RP:Ignorant of a Vampire

Part of the Home Sweet Home Arc

Summary With Laezila being held captive by the elves for the information she has of the curse on Sage, council members argue over what to do with her while Xzavior and Shishi enter into the camp. Once the argument between the elven leaders subside, Gilwen and Syelnar learn from Shishi that Laezila has been turned into a vampire and by holding her captive, could potentially lead to political strife with Vailkrin. Krice enters the scene, but before Gilwen or Syelnar could play gracious host, or deliberate on what to do with Laezila, they are called away on urgent business, leaving the group left behind to council Laezila.

Reclaimed Fort

This small patch of land has witnessed the destruction and resurrection of major forces. Notably, the elves lived here first in a thriving, peaceful community before being decimated by the duergars. During their occupation of this land, the deep dwarves built a dark tower and spiked walls. What happened to the duergars is not known, but some time after the drow military occupied this fort and from here launched a war against the elves, driving them out of the forest and replacing it with darkness. The drow won the first war, but lost the fort in the second. The watchtower was destroyed by the elves, who must now build a future on these lands, whose very foundation is violence and war.

Xzavior was true to his word in coming back right away, though this time he was accompanied by a wyvern hatchling that rested peacefully on his tail. He felt that soon she'd have to get along on her own. She's been getting big lately. He looked around, half expecting to see Laezila around he hummed a bit before heading back to the tent that he had been expecting to find Gilwen last time. He was careful still not to not draw any unnecessary attention to himself. It probably wasn't the best what he did last night, but he didn't regret it.

Shishi and his twelve year old son are moving through the forest slowly, reliving some odd happening they must have just recently gone through, “What about when that guy swallowed the bug by accident? Heh.” the young boy asks with a bright grin and elicits a chuckle from his vampiric father. Evidence of whatever they’ve been up to is all over their clothes, the child’s shoes, pants and lower half of his shirt are caked in dried mud, like he had been lying prone on the wet earth for some time. The older assassin’s white collar and shoulders are smeared red, blood no doubt about it, and he’s clearly missed a few spots on his cheeks where he has tried to wipe away the telltale signs of his vampiric meal. “Aye, that was weird… He almost stepped on you, you know?” The bloodstained Blue Demon recalls to the tune of a quick, knowing nod from Arius. With Shishi at the helm it is highly likely that the father and son duo is at the very least a little bit lost. As such Blue and Yellow stumble onto the fort and the blonde boy spots Xzavior and Leifa trying not to draw attention to themselves… Not on his watch, “‘Ey! Leifa! Mister Xzavior!” Both muddied hands a waving wildly over Arius’s head as he calls out to the pair, “What are you doing out here?” He picks up his pace while Blue does the opposite, tailing behind his son and offering a silent wave to the naga these two had just met about a week or so ago in Vailkrin.

The elven camp was once again buzzing with activity, albeit some still sat within the confines of the tent city to drink away their sorrows- but the majority of the camp had taken to working on repairs of the fort, handing out donated supplies and food, and a few groups had branched off to begin construction of small huts to the east. Xzavior’s return to the camp still garnered weary glances from the cautious people, but no one reached for a weapon to ward him off- except the moment the naga and wyvern draw to close to one of the larger tents under the misconception Gilwen was inside. Immediately, a tall elf (tall in comparison to the rest of the populace, given he was at least five-foot-seven) surged from the makeshift home which housed a three children and a very pregnant mother. “Aye, the elders might not mind you snooping about, but I do. If you’re looking for the council, they’re in the fort,” making a crude gesture towards the mentioned building, he remains in place, using his body as a barricade to protect his family therein. However, his attention was soon drawn from Xzavior due to the presence of Shishi and Arius, and immediately, the elf’s hand found the hilt of a dagger that rested on his hip.

Inside the fort was just as busy; roofs were being repaired, and the freshly hewn stone walls were being inscribed with runes that offered a modicum of protection against any threat of attack. But despite the noise and general clutter, the council managed to convene a meeting at the great table that sat in a large room off of the atrium. Though the doors of the fort, and the council room sat open, both thresholds were guarded by a set of swordsmen in hardened leather armor. “I can’t believe you are actually considering this!” Maegus, the third and final elder protector shouted toward his two counterparts, slapping his palm flat against the tabletop in outright fury. “I say we hand her over and take the money! We need it at this point. We have no trade routes set up with any other city, we have very little food, the weapons and armor we do have are decades old! And, we might very well need that payment if we need to find someone else to take us in, because Frostmaw’s gates are closed if you haven’t noticed.” Gilwen stood beside Laezila, who had been given a chair by her guard, and mimicked the table-pounding in turn. “Damnit Maegus, what makes you think the D’artes are not going to try to kill us the moment we set up a rendezvous? And, if we find a third party to handle the dealings for us, we then have to pay them a cut, and that’s assuming they remain true to their word and brings back the gold! Look around you, our forest has been dying for months now, and finally, -finally- we have an answer.” Syelnar was quick to cut in at this moment, but rather than copy his two fiery companions, he merely raised his hand. “Maegus, it is in everyone’s best interest if Laezila remains with us for the time being. That’s the end of discussion. A two to one vote.” Since Syelnar offered no further room for discussion on the matter, Maegus shot the ex matron a threatening glare before spinning on his heels and exiting the room.

