Treachery, lies and secrets

[Coan]

"I am almost 17 and my name is Rosette. Who do I have the honor of thanking for my rescue?" she looked at the trio while seeming to still be nervous with the leashed elf

[alhoon]

"I'm Dr. Xevim or Ixevim, a mind flayer. And believe me my Lady, in my 45 years I have seen much horror myself without becoming such a monster as those you call allies.
I believe you are truthfull when you say you suffered at the hands of the previous leaders of Borca and their proxies but I disagree with your choices and I believe the hate you nurture for the nobles loyal to Ivana Boritsi is going to damn you.
Still I'm going to protect you from the loyalists if I can without putting myself to conciderable danger, but I can't protect you from yourself."

By the time Ixevim said "proxies" he sent Heinrich a mental stab, and an image of Lady Romaine.

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

Heinrich had not expected the mental stab from Ixevim and flinched when he received it. But he knew betetr than anyone that people could change, he himself had unleashed atrocities under the command of The Hawk. He had redeemed himself, rebelled, helped other who wished to overthorw the dictator. If he could do so, surely NOstalia could also. Afterall, she had shown him such kindness and affection, true monsters knew nothing of such things.

"Young lady, there are correct methods for all things, a hostile tak over across a nation is not one of them. You wanted them to see their errors, why not try to do so peacefully through negotiations? Violence should only be taken when there is no other choice."

He thought of the people who had suffered and died in the cause to free what was once Old Falkovnia, both in the long distance past and nore recently. His family, many of his friends, all of them had lost their lives to tyrants and monsters. He saw nothing of such cruelty in the ruler of this land or those who served her.

[alhoon]

Afterall, she had shown him such kindness and affection, true monsters knew nothing of such things.

Ixevim felt frustration at these thoughts. He sent Heinrich a mental reply. "I'm not a monster Heinrich. We are unable to feel affection and love but that just makes us different! My kin would argue that this lack of feelings makes us superior. I'm hunted by my own race because I disagree with them."

A moment later Ixevim realizes that there are more humans after Heinrich than mind flayers in Bluetspur. Well, for humans to be "hunted by their own race" doesn't seem as barbaric and abominable to them.
That goes over for Rosette. She hates others of her race. She would gladly wipe her Creed (so to speak) off the face of her homeland. So basic insticts! Such barbaric behavior, such brainless atrocities . . . so much potentional lost.

Ixevim shook these thoughts out of his mind. He wasn't the one to show them the way, he repeated to himself. There is no "potentional lost", sentients were NOT his pupils. They were free to make their decisions even if they seemed foolish to him. They just are different than him, didn't need his guidance. They will suffer the consequences alone though. He wouldn't try to save any more.

OOC> The nobles are a like Creed for Ixevim. Also I know that Heinrich didn't mean the stab against Ixevim, but Ixevim feels an outcast so he perceives insults where there are none.

[Coan]

Rosette nodded

"Then we disagree on many things for I will not apologise to what I have done in my life. I have few regrets and none... involve nobles." she sniffed as small tears formed in her eyes, but she managed to stifle them. "So what do we do?" she asked shifting closer to Kimuriel and away from the others who Ixevim felt she was uncomfortable with.

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

Heinrich thinks to himself, knowing Ixivem would be listening, he was still not used to all of this mental talking, or that his most private thoughts would be privy to others. "You misunderstand my thoughts, I was thinking of those who are purely evil, they are the monsters, not you, I was once a monster by my own actions, but I hope that one day, what I do now will redeem myself in the eyes of Ezra." He then returned his attention to Rosette.

"I think it best to keep you hidden while we remain here, it appears that we shall be departing soon enough and since this room has already been searched, I very much doubt they will be returning any time soon. Also, I doubt they will be wanting to cross my path while I remain here. You will be quite safe."

WHile he thought of Rosette as wrong in her actions, he understood her feelings and need to revolt. No more than two weeks ago he was aiding a revolt in his own country against a cruel dictator. But here... here he had seen nothing like his homeland, what was so horrible here that would cause others to rise up and rebel?

[alhoon]

"Indeed, and I'm sorry for reading what you didn't wanted to communicate and for offending you with my paranoia. But all the events of the last days have made me. . . edgy."

Ixevim sent them all (including Rosette) the following, "I agree that she will be safe while we remain here, but what will happen after we leave?"

