"Pathetic..." he thought aloud in a low whisper.
The thought of his own imprisonment was beginning to wane on his patience. How long would these carpetbaggers be able to control Bane? He'd always despised the political atmosphere surrounding the unofficial capital, but being this close was nauseating. He wanted nothing do with these filthy miscreants masquerading around the island as laborers for justice. He knew the truth and just how spineless they were in lieu of ambition, power, and of course self-preservation. No doubt indicative upon the unfortunate curse of being human. Short lived creatures and unpredictably vicious in more than a hundred ways. Still there are those that continue to rise above the affliction to one degree or another, but these maggots defile their own race for shear amusement it seems.
Unable to contain his anger both fists start to curl inward flexing the skin over his knuckles white. Then, without warning the memory he has desperately tried to suppress since living it obstinately engulfs his vision:
Once again the interrogation room comes into clear focus as he sits on the hard wooden chair, the only source of light coming from a rusty oil lamp he brought. The solitary light sufficiently illuminates the magistrate in his shiny red armor as he sits across the table with a quill in one hand and a thick piece of parchment resting before him. Hovering in the shadows adjacent to the magistrate is the general, Orteg.
"He has switched sides long time ago." Said the magistrate in a casual voice. And following it up by saying, "He even lead a whole group against the Temple."
What a blasphemous world he thought as the pained laugh of irony suddenly brought him back to the present. He didn't give a damn about whatever fabricated story they conjured up to justify pardoning a malignant cultist. All he could hope was that Juliana was far away and that the authorities would not find some reason to inflict the death penalty.
Quiet Reflection.
Moderator: Gamemasters
Someone in a nun's habit kneels down by the cell holding a lone elf.
"Are you okay?", she whispers. "I overheard you, and I know things may seem pathetic to you. I want you to know though that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The divine will provide a way out I promise you. Be of good hope, remember the light in the locks of a friend, and wait on the divine with alertness."
"Are you okay?", she whispers. "I overheard you, and I know things may seem pathetic to you. I want you to know though that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The divine will provide a way out I promise you. Be of good hope, remember the light in the locks of a friend, and wait on the divine with alertness."
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Juliana D'cheyne
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:14 am
- Contact:
Pacing on the ship, unable to forget the halfling's dove even as the crumbled parchment lazily drifts on the waves, Juliana's frustration typically begins to turn to anger while her hand comfortingly grips the hilt of her sword.
When she first saw him it was only to help train, he seemed strong and willing to learn quickly surpassing her. The small things he did and said turned from the initial frustration with this elf to emptiness when he wasn't near. Had she ever told him her feelings at the time.. probably not. Maybe it was all imagination on her part that she saw a glimmer of feelings returned. Maybe he only wanted to learn his blade, enjoy the time then go on his way, after all he talked of the betrayal of one he loved on the mainland... his heart could have been hardened long before they met. Juliana may have been simply an interesting, easy way to train.
Rightfully blaming her for his new scars when the temple almost killed them both, the pain of Davien's rejection was deeper then even the most extensive of her scars, somehow changing her....was it permanent? For the longest time she didn't care what happened to her, in fact encouraged danger, defying, even taunting those to harm her physically yet keeping all at a distance emotionally....Juliana didn't care if she lived or died. Then finally the shield over her heart began to harden, finally she could take a deep breath and not wish it was her last.
The man said it when he locked her up and made her look deep inside .. he knew. He told her she would get nothing but unconditional love from him.. why did that frighten her? The man called her cold, maybe she was... did she even care? Watching yet not seeing the crumbled parchment disappear with the rays of the sun as night settled on the sea, Juliana turned to her cabin absently packing to disembark on the next port of call before finding a ship back. Only sure of one thing in the mix of emotions threatening to engulf her...she couldn't allow Davien to be harmed, not because of her anyway.
If her name wasn't mentioned in the charges against the elf, she could just ignore the entire thing and let fate take it's course, after all he would probably cringe if he saw her anyway. Was it years ago now, has it been that long?Davien, the elf also known as Eleazar has been arrested on the charges of Claiming false status to Authorities, Giving false information to Authorities and on suspicion of Obstruction of Justice, aid of the known criminal Juliana, and being part of organised crime.
