RP:A Queen's Offer
Part of the A Test of Faith Arc
Xalious Tree
Satoshi is situated among the Xalious Tree's lowest branches, a fleck of white against its gold and silver leaves, simply reclining in a state of relaxation. When the magus wishes to meditate while absorbing the ambient magic in an area, this is one of her favored spots--others being secluded or special places in Frostmaw, or the mist-laden path in Vailkrin. Today, however, she isn't here for her own recovery. Rather, its her companion that needs the energy, as the couatl streches languidly within the tree, his seventy foot of scaled emerald length woven through the foliage. A contented sigh escapes Emiur that sends a shuddering through his entire serpentine length, causing rainbow-hued wings and head crest to shiver and send a dazzling array of colors dancing across the leaves. "Told ya you'd feel good as new here~," Satoshi murmurs without looking up from her book.
Redovian appears from the northern path, the paladin garbed in a ragged attire from head to toe, though the twin katanas upon his hips are perhaps a dead give away. But, then again perhaps not. The incredible aura that usually surrounded the man is, well, quite literally gone. In fact, the katana known as Tenbatsu Kaji is dormant, and even the malign presence of Ror'Rih seems dwindled to hardly anything. But, the man's continues, using what little abilities he has left to track down the only person he cares to see at this moment. His Queen. It is here, and perhaps the most magical place in all of hollow, that the former champion of Cyris stands before his Queen. He says nothing as of yet, hood and scarf concealing his features from view, he simply stands, looking as if he does not know the words.
Satoshi isn't the first to notice Redovian's quiet presence, the victory going instead to Emiur as the psionic serpent's mind picks up the resonance of the paladin. How can he not, when he had exhausted himself so thoroughly mere days ago by searching through the countless minds in Cenril to locate Redovian's signature presence. With a mental nudge, the couatl gets Satoshi's attention and politely directs it toward the ground, the kit's eyes quick to follow and find the paladin waiting below. Even if she can't quite place it, Satoshi can tell something is off, and she doesn't even her damnably sensitive whiskers or her husband's Empathy to tell her as much. "Redovian?" The fact that she's using his proper name is clue enough she's aware his visit isn't made lightly.
Redovian inclines his head, all sense of formality gone as he responds on equal terms, something he doesn't take lightly, with. " Satoshi." The fallen paladin simply says. " I didn't know who else to go too..." He didn't know what to say. He felt useless, lost, abandoned and most of all, betrayed. His use of Ror'Rih's dark power, while indeed implenemental to saving the children, cost him dearly. For Cyris, his God, has taken away his blessings, and left the man who served him so valiantly, powerless. And to top that, it seems Ror'Rih has even gone dormant, leaving Redovian toting around two swords that are naught but husks of what they once were.
The faintest frown creases a brow normally smooth and flawless. In less than a heartbeat, the kit is out of the tree and crossing the lawn of grass separating herself from the fallen paladin, all so that she can halt mere feet from him. Once there, Satoshi simply stares at the man with wide eyes, searching is face, inspecting his form, scrutinizing his clothing and weapons. This is not the first time she's stood before a man that's had his cherished divine gift stripped from him. She's seen this expression of pain and confusion, a look she likens to a lost child. Cuki had carried the same look, when Aramoth had turned His back on the monk, taken away the blessing that had defined his existence. After a time, the magus speaks, voice low and soft, but words firm and certain, "Do you regret it?"
Redovian looks to Satoshi with a fierce look, the first expression of emotion other than the gloom and dispair in several days. " I did what I did, to save children from a certain death, I do not regret such a decision. I just.." The man looks away, once again, his face returns to that dark and solemn expression. " I don't know.... why." His right hand idley runs across the mendallion of Cyris, once a beacon of his faith, which now rests as naught more than a cold chunk of platinum upon his neck. Even the bits of armor he wears. Better used as paperweights now, as any blessings once bestowed are gone. Even the chilly breeze that sweeps down from Xalious's mountains chills the paladin, where once he could stand within Frostmaw's incredible cold as if it were spring. The man's entire world, has been shattered.
