RP:Arien Recruits Helich

From HollowWiki

Part of the Liberation of Rynvale Arc



LOCATION: Rynvale, Arien's Villa


Rhocielle was to be found situated at one of the comfortable chairs that inhabited the main hall of Arien's Rynvale home. Fire crackling softly, the only sign that the wolfen male was alive was that his furry ears flicking to the flame's audible snaps. Paw like hands were tensed to the overall silence that surrounded him. The High Elf had insisted this time that her wolfen guardian remain at the house while she took care of some matters in the city proper. He begrudgingly accepted though and remained behind. They were expecting Keturah to arrive as well for a meeting, so all the more reason there was someone left present to recieve the lycaness when she would finally arrive.

Keturah brought her cloak more tightly around her throat as she stood outside the villa. Moss-green gaze lifted, taking in the place for a brief moment before her head was ducked down again as she moved to enter. She wondered inwardly how long it had been since she was so nonchalantly dumped into this very home by that 'heroic'.. gentleman, and the thought of the ordeal brought a faint smile to her lips. Out of habit, the lycaness knocked 'pon the door, though she just as quickly allowed herself entrance. "Wah.~" she lilted, fingers trailing upwards again, though this time, they had loosened the cloak."It's warm.." It wouldn't have been long before she found Rho and offered a quick bow once she'd spotted him. "Good evening."

Rhocielle cranked his head slowly over towards the voice that called out. Lifting himself from his seat, he dipped his muzzle to the woman, "Good evening, Keturah. I am glad you arrived safely." Unlike previous encounters, the black Lycan appeared dressed for combat. Black armor was intricately sewn into fabric to provide a loose fitting, if well protected garb for his tall frame. With a gauntleted paw, he motioned for her to take a seat that surrounded the bear skin rug before the fire place. Settling himself back into his seat, he apologized softly in his heavy accent, "Arien will be along soon, but I do have an issue to discuss with you." Leaning over, he extended a rolled up map for her to observe as he explained, "Depending on how far we camp away from the city when we are with the merchant convoy, we may have to make our way through the Ancient Pine forest just north of the clinic... Just a thought, however, as I do not know any details about the scouting assignment yet..."

Keturah straightened from her bow, if slowly. She hadn't noticed at all the amount of armor the other lycan wore, and it would only be when she'd settled into her seat that she'd paid attention. She'd made no comment, however. After all, the druid was sporting armor beneath her own loose-fitting silks. "Chal.. The clinic.." It was with concentrated effort that she kept the smile, though the end result was a more strained expression than she had intended. Leaning forward in her seat, gloved fingers settled 'pon the parchment. "The Pine forest.. if we do have to make our way through there, the biggest danger.. I am thinking.. would be the animals and if we were to get lost. The.. trip would certainly take time, at any rate." Gaze turned upward, resting briefly 'pon the male before falling again. "Though.. I do not see that as being such a problem. I've been through the forest.. once or twice. For what it matters. Was this the issue? Or something else?"

Rhocielle clicked his broad tongue softly, "Aye, that would be our greatest problem, as we are most likely to break away from the group during nightfall. When I was scouting the northern regions for Arien, I came across an Abandoned Camp at the edge of that forested area. We could suggest the merchants to rest there along our journey, time permitting, and that will allow us only a shorter time in crossing back into Rynvale.." A weak smile appeared, "I doubt we will get lost..." More assertively, though all the same more solemly, he remarked, "We cannot." There was too much riding on the completion of their objectives, and as Arien stated before: they may not get another advantageous opportunity such as this current situation. The Parasite gone and his remaining leadership in Rynvale almost nonexistent, there was no better time to strike. Tenting both armored paws together so his short claws clicked together faintly, he shook his head, "No, that was all I needed to add, regarding our own assignment... Are there any questions you still have?"

Keturah had only a single comment, and she voiced it quietly, "They will trample all over the earth there, the merchants." Both shoulders lifted and fell in a shrug, and the druidess sat back in her chair. "We can move quickly enough, Rho. Admittedly, my senses.. are still dull, but if you lead us, I could follow swiftly." There came her smile, lop-sided as it was, but a smile. "We will not get lost. I have faith, yes?" As soon as the expression had flitted across her features, however, it had vanished again. "Actually.. Yes. How do we plan on barring the soldiers from the clinic? If it is only a matter of sealing the entrances, it may be done easily, I am thinking." A hand lifted, fingertips drumming idly against her cheek bone. "I have my magic. A fairly solid barricade could be made from my vines; they rarely fail me. Or did you have something else in mind?"

