[It all began with orders…]
The Courier hands you two letters.
You examine a piece of mail.
To : Jenifyr Written: Sun Jun 17 15:14:53 2012
Date: Arendas, Augustus 20 354
To the desk of Her Holiness the new Cardinal and Patriarch of Lithmore,
and Inquisitor von Vakhrova:
The Grand Master has arrested a woman that confessed to be a mage, and put
her in a private cell in the tower. I know next to nothing about the
encounter, but what he said in his brief report:
Recently when I was going into the cathedral to say some morning prayers
there was a girl who was weeping at the steps, she asked if I was a knight
and then if I could refer her to an inquisitor. When I asked her why she
said that she had ripped a man apart with her mind. I placed her in the
well appointed single cell because I figured she wasn’t that dangerous and
at least deserved some fine treatment before she would be questioned. Her
eyes then went violet and she told me to beware the rose. Before she had
said that she saw a rose surrounded by fire and my face. I would
appreciate some information on a rose that has to do with mages or any
other sort of organization if possible and convenient.
That is the entriety of it, and other then that, I have no information.
Dav bless,
Dame Earl Marshall Lylie ab Mantiff
You examine a piece of mail.
To : Jenifyr Written: Sun Jun 17 16:31:44 2012
Date: Balasdes, Augustus 21 354
My Dear Lady Earl Marshall and Honored Grand Master, copied also to High
Inquisitor Vakhrova.
Thank you, firstly, for your fine actions regarding the girl named Aliara
O’dell; it was the correct decision to place someone with taint- albeit one
with contrition and shame- into a safe place.
A question was asked about the rose, and rose symbology. At this stage,
there are no individuals or groups under suspicion that are known to use
the rose in either naming or as a symbol. That said, the rose has been
used as a powerful symbol in the past, most often by the tainted of higher
birth, and more often as a personal mark of identity. With that said, I
would advise paying little mind to the words of this girl, most especially
with anything involving divination.
As a final note, I expect that High Inquisitor Vakhrova will be taking
charge from this case as I step away from the Holy Office to a degree and
take up the mantle of Cardinal more fully. Until a new Grand Inquisitor is
appointed, however, I will be continuing to assist the Inquisition, as well
as clearing up any standing cases.
When you both have a moment, I’d be delighted to meet with you either
together or individually- it is beyond overdue that we do so, regardless.
In faith & service,
Romana von Mestan.
You begin to move east.
You cross the center of the room at a walk.
The key turns easily, unlocking the eastern door with an Ahalin Tower key.
You open the eastern door.
You leave east, her movements naturally tranquil.
A Well-Appointed Single Cell
[Chilly]
This solitary cell is not generous in its proportions, but has been
furnished with more care and attention than the rest of the jail. The
rushes that soften the stone are thick and frequently replaced, cushioning
the feet. A simple pallet stuffed with straw runs along the eastern wall,
providing a reasonably comfortable place to rest; clean water awaits in a
two-foot washbasin. Sconces high on the walls cast a mellow light over the
space, softening the shadows cast. To the west, a heavy, reinforced wooden
door leads back into the common cellblock.
[ Exits: west ]
A pretty blonde girl with blue-violet eyes is here. [App: 4]
You have arrived.
It’s not closed. Attempting to close.
You close the western door.
The key turns easily in the western door with an Ahalin Tower key.
This well-endowed woman has blonde highlights and blue-violet eyes. Her face is pleasantly round, her skin soft, her lips full. She’d be much prettier if not for her constant look of worry and nervous fidgeting.
You are a hand taller than she is.
A pretty blonde girl with blue-violet eyes is using:
A pretty blonde girl with blue-violet eyes steps back, shivering.
It is early morning on Balasdes, Augustus (Month 8) 21.
In the Sun Cycle of the Lord: 354.
Jenifyr hands the keys to the guard outside the door through the small window, then turns to observe a pretty blonde girl with blue-violet eyes, “Good morning, Miss. I’m afraid I don’t have your name.”
