Private Tales Truths In Blood

[Seyah]

The Taverness smiled almost immediately as Theron asked his question. "I know many people, dear Theron."

Which was to say, she knew exactly where they could stick the girl.

The Orchid wouldn't do, that would be too obvious. She knew that some of her girls had loose lips, but thankfully he resources extended far beyond the meager walls of her House of Pleasures.

"I believe it would be best if we hid her outside the city. There is a cabin on the edges of the Ash Wa-" Before she could finish, Seyah suddenly felt something. Goosebumps flickered over her flesh, her muscles grew tight, and a sudden wave of sensation crashed over her.

In an instant it felt as though every single one of her senses was overloaded. Her vision swam, her ears began to ring, and her stomach began to roil. The Blood rose to a distant call. A powerful pulse of magic rushing over not just her, both both of the Tyrian's in the room.

Her heritage marked her for the wave of magic that came crashing down. The Witches Blood within her veins stirring, and heeding the call of the ancient long before them.

Seyah gasped and doubled over, clutching her stomach as she vomited on the floor and half fell forward. A call of panic escaping Caltus as he jumped up and quickly rushed towards his friend. Grabbing the Taverness before she crashed into the plush carpted.

"Seyah?!" He called in both confusion and horror.

 

[Theron]

Just as Theron reached for Seyah, a sensation trapped him to his seat.

He seized, trying to gasp for air but it felt as if something obstructed him, no matter how hard he tried to gasp for air. His hands clutched the arms of his chair before clawing at his chest, at his throat. Theron strained against the feeling of his blood burning hotter, his nose searing with scents.

It was as if there was blood right under it, sending his ability into an overdrive.

But it was all too much.

He heard Seyah empty the contents of her stomach, but Theron's vision began to go dark, his body relaxing as it carried away on that wave of power surging through him, until he could not remember where he was in that moment.

 

[Seyah]

A slow and unsteady breath drew ragged into Seyah's lungs as she pulled herself together. Vision still swimming as she gently pushed herself off of Caltus and drew back into the plush chair. "I-wh-Theron?"

As the little Goblin settled her, he almost immediately rushed towards the other Tyrian. Looking Theron up and down as he slumped into the chair.

"He's alive, but..." Caltus whirled on Seyah. "What in the fuck just happened?"

Another breath flowed into the Taverness' lungs, a hand gently folding over her stomach as she steadied herself. Eyes falling close as slowly, very slowly her body seemed to return to normal. The pin-prickle of needles pushing into her skin rolling over the entirety of her body in an unpleasant wave.

"I..." She began, glancing over towards her companion as she saw him draw breath, steadily returning as she was.

"I think that was Talmanes." Seyah said softly, letting slip the Prince's name...forgetting that their association was as secret as her mother's name. "I think he..."

She trailed off, as if realizing she was speaking out loud.

 

[Theron]

He could hear their voices, but they sounded muddled. His head had been submerged in water, and a conversation convoluted. Little pieced of the words seemed to reach him... but Theron could not believe them truly...

Then his senses began to rush back; a cold flush raking over his flesh and suddenly had the Tyrian jolting in his seat, gasping desperately for air as his hands clutched at his throat. He waved off the goblin, his attention moving to Seyah frantically, but to see her alright, the colour returning to her features.

Theron ran a hand down his face.

"I feel... restless. An ache here and here." He pressed fingers to his forehead before rubbing at his eyes. His sense were... out of control, something he had not felt since the first time he scented a mass collection of blood.

 

[Seyah]

Another breath flowed into her lungs, and slowly she pulled herself up in the chair. Eyes squeezing shut as she willed herself back to normality. "The Blood."

She said softly.

"It calls." The Echo, whatever it had been, would surely have been felt by every Tyrian in the city. The power of it had been utterly overwhelming even down here in the warrens. If it was Talmanes, then it would not be long before the rains began.

Frowning, she shook her head.

"I think...whatever it was." Seyah began to lie. "It is passed."

