Dreadlords Forgotten Slights

[Lothar]

"No! No, Loth, you don't have to do this, please."​

His thumb pressed a little bit harder. He hadn't quite gotten the hang of this part of the process yet, and the books he'd read on Isbrand Lorel had been sorely lacking in the detail. He could see the theories behind some of the other things, he could puzzle it out, but this...this part was proving more difficult than he thought it would have. "I know, Elgir."

Lothar told his fellow Initiate, the boy beneath him squirming as his fingers continued to pry at his eye socket.

A whimper escaped the boys throat.

"But I want to." There was a loud squelch, and then a scream echoed out. The sound of it piercing through the trees and sending flocks of ravens jumping from their perches.

Vel Faèn - Two Weeks Later

It was nearly a weeks ride from the hallowed gates of the Academy to Vel Faèn, a stretch of time that was not helped along by the bumpy inexact roads sprawling the way. This city was an old one, though a remnant of a time that most would preferred to say never existed. When man and elf first met, and there were flashes of inspiration from both sides.

The city the Initiates found themselves riding into was like no Anirian City they had likely ever seen before. The buildings had been crafted with sleek curves and natural beauty. The walls stood tall and slight, almost humming with magics. Everything carried with it a softness that was in stark reflection to what was seen in Vel Anir.

Yet it was undeniably something of a human hand.

Something that Vel Anir and it's people had desperately hung onto through siege and diplomacy. Vel Faèn had remained human, and lay starkly behind the borders. A strangely foreign thing that was coveted even while the Houses ruled.

None of the Dreadlord Initiates had been told why they were there of course, nothing aside from the fact that they were to escort a diplomat to the distant city. It was not difficult to see why, for on their journey they had encountered two separate group of bandits, Vel Faèn laying at the distance of the New Republic reach. Where even the Houses had sometimes struggled to maintain complete control.

Lothar sat on his horse towards the back of the small retinue, his eyes flickering over the reaches of the grand new city before them.

 

[Aelita]

With it being on the frontier, Aelita never experienced Vel Faen firsthand. As the magical city walls came into view on the horizon, her eyes widened. Mouth became slightly ajar.

“Oh wow,” she said slightly under her breath.

The architecture definitely had a distinct difference from Anirian norms.

Aelita rode a horse flanking the opposite side of the diplomat from Lothar. She seemed restless after almost a week of riding with the escort and fellow Initiates. Lots of fidgeting and moving about on her tired-looking horse.

During the journey, Aelita would have attempted to build some comradery with her peers. Small talk, mostly. This would include Lothar, despite his reputation in the Academy as being an Initiate leaving more to be desired. Whether it worked would depend entirely on the other person- she would have respected anyone's desire to just be left alone to mope on the journey.

As for the diplomat, Aelita had maintained respectful speech regardless of the subject’s demeanor. The official stood as the leader of this group, after all.

“Any word on what kind of reception we should expect?” Aelita asked allowed.

 

[Marcella]

Vel Faèn.

It was beautiful. A combination of elvish and human architecture coalesced to create something unique. Something special. Something distinctly Anirinan, yet also alien. It was honestly a marvel to behold.

More than just the building structure Marcella felt lucky to accompany this mission with initiates Aelita and Lothar. Although she hadn't known either particularly well she knew that both of them showed particular promise based on the whispers she'd overheard when students didn't realize she was present.

Lothar possessed promise, Aelita possessed opportunity.

What an honor to serve with two initiates she didn't deserve to be with. Hearing Aelita's question the meager girl answered as honestly as she could, "I think this is still an Anirian town, we should be welcomed."

Still a backwater, the odds they'd be celebrated were low but the chance that they'd be spurned was even lower.

"I think this is going to be a very productive visit" her words trailed off near the end as the desperation in her voice became more and more present.

 

[Lothar]

"Yes." His voice was soft as she answered Aelita and agreed with Marcella. "Vel Faèn pledged to the Republic. I doubt we will find any hostility."

Over the last few days of travel Lothar had found his travelings companions to be relatively pleasant.

Neither of the girls had ever joined in on the brutality he'd experienced in his earlier years at the Academy. Though Marcella had been pressed more than once to lend her touch to him by one Proctor or another. Something he held no resentment towards her for.

No, that was saved for others.

So, the journey had been pleasant enough. The conversation never quite as long as it would be among true friends, but close. "I have no doubt tha-"

"Alright, listen up." The Guardsmen Lieutenant that had been sent along with them rode up besides the three Initiates. He was a stern man, though did not show the same disdain for Dreadlords as many others of his rank did. Though it was easy to tell tension currently rolled through him.