A pretty blonde girl with blue-violet eyes says, “Aliara. Aliara O’Dell.”From here on you will remember a pretty blonde girl with blue-violet eyes as Aliara.
Aliara wonders, “Did the kind knight send you a letter about me?”
Jenifyr reaches up to touch her chin, “I am Inquisitor Jenifyr von Vakhrova. Yes, the Lady Earl Marshall sent me a letter about you. She stated that you believe yourself to be a mage. Is this true, my child?” Her forehead, usually smooth, wrinkles in its frame of a veil-less wimple.
Aliara looks the Inquisitor in the eyes. “Look at my eyes. A week ago they were blue. And…I have…”
Jenifyr comes forward and reaches out to place a hand on Aliara’s shoulder, “Tilt your head back, child, so that I may look.”
Aliara tilts her head back, and opens her eyes wide, and states, “It started off with the dreams.”
Jenifyr hmms, then releases Aliara, stepping back, “Come with me. We should speak in a more appropriate place.” She beckons Aliara to follow her.
Aliara declaims, “A black void…then I would see things. A week ago, I saw you in a dream. And a man. I don’t know him. He had a black beard. He was…naked. And he was trying to kill you. With magic!”
The key turns easily, unlocking the western door with an Ahalin Tower key.
You begin to move west.
You open the western door.
You leave west, her movements naturally tranquil.
Aliara arrives from the east.
Aliara slows to a halt.
You close the eastern door.
The key turns easily in the eastern door with an Ahalin Tower key.
You begin to move west.
You cross the center of the room at a walk.
The key turns easily, unlocking the western door with an Ahalin Tower key.
You open the western door.
You leave west, her movements naturally tranquil.
The Interrogation Chambers
[Chilly]
The purpose of this room is immediately evident, an interrogation
chamber containing all of the devices common in such practice. The initial
half appears relatively benign. A single, uncomfortable looking, stool
faces a heavy wood table that fronts a large chair, almost akin to a
throne. Light streams from torches behind the interrogator’s seat, leaving
it shadowed and the stool well exposed. Towards the rear of the room, its
grisly use becomes more apparent. A large oven is stoked with burning
coals with a rack of painful looking iron instruments standing nearby.
Benches line the wall with complex restraints or leather, rope, and steel,
though all are dwarfed by the rack that stands center. Shelves and racks
display the tools of the inquisitor’s trade, artfully displayed to evoke
the maximum of terror.
(Rows of wicked looking tools with dubious purpose lay rolled out across
the flat tables. A stone oven blazes with heat, two hot pokers shoved into
its smouldering coals, and a bucket of water rests to the right of the
questioning chair. )
[ Exits: east ]
You have arrived.
Aliara arrives from the east.
Aliara slows to a halt.
You close the eastern door.
The key turns easily in the eastern door with an Ahalin Tower key.
Jenifyr gestures to the chair, “Please, have a seat.”
Aliara sits down.
Aliara looks around her, eyes wide. She swallows hard, then nods, a brave look settling on her face.
Aliara says, “You need to do this. I need to be purified. I need my soul clean.”
[Action: Aliara is sitting on a stool.]
Jenifyr moves to sit down as well on a bench beside one of the tables. She watches Aliara’s face and says, “Do not be concerned. Nothing untoward will happen to you unless you attack me. Or refuse the Lord of the Springs.” She loosely laces her fingers together, “You claim prophetic dreams, and your eyes have changed color. The Lady Knight’s report says that you believe yourself a murderess?”
Aliara nods.
“Tell me about that,” Jenifyr’s gentle voice requests. [Jenifyr]
Jenifyr sits nearby Aliara, speaking conversationally with her.
Aliara swallows hard.
Aliara pontificates, “A man tried to … hurt me. I didn’t mean to. I didn’t…I have no idea what I did. I’m not sure I could do it again. I hope I cannot. I want it out of me. I … ripped him apart. As if he were drawn and quartered, without the horses or rope. Then I trampled him to mush. He’s a red stain on the south side now. You have to get this OUT of me!”