Laezila was shackled -or, more accurately, her wrists were bound together behind her back and separated from the wound by means of the chair's backrest. This wasn't because the elves were a particularly cruel or hateful race (although the exception might be with the drow) and was despite the actions of the ex-matron at the end of the war between the distant cousin races; the reason her wrists were bound together behind her back was because, during a particular freakout the night previous, she had managed to strike and disarm a guard. It was in vain, however, considering the escort she had and her circumstances, but for the safety of herself (from putting more strain on her wound as well as from needing to be slain) as well as the safety of the elves. She knew Maegus. Remembered his face when Emrith forced her to aid his rescue of the council member and Skylei from D'Artes captivity. When she was forced to betray her people and, due to it, could never return to her home. The little vampire wasn't particularly listening to the argument, which was a good thing considering her tendency to overreact and her frightened state of mind -she was thinking. Contemplation was made evident, too, by the subtle crease of her brow along the scarred face of the young woman, who, compared to the elders, could not be many years past the threshold of adulthood by the drow and their tree-dwelling cousins. Said contemplation made her unresponsive to the threatening glare, but she broke her silence when she heard the waning footsteps of the other council member, her voice a rasp; it was on the cusp of breaking, and woven haphazardly together in her words by a blatant attempt to bluff fearlessness, to remain in that masquerade. "Perhaps not an answer. But the closest thing to one you might get for generations. Unless, of course, he takes matters into his own hands. You should take his advice, and veil your agents while turning me in. The food will keep many of your people alive through the harsher seasons, the weapons will deter bandits, at the least." She was afraid of dying, certainly, and definitely did not -want- to die. But she was not lying when she claimed remorse for her actions, or when she said she wished to help. Her intense blue gaze slipped from Gilwen to Syelnar and back, before her nostrils flared with the less-than-subtle inhale that was normal only when taking in an unexpected scent. She did not remark on it, though, instead she murmured quietly, "I am thirsty."

Xzavior quickly looked back to the older elf and smiled kindly, "Sorry, I didn't know. Thank you for the information." Still concerned about him it seemed. Well at least they were kinder than the rest that found him suspicious. He was about to head off to the fort before he heard the vampire's son come running up on them and chuckled before moving to greet them. Leifa had already jumped off and ran up to Arius happily. "Hello again. So what are you doing all the way out here? Didn't think you'd make some trips out here." He moved pasted Arius and Leifa coming right up to Shishi and motioned for him to follow. "Here, you'll probably have better luck with me." Though he wasn't really leading him out of the camp, more to the fortress. He still needed to talk to Gilwen. Xzavior hoped Shishi didn't mind that. When he entered and saw Maegus leave in a huff and heard all that Laezila had to say he shook his head lightly. Sure self sacrifice was an honorable thing at the right time. But he believed that in this case it wasn't going to help.

Shishi ’s son slows to a stop a few meters away from the naga and the elf reaching for a weapon, the boy puffing out his cheeks and blinking blue eyes towards the local before he is happily distracted by the Frost Hatchling. “Gwah~ Hey there.” Arius says while patting the drake on the top of the head a couple times. “We were… uhh…” The boy trails off while looking towards his father for permission to disclose what the heck they were out in Sage doing. The Blue Demon’s pace doesn’t change in the slightest until he is just past the point where Yellow stopped, “We had to -get- something…” Shishi gives the vaguest answer he could imagine and if it weren’t for the blood there’d be no chance anyone knew that these two assassins had killed someone earlier today. With that ‘information’ given, the vampire shoves both hands in pant pockets and looks down at the ‘tall’ elf. The height difference between the assassin and him is at least half a foot. Between him towering over the elves as he usually does and the fresh blood splattered about him Blue probably comes off a bit more intimidating that he means to here. “Easy, Chief.” Shishi speaks calmly to the male elf, or more specifically directly to the dagger being reached for. The naga’s direction to follow breaks the staredown between The ‘Demon’ and the protective elf before The Colors, the hatchling, and the Cryo-Snake enter the fort. Oceanic Blue eyes blink above Shishi’s stupefied expression at the sight of the Drow prisoner. His hands are still in his pockets while he silently trails Xzavior, good thing, because he probably would have thrown them up in the air in question as to what in the world he has walked into? Hopefully some patience will get him an answer.

