|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:48 pm
 "You can't blame yourself. Blaming yourself and falling into depression, it won't change anything.
You have to look →forward→. Remember what you have here now.
Just think; if you hadn't come here, you wouldn't have met anyone here from Elibe or anywhere else!" {Amelia}Things were apparently going better, now that Rhys had intervened and kept Neros from doing any lasting damage. Amelia couldn't help but hold back a proud smile at James' mention of a medal. "It's good to meet you," she said, whether or not it had already been mentioned. Always good to make a good first impression, especially when your arms are full with a rapidly-tiring baby. Aisen yawned and waved his fists amiably towards his mother's face, starting to play with a lock of her shoulder-length hair. Amelia let him do so, since he wasn't doing any harm and it kept him busy. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think perhaps Tibarn helped the kitchen staff with preparing the food. He's grown to be quite the excellent chef," Amelia commented. "I never would have expected it, myself."
Things started to fall apart at about that point.
Rath started to leave, mentioning a visit to Nino. You know, I don't even know what her condition is right now. Rath's very secretive about all that... Amelia watched him begin to walk away, thinking briefly on Rogvald's comments toward her husband--Saint?--but completely froze as he spoke up again.
"We really should go and see Lady Nino, King James. I'm sure she hasn't heard a word about all of this. It would only be proper for you to go and meet her so that she is aware of recent events. Do not worry, we can come back to the celebration. If the dear captain here is going to check on her, he can conveniently lead us to her quarters, now. Come, come, it shan't take long..."
Rath's loud outburst interrupted any possible interjections on anyone else's part, and then he turned away once more. Amelia listened vaguely as Isadora addressed her. A congratulations, given. A question, asked. Her words were only partially registered.
"Ye-Yes. No, he's been quite well-behaved tonight. I suppose that nap he had shortly before arriving helped keep him in good spirits." Amelia smiled and adjusted her hold on the infant boy, who simply blinked at Isadora before letting out a long, burbling sound before playing happily with Mommy's hair.
Rogvald seemed quite intent on seeing Nino right away, however. Amelia watched him for a moment, then offered him a sheepish smile in return, though she said nothing. That smile is... y-yeah. Let's ignore that. {Graceful Spear}  "What... I mean is... Being a member of the holy order doesn't mean you can't put your own wants first sometimes. The goddess is supposed to be all‑forgiving, right? You've worked hard and you deserve to do some things that make you happy.
I think she'd forgive you for it."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:49 pm
"You ask why do I not talk much?"_______←« _____ ←« ____ ←« ___ ←« __ ←« _____"...Because there is nothing to say."Rath
------------  "..." There was no rational response. Rath looked over at the others, then back to Rogvald. "....No. I will lead you." He looked down, glancing about in a way that suggested he was nervous. He could not deny the king's wish. The king may not have spoken it, but his advisor had already gotten him his seat. The more Rath tried to convince them not to see Nino, the odder he looked. "...This way." Rath turned back around and began walking off, his destination being Nino's room.
The walk through the castle commenced. Rath glanced over his shoulder a few times to see if they were still following him. If they fell behind, it would be all well and good. But he knew he could not escape showing them to Nino's room. He tried to think up a reason for why he couldn't, but a soldier or somebody else would still be able to do it. It would look strange for him to just leave and let them be led to the room after making a deal about only he and certain attendants being able to see her.
They made it to the living quarters level of the castle and it did not take long to get to the door of Nino's chamber. Rath stood before it and did not move. He raised his hand to the knob as if to open to the door, but then slowly lowered it back down. He couldn't let them in. He would not open the door. Rath turned and blocked the door with his body. "...I cannot allow you inside. Maybe another day... but not now." A hand was placed harmlessly on the tip of his blade's handle. It may not have even been noticed. He meant nothing by it. it was just a reflex from feeling cornered.
