Chain of Circumstances ((Reactions to Jez and Sam))

[Jezerai]

((Posted elsewhere and now here!))



HorseManofTelon
Tavern of Time => Belly up to the Bar => Topic started by: Kromb on October 26, 2007, 09:24:30 AM


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Title: Chain of Circumstance (reactions to Jez and Sam)
Post by: Kromb on October 26, 2007, 09:24:30 AM
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While listening to Jezerai's story, Kromb felt a deep savage anger growing deep within him.  After she slipped away again into unconsciousness, he thought over all  he had learned this man, Samaal,  had done  to his friend and comrade. His eyes flashed brighter and brighter while he tried to maintain restraint. There were to many guards around to try and break her free, so he was left with no choice but to remain idle and await an outcome.  He would only leave when Lothiriel agreed to send him word as soon Jezerai woke again.

Later, having received word, he returned to the side of his friend. He watched her a moment before speaking.


"You said you joined the Imperial Army, trained to become an assassin at a very young age, yes?"

Jezerai nodded

"You were told to do things as an assassin, by people who out ranked you, you followed orders. You should not be the one to answer for these crimes." He looked away and continued. "You say you have betrayed, kidnapped, and killed people and you gloried in it. There is nothing wrong with taking glory in the things you do. You were young and didn't know any better. Do you think I would be able to defend you in battle if I did not take glory in the work I do?"

He paused before continuing. "This.... Sammal" biting the name off with hatred and distaste, his eyes glowing brightly now as his gaze fell upon Jez."He had the choices to make that you did not. He acted of his own will. To say that I can not condemn him with out condemning you is wrong. You may have done to many others, the very thing that he has done to you. But his choice, his decision to do this to you was made under his own free will, with out orders, and that makes him the worse for it."

He turned his head to the side again as if to look at something that was close by.

"You will not suffer this alone." turning back to Jez "I swear it."



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Title: Re: Chain of Circumstance (reactions to Jez and Sam)
Post by: LothiriellVG on October 26, 2007, 09:42:53 PM
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Lothiriel stood at the foot of Jezerai's bed mixing another dosage of the remedy watching Jezerai closely as Kromb spoke with her.  Lothiriel did not like using more of the Starspark Red but she had no choice and knew Jezerai would need to be slowly weaned off the drug in addition to the healing from the damage already done.  It would not be long before she could remove the component entirely but doing so would be fatal which left little choice in her treatment. 

She was uncertain why Jezerai had chosen not to disclose of her past but assumed it must have been to free herself and move on without being condemned of a life she chose to leave behind.  Her past did not matter to Lothiriel or the other members of Strength and Honour.  Lothiriel thought for a moment of her own past and quickly fought back her tears turning away to the table behind her.  She was glad to be free of such a terrible life and would never want to be judged for her own past especially being forced to do things she was now ashamed to admit.  The night Khaeden saved her; she had wept hysterically pouring out her past to him uncontrollably for the first time as if she needed that release to completely free her from the orc but never again had she repeated herself to anyone.

Upon their arrival in Kojan, Samaal had prepared them for the worst and left out none of the elements including his on sins.  She knew it had not been easy for the ranger to reach out to Jezerai's friends knowing they would pass judgment on him once they found out his hand in her abduction.  Lothiriel closed her eyes recalling the first sight of her friend's lifeless, pale body lying on the cot behind the iron bars.  Nothing could have prepared them for what they would find and for a moment she had to lean on Khaeden for support staring blankly at Samaal who had led them here. 

Khaeden held Lothiriel in his arms, holding her tightly to keep her from falling from the shock as well to keep himself from attacking Samaal while they waited for the guard to open her celldoor.  Lothiriel had already addressed with him openly that he was to not harm the ranger and to maintain his composure until after Jezerai's trial even though secretly she wanted to bash him with her own mace.  Khaeden had agreed under the condition that Samaal would comply and remain open with every detail forthcoming or he would suffer the consequences that Khaeden would not speak of.

And now today, she had remained silent while busily attending to Jezerai as Kromb spoke to her but the look of hatred on his face was more than she could bear and Lothiriel knew Jezerai needed as much peace and serenity surrounding her as possible.  She understood Kromb's pain and even somewhat wished he would fly off in a fit of rage and kill all those that kept her from fleeing the Emperor's prison but that would only prolong her vindication and Jezerai would still not be mentally free of her crimes. 

Lothiriel could sense the inner demons struggling against her friend's fragile mind and wanted nothing more than to drive them all away.  Her trial was fast approaching and the council would not care of her state when it was time to begin.  She had worked long nights and days to bring Jezerai around and spent any time not preparing remedies, potions or other therapy on her knees in prayer.  She would accept no setbacks and wanted Jezerai strong and of sound mind when she was brought before the Emperor.

Setting the bowl delicately on the table, she touched Kromb lightly on the shoulder and asked him to step outside.  The cool night air felt good compared to the stuffiness of the cell. She was thankful to have even a few moments outside.  She climbs upon a stone block to look Kromb straight in the eyes. 