"The three of you are breaking off from the main retinue." Lothar's brows raised ever so slightly. His newly mismatched eyes staring intently at the guardsmen. "While here in the Faen."

He pronounced the name oddly. "You are to find this woman."

From a small pouch on his horse he pulled out a parchment, unfurling it and handing it to Aelita. Upon the piece of paper was depicted an utterly stunning woman with red hair, a small birthmark on her cheek, her ears coming to a noticeable point. "No one is to learn of this. Once you find her, Find me or Lord Ildren immediately. Understand?"

 

[Aelita]

Marcella’s words reached Aelita’s ears. A slight twitch of Aelita’s eye followed. In contrast to other Initiates on this journey, Aelita had kept her interactions with Marcella extremely short.

In response to Lothar’s reassurance of Vel Faen’s loyalty, Aelita said, “Oh good, it looks a bit elvish so... yeah.”

Suddenly, a Guardmen Lieutenant appeared to give an assignment to Aelita, Lothar, and Marcella. Aelita’s lips pursed.

Aelita listened as the stern Lieutenant spoke. She took the portrait of the elf-like redhead and studied it for several seconds before going to pass it to Lothar. If Lothar returned it to Aelita, she would gingerly hand it over to Marcella in a manner to avoid any skin-to-skin contact.

A deep breath followed after the Guardman’s question. A smile graced Aelita’s face once again.

“Yes, sir,” Aelita energetically replied.

One question did follow as Aelita asked, “Anything else we need to know, sir?”

 

[Marcella]

Everyone had been so kind on this journey so far. Aelita had said little but been very helpful. Lothar had been nothing but pleasant. It was such a nice change after other initiates had told her she should, 'go die in the shallowest ditch available.'

"Thanks," she said quietly under her breath as Aelita very carefully handed the photo over to her.

How very considerate! Marcella took the photo into her hands and looked into it. A beautiful, redheaded, elvish woman that they were sworn to secrecy to find and report. Perhaps the Guard simply wanted to reunite some lost lovers? After all, the end of the old ways had already happened and the republic seemed like an organization that would do nothing but good.

They'd already put a stop to the Proctors forcing her to torment others so it seemed a logical next step.

Before she even fully processed the picture to memory she blurted out, "thank you so much sir!" interrupting Aelita's follow up question as she passed the photograph back to Aelita enthusiastically.

There was no doubt that they'd find this immaculate woman and reunite her with her long-lost Anirian lover.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar stared at the Lieutenant with the same expression he held for everyone, yet there was a flicker of contempt behind those eyes. A small and silent loathing that one could find only when truly looking.

"Her name is Len. She would have means, but not endless. Find her and don't cause a ruckus. The three of you were specifically chosen for this, see it done."​

The man tried to interject some positivity. A way to motivate them, but there was something left unsaid. It didn't take a genius to read between the lines. None of them were known for...anything at all really. Quiet and tucked away into their own little worlds. All of them could disappear and no one would really care the next day.

Not even most of their peers.

For a moment the Guardsmen lingered, waiting for another question, then he pulled on his reigns and guided his horse back into the caravan.

Leaving Aelita, Marcella, and Lothar alone in the strangest Anirian city they had ever seen.

 

[Aelita]

A long blink of Aelita’s eyes followed after Marcella thanked the Lieutenant.

With no questions from the rest of the trio, Aelita gave a farewell salute to the Lieutenant.

“Glory to Vel Anir!”

When the Lieutenant went back to the caravan, Aelita gave a long sigh before a smile returned to her face.

Looking to Lothar, Aelita asked, “I don’t suppose you know scrying?”

Within the Academy, Lothar’s abilities remained relatively unknown to rumors. Meanwhile, Marcella’s were quite infamous.

Regardless of the answer, Aelita turned her horse toward the city and began to pick up pace.

“Lets get a feel for the city first,” she suggested, “Unless you have an idea?”

 

[Marcella]

Wow. Marcella was specifically chosen for this job?

What an honor. She'd be taking this task very seriously. After all, if one was specifically chosen and they did a bad job that would be almost unforgivable. "We will find her sir!" She called after the Guardman's horse moved away.

This was the first time she had been chosen by the Guard to do anything, she wanted to make sure she helped her teammates as best she could. Oblivious to the fact that the question wasn't addressed to her she blurted, "I don't know anything about scrying."

"But I do have an idea," she had to be helpful, had to offer something useful since she was chosen for this job. "We could ask if anyone knows Len."

That was their target's name after all and they were taking on an official mission. Surely someone in Vel Faen would be nice enough to point them in the right direction.

