Fantasy The Death of Count Airien // CLOSED

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Delphina

This was it. This was the moment she had been saving. Over these past few months they provided Delphina with three meals a day. It was clear that whoever prepared the meals didn't know how to season food so she had requested condiments be brought with her meals. The cult members obliged to her seemingly humble request. Her ulterior motive? Salt. Delphina started to hoard salt underneath her bed in a small pouch she had sewn, something they let her do to pass the time alone in her underground room. Evil spirits couldn't pass lines of salt, something she learned from her years of training. A way to trap a demon was to salt all the doors and windows, she assumed it could be used for a short time to prevent them from chasing her.

Delphina had the bag of salt tucked carefully in her bra. As the cloaked member escorted her back to her room she glanced at the stairs leading to a door. Two guards were busy chatting and Delphina took a deep breath. They were distracted, this was her time. If the door was locked she'd never have this chance again but she had pepped herself up for this, it was time. Delphina reached into her bra quickly and took a pinch of salt and threw it into her escorts eyes. "My apologies!" Her bare feet smacked against the ground as she booked it to the stairs. It took a minute for the two guards to notice thankfully, she slipped past them quickly and ran as fast as she could up the stairs. Her hand grabbed the handle and silently she prayed that it was unlocked.

Bingo.

The door opened up to a heavily wooded area. The sky was gloomy and it was hard to see anything but that couldn't stop her. Delphina spun around and emptied half the bag as she drew a line of salt on front of the door. There didn't appear to be any other exits so this would stall them in time for her to shake them off her tail. With that done she clutched her salt pouch and ran through the woods despite the twigs and rocks cutting up her feet.

 

[Sir Damien]

Aldus

"I'll drink to that." Aldus raised his glass to Airiette when she spoke of him getting over himself. Why? So someone else he cared about could die? The healing salves he used to make was a simple thing to make. Injuries? The people could handle them. There wasn't a real disease running rampant through the streets. And Airiette was right, Elora and Brielle were effectively fixing the kingdom that he and Airette failed. Why bothered anymore? "You're right. Know what we're good at though? Drinking. I bet we could drink anyone of them under the table. E-Except Cataz. That man is rather large and I don't think the two of us put together could out drink him." Aldus poured another drink while laughing quietly "This is just training. Training to be the best drunk we can be, y'know?" He pulled a book off of the shelf he was leaning against and held the book away from his face so his double visioned could make out the words. "Ah, yes. An Effective Kingdom, how perfect in our situation." He tossed the book across the room to the trash can, raising his glass once more as it landed in the can. "Drink."

He glanced over at Fenian as he poured out the drink. "Oi you stoic bloke, that's good booze you're wasting. You should be ashamed. Does your kind not appreciate a good drink?" His good mood instantly went sour when Brielle walked in. Her presence was painful since Delphina disappeared. Everyone he ever cared about was dead, and if Aldus continued going on the way he was he'd end up getting Brielle killed as well. He had to push her away and distance himself from her in order to keep her sake. There was a lot of things he gave up on in six months but that was the one thing he held to, he had to keep her safe. Hell he could have hurt her when Chelle was controlling him! He was nothing more than a danger to her. "There she is, our replacement! Kick back a little lady, you've been too stressed." Aldus hiccuped as he took another long swig.

"And Fenian is having a grand time here, I really think he's warming up to us. I think I seen him blink an hour ago." As Brielle approached him he let out a small groan. Being close to her reminded him of when Chelle forced him to hold her. She ended up stabbing herself because of Aldus. "Has it been two days already? Time flies when you don't do anything." He reached out and took the crock from her. "Thank you kindly milady." Just as Aldus went to take a bite he felt the castle rumble. "What the-" Aldus stumbled to his feet before a few books fell onto his head and shoulders, causing him to fall back down to the ground. "Dammit!" He clutched his head with a loud groan and looked over at everyone once the rumble stopped. "Everyone okay?"

 

[Colt Voltage]

Caine

Did anyone suspect the priestess of an escape attempt? Yes, they anticipated it. That's why they were in an underground bunker No windows, one door. One guarded door with two guards. So someone mind telling Caine how that small little blonde girl escaped them? Someone mind telling him why she threw salt in his eyes? It didn't hurt but it was rather annoying. "Delphina come back!" He rubbed his eyes and squinted them as he tried to run after her. A few of the guards ran up the stairs after her but stopped abruptly for some reason. "The hell is wrong with you guys? After her!" He still had to act like one of them. Caine ran out of the door and his eyes scoped out the darkness. "Delphina!" He looked down and seen a set of footprints in the mud and he ran after her.

After a moment or two of running he realized something; the way she was running was towards town. If she managed to get there she'd find her way to the Church. She'd find Warrin, and Warrin would take her to the castle. The kingdom would have been saved. She'd help fight off this cult. Everyone would win.

