RP:And Justice For All

This is a Devout's Guild RP.

Summary: Khitti happens upon Valrae, a few days before the big battle with Macon in Larket. Khitti professes her worries to Valrae, but the Red Witch does her best to rid the twilight witch of her worries. With that done, Valrae asks Khitti to help her cleanse a recently received sword of its current curse.

Sanctum of the Divine, Cenril

Valrae || Night had settled over the seaside republic, casting long shadows under bright burning lanterns that flickered over eternally busy streets and narrow, twisting alleyways. Selevann brought a chill, as well as the rain season, and on the eve of the feasting night of Selene’s Harvest the promise of that rain mingled with the sea salted breeze. While the pathways that led to the Sanctum were never empty, the traffic was light and made mostly now of healers and long robed priests and priestesses. The undercroft had become a well maintained infirmary for the wounded soldiers of the ongoing war, both Cenrili and those that came from the Larketian prisoners of war. The Mayor of Cenril would have no man or woman, no matter their banner, treated without humanity within her city’s walls. It wasn’t always a popular choice. Even now, the kitchen’s manager had given her an earful about wasting supplies and coin feeding the sick and soon to die Larketians that were being tended by healers in straw cots. After a day of discussing the city’s budgets, the issue of Mathollak’s capture and the loss of his mercenary teams, and a particularly tearful meeting with the parents of a fallen soldier that she’d seen to herself… Well, she’d lit into the hard nosed woman until she became fearful of losing her job and retreated into her store rooms. Now that Valrae had returned to the nave guilt for releasing her temper flushed her cheeks with shame. It was empty and dark, candles flickering over the image of the gods in such a way that she could imagine them looking down with disapproval. She was still dressed in her armor, her golden hair pulled into a hasty bun that had since loosened to allow long and wild strands of gold to frame her face. The witch was looking up at the statue of Selene, so serene and beautiful as she held the image of Vaalane in the sky, and she wondered for what might have been the millionth time if she were doing enough.

Khitti || Ever the type to stay within the shadows and go about her business, Khitti had been doing just that, on her way to get something quick to eat from the kitchen, but stopped as she heard the berating from both the kitchen manager and the mayor herself. Still concealed just around the corner, the redhead bit her tongue long enough for the manager to get her say out and long enough for Valrae to start her own, ultimately deciding to just let the blonde deal with it. For once, Khitti didn’t feel like yelling at anyone. She’d been rather burnt out on it since her run-in with Cresente. She really hadn’t spoken much -since- then. There were too many overwhelming emotions--disappointment, shame, fear, and more--that she just decided to keep quiet for a time. If someone needed her, they’d come to her. Not like anyone needed her now after -that- utter failure. But, now she felt inclined to speak, even if she could not yet get her jaw and tongue to move. One witch watched the other in silence for a moment as she tried to will herself to talk. Her booted feet eventually brought herself to stand next to Valrae, the sound of her steps deliberately loud enough so she hoped she wouldn’t startle her friend. The silence continued, for a time, as she stared up at the ocean goddess with the blonde, until finally, it stopped. “You’re doing everything you can. Everything you should be doing. You’re like Selene herself. Her personification. You can be harsh and tempestuous when the time calls for a storm. But, during the good days, your grace and love washes over us like the calm ebbing and flowing of the waves on the beach.” There’s a pause. “I’m sure she’s proud of you.” The entire time, she kept her olive-green eyes locked on the statute, crimson brows furrowed, a pensive look written on her features.