 

[Lothar]

"No." Lothar answered curtly. Long after the Guardsmen had departed from their presence. "I know no scrying."

An area of magic that most Initiates and even full-fledged Dreadlords would be lacking in. Divination was not a craft oft practiced within the halls of the Academy. Perhaps to the detriment of many of their more, subtle students.

"Marcella is right." Lothar volunteered.

From his point of view there wasn't much else they could do.

"Asking about this, Len woman will be the easiest path." A frown touched his face for a brief moment before he volunteered. "Though I get the sense that the Lieutenant wouldn't want us questioning the local Guardsmen."

Otherwise why not have them go on this hunt?

 

[Aelita]

Another long blink as Marcella spoke. Aelita stayed focused on Lothar. In the end, Aelita’s two comrades recommended immediately asking about for Len.

“Hmmm,” she sighed as her horse trotted forward.

Turning mostly toward Lothar, Aelita said, “That might work, but wouldn’t others learn of our search quickly? Like the local guardsmen?”

The Lieutenant did specifically order that “no one is to learn of this.”

Looking down and with a shake of her head, Aelita added, “I feel like we’d just get punished back at the Academy for doing that.”

Aelita allowed for a couple seconds to pass. She gave a half smile as she raised a her hand toward Lothar – palm pointing up.

“So, you sure about doing that?” she asked.

 

[Marcella]

Marcella is right.

She was? She’d just blurted the first idea that came to her head. Normally she was scolded for that by the Proctors or even her fellow students.

‘Initiate Marcella Iteus, you fail to possess a mind for strategic thinking, please leave it for your betters.’ That had been repeated to her by Proctors Renou, Harkenov, Sylvios, and Magomo.

Yet here was Lothar actually acknowledging that she’d had the correct instincts for once. Maybe she wasn’t as bad at this as she had believed. Not only had she been right about their next steps but the Guard had specifically chosen her (and Lothar and Aelita) for this job.

”Thanks, yeah, I think we should-”

Marcie shut up the moment that Aelita began speaking. Once the blonde-haired initiate finished she realized that she, once again, failed to possess a mind for strategic thinking.

The girl didn’t really address any of what she’d said to the healer, clearly only interested in what Lothar had to say. Not that she could blame her. ”Yeah, maybe Aelita’s right, we should keep a low profile. I guess.” She slightly wondered if Aelita still held a grudge for that one incident.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar glanced between the two girls for a brief moment, wondering if Marcella held any opinions of her own or if she simply took what was offered to her last.

It was a temptation he could understand. Things were easier when you just went along.

"The Lieutenant mentioned that she would have means." Which, of course, meant money. A half-elf with money wouldn't exactly be common, even in a city such as Vel Faen. There were places in every Anirian city that were reserved for those with coin, just as such places existed in all cities.

Lothar paused for a moment. "It stands to reason she wouldn't stay in the slums or places of ill-repute."

That narrowed their search somewhat. At least if the assumptions they were given were correct.

"Perhaps we need not ask directly." He suggested. "Most hotels will have guest books."

At least those he visited on what few missions he'd been on did.

 

[Aelita]

The “incident,” as Marcella may call it, was what Aelita would say a very, very unpleasant bout of torture.

A few years back, Aelita was picked out by the Proctors to be subjected to Marcella’s powers. Punishment for failure, they told Aelita.

What Aelita claimed to others was that Marcella appeared and broke her arms with magic – and that there was not a spec of remorse in Marcella’s eyes or hesitation in her actions.

---

“Inns?”

Another pause. Aelita scratched her chin.

“Worth a start,” she then told Lothar as the city walls drew nearer.

“If we have to get aggressive with the owners, our target’s identity’s at least unknown.”

Aelita then glanced toward Marcella. Any grin left on her face faded as Marcella came into view.

Then facing forward, Aelita commanded her horse to pick up speed and ride into Vel Faen.

“Let’s go!”

 

[Marcella]

"That's a great idea, we can just comb through the guestbook," though the idea of getting aggressive with one of the innkeepers sounded less fun to her. They'd be in the nicer areas of the city and they might scare the locals if they were hurting someone.

Rich people got scared really easily and wouldn't be willing to speak with them if they were too afraid.

The other thing she knew about rich people were that they lived in nicer areas. With few beggars and less cracks in the street. "We can probably just keep going until the roads get nicer."

She caught a glimpse of Aelita's face and saw the grin immediately vanish and be replaced by a somewhat sour expression. Perhaps she still held a grudge over what had happened a few years ago. Or, maybe, she was just very tired.

It had been a long journey to Vel Faen, after all.

 

[Lothar]

The three of them set off into Vel Faen.

