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Post by Maerin on Dec 2, 2010 5:19:31 GMT
Lord Sahjrin smiled in congenial greeting to Jynx, seemingly unperturbed by her comment about the destruction of the citadel. Jynx, for her part, could read nothing in either his countenance or poise (GM OOC: Never a good idea to forget dice rolls…).
“Welcome back to Phoena, Lady Jynx. And at least a couple of your traveling companions, it seems.”
Before Jynx could comment further, Lord Sajhrin turned to Nevin. “Where are the servants?”
Just at that moment, a dozen servants, most of whom Jynx and Ilia recognized from their previous visit, appeared from the estate house. A few carried comfortable chairs out to place for the Talestrian Lord and the guests. Others brought pitchers of what appeared to be water, and goblets. One was filled and handed to Sahjrin and Jynx. The Talestrian lord remained silent while they were served.
As this occurred, Ilia scented the air with the keener nose of a tiger, and caught the scent that bothered Rogue. It was possible that the wolf had never smelled it before and so did not recognize it as anything other than unfamiliar and unexpected in their surrounding. To Ilia, however, it was a grimly familiar scent.
One kraan, perhaps two, had recently been present in the courtyard of Lord Sajhrin’s estate. The winged, bat-like abominations of the Darklords had been gone for a few hours, Ilia guessed, but no longer than a few. If the creatures had carried riders, Ilia did not now recognize any distinctive scent of them over that of humans in the courtyard.
“Ah yes, the loss of the citadel and those within was a terrible tragedy, Lady Jynx. Simple terrible.” Despite his words, Lord Sajhrin smiled and took a sip from his goblet before continuing.
“But it had to be done, of course. The threat Lord Ketmes posed my good people was not one that could be abided. And once we were offered the means to use his own threatened oppression on him, there was no reason not to use that means. I imagine there were brave Talestrians lost that day. A week ago, I do believe. But they were deluded by Lord Ketmes. Only one proved wise enough to realize the folly of what was occurring, and it was that good Trindlas the Sage who compassionately offered us the means to end Lord Ketmes’ threat to the good people of this city.
“True justice, I do believe. Ironically in a strange sense I believe our late Lord Ketmes would have approved. After all, he was, if you recall, perfectly willing to massacre everyone within the walls of this enclave as a necessary ‘sacrifice for the greater good’. Or some such justification.
“But, perhaps I fall prey to hyperbole, calling it ‘true justice’. I do not know. It is a good day. I have received wonderful news from the south this morning. The threat of the Swamplord was ended as well, just yesterday. And that puts me in a fine mood this afternoon. Generous enough even to almost be forgiving of a despicable traitor to his people.” Lord Sajhrin shrugged nonchalantly. “Almost forgiving.
“But forgive me. That is my news. What of yours? I see you parted ways from at least a few of your companions. I assume you have come for your effects, which I have kept safely, as promised. I am glad to see you here. That nonsense about entering the Danarg Swamp to stop the Swamplord. And completely unnecessary, as it turned out too.”
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Post by Jynx on Dec 3, 2010 4:54:29 GMT
"I see." Jynx said in response as she tried to read the man again, "Our comrades, may the gods have mercy on their souls, died in the battle against the Swamplord. It was pure luck that Ilia and I survived the fight." She made herself look frail and in mourning. "You are probably right about that. However, it was from our efforts within the Danarg that the Swamplord was able to be fully defeated. There was left in the swamp an artifact left there which made it possible for the Swamplord to regrow."
Jynx watched Sahjrin take in her words before asking, "When I went to go see Lord Ketmes before we left, it seemed as though Trindlas the Sage was on his side. What made Trindlas change him mind about working with Lord Ketmes? Also, do you know where this good Sage was heading?"