Valrae had struggled to look away from the statue of the goddess even as she heard Khitti’s approach. Intuition or some innate ability to sense the woman who had become one of her dearest friends, she did not know which, told her that it would be the redhead when she turned her head. If she could. It would surprise her to know that the undercurrents of their hearts were in such sync. Shame, disappointment of self, fear… They warred in the darkest and loudest parts of her heart. Why was it always so hard to face the people you loved the most when their comfort might offer solace? For Valrae, it would simply be because she didn’t feel she deserved it. But oh, then Khitti spoke. Her voice was quiet but to the witch it echoed in the Sanctum and in the aching hollowness that had settled so coldly in her chest. She offered her all of the comfort and validation she didn’t feel she deserved and so much more. It was impossible to hold back the tears that slipped down her cheeks now, catching in the candle light like crystals adorning her cheeks as she finally turned. The witch pressed a hand to her mouth and then she was moving, before she consciously caught up with the movement of her body, and threw herself around Khitti with a wracking sob. “Oh, Khitti!” It was dramatic. She knew somewhere in her mind that it was a play in drama and that she was giving in to her weakest sensibilities and still she held onto her friend for a moment before collecting herself and pulling away. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” She hurriedly apologizes, pulling back to study her friend. “I hope I didn’t upset any injuries!” She continues, “I just… Oh, I don’t know how you knew what I was thinking.. What I needed to hear.” Val swiped at the tears with the back of her hand. “Thank you.” She felt ridiculous. Like a total wreck of a woman, not fit to serve as even a maid let alone a mayor. “Sorry,” She’s apologizing again. “How are you?”

Khitti accepted that hug. It was a rare thing as she was often like her sister Meri when it came to displays of affection. But, it was something Khitti too needed right now even if she wouldn’t admit to it. She even, might’ve, hugged Valrae back, moreso than she usually did. Valrae did not even use any sort of magic, nor any herbal healing, yet heal it did with just that single hug. Valrae would pull away and Khitti would sigh faintly, not having realized how bad her need for platonic physical affection was at the moment. Just that little bit soothed her. The blonde turned up the drama a bit with her cries, and as per usual, Khitti could only smirk a little at her friend. “You could never hurt me, Valrae.” Before the interactions of late with that cynical, roguish avian, Khitti wouldn’t have immediately analyzed the words she just said. But now? She knew full well the words she just spoke were a lie. There was a brief hesitation, almost a wince, but she quickly covered it up by putting a hand on the back of her head and scratched it awkwardly. “Oh, you know me. I’m great with pearls of wisdom unless it’s for myself, heh.” Khitti shrugged, her arm at her side once more. “I think we’re both about the same,” she said, in terms of how she was doing. “But we’ll get through it, yeah?” She studied the blonde, that anxiety of hers kicking in as she tried not to think of all the ways Valrae could actually harm her.

Valrae || There was a twinge of happy surprise at having her hug returned. She knew that she tended toward more effusive and touch comfortable than a great number of her friends but that only made these small moments between them all the more special and treasured. Already, she felt the hollow ache in her chest loosening, expanding to be filled with the warmth that came from easy companionship and the kind of understanding that only came from years of friendship. There was a small, bubbling laugh that escaped her as she pushed the last of her tears from her cheeks. “I would never try.” She replies earnestly, her dark eyes flashing with a sudden seriousness in the low light. The witch was sure of less and less as time marched on and layed turmoil after turmoil at her feet, but one thing she had never wavered in was her dedication to defending those she loved. It was something she’d lay her life down for again and again. But she laughed again, moving over toward a pew to fall unceremoniously into it with a small thump and a sigh. “I understand that.” Then she pats the seat next to her and meets her eyes as she says they might be handling things about the same. “Well then, it’s my turn.” She offers the redhead a delicate smile. “You too are doing everything you can. It’s enough, more than enough. There are no gods to compare you to because there has never been anyone like you. You’re justice and duality and understanding personified. You’re a wonderful mother and the best friend a person could hope for. The God’s are fools if they do not hold you in high regard and even if they were, I do and I’m so honored that I have the privilege of knowing you as a friend.” The silence that followed was a bit heavy but she’d meant every word. “We will get through this because we have each other. I believe that.”

