Dezuel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

The vexing blonde watched and listened, but he couldn't wait for Aurora's reply.

The man which the gathering had crowded around was not wounded in the way that he had initially wondered, it became clear to the blue eyed monk that the man before him was no doubt trying to con the beholders. It reminded him of particular kinds of animals which would feign weakness, to draw in predators before setting it's teeth into them. Like a spider trying to make itself look like an ant, to lure out other spiders. Or a venus flytrap trying to lure in things with it's reeking promise before shutting it's jaws shut.

To many young and naive people, or old and too trusting, this kind of person was a threat. The kind which would prey on other's kindness, or to have them feel like they are doing a good thing, inviting a hungry wolf to the shepherd's flock. He had dealt with these kinds of people before, they could be found in all different places, from nobles, to thieves and beggars. Like the alcohol he had sworn to never consume, like the sweet poison it were, these individuals would use flattery and try coat their words in the same poison as their weapons.

There were a couple of kinds of people that he couldn't stand the sight of, those who saw themselves as wolves and everyone else the prey, those who sought to rob others of their free will and those who enjoyed causing suffering upon others for no other sake than to qwell their own miserable existance. These things reminded him of the Aurelian king, that detestable man, who had been a major reason as to why he had come all this way.

His objective had not changed at all. All his training and existance was for this purpose alone. A choice he had made still. It was surely better a fate than having no choice at all. In order to see Aurelia and Lunaris both fall, Dawnhaven and it's leaders, and it's blightborn inhabitants had to be protected no matter what. Would Flynn die and be no more, then the kingdoms would begin to war anew. If Amaya died. The same result. The coin had been tossed up into the air, with the goddesses watching and when it landed… it landed on the edge. And it is upon that edge which they would all have to tread. His task was simple in theory, but difficult in practice. How would he be able to keep both of the heirs of the twin kingdoms 'alive', and at the same time prevent them from undoing the source of the blight.

As terrible a plague as the blight was upon the world, with many people suffering under it's effects, whereof they died to it or were changed forever. Was it any different from living in a world that would never change? Where those two kingdoms and their pitiful warlords would fight til the end of time on behalf of things out of the mortal world.

Would Flynn set out to find a 'cure', then he knew that he too would have to go and make certain the blight would continue, and if necessary have Flynn become one of the afflicted. A dark fate, but not a fate uncommon. Leela. Kira. And many others had fallen prey to that very fate. Their hopes and dreams likely snuffed out like the feeling of being alive. Would Flynn ultimately chose the wrong path, and go down the same bloody path as Auric. Then the blue-eyed monk knew, that he would have to stop him and seize his place. It wasn't just to see the Aurelian king dead, but to unify the land that had since the beginning of time been divided and never changing.

The blight was a unifier, it was likely never meant to be. Like Dawnhaven was never meant to be a kingdom come. Unless he had an ally hidden in the shade. Time would tell. As it always did.

So would Tia. Soon.

The blonde smiled softly, he lift his head slightly and stepped forwards towards Vellion and Amaya.

"A fly may think a venus flytrap's rotten scent is sweet and inviting, yet upon landing upon it, finds itself consumed. Tread upon the web carefully, the slightest tingle may alert the spider that dinner is ready." He said softly with a smug smile, he raised his right hand and tried to trace his index finger along Amaya's arm towards Vellion hand. His ghostly blue eyes setting on Vellion.

"The cricket sought to drink the morning dew. The mantis stalks it, unaware of the bird behind it." Gadez said in a slightly poetic manner, his voice still soft and with a smile upon his lips, before it completely began to fade away and the blonde's voice took a turn, he spoke in a lower voice, but just enough for Amaya and those near to hear it.

"Unhand the girl." The blonde man said coldly, his ghostly piercing blue eyes staring right at Vellion. There was no smile this time. "...or I will unhand you." He finally added, his gloved hand ready to grab unto Vellion's wrist if he wouldn't comply.

@Dark Light@c3p-0h@Qia

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

Honey. This man's words were honey.

Ayel was almost displeased that he was in fact not a useless commoner, because it was words such as these which could see you employed by someone like himself. The marquess could almost taste the aroma of truth in the air, it struck him that Lord Stormlight was a shy man. Choosing now to refer as Ayel as a 'dear nobleman' likely he felt embarassed about refering to him in such a familiar manner prior, after all, it wasn't every day a god in mortal form passed by and looked amazing. Nathaniel did bring out valuable points.

Sophisticating the tavern?

'Hmm. Like that tamer was cleansing the beasts at the hot spring. Perhaps that ill constructed abomination could be salvaged. What if I build a large walkway from my future home over towards it, it would give me a splendid overview of my best friend's border project. Of course the tavern section of my new home would have to be completely cleansed of any signs of peasants, rats and other beings of lesser standing.' The nobleman thought to himself, his gloved hand reaching his noble chin as he thought heavily on the subject.

"Now now. Don't sell yourself too short, Lord Stormlight. You are no peasant after all. But you do bring up a fair point. I do have this immense charm about myself don't I? Thinking of it, I don't think there's an angle that does me any injustice. And commanding the attention? I like that." He chuckled in evil joy.

'Bribing the peasantry? What a devious idea. Have the fools think you are… ugh… donating things, when you are in fact taking things from them. Like their liberties, land and rights. Marvelous. Lord Stormlight seemed to have experience in dealing with the peasant issue.' Ayel seemed to momentarily be caught by bliss as he answered Nathaniel without looking at him.

"Royalty hm? I would hate to intrude on my best friend's domain, but who am I to deny the people from what they want? I mean, look at me? I am simply…" He made a chef's kiss motion with his gloved hand.

"Alchemic chambers? Oh you should have my dear sister join you, she is overly interested in that sort of thing. She wears yellow dresses a lot, she just arrived in Dawnhaven. In fact I must insist you invite her along. That reminds me, I need to be elsewhere NOW." He said in a slightly urgent manner, as if reminded of something terrible looming nearby. "If either of you need any funding do let me know, I think we can come to some fine agreements. Perhaps there's some cure to remove the blighted ones -permanently-." He said dreamily as he moved his troublesome lock of hair out of his face.

@Echotech71@The Muse

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

'Ofcourse I am correct.' He mentally rolled his eyes at the remark, when had he ever been wrong? To commit errors was for the poor and uneducated, like his servant Faldrin. The mention of the prince, his bestest friend possibly partaking in a contest of beauty had made Ayel blink quickly. Lord Stormlight had tried to joke that the prince had an actual chance to compete against him on a matter of beauty. It caused Ayel to give off a genuine chuckle. His bestest friend was royalty, rich and had a way with seeing obvious talent, but to outshine -him- of all people in a contest of being stunning? Poppycock!

