Fable - Ask A Belief Forgotten[Dreadlords]

[Elise Virak]

Elise was no scared little girl.

She had been a target of assassination almost since the day she'd been born. Blood and death were more familiar to her than the sound of a mothers soothing. She stood among the chaos, arrows stabbing into the icy shell that Hal had created for her.

To her right she could see Ania using her blade, one of the other Dreadlords running up behind her to support her in the slaughter.

To her left she spotted Yreal's magic, the shockwave of the Royal dogs powers being unmistakable. Behind her the clashing of blades echoed out, likely Banick's soldiers falling into the clash. Her teeth gnashed together, and she looked ahead.

There the ice had melted, one of the men clutching a scroll quickly scrambling to grab another from an odd bandolier across his chest.

Elise's lips thinned, glancing at Hal and the other Dreadlords who were all consumed in their own affairs.

Black spots floated across her eyes, and her finger crooked only an inch. Through the cacophony of battle all around them the loud snap as the scroll wielding man's head suddenly wrenched to the side was utterly lost. The man fell to the ground like a rag doll, blood seeping from eyes, ears, and nose.

"KEEP MOVING!" She bellowed, pushing the Dreadlords forward so they would not get trapped.

 

[Florinthe Othal]

Chaos erupted around her. Florinthe was grateful she had a moment to ground herself before hell was unleashed around her. She breathed deeply and clarity overcame her. She did not rush, however, and focused intently on the projectiles fired at or towards her charges. Her efforts were passive and subtle, gentle nudges here and there. Projectiles clattered to the ground or were knocked off course away from their targets.

Eventually, a message rang out and Florinthe beamed. Reinforcements were on their way and, fortunately for her, Yrael did not keep them waiting long. His arrival marked a change in the girl and, now, she could go on the offensive.

She breathed.

The ring of spears around her contracted then expanded, mirroring each breath she took. Throwing caution to the wind, Florinthe leapt into the crowd ahead of their group, spears encircling her like a barricade.

She landed in the heart of an assailing group, her clutched spear impaling a man as soon as her feet touched the ground. No quarter was given to another man, wielding a longsword, as he stepped in range. Two thrusts answered his challenge, the first relieved him of his blade and the second, his life. Her fighting style was unorthodox, she twirled like a ballerina through the masses of people, her spear cutting great arcs in the air and, equally, cutting great chunks from those around her.

All the while her spears, moving independently, danced in sync with her. They turned deadly blows away from the young Dreadlord, intercepted lunges and parried thrusts. With each contraction, they protected her, equally so, with each expansion they attacked. Gale force winds were slowly amassing around the woman, creating further openings among the crowd. With each stumble or fall, a spear answered with a mortal blow. The assailants around her began to thin and wane, but she was aware of her limits, she knew she couldn't keep this up indefinitely. That said, she had hoped that her efforts had helped to clear up a semblance of a path forward.

 

[Ania]

The Banick boys were making quick work of several of the Vel Stratholm heathens around Ania. Some with quick slashes, others with precise arrows. One of the dreadlords who had pledged himself to the royal family used a magic she had never seen before to obliterate a trio of attackers, causing mangled flesh to land near Ania’s feet. In a flurry of wind gushes and spears the dreadlord from Luana made short work of a few more.

Yet despite all of this, the numbers of these zealots didn’t seem to be diminishing as rapidly as the platoon of dreadlords were used to. Often their foes would’ve run away by now. It seemed whatever gods these imbeciles served had filled their souls with false confidence and a fool’s moxy.

As the loyal dreadlord of Weiroon was removing the limbs from one more disciple of Anirius and tormenting a few others with deliriums the word came from Lady Virak to push forward towards the governor’s mansion. In essence, she was asking them to retreat rather than slaughter the lot of them.

This created a dilemma for the slender dreadlord. She’d rather die fighting than allow these vermin to believe they had routed the most elite warriors of Vel Anir. On the other hand, she was bound by her oath to Weiroon to follow Elise Virak’s orders without question.

Ania swallowed her pride and began moving down the cobblestoned street, using her blade purely for parrying so as not to impede her progress. She could tell by Lady Virak’s tone that they were to move swiftly. Though as Ania kept up her pace the pain from the crossbow bolt which had burrowed its way into her leg increased exponentially.

