• Closed • [Krome] The Homekromeing Democracy

[Faith Augustin]

Faith

Lord Venora seemed, to Faith, to have the upper hand, but she wasnt entirely sure. Of course, Lord Krome held the trump card here, in the form of Lady Burhan, but Faith believed Lord Venora when he said that he wasn't outnumbered. They discussed it and, of course, she would be the first person to die. Faith found that interesting, because it meant that quite obviously Lord Krome didn't know Lord Venora at all. If Lord Krome had required her killed as a sign of Lord Venora's intention, Faith had no doubt that Lord Venora's only consideration would have been one of logical and almost mathematical calculation as to whether her service to Master was more or less important than what was going on here.

And she was quite content with that.

"Mistress" she whispered "May I escort you back to your room?" Her voice was not whispering, in fact, but it was her usual tone "My name is Faith, Mistress" she said, hoping that it triggered a memory in Lady Burhan. Because for whatever reason, although she had never met her, Faith remembered not one but two dreams with this woman and she was injured in them and her thigh had been bleeding, Faith glanced down at Lady Burhan's thigh, her eyes flickering to see if this insane coincidence was true or... what was going on. But she knew, without a doubt, that she had to help her and she prayed that Famula grant this noble Lady the memory of those dreams.

"Maybe I could help you with your hair?" she asked, her voice soft and kind. For after all, the third and much more whimsical dream which she recalled in vague snippets had included that, she was sure. For whatever reason, Faith decided in that moment that Famula had sent her dreams of this woman and she had to help her. So, her silver grey eyes looked calmly and Elyna and she hoped that she accepted the help she offered.

[Elyna]

Marcus took his time to pause again before nodding, “I’m sure the Lady will tell you herself if she wishes to be treated or not,” it was a faint smirk as the man predicted Elyna’s reaction to having a slave and being examined by the Lord. “Your examinations will have to wait however, we’re needed in Andaris and I won’t waste any more time.”
The man gathered up the maps spread throughout the table and collected Elyna’s sword, attaching it to the loops on his belt as she glared at him. Focused on the weapon before as he left the room and the three of them behind. The guards followed the Baron at his heels and held the door open for the party.
“Hello Faith,” Elyna responded, polite; voice hoarse and cracked from a lack of use.
Elyna looked between the pair of newcomers and shook her head as she too followed the sailor out of the room, pausing to collect her pack she bent at the knee so that she could swing the satchel up and over her shoulder, holding it diagonally across her body. Venora did seem genuinely concerned and his words about the baby had worried her, causing her pulse to beat hard against her throat. She paused as she walked past the tall man and risked a glance in his direction. He’d come to join the rebellion and she could not appreciate or respect his intention. He was an intelligent man though and she remembered that he’d become a Doctor, or was it a surgeon? Either way, she trusted that he could ensure the baby was healthy.
“Later my Lord,” Elyna agreed. She gave a small nod, “I would like to know that my baby is well.”

* * *

Without delay that party, increased with Alistair and Faith was mounted up and had departed the keep. The guards and soldiers led by Marcus paid little attention to the new members of their retinue and were careful not to rest their gaze too long on the Lady Burhan. Elyna, hands still band sat amongst barrels in a wagon. Not permitted to ride a horse of her own in case she decided to risk another escape. Alistair was permitted to roam freely but he and the Slave were watched with care.
The day passed in a monotony of travel without pause. The hot sun flashing through the trees and the heat increasing. They were fed and given water to drink when their own supplies ran dry and finally they climbed up a hill in the faint dusk that Saun provided to take shelter amongst the trees. A detail was set to guard the Lady as she stretched stiff legs and settled beside a tree, watching silent as the chain that bound her shackles together, was looped around the tree. Eyes narrowed in disgust she held her tongue and waited for the stars to appear in the distance.
The camp was busy, fires lit for the troop of armed men and women and tents set up for Marcus and Alistair. The smell of cooking and camp fire drifted over the hilltop and Elyna wrapped her arms around her knees watching the tent with silent dread. Apprehensive of the night to come. There was little soundproofing to a canvas wall. The woman forced herself to look away and studied her hands instead. She counted to a hundred and then a hundred again.