Despite it's beautiful curved architecture and the sense of wonder which seemed to touch everything, Lothar found it to be much like every other Anirian City he had ever been to. Though he saw no slum, the outer reaches of Vel Faen were far less attended to than the inner rings.

As Marcella had predicted, the roads turned from mud, to broken cobbles, to perfectly aligned marble blocks. Unlike in Vel Anir proper, nothing separated the different sections of Vel Faen save for a general sense of tidiness and more up-kept architecture.

Before long the trio reached the center of the city, the roads becoming busier as they entered one of the main corridors of the city.

"This looks promising." Lothar said to the two girls, his head turning around the massive circular marketplace ahead of them.

For a moment he searched, then motioned.

"There." He said pointing to a building with a sign outside, three women dancing with one another painted on lacquered wood. "That place looks nice."

 

[Aelita]

While journeying to and through the streets of Vel Faen, Aelita tried to catch how frequent elves appears among the townsfolk. She also tried to take note of how any of these elves lived: whether it be a poor state compared to humans or on relatively equal terms. The marketplace they eventually passed through would have provided ample examples of how elves lived in Vel Fae.

Such information would help answer: how likely would Len disguise her elven nature?

Regardless, Aelita would not voice her conclusions to the other Initiates just yet. She also observed the rather egalitarian nature of the city’s layout – not separating area into walled districts.

Aelita did not afford her companions a lot of attention during this part of their trip.

Lothar pointed out a potential inn. Aelita looked up to see the sign of the three ladies.

Triple Rose Inn​

Glancing back to Lothar and Marcella, Aelita said, “Let’s see.”

Stables sat next to the inn, so Aelita approached them and handing the reins to the hostler. Once that was settled, Aelita would enter the inn unless someone protested.

 

[Marcella]

There weren’t many things she knew about Anirian towns and cities but she’d learned a few of the markers of wealthy people. It was not uncommon in the old days, and even occasionally today after the revolution, for her to be whisked in the middle of the night to some nobleman’s home. Usually to heal an injury suffered by a child or spouse or sometimes a mistress.

Wealthy Anirians always lived on nice streets though the carved marble roads in Vel Faen were a unique sight.

Once they’d handed off their horses at the stables the trio all entered the Triple Rose Inn. Inside the lobby was decorated in artworks that were of elven origin, likely captured during the Second War. Watercolor images of spiraling branches, sparkling lakes, and snow-capped mountains were framed in Anirian gold. The flooring was a plush deep red color that felt good to tread on even through her boots.

”I think that’s the guestbook,” barely a whisper whilst a finger pointed towards a pedestal that housed a gigantic book right by the reception desk.

Before they could make their way towards the book though a man dressed in a pressed suit peered over the desk. His nose was narrow and his features made it clear that he was a half-elf himself. Pointed ears that weren’t quite pointed enough giving that origin away.

“Excuse me, this isn’t a playground. Where are your parents!?”

It was obvious he had no interest in babysitting three unaccompanied children.

“If you’re alone, the Night’s Rest is a few blocks down the street.” Clearly he believed there was no way three teenagers dressed the way the initiates were could afford a night at a place like the Triple Rose.

 

[Lothar]

Aelita would find though the occasional elf walked the street here, the numbers were low enough that it was still more likely to stick out as one than blend in. Though more than a few times she would see half-breeds, men and women that had some hint of elven features, but not of full blood.

Lothar watched as his two companions walked into The Tripple Rose Inn, lingering outside for a moment more before finally turning and following them inside.

He nearly walked into Aelita's back as he stepped through the door. Stalled by the large man who loomed over the three Initiates. His stern face making it clear that he had absolutely no intention of listening to anything they had to say.

For a brief moment Lothar stayed quiet, and then spoke up from behind Aelita. "Excuse me, sir."

The young man's voice was soft.

"We were actually looking for someone. We were hoping you wou-" Before he could finish the man cut him off.

"What do i look like the City Guard? Unless you have business, get out of here. We're not in the business of watching urchins."​

 

[Aelita]

As the man at the desk rattled off at the Initiates, Aelita scanned the lobby. She caught a glimpse of what would be the bar and restaurant. Then the paths leading to the patrons’ rooms.

Aelita turned her head back to the receptionist. She tilted her head with a slight smile. Took a step forward in front of Lothar and Marcella.

Lifting one hand, Aelita made it glow with magic. With the other, she presented the sigil of a Dreadlord Initiate. To the untrained eye, it just looked like a variation of the Dreadlord order’s symbol. Those in the know would recognize that this sigil would only be used by Initiates and not full Dreadlords.

“A few moments is all we need,” Aelita began in a soft tone, “With your cooperation, that is.”