Caine stopped running and started walking instead, he wanted Delphina to make it home. Caine would stay here and continue to break down the cult from the inside out to help the others. He just had to make it look like he looked for her.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Airiette

Airiette gave Brielle a wink as she entered before pushing away from Fenian and rolling her eyes at him. “He’s right, you owe me for that one boy.” Ever since Elora had introduced Fenian to her it had been the two of them butting heads in a bad way. “Nothing bad is going to happen in this room okay? So why don’t you just run along and hang out with your little friends.”

Airiette spoke too soon, suddenly the floor was shaking and she found herself falling straight on her ass. “Ouch.” She signed and went to stand but the alcohol and after shock wouldn’t let her. Fine. She would just stay here. She flopped back onto the ground and shut her eyes, “Brielle I assume you came to let us know that once again nothing has changed. Thanks for that.” Airiette sighed and rolled over into her stomach and rested her head against her folded over arms. “I’ll be taking a nap, let me know if you need any orders signed or anything. Or hell you can even forge it. I don’t care anymore.”

 

[ZombieBaee]

Brielle

“I’m not you’re replacement.” Brielle sighed at the man before her but gave a gentle smile as he took the soup. “No one could replace you. Either of you!” She yelled the last part over st the white haired woman who was currently yelling at her poor guard. Her eyes turned back to Aldus and she went to speak more but suddenly the floor was shaking under her. The force made one of the heels on her shoe break and she found herself falling forward and knocking her and Aldus to the floor.

“Oh my gods!” Brielle gasped, her face stopping inches from his and causing her cheeks to burn hotter than a tea kettle. It took her a moment to react, perhaps staring down at him a moment too long before Airiettes words drew her out of her daze and caused her to quickly roll away from Aldus. “I am so sorry, are you okay?” Brielle reaches over and grabbed his face, turning it side to side to make sure he hadn’t gotten stretched or hit at all in the fall. He was seemingly fine though he smelled heavily of rum. “Aldus are you okay?”

Brielle meant it in more ways than physical. She KNEW he wasn’t okay. She KNEW Airiette wasn’t okay. All she wanted was for the two of them to just talk to her about it! They were going to find Delphine and Caine again! Brielle knew it. Elora and Cataz seemed confident as well. Why couldn’t they get through to these two drunk idiots?!

 

[EclipseRosee]

Cataz

Cataz picked up the pendant from where she had placed it on his neck and turned it over in his hand a few times, he could feel the power from it and it brought a small genuine smile to the giants face. “Well thank you my dear but shouldn’t I be the one getting you jewelry?” He smirked and went to kiss her but a knock came to the door and he took a few quick steps away from her. Thankfully it was only Rastell.

Unfortunately however... Rastell brought news that made Cataz shift uncomfortably and made Elora quite literally shift the castle. “Elora dear...” he could understand her anger. It was honestly sexist the whole thing. Plus Cataz didn’t like this Akkar guy anyways.

“They’ll prepare a room and I’ll get my usual guest bedroom ready. I’ll just work on making portal between our two rooms. Though I may be too tired after creating that to do anything else.” He waggeled his eyebrows at her before clearing his throat and giving Rastell an apologetic look. “Listen Elora you have things well under control here. If he tries to step in you know Brielle will shut him down and refuse to work with him if that’s what you want.”

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Elora

"I would very much appreciate just spending time with you, I get very stressed when he's around." Elora tried her best not to sulk but at this point she couldn't help it. Akkar reminded her of the Count, and Elora loathed the count. He was a disgusting human being and Akkar was a disgusting elf. "Akkar is...very quick to be offended. I try to let him do what he pleases because he's usually more bark than bite. I give it a few before he gets bored of this place." She tucked a long strand of raven hair behind her ear with a long sigh. "I...have a few things to check on with the guards, see how they're doing today." Elora gently stroked his arm with a small smile before exiting the room with Rastell.

"Will you be okay your highness?" Her bright eyes looked up at the tall man with a forced smile. "Of course Rastell. I can handle myself. Just do me a favor and have one of our men keep an eye on Akkar, I do not trust the man."

--

The next morning Elora stood at the palace entrance with a small sigh. She didn't sleep well at all, she had to make sure everything was perfect. Despite everything being perfect he was still sure to complain. "Akkar. I'm glad to see you arrive safely." She shone her best smile at the man after she greeted him with a small curtsy. Akkar wasn't the tallest elf around but was still considerably tall compared to a human. He stood at 6'4", had long platinum blonde hair, and had a very stoic face. He wore royal garb but no crown, mainly because his position didn't grant him one. "I nearly turned around when I arrived, it looks like abandoned. Surely you're having a laugh at me, right? This is the place you visit so often? You still have the mindset of a servant, Elora." "Diplomatic as ever. I do hope you bite your tongue around here. Things are tense and they do not need you making things worse. Act like the royal you claim to be and please be respectful if you wish to stay here."