Gilwen sank into a seat adjacent from Laezila, and slumped forward, her hands cradling her head while the drow’s guard moved to fetch a glass of water from the sideboard. Syelnar had taken to pacing the length of the room, he head bent in silent thought. “You said you wanted to make amends,” the fiery headed elder spoke towards the lacquered face of the table, “We would like you to start that process by telling us all you know about the curse.” Once they managed to get every bit of information Laezila could offer, only then would they consider turning her over to the D’artes. Slowly, Gilwen lifted her head from her hands to settle her gaze on Syelnar, who returned her look with a blank expression before his attention shifted to the ex matron. “We will send someone to look at your wounds tonight if there is no further incidents.” Before any member of the trio could have time to respond in any sort of fashion, the guards standing just outside the council chamber announced the presence of Xzavior, Shishi and Arius by stating loudly, “The council members are not receiving at this moment. Come back later.” This arrested both of the elder’s attention and the turned toward the door, but it was Gilwen who waved off the guards and stood from her chair. “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon, Xzavior. What might I help you with?” Her question was extended to the vampire and his son as well with a simple acknowledging glance.

Laezila twisted her gaze toward the female of the council, momentarily studying her with a cold and cunning gaze that was contrasted by the easily-discernable attempt to keep her facial features restraint from the dread and fear that she felt, as well as the glossy streaks that her tears left as reminders of their trails down her cheeks. She wanted to make amends, yes. But as the danger of her death became more imminent, so too surfaced her natural, instinctive desire to survive; that, and she was highly suspicious that these elves had no interest in her reparations, just themselves. The little ex-matron could not consider herself redeemed without it being acknowledged, not without the offended party doing so, at least -she had the lingering idea that no matter her attempts, such forgiveness would never be given by the elves of Sage. "And if I cannot? If I do not? When is it that my death will no longer be justice?" Her questions couldn't immediately have been answered -at least not by Gilwen- because the interruption and presence of a few familiar faces. Her eyes brightened just a little as they lifted toward Xzavior, due to her expectation of his words being simply words, before they became confused with the sight of the vampire, Blue. "What?" She said aloud, though to herself, in astonishment at his presence; surely, he wasn't here to get her out, was he? No, he couldn't be. The girl instinctively tried to stand, but her back wounded and her wrists tied (actually not at all uncomfortably) behind the backrest and her own spine, she was unable to without any aid -which caused her to grunt softly in exertion of the effort. "If D'Artes knows you have me, this place will not be safe..." She tried to plea to Syelnar.

Xzavior figured what it was the vampire and son was doing. It didn't much matter to Xzavior really. As long as he wasn't the target at some point. With a glance over his shoulder he noticed the 'Demon's confusion and bent back to whisper to him for a second to explain it a bit. So when they finally came to and the guard was brushed aside he dipped his head respectfully, "I was still thinking of providing some assistance on this whole matter. Truthfully I haven't been here long but if I plan on spending my life here I'd rather not see it destroyed. As selfish as that sounds I mean good." He looked over at Laez and gave her a small smile, nodding a bit. Hopefully he could get a chance to talk to the elf and the drow about something he had been milling around for a bit. But that seriously did not need company about. And it was going to be quite a risk just talking about it.

Krice had been patrolling the forest of late, following an encounter with drow assassins a few days prior to this one. Dressed in simple black attire with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, collar open, and a katana strapped to his back, he was neither remarkably armed nor suitably armoured, his patrols of the forest sincere but casual. Whilst his watchful wanderings didn't usually lead him into the elven camp, on this evening the warrior stepped into the centre of the activity and cast his gaze around, nothing the naga, and the father-son duo upon their entry into the fort. The silver-haired enigma didn't appear privy to the conversation taking place deeper in the damaged fort, but his strong, calm heartbeat and the pure scent of his blood would no doubt tell the present vampires of his nearness. Without a reason announced for his visit to the camp, Krice lingered at a slow gait, keeping a watchful eye over those who sought to rebuild.

Shishi ’s eyes widen at the information Xzavior gives him. The vampire snaps back with the same word Laezila has greeted him with, “What!?” Blue looks back and forth between the drow, the Naga, and the female council member. His gaze lingers on the captive vampire longer than the rest, trying to get a better read on the situation. In the short time that The Blue Demon has known her she has not been very receptive to his help when it was offered… not that it had been offered very nicely. Thinking quickly in situations such as these is not usually Shishi’s strong suit, but he believes he's come up with something good here. Before anything though he points at the drow and lets her know, “You're not dying with those eyes in your head!” Clearly he still does not understand the nature in which Larewen's eyesight has been transfered to the former matron. Gilwen is turned on next with a wrinkled nose and a stern look, “Why are you holding a Vailkrin vampire captive here? Eh?”

