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[Bailos]

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"What a perfect setup", he had to think aloud.

It was seriously too perfect. Eldrim didnt know what was coming...probably no one did. Eldrim knew something was wrong, no Sadira in weeks...and he had caught wind that it was 'The Skullies'. His original intent was no less than valiant, but unfortunately when Eldrim charged up to Charnel Hill, the worst case scenario had come to be; he was pretty much surrounded and quite outnumbered. No fight, he went quietly. A few lines later he had managed to arrange himself to be taken to wherever Sadira was being held and only Bailos seemed to know what the hell was going on.
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Sadira had been alone for a couple days now. She knew Bailos popped in and out, leaving her food, fresh warm clothes, blankets and other necessities, but she hadnt seen him in a couple days. She had every reason to cling to hope. She hadnt been harmed since she arrived, and after last speaking to him, Bailos almost seemed to long to let her go. Maybe she was looking to hard...

"Huh?" outside she thought she could hear the sounds of a gate materializing. Sure enough, she was right as the figures of several beings shambled in front of the windows. As the door opened and some snow came in she heard someone discussing how they were going to padlock the gate and her heart fell heavier. Hope had dimmed. Just as quickly as it subsided, her heart was filled with joy at the sight of Eldrim! He ran up to her and they no more than exchanged a jubilated greeting than the others came through the door and it quickly became apparent that Eldrim was not there under his own power. Oops, there goes hope again.
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Sadira had had enough. First the methodology went trivially. Bailos used his forked tongue to try and persuade Sadira to surrender Sanctus and deliver it unto him. It was worth a try...maybe he'd get luck and trip her up or scare her into it. Oops. More drastic measures were needed. This time they came at the price of Eldrim. A well placed skinning knife to the back of the thigh caught Eldrim off guard and he buckled. Crumbling to the floor he wailed only momentarily, trying as hard as he could to mask his pain. Wiggling the knife free Bailos took it further.

Another plea for control of Sanctus....still she refused. But he was getting somewhere. Seeing Eldrim harmed was producing major results. Sadira was making excuses now as to why she cant give him what he demands, when she simply refused before. Isil grabbed Eldrim, and Norture saw to the removal of his armor. Eldrim's underbelly was now exposed, his leg was incapacitated and everyone in the room's sense of anticipation was up, and Sadira had the prime view.

Wasting little time, Bailos wound up and a left uppercut found home in the tender midsection of Eldrim. Clearly an effective blow, Eldrim managed to stifle his pain, but the message still found Sadira. The beating progressed. Jabs to the jaw, more punches right into the gut...all the while Norture schemed to the side about what the actual "torture" would go like. This was but a softening! And it culminated with a backhanded slap to Eldrim's face that sent blood and spit onto the table that seperated him and Sadira.

The total sum of the "persuasive tactics" took its toll on Sadira. She cracked..."Anything! Anything you want!" were the sweet words he would remember forever. She buckled....

[[at the expense of losing some details but in the interests of keeping the post to this length I will save a bunch of the story]]

"And as an insurance policy, you will be mine in marriage!" now that caught everyone offguard. Especially Sadira to say the least.

Game...Set...Match

After the dust had settled for the night, Sadira was back in her room, no doubt trying to cry herself to sleep at the thoughts of what she had traded...what she had lost...and she would now face. Bailos and the other witnesses to the proposal toyed with each other....

"Well...our next moves will be to draw up plans for our occupation of Sanctus" concluded Norture.

"Then we better take measurements to make sure our furniture will fit in BlackGuard" mused Isil

And lastly, with a laugh Bailos aired; "Aren't you forgetting?....We have a wedding to plan too!"

[Sadira Reflov]

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A couple of days have passed since Sadira seemingly sealed her and Sanctus' fate with Bailos. She kept replaying the scene in her mind as she walked, with a limp, aimlessly about. What could she had done differently? Sure she saved Eldrim from death, but at what cost? Bailos having control of Sanctus...does that not possibly put Eldrim and everyone else back into harms way? Or would he keep his word and not lift a hand to those whom do not fight. A pain then shot through her heart as she imagined Zarlox's reaction to her letter. Such news was not meant to be told by letter, but alas she did not wish for him to find out from any other but herself. Suddenly she felt a chill piercing her skin and digging deep to her bones. When she came out of the daze she went into, she found herself outside grasping hold of the gate. Her grip strong as if she were trying to bend it.

"What would he do if I escaped and left him?"