Aliara declares, “The thing is..I never touched him! I did it with sheer…terror.”
Jenifyr stretches her neck a bit, a bird-like gesture, “When did this happen?” Her voice remains tranquil and soothing as she reaches out to lay a calming hand on Aliara’s wrist.
Aliara states, “Days ago. How long have i been here? The day before I went to Sir Atholos.”
Jenifyr nods solemnly, “Why do you believe that you were the source? Is it not possible that there is a mage stalking you, casting spells and attempting to drive you mad? I’ve heard of such before, and honestly, I’ve seen cases worse.”
Aliara her eyes turn a bright violet, flaring with light and filling the room. Her voice echoes unnaturally. “Xegon var marra seb nautolan vex! Beware the rose!” then, she is back to normal, just as quickly, seemingly oblivious to what just happened.
Aliara looks thoughtful. “I KNOW I did it. I felt myself doing it. Like an extension of my own hands.”
Jenifyr sighs, rising and moving towards Aliara, reaching out to take her hand and lay it along the chair’s arm, then beginning the work to strap Aliara in. Wrists first, then forearms, then ankles, then just above the knee. Waist, chest, about the neck, then the head cage. Jenifyr begins this process calmly, not at all in a hurry, and keeps speaking, “I see. How are you feeling right now, this very moment? Frightened, full of rage? Forgive me, this is a precaution for my safety.”
Aliara claims, “This will sound, strange, Inquisitor. I am frightened. But I am at peace. Knowing I can be saved here. I don’t want to burn. But I want to be saved. The only other time I have been at peace was when sleeping. When the dreams came.”
Jenifyr sits down and takes up a quill, “So you believe that you are a mage as opposed to, perhaps, possessed by a demon or another mage?” Jenifyr begins to jot notes as she speaks.
Aliara looks thoughtful. “I…I am not sure. A demon…i thought all mages are possessed by demons. The very magic is a demon, is it not?”
Aliara states resolutely. “If it is a demon, it cannot control me. I came here. I beat it.”
Aliara says, “I will have my peace.”
Jenifyr shakes her head, “We’re not entirely sure that we understand magic in its complexity. What we do know is that demons are malevolent forces with distinct personalities. They often seduce and cajole people into letting them in, and take control of them. They can be either overt or subtle. In you, I daresay it appears overt. Do you recall what you said to me moments before about the rose?”
Aliara muses, “I dreamed of a rose. In the dreams. When did I mention the rose to you?”
“A few moments ago, you spouted an unknown language, then said ‘beware of the rose’,” Jenifyr replies placidly. “I thought you might not remember. And, dear, I do believe this is a case of possession. Alas, it is true that mages are more inclined to be possessed – the taint is something of an oil to grease the demon’s entry… but it does not necessarily mean that is the case. Unfortunately, expelling a demon… it is no easy matter, my child.” Sadness enters Jenifyr’s eyes, “You may not survive.” [Jenifyr]
Aliara asks, “If I die, will my soul still be saved?”
Jenifyr smiles gently, “If your not a mage, then your soul is safe right now, we just have to get the demon out.” Jenifyr pauses, “If you’re a mage, we will have to burn the taint from you to allow your soul to rejoin the Lord of the Springs. It’s too early to tell yet, my child, though I strongly believe you’re presenting a case of possession rather than magery – most mages are lucid and aware of their deeds.”
Aliara says, “Unless I am a possessed mage. I am aware of what I did to that man.”
Aliara claims, “He…DESERVED it. But not that way. Not unnaturally.”
Jenifyr lowers her gaze, “That is also possible, yes. As I said, this is a complicated matter.” She sets aside her quill and rises, moving to one of the long tables. There are some herbs there, which she takes up a knife and begins to chop, “Aye, that could be the case. What do you know of roses, Miss O’Dell?”
Aliara says, “They are flowers. Grow on a bush. Have thorns. different colors. The one in my dreams is red.”