Gilwen and Syelnar’s both look lost for words the moment Shishi begins speaking to Laezila; were it not for the assassin’s strange statement about death, eyes, and the information that the ex-matron was now a vampire, Gilwen would have acknowledged Xzavior a little more. As it stood, however, Syelnar was forced to take up with the naga and address his offerings with a kind smile. “We do not think any less of you for the reasons you wish to offer assistance, we are merely grateful that you are.” While Syelnar continued, asking Xzavior about his skill set, and which ways the naga might offer aid to the elven enclave, Gilwen stationed herself beside Laezila and rested a hand along the top of the backrest. “Laezila is a drow before she is a vampire, regardless of her excommunicated state. And, due to crimes committed against the elves during the war, and her expressed wish to make amends, we’ve requested her help in determining the best course of action against the plague on Sage, considering the curse was placed on the forest by drow.” From the door, a swordsmen calls out, albeit tentatively, “Gilwen, that man’s here. The one with the gray hair.” Briefly, her attention swung away from the vampire to issue a quick, “If he seeks an audience, send him in.” Thereafter, Shishi was once more the subject of her attention.

Laezila narrowed her intense gaze at Shishi, "That is not how it worked!" Came her protest, strained, at Shishi, before he was up and already enacting his inquisition ere stern look, wrinkled nose, and rapid question. She felt that hand along the top of the backrest, touching just beneath the back of her neck and between the broad of her slender, paled ebony shoulders. Her eyes closed, briefly, "I'm really thirsty..." she re-iterated quietly, and the attention of the young woman moved toward Xzavior. What was his angle in all of this? What made him interested in her fate? Was he even? Perhaps it amused him, entertained him, or at least kept him from boredom. Luckily the elves weren't the sort of people where 'keeping from boredom' meant something terrible for the drow captive; as fate went, she could've had captives of a much more barbaric and cruel society. Her nostrils flared again, though, and this time she uttered even quieter the single name that the scent brought in familiar smell, "Krice..." Her head snapped up at Gilwen, "What do you want with Krice?" She demanded, all trace of plea in her tone replaced now by defensive anger, "He has nothing to do with any of this! And you damn well didn't -request- anything!"

Krice hadn't shown interest in the fort or any of its surrounding inhabitants other than a passing glance - until that elvish swordsman announced him (in description) to someone beyond the entrance he guarded. Turning his head, the warrior locked eyes with his whistleblower--not that he was attempting to keep his presence a secret--and pivoted to approach, his gait unhurried and marked by the strength of a man quietly confident - but not arrogant - in his whole self. As he neared, he heard the protests of a familiar voice, once again speaking out in his defence. Close enough to the presumed guard of a swordsman, Krice locked eye-to-eye and offered a polite, but firm, " Let me through." Perhaps it was some semblance of respect that he held for the elves, or simply a level of politeness within himself, that he did not push his way past.

Shishi ’s son has let his attention wander from his father's conversation and has striken up one of his own with the Frost Drake hatchling Leifa about his eventful day with details like “We were chasing this guy through the forest.” and “He accidentally swallowed this huge bug while he was running.” and “And then Blue like… ate ‘em.” Meanwhile the cannibal who's tale is being told looks to Laezila while the elf leader explains her end of the situation to Shishi. The Blue Demon is half expecting the vampiric drow to tell him to ‘get the hell out of here’. Instead his misunderstanding of Green’s loss of eyesight is reprimanded. The assassin waves his hand dismissively and mutters, “Whatever.” under his breath. The contention of the word ‘request’ is noted and it spurs Shishi further into his argument against Gilwen, “Whether or not you want to consider that kid a drow or vampire first doesn't matter to me. The real point is if she gets hurt or dies out here or when you hand her over to the ones that have a bounty out on her head, it won't be anybody from down in the Underdark upset about it… it'll be Vampires, I can guarantee you that. So unless you feel like dealing with them on top of this curse thing maybe handing her over to the drow should come off the table…” The threat is vague and he keeps himself from dropping a House name for whatever reason. Laezila is eyed once more and her complaint of thirst is addressed, “And maybe get ‘er some blood before she loses it… you know?” Shishi and Yellow turn their heads towards the new arrival, but neither of them know this Krice so there is barely any reaction to his entrance from them.

Xzavior was not here for his own entertainment or his own benefit. Though truthfully if he didn't know the people that he did he might not be here right now. This was for a friend and for Laez. With so many people present all having a connection to Laezila and him having none other than Pilar it would be very difficult for him to convince them to stay without having to blather out everything he needed to say. So instead he focused on the task at hand that he wanted to do for a bit now as he turned to Syelnar, "I am only a cryomancer but I am willing to help in any way I can. I know two druids who would be willing to help as well. One of which being, Sabrina, the one you met yesterday with me," With a slight smirk he added, "And that 'creature' is Rohk, as much of an ass as he is he's good." Leifa had been returning the conversation, telling him about her recently discovered ability to fly and the recent events that went on in Xalious with the giants and how worried she was over Xzavior after he got hit in the chest with a club. Hearing the hellhound's name though she turned around and warbled her own little addition to the conversation about him happily. Though it would only be understood by one person in the room. As Krice made his way in Xzavior turned to see who the, yet another, face in the room was with a sigh before seeing that it was the man that Sabrina had described to him before and idly thought to try and talk to him later as well. So many conversations needed so little time.

