Daphne

Lunaris Temple

Medical hand holding is a thing. Temple. Of the Heart....

Persephone opened her eyes more and began to become more alert thanks to the water and the energy returning to her mind. She did not know him and seemed to be helping with the situation though. Daphne did not seem to be hostile to him so she knew Daphne had some idea about the man. “Thanks, Lady…Persephone. Is Adon back? Coswain?” She asked with a look to the door and an effort tomorrow and pushed herself up. Her head still swam and fell back again.

“Oww… Visions suck… You got anything food… Daphne, help her already.. We need you healthy to get married.” She asked as she felt tired, maybe some food would help her feel a little more human and less like she got ran over by a boulder. Her recovery was enough she joked to the Squire, she was perceptive enough to spot the looks they gave, subtle… nope. Flirting yes. But Daphne needed some happiness.

…

Daphne was happier now Persephone was least asking for food, food meant she was vaguely functioning on a better level than before.

Katherine was still worrying Daphne, or…Kat… Kat was the woman she fed water and helped to walk over to the temple, the one who…was cute, about the right height to cuddle…. Bad Daphne. Bad brain…she could flirt later? Once they were safe.

“If…If. We can defend the door, it'd be a narrower approach. not Great but far better than in the open.” Daphne said with more confidence than she started with and moved to feeling better, it would be easier to defend the Temple with its limited access ways. It was a fairly solid structure and better than nothing.

“Magic…Is not my forte, I'm fast, and can be even faster. But i'm no sage” She said with honesty about her abilities, they had to work together, they had to be honest about what they could bring to the fight. “Honestly…I have no clue… most blightborns I encountered…this is nothing like those. Maybe It's the proximity to the dead lands? The heart of the blight? Most people flee the other way if their sane, not build newr it.” Daphne thought about it, they were very close to the light borders and no one had ever really tested the theory, it was far too dangerous and this was why.

“You got dirty alright. Your help is welcome, We hold the door, we have light, we have shelter, and fuel. Rushing is more dangerous than waiting. Plus they are not fast yet.” They could last out for a while if they had to wait, they had two ill / wounded to think about too. They would be slow if they tried to relocate and more vulnerable In the dark streets. That and the less the guards had to be jumpy about the better, she did not want to get a jumpy arrow in the back from a guard with a nervous twitch. She tried to joke and lighten the mood. “Any more and we get a show.” She said with an evident teasing, Daphne was better at setting people at ease than the others.

Daphne was a little distracted by Nathanial that she did not notice Katherine's glances her way and wandering eyes. She inadvertently out on more of a show as she stretched her arms up to free her back up and placed the short sword's weight Off her hip placing them next to her instead of sheathed a matching pair of Lunarian castle forged gladius blades with her master's sigil on the pommel.

It had been a proud moment she had been granted permission to do so. one day shown would earn her own, or be granted use of the family one… but she would have to be family… that might not work as being inducted into a household was a huge thing.

“I've had far worse, and far less pretty company. We might have to share blankets.” Daphne did not even fail to reply to the comment and why… did she do that? Her brain was going ahead of her own brain and just deciding without even giving her sense and reason to have a chance to stop it.

Her eyes registered what she just said and… Sigh. she Could not undo without hurting her, she did not want to hurt Kat. When did she become Kat by her mind's eye. Now she was more alert, she paid a little more attention and Kat seemed pretty even when she was a tired and cold mess from a crime scene. She was no fool and thought she was concerned but she chalk that up as shock as her behaviour seemed odd.

“Its alright, let the shock pass, if you fight it, it's worse.” She said softly dropping next to Kat and talking more quietly, her misdiagnosis of her concerns.

“Breath slowly, feel the warmth soak into you, Sir Abel can wait a little, you cannot help him if you cannot help yourself. One thing at a time.

Everyone has a limit, you're not weak, just taken too much in a short time.” Daphne said trying to do her best and reached over to hold her hand and guide her through the exercise… That was totally needed, Daphne told herself… Normal Sure.. She was just anchoring the Woman… sure…

Totally not enjoying this at all Daphne Brain said to herself as she sat next to the woman enjoying the warmth and her violet eyes tracing her looking for signs of a panic attack. The view was entirely secondary… sure. "Il take good care of her Persephone, you'll get your wedding." She said to the older woman with same tone to not startle her too much.

