• Graded • Chaotic Good

[Warren]

75th Trial of Vhalar, Arc 717

Warren hadn’t slept well that night. He wanted to blame it on the cheap, lumpy mattress, or the knowledge that he’d left Lianna’s door unlocked (he was only two doors down…), but he knew neither of those things was what plagued his thoughts.
He knew he hadn’t been right with Navyri from the start. When she had ran away, he loathed her for such a choice— partly because he was too weak to follow and also, because he truly did think differently of her. Like the rest of her kind, Navyri was fierce and strong willed, but there was something she built walls around that made her entirely curious.
Kade felt a wave of betrayal upon seeing her face yesterday, and while that wasn’t evident at first, it surly became clear to the woman later on in the evening. Left alone to his thoughts, he realized that he’d placed his expectations for her too high and, ultimately, chased her away. And while he wanted to apologize for his actions, for putting his hands on her in the fashion that he did, Warren understood that he’d have to live with the guilt of his actions.
Navyri was scared, just as he was, yet his ambition led to something far worse than what he expected when they reunited. Part of him pondered on the gold he could have made off her, but he swept that aside easily.
When dawn came, the hunter sighed and lifted himself from the tangle of sheets, still dressed in thick wool socks and cotton slacks. Quickly, he dressed and packed, tying all pockets of his backpack securely shut before heading for the door. Removing the chair that was in front of the knob, Warren stepped out and headed for Lianna’s room.
Azure eyes landed on her opened door and suddenly, his heart began to pound in his chest, “Lianna..?!” He called, quickly stepping to the door and pushing it open.
The woman turned back to him, holding a dress up to her form as another stood across from her, a female servant who appeared much older. Kade straightened and frowned, “T… The door…?” He pointed awkwardly.
“Sorry Sa’, tha’ be mah fault.” The older woman gave, turning back to Lianna, “You lik’ it?”
“Oh yes, are you sure? I’d hate to take something so beautiful.”
“Not a’ botha’, dear.” She waved, walking towards Warren, “You’ve found a good one, chap.” Patting his arm, she left the room and a dumbfounded Kade within it.
Turning back to Lianna, he pushed a hand through his hair and sighed, “Lianna…”
“I know! I know…” The brunette folded the dress up and pushed it into her travel bag, “It’s been so long since I’ve worn anything new, I just wanted to see it.”
Frowning slightly, he shifted the bag on his shoulder and nodded toward the door, “Come on, let’s get some breakfast before we head out.”
“Out? But what about—”
“It didn’t work out, come on.” He spoke rather gruffly, exited the room.
A few seconds later and the sound of small footsteps sounded behind him. “It didn’t work out? Why? Did she run away?” When he remained silent, Lianna continued to push, “Did you let her go?”
“Lianna.”
“By the Gods, you let her go?! Why?” She hissed, “What of the nel, Kade?”
His steps paused as he looked at her and quickly, the woman straightened. When she was silent for an acceptable amount of time, Warren continued down the stairs, “We can find nel elsewhere, it’s time we left for Ne’haer.”
“Warren, we have not the gear, let alone the supplies or the transportation to get us to Ne’haer and Cylus is around the corner. Now we have not the gold, so what is your plan?”

Word Count: 628

[Navyri]

"Admire me from the ground, or fly with me."

75th of Vhalar, 717

Navyri awoke and laid in bed, staring at the dark beams above. Sleep had eluded her so early in the morn and after attempting to rest once or twice, decided better of it and slipped from the thick quilt, shivering when her bare feet touched the floor. Sounds of small scurrying footsteps faded up the hall and in the story below - a barmaid or two adding firewood to the hearth and another washing glasses.

She smacked her lips together, grunting as she bent and pulled out a leather bag from beneath the bed and began to rummage through it. Her whole body felt sore, aching when she sat up and pulled out a canteen, popping the cork from the container and swishing the cool water in her mouth. She swallowed and reached for the backpack again, this time retrieving a small toothbrush and tin of paste. Licking the bristles, she dipped it into the dusty powder and tapped its edge of excess and proceeding to brush her teeth - wandering to a courtesy bucket in the corner and spitting away the excess with simple precision. Being an unnecessary cosmetic routine for a Naer, the simple act of busying her hands after rising was therapeutic in its own way.

With the fuzz of morning breath cleared away, Navyri gathered her clothes from the foot of the bed and slipped them on; her thin shirt doing little to conceal her reaction to the chill. Putting her things away, she noticed the faint bruises that had begun to form along her wrists, a distinct thumbprint on her inner arm.

