Dezuel

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Ayel Raunefeldt

Scene of murder

It was a pleasure. Ofcourse it had been. When had meeting him not been?

Ayel smugly stroked his ruffled shirt with his eyes closed as he drank in the atmosphere of accomplishment, that seemed to follow him like an obedient servant.

When next he opened his eyes Eris and Nathaniel were gone.

He was impressed in their etiquette, and seems to have not dared to bother him in his self-reflection. And there was alot to reflect.

Perhaps they felt underequipped in his presence, and couldn't find refined enough words to bid their leave. Perhaps it was his natural magnetism being so strong that they couldn't think. Ayel momentarily considered marriage with Eris, if she was able to make a breakthrough in wiping out the peasant plague he would get credit too. A business marriage might be suitable. He would have to arrange for an official proposal ceremony. None could say no to him, else they were stupid!

'Well, Lord Stormlight certainly was raised better than his peasant-influenced sister.' Ayel shook his head softly, as he began to walk, deciding to take the more scenic route around his new area of governing. After all once the blight would be defeated and the sun restored, whom better to put in charge of the newly established place? He was more than perfect for it.

'The Marquess that defeated the blight.' He mused in his head before he snapped back thinking about Nathaniel's sister. What had been her name again? Isolde? Isarrel? Elsebeth? He had forgotten, after all it had been a few years, and many were the villains which tried to ruin the life of this noble hero.

But he clearly remembered her face and what she did to him. First off, some of the servants, he couldn't remember whose it were. But to his recollection, it had to be hers.

They had put out the wrong kind of spoon for the rich soup served with duck. He shuddered at the idea of mixing cutlery and showing no respect to the dishes. It was like nobles and peasants mixing. It was wrong!

But when he had stood up and berated the servants for their mishandling of the cutlery, in order to save face for the host, which had been Nathaniel's older sister, if his noble memory didn't fail him. When had it ever?

The wicked witch had then punched him. Punched. Him.

Of all sins available to commit, she had gone for one, if not the worst. Nobles never punched. That was a peasant thing. Nobles would slap or in severe cases, where peasants were it the wrong, which was quite often. A backhanded swing across the face was well deserved. He could still feel the sting on his face, she had been lucky that it didn't leave a permanent mark. He dreaded the idea of bearing a scar. That was something for thugs and soldiers, not refined gentlemen. Instead a beard or mustache would have been far better.

But Ayel wouldn't get neither, perhaps it was Aelios wish for him not to cover up his delicate features. He blushed for a moment as he thought about it. If he would have been a drink he would have likely been illegal. Few things were ever allowed to be just this good.
As his thoughts continued to dwell on himself,as they often were, his perfect imagery was shatteree by a scream of agony.

The nobleman froze and raised an eyebrow. That wasn't a very distinguished noble cry. It reminded him more about the mating sounds of those apes of the north. But it was an anguished scream. Had someone run into his sister? No. She was certainly a menace, but typically when it came to her, you wouldn't know you were in trouble until you would eventually wake up.

What if it were some barbarian attacking a pureblood Aurelian? This would be the perfect opportunity to get some leverage against them.

Ayel ran as fast as he could, which was around normal walking speed for most people. He had to be swift and hasty, but graceful as an eagle, no...even more graceful. Was the sound coming from the forest? His noble frame wasn't built for such terrain.

Then as he made his way over he felt something.

He thought he could hear a womans voice, but the wind was being a bother, he couldn't make out much of it. Was it the same priestess that Aelios herself had saw fit to possess to pull him out of the hotspring? Could it be that the scream he heard was a barbarian attacking? Aelios was calling on him to go and aid her chosen hand! This had to be it!

Wasn't the temple of the winter witch closer? Could some of the jealous followers of that cold bitch be messing with his goddess? Not on his noble watch. Forest or no forest. A noble hero such as he would have to risk it.

Even if the idea of the furry little tree terrors still were etched into his memory. They not only ate nuts, they were nuts. It only made sense that his sister had kept some as pets.

Upon arrival at the scene he already found other people there. The culprits or?

His noble gaze fell on them.

Rugged. Grim. Unrefined. The style of armor easily distinguishable. A beheaded bloodied body amidst them.

