025.1 Alicia and Demedais

[Corwin]

[19:20] <Kotono> ----
[19:21] <Kotono> As the days pass by, one juts out in particular. A day where the guards at the prison hold salute Alicia passing by, heading inside. To a cell bundled deep inside of the building, past several heavy iron and wood doors. To a room with a solid steel door at the end of a hall, another guard standing there in particular. Vicks salutes dutifully, "We heard you're here to see THIS prisoner?" he asks, getting a ring of keys from his belt.
[19:24] * Alicia stalks down the hallway towards the cells, resplendent in her form-fitting mithral armour and with her cloak billowing out behind her before she comes to a stop ahead of Vicks. "That's right. See to it that we are not disturbed," she tells him, practically radiating menace, at the moment.
[19:25] <Kotono> Vickys looks Alicia over and nods, quickly undoing two locks. "Yes ma'am," he says, hurridedly opening the door and scurrying out of Alicia's way.
[19:26] * Alicia heads inside and closes the cell door behind her before stepping fully into the room and taking a good look at the prisoner.
[19:28] <Kotono> It's a small room - about six feet by seven feet. A pallet of straw lays in the back, and on the west wall is a small basin of water and a chamber pot. Otherwise, this room is hewn, basic stone and little else. Here Beth sits, wearing plain gray clothes. A half eaten bowl of soup sits besides her as he looks up, squinting to see who enters. "...well...well..." she drawls out.
[19:30] * Taishyr is now known as Cerberus
[19:31] <Alicia> "Surprised you recognised me," Alicia comments, glaring hatefully at Beth as she struggles with the conflicting feelings that woman engenders in her. "It's been a long time, sister mine."
[19:33] <Kotono> You note Beth has a chain tied to her right ankle, about four feet of it curled up and bolted to the floor. "Been a good long time!" Smirking as she looks over Alicia, "All grown up, too! See my lil' sister's workin' her way up if she's here. Damn, never would've guessed."
[19:37] <Alicia> "On the other hand, I could have guessed all too well that you would have ended up like this... sentenced to die when your villianous ways finally caught up with you," Alicia's voice drips contempt as she begins to pace the tiny cell Beth is confined in. "Was it worth it, Beth? All the suffering you've caused others, only to end up rotting in a tiny sunless room and awaiting the day your head goes on the chopping block?"
[19:39] <Kotono> "Ah hell it was." Grinning right back and eye sparkling darkly, "Was gonna have it all, get away and be rich enough to buy chunks of Kelara whole. Damn." Whistling as she watches Alicia, "Here you go, struttin' around like some high'n'mighty. So tell me, Miss High'n'Mighty, who's dick did you tug on to get in here?" Her voice shifts caustic, yet her grin only grows. "Someone take pity on my lil' sis that can't fight worth a damn, since she's
[19:39] <Kotono> worth a damn, since she's pretty and desperate?"
[19:42] <Alicia> Alicia's face twists into a hateful snarl as stops her pacing and advances on Beth, looming right over her. "I'm not *little* any more, Beth. And if it wasn't for that poison you used, you can bet all those riches that things would have turned out very differently."
[19:45] <Kotono> "Aaah, jus' sour grapes over gettin' your ass kicked," Her grin nearly splits her face, as she looks up with a shiteating grin. "Still my lil' sis who's just cryin' and sayin' what it's gonna be while she don't have a clue about how things really are."
[19:49] <Alicia> "Oh, I know how things are," Alicia meets Beth's grin with her own, decidedly malevolent one. "You thought you were some great assassin, but you screwed up. And now you're going to die for it." She cocks her head slightly, "Tell me if I'm wrong, so far?"
[19:51] <Kotono> "Yeah, well..." Beth just shrugs her shoulders. "Shit happens. Turns out there was a damned good reason they paid out the nose for this one, yeah?"
[20:00] <Alicia> "Good, so we both know how things are," Alicia nods, sternly but with approval. "So now I'll tell you how things are going to be. You're going to live, Beth, but it's going to be on my terms."
[20:02] <Kotono> "Oh YAY!" Beth drawls out, waving a finger in the air in a little circle. "Yaaaahooooo. Guess you did sleep your way into here if yer tossin' around this sorta authority, yeah?" Leering at her sister as she stretches back, "So what does my lil' sis want so bad with me?"
