The Reverie's Abhorrence

[DEMIGODDESS]

Just when she felt as if she finished speaking so much, her shoulders twitched at the shouting of a man, and his approaching footsteps. Just as the following shout, she ceased her steps and stood in place, her back turned, remaining motionless, only her hair flowing with the breeze. Her eyes closed and tightening, holding back an irritated groan. Insidia was relived as this man only spoke to David, she could keep her silence and only hear.
As it went on the supposed "inquisition" that was supposed to take place was nothing more than a conversation. Even the more relaxing was the man's assumption of her being only a stranger that had been accompanying a local aristocrat.

Turning as he spoke to her, her eyes opened to the older man. She allowed her facial expression to display with her lips still closed, a sweet smile, though one which reflected an alternative nature, a kind that the seer's opinion would judge for himself. No more than an apology this man seemed to tell.

Her lips parted to speak, though upon David replying, she let her mouth stay sealed for the moment. Insidia put her hands on her hips as the man was told about the heroism she had done, and showed the same smile, though with a wink of her eye, only the gatekeeper would notice. Perhaps then he would only think of her as a kind whore, or just one who found a wealthy man, so that she may get the privilege of his home. Leaving a certain mystery would only help, in her mind.

[Rotiart]

“Yeah yeah, ‘gifted abilities’, ‘witches’, whatever you want to call ‘em.” He said, shaking his head in disappointment. Lowering his voice and giving a couple furtive glances to see who else was around, he continued to speak, “Between the both, er, three of us, I personally think that all this is complete garbage. No one’s done anything wrong to warrant this. Of course, my opinion don’t count for nuthin’, seeing as I’m just there to hold open the door.”

Although noticing Insidia’s wink at him, he purposely pretended not to notice her, focusing only on speaking to David, “No matter what your story is or who helped who, they’re still likely to toss you in jail just for being an outsider or being different, and they’re almost certain to toss your companion in with you. They’ve even arrested some of the warriors of this very city, form what I’ve heard, all for suspicion of witchcraft. And the way it sounds, there’ve been deaths already and almost no one’s been left out with anything less than a death sentence.”

“Overall, I’d just much rather prefer it if I could accompany you to wherever you’re going, as everyone around here knows me, so we shouldn’t get harassed any.” He said, nodding to David and then Insidia briefly. “By the way, I never believe I caught either of your names before, my name is Rotiart.”

[David Augustine]

"It's a pleasure to meet you Rotiart." David replied to the greeting, "I'm David Augustine." He didn't feel like talking that much since he really wanted to just get home and rest. His fatigue was showing as his figure was slumping slightly and was blinking his eyes constantly to help keep him awake. He nodded his head and looked towards the darkened sky. It wasn't all that great as it was a gloomy mood it seemed to be as such.

"If you must escort us then do so." David spoke, "I'm sure that Insidia wouldn't mind." He spoke assuming that she would introduce herself. He started trudging off conteplating on the words that he had recieved. His mind boiling over with current events and how thing where before he had left. It was so much different. What had caused the warrior city to kick out the mages that once used to live together in harmony that was nearly perfect. Apparently, views must've changed and the rulers weren't very kind towards those that were nothing. "So what about the priests of this city? Wheren't they gifted as well?"

[DEMIGODDESS]

It seemed this man did not want to notice Insidia, stuttering to even mention her presence. She could only think he was wear of her in more than one way. Although his statement about jail was frightening, she had become too tired to fear it, besides, she felt her act was going along just fine. With the slightest shrug of her shoulders, her arms fell back to her sides and began to follow David, whom spoke her name for her as she remained silent.

"Your city of strong men and women fear other ones simply because they...avoid weapons?" Insidia said, beginning a moment of words after what David had asked, giving Rotiart no chance to answer. "I've heard how strong mages can be, there are many that jail could never hold, this town should fear those. Really, I've seen some who are as scary as a card magician. You can believe me, I've...been many places. I truly can only wonder who created this idea, I'm sure someone so frightened of such little things would be amusing to meet."

And of course, she was far too fatigued to care, to even notice that may have been too much, maybe even enough to have her under suspicion. Though, jail would give her a place to sleep. This town was no daydream, it was becoming a nightmare.

[Rotiart]

"Actually," Rotiart cut back in, sounding mildly irritated at not being allowed to answer, yet addressing Insidia before David, "Apparently these 'mages' aren't all that strong. I mean, sure, I heard they've caused a few problems here and there but ultimately it seems they've been really well subdued. Then again, it has been the queen heading all of this, along with that priest guy, so I wonder if they might not just be stronger than any true mages they happened to come across."