Satoshi's left hand lifts to cup Redovian's cheek, chill fingers gently turning his head so that he faces her again. He'll meet a fierce gaze when he does, the azure of her eyes turned icy while the amber flecks smoulder, accenting the sharpened angles of her face. "Then you are the same man still. If you regretted it, you would not be Redovian. Only Redovian would sacrifice his greatest treasures to save the lives of strangers," the magus' words are sharp as glass, but not unkind in their tone. "Cyris has erred. To abandon a man of unyielding faith and devotion, a man any God or Goddess would trip over themselves to call their paladin. But -you- have not changed. You've never faltered. You've never doubted. You've never hesitated, to do what you think is right. Therefore, you are still Redovian. Blessings do not make you, you make the blessings." Privately, the foxkin can't help but think Cyris is a fool to let go of a man as loyal as this one, and Emiur--ever privy to Satoshi's thoughts--agrees.
Redovian looks into those stunningly enthralling, and yes quite beautiful, eyes of his Queen as she speaks, her words sharp, yet slicing into the heart of the matter. Indeed, since as far back as he remembers, he was told to do what is right no matter what, to ensure that Justice was preserved, and that the innocent are defended. Yet in these times it is hard for one to know who is truly innocent, save for children who are not yet under the sway of the world's corrupted ways. His mind races with this. He wanted to believe so badly that it was a mistake, that he chose wrong and should be punished as such. But... he couldn't. No, he -wouldn't-! And so he says. " Aye my Queen... I know in my heart what I did was right, and just."
Satoshi retracts her hand with the words, "Gods are -not- infalliable." Letting her arm drop back to her side, the magus gives a shake of her head before continuing. "Cyris has failed you, not the other way around. His belief that the Darkness can only birth Evil is where he failed. Light cannot exist without shadow, nor is one better than the other. Without the darkness you used, those children would have died. And Cyris might have taken His gifts from you for not giving your all to save them. Or, even if He not, you would have loathed yourself for not accessing the power you had on hand to protect them." A faint smile tugs at the corners of Satoshi's lips then. "Did you not train with my husband? Do you not serve me? He and I both are creatures of the shadows, but are we ripping out the hearts of the innocent as monsters? Kasyr's blades, my station in Frostmaw, both have been used to aid others, others that would call us monsters and slay us on any other day. ...What I mean is, Redovian, that the Light is not the only entity that can protect, and that can bring justice. Your God could not see that, blinded by his own light, but you have. You've proven it yourself already."
Redovian said to Satoshi, "What other force can grant me the strength to champion the cause of justice? I am but a shell of the power i once held."
Satoshi pauses, thoughtful, careful, in her next choice of words. Fallen this paladin may be, but what she has to offer may still be rejected by long-held misgivings and distrust. Still, after a moment, the magus responds. "I am no god, I cannot grant you the blessings you desire to continuing bringing justice to the world. However, there is a gift I can grant that can bolster your strength, that will allow you to carry on and fight on, so that you'll have much more time to seek out a diety worthy of your devotion." Again that faint smile flickers across her features, this time with a more feral tone and revealing her prominent fangs.
Redovian eyes the Queen of Frostmaw, as her offer is indeed heeded. Such was unspeakable, such was unheard of! He was once the champion of Cyris! A beacon of light to those helpless souls in the land. And here his queen was, the woman who took him in, whose husband trained him, the two having aided him many a time over. " I.. I can not just..." He faulters for amoment. " I cannot just accept such an offer without a great deal of thought, my Queen."
Satoshi dips into a light bow, neither surprise nor disappointment registering on her face when she straightens. "I wouldn't want it any other way. It is a dangerous gift, and not one to be accepted lightly, nor given lightly. Only the strongest can endure it without losing themselves. And like all powerful gifts, it comes with its curses as well. Think on it, Redovian. Should you decide this is where your disrupted path can begin again, then find me in Vailkrin." A faint mental nudge is given to Satoshi then before she hears Emiur's voice in her head, words meant just for her, 'And if he had accepted now?' An almost sad smile flits across Satoshi's face in response. 'Then I would have known he is no longer Redovian, to drop all his beliefs at the first offer of relief~.' The private exchange lasts no more than a second, time enough for the magus to bow once more to Redovian before moving as if to leave. But not before she adds, "Think on it. And don't forget that Light and Dark are both capable of good and ill. It's your actions, not your existence, that determines which one you are~."