As if awakening from a sleep, Redblade found it difficult to remember what had happened. He could only remember being in the lounge room and explaining to Serenity everything before taking a drink of her wine before passing out. Was it the wine that had knocked him out, or did she use some type of spell on him. Her fingers were changing colors at that time, so it was hard to figure out what had occured at that time before he blacked out.
Opening his eyes, he noticed the ceiling of the room. Was he still in the lounge room or was he moved to another room, he asked himself. It mattered not when he tried to move, for his body was not responding to him. That is when he heard the word "poison"mentioned. So in fact the drink was poisoned that was meant for Serenity, he figured, and he had tried to prove that he had not poisoned it for her by drinking it. That was a bad idea, although maybe it would prove his innocense in the act.
Having trouble controling his body, he tries to speak, but at first it was only mumble coming out of his mouth. His tongue felt numb still.
Whe.... whe emei?
His eyes looked around the room trying to see who all was there with him other than Roger Bacon, who seemed to be treating his illness.
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
Roger smiled, "You're in the house of Galena, being taken care of. Lucky for you, I'm familiar with the poison you took on Lady Howle's behalf."
Red could hear the chink of a mortar and pestle as the healer mixed herbs. She and Roger appeared to be the only ones in the room.
"So, Red is it? I've had the pleasure of learning more about you from the local authorities, they've been looking for you. In fact they happen to be outside right now, waiting. I'm only here now to make sure the medicine has been done properly. I happen to be an expert in administering it."
The healer came into view of Red now holding a steaming cup. It was at this point that feeling began to return to the Warven, and he realized he was being restrained. Leather straps held him firm at the wrists, ankles and even head.
"You can undo the head strap, miss. He won't harm you, I promise."
It wasn't an assurance that Roger knew Red to be harmless, but rather that even if he tried anything the man from Highever was confident he could stop the rogue in his tracks.
A bit reluctant, the healer did as she was told and released Red's head strap.
"Drink this, you will recover faster. A few men are anxious to get you to your new cell, after all."
Although he was now being healed for something that could have killed him, he felt miserable inside. He was already free for a short while, having escaped from the Sentinels to work for Piper, and now he was going back to a cell. Even if he had not drank the poisoned wine, he still would not have completed his job of taking Serenity's necklace, and gained Piper's trust to learn more of him. He felt like a failure.
Being tied down there was little he could do, but let the events unfold by themselves. The only thing on his mind right now was, who would have wanted to kill Serenity and why? Was it part of Piper's plans to set him up? Or was this something else?... The only other person that he could think of to have tried to frame him was... this Roger guy who gave him the key to the lounge. He could think of no other reason as to why he would have done such a favor without even knowing him. And if this guy knows about medicine, even more the reason as to how he was able to come up with an antidote. His mind was clouded and all he had was suspicions. He had to talk to Serenity.
Serenity?... I must speak to her first before the Sentinels take me.
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
Roger put away the cup and chuckled at Red's request, "The Lady happens to be here. You should be honored that she's offered to speak on your behalf. Although, she's only a face these days and not a person in power."
The healer put her things away and bowed before removing herself from the room, "Could you ask Lady Howle to come in?" Roger called after her.
There was something unsettling about the scene. Why a healer would simply leave a known criminal alone with a man of higher standing seemed odd enough, or perhaps she simply wanted to get out of the room quickly...
"Last night was rather amusing, I admit. Oh, one second."
Roger's eyes glowed as he aimed his palm at the door, casting a finely controlled spell of silence on the door, "There, now we won't be heard. Not that I have much to say, I simply wanted to let you know that there is no ill will between us. It would be in your best interest to keep it that way. Do we have an accord?"
Redblade became more suspicious as Roger placed a spell on the door to their room and what he had to say afterwards. There was something not feeling well to him, of a medic acting as such and almost threatening him in that manner.
Still not able to do much, he only responds back to him.
Why would there be ill will between us? You did only help me get into the lounge to have a romantic moment. In my view, that is a good deed that you did for a complete stranger to gain points with his woman.
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
Roger looked toward the door as if it suffered a disturbance before leering back at Red, "That's the spirit. I believe your woman is here to see you now."
Bacon snapped his finger and his spell broke, allowing Red to hear the rasp on the door.
"Come in," Roger said. The knob turned and the door swung open to reveal Serenity, still in her evening gown. She cooly walked in before speaking to Roger.
"How is he?" "He can speak for himself, we're lucky to have administered the antidote in time. Perhaps, more fortunate to have a House of Galena in Wistvale."
With a nod, Roger departed and closed the door behind himself. Serenity looked on after him for a moment, as if thinking on something, before taking a seat by Red.
"I'm sorry for the restraints, the Sentinels insisted on it. How are you feeling?"
Redblade felt relieved to see Roger leave them alone. He needed to talk to her in private.
Mi'lady, ... what happens to me now matters not. I knew very well the consequences that would happen if I got caught again. Piper has connections everywhere, even within the Sentinels, so I am sure I will not last the night in a cell. But what is more important right now, and I worry about the most, is your safety.
