Dreadlords How Many Have to Die?[Fate]
- Thread starter Erodin
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Threads open to all members of the Dreadlords group
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Without hesitation, without another moment's delay, Vittoria held Revin in place. She moved him only so that his view of his father was not obstructed as Vittoria's magic traveled to the Lord. It seemed to choke him, his eyes widening with surprise, as if magic should not feel this destructive.
His skin began to split, tearing into larger fissures across his flesh, until finally, it reached his face.
She wondered if Revin would appreciate the grotesque song she liked to compose, when next his father's entire being seemingly expanded before bursting under the slow release of pressure, coating the surrounds in his hot, dark blood. Revin screamed, something that brought a smile to Vitt's face as the insides of the now late Lord Wesnyr fell to the polished floor with a wet sound.
"You are fucking crazy! Your mind is fucking crazy!" The new Lord Wesnyr yelled, unable to pull from Vittoria anymore than he did as he moved to get away, but her blade dug into his neck.
"Hush..." Vittoria cooed, forcing him to look at her. "You have the power now. You are now Lord Revin Wesnyr... I can let you live if you promise me something?"
Perhaps it was the shocking gentleness she showed, that she spoke with. Her voice was utterly feminine, not too high and not too husky. It was a voice that granted power, that called attention to her when she commanded it. Revin looked at her, stopped his attempts to squirm away from her. "What is your price?"
Vittoria smiled. Her face had been bloodstained, catching his father's blood that now fell in tracks down her face, but her teeth stood out against the red. "You clean yourself up and you bring Orren out from the pleasure house. I would hate to intrude on such an establishment, and it is beneath me to witness such acts of pleasure meant to be kept private... but you... you have wandering hands. You are familiar with an establishment like that."
Why kill him when he still had one use left for her?
Vittoria looked to Erodin and kept her smile.
His skin began to split, tearing into larger fissures across his flesh, until finally, it reached his face.
She wondered if Revin would appreciate the grotesque song she liked to compose, when next his father's entire being seemingly expanded before bursting under the slow release of pressure, coating the surrounds in his hot, dark blood. Revin screamed, something that brought a smile to Vitt's face as the insides of the now late Lord Wesnyr fell to the polished floor with a wet sound.
"You are fucking crazy! Your mind is fucking crazy!" The new Lord Wesnyr yelled, unable to pull from Vittoria anymore than he did as he moved to get away, but her blade dug into his neck.
"Hush..." Vittoria cooed, forcing him to look at her. "You have the power now. You are now Lord Revin Wesnyr... I can let you live if you promise me something?"
Perhaps it was the shocking gentleness she showed, that she spoke with. Her voice was utterly feminine, not too high and not too husky. It was a voice that granted power, that called attention to her when she commanded it. Revin looked at her, stopped his attempts to squirm away from her. "What is your price?"
Vittoria smiled. Her face had been bloodstained, catching his father's blood that now fell in tracks down her face, but her teeth stood out against the red. "You clean yourself up and you bring Orren out from the pleasure house. I would hate to intrude on such an establishment, and it is beneath me to witness such acts of pleasure meant to be kept private... but you... you have wandering hands. You are familiar with an establishment like that."
Why kill him when he still had one use left for her?
Vittoria looked to Erodin and kept her smile.
Erodin did not speak as he watched Vittoria coerce the boy. The smile lingering on his face as he allowed the Initiate to play with her new toy. For a brief moment he wondered if the boy would be brave enough to resist, to tell Vittoria to fuck off.
But as he turned back to glance at Erodin, the weakness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Despite all the bluster, the confidence. The terror within him was obvious. Revin wanted to live, and he wold do anything to make sure that it happened. "I'll bring him out and I can live?"
There it was. The selfishness. The narcissistic impudence of the nobility. The boy had seen his father die, stripped away piece by piece...and yet all that he cared about in the end was his own life. A mark of how he had been raised.
"Yes." Erodin answered simply, catching eyes with Vittoria that spoke of an unwhispered secret.
"You can take your fathers fief." He continued. "We'll even negotiate with the Republic for you."
A clue was laid for his Ward. Erodin had a plan, something more. "As long as you do as you're told."
But as he turned back to glance at Erodin, the weakness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Despite all the bluster, the confidence. The terror within him was obvious. Revin wanted to live, and he wold do anything to make sure that it happened. "I'll bring him out and I can live?"
There it was. The selfishness. The narcissistic impudence of the nobility. The boy had seen his father die, stripped away piece by piece...and yet all that he cared about in the end was his own life. A mark of how he had been raised.