Rhocielle directed his attention back to the parchment and pointed idly towards it. "I made a few notes regarding that...," he replied. True enough, the southern portion of the map was scribbled and drawn upon like a modern play mat for a football team. X's and O's littered every which way. A pair of triangles were drawn in the northern forest area, presumably the two Fold members themselves. "There are several ways I have come up with, contingencies... Best hope I have is that most of the guards will be tied up engaging the dock and harbor group, leaving only a pair or two for us to deal with." Lifting a furry digit as if he could actually touch the map, he was figuratively lifting Keturah's eyes to a spot north west of the clinic, "The emperor created an arena on Rynvale, filled with condemned gladiators. A risky, but worthy venture to liberate them beforehand, and allow them to keep the remaining Imperial guards from us. The same could be true if we run across any citizen loyal to our cause on our way towards the clinic. Lastly, you barricade the clinic, with yourself and the Healers that are present; and I will remain outside in the plaza just east of it, drawing the attention of the sentries until the others are able to relieve us..." The last idea of the wolfen warder was spoken with no hesitation. If the barricade alone would not hold off the guards, they could not risk endangering the inhabitants of the clinic should the fighting break out indoors. Better to have the lycaness tend to the Healers and patients, while the more armored male would provide as much time as possible.

Keturah leaned forward all over again, hands clasping together as her eyes trailed over the map. "We'll have a mob raised," she said softly, shaking her head. "Chal, I see then." Diplomacy mixed with battle in the midst of the assault, the druidess would likely be left to puzzle over the workings that evening. "I only battled the first time around," she admitted, canting her head. "I'm still.. young in all of this. But I would do my best, as it were." Another pause, and the lycaness bit hard on her bottom lip. "Gladiators and citizens.. the healers and patients. With Rho outside to keep us safe, yes? Don't.. die, then." She could follow the plan at least. That much she could handle.

Rhocielle nodded slowly to the woman across from him. "I was not present in Arien's first assault. I hope to make up for that absence," the black Lycan uttered thoughtfully, "It will all be well in the end." The entire plan was a myriad of tactics and strategy; magic, steel, and claws. So crazy and convoluted as a whole, it could not fail. A pensive purr was heard from his throat as his gaze was drifted off towards the fireplace. He was to be prepared for whatever they encounterd. The simple broadsword that once hung at his belt was now replaced with a blade of dark steel, polished to a jet black finish that resembled obsidian. Don't die, she mentioned. He would certainly give all he could, and more, to prevent that. A wry chuckle erupted from his maws, and he spoke softly "...I plan not to, Keturah..." Flaring his nostrils, he exhaled heavily and settled into what appeared to be a more comfortable station upon the leather chair. Silently, he repeated his words to himself as a measure of his own assurance. He would not die, nor would the woman accompanying him on their respective mission.

Keturah 's crooked grin returned, and she tugged idly at a curl. "The first assault had a great deal of arrows and blood. My first time.. fighting . Really fighting, I suppose," her voice trailed off, and the curl was pulled back behind her ear. "'All will be well in the end'," she parroted softly. "I like that, you know." A moment of silence allowed the druidess to settle back again in her chair, fingers drumming against the arm rest. As for the talk of death, her smile had softened. "Chal. I trust you."


Arien had made her way swiftly through the dark from the Inn back towards the privacy that was her home. Much time had been spent trying to glean some sense of the sentiments of the populace. Their willingness to aid in resistance was to be critical if they were not to be overwhelmed by sheer force. She was pleased with what she had been able to discover, and eager to communicate the same to Rho and Keturah- they would after all, be the ones to engage the citizenry directly. Arriving at the house, a smile flickered to life at the sight of lantern light in the windows. They were here..it was good to come home and find the house not dark and cold. Trotting up the porch steps she gently pushed on the door, absentmindedly drawing daggers from her hips to place in their homes on the wall. Her cloak followed suit, tossed over a bench near the door. Her voice called down the hallway to the common room within. “ Make yourselves at home already, why don’t you?” Her murmur was a tease. “ You have made progress with your planning?”

Helich :: The sky only seemed natural to him. Something he felt a true affinity for. Something that would continually lure him away from the masses at any given time, without hesitation. Wings forty feet in length, maybe sixty attached to a form more than two hundred feet in length and eighty feet in height. If nothing more, the wenty thousand pounds of weight he carried classified him as the beast he was. Dragon. He cut through the cloudy sky, skimmed along ocean's ruffled top and landed a bit harshly - just a bit - upon Arien's private beach. What had drawn the man here was of, as he would say - his own agenda. Although obvious in some ways, in others ---- perhaps not. His head reared high, a feral and incredibly loud roar let anyone inside the house know he had arrived. It would shake windows, the kind of deep sound one would feel in the pit of their stomach. A few puffs of steam leave his snouted nostrils. He doesn't change form, and as he stands on the beach, when it was safe at least - Sparrow sneaks in through the front door, which was closed behind him with utter care.

Rhocielle scrunched up his muzzle faintly to the lycaness' words of trust. It took quite some restraint to not wince at the inadvertent wounding. The High Elf trusted him as well, but only towards one aspect of herself, she claimed to him. Mustering a faint smile, he nodded reassuringly to Keturah. Grey eyes flitted towards the motion of a door opening, weapons removed, but not drawn. The owner had returned to her home. It prompted a bit of a smile and he chided softly back towards her voice, "...You left me here, so you are not in a position to judge me, Arien..." Someone had needed to remain on the property for Keturah, and the elven female was most vehement that her guardian be the one to stay. "And yes," he remarked to the issue now resolving between himself and Keturah, "We had just--" Immediately he came up to rigid and ready stance at the thunderous roar that quaked the very air it pierced. No sooner had the vicious sound subsided that he narrowed his eyes to the distinct stench of Preklek. The black Lycan would have easily leapt over his chair and charged, had it not been for circumstance in that the scent was a familiar one. A Preklek and a dragon's roar meant a servant and the master. Arien's negotiations were still underway, or she still had more to discuss. Snorting softly to the interruption to his words, he relaxed his paw like hand that rested on the hilt of his new blade. "...Your guests, Arien?" the wolf asked neutrally.