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

Heinrich gave a sideways smile that tugged on the long scar running down his cheek and spoke aloud.

"We take Rosette with us, I doubt she would wish to remain here, alone."

[VAN]

"I agree. Tomorrow morning, we will leave and we'll get Rosette with us. I don't think Artemis will have problem with that."

After a moment, Kimuriel realizes that he hasn't told to the girl where they were planning to go. So he says:

"We'll go to Hazlan, you can stay to village or to a small town. I think you'll be safe there."

Kimuriel tries to persuade Rosette with his words, but he isn't sure that the girl will be safe. The nobles have many proxies and spies are everywhere. Kimuriel hopes only that no one will search for her and she can have a normal life at Hazlan or at any other place she wants.

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

Heinrich decides to back Kimuriel up.

"I also believe that you would be safer there, you would have anonymity and a new beginning to build upon, perhaps a new identity would not be out of the question for oyu, it is something you may have to contemplate. With you wanted by the guard and being lost to your sympathisers, both sides will be looking for you and I doubt that even those you call your allies would take kind to you should they find you, they may view you as much of a threat as they do Lady Boritsi."

He then thinks out clearly for the telepaths to pick up, should they be listening that he would like to see Nostalia again before they left the next day. If he must leave, then he is not to leave without saying goodbye to her.

[Coan]

"Hazlan?" Rosette asked eyes widening slightly before being replaced by a stern look "I've heard strange rumors about the south. It is said it is ruled by a class system that cannot support itself and that ..." she paused a moment "I would be happy to go sirs." she finished before giving Kimuriel a quick kiss on his cheek "You are especially just... thankyou. If it is alright I would like to sleep now, the floor will be more than adequate as long as I am safe this night."

With that Rosette went to preparing bedding from spare linen left in the nearby closet. There was little left to do with the night well upon the group thus the last of their preparations were made before retiring.

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

Heinrich said his goodnights to the others and made it known to those who read thoughts where he would be if he was required. He silently closed the door behind himself and limped back to Nostalia's room. He let himself in and found her asleep. not wanting to wake her, he sat hiimself down and watched over her for a few hours before the lack of sleep he'd had the night before finally caught up with him. He didn't remember dreaming but he woke with a start, sweat pouring down his face. He wiped heis face on the sleeve of his shirt and checked on Nostalia, she still slept soundly. He promised her that he would return if possible, how he wanted to stay now. But he had obligations and promises that he must fill before tending to his own desires and wishes.

He lifted hm from the seat and kissed his fingers before placing them on Nostalia's forehead, she stirred but did not awaken. He smiled to himself before picking up the cane and heading off to meet up with the others. There journey was now to lead them to Hazlan, he looked forward to seeing the land, having only heard obscure rumours about the land.

[VAN]

Kimuriel smiles at Rosette when she kisses him, he always likes being kissed from beatiful women. Then, he helps her make the bed and after that returns to sleep. He needs to be well rested before the departure.

[alhoon]

Ixevim sent Heinrich a goodnight and reminded Kimuriel that the sword is not the only thing that can wound someone.

Then he went out and using his psionic abilities and social skills found the officer responsible for the guards that entered his room and "explained" to him that he was telepathic, agitated, important, powerful and not-too-happy by the rumors that follow him and "politely asked" the intimidated man to make sure that the guards understand that to insult Dr Xevim was a bad idea and they should keep their opinions to themselves.

Then he went to sleep.

[Coan]

The morning dawns on Borca and change is in the air. Where once there was fear of rebellion and violence there is now stability. Order has been restored and the last bastions of the puppet Pietor's government hold little hope of regaining that which they have lost. Without their leader and his unknown master's plans the national guard are routing them. Many have fled while occasionally a lone gunshot or explosion is heard as others surrender to their fates rather than face a public execution.

The group partakes in a quick breakfast but soon filter outside towards where their carriage is being prepared. Rosette follows disguised in a simple illusion -now acting as a servant recruited by the group to avoid suspicion. Outside new banners with the purple and black colours of the Boritsi clan are already moving in the cool morning breeze. The sky is finally cleared of the ash and clouds from the fire started two days ago and the sun's light is warm on their skin. Artemis is leaning against the carriage scrolling through a book while having two soldiers load some crates onto the vehicle.