RP:The Death Dealer's Descent

Part of the The God of Undeath Arc

Part of the Mearcstapa Arc

Part of the Welcome To The End Of Eras Arc

Summary: After the events that unfolded at Queen Reginae's party, Kasyr hires Lhyrin to put an end to not only the naga herself, but her little songbird, Brennia, as well.

Mausoleum, Vailkrin

Kasyr had, briefly, considered the possibility of calling a meeting within the unhallowed halls of Vailkrins great fortress- but it had not been long before he'd thought better of it. As much as there were certain amenities afforded to him there, as the people once more grew accustomed, even comfortable with his presence- he was more than aware that it's security was not impeachable. Especially given how closely house Asharam quite an eye on him. They favoured him, perhaps- but in equal measure, they gauged his efforts, as though he were a disaster in need of containment. ". . . Might be right." The words echo off the dust laden walls of the crypt, finding no audience in the toothless skulls and bone chips that still occupied that spot- in the shattered remnants which failed to develop the will to rise, or outright -resisted- the call.

Kasyr || He was alone, and the feeling was almost serene. A peace of mind that had been afforded to him since Valrae & Iintahquohae's intervention- the creation of the heraldric ring he wore, which kept him shielded from inquisitive magics, both from the changeling, and otherwise. Which meant, he had nothing to do, but him- waiting for Lhyrin to arrive at their hastily appointed meeting spot.

Lhyrin || Serene was the right word, especially for Lhyrin. A graveyard symbolized, to them, everything in its and at rest, as they should be. A graveyard symbolized death, the very death they sought to give to everyone they could when the time was right. They took in an unnecessary breath as they wandered through the cemetery, taking in the scent of the grave dirt, the smell stronger thanks to a recent rain. They savored the smell, and walked right into another one that sent faux electricity up their spine--the scent of tomb dust--as they headed down into the mausoleum for their appointment with the former king. The scents of death and decay were exhilarating to the newly turned vampire, though when they reached Kasyr, there’d be no sign of excitement on their pale, gaunt features. “Lord Azakhaer,” they said, their monotone voice announcing their presence. “I do hope you’ve been pleased with the numbers being sent to you occasionally, regarding our contract. The feral vampire population has dropped drastically in several regions, including Vailkrin.”

Kasyr inclined his head towards Lhyrin once they'd announced themselves, brushing away what vestigial bits of grave dust had accumulated as he'd leaned upon the remnants of his predecessors. "I appreciate your efforts. Whilst we've yet to see a resolution to the problem at hand, I've heard no complaints as to the quality or quantity of volunteers." And yet, despite the acknowledgement of how smoothly everything's going, the Kensai's expression doesn't shift. Only his tone, which hints at a certain bone-deep tiredness, "Unfortunately, things have become somewhat complicated. Recently- there was a...gala of sorts in Alithyraa. Whilst normally, these gatherings are simply an excuse for every noble to put on their best outfit et make doe eyes at each other, or to flaunt their wealth- this one . . . ." The memory still dredged up an unsettling sense of righteous indignation, a sort of odium which seemed rooted in his own feelings- but then further inflamed, fed by the devotion that fueled so much of his existence, "The serpent city has fallen to Calice, "That small disrespect, that linguistic quirk to ward away it's eye, " which leaves it now reigned over by a regent who seems more than enthusiastic to rob shoulders with the same cultist typically with causing problems here. Our woodbound 'Baroness'." The words practically spat, but he manages to rein in his temper within a few moments, "Reginae needs to die. I'd made an effort, however discreetly- but, considering the lack of announcement as to my involvement, I believe the truth of the matter was not discerned. And I'd rather not make a second attempt et risk dragging Vailkrin into a war, given it's current issues." Lhyrin, at this point, is being pointedly looked at, "So, how do you feel about regicide?"