Keturah wouldn't have been aware of the pain her words had caused in the slightest, and her smile remained. Lifting her eyes as Arien's presence was made known, the druid listened quietly as Rho addressed her. Again, she straightened in her chair, and after a moment of thought rose to her feet so as to offer a bow when the Lady was within view. It was with the feral roar that the druid grew rigid, save for the hands that fled to cover her mouth until the noise and quaking discontinued. She was not unfamiliar with the sound, although it had still left her a tad paler. A new scent in the villa as well, though she could not place it. "Vhet ves that being..?" She asked softly as her hands fell away, brows furrowing. A puzzled stare was sent toward the lycan and toward the hall where Arien had been. "Mm.. Guests..?"

Arien was halfway to the seated pair when the earth shaking roar penetrated every fiber of her being, and shook the foundations of the house in the process. She winced. It would seem her new..potential ally was not shy about making his presence felt. Would that he could exert such presence when it might truly be needed, for in the quiet hours of the night she had been able to formulate such a role as he might possibly play-if he was willing to work under her command, which might just prove to be the sticking point. She had a feeling they were both disinclined to yield the role of ‘point’ on any given mission. She met Rho’s glance briefly before turning, alerted by the direction of his gaze and stance of the preklek servant making his entrance behind her. When she spoke, she was addressing keturah’s question, though her gaze rested upon the alien. “ Yes Keturah, guests. Rho and I have met..someone, a dragon,who might be willing to lend a hand with the mission to liberate the isle, though I am not yet sure at what price.” She frowned slightly. “ Something, which I must admit bothers me. The preklek is his servant.” Redirecting her speech to the alien, the elf inquired. “ Your master abides without? He is welcome to enter..” A smile flickered, “ In his humanoid guise of course..if he so wishes.”

Helich :: Sparrow straightened quietly. So much for sneaking, or snooping for that matter. Albeit true attuned ears were useful to Helich, at times - they were just too damned imperceptible. A few words were faintly heard from outside on the beach, most notably his welcome into the abode. The transformation was quick and quiet. Soon he was in a form that could only be called Elf, with - surprisingly - a white shirt and simple black pants. Illusionary of course, but they would do. It left his face open to observation, though a blank slate currently resided upon it as he made his way up the beach and into the home via a back door. Sparrow caught his masters gaze and dropped his own to the ground is submission. Helich now stood, leaning against a wall with arms crossed - half his face covered in shadow. Be it real or illusionary was a mute point, he felt he had an upperhand at the moment. Malice tinged with satire flowed crisply through his tone, "Never really like the front door." A smirk, brief - it faded quickly as placid neutrality conformed over his features. "Nice place you have here Arien." Eyes scan over the room, "Not bad at all." And come to rest upon the High Elf. Rho - whom he had glanced at whilst regarding the room was strictly ignored to the point it bordered on obvious, while Keturah got a single scrutinizing look. A man - or dragon - of little faith in people, his gaze heated upon Arien's own. "If looks could kill eh?"

Rhocielle remained as he stood beside the chair he once occupied, paw slowly being retracted to the fabric confines of his cape. A dip of his muzzle properly acknowledged the reptilian servant, though he did not expect one in return. Most servants, to his experience, at least retained a notion of a soul, individuality regardless of their masters. This one was percieved as more of a puppet. Or it could have merely been the predisposed behavior of a Preklek, unnatural and otherworldy; one could never be too sure at times. The use of the rear door jolted a canine ear, almost as if tripping radar. Watching the elf-- no, dragon, his granite orbs narrowed cautiously then grew tighter with intent as no moment's glance was afforded to him. Internally, he would have grinned to Helich's comment towards Arien. If looks could indeed kill, then the silent Lycan's own gaze was a soundless guillotine.

Keturah nodded her understanding. Arms folding over her middle, the druid's features had smoothed to that neutral blank. Just as soon as she'd realized her change in expression, however, the woman was quick to allow the look to soften. "Yes." Studious gaze was turned toward the alien, a creature which the woman had admittedly never seen. She did at least offer a nod toward the arrival. It had only been once the preklek servant bowed that the lycaness' attention was moved toward the elf seeming male that leaned so nonchalantly against the wall. When Helich had looked her way, she'd nodded toward him as well, for manner's sake. Delicate nostrils flared, gathering the newest scents; though she'd still little ability to sort them. The tension in the air seemed tangible, to say the least. Allowing her gaze to flit briefly toward Rho, the druid bit her lip and turned her attention back to Arien and the dragon.