She knew that once the adrenaline subsided it’d prove difficult to keep up with the cohort. Maybe some of the level fours would survive the slaughter and be able to patch her up at the governor’s location.

 

[Ademar Acero]

If he would not have the pleasure of cleaving civilians due to their skeptical loyalties, then he’d be delighted in what came next. Warriors of a strange armor attacked from all angles, and some were positioned on the rooftops of buildings that looked down up Elise and her Dreadlords. There were still civilians around, but he did not consider for their safety. Fuck the civilians he would think. All that matters was making sure Lady Elise’s life was safeguarded and his mission fulfilled to the satisfaction of his Baroness.

He was no stranger to civilian casualties. After all, they could blame the deaths on these knights that were most likely responsible for the failed attempts of Elise’s life earlier.

Ademar bent low and a hand touched the cobblestone ground the city used daily. He could feel his body enhancing by the elements and properties of the stone he absorbed which were processed into hardening his skin and boosting his already honed strength. With the heavy armor on his body and his unique magic, he was like an impenetrable fortress that no blade could even dent.

One courageous knight, with faith in her god that she would find victory against Ademar, charged with a spear and lunged right at his waist where there was a gap between the steel plates he wore. Her attack was successful and there was a smile that she vanquished this mountain before her. Her smile faded when she was confused as to why Ademar didn’t fell down in a pool of blood. A hand reached for the shaft of the weapon and easily splintered it; the knight would see that no blood or even flesh was on the blade of her spear. But there would be when the Dreadlord made his own lunge and placed the blade of it right in her face.

Ironic she’d die in this world knowing her prayers were unanswered and that she was probably made of a fool into following a cult and worshiping an idol that only existed through faith. There were no gods here and if they were, they’d be conquered by their own mortal creations.

While he’d love to be dogpiled by these zealous knights, he would not disobey the orders of Elise not would he ever. He placed himself at point of the group and would make a path of blood for them to take without being harassed by these assailants.

“Behind me!” he’d tell his companions, expecting them to be close to him. With his mace he’d begin maiming and killing knights that obstructed his path with the occasional blood of an innocent civilian. Archers and crossbowmen would raise brows in concern at the behemoth beast that couldn’t be stopped. Of course, he couldn’t help out the other Dreadlords in fending off the assailants that approached from the rear and sides and he trusted, for their own sakes, they could accomplish that.

 

[Yrael]

Perched on the rooftop, Yrael had a unique view of the battle. In short: it was a massacre. A lithe woman cut through the crowds, surrounded by a ring of living spears that pierced and slashed and parried all of their own accord. A man in fine clothing, surrounded by a host of able men, took a more traditional approach and staved off his attackers with steel and skill. A hulking man took a spear to the gut and brushed it off as an inconvenience, before ripping through enemies and citizens alike with a feverish brutality.

Yet for all their strength and skill, the enemies did not wane. How many followers had this cult managed to gain? How many of those had the strength and skill to become these black-armored zealots? Yrael's violet eyes scanned the windows near the conflict. Civilians in the streets panicked and ran, but those indoors who believed themselves safe... they watched. They watched intently, with far more interest in the outcome of this fight than someone who was uninvolved.

They had ensnared the entire borough. Everyone, from shopkeeps to blacksmiths to beggars, was involved. The depth of this infection concerned him. When they reached the governor's manor there would be a discussion as to how he allowed the blight to spread so far.

Elise Virak, ever the picture of gilded fury, continued her advance. The black knights did not seem able to get near her, even when there were breaks in the dreadlords' defense of her. Yrael didn't think much of it, there was a lot to keep track of, after all.

"Make them think I have allowed this," the King's words echoed in his head. He sighed, he did not like keeping track of political maneuvers. He jumped down from the rooftop, sweeping people aside as he fell to clear a landing spot. Immediately a knight rushed at him with daggers. The knives met an invisible barrier, and the attacker was given just enough time to look confused before he was flung over the roof.

He pushed his way ahead of Elise and her group. "Clear the way," he said to the crowd in front of them. There was no way they could have heard him over the din, but now he could say he had warned them. Pushing both hands out in front of him, he projected an arc of force out about ten feet. It would be quite impossible for anyone to enter the space, and he used it like an invisible battering ram.