Nathaniel seemed to however be in some hurry, needing to act fast? Was he trying to pretend to be quick, or was he trying to be a speedy performer, whichever of the two, Ayel couldn't decipher. It didn't matter. He wasn't much for theatrics, those plays drew attention away from things that truly mattered. Himself. He did have a fond memory of a play though, where he had placed himself with his large hat in a location that he would be in constant view by the onlookers and make the performers seem like mere background characters. Then again. Weren't they all?

His thoughts snapped back to the present as he heard his first name being uttered by Nathaniel. He was feeling so close with him already that he started to use first names? Ayel felt satisfied. He was so charismatic that people would befriend him at first meeting, just like that. He truly had an excellent hand with people, if only the prince would let him aid in expanding and correcting Dawnhaven, there would be wonders to be had. He could already imagine the fountains and statues depicting himself and with his bestest friend, the prince standing on a statue next to him. Albeit abit shorter. Power could corrupt people. He had to carefully make sure that his good friend the prince wouldn't get out of hand with his choices, like having a charity day… or peasant day. That would be awful.

The noble before him was such a refreshing change from the common leech and filthy vagabond he had met so far, he had even gone as far as to respect his personal preferences and made a handshake of invisible magic. Impressive. Lord Stormlight did indeed seem schooled in the right ways to treat someone of his worth. This was how he should be treated. But the nobleman got pulled out of his thoughts again as Nathaniel yelled for someone called Eris.

Eris? He recalled someone being named that. Was it some scandalous new-noble or someone of actual importance? He didn't have to think for long before a young lady approached them. She had heard of him aswell. Now this was more like it. Ayel produced a satisfied smile as he straightened his back and raised his chin to make certain she could admire all his noble features, an almost impossibility as there was so much of him to go around. But he knew he had to offer the best view for possible admirers.

"Aha ha ha! Hah… ahh.. Oooh yes, I do have a habit of being bold, adventurous and leading the charge so to put it! Aha hah hah." He offered some obnoxious laughs as he stroked the ruffle at his shirt, fondling the little broché depicting his own face in profile.

"Lady Hightower? Truly? Charmed I am sure. I do recall your family name, ahh such fortune meeting fellow highborns here." He said before the word she had uttered finally landed in his mind. Donated? DONATED?! A large sum. He felt lightheaded as if he was going to faint any moment. He could see stars in front of his eyes.

He felt a chill down his spine, then how a sweatdrop was trying to form at his forehead. His shirt suddenly got alot more humid and warm. Was he having a panic- No definitely not. He was a calm and collected nobleman. He was just abit startled. He felt a sudden sense of relief on hearing one of his safe-words.

'Ahhhhhhhh! Funding! Ofcourse!' He mentally chanted to himself as he felt the burden fall off his shoulder. The very idea of donating things for some charity, 'noble cause' or to... the poor. He would have none of that! He had a reputation to think of.

"Ahhh yes! The funding, well ofcourse. Yes, it lies in both of our families interests and that of our noble Aurelian kingdom! Remind me again, what was this research about? I have so many.. uhmm… funding projects." He said as he tried to think about what manner of other things he had funded. Most of the things he was funding was groups intending to make the rich richer and the poor get in line. The good and noble stuff.

"This is the second time I hear about this feast, is it true then? My best friend, his royal highness is the host of this… peasant festival? Ohohoho. Oh no, no no no. I will not go into that place. It's like a menagerie no doubt. I saw the inn had it's own… what do you call those again? Performers tend to have monkeys dancing while they play their noisy instruments. This inn seems to have some snake-woman creature. She even tried to convince me that she were the owner. As if my dear friend would allow that abominable creature waltz around and looking awful like that to begin with. I saw her pale-looking chisel-faced tamer at the local hot spring, he was in the middle of trying to clean her and some other mistake-looking woman with orange eyes. Best be on your guard here my fellow highborns, these opportunistic lowborn will try -anything- to get us into trouble. Give them a single apple, and soon enough they ask for the entire tree!" Ayel said in an upset manner, but he was clearly trying to make a point. He tightened his hand as if trying to squeeze and imaginary thing.

"They'll bleed us dry if we'll let them. Also is it true that the prince has truly married a barbarian? I find this truly unbelievable." He shook his head in disbelief and seemed actually hurt by the fact.

@The Muse@Echotech71

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez Paladice

Gadez had after awhile gathered up all the things he had used for the puppet theatre, including his other gear and weapons. People had begun to scatter abit and join in at dancing to the tunes of the bard.

At least his theatre had granted them a momentary reprieve of that poison. He wasn't the type of man who would find himself drawn in by the sweet melodies of that man. His ears could hear the tunes, but they would never reach his heart. No song would ever be able to compete with the melody he sought for, the deathsongs of the kingdoms and the sound of Auric as his rule would come to an end.

Gadez thought of the immense irony in that the Aurelian king would fall as a result of his own making. Dawnhaven may have been intended to be a trap made by two kings obsessed with power, they both were just two sides of the same coin, like Aelios and Seluna.

But Dawnhaven was the perfect place to topple the old order, to finally bring the eternal conflict of fire and ice to an end. Not by being a puppet or outpost of either kingdom, but to become a force to surpass them both.

The blightborn was surely intended to be a tool, but he had to make sure it wouldn't be a tool which would render the world unchanging. They would never fully be accepted by neither kingdom, after their role would been played they would be discarded. He would not allow that to happen.

The blight was not a divider, it was a unifier. The blightborn were typically stronger than the common man or woman too. Even in lower numbers a group of them could be a potent force to topple the world.

The blonde monk had attempted to test Prince Flynn, but without a result that was satisfactory. If Flynn wouldn't be the leader that Dawnhaven needed, that the blightborn needed, that the world craved. Then he knew that someone else had to take the role and lead the world to the day of reckoning.

Auric had to be destroyed, the old order of the world brought to ruin, all resemblence of border or distinguishment.... extinguished.

'Even if the road ahead is riddled with glass shards, some people chose to walk it believing sll the blood spilt and pain caused in the end will be worth it. I cannot allow myself to die just yet. Mother.' He mused in his head as he walked over to get himself a room at the inn, he settled on room four and placed his coins on the bar desk.

Then the ghostly eyed man made his way to said room, with key in hand. The inn room didn't strike him as anything extraordinary, but it would serve a purpose.

He placed down the puppet theatre parts, the various planks and nails would be good for boarding the door and windows later. But for now the room would be used for storage. He threw a glance to the bed.

