Treachery, lies and secrets

[VAN]

The next morning Kimuriel stands up late, he needed sleep to regenerate himself after the events of the last days. He gets dressed with the new clean clothes hanged beside his bed, but he put on his old cloak. With a slight move of his hand in the pocket, Kimuriel is sure that the ring given to him by Ivana was in its place. Despite the half-elf hadn’t gotten any healing potion, he find out that the most of his wounds are in better condition. The detective hadn’t gotten any serious wounds the previous days, since he had his inertial barrier, which prevented them. A bitter smile appears at psion’s face, who knows if he can use this power again. Knowing that if he tries to manifest a power there is a possibility to backfire and create the strange fog again, Kimuriel decides to be with the others before trying to use his innate abilities again. Maybe they can help him control them, or even stop him, if something goes wrong. So, he opens the door and nods to the guard who is standing behind it:

“Good morning. May you tell me where my companions are?”

[alhoon]

Ixevim wakes up from his sleep. He has slept as a dead. No dreams thankfully, they wouldn't be good. He streches, checks his illusionary appearance and prepares his spells for the day.
Then he opens the door of his small room and asks the guard outside. "Where are my companions, please?"

[Coan]

Heinrich walked down the corridor. A serving boy had brought him his chain mail and now the familiar 'chink' of it matched his step -now aided by the wooden tap of a walking cane, he hated to admit it but sometimes he could feel his age.

Turning his mind to other matters he had noticed a disturbingly small amount of guards on patrol. Apart from the one escorting him and two others he had seen along the way there were nowhere near the number he had seen in the previous days -and even those three were old men.

He guessed the revolution was only now starting to take off and every able bodied soldier was now in a fight he could only guess about. All those corridors and hallways below would be bathed with the blood of men and women who had been deceived into believing their path was true, when in fact their leader had just been another lie.

"We're here sir." his guard informed him. Two guards unlocked and opened the single unassuming door before him -evidently this room was more heavily guarded. Inside were two more soldiers and doctors -many doctors, some with blood on their hands. A window in the high ceiling above let light in from the sky. The cloud of ash and gunpowder had finally cleared and the morning's light was a welcome change.

Shining down onto Nostalia the warmth of the summer day cascaded onto the woman's fragile and slender form with a red dress.

She was laying down -and naked? There were cuts all over her body and blood was everywhere. The white sheet he had thought clothing was covered in red and being held down over rapidly bleeding wounds as people struggled to keep pressure on and stop her life from bleeding out.

Then there was shouting and screaming. The doctors turned and surprise filled their eyes as one lowered his mask telling the guard to get Heinrich outside.

Someone was still yelling and Heinrich was shocked. He had seen death on the battle field -even some of the worst wounds a musket and sword could deliver. But never anything like...

When he was thrown outside with a hastily apologising guard Heinrich could hardly hear the old man. Something about not knowing, that he should have checked first. But the screaming still echoed in his ears.

Memories of his wife and children being executed filled his mind. The blood, the smell.

Then he realised; he was the one screaming.

[Coan]

Meanwhile Kimuriel and Ixevim were led for some time. Down several flights of stairs and past hallways. Some had blood on them and once Kimuriel thought he saw the form of corpses under a large sheeting canvas from under a balcony, but it was only for a second and then he had passed it -the guard would not let him go back to check.

Finally coming to a set of double doors the youngest guard, a boy of only 14 or 15, smiled and bowed in his smart and very new looking uniform. Showing them through Kimuriel instantly recognised the room. It was the theatre he had first seen Lord Pietor talking to an Ezran Emissary. Now however the tabards and flags of Borca had been replaced by the purple and black of House Boritsi. Guards were still throwing away great artworks and ripping them from the walls with disregard, some laughed at how stupid the new regime had been to install such things when they lost the war after only a few years.

At the edge of the audience level Artemis stood directing the replacement of banners. Strangely, and in an irony lost on the mindflayer, a small group of children and old men were standing on the stage singing in choir formation. They were singing opera and even some of the soldiers were adding instruments in the musician underpass under the stage.

"You there!" the diplomat said tapping piece of wood to a nearby chair to gain attention "Show respect for those paintings. Do you even know what they're worth!?" a guard responded with a shrug and tossed the painting on a chair, causing a loud ripping sound.

When the two adventurer's joined him, they could hear Artemis muttering under his breath. Evidently his reputation was still not repaired and he was angry at the cost to the manor.

Not noticing their return Artemis turned to the choir and rearranged them. Those inclined to music seemed to at least respect his direction. Only when the young guard announced their presence did the 'former traitor' turn.