She whispers softly to herself. The gate was too tall to climb and the lock was one she could not get unlocked. A hopeless feeling settled into her soul like the winters icey winds settled into her bones. Her eyes gazed out to the polar bears that wandered about aimlessly and free. Her heart torn, her soul hopeless and her body cold...she seemingly was slowly becoming a shell of herself. She heard the snow crunch under the weight of a foot. She looked towards the sound and saw two figures approaching. Believing they were part of the order, she slowly stepped back words. Her leg throbbing at this point, was ignored for the time being.

"Sadira?"

The familiar voice cut through the coldness of the wind and rang through her ears. Her eyes widen slightly as she moved abit forward.

"T..Toren?"

She said in a half whisper as for fear of saying it loud would make it false. Her words then incited him to remove his hood. It was him! She could not believe it.

"Oh Toren!"

She cried out...her gaze moved towards the woman that was with him briefly. Then she became paniced...imagining what Bailos would do should he see Toren there. Her gaze darting about frantically to ensure noone was about.

"Please place your robe back. In case one of them arrives here."

Toren did as she asked. A few words passed between the three of them. Sadira giving them news of her "engagement" and how it came to be. After a while, Toren had heard someone approach. He quickly gave her letter telling her to give it to Bailos. Soon after he and the lady, Kathleen, eventually left. Sadira's soul and heart did not feel as heavy. Perhaps there was at least a chance to save Sanctus. She then took the letter and the raven that Toren had left behind to one of the upstairs desk. Believing Bailos would see it right off. The raven was a decoy to make it seem as it arrived by air instead of in person. Once it was set into place, she went back to her room. Perhaps sleep will find her this eve and take her to a place more serene and pleasant.



******************Letter to Bailos*****************************

Lord Bailos,

I am writing again due to the lack of responce I recieved on the last letter. Hopefully this one reaches you of you acknowledge it. To get to business, I could not care less about Sanctus itself, but you do hold one that I wish returned. Sanctus will completly surrender itself to you if she is returned unharmed. The citizens have already agreed to this. No one would care to stand against you in your occupation. Sanctus is yours if only you surrender the one woman you hold captive.

-Toren Smythe
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"Nature gave man two ears but only one tongue. A gentle reminder that he should listen more than he speaks."

[Bailos]

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Toren,

I received no other letter. I assure you, should I have I would have responded to your entertaining offer, however since I did not, I will respond now. Your most dear and coveted Lady Sadira is best likened to an insurance policy for me. It is most pleasing to hear that the occupation is to be accepted. No one wants blood on their hands and I am sure Sanctus' citizens grow weary of the long fight, but Sadira is roughly the only bargaining chip I have; I had best use her well.

In addition, I cannot seem to recall the mention of your name among the annals of Sanctian leadership. Forgive me if I am wrong, perhaps just misinformed; but this would mean....your bargaining position is substantially less. Fear not, I am less dense than some you may have bartered with, and I will still entertain what you have to say.

You will meet with me. James M'Real and Zarlox if possible as well. And I verymuch doubt Sadira will be present. I will take steps to ensure her comfort while we discuss.

Oh, and one more thing. I would take this opportunity to remind you how pointless it is to come to the meeting intending to strike me down. These tactics generally do not work with wraiths.

*signed*
The Lord Bailos
Artisan of Ruin

P.S. Almost forgot...what size ring is Sadira?

[NOT Malorn]

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Toren stared over the letter discontented. It was the reply he expected, though that did not lessen his anger any.

The last night in Caina was displeasing. He could barely stand to see Sadira standing behind bars in the cold air, grasping her leg.

Anger flared in him worse than he had felt in a long while. Not since he had caused his family's death. The same rage was brewing in him now. The despise he held for himself was becoming more obvious yet again.

He was completly at fault for this situation. His indecision with Deja caused the actions against Sadira. His hesitation upon Deja's news of who held Sadira worsened everything. He knew he could have stopped it all if he had not delayed.

He rushed from his home and towards Minoc, slicing down the band of gypsies that kept camp on the road there. Thier souls did not ease his pain. After draining one of them, he pressed on, blood dripping from his blade and lips.

He passed through Minoc, deciding it best to keep out of sight of the guards. Passing through the moongate he instantly walked out into Haven. There were always plenty of healers wandering the forest. His blade cut into them, his frustration, and pain pouring into his attacks.

It did little for him, as he looked back, corpses littering the forest. A cold, crimson mist hung low, between the trees. The smell of blood and death covered him, and mental anguish filled him.