“I see, so no special significance to you,” Jenifyr replies, taking a handful of the herb and dumping it into a cup of water. She dusts off her hands, and picks up the cup, coming to Aliara, “Please, drink this.” Jenifyr lifts the cup to Aliara’s lips and murmurs, “It will soothe your nerves.” [Jenifyr]
You think to yourself, “And the hemproot will prevent any casting if you are, indeed, a mage.”
Aliara drinks deeply from the cup.
Jenifyr sits the cup aside and says, “I wish to proceed in an attempt to expell the demon. If it does not work, then you are likely a mage. Trust me, my child., I will do everything in my power to save your soul. It is what the Lord of the Springs blessed me to do.”
Jenifyr nods and rises from her seat, going to the oven and placing a brand in the shape of a chalice into the coals. She asks Aliara, “When you were a child, did anything unusual happen to you?”
Aliara shakes her head. “No…I was happily going to church every day, saying my prayers, everything a good Davite is supposed to do. It was only about a week ago…”
“And nothing unusual happened that week? Were you ill, perhaps?” Jenifyr wonders as she agitates the coals with the brand. [Jenifyr]
Aliara states, “It started with the dreams. I slept more than usual, and the dreams. It was a great dark void. I heard whispers. There were many dreams. I can’t remember them all. The rose was just one. I saw a knight burning, not no a pyre.
Fires all around. Everything burned but the rose. I saw a black bearded man in this very tower, naked, I saw his soul float by, screaming in the void.”
“Well, that sounds frightening. I wonder if the demon possessing you has some connection to the dead mage, Master Tiverius Zichari,” Jenifyr sighs, pulling the brand from the fire. She says apologetically to Aliara, “You must understand, there will be pain – but pain is part of the process. And if you survive expelling the demon, the marks will never leave you.” [Jenifyr]
Aliara claims, “”Give me a moment, please.””
Jenifyr nods solemnly, placing the poker back in the coals and watching Aliara with interest.
Aliara nods and closes her eyes, murmuring in sequence Dav’s Words, Dav’s Laws, and Confession, in sequence.
Aliara opens her eyes again. They burn with violet light, but they pulsate back to normal, then violet several times. There is determination on Aliara’s face. “Do it. Get it out.” [Aliara]
Jenifyr nods to herself when Aliara is done, then withdraws the poker once more, approaching her and checking that the cage to hold Aliara’s head in place is still. She reaches up to Aliara’s neckline, pulling it slightly down to the side to expose the young woman’s shoulder, then places the brand hard and harsh against the flesh. As she does so, she begins to pray herself.
Aliara screams. The scream echoes unnaturally through the tower.
Aliara laughs through the scream. She manages to rasp, even while her flesh sizzles, “The demon. It hates you. It wants to protect me. It doesn’t know you’re protecting me.”
“Demon, begone!” Jenifyr cries at the apex of her prayers, and pulls the brand away. A sizzle of flesh comes away at the brand and the scent of burning fills the air. Jenifyr allows Aliara to fall back into her seat as she moves to place the brand back in the coals, “It’s there? You can feel it inside now? Separate from you? Good, child, good. The fire is doing its fair work.” [Jenifyr]
Aliara smiles, despite the tears rolling down her face. “I can hear it. It is talking to me. Its saying you will burn me. That Dav is a lie. That it would protect me. It’s asking me to let it kill you. It thinks it loves me.”
“I will do all that I can for you, child,” Jenifyr replies, going to the bench and preparing another cup of herbs and water. She approaches Aliara, “This will help with the pain, child, and confuse the demon while I do my work.” [Jenifyr]
Aliara nods, sweat beading on her forehead. She opens her lips.
Jenifyr gently feeds Aliara some of the water in the cup, then quietly heads over to her bench again whilst it takes effect. She picks up a wet cloth and comes to place its coolness over the brand, which now weeps clear fluids and has raised with blisters in the sign of the Chalice. She speaks soothing words of prayer over Aliara.
