RP:On Riddles and Lodgings
Part of the The Ice Plague Cometh Arc
East Hall
Synopsis: Josleen and Eliason find lodging for Ezekiel to repay him for saving Josleen. Ezekiel wants answers about what is going on in Frostmaw. Josleen has some details to share from her experience in the Ice Caves below, but they only lead to more questions. Eliason thinks a council should be called for people to pool their information together and try to solve the Frostmaw riddle. Ezekiel freaks out.
It's the day after Ezekiel spent the night on Josleen's couch. The birds in the pet store below seemed extra loud this dawn, or did it just seem that way as a result of the mead pumping through them? It's the afternoon now. Josleen has already heard back from Eliason and has fetched Ezekiel to pay the paladin a visit. On their way to the Desert Legion barracks, she informs the tinkerer of Eliason's willingness to find a room for him to stay in exchange for labor. No more homelessness for Ezekiel! Armed with intimate knowledge of the Commander's schedule, she knows exactly when Eliason is free and exactly where he will be. She finds him in an empty hall at the castle, looking over some on-duty reports from those he oversees. The privacy of the hall means that Josleen does not hesitate before approaching the paladin. She wears a coy, knowing grin that's been tailor-made in recent days just for Eliason's eyes. "Hey." Another recent development in their rapport is that Josleen avoids calling Eliason by his name in private and semi-private settings. She utters his name with ease to others, but never to him directly. “This is Ezekiel, the man who saved me from suffocation hours before you found me.” She glances back at Ezekiel, her coy grin switching over to a kind smile, a typical one for friends.
The chirp of the birds might have been extra loud for Josleen, but were hardly a nuisance for him. See, he drank a lot to try and counter the insomnia he dealt with, often times scotch in a dirty glass. He's yet to find a tavern with clean glassware. It isn't until he is introduced to the paladin that he freezes on the spot. All color fades from the mage, almost as if he's just seen a ghost. A part of him honestly believes that is the case. After all, he'd gone with the assumption the man he woke up beside had been dead a long time ago. He is fearful and overjoyed, but most of all, he is confused. Surely this couldn't be the same man? “It- it- it's him.. Josleen, that's the man.” He stammers terribly, standing plenty far back.
Eliason turns his sapphire gaze from the charts in front of him as the pair enter the hall. Josleen is offered that familiar smile, the one reserved only for her when curious eyes are about. Their common dance has become so much more intricate in the face of all that has happened recently. For a moment, the bard is all that captures the paladin's gaze, but the surprised exclamation from the newcomer breaks the emotional grasp upon him. Looking past Josleen, Eli spots the familiar visage of the tinkerer. The special smile spared for Josleen alone changes slightly into a light grin for Ezekiel. "Ah, so we meet again, and this time we're both standing. I trust that the beating you took just before we first met is not hurting so bad now... You ran off before I could make sure the corruption was fully taken." Stepping forward, the paladin holds out a hand in greeting. "I owe you a debt of gratitude for helping our friend here." He waves a hand toward Josleen who is offered a wink. "If you are the one for which she sent me a message, you are most welcome to bunk here with the Legion. There are small quarters at the back of the hall that should afford you a measure of privacy. Any help that you can offer in return would be most welcome, but nothing will be required of you." If one were to listen closely, they would note that the man will not speak Jos's name until he knows which name she has given the man.
Josleen pales when Ezekiel names Eliason as the one he left for dead. She frowns at the paladin. What are the chances that Ezekiel, wounded in every sense of the word in his attempt to save Josleen, would then go on to pay that pain forward to none other than Eliason. Actually, given how intertwined their lives have become, it's too easy for Josleen to accept this. Of course it was Eliason - the supernatural forces around them ensure that all paths lead back to each other. That normal roll of probability's dice could have chanced anyone's life against the corrupted Ezekiel, but Eliason and Josleen's lives play with loaded die as of late. "...You didn't tell me you were hurt," she murmurs to the paladin. To be fair, she didn't tell him about her first encounter with the mage either. The bard turns back towards Ezekiel, her attempt at a reassuring smile falling flat. "Had I known it was him, I would have spared us both the guilt." The flat smile picks up impishly in the corners. "You see he's invincible." Her grin obscures whether or not she truly believes this, or is attempting to make a bad joke. "I suppose that solves our mystery, eh?" She reengages Eliason to explain, "We were hoping you would help us track down the man who Ezekiel thought to be dead. Though, how Ezekiel came to be corrupted is something you should warn your men about." She sits at the chart-cluttered table and points to a snowfield northwest of the tower ruins where Eliason found her days ago. "The Ice Devils found me and put me in a pod of black ice. They made me appear here, before Ezekiel." She double taps the snowfield. "I barely had enough air to breathe, and Ezekiel attempted to break me out before the air ran out. When he pounded on the ice, the pod burst into thousands of black shards, exploding outwards in all directions. Ezekiel was hit pretty badly, and corrupted on the spot. He managed to fight it long enough to flee before harming me." The anxious mage hero is offered another grateful smile. "He's been looking for answers about that event. It looked just like your sister's corruption, though I tried your invocation and it didn't work." She flushes slightly at both her naiveté in believing the invocation would work when uttered by her, and the inevitable failure.