'No rest for the wicked. No reprieve for the deceived.' He thought before he left the room, locking it behind him.

He needed to meet more people in Dawnhaven, especially the blightborn. If there was something he could be certain of, were that in the end of it all, they would be his allies. The two wretched kings would never accept them, therefor their only haven would lie with Dawnhaven. The third kingdom.

Their loyalty towards it and it's leader, whomever it would end up becoming.

Flynn was to be tested, as were Amaya. In the end, both could prove unable to fill the role asked for them.

What was it that it hidith within? A secret dangerous like sin. Written upon the skin, a symbol bore, protect the stone that can be turned to gold.

Upon a finger, a stone balancing, light of the sun within.

Gadez had initially wondered, where was Aelios, the sun when the world went dark. Seluna's gaze would be upon the world, empowered and looking for her foe eternal.

Perhaps it was because of intuition, or just who he were, the blonde man knew where Aelios were. She were, where she had always been. In the heart of her believers.

He had to go to the temple of Aelios again.

The blonde however stopped on his way out the inn, throwing a disapproving look towards Aldrick. As much as he would have liked to teach the bard a valuable lesson, this wasn't the time nor the place. Then Gadez eyes landed on Daphne.

"Well done on handling that drunkard earlier. He served as a fine example however that poison can go to ones head... then again... so may other things." He said softly with a smile as he walked up slightly into her personal space, while passing her by.

"I am Gadez by the way, a gardener who makes sure things are tended for in this haven of dawn. You seem to possess quite the physical form, perhaps someday they'll erect something... for your achievements." He smiled softly over his shoulder, then setting his eyes on the door.

"Afraid I am abit... hardly pressed... for time at the moment, perhaps another time we may discuss the dangerous subject of... intoxication?" He said in an amused and teasing tone as he opened the door, giving Daphne a smile in the doorway.

Upon exiting the building he was met with a sight of a gathering looking over a man which looked abit worse for wear.

"Well, I suppose someone had a bad case of making the insides go outsides. Just a guess. A throw up into the air, quite literally. Well then, need any aid, miss fairhair?" He softly smiled not to Vellion, but to Aurora. His blonde hair blowing in the wind, his piercing blue eyes staring into hers, one hand by his belt, drumming lightly with his fingers against his thigh.

There seemed to be plenty of people about, but asking would surely aid in figuring out what kind of wonderful mess this were.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

Fortune favours the bold and the beauty!

Ayel gathered himself, which was alot of things to gather, all things considered. But for the nobleman, he had a lifetime of experience on that subject. He loved dealing with himself more than anyone else. After taking a deep breath he hurled himself out from the corner of the building, right out into the pathway and-

Baam!

Some reckless idiot had bumped into him, after all, he would never do such a thing himself by accident. Accidents. Had he ever disgraced himself by being a clumsy fool? Never. There were others who laid traps however, that were so low and beneath him that he couldn't spot them even if he tried to.

The nobleman raised his hand to backhand whomever had bounced into him.

"Why you dimwitted dullard, I've should- Ehh?" Ayel spoke out in an agitated manner, his eyebrows twitching before his face went completely blank as he blinked at the person which he had bumped into.

"My sincerest condolences, It seems the Prince has not yet had the peasants make the pathways proper, it can be slippery with all the grime they carry with them." He adjusted his hat as he looked Nathaniel over, his expression having changed to one of appraisal and interest.

"Ah! Lord Stormlight! In person! At last I meet someone who wasn't born in a barn! What great fortune that you would be here, we may not have spoken in person before, but I do recall the contribution your family has done to our great pure Aurelian kingdom, I also seem to recall you were a runner-up in the beautiful youths of Aurelia contest, some eight years ago. I hope you do not hold a grudge against me for winning by the great margins that I did. At least you were beaten by the better man, imagine today's contests when they allow peasants to compete. Yeuch. Disgusting to even imagine comparing the two." Ayel kept talking and then took out one of his napkins and tried to help brush off Nathaniel's attire.

"Are you in a rush? Did some lowlife peasant steal something from you or is someone chasing you? A good lashing in the face always works in sending the message." The nobleman reached for his horsewhip by his belt and made a few slashes in the air with it.

The Marquess had momentarily put his primary quest as a side-quest and was now fully focused on his fellow nobleman, perhaps he could make some promising arrangement with the young lord of the Stormlight family. Perhaps he could pay the man to come up with a new kind of magic able to make the peasants less hostile towards him. Like a subjugation spell? Like the tea that Anora was making, but in magical form. Something which could be used without having to worry about getting those pesky guards trying to jail perfectly fine gentlemen for defending themselves.

"Ahem! But yes manners. I was simply too beside myself, when I should had been in myself. I am Marquess Ayel Raunefeldt of Aurelia, I am also the head of the Aurelius Emporium, best friend of the Crown Prince Flynn Astaros, founder of the Pureblood Aurelian Society, Inventor of the mirrorcoat and former owner of a hundred percent pure non-fur clad east-aurelian feline." Ayel gave a smile with his white teeth, his eyebrow raising and he reached out his hand. His gloved hand. He could always discard it later. First impressions were important. He had no doubt already made a strong positive impact on Dawnhaven, he was confident that people would speak his name with strong feelings.

He sighed softly. To the peasants, he must surely look like a god. A merciful, beautiful and just god. After his recent connection with the goddess, he was certainly at the brink of being divine himself. What if he had the same purifying touch as Aelios? The thought fascinated him, there was always something new and exciting to learn about himself. Like an amazing book with an amazing hero and always something great he would come up with.

@Echotech71 Nathaniel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

His noble and cunning evasion had seemingly bore fruit, despite not having the brutish training of those woodhugging rangers, he was basically a chameleon.

But somehow someone had still managed to bypass his effort and gone as far as to call out his name, without any mention of his grand titles. The voice was one he recognized, it had been a constant reoccurring thing in his nightmares, how often he would have woken from his noble slumber screaming in controlled...panic? No. He was not the panicked kind, he was just startled. It wasn't fear neither. It was a sense of self-preservation.

The voice in question would have made the hair on his neck stand up, haf he not seen them artfully removed as a part of his daily self-tending routine.

Ayel nearly slipped as he reacted to the voice, it wasn't that he lost his composure, he was far too levelheaded for that nonsense. Must have been the bad ground.

'Ahhhhhhhhh!' He screamed internally, throwing a glance quickly in the direction of the distant terror, before he ran, he ran as gracefully as a drenched noble could. Why had he not trained his legs more? This was clearly Faldrin's fault for not suggesting more mundane things. Useless commoners.

But then again, running were for those without calm and- wait... he couldn't be running. No. This was simply a hasty walk. The nobleman comforted himself as he definitely not ran.