/:: It was the quiet click of the door to the back porch, the kitchen door in effect, that alerted the elf to the roundabout means the dragon had taken to enter the house, and it was with a look of exasperation that she had whirled on her heels to greet the male, leaving her guard and Keturah to keep eyes upon the preklek servant who was now at her back. It did not even occur to her to question the trust she placed in the pair, so deep was their bond as kindred. She was inclined at first to be sharp with the dragon, but remembered the apparent ease with which he had been able to make her life, uncomfortable on the eve before. “ Indeed..I suppose if looks could kill, you would be quite dead Helich, but you are not.” She waved him idly to a seat before the fireplace. “ Do come in..I do hope you are not thusly inclined to the dramatic in your approach to , everything. We will be in need of significant subterfuge if either of us are to be successful in our endeavors here.” She stepped aside, past him as he moved, if he did, and into the kitchen positioning herself where all present could be seen. “ Drinks, anyone? We may at least pretend to civility whilst we speak of the barbarism of war.” Pale nose wrinkled in self deprecation.

Helich looked at Sparrow quietly. The Preklek entered the kitchen on Arien's flank after Helich had taken a precarious seat in the chair that had been offered. Any inclined to telepathy would note -something- had just occured. Those who were not, he was not all that concerned about. A wild smile, wicked, flashed over his lips. "Yes, and of course, and -- something strong." He would not drink of whatever was offered to him. Common sense, but civility - in the barbarism of society, as he percieved it, was always helpful to stimulate trust. "My servant will help you gather the drinks, rightful Governor of Rynvale." Another smirk. He was in a particularly light mood this eve, if such could be adequately compared to his typical darkness - yet the comment was thick with rhetoric and even a bit patronizing. She was no fool. He had done exactly what he had intended to do, throw her off guard - now the teeter-totter was beginning. Up and down. Back and forth, friend and foe - ally, and enemy. He regarded Keturah again as he spoke, eyes flowing from toes to the tip of her head. "I am inclined to assume the trade of information could include things other than Rynvale, my lady Arien. I have yet to find one of whom I can rely on throughly." So much said in just a short phrase, so much one could read into. Pure dominance that bordered on dislike entered his gaze as it locked on Rhocielle's form. "And a good eve to you as well. I didn't notice you there. How quaint." Keturah on the other hand, was offered no true greeting.

Rhocielle allowed himself a single moment of recess, a brief and low rumbling to his throat before uttering a noncommittal grunt in acceptance of Arien's suggestion. As with his audience with the High Elf before the queen, he would allow neither his tongue nor his emotions free range. Only when the dragon seated himself, did the Lycan follow suite. Eyes towards Helich, his fur coated ears focused towards the kitchen. Far too much had already been spoken that peaked his senses, that a private word with Arien was sure to follow upon the departure of both kinsmen and 'guests'. The dragon's tune was a melody that sang differently than the lyrics given. Perhaps he was reading too much into it, and the music was merely offtune slightly. Whatever his current sentiments regarding the business at hand, now he found himself once more in a different childish activity. Each one to their perpetual swings of male dominance, rising and following in a rhythm separate than that of the other child. "That's the point...," he finally spoke aloud in his husky drawl. A brief display of canine teeth between thin lips accompanied his words in a subtle grin. Such a contrast, thunderous draconian roar to the silent lightning flash of Lycan teeth, both males announced their presence.


Keturah had little to do but listen quietly. Arms uncrossed, drooping so that her hands might clasp before her. Stare continued to shift between speakers, though the woman had remained silent. Although she'd not been particularly thirsty, the druid nodded slowly. She would hardly be useful as it was. An offer to assist the highborn in gathering drinks fell dead before it was spoken as the dragon offered his servant's assistance. The druid's gaze turned to the reptilian slave before returning to Helich. It was then she realized the study she was being given. She took the scrutiny to her person in stride, though the lack of greeting to herself on the dragon's part did little in the ways of affecting her. A hand moved to touch the armrest of the chair she had previously occupied. She might have sat down as well had it not been for the air between the two males. The lycaness was half-inclined to follow the Lady to the kitchen anyway.

Arien might be operating in part in the mode of a hostess, but with every fiber of her being she was attempting to read the soul of the dragon seated before her. She did not trust him, not one bit. But he had something that she wanted, and she had a feeling that the easiest way to keep tabs on him would be to make sure he was closer to her than far away. There was more control that way. Emerald gaze flashed to the preklek servant as he made way into her kitchen and the elf murmured a polite refusal of assistance. “ No, please..be seated, you are a guest in my home.” Casting a quick glance Keturah’s way she added, “ Keturah will help me.” Loath as she was to admit it, the elf was not entirely comfortable with the alien in such close proximity, especially when he seemed so intimately connected to the dragon, whom she did not trust as far as she could throw-which was not an inch. Neutral smile surfaced again as she poured a flagon of ale. “ You seem oddly consumed by what should be my office of governance of the city Helich. Might I ask why that is?” Her own gaze fluttered to that of her guard, asking him without word to note all those things that she might not. Was it even worth the apparent risks to ally herself with this one? However temporarily?

