Zarik remained quiet once more, after he’d finished, and he observed Pahrn’s response to what he’d said. Now, he would figure out whether Etzos truly could be a potential home for him… or if he’d have to find elsewhere to settle for the coming arcs. He couldn’t help, however, a breathy scoff that escaped him when the High Marshall mentioned a willingness to beg to save his people. What flashed through Zarik's mind in response to that honesty… was something that he knew Alistair would love him all the more for. The pale blond blushed at the thought, then averted his gaze away from Pahrn.
He nodded in confirmation that Pahrn understood him correctly. His gaze returned level with the other men, in slight confused glances, as he heard Vuda’s name mentioned in such context. From the sound of it, the High Marshall had also undergone compulsions of the mind. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised, given that it seemed to have been Vuda’s ring that had given opportunity for the cause of his own situation. Zarik almost recognized the pained, far-off look in Pahrn’s eyes. His youthful features softened with deepened empathy. Despite the tension of what they spoke about, despite the titles bandied about, or differences in status, they were all men in the office with troubled minds and hopeful hearts. Least, that’s what Zarik wanted to believe and he smiled apologetically when Pahrn returned to the present moment and spoke to him.
“I can supply you with knowledge of the domains, or those of which had been before my departure,” offered Zarik.
Upon Pahrn’s comment about him being the exception to Zarik’s own advice about the populace remaining ignorant, the silvery-blue blush returned to his cheeks. He cleared his throat, but before he could formulate an exact response, Pahrn laughed instead. Oh, it was a jest. The blush only strengthened to flush the biqaj’s entire face then.
“R-right,” he stammered in agreement, glad to not be thrown out of Etzos… or at least, knowing that the High Marshall didn’t want that to be done. He fixed his hair some, the sense of nervousness returned to him now that he was no longer in the focus of his explanations. His posture slid forward, in the slight weakening of his shoulders. Especially as he heard the inquiry about his marriage.
“I-if you… It is… In Quacia, in the holy records of the Theocratum, but it is not… I would say that it is not recognized by Rynmere in a legal sense of the term,” explained Zarik. He lifted his shoulders back again, to fix his posture. “Some of the family seems willing, but it is only out of generosity because our marriage was not during Saun and I believe… well, it is complicated, Your Highness, but I would not begrudge you if you were to hand me over, as you say. But, I do not seek refuge in Etzos in that way. He would not believe it to be necessary either. I… may have told him that I simply wanted to explore life on my own for a short while, though that was well before he decided to go and flay Vri's son.”
He coughed behind his hand, to settle a moment's upset that had started to gather to the surface of his emotions. His eyes flurried in colors, before settled into light blue as he regathered his composure.
“Rather, I choose to be here so I can be available to help this city in this matter. I could go to Rynmere instead,” he explained. “They are in far more danger than Etzos when it comes to my husband. I would not be surprised to learn that he has already attacked the kingdom in some fashion. Comparably, Etzos is just another city of potential conquest to further his greater desires of vengeance on his homeland. And now, also the place I happen to be residing. Whether this will hinder or aid his favor, well, I believe I've made clear how fickle trying to predict that can be. Once he learns that I have los- once he finds out some things between us, I doubt he will linger here unless given reason otherwise to do so.”
“I will reiterate, I am not seeking sanctuary in your city, Your Highness. I seek to make Etzos my home, instead of Quacia, and thus shall provide whatever I can muster in doing so. Though I may require certain exceptions, I intend to earn my keep. It is only because of my notable relations that I will seek resources that may seem…” he hesitated, then decided, “...inordinate.”
After a bit more discourse as to wards and the like followed, Pahrn held out a hand in offer to shake. Zarik grasped it firmly. He nodded in agreement for what the High Marshall said about Vuda and about the reminders. His eyes widened when Pahrn’s attention spun back to him after the simple delegation to Tagley, and the High Marshall inquired about housing.
“I haven’t decided where I would like to reside yet,” he answered frankly. “I would like to learn more of this city before I choose. Ideally, it’d be a location that has fortifications already built into the structure. Preferably, within the perimeter. In Quacia, I resided within a wealthy commerce district known as the Gleam. But if Etzos has something akin to what in Quacia is called Fortress, this would suit my interests more as practical security comes before any appearance of luxury. I likely will also seek a number of smaller modest buildings from which I can conduct business, both outside the perimeter and inside. A list of possible places could help me in this search. In the meantime, I’ve been staying at the Inn for Dinner.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking with me on this matter directly. I am sorry for not being able to help in any way greater than having to say things you’d likely rather not hear…” he glanced at his feet, then sighed with a shake of his head. “If anything arises, I will speak with Marlin… uh, Mister Tagley, in confidence that he might relay such things to you, then.”