Mentions
@SpicyMeatball@Echotech71

---

The frenetic energy of the tavern danced around Elio as he watched Aliseth stride away – people dancing, talking, laughing, the grunt of chairs and screech of utensils against plates, the firelight painting everything in shifting shadows, all filled the air until the tavern was nearly bursting with life. In the center of it all, Elio was still as stone. The music swallowed the sound of the door closing as Aliseth stepped outside. Elio’s eyes narrowed.

What the fuck was that?

Aliseth had smiled at him, cold and detached – and then he’d asked if he could identify Zeph’s body, with urgency he hadn’t had for the entire rest of the conversation.

Elio’s back was stiff, muscles taut. He hadn’t moved from his position of leaning against the bar. His fists tightened, elbows still propped up on the bar’s surface. His mind worked its way back through the conversation, even as he held back the urge to just say screw it and head to the temple to make sure Zeph wasn’t a pasty-ass corpse. There were so few people he tolerated long-term in Dawnhaven.

Earlier today, he would’ve counted Aliseth amongst their number.

He would’ve hauled off on anyone else who’d looked at him like that, after talking to him like that. He’d started brawls over less. Aliseth had looked worse for wear, clearly involved in some sort of fight. What, had it scrambled his brain? Was the trauma of whatever had happened breaking him? And if it was… why did the body of the guard even need to be identified if Aliseth had been there? Unless the feral had attacked at different times, going after guards one by one. And if that was the case, why the fuck was Aliseth lounging around instead of working?

There was movement next to Elio. He didn’t care.

At least… he didn’t until he caught a flash of violet in his periphery.

His firelight eyes flicked over. A blight-born was sitting next to him, trying to make herself as small and unobtrusive as possible – wasted effort, really. There was no way she couldn’t draw attention and take up space, with her eyes and skin and wings. Elio spent another moment looking at her out of the corner of his eye. Then he turned his head towards her to properly examine her, his eyes still flinty, muscles still rigid.

Aliseth knew her. He’d been livid at the sight of her. This wasn’t unusual. Maybe the intensity of his anger was noteworthy, but he’d never been a friend to blight-born. But he’d clearly taken issue with her in a way he simply hadn’t with the barkeep, and that gave Elio pause.

“That guard who left,” he said to her. He didn’t bother with introductions, his usual woven tapestry of words and movement and proximity to edge his way under someone else’s skin. He was no longer interested in games. “Kain. You know him.”

Nesna paused her idle stirrings of the soup and froze for a moment, clearly thinking of her response carefully before speaking. She set her spoon down against the side of the bowl and took a small sip of wine before she responded to the man. After covering her mouth to swallow quickly, she softly offered, “We’ve become acquainted.” After another brief pause, she turned her head slightly to get a better look at the man. Her lilac-purple eyes all widened at the sight of him, and the side of her mouth curled into an awkward, nervous smile, “Why do you ask?”

Elio catalogued the way she moved, back straight, gloved hand daintily lifting to her mouth, voice light and proper – she moved like someone who’d been trained to move this way, with prim etiquette classes and discerning parents.

A new theory: maybe more money meant the more fucked up you looked if you managed to walk out of the blight alive.

He watched her smile waver as she took him in. Useful.

“He hates you.” His words were a blunt tool. Then he forced his muscles to relax slightly, his fists to unclench. His eyes weren’t quite so hard, though they were still intently focused on her. “Don’t take it personally, he’s a prick,” he said, smoothing out the rough edges of his voice. “I’m impressed, is all.”

Nesna nodded skeptically at first, and then seemed to relax. Letting out a sigh, she held a gloved hand up to her chest. It was good to hear that she wasn’t the only one to have gotten such an unpleasant taste from Aliseth’s temperament. But what else did this man mean?

“It’s easy to hate a creature like myself,” she affirmed matter-of-factly, “I wouldn’t have imagined taking it personally. I gather he’s just temperamental. One doesn’t find a profession in bearing weapons without having a bit of a certain…disposition…about oneself, I imagine. But I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. Impressed? Whatever could be impressive? I suppose he’s handled taking a beating well enough. Is that to what you are referring?”

