various fake instructions. Presently, they arrived at the stables.

There, they saddled a number of horses that had been given to the guard for patrol. Each chose a horse and mounted and slowly they road out, winding through the straights toward the eastern gate of the city that would lead through the mountain passes to Tearvale. When they arrived, they were met by the sight of hundreds of caravans, all attempting to leave The City but being detained. A number of people had set up camp, or perhaps they had spent the rainy night there. Regardless, it all seemed to be at a standstill. Cormir told them to follow him and went round the line and up to one of the towers. When they arrived, a voice called out to them:

"Halt! State your names and ranks!"

"I am Cormir Bolton, Aegis Guard and Alabaster Keep Gaoler. This fellow guard of mine and I are taking these apprentices out into the mountain passes to patrol and detain any who may have left in the thick of night."

The voice was silent for a moment and then the gates slid open slowly. As they began to ride through, Darieal's horse reared when a child ducked in front of it, throwing Darieal's hood back, revealing his face. Immediately, a number of guards scrambled and screamed for him to halt.

"Fly! Fly! I will take care of these men! Go!"

Cormir turned and brandished his sword. The rest of the company jabbed their heels into the sides of their horses, throwing back their hoods as well. The other guard took the forefront and charged into the glossy black of the mountains in the early morning light. As they rode, arrows flew past them, smacking their sharp tips against rock only.

The last thing the brothers heard as they rode was Cormir yelling.

---

They rode all day and all night at a steady pace, only slowing when their horses could give no more. There was no doubt that they were being pursued. When the morning sun climbed the sky again, the company found a small alcove in the mountains where they might make fire and rest for a brief moment.

They climbed from their horses and the guard struck a fire. He produced bread and salted jerky from a large pack, as well as some Pepperfog and a bottle of water.

They ate in relative silence.

There was time to speak, perhaps, but not much.
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Flynn The Rambler
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Darieal hung his head low. He thought of Cormir and let out a sigh. "He was a good man. May the Pantheon smile on him." He said while drinking water. Darieal thought about Edon and let out another sigh. He sat there eating and drinking for a time, holding his holy pages close. He wondered why he clung to these things still. The moment passed quickly as he flipped though the old pages. "I know the way to Echo Point. I did not think I would be going back so quickly. It was a odd time, my days in the Orient. I spend more time with sword drawn than I would have liked. A lord like you might find some peace there, no one to remember your face, well few at least. Shame to think that those I called friends down there, will now know me a.. a Tainted, this seems to be quite the test. I have no intention of letting our good change escape us. Are any of you well trained in battle?" He asked the group of nobles before him
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Lithas
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Edrik shifted where he was sitting. The loss of the guard did not pain him too much, as loyal as the man had been. He'd felt worse pain for men more dear to him in the Heights. "Aye, I can fight. I'm not the best, but I know enough to stick 'em with the pointy end of the sword. My strengths lie more in the strategic realm, organizing men into effective positions for battle. To be frank, I've never fought a man with naked steel, and I'm not sure whether I'd stand or fall at the end of such a fight."

Edrik was glad he had been able to avoid battle so far, and he hoped it would remain that way for the foreseeable future. Surely there would be bloodshed in the future, but hopefully that day would be with him safely behind an army.

"How far out are we?" he asked. They could conceivably push the horses farther, but the poor animals would surely not live through the ordeal. A couple of hours rest and the animals might be rested enough to get them to their destination, depending on the distance. They were almost surely being pursued, though, so any rest they took would have to be brief.
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Volksgeist
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To Darieal's question, Harwin spoke up first:

"I have trained extensively with my Master-At-Arms with my father's blade - Hartbane. I have yet to engage in actual battle, but through progress made with the man, Jacks Graye, and my sister, Chanda, I feel as though I could handle my own in a fight."

He let his words trail off quietly. Lord Westead did not answer but merely shook his head that yes, he could hold his own. The motion elicited a feeling that Brom was not particularly welcome to conversation, but would do his utmost to inform the others wordlessly about his capabilities. He seemed like a weathered man, one who had seen strife and had conquered if before. Perhaps it was the loss of his throne that her mourned... or, perhaps, the loss of his family. Either way, he did not speak.

When Edrik spoke, the guard answered.

"We are quite a ways out. Where generally it may take a caravan a week to traverse this mountains at best, our flight has furthered us near the halfway point already. After our rest, we will drive our horses further and hopefully, by nightfall, we will be able to see Tearvale. These mountains are treacherous, but these horses are used to patrol along this route, so their footing is sure and this gives us an extreme upper hand. Any other mounted soldiers may not be so lucky as to get such good steeds.

But, we must rest and let the horses do so as well, if not for a little bit longer. They will perform better and carry us further if we give them apt time. Otherwise, one may buckle under the pressure... and the last thing we need right now is a dead horse or, even worse, a dead rider."
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Lithas
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"In that case, the rest of you rest for now, and I will take the first watch." Before anyone could protest, he added "I do mean that. I'm more than likely the least useful one of us with a blade, so I'm the least useful with sleep. If needs be, I can always sleep in the saddle."
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Flynn The Rambler
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The Templar looked over at his younger brother. "It also means you don't Know what your looking for when being on watch. We could go in pairs of two. These horses are well rode and used to these rides. They are sweating a bit sure, but they are used to worse. I remember with my horse, it would ride at a gallop for hours and I was in full plate. We are light riders, and these are heavy horses, we wont sleep a full night. Give them four or five hours and we can ride at a gallop. No reason to run them now." He smiled at Edrik and stood up, standing over the shorter men in his party. He rubbed his shoulders and held tight to his blade. He missed his old one, greatly now. As well as his armor. It couldnt be helped.

He looked at the other men, he rubbed his scared face and his battle weary eyes focused on them, then on Edrik "No Offence intend, but I know my way around a battle and campfire." He smiled and strapped his sword to his hip.
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