(They were kidnapped, like us.)

Navyri slowed as she tied the laces of her boots and headed towards the door and stepped over an empty bottle left from the night before. Her friends were long gone, sleeping off hangovers in other rooms, and while she should have been too, she was forced to slip out in the early hours of the morn like a lover in hiding. Kade’s deep voice played in her mind and she frowned, locking the door behind her and sneaking down the stairs.

As she imagined, only one or two stragglers were in the main hall, one looking as if he had spent the night at the bar, the other a wizened old man smoking a pipe and looking out the window, “Good morning,” a cautious voice greeted. When she turned around, Navyri saw that it belonged to a motherly figure now wiping her hands on the front of her apron, clearly trying her best to approach the winged woman, “Would you like some breakfast? Plenty of fresh eggs and coffee if you’d like?”

She hesitated, and then looked to the empty tables all around. With no other orders, hers would be almost instant - and she would still be able to keep ahead of Warren if he was to come looking, “Yes, thank you. Some ham too, if you have it. Oh, and some bread and butter. ” Navyri smiled and relaxed, ducking into a booth far from the fire, and glancing over her shoulder. With a stifled yawn, Navyri tucked a strand of hair behind an ear and looked outside, watching as Etzos began to stir.

How many in those pits, she wondered, would never see another sunrise?

Common Rakahi Gravokian

[Warren]

Just as the pair had turned the corner, the were met with the same woman who inquired if they’d like breakfast, the cook in the backroom having finished preparing something that smelled divine.
“Yes, thank you.” Warren nodded, turning to the younger lady beside him. “Did you want some?”
Lianna frowned slightly but gave a curt nod of her head, thanking the server, before returning to the topic of money with whispered questions of concern. Kade wasn’t paying attention, however, as his eyes were examining the familiar pair of wings that were draped across the floor just in front of the bar. Brunette locks cascaded down a familiar back and, clenching his jaw, he approached Navyri with a simple, “Wait here.” Directed to Lianna.
It took only a few short strides until the man was at her side, leaning against the barstool in a way that he had full view of her face. Just as she saw him, a piece of toast smothered in egg was crammed into her mouth.
“I’m...” Warren paused, turning bright blue eyes to the counter top before raising them again to look at her. “I am out of practice with how I handle reproach… It’s no excuse for my behavior towards you yesterday, but understand I’m sorry for it, nonetheless.” With a nod of his head, he pushed himself away from the bar.
“I think it’s time we leave.” He told his ward as he returned, waving to the server so that she would not prepare their meals. “It’s late enough in the day.”
“It’s only mid-morning,” Lianna’s replied, having watched the exchange take place. “She’s right there. You’re going to let her walk?”
“I’ve made the choice to release her. She’s someone else’s catch now. Come on, let’s go.”

Word Count: 295

[Navyri]

"Admire me from the ground, or fly with me."

75th of Vhalar, 717

As the hearth fire grew, the room began to fill with a comforting warmth, only amplified by the smell of sizzling ham and fresh coffee. Navyri had barely begun to watch the people outside when a plate was set in front of her and she eyed it with a special, unrestrained delight, “It looks delicious,” she admitted honestly, swallowing and reaching for the fork on the table. Just as she was about to dive in, the server pulled the plate back, looking at her expectantly.

“Money,” Navyri realized, nodding at the woman’s perceptiveness. The one true God to the Etzori, “Of course.”

The brunette reached into her pocket and produced the payment, adding an extra gold nel for her patience, dropping it in the older woman’s outstretched hand. She eyed it and then nodded in gruff approval, dropping the coins in her apron pocket and walking back around the bar just as footsteps were pandering down the stairs. Voices lifted and fell, but were hushed and Navyri’s attention returned to the meal before her. Mouthwatering, she lifted the coffee in one hand, feeling the heat radiate up her fingers and smelled its rich, earthy aroma. A dark brew, her eyes searched for any sort of vial of cream and her other hand lifted a piece of toast, rich melted butter soaking into its surface, “Mmm.”

Navyri took a bite, relishing its simplicity, and sipped the bitter brew. It enhanced the salty flavor of the spread and she scooped a bit of egg upon the corner, opening her mouth just as a figure materialized beside her and leaned in. Her eyes lit up in surprise, but he was distracted by a personal apology, too busy with watching the table to notice. As her teeth sunk into the crust, it satisfied her to get the apology she had written off the night before, but such feelings were short-lived as he silently excused himself and moved towards another figure. Then… disappointment?

Lianna.