Though Syelnar continued his conversation with Xzavior, the sudden outburst by Laezila drew his attention, as well as the attention of the swordsmen just outside the door, who not only allowed Krice through, but stepped into the room behind the warrior; the guard commissioned to watch Laezila also stood to attention, only to realize he still held the glass of water in hand, much to his chagrin- however, the late realization of what Laezila has become is met a noise that could be closely aligned with shock. Immediately, the guard is dismissed with a quick nod, and he hurriedly leaves the room in search of something nearby that might offer some form of sustenance for the vampire; he’d later return with a goblet of unfortunately not so fresh blood. “No, you are right, we did not request, but you cannot deny that we offered you every comfort we had available,” Gilwen said icily. The cells the fort held were still under repair, and thus the ex matron was provided with what once seemed to be a large storage closet, but had been refitted with a cot, which many of the elves who were roughing it in tents couldn’t claim as a luxury, and an oil lamp to combat the darkness, considering the lack of windows. Despite Maegus’s adamant refusal of Laezila’s very presence, Syelnar and Gilwen both lobbied for humane treatment of their current captive; they were the furthest thing from barbaric. “Krice has been patrolling the forest for Drow on his own accord. I merely asked that he continue,” Gilwen answered in that same chilled tone before shifting her attention to Shishi. “I don’t think that I’ve yet to send her back to D’artes. In fact, I explicitly told Laezila last night that I did not trust D’artes, so the likelihood of her being handed over to them is very small.” Syelnar made move to say something at that point, to perhaps warn Gilwen that she might be speaking too soon- however, the fiery headed elf continued, ignoring whatever protest might be offered by her kinsman. “And, the sooner Laezila can provide us the information we seek, the sooner we can decide the best course of action. One which will not result in her death.” Of course, that depended largely on Laezila’s actions. Before Gilwen could continue, another elf burst into the room, this one a younger, dark headed ranger who was out of breath. “There’s an emergency,” she panted, eliciting twin looks of concern from both Gilwen and Syelnar. As if sensing a need for their presence, two more sets of guards filed into the room to eventually lead Laezila back to her room. “If you are concerned about her well being while in our care, you are welcomed back any time to check in on her. We are not so ill bred to allow hard to come to her.” With that final statement however, both Gilwen and Syelnar made swift exits on the coat tails of the ranger.

The guard who had left to fetch Laezila's new choice of food, would return mere minutes after the departure of the members of the council. As aforementioned, the blood was at least a day old, and once belonged to a slew of rabbits, but at the current moment in time, it was all the elves could offer.

Laezila , all in all, had much worse captors than the elves, and luckily was on the strand of mercy that was her professed desire to make amends as well as the saving grace of her betrayal of her own people. Some of the other elves resented that she had better quarters than they were living in, but the elves were a race that carried that resentment with peace and expressed it with nothing worse than a severe glare without the command of some leader. Of course they gossiped about her, probably, and some of them had opinions of her that things should be done that were not beneficial to her well-being, it is assumed, but of Lithrydel there were few elves that would ever act on that -those were the sort of loose-cannon vigilante elves that would not be with their own people -especially the high council, in the first place. She was, truthfully, with nothing to fear from them. No, she had to fear her own vampire tendencies, being a fledgling and not good with controlling her state's demands. She had to fear the drow infiltrating the camp. And she had to fear their sentencing. As it was, her back was healing, but was still bandaged and stiff, so she was thankful she didn't have to be whisked away just yet. Her chest rose and fell a little more pronounced as she saw Krice, her breathing quickened; it could've been his blood, which was so... perfect. Especially in comparison to this day-old and crusting red liquid in the goblet. It was placed on the table, lest she bite one of them, now that her vampirism was no secret; within reach of her head, and she could see that the guard were hesitant. Sure, they'd hold it for her if she asked, but her own intense stare was suspicious of them, so she didn't. "I cannot stay here," she finally said at last, trying to steel a voice that sounded ready to break, "I'll become a danger to them."

Krice entered the fort once allowed to by the swordsman, crossing the distance between the entrance and the congregation without haste. His gaze passed over the face of Laezila, softened briefly in contemplation, before shifting over to the unfamiliar Xzavior and then Shishi and his son. Xzavior drew his attention shortly after as a result of his use of Sabrina's name, but Gilwen's answer to the captive drow ultimately stole back his focus as he paused a few metres away. Hearing of an 'emergency' caught the warrior's eye but he did not address it for long. As Gilwen departed, he bowed his head in subtle but respectful farewell to the woman before stepping closer to the captive drow. He reached out for the cup, afforded surrounding allies a sharp look to steer clear of him--he could be trusted; but he wouldn't put up with over-guarding--and then stepped up to Laezila. His right hand slipped behind her head to grasp her hair at the base of her skull, blood pulsing in his wrist, and thus kept her from lashing out at him as he lifted the cup to her lips. The guards who had arrived to escort the woman elsewhere would have to wait. She'd be more amenable anyway if she was fed. In response to the drow's words, Krice spoke a quiet, but not secretive, " Stay calm. The alternative is worse."

