RP:An Unofficial Audience With The Silver

Part of the What You Leave Behind Arc

This is a Devout's Guild RP.

Summary: A still pregnant Khitti toils away in Lionel's office in Frostmaw, doing the paperwork that he usually neglects. Thinking that it's Lionel in there, Hildegarde stops by and both redheads get into a discussion about the war, the gods, and the future unseen.

Lionel O'Connor's Office, Frostmaw Fort

The scribbling sound of a pen nib scratching across paper came almost continuously from within the Steward of Frostmaw’s office. Along with the sound, the scent of peppermint tea and a freshly baked cakelog (this specific one of the carrot variety) wafted from the room and through the space left by the open door. Khitti was going about her aide-de-camp duties as she normally did--writing letters to those that needed it, making sure the Warrior’s Guild had things taken care of regarding equipment and weapons and such; it was mainly all mundane things--and did so alone. It wasn’t anything new, really. Lionel didn’t have the time to spend on such things what with Kahran going about stealing regions like candy from a baby, and while she could fight, Khitti at least knew that her efforts with the paperwork was appreciated.

After her meeting with Queen Josleen of Larket, Hildegarde had been in a foul mood. So foul a mood that she found herself unable to enjoy a little bit of downtime and thus found herself meandering through the fort, in search of something to take her mind off of the argument they had endured. The fort kitchen was her first stop: picking up some cakelog, a mug of (weak) mead, some chicken, a little bit of mammoth, some fruits and berries, maybe some more cakelog, a generally large assortment that might make one think Hildegarde had some kind of impulse control problem regarding food if they didn’t realise she was a dragon! On her way back to her own quarters, the knight can see some light coming from the office belonging to Lionel. It used to be her own office, but she had since surrendered it to Lionel. It was strange to think of it like that. But alas, the knight - holding all of her plates - opts to knock her boot against the door a couple of times, waiting for the door to open and check on Lionel; who she assumes is inside. She might offer to share some food. Maybe.

It wasn’t Lionel that answered the door, of course. Instead, it was that redhead he’d come to call ‘sister’. “Oh! Hi, Hildegarde.” Khitti blinked at all of the plates and opened the door further so that the Silver Queen could come in and set them all down. “Sorry. Lionel’s not here. He’s off doing… uh… Lionel things.” Hildegarde probably knew what those were. It was usually such a vast array of tasks that Lionel had, whether it was meetings or full scale battles, that Khitti could hardly keep track. “If you’d like to stay though, I’ve some peppermint tea and a bit of carrot cakelog.” She moved out of the doorway finally, a hand motioning to a teapot on a table near the room’s fireplace as she went to sit in Lionel’s nice cushy desk chair. Typically, she’d seat herself in the chair on the other side of the desk that was reserved for those that came to speak with Lionel, but that unborn child of hers was giving her quite the back pain today and she could swear that, despite the fact that the chairs were identical, Lionel’s had more padding in it.

Hildegarde was surprised to see Khitti behind the door! I mean, she’s not surprised to see that Lionel isn’t there but she’s surprised to see Khitti. But of course, one can’t chase after a warrior when heavily pregnant. The Silver offers Khitti a polite smile, “Ah, Khitti, hello,” she greets, accepting the invitation to enter the room and set down some plates and the mug of weak mead. “How are you feeling?” she asks as Khitti sets herself down in the plush chair that is identical to the other plush chair, “Do you wish me to stoke the fire?” she asks, gesturing to the fireplace within the room. “Or perhaps a pillow? Do you need a pillow?” She didn’t really know what pregnant people did or wanted.

Khitti smiled and shook her head, “Oh no. I’m just fine.” She waved her hands a little, “You don’t have to worry about me. Despite what it looks like, I’m quite capable if something needs to be done. The only thing that seems to stop me so far is getting up and down the ladders in Brand’s ship!” She shrugged, then tilted her head to eye all of the plates Hildegarde had brought with her, “Doing a bit of stress eating? At least, that’s what it seems to me anyway. I’ve, uh, had to indulge myself one or… several times in my lifetime.” Cue an awkward cough before the pregnant female reached over for her tea and took a few sips of it.