Her gaze darted towards Caltus, the little gobling catching her with a look that spoke of whispered questions. None of which he would get an answer to. "If this struck everyone else...then it might serve as a good distraction for our own work."

The taverness offered, hoping Theron would not notice her guiding the conversation back to a more comfortable topic.

 

[Theron]

With time passing, his aches and sense of difference began to fade, but his eyes held Seyah's heavily.

She had said something about it, something he was not aware of but intended on asking once they were alone again.

"That makes sense." He agreed, his jaw setting stiffly as he looked to his abandoned tea. "Well, then... no time like the present. wouldn't you say?"

They had to work quickly. He could not help thinking something else would go wrong, would stop their investigation. They still had hours until dawn, until he had to report back to duty. Finally, he looked up at Seyah and shrugged at her, as if to say 'Your lead.'

 

[Seyah]

The Taverness lingered in the plush comfort of the chair for a brief moment more. Taking a breath before pushing herself up. Yes, It's best we get going."

If...whatever the pulse had been had really struck the entirety of the city, then there truly never would be a better chance. With a small amount of fussing by Caltus, and then his beloved daughter, the two Tyrian's were eventually set off.

Stepping back outside into the Warren's, and then quickly retracing their steps to head back towards the surface.

"If you could tell me of the Lady's family..." Seyah began, hoping to keep the topic away from what had just happened. ...I believe it would be immensely helpful."

After all, she was supposed to be one of Polgir's agents. "I truthfully only know the barest hints of their lives."

 

[Theron]

Theron was glad to be moving, to be going somewhere else.

"The Altoris are a family that are popular due to their genteel nature. Every one of them. Not a blemish upon their name, it's like a curse or something." It was something that unnerved him, but he figured it could be worse. "They in fact put a lot of funds towards the Death Watch. So... that is why we worked hard in investigating their daughter's disappearance. The parents are elderly now, but the Lady was their pearl. Only child and heir. After the Lady... the title is supposed to go to a cousin or something."

He looked to Seyah, going over his information and frowned. Perhaps that was too surface level. Theron grumbled, brows furrowing as he cleared his throat and tried again. "Well... the mother was born into a very connected family. Good and bad business, but their alignments always steered towards bettering Tyr. Ressa inherited a large fortune, in which it will all go to her daughter once she passes, making the Lady Altori the most covetable bride. It would be Polgir's move to lean on that information. Maybe made threats to marry the girl off and reap her inheritance?"

 

[Seyah]

Seyah frowned at the last of Theron's words. Such things were common enough in Tyr, women had the same agency as men, but that hardly counted for much when it was the head of the family who made nearly every decision. The Altori's would have given their daughter a choice, Polgir?

Not so much. "No wonder he targeted them."

She said quietly.

The Taverness had known of their generosity of course, but cynicism had always made her assume there was some sort of...ploy. Perhaps there still was, but Theron's words seemed genuine, and she very much doubted they could have fooled him.

As they reached the surface once more, Seyah corrected her dress and shifted. The cold Air of the night casting over them as they stepped back into the Temple District. "Whatever threats he made, we will not allow him to follow through."

Seyah said firmly, walking with Theron for some time more before finally they reached the edge of the city proper.

"Meet me at the Orchid later tonight?" She asked. "Once we accomplish what we must, it would be for the best to meet sooner rather than later."

The taverness said, once again wearing her patented smile.

 

[Theron]

Theron slowed, rounding to face her. She looked much recovered from whatever it was they both endured back down there, but he gave another moment of critical assessment before softening his face. A hand ran down his face again, sleep weighing him now. "You best be careful. The family are lovely, but they always keep a court of company. Good or bad, those types of people like to gossip."

He was beginning to regret them splitting ways, but Theron had his own contacts that could tail Throgmir while he caught up on his sleep.

"Get some sleep, Seyah. If for any reason you need me... ask to speak with the Bloodletter to any Watch member. Word will get back to me and I will meet you at the Orchid."

