The Forsaken Septenary || Original Medieval RP || IC Thread

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Academy on Armor Island, Montarra
Speaking With: Anna Bele

Donovan glanced up from the enormous amount of paperwork the previous oaf had left unfinished to the girl with the tray. “No, I can handle my own mess thank you.” The girl turned to go when an idea occurred to him. “Actually, wait a moment. Sit down and share with me while we discuss the Academy.”

He wanted a student’s perspective on the situation here, the Academy had been in operation for a little over a decade now and in the past three years their performance had slumped. The previous headmaster had blamed the quality of the students they received, Donovan knew better. Take this girl for instance, her eyes had a calculating quality to them and an air of innocence which was seductive to men with power. Useful for a woman being trained as a spy or a madam…

Kelevra had an underlying aggression the boy hadn’t tapped into, if he had become a knight brute strength would have been the key to success. For the line of work Donovan was training him for, other traits were necessary. He could read people easily, had always been able to, and he could read on the faces of the instructors here that order needed to be reinstated. The system needed to be shaken up to restore pride to this establishment, at whatever the cost.

"What is your name?"

[Diandra Moon]

Location: The Academy
Speaking with: Donovan DeVries

Anna Belle paused from her retreat and turned back to hear what Donovan wanted. A look of wariness crossed her face that might make him think the food was poisoned…Perhaps that was what he wanted to assure himself of? She moved over and took a seat, watching him warily.

“It’s not poisoned.” She took one of the small potatoes and put in her mouth chewing. “See?” But that hadn’t seemed to his concerned. “The Academy?” She wasn’t sure what to make of that. Why ask her? She’d been here for two years…Brought here by this very man. Why would he trust her opinion on the matter? This was a trick…It had to be. Something staged by the matrons to give them a reason to do something she was thus far able to keep from doing, whether she realized it or not.

“My name is Anna Belle Balfour, Baron.” She said, keeping her hands on her lap where he would know they weren’t up to anything. “I‘m afraid I don‘t understand…What do you want to know about the Academy? If the Matrons find out I ate your food, I’ll be trouble if I take more than just a tasting to assure you it isn’t poisoned.”

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Haven, Elysia
Speaking With: Soraya

Vorlander headed back to his home and had the staff prepare the terrace for dinner this evening. They were still in a state of shock that he was taking over the kitchen. “After you are finished setting up, take the rest of the day off until the party.”

Hours later the guests began to arrive and Vorlander was in the kitchen preparing various dishes for the evening. Appetizers were special cheese bread puffs that he had learned in an inn in Rochford. Delicious and addicting, you couldn’t have more than one. Served with it were stuffed mushrooms and clam cakes freshly received from the sea.

For dinner were seven dishes each from a Kingdom, for example, for Elysia roasted Elk with vegetables picked from the forest this morning or from Hackathorn, Chicken in a cream sauce with boiled potatoes and a herb and butter sauce. All of them delicious, all of them freshly prepared by him.

When everything was prepared he greeted them on the terrace after splashing some water on his face. “Thank you all so much for coming. I apologize for not being with you yet but I couldn’t resist cooking for you all. I am honored to have you all here this evening, now please, dig in.” He bowed slightly as the dishes were carried out and the servants took their places next to each dish. "No no, please, I insist, join us for the meal."

[paranoidofyou]

▌Cristina Raine Hawke▐

►Staring at the sun,
No rays down on me,
I call you in my arms,
Embrace is unreal..◄

Wolf(Aella)

The guards led Cristina to the library and when she turned to leave through the large doors instead, the guards shut the doors quickly. She couldn't escape the library or the two men waiting for her either. She grunted and gawked at the doors as she walked over to the two guys as her wolf traveled with her. The dog laid on its stomach, waiting for the plan as Cristina focused on Wraith and Aldrick. Standing in front of the two, she slid her hands behind her back in an uncomfortable way. "Hello sir, well..sirs." She nodded at both of them.

She had no idea who Aldrick was but she had a feeling he had some importance to kingdom. Then there was Wraith, the man she danced with when they "won" the fight. The memory of them dancing felt too dream-like, too perfect. Cristina closed her eyes for a second, trying to keep her mind clear and focused. Then reopened them as she spoke, "What am I needed for?"