When she first saw him it was only to help train, he seemed strong and willing to learn quickly surpassing her. The small things he did and said turned from the initial frustration with this elf to emptiness when he wasn't near. Had she ever told him her feelings at the time.. probably not. Maybe it was all imagination on her part that she saw a glimmer of feelings returned. Maybe he only wanted to learn his blade, enjoy the time then go on his way, after all he talked of the betrayal of one he loved on the mainland... his heart could have been hardened long before they met. Juliana may have been simply an interesting, easy way to train.
Rightfully blaming her for his new scars when the temple almost killed them both, the pain of Davien's rejection was deeper then even the most extensive of her scars, somehow changing her....was it permanent? For the longest time she didn't care what happened to her, in fact encouraged danger, defying, even taunting those to harm her physically yet keeping all at a distance emotionally....Juliana didn't care if she lived or died. Then finally the shield over her heart began to harden, finally she could take a deep breath and not wish it was her last.
The man said it when he locked her up and made her look deep inside .. he knew. He told her she would get nothing but unconditional love from him.. why did that frighten her? The man called her cold, maybe she was... did she even care? Watching yet not seeing the crumbled parchment disappear with the rays of the sun as night settled on the sea, Juliana turned to her cabin absently packing to disembark on the next port of call before finding a ship back. Only sure of one thing in the mix of emotions threatening to engulf her...she couldn't allow Davien to be harmed, not because of her anyway.
The inquisitor sat lonely at his table, writing as always on his large scrolls, only the shimmering light cast by a flickering oil lamp barely piercing the darkness of the room. The hour seems to be late, as only two guards can be heard dragging their feet along the hallways, patrolling their shift.
"Inquisitor.. Someone posted this on our boards", one young guard says, entering the room slowly, as if worried not to disturb the man from his late night work. He hands him one parchment seemingly just unpinned from the guardboard.
The man slowly extends his armored hand, takes the parchment and after reading it, he carefully folds it and slips it in his bag.
"And to think that I was about to release Davien.. I am growing soft..", the Magistrate mumbles in a low voice, before turning his helmed head towards the guard.
"Have the Captain prepare the Torture Chamber, Davien shall be "put to the question". He shall tell me everything he knows about these bandits and especially about the criminal Juliana. Everyone has a breaking point..." The guard bows and leaves the room, closing the door after himself.
Resting back on his wooden chair, he gently begins to fold his scrolls, setting them for the next day of work. "Your lies about her name and her history with the Temple, only made it obvious about your guilt in protecting a fugitive. Let us see if she is willing to return the favour, or let you die here, in her name."
"Inquisitor.. Someone posted this on our boards", one young guard says, entering the room slowly, as if worried not to disturb the man from his late night work. He hands him one parchment seemingly just unpinned from the guardboard.
The man slowly extends his armored hand, takes the parchment and after reading it, he carefully folds it and slips it in his bag.
"And to think that I was about to release Davien.. I am growing soft..", the Magistrate mumbles in a low voice, before turning his helmed head towards the guard.
"Have the Captain prepare the Torture Chamber, Davien shall be "put to the question". He shall tell me everything he knows about these bandits and especially about the criminal Juliana. Everyone has a breaking point..." The guard bows and leaves the room, closing the door after himself.
Resting back on his wooden chair, he gently begins to fold his scrolls, setting them for the next day of work. "Your lies about her name and her history with the Temple, only made it obvious about your guilt in protecting a fugitive. Let us see if she is willing to return the favour, or let you die here, in her name."
Although he was not in solitary confinement the overall mise en scène was infectiously rhythmic. Day and night footsteps echoed outside his cell some clanking others thudding. Guards with louder voices could be heard ranting about this, that, or the other while they patrolled begrudgingly. The days were easy to mark off because mealtime ran like clockwork, three meals a day, each bringing a fresh waft of air through the stagnate room. His cellmate, Bernie Bottoms however, had to be in some sort of coma because he hadn't woke since Davien's arrival. Time doing as it does best stretched on leaving the elf with only his thoughts to keep him company. None of which were soothing at the moment so it came as a complete surprise when he stood up and heard a voice addressing him. He paused instantly to listen.
"Are you okay?", she whispers. "I overheard you, and I know things may seem pathetic to you. I want you to know though that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The divine will provide a way out I promise you. Be of good hope, remember the light in the locks of a friend, and wait on the divine with alertness."