"Kromb, please listen to me," she thought her words out carefully before continuing, "think of the words Jezerai spoke to you last night when she spoke of Samaal.  Right now I need your mind focused on getting her out of this prison and well again.  If you seek revenge, you will only heighten the crisis we already face."

Lothiriel lowered her gaze from the purple orbs staring back at her fighting back her own tears. "If you harm Samaal, I am scared all hope will be lost and any progression we have made towards freeing her will be gone.  He is our only hope that can testify to her transformation from the killer he once hated to the kind hearted person we have known to love...even you though you may not realize it"

She braved the courage to look back up and held his face lightly with both her hands.  "I have asked Khaeden and I'm asking you now.... please do not harm him while she remains captive here.  She has asked this of all of us and if you respect her then you'll abide by her wishes.  Jezerai was given a second chance and was shown love like she had never thought possible.  Now it's her turn to decide if she will forgive Samaal the way we are asking her persecutors to forgive her.  I need your word that you will not harm him until after the trial.  After that I care not what you do with him but Jezerai may feel differently, though I still think you should let her decide."

[Jezerai]

Jezerai dashed hot tears from her cheeks as Lothiriel guided Kromb out of the cell.  How she hated this weakness, she swore she had not cried so much in years.  She knew Kromb meant well and that he spoke out of care for and worry for her, but he could not know how much his words pained and worried her.  She had come to learn, through bitter experience, that all actions send out ripples, causing wide ranging effects that you could not predict.  Samaal was such an effect.  She could honestly not remember whether she was responsible for his wife's death but simply accepted that, since he was here, she was.  Her actions had caused ripples that, through the course of years, had led to him and her meeting, and her being in this hateful cell.  If Samaal died, his daughter would be an orphan, a fate she did not want on her head.  She feared that they would join the throng that seemed to delight in hovering about, teasing her with their presence. 

The pale ghostly figures never seemed to leave her side, sleeping or waking.  She tried her best to ignore them, but they attempted to catch her attention, demanding redress when she looked at them or baring ghoulish teeth.  They were agitated now, stirred up by the strong emotions Kromb had brought into the cell.  She could hear them gibbering and cackling about her, almost clearly enough to hear their words.  If she believed in a god or goddess she would most earnestly pray that these haunts be driven away to leave her in peace.  They seemed to drain her energy and sap her will to survive.

Her thoughts wandered back to Kromb and Samaal and she fretted for the ranger's safety.  He had told her all that he had done, and his reasons.  She knew in her head that she had been most bitterly betrayed, but her heart told her differently.  After all, it had been Samaal who had come to her where she lay in the dank and the dark, when the spirits pressed most closely; where she had screamed and thrashed in her agony while suffering withdrawals from the drug.  Her wrists still bore the scars from the ropes that had tied her and she rubbed them now absent-mindedly.  It had been Samaal who offered the first kindness in this hellish place, holding her and rocking her when she was more alone than ever before in her life.  The first emotion she could remember feeling other than terror was heartfelt relief to see his face. 

[Titia]

It tooks a few days to Titia to reach Tanvu and start asking questions to people who knew people. What little information she could gather had not been of great help so far.

The name Samaal was vaguely remembered as one of a ranger who had brought a special prisonner to the local jail a week before under the cover of the night. The prisonner was a woman told her the guard who had a bad gambling habit and owed a few favors to one of Titia local friends. Chances it was Jezerai were very high.

Word was also on the street a member of the Imperial assassination squad would soon be brought to justice. There might be - or not - a connexion between the two information. Titia could hardly picture her friend as a member of a group whose actions had been so brutal against civilians they even reached New Targonor's ears. Yet she had to recognize she knew very little of Jezerai past.

More disturbing, the assassin learned other people were asking questions. She had no doubt other members of the family were around but as a rule of conduct while being, as she used to call it, in operation she decided not to try to make contact with them. But the family was not the only one there. While checking the jail ouside security under a disguise she noticed two figures walking toward the front entrance.

Something odd about these two made her observe them. Titia couldn't figure out who the elf was but she was certain she'd seen the tall and massive half giant at least once before. His name didn't come to her mind before the two entered the jail: it was Kromb. His figure was not showing any expression but contained furor.

If Jezerai was indeed inside, these two had access and actual information instead of rumors and gossips. Titia decided to wait for them to come out and follow them to wherever they were be staying before making contact. She needed to be prudent, after all maybe they'd been working with that ranger and helped him capture her friend.

[Jezerai]

((From PaleHorseman))



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Title: Re: Chain of Circumstance (reactions to Jez and Sam)
Post by: Kromb on October 27, 2007, 10:26:47 AM
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Lothiriel could feel his jaw clinching under her hands. She could see in his eyes the torment he suffered. Torn between respecting his friends wishes and wanting to tear the prison down to its foundation and get Jez out of here. What he wanted to do and what he had to do were two different things. Right now he needed to focus on what was best for Jez. He stood with her outside taking in the cool air with long deep breaths. The glow in his eyes dimming.

"I will do nothing to the man.... for now." He said between clinched teeth and low tone. "I can not promise you I wont kill him eventually, but until Jez is out of here, he is safe."

She looked back into his eyes removing her hands from his face. "That is all I ask for Jezerai. Thank you Kromb."

