RP:Steady As A Razor's Edge

From HollowWiki

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc


Part of the To Haunt A Hero Arc



Summary: Hildegarde receives a three-pronged and ominous report from a wounded Lionel on demonic incursions as well as a separate update from the high elf Jesen on the status of Rynvale and the dark tidings within Larket. Laezila tends to the Catalian as the Silver Dragon requests his advice on how to proceed with her war.



Great Hall of Vailkrin

Lionel enters this hall pensive, but grows rather calmer at the sight of Hildegarde. His paces are quick but it will become increasingly apparent his chest and rib are wounded and he’s hobbling ever-so-noticeably on one leg. Hellfire is sheathed in its phantom obsidian and strapped upon his back, shimmering its bright red pulses in response to his arrival. With some difficulty he nods, azure eyes burning brightly in this dimly-lit hall. “Greetings,” he offers, oddly formal for Lionel. “I have come to file –quite- the report.”


Laezila blinked as that odd and familiar man abruptly arrived and addressed the Steward. She was seated across from the Silver and her scarred face twisted in order to peer crystalline blue eyes upon the hobbling man. "Ah- the man," she said softly, and between glittering white locks she glanced at the dragon before the attention of the woman with that claw-swipe scar across her face returned to Lionel. "He's hurt..." Immediately she lifted and began to move toward the fallen hero, concern on her face.


Hildegarde rose from her seat as Lionel entered the hall, his noticeable hobbling catching her attention. “He needs help,” she says in reply to Laezila, as she closes the distance between herself and Lionel. “You can sit and be tended to while delivering your report,” her tone suggests she will brook no argument on the matter. “Come,” she gestures to one of the more comfortable armchairs, standing by him to offer support in getting there should he require or desire it.


Lionel knows, on some level he knows, that he’s in no condition to dismiss the offer. He accepts Hilde’s invitation and allows her to assist his arrival upon the velvety armchair before him. Once he’s seated, he allows himself a deep breath, scanning the hall and pulling himself upright. “I don’t know what you’ve been through thus far this week, and I should quite like to know, but I’d best start with that report. It’s been… an interesting last few days. Vailkrin has suffered three attacks in under a week – and those are just the ones I’ve fought in. More of those demons I mentioned came upon Khitti and I by the grave. Well, it was some demonic entity taking host of a giant spider, I should say. We slew it but it spoke of ‘old ones’ knowing who we are. I don’t have to tell you, no doubt, that it drew Khitti’s increased suspicion of me. I’ve since dared offer her substantial information on who I am,” he adds, his gaze sort of trailing off for a moment and his tone drawing quieter. “…at any rate, I think she’s changed perspective on me since that dialog – I certainly hope so – but it matters little. What matters is that I fear these attacks are the work of some followers of the Dark Immortals.” He pauses, flexes his hand, and shakes out a pain in his shoulder. “One night later, a man called Jarith, possessed by an entity known as Corruption, plagued the streets. Kasyr, Shishi, and I did battle as it summoned forth an array of knights. The city barely survived the onslaught, but we forced its heavily-weakened state to escape. And,” he adds, glumly, as if wrapping up a weather report, “not sixteen hours ago, a creature of even greater power blasted free from Kasyr in that self-same city street. I fought it off until it transformed into an eldritch wyrm the size of the city itself. Somehow Kasyr and I then subdued it.” He sighs, dramatically, and leans back into the armchair. “So, how’s you?” A forced chipper smile.


Laezila approached Lionel and pushed away his eibow and arm in order to more easily expose those ribs. "Dark Immortals?" She asked, almost idly, "I thought those were a myth." A brief glance toward Hildegarde, and she cautiously pressed one of those ribs. "This doesn't hurt, does it?"



Hildegarde assisted Lionel to the armchair and even helped the man get into it comfortably, ready to grasp his sword and put it aside so he could actually sit. The knight crouched by the chair and gestured at his armour, “You should get this off if we’re to help you,” she said quietly. She was a modest woman who liked modest things, asking someone to take off some clothing was risqué at best for her! “Laezila is a good healer, from what I’ve heard,” she smiled at the former matron, “so you had best let her look at the injury properly.” Then the knight lapsed into silence as Lionel delivered his comprehensive yet nonchalant report to her. Khitti was suspicious of Lionel, that much was true and that much she knew from Khitti herself. But what Lionel had to say was concerning indeed… why had Kasyr not mentioned it in his visit the other night? Perhaps he had not wanted to worry her, perhaps he thought it was none of her concern. She was supposed to leave for Frostmaw soon, to begin her assault there… but if Vailkrin needed help… After some quiet contemplation, the knight finally said: “What would you have of me?” She was ready to postpone her own personal war for the sake of Vailkrin.