Rastell quietly cleared his throat behind Elora as he stifled a small laugh. Most of her guards were smart enough not to fall for Akkar's bullshit. "As soon as we wed I advise you learn to bite your tongue, princess." His blue eyes narrowed at the smirking Elora before he rolled his eyes. "Fine. Thank you for allowing me to stay in this humble kingdom."

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Delphina

Delphina didn't plan on such a long journey. The terrain was rough, branches, vines, rocks, and thorns tore her delicate skin apart. Countless cuts graced her pale arms and legs, her black sundress was torn in several places to reveal more wounds. Hell even her face had a few cuts from where branches smacked her. Her skin and dress were coated i blood and dirt. Her hair? Extremely dirty with twigs and leaves matted with mud from her slipping and falling in the forest. She didn't stop at all during the freezing cold night to sleep, fearing she'd slip into hypothermia if she quit moving. By morning her toes, fingers, and lips were practically blue. Just as the sun began to rise she made it out of the woods and into a field, a field that led to a familiar square. The square was empty but she knew all too well where she was. The exhausted woman found the energy to limp down the cobblestone path to her family's church.

Once to the church she fell to her knees with a small pant. She had been on the run for well over twelve hours, she could make it just a little bit further. With a deep breath she stood to her aching feet and used her body weight to push open the door, her tired blue eyes looking around at the comforting space. "I made it!" She couldn't jump with joy though, she fell to her knees once more and couldn't get up. Her bloodied hand clutched her cross as she held it close, thankful that she made it there alive.

 

[Sir Damien]

Aldus

Aldus wanted to leave the kingdom after last night, just run and never look back. He flipped on Brielle, pushed her off of him and jumped to his feet to get away from her. His heart was beating out of his chest and he couldn't be that close to her. He just couldn't, he'd get her killed! It was clear he still loved her and that's why he had to push her away. He just ran. Ran to his room, packed his shit and waited until nightfall. He tried to leave but the elves stopped him...ha, he was a prisoner here. Everyone he cared for died here and that would be his fate soon enough.

He drank the night away until it was time to greet some elf. He stood before the palace doors and handed Airiette a bottle filled with booze. "Drink, you'll make this unbearable situation tolerable if I'm not the only one drunk." He couldn't even look at Brielle he was so ashamed of the way he acted. She didn't deserve that and he knew it. She deserved to be treated special, like the beautiful and graceful woman she was. She deserved the world and Aldus would only end up getting her killed.

The elf came in and had a small banter with Elora. Despite Aldus's inebriated state even he could tell something was wrong with the guy. He glanced over at Airiette and arched his brows at her. "Am I the only one getting flashbacks of the Count?" He made sure to whisper and keep it discreet but he needed to know if it was the fact that this guy was actually a douche or if it was just Aldus being a drunk.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Airiette

"Yeah yeah." Airiette snatched the bottle from his hand and took a long drink before the nudged Aldus in the ribs, "Also you're a liar. Being in each others company is never tolerable you grumpy old man." She chuckled a little at her own whispered joke before taking another drink and handing him back his bottle. Brielle had made Airiette dress the part today to meet Elora's fiance. She was wearing a long sleeved black dress with a long train with a silver chain tied around her waist. Her hair was pulled into a bun on the top of her head and her makeup was actually done. But Brielle just said she had to look the part, not act it.

"Major flashbacks my friend. Major." Airiette raised a brow at the interaction between Elora and Akkar. "How are there so many shit people in the world?" She kept her voice low but she was loud enough to gain a harsh look from Brielle. Whoops. Airiette rolled her eyes and made sure to speak in whisper when she spoke next, "So where did you even go last night?" She felt a twinge of guilt asking him but she also felt bad watching the way he and Brielle were currently handling each others company. It was hard to tell but they either hated each other or were disgustingly in love.

The thought made her reach over for the bottle once more; love. Hah. Time to drown that thought all the way back down where it belongs.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Brielle

That was it. She was done. She had thrown in the towel. Now she understood why up until now she had put up this stone cold exterior. It was because people did nothing but hurt you. Airiette had become a friend and she was too absorbed in her own self pity to realize that Brielle was hurting and needing her friend. Elora and Cataz were completely enamored with each other. Warrin was gone as were Delphine and Caine. And the one person she longed for attention from literally couldn't get away from her fast enough. Not too long ago Brielle had enough confidence to show herself with her scar, to go to a party alone and to put herself on the line for this person who had stolen her heart and now he literally ran from her. It hurt too much to handle. Now she understood why Caine ran away... Brielle just kept causing Aldus pain clearly and all she wanted to do was to let him live a life without her intervention. But she couldn't do that... not now at least. But once Stonevale was on decent feet once more, she would go home to her family's kingdom.