He looked up and smiled in a sincere manner toward Pahrn. “If you need any help, of any kind, at any time, trial or night… I make myself available to you.”
He nodded in confirmation that Pahrn understood him correctly. His gaze returned level with the other men, in slight confused glances, as he heard Vuda’s name mentioned in such context. From the sound of it, the High Marshall had also undergone compulsions of the mind. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised, given that it seemed to have been Vuda’s ring that had given opportunity for the cause of his own situation. Zarik almost recognized the pained, far-off look in Pahrn’s eyes. His youthful features softened with deepened empathy. Despite the tension of what they spoke about, despite the titles bandied about, or differences in status, they were all men in the office with troubled minds and hopeful hearts. Least, that’s what Zarik wanted to believe and he smiled apologetically when Pahrn returned to the present moment and spoke to him.
“I can supply you with knowledge of the domains, or those of which had been before my departure,” offered Zarik.
Upon Pahrn’s comment about him being the exception to Zarik’s own advice about the populace remaining ignorant, the silvery-blue blush returned to his cheeks. He cleared his throat, but before he could formulate an exact response, Pahrn laughed instead. Oh, it was a jest. The blush only strengthened to flush the biqaj’s entire face then.
“R-right,” he stammered in agreement, glad to not be thrown out of Etzos… or at least, knowing that the High Marshall didn’t want that to be done. He fixed his hair some, the sense of nervousness returned to him now that he was no longer in the focus of his explanations. His posture slid forward, in the slight weakening of his shoulders. Especially as he heard the inquiry about his marriage.
“I-if you… It is… In Quacia, in the holy records of the Theocratum, but it is not… I would say that it is not recognized by Rynmere in a legal sense of the term,” explained Zarik. He lifted his shoulders back again, to fix his posture. “Some of the family seems willing, but it is only out of generosity because our marriage was not during Saun and I believe… well, it is complicated, Your Highness, but I would not begrudge you if you were to hand me over, as you say. But, I do not seek refuge in Etzos in that way. He would not believe it to be necessary either. I… may have told him that I simply wanted to explore life on my own for a short while, though that was well before he decided to go and flay Vri's son.”
He coughed behind his hand, to settle a moment's upset that had started to gather to the surface of his emotions. His eyes flurried in colors, before settled into light blue as he regathered his composure.
“Rather, I choose to be here so I can be available to help this city in this matter. I could go to Rynmere instead,” he explained. “They are in far more danger than Etzos when it comes to my husband. I would not be surprised to learn that he has already attacked the kingdom in some fashion. Comparably, Etzos is just another city of potential conquest to further his greater desires of vengeance on his homeland. And now, also the place I happen to be residing. Whether this will hinder or aid his favor, well, I believe I've made clear how fickle trying to predict that can be. Once he learns that I have los- once he finds out some things between us, I doubt he will linger here unless given reason otherwise to do so.”
“I will reiterate, I am not seeking sanctuary in your city, Your Highness. I seek to make Etzos my home, instead of Quacia, and thus shall provide whatever I can muster in doing so. Though I may require certain exceptions, I intend to earn my keep. It is only because of my notable relations that I will seek resources that may seem…” he hesitated, then decided, “...inordinate.”
After a bit more discourse as to wards and the like followed, Pahrn held out a hand in offer to shake. Zarik grasped it firmly. He nodded in agreement for what the High Marshall said about Vuda and about the reminders. His eyes widened when Pahrn’s attention spun back to him after the simple delegation to Tagley, and the High Marshall inquired about housing.
“I haven’t decided where I would like to reside yet,” he answered frankly. “I would like to learn more of this city before I choose. Ideally, it’d be a location that has fortifications already built into the structure. Preferably, within the perimeter. In Quacia, I resided within a wealthy commerce district known as the Gleam. But if Etzos has something akin to what in Quacia is called Fortress, this would suit my interests more as practical security comes before any appearance of luxury. I likely will also seek a number of smaller modest buildings from which I can conduct business, both outside the perimeter and inside. A list of possible places could help me in this search. In the meantime, I’ve been staying at the Inn for Dinner.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking with me on this matter directly. I am sorry for not being able to help in any way greater than having to say things you’d likely rather not hear…” he glanced at his feet, then sighed with a shake of his head. “If anything arises, I will speak with Marlin… uh, Mister Tagley, in confidence that he might relay such things to you, then.”
He looked up and smiled in a sincere manner toward Pahrn. “If you need any help, of any kind, at any time, trial or night… I make myself available to you.”