"Of course," he added as an afterthought, "Most are probably nothing more than con artists with good sleight of hand who simply chose the wrong street corner. It seems they lock people up without discretion. I'd love to try to do something about it, but I'm afraid if I speak up I'll just get thrown with all the others."

"As for the priests," he said, finally coming back to David's question, "I haven't seen them portray any 'gifts' of any sort, the one involved seems to just like talking and making declarations from behind a line of well-armed warriors."

[David Augustine]

"Too much must've changed over so little time." David spoke outloud more to himself than anything else. This disturbed him that the warriors were acting as such and that the queen that the city had acquired since his disappearance was rather troubling news to him. He saw the decleration that she had made outside of the city along with it's monument. It was obvious that she was some hot tempered young woman that had to get her way. However, what was the reason for all of this starting in the first place.

The second thing that troubled him somewhat, was that warriors were being taken in as well just for being around magical folk. His eyes showed that David was in fact deep in thought. Thinking everything over and then gazing at Rotiart carefully. If the queen was acting as such then how did she ever obtain such power? Surely the previous king or the current one would have seen such actions taking place. Such disturbances didn't sit well, with Sir. Augustine for this night.

David took a turn down another street signalling the other two to do the same. "Has the queen been searching houses of people yet?" he asked the other warrior, "If so then no place in Avaren is completely safe for anyone. My reasoning is this..." He stopped and looked around making sure that no one of any sort of imporant relations to the royalties would be listening to this. "If the queen as been arresting and executing those that are mages though they have done nothing to deserve such punishment and then warriors that were affiliated with them in one way or another. I'm afraid that she would arrest anyone that was simply called a witch or warlock. The individual could look just like a homeless urchin and I believe that she would enslave the child. If she has started searching people's homes, I have trouble believing that anyone will be safe from the queen's madness."

[DEMIGODDESS]

Dazing in and out of consciousness, barley could she remain in the conversation. It was clear she was in danger being in this place, capable of being under arrest and put in a dungeon. She began to feel as if helping David was wrong and nothing but an ill omen to perhaps her death. Insidia wanted to laugh, this whole situation was nothing but a nightmare during the day. So much for a beautiful daydream to a wonderful new place. She rather have her father take her head than some insane royalty.

"So, your speaking that in which case the Queen would want to, she would jail a whore, and claim she felt this whore was a witch?" She asked, wanting the clarification, begging for it.

She shook her head slowly after her question. Perhaps the answer was better unsaid, but Insidia would never take it back or tell them to pay no mind to it. However kind enough Rotiart was, it was not much of a comfort. She would also be nothing but a peril to David, whom to she, was a respectable individual. So, Hell has man made walls, a hierarchy of humans, and madness, Hell was a place where you could never fall asleep, and even if a bed was placed before you, it would still never be safe. It was her blackened eyes that showed the distress, that emotion hidden by the curtain of a color to bring anything unseen.

[Rotiart]

"No," Rotiart said in agreement with David, "I highly doubt anyone is safe, save perhaps her husband and those within the church conducting her deeds. I know one of the people who died, too. She was one of those who first took arms against the gnoll raiding force back when it occurred. Now we get to see where that loyalty managed to land her." he said with a sigh, shaking his head in disgust.

"Insidia," he said, finally actually recognizing her by name, "If David has performed some minor feat of agility, they might have accused him of using illusionist witchcraft and locked him up. I'm fairly certain that anyone they believed to be a whore that the queen found would be immediately labeled as 'devil's concubine' and thrown in prison."

"It's just," he said, seeming to struggle with his thoughts, as if withheld by regret, "I wish someone would do something to stop all of this, I just can't take seeing so many innocent people taken away by her insanity much longer, I just don't know what, if anything, one with such a lowly station as mine can do."

[David Augustine]

David stopped walking and realized just how tired and worn out he really was. Conversing with another about current situations seemed to help releive him somewhat, but his body was still sending his mind signals that his body needed much rest. He was only a few feet away from his house now as they were standing infront of the gate that led to the manor that was there. As usual, it wasn't the best but it was taken care of at least. He gazed at Rotiart to acknowledged what he had said and was fixing to come up with his own reply.

"All I can say is that you need to simply bide your time. If you feel that she is doing a great injustice then the time will come that she will be overthrown." David spoke as if he was already formulating a plan to do so. Though truly he was only coming up with a plan to get into the dungeons and to find out if the mages had done any such wrongs to get what they deserved. "All I will say is to keep you eyes open for any particular activity. You will know when it's time and know what action will be needed, but as of at this moment much needs to be taken into consideration. Thank you for accompaning us to my abode as it is right in front of us. You are dismissed and may go and return to your regular duties."

