Nirriven: Divided We Fall!

[Alkonium]

Lindaren

 

"He was my father. Before he died, he spoke very often, and very fondly of you." Jaymes elaborated. "I was very young, but my mother suspected something. Did you know he was already married?"

 

"He was my father too, wasn't he?" Athra finally had the nerve to ask her mother, though saddened by the fact that she could never get to know him, and shocked to discover he was an adulterer. Her thoughts, however, were interrupted by Perdante falling to the floor. Immediately checking for a pulse, she stated, "She's dead."

 

"She deserved better than this." Ser Jaymes commented. "I hoped she could take Faren's place as the Kyng's Lieutenant."

 

Stormrise, Faren's Quarters

 

"You wished to speak to me, Faren?" Edanna Shran asked as she entered the dwarf's quarters.

 

"Yes. I've been informed that the Four have not only failed us, but they have been captured." Faren explained. "The Blue Knights?" Edanna inquired.

 

"Not on their own. They were aided by Ard Eagan's men." Faren pointed out. "I can see the problem. Eagan has considerable influence in the Kyng's Court. Others my follow his example." Edanna surmised.

 

"Unless we make an example of him. You care little for Seaguard, do you not?" Faren asked. "Of course, why?" Edanna replied.

 

"A Barinor such as Seaguard is so small, and unworthy of a woman such as yourself. Would you not prefer to be Ardess of Thunderkeep, especially if it means taking it from Ard Eagan by force?" Faren suggested.

 

"You know me too well, Faren." Edanna replied.

[JediMaster12]

Jenna realized some things herself. Slowly she answered, "When he came to me with other young men, I didn't notice anything about him except his potential. So great it was that over other potentials I chose him." It was a good beginning to start with. "The first month required that he be cut off from everything familiar in order to better be in tune with his powers."

 

Jenna looked away for a moment not sure if she should say anything else but her daughter had asked her a question that needed to be answered. She had spent too many years wondering and regretting her decisions regarding the girl before her. She looked at her daughter and said, "We loved each other. When he left me, he left me with a gift."

 

At the sound of Perdante falling, Jenna huddled by Perdante's side. She knew that she was dead and she had hoped that she had the strength to tame Ychec and Makht. The journey had barely begun and already a companion was lost. She whispered in old Elvish a blessing of farewell before collecting the electrified weapons. They would have to be placed under safekeeping in a special vault or just the sheer power they radiated alone would affect innocents. She sheathed them and wrapped them in a special cloak which she strapped to her back.

 

She stood up looking at her companions, her daughter especially. She said, "She was a good warrior and could have been a Lieutenant and ruled after the king. We can still carry out that plan. If we unite, one of us can lay down the challenge."

[Alkonium]

"I might be able to help with that. A healer from Thunderkeep was helping tend to the Kyng, and under my instructions, he searched Varhad's quarters for anything that might help us understand his illness. He found an unidentified substance around the cork on a half-finished cask of the Kyng's wine." Ard Eagan explained, with two of his men carrying the aforementioned cask of wine towards the group.

 

"It shouldn't be too difficult to identify. Ser Alten is an expert on poultices and poisons, including many no surfacer has even heard of." Ser Jaymes suggested. Athra got a bit nervous at the mention of Ser Alten. She liked him, despite his being moderately antisocial, but he was a Dark Elf, and she had doubts about how her mother might react. Sure, Ser Erina was an Elf and she had no problem with him, but she was also a Blue Knight, who prided themselves on tolerance and acceptance of others.

[Shana]

Alaire could do nothing but watch. It was amazing to see that the one that had probably been the strongest of the Kyngdom at one point, had been reduced to nothing and to deal one final blow on her unfortunate fate, she died before Alaire's eyes, not being able to fulfill her wish for justice.

 

"I think we owe it to her in some way. To bring Faren to justice. To expose him as the fraude that he is", Alaire said as she knelt beside Perdante's body. "Rest in peace warrior of justice. May your soul finally find the peace it deserves".

 

She had not uttered these words ever before. She had only heard such prayers from the elves that lived in her village. The one she had butchered and fed on it's souls.

 

"If you still want to carry out the original plan. I am with you all the way", Alaire said with the greatest conviction and determination she was able to muster.

[JediMaster12]

"So we are speaking of poison. A treacherous act if the perpetrator is caught," Jenna replied.

 

Ser Jaymes made his suggestion of Ser Alten being made to identify the substance. She was surprised to hear of him again. They had never gotten along as children and he seemed to resent the fact that she learned Elementals and Inception and took that knowledge outside the Elves. A long time of resentment but that was not the time for it. She replied to the suggestion, "Ser Alten does know more about poultices and the like. In fact he was better at healing than I was." It was a generous comment since their master had told them they were both exceptional in their own ways.