This morning when she woke her eyes were puffy from crying and her face looked red still. For once in her life in the castle Brielle let the maids help her with her makeup though it was easy to see that she had spent hours in tears. Brielle opted to cover her body in a large sweater with a pair of loose linen pants. She looked well put together but... sad.

Down at the entrance Brielle stood back near the others, careful to put as many people between her and Aldus and Airiette as she possibly could. Though when Airiette's mouth got a little to loud she had to lean forward and around others to glare at the girl. The last thing Stonevale needed was another person pissed off at it. "Elora, it's so nice to meet your fiance." Lie. "We hope you enjoy your stay here as best you can." Lie. " We know we're currently experiencing hard times but we really appreciate the kingdoms help with a place that was Elora's home for so long." First truth. Brielle walked a few steps closer to Elora and Akkar and reached out to take Elora's hand and smiled sincerely at her, "We would never do anything that could hurt Elora here in Stonevale. This city and my late husband did enough to the poor girl. I personally cannot believe she even still wants to help us out. But I am grateful. Really." Akkar was the type of person who needed his ego boosted whenever and wherever he could get it. Brielle turned her eyes to him, "It must be so hard for her to stay away from such a handsome fiance! I didn't believe her when she spoke about you." Back to the lies.

 

[KAYDEN]

Warrin

Brielle had sent a messenger to let him know that Elora's fiance would be arriving in the morning and that he would be more than welcome to join. It had been a minute since he ventured to the castle and checked in with anyone in person so he made plans to have one of the scouts manage breakfast so he could head out before the streets got too dangerous in the mid morning. However, Warrin was running very late. A small fire broke out in the kitchen... clearly whoever he had trusted to manage cooking was the wrong person to trust with that job.

As Warrin finished cleaning up the small amount of soot he heard a few gasps in the other room and finally someone yelled for him. What was going on? Warrin quickly made his way out to the main room of the church and stumbled in shock at what he saw.

"Delphina?" His brain reacted before his body to the image of the blonde woman laying on the floor. "Someone get water and bandages, and someone head to the castle to let them know what just happened!" One of the scouts was instantly out the door and a few others exited to the supplies room they had created as Warrin ran and nearly slid over to where Delphina laid with the cross in hand. "Delphina? You're going to be okay. You're home... just with a few more visitors." He chuckled and smiled down at her as tears welled up in his eyes and he pushed some of her matted hair out of her face. He couldn't believe that this was actually her... How did she get back here and what happened while she was gone for all that time?

A man returned with water and bandages, "Here." Warrin wet some and handed them to the man, "Clean off the cuts on her legs and feet then wrap them. We'll have to call Brielle or Aldus to heal her fully, we don't have anything here." Hopefully this would make Aldus return to medicine, if he was sober enough to actually perform. "Drink." Warrin held her head up with one hand and the glass against her lips with the other.

 

[EclipseRosee]

Cataz

Cataz wanted NOTHING to do with welcoming this idiot of a man into their kingdom, there was no reason for him to be here! He was no real man of power until he married Elora and even then he seemed like a puny little shrimp of a man. Well, he wasn't really. But Cataz chose to see the two inches that he held over the man as a whole hell of a lot. Plus Cataz was a flirt, a jokester and an ex-alcoholic but he was still a whole person. This man seemed like a shell of a person. Much like someone else he once knew...

When Elora snubbed him Cataz couldn't help but chuckle a bit alongside Rastell. But then it was really Brielle's comments that made him loose it. He had been trying his hardest to contain a laugh but it just suddenly burst out when she mentioned how Elora spoke of her fiance. Like it was some good flattering thing! HAH! His body bent a little at the waist as he grabbed his abdomen to try and calm the sputtering laugh. "S-Sorry everyone. I just ... " He paused, he just what? "A bird flew into the gate behind you..." He said it as more of a question than a statement. "I mean the thing flew away so it's fine but it was just kind of funny." He laughed sheepishly before standing straight and swallowing hard. "Sorry."

Cataz looked away from the situation and pretended to be looking around the area for nothing in particular when his eyes fell upon a man he vaguely recognized running straight for the castle. Suddenly Cataz went into serious mode. "Elora, Brielle." He moved past the group and met the scout half way where the panting man only spat out one word.

"Delphina."