Hildegarde is somewhat relieved that Khitti has essentially waved away her request, she really doesn’t know how to appease a pregnant person so it would be really awkward if she had attempted to do anything! When Khitti comments on her collection of food, the knight glances over to it and offers a low chuckle, “Ah, just a bit. Is that what they call it? Hm. Good term for it. I… I have had to make a decision that I know will not be liked but I can see far ahead enough to know it’s necessary. I know that there will be consequences and that it will not be well received by a friend of mine. And I know that I have lost another friend today, due to our… well, our changes in morals, I suppose? Our change in position.” The Silver reflects quietly on it for a moment, wondering if she and Josleen would ever mend their relationship. But there's another relationship that might just be hurt due to her actions. “I've made a decision. I know Lionel will hate it, I know he might not understand my reasons but… alas. It's a decision that I've made, I'll have to live with it, won't I? And we can hope that in the end, we forge a better world for those who come after us,” she said with a glance to Khitti’s pregnant belly. Dwelling on it for too long seemed to be a poor idea, however, which is why Hildegarde changes the subject. “You were at the summoning, weren't you?”

Khitti had started to tend to those papers again as Hildegarde spoke, but the bulk of her attention had certainly been on the Silver. She’d made a choice that people weren’t going to like? Especially Lionel? This… did not bode well. Crimson brows knitted together as her writing stopped and olive-green eyes were lifted to focus on the other redhead across from her. There was a sympathetic smile given to dragon and a “I’m sure things will work out” but Khitti wasn’t so sure. She wanted to ask, wanted to know more, but… just because she was essentially Lionel’s second-in-command now after replacing Briar, that didn’t particularly mean that this was any of her business. It might -become- her business at some point, but just perhaps not right now. A quote she’d read somewhere about not meddling in the affairs of dragons rang clear in her mind--she’d done that once with Raiez and while Hildegarde was absolutely nothing like that now-dead Blue, it was still good words to heed for the time being. When it was clear that the Silver didn’t want to continue that part of the conversation, Khitti would nod in answer to the new question, “I was, yes. Just one of many, of course.” Her lips remained parted for a few moments as if she’d say something more, but she thought better of it, and allowed Hildegarde to take the lead to further the talk of the ritual.

Hildegarde measured her next words carefully, uncertain as to how they might well be received by Khitti. “I did not think… well. I would not have thought it would have been the kind of thing for you, hm? When last we truly spoke or spent time together, you were a student of the darker arts,” it was clear she wasn’t meaning offense by it! “I would have thought that the divine wouldn’t be your cup of tea?”

Khitti tilted her head, side-eying the desk briefly before turning her attention back to Hildegarde once she’d finished with her awkward questioning. “It’s, uh, complicated, I guess. I got the cure I wanted… obviously.” She motioned to her stomach--that certainly wouldn’t have been able to happen if she were still a vampire. “I died. I went… somewhere. The void, maybe? I don’t know. I don’t think it was heaven or hell and it wasn’t the Shadow Plane--lost souls tend to go there. But, I came back. I was brought back, by Vakmathras and Arkhen mainly, by way of a spell. I’m sure you know what that’s like, heh. Some things have happened since then--another curse of sorts that’s being dealt with… and Kahran, of course. So, I started to do some praying. I figured, if Arkhen would listen to me, then maybe he would again. I did a lot of research as I’m wont to do, did a lot more praying, and nothing happened. And then Tenbatsu Kaji came to me at some silly fight in Craughmoyle. Cyris heard me. I’d wanted help from Arkhen, initially, because it seems like no matter what you’ve done, he’ll forgive you… but I think that time had come and passed and it was time for someone new to help me.” Khitti took another sip of her tea before setting it down, “Sorry, that was a bit long-winded. Basically, the gods helped me and now they’re helping me again. I lost my magic and now I’m on a path to be better than I was with Seika’s help--they’re the sprite inside Tenbatsu Kaji. Following Cyris, and hopefully soon becoming a paladin for him, feels like the right thing to do. Moreso now than ever. So, naturally, after seeing the things I have, attempting to sneak a peek at another god’s ritual and such was going to be something I gravitate towards.”