The moment she seems to relax, Aliara’s chest heaves and the violet glow comes from her eyes and mouth both as she convulses. When she speaks, it is with hundreds of voices. “This vessel is ours, inquisitor. Find your own for your pathetic faith. She can be powerful. We will will not yeild her.” [Aliara]
Jenifyr goes to the door and whispers a message to the guard outside.
Message sent.
Jenifyr turns back to the woman, tilting her eyes somewhat, “So, you are the demon inside this girl. You know that your recriminations do nothing more than prove our faith. You will face the flames, you evil beast, that would take a girl such as this and end her life. It sickens me, but I know that I do right in this world because of beasts like you,” Jenifyr’s
reprimand is solemn, but fierce.
Aliara chants. -Codal vox cola moch voma si var. Shiva far mod. You cannot have her, your Dav is a lie! You kill your own,
and cripple yourselves. We save whom we can from your cruelty. But your flames send them, not to Dav, but to Beratrix, the Lady of Fire. Every mage you consign to the flames burns forever. Tiverius is safe, he is here with us. All you do is make yourselves the unwitting pawns of more dangerous spirits than we are.-
Jenifyr shakes her head and approaches Aliara with a ball gag in hand. She uses a stick to leverage Aliara’s mouth open, then places the gag. “Demons and their lies,” she sighs as she takes out a pair of manacles to bind Aliara’s hands together. “I wish you were a little less tenacious, demon.” Once Aliara is bound in iron, a potent antimagical metal, Jenifyr begins to release the woman from the chair, calling, “Guards! Fetch a knight and have River Square prepared.”
-She is at peace while I have her. It is only when she is in pain that I cannot protect her, that she lashes out with her strength. You fight the wrong battles, Inquisitor.- Aliara convulses again, her eyes returning to normal. [Aliara]
Aliara looks up at the inquisitor, her eyes normal again.
Aliara bites at the gag in her mouth, not remembering how it got there.
Jenifyr comes over to smooth Aliara’s hair, “Shhh,” she whispers in the girl’s ear, “I’ve given you a draught to ease the pain. The fire will destroy the demon, and the Lord of the Springs will take you into his arms.”
Jenifyr withdraws a set of heavy iron manacles bound together by a bold chain and motions for Aliara to put her hands together.
Aliara looks resolved and nods.
Aliara places her hands out, wrists together, and nods to you.
You fastens a set of heavy iron manacles bound together by a bold chain around Aliara’s wrists.
Aliara now follows you.
The key turns easily, unlocking the eastern door with an Ahalin Tower key.
You begin to move east.
[RPxp: fair] [HP:perfect MV:tired P:walk] (action)(noquit)(bathed)(Diremote)
You open the eastern door.
You leave east, her movements naturally tranquil.
The Common Cells
[Unpleasant]
This expansive stone room has been designed to contain the prisoners of
Lithmore, whatever their crime. A large common space holds most prisoners,
stone floor scattered with straw providing an unforgiving surface for rest.
Edible if unpalatable rations are provided daily through the slit in the
southern door, a weighty iron affair bolted, banded, and watched over at
all times by an eagle-eyed guard also watchful for signs of magery. Doors
are set dead center in each of the walls, similarly reinforced; around
them, individual cells have been delineated by solid iron bars. Those
along the east wall are cleaner and boast actual beds, providing minor
luxuries for ranking prisoners; those along the west wall feature thicker
bars and stronger manacles, designed for total restraint of dangerous
inmates. To the west lies the interrogation chamber; to the east, a
well-appointed solitary cell; to the north, a barer solitary cell; lastly,
centered in the room, an ominous trapdoor leads into the darkest pits of
the prison.
(The room has been cleaned, at least. It still smells awful, though. )
[ Exits: -north- -east- -south- west -down- ]
A barred jail cell keeps a prisoner separate in the southwest corner. (southwestern corner)
A barred jail cell keeps a prisoner separate in the southeast corner. (southeastern corner)
A barred jail cell keeps a prisoner separate in the northwest corner.
