LunarParadox

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

After a month plus of inactivity, I think it'll not be nosy to poke Lunar and ask how they're doing.

So, @LunarParadox, how you doin'?

@Izurich

My apologies, several things have come up on my end. I think I will have to step out for now.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Athroyeaux Castle, Throne Room

@Estylwen@Izurich

A chill ran down Eirwen's spine at the sight of that ghost blade. He would be pressed, soon, to make a choice, and he could play one role or another; which would afford him more days to live? Should he refuse, given all he'd heard and witnessed, he would not put it past this king to merely clean up the mess that was himself here and now.

Eirwen had his goals, true, but he also wanted to live.

"Do you accept?"

His gaze slid towards Melisande as she nominated the human duke to receive the blade. Either way the wind turns, he is likely the ideal choice. A wise move. He had no grand ideas of wielding it himself, to be certain. Not only because he did not fancy playing a hero, but also because it would be a danger to himself and his apprentice should this thing be brought back to court where it might be found and questioned. Though the Duke, too, seemed hesitant. For now, Eirwen would behave as normal, standing silent until the attentions of those above forced him to speak.

Truthfully, he did not intend to make his final choice today, as much as they might press him. He would say what was needed to remain amongst the living and proceed from there. The real choice could be made later, and he was not one to be rushed.

Hathforth Pier

Eirwen was quiet, mind racing despite the blankness of his face. A gracious comment to the queen, another to Lord Urimyar - until that one burning question stopped his thoughts and, as it seemed for a moment, his heart. He opened his mouth, to speak, to weave a tale, yet Melisande beat him to it. How strange, when lately she had seemed eager to place the responsibility of such things on himself.

And then she sold him out.

Had the the capability to feel at that moment, he was sure he would have experienced a great storm of emotion. Wrath, shock, fear. As it was, all he felt was a mild disappointment, everything else choked down by the seed as always. Likewise, the expression he directed at Melisande was one of the same - less like someone who had just been betrayed and more as if she'd just made a mistake on some unimportant assigned homework.

"Lady Tearmoon. I must admit I am gravely disappointed today. After the trust her Majesty and I have placed on you, an attempt to sow distrust amongst her court? And after I have invested so much already into your education." His voice was smooth, calm, confident. Then, to the tall one beside them, he continued. "The tale is true to an extent. We did, indeed, proceed to this ghostly court, in my intention to investigate. I had assumed my apprentice, in her wisdom, indeed understood my intent. Perhaps Tearmoon, beyond this young one, deserves more scrutiny. 'Tis often the elders that puppeteer the young." He tsked his tongue, shaking his head. Up until this point, he had intended to protect this apprentice of his; alas, now she had forced him into either accepting his own fall or weaving her own. "Regardless, though I'd hope my years of demonstrated loyalty would afford me some measure of trust, I am more than prepared to face the queen should she have questions regarding this incident."

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Hathforth Castle, Castle Gardens, Hearthfire Gala

@Estylwen@Izurich

"Enlightened."

He said the word slowly, savoring it, how it felt on his tongue. This was...intriguing. It would be amiss of him to not investigate further, at the very least, but this would require delicacy. Such would be the case even if he had been approached on his own, but he had to keep mind of his apprentice as well. "Very well..."

Once their visitor had turned away, he spoke once more. "Given my position, I've a responsibility to investigate this. Be aware that it may be a perilous situation. However, I shall not prevent you from following or not as you see fit." He would meet with this King of Ravenfell, but he would make no promises. Not yet. As for Melisande, he would attempt to keep her safe, but he was not one to make decisions for his students. If she wished to come along, it was not his place to put a stop to it.

Athroyeaux Castle, Throne Room

Since that conversation, Eirwen had thought deeply about the proposition and yet reached no solid conclusion. He knew, eventually, that he would have to make a choice, but it tore at his heart like a beast; who, in the end, should truly deserve his loyalties, his devotion?

He didn't know, and he hated it.

