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Post by Ryan Fitzpatrick (dead/gone) on Oct 13, 2006 14:27:08 GMT -5
Ryan walked around for hours, his hair falling into his eyes, every so often. It had gotten to be quite the nuisance. At least those idiots running Avaren would never catch him. He was far to ordinary, and stood out so little, that he had even managed to send a pack of guards in away from him during a small scare. Not like he would have blown his cover. He almost didn't think it possible. Of course, he wasn't an optimist, so almost impossible meant bound to happen at any moment. He took every precaution to avoid being classified as a witch. He enjoyed the freedom that walking around Avaren gave him, and didn't wish to give it up. He figured that someone would have to be a mind-reader to find out that he was a mage. In that case the person was also a mage, anyways, so it didn't matter if they knew. He didn't figure many mages would be willing to sell out their own kind. He looked to and fro about the streets. He wasn't sure why, though.
He noticed a large mansion among the buildings, and mumbled to himself, "Rich bastard..." He continued on, almost if there was actually anything interesting around this part of the city.
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Post by DEMIGODDESS on Oct 13, 2006 15:43:47 GMT -5
Rubbing her cold forearms, Insidia walked from the manor she had exited, out into the open area. A feeling of dread came over her, she knew well enough she must pay her closest attention to everything and everyone if she wanted to resist arrest. Her ragged clothes may be enough to cause suspicion, she remembered that gatekeeper's warning, heed it she would. Not many at all were among her, though nearby her eyes spotted a man whom looked opposite to these very strong ones she had witnessed upon first entering.
Words came from him, though they were not heard. He seemed strangely ordinary, approachable even. Standing with little motion, her blackened eyes watched the man carefully. Her mind forced the opinion that he would not harm her. Insidia did not know this city in the slightest, the calming feeling this man had given her came with an idea.
"E-excuse me?" Insidia said to him. "May I ask you for a direction?"
Her hands rubbed at her arms, producing a little heart. Her exposed legs were chilled as well, her knees nearly shivering. Her nose and cheeks had a light shade of pink from the frigid breeze, her eyes tearing from it.
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Post by Ryan Fitzpatrick (dead/gone) on Oct 16, 2006 8:28:03 GMT -5
Ryan looked over at the woman that stood before him, and couldn't help but notice that she had the air of a mage about her. He wasn't about to ask, though, nor tell of his own powers. He didn't want anyone listening in on him. He walked toward her, and his voice still soft, asked, "Where are you going that you need directions? I suppose that I could help you, but you look like you need a coat more than directions." He began to pull on the sleeve of his own coat, and continued talking, "It seems as though you're from out of town. Maybe I can give you a tour. Seems as though you have some objective, though. Outsiders aren't welcome here, as of late. You had better be careful. I suppose you must know that, already, though. That's all anyone seems to be talking about." He had removed his coat entirely, and now handed it to Insidia, saying only, "If you get it dirty, I'm going to make you wash it. The name's Ryan. Ryan Fitzpatrick. And you are?"
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Post by DEMIGODDESS on Oct 16, 2006 14:51:46 GMT -5
Insidia was never one for too much conversation, this man seemed full of such. It was a bit difficult for her to feel comfortable around him, though she believed her instincts, which rarely had led her the wrong way. It would be more than difficult to answer where she wished to go, she did not know what was here at all. Her hands tightened around her forearms, her lips had begun to chap, the skin peeling off dryly.
"I-I know it is dangerous here...I am here, I have to go somewhere." Her words fell loosely with each other, barley knowing what it was she wished to say at all.
The tour of town he then spoke of was amusing, though instead of a lovely walk, Insidia had the dreary feeling it would be a wretched march to behind prison bars. That coat, it appeared so warm, a kind gesture of a stranger, giving such a nice thing to a lady he had just spoken to. Her hands moved from her arms to the coat, the offer was irresistible, touching it, she let her fingers grasp hold. Like a timid creature, unsure of anything at all, she slowly slipped her small left arm into the sleeve, and brought the coat around her back, and then letting her right arm into it. The size was far from her small frame, though it's warmth was sufficient, her exposed hands held it closed over her chest, letting it absorb the cold.