He needed to change and get to his carriage, but odds were that the literal evil bearing an umbrella was heading for his estate in the making. Why did he send Faldrin away at such an unfitting time to deliver letters to the Aurelian royalty?

'Curse you Faldrin! You are never around when needed!' He mentally lamented, if Dawnhaven wouldn't have been so barbarian infested then he wouldn't had to do all this. It all fell back into place. It were those pestersome peasants fault. Ofcourse. It always were.

But Aelios was with him, likely watching and testing him. Oh. It was all a test of his character and patience? The nobleman reached for his face to supress the rising blush. He was so rich in character and all, to think he had even smitten a goddess, if he was a piece of cake he would have asked for more. But cakes were usually not good for ones figure, he wasn't as fat neither. But sweet and flavourful? Absolutely. But this wasn't a time for cakes, it was for escapes.

The nobleman made it to his carriage. Safe. For now.

Ayel then proceeded to make some of the most difficult decisions of his life. What to wear?

He dried himself as well as he could and checked himself for any bruises. It was as he thought. He had become invulnerable. Aelios had shielded him.

Her love for him was clear, but nothing could compete with his own admiration of himself. His lists of achievements. Ah. He had forgotten to bring with him his room of diplomas and medals. He momentarily smiled as he recalled his fur-less cat of his childhood, how he had paid the judges of a hound display to allow his feline pet to win that too.

There was something about taking the prize coin out of the commoners hands that struck a nerve in him. He loved that feeling. The little tickle going up from his feet to his brain, a far cry from the feeling of wanting to throw up on seeing the filthy beggars.

Ayel reached for his shelves of salves, powder, lotion, marking pens and more. All the tools needed to further decorate the view that was his face. It only bothered him that others got to enjoy the view more than him. He had his handmirror with him ofcourse, but perhaps the old idea of making Faldrin wear a mirror suit was worth a revisit.

As was possibly getting a new cat. Without fur ofcourse. Fur was only to be worn around the neck, not petted.

He frowned as his thoughts fell on his adoptive sister. She liked squirrels. And they in turn liked nuts. The nobleman thought it was oddly fitting as he regarded his sister to completely insane.

She was gifting things to the poor. The thought made him shudder. He wanted nothing more than to not be seen with her. What if there would be rumors about him? The idea of happy peasants it filled him with such disdain he accidently used too much powder on his face, resulting in a sneeze.

Then came the hardest choice. Which hat to wear? He sighed as he carefully combed his hair, then applied a very light purple lipstick on his lips.

'Mmm. I am stunning, like a kick to the head.' He smugly stared at his mirror, feeling momentarily the desire to reach out and lay his noble fingers on the sight before him. But he was hard pressed for time. He didn't know how long it would take for the archvillainess to find him. He couldn't even say he was sick, that would cause an even worse reaction.

He could still feel the sting on his cheeks after her pinching the last time, or the awful concotion she said would cure him.

Then the pastries and the tea, one would leave you unable to sleep and you couldn't get the taste out of your mouth, or feel the taste of anything else. The other sending you into a semi-coma where the person in question would be the ideal subject for radical suggestions.

He still recalled how she had gotten him to sign the papers for the construction of an orphanage. It had taken him months, with plenty of sweaty nightmares and a high amount of wine to deal with.

At least the building didn't come to bear his name, to have his surname dragged down by such lunacy. It was enough having to deal with his oblivious older brother and the umbrella wielding menace of a sister.

Oh he had promised his mother to be kind to them both, why had his mother been so selfish on her deathbed? Ayel scoffed and then grew abit sorrowful.

'Mother...' He thought in a saddened way, before it gave way to anger.

'What did that bumbling idiot Andros have that I do not? There are door knobs more impressive than him. He also thinks that collecting stones is fun, and cricket being a sport. Disgusting insects.  What a buffoon. Good grief, if I wouldn't have sworn on your deathbed mother, I would have sent him to some remote island where he can do no harm. ' He sighed softly, that was but a wishful dream.

He finally decided. It was going to be a black hat and coat for now. It was perfect for mourning the arrival of his sister and Flynn's marriage with some illiterate barbarian. He needed to find the prince. But where would his bestest of friends be off to?

Perhaps that big awful inn? He shuddered on the idea of entering it. No definitely not such a place. As adventurous as his princely friend were he would surely not mingle with the commoners, no matter how many of the peasant girls would throw themselves at him. Those disgusting wenches, his best friend wouldn't ever let them get near him.

A sudden worry crept up on his face. Unless some devious earlicking advisor or barbarian would manipulate him.

Ayel knew what he had to do. He had to spread some words about the barbarian princess. That her ancestor was an ox would likely not be enough or believable. The Aurelians weren't stupid, unlike the rest.

But what if the princess would be found with another barbarian or found having something incriminating on her person. Not only would he save the prince from being married to a farm animal, but he would be getting fame as the one who caught her in the act. He then could help him find a more suitable princess, someone of pure Aurelian blood.

He momentarily lamented that if he had been born a woman, he might have become queen. But all things considered he couldn't stand the idea of cheating on himself with anyone else. Save perhaps for the goddess herself. If they had the same focus. Him.

The nobleman finally exited his carriage with his head held high.

Now where would he go? He had to evade his sister at all costs. He could hear the soun of music, he stopped and then felt his foot tapping to the rhythm. It didn't take him long to compose himself again and gave his foot a glare. It better not do that again. That was clearly common music, and such was beneath him.

Whomever was making the noise had probably stolen the song from someone more accomplished. Now that he thought about it. The tune sounded familiar.

He recalled a time in Aurelia when some troupe of, what he could only describe as thieves, paupers and vagrants were doing some performance for the dimwitted common mob.

'These gullible fools, I swear this is a theft in progress, and its coming from that inn. The inn?! That filthy hole! Ofcourse it's coming from in there.' He grinded his teeth together as he peeked around the corner in his dark outfit.

'If there is a theft going on in there, and the thief is caught, the owner can be pointed out as a thief aswell. They end up jailed and then the building can be torn down, I get worshipped as the saviour of Dawnhaven... and the sight from my new bedchamber will be improved.' He thought gleefully, but then swallowed. It meant he had to enter the inn. Perhaps he could use the excuse that he was looking for some stableboy for his noble steed. It wasn't the most brilliant of excuses, but this was witless poor people. They would buy anything as long as it was free.

There was something poetic about it. The nobleman had his latest quest, and the reward was too good not to take it.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Anora Opal Raunefeldt

Two carriages would quietly approach the gates into Dawnhaven.