But for now, he would listen, think, play a role as he always did, and so when he stepped into that darkened throne room. The attendants, eerie as they were, he ignored completely, his impassive gaze fixated wholly on the one who sat on the throne. His head inclined, a polite bow that would be expected of him - he had manners, after all, even if this were not his ruler. "My Lord. I come at the behest of your gracious invitation."

Hathforth Castle, Workshop

Eirwen, alongside his apprentice, devoted himself wholly to the Queen's assignment. He barely ate nor slept, only enough so that he wouldn't faint in the midst of his work, despite the cajoling of his servants to be a little easier on himself. At one point he did drift off at his desk, but awoke not long after with a start, hoping his apprentice hadn't managed to witness that little slip up. He felt a twinge of embarrassment before the seed washed it away.

Hathforth Castle, Harbor

Now dressed in his regal, official attire, Eirwen held the Queen's completed treasure with all the extreme delicacy and care it required. The multicolored seed was hidden within the iron box he wielded, the metal engraved with runic incantations and protections - some overkill, perhaps, but he could not afford any mishaps.

"My Queen. I am delighted to present you the rewards of our long efforts." His face and tone showed none of the delight he claimed to feel, but the Queen was surely used to that by now. It was simply the way he was, ever since the day he'd picked up that seed.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Hathforth Castle, Castle Gardens, Hearthfire Gala

@Estylwen@Izurich

“I also know both of you have… certain reservations, let’s say, for the Queen. So here is what I’m proposing, here in the privacy of the castle gardens.”

Eirwen resisted the frown that urged to form on his face. While that statement was...true, he wasn't particularly pleased that his apprentice had just been made privy to that information. He kept his thoughts private for a reason, and now he would have to contend with an additional risk.

“Give me information on what the Wizard Queen is planning. And I, in turn, will reward you with gold, and a place in the… new society.”

And of course Melisande, or rather her simulacrum, turned the pressure back on himself. A smart move that he would have praised, if not for the fact that it pushed him even more into a troublesome position. If not for the seed, his annoyance would have been hard to hide.

"Oh, goodness. I wonder where you heard such a rumor?" He'd kept his doubts quiet and trusted very few, so he was quite invested in finding out how exactly this visitor had gained such information.

"Even if it were true, I'm sure you understand how...dangerous this could turn out to be, should the Queen catch wind, no? And 'tis not as if I am lacking gold. As such, I think it is only fair this sponsor speak to me directly. No offense to current company, of course, but surely you can understand my wariness."

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Hathforth Castle, Private Quarters -> Gardens, Hearthfire Gala

@Estylwen@Izurich

Eirwen watched the strange display of the spirit wisp with little reaction, despite the natural curiosity swiftly building within him. That was one thing his seed could never quite choke down. "A wise decision," he remarked in response to Melisande sending a simulacrum in her stead. "Given my position, however, I must investigate in person. Should something go awry, I trust you shall inform the necessary parties." Responsibility was a suitable excuse for fulfilling his everburning curiosity.

The portal itself was nothing special, he noted with mild disappointment. Even so, its source was quite bold to place one in the private chambers of a court apprentice. Depending on the reasoning behind it, he might have to dole out a punishment.

He followed up behind the simulacrum silently. Had he more than a moment to ponder, he might admire how flawlessly accurate it imitated Melisande, but he had larger issues to contend with at the moment. So, instead, he regarded that stranger with his usual calm and collected eye as he waited for an introduction.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Should be able to post either late tonight or tomorrow!

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Hathforth Castle, Throne Room > Arcane Wing, Hearthfire Gala

@Estylwen@Izurich

"As you say, your Majesty. We shall meet you at the appointed time." Eirwen confirmed the Queen's command with a regal bow before turning his attention back to his new apprentice. "Lady Tearmoon, if you would pray follow me." He waited a moment before turning on his heel towards the Arcane Wing, a subtle sigh escaping him in relief that he'd been granted an early reprieve from the gala. There would be no dancing under the snow tonight.