------------
Guild Captain "The future remains most uncertain, Nino."_____
»→ __»→ ___»→ ____»→ _____»→_______ "...But if this is your wish, then so it shall be."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:01 pm
The paladin let out a smile as she watched Aisen made a burbling noise and started to play with Amelia's hair. Amelia was right. Aisen was in the good spirits. Never would she thought she would meet a child who never made a fuss during the party.
"It's quite good to hear that he's behaving well." Isadora commented as she looked back at Amelia. "However, you didn't answer my question about the godparents."
Whatever Amelia tried to reply, the paladin did not hear her answer. Because right when she was about to hear it, the paladin caught a few words from the adviser. Somehow, it seemed that the adviser was so determined to meet Nino, despite her condition. She admitted that the adviser was very stubborn. The git had no patience to wait. Didn't the adviser know this is the king's coronation? Why rushing so badly in a hurry?
She hoped that Rath would refuse the adviser and inform them to wait later on. After all, this is the king's coronation to celebrate. The paladin knew that they would need to end the war as fast as possible. However, the adviser should learn to slow down a bit. After all, he shouldn't count his eggs while they're in the basket.
Unfortunately, the Dame Knight was surprised when she heard Rath agreed to lead them. Was she hearing it correctly? Surely, she thought Rath would inform them to visit Nino later on within a week, not now. That was quite strange to the paladin. Why would the nomad agree to lead them after refusing them in the first place? Was there something that Rath didn't want them to know about Nino's condition? Did he need her help to assist him? Perhaps she should. She couldn't just leave Rath alone to handle it.
As Rath led Rogvald and James out of the party, Isadora turned to Amelia. Not wanting to be rude that she hadn't listened to Amelia and to help Rath with his situation, she let out a smile. "Will you excuse me, Amelia? I need to freshen up my powder while we're celebrating King James' coronation."
The Dame Knight gave a small wave to Amelia and Aisen before heading in the same direction where Rath went. When she found them and was about to catch up with them, she caught a glance when the nomad turned his head to look. This made the paladin wanted to stay in her place.
Although she could see that Rath was checking to see if the adviser and the king was following him, she saw a different meaning within the nomad's eyes. There was anxiety and nervous in his eyes. What made the nomad had that expression in his eyes? She had no idea. Should she go and help him right now?
Isadora thought about coming up to them and accompany to help Rath with his situation. But when she took another step, her instinct told her not to come upfront but to continue follow them from behind. Somehow, her instinct informed her that this was what the nomad wanted; to follow them quietly and to wait for his command to help him. Should she follow what her instinct told her to do? To wait until she was ready to help? Perhaps she should do so.
So the paladin continued her walk, following them quiety but not too near as they headed toward Nino's chamber. When they reached their destination, the Dame Knight waited as she watched the scene unfolded before her. She could see the nomad's hand tried to reach the doorknob, but refused to grab it. It was then that he turned around and informed them that he refused to let them see her today. Seeing the nomad placed his hand on the sword's hilt, Isadora had a feeling that he was signaling her to get ready.
Unsure if that was the message Rath was senting, the paladin moved close to the knight statue and raised her hand over to where the sword was in place. The Dame Knight didn't grab the sword yet. She was waiting for Rath to give her the signal. She just couldn't jump in if the sitaution was misunderstood. She had to be sure if that was what Rath wanted. Besides, if she jumped in the conclusion, it would make it looked like she and Rath were trying to make a treason against them. She hoped that whichever decision Rath was making would be the one that would not put them in trouble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 1:24 pm
Lend me your ear!