"Hoooo! State your business in Dawnhaven travellers!" The guard called out as he stepped forwards, the other guards resting their hands on the pommels of their swords. The carriage driver gave the carriage a knock and soon after the door would open up, a pair of foldable stairs would fall down and out would step a pair of brown boots clad with large yellow rosettes decorating them, followed by a red cloth umbrella with white trim. The guards eyes would look first baffled, who would bring an umbrella when the skies had been dark for so long. It wasn't raining neither.

Then they saw it, peacock feathers and yellow wintery dress with white fur coating the neck and the end of each arm, but it wasn't the outfit which made the guard blink quickly and forget to close his mouth. It was the young lady wearing it, she descended out of the carriage almost like royalty, her hair being split in colour, one side being black and the other blonde. Her skin was fair with rosy cheeks and a red dot on her lower lip made by some form of make-up.

"Welcome to Dawnhaven, milady!" The guardsman's tone changed and he licked his hand, before pulling his hair back and straightened his back.

The young lady simply gave a smile before turning to her driver, to which she reached out for to take a small bucket after which she went over to the horses and giving them a carrot each while stroking their manes.

"Much appreciated~ And thank you my darlings for taking me this far~" She smiled at the steeds as the gates began to open, then she set her blue eyes on the guardsmen again, then to the little bucket with carrots.

"Aww~ You poor things must be so tired from standing on guard whole day~ Here you go~" She went up and offered the closest guardsman a carrot. She wasn't aware of the feast within Dawnhaven and that all the guards had already fed. But this guardsman wasn't dumb, he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. He quickly gripped the carrot as it was passed over, his expression began with suprise, before changing into a blank stare. The rest of the guardsmen hurried over to also be gifted some carrots which was intended for the horses. But the young lady wouldn't make a difference of big bulky guardsmen and her fair steeds which had taken her all this way.

Soon after she began to walk on foot into Dawnhaven, her large umbrella resting against her shoulder, the small hat with the big yellow ribbon she wore on the side of her head neatly in place, her steps were dignified befitting of a noblewoman. Her adoptive mother had taught her etiquette enough that she could do this and distinguish all manner of cutlery at a noble's table.

"Milady are you truly fine with walking?" The carriage driver called out to the young lady.

"Oh don't worry about me~ I want to see if I can see my brother or Flynnie- I mean the prince~ Fufu~" She waved softly with her hand in front of her mouth. All things considered she was dressed for the weather, the fine coat that was worn outside of her dress was warm, and the short cape she wore was silky soft and flickered gently in the wind.

Then she spotted someone standing close to a tree in the distance, it somehow resembled her brother although her brother didn't typically look so... was there a recent downpour?

"Ayel!~ Big brother!~" She called out loudly in a cheery manner while waving her free hand, and she could see the distant figure cringe and react as if he had been a mouse caught nibbling on some cheese, before the man in a seemingly panicked way began to run as fast as he seemingly could in the complete opposing direction. It must have been someone else. She could have sworn she recognized that hat.

"Please try find a good place for unloading my belongings, take your time and don't hurt your poor backs~ Make certain to get yourselves some warm food too~ You must be exhausted and cold from the trip~" She said softly to the carriage driver who seemed to blush for a moment before giving a reluctant nod.

'Flynnie, where are you?~' She thought before excusing herself from her entourage, entering the larger gathering of people. Her steps were confident but light, she didn't force her way through the gathering but rather waited for them to make some way for her.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

"The ability to speak doesnt't give yout the right to- and what did you just say to me? I ought to-"  He said in a state of controlled rage, he was fuming, his body shaking from both the shock and the audacity that Sya and Kira dared speak to him so plainly. He may have been drenched, but he was still a noble, coming to think of it. He was almost royalty. Had Flynn's family members even been remotely as attractive as his own visage, he might have considered marrying into it. The idea of wearing a crown upon his noble brow was so sweet it made him feel lightheaded.

"Ayel the graceful, Ayel the Great, Ayel the flawless." He couldn't even pick between which legacy he would end up being remembered by. But even he knew that he wasn't immortal. It was unfair. Why did someone as beautiful as he be subjected to old age and die? To die... the very idea had made him shudder in the past. But if he had to die, then he wanted to be put in a glass coffin. So generations could enjoy the sight of him, like he had done his entire life.

But now it was time to smite the wicked beasts in the bath. The nobleman raised his hand to use his light magic to blow everything to dust. When someone had the gall to grab hold of him.

'Why you insufferable Monocycloplodyte- I'll... I'll- what?'

He shuddered. It had been years since someone else had touched him without him expecting it. He had seen s tailor dragged to the dungeon for poking his noble belly while taking his measurements for a new attire.

His concentration of his magic failed as his eyes turned on Tia, the one who had grabbed him. Didn't this woman have any respect for others personal space and boundaries.

He blinked quickly, it was a shorter than average woman. A priestess? She didn't strike him as rich, and being rich meant being smart. At least thats what he had always thought.

He had for a moment wanted to chastise and withdraw his arm but he felt...calmer...he felt good.

The nobleman gasped as he tried to make sense of it all. Then it struck him. He had underestimated her. Not the priestess. But Aelios! His goddess had descended from the sky and possessed this meager temple attendant with her light, to deliver him out of the purifying pit that was the hotspring. Ofcourse! It all made sense to him now. The water was clean no matter how many of those filthy blightborn were in it. They couldn't contend with Aelios light!

She had specifically reached out to aid him, she had been watching him, it made the nobleman blush. The goddess wanted him as her consort perhaps? Now that was even beyond royalty. Had he limited himself to the boundaries of the mortal world? He could become divine! A god of grace and unyielding beauty! His eyes began to almost get teary eyed. There would be temples of him, pilgrims wandering to see his statues... he would be justly worshipped.

Before the nobleman knew it he had gripped Tia's arm carefully and helped himself out of the bath. He seemed to look right past the priestess as if he had received a vision of his own. After all, when it came to visions, he was clearly the best suited to have thwm.

"Thank you my lady of light, Aelios the eternally bright." He said in a monotone as if enchanted and completely enthralled by his seemingly divine experience. "Your most favoured child shall do your great work." Ayel said as he slowly began to walk up the stairs, his face blank as he stared out into nothingness.

Thonk! He walked face-first into a wooden pole, hitting his face, causing him to quickly snap out of it. "Ah? What?" He said aloud and then in a panic reached for his face, making sure he was allright. He was such a gentle creature, like the fabled unicorns or majestic griffons. Except that he was completely real. The judgemental nobleman looked down the stairs to the water which harbored the two wicked beasts, there was a man close to where they were. His noble mind then recalled, he had dtood next to the priestess upon his arrival.