 

[Marcella]

The tall receptionist's shoulders sank as his confidence wavered, if only for a second. Whilst he still seemed annoyed he relented at the sight of the sigil that Aelita presented, recognizing it as a mark of the Dreadlords.

"Of course. I don't wish to interfere with official state business."

His tone made it all too clear that he did, in fact, wish to interfere and be rid of the trio of 'Dreadlords' who were tracking dirt and mud on the red carpeting. But what was he to do? He couldn't interfere with a request from Dreadlords.

Marcella nodded towards the receptionist as she increased her pace to keep up with Aelita. She drew close to the blonde student, perhaps a bit too close for the other girl's comfort, and whispered just loud enough so that Lothar could hear too. "You can't deceive people, we'll get into trouble."

Masquerading as if they were full-fledged Dreadlords was surely against some rule. Though she couldn't place which rule it was.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar's eyebrows raised ever so slightly at Aelita's deception, though his own disapproval was not for the same reason as Marcella would express in the next few moments.

They had been told by the Guardsmen not to make waves. Dreadlords flashing their insignia's around town most certainly would, and he could only think that such a thing would eventually create a swirl of rumors about who they might be looking for.

He frowned for a moment, then began to walk forward.

Almost stuttering in his step as Marcella leaned into Aelita and whispered. His head turned, slowly coking to the side as mismatched eyes stared at her.

It was one of the dumbest things he had ever heard one of his fellow Initiates say.

His lips thinned to a line, but he decided not to speak up. Instead shaking his head as he continued towards the massive guest book. Fingers flicked it open, quickly searching for the woman's name and not finding it. "She's not staying here."

He commented. "Or, she's not using her own name."

Lips thinned for a moment, and then an idea sparked in his mind. Eyes flickered from the columns of names over towards the length of stays until he found what he was looking for.

"This person has been here for several weeks." He remarked. "And they are marked as an elf."

Because of course an Anirian Hotel would distinguish between the two.

 

[Aelita]

A beam of satisfaction graced Aelita’s face as the receptionist grew more malleable to the Initiates’ whims. The light from her hand dissipated and the sigil disappeared into a pocket.

But as the group stepped forth to peruse the guestbook, Aelita halted the moment Marcella spoke. Aelita’s battle armor shook – the noise of the movement filling the lobby air.

She turned around.

A slight scowl faced Marcella. Aelita’s lips parted as if to say something.

Then Aelita closed her eyes. A deliberate breath followed. She turned away from Marcella and reopened her eyes to see Lothar already scanning through the guest book.

Her smile reappeared.

As Lothar spoke, Aelita moved into a position to look around his shoulder.

After hearting everything Lothar had to say, Aelita hummed. Her eyes looked down for a moment.

“I think we can let the poor man be, for now,” Aelita told Lothar in a deliberately low voice.

Unless he possessed exceptional hearing, Aelita’s words would be too quiet to the receptionist to be fully intelligible.

Tilting her head toward the exit, Aelita added, “There’s a restaurant across the street we can talk at.”

 

[Marcella]

The scowl on Aelita's face was all the reassurance Marcella needed. The blonde initiate knew she made a mistake. That's exactly what that look of disdain meant.

Marcie learned long ago that you couldn't lie, it resulted in whippings from the Proctors. She'd keep Aelita's secret to herself and wouldn't allow the deception to color her impression of the light-manipulator. Everyone made mistakes, after all.

She looked over at the guest book towards the line that Lothar's finger traced. It was a good guess that the elf staying for weeks might be their mark.

"Maybe while we eat we can keep an eye on that person's room," the brown-haired initiate added. If they were going to discuss a plan at a restaurant they might as well order something to eat.

Although whether or not they could see the room from across the street was a different thing entirely. "It says it's room 352." With any luck that would be one of the rooms facing out towards the street.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar tilted his head in a nod to Aelita, and then spoke to Marcella. "That's not a bad idea."

They had not eaten since that morning, unless either of the Initiates had managed to sneak some snacks at some point.

He had found ever since his...adoption of new magics, his body was almost constantly hungry. As though his innate magics were working him into famine simply to adapt to what he had done. A meal would not sit wrong with him.

Particularly if they were going to be at a restaurant anyway.

Moving in front of the two girls Lothar walked passed the receptionist. His gaze flickering over towards the man for a brief moment before he spoke again. "Thank you for your time. Do not mention this to anyone."

The words held a surprising amount of authority, something that Aelita and Marcella both might find strange coming from Lothar.

Before either of them could puzzle over it however he lead them across the street to the restaurant that Aelita had pointed out.