At first he didn't know what to say as he tilted his head with a thoughtful expression. The voice was soft even for his acute hearing, but he caught every word on the whim. Not in the least bit apprehensive he leaned forward his footsteps taking him closer to his feminine visitor. Arching down by the door he spoke in a clear whisper,
"I am fine, for now. Soon I will be 'put to the question'." His voice changing into a lower octave when reiterating the magistrate's words. After a low chuckle he continues, "I have seen that light before, it makes no difference to me. This island, this town... will never change." With a frivolous smirk he lowers his gaze to the small crack beneath the door. Taking a deep breath he inhales the fresh scent of the incoming breeze, perhaps able to catch her fragrance. Then in one smooth motion he turned on the ball of his foot and sat, leaning his back against the fortified door.
"Are you okay?", she whispers. "I overheard you, and I know things may seem pathetic to you. I want you to know though that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The divine will provide a way out I promise you. Be of good hope, remember the light in the locks of a friend, and wait on the divine with alertness."
At first he didn't know what to say as he tilted his head with a thoughtful expression. The voice was soft even for his acute hearing, but he caught every word on the whim. Not in the least bit apprehensive he leaned forward his footsteps taking him closer to his feminine visitor. Arching down by the door he spoke in a clear whisper,
"I am fine, for now. Soon I will be 'put to the question'." His voice changing into a lower octave when reiterating the magistrate's words. After a low chuckle he continues, "I have seen that light before, it makes no difference to me. This island, this town... will never change." With a frivolous smirk he lowers his gaze to the small crack beneath the door. Taking a deep breath he inhales the fresh scent of the incoming breeze, perhaps able to catch her fragrance. Then in one smooth motion he turned on the ball of his foot and sat, leaning his back against the fortified door.
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Juliana D'cheyne
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:14 am
- Contact:
Not even waiting to land, Juliana begins her plans. Hoping her message to Davien was delivered and understood, Juliana sends other doves to people like her yet ones she knows she can trust. Some admittedly only up to a certain point yet they all understood each other.... the ones proficient in staying in the shadows until they desire to be seen, the loners, ones that look on the world with a critical eye biding their time to act. With a handful of silver added to his bag, the Captain orders a brief stop at a deserted part of Gobaith allowing one lone figure hidden in a cloak and hood to disembark before sailing to the harbor.
When the woman on the other side of the door didn't respond he exhaled in frustration and let his head thud against the door behind him. With it came a spark of enlightenment; the woman didn't come to console him but to convey a message. Remembering her words verbatim made it crystal clear who sent her and who was coming. He'd feared the coming event would transpire but resented the ploy setup by the powers that be. He was never a real suspect but he was certainly good bait. He'd tried to keep her name out of the conversation when the preliminary questioning started, but it was no use with the former leader of the Temple being a turncoat. Not even Gynka could be so corrupt to allow a former cultist to become a political ally. The magistrate had called it repentance, but as far as Davien was concerned there could be no forgiveness for a fiend like Avalyon.
With a cold laugh he pictured Avalyon returning to his brethren of the Temple with a smirk when it came time to shed blood for their malefic god. With any luck Davien would be far away when that time came. For now though he had other things to worry about after his previous realization about Juliana. She was coming back of that he was sure but why? Of course he was imprisoned, but why should she concern herself with rescuing him? When he tried to communicate with her she simply left the island completely. There was no understanding women even after 6000 years of life. From the way the general, Orteg, and the magistrate spoke about her she was one of the most notorious criminals on their hit list. Just what the hell had she been doing?
He couldn't help the indulgent laugh that escaped while he let his imagination wander briefly. Sadly, before he could completely formulate a believable story voices echoed from below. He recognized one instantly, the magistrate, and after several exchanges he heard his name crop up. Today was going to be the day, he'd prepared himself but would soon be subject to the cruel ingenuity of an inquisitor. Far below the city he could picture the torture chamber that awaited him: curdled in blood, moist with infused sweat, seething from the heat of a lit furnace, and morbidly terrifying with the jostling tools of torment. It didn't take long for the foreboding footsteps to reach his door and unlock it. As the magistrate swung open the door the burning light behind him stung Davien's eyes. The orders were simple and Davien remained silent as he was lead down toward the dungeons. Just as he had envisioned the dingy narrow dungeon lead right to a torture chamber.