The mage was hesitant about accepting the paladin's hand. It wasn't because of anything to do on Eliason's, Ezekiel just had issues when coming into contact with others, but he'd shake his hand and even make sure it was firm. “Please, forgive me.. I, I didn't mean to leave you.” He hid behind a wall of guilt, he'd left the man on the side of the path in his fit of terror. “I just, you were.. and I was bloody, I couldn't remember a thing.” He caught himself rambling and just stopped. Ezekiel reached up and rubbed nervously at the back of his neck, figuring it best if he just kept quiet for now. In the meantime, he'd move towards the table and study the ma, that is if no one stopped him. For all he knew, these could have been top secret documents. “Where else have these popped up? These pods?”
Eliason smiles softly and shakes his head in response to Josleen's concerned comment. "It was fine. It seems that my body functions slowed down while I was fighting this corruption within. I probably appeared to be dead... I'm fine, but hardly invincible..." He releases the mage's hand and follows back to the table. The legionnaire grows quiet as the bard explains about the pod and Ezekiel's subsequent corruption, a frown of worry creasing his face. His eyes find Josleen's at her mention of trying to use his prayer to save Ezekiel. "That was an ancient prayer and can only work with a divine connection to Arkhen..." He offers her that special smile as encouragment so that she will not be embarrassed by her attempted use of the prayer. At Ezekiel's question, the paladin turns back to the maps. "So far, the Ice Devils have attacked here, and here..." He points to the spots on the map where the attacks occurred. "There have also been Frost Giant attacks in these places.." His finger snaps to several points on the map to indicate these attack spots. "We also believe that they've been poisoning the water supply at Lake Frysta here." The big man bites his lip and thinks for a moment about the corruption that had originally infected Hilde then Ezekiel and the way he and Aela had healed it. "The key to the corruption seems to be the black ice. The fragments are imbedded under the skin and allow the corruption to filter in that way. It would seem that the pod was a trap to corrupt you." His sapphire gaze moves to Josleen. "And apparently you were the bait they chose to use... We shall have to be more careful and spread the word that the black ice is to be avoided at all costs."
Josleen follows Eliason's disparate locations. They seem random, without route or reason. "They're using the ice caves and tunnels to get around stealthily. That's where I fell, into the caves. I saw Ice Devils and Giants down there, keeping supplies, weapon, armors, and dumb but powerful beasts down there. It was all made eerily silent. I couldn't here my footsteps, or the caged winter wolves barking." She turns a worried expression up towards Eliason. "...They seemed to be practicing dark arts. I recognized some of the symbols from the necromancer's bedroom we found under that temple. Similar idols and artifacts." Then, she turns her gaze to Ezekiel, the mage's guild member. "There were runes all over the walls and ceilings. ...Not typical runes, it was nothing my father has ever taught me. That's probably how they managed to keep everything silent and sneaky, right?" Not confident in her knowledge of magical arts, she looks for confirmation. "That's how I managed to get around for so many days before being discovered." She points to the eastern Frostmaw gates. "This is where I fell, right? I tried to escape, and traveled through here." Her finger drags a route quite some distance away from the gates, all the way to the Academy. "Then the Ice Devils discovered me, put me in the ice pod, and used their snow magic to make me appear before Ezekiel." Her jargon is a bit lacking, but Eliason was witness to the teleportation Ice Devils were capable of through ice and snow. Of all the people to have run reconn behind enemy lines, Josleen is among the weakest, but it's all they have to go on at the moment.