►You're moving on,
We'll never be apart,
Just drain my tears
I cry aloud,
You're moving on,
You'll never be a part,
of all my tears
I cry aloud◄

Location: Emera,Valryte
Speaking with: Aella, Wraith, Aldrick

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Academy on Armor Island, Montarra
Speaking With: Anna Bele

Donovan looked at her with careful eyes and then spoke carefully, “Let me be clear Ms. Balfour. I came here to restore this Academy to the standards I hold it to. The matrons do not run this school, I do now. I may have brought you here but you have been here two years and obviously know more about what goes on here day to day than I do.”

He took a bite of potato and it was delicious, he gestured to her to eat more. “I have need of an on the ground perspective, knowing what can be improved, and what can be replaced. I am asking you to tell me in honesty what you would do. There will be no reprisal for speaking your mind.” The girl played things close to the chest, he respected that.

Anna Belle Balfour had been one he had personally brought to this school, in the time since he left her the only reports he had received were that she wasn’t ready. The matrons stopped her advancement and wrote almost nothing about her. Her other instructors outside of the matrons said she was crafty, intelligent, and very secretive. Obviously there were power plays being done here that were not being discussed.

She could be extremely useful to him, once he removed her from the Matrons claws…

[Diandra Moon]

Location: Emyra, Valryte
Speaking with: Aldrick and Cristina

Wraith looked up from his book and grinned. “I know what you mean, but really…Civil wars pop in Noveria, and they are stamped out. It has been a while since the last one from what I have heard, but it’s not exactly uncommon. The only reason I’m not begging the King to go to Hackathorn to help deal with Verity is that there are so many dying in Noveria…Verity…Well, if the plague isn’t killing them, she’s probably too busy enjoying being queen to be too concerned. I do hope the Council keeps a firm hand on her…That woman running wild is a terrifying thought.”

He went back to looking at his book and then back up when Cristina entered. He saw her gaze fix on him for a moment and he smiled in greeting. “What are you doing here? You’re going to be going with us to Noveria. Don’t ask me why…If the King didn’t tell Aldrick, you may have to go inquire it of him yourself.” He grinned and gestured for her to have a seat, using his foot to push it out for her. “We’re discussing our travel plans.”

[Diandra Moon]

Location: The Academy
Speaking with: Donovan DeVries

“You mean aside from letting us all go?” Anna Belle wasn’t sure what to make of the man…She’d heard he was one with whom you did not trifle. Cold, calculating, and cunning. She watched him closely as she took a quill and parchment and began to write down some names. She knew could easily be signing her own death warrant. This was a test of her own. If he did mean to change things…

“A large number of your instructors have taken to helping themselves to the drugs we make in the Apothecary Shop. I don’t mean things for headaches either.” She wrote those names beneath drug abusers. “And they use them to bribe students into picking fights with others who they feel crossed them in some way. Many times it is a student who has crossed one of their little pets.”

Next she did the same with the ones who drank far too much. That was followed by a list of students who were using the instructors to get a hold of contraband to circulate among the students. Then, she simply stopped writing. There were far more insidious things…These would simply get her a beating of some kind, delivered by the Matrons since they had not wanted her marked…If the was a test and she failed, they may not care that she was marked, deciding they had no other use for her.

There were the instructors who took the girls off the island to sell their bodies before bringing them back badly used. The Matrons had been livid and Anna had been ordered to concoct the poisons meant to punish them…She hadn’t minded that chore…It had been justice of a sort. But if Donovan was serious about straightening up the school, he could start with that, and show that he meant it. Then she might be willing to let loose more of her secrets.

“As for the Matrons not running the school…You’d do well of reminding them of that. Your Predecessor left them with rather inflated opinions of themselves.” Then she blushed, her shoulders hunching as she tried to hide her blush. If they found out about that, they’d make her walk with a barbed marble in her mouth to remind her to hold her tongue.