Helich locked his dull grey orbs upon Rhocielle's own, hands clutching tightly the armrest of the chair. Lightning never struck in the same place twice, a cruel grin poses itself 'pon his face to battle against the Lycan's own subtle one. "Is it really, Lycan?" White Saurian teeth, bright in contrast to his black lips and face, showed themselves more as the grin widened. Though his eyes remained fixed Rhocielle, the grin faded as words were directed at him - though obviously not meant for him. Sparrow stayed put, oddly crouched over - his back bent, of sorts - and it was not until another moment passed that - with Helich's tiniest of smiles - he came to stand behind Rhocielle's chair with his hands gripping the top of the chairs back. "Consumed? Of course I am only consumed - " his voice grew dramatically sincere, "with your return to your rightful place as Governess my Lady Arien. I only seek to see this city propsper, as it should." Composure faltered as if his very face were one of his made up illusions, a frown peirced his lips down. So tiny it may go unnoticed. "Loyalty is an odd thing. Outshines even a millenia. You belong here, I will see to your safety." It would be hard to decipher through such sincerety the truth in that statement. He didn't want to look away. From the Lycan. So instead, Sparrow moved between them en route to Helich's chair and as the Preklek passed between Rho and himself, the male darted his eyes to the ground. An odd thing, occuring within just a moment, but just as fast they were back on the Lycan with the same dislike. Never one for stealth. A weakness perhaps, but the energy extruding from his form could be considered naught but selfish and - evil. It was carefully contained, so far as metaphors go, like a boiling pot of noodles - the foam would rise until stirred, and rise again. In waves, he eminated it.

Rhocielle did not remove the dragon from his sight, but he was aware of the gaze from the High Elf. It was a coaxing sensation, lightly prodding at him to remain on guard from what was seen and what remained hidden behind both the dragon's magical illusions and the figurative ones of his words. "Truly," the black Lycan quipped to the question posed to him. A slender smile greeted that which was offered to him. He dared the subtle stakes further by casting a sly wink to dragon across from him in regards to the sudden presence of the Preklek behind him, even before the creak of leather was heard. The wolf maintained his own repertoire; a display of playfulness to unnerve or unbalance, though those pierce orbs of stone remained stolid upon his canine face. What did offer a measure of faint surprise to his features was the peculiar behavior of the Preklek. A magician's assistant drawing the audience's attention from the truth of the spectacle. His eyes refocused once more upon the dragon, attempting to catch sight of the discrepancies in the moment the Preklek obscured his view. Finding none did not alleve his tension. Illusion and darkness both worked to obscure reality, and simply because there is nothing to be seen, does not mean there is nothing there. Another thing to note for his private conversation with the High Elf.

Keturah was more than happy to leave the main room to follow after the other two, eventually stepping around the preklek as he moved back toward the main room. A backwards glance was sent Helich's way, moss eyes narrowing thoughtfully before returning forward. He certainly spoke prettily enough, she determined.. Ever so much like the Songbird. The parallels she unconsciously drew left the druid with a sour feeling in her stomach. Dark brows furrowed as she stepped into the kitchen. "Lady," she muttered softly, moving toward the elf. Save for the quiet utterance, the lycaness said nothing else whilst she waited the opportunity to help with the drinks. She would likely end up aiding in carrying them. It had been the same when she was a Guard, silent and observing- holding her tongue and attempting to avoid mistakes. There was still so much she had to learn. Looking sidelong to Arien, Keturah bit bleakly against her bottom lip.

Arien was only mildly distracted from her attention to the dragon by Keturah’s arrival at her side. She offered the petite druid a kind smile, her knowledge of the woman’s temperament sufficient that she knew, or believed she knew the lycan to be feeling out of her depth. To be honest, the same could -almost- be said for the elf herself. Her instinct, and her intuition, boosted by her connection to the divine warned that here abided an evil of a nature subtle until it chose to be obvious. And yet, here too as was measure of truth; but a truth enough to sacrifice judgment for a moment? “ I find it difficult to believe that you would have such a vested interest in seeing ‘justice’ done on my behalf Helich, I am but a stranger to you. And yet, you say you have your own reasons for wishing to see the isle prosper again-and in this, perhaps, you can be taken at face value.” She hesitated. The only one present who seemed not floundering in deep water was her lycan guard. The energy that rippled between the two males was tangible, and the elf found that she was suddenly glad that she had not agreed to this meeting alone. With his attention divided, the dragon might prove easier to handle. She took a shallow breath and plunged on. “ Your role, if you chose to accept it would be simple. I will need an illusion generated, a challenging one..at least a battlion’s worth of High elven regimental guard..and I will need your physical strength to breech a safe house.” An empty smile surfaced again. “ You will forgive me of course, if I do not go into much more detail. I learned in my previous attempt, that in war, the right hand does not always need to know what the left hand is doing. You would be with me, and as such, whatever you would need to know, could be revealed in that moment.” She canted her head in challenge. “ Are you game Saurian? If the fate of Rynvale is truly your concern, it should be enough”