"Yes." Erodin answered simply, catching eyes with Vittoria that spoke of an unwhispered secret.
"You can take your fathers fief." He continued. "We'll even negotiate with the Republic for you."
A clue was laid for his Ward. Erodin had a plan, something more. "As long as you do as you're told."
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In a show of good faith, Vittoria released the quivering Lord.
He shot away from her, his breath shaking and borderline erratic as Vittoria stood back on her feet. The heels were beginning to hurt her feet, but pain was always welcomed to the Initiate. It tested her, kept her centered and focused. The blood stains to her red silk she donned looked part of the design, even as she stepped over the late Lord Wesnyr's intestine. "Perhaps we should escort the new Lord to his home, ensure his safety and his word?"
Vittoria stood before Erodin, a smile on her face. Her back was not to the new Lord, although him slowly rising and staring at the two Dreadlords did not go unnoticed.
She turned to him, sizing him up. "I would have refused your proposal. There are better options out there for someone of my station."
"I... I apologise... Miss..."
"Lady Vittoria Larrainth. Now, be a good host to your guests and show us to your home so that we may all freshen up before seeing Orren." She spoke just as Proctor Urahil would, a gentle reminder of decorum that needed to be followed.
"We have much to discuss come dawn of your new position, dear Revin." She smiled, but it did not give him comfort.
He shot away from her, his breath shaking and borderline erratic as Vittoria stood back on her feet. The heels were beginning to hurt her feet, but pain was always welcomed to the Initiate. It tested her, kept her centered and focused. The blood stains to her red silk she donned looked part of the design, even as she stepped over the late Lord Wesnyr's intestine. "Perhaps we should escort the new Lord to his home, ensure his safety and his word?"
Vittoria stood before Erodin, a smile on her face. Her back was not to the new Lord, although him slowly rising and staring at the two Dreadlords did not go unnoticed.
She turned to him, sizing him up. "I would have refused your proposal. There are better options out there for someone of my station."
"I... I apologise... Miss..."
"Lady Vittoria Larrainth. Now, be a good host to your guests and show us to your home so that we may all freshen up before seeing Orren." She spoke just as Proctor Urahil would, a gentle reminder of decorum that needed to be followed.
"We have much to discuss come dawn of your new position, dear Revin." She smiled, but it did not give him comfort.
With those words, the trio left behind the slaughter in their wake.
No one and nothing stirred within the Palace. Ladies, Lords, and servants alike lay strewn about the halls with cut throats and broken bodies. Their now broken and rotting forms a mark of what had happened here tonight, and a warning of what defiance would mean in the future.
Revin lead them through the streets almost eagerly, taking shortcuts and rushing until they were in the hallowed halls of their own home. Servants greeted them, but were quickly silenced as Revin ordered them about. "Clean yourself up, boy."
Erodin said as he gestured, a wraith suddenly appearing from air.
"The rest of our conversation doesn't concern you." The Dreadlord said with a wave, ushering the boy away, and sending his wraith along with him to ensure he did not flee.
As he stepped away, and they were left alone, Erodin turned his attentions back to Vittoria.
"Have you ever heard of the Forsaken?" He asked, expecting the answer to truthfully be no. Not many Dreadlord's knew of their existence, even after the loosening of Anirian law.
No one and nothing stirred within the Palace. Ladies, Lords, and servants alike lay strewn about the halls with cut throats and broken bodies. Their now broken and rotting forms a mark of what had happened here tonight, and a warning of what defiance would mean in the future.
Revin lead them through the streets almost eagerly, taking shortcuts and rushing until they were in the hallowed halls of their own home. Servants greeted them, but were quickly silenced as Revin ordered them about. "Clean yourself up, boy."
Erodin said as he gestured, a wraith suddenly appearing from air.
"The rest of our conversation doesn't concern you." The Dreadlord said with a wave, ushering the boy away, and sending his wraith along with him to ensure he did not flee.
As he stepped away, and they were left alone, Erodin turned his attentions back to Vittoria.
"Have you ever heard of the Forsaken?" He asked, expecting the answer to truthfully be no. Not many Dreadlord's knew of their existence, even after the loosening of Anirian law.
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Vittoria looked to Erodin closely, as if choosing her answer wisely. It triggered something familiar in her memories, but nothing she could make sense of. Had her father mentioned it once? A Proctor? She had a sense that it was something she would know, would recognise, but in the end, the Initiate shook her head.
"I cannot say that I have, sir." There was no answer she was confident in using to answer other than voicing her lack of knowledge. "Is that... part of your wraiths?" And yet her determination to learn was ever present.