Davien remained calm this was not the first damned chamber he had to enter. Others came with the deafening wails of tortured souls all around, but this one was silent and ominous. Unlike some of his previous encounters with torture chamber this time he had nothing to hide, but he knew better than most that the truth wasn't always what the inquisitors wanted. He was directed to the stretching table mounted in the middle of the room surrounded by puddles of congealed blood and a noxious aroma. Resistance was futile so he approached the table and his impending punishment casually. As he turned and sat waiting for the magistrate to secure his restraints he trained his venomous yellow eyes on the magistrate. The shadowy figure in the background was just that a backdrop nothing more. His only concern was with the punisher, his inquisitor.
Shackled at the wrists, roped at the ankles, and stretched taught he never let his eyes fall from the magistrate. Davien ignored the panicked thump of his heart even when the magistrate contemplated his tool of coercion. There were so many to choose from and even more ways to inflict the necessary or unnecessary pain to get answers. Nevertheless, he did his best to focus and answer the questions directly without hesitation. He asked several questions about Juliana and her involvement with the Temple. Obviously, none of this stuff actually mattered and Davien himself was unclear about her original involvement with the cult. The only uncertainty that arose from the inquisition was why Davien returned.
Why had he? As bad as it might have appeared he didn't fully know and the magistrate misinterpreted his thoughtfulness for deception. The magistrate wanted answers so he coxed Davien with the blistering rod he nearly smelted in the furnace inches over Davien's chest. Without it even touching his skin the heat burned and blistered his skin red. He gave the only answer he knew which was that the island was still the newest place for an elf that had lived for several millennia.
What a grand welcome he thought in retrospect as the magistrate said he was free to go. With only a stretch of irritating skin from chest to naval he was undoubtedly lucky. Perhaps that elf he spoke with in town was right about the magistrate, brash but honorable. Could a man like that really be amongst such snakes and swindlers? So many questions and unresolved issues lay before him that it was hard to keep track of it all. He sat exhausted from mental anguish only paces from the prison's front door looking upon the stream with an aimless gaze. Before he knew it he was fast asleep before the babbling brook.
With a cold laugh he pictured Avalyon returning to his brethren of the Temple with a smirk when it came time to shed blood for their malefic god. With any luck Davien would be far away when that time came. For now though he had other things to worry about after his previous realization about Juliana. She was coming back of that he was sure but why? Of course he was imprisoned, but why should she concern herself with rescuing him? When he tried to communicate with her she simply left the island completely. There was no understanding women even after 6000 years of life. From the way the general, Orteg, and the magistrate spoke about her she was one of the most notorious criminals on their hit list. Just what the hell had she been doing?
He couldn't help the indulgent laugh that escaped while he let his imagination wander briefly. Sadly, before he could completely formulate a believable story voices echoed from below. He recognized one instantly, the magistrate, and after several exchanges he heard his name crop up. Today was going to be the day, he'd prepared himself but would soon be subject to the cruel ingenuity of an inquisitor. Far below the city he could picture the torture chamber that awaited him: curdled in blood, moist with infused sweat, seething from the heat of a lit furnace, and morbidly terrifying with the jostling tools of torment. It didn't take long for the foreboding footsteps to reach his door and unlock it. As the magistrate swung open the door the burning light behind him stung Davien's eyes. The orders were simple and Davien remained silent as he was lead down toward the dungeons. Just as he had envisioned the dingy narrow dungeon lead right to a torture chamber.
Davien remained calm this was not the first damned chamber he had to enter. Others came with the deafening wails of tortured souls all around, but this one was silent and ominous. Unlike some of his previous encounters with torture chamber this time he had nothing to hide, but he knew better than most that the truth wasn't always what the inquisitors wanted. He was directed to the stretching table mounted in the middle of the room surrounded by puddles of congealed blood and a noxious aroma. Resistance was futile so he approached the table and his impending punishment casually. As he turned and sat waiting for the magistrate to secure his restraints he trained his venomous yellow eyes on the magistrate. The shadowy figure in the background was just that a backdrop nothing more. His only concern was with the punisher, his inquisitor.
Shackled at the wrists, roped at the ankles, and stretched taught he never let his eyes fall from the magistrate. Davien ignored the panicked thump of his heart even when the magistrate contemplated his tool of coercion. There were so many to choose from and even more ways to inflict the necessary or unnecessary pain to get answers. Nevertheless, he did his best to focus and answer the questions directly without hesitation. He asked several questions about Juliana and her involvement with the Temple. Obviously, none of this stuff actually mattered and Davien himself was unclear about her original involvement with the cult. The only uncertainty that arose from the inquisition was why Davien returned.