The Naer’s shoulders dropped as she examined the pair and overheard the girl’s protest and Warren’s denial. So, they had differentiating opinions on her involvement. Swallowing her bite, Navyri quickly slid from her seat and grabbed her meal and silently pranced behind them, setting her stuff on a more open table and wiped crumbs from her face. Just as the bounty hunter and his pet were reaching the door, the Naer slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. It was not a cruel or aggressive touch, gentle in its curiosity, “Leaving so soon?”

Her eyes flickered briefly to the woman beside him and she allowed for a better assessment of the girl - she was pretty and delicate. A classic human allure that Navyri found rather boring, and she released her touch on Warren, motioning towards where her meal now sat, “You were so adamant last night, I thought you wanted my company. Your friend certainly does… Don’t you?” The Naer’s piercing gaze settled back on the young woman as if daring for her to try and catch her for herself. A tension began to build and then Navyri smiled, stepping back and it dissipated as quickly as it had come.

“I gave it some thought,” She had, and she came to the conclusion she would walk away. But now, seeing the two skulk away so dejectedly, it had taken the fun out the game she had started playing with Warren the night before, and perhaps, if he truly had a plan, she could aid him, do some personal business in Rynmere (and wherever they stopped along the way - a direct shot was unrealistic), and make it back to Al’Angyryl all before they missed her. After all, Mercy had yet to call upon her services. This could be a good way to increase her smuggling network and get a debt off her shoulders. But first, she needed to know the details.

Navyri rotated her body slightly, “Excuse me,” she called to the barmaid once more, “I’d like some breakfast for my friends. And some things to write a letter if you don’t mind.” The woman had been wiping down a vacant chair and lifted her head, looking between the group. When the Naer flipped some gold her way, she switched gears and headed back towards the kitchen with an annoyed sigh.

“You apologized as you know how,” Navyri began, walking backwards and returning to her meal. Warren's face had stopped bleeding, but the three scratch marks were still bright red and evident- as if he had gotten into a fight with a rather large and irritated cat. She cupped the steaming drink in her hand and looked at them, a feigned pout giving a devious sort of innocence, “Allow me to return the favor.”

Common Rakahi Gravokian

[Warren]

He had just made it to the door when a lithe arm tangled with his, turning his head back to look down on the familiar face of a woman he held his hands to the night before. If he was honest, Warren never noticed how small the woman was. Maybe she was average height for her gender but from his perspective, Navyri was a good head shorter than him. The Naer’s enchanting beauty worked in her favor, as it did with all of them; her curls framed an expressive face hidden by a calculated mask where crystal eyes pierced with allure, though not the kind that would seduce a man (although he was sure she could). Those eyes were devious and, for a moment, Warren wondered if she knew the emotions she hid from her features could be found blazing within her irises.
To say that he was taken back might have been an understatement. Her approach to him was indeed shocking, something that showed as confusion on his face. Being caught off guard, Warren didn’t realize the comment aimed at Lianna until it was too late. The brunette Rynmerian squared her shoulders and took a step forward only to be pushed back by a hand on her shoulder, “It’s alright.” Warren eased out, but the woman wouldn’t have it.
Shrugging his shoulder off with an icy look, she threw her own bag over her shoulder and held out a palm, “Give me the gold. I’ll handle the shopping myself.”
“Lianna…” Warren sighed… Women!
He’d just fished it from his belt when it was snatched up by her and tucked into her jacket pocket, “Play catch up with the thief, Warren, but we didn’t come here for games.” Lianna glared at Navyri. “So don’t get caught up in her’s. I’ll be at the bazaar when you’re finished.” And with that, she turned away from him and left.
Frowning, Warren slid his gaze to the Naerikk just as she called for the server to prepare him breakfast. He didn’t protest, in fact he was looking forward to a meal— but one with his Naer… well what was she? An enemy? An acquaintance? She was definitely no friend… Blue eyes glanced down to her back end as Navyri approached the table with her food.
Kade followed and sat down, sliding the travel pack from his back and ignoring when it clunked on the floor with a loud ‘thud!’.
“Sure, if you’re not planning to poison me as payback, that is.” He joked lightly, sliding an arm onto the table to drum his fingers on the surface. “So you changed your mind then?”

Word Count: 438

[Navyri]

"Admire me from the ground, or fly with me."

75th of Vhalar, 717

Lianna took the bait and it took much of Navyri’s willpower not to grin deviously. So, perhaps there was some spine to the obedient girl - or maybe she was stupid. Either way, the Naer watched her huff and puff, sent off to on her errands like a trained dog. Navyri hummed and gave a wiggle of her fingers, clasping her arms behind her back when the bounty hunter turned to her with a skeptical look.