Elio’s eyes sharpened as he latched onto her words.

“Did you see it? That beating he took.” He paused, before finally turning in his seat to face her. “I’ve seen him hate blight-born before. Often. With zeal.” It wasn’t an uncommon sentiment. Elio hadn’t been one for blighters either, until curiosity had gotten the better of him those first few days in Dawnhaven. Turned out sex was great for desensitization.

Elio made a show of looking around the tavern, waving a hand lazily to gesture to the crowd. “A dozen of them here, in this room, and he didn’t spare a glance or a glare at any – except you. Whatever acquaintance you made, must’ve left an impact.” Elio leaned towards her slightly. “So what was it?”

Why was Aliseth acting like this?

Nesna at first leaned away from Elio as he leaned towards her. Her eyes settled into their more melancholy resting expression as her lips pulled into a small frown.

“I’m afraid our disagreement is still rather fresh in his mind,” she lamented, lifting a hand to her face and tracing it down her cheek slowly, “I didn’t see the beating he took myself; I’ve only just arrived. But you see…he saw fit to interrupt a perfectly adequate hailing I was already in the midst of receiving from one Guard Hale, and then dragged the three of us up before the head of the guards. I don’t imagine he—Guard Kain, that is—is in his right mind at this point. Though ultimately our disagreement is only distinct to him, I imagine, because he ventured to overstep.”

Nesna looked back to her soup and gave it an idle stir, before looking to Elio again, and adding, “I will not abide by being manhandled. You know, underneath all of this rot, I’m still a woman. And I haven’t any respect for a man who sees fit to shove a woman. It simply isn’t decent.

“Evidently, he felt otherwise, though.”

Nesna wrinkled her nose in disgust as she spoke about the behaviour, then let go of the spoon in her bowl without eating anything. Instead, she took her cup in hand and sipped.

Sitting in his chair listening to Nesna speak, Elio had again turned to stone. His expression remained unchanged, even as his eyes darkened and anger began to simmer beneath his skin.

“I’m sorry you had such a rude reception in Dawnhaven – shame, too. Zephyros Hale is as warm a welcome you could hope to receive. But Kain – he seems out of sorts today. Surviving an attack, the death of a guard… he was rattled by the time he got to you and Hale, I’m sure.”

Nesna offered a smile as her expression warmed again. She nodded as Elio offered consolation, and her eyes brightened as conversation returned to Zephyros for a moment. She seemed to clench her jaw as Elio commented on Aliseth’s state, clearly refraining from commentary.

‘And I’ve died before, but I didn’t make it anyone else’s problem when I did,’ she thought to herself. It was just typical enough. So much whinging and bellyaching from people who knew very well what they’d signed up for. If one couldn’t handle seeing one’s compatriot die, why go for such a job in the first place? The world could always use more tailors, bakers, and so forth. Nesna’s expression as Elio spoke of Aliseth seemed as unsympathetic as her thoughts actually were, though her expression softened quickly as she offered her own response.

“Yes, Zephyros, I would call him a gentleman,” she nodded. “I’ve heard about all of this fuss. I gather it was quite the incident, wasn’t it? I’m just worried about the princess. I do hope that creature that got up to the attack hasn’t done any lasting damage. Is there any news as to where Her Majesty is?”

Elio’s thoughts of the fresh murder he was planning halted in their tracks.

The anger had turned to rage in his blood when the woman across from him didn’t contradict his timeline – that the attack and murder of a guard had happened before Aliseth had seen her and Zeph together, which meant he knew damn fucking well that Zeph’s body wasn’t cooling on a slab somewhere.

Why tell him that, then? Aliseth’s soft, cold smile flashed in his mind again. Aliseth was a lot of things – cocky, took his job too seriously, had a mean streak when he wanted — but this was different. Elio often did his best to get under his skin (successfully (and in his pants (successfully))), but Aliseth wouldn’t just… lie about Zeph being dead. To what end? To fuck with him? And he’d… what, shoved this blight-born?

…Well, that he could see.

It was only the mention of the princess that cut through his thoughts. Elio focused on Nesna again, his dark eyebrows drawing together.