 

[Sir Damien]

Aldus

Aldus chuckled quietly at Brielle's fake persona. And her lies? Fucking comical. Elora's pet guard broke his composure, Cataz was doubled over from laughing, it made Aldus appreciate this truly shit moment. He grinned as he swiped the bottle and took a long swig of the burning liquid. Well, that is until he heard a name that had been haunting him every day. Delphina. Aldus spat out the liquid as he coughed and nearly choked on it. No way. No way! "Out of my way!" Aldus ran passed Akkar and bumped him a bit roughly with his shoulder. It wasn't on purpose, the drunk couldn't run in a straight line and he just happened to be in his way. "Sorry man!"

His heart was racing and he felt like he was going to vomit but he couldn't stop running. He picked up quite some speed as he ran down the hill that led to the castle. He practically flew to the church. If Delphina was alive maybe there was some hope to life. The church was in sight and Aldus practically busted the doors down as he burst inside. "D-Delphina you're alive!" The girl was dirty and tore up, she was barefoot and shivering like a leaf. Tears stung Aldus's eyes, a lone tear sliding down his cheek. For once in the past six months he found himself smiling. "I-I'll get you fixed up, I promise." He knelt in front of her, nearly toppling over, and his eyes ran over the girl to look at all the wounds. There were hundreds of cuts, some deeper than others and needed to be stitched up, she was clearly freezing and extremely dehydrated. Warrin had made some good steps, he was hydrating her and having someone wash her legs so they could tend to her. "She needs a hot shower, there's so much dirt caked every where and it'll warm her up, too. I need someone to warm some blankets, too. I'll need someone to go to the shop and get my bag." He pulled the keys to the shop and tossed it to one of the scouts. "It's the black bag behind the counter. It has all the things I'll need."

His attention went back to Delphina as the scout ran out of the church, a large smile on his face. "If you ever disappear on us like that I swear I won't let you live it down. You got that?" They bumped heads but the girl was like a little sister to him. The only way he could express how happy he was would be by scolding her. That's just the way he was. "You look thin. Did they feed you there?"

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Elora

Other than Aldus and Airiette already drinking this was going fairly well. Brielle lying to him was visibly boosting his ego. Although when Brielle lied to Akkar she couldn't help but smile and silently laugh. When Cataz laughed? Her face went bright red. She even shot him a surprised glance. That was a loud laugh, was he okay? Then he came up with the bird excuse and she giggled quietly. "Yes, the bird." Her blue eyes looked over at Cataz as he spoke to a messenger from the church. She heard the name and felt her heart skip a beat. Delphina? Their Delphina?

"A-Aldus don't fall and hurt yourself!" Elora sighed quietly. Yes, they should go with urgency, but the drunk one shouldn't be running at top speed. "Akkar make yourself at home." With that said she took off after her friend, her hand reaching up and holding her tiara as she ran. How did Delphina find her way home? No, that wasn't the question right now. They needed to make sure she was okay before they started bombarding the poor thing with questions.

Once to the church her eyes widened at the poor condition she was in. "Delphina..." Her heart practically broke at the shape she was in. Dirty from head to toe, obviously freezing, and she just looked so exhausted. "Aldus stop asking her so many questions..." Elora knelt down and wrapped her arms around Delphina before she helped her stand up. "I'll make sure she gets cleaned up." She shone a small smile at Delphina as she escorted her to the bathroom to run some hot water.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Delphina

Delphina felt tears running down her face as she seen Warrin. He kept his promise, he even had people in the church with her. Her biggest fear was that the kingdom would collapse in her absent. She was so thankful and so happy to see everything was okay. "It's so good to see you..." Delphina didn't have the energy to help them clean her up. She had ran for so long for so long. At some point she lost her energy and started limping and falling every other step, she thought she was going to die a few times. But she actually made it...

When Warrin put the glass to her lips she quickly chugged it. Was it lady like? No. But she was extremely dehydrated, she didn't care at this point how she looked. Once she was done drinking she panted softly and felt the room spin around her. She was so exhausted. "A-Aldus?" Her eyes popped open when the doors burst open and she smiled brightly. He was the one to help her after her father disappeared, the one to check on her every few days, make sure she was eating and make sure she was healthy. He scolded her all of the time but she knew he meant well. He was like a cranky older brother. "I'm fine, just a little scraped up and tired." The sound of a hot bath sounded like heaven. She couldn't feel her toes or the tips of her fingers, her ears and her nose were both extremely red and her whole body was trembling. The heat would warm her and the water would wash the dirt and blood off of her. She wasn't really capable of standing at this point though.

"Oh Elora!" Her little helper! How she had grown in just six months. She seemed to be so much more happy now it was contagious! "Thank you dear..." She smiled as the woman helped her to the shower.

