Citadel - A Tale of Ara [1x1 IC]

[Emperor Nat]

"I think I can peg you because Ennis pegged you, so to speak." Caleb said, stretching slightly; a few bones clicking. "...No, I'm not going to say that. Because that's a stupid idea. Being on-guard all the time accomplishes precisely one thing; it makes you tired. The advice I'm going to give you is just this... know who your friends are, know who your enemies are, and make sure you know it well. Miranda.. she isn't as loyal as Ennis thinks she is. But he counts her as a friend, so who am I to say otherwise? The enemy of my enemy, and the friend of my friend... all that guff."

He shrugs nonchalantly.

"I'm sure you're a smart lady and can figure that out though. I trust your judgement..."

[Carantathraiel]

She leered at him over her shoulder, considering making a comment on his reply, but ignored it. After a moment of silence, she instead lowered her head in a nod, narrowing her eyes. "Thank you for your advice." She said in the same tone as before. "I will consider it."

The elf turned and faced him. As short as she was compared to the rest of her people, she was still taller than this man. Oddly, she didn't like it and leaned against the desk, lowering herself. "Who are you loyal to, Caleb."

[Emperor Nat]

"Me? I'm loyal to myself. But I trust Ennis. He's given me a job and a home, and so long as the pay is good and he doesn't screw me over I see no reason to destroy that trust. Because trust can be hard to come by... and it's more valuable than you'd think. So don't abuse the trust he's given you either. I see it time and time again... someone comes along, they get inside his head, he cares about them, he wants to help them, then they take his friendship and throw it away. And then Miranda gets involved."

He turns his back to her, beginning to walk slowly back down the old stone passage way. His voice echoes behind him, just loud enough for her to hear.

"What are you loyal to, love? Who do you trust? Figure that out and you'll be alright."

[Carantathraiel]

The elf frowned as he left. As annoyed as she was by his hints and gestures, he got her thinking. But her mind was simple.

She had no loyalties. She wanted to trust Ennis, and hoped she could, but she'd hardened her heart years ago. It would take more than a few tumbles in the sheets to penetrate the stone.
Rubbing her hands together, she sat down on the bed and pulled her feet up, studying her hands. Perhaps gloves may be too much. Might be better to go bare handed.

Once Ennis returned, she decided, she'd figure out the layout and make her way out for the night.

[Emperor Nat]

It quickly became obvious that Ennis wasn't going to return with quite the expedience which Aera had been hoping for; apparently whatever problem he needed to take care of was taking up some time. As there was no-one else around who wanted to bother her, it seemed a good idea to leave for the night regardless of Ennis' presence - no doubt he would figure out where she was gone on his own time. He was smart.

Walking past the cells, now empty after the merchant's release, Aera noticed something which she hadn't seen before - a humanoid skeleton, sitting in the furthest cell from Ennis' room, a bag clutched tightly in between its decayed hands.

[Carantathraiel]

Curious, she knelt, her eyes peering at it. Who were you? she asked in her head. Did you deserve this? Or were you in the wrong place? Her eyes fell to the bag and she wondered what could be in it. Assumingly, anything of value would have been looted off immediately after death, if not before the holder was locked away. So what would be left alone?

Distrusting, still, she stood and walked down the tunnels. Probably some sort of magic. She thought, her skin crawling.

Now, to find my way out. Aera thought. She doubted she could get out by the hole they'd jumped in. She was agile, but not that much. Slowly, she reached the throne room and headed for the tunnel from which she'd entered.

[Emperor Nat]

She came to the tunnel she had entered by. The path she had come down from was still quite poorly lit, but despite that she could see that there were a few outcropping stones and a couple handholds on the stony surface if she wanted to try and climb back out of there. Otherwise, there was always the path Ennis had run down - presumably there was somewhere he could go in order to get out of this place that didn't involve climbing.

[Carantathraiel]

Holding still, her eyes shifted, considering one option over the other. Finally deciding to remain with the familiar, she climbed, peering cautiously out of the hole. A few hours had passed since she and Ennis had gone down, and it was now early in the afternoon. When she was sure no one was looking her way she jumped out and jogged around the city, getting herself a little lost. After a bit she found herself in the market district, familiar territory, and she stopped, resting against a wall.
So many years of what she considered peace, and suddenly things weren't safe again. She was angry at herself for thinking she could trust men. Trust anyone.

But Ennis....
He seemed so honest and genuine around her. He wanted her trust. He hoped he could have it. And she wanted to trust him.

She needed to think. Slowly, bidding her time to collect her thoughts, she made her way to the first inn she found, disguising herself before she purchased a room to further conceal herself. In her room, she lay on the bed, curled beneath her cloak.

All night, she lay there, lost in her thoughts, considering and reconsidering. When dawn came, hunger forced her rise.
She requested a piece of parchment and a quill, again, keeping her idenity hidden, using a false voice when she spoke. When it was delivered, she scribbled a note. 'There is no crime lord. Give time. MS'. She sealed it.

Before she left, she growled to the innkeeper about delivering that to the blackguards captain and went out to wander the city.

[Emperor Nat]

The city was going about its usual business, blissfully unaware that anything at all had transpired beneath it. She strode through the marketplace, keeping herself as hidden as she could in the dense crowds. None seemed to bother her, or even notice that she was there.

That was, other than one man. He was tall, grey-haired and his face was gentle. He was reasonably well dressed, with an old fur cloak over the top of his clothes. A walking stick was on his right hand, making a gentle tapping noise as he walked. He frowned at Aera and stood in front of her, preventing her from continuing her brisk strides.

"Excuse me, miss." he said, his voice weary with age, "You look troubled... might I be of any assistance?"

Looking at the man, Aera saw there was something a little off about him. Though he leant on his walking stick, his overall physique showed that he clearly didn't need it... and his eyes were a bright gold colour unlike anything she'd seen before.

[Carantathraiel]

Behind her mask, her eyes scanned him. Who might you be? She asked in her head. This city is full of surprises. He wasn't going to let her pass, judging by his body language, she she stayed her ground. Her attention was caught by his eyes. A Dragon? Lady Nyx had mentioned something about their eyes. They were unable to disguise them.

Unsure if he could see through her netting, Aera unclasped it and pulled her mask away, giving him a polite smile. "Your eyes see well, sir, I had thought I moved about unseen." She curtsied to him. "May I ask your name?"