Helich listened attentively. With much attention. Carefully, quietly, a scaled hand raises to grasp on the Preklek's own. A gentle grasp. Sparrow opened his mouth, a focal voice echoing throughout the room. "We will accept your offer." Was all the Prek said - for Helich found himself musing in thought. Sparrow spoke again, "In return for any and all information you have regarding the Queen of Larket. Her companions, her alignment. Any information that might prove useful for one accruing...information. As well, still, as a map of the sewers." It was not that the words didn't sound wrong coming from his mouth, but the Preklek's eyes spoke of an temperate hatred, sif for at this very moment its soul was alive. As soon as Helich dropped his hand back to the armrest, the light in Sparrow's eyes fade. He remains silent, as well as the Dragon. After a moment, with eyes still upon Rhocielle in that same territorial battle that had occured the night before, he spoke. "Name the time, and the place Arien. If I was him -- " He shook his head and reluctantly slipped from his seat - very reluctantly - to stand in the doorway of the kitchen. A quiet lean, a quiet look at Arien. "This illusion you speak of. Who will it be used against? If I'm to risk my life for this - and I will - I deserve the right to know exactly whats occuring." So serious now, arms fold over his chest, "If I'm to trust you, as I am - not to betray me when I am no longer useful..I -- " Well this was odd. Through the teeter and the totter, through it all, she had broken a string on the violin that was his facade. Composure was more than faltering now, emotion was actually entering his tone, not subdued by his attempts to appear nonchalant. Worry? Concern? But for whom, and how much? "I once knew a man Arien..." He started off quietly, "Who only had a single desire, and once he had attained it - he had nothing else to live for." Real or an act, a facade or not -- he would let her figure that out. "And when he realized this, he found himself alone without anything but that which he had desired in the first place." He glanced over his shoulder at Rhocielle as Sparrow took a seat where Helich -had- been sitting and was staring the Lycan down with the exact same gaze that his master had been giving the man. Hiding the smile was easy, "I am not that man, and will not be Arien." The energy - seemed to disappear. He'd been acting to carelessly, and now, the apperent evil he eminated had vanished completely. Too carelessly.

Rhocielle /: Despite Arien's admission of specific details towards the dragon, he remained as a gargoyle. Stoney expressions on the statues atop cathederals, they were of the same purpose as the wolfen warder was: for protection. It could not be allowed before the public that he was in disagreement to Arien's decisions. Nostrils flared and grey eyes widened slightly to the abrupt speech from the reptilian servant. However, it added to his previous suspicious. This was not a puppet. It was a ventriloquist dummy. A hand to the arm was no different than a hand up the back of the other. They served the same purpose. Rather than focusing on the speaking Preklek, he kept his gaze on the dragon, watching the subtle nuances to the saurian's visage. Even the puppeteer must eventually display emotions while controlling his dummy. Arien would concern herself to the words spoken; he merely concerned himself to the actions seen, or rather, the sight of the strange illusionist. Even as Helich departed and set the decoy in his place, the black Lycan's attention remained ever focused. The Preklek was not unaccounted for, but Arien's guard could not afford to allow such an opportunity of vunerability on the part of the dragon to escape his notice.

Keturah smiled toward Arien in turn, if faintly so. Not to say that the woman's ill ease had been put to rest. Hands settled upon the countertop, index finger drumming restlessly against the surface. Whilst the lady spoke, the druidess canted her head toward the main room so that she might watch the trio within. She had not expected the servant to speak, nor did she understand at all the reasons for the request he was making. But no, she was not meant to do so. She heard the dragon approaching, and only when he spoke at the kitchen's doorway did Keturah turn fully. Just as she had the entire meeting she listened, observing. This was familiar, even if slightly, the way he spoke, the disappearance of that evil aura, the shift in tone. "Songbird," another soft utterance under her breath. But who was she to judge? Again her gaze shifted to Arien, sidelong.

Arien frowned. This entire situation felt as if she was making a decision with tremendous implications, entirely too hurriedly. Keturah’s murmured word only added to her discomfiture. The dragon was indeed reminiscent of Anaximander-and the hell that he had unleashed for the clan was only too fresh in her mind. Disapproval was radiating in waves from the lycan where he sat, and she pondered, with some measure of concern, the tenuous bridge to relations that had newly been formed between Larket and The Order. Should the clan be found to have aided, even indirectly, one who brought harm to the queen and her city, the price that would be paid would be torturous. The elf turned away from the dragon at the door, wandering over to the window that overlooked the beachhead. There were too many variables that weighed in the negative. She could not risk it, not unless he was prepared to abide by her terms. She heard the crack in the façade, the apparent bemused sincerity of the words whose meaning she could not grasp. It did not change the reality of what she was facing. “ I cannot tell you more Helich. Even in recognizing the risk to your life. Only you can determine if your.. ‘agenda’ to see the city righted is worth the price that you might have to pay.” She met his grey gaze somberly. “ Neither can I commit to the sharing of intelligence that may indirectly put my kin in harm’s way in the long run. I have an allegiance to a cause greater than my own.” She paused. “ Perhaps, this is something best thought upon, and discussed with others who might otherwise be impacted. I must admit, there are likely others..if I search hard enough, who may offer what you do, with not nearly so steep a price.” Resting where she was, the elf would attempt to gage the dragon’s reaction to her refusal to budge.