-

The shower took a little longer than a usual one would. She had to get the caked off dirt off of her and out of her long blonde hair. There was a pile of twigs and leaves she had pulled from her hair and at some point she wanted to cut it, but Elora managed to wash it thoroughly to save her long locks. As nice as the warm shower was though it stung several of her wounds, a large wound on her thigh still bleeding even after the shower. "Ow..." Delphina leaned on Elora and stumbled out of the bathroom. She was finally back into her white sundress, though she walked very unstable and leaned off of the soles of her feet due to all the cuts. Elora helped her sit down in a chair and one of the church dwelling people wrapped a warm blanket around her. "Thank you..." The blanket felt like heaven as she wrapped it tighter around her body. "It's so good to see everyone. I missed you guys." She shot a tired smile over at Warrin. "Thanks for taking care of the church. I knew I could trust you."

 

[ZombieBaee]

Airiette

When Airiette heard the scout mention Delphina's name she was stunned for a moment, Aldus and Elora took off like bullets at her side and she was standing there like an idiot for a few moments longer. "Did they say Delphina?" She spoke, looking over at Fenian for a moment before she reached down and ripped a slit in her skirt and began to run after the others, reaching out and grabbing Brielle by the hand as she did so. "Come on your Countess demands it! Oh Akkar, you and your men are free to make yourself comfortable in my castle... its uh big?" She gave him and his men a salute with her free hand before turning and leaving them in the dust.

Fenian was close behind and it made Airiette roll her eyes but this was too important to argue with the stupid elf now.

The three of them reached the church and Brielle shook free from Airiette but it didn't matter, her eyes were focused on Delphina... then looking around the church... then back to Delphina. Thank god that the girl was safe but a piece of Airiette was dreaming that Caine would have been involved with her return... maybe that was too much to wish for.

While Elora helped Delphina clean up the others sat in mostly silence waiting to hear from her after she was feeling a little better. Delphina and Elora returned and Delphina still looked a little rough but the shower must have helped loads. "We missed you too! And hey don't focus all on Warrin, Brielle brought these people here when all the typical church goers ran and hid from the demon boy himself." Airiette hiccuped and her eyes went wide. Oh she had said too much right? All those drinks from whatever Aldus had given her were finally catching up.

Brielle

The others were laughing around her and Brielle couldn't help but crack a smile but genuine smile herself. It was the first real moment they had together in a long time. Cataz's serious mention of her name however made her face fall. What was he doing? Brielle leaned to peer past Akkar and found herself watching Cataz speaking to one of the scouts. "Oh my!" Delphina?! No one had even spotted her nearby! How did she find her way back? How did she get out of wherever they had kept her in the first place?!

Brielle's brain was moving at the speed of light with questions when Airiette grabbed her hand and began dragging her through the road. "Airiette! Airiette let go I can handle myself!" She shook her hand free from the white haired girl as they arrived at the church. The two of them and Fenian stood near the door and simply watched the scene before them. Brielle was absolutely in shock that the priestess was actually here... on the floor of her own church. It had been so long since she had laid eyes on her that she was stunned to silence. That and her heart was squeezing with emotions. Joy that their friend was back, relief that she was alive but also melancholy from watching the way Aldus fretted over the woman. What was that feeling?

Oh. As Aldus sent the scout for his bag something clicked painfully in Brielle's mind. He loves her. That must be it. Brielle had always known the two were close but she had always thought of their relationship as family not as a romantic one. But he was willing to help now that she was here. He was confident and concerned. It made her a mixture of happy and sad that made a few tears fall from her hazel eyes. Besides her Fenian reached out and offered a handkerchief. "O-Oh thank you. It's happy tears I'm just so...." Brielle took the thing and looked back over at each member of the group, a sad smile forming on her face. "Happy." Her idea from last night may have been correct. Delphina was home... once she was better, Brielle would leave. Her time in Stonevale hadn't done much good... maybe she was some sort of bad omen for the city.

Once Delphina returned with Elora from getting cleaned up, she sat in a pew across from her and gave her a gentle smile as Airiette spoke. "Airiette!" Brielle hushed the woman and let out a long sigh, "They're just nice people who wanted to help. Warrin and I just made an agreement so everyone would be as safe as possible. That is all."

 

[EclipseRosee]

Cataz

Cataz had moved with the others, albeit slower than all of the tiny and fast women he seemed to hang around, but hey he got there when he got there. When he arrived Delphina was sitting with a blanket around her shoulders and Airiette seemed to be having a bad case of foot in mouth syndrome. Brielle scolded the Countess and Cataz let out a huff and ran a hand through his tangled long hair. "Don't pacify the woman just because she's had a rough day." He had known Delphina for a long time and she wasn't a weak person. Sure she had clearly been through some real shit recently but the last thing she would want or need were those closet to her pretending like things were less terrible than they were.