[Alkonium]

Ser Jaymes then approached Ser Alten's quarters, with Eagan carrying the cask of wine behind him. "Is there something you need, Jaymes?" Ser Alten asked. "Yes, we need you to analyse the residue on this wine cask, and compare it the wine itself. We suspect it was used to poison the Kyng." Ser Jaymes explained. "I'll see what I can do." Ser Alten replied, taking the wine cask back into his quarters.

 

An hour later, Ser Alten stepped out, and explained his findings. "It's worse than I thought. It's Drider Venom." He told the group. "I'm not entirely familiar with Drider venom, please explain." Ard Eagan asked. "It's a deadly poison commonly used among the Drow. It's bad enough on its own, but its effects are amplified by alcohol. If this were rum, or vodka, Kyng Varhad would already be dead." Ser Alten told him.

[JediMaster12]

"Drider Venom has been the political assassin's choice of weapon for centuries," Jenna replied gently having listened to everything Ser Alten had said. She looked at her daughter and Alaire and explained for their benefit, "Drider Venom is a specific forumla that is made one way and one way only. Weapons vary based on design and such and easy to identify itrs wielder. Poisons are different and personal. Am I right Sir Alten?"

[Alkonium]

"Not entirely. There are two types of Drider Venom: True Drider Venom, taken right from a Drider, and Synthetic Drider Venom, which has a very specific formula. Neither is easy to come by. Many would-be assassins have been killed trying to acquire True Drider Venom right from its source, and many more die from mistakes when concocting Synthetic Drider Venom, inhaling fumes, exposing some of the more volatile components to heat prematurely, etc." Ser Alten explained.

 

"Either way, we're dealing with someone who knows what they're doing. Faren Mageslayer may be a sadistic brute, but he's not stupid." Ard Eagan pointed out.

 

"Perhaps he's not working alone. It's not hard to believe that he'd have other nobles helping him." Athra suggested.

[JediMaster12]

"Could be that he has someone as good as Ser Alten," Jenna added. "Mages who know the healing arts would have studied different toxins and antidotes so a mage is not totally far off." She looked at Ser Alten with a look at asked if he had considered that possibility. They may not like eachother but Jenna knew when to differ to people who knew more than she did on certain things.

[Alkonium]

"Given his very black-and-white view of magic, I have my doubts he would enlist a mage, even a healer." Ser Alten pointed out.

 

"There is another possibility. In the Kyng's Court, there is a certain Bariness suspected of murdering her way into power, but it's never been proven." Eagan suggested.

 

"If you mean Edanna Shran, I certainly wouldn't put it past her." Ser Jaymes concurred.

 

"If those suspicions about her are correct, she'd likely be experienced and patient enough to be able to successfully synthesise Drider Venom." Ser Alten commented.

 

"What I'd like to know is whether or not there is an antidote." Athra pointed out.

 

"There is, but to make it is beyond even my skill." Ser Alten replied.

[JediMaster12]

"How is that? You are considered the most knowledgeable of toxins and antitoxins," Jenna queried. "At least that is what Master used to speak of." She didn't want Ser Altern to give up so easily. He had a stubborn will and if she pushed the right buttons, she could get him up to the challenge.

[Alkonium]

"It was difficult even in the Enlightened Age, and like much of the scientific and technological advancement of that time, it was lost in the Creator's Crusades, but unlike most of that knowledge, it was not preserved here in Lindaren." Alten explained.

 

"If we have the technology, couldn't we figure it out?" Athra suggested.

 

"We have the technology, but not enough understanding to use it properly. That's why we've kept so much of it secret. The Blue Knights aren't just altruistic warriors, we're scholars, seeking to learn as much as we can from the Enlightened Age." Ser Jaymes explained.

 

"You had no idea the Enlightened Age was real, did you?" Eagan asked Jenna. "That's what the discovery of Lindaren was: proof."

[JediMaster12]

Jenna looked at Eagan with a look that could have frozen the very blood in his veins if she had notions to do so. "The Enlightened age was real of course. After all there are things far older and more powerfully dangerous than imaginable.

 

"We have the technology but the knowledge is held in secret and as Ser Alten knows about our people: we are known for keeping secrets. Hence the fact that few humans ever learned the full potential of Inception and other forms of magick. All beings are capable of secrets. The trick is to find the ones who have the knowledge like the elder hermit in the forest."

[Alkonium]

"I will see what I can do." Ser Alten replied. "I might be able to use some of the alchemical devices here to analyse the poison further. It's a long shot, but if it works, I should be able to come up with an antidote here."

 

"Eagan, how secret was your excursion here? I doubt it would escape Faren's knowledge that one of the most prominent Ards in Nirriven came to the aid of the Blue Knights." Athra pointed out.

