Final Depravity RP

[MelissaB]

Watching Him ask Cass to do it made Eliandra frown before leaning back and sighing softly, ah yes the meeting. She lent on the man's shoulder. "Still, thanks for the aid." she smiles and leans back on the sofa. "When is this meeting we need to get to anyway?"

[Alaena]

Cassandra & Eliandra

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

As Cassandra rubs the solution into his palm, she can feel the strength of his hands, and the mere size dwarfs hers. She finds herself being more and more drawn to him in a way she can't explain. She was rubbing his hand long after the wound had healed, and finally the King says, "Thank you, Lady Cassandra," and slowly pulls his hand from hers.

Edric then pulls Eliandra into a deep kiss. He doesn't hesitate to probe her mouth with his tongue and wrestle with hers. After a few minutes of making out with Cassandra only a few feet away, he whispers into Eliandra's ear, "Don't feel neglected, my love."

With that, he gives one last parting kiss and rises from the sofa, "They should be here any minute now. We should head to the throne room."

Leslina

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The Arch Bishop nods, unsure of what you're getting at.

"Well, we're going to head inside. You're welcome to join us."

The Bishop and a handful of his paladins come with him into the palace. After heading through a few different hallways, the group arrives in a massive room with a vaulted ceiling and marble pillars in the center of the room forming an aisle to the throne at the end. Painted on the ceiling is the image of an armored warrior fighting a mighty red dragon, likely King Ereden from your research. Currently, there seems to be no King present, only the modest steel throne at the end of the hall on an elevated platform. Guards line the walls, armed in the finest plate armor and weaponry. Behind the throne is an entire wall made of stained glass depicting a warrior-woman riding upon a gold dragon, probably Iomedae herself.

"Ah, this is unusual," the Bishop says.

"The King is not here. Usually, it is customary for the King to await his guests upon the throne and already be seated before their arrival. I suppose we'll await outside."

The Bishop and the group step back outside the main hall and seem wait patiently for the King's summons.

[MelissaB]

Opening her eyes her shock Eliandra stares at him before her eyes close and she returns the kiss affectionately, sighing happily into the kiss as her arms go to hold her on their own. Pouting hen he breaks it she smiles and blushes a little remembering Cassandra is right there beside them before coughing and glaring at her not to say a word. "They're- Oh we should depart then." Smiling up at him she too rises to her feet before leaning over and whispering to Cass. "Not a word." Before turning by to Eldric and giving him a smile. dusting her armor off trying to look somewhat fitting for what she is about to be involved in.

[DomJoe]

Leslina looks about the throne room, feeling a bit threatened with so many guards at the ready. No matter what she thinks, she cannot shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen. This is further amplified by the fact that the king they are supposed to meet with is not sitting at his throne. "It is indeed strange, especially for such an important affair," Leslina says with a nod, speaking her mind on the matter. She decides to follow the bishop outside as well, not comfortable with being the only person left in the throne room.

[Tsai]

Cassandra gives Eli a nod but as they transition over to the throne room the thief tugs on her friend's arm pulling her to the side to whisper in her ear. "Eli..I..something..isn't right about Eldric.." She casts a quick glance to the king and she can feel her heart practically skip a beat. "I..I've never felt this way about men...especially ones not as young as him.. I don't trust him.."

[MelissaB]

Hearing her companion Eliandra eyes narrow. "Cassandra, i'm pretty sure what you're feeling isn't nothing that is Eldric's fault." She shrugs off her companions concerns as if they were excuses for being attracted to a man. "Now unless you have something important to say maybe we should not talk about the King of the kingdom we are currently in in whispers while he is presence?" She suggests with an annoyed tone before turning back to Eldric with a smile and dip of her head, of which she offers apologetically.

[Alaena]

Cassandra & Eliandra

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Edric says, "Worry not. I'm sure Cassandra and I will become fast friends once she opens up for me."

The king stands and leads Eliandra by the hand while motioning for Cassandra to follow.