Lionel can’t resist widening his eyes at Laezila’s remark even as he does as bid and begins removing the ebony plate pieces over his chest and abdominal regions. Beneath them is a simple white linen shirt which he shoves aside to allow access to the wounds. They’re somehat superficial, but nowhere near mundane – serrated gashes beneath the collarbone and across the left arm from claws not of this world. “Myths that bleed and die and kill along the way,” he mutters. “What would I have of you? My lady, I am not the type of man who is so quick with the complexities of strategy as he is with his blade in battle.” He sighs. “Still, I guess there’s no beating around the shrubbery on this one; I’ve fought in wars enough that I’d be remiss not to offer some insight. I’d have you retake Frostmaw posthaste, all the better to shore up strength enough to keep Vailkrin away from these forces. I’d have you send scouts to assist me in uncovering the origins of these creatures. I’d have you and I ask Kasyr for a full inquiry on what that wyrm… thing… even was. And I’d strongly suggest we ensure that your foes among the Frost Giants aren’t being led on by Dark Immortal influences. They’re insidious,” he practically spits. “Unending, too.”


Jesen has finally made it back to Vailkrin after his long trek back to his island home to obtain more information for Hildegarde. That trip wasn't so bad, even if Cenril was a cesspool he hated dealing with. What had taken him so long was his detour into Larket. It was meant to be a short stop to aquire a horse, so that travel wouldn't take so long. What it ended up being was an ordeal he never expected to get involved in, but still felt bad about leaving. But, Larket would have to wait. The highborn has business with Frostmaw and it's displaced Steward. And so it is with a determination of a man on a misson that the archer emerges once more into the great hall of Vailkrin's most impressive castle. But where he once was somewhat in awe, Jesen is now distracted. His walk through the main street towards his intended destination took him by various degrees of destruction that tells of a battle waged and hard won. And, with what was becoming the new norm, Jesen comes in at the right moment to see Lionel exposing his wounds to those gathered just down the great hall. Hildegarde is noticed quickly, but the other present is an unknown. Lionel has too much of the man's attention for another to really demand the usual thorough inspection, as he was quickly putting two and two together with every step. Lionel was somehow connected to what he saw just outside. And given O'Connor's history, it isn't a wild notion at all. But that is a tale for another time he will have to ask about, as for now, the high elf was heading right towards Hildegarde with the intent to discuss matters left open roughly a week ago. He keeps quite as he approaches, believing he will be addressed when the time is appropriate.


Laezila continued to press and explore those superficial, though unusual wounds with the tips of paled ebony fingertips, as she spoke in interest of continuing that report; the drow vampire said nothing of their own meeting. Or the one beforehand. "Dark Immortal influences?" She glanced toward Hildegarde somewhat skeptically, "Are you certain?" It just seemed so... far-fetched. The Immortals were gone, banished, or destroyed -the stories of the second war were filled with them for that. "Who would be the influencing agent?" Frost giants... well it might make sense, the way Balgruuf seemed to change so radically but... It still didn't. "Breathe deep for me?"


Hildegarde listened to all that Lionel had to say regarding the matter. She was quietly relieved that he recom-mended she tend to Frostmaw first. As much as she wished to help Vailkrin, she wanted the war in Frostmaw to be done with; she wanted to relieve her people from the tyrant that held them in his grip now. As Lionel details what he would have of her in this matter, the knight nodded and spoke solemnly, “Then you shall have it. While I have no real spy to hand, I will do what I can to find this information for you,” meaning she’d likely turn to Pilar or Ashe for such a task. Ashe was a street-urchin once, he had the sly and cunning to find such things out. Pilar was dedicated to any task put before her and knowledgeable. Together they might uncover the truth. “I will retake Frostmaw, make peace with my people and shore up my strength before lending it to Vailkrin,” she vowed. After all, she had promised Larewen her help. As Jesen enters the hall, the knight looks to him, “Ah, Jesen. What brings you here?” she asks.


Kasyr shouted, "Corruption's Here!"


Lionel breathes deeply as Laezila requests, eyeing the drow and her unique facial features as he, too, recalls their previous encounters. He quietly notes Jesen’s arrival with a curt nod and his best attempt at a rigid enough stature to seem collected and dignified, despite the fact that he is here in this hall being poked and prodded and coming to grips with the fact that so many of Lithyrdel’s denizens have come to think of the wars that launched his life’s work as mythic in status. If followers of Arrecation ever resurface en masse, it will truly be a rude awakening. The thought is grim and it showcases on his face, lips furling bitterly and brows furrowing accordingly. “Wise,” he agrees with Hilde’s dictation, “and much appreciated. If I’m right – if there is even the slightest chance – the realm’s violent pockets could turn full-blown… holocaust.” In all his twenty-nine years, there is absolutely nothing he has been surer about than this.