The princess was the target of the attack and a feral was on the loose. And she was missing? How, in the name of Jericho’s white ass, had they not already sounded a settlement-wide alert?

Well done Astaros, real tight ship you run.

“They’re keeping word about it quiet,” Elio replied, his smile easy even as his fingers started to tap against his thigh. “Lots to deal with, and they can’t have a panic spreading through town. Find the perpetrator, secure the princess, keep everyone else calm and safe…” …Hook up with an old flame, let a feral into town, get a guard killed…

“I wouldn’t worry, though. If there’s one thing the prince excels at, it’s multitasking.”

Another question popped into Elio’s mind: how did this woman know so much about —

She’d said Aliseth had dragged the three of them before the head guard… the captain? Had Aliseth made the incident report in front of her?

“Just such a shame about the princess’ guard,” Elio said, resting against the bar as he watched her pale eyes. “I don’t know if they could afford to lose that one.”

Nesna tilted her head and nodded sympathetically as Elio noted the gravity of the situation—and how imprudent it would be to make a fuss. Her eyebrows bent into a grave, saddened expression and her eyes closed in long blinks as she nodded along. The man seemed so at ease, much more so than anyone else around who had an inkling as to what had taken place. It was strange. In a way, it was comforting, but it was also confusing. He didn’t very much seem like the sort to be some public leader, professing calm in times of strife. But perhaps looks could be deceiving. If looks made one, after all, Nesna imagined she’d have no business bothering with a spoon at all. Or a bowl, for that matter.

“Good help is hard to come by,” Nesna agreed. Her tone was flat as she recited the adage, clearly aware of the cliché but not having bothered to consider another way of saying it. As she continued, her tone returned to the gentler, more restrained pattern she had been taking. The rest of her expression remained unwavering—somewhere between tired, grave, and passively worried. The dull glow of her eyes remained constant as she looked in his direction, endeavouring to make eye contact even despite the lack of pupils to affirm such a thing. Nesna rarely blinked, and when she did, her eyelids seemed to move with an unexpected weight. It wasn’t quite a staring contest, but the static nature of her eyes themselves made it sometimes seem as if she was, in fact, staring, regardless of her intent.

“I gather that even most of the guards who are here already aren’t entirely too keen on staying longer than they must. Finding out about…Abel—I’m inclined to say Abel was the name Guard Kain had said—the death of a guard, a royal guard, in any case, is probably going to dissuade even those who were willing, in principle, to come out to this distant place. I would loath to find myself in the position of recruiting guards to come and work here. I can’t imagine it’s an easy job on the best of days…”

Nesna drifted off, and again, her attention turned briefly to her soup. Steam was still rising from it. With a sigh, Nesna sipped her wine again.

Abel.

Elio’s mind worked. He didn’t know the man personally – just by reputation, and whatever Aliseth and Zeph had said about him. If Aliseth was involved in the attack, then it made sense that Abel had been there too. That the feral had managed to kill him, though…

Yeah, that would’ve fucked Aliseth up. The old man had practically been his mentor. Slowly, a picture was assembling itself in Elio’s mind. Aliseth and Abel had been with the princess, a feral attacked, killed Abel, knocked Aliseth around, hurt the princess… but she was missing, apparently. Kidnapped?

Aliseth had said the suspect had psychic magic. If it’d been used on him, maybe that, coupled with the loss of Abel, could explain why he was being such a dickwad. His thoughts lingered on the guard, and their strange conversation – that smile, before he’d implied Zeph was dead. Something cold sat in the pit of his stomach.

Elio was still missing pieces.

His eyes were still on her though his attention strayed. “Dangerous world out there,” he agreed, his voice softer than it’d been. He refocused on her, looking her over again. She was new in town. Blight-born. Could probably do some damage – but if she was a suspect, she would’ve been locked up in that half-finished jail by now, especially with the venom Aliseth had shot at her. He was a witness. He would’ve just named her the culprit and been done with it, if it were true. No, that she was still out and about with all this chaos apparently brewing in Dawnhaven, meant she was cleared. Either that, or the guards really were piss poor at their jobs.