He nodded slowly to her, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes drifted over to the entrance of the prison and for the first time, his expression had changed to that of concern and worry. Lothiriel smiles watching curiously the giants face.  "So he can feel..." she mentally noted to herself.

Khaeden had made his way out to them after a while. "She is resting again."

Lothiriel turned to the man, her eyes dancing lightly. "How does she look?"

"I am no healer." He responded walking up to embrace her. "But I cant say she looks well."

Kromb looked away from the entrance and out into the darkness. His eyes flashed momentarily as he narrowed them. "Hmm." He could sense something was out there but made no movement, only looked in the direction of the feeling.

"Kromb." Lothiriels voice broke in "I need to prepare for the next phase of the healing process. I will need you to accompany me."

"I am not leaving Jez." he said matter of factly.

Lothiriel looked up at Khaeden pleadingly. He nodded to her and looked to Kromb

"Old friend" He said, "I would trust no one else to go with the lady of my life. I will remain here and watch over Jez."

Kromb's face had changed back to his usual impassive look shifting his gaze from Khaeden to Lothiriel and back. With much reluctancy he nodded.

"Thank you again Kromb." She reached up to touch his arm, "I promise we will be back soon. We will leave first thing in the morning."

He lingered behind a while and watched the pair turn and go back inside the prison entrance. Again he turned to look out into the darkness, scanning all that he could see. He couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. His eyes flashed again and then he turned to follow his friends inside, deciding to ignore the feeling and concentrate on the matters at hand.

[Titia]

Titia witnessed from afar the discussion of Kromb, the elf and a third one, a  human, who had joined them. She was too distant to catch even pieces of their conversation but clearly they didn't entirely agree with each other and went out of the jail to have a discussion. The dreadknigth in particular seemed to need to vent some anger and the elven lass was doing all she could to calm him down.

But this was not what cought Titia's attention. They had to go out of the jail to discuss. It meant they didn't trust the people inside and thus that they most likely played no part in Jezerai's emprisonment. They were there to help her and choosed to use some legal means to defend her since they were allowed to see their friend. Fools!

Suddenly, to Titia's complete surprise, Kromb looked directly at her. It took all of her self control not to make a single movement and flee in fear so great the wrath of the giant could be felt through his eyes.

STAY CALM!, the assassin imposed herself. You are hiding in a patch of darkness by night more than sixty feet away, he cannot see you! It's just you imagination!

The sensation of Kromb's eyes drilling through her ceased as fast as it came as the giant turned his head and resumed taking to his friends as if nothing had happend. False alarm, just some bizarre coincidence, told herself the assassin only half believing it.

Then, as the human and the elf started to move back inside the prison, Kromb turned once again to her direction and look around as if searching something before finally turn and walk back to the entrance. There was no doubt now: he knew someone had been watching them.

Once the three had vanished, Titia decided it was no longer safe for her to stay at the same hiding spot. But she'd still need to talk with them to figure out a way to help Jezerai escape this place and the only way to discretly meet Kromb and his friends was to follow them to whatever place they were staying at.

Still sneaking the assassin carefully started to move from the now exposed position to the corner of a small back alley between two of the houses closest to the jail. That way she could still observe the entrance while not being in any possible direct sight of it. Whenever they would be getting out she'd be able to climb to the roofs undetected and follow them from atop. If one thing was certain it was that people usually never looked up when walking down muddy streets.

[Jezerai]

((From Strength and Honour))

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Title: Re: Chain of Circumstance (reactions to Jez and Sam)
Post by: LothiriellVG on October 28, 2007, 12:12:06 PM
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(Early the next morning) 

Reluctantly, Lothiriel had decided to leave Jezerai's side but felt it necessary to prepare for her next stages in Jezerai's healing. 

Sitting on the side of Jezerai's bed, Lothiriel was thankful to have finally administered a dose of the remedy during the night without the Starspark Red.  .  Jezerai seemed to be resting fairly peaceably but Lothiriel still felt an uneasiness that stirred around her as she lightly caressed her friends pale hand between her long delicate fingers and thumb.  Jezerai's body seemed to suffer little from the loss of that vial substance now and she appeared to grow stronger everyday. 

Feeling two firm hands upon her shoulder, Lothiriel turns to see a comforting face that held more strength for her than he could ever know.  Khaeden leans down to lay a soft kiss upon her cheek and she smiles faintly closing her eyes as his lips grace her skin. 

Moving his lips to her ear he whispers, "Are you ready, dear?"

Lothiriel nods, gently laying Jezerai's hand upon her stomach and reaches forward to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear,

"I do not like leaving her but I see no other way."  Lothiriel stands to face him resting her tired forehead on his chest.  She had not left Jezerai's side since seeing her for the first time in that cold dark cell other than to gather needed supplies or speak privately to Khaeden or Kromb and her body was tired and growing weak from much needed rest. 

Feeling a hand under her chin, she lifts her eyes to stare deep into his loving gaze, "Lothi, she will be safe here.  Her trial is not this day and her accusers want to see her brought to justice.  I will not leave her side.  I promise...promise you that."