...Heed my words. ℜogvald
xxxxxHe turned back to the nomad as the man confirmed that he would lead that. Rogvald thought he would say such a thing. If the captain really was one of the only ones Lady Nino permitted to see her, then it would do her better to have him be there when James entered. Still having a grasp of James' hand, Rogvald began to follow after the captain of the guild.
xxxxxOnce they reached the door to the lady's quarters, Rogvald began to grow even more suspicious of the man's actions. He was not opening the door. Rogvald waited to see if the man would proceed, but was left disappointed when the nomad turned around and refused to open the door. Rogvald had already become annoyed by the unneeded delays. His annoyance was growing to anger. "Enough of this foolishness! he shouted. "We have come all the way to her room, we have a need to see her, and thus we will be going inside! It does not matter if she is sick! She has been sick for months! We cannot wait until she is no longer sick to inform her of the change in leadership! Do you take your King to be irresponsible?!" He waved his hand vigorously. "Now open that damnable door or get out of our way!!"
xxxxxSeeing that his words did nothing to persuade the nomad into action, Rogvald motioned for the guards nearby to remove him. One hesitantly placed his hand on the captain's sword and once he was able to, he took it away. The other took a hold of the man's arm and requested him to move. The guard also gave an unnecessary apology that Rogvald found amusing. With or without a compliance, the guard pulled the captain away from the door. The other one slowly opened it, then stepped back, allowing Rogvald and James to enter.
xxxxxBut Lady Nino was not inside.
xxxxxWide-eyed, Rogvald stomped out. "Well? Where is she?! She is supposed to be sick, is she not? What have you done with her!?"
I advise you to listen. Not doing so could prove... deadly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:09 pm
James
Take me home, to the land of my fathers...
James had been growing less and less patient with Rath's insistence on behaving ridiculously. Cultured though he was, he was still young, and withhis new power challenged, he was on the verge of a tantrum. When Rath, after walking them through a long, circuitous castle and up several flights of stairs, attempted to turn them away at the door, he stomped his foot, arms shaking as he balled his fists... and then he took a sharp, deep breath, and forced himself to grasp at his composure. With a bit of tugging, he was able to recover it, but he still glared up at the much taller nomad. "Captain, if you ever attempt to give me a command in my own home again, there will be consequences. And you will not touch that weapon in my presence."
He swept past Rath after Rogvald had the door opened, and stepped inside. Nino's absence, as noted by the advisor, was conspicuous. James turned around to watch Rath thoughtfully through the door. "Bring him in, please," he said to the guards. "It would seem your deathly ill friend has... gotten up and walked off. Of course, this would also explain why you were so reluctant to let us in. So tell me, Captain," he murmured, stepping closer. "You rose to power when she 'fell ill', refuse to let anyone see her, spread rumors that she's sick... and there is no one in her room. Rogvald, does that sound suspicious to you?" He glanced back at his rather more ferocious older companion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:19 pm
"You ask why do I not talk much?"_______←« _____ ←« ____ ←« ___ ←« __ ←« _____"...Because there is nothing to say."Rath
------------ Rath stood tall and would not move aside as Rogvald yelled at him. But when the guards were directed to move him, he realized he could not resist any longer. He could and would not fight them. He also could not order them to release him... not anymore. It was futile to do anything to prevent them from going inside. Certainly, he could use force to make sure nobody entered, but that was not an option. He could not go that far to keep the secret.
Rath knew it was only a matter of time before he was found out. It was not a secret he could have hidden forever. As the king and his advisor went inside the room, Rath knew that he was about to face severe consequences. He also knew that whatever came to him, it meant that he deserved it one way or another. He had pledged himself to bare the hatred of the people. The time to fulfill that pledge was nearly upon him.
He did not answer Rogvald's questions. He stood expressionless and had himself set on not saying a word as he was brought inside the room. He knew how things looked and the king was quick to voice it. He had been caught in what appeared to be a lie. There was no way for Rath to be surprised about Nino missing. If she was, he would have known about it- anybody would agree with that. But Rath was from Sacae and nomads of those plains were raised in a culture that said they would not lie. Because of that, he would say nothing. He could not say the truth. He was fooling himself, though, for he was still being dishonest with his silence. But it was dishonesty that he could live with. He had to. He had no other choice. He was not going to say anything.
------------
Guild Captain "The future remains most uncertain, Nino."_____
»→ __»→ ___»→ ____»→ _____»→_______ "...But if this is your wish, then so it shall be."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:15 pm
Lend me your ear!