[Faith Augustin]

Faith

"Permit me, Mistress, please?" she whispered as Lady Burhan bent to pick up her backpack. It was Faith's duty to carry for her after all and also, more than that, as Faith spoke it to her, there was a look of something else in her eyes. A backpack would further conceal the knife, she knew, so it would be no bad thing. But if Lady Burhan allowed it or not, Faith did as she was bid and she moved with her. Lady Burhan had no reason or need to trust her, after all, Faith had been a gift of a man that she believed stood against her. It wasn't true, of course, but Lady Burhan believed it. So she moved with her new (and temporary) Mistress and she kept her silence.

**~~**

And "with" Elyna was exactly what Faith was. Like any slave should be, she was with Elyna. So, as she sat amongst the barrells, Faith knelt next to her, not so close as to cause discomfort, but still. It would be uncomfortable for her, there was no doubting it and the young woman with the startling eyes spoke to her "I have a brush, Mistress. Would you like me to tend your hair?" if she did (and there was a reason that Faith asked) that would allow her to be close to Elyna's ear. If so, she would use the brush to tend to Lady Burhan (who really did seem to be in an utterly sorry state) and if not, she would kneel quietly, every now and then asking after Lady Burhan's health or if she needed anything. If an opportunity presented itself, then in a voice that was her whisper, she would inform Lady Burhan "Friends. We are friends. Here to help you" but she was cautious in the extreme and if the opportunity did not come, then she did not speak it

And when it came to night and the stars went down, Faith continued to kneel next to Elyna, although she had a growing sense of dread in the pit of her stomach. Lady Burhan, she suspected, was not to be touched by the men here, except for Lord Krome of course, but as a slave she had no doubt that she was in no such situation. However, there was nothing that she could do about that and so instead she took off the cloak that Lord Venora had given her and folded it, wrapping it up and then putting it behind Lady Burhan's back "This should make you more comfortable, Mistress" she said and, if she had not had the opportunity to whisper her message before now, as she placed the cloak behind the pregnant Lady, well that was most certainly her opportunity, as Faith's breath was so close it could tickle Elyna's ear. "Would you like me to get you something to eat?" she asked, once the cloak was in place as a cushion and with eyes which were as earnest as the young woman herself.

[Elyna]