“All the more reason to be thankful for the guards we have left,” he said, flashing her a smile. Elio shifted in his seat, pushing himself up to stand. “I’d try to keep my head down if I were you, pet.” Unfortunately for Aliseth Kain, Elio would be doing no such thing. He flexed his hands. “But I should be getting to work by now.” Tilting his neck this way and that, he felt the stretch and pop of his joints as he rolled his shoulders back. Energy thrummed under his skin, like ozone building before a storm. He cast a look back over to her.

“Thanks for the conversation. It was just what I needed.”

Nesna gave Elio a confused look at being called a “pet,” but said nothing of it as the man hurried to rise.

“Happy to help…”

Elio strode out the tavern door, steps sure as he traveled over the stone he’d laid with his own hands.

"Ha!" Zeph burst into laughter at the prisoner’s suggestion of dropping a key, the sound bouncing off cold stone walls. "How dumb do you think I am?" he grinned, his tone laced with mock offense. "C'mon, I’m not as daft as I look. You wound me!" he said, putting a hand theatrically over his chest as if the idea had actually hurt.

Shifting his position, he pushed himself upright, the humor beginning to fade from his expression as Gadez’s words started to sink in. “Let’s backtrack.” he said, hazel eyes narrowing as he tried to piece together the odd and cryptic bits of the prisoner's monologue.

"You mentioned a dark-haired boy earlier—the 'wolf.' Are you saying this boy is the one who attacked the Princess?" he asked, a brow arched in curiosity. "What’s his connection to you? Why would he come after you?" He paused, the pieces not quite fitting together. "And what’s his interest in the Princess? You know where she is?"

The playful tone from before was gone, replaced by a genuine interest in answers. Still, Zeph wasn’t naive enough to expect a straightforward reply. Riddles seemed to be Gadez’s preferred language.

Before Gadez could answer, something else clicked in Zeph’s mind. “Wait…” His expression shifted, brows furrowing as he recalled another detail. “Younger brother?” he echoed, his gaze locking onto Gadez, who lounged smugly on the pathetic excuse for a bed. “You talkin’ ‘bout the Prince?”

His tone carried a sharp edge of skepticism, though he couldn’t help himself as a wry smirk curled onto his lips. “You another one of Auric’s so-called bastards, then?” he asked, the amusement creeping back into his voice. “Ah… Aren’t we all?”

---

_{Interactions: Gadez @Dezuel}

Gadez Paladice

"Hnn...hnn... I do not judge a book by it's cover, neither by the title, the condition of the pages or how reviled or praised it is by others. What matters the most is what it contains." Gadez said in a soft tone, walking up close to the bars that separated the two and looked into Zeph's hazel eyes with his own ghostly blue.

"A bastard of Auric hm? I am certain there are others which would make such a preposterous claim, but why in the world would someone like -that- man repeat his mis-steps of the past? When that little thing has no doubt kept him sweating at nights. Did that child perish in the fire... or did he light it himself to elude him?" The blonde man chuckled, his gaze and body unflinching.

"The truth is often sought, but once presented with it, could you tell it apart from fairytales? A bastard. What makes one such? Is it because of a birth outside of wedlock?" Gadez asked as he allowed his blonde hair momentarily fall over his eyes, shade falling over the top part of his face.

"But there's another meaning of the word." He leaned in closely to the bars and lowered his voice.

"Hybrid." He said in a hushed, if not abit dramatic tone of voice.

"You are too harsh on yourself, you are not daft, but are clever enough to see the truth and aid yourself? We shall see..." He looked upwards, his hair moving away from his eyes momentarily.

'So that foolish boy decided to attack Amaya? As I suspected, he couldn't take no for an answer. But she is now missing? How you spoil a prisoner with the latest news, Zephyros.' The gardener thought to himself as he lowered his voice.

"Indeed. If there would be an attack upon the princess, I would think he'd be the one. As to our connection? I tried to have him unhand the girl, much to his displeasure. But the princess in her youthful pride decided to lead said boy away, arm in arm If my memory serves me right. Accompanied by her palehaired female friend, two guardsmen by the looks of it and... a little kittycat." He chuckled at the last part before blowing some air out of his mouth.