Khitti sunk down into the seat beside Valrae, listening to the other woman’s words as Khitti’s own tears threatened to and ultimately did spill down her cheeks. She wiped them away much quicker than Valrae had, ashamed of them and the feelings she could not push away. “I failed you. And Cenril. And the rest of the witches. I let my anger get the best of me twice, out there. All because of some winged jerk Khitt and I apparently had feelings for. I let our hearts betray us again and it is costing us lives on both sides. My ancestors, the witches of my homeland, would be ashamed of me. Their war was almost exactly like this. I’m terrified of Macon winning. The things going on in Vailkrin and now whatever is going on in Enchantment… I don’t want Lithrydel to become like Dhavislaav. I know we’ll get through it but…” But her hope was dwindling. “I’ve all but run away entirely to the wilds of Frostmaw, now that the new Necromancer’s Guild headquarters has been finished.” Khitti breathed a heavy sigh, trying to ease the panic in her voice. “We will get through it. We -will- get through it.” There’s another sigh. “Is there anything you’d have me do?” Something. Anything. She has to be of use somehow, in some other way that might redeem herself. Not that she needed redeeming, but Khitti thought she did.

Valrae struggled not to throw herself onto Khitti again. It was hard to see her cry and do nothing more than witness. But knowing what her friends needed and understanding that sometimes that looked differently than how she handled their her grief was something she could do. So she sat and she listened instead, being close was enough for now. The witch pulled her boots up into the pew, leaning her cheek on her knees and she listened and fought back the tears of sympathy that glittered in her eyes. “Khitti…” She begins, dropping her feet to the floor again so that she could lean forward. There is a heavy pause again, stretching between them as wide and expansive as an unquiet sea. “You didn’t fail.” She straightens again, turns in her seat to meet her eyes fully. “No one is ashamed of you. Some battles are won and some are lost. All things will happen as they are meant.” She looks away to tilt her face back toward the Goddess. “I am afraid. I won’t lie to you. There is a coldness that finds me in the darkest hours of the morning that whispers to me what might befall Cenril if we lose this war. If I face Macon again and do not right the wrongs of our history.” And it was theirs, now more than ever, even if it had only been her on that pyre. And now it was time for the truth. “After Selene’s Harvest, I will be leading the largest portion of our army to face Macon.” Valrae turns to face Khitti again and her wide, dark eyes are filled with fire and resolve. “I will not ask others to do what I am not willing to do myself… So in little more than a week's time I will face him. If I fail, if our army falls…” She didn’t want to consider it. She wanted to know with the surety of her faith that she would find only vengeance and justice and yet.. “Larket will bring death to Cenril. The end of this war is on the horizon. I feel it.” Her hand rises up, her fingers brushing the collar of her gambeson. “I cannot see the end but if there is anything left for us to do it is to prepare for the worst while we work toward and hope for justice to come from all of this.”

Khitti || Despite the fact that Valrae was looking right at her, Khitti could barely hold eye contact. The Red Witch believed in her so much, and Khitti believed in herself so little. It wasn’t that way all the time, but the past year was worse than usual. She did listen to her though, even if she didn’t fully believe her. All of the thoughts in her head stopped like a record scratch, her attention now fully fixed on the blonde. There were so many things she wanted to say, her olive-green eyes searching Valrae’s face, indicating that she was indeed holding thoughts back. No, you can’t go! Don’t leave me. If you go, he’ll kill you! Please don’t leave me. Please. How many more times could Valrae be brought back from death? How many times would Vakmatharas allow her to cheat him from completing his quota? Would she come back the same? Or would there be pieces of her missing? You can’t go. You just can’t.

Khitti || But, Khitti didn’t say any of these things to her. If she fell during her battle with Macon, Khitti was already making mental plans to seek out her spirit with Khitti’s own crystal skull. Much like Valrae, Khitti could not feel any bad feelings, with regards to the outcome of the battle. Nothing more than her normal anxiety, anyway. But her clairvoyance did not kick in. Perhaps it was one of those few undecided points in time that Q’na allowed to be left up to mortals, while he dealt with more “important” things. “Then I will wait here for you. And if you do not return by a certain time, then I will come looking for you,” she said at last, still swimming in her own thoughts, but not wanting the other witch to think she wasn’t listening. It was starting to seem like it was high time for Khitti to inspect that Forsaken Book of the Dead, as well, just in case it was needed.

