"Indeed." Alaris turns for the door, then comes back. "A man may arrive soon, delivering horses and tack for our upcoming journey. Would you pay him what you think fair, and add it to our bill? Plus, we need rations for a month's journey - I thought we would be better served making arrangements through you than wandering the marketplace ourselves. Would that be alright?"
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Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
The cup falls from her hand with a soft clatter, drink spilling on the carpet. A sea of emotions ripples through Nimue all at once. Disbelief, anger, fear, sadness, anger again, finally settling on cold shock. And then it registers. The resemblance was there. How could she not have seen it? And the callousness with which he spoke of their slaughter. It was like a knife to the heart. She can't think. She can barely speak.
"Who are you? Really?" Her eyes are burning with anger, and the old grief that has crept up inside her again. And her eyes ask what her lips cannot. Why?
Valentine's expression shifts from amusement to pity and condescension.
"Have you really still not worked it out?" He mocks, with a roll of his eyes. "Undómiel. The Elven evenstar. Morgenstern. The Taneman morning star. Two sides of the same coin. Did you know that they're actually the same star?"
Valentine glances at the red wine marring his carpet with distaste.
"You do realise that that's werebear hide. You really should be more careful, it's quite rare," he chastises.
"Indeed." Alaris turns for the door, then comes back. "A man may arrive soon, delivering horses and tack for our upcoming journey. Would you pay him what you think fair, and add it to our bill? Plus, we need rations for a month's journey - I thought we would be better served making arrangements through you than wandering the marketplace ourselves. Would that be alright?"
"Of course," Andrei replies with a fond grin, "now go and come back with gold!"
Anger flares in her chest. "Don't mock me, cousin." She looks down at the cup and the dark stain from the wine. She looks back at him, her dark eyes growing cold with anger at his arrogance. "Why?"
Alaris returns the grin, then rushes up the stairs and out onto the street. Swinging onto Zadkiel again, they thunder off towards ulica Ogrodowa in the Primorsky district.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid,Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions! I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
The fire in Nimue's eyes that had flared hot just moments ago dulls. There's a weight on her chest that grows heavier with every passing second.
She crouches down, picking up the silver cup that had fallen from her hand. She stares at it, seemingly lost in thought. After a long moment, she looks up at Valentine. "They kept a lot of secrets. I didn't know." She stands up, and sets it down on the beureau. "And I understand if you want to kill me."
Nimue's forthright manner seems to rekindle Valentine's amused demeanour.
"Kill you? Now, why ever would I do that? More than enough of our blood has been shed already, if you ask me. Or do you take me for one to punish a child for the sins of the mother?
The point lingers poignantly in the air.
"Besides," the Elf adds, crossing towards his guest and reaching for the cup that she has set down on the bureau. "I'm not even here."
Valentine moves his hand as though to take the goblet and instead passes right through it. Raising his head to meet Nimue's gaze once more, his eyes twinkle as he watches for the moment of realisation.
"Stefan will show you out. It was nice to meet you... cousin."
Nimue stands alone in the empty study, still reeling from her conversation with Valentine Morgenstern. Something trickles down her cheek, and she's surprised to find herself crying.
"Kill you? Now, why ever would I do that? More than enough of our blood has been shed already, if you ask me. Or do you take me for one to punish a child for the sins of the mother?
Valentine's words ring in her ears. He could have killed her. Easily. If he had wanted to. From the few memories she has of her mother, Nimue knew that woman had never done anything without good reason. So why did you try to kill him? What did he do to deserve death? Her new friends certainly don't like the Morgensterns. Perhaps it's best to hide her affiliation with them, even if it wasn't by choice.
She whispers to the empty study, "What do I do? Grandmama?"
The creak of the door brings her back to reality. Nimue wipes fresh tears away and turns to the door. "Yes, it was very...…enlightening."
Nimue feels a flash of anger at his smile. She doesn't need pity. She doesn't want pity. But to say something would only add to her anger. Instead, she allows Stefan to lead her back through the house.
Stefan guides Nimue back through the winding corridors of Haus Sternental, until they arrive at the drawing room where Astrid and Caio are waiting. The door opens with a creak, revealing that their friend is indeed safe and sound.
Caio nods to Astrid them resumes staring at the strangely familiar painting until Nimue rejoins them. As soon as the door open he stands, and his eyes scan the girl’s face for any signs revealing what sort of state she might be in. “Everything alright?” He cantell something is off, and he softens his usual cold tone.