Slowly he followed her lead, dropping his heavy bag onto the floor. Navyri slid gracefully into her seat, shuffling once or twice to situate her wings and reached for her coffee, “Poison you?” She watched him from above the rim of the cup, blowing upon the steam that still rose in evanescent tendrils, “You can’t take a shower without risking a blade to the stomach, you can’t enjoy a breakfast without saboteur-” The steady drumming of fingers caught her ears, and her eyes landed upon their fast movement. She took a sip and set aside her drink, pressing two fingers to the back of his hand and stilling it in place. His nails were black entirely - not bruised, but almost painted. Yet… Warren did not seem like the type of man to show such interest in polished manicures, “Who knew honorable men of justice had so much to worry about?”

Navyri withdrew her hand with a smirk and picked up a piece of buttered toast, biting into it just as the barmaid returned with some sheets of paper and a writing utensil. She announced that the food was being prepared and she dismissed herself shortly after, the Naer stabbing a bite of egg and pushing her food aside to pull the parchment closer, “I haven’t changed my mind,” she admitted, after wiping at her lips, “However-” she dipped the quill in ink and began to press away the excess, “I’ve always been open-minded.”

“So. You want to drag me to Rynmere, That’s what?” Gaze lifting to the ceiling in thought, her mouth moved silently as she tried to calculate the trip, “thiiiirty three… thirty-five trials?” Less if the winds were in their favor…More so if they weren’t? Still an arduous trip to travel in Zi’da, with or without the morality police. Navyri jotted down a few numbers in the corner, not bothering to look up when Warren’s breakfast arrived, “Five silver nel a day...” she muttered under her breath, reaching for her coffee once more. If the three of them rented passage on a ship, assuming she didn’t sail separately, “Fifty-three gold nels before food and provisions.”

This was primarily announced for herself and she proudly wrote the number down, not knowing the full extent of Warren’s plan to take them to Ne’haer first, and observed as more sleepy patrons began to emerge from the stairwell, “More when you arrive at the city - What then?”

Common Rakahi Gravokian

[Warren]

The rhythmic lull of his fingers tapping against the wood of the table distracted Warren mildly. It was relaxing to hear the steady ‘thududut’ of such a noise, his inhales and exhales releasing in time with the beat. His eyes would float from examining Navyri to the room around them. It was comfy, quaint, nice… For a moment, he understood why the Naer might have liked this place: Etzos. It was much different than Hyran and the air people emanated here seemed of a much more confident stature only mirrored by the Nobles of Rynmere.
Just as his thoughts began to drift, however, two digits pressed against his fingers and halted his distraction with a tilt of his head. Warren raised a brow, the corner of his lip turning up as Navyri eyed him, then looked down at his hand.
When he saw her to be analyzing them, Warren thought not to pull away. The curiosity in her eyes would only shift to suspicious if he did anything to warrant it. So instead, he let her look at Vri’s mark— however odd it was on him.
“Open-mindedness, huh?” He asked, watching her begin to write with the items the barmaid had brought her. When she began to dip into the plethora of questions she had, Warren’s breakfast arrived and he gladly dove into the grub.
“We wouldn’t be sailing right back to Rynmere...” He said after chewing a mouthful of bread. “They’ll kill us once we set foot off the boat.” Dusting crumbs off his hands, he leaned in closer. “The Iron Guard knows we’re here. I don’t know if they’ll send mercenaries after us but they were focused enough to track Lianna and I all the way to the docks outside of Andaris. So who’s to know they might not have followed to cut loose ends?” His eyes shifted around to all the other faces that were just waking up before he said in a low voice. “We’re heading to Ne’haer first. I have old friends there that will help us if need be.”
Leaning back once more, he took another bit of his meal, “Once we regroup there, we’ll take passage from Ne’haer to Rynmere and, if all goes well, fish out some trusted nobles.”
When her features shifted, Warren held a hand up, “There will be nobles there to help. Last I read in the Gazette, Xander Andaris is a Gent worth looking into. I’ll send out a raven and see what happens.”

Word Count: 416

[Navyri]

"Admire me from the ground, or fly with me."

75th of Vhalar, 717

While Navyri ignored most of his words as she did her calculations, her hand stopped rather suddenly and she stared at the page before her. (What did you say?) They weren't going directly to Rynmere? But Ne'haer? Jaw slackening in disbelief, she finally looked up, blue eyes settling upon him, "I'm sorry?" While her tone was pleasant enough, irritation began to build and she had to restrain herself from calling him an idiot. He wanted to go OUT OF THEIR WAY to an UNRELATED CITY to see "friends" she didn't know, so SHE COULD RISK HER LIFE to save people she STILL DIDN'T CARE ABOUT?