Curiously, she flicked her gaze to the set of stairs that Revin disappeared to. She knew Erodin would have a sort of trace on the young man, to keep him from going against their word. If he was smart, he would listen to them both... otherwise Vittoria would let him suffer for his misdeeds.
"I cannot say that I have, sir." There was no answer she was confident in using to answer other than voicing her lack of knowledge. "Is that... part of your wraiths?" And yet her determination to learn was ever present.
Curiously, she flicked her gaze to the set of stairs that Revin disappeared to. She knew Erodin would have a sort of trace on the young man, to keep him from going against their word. If he was smart, he would listen to them both... otherwise Vittoria would let him suffer for his misdeeds.
Erodin tilted his head in a nod, as if confirming some suspicion. "The Forsaken are, to many, a mar on Anirian society."
Though, for different reasons for different people.
"Dreadlord's are the children of Anirians. Humans all, yes?" He told her, explaining a secret that nearly no one in Vel Anir knew, and far fewer would ever admit to. "The Forsaken are not."
The Dreadlord said plainly. "There are those who dally with other species. Elves, dwarves, Tieflings, and whatever else may pluck up some carnal desire."
Erodin's voice stayed even, betraying no emotion on the subject, mostly because he did not have one. Amelie and he had always taken the world in stride. No one was their friend, not human nor alien. Everyone was a tool to be used.
Whether they had pointy ears or not.
"The offspring of those dalliances, often the children of Nobles, are what become Forsaken." He continued to explain. "But they did not have the...freedoms we had."
If one could call what Dreadlord's have 'freedom'. "Each of them was marked with a rune."
Finally, he got to his point. "One of power, and exacting control."
"I will mark the boy with this rune." He told her. "And hand you the leash."
Though, for different reasons for different people.
"Dreadlord's are the children of Anirians. Humans all, yes?" He told her, explaining a secret that nearly no one in Vel Anir knew, and far fewer would ever admit to. "The Forsaken are not."
The Dreadlord said plainly. "There are those who dally with other species. Elves, dwarves, Tieflings, and whatever else may pluck up some carnal desire."
Erodin's voice stayed even, betraying no emotion on the subject, mostly because he did not have one. Amelie and he had always taken the world in stride. No one was their friend, not human nor alien. Everyone was a tool to be used.
Whether they had pointy ears or not.
"The offspring of those dalliances, often the children of Nobles, are what become Forsaken." He continued to explain. "But they did not have the...freedoms we had."
If one could call what Dreadlord's have 'freedom'. "Each of them was marked with a rune."
Finally, he got to his point. "One of power, and exacting control."
"I will mark the boy with this rune." He told her. "And hand you the leash."
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Vittoria's eyes turned sharp, attentive, as if she were waiting for more terrible news to unfold. At the mention of an Anirian having a child with an elf, her thoughts turned to her late uncle and his wife, a half elf. It had ruined her father's relationship with his twin, had turned the family against one another, until her father decided that the line of Larrainths should die. On his death bed, he left a note and a medallion pendant on a golden chain with the family name carved into it, a request to finish his greatest deed for Vel Anir.
She herself had ended her uncle and his wife, and the prospects of any child born with filth in their Anirian blood.
The unraveling of truth did not make the Initiate smile, for she had grown up with a certain way of thinking when it came to preservation, yet Erodin knew how to intrigue her.
Her eyes brightened at the mention of this rune, and the control of it being placed into her hands. "Oh?" She inquired softly, all thoughts of ending the young man vanishing.
Erodin had told her earlier power came in the support of others. To win them over, to win their favour in order for you to rise up... and they had just made this young man into a Lord...
Now Vittoria graced Erodin with a smile. "How much control will I have?"
She herself had ended her uncle and his wife, and the prospects of any child born with filth in their Anirian blood.
The unraveling of truth did not make the Initiate smile, for she had grown up with a certain way of thinking when it came to preservation, yet Erodin knew how to intrigue her.
Her eyes brightened at the mention of this rune, and the control of it being placed into her hands. "Oh?" She inquired softly, all thoughts of ending the young man vanishing.
Erodin had told her earlier power came in the support of others. To win them over, to win their favour in order for you to rise up... and they had just made this young man into a Lord...
Now Vittoria graced Erodin with a smile. "How much control will I have?"
"Complete." The lie slipped from his tongue with ease of practice. The Rune that Erodin would apply to the boy was not the same as those pressed upon the Forsaken.