Shishi seems rather satisfied with the responses he gets from Gilwen, the assassin tilting his head back and forth and shrugging to himself. With the departure of the remaining two thirds of the council Shishi is left to watch the interaction between Krice and the drow woman. Blue finds himself agreeing with the unknown man aloud, “Aye. Listen to that guy. Don’t do anything stupid.” The last piece of advice is said through a smirk that might make one think he doesn’t really care if she gets into any more trouble or not. “We’ll let Lar know they’ve got you out here, if you like.” In the meantime Yellow lets out a “Gwah~” or two while listening to the frost drake via the ability to communicate with all manner of creatures ‘gifted’ to him by The Obsidian Pool. If their talk wasn’t already finished it would be when Shishi starts towards the exit of the fort, tilting his head for Arius to follow him which the blonde twelve year old does while offering waves towards Xzavior and Leifa. The father and son duo leave the camp with no indication that either of them intend to return… after all they hadn’t even meant to come out here today in the first place.

Xzavior watched the pair of both elves and the father son couple exit, leaving only him, Krice, Laez, and any guards present. He felt slightly disappointed about this meeting, he had barely gotten any words in but he had to admit there was some more information to be had with all of this. That and he should be getting something out of this with Krice being here. Waiting for him to finish helping out Laez, Xzavior would bow a bit and offer a small smile. "As awkward as the situation may be I still need to ask you a question in place of Sabrina." He didn't know what much else he could do for the drow in chains right now but he would be back at some time to find out what he can. Hopefully next time he would be alone when he did.

Laezila sucked in a deep, anxious breath as the familiar feeling of Krice's hand slipping into her hair at the base of her skull caused her to look away from the other two; she didn't respond to Shishi, though the answer was a 'yes', for sure! Yes, she wants Shishi to tell Larewen. Yes. But this particular part of her life, this feeding, this lack of knowledge on how to control herself -it was embarrassing. Especially around another vampire, like Shishi. But, the girl was so thirsty that even the slightly-crusted blood in the goblet looked like water to a desperately parched mind, and the drow could not help herself. Though, in such proximity, Krice's wrist was nearby, deafening her ears with the sound of blood rushing through his veins, assaulting her nostrils with its sweet scent, causing her taste buds to quiver in desire; a soft 'snickt' signaled the exposure of her fangs as she tried to lurch her head forward to bite the warrior's wrist. Luckily, he was holding her hair at the base of her skull, and soon the woman found her mouth filled with the goblet's lip. She drank greedily, as if deprived, as her eyes visibly rolled back in her head -the ambient sound to her fevered gulping was the scratching of her fangs against the goblet as she mindlessly and instinctively worked her jaw as if to tear and rip, like the goblet were flesh; it wasn't, so she just basically was scratching at it. A trail would escape at either corner of her mouth from the way she was drinking as if frenzied, to pain two small lines of crimson down her jaw, and along the smooth curve of her neck. As the liquid depleted, she struggled against her binds, actually causing the chair to squeal as it slightly slid in accordance to her violent jerks; the normally intense bluebell-colored eyes were still rolled back and she was hissing like some feral beast, trying vainly to bite at Krice's arm and wrist, as if to rip them apart ere her pearl-white teeth. The ex-matron couldn't help it, as she had no control, and her mind had the knowledge of Krice's familiar, intoxicating blood now ingrained in her memory, both subconscious and conscious. Laezila didn't seem to understand Xzavior, or really seem all that civilized.

Krice tightened his hold on Laezila's hair as she lurched for his wrist, the muscles in that arm tense with resistance. When she settled for the cup, he relaxed just enough to allow her easy enough movement to drink, his left hand tipping the liquid carefully into her hungry mouth. He tried -not- to spill any of the blood within, well aware that Laezila likely needed every bit of it. With Shishi's departure, Krice had less to focus on, though more people didn't usually interfere with his ability to stay on top of situations. Xzavior's query drew his attention next, though his focus was mostly on Laezila. " You talking t'me?" He asked the of the naga, flicking a sideways glance in his direction. When Laezila was done, he withdrew the cup and reached behind him to place it on the table once more, thus unwittingly enabling himself to better deal with the frenzy that came afterward. As she lurched again to try and bite whatever flesh she could, the warrior snapped his empty left hand under her jaw, pressed his fingertips rigidly into her throat, and leveled his gilded eyes with hers. Firmly, and without the gentleness of compassion that barely touched his tone before, he growled, " Calm -down-."

Xzavior watched the scene before him with disdain. He didn't really think he needed to find interest in it. Krice seemed to have everything under control as it were. That and if he didn't it wasn't like Xzavior would be defenseless against it. Along with the fact that he had seen this before so it wasn't anything new. Still seeing as Krice's attention was needed else where he kept his questions to himself till a time it would be most appropriate. "Only other one here who knows Sabs."