He didn't tell them to follow him, it was unnecessary. The path of least resistance would always be followed, and for all those concerned Elise's party now had a royal escort.

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise did not seem entirely bothered by Yreal and Ademar's forging of a path.

Right now what mattered was survival.

Dreadlords could burn down entire cities, they could scorch armies and tear down the very heavens if they tried. But they were still mortal at the end of the day. An errant crossbow bolt, a knife placed between the correct ribs and they would fall.

She could not have that.

This ambush had to be survived, and then a punishment could be doled out later. Slowly the companions pushed forward, with Elise keeping her own magics to a subtle low. A small twist of her hand here, a crook of the finger there.

Among the Chaos it could never be noticed, but she subtly moved things forward as the group crawled towards the Keep.

It was only when they were in sight of the Governors manor that the ambushers began to thin. Those on the roof tops disappeared, those on the streets glanced back as a loud shrieking horn resounded. Nasir watched as the odd Black Knights crawled away, and then she let out a sharp whistle. "Grab one!"

She hissed as the gates of the Governors palace opened and soldiers streamed out.

 

[Harry]

When the contingent of Dreadlords arrived at the Governor's palace, Hal had worked up a visible sweat. He'd focused on simultaneously defending Elise and lashing out with his own magic. Crossbow bolts and blasts of magic from above were mercilessly rebutted with spears of ice; while neither bolt nor blast found their desired targets, Hal's magic did. Body after body fell from above.

It was only when they were in sight of the Governors manor that the ambushers began to thin. Those on the roof tops disappeared, those on the streets glanced back as a loud shrieking horn resounded. Nasir watched as the odd Black Knights crawled away, and then she let out a sharp whistle. "Grab one!"

Hal swiftly turned and spotted one of the black knights lagging behind on a rooftop. He made a gesture with his hands as if he were lifting something heavy. The ground below the building shook, then the building itself began to groan as ice lifted it from its foundations. Stone and wood fell apart until the roof began to collapse, causing the fleeing knight to lose their balance and slip off of the roof.

They fell to the street with a thud and writhed there. Hal was quick to retrieve the knight, who turned out to be a woman and bound her in ice. The ice, and the knight, floated behind Hal as he returned to Elise. The female knight spat out profanities at the young Lady, but a muzzle of ice silenced her.

"As requested, Lady Elise," he glanced behind him, "a prisoner."

 

[Gabriel Banick]

The call to advance was not lost to Gabriel as he backed out of the alleyway, an arrogant grin on his face as he kept his attackers at bay. One of the archers popped into view of the assailants, an arrow whistling beside the nobleman's ear as another fell and his men allowed him through. He and his men rejoined as the Dreadlords pushed forward, still half-swording as they kept close to one another.

One assailant came in with a helmet as Gabriel spun, the handle of his sword met the man. The pommel crushed the man's windpipe. A hand snapping to his throat as Gabriel pulled back and swung once more with the handle as the pommel came down and crushed the helmet. A solid kick pushed the man back as the noble moved forward, reinforcing the guards around him.

The attackers began to thin, Gabriel still not exhausted but dabbing at his forehead with a piece of his men's cloak. A gusty breath came from him as he watched one Dreadlord capture an assailant. He remained silent, sword still ready for defense as they neared the governor. His men moved with practiced ease, a few of them holding cuts or bolt wounds as one in particular saw to their aid.

 

[Ania]

A way was being cleared, a path being carved out for the onslaught. Right as Ania's blade ended another of the charlatans the call came out to grab a prisoner. She could've used her ability to cast an illusion on as many of the fools as Elise wished but the man of ice seemed satiate her desire for a prisoner before any of that was necessary.

If she were lucky they'd be allowed to torture the captive. Preferably in front of the governor. She imagined he was a man high on power living a cushioned life given to him by House Weiroon and House Virak and probably even the Banick boys accompanying them. Those kinds of people, the so-called civilized elements of society, tormenting them was the most fun she ever had. She hoped that Miss Virak's plans for the hostage was to make a point to the fanciful gentleman inside.

At the very least such thoughts helped keep her mind off the growing pain and struggle to keep up. Her azure eyes caught sight of the governor's manor which brought a sense of relief. Once inside she could bleed all over whatever expensive rug he had while the level four trotting along in front of her mended her up. Just needed to make sure he didn't get himself killed between here and there.