Valrae || While there was no mistaking the look within Khitti’s eyes, the light of something unsaid within their olive depths, Valrae did not press her. She imagined she could guess. If things were different, if it had been her listening as Khitti told her that she planned on leading an army toward Macon she might have thoughts that ran parallel. Though, Gods keep whoever it was that pushed Khatja Elysse von Schreier to war. Still, she wouldn’t pry those words from her friend. She just waited, letting her own words linger in the chilled air of the Sanctum like the scent of rain that pressed in from the opened doors. When she finally spoke again, Valrae’s lips tilted into a gentle smile. There was a selfish rush of relief, a small and weak part of her that felt stronger and more sure knowing that Khitti would not leave. It felt like hope. Like faith being placed at her feet so that she might do this thing, to answer this call for redemption. And there was endearment, a warmth that followed when the other witch said that she would search for her. Again, intuition or understanding, the Red Witch was certain she meant that even if she had the misfortune of being ended by Larketian hands again. “Khitti,” Valrae begins again, leaning back against the pew to cross her legs at the knees. She pauses, thought furrowing her brow. “It’s unnatural that I am here today. Living, breathing, yelling at kitchen maids…” As a fellow practitioner of the craft, Khitti would know how sacred the wheel of life would be kept. It was the source of her fear of vampirism, the source of a great deal of her own inner turmoil. “But I do not plan on losing my life again. I will return to Cenril, to you, even if I cannot find victory on the battlefield.” She meets her eyes again. “I swear it.”

Khitti smirked at Valrae as she spoke of the fact that she should not be here. “You speak as though you are the only “unnatural” thing here. I’m afraid you’re preaching to the choir, dear. Despite the fact that I did the work to get rid of my vampirism, I still quarrel with the fact that I shouldn’t be here. That I should either still be undead or just dead-dead. But--” The redhead drew in a breath and reached over to take the other witch’s hands carefully in hers. “--I’ve started to accept the fact, after some time, that perhaps Vakmatharas and Q’na have made some sort of agreement. That there’s still something here I’m supposed to do, even though I’ve no clue what that is yet. But, I assume it’s the same for you. The god of death does not take his business with souls lightly and neither does Q’na with instances of borrowed time.”

Khitti || “And, I think this is what -you’re- meant to do. To give witches the freedom we deserve and so often have to fight and die for,” Khitti continued, giving Valrae’s hands a squeeze if she’d allowed her to take them. “And -that- is the only reason why I’m letting you go. Why I’m letting you do it essentially alone. And even if we do not win, and you come back to us, you still have the heart we need to keep going.” The twilight witch released Valrae’s hands finally. “So, yes. You better come back. Alive. Or I’ll have to make you alive again, because I don’t trust anyone else to run this place.” Not Jaxson. Not herself. Not anyone else.