Laezila hissed between her teeth with every sharp inhale and exhale as the gilded gaze leveled with the exposed whites of her rolled-back eyes, those pearly teeth exposed in front of closed teeth. Her entire body was tense. As moments passed without further feeding and with a significantly shorter amount of time before she recovered than earlier, those bluebell-hued and vivid eyes appeared once more as that lithe little pale ebony form abruptly and suddenly relaxed, her chest rising and falling rapidly in the wake of the exertion during the ordeal. Her gaze took in her immediate surroundings -Krice's hand on her neck, which would likely retreat immediately if she knew the man at all, the naga there. She cleared her throat quietly, and murmured, "How embarrassing..." in explanation that she was not very pleased that the snake-man witnessed it.

Krice released the tension in his hand around Laezila's neck the moment she snapped out of her bloodlust, but he kept his palm beneath her chin, hovering there just in case. His right fingers remained in her hair but relaxed the grip as well, and he kept his focus steady on the woman's face as, at last, she returned to conscious self-awareness. After a moment, the man rose to his full height and withdraw his hands from the vampire, taking a casual step back to distance himself - and his blood - from her sharp senses. He turned his gaze upon Xzavior but kept Laezila in his periphery. " What about her?" He was referring to Sabrina.

Xzavior dismissed her words with a small wave of his hands, "It happens," Not like you could always control something natural like that. He couldn't stop himself from shedding. What? It has the same principle. After everything seemed to calm down he would answer Krice, "I need to know who the leader of the Warrior's guild is so we can talk about escorts for healers that are heading out to dangerous places. Sabs told me to ask you." Truthfully it was his worry over her after the incident with her heading into the sewers of Larket and no one thought of keeping her safe from anything.

Laezila lifted her gaze up toward Krice as Xzavior asked him questions; Krice had the luxury of leaving. Unfortunately, the drow was still with her wrists tied together behind her back. Slowly, her stare took in the sight of the man before it moved on toward the naga -what were they doing here? Did they come to talk to each other? "Hi, yes, still prisoner here." She snapped, growing somewhat impatient, "Why are you here?" To Krice, though the question wasn't ungrateful -rather, it was curious. And Gilwen seemed to have known him. "Can you get me free?" And a look to Xzavior; both questions applied to the snake man as well.

Krice murmured to Xzavior a casual, " Hildegarde's the leader of the Warrior's Guild. If Sabrina needs help, she's more than welcome to ask me, first." At this juncture, Laezila's interjection drew his attention and he glanced her way, his focus on her sharp and warning. " I'm not here to deal with your attitude, number one." A beat. " I think you should stay with the elves. If that guy with the kid is going to tell Larewen of your whereabouts, then you'll be returned to her soon enough."

Xzavior nodded his thanks to him before turning to Laez. "I'm here because my recently made home is about to be destroyed. I'm offering to help you because of Pilar, a friend of a friend is good enough in my books," Until they proved they weren't that is, "But I have to agree that you would be safer here. You won't get easily caught here as you would back at the House. I can still get you out but I really advise against it."

Laezila looked back and forth between them as if they both had lost their minds, "Stay here?" She asked, incredulously, before she stammered, "But I'm a d-drow!" She wriggled a bit on her seat, before the lithe young woman first appealed to Krice, "I already served my time. They're going to want my head, Krice, they -hate- me. Please, please, don't just leave me here." Pilar's name caught the girl's attention, which caused a distinct frown to cross her face, "I miss her."

Krice shot Xzavior a look, its intensity contrasting the calmness of his voice. " You told her that you can get her out, even though you don't want her to get out?" He asked, incredulously. Turning his attention back to Laezila without awaiting a reply from the other male, the warrior said, " Gilwen seems to be trustworthy. She's willing to allow you to redeem yourself. You should take the opportunity without complaint." Dipping his head, the warrior turned to take his leave, but not without saying one final thing to the other male: " Refer Sabrina back to me. I'll help her."

Xzavior sighed and looked back over at her, "Think of it this way. You will know who is going to kill you. Out there there are assassins and bounty hunters just waiting for a chance to get right at you. Right now you are protected, well fed, you have shelter, and you're not going to have to worry about being killed when you walk around the corner." As morbid as it was it was the truth and he knew it as well. Hell he was supposed to be one of those bounty hunters. But to Krice he lifted a hand, "I got it, I'm apart of the healers guild myself. Friends with Hilde as well." He should be leaving as well but he felt slightly guilty for doing so for some reason.

Laezila 's eyes widened at Krice, "Seems trustworthy? Take it without complaint? And if you're wrong, Krice, what then? Does it even matter to you?" He was just going to leave her in the hands of these... these elves. "Please, don't leave me here..." Chances are he'd leave -in that case she would turn immediately to the naga, "They hate me. Gevurah will get me here, I'm not safe at all. I'm safer with Larewen, please."

