The House of Gardarr

[Jored]

Dantooine Ball

[He wishes to invite you to the opening of the Lurian Herald's main facility in Giask in the coming weeks.]

Veronica dismissed the Fitz Roberts entourage from her thoughts and looked at Andrea. "Oh forgive me Andrea, its seems this vintage is a tad too strong for me" turning to Mikael she says "Mikael please be a dear and dispose of this" as she handed him the wine glass.

Mikael nodded as he took the glass from her,"Of course Milady" Veronica smiled at him as he stepped back to mingle with the lesser Nobility, not too close but not too far away if needed. Turning to Andrea, Veronica hooked her arm in hers and prodded her away from where the Fitz Roberts where talking with the other Nobles.

"Oh Giask, I would love to visit the City, is it as marvelous as Askileon. I do hope that the straits from Askileon to Giask will be milder now that Spring has arrived. You know i traveled through the dead of Winter from East Island, it was a nightmare to be on a ship in that weather for weeks. Oh i almost forgot you recently had a baby, how exiting and you kept your figure, you must tell me your secret, not that I intend to be a mother anytime soon, but it is always good to know these things."

Veronica kept talking as she slowly moved to the other side of the ball room, Andrea in hand and Alessio trailing behind them.

Dantooine Ball

Veronica kept talking as she slowly moved to the other side of the ball room, Andrea in hand and Alessio trailing behind them.

"It is far more marvellous. Since I married Alessio, we spent many years together there living with his family. I cannot say I do not miss them, though Shinnen is almost equal in its beauty," she smiles. "Dear, was it not the Eastern Continent where your brother was sent to live with his cousin, the General?" she looks to her husband.

"It was," replied he, "But he has since passed, and now our dear brother is looking for opportunities of his own. He inherited a lion, of all things - can you believe it?" he looks back to Veronica.

"As for my secret," Andrea interrupts, "I had triplets my first time around. One small baby is nothing - well, with a small corset beneath my dress, that is." she rubs her stomach, looking for a buffet or any food.

[Jored]

Ciarin Tut

Veronica laughed as the handsome man led her across the ballroom, his dashing smile and his fast steps across the dance floor made her heart race. Occasionally she would notice a blurred face as she spun and twirled as they danced faster and faster.

Faster and faster they danced, until she became as light as air, faster and faster they danced until they lifted up in the air. Magic … Veronica beamed, the man smiled and they danced. The walls and the roof of the Ballroom folded away and they danced, higher and higher into the Night sky.

The Night sky beckoned and the stars shone bright, still they danced higher and higher lifting over white puffy clouds. The man pulled her closer and as they embraced their dance slowed down. She was content in his warm embrace.

Something changed and it felt wrong, he was holding her tighter, and she was struggling to breathe.

“You’re hurting me … let go …” She pushed at him until she could lift her head. His smile had turned into a sneer, his eyes cold and his touch even colder. His mouth opened wider and wider and rows of teeth yellow and stained bore down upon her. His hands turned to claws and they pressed into her as his grip tightened.

Veronica tried to scream, but his embrace left her dizzy and out of breath, she mustered all the strength she could and freed her arms. She went for its face and dug her nails deep, pulling with all the might she could muster she left deep gashes, a foul pungent odor assaulted her senses as yellow pus flowed down the creatures face.   

The pus burned her hands, but it was worth it. Its grip loosened on her, she struggled and squirmed until she could slip from its embrace. She started falling backward; it felt like an eternity as she tipped away from it. Its cold eyes held her and its blood crusted claws reached for her. But it was too slow, she was free and so she plummeted down and down towards the fluffy clouds below.

Cold air assaulted her as she fell; fear enveloped her as she fell and so the clouds welcomed her not with a soft embrace but a cold lingering pain.

_ _ _

Veronica’s eyes fluttered open to the screams of men. She remembered now, she fell of her horse. She strained as she pushed herself into a sitting position, the cold winter snow seeping into her bruised body.

She reached up and touched the back of her head and flinched at the bolt of pain. She looked at her hand and noted the red crimson on her glove, slowly turning her head she noticed the blood stained snow where her head had rested. Frowning she lifted herself into a standing position. The world felt like it was spinning around her, she almost lost conciseness but pushed on pass the dying men around her.

She remembered …

It was early morning when they rushed the makeshift fortifications. She had ordered the line to be held but they were too many, her men loosed arrow after arrow, but the horde just kept coming the left flank fell first then the right.

Then they scattered.

She looked around her, her horse lay in the snow not too far off, hunching figures crowded over it tearing at it. They where to engrossed in their meal to notice her, she struggled through the early winter snow trying to make for the nearby forest. She was going to make it, closer she got, even closer still, yes the trees welcomed her.

Joy turned to a burning pain as she fell to the ground; she had been struck, crunching footfalls in the snow told her all she needed to know, scrambling on all fours she tried to get away. Pain shot from the back of her head as her once golden hair now rust colored with matted blood was pulled tight.