[20:04] <Alicia> "That's a question I find myself asking with distressing regularity ever since I hatched this horrifically unrewarding plan," Alicia replies, grinding her teeth. "Perhaps I had held onto some stupidly naive hope that you had changed, but I see you're still just as spiteful and selfish as ever."
[20:06] <Kotono> "And you're still walkin' around with those big ideas of right'n'justice shoved up your ass." Beth sallies forth with her own grin. "If you'd loosened up and not acted like some damn busybody we'd probably be gettin' along so much better."
[20:07] <Alicia> "If I wasn't 'some damn busybody', I'd have left you to die like you deserve," Alicia grimaces, dearly wanting to wipe that taunting smile off her sister's face. "Please, keep on convincing me I made a horrible mistake, though."
[20:08] <Kotono> Watching Alicia and stil grinning, "Fine, fine. Get on with it, girlie. Where ya goin' with all this big talk?"
[20:11] * Cerberus is now known as Demedais
[20:12] <Alicia> "I exchange for your life, I've had to enlist in the same group that captured you," Alicia explains, taking a deep cleansing breath as she tries to recall her anger management techniques. "If I serve well enough, then you will be released under my custody."
[20:14] <Kotono> "Son of a BITCH." Beth actually stares, before breaking into breying, heavy laughter. "Sonuvabitch! Don't this just beat all? You joined the bleedin' Crimson Guard?"
[20:15] <Alicia> "So glad my situation amuses you," Alicia whips around to face away from her sister, unable to look at her as she expresses her sadistic mirth.
[20:17] <Kotono> "It's just fuckin' aces," she drawls out, "I get busted up by 'em and now you're tradin' yourself away to them? Just got our family number, don't they?" But after a few moments she stops, instead clearing her throat. "So here ya are, hopin' dear ol' big sis'll be happy and sayin' she'll change her ways, just for her brave and self sacrificin' lil' sis?"
[20:23] <Alicia> "I never could get rid of that naive streak... no matter how much you threaten to step all over it," Alicia sighs bitterly. "You deserve to die for what you've done, Beth. To be honest, I'd be relieved if you did. But what's easy and satisfying isn't always what's right, and that's something you've never understood!" she concludes, again turning to focus her hateful glare on the elder Reynes.
[20:25] <Kotono> Beth just grins at the end, "Aaah hells. What can I say to that. Oh sis..." she sighs melodramatically, faking a sniffle. "See, we survive even easier since what's good is pretty damn dumb. You got yerself signed up for here, ya know? Even in here I hear the guards chattin' about business and the Crimson Guard. Life 'spectancy ain't so good. Why couldn't ya just stay at home and make babies or something?" With a momentarily irritated look, "J
[20:26] <Kotono> "Just gonna get yourself to be dragonfood or trollfood or burned alive."
[20:31] <Alicia> "I'm not easy to kill," Alicia replies with stone cold certainty. "But even so, I hardly expected they'd let someone who poisoned their head of state go free just because some strange foreigner asked nicely. I knew that if there was even a chance of getting mercy for you, it would not come cheaply."
[20:31] <Kotono> "Yeah, yeah, well, you sure go down easy anyway," Beth observes, putting back on her smirk. "Shit, it's your life, just wonderin' how long it'sg onna last now."
[20:34] <Alicia> "You better pray it's a good long while," Alicia replies, not rising to the bait, "Because if I die?" she looks meaningfully down at Beth and then draws a finger across her throat with a *sshkt* noise.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Well then..." Beth breathes out, before carefully replacing her smirk once more, after a wince. "Do me a favor, then?"
[20:38] <Alicia> "You're treading on thin ice already," Alicia mutters, before reluctantly (but imperiously!) nodding, "Ask."
[20:40] <Kotono> "Girlie, go have some fun before you get turned into kibble. You probably ain't never been drunk, ain't touched a man ever or gotten into a good ol' fight just because you want to shut someone irritatin' up."
[20:41] <Kotono> Pausing to lick her lips, "Hate to see my lil' sis goin' to the boneyard so stuck up, yeah?"
[20:44] <Alicia> Alicia's expression goes rigid, almost looking like it was carved out of stone. Turning away, she only pauses to state, "You don't know me at all, Beth," in a voice that's practically sub-zero, before she departs the cell.