Krice slowed by the exit of the fort and turned just enough to regard Laezila over his right shoulder. " I'm not leaving -you-, Laezila. I'm exiting the fort." After a moment taken to glance at Xzavior a final time, the warrior's eyes returned to the pale-blue pair of the drow. " I'll be nearby. Consider how lucky you are to be held here and not immediately turned over to the Underdark. You have no chance down here." A beat. " They want you to help them, which means they want you alive. You want to help them, don't you? You want to make amends for everything you've done against others?"

Xzavior was sure she would turn to him right away if the other left. So he beat her to it and went to make his leave. He wanted to help and he would help. But as it were he didn't have the time or the resources to do anything about it. "I will let Pilar know what is happening. Remember that here, you have a chance." He offered a farewell nod to Krice before scooping up Leifa and leaving.

Laezila called out to Krice, "Yes! Yes, I want to help them! I came here asking to help them! Why am I bound?! The last elf to bind me was going to force a rat to eat through my stomach!" Her words were getting feverish; she was scared. She was really scared, and as she became more desperate, the little vampire was making herself more scared. "Don't go! What if they decide to execute me?!" Well, one of the elders was already in favor of that, outvoted earlier before Krice came. "Stop!"

Krice dipped his head in a simple nod in passing to the departing Xzavior, and now left alone with Laezila, he was able to better accommodate her fear. He hadn't been moving when she yelled at him to not leave, but now that she begged him to 'stop', he turned properly and approached her once more. The warrior halted well outside her reach and dropped his hands into the pockets of his pants, regarding the woman along the length of his nose. She really was still such a child. " After all the things you've done, execution is warranted." He wasn't going to lie to her. She must have known that much by now. " But rest assured that they won't be killing you if you cooperate. You're bound because, by your -own- admission, and by the example you gave just a few minutes ago, you can't control your bloodlust. If an elf comes back with even the tiniest cut, the smell of his blood will reach you. You'll lose yourself and run around slaughtering everyone. Despite your willingness to help, you -are- still a drow and the the elves have to take precautions. You're going to offer your help, but that doesn't mean that you're magically trustworthy. No one here knows you well enough yet to decide that."

Laezila 's fervent and frantic breathing slowed and abated somewhat by the return of Krice, more so comforted by the man's presence despite his rough attitude toward her; she was still such a child, yes, still theatrical and dramatic, and the center of her own world. But, she was trying! She was trying so hard. She wanted to refute what he said, but the man was... so damn logical. She had no ground to stand on. All she could manage was a small, "I am scared." It was so much easier on the other side, to be the one in control, to have the power, the command, the authority. "Don't let them hurt me, I beg you."

Krice pressed his lips into a thin line, features adopting a thoughtful expression that reflected some sort of sympathy for the drow. Laezila was pitiable. At length, he murmured a gentler, " I know you're scared," followed by, " but this is how things are right now. Don't think of the future. Focus on the 'now' - how you can make the lives of the elves easier, and thus make your -own- life easier. Your vampire friend will go tell Larewen of your location, and the naga will inform your other friend, Pilar. You're not alone. Stop acting like you are." She really needed to have more faith in her friends.

Laezila 's lack of faith in her friends was understandable by her race alone, let alone the betrayals that had happened to her throughout the majority of her life. For her effort, however, she did not cry before the man, instead she peered up at him with those frightened, bluebell-hued eyes. "They want me to solve the tree rot. To explain it to them. What if... what if what I know of it isn't enough? I can't cure it. I don't even know how they cast it -it's Tiphareth's magic, h-he... I saw him rip the souls out of an entire House, en masse, before Trist'oth, and send them screaming to the plane of Vakmathras. Sent them to a literal Hell. How do you undo magic from someone that powerful?"

Krice listened to Laezila without aggression, frustration, or impatience, her words inspiring thoughtfulness in the warrior. After a moment spent to consider her question, rhetorical or not, he voiced a pensive reply: " You find someone just as powerful." Something about the warrior faltered in that instant, not his resolve or intelligence but his body; the slightest weakening of his posture, flicker of an eyelid. " The elves will figure it out with what you tell them. They won't kill you if you don't harm them. And Gilwen seems at least amicable toward the idea of Larewen coming to see you. You're fine here." He paused, thinking again. " I'll be just outside, alright? Don't be scared, anymore."

Laezila fell quiet as she witnessed a subtlety that she couldn't quite identify -that she couldn't quite, despite its familiarity, put her finger on- in a brief flickering throughout the warrior's body. It concerned her, but Krice was a man that did not talk much about himself, as if he preferred the enigma he was shrouded in, and she settled with the idea that, if he needed help, he would say such. Though, not as if she could do much, considering her current predicament. "Okay," she whispered in reply, before she was abruptly swept up in the quartet of guards, who intended to escort her back to her 'cell'.

Krice echoed Laezila's acknowledgment more for her sake than for his, a reassuring, " Okay," as he stepped out of the fort to take up a place of watchfulness somewhere in the elven camp, likely not too visible - and not too far away from the captive drow's location. Overnight, he would ensure that no ill came to the scared young woman, and that no ill came to the elves who held her.