RP:Olive Branches and Doves

From HollowWiki

Part of the Vakmatharas' Jar Arc


Summary: Brennia is attempting to save face before the politics in Schezerade ruin a perfectly good alliance with Frostmaw. In doing so she learns that the area is also plagued with a head cold while Krice informs them that Chartsend is actually suffering from a plague! They start deducing what might be the cause.

Frostmaw Fort Main Room

The entrance room of the fort is massive in size, with flooring of stone and walls of gargantuan logs linked together snugly. Upon the wooden walls lay various trophies obtained by the generations of Jarls to have ruled over Frostmaw. A wide variety of creatures' heads are mounted, from dragons to mammoths, even giants and a few humans, in clear display of Frostmaw's victories big and small. Among these trophies rests a tapestry of masterful craftsmanship that draws the eye of most visitors. The woven image depicts a small, vulpine fiqure atop of the Gray Dragon, Ishataulak, a blade poised to thrust into the dragon's eye. Around the dragon and in support of the sword-bearing figure stands a skeleton knight and a black-clad swordsman. The tapestry conveys a sense of danger and death weaved within the image, caught paused just before the final strike, showing the destruction of the murderous Grey, and imparting the despair Ishataulak felt moments before death was driven home by the Queen of Frostmaw.




Brennia had flown only during the night to Frostmaw, had to stay at the Inn during the day and sent an order for clothing to the local stops so she may pick it up at night with the pay. It’s odd having to travel so far for clothes, but she needed to find more outfits that covered her entire body and gloves as it seems the surrounding shops didn’t accommodate in Schezerade. Dawning a long sleeved fleece turtleneck, black velvet leggings, boots and a pair of thin black gloves she figured she might stop in the fort of Frostmaw. Unexpected, but baring gifts in the form of a basket with the rare fruits and drink from Schezerade as an apology for such intrusion. Lately Schezerade has been taking an odd political stance, but Brennia doesn’t agree and she wants to reach out to leaders of these areas in goodwill that not all people of Schezerade agree to what is going on.


Hildegarde , being the Queen of Frostmaw, was more often than not in the fort. Not that she minded it too much, Hildegarde quite enjoyed carrying out her duties and doing the best she could for her people and the realm at large. Unfortunately, this rather nasty head cold had been troubling her perhaps a few days after that baby shower. Hildegarde had been on her way from the east wing of the fort to the west, when she accidentally intercepted Brennia and her basket of fruit. “Oh,” she emitted, glancing around under the assumption that Brennia was perhaps visiting someone here in the fort other than herself. Brennia was, perhaps, closer to Josleen and the likes of Pilar than she was to Hildegarde. “Headmistress,” the knight offered politely. “What brings you to Frostmaw?”


Brennia smiles warmly at Hildegarde, but possibly she looks just slightly tired as well before that sultry melodic alto timbre emits from plump lips, “merry meet, Queen Hildegarde.” She places her fist over her heart and does a half bow/curtsy gesture for Hildegarde, “I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced, Brennia Smyth.” She holds up the basket for the Queen or one of her servants to take if one of them is about, “I stopped by to offer a basket of treats and drinks that Schezerade specializes in.” Large onyx wings curve over Brennia as if a cloak in a protective sort of way, “I was doing some shopping tonight,” a soft sigh offered at this, “seems all of Schezerade is under some sort of allergy from the sun. Some people think it’s a curse,” concern shift over her expression before she moves on, “this is why I’ve stopped in so late, apologies.” She didn’t expect to run into anyone.


Hildegarde waved her hand at the half-bow/curtsy like gesture, it wasn’t really her thing in truth. “No need for formalities such as that, m’lady,” she said it kindly, not meaning to dismiss the respect behind the gesture. “Really? That’s odd,” she frowns slightly upon hearing of Schezerade, having taken a step closer to Brennia in order to accept the kind gift of Schezerade specific food and drink. “I don’t think you’ll find much luck here in escaping curse talk, everyone seems to be suffering from an abominable head cold. Truly, I’m having a hard time trying to get any work done!”