Of course! That was it. This man was some beast handler, seeing how he quickly had risen to calm the wild beasts. Perhaps he worked at a menagerie or a circus? Or was he aiding some reasearcher by subjecting the blighted to Aelios purifying pond? Ahh, he was trying to cleanse them. Thats why they were in the bath.

He had misunderstood the entire thing. But of course he wasn't to be blamed, he hadn't been informed by his lessers. So how could he had known?

"Yes yes, keep those beasts at bay! I have to get changed!" Ayel said aloud as he nodded his head towards Orion.

'He looks abit odd. Must be using some cheap skin lotion and those eyes don't look healthy. Clearly lack of sleep. Perhaps this beast tamer could deal with my dear sister? Oh good grief... no he couldn't.' Ayel chuckled softly, holding a hand before his mouth as he did. It was improper to allow his lessers to see him amused so plainly.

But he soon grunted. His boots were drenched. Then he saw someone he recognized. It was the goat girl. That made sense. That pale looking man was definitely her shepherd. But as his eyes wandered over the blonde girl, he suddenly felt... strange again. His thoughts wandered to how Aelios possibly would look like if she visited him in his mansion-to-be. He pinched his cheeks and softly slapped thwm to clear his mind. What in Aurelia had gone over him? His relationship with Aelios were...

Relationship? The nobleman got flustered and dramatically gestured with his arms as he passed by Ranni. "Bah, bah, bah. I don't have time for some sheep business!" He held his nose high, even as the wet noises of his clothes could be heard loudly.

He had to get to his carriage and get changed before he would be spotted. Wait... was that the goat's unhorned twin getting closer?

'Chosen of Aelios my noble rear! Haha! You sister of a goat! Peasantborn!' He mentally hurled his insults as he thought of his recent experience. But he was looking like a  mess. He couldn't let her see him like this. A smug commoner was one of the worst things imaginable.

He hid behind a nearby tree which was abit too thin to fully cover him.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez Paladice

The monk offered a nod to Nyla as she introduced herself, he couldn't help but notice that there was something abit more exotic about her. Were she from a distant region of Aurelia or elsewhere? Was it her accent or her appearance which made him draw that conclusion, he couldn't quite pinpoint.

"I wear many hats indeed, yet I don't allow that to go to my head." He softly said in an amused manner. "Pleased to meet one such as yourself, Nyla. As for what drew me to Dawnhaven? Would revenge be the wrong answer? Well, or perhaps I should say justice? It depends from whose eyes you see things. But I knew the moment that Dawnhaven was made that I had to go. Because this is the only place in this world that can make my wish come true." He said and offered a mysterious looking smile, his eyes shimmering from the nearby fireplace light.

'The third kingdom...'

It was then a man rudely was heard, it was a bard. Ofcourse it had to be a bard. The blonde cringed in his entire body, as if struck by lightning. How he hated bards.

'These damnable illusionists and their made up tales and songs, the real world isn't as kind as the ones in your fairytales! Wait… I recognize this poisonous tune. It's that wretched performer who saw it fit to make camp just outside the circus grounds to snatch up coins while enthralling the crowds. Aldrick Corveaux. The famous performer.' Gadez gathered his thoughts, he didn't want to be subjected to his music, but at this moment it seemed unavoidable unless he went up there and broke the man's instrument or legs. Neither would sit well with the populace which seemed quite joyous over his music.

People had the right to chose their own path, even if that path was knee-deep in poison. Like the alcohol served, bards tunes would gradually seduce, enthrall and poison peoples minds until they would simply become a spectator for their own life and live in a world of dreams. Rather than set out and make that dream a reality. It did strike the monk that Aldrick had changed, not with his music but with his appearance. The blight had a way to bring out the best and worst in people. For the case of the bard. He thought this was the best. Though if he would have been able to pick, he would have chosen to make him a mute and unable to play those songs of his. But who was he to question the fate of things. Who was he indeed?

His thoughts were then interrupted by another rude man, this one seemed to be intoxicated and saw it fit to try his luck with a whitehaired young lady in the inn. Had it not been for what seemed to be a female guard or mercenary stepping in to deal with the man, he would have done it himself. Thinking of it. This was likely for the best. He wouldn't have been as gentle. It wasn't that he lacked tact when he needed to, but to send a clear signal. The guardswoman then made a remark to a kissing booth.

"Afraid you'd miss the opening hours? Lest you'd be shy? But good to know that my words are heard and memorable." He softly said towards Daphne and made a wink, the blonde man chuckled and turned his attention back to Nyla.

"Ahh.. disappointed? Well… I could show you more than a kissing booth, however you might become snake-charmed yourself and get more lost than that bard enthralled by his own tune." He chuckled again in an amused manner, then moving closer to Nyla. "However your lips say one thing, but your eyes say another… I saw how your eyes gazed upon that boy. They say the eyes are a depiction of ones soul and heart. As long as you'd follow whichever path your heart so choses, you'll never be wrong, neither regret it." He said softly as he reached out to try touch Nyla's cheek, but withdrew before coming into touch with it.

"I've been subjected to a sweet melody all my life, yet I've warded myself well against it. No matter how loud the tune may play, it's rhythm is not the same as my heart." He said in an even softer tone, then his facial expression changed completely into a more jovial and jesting one with his head tilting to the side and his eyes closing.

"As for puppetry, allow me to teach you the important steps." The man said in an enthusiastic tone, then he changed to a more soft and smooth one, speaking abit quietly to Nyla. Gadez took out one of the puppet heads he had carved out of the wood at Aelios temple during the blizzard.
"First you need to hold firmly, grip the head. Then you slightly slide up the fabric covering up your point of entry. Move your hand under the cloth and use your middle finger. Trace about til you find a narrow crevice, move the tip of your finger around to make sure you are at the right place. This particular one has been marked by a little decal at the top to assist in making certain you are where you need to be. See this here? If it is too tight for your finger, you may require something to widen the gap. If it on the other hand feels too loose, you may easily fit two fingers. Upon repeated use, the hole may gap a bit more as a result. And wood also tend to swell when subjected to moisture for an extended period of time. But unto the rest... You press the rest of your finger in as deep as you can go. Use your other fingers to reach into the folds at the sides."

The blue eyed menace explained and showed how his fingers slipped into the cloth folds that were the puppets arms, one finger each becoming an arm.

"Then you move your middle finger creatively and the whole thing suddenly comes alive. Flap the other fingers and the arms will move. Ofcourse it must be accompanied with sounds to make it believable, but you can manage such no doubt." He kept smiling in a playful manner.