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Post by Maerin on Dec 3, 2010 5:14:41 GMT
Lord Sajhrin’s smile took on a very subtle, sly cast as Jynx spoke of the events in the Danarg and the loss of her companions. The expression was only just noticeable to Jynx and, after she asked about Trindlas, Lord Sajhrin’s words, laced with what sounded to be good-humoured mockery, explained his expression.
“Really? That is quite a story there, Lady Jynx. Luck indeed. Truly miraculous, I think. You might even want to make a showy appearance at some shrine to Ishir.
“I fear that, that story is far too short and not very entertaining. You are going to have to work on it before telling it to another audience. And one that the facts so clearly show a fabrication. Honestly, Lady, I know you are a better deceiver than that, though the expressions of sorrow are a nice touch. At the very least, however, you should find a more ignorant audience.”
As the Talestrian spoke, his words of a moment before again ran through Jynx’s mind. ‘I have received wonderful news from the south this morning. The threat of the Swamplord was ended as well, just yesterday…’
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Post by Jynx on Dec 3, 2010 19:06:57 GMT
Jynx put a calming but firm hand on the muzzle of her druidess companion as a plea as well as a warning for Ilia to hold her temper and sheath her tongue. Jynx should have known that this fool of a man would believe in an easier falsehood then the hard truth that she herself mistakenly told. No matter how slay and all knowing he seemed to think himself on being, he was still a fool to stay in league with the darker powers. The time in the swamp had made her rusty enough to forget briefly why she seldom gave up a full truth especially to a man such as Lord Sajhrin who failed to see it when given to him.
Jynx expressed a sheepishly sly smile back at Lord Sajhrin. This is why she loved playing with and using such fools. "I apologize Lord Sajhrin, I will be sure to make the story full of more details and intrigue the next time I tell it. I was always a better singer then storyteller but as I heard your story, it made mine feel so unexciting that I tried to compensate for myself for your amusement." She took on a look of coy embarrassment, "I'm mortified to admit that all of this rough traveling has dulled my skills making me a bit clumsy with my words." She then sighed and said,"Our trip turned out to be nothing of great importance and yes, we did in fact part ways with the others that were in our party. Such as it goes for hired help when they are offered a better price with someone else. It was unfortunate, but I'm just glad to see that your situation has improved while I was gone. But then, I'm still confused about Sage Trindles and his... um... his involvement with Lord Ketmes."
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Post by Maerin on Dec 5, 2010 5:04:07 GMT
Lord Sajhrin arched a sardonic eyebrow and then shrugged. “I do not know anything about any dealings between Trindlas the Sage and Lord Ketmes. I would, naturally, presume that they did have some interactions. After all, Trindlas was obviously a guest in the Citadel. That was curious, as he was not a Talestrian, but I know nothing more than that.
"Since you were the one who went to the Citadel, you may well know considerably more than I.”
Despite his level response, Jynx could tell from his verbal and expression cues that Lord Sajhrin guessed she likely did know considerably more about the sage than the Talestrian noble did. He was apparently curious about that.
Jynx also guessed he was a bit suspicious as well over her possible motives for Jynx’s mediocre "recovery" regarding the Danarg story and her apparently clumsy question regarding Trindlas and Lord Ketmes. He was obviously mulling both over in his mind whether or not he thought those instances of clumsiness had been deliberate on her part, and why she might have done that.
However, it was equally clear to Jynx that the man was only idly curious about any and all of those thoughts, and was not trying too hard to hide his mind's thoughts from Jynx's scrutiny. He clearly did not care that much.