The void. It was a familiar sort of place to Hildegarde, so when Khitti mentions it and speaks of it with the same familiarity, her body becomes rigid with discomfort. It was not a pleasant nor unpleasant time, it simply was. When Khitti mentions that Hildegarde will know what it's like to be brought back, she offers a courteous smile and the tiniest noise that one might consider to be a polite and knowing chuckle. But it's clear that Hildegarde has some underlying (maybe overlying because it's so apparent) issues regarding her death, purgatory and ultimate resurrection. “Arkhen is a quiet god from what I hear,” she only recalled one person who confessed they actively felt the guidance and embrace of said god. Even the most renowned and devout follower couldn't say the same. “The sword you had at the summoning - Tenbatsu? - it is familiar to me. I feel like I have seen it before though I didn't quite have the knowledge to know what I was seeing.” She seems to associate it with Kelovath, but as it is a blade or Cyris, she soon dismisses this association. “I wonder then how Cyris and Aramoth might think of one another. You are not the first follower of Cyris that I have met,” she said with a little smile, “they tend to be good people, too. Should you ever need some lessons or advice with combat, do let me know. I'd be honoured to assist.” The Silver pauses for a moment. She knew Khitti was a bookworm. Sort of. “Do you… do you think there are other artefacts out there?”

“It was Kelovath’s,” Khitti said, mirroring the Silver’s thoughts. “I’ve seen him recently, in Cenril. He had a brief chat with the sprite, Seika, before speaking with me on other matters.” She pondered on those other matters briefly, as Hildegarde mused about Cyris and Aramoth, then nodded, “I think, from my own interpretations of Cyris’ ways and teachings, that he would be fine with Aramoth, and the other gods, so long as the wrong people aren’t hurt in the process of whatever someone is doing. With war specifically, I think he’d understand. It’s your choice, and everyone else’s, to participate in a war. That’s your freedom to do so. Your independence to defend. But, when civilians get involved, and they’re hurt or worse, I think that’s when Cyris would step in, so to speak. Civilians don’t get much of a choice in war as it is. You more or less have to do what your leader says or you’re looked down on for being a coward.” Khitti pauses and chews on her own words a moment before continuing, “I don’t necessarily mean that the leader does so specifically--I know you never did and nor does Lionel now--but not all leaders are the same, and that same type of feeling can arise in those in charge beneath them.” There was another pause to consider the Queen’s question, “I think there very well could be, yes. I’m sure it’d take a fair bit of research, but there’s got to be a book or a scroll or something somewhere to point a person in the right direction for something like that. Tenbatsu Kaji can’t be the only god-weapon around here. And speaking of god-related things, I… have something that I wanted to broach with you, but I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get the time or if you’d be available to talk about it.”

Hildegarde made a quiet ‘ohh’ when Khitti revealed the blade previously belonged to Kelovath. Curious that a paladin of Arkhen would wield the blade of Cyris! It made many questions bubble in Hildegarde’s brain, but she had to shake them off for now and focus on Khitti and the ongoing conversation. “War is typically a fight for freedom. One side fighting for their freedom or the freedom of another, under the belief that the other side wishes to harm their freedom,” the knight had no love for war, but she was unfortunately quite good at it. The idea that Cyris would only step in when the freedoms of the innocent came under threat made perfect sense to the Silver; it seemed like the right thing to do frankly! “No, no, I understand,” she gently and politely interjects when Khitti speaks of leaders having the final say on pretty much everything. When Khitti suspects there is likely more items out there, the Silver bobs her head in agreement. There had to be. It would be madness to think there couldn’t be! But now Khitti wishes to broach something, something specifically with her. Hildegarde is a little surprised, truth be told! “Yes?”

“Uh, well.” Khitti scratched the back of her head, trying to find the best way to pitch her idea to the Silver. “I feel like something needs to be done to try to keep hope together, since we’ve got this whole thing with Kahran going on. I thought that if all of the devout folk band together and fight Kahran and other evils together, that maybe it’d help everyone else keep going to. We’re not the only ones that have any interest in the gods, so I figured if they saw us out there doing the gods’ work in order to stop this, that Lionel’s ‘alliance’ might grow. I’ve talked to Kelovath about it and he’s on board. Zahrani--who is the paladin of Cyris I’m assuming you met already--seemed hesitant, but otherwise likely alright with it too. Mainly, she’s just concerned about the meeting place being safe, seeing as how Kahran’s lackeys have managed to find us wherever we are.” There was a brief pause, to let Hildegarde take it all in before she continued, “I thought perhaps that you and Leone might want to join in too. You’re not paladins, but you’re certainly as devout as any I’ve seen.”