They were similar, almost indistinctly so, but Amelie and He had long ago twisted the mark for their own purposes. Though his beloved required no help in the control of others, he did. Through her magics they had changed the control rune, leaving not only a leash holder, but a back door.
Vittoria would be able to control the boy just as any Forsaken would be, but a failsafe would be slipped in. Ensuring Erodin was the one who truly held the leash. "If you wished it so, you could make the boy cut his own throat."
The Dreadlord explained.
"But, I don't suggest you play with him." Erodin continued. "We can burn Lumiria, or we can turn it."
Not a simple task, but one they had the opportunity for. He wanted this city gone, but why wipe it from the face of the map when they could use it for themselves. "Build your base of power."
They were similar, almost indistinctly so, but Amelie and He had long ago twisted the mark for their own purposes. Though his beloved required no help in the control of others, he did. Through her magics they had changed the control rune, leaving not only a leash holder, but a back door.
Vittoria would be able to control the boy just as any Forsaken would be, but a failsafe would be slipped in. Ensuring Erodin was the one who truly held the leash. "If you wished it so, you could make the boy cut his own throat."
The Dreadlord explained.
"But, I don't suggest you play with him." Erodin continued. "We can burn Lumiria, or we can turn it."
Not a simple task, but one they had the opportunity for. He wanted this city gone, but why wipe it from the face of the map when they could use it for themselves. "Build your base of power."
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If there was one thing Vittoria valued most, it was power over others.
To be granted total control of someone, especially one that had wronged her from the start, it appealed to the Initiate. Her thoughts only wanted to harm the young man, but there was a game to play if she was to keep him alive. Erodin spoke of her choices, knowing his pupil well enough by now to allow the decision to fall to her once fate fell into her hands.
Vittoria began to pace slowly, wandering a distance in thought as she considered her options. Burn or not burn?
"What if we were to gather the people? Ask them to swear fealty to the Lord Wesnyr, and those who do not..." Her smile was answer enough as she turned to face him. "Make an example out of Orren, show them the punishment if they are out of line... and perhaps if we become bored enough, we can end Lumiria once and for all."
To be granted total control of someone, especially one that had wronged her from the start, it appealed to the Initiate. Her thoughts only wanted to harm the young man, but there was a game to play if she was to keep him alive. Erodin spoke of her choices, knowing his pupil well enough by now to allow the decision to fall to her once fate fell into her hands.
Vittoria began to pace slowly, wandering a distance in thought as she considered her options. Burn or not burn?
"What if we were to gather the people? Ask them to swear fealty to the Lord Wesnyr, and those who do not..." Her smile was answer enough as she turned to face him. "Make an example out of Orren, show them the punishment if they are out of line... and perhaps if we become bored enough, we can end Lumiria once and for all."
It was a good plan, but still showed the girls inexperience. Erodin clicked his tongue. "It is not about boredom."
He told her simply.
"This is an opportunity." The Dreadlord well understood her impulse. How many villages had he wiped from the face of the map? How many cities had he slaughtered? A dozen?
Perhaps more. It was difficult to count in those days. When House Virak had set him loose, there had rarely been mercy. He hadn't understood then, how to achieve the ambitions that he'd so desired. That had taken Amelie's loving hand.
"Think in the long term." He continued. "Not the short. Fear is a good tool, but will not create lasting roots."
Erodin had learned that lesson well. "So ask yourself what you want. A city to call your home, your first safehouse."
He shrugged. "Or the reputation of what we have done here."
Both had their advantages after all.
He told her simply.
"This is an opportunity." The Dreadlord well understood her impulse. How many villages had he wiped from the face of the map? How many cities had he slaughtered? A dozen?
Perhaps more. It was difficult to count in those days. When House Virak had set him loose, there had rarely been mercy. He hadn't understood then, how to achieve the ambitions that he'd so desired. That had taken Amelie's loving hand.
"Think in the long term." He continued. "Not the short. Fear is a good tool, but will not create lasting roots."
Erodin had learned that lesson well. "So ask yourself what you want. A city to call your home, your first safehouse."
He shrugged. "Or the reputation of what we have done here."
Both had their advantages after all.
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Vittoria listened to him gently present the lesson she needed to understand, to better begin her reign from this day. What he posed was credible, and sparked thoughts that had the Initiate lowering her gaze as she reasoned with the very ideas she was considering. There was power to be gained here either way, and a moment that Vittoria could paint herself in a certain light.
"I suppose I could be seen benevolent in this. Striking a deal, having a hand in this city..." An ally, if she were able to make many see reason. "If I wish to become an Archon, I will need support where I can get it, champion myself as their saviour."