"Thank you." She said, "I...am afraid to go."
Insidia's eyes were impossible to read, though the expression on her face showed the distress and worry. Was it not bad enough she made a local wealthy man seem like someone who would buy women? Apparently it was not, things would only get worse, at least that is how she viewed it. A few small coughs forced through her lungs, perhaps she were getting sick.
"My name is Insidia..." She answered slowly, her eyes turning away from the man whom called himself Ryan.
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Post by Ryan Fitzpatrick (dead/gone) on Oct 19, 2006 8:18:12 GMT -5
Ryan looked at Insidia for a short time, before deciding that he could get out of trouble if he was caught with her. He looked at a small hole in the road, and it almost seemed as if he was memorizing the features of the hole. In reality, he had just spaced out, and was thinking about everything except what was going on at that time. At first he thought about how this Insidia was definitely a mage, to the fact that if her were caught with her, he could be imprisoned. He began to think of Father Vidar, and the sermons that he had given recently, all being about how these heathens were all bound for Hell. His mind wandered again to his own magic, excelling in fire, though he only practiced alone, and only with small amounts of magic, such that all he learned was not how to get stronger, but how to control his magic. He then changed thought once more to the goings on of the Castle of Avaren, and how the glorious Herculides house was taken over by the accursed priest. He knew that his duty was not to the false god that Vidar preached, but to the true God, and the Herculides house that had been unjustly usurped. He thought of how to keep himself alive, at least until his plans could mature, such that he could usurp Vidar and reclaim the throne for its rightful ruler. His thoughts continually changed and wandered, until he was scarcely even aware of Insidia's presence...
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Post by DEMIGODDESS on Oct 22, 2006 2:37:31 GMT -5
{ Sorry for the delay. }
"Um.." Insidia's voice whispered, while her eyes shifted toward the distance.
At first thought, she waited for this man called Ryan to react to her truthful expression of fear. That was not simple for her to admit, to admit it was simple, but to say she admitted was difficult. She became puzzled as Ryan said absolutely not a thing, she stood in place, wearing his jacket, meanwhile he acted as if she were not right beside him. Insidia blinked her eyes numerous times, the cold air drying them out.
There was not a thing to say, or so she felt. This must have been one of those awkward moments she always heard people talking about, referring to social situations. Carefully, she slid her shoulder and arm from the jacket, then removing it off her back and from the other sleeve. She held it's collar gently, extending it out to Ryan.
"This..is yours. I should be on my way, I suppose.." Was all she said.
A faint curve from the corners of her lips showed, a weak smile. Her lower lip began to quiver, the air biting her nerves. It felt as if she would turn into an ice sculpture if she were to stay so sill out here, and let no heat be produced. Always running into a problem, Insidia was, nothing was ever perfect. Something was always the bother, from human beings to mother nature and even father time.
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Post by Ryan Fitzpatrick (dead/gone) on Oct 24, 2006 11:48:34 GMT -5
Ryan looked at Insidia for a second. He had not been paying attention in the least, and was wondering what in the hell she was going on about. He looked at the jacket for a few moments, before deciding, "No, you keep it. You look like you need it. Having no jacket doesn't bother me in the least. You have a strange manner of talk." He knew that he was lying, but he was not willing to drop his facade for even the tiniest moment, as he, for one, was not willing to go to prison over someone else. Thinking this selfish thought, he couldn't help but feel guilty. It was this guilt over his manner that made him act in a kind way to most people. He had no way to assauge his guilt, but he also didn't want to be caught. Perhaps the best way was to leave his home. He didn't want to do that, though, as he was quite comfortable, here. He hoped that, if anyone came along, they would believe his stories. But, for now, he was talking to this young woman, even if it was only with the intention of helping her while it was convenient, and ditching her as soon as it wasn't. "I would suggest that you do not go far back out, as evil things lay outside of Avaren. Weilders of Satan's fire, abominations and traitors to God. I am sure that is why you have come to the safety of Avaren?" He lied. He wasn't going to take the chance that she might betray him, just as conveniently as he would betray her. His common sense got the better of him, and prevented him from revealing anything that could be used against him...