She fell backwards and lost vision for a second, as she lay in the snow, the beast slowly bent down towards her, is foul hot breath upon her. It lifted its club ready to strike the killing blow, Veronica covered her face with her arms and knew that this was it, she screamed.

The blow never came, the beast stood over her, and it had three arrows sticking out of his chest. It was staring at them in amazement before it fell backwards and bled out. Veronica felt herself being lifted.

“We have her, move out you sons of dogs, full retreat. We head deeper into the woods. Where is that bastard healer, get him NOW!”

Veronica blacked out.

Roleplay from Kaguya Fujiwara

The copse was not large, only a meager cluster of trees that broke the mostly endless plains of Ciarin Tut. But the undergrowth was enough to conceal Kaguya, Alfreid, and a couple other retainers. Fifty metres due south was a dry riverbed in which hid another handful of warriors. South again, a disused irrigation ditch with another group of men, and so on.

The last battle had gone ill, and the Fujiwara scion had commanded that her forces disperse. A difficult decision to make; Retreat was not a pill easily swallowed by Yamatai pride, but there was no sense in wasting the lives of good men. Three had thrown themselves to the wolves so that the rest could escape. Their yoroi would have to be retrieved and returned to their households after this was over, in keeping with the Yamatai tradition of preserving armour as family heirlooms.

In the meantime Kaguya watched and waited, counting meticulously the beasts as they roamed the fields seeking to sate their appetites on stray cattle or foolish smallfolk who had not had the sense to beeline home and bolt their doors behind them. Her face was slick with grime and sweat, and bitter with barely concealed frustration at her present impotency.

Still, the Countess of Ciarin Tut was not one to waste time in fruitless idling. Men had been dispatched - surreptitiously of course in ones and twos - now to scout the enemy, or to warn outlying hamlets of the approaching threat. It would not kill the beasts, but perhaps these efforts might mitigate the damage done to her holdings and people, or perhaps produce information that was of use to the rest of the army.

"Another scout has returned, milady."

"Indeed." A curt nod. No smile. "Captain, he shall be provided a sturdy branch, through which he must sketch the disposition of the enemy thus encountered."

Kaguya glanced briefly at the sunset as Alfreid hurried away. Slowly but surely, light was fading, and with it would come a sleepless and terrifying night. Her thoughts went briefly to Veronica; hopefully the Dame's surviving troops had managed to stash her and themselves away someplace safe. The Countess had no idea where they had gone, and the thought of a wounded Lurian noble - stranded within her lands without resources nor help - chafed on her sensibilities as a Lady of the Empire.

She grit her teeth and turned her attention back to counting the vile things, hoping that friendly banners would soon appear.

[Jored]

Ciarin Tut

It had been a few weeks since Ciarin Tut was cleared of the Monsters roaming the country side. After the fall of her makeshift encampment and fortifications and her near death experience at the hands of the foul beast, Veronica had lost something.

Innocence.

For once she was naive in her believes but now she knew better, those that tried to warn her where right to do so. This land was invested with foul creatures that needed to be put down at any cost.

With the Winter cold tugging at her, shivering she pulled her cloak tight, she was standing at the toll bridge between Ciarin Tut and Garuck Udor helping some officials in collecting tariffs and inspecting goods for contraband.

With her presence and that of her soldiers providing security, the toll bridge was in peak operation, resulting in faster flow of goods and people eager to return home after the violence.

She noticed Mikael as he made his way closer, he was being accompanied by a messenger. Mikael instructed him to wait a few feet away as he approached her. “Milady, a messenger wearing the crest of the Countess Kaguya Fujiwara” Veronica studied the messenger before saying “You may approach” Mikael stepped to her side an arm’s length away; she studied him with some annoyance but did not call him out.

“Dame Gardarr, I bare a letter from the Countess Kaguya Fujiwara” bowing slightly he offered her the letter.

Veronica took the letter and carefully opening it she started reading.  “The Countess is too kind. Mikael, I believe we have done what we could at the bridge, we will be heading to the Countess Estate on her invitation. Strike camp and inform the officials we will be departing for Nishi Sagarifuji-dono.“

“Yes Milady” Veronica noticed he was still lingering and his eyes never left the messenger as he spoke to her. Tapping the letter on her lips she spoke to the messenger. “You will of course take my reply to the Countess”

“So I was instructed to do if it was required Dame Gardarr” he replied. “Very well then I will pen a reply, you will have it within the hour, until then get yourself a hot meal, you are dismissed”

Veronica’s eyes followed Mikael as he escorted the messenger, with a sigh she pulled her cloak tight around her and stared at the distant ships on the horizon.

[Jored]

Roleplay from William Fitz Roberts

This morning

The citizens of Poryatown were gathered in the square before the villa, awaiting the daily address from their lord as he held court. Many looked round as they heard shouting coming from the direction of the white citadel, where the prisoners were usually kept. A roar of excitement went up as they saw the cart upon which a noble woman was tied, beaten and broken. The citizens looked up as William and his family stood out upon the balcony and raised his arms

‘Behold, a traitor to Luria, caught in the act of attempted murder of our heroic vice-marshal’ Bellows of rage and hatred went up from the crowd as they began to pelt Bellatrix with mud and stones. She was dragged onto the gallows that stood in the centre of the square, usually used for punishing common murderers and rapists.