Vittoria looked torn. Bloodlust was still present in her eyes, but the young Initiate could benefit from this.
"Cleansing the town from the rich, they hoarded their wealth... perhaps the less fortunate will be grateful to me if I were to share that wealth to them, the real workers that keep Lumiria alive." And still, as if looking for validation to her thoughts, Vittoria looked to Erodin to see if he thought her on the right path. She would not ask for his approval so strongly, but her intention was there on her face.
It was better to be loved, and their loyalty could serve her in the future should she need it.
"I suppose I could be seen benevolent in this. Striking a deal, having a hand in this city..." An ally, if she were able to make many see reason. "If I wish to become an Archon, I will need support where I can get it, champion myself as their saviour."
Vittoria looked torn. Bloodlust was still present in her eyes, but the young Initiate could benefit from this.
"Cleansing the town from the rich, they hoarded their wealth... perhaps the less fortunate will be grateful to me if I were to share that wealth to them, the real workers that keep Lumiria alive." And still, as if looking for validation to her thoughts, Vittoria looked to Erodin to see if he thought her on the right path. She would not ask for his approval so strongly, but her intention was there on her face.
It was better to be loved, and their loyalty could serve her in the future should she need it.
Erodin tipped his head in a nod, slowly wandering over towards a table in the corner of the foyer. There he snapped up a decanter of what he thought might be brandy. "Clever."
He praised.
"The people are easier to fool." A lesson that he and Amelie had taken too long ago. Most peasants were happy as long as they were kept safe, and the harvest came in. It was far easier to keep them stable than to bandy with a room of nobles.
"Not to mention." The Dreadlord continued. "A fine basis for forming an army."
If she ever needed one.
Lumiria stood on the border between Anirian Territory and the Savannah. These people were fierce, savage even. There was something to be gained by turning them into subjects. "A very good plan, Vittoria."
Erodin said as he poured himself a drink.
"I'll be eager to watch how you make it happen." The Dreadlord said, offering her not just the choice of how to do this, but a path to do it herself. Freedom that no Initiate would usually have.
He praised.
"The people are easier to fool." A lesson that he and Amelie had taken too long ago. Most peasants were happy as long as they were kept safe, and the harvest came in. It was far easier to keep them stable than to bandy with a room of nobles.
"Not to mention." The Dreadlord continued. "A fine basis for forming an army."
If she ever needed one.
Lumiria stood on the border between Anirian Territory and the Savannah. These people were fierce, savage even. There was something to be gained by turning them into subjects. "A very good plan, Vittoria."
Erodin said as he poured himself a drink.
"I'll be eager to watch how you make it happen." The Dreadlord said, offering her not just the choice of how to do this, but a path to do it herself. Freedom that no Initiate would usually have.
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Vittoria smiled. Her eyes then caught her reflection, the demanding colour of red she wore on her silk dress and the blood staining her complexion. If she were pale, it would be quite the ghostly image of woe, but Vittoria liked how it looked on her. If her cards were played right, she could look the very image of a victim that survived. A fighter that wants the bloodshed to end so the people could rest, could live on without fear of hunger and violence.
"There is much work to be done here then." She turned to aim her smile at Erodin again. "I best go check on our Lord friend."
An hour later, Vittoria herself was changed from her beautiful dress and into the Initiate leathers, looking every bit a Dreadlord and not in finery that would have matched Revin Wesnyr's new outfit. Even with the blood on her dress and exposed skin, Vittoria wanted to present a clean image to Lumiria.
Over time, she would choose when they would see her dirtied and bloodied, fighting for them.
Impression were everything, and Vittoria knew enough of the noble class, the privileged, to turn the commoners against them. She felt herself able to see both sides, but today she would play ally.
Vittoria walked behind Revin as he lead her and Erodin to the Lumir Palace, where Orren had been keeping a low profile. She had wondered if he was being unfaithful to his wife, and if he indeed was, whether or not he would get the same pleasures once he learned his wife was dead.
"Here... across the street." Revin cleared his throat and stepped to the side. "It is exclusive, members only type of—"
"Then you will take Erodin with you. Insist on it." Vittoria told him. She was innocent in the regards of viewing such carnal pleasures, believing that such intimacy was a waste of time for an Initiate and her time better spent doing something else. Anything else.
"There is much work to be done here then." She turned to aim her smile at Erodin again. "I best go check on our Lord friend."
An hour later, Vittoria herself was changed from her beautiful dress and into the Initiate leathers, looking every bit a Dreadlord and not in finery that would have matched Revin Wesnyr's new outfit. Even with the blood on her dress and exposed skin, Vittoria wanted to present a clean image to Lumiria.