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Post by Ilia Underwing on Dec 7, 2010 4:37:11 GMT
From the moment Lord Sajhrin opened his mouth, Ilia felt steely anger grip her insides. She barely kept it from escaping through her teeth, having just enough self control to keep her massive, powerful body in check. She remembered, after breathing deeply through her nose, that he was a tool of Darkness, and while intelligent... Still an stuck-up ignoramus. After Jynx's hand steadied her somewhat, she chose to leave their company, lest she do something...unfortunate. Nudging the Ladys hand, she told Jynx where she was headed, and to keep a straight face, just before she told her of the kraan that had been here not long before themselves. She let her draw her own conclusions, and walked toward the stables where the horses had been left, seeking out Kalos. She wondered if he would have any interesting information from while they were gone. She lashed her tail as she came closer to the stables, but called out to him, asking him to calm the other horses before she came closer. She contemplated changing to a more benign form, but did not feel comfortable in a form smaller than a human. She hoped the other animals could understand that she meant no harm as she paused, still a ways away from the stable door.
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Post by Jynx on Dec 8, 2010 4:45:39 GMT
Jynx didn't stop the druidess as she left for the stables with a of suppressed anger. She made herself look a littler confused but thoughtful as she looked at Lord Sajhrin. "One would think that I would be more knowledgeable about the situation because of that. However, it seems that I am as much in the dark as you are considering what you have just told me." She then thought on it a little more before making a show of shrugging it off before taking a sip form her drink. "So what of the news about the Swamplord? Where exactly in the south was it slain?"
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Post by Maerin on Dec 8, 2010 5:12:56 GMT
Lord Sajhrin smiled. “That is the good news I mentioned.
“Apparently, the Swamplord and its horde did not return to Phoena. Instead, it appeared out of the western forests in an apparent attack directed at Garthen. Ishir knows why it would do such a thing. Garthen was not nearly as vulnerable to attack as Phoena. What was more amazing was the monster’s defeat. That came at little loss.
“Again, it was Trindlas the Sage who saved matters. This time, it was Talestria he saved. Naturally, I am amused at the irony, considering the help he gave me in settling matters with the late Lord Ketmes. He had left Phoena for Garthen, soon after providing me the information I needed to deal with the citadel. He must have given his horse wings to have ridden so far in such a short time. But he made it just in time.
“As the story went, a few leagues short of the city walls, the Sage confronted the Swamplord with a contingent of the garrison. There was a brief battle between the garrison and the horde. Then Trindlas confronted the Swamplord directly. Apparently, some magic or another was exchanged. The messenger I received could not say what, as nothing spectacular was exchanged. No dramatic fireballs or the like. But Trindlas was the victor, with nary a wound taken. The Swamplord disintegrated before him, just as it did a month ago here.
“There was some concerns that the monster might return again, but the summary I received indicated Trindlas assured Queen Evaine and her court that such would not occur. So, one less threat to us all, it seems. I might wish that the monster had managed a more successful attack on the south, if only to further hamper any future oppression Her Majesty might attempt on us here. But, to be honest, I am more than happy to see the threat gone entirely.”
Lord Sajhrin’s smile was, Jynx observed, very much reflected sincerely in his eyes.
***
Ilia had little experience with beings like Kalos. She knew they were intelligent, and they might have some telepathic ability. She sought to speak to the horse from outside the stables as she paused. It was a slim hope that the horse could understand her out of her sight, but it was possible that whatever telepathic abilities Kalos might have could compensate.
Such was not apparently the case, however. Ilia could both hear and smell the rising fear of the horses within the stable. She further realized that a lot of that was not only due to her smelling like a tiger, but her anger at Lord Sajhrin had not abated significantly either. That only made the horses within all the more nervous.
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Post by Ilia Underwing on Dec 9, 2010 3:27:00 GMT
Ilia sighed inwardly, what little patience she had gone from listening to the Lord speak. She huffed, and made a quick decision as to what form to take. She did not close her eyes as she normally did, but instead kept a keen eye out for trouble as she took her human form. Touching Rogue's head, as he had followed her when she left the other humans, she indicated that he should stay outside the stables and keep watch. The two tiny owls flitted to her shoulders as soon as they were available, and made it quite obvious that they intended to stay there. Sage swooped into the stables ahead of her.