Hildegarde was not against the proposal. She bobbed and nodded her head here and there as Khitti spoke, making her interest known and seeming attentive as the former vampire explained. It seemed like she might need to come clean now. “I am devout to Aramoth,” she began, “and I have a history with war. I know you are Lionel's left hand, much as he is my right hand. I know you will likely know he declined Larket's aid against Kahran.” The Silver took a pause that was as pregnant as Khitti. “I have accepted Larket's aid, with the promise that it does not make us friends. But… the realm cannot be divided against an enemy who finds us at every turn, who has taken Schezerade and sits in the sky above us all. Larket cannot be shunned. I am happy to group with the devout and lend my strength. But know that my faith in Aramoth, my… my history of war, is not misplaced. Believe when I say that Lionel and all will suffer if Larket does not pitch in.” The knight took another pause, waiting to assess Khitti’s response. She knew Lionel would react badly, she knew it would happen. “Hmm… I have heard tale that water has often disrupted the peering magics of others. Perhaps, assuming Kahran is watching, we ought to gather somewhere with water. You know the Spring of Vitality…? I'm sure the refugees of Sage used to say there was some kind of temple below it.”

A frown creased Khitti's lips as the Queen admitted to the decision she'd made. This… did not bode well. She allowed Hildegarde to continue before she spoke up again, only nodding along for the time being. Her own pause was rather lengthy, a deep sigh and pursing of lips making her mild frustration with the situation known. “I was there with Lionel, when he rejected Josleen's offer. I supported him in this decision--very vocally, much to the Queen's dismay. I went through the very same persecution in my own homeland, and even here in Lithrydel, like the witches still continue to do. I nearly burned like that woman did. They tortured my friend Rachelle, who is not even a witch. I could not, whatsoever, support that decision if he'd made it and I would've smacked him a thousandfold if he had.” Khitti smirked, showing she was not entirely serious about that statement. “But... “ There was another pause before she finally continued, “I would, at least, have understood why he chose that route, just as I do now with you. There is definite logic behind it--it’s a strategy of war, after all. We need more people on our side and they certainly don't want to die to Kahran either, even if they deserve the worst after the injustices they've committed. I would keep a close eye on them, however. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them, and now that I'm human, that's not very far at all.” Khitti leaned back in her chair now that her piece on the matter of Larket had been said, considering Hildegarde’s suggestion. “I think that'd work perfectly. Zahrani even dwells in those parts so she might be more apt to attending a meeting then. Let me gather my thoughts on the matter and I'll send word to everyone on a time and date when I'm ready. It won't be too long but, I think perhaps it should wait until the baby's born. I don't want to run the risk of suddenly going into labor and all of you having to deal with it instead of Brand.”

Hildegarde could appreciate Khitti's response. It was thoughtful but not without emotion, yet it was not so blinded by emotion to forget the essence of Hildegarde's decision. “They are not friends, no. They are not to be trusted, aye, but like you said. They, like us, do not want to die. And they, like you, have children they want to fight for. We can despise them but when the time comes and the battlefield is split between life and death… you want to be on the side of the living. Stand shoulder to shoulder with them today, mourn your dead the next… then ready your heart for the long haul against them,” she reasoned aloud. “Lionel is full of fire, though. So we'll see how he takes it. Thank you, Khitti,” she said with a little smile, “for at least looking at it from my view.” When Khitti speaks of giving birth and waiting until then, she nods as if she totally knew that's what Khitti has to do! “Well, if you wish to stay here, please allow us to move you to bigger quarters. Anything you need, let me or Lisbeth know, hm?”