Over time, she would choose when they would see her dirtied and bloodied, fighting for them.
Impression were everything, and Vittoria knew enough of the noble class, the privileged, to turn the commoners against them. She felt herself able to see both sides, but today she would play ally.
Vittoria walked behind Revin as he lead her and Erodin to the Lumir Palace, where Orren had been keeping a low profile. She had wondered if he was being unfaithful to his wife, and if he indeed was, whether or not he would get the same pleasures once he learned his wife was dead.
"Here... across the street." Revin cleared his throat and stepped to the side. "It is exclusive, members only type of—"
"Then you will take Erodin with you. Insist on it." Vittoria told him. She was innocent in the regards of viewing such carnal pleasures, believing that such intimacy was a waste of time for an Initiate and her time better spent doing something else. Anything else.
"But they wo-" Erodin clasped a hand on the boys shoulder.
"In a few hours, everyone in that building is going to be dead." There was no threat to the way he spoke those words, but mere fact. There was no arguing with it, there was no changing it. Why would there be? "You no longer want to be a member here."
Revin turned his head, first towards Erodin, and then towards the palace. The meaning of his words slowly sinking in. Erodin felt the boy shake beneath his grasp, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes as he shoved him forward. "Wait here." The
Dreadlord told Vittoria as he followed in the wake of the spineless lump.
It was not long after that screams began to echo out into the streets.
Lights flickered passed open doors, splattered of blood covered windows, and before ten minutes was up a wraith suddenly seemed to draw itself within the air. The ghostly figure of a man, his features pallid and listless beckoning for Vittoria to come inside.
There she would find not a House of pleasures, but one of captivation. Dozens of nobles and wealthy men and women sat kneeling upon carpeted floors. Each one in various states of undress, but all flanked by a wraith. Lord Orren, barely dressed and simpering lay sprawled upon the floor. Erodin's heel already driven into this throat.
"Looks like the Republic has some teeth after all, eh?" Vittoria would hear the Dreadlord muse to his now captive. The smirk on his face full of satisfaction.
"In a few hours, everyone in that building is going to be dead." There was no threat to the way he spoke those words, but mere fact. There was no arguing with it, there was no changing it. Why would there be? "You no longer want to be a member here."
Revin turned his head, first towards Erodin, and then towards the palace. The meaning of his words slowly sinking in. Erodin felt the boy shake beneath his grasp, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes as he shoved him forward. "Wait here." The
Dreadlord told Vittoria as he followed in the wake of the spineless lump.
It was not long after that screams began to echo out into the streets.
Lights flickered passed open doors, splattered of blood covered windows, and before ten minutes was up a wraith suddenly seemed to draw itself within the air. The ghostly figure of a man, his features pallid and listless beckoning for Vittoria to come inside.
There she would find not a House of pleasures, but one of captivation. Dozens of nobles and wealthy men and women sat kneeling upon carpeted floors. Each one in various states of undress, but all flanked by a wraith. Lord Orren, barely dressed and simpering lay sprawled upon the floor. Erodin's heel already driven into this throat.
"Looks like the Republic has some teeth after all, eh?" Vittoria would hear the Dreadlord muse to his now captive. The smirk on his face full of satisfaction.
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Vittoria had meandered about the street a short distance, her eyes looking at the buildings of the quiet street. It was obvious this part of the city was neglected, that the facades were temporary fixes and not invested in enough. A change that small and simple almost left her bewildered that this could all be fixed, that she could indeed win their favour. She had been brought up to be diligent, and honed to be loyal and dutiful as a soldier.
This, this Vittoria can achieve.
Screams filled the night, and her head whipped to the door. Just as quickly, Vittoria averted her gaze. She did not wish to see someone not properly dressed, and the idea of witnessing it as they might flee the pleasure house left the Initiate looking to the sky.
Movement caught her attention, not at all with the presence of a living being, and so her eyes flicked to the wraith. It beckoned, inviting her to enter and she lowered her face to scowl. But she did not refuse, not when Erodin was here to teach her lessons the Academy could not.
As she followed the wraith inside, she trained her eyes onto the carpeted halls, timid at the thought of being inside a place like this. At her age, curiosity was natural, as she had witnessed with her cohorts, but for herself, Vittoria held no interest in seeing or learning anything of it. She did not feel a draw towards experimenting or...
Her eyes fell on a man, eyes bulging as a boot that belonged to Erodin was pressing against his throat. Now, the Initiate drew her gaze upwards to her mentor.