A barred jail cell keeps a prisoner separate in the northeast corner. (northeastern corner)
A swinging cage of iron bars is hung in the center of the room. (center)
A heavy-set, attentive guard watches the prisoners for signs of wrongdoing.
You have arrived.
The bolt in the southern door slides open.
Aliara arrives from the west.
Aliara slows to a halt.
The southern door is opened from the other side.
Romana von Mestan arrives from the south.
A tough-featured bodyguard has arrived.
A tough-featured bodyguard has arrived.
Romana von Mestan slows to a halt.
Romana von Mestan closes the southern door.
Romana von Mestan locks the southern door.
Jenifyr bows low when Romana von Mestan enters, “Your Holiness, I was just bringing this girl to the pyre. She is powerfully possessed, and I was unable to even shake the demon with a brand. I fear the pyre is the only course.”
Romana von Mestan nods to Jenifyr lightly in greeting, “High Inquisitor. Who is this young woman?” Her lips turn up in a light smile as she adjusts her clothing more comfortably about her. At Jenifyr’s report, her lips press together and she nods, “Then so shall it be. Lead on, I’ll join you.”
Romana von Mestan now follows you.
“This is Aliara O’Dell,” Jenifyr says to Romana von Mestan as they leave the cells, “She began to have strange dreams a
few nights ago, and yesterday killed a man in Southside with her mind – ripped him apart, she says.” [Jenifyr]
Travel to River Square…
You have arrived.
River Square
[Chilly, clear, heavy breeze from the east, morning]
The stench of the prison tower permeates the area, only barely mitigated
by the cool swell from the river Bren beyond it to the north. Rough
cobbles pave the ground, separated by wide cracks, and the entire ground
slopes towards a grate in the center of the square. Sparse but determined
weeds creep out of the ground, this square perhaps one of the worst kempt
in the commerce district of the city. A few Tubori post torches, iron
cages filled with pitch, jut from the ground about the square, providing
light in the evening and strange, eye-catching decorations in the day. Set
up in the center of the square is a large, blood stained chopping block,
complete with a half circle cut out for the neck.
[ Exits: north south ]
A thick wooden post blackened by fire proudly points to the sky.
A well built man with piercing blue eyes is here. [App: 3]
A slim young woman with sky blue eyes is here. [App: 4]
A middle-aged, brown-eyed man is standing here, watching the proceedings. [App: 3]
A medium sized fox hound.
A young, brown-haired man is here looking to the post blackened by ash waiting for the burning. [App: 2]
Rothgar Astartes is here, standing near storm. [App: 1]
He is holding a book of the Declarations.
Lien le Storm stands near Rothgar Astartes [App: 3]
You have arrived.
Romana von Mestan arrives from the north.
A tough-featured bodyguard has arrived.
A tough-featured bodyguard has arrived.
Romana von Mestan slows to a halt.
Aliara arrives from the north.
Aliara slows to a halt.
You close the northern door.
The key turns easily in the northern door with an Ahalin Tower key.
Rothgar Astartes salutes Jenifyr, quickly, staying silent as he stands by Lien le Storm.
A slim young woman with sky blue eyes moves in to stand at a point where she has a view of the pyre, remaining quiet herself.
Romana von Mestan walks out in the company of Jenifyr, offering her a momentary nod before she departs from her side and moves to stand in a good vantage spot for suverying the cleansing as well as the crowd beyond. A light smile curls her lips at the edges as she looks on.
A tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes arrives from the south, walking briskly and purposefully.
A tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes slows to a halt.
Jenifyr solemnly leads Aliara forth from the Ahalin Tower, sighting the crowds. She nods to them, and declares as she moves towards the pyre, “Gentlefolk of Lithmore, you see before you Miss Aliara O’Dell, a good hearted lass who has been afflicted by the evil taint of a demon. What sins opened the doorway for this perversion to enter her, I cannot say, only that it is true.”