Looking over his shoulder, she could see Kromb standing in the doorway of the cell, his eyes planted firmly on Jezerai.  It had taken much to convince him to leave her side but Lothiriel and Khaeden had convinced him that his duty was needed elsewhere.  In truth, neither she nor Khaeden felt comfortable leaving him unattended knowing that Samaal would be visiting Jezerai sometime in the early afternoon.  Kromb had agreed to do the ranger no harm until after the trial but he was still not comfortable with the idea of allowing him access to Jezerai and even the mention of his name set Kromb in a silent fit of noticeable rage. 

Lothiriel took comfort in the innocence of Kromb's heart and mind and would have chosen no other companion, other than Khaeden, to accompany her in a place so unfamiliar and strange to her.  He had become a friend and brother to both of them and she felt protected in his presence.

Her eyes shift back to stare at Khaeden's chest almost ashamed to look up to him, her fist clenched tightly around the hem of his tunic.  She speaks softly where only he could hear her, "Khae, I'm scared if this doesn't work she will be lost forever."

Not disregarding her fears but acknowledging her doubts caused by many sleepless nights, he pulls her to him in a long embrace.  "Dear, your faith is stronger than your words.  Your fatigue wears on you but all hope is not lost.  Be strong and know that your prayers will not go on deaf ears."

If Lothiriel or Kromb had known Jezerai's hearing was to begin later that morning they would have stayed close but Khaeden was with her and Lothiriel took comfort in knowing she was safe and he would let no harm come to her.  Khaeden's words resonated through her ears as she departed from the compound, "Be strong and know that your prayers will not go on deaf ears.".  Walking silently behind Kromb, the two ascend into the mountains seeking the secluded clear pool her page had found early that morning.  It had been easy to find but was neatly hidden from view by the tall bamboo and brush.  Kromb pulled back the brush, helping Lothiriel through the opening.

"I will be here if you need me, Lothiriel." his voice stern and direct.  Kromb backs away slowly disappearing as the brush and branches his large form had displaced moves back into place secluding the pool once again.

Wading down into the cool, rippling waters brought a renewal to her elven skin and soul.  She wanted everything to be perfect for her homage to Gloriann and cleansing her body was the first step in her preparations.  The muslim gown clung to her form hiding nothing from the eyes of those that would have come upon her but she felt safe knowing the dreadknight stood within earshot and he would let no harm come to her.  Pushing herself forward she swims into the middle of the water surrounding her with its blessing.  Tilting her head back, she begins to wash her long, golden hair allowing it to float freely around her.

[Kromb]

He unslung his great axe from his back and stood on the goat path that led to the hidden pool. His face was impassive as usual and his eyes still glowed faintly. In the background he could hear Lothiriel in the hidden pool, the soft trickle of water and the rippling of the pool were very peaceful. With nothing to do now but wait, wait for Lothiriel to finish, wait for the trial, wait, wait, wait. A slow and steady frustration started to grow inside him. He had been made helpless. His friend was sick and in prisoned and all he had been allowed to do was wait.

"If you seek revenge, you will only heighten the crisis we already face."

Lothiriel's words had come back to him. His jaw was clinching again and his eyes glowed brighter. His grip tightened on the handle of his axe.

Helpless.........  I cant save her.

He felt something stirring inside him, something primal. A deep rage trying to claw its way out.

Nothing....... I can do nothing......

And then........ a single tear. The anger was gone, replaced with confusion. He slowly looked down at the spot on the path were the tear had fallen. The dirt darkened on the path, marking the spot. He quickly looked to the sky for any sins of rain, but there was not a cloud in the sky. He looked over his shoulder where the pool was hidden by the brush and bamboo but he wasn't close enough for Lothiriel to have splashed any water that far. He frowned and kicked dirt over the wet spot on the ground covering it completely. He straitened himself and looked ahead, the sounds of Lothiriel bathing coming back to him, calming.

The sun had finely peaked the mountain and the low laying mist cleared from the grassy areas around. The air was still crisp and cool. Something caught his attention, something in the sounds of the water behind him. There was a slightly deeper splash and then silence. He moved to the edge of the surrounding brush.

"Lothiriel? Alright?"

No answer. He ducked inside. She was gone. Her clothes were still neatly folded on the edge of the pool. The water was still moving as though she were just in it. He looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary except the missing cleric.

"Lothiriel?"

He called louder. The water from the pool rippled harder and lapped up over the edge. He narrowed his eyes to try and see into the center of the pool, when she burst threw the surface gasing for air. A second figure holding onto her with a blade in his hand. Without thinking he used his shadow step apperating directly behind the assailant and yanked him off of her. He threw the attacker against the near by cliff side. A sickening snap and a yelp of pain as the arm broke from the impact. Kromb looked back at Lothiriel to see her making her way to the edge of the pool still struggling for air. When he turned around the would be assassin was trying to make his escape. He didn't make it far before Kromb had hold of him again. A hard punch in the back of the head sent the man threw the air sprawling out on the ground face first. He didn't move. Kromb reached down and picked him up by the back of the shirt and lifted him into the air driving him into a near by tree, another cracking sound as both tree and the attackers chest splintered. He let the man fall where he was and turned him over.