"Is this him?" She asked, disapproval heavy on her tone. Her eyes went back to stare at the man, tilting her head at him. "Awful what happened back at his home, is it not?"
She could see his panic, the rise in it only increasing the longer they did not speak.
Vittoria smiled at him. "Do not fret, Lord Orren. Your wife died last."
This, this Vittoria can achieve.
Screams filled the night, and her head whipped to the door. Just as quickly, Vittoria averted her gaze. She did not wish to see someone not properly dressed, and the idea of witnessing it as they might flee the pleasure house left the Initiate looking to the sky.
Movement caught her attention, not at all with the presence of a living being, and so her eyes flicked to the wraith. It beckoned, inviting her to enter and she lowered her face to scowl. But she did not refuse, not when Erodin was here to teach her lessons the Academy could not.
As she followed the wraith inside, she trained her eyes onto the carpeted halls, timid at the thought of being inside a place like this. At her age, curiosity was natural, as she had witnessed with her cohorts, but for herself, Vittoria held no interest in seeing or learning anything of it. She did not feel a draw towards experimenting or...
Her eyes fell on a man, eyes bulging as a boot that belonged to Erodin was pressing against his throat. Now, the Initiate drew her gaze upwards to her mentor.
"Is this him?" She asked, disapproval heavy on her tone. Her eyes went back to stare at the man, tilting her head at him. "Awful what happened back at his home, is it not?"
She could see his panic, the rise in it only increasing the longer they did not speak.
Vittoria smiled at him. "Do not fret, Lord Orren. Your wife died last."
A strange expression flickered over the man's features. Something between despair, rage, and utter indignation. It was a look that Erodin had seen before, on the faces of men who had always thought they could never be harmed.
Orren opened his mouth to speak, but all that managed to come out was a strangled cry of pain and anguish. "YOU! YO-YOU TOOK HER F-FROM ME!"
He cried, and Erodin couldn't help the laugh that echoed from his throat. Head shaking as he looked around the room. Disbelief coloring his features as he turned back towards his temporary ward. Shaking his head at the noble beneath his boot.
"Spare us the dramatics." The Dreadlord said. "It's not as though you haven't done worse, hm?"
Erodin accused, his head rising once more as he looked at those around the room. "It's not like all of you haven't done worse."
He knew no one in here, in truth, but he knew the nobility. He had seen their excess and watched their hedonism for a decade and more. Vel Anir's nobility was no less savage than the tribesman they so desperately sought to conquer.
"But I am happy to tell you." He continued with a smile. "The nightmare is at an end."
His fingers snapped, and suddenly some of the wraiths disappeared. Those that had been holding the servants, the meager peasants who had been here as little more than things. "Vittoria."
He began. "You told me you wanted to free the city."
Erodin let his words lull into the air, setting the stage for the hero to be.
"I don't see the point, really." The Servants would see him as the cruel Dreadlord, the evil man of slaughter, and Vittoria? That was up to her. "But the right is yours."
Orren opened his mouth to speak, but all that managed to come out was a strangled cry of pain and anguish. "YOU! YO-YOU TOOK HER F-FROM ME!"
He cried, and Erodin couldn't help the laugh that echoed from his throat. Head shaking as he looked around the room. Disbelief coloring his features as he turned back towards his temporary ward. Shaking his head at the noble beneath his boot.
"Spare us the dramatics." The Dreadlord said. "It's not as though you haven't done worse, hm?"
Erodin accused, his head rising once more as he looked at those around the room. "It's not like all of you haven't done worse."
He knew no one in here, in truth, but he knew the nobility. He had seen their excess and watched their hedonism for a decade and more. Vel Anir's nobility was no less savage than the tribesman they so desperately sought to conquer.
"But I am happy to tell you." He continued with a smile. "The nightmare is at an end."
His fingers snapped, and suddenly some of the wraiths disappeared. Those that had been holding the servants, the meager peasants who had been here as little more than things. "Vittoria."
He began. "You told me you wanted to free the city."
Erodin let his words lull into the air, setting the stage for the hero to be.
"I don't see the point, really." The Servants would see him as the cruel Dreadlord, the evil man of slaughter, and Vittoria? That was up to her. "But the right is yours."
- Messages
- 344
- Character Biography
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Vittoria took a quick glance around, averting her gaze as much as she could as looked to those around them. She did not want to glimpse an unsightly portion of flesh, but those that had been deep in their pleasures certainly did their best to cover up now. The servants, the bedwarmers, the noble clients, all turned to watch the young Initiate.