Ezekiel studied the map carefully, the mage trying his hardest to find some sort of correlation behind the attacks. He took every word the two spoke, and stuffed his mind with the valuable information. He traced a gloved finger behind Josleens, from gate, to tunnel, and from tunnel to field. He saw these things in a way others didn't. Numbers, lines, angles, mathematical equations, things he generally put together to create blueprints and schematics. Unfortunately, he saw nothing here, not yet at least. He'd been so far out of the loop, he thought his run in with Satoshi was only the start of things, apparently this had been going on for quite some time. “Where is their motive? What happened before this? Does anyone know the history between these creatures, or the giants that reside here in Frostmaw? What wars were lost, what land was claimed? Who has been attacked?”Question after question, it's all he can do at this point. If he were to stay in Frostmaw, he'd need a couple things. “I'm willing to offer as much help as I can, but I'm afraid I don't know very much. Either as a mage, or a fighter. Hell, I don't even know the lay of the land.. I sometimes wonder why I even come out this way.” He tried to laugh but it came out more as a nervous chuckle. “Sorry. I am in both of your debts; just tell me where you need me.”
Eliason listens intently to both of his companions' words. Taking a roll of string from the edge of the table, he cuts a few lengths and pins it on the map to show the routes indicated by Josleen. In response to Ezekiel's queries, he shrugs. "Unfortunately, we don't have much to go on at this point. There are many theories about who could be behind all of this, but nothing substantiated. Frostmaw is a city of war and has any number of standing enemies. I'm afraid that only Queen Satoshi can answer any of those questions with any certainty and she seems as confused as the rest of us... Perhaps we need to have a council with everyone involved so that we can all share our information together and figure this out." The paladin sighs and looks upon the map with weary eyes. Taking a step back he tries looking at the various patterns from a further distance, but nothing new presents itself. "I hate sending my men into battle against unknown enemies..." The words are quiet and spoken to no one in particular. A sigh escapes him and he finally turns his eyes to meet Josleen's. "Just promise me that you will not leave the gates at all. I'm not sure that it's safe here in the city much less out there..." He sweeps an arm outward to indicate the wilds beyond the gates.
Ezekiel thinks answers just grow on trees all willy-nilly. Josleen's shoulders move in nearly imperceptible shrugs at each of his questions. It’s a physical manifestation of their collective ignorance on the issue. A soft cluck and dismissive hand swat in Ezekiel’s direction (no touching!) to disabuse him of any high-minded ideas about debts owed to her. Eliason’s suggestion of a council is met with a weary sigh, but nod of agreement. He’s right, of course, but the idea of the council at present overwhelms her. She’s one pessimistic thought away from having an Ezekiel moment: Ice giants and devils, black ice and eerily silent tunnels, all powerful companions, riddles and histories alien to her -- why is she even here? But her answer stares right back at her, asking for a promise. Instead of a promise, she meets Eliason’s concerned gaze, her own expression impassive. She holds the silence for a protracted moment before answering, “I’m not eager to leave.” Never is a promise, and she can’t afford to lie.
Ezekiel once again reached up for the back of his neck, rubbing nervously as he avoided all eye contact with the man. “I'm afraid I.. I can't make that promise.” He stammered quietly, almost afraid the paladin was going to be furious. That was Ezekiel for you, nervous and afraid of everything, even telling people who could easily destroy him, 'No'. “It's not that I'm worried, because I am,” You don't say.. “I just need to be somewhere, soon. It isn't too far out of town, but.. I'm afraid I can't keep within the city gates.” He glanced carefully towards Josleen then back to the map. “I would though, happily help you form this council..” He'd shrug to match Josleen's. “If it's any consolation, I can turn away when any sort of danger approaches.”
Eliason stops short of sighing in frustration at receiving two avoidances of his request. His eyes travel between the pair in front of him, the weariness he bears apparent in that stare. "Well, at least try to be as careful as possible. This black ice seems to be able to infect anyone." Reaching up, he runs a hand through his short hair as he thinks some more. "Mr. Ezekiel, if you could work on setting up this council, I would appreciate the help. In the meantime, you are most welcome to the private quarters at the back of the barracks." That gaze falls fully upon Josleen who is afforded her own private smile, nothing more than an small upturning of lips, but recognizable as the one saved for her alone. "And you... I've heard that you're staying above the pet store. You know you don't have to... You can be closer if you take one of the other chambers. I worry about you out there..."
Josleen interjects with a lazy wave as Eliason asks Ezekiel to form the council. She doesn’t know the mage very well, but intuitively suspects that this level of social responsibility may cause Ezekiel to make like a shy, scared tortoise and inch away, all tucked in on himself and what not. “I can do it.” A small smile to Ezekiel seals the offer just before Eliason captures her attention again. Her smile wavers at the legionnaire’s offer to stay in the barracks, her expression cagey. “I’m comfortable there,” she refuses, her true motive played close to her heart and hidden by an obviously elusive gaze. She has the worst poker face. “I have a great couch.” An awkward silence settles among them, the unbalanced tension exacerbated by Josleen’s bouncing stare between the men. The stare lingers a little longer on Eliason than Ezekiel, like she’s trying to communicate something telepathically but neither possess the talent. Two’s company, three’s a party, and Josleen isn’t in the mood to party anymore. Awkward silence has a natural moment in which most people feel compelled to speak/stammer/mumble, often at the same time and tripping over each other’s words. At that exact moment, Josleen chirps, “Why don’t we let Ezekiel settle into his room?” Her gaze lingers meaningfully on Eliason’s; telepathy still unavailable.