[20:44] <Kotono> "We'll see 'bout that,"Beth calls as Alicia goes. As Alicia exists, Vicks comes and closes the cell door. His face is blushing, but he doesn't comment.
[20:47] <Alicia> "Thank you," Alicia nods perfunctorily to Vicks before stalking out of the prison complex.
[20:57] <Kotono> So Alicia heads out. Soon she arrives at the garrison just before noon, getting to work. Practice dummies are no match for her in many ways, her routine beginning. A few others there, watch and stare at that. A small class of swordsman training with a young, scarred man with a bastard sword even stops to watch...
[21:00] * Alicia uses a quarterstaff rather than her blades for this sort of practice, wanting the practice dummies to last so she can beat on them longer. Her face is a mask of cold and contained rage as she hammers away at the target, constantly shifting the angle of her attack, sometimes tumbling under the dummy's arms, other times leaping right over it, but never relenting her attacks as she takes out her fury on this sad and inanimate object.
[21:01] <Kotono> As the students watch, the teacher waltzes over, sheathing his sword. He watches on in appreciation, keeping a safe distance.
[21:03] <Alicia> Her quarterstaff soon breaks under the abuse, but she simply reattaches the half-snapped ends together and casts a spell to mend them back as good as new, before resuming her tireless assault. Eventually, however, she deigns to notice her observer, now actually sweating and breathing a little heavily as she steps back and straightens.
[21:03] <Alicia> "Something I can help you with?" she asks, fortunately now de-stressed enough to avoid putting full force into her glare. Military etiquette hasn't quite sunk in, but she doesn't think he outranks her, anyway.
[21:05] * Demedais comes in, leading Horse with him a bit as he watches Alicia. As Donald closes in to talk to her, he nods and dismisses Horse, waiting until Donald's had his turn before talking to her.
[21:05] <Kotono> He looks back, wearing just simple armor. No outward sign of rank and he looks young. "Just impressed," he ventures, "Are you a berserker or just blowing off steam?"
[21:08] <Alicia> "Nothing wrong with a bit of intense practice now and then," Alicia sets her quarterstaff aside, letting it lean against the practice dummy. "But I've fought berserkers, and they're a lot louder than I was, just now."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Yeah, I guess," he grins at that, "Alicia, right? I heard someone new joined the Crimson Guard and..."
[21:13] <Alicia> "For my sins... or those of my sister," Alicia mutters ever so softly as she looks down a moment, before meeting the man's gaze and speaking more steadily. "That's right, I am Alicia Reynes. Lieutenant, I suppose," that last is added as an afterthought. "And you are?"
[21:15] <Kotono> "Donald Smurth. No rank as of yet, but I'm...rather pressed into here." His face darkens a moment, muttering something that sounds amazingly like the words 'irritating' 'nosy' and 'Demedais'. "I've been training the troops lately, it started with the Kondrux scare and it's kind of stuck."
[21:19] <Alicia> "Why do I sense our situations are not entirely dissimilar?" Alicia observes wryly. "Still, training others to serve and protect is admirable. I am surprised you are given such a position with no rank to go with it."
[21:20] <Kotono> "They may be." Smiling now as he shakes his head, "I haven't really pursued it and it's probably something that'll get changed eventually. Might've been forgotten in the dragon chaos." He ponders a few moments before, "So you know Seira, don't you?"
[21:21] <Alicia> "She is my commanding officer, yes," the knight nods curtly.
[21:23] <Kotono> "I'm staying at her inn. Maybe we'll see each other there?" He offers.
[21:26] <Alicia> "Assuming my duties ever take me there. If they do it would probably mean something bad has happened, however," Alicia returns. She then casts her eye back towards the class Donald was previously teaching, "However, it looks like your students are growing restless, Donald. Perhaps you should tend to them?"
[21:27] <Kotono> "...aah, yes, I should," He nods agreeably to that, turning. "Well, see you around."
[21:29] * Demedais watches Donald go, and waits a few seconds before going to talk to Alicia himself. "Your style is rather impressive."
[21:30] <Alicia> "Farewell, Donald," Alicia nods back, briefly eyeing the practice dummy once more before shrugging. She's calmed down a fair bit now, so it's served its purpose. Considering what to do next, she's greeted by Demedais, and gives him a faint smile in reply. "It is uncommon outside of Kelara, I've noticed, which perhaps makes it appear even more imposing. Your own skills are just as formidable, Demedais," she returns graciously.