The three of you enter the throne room and Edric takes his seat upon the large steel throne, topped by a dragon's skull. A massive stained glass window is behind the throne, depicting an armored woman riding a golden dragon. A massive painting is on the ceiling of an armored man fighting a red dragon.. Already standing in the throne room are five older men in armor, to theleft of Edric's throne.

"Cassandra, Eliandra, these are the Generals and Admirals of Iometolis. We can do formal introductions in a moment. Stand at the bottom of those steps infront of me, to my right, Lady Cassandra, Lady Eliandra. And, Raven..."

Seemingly from nowhere, the black-leathered man steps from the shadows, as silent as ever.

"Let the Bishop know we're ready for him. It's time."

Raven nods, seemingly much calmer now, and heads over to the throne room doors. He opens them and lets the Bishop and six paladins accompanying him inside. Leslina and Saralyn are also accompanying the bishop it seems.

One of the generals asks, "Your Majesty, What of Ser Castigan?"

Edric confidently says, "I informed him. It seems he chose not to show."

Leslina

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Finally, after waiting for several minutes of awkward silence, the throne room doors re-open and a man in black leather armor steps out. His head and face are completely shaved. He says nothing to the group, as they look at him expectantly, but merely opens the doors and motions for everyone to enter.

While this might seem very strange to Leslina, the Bishop and the Paladins see nothing unusual about this man's silence. The group steps through and at the end of the hall, the King is sitting upon the throne. At the bottom of the steps leading up to his throne to his right is Eliandra and Cassandra. To his left are five older men, possibly military officers, maybe generals, wearing their armor and weapons. In fact, the King himself is wearing his quite ornate ivory and gold full-plate with his greatsword unsheathed on his lap.

[Tsai]

Cassandra glares at the king then looks down at the ground completely embarrassed like a child viewing her first crush. She shakes her head and tries to get rid of the feelings she has for Eldric. Once in the throne room she quietly waits where she's instructed. Seeing the other envoys she breathes a sigh of relief glad to seem okay after every today. Raven still scares her and her intuition tells her something terrible will happen in this throne room.

[DomJoe]

Leslina gathers her wits and courage and walking into the room as calmly as she could. She barely withholds the urge to rush over to Eliandra and Cassandra and start pestering them about what they had done, but this was definitely not the time, nor the place. More decorated soldiers seems to pour into the room, and Leslina's gut feeling returns to her. There are simply far too many soldiers around, she thinks. No elven council would have this many armed, at the very least. Was human politics like this all the time? Either way, she holds still, arm at her own weapon, just in case...

[MelissaB]

Eliandra smiles as they head into the throne room. Seeing the throne and intricate depictions Eliandra looks a little in awe before doing as instructed and taking a place before him to it's right. Standing at the bottom of the steps Eliandra gets a little more tense, knowing the secrets between the two parties meeting here today, both after power of the throne and a single person to rule over the kingdom. Seeing them enter along with Leslina she takes on a hard look of cold indifference before tilting her head at her companion. "What the hell is she doing with them?" she wonders quietly before shaking her head and waiting for this to begin. The tale of Castigan make her face twitch a little before setting back into place.

[Alaena]

Leslina, Cassandra, Eliandra

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

"Your Majesty..."

The Arch-Bishop does a bow before Edric and the rest of the paladins follow suit. Edric unsheaths his greatsword and put it on his lap, which is likely not a good sign. The King has a wide grin on his face as he watches the Bishop and his retinue intently.

"You bear your weapon on your lap at a meeting, King Edric. What needs are the armor and weapons for a talk?"

Edric says, "What need is their for bodyguards for a diplomatic visit across town?"

The Arch-Bishop nods and says nothing.

"Have you come to a decision already about whether or not to aid the Elves?"

Edric stands from his throne and descends down the few steps leading to the main floor, his greatsword in his hand.

"We will march to aid Vaalniya, and together, we will enter a new age of Elven and Human cooperation, and with the Elves help..."

He pauses as he steps closer to the Bishop.