"Kimuriel, Ixevim. Good of you to come -no no, I don't think we need to worry about using our real names anymore. Gossip runs to fast here. What do you think?" he pointed to the singing group "Small I know but somewhat appropriate for an impending victory and reclaimation of our homeland eh?"

[VAN]

Kimuriel looks around, he can’t believe in his eyes. As a half-elf grown up with elves often he doesn’t understand the human manners and their life style. The elves after winning an important battle gathered and singed at the moonlight altogether, praised their decisions and actions. But they do that after they had won, not at the beginning. Kimuriel finds correct the change of flags, as manifestation of happiness from their freedom and Lord Pieter’s death, because it can raise the moral of the guards. But the chore and the guards who throw away the artworks or carry musical instruments while their companions probably at this time are in a middle of a battle, is exaggerated or even stupid. However the psion doesn’t want to offend Artemis, so he just chuckles and says:

“The chore is good enough Artemis, but what about the battle out there? I saw many corpses lying dead and I don’t think that there were all rebels. However, I think you know better. When you have some time, I think we need to talk to see what we are going to do now.”

[alhoon]

Ixevim said "I know what to do now." His face was blank but he send to Artemis and Kimuriel mind his feelings of frustration on the way the servants handled the artwork.
He turned his back to his comrades and moved near the man that had just destroyed the painting the expensive painting. Grabbing the bigger man's arm, he forcefully draw his attention. This bold move shocked the man who turned to face Ixevim.
Ixevim's voice came out venomous and filled with contempt. His blank face only added to the feeling.
"The paintings are expensive. You should better handle them right, because you are not that expensive." After finishing, Ixevim immediately turned his back on the dumpfounded man moving to another pair of servants, dismissing the seemingly healthier and stronger man.

Ixevim sent a question over Artemis "Do they now anything else except of my name?"

OOC: That was just an intimidation check, No use of psionics there.

[Coan]

"Oh some do, some do. Most don't though. The mere thought of the panic caused is not something we wish to consider."

Meanwhile the guard had recovered somewhat and ordered his men to be more careful and quiet with their looting and renovations.

"Now, what I think it has come to that point in time. We are running out our welcome here and -oh take a seat." Artemis moved over to the empty audience chairs and sat down, indicating for the others to follow suit "What I'm saying is that as of this moment we can go anywhere on the continent. I mean anywhere, travel may take time but so much has happened in this world I think I need a holiday. So what would you two like to do? The exotic east? Track down Ixevim's old comrades? Give it some thought, Lady Borca is generous in her rewards and 'funding'."

[alhoon]

Ixevim sent his allies his incredulous feelings about Artemis' proposal. "Why should we go after them?" The memories of his torn homeland send a shiver through his tentacles. "I would prefer to travel to Hazlan Artemis. There is the machine I wish to make in order to find a way to get us back. Also as the Vistana said, this is not a good time for the lands, so I expect that tourism isn't the best thing we can do."

"On the other hand, I could use some time in an alchemical laboratory if we found one to create a few things, so Dementlieu seems fine to me also. Perhaps we can find some clues about the machine there too. Still, Hazlan remains first in my wishes.
Also Hazlan has some connection to my former home, so perhaps we could learn a few things about my . . . extended family there or even send an urgent message to the Leaders."

[VAN]

Kimuriel keeps looking the floor while is listening Ixevim words. When the illithid has finished, he raise his glance and looking both of them says:

“Hazlan is a good place to go for me too. I know that there are many wizards there and as I have told you before, I want to find one who can explain me what had happened to my dragon statuette. Is very important for me to know that before trying to use it again. Besides I have never been to Hazlan, I have only passed from it while I was going to Nova Vasa. But before doing this or soon after, I want to find out has happened to my father. You remember for sure this strange creature which seemed that has gotten my father’s soul. I want to find it and help my father rest.”

Kimuriel turns his glance down again, he seems having an inner fight. Finally he looks his companions again and with a voice apparently steady says:

“My father Jonathan was not an exemplar as a father. He pretended very much for me and my brother since we were very young. He was a famous mercenary and as a Barovian he was a bit rude at his manners. My brother had a bit easier life, because he was training every day with others to become a fighter. I was not such strong and since I had manifested my psionic abilities for first time when I was 23, my father treated me like…”

Kimuriel’s voice breaks while he continues talking.