[21:33] * Demedais chuckles and shakes his head. "I was taught by Malmuthians the art of swinging a sword really hard, though I do try and vary my form once in a while." He shakes his head again at that. "And how is Donald? I'd ask him myself except I don't think he's willing to talk to me."
[21:35] <Alicia> "I heard him mention your name, in passing," Alicia admits. "I hear he was drafted into training the troops?" she adds, glancing over to see how said training goes.
[21:36] <Demedais> "I'm not sure
[21:37] <Demedais> 'drafted' is the right term, but yes, I recommended him, I think." Demedais says. "Quite honestly, I was trying to figure out what I could do for the town during the dragon scare, but I never had enough time to sit down and think things through before I was swept off to do something else by Seira, Shamal or both."
[21:39] * Nephrite (~ryan.scud@143-161.127-70.tampabay.res.rr.com) Quit (Night everybody!)
[21:39] <Alicia> "It must have been trying, dealing with a dragon's threats, but you all pulled through and defeated it with seemingly no cost," Alicia notes approvingly. "Few could have done the same, I think."
[21:42] <Demedais> "No cost to the city, yes; in fact, aside from Shamal, I believe it to have greatly strengthened our city's defenses. To hear the leaders do not plan on relaxing the pace is good."
[21:44] <Alicia> "It is a shame what happened to Shamal," Alicia murmurs sympathetically, looking down. "From all accounts she was a fine woman."
[21:48] <Demedais> "Indeed." Demedais hesitates, before saying, "My apologies for the whole dialogue in Stronger's business; she's known Shamal and Seira for a long while, I believe. But..." Demedais looks away, for a second. "Your timing was nothing short of miraculous. In a way, Stronger's comment hit close to the mark, I think; the gods foresaw our need and sent you to assist us." He then looks at Alicia and chuckles.
[21:48] <Demedais> "You are not a replacement, but your assistance is greatly appreciated all the same."
[21:49] * Demedais flushes. "That came out wrong."
[21:50] <Alicia> "Please," Alicia looks away, her own expression twisting, "I refuse to believe in divine providence, considering what brought me into Lord Salman's service."
[21:55] <Demedais> "It was to assist your sister, correct?" Demedais says before noting her expression. Shaking his head, he says only, "I don't know what to tell you, in all honesty."
[21:56] * Alicia shakes her head brusquely. "The less said the better, truly. I have no wish to speak of her."
[21:57] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais nods. "Are there any places you would like to know the location of in town?"
[21:59] <Alicia> "I have already asked and there are no temples that venerate Mystra in this city. All my other needs can be met here in the garrison," Alicia replies after a moment's thought. "Unless there's anything you can suggest as being of import?"
[22:02] * Demedais considers that. "Other than Seira's inn, which is the place you can find Seira whenever she's off duty and occasionally when she is and attempting to gather news, and Stronger's shop... mmm. I cannot name anything off the top of my head, no."
[22:06] <Alicia> "Donald mentioned her inn as well. As I said to him, I doubt I'd have any reason to visit except on official business," Alicia shakes her head slightly. "To be honest, I don't plan on getting too attached to this city. I've no doubt I'll have to leave in a hurry once my work here is complete."
[22:08] <Demedais> "Have to leave?" Demedais inclined his head. "I don't see a reason for that, but if you feel it to be so, I won't object. Is there anything I could assist you with, then?
[22:09] <Alicia> "Do you really think my sister would be safe in the United Baronies even if Lord Salman gave her a full pardon?" Alicia asks, raising an eyebrow.
[22:17] <Demedais> "If people recognized her, probably not." Demedais acknowledged, thinking about it. "Still, assuming your sister wasn't a factor, you would always be able to stay here. And Mystra may get enough members here to start a small temple..." he muses.
[22:21] * Nephrite (Ryan@131.247.168.83) has joined #dunes
[22:22] <Alicia> "My sister is the reason I am here. I can't very well discount her as a factor," Alicia grimaces. "If nothing else, I am grateful I haven't sold myself into the service of a group that would misuse my skills, but that's as far as it goes." Nodding curtly, she begins to leave, "Good day, Demedais."