That wine was intended for you. I do not know who you are or what enemies you have to want you dead, but I could only think of two people that may have poisoned that wine. Piper, who sent me to steal from you to only frame me in the process, or your dear friend, Roger Bacon, who gave me the key to enter the lounge just before you entered behind me. Roger, having knowledge in medicine only makes him more suspicious, in my point of view. Not to mention he had placed a spell on the door before you arrived here and threatened me to keep my silence.
I wish I could do more to find this attacker if I were free, but this is the best that I can do for you at this moment. You must not trust anybody until he is caught.
Redblade began to think of a way to escape. He felt that she would need his help, more than she knew. He would not go back to a cell until he knew she would be safe. A spell now would only make her see him as a threat, so he would need to do it after she left.
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
"Me? Well I am afraid to say that life often keeps me preoccupied and I don't have nearly as much fun as I might like, I'm afraid."
Kiga couldn't miss Serenity stealing Jaime away from the party in front of the crowd, which left the party goers to return to dancing and chatting, neither of which held his interest. In fact, something seemed afoot and whilst he wasn't sure he had a stake in the happenings, he was curious as to what might be transpiring beyond plain sight.
He wasn't sure Aimee would be of much use, but wasn't going to shun her company. Of course, she might be more interested in interacting with a now bloody knuckled champion.
"Tell me Aimee, how might we make this night more memorable? If you're not going to stay in town, well it's my wish that you enjoy what time you do have here. It seems some of the more notable guests have also found distractions."
Kiga turned so that he stood beside her now, looking out across the crowd. He leaned quite close and whispered into her ear, squeezing her hand as he did so.
"Consider me at your beck and call. Just how might I make this a night to remember?"
Serenity listened intently to what Red had to say, though her expression often took on disbelief especially at hearing the accusation about Roger. Her hands were folded halfway into listening to Red's confession.
"It's quite obvious that the wine was meant for me, but Roger? What reason could he have to poison me? Even if he is a servant of House Dumar I've no quarrel with him or his masters. Nor do I even know what this Piper would gain from my death. I hardly have any affect on the politics or going ons of Wistvale anymore."
Leaning back in her seat to rub her temples, Serenity briefly stared at the ceiling trying to make sense of all this, almost certain that Red spoke no falsehood. Yet, none of it felt quite solid.
"Or perhaps, was the wine meant for Vienna? It couldn't have been, the poor girl has been mute for months," Serenity muttered to herself, trying to look at it from every angle like her astute cousin.
"I'm sorry, Sen, but without evidence I can't possibly condone either of these men, Roger especially. By blaming Roger for this incident I'd be pointing a finger at Joseph Dumar himself, an enemy I don't wish to make without just cause."
Serenity appeared genuinely sorry as she stood up, preparing to leave the room.
"However, regardless of who is at fault here, I've not forgotten your accidental sacrifice in my stead. I have no power to grant you freedom, but I will do what I can to speedily get you out of prison. I will also assure that no harm will come to you during your stay in a cell."
________________________________
During the party...
The party steadily trickled out after the end of the brawl, though a murmur had lingered as to what could have caused Jaime Trydent to abruptly leave the room to join the Lady Howle in the lounge. Guests had kept an eye toward the room, occasionally throwing an eye toward the end of the ballroom to see if anyone was coming out.
Aimee was not so rude to turn away from Kiga just to meet a friend she could see anytime she wanted. Though she appluaded Frederick's efforts, she didn't go to meet him afterward as she too became fascinated by Jaime's sudden disappearance.
All of her curiosity vanished instantly, however, as soon as Kiga whispered into her ear and something that could be called a blush appeared on her cheeks. Kiga grasping her hand did not escape the notice of her guardians who had a clear view of them now that fewer people were in the room.
"My lady!" one called out as he got within five steps of Kiga. "It's alright, Franz," she nearly stuttered, "I'll join you and Kale in a moment so that we may retire."
Reluctantly her housecarl accepted and returned to previous place by the dining table. Aimee collected herself and giggled after a sigh.
"Your offer is bold, Kiga, especially to a lady of my standing," she squeezed his hand back. "This won't be my last night here, however, and I don't think we'd be able to escape my companions. Perhaps...you could give me a proper tour of Wistvale tomorrow?"
The kitchen doors opened with Serenity and Vienna coming through as subtly as they could. Jaime Trydent didn't follow behind nor did any of his housecarls.
Both noble ladies appeared to be ready to go home for the evening and walked along the wall toward the entrance. As they did, without obscurity, Vienna was able to peer across the dance floor and set her gaze upon a face one would think she surely forgotten.
"...Kiga?" "What?"
Serenity stopped in her tracks and stared at her cousin as if she just swore against the gods. Her eyes traced Vienna's gaze and found Kiga herself, looking back and forth to make sure she wasn't imagining things.
"Vienna, what did you say?"
At the opposite wall, Roger's man had been monitoring Vienna ever since she entered the room and before then, looking down his nose like a hound. His hand clutched around a stone that was hidden in his pants pocket that glowed warmly.
The warven remained silent. There was nothing more he could say. At least now she could try and get a better picture of what was going on and who was probably behind the incident. Turning his head away from Serenity, he whispered to himself.
