The Manipulative & the Subserviant

Astarte just stood where she was, flicking her eyes from one person to another.
Have they turned on me? Who is my enemy? Who should I be fighting? Should I just try to escape?

~Lesalia~

*Seraph grabs Astarte's arm & dashes out of the room & down the stairs.*

S"Second rule of Magicks: Slip out the back door when no one is looking."
-------------------------------------------------------------
R"I do not care about her."

*Roatha turns & heads for the exit.*
====================================
~Warjilis~

<Let's not get ahead of ourselves, now. After all, one cannot demand thousands of Gil for his first ware. But if you stick around the slums of Warjilis, you'll make a pittance for the rest of your days. Of that you can be sure.>
=====================================
~Zeirechele~

L"...Very well. I suppose I was bound to find my way to Lionel eventually."

As residents of the capitol, Mortal and Noctis certainly did, so they went to make sure the Queen was safe.

--

Sab let out a small sigh, "I guess I should get used to having you guys around for the time being."

"I hope you'll find us to be reasonable enough companions," Zac said, as he began to walk off south towards Zaland, and Lionel.

"I did not know you were clergy," Iliad said, "I think I should find our conversations more relaxing than the ones I've been having recently."

"Are your friends not faithful?" Sab asked.

"As pious as any good man, I can assure you, but I would imagine their devotion falls short of someone such as yourself."

"And your devotion?" Sab asked.

"I am no priest, but I do my best," Iliad said, ignoring the small snicker Zac let out.

"No priest indeed, my friend."

Sorrel followed Mortal and Noctis to do the same.

"Our business here is finished. Who's up for a trip to the tavern?"

Taiyo:<You think they'll have another treasure hunt posted?>

Mimiru:<I hope not.>

*The three follow Roatha out.*

~Lesalia~

Results:

*Euryale looks from Roatha to Noctis, biting her lip, before reluctantly following Noctis. When they get deeper into the castle, 5 Lionsguard Knights approach them from behind.*

<You there. What are you doing here?>
------------------------------------------------------------------
*As opposed to heading for the tavern, Roatha just heads towards the nearest road out of the city.*
=====================================
~Zeirechele Falls~

*As they head to leave, Lilith turns, having heard a wailing sound. The knights are all surrounded in darkness, transforming into 2 skeletons on either side of the bridge, a ghost floating over the water next to them, & 3 ghost knights on the "stairs" of the falls.*

L"My job did not call me to be an exorcist, & they have the high ground, to boot. But it would not be safe to leave them like this."

*Reiter, Rhea and Parker also head out.*

"The disturbance from the Southern Sky Order has us worried for the queen's safety" Sorrel says honestly.

*Clyde adjusts his hat.*

Clyde: <Interesting offer... I'll think about it.>

*He continues walking.*

Astarte frowned, "Where are you going to take me?"

~Lesalia~

Knight<A noble trait, I suppose. But we are resecuring the castle. And this involves expelling all who are neither suspects nor guards. You understand, I presume?>
--------------------------------------------------------
"Lesson 3 of Magick: Strike wherever your instinct dictates. The Dukeys should be preparing for a clash soon, & I want a front row seat to the carnage. So I'm heading for the place where Lesalia bleeds into Zeltennia."
===============================
~Warjilis~

<I'm afraid I've places to be. Should your decision prove favorable, seek out Cardinal Delecroix. Tell him you were sent by Ser Goffard Gaffgarion.>

OOC: Mortal and Noct get 16,500 each, and Euryale gets 17K?

Noctis nodded, "Absolutely, we will vacate the castle now."

With that, Mortal and Noct begin on their way out of the castle.

--

"Of course, we can't leave them as such," Zac said, pulling free his gun from its holster, "Who knows what would happen if these poor souls happened upon anyone else."

Iliad drew his blade as well, "Quite, but lets be quick about this."

As if on cue Sab cast haste on the party (assuming they are close enough together).

"I absolutely understand, please send word to the Convolt house with news of the queen's condition when you find out more" Sorrel bowed respectfully before also leaving.

OOC: It shall be so. I'll put the Brave/Faith Adjustments here before I go to alter my inventories.

Spoiler:

~Lesalia~

*Outside the castle, there isn't much going on, besides the increased guard presence.*

E"He's gone. And so are the mages. They must have slipped out when we weren't looking."
=====================================
~Zeirechele~
*The spell hastens Illiad, but misses Zac. Lilith, who is still on that hill, isn't even in range. She jumps back down as one of the skeletons approaches.*

L"...Discretion is the better part of valor. I don't really want to get hit with a Thunder Anima, nor do I want to charge in without someone to cover my back."

Mortal nodded, "That was his father he just saw killed, I can only imagine what he is going through." Mortal said, in reference to Roatha, "What about you, Euryale, are you okay?"

Noctis takes a few steps towards her estate, "I'm fine, Mortal, please, managed your concern," She said, sarcastic as always, "Anyway, I shall return, and check on our House. Father should know we are both fine."

Mortal felt a bit bad for not showing concern for Noctis, "Right, I guess I should return as well."