 

[Seyah]

"Don't worry, I have my ways." Seyah had no intention of walking into that Manor looking like herself.

The Taverness' mother had taught her many tricks, and the Blood was strong enough within her that a change of face was not too difficult. She flickered a smile Theron, gently patting him on the cheek before she took a step back.

"Do be careful." She told him. "Throgmir has a tendency to bite off heads, from what I've heard."

A smile flashed across her features, and then Seyah stepped away. Quickly disappearing into the winding alleys of the Temple District.


It was only a few hours later that Seyah found herself back at the Black Orchid. Her trip to the Altori estate had been a successful, though the cruelty she'd needed to employ was not something she had enjoyed. Both the girls parents had been defensive at first, and it was only through the small slip of the knife that she was able to get them to talk.

Her pressing had been subtle, leading. Never asking a single question but only allowing the Altori's to admit what had already been threatened.

Theron had been right. Polgir held the girl, and had more than once threatened to marry her off to distant lands. Nobles of Vel Anir who had recently come through the city, some sons of Menalus, and even the harrows of perhaps being sold to a Naga King.

The threats had been vile, and the Altori's had all but thrown themselves at Seyah's feet when she had pressed them for more for Polgir. It had been difficult not to crack as the girl's mother had wept, offering her own families jewels for a simple day with the girl.

Still, she knew now that Polgir had the girl, and she knew his intent. Sucking the Altori's dry for every connection they had, and then selling their daughter for even more.

The wretch would pay. She would see to that.

 

[Theron]

The warmth of her hand seemed to stay on his cheek longer than it should have remained, but Theron liked the presence of it. It gave him a new found energy and executive to get the very task done tonight, and not relying on another. All night, he spent watching Throgmir, and all the while learned what he could as the brute traveled throughout their city under the cloak of night.

Gambling, drinking, and at one point had knocked a door almost to splinters to wake a baker and demand the sweet bread he forgot to buy earlier in the night. Theron supposed it was smart of the male to line his stomach with food, although he seemed to undo all efforts after as he followed Throgmir to yet another pub.

By the time dawn came, Theron thought it smart to ask a colleague to keep an eye on him while he himself returned to his flat and took whatever sleep he could get.

He would be on duty tonight, but being the Bloodletter gave him free reign to travel the city and use his ability to keep the peace. It also meant no one seemed to blink an eye as the Tyrian swaggered into the Orchid that night. It was an act, a facade, but the Bloodletter lingered by the bar and leaned against the benchtop towards the one behind the bar. "I'm here to see Seyah." He grinned.

 

[Seyah]

The bartender, a different woman than the night before simply offered a smile. "Usually I turn her callers away."

She said with a twinkle in her eye.

"But she said you might be coming." The Bartender said as she turned briefly and pulled a bottle from the shelf. Within seconds she plucked a glass from beneath the counter and poured Theron a drink. The amber liquid swirling in the glass as she gently pushed it towards him. "Upstairs, last door on the right."

The directions were simple, and would lead Theron directly to what could only be described as Seyah's office.

Hemmed in by double doors and decorated with slashes of green and red, the room held a strange understated ostentation. The oxymoron of the description, as odd as it was, seemed to fit perfectly. The room a mix of traditional Tyrian design, but also a display of wealth.

Not one of gild and gold, but relics of their ancient Kin and carved works of art that would have had better place in a museum.

At the center of it all was a large circular sofa, appearing more comfortable than most, and there Seyah sat. A drink already in her hand. "Lovely to see you again."

The Taverness said, though her voice held none of the joy it had before.

 

[Theron]

He tried not to open his mouth in protest to being called a caller, but he had to realise the way he came in and asked about the proprietor to this establishment. Theron scratched his chin as the bartender poured him a drink and gave him direction, and this time put less of a performance on as he accepted the drink, but she had turned away from him before he could as about payment.