"Keep moving," she said aloud to herself as her saber cut down one more of the assailants.

 

[Florinthe Othal]

Florinthe's breathing grew ragged, she found her clothing increasingly stained with blood, and her magic reserves were depleting rapidly. Down to two spears, her held one and a floating one, she found the job of maiming the attackers getting difficult. Thankfully, she hadn't much longer to cope.

In the distance, she spied the soldiers swarming in and she found herself relaxing. Her breathing, while still ragged, slowed and she was quickly able to dispatch the remaining assailants with a few thrusts and lunges from her main spear.

Once she was finished, she slipped back into the contingent of Bannick guards. Their numbers were depleted and they looked exhausted, but the ones that remained seemed hardly bothered by the conflict. The Bannick boy, too, seemed competent enough to handle himself in a fight - a rarity for nobles. She only had to look at Elise Virak, the lofty loud-mouthed princess that led them into this mess, to see her ineffective some individuals were if a brawl broke out.

Regaining her breath took a few moments, but by that time she stood shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the Bannick contingent and made her way into the Governor's house.

 

[Ademar Acero]

If people were to glorify Ademar as some kind of immortal with magic that could collapse a flank of knights and footmen soldiers without suffering a scratch, they’d be wrong though the thought would be appreciated. Even when his whole body held the density of stone that would chip or dull the blades of these knights, he wasn’t excepted to loss of stamina and his magic being depleted over continuous use. His precise techniques and attacks with his mace became brutish and sloppy with swings behind it.

Even his magic began to fade when a spear made contact and his leg, and although it didn’t pierce through his skin, thus penetrating the armor, it did draw blood from Ademar. Bruises, cuts, and what other blunt trauma would have their presence known to Ademar, thought nothing lethal or critical was in the question. Had they continued this conflict longer than it should have, then it would be a thought to consider.

Luckily the number of their enemies thinned out when approaching the governor’s estate with the gates of the palace opening and being reinforced by Anirian soldiers to help giving safe passage inside the Keep. Once approaching to safety of the palace they mysterious knights retreated, daring not to continue their assault and regrouped like cowards in the shadows of the streets whence they came. Elise’s host was then escorted to the main hall of the palace, Ademar remaining close to his Baroness. Blood stained his armor and weapons, some blood even splattered on his face with sweat dripping from his forehead. He was tired and sore from attacks from their assailants, but he wouldn’t drop or stop in order to rest his muscles. He’d stand defiant from looking weak.

In fact, with their prisoner in tow he had hoped Lady Elise would give him the pleasure of maiming her for interrogation. The governor of the city would greet and meet Elise and her host, probably far and a sloth due to the luxury he could afford.

 

[Elise Virak]

The Governor was a surprisingly lithe man, his face gaunt and his features almost skeletal. He scurried out of his hiding place to greet Selene, two Anirian Guardsmen walking behind him with spears held in a position of salute.

"Lady Eli-"​

Before he could even speak Elise made a motion towards one of the nearest Dreadlord. "Execute him."

Horror crossed the expression of the pale faced man, his mouth opening to protest and the two Anirian Guardsmen standing besides him quickly scurrying away from his side. The Governor fell to his knees to plead, but it all fell on deaf ears as Elise turned around.

"You and you" She pointed at Ademar Acero and then Florinthe Othal. "Gather two civilians for every soldier we lost, crucify them outside these walls."

She then turned to Henry Bauer, Yrael and Ania. "Break the prisoner, find out where the rats are hiding."

Then lastly she turned to Gabriel Banick, her lips turning in displeasure.

"And you." Her voice was like gritted rocks. "Did your slobbering little fool of a father tell you to come here?"

The insult to Gabriels patriarch would have been enough to start a duel in the Halls of Vel Aerelos.

 

[Ademar Acero]

A sinister grin appeared on his face at the words of Elise. A command to kill the governor before them that went on his knees to beg for his life. Not all the gold and jewelry made any worth of his life. Only time was the true measure of it.