Brennia was groomed to be royalty one day before she renounced her home and crown so formalities like that were second nature. One nod when Hildegarde asked, ‘really?’ Once the Queen steps closer she would be able to pick up on her most favorite scent coming from the avian and Brennia looks surprised that Frostmaw is also having an attack, “have you heard about The Vanishing going on in Cenril as well?” A pit open up in her stomach of fear even though her expression remains neutral on the outside. While Hildegarde was now holding the offering basket she digs around in it for something and pulls out a little wooden box, “this should help soothe some head cold symptoms.” She opens the box to show it contains little tea bags and she offers a sheepish sort of shrug of her shoulders, “if you’re a tea drinker.” Stunning liberty blue eyes look directly to Hildegarde’s gaze after putting the box back into the basket and she takes on a bit more serious tone, “something is happening in the empty seat of Raan at Schezerade. I just want you to know that not everyone agrees with the policies they are trying to pass and I will be doing everything in my power to fight it.” The leadership in Schezerade is quite different from a monarchy and Brennia adds, “seems like everything's falling apart… These curses though…”


Hildegarde hadn’t heard about Cenril, so she can only shake her head in reply to that. “With all that is happening in the realm, I’m not surprised that this hasn’t reached me,” most news was dominated with Larket and the newest addition to the royal family there. “But so much strange things happening at once is certainly suspicious. It would be foolish to consider them mere coincidences,” she reasoned aloud. The Queen lapses into thoughtful silence as Brennia rifles through the basket, searching for a little box filled with tea bags. Brennia smells like freshly fallen snow, with a hint of oil and steel: as if Hildegarde were sitting in the snow, sharpening her blade. “Ah, thank you. Leone makes a mean cup of tea, as does Lady Jessa,” Josleen’s mother, “so I am a bit of a secret tea drinker. Don’t tell anyone,” the Queen said with a little smile, implying it wasn’t really a secret. “Hmm… the last Raan that I heard of was Cerinii, she was once Herald of Frostmaw and a friend to Queen Satoshi. If the people disagree with the policies, though, you ought to be careful. The dissidents will suffer. A fight from the shadows is a fight that lives the longest,” she warns, though she obviously doesn’t say *too* much given the delicate dance that is diplomacy. “Well. Curses is a strong word. I don’t imagine it is a coincidence, but without certainty we cannot say.”


Krice stepped into the main Hall from the eastern quadrant of the fort, dressed in his usual attire with a katana strapped to his back, and black robes that were inadequately thin. He seemed ready to pass by Brennia and Hildegarde altogether, despite points of interest wafting to his ears from their conversation, but as he glanced their way to deliver the Queen a nod, something caused a double-take and he slowed, ultimately halting. For a moment, the enigma stood there staring, his brow furrowed in utmost concentration. Only seconds later did he turn to approach the women, slowing just out of reach to stand at their mutual right. "Sorry for the interruption - it may be important," he murmured politely, his brow still set in concentration. Back and forth he looked between them, "This sickness that's going around--uh... Frostmaw and Schezerade.'.. Are either of you experiencing symptoms?"


Brennia smirked mischievously in Hildegarde’s joke of tea and she even winked in their little ‘secret keeping’ game. “I just hope they aren’t trying to elect one of their own in the senate for the seat of Raan,” another sigh and the shaking of her head proves she doesn’t agree with most of them… Maybe she should actually do something about it then, no? Soon a man she’s only met once in passing approached and addressed them while that warm smile returns to plump lips, “merry meet.” Confusion quirks her brow, “symptoms? I’ve only discovered I’m severely allergic to the sun as is the rest of Schezerade.” Thus can be assumed from the fact that she seems to be covered neck to toe in clothes, even wearing gloves, “I was just informed citizens of Frostmaw have come down with a horrendous head cold.” A pause before asking, “Is there a different sickness out there?” That fear pit opening wider below calm waters.