It was those goddess-forsakened barbarians again! And this time they had sacrificed one of their own to appease their bloodthirsty goddess. It was revolting, but he couldn't look away. Their behaviour was certainly more animal than man. His uncle had been right to make that book comparing Lunarians to mountain apes.

'A ritual sacrifice on my best friend's land of influence, the nerve of those uneducated and thickheaded louts!' He lamented, but he couldn't take them all on himself, they would try the typical peasant thing and cry foul, and then -he- would be in trouble. Because of those goddess-damned border-region treaty-huggers having spread their mental illness to otherwise clearminded Aurelian citizens.

'Wait... I recognize that raisin looking man with the beard, that was the man who was daring to question me! I knew he was up to no good. Aelios thank you for granting me the clarity to see everything for how it truly is.' He looked inwards momentarily, but not too much, he couldn't afford the pleasure right now. While he couldn't likely strike them all down without getting the blame.

He could use his refined skills at diplomacy and coerce them into surrendering. Even though they were little more than animals, even they wouldn't be stupid enough to oppose him.

"By the great trust invested into me, by the true future sovereign of Aurelia and land to come, his highness Flynn Astaros of Aurelia, I, Marquess Ayel Raunefeldt hereby command you to cease with your ape-like sacrificial ritual, and throw down your arms. Your swords, you dimwits! So that I may have justice delivered upon you for staining Dawnhaven with heathen rituals! Go on you rats, drop them weapons and form a line. I shall personally take you into custody. Do not tempt me to use my mastery of magic on you! I might even like it! You hear me?, raisin-face. Drop it." He threatened in as high a voice as he could, raising up one of his hands towards Coswain.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez's eyes wandered over Aurora abit further, she was certainly putting on a brave face. This was something that the blonde monk could appreciate. He made note of her holding unto the pendant. Something of importance to her for certain. A trinket which reminded her of someone dear to her? He felt a strange feeling in his chest that he had not felt for years. Loss. He had lost not only someone, but something aswell. But perhaps it was for the better, what use was there to dwell on a past you couldn't change?

"Aurora... the name of the northern lights in the sky. Ahh, we certainly could use more of you in these darkened days. I go by the name of Gadez Paladice, I am a simple gardener, performer, snake-charmer, monk, warrior, puppeteer and if we are including things said upon stages... a golden star lost to time." He said softly, having turned to face her again, walking up close to her, and reaching out with his hand to try lift her chin up with his index finger.

"Keep your head high, fair light. The skies may have gotten dark, don't let your heart become like it. So keep that chin up, smile and approach the morrow believing it will be better than the day before it. People may be lost along the path, but are they truly fully gone when you carry them with you always? In your memories. As long as you remember, in a manner of looking at it, they never truly die." He offered a reassuring warm smile to Aurora and then tried to place his hand on her cheek, and use his thumb to stroke across it.

"Make sure you'll get something good to eat and drink, you need the strength, not only for yourself, but for the sake of those who still need you. Be certain to visit the Aelios temple and the hotspring once you have the time, I would have loved to take you there myself, but I have something I need to take care of which concerns Dawnhaven as a whole. As much as I may disagree with many others, Dawnhaven is indeed one of the last hopes for our world. Which is why I intend to make certain that it succeeds. Stay clear of men like the one who approached the princess or that slimy bard inside the inn, those kinds of men care for nothing but to have others be enthralled by their lies. The sweeter the melody, the more poisonous it typically is." Gadez said softly and walked over to get a bowl with some food and a wooden spoon, plus a little wooden plate as a lid for the food to keep warmth.

"Even priestesses have to eat. Even special ones." He said and winked, before giving Aurora a butlerlike bow. "Til we speak again, light of the north." He waited just long enough to hear any replies then politely excused himself as he headed towards the Aelios temple with slightly swifter steps than usual to make sure the food would remain warm. His eyes would look around to make sure he wasn't followed or spotted. Then upon reaching and entering the main door, he shut it behind him. Stepping inside and spotting two blondes, these were the same ones he had seen earlier by the inn. He sadly didn't have the time to converse with either one of them for the time being, he had to speak with Tia.