Noctis turned and put her hand up to stop Mortal, "Only if you want to, Mortal, remember, despite everything this is still your night. Have whatever fun you can find, and return home only when you wish to. Goodbye to you, Euryale, it was pleasant before the scuffle. Lets hope we can meet without our night being ruined by a declaration of war" With that, Noctis was off on her way home.

--

Iliad rushes past Lilith, and chucks a shuriken into one of the skeletons, meanwhile Zac moves into range as well, "I'll cover you as well I can, Lilith," He said as he leveled his pistol at one of the undead, using Seal Evil to petrify it.

Sab moved up as well, casting graviga on the skeleton Iliad attacked.

Sorrel returns to his manor and four servants walk to his side as he walks to his private chambers, "Send word to Duke Larg as to what transpired here." Sorrel tells the first of his servants then adds, "And ready the armory stockpiles for transport."

The servant bows before leaving. Sorrel turns to the second servant, "Find Ramza Beoulve. I wish to speak with him again." The second servant bowed and left.

"Goltanna wants to play with fire... I'll throw the full might of the Convolt against him and watch his own fire burn him. Find out who the Southern Sky's suppliers are make sure they are no longer in the business of supplying the good duke or his little order of knights. Buy them out, or better yet, slit their throats and burn their stockpiles to the ground." The last two servants left as Sorrel placed his elaborate helm-hat combo on his head and swung open the double doors to his private chambers, the wind causing his longcoat to billow dramatically. The doors closed and there was a locking sound.

*As opposed to heading to the nearest road out of the city, the three head to the nearest tavern.*

~Lesalia~

E"She seemed upset."
----------------------------------------
*There's a knock on Sorrel's door.*

<Ser? It turns out no one has seen Ramza Beoulve for 2 years now.>
-----------------------------------------
Tavernmaster<Hey there. Did you hear? They say the Imperial Castle was attacked today.>
================================
~Zeirchele~

*They sure showed those 2 skeletons. Meanwhile, the ghost teleports behind them & fires off an ectoplasm at Sab as the Ghost Knights begin descending the hill on either side of the bridge.*

~3~

Sorrel laughed heartily, "I'm sure he's around somewhere... with the way things are going he'll show up. When he does let me know. That is all"

"Yeah, I heard. In other news, what do you have for postings?"

Clyde: <I'll try to keep that in mind, thanks.>

Mortal shook her head, "She is just like that sometimes... most times. Anyway, um, do you want to continue off where we were, or do you have anything better to do?" Mortal asked, a bit unsure.

--

Noctis returned home to find the estate under increased security, "Father, I'm home." She called out, causing Divum to walk out of his room and into the lobby of the house.

"I am glad you were not harmed- where is Mortal?"

"Safe. We played the roles of concerned citizens during the attack and rushed to the castle to fend off the attackers. We were largely unharmed, and when the dust settled I came home, and told her to return when she wanted."

When Noct said they rushed to the castle Divum nearly blanched, "You should not have been so reckless. You should have returned home, where it was safe."

"I said as much myself, but Mortal is a bit too righteous for her own good I guess," Noctis said with a shrug, "Still, we are both safe, and the situation has calmed significantly, so I didn't see any reason why she shouldn't try to salvage at least something of this night."

"True enough," Divum said with a small sigh, "While you were off playing the role of a hero, I was stuck here with your angered mother."

"You, of course, had the more stressful role."

"Quite. You should talk to her, she is upset."

Noctis laughed, "She is upset and you think having me talk to her will make things better?"

Divum shook his head, "Right, right, I'm glad you're well. I'll now retire to my room."

"Goodbye, Lord Father." Noctis said, walking off to her room.

--

Zac uses Seal Evil on the Ghost that hit Sab at the same time she runs away from it to use Slow on one of the descending Knights. Iliad throws a shuriken at that same Knight.

~Lesalia~

*A few hours later, there's another knock.*

<Ser Convolt, Lords Larg & Dycedarg have requested an audience with you, within the week if possible.>
------------------------------------------------------
Tavernmaster<Well, there are monsters in the coal mine again. There's also a famed thief group attacking caravans. And the reward for finding Wiegraf Folles, but that trail has been cold for 2 years now.>
------------------------------------------------------
"What could I possibly have to do that's better than being with you?"
======================================
~Zeirechele~

*The ghost flits out of the way, teleporting to Zac & putting him to sleep with a touch. Lilith begins heading across the bridge to meet one of the other knights. The one up on the hill raises a hand & ivy rises up to attack Illiad.*
======================================
~Warjilis~

*Everyone else just kind of ignores him.*

"I see... but, I have more questions for you," Astarte tried to tug her arm out of Seraph's grip. "So if we could find somewhere to talk I would be happy..."

Noctis makes her way to her room, and settles into a light nap.

--

Mortal's cheeks flushed red, "You're too kind, Euryale," She said, trying not to grin too wide, "But it is nice to hear you say."

--

Zac is sleeping like a boss.

Iliad splits the damage with the knight, and throws another shuriken at it while he continues to work his way towards him.

Sab uses Graviga on the Ghost that put Zac to sleep.