“With pleasure, my Lady,” him being near Elise and soon to swear fealty to her house, it was meant more to him to execute this order in her name. He dropped his mace, making a dent on the floor, and unsheathed his Claymore sword and took long steps between him and his victim. The two guards were smart enough to step to the side, knowing where they’re true loyalties lie.

The mountain raised his sword in a high guard, blade looking to the heavens, hearing the screams of the governor. A coward. All death was certain, and his time had come. At his swung the sharp edge of the sword made contact, cleaving the man between his neck and shoulder. Blood oozed out on the floor and more splattered on his armor and face.

He looked at his Baroness for approval, even a smile would do enough for him, but there was more. He took it as a treat when she commanded him and the Dreadlord from House Luana (disgusting) to crucify civilians for the soldiers they had lost.

“As you wish, my Lady,” with a smile on his face and content tone in his voice. Sheathing his sword and retrieving his mace, he marched out to do the bidding of Elise and with zealously.

 

[Gabriel Banick]

Gabriel sheathed his blade upon entering the gates, his men moving to now to tend to their own as Hunter stood aside and informed those defending of the situation that had occurred in the streets, of magic and blades coming from the alleys as the noble followed the rest inside.

Elise's command to kill the governor had him stepping aside to gain a better vantage of the act. Once done, he stepped into a doorway leading to a separate room to avoid the paths of the Dreadlords heading outside to fulfill further orders.

Her direct comment about his father had him laughing though, his tongue was pinched between his canines to avoid returning a scathing remark in kind. It had been some time since the pair had exchanged barbs and it seemed the act would continue even now.

"Ah, my dear, you should know well enough throughout our upbringing the only way my father could keep me out of trouble was to explicitly command my presence." Gabriel offered before examining the decanter on a table inside what seemed to be a meeting room.

His steps were quick, fetching the decanter before returning to her view and uncorking the vial before sniffing it.

"My presence is merely out of my own curiosity, and for that of another esteemed house's well being. I would hate to be away and not bear witness to someone being foolish enough to stand against you and your will." Gabriel spoke once more, taking a swig from the drink before looking about.

"My father played poorly against my pointed questions, and gave me what I wanted without my outright asking. Besides, I would be loathe to see you come to any harm even with such an esteemed escort and be unable to hold those accountable for such a grievous crime." He nodded to her. "Not as though anyone else can stand to suffer a dance with me."

 

[Ania]

Seemed like such a pity to end the governor’s life so swiftly. He deserved to suffer hours of agony. There was something to be said of a decisive verdict though and Ania was gracious when Lady Virak offered the fate of the prisoner to her and her compatriots.

She allowed the boy from Banick to drone on about his daddy issues or whatever it was on his mind. Nothing that truly concerned her or the other dreadlords present. They had work to do.

“Can you hold her still?” she requested of Henry Bauer, ignoring the King’s lapdog entirely.

If Ania was in her right mind she would’ve been focusing on getting her leg mended. She would have ordered Pierre or one of the other surviving level fours to come and retrieve the arrow holed up in her leg. But she had received a direct order and that took precedence. Not to mention the thrill of tormenting a defenseless piece of excrement like the heretic before them gave her an electrifying rush.

Without waiting for Henry’s reply she sauntered towards the terrified prisoner, her face awash with joy. Ania traced a thin finger around the edges of the enemy’s face. In a hushed tone she reassured her, “don’t worry sweetie, I just need a bit of information.”

Their eyes locked. In an instant the two were linked and the captive winced and attempted to grasp at her leg but her arms remained bound by ice. She could feel the same pain that Ania did from the arrow. She’d be feeling whatever it was that the pale dreadlord decided to share with her.

Ania exhaled slowly before a rush of intense pain overtook every inch of her body. It mimicked the feeling of severe lacerations cutting deep into every pore of her skin, followed by a sensation of scorching flames cauterizing the wounds. Then the sadistic woman took in another breath and exhaled, repeating the deep cuts and burns.

The prisoner was screaming bloody murder whilst Ania looked on in joy. She could keep this up for hours but she doubted very much that Elise wished to wait that long. After the sixth iteration of the punishment she glanced up at the woman. Slobber covered her chin, tears streamed down her face. Ania’s bright blue eyes stared into her with hate.