"...Once the Orcs are done, we will bring the other human kingdoms into the fold. Through steel and blood, it will be the beginning of a new age. Two empires shall rule the world, one Human, one Elven. Iometolis' armies will be feared from sunrise to sunset. We will destroy the Orcs and take over the Eastern, Western, and Northern reach by storm. Those who defy my rule will perish in pain."

The others in the room begin whispering to each other with shocked looks on their faces. The Arch-Bishop seems unphased by this declaration.

"Empires rise and fall, boy. I raised you like a son. I acted as your father, as regent, and as King for many years. Nothing is eternal, save for your immortal soul. You'd sacrifice your soul, the souls of this city, for the small chance of temporary grandeur and glory. You are far more foolish than Ereden ever was, despite his inclination toward rash solutions. He knew wise council when he heard it. The words of the Goddess fall on deaf ears as you compromise our morality, our peace, and our divinity for your own ambition."

Edric raises his hand and the guards lining the hall pull out crossbows aimed at the group. Just as the Bishop's paladin retinue intended to draw their swords, a hail of well-aimed crossbow bolts fill the chests of three of the paladins. Tamara pulls Leslina and Saralyn out of the way at the last moment. Surprisingly, the other three paladins are untouched, seemingly not aimed for. Clearly, something more was going on. Commander Reneis, Captain Tamara, and Lieutenant Ashlin stepped away from the other paladins as they were shot down.

"I am no boy. I am King of Iometolis. You are a glorified preacher."

Edric raises his fist and slams his mailed gauntlet into the Bishop's face, knocking Frederick to the ground, but not out.

"You say you were a father to me? That YOU were King for awhile? That may all be true, I suppose..."

Edric lifts his greatsword and places it at the bishop's neck. Through the blood coming from the bishop's teeth, he sputters, "You ignorant boy. The people, paladins, General Castigan, there will be civil war... it won't end here... and when you have nothing but ashes left to stand upon, will that convince you of Iomedae's teachings?"

As the Bishop says 'the paladins,' he looks back at Commander Reneis, disappointed, as she silently observed the Arch-Bishop being lined up for an execution.

"And how cheap were you, Reneis?"

The King laughs and says, "Reneis was not easy to convince, but I met her early on, long before you were considering her for Commander of your order and earned her loyalty, rather than expecting it like you do. I required the help of a much more powerful friend. Tell me, Lady Eliandra, how was Ser Castigan doing when you last saw him?"

[MelissaB]

Hearing his declaration she bit her lip, the North, her King this, this doesn't bode well for her she feels and her anxiety plays upon her features for a moment until the violence breaks out and it's replaced with training, she moves to draw her own sword once it starts but seeing it end all too quickly she sheaths it and looks about watching the event continue. Seeing the events unfold Eliandra knew something was coming, but wow she really did need to give Eldric more credit, planned and executed so thoroughly. Seeing the bishop take a hit she smiled inwardly before she is addressed and a calm smile plays upon her lips. "Naught but ash your majesty. Terrible really." She states with a smile before looking down at the archbishop or rather ex archbishop it seems by the end of the day. Drawing Ser Castigan's sword she twirls it a moment before sheathing it, giving the bishop time to see the sword proper.

[Albedo28]

Watching the sudden power struggle that slowly reveals itself to be a betrayal of sorts, Saralyn can't help but smile and hold back a sigh of relief. At least the king was interested in helping them. Whatever his motivations, they weren't looking for good men, they were looking for powerful allies and it would appear that her companions had already found several. If this young kind was willing to sacrifice his soul to expand his kingdom, let him. As long as his goals aided the elves when the dust settles things were looking up.

[DomJoe]

"Wait! Stop!" Leslina cries out. "What he says is true! Us elves had our lands for generations upon generations, and we lost so much within months because of the orcs! Even if you disagree with him, even if he has done you wrong, Frederick still cares for you, and for the people of this city! ... I know you both can't agree with each other, and that you feel this is the best course of action, your Majesty." Leslina bows her head slightly in resignation. "We're in no position to refuse aid either. That's why we're here. But please, if you plan to take everything from Frederick, at the very least, let him keep his life, and let him leave the city. Can you at least give him that much?"