[thiswasdeletedyo]

location: Haven, Elysia company: Jewel, Portia, Soraya, Vorlander

Jasper had enough of the punishment for stupidity. In Noveria, it was his own fault and he would learn from his mistakes. He hated having it shoved down his throat and the dirty water splashed on his face, or the look of pus filled... ugh. "Jewel, I'm hungry. Do you want to get something to eat from the kitchens?" he asked, walking into the room his sister shared. Portia looked up along with her. He stopped with a hand rubbing at his face before it dropped at his side. "Oh. Hi." She seemed to have fewer bruises. If he hadn't known what they were like before, he would think they were pretty bad, but they looked better. He turned back to his sister, she shook her head that she didn't want anything and returned to the game she was playing with Portia.

He stopped and stared at them, nothing else to do until the door behind him reopened and the queen walked in. She informed them of a party and that had them up and moving faster than she could finish who it was for. A party out of the castle--the twins were eager to be somewhere new.

They faced Vorlander Solaris who smiled and told them he had cooked everything himself. He wondered how he did all that when he wasn't a woman. Jasper blinked, and servants appeared with the variety of dishes from every Kingdom. He grabbed Portia and Jewel and dragged them toward the table, tasting their things first. "Food!" Or just Portia's, for his sister pulled her dagger out on him and buried it in the table between his fingers before he could reach her plate...

[Diandra Moon]

Location: Haven, Elysia
Speaking with: The Dinner Guests

She glared at her brother, her hand still on the hilt. It only took Lady Shayde coming behind her to have her removing the dagger from the table and putting back in her sheath. “I was only offering to cut his meat for him.” Though if one went from her tone and glare, she had meant the meat from his fingers that went for her food. She let them think what they wished.

She looked at each of the dishes, helping themselves to extras of the Noverian food. Soraya’s kitchens did well to replicate the food of their homeland, but it was nice to have something of home since they couldn’t be there themselves. Soraya sat down next to her, Lady Shayde watching everyone closely. Soraya offered he a seat next to her, but she only shook her head.

“The dishes are marvelous, Councilman.” She looked to Lady Shayde who went to the door and brought in a flat box. “In honor of your new home, please accept this small gift.” Lady Shayde handed it to him and Jewel watched as the man looked at…Plants…What was it with the Elysian Queen and plants?!

[paranoidofyou]

▌Cristina Raine Hawke▐

►Staring at the sun,
No rays down on me,
I call you in my arms,
Embrace is unreal..◄

Wolf(Aella)

So maybe he didn't forget about her. "I'm here..for reasons that aren't..smiled apon in society." Cristina plopped in the seat that was offered to her. They were traveling to Noveria? This was going to be a whole new experience for her than she could ever imagine. A new adventure and a new journey...but what about Amy? What would happen to her? Her sister wouldn't be staying here forever if she came back, plus the girl had a home back in Elysia. Again, she couldn't stay in Valryte for forever. There were so many reasons for Amy not to stay in this place but the number one reason why she couldn't was because of Cristina not being there. That girl would be somewhat defenseless and she has her child to look after. This trip was starting to look like a bad idea, now.

"How long will this trip last? I don't want to leave my sister alone here in the kingdom for a long time." She took a breath before continuing. "What I meant is that, I need somebody to watch her. I'm afraid if something bad happens to her or her son and I wasn't there to protect her.." She stopped talking, knowing she made her point across. She closed her eyes again and started to breathe. In and out, in and out. Her breathing became steady once again. This seemed like so much stress for such a small mission, but knowing Cristina and her life, all the bad events would happen when she's not there.

►You're moving on,
We'll never be apart,
Just drain my tears
I cry aloud,
You're moving on,
You'll never be a part,
of all my tears
I cry aloud◄

Location: Emera,Valryte
Speaking with: Aella, Wraith, Aldrick

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Academy on Armor Island, Montarra
Speaking With: Anna Bele

Donovan stared at the list she had wrote and buried his face in his palm for a moment shaking his head. “I’m gone for three years and this is what it’s reduced to.” He couldn’t believe it, so much work would have to be done. The instructors who were abusing substances would have to be punished severely, or likely removed from their position. There was a small group of fallen Maesters, he’d send for them immediately to take up the positions.

As for the students trying to create a black market, they would be dealt with in public. Donovan would bring discipline to this school, in a way no one would see coming. But first, he had to deal with Ms. Balfour. He could recognize talent and she had it, “Congratulations Ms. Balfour. You just got promoted to my personal assistant.”