[22:25] <Demedais> "Just as I have my duty to this city, you have your duty here. Very well. A good day to you as well, Alicia." Demedais nods, watching her leave.

[Corwin]

[19:21] <Kotono> ----
[19:22] <Kotono> Demedais rests in thet emple. Days pass since his duties have finished, but another one looms. Today the HIgh Priest works, coming back in the afternoon after seeing over a burial. He works around the front hall, easy to find for Demedais...
[19:23] <Demedais> "High Priest." Demedais says, bowing deeply. "Do you have some time I could speak to you in?"
[19:24] <Kotono> He finishes his blessing over the altar, turning to Demedais. "As you wish, Paladin." He wears chainmail and breastplate, stance rigid as he begins to walk forward, a good clip. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
[19:29] <Demedais> "There are two things. Firstly, one of the citizens, Pollyanna, wishes to give a funeral for her group, the primary casualties to Kondrux." Demedais says as he matches the High Priest's pace. "She would like the temple of Helm to handle the arrangements if possible."
[19:30] <Kotono> "Were they worshippers?" He inquires, to the point. HIs face is more or less schooled as he walks along, "I do not recall the names."
[19:32] <Demedais> "I do not believe they were." Demedais responds. "I was in fact given the impression that her and her family avoided the temples; this development seems to draw Pollyanna back to the gods."
[19:36] <Kotono> "...I see." The High Priest ponders for several long moments, before he nods solemnly. "I see. Do you believe this may draw her into the fold and provide her family with rest?"
[19:40] <Demedais> "It is quite possible, sir. At the very least it will give her a far better disposition than she has had before towards us. As for her family..." Demedais considers. "It will no doubt help her to know the rituals were followed properly, and the departed as well."
[19:41] <Kotono> The High Priest considers, "To increase our numbers is one of our duties. However, another duty is to the city and those that protect it. Very well." After a short nod of thought, "Lord Helm has trusted you greatly, I see no reason why I should dispute that."
[19:49] <Demedais> "I am honored to have Helm's trust, and yours." Demedais murmurs. "Thank you, High Priest. I have one other question of you; do you know how many amongst the city guard and the Crimson Guard are followers of Helm?"
[19:50] <Kotono> "A few. Our numbers are not great," He pauses, before shaking his head. "Such is the way. Too many people never see a miracle of the Gods, only hear distant words that mean little day to day. Such are the trials that Helm puts forth."
[19:53] * Demedais nods slowly. "An idea has been flitting in my head; that of working together with the city guard and the Crimson Guard to train those faithful fighters as paladin of Helm. How feasible would you consider this?"
[19:56] <Kotono> "..." The high priest is silent for a long time, walking forward at first, but turning. He returns to the altar, thoughtful. "If the Lord Helm wishes it to be so, it would be a superb thing to occur. Allow me to meditate no this matter."
[19:57] <Demedais> "Very well." Demedais said, nodding as he slipped to the back of the temple to wait.
[20:02] <Kotono> An hour passes. Then two, until Demedais is disturbed in his room. A few raps on the door, before the High Priest looks in. "Demedais?"
[20:03] <Demedais> "Yes, High Priest?" Demedais says, standing.
[20:05] <Kotono> "I believe that if this effort is to succeed that you should go to Lord Salman's Academy at the garrison and see the recruits yourself." So he allows after some thought, "If it is to be, you will see what you seek there, I am sure."
[20:06] * Demedais thinks for a second. "Very well. I shall go do that now, with your permission."
[20:13] <Demedais> "And there is one other thing." Demedais says after a second.
[20:14] <Kotono> "Yes?" The high priest inquires, waiting.
[20:18] * Demedais reaches into the haversack and pulls out a large bag of coins, which he hands to the High Priest. "I have been lax in this regard; my apologies for it."
[20:21] <Kotono> "This is..." He opens it wide, seeing all the wealth within. "Very good," he reports back crisply, "This money will go to a good cause."
[20:22] * Demedais nods. "I know it will." Demedais says. "Permission to depart?"
[20:22] <Kotono> "Granted," he says, lugging the very heavy, filled sack with him.
[20:23] * Demedais watches the High Priest go, thinking, before heading to Lord Salman's academy.