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Post by Vidar on Oct 24, 2006 12:56:13 GMT -5
"You there!" came a commanding voice, belonging to that of one of the cities regular guardsmen. Alone, he might have been easily dissuaded from attempting to arrest two completely random bystanders off the street, in good faith that, even should they be turned out heretics, he could easily claim not to have been there in a location to capture them.
Unfortunately, this patrol of guardsmen was accompanied by a far more imposing figure than normal. Flanked by heavily armored paladins, Vidar walked with a gait of confidence bordering arrogance.
So it was that the city guard they accompanied was especially keen to "discover" heretics to impress their new lord and hopefully not have the accusing finger pointed at them. It was Insidia's choice of clothing alone that had drawn their attention and now placed both Insidia and Ryan in jeopardy.
Vidar, taking notice of them, gestured to his guards, who fanned out to surround the pair, as if they could actually be a threat, "You!" he said, pointing at Insidia, "Your kind aren't welcome in my city, spreaders of corruption as they are. Neither are those who consort with them." he said, glaring at Ryan, "Place them both under arrest."
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Post by DEMIGODDESS on Oct 24, 2006 17:31:23 GMT -5
Insidia withdrew her arm, holding the coat against her body. Her eyes looked downward as she spoke the words 'thank you' to him shyly. Her nerves felt as if they shook as he mentioned the undivine, that which she was, and all she knew. Her words never came, she did not know any to speak which were worthy. Insidia thought about what words to choose, how to say them, and when.
She had thought the words came to her, though as her eyes looked back straight foreword, the near distance displayed a figure with a presence of authority, whom had guards with him. Her eyes widened, though their faces barley visible. With haste she withdrew from Ryan, holding his coat closer against her upper body, her face showing the fear from the guards, though it was not the fear she would show them. A rapid slap to Ryan's face, her hand gave his cheek, then a second, and a third. She could see the faces of the approaching men now, her eyes with tears staring back as the omnipotent one called to her.
"Help me! Please!" Insidia screamed, her voice with much height and rasp.
She ran toward the one who seemed of the most important, in fact. The tears streamed from her face as she shunned her and glared with distaste. Her arms dropped the coat, and mere inches away from this man she stopped, her hands grabbing the collar of his clothing, clutching tightly, her weeping becoming hysterical.
"You do not understand!" Her voice ceased, interrupted by frantic cries. "I am not what you see! That man! That man! He did this to me! Please, do not arrest me, help me!"
Insidia fell to her knees, her hands together, fingers laced, groveling before him. Her weeping had become more fierce, obvious in it's terror and dismay. More tears than countable streamed from her blackened eyes, the distress covering her face as well. She stared at him, begging him.
