Welcome to Gaia! ::

Gone's the wisdom
Of a thousand years
A world in fire and chains and fear



For now, the crystal dragon stood aside and listened to the conversation at hand. Backbone was needed everywhere, if he wasn't mistaken. Though, speaking of backbone, here came one. This seemed to be a remarkable gesture from her lady, but he thought he sensed some hesitation once she caught sight of his face.

How fascinating indeed.

He felt a smile at his face and allowed it to linger as he listened. This declaration from the lady seemed to make the count's day. How very generous indeed. Surely she must have had some other means for her continued daily maintenance if she was giving so freely.

He was very tempted to ask who her lady was and to ask why this lady wished to be a prominent benefactor now for Ethe, but this conversation belonged to the count and lady.



Leads me to a place so far
Deep down it lies my secret vision
I better keep it safe

Evelyn bowed her head to the count and watched as he walked away, she was about to leave herself when she remembered the Phobosian Lord. She looked over at him and bowed her head when he addressed her "Forgive me for correcting you, but I am not a Lady in the noble regard" she said.

Unaware of the troubles in his neighboring state, the butler in charge Titanus' help at the estate was shaken from his hypnopompic state of supervising doldrums and answered the door with haste.

"Now see here, we--Sweet goddess!" Immediately the older man bent to see what would have to be done, to show support, concern. His arms seemed to cradle the aura of the young lady; he begged for silence for just a small moment; rising, his countenance was the epitome of severity and swift judgement. He gestured inside, stepping out of the way. "In the last room on the right is a collection of potions. Drink two drops of the red elixir in water and rub the wounds with the violet ointment no later than ten seconds after drinking... This should do--if it is to be..."

Two claps of his gloved hands and his staff was assembled in the parlor. Whatever was happening, the men would lock down the perimeter to the best of their abilities.

"Y-Yes, of course..." With a swift motion, the head butler called in a maid to take care of the injured heiress. This would give the men a chance to talk. Quickly, he was led away.

"She should be alright. If the alchemist was truthful, the elixir will permeate her being and have a holistic healing effect on her." He seemed to be composed, but those who know the man knew he was quite rattled. "Please... What has happened to you?"

This was the worst news the man had heard in a long time--almost as bad as the news from the count a few days ago. His lips parted slightly as he listened to the man's retelling of the event. He was fairly savvy in politics, as being one of the staff to read to Lord Titanus, so this news was really quite shocking. Despite their brash demeanor, the leaders of Solidon were always intensely loyal. His temperament was not the type to lose his cool--calling for a potion for the general as well, checking outside to see how the defenses were coming, etc.--but he was seriously on the edge. Tired old hands struck some hairs back on the man, now pacing in the parlor.

"If it must be so, we sould hold on hope to any advantage that would befall us..." At this point a mixture of life-giving quality was handed to the military man. "Our archers are strong, but unfortunately the count has ordered the bulk of his forces elsewhere--Etherland, Phobos' border, and the far side of this state to secure the Bellris border. How long do we have?"

Oh, the master won't be happy to hear this...

Bernard, scratching his chin and wishing he had a different job other than messenger, found no comfort in these words. The situation was dire. Knowing the money spent on the forces, Titania would be out some three thousand. He also knew that there was no way they could let the aggressive Solidon get the jump on them. "This is awful..."

"Then... that's what their plan is? To come here next?" Before he could ask more, it appeared that the medication was beginning to take effect.

"Milady!" the maid tasked with administering the elixir and its partner treatment jumped back, covering her surprise and wishing it could all end quickly for the young phoenix. "It must hurt for a little bit... You'll be alright shortly, though..." Smoothing hands brushed over the hair of the heiress; shh-ing accompanied. "Please, you must take it slow."

"Right..." Bernard thought of what that could mean, still trying to process what the situation as a whole meant for the country. He and the rest of the staff would work 'round the clock til the sun rested beyond the horizon. The maids were on the case of lady Marigold, and after a time the medicine should have cleared up the bulk of her injuries--internal and external.

The whistling of a kettle led into the hollow and severe notes of the head butler. His were the footsteps of a lone dancer, crazed and falling this way and that in the open space of the estate; his song paused just long enough to alert the men that it was time to switch guards--they had been notified to ramp up their patrols, and this of course meant pulling in any capable men from the area and using tight shifts--Oh how he prayed it wouldn't come to fighting on his doorstep! He'd just cleaned it...

When she was able, the lady Marigold was gathered into the parlor with her general. The maid who had seen to her before was there, and for a moment the four of them, counting Bernard, could enjoy an nice cup before any big decisions were made.

"What shall we do now?" asked the maid in a voice that held neither the confidence or the evenness in tone to be considered confident.