Valrae seemed to start, looking both apologetic and shy suddenly as Khitti reminded her that she is not the only one who had cheated death in this sanctuary. Her smile returns with warmth when the other witch takes up her hands. She listened intently, trying to rearrange this view into her own. It was like moving around a moral puzzle and hoping to find all the pieces that had been handed to her fit. It made good, solid sense. Especially in regards to Khitti, who made the world better for her being in it. It was harder to apply this logic to herself, when in Valrae’s point of view she brought a sea of trouble and oftentimes even death to those around her. And how many times has this view been parroted back to her? She wasn’t the only one who thought this - Lanlan had said so before. Kasyr echoed those same feelings the day she’d appeared to confront him for aligning Vailkrin with Larket. “I know you’re right,” She answers finally, hoping that her own self doubt did not edge its way into her careful tone. The High Priestess would have never been accused of having a passable poker face though and her guilty eyes flashed bright before she pulled them away to look toward the floor. Khitti’s faith in her only made that guilt deepen. It was something she didn’t feel she deserved, something that no matter how hard she worked for remained forever out of her reach. Tears threatened to break free and spill over her cheeks again but she managed to hold them back now. The tension was broken by the redhead making a joke that she knew wasn’t wholly a joke and laughter bubbled out of her as she dropped her hands. “I believe that.” She answers seriously. Khitti, leader of the Necromancer’s Guild, one of the most powerful and determined witches she’d ever had the pleasure of calling a friend, would do whatever she’d put her mind to. Gods be damned. “It’s a wonder you trust me!” She squeaks out, still laughing. “I am a wreck.”

Khitti would thoroughly disagree with Valrae on her thought of Khitti making the world a better place. She might try sometimes, but she brought about as many dark and dismal times to this place as Valrae claimed she herself did. In fact, she was actively trying not to do that right now. Bad luck spilled from the twilight witch like the tears from Valrae’s eyes. With most people, she probably would’ve given them a slap on the shoulder for saying such things, but she didn’t do that with Valrae. The High Priestess of the Selene Island coven was a sensitive soul and Khitti had long-since sensed and known that. So, instead, she reached over and booped Valrae’s nose. “Hush. If trusting you is a bad thing, then let it be my downfall.” Really, it was a wonder she trusted anyone at all anymore, what with the divorce and what she still viewed as Kasyr’s betrayal. But, despite her and Valrae’s rocky start from years ago, it had been hard -not- to trust the Red Witch. “We’ll be wrecks together then. And besides, it’s those necromancers you’ve got to worry about. Heh.” It was a bit of an awkward laugh at the end there. A joke at her own expense, though she too was distrusting of her own kind at times. Even moreso now than ever before.

Valrae’s laugh bounced around the Sanctum again as Khitti booped her nose. The move was so surprising and hilarious there was nothing left to do but laugh. “Well, I’ll work hard to make sure it is not!” She would rather be back on a pyre than see Khitti harmed. Trust being hard won was something she wished they would have in common. Her feelings toward Kasyr were mirrored within Valrae herself. They’d had a bitter and horrible argument only days after she’d been returned to Cenril. While she should have still been healing she’d used the teleportation spell she’d learned from the book on the Serpent’s Path to appear in his office and let him know how deeply she’d felt that same sense of betrayal from him. It was no mystery why each of these women felt this way. Consorting with the man who persecuted, murdered, and burned your people would damage even the strongest bonds. For Khitti and Valrae, two witches who felt those flames so personally, well it destroyed those bonds. “Wrecks together,” She repeats, smiling, “I like the sound of it.” She gives her own half hearted laugh at her last joke. She’d known plenty of good necromancers, Khitti the leading in that category, but it was no secret that Valrae herself tended to steer clear of the darker arts of the craft. Not that she’d never used them, but that in using them they always caused her to fear the hungry ambition that awoke with the intoxicating use of it. She’d brushed against that feeling when she’d used desperate means against Josleen and again when she was lost within the dark powers of the emerald crystal skull. It was all too easy to see herself surrendering to those desires, to take up the power offered there and let the consequence for those things be damned. No, that path was not for her. She didn't have the self control. There was a comfortable quiet then. Valrae broke it with a question. “Actually, now that I have you… I did want to ask for your help.” She tilts her head, “A sword was delivered to the estate. I don’t know where it came from but I sense its power. I haven’t touched it directly,” She says with a wave of her hand. She knew better than that. “I’d like your opinion as I’m of the mind it’s been cursed.”