Elyna hadn’t allowed Faith to assist with her bag. As a woman who was generally quiet and reserved amongst strangers she remained so in the wagon. The Hawk circled the moving party throughout the day and she watched it, pleased to see that there were no lasting effects from the broken wing. Setting it, and keeping it still for so many trials had paid dividends. Their long imprisonment had left her plenty of time to help the young animal build its strength and test its wings out safely. When they had arrived in Krome though, she had let the bird out of the chamber window. He’d flown away and she’d been delighted when he’d returned after dusk. Uncomfortable with another person so close, Elyna had remained quiet and thoughtful. Shaking her head or declining the offers of help politely. Struggling to place the thin girl and work out where she had seen her before.
With dusk settling like dust over the landscape Elyna lent forward as the cloak was set behind her. It was then that Faith’s hurried whisper almost caused her heart to stop. Wide brown eyes turned to the waif and studied her intently. Friends? Faith and Alistair were friends? The Skyrider opened her mouth to respond but looked beyond the girl at Marcus instead. The tall man approached and knelt down before her.
“I’m going to take an early night,” he spoke directly to the Noblewoman, eyes fixed on her face, “will you join me? It’s a hard journey and I’d feel better if you slept in a proper bed.”
Her legs had been stretched out and she drew them up, curling away as much as she could, as though she could slip out of reach. Which she couldn’t, “no.”
Marcus glanced at Faith before edging closer to the Skyrider, “I don’t want to hurt you, Elyna,” he pressed gentle fingertips to her jaw and pulled her face towards his.
“Then don’t,” she swallowed, helpless as she was trapped by his gaze and unable to pull her face free of a grip that could turn rough in an instant.
“You’ll be my wife, my Lady,” his voice dropped to a hushed whisper, “and we’ll raise our child with love and with happiness.”
“And chains?” She challenged, lifting her hands towards him.
He looked down with a sigh, as though he’d forgotten her bindings, “if you run, Elyna…” he warned.
“I’m not going to run,” she promised, “if this is my Uncles will then I will see him,” she forced herself to look up into the bright blue gaze once more, “please, Marcus.”
The man pulled a key from his pocket and fit it against the shackles. They opened at the touch and dropped away. He collected her hands and pressed a kiss to both wrists before he stood.
“Take the tent, I’ll sleep better outside,” he shrugged and turned on his heel. The Captain returned to the troop of soldiers and vanished amongst them.
Once he’d departed, Elyna allowed herself a moment of pain, flinching as she smoothed fingers over the raw skin that circled her wrists before she stood. Hands pressed to her back to ease the ache of travelling. Finally, and feeling as though she was waking from a dream her gaze fell once more on the dark-haired waif and the corner of her mouth pulled back in a hopeful curve, “friends?” she murmured, thoughtful. The Hawk that had followed them dropped from his perch in the tree to land on her shoulder. Instinctive the Skyrider reached up to smooth her hands through dark feathers.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of friends?”

[Alistair]

Marcus had allowed him free mobility, but inevitably this ploy was doomed to fail and he'd potentially be murdered for his lies, alongside Elyna and Faith. Such an outcome was something he could not tolerate. Marcus had allowed him to keep a singular personal guard - namely Duncan - while the others merely disappeared into the wind, Damien gathering mages of the Coven and their constructs to prepare for a raid along the road towards Andaris. Today was a time of peace. He had been allowed a tent and personal space where he could think upon his plans. He had to ensure absolutely that the raid appeared natural. He had already begun to think of several thinks to link himself to Necromancers without being affiliated as one.

A month prior, Alistair had done investigations into a cult within Southern Venora, in the pristine city of Lamonte. Those cult members had been revealed to be Necromancers, information about them being spread across Venora, while Alistair and Lord Furdan of Lamonte were regarded as the heroes to reduce their presence. If he were to be taken and abducted by a group of Necromancers, the public opinion could sway towards the rationale that it was out of a grudge by the cultists. The only issue was the fear that others would see through the convenience and label his abduction fortuitous, which could lead many to suspect Alistair of consorting with Necromancers.

This left him another option - to have Duncan 'rescue' Alistair at the climax of the Coven attack, which would result in him being removed of Marcus' clutches without a more evidently treacherous escape, nor with the context of being abducted by a potentially cordial group of Necromancers. Alistair was lost in his thoughts. Political scheming had never exactly been his forte, but it was time for that to change. He was to rule one day, perhaps one day soon. His first steps involved outwitting Lord Krome, which he had already done. Now he had to think of a way to make this all beneficial - make Elyna trust him. Perhaps reveal to her his intentions to send Faith as her protection and aide.

He could not be sure instantaneously. As nightfall came about, and the position of the sun changed from the axis of the horizon from high into the sky to beyond view, Alistair would think of the outcomes of his actions and calculate their drawbacks. He needed nothing but the manifestation of his true nature - as a python in a nest of mice.