"Your not dead....... yet." He spoke softly to the man. "Who are you? Why did you attack her?"

The mans eyes were rolling in his head and when he didn't answer Kromb drove a fist into his gut making him spit up blood.

"I'm going to ask you again. Who sent you?"

This time he produced a dirk and pressed it to the mans cheek just under his left eye, a small trickle of blood ran down from the point.

"Who...."

"I'm....imperial g... guard" He managed to get the words out, coughing out more blood before passing out.

Kromb grumbled and stood up. He would need Lothiriel to heal his wounds before being able to question him again. He went back to check on her. She was sitting on the edge of the pool shivering, still getting her breath back. He unclasped his cloak and laid it over her shoulders.

"You alright?"

She nodded to him. "Yes."

He stood up watching her. "He is unconscious right now. I will need you to heal him so I can question him further. Not sure how much time he has left."

[Lothiriel]

Lothiriel nodded though a bit reluctantly to heal her assailant now lying lifeless across the pool.  With the help of Kromb, Lothiriel stands to her feet still shaking and upset from the attack.

"Kromb, would you mind..." she paused unable to move forward, "would you mind securing him while I dress?"  Kromb does not answer her but moves swiftly across the pool to comply with her request oblivious to the redness in her cheeks.  Using the cloak to shield her nakedness, she dresses quickly. 

"Will he be returning with us to the village?" she asked cautiously as she walks around the bank to meet Kromb.

"I just need him talking right now," a growl almost in his voice.

Pushing her fears to the side, she kneels to the ground resting her fingers on the center of the man's forehead and softly whispers elven words of healing.  The man's lethargic eyes slowly begin to open and he moans roughly through the gargled blood collecting in his throat.

"He is badly injured and will need more healing if he is to live, Kromb.  He is very weak and will not last much longer.  Do what you need to do."  Lothiriel backs away from the two.

[Titia]

That assassin was barely alive and if he was a professional Titia feared he would prefer to die from the giant's treatment than reveale any information. Subtility was not the way of the dark knigths. It was time to reveale herself.

"Don't touch him Kromb or he'll die without giving anything valuable!"

Moving from the bush she was hiding in, Titia walked toward them and took something in one of her pouches. Looking at Kromb right in the eyes so he could judge by himself how serious she was, she just added: "Violence is not a necessity here".

Looking down at the man on the floor, Titia presented him a small vial filled with a redish solution. If not for his wrecked body she knew he would have fled as far and fast as he could the second he recognized the content.

"I assume you know what this is", the assassin started, "you do know its effects last as long as needed so it's only really a matter of a personal choice. Do you want to go easy or do you want to suffer to the end as this poison breaks you from inside? Should I remind you that you'll keep conciousness? Be assured that among colleagues, I shall show mercy if you are cooperative".

Kneeling Titia poured some of the vial's content on the lips of the man. It took only a few seconds for the first effects to show as sweat appeared all over the man's face. Turning back to Kromb Titia smiled, the kind of smile people usually never see twice.

"All yours for questionning"

(hope I'm not getting too much into your stories, please remove if this doesn't fit with what you had in mind)

[Kromb]

Instinctively Kromb readied his axe and pushed Lothiriel behind him with one arm, staring down at the new stranger. Stepping back away from the first assassin and the new person he watched carefully as she administered the poison to the helpless man. His eyes never left her, glowing and narrowed, she was dressed in similar garb as the man on the floor. She seemed to know certain tactics. He didn't see her as a threat to himself, but Lothiriel had just been attacked and it was more for her protection that he stood against this new girl so defensively.

When she stood away and smiled, he only looked at her. His face not so much a scowl.

"How do you know me?" his eyes meeting hers. "And what do you know of these things, why are you here?"

His grip tightened on his axe and his feet shifted for balance. He could feel Lothiriel looking under his arm.

[Titia]

Titia could see Kromb had been surprised and was on his guard, stressed from the previous attack. To show she was meaning no arm the assassin showed him her hands opened and moved them away from her own weapons. Backing a few feet away from the man on the floor she decided to answer the first question.

"Your name is famous Kromb Stonefist. So are your deeds, as Tsol used to sing your fame in our tavern."

A shout suddenly interrupted Titia as the poison she had administered to the man started to burn him from inside. Looking down at him she could see convulsions were starting. She was giving him maybe another ten minutes of pain before he would be gone for good.

Moving her green eyes back to Kromb, she pressed him. "You should hurry, questions must be answered by him. I'm here for the same reasons as yours, friends, to free Jezerai. And since you were allowed to see her I think you might have more clues than I do as for why someone would try to prevent us to do so."

Hoping her name would have reached the giants ears and would finish to convince Kromb she was not a foe, Titia jumped ahead to what would be his next question. "My name is Titia, and I would show you proof of my belonging to the Saga family if not afraid this scum would die with questions unanswered. Please hurry !"

[Kromb]

Krombs stance eased and his axe lowered, still carefully considering her. He had heard her name before but could not be certain it was from the Saga house. He chanced a look at the man writhing in pain from the poison. He stepped over to him and sat on his heals.