"It's not great around here right now." Cataz took a seat on the floor and leaned against a pew while he looked over at the blonde. "A lot of people have lost faith in the church despite Warrin's attempts. Not only that a lot of people have lost faith in Stonevale as a whole. Our drunk Countess over there isn't helping matters much either." He nodded his head to Airiette before continuing, "But good thing is that you're back. That's a giant step in the right direction. Plus thank god that Elora's fiance arrived today, I'm not exactly sure what we would have done without him showing up to help." He let out a sarcastic chuckle and glanced over at Elora.

"I don't want to freak you out within your first few minutes back here but I don't see the point in lying to you either Delphina."

 

[KAYDEN]

Warrin

Warrin couldn't help but cry as he watched how Delphina lit up with the recognition of each person who arrived. Just being around the others seemed to make her shine more and more with each passing moment. Aldus arrived and much to Warrin's surprise he was instantly into doctor mode despite smelling of alcohol, Warrin almost questioned him but decided to not. Drunk doctor was better than no doctor.

Elora took Delphine to get cleaned up and Warrin looked over to Brielle during the small break they had then back to Aldus. "Sorry that I didn't have any supplies left here... I figured the bag Brielle had been using would be here somewhere but we must have run out of supplies the last time she came to stitch someone up. But the scouts are good at running clearly considering how fast you all got here." He gave a gentle smile and sat back onto the wood of the church floor to wait for Delphine. There were a million questions that he wanted to ask but he wasn't sure if they should do this now or allow the girl to rest for the night.

Warrin's worry however was quickly dashed when Airiette opened her mouth after Delphina sat down. Brielle was quicker to scold her than Warrin was but honestly should she even be scolded? Airiette was right. People ran away from the church simply because Warrin had stepped foot inside of it. Delphinas words about trusting him made his stomach turn in guilt. Maybe she shouldnt have trusted him. Maybe Stonevale would be in a slightly better place if Brielle or Elora had come to watch the church instead.

Cataz went straight into the hard stuff and Warrin reached over and elbowed the man a little bit, "Cataz... we shouldn't lie to her but we can also word things a little more gently..."

 

[Sir Damien]

Aldus

This was a joyous occasion, Aldus didn't even notice the fact that Brielle was upset. How could he? He was literally just yanked out of his depression. A smile was plastered on his face as he dug through his black bag full of supplies. He hadn't touched this thing in six months, he was like a kid on Christmas. When Delphina came out and sat down he immediately got to work to the larger wounds. He was more of a silent party while everyone talked, he had to pay extra attention to what he was doing. He reeked of booze and his vision was doubled but he did his best to sober himself up. "I can do this..." He whispered to himself as he poured some alcohol on Delphina's thigh gash. "Sorry..." He winced quietly before he pulled the stitch kit out. "Deep breaths now, kid." With that said he slowly laced the needle and thread through the thigh to sew her back together. Not his finest work but it would work.

He wrapped up her wounded feet and legs after he disinfected the wound with the alcohol. She had been through so much he imagined this wouldn't hurt too much. Aldus quietly listened to everyone talk about how people had lost their faith and turned on the church, how things around the kingdom weren't going so great. "Never mind that. She needs to focus on recovery, she can't help anyone if she can't walk. Things will be fine. Delphina's back and she'll restore everyone's faith. We'll track down the monsters that did this and Airiette can have them hang like the monsters they are in the town square. The kingdom will go back to normal." Aldus stumbled slightly as he stood and closed his bag. "I assume you'll be stubborn and refuse to join us at the castle. I'll have to say as your physician that's a terrible and idiotic plan considering the fact that these guys will be looking for you."

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Elora

After helping Delphina wash up Elora felt like she needed a bath. There was so much dirt and blood that she was sure the bath would need to be sanitized before it could be used again. She helped Delphina make her way back out to everyone and sat her in a chair before she leaned against a wall near her. Her smile fell as they went on about the kingdom and the people who turned on the church. Cataz's comment about Akkar made her roll her eyes. She motioned her hand behind her back and allowed a small gust of wind to knock him back against the pew. "Things aren't great but they are improving. My men are training the guards of Stonevale. There are the cases of the kidnappings that we can't solve but we are currently working on them. It's been rough but we've been managing."

With another sigh she ran her hand through her raven hair. "Aldus is right though she needs to rest. Warrin, Delphina, please join us at the castle. We'll be able to care for you and protect you better there."

Delphina

The smile fell from Delphina's tired face. What? Her people turned on Warrin? She had hoped for so much better, prayed for her people to be understanding. She couldn't fault them but she tried to teach that every soul was at risk of being taken over. Some were more susceptible than others, but she had hoped that her people would get over that fact. Warrin was just trying to help and do what she asked of him...was this her fault? "Thank you Aldus..." Delphina felt a few tears fall from her eyes as she looked down at the stitched up wound and wrapped up legs. The tears weren't from the pain, she had been through enough of that, but from sadness. How could she do this to the kingdom? It was all her fault... "I appreciate you guys being honest with me. I thank you for all that you've done to protect everyone in my absence."