"Looked like they were heading away from the inn, towards the outskirts perhaps? Not to worry, I already alerted my younger brother, Flynn of her situation. That was before my rather eventful meeting with the champion of folly. Hahah... but now we are here, right where the pathways in the maze of life has led us. Fortunately for you Zephyros, I have something you need, and you have the key to this cell and may have me released from here. Question is, are you willing to make such a bargain?" The blonde man smiled and went over towards the wall, looking up at the window far above.

"Get me some parchment and some coal, and I may draw the face of that boy upon it. To be able to provide the face of the princess attacker so early on by a guardsman like yourself may earn you not only prestige. But perhaps a rise in rank amidst your peers, but the favor of the prince and princess for aiding in capturing that young fool too. Coming to think of it, it's very...convenient of said... self-proclaimed champion of Aelios to seal away a man who knew about all of this, wouldn't you say? Perhaps you've ought to bring her here just to be safe that she didn't orchestrate this attack I hear the adjacent cell is even more welcoming than this one. No better place to make ones prayers in neither. Such solitude. Barring the temples." He spoke in a shrewd manner, but couldn't help but snicker at the end, while tapping his temple with a finger.

Sya was unsure…she seemed entirely happy and the cheerful tavern keeper but Eris ..her friend had not come yet? The murder? Had she lost her friend? Would she turn up, Syas mind swam with so many possible options she had to steady herself behind the bar and her staff gave a worried glance but were too busy to intervene.

Her tail dropped slightly, it seemed it actively reacted to her thought…and emotional state as she was caught in a thought that she might have lost a friend, and she had precious few of those people in Dawnhaven. She looked out as her mind was making her feel worse, Nesna and Ellio the towns rogue Where having a rather long chat. Did they know each other? Surely not.. Was their gossip to be found?

The trader seemed to have concluded his business though, and not for the negative. That was good, she would get a better price If trade was not down in the dumps, you had to be attentive to get the most, and Sya might be a blight twice over, she was no foolish business woman.

Sya was overwhelmed and needed a break, she needed some space and time to master her rather volatile emotions, lately everything she felt was so powerful… “il taking a break, please ask Becky or Vala if you need anything.” Sya said politely to those at the bar, clearly off balance, not as perky and she slithered her way upstairs weaving why though the people and tables and found the snug was already taken. She took the stairs up to her floor and fell into a help with her tail haphazardly about her.

She looked down at herself, long almost cobalt coloured scales covering her tail? With all that changed? Who was she anymore? Who were her friends and who would be the people she could hug and share her success with? Share her achievements and what she achieved?

She finally let the tears fall and let her overwhelmed heart Have a moment to try and process things… Sya was…overloaded and she needed a little break. The pillows she rested against ehere soft and it felt nice, sofas and other things did not work for her now.

One small hand traced the hem of her dress, pretty blue fabric and down to her where the skin changed into cobalt, smooth and cooler to the touch, firmer and felt how they had a subtle layering and direction to them. How when she moved her hand wander along.

Turning her head out the large windows of the snug she saw the moon glowing in the sky and faint tint of purple in the farthest distances interacting with the sky. The lands she so feared, Sya doubted many would be able to tell the subtle differences, the things only she had the joy and pain to see.

Sya just wanted to know if her friend would remain so right now, also she wanted to change... it was dirty and she liked this dress. It needed care. Like Sya did.

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(You made sad Snake)

Aurora Halliwell

Eye of The Beholder
In the Temple

---

As she stepped into the temple, she was immediately struck by its vastness and breathtaking beauty. The high-valued ceilings were adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant murals that depicted scenes of divine serenity and celestial beings. Compared to the humble temple in her village, this sanctuary felt like a grand cathedral, filled with ornate details at every turn. The flickering light from candles cast a warm glow across the polished stone floor, making the whole space feel alive with reverence.

She took a deep breath, her heart pounding with a mix of awe and nostalgia, she began to slowly walk down the main aisle. Her eyes darted from one beautiful feature to another, the elegant stained glass windows, that she knew if only there was sunlight, there would be a kaleidoscope of colours.