I would not last a night.
Having seen what Piper was capable of doing and the connections he had, he knew the prison would not be safe for him at all. Knowing also that he had just made another enemy or two, his best chance of survival was to escape at any cost.
Last Edit: Jun 19, 2014 15:04:16 GMT -5 by Redblade
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
Serenity could feel Red's defeat as he turned away from her, but she spoke no more. Without another moment, she stepped out of the room to let Red wallow in his despair.
The door closed behind her, leaving Red alone for the moment.
"Well, what did he say?" the Sentinel lieutenant asked. "He is quite sure that it was done by someone else, and I'm inclined to believe him...but he doesn't have any evidence to support his claims." "You do remember that the poison was in his possession? You could have simply cornered him and he made a desperate attempt to escape. He could have hoped that we'd presume him dead and have Piper come rescue him with the antidote later."
Serenity was still unconvinced, "But he seemed so sure that he'd be fine when he drank the wine, I don't think he knew."
Redblade listened as Serenity spoke with The Sentinel. What poison was in his possession, he asked himself. He never carried any poison with him before, and thats when it hit him. So it was Roger who did it afterall. He was so sure of it now. That explained why he was given the key to the lounge, to be framed for her death.
He looked around the room, to see if he could see any windows around or other doors to escape from. While he did so, he would whisper a few words to cast a spell in an attempt to free himself. Redblade could only hope that they were not enchanted as the shackles were when he was a prisoner.
Claws of shadows.
- Shadow Claws -
Effect: The mage's fingers grow wicked talons, suited to tear and rend enemies' flesh.
Range: Caster.
AOE: Caster's hands.
Cast Time: Immediate..
Power: These claws grant a + 2 bonus to the mage's Unarmed Melee Talent. Last 15 minutes.
If the spell did work, the shadows under his finger tips would slowly form sharp talons out of his nails, and he would try and cut the straps off his arms.
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
Red's spell was successful and he was able to bend his elongated fingered claws in order to cut through the straps.
A single window was just adjacent to his bed that let in the morning light.
"Was the healer able to sedate him before you left?" "Captain, the healer departed shortly before Lady Howle entered the room," a Sentinel said. "What?! You fool, he can use magic!"
The Sentinel Captain barged his way through Serenity and the other Sentinel to reach for the door handle.
The warven saw his opportunity to escape as he rushed to cut the straps around his legs also, before heading to the door in which Serenity had just exited from to place a spell, if he was freed. It was one he had used before on the Sentinels, which worked very well then to buy him time. Placing his hands on the knob he placed a spell.
- Insidious Ward -
Effect: The mage crafts an arcane ward, which harms those who tamper with it, or contact it.
Range: One solid surface of appropriate size. Must be touched.
AOE: 3 feet across and high.
Cast Time: 1 whole round.
Power: Any creature touching the ward will suffer immediate, minor damage.
His hands would glow a bright purple light, passing the dark energy onto the door and preparing the trap for anybody that would try to open it. He could only hope that Serenity would not be the first person to try and open the door. It was meant for the guards outside.
GM NOTE:: Redblade is a known felon and escaped criminal. This can and should effect all interactions with certain people that would be aware of his status. Especially the Sentinels.
"I fought the law and then I was broken out... Is that a bad thing?"
Kiga only gave Aimee the kind of humored expression that conveyed he wasn't disappointed in the slightest. He hadn't meant to sound quite so forward and whilst his obscure ploy to gain entrance to the more private party had failed, it seemed it was over and done with now, regardless. He looked to the alarmed guardsman and chuckled.
"They must think me a scoundrel, Aimee. I hope you don't think much the same - Wistvale hides many grand sights by night, I truly only hoped to ... well."
Ah, his pause was perfectly timed, a very deliberate moment of hesitation and a well honed gesture of what seemed to be a hint of nerves. Still, whilst Kiga knew precisely how to present himself, he did fine Aimee quite to his liking. He took a breath and spoke once more, a little rushed and then relaxing.
"Well. As I said, I am at your beck and call milady. If you desire a tour, then I'm more than happy to oblige. Perhaps your companions can pack a lunch, yes?"
He laughed then and shot the guardsman a mocking but harmless look. There was little else he could hope to accomplish here and really, he had no intention of becoming involved with someone so young and impressionable. That wouldn't quite feel right.
"Goodnight Aimee, I take my leave. I hope your recall your dreams fondly on the morrow."
He didn't dare to kiss her hand or stall a moment longer, as there was still something afoot here. He hadn't quite decided on how to proceed and whilst he'd considered assuming his regular attire and acting covertly, perhaps he could challenge this scenario differently.
Finding Vienna halted in her tracks and accompanied by Serenity, Kiga dared approach her in plain view. He was sure to be close enough so that his voice could remain low, as there were far too many eyes still for his liking.
"Vienna. Can we talk a moment?"
It seemed simple enough. He showed no apprehension about him or nerves, but he needed it to seem entirely harmless, at least long enough so that he might question her in private. It was odd though, in that he all but ignored Serenity, giving her a simple nod out of courtesy.