Her eyes widened. Kidnappings? The possessions...no, she couldn't tell them about that now. Things started to go black around her as she felt faint. "I wouldn't mind going to the castle, I haven't been able to rest and feel safe since they took me..." She rubbed her wrapped arms and stood up with a small stumble. "I'll get back to work after I get some sleep. And I'll address the alcohol I smell on your breath later, too." She glanced from Airiette to Aldus. The booze on their breath was unbearable, they needed a good scolding.

 

[ZombieBaee]

Brielle

The entire group had returned to the castle that evening after Delphinas return. They ate dinner and everyone returned to their bedrooms rather early. It was around 9 pm if she remembered correctly. It was an hour later that Fenian came to her door. At first fear struck her, why would he be here. But it was nothing serious... he was here on more of a personal reason.
“You’re in love with the doctor.” Fenian spoke plainly, shutting the door behind him and moving to take a seat on Brielle’s bed. She stammered for a moment and went to argue but he just held up her hand, “We don’t need to discuss it, it’s clear. I don’t understand your attraction to the strange man but then again I don’t understand my recent found attraction to your Countess.” Brielle watched him and listened for a while. He proposed a mutually beneficial relationship between the two as to help them drown out thoughts of the person they’d really rather be with.

The idea rung you Brielle as perfect. Only if Cataz and Aldus could use women to ignore their problems then she could do the same.

The next morning Brielle had woken before all the others and found Fenian. The two made their way to the cellar and well, things moved from there. It was wrong, Brielle felt kind of disgusting at first. But eventually the feeling subsided and she was able to forget her self pity.

“You have to go be with Airiette shortly.” Brielle pushed back some of her wild hair and began to pull on her clothing. “Make sure you look presentable before you go. We don’t need anyone to see this.”

 

[ZombieBaee]

Airiette

Airiette slept like a baby, after a whole bottle of rum and a pint of beer. Delphinas return brough back the nightmares of Caine. Her worry. Delphina came back but with no mention of Caine. How did he not find her? It was impossible! He was SO fast! Until she had woken up to drink she had been tossing and turning so violetly that she fell from the bed.

Finally Airiette woke in the morning, earlier than usual and grumpier than usual. “Shit.” She sighed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes before rolling into the floor and crawling over to grab the large flowing pink and lace robe that she pulled over a matching nightgown and tied tightly shut. She stood and went to grab the bottle but it was empty and she let out a small wimper.

“Aldus!” Airiette yelled into the hallway as she stumbled sleepily down to his room and banged on his door a few times. She knew he would be mad at her but she needed his key to the cellar. Brielle had tried to lock it to keep the two drunks out of it but Aldus has stolen the extra key from the kitchen staff. “I need your help. It is very very important! My bottle is dry.” She slipped down the wall and sat against the floor and set the empty glass bottle besides her. “You know I don’t ask for help often but come on man I slept like absolute shit.”

 

[KAYDEN]

Warrin

Everyone made sure that Delphina was safe and comfortable back at the castle. Warrin has left the scouts with strict instructions to only cook outside on a fire pit after they nearly burned the place down. Back at the castle they ate an early dinner and retired to their bedrooms early. Well most did, Warrin sat outside of Delphinas door and made a small bed out of pillows and blankets on the marble floor. There were guards to protect her site but he owed her his life, the least he could do was help guard her door.

In the morning one of the maids that he used to work closely with stopped by and left a small kettle of rose tea next to his pillow with two cups. He gave her a small smile and a thanks before sitting up and pouring himself a glass. The other could wait until Delphina woke up naturally. She needed sleep and he would sit here and wait until she was ready to meet with the others to talk.

 

[Pax Pardus Hale]

Elora

Elora's day was already eventful. Akkar had pretty much forced Elora and Rastell to take him on the a 'personal tour' of the kingdom. Like she wanted to go anywhere with him. Fine, whatever. She took him just to get him to shut up. On the beginning of their walk they went to the town square and were immediately greeted by an unpleasant sight. A black cloaked member was hanging in the square, bloodied dripping down his body to the ground, a message written in blood below the hanging man. We have your pet monster and decided to make him one of us. Give us back the girl and we'll give him back. Elora had sent a guard to gather the others. Thankfully people barely came to the town square nowadays due to the kidnappings so she had one guard patrol the square while they studied the crime scene.

"Akkar if you cannot provide any actual assistance then please leave. This is an important matter and I do not need you here with your snide remarks." He had said this was tiring and bothersome and not worth his time. He pushed her buttons and frustrated her beyond belief. "Oh, Caine." Elora let out a long sigh and shook her head. "The only way we're going to find him is to find their hideout. Delphina's going to need to recover quickly."