[MelissaB]

Hearing Leslina Eliandra speaks up. "Be quiet and do not beg for a man's life who has betrayed his king." Eliandra glares at Leslina for so stupidly having an outburst in the middle of a situation like this and possibly endangering the aid he already promised to save a man she barely even knows. "I will have a word with you later until then be silent." She falls silent once more shaking her head and offering an apologetic dip of her head towards Eldric.

[Alaena]

All

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Tears begin to well up in the bishop's eyes as he finds the strength to speak. Looking at Eliandra, he says, "Castigan... Cass did so much for this country. He was a hero. I hope you can live with yourself murderer. I doubt you'd even be able to face his family."

Edric interrupts and says, "By the country, you mean the church. He helped you consolidate your power base, gave you his best volunteers to supplement your paladin order, and strong armed the other officers into obeying your commands."

Frederick shouts at him, "And gave more than half of his wealth to charity and public works! He single-handedly funded the regular militia."

"All of which was controlled by you, Bishop."

The confrontation is suddenly interrupted by Leslina's heartfelt plea. (Diplomacy total - 15)

Edric scoffs, "I give him his life, he'll do much worse to myself, and those loyal to me. We can't afford a civil war. There will be some dissent, blood will be spilled, but there'll be plenty left, after the blood is spilled, worth fighting for, and only by ensuring he doesn't live to lead a rebellion."

As the King looks into Frederick's eyes, the group notices hesitation. It lasts only a split second, but Edric has just the briefest flittering of doubt in his eyes as he prepares to execute the man who raised him. The silent man in black leather approaches the bishop, draws his dagger, and catches the King's attention. Though the man holding the dagger doesn't speak, a sense of urgency is in his eyes as he meet's the King's.

[DomJoe]

"If you kill him right now, then there will be more blood spilt than from just a simple uprising!" Leslina cries out again, ignoring Eliandra's words. "If you believed this man to be like a father to you, you know he will not raise his hand against you. Maybe there will be resentment, yes, but he will not harm you. He has very little power to do so. But if you kill him, the people will be more than upset with such actions, and may rise in his defense! And we need all the help we can get if you plan to aid us in the coming times. Please... let him live." Leslina bows to the floor, practically grovelling in front of everyone at this point, but with her mouth to the floor, it serves as a cover for something else. Using a bit of magic, she sends a whisper to the silent man in black saying, "If you plan to speak now, please do so. It could change everything."

(OoC: Using Message on Raven)

[MelissaB]

Watching the King she eyes Raven still distrusting him after his attempt to kill her, stepping up she calmly takes a place at his side and looks down at the bishop before looking up at Eldric with a nod. Noting the urgency in Raven's eyes, she gives him a glare and turns her neck to reveal her throat a little more before glaring at him. Turning a softer gaze upon Eldric once more she regards him before whispering. "Appears he has news, this has to happen, you know it, if it doesn't he will try again, you know that. You can't leave to save the elves and build your future with him still here." She offers with a empathetic tone, showing that she does realize how difficult it might be for him. Staring at Leslina she sighs and shakes her head. "Can someone please remove her?" She asks no one in particular intent on having this matter over with and no longer prolonged any further as she steps up to Leslina "Sorry your majesty i'll handle my companions." Eli then tries to grab Leslina and drag her from the throne room, kicking and screaming if she must.

[Albedo28]

Seeing her companion intent on making an already stressful meeting more complex, Saralyn elbows Leslina in the ribs. She whispers rather harshly, "not the best time to be holding things up, Les. If you didn't want this to be going on you shouldn't have let the others run off on their own." She nods to Eli and grabs Leslina's hand before starting to pull her companion toward the exit.

[Tsai]

The thief layS silent, she knew this was coming but there was nothing she could do. She wasn't however expecting her Mistress to also be involved in this plot. Cass shoots her a worried looked and moves to walk next to her, though slowly and around the commotion and everyone's eyes.