Helich :: To bluff, or show his cards. Barely had the ante even been paid - yet he felt a toll on his plans. They had called him lazy when he was but a hatchling, a lazy genious. "Sparrow." One word, spoke as an after thought almost. The Preklek came to stand at Helich's back, facing Rho. The Preklek regarded the Lycan coldly now. an empty gaze. If his speech were not warning enough, his straightening from the frame to stand erect should show much. That tension in the air, always present only grew as the Dragon cracked his neck. "You know, Lady Arien - I could destroy your home by -merely- transforming into my true form." Cold words, heartless, "And could force your gaurd and maid to kill you." he was up to something. Something bad. One attuned to such could feel the mana forming within him. "I could let you watch as I skin them alive, as I have them skin themselves." The mana grew, a bubble ready to burst. "But I have an obligation to this island." It didn't alleviate in the slightest. The ploy, why bluff when you can trick your foe into showing their tell? If only the guard would make a move. He took a step into the kitchen, toward Arien and Keturah whilst Sparrow took a step back, blocking the door with eyes focused on the Lycan. Helich raised a hand up in the air. He was within arms reach of Arien, his fingers inching toward her shoulder.

Rhocielle internally relaxed and one so astute would notice the bristled black fur that coated his surface now softening anew. Arien's resolve turned to give her guard relief. The relief was immediately washed away when the dragon suddenly raised the stakes once more. He had folded at the game played with the black furred male, or so it seemed at first. To his realization, he had been carried over to the table played with the High Elf. Mana and magical energies were oblivious to his sense, but as his natural four legged brethren, he could feel something. That particular something did not bode well with him. Word spoken, however morbid and macabre they were, did not illicit a response from him. He remained as he was for the moment, contemplating quickly. The queen's guard had warned him: never let the enemy know whom you protect. Arien was his to protect.. He protected, trusted her. She trusted him. Swarming and conflicting thoughts ravaged his heart and mind. A flurry of memories and words echoed silently inside him. The High Elf trusted him still, regardless of recent circumstances. He trusted her.., and she trusted him.... She constantly assured him that she was more than capable of taking care of herself. The black furred male placed his trust in the elven female he had come to care for. Putting action to his thoughts, he made his choice. Arien's warder stood his ground and remained seated, despite the obvious danger posed.

Keturah , as she had all along, just listened. She was almost relieved with Arien's words. The opportunity to think on the matter. The druid would certainly attempt to hunt down another illusionist if it was needed, if the dragon was.. like Anaximander. A shiver was suppressed. At the calling of Helich's slave, however, the lycaness tensed hands dropping to her sides. The druidess, in tune enough with the Divine, had the ability within her to sense the build-up of mana within the other. Eyes narrowed, light playing off of her irises in amber tones. She certainly hadn't the black lycan's sense of what to do, and so she shifted just slightly, a flickering of her own mana welling within. "Please stop." She wasn't directly between the high born and the dragon, but she had placed herself near enough to act if he proceeded.

Arien’s emerald gaze narrowed the moment that the servant was issued order to stand twix her and her own guard. And so, the façade would fall it seemed. She listened to the words spill from the lips of the dragon. Words shimmering with an evil all their own, for it took evil to generate such thoughts, even in test, if that was what this was. Without conscious thought the mana in her flared to life, triggered as it was by her link to the divine which was itself reacting to the dark energy that streamed forth from the dragon. In the shadows of the kitchen the paladin seemed suddenly ablaze, her skin bathed in a golden shimmer, tendrils of divine energy radiating from her person. The tumble of fiery tresses for a moment seemed illuminated, as if they were the very flames they imitated, before being subdued it would appear, to the flickering of dying ember. The dark hand reached out toward her shoulder and she smiled. “ This, it would seem is the difference between you and I Helich, you..and all my kin. We are willing to lose all, including our lives if need be for a cause greater than ourselves; Freedom. But we are not prepared to inflict an evil to so accomplish. Something, which despite your words to the contrary, I believe you significantly capable of doing. I say again. We do it my way..or we do it not at all. Even if that means we pay a price for that choice..now.”

Helich :: It was either the request of the Druid - or the fact that Arien had 'started on fire' in a sense. Well then. His black hand was about three inches away, and there it stayed. She had called his bluff, hell, even the girls words made him think for a moment. He folded. "Well then." He said, more of a growl than anything else. "We shall do it your way." He whipped around, coming to stand near his servant. "Blind trust has never gotten me far, Arien. In fact, it has never gotten me anywhere at all!" Anger entered his tone, a few moments pass where the only sound one could hear coming from the man was his labored breath. The mana dissipiated, bluff having been called, and as if nothing had happened at all he squeezed by Sparrow to retake his seat. Sparrow's reaction was slow, he came to stand behind Helich with that same quietness. Composure returned instantly, though he was internally fuming. "How about those drinks My Lady Arien? I'm sure their are a few wrinkles that need ironing - whichever wrinkles you chose to share with the rest of the maids." As if nothing at all had occured. If anything he sought to just unsettle them all a little bit, ante up again for the next hand. Diplomacy now, that was the route he chose. Rhocielle was eagerly ignored. The Lycan was just - significantly disliked.