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Post by Ryan Fitzpatrick (dead/gone) on Oct 26, 2006 9:54:28 GMT -5
Ryan stepped back, as Insidia tryed to slap him, and could not understand why, until Vidar came into view. His face was angry, and his anger he directed at Insidia. "What!? How dare you!" Ryan screamed, glaring at Insidia, "A heaten under my nose! And a liar, too! If I did such to you, where, might I ask are the rest of your clothes, heathen!? I thought I could trust these ignorant guards to keep such trash OUT of Avaren! Sir Vidar! I beg of you, please find more competent followers." He walked over and bowed to Vidar, not betraying fear, nor hatred. His face showed obedience, and worship. He dropped to one knee. "Sir Vidar, ruler of Avaren, I did not realize that this... this THING near me was any more than a mere woman. I thought she might be cold, and offered my coat. I beg of you to rend my flesh, that I may be fogiven for my ignorance. If you tell me to kill her now, I shall do so. If you tell me to cut my own flesh, it shall be done. I beg that you may bless me now, that my soul will not be tainted by her lies and treachery! Rend my tainted flesh with your holy sword, Sir Vidar! Do not allow my soul to burn in the eternal fires! And burn that coat! I do not even want to see it again, having been touched by a heathen like this! It would taint my flesh!" As he continued, from an indignant voice, to revernce for Vidar, he weaved his speach around faith. He resumed anger as he spoke of the coat. He looked Vidar in the eyes, and would not let go of his gaze. He spoke with a voice clear, and believable, yet with an obvious religious fanatacism, "Sir Vidar, I tell the truth, and nothing less. I would never lie to you, as this heathen would. God shall show us who is lying! We shall have faith in Him, and by Him we shall be delivered! All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant! I would not break such covenant! Let me be the one to rend the flesh from this heathen, this whore! If my crimes are then still too great for you to save me, then my soul is lost, for there are none greater, Sir Vidar!"
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Post by Vidar on Oct 26, 2006 10:31:38 GMT -5
"One or both of you is lying." Vidar said, keeping his face an expressionless mask now that the pair of them was surrounded by guards, with nowhere to run and nothing left to do but plead their own respective cases.
"I, an agent of the one true lord, do not take well to the lies of others." he said, taking a step back form the both of them, his paladins having taken a menacing step foreword as both of the suspected heathens had approached Vidar directly, yet he waved them off, as he felt that there was nothing for himself to fear in these two pathetic wretches.
"It would be so simple to send you both directly to god's most direct of judgment." he continued, drawing his sword as he did so, "Yet I am a kind and forgiving person, as god's will decrees, thus I shall give you both the chance to explain your crimes, for if we cannot get to the bottom of this, consider that the both of you are guilty until you can prove yourselves innocent."
"You!" he said, pointing at Insidia, "You deny what your blatant appearance suggests; claiming it is what another did to you. Tell me, what has he done to you? Bear in mind that if what he did to you was paying you for your services, this would place you as the primary source of evil."
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Post by Ryan Fitzpatrick (dead/gone) on Oct 26, 2006 10:46:56 GMT -5
"If Vidar believes I am guilty, then so I must be, for ignorance. For Vidar's word is that of God, himself," Ryan stated calmly, with a face and tone that could do anyone no good except to prove that he believed his own words. "Sir Vidar, do you not recognize me? I am a church-goer. I listen well to your sermons, and I do my best to follow them. My not noticing this heathen is my ignorance, how blind I was. I have... not seen this woman around before, and I wonder, are the guards at the gate loyal? Letting one such as her into Avaren? Perhaps they should be struck down, sir. To kill them with your holy sword would be an honor and a blessing to them. As for me, perhaps I should throw myself upon a sword, to answer for my ignorance. I do not believe you should show any mercy. I have done wrong in my ignorance, Sir Vidar. Please allow me to repent." His eyes did not leave direct gaze upon Vidar, his look frank and truthful. He looked at Vidar, and began to recite the holy scriptures, with grace. He repeated them, almost as a divine protection from the heathen beside him...
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Post by DEMIGODDESS on Oct 26, 2006 11:05:41 GMT -5
Insidia's terror heightened at Ryan's reaction, she stayed on her knees before this man, even as he stepped away. A long, harsh scream came from her, tears and sobs coming more and quicker. "No!" she shouted, and let her fingers dry her eyes. Her weeping eyes met the blonde man's again, weeping clearly before him, her cheeks and lisp a shade of light red from her distress.
A priest...The king of this city he was...and a priest...
"H-help me." She murmured, only at first. "This man is lying! Do you see?! He uses your god to persuade you! He is taking God's name to protect him! He acts to impress you, he is using God's name!" Her voice nearly shouted all these statements, quickly and 'surly'.