She turned now, knowing what her cues were for this penultimate scene. There, in the corner behind Erodin was the new Lord Wesnyr.
Extending a hand to him, with her eyes, she asked him to come to her. He flinched, but the vision of Erodin keeping a hold on Orren made him obedient. He crossed to her, taking her hand and Vittoria gave him a small smile. "Lord Wesnyr believes Lumiria could be greater than it is. In the matter of one dance tonight, he told me how much he wanted to be free from the mold his father raised him to be, that he wanted this city to flourish and prosper. United."
Revin stared at her, not moving to nod or say anything.
And so she continued.
"He felt powerless under his father, so much that he played the games he had been taught. No... I saw the unkindness and the privilege in which he thought himself rightful to... but beneath that human beast is a man that believes Lumiria can be greater. On his knees before me, he asked for my help." She looked to those gathered now, expression void of everything that could condemn her. "I was taught violence and death, and I used that training to help... clean those in Lumiria that were against sharing their welath and power."
Revin swallowed, and Vittoria looked to him, saw that he wanted to speak.
She made sure her eyes reflected what would happen if he were to say the wrong thing.
"One voice to rule, to lead. There is money to be collected from the dead nobles now, and my own donation of my family's wealth will be seen to go to you, and the people of Lumiria that deserve a life of betterment with this extra coin. I see... I see all of us prospering... that we all remember the horrid past is behind us and now... now is our chance to make a difference."
And Revin lifted Vittoria's hand, gave a kiss to the knuckles of the hand that held a knife to his throat hours before.
"The Republic had a vision, Erodin. Why should we not bestow the same blessings here so that they can better their futures to come?"
She turned now, knowing what her cues were for this penultimate scene. There, in the corner behind Erodin was the new Lord Wesnyr.
Extending a hand to him, with her eyes, she asked him to come to her. He flinched, but the vision of Erodin keeping a hold on Orren made him obedient. He crossed to her, taking her hand and Vittoria gave him a small smile. "Lord Wesnyr believes Lumiria could be greater than it is. In the matter of one dance tonight, he told me how much he wanted to be free from the mold his father raised him to be, that he wanted this city to flourish and prosper. United."
Revin stared at her, not moving to nod or say anything.
And so she continued.
"He felt powerless under his father, so much that he played the games he had been taught. No... I saw the unkindness and the privilege in which he thought himself rightful to... but beneath that human beast is a man that believes Lumiria can be greater. On his knees before me, he asked for my help." She looked to those gathered now, expression void of everything that could condemn her. "I was taught violence and death, and I used that training to help... clean those in Lumiria that were against sharing their welath and power."
Revin swallowed, and Vittoria looked to him, saw that he wanted to speak.
She made sure her eyes reflected what would happen if he were to say the wrong thing.
"One voice to rule, to lead. There is money to be collected from the dead nobles now, and my own donation of my family's wealth will be seen to go to you, and the people of Lumiria that deserve a life of betterment with this extra coin. I see... I see all of us prospering... that we all remember the horrid past is behind us and now... now is our chance to make a difference."
And Revin lifted Vittoria's hand, gave a kiss to the knuckles of the hand that held a knife to his throat hours before.
"The Republic had a vision, Erodin. Why should we not bestow the same blessings here so that they can better their futures to come?"
Erodin shook his head, continuing to play his part as prompted.
He knew how important the contrast would be, how they would all see it. He was the Dreadlord, the archetype of fear that so swirled around them. To the servants in this hall, Erodin was the danger. He was the thing to be feared.
Vittoria?
She was the reprieve.
The breath they took after being choked. The water they drank after days in the desert.
A scoff echoed from the Dreadlord's lips, and he rolled his eyes at Vittoria's words. "Do as you will. Perhaps your generation will see things better."
He cast his eyes around the room, staring at each and every one of them.
"Mine certainly won't." The Dreadlord said as he began to walk towards the door, an unspoken threat lingering in the air.
They could take Vittoria's path, or none.
He knew how important the contrast would be, how they would all see it. He was the Dreadlord, the archetype of fear that so swirled around them. To the servants in this hall, Erodin was the danger. He was the thing to be feared.
Vittoria?
She was the reprieve.
The breath they took after being choked. The water they drank after days in the desert.
A scoff echoed from the Dreadlord's lips, and he rolled his eyes at Vittoria's words. "Do as you will. Perhaps your generation will see things better."
He cast his eyes around the room, staring at each and every one of them.
"Mine certainly won't." The Dreadlord said as he began to walk towards the door, an unspoken threat lingering in the air.
They could take Vittoria's path, or none.