“Like one of no use, an inutile. When finally I had my powers my father was happy but he continued pretend very much from me. I have risked my life many times because he believed that I was able to do certain things that were impossible to be done. A year later he abandoned us. I have to admit that this was almost a relief for me. But when 2 years later I heard that a band of bandits have kidnapped my father I decided to go and save him, after all he was my father. I did my best to find where their refugee was and I went there immediately with some friends, adventurers. Despite our great effort though, we arrived when it was late. The bandits were no more alone, an evil cleric and 2 strange humanoids had joined with them. We managed to win the battle, but 3 of my friends and my father lost their lives. You cannot believe what were Jonathan’s last words “I knew that I could not trust you. You are not capable even to come to the right time to save your own father.” I have never forgiven myself for my delay. So, maybe this is a chance to prove him that he was wrong all this time and despite he was not a good father he deserves to rest in peace.”

[alhoon]

Ixevim send a mental note to Artemis "Humans. You can be so cruel to each other."
He said "Don't worry Kimuriel. Your father should have been proud of you and mostly because of your powers. The power of the mind, it's ability to shape reality is much more precious than muscle or some technique with a sword. With the right psionic talents, you can immitate the best fighter, while with other you can cripple a foe that a fighter would just be able to gape at.
In fact I feel it is increadibly weird that someone would put more faith in weapons than in psionic power; not to mention in one's own son. . . The death of your father, and his current fate is not your fault Kimuriel.
And as of your abilities. . . Believe me, they place you far above those unlucky that cannot use the powers of the mind. While many like you and me can fall in the trap of overestimating their powers or their position in the world, to see that some . . . less fortunate believe they are better! Alas, that is something incomprehensible to me.
It took far more than you can imagine so I could believe that we are not destined to rule the world but protect it, and that is because of my powers."

OOC: Artemis may note that Ixevim didn't mentioned that "all creatures are born equal, despite their powers" but he has turned to a more "We are better but we should protect not rule" attitude.

OOC2: Sorry Wiccy, but that is what a distressed Ixevim believes. After all, he has been through much lately.

[VAN]

“Thanks Ixevim. I’ll try to locate this creature later this day in order to learn something more about it.”

Kimuriel turns to Artemis and asks:

“How are Lady Romaine and Heinrich? I haven’t seen them till now, are they ok? Ahh, and since we’re gathered here, I’ll put the ring Lady Ivana gave me.”

With that he places the ring at a finger of his left hand.

[Coan]

Artemis shook his head. "I haven't seen Heinrich today and from what I learn Nostalia is in a bad way... she... suffered greatly from the battle."

At this Kimuriel puts on the obsidion jade ring.

"Look out!" a guard yells as suddenly a lighting lamp falls from behind the stage. Ixevim is fast enough to move out of the way but it stops short of Kimuriel and knocks its gas switch causing it to power up to full with a cascade of a multitude of colours from its shading covers projected out and around the half-elf. The increase in strain on the large room's gas supply dims the other lanterns in the audience and Kimuriel -by accident or some perverse irony, becomes the focal point of light in the entire auditorium. The light reacts well with his elven heritage and many guards gape at his magnificent visage before Artemis hurridley turns the lamp down and things return to normal

"I told you people to be careful!" the diplomat yells and then returns to the others

[VAN]

Kimuriel remains still as he has lost his words when he was covered from the light. When everything returns normal asks:

“What was that? It was the ring which provoked all that?”

Looking the obsidian jade ring for a moment he gets it off and says:

“I don’t want to provoke more accidents here, so I’ll try the ring later, when we will be only the four of us. Now I think it’s better go and see Heinrich’s and Nostalia’s condition.”

[Coan]

Artemis nods

"I don't think he would like to see me at the moment. But I'll have a guard direct you to him if you think that is best. Ixevim if you would stay for a moment I would like to talk to you about something?"

Clicking his fingers the smartly dressed young soldier from before walks up and salutes.

"Private Souske reporting sir."
"Yes ...er. Your orders are to escort Detective Kimuriel to Heinrich -our bodyguard. He should be awake by now start at his quarters and proceed from there."
"Pardon sir?"
"If he is awake I very much doubt his capacity for staying still after what has only recently just occured to him."
"Yes sir!" Souske saluted once more and clicked his heels
"Dismissed."

[VAN]

Kimuriel follows the soldier through the Manor’s corridors. As walking, the half-elf notices many servants or soldiers watch him and nod their heads as recognizing him. It’s clear that now he and his companions in the Manor are known as the powerful adventurers who had killed lord Pieter and especially are Ivana’s friends. Kimuriel doesn’t like that and he knows that they should be very careful now. He’s afraid that a traitor or a Pieter’s ally will try to harm them. So he is tensed and he keeps his eyes open ready to react if something goes wrong.

“How far is Heinrich’s room Souske?”

“We’re almost there sir.”