[Vera]

A Webspun Review

Alistair

Story 5/5

Collaboration 5/5

Structure 5/5

15/15 Experience Awarded

Your Knowledge
Damien's Opinion of Krome: They Shag Boys
Damien's Opinion of Krome: Krome: Brutish
Krome: The Fortress
Krome: Their Hospitality
Lord Marcus: Spitting on Burhan
Elyna: Treated Poorly by Krome
Elyna: A Handful
Tactics: Undead Retinue
Tactics: Offering Self as 'Prisoner'
Deception: Emotionless Gaze
Deception: Say What They Desire
Deception: Leading the Conversation
Rhetoric: Leading the Conversation
Politics: Hospitality Opens Negotiations
Politics: Threat of War
Politics: Higher Status via Queen in Family
Politics: Political Prisoners
Politics: Calculatively Weighing Your Options
Politics: Working for a Future Alliance
Politics: The Ramifications of Poor Association
Persuasion: Bribing with a Slave
Persuasion: Utilizing Status
Intimidation: Threat of Hostilities
Etiquette: Prisoners Don't Handshake
Ramifications: Necromantic Association

Fame: +6 (War Negotiation, Supporting Popular Cause, Enforcing The Law, Good Deeds, Offering Self as Prisoner, Witness to Act of Cruelty)

Notes: Wow! I'm amazed, Alistair. Your posts were politically and morally charged, meticulous in detail. It took a long time for me to get through this, but I rather enjoyed seeing the politics between House Venora and House Krome come alive through your work.

PM me if I missed something, or if you have any questions or concerns!

Faith

Story 5/5

Collaboration 5/5

Structure 5/5

15/15 Experience Awarded

Your Knowledge
Horse: A Horse Named Horse
Cooking: Avoiding Outdoor Pests
Cooking: On the Stones
Animal Husbandry: Speaking to your Animals
Etiquette: As a Slave, Avert your Gaze
Etiquette: Curtsy
Deception: Hiding a Weapon Within Fabric
Deception: Extra Concealment is Good
Detection: Watching the Feet
Detection: Comparing Dreams and Reality
Famula: Praying to her for Success
Discipline: Protecting Your New Owner
Stealth: Using Low Status to Escape Notice
Stealth: Waiting for the Right Moment to Share Information
Elyna: The Lady in Your Dreams
Elyna: From Multiple Dreams
Psychology: At the Mercy of A Calculative Mind
Psychology: Triggering Memories Through Familiar Statements
Intelligence: Fettering Out Comparisons
Intelligence: Secretly Making Allegiances Known
Medicine: Comforting a Pregnant Woman

Fame: Faith: +5 Fame (Good Deeds, Supporting a Popular Cause)

Notes: Lovely thread! You were getting severely outshined in contribution by Alistair and Elyna at first, but you managed to pick things up by the end. I especially loved that Faith was recognizing Elyna from dreams.

PM me if I missed something, or if you have any questions or concerns!

Elyna

Story 4/5
Your story as a whole and the symbiosis with Alistair was great, but there were a number of things Faith did that you seemed to miss, gloss over, or ignore in your writing. PM me for more details, if you must!

Collaboration 5/5

Structure 5/5

14/15 Experience Awarded

Your Knowledge
Lord Marcus: Slept Outside for Elyna
Krome: Guardsmen Like Dogs
Tactics: Stalling
Deception: Stalling Through False Information
The Baron's Troop: 50 Strong
Krome, Venora, Burhan: Allied?
Unarmed: Struggling Against Restraint
Etiquette: Shameful Appearance
Detection: Familiar Slave from a Dream
Endurance: Struggling While Weakened
Endurance: Swollen Wrists from Handcuffs
Endurance: Rubbing Your Wounds for Comfort
Persuasion: Placating Your Captor
Discipline: Resisting Reaction to Compromised Values
Discipline: Keeping Busy with Distractions
Medicine: Observing the Healed for Damage
Animal Training: Loyalty through Injury Healing

Fame: 0 (I can't really think of anything after looking at the guide, if you can, let me know!)

Notes: Wow, did I love the back-and-forth with Alistair and Lord Krome. You definitely made good use of him, and I especially like that he relented on Elyna's abuse in the end. That was a welcome turn. Overall, this thread had a very significant, well-tailored plot, and I enjoyed it.

PM me if I missed something, or if you have any questions or concerns!