The aforementioned Arcane Wing was the very pinnacle of elegance and magical progress, every room filled with shimmering trinkets, tomes of ancient scripts, or runic symbols drawn out in most precise detail. Though it was not particularly bright in terms of natural light, there was an otherworldly shimmer to it all that gave one the sense of being blinded if one was not accustomed to the long-term effects of magic exposure. It made no difference to Eirwen, of course, and he doubted Lady Tearmoon would be bothered by it either.

Pausing outside of his main study, he opened the door to show her the contents. It was much like the other rooms in the wing, with a darkwood desk in the corner that presumably Blackthorne used when he was not up and about during his research. Several crystalline objects were held in various states of craft; these, clearly, were seeds, in the midst of some experiment or another. Across from the advisor's desk was another, smaller and untouched, as if it had recently been moved in.

"This is where we will be conducting much of our work. As you can see, I have been focused on exploration of seed structure as of late," he remarked, pausing before a hand-drawn chart that detailed the inner workings of a seed. "The desk in the far corner is to be yours. Please use it as to your liking. There should already be supplies within the cabinets, but if anything is lacking I shall put in a request."

After giving his apprentice whatever time she needed to inspect their now-shared study, he would then lead her to the apprentice's quarters. This room he did not enter, instead simply showing her the door to a well-furnished living quarters. Even these rooms were quite luxurious; such was the benefit of living amongst the Queen's favored, after all. "These are your private rooms." From some hidden pocket in his robes he took a small key with a rose-gold shine. This was offered to Melisande. "I believe they should be already furnished, but again, inform me should anything be lacking." Despite his cold demeanor and tone, the court mage seemed quite invested in ensuring his apprentice lacked nothing.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

@Izurichshould be able to get one down later this evening!

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Hathforth Castle, Throne Room, The Hearthfire Gala

@Estylwen

The court mage gave a slight bow at the Queen's request to meet her later in the study. "As you wish, your Majesty. Until then, may your evening be bright and full of delights."

He's up to something.

His gaze shifted subtly towards the duke. Yes, he supposed Rhinecliff was likely up to something, but no action could be taken while the specifics remained in mystery. Patience was a virtue, and to his benefit Eirwen had developed the virtue well.

I hope I can continue to rely on you.

His Seed failed to hold back a single wave of fear at that statement, though as always his face remained impassive. Does she suspect something? He'd have to ensure her confidence in him remained firm. "Of course, my Queen. I remember well that I owe all I have to your grace," he replied smoothly. "Anyone foolish enough to plot against you will quickly learn the folly of their ways."

As more guests approached the Queen, he took this as his cue to blend into the background once more. He would be close should she need him again, but until then he fully intended to lose himself in the sweet taste of wine.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Court Mage and Advisor Eirwen Blackthorne
Hathforth Castle, Throne Room, The Hearthfire Gala

@Estylwen

Eirwen stepped forward at the Queen's beckon, returning her smile with a very faint one of his own. His smile was a rare commodity; it wasn't uncommon for him to overhear it as a subject of gossip, even.

He always looks so stern. Is it an elvish thing, do you think?

I think I'd faint on the spot if he smiled at me!

I was lucky enough to meet him once. I told him a joke, but he just stared at me...so embarrassing.

What was he, an advisor or a novelty behind a gilded cage?

Now wasn't the time to ponder on the reality of his existence, however. Expressive pointed ears flicked at the mention of the talented Tearmoon girl. He remembered her quite clearly, having been instrumental in securing her a place at the college. Chronomancy had immense potential, at least in his own expert magical opinion, and so he had high hopes for Melisande. If anyone were to become his apprentice, she would be among the best-suited for the role.

The appreciation in his expression and tone as he thanked the Queen was genuine. After all, the expansion of magical education was his passion; granting him an apprentice was the best gift she could have offered.

"Thank you, your Majesty. I will be sure to guide her well and keep you informed of our progress." His voice was quiet, soft, with a faint rasp that suggested minor damage may have occurred once upon a time. It dropped to little more than a whisper at his next words, words meant for the Queen alone. "We've an unexpected guest today, hm?" Rhinecliff's presence had surprised him, though it didn't show on his face.