On his way however he was met with a familiar sight, it was Prince Flynn, without the girl which he had taken off the stage with him. What business did he have in the temple? Curiousity killed the cat, but this monk was no cat. A little prying was in order. But first...

"Red Star, you may wish to hurry to your princess Maize, she is being preyed upon by a hungry wolf. Seek the prints in the snow left by a grimalkin, a feline and you may find her. Hopefully in time. Make haste if you care for her." He said in an hushed but urgent tone to Flynn, the seriousness on his face unmistakable, there was no hint of jesting at all.

To follow footprints in the snow would be difficult, with so many humans about, but cats were less common. And he had taken note of that particular cat deciding to follow the princess, her maid and the two guards on escorting that young man away. Who did it belong to? He wasn't certain, but if there was any truth to sayings, curiousity may have possibly killed it. Either way there wasn't anything further he could do to aid the prince nor the princess. A bird which never would leave it's nest would never learn how to soar, or even fly.

He gave Flynn a nod and then moved towards Tia's personal door.

He moved with swift steps towards her bedroom door, assuming she would be there when not in the main temple chamber. If not, perhaps the hotspring would be the place?

The blonde reached out to knock on the door.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Gadez gradually had his serious expression turn more into an amused one. The young man before him clearly was displeased, if one would judge by his tone of voice and overall body language alone. This was a good sign to the vexing warrior-monk, it meant he could get under the skin of the seemingly younger man.

"If you have difficulty to discern a sober man from a drunk one, or what is what, upon the great stage of life, then you are way in over your head already, boy. Perhaps you are already neatly wrapped into a silk cocoon, but like my spoken words, you are unable to understand it." He said in a teasing tone, his words were picked to prod at the younger man. The whitehaired girl from the inn had something in mind, but before it could be fully put into action, Amaya had already spoken up.

"There's not much to devour when it comes to you wightling, like a book with empty pages, whose only use may be found in an outhouse." He said softly but in a taunting manner to Vellion, a smile on his lips.

Gadez had intended to follow wherever the gathering was heading to, but Amaya's words had made him reconsider it. She was displaying control, not just with her words but actions as well. She was trying to lead the man away from the gathering? Were she worried of causing more of a spectacle or potentially getting onlookers involved? No matter which were the case, he thought it was probably for the best. Two guards only to accompany her.

That Amaya was now comfortable enough to lead this man away, even holding unto him was enough telling that she seemed to have things in order. She was being more sly than people surely gave her credit for.

"Of course, my appologies." Gadez said softly, offering a butlerlike bow before he withdrew from Amaya, his gaze however was fixed on Vellion, an amused look in his ghostly blue eyes now, he was enjoying to mock the young man. He even went as far as to give the man a wink.

This man was the kind to likely hold a grudge, he would surely appear before him again. Providing Amaya would not dispose of him. She was after all from one of the two most dangerous families. Ahh, how some traits would be passed on to the next generation, although… not always the things one may suspect. He broke his gaze momentarily with Vellion upon leaving them abit of space, stepping closer to Aurora and trying to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. They were leaving. The other whitehaired girl. Elara was seemingly going with them. The ghostly eyed blonde gave Elara a knowing look, following by a slight upturn at the corner of his lips. He didn't need to say anything to her, a simple nod was all that was needed.

"That'll do, little kittycat." He said softly to Aurora. "She will take good care of him. Do not fret." His voice was softer now, as he tried to convince Aurora to let Amaya, the two guards and Elara deal with the matter at hand.

"Though do take good care of yourself missy. There's more danger here than just the cold and a mangy mutt. Not talking about the malkin though." He chuckled softly and nodded in the direction of the cat following Elara, his eyes kept landing at Vellion.

He gave the man a knowing mocking smile back, as if daring him to try something.

'A puppet without strings, is not a puppet at all, but a piece of wood... for the fire.' He scoffed slightly and then tried to ruffle Aurora's hair.

"Let me know if that drunkard or anyone else pesters you, lil grimalkin. Afraid I have some unfinished... divine matters to attend to." He softly smiled and gave her an applogetic look, waiting just long enough for any replies before setting out towards the temple of Aelios.

@Qia@Fetzen@Dark Light@c3p-0h@BlackRoseSiren

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.