Insidia allowed the king to press on his own words further, yet not ceasing her tears. Her frail hands shivered as he took the sword, letting it's blade stare at her. Her shoulders flinched while he harshly put a finger to her face. A priest he was for sure, allowing some kind of confession, plead, or will of truth. Grasping breaths, moving the tears away once more, she stood, nearly stumbling as so. Only light sobs came from her now, her arms looking as if they wanted to reach out to this king, though only retracting to clasp her own hands. Directly she stared at him, her lips parting for her answer.
"He...If he gave me such coins for such a thing, I would not look like this! You are...the king? I know nothing of this place! I have not been here for long times, I beg your divine mercy to understand, I come from a far place." With the best of efforts, Insidia let spoke with slower pacing and a fair clearness to be heard.
"This man, the one here, he had been wandering the streets as well, he spoke to me. He asked where I was from, I told him that it had not been this place, and it is not place I have ever heard of. I come from a poor family, good sir, it would be a gift to know the news. I come here, he speaks to me as I am trying to find my way, he asks me where I wished to go. I told him I do not know...I refused his home! He asked me once more, he then told me I would, or he would have me where I stood! I am so tired, he has a strong grasp, he does, Sir. This man...He grabbed my arm, do you see?!" Insidia moved her left upper arm, so that the king may observe a deep reddened mark among her flesh.
"He tore these clothes I wear! You found meas I tried nothing but to run. His eyes had such a cruel gaze, he did not care! You know what he wanted with me..." She finished, and began to sob heavily once more.
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Post by Vidar on Oct 26, 2006 11:46:31 GMT -5
"Yes, you are indeed from this city," Vidar said slowly, nodding in agreement and recognition. "Not only that," he continued, "But you offer your own blood up to god in order to prove your faith, which is a very commendable action; one that proves a level of faith deeper than simply profaning god's name in order to save your own skin."
It was basic knowledge to him that woman's first and most useful means of gaining their will was through deception and the manipulation of the emotions of others, thus her tears could just as easily be as fake as the rest of her story seemed. After all, she was an outsider, trying to debase the good name of an avid church-going citizen of Avaren.
"Your god," he restated slowly, tuning to Insidia, an air of menace in his voice as he spoke, "It is not my god that I worship, as if I venerate some imagined deity like those of the heretics I wish to expunge. There is one and only one true god, whom is both your god and mine. If there is one sin, above all others, it is denying the true lord; turning your back from his wisdom and love in exchange for your own misguided beliefs that will end you in nowhere but damnation."
"For all I know, this is all an elaborate ruse set up by you in an attempt to argue your non-existent innocence." he said, drawing a small dagger from his belt and tossing it to clatter at Ryan's feet, "Still, I cannot discredit your story without some sort of proof." he said, pointing his sword first at the dagger lying on the ground then at Ryan, "That dagger has been blessed by the holy waters of my chapel, prove your penitence to god in your own blood. If your story be true and your heart indeed be pure of the taint of evil, then you shall be able to accomplish this task with that holy implement."
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Post by DEMIGODDESS on Oct 26, 2006 11:52:44 GMT -5
Insidia's eyes awakened with width, her breaths shuddering. Though those eyes found the dagger so near by. Her hand with the most haste reached for it, her fingers grasping around it. She held it horizontally beneath her collar bones, pushing the blade's edge against her skin. Her hand quivered with fear, such things 'in the moment' with such fear.
"I would never lie! It is a sin! I worship God, this man does not worship the one as we! If he had, he would not have done this, I will prove to you! I will!" She screamed.
Slowly, deeply, she pulled the blade along, screaming in the pain, slicing through her flesh, just under her bones, the blood pouring out over her breasts, down and over her clothing.Her eyes shut tightly, throwing the used, bloody dagger aside, her hands now covering her screaming mouth.
"My blood is for the lord! Let him know my truth in my pain for him!"
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