Lionel was more than ‘full of fire”. His head and his heart was full of that witch, Valrae, ever since he found that emerald crystal skull, but she decided to keep that info from the Queen. Khitti dipped her head in acknowledgement, adding with it, “You're welcome. I may have as much fire as Lionel more often than not, but that doesn't mean I'm not able to see both sides of a situation. It's a blessing and a curse sometimes,” the redhead chuckled a bit. “I will let you deal with him however and won't bring it up. I'm honestly not sure how he'll react to the news. And thank you. I will let you know if I need accommodations. Now, I suppose I should finish this paperwork before I head back to Cenril. You're welcome to stay here and eat with me, if you'd like. Maybe tell me about Aramoth?”

Hildegarde offered Khitti a gentle nod when she advised her that she’d let her know if she needed any accommodations for the upcoming baby. Hilde was really terrible with babies, let’s be real. Josleen’s son had received traditional Frostmawian gifts of a club, baby armour… war toys. She’d have to ask Lisbeth to arrange something appropriate for a human babe. “Aramoth, hmm… God of War, what else is there?” she chuckled, knowing that there is a lot more to Aramoth than just that of course. “He was not my first god of choice, truth be told. I first prayed to Arkhen. Arkhen, Lore and Aramoth. I asked them for strength to dole out justice and, well, someone listened because I found the strength to act. Rumours circulated around Frostmaw that I was the daughter of Aramoth, given my success on the battlefield. Soon it felt quite natural to pray to the God of War and hope for success; courage; strength. I think.. I think it is perhaps the sense of honour that Aramoth likes that draws me to him. Honour above all.”

“I did the same as well, after I regained my memories. I prayed to Arkhen, Loda, and Cyris. I wasn’t sure if the others would even consider helping me. For the longest time, I didn’t even want to believe in them after all the awful things I’d been through. But… I was desperate, having traded one curse for another--and then Kahran showed up too--and everything seemed hopeless. I respect the others though… even Vakmathras and Delisha. To an extent, they all have their purposes, even if a lot of them have followers that commit acts that are not exactly savory.” Khitti pursed her lips a bit in thought, then looked to Hildegarde, “That’s why I’m not looking just for followers of Arkhen or Loda or Cyris--or even the Divine Three. We all live here and we all need to do our part.” This prompted a slight frown. “I know that sounds hypocritical considering I just told you I don’t support your decision with Josleen, but… that’s more personal than anything. That’s why I can see your side of things just as well as I can Lionel’s.” Shifting the conversation back briefly, as the mention of helping others was still fresh in her mind, Khitti said finally, “Where do you intend to start looking for these artifacts? I imagine most won’t be quite so easy as Tenbatsu Kaji, what with it being sentient and all.”

“Faith is fickle, just like the Gods,” the knight murmured thoughtfully. People didn’t often think to begin praying until they needed it most. Hildegarde used to be like that, she used to snort at the thought of praying and devoting any time to the gods at all; what superstitious nonsense! But now she was so devout, so steadfast in her faith and belief… it was hard to think she used to turn her nose up at the likes of Aela. “I am glad that you can see both sides of it, Khitti, we need more people like that in the world. Everything is not black and white. I used to think it was, but… since becoming Steward without the presence of my Queen, I think I understood more that the world is more than black and white.” The knight knows that her decision is controversial, of course, but she knows that they need the firepower if they can expect to survive. “Have faith in me,” she told Khitti gently, “and maybe say a prayer or two for me!” she offered her a smile there, trying to make the gravity of her decision just a touch lighter. In regards to holy artifacts, however, Hildegarde doesn’t really have a clue. She knew one artifact was lost, thanks to Balgruuf and his cronies, but if it resurfaced she would reclaim it. “I’m not sure. I heard tell of a fallen star, said to be the tear of Aramoth. But… where it could be? I don’t know. I’ve yet to find many more texts on it, as you know, Frostmaw doesn’t exactly like books!”