"If you want to create a moment of intensity, simply vibrate and it will look like its shaking. In exhaltation, fear or anger. Got everything so far? Sometimes you also have to press down on the head, as it may try poke out too much through the cloth. Make sure everything is held firmly in place. You may of course have all manner of wood when doing this, I specifically had mine tended to in the temple, during the recent blizzard." He added and tapped his own cheek with his hand, drumming on it with his fingers.

"When you are not using these wooden heads, it may be good to place them in a chest, or shelf. Whichever one you prefer." The sly warrior-monk turned puppeteer smirked and looked Nyla's face over.

"But I'd best get to assemble to puppet-theatre." He nodded at the long and firm wood he carried. "Do feel free to continue to converse as I assemble it." He added and then began to construct the thing. It took abit of time, but the man had all the tools he needed to put it together. It didn't need to be looking fancy. He attached some linen cloths to act as curtains.

Sometime later...

He had finished, it was looking more like the home for a beggar than a theatre. But it would have to do. The man soon quickly arranged the puppets with their respective linen cloth. Then lastly he took a piece of linen and cut two holes into it, making himself a makeshift eye-mask. He looked more a bandit than a puppeteer no doubt. Gadez then moved over to the doorway of the inn.

"Ladies, gentlemen, children of any ages, the first act of the puppetry show shall begin shortly within the Eye of the Beholder! Come and let your young hear a tale of kings and queens, of war and peace, of love and deception! Set into a world not too different from our own! A moments respite in the everyday struggle of what we call life!" He made his butlerlike bow, which was something he also did at his time in the circus. After having made his announcement he went over to set up his wooden structure and sit behind the curtains, slipping his hands into the puppets he had made. Then he waited for some people to gather before he began the act.

"Welcome all, far and wide, from north to south, east to west. Leave to me... the rest."

The curtains would slowly begin to part and a single puppet would begin to take it's stage, it was a blonde prince-like figure.

"A long time ago, in a far away kingdom, in an age where the sun shone upon the world. There was a kingdom called Nova, in this kingdom were a king and queen and their son, a prince with golden hair. His name was Lauric.

The prince was a young man, even younger than our own prince Flynn. His family had ruled the kingdom of the stars for as far as there had been books and tales, they had in times past fought against another kingdom which worshipped something called 'The orb of night'. Both kingdoms were fierce enemies, but a past war had wreaked havoc on them both, causing them to sue for peace. However this were events of the past, and Lauric grew tired of his sheltered life in his parents castle, of their rules, their constant attempts to shape him... so he set out in secrecy!

He wanted adventure and to be more than just raised to be a king, and during his journey the prince came upon... let's hear some guesses? What did he come across? "

"A sword!" A boy cried out in the audience listening to the tale, who was soon shushed by his mother.

"Ah, the prince already had a sword! It was something else!" Gadez said in a playful tone.

"Maybe a girl?" A young girl asked with a shy expression on her face as she spoke up.

"That's right, he came across a girl! He fell madly in love! Love is when two people like oneanother so much to the point they are willing to abandon all other senses for that very thing. The prince and the girl met in secrecy, unaware of the king and queens knowledge! Oh they would have been so angry and disappointed if they knew!" The puppeteer said in a raised voice, moving the puppet to make it seem like it was tip-toeing and hiding on the stage, the girl puppet moving in to snuggle with him.

"There was a fight?!" The young boy asked loudly, followed by shushes by his mother, and pinching him in the ear.

"Now now, let's not get too far ahead!" The masked storyteller proceeded.

"But one day the girl had a secret to tell the prince, can anyone guess what it were?" Gadez peeked his masked head through the curtain to look at the puppets with a look of disapproval.

"She made a baby?!" Another girl squeeked out and jumped in her mother's lap before being passed over to her father who held her down to stop her from jumping.

"Indeed! She did! But the prince didn't know! The girl had kept it a secret from him for many years! For she was worried the prince would take the child back to the mean old king and queen. The prince was furious, he wanted to take the child to his parents and the castle even if the child didn't want to. Prince Lauric came to their home with soldiers, but before they could find the child the home was burning! It was on fire! The mother and child had both disappeared! Lauric returned to his home alone.

The young mother had survived the blazing inferno, but her child was nowhere to be found. She had planned to take him to the other kingdom, to the people who worshipped the orb of night!" Gadez had the two puppets move in two different directions.

"But it had been too late. The child of prince Lauric, the gilded child was gone. His royal destiny died that day. Both Lauric and the girl returned to their own homes. Angry with each other. Unable to forgive oneanother. The prince was so upset about it all, that he married a mean wicked witch. And the girl ended up marrying a mean old badger. Many years passed and then the skies turned dark! Much like how our sky is dark, it wasn't always like this. It was once bright and the skies were blue." He softly said, as if trying to explain things to the children listening.

"The dark skies had also made some people change into what some might call monsters. They could have fur, wings, many eyes… or just one. Or they could have blue skin, two heads or perhaps even legs of a spider. They were feared for how they looked, and some of them were dangerous, especially when other people would chase them with swords! But… they were still human underneath it all. Just like all of you. Just different. A blessing or a curse? We all have them. If you think about it. You have things you are good at, and things you are bad at. No one is perfect, and that is beautiful is it not? For the ones who struggle against hardship can still make it through, and all the more impressive it is if the road is difficult." He spoke to the audience as if trying to have them make up their own mind about it all.

"Now back to the tale! In the years that followed, The prince, Lauric, had become a king, and had gotten...guess what?" Gadez said in a teasing manner, waiting for replies.

"A new sword!" The boy in the audience chimed in.

"A baby!" One of the girls called out.

"That's right! A new prince had been born Ruddy was his name, his hair as golden as his father, he was in alot of ways just like his father. But the other kingdom had also gotten a child, it was a princess called Maise, and this time they were put together! They didn't even know or love each other, but for a single reason... anyone know what the reason were?" Gadez pressed the two puppets together, with their arms folded and facing away from each other.

"To save the world." He said aloud, the both puppets shook as he said it as if they were scared.

"A prophecy was uttered. It was said that if a child was born of both kingdoms then the terrible dark skies would go away but a sacrifice was to be needed. A sacrifice is when someone gives up their own life to save others, a generally selfless act. Ruddy and Maise were not given a choice in their role, they were chosen to sacrifice their own happiness for the fate of the world. However... unbeknownst to both of them. There was a jester in the deck of cards. A jester who would set up a play, and tell them of the future! But this…" Gadez said as he allowed the puppets to fall down on the little theatre he had put up, then he stood up.