Hildegarde shrugged her shoulder, “Power is attractive. I wouldn’t be surprised,” perhaps that’ll motivate Brennia not to delay too much. Once Krice begins to speak, Hildegarde turns ever so slightly so as to pay him appropriate attention. “A sickness in both Schezerade and Frostmaw: allergy to the sun,” she nods to Brennia, “and head colds in Frostmaw. Vanishings in Cenril, apparently,” she said.


Krice listened to the answers given by both women. Whilst it was peculiar that Schezerade was suffering sun-sensitivity, he didn't immediately connect it to the head colds in Frostmaw, or... "Chartsend in the west is suffering a plague. Dozens sick, five dead. Everyone infected is wafting a magical aura of some kind." He nodded, indicating both women; no need to mince words. "It's coming from both of you, too." Though the warrior was typically calm and stoic, his expression reflected bemusement and slight concern for the realm as a whole. Squinting, he added in confusion, " It's stronger with you, yet you're suffering no symptoms?" He trailed off, regarding Brennia. "When did the sun-sensitivity begin? Maybe it's connected." Some of his words were under-the-breath, afterthoughts only conjured by things he said. To Hildegarde, he asked, "And you're not sick--do dragons get sick?"


Brennia nodded understandingly to Hildegarde and an appreciated afterthought, “right The Vanishings.” Was quiet for a little while in Krice’s scrutiny, but didn’t she just say she was suffering from the sun? Her expression remains neutral with that subtle warm smile planted on her lips, “all of these at once… They have to be connected and I am suffering to an extent,” she pulls up the sleeve on her navy blue turtleneck to expose her forearm which shows scabbed over boils that were popped. Avian’s are vain and Brennia might harbor little bit of that trait for the fact she was wearing a foundation that covered up the hives that were on her face from this, “I was instructing outside when we discovered the allergy about a month ago and I only travel at night now if I must.” Glove covered hand pulls the sleeve back down and under the protective cover of her wings before she looks to Hildegarde, “when did your head colds start?”


Hildegarde shook her head at Krice, “Dragons are of a strong constitution. We are not afflicted by illness nor poison,” she admits with only a (kilo)gram of pride. Yet she was afflicted, it was undeniable. “A few days after my visit to Schezerade, my head has been pounding. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to focus on the work put before me, but… well, duty is duty!”


Krice clearly didn't think that the same magical aura surrounding people in Schezerade and Frostmaw would sicken them differently from the sickness that plagued Chartsend--why would anyone?-- hence his sun-sensitivity questioning. Brennia's answer confirmed as much as he scrutinized her revealed injuries, thereafter attentive to Hildegarde for her answer about Frostmaw's 'head colds'. His expression softened as a result of her pride and devotion to duty before he reiterated, "You're both giving off the same magical signature as the sick people in Chartsend. If it's there in Schezerade too, then they're all definitely connected. The plague was just breaking out when I first visited Chartsend around a month ago." He looked at Brennia then, nodding in confirmation. "That seems to be the timeline."


Brennia’s eyes widen with worry, “plague? That’s where Pilar lives. Did you meet a ‘Pilar’ there,” she doesn’t assume they know each other, “and is she alright?” Yeah she was only a part of the Bard’s guild for maybe a week, but she isn’t heartless. Brennia calms her mind for a moment and thinks, “a month ago this time I was giving weekly tours of the college while my students were on summer holiday. I was making preparations for The Celebration of Life I threw for the King and Queen.” Something else dawns on her, “there was that eclipse… Do you think this has to do with the moons?” The thought of the Jar breaking when she was alone in her office crosses her mind, but what it revealed was gruesome and unpleasant, so she think’s it would be bad decorum if she brought that up now


Hildegarde is no mage nor does she claim to be smart or brainy! She knows her strength is in her physical strength and tactical gift. “I cannot say for certain but… well, it seems to be adding up, doesn’t it? Isn’t Josleen’s child afflicted with some illness…? Perhaps this too is the cause, not the witches Larket holds prisoner,” she reasoned to the pair. “Even so, what can we do? Where has been afflicted? Who? How exactly?”