David Augustine gave the warrior a small salute and a bow of respect as David didn't have any rank in the royalty's army. He then turned to look towards Insidia and he could see the fatigue and other such things on her face. She was bothered and disturbed and he felt similar to this as well. However, something told him that he would be fine and he wouldn't allow anything to happen to Insidia. "Well, we are near my home." he spoke, "We will be safer once inside, I believe. And do not worry too much, Insidia. I won't let harm come towards you." He was gazing into her eyes as he had spoken. He wasn't sure of any unnatural abilities that she might've possessed, but if anything, her role was seemingly putting her more at risk than either one of them would have expected.

[DEMIGODDESS]

"Bah, the church, and 'devils'. I have commited no crime in this city, been no bother." was all she said in regards to Rotiart, her speech close to a weak mutter, her tired eyes rolling.

Her once stronger strides were now shorter, slower, more tired than before. The ever so small hallucinations continued to plague her eyesight, maybe her mind forced them so her eyes could close. David's replying words seemed to be a muffling blur, disregarded and unhearable. Avoiding a well wanted yawn, Insidia took in a deep breath, and let it out like a sigh. Her attention returned as Rotiart was told to be on his leave, she were standing before a manor without the slightest notice.

Her eyes turned to David, her weak stare, her eyes blinking slowly and heavily. Below her eyes, the skin had darkened, a deep shading beneath them accompanying the shadow of her lashes. It seemed even her petite mouth was weakened and thinner, and her skin has lost some of it's color. Her shoulders were slouched as her spine was. Her hands clasped weakly together, resting at full arm's length near her waist. Her knees twitched very slightly, just hardly able to hold her little weight of 102 pounds to a stand.

David's words were difficult to hear, her mind paying close attention for one second, the next a complete delirium. Insidia did manage to grasp the concept, and the intent. Lightly she nodded, her black eyes so close to being hidden by their flesh covers, so difficult it was to look back at him.

"Alright..." was all she whispered, her lips barley moving.

[Rotiart]

"Hmph," said Rotiart, mildly irritated at her adamant denial of crimes, "It doesn't matter if you've done anything or not, I keep telling you. All that matters is that they want you to be guilty of something. If that's the case, then to them you are guilty, no matter what the truth is."

"At any rate," he said, returning David's salute, "I'm not sure just how much biding my time will do, as it seems it's all I've ever been doing, but I'll take your word for it and trust your judgment in this case."

"As for now," Rotiart said, turning slightly back towards the general direction of the gates, "I bid you goodnight, and wish to you that you do not get caught up and overcome by this madness before it is all over." he finished, tuning and beginning to walk briskly back in the direction of his post.

[David Augustine]

David watched as the warrior made his way back towards the gate. His blue eyes doing their best of hiding the fatigue and pain that he was putting his body through. He let out a sigh as Rotiart left and slumped somewhat into what was a somewhat more of a comfortable position. He looked towards Insidia and was able to tell that she was either just as fatigued as him or possibly much more. Either way, they both needed to get inside and rest till they had fully recovered.

The taller warrior then walked over to Insidia, and placed an arm around the woman that was accompanying him. The arm was nothing more but a comfortible jesture for her to let him support her for a bit. However, he wouldn't stop her from denying the offer. After the matter was settled he took a few steps towards the gate and opened it with a loud creek as metal hinges rubbed against the joints. He stepped through the gates and while guiding Insidia as well. David then turned and closed the gate behind with a push of his free arm and waited to hear the click of a latch that would signal it's closing.

He then slowly began to approach the facade of his manor. His vision now becoming slowly more blurry then he had even noticed. He shook his head several times to try and rid it. They had reached the steps to the patio. The first step was easy and so was the second. He went to take the third and almost stumbled while doing it. He tripped over the fourth step and nearly fell face first onto the porch that was infront of the door. If his spear hadn't stopped him from completely falling he probably wouldn't have gotten back up.

[DEMIGODDESS]

Without a flinch, Insidia watched him fall. Following him was a limp gesture of her hand, her arm extended as if to help him, however it was quite uninviting, considering how much strain it would be. Swallowing a breath, her eyes half opened, she looked at David and tears filled her tired eyes.

"I will try." she said, a quiet way of saying she could not possibly hold him up, that she had failed and lost her strength along the last part of this walk. "I can hardly stand it any longer. I will try." Her fallen eyes only for a moment lit up, anticipating that perhaps just maybe she could be of help.

Though how could she? Her knees trembled, barley able to hold her own weight. Her face showed the tire, the concern, and the inability to do a damned thing in the world. Even still, she held out her hand, offering her aid.