...Heed my words. ℜogvald
xxxxxA snicker escaped the advisor as James brilliantly saw right through the captain, despite the irritatingly obvious fact that he was not going to talk. "Yes, suspicious indeed. I never trusted you from the moment I saw you, you savage!" He pointed dramatically at Rath. "I see through your schemes. Oh yes, I do. You come back and all of a sudden, you're the one ruling Learania! Where did you go while you were away, hm? To Mordache, perhaps?! Conspire with them to take control here and then lead to a war breaking out? Too bad we showed up and foiled your plan to ensure Learania's loss, eh?!" Rogvald waved his hands at the guards. "Seize him!"
xxxxxThe guards looked at one another and then did what they were commanded. The captain's hands were pulled behind him by one guard while the other took out his rope and bound the man's hands. Rogvald shook his head at the former acting captain. "I am placing you under arrest for suspicion of conspiracy. But one more problem remains. It is now clear that Lady Nino is not, in fact, ill. So then... just what did you do to her?" Rogvald eyed him and then sighed. The man's silence said it all. "...Fine then. You are also charged with suspicion of murder! Guards, take this disgrace out of the King's sight!"
xxxxxThe advisor looked to the ground as the nomad was taken away. Once he was gone, Rogvald turned to James. "Well... I must say, this was unexpected. I am sorry that you had to find out this truth personally, sire. I will hold a trial in a day or so after discovering any other scandals I can which that man hid away. Justice will be served, I assure you. Just leave it to me." He placed his hand on James' shoulder and the two slowly exited the room. "In the meantime, we shall go over the new rules as you wanted. And since we have discovered that the royal chamber is.. empty, there is nothing preventing you from moving in." Rogvald looked up and saw Lady Isadora, who was looking shocked and bewildered. He removed his hands from James' shoulder. "Ah, yes, I suppose I do have a need to speak with her, now. I shall rejoin you later, you Highness. I await your wise ideas."
xxxxxRogvald bowed to James, then hobbled over to the dame knight. As he approached, he developed what he knew to be a look of pity. "Tsk tsk... I feel I must express my sincerest apologies, dear lady. To learn that the man you trusted is nothing more than a villain... it must be painful." He looked up at her with sympathetic eyes. "But alas, the truth hurts. We must move onward. The people will look to you, now. You.. are the next in line to take the seat as the guild's captain, are you not?" He grinned. "I have much confidence in your abilities, Lady Isadora. I do hope we can work together with the guild and make Learania a much better place."
xxxxxHe bowed slightly to show her respect, then turned around and hobbled down the hallway. A sinister smile erupted in the darkness. Women... they were so easy to manipulate.
I advise you to listen. Not doing so could prove... deadly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 3:29 pm
The paladin watched closely as the event unfolded. So far, it seemed that the adviser was still too stubborn to take it and insisted of seeing Nino. That old git. Usually, advisers should be wise and patient. However, that man wasn't doing his best on his job. As for the child, the Dame Knight could see that he was throwing a bit of a temper before calming down. Although it would be unfit for the king to act, Isadora had nothing against James. After all, he was just a child. What could a child do when having so much responsibilities fell onto him?
Isadora continued to watch while waiting for Rath to make a response. Somehow, the nomad didn't reply or make a move. All he did was stare at the adviser. What was Rath doing? He needed to act something quickly.
Before the paladin decided to take action into her own hands, she saw the guards came and grabbed Rath. What were these guards doing? Didn't they know this who they tried to apprehend? She wasn't sure what was going on, but she had to stop this at once.
The Dame Knight marched toward the crowd; however, both Rogvald and James entered the room. Few seconds later, they came out, yelling Rath where was Nino. This made Isadora stopped her pace.
What? Nino wasn't in her room? What was Rogvald talking about?
Isadora moved closer to the group to see what was going on. She looked over the adviser's shoulder to see the other side of the room.