The shorter of the two redheads nodded in understanding, and at the mention of prayer, Khitti offered a smile to the Queen, “Of course I will.” Ever the researcher and lover of books, Khitti sat back in her chair, pensiveness taking over where that smile had just been briefly. “A fallen star. Hm. Perhaps it’s not in Frostmaw, despite the fact that it’s the City of War. As I’m sure you already know, there’s a temple of Aramoth in Cenril, and I’ve read that even the naga have their own as well. I’m not so sure those snakes will be too helpful though, what with that Jaize mucking things up. I doubt this star is lost though. More often than not, things like that are just sitting in a hoard somewhere. That was the case with Raiez. She had piles and piles of magical items. There was something… similar to a star, in a vial, but I highly doubt it was that. It was one of those ‘one time use only’ sorts of magic items. We took all that we could use from the cave, sold others; a lot of it went to the Warrior’s Guild. I think I’d remember something like that though. Anything like that would’ve injured me back then, what with the vampirism and all. Xalious’ library is quite extensive. I could check the one in Cenril, if you’d like.”

Hildegarde grunted at the mention of Jaize. Going to Alithrya felt like a betrayal to Reginae and the alliance the Naga had worked so hard to forge between Frostmaw and Alithrya. “I could confront Jaize and ask, but if she doesn't know about it she would then be tipped off about it… I could go to Alithrya, but it's literally a nest of snakes!” she chortled, obviously finding the humour in what would be a dangerous situation if she were to embark on it. “If you wouldn't mind checking Cenril library, that'd be much appreciated my friend. I'll see what I can find through the grapevine, work that Queenly charm and all,” she mused with a roll of her eye, indicating she wasn't all too serious about the charm afforded to her by her station. “I think these artefacts need to be protected. I'm no paladin and, I suppose, I'm rather biased but I think myself fit enough to protect one or two.”

Khitti shook her head at the Silver, “Yeah, best not to poke the nest. We’ve enough problems with Kahran and Larket.” She let out a ‘hm’ and nodded, “Aye, I’ll check there. There’s someone I think you should get in touch with. Her name is Celaeno. I’d taken her on as a student when I was in the Necromancer’s Guild, and she’s remained such--and a dear friend--since I took my leave of the guild. She’s a lot like me in many ways. One of them is lacking confidence. Cel actually lives at the mage tower in Xalious and could likely takeover looking there for you. I think she might know that library more than I do at this point. I think, if you gave her this task yourself, it might help boost that confidence and put her on the right path a lot sooner than I found my own. She’s more than just the dark magic she occasionally wields and I’m certain she’ll do a fair amount of good as long as she keeps her chin up and keeps going. I can only give her so many positive affirmations whenever I see her until she becomes deaf and blind to them. Coming from you though? A true leader as revered as you are? I think it might just do the trick.” Hildegarde might not care for those sorts of compliments, for she was certainly a humble creature, but they were still true nevertheless. People respected her and Khitti was… well… much further down the food chain--at least she thought so. “You may not wield holy magic, Hildegarde, but you definitely have the heart and soul of a paladin. That’s why I’d like both you and Leone to come to this meeting, after all. I’m certain you’d be able to guard your fair share of artifacts and know when to use them, if the time came.”

Hildegarde leaned back slightly as Khitti made her recommendation of Celaeno, nodding here and there as Khitti began to paint a picture of this stranger. “You were never on the wrong path,” she interjected gently but seemed to let it go for now to focus on the topic at hand. As Khitti suggests that speaking to Celaeno would be a confidence boost for the girl, Hildegarde grimaces briefly. Not because she doesn't want to do it, it's simply because she feels a bit awkward about the compliment that surrounds it! “I'll talk to her, given that you believe her to be trustworthy. I think a little bit of hush around this quest is all the better for us. As Aramoth said, there is darkness coming: not just the darkness we already know,” she recalled, thinking that if Kahran was already the known enemy… who could be the unknown? “Leone keeps me right,” she said with a little smile, “as High Priestess she is definitely the woman to go to for faith!”

Khitti saw that grimace of course and frowned, “It’s really not even so much that you’re a queen and a leader and such. Just… sometimes it takes more than one person telling you that you can be something more than what people assume you are. For awhile there, all I had was Brand telling me that stuff and so I didn’t think much of it.” She shrugged, then nodded at Hildegarde’s request for keeping things rather secret, “That’s a good idea. Best to make sure Cel knows that too. She’s not the type to go running her mouth, but she does get rather excited at the prospects of doing research. Khitti looked down at her work--she’d finished already without even noticing it. “I’m sure we’ll sort all of this out in time. But, for now, I better return home to Cenril--and take my food for the trip too.” She’d barely even touched that cakelog!