"Audrae save me," she muttered, dropping her quill rather dramatically into its ink spool and leaning back into her chair, "They know you're here?" The guard? He possibly led a band of law enforcement to an unsecure location and was now currently chatting publicly with her – someone who stuck out like a sore thumb. And he just let his little friend go off on her own? Was he not scared of them stealing her back?

Navyri laughed in disbelief, shaking her head, "Now you want to drag me to Ne'haer? Lovely city, lovely people, but listen-" She swirled her coffee, pausing for a moment as steam kissed her cheeks, "There's a reason people don’t travel in Zi'da. If you're up for losing a few fingers and toes th-"

She lifted her eyes from her paper and looked at the blonde before her. Open-mindedness. Isn't that what she had said? With a huff, she fell into thought again. Truly, this man must be a fool. Shecrossed her arms as Warren continued with his plate, and looked at him conspiratorially. Maybe he was more interesting than he let on... "What kind of..." Navyri focused on her plate, picking idly at the pieces of crust on her bread, "Help, will your friends offer? And..." How was she to word this to avoid another wrestling match...?

"Are they your type of friends, or my type of friends?"

Common Rakahi Gravokian

[Warren]

He knew it was going to happen, the contained fury that blazed in her eyes as he put his hands down once finished speaking. Navyri didn’t know Warren or Lianna. She didn’t know the things they had to do to escape Rynmere, or the training sessions Warren had given the woman while they sailed across the Orm’del Sea looking for the Naer. Even while they sat, Warren had kept eyes on everyone, searching for gazes too curious for their own good. None had struck him as suspicious, but Navyri seemed to think him a fool regardless.
His hands clenched and unclenched. Warren didn’t like to be made a fool or talked to like he was one. Granted, they didn’t know each other, thus, didn’t trust each other, but slowly he’d realize Navyri would be one to test the limit of his patience.
“Like I said, they chased us to the docks. We barely escaped on a trade vessel before they stormed the place— you think they don’t keep ledgers of the shipments to and from the city?” His tone was firm, if not a little defensive. “Of course they know where we are.”
Pushing his empty plate to the side, he drank the small tankard of Ale left for him while Navyri collected herself and continued.
“We won’t be traveling in Zi’da. If we leave tonight, we’ll make it there just before the winter hits…” His eyes landed on Navyri again and he frowned. “They’re friends, woman, and they’ll help if I need it. They owe me as much.”
Setting the mug down, Warren stood, “That’s the plan we’ve made and we don’t have much longer to waste here. Will you come with us?” The look in his eyes told of absolution. If she chose to stay, he would not persuade her any longer.

Word Count: 305

[Navyri]

"Admire me from the ground, or fly with me."

75th of Vhalar, 717

"Don't get mad at me," Navyri snapped, hearing his tone, "I'm not the unreasonable one, here. And I bought you breakfast after everything last night!" Ungrateful sod! Finally, she lifted a hand up, hoping to stop the next explosion, "Look," she said sharply, not interested in getting into a fight so early in the morning, huffing in a way to expel her frustration, "I like things planned. I like knowing what to expect. I like-" she looked at his empty plate, surprised to find it so. He ate so fast... "Doing things my way. So, excuse me, when someone I thought I'd never see again, verbally degrades me multiple times, ties me up in his room, and then wants me to run after him-"

A woman cleared her throat nearby, and Navyri's bright eyes flashed to pin her in place. The barmaid had approached the table and looked rather mortified, glancing between the man and woman, having obviously interpreted the conversation without proper context. Something like judgement flashed in her eyes when she looked at the Naer's wings, followed by disgust.

Why was she standing there...."Yes?"

"You're payment. Who will be settling your tab?" She looked pointedly between Warren and Navyri, eyes narrowing at the obvious party.

Navyri felt her feathers ruffle and she pressed her hands against the table, "I already paid." Her voice was calm and even, but she saw a figure standing in the doorway of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a rag and eyeing the exchange. He was already heading towards the table.

The barmaid squared her shoulders, "No, you didn't."

"Yes. I did."

The two women stared each other down, the next words coming as no surprise as man from the back loomed over the table, "We got a problem?" He too, was looking at the dark haired woman. Racists.

Both women answered in unison, "Yes."

Common Rakahi Gravokian