Lien le Storm narrows eyes on a well built man with piercing blue eyes for a second, before chin lifts and lips purse together and body noticably turns towards Rothgar Astartes next to her. With Jenifyr’s words, her pale blue eyes go to the woman.
[Action: Romana von Mestan stands here, observing, her hands clasped behind her back.]
Talya le Salyndri arrives from the south.
Talya le Salyndri slows to a halt.
Aliara nods at Jenifyr.
Talya le Salyndri states, “What’s going on, oh my.”
“Two nights ago, she murdered a man. With her mind,” Jenifyr states as she brings Aliara to the pyre, “She went to the Knights Lithmorran and confessed this, begging them to bring her to an Inquisitor.” [Jenifyr]
A well built man with piercing blue eyes steps into the square admist a group of Reeves, a tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes and a slim young woman with sky blue eyes amongst them; All coming from a similar location, it would make sense that they arrive near each other. a well built man with piercing blue eyes looks over to Jenifyr, looking curious.
A young, brown-haired man looks to Talya le Salyndri as she speaks and lifts a finger up to his mouth to motion for silence for now.
A tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes stands apart from the rest, hands clasped together beneath a twice-wrapped leather belt with a sword and dagger sheath as he watches on– he merely lowers his head then, chin resting against the fabric of his overcoat.
Rothgar Astartes fixes his eyes on Jenifyr, looking over to Aliara and nodding once to her, letting his hands behind his back as he stands at a position of parade rest.
Talya le Salyndri swallows hard, looking away.
“The Inquisitors attempted to drive the demon out with flame,” Jenifyr continues, turning to address the crowd fully once Aliara is secure. Jenifyr takes a deep breath and declares solemnly, “We failed. The demon remains within.” [Jenifyr]
Talya le Salyndri approaches a well built man with piercing blue eyes, closing the distance.
Talya le Salyndri is near.
Jenifyr lifts her hands to the sky, looking up beseechingly to the heavens, then lowers them to clasp them before her chest, “People of Lithmore, let us pray together for this woman’s soul. That the fire may incinerate the taint that plagues her whilst allowing her immortal soul to fly free into the arms of the Lord of the Springs. Let her live on in eternity with the sun streaming through her hair and the waters of the Lord of the Springs to wash her feet. Pray with me.”
The church bells ring five times, announcing the hour of terce.
Aliara closes her eyes to pray.
Rothgar Astartes lowers his head in response to Jenifyr, closing his eyes and breathing calm and deep.
Talya le Salyndri positions herself so Edvard’s shoulder is blocking her view.
Romana von Mestan lowers her eyes respectfully as the reqest for prayer is made.
Standing apart from the crowd, a tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes stalls a bit– he watches the burning woman, then lowers his head too, hands clasped together.
A young, brown-haired man lowers his head as well in response to Jenifyr’s request.
A middle-aged, brown-eyed man places his fist in his palm and lowers his head in sync with the crowd.
Talya le Salyndri looks down.
Jenifyr speaks the ritual words for a Moment of Silence, then lifts her gaze and makes the sign of the chalice to end the prayer. Silently, and solemnly, she moves over to Aliara, and traces a chalice on the girl’s forehead, then whispers something into her ear.
Lien le Storm brings her hand up to clasp fingers around chalice, twisting it about as she bows her head forward. Dusky locks sliding over her brow to dangle over and obscure her eyes.
You whisper to Aliara, ‘The Lord of the Springs be with you, child, and embrace you.’
A well built man with piercing blue eyes folds his arms across his chest, and as a matter of fact does make a rather good pyre-blocker. His gaze settles evenly on the condemned woman, unblinking.
You move Aliara to the pole.
You secure Aliara’s hands to the pole with a length of chain.
Aliara looks thankfully, almost lovingly at Jenifyr.
You open a flask of oil and spread it around the bottom of the pole.
You light a crude torch, holding it at shoulder height, and make the sign of the Chalice.
A slim young woman with sky blue eyes murmurs out her own bit of the prayer, falling quiet again as the woman is moved to the pyre.
You cast the torch onto the base of the pyre. The oil ignites immediately.