Lhyrin couldn’t help but produce a brief, fanged grin at the mention of the “volunteers” that Lhyrin had been helping to find their way to House Markan. But, the extremely short-lived expression was wiped away as the revenant goes on to tell Lhyrin about the recent happenings in the snake pit. The elf’s demeanor shifted then, into one that was a strange mix of confusion and alarm, one not normally seen written on their pale features. “Someone I know is down there. Kanna.” It’s clear that she meant something to them, by the way they said her name, but even that show of emotion disappeared just as quick as it had appeared. They straightened themselves and the emotionless resumed. “I feel quite well about it. I’m well acquainted with regicide, in fact,” the vampiric elf said, though they did not elaborate. “Is there anyone else? Just the snake?”

Kasyr s' eyebrows furl, at first trying to gauge if the elfs zeal for Vakmatharas was the cause of their concern- before that particular name is invoked. It hearkens a face, a few brief interactions- and then toggles up disjointed recollections of a performance that had been pushed to the wayside, discarded in favor of both the mad queen, and Quintessa. "I imagine it es little consolation, monsieur- But, Kanna was alive, last I saw. Alive and-" There'd been something off about her, now that he thought about it- something about her empathic imprint that had hung heavy in the air despite the festivities. "Miserable." Pulled back into the changelings Machinations, even after she'd striven to work with the others to redeem herself. "The snake would be the priority- given killing, or even gravely injuring her would likely impede her ability to rally the people. That said-" There's that sense of odioum again, coiled up in his guts in a way that made even the feeling of Tessa's betrayal feel palatable, "There was a bird, a songstress. Black hair, black feathers. She did something- some form of blasphemous song." The memory of it started to bubble back up to the surface, and with it- a static charge in the air, a change in pressure that could be feel in the pop of ones ear. "A compulsion, I think- A way for Calice to insinuate itself into the people listening." The words sounded correct, even as his mood curdled, as he tried to bury the thoughts back down to where they'd been left, "End her. -Painfully-." That blasphemous little- "And if you find a harp in her possession, deliver it to the devout guild, s'il te plait." It had felt like Daedria- that familiar warmth made to mete out that travesty of a tune.

Lhyrin || Kanna… was still alive? There was something akin to relief as Lhyrin’s line of sight shifted towards the dusty ground beneath their feet, but the fact that she was miserable did not sit well with the elf. Kasyr spoke of a songstress, a black-winged, black-haired creature that had long since eluded Lhyrin since their and Brennia’s shared dreams where they had declared their intent to hunt her. This was the clue they’ve been needing! Stormy eyes settled on the revenant again, a strained smile offered. “I have long since been hunting that one. She destroyed an artifact of Vakmatharas and sought to flaunt the fact to me, during a chance meeting in the dream realm. It would seem she has no shame whatsoever when it comes to blaspheming the gods. I will do my best to deal with the two of them, and try to get my hands on the harp. If there is nothing else, I need to return to House Mahara, and then Vhys, to make preparations to return to that wretched place.”

Kasyr isn't quite prepared to allow Lhyrin the luxury of leaving, the swordsman producing an envelope from within his coat in a smooth motion, before gingerly extending it over towards the soon-to-be avenging assassin, "There's more. A small list of names and descriptions. They're missing members of the warriors guild. -My- people. It had been reported to me that they could perhaps be found in that nest of vipers." THe letters wiggled, before the Kensai adds, "If you encounter any, I'd appreciate you helping their extraction. In exchange, I might ask to retain you as a Liason between your house, and for abroad- in case you need an official reason to gain access to a given location." Or person. Once that's said, however, the swordsman offers little more.

Lhyrin took the envelope from Kasyr, offering the other vampire a curt bow of the head. “I will do my best. At the very least, I will try to get eyes on them and report back with their status. If an opportunity allows, anyway.” Lhyrin was going to have to lean hard into the stealth and subtlety that had been taught to them in their dark ranger training days. While they had not considered rescuing anyone but Kanna, this would aid them and Vhys somewhat politically, if the need ever arose in the future. They slipped the envelope inside an inner pocket of their tunic, offered Kasyr a farewell, and headed towards their various previously named locations, so as to get ready for their hunt.