Nimue barely registers the question, and turns her head to look at him. After a moment, she nods, forcing a smile onto her face, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "Fine. Everything is...…..fine."
Astrid tenses as the door squeaks open, but seeing Nimue emerge she relaxes and and let's out the breath she didn't realize that she was holding. "So, is it time to leave?" she asks not wanting to press the obviously upset elf. "We don't need Alaris getting here and busting down the door,"she adds wiping the soot from her fingers onto her robe.
Stefan shows the trio to the front door, keeping to the shadows as he cracks it open with another groaning creak.
"I hope that your visit was productive. Do stop by again some time," he friendlily bids all three, before closing the heavy door behind them with a final thud.
Having been more than ready to get out of the house since making her own discovery, Astrid hurries out the door without a word to Stefan and continues her pace through the gate. She lets out a heavy breath making it to the relative safety of the road. "Let's not do that anytime soon, again, okay?!."
As Astrid, Caio and Nimue head down the garden path towards the gate, they see Alaris come charging down the street on an unusually large white horse, its shoes clopping loudly on the cobblestones.
Nimue walks out of the house and down the garden path as if in a dream. The world seems to spin, and she stumbles slightly, foot tripping over itself as they near the gate. She puts out a hand, grabbing on to the closest thing: Caio's arm. Her other hand catches on Astrid's shoulder, and she uses them both to steady herself. What must I seem like to them?
The clip clop of heavy hooves on cobblestones turns her gaze from the garden they were leaving behind, and the wide street waiting for them. "Yes. I agree, for the best." She murmurs in response to Astrid, as Alaris comes charging up on their white horse.
Astrid reaches up and pats Nimue's hand, then holds it in place to help the elf steady herself. "We'll get you back to the Sheep so you can relax and get yourself a strong drink."She gives her hand another motherly pat.
The dwarf's face brightens seeing Alaris on her steed rushing toward them. Still holding onto Nimue, she hails the paladin with her other hand. "Thanks for hurrying, but it seems I may have overreacted. Sorry if I caused you much worry. I didn't have much to explain in my message - which you can reply to next time."
"Indeed." Alaris turns for the door, then comes back. "A man may arrive soon, delivering horses and tack for our upcoming journey. Would you pay him what you think fair, and add it to our bill? Plus, we need rations for a month's journey - I thought we would be better served making arrangements through you than wandering the marketplace ourselves. Would that be alright?"
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
Valentine's expression shifts from amusement to pity and condescension.
"Have you really still not worked it out?" He mocks, with a roll of his eyes. "Undómiel. The Elven evenstar. Morgenstern. The Taneman morning star. Two sides of the same coin. Did you know that they're actually the same star?"
Valentine glances at the red wine marring his carpet with distaste.
"You do realise that that's werebear hide. You really should be more careful, it's quite rare," he chastises.
"Of course," Andrei replies with a fond grin, "now go and come back with gold!"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Anger flares in her chest. "Don't mock me, cousin." She looks down at the cup and the dark stain from the wine. She looks back at him, her dark eyes growing cold with anger at his arrogance. "Why?"
Alaris returns the grin, then rushes up the stairs and out onto the street. Swinging onto Zadkiel again, they thunder off towards ulica Ogrodowa in the Primorsky district.
Eshuvenniel Kazander Ravid, Valor Bard and Acolyte of the Goddess of Luck
Caradoc Langham, Halfling Rogue - Lost Magics - Epic of Pre-made Proportions!
I'm not looking for heaven or hell... just someone to listen to stories I tell...
Valentine's smile fades and hardens in response to Nimue's question.
"They marked me for death," the last word is almost spat. "They came after me. Here. You reap what you sow."
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
The fire in Nimue's eyes that had flared hot just moments ago dulls. There's a weight on her chest that grows heavier with every passing second.
She crouches down, picking up the silver cup that had fallen from her hand. She stares at it, seemingly lost in thought. After a long moment, she looks up at Valentine. "They kept a lot of secrets. I didn't know." She stands up, and sets it down on the beureau. "And I understand if you want to kill me."
Nimue's forthright manner seems to rekindle Valentine's amused demeanour.
"Kill you? Now, why ever would I do that? More than enough of our blood has been shed already, if you ask me. Or do you take me for one to punish a child for the sins of the mother?
The point lingers poignantly in the air.
"Besides," the Elf adds, crossing towards his guest and reaching for the cup that she has set down on the bureau. "I'm not even here."
Valentine moves his hand as though to take the goblet and instead passes right through it. Raising his head to meet Nimue's gaze once more, his eyes twinkle as he watches for the moment of realisation.
"Stefan will show you out. It was nice to meet you... cousin."
Then, from one moment to the next, he is gone.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Nimue stands alone in the empty study, still reeling from her conversation with Valentine Morgenstern. Something trickles down her cheek, and she's surprised to find herself crying.
Valentine's words ring in her ears. He could have killed her. Easily. If he had wanted to. From the few memories she has of her mother, Nimue knew that woman had never done anything without good reason. So why did you try to kill him? What did he do to deserve death? Her new friends certainly don't like the Morgensterns. Perhaps it's best to hide her affiliation with them, even if it wasn't by choice.
She whispers to the empty study, "What do I do? Grandmama?"
The study door opens with a creak, revealing Stefan who keeps to the shadows on the far side.
"I trust that Herr Morgenstern could answer your questions?" He asks with a smile full of pity.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
The creak of the door brings her back to reality. Nimue wipes fresh tears away and turns to the door. "Yes, it was very...…enlightening."
Nimue feels a flash of anger at his smile. She doesn't need pity. She doesn't want pity. But to say something would only add to her anger. Instead, she allows Stefan to lead her back through the house.
Stefan guides Nimue back through the winding corridors of Haus Sternental, until they arrive at the drawing room where Astrid and Caio are waiting. The door opens with a creak, revealing that their friend is indeed safe and sound.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Caio nods to Astrid them resumes staring at the strangely familiar painting until Nimue rejoins them. As soon as the door open he stands, and his eyes scan the girl’s face for any signs revealing what sort of state she might be in. “Everything alright?” He can tell something is off, and he softens his usual cold tone.
Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - Vark Galestone | Half-Orc | Storm Sorcerer
Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - Caio Cypherien | Shadar-Kai | Inquisitor Ranger
Nimue barely registers the question, and turns her head to look at him. After a moment, she nods, forcing a smile onto her face, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "Fine. Everything is...…..fine."
Astrid tenses as the door squeaks open, but seeing Nimue emerge she relaxes and and let's out the breath she didn't realize that she was holding. "So, is it time to leave?" she asks not wanting to press the obviously upset elf. "We don't need Alaris getting here and busting down the door," she adds wiping the soot from her fingers onto her robe.
Nimue nods distractedly. "Yes, probably wise." She moves towards the outside of the house, glancing back at Stefan to lead the way.
Stefan shows the trio to the front door, keeping to the shadows as he cracks it open with another groaning creak.
"I hope that your visit was productive. Do stop by again some time," he friendlily bids all three, before closing the heavy door behind them with a final thud.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Having been more than ready to get out of the house since making her own discovery, Astrid hurries out the door without a word to Stefan and continues her pace through the gate. She lets out a heavy breath making it to the relative safety of the road. "Let's not do that anytime soon, again, okay?!."
As Astrid, Caio and Nimue head down the garden path towards the gate, they see Alaris come charging down the street on an unusually large white horse, its shoes clopping loudly on the cobblestones.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Nimue walks out of the house and down the garden path as if in a dream. The world seems to spin, and she stumbles slightly, foot tripping over itself as they near the gate. She puts out a hand, grabbing on to the closest thing: Caio's arm. Her other hand catches on Astrid's shoulder, and she uses them both to steady herself. What must I seem like to them?
The clip clop of heavy hooves on cobblestones turns her gaze from the garden they were leaving behind, and the wide street waiting for them. "Yes. I agree, for the best." She murmurs in response to Astrid, as Alaris comes charging up on their white horse.
Astrid reaches up and pats Nimue's hand, then holds it in place to help the elf steady herself. "We'll get you back to the Sheep so you can relax and get yourself a strong drink." She gives her hand another motherly pat.
The dwarf's face brightens seeing Alaris on her steed rushing toward them. Still holding onto Nimue, she hails the paladin with her other hand. "Thanks for hurrying, but it seems I may have overreacted. Sorry if I caused you much worry. I didn't have much to explain in my message - which you can reply to next time."