That Which Goes "Bump" in the Night

[StandbyRanger]

Tyris Imperial Palace, Cartann
10:37 AM
​

The sounds of clashing metal rang throughout the Palace guards' training yard. Rouslyn had woken up early in the morning to make the surprisingly lengthy trip from the Belisarion Estate to the Tyris Imperial Palace. She had gone to train with the Palace guard this morning, as she was scheduled to depart on a mission soon after.

Rouslyn's training today was light compared to her usual regimen; eight laps around the courtyard, forty-five push-ups, sixty-five sit-ups and was tutored further in proper swordsmanship by one of the veterans of the Palace guard. By noon, she was off to the showers and making her way to the hangar to prep for her trek to the mountains in Dover.

Upon arrival to the hangar, while looking for the correct shuttle, Rouslyn was approached by a Cavalier, "Lady Tiberium?"

She nodded.

"You're set for shuttle three. It'll be lifting off in a hour. You're welcome to settle in the shuttle in the meantime."

Rouslyn bowed in respect before making her way to the shuttle. With nothing else to do, she found a seat in the passenger area and laid her head back to catch a few moments of sleep.

@Oncaro

 

[Oncaro]

"Are you absolutely sure you wish to do this, Your Grace?"

"Certainly, Lord ke Skarith," said Helin Tyris, Empress of Katorrs, Peratrix of Cartann, Lady of Duskmote, and Grand Master of the Holy Order of the Paladins of Mortis. She looked to her elderly steward, and gave a small smile. "It was requested of the Paladins that they investigate these strange occurrences, and, well, I suppose it would be good to get myself some fresh air. In full armor."

And indeed the Empress of the Adumari was clad in durasteel armor made specifically for her. Protecting vital areas while not totally hindering her movement, the armor had several engravings of an eagle, which was the sigil of her House. Her lightsaber hung on one hip, while her vibrosword hung on the other. Her steward, however, was unamused.

"Y-Your Grace. As your steward, I-I must insist that you bring a guard with you. Moving out on your own is reckless!" Forlen ke Skarith said, his long beard wobbling in his indignation. "Why do you so often refuse a guard?"

"Because a guard is usually unnecessary for me, and I have them around enough as-is, Lord ke Skarith. I appreciate your concern, I truly do, but this is something that seems beyond what an ordinary guard may be able to handle-- if, in fact, there is any truth to what that Merchants' Council representative said about these 'supernatural' occurrences. Honestly it could be nothing at all. Besides, I will move faster without guards."

"But if it is real-- what if you get hurt? Or killed?" Lord ke Skarith argued, and Helin sighed.

"Oh, very well... Fine. I will take some guards. Now may I take my leave?" Helin asked sarcastically, clearly annoyed. Her steward gave a bow and hobbled away, and Helin moved to the palace hangar, spying two Warriors standing guard. She couldn't immediately recall their names, but they were almost certainly Adumari whom had been recruited during the Civil War.

"You two! Come with me. We're going on a little adventure," Helin said to them shortly, and they obeyed without hesitation. Good. If these rumors were true, hesitation could lead to death. Marching her way to the shuttle she intended to take, she was met by the same Cavalier whom had spoken to Rouslyn.

"My Empress!" the Cavalier exclaimed, shocked. "I-I had heard you intended to travel, but--"

"What is your name?" Helin asked him, and he chewed his lower lip.

"Ser Davon Terriger, Your Grace, of Fairgarden. I helped in the evacuation of Father's Light and the exodus from Nihir."

"I am grateful for your service, Ser Davon," Helin said, sincerity in her tone. "Hopefully you will not object to taking me on a particular trip."

"Of course not, Your Grace, I received word of your intentions. I simply did not expect you to choose me," Ser Davon admitted. "You will find you have have a companion ready to go as well."

Helin raised an eyebrow at this, and moved into the shuttle, blinking as she looked at the other occupant.

Helin had not really interacted with Marshal Leonatas Belisarion's Squire before, but knew of her. She was a daughter of the Tiberium family. What was she doing here?