He wrote brief instructions down on a piece of paper and handed them to her. “Bring this to the matrons. This is telling them you are to report to me and I will be expecting weekly reports from them. I am also restricting you from practicing seduction as well.” He knew this was something she probably wanted, he would craft her into a weapon he could wield on the instructors.

He wrote a second set of instructions and handed them to her as well. “After the matrons bring this to the raven master and this to Pit master. Then, return to me, we have more to discuss.” He still needed to see how Kelevra was doing, he should have been processed by now and was likely awaiting his trial.

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Seaside, Hackathorn
Speaking With: Verity

Moving ceremony, quite lovely, quite short, Astaroth liked it quite a bit. Political marriage of course, but hopefully there actually was something there to spark happiness. Verity and he spent the night together on the top deck again. It was a clear night and the rocking of the ship actually was quite soothing, Morgan was their warmth as she curled up next to them.

Finally they saw Hackathorn land the next day and as they docked as Seaside he smiled slyly at her. He walked down the ramp to where the carriage was waiting and said to the guards, “The Queen Regent has decided she will ride ahead to Venereia with myself. The Prince and his wife will travel on to their new estate. There is no need for an escort.”

The guard tried to protest but a single growl from Morgan silenced him, plus Verity’s eyes seemed to burn fire. In moments they were on horses and riding out of the city as fast as possible. He shouted to her as they rode, “Guess we’re not going to stick around for the wedding reception? Damn, I so wanted to be known as the Royal Consort.” he let out a laugh and let his horses legs’ stretch out. They had to be back to capitol quickly.

[Kelevra Black]

Current Location: The Academy
Speaking With: Some people

It was about the welcome he expected. Two of them held his arms while another pushed their fist into his stomach. "We 'ave a prince in ou' midsts." The one who threw the punch stated the obvious. Kelevra coughed and spat and then looked up at the fellow. "You're a keen observer of the obvious, my friend." Kelevra coughed and doubled over as another fist caught his stomach. "I thought you and I were supposed to be on the same team."

When things had been explained to him, he had been told that he would be sorted into a team and those within it would be the only people he could rely on, but as they pummeled him, he began thinking the only thing he could rely on them for was to slit his throat while he slept. "Well, your 'ighness, you ain't no prince no more."

"Aye. I already knew that. I'm a slave now, same as you. One of the Baron's pet prisoners."

"Now that's a bet'a at'itude."

"I never introduced myself as a prince, the Matron did. Surely you can't hold me accountable for what comes out of his mouth."

"Let 'im go." The two men released their hold on his arms and Kelevra dropped to his knees, coughed again, and stood. After adjusting his clothing and wiping away a bit of blood from the corner of his mouth, he looked at the people who stood in front of him, one was a tall boy with reddish brown hair. The other was an equally tall boy, except he was a bit thinner and looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days. They were the ones that had held his arms.

The one that had been punching him was a young man that looked to be about the age of nineteen, with dark brown hair and a fair bit of muscle. He was built like a smith, and Kelevra figured they had him working in the forges when he wasn't busy beating the hell out of his new teammates.

There was also a girl, she had red hair and freckles, and wouldn't exactly be considered pretty, but she carried herself with a confidence that many of the most beautiful girls in the world lacked. Then again, she wasn't exactly ugly either. Just somewhere in between, and she was young. She couldn't have been any older than fifteen. Kelevra decided that he would like to hear her story when the time came that he was able.

And she was the next to speak. "You aren't part of our team. You won't be assigned a team until after the Placement Trial."

"Placement Trial?"

"A battle... All newcomers have to fight in a battle, it helps the Headmaster determine which team they will place us in. Our team is third best in The Academy... Despite the way we've welcomed you, we want you in our team... In order to do that, you'll also have--"

"--To be third best?" They were asking him to lose on purpose. He wasn't even sure what the terms of the battle would be.

"Aye. You're going to have to come in third, if you want to be on our team."

"Why wouldn't I want to come in first, and end up on the top ranked team?"

"I assure you that you do not want that. It sounds prestigious, and possibly even safer, but I assure you that you aren't safe there. Everyone wants a go at the number one team, and the number one team already thinks themselves the best... Imagine how much they will hate having someone who has lived their whole life above them. You're a prince, which means you're a target. They won't look out for you... We will."