"But this part of the first act cannot be told by mere puppets alone, it requires something special, something more genuine, something more real. So I shall call up two people from the audience here to aid in the second part of this act. And whose better to play it! Than our very own…" He smiled softly as his eyes wandered about for someone specific.

"Our very own brave Prince, Flynn Astaros of Aurelia! No! Of Dawnhaven! Come up upon the stage of tales untold!" He held out his arm, his palm facing upwards but outstretched. "Give him some support, no need to by shy, your highness! The children wish to behold their saviour in this particular act!" Gadez made another butlerlike bow, his blonde hair falling over his eyes as his mouth shaped a sinister smile.

'The time has come... gilded child. But can you discern the truth from the lies?' His memory went back to the chessboard of the inn, the white king piece standing amidst the pawns. The memory of a music box heard long ago echoing in his mind, it's tune slow and sorrowful. The two porcelain figures dancing together. The blue eyed woman. Then the monastery. The circus. The girl. The fire. Always the flame.

'Each prince needs a princess...' Gadez eyes set momentarily on Nyla, his plan was devious. Wicked. Vile. But boy did he love it.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

"Faldrin!" It was a noble call, it was a loud call, it was uncalled for him to yell. But the Marquess wouldn't wait.

He didn't have all the time in the world, he had to make tough decisions, even though he could help but feel the craving to look into his many mirrors.

'These disgusting gutter rats have no idea about what is beautiful and graceful. If they only knew the love that I am able to feel.' He took his handmirror in hand and pouted his lips abit, momentarily drawing the tip of his tongue over them and gave his reflection a look which in turn made him flustered.

"Why must I do everything myself!" Ayel said aloud as he put his letters into envelopes and used his signet ring on some candlewax to seal them. He allowed himself a genuine smile, the insignia was perfect. But then again. Ofcourse it were. It was an image of him in profile with a rose in his mouth.

While it wasn't a real rose, it was the symbolism that mattered. That put him high above the rest of the populace which from his point of view were weeds and wild flowers at best. But he was a refined rose. Gentle, goodlooking, inviting and with some sharp thorns to keep the unworthy away from touching it.

He liked the comparison. But what he didn't like was his servants not heeding his call, not for aid, not for assistance... but for services offered!

"Faldrin! Where in Aelios graceful glamour are you? You better not be dead. I paid for a long term service!" Ayel said in a mix of worry and threat. He abhored the idea of having to find another aide as tamed as Faldrin. And then he spotted him. He was too occupied in directing the other lowborns.

There was something oddly pleasing in seeing the workers struggle, it made him feel butterflies in his stomach and feel all cosy inside.

"Faldrin, I have some task for you. You shall be excused from leading the construction. You are the only commoner here with some level of reliability. For a commoner ofcourse. You will return to Aurelia with haste and deliver these two letters to the king and queen. I shall oversee the construction of my new mansion. I did look at an architechture book once you know. You may take one of the guards with you and while in Aurelia hire two more workers, I don't think I can find any here. This place is too infested with barbarians." Ayel lamented and wiped his forehead, the day was treating him roughly. If only he could have had the same luxury and ease of life as his bestest friend.

"Now take the letters and off you go, and don't you dare die on the trip. I expect you back here soon and with renewed faith after seeing our homeland capitol." Ayel gave a noble wave with his hand after passing over the letters, making sure to not physically touch Faldrin.

The nobleman was then left with some choices to do with his day. He could still hear the loud unruly mob in the distance, he didn't want to go in there. But he had seen a place he wanted to visit, a place which no doubt would give him the just welcome he deserved.

He felt so determined, that and going to the stables by foot was such a bother, that he decided to walk to the building.

The nobleman inspected the building, it made him feel it was lacking, a building like this deserved to look at least half as good as his home. Ayel glanced at the doors. Ooening doors was a servant's job. He felt discouraged, but the cold outdoors soon convinced him that it was probably cleaned regulary. He made a mental exception as he opened up and stepped inside. The temple of Aelios.

He took a deep inhale, the building made him feel oddly welcomed. Then again, he was blessed since birth, or so he had been told. His mother wouldn't have made that up. That's when he saw something which made him gasp in horror. It was a poor mans box.

He watched it and frowned, perhaps it were a donation box for upkeeping the temple? He hoped so. The idea of giving away coin to the poor... it didn't sit right with him. It was morally wrong! The discerning nobleman continued to explore the temple, until he found himself stepping out into what seemed to be a hotspring area.

A hotspring here? He momentarily thought of his private one in Aurelia, and how he had bought it and evicted all the commoners from the area. It was good memories. But he was struck by shock when he saw what was in this spring. It was infested with beasts, the temple was harboring those monsters. And one of them looked just like the snake he had seen earlier. Like a complete mirror image. They all looked alike. The other one looked like some other reptile. Then he spotted two others nearby, one of them had to be the attendees, this affront to the temple should not be permitted.

He gathered his vast courage, straightened himself abit and took a step forwards, holding out his hand as if making a speech.

"You there! Are you in charge of this place? There is some clear health hazards in here which must be removed! I am Aye-aaahhhhh!" He felt something move quickly under him, as he had just walked over a little pile of cloth neatly folded and put there like a devious trap. He traversed the air with unmatched grace, like Aelios herself had given him wings to fly with, but no time to practice. He fell forwards, down the stairs, but the nobleman was no stranger to danger and knew he had to shield losing his face. Both ways. He managed to grab hold off a thin wooden post which held a torch, stopping his fall. He had managed to grab hold of it in the last second with both his hands, his back facing now the afflicted pool.

He breathed out a sigh of relief. He had evaded disaster. He knew his amazing grip on reality and other things wouldn't let him down.

Snap.

The wooden post snapped in two and the nobleman fell backwards, the only feeling rivaling his surprise was that of looming dread.

'My face! Not the face!'

Splash.

He hit the water and went under. Panic filled him more than water. He reached for the surface, his hat floating nearby as he finally surfaced. His carefully combed locks now laid flatted against his face.

Ayel instinctively reached for his face with both his hands, he had to make certain he hadn't been compromised. The noble allowed a soft sigh before the realization of what had just happened hit him.

And he had been spotted. He was embarassed. But more so he was furious. His face went red as a tomato and he visciously reached out for his hat, putting it back on his noble head. He had to salvage what he could despite being covered in unclean commoner water. The hat made a soft downward turn, as if it was a depressed mushroom that had lost it's will to live.

He felt the heat, not from the water but his face. He needed something to blame. "She arranged that trap on purpose! Seize her! He pointed a finger accusingly at Sya as he tried to wade out of the water.

"Don't just stand there, help me out of this filthy hole! My boots are soaked!" He barked out towards Orion and Tia.