This was getting him nowhere, and he knew it. It was not even lessening his anger, only creating suffering. He walked slowly from the forest, blood pouring down his face, arms, and sword.

Walking back into his home, he cleaned off his armor and set out a parchment on his desk.

*The paper has sploches of blood all over it*

Lord Bailos,

A meeting will be appreciated. The date and time are up to you, James, and Zarlox. On a side note, attacking you was never an intention of mine.

-Toren Smythe

He sealed the note and placed it on his desk. He would send it in the morning. He set off to bed.

[Ceinwyn ab'Arawn]

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Clenching her teeth, Ceinwyn ab'Arawn fought back anger. Usually she would just allow herself to react. After all, she had learned in life that it doesn't matter whether or not you are nice to someone, they will judge you before you open your mouth, anyway. It was pointless and a waste of energy to try. So she rarely did.

This was an exception. He belonged to her. Her mark was upon him, whether or not he knew it, and she would not, could not, stand idly by and watch him have that horrible feeling for someone. For someone other..

He will not have her. I won't allow it. Anything in my power I will do to stop that from ever happening.

Muttering silently under her breath,

"Lord Bailos.. hurry up and marry her.. wed her quickly and be done with it!"

It was stupidity to prolong the wedding and dangle it in front of the lighties' eyes. He is giving them too much time to amass an army. Sanctus, the worthless ground that it is, is worth much to them. And Lighties do not like to lose.. they will want Sadira.. they have too much pride not to...

Remove her from his realm of possibilities...

Ceinwyn cursed under her breath, as the blade she had been sharpening slipped, sliding into the flesh of her open palm. The sight of her blood pooling made her angrier still.

Squeezing her palm tight, allowing the blood to run freely anywhere it fell. The places where it hit the grass wilted and caused the soil to steam a bit.

Was this that other hated emotion? Jealousy? It would be no stranger to her. Indeed, maybe it had even been a lifelong companion. No, she tried to argue with herself. Lord Cear says we are not to love.. so this I do to help him. Toren will not have Sadira. Toren will follow ZOG law.

Besides.. she thought, returning back to her original thought, as she licked her wound clean, he is marked...

She writes a note on a small piece of paper.

Lord Bailos,

We seem to agree that you should marry this chit. If there is anything I can do to assist you in the distracting of Toren Smythe, in the event he tries to bring ruination to your plans... I will do so. If you have any wish to contact me, you will know how.

Sincerest wishes and regards for you in your time of happiness,

Ceinwyn ab'Arawn

P.S. I long to be invited to the wedding...

*affixed is the Arawn seal- 2 dragons, 1 red, 1 blue, circling each other like a yin-yang*

She pain spikes a random bird she sees flying over head and grabs it's corpse. While she feels it's life warmth fading, she tacks the note to the carcass.

Kal Ort Por

Appearing in Old Caina, she crept up to Bailos' Keep. She hurled the dead bird with it's note over the fence, to keep the wildlife from eating it. He can take this gift of death and my offer.

Kal Ort Por

[Molly]

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After great discussions the Royal Court gated to the gates of Charnel Hill demanding the return of the Innkeeper of Sanctus and the Citizen Eldrim. The flunkies of the order seemed to know nothing about any woman being healed and refused to call their master. Several of the Court looked around the grounds of the complex and found no evidence of anything amid the bones and smells of death.

They left empty-handed and went to the inn to see if there was any latent evidence of a struggle or any witnesses to the crime. The lady Penny provided a name and sent a pigeon to the man. Many of the Court left and Molly and her men stayed behind to speak to the man. Molly had not met him formally and found him to be quite abrupt and rude but for the sake of Sanctus and those captured she held her tongue.

Obviously to her there was much more of a connection within this man to this woman than he let on. She listened to his story and she told him of her and the Court's investigations so far. It was determined that since she herself had been to a remote location and held by the Skull for a few hours only days before that that place did not hold anyone but her. In the process of elimination she knew of another area that was not frequented often but still held many buildings owned by the Skull. Caina... She was too well known to go wandering around the plains of ice and snow so she proposed that her sister take him there to search the area for any signs of the missing persons.

They went to the House of the Gauntlet's Island and she told Kathleen, her sister, what must be done and they departed for the ice and snow but not before Kathleen dawned a discus and removed her guild emblem from her clothing.
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Grand Duchess Molly Kaldhel
Oracle of Truth
The House Gauntlet
Sanctus, Luna, Malas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXoGDbJ5nLU
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"In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman."
-Margaret Thatcher-