And so he went upstairs, to the door on the right and at the end. Theron opened the door after two sharp raps against it, alerting Seyah of his presence. He stepped in, letting out a low whistle as his gaze took in everything that was kept in her office. He had thought he'd spy her behind the desk, but no such woman could be found there. He took another step in as his eyes drew to the centre of the room, where Seyah lounged upon a sofa.

His brows lifted. "Thanks for the drink." Theron lifted it to her in reply to her greeting, taking a swig of it and his brows raised again with surprise. "Not the shit kind either. Spoiling me so soon, Seyah?"

 

[Seyah]

Seyah let out a small scoff. "It just shows how much they underpay the Watch if you think that drink is anything to brag about."

The smile on her face flickered for a brief moment, but Theron would be able to see her usual jovial nature was all but gone. Her task, the cruel twisting of the knife she had delivered, did not sit well with her. Seyah was happy cut the proper throats, but the Altori family had not deserved what had happened.

"Come." She motioned to him. "Have a seat."

A long breath dragged into her lungs. "I have learned much, and little of it was any sort of pleasant."

Seyah admitted, taking another sip of her drink.

As Theron made his way over towards the sofa, she began to explain how her visit had gone. Telling the Watchmen about what she had done, and how she had pulled the information they'd needed from the Altori's families slips.

"They will never recognize me." She said with an almost odd amount of confidence. "But I did not enjoy that."

 

[Theron]

Theron chuckled, not sure if he should feel foolish for thinking the bartender would pour him something nice.

But still, he enjoyed it nonetheless and slowly made his way to her beckoning to sit. By the time he sat down, his expression was grave, tight-jawed as he nodded to her expression of what her task had made her feel. He had offered, but they both knew in order to get information, it had to be someone that didn't know the family well.

"They may just possibly be the only family other than my own that I feel guilty for letting down." He remarked, turning to look at the Taverness. "Either way, Seyah, you did great." Theron gave her a tight smile.

It couldn't have been easy to do such a task, for there had been a point once in his life that he couldn't bring himself to do what Seyah would have to do to get things done. Becoming the Bloodletter meant he needed to not back down, that he needed to be relentless in serving justice for blood being spilled.

"Throgmir proved nothing useful other than a usual routine. That tells me he must be confident, that things are going to plan on his end to not have him performing anything out of character." He sighed heavily, taking another swig of his drink and holding it up to assess. One more drink and the glass would be empty.

 

[Seyah]

Seyah tilted her head in a nod. "So they have no idea we're looking, at least."

There was a small confidence in that, though she knew it wouldn't make their challenge any easier.

For a moment she seemed to muse, watching Theron hold up the glass to the light. An amber sparkle seemed to run through the drink, and she let out a heavy sigh. With a gentle hand she plucked up a bottle from the table, waiting for Theron to take his last drink before she plucked up another glass.

The liquid she poured was not amber, but instead a deep purple.

"I am loathe to let more secrets slip free." Seyah admitted as she gently nudged the glass towards her companion. "But there is a way to avoid some of the...hassle of what we must do."

The Liquor she offered him was from Mallian, an Eldberry Wine from the Wylds. Rare, but just a small gesture. "But before I say how, I must admit why I do not wish to tell you."

Seyah bit her lower lip. "Our traditions are not easily broken, but sometimes it is for the best, no?"

She asked, quietly gauging him.

 

[Theron]

"Thanks, love." He accepted the glass, giving it a curious sniff and swirl. He had to trust her it was something of better quality than what he was served downstairs. Theron gave it a light taste and nodded as he listened to Seyah speak.

She captivated him straight away. He straightened, narrowing his eyes upon her and tried to see if she gave anything away in that cursory glance towards him. Her words promised something incendiary, and Theron turned his body to face her. "What are you saying?"

He was honed in on her. Intrigued and alarmed. Fascinated and on edge. Curious and... he stiffened as he realised that he already trusted her. Perhaps too much than he should allow, but Seyah had always spoke of things that aligned with his own views. She was connected, she was a reliable source...

All he needed to do was to tread carefully.