Flames lick at the base of Aliara’s feet.
Rising higher, the flames encompass Aliara. The smell of burning flesh permeates the air.
Jenifyr solemnly clasps her hands at her waist, keeping a dutiful vigil.
Aliara writhes in the flames.
Aliara tries to scream, unsuccessfully, through the gag.
Aliara writhes in the flames.
Rothgar Astartes looks up at violet for a time, but just shakes his head and turns away as she burns, stepping out for a moment, using Lien le Storm as a shield from the noise.
Aliara writhes in the flames.
Aliara writhes in the flames.
A well built man with piercing blue eyes winces with the first shriek of agony, then stands even once more, arms still crossed.
Aliara writhes in the flames.
Aliara, as the gag burns away, shouts “BEWARE THE ROSE!”
Aliara writhes in the flames.
Completely engulfing Aliara, the flames burn her to cinders.
A slim young woman with sky blue eyes blinks and takes half a step back at the shouting.
A young, brown-haired man swallows as the words are cried out throughout the square and makes the sign of the chalice.
Romana von Mestan looks up, observing Alia as she shifts in pain through the flames, brows raising as the girl manages to call out her mysterious warning.
Jenifyr turns back to the crowd and says solemnly, “Thank you, brothers and sisters, for coming to this woman in her last hour. Go forth, and celebrate life with your loved ones.”
Lien le Storm’s hand comes up to cover the lower half of her face, a gasp barely muffled by her palm. She draws in a few quick breathes of air, swallowing quickly she turns away.
You think to yourself, “Go on, now people. Stop gawking, and disperse.”
Talya le Salyndri keeps her eyes away from the entire burning.
Rothgar Astartes swallows hard, turning back about as the deed is done, quietly nodding to Lien le Storm and touching her lightly on the shoulder before moving over to speak with Jenifyr. “Recieved your missive.” He rumbles, quietly, to her.
A middle-aged, brown-eyed man remains like stone as he watches the pyre. His face unchanging as if accustomed to such sights.
You sponsor Rothgar Astartes for entry into your guild.
Talya le Salyndri wonders, “Who was that?”
Jenifyr nods solemnly to Rothgar Astartes, gesturing to guards to take up the remains of the corpse. She says to Talya le Salyndri, “Her name was Aliara O’Dell, and she was a good woman. Please, Miss le Salyndri, pray for her.”
You get the corpse of a Lithmorran woman.
A slim young woman with sky blue eyes turns back to the other Reeves, suggesting, “Back to headquarters?”
Talya le Salyndri looks down and prays.
[Action: Rothgar Astartes is here, standing by Jenifyr.]
“Some woman who was new ta the city.. Mmh, well, hadn’t made much o’ a name for herself at least.” a well built man with piercing blue eyes informs Talya le Salyndri, his head moves to a tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes, and where he stands apart from the rest, speaking to both him and a slim young woman with sky blue eyes. “I found somethin’ ta do; go see about buyin’ another bottle o’ that brandy an’ finishin’ it.”
Jenifyr wonders to Rothgar Astartes, “Can you assist us, Master Astartes? Oversee the burial?”
A tall, slender man with almond-shaped grey eyes lifts both shoulders and turns briefly towards a slim young woman with sky blue eyes, though he doesn’t move to leave the scene. “You both can go on,” he murmurs, dismissing both her and a well built man with piercing blue eyes, “should you choose to do so. I’ll meander around, I think.”
Rothgar Astartes looks at the corpse, then at Jenifyr, a frown on his face. “Do you require anything of me, Lady Inquisitor? I think that I should debrief you on what we found last night.” He rumbles, before looking back down at the body, nodding. “Aye, Lady Inquisitor. I’ve buried worse.”
Lien le Storm glances briefly to Rothgar Astartes, before turning on the heel of black suede boots, tugging at the side of her hood she uses the silk to obscure the scent of the still smouldering remains.
You give the corpse of a Lithmorran woman to Rothgar Astartes.