“This is where your story ends heretic. You will die tonight, just as your governor did. But I won’t grant that sweet release of death, no, not until you tell us where the rest of your fanatical friends are hiding. I suppose all you must ask yourself is,” immense pressure began to push up and into her flesh as Ania began another dose of pain, “how much longer do you wish to stay alive?”

This was the best part of serving the will of Vel Anir.

 

[Florinthe Othal]

She sighed quietly to herself. The few moments within the Governor's keep gave some her respite. Florinthe wolfed down various rations and stores of food she had hidden about herself - her magic always seemed to leave her particularly hungry. As if on cue, however, she found herself under the wrathful gaze of Elise Virak. A place no mortal would willing be if they could help it. The order made sense to the young Dreadlord, yet she was reluctant to do it. Initially, she considered that she'd been chosen due to her affiliations with House Luana, yet such an inference would require the princess to actually know who Florinthe was - and that she doubted.

As she moved silently towards the wall of the keep, Florinthe requisitioned several spears and halberds from the militia guarding the Governors keep. A quick flash of her house emblem was all it took. It was said to have Luana owe you a favour was worth more than gold dust, the very thought of turning away the saintly house was incomprehensible to most men. Sufficiently armed, she made her way onto the guardian wall encircling the keep and sat atop the battlements.

From her vantage point, she could spot the people milling about the town. Roughly a quarter of their contingency had fallen, so fifty or so civilians would be paying the price. For a moment, she reminded herself of the onslaught that had just taken place, remembering that these crucifixions would be justified. However, she would deviate from Elise's order and would simply kill them, it would be messy and inappropriate to leave them suffering - at least for someone of her House.

The weapons she'd gathered from the guards were poorly fashioned and very inappropriate for throwing, nothing seemed to be going her way today. Yet another sigh escaped her lips and she threw a couple of the spears experimentally towards a crowd. Magic wound its way across the length of the weapon and Florinthe found herself directing the blade much like a composer. Quick flicks of her wrist, fingers and arm saw the spears move in several directions and, after several moments, the corpses of some civilians lay in a pile on the ground.

She'd pin them to the walls later.

 

[Elise Virak]

Briefly she considered what the consequences would be of having Gabriel executed.

She had the authority to do pretty much as she pleased within Vel Stratholm, that at least had been made very clear. Yet slaughtering the son of one of the Great Houses was likely not covered under that particular merit of power.

Besides, there was a possibility some of the Dreadlords would disobey her in that command, and she could hardly afford such a thing at this juncture.

Despite her being charged with the pacification of this city, Gabriel was still a member of one of the Great Houses. Much worse, his house was part of the ruling alliance. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, his family held a great deal of influence back home.

Best not to have him killed, at least openly. "Does it ever get tiring? Being so utterly useless that your own family can't even stand to look at you."

She bit into him, no small amount of vileness tinging her tone.

There was a distant memory of the two of them dancing at a Gala, neither of them past the age of their teens. Such a thing was common back home, but those times had passed for her.

"You may remain." She told him. "But stay silent unless you have something of worth to offer. This place is enough of a headache without the grating of your voice."

 

[Harry]

Hal grimaced as Ania worked at the prisoner. He placed a presumptuous hand on the Dreadlord’s shoulder, a cold one at that. She would feel a wave of cold rush deep through her body. As the prisoner writhed and shook, Hal made sure to keep the icy restraints strong.

“Her allies. We will get nothing if you break her too soon.”

He waved his hand over the prisoner's face, sending a deep chill that brought her back to her senses.

"Stay awake, now. You are needed."

He nodded to Ania.

 

[Yrael]

Before Yrael could make a sound, the governor had been cleaved in half. His hand half raised in a vain attempt to reverse this, but he quickly quieted it. He should have known that Elise would show no restraint, no respect for the official chain of authority governing this man. And why should she? The chain was smoke and mirrors. The only thing that truly mattered was power and influence, and she had them both. Yrael knew, bitterly, that there would be no consequences visited on House Virak for this. The governor had been inept, and he was now removed. In truth, his death was on Yrael's mind as well... he had just wanted to do it himself.

He should have been quicker, and far less complacent. He filed these thoughts away for later reflection, and looked up at Elise's new orders. "I do not serve you," he said calmly. This seemed to have little effect on the woman as the other dreadlords quickly followed her command.