Look at that, Josleen was experiencing an Eze-Moment. Chalk full of awkward silences and weird looks. Hell, he'd go ahead and join her, making Eliason the odd man out. He'd have stayed like that too, if it weren't for Josleen taking the charge with creating the council. He was almost positive she saw the dreaded look of terror in his eyes when Eliason suggested it. He was willing to help, but there was only so much he could do. Baby steps Ezekiel, baby steps. So when she offered to take that job, he couldn't be any more relieved to hear those words. For now, he just kept quiet and exchanged awkward glances during the strange silence, not really sure what to do or say. Oh no- it wasn't him was it? Had he done something, or said anything to bring upon this silent moment. He stuffed both hands in his pocket and watched the ground; clearly more captivating than coming up with an ice breaker. “No! I mean.. Yes. That. I can do that, settle in, I mean, if.. that's..” He could feel his face light up, knowing they both were looking for his input. “If that's fine with you.” He cleared his throat and planted both hands on the table so he could study the map. He'd know Frostmaw like the back of his hand before he was finished with this little meeting. The poor guy could only keep up with so many social interactions in one day, and this was all of them. “If you could tell me the way, I'm sure I could find it myself.”
Eliason, unlike the other two, is not uncomfortable with silence. In fact, over the years, he has learned to use silence to his own benefit since most seemed so ill at ease with the quiet. During this current silence, he takes the time to watch the Josleen and Ezekiel, silently taking note of the non-verbal cues screaming out from both of them. Though Jos is not psychic, the constant motion of her eyes and the way her lip twitches just so makes her message clear. Ezekiel's firm stare upon the ground and his inability to meet the paladin's gaze leaves little doubt as to his level of intimidation, though the way he studies the maps before him leads to one of two conclusions. Either he is a serious scholar eager to soak up information, or he is an informant looking to do the same. Eli makes a mental note to casually keep an eye on this man. Josleen finally breaks the silence however, her words bringing an instant frown to his features. He chooses to save the topic of her living arrangements to another time, but is quick to nod at the exchange about Ezekiel's quarters. Looking toward the door through which the pair has come, he calls out. "Garen!" Seconds later, another soldier enters through the door and looks to Eli inquiringly. "Why don't you take Mr. Ezekiel here to the private quarters in the barracks. He's going to be staying with us..." Garen nods briefly and waves for Ezekiel to follow him. Eli offers the Ezekiel a friendly smile and a few words. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need... Garen is a good man, if you need anything, just ask him. Don't expect any answers, however, he took a vow of silence when he was 10 and hasn't spoken a word since."
Eliason’s shout for Garen certainly wakes the bard up. Why does the room feel like it’s on pins and needles? Within the hall, every minor shift and click resonates, intensifying the tension rather than muffling it. Ezekiel’s rattling nerves provoke an automatic response from Josleen, whose body visibly relaxes towards him and offers a warm smile. In her line of work, she often has to shift her body language to influence the ambience of a room, or cheer those around her. Granted, in this cavernous, empty hall, it proves to be a more daunting task. “I’ll let you know about the council and tell you anything I learn about what’s going on here.” Clearly, the bard does not share in the paladin’s suspicion. If Ezekiel follows Garen out of the hall, she’ll even send a cheery little wave after him.
Ezekiel gladly followed the solider out of the hall and towards his soon-to-be abandoned quarters. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the offered room, he just didn't feel comfortable. Not in front of Eliason, not in the emptiness of the hall, not anywhere inside this place, to be quite honest. If it weren't for Josleen's friendly presence, he probably wouldn't have made it that long standing before the paladin. But Ezekiel kept his cool, if one could even call it that, and followed silently in the wake of the silent soldier. When left to the room, he'd try and thank Garen. The blank stare and awkward rise of an eyebrow told Ezekiel that it was probably best if he let the solider go. He must have sat around for a grand total of four minutes on the edge of a chair before pressing his hands together. The runes embedded into both glove and hand were activated, and in a bright flash of azure light, Ezekiel was gone. He couldn't stay here. He was content with his little lean to of a hideout buried in the ruins to the west. There was nobody out there.