"I'm going to give you something." His eyes flashed brightly as he spoke in a very low tone. "To take your mind of the pain you are experiencing."

The assassins eyes darted over to him a pleading look on his face to make the pain stop. Kromb said a few archaic words and the mans body suddenly convulsed and went rigged. A look of absolute anguish on his face. A front tooth cracked from him clinching his teeth to hard. Then he went limp, still conscious.

"Now.... isn't that better?" He said mockingly. "I want answers and I want them now. The sooner I am satisfied. The sooner you die."

"Anything.... just... m.. make it...sssstop."

Kromb smiled and pat him on the head "Good. Now... why did you attack the lady? You already know what else I want to know, I suggest you start talking."

The man had explained to them as best he could, he was former member of the same assassin squad Jezerai was a part of, that word of a former assassin of the Imperial Army had been apprehended and was to be put on trial for the crimes committed. Spys had discovered that a cleric friend matching Lothiriels description was trying to heal her of the Starspark Red Poison coursing thru Jezeai's veins. If she survived the poisoning, then she would be to sick and weak to give any information. If her healer was killed, well, you get the picture.

Kromb nodded to the man who was now by this time violently shivering. "P...pplease... mm...make it... make it stop."

Kromb stood up looking down at the man and turned to Lothiriel. "We should get back to the prison, quickly."

"But what about him?" She asked.

He looked to Titia who was quietly observing everything a few feet away. "Ride ahead if you would. Find a place to hide outside the prison, perhaps the bushes you were in last night will do. I will see about getting you inside." He turned back to Lothi "Please go to your mount and wait for me there, I will be along shortly."

Both women went in there separate directions. Titia riding ahead as asked and Lothiriel to the place there mounts were tethered. Once they were both out of view Kromb turned to the assassin on the ground.

"Now to deal with you." He stood over the man looking down on him. His face pleading for death. "How long do you think it will be before you take your final breath?"

The mans eyes widened "Y...you sssaid."

Kromb stepped on the shattered arm and put all of his weight on it, He screamed in pain and thrashed around.

"Yes I said I would provide you with relief from the pain, but you made a mistake by attacking the lady." He grind at the man menacingly "You are going to die, no doubt but not until I have made you feel more pain."

He knelt down placing a knee in the mans crushed chest, the assassin struggled for air as his lungs collapsed under Krombs weight. He thrashed about fruitlessly beating at Krombs leg. What little air he was able to pull in rattled in his collapsed lungs, gurgling as the filled with blood, until he finely lay still, lifeless. His dead eyes were still fixed on the glowing eyes of Kromb. Once he was sure the man was dead he rose to his feet and turned to meet Lothiriel at the mounts. Without saying a word he climbed on the back of his shadowhound and the pair rode off in the direction they came.

[Titia]

Hide in the bushes, what a funny idea thought Titia while moving toward the jail. But thinking back to the look of the giant when he said that Titia she knew he just wanted to have her away when he would deal with the crippled assassin. She had already seen dark knigths in actions and while she had to ackowledge killing was sometimes the shortest way to one's goal, never did she enjoy herself giving death. They did. And judging by Kromb current state of mind Titia knew the swift death she had promised to the member of the death squad would not be kept. It was bothering her, she had given him her word.

So the death squad was around and still able to bite. Titia tried to remember the kind of organization put in place by armies for these activities and what she could ear back in New Targonor few years ago when the squad was very active. It was not much. Usually such killer cells were formed with three to four assassins working either together or alone depending on the missions. Jezerai was one and one was down - about to be, corrected Titia for herself - which was leaving two to go at most. They had connexions with the army so she wouldn't be surprised if one, or both, was hiding as a guard inside the jail just waiting for the right occasion to strike. An escape attempt ? Would be the easiest way to justify it, had it been her. Would it be difficult to determine if one of Jezerai's jailer was a newcomer?

No real way to know, it was just pure guess for now. She would have to be quick once Kromb would have let her inside as he said. In any case, it was less a matter of letting Jezerai out than making sure she'll be alive doing so now.

[Lothiriel]

Kromb's face had been stone when he emerged from behind the brush and his silence were deafening to her ears. As Lothiriel ran behind Kromb, she dared not ask what he had done to the assassin. She knew that the man was now dead and that was all she needed to know. The two were now headed to the mountaintop and there she would be able to pray.

Reaching the bottom of the mountain peak, she dismounts, hands her reigns of Alfaghan to Kromb and throws her saddlebag over her shoulder.

"I shall not be long, Kromb." He nods once and turns to stand guard once again.

Lothiriel climbs to the top of the flat mountaintop taking a short moment to gaze at the scenery around her. The land was rich and green yet she felt an uneasiness that swept through her as the Kojan wind struck her face blowing her hair wildly around her. Lothiriel finds a clearing and pulls a blanket from her satchel spreading it on the ground beneath her. Dropping to her knees on the covering, she reaches further into her satchel for the white rose petals chosen earlier that morning from the market and spreads them on the blanket and ground around her. Being pressed for time, Lothiriel utters an urgent prayer beseeching Gloriann to grant her friend peace and tranquility.