 

"You're right. It was a risky move, and I never intended it to be secret. It attracted the attention of both our enemies and our allies. Both Barin Lingion of Nerith and Ardess Natia of Gondamar have pledged their support, and there are others who have withdrawn their support for Faren." Eagan explained.

 

"An Elven Barin and a Dwarven Ardess working together? That's unusual." Ser Alten commented. "At the very least, it'll give you a chance to patch things up with home." He added, speaking specifically to Jenna.

 

"However, as you were the first Ard to openly rebel against Faren, he might try to make an example of Thunderkeep." Ser Jaymes added. "It would be best if we make our way to Thunderkeep post-haste."

 

"If you're sure Thunderkeep is threatened, I think we should also travel to Nerith and Gondamar to seek their assistance." Athra suggested.

[Shana]

Alaire simply listened to Ser Jaymes, Athra, Jenna and Ser Alten talk. She hadn't been part of a group so diverse in all her life. But she had a feeling that this was the begining of a life changing journey.

 

"I am glad to offer my assistance, what will you have me do?", Alaire asked. It seemed as though everyone of them knew what had to be done. She was still trying to find her place in all this chaos. But she sure thought that it would be a place to start.

[Alkonium]

"Join one of us. It is long and dangerous road, whether we head to Thunderkeep, Gondamar, or Nerith. We could use all the help we can get. I will be travelling to Gondamar myself." Athra suggested. That way, she didn't have to choose between the home of her mother and the home of her brother and her late father.

 

"I will join you as well on the road to the Dwarven city. There is strength in numbers, and the Ardess will be likely be more receptive to you if you are accompanied by at least one Blue Knight." Ser Alistair added.

 

"Then I shall travel to Nerith. Lingion himself recommended that I join the Blue Knights." Ser Erina replied.

[JediMaster12]

"I agree that we should travel together. There is strength in numbers as was pointed out and the journey will give each of us time to see within ourselves," Jenna looked at Ser Altern to show that she understood what he meant. It would mean that she would be able to converse with her daughter and her daughter's brother.

 

She looked at Ser Jaymes, "Where shall we travel to first?"

[Alkonium]

"I doubt there is much time, so I think it best we separate, so we can fortify Thunderkeep, and seek the aid of Nerith and Gondamar at the same time. Most of the Blue Knights will be travelling directly to Thunderkeep, but a few will be going to Nerith and Gondamar. Once their assistance is assured, they too will join us at Thunderkeep. The decision as to where you go is yours." Ser Jaymes explained. "Eagan and I will be going directly to Thunderkeep. As Ard, his place is there, and it is my home as well." Pausing for a moment, he added, "Perhaps you're right. It might be better if we all travel together to Nerith, then Gondamar before coming to the aid of Thunderkeep."

[JediMaster12]

"Then I will follow," Jenna replied, "What say you companions?" She looked at the companions and her daughter searching for their answers. She would rather that they travel under unified consent. It created stronger bonds.

[Alkonium]

"Regardless, I must return to Thunderkeep as soon as possible. My Arden needs me." Eagan stated. "I wish you the best of luck, for all our sakes."

 

"I will go with you to Nerith then, mother." Athra replied. "So will I, I intended to travel there to begin with, and as his second in command, I should be with Ser Jaymes." Ser Erina added. "And what of you, Allaire?"

[Shana]

"I guess I will join the party to Nerith", Alaire said as she looked around at the people gathered. "A reaver in the company of Blue Knights might be easier to keep people at ease. Reavers aren't exactly known for being easy to approach and are easily mistrusted for their dark nature after all".

 

Alaire knew that this was something the Blue Knights probably already knew but if she was to help, she had to at least in someway shield herself from the prejudice and hate there was in the Kyngdom for reavers. Being considered unnatural and evil was something ordinary for Alaire wherever she went, but since she was turning a new leaf, she'd have to shed away everything from the reavers and being in the company of the Blue Knights might just do exactly that for her.

[JediMaster12]

"Then let us be on our way. Ser Jaymes I suggest you lead since you do have military experience over all of us and you do know this land well," Jenna replied. She stood back in a manner to show that Ser Jaymes was the leader.

[Alkonium]

"I will not let you down." Ser Jaymes replied. "There are more than enough horses in the stables. We'll rest here tonight, and then set out in the morning."

 

The Next Day...

 

The party had travelled for several miles already, with little sign of stopping. Nerith was still a day and a half away.

 

"Jaymes, I assume you've got a plan for if the Barin isn't as receptive towards us as we hope?" Ser Erina asked.

 

"Yes. I was hoping you or Jenna might be able to better make a case for aiding Thunderkeep, based on your history with him." Ser Jaymes explained.

 

"I'll do my best." Ser Erina replied.