Rhocielle was not entirely still or idle in his station. The mind raged on in silence while his grey eyes gave the allusion of staring blankly at the servant, calculating thoughts of the hunter he truly was; a black wolf. Distance between his seat and the Preklek was minimal, not even half a lunge. There were several points of attack, each one with different vantages and consequences. Precision was always key when only one chance was allowed, and in the shadows of illusions from the dragon, they were not only key, but dire. Listening to the discussion behind the reptilian, gears winded down, focus regained. Now the dragon stated something that perked his deepest thoughts. It was blind trust for the High Elf that kept him at his station, lest he would have risked damaging Arien's position in the game waged within the house. Having Helich once more in a suitable position from the black furred male, he too continued his critical gaze of the other as if nothing had happened prior. The disregard of his presence on the part of the other male only reinforced the guard's opinion that the deck was being reshuffled for a new hand to be dealt and played accordingly.

Keturah relaxed at least slightly as the scene settled back to strained diplomacy. Sighing weakly, the druid turned back toward the drinks. "I can finish pouring them, Lady." it was another soft murmur on her part. If she was going to be thought of as a maid, she may as well play the role. 'Twas not as if she was of much other use to the meeting. Mind slowly replayed the words, cataloguing. There was still much the lycaness had to learn on matters such as these.

Arien relaxed a measure, her eyes drifting closed as the dragon folded his hand and retreated, for now. But he had shown his cards and she knew now his heart. Some day, they would meet face to face, all façade’s shed and it would not be as allies. This she knew, as surely as she knew that- for whatever reason- he wished to see Rynvale free of imperial control. But was he willing to let it abide in hers? Time she supposed, would tell. Her eyes fell to Keturah at her side, a gentle nod ensuing as she herself reached out to take two flagrons from the table top. She was suddenly in need of a drink herself. Moving slowly across the kitchen and back into the common room, she stood behind the chair in which her guard remained seated. She would have to remember to thank him for his restraint, it would not have been easy, she knew, for him to have left her to determine her own fate. Her gaze flickered to the dragon. “ Those things that need to be ironed, will be ironed. You will need only answer the call when it comes. You will have twenty four hours notice of where and when we will have need of you.” She relented a minutia. “ I give you my word that we will not betray you in this moment, nor in the moments after. What may lay between us once this duty is done however, will be of the will of the gods to determine.” There, she had lain the cards on the table, made no pretension to alliance beyond the present. They would use each other..and thereafter.. Her face settled into a patient, blank tempalate. “ Do we have an agreement?”

Helich always had an odd timing with things, an odd way of going about things. Truth be told, as he listened to Arien's words a tiny smile came to rest upon his lips. Not so minute as to go unnoticed, but there was no grand display of amusement either. As far as odd timing goes, he stood up and looked her directly in the eyes, dull grey orbs focusing on something within her - so it would seem. It would hurt a little, but whatever had just occured passed quickly. "I will trust you, and fate. Go." Sparrow left immediately, his eyes never left her. "I will be awaiting your call. Eagerly." With that undramatic comment, he backed out of the room as a show of just how much he trusted the group present. As feet pressed against the stones outside and fresh air washed over him, thought truly took him now.

Rhocielle /: More show of his restraint than others would know was the refusal to allow himself to appear more at ease, softer even, at the proximity of the High Elf. Inches from him now, his wolfen face did not change. Ever scrutinizing of the master and servant, the Preklek was given only a grazing glance, but the dragon himself was awarded all of his attention in Helich's departure from the house. Confident that it was only kinsmen present in the room, nay, the entire building, he cranked his head back to gaze up at Arien. Stark weariness and exhaustion were present in his eyes, canine ears drawn back against his furry scalp. She knew full well the extent of control he had exerted on himself. He said nothing at the moment, savoring the silence as his body relaxed into the chair for its orginal purpose, comfortability. A heavy sigh was eventually exhaled, but no words accompanied the elongated sound.

Keturah hadn't much need to actually go about pouring drinks. In the end, she turned, making way toward the doorway to the main room. Her arms folded across her chest, her petite frame leaned against the doorframe. Studiously, she'd watched as the two exited, lips grimly forming a tight line against her face. It was only as they disappeared outside the druid sighed and allowed her shoulders to slump. Eyes closed briefly before opening again, gaze seeking her kinsman. She admired them both, really, even moreso after the meeting, but these thoughts remained unsaid. Wearily, she'd canted her head so that her temple rested against the doorframe as well.

Arien hissed quietly, a sharp inhalation of pain at the wave of darkness that swept into her, almost as would a scan occur, before she had even a moment’s thought to raise what magical defenses she might have against his intrusion. Emerald gaze looked daggers into the dragon as he backed out of the room. The day would come when he could not strike and run. And suddenly , they were alone..and worry and exhaustion were heavy in the air. “ You will abide here tonight, use the spare rooms.” Her words were quiet in the room, and spoken over the crackling of the fireplace. Her gaze softened as it swept from one to another of her kinsmen. Truly, they were all she had in this world. “ You may scold me in the morning.” And with that, the elf turned on her heel and retreated behind the door to her room, closing it with a quiet click behind her.