Krice listened pointedly to Brennia's brainstorming, and then to Hilde's words that followed. He smirked, wryly. If Larket's baby was the cause... The likelihood of that getting resolved was next to nil. He answered the avian's concerns, first. "I saw Pilar there, yeah. She's unaffected. I think because of her vampirism, but... she's also enveloped in the same magical aura." Thereafter, the warrior went on to discuss the problem. " So far," he began, coming out of those thoughts, " It seems like Frostmaw, Schezerade, and Chartsend are having symptoms of varying illnesses. Cenril's vanishings might also be connected but I can't confirm that myself until I go there and see if the same magical aura is present in the city. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the moons, but I can tell you that it feels sinister and dark. It reminds me of Vailkrin, but I haven't been there for... a long time, so I can't say if this sickness-aura is present there now. It could have simply moved from one city to another." He squinted, contemplating pensively. "The aura was strongest when I first visited Chartsend just short of a month ago, and slightly weaker when I flew there two days ago, but it's still present. Maybe it doesn't move at all?" It was a very perplexing issue. What could be done about it? He looked at Hildegarde. " I'm taking Leone with me to Chartsend, to see if she can help with the plague. We'll start there, an undoubtedly return to Frostmaw to see what can be done here about the head colds."


Brennia nods with a, “good,” before she let the silence rest between them for a moment, “when we celebrated Josleen a month ago… It didn’t seem like she was that far along?” Blue eyes evenly searched for Hildegarde’s for confirmation since she was also there, “does it seem a little early for her to have given birth?” Brennia felt helpless being locked up during the day, it was actually slightly depressing with that and having been jumped or attacked recently. Subconsciously checking over her shoulder in the thought… She felt like a madwoman for even thinking that the Flewminati has their hand in this, but she definitely wasn’t about to ask either. “Just to be certain, maybe pass through Larket and Cenril?” The suggestion is light and even added with a, “I believe Kelay is unaffected though… So, maybe that rules out the eclipse being the cause.” She felt as if her head was going to explode trying to put this puzzle together.


Hildegarde felt that Josleen’s pregnancy was a bit of a bad calculator, but would she state the obvious and say her friend couldn’t have children in the first place and thus her pregnancy is very unnatural? No, she wouldn’t do that to Josleen. Couldn’t. “You’ll forgive me on my lack of knowledge regarding pregnancy and pregnant women! They aren’t the sort of company I often keep. But aye, I would have thought Josleen had a bit more time before birthing the royal prince.”


Krice listened to the women as they talked of Josleen's pregnancy, something he knew even less about. "Well, good luck resolving this issue if the Larket's apparent prince is involved." He shook his head, clearly cynical; any parent would protect her child, but a purportedly royal one? That was another level. A whole city would be behind that. Besides, any warrior with a moral compass loathed the idea of having to kill babies. "Still, the timing does line up." A pause, and then, "I'll return with Leone once we've gleaned more clues from Chartsend's problem." The warrior bowed his head, politely faring both Hildegarde and Brennia well.


Brennia elaborated, “I do not think the baby caused these things to happen, but that the early birth was caused by whatever is going on?” She felt it was getting too late, er… Too early. Either way she needed to get back to the inn so she may fly back to Schezerade tomorrow night. “Farewell…” She watched the man depart their company until Hildegarde and her were alone one more. Her warm smile returning, “well… I am quite happy I was able to run into you, though I wish we had happier things to discuss.” A sympathetic subtle shrug given before she half bows once more, “merry part, Hildegarde, until we merry meet again.”