Laezila 's face became panic as she looked toward Hildegarde.


Jesen cannot help but overhear the current discussion. A grim topic indeed. But it is the mention of spies, and the need for information that garners the ranger's attention the most. So even while a drow is present, the man continues on unfazed by saying. "Good to see you in a bit better shape, Hildegarde. Though it seems you only traded places with him." Tosses his thumb in Lionel's direction. "Glad to see I wasn't the only one busy. For if you say the Dark Immortal's taint may spread, Larket itself has recently come under fire just a few days ago. The fermin are being driven mad by something powerful enough to make them openly attack the City-State, even burn a good part of the Eternal Forest in their frenzy." A sigh escapes him. "Troubling thoughts indeed, but.. I shall stay focused on matters that I can point myself at for now. Which brings me to why I am here." To the usurped steward he says. "I've talked with my father. We've managed to gather a small force to aid you. I am to lead them, under your command, when you need them. As well, I am to aid you in whatever manner I can, which, given what you just said, seems perfect. I am good at obtaining information. To validate that claim alone, I have news that may play in our favor. The tourny that Frostmaw holds yearly, a participant has dropped out, leaving an open spot. " He waits a moment, to allow that to digest, before he says. " This offers us a chance to get into Frostmaw, and if you wish it, I am willing to claim the position and enter the tourny. Once in, I can take a look around as nothing more than a would be champion, and as I am not a wood elf, nor publically known to be associated with you in any manner aside from those present currently, I believe we have a high chance of avoiding any undue suspicon. So, this can give you what you need, information, and what I want." A slight pause, before he says. " To prove Rynvale's usefulness firsthand."


Laezila , upon sound of the shout, twisted her panicked expression toward Hildegarde, before the attention fell back toward Lionel, "You should be okay with just some natural h-healing." Her eyes flung to the door, and she drew back instinctively; Jesen's words are heard, but it was mainly the shout that took her attention.


Hildegarde had never fought a Dark Immortal. She had never even thought about it nor ever had any desire to do anything quite so heroic. “I’ll stand by your side, as you stand by mine in this,” she assured Lionel. She needn’t tell him she’d give her life for this, he likely he knows it if he’s learned anything from their previous interactions. As for Jesen’s proposal, the knight considers it quietly for a moment. It’s an interesting offer. It certainly could be beneficial before she marches off to Frostmaw to go reclaim it. “Do it,” she bade, “though it goes without saying that you should be careful. I expect you might encounter some… xenophobia,” she said, gesturing briefly at his ears. “They are unkind, but press on and do not engage them in a fight. I need not tell you this, I am sure you’ll be sensible, but I would rather be sure of your safety,” she said. The knight settled a reassuring hand upon Laezila’s arm. No harm would come to her while Hildegarde was standing.



Lionel‘s mind is suddenly six places at once. Jesen’s approach heralds a high elf clearly skilled in knowledge of Immortal design, which warrants consideration in and of itself. At Laezila’s comment, he offers a half-wave, for somewhere in this castle or very close to it, Kasyr is engaged in lethal combat with one of the very evils Lionel has only moments ago mentioned to Hildegarde. Hastily he assembles his armor, continually throwing hand signals at the helpful drow not to intervene. “I’ll keep Larket in mind, then, Jesen,” he declares, “for that is precisely how they start. Mistrust and panic in equal measure. They spread it throughout the land until the malcontents are all in power and the peaceable kingdoms are all in tatters. And when the time is right, they reveal themselves. Khasad and Elazul are dead – they won’t be coming back again.” He grimaces as a fresh rush of pain in his shoulder spirals defiantly at clicking-together of his chestplate. “Trust me.” He takes two steps to fetch Hellfire and all but bites his tongue to ignore the harm this contortion causes him. “But there will always be followers. And those followers can’t be underestimated.” To Hilde, then: “Corruption is upon the castle. I will handle this myself.” A terse bow. A departure.


Jesen looks to Lionel as he readies himself for combat, and nods to Hildegarde as he says. "It shall be done. Until I complete that misson, I shall keep minimum contact with you to avoid any means of possible exposure of this allience. But.." He watches O'Connor depart. " I must ensure our hero stays alive this night. Excuse me." A slight bow, and he too is off.


Laezila on the other hand, ushered to Hildegarde. "I need to stay here tonight," she explained.