William nodded for the hangman to get on with it. Next to him stood his twin daughters, who had grown much in the last few years in Poryatown and were close to their mother in height. Manfred was also there, looking on in disapproval. William muttered under his breath, so only Anne could hear ‘I told you, I always get someone once I have decided they need to go’

‘Indeed you did husband’ Anne said smiling, then frowned as the rope around Bellatrix’s neck snapped. ‘Oh for goodness sake’ she snarled as the citizens of Poryatown surged forward. Under the traditions of the city, if the hangman’s rope snapped then the fate of the condemned belonged to the will of the people. Sometimes they were granted mercy. Most times, however, the citizens enacted their own method of punishment, with sticks and stones and fists and boots. William turned as he heard Manfred vomit. He grabbed the youth, pulling him close ‘tell me, how are you Antonia’s son?!’ he growled, before pushing the boy aside and walking back inside, flanked by his daughters. He trusted that his people would deal with the traitor.

He nodded at the master carpenter as he passed and stopped for a moment ‘good work with the rope’ he muttered, handing the man three gold coins. ‘Thank you m’lord’ the man bowed and scurried away

Luria Nova

Poryatown

Mikael’s sword found his mark as the flat of the blade made contact with a peasant; he was having a hell of a time keeping the rabble at bay, looking at his formation he knew they would not be able to keep the press of peasants back much longer. The escorts lines where being jostled and pushed with the increase of numbers from the rabble.

“Countess, we must head back! It is not safe”

But Veronica had eyes only for the Gallows in front of the Villa. The gallows had been erected in the square at the front of the Villa and the mob of peasants kept surging into the square. She was brought back out of her daze when one of her Escort bumped into her, the rabble had forced him out of formation but it took him mere seconds to push back and finding his footing made some space between her and the mob.

“Countess! We must leave”

Veronica looked at Mikael, before scanning the square.

“There” she pointed.

The Escort shifted and started pushing towards a double story building with a balcony overlooking the square; the escort seemed to have enough of the rabble and was not kind in making those that did not wish to move regret their actions.

At the approach, Mikael pushed ahead and started banging on the door. “Open up in the name of the Countess Gardarr”

With no answer Mikael turned to some of his men. “Break it down” Two of his men stepped forward and started to bash at the door.

“Hold, hold I’ll open” a cry came from within. The bolts could be heard as they where slid open and as the door opened a crack Mikael pushed in and Veronica followed.

A scrawny man, a merchant by the looks of it was standing a few feet back wringing his hands, bobbing up and down.

“My apologies Countess, I did not hear, due to the noise, be welcome, be welcome” he gestured.

As Veronica’s Escort pushed in and secured the Merchants shop, Mikael tossed some gold coins on the floor and spoke “Show us the balcony” The Merchant eyes flicked to the gold lying on the floor before he quickly scooped them up and led the way. “It’s this way Countess, please if you will”

They followed the scrawny man up the stairs and through a sitting room leading to a balcony. Veronica’s escort took up some positions on the balcony as she stepped out to overlook the square, the merchant tried to join her but at a look from Mikael thought the better and retreated back into his shop.

It was chaos, while they had made their way to the balcony a cart had appeared carrying Bellatrix, she was disheveled, the dishonored dame looked like a wretch. Veronica’s eyes kept following the cart as a hush fell over the crowd. A voice echoed over the square.

‘Behold, a traitor to Luria, caught in the act of attempted murder of our heroic vice-marshal’

Veronica’s eyes left the cart as she looked at the man speaking; with arms outstretched the Imperial Magistrate was addressing the populous from the balcony of the White Citadel. If looks could kill Veronica’s gaze would have struck him down

At his words peasants went into frenzy and started throwing stones, rotten food and garbage at the prisoner. Soldiers wearing the livery of the Imperial magistrate took hold of the Dame and dragged her from the cart towards the gallows.

The noose was tightened and a hood placed over the dames head. “Not even any final words” Veronica muttered to herself.

As the hangman pulled the lever and the rope went taut, there was a loud crack as the rope snapped. Veronica’s hands went white as she gripped the railing.

Bellatrix was set upon by the mob, her body disappearing from view.

Veronica looked at Mikael. “If only our man had succeeded, poison would have been the most merciful way to end this fiasco. Any chance our man is still alive?”

“Let’s hope not Countess” he replied

The crowd was getting rowdy and a few stones took flight and scuffles were breaking out. “We better step into the parlour Countess, it might take some hours for order to be restored and we will be stuck here until then”

As Veronica retreated into the parlour she plopped down on nearby settee.

“I think I need a drink” a few minutes later she was sipping her wine with Belletrix execution playing over and over in her mind.