Why had he? As bad as it might have appeared he didn't fully know and the magistrate misinterpreted his thoughtfulness for deception. The magistrate wanted answers so he coxed Davien with the blistering rod he nearly smelted in the furnace inches over Davien's chest. Without it even touching his skin the heat burned and blistered his skin red. He gave the only answer he knew which was that the island was still the newest place for an elf that had lived for several millennia.
What a grand welcome he thought in retrospect as the magistrate said he was free to go. With only a stretch of irritating skin from chest to naval he was undoubtedly lucky. Perhaps that elf he spoke with in town was right about the magistrate, brash but honorable. Could a man like that really be amongst such snakes and swindlers? So many questions and unresolved issues lay before him that it was hard to keep track of it all. He sat exhausted from mental anguish only paces from the prison's front door looking upon the stream with an aimless gaze. Before he knew it he was fast asleep before the babbling brook.
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Juliana D'cheyne
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:14 am
- Contact:
Telling her to quit this plan, that she made things worse by simply coming back to Gobaith...Juliana realized he was right but also knew she couldn't stop even if no one agreed to help. What were her plans after... she actually never thought of any having this foreboding yet recurring image of replacing Davien in the jail. He called her a "good woman", shaking her head as she looked out on the desert in the noonday sun, her hair windblown and wearing no armor for the first time in ages, Juliana sighs deeply pulling the smell of palm, tangerine and the faint smell of fish into her lungs knowing she could very easily get used to this place. No, she wasn't good, just selfish. The nightmares she had of Davien burning at the hands of Avalyon had plagued her for years...she wanted no new ones. Actually surprised at the number of people willing to help..not realizing how many she actually knew and liking the ones just met, the plan proceeded easily and all that was left was the wait, the date and new hideout arranged. When the dove arrived from the Governor wanting to trade a key to the jail for a killing, she could easily tell him her interest in Trolls Bane stopped at the jail though suspecting a trap, she would have only agreed to meet as a last resort.
Pulling off her leather gloves, Juliana partially kneels in the sand with one thigh length boot flat on the sparkling grains, the other behind as she picks up a stray sandberry before enjoying the sudden flow of rich juice past her lips, then accomodating the palm near to sit in the shade with skin already less pale...slightly darker while she stares at the horizon, thoughts remaining pensive.
The aftermath of the sudden whirlwind planning.. Davien simply released with barely an explanation was anticlimactic. The least she could do was thank all that would have helped and offer to help them in return when needed. Thankful to use the tavern for the party, her anxiety grew almost as if still planning a jail break.
What brought you back?
Davien asked of her and she told him the expected, the pat answer...he never asked why she left.
When the last bid their farewell at the party Juliana slowly almost reluctantly stands declining a portal as she places a hand on the door knob only to realize it was locked. Chuckling she turns toward him as he asks almost reading her mind.....
Do you want to talk?
She should tell him no, she should leave knowing he would unlock the door.. all she had to do was to ask. Yet she didn't and her lips blurted out something unexpected.
Yes.
Pulling off her leather gloves, Juliana partially kneels in the sand with one thigh length boot flat on the sparkling grains, the other behind as she picks up a stray sandberry before enjoying the sudden flow of rich juice past her lips, then accomodating the palm near to sit in the shade with skin already less pale...slightly darker while she stares at the horizon, thoughts remaining pensive.
The aftermath of the sudden whirlwind planning.. Davien simply released with barely an explanation was anticlimactic. The least she could do was thank all that would have helped and offer to help them in return when needed. Thankful to use the tavern for the party, her anxiety grew almost as if still planning a jail break.
What brought you back?
Davien asked of her and she told him the expected, the pat answer...he never asked why she left.
When the last bid their farewell at the party Juliana slowly almost reluctantly stands declining a portal as she places a hand on the door knob only to realize it was locked. Chuckling she turns toward him as he asks almost reading her mind.....
Do you want to talk?
She should tell him no, she should leave knowing he would unlock the door.. all she had to do was to ask. Yet she didn't and her lips blurted out something unexpected.
Yes.