As she continued to move forward, a sense of peace enveloped her, momentarily easing the weight of her memories. It was at that moment that she noticed a small alcove to the right of her, illuminated by a cluster of candles, each flame flickering gently as if whispering prayers of their own. Drawn to it she approached and felt an overwhelming urge to connect with her past.

Kneeling before the candlelit space, Aurora closed her eyes and bowed her head. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, recalling the laughter and love of her parents. With a heart full of emotion, she whispered a silent prayer, I hope you are both in a beautiful and peaceful place, surrounded by all the things that bring you joy. I miss you both more than words can express and every day I think about the memories we shared. I want you to know that I am committed to working hard and making choices that will make you proud of me. Your guidance and love continue to inspire me as I navigate through life. She poured her gratitude and longing into every word. Afterwards, she lit a candle, watching as the flame ignited with a soft crackle, sending a plume of smoke upward - a symbol of her hopes and memories rising to the heavens. In that moment, the temple felt not just like a place of worship, but a bridge connecting her to those she had lost, filling her with a profound sense of solace. She then went and sat quietly on a seat near the candles, and watched the flame flicker and crackle.

Zeph pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment as Gadez evaded answering anything in a straightforward manner. ‘What a lunatic…’ he thought, though a half-smile remained on his lips. Zephyros himself had dabbled in dancing around the truth, but Gadez had made an art out of it.

Still, something about the man’s words gnawed at the edges of his skepticism. Zeph genuinely didn't care whether Gadez was an Astaros bastard or not—Kings did as they pleased, and such preposterous claims were hardly rare. What difference did it make? The details Gadez shared about the incident with the Princess, however, gave him pause.

The mention of the Princess luring the attacker toward the outskirts of town stuck with him. Aliseth had said the Princess had escorted the blight-born on her own accord as well, which was unusual. Was it a coincidence, or could Gadez actually be telling the truth?

If there was even a sliver of truth to what Gadez said, then maybe it was worth reporting.

When Gadez claimed he had something Zeph needed, an amused scoff slipped past his lips. As if anyone in this town had anything he needed.

The notion nearly made him laugh out loud as Gadez tried to entice him with fantasies of prestige and status. Titles were utterly meaningless to a soul like Zeph’s, a restless one that only ever found fleeting moments of peace. If he had ever craved validation, his path would have never led him to Dawnhaven.

Sure, he hoped the blight-born would be found. Abel deserved justice and Zeph held no ill will toward the Princess—he barely knew anything about her. But being the one to find the killer meant little to Zeph. The praise of others always rang hollow in the end.

“Alright.” Zeph said at last, rising to his feet. "Tell you what—I’ll get you the coal. You’ll draw the wolf. And I’ll even consider arresting the Champion for you.” His gaze locked onto Gadez, who remained fixated on the far window that allowed a faint sliver of moonlight into the cell.

“I’m sure if your little brother will be on his way to release you before the sun rises, don’t worry.” He flashed a grin, then shoved the stool back into the corner with his boot, the scrape of wood against stone echoing through the hall.

“Don’t miss me too much.” he called over his shoulder, waving with his fingers as he turned to leave.

Outside the jail, Zeph clapped the guard at the door firmly on the shoulder. “Your lucky day,” he said cheerfully. “You’re on prisoner duty now. I’ve got important news to pass along to Volkov.”

The older guard looked at him silently for a few moments, incredulous. "Fine." he muttered finally, sliding his torch back into its mount on the wall. “But find someone to cover my post.” the other man grumbled, opening the door to enter. “Freezin’ me ass off anyway.”

Zeph turned to scan the street, his eyes tracking the passing soldiers. Most were either rushing off toward the crime scene or stationed elsewhere, neck-deep in their own tasks. Then his gaze landed on a young soldier who looked adrift in the chaos.

“OI!” Zeph called, staring at him from across the street. The man froze, confusion written on his face. When their eyes finally met, Zeph pointed at him.

“You.” he ordered, jabbing a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the vacant post.

The man hesitated, glancing around before shuffling toward the door. He looked nervous, but thankfully for Zeph, he complied and quietly took up the position by the door.

“Good man.” Zeph said, moving past him and offering two solid pats on the chest as he went.

---

_{Interactions: Gadez @Dezuel}