Khitti smirked at Valrae’s laughter and couldn’t help but give a chuckle of her own. When the silence hit, her mind drifted elsewhere. It wasn’t to Valrae’s upcoming battle--she’d just have to hope her friend came back as safe as she could. It wasn’t to Vailkrin, though thoughts of burning down the Black Spire and being done with Vailkrin had never fully left her mind since the last time she’d been in that city. Her mind had gone to that damned strange compass she’d gotten some time ago at the night market. Maybe after this whole thing with Larket was over (it’s going to be over, right?), she’d follow it finally. She found herself staring at the stained glass window that featured the Spider Goddess when Valrae finally spoke again, her crimson brows furrowing at the mention of a ‘curse’. “Of course I’ll take a look at it.” She crossed her arms over her chest, thinking carefully. “I’d say maybe it was from Larket. A nice little surprise to distract you, but that’s not Macon’s way, is it?” Just where the hell did this sword come from?

Valrae action : ’s eyes followed Khitti’s to the pretty stained glass of the Spider Goddess but returned to her when she answered. “Larket was my first thought as well,” She admits, nodding, “But I came to the same conclusion. Macon has never been one for something so subtle as that.” Then she shrugs. “I’m not childish enough to assume I know the names of all my enemies or that I have none save Larket,” Her brow furrows, “Especially considering what happened in Frostmaw.” She had never even known that coven of witches and still they had hated her enough to capture her, curse her, and stoke the flames of war. In truth, she had no idea where it could have come from, though the aura of malice that surrounded it somehow struck her as familiar but in such a way that she couldn’t name. “Perhaps I could tempt you out to the island soon, we could make a day of it?”

Khitti nodded along with Valrae’s assessment. There really was no way of telling right away. There was the matter of perhaps finding the magical signature attached to the weapon and maybe searching the person out after that, but that would need to come after the curse was lifted, as extensive research--and touching of the weapon because of said research--would have to be made. She blinked once at the question of going to Selene Island. It’d been so long since she’d been there. Not since the Adventurer’s Guild went searching for something. She wanted to question the question. She wasn’t part of Valrae’s coven, after all. And while it had been talked about with Quintessa before, Khitti could never fully settle on whether or not to ask Valrae to join her coven or if Khitti should restart the one that her family had been a part of, now that she had her ancestors’ grimoire. Ultimately, Khitti just shrugged and nodded. “Sure, I can make the trip out there. The kids are gone again for a little while, so I won’t have to worry about a babysitter,” she said, smiling faintly.

Valrae brightened and smiled when Khitti agreed to make the trip to the island. “It would be nice to have you,” She was proud of the work the coven had done to the island, how homey and welcoming the village had become. There were other motives as well, such as the mysterious and powerful pool of sanguine water that was hidden at the peak. She didn’t know what they would be in for with this new artifact, but taking it to the island felt important. “Excellent!” She chirps, though she slides a considering look toward the other woman at the mention of her children being gone. She wondered if it was lonely for her but didn’t want to open a wound in asking. Instead she says, “I like to keep busy when Finn is away, so I hope I’m not interrupting anything you’d already planned.” Hopefully, she said enough to express a kind of understanding. Valrae stood then, her hands moving up as she reached up to the ceiling in a long stretch. “I’d better head back to the estate,” She says, “I wouldn’t want a search party going out for me… Again.” She smiles sheepishly. “Thank the goddess for you, Khitti,” The witch adds before parting fully. “Truly, I don’t know what I would do without your friendship.”

Khitti nodded again, this time in agreement. “Yeah, we like to do the same.” Though, Khitt had not really made any appearances of late, ever since the debacle with Cresente. Khitti did not hold it against him though, as she was rather prone to turning into a hermit when something bad happened. “But no, nothing planned yet.” She smirked at the mention of Valrae taking her leave. “You probably should. Knowing that Ravencroft, he’d probably summon up the entire ocean to search for you, and I don’t exactly fancy swimming during the winter.” She offered the parting witch a ‘likewise’, letting her head off home. Khitti, meanwhile, shifted her attention back to the Spider Goddess portrait, and let out a ‘hm’.