He stepped forward to the governor's body and removed the pin that marked his office, storing it away. Pitiful that such a man would even be allowed to bear the King's approval. Yrael stood, and made his way over to where Ania and Henry were interrogating their prey. Despite disliking being commanded by Elise, he did want to find where the rest of these insurgents were hiding.

Whatever tortures Ania was inflicting upon the woman left no mark, but appeared extremely painful. Only through Hal's intervention did the woman regain enough of her senses to answer any sort of question. The cacophany that had engulfed the streets was still quite loud here, and it irritated him. Concentrating on the air surrounding the quartet, he erected a sound-proof barrier, dampening the air that surrounded them. He exhaled in relief, as silence instantly surrounded them.

"That's better," he mused, leaning over to look at the woman. "Now," he continued in a low speaking tone. "Tell this woman what she wants to know. I'm afraid no one will answer your screams now."

 

[Gabriel Banick]

Gabriel furrowed his brows at Elise's comment. Useless? He quietly laughed to himself about the comment. "Honestly, seeming useless to them makes me quite free to do as I please, and I don't have to tell my father what I have been up to since he expects the most despicable behavior. He would rather remain blissfully ignorant of my going's on than learn of whatever I have been doing." He answered in kind, taking a small swig of wine before quickly adding.

"Makes it easier working with you lot." He smiled, taking a longer swig of wine. Her second comment made him shake his head. "Then excuse me to the late governor's office. I'll be looking through his documents and being quiet for your sake."

With dismissal, he fetched another decanter of wine and headed to the back of the house, his guards moving with him and ignoring the Dreadlord's moving about. All of the Banick guards were silent, watching in silence how the other's operated and nodding with approval plain on their faces as they walked by.

 

[Elise Virak]

"At least he has wits." Elise mused to herself as Gabriel turned around and disappeared into the Governors house.

She was sure that he would find something of use. The Governor had not exactly been the most competent, but one did not become an Anirian Governor by being utterly stupid. Nepotism by and large did not exist within the affairs of Vel Anir.

At least usually.

Rolling her eyes the Baroness wandered back towards the square outside the Palace, motioning for one of the nearby guards. "Bring me a chair."

Now she just had to wait for her Dreadlords to complete their tasks, and hopefully for the fear to set into the city.

Elise had threatened Vel Stratholm with Devastation, and she fully meant to comply with that edict. By her reckoning the people of this town had five hours left. Then she would begin the true massacre.

 

[Ania]

Though many dreadlords were insufferable Ania was glad that the other two had been present. Sometimes she forgot that if you bent the mind too forcefully, too quickly, that it could snap. The cold from Hal's fingers caused the dreadlord of Weiroon to shiver but he spoke sense. Had she not been engrossed in her work she would've snapped at the apprentice for having the gall to touch her.

Yrael's barrier served to stifle the screams of her plaything. That was a bit disappointing but she understood its necessity. Ania released the prisoner from the pain they were both enduring and walked forward until she was face-to-face with the traitor.

"You have something to tell me," Ania stated in a tone colder than Hal's fingertips.

Between sobs the cultist raised her head and meekly stated, "catacombs... there's an entrance at the statue in the courtyard."

"Catacombs? Living like the rats that you are. How many of your kind reside there?" the dreadlord queried.

"Enough," the prisoner muttered weakly, "enough to kill you heathens."

Pressure built up around the woman as an intense pain overcome her once more. Ania herself even had to pace it out as the pain was taking its own toll. The prisoner they had captured tried to yell out but Yrael's magic kept her shouts to a whimper. After a few more seconds Ania tore her blade into the woman's abdomen, intending to let her slowly bleed out.

"Do what you will with her," she communicated to Hal and Yrael before walking towards Elise Virak.

Ania stepped outside into the stench of this awful place. Elise was surrounded by various guards and dreadlords as she sat on a chair and overlooked the carnage on the streets. With a look of satisfaction on her face the freckled dreadlord straightened her posture, her leg still bleeding from the arrow which remained protruding from her upper thigh.

"Lady Virak, these cultists are hidden away in catacombs under the city. The prisoner mentioned an entrance at the courtyard but I would assume there are other entrances as well," it was likely the statue their prisoner had told them of was a trap but Ania knew better than to give unwanted opinions to the nobility.