Returning to Kromb, the two head back to the jail as the sunsets behind them. Waiting for them outside is Khaeden, a concerned look upon his face pacing restlessly.

He approaches the two riders helping Lothiriel down. "Much has happened since the two of you have been away. Jezerai had her hearing this morning. Tsol has made a deal with Janhu Nahen and Jezerai could possibly be set free."

"This is great news!" proclaimed Lothiriel.

Khaeden shakes his head, "Jezerai has not committed to the deal of her release. The emperor requires her to make a statement that she has no knowledge of other assassination squads and that she is also no longer a member of any squad that may exist."

As Khaeden goes on to explain more of the day, Lothiriel cuts her eyes to Kromb thinking it best to tell Khaeden of the attack at a later time. Khaeden warns Kromb that Samaal is inside with Jezerai and Tsol and the three enter the prison.

[Jezerai]

((I had intended to wrap things up today, really.  But then I read Lothi's piece and it seems to me that there are still a couple of loose threads from the reactions side of things.  I want to see where Lothi takes the meeting, and Kromb's run in with Samaal!  So, I extended my deadline a couple more days.))

[Kromb]

SAMAAL!!!

His eye resonated brightly, his face turned murderes. He flexed and clinched his fists. Lothiriel's hand was on his arm but he didn't feel it.

"Kromb!" It was Khaeden, but his voice was far off.

The air around them grew cold, Kromb was unconsciously taping into his dread aura.

Khaeden and Lothiriel both stooped and stood in front of him blocking his path

"Kromb!!" Lothiriel's voice "You said you wouldn't harm him."

He looked down at her then to Khae. Slowly he calmed. The air began to warm but the chill was still there.

"I need your page to go to the ally behind the prison." He said slowly. "Instruct her to strip off her clothing."

Lothiriel and Khaeden looked at Kromb puzzled. "My friend, do not think I am trying to tell you your business." Khaeden spoke. "But I hardly think this is the time for...."

"She is to give her clothing to Titia." He interrupted. "The guards will let her pass thinking she is Lothiriel's page."

Lothiriel nodded understanding and called for her page, instructing her to do as Kromb mentioned. Khaeden frowned "Who is Titia?" Lothiriel looked at him after sending her page off. "I will explain later, right now we need to get inside."

Kromb turned and looked out away from the prison. He knew Titia was out there and hoped she understood what was going on. He turned and followed his friends inside. His eyes still resonated brightly.

They entered the holding cell's and came upon Jezearai's. She had a stubborn look on her face, but otherwise looked well, at least better then she had. Tsol was leaning against a wall talking to her and nodded to each as they entered. "I was beginning to wonder if you would come back." He smirked, but the look quickly vanished when he looked upon Kromb.

Kromb's gaze fell upon the Varanthari and the air began to cool again. "Kromb." Jezerai spoke. "This is Samaal." The young man stood and extended a hand in greeting. "I have heard much about you." Samaal said. "Good to finally put a face to the name." Kromb's eyes flashed and narrowed, his gaze never leaving the young man's. His hands curled into tight fists as he stood looking down upon him. He did not accept his hand, only let out a very low growl, and crossed his arms over his massive chest.

[Titia]

Titia observed the young girl walking around the prison as if looking for someone. The mark on her clothe was the same as Lothiriel's so it was most likely a messenger sent by her or Kromb. Moving slightly out of the darkness of the back alley she was hiding in, Titia draw attention to herself.

"Are you Lady Titia?", asked the young girl with reverence as she approached her. Still in sigth of the jail entrance, the place was not one to start a firendly conversation at. Nodding, Titia signaled the unassured girl to come further in the alley before giving a real answer.

"Yes I am, and from the look I'd say you're Lothiriel's page. Did Kromb give you indications to let me inside?"

To her surprise the page started to strip, giving her clothes to Titia who was now understanding Kromb's plan. They both were roughly the same and what the young girl was lacking compared to Titia would be easily be concieled by the ample clothings. They were done after a few seconds, the guards were not as trained as ones of palaces and would hardly notice minor clothing differences. Only one question remained.

"Will they be searching me for weapons?", asked Titia giving her cloack to the page who was starting to shiver.

"Most likely not my Lady, they just did it once to me the first time we came." This was the right answer. Moving her daggers in her back so they wouldn't show unless searched for, the assassin smiled to the girl in front of her. "Very well, stay here in the dark and if you hear anything inside do not try to come in, even if you whish with all your heart to help your mistress. Understood?"

Still shivering but not from the cold anymore, the page nodded.

"Good", would be Titia's last reply as she turned back and started to walk back around the jail toward the entrance, putting the hood of the page's cloack on her head and hiding her face.

Guards at the entrance looked at her when she was only a few feet away then signaled her to move inside without even a word. Kromb was brilliant, he had noticed they were lazy and wouldn't even bother looking at a mere servant. She was starting to appreciate him, they surely had a few things in common.

The jail was smaller inside that it looked from outside. Only a few cells were showing from the inner court plus a barrack for the guards and an empty stable. It was more an enhanced guard tower than a prison really. Still moving Titia's professional habits were taking over... two guards at the entrance, two counted on the way plus three on the wall. Hearing Kromb and Tsol's voices coming from one of the corridor, the rogue moved in it and almost found herself against the jail keeper's chest. Moving back to let him pass, she was just a page after all, she added him to the list.