@StandbyRanger

 

[StandbyRanger]

Unfortunately for the young woman, she hadn't been able to catch any moments of sleep before the arrival of the Empress. While she had never personally interacted with Helin, Rouslyn had a mild distaste for the woman; through her time spent alongside her Lord, she had picked up on Leonatas's disagreement with Helin's claim to the title of Grandmaster. Having never seen the woman fight, and constantly being flanked by guards didn't help Rouslyn's disposition towards her.

The pair (and the confused guards behind them) remained within the shuttle silently for a few moments staring at each other. Rouslyn was taking the time to study Helin through the Force, finding her presence to feel remarkably similar to Leonatas's. She was also being slightly stubborn, as she felt displeased that she didn't even get a simple "Hello" from the woman upon arrival.

Rouslyn mentally sighed before standing and then bowing to Helin. If one thing had been drilled into her head these past five years, it would be etiquette. Rouslyn wasn't exactly willing to spend her nights in a prison for disrespecting the Empress, either, "Empress Tyris; I apologize for my delayed greetings, it was rude of me. I was lost in thought," Rouslyn rose, failing to even come close to Helin's impressive stature, "Is there anything I may do for you this morning? I'm sorry to be so blunt but it would have to be quick; the shuttle's getting ready to depart for the Arclai Mountains, and I'm my way there for a mission."

 

[Oncaro]

"As it so happens," Helin said to the blind Squire, "I am preparing to go there myself. I am all dressed in my armor and everything. I am simply surprised to see that you are going as well."

She stepped into the shuttle with the two flanking guards, and settled in across from Rouslyn.

"I suppose I am even more surprised that Marshal Leonatas is not accompanying you," she continued. "He speaks very highly of you to me, you know."

((Ugh, sorry for shit quality.))

@StandbyRanger

 

[StandbyRanger]

“That’s very reassuring to hear, Empress. ‘Specially since I've been struggling to grasp certain concepts of the Force and how it relates to the Father.” Rouslyn bit her lower lip as she struggled to word her next sentence carefully, “The Church's ways are very foreign to me; I'm sure Lord Leonatas told you why, but I've never really been one to question the source of my life. I just… live it.”

Rouslyn pursed her lips and shrugged, acting nonchalant to hide her social awkwardness, “I guess that’s why he sent me on my own; get out into the wild, learn about the nature of things and… other stuff. Well, that and since I was never really told about any possibility of danger, he probably felt I could handle a trip into the mountains on my own.”

There was a small knock knock on the side of the transport as Rouslyn finished her sentence. It was the Cavalier from early, “I'm sorry to interrupt but we'll be lifting off in a few moments.” Rouslyn simply nodded in response; the Cavalier didn't waste much time making his way into the cockpit for launch prep.

The young squire looked back at the Helin, “I'd think that someone would tell the Empress more about what’s going on in the mountains than a someone like me. Any idea, Lady Empress?”

 

[Oncaro]

"As a matter of fact," the Empress said, leaning forward slightly, "I do in fact have an idea of what is going on, Lady Rouslyn. I was visited by an envoy of the Merchants' Council, who complained of... potentially supernatural occurrences, the likes of which ordinary men cannot face alone. Being the sort of woman I am, I decided to look into this personally. If it is not supernatural, all well and good. If it is... the Maker guide me, I will vanquish it."

She put her elbows on her knees and her chin on her hands as she interlocked her fingers, feeling the cold metal on her skin.

"Among the first things I was taught, both as a Squire and as a noble lady, was that I have a responsibility to protect those whom I rule over. It is the caveat of our system of governance; those under the highborns serve the highborn through work and taxes, and to serve in times of war when called upon, and in return the highborn must safeguard the lowborn and assure their prosperity, because without one the other falters. I take this social contract incredibly seriously, and while I cannot solve every dispute on this planet myself, I will certain try where I can. You can understand this, can't you, Lady Rouslyn?"

@StandbyRanger