 

[Ademar Acero]

Unlike Florinthe, Ademar marched out the gates of the keep with murder behind his eyes. He would follow his orders to the last letter no matter how wrong they were. Any morals he had he threw them right out of the window, or at least most of them. Morals had no place with House Virak from what his mentor taught him. Even the slightest thought of compassion was considered breaking his oath to the Great House of Vel Anir.

Man, woman, or child would fit the bill with these crucifixions; but the worst part was exactly how he would have them be. He wouldn’t keep them dead for the crucifixion. Oh no, they would suffer for the crimes and sins they committed. They were in cahoots with these pathetic cultists as they tolerated their religion, thus allowing a grip on this once proud city. The governor, now dead, to the lowest scum of the city were all traitors and they would be made a fine example of.

Already Florinthe was hurling her spears into the crowd, killing some of the civilians.

“Grow a damn spine,” he said to himself as he began advancing towards the civilians who now were rampant from the spears Florinthe threw. Using his fists Ademar would throw heavy punches to any commoner nearby and make them unconscious. Those bodies were his and Florinthe would think twice before crossing him. He had dealt with her before and he absolutely abhorred her, even more when she belonged to House Luana.

 

[Florinthe Othal]

Florinthe dusted off her hands as she carried the last of the corpses and hung it from the battlements. She looked out across the landscape and spotted scarface pounding away at civilians like the brute he was. She sighed, wishing that he would grow a brain or, at the very least, rent out the masses of floor space that was going unused in his head.

She had no wish to entertain a conversation with him, nor to have him bark at her like the faithful Virak hound he was. And so, she headed back towards the keep and slowly conned a few more spears, knives and anything she could get her hands on from a few of the soldiers. She wanted some protection, at least, if the fire breathing dragon of Elise Virak turned on her, although, she had a good excuse in mind now.

As she returned towards the entrance, she found herself walking towards the Bannick boy and gave a brief nod towards his retinue once she had settled. Her eyebrows raised slightly, as she returned just in time to catch the big reveal.

The catacombs... Great. Trapped with a bunch of Virak hooligans in a poorly lit confined space. Oh well, if need be she could suffocate them - or at least give it her best shot. She shuddered at the thought, she truly was a Dreadlord now.

 

[Gabriel Banick]

Gabriel stepped into the office, something about the arrangement making him uneasy upon entering. The chess set was by the window, a game underway as he let his eyes roam over the pieces. The shapes of the pieces catching his attention when he stopped to look at it better. Three lions with varying mane sizes, and one lioness were on the board. Shapes reminiscent of the other family sigils were about the board to one side, the other something he did not recognize.

Hunter kept watch by the door, two others of his own giving the room a thorough look themselves. He rounded the desk, pulling the chair out and plopping himself down. His armor cut into the wood as he started scooting up to the desk. He stopped at the second grating scoot and stared over the desk.

Clean and orderly.

Too much so as Gabriel's hands began gently touching the underside of the desk and drawers. Pulling out drawers before feeling the underside of each before moving to the next one. He opened the writing drawer, and found a lever in the corner, sticking out just far enough to be noticed. Giving it a pull, something in the room popped free as Hunter pointed to the ornate bookshelf behind Gabriel.

Twisting in the chair, he saw that what he perceived as empty space on the display was actually a hidden drawer. The chair scooted once more, his attention fixated on the new sight as Hunter leaned to see around him. The nobles hand went to the bottom of the drawer, pulling out a hefty stack of papers and putting them on the desk before beginning to sort through them.

A beckoning hand had Hunter coming over to look as well.

"What do you see here?" Gabriel snapped, very quickly reading over the papers and putting them into a separate stack for his second to look at.

"Seems like...like gibberish to be honest. Was he mad?"

"No, this - This isn't gibberish. It's coded. Not well albeit, but to you it seemed like nothing. Lions, Moons, The Widow. it's about the families." Gabriel sat down in the chair, focusing on a transcript that detailed the youngest lion. He remembered the day, eyes narrowing at the information behind it. He'd been handing out foodstuffs that day, and someone had been tailing him. But for what?

"What do you uh, want to do about it?" Hunter finally asked, visibly disturbed by the revelation.

"Get Elise." Gabriel bit his lip, unsure of just what he had found.