Nino's chamber.... It was empty. The bed was already made, but there was no Archmage in it. This surprised Isadora as she gasped sharply and her eyes widen.
It seemed that they were right. Nino wasn't in her room. But where could she be? If she was in a different room to be treated, Rath would have informed them where she was... But was Nino ill as Rath said? She admitted that she had never had the time to check on the Archsage whenever she had the time. And even when she asked how was Nino's health, the only answer she received was she was still ill. Now that she saw that Nino wasn't in her room, she wondered what happened to her. Surely, Rath would have informed the crew if something were to happen to Nino... But why Rath didn't tell them what happened to Nino?
Isadora turned her attention to look at Rath. So far, the nomad's face was expressionless. Was he trying to put a brave face in front of the adviser and king? Or was there another reason?
"Rath..." Isadora spoke softly as she looked at him hurtfully. Although she wasn't sure why Rath didn't tell them about Nino's missing, she felt somewhat betrayed by him. Was she and the others not trustworthy for the nomad to inform them? Was he still trying to keep the heavy responsible all to himself? Weren't the guild supposed to be a team to help each other out? The Dame Knight wasn't sure what was going through the nomad's mind. However, she wished that Rath was liable enough to let them help him.
Suddenly, the paladin heard the orders from Rogvald. What? Arrested for suspicion of conspiracy and murder? No. Rath wasn't the type of person to kill someone close to him. Isadora knew he wouldn't. After working together with him in Elibe to defeat Nergal and Learania to protect, there was no way Rath would do so. There must be another reason behind this act. Maybe Nino did the same stunt Rath did after Halloween two years ago. But did Rath know where did Nino went to? And if so, why didn't Nino inform them where she was?
Augh! What with all the secrets within our guild? Don't we trust each other to help? Isadora thought annoyingly as she watched the guards taking Rath to the dungeon. The paladin was about to detest the arrest, but was stopped by Rogvald speaking to her.
With each word he spoke, there was a chill running down her spine. Although she had no idea what was going on about Nino's absence, she knew that there was no way Rath would dare do that. There was no way Rath would kill Nino for power. Not after hearing him doubt about himself when they had a meeting with the nobles. And even though it looked like Rath was the suspect of Nino's absence since no one had seen the Archsage, the paladin had a feeling that there was more to it than what they saw tonight. There must be some truth that was hidden from them. The truth that they had yet to uncover.
When the adviser asked her a question, Isadora kept her quiet for a moment before replying. "Y-yes, that is true. After all, I'm the acting vice captain when Rath takes Nino's position..."
It felt so weird to the Dame Knight. She knew quite well that she was next in line to take the captain's position if both higher authorities were down. But to receive the position from what happened today? It felt uncomfortable and distasteful for the paladin. Isadora was unsure if she was fit to fill in Rath's shoes. Maybe she wasn't ready to take his position. Maybe she saw herself unworthy to handle the job. Somehow.... This position of captain felt terrible to her. Maybe she shouldn't take it.
But when she watched Rogvald took a bow and walked away, another thought occurred to her. Strange, why would the old git wanted me to take the captain position? Isadora thought. She would have expect Rogvald to take Rath's place after what had happened. After all, it looked like he had full control of the power to rule Learania despite that it was James to rule. But to let her take Rath's place? It didn't make sense to the paladin. What was that old git up to?
Somehow, this made the paladin change her new position. No, she shouldn't throw the captain's position away. There was something about Rogvald she distrusted about. If she refused to take the captain's position, who knew what that old goat would do. He would probably took the job and tried to disband them. Or even worse, took advantage of the guild's power and tried to corrupt it from what they were. She couldn't let Rogvald do it. She had to protect the guild as much as protecting Learania. There was no telling what he would do to the guild. However, the paladin would make sure that Rogvald would not try to take advantage of the guild...
... And yet, it seemed that Isadora would be visiting Renault more to cleanse her sins...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