She walked into the stables, looking for the horse that once belonged to Ageal, but also keeping her senses open. She felt very unsettled being under Lord Sajhrins protection, and could not shake the sense of danger creeping in the periphery of her mind. Finding the horse wasn't hard, as Sage was perched on the stall door next to the long, equine face of Kalos. Walking up to the horse, she greeted him, and asked if he and the others that had been left here were well.
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Post by Jynx on Dec 9, 2010 4:38:13 GMT
Jynx took on a look of surprise, "Trinldlas must indeed be a great Sage to accomplish such a feat." She then smiled, "This is wonderful news." Jynx took another sip from her goblet before looking at Lord Sajhrin with an grin on her face, "I'm glad to see that luck is shining in your favor Lord Sajhrin. It seems as though you are clear of at least some of the obstacles that were holding you back." She then looked at him under her eyelashes, "I'm sure you have plans that will take advantage of your new... uh... freedom as it were."
Jynx took the time to chat more with the man about what else happen in Pheona before asking in an off handed manner, "I do wonder how the Sage was able to get to Garthan so fast?" She smiled, "He seems to have the ability to travel almost as fast as news finds it's way to you. Both are very impressive achievements." She gave Sajhrin a questioning look.
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Post by Maerin on Dec 9, 2010 5:47:43 GMT
As Ilia approached the stall where Kalos was stabled, the horse looked up and met her eyes.
“Good afternoon, Druidess. It is good to see you alive. And your friends.” The horse’s articulate ‘voice’ was warmly welcoming. Ilia found it a balm for her recent anger and frustration.
“We have been well cared for, in your absence.”
***
Lord Sajhrin merely smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Ishir has smiled upon me and mine. We have what we sought.”
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Post by Ilia Underwing on Dec 10, 2010 0:12:59 GMT
Ilis smiled, remembering the conversation that occurred prior to coming to Phoena. Time before coming to this city seemed decades away, when it had been merely weeks. She let the calming effect settle her a bit before she continued. “That is good to hear,” Ilia said, “I did worry about you all when we left the city in such a rush. Do you have any…” Here Ilia faltered, unsure what to call what she was asking for. “…Any… interesting news to report during our absence? Anything that we should know of?”
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Post by Jynx on Dec 10, 2010 3:49:03 GMT
Jynx took the time to chat more with the man about what else happen in Pheona as she thought of what else she could get from Sajhrin in this conversation.
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Post by Maerin on Dec 10, 2010 6:05:28 GMT
Lord Sajhrin seemed content to let the conversation wander into small talk, speaking of trade caravans expected from Palmyrion and the like. Autumn was moving apace, and soon winter would come.
***
“There is little enough I can share, Druidess. We have been well-cared for. The humans you left us with take us out for walks about the human roads in this city regularly. I know of little that has happened these past weeks that might seem important to you.”
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Post by Ilia Underwing on Dec 10, 2010 23:37:19 GMT
Ilia nodded. She didn't expect him to have much to say. "We will be leaving this place soon," placing a hand on his forehead, as to not look out of place to any watching eyes. "Where we go next, I know not. Jynx and I will discuss it, but it will be soon. I hope you don't mind coming with us, but I believe Lord Sahjrin will expect it." She ran her hand up to his forelock, combing the thick hair through her fingers. A wave of uneasiness ebbed at her mind. "I should get back to her. We shall see each other again soon." With that, Ilia stroked her hand down his face, and strode back out to Rogue. She put a hand on his ruff as he stood and met her stride, feeling her tension as she gripped his fur. Glancing up at her with his golden eyes, she met his gaze and huffed a sigh. She forced herself to visibly relax with a weary smile on her face as she went back to the rest of the humans.
Sage flew above her, keeping an eye on the surroundings as Ilia met back up with the group. Perching on the top of the nearest building to them, she eyed Ilia's face, knowing it was a mask to please the other humans. She could tell that her human was as nervous as a cornered mouse, so Sage kept her eyes open and ears sharp.
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