Kelevra still was unsure of whether these people could be trusted. Despite how genuine this girl seemed, she was trained to be a good liar, and to be a killer. Not matter how genuine she seemed, their was always doubt. Before Kelevra could reply, he was pulled by his collar through a door and thrown into the Arena.

"The Placement Battle for Kelevra LeCarde, Prince of Acaelus begins in five minutes."

Kelevra looked across the arena and counted. There were seven other people preparing with blunted weapons, all of them looking eager to beat the living hell out of him. Kelevra looked to his left and right, and there were two racks. One held a variety of blunted swords and axes, the other held an assortment of staves and spears. Without hesitation, he went to the rack and grabbed two hand-axes and stuck them in his belt, grabbed two daggers and did the same, then plucked two blunted scimitars off the rack and prepared himself.

[Diandra Moon]

Location: The Academy
Speaking with: Donovan DeVries, the Lead Matron overseeing Kelevra, and a couple others

Anna watched him closely…He didn’t look as if he was angered by her, but that she had just delivered him the worst sort of news…She kept her hands on her lap, knowing better than to move her hands where they couldn’t be seen. She’d gotten more than one punishment because the Matrons couldn’t see what she was doing with her hands. “I don’t know what is was like before you came here, but it’s been getting worse and worse. For the girls who haven’t been earmarked by the Matrons for other things, it’s worse.” And she left it at that.

When he told her she got a promotion, she found it hard to believe. Her face was neutral, but the concern was easy to see in her eyes. “Thank you, Baron.” That seemed the appropriate response, but when he told her she was restricted from the seduction training, she felt tears sting her eyes as a tight of tension unwound in her chest. “Thank you.” This one was more sure.

He handed her the letters and she nodded. “Matrons, and weekly reports. The Raven Master, and the Pit Master. Yessir.” She stood and curtseyed before she backed out of the room. She was still wary about turning her back on anyone in this place. She’d seen more than a few underhanded tricks in that regard and it would a hard practice to break. She quickly found the Lead Matron who was glaring at the man that DeVries had brought in that day. Up closer, she still couldn’t shake the feeling she knew him. “From the Headmaster.” She said, handing the woman the letter before she continued. “He says he expects weekly reports.”

“Are you his errand girl now?” The woman sneered and when she read the letter… “You are are you?!” The woman reached out with her claw like hand. Anna Belle was familiar with the woman’s strategy of grabbing the girls and she easily evaded it, keeping her hair well out of her reach. “I have other duties to attend to Matron.” She gave a curtsey and gave the boy who was stuck dealing with her foul temper an apologetic look. “You tell that b*****d his new plaything is ready!” Anna turned and curtseyed. “Yes, Ma’am.” She wouldn’t be rude, even if she was running like a hare from a wolf.

She delivered the letter to the Raven Master---who handed her a handful of letters to give to the headmaster- and the Pit Master---who was quite surprised to see her but didn’t comment on it---and then went back to the Headmaster’s office. She gave a knock and entered again when he called it was alright and she gave another curtsey. “The Lead Matron was not pleased by your letter and tried to stop me from attending my duties. She also said your new play thing is ready, and called you a b*****d where he could hear. I delivered the letters to the Raven Master and Pit Master. The Raven Master gave me these for you.” She set them on his desk and moved to stand back where she usually stood.

[Hack Thornias]

Current Location: Haven, Elysia
Speaking With: Soraya

Vorlander accepted her gift and bowed deeply, “You honor me your Majesty. Thank you.” The herbs and plants would be planted in his garden and hopefully in a few seasons he could repay her by showing that her gift was used for good purpose. Everyone gathered here seemed to be having a good time, his staff especially.

Several merchants had also brought small gifts, mostly decorative pieces or things that would be helpful in the kitchens or baths. He appreciated them all and thanked each person individually. The stone twins were highly amusing, Jewel was definitely the dominant of the pair. Judging by the way she handled a blade, she was taking after Brookelle…

As dinner progressed he found himself chatting amiably with the Queen and several members of the Council. Outside of the castle and formal affairs they were a amiable bunch. They were laughing and generally enjoying himself, Berwyn wasn’t there but he knew he had seen the man wander off into the house…