That makes eigth. Eigth on duty meant at least three more in the barracks. Rounding all this up, fifteen men were in there between Jezerai and freedom. Doable. No easy but doable especially with Tsol, Kromb and Lothiriel around.

Finally arriving at the end of the corridor Titia found herself in front of what looked like the open door of the deepest cell of the jail where she could see Kromb and other figures were starting to argue. She couldn't see Jezerai though and hope everything was all right.

This is when the back of her neck started to hitch. Something with the keeper was not right. Problem was she could hear him coming back in the corridor and he was not alone.

[Tsol]

((heh I posted this on Horseman, and did not realized that Titia had posted here.. still its works))

Tsol watched the lesser giant grow silent as he looked upon Samaal.  He could feel the blanketing fog of tension in the air.   The low growl from deep with in Kromb gave fair warning on how he viewed Samaal.   

Samaal nodded briefly, meeting the glowing purple eyes of the lesser giant and let his hand drop to his side.  With a sigh, "I understand your anger, Kromb.  I was...  misguided... I was angry for so long, when my wife was taken from me." looking briefly at Jezerai then back at Kromb.  "I know you can not forgive me for what I have done, but maybe in time, I can prove my worth." 
The two guards outside of the room looked at each other briefly; each had their orders, no one was to leave the jails alive.  The message they had received late last night was quite adamant that they were to ensure that the village was to be in turmoil.  They knew the consequences if they should fail.  Both guards were wondering what had happened to the third member.  He was supposed meet them here shortly.  One of the guards took out a vial, it had enough explosive to stun the occupants with the jail.   Both guards looked at each other.  "We should wait a bit longer, he should be here shortly."   Little did they know that the one they were waiting was currently laying in the forest, his body broken beyond recognition. 

The half elf bard walked up to Kromb, gently placing his hands on the lesser giants arm, feeling the tension in it.  "My friend, I know how feel, but our first objective is to get Jezerai out of this place.  If she agrees to what they ask of her, she can go free."

[Titia]

(sorry, checked the SaH forum... still indeed it works so should do fine)

He had a vial pouch!?

Titia was now sure she'd seen it in his back when he passed in front of her. There was but a few seconds left before the so called keeper and his friend would come back inside. Moving quickly, Titia put herself in Kromb's back, whispering a few words and making sure he would be the only one to hear them.

"The keeper had a rogue pouch on him when I crossed him on the way... Beware of the guards."

[Lothiriel]

Lothiriel knelt down beside Jezerai running a cool hand over her cheek. 

"Jez, it's good to see life in you again, my friend."  Jezerai smiled softly at Lothiriel resting her head in Lothiriel's hand.  Jezerai's cheeks once again had color in them and her spirit was strong.  Lothiriel closes her eyes, sensing Jezerai's soul finally at peace and smiles knowing part of her prayers are answered.  Silently she thinks, "Now if we can just get you home"

Lothiriel seated herself on the side of Jezerai's bed observing the conversation around them, rubbing Jezerai's pale hand in hers.  The tension in the air was suffocating but something about the cell seemed to stir unlike before. 

Her sharp, elven ears had heard the guard clearly but did not know the meaning of his statement, "he should be here shortly". 

"Who should be here shortly?" she thought curiously to herself, the image of her attacker crosses her mind but quickly dismisses it.  Her eyes cut to Titia, now dressed to appear as her page, which stood behind Kromb's back whispering to him.  Titia's voice was more careful than the guards and not as easy to identify.  Whatever she was saying couldn't be good.

Pulling Khaeden down to her, she whispers to him motioning in Kromb's direction, "Titia is of Jezerai's former house and is a friend.  Whatever news she is conveying to Kromb is not good.  Do not let your guard down."

Disguising her concerns as worry for her friend, she turns back to Jezerai, "Jezerai, have you agreed to what the Emperor asks of you?"

Tsol's face told her the answer from the moment they entered but Lothiriel had fought to save this girl and was not willing to let her give up so easily now.   

Jezerai shook her head slowly from side to side, the look of uncertainty flooding her eyes and wrinkled brow.

"Listen to me, Jezerai," Lothiriel thought her next words carefully, "You are no longer a member of any assassination squad and the person you were during that time in your life is long gone.  You do not even know if any of your former brigade is alive so you will not be lying, only admitting what you know to be true" she swallowed hard looking casually to Kromb and Titia.  The three of them knew of one dead member and, for Jezerai's release, Kromb had killed all of them that day in Lothriel's eyes...or at least she prayed no others would surface.  Perhaps one day she would share her and Kromb's journey from that day with Jezerai but now was not the time.

Turning back to Jezerai, "It is time for you to be home with those that love and cherish you.  If you were that same person from long ago then perhaps you would belong here but if Samaal has found it in his heart to forgive you then you need to find it in your heart to forgive yourself." Lothiriel lowered her head to catch her breath.  Her head lifted, her eyes filled with tears and pleaded, "Jez, give them what they ask of you so we can rid this place and be home again."