Snippet #2243550

Fay X'san

Her feet brought her up the steps to the palace quickly. Her leather wrappings creaked as she took the steps. Fay consciously knew she really stood out against the crowd of Lethandrill. Her attire was probably less than pleasing to many, especially with the amount of skin she was showing. Her entire back was nearly exposed and her lower abdomen, only straps of leather buckles crisscrossed along her body, holding tightly to her chest a light piece of leather. Strapped to her lower back was her quiver, her crossbow in a sheath underneath that, and then her short sword and long knife on either hip.

Fay got to the top step and stopped, her gaze swept the area. She turned and looked out into the city. The crushing feel of fear still followed her throughout the city. The Navile wasn't sure how to deal with what she was feeling. In any case, her eyes went from one side of Lethandrill to the other until they landed on someone who looked to be a beggar. He was dressed as one at least and was leaning up against a carved out home or shop near the palace. Fay didn't have time to give him any more attention as a voice from behind her startled her.

"State you're business."

Turning she was met with an elf who eyed her suspiciously but hadn't drawn any weapons on her. She gave him her best smile and tried to look as non-threatening as possible.

"I'm here to see the Steward. He should know I'm coming. We sent word before I left Navile."

"You're Navile?"

"Yes," she said, her smile faltering somewhat.

The guard arched an eyebrow at her, his hand reaching down for his sword. Fay swallowed hard and slowly raised her hands to him. The elf only gripped the handle of his weapon as he slowly stepped to the side, "I'll take you to him. But should something happen, I won't hesitate."

Fay only nodded slightly. She was unused to such treatment and wasn't sure on how to react to his unease with her presence. Was she really all that dangerous? Either way, she was there to convince the Steward of Lethandrill that the Navile were just as peaceful as they were.

Talon V'lyn

Morning, arrival at Lethandrill

The assassin pulled his horse to a stop as they came near the cities entrance. It had been a long ride to the city, and it was late in the afternoon. Talon was more than happy to be out of Skyfall, more so than he thought he would be. He didn't think getting away from his other duties would feel so refreshing. He looked at the gates of the city that were opened and admitting travelers. Turning to Jennifer he gave her a slight shrug and flicked the reigns of his mount. They moved into the city with the horses and the throng of elves slowly parted for them. It was quite as full as the other cities, but there were still plenty of elves in the street.

Slowly he led the way towards the palace at the back of the city, near its center. It was the only building structure in the city. Everything else was carved out of the large trees. Talon dismounted and made his way up the steps quickly. The lack of guards unnerved him slightly as he approached the entrance to the palace. He felt uneasy for some reason and his hand reached back and took hold of his dagger in reassurance.

Pushing the door open, he moved into the building. The assassin moved stealthily through the long hall and deep into the marble palace that was home to the Steward of the city. However, the closer he got to the council room at the back, the heavier the air felt. He could feel Riena's presence grow stronger the closer he got to his destination. The shadows curled around him, clutching him as if they didn't want to let him go. It was a feeling that he'd grown so accustom to that it didn't even register that the darkness was moving on its own accord to follow him.

The door to the council room was cracked open and from within he heard a loud, sharp voice yelling out. It wasn't until he'd gotten to the door and started pushing it open that Talon could discern what was being said. The Steward was in an uproar, his body pressed tightly at the back of the throne and his beady gaze glaring down at a young woman.

"Navile! You're dangerous! You don't even realize how dangerous you are, woman! That is why you and your kind are separated from the rest of us. You don't know what kind of power you hold, and if you don't know what you have, you don't know how to control it. And here you are, trying to convince us that you're harmless?! Are you a fool?"

"My Lord, please. If you would just hear me out-"

"Hear you out? The more you speak the more deluded you sound. You're trying to convince yourself that you're not a threat," the Steward growled back, leaning forward at her.

"My Lord, we are far from dangerous," the woman continued, trying to hold her ground.

"You don't think you're dangerous. Here, allow me to show you just how threatening you are to not only yourselves, but us as well," the Steward stood up and raised his hand at the young woman. A strange power pulsed from under the long sleeve of his doublet. Talon couldn't see exactly what was on the man's arm, only catching a flash of silver. The young woman gasped and took a step back as she too could feel the magic pulsing in the air.

Talon didn't think twice as he rushed into the room and pushed the woman behind him, raising his arm with the bracer to counter the attack. Brilliant silver light flooded his arm and expanded with the power of the Old God. Both men's magic collided and filled the room with a loud resounding boom as well as a shock wave of hot air. As soon as the magic faded away, Talon lowered his hand and turned his now steel colored eyes upwards towards the Steward who glared down at him. It took the man only a few moments to realize who it was that stood before him.

The assassin scoffed heavily, "Ordered to come and check up on the the Steward of Lethandrill and this is what I find. Not a great way to greet one from the Order of Riena, Torak."

"L-Lord V'lyn... I did not realize you were coming. If you'd only sent word I would have had an escort ready for you and have you welcomed into my grand city properly."

"I can find my own way," Talon snapped back, his patience wearing thin. The assassin straightened and crossed his arms, "I've been asked to speak with you on certain matters. Is there somewhere we can talk privately?"

"Y-Yes, Lord V'lyn. Follow me to my office. We can speak there," Torak said and stood slowly. The man descended from the throne and turned to the door at the back of the throne room. Talon looked towards the Steward who waited for him, giving him an icy glare before turning to Jennifer, "I'm sure you know what to do, Jennifer. Take the elf with you, it's probably not safe to leave her alone in the city. Fukayna, go with Jennifer. Search this city from top to bottom. And be careful," he said, his eyes lingering on Jennifer for a while longer before he turned and followed Torak into the private chamber.

Armen Sorien

He couldn't feel his arms, they were numb and the burning had long since passed. He'd been visited by Torak a several times since his imprisonment, and each time hadn't been pleasant. His body wore the signs of the Stewards confusing distress. Dried blood caked his tattered shirt, blood was on his face and in his hair as well. Armen was sure a few ribs were broken, or cracked. It was hard to breath and he fell in and out of consciousness often.

It was during one of his lapses that he was startled awake by a loud sound overhead. The boom resounded through the cold dungeon. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he could only hope that someone was there to assess the Steward and hopefully figure out the man's sudden change in demeanor. Armen didn't care about himself, per-say, he just wanted to make sure that no one else fell under Torak's crazed tendencies.

Armen coughed, his mind reeling as he tried to focus. How long had he been down there? Quite a while, probably three, maybe four days. He hadn't had anything to eat and he'd had very little water. Torak hadn't made any sense each time he'd come down to see Armen. He always spoke of Armen being in his way, someone of great danger to him. The elf didn't understand a